MAC Smoky Black Friday.

This past Friday, the infamous Black Friday, MAC Cosmetics released an exclusive, online-only edition of Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow entitled Smoky Black Friday. This palette is a beautiful trio of shades to create the ultimate  smoky nighttime look.

I love how the Veluxe Pearlfusion shadows blend. They are silky soft - almost creamy feeling when applied, are greatly pigmented and have some nice sparkle too them. You can apply them dry or wet for some amazing metallic brilliance.

The three shades include a sheer white shade, great for the brow bone; a gray shade that has a bit of a purple hue to it and a light silver shimmer to it; and a charcoal gray with pearl.

MAC Smoky Black Friday is available online only at maccosmetics.com for $25.00 while supplies last.

Best Black Friday Beauty Deals.

It's black Friday -- the official start of the holiday shopping season. It's crazy out there. I'm staying in except for a few local shops. It's better to shop online, isn't it? I've got some of the best black Friday beauty deals for you to shop with online right here. Some of these last all the way through cyber Monday too. But, as always, quantities are limited, so shop early.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Stocking Stuffers.

Clinique Happy Hearts Fund Chubby Stick (Plumped Up Pink) - $17.00

AHAVA Wish Upon a Star Cream Wash & Lotion Ornament Set - $12.00

Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm Trio - $16.00

Chapstick Candy Cane

L'Occitane Shea Travel Treats Duo - $20.00

Isa Tania CFDA Incubator iPhone 6 Phone Case - $24.99

Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder - $29.00

bareMinerals Touch Up to Glow - $15.00

bliss Mistletoe Gems - $12.00

Tarte Ladies Who Lash - $19.00

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Ornament - $22.50

Flower Beauty Brush Up Brush Set - $19.98

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Hair & Nail Gift Sets.

Formula X Paint the Town - $55.00
This unbelievable collection has an astounding 22 mini nail polishes in it. The colors range in shades and include in everything from bold classics, striking nudes and stunning glitters so there is something for everyone. There are even six brand spanking new and exclusive shades right in the collection. This is a must for anyone who is obsessed with their nails.

Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler - $59.99
This automatic rotating styler making creating curls and waves a cinch. I have used it and love how simple it is to use. If you know anyone who struggles with their hair, gift them this!

Flower Beauty Luxe 'n' Lacquered Set - $9.98
Three perfect shades of rose gold (some of the hottest shades of the season) are included in this trio. There is a creme, a sparkling shade and a glitter - all coordinating and gift boxed so pretty; perfect for gifting.

Paul Mitchell The Art of Classics Gift Set - $25.00
This adorable packages gift set contains the brand most beloved classics formulas: Shampoo One, The Conditioner and Fast Drying Sculpting Spray.

Marc Jacobs Enamored Nail Lacquer Collector's Edition - $24.00
Inspired by the magic of a Parisian night, this ultra chic midnight blue shade was created just for the holiday season. It is a collectable nail lacquer created by Marc Jacobs himself.

Remington T Studio Silk Ceramic Oval Waving Wand - $29.99
For healthy, long-lasting graduated curls, this is the curling iron to gift or get. This curling wand has salon qualities in each and every feature. From the silk ceramic technology to super high salon heat, it is comparable to tools 10X its price. This is a very impressive gift at an affordable price.

Hello Kitty Kawaii Nail Set - $39.00
This full nail kit is for the Hello Kitty fans for sure. It comes complete with two polishes, nail stamps, accents, glitters, stickers, stamps + more.

Drybar Big Hair Don't Care Holiday Kit - $199.00
This all-in-one hair kit is the ultimate. I have this hair dryer and it is the best I have ever used. It is salon quality and it is used in the world famous Dry Bar. It helps gives hair the ultimate blow out -- and it will be achieved with the tools and products enclosed.

Sephora Favorites Meet Your Match - $25.00
If you know anyone who is a bit matchy-matchy, then this fun gift is for them. This set contains lip and nail favorites in shades that match. Yes! This set has six deluxe glosses, tints and lacquers for lips with matching nail shades -- all in the season's hottest colors.

Ciaté Candy Cane House - $25.00
Scented nail polishes? That is just what is in this set, made with some really fun glitter nail polishes that can create some amazing holiday loooks. This set includes four nail polishes; one is a creme and the rest have a ton of glitter iset the holidays a sparkle.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Gifts for Teens.

bareMinerals Magnificent Seven - $18.00
Lips will be sprkling with this collection of seven pocket-sized Marvelous Moxie Lipglosses in best-selling shades for fabulously full, deeply moisturized lips. Shades are full to medium coverage and they last!

Urban Decay Black Magic 24/7 Eye Pencil Set - $39.00
This set contains four eyeliners that are double-ended so it's like getting eight eye liners. And these are not your ordinary eyeliners, these are some of the industry's best! Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On Eyeliners last through the day - school, sports, gym and more. Each liner contains a black end plus a vivid color for the ultimate eye look.

Tarte Tres Chic Park Ave Princess Contour Palette - $34.00
Contouring, bronzing and highlighting -- it can be difficult, but it's all a breeze with this beautiful palette. Make it simple on your teen and gift her this.

Pixi Ultimate Beauty Kit 2nd Edition - $34.00
This collection contains Pixi's best selling shades throughout their years -- so you know they are perfect. With 40 eye shadows, 6 highlighters and 6 cheek powders, this ultimate “go-to” makeup palette will give any teen endless options for gorgeously fresh-faced looks day and night!

Beats by Dre Color Mixr Headphones - $249.99
Everyone knows that Beats headphones are the best. These exclusive pink headphones are super cool and deliver the best sound over and over. They are durable, last and can go with you wherever you go. From the early morning to late at night, they are portable and can go from the gym, to school to out with friends. They are on every teens list.

LORAC Lip Lustre Creme Collection - $25.00
For creamy, kiss me lips that get noticed, this collection is it. This set has 6 magnificent, high-shine shades that are fit for a Queen. From the perfect nude to the perfect hot pink, this is the set to have.

bareMinerals I <3 the Nightlife - $29.00
The eyes have it and to bring them out, a great liner is a must. This collection of liners will show them off at night with ease. This set contains five must-have nighttime shades for seriously stunning eye looks that last.

BUXOM Winner Take All - $32.00
No gal can get enough of lipgloss, and this set had six minis. These are no ordinary gloss, these are plumping glosses and this set contains three sheer, shimmering lip polishes and three sleek, lip creams -- all in the most delicious shades.

Sol Republic Punk - $69.99
To listen to music inside or outside, a bluetooth speaker is a must. This durable speaker is easy to set up and use. It seamlessly connects to your phone and plays music wherever you want it. Simply charge it up and go.

Tarte Kiss & Belle Lipsurgence Lip Set - $34.00
For a girl who can't get enough lip products, this one contains the best of the best from Tarte. This set includes  eight lippies, of the brands award-winning LipSurgence™ products; lip tints, and lip glosses. What is really great, are that these are all brand new, never before seen shades.

Sephora Color Festival Blockbuster Palette - $49.50
The ultimate palette, this blockbuster contains a whopping 130 products in one. Look what you get:

• 72 Eye shadows
• 28 Lipgloss 
• 8 Blush 
• 18 Cream eyeliners 
• 4 Two-in-one creams for cheeks and Lips 
• 2 Mirrors 
• 6 Makeup tutorials

Burt's Bees Honey Pot Set - $14.99
Everyone loves Burt's Bees and this gift set contains brand favorites. It features naturally nourishing honey so it's good for skin. The set has three products: creamy and sweet Burt's Bees® Milk and Honey Body Lotion, Honey and Grapeseed Oil Hand Cream and the famed Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm.

Hello Kitty The Red Bow Beauty Diaries - $49.00
This  adorable collectible set offers 15 exclusive Hello Kitty color cosmetics and cute collectibles in one set. It has lip glosses, shadow sticks, eyeliners, along with the cutest Hello Kitty items that make the greatest gifts.

Orla Kiely Glass Water Bottle - $14.99
Everyone is carrying around bottle of water these days and forgot those plastic types, this glass bottle i fashionable. For the gym, tote bag, car and school, this beautiful bottle makes a statement. I like this rose colored one, but comes in a pretty green and go with anything dark grey too.

Twin Lillies Cutie Cube Luxe - $299.00
For the ultimate in organization, this HUGE acrylic cabinet has been storing and organizing my makeup. It contains drawers and dividers that help make it very simple to organize and find makeup in the morning. It makes makeup storage simple, elegant and efficient. There are smaller sizes available and you can even select your knob colors.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Beauty Gift Sets.

Clarisonic Mia 3 Makeup Removal Expert - $199.00
Everyone should have a Clarisonic, and this is a great one to start with. This limited-edition Mia 3 device is covered in an adorable “Lips n’ Lash” pattern, and comes equipped with Clarisonic’s softest precision brush heads to remove makeup and other debris gently and efficiently.

Philosophy Miracle Worker Set - $45.00
This wonderful skin care set is perfect for anyone who wants their skin to glow. The set includes some of philosophy's best products including miracle worker miraculous anti-aging retinoid eye repair, miracle worker miraculous anti-aging moisturizer and miracle worker retinoid pads & solution.

L'Occitane Hand Cream Bouquet - $54.00
This set includes eight of the worlds best selling hand creams in a bouquet of scents. It includes the following: Shea Butter Rose Hand Cream, Shea Butter Lime Hand Cream, Shea Butter Vanilla Hand Cream, Shea Butter Hand Cream, Almond Hand Cream, and Lavender Hand Cream.

Dermalogica Super Rich Repair Holiday Gift Set - $80.00
One of my newest favorite moisturizers, Super Rich Repair comes paired with two complementary products in a cute holiday box. For anyone who need immediate and long lasting hydration, this is the moisturizer to depend on. The Soothing Eye Makeup Remover and Age Reversal Eye Complex are great bonuses.

Anna Sui La Nuit de Bohème Set - $65.00
I'm obsessed with the intricacy of this perfume bottle and anyone who receives it will be too. The scent is just as beautiful too with notes of sparkling champagne and vanilla. The set includes the EDT, Shower Gel and Body Lotion gift boxed.

Fresh Dare to Bare Sugar Lip Ritual - $45.00
This lip care kit will give anyone the softest lips all year long. The kit includes five pieces proven to work, including: Sugar Lip Polish, Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy, Sugar Shine Lip Treatment, Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 and Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment.

Revitalash Deluxe Lash Gift Collection - $150.00
For anyone who wants longer, thicker lashes, this is the set to gift. Revitalash is the best-selling lash conditioner that is proven to work (I swear it works as good as that prescription) and this is the large 6 month supply and it comes with a pretty red clutch.

First Aid Beauty Cheers to FAB Skin - $48.00
This is the ultimate skin care set for anyone who suffers from dry skin. The set includes fan favorites including a Face Cleanser, Facial Radiance Pads, my fave Ultra Repair Cream, Ultra Repair Lip Therapy and Eye Duty Triple Remedy.

Burt's Bees Best of Burt's Bees Holiday Gift Set - $14.99
This affordable set contains a trio of Burt's Bees best selling products for the body. It has the popular Coconut Foot Cream, Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream (my favorite) and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.

Veet Infini’Silk Light-Based IPL Hair Removal System - $249.00
The makers of the hair removal products are making it permanent with their first at home permanent hair removal system. This light-based IPL hair removal system makes an amazing gift for anyone who struggles with hair removal. The system works at the root, ensuring that the hair does not grow back, so you don't have to shave or wax once a treatment is complete.

StriVectin Perfect Lip Duo - $29.00
This lip sets features so much more than lip tints, it features anti-aging lip tints with products infused with powerful anti-aging ingredients. They feature the breakthrough NIA-114 technology to not only correct the lip skin, but ti hydrates and protects the lip skin from further damages -- all while giving lips a tint of pretty color.

Philosophy Vanilla Brown Sugar Duo - $27.00
This adorable philosophy duo features two products with a warm, comforting scent. The scent includes a 3-in-1 shampoo, bubble bath and shower gel and a hot salt body scrub.

Soap & Glory Full Clean Ahead - $25.00
This three piece gift set is fun and perfect for anyone on the list. It's filled with the brands original pink scented bath and body products including a shower gel, body butter and hand cream.

Caudalie Instant Radiance Set - $79.00
This skin care gift set includes two luxe products for those concerned with aging. It features a serum that helps to correct and prevent dark spots and a Caudalie's top selling beauty elixir, that is loved by all.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Makeup Gifts.

Laura Mercier Lip Transformer Trio - $32.00
The color coordinated trio of lip essentials includes true lip art -- a Mini Lip Pencil, Mini Crème Smooth Lip Color and a Full-Size Lip Glacé. My pick is the trio in Pink Spark.

bareMinerals Complexion Superstars - $49.00
For a flawless face, this six-piece collection features bareMinerals’ bestsellers. It has a beautiful blush, mini sizes of the READY® pressed powder and a bronzer, Mineral Veil® finishing powder, Bare Radiance All-Over Face Color face powder, and an angled face brush. Not only are they superstars, you will look like one too!

Tarte Away Oui Go Portable Palette & Collectors Set - $48.00
This Ulta Exclusive has 25 makeup essentials created with Tarte's high-performance naturals. It features 4 expertly-coordinated, removable eye and cheek palettes and a plush collector's compact to swap your faves in and out of - plus a mascara and lippies to complete the look.

Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip - $59.00
This ultimate lip set has 17 lippies in it! With lipglosses, lipsticks, liners, treatemtns, balms and creams - everything you need for your lips, this set is perfect for the lip obsessed. The colors are fab with shades in nude, berry, pink and red.

Laura Geller So Scrumptious Our Favorite Baked Goods - $59.00
The full face in a box featuring six "baked" beauties including Spackle in Champagne, Balance-n-Brighten Foundation (choose from Fair or Medium), Baked Blush-n-Brighten in Pink Grapefruit (a blush that works for all), Baked Eye Elements Highlighter and Eyeshadow Quad in Sahara Skies, Color Drenched Lip Gloss in Pink Macaroon, and a Double-Ended Brush.

Lancôme All Over Face Palette - $55.00
This party perfect face palette features nine gorges shades of eyeshadow and a great blush and bronzer to finish the face look. The colors go from day to night and the formulas are some of the best in the beauty world. The palette is portable and perfect for traveling.

BUXOM Dolly's High Roller Collection Palette - $42.00
This palette is perfection. With neutral colors that sparkle, it has nine pieces in all. With Lip polish, lip cream, blush, bronzer, and luminizer, your face and lips will set the stage -- but your eye will be the star of the show with the waterproof eyeliner and four eyeshadows. The shadows range from matte to shimmery, but can be worn by all.

Urban Decay Shadow Box - $34.00
A dozen eyeshadows in all with nine bestsellers and three new ones, this perfect for travel palette is amazing. The shadows feature Urban Decay's Pigment Infusion System, the proprietary blend of ingredients that gives each shade its velvety texture, rich color, serious staying power and blendability.

LORAC The Royal Eye Duo - $22.00
This handy duo will have eyes pretty in seconds. A double-duty liner shadow along with a wow me now mascara will complete an eye look for the holiday season and beyond. The colors and products are royal perfection.

Prescriptives Menage a Trois Lip Trio - $45.00
Three Colorscope lipcolors in a beautiful range of shades: Racecar Red, True Bronze and Chutney, come beautifully gift boxed.

MAC Cosmetics Objects of Affection/Nude + Red Lipglass - $35.00
Color is taking over with this set of four lipglosses from MAC. With Cremesheen and Dazzleglass formulas in shades from Nude to Red and something in between, there is something for everyone in this set. It comes in a gorgeous holiday giftbox that is collector-worthy too.

Urban Decay Little Perversions Kit - $45.00
For bold eyes that get you noticed, this little black bag totes around must haves that last the day. The kit contains Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Perversion, Ink for Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perversion, Subversion Lash Primer, All Nighter Waterproof Eyeliner and Perversion Mascara.

bareMinerals Main Attraction - $54.00
This full face makeup set contains seven of the brand best sellers. Faces will be glowing with and when looking at! The kit contains everything you need for a complete look including eyeshadow, blush, liner, mascara, lipstick, lipgloss and more.

Buxom Lipgloss Roulette - $59.00
Everyone is a winner with this Lip Gloss set; it has 15 lip glosses in it! With shades in gloss, creme, shimmer and sparkle formulas, this is perfect for anyone. I also like to break the set up and gift to a lot of people on my list.

It Cosmetics The It Girl Set - $39.50
This set is so much more than just lipgloss, these are color correcting lip serums that are good for you! These hydrating lip conditioners drenches lips in a ton of moisture plus beautiful color. The trio of colors are perfect for everyone.

Sephora Collection Chroma Color Eye Palette - $65.00
This is SO much more than just an eye palette; this is an eye palette with 54 luxe shades of eyeshadow in colors ranging from very neutral to super bold, 12 full size eye pencils, and a double ended eyeshadow brush. This collection has everything you need for your eyes. It is a makeup lovers dream! The shadows are velvety soft and very pigmented.

Clinique The Nutcracker Suite for Holiday.

"The Nutcracker" is a classic Christmas performance. Since it was first performed in 1892, this world-renowned perennial holiday classic is brought to life by the internationally recognized American Ballet Theatre, America's National Ballet Company. Well, two timeless classics have joined together for a beautifully choreographed collaboration, as Clinique and American Ballet Theatre have launched The Nutcracker Suite, a makeup collection.

5 Minute Face with Laura Geller.

With Thanksgiving just a week away and then the hustle and bustle of the rest of the holidays coming up super quick right after that, time is short. That means sometimes we need to spend less time on our makeup. Guess what? That it ok! Yes, really, when there are great multi-purpose makeup products from brands like Laura Geller, you can do a super quick 5 minute - and look beautiful - and get on with your day!

Best Beauty Gifts for the Holidays.

The holidays are here! Shopping for that special woman in your life does not have to be that difficult. Give her the gift of beauty! I like makeup, and most of the women in my life wear it, so I always gift them with beautiful sets of makeup and makeup palettes, but not everyone wears makeup. That is where you can gift them with beautiful things like sets of bath and body products, perfume or skin care products. Trust me, every woman wants to pamper herself. These are some of the best beauty gifts for the holidays sure to please any woman in your life.

READ ON FOR MORE............

Top 10 Hair Masks.

With everything I put my hair through - coloring, blowdrying, teasing, curling, volumizing, flat ironing, hot rollers coupled with the environment and simply aging, my hair need a lot more than simple shampoo and conditioning treatment. I use special hair masks a few times a week and let them "stew" on my hair in the tub. I have my own little recipes, so to speak, for when my hair feels dull, dry, overworked or frizzy. It is dependant upon the year too.

I have a stack of hair masks, from drugstore bargains to pretty lux brands, and I demand results. I use my hair masks at least once a week, usually twice. In the summer months, I usually use a hair mask two to three times a week because my hair seems to be extra dry, frizzy and fried feeling.

Here are the top 10 hair masks that me and my hair depend on for the best results.

1. Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask - $74.40
This is for weak, dry, damaged hair. I use this about once a week and it infuses the moisture my hair lacks. It does a better job than any other hair mask I have ever used. I let it soak into my hair during a long soak in the tub - at least 20 minutes.

2. WEN by Chaz Dean Re-Moist Hydrating Hair Mask - $58.00
This is the ultimate moisturizing treatment for dry, damaged, or stressed hair. Run it through clean wet hair and leave on for about 45 minutes for a salon quality deep conditioning treatment. For a very intensive overnight treatment, put a plastic shower cap over wet hair that has been treated with the conditioner and sleep in it all night. Either way, this is one of the best hair treatments I have ever used.

3. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist - $3.99
I let this deep conditioner with Australian Aloe and Jojoba Seed Oil soak into my hair as a mask for about 10 minutes (more than the 3 ) to gives my hair the intense hydration it needs to leave it soft, smooth and very manageable while protecting it from further damage.

4. Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Deep Nourishing Treatment Mask - $5.99
This quick mask, made for color treated hair, nourishes the scalp deeply and helps protect hair against further damage.

5. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask - $6.99
When my hair is dull, I use a great big dollop of this hair mask to infuse extra moisture and a lot of shine into my locks. I'm addicted to the smell -- and the price, because you'd think you were paying 5X as much for how great your hair feels when using this one.

6. Moroccanoil Hair Smoothing Mask - $74.40
In the summer months, I sub out the Restorative Hair Mask (above) for this one) when I am dealing with the frizz. This one calms my heal and seems to seal in the cuticle long term.

7. L'Oreal Paris Power Moisture Rich Mask - $6.99
This rinse-out conditioning mask seals in lasting hydration without weighing my thing hair down. It instantly infuses every strand with deep moisture. This mask, with its weightless and luxurious gel-like texture, transforms even the driest head of hair into silky, soft and manageable.

8. Kérastase Nutritive Masque Oléo-Relax - $54.00
This was the first luxe hair masks I've used and I still keep it in my bag of tricks, but I think it is better for thicker hairs as it is rich. It does a really great job at smoothing and soothing dry, damaged hair and making it look sleek.

9. Alterna Bamboo Color Hold & Rehab Deep Hydration Masque - $26.00
In the summer, my hair color fades a lot (well it lightens and fades) so I take a lot of precautions to protect. One of those is this hair mask. Besides loving the smell, I like that this has UV protection and ingredients that help lock in my hair color while repairing the damage I do while coloring it.

10. Leonor Greyl Masque Fleurs de Jasmin - $62.00
When I want a really special and luxurious treat, I sit in the tub with this in my hair. The aroma of fresh jasmines in my hair and the nourishment I get from it is simply divine. My hair is always left super soft and manageable.

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COVERGIRL #GirlsCan Mascaras.

I am a big fan of many of the COVERGIRL mascaras, my favorite being LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara. This is my normal, everyday mascara and it has been my go-to mascara for over two years now. COVERGIRL seems to get it right with mascara. Their formulas and brushes are always innovative and are favorites and award winners constantly.