After a long, fun summer here in Kauai, the kids are finally back in school.

Bree is starting her third semester at the community college here in Kauai, Bailey just settled in as a freshman at a school in Utah and Janey is now a (sob!) FOURTH GRADER. Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess.

Our businesses here in Kauai are thriving and continue to demand most of my attention, but Makeup Bag is always on my mind. And I faithfully continue to test the latest and greatest products in the beauty world…

I hope your summer was fabulous, my friends!

Coming up this week on Makeup Bag: Fab fall fragrances, beauty oil that will make your skin SING, and my nail color picks for the upcoming season.

You guys, I know it’s been WAY too long but I can’t wait a second longer before telling you about my latest mascara obsession!

Last month Benefit released a genius new product called They’re Real: a lengthening, thickening, long-wearing, super glossy, badass mascara.

And by badass, I mean BADASS.

This mascara makes my lashes thick and long without weighing them down and unfurling my curl (my number one complaint of mascaras, thanks to my Asian heritage). It’s also smudge-proof and water resistant, a huge benefit here in the humid weather of Kauai.

Benefit They’re Real Mascara is currently sold out on Benefitcosmetics.com but you can find it at Sephora.com for $22.

Eva Mendes, the new face of Thierry Mugler ANGEL fragrance, celebrated with the brand as they unveiled the gourmand scent’s new campaign last Thursday night in New York.

Dressed in a mint green Mugler dress, Eva opted for flowy locks and sultry summer makeup created by celebrity makeup artist Genevieve Herr.

To create Eva’s look, Herr first primed her skin with Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and Multi-Active Day Cream before applying Thierry Mugler Cooling Effect Compact Foundation all over the skin.

Herr contoured Eva’s face with Mugler’s Face Shadows & Lights Powder in Brown and White before accenting her eyes with aubergine shadow and lots of Flash on Lashes Mascara and a final coat of Vinyl Gloss for added oomph! and shine. The look was finished with sunset-hued cheeks and lips.

Look for Eva Mendes in the new Angel by Thierry Mugler fragrance campaign come September.

For product details and information visit Mugler.com.

Escape to Brazil this season with bold orange, hot pink or blue topaz polish from Color Me Braziliant, the new Essie Summer 2011 collection.

The collection includes an assortment of sizzling colors perfect for a summer on the beach (or a summer dreaming of the beach):

• braziliant– outrageous, blazing orange
• too too hot– fierce fire coral
• super bossa nova– pulsating tourmaline pink
• meet me at sunset– intense flamingo citrine
• smooth sailing– dreamiest blue topaz
• absolutely shore– pale, seafoam green

My favorite shades for summer are super bossa nova (below left) and too too hot (below right):

Essie Summer 2011 Color Me Braziliant is available beginning June 2011 in salons and beauty destinations worldwide and online at essie.com for $8.

All Essie polishes are free of DBP, formaldehyde and toluene.