I got highlights for the first time. As you may have read in my previous blog, until then I was a hair-color virgin. This sparked a bit of excitement at the Nelson J salon where I went (the owner, Nelson Chan, is on our expert panel). It seems colorists love a first-timer, and after a quick joke about bright red streaks (ahh!), Nelson set to work using two shades slightly lighter than my natural color.

This evening, I'm getting highlights for the first time. It seems pretty trivial, but since my hair has never had so much as wash-out dye, let alone semi-permanent color, it feels like the end of an era.

I recently returned from a trip to Disney World and I couldn't help but notice that many of the women there were wearing a full face of makeup. This is problematic for several reasons: 1. Full foundation, eye makeup and lipstick tends to be overkill with the T-shirts and shorts one wears to an amusement park. 2. A day outdoors complete with sun, roller coasters and water rides often results in a smeary mess of makeup running down your face. 3. You're on vacation, and your face deserves a break too.

In one of my favorite movies, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," Kate Winslet's character, Clementine Kruczynski, changes her hair color at least four times. "I apply my personality in a paste," she says. While Clementine was one of the best characters I've ever seen on film, frankly, she was a train wreck who hid unsuccessfully behind her Manic Panic-esque color choices. This along with springtime talk of hair color change got me thinking about all the colors I've tried over the years --

Though some of you may still be freezing out East, I'm happy to report that the weather out here in California has been warm and sunny -- woohoo! The shift from winter to spring has me breaking out all of my SPF-laden products -- those who know me can vouch for my obsession with keeping my skin protected 24/7. I'm fair and already have enough sun damage to deal with, so I play it extra safe these days. So without further adieu, here are a few of my favorite products that keep skin protected and pretty:

Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 Lotion

We're always posting new trend reports and best/worst product roundups. Here are a few of my faves from this week:

Here's a quick list of reasons I'm excited for spring:

- I can retire my winter coat.

That's how many I'm currently toting around. Part of this is a combination of my job and laziness.

Ever wonder if at-home peel kits come close to the quality and results offered at a spa? I did. And I got the chance to put it to the test. Kinara launched their Red Carpet Facial Kit, a three-step treatment that includes a two-step peel and a mask. It's the at-home version of the uber popular treatment at their Los Angeles spa.

Make Up For Ever just launched their Lash Pimpin' faux lashes at Sephora, and I was one of the first to get my lashes "pimped."