Must-Have Mondays: Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash

While I love the idea of a good cleanser, I don't often get the chance to rave about one. My skin can be quite finicky, which means when it comes to taking care of it, the best choice for me is usually to just leave it alone! But then I happened upon the Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash and my skincare routine has now been forever changed.

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FOTD: Summertime Fun

It's been quite awhile since I posted an FOTD, and I decided it was time for another one! Yesterday I woke up about 35 minutes early -- for some reason I just haven't been sleeping as much lately -- so I figured why not try out some of my new makeup from M.A.C? I was wearing this fabulous new long dress I purchased at Anthropologie, and just really needed a fun makeup look to go with it. Here's what I used:

FACE
Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme

EYES
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
M.A.C Eye Shadow in Submarine (applied with my Shiseido eyeshadow brush)
M.A.C Pigment in Lark About
Dior Diorshow Mascara in Black

LIPS
M.A.C Lipglass in Soft & Slow
Estee Lauder Pure Color UltraLight Gloss in Mauve Light
Sonia Kashuk Plumping Glossy Tint in Paradise

HAIR
Aveda Shampure Shampoo
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Conditioner
Frederic Fekkai Coiff Perfecteur Anti-Frizz Silkening Creme
T3 Bespoke Labs Evolution Dryer
T3 Bespoke Labs Medium Duality Iron

Trend-Filled Thursdays: Waterproof Makeup

There is seriously nothing worse than getting all dolled up for a big night out -- or even just because you wanted to wear a little extra makeup while you're shopping or getting your nails done -- and having it drip down your face in extreme heat and humidity. As Samantha said during the series finale of Sex and the City, "Bad enough I lose my hair, now I have my face running down my couture." From sweat to surf, waterproof makeup is the only way to go. You don't have to worry about it streaking, slipping or otherwise sliding this way and that -- and you can guarantee a fresh, gorgeous face no matter where you go! These products are definite musts in the hot summer months.

Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
Worse than crying through a sad movie? Finding out your mascara ran down your cheeks and made you look like a raccoon. This stuff stays in place for hours -- no amount of rain, sweat or tears will make it disappear! Not only that, your lashes will look more fabulous than you ever thought possible. I mean, ever.
$25 at sephora.com

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Bourbon. 1999. Gunmetal. Lust. Does it get any better than these color names? It does when you find out they're all waterproof! These pencils glide on smoothly and creamily, lending a touch of shimmer to your eyes without flaking, fading or streaking. It really doesn't get any better than this.
$20 at sephora.com

Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Deep Black
Want the ultimate smoky eye? Then you'd better pick up one of these pots, which contain color so rich your eyes will be begging for mercy. Or is that the guy you have that hot date on the beach with? Either way, the waterproof formula definitely won't let you down.
$20 at beauty.com

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover
Aside from the fact that I like to see "chamomile" spelled with an h, this product totally has me sold. It's fragrance-free, it's formulated with soothing chamomile and allantoin, and it comes in a fabulous gel form. Plus it really does remove all traces of waterproof makeup -- even those tough ones like Diorshow!
$24 at thebodyshop.com

L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour
Whether you fancy pink, red or coral, this gloss is seriously the way to go. It lasts for hours and hours (read my review here!), and doesn't flake or fade unevenly. Plus the packaging is just so glam. Your lips will be kissable with color whether you're playing volleyball on the beach or laying out by the pool -- or if you're lucky like my roommate, lounging on your gym's roof deck.
$11.99 at drugstore.com

Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover
Not only will this foundation seriously not budge all day long, it dries to a matte finish and even has SPF 15! Five shades, from Creamy Ivory to Medium Deep, suit a variety of skin tones. It can even be used to cover unsightly scars on your body. Pretty amazing all around, right?
$37 at sephora.com

Beauty Giveaway: Lisa Hoffman Skincare Products!

Posh gals, listen up ... because this is definitely a giveaway you'll want to enter! I'm giving away Lisa Hoffman products that will make you feel like you've died and gone to heaven. One lucky winner will receive the following products, valued at $110:

Lisa Hoffman Day Cream SPF 15 ($75)
Lisa Hoffman Spa Facial Packette ($35)

The Spa Facial Packette is comprised of 10 single-use ampoules that are held within a resealable pouch and designed to give you clean, fresh skin. It includes:
Exfoliating Cleanser
Purifying Toner
Clay Mask
Anti-Aging Serum
Hydrating Mask
Hydration Booster
Lip Polisher
Lip Moisturizer
Eye Treatment
Moisture Seal Cream

Best of all, these products will be presented in your very own white terrycloth makeup pouch! The rules are simple -- just enter your name and email in the box below, and one lucky winner will be drawn on Monday, July 7. Good luck!



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Sunday, July 6 at 11:55pm EST. One entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Lusts of the Week

How many products do you try in a week? Five? Ten? Fifty? I try tons ... we're talking in the 75-100 range -- and while I love a lot of them, some definitely fall by the wayside. But you know those products that you try and just fall head-over-heels for immediately? The ones that make your heart race, your breath quicken, your pulse speed up.

To that end, I've decided to create a new feature on The Beauty of Life -- Lusts of the Week. Each week I'll be bringing you a few products that are so fabulously fantastic, I just have no idea how I ever lived without them. Without further adieu, here are this week's lusts and musts!

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Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Kiss Nails

Anyone who was alive in the '80s remembers the horridness of Lee Press-On Nails. Who could forget the commercials with the big-haired women so excited about sticking scarily awful red talons on their tips? Those nails have pretty much scared this beauty chick away from ever, ever trying fake nails. I never did acrylics -- even when it was all the rage in my high school -- I never applied press-on nails, I just always went au naturel.

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Must-Have Mondays: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

What's the most important step in anyone's beauty routine? It should be sun protection. Whether you're driving to work or walking, sitting on the beach or using fake tanner on those gams, you need to protect your skin. This cannot be said enough! As a fair-skinned gal -- I could be confused with Casper the Friendly Ghost most of the time -- I definitely need to slather myself with sunscreen or I'll look like a not-so-friendly lobster.

My sunscreen of choice? Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock. This has been my skin's saving grace for the last three years, and let me just tell you that I've successfully refrained from burning each year! I was especially successful this past weekend, as I sunned myself on the beach in New Hampshire for three days straight.

I love this sunblock for many reasons. First of all, it's sweat-and-water-resistant, which is perfect since I actually like to jump around in the waves when I'm on the beach! It also sinks right into the skin and doesn't feel greasy, slick or slippery upon contact, so I don't slide around on my towel or beach chair. It's even enriched with Vitamins A, C and E to moisturize skin and prevent environmental damage.

But the greatest thing about this sunblock is that it's available in a ton of different SPFs. I went with 45, which was definitely enough to keep me from burning and even let me get a teensy bit of bronze tint to my skin (though unless you know me, you probably wouldn't be able to tell!). But if you're seriously afraid of the sun -- or you burn even worse than I do -- it goes all the way up to 70! They're available for $8-$10 on Drugstore.com. So cheap when it comes to protecting that gorgeous skin of yours, right?

Don't forget to update your bookmarks to http://www.thebeautyoflifeblog.com!

Great Brand Alert: Julie Hewett

If you're looking for glitz and glamour in delightfully wrapped packaging, then Julie Hewett is the way to go. This eponymous line was created during Julie's stint as the makeup artist for the movie Pearl Harbor -- her Noir Collection of lipsticks was her answer to the call for old-fashioned red lipstick with more current ingredients. Inspired by the looks of black-and-white French films from the 1940s, Julie creates looks that are ageless and timeless using red lipstick and boldly defined eyes. She's used this philosophy to create looks for everyone from Annette Bening and Jodie Foster to Debra Messing and Hilary Swank.

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Love Me Tender: M.A.C Tendertones Lip Balm

I love lipgloss. I love lip balm. So the combination of the two into one product -- as with M.A.C's latest creation, Tendertones, pretty much sent me over the edge with glee. I've been excited about this collection for months -- the idea of a glossy balm complete with SPF 12 sun protection thrilled and delighted me beyond words.

Some people may have a problem with the packaging. Miniature tubs that come without brushes turn off some beauty chicks. This beauty chick is not one of them! I think there's something so satisfying about scooping up a goopy mass of product and swiping it over my lips.

The tinted balm smells subtly of strawberries and kiwi, which is so delightfully fresh for summer. It's a departure from M.A.C's signature vanilla scent, but I think for these balms it's totally worth it! The balm comes in 10 different shades, each of which add such a gorgeous hint of color and shimmer to your pout. You can choose from the following:

Deep Sigh (sheer grape brown with red pearl)
Hush, Hush (sheer gold with yellow gold pearl)
Pucker (sheer berry with red pearl)
Hot N' Saucy (soft cherry red)
Tread Gently (soft lime green with yellow pearl)
Honey Bare (sheer peach with white pearl)
Sweet Tooth (sheer coral with white pearl)
Sweet & Nice (sheer red grape with red pearl)
E-Z Baby (sheer milky pink)
Take a Hint (rosy blue pink with white and gold pearl)

My favorite is, surprisingly, Tread Gently. I was totally put off by the lime green hue at first -- I thought it would come out terribly on my lips! Instead, I was pleasantly surprised when I slicked it on, as it appeared sheer with the slightest hint of gold shimmer. It's absolutely gorgeous on its own -- it gives the tiniest touch of sheen to the lips without becoming overpowering -- but it also looks fabulous layered over pink, red and peach lipglosses and lipsticks. I can't wait to layer it over my Pixel Pink lipstick!

Unfortunately, this product is no longer available.

Trend-Filled Thursdays: Fragrances for Summer

Now, I don't mean to sound harsh. But anyone who thinks she can wear the same fragrance year-round definitely has not done her homework. While I'll grant that there are perfumes that I wear in winter and summer (Ralph Lauren Romance, anyone?), I definitely think it's fun to mix it up and find lighter fragrances to wear just for the warmer months. Let's face it -- chocolate and amber just don't sound as good in 95 degree heat as lilac and lily, do they? And while the search for a signature scent could literally drag on for a beauty chick's entire life, it's certainly fun to test out tons of them along the way. Heck, you might even discover a few favorites worth keeping around. Here are the ones I've got on deck this summer.

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Surge Forward: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

Thirsty. Dehydrated. Parched. Summer can totally wreak havoc on your skin with its moisture-sucking elements and horribly hot temperatures. And so far this season has been interesting, to say the least -- 95 and sunny one day! 50 and raining the next! -- with all the rapid climate changes, my skin seriously doesn't know which way is up. Luckily, Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief is here to save the day.

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Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Orly It's Up To Blue Nail Lacquer

I don't know about you, but I am totally digging turquoise nail polish right now. It's just such a hot shade for summer -- it adds a bold touch to any look, and I think it gets more compliments and stares than any other polish I've tried recently!

My fave is definitely Orly Nail Lacquer in It's Up To Blue. This shade is seriously so vibrant and shimmery, I can't help but stare at my toes with bliss and glee. I love the bottle, which has a rubber top that's super-easy to grip -- meaning it cuts way down on messy application. The formula glides on easily without any goopiness. With only two coats, the color is slick and just thick enough to last for weeks without chipping. And while using a topcoat is definitely the way to go, the color is so shimmery and shiny even before you put it on that your nails will literally glisten afterwards!

This polish is seriously cheap -- think under $6! It's available on a variety of websites, including:

$4.95 on OrlyDiva.com
$3.19 on head2toebeauty.com
$3.50 on orlybeauty.com (This is for the mini version!)

So don't feel blue ... It's Up To Blue is here to save the day! And if you're curious to see the finished product, here's a pic of my recently polished toes!

Don't forget to update your bookmarks to http://www.thebeautyoflifeblog.com!

Hang Ten with Philosophy Surfer Girl

Sun. Sand. Surf. All the words that make this beauty chick think of one thing -- summer! So when the Philosophy Surfer Girl set came my way, I was immediately transported to the beach with thoughts of sipping pina coladas and laying out in my Kenneth Cole and Ralph Lauren bikinis. This set of three products -- Exfoliating Shower Gel, Shimmer Body Lotion and Lip Shine -- are all scented with the deliciously enticing aroma of sweet kiwi papaya that's so delectably tropical. I love that the scent is sweet yet not saccharine, close yet not cloying -- it's not going to make you feel claustrophobic or too surrounded in syrupiness. Each product is a bright, sunny yellow with a touch of shimmer that just screams "Take me to the beach right now!" For reviews of the three products and what you can expect from this set, read on!

Exfoliating Shower Gel
Lathering up with this shower gel is actually quite fun. You only need about a dime-sized amount to get a really decent mass of suds. I love the miniature exfoliating grains built into the mix, which really do make skin feel softer. They even helped to get rid of my ashy knees and elbows! Best of all, tiny particles of shimmer are left behind on the skin so you look like a glittering sun goddess!

Shimmer Body Lotion
It moisturizes, it adds shimmer, it's all around fantastic. This lotion adds some serious glisten and gleam to your skin without appearing overbearing or overpowering. I love putting this on my legs before heading out for the day to really make my pale skin look as though I've gotten some color! And since it's formulated with good-for-your-skin ingredients like sunflower, corn, sesame, macadamia seed and olive oil -- and of course the ever-important shea butter -- your skin will feel soft, silky and velvety all day long.

Lip Shine
My problem with flavored lip shines is that they tend to be way too sweet. The taste they leave in my mouth is just so horrible after awhile that I end up only using them once or twice! This is so not the case with the lip shine in this set. I totally love the sheen that it leaves behind on my lips -- it's just enough to make them have some color without looking like I just stuck my mouth in a pile of glitter. And it tastes and smells delicious! I find myself reapplying all day long just so I can breathe in the aroma again and again.

So go ahead, get your glow on with the Philosophy Surfer Girl set. You can get your own for $35 on Philosophy's website. Hang ten, dudes.

Don't forget to update your bookmarks to http://www.thebeautyoflifeblog.com!

Two-For Tuesdays: Urban Decay Urban Ammo Palette & Eyeshadow Primer Potion Set

Admit it -- you're addicted to makeup palettes and to eyeshadow primers. Well then, you're in luck -- because the new Urban Decay Ammo Palette seems to be tailor-made for you! I myself am hard-pressed to say anything but amazing things about this duo, as I am totally in love with Urban Decay shadows and the primer potion is to die for!

Beauty junkies everywhere rave about the Urban Decay Primer Potion. A swipe of this across your lids makes your shadow stay put all day long without creasing. It's seriously miraculous! I held off on trying this out for a long time -- I chalked it up to another one of those beauty myths that just simply couldn't be true. But I was amazed at how much longer my shadow stayed put when I finally tried it!

I'm a huge fan of eyeshadow palettes in general, so I'm super-psyched about this one. This palette comes jam-packed with tons of shadows in every color of the rainbow that are guaranteed to glam up even your most drab, please-don't-look-at-me-because-I-just-don't-feel-pretty-today outfit. And the palette itself is just so gorgeous -- an array of animals, hearts and skulls sweeps across the front in glamorous metallics and lush purples. Once you get over the chicness of the palette itself, you'll be able to play with the following colors:

Smog (chestnut brown)
Maui Wowie (pale, shimmery taupe)
Mildew (sparkle-tinged olive green)
Shattered (glistening robin's-egg blue)
Oil Slick (glittery charcoal)
Polyester Bride (bold white)
Last Call (mulberry)
Grifter (twinkling lavender)
Chopper (pale apricot)
Sin (shimmering peach)

With these 10 colors, you can highlight, shade and shadow to your heart's content! Just don't forget to use the Primer Potion first. The set retails for $34 at sephora.com. Your eyes won't know what hit them!

Must-Have Mondays: Murad Soothing Skin and Lip Care

Looking for a way to soothe chapped lips and relieve dry, cracked skin? Then Murad Soothing Skin and Lip Therapy is definitely something worth checking out. I luckily received a sample of this during the Beauty Tour at the Total Beauty Summit, and I have to say I fell in love instantly.

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Beauty Questions: What Is Your All-Time Scariest Makeup Moment?

In honor of Friday the Thirteenth -- by all accounts the scariest day of the year for many (and yes, it trumps Halloween!) -- this edition of Beauty Questions asks: What is your all-time scariest makeup look?

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Grin and "Bare" It With Bobbi Brown Almost Bare

Looking for a fragrance that's delightfully crisp, light and perfect for summer? Then call off the search party, because I've found the holy grail. Bobbi Brown Almost Bare has everything I've been looking for in a fragrance for the warmer months. There are some perfumes and colognes that are just too heavy and strong when the temperature heats up ... but Almost Bare is not one of them.

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The True Infallibility of L'Oreal Infallible LipColour

Truth be told, I've always been less than enthused by long-wearing lipglosses and lipsticks. They flake, they dry out, they fade in weird patches so part of your lips are colored and part are clear. But then I came across L'Oreal Infallible LipColour, and my opinion changed.

Here's how to apply. You start by applying the color to your lips, which will feel a bit wet for a few minutes. You should wait about two minutes before applying the balm on top of the color.

This gloss, if applied correctly, is supposed to last around six hours. Well, let me tell you -- it lasted way longer than that! I applied at 8:45am and it was still on a whopping twelve hours later. My only complaint is that the actual color feels a little crackly whenever the balm wears off, but that's easily rectified with another swipe of balm across your lips.

All in all, this is definitely an investment worth making! The many different shades will keep you happy for hours on end. Now that's what I call lip service.

L'Oreal Infallible LipColour retails for $12 at drugstore.com.

Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Bonne Bell Lip Smacker Originals 8 Piece Party Pack

What's better than buying one Bonne Bell Lip Smacker at a time? Buying a whopping eight of them! While I was back in the lovely Cleveland, OH for the weekend -- my beautiful grandparents celebrated their 60th anniversary!! (check out the picture below of them on the big day!) -- I made a stop at CVS with my mom and brother.

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Exciting News From The Beauty Chick!

Exciting news in the world of the beauty chick, my fabulous readers! From now on, please make sure to update your bookmarks to http://www.thebeautyoflifeblog.com. That's right, I have my own domain! The old address will redirect to this one, so if you forget for awhile, don't worry -- you'll still get your daily dose of the beauty chick. Looking forward to having you continue along on the beautiful journey with me!

Two-For Tuesdays: Care by Stella McCartney Stella Tote Bag Set

I've been lusting after Stella McCartney clothing and accessories since her first collection in 2002. Her deconstructed silhouettes made from vegan fabrics are so sophisticated and edgy. But unfortunately they are way out of my price range! Luckily, the Care by Stella McCartney Stella Tote Bag Set is a much more realistic purchase ... and the shopper bag in organic cotton is so super-chic!

But that's not all. This limited-edition oversized tote is filled with two of my absolute favorite products from McCartney's fragrance and skincare lines -- CARE by Stella McCartney 5 Benefits Moisturising Cream and a Stella Eau de Parfum Travel Roll-On.

If your skin is parched and dehydrated, you'll definitely be a fan of the moisturizer. Grape seed oil and white mallow extract moisturize, musk rose seed oil and linseed oil nourish, green tea extract and soybean oil with Vitamin E protect from environmental exposure, and sweet orange extract with Vitamin C make your skin fresh and brilliant. The white packaging with bold block lettering is simple and understated yet quite elegant.

As for the Stella fragrance, it's one in my daily rotation. I've already dedicated my love for it in a previous post (read it in full here) -- the combination of rose, peony, mandarin and amber make for a truly sensual and deliciously lovely aroma. The roll-on is so utterly convenient -- it fits into even the smallest clutch so you can apply and reapply as much as you want throughout the day!

At $75, this is a truly amazing deal. The moisturizer alone retails for $76! You can get your own on Sephora's website. I know that I for one can't wait to get my hands on a Stella McCartney bag.

Must-Have Mondays: M.A.C Dazzleglass Lipgloss

If you're a M.A.C addict, chances are you've heard of the wonder that is Dazzleglass. This highly pigmented, seriously sparkly gloss has lipgloss fanatics in a total tizzy! And who could blame them, after a glance at the gorgeous promotional photo? As soon as this beauty chick saw it, I was clambering after the gorgeous glosses.

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Just Because It's Spring Giveaway: Winner Announced!

Thanks so much to all of the entrants in the Just Because It's Spring Giveaway! There were tons of you ... 701 entries, to be exact! And I am pleased to announce the winner of the giveaway valued at a whopping $824 -- a huge congratulations to Yvonne! I will be shipping out the prize within the next week. And to everyone else who entered -- keep on reading, because there will be lots of giveaways coming up!

Beauty Questions: What Is Your Holy Grail Product?

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I'm starting things off with another round of Beauty Questions. And here it is (drumroll, please) ... What is your holy grail product? If you could only use one product for the rest of your life, what would it be? It can be skincare, makeup, hair products, whatever you just simply can't live without. Mine is most definitely the Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme. No matter what's happening in my life, my skin continues to look flawless thanks to this miracle product. I don't care that it costs $250 a tub -- I seriously can't imagine my life without it!

Can't wait to hear your answers. Leave them in the comments!

Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: The Body Shop Papaya Lip Butter

I am all about the lip products lately. Frankly, anything that keeps my lips hydrated and moisturized gets an A in my book. But at the top of my list? Definitely The Body Shop Papaya Lip Butter. While sitting at the airport recently for my trip to L.A. for the Total Beauty Summit, I -- gasp! -- realized I had absolutely no lip balms in my purse. A travesty, I know! Luckily, the Newark airport's Continental terminal is graced with The Body Shop.

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Two-For Tuesdays: GO SMiLE AM/PM Duo

I've always been a Colgate girl. It's just always tasted better than other toothpaste brands, and its formula really gets my teeth clean. But then I happened upon the GO SMiLE AM/PM Duo and suddenly my whole outlook on toothpaste changed. I love the concept of this duo, which has separate toothpastes for morning and night that provide such a fun alternative to brushing your chompers with the same paste day in, day out.

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Must-Have Mondays: Bobbi Brown Yogi Bare Lip Balm

My name is Jamie, and I am a lip balm addict. It's true ... I must have at least five clinking around in my purse at all times. And that's not to mention the tins and tubes knocking around on my dresser, kitchen counter, desk, nightstand, vanity ... it's grown to be quite an obsession. But I recently discovered one that puts them all to shame, and its name is Bobbi Brown Yogi Bare Lip Balm.

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