Vacation in a Tube

With the summer in full swing, every sunny day can serve as a constant reminder that one of this season's true luxuries — a vacation somewhere warm and glamorous — is beyond the reach of many people thanks (or is that no thanks?) to the recession. But, courtesy of the folks at M.A.C Cosmetics, you can have at least a small taste of being on a deluxe European vacation at a stay-at-home price.

M.A.C recently introduced a collection of summer-friendly lip products called Euristocrats, most of which are named after evocative European destinations most of us can only dream of visiting this year, like Santorini, the Costa del Sol, Paris and Milan. The color of this tube of DazzleGlass is named after St. Tropez; using it will help you channel your inner Brigitte Bardot and feel Euro-fabulous in your bikini, even if you're wearing it on the grimy rooftop of your modern American apartment building.

It's worth mentioning that choosing M.A.C makeup over a similar item from another cosmetics brand is definitely something to feel good about. For over 15 years, this fashion-forward makeup company has been helping support and care for those with AIDS and HIV through its M.A.C AIDS fund, And M.A.C was one of the first cosmetics brands to put a recycling program in place. (Bring back six empties and get a free lipstick. We humbly suggest you pick Ruby Woo.)

Looking for an upside to staying home this summer? You can keep your sleekly-packaged M.A.C goodies in a designer makeup case instead of a flimsy and disposable quart-sized transparent plastic bag.