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You may have noticed, I’m not one to gush over products. I don’t swoon for skincare and I don’t lose it over lipgloss, and if I did, you’d probably be reading about the latest moisturizer and the perfect eyelash curler here on the regular. Not my style—there are a gazillion beauty bloggers who were born for that! But that’s not to say I don’t have my many beauty secrets and product obsessions.
So, because I love you guys and think about you in my sleep (seriously!) I simply cannot hold out any longer from sharing my favorite products in world with you. Michelle’s Favorite Things it is! Also, I need a good excuse to start trying the 7,000 products stashed under my desk at work and piled up in the corner of my bedroom—the gift bag ghosts of parties past. I’ll be including a mix of tried and true favorites and all the great new stuff I come across. And I pinky swear: I will ALWAYS tell it like it is. Freebies don’t buy my love (clearly)—if I don’t love it, you won’t see me talking about it.
Today, I’m kicking off MFT (that’s the last time I’ll ever call it that) with one of my favorite simple girly rites: rosy cheeks. Summer’s a minute away and while the sun will be kissing your cheeks generously, a little extra rosiness never hurts. My skin tone calls for pinky/coral shades, and be warned: I like it on the bright side. Check out these fantastic cheek cheerer-uppers, and when you’re strapped, don’t forget you can always just give your cheeks a good strong pinch.
Posie Tint in Rose by Benefit
I’ve gone through 3 or 4 of these miraculous little Benefit cheek stains! You MUST read my Little Luxury Report for the full obsessive scoop. Apply by painting a few dabs on your cheeks, and then immediately (no stopping to check your text at this crucial moment!) with both pointer fingers at once, rub/blot it in to your upper cheeks. Say goodbye to blush! (Unless you’re like me and love the girly sensation of applying powdered blush, regardless. Read on.) - $28
Cheek to Chic Duo #5 by Napolean Perdis
I discovered this blush backstage at Elise Overland’s fashion on ice ordeal this past February. The models’ look wasn’t rosy (the freezing cold air outside The Standard did that for them) but if it was, this duo would have been perfect. I like to pile on the lighter color – it has just the right amount of hue and shimmer. The bright pink can be a bit scary if you use more than a drop, or if you’re wearing red. Use sparingly, embrace your inner Barbie. - $28
Blossom Blush in Sweet Mum (2nd color combo) by Jill Stuart
I’m not going to lie. The packaging won me over on this one. But… that’s not to say it’s not a great product. Using this blush makes me feel 5 again, playing Pretty Pretty Princess. It smells like roses and has sparkling jewels on the casing. You have to shake it strategically to get the right consistency of powder to surface on the netting, without dropping any on the floor. Five year olds love games. It goes on really softly and gently, and works well on top of a brighter color for a sweet angelic shimmer. - $57
Desire (shimmering pink) by Lorac
Every day, my coworker Dina comes in with perfectly rosy dots on her cheeks… and I may or may not have a slight crush. Blush is “her thing” and this Lorac color is her homeboy. I’ve borrowed from Dina on occasion—apply sparingly! Although I don’t own this color, this made the list because it looks darling on Dina, and I’ve also loved any Lorac products I’ve tried and find them to last longer on your skin than average -$20
Rouge Pur 52 Lipstick by YSL
Hmmm, it looks like a lipstick, quacks like a lipstick… this is indeed a lipstick. Not just any lipstick – my SOUL MATE lipstick. I love it so much, I keep one everywhere, much like people keep Chapsticks everywhere. This photo doesn’t do the color justice, it is so bright and coral and stunning! I have tried every comparable color in Sephora and Bloomingdales, and there is not one that compares to the vibrancy and splendor of my baby YSL. I wear it more in the spring and summer, but a dreary January ice storm can’t stop me from a hint of this Rouge Pur. Okay, now I’m gushing. But you are still wondering why the lipstick on the short list. Well, I’m not “recommending” you do this because it may or may have a bad reaction with your skin if it’s sensitive, but I use this as my blush all the time. Not because I ran out of Napolean Perdis, but because it simply looks the best. There. I said it. – $30
Now go get flushed, my pretties! But first, I showed you mine now show me yours – what are YOUR favorite blushes and secrets to rosy cheeks?
The Little Luxury: 
So, Halloween is back again and in a few days you’ll either be sporting a leathery face mask or painting one on in hopes of frightening your neighbors. While deciding if you want to go as Dracula or Freddy Krueger, the idea of donning a face mask riles up the memories of 
Start your mornings off with a great moisturizing conditioner. Your ends will thank you. 
No time for a red carpet do? Take a dollop to tame those fly-aways in a dash. 
Three main ingredients go into a relaxing shower. Hot water, 30 minutes and a moisturizing body wash. Don’t skimp on either part, especially the body wash. 
Sometimes all you have time for is an all in one. Use these towelettes to cleanse, exfoliate and go. 
Double you pleasure the night before a stressful return to work. Settle into a sinful chocolate face mask and blow your colleagues away with your smooth skin. 
Say yes to beautiful skin with a facial cleanser that’s organic, natural and paraben free. 
Be gone in 50 seconds (who needs the other 10?) with quick, drying nail color. 
For windy days, sunny days, or any days, never leave home without smooth puckers. 
Yes, the sun goes down a bit earlier, but that doesn’t mean you’re free from harmful rays. Moisturize and protect your skin. 
Bring your eyes from natural to dramatic in just 3 clicks. 
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