My New Favorite Product: Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil

I have a massive problem when it comes to concealer. Not a single one seems to work on me! Either it's too light, or too dark ... too cakey, or too dry. No matter which brand or form I try, it just never seems to work out.

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Color and Sun Protection in One with Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15

Loyal readers will already know that I am a lipgloss and lip balm fanatic. But unfortunately, many of my faves don't come with SPF! Luckily, Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 comes packed with -- you guessed it -- sunscreen! Now I can slick on lip balm and know that my lips are uber-protected at the same time.

Already a huge fan of the original Benetint, I was totally jonesing for this new version. It's formulated with not only SPF 15 but Vitamin E as well -- which means it's totally moisturizing and conditions lips to the point of exhaustion. The tiniest bit really makes your pout feel so super soft!

And the color, oh, the color. I am in love with the light red hue that comes out of the tub and onto the lips so effortlessly. It makes lips look seriously juicy and just emits the perfect shade of just-bitten red.

Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 retails for $20 at benefitcosmetics.com.

Beauty Questions: What's Your Biggest Beauty Mishap?

We've all been there. Sprayed on too much of a horrible perfume, lined our eyes with a color that could only be described as ugly, used the wrong shade of foundation without enough time to take it off. So my question of the day is this. What's your biggest beauty mishap? Mine would have to be what I just did on Monday morning. There I was, flat ironing my hair without a care in the world ... and all of a sudden, I clamped the entire flat iron down on my left hand. I now have three burns that I'm nursing with gauze and lots of Neosporin.

So I ask you, what's your biggest beauty mishap? It doesn't have to be as dramatic as mine. It could be picking the wrong shade of lipgloss for a night out on the town! Let me know in the comments!

Lusts of the Week

Well, fall is officially here! I've been wearing my elbow length gloves and my wool peacoat all week. I guess I didn't think this day would actually come! When I'm not shivering in my Uggs, though, I'm playing with tons of products. And here are the ones impressing me this week!

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New Uses for Existing Products: Namely, M.A.C Wipes

We've all done it. Spritzed on a perfume we thought we would like ... or gone a little spray happy with a perfume we already knew we liked ... and then what happens? We end up smelling terrible. I've experienced both of the afore-mentioned traumas in the past week, and let me tell you -- I really don't know which is worse. Whether I'm smelling a terrible perfume (at the time it was the new one by Victoria's Secret, Wish) or realize I went a bit trigger happy with one I actually like (such as Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne), it's really not fun to sit in a cubicle hating the way I smell all day.

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Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Lucky Chick Shower Gel

I'm a shower gel junkie. Well, maybe more like a shower gel aficionado. At any given time, I have at least 10 shower gels jumbled up around my shower -- no easy feat, considering it's a stall one! (Luckily, I have a fair amount of storage space in there.) But one shower gel I'm totally jonesing over at the moment? None other than Lucky Chick Shower Gel.

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Two-For Tuesdays: Philosophy The Holiday Party

Holidays. It might be a little early to think about them, as it's not even Halloween yet. But you know what? I so don't care. At the Philosophy Holiday Preview last week, I came across this duo -- The Holiday Party -- and simply had to check it out immediately.

As soon as my eyes fell upon this duo, packed with the brand's high-foaming 3-in-1s, I just knew I had to check it out. And the fact that the scents are pomegranate and lavender? Totally loving it. Each smells utterly unbelievable, and the scents linger just enough on the skin to make perfume unnecessary yet not completely off limits.

And what do I mean by the term 3-in-1? If you're as yet unfamiliar with Philosophy's signature product -- and shame on you, if you are! -- then here's a quick explanation. Each bottle can be used as bubble bath, shower gel and shampoo. And trust this beauty chick -- and her Chief Technology Officer! -- when we say they work.

It's time to celebrate.

Note: This product is no longer available.

Yes to Cucumbers and Tomatoes Giveaway: Winners Announced!

After a whopping 857 entries in the Yes to Cucumbers and Tomatoes Giveaway, we have our four winners! Congratulations to the following gals who have won eight products retailing at $80!

Laura Schwartz
Teresa Holder
Rory Sanders
Nelli_s7

Nelli, if you're reading this, please enter your mailing address ASAP so I can get the giveaway prize out to you.

Congratulations to the winners -- and everyone else, keep checking back for more giveaways here at The Beauty of Life!

Beauty Giveaway: Harajuku Lovers Fragrance Collection

Are you enthralled with the Harajuku Girls? Then you're going to absolutely love the latest giveaway here at The Beauty of Life! One lucky winner will receive all five fragrances in the collection. This prize has a retail value of $225! And yes, you read that correctly. Enter below for your chance to win the following absolutely adorable fragrance bottles:

Love: The caring and free-spirited one of the bunch, with notes of pink pomelo, rose and creamy vanilla orchid.

Lil' Angel: The sassy, sexy and cool gal, with notes of pineapple, candied violet and lollipop accord.

Music: Charismatic and stylin', with notes of pear, sweet pea and sleek wood.

Baby: Totally girly and sweet, with notes of white rose, orange flower and white musk.

And of course, G: The leader of the pack! Quirky and unique with notes of fresh coconut, jasmine and cotton woods.

Entering is super-easy. Just enter your name and email address in the box below, and check back on Friday, October 31 to see if you've won. It's that simple!



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Thursday, October 30 at 11:55pm EST. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Must-Have Mondays: Chanel Haute Chocolat Nail Polish

I am fairly obsessed with brown nail polish. When I was in high school, I used to search all over the mall for the perfect brown polish colors -- usually picking up tons of bottles from Old Navy and Afterthoughts! Combine that with my love for the annual Color of the Year Contest sponsored by Seventeen, in which people have the opportunity to create a nail color that could be picked up by CHANEL, and Haute Chocolat is a total winner.

Created by 19-year-old Amy Gonzo, Haute Chocolat is the absolute perfect shade of deep brown that looks fabulous on tips and toes. It's run through with shimmer to really make the cocoa hue pop -- and it goes on unbelievably slick and creamy.

If you're a chocolate lover, then this is totally a polish for your arsenal. It's completely and utterly unique -- I've never seen a polish like it before. And even just having the bottle in your collection is a total indulgence and luxury.

This polish isn't cheap. But it's so, well, haute -- your nails will be gorgeous for days on end. And look at it this way -- you'll have a piece of the design house for way cheaper than the quilted black leather handbag with chainlink strap!