loving this...clean anti-bacterial moisturizing hand cream

If you're a fanatic about keeping your hands germ free, but still want to keep them moisturized, this is for you.

CLEAN has just released an Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream ($10) that is perfect for your makeup bag.

It contains SafetyDerm® technology, which suspends germ-killing Benzethonium Chloride; providing germy protection for up to 4 hours.

The (unscented) formula also contains ingredients like...Vitamin E, Avocado, Jojoba and Grape Seed Oil, that leaves my hands feeling uber soft.

Love.

Something fun that CLEAN is doing to celebrate the new launch?

Well...CLEAN has just come up with a special Etiquette Guide to Clean Living on their Facebook page.

Every week, two of the most well-mannered fans on Facebook will have the chance to win two CLEAN Antibacterial Moisturizing Hand Creams each. To get lucky, all you have to do is share your own essential etiquette CLEAN Do or Don't. If your’re classy enough, your tip will be featured on the CLEAN Living Guide!

So head on over ASAP!!!

halle berry's rockstar cargos

Halle Berry is probably the only person on the planet who could wear a potato sack and STILL look absolutely phenomenal.

Am I right?

Plus, did she drink from the I-never-look-old stream?

It's like time has totally stopped for her in the aging department.

I need to get my hands on whatever skincare she uses on a regular.

And let's not even get into her ridiculously cute short 'do.

Love.  It.

Anyway...Berry got snapped out with a few friends in Los Angeles , California the other day in Rockstar's Cargo pants.

Rockstar Cargos come in a large variety of carefully selected colors to match your own personal style, from the popular sand chosen by Halle and army green for a military look to purple, white, navy, black, brown and grey.

You can find her cargos online at shopkitson.com for around $250.

editor's note: in case you're wondering, no i do not own these.  i also did not receive a pair for review or payment for this post.  i think the cargos are cute and if you have the body...why the hell not?

a smudge-pot-alicious of a stila deal

You are so welcome!  Now head on over to stilacosmetics.com asap!

bobbi brown denim and rose collection

Everyone looks great in jeans— and anyone can pull off a dark denim eye. To make it wearable, I’ve paired inky blue shadows with pretty roses for lips and cheeks. The combination is casual and put-together, rock & roll but romantic, and modern yet classic all at once.

                                                                                                                            - Bobbi Brown

Words cannot express how much I am loving the looks of this collection.

Behold the gorgeousness that is Denim and Rose...

Limited Edition Denim & Rose Palette ($60)

Packed with deep, shimmering blues, icy grays and pinks for eyes and fresh rose shades for

lips and cheeks, this palette is the beauty equivalent of dressed-up denim.
Whether you’re in the mood for fresh pink cheeks or a sparkling, smoky eye, you’ll have plenty of options

for day or night.

 Limited Edition Highlighter Pen ($32)

A pretty finishing touch that makes all the difference.
Lightweight and luminescent, this brush-on liquid shimmer catches the

light for beautifully defined cheekbones.

Available in Bronze, Opal, and Rose

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Denim Ink ($22)

The look of liquid liner with the ease and feel of a gel formula.
Long-wearing, water-resistant color glides on and lets you get it just right before it dries—then stays put

without a smear or crease until you take it off.

Limited Edition Sparkle Eye Shadow in Denim ($24)

Bobbi’s grown-up take on glitter.

This lightweight formula lights up eyes with a combination of shimmering pearls and fine glitter.
Thanks to its creamy, translucent base, it glides on smoothly and won’t crease or fall onto your cheeks.

Limited Edition Denim & Rose Mini Brush Set ($55)

Four essential brushes for eyes, lips and cheeks—to go. Evening purse, gym bag

or carryon—this professional set in a chic denim case always fits.

Includes: Mini Lip Brush with Cap, Mini Blush Brush, Mini Eyeliner Brush, Mini Angle Eye Shadow Brush

Limited Edition Extreme Party Mascara in Denim ($22)

Extreme Build. Endless Volume. Exceptional Separation.
The formula stays flexible, so each coat goes on as fresh as the first  without clumping, smudging or flaking.

Think of it as the world’s first touch-up mascara.

Limited Edition Shimmer Lip Gloss in Raspberry ($20)

Shimmer Lip Gloss offers beautiful, non-sticky shine with a touch of iridescence

and is perfect on its own or over your favorite lipstick.
Formulated with Aloe extract to soothe and soften lips;
Vitamins C and E for anti-oxidant protection; and Jojoba and Avocado Oils for lots of moisture.

The Denim and Rose Collection isn't supposed to hit Bobbi counters (and Bobbi Brown online) until July, but the collection is available right now on nordstrom.com!



editor's note: some images are from nordstrom.com.

mac opulash mascara

Lasts all day, yet manages to come off with just some soap and water.

Ginormous brush delivers a formula that allows you to achieve longer, thicker lashes without clumping.

Prepare to fall in love.



Find it at your local MAC counter or maccosmetics.com.

beauty buys under $15...l'oreal paris studio secrets professional magic perfecting base

With its luscious, whipped, mousse-like consistency, L'Oreal enters itself into the realm of primers brilliantly.

It's a small container (I'm not gonna lie here) but a little goes a long way.

You can use it all over, or try it in spots...only where you most need it.

The most genius idea came from within the pages of my favorite mag, Lucky.  Their tip?  Use it under your eyes so your concealer won't settle in the fine lines during the day.

Genius.

Find it at your local Target, Walmart, or wherever L'Oreal products are sold.  You can also find out more about this product at lorealparisusa.com.

new from elizabeth grant...the socializer

This product has me-in-my twenties written all over it.

It's from Elizabeth Grant and it's called The Socializer ($40).

Inside the super-cute packaging are two click-y pen/brush type applicators that dispense just enough product right where you need it.

You have Bright Lights which contains fabulous little illuminators to perk up your tired eyes and Late Nights which you apply before hitting the sheets.

If you can remember to do so.

Both work to make you look more rested and ready for the day ahead...even though you probably crawled out of bed, after only getting 3 hours sleep.

While I'm definitely past my going-out-late-and-getting-up-early-still-hungover phase, this is perfect for someone who's just starting to get into skincare...or could use a little under eye pick me up.

Think your teenage daughter, your fave niece, or your little sis.

Honestly...they'll thank you for it.

copy sandra bullock's look

Look-A-Like is one of my favorite "makeover" type shows.

Each episode lasts only 30 min...I HATE makeover shows that are overkill at an 1 hour or more...and cuts to the chase immediately.

The premise is simple, find a person who looks like a famous celebrity and make them over to look even more like that celeb.

Many times (like this one) the person starts off looking pretty close or almost exactly like the celeb before they even do hair, makeup, and wardrobe.

Other times, I totally do not see it...even at the end.

For this one (from 2007) they found a Sandra Bullock look-a-like and I think she looks a lot like her.

Do you think she's a match?

Let me know in the comments.

happy father's day!

Sorry for the lack of a regular post, but today is Big L's special day...an honor of which he really deserves.

Soooooo.....

Here's to hoping that your dad has the best day around.

Take a gander at this cute little commercial that (to me) sums up the fabulousness that goes into being a great father.

Enjoy.

be sure to catch lancome on hsn!

Lancôme will be on HSN this Saturday, June 19th.

Six shows...yes, you read that right...will showcase Lancôme’s most buzz-worthy skincare and makeup products, perfect for easy shopping.

Something fab that's up for sale?

A Génifique set that’s exclusive to HSN.

This set includes the CEW Award winning Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, along with Génifique Eye and a Génifique Repair packette!

It's going to be a Today’s Special, so it's priced just right at $78.

The first show starts at 12am...so be sure to get your remote ready!

so loving my bobbi brown sheer color cheek tint

If you're in the market for a sheer, dewy, burst of color that you can apply on the go, look no further than Bobbi Brown's Sheer Color Cheek Tints.

I actually purchased two, sheer mauve and sheer coral.

The mauve is more of a natural bit of hue, it ends up being just slightly darker than my skin is...better for the fall months in my opinion.

I am in blush heaven with the coral though.

It is literally perfection on.

The shade ends up being the best pink, warm which works so well for those that can't wear a cooler pink.

Positively loving it's petite size.

Makes it so easy to throw in a bag for on-the-go application.

what's on my nails today...illamasqua nail varnish

I recently had the chance to try this out and once I saw the shade, I had to apply immediately!

The color is Alarm...described on the Sephora website as a bright orangey red.  Their sample swatch makes it appear to be more orange in my opinion.

To me it falls a little into the deep coral realm.

Love it for summer.

Find Illamasqua Nail Varnish($14) at your local Sephora or sephora.com.

exclusivity rules...lancome definicils precious cells high definition amplifying mascara

Hop on board the exclusive train at your local Nordies!

Nordstrom has a fabulous beauty exclusive from Lancôme...Définicils Precious Cells High Definition Amplifying Mascara ($29).

It's made for those of us who want those lashes that just say wow!

Read on...

The secret behind the luxurious, impactful finish is the complex ingredients. Infused with Swiss Apple Extract, a revolutionary plant derivative that reinforces and protects lashes, this product can give you lashes that look healthy, strong and utterly resilient. This beauty breakthrough not only defines lashes beautifully, but uses a blend of five, triple-coated waxes to deliver fullness from root to tip.

It wouldn’t be a Lancôme mascara without a technologically-advanced, performance-driven brush. This new multi-faceted component was designed for flawless application. Short bristles deposits the formula along the lash base, while the flexible, longer bristles coat the entire follicle for dramatically glamorous results.

Definitely worth checking out!

brow how-tos with brett freedman

Things are definitely a tad bit hectic at Beauty in Real Life headquarters.

Really.  Hectic.

Whilst I deal with all of the hullabaloo, here's a little video on brow grooming that will keep you busy for a while.

It's from Brett Freedman, an AMAZING makeup artist who really knows his stuff.

Check out the video below and then click here to take you to his blog where he gives you the steps one-by-one.

Happy Brow-sing!

Ha!!

enter this...purple lab nyc's look book contest

Remember when makeup used to be playful and fun?

Purple Lab does!

They've launched a fabulous Look Book on their site (purplelabnyc.com), starring fashion and beauty bloggers and some of their friends, to inspire everyone to experiment with some awesome beauty tips and tricks.

To celebrate the Look Book launch, Purple Lab is having a contest!

Just head on over to the Purple Lab Facebook fan page and upload your looks that were inspired by Purple Lab's new Look Book.

Prizes include fabulous Purple Lab beauty products.

Hurry though, the contest is only running through July 3, 2010.

Here's a little behind-the-scenes peek at the shoot, but be sure to head on over to Purple Lab NYC to see the complete book.

a few of my favorite things...

Huge Lips Skinny Hips in Goji Berry Smoothie ($25)
Let me just state this for the record right off the bat...I am OBSESSED with this lippie.

It feels amazing on and isn't sticky and/or tacky in the least.

Although I don't suggest that you eat it, it's pretty sweet tasting and smells fruitilicious.

It also contains a ton of amazing ingrediants like: Vitamin B3, lemon peel oil, and hoodia which some believe can actually signal your brain to tell you you've had enough to eat.

Who wouldn't want a lippie to do that?

Poshe Super Fast Drying Top Coat

I'm the WORST when it comes to waiting for my nails to dry.

Can't stand sitting with my hands under the dryer for even a few minutes.

That's why I love this.

One top coating is all my nails need and I'm out the door in record time.

Seriously.

Gillette Venus Bikini Trimmer

Okay, now's where it gets a little personal.

When I'm on the lookout for something easy to keep everything down there in order, something that could come dangerously close to injuring me isn't at the top of my list.

This just keeps it simple and easy and quick.

Plus I'm loving the fact that it comes complete with a bikini trimmer (non-battery powered thank you), razor, and an Olay Bikini Lotion to soothe your skin after.

Genius.

la mer and world oceans day

So today is World Oceans Day.

To mark the occasion, La Mer has unveiled the celebratory dive video featuring Oceana spokeswoman January Jones.

Considering all of the mess going on in the Gulf, it's more important than ever to support causes like this.

beauty buys under $10...eucerin everyday protection face lotion spf 30

I'll just say this, you need to use a moisturizer with an SPF during the daytime.

Period.

There's many I've tried and liked, but I've yet to find one for under $10.

That is, until now.

Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion contains a whopping 30 SPF.

More than enough to protect your skin if you're going to be doing the usual running-around-town-in-and-out-of-your-car kinda errands.

It's even recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

I love it because it feels so light on and blends in quickly, so I don't have the obvious whiteness going on from the sunscreen end.

Plus it's fragrance-free, oil-free, non-irritating, and non-comedogenic.  Things you'll appreciate when it's ridiculously hot outside and you actually start to sweat just walking to your car.

Just saying.

Find out more info at eucerinus.com.

loving these...pat mcgrath designed covergirl/lesportsac makeup bags

Who doesn't need a good makeup bag?

These two are from a fabulous collaboration between CoverGirl and LeSportsac.

Taking inspiration from the slender yellow tube of CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara containing Elasta-Nylon formula, CoverGirl launches the latest beauty accessory, a limited edition LeSportsac nylon cosmetic bag designed by legendary makeup artist and beauty guru Pat McGrath.


The inspiration behind the design of the limited edition nylon cosmetic bag is Pat McGrath’s “all black” uniform at Fashion Week as well as the sexiness of her latest ad campaign for CoverGirl Blast products with spokesmodel Drew Barrymore...both of these elements combined with the packaging of LashBlast Length Mascara led to the nylon cosmetic bag’s chic and sharp design.


 The Pat McGrath-designed bag is available in two styles The Pat and The Page, and retails for $28 and $62 respectively. 


You can find them at your local LeSportsac boutique and on LeSportsac.com.


Every purchase of the new cosmetic bags will come with a mini-lookbook that contains six custom beauty looks from Pat and a free LashBlast Length Mascara!

weekend reads from the bbn

Elke is in love with and highly recommends the truly futuristic lip gloss from Lipgloss by Hourglass

Laser hair removal at home? Christine from 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic explains how it works and whether the Silk'n Sens Epil worked for her!

Beauty Anonymous reviews Kate Magical Long Gel Mascara.

Phyrra shows you Cover Girl's answer to Urban Decay's 24/7 liners, the Liquiline Blast Eyeliner!

Beauty Junkie in SF is loving smearing on her summer glow with Hourglass Cosmetics' Illume Creme to Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset.

A Touch of Blusher has been loving YSL's Golden Gloss in Golden Pink.

The Makeup Divas reviews Too Faced Glamour Glosses.

Beauty in Real Life has the dish on the new Bobbi Brown Beach Collection!

Beauty and Fashion Tech looks at the beautiful L.A.M.B. Ultraviolet Handbags now on sale at Zappos.

The Makeup Blogger couldn't live without Obessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars in both her professional and personal kits!

cool tarte giveaway going on...

Sorry if I've been a tad absent here.  Little e hasn't been sleeping through the night, she keeps getting up every 2-3 hours.

I am so tired it's not even funny.

Then yesterday was our 10 year wedding anniversary and I totally did not get around to posting, as per usual it seems.

I'm a bad, bad blogger.

But enough about me, here's something for you...or for a friend or relative who could use it.  Tarte has teamed up with Hanky Panky for a pretty sweet giveaway.  It includes all you see in the image...which adds up to a lot of prizes!

Head on over to http://tartecosmetics.com/contest.php?id=20 for all of the details and to enter!

good morning!!

Trying something new here and I'm testing to see if this works. So bear with me please!

bobbi brown beach club collection

I'm always inspired by how happy and healthy people look on the beach. Nothing says summer to me like pretty, glowing skin and shimmering lids. 
                                                                                                                              -Bobbi Brown

I couldn't agree more.

Although trips to the beach are few and far between now, I used to travel to the shore several times a month when I lived in NJ.

I loved the beach.

Now Bobbi Brown is bringing the beach to me and to you.

Bobbi's Beach Club Collection features everything you need to get gleaming skin and iridescent lids.

Beach Shimmer Brick ($38) Hand-made in Italy, BB's new compact features five bars of warm, pearlized shimmer to create a beautiful seaside glow. Run the Face Blender Brush across all five shades and lightly dust over cheeks and forehead, or wear just one shade on your eyes for subtle glimmer.


Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows ($22) Her award-winning formula now available in glistening pastels from ocean blue to oyster pink. For a sheer effect, blend on lids with your fingers. For a more dramatic look, add another layer or wear on top of your favorite shadow for soft shimmer. Stays color-true and crease-free all day. New shades include: Moonstone, Opal, Surf and Pink Oyster.


Shore Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($22) A soft matte beige perfect for a look that’s just one notch up from natural, Shore Long-Wear Cream Shadow will stay color-true and crease-free all day.


Clear Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 ($22) A lightweight, soft shine lipstick that doubles as a rejuvenating treatment, Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 instantly comforts dry, chapped lips and provides long-term moisturization with natural Cocoa and Shea Butters, Jojoba, Apricot Kernel and Avocado Oils. Peptides, along with Vitamin C and Paracress, stimulate collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while SPF 15 helps prevent sun damage.


I had the opportunity to try two of the Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows and the Shore Long-Wear Cream Shadow and I love love love how they look.

Here's a swatch...

I can see myself, truly, in all three colors this summer.

Believe it or not, my absolute fave is Surf.  It looks gorgeous on its own and really just makes my brown eyes pop.

Find yours at your local Bobbi Brown counter or online at bobbibrowncosmetics.com.