Pantone Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid

Let it be known, the color of 2014 is....Radiant Orchid! Here's what Pantone.com has to say about the color choice...
"Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health."

Prepare to see lots of shades of purple in stores near you! Here's my wishlist. I call it...

 'Shades of Radiant Orchid'

Shades of Radiant Orchid by lipglossbreak featuring Topshop

Diane Von Furstenberg dress / Jessica simpson shoes / MARC BY MARC JACOBS shoulder bag / Topshop handbag, $26 / David Yurman diamond ring / Ted baker sunglasses, $145 / Butter London nail polish, $20 / Elizabeth Arden nail polish, $19

Giveaway Break - ChapStick Limited Edition Holiday Tins

How's everyone's holiday shopping going? I'm about half way done, and it feels pretty good. So far, all of it's been done from the comfort of my couch. I love online shopping!

For little gifts or stocking stuffers, I always like to shop in store for the perfect little something. ChapStick released their holiday tins that make the PERFECT stocking stuffer or present topper. There's something about the smell of cherry ChapStick that reminds me of my childhood!

Each tin contain 3 lip balms. These are limited edition tins, so make sure to scout out your local Target, Walgreens or Walmart to find them before they're gone....or enter to win some from Lipgloss Break!

**Giveaway***

 

Enter to win 2 special edition tins! I'll give TWO winners 2 different tins, with 3 lip balms in each one. If you win, you can keep one for yourself, and give one to a friend!
 
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, add me to one of your Google+ circles, follow me on Instagram or become a fan on Facebook. Make sure to list the number of extra entries in the form below. Enter up to once a day to increase your chances of winning!
 
This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Tuesday, December 24th. I will randomly select a winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!

Subscription Boxes...the Gift That Keeps on Giving

If you're struggling to find the perfect gift for someone on your list, I suggest looking into a monthly subscription gift. Nowadays, you can find a monthly subscription box for every type of interest...healthy eating....cosmetics....nail polish...home goods....fitness gear, etc. Check these out for the 'person who has everything' on your list...

For the Fit Chick...Ellie.com
$49.99 a month gets you a new workout outfit each month, from a new line. You can pick your own top and bottom, or let their stylists pick one for you based on the results from your style quiz. I'm a huge fan of their gear. I have a pair of their black capris, long running pants, a sports bra and a few tops. Good quality and unique designs and colors. The Malta Capris are fun to wear to the gym and I always get compliments on them. This link will get you 20% off your first order. 

For the Healthy Chick...NatureBox
Clean, healthy snacks, delivered each month! $19.95/month will give you 5 full size packages of healthy snacks. I LOVED all of the snacks I received. One snack was blueberry almonds. Delicious and great for healthy snacks while traveling.

For the glam gal, cosmetics lover, or bachelorette...Wantable.com
Wantable.com offers several different types of monthly boxes. Makeup, accessories, and yes, even an intimate box, perfect for a bachelorette party!

There's a few boxes for the Makeup Maven...
Birchbox.com - Sends out a monthly box with trial size samples from the latest and greatest in cosmetics and skin care.

GlossyBox.com - For $21/month you get full size and trial size cosmetics and skincare products. I've received a few boxes in the past, and can say, you definitely receive your money's worth in product each month.

For the nail polish lover, check out Julep.com. Once you take your style quiz, their stylists will put together a box tailored to your liking. Check out my Julep Maven review here.

For the girl who has everything...PopSugar Must Have box
You get a little bit of everything in this box. Home goods, kitchen swag, jewelry, stationery...you name it. I have received two of these and LOVED them. Here's a review of my last box. It's $39.95/month to join. 

For the Wine Connoisseur...Lot18.com. I've ordered wine from them before, it was delicious! Lots of unique different bottles.

And for that Guy...

Birchbox.com has a Men's box with male tailored skincare and toiletries.

For the Outdoorsman - Mystery Tackle Box - I think you can guess what's included in this!

We Search. We Find. We Shopstyle!

ShopStyle is every fashion and online shopping lover's dream! They make it easy to search and find your favorite designers, clothing and accessories across the web.

ShopStyle.com just received a makeover and you may start to see their ads around town, on TV and in major publications. Check out one of their ads below...
 
I put together my own lay down shot, similar to the layout of the new ShopStyle ads. I was inspired by the staples in my wardrobe. I never leave home without at least 2-3 of these items!

Starting from top right:
1 - Vintage Louis Vuitton (circa 1970s). I found this hidden gem at a local estate sale. It's like my own precious treasure!
2 - MAC Lipglass in You've Got It.
3 - Fidelity jean jacket - I got this on a team shopping trip. It was my 'splurge' even though I paid with prize money. Jean jackets are a staple for me in the summer. You'll rarely see me without one on over a dress.
4 - Tinley Road dress from Piperlime.com.
5 - Gold and black geo necklace - small little jewelry shop on the Upper West Side in NYC.
6 - Booties from Marshall's. Love Marshall's....
7 - Michael Kors bracelet watch. I never use to be a watch girl until I found this watch. I love that it looks like a chunky bracelet.
8 - AG jeans. Another purchase made during a team shopping trip. I think 3 of girls all got the same pair of jeans. They have this way of molding to your body. And the length was just right for me. No hemming needed!
9 - Banana Republic necklace. I purchased this while on a little shopping excursion with a co-worker in Vegas. We snuck out of our sales conference when we heard Banana was having a sale...
10 - Philip Lim for Target satchel. This can be carried with the top handles or as a cross body. I really like the gray color for winter. It matches my winter jacket!
11 - MAC Lipgloss in Saint Germain...I can't get enough glosses!
12 - Pastel skull and bones scarf from a boutique on Magazine street in New Orleans. I love finds like this. It's a super girly piece until you look close and see that there are skulls on it!
13 - Essie nail polish in Spaghetti Strap. Perfect for an every day, go with everything manicure.
14 - It's hard to see, but I have a ring next to the nail polish that my aunt Maryann gave me for my 30th birthday. It's a blue topaz gemstone ring and I love it! I rather have a hand me down piece of jewelry or accessory than a new one!
15 - Tan and silver cuff bracelet. I purchased this awhile ago. I forget the store, but I wear it a lot because it's so unique.
16 - H&M pink blazer. They have the best blazers! Form fitting and they hold their shape well. This bright color always gets me compliments.
17 - Charming Charlies necklace. Bling! Early Christmas present from my mom. Thanks Mom!
18 - ShopStyle Everlane tee. Dress it up or dress it down, this tee is so cozy and I love that its longer in the back.

What are the staples in your wardrobe? Please share in the comments below!  

Go on and check out ShopStyle.com, especially if you're looking for the perfect holiday gift for someone special (for yourself ;)!

This post was sponsored by PopSugar.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm not encouraging shopping on the holiday, but if you find yourself winding down after dessert and want to do some online shopping, here are some good sales you can start to browse...

COSMETICS 

Ulta
Ulta.com sales start on Thanksgiving at 7pm CST. Really cool sets for sale. Preview ad here. $99 Clarisonic Mia is an amazing deal. Perfect gift for mom!

Smashbox
25% off when you spend $50 or more + free shipping. Use code HOLIDAY25

Inglot
20% off all products

Lorac Cosmetics
Lorac has created an exclusive Sephora.com and Sephora Inside JC Penny set. The chic, cult-favorite Pewter hue retails for $10 ($39 value) and includes a complimentary 3-in-1 Waterproof Eyeliner in Ultra Black.

Butter London
Starting Black Friday through Cyber Monday butterlondon.com will be gifting customers with 20% off site wide (excluding product marked at “last-call”) and 50% off “last-call” items. Unlock these deals using the code CYBER13.

Zoya Nail polish
Thanksgiving night and Black Friday Only - Zoya Dream Big Offer,  Gift with purchase. *
Available with any $72 purchase on Zoya.com. Use code: DREAM BIG.
Includes 12 piece Zoya “Cheers to All” Gift Box (above), Zoya Color Lock Mini and Free Shipping. Over $118 Value. Hurry - extremely Limited Quantities - while supplies last. Limit one per customer or account. VALID 6PM EST 11/28/13 until 11/29/13 11:59PM EST. ONLY.

Balm Chicky lip balms
FREE SHIPPING on all holiday orders. Holiday Menage a Trois only $20!  That's 3 Balm Chicky Balm Balms (regularly $12 each) for only $20. Get em while the gettin' is still to be got!

Studio Gear Cosmetics
Black Friday sales are posted, including a $25 holiday smokey eye palette for $25!

TINte Cosmetics
Starts on Thanksgiving, 30% off. Enter BLK30 at checkout.

SKINCARE

Dermablend

Black Friday Deal:  Receive a free gift with any purchase over $36. Enter the code below that applies to your shopping cart.

* For orders $36 or more use code SHOP2 and receive Free Standard Shipping + a Long Wear Makeup Remover Sample.

For orders $60 or more use code SHOP3 and receive Free Standard Shipping + a Setting Powder Sample.

For orders $100 or more use code SHOP4 and receive Free Standard Shipping + a Kabuki brush.

Valid through 11:59pm ET 11/29/13.

Cyber Monday Deal: Buy any 2 products and receive $15 off with code CYBER

*Buy any two products and receive $15 off when you use code CYBER. valid through 11:59pm 12/02/13 on all orders with two  or more products in shopping bag.

Dr. Brandt skincare
Black Friday 40% off entire online purchase. Starts midnight on Wednesday and goes until Friday, November 29th EST.

C.O. Bigelow
C.O. Bigelow is offering 25% off C.O. Bigelow products online only – Friday, November 29 through Monday, December 2, 2013 CODE: Turkey1838

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Amazon.com
Tons of deals on site, including 60% off Women's outwear and free shipping on purchases $35+. 

Ellie
Need to shop for a fit chick? Check out Ellie.com. Use this link to get 20% off your first order and check out their Black Friday deals!

Lord + Taylor
Take an extra 20% off regular and sale items using the code THANKS — offer ends Dec. 1.
Loft
40% off! Use code ENJOY.

Aritzia
30% of everything on site and Free Shipping!

Michael Kors
Free shipping on orders over $100 with code HOLIDAY. 

Alice + Olivia
25% off site wide.  

*this post contains some affiliate links

Zoe Saldana's Super Sleek AMA Hairstyle

So bummed I missed the American Music Awards, but excited to flip through some of the looks from the night! Zoe Saldana was styled by celebrity hairstylist Aviva Perea. Here is a run down how to achieve her super sleek look with John Frieda Frizz-Ease products...

photo credit: Tractenberg

Step 1 – Prep
Perea prepped hair with Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse ($6.99), applying it to the roots to add extra lift to Saldana's blowout.
Step 2 – Style
Next, Perea blowdried Saldana's hair sleek and straight with a large Spornette mixed-bristle brush. Taking one inch sections, Perea spritzed Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat Styling Spray ($6.99) from root to end and ran a flat iron down each piece.

Step 3 – Perfect Perea finished off the look by coating Saldana's hair with Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist ($6.99 at drugstores) so her hair glistened under the lights on the red carpet. To ensure her style stayed sleek and frizz-free all night, Perea sprayed Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray ($6.99) to her finished look. 

Tractenberg press release

Shop it to Me Glam Giveaway

Take a break from your early holiday shopping and enter to win something glamorous for yourself! To enter, invite friends to join Shop It To Me. You’ll get one entry for each friend who signs up. Upon entering, you can choose which prize you have your eye on. I have my eyes set on the wallet. Gold Gucci screams Glam! Hurry up and enter, contest ends this Friday!

The contest ends at 11:59 PST on Friday, November 22, 2013.
Important notes: US residents only, must be 18+ years old to enter. See the official rules.

Layered Blue Nail Polish

Feeling like blues now that it's getting so cold here in Michigan. This is Jessica Cosmetics nail polish in Blue Aria with Julep Ivy nail polish layered over my index figured.

Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup

Mama Fashionista: Better late than never! Quinn shares her October Favorites!

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Do shiny new makeup collections cause you to neglect a lot of your makeup? If so, join me in #projectmakeadent!

Painted Ladies: In need of a nail intervention? Sheila has 3 products under $10 that will make your nails look amazing.

TheFabZilla: Professional MUA Eddie Funkhouser finally launched his online store. Check out TheFabZilla's review and FOTD feat. some Eddie Funkhouser makeups!

D.G.S.Beauty: Arganesse Hair Treatment Review

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Exfoliation is so important in the colder months and Laura from My Newest Addiction shows us a great exfoliator from G.M. COLLIN!

Beauty by Miss L: MADARA is Latvian eco-friendly beauty brand and this week Miss L reviewed their Purifying Foam.

Glamorable!: Anastasia is really loving facial serum-oils during the colder months. Check out her latest discovery - ko denmark Anti-Aging Rosehip & Evening Primrose Face Serum.

In Her Makeup Bag: The gorgeous Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes may be sold out online, but Stephanie explains why she thinks you NEED to hunt it down in stores.

The Advice Sisters Beuaty/Fashion/Lifestyle: The Advice Sisters are loving Laura Mercier's Pretty, Cheerful Holiday Beauty Goodies

Fabulous Awesomeness: Mina Slater shows off polish for fashionistas with her swatches from The Fashion Week Collection by Mischo Beauty Luxury Nail Lacquer.

Slashed Beauty: Miranda breaks down the different types of mascaras to choose from in her Mascara Guide for Makeup Beginners

Lipgloss Break: Enter to win 3 handmade soaps from Lady Gatsby!

My Highest Self: Ode to Roses with LUSH! – Rose Jam Shower Gel, Eau Roma Toner Water, Bare Naked Lady Dusting Powder

BeautyTidbits: Enter to win the Aquaphor Cold Weather Skin Prep Package and $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway over at BeautyTidbits!

MAC Smoky Eye with Gilded Night

Girls night was never complete unless my girlfriend Kelly was there to do the makeup! Kelly is one of my best girlfriends dating back to middle school. Not only is she a great person and friend, but she's also a talented makeup artist! I was so excited to ask her to do a guest post...and even more excited that she said yes! Take it over, Kelly.....

MAC Gilded Night

I’m a MAC girl. I like to use a mix of products but primarily, you’ll find MAC dominating my makeup case. So, naturally, when Angela asked if I would sample MAC’s mineralize eye shadow in GILDED NIGHT, I jumped at the chance. Plus, what woman doesn’t like to be a girly girl and play with makeup? 

Before & After

MAC’s mineralize shadows are two complimentary colors baked together in the same palette—the best of both worlds. GILDED NIGHT—is a sassy duo for a date night or your upcoming holiday party. It’s a sparkling sophisticated mix of black and gold and I love that combination. This summer, I wore an all-black dress and gold jewelry for my brother’s wedding. Hot to trot ladies. 

The look is simple and will take you less than 10 minutes. I started by applying a primer to my eyelids. Next, I applied the gold tone in the mineralize palette using a tapered blending brush—if you don’t have good brushes ladies, invest. Applying makeup with a good brush can make all the difference. After applying the gold, I smoked out the corner of my eye with the charcoal color in the palette. If you’ve never done a smoky eye, there are lots of tutorials on YouTube that can help—the main idea is to start with a small amount of the color and blend, blend, blend, adding slowly more and more until you achieve the darkness that you want. Nobody wants to look like a clown!

After the shadow, I applied, MAC’s Graphblack Technakohl liner. I always put shadow over my liner as well to set it—the powder sets into the kohl making it last longer—especially for those of us with an oilier skin base. Finally, I applied mascara to complete the eyes.

Always do your eyes first before applying your foundation. You don’t want clumps of shadow dust getting stuck in your foundation. After applying my mineral foundation, I finished off the look with some color in my cheeks with MAC’s SWEET AS COCOA, and my favorite MAC gloss, GIRL’S DELIGHT. Now all I need is the date! 
 --Kelly

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.