So many women I know obediently avoid bright shadows, lipsticks and anything that has the potential to look garish. While they’re certainly avoiding any mishaps, they’re also missing out on a whole lot of fun!

This season, I’m all about embracing little pops of color here and there, and these playfully vibrant Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pots are an easy way to introduce color into your routine. Just a little bit of a vivid color smudged at the lash line is beautifully bright but still subtle.

I’m totally coveting the Purple Pumps, although all three offerings are truly stunning.

Available from Stila in Little Black Dress, Purple Pumps and Cobalt Clutch for $20 each.

“Nude makeup doesn’t mean monochromatic, barely-there makeup. It means makeup that’s right for your skin,” says Bobbi Brown.

Fall’s must-have eye palette takes you effortlessly from day to night with a sophisticated and universally flattering selection of nude shadows in three different textures: soft matte, lightly pearlized, and metallic high-shimmer. Three eye shadow duos come in a customizable 3 Pan Palette, which can also be filled with your choice of any Bobbi Brown eye shadow or blush shades.

The Bobbi Brown Nude Eye Palette is part of the Fall 2009 Nudes Collection currently available at Bobbi Brown counters nationwide. Makeup Bag intern Monica got her hands on this palette and here’s what she has to say:

“I’m in love! Honestly, few things have made me as instantly happy as the mere sight of this palette – I practically want to sleep with it under my pillow! The shades aren’t the typical beiges, taupes and and creams you’d expect to find in a “nude” palette, but a gorgeous selection of neutral shades ranging from light to dark. The shimmer, matte and metallic shades never skew too cool or too warm, so they work together beautifully to create a plethora of neutral eye looks. The texture and color payoff are superb, and the compact is refillable when you (gasp!) hit the pan.”

See the Bobbi Brown Nude Eye Palette and the entire Bobbi Brown Fall 2009 Nudes Collection online at BobbiBrown.com.

I’m totally intrigued by this swirly, whirly beauty product that seems far more reminiscent of a science project than an eyeshadow. According to Too Faced, “futuristic metallic-opalescent pigments are baked into each black domed shadow for intensity and blend together to produce a unique multi-dimensional smoky eye.” Hm. While I’m not sure about the “multi-dimensional smoky eye,” the colors look gorgeous and the presentation certainly has piqued my curiosity – definitely on my list to look at in real life!

Too Faced Galaxy Glam Eye Shadow is available in 8 cosmic shades for $19.50 each from Sephora.

This palette, from Stila’s new Indian Summer Collection, contains four fabulous summer shades housed in a stylish compact bejeweled with authentic bindis! And not to be outdone by packaging, the shadows are infused with REAL 24k gold – how’s that for bling? Use the shadows together to create a vibrant, colorful eye or add one shade at a time to a neutral eye for just a subtle burst of brightness.

The palette is available from Stila for $28.