But being on a strict beauty budget I decided before I purchase even a tube of colored lip balm, I would do a little research via the internet, after all what’s worse than blowing your budget on the wrong color!

Lucky me- the first site I visited- CoverGirl in search of their new color infused ‘Exact Eyelights’ mascara which I read about in Elle magazine, was ready to answer all of my color questions. All it took was a quick sign up ( yes you must set up a login ) a few simple answers ( hair, eye, skin colors you look best in ) and my options were instantly sent to me in a printable shopping list.

From foundations to nail polish, the basics are all covered…they even update your profile as new products are introduced…

Today’s suggestion- their new Outlast lIpstain…fantastic, I’ve been in the search of a great lipstain so now I’m out the door with my color list and will update you later on how their suggestions match up in person….

Dior makeup artist Ashunta Sherrif tells Elle magazine, “The red undertone counteracts any pinkness around the eye, making the whites appear even whiter.”

Sounds to me like a perfect solution to ‘counteract’ the effects of what is already proving to be a very busy ( and allergy laden ) fall!

Now I realized wearing purple eyeshadow helped to intensify brown eyes (I’ve been addicted to my Almay Intense i-color in trio for browns the last few months)- but now I’m seeing every color can benefit from a little shot of this ‘creative’ hue.  In fact according to Benefit Cosmetic ( how apropos ) their latest, greatest product, Bad Girl Plum mascara ($19) intensifies all eye colors.

This season I can’t think of anything cooler than batting a set of subtle purple eyelashes while battling the elements- just avoid sad movies, break-ups and rainstorms ( otherwise your secret weapon will be out for sure )!

Other great options-

Dior Show in Plum ($24)

Urban Decay in Purple Haze ($17)

Let me know if you’ve found a plum dandy mascara this season.

 Jemma Kidd, Napoleon Perdis and Petra Strand have each created a line of cosmetics to be sold exclusively through Target stores and online at Target.com.

Already known for their individual lines of products available at luxe locations like Bergdorfs, Neiman Marcus and Sephora- Target hopes these three ‘indie’ giants will bring the same kind of excitement to Target’s Beauty Department as their partnering with such labels as Proenza Schouler, Erin Featherston and Libertine has brought to their Fashion Department.

Sure to be Target Cult faves- JK Jemma Kidd’s Colour Adapt Lipgloss ( the gloss reacts to your ph, giving a perfect, individual color match!-got to try this ), NP Set’s Cruise Blush- shown here in Atlantic, and Pixi’s Bright Make-up Kit in Tanned

To up the ante, Target is promoting the products with a large in store display complete with ‘tester’ products so buyer’s get a hands on experience.  Probably a good idea, since consumers may get a little sticker shock- most of the products range from only $3-$10 less than their high end department store counterpart.

As far as color goes- I’m most excited about Jemma Kidd’s JK line of I Design Eye Color- in colors like Modernist, VIP, Artiste and Dramatic.  All perfectly hued to satisfy Fall’s trend of an uber bright, colorful eye!

Pixi’s Eye Beauty Kit in Smokey has just about every shade a girl needs to make an awesomely seductive smokey eye.

While I can’t help but love the entire collection of NP Set lipsticks and glosses- each named for the ‘colorful destination’ that inspired them ( shown here-Cuba gloss, Washington Sheer Nude and St. John’s Red )- they’re like little adventures for your lips!

Back in black at YSL

And though I realize black lipstick is not for everyone ( after all runway makeup is supposed to be more about fantasy than reality and  you will most definitely not see me sporting noir lips around town ),  the appearance of such uber-dark lips like we saw at the shows of YSL, Rodarte, Giles and Giambattista Villi have set the stage for how exciting a deeper, more intense color for lips can be as we move into Fall.

Deep and dark at Giambattista Valli, Giles and Rodarte

According to Style.com- MAC lipstick in “Media” is the shade makeup artist Tom Pecheux used  to get the perfect dark look on the runway for Derek Lam- Hurray, it reminds me of my favorite L’oreal lipstick  from college that was sadly discontinued and I have forever been trying to replace!

 And if opaque blackish- red lips are too intense- simply take a clue from the models at Carolina Herrera, Christian La Croix, Donna Karan and Peter Som. Apply your deepest shade, then blot and blot again until you get just a stain of color on your lips… it creates a nice ‘ I had too much red wine to drink’, super chic- no hangover required!

Will you pucker up to darker lips come Fall?

I guess you could then call Peacekeeper Cause-metics a triple threat in my book.

The company’s vision of enabling consumers to be pro-active with their spending power ( they are the first cosmetics company to give all of its after-tax, distributable profits to women’s health advocacy and urgent human rights issues ) is in it’s own right powerful.

Their certified organic, non-toxic cosmetics lines ( lipstick, lip gloss, nail polish and lip balm- to date) are never tested on animals and come in a lovely range of colors.

In fact, I love the colorful advice they give right on their site in order to help customers choose the perfect shades of lipsticks ( and the names are great as well ) .

“Paint me content”- a dusty rose suited for blondes

“Paint me accepting”- a perfect coppery shimmer for redheads

“Paint me wise”- a burgundy red that’s a must for brunettes

“Paint me empowered”- a deep burgundy- for women of color

“Paint me intuitive”- a shimmery, mauve-gold that flatters all

Pick your perfect shade then really “put your money where your mouth is” and give your kiss away… inside each lipstick packaging is a “kiss canvas“- simply apply some lipstick, kiss the canvas and write to who the kiss is for and why you are sending them a kiss.

Mail the kiss and one dollar more back to the company. The money is then placed in a fund to help women and girls in areas that live on a dollar or so a day receive education. Your kiss will then be placed in their Kiss Museum (you’ll be in good company: some famous kissers include Bonnie Raitt, Julia Ormond and Daryl Hannah )

Lipstick not your thing, but love to buy for a good cause? No worries.

Great for everyone- their Eco-Sensual Balm is a minty treat

In fact it’s so good my husband already swiped mine… lucky for him, now that I know more about the company and their goals- I’m more than happy to go out and buy a tube for everyone I love!

For more info check out: iamapeacekeeper.com and become a peacekeeper yourself.

Check out his first official collection of nail polishes designed in honor of , and inspired by, the newest Chanel Boutique on trendy Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles. The colors are said to have been inspired by the youthful, energy of the street.

Melrose ( hot pink ), Sunrise ( bright yellow ), L.A Sunset ( tangerine ) and Rodeo Drive ( purple )- four shades of pure “oh la la”

The limited edition collection will be available in stores at the end of May and then become available on line in July- you can sign up for an email alert at Chanel.com.

Chanel has knocked it out of the park these past few seasons with their Black Satin, Blue Satin and White Satin shades- all intense, not your everyday polish colors- all wildly popular.

Do you think any of these shades will reach the same cult status?

Now these electrified shades, in colors with names like psychedelic coral, hot pop blue, Studio 54 and Chrome yellow will be making a splash in your cosmetic bag as well.

Even our favorite stars are looking a little brighter this year: Katherine Heigl took to the Oscar runway in a custom blended super bright coral lips, Avril Levine’s trademark pink streak made it’s way onto the Spring catwalk while who could forget Rhianna flashing a neon orange manicure when she took home her Grammy last month.

So say bye, bye beige and sianara to nudes…. bold neon inspired hues are here!

Sephora.com describes the trend as Pop Art makeup- “At the fashion shows, makeup artists experimented with live-wire colors in shocking combos like orange and purple, Kelly green and red, and spots of bright blue just about everywhere (even on the lips!).“

Their suggestion for wearing more than one bright color at a time…“make sure the undertones match. And, try using the color in an unexpected place”

Not quite ready to walk out the door resembling an Andy Warhol screen print, but love the idea of trying out this trend? Then start out by trying just one bright color at a time. Pick the feature you want to highlight and go from there.

The Eyes Have It

Colorful eyelashes are definitely unexpected…. these mascaras from Vincent Logo, available through the Sephora website, are a quick way to add dramatic color to your eyes.

In colors like blu, Gialliano, Rosso, Verdi and Biancho, batting your eyelashes just got a lot more fun.

Not quite game enough to sport green eyelashes… then how about just a touch of colorful highlights on your lashes instead.

Max Factor’s Vivid Highlighting mascara promises to “define your eyes with a base coat of their legendary Lash Perfection mascara, then light up your lashes with a flash of color in one of five subtle shades. “

Their shade of Blazing Black with a hot pink top coat makes brown eyes “pop” , baby blues come alive in 24 Karat Brown, while green eyes are equally engaging in Blazing Bordeaux.

Don’t let your lids get jealous- add a vibrant neon shades in a matte or glittery finish. Remember keeping your lips pale will makes a boldly dressed eye doubly dramatic!

Chanteuse Lily Allen makes a splash in bright orange.

This combo of bold color on the eye and soft color on the lips will look fresh and modern for summer. Much like the models on the runway for the Christian Dior Resort 2008 collection.

Bright hot pink eyes and pale lips were the look at Dior, an insiders peek at the runway’s colorful palette from Style.com

Then when the weather turns cool once again, take a color cue from the fall 2008 fashion show of designer Derek Lam and team your summer neon shadow with a decadent deep colored lip.

Take a backstage look at the techniques and products used to create this spirited look that mixes neon yellow with a deep burgundy lip featured on Style.com.

Try this at Home: Urban Decay’s deluxe shadow box, Makeup Forever face paints and Pop cosmetics Lid Neon are all makeup artist faves and available at Sephora.

Lip Service

neon lips like the bright coral color seen her on ubermodel Agyness Deyn at the Alice Temperley show will be super trendy this summer.

Elle.com shows the products makeup artist Charlotte Tibery used to create the look she calls ““Hot, sexy skin.” A punch of color, one of spring’s biggest trends, makes the most impact against a nearly nude face.”

Bright lips like those that lit up the runways of Carolina Herrera, Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta are an easy way to recharge your look- I’m especially loving a bright hued lips paired will pale golden eyeshadow- this will definitely be my go-to look for warm spring nights!

There is kaleidoscope of lip color to choose from at MAC cosmetic

Double Your Color

If your willing to go bold both on your lids and your lips- I say “Go for it!” Just remember to combine colors that bring the best out of each other:

yellow eyes work great will an orange/red lip

bright green shines with deep pinks

while super blues keep their hot-coolness alongside dusty mauve

Also offering out of this world lipstick colors , color fan favorite Shu Umuera… the trick to these bold colors is you layer them under more traditional colors for extra oomph … the blue softens a bright shade, the green mutes color while the purple shade deepens and enriches color.

You’ve Nailed It!

Probably the easiest and equally fabulous way to work the trend is with a neon inspired manicure or pedicure.

These unexpected colors are a breath of fresh air for those ready to take a break from the inky blues and blacks of the past few seasons.

There is a flattering bright shade of polish for everyone.

OPI newest line of colors are inspired by the beautiful bright colors of India, their polishes “I’m India Mood for Love” and “MonSooner or later” are universally flattering.

Color lovers unite! Here’s just a small sampling of the awesome nail colors available from Creative Nail Designs

while these Orly polishes will surely bring out your inner “Rhianna”

Hair Today

Okay, I realize bright neon hair streaks are not for everybody…. but I think the return of this trend which first had it’s heyday in the 80’s is youthful and fun! And with new and improved temporary shades abound you won’t be ruing the day you decided to take the plunge- ( Oh, no I’m having a flash back to my raspberry colored hair from 12 years ago that over stayed it’s welcome- yikes!)

The runways at Anna Sui and Marc Jacobs had some brightly dyed models

One wash is all it takes to rinse out these temporary colors from Streekers.com that translates to me as one bright night of fun with no regrets!…Halliluyah to that!

Will your beauty routine be a little brighter this spring?

runway images from Style.com

celeb images from wire/AP

**Sensational Color Trends Report**

See what’s hot in nail color now…

I mean, what other reason could there be for him to have reached for the Grecian Formula to try to restore his once dark (but not that dark) hair color?

All he has to do is look around to see that women can’t seem to get enough of men gone gray. Look at CNN’s latest “It” boy Anderson Cooper, actor extraordinaire George Clooney, or even “American Idol” hopeful Taylor Hicks.

If that isn’t enough to convince a guy to stay with the gray, then at least he should have a good hair colorist work their magic on his mane so I can get back to enjoying my latte.

I remember the first time I bought OPI nail polish. It was a shade of coral that perfectly blended with my tanned skin and became an immediate “have to have” purchase.

OPI was still the “new kid” then, so it seems hard to believe that this year they are celebrating 25 years of bringing color to the world and that their business has grown across 75 countries and six continents.

For over two decades, OPI has offered glorious color and style, and their 25th anniversary collection continues in that tradition.

The colors are timeless, with a richness and diversity of style that will satisfy every fashion personality and will blend perfectly with this seasons fashion colors. Warm caramel, deep brown, rich reds, and the sophisticated mid-shades of straw, gray flannel, and moss green will all stand out aside brown.

Even luxurious metallics and jewel tones will make an appearance with brown this season.

A few of the colors are shown here, but for the complete offering and the always creative color names visit OPI.com.

Now the question is, should I try “Decades of Shades,” “OH…To Be 25 Again!” or “OP-I Love This Color” first?