VALENTINE DAY GIFT GUIDE

Not sure what to get the special women in your life for Valentine Day? Don't despair! I've put together a handy guide of my favorite Valentine Day picks for all the lovely ladies in your life. This collection of beauty goodies would make the perfect gift for your sister, Mom, best friend or even your favorite baby sitter. So spread some love and show her that you care!

Three Custom Color - "The Sweetest Thing" Refillable Trio  (a $67.50 value!) $50
A sleek, portable trio with filled with "Icing on the Cupcake" Eye Shadow (a kaleidoscope of light-reflecting shimmers in gold, pink, teal, violet and blue), "Candy Cloud 9" Gloss (sheer pink with gold and silver shimmer with subtle sweet Cotton Candy flavor & fragrance) and "Lollipop" Lip & Cheek Stain (hot rosy pink). Three Custom Color  partnered with rising Design Star, Miles Ehan, to create this tasty capsule collection entitled "The Sweetest Thing".  

Too Faced - "Look of Love" Set   ($124 Value) $45
Embrace the look of love with this collection of best-sellers and exclusive products. Swoon over a seven-piece set filled with fresh and feminine shades in a chic, heart-stopping bag that speaks the language of amour! Set contains:
- "Look of Love" Eyeshadow and Blush Trio
- Glamour Gloss in "Barely Legal"
- Lash Injection Mascara
- Shadow Insurance
- Primed and Poreless (primer)
- Flatbuki Mini Brush
- Limited Edition "Look of Love" Cosmetic Bag

Stila - "Make Me Blush" Set ($41.50 Value) $20
A romantic trio that includes a multicolor blush inspired by Valentine's Day Conversation Hearts along with two juicy Lip Glazes. This set is a Sephora Exclusive!  Set contains:
- "Make Me Blush" Cheek Color
- Lip Glaze in "Hugs" (creamy rose) and "Kisses" (sparkling red)

Tarte -  LipSurgence™ Natural Lip Luster Power Couple  ($48 value) $38
This limited-edition pairing is a perfect match!  Tarte's best-selling natural lip tints are peppermint-infused and glide on smooth for a rich finish that will stay all day.  Includes:
- "Frisky" (bright pink)
- "Fever" (red)

Kiehl's - Saks Lipgloss Value Set   ($43.50)
Saks Fifth Avenue Exclusive containing four different colors of Kiehl's iconic lip gloss in a zippered logo case.  Set includes the following colors:
- "Lights On Broadway"
- "Berry 1851"
- "Pear Tree"
- "Pink Rider"

LUSH - "Be Mine" Gift Box   $45
This hatbox is a declaration of true and undying love for helpless romantics. It consists of a selection of six scrumptious treats for all you (bath) lovers. Set contains:
- "Sex Bomb" Bath Bomb
- "MMM Melting Marshmallow Moment" Bath Melt
- "Sugar Babe" Sugar Scrub
- "It's Raining Men" shower gel
- "Lust" Solid Perfume

Philosophy -  "Sweet On You" Set  $25
This delectably sweet, candy-heart scented trio of moisturizing formulas condition skin, hair and lips. It's the sweetest gift you can give to the sweetheart in your life. Set contains:
- Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath
- Body Lotion
- Lip Shine (sheer rose shimmer)

2010 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR GIRLS!

Find the perfect Holiday gift for all the lovely ladies in your life! Assembled below are my top picks of cosmetic and skincare products in cyber space and the real world. Happy shopping!!!!

Lancôme - Holiday Color Design Palette: Eyes & Cheeks in "Jeweled Purple"  $39.50
Get your most glamorous look for the holidays with a sultry mix of six sparkling eye shadows and an opulent blush. Indulge in a limited-edition compact adorned with holiday inspired jewels.
Includes:
    - Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Smooth Hold in "Sparkle", "Jeweled", "Matte Purple", "Purple Haze", "Purple Passion" and "Amethyst Tryst"
    - Blush Subtil Powder Blush in "Shimmer Violet Sunrise"
* For Holiday's free shipping on any order online at www.lancome.com - no promo code necessary.

 Sleek MakeUP - Sparkle i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette (Limited Edition)  $10
Sparkle your way through the festive season with deep dazzling festive shades.  A must have for the party season, you'll be spoilt for choice with this palette of 12 glitter-laced velvety-smooth eye shadows.

SMASHBOX - "The Gold List" Gift Set  ($108 value) $49
A five-piece, travel-ready kit that helps you achieve a camera-ready, golden glow.
This set contains:
- Fusion Soft Lights in "Baked Starburst"
- Photo Finish Luminzing Foundation Primer
- O-Gloss Gold
- Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
- gold metallic cosmetic case

OPI for SEPHORA - Eighteen Piece Mini Nail Colour Set  ($81 Value) $48.00
A perfect gift, this Sephora by OPI set includes 18 shades  of mini nail colors that range from essential to edgy. Colors Included:
A True Romantic, Techno Girl, Access 24/7, Ms. Can't Be Wrong, What A Broad, Just A Little Dangerous, Cab Fare, Caliente Coral, Special Request, High Maintenance, Sample Sale, I'm With Brad, Leaf Him At The Altar, Mermaid To Order, Opening Night, Already Famous, Dating The Drummer, and Never Enough Shoes

 

NARS - "D. Lovely Lip Gloss Coffret" $49
An essential collection of four NARS mini Duo Lip Glosses.
Includes: "Misbehave/All Night Long", "Pillow Talk/Sandpiper", "Orgasm/Chihuahua" and "Greek Holiday/Stolen Kisses" 
* For limited time all Gifts ship FREE online!

Bobbi Brown - "Pink & Gold" Lip Palette  (Limited Edition)  $45.00
The ultimate holiday lip palette, this collection of fresh pinks, deep roses and a beautiful golden nude can be
mixed and layered for a custom look.
Colors included:
"Roseberry", "Kir", "Pretty Pink", "Sunset Nude", "Italian Rose" and "Brownie" Lip Color.

KORRES - "Sugar Plums" Color Collection  ($41.00 value)  $29.50
A Limited Edition selection of Korres best-selling plum color products in a beautiful, giftable box.
The Collection contains:
"Plum" Cherry Oil Lipgloss, "Plum" Lip Butter and Cheek Tint and "Plum" Sunflower & Evening Primrose Eyeshadow 

* Enter code "FORYOU" and get a free "Cherry Lip Kisses" collection and FREE ground shipping on orders $40 or more.

PHILOSOPY - "Home For The Holidays" Crème Brulée gift set  (Reg.$25)  $18
A gift of sweet treats to make you feel at home. Spoil yourself with the pure decadence of crème brulée
multitasking shower gel, body lotion and lip shine.
 * Free shipping on all orders - no minimum thru 11/28 using code: holidayship.

KIEHLS - Creme de Corps Collection ($79 value) $59
Kiehls cherished Creme de Corps products, famous for it's rich in all-day hydration, makes it ideal for pampering dry skin.  Set includes:
Creme de Corps cream (8.4 oz.),
Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish (6.8 oz.)
Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream (2.5oz.)
Lip Balm #1 (.5 oz.)
Ultra Facial Cream deluxe (.25 oz.)
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate packette (.17 oz.)

*Friends & Family discount of 20% off all orders and FREE ground shipping on orders of $30 & up. Use Code: FAMILY10 (valid 11/26 - 11/30)


And finally....the ultimate gift for any makeup obsessed woman in your life.

MAKE UP FOR EVER - Rock For Ever Dany's Essentials ($597 Value) $299
A rock 'n' roll-inspired makeup case piled high with 29 product favorites handpicked by Dany Sanz, MAKE UP FOR EVER's Creator and Artistic Director.
This set contains:
For Complexion:  HD Elixir; HD Microperfecting Primer; HD Microfinish Powder; Mist & Fix; HD Kabuki Brush
For Eyes:  Smoky Lash, Aqua Smoky Lash;  Aqua Eyes in shades Mat Black 0L (black), Pearly Brown 2L (golden brown sheen), Iridescent Navy Blue 3L (navy blue sheen), and Purple 11L (metallic purple); Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow; Aqua Cream in shades 13 Warm Beige (champagne shimmer) and 15 Taupe (taupe brown shimmer); Eye Shadow in shades Iridescent Yellow Beige 126 (tan beige shimmer) and Iridescent Brown Black 139 (brown black shimmer); Diamond Shadow Diamond Purple 309 (dark purple with silver shimmer); Star Powder in shades Copper 922 (true copper shimmer) and White/Orange 940 (iridescent white pearl peach);  Faux Lash in 21 Floriane and 115 Erin; Travel Sens'Eyes; Double Pencil Sharpener
For Lips:  Rouge Artist Intense in shades 1 (matte flesh), 36 (satin fuchsia), and 43 Moulin Rouge (satin vibrant red); Aqua Cream 5 Peach (peachy pink with gold flecks); Aqua Lip in Nude Beige 1C (light neutral beige) and Red 8C (true red)

VALENTINE DAY BEAUTY

 

Searching for the perfect products to make your V-Day smoking hot? Fear not, dear Readers, check out my list of  cosmetic gems to help you shine as you celebrate the "Day of Love." Mwuah!!!

 

Lipstick Queen - Sinner (Matte) Lipstick in "Red Sinner"  ($18)

Red is nothing if not sinful and this is the ultimate red lipstick.

 

Stila - Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner  in "Black" ($22)
An easy-application, waterproof liquid liner that stays on all day and night.

Youngblood Cosmetics - Valentine's Day Gift Set ($47)
Tucked in a sweet pink cosmetic bag are rosy shades of beauty products sure to make your heart skip a beat.  (Contains: "Promiscuous" Lipgloss, "Vivid" lipstick and "Rouge" Crushed Mineral Blush)

NARS - Temptation Gift Set ($30)
This gift set pairs NARS beloved, best-selling shade of blush with matching nail polish. (Contains Super Orgasm Blush and Orgasm Nail Polish)

 

 Essie Nailpolish - Special V-Day Collection ($8 each)

The theme for this collection is "Express True Love With Color." My favorite color from the collection is "After Sex" - A relaxing, yet arousing burgundy (see pictured above).

 

Demeter Fragrance - Necco Sweethearts Valentine's Day Travel Treats (3 Piece Cologne Purse Spray Set)  ($20)

Not just for Valentine's Day, this perfume set let's you celebrate this special day, anytime, anywhere.  (Contains scents: "Be My Valentine", "Call Me" and "Love Me")

 

Philosophy - "Flirty Girl Set"  ($35)

A three-piece gift set scented with a sweet, playful fragrance.  (Contains: Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, Body Lotion and Lip Shine)

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS BEAUTY

October is Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) month and beauty companies have created special products, many  branded with the pink ribbon to support breast cancer research.  Listed below are a few of the BCA beauty products currently available this month:

Smashbox -Photo Finish Lipstick to Benefit Susan G. Komen For The Cure  ($22)
This limited-edition lipstick in their best-selling babydoll pink shade is a beautiful way to give back. Part of the proceeds benefit the Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards, and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Limited-edition sleeve inspired by the Fashion for the Cure® benefit, which will feature the Diane von Furstenberg Cruise/Pre-Spring Collection 2009/2010.

Estee Lauder - Elizabeth Hurley Lip Design Collection ($22)
Estee Lauder Lip Design Collection - Lipstick, gloss and pencil and your purchase helps charity.
Elizabeth Hurley hand-picked the shades for this exclusive set:
    * Pure Color Lipstick in Elizabeth Pink
    * High Gloss in Pink Lady
    * Artist's Lip Pencil in Pink Writer
    * Pink Case with Mirror
The Estee Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign is the largest corporate sponsor of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to find a cure in our lifetime.

Three Custom Color - Be Bright Pink Lip Gloss ($23.50)
An exclusive shade created to support Bright Pink, a national non-profit organization that provides education and support to young women who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. 20% of sales generated by the purchase of Be Bright Pink Lip Gloss will be donated to support Bright Pink’s mission. To learn more about this amazing charity, log on to www.bebrightpink.org.

Bobbi Brown - Pink Ribbon Collection ($40)
A beautiful limited-edition lip set featuring Blush Pink Creamy Lip Color and Pink Crystal Glitter Lip Balm, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. With your purchase of Bobbi's Pink Ribbon Collection, you are contributing to Bobbi Brown's donation of $35,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.  Every order on BobbiBrown.com will include a Pink Ribbon, made from recycled materials. 
* This item ships free all month on the Bobbi Brown website as "Thank you" for your support.

OPI - "Pink Of Hearts" Nail Lacquer for Breast Cancer Awareness  ($8.50)
Show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month with "Pink of Hearts", the official OPI Nail Lacquer created exclusively to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Rethink Breast Cancer in their promise to end breast cancer forever. OPI will make a donation of $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, as well as a $5000 donation to Rethink Breast Cancer in Canada. A pretty, empowering light pink, "Pink of Hearts" is a shade every woman will be proud to wear because it represents the power of caring, the power of women supporting each other, and the power of pink.

Essie - "Yes We Can Pink!" Nail Polish  ($8)
Wear pink this October...on your fingers and toes in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness. To join in the fight against the powerful disease, Essie Cosmetics has created "Yes We Can, Pink!", a new nail color, for which a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women affected by the disease.

Philosophy - "She Colors My Day" - Charity Bubble Bath benefiting the Women's Cancer Research Fund   ($20)
Inspired by the artwork of her daughter, Philosophy founder Cristina Carlino co-created a unique bath product to celebrate the bond between mothers and daughters and help give back to a very worthwhile cause. "She Colors My Day" generates high-foaming bubbles, lightly tints your bath green and helps soothe and moisturize skin. 100% of Philosophy's net proceeds from the sale of "She Colors My Day" will be donated to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund to support the early detection of women's cancers. Available exclusively on www.philosophy.com.

**** To learn more about Breast Cancer and the search for the cure, please check out the following websites:
www.NationalBreastCancer.org
www.findacure.org

www.bcrfcure.org

 ww5.komen.org

GYM BAG BUDDIES

It's tough getting to the gym but being prepared makes it alittle easier. Make sure to pick up these little gems to help you get gorgeous quickly and efficiently post workout.

Philosophy - The Travel Agent ($35)
This essential ensemble provides you with all your beauty must-haves in convenient travel friendly sizes.

DHC - Body Cleansing Sheets ($5 for 20 sheets)
This multi-purpose shower-in-a-sheet cleanses with a revitalizing solution of cucumber, aloe, and shiso (Japanese peppermint), sweeps away perspiration, dirt, and grime leaving behind wonderful botanicals to cleanse and moisturize your skin.

LUSH - Coconut Deodorant Powder ($7.65 )
Tapioca coconut delight keeps you cool from head-to-toe. Use it and smell like a tropical cocktail. Yum!
NOTE: Ok, I admit, I do have a "thing" for coconutty deodorant (see my previous blog post on LaVanila vanilla-coconut natural deodorant)

Josie Maran Cosmetics - Bear Naked Wipes ($12 for 30 wipes)
Luxuriously soft and biodegradeable Bear Naked Wipes are a natural makeup-removing wipe that is gentle but effective enough to remove eye makeup.


Paul and Joe - Blotting Papers ($24 for 50 sheets)
A pretty decorated compact containing a mirror and full set of blotting papers. So precious!

Stila - Convertible Color ($25)
Stila's ingenious cream product adds a beautiful glow to the cheeks while making lips bloom with a fresh pop of color. A mini-mirrored compact makes touch ups on the go a snap.
NOTE: My personal top picks for colors are "Fuchsia", "Gerbia" and "Poppy"

Smashbox - Limitless Lash Waterproof Mascara ($22)
Double-duty lash care in one slim tube! One side contains a smudge-proof, flake-free, waterproof mascara and the other side contains an innovative remover/conditioner that gently and completely dissolves mascara as it strengthens lashes. Genius no?