Last minute Valentine's Day beauty ideas

Let's take a break from Fashion Week talk, shall we?  Valentine's day splits people down the middle most of the time: a day for lovers or a big, fat sham someone made up to boost the economy.  Regardless of your beliefs on the subject, I think the day is a GREAT excuse to buy yourself some fun beauty products for an upcoming date, or just to spoil yourself.  (I suppose I'm not helping to dispel the myth about it being a day that's all about consumerism, but whatevs).  With spring's beautiful pastels and super-feminine product launches, it would be silly to miss out on a chance to feel girly today, so here are some of the products I will personally be taking advantage of:
Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover ($24)- My obsession with Illamasqua clearly continues.  But this blush is just the most perfect shade of peach and looks great on a multitude of skintones.  It's highly-pigmented so you only need a little bit and it will last forever.  It's also fun if you want to play with color, because you can start out with a very subtle glow, or you can layer the color on until you get an intense shade.  Check out my interview with Illamasqua's creative director and learn how to be fearless with this brand!  

Physician's Formula Glow & Mood Boosting Lipstick ($8.95)- After I found out about the Mood Boosting Powder last year around this time, I've been totally sold on the mood-boosting effects of a great, affordable makeup line that does their research like Physician's Formula.  Now they've come out with the Mood Boosting Lipstick, I'm absolutely carrying this around in my purse (you never know when you could use a boost, right?).  This lipstick is rich in omega-3's and Murumuru Seed Butter so you get a silky smooth application, but it's the fresh violet notes that help enhance your mood through taste and smell.  Plus it comes in 2 shades that are perfect for V-Day: Rose and Nude.

Diptyque Eau Rose ($48 for the roll-on, $98 for the 3.4 oz spray)- As the name suggests, the base of this fragrance is Rose, and what is more perfect for V-Day than that?  But rather than being super saccharine or strong, this subtle and complex fragrance mixes its star ingredient with fresh top notes like Bergamot and Blackcurrant.  You middle notes of the Centifolia Rose and the Damask Rose are grounded in woodsy notes like cedar, but in an interesting twist their is also a bit of a honey note in there.  But would you expect anything less than that kind of complexity from Diptyque?  They are truly masters of sensual and wearable scents.  And if you're looking for a gift gentlemen, this packaging should make your life easier... just wrap it in a black bow and your job is done!