Lipgloss Break
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Kate Upton Elle cover

I'm currently obsessing over Kate's Elle cover. Not only is Kate a fresh faced beauty, but her jewels are to die for. Looking forward to getting this copy in the mail.
 


Giveaway Break - L'Occitane Verbena Eau De Toilette

I've been doing a lot of reviews of L'Occitane lately. I've really been impressed with all of their new products I've been trying, including their hair mask and colognes. They have definitely done a great job at going beyond their lotions and creams they are known for. Their website has even received a fresh new design. 

LOccitane.com now has a responsive design, which means it seamlessly adapts to all screen sizes, including tablet and mobile. Some of their other updates include:
 - Skincare Diagnosis and fragrance finder
 - Rich video content
 - Simplified checkout process
 - Glossary featuring over 200 Mediterranean ingredients
 - VIP sign-up to receive special offers and invitations from L'Occitane

L'Occitane is way ahead in this space, and I give them props  for adapting their web experience to help us consumers have a great expeirence! To help celebrate the launch of their new site, L'Occitane is sponsoring a giveaway on Lipgloss Break!




***Giveaway***
Enter to win a L'Occitane Verbena EDT

Fill out the form below to win! There are also several different ways you can get extra entries: sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me & retweet on Twitter , follow me on Pinterest, follow me on Instagram or become a fan on Facebook; just make sure to list the number of extra entries in the form below. Enter up to once a day!

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Tuesday, September 10th. I will randomly select one winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck! 




Friday Favorites

l'occitane

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I’m always on the hunt for travel size beauty products. I rarely check my bag when traveling for work so I have to make sure that everything I bring is under 3.4oz. I recently received a sample from L’Occitane Eaux de Colognes new line and I’m obsessed with the scents. And I’m in luck, they also come in a travel friendly size!



I have Ravissante & Captivante and love them both.  Captivante is a light, fresh every day scent. The bottle is huge, but looks really pretty on my bathroom vanity. Kind of like décor. 

I seriously love my new phone. The Samsung Galaxy 4 has the best camera! It kept my niece and nephew entertained during an hour long car rid. They loved putting 'stickers' on pictures of themselves. 

palmers cocoa butter
 Palmer's Cocoa Butter (added bonus, SPF 15)...need I say more?

Love me some Nordstrom Rack. The one in Lake Orion, MI was very organized and clean. I scored  these Me Too flashy flats. Can't wait to sport them in the fall! 

chicago skyline
Chicago skyline at night. Beautiful! Can you spot the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel? Taken with my new Samsung Galaxy 4. 


Nexxus Youth Renewal Elixir

Years of highlighting and sun have definitely taken a toll on my hair. At 31 years old, I've been shifting my focus away from products that strip my hair clean and enhance my highlights, to products that help reverse the signs of aging. This is why I was excited to try out Nexxus Rejuvenating Elixir from their Youth Renewal line.

The Nexxus Youth Renewal line has a shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, blow dry spray and an elixir. Each product is suppose to help combat 8 signs of aging hair: volume loss, breakage, roughness, less shine, dryness, brittleness, unruliness and loss of color vibrancy. I experience both brittleness and dryness the most, and I can tell that I am starting to have volume loss.

After washing my hair, I followed the bottle's directions and I put 4 drops (okay, maybe 5) in my hair, focusing on both the roots and the ends. I combed through to make sure it was evenly distributed and then I dried my hair. I could definitely tell a difference in how my hair dried. My hair looked shinier even after one use, so I'm looking forward to starting using this 3-4 times a week to get all of the benefits. Two added bonuses: it's small enough to travel with and has a fun fruity scent.

Along with anti-aging products, you can also do the following to help protect your hair:
 - Wear a hat or scarf if you'll be outside in the sun for awhile.
 - Don't wash your hair every day. I know it sounds weird, but it's good for hair to build up natural oils.
 - Frequently trim your hair to get rid of dead ends.
 - Go easy on the hot styling tools. If you have to blow dry and straighten your hair, use a heat protection product.

Interested in trying out Nexxus for yourself? It's your lucky day! Fill out this form to receive a sample for yourself! Hurry up, only 500 samples available! 
NeXXus Youth Renewal combats 8 signs of aging hair. Our Vita-8 Complex helps improve color radiance, shine, strength, and volume, as well as reduce frizz.

--> Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Unilever via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Unilever Nexxus.



OPI Gelcolor in My Vampire is Buff

opi gelcolorLast minute manicure! I ran to the the nail salon closest to my office in Chicago. 2Q Nails on State St. in River North. I normally don't get gel manicures in salons (my best friend Tina usually does them for me) but I'm in crunch and won't have time to do my nails before my brother in law's wedding this weekend!

I wanted to go with a neutral nude so it would match whatever I decided to wear to the rehearsal and to wedding this weekend. CND Shellac's pale pinks (check out my Shellac swatches) are all so sheer, so I decided to try out OPI Gelcolor. I love how the color turned out! I chose My Vampire is Buff. It's a creamy nude that will go with any outfit color choice. I've only had it on for a day so I can't report on the wear yet, but I will definitely follow up and let you know how long it lasts!

I love being able to not have to worry about my nails for at least a few days....Happy Friday!






NARS 413 BLKR

NARS
I love when makeup companies create lines with NYC themes. I only lived in the city for 6 months, but it only took me one day to fall in love with it, and now I tend to obsess over everything that has to do with it!

NARS has a flagship boutique in the hip West Village at 413 Bleecker St. This location has served as an inspiration to their line, 413 BLKR collection. The latest additions to this line has arrived just in time for fall, which seems to have come a little early this year with all of this cold weather we've been having in the midwest! A deep rose brown lipstick and a midnight blue nail polish. Perfect hues for your fall sweaters and jackets.

"Founder and Creative Director Fancois Nars drew inspiration from the fast-paced city of Manhattan when this line-up and these new shades fit in seamlessly."

I love wearing darker colors in the fall. Especially deep blues for University of Michigan games! 

You can find this collection on www.narscosmetics.com. 


Blogher '13 in Chicago, Gone Too Soon!

I am just now coming down from this past weekend’s Blogher 2013 high. I had such an amazing time! Blogher put on a great event with even better people. The sessions were good, but where I learned the most was from talking with and meeting new blogger friends.

This was my first blogging conference so I don’t have anything to compare it to. If you are new blogger starting out, this is a great conference to learn the basics of writing, getting the social media basics down and monetization. There are more advanced sessions for more experienced bloggers, but I think the main thing for the more experienced is networking with others and connecting with brands at the expo.

At any rate, it was a ton of fun and I made some great new friends. I can’t wait to find out where Blogher 2014 is going to be held!

airbnb
My digs in the South Loop, thanks to AirBnB.
folgers
Folgers Reboot lounge at Blogher. I stopped here several time a day...
fitbit flex
Fitbit Flex. So excited to learn more about this. I am wearing it as I type but have no idea what it's tracking! Thanks Best Buy!
I passed Soldier Field on my morning runs...
lazboy
The La-Z-Boy Boys!
false eyelashes
Getting fake eyelashes applied compliments of KISS Nails
necklace
Another Rockbox win.
breakfast
Breakfast at Eleven Cafe in South Loop


Blogher '13 is Here!

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Tomorrow I leave for my first Blogher conference. It feels like Christmas Eve...I'm not going to be able to sleep! I'm really looking forward to driving into Chicago with Christine from 15MinuteBeauty.com....4.5 hours of non stop beauty talk!

Although I've never been to a Blogher conference, I've attended several conferences for my full time job. Here's what I've learned...
1 - Wear comfy shoes!
2 - Bring a jacket or sweater, conference rooms are always chilly
3 - Everyone takes notes on laptops now. So much easier than trying to catch everything writing
4 - Carry lots of business cards!
5 - Dress to impress! You're representing your company and brand, so put your best foot forward
6 - Carry a healthy snack in your bag. Sometimes conferences don't provide or snacks, or if they do, it's cookies and you'll go into a sugar high and then low...

I can't wait to put to use all that I'm going to learn from Blogher '13. Please comment below or tweet at me (@lipglossbreak) if you'll be at the conference. I'd love to say HELLO!

Conference stylin'



Zalando dress, $61 / Rag & Bone pocket jacket / Steve Madden round toe shoes / Longchamp fold over tote / Troika card case wallet


Butter London Colour Clash

Loving Butter London's Autumn/Winter 2013 line, Colour Clash. Lots of fun, bright colors. Here's a swatch of Pimms, an opaque sunflower cremey yellow. This is going to look great during college football season...go Maize & Blue (University of Michigan alum here!).  

On a separate note, I had a blast testing out my new lightbox when taking these pictures! Thanks and props to my brother in law for making it for me!


Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.


Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup


  • Blushing Noir: Could the Dior 384 BONNE ETOILE 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette be the palette to splurge on for Fall 2013? See for yourself!
  • Mama Fashionista: Better late than never! Mama Fashionista's mini me shares her June Favorites!
  • Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Edward Bess Blush Extraordinaire Filled with Desire is a swoon-worthy must-have pink blush! It's truly stunning!
  • Peace Love and Glitter: Treat AND conceal dark under eye circles at the same time? There is a way, and it's fabulous.
  • BeautyTidbits : Does LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant get Harshleen’s stamp of approval?
  • My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura gushes over the IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Butter Glosses. They are her newest addiction.
  • D.G.S.Beauty: Need a new pair of eyeglasses? Firmoo has a great selection and will send you your first pair for free.
  • Painted Ladies: Sheila tries two new Color Tattoo pigments from Maybelline - are they worth the $6,99?
  • TheFabZilla: Yet another anti-aging product! TheFabZilla tries Hydroxatone AM/PM Anti-wrinkle complex. Find out if it's yay or nay.
  • Beauty Professor: The Beauty Professor has tried a lot of products this summer...here's a video on four of her favorites!
  • The Stepford Witch: This week, the spotlight is on Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment. Read the review to find out if this product does as it claims.
  • Beauty by Miss L: Check out this blue glitter manicure.
  • A Little Polish: A Little Polish shows off a great way to incorporate blues and greens into a fun, trendy mani!
  • Advice Sisters: Advice Sisters' new website called leather and lace advice offers some thoughts on dieting
  • Icy Nails: Icy Nails: Incoco Real Nail Polish Appliques in On the Edge. Fun and Fabulous!
  • Lipgloss Break: The Limited turns 50 and celebrates with Dress for Success and giveways. Enter for a chance to win a $50 gift card to The Limited!
  • Geniabeme: Inglot's Freedom Palette is great for travel and has great choices of shades to choose from!
  • My Highest Self: Come see Tina's swatches of the Zoya PixieDust Collection for Fall 2013! Which one is your favorite?
  • Fun Fierce Fabulous Beauty Over 50!: Find out why Tom Ford Bronzed Amber Illuminating Cheek Color is a summer must have item!