Makeup Break - Out with the old...

Are you like me and hesitate throwing away old makeup? Well, don't be! I just went through my makeup collection and tossed out everything I haven't used in the past year, and used the following guidance from Beauty Secrets 101:

Throw away makeup after:

- Mascara – 3 months
- Powder eye shadow – 9 to 18 months
- Cream eye shadow – 6 to 12 months
- Foundation – 6 to 8 months
- Blush – 6 to 8 months
- Lipstick– 6 to 8 months
- Powder– 8 to 12 months

After you get rid of the old stuff, you'll have LOTS of room for new stuff!

Shopping Break - Free Shipping at Sephora

Free Shipping all weekend at Sephora.com. Enter the code PLAYPRETTY.

Mascara Break - Estee Lauder TurboLash

The worlds first vibrating mascara wand! The vibrating brush creates length, volume, curl and separation. Limited Time Offer - when you purchase the TurboLash, you get a free lash primer plus. Offer expires on February 3rd. Shop at EsteeLauder.com today!

Giveaway Break - Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen

These are really hard to find in stores! The new Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen is so much fun to use! I used a white one to give myself a french manicure and it is totally fool proof! Since they are made of a water-based formula, it's easy to fix mistakes. Just take a tissue and wipe away your paint. One tip: Always use a top coat to seal this paint on your nail.

***Giveaway***

And the giveaway is...A Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in white! I will randomly select one of my blog subscribers or someone who left a comment to win a full size Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in white. Make sure to sign up, below, for your chance to win! If you are already signed up for my newsletter, leave a comment letting me know how you would use your nail art pen, to double your chances at winning. At this time, I'm only able to mail to US & Canada addresses. This contest will end on Sunday, February 8th. I will announce the winner on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!

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And the Winner is...

Shamrocker99 - Congrats! You are the winner of the Bobbi Brown Glitter Lip Gloss. Please email me your mailing address at lipglossbreak@gmail.com.

Thanks to all who participated. Check back today for the next giveaway. Here's a hint...it's a good one!

Makeup Break - Smashbox Sheer Focus

So far, so good! I have never used a tinted moisturizer/foundation before. Normally I'm a moisturizer and powder girl, but I decided I needed something with an SPF in it (part of my new year's resolution is to wear more SPF and take better care of skin). I was very afraid I would have a massive break out if I tried something new, but I've being using Smashbox Sheer Focus in 'Fair' for about 2.5 weeks now and it's great! It's very easy to apply and helps to even my skin out. I was afraid that I would get the 'foundation line' around my face but this blends very easily. It's a water based moisturizer, so I have to shake it up before use, and I still need to put my regular moisturizer on first (I tend to get really dry mid-day).

Sheer Focus is very lightweight, and is packed with vitamins and anti-aging peptides and contains SPF 15.

I have very sensitive skin, so I'm afraid I might jinx myself with this post and break out! So far, so good, this product is great!

Shopping Break - E.L.F. $2 Shipping

$2 shipping with purchases over $25 at www.eyeslipsface.com. Enter code 2SHIP2009.

Quiz Break - Are you a Cosmetics Junkie?

I am! Take the quiz to find out if you are too:

Quiz - Are you a cosmetics junkie?

Going to NYC...

Hi All - I'm going to be traveling to NYC this week for work. I would love to hear your suggestions on things I should do if I have downtime. I'll be in Manhattan (our office is in the meat-packing district). Any suggestions for restaurants, shops, and of course, spas, I should check out? Postings may be a little slow this week, but I'll be sure to fill everyone in on Friday about any adventures or cool finds I come across while in the city :)

Entertainment Break - Lancôme's Red Carpet Beauty Review

The 15^th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards aired live tonight from The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The celebrities shined on the red carpet and Lancôme has the exclusive details on the beauty looks created for Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway and Angelina Jolie.

Kate looked gorgeous in a vibrant blue Narciso Rodriguez gown and dazzling Chopard jewels. Celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey played up Kate’s eyes with lots of black eyeliner, mascara and shimmering shadow paired with a soft neutral palette on her lips and cheeks. Jillian used Lancôme Artliner in Noir on the upper lash line and then lightly dusted Jillian Dempsey Professional for Avon Eyeshadow Trio in Pebble Wash on the eyelid. She finished the eyes with a few coats of Lancôme Ôscillation Mascara in Black. For the lips, she used Serge Lutens nude lip liner and filled in the entire lip. Finally, she applied Color Fever Gloss in Engaging, a very sheer nude shade, for a high-shine pout.

Anne donned a beautiful white Grecian-inspired dress with gold detail at the neckline and waist. Celebrity makeup artist Kate Lee created a dramatic smokey eye by applying dark eyeliner to the upper lash line and blended it on the eyelid. To make Anne’s eyes pop, she applied several coats of Lancôme Ôscillation Mascara in Black for a faux-lash effect. Kate opted for a soft, stained pout. She applied Lancôme Le Lipstique lip liner in Sheer Natural to the entire lip, then coated the lips with Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Seductive for a glossy finish.

Angelina looked stunning in a dark, navy blue Max Azria gown. Celebrity makeup artist Mary Burton wanted to create a 60’s look and chose to focus on Angelina’s eyes by applying lots of eyeliner and mascara. She used a liquid eyeliner (Lancôme Artliner in Noir) just above the lash line. To compliment Angelina’s eye color and to make her eyes really stand out, she applied a bluish grey eyeshadow (YSL Ombre Solo Double Effect Eyeshadow in #3 Blue Silk) to the eyelid. Finally, she applied several coats of Lancôme Courbe Virtuôse Mascara in Black. Mary added a touch of pink to the apples of the cheeks using Shu Uemura blush in MPink 31. To create ultra-shiny and luminous lips, Mary used Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Rose Jolie.

Shopping Break - Sephora Scent Sampler

Need an idea for his Valentine's Day gift? Better yet, need an idea for your Valentine's Day wish list? Sephora's Scent Sampler is the perfect gift. It contains ten deluxe samples of perfume (or cologne for guys), and a gift certificate to redeem at Sephora, for one full size bottle of your favorate perfume from the sampler. My husband received this from my mom on Christmas and he loved it! He packs the sampler colognes when we travel, and he redeemed his certificate for a full size bottle of YSL L'Homme.

Shopping Break - Sephora Sale

Sephora is having a sale...up to 75% off sale items and free shipping over $50.

Freebie Break - Shampoo freebies!

Dove Hair Therapy System Shampoo Sample - I've used this shampoo before and it smells great!

Anti-stress bottle of Body Eclipse Aromatherapy Shampoo from Meditasto - Anti-stress...Where do I sign up???


Thanks to Bionic-Beauty.com for posting these on her site!

Giveaway Break - Bobbi Brown Glitter Lip Gloss

This giveaway is for Bobbi Brown's Glitter Lipgloss. This gloss looks stunning over a lipstick. Perfect shine and glitter for a night out.

I will randomly select one of my blog subscribers to win a full size Bobbi Brown Glitter Lipgloss. Make sure to sign up, below, for your chance to win!

You can double your chance to win by also leaving a comment, letting me know your favorite brand of lip gloss. At this time, I'm only able to mail to US & Canada addresses. This contest will end on January 29, 2009 at noon EST. I will announce the winner on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!

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Shopping Break - Delight Mystery Delivery!

Shopping Break - Delight Mystery Delivery!

Everyone stop and take a shopping break! Delight.com has rolled out there 'Delight Mystery Delivery' gift and they are going fast! Purchase them for $10, $20, $50, $100, with only $5 shipping and handling.

Be sure to leave a comment and fill us in on what your mystery delivery was!

Shopping Break - Shop it to Me!

Online shopping made easy! Think of it as your free online personal shopper. Shop it to Me allows you to select your favorite brand, sizes, and types of clothes/shoes you are interested in, and will send you 'Salemail' with an email summary of items that go on sale for your favorite brand and size. You select the frequency you want to receive emails, and constantly update your account to include new brands and items. Best part? It's free!

This is a great way for you to save time and money, while staying fashionable!

And the Winner is....

Team Morris and Stacie! Please send me your mailing address at lipglossbreak@gmail.com ASAP!

Everyone - stay tuned for the next Lipgloss Break Giveaway...it's coming soon!

News Break - Retailers to Give Away Cosmetics to Settle Lawsuit

I wrote about this last week...did anyone receive any free items yet? Unfortunately, I haven't made it to the mall yet, but I was thinking about calling Nordstrom to see if they had any items left. Please leave a comment and share what you got!

Beauty Giveaways

Enter to win these great giveaways!

• Argania 1640 Argan Oil giveaway 
• Alberto VO5 prize pack giveaway
• ELLE Nail Polish set giveaway 
• 6-in-1 Manicure set giveaway

Shopping Break - Stila is having a Sale!

Now's the time to stock up on your favorite Stila items! Use code SAVEMORE to get the following deals:
$10 off an order of $50+
$20 off an order of $100+
$30 off an order of $150+
and Free Shipping!

Leave me a note and let me know what you bought!

Nail Polish Break - Zoya Exchange Program

Do you have old nail polish that you want to get rid of? Out the old, in with the new! I found out about this from e-polish.blogspot.com (my favorite nail polish blog!) and I already signed up! Zoya has put together an exchange program. You send them your old nail polish, and they'll send you new polish! You'll get one bottle of Zoya nail polish, color of your choice, for each bottle you send them. The catch? There really isn't one except for you have to pay $3 for each nail polish, for shipping and processing.

Visit http://www.zoya.com/exchange/ for more details and to fill out the form to participate. Make sure to check out their Spring 2009 line, namedTwist!

Lipgloss Break - Find Your Best Pink Color

Take the quiz at Total Beauty! Find out which shade (or shades!) were made for you!

Contest Break - Elke Brow Ware Giveaway

Enter to win Elke Von Freudenberg's 2 piece Brow Groom Set from her Brow Collection. You'll get (1) Clear Eye Brow Ware and (1) Brow Tamer. Click here to enter!

A little background...Elke Von Freudenberg has been in the beauty industry for 20+ years as a top celebrity and editorial makeup artist, based in Los Angeles and New York. Her makeup style has appeared on celebrities at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, as well as the designer runways of Docek & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren and more; and her eyebrow work has been seen on top models. Check out Elke's blog at http://www.elkevonfreudenberg.com/services/

Makeup Break - Dolce & Gabbana Launch Makeup Line

Dolce & Gabbana has announced the face for their new makeup line...Scarlett Johansson. Get this...the lipsticks will be scented with rose! The products are set to launch for spring with prices ranging from $20 for nail lacquer to $59 for powder foundation.

Shop Break - Bath Tub Caddys

This is the perfect addition to any bath tub pamper session! After a long week at work, I filled my tub up with plumeria bubble bath, poured a glass of white zinfandel and read a few chapters of Twilight. Everything fit nicely, including the wine, in my new bath caddy. I loved not having to worry about getting the pages wet in my new book. The bath caddy I have pictured is from Delight.com. Valentine's Day is coming up...it's the gift that keeps on giving!

Makeup Break - Too Faced The Smurfette Collection

I love when cosmetic companies pair up with fun cartoon characters, nostalgic personalities and celebrities. The Too Faced Smurfette Collection includes an eye pallete, liquid eyeliner, mood changing lipgloss and illuminating face powder.

The eyeshadow palette includes Smurfette's favorite glamorous colors. The velvety shadows glode on smoothly creating the signature Smurfette look. The Smury-Eyed Liquid liner comes in an opalescent glitter and glittery blue color. The lipgloss is mood swing emotionally activated. It varies shades of pink depending on body temperature. The illuminating powder has color-correcting shades that blends together for the perfection complextion.

So Smurfy Illumination Face Powder - $26
Smurfy-Eyed Liquid Eyeliner - $17.50
So Smurfy Eye Shadow Collection - $32.50
Mood Swing Emotionally Activated Lipgloss - $18.50

Shopping Break: Smashbox is Having a Sale

Visit Smashbox.com and check out all of their sale items. Everything under 'Curtain Call' is 25-50% off.

News Break - Retailers to Give Away Cosmetics to Settle Lawsuit

Starting January 20, and until supplies last, retails such as Macy's, Dillards and Nordstrom (and others) will be distributing free cosmetics to shoppers who bough certain cosmetics between May 29, 1994 and July 16, 2003.

'The offer is part of an agreement to settle a lawsuit filed in 2003 in a California federal court. The suit alleges stores tried to limit sales and scale back on the amount of cosmetics in their inventory, thereby keeping both prices and competition high' (BusinessWeek.com). You can read more about this HERE.

Shoppers are only permitted to receive one product made by cosmetic companies that include: Chanel, Estee Lauder and L'Oreal USA, among others.

The following stores will be particapting: Bergdorf Goodman, Bergner's, Bloomingdale's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Dillard's, Gottschalks, Herberger's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Parisian, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Younkers.

You can find the list of products being distributed here: http://www.cosmeticssettlement.com.

Makeup Break: L'Oréal Double Extend Lash Extension Effect Mascara

It took a lot for me to stray away from my Benefit mascara, but I thought, 'what the heck? I'll try it out!' I heard it was similar to Kiss Me's 'tube' technology, so I was intrigued. One end of this is a primer for your lashes, which helps coat them so the mascara can form 'tubes' around your lashes. This mascara give my lashes great length, but not thickness. The removal of this mascara is a little different, and a little uncomfortable at first. You just have to use warm water and you almost 'pull' the tubes off of your lashes. The best part is that it doesn't leave black stains on your wash cloth!

I found this mascara at my local Ulta store, they were buy one get one free, no coupon needed. I definitely plan on keeping the second one for myself!

Contest Break - Prince Reigns Giveaway

Check out The Beauty Counter blog to enter for your chance to win Prince Reigns Ingrown Hair Serum. This stuff is talked about by top celebs, ranging from Giselle Bundchen to Oprah Winfrey. Hurry...contest ends January 23rd!

Contest Break - Bach Rescue Cream

How do you use Rescue Cream? Submit your most innovative use for Rescue Cream and you could win one of several exciting prizes!

The Grand Prize winner will receive a gift basket containing one of every Nelson Bach USA product form the Bach Flower Essences range of products, the Rescue Remedy range of products, and the Nelson's Homeopathy range of products. The 10 first prize winners will receive a year's supply of Nelson Bach USA Rescue Cream, if you're one of the first 1,000 eligible contest entrants, you could win a set of 10 sample size Rescue Cream packets. There's lots of chances to win!

Click Here to enter...good luck!

Nail Polish Break - Sephora by OPI

This nail polish has been getting rave reviews! Sephora by OPI Nail color is a line of 54+ trendy shades, high quality polish. It's marketed as long-lasting, chip-resistant polish. Another added bonus, it's environmentally friendly. The ingredients DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde. It's at the same price point as regular OPI polish, $9 a bottle.

Has anyone tried this yet? What did you think?

Entertainment Break - Golden Globes Glamour

Designer dresses, silky updo's and flawless makeup, must be the Golden Globes! Check out the best hair and makeup on the red carpet on People.com.

Makeup Break - Barbie Love Stila

I was such a Barbie girl growing up - now I can relive those days through Stila's partnership with Mattel and their new Barbie line - I can't wait until February!

There will be 4 different Barbie sets, featuring Barbie through the decades. The Ponytail Barbie set, celebrates the first Barbie, with red lipstick, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and cheek color. There's also a Malibu Barbie, Foxy Barbie, and Jewel Barbie set. These will be sold exclusively at Sephora stores. I would love to have all 4 sets, but I think Malibu will be on my list first, to help me get ready for my Spring/Summer look :)

Eyeshadow Break - Urban Decay Primer Potion

I received a generous sample size of this from Sephora, and a full size one is on my wish list for Valentine's Day. I have oily eyelids, and have always struggled with keeping my eyeshadow on for a full day at work. A little bit of this on each eyelid, each morning, keeps my shadow on throughout the day. It feels like a soft powder once it's on my eyelids. I use it even when I'm not wearing eyeshadow, to give my lids a nice, soft, neutral matte finish. It definitely is a magic potion.

Clinique 'Pick Your Pretty' Deal

What a great deal! With any purchase on Clinique.com, you can get a bonus bag for $25 ($84 value!).

You can choose between 2 bags, each contains:
- Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, 1.7 oz
- 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula, 1.7 oz
- High Impact Mascara in Black, .17 oz
- Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss, .17 oz
- Exclusive Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad
- Blushing Blush Powder Blush with brush
- Clinique Hair Brush
-Canvas Tote

If you're a Clinique fan, hurry up, it's while supplies last!
To find this deal, follow the link; then click on 'Special Offers' (right side of header bar) and finally 'Pick Your Palette' (left side). No coupon code required.

Lipgloss Break Giveaway - Essie True Love

Essie has the perfect color for every occasion. I look forward to their new lines every season. True Love (pictured above) is one of their polishes that goes with anything and everything, during any season. It's a pastel pink with a hint of coral.

***Giveaway***

Leave a comment telling me about your favorite brand of nail polish and/or favorite color of nail polish and I will randomly choose two winners who will win a bottle of Essie's True Love nail polish! I will pick the winners at random on January 22, 2009...just in time for you to receive this lovely color by Valentine's Day.

Freebie Break: Mary Kay Signature Ultimate Mascara

Thanks for the heads up Bionic-Beauty.com! Visit Mary Kay to send away for your free Signature Ultimate Mascara. Hurry - it's while supplies last!

Shop Break - MAC Friends & Family Sale

This is the first ever sale I've seen for MAC - 25% off everything online (excluding Viva glam). Enter the code MACFF9 at checkout.

Stock up for the new year!

http://www.maccosmetics.com/whats_new/wnpromotions.tmpl

Entertainment Break - Wine Charms

One of the most exciting things about having house is entertaining. My husband and I just got married and bought a house, all in the same month. I had my first party at my house right before Christmas, for all of my girlfriends (I kicked my husband out of the house...girls only!). A few years ago we decided to stop exchanging gifts and instead, go out to dinner, a movie, and then out for a few drinks. This year, I opted to host the party. The theme: Wine Tasting Christmas Party. Everyone brought a bottle of wine and an h'orderve to pass. I decided that since I was hosting, I wanted to have favors for everyone. I went to the local Dollar Tree and picked up wine glasses for the girls. I wanted to dress them up and found the perfect thing...wine charms! Thanks to NotMartha.org, I was able to have fun making them myself, and save money too.

I'm not the craftiest person, so I was happy to see that these were super easy to make. I went to my local craft/bead shop, and purchased wire hoop earrings ($0.35 a piece) and small bright glass beads (about $5 for 15 beads). I put about 3 beads on each wire and used needle nose pliers to bend the end of the hoop so it closed.

I had all of the glasses, with the charms on them, set up on my kitchen's island when the girls arrived. They were so surprised when they saw them and excited to pick out their wine glass charm color!

Lipgloss Break Winner

The winner of the C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine was AK - Congrats!

Keep checking back for more giveaways!

Freebie Break: Free M Lab Preview Pack

I love a good freebie! Check out www.mlabonline.com and enter code BEAUTYMAVERICK in the lower right hand corner to receive your free M Lab preview pack. I haven't tried M Lab products yet, but I'm excited to!

No purchase necessary!

Spa Break - Bliss Spa on 49th

My husband surprised me with a weekend trip to New York City for my birthday. We had both never been to the city, so it was an adventure for both of us. We had nothing planned but shopping and eating. Well, except for my manicure appointment at Bliss Spa at 9am. I can never sleep in when I'm on vacation, so I decided to treat myself with a manicure from the award winning spa in the New York W Hotel, Bliss 49. I made it early so I would have pretty manicured nails for the majority of my trip (and so my hubby could sleep in while I got pampered).

The spa is so cool inside. White and baby blue, with a very airy feel to it. They offered me water, coffee or juice, and had an assortment of sweets and cheese out for all customers. It's a very chill atmosphere, which is perfect for a hour at the spa.

The nail technician who did did my manicure was nice, friendly and professional. She gave me advice and answered all of my questions (I tend to ask a lot, especially when I'm sitting in front of a professional). I have very dry skin, especially around my nails, and she suggested the Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream (with macadamia oil+grapeseed extract). It's wonderful. I bought a sample size for my purse, just to try, but now I want to invest in a large one. It's not greasy, and absorbs quickly. The smell is lemon-ish, very fresh and clean. Best part about buying this at the spa? It came in a fun, blue, Bliss bag tote!

I highly suggest this product if you have dry hands and/or cuticles. I use it religiously before going outside in the cold weather.