Make Up Beauty Tips

So, if you read me yesterday you know I'm newly addicted to a fab little site called Mintbox.  It's invitation only (don't worry, your invitation is below) and the sales and deals from the best of "yumminess" brands are located there.

Today begins a new event for Sephora.  Now, we all know Sephora.  Well, those of us addicted to beauty do, right?  Here's what you may not know.  Sephora's name comes from a combination of "Sephos", Greek for beauty, and the Greek form of "Tzipporah", which means bird. That explains why goddesses everywhere flock to the wonderland that is Sephora for all their beauty needs. Shop all of Sephora!  Mintbox editor picks appear below but you can purchase whatever you want of Sephora through Mintbox.


Featuring over 200 classic and emerging brands across all categories including skincare, fragrance, bath & body, smilecare, and haircare, in addition to their own private label, Sephora guarantees to keep you properly primped and preened whatever your style may be.

Mintbox's Sephora event features tempting cash back options, fabulous multi-sample packs (one from Lancome is delicious) and combinations of both.  There are lots of other fantastic stores (beauty, fashion, home decor, children's wear, etc.) with deals abundantly available there now too.  You can even donate your cash back to charities Mintbox has partnered with if you like that idea.  But you can't get these deals and options anywhere other than Mintbox. So what are you waiting for?  I wouldn't steer you wrong or waste your precious minutes if this wasn't truly swoon-worthy. Your invitation appears below. Enjoy! xo


source/images: Mintbox

So my newest obsession has become Mintbox!  If you're not familiar, you'll want to acquaint yourself quick like.  Mintbox features % off, cash back and other exclusive deals on brands we all love and covet.  Think Sephora, Bluefly, Crate & Barrel, Nordstrom, Bliss, Barnes & Noble, Bloomies, Space.NK, Shopbop.com, Rebecca Minkoff, Zappos ... the list goes on and on.

Today I want to show you their NARS feature.  As if the image above isn't enough to entice any beauty addict not just a NARS fan, consider the fantabulous notion that you can buy with 12% off and 8% cash back! Oh, and um FREE SHIPPING.  Are you kidding me? 

Sophisticated, witty, and effortlessly seductive, NARS embraces your individuality providing you with rich colors and luxurious textures and confidence to express yourself. It is an invitation to make a statement and be who you want to be: YOU. ~ NARS

I've been playing around on Mintbox all afternoon and I tell you I am obsessed now. Now, here's the catch.  You have to be a member.  Here's the best part of that.  It's free to join.  You'll need the special Mintbox codes to take advantage of their wonderful deals, so sign up now (link below) to join. Go ahead and shop till your heart's delight! xo


source/images: Mintbox

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!

This is one of those sweet moments. When one spots an Urban Decay SALE alert, that's great; but when one spots an Urban Decay GIVEAWAY in conjunction with a sale (up to 75% off!) - well, that's just something to squeel about. And squeel I did!

Urban Decay is beauty with an edge. Known for their innovative products, high-quality ingredients, and risqué shade names, Urban Decay injects femininity, danger and fun into everything they create.


From the mind-blowing array of eye products, to one of the widest shade ranges available, to their cult favorites we can't live without, Urban Decay has stayed on the forefront of cosmetics for over a decade.

Love animals? So does Urban Decay!  Urban Decay has been 100% cruelty-free since day one!
Urban Decay is coming to HauteLook and in anticipation of the event, the two want to do something extra special for their fans! {hands waving wildly in the air} They'll be giving away (1) $500 HauteLook Shopping Spree AND Urban Decay Gift Bag (valued at $500).


The sweepstakes ends Wed., 8/25/10. One lucky winner will be chosen on Thursday, 8/26/10. One entry per person.



photos: Urban Decay (NOTE: products shown are not necessarily included in the sale)

Summer in New York!

When a girl finds a deal, she's gotta tell your friends about it. Those planning a trip to New York City, this one's for you.  With three phenomenal New York properties that run the gamut for every type of urban traveler - boho, uptown or dowtown chic, there's something for everyone. Your hotel options are: the Ace New York, the Surrey and the Gramercy Park Hotel. Dates are available into September, so whether you're itching to take a break from the beach for some nightlife or needing to check in on a beloved client (and take in a show while you're there), the Big Apple is ready to be taken in style.


 
Jetsetter Review: Two blocks east of Penn Station, the 12-story Ace Hotel has the formula for cool figured out. Two hipster guys decked out in tats, vests and Buddy Holly specs are there at the front door to greet. Wildflowers are for sale in the entryway. The Ace Hotel proves that staying in an ultrahip hotel in NYC doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice class or comfort.

This hip hotel serves up a chill style with serious flea market finds (Hubble telescope chandelier) and curious collectibles (stuffed badgers). Housing the Stumptown coffee shop, the Breslin restaurant and the new No. 7 sandwich shop, this eclectic hotel is constantly filled with locals and foreigners, with an NYC atmosphere that is unexpectedly unique.

• Bearded baristas at Stumptown Coffee
• The ultimate gastropub, the Breslin Bar, and the delicious new sandwich shop No. 7
• Musical amenities like vinyl record players; turntables can be requested from the front desk
• The fun travel shop, No. 8
• An in-house gym and four computer labs
• Funky design style

What to know:

• Bunk beds aren't for everyone. (There are other beds and room types available)
• The Breslin is open late-night; it gets packed and can be tough to get a table or seat. Reservations are not accepted.
• Not a typical tourist area; you'll have to walk a few blocks to get to the sights.
• More of a hip college campus vibe than a traditional hotel scene.

   
 


 
Jetsetter Review: Perched on a posh, tree-lined block just east of Central Park between Madison and Fifth Avenue, The Surrey’s high credibility and low visibility make it a desirable location for those who like to stay under the radar. Guests can rub elbows with power players at the famed Café Boulud, the Parisian Bar Pleiades or at the new 17th floor roof garden. Taking inspiration from the quintessential Manhattan townhouse, The Surrey invites guests to experience New York as an Upper Eastsider.
 
The Surrey's salon rooms have an apartment-style feel. The furniture is residential, with clever design references like a 1920’s Art Deco walnut inlay bar or the 1930’s European lamp. Best of all, there’s an in-room bar with full size bottles and garnishes — no $15 minis here.

 
A perk of being at The Surrey is the award-winning food by executive chef Daniel Boulud (available in-room 24/7); the downstairs Café Boulud is known for some of the best French food in New York. The vest-and-tie-clad waiters serve with precision. The Café’s elegance, fine cuisine and high level of service are to be expected — and yet despite the Michelin star, it still feels like a neighborhood treasure that's meant for locals.

Leaving the hotel, one passes Upper East Side moms pushing strollers in 4-inch heels. Indulge at Michael Kors and Christian Louboutin boutiques on the block or opt for some window-shopping of the artful kind instead and peek inside the Gagosian Gallery.
 
What to love:

• Hot new rooftop garden
• Steps from Museum Mile
• Bouloud Bar, Restaurant and room service
• The Surrey Spa's “jet-lag renewal” treatment
• Classic Upper East Side location, just one block from Central Park

• The somewhat more formal atmosphere may not appeal to everyone
• Some rooms have interior-facing views
• WiFi is $14.95 per day

 
Jetsetter Review:  The Gramercy Park Hotel was brought to life by the king of boutique hotels, legendary Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager. With the help of filmmaker and artist Julian Schnabel, Schrager turned the Gramercy into a highly styled mix of Pop Art, Baroque and organic elements, for a stunning bohemian effect. And it’s the only hotel in Manhattan with a key to Gramercy Park. The Gramercy may be grown up, but it’s a vibrant, spirited playground.
 
At the Gramercy Park Hotel, it’s all in the carefully selected details: velvet throws on the beds, comfy wing chairs, Mario Badescu moisturizer in the bathroom and cut crystal glasses that accompany the minibar. Clearly Schrager knows how to handle the little things that mean a lot to his clientele.

Guests play backgammon among original Warhols in the Ava Room; in the Sophia Room next door, there’s more art and a ceiling installation covered entirely with light bulbs. There’s more than $40 million worth of art on display throughout the hotel, including in the guestrooms, which boast classic Magnum prints.

The on-site restaurant Maialino serves Roman trattoria-style cuisine. It’s a Danny Meyer eatery, which pretty much guarantees an incredible dining experience.
 
What we love:

• The scene at the Roof Club, complete with the occasional celebrity guest
• Danny Meyer's trattoria-style Maialino restaurant
• Art, art everywhere, from Warhols to more modern experimental pieces
• An on-site gym that's actually worth using
• Celebrity-spotting at The Rose Bar
• One-of-a-kind surprise performances from artists like Rufus Wainwright and even Guns N' Roses

What to know:

• Though the hotel is historic, the design is forward-thinking; traditionalists may prefer a different hotel
• Since this is an older building, standard rooms are a bit smaller than newer hotels
• The bars can be difficult to get into; reservations are required after 9 pm, though you may be bumped for a celebrity at any time

You don't want to miss this sale if you're a fan of Tarte Cosmetics. Well, you'll want to check it out even if you're just a fan of high quality, eco-friendly cosmetics at all!

Tarte is the leader in high-performance natural beauty, proving that glamour can be good for you with its wide selection of healthy and clinically proven cosmetics full of natural, skinvigorating ingredients. Tarte’s luxe compacts are more than just pretty packages: They are post-consumer recycled, recyclable or reusable to help reduce environmental waste.

Here's a sampling of what's available on Gilt Groupe today (going on now!).



PEACHES & CREAM FOUNDATION SPF 20 - Shade of MEDIUM $13 (Reg. $35)
This oil-free liquid powder mineral foundation contains SPF 20. Apply this velvety confection when you want to hide imperfections and create a perfectly smooth canvas. Shade: Medium Size: 1.7 oz.

SPRING GREENING 11-PIECE COLLECTION $19 (Reg. $38)
This spring fling will last through summer with 6 vibrant eyeshadows, 3 vivacious t5-infused lipglosses and a bamboo eyeshadow brush. Shades: Eye Shadows: sparkling copper peach, sparkling vibrant teal, sparkling golden bronze, sparkling golden brose, sparkling soft pink, sparkling golden lime, sparkling lilac. Lip glosses: Sparkling bubblegum pink, sparkling nearly nude, sparkling brilliant peach. Sizes: Eyeshadow: 0.029 oz. each, Lipgloss: 0.02 oz. each

EMPHASEYES EYELINER TRIO AND PLUM MAKEUP BAG $36 (Reg. $60)
These ultra-fine, high-definition liners easily fill gaps in the lashline and glide perfectly on the inner rims of eyes. Tarte's patented silicone system creates a super creamy, long-wearing formula specifically designed for the sensitive inner rim so it won't fade or run. Plus, the liners are dermatologist tested, so they won't irritate the sensitive eye area like traditional wood pencils. This trio comes tucked inside a chic makeup bag. Shades: Black, Silver and Navy Sizes: 0.001 oz. each

SUPER SHINE GLOSS QUAD $39 (includes all four deliciously healthy glosses) (Reg. $84)
The inner berry boost is a t5-infused concentrated pigment that mixes with the outer high shine gloss the result is a rich color that helps rejuvenate your lips. Shades: Pomagranate Punch (sheer sparkling red), Acerola Rush (sheer sparkling golden peach), Go Go Goju (sheer sparkling blush pink ), and Acai Boost (sheer sparkling raspberry) Sizes: Inner, 3.0 ml; Outer 9.0 ml

Ok, yeah, you're going to want to RUN not walk to this event! I've already got my phone alarm set as you peeps aren't gonna grab my products before I can this go 'round.

All kidding aside (and who's kidding? Alarm IS set), when one hears of a Mario Badescu sale, one takes heed.  Internationally known for his impecable facials and unique products, Mario Badescu has something for everyone.  Among my personal faves, and those of my family too: 

Enzyme Cleansing Gel - I use this with my Clarisonic ... love it! The cleanser contains papaya and other fruit acids to gently exfoliate (a mild peel if you will) while cleansing and it smells absolutely fantastic!

Drying Lotion - now this little gem enjoys cult status in every age group and has been rendered the "Miracle Worker" for pimple healing as one dab at night before bed is all you need to get that booger on its way to healing by the time you wake. Everyone in my family loves this one.



The skincare expert launched his namesake collection out of his Manhattan apartment in 1967 and now headquarters the line in his facials-only Midtown spa. His philosophy is rooted in customized solutions for conditions that range from acne to eczema to rosacea. These simply packaged but results-oriented treatments are infused with time-honored ingredients such as aloe and chamomile. The company proudly uses only animal-free testing methods.
The innovative and relentlessly effective skin-care products that have attracted the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Angela Bassett and Eva Longoria Parker can be found in this can’t-miss sale, which features an entire medicine cabinet’s worth of miracle products. Cleansers, eye creams and scrubs are just the tip of the cosmetological iceberg from a company that has been the gold standard for skin care since 1967.

Growing up in the quaint, small Texas town of Hillsboro, Elizabeth developed an unbridled sense of creativity and curiosity, and like many of us, Elizabeth simply never grew out of it.

There's a fine distinction between feeling beautiful and looking beautiful. And as a young woman, the obsession to look perfect almost took Elizabeth's life. Now her open, honest recovery from anorexia has provided Elizabeth with the spiritual foundation to create exquisite designs. And it is from this foundation that the 18kt Gold Couture Collection was given life.

Elizabeth believes that beauty is not something you see in the mirror. It's something that's inside each of us.


Today, Elizabeth finds inspiration and hope in every dimension of her full life: traveling, architecture, literature, music, recovery, charity, and of course, the true inspirations in her life, her family and friends. Ideas may sneak up on her slowly or cause her to pause in the middle of her day to grab her sketchbook, but her goal is always the same: create designs that encapsulate her triumph through adversity to a place of self confidence. The result is a stunning array of distinctive, diverse, unique, and beautiful jewelry.



Loved by makeup artists, celebrities and beauty afficionados alike, LORAC is always in the spotlight when it comes to beauty.

During her twenty years of doing makeup, Carol Shaw has worked with some of the most prestigious photographers: Annie Leibovitz and Steven Meisel, among others. Her work has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Allure, Elle, Jane, and many other magazines. She's also worked with top models such as Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and numerous others. She's responsible for creating many a beauty look for some of the most famous faces walking down the Red Carpet such as Nicole Kidman, Debra Messing, Rachel Bilson, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.


   


Here's your chance to get her some of her best-selling products at up to 80% off!