Having trouble finding the absolute perfect shade for your cheeks and lips?  Sure, you can take a gamble at the drugstore and judge the available pigments by eyesight, or you can even ask a beauty consultant at the mall what they would recommend for your skin tone.  But, the most effective and fool-proof way to find that color that looks as if it was made for just your face?  A makeup that adjusts to your individual skin.  Luckily, among other great inventions, recent technological advances have allowed cosmetic companies to create products that do just that.  A friend of mine swears by Dior Addict Lip Glow, which is a color-awakening lip balm with SPF 10 that responds to the color chemistry of your lips to create a shade that is uniquely yours.  It moisturizes, adds sun protection, and enhances your natural lip color, all without looking too done-up. 

I’ve been a fan of roses and their intoxicating aromas for as long as I can remember. And while it’s not all that often that I have actual roses in my life (and what a shame that is), I tend to work some form of them into my daily routine: dabbing rose essential oil on my wrists in lieu of perfume, or enjoying rose hips in my tea. But it is my latest use of the prolific flower that has me really obsessed: spritzing my face with rose water.

The idea to use this all-natural concoction (a by-product of rose hip oil made from steam distillation of fresh rose petals) on my face came to me from none other than Obsessive Beauty founder and all around beauty maven Christa Martin. Christa graciously accompanied me, a reluctant make-up wearer, on a recent search for a new face powder. I settled for a mineral powder—which looks great and gets the job done, except for one small thing: I can’t stand feeling like I’m wearing makeup, and the heavy minerals leave me with a distinct awareness of just that. Before the sales lady could persuade me to buy an expensive bottle of “hydrating spray” (nothing more than expensive water, it turns out), Christa plucked one of her useful beauty tips from her arsenal, suggesting I invest in some rose water instead.

It debuted in the fall of 2010, and quickly gained attention from design lovers. Meet Anthology magazine, a new publication released by UC Santa Cruz grad Anh-Minh Le and co-founder Meg Mateo Ilasco, a well-known crafting author. Together, the pair has introduced a much-needed, relaxing, inspiring, gorgeous magazine featuring interior design, also called a “shelter and lifestyle magazine.” It’s been a long time since I found a publication like this, where you actually want to read every article, and mosey through the magazine, absorbing the wealth of creative insights. In its first run, which came out in the fall of last year, the magazine interviewed Design*Sponge blogger Grace Bonney, it took a look at charming items for your home, and offered up much more. In this second issue, recently on stands and selling at places like Stripe in Downtown Santa Cruz, the editorial team reveals some drool-worthy home items, looks at an art gallery in San Francisco, shares about hot cocoa and more. The magazine is published quarterly and sells for $12. Visit anthologymag.com for a closer look, to order a copy, or follow their blog. Or, stop by Stripe in Downtown Santa Cruz to pick up your own issue of Anthology.

Among beauty aficionados there’s the saying, “So, what are you using?” In response, Obsessive Beauty has decided to share our favorite beauty products with our kind readers. We’ll reveal our secrets over the course of several posts. Here’s a look at what makes our faces look better every day:

Foundation: Chantecaille Future Skin. At $68 for a small jar, this is definitely an investment, but makeup artists have told me that Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie have both been reported to use this line of foundation.

A showery spring is setting in and what better way to celebrate than by jumping on the chic umbrella bandwagon. Sure an umbrella is functional, but who ever said that function can’t be fashionable? This season British handbag and accessories designer Lulu Guiness brings a bumper crop of chic umbrellas to the market, including everything from jaunty stripes to perky polka dots. To be certain those pesky raindrops don’t wilt your hair, try the adorable birdcage bubble umbrella, which extends down over your shoulders. And finally, to add a glamorous panache, be sure to choose an umbrella with a retro u-shaped handle. You’ll be singin’ in the rain in no time.
Find your new umbrella at luluguiness.com

Everybody has them—the people that soothe your tired muscles, defuzz your hairy arms, keep your grey roots in tip-top shape, and ensure your acne never returns. I call them my “go to girls”—the women I “go to” in Santa Cruz who I recommend wholeheartedly. Here they are:

Waxing: Kathleen Birch at Prima, 312 River St., Santa Cruz, 423-3360

I’ve been getting my arms (and occasionally other things) waxed by Kathleen for several years now. Prior to seeing Kathleen, I tried out various other estheticians in Santa Cruz who do waxing. Every time it was painful. But after one session with Kathleen, I’ve been a loyal client ever since. She uses a soy-based wax, and there’s something about her technique that doesn’t cause me to scream. Now, for the most part, I wax only my arms, but on the occasion when Kathleen has waxed my arms or bikini line, yeah, it hurt, but not as bad as the other places that I’ve gone to. She’s been doing this for years, she’s as sweet as they come, and her prices are quite reasonable.

With New York’s Fashion Week behind us now, the common fashionista can start putting together her spring wardrobe using inspiration from the pieces that hit the runways. Some of our favorites were pieces by YSL (the red, flowy dress that Nicole Kidman was already spotted wearing), and the images here are of Marc Jacobs’ looks for spring. These were our favorite. With bright spring colors that have a deeper shade than normal, and plenty of floral inspirations, this collection is for the woman with a delicate, feminine and mysterious side. We have no doubt that this concept will be popping up in stores everywhere. Take a look when spring happens and see how strong this collection’s influence will be on upcoming styles. As for your own version (as many of us can’t afford to buy Marc Jacobs), try incorporating two powerful hues together, like the dark purple and brown seen here, or the chocolate and pink combinations. Find a felt flower hair clip, or discover a necklace of a rose, or attach a broach to your jacket, or find a cocktail ring that boasts a large flower. Your options are endless. Now, off to it—go shopping!

If only this was around two years ago when I got married. Ladies, it’s now official—Anthropologie, the beloved fashion store we all love to visit, is now offering a line of wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, shoes, hair accessories, coverings and more. And of course, every single thing is gorgeous. Sure, the prices are sky high for the gowns (which by the way are completely stunning), but if nothing else, they’re beautiful to look at. And hey, if you can swing $1,500 for your dress, then go for it. And if you can’t, you might at least be able to find shoes, hair pieces, and a wrap at their new site, bhldn.com. Instead of blathering on here about what you might find, we’ll offer up this series of images that are inspiring and beautiful.

She’s a self-made crafty businesswoman whose textiles, designs, post it notes, bags, and much more have defined her as the “go to” woman in Scandinavian design. Meet Lotta Jansdotter, one of our design favorites. Visit Jansdotter.com for a full look at the artist. Long ago, Jansdotter was a student at Santa Cruz’s very own Cabrillo College. Then she took the next logical step and took her creative self to the bustling artistic haven of San Francisco. There, she launched her own business and began designing textiles and more. Her simple, modern, accessible, nature-based, and completely beautiful style quickly won her legions of fans and followers. After a while, Jansdotter took off to Brooklyn, New York, and her business continues to grow. She’s published several books on sewing and design through Chronicle Books, she teaches art workshops, and these days you can find much of her stationery items at any local bookstore. I’ve been to her work studio in Brooklyn and plopped down a bunch of money on bags, paper products, sewing kits and more. Recently, Jansdotter came out with one of her most inspiring books thus far, “Handmade Living.” It’s something of a coffee table book that takes a look at her home in Brooklyn and her work studio, and the creative way she has decorated and designed these various places. Think of it as a gateway to a great designer’s personal world. The book feels more like a magazine—something to escape away with, read, dog-ear pages, and become inspired.  Learn how to make a mobile, discover a cinnamon roll recipe, find a creative way to hang your dishes, and so much more. “Handmade Living” will help you take a stab at creating your own handmade life.

Valentine’s Day brings scores of sultry, skimpy lingerie to the racks in an attempt to lure men into making a purchase for their sweetheart. But ladies, if you have received a bra and panty set of this caliber you know that you wear it once before it becomes forever banished to the back of your underwear drawer for all time. It’s not that it’s not a gorgeous gift, but the comfort factor on these slinky get-ups is slim to none. What you need to do is educate your man on how to buy sexy lingerie that is actually comfortable to wear. Enter Cosabella, the chic and super comfortable Italian brand that has garnered accolades the world over since its introduction in 1983. I recently purchased two Cosabella bras—lacy yet suitable for everyday wear—from Camouflage, and have nothing but praise for the sexy little numbers. Supportive and soft with pretty straps and a construction that does not squeeze or pinch? Sold. With this little secret making you both happier on a day-to-day basis, who needs Valentine’s Day?