Beauty Deals: Free Jo Malone Grapefruit Shower Gel, Shipping and Fragrance Samples

It's hard to get a better deal than this, fellow beauty chicks. Because Jo Malone is offering up three special offers with any online order through February 5! No matter what you order, you'll get the following:

Grapefruit Shower Gel (a 15ml deluxe-sample size)
free shipping
two fragrance samples of your choice

Does it get any better than that? I think not! Simply head to jomalone.com and enter code JMVDAY at checkout. Happy shopping!

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First Look Fridays: Neil Morris of Neil Morris Fragrances

I learned a lot and met tons of amazing people at the Sniffapalooza event in April 2008. One of my favorites? Definitely Neil Morris of Neil Morris Fragrances. A perfumer for over 30 years, his fragrances are all utterly unique and seriously intriguing. Morris is a Boston native -- he was born in Newton and now lives in Back Bay -- and he travels extensively to places like India, New Zealand, Finland and most of Europe. Read on to discover more about the fabulous Neil Morris of Neil Morris Fragrances!



Can you tell me a little about Neil Morris Fragrances?
Neil Morris Fragrances is a niche perfume company that is owned and operated by my business partner, David Garten, and me. Our passion is to offer unique and beautiful fragrances for the true fragrance lovers who are yearning for something different than fragrances offered by mass merchandisers.

We offer custom fragrances to individuals. When I create custom fragrance with a client, I sit with them for 90 minutes and conduct an intuitive interview consisting of a series of questions related to scent -- what is your favorite time of day, what is your favorite food, etc. I then have my client sample some of the oils that I think would appeal to them from the more than 800 essential and fragrance oils that I have collected from around the world. Together, drop-by-drop, we create their fragrance right on their skin. I then take that formula and create a 2-ounce bottle of their new scent for them to take.

In 2007, we launched the Neil Morris signature line of 8 fragrances (Aegean, Afire, Clear, Coral, Gotham, Rainflower, Storm and Zephyr). Each of the fragrances is based on memories of personal experiences and I include my inspiration for each fragrance, as well as its description, as part of the packaging.

Over the years I have created roughly 100 fragrances of my own, above and beyond all the custom fragrances for individual clients. I also create fragrances for private label clients including designers and retailers.

How did you first become interested in fragrance, and what led you to work in product development?
I discovered my passion for fragrances at a young age, inheriting my acute sense of smell from my mother. For example, as a child walking through the woods with friends, I would become intensely aware of the earth's scent as it shifted from winter to spring. I've always been aware of the scented world around me.

As a teenager and in my early 20s, I would always be on the lookout for different, unusual scents, traveling to Montreal and New York. In my early 20s I was visiting Scottsdale and happened upon a custom perfume shop that was owned by a wonderful man by the name of Erne. Erne was the first person I had met who was as passionate about fragrance as I was. I sat with him for about an hour and he asked me various questions related to scent. He developed a custom fragrance for me and mailed it to me several weeks later. This experience would propel me into the world of custom-blended scents.

When did you create Neil Morris Fragrances, and how did it grow from an idea to reality?
In 2003 I met my business partner. At the time I was creating scents for individual clients, friends and family, and for a private label. David convinced me that we could introduce my scents to a larger audience. In 2005 we established Neil Morris Fragrances, followed by the launch of the Neil Morris signature line.

What are some of the highlights in your career?
Creating custom fragrances for individual clients is still my favorite part of this business. Each time I sit with a client, we create a scent that is truly as unique as that individual.

Being asked to create an exclusive fragrance for Takashimaya New York was an incredible honor.

David and I were also extremely honored to be asked as representatives of the niche perfume world to speak at the Health and Beauty Expo in NYC along with industry leaders from some of the largest fragrance companies in the world.

What are your top 3 fragrance tips?
1) Do NOT spray the air in front of you and walk through it! It doesn't work and all you're doing is paying top dollar for a room spray!

2) Do not apply your perfume two minutes before you go out the door! You'll knock everybody out on the elevator. 10-15 minutes before leaving the house would be best.

3) Apply fragrance to pulse points on the wrist, elbows, behind the ears and behind your knees. Fragrance rises so you'll be able to smell it longer. Also, lift your hair up (if it's long) and spray the hairline at the nape of your neck. The fragrance will stick to the hair and will waft around you when the wind blows.

What is your favorite Neil Morris fragrance and why?
One of my favorites is Clear, because it's such a bracing, summery scent. It also reminds me of the beautiful day that inspired the fragrance. In reality, each of the fragrances that I have created is special to me in its own way.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
I'm most happy when sitting with a client creating a custom fragrance or introducing people to the many scents that I've created over the years. When a client smiles and says that this is the perfume they've been looking for all their life, this is the highest compliment.

Playing with fragrances must be fun -- but what are some things you do for fun outside of being a fragrance creator?
I love spending time with friends and family. I am also an avid traveler, I love to read and go to the movies. I also love old-style diners!

Be sure to check out neilmorrisfragrances.com for more information on the line and to purchase the fragrances that inspire you.

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Mischa Barton Shows Us Why It's Always Good to Wear Sunglasses.

Sunglasses are made for more than looking chic. Just check out the picture of Mischa Barton after the jump.



See? If she had just kept her sunglasses on, we'd have been none the wiser about her horribly smeared blue eye makeup and dazed stare.

Hey, at least her hair looks nice.

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Beauty Watch: Freida Pinto at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Seriously, how can you not love Freida Pinto? The breakout star of Slumdog Millionaire is just so utterly gorgeous, you'd want to hate her if she didn't seem like such an amazing person. And at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 25, she simply radiated. Her flowing Marchesa gown was a vision in pale blue, with coordinating eye makeup that made her eyes gleam. Not to be outdone, her hair was pulled up into an intricate poufy bun and accented by a glittery crystal clip. The end effect? Sheer glamour.

See more photos and learn how to recreate Freida's look after the jump.









HAIR:
Begin by pulling hair up into a high ponytail, securing with a tonal elastic. Then wrap it around and around itself to create the huge bun seen on Freida. Secure with another tonal elastic.

To make the front of your hair shiny and silky, smooth a dime-sized amount of Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream ($20 at bathandbodyworks.com) onto your roots. They’ll appear beautifully glossy and not at all greasy.


Finish by pinning a sparkly clip right at the base of the bun. The Swarovski Branch Hair Clip ($100 at swarovski.com) will add just the right amount of dazzle.


COMPLEXION:
The Slumdog Millionaire’s face is fresh and glowing with just a bit of definition at the cheekbones. Sweep bareMinerals Faux Tan All-Over Face Color ($20 at sephora.com) over your forehead, cheeks and chin for instant glow.

Add definition to your cheeks with a cream blush, blended up and into the cheekbones. Try Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Moist Glow Cheek Color in Euphoria ($24 at beauty.com), which has a rich, lush consistency.

EYES:
A blend of bluish gray and rose shadows really make Freida’s eyes stand out. Get the look with NARS Single Eyeshadows in Grenadines and China Blue ($22 each at narscosmetics.com). Begin by sweeping China Blue over your lid and up past the crease, winging out slightly at the outer corners to create a subtle cat eye. Then take Grenadines and sweep above the crease and up toward the browbone, blending into the line of China Blue so the effect is seamless.

Liner should be relatively thick to really make your eyes stand out. Try Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Liner in Black ($22 at lauramercier.com), which has a gorgeously lush texture and dries to a semi-creme finish. Make sure to line both the upper and lower waterlines and the lid from corner to corner so the lines are thick and dramatic.

Finish with two coats of mascara on the top lashes. Try Fusion Beauty LashFusion Micro-Technology Pure Protein Lash Plump ($27 at sephora.com), which is formulated with keratin and camellia oil to increase lash length and deliver a high-impact, glossy look.

LIPS:
Your pout should be kept on the subtle side so as not to distract from the dramatic hair and eye makeup. Slick on a pink lipgloss like Sally Hansen Lacquer Shine for Lips in Orchid ($5.99 at walgreens.com), which will make your lips look super shiny.

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Beauty Deals: Designer Fragrances Sale at Haute Look

YSL Baby Doll. L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani. Hanae Mori. Bulgari. Cartier.

Intrigued? Well, check this out. One of my fave online sample sale sites, Haute Look, is offering up tons of fabulous designer fragrances at steep discounts today! We’re talking reductions of 50 percent or more on some of the best fragrances around. Just head to hautelook.com to see all of the fabulousness for yourself!

And if you need an invite, just send me an email at jamie [at] thebeautyoflifeblog [dot] com.

Happy shopping!

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On a Mission for MISSION Skincare -- Plus a Giveaway!

Have you heard about the fabulousness that is MISSION Skincare? This innovative brand was created and tested by tennis superstar Serena Williams, professional basketball player Steve Nash, Gold Medal skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, professional soccer player Mia Hamm, Gold Medal snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, Gold Medal swimmer Amanda Beard and professional basketball player Carmelo Anthony. These esteemed sports stars have joined forces as cofounders to revolutionize the skincare industry while doing good with the launch of MISSION Skincare™, the brainchild of ultra-endurance athlete Charlie Engle, who conceptualized the line after finishing a 111-day run last year across the Sahara Desert.

And over the next few days, Amanda Beard will be on HSN to promote the line! You can check it out during these times:

January 29th
7am EST (4am PST) – HSN Today Show
8pm EST (5pm PST) – Beauty Report (HSN’s most popular show time during the week)

January 30th
1am EST (10pm PST on 1/29)

But that's not all. The line includes a bevy of fabulous products. The Beauty of Life has partnered with MISSION Skincare to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an entire bundle of MISSION Skincare products! Valued at $45, this prize includes:

Daily Offense SPF 30 Stick
Lip Protector SPF 20
Foot Synergy Gel
Anti-Friction Cream
After-Sun & Wind Revive Gel

Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Monday, February 2 and notified by email. It's that simple!



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Sunday, February 1 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Check out missionskincare.com for even more information on the line.

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Trend-Filled Thursdays: Gold Products, Take Two

You may remember that I covered the gold trend back in December. No? Click here for a quick recap. Well, the trend is still going strong! There are so many gilded products on the market right now, I've decided to bring you part two of Trend-Filled Thursdays: Gold Products. They're showing up on celebs like Kate Walsh, seen at left, and Jennifer Hudson ... not to mention on the runways of Salvatore Ferragamo and Moschino.

Find out which products you simply shouldn't be without after the jump.



Lippmann Collection Nefertiti ($15 at lippmanncollection.com): Looking for the perfect shimmery gold? Well, I've found it for you. While the glitter flecks aren't quite baked into the formula, a top coat like Seche Vite will make it totally glossy.

Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate ($68 at sephora.com): Not only does this primer smell fantastic, it leaves skin looking and feeling totally gleamy. But let's "face" it -- I'm totally in it just for the unbelievably gorgeous bottle, infused with real gold flecks!

Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Filigree (16.50 at lancome-usa.com): Let me be honest -- the picture here does not do this shadow justice. It's a gorgeous shimmery goldish taupe that just looks flattering on every single skin tone. Trust me, you won't want to be without this one.

NARS Blush in Sertao ($25 at narscosmetics.com): Rather than sweeping this on the apples of my cheeks, I like to dust it across my forehead and cheekbones for a bit of glimmer all day long.


Yves Saint Laurent Touche Brillance Sparkling Touch for Lips in Gold Shimmer ($29 at yslbeautyus.com): Looking for just a bit of extra glimmer for your pout? Then this is the way to go. It's just enough to make them sparkle without becoming too over the top.

And for myriad more gold options, check out the slideshow below!

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Beauty Giveaway: ck Calvin Klein Delicious Pout Flavored Lip Gloss Mini Collection

What time is it? Beauty Giveaway Time! That's right, it's time for another fabulous giveaway here at The Beauty of Life. Up for grabs this week is a prize so amazing, I honestly can't believe I'm not keeping it for myself. The ck Calvin Klein Delicious Pout Flavored Lip Gloss Mini Collection is a set of five lipglosses that are so sparkly, so shiny, so utterly gorgeous, you'll be dying to slick them on over and over. This adorable set has a retail value of $25 -- pretty fab when you consider that a single Delicious Pout gloss is $13! One lucky winner will receive the set, which comes with the following glosses:

Cupid (cherry)
Silverado (vanilla)
Atomic (raspberry)
Sparkle (strawberry)
Dew Drop (pink lemonade)

Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Friday, February 6 and notified by email. It's that simple!



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Thursday, February 5 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

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Beauty and Jewelry in One: The Trend Continues!

Back in December, I told you about a truly unique trend sweeping the beauty world -- beauty and jewelry in one! (Click here for a recap.) Well, good news -- the trend is still going strong! Jean Paul Gaultier has created the CLASSIQUE Solid Perfume Necklace ($56 at sephora.com), a gorgeous necklace hung with delicate charms. The perfume bottle-emblazoned pendant at the center contains the delightfully sensual CLASSIQUE fragrance, a blend of Orange Flower, Bulgarian Rose, Italian Mandarin, Star Aniseed, Orchid, Iris, Ylang-Ylang, Indian Ginger, Soft Vanilla and Woody Amber.

Enjoy this latest take on the trend!

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Beauty Watch: Michelle Trachtenberg at the AXE Fix Club

You know what? I don't care whether Michelle Trachtenberg played bad girl Georgina on Gossip Girl. I'm convinced she's as nice as the character she played in Ice Princess. (Admit it -- you've watched it a couple times when it's been on The Family Channel.) So when she showed up to a party at the AXE Fix Club during the Sundance Film Festival on January 17 sporting Shirley Temple curls, it just confirmed my suspicions that she's a good girl. Come on -- bad girls just don't do Shirley Temple curls. Especially paired with gold shadow, gleaming skin and glossy nude lips. They just don't.

See more photos and learn how to recreate Michelle's look after the jump.








HAIR:
I'm not gonna lie -- this look takes some serious work. But if you put in the time, your hair will look fabulous. You'll actually need to start the night before you want to achieve this look by ragging your hair. After washing your hair, take 1-inch strips of cloth -- anything from an old sheet to a T-shirt will do -- roll a section of hair in it, and tie it in a knot. You'll notice that Michelle's locks are straight from the roots to the cheekbones, so be sure not to roll up the rags any higher than that to get the look. Repeat this for 1-inch sections of hair all over your head and then sleep on it wet.

After unrolling the rags in the morning, your hair will be super curly! If you're jonesing for even tighter curls, take a 1/2-inch curling iron to sections of hair. Finish with a few spritzes of a shine-enhancing spray like Frederic Fekkai Glossing Sheer Shine Mist ($22.50 at bathandbodyworks.com), spritzed on your palms and then lightly dabbed onto the hair to bring out the glossiness.

COMPLEXION:
Michelle's skin is gorgeous and gleaming. Get the look with a luminizer dabbed on the apples of your cheeks. Try Prescriptives Liquid Powder in Translucent ($35 at prescriptives.com), which is oil-free and will make your skin glisten.

EYES:
A few different products are necessary here to get the subtle smoky eye seen on Michelle. Start by sweeping a yellowish gold shadow like Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Sippin' and Dippin' ($19 at benefitcosmetics.com) across your lids. Sweep from the inner to the outer corners, stopping right at the crease, and then along the inner corner of the lower lashline just until the tiniest lashes give way to the bigger ones.

Next, take a goldish brown shadow such as Smashbox Eye Shadow in Safari ($16 at smashbox.com) and sweep from the middle of your lid to just outside the outer corner, creating a subtle cat eye.


While the black liner is actually on the subtle side, you'll notice that it's on both the upper and lower waterlines and the lid and lower lashline. This helps to smoke the look out a bit more. Try Too Faced Lava Gloss ($16.50 at toofaced.com), an extremely creamy and glossy black eye pencil.

Finish with two coats of black mascara on the top lashes to make them long and lush. Try LORAC Visual Effects Mascara in Jet Black ($19.50 at loraccosmetics.com), which has a curved and concave brush that lengthens, thickens and separates lashes to the fullest.

LIPS:
Lips should be full, juicy and glossy -- and slicked with just enough color to be noticeable but not detract from the rest of the look. Try Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Mango ($13.50 at clinique.com).


NAILS:
Finish off the look with a gorgeous wine-colored nail polish. This will add a touch of sensuousness to the whole look and really just takes it up a notch. Go for a creme with minimal shimmer so it really stands out on the nail. Try Essie Nail Polish in Poor Li'L Rich Girl ($9 at essieshop.com). So apropos for Georgina, don't you think?

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Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Gillette Venus Breeze

I'm all for making life easier. So when I discovered the Gillette Venus Breeze, I simply had to give it a whirl.

This razor has built-in shave gel bars that literally make the need for shaving cream irrelevant and unnecessary. And while I went into my shower on Sunday thinking there was no way this could possibly end well, I still figured I should test it out. And all I can say is, WOW. This razor really works.

All you have to do to make the shave gel start coming off the razor and onto your legs is to wet it down slightly. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of shave gel that actually lends itself to the leg. While it's not as much as I normally out of the can, it's just enough to make the shave so smooth, it's been three days and I still don't have to shave again! Even harder-to-smooth-out areas like my knees and ankles are now fuzz free.

I honestly can't see anything bad about this razor ... especially since it's only $9.99 at walgreens.com. The Venus Breeze is definitely my new best friend.

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Beauty Watch: The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Kate Winslet, Heath Ledger and Slumdog Millionaire did it again. At the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 25, they were the big winners, along with Sean Penn and Meryl Streep. But you know what this beauty chick is really after -- the hair and makeup looks, of course! Get the highs and lows after the jump.



Can Christina Applegate do no wrong? The green dress looks flawless with her skin tone, the subtle waved updo is effortlessly chic, and the scarlet lip is stunningly Old Hollywood. She's absolutely beautiful.
Something about Anne Hathaway's look just feels off. Maybe it's the strangely hued mauveish lip, maybe it's the undone updo, maybe it's the messy looking eye makeup. Or maybe it's just that her smile feels completely fake. Whatever it is, it's just not working here.
Funny lady Amy Poehler sure looked gorgeous. Her half-up, half-down hairstyle was chic and elegant, while her frosted pink lip and bronze shadow set off her skin tone excellently.
I've gotta say, I'm not a fan of the dress Amy Adams picked. It just doesn't seem to be doing much for her decolletage. But the simple updo and deep crimson lip really work, and somehow the red looks good against the plum hue of the dress. I'm also loving the subtle pink flush on her cheeks. Very natural-looking, especially with her pale skin.
Hands down, America Ferrera was one of my favorites of the evening. The cherry lip was a bold choice, and looked beautiful set against her intricate grey and black strapless silk dress. Not to mention her hair looked gorgeous in a side-swept ponytail with deep side part. Ugly Betty knocked it out of the park with this one.
Another winner on the red carpet! I love that Jenna Fischer matched her eyeshadow to her dress but made it very unseemingly obvious. Her undone curls and pale pink lipstick set her apart.
I honestly don't love anything about this look. The neckline is way too low and shows that Jane Krakowski really should be wearing a bra. The makeup is too severe and the updo isn't severe enough. It just doesn't work for me.
It seems the star of Slumdog Millionaire can do no wrong on the red carpet. Freida Pinto looked every part the Hollywood starlet with a deep smoky eye, pink lips and an intricate updo caught with a jewel-encrusted barrette. Just stunning.
Evan Rachel Wood continues to surprise me. This new glamour girl thing she's got going on really works for her. Flowing strawberry blonde waves, parted on the side and accented with pale creamy skin and a reddish brown lip, just looked gorgeous paired with her deep teal dress. The red nails were a standout for the evening as well, with most ladies choosing pale pinks or shimmery whites.
Now, I'm not usually a fan of Claire Danes. But she really pulled herself together well for this event. The updo is simple but graceful, the skin is fresh and glowing, the lips and eyes are accented just right. The final look is effortlessly chic.
Taraji P. Henson is fast becoming one of my favorite red carpet mainstays. The star of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button always looks beautiful, and this evening was no different. Gleaming locks, out-to-there lashes and a flawless white mani just looked stunning against her white gown.
I want to like Kristin Scott Thomas, I really do. But something just keeps me from thinking she looks good here. While I appreciate the fact that she's aging gracefully, I do wish she had picked better makeup for the occasion. The eye makeup is way too dark for her pale features and dulls the sparkle in her eyes, while the lipstick washes out her skin. Just not a winning look for me.
Kate Winslet's look is a 50-50 for me. On the one hand, I love her makeup. The frosty lavender eyeshadow, glossy coral lip and glistening skin are just gorgeous. But the hair just doesn't work for me. It seems weighed down and not elegant enough for her gown. A bit more lift at the crown would have taken this to one of my favorite looks of the evening.

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