The Beauty of Life: July 2008

Showing newest 25 of 79 posts from July 2008. Show older posts

Showing newest 25 of 79 posts from July 2008. Show older posts

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Beauty Launch: M.A.C Starflash

Shades for a smooth, creamy, cushiony life, jet-milled with an eye for ultimate luxury, beyond Tinseltown chic. But it takes two: Combine with Raven, Feline, Orpheus or Mystery Kohl Power Eye Pencil for the double-wattage impact that will take you to the new stylesphere!

It's Starflash, the latest collection available from M.A.C. Twelve eyeshadows, four eyeliners and a mascara combine to create a truly intense assortment, including:

Starflash Eye Shadow ($14.50 each)
A remarkably creamy jet-milled pressed Eye Shadow that provides a distinctive pearly finish. Provides smooth-as-silk application with no dust or flyaways.

Dreammaker (frosty yellow gold)
Grand Entrance (frosty neutral peach beige)
Bold & Brazen (frosty light copper)
Sunset B. (frosty clean mid-tone pink)
Lotusland (frosted pinky lavender with gold pearl)
Talent Pool (frosty blue green with gold pearl)
Mink & Sable (frosty olive green)
Smoke & Diamonds (frosty dirty taupe)
Go (frosted bronze)
Glamour Check! (frosty reddish brown)
Top Hat (frosty dirty indigo)
Star By Night (frosty mid-tone blue)

Kohl Power ($14.50 each)
A kohl pencil that has all the intensity and color power of ultra-soft carbon. Specially formulated to provide deep, fully opaque coverage, provides an intense, smoked finish with duo-chrome pearl.
Raven (intense black with red pearl)
Orpheus (intense black with gold pearl)
Mystery (rich black with green and teal pearl)
Feline (rich black)
Plush Lash ($12)
A mascara formulated to instantly plump up lashes for extreme voluptuous effect. Builds volume smoothly and evenly from root to tip. Delivers a silky, flexible, full fan of lashes.
Deep Black

This entire collection is available now on M.A.C's website. It's bound to sell out fast, so be sure to get items while they last!

Beauty Giveaway: Jurlique Products at Beauty Girl Musings

My gal Monique over at Beauty Girl Musings is having a totally fab giveaway, fellow beauty chicks! Head over there immediately for your chance to win some truly amazing products by Jurlique. She's giving away a ton of products with a retail value of over $250, including the all-new Biodynamic Beauty Range! One winner will receive all of the following:

Biodynamic Beauty Serum
Biodynamic Beauty Eye Cream
Biodynamic Beauty Night Lotion
Biodynamic Beauty Refining Treatment
Rosewater Balancing Mist
Rose Hand Cream

For full details on how to enter, head over to Beauty Girl Musings now. Good luck!

Trend-Filled Thursdays: Pastel Eyeshadow

Red lips and black eyeliner may be all the rage for fall, but during the summer it's nice to go a little lighter. Pastel, that is! From the red carpet -- doesn't Kristen Bell look fabulous with that pale blue shadow highlighting her eyes? -- to the models at the Chanel Resort 2009 show, summer is all about lightening things up and having fun. Glossy pink lips paired with pale blues, pinks and greens on the lids will totally punch up your look. Read on to find out which eyeshadows are the ones you just shouldn't leave home without!

Pop Beauty Eye Cake in Teal Cake ($19 at sephora.com): Five gorgeous hues of green and gray will highlight, shimmer and shine on those peepers!

Sugar Color Stick Cream Eyeshadow in Grape Soda ($14 at drugstore.com): One of my all-time faves for creaseless, boundless color, this stick glides on smoothly and easily and lends your eyes that extra something special with its subtle glittery flecks.

Urban Decay Glitter Eyeshadow in Stalker ($16 at beauty.com): It's vivaciously violet in hue, but a tinge of mulberry kicks it up a notch! Sweep this shadow up toward the browbone for sexy, sultry shimmer.

Too Faced Duo Eye Shadow in Boy Toy ($17 at makeup.com): I'm a huge fan of all shadow duos by this line, but this one is totally one of my faves. The light pink and silver hues are perfect whether you're going for the colored corners look (click here for more info on that trend!) or want a wash of color all over the lid. Not only are they highly pigmented, they'll stay for hours without creasing or fading.

Bonne Bell Eye Style Shadow Box in Cool Blues ($3.95 at colorandflavorshop.com): All of the Shadow Boxes are fab -- the four colors in each one all complement each other perfectly. But this one is totally my choice for summer, with its four different blue hues that really make brown eyes pop!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Lusts of the Week

Well, fellow beauty chicks ... huge news. After three and a half years as the Copywriter for Ralph Lauren, I am taking on a new job next week as the Copywriter for Bergdorf Goodman! I'm movin' on up -- literally -- as it's, coincidentally, in the same building as my current position but on a higher floor. (At least I won't have to give up walking to work!) So this week is filled with tearful goodbyes, lots of packing (who knew you could cram so much into a tiny office?) and, of course, a few Lusts of the Week along the way!

M.A.C Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo ($17.50 each at maccosmetics.com): After playing with these duos in both Fresh Green Mix and Odd Couple this week, I think I may have found the new love of my life. I totally love the striations of color waltzing throughout the oversized tin of shadow. Each one is made up of three different shades that come together to create some truly unbelievable washes of color across the lids. My fave is definitely Odd Couple, whose mix of lavender, bronze and gold creates a subtly sheer shade of shimmery taupe. The first time I wore it, I got compliments on my eyes all night! Totally worth keeping. These are limited edition, so while they're all still available on M.A.C's website, I'm sure they won't be for long.

Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream ($20 at bathandbodyworks.com): My true savior of the summer. Whether I'm going for a sleek blowout or just pulling my tresses back in a bun, this cream makes my hair seriously shiny. Formulated with olive oil, this baby makes getting ready in the morning easy with no muss, no fuss. I love that my hair doesn't feel slick, greasy or crunchy -- it still looks and feels utterly shimmery and soft. But my favorite attribute? Absolutely no flyaways or frizz. I have been amazed every day, especially those lovely ones that are 95 degrees with a thousand percent humidity. Never have my locks been so glossy, so lustrous, so utterly manageable!

The FitFlop Walkstar ($49.99 at blissworld.com): Unless you've been living under a rock recently, chances are you've heard of the FitFlop. Designed to stimulate your muscles with a multi-density midsole and micro-wobbleboard technology, they aim to lift your booty, tone your thighs and strengthen your core. I've been wearing them for the last couple of weeks, and while I don't know whether I'm more toned just from wearing these or from my extra workouts at the gym, I definitely think the cushiony sole makes them comfy for long walks around the city! Plus, being up a little higher means I don't have dirty tootsies when I get home.

Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Bath and Body Works Enchanted Orchid Shower Gel

Looking for a truly sensuous shower experience? Then you'd better turn to Bath and Body Works Enchanted Orchid Shower Gel. Part of the line's Signature Collection, which includes such crowd pleasers as Sweet Pea and Warm Vanilla Sugar, the scent of this shower gel is utterly divine.

Calypso orchids make up the base of the fragrance, but they intertwine with a plethora of floral and musky notes that really give it some kick. Everything from violets, irises, waterlily, gardenia and heliotrope to pink grapefruit, crisp apple, creamy amber and skin musk can be found here. Every time I open the bottle, I find myself whisked away to a magical place where I feel like anything can happen.

And even better? It lathers up quite nicely, making for quite the lovely showertime treat. Only a dime-sized amount upon a washcloth or a pouf will produce the most amazing amount of suds! I also love the huge 10 oz. size, which means it will take up permanent residence in my shower for some time to come.

But best of all, it's currently on sale -- down from its original $10 price tag to the absolute bargain price of $6 on the Bath and Body Works website. And that might just be the most enchanting thing of all.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Beauty Deals: Stacey Lapidus Half-Price Sale

Gossip Girl fanatics and headband wearers alike, rejoice ... Stacey Lapidus is going totally make your day. In preparation for the launch of the Fall/Winter collection, prices are being slashed to half on almost all of her popular headband styles from Summer! To get the deal, simply head to the Stacey Lapidus website and enter code private at checkout. This deal is only good until August 5, so you'd better hurry if you don't want your fave styles to sell out! Happy shopping!

Lancome Oscillation Mascara: On Counters for One Day Only!

With all the hype surrounding Lancome Oscillation Mascara (it's rumored to produce 7000 oscillations per minute to really get each and every lash), it's no wonder beauty chicks everywhere are clamoring to get their hands on it. Well, good news -- it will be available this week for one day and one day only! Head to select locations (listed below) on July 31 for your chance to pick up your $34 tube. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until the official launch this fall -- and let's face it, who wants to wait that long for perfectly curled, defined lashes? Here's where you can score your very own Oscillation this Thursday.

Online: Lancome and Sephora

Atlanta: Macy's at the Lenox Square Mall

Brea: Lancome boutique at the Brea Mall

Costa Mesa: Nordstrom at South Coast Plaza

Chicago: Macy's on State Street, Bon-Ton at the Yorktown Mall

Dallas: Dillard's and Lancome boutique, both at NorthPark Center

Houston: Neiman Marcus at the Galleria

Miami: Macy's at the Dadeland Mall

Manhattan: Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's 59th Street, Lord & Taylor, Macy's Herald Square, Lancome boutique on Columbus Avenue

San Francisco: Macy's Union Square

Santa Clara: Lancome boutique at the Valley Fair Mall

Short Hills: Lancome boutique at the Short Hills Mall

Happy shopping!

Confessions of a Blush Novice: The Truth Behind Benefit Posietint

I'm about to admit something shocking. I don't wear blush. There, I said it. Do you hate me? Really, I can explain. While I am very fair-skinned, my cheeks have a natural rosiness to them that lets me get away with going au naturel. But ever since I discovered Benefit Posietint, I've become a blushaholic. I can't help it ... it brightens, it pinkens, it tints to perfection.

Somehow, just a few tiny swipes across the apples of my cheeks with the miniature paintbrush make them look more alive than ever before. While the color looks a bit scary when first applied -- it's almost a Pepto Bismol shade of pink when right out of the bottle -- it blends into the skin effortlessly and becomes a gorgeous posy hue.

And can we just talk about how glam the bottle is? The metallic pink cover gleams and glistens, beckoning to me from within the rest of my makeup stash. It's just begging to be used -- and how could I deny it?

Blush addicts and novices alike should try this out. You can get your own for $28 on Benefit's website. I'm betting your cheeks will thank you.

Two-For Tuesdays: Vera Wang Princess Perfect Pair

Forget being the Queen -- if I had my way, I'd be a princess. That way you get all of the fun without any of the responsibility! So the Vera Wang Princess Perfect Set is, well, practically perfect in every way. Not only do you get a rollerball size of the Princess fragrance, but a seriously pretty lipgloss as well.

I've been a fan of Vera Wang's Princess fragrance for quite some time. Citrusy and fruity notes meld with a blend of floral and musky tones to create a scent that's deliciously intoxicating. This one fragrance holds all of these wonderfully beautiful notes within: water lily, lady apple, mandarin meringue, golden apricot skin, dark chocolate, pink frosting accord, amber, warm woods, musk and vanilla. If it sounds like a confused court of jesters, never fear -- the aroma is absolutely delightful. And having it in a rollerball silhouette is perfect for the gal on the social circuit -- you can take it to each and every royal ball for quick touchups.

As if the fragrance weren't enough, this tube comes with a tasty little treat in the form of a sheer pink lipgloss. It glides on smoothly without any stickiness or tackiness to behold ... and the shimmer factor will rival the diamonds on any tiara!

At $25 on Sephora's website, this dual-ended tube might just be the royal scepter I've been looking for.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Beauty Contest: The Nexxus Hairdo How To Contest

Are you addicted to this season of Shear Genius? If you're like me, you're totally in love with Daniel for his sense of humor, Charlie for his raw wit, and Dee for her absolutely amazing cuts week after week. You'll also be totally blown away by The Nexxus Hairdo How To Contest. By simply showing your best hairdo in four steps, you could be entered to win some seriously fabulous prizes! Here's what you could win:

Grand Prize: One winner, selected by Nexxus experts from the top 100 entries with the highest score, will get an all-expenses-paid trip for two to NYC to attend the Nexxus Shear Genius Finale party with the show's cast! (Prize valued at $2500 and paid in gift card.) The winning entry will also be featured on Nexxus.com.

Highest Score: One winner, selected by Nexxus experts from the top 100 entries with the highest score through online voting, will win a Nexxus product prize package.

Most Viral: One winner, selected by Nexxus experts from the top 100 entries that are the most viral on the web, will receive a Nexxus product prize package.

Weekly Sweepstakes: One winner who signed up to receive news from Nexxus will be selected each week to receive a Nexxus product prize package.

All you have to do is head to the Nexxus Shear Genius website, upload your photos and explain what makes them so amazing. Good luck -- and don't forget to shake it!

Coffee Run: Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso Shampoo and Conditioner

I've been trying seriously hard to give up caffeine. (So far it's not going too well.) But I think I may be able to start getting my coffee fix just by washing my hair ... because Organix Awakening Mocha Espresso Shampoo and Conditioner are jam-packed with cocoa bean oils and espresso bean extracts. One simple whiff of the aroma within each bottle and I am totally jonesing for my morning coffee ... but no longer do I want to drink it. Instead, I want to slather it all over my tresses!

It sounds crazy, I know. But these two products have been working major miracles on my strands ever since they came into my life. The benefits from this pair are two-fold ... because not only do they make my hair look unbelievable, they're good for the environment as well! Thanks to sheer silk proteins, my locks have never appeared more luminous or bright -- and that's even without taking a hair dryer or flat iron to them. They're even free of sulfates, so they won't strip color. In addition, the bottles are crafted from recycled post-consumer resin and printed with environmental inks and compostable label film.

But best of all, they're cheap. Each bottle is only $6.99 on Cosmetic Solutions. For that price, I'm totally giving up drinking coffee immediately. I'll just pour these on my hair in multitudes and get the caffeine jolt that way.

Rock the Vote with Stila's Rock the Vote Red

This November will see some very interesting changes in our country. And while I keep this blog from being political in any way (unless we're talking about bests and worsts in makeup, of course) ... voting is important! We really can -- and should -- influence the outcome of what will happen for our country.

And what better way to head to the polls than with Stila Rock the Vote Red Lipstick? Stila has teamed up with Rock the Vote to create a totally rockin' red hue that should inspire all of us to get out there and vote. Even better, a percentage of sales from each $17 tube will go toward Rock the Vote! To get yours, head to Stila's website. We can make a difference!

Must-Have Mondays: ME! Bath Body Icing

I am on a huge moisturizer kick lately. From La Mer to Elizabeth Arden, I've been slathering the stuff on for weeks. But there's a new tube in town that may just take the cake ... ME! Bath Body Icing. This lotion is so utterly delectable that I find myself wishing it were actually edible. (Sadly, I think it would be a bad idea to eat the stuff.) Plus, it's formulated with shea butter, which keeps skin hydrated and conditioned all day long.

Ten different scents are available -- each designed to evoke various feelings and help with a multitude of ailments or problems. There's one for stress relief, one for sensitive skin, even one for fertility! You can choose from the following:

Gotta Have it Pomegranate
Hawaiian Lei
Land of Milk n Honey
Lavender Lullaby
Papaya Nectar
Peaches n Cream
Southern Magnolia
Strawberry Kiwi
Summer Rain
Vanilla Purity

My fave is definitely Land of Milk n Honey. It's perfect whether you're at the office during the day or out on the town for cocktails. Its sweet scent is utterly delicious, and it never feels too close or cloying.

My one complaint is that this moisturizer does leave skin a bit greasy for awhile -- so be careful putting it on right before bed, or it might leave marks on your sheets! But it sinks in after a few minutes, leaving behind no trace of sheen and a heck of a lot of moisture in the skin. Each tube is available for $20 on ME! Bath's website. Ice, ice, baby.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Shameless Plug: Page Rank Rising!

Please permit me just one moment of shamless plugging. As my fellow beauty chicks know, I recently switched to my own domain. And while I couldn't be happier with that choice, it unfortunately made my page rank drop from a 4 to a 0. But all is now well in the world ... because my page rank is now a five! I am super-excited and have all of you to thank. Thanks for continuing to read The Beauty of Life -- I couldn't do it without you!

Beauty Deals: Prescriptives Ultimate Mascara Wardrobe Giveaway

If you're in love with Prescriptives, then this is definitely the giveaway for you. From now until August 10, you have time to enter the Ultimate Mascara Wardrobe Giveaway ... where one lucky winner will receive over $100 in Prescriptives products! (It's $112, to be exact.) Check out what you could win:

False Eyelashes Plush Mascara
Beyond Long Maximum Length Mascara
Here to Stay 24-Hour Longwear Mascara
Lash Envy Volumizing Mascara
Lash Builder Mascara Basecoat
Better Off Fast-Acting Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

Simply head to the Prescriptives website for your chance to win. Good luck!

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Beauty Blog Network: The Weekend Beauty Read

It's time once again to find out what my fellow bloggers around The Beauty Blog Network have been up to this week! Check out what's going on at The Weekend Beauty Read.

The Makeup Divas reviews Mac Solar Bits in Black Ore and Scatterrays.

The Daily Cookie is celebrating her first reader newsletter with a GIVEAWAY! Sign up and enter for your chance to win a Kat Von D True Romance Beethoven palette for you and a friend.

A Touch of Blusher tells you where to indulge in beauty retail therapy in London.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Dior Bronze Matte Sunshine SPF 20 Bronzing Powder.makeup loves me interviews the founder of a new makeup line, noir cosmetics.

Elke shares how you can get creative with your makeup. Have the makeup? Now what? Read for her fun solution.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gets the low down from Makeup Artist Molly Stern on her favorite brushes and makeup items!

The Muse rocks out with the new Bare Minerals Rocker Eye Kit and shares product photos, a review, and FOTD using this great new kit from BE!

Beauty Banter asks the makeup pros all you'll ever need to know about STAINS - how to apply, when to wear, and which ones are the best in this month's A Girl's Guide to Stains!!!

The Beauty of Life is giving away products from Bliss and Farfalla, worth over $80!

Beauty Junkie in SF finally has clear, beautiful, break-out free skin with the help of Jan Marini Skin Research.

What beauty product put Beauty411's glow on? Check out her review of Kate Somerville Deep Tissue Repair!

What kind of eyeliners should you invest in? Cybelesays recommends four you don't want to be without right now.

Beauty Blogging Junkie has identified her holy grail concealer. Find out what it is here.

Can't find the perfect mascara? Makeup Moxie thinks the new Lash Stash from Sephora might be your ticket to true love.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog sits down with Sarah Jessica Parker and gets the skinny on SJP's newest scent, Covet Pure Bloom.

Listen up, curly girls...for this week's giveaway, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with world famous hairstylist, Ouidad - “The Renowned Queen of Curl." Click here to enter!

Want their favorite combination for gorgeous hair? The girls from Beauty in Real Life deliver the scoop.

StyleBell discovers a long time secret of the stars, Klorane Dry Shampoo!

Beauty and Personal Grooming asks you to trim those ugly dangling nose hairs using nose hair trimmers.

Beautynomics interviews Dr. Jennifer Linder, PCA Head Scientist/Dermatologist and asks all about skin care!

The Mineral Makeup Blog thinks that Mineral Makeup can qualify as HDTV Makeup.

Travel in Style with Kenzo's Ryoko Collection

Do you feel like you're constantly wandering the globe, searching for the next perfect fragrance? Is it difficult for you to pin down that one special scent that says, "you complete me?" Well, be a fragrance nomad no more ... because the Kenzo Ryoko Collection is here to help. The selection of Nomad fragrances are absolutely perfect for the gal who's always looking for the next best thing.

Created with industrial designer Karim Rashid, the Ryoko collection -- which means travel in Japanese -- includes five fragrances in the most adorable pebble-shaped containers. They're on the teeny side, holding .68 fl. oz. and literally fitting in the palm of your hand. They also each come housed within a plastic box to signify one of the ironies of modern travel -- motion without movement.

There are five Kenzo fragrances included in the collection. They are as follows:

THE RANGE FOR HER
FlowerbyKenzo (red)
KenzoAmour (pink)
L'Eau Par Kenzo (light blue)

THE RANGE FOR HIM
L'Eau Par Kenzo Pour Homme (dark blue)
Tokyo By Kenzo (black)

My favorite is definitely FlowerbyKenzo. The vibrant red pebble looks so absolutely perfect upon my vanity -- it adds just the right amount of pop and flair. The scent within evokes the feel of a single flower within an urban environment with its blend of wild hawthorne, Bulgarian rose, parma violet, cassia, hedione, cyclosal, opoponax, white musk and vanilla. It's a powdery floral fragrance that's absolutely perfect for summer -- not too strong or cloying, but just enough to leave you feeling fresh and sexy. I also love the push-button design to release the fragrance, which lets out a small bit at a time to leave you smelling fantastic.

Each of the five fragrances is available for $29 on Kenzo's website. They're limited edition, so be sure to stock up immediately!

First Look Fridays: Jami Shopf of Bionic Beauty

I am pleased and excited to bring you this week's edition of First Look Fridays, featuring Jami Shopf of Bionic Beauty! Jami's blog is one of my must-reads each week because of her fabulous product reviews, incessant list of beauty deals and her wonderfully engaging writing style. And the fact that her name is Jami sure doesn't hurt! This self-professed computer geek has lived in Florida, the Georgia mountains and St. Louis, and has been married for 10 years! Impressively, she and her husband have a household full of pets -- including three dogs, two birds, three beta fish and a hedgehog, who Jami claims is a "total diva!" Read on to discover more about the interesting face behind Bionic Beauty.

Why did you decide to start your blog?
In 2007 I had some health problems that kept me home from work and resting quite a bit. I was bored out of my melon -- and I was even bored of surfing the web. I started finding all these free samples of skincare, hair care and makeup products and was emailing my friends and family with the request links every day. I think I filled up most of their mailboxes. It was a joy finding something for free and getting to try new products without dashing out to the store constantly. So I combined my love of computers and the beauty finds into my blog. I started it just for friends and family, but it's grown! I am still on the lookout for those freebies and have a whole tote to prove it!

I love the name of your blog! How did you come up with it?
Bionic Beauty stemmed from being a child born in the 70s. My mom named me after the character Jamie Sommers on the original Bionic Woman. I wanted something powerful for my blog. A name that eschewed confidence and the wonderful strength that women can have by being well-rounded individuals.

Do you have a "day job?" What is it?
Chasing after my dogs? But really I am blogging full time, and working on renovating our "new" old home in Florida. I don't make my living on Bionic Beauty (actually hardly anything) but the rewards of the reader interaction make it worth it. In order to contribute to the budget, I do some side work fixing computers and designing websites.

What have been some of the highlights of having your blog?
Believe it or not, some of the best feelings I get from blogging are when a reader takes time to personally email me to discuss a product, ask a question or offer their advice/review on a product. I love getting those emails. It was also super fun to be on Blog Talk Radio with Loose Lips NY (I danced around for days after that interview), and to have a few of my articles featured on the Reuter's blogging section.

What are your top 5 beauty essentials?
1) Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Mascara: I can go on and on about this mascara. It is seriously an amazing product that gets no attention. I went a little crazy last year when I couldn't find any in stores. My family around the country went on a mission to stock me up with 10 tubes!

2) My Lip Stuff lip tint: moisturizing, all-natural and a twinge of color.

3) Herbaria soaps: I haven't found a flavor I didn't like. They are as addicting as ice cream!

4) Tea Tree Oil: to help heal blemishes and other skin nasties.

5) Hawaiian Tropics Lime-Coolada Lotion

Playing with products must be fun -- but what are some things you do for fun outside of blogging?
I spend way too much time playing on the computer. I love playing Alternate Reality Games (ARGs), which are games designed to interact with players online and in real life. Quite often they are marketing-related (like the movie marketing for Cloverfield, AI and in some aspects The Blair Witch Project). I also love designing web graphics ... see, I told you I was a geek! :) I adore gardening, growing orchids (I have a collection of 31 currently), swimming, reading (everything from to Harry Potter to Kiki Strike to Huxley and Ayn Rand), and for brainless activity -- watching TV shows on DVD (Alias, Roswell, AirWolf and Veronica Mars are among my favorites).

Are there any other beauty blogs you read regularly? What are some that you like and why?
I love reading Mythbuster Beauty for her scientific look at skincare and her personal notes about being a beauty inside and out. LifeCandy is another of my daily reads but is not strictly beauty-related -- although she has some grand articles on going green with makeup and skincare routines. And then there's The Cheap Chick, who appeals to my budgety side!

Thanks so much to Jami Shopf of Bionic Beauty for taking the time to do this interview. Now that you know a bit more about her, you simply must read her blog immediately!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Beauty Questions: Which Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives Are Calling Your Name?

It's that time again, fellow beauty chicks. Time for one of the most fabulous events in beauty history. Of what mythical occasion do I speak? Why, the Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives, of course! So this beauty chick wants to know ... which Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives are calling your name? If you're like me, you're dying to buy them all -- but you might be giving yourself a bit of a budget. Check out the products I'm simply dying over...

M.A.C Colour Forms 5 Advanced Brushes ($49.50): Totally loving the makeup pouch and matching brush holder. But what I'm really lemming is the brushes ... seriously, how much cheaper could it get for the 187 SE, 168 SE, 275 SE, 219 SE and 212 SE? My makeup routine will just improve immensely.

M.A.C Colour Forms Cool Eyes ($38): Five shadows -- all limited edition -- are intricately placed within a gleaming metal compact. My brown eyes will totally pop with the pretty purples, pinks and grays.

L'Occitane Hand Cream Duo ($35): How much do you want your hands to smell like Cherry Blossom and Rose? These two moisturizers are enriched with shea butter to really make your hands soft and smooth. Plus the squeezy tubes are so easily portable!

Lancome Juicy Tubes Cool Set: Fashion Queen ($25): Spring Fling. Fruity Pop. Magic Spell. Pink Horizon. The four shades of pink gloss in this collection -- each inspired by the season's hottest fashion trends -- totally have me jumping for joy.

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Candle ($25): I'm a sucker for all candles, but this one -- with its sensual notes of amber, vanilla, cedarwood and sandalwood mixed with lily of the valley and jasmine maroc -- definitely has my name all over it. The frosted glass holder and 36 hour burn time don't hurt, either.

So what are you craving? Let me know in the comments!

Trend-Filled Thursdays: Carrie Underwood and Peach Lipgloss

Carrie Underwood is my makeup hero ... especially when it comes to peach lipgloss. This gal knows what works on the red carpet, and time and time again she looks absolutely flawless. Her lips simply glow and glisten with gorgeous iterations of coral, salmon, apricot and peach. Don't believe me? Check out the proof!

On the red carpet at the American Music Awards
on the red carpet at the Country Music Awards
totally in the middle of a singing moment at the CMA Music Festival
glowing on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards

Want to know how to make this look work for you? The trick is in the application. Make sure your lips are buffed and chap-free -- the worst thing possible is to have gloss flaking off your lips throughout the day because they're not prepped properly. Layering is also paramount. Swipe on a layer of gloss, blot, and swipe on a second layer! It should appear thick enough to have some weight and depth behind it, but it shouldn't be caked on your pout.

The good news? Gorgeous peach glosses are everywhere. Whether you want to spend $5 or $50, there's an option out there for you. Here are some to get you looking exactly like country music's lipgloss darling.

Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss in Beige Pink ($16 at sephora.com): The moisturizing properties of this gloss are unbelievable. Vitamins C and E are so hydrating, and the color is the perfect shade of peach with just a subtle hint of shimmer. It looks fabulous on its own or layered over pink lipsticks!

NARS Lip Gloss in Orgasm ($24 at narscosmetics.com): The brand's signature shade will totally make you scream with delight in this pretty gloss. While it can feel a bit sticky and tacky, the color is incredible on a variety of skin tones. It almost has the feel of a stain, but it still has the look of a gloss.

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Mango ($13.50 at clinique.com): Moisturizing is right! The hue is on the sheer side, and the shine factor is out of this world. Plus, the squeezy tube is just so much fun to use!

CoverGirl Wetslicks Lipgloss in Peaches N Gleam ($5.19 at drugstore.com): This gloss feels exactly like a lip balm, which this beauty chick totally loves. It's not at all waxy, and it lasts for hours -- perfect for going out on the town!

Goldie Lip Gloss in Naked ($14 at bathandbodyworks.com): The tube alone is gorgeous -- such a fun one to pull out of your little clutch. And the color within makes lips look utterly amazing. Its subtly nude hue has just the tiniest pop of shimmery shine.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Beauty Deals: Diptyque Sample Sale

New York beauty chicks, this is one sample sale you will definitely not want to miss! Diptyque -- one of my absolute fave candle brands -- is selling off all their discontinued merchandise next week. And the prices are going to be fab ... from 50-90 percent off! You'll be able to stock up on candles, eau de toilette, room spray, gels, soaps and so much more. Here are the details.

When: Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31
Time: 10am-5pm
Where: 11 East 26th Street, Suite 600 (between 5th and Madison Avenues)
Details: Cash and credit cards, no checks, no returns

Happy shopping!

Lusts of the Week

Is it hot out or what? This insanely oppressive heat has got this beauty chick longing for popsicles and flavored ice cubes. But in the meantime, here are the products I've simply been dying over.

Rosebud Perfume Co. Brambleberry Rose Lip Balm ($5.59 at beauty.com): I'm totally and completely head over heels for this one, fellow beauty chicks. Already a huge fan of Rosebud Salve (click here for my review), I was seriously hoping that this iteration would bring me the same joy. Well, happily, it does. The scent is intriguing and nostalgic all at once, with its blend of wild berries, honey and vanilla. Vitamin E and shea butter help to keep lips moisturized, and the deep berry color inside the tin translates to the prettiest rose sheen upon the lips. And the price just makes it all the more worthwhile!

L L.A.M.B. Fragrance By Gwen Stefani Rollerball ($25 at sephora.com): I've already taken to spritzing my entire body with the full-sized version of this fragrance, so the rollerball is the perfect addition to my perfume wardrobe. The scent is a delicious blend of woody and floral notes that just ooze sensuality. Notes like water hyacinth, white freesia and jasmine petals combine with musk and muguet -- and even some fruity ones like peach skin and fresh pear -- to leave your skin smelling absolutely divine. I love the rollerball size -- it's perfect for tossing in my purse and getting quick touchups throughout the day.

Zoya Nail Polish in Audrina ($6 at artofbeauty.com): It's creamy, it's vibrant, it's totally gorgeous. The color is described on Zoya's website as a red purple cream, but I would classify it more as a combination of fuchsia, magenta and violet. The shade somehow embodies all of these colors to create a totally unique hue I've been unable to find anywhere else. And as an added bonus, it's part of Zoya's Gossip collection -- and anything named after one of the gals from The Hills simply had to be mine! My fave attribute of Zoya polishes, though, is definitely the lasting factor. It's been four days, and my mani still looks as fab as it did on day one! Totally a must have.

Stock Up with The Lash Stash

I love my Diorshow and my Great Lash. But sometimes it's fun to try something new, and that's why I'm so psyched about Sephora's new The Lash Stash. For only $28, you'll get a grand total of seven travel-sized mascaras ... perfect when you want to try out new brands and formulas but don't want to shell out the cash for the full-sized tube. And would you expect anything less than some of the absolute best mascaras out there to be a part of this set? You'll get the following mascaras when you purchase it:

Benefit A Little Bit BADgal Lash
Blinc Kiss Me Mascara
LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes
Smashbox Bionic Mascara
Stila Multi-Effect Mascara
Sephora Brand Lash Plumper
Too Faced Lash Injection

All of them come in Black. To get this set, simply head to Sephora's website. Long, lush lashes are just a swipe away!

Beauty Deals: Philosophy Amazing Grace Value Set

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see
--from the hymn "Amazing Grace"

Are you as in love with Philosophy Amazing Grace as I am? The scent -- a blend of floral blossoms and light musk -- is deliciously light and somehow sensual all at once. And for a limited time, you can receive not one, but two Amazing Grace products at Sephora.com! Not only will you receive the 4 oz. Eau de Toilette, you'll get a 4 oz. Perfumed Shampoo, Bath and Shower Gel!

Getting this deal is extremely easy. Simply enter code GRACE at checkout. The whole lot will set you back $60 on Sephora.com. Because we could all use a little grace in our lives.

Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Yes To Carrots C Me Smile Lip Butter

The new C Me Smile Lip Butter by kitschy brand Yes To Carrots? It's totally liptastic. It comes in five flavors (Mint, Carrot, Berry, Citrus and Melon), each of which is more delicious than the next. Plus it's super moisturizing and hydrating. A few swipes of it across your lips will make them feel softer than they have in days!

It sounds too good to be true, I know. But trust this beauty chick when she tells you these five lip balms will change your life. They're 95 percent organic (they've been certified by the FDA), packed full of antioxidants, made without parabens and have not been tested on animals. Tons of good-for-you ingredients have been included in the formula, each of which works to moisturize and condition your perfect pout. Check out how many ingredients are worked into the tiny tube!

Carrot, Orange, Pumpkin and Melon Extracts
Coconut Oil
Olive Fruit Oil
Jojoba Seed and Sunflower Oils
Vitamin E
Beeswax
Shea Butter

I love that they're formulated with shea butter, beeswax and Vitamin E -- every time I swipe one of the tubes across my lips, I can feel them working their nourishing magic. My fave is definitely Mint, which makes lips tingle a bit and has that refreshingly zesty kick I need to wake up and get started in the morning. And with its sweetly delectable blend of juiciness, Citrus is my runner-up.

The best part? They're only $3.69 each on Walgreens.com -- which means you can stock up on all five and still pay less than $20! At that price, you can bet I'll be smiling.

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