Target is one of my favorite places to shop for beauty products. Not only can I find Boots (which happens to have a new Hawaiian Islands Collection, BTW) and OPI and Ted Gibson Beauty, but also my favorite line of makeup bags by Sonia Kashuk.

Over the years I’ve purchased dozens of Sonia Kashuk makeup bags for myself and my girls. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes with clear removable compartments and they are super affordable. I currently have a crush on this Square Pattern collection with bold squares in several shades of pink.

Since we’re talking about Sonia Kashuk, did I ever tell you about the time I actually met her? IN PERSON?! Three years ago I was attending a CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City with my friends Julia and Kristen. We spotted Sonia Kashuk across the room and rushed over to say hello (and knowing me, probably started gushing about how much I love her makeup bags). Thankfully, we got a picture to document the whole experience:

From left: Kristen Nelson, Julia Coney, Sonia Kashuk, Erika Valente

Sonia Kashuk Cosmetic Bag Collection ($6.99-$39.99) can be found at all Target stores and online at Target.com.

For me, buying brushes is a lot like buying shoes – I have more than enough, but they’re just so necessary that I never feel too guilty having lots of options on hand!

This little gem from Bobbi Brown contains some of my must-haves, only they have sleek black handles and chrome detailing, all in one handy, beautiful case.

The set includes one each of:
• Cream Shadow
• Eye Shader
• Bronzer
• Ultra Fine Eyeliner
• Eye Shadow
• Blush
• Eye Smudge
• Eye Definer

Bobbi Brown Exclusive Black Plum Deluxe Brush Collection is available from Neiman Marcus for $250.

Nobody does false eye lashes better than shu uemura, in my opinion.

These impressive Premium Lashes are beyond the wildest fantasies—perfect for Halloween or any day you feel magical. Be prepared to exercise your lids, though. These lashes aren’t for wimps!

If you think you can take on shu uemura Premium Lashes, try these new variations:

• Fleur-Ever—Bird-inspired exotic purple plumage with white flecking
• Goldglam Leaf—delicate leaves drenched in glimmering gold
• Marine Tide—sea-inspired “umbrella” lashes
• Snow Twist—intricate snowflake wires embedded with crystals

shu uemura Premium Lashes are available online at shuuemura-usa.com.

Not that hair is my only issue, because—trust me—I have many. But my hair is truly a girl’s worst nightmare.

In order to achieve the slightest bit of volume, I must pack on the product, and blow-dry with a big round brush almost immediately after getting out of the shower (read: hair must be sopping wet).

If I don’t go through these steps, my baby fine hair lays flat against my head like I’ve been wearing a beanie for 18 hours. It’s bad.

The one alternative we’ve found to avoid these woes is the Tigi Bedhead Dual Barrel Waver.

This handy little waver is my best friend when I get distracted in the morning—updating this website, making breakfast for the kids, doing last-minute ironing—and find my hair completely dry before I know it (when you have hair as fine as mine it air-dries in 6 minutes flat). Thankfully, a few crimps with the Tigi Bedhead Dual Barrel Waver and I’m ready to walk out the door with perfectly presentable hair.

The barrel is adjustable for deep or shallow waves and works wonders to give life to my limp locks. I use this 2-3 times per week (or more) for wavy, voluminous hair in half the time it takes to blow-dry.

If I’m in a super-rush, I’ll crimp just my crown and hairline before pulling hair back into a low pony. This adds volume and dimension to an otherwise boring ponytail.

Tigi Bedhead Dual Barrel Waver is available online at Ulta.com for $34.99