Friday, January 30, 2009
First Look Fridays: Neil Morris of Neil Morris Fragrances
Thursday, January 29, 2009
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.
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!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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.
Beauty and Jewelry in One: The Trend Continues!
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!
Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Gillette Venus Breeze
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Two-For Tuesdays: LAVANILA Vanilla Coconut Set
Vanilla Coconut? Why not just call it heaven? Because that's exactly what the LAVANILA Vanilla Coconut Set is ... a little piece of heaven.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Must-Have Mondays: Givenchy Radically No Surgetics Complete Age-Defying Care
I'm convinced that I have fine lines and wrinkles. Most people tell me I'm crazy, but I know they're there. Maybe those lines near my eyes are smile lines -- in all actuality, I do smile and laugh quite a bit -- but come on, I still don't want crow's feet. That's where Givenchy Radically No Surgetics Complete Age-Defying Care comes in.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Urban Decay's NEW Sin Primer Potion!
I am seriously so excited about this product that I am literally ordering it off of Sephora as I type this. At this time, you must be a Beauty Insider to order it (if you’re not one, what are you waiting for? You get free gifts every time you spend $100 AND you get a present on your birthday, in addition to perks like early ordering of fabulous items like this!).
Head to sephora.com now before it's totally out of stock. And check back soon for my review!
Are you as excited about this new version of UDPP as I am? Let me know in the comments!
Trend-Filled Thursdays: Star Products Inspired by the Inauguration
The inauguration sure has got this beauty chick excited! I'm all full of pride for my country and can't wait to see what our new President is going to do. So is it any wonder that I'm inspired by star products this week? From tweezers to perfume, there are products that seem to exude just as much pride in the USA as I'm showing right now. See the best of the best after the jump.
Lancome Juicy Tubes Sparkling Night ($18 each at bloomingdales.com): Each of the four shades of this lipgloss (Constellat, Sky Diamond, Star Shower and Twinkle) are -- you guessed it! -- inspired by stars. And since they're all gorgeous, I'll be snapping up each and every one for my Juicy Tubes collection.
Make Up For Ever Star Glitter ($13 at sephora.com): Sometimes I totally want to be a 70s disco queen. And with these tiny stars stuck on my cheeks and in the corners of my eyes, I'm pretty sure I can pull it off.
NP Set Runaway Star Lip Gloss Set ($14 at target.com): Seriously, how cute are these? I love that they're little ornaments as well. Even though I never have a Christmas tree, it doesn't mean I won't be hanging them up somewhere in my house!
Bond No. 9 New York Bryant Park ($650 at saks.com): The ultimate indulgence? You'd better believe it. Normally I wouldn't condone spending this much money on anything, even the most gorgeous pair of Christian Louboutins. But for this gorgeous glittery bottle, I might just make an exception.
Lush Stardust Bath Bomb ($6.95 at lush.com): I'm thinking this is the perfect bathtime accessory. It's pink, it's got stars all over it and it smells divine. What more could you ask for?
Sephora Girls Lollipop Lip Gloss in Blackberry ($2 at sephora.com): I totally love every lipgloss in this collection, but this starry one is my absolute fave. It just makes me feel like I'm on top of the world! And the glossy delicious goodness sure doesn't hurt.
Tweezerman Mini Slant Tweezers with White Stars ($9.80 at beauty.com): Plucking my eyebrows has never been so fun! I'm totally enjoying being patriotic with these pretty star-emblazoned tweezers.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Biore Enliven Cooling Eye Gel
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Two-For Tuesdays: Tarte Lock & Roll Creaseless Cream & Powder Eyeshadow Duo
Powder or cream? Why not both? You can get the best of both worlds when you play around with the Tarte Lock & Roll Creaseless Cream & Powder Shadow Duo.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Must-Have Mondays: Chesapeake Bay Candle Signature Collection Honey Lemon Creme Filled Candle
I'm obsessed with candles. But you already knew that, didn't you? In this beauty chick's opinion, they just make a home look, smell and feel 100 times better. And while I love my Trish McEvoy Wild Blueberry Vanilla Candle and Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint Candle, I'm always looking for new -- and cheaper! -- options to add to my collection. So coming across the Chesapeake Bay Candle Signature Collection Honey Lemon Creme Filled Candle (say that three times fast) sure felt like an amazing stroke of luck.
For starters, it's only $20. That's pretty darned good for a candle -- especially one with a 35-hour burn time. This means it's way less than a dollar per burning hour, so you're totally getting your money's worth!
But there's so much more to this candle than just the price. I'm in love with the glass holder, which is emblazoned with an intricate silkscreened tree motif that really makes it feel homey and warm. And the combination of notes held within -- the aforementioned honey and lemon, along with grapefruit zest, sandalwood and vanilla -- really make it smell interesting and inviting. The scent envelops you without becoming cloying or thick, and even after burning it for hours on end it never seems to be too much.
In addition, the candle is hand-poured with soy wax. It burns evenly and cleanly, never getting that annoying hole in the middle that some candles seem to take on after a few hours. And it looks oh so elegant sitting on a vanity or even just in the middle of a wooden floor. (Yes, I've just set it down in the middle of my living room more than once and let it burn away.)
To conclude? This is a candle you should definitely have in your arsenal. Rain or shine, snow or sun, it's just one of the most perfect scents you could ask for.
This product is no longer available.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Beauty Giveaway: Zoya Color-Lock System
Want to know how to keep your nails in tip-top shape? With the Zoya Color-Lock System, of course! This innovative five-step system surrounds polish with a protective barrier against moisture, bubbling, chipping and UV damage. And now one lucky winner has the chance to receive this entire kit -- which has a retail value of $48! The kit includes the following fabulous products:
Zoya Remove+ Polish Remover
Zoya Anchor Basecoat
Zoya Get Even Ridge Filling Basecoat
Zoya Armor Topcoat
Zoya Hurry Up Speed Dry Drops
Zoya Renew Polish Rejuvenator
They all come packaged in a handy-dandy reusable plastic pouch.
Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Saturday, January 24 and notified by email. It's that simple!
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Friday, January 23 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Hey, Bright Eyes! Check Out the Bobbi Brown Brights Eye Palette!
Beauty Launch: M.A.C Hello Kitty Collection
If you're like this beauty chick, you spent your childhood absolutely loving Hello Kitty. The adorable icon from Sanrio is known around the world for her cheeky attitude. So when I found out that M.A.C had partnered with Sanrio to create a Hello Kitty collection, I just about died and went to kitty heaven. Even better? I got an exclusive, up close and personal look at the collection back in November! (I had to keep it under wraps until now, or you just know I'd have let you all in on the details months ago!) And did you know...
Hello Kitty is actually a girl. You might think she's a cat, but you would be wrong!
Hello Kitty has no mouth. Obvious? Maybe not!
Hello Kitty is 34 years old. (Doesn't she look fabulous for her age?)
Hello Kitty has a dark and edgy side.
Hello Kitty has a twin sister named Mimmy.
And most importantly ... Hello Kitty is a makeup addict!
Two very distinctive collections have emerged within the overarching Hello Kitty line. Choose from Hello Kitty Mild and Hello Kitty Wild! Each speaks to different parts of the Hello Kitty personality.
The collection encompasses everything lipstick and lipgloss to blush and eyeshadow, with some truly gorgeous palettes and colors throw into the mix. Not to mention a huge array of utterly adorable accessories!
My picks for the absolute must-haves from this collection:
Beauty Powder in Tahitian Sand ($22)
Nail Lacquer in Something About Pink ($11)
Lipglass in Mimmy ($14)
Glitter Eye Liner in Kitty Power ($16.50)
Eye Shadow Quad in Too Dolly ($38)
Hello Kitty Purse Mirror ($22)
Hello Kitty Plush Doll ($42)
Hello Kitty Brush Holder ($49.50)
Hello Kitty Beaded Bracelet ($34)
The collection launches in February. Head to maccosmetics.com to enter your email address and be notified when it becomes available. But if you're smart, you'll keep checking the site every day -- because collections have been known to launch early! Meow!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Recession, Smecession! These Two Spa Treatments Are Worth It!
Yes, I know we're in a recession. Yes, I know that means we should be saving money. But you know what? Once in awhile I still like to pamper myself. And the three spa treatments I'll keep getting even though we're in a recession? Why not read on to find out? (Hint: They're from Elemis, Sunpoint Spa and Joanna Vargas Skin Care.)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Suave Daily Exfoliating Body Wash
I’ll admit it -- I’m a snob when it comes to body wash. My shower is cluttered with Jaqua, Philosophy and other boutique brands. Not that I find anything wrong with the less expensive varieties -- I just like to pamper myself with the ones I consider more luxurious. But in these trying economic times, I decided to bite the bullet and try one that was -- gasp! -- under $10. So I went with Suave Daily Exfoliating Body Wash, because the bottle was huge and the fact that it’s formulated with apricot seeds and coconut extract intrigued me.
And you know what? I am totally and completely hooked. The miniature moisturizing beads leave my skin feeling soft and supple even if the freezing temperatures outside are trying to ravage it and turn it into a chapped, raw mess. No matter how many times I lather up, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin, which is more than I can say for some of those more expensive brands! Not to mention it smells absolutely divine -- slightly summery and juicy.
Note: This product is no longer available.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Two-For Tuesdays: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Duo
Love Urban Decay Primer Potion? Well, this may just be your lucky day. Because right now, Urban Decay is offering up not one but two tubes of the stuff in their Eyeshadow Primer Potion Duo.
You've probably already heard me wax poetic on the subject of how I can't live without my UDPP. And it's not just me. At last count, I'd converted at least five friends and coworkers to the dark side with my talk of how amazing it is and how long it makes shadow last. (Seriously, it will make even your cream eyeshadow last for two days, hangover and all. Don't ask me how I know that.)
They don't call it a cult favorite for nothing -- eyeshadow and cream liner just don't budge. You can dance, you can run, you can skip ... you can even sleep on it. So how could I not get super excited about the fact that now it comes in a fabulously convenient duo? Now I get not one but two tubes of the creamy goodness.
This duo is available for $25 at urbandecay.com. When you consider that one tube retails for $16, you're definitely getting a bargain!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Beauty Questions: What Do You Think Of Black Lipstick and Lipgloss?
There are myriad trends I'm willing to try. Many I'll even incorporate into my daily routine. (Hello, peach lipgloss and gunmetal eyeshadow.) But black lipstick? I just don't get it. I know it was huge on the Spring 2009 runways (why we were embracing such a somber color for balmy temperatures is beyond me), but I'm just not a fan of looking like the undead.
Must-Have Mondays: Oribe Shampoo for Brilliance and Shine
$44 for a bottle of shampoo? I know you're thinking one thing right now. Jamie has gone off the deep end. But just hear me out. I find it quite difficult to spend a lot of money on haircare, even though I spend more time on my hair than any other part of my morning routine. But for some reason, spending more than about $15 on any one hair product really just doesn't sit well with me. Until I discovered Oribe Shampoo for Brilliance and Shine, that is. This shampoo has found its way into my daily regimen for quite a few reasons:
1) The intricately carved midnight blue bottle is absolutely gorgeous and looks amazing sitting in my shower.
2) The consistency is rich, lush and creamy -- almost to the point of feeling like conditioner.
3) It has a slight shimmery quality to it that just makes it feel really luxe.
4) It smells absolutely divine -- seriously, like heaven in a bottle.
5) Every time I lather up with it, my hair is sleek and shiny for at least two days. Sometimes three, depending on how hard I've been on it.
Is this enough to tell you why I think it's worth the $44? Well, if you need another reason, let me just tell you this. Oribe is one of the world's premier hairstylists. He's coiffed the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Debra Messing. And he seriously knows what he's doing!
Trust me on this. You really won't be disappointed. Get your own at oribe.com.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Lusts of the Week
Well, fellow beauty chicks, I was definitely in need of some fabulous Lusts of the Week recently. I’ve been suffering from pretty terrible migraines – the kind that keep me home for days on end trying to block out every inch of light and noise while my head feels like it’s going to explode – so honestly, it’s the simple things in life that make me happy. And you know that’s a fun beauty product or two! Check out the ones that have been getting me through the day.
Fashion Week Beauty Trend to Try: Pale Glossy Lips
A trend seen all over the Spring 2009 runways? Pale glossy lips. We're talking high-wattage shine in nudes and pale peaches that were gorgeously flattering on a variety of skin tones, from pale to dark and everything in between. (Just check out Chanel Iman at left, rocking the trend on the Marc Jacobs runway, to get the idea.) And since pale glossy lips are one of this beauty chick's favorite things to rock year-round, I consider it incredibly important to bring the trend your way! Check out tons of photos from the runways and the glosses you just shouldn't be without after the jump.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Hey, Bright Eyes! The Best Eye Creams Money Can Buy
So your eyes are tired, droopy and starting to wrinkle -- not to mention the circles underneath them make you look like one of the undead. Well, there's good news -- it doesn't have to be this way! There are eye creams out there guaranteed to make all your problems disappear. Check out the best of the best.
Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Two-For Tuesdays: DKNY Delicious Night Duo
Sound mesmerizing? It should. Inspired by the sexy buzz of a New York City night, this fragrance really draws in not only the wearer but anyone who happens to catch a whiff. You only need a light spritz or two, as it is a fragrance on the heavier side -- you don't want to scare off any potential admirers, of course!
The bottle itself is utterly gorgeous -- it's a deep violet, almost black in color, and it's shaped like an apple complete with a deep groove at the top right where the stem would be. It really looks perfect sitting atop your vanity -- it adds depth, color and vibrancy to any respectable beauty chick's beauty den.
Unfortunately, this product is no longer available.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Beauty Giveaway: Sephora Ultimate Blockbuster Palette
So, remember when I told you all about the fabulous Sephora Ultimate Blockbuster Palette? (Don't worry, you can check out the full deets here.) Well, I've decided to make one lucky beauty chick's dreams come true -- because I am giving the palette away! This palette has a $48 value and comes with the following:
71 eyeshadows
13 cream eyeshadows
5 blushes
1 compact powder
60 lipglosses
1 lip liner
1 eyeliner
4 brushes
3 sponge-tipped applicators
Best of all, it's limited-edition and completely out of stock on Sephora's website, so this is your last chance to find this amazing palette without spending a bundle on Ebay!
Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Saturday, January 10 and notified by email. It's that simple!
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Friday, January 9 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Chocolatey Goodness: The Hot Cocoa Manicure and Pedicure at Haven
Friday, January 2, 2009
My 2009 Beauty Resolutions
Happy new year, fellow beauty chicks! Did you have a fabulous New Years Eve? I went out with my roommate to our neighborhood bar and celebrated with our all-time fave bartenders. (Check out a pic of my roomie and me at the top!) I hope you had a wonderful time and wish you all the best for the coming year!
And now that 2009 is here, it's time to make my beauty resolutions for the year! Check out what I'm aiming to do and try in 2009 after the jump!
1) Wear makeup on a more regular basis. I'm guilty of owning so many eyeshadows, lipglosses and the like that my bins and drawers are always on constant overflow ... but more often than not I'm too lazy even to swipe on a bit of mascara before I leave the house! I'm aiming to wear it at least three days out of five per week!
2) Find a good skincare routine and stick to it. This includes cleanser, toner, moisturizer and eye cream. And while I have some of those products nailed down, I'm going to try a bunch of cleansers and toners especially -- because I want to keep my skin looking as youthful as possible!
3) Experiment! Whether I'm trying yellow nail polish or sparkly purple eyeshadow, I want to have more fun with my look. Recent additions include deep pewter cream shadow and yellow gold nail polish -- who knows what 2009 will bring!
4) Continue to use Urban Decay Primer Potion. THIS STUFF IS A GODSEND. It keeps my makeup in place for up to two days (because, oops, I get lazy sometimes and don't wash it off as soon as I should!). Cream, powder, glitter ... it just doesn't budge when I use UDPP! So I'm definitely planning on stocking up and making sure to use it each and every time I sweep on that shadow.
5) Drink more water. The secret to glowing, gorgeous skin is so easy -- and yet I find it so difficult! I just get so bored drinking water all the time, but I know I need to start. So here come the 6-8 glasses a day that I know I need to look and feel beautiful inside and out!
What are your beauty resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments!
First Look Fridays: Makeup Artist Vanessa Elese
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