Make Up Beauty Tips

Here's a collection sure to pull at your heartstrings, if for no other reason then because it sounds so completely divine.  Trish McEvoy's new limited edition Love Fragrance Collection is sure to leave a touch of sweetness in the air, on your skin, and yes, even on your lips!

Love will envelop you in the delicate fragrance of No. 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Eau de Parfum and Super Enriched Body Cream while the Wild Blueberry Vanilla Candle burns gently to soothe your soul. My senses are already desperate to experience these pieces. Add to that the Seduction Flawless Lip Color as the finishing touch of beauty and elegance to complete a romantic aura leaving those who adorn completely irresistible. Sweet, sensual, and undeniably one of the most loving collections of beauty a woman can get her hands on this spring, the Love Fragrance Collection is a the perfect assortment of pleasure. Would make a perfect Mother's Day gift, n'est pas?

Trish McEvoy’s The Love Fragrance Collection, set to retail at $90, will be available beginning April 18th at TrishMcEvoy.com. Can't wait!

Génifique has been a runaway hit since its launch in 2009—and with good reason. The lightweight concentrate melts onto skin, wears beautifully under makeup, works on every age and skin type and most importantly, delivers visibly radiant skin in just seven days. Since trying this product when it first debuted, I'm never without a bottle.  Yes, it's just that good!

And here's your opportunity to try this amazing concentrate absolutely free. All throughout March, Lancôme will be offering deluxe, seven-day samples via their Facebook page. Here’s how it works:


Soooooo ..... what you waiting for? Not much time left in March. Get clickin'!   :~ D

Could there BE a better giveaway to announce the arrival of Spring? Me thinks not.  Just look at this prize giveaway, with spring's hot shades and patterns brimming from every which way you look.  I am drooling at the thought of winning.  And though I considered not sharing as the less of you who enter, the better my own chances of winning, I just couldn't keep it in.

So here are the deets.  The winner will receive a custom, one-of-a-kind Tibi Peony & Python dress AND all pieces from the Bobbi Brown makeup collection including the eyeshadow palette, beauty case, blush, lipgloss, eyeliner and brushes. Sweet!



You can learn more about the Tibi Peony & Python collection here and Bobbi Brown's gorgeous Peony & Python collection here.  Enjoy!

Here's a fab little do-it-yourself treat that does the body good - literally.  This particular recipe earned lots of praise with the rise in popularity of the Flat Belly Diet in 2008 as "Sassy Water".  For those who don't like the taste of plain old water, this may just change your mind about making water drinking a pleasurable, refreshing activity.

Cynthia Sass

Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, former Nutrition Director for Prevention, created the recipe for Sassy Water while developing the Flat Belly Diet with Lisa Vaccariello. Here's a bit more about how these ingredients break down in goodness.

Ginger contains high concentrations of antioxidants and helps soothe the intestinal tract and digestion.  Benefits of ginger come from very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances can help relieve swelling and inflammation, and are also know to aid in reducing nausea.  Gingerols also said to help reduce pain caused by muscle aches, headaches and rheumatism.  Ginger is a good source of potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese and vitamin B6.  Because it's so concentrated, it doesn't take a lot to receive the health benefits.  As an immune booster, ginger may not only be warming on a cold day, but can help promote healthy sweating. A good sweat may can assist in detoxification.  Some studies suggest ginger may even actually help inhibit growth of cancer cells.

Cucumber flesh is primarily composed of water but also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. Cucumbers are rich in fiber and contain a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium and magnesium. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber's high water content makes it naturally hydrating—a must for glowing skin. Cucumbers are also used topically for various types of skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. Two compounds in cucumbers, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis.


Like many of the fruits and vegetables featured on our website, lemons and limes contain unique flavonoid compounds that have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. In addition to their unique phytonutrient properties, lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants in nature. Vitamin C is one of the main antioxidants found in food and the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body. Vitamin C travels through the body neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals can interact with the healthy cells of the body, damaging them and their membranes, and also cause a lot of inflammation, or painful swelling, in the body. This is one of the reasons that vitamin C has been shown to be helpful for reducing some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  As with other fruits of its kind, lemons are said to help reduce risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.  Lemon is also a diuretic. This means it is good for people with urinary tract infections and high uric acid problems, such as those with arthritis or rheumatism because it helps flush out all the toxins and bad bacteria.

Spearmint is a pleasantly aromatic herb packed with numerous health benefiting vitamins, antioxidants and phyto-nutrients. The chief essential oil in spearmint is menthol. Other important chemical components of spearmint are α-pinene, β-pinene, carvone, cineole, linalool, limonene, myrcene and caryophyllene. These compounds in mint help relieve fatigue and stress.  The herb parts are also very good in minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Iron is required for enzymes in cellular metabolism and synthesis of hemoglobin. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. It is also rich in many antioxidant vitamins including vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin C, folates, vitamin B-6, riboflavin and thiamin. Spearmint is said to be an excellent remedy for minor ailments such as headaches, nervous strain, fatigue and stress, as well as for the respiratory problems; helping with asthma and bronchitis. It is thought to aid with digestive problems including nausea, flatulence and hiccups as it relaxes the stomach muscles.


Ok, more information than perhaps you needed to know when contemplating the concocting of an at-home spa drink, but as the ingredients are far more powerful than a casual nod would suggest I decided to give you the whole kit and kaboodle on it.

Enjoy!

sources: world's healthiest foods, livestrong, glo, Cynthia Sass, nutrition and you

Secret Saturday free gift event by Bloom Circle is from Stila today and it's a doozy of a goodun!  Just stopping by to share the goodness real quickly as couldn't keep this one all to myself.  It's the Stila Red Carpet Limited Edition Palette, which contains six gorgeous Stila eyeshadows, a shimmer powder, cheek color and lip glaze plus seven extra Stila Lip Glazes - FREE - with any purchase of $70 or more at Bloom Circle.

Bloom Circle offers fabulous products from our favorite beauty brands including CARGO, Clarisonic, Jane Iredale, Ole Henriksen, Kinerase, Redken, REN Skincare (Wow! really? fabulous!), Sircuit Cosmeceuticals, Tigi, Stila and many more! You'll be blown away by what they offer and how discounted the pricing is.  It's an idea that's catching on very quickly.

You must be a Bloom Circle member to take advantage of their special pricing and free gift offers, however membership is completely free and includes vouchers for future purchases. (How can you lose?) I love this place.  Is a beauty lovers paradise.

Are these adorable or what?

Award-winning boutique A Beautiful Life has launched a unique line of organic honey infused haircare.  Honey'do Shampoo and Honey'do Conditioner are sweet treats for the hair, imparting fantastic hydration, shine and manageability. 

The shampoo is sulfate and paraben free, so it doesn't lather immensely, which we all know by now is actually a good thing for hair!  It does, however, gently cleanse hair without stripping and its light formula smells subtly of tangerine - an ABL signature (their iconic All Nighter Hair Powder smells of tangerine loveliness as well).  The conditioner is thick in its honey bear bottle yet surprisingly light in texture.  It may be used as an instant conditioner or leave on a little longer for a deeply hydrating treatment.  I recommend turning the little honey bear conditioner upside down in the shower when storing as the conditioner will dispense easier.  I love how gentle these formulas are on my hair and how soft and shiny it leaves it.  As with most products I bring home that are worth their weight in gold, my daughter has "stolen" these gems for her own use. I've taken to have to hide them in my room (shhhhh!). Whatcha gonna do ...

Listen to some of the extracts in this 'poo/conditioner combo: ivy extract, rosemary extract, tangerine essential oil.  Both products are formulated with organic honey, which is what imparts moisture, shine, softness and manageability to even very dry hair.

These light formulas are a pleasure to use, sweetly sensory with their tangerine essence and a complete delight for hair.  Tony and Jennifer have hit it on the mark yet again.  Is there anything this power couple in beauty chicness can't do?


Honey'do Shampoo and Honey'do Conditioner retail for $16 each ($30 for the duo) and are both available exclusively through A Beautiful Life.  Check them out ... you'll be amazed at all the fun, gorgeous items this trendy boutique offers!

Select philosophy gift sets are on sale today, but for one day only!  If you're a philosophy girl (waves hands in air) now is a great time to stock up on some favorites or even stash a few kits away as gifts for impromptu occasions. See a kit that includes a product you're dying to try?  Grab it and gift away the products you don't want as little thank you's to friends and family.



Visit philosophy online, select your kits from the options shown and enter this special offer code at checkout: 40offgifts .  This special is for one day only, March 11th, or until supplies run out.  Enjoy!

Enchanting! That's what comes to mind when I think of Chantecaille.  Once again, Olivia Chantecaille charms us with her delightful palettes that create experiences of both elegance and feeling good about the purchase. 


Universally flattering, the Sea Turtle Palette ($78) features two eye colors in Soft Pearl and Golden Brown, a deep Emerald liner and a pink cheek shade.  The formula is made with the highest quality pearl and pigment particles. The two eye shades reflect the golden warmth of new spring neutrals complimented by an on trend deep sea green eye defining shade. The perfect coral/pink cheek color offers a universally flattering flush of rosy warmth.


Chantecaille is partnering with Dr. Karen Eckert of the WIDECAST Organization, focused on saving sea turtles in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. 5% of proceeds from this palette will help WIDECAST ensure the survival of sea turtles.


Tiger in the Wild ($78) was carefully selected to go with Fall Trends and includes eyeshades in Cream, Pewter and Indigo, as well as a flattering sheer persimmon cheek shade, however these shades are divinely perfect for this year's Spring as well. 


To celebrate and raise awareness for the wild tiger, Chantecaille has created a limited-edition palette with a selection of easy-to-wear cheek and eye shades with an elegant tiger embossing.  While the world celebrates the Year of the Tiger, the plight of this majestic animal continues. In fact, this celebration of the tiger places it in a more perilous situation. Tigers are poached, hunted and exterminated for profit. 5% of the proceeds benefit TRAFFIC .


Chantecaille Sea Turtle Palette and Tiger in the Wild Palette are both available at Space.NK and Nordstrom.

I spy with my little eye a couple of my very favorite eco-friendly skincare brands up for the 2011 CEW Eco Beauty Award and I couldn't be more thrilled for them. 


Pomega5's Healing Cream
I can't speak highly enough of Pomega5, their committment to quality, eco-friendly products and to providing their customers with a superb multi-sensory experience. Healing Cream is the star of the Pomega5 line as a gentle, nourishing moisturizer to comfort sensitive skin. This rich botanical recipe combines Omega 5 with soothing, restorative oils of carrot seed, calendula and grape seed to create an energetic shield to combat penetration of impurities, and a harmonious symphony of ingredients that nourish and "sing to the soul" (indeed it does). This cream also contains gorgeous shea butter. Formulated with 99% active ingredients and over 40% Omega oils, every element in this unique moisturizer works to improve the skin, inclusive of the botanical preservative and emulsification system.  You guys know I'm a sucker for pomegranate seed oil in skincare. It's all thanks to Pomega5 that this is so.  This cream contains pomegranate cold-pressed from the seeds within the juice-filled arils. It is rich in rare Omega 5 essential fatty acid.  It also proves to be a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, promotes cell renewal, stimulates collagen production, protects against sun damage, reduces redness, and heals irritations. Sublime!


Amala Beauty's Rejuvenate Line
The Rejuvenate collection firms, smoothes lines and renews elasticity with Cocoa Bean, known for its unique ability to stimulate cell renewal and microcirculation.  It's all about the cocoa bean in Amala's Rejuvenate collection.  Their Rejuvenate Cleansing Milk washes away dirt, makeup and impurities while rejuvenating skin with this gentle, nourishing cleanser. The whole plant ingredients in the milky smooth formula help strengthen and smooth leaving skin healthy and even toned. Whole plant ingredients infuse their Rejuvenating Serum as well, including a powerful antioxidant trio of pure Vitamin C-rich Acerola, Sea Algae and Cocoa Bean. The serum naturally repairs skin while protecting it from environmental and free radical age damage.  And ... their certified organic Cocoa Bean is cultivated in the Huallaga region of Peru by an expert fair trade partner in the area.

Both Pomega5 and Amala offer absolutely beautiful, gorgeous skincare, that are as effective in use as they are soothing to the soul.  Highly recommend without hesitation!  Pomega5 products may be purchased directly through their website and soon you'll find them at Bliss Spa.  Amala Beauty may be found at Spirit Beauty Lounge, whose shopping experience is like buying nectar from the gods. Yes, it's that fabulous.

Enjoy!

Calling all beauty addicts and those with even a small penchant for beauty! Total Beauty's 2011 Reader's Choice Awards are now open for voting and they want to know your top choices.


Total Beauty has 62 categories of beauty products up for awards. And while their editors are testing products for the "Rising Star Editors' Picks" (selected from newer-to-the-market products), they're inviting you to name the "Readers' Choice" winners. As a bonus, you'll earn five points for EACH vote you cast. Points help you snag great product freebies, exclusive deals and more! Hurry -- voting ends April 1!

Created in 1994 by a top celebrity makeup artist, Stila is known for its modern, sophisticated, non-intimidating approach to beauty. The brand's innovative, multi-tasking formulas, eco-friendly packaging, and fashion-forward colors have cemented its place on must-have lists of top beauty editors around the world. The prestige color brand is a regular on the pages of magazines like Allure and InStyle, and frequents the runways of top designers during New York fashion week. Stila's goal is to help every woman celebrate her own unique beauty; to look and feel like the best version of herself; and to have fun doing it.



This has been a much beloved brand of mine for years.  My favorite of all eyeliners, Stila Smudgesticks, are always is my makeup bag, a drawer or two at the office and in my handbag. Of course their Kitten eyeshadow is iconic and blends beautifully on the lid, flattering all eye colors. Loooove 'em!

Enjoy the Stila sale today at Hautelook beginning at 8 am PT.  Click the link below to sign up (membership is FREE) and buy your goodies!

Oh my gosh what an incredible deal!  'Tis just one of many reasons why I love SkincareRx. They've just launched their first of four Limited Edition Beauty Caches. If you are unfamiliar with the SkincareRx Beauty Cache it is a bag with 1-2 full size products and 8-10 deluxe size products (usually a few weeks worth of product). The cache also comes complete with a $20 gift card to use on your next purchase (over $75). This gives all we beauty lovers the ability to try the high end skincare products to see if it works for our skin before we commit to the higher price of the full-size products.  I love these little opportunities!

The bag has a very limited supply and will sell out fast. You may opt to Enroll for Auto Ship of the bag, which guarantees you’ll receive every new Beauty Cache the moment they’re available.
This chic cosmetic bag is perfect for carrying your must-have beauty products with you wherever you go. It includes a variety of cosmetics, hand and body care, and treatments for aging, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. The contents of each cache will vary, however you can check here for all the details about what to expect. You can also check the reviews on the caches as they are 4 and 5 stars just about across the board.

The Beauty Caches are offered at $29.95 and may purchased through SkincareRx. Enjoy!

photo: metrolyrics

World leading professional hair styling brand ghd announced today the signing of music sensation Katy Perry as the new face of the brand. The association will kick off over the next few months with an exciting new multimedia global brand campaign recently shot by world renowned photographer David La Chapelle.

"Katy is the epitome of modern fashion and styling. Her unique, ever changing looks are the envy of style devotees around the world. Katy completely embodies ghd’s spirit of female transformation and empowerment, as she is recognised as a cutting edge style icon unafraid to push fashion and beauty boundaries. Sassy, stylish and sexy, Katy is the perfect partner for ghd,” says Paul Stoneham, Chief Executive Officer, ghd.

“I'm so excited to be working with ghd, especially using their tools on my California Dreams Tour to get me stage ready. ghd products have a reputation of being the best products in the biz, and I like being associated with that. I'm very excited to reveal the styles I did with legendary David LaChapelle in the upcoming ghd campaign. Keep your eyes peeled for it!” shares Perry in regards to the announcement.

Rounding out the partnership, ghd has signed to become an International Tour Sponsor for Perry’s forthcoming “California Dreams 2011” tour, and plans to involve its talented professional hair stylist ambassadors in concert-related events throughout the world.



ghd (Good Hair Day) is an iconic British, professionally endorsed hair styling brand, available only through exclusive premier salons, ghd and a few select retailers. ghd was awarded Best Hair Styler for the 8th year running at the InStyle Beauty Awards on February 1, 2011.
 

Jeffrey Jah, co-owner of New York nightclub The Double Seven, hosted a party for fashion magazine Muse Thursday, March 3rd at the Royal Monceau Hotel in the City of Lights. The nightclub aficionado organized the celebration in honor of Muse magazine's editor Fabio Covi and hair stylist Luigi Murenu to celebrate their 25th issue.


Fashion's top runway top models were all in attendance including Isabeli Fontana, Natasha Poly and Joan Smalls. We hear runway star Rie Rasmussen and a fetching of other catwalkers created quite the commotion when they began an impromptu photo shoot (sans tops) at the front door of the party. Kanye West’s muse, Italian fashionista Anna Dello Russo’s got quite the shock when she stopped by to kick off Paris Fashion Week.

Me? I just like the glitz and photos. Ha.

Lancome has the BEST gifts with purchase, sample kits and special offers of just about all prestige beauty brands.  Celebrating March, Lancome is offering FIVE (5) Full Size Lipsticks ($124 value) with your purchase of $35 or more! Click the link for offer and use code: MARCHBDAY at checkout. Offer ends March 31st.

Now interested in the lippies and want another March special offer instead? Receive a 3-Piece Sample Collection AND Free Shipping with any $35 purchase! Click the link and use code: MARSPECIAL at checkout for this special. Offer ends March 30th.

Or a 4-Piece Sample Collection AND Free Shipping with any $45 purchase! Click link and use code: AMARCH at checkout for this special. Offer ends March 31st.



And of course, you always enjoy free shipping at Lancome with your $50 or more purchases.  Enjoy spring, my loves! xo

This makes my heart sing.  Pureology's Hydrate system is up for About.com's 2011 Readers' Choice Award for Best Shampoo.  Pureology's Hydrate Shampoo and Hydrate Conditioner have taken awards for years; among their top winnings Favorite Prestige Shampoo, Favorite Prestige Conditioner, Favorite Color Protecting Product and more through the hair industry's prestigious Behind the Chair Stylist Awards (2010). And, they're up for awards again this year!  It's also up for TotalBeauty's 2011 Beauty Awards for Best Shampoo.  Vote your pick here!



Readers have heard me extoll praise of Pureology as a prestige haircare brand and in particular their Hydrate products for years, so no surprise I voted for these lovelies in the open ballots.  Feels great to swim in the pool of fans, stylists especially, who also appreciate the fabulous-ness of this system.

As one who spends a fortune on color-treatment [all well worth it, Kirstin, (my stylist), not complaining], I am really thankful for a shampoo and conditioner that not only treats my hair well for moisturization and health but helps conserve the color.  Now that I'm a quasi-redhead (ok, with a few blonde highlights), I especially appreciate the color protection Pureology offers as red has a tendency to fade and lose integrity more quickly than other shades.
Visit Pureology.com to learn all about Hydrate and their other gorgeous lines of haircare products.  And for a chance to be one of five (5) winners to have this extraordinary system delivered straight to your doorstep, please enter the giveaway below courtesy of Pureology and For the Love of Beauty.

To enter the giveaway:

1) Follow Pureology and For the Love of Beauty (aka ftlob) on Twitter;
2) Like Pureology and For the Love of Beauty (Roxy Howe) on Facebook;
3) Finally, leave a comment below letting me know why you'd like to try Pureology Hydrate and include your email so I may contact the winners for shipping addresses.

That's it!  You may also view and enter directly as a Twitter follower under the tag #pureologylove. One set of Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Hydrate Conditioner will be awarded to five lucky winners. Contest open to residents of USA only this time.  Will have more giveaways for my international friends soon, please visit again. xo