.:: CybeleSays ::.

There’s something timeless about the black and white color combo on products that is so alluring. One that caught my eye over the holidays was SEPHORA’s Sephora by Izak Collection. It’s a collection of cosmetic bags and makeup and the designs are created by French Illustrator, Izak Zenou, and they are about as tré cool as you get.

And I love the span of items they did for it. Here are my picks:

IZAK Pouch – a useful triangle shape to make items easy to find when it sits at the bottom of your purse

IZAK Traincase – who couldn’t use a makeup case to store your products (and I swear one of the women on the front looks just like Nathalie Portman!)

IZAK Nail File Set – I always find myself in need of a nail file and each of the 3 in this set has the cute girls printed on them.

Are you needing to pick up any of these for yourself?

$5 to $18 @ sephora.com.

Smooth hair is such a luxury and I was starting to take it for granted the other day until it started rainin and my strands bulked up. With all the controversy continuing to swell over the Brazilian Treatment and whatever else name it goes by, smoothing products have reared their head as a temporary alternative. One in the game that I’m giving kudos to is the Agave Smoothing brand from Bio Ionic. The products have serious frizz-fighters in the form of the Agave Smoothing Shampoo (color safe) ($12.50/8oz), Smoothing Conditioner ($12.50/8oz) and Agave Healing Oil ($20/4oz) @ agaveoil.com.

Shown here: Agave Smoothing Home Trio sampler.

HOURGLASS COSMETICS just put out a couple of new products and I’m all over this Film Noir Kohl Eye Pencil. As we all know, kohl pencils are the smoothest, most non-tugging, color-rich eye pencils out there, but surprisingly, this one is not as soft as the usual kohls I’ve used; it’s actually quite hard. They call this the “next generation of kohl pencils,” so maybe a harder formula is where it’s at!

What it lacks in the ease of application, it makes up for in the deep pigmentation and longevity of wear and this one comes with a sharpener built inside the cap. Available in two colors, Eclipse (black) and Espresso (dark brown black), shown here.

$28 @ sephora.com.Click after the jump for more photos!

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Ok, the holidays are officially over, well at least the ones where holiday scents are required, so easing me back into regular candles again is ELEMIS’ The Royal Candle. It has just a touch of holiday still but eases in the normal everyday scents of lily, jasmine and vanilla. So lush. Price: $48/8oz = 40 hours burn time @ elemis.com. 

No gift list is ever complete without including the “made for gifting line,” Benefit.

What it is: BENEFIT COSMETICS She’s So … Jetset!

Why I like it: This line was made for gifting! Take one of their many custom made products and you are sure to get a WOW from the recipient. This Jetset kit contains 4 eye shadows, a deluxe size of The POREfessional, deluxe size They’re Real! Mascara, First Class Face Powder with Brush, a lip gloss in Life on the A-List, a double-ended applicator.

Price: $36 @ benefitcosmetics.com.

What it is: BARE ESCENTUALS The Royal Treatment

Why I like it: It has a little bit of everything from their makeup line (15 pieces total), and it comes in this wicked cool roll-up cosmetic case. I'm usually not a fan of smaller-than-the-original products but it this case, it's works, and  it's a great way to try their makeup line to see what colors etc will work for the recipient.

Price: $85 @ bareescentuals.com. It’s currently out of stock but if you need this for a last minute gift, you’re better off getting it in one of their stores. Call ahead of time!

Wanna see what's inside the roll? Click after the jump!

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She’s into Vemon and Motörhead, tattoos and dates one of the best electro-house music producers of the past decade and she’s cool enough to have a makeup line.

What it is: KAT VON D Starry Eyes Makeup Palette – 4 Eye Shadow Trios in Felix, Helmüt, Lohnër, Requiem, Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick in Lolita and Adora.

Why I like it: I love this not only because of the mucho shadow colors you get for the price but the quality is great. When was the last time you used up a whole shadow? Exactly. Instead of giving us a ton of a few colors, they give us 3 in each color family. And were these modeled after the Inglot brand’s shadows? Hmmm.

Price: $34 only @ sephora.com.

If you’re talking gift giving, then the LUSH brand should jump into your brain as all of their products are great for giving.

What it is: LUSH … Had A Very Shiny Nose

Why I like it: Gift sets are the total way to go and this one is all wrapped up and ready. It contains: Mr. Punch soap (3.5oz), The Olive Branch Shower Gel (3.3oz) and Sandy Santa (3.6oz). No small sample sizes here.

Price: $23.95 @ lush.com.