Let's face it: Moms put up with a lot from us. If you want to spoil your mom this year and you're still trying to hunt down the perfect gift, head over to your local Sephora and check out these fun gift ideas:
Tarte Be Good To Your Mother (Earth) 24.7 Reusable Natural Cotton Tote Set ($35 a $62 value) – This reusable cotton tote contains three naturally glamorous lip sheers, so you can be good to your mom and the earth.
Stila My Mother, My Hero ($38 a $110 Value) – Set your mother's heart and skin aglow with shadow, bronzer, mascara and lip color stylishly tucked away in a brushed gold clutch (that will double as an evening tote if she’d like).
Philosophy Unconditional Love ($40) – Surround your mom with love and a sweet scent with this lasting fragrance that will leave her feeling fresh from dusk til dawn.
Last Minute Gift To Spoil Mom
Thymes for Mom
It's almost Mother's Day. Now, if you're a good little girl (or boy), you've already figured out exactly what you're getting your mom this year. But if you're like the rest of us, you could use a few suggestions. Over the next couple of days, I'll give you some helpful suggestions. Because moms should be pampered on Mother's Day and nothing pampers them more than some beauty products or other gifts that are a little more personal in nature than a greeting card.
Today: Gift ideas from Thymes for all the moms in your life (or for yourself!)
Thymes makes yummy scented products that any mom will appreciate. If you hurry up and order from their site, you can get free shipping on orders over $50 (and I said hurry-this deal ends tomorrow!).
Some of my faves from Thymes:.jpg)
Offerings candles ($26). I love candles and burn one almost nightly, a habit I picked up from my grandmother. The Offerings candles come in lovely frosted cups and you can select from 8 scents/sentiments (Good Luck, Happiness, Love, Friendship, Thankfulness, Abundance, Peace, and Health).jpg)
Anything from the Ambersweet Orange Collection ($5.50-$30). Ambersweet Orange is a new fragrance from Thymes and it smells so good! It's got a citrus kick without being sticky sweet, and has notes of vanilla and sandalwood. The collection includes hand cream, soaps, body lotion, bath salts, etc. Anything from this collection will make mom feel special!
Get Your Fragrance Fix! Perfectly Petite Perfumes …Only at Sephora
Need a holiday gift idea? Why not give that special someone a delicious new fragrance to start the new year. Find your favorite fragrance in affordable and portable miniature rollerballs and solids. These perfumed pieces are perfect for your everyday cosmetic case or your chic evening clutch. Check out these fragrant finds:
- Kat Von D Saint or Sinner Rollerball ($16) – Whether you’re feeling sultry or sweet, Kat Von D has you covered with these handy rollerballs that will keep you smelling fabulously fragrant wherever you go.
- Sephora Collector’s Edition Fragrance Sampler ($75, $160 Value!) – Let them pick their present this holiday season! This set of seven samples of Sephora’s most popular fragrances for him or her comes with a gift voucher for a full-size bottle of their favorite!
- Leslie Blodgett Perfume Diaries Perfume Solid in Bare Skin ($35) – Just a dab of this spill proof solid housed in a pocket-watch compact will freshen your scent and linger on your skin for hours.
- La Vanila The Healthy Fragrance Mini Rollerball Set ($28, $48 Value!) – This set of four rollerballs offers a healthy scent from every fragrance family: fresh, fruit, oriental, and woody. Worn alone or layered, these scents are ideal for touchups.
- Michael Kors Very Hollywood Solid Perfume Cocktail Ring ($40) – Smell sweet and stay fashion chic with this glamorous sparkle piece of adornment.
- Stella McCartney Stella Rollerball ($18) – This sophisticated yet powerful fragrance of felinity, slips easily into a handbag or pocket for a sensual scent on the go.
Plus, you can “share” your wish on Facebook and receive one of three deluxe samples, including YSL Black Mascara, Philosophy Inner Grace Body Lotion or Mini Nars Duo Lipgloss. To get your glamorous goodie, enter any of these gift with purchase codes: WISHME, Claus, or Clause.
For more Sephora Claus details, visit www.Sephoraclaus.com. You must be 18 or older and a US citizen to win. Prizes must be found on Sephora.com and less than $150. Shop for these travel-friendly fragrances – available at Sephora stores, by calling 1-877-Sephora or by logging onto Sephora.com.
Pur for the Holidays!
Every year, it seems like beauty companies put out holiday collections to tempt buyers. And, every year, it seems like Pür Minerals' holiday collections rock. I use Pür Minerals foundation regularly (I like it more than Bare Escentuals!), and their other products, like eyeliners, eye shadows, etc. are all high quality at a decent price. Here's what their offering this gift-giving season.
Whether you’re in need of a thoughtful gift or the perfect party look, Pür Minerals helps you celebrate the holidays in style. With Pür Minerals, you can give someone the tools for flawless makeup application, stuff stockings with travel-friendly minis, or treat yourself to gorgeous holiday makeup. As with all Pür Minerals products, these holiday-helpers are free of talc, chemical dyes, petroleum-based oils and fillers:
Holiday Gift Set: Enjoy the portability and giftability of the 5-Piece Holiday Brush Collection, an essential set of brushes for expert makeup application. These all-natural, cruelty-free brushes are enclosed in a sleek, chocolate brown quilted cosmetics case, perfect for gift giving. Each set includes a powder brush, utility brush, covered lip brush, blush brush, and eye shadow brush. ($35.00)
Where to buy: Exclusively at www.purminerals.com
Holiday Stocking Stuffers: Gift Pür Minerals’ most popular products in stocking stuffer sizes. The 3-Piece Travel Brush Set in Travel Pouch is the ultimate miniature gift set and the perfect way to apply Universal Marble Powder Minis and Mineral Glow Mini Value. Add Lemon Mineral Wash and you’ve got a stocking filled with travel-ready holiday necessities. ($12.50-$16.00 each)
Where to buy: Exclusively at www.purminerals.com
Holiday Trend: Complement your little black dress with perfect party makeup. This season’s must-have look calls for head-turning, cherry-red lips, softly sparkling eyes and warm, flushed cheeks. To get the look, line your lips with Mineral Lip Pencil in Ruby and fill in with Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Red Ruby. For extra shine, apply Pür Balm. Next, dust your eyelids with Pressed Mineral Shadows in Champagne Citrine and Gold Dust to give eyes a subtle sparkle. Line your lids with Mineral Eye Defining Pencil in Chocolate Mica for extra definition. Finally, apply Universal Marble Powder in Spice for perfectly flushed cheeks. ($13.00-$22.50 each)
Where to buy: ULTA Stores, Dillard’s stores or visit www.purminerals.com
Add Some Sparkle This Holiday Season (Giveaway!)
During the holiday season, we have so many social events to attend and we always want to look our best. Now, just in time for the holidays, IMAN Cosmetics Luxury Liquid Eyeliner changes everything you know about eyewear! Now your eyes will pop like the perfect accessory to your favorite ensemble. Inspired by the finely faceted look of Swarovski Crystals, the liquid eyeliner is enriched with Vitamin E and enhanced with sparkling gem-toned micro-pigments. The result is a glamorous stroke of eye defining color with the glimmer of fine metals and precious jewels.
The Luxury Liquid Eyeliner is available at Target for $10.99 and comes in four sparkly shades:
- Onyx: A glimmering black
- Platinum: A sparkling silver
- Sapphire: A rich gem-toned blue
- Copper: A warm molten earth tone
Since it's the holiday season and I'm in a giving spirit, I'm giving away one lucky reader a paid of liners (one in copper, one in onyx). To enter, just leave a comment here and be sure I have a way to contact you. Sorry, this is available to readers in the US only. I'll pick a winner next Monday (December 21st). Good luck!
Happy Day Before Black Friday!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all my U.S. readers have a pleasant Turkey Day today and enjoy spending time with their friends and family. There is much to be thankful for so be sure to take a moment to reflect on all the good things life has to offer. A positive attitude sure can make you more beautiful!
As soon as the Thanksgiving meal is woofed down, stores across the country will be opening at the crack of dawn, offering the big deals of the season. We keep hearing that the economy is in the toilet, so I wonder if Black Friday will be a big damn deal this year or not. How many of you are planning to brave the crowds to get some shopping done tomorrow? I've done it in the past, but I have no interest in losing a minute of my much needed beauty sleep to stand in line with thousands of people to buy stuff I probably don't need. Besides, I am about 75% done with my holiday shopping, and getting up early to buy half price socks doesn't excite me much.
Now, for all of you who are planning a Black Friday shopping extravaganza, here are some tips to make your shopping experience more successful:
- Get plenty of rest. All that tryptophan and alcohol you consume on Thanksgiving may make you sleepy. If you're planning on getting up super early to shop, adjust your bedtime so you get as many hours of good, solid rest as possible. You might also want to lighten up on how much you're eating today. No one wants to shop with a food hangover!
- Dress comfortably. I always find malls and shops a bit over heated, so I often leave my coat in my car and dress in layers. Comfortable shoes are a must! If you need to try anything on (not that you'd be buying a gift for yourself tomorrow!) try to limit the amount of makeup you have on--no one wants to buy clothes marked up with other people's lipstick or foundation!
- Leave your purse at home. Yikes! I know how hard this one is, but when you're buying tons of stuff and you have to carry a lot of bags, the last thing you need is to lug around a purse full of junk as well. Try to limit yourself to the essentials: your credit card(s), ID, cash, keys, and maybe a lip gloss. If you're smart, you can fit all this in your pockets, making the purse unnecessary. Remember: Black Friday is about deal hunting, not looking beautiful.
- Plan your attack. Make a list before you leave with all the gifts you need to buy, how much you want to spend, and what stores you want to go to. Doing so will keep you focused, keep you from overspending, and will make sure you don't forget someone. Plus, you can skip stores you don't need to go to to avoid mindless buying.
- Be careful. Make sure you know where all your stuff is and be sure to keep receipts. Also, stash your purchases in the trunk of your car so they are not visible to any annoying car prowlers. Don't leave stuff scattered all over your car--you'll just be inviting someone to rip you off, and there's nothing fun about that. One more thing: keep your receipts with you at all times. If someone breaks into your car and steals your stuff, you might need those receipts to deal with insurance, the police, and your creditors.
- Be nice and have a little patience. Before you start screaming about a line or start to vent on a salesperson, stop and breath. A little kindness goes a long way--think of it as good karma. Besides, Santa is watching after all and you don't want to be on the Naughty List.
Get Your Yum on at Sephora!
This Thanksgiving, satisfy your cravings without an ounce of guilt! From creamy lotions to hydrating cleaners and luscious lip shines, Sephora offers an array of skincare essentials that will have you glowing at your fabulous feast.
Check out these sumptuous deals:
Sephora Sweet Candy Gloss Trio ($18 a $21 Value) – Better on your lips than on your hips, this set of hydrating lip glosses will leave your lips soft and deliciously irresistible. Choose from delectable flavors like Guava Passion, Tropical Jasmine, and Apple Pomegranate.
Sephora BODY Super Supreme Body Butter To Go ($15) – This rich, hydrating body balm literally melts into the skin for a one-of-a-kind experience. Made with shea butter, it moisturizes, nourishes, protects, and leaves skin silky and smooth.
Philosophy The Gingerbread Man™ Foaming Bubble Bath and Shower Gel ($16) – Pamper yourself with this ultra-rich, moisturizing shower gel that’s decadent, creamy, and perfect for daily use.
Philosophy Pumpkin Spice™ Muffin Flavored Lip Shine ($12) – Pumpkin, spice, and everything nice collide in this luscious indulgence, which works to hydrate and soothe while offering a high-gloss shine with lots of flavor.
Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Spray Perfume Set ($24) – This set of natural spray perfume, signature soy candle and customized box of matches is a delight to your sense with its addictive Tuscan Blood Orange scent! Spritz it on, light it up and enjoy.
*Holiday News Alert* Beginning November 18th, just in time for the holidays, Sephora Claus is taking over Sephora’s Twitter (www.twitter.com/sephora), giving away beauty products everyday for 31 days until December 18th. For beauty buffs who would like to enter, simply tweet on Twitter an @Sephora message and tag your wish with a #sephoraclaus “hashtag.”
Plus, you can “share” your wish on Facebook and receive one of three deluxe samples, including YSL Black Mascara, Philosophy Inner Grace Body Lotion or Mini NARS Duo Lipgloss. To get your glamorous goodie, enter any of these gift with purchase codes: WISHME, Claus, or Clause.
For more Sephora Clause details, visit www.Sephoraclause.com. You must be 18 or older and a US citizen to win. Prizes must be found on Sephora.com and less than $150.
Pumpkin's Not Just for Pie
Thanksgiving is just days away. This year, my parents flew back to the East Coast, leaving just me, my hubby, my sister and my nephew here in Washington to celebrate. Instead of having turkey and all the trimmings, we're having tacos! (And margaritas!!) But we're sticking to a little bit of tradition: we're having pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting for dessert (yum!).
I am not a fan of Thanksgiving. But the one thing I do like is all the spice and pumpkins. Did you know that pumpkin is an aphrodisiac? It is! And it's also good for your skin. So have your pie and eat it to with these pumpkin skin care products:
The Body Deli’s Pumpkin Spice Botanical Butter Scrub: This is a healthy and delicious scrub that features the turmeric, a herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family. Tumeric is often used in Indian cooking, but is also extremely beneficial in skincare products because it gives the skin a natural glow and keeps harmful bacteria away from the body. The scrub also features cardamom, allspice & clove, cinnamon & ginger and raw certified pumpkin. Full of herbs and spice! Detox and decongest!
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel: This is a detoxifying peel for your face and neck.Utilizing pumpkin enzymes to easily and gently dissolve dead surface skin cells, this deep exfoliator stimulates cellular turnover, to reveal radiant skin that is supple and naturally hydrated. Age-fighting anti-oxidants and vitamin A help protect, nourish, and repair skin. Plus it has a delicious, irresistible pumpkin scent.
Philosophy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath: Leave it to Philosophy to have a yummy pumpkin product like this! The ultra-rich formula cleanses skin and leaves it feeling soft and hydrated. Not only is the warm, gooey smell of pumpkin spice muffin appealing to the senses—according to scientific research, this aroma has been found to arouse men and women. It's a smell that's so irresistible, you'll lather, rinse, and definitely want to repeat.
And, if you're a DIY girl, try making this pumpkin mask (the recipe is from Bethenny Frankel, one of the Real Housewives of New York):
2 cups canned pumpkin
4 tablespoons Greek yogurt
4 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Combine ingredients. Smooth onto face. Rest for 10 minutes, then rinse off mask.
Pretty, Pretty for the Holidays
Halloween's now just a memory, so it's now "not too early" to start thinking about the holidays--especially when we get to look at beautiful lines of products. And speaking of beautiful, check out what NARS is offering up this holiday season.
Toasting the year and its 15th anniversary, NARS is celebrating with red-hot holiday-packaged gifting that boast a variety of products. Below are the highlights:
15th ANNIVERSARY PALETTES- $75.00 each
NARS introduces two palettes to celebrate 15 years of color innovation.
Everlasting Love contains intense eye hues to create the perfect smoky eye and Wild at Heart featuring bold lip shades for a deeply pigmented pout.
PLEIN ETÈ MINI MULTIPLE SET– $45.00
An exclusive set of mini Multiples boasting three best-selling shades.
DROP DEAD GORGEOUS MINI NAIL KIT- $30.00
The perfect gift for any stocking, this miniature collection includes four glamorously festive shades: Arabesque, Chinatown, Candy Darling and Saratoga
D. LOVELY LIP GLOSS DUO SET- $45.00
Four smaller versions of the successful Duo Lip Gloss in a variety of mix and match shades: Misbehave/All Night Long, Pillow Talk/Sandpiper, Orgasm/Chihuahua, and Greek Holiday/Stolen Kisses.
The Holiday 2009 gift sets and palettes are currently available at narscosmetics.com and the Plein Etè Mini Multiple Set is available exclusively at Sephora
I love NARS products. They have rich, dynamic shades and high quality products. Their packaging even feels good! As for their holiday line: wow! You could almost close your eyes and pick--they all look great!
Trick and Treat!
Halloween is creeping up on us and if you're planning on getting dressed up for the occasion, it's probably time to start planning out your costume. This Halloween is my sixth wedding anniversary (yes, I was a bride on Halloween back in '03...and yes, I did, in fact, wear black!) and I haven't dressed up to celebrate the day in a while.
This year, I am going to help my nephew transform into a zombie hockey player. Zombies seem to be all the rage here in the PacNW. The zombie apocalypse is a-coming!
If you need a little inspiration for your Halloween costume or hints on how to do your Halloween makeup, here are a few sites to check out:
- Any Time Costumes
- Halloween Online Magazine
- All Hallow's Eve
- Makeup Mania
- Ghoul Skool
- Zombie Makeup, 1
- Zombie Makeup, 2
- Zombie Makeup, 3
Since I'm a Halloween freak, be sure to leave me a comment letting me know what you're going to be this year, or what your favorite costume has been!
NARS for the Holidays
I know, I know: it's not even Halloween yet and already retailers seem to be pushing Christmas. It's obscene and maddening, but it's also terribly practical. With the recession still going and consumer confidence shaky, shoppers need to see what's out there in order to prioritize their spending (and to hone their holiday wish lists!).
If you're starting to think about gifts for the girls or if you're looking to add a little sparkle to your winter look, you must check out the NARS holiday 2009 collection. NARS cosmetics are very high quality--their shadows are well pigmented, their blushes legendary, and their lip products rock (I swear by their All Night Long lipgloss--I keep it at my desk at work and use it almost every day!).
Check out their Holiday 2009 collection...I bet you'll be able to find something you'll want to add to your holiday list:
This Holiday season, NARS wraps up the year and its 15th Anniversary with a color collection offering shades that are deep and bold with festive shimmer – ideal for designing a look that is both sophisticated and sultry.
“For the holidays, I think it’s a great time to feel beautiful and sexy…with a little bit of movie star attitude,” says François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics.
NARS SOFT TOUCH SHADOW PENCIL - $24 Sure to be a favorite for the holidays, the soft touch shadow pencil is a new addition to the NARS product line that offers a convenient delivery system and multi-purpose formula. Available in three playful shades: Goddess – A cool, divinely ethereal, glistening pink champagne that’s worthy of worship. Aigle Noir– A smoky, bold black infused with gold shimmer named for the dark, noble raptor that soars the Himalayas – graceful and rare. Skorpios– An irresistibly iridescent copper named for the alluring Greek isle of the famous and flamboyant.
NARS Duo Eyeshadow - $32 Brousse– Deep, subtly shimmering hues of eggplant and the darkest wood create an earthy, yet sophisticated palette Eurydice– Bordeaux with hints of iridescent blues and coal rich with metallic greens make for a modern holiday pairing Taiga– A surprising contrast of bright, yet intense hues in the sheerest of textures
NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow - $21 This shimmering, spicy pine cream eyeshadow is named for the monsoon – natural and unpredictable
NARS Rouge Andalou Nail Polish - $16 Lasting and lustrous, like its namesake region – this classic, incandescent candy apple red nail hue is sultry, sexy and steeped in tradition
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - $24 Pop Life– Coat lips instantly with this bold, bright and modernly matte holly red hue that slips on with a velvety texture Toundra– This richly pigmented Barolo wine shade is creamy, long-lasting and matte for strong, seamless color
NARS Luxor Multiple - $37 An iridescent pink to be used on eyes, cheeks, lips and body for dynamic highlights and a perfect, glowing complexion
Disclosure: Press samples were provided.
Your Momma!
Wow! Mother's Day is this weekend. Time is flying by this year. If you're looking for something to treat your mother this year, here are a few ideas:
SOPHISTICATED MAMA: Packed in a chic gold clutch that’s a perfect accessory for the season, the Laura Geller Bring on the Bronze Kit ($45.00 at Sephora) is complete with golden glow essentials for skin, eyes and lips and includes the below. All products leave skin naturally sun-kissed with a just-back-from-vacation glow, perfect for busy moms who don’t have time for a coffee break, never mind a vacation!
RECESSIONISTA MAMACITA: Just because we’re in a recession doesn’t mean Mom shouldn’t be pampered. Look no further than the ELF BATH SET ($15 at eyeslipsface.com.) It comes with Hand Cream, Body Butter, Shower Gel, Body Cream, Hand Soap and a loofah. Give the gift of tranquility and relaxation that's sure to leave Mom feeling pampered and pretty.
GIVE THE GIFT OF GLOWING SKIN: Give mom the gift of youth this Mother’s Day with the StriVectin Limited Edition Mother’s Day Gift Set. This elegant kit included best-sellers that mom will love, including StriVectin-HS Hydro-Thermal Deep Wrinkle Serum, the first and only topical formula to address the Dermal-Epidermal Junction, the place where deep wrinkles really begin. It also includes the number one prestige skin care cream in the entire world, StriVectin-SD. Once wrinkles and creases are gone, mom will really be thankful! This gift of youth is available at Sephora, Bloomingdales and Saks for $99.
FOR THE MOM WHO ADORES FACIALS: Does Mom often indulge at the spa for a facial? Bring the Spa to her with the ANSR: Acne Care System. Developed by leading skincare specialists, the system comes with the highly efficacious BEAM, an untethered LED device packed with BOTH red and blue lights to combat fines lines and wrinkles and help with the occasional blemish. In addition, you’re receiving FREE topicals including DAY (the moisturizer,) PREP (the exfoliating cleanser,) and NIGHT (serum.) Available for $185 at ansr.com.
Happy Holidays!
My house in the snow. It will be a white Christmas this year.Even though I am not feeling particularly in the holiday mood this year for a number of reasons, the holidays are now upon us. I'll be taking the next few days off, but when I'm back I'll bring you all sorts of new info like:
- A new installment of my Reader to Reader segment
- Beauty Product of the Week reviews of a hand lotion candle, mark skin care products, etc.
- A new Anastasia product is hitting the market soon and I have the scoop!
- Product reviews of the next featured items at HSN's Faces of Beautiful You
- Review of White Sands hair care products
- And much, much more.
Updated to add: I'm going to be doing some cleaning up of my blog in order to start 2009 on the right foot. If you have a blog and you want to link up with me, please send me an email and I'll try to get you on either my favorite sites list or my Links to Keep You Beautiful as appropriate. Note: sites that I am currently linked to that have not been updated lately will be deleted. Thanks!
Last Minute Gifts from Suki at Whole Foods
Wow. Where did December go? The holidays are literally just around the corner and that may mean you're in last minute shopping mode. Thankfully, I am here to help! Today I'll be telling you about great quick gifts from two great stores.
First up: Suki products, available online or at your local Whole Foods.
Bring joy to the world with 100% pure and natural limited edition gift sets from suki advanced. organic. science -- the perfect budget-friendly holiday gift items for eco-conscious beauties dreaming of a happy and healthier New Year. May all your days be merry and green!
winter skin hydration kit – the best moisturizing products to fight the winter blahs, dehydration & dryness, while protecting & nourishing winter skin all over. butter cream healing salve, velvet repair moisturizing cream and lip repair butter come in a convenient cotton case for easy travel and storage! ($30)
revitalizing essentials travel kit – all skincare savvy travel-goers will never want to leave home without the 100% pure and effective exfoliation, cleansing & hydration products found in this kit. Includes exfoliate foaming cleanser, velvet moisturizing cream and sensitive cleansing bar. ($30)
deluxe nourishing travel kit – luxurious, nutrient-rich products provide rich hydration + anti-aging action. moisture rich cleansing lotion, concentrated nourishing toner, exfoliate foaming cleanser, intensive brightening cream, intensive brightening masque and pure facial moisturizer- nourishing, are all housed in a sleek all natural bamboo tube case. a perfect gift for the jetsetter battling the cold and dry winter weather! ($75)
limited edition luscious color kit – shine bright with vibrant, sensuous, velvety colors this holiday season. tinted active moisturizer in natural, triple cream eye definer shadow/liner/brow in gossamer and pure cream stain lip/cheek in vermillion create a natural, yet festive look that pairs perfectly with a little black dress. ($100)
radiant glow deluxe gift tote – warm, natural bronze tones help keep that healthy summer glow alive even on the drabbest of skin days. tinted active moisturizer smooth/balance in bronze, triple cream eye definer in sandalwood, pure cream stain lip/cheek in chestnut, rich pigment mascara plump/nourish in copper brown and sukicolor® professional brush set are all eco-friendly makeup mavens need to recreate a believable sun-kissed look! ($150)
balancing complexion treatment kit – this full-sized kit includes 100% pure and organic products to soothe, tone and clear irritated, and congested complexions. transformative cleansing clay, concentrated balancing toner, pure facial moisture – balancing and exfoliate foaming cleanser balance combination to oily skin, combat blemishes and calm sensitive skin. ($150)
Next up: Last minute Sephora gifts!
Saved BEFORE The Bell at Sephora!
Hear that? That's time ticking away if you're one of the many last minute holiday shoppers. I told you about some great products over at Whole Foods, but don't forget to head over to your local lifesaver, Sephora.
The holidays are officially just days away, so make sure you have all your gifts and treats in tow! From makeup-packed palettes to delicious skincare sets and sweet fragrances, Sephora comes to the rescue of every last-minute shopper.
Pick up these presents in a pinch:
Sephora Brand Super Shimmer Set ($22) – Ten sparkling lip glosses that shine your pout to pucker perfection.
Giorgio Armani’s Armani Code Gift Set ($55) – A seductive signature fragrance for him in a toilette spray, shower gel, and after shave balm.
Tarte The Vanity Limited Edition Palette ($52) – This gorgeous three-tiered makeup palette contains everything you need to create endless holiday looks.
Sephora Brand Holiday Butters Trio Gift Set ($16) – The perfect stocking stuffer, this tantalizing trio of rich, lightly scented body creams come in two flavorful sets.
LaVanila – The Healthy Candle ($32) – Infused with pure essential oils for an uplifting fragrance and a healthy glow throughout the season.
Dylan’s Chocolate Cupcake Collection ($16 - $22) – Savor the delicious flavor of this mouth-watering bath and body collection.
Aquolina Pink Sugar Shimmer Nights Set ($60) – A playful blend of vanilla and caramel scents in a toilette spray, roll-on perfume and lip gloss.
Bare Escentuals Ruby Collection ($54) – The ultimate luxury, this nine-piece makeup collection is infused with real ruby powder.
Sephora Scent Sampler for Her ($50) – Let her decide! This kit includes 10 deluxe samples of Sephora's most sizzling scents for her plus a gift voucher for a full sized bottle of her favorite!
Sephora Gift Card ($25 - $250) – Solve your gift-giving indecision! The card—tucked in a white glitter-specked, mirrored compact— can be redeemed in store, online or through any Sephora catalog.
And, don’t forget to surprise your friends and family with an early gift, an adorable Sephora Mistletoe Makeover eCard. Just place their pretty faces on one of four animated costumes, work your makeover magic and send away! So cute you’ll want to send it to everyone on your list, plus it’s free! Available through the holiday season at MistletoeMakeover.com.
Grab these limited-edition goodies before time runs out! These gift ideas and more are available at all Sephora stores, by calling 1-877-Sephora or by logging onto Sephora.com.
Beauty for Boys
This holiday season, don't forget to pick up a personal care product for the men in your life. Men may not admit it, but they like to be pampered just as much as we do...and unlike us girls, they don't always buy themselves anything nice.
Here are a few of my favorite men's products you should check out:
- Sephora Brand Scent Sampler Best Sellers for Him, $50. If your guy thinks that Old Spice is the best he can do for a fragrance, maybe he needs to have his horizons broadened. This kit includes deluxe trial sizes of the ten best selling scents for men. Once your man picks the fragrance that suits him best, he returns to Sephora with the included gift certificate for a full sized bottle of his favorite scent. Nice! (They have this for women, too!)
- GoSmile Smile Whitening Kit, $89. I tried a sample of this product and was instantly impressed. Brighten up the smile of the man in your life with this high-tech tooth whitening set.
- Clinique's 3-Step Face Care for Men (prices vary). Men need to take care of their skin just as much as we do. Clinique's famous 3-step skin care system for men will encourage your guy to wash, tone, and moisturize. Since men are more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer, be sure to pick up the moisturizer with SPF to protect his skin.
- Ear/Nose Trimmer, $15. Hey, we're all humans...we get hair growing in the strangest of places. It may seem like a weird gift, but an ear/nose trimmer for men is a must-have!
- Korres Absinthe Shave Cream. This product is tough to get in the USA and I have no idea why. I got it a few years back for my husband and he loved it. If you like in Europe, pick up this product immediately! Its pricey, but its creamy and gives men a great shave. My husband was very happy with this product! (Hey Sephora! You used to stock this...please bring it back!)
Beautifully Stuffed Stockings
One of my favorite parts of Christmas morning is tearing into my stocking. As I kid, my mom filled our stockings with small toys, office supplies (which I have an unhealthy obsession to!), and makeup products. Even though the gifts were small in size and value, it was always fun to see what my mother found for us.
Makeup products make for the perfect stocking stuffers since they're small and fun. However, if you're not careful, a well-equipped stocking could set you back a pretty penny. Well, I'm here to help! You don't need to spend the equivalent of a month's car payment to have a fab beauty inspired stocking.
Consider some of these products or get them all for about $75 (note: prices are approximate and don't include tax, shipping, etc.)!
- Winter means dry skin, and dry hands in particular. Add Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Hand Cream to a stocking for soft, smooth hands smooth all winter long. $7.00
- Nail care products are ideal for stockings. Pick up a new nail clipper from Revlon for $3, a funky-printed nail file from Tweezerman for $5, Salon Formula nail polish remover for $3, Sally Hansen cuticle cream for $5, and a trendy, crazy bottle of polish from NYC (New York Color) for $1.
- Don't forget the feet! Pick up a pack of Earth Theraputic's Tea Tree Oil Foot Wipes for $5.25 (I love those things!), a pumice stone for $1.50, and a travel-size of Bath and Body Works foot cream for $6
- For the bath, try a fancy bar of Cranberry Shimmer Soap from the Body Shop for $3.50, a sisal bath mitt from Earth Theraputics for $3, a super-cute Snowman Bath Bomb from Lush for $4, and a retro-inspired bottle of Mr. Bubble bubble bath for $3.
- If you want to add a cult-fave to your stocking, add a tube of the ubiquitous Burt's Bees Lip Balm for $3. Or, in keeping with the Mr. Bubble feel of things, why not pick up a tube of Bonnie Bell's Strawberry Lip Smackers for $2.30.
- And finally, add a few tools to your stocking. Pick up a Revlon eyelash curler for $5, a mini brush set for $6, mini tweezers from Tweezerman for $9, and a small makeup bag for $4.
Warm Up This Winter
Ah, Winter. By far, winter is my least favorite season despite the fact that I love Christmas and I have a winter birthday (in February). But all the celebrations in the world can not make up for the cold weather, the long, dark nights, dry skin, and (worst of all) snow.
Ugh. Thinking about it makes me want to curl up in front of my fireplace, under a bundle of blankets, where I can read a book and drink something hot and yummy. If you feel the same way, here are some beauty products inspired by our favorite wintertime beverages:
HOT CHOCOLATE HAPPINESS!
- Buff your body in chocolaty goodness with Giovanni's Hot Chocolate Sugar Scrub. You know your winter-weary body could use some exfoliation, so why not try this product to add some fun to your bathing routine?
- If you want it all, pick up Philosophy's Warm By The Fire set. This contains Double Rich Hot Cocoa Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath, Melting Marshmallow Cream Body Souffle, and Ooey Gooey S'Mores Flavored Lip Shine. Yum.
- Warm up your face with Senna Cosmetic's limited edition Hot Chocolates. Indulge with their high-quality set of eyeshadows, eyeliner, lip liner, lipstick/gloss duo, and a highlighting/blush duo. This is a complete face for less than $100. Nice!
- Need a pick me up for your hair? Try Terax Hair Care's Latte Clarifying Shampoo. It will wrap your hair in foamy, silken goodness and rinse away all the yucky environmental pollutants that entangle themselves in your hair during the day.
- Put a little buzz into your pucker with Buzz Latte Lip Balm from Bare Escentuals. This beauty contains coffee extract that nourishes your lips and makes them more kissable.
- If you missed out on your beauty sleep, no one has to know. Just try out Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream from Bath and Body Works. The caffeine depuffs and destroys dark circles so you look rejuvenated even if you were out too late the night before.
Get Natural At CVS
Damn! I've said it before and I'll say it again: I soooo wish we had CVS/Pharmacy out here in Washington state. I keep hearing about fun, exciting new products that are exclusive to CVS and I'm jealous that I can't check them out!
A new line of products is launching at CVS that I'm currently trying out called Vickery & Clarke Natural Apothecary. So far, I'm liking what I'm trying.
Vickery & Clarke Natural Apothecary products have an old-fashion meets the modern day feel. Their products provide benefits to both the skin and the senses and they have items to meet the needs of your face, lips, eyes, and body. They also have some products that will help cure what ails you! Vickery & Clarke Natural Apothecary products are more than 94% natural and contain no harmful ingredients. The key ingredients, such as Lavender and Peppermint, are good for your skin good for the earth. And their product are all under $12, so they're easy on the budget, too!
Here are a few products to check out:
- Vickery & Clarke Foot and Leg Spray: If you spend your days on your feet at work, or if you're out and about shopping for the holidays, your legs and feet may need a quick pick-me-up. A few quick sprays of this will stimulate your skin and make your legs and feet feel more alive.
- Vickery & Clarke Ultra Rich Eye Cream: I've been using this undereye treatment for the past few days. It's very thick and rich, but it feels so good going on and it really seems to moisturize the eye area.
- Vickery & Clarke Detox Bath Soak: These bath salts contain ginger, an old folk remedy that will stimulate circulation and help you sweat out any nasty impurities. Perfect for the holidays!
Pur As The Driven Snow
Next week is Thanksgiving...omg. Really? How can that be? I don't really remember Halloween even happening this year, and already we're nearing Turkey Day. And we all know what happens after Turkey Day: Black Friday. Ugh. Wow. Where, exactly, did November go?
If you're like me, you're trying to get holiday shopping done as quickly as possible. That's why I'll be updating my site with plenty of holiday gift giving ideas. And today I bring you the holiday line from PurMinerals.
I used to be a Bare Escentuals girl, but I've come to really like PurMinerals and their products. Here's why, PurMinerals products are less spendy than BE but seem just as good and they're less messy than BE. I'm sold.
This holiday season, PurMinerals is offering up some great little gift sets. Consider one of these gems:
Tease, Flirt, Charm Glimmer Pencils, $18.50 for all three (a $45 value): this set includes a trio of festive shimmery eyeliners in gold, silver, and emerald. The colors catch the light and really set off your eyes in a whole new way. Perfect for the holidays!
Inspire, Reflect, Celebrate Eyeshadow Palette, $25: this is the perfect gift for your makeup loving friends. It includes 15 pretty eyeshadow shades AND detailed, illustrated ideas on how to combine the colors to create different looks. I love, love, love this palette. I know a lot of you want advice on how to apply eyeshadow--this gives you both the product AND the know how. Awesome!
Smile, Pout, Kiss Lipgloss Trio, $25 (a $45 value): this trio includes three shades that will make your holidays more...well...kissable! There's Sheer Crystal (a pink shade), Glaze Ruby (a very fun crimson), and Pur Brilliance (a white hue). They look great on all skin types and they feel good on your lips...not heavy or overly sticky.
As I said, I've been switching over to using a lot of PurMinerals products and you really can't go wrong. Check these out before they're gone!
