I love false eyelashes. I do not, however, love that sometimes I forget that I'm wearing them and tug on them, and then end up with what looks like a dismembered spricket (shudder) dangling from my face. I actually carry a small tube of lash glue in my purse whenever I'm wearing false eyelashes to prevent just this, but there are definitely times when perching on a restaurant's bathroom sink and playing around with glue in close proximity to my eyeballs isn't an ideal situation.

So let me introduce you to my favorite new beauty discovery: Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Lash Extension System. I didn't believe that it would work, and it does, and I need to tell you about it because it's kind of amazing.

It's a three-step system that basically coats your lashes with what looks like cotton before adding color - first you paint on some base/top coat, then the nylon fibers, and then more base/top coat...and the end result is pretty gorgeous. It's not quite as dramatic as false lashes, but for some that might be a good thing: it's almost impossible to tell that they're fake (I'd imagine the effect is probably similar to the effect of Latisse), and, like I said: no eyeball-proximate glue.

Want to see?!

Above, some tips on how to keep your style looking sleek even in the dry winter weather...and one of my favorite home decor finds ever.

P.S. I'm throwing a Twitter Party with Dove on November 25 from 6-7 P.M. EST - if you have any haircare questions (or just want to say hi), would love to have you join! You can follow me on Twitter here and use hashtag #HairTips for the party.

The fall is all about new beginnings, and nothing is more fun than heading to the salon for a big hairstyle change once the weather begins to turn (lowlights! a pixie cut! bangs! layers!)…but this year, I have something slightly less dramatic (in an immediate sense, anyway) in mind.

I’m growing it out.

I miss my long hair, and I think I’d like to go even longer than it was before.

The first thing that lets me know that winter is on its way: the heat goes on, and my annual battle against The Dryness commences. Humidifiers get trucked up from the basement, light summer moisturizers and body washes get swapped out for richer formulas, lip balms start piling up in my handbags, and I become a conveyer belt for glass after glass after jug of water.

The second thing that lets me know that winter is on its way: I start wanting to switch things up a little in the beauty department, usually by focusing more on my skin and on my lips.

1. Skin is such a focal point of this look – but I know better than anyone how hard it can be to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant when the colder months hit. Switch your cleanser to a moisturizing formula like Simple Skincare Moisturizing Facial Wash (which contains soothing Pro-vitamin B5 and moisturizing Vitamin E and won’t irritate sensitive skin), and make sure to use a richer moisturizer than you do in the summertime (I either use Simple Skincare Vital Vitamin Day Cream SPF 15 or – on especially dry days – top the Replenishing Rich Moisturizer with some BB cream for sun protection).

One of my favorite nail looks is a simple black manicure (usually Essie Licorice), but I’m the first to admit that it’s not the most exciting choice in the world. Sure, black nail polish used to be kinda unexpected (back in the ‘90s, at least)…but now it’s made the jump straight into “classic” and is about as earth-shattering as pale pink.

But the black manicure they showed on the Kaelen Fall 2013 runway? That was something else entirely. It was like a mashup between a straightforward black manicure and a traditional French one, and incorporated matte and glossy finishes to create a look that’s simultaneously elegant and – yes – a little bit edgy.

Also? The look was apparently inspired by The Craft. Obviously I love this.