This morning we nearly fell over with excitement when we found ourself face to face with Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Mally Beauty, at Henri Bendel’s in New York City. (We were there for a beauty editor event with some of our Total Beauty blogging friends.)

In addition to a great big hug, Mally gave us a sneak peek at her new Blush of Spring kits, three universal kits with everything a girl needs to update her look for spring.

“We always want to lighten up for spring, it’s so liberating to shed the heaviness and go for a very soft, fresh and sheer look,” says Mally. “And nothing, I mean nothing, pulls this look together better than a cream blush–it’s my must-have item when warmer weather starts to roll around!”

Blush of Spring kits includes Get Cheeky! dewy blush, a non-sticky, layerable cream blush that’s impossibly light and easy to apply.

FRESH: Get Cheeky in Dawn, Copper Penny eye-shadow, French Kiss lipstick

TIPSY: Get Cheeky in Fely’s Flush, Silver Dollar eye-shadow, Zooey Doll lipstick

BEACHY: Get Cheeky in Ipanema, Natural eye-shadow, Bali Brown lipstick.

Mally Beauty’s Bush of Spring kits are exclusive to Henri Bendel and are available for $35 each beginning February 2008.

We’re so behind the times, seriously. Did y’all know that Allure has a beauty blog?

Written by the adorable Jessica Matlin (do you not covet that red hair?!), the Beauty Reporter blog is offering us DAILY UPDATES. Yes! (We’re excited, can you tell?)

Be sure to stop by and give Jessica a warm welcome.

CLINIQUE Spring 2008: Nude Blush is a sweet color collection of soft matte finishes complemented by shimmer accents that is set to launch at Clinique counters nationwide in February.

Here’s what we’ll be seeing:

• NEW! Blended Face Powder and Brush in Invisible Blend
  
• NEW! Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx
• NEW! Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo Stay Matte in Splash, Chocolate Kiss, Pink Slate and Butter Pecan
• Limited-edition Cream Shaper for Eyes in Brown Sugar/Chocolate Lustre, Chocolate Lustre/Cocoa Shimmer, Mink/Sable, Egyptial/Brightening Gold
• Limited-edition Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Nude Blush, Deep Bloom, Spring Rose, Fresh Rose
• Limited-edition Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Bare Nudes, Bare Pinks

CLINIQUE Spring 2008: Nude Blush is currently available online and will hit Clinique counters nationwide beginning February 2008.

For a quick and easy at-home facial treatment, we have yet to find a product that brightens our skin better than CLINIQUE Turnaround 15-Minute Facial.

After weeks of neglect, our skin needed a little TLC and this is the first product we reached for. Radiant skin is as easy as spreading on a thin layer of Turnaround 15-Minute Facial, allowing it to dry for 15 minutes (or longer) and gently rubbing off in a circular motion with your fingertips (or a warm, wet washcloth) before rinsing clean with warm water.

The advanced cocktail of gentle, natural exfoliants promotes surface cell turnover and instantly retexturizes leaving skin soft and smooth. You get the benefits of microdermabrasion without the irritation and stress (or cost!).