and the winner is...

Alright...yes...I totally know that I am sooooo ridiculously late in revealing the winner of this fabulous tee and brand spankin new Lancome Juicy Tube 100% Natural Origin gloss in Rose Pretty!

But, family called today and...even though I really really really love and appreciate you guys with all of my heart...they come first.

Anyway...

Just who is the winner of this gorgeous limited edition T-shirt created by House of Diehl (pictured) in a slightly loose-fitting small and a Lancome lippie?

Congrats goes too....

Gaby!!!

Be on the lookout for an email from moi, so that I may obtain your mailing address.

Oh and if you didn't win, don't fret...I have another giveaway planned that WILL be going up tomorrow.  I promise sweeties!!!

msn's beauty bff with jenn falik

If you are a frequent purveyor of daytime TV, you are bound to have seen Jenn Falik delivering all of her beauty insider tidbits on shows like The Today Show, Rachel Ray, The View and even E! News.

She's totally in the know.

Well, now MSN Lifestyle had launched Beauty BFF a new original video series where MSN’s beauty expert (Falik) shares the secrets to achieving the latest hair, makeup and skincare trends and insider tips from the biggest names in beauty.

The videos are short in length, but long on info...so you're bound to pick up some faboo advice.

Check her out at lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/beauty-bff/.

don't forget....

Today is the last day to enter my faboo Lancome giveaway...where you can win the t-shirt and new Juicy Tube pictured!

Click here to find out more and to enter!!!

Stay tuned, because tomorrow I'm announcing another giveaway that you won't want to miss!

mac superglass in sugar overload

How can you not love a lippie that comes along with this description...

Just when you thought Dazzleglass was the best-of bright, along comes Superglass, with secret, snowflake-shaped helicone pearls sparkling in three different facets for triple the dazzle!

It definitely dazzles...trust me on that...and makes your lips look all shiny and glossy.

The sparkle might be a little much for some during the day, so if that's the case just dab a touch in the center of your lip for a major pow.

At night, use with abandon sweetie!

I always love a nudish gloss, so Sugar Overload has my name all over it.

If that's not your thing though, there's eight others to choose from...just not right now.  The collection won't be available till May 6th.

Find it then at your local MAC store, counter, or online at maccosmetics.com.

bobbi brown treatment lip shine spf 15

Probably the one area almost everyone forgets to protect from the sun is their lips.

Generally something you don't think about, or choose to not do because you want color.

Well Bobbi Brown's got your back...er...your pucker, ladies.

Introducing Bobbi’s Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 ($22)!

It's a lightweight, soft shine lipstick that doubles as a rejuvenating treatment for your pout.

It contains natural Cocoa and Shea Butters, Jojoba, Apricot Kernel and Avocado oils...plus Peptides, along with Vitamin C and Paracress (fyi...I have no clue what that is actually), stimulate collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles!

Then there's the SPF 15 to help prevent future sun damage.

Available in 12 new shades...

The only problem you're going to have is stopping at only one!

5 minutes 5 questions with ellenore scott

Little known fact about moi...I love reality shows.

Well, allow me to rephrase that, I love competitive reality shows.

So imagine how excited I was to have the chance to interview someone from one of my fave shows So You Think You Can Dance!

Ellenore Scott was a former finalist on the show and is now working with Secret..that of the fab deodorant.

Not only is she super gorgeous (do you not just adore her fabulous short do?) she's also super sweet to take the time out of her busy day to answer a few questions.

So without further ado...


With summer fast approaching...along with the prerequisite sleeveless shirts...what's your secret for maintaining your gorgeous arms?

My secret for maintaining beautiful arms for the summer is making sure they get the proper attention they deserve. I moisturize daily, I workout at the gym or in dance class to keep my arms in shape and stay confident by using Secret Scent Expressions every day to make sure that not only do I feel good, I smell good too!


What are your top five beauty essentials?

My top beauty essential would have to be a great moisturizer that has SPF 35 or higher. Keeping your skin hydrated during the year is key to youthful looking skin, and with so many woman having skin damage it is so important to have protection with SPF. My second is a great lip balm. One that is tinted is great because you can get great soft lips and just a splash of color to light up your face. Third would have to be my Secret deodorant. Not only have I been using this for years and it has worked best for me, but my mother has been using it as well for years. Fourth would be lengthening mascara. My eyes are one of my favorite features and it’s great to show them off by using a great mascara. To spice up your mascara, try a different color! My new pick is purple. My last essential would have to be water. I know that sounds silly, but drinking water will keep your skin looking fresh and help your body with its daily functions. There's nothing better than looking healthy and being healthy!


Can you share a beauty tip you've learned in your travels?

One tip that I learned from the makeup artists that worked on the television show I was on is that to negate dark circles, use a concealer with orange in it. It may seem crazy to be putting orange on your eyes, but it worked fabulously! Also, I learned that if you want that luminous glow, use a highlighter on the bridge of your nose, on the high parts of your cheek bone and on the tops of your shoulders. This will give you a natural glow that will make people say, "You look so lovely today!"


Which celebrity has a style you adore?

I really love how Jessica Alba can somehow always be so cool and put together without being to "done up." Her laid back style is gorgeous, she knows how to layer and to walk the red carpet in style. She is a natural beauty, she always looks like she is wearing nothing on her face. Her favorite beauty product that we all can afford – her smile.


What's your must-have beauty splurge/indulgence?

My must have beauty splurge is in the category of skin products. I am always willing to splurge on face masks!




Thanks Ellenore!

elle.com

ELLE.com is running a 21-Day Eco-Chic Challenge. It's not a contest...so don't get all crazy here...it's just a compilation of tips (21 in all) that will get you living a more green lifestyle.

Or at least get you started.

One tip I love...and actually do on a daily...is to tote around a reusable water bottle.

You can even go a little chicer (is that even a word?) by buying a bottle like this one from Sigg.

It is $22...so that might leave you thinking it's a little splurgy...but if you figure in the money you'll save by not having to purchase bottled water everyday, it's worth it.

beauty deal of the week...

So, I was doing a little perusing of the beauty goods at neimanmarcus.com and I just found this hanging out in the Laura Mercier section.

My jaw totally dropped.

You honestly might want to head on over to Neiman Marcus ASAP to snag this before they come to their senses and realize what they did.

They're selling a full-sized Laura Mercier Bronzing Duo in Pink Bronze and a really cute pink camo Neiman Marcus makeup bag for only $15!!!

Unreal because the duo normally retails for $32...so....uh...insane right?

Plus if you use the code NMSHOP, you can get free shipping at any price.

Seriously?

Snag it because I can't imagine this lasting for long.

happy earth day with tarte!

Honestly...this deal is just too good to pass up.

Head on over to tartecosmetics.com ASAP and get your green shopping on sweeties!

saks 20% off friends and family

Now go forth and go shopping!

lancome news and giveaway!!!

By now you’ve heard the buzz that Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes, the iconic lip gloss that kicked off the gloss frenzy, is turning 10. To celebrate this beauty birthday, they’ve launched Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin, a limited-edition collection with honey as its main ingredient. The formula, flavors and pigments are 100% natural origin and preservative-free.

For Earth Day 2010, it was a natural fit for them to partner with Lancôme spokesmodel and environmentalist Elettra Wiedemann’s charity, Justonefrickinday.com.

Its mission is to unify and concentrate available resources onto a small number of special charity projects around the world. By logging on its website, you can calculate and donate just one day of your daily pay to make a difference. The charity’s latest project will raise funds to help install Solar Electric Panels that will provide sustainable power to a hospital in one of world’s poorest countries, Burundi.

Why am I telling you about any of this?

Well, for one, it's a great cause.

Another reason is that the lip gloss itself is da bomb.

What's also da bomb, is that from April 22nd through April 25th, anyone who purchases Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin at the Lancôme Boutique on the Upper West Side in NYC will receive a complimentary limited edition tee.

You see, all of these fabboo designers got together to design T-shirts, to help champion Ellettra's cause!  They are totally fashionista and limited to only 100 made from each designer.  We're talking designers like...House of Diehl, Rag & Bone, Giambattista Valli, Rogan, Chris Benz and Phillip Lim.

Lancôme will also make a donation to justonefrickinday.com to kick off this special Earth Day offering too!

Amazing right?

But wait, that's not it!!!

I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of these totally gorgeous tees and I'm giving the other one away...along with a new Lancome Juicy Tube 100% Natural Origin gloss in Rose Pretty!

The limited edition T-shirt created by House of Diehl (pictured) is a slightly loose-fitting small...just so you know.

Thank you Lancome!

So, what do you have to do?

Well, for starters, head on over to justonefrickinday.com to at least see what this amazing charity is all about.  Then head back here and leave a comment below!

It's that easy!

Here's the details...

You have until Thursday, April 29th at 11pm EST to leave a comment on this post. I will randomly select one winner and then announce that winner on Friday, April 30th.

Just remember to leave your name...or have something resembling a name in your comment somewhere. I will not count any comments that say anonymous and don't have any name in it what-so-ever!

Okay?

Alright, just to clarify...one entry per person, duplicate entries will not increase your odds of winning. For this giveaway, only US residents may enter. You have from now until April 29th at 11:00pm EST to enter.

Good luck!!


*Please Read This: In entering this contest you are giving me permission to have your name and mailing address for fulfillment and mailing of contest prize(s). If you fail to include that information I will disqualify your entry. One winner, chosen at random, will receive the prize(s) mentioned. Duplicate entries will not improve your chances of winning. Giveaway sponsored by Lancome. Some restrictions may apply. Open only to US residents only...sorry. Entries will be accepted through 11:00 pm on Thursday, April 29th, 2010.

beauty tip of the week

Now that the freaking bitter cold is over, it's getting to be the time to start breaking out your faux glow.

Whether you use a powdered bronzer, a liquid, gel, or cream...here's a tip that I found in the May issue of Marie Claire.

It's from an interview with Gucci Westman, the fabulous makeup artist extraordinaire of Revlon.

In it she gives a few good tips, but the one she gives on bronzer is one of those totally-makes-sense moments.

Tan skin with a lot of makeup looks tacky.

Her advice...if you're bronzed, do not wear mascara.

I couldn't agree more.

For a no brainer look, try this set I found on Nordstrom.com...

It's Bobbi Brown's 'Bahamas' Bronze Set...a Nordstrom Exclusive, plus an $80 Value...that you can snag for $55 right now.

It comes with all you see here to impart that uber fabulous summery glow, without making you look all made up in the process.

Now go forth and be glowy!

hourglass prodigy hydrating lip gloss

In case you're new here, I have a serious addiction involving lip glosses.

Just an FYI sweetie.

So when I had the opportunity to test this one, I just totally did a lippie happy dance.

Hourglass Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss ($26) is served up in the cutest little container that fits easily in the palm of your hand.

Fabulously teeny so that you can stow it in your clutch, makeup bag, or (in a pinch) a pocket.

What also makes it perfection is the texture of the gloss itself, it's not at all sticky and makes your lips feel smooth.

I tested Surreal, described on sephora.com as an iridescent pale pink.  It's light and glossy, but not old-school frosted looking... something I've hated about other iridescents I've tried in the past.

With five other shades to choose from...I think I'm going to check out Hypnotic and Eden next...you're bound to find one that strikes your fancy.

A tad of a splurge in the price department, but totally worth it to this LL (Lippie Lover).

this just in...kevin's a sham!!!!

Okay...so you remember a while back when I got that email from a high schooler named Kevin?

Truth is, when I initially got the email, I was a little suspicious of the whole story from the get-go.

Not for anything, but the story (in my opinion) seemed to be written by an adult instead of a teenager.

I didn't want to seem like a negative crazy...and it's been ages since I've been in high school...so I gave him the benefit of the doubt and published it.

Well...GET THIS...

I just saw this letter on the Dear Margo site and IT"S THE SAME FREAKING LETTER!!!!!!

Instead of a high school dance...it's an art gallery.

And "Kev" had just moved here from Scotland!!!!

SON OF A B----!!!!

See?

This is why I need to ALWAYS trust my first instinct.

Ugh.

What an a--hole.

tune in today to qvc's beauty bash!

All day today, QVC will bringing you the best of the best...the beauty experts you know and love and the must-have goods you need in your life right now.

Be on the lookout for brand new products, fabulous items created especially for QVC,  and ridiculous values.

You can even go beyond your TV by checking out QVC.com, and checking out their Facebook page and Twitter.

That way you won't miss any tips, tricks, behind-the brand buzz, and in-depth answers to the top beauty questions.

Here's a little peek at what to expect later today...

Mally Beauty Mally's Baby Blush and Lip Gloss Duo

QVC Item #A201123 Approximately $31

BRAND NEW! See it live! Tune in to Mally – Color Cosmetics at 4 PM (EST)

tarte Clay Medium Coverage Foundation

QVC Item #A201262 Approximately $36

ONLY AT QVC! See it live! Tune in to Beauty Newsmakers Face-to-Face at 7PM (EST)

smashbox Pro Line Second Skin Concealer

QVC Item #A199223 Approximately $29

ONLY AT QVC! See it live! Tune in to Beauty Newsmakers Face-to-Face at 7PM (EST)

Head on over to QVC right now to get in on all the beauty action!

kooba sample sale coming up

If I lived in or around the NYC area, I would soooooo hit this sample sale up.

no way...

Holy cats!

Can you believe it?

I'm actually quoted in an out-on-the-newsstands magazine!

How did this happen exactly?

Well, a little while back, I was contacted by Kristina (an editor from Women's World magazine) who asked me to submit a few of my faves in the realm of blush.

I was all like, this is just totally up my alley because blush is something that I wear on a daily...so the only problem was narrowing my choices to only a few.

Out of those she picked one and it's listed below.

Check it out for yourselves...I'm actually called a "Beauty Expert" in the piece!

loving this...old navy women's eyelet flutter-sleeve top

I bought this shirt a couple of weeks back at my local Old Navy.

It's super-cute on in a kind of peasant-y blouse-y kinda way, without going all Oktoberfest Beer Wench.

You can wear it with jeans, khakies, shorts...tons of possibilities.

100% cotton makes it light and airy.

It also comes in coral, yellow, and green.

Just be sure you order a size down though, the shirts definitely run on the big side.

enter stylecaster's daily mirror challenge!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall.

Who's the most fabulous one of all?

My friends over at StyleCaster are giving away some pretty amazing goods.

The top three winners will each receive a package stuffed to the brim with the entire spring collection from Physician's Formula!

Click here to head on over there and find out what you need to do.

Hurry though, the giveaway ends on April 20th!

new degree women natureffects deodorants

When it comes to deodorant, all I want is something that's going to work all day and makes things smell non-nasty under my arms.

I also don't want to have to continuously do inconspicuous checks...like casually lifting my arm up and oh-so-subtly turn my head to the side and sniff to make sure things are still working.

Don't look at me like that, you know you've done it too.

Anyway...

Degree has recently come out with three brand new deodorants (and their corresponding body mists) that are designed to inspire women with natural smells.

Thus making you want to be outdoors more.

There are three scents involved here...Honeysuckle and Tea Tree Oil, Orange Flower and Cranberry, and Olive Leaf and Pink Pepper.

My two faves are definitely the Honeysuckle and the Olive Leaf.

Both are smelleriffic gorgeous and both leave me sweat and odor free...even with all of the running around I do on a daily.

And you know a 4 year old and a nine month old keeps you on your toes 24/7.

Pick up each one for about $4 at your local grocery or Target.

beauty buys under $10...covergirl lashblast fusion

I mentioned this a while back (back in March) because it was up for a limited edition pre-sale.

After having a chance to test out a tube, all I can say is love it!

Combining the best of both worlds, CoverGirl created LashBlast Fusion ($9) for those who want length and volume.

It comes in the same sized tube as their original LashBlast and has the same brush.  The differences are the formula, the color of the tube, and the fact that it's missing that silvery bandy thingy that's on the LB.

Does it work?

Well, after using it the other day, a manicurist complemented my lashes and asked what I was using.  So yeah, it does the job.

Right now it's available in Very Black, Black-Brown, and Brown.

Check your local Target, or favorite CG retailer today.

beauty buys under $10...yes to cucumbers natural glow facial towelettes

Hate having to break out all of your facial cleansing products, just to wash your face at night?

Then these will definitely become your new BFF.

Just pop out a pre-moistened towelette and get to work wiping the day off your mug.

You don't even have to turn on your faucet.

It takes everything off and saves you a few minutes in the process.

I don't use mine every night, just for those times when I just can't bring myself to do the whole cleanser-washcloth-water thing.

For that, it's totally worth the $6 price tag.

Find them at your local Target store.

new limited edition labels for kiehl’s acai damage-protecting toning mist

Just in time for Earth Day!

This year, in a new partnership, Kiehl’s collaborates with actress Julianne Moore, musician Pharrell Williams, artist Jeff Koons and pro-surfer Malia Jones to raise funds and awareness for Rainforest Alliance, which is dedicated to sustaining biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.


For this initiative, each partner created a Limited Edition label for Kiehl’s Açaí Damage-Protecting Toning Mist – itself part of a skincare collection that is not only Eco Cert certified organic, but is also the first skincare range to ever receive gold standard Cradle to Cradle certification – meaning that it is made with the least amount of waste from start to finish. 


100% of net proceeds (amounting to $200,000) will be raised worldwide to benefit Rainforest Alliance with this collection. To support the project, celebrity photographer David LaChapelle will capture each personality in his unique style.


The Limited Edition Açaí Damage-Protecting Toning Mists are $26, and debut on Kiehls.com this week and should already be at your local Kiehl’s Since 1851 store right now.

clinique all about eyes serum de-puffing eye massage

I was so psyched to receive this in the mail one day, mainly because I'm freaking obsessed with anything that involves skincare for my eye area.

Ob-sessed.

But something about this product made me squeal with delight.

What you ask?

Well...the fabulousness about this new item from Clinique is the fact that it's got a roller-ball applicator.

So, basically every time you apply the serum, you're giving your little under eye area a cooling massage too.

Every time.

What I do is start at the inner corner of my under eye and roll it towards the outer corner with a tiny gentle pressure...then go back the same way.  After the second application I use my ring finger to lightly tap the excess in.

Then I'm done.

You can use it alone, under another eye product, or on top of your makeup during the day.

Plus the screw top and size of container make it easy to pop into your bag for some on-the-go rolling action.

I've been using it for the past couple of weeks and so far I love what I see.  It's definitely been taking care of some minor puffiness issues that I've been experiencing, due to little e's non-sleeping attitude.

The price makes it even better...it's $25.50.

Find it at your local Clinique counter or clinque.com.

fun news!

I just found out that this little old blog has been ranked in the Top 20 of Beauty blogs according to Wikio!

Apparently the next Top Blog ranking will be available starting this Monday, but those on the list got a sneak peek and here's the results...

1	Beauty Snob
2	Glamour - Girls in the Beauty Department
3	Afrobella
4	Hot Beauty Health
5	Beauty And The Blog
6	The Non-Blonde
7	Makeup Minute
8	15 Minute Beauty Fanatic
9	eBeautyDaily - The Beauty Blog
10	Temptalia
11	beauty in real life
12	Beauty & Personality Grooming
13	The Gloss Menagerie - Beauty tips, tricks, sales, & product reviews!
14	BirkinBagBeauty: stylish items in life
15	Beauty Banter
16	the beauty alchemist
17	Beauty Tip Today
18	99 Products
19	Beauty Packaging Breaking News
20	Beauty is Within: Beauty and Fashion Blog

Ranking made by Wikio

Total honor to be on here, especially when you consider the amazing company.

A big huge thanks to my readers and Wikio are in definite order here!