FOS: Holiday Wish List

There are some women who are lucky enough to play with beauty products all day and get paid for it. One of them is Nicole Catanese, beauty features editor at Self and a dear FOS (Friend of Sephora). We asked her about her career, her love of beauty, and what she wants this holiday season:
B&TB: How did you get started in the beauty business?
Nicole: I’ve been a beauty girl since the first day I laid eyes on a product “closet” [the storage spot at magazines] when I was an intern in college. The face creams galore! Lip gloss abound—my heart truly skipped a beat. I’ve been enthralled ever since.
B&TB: What has been your career path?
Nicole: I interned at W, WWD, Jane (RIP) and Elle. I have been on staff at Fitness, Good Housekeeping, Elle and now, on the amazing beauty pages of Self. I oversee the features,help represent the magazine in the market and blog at self.com.
B&TB: What do you love about your current position?
Nicole: At Self, our mantra is if you feel good, you’ll look good. It’s a win, win—I guarantee it.
B&TB: What’s the best beauty advice you've ever heard?
Nicole: “Beauty is being in harmony with who you are.” This oh-so-true statement is scrolled across a tiny fridge magnet my 11-year-old stepbrother gave me for my birthday. And now it’s a message that I repeat every time I walk through my kitchen!
B&TB: What are your top three products?
Nicole: Tarte rise and shine plumping lip stain ($21) The fruit punch-esqe color gives lips (and skin!) an instant pop of color while the long-lasting stain stays on long after my morning latte.
Guerlain terracotta self tanning balm with argan oil ($50) Ultra creamy and hydrating, this self tanner contains moisturizing argan oil to ward off brown alligator-like skin, plus imparts just the right bronze glow to perk up my pale pallor.
Klorane gentle dry shampoo with oat milk ($18) Although the praises of dry shampoo have all been sung, I must sound like a broken record—this one really is the best! My thick, wavy hair doesn’t need daily sudsing, so I simply spritz this at my roots in between washes to soak up excess oil and freshen up my style in a pinch. This oat milk-based formula is super gentle and doesn’t make my strands feel crunchy.
B&TB: What two products are you coveting this Christmas?
Nicole: Sephora Collection Color Play Palette II ($24) Because 10,000 looks can’t be wrong! Plus, the low-low-low price tag takes the term "beauty bargain" to a whole new level.
Clarisonic/Kinerase Set ($225) ’cause I’m cookoo for this pore cleaning sonic tech. I swear—for the two years I’ve been using this device daily, my skin has never been so clear and smooth and you don’t run the risk of overbuffing like you can with some harsh exfoliants.
B&TB: What non-beauty gift do you want this season?
Nicole: The Rosetta Stone German DVD. So that I can finally master my boyfriend’s native language! Wie gehts? –Jenna Mahoney