Valentine beauty must-haves, the 2012 edition

By April MacIntyre Feb 10, 2012, 16:26 GMT

Regardless if you are hanging with your girls watching movies or have a hot date lined up for Valentine\'s Day, check out what Monsters and Critics fell in love with for the beginning of new makeup season (Spring!) and purse and beauty cabinet staples:

Valentine's Day is a beauty prep fest for many, as the romantic day and night has people arranging special dinners and sexy time interludes.

Basic skin-care items and new luxurious skin treatments and specialty cosmetics make getting ready a fun assignment.

Regardless if you are hanging with your girls watching movies or have a hot date lined up for Valentine's Day, check out what Monsters and Critics fell in love with for the beginning of new makeup season (Spring!) and purse and beauty cabinet staples:

SKIN PREP:

This is something all people can use and greatly improve existing scars and raised keloids: ScarAway, http://www.myscaraway.com/ is an easy fix, as surgeons have been using silicone sheets to help prevent the formation of scars from surgical incisions. ScarAway uses medical grade silicone sheeting you can get over the counter to shrink, flatten and fade old and new scars and restore skin to a more natural looking texture and color.

BRONZING:

You need to get a spray tan, or finish that spray tan and even it out? Here are excellent recommendations:

Gleam Body Radiance by Melanie Mills www.gleambymelaniemills is the best for density of pigment, and comes in four shades for all skin tones. The body finish makeup product has no parabens, sulfates and is a botanical based transfer-resistant velvet hammer for your skin.

A-list Hollywood lives in this, and it smells heavenly to boot. Made in the USA.

FakeBake Shimmer www.fakebake.com is a welcome new kid on the skin finish block, and comes in a 4 ounce tube with gloves. This is a wash-off formulation that delivers instant tan. The color is a winner, a true tan non-orange hue that is a terrific emergency fix for bare legs, arms and even the face. Made in the USA.

Infinity Sun Glow on the Go www.infinitysun.com is a fabulous made in the USA spray on self-tanner that also excels in color and no smell. The application is brilliant and even, and my favorite self-tanning (does not wash off) product of 2012.

HAIR:

Sexy big hair? Yes yes yes. Inexpensive fixes include Diamond Luster hair glistening conditioning gel and Diamond Luster Anti-frizz Curl N' Shape spray gel. Smells great, costs little and Made in USA. Moisturizes and does not make your hair crunchy chola style - but helps improve texture with any heat appliances.

BREATH:

Binaca www.binaca.com is old school breath management, inexpensive, works and can pack in the tiniest of pockets or purses. The new Binaca sprays rock too, and they are a must-have in all the usual places you may be when that kiss comes.

HAIR REMOVAL:

Sexy skin needs go-to razors and shave gel. Our picks are affordable and easy Schick Quattro Aloe and Duo-Vitamin dispoable women's razors and their complementary Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave. Inexpensive way to sleek those legs out and make sure no hair gets between you and your intended Valentine's day victim.

SKIN PREPARATION:

Crabtree & Evelyn www.crabtree-evelyn.com has the BEST body creme moisturizer on the market right now, bold statement but true; Avocado Olive & Basil Skin Nourishing Body Butter (7.9 ounces) is incredible; please make every effort to nab this for your skin. Smells like heaven, densely creamy and rich but not greasy, and made in the USA.

Bonus intel: Complementary Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado Olivie & Basil Body Wash is invigorating and addictive, and leaves skin clean but not dried out. Love this combo for spring clean skin.

TOOLS:

glo-minerals Dual Foundation/Camouflage Brush http://www.gloprofessional.com/ is the hands-down, whiz bang BEST makeup brush to own right this minute. It is a perfectly beveled synthetic bristle which is super soft and shaped in a 360 degree turn. The brush gets into every area you need to create a flawless face. I have never used a better foundation brush.

NAILS:

Run and get Pure Ice 313CP -"Showstopper" www.pureicecosmetics.com a duo of red and gold for the crackle finish that is gorgeous, and perfect for Valentine's day. First apply your nail color. Second apply the crackle over coat. Third apply a clear top coat. **Thin Crackle Coat = Thinner Crackling Effect. Thick Crackle Coat = Wider Crackling Effect. Another winner is 576CP, a deep teal blue and silver polish duo "Strike A Pose" that rocks on toes too. Hot new colors and a superb lasting finish.