A Peak Inside My Personal Styling Kit

Lately I've been doing a few photo shoots for various beauty and fashion brands and TV segments that require models and I've complied the ultimate emergency kit for these types of situations.  It's been so essential to my career that I have to share it with you.  These products have been life saviors, never mind how perfect the makeup bag is! The Sonia Kashuk Roll Up Valet bag folds out into four sections making it super easy to organize (and believe it or not is under $20).  Inside I have a variety just-in-cases like binder clips, safety pins and Hollywood Fashion Tape for fashion emergencies.  KohGenDo Cleansing Spa Water with cotton pads, Q-tips, Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray, a nail file, Alterna hairspray, hair clips, tiny scissors, Ardell false lashes, tweezers and clear nail polish (you never know when you may get a run).

What are your emergency go-tos?

My Travel Beauty Must Haves

So for the past six weeks I've been on the road.  Between press trips and TV segments I've been all over America. After five segments, a red carpet event, ghost tour of New Orleans, the Sundance Film Festival and thirteen flights later I'm back in NYC.  As glamourous as it sounds, it's been rough! There have been some beauty products that were staples in my carry-on that I could not have survived without.  They're not all that  pretty, but they get the job done!

Veripur, a moisturizing hand sanitizer that actually protects your hands from germs for four hours.  Between all of the airports and planes I've been on, this has been my go-to.  Unlike other hand sanitizers, this one's really moisturizing so my hands don't feel dry when flying and the four hour protection is key.

KohGenDo Macro Vintage Essence Mask, a face mask loaded with moisturizing ingredients.  Each time I arrive at a hotel room I use this for ten minutes to restore moisture back into my face before a TV segment. It gives my skin a great boost.

Blistex Lip Massage, a lip emollient that hydrates and protects.  This goes beyond chapstick or lip balm for me.  I whipped this one out for my winter travels.  It's a thick ointment-type of lip protectant that really hydrates and I don't need to reapply it often.

Holiday Gift Idea & Giveaway: KohGenDo Holiday Face Powder Gift Set

I've written about them probably a dozen times, but there's a reason – I really love this brand! KohGenDo created a Holiday Face Powders Set, $58 that's a great gift for any woman on your list.  I particularly like it because it includes three of the silkiest face powders in the best colors to ensure your skin looks flawless in any light.  They're such a cute stocking stuffer! It includes:

• Translucent Face Powder, 4 g
• Snowy Pink Face Powder, 4 g
• Natural Lighting Powder
• 3 powder puffs

Want one?  Happy Holidays from BeautySweetSpot!  I'm giving away a set to one lucky reader.  Follow me on twitter at @beautysweetspot and RT for a chance to win.

A winner will be chosen at random at the end of the day!  Good luck!

Holiday Gift Idea & Giveaway: Philosophy Holiday Greetings Set

When thinking of the holidays I think of baking with my mom – powdered sugar cookies, macaroons, warm apple pie.  That sums up the Philosophy Holiday Greetings set, $22. Each product smells just as delicious as the baking tastes.  Think Brown Butter Cookie Shampoo, Coconut Macaroon Body Butter and Pink Frosted Cookie Lip Shine.  Mmmm!  What a sweet holiday treat sans the calories!

Want one?  Happy Holidays to you from BeautySweetSpot!  I'm giving away a full set to a lucky reader.  Comment below by telling me about your favorite holiday baking memory.

A winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, December 5th.

Get It While It's Hot: KohGenDo Launched in Barneys

It's not often I come across a beauty brand that I absolutely cannot live without, but KohGenDo is one of them.  About a year and a half ago the Japanese skincare and cosmetic brand launched online in the US and just recently they made their big debut on the counters at Barneys in New York and in Beverly Hills.  Get this – Barney's can't keep the products on shelves! Looks like the rest of the world is with me.  I covet the skincare.  Especially the Macro Vintage Essence Mask.  It's one product I'll share only with my mom because it's that good.  I use it once a week and it keeps my skin boosting with a fresh, dewy glow.

KohGenDo recently came out with Gommage Gel that's a gentle exfoliator and trust me on this – you know it's working. Why?  Because all of the dead skin cells and impurities you're rubbing away show as the exfoliant turns to rubbery balls. Yes, it may sound gross, but let's face it, we all like products that look or feel effective.  This skincare line has proven results over time to me.

Besides loving the skincare myself, celebrity makeup artists are cult followers of the skincare and makeup, especially the foundations.  They were used on Angelina Jolie in Salt and recently on the cast of The Reasonable Brunch (Demi Moore, Ellen Barkin and Kate Bosworth).  Ellen Barkin regularly grabs the products from Alcone in NYC whether she's filming or not.  Now KohGenDo's available to us online and in Barneys!  Check out the full range of products and let me know if you'd like suggestions... trust me, I've been using all of the skincare and tried all of the cosmetics!