It's been a long week but I was so pumped to be whisked off to the Waldorf Astoria to attend the cocktail reception and the luncheon for the Cosmetic Executive Women Insiders' Beauty Awards. This year, over 650 products were entered through over 300 beauty brands! From all of this, there were 186 finalists in 30 categories. The result is that a winner in each category is selected and on this day, over 1,000 people were able to watch the awards ceremony that was hosted by Michael Cantone (from Sex in the City). I'm so happy that one of this year's CEW sponsors, Crest, invited me to attend! As a Crest 3D White ambassador it meant a lot and it was so much fun to meet a number of people within the brand as well as other brands! Roll over the images to see brands that I highlighted who won within their categories and who I enjoy using as well (special congrats to Avon for winning as I'm a Brand Ambassador for them as well and loved seeing another fave was included - I also rocked their Extra Lasting Lip Gloss in Constant Coral today)!

My sister and I are definitely on the same page when it comes to pedi care! For those that believe that the winter is the time to take a break from regular pedi care. If you're in that group, then I suggest that you should do a bit of at home prep before going back to your regular pedi appointments. The winter here in the city means thick socks, stockings, boots etc and by doing a pre-pedi at home, you can at least begin to get your feet ready before going for your next appointment. Roll over the above images to see what items are in my pedi closet! From Conair, Tweezerman, Avon and Deborah Lippmann - you'll see my tried and true musts! In addition, meet a new find that I'm obsessed with that's based in Brooklyn - Soho Feet which focuses on foot care only! I'm loving how their treatments have culinary inspirations and truly make your feet feel amazing when you're soaking, exfoliating and moisturizing!

We know our Midwest friends have been dealing with the snowstorm and here in NYC, we have to remind ourselves that crystal blue skies and fabulous sunny days don't mean it's warm when it's in Feb! With that said, this bitter cold hasn't stopped me from still looking like I have been frolicking in the Miami sun (and I haven't been in ages and yet I'm still rocking sun kissed skin). It's all about me finding a skin routine that works for me which is adjusted based on weather, stresses I may be under, etc. My basic routine is very get up and go friendly but with weather like this, I need to give some extra love to my skin so that means while I drink more water, I lather on a lot more moisturizer to maintain that soft fresh skin! Those who know me know that I have a million cosmetic cases, one that allows me to travel on the go if I'm called and have less that 3 hours to pack and get to the airport, I have a winter kit and a spring kit. This means that my winter kit is my must have essentials for this season and I want to ensure that my skin looks great. My Marc by Marc Jacobs bag ensures that not only are they in this dragon scale nylon case but that everything I need is there.

For those that may suffer from skin that's flaky or extremely ashy, Topricin is a great moisturizer. It also doubles as a great pain reliever. Sometimes when you've been outside for long periods, you find that your skin may feel tight and achy so this is great to deal with both issues. Moving on to skincare for your face there are a number of items that I am obsessed with! If you've been in my beauty closet, you know that makeup wipes are my not so secret guilty pleasure. I have wipes that include cocoa butter, dead sea salt, etc - the options are astounding and only a few are on my short list of what I wouldn't use. These Noodle & Boo wipes are cute. If I'm lazy I wash my face off with this or I start with this, use my clarisonic and use another to wipe off whatever residue that may be left behind. They're refreshing and they are a must in any beauty kit no matter the season. For those that have sensitive skin and worry about cloths being too astringent for their skin, I do suggest using products that are geared towards babies/children as if it's perfect for their sensitive skin, you don't have to be concerned for yours!

Once you're skin is clean, an exfoliant is a must. I do this about 2 - 3 times a week in the winter as I want to keep my skin soft and ensure that irritants are not on my skin. I have some faves that are definitely great options. Fresh Rose Face Mask will keep your skin looking vibrant as well as I love the use of rose in a number of my beauty options. Make it decadent by using caviar with Balenciaga's scrub - caviar has been known for its amazing properties when it comes into contact with your skin and is perfect for a spa day. If I have had a super busy week where I had to do segments, shoots or appearances with a number of days in a row, I do like to clean my face with something a little more abrasive. Bobbi Brown's Buffing Grains for Face can be used with your fave cleanser or water in order to create that spa like exfoliating experience.

When you're done cleaning your skin, you need a great moisturizer, I tend to go with items that are infused with milk, sake or soy. Once again, Fresh is to the rescue with their Soy moisturizing cream which is another way to put much needed nutrients in it. Every morning for breakfast, you can find me eating hard boiled eggs, sliced avocados (both sprinkled with sea salt) and Pom Juice - I'm not someone who really likes the first meal of the day but I do love these items! Why? Because these items make my skin look great and they add a lot of nutrients. Sponge has an Avocado Oil that is great for the face. When I don't plan on going out for the day or it's at the end of the night I do like using this as it keeps the skin smooth. Another moisturizer that I suggest especially for those that have sensitive skin (note that I don't have sensitive skin; however, I feel that once again using these items are still great for your skin), use Aveeno's Eczema Active Naturals which contains oatmeal which is great for skin.

For me, the winter is all about protecting my skin the area under your eyes is thin and for me, when I'm outside in the cold, the weather makes me over tear and the water can actually attack that area! In college, I noticed that when I didn't treat this area (along with walking around without sunglasses in the weather) I would have aggravated skin that not only got slightly darker but would get a bit scaly - not cute! La Mer has a great Eye Balm Intense that I use on my face and I must say that when I'm home, I always add a little more to ensure that the area stays smooth and flake free! Another thin area involves the lips! This area without moisture gets tight and cracked - not cute! I'm obsessed with Jack Black which is known for its men's line but I love their balms which are great for men and women. My favorite is Black Tea - I love the scent, the coverage and that it has SPF (remember that even in the winter, you still need to continue having sun care within your routine regardless of the season, weather and your skin tone - it's a must for all)!

I'm always talking about what I love but I have to share what works well with men and their beauty routine. "Skin is Skin" is something that I say a lot. Although I love that my boyfriend enjoys trying a number of the beauty items that come to me, there are times when I am baffled by the lack of a consistent lotion regimen. When he wonders why his skin is dry, I tell him that skin is skin - all skin regardless of race or gender needs moisture! Fortunately, I'm so happy that there are a number of items that he does love without me saying a word. In addition, there are a few items that I highly suggest. Especially in the colder temperatures, it's essential to find what works!

The Art of Shaving Sandalwood has a fab shaving cream that leaves an amazing smell and I love that Paul loves using it. I love that it leaves his skin soft. I use separate exfoliants for my face, body and even zone areas (I love certain items for tush and legs that are different from the rest of my body - what can I tell you, I love product). For him, I suggest in an effort to introduce and simplify, Borghese Active Mud for Face and Body is a great way to get this into the routine while also saving space which is important. Plus it's good for everything. For a body wash, I suggest H2O Plus Sea Salt Body Wash is a great cleanser to use and is perfect to have in the shower especially when you and your boyfriend live together so that you don't have to have a number of bottles sitting in such a small NY space.

I think the eyes are essential and I love that Ole Henriksen Eye Lift PM Gel is a great way to begin restoring your face (Pro Tip: Many of my gels sit in the fridge so that I have a nice cool feeling when applying the product at night or when it's the summer). Even if eye sagging is not an issue, I believe in preventative maintenance and am a fan of a number of the products within this line. When it's time to call it a night, I love that Paul loves keeping his face fresh by cleansing it with a Pond's Facial Wipe. This version has lavender which is calming. When I wipe off with a cleansing wipe, I still like to have a moisturizer, I highly suggest Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Night Cream - this has Clary Sage and is a nice aroma mixture with the lavender. Finally, lips are my other love! I use lip balm throughout the day and I always put on a healthy coat at night. I highly suggest Jack Black as they have an entire line that's phenomenal and good for you and him. My personal favorite is Black Tea!

With NYFW days away, I always think about how to rock fun makeup looks that will look amazing from sitting at the tents to a number of activities that follow during this time! As you know, I'm a Brand Ambassador for Avon and I absolutely adore, their Makeup Artist, Paul Innis. Who better then him to tell me about great looks that can be worn and of course how to get it!

Get the Look – Purple Pop

During Fashion Week, sometimes you need a bold and dramatic look that will turn a lot of heads! For this look I took inspiration from my mother and the way she wore makeup in the 90's. This is definitely a look for someone who isn't afraid of a little color!

Start by using Avon's 8-In-1 Eye Palette in Water Colors. Using the lilac shade in the palette, sweep the shadow from the base of the lashes to your brow bone.

Take the medium blue shade and fill in a little above the eye crease to the base of the lash line. Using the darker blue shadow, line the lower lash line on top and under the eyes.

Add Avon Glimmersticks Eye Liner in Blackest Black all around the lash line, both top and bottom, and then smudge it with Avon’s Ergonomic Eye Liner Brush. Complete the eye by rimming the inside of your entire eye with your liner and applying Super Drama Mascara in Black to your lashes.

Add a nude lip using Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Sheer Naturale and coat with Ultra Color Rich Brilliance Lip Gloss in Pink Icicle.

Finish off this dramatic look by adding blush to your cheekbones. A strong eye and nude lip can wash you out, so to prevent this apply the right amount of blush once the rest of the look is complete.

Get the Look – Kiss & Makeup

Fashion Week can be so hectic and exhausting and this stunningly simple look is quick and easy to apply so you wont be late for any shows! This look is inspired by natural beauty with just a hint of flirty sex appeal.

Apply a moisturizer and foundation best suited to your skin type and tone.

Set the look with Avon Ideal Flawless Loose Powder. Then add a cream blush, such as Avon Be Blushed Stick - for oily skin try a powder blush like Avon Ideal Luminous Blush.

Take Avon Eyeshadow Duet in Dusk or Maize. Use the neutral color and apply all over the eye lids and into the crease.

Use Avon Glimmersticks Eye Liner in Cosmic Brown and smudge into the top of your eye. Finish with a light coat of Super Drama Mascara in Brown Black.

To finish this stunning look, use a vibrant and flirty shade to make you look extraordinary! The model in this image is wearing Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Pretty.

With NYFW starting in a little over 2 weeks, this is about the time I begin to do a beauty prep. Truth be told, I do some version of a beauty prep anytime I know there is a TV segment coming up or that I will have a series of days where I will be out and about including photoshoots, client lunches and more! Fashion Week is a little over a week of attending runway shows, after parties, presentations, meeting up with those that are in town and even booking work whether it's a campaign or something interesting to throw in my routine. I feel that being prepped is not just about what you want in general but also that you're face forward. Feb Fashion Week is always a challenge as the weather is a bit different and your face may be going through seasonal changes. So stay a step ahead with pampering it prior to the day before!

These items are great ways to prep, to use during the big week (or any week you're focusing on) and a great way to ensure beauty longevity! My quick tip that I highly suggest if you're not going to a manicure at your favorite salon whether you're spot is backed up or you're en route and had no time - Sally Hansen's Gel Manicure Set comes with everything you need to ensure that your polish will stay put for up to 2 weeks! This way you don't have to worry about chips and you have a fabulous shine. The lamp, all necessary coats, cleansing pads, files and removers are included! This is a great way to stay ahead. You can also opt for the Sally Hansen Gel Strips as well which has its own set and is a matter of preference in terms of use!

In addition to your regular cleanser, I like to exfoliate or do a mask 1 - 2 times a week, Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask with Clary Sage. This is something that you can do from now to NYFW as well as during and after. This is a great way to hydrate as well as to bring a fabulous glow to your face. If you're opting out of adding this to your weekly routine, I have some other items that are perfect. Dior One Essential Capture Totale Serum (which you know I am obsessed with their foundation as well as a number of their skincare products) is the perfect way to look refreshed. I love using this in the day time after cleansing my face. This serum doesn't feel tight on your face and feels more like a moisturizer (although normally I still do add a moisturizer after using this but from time to time I have skipped it). My moisturizer that I enjoy and works no matter the season or the locale, is Clinique Moisture Surge Intense which hydrates as well as feels super light on your face. I always like to wait about 5 minutes before I put makeup on; however, I find that you can directly apply makeup and look completely natural.

I have 2 secret powers that are phenomenal. During NYFW in Sept, I stopped by the Artistry Media Lounge and learned about their Intensive 14 Night Restore Program. This is to be a 2 week program, one vial per day which would be used on your face (if there's still some left, use on your neck as well as across your décolletage). Within the next two days, I will use this and since it's a leave in treatment, I can go straight to bed and allow this to work its magic. Once I'm done, I still have a few days between the end of using this program and the beginning of Fashion Week so that my skin can rest (I'm a big believer in this although this is not necessary).

Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip is the perfect way to prep your lips to looking the way we want them too! I have been using this since Christmas and I love how it feels on my lips as it is a balm but I find that it heals your lips especially when you're in the chilly NYC temperatures and is great for a base for your lipgloss as it already has a high shine to it!

When using all of these items together, your taking every step to making your face look red carpet, front row and picture ready!

On a rainy afternoon earlier this week, I headed to Milos for a Beauty Brunch that was hosted by my friend and Social Media Director, Michelle Joni Lapidos of Spa Week - also make sure to check out their blog as well. The brunch allowed attendees to sit and chat skincare with Miami Beach based Dermatologist, Dr Loretta who has her own practice, a skincare line in her own name as well as a line that does private label for various spas. For those that follow Kitten Lounge on Facebook, you saw a number of my videos popping up talking about how gum (sugarless free is suggested) is great to keep your neck muscles firm, her skincare's innovation with stem cells that contain lavendar as well as other information regarding African Americans and the types of peels that they should use. The video above shares why we should apply new beauty products to only half of our face as they are done during clinical trials! It's a great way of seeing how well the product works for you and what results you can expect to see - a novel idea and one that we should always remember to do!

In addition to a fabulous lunch, we were able to have many of our skincare issues answered as well as to test a number of products within the Dr Loretta line including Age Change Daily Moisturizer (includes SPF 30+ which is perfect to use day and night), Age Change Body (which is great for all skin types and allows your skin to glow) and Age Change Eye (which lessens dark circles, bags and puffiness and protects the thin skin that is around the eye area). These can be purchased individually OR you can select the Age Change Kit which allows you to receive the Age Change Body for free when you purchase the Age Change Eye as well as the Age Change Face (which is the daily moisturizer).

I joined fab beauty bloggers yesterday at the Nest Loft to see the amazing items that won in Women's Health Magazine! With so many products laid out in front of us, it was a bit dizzying but with a fab goodie bag, I can't wait to share with you the items that won and also which ones I absolutely love! Some are in my beauty regimen and others I will definitely be popping in! It's always nice to go to an event when you can get a mani/pedi, nibbles, cocktails and mingle with friends.

Right after leaving the Nest Loft, I headed to an event that seriously made me change everything in terms of beauty! Lush Cosmetics threw an amazing blogger event that made me realize that they are more than bath bombs. For the many fans that are already familiar with this let me say, that I've clearly been the one in the dark! As I hit their store on 14th, I realized that they had a number of lip scrubs (that are edible), lotions, masks and more. Everyone that attended the event in terms of employees of the company were knowledgeable, patient and really embraced their love of the brand and shared how it extended to other portions of their lifestyle. The focus of the launch revolved around their new Colour Supplements which provides a flawless finish and yet doesn't have the chemicals that can be harmful for your skin. I truly enjoyed playing with the moisturizers (I received the Imperialis) and really looking at the products and their presentation! Clearly I have been out of the loop and I'm so glad to know that there is a company that is so committed to good health and reducing the clutter by making many of their items in such a way that there doesn't need to be a package! Future posts will talk about the products I received from this event, ease of use and any new items that I begin to use!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of KAO Brands. All opinions are 100% mine.

We all have a different way of working it. You know when you're taking opportunities, seeing a guy or just running around with your own theme song in your head to get things done. Temptation is Beautiful wants to know what type are you "Hot, hot, hot", "Just Right" or "Cool as a Cucumber". Check out their site to not only register for the chance to win the grand prize (sorry only open to US Residents) of winning an amazing trip for you and 3 of your friends to go to Las Vegas for 3 days and 2 nights, with round trip coach class air transportation, ground transportation, hotel accommodations and to enjoy $1500 in cash but you can also receive one of the daily beauty baskets! These baskets include KAO products such as Curel Moisturizers, Jergens Moisturizers, Biore Skincare, John Frieda Haircare and Ban Antiperspirants.

With all the goodies available that you could possibly win, you'll want to make sure that you take the Temptation is Beautiful quiz (I was considered Just Right - the perfect mix between being the sex kitten while being laid back) and that you share your results with your friends via your favorite social media networks and you make sure that they get in on the fun. Once you have taken the quiz, make sure that you leave a comment here on what your temperature is and who knows, you could be selected as the grand winner to have an amazing night out with your friends in Las Vegas.

I am all about lotion but when it comes to what I use everyday without changing every now and then, I am a HUGE fan of Palmers Cocoa Butter! This is a great product for so many reasons. From an economical standpoint, it's never above $5 for a regular jar and not above $8 for the large one. I love that it's available at Target, Duane Reade, CVS and at Drugstore.com. But the biggest thing about this is the fact that it is an amazing moisturizer for the skin, it takes blemishes away within a quick amount of time and it has an amazing smell to it. Using this everyday creates a nice glow that makes you look like you came from a spa. What's not to like and if you love this, you'll love the full product line which is good for many areas of your body whether it's a lotion, soap, etc. They don't just stop at cocoa butter, it continues on with their olive oil as well.