Beauty411

Clinique Insider's Club

Clinique Insider's Club is a fabulous new program that gives a select group of 20 women an up-close and personal insight into the world of Clinique.  As the ultimate Clinique "insider", each of the 20 women will have the opportunity to get sneak peeks at new Clinique Skincare and Makeup products.  The select group will also give their input and opinions, which will be seen and heard on Clinique.com!  Insiders will have access to special events and will receive a welcome kit containing full size products and a Flip Video digital camcorder.  Sweet!

You need to apply here to be a Clinique Insider.  Fill out the application, which in 50 words or less should show why you should be picked and submit a one minute video audition.  Do you have what it takes to be a Clinique Insider? 

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives: MAC, Bobbi Brown, Chanel and More!

Christmas comes twice a year at my house....in December and in July, when Nordstrom has their Anniversary Sale.  On July 18^th the race to the cosmetic department will begin, as devoted beauty junkies can seize the opportunity to get a hold of these fabulous items, many exclusive to Nordstrom. 

On July 18th through August 3rd, shoppers nationwide will rise with the sun and rush to their nearest Nordstrom.  This ritual signifies the beginning of the two week period where the limited supply of coveted Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive items become available.  So, what is the best way to guarantee a successful shopping mission?  The answer is easy: PRE-ORDER!

This year, over 100 beauty brands are participating.  Some highlights include MAC, Chanel, Juicy Couture, NARS, Kiehl’s, Laura Mercier, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Bobbi Brown and Philosophy.

You can bet I'll be making my list and checking it more than twice and getting my pre-order in early.  Here are some of the best in beauty: 

Bobbi Brown – Cocoa Mauve Collection, Fall's most-wanted shades for eyes, cheeks and lips in a sleek black nylon cosmetic case.  Colors include Berry Mauve Creamy Lip Color, Iced Mauve Metallic Eye Shadow, Cocoa Mauve Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner and Sand Pink Blush. Price: $65.00.  I'm so ordering this!

MAC

– Colour Forms Anniversary Collection

• Colour Forms Basic Brush set (red).  Price: $49.50
• Colour Forms Advanced Brush set (purple and green).  Price: $49.50
• Beauty Powder.  Price: $22.00
• Powder Blush.  Price: $17.50
• Lipstick.  4 colors Price: $14.00
• Green: Mac Colour Forms Eye Palette Warm:  $38.00
• Purple: Mac Colour Forms Eye Palette Cool:  $38.00
• Red: Mac Colour Forms Lip Palette Warm: $24.50
• Blue: Mac Colour Forms Lip Palette Cool: $24.50
• Yellow: Mac Colour Forms Lip Palette Neutral: $24.50

Laura Mercier - Twilight gift set - Set includes a mini eye mosaic, double ended brush (angled eye and smudge), Lip Glace in Cinnamon, mini eye pencil in purple sapphire, full size black mascara and a 2 oz tube of French Vanilla Souffle body cream, all in a chic brown patent makeup bag.  Price: $55.00.

Trish McEvoy - Micro Mini Makeup Planner.  Price: $68.00 

Chanel

• Nail Lacquer exclusive Rose Tourbillon.  Price: $20.00
• So Chanel Illuminating Powder.  Price: $65.00
• Quatuor Levres De Chanel Satin and Shine Lip Palette  in 10 Les Roses.  Price: $60.00

Philosophy

• Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion

- Giant -size 32 oz jug of Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion.  Price: $40.00

Purity Made Simple - Giant size 32 oz.  Price: $36.50

Amazing Grace Shower Gel - Giant size 32 oz.  Price: $29.50 

Lancome

• Anniversary Eye & Face Palette - Available in two color ways (warm or cool), the metallic patent leather Anniversary palette includes 2 cheek colors and 4 eye colors, with a convenient shadow brush tucked inside.  Price: $52.50
• Anniversary Gift with Purchase – 7 piece collection
• Juicy Tube Set - Available in two color ways (warm or cool), this gift set includes 4 mini Juicy Tubes in a chic patent leather case.  Price: $39.50 

Bare Escentuals

• In Fashion set

- 8 Piece set has everything needed to celebrate style: bareMinerals Flawless Radiance All-Over Face Color, bareMinerals Eye Color in Bahamas, bareMinerals Liner Shadow in Caviar, bareMinerals Blush in Escape, bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor in Bavarian Crème, Flawless Radiance Blush, Double Ended Precision Eye Brush, all in a black clutch.  Price: $75.00

For the complete list of offerings and pictures, you need to head over to Nordstrom and browse, plot, drool and start making your list.  Pre-orders start TODAY with shipping on July 18th.  While the rest of the world fights the crowds that day, you'll feel all smug that your pre-order beauty haul will be on it's way to you.  So what are you ordering?

 

 

MAC Cosmetics hosts Friends and Family Discount Event

MAC Cosmetics is having a Friends and Family Discount  Event from June 11th through June 16th in their freestanding stores (not department store counters) only. You can get 15% off by printing out the coupon here.  In addition, on Monday, June 16th, there will be an online version of the Friends and Family Event that will include the 15% off plus free shipping. The code for the online event is MACFF8.  NOTE:  The Friends & Family Event has been extended at stores and online through June 17th. Thanks MAC! 

I definitely am in the market for some new brushes.  I'm in need of the 239 eye shading brush and the 187 Duo Fiber Face Brush.  Of course, there's also the new Cool Heat collection to consider...So what's on your MAC Friends & Family list?

Total Beauty Blogger's Summit: The L.A. Beauty Tour

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Total Beauty Blogger's Summit.  This experience was one of a lifetime.  I've loved beauty products and cosmetics since I was old enough to be fascinated by my Mom's Youth Dew perfume, her pots of rouge and her Avon "Very Cherry" lipstick, so to be around people that are as obsessed as I am--and to meet beauty bloggers that I think of as rock stars--well, there are no words.  Except maybe Too Much Fun. 

On our first day of the Summit, a group of about 17 beauty bloggers went on a Beauty Tour of LA:

The first stop was the Kate Somerville Medi-skin Clinic.  We were given a warm welcome and then a tour.  The most popular treatment is the Signature Treatment Facial, which is totally customized to your skins' needs. Another popular treatment is the Dermal Quench, which lasts about 7 days and has no downtime, so it's perfect for pre-awards show preparation or even before a brides' big day.  Kate Somerville Medi-skin Clinic offers more advanced treatments, such as the Titan and "The Pearl" laser therapy.  We were also given some personalized Kate Somerville products based on our skin type.  I received a Gentle Daily Wash Cleanser and the Deep Tissue Repair, which I will feature in an upcoming review.

It was back on the bus and off to the L'Oreal Paris Store at The Beverly Center...what the gals at L'Oreal call "The Living Lab".  And oh, the damage I could have done if I would have had time at The Beverly Center!  But I digress. The products are the stars here; displayed in an open sell environment, where you can try and buy without feeling pressured.  There are L'Oreal experts on hand to assist, should you need it.  We saw all of the complete L'Oreal lines--hair, skin, makeup and even products from Europe!  The philosophy of L'Oreal is making a woman feel good about their own individuality and that is evident by the diverse assortment of products.  We were able to select some products for our own use, and naturally I selected skincare items from the L'Oreal Skin Genesis line.  I'll keep you posted. 

In the middle of all this excitement was a lunch stop at the Total Beauty offices and we even got to check out the beauty closet.  Of course, that's what a group of beauty bloggers would be interested in!

  Next up was the Anastasia Eyebrow Salon. Yes, the Anastasia, that has done the eyebrows of celebrity clientele from Jennifer Lopez to Madonna.  Anastasia shared her inspiring story of passion and perfection.  She stated that "good is not enough for me".  Every product is tested on clients and is created with a specific purpose in mind.  Anastasia works in her salon 4 days a week and did a brow makeover on Annie, from BellaSugar.  The results were striking.  Anastasia and Reed, Director of Global Product Development & Innovation, really support the beauty blogging community and were so generous with their time.  I've already been using some of the brow products she gave us and will be doing a full review.  (Hint: love!)

Our final stop of the day was at the Murad Inclusive Health Center and Medical Spa.  Everything is so well-thought out; you can see Dr. Murad's vision everywhere.  The treatments are designed in a holistic manner. And the facility is amazing.  Dr. Murad believes that the foundation for good health, good skin, is water; maintaining hydration.  We met with Dr. Murad's son, Jeff, who is also involved at the Murad Center.  It was fascinating to learn that at the Murad Inclusive Health Center, before your treatment plan is designed, you are given an extensive questionnaire and then a customized analysis is performed. We received samples of two of Dr. Murad's newest products; I've just started using the Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes, featuring the new Durian Cell Reform complex.  Can't wait to tell you how it performs.

All in all, it was an incredible day--one I'll never forget.  As if that weren't enough, that evening, we attended a welcome reception at the offices of Intelligent Beauty, our hosts for the Total Beauty Blogging Summit.  It was quite the party--with representatives from many of the top beauty brands attending.  I wish I would have had time to meet them all.  It was at this cocktail party that I met Dusty Simington, award-winning Master Stylist, who told me he would be doing a makeover on me the following day.  Naturally, I thought that was just about the funniest thing ever--until the next day my name was drawn!  Dusty, you are one in a million!  A very special thank you to everyone that I met from Intelligent Beauty.  And the plans that Intelligent Beauty has for future products and ventures?  Will rock the beauty world.  I can't wait!

photo credit:  OC Register

Bobbi Brown: New Bronzed Pink Collection

Bobbi Brown has released the new Bronzed Pink Collection, perfect shades for the warm, sunny days of summer.  The collection includes 2 new limited-edition Metallic Eye Shadows in Bronzed Pink and Penny, a new clear Lip Balm, Yogi Bare, named after her good friend Yogi Berra.  I love the Tinted Lip Balm and there are three new permanent shades in this collection: Bronzed Pink, Desert Bronze and Golden Pink.

Also new is the Oil Control Lotion SPF 15.  Perfect for those with normal-to-oily and combination skins, this lightweight formula features Seaweed and Lavender extract to help soothe skin and reduce visible irritation. Its soft matte finish ensures smooth makeup application.

You can shop the new Bronzed Pink Collection on the Bobbi Brown website or buy the Bronzed Pink Collection set, which includes a Bronzed Pink Metallic Eye Shadow, Desert Pink Tinted Lip Balm, Crystal Lip Gloss, Black No Smudge Mascara, and your choice of Bronzing Powder.  The Bronzed Pink Collection is also available in department stores.

 

Beauty.com teams with fashion designer Lela Rose for GWP

Beauty.com is partnering with New York fashion and wedding gown designer Lela Rose to offer customers a limited-edition beauty bag filled with an incredible selection of prestige beauty products.  The exclusive Lela Rose Travel Bag comes just in time for the summer travel season and is available to customers with a $100 purchase on Beauty.com.

The limited-edition Lela Rose "mini-valise" features Lila's signature dot print for 2008 and, with products, is valued at over $120. 

The case includes both full and deluxe sizes of the following:

• ARCONA Cranberry Toner
• Alterna Caviar Moisture Shampoo with Seasilk
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
• L'Occitane Verbena Harvest Shower Gel
• L'Occitane Verbena Harvest Body Lotion
• Vincent Longo La Dolce Vita Lashes
• Vincent Longo The Curl Mascara
• Freeze 24/7 IceShield Facial Cleanser with SPF 15
• Bliss Fabuous Facial Foaming Wash
• tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy

If you haven't shopped for beauty products at Beauty.com, you really need to give it a try.  In addition to "Everyday Free Shipping" (and who doesn't love that?), you can get 5% back on every purchase, free samples with every order, 100% color match guarantee and a shared online shopping cart with sister site drugstore.com.

This seriously fabulous offer starts TODAY so get shopping! More information on this exclusive Lela Rose promotion with Beauty.com can be found here.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.  According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all the cancer types.  There are more than 1 million new cases of skin cancers (including basal and squamous cell cancers) detected each year.  Current estimates are that 1 in 5 will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.  Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays appears to be the most important preventable factor in the development of skin cancer.

There are some things you can do to reduce your risk of skin cancer.  They are:

• Apply a sunscreen as part of your daily routine (good for anti-aging, too!).
• A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher should be applied 30 minutes before going into the sun.
• Get skin exams as part of your regular healthcare screenings.

Sunscreen is the single, easiest thing you can do on a daily basis to prevent skin cancer.  All sunscreens protect agains UVB rays, but you want protection against the UVA rays, too.  What's the difference?  UVA rays are the damaging rays responsible for aging.  UVB rays are the rays that are responsible for burning.  Then, there are two types of sunscreens:  chemical and physical.  Chemical sunscreens contains ingredients such as Mexoryl, oxybenzone or avobenzone and are considered "broad-spectrum".  Physicial sunscreens contain titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide and literally lay down a "barrier" that the sun's harmful rays can't penetrate.  These are typically heavier formulations, sometimes can leave a "chalky" cast and are well-suited to people who are outside alot. 

Sunscreens come in many different formulations--lotions, sprays, creams, solids.  It's a matter of personal preference.  Come back tomorrow for Part II of this feature, when I'll discuss different types of sunscreen protection and review sunscreens that you might want to consider using on a daily basis.  For additional information on Skin Cancer, please visit www.SkinCancer.org.

Oprah's 2008 Spring Makeup O-Wards

The winners of Oprah's First Annual Spring Makeup O-Wards have been announced.  There are 12 beauty product winners and a Best in Show.  The beauty product winners were all price points; from a $7.50 Cover Girl mascara to a gorgeous $90 Chantecaille compact.  Although there are some products on the list that I haven't tried, I must say that I completely agree with the Best in Show Winner, the Yves Saint Laurent Spring Collection. But be warned.  As news of the Oprah 2008 Makeup O-Wards get out, expect many of these products to sell out or become scarce in usual Oprah-manic fashion. 

What about you?  Do you agree with the selections?  The entire list can be found online here and in the April issue of O, the Oprah Magazine.

Earth Day 2008: Green is the new Black!

It's Earth Day!  This may be the trendiest Earth Day in years, with many beauty and cosmetic companies having special Earth Day promotions, activities or just great Green products..  Here's a sampling:

From Total Beauty and Origins Organics: The Totally Green Sweepstakes.  Enter for a chance to win a 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid filled with tons of great green and organic beauty products from Origins, RAW Natural Beauty, Suki and Sephora.  For all contest rules and requirements, check here.

From Tweezerman:   When you purchase the "Go Green" Mini Slant Tweezer from Tweezerman, $1.00 of the purchase is donated to the National Arbor Foundation.  With every "Go Green" Tweezer purchased, a tree is planted. The packaging is made from 100% recyclable paper and printed using natural soy ink.  The "Go Green" Mini Slant Tweezer is available at drugstore.com.

From CARGO:  New celebrity PlantLove lipsticks have been created by celebrity moms Angie Harmon, Denise Richards and Kim Raver. CARGO PlantLove is a revolutionary lipstick containing a lipstick tube made entirely out of corn - a renewable and abundant resource. The outer carton is also made of flower paper embedded with real flower seeds, which are plantable.  Simply moisten, plant and wait for a bouquet of wildflowers to grow!  In addition, $2.00 from each tube sold is donated to St. Jude’s Pediatrics Research Hospital.  CARGO PlantLove lipstick is available at Sephora. 

From Elemis:  On April 22^nd, in recognition of Earth Day, Elemis will plant a tree for every guest that has an Elemis spa service in any spa on land, at sea or when an Elemis product is purchased online at www.timetospa.com.  The trees will be planted through the National Arbor Day Foundation, the largest tree planting foundation in the world.  The goal is to plant over 10,000 trees.

From Lush:  Go Green Solid Perfume is a citrus-herbal fragrance that comes in a recyclable tin.  Lush is known for their committment to fresh cosmetics using fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and when necessary, safe synthetics.

From China Glaze Ecollection:  Going green is more fashionable than ever with China Glaze's new collection of eco-friendly nail shades inspired by nature: sun, clouds, trees, water, sand and earth.  The ecollection nail lacquers even have earth friendly names!  Tree Hugger (fresh cut grass), Recycle (rain cloud gray) and Solar Power (sunshine yellow) are just a few in the collection.  You can find a great review of this product at All Lacquered Up. 

Go Green and celebrate Earth Day!

Target beauty aisle goes upscale

Have you steered your red cart through the Target beauty aisles lately?  If not, you might be surprised at what you see.  Last weekend, while doing a mad pre-vacation blitz through Target (See?  And you thought I was being lazy not posting every day this week!) I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw names like Kiehl's.  Origins.  And what is this....Kerastase and Bumble and bumble in the hair products aisle?  I have, on occasion, also seen Philosophy, M.D. Skincare, Lumene and other upscale beauty and skincare brands.  Bare Escentuals kits were on an endcap.  What is going on? 

Women's Wear Daily reports that this initiative may signal a further move by Target to showcase luxury brands.  By all accounts, on the fashion side, the GO International program has been very successful with names such as Jovovich-Hawk, Luella Bartley, Alice Temperley and Proenza Schouler, among others.  Adding prestige beauty brands alongside Sonia Kashuk and Boots would be the next logical extension.  Executives from Bare Escentuals, Origins and other beauty brands, have denied a business relationship with Target, suggesting that these goods may have been diverted.  In addition, there seems to be no consistency as to what brands or products are found in individual stores.

Personally, I love the "one stop shopping" concept; hey, if I could pick up Band-Aids, cleaning supplies and a bottle of Kerastase Chroma Reflect shampoo on my weekly Target run, it's all good.  But only to a point.  I don't necessarily want to buy all my beauty products there.  I like the picking and choosing, the tester units, the advice of a trained beauty advisor that I find at my local department store.  But the convenience of finding some of my favorite beauty products at Target is a powerful pull.  Have you seen any of these beauty finds at your local Target? 

Photo credit WWD