I generally find more reasons not to use hand sanitizer than to use it. Most formulas are drying, stinging, alcohol-based and simply unpleasant. But then someone sneezes directly onto the handrail in the subway, and I find myself wishing I had some hand sanitizer. So I'm keeping a bottle of NYR Organic Defense Hand Spray, $10.50, in my bag for exactly those situations. It's made with natural ingredients like vetiver, lemongrass, nialou and lavandin (all organic), yet it kills just about as many germs as its stinging cousins. It's a cold and flu season must-have.
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A Magic Wand for Brighter Eyes
There are countless studies that show that bright, white eyes make you seem more likeable, approachable, dateable, hirable -- basically all the -ables. And Charlotte Tilbury Mini Miracle Eye Wand, $45, is essentially that in a tube. It's a dual-ended magic wand with eye cream on one side and brightener on the other. A few sweeps and you're instantly transformed into a younger, more awake person. Not to mention, it's great for travel and use on the go -- like when you're en route to a date or a job interview.
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Look-at-Me Lip Color
Everything about Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor, $8.99, screams expensive (except the price). The eight awesome colors are intense and last all day -- yet the formula isn't drying and even feels silky when you wear it. Like the finish on your lips, the tubes are soft and matte, and the flattened shape is superchic. Essentially, it's like you're buying a trendy $40 lip color for less than $10 -- you can't afford not to get one.
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A Perfume That Doubles as an Accessory
Sometimes a bottle of perfume is more than just a bottle of perfume. Sometimes a bottle of perfume is also a Marc Jacobs handbag -- or at least looks like one, as is the case with Marc Jacobs Decadence, $95. The bottle mimics a glamorous bag -- complete with a trendy chain and tassel -- which would have at least one extra zero at the end of the price.
And this perfume also happens to smell amazing -- think Bulgarian rose, Italian plum and a touch of amber -- which would make it a worthwhile buy even if it didn't look like an adorable tiny purse.
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Remover for Stubborn Lipstick
I find long-wear lipstick annoying for one of two reasons: either it doesn't last long enough (and you're left with an unsightly lipstick rim around your lips) or it lasts forever, and you're forced to go to sleep wearing lipstick like Joan Crawford.
Make Beauty Twilight Lip Oil Remover, $10, solves the second problem. It's an olive and grapeseed based oil that removes stubborn lipstick easier than anything else I've tried. You dab a little on your lipstick-coated lips, and swipe it away with a tissue. Ta-da: The lipstick is gone, and you can go to bed with a lot less drama.
Now that it's November, it's safe to say the holidays are right around the corner. And that means one thing: parties. Whether you're attending parties, hosting parties or just watching parties on Netflix, they're a good reason to buy some beauty products. You'll need a new fragrance, a bright lip and a serum to keep you skin looking fresh and dewy. Fortunately, there are plenty of new beauty products launching in November that address all of these concerns and more. From fancy soap to long-lasting blowout cream, scoop up these new beauty products and you're ready to party.
