TheMakeupGirl

Get This: L'Oreal Infallible 6 Hour Lipgloss...

I know I am a lipgloss junkie, I can't help it...but that is beside the point!  I saw this little beauty in CVS yesterday and grabbed a few shades to test out.  Why should you bother with another gloss you say?  Well for one, this one is affordable so you can buy more than one shade, it stays put for 4-6 hours (no joke) and it is scented but flavorless.  L'Oreal Infallible 6 Hour Lipgloss is a true one-step long-lasting lip gloss that feels comfortable, not sticky or tacky.  I loved Dulce de Leche, Truffle and Sangria.

Now for the pros...it comes in 16 shades, it is not sticky or tacky, it is moisturizing without being too "glossy", it has a little keyhole type applicator that is very nice feeling on the lips as opposed to the standard "doe foot" applicator that seems to absorb so much product. The only thing missing here really is SPF but I will forgive them because I use a lip balm that has SPF built in.

Now this is not a "no-transfer" gloss, BUT it will last through a meal. You will still end up with gloss on your glass but for the money definite thumbs up.

Priced at $9.99 at Drugstore.com and all drugstores nationwide.

Gloss Pretty!!

Get This: Sephora Brand Dry Oil...

As you know, I was on a little mini-vacation last week in HOTlanta.  We had so much fun but I was definitely mad as hell when my travel size body lotion leaked all over the inside of my case!  Off to Sephora I went...and I discovered this little gem Sephora Dry Oil.



They come in a 5oz size (too big for travel but I packed it in my suitcase and prayed), and they have all these yummy scents!  The best thing about it...my skin drank it in like water, no greasy feel and the scent was nice but not overpowering enough to compete with my fragrance.  I picked up Coconut Cream and Asian Ginger but they have 13 to choose from.

Spray Pretty!!

Get This: Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream...

Are you in a “situation” with rough spots on hand knees or elbows? Hey my Nana used to chase me around with cut lemons to alleviate my rough areas so I feel your pain. Summertime is the WORST time to have “ashy” hands, knees or elbows.  They show up more because you are revealing more of your body in the summer.  But what you may NOT know is that in addition to scrubbing (or in my case burning) away roughness, you still have to put some substantial moisture back in.  Not just any kind of moisture, but one that has some serious penetrating power.

The skin where you have roughness is thicker than the other areas not affected, so you need to find something that won’t just sit on top and eventually get rubbed off by your bed sheets.  Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream will do just that.  First off it is made with Glycerin another of my Nana’s wonder cures. It contains vitamin E, vitamin B2, camphor and LOADS of Glycerin.

The first time I used this it was on my hands (which aren’t rough but I was looking for a good hand cream).  I was amazed at how quickly it absorbed into my skin AND my hands weren’t greasy.  I could pick up a glass and it wouldn’t slip!  So I read up on it and discovered it was a great all around cream as well.  You can use this on your hands, feet, elbows you name it!  I have been using this since I found it in the apothecary in NY 17 years ago and now It has achieved somewhat of a cult status,  The cream was created by a Japanese pharmacist back in 1957 and is the #1 selling medicated skin care cream in Japan today.  It contains no artificial colors, fragrances, oils, or petroleum. You can find it in jars and a tube (which is very handy, I keep one in my purse and my desk drawer).

Stay Pretty!!

Get This: Long lashes with Marini Lash!!!..

Oh yeah lovelies.....my time has come! I am so thrilled to introduce to you Marini Lash Next Generation Eyelash Enhancement!!! I foresee a future of eyelash batting and easy mascara applications....

I first witnessed the results of this amazing product a couple of years back....I was in Sephora free-lancing for LORAC and I saw a few of the "cast members" (I don't know why they don't call them "beauty advisors" or God forbid, "salespeople"...those French and their fancy titles..okay Josi, stay focused....)flocking around this dark-eyed customer...of course, me (being one of THE NOSIEST human beings on the planet)...I just HAD to go see what all the hub-bub was about. 

"Seriously, I have to CUT them they are so long and thick!"..said the women with a set of THE most beautiful, lush, dark eyelashes I had ever seen said. (and this woman wasn't 12...she had to have been..well I won't say numbers..let's just say she was old enough to appreciate her beauty...beauty really has no age...think Samatha darling).

Okay, moving on to my next exposure to this product...I was at a local med-spa here in Dallas for my microderm/chemical peel and one of the girls working the desk had these ridiculously beautiful lashes....of course, once I probed her for info she was like..."have you heard of Jan Marini?"..she assured me,..."no really, they are real! (as she demonstrated by pulling on them)"...she even told me their price and I wasn't phased...okay, well maybe a tad..($160)...BUT it didn't matter because...ahem, they were all sold out.

Seriously ladies..I am not exaggerating or "embellishing" one bit. AND, I am happy to say that I am now finally on my way to my first set of new, fully-enhanced lashes....it takes a few weeks for the new growth to start (the gal at the spa said it does feel kind of weird at first as the new growth comes in) but before you know it you are sprouting new hairs!!!!!

Well, no pain, no gain I always say!!!  Weird or not, I can't wait!!  Jan Marini (surprise,surprise) is THE skin guru and secret weapon to our favorite stars like Reese Witherspoon and Charlize Theron, who follows Jan's guidance to make sure they are always "camera-ready"...and now little old me gets to  join their ranks and I am just tickled pink!

Jan Marini products are only available via physician or a licensed skincare professional (music to my ears...I love it when skincare does what they say it will..) or you can also find  Marini Lash  @ www.skinstore.com !

Bat those Lashes Beautifully Y'all....

Get This: Prescriptives Anywear Foundation...

Okay so you know how I cringe at the mere mention of foundation - right??  The cakeiness, the heaviness, the opaqueness blah...blah blah.  Well I think I have found one that takes all of that off the table.  Prescriptives has a compact foundation called Anywear Multi-finish Foundation. This is one that you can customize by wearing it wet for sheerer finish and dry for a matte finish...BUT the catch is that BOTH ways look extremely natural which is what hooked me from the jump.

I found this product purely by accident - I was going to NYC for my little Beauty Editor trip and silly me I packed everything BUT my makeup bag which I left sitting on my dresser.  Imagine my horror people...here I am supposed to look polished and I don't even have an eyeliner.  All I had was the little one I keep in my purse which was of course mostly lipgloss...not a drop of powder in sight.  So I went to Duane Reade and loaded up on L'Oreal HIP etc. (unfortunately...still not the best match for my skintone) So I decided to go and see my lovelies at  the Bergdorf Goodman Prescriptives counter and see if they could hook me up.  They took one look at me and recommended this particular compact and put some on me even though I complained the entire time!  I absolutely fell in LOVE with it...I am wearing Antelope Y/O which is a teeny bit dark for me when dry but it worked amazingly well when wet AND will be perfect in summer after I get a little color!

Anywear Foundation retails for $32.50 at Prescriptives counters nationwide.

Stay Pretty!!

Get This: Free Lash Curler at Tarte...

Can you believe it will be June next week???? The weather here is more like early March so I am not in summertime mode AT ALL yet! You can start your summer off right with this great deal from Tarte.

Spend $40 on Tarte's Website and receive a FREE picture perfect eyelash curler! Just add a picture perfect eyelash curler to your basket before check out and enter the code. Get yourself my FAVES of all time Cheek Stain, Rise and Shine or the Double Ended Lip Gloss.  This offer ends next Tuesday so get on it!!

Code: May08
Valid: May 20 – June 1, 2008

Shop Pretty!!

Get This: Redken Real Control...

I know I have been really into talking about hair lately but tis the season for dryness and frizzies.  I even went a WHOLE summer without putting anything on my hair and wore only protective styles just to see if I could grown my hair 4 inches in one summer...guess what it worked..LOL.

That being said, I love it when I find new products that help my fragile hair retain strength and moisture level and stay smooth at the same time.  Impossible??  Maybe not ladies.  Redken's latest line called Real Control is touted as a system for "dense/dry/sensitized hair".  To me that means fried, permed, dry, thick, relaxed etc.  My kinda stuff!!!

This line is indeed...intensely moisturizing (formulated with shea butter), and is specifically for hair that is dry, porous and prone to frizz.  I decided to try the shampoo, conditioner and hair mask first.  Last Saturday (Saturday is hair washing day) I did the shampoo and conditioner and I noticed that my hair felt really clean but I didn't get that whole squeaky feeling which I don't like at all...that makes me think my hair is being dried out!  I left the mask on for 30 minutes (which I don't normally do because I am impatient) and WHOA.  I could see/feel the difference while I was blow drying my hair.  It was shiny and I hadn't even put any product in it yet!!!!!

The line consists of shampoo and conditioner, the Intense Renewal Mask (that I soooo love btw), Thermal Resist leave-in spray for the those of you (and me...lol) that cannot live without their heat styling appliances, and the Crema Care leave-in conditioning treatment which would be great on thicker hair.

The line is available exclusively at Warren Tricomi salon in Los Angeles and will roll out nationwide in June at participating Redken Salons.  To find a salon in your area check the website or call 800-REDKEN8. 

Shampoo Pretty!!

Get This: Kiss Salon Mani/Pedi Sets...

Summertime is almost here and you know what that means...open toed shoes (check the open toed shoe pledge ladies)!  I am guilty of letting the tootsies go longer than I should in the wintertime but come spring I am in that chair getting my tootsies and fingers buffed to perfection.

That being said, getting weekly mani/pedis can be costly, but doing at home can be daunting as well...what do you buy, how do you put a kit together?  Well fret no more, a company called Kiss has taken care of all that.  They put together mani and padi sets that contain everything you need to do a salon quality job for a fraction of the cost a salon job would cost.  The kits, which are sold separately  cost all of $9.00 (I have bottles of nail polish that cost more than that!!) and have salon quality tools.

The Rundown:

Inside the Manicure Kit

• Nail scissiors
• Nail brush
• Nail clipper
• Cuticle clipper
• Cuticle pusher & cleaner
• 4-way buffer
• Nail file
• Manicure sticks

Inside the Pedicure Kit

• Toenail clipper
• Cuticle clipper
• Foot brush & Stone
• Cuticle polisher & Cleaner
• Toe Seperators
• 4-way buffer
• Nail file
• Manicure sticks

Now I don't know about you, but that is a WHOLE lot for $9.99 PLUS it comes in a zippered pouch so you can keep everything together.  If you aren't a do-it yourself type of gal, write your name on it and take it with you to  the manicure spot that way you know you have YOUR OWN tools that are used only on YOU.

The kits can be purchased at major drugstore retailers like Target, CVS, Walmart, Rite Aid and Duane Reade.  Here is a link to all locations that carry the line.

Mani/Pedi Pretty!!

Get This: Hourglass Cosmetics Makeover Madness...

Are you in Los Angeles?  Treat yourself to a professional makeover with Hourglass Cosmetics!  Meet Carisa Janes, the creator of the line along with the head makeup artist Josh Wolf.  Get your makeup done in a gorgeous setting and get some complimentary treats just for showing up!

WHO:  Hourglass Cosmetics, its creator Carisa Janes and head makeup artist Josh Wolf

WHAT:  Complimentary makeovers

WHERE:  Barney’s 9570 Wilshire Blvd.Beverly Hills, CA 90212

WHEN:   Saturday, May 10th 11am to 6pm To schedule an appointment please call the Hourglass Counter at (310) 276-4400 x 5598. Those who attend will receive a full-sized eye shadow. Purchases over $100 receive the Sheen Reflective Lip Gloss in Beach; Purchases over $250 receive a Leather Cosmetic Bag.

Have fun and as always...

Stay Pretty!!

Get This: Ojon Rare Harvest Tawaka Cleanser & Conditioner...

I am not one to RAVE about something unless I truly truly love it.  That  being said, I AM POSITIVELY IN LOVE WITH Ojon's latest line of shampoo and conditioners called Rare Harvest Tawaka!!  Good lord, my hair has NEVER been this shiny and soft EVER.

                           

Regular readers know how much I love Ojon in general, but this stuff is on a whole other level.  The shampoo is dubbed a "cleanser" which can also be used on your face and body!  I found that the trick is to shampoo twice and the second time leave it in for 2-3 minutes before rinsing. It is more like a treatment than a plain old shampoo...good for all hair and skin types - particularly dry, damaged, aging skin and hair.  No oily residue either PLUS, the sulfate free formula won't strip hair so if you have color treated hair you are safe.

Just like the shampoo, the conditioner is also sulfate free and can be used on the face and body as well.  It is rich in anti oxidants which I wouldn't think would be a big deal for your hair but apparently it is!  When I tell you that my poor heat fried hair looks like I just came from a salon, I AM NOT PLAYING.  This stuff is amazing. it put a little on my face neck and arms but not too much because this stuff is not cheap and I am trying to ration!  Watch a video on how they conduct the "rare harvest" here and if you are not ready to take the plunge and buy a full size bottle, the ever thoughtful folks at Ojon have a special on QVC where you can get BOTH 13.5 oz bottles for $44 (they  normally retail for $32 each so it is a significant savings!) 

Don't forget that it is Earth Month and during the month of April, Ojon is donating 10% of their online sales to MOPAWI, which is a non-profit group dedicated to promoting sustainable agricultural development in the native Miskito and Garifuna populations in La Mosquitia, a rainforest in eastern Honduras.

Shampoo Pretty!!

Get This: Pre-Order The Zoya Chit Chat Collection...

Hey babies!  Remember when I told you about the nail polish Zoya is naming after me?  The Zoya Chit Chat Collection is named after top beauty bloggers and  will be available for summer 2008 shortly but it can also be pre-ordered now on the Zoya Website.

One of the best things about Zoya Polishes is that they are free of toxic Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP, they are the longest wearing natural nail polishes available.  So if you are pregnant or if you are one who practices or is thinking about a natural lifestyle these are great for you. 

Zoya Nail Polish is the brainchild of Zoya Reyzis who, as a pregnant aesthetician and salon owner in 1984, realized the need for a healthier and more durable solution. Today, Zoya Nail Polish is available at the finest salons and spa's worldwide and frequently receives top ratings in fashion, health, and pregnancy magazines world wide. When asked why they chose Zoya Nail Polish, most people say " Incredible Color Selection" and "...amazing wear ...nothing compares on manicures and pedicures..."

All of the polishes are available separately OR in a Clear plastic sampler box that has all six shades in 0.5 oz bottles.  So get your self some Lianne (ultra tangerine metallic), Erika (soft pink metallic, Gaia (hip white metallic), Bekka (cool chartreuse metallic),, Annie (bold berry metallic) and Elke (hot rose metallic) for summer! 

Polish Pretty!!

Get This: La Vanilla Vanilla Coconut Lip Shine...

Okay girls...you know how obsessed I am with lip balmglosswhatever right?  Well while in NYC at the Sephora in SoHo...what did I see but my favorite Vanilla brand LaVanilla is making what???  Lip products!!  If you are looking for an emollient lip balm with tons of shine look no further!

Healthy Lip Shine smells great and has a faint taste of vanilla (great for those of you that aren't into too much flavor in your lip shine), it doesn't have tons of staying power BUT what lip shine does?  I am always re-applying all day long.  This is perfect alone or with a stain or lip liner underneath for a little more oomph.  Made from 100% Shea, Apricot, Jojoba and sunflower oils, you will get a richly emollient treat for your lips.  It comes in three scents, Vanilla, Vanilla Blossom and my FAVE Vanilla Coconut.  They have also come out with a Lip Butter that contains 100% pure shea, Kokum, Illipe and cocoa butters PLUS SPF 8.  This one is much creamier and  emollient great for the driest of lips.

The La Vanilla Lip collection is exclusively at Sephora stores nationwide.

Gloss Pretty!!

Get This: Aqua Cloth...

Have you ever been someplace traveling and needed a fresh washcloth?  Well look what I found girlies...Aqua Cloth is the size of a large chewable vitamin BUT add water and it expands to a full size face towel.  Perfect for travel on people on the go!

Basically you just get the tablet wet and allow the towel to expand, unroll it and it's ready to use.  Best part is an entire tube retails for about $4 so it isn't a costly investment.

The towel itself once it is expanded is 12.0" x 9.5" which is pretty generous in size.  It is a durable perforated towel made from 100% natural pulp (which feels like cotton). It is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly.  You can use this outdoors if you are a hiker or just to wash your face if you need an extra washcloth.  I found mine at Beauty First but you can check them out here.

Wash Pretty!!

Get This: Lash Control...

Wouldn't you like to find a mascara that you didn't have to wipe the excess from before you applied it??  One that you didn't have to take the wand and jam it back inside the tube to get that last little bit off the end??  Well look no further my pretties..here is Lash Control.  A mascara that has a built in wiper that removes the excess mascara from the brush before it comes out of the tube.

Yeah you heard me!!  All you have to do is squeeze the flexible rubber middle as you pull the wand out and your will have just enough to provide long lashes without excess.  Perfect for people like me that usually do more than one coat!!  You can PILE this mascara on (really you can....)

I have used the Pink (Lengthening and Conditioning) and Purple (Volumizing and Conditioning) formulas and I love them both.  Currently, those are the only two available but they are developing 4 more formulas...

RED - A Heavy volume formula for that glamorous look in BLACK and BLACK/BROWN

YELLOW - An extra light and sheer formula in BLACK, BLACK/BROWN and BROWN

CLEAR - Just that - a clear, conditioning formula for the lashes              

BLUE - Water-resistant  formula in BLACK (I need this one in my life for sure...)

Currently, it is available online at Be Beautiful.  A little something for everyone!!

Stay Pretty!!

Get This: Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Lip Crayons...

Get the look of a lipstick with the ease of a crayon with this genius little chubby pencil called Lip Crayon from Bobbi Brown.  The crayon itself debuted with the Pink Raspberry Collection, now comes four new shades on counter in April - Naked Pink, Nude Berry, Warm Rose, and Red Plum...

The formula is non-drying and creamy but long lasting, perfect for quick touch ups under lipstick or along under gloss.

Stay Pretty!!

Get This: 3 Custom Color's Watercolor For Cheeks...

Okay have you ever just wanted a little wash of color on the cheeks??  Just a little bit...I am talking sunkissed, but whatever you use gives you too much or too little.  I have found the perfect antidote in the form of a sheer balm that washes over your cheeks (and lips too!) and gives you just the right amount of color. 

3 Custom Color out of NYC has a small compact mirrored pot called Watercolours For Cheeks, I have been rocking it for the past few days with great results.  The shade I am wearing is called Scarlett Peony which looks extremely bright red in the pot but comes off as a sheer warm reddish brown (love that!)  There are 5 shades all together and you must remember that they are SHEER when you are choosing.  As I mentioned earlier, these can also be used for a nice sheer "just bitten" look on the lips.....a multi-tasker FAB we love that!

For application, start in the middle of your cheeks and blend up and out, another trick is that it is somewhat buildable but the look will always be sheer like a watercolor painting....brilliant honey.

Blush Pretty!!

Get This: Beauty Booty at the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event...

It's that time of year again!  The Neiman Marcus beauty event is upon us.  The event is online and in store and they do not disappoint with the cute tote bag!!  It will come in three colors and is filled with all types of goodies.

The Rundown: 

TAKE HOME A COMPLIMENTARY NM EXCLUSIVE PINK TOTE & SIX TREATS WITH ANY COSMETICS OR FRAGRANCE PURCHASE OF $100 OR MORE DURING THE BEAUTY EVENT.

You'll receive:

• FRESH Sugar Acai Body Cream, 10 ml.
• ORLANE Repairing Night Cream, 3.5 ml.
• LANCOME Courbe Virtouse Mascara in Black, .07 oz.
• PRADA Scented Towelette
• CHANTECAILLE Rice & Geranium Foaming Cleanser, 5 ml.
• YVES SAINT LAURENT elle Fragrance

In addition, most of the lines have their own giveaways as well during this time so you can get more loot!

This event is running February 21- March 2.

Shop Pretty!!
 

Get This: Burts Bees Spa Goodies...

So I was so excited to test out the latest from Burt's Bees  ....I loved their packaging so much in the beginning I was almost hooked before I even tried their products! Seems like I see a new product every time I hit a beauty isle.....so  I decided to give my self a  Burt's Bees mini-spa adventure (because dammit I deserve it! )....hee hee!

First off on my spa night was Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment . It gave  my hair some needed TLC and moisture. Women have used olive oil for years on their hair.....(I had a roommate in college that liked to use olive oil on her hair...I"ll never forget finding one of her long, dark curly hairs wrapped around our olive oil....now that's disgusting!!!)  So now, along with the avocado butter,  Burt's has found a  way to deliver all the therapeutic benefits plus provide us with some very needed aromatherapy....loved it!

Get This: Christopher Kane Limted Edition Juicy Tubes...

Are you in the New Jersey area??  Do you adore Juicy Tubes??  Do you like getting the scoop on new beauty goodies first??  Then Lancome has a super exclusive event for you!  What a nice way to kick off Fashion Week! These limited edition Juicy Tubes will be available for this party but then they won't be on counters until mid-March!!  So you will see them FIRST!

Want to experience what it’s like to be a Fashion Week model?  Lancôme invites you to get catwalk ready with Fashion Week and Celebrity Makeup Artist Extraordinaire Daniel Martin, Lancôme Spokesmodel Selena Breed, Melissa Walker (author of the acclaimed book “Violet on the Runway”) and the
Lancôme Backstage Makeup Team!

WHEN: Friday, February 1, 2008, 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm

WHERE: Lancôme The Boutique 1200 Morris Turnpike Short Hills, NJ 07078

LOOT:  Gift Bags, Mocktails and Cupcakes! YUMMY!
You can also enter to win a luxurious prize!

RSVP: cschramke@lancome-usa.com (Please include full name, phone number and that you are RSVPing for the New Jersey event) you must RSVP in order to attend! Tell them TheMakeupGirl sent you!

Be the first to…

• Get your hands on limited edition Juicy Tubes created by hot London Fashion Designer Christopher Kane
• Read Melissa Walker’s newest book “Violet by Design.”
• Get the hottest beauty looks for spring, straight from the artists who worked backstage.

Plus....receive a complimentary copy of "violet by Design" and an official Lancome Backstage t-shirt with any purchase of a limited edition Christopher Kane Juicy Tubes and a Lancome Mascara. 

I want details!  Whoever goes can report back to me so we can live vicariously through you!

Stay Pretty!

Get This: Kate Somerville Gift With Purchase!!!

Have you been wanting to try Kate Somerville products?  Are you a faithful customer and love freebies??  You too can Look great with Kate in 2008 an dif you don't know who Kate Somerville is, then you need to google her.  Her ExfoliKate (formerly known as Kate In  Jar) is one of my favorites.

Now, when you spend $108 in Kate Somerville beauty products, receive 8 travel size ExfoliKate tubes in a friendly travel pouch. Quantities are limited, so start shopping!

2008 LOOK GREAT WITH KATE: Kate Somerville Complimentary Gift with Purchase at eLUXURY.com!

Shop Pretty!!

Get This: Smashbox Master Class Part Deux Special Effects...

You may recall last year when I was obsessing over the Smashbox Master Class Set.  Well they have done it again (as if you could improve on the original...)  The newest version is an update of the limited edition 7 piece kit that is only available at Sephora.  Like it's predecessor, Smashbox Master Class Part 2:  Special Effects contains tips and tricks from Smashbox Studios makeup artist Patrick Tumey on an easy to follow DVD...but the contents of the kit are markedly  different.

The Rundown:

• Lip Brilliance Palette in Perfect Pout (soft peach, pink coral, glossy nude)
• Eyelights Palette in Special Effects (shimmery beige, coral pink, chocolate brown)
• Bronzer/Blush Duo In Contour/Pop (deep bronze, creamy apricot) <-----LOVE this...blush and bronzer are my favorite combo!
• Shadow Brush #26
• Cream Eye Liner Pencil In Midnight Brown
• Travel Size Photo Finish Foundation Primer
• Kabuki Brush

The Lip Brilliance and Eye Lights sets alone are $28 & $34 respectively...so this is a fantastic deal.  Now all you have to do is watch the DVD and get your groove on.

Stay Pretty!!

Get This: Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives...

Are you planning some beauty shopping??  Do you need to stock up on your skincare??  If you do, I would consider doing it at Nordstrom.  Good old Nordies is having an unbelievable gift with purchase.  Spend $100 and get this gorgeous floral bag stocked with the following goodies:

Anthony Logistics for Men Facial Scrub
Bare Escentuals® RareMinerals Skin Revival Treatment
Bvlgari 'au thé vert' Oshibori Refreshing Towel
Clarins Super Restorative Décolleté & Neck Concentrate
Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer
Erno Laszlo Antioxidant Complex for Eyes
GoSmile Advanced Formula B1-Tooth Whitening On-the-Go
Guerlain 'Success Future' Wrinkle Minimizer Firming Day Care SPF 15
Issey Miyake 'L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme INTENSE' Eau de Toilette Spray
Kinerase® C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment
Lab Series Skincare for Men Multi-Action Face Wash
Lab Series Skincare for Men Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15
Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara
Lancôme 'Cils Booster XL' Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
L'Occitane Verbena Body Lotion
MARC JACOBS Daisy Eau de Toilette
Origins (one of the following): A Perfect World Intensely Hydrating Body Cream, Modern Fusion, or
A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturizer
philosophy 'inner grace' perfumed shower gel
Prescriptives Anti-AGE Advanced Protection Eye Cream SPF 25
Prevage® Anti-Aging Treatment
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15
Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Skin Treatment Cream

Whew!  That is some list right??  This would be a perfect opportunity to pick up one of the new spring collections you have been after.  Shopping like this almost make you not feel guilty about spending the $100, but you had better act fast.  This offer is only good while supplies last and it is only available ONLINE.

Shop Pretty!!

Get This: Solessence Serum Defense Set...

I know you all want great skin - right???  Great skin is the basis for all things pretty - and that is a fact.  If you haven't tried serums yet, give them a whirl.  The best thing about them is their ability to localize and focus on a particular issue. This serum will help you with the cold harsh winter that is a head of us (I saw a squirrel with way too many nuts the other day...I think we are in for it this year!!)

Well I have a new serum for you that is beyond the beyond.  Just in time for the holidaze...Hillary Fry the creator of Solessence and Billy B. have created a masterpiece.  A wearable work of art if you will.  Solessence makes my most favorite shea butter and we all know how I feel about Billy B...LOL.  This is a first for Solessence because they have not done skin care before.  The best thing about it is that Hillary is donating 20% of the proceeds to the Hummingbird Project.  An organization that promotes sustainable giving  to groups that need reliable assistance in moving from surviving, to thriving - a bloom where you are planted mentality.

Solessence Serum Defense Set is a total and complete marvel.  The serum itself is one that you mix in a beautiful mixing dish.  So just in case you are sensitive, you are in control of how much active C your face receives.  They don't leave you hanging either, a complete guide is included.  Azulene, CoQ10 and Hyaluronic acid are combined for a concentrated serum that calms, supports age-defining collagen and soothes with pure organic elements.  You will also receive an autographed birch handled makeup brush from Billy's latest collection  that you can then use to apply your foundation.  How great is that???  Your skin will be smooth as glass and the serum will help your makeup application to be that much more flawless.

These sets are limited edition so if you are interested I suggest you get on it right away.  Give yourself good skin and know that by doing so, you have given back.

Stay Pretty!!

Winter Beauty Tips From Nadine Haobsh aka Jolie in NYC...

I just finished reading Nadine Haobsh's (aka Jolie in NYC) hilarious and useful book Beauty Confidential.  This book is actually a guide I can honestly say you will use. 

This is a guide with nothing phoney, totally hassle free advice you can actually use.  With tips like,  "How to create the perfect (not too Tara Reid) smokey eye.." and "On your lips not your glass.."  Nadine does not disappoint with the witty humor, real life scenarios and includes a handy product price guide at the end of each chapter.  Not only that, but she includes products that can be found in drugstores as well as high end department stores.  This book is a steal as it will be your "go to" beauty bible for many years to come.

Nadine was kind enough to write a blog for TheMakeupGirl today on winter beauty tips.  So enjoy and..

Read Pretty!! 

 

Winter Beauty Tips

By Nadine Haobsh

Author of Beauty Confidential

If you're like me, every year as the weather turns nippy, you go like clockwork through the same routine: throw the tank tops in a drawer to get all musty until spring, pull out the winter sweaters you bought last October and which now all have holes in the armpits, and dig out from the back of the hall closet coats which now seem depressingly out-of-date.  (Holidays around the corner?  Coat shopping time!  Nevermind you already have five in storage.)  Changing your skincare routine is similarly necessary; harsh elements like cold, wind and snow are going to wreck havoc on even the sturdiest complexions, and will age you more than you realize.  Here are a few simple tips to make sure your peaches-and-cream cheeks (hey, a girl can dream, can't she?) stay that way until April.

- Just because it's winter and there's less sun in the sky doesn't mean you can forgo the sunscreen!  Use a product with at least SPF15 everyday.

- Make sure your day or night cream has antioxidants in it; this will help protect your skin against damage from the wind and cold.  One of my favorite sunscreen/antioxidant combos is Neutrogena Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse Day Lotion SPF20

- If your skin is particularly dry, switch to an emollient cleanser, such as Cetaphil, or an oil-based cleanser, such as Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil (The Shu cleansing oil is, paradoxically, great for acne-prone skin, as it won't strip skin of moisture, which can cause oil glands to go into overdrive and get clogged.)

- Consider a heavier cream or serum for night, to keep skin extra hydrated while you sleep.  I like Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream

- I know it's cold in your bathroom, especially when you wake up, but don't shower in boiling hot water; this will strip your skin of moisture!  The same holds for washing your face; wash in lukewarm water, and then gently pat dry.

- Buy a great lip balm!  I love Kiehl's Lip Balm SPF 15 (which also comes in tinted shades), since it's the right balance of moisturizing, shiny and glossy-but-not-too-sticky.

- Run a humidifier in your room at night; the clankity heater in the corner will suck moisture from your skin and leave you parched.

Good luck, and stay toasty!

Get This: Clarisonic Skin Care Brush...

I know I do go on and one about certain things - but when I tell you that this thing has changed my skin's life.  I really want you to listen.  You all know that I feel having good skin is the most important thing (more important than makeup *gasp*)  This will help you get there is your skin is less than perfect AND if you already have good skin it will help your products to work better.

CLARISONIC Skin Care Brush + 2 oz Cleanser is an absolute dream to use, and there is some serious science behind it (y'all know I love science in my skincare...LOL).  This was created by the lead inventor of the Sonicare toothbrush (another gadget I love).  It uses sonic technology that gives you 300 movements per second.  You would never be able to wash your face that fast on your own!  The result is a DEEP clean that leaves your face super duper clean and prepared to absorb your favorite face cream.  Clinical studies show that it is more than two times as effective as doing it the old fashioned way AND dry patches, oily areas, pore size, fine lines and wrinkles are all diminished.

The Rundown: 

You have to plug this thing in for 24 hours before you can use it (believe me...it was pure torture!)
You must remove your makeup FIRST before washing your face (a given but I just thought I would mention it).  After ONE DAY, I noticed a HUGE difference in the way my prroducts were absorbed by my skin.   I felt a tingle afterwards when I applied my face cream!  There is a timer on it - so you work on areas of your face for specific amounts of time. The brush comes with 2 heads, one regular, and one sensitive, the Clarisonic daily cleanser (although you can use your own...I used it with my Purity Made Simple and several other soapy cleansers just to test it out), and charging cradle which will provide you with 15 days of portable use once fully charged.  Another FANTASTIC plus is that the unit is completely sealed so it is waterproof and can be used in the shower (yahooooo!!) 

BONUS...the pink version is available through the end of the year and will donate $10 to Breast Cancer Research.  Yes, it is pricey ($195), but it is an investment (you will only have to replace the brush heads), put it on your holiday gift list!

Scrub Pretty!!