Editor's Note: Sorry for the delay in On The Plus Side updates. Many more to come soon, including more video!

Since the weather was so dreary the morning the Tropical Storm landed in New York City, I decided to enhance the seriousness of my outfit with a serious beauty look.

The combination of MAC's Kirsch and Jampacked was a dark yet wearable look. I really enjoyed the plum color of Kirsch, but I faced a challenge in getting the color to distribute evenly which is why I paired it with Jampacked. Jampacked on it's own is a plummy-cherry color but it certainly doesn't pack the punch of Kirsch. They make a lovely pair. Both colors launched with the Cult of Cherry collection.

I love the eyeshadow quad in the NARS Bridal Palette. Each compliments the other in perfect harmony that is a pretty self explanatory tutorial on the smokey eye. I used the top two colors, Nepal and Ondine, to create a daytime smokey look which simply defined the eye area and added an air of mystery. For night I used Night Fever to amp up the purple in the crease and along my lash line. I couldn't have asked for a better selection of shadows.

For me, the NARS Bridal Palette fully delivers everything I need combined under one lid. The highlighting powder in Albatross helps with the mid-day touch up or the after evening date. The lip quad makes it easy to change lip colors and textures without straying too far from the color spectrum within in the palette. I for one cannot wear one lip color all day long - I have lip color add.

I really enjoyed this look and have worn it several times since then.

What colors are in your latest fail-proof discovery?

More from On The Plus Side: A Fuller Figured Fashion Week Experience.

I've had plenty of time to become acquainted with Giorgio Armani Beauty's Fall 2008 Python Collection (a bit longer than I should have before writing about it) and I have to admit I am completely in love. COMPLETELY.

The limited edition Python Palette ($100) is certainly this collection's standout star. The intricate detailing of the eyeshadow palette intricately weaves three shades of taupe into a python pattern you have to see to believe. The two lip shades in the lower tier of the compact, a fuchsia-red and a mauve, look well on their own or mixed together (which is my personal preference). The best part of this palette is that it contains everything you need to take your look from day to night in packaging no bigger than a powder compact.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I have issues with blush. It never looks right on me, and I can never figure out exactly what shade I look best in. Cream blushes have always intimidated me in the worst possible way. I'm terrified of wearing too much blush, probably a fear accelerated by my mother's previous habit of wearing far too much. After biting the bullet and wiping my fingers over the Blending Blush Duo ($60) in 2, I instantly knew this product was different. Other cream blushes I have tried tend to be stiff, if not drying, to the touch. The Blending Blush Duo utilizes a Micro-Fil technology which causes the color to turn into liquid the second it touches the skin. I love to mix the two shades of 2 for the perfect dusty rose color that allows me to wear pink or nude based colors without a problem. For more nude/brown looks, 1 is perfect as the honey camel shade comes paired with a nude highlighter.

This was my first experience with Giorgio Armani Beauty, and I have to say I am a fan 100%. My previous knowledge of the line extended to legendary artist Pat McGrath's involvement and their well-reviewed foundation. The sticker on the bottom of the packaging says "Luxury Products", and I could not agree more. Pure luxury, all the way.