Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Beige

Packing light is something I've never quite been able to pull off. A seven day trip calls for seven pairs of heels, seven tubes of lipstick, seven--you get the picture. But with the weather warming up and weekend trips just around the corner, I'm appreciating the multi-tasking potential of my Beige Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact.

Together, the fine shimmer of the nude toned strips makes for the perfect highlighter. Highlighting really accents and shapes facial features. From natural to glamorous, the beige glow works with any look.

The shimmer brick also doubles as an eyeshadow palette in a pinch. There's a golden white shade that makes a great brow and inner eye highlight, and shades of champagne, tan and brown make for terrific shimmering shadow shades. The powders blend into a sparkling, translucent veil that stays put.

Just be sure to pack a medium or dark toned matte brown eyeshadow for the crease (preferably one that doubles as your eyebrow color as well), and you've got eyeshadow options.

Bobbi Brown Blush

Readers, you know I love me some blush! No color is off-limits, but I especially flip for pink cheeks. Bobbi Brown Blush in Nectar is a vibrant, glowing pink that really flatters and brightens the face. This is the shade I used to doll up my best friend before she strutted down the aisle last Summer--and she looked every bit the blushing bride!

This super-smooth, nicely pigmented blush blends beautifully. The matte finish looks natural and balances a sparkling eye, or can be jazzed-up with a sweep of shimmering face powder.

Ever since my Nectar purchase, I've been dying to try more of Bobbi's blush shades. For Christmas this year, I popped Sand Rose, a cool berry shade, into my sister's stocking and she's loving it. Now, Spring is just around the corner and the Apricot and Peony shades are calling my name!

Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara

Bobbi, you know I love you girl, but you let me down with your Everything mascara! You said it lengthens, thickens and defines; I did not see one iota of thickening. That tiny bit of lengthening I saw? I'm attributing that to the fact that the tips of my lashes are light and had been darkened by the mascara. Definition? I guess so, but short skinny defined lashes isn't what I'm after.

The brush is jumbo-sized, a la Dior Show, but I find oversized brushes too difficult to wield on the lower lashes.

I will admit that I sport 3 coats, at a minimum, of mascara at any given time, and I love dramatic lashes. With this mascara, my lashes looked virtually the same except tinted. If you're looking for a very subdued, clean-looking mascara, this might work for you, but if you're all about in-your-face lashes, this mascara doesn't deliver.