I went a little nuts in the beauty section of Target the other day. It’s not often that I actually get to go beauty shopping. When you write about beauty, you mostly sit on your butt while the products magically turn up your desk (thanks, beauty fairy). And while I’m hardly complaining, it’s nice to get back into reality and remember the fun of shopping, not to mention burn a few kilojoules for once. It’s also easy to justify as an exercise in market research. For instance, I often wander into a Priceline to watch what’s flying off the shelves and what’s left behind. (Sorry to anyone who thought I was some crazy stalker girl).

But back to Target. If you haven’t yet seen the stands for American Beauty, Flirt and Good Skin (they’re rolling out into Target stores nationally as we speak), get the skates on now. Good Skin is a perfectly edited and formulated skincare range that is both simple and serious (I can no longer live without the Megabalm Ultra Soothing Lip Treatment, $20). Flirt is a fun colour-driven collection (I love-love-love the lusciously pigmented rainbow-hued eye shadows, especially the Peach Champagne, $20).

But American Beauty is the new Target brand I want to rave about today. If you have any issues with Uncle Sam, get past the name, because once you do you’ll find a really pretty, super-wearable range of makeup. Ashley Judd is the face and I couldn’t think of a more perfect one, because that’s the look you get: creamy skin, dusky eyes and plump juicy lips. The Pretty Glossy Luscious Lipshine, $25, is a particular stand-out – ‘raspberry tea’ makes you look like you’ve been guzzling rich red wine at some glamorous Berlin cabaret all night, while ‘strawberry pop’ is up there with my all-time favourite shades ever, giving you the perfect cherry pout.

But by far the product you all need in your lives now is the Luminous Liquid All Over Face Glow. It’s near complexion-perfection in a bottle, comes in want-them-all shades of copper, gold and pink, and – best of all – price-checks at only $30, waaaay cheaper (and a lot prettier) than most illuminating lotions out there.

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