Kati Nescher is one of our favorite dark beauties -  Photography by Camilla Akrans (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) for Vogue Germany | See the entire story in the database.

The holidays are right around the corner and soon it will be time to treat everyone you know to something special. In the meantime though, why not treat yourself to one of the season’s sexy, mysterious and downright dangerous fragrances. What better way to spice up the cold weather and add a little glamour to the equation. Take a look at our favorites, from the coy coquettishness of By Kilian to the overwhelmingly intense decadence of Serge Lutens.

BY KILIAN BAMBOO HARMONY – We’re used to Kilian Hennessy treating us to bombastic, larger than life fragrances befitting heroines of classic literature, screen sirens and divas alike, so we were surprised to find his latest is a subtly sexy blend of mimosa, bergamot and neroli combined with oakmoss. The scent is meant to convey the experience of a sip of white tea and as such it is calming, delicate and peaceful. The darkness emerges after the dry down, when the spices, fig and Maté Essence emerge and take things one step further – after all, it wouldn’t be a Kilian scent without a little drama.

CHANEL COCO NOIR – How do you re-imagine a classic? The original Coco is the fragrant equivalent of a Little Black Dress, elegant, timeless and universally appealing, so much so that at first it was hard to imagine anything could compete with that legacy. Rather than attempting a Coco 2.0, Chanel’s in-house perfumer Jacques Polge, provides us with a whole new journey; skillfully merging rose, jasmine, patchouli and sandalwood into a scent that is seductive and modern.

SERGE LUTENS SARRASINS – Serge Lutens is master of the idiosyncratic fragrance and with Sarrasins he creates a lush vision of jasmine that is intoxicating. Lutens’ ultra-chic cloche scents were previously only available at the line’s boutique in Les Salons du Palais Royale, but they’ve crossed the pond and are now available stateside at Barney’s Madison Avenue location. Take our word for it, they are well worth either trip – but if you can’t make the voyage give them a call at 212-833-2425.

TOM FORD NOIR – Gentlemen, start your engines. Tom Ford delivers another surefire hit via his latest scent Noir, a suitably sophisticated take on men’s fragrance with unexpected notes. Bulgarian rose, violets and nutmeg make for a sweeter, more sensuous blend, one that is sure to be appreciated across gender boundaries.

MARC JACOBS DAISY INTENSE – Just in case you’re not quite ready to give up on the light, airy florals that signify Spring – Marc Jacobs has got you covered. The deeper, darker version of his perennial favorite, Daisy is a girly treat packed with strawberries and gardenias but the added musk, vanilla and woods make things far more inline with the season at hand.

BYREDO APOCALYPTIC - With a name like Apocalyptic Byredo’s candle is setting the bar pretty high, but fear not Ben Gorham and co. manage to live up to that fateful moniker. This is the end of the world as imagined by the ultimate optimist – black raspberry, fire iron (they even got the metallic tinge just right) and birch wood. You’ll have to smell it for yourself to get the full experience, but try it on say December 21st.

JO MALONE DARK AMBER & GINGER LILY – Wearable incense coupled with amber and ginger – one of our all time favorites. Maybe it is a little early to start throwing around the words ‘modern classic’ but this is certainly a great touch of darkness for fall. Plus, since it is a Jo Malone, it can be layered over other perfumes to create something wholly original – we like it with the icy White Jasmine and Mint.

DIPTYQUE VOLUTES – Iris, tobacco, honey and myrrh – it is hard to think of notes that are headier, or more appealing than that. Volutes is all about the fantastical, fragrant journeys that perfume can take us on. Even the copy, with its appealing descriptions of “enigmatic elegant women leaning on the rail on top deck, indulging in the pleasure of Khedive cigarettes” is wonderfully transportive. The fragrance is top notch in true Diptyque fashion. Put down the candles and give this a sniff next time you pop into the store.

CREED LOVE IN BLACK – Inspired by Jackie O and filled with flowers that only bloom at night – does it get more elegant than that?

Fashion month is a rush; running back and forth to shows, traveling to new places, not getting any sleep whatsoever. How do you stay looking calm and chic when every force in the universe is sapping your energy?! Thankfully there are a few goodies – beauty and otherwise, that can help you feel your best even when you’re in a stressful situation. Here are the extras that helped us make it through NYFW and PFW,

PHOTOGRAPHER – ALEX COVO | MODEL – NATALIYA PIRO (Ford Women)

CLARINS BEAUTY FLASH BALM – In order to understand why Beauty Flash Balm is an crucial part of any beauty kit you have to experience it for yourself. Try it on the day you’re skin is looking its dullest, drab is and driest and be amazed by the changes you’ll see.

ROYAL APOTHIC HAND CREME – It is easy to forget about taking care of your hands when you’re on the go, but Royal Apothic’s elegant creme makes things a little easier. All you need to do is apply once and you’re blessed with soft, silky hands for hours – a necessity when you’re spending the day shaking hands and swapping business cards.

SKULLCANDY AVIATOR HEADPHONES - Music soothes the savage beast and it makes the disgruntled editor slightly less ornery. Skullcandy’s trendy Aviator style headphones are a gorgeous mix of style and substance – no wonder then that models like Kate Upton, Jessica Stam and Chanel Iman count them as their favorites.

ILLESTEVA SUNGLASSES – Sunglasses are a beauty product – ok not technically, but they do hide a multitude of sins and a beautifully crafted pair like Illesteva’s are a conversation starter. If you were out partying late at Le Bain and simply do not have the time to do an eye mask, put on a pair of Illestevas and you’ll look like a movie star instantly.

TOM FORD BRONZING POWDER – The oversized compact looks chic (Tom Ford’s packaging never fails to impress) and the product itself is just plain good. Our personal favorite shade, Terra has the perfect consistency and provides a touch of subtle bronze to enliven the features and fake a ‘just spent a weekend in St. Tropez‘ glow.

LORAC PRO SHADOW PALETTE – Packing light is key and Lorac’s full set of shadows gives you absolutely everything you need for any look imaginable. A shimmering neutral for day – check, smoky silver for evening – you betcha.

TATCHA FACIAL MIST – Moisturizing hydration in a convenient spray to take with you wherever you go. Perfect for a midday refresher – especially when you need to look your best ASAP.

SKYN ICELAND HYDRA COOL FIRMING EYE GELS – From puffy to perfect in ten minutes, Skyn’s gel patches rejuvenate tired and dried out eyes with a blend of Ginkgo Biloba and Coenzyme Q10. We admit to using these on flights when the recycled air is driving our sensitive eyes crazy.

Isabeli Fontana is the ultimate summer beauty in this shot by Mikael Jansson - view the full series in the database.

Summer heat will not get us down! Even with the temperatures hitting astronomical heights we still want to look fresh. Before you leave town on your glam summer break take a glimpse at our selection of heatproof & beach-ready beauty goodies that will have you looking and feeling like a supermodel.

ESTEE LAUDER SUMPTUOUS TWO TONE MASCARA - If its good enough for Tom Pecheux it is good enough for us! We were front and center when the man himself previewed Estee’s latest mascara backstage at Derek Lam and now the impressive dual color formula is available everywhere. Black mascara on the top lashes and then a subtle hint of color on lower lashes to make eyes pop.

LA ROCHE POSAY ANTHELIOS  – Heavy duty protection with a gentle side – French brand La Roche Posay has got the market cornered on sun protection and their Anthelios line is a perennial favorite. We’ve mentioned Anthelios in this column before and we’re mentioning it again because quite frankly, it just works – absolute must have for the season.

BY KILIAN SOLID FRAGRANCE - Who wants to be digging around in their beach bag for a perfume or lugging around a heavy bottle? By Kilian gives you the sleekest, chicest little solid that is perfect for reapplying just a touch of fragrance. Besides, there is something decadent about wearing one of those heady Kilian scents in the middle of a heatwave – trust us on that.

SACHAJUAN OCEAN MIST - One spritz and you’ve got the kind of wavy, undone beach hair that would make Gisele jealous. Ok, maybe not jealous…but there is a reason this bright blue wonder is constantly sold out !

COR SILVER SOAP - A true beauty multi-tasker, COR’s Silver soap offers the benefits of a sunscreen, a pore minimizer, acne treatment and a makeup remover all in one. When you’re en route to your summer destination -jet-setter that you are – you want a product that does it all. COR boasts a slew of active ingredients like silver, sericin, collagen and chitosan and (perhaps more importantly) a relaxing scent and luxurious lather.

SISLEY HYDRATING LONG LASTING LIPSTICK - What to do when temperatures are climbing past 100 and you’ve got to look nice for an evening out? Swipe on a glam bright shade from Sisley and you’re good to go!

AESOP SAGE & ZINC FACIAL HYDRATING CREAM - A natural take on sun protection Aesop that is perfect for girls (and guys) on the go – slather it on before your morning commute for UV protection.

NEST FRAGRANCES MOSS & MINT SHOWER GEL - Our fave niche candle line branches out with a line of sweetly scented shower gels – all of which are wonderful, but Moss & Mint holds a special place in our hearts this summer. The bracing blend of mint, apple blossom and oakmoss provides the perfect R&R for the overheated, parched and just plain burned out.

MAKEUP FOREVER AQUA SHADOW - We are strong advocates of makeup pencils – they’re versatile, easy to use and make life simpler. Makeup Forever’s waterproof shadows make getting ready a breeze and they last through heat, cold and the occasional tearjerker movie. The metallic shades are guaranteed to grab your attention, but don’t ignore the bold mattes!

REVLON JUST BITTEN LIP STAINS - perfect for the no makeup look and guaranteed to withstand eating, drinking & hours of relaxing on the beach.

GUERLAIN TERRACOTTA SUN IN THE CITY POWDER - A luminous alternative to the traditional bronzer and the perfect way to highlight sunkissed skin. Guerlain is the final word when it comes to bronzer and the latest addition to their collection is every bit as impressive as one would imagine – added bonus the shimmering gold works with every skintone.

CLARINS EYE QUARTET MINERAL EYESHADOWS – The final bit of polish, a quad capable of creating a multitude of looks. The Clarins shadows are highly underrated and the selection of nudes is creamy and gorgeous.

In one of the year’s most memorable beauty images Frida Gustavsson gets her lips painted gold | shot by Patrick Demarchelier for W Magazine

We primped and polished are way through dozens of products in 2011, but these were the ones we went back and reached for again and again – the absolute BEST Beauty Products we tried all year. Find out why we loved them and start 2012 off right by telling us what you loved.

REVLON COLOR BURST LIP BUTTERS
Why it made our list – With a creamy lip balm texture and 20 electric colors, the Lip Butters are an affordable luxury – as good as any high end product we tested. We would reach for any lipbalm that contained mango, shea and coconut butters, so it is wonderful to find those moisturizing ingredients in something with color payoff. Bright shades like Lollipop and Raspberry Pie are our personal favorites, but every shade is a winner and at eight bucks a pop you won’t break the bank trying them.

CHANEL VITALUMIERE AQUA
Why it made our list – Foundation for foundation-phobes. We admit to being inconsolable when Chanel discontinued our previous holy grail Teint Innocence, but this more than makes up for it. The lighter than air texture and sheer quality of this foundation make it look like your skin but better, it is pretty safe to say that Peter Philips is on a roll.

GUERLAIN TERRACOTTA FOUR SEASONS
Why it made our list – Guerlain’s bronzers have always been popular, but the four seasons is the MVP of their lineup. There wasn’t a backstage during Paris Fashion Week where we didn’t spot this popular matte bronzer in the kits of our favorite makeup artists. A must have for sculpting cheekbones, adding a touch of face brightening color and of course providing that enviable “natural” glow we saw on so many of the S/S catwalks.

BURBERRY FRESH GLOW
Why it made our list – Everyone is searching for a product that creates the lit from within look and Burberry’s unique highlighter delivers. Developed by Christopher Bailey with Wendy Rowe serving as Artistic Consultant for the line, Fresh Glow works for all skintones. Whether you mix it with your foundation or use it on its own, it gives you that gorgeous shine that seems completely natural.

KOH GEN DO CLEANSING SPA WATER
Why it made our list – We’ve raved about it before, but this Japanese line is quickly becoming one of our favorites – one swipe of this refreshing makeup remover and every speck of powder, mascara, lipstick, etc. is gone. Simply the best.

SKYN ICELAND ANGELICA LINE SMOOTHER
Why it made our list - Crows feet, laugh lines, those distressing little signs of age all smoothed out and hidden without having to deal with the sting of a doctor’s needle or any invasive treatments. For all those times you want to look your absolute best the Angelica line smoother instantly enhances the skin and fills in any little nagging imperfections.

CLARINS FACE TREATMENT OILS
Why it made our list – It just plain works. Apply in the evening before bed and wake up to refreshed, hydrated skin that looks smoother, clearer and infinitely less stressed than it did the night before: added bonus the calming aromatherapy scent.

NUDE ADVANCED CELLULAR RENEWAL MOISTURIZER
Why it made our list – If you couldn’t tell from some our previous recommendations, our skin was stressed this year and NUDE’s cellular renewal regimen was one of the things that helped to calm it down. Soothing white jasmine, shea and a whole host of nourishing goodies to keep things hydrated and looking good.

CHANTECAILLE POUDRE PERLE 
Why it made our list – This ultra portable, refillable wonder has made our beauty routines easier – especially on the go. Ever have five minutes to get yourself ready on a moving train filled with commuters? This will do the trick. Part highlighting powder, part blush this guarantees you’ll look fresh as a daisy.

MAKEUP FOREVER HD POWDER
Why it made our list – Accept no substitutes. When the camera reveals each and every pore (not to mention every single flaw imaginable), this is what beauty experts dust on to conceal those tell tale pores and hide shine. We’ve spotted this on shoots, backstage during NYFW and even in the makeup trailer on the set of a movie – even if you aren’t gearing up to be in onscreen this is a must have.

MORROCCANOIL RESTORATIVE HAIR MASK
Why it made our list – Saving our dry, distressed and mistreated hair one strand at a time with gentle TLC that conditions and comforts.

ESTEE LAUDER SUMPTUOUS EXTREME MASCARA
Why it made our list – Instant badaboom lashes that don’t leave us looking like a raccoon two hours later. One of the many Estee goodies we’ve spotted Tom Pecheux using backstage and absolutely had to try out for ourselves.