After two and a half years, I finally ran out of my beloved YSL Touche Eclat. (Don’t worry — I managed to restock today.)

However, in the two weeks that I was without, I rediscovered Benefit Boi-ing. I’d purchased this product last year after reading some great reviews, but it got lost in my collection of makeup because I found the texture really dry and cakey, and was having a hard time working with it.

Having had a chance to play around with it some more this week, though, I’ll have to say that I’ve warmed up to it. The trick with Boi-ing is to apply it with a light hand. I do that only in the dark areas of my face — under the eyes, around the nose and around the mouth. It really helps brighten up my face.

The second trick — and probably the most important one — is to make sure your skin is well hydrated. The product goes on much more smoothly and naturally this way. This rule applies to all makeup products, but especially this one because it is so dry itself. If it goes onto parched skin, it will just cake up and look terrible.

…and as my pal Julia put it, “Jesus take the wheel.”

Because I don’t know if the world is ready for that.

Read all about it here.

As a teenager, I was a huge music buff. You ever see the movie, High Fidelity, and you know how all they ever do is make All Time Top 5 lists? I can relate because that is the total music geek thing to do. Sit around and make lists for everything.

So in honor of the former music geek in me, here is my All Time Top 5 Desert Island Beauty List (in no particular order):

1. Bobbi Brown Blemish Cover Stick

2. Lancome Definicils Mascara

3. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

4. Cake Beauty Milk Made Hand Buffer

5. Manor Hall Soap Company Butter Me Better Soap

Wow, that was a hard list to make. I’m sure next week, this list will change, but for now that is my list.

I want to know what is on your All Time Top 5 Desert Island Beauty List. Share your list in the comments!

Now here’s a Valentine’s Day treat to get excited about! All of this is yours free with a minimum $28.50 purchase at the Macy’s Lancome counter.

I’m a big believer in only buying makeup counter products (i.e. Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, etc.) when there is a free gift involved. After all, the cost of those free gifts are probably being billed into the regular products that you’re buying, so why not get what you’re paying for?

The gift items are a collection of Lancome’s best sellers: Tresor perfume, Definicils mascara, Bi-Facil, Renergie Microlift R.A.R.E. face and eye cream, Color Design eye shadow quad and lipstick.

The Definicils mascara is definitely a reason to get this set. I’ve yet to find such a good all-around mascara (and trust me, I’ve been trying).

The Bi-Facil, on the other hand, seems to have lots of devoted fans, but I don’t get the hype. It’s a little too oily for my taste. I’d much prefer to go with The Body Shop on eye makeup remover.

Offer ends February 24.  Happy Valentine’s Day my lovelies!

I tried this in Bronze, solely on my cheekbones as a blush, and it looked fantastic. I’m surprised that such a deep, brownish shade worked on my skin tone, but it did.

I’m also surprised that a product with the word ’shimmer’ in it was as subdued as it was. But then again, this is Bobbi Brown we’re talking about.

The more I stare at this look, the more I fall in love with it. The blue offsets her brown eyes beautifully. It’s just the perfect shade of blue…light enough to look soft and feminine, and just shy of that gaudy electric blue of the 70s.

Of course, when I try to pull off stuff like this, I end up looking like a doofus, but I’m going to give it a go nonetheless!

What about you? Would you try this look?

It’s back to business as usual at Bon Bons now that we are a day removed from the New York Times flutter.  Thanks to everyone for their comments and support!

So let’s talk about Origins’ powder blush. Long time readers know that I am a absolute devotee of Tarte Cheek Stain. It’s been over a year and a half since I’ve even looked at another blush. But lately I’ve developed a wandering eye, and well, I think it’s time for powder to have its comeback.

For a while now, I’ve been harboring a fear of powder blush. Mainly because it can look garrish and aging when overapplied, or applied incorrectly. But — and this is where the healing starts, folks — powder can work when it’s done right.

I start out by ditching the little brush that comes with the compact. I hope most of you know this already, but never use the little brush that is provided. They’re usually cheap and do a horrible job in regards to application. Invest in a true blush brush. You won’t regret it.

Next, I dab my trusty Sonia Kashuk blush brush into the pan. I recommend dabbing over rubbing as the latter can pick up too much pigment. A few flicks of the wrist to loosen excess color, and then I rub in big circles directly onto the apples of the cheek. I do this lightly as it’s always easier to build color rather than try to strip it down. And there you have it. Pretty easy, right?

Origins Brush-On Color is available in a dozen shades, with their newest, Coral Reef, debuting this month. I had a chance to sample Coral Reef and really liked it. It worked on my skin tone, and gave me a natural, healthy flush. And at a suggested retail price of $17.50, this is a very nice option.

Watch out Tarte — you’ve got some competition!

Always one to keep my eye out on what’s going on at Tarte HQ, I’m really excited about the new Ready, Set, Glow Kit. It’s an exclusive to Sephora.com and features the following items that will get your lids, lips, cheekbones and collarbones ready for any big night out:

The items are currently sold individually, and some of them I’ve already tried in the past so I can vouch that they are good ones to include in your collection (links to past reviews are noted).

This is the first time all of the items will be sold together. What is a $94 retail value is now available as one set at Sephora.com for just $45. A definite steal in my book.

Is it possible for perfection to come packaged in such an adorable and small container?

Apparently so. I am loving the new Trish McEvoy Be Prepared Pink Maxed Out Gloss Kit which features eight lip colors and glosses in a double-tiered mirrored compact. The compact is itty bitty and perfectly pursue size (yes, although I have a whale of a purse that must weigh 30 lbs empty and could fit a carcass inside, I am still under the compulsion to keep the items in my purse as small and minimal as possible).

What I love about the product is that it features both lip color and lip gloss, so you can mix and match your look depending on how bold you want to go that day. I do wish, however, there was a little lip brush included…though I’m not sure where you would fit one inside such a small compact!

The best part though? Net proceeds of the Gloss Kit will be donated to support the Girl Scouts. How can you not love that? Less calories than buying those cookies!

Retails for $21.

Tarte is one of my favorite brands, so I was very excited to try their Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara.

This product promises the trinity of length, volume and curl. Carnuba and candellia wax help extend the lashes, synthetic film helps hold curl and soft esters derived from olives add volume and shine. How can a girl refuse that?

I found that this product does all three decently as promised, though there were no particular homeruns in any individual area. But hey, that’s the nature of the multi-purpose beast.

That said, I still enjoy this product because it’s great at defining and separating my lashes. So I end up with that natural, “I woke up looking this fantastic” kind of look.

A full size tube retails for $18.