Clarins Barocco Face Powder: I'm in Love!

See how pretty that powder is? I'm afraid to use/touch it, it's so pretty, I just don't want to spoil it.

The real reason this item is so luxurious is definitely the packaging. It comes in a red velvet pouch (not pictured) and the case really must weigh about 5 pounds. It has the same design on it, but in black and metal, and the entire thing closes with the most satisfying click! Truly, you'll want to find excuses to use it over and over just to show this off.

The powder is a combination of a beige and a slightly shimmery pink-peach color. Together, they essentially make a basic translucent powder. The powder does a great job of keeping me matte and it would work for a big range of lighter complected girls. The shimmer is almost nonexistent once the powder is applied, so it would be appropriate for every day. I only wish that it came with a puff or small brush for touch ups on the go.

In the meantime, the packaging had me at hello! It's absolutely amazing in person, and I'm looking for the perfect travel brush to pair it with in my purse. I don't care how heavy it is, I'll be taking this compact with me everywhere!

Clarins Barocco Face Palette

NARS Crazy Heart Lip Gloss Set

I love NARS lip gloss- it is hydrating, not sticky and the colors are amazing! This set is a great way to try out a lot of great colors or make the lip gloss addict in your family really happy!

• Easy Lover – Ultra Sheer Hot Pink
• Babe – Sheer Orange Red
• Orgasm – Sheer Warm Pink With Golden Shimmer
• Turkish Delight – Pink Sorbet
• Misbehave – Sheer Cherry Red With Gold Shimmer

$50 at NarsCosmetics.com

Murad's Holiday Sets

One of the best things about the holidays is definitely the gift sets of all things beauty. Which means this is an amazing time to check out new products. Yes, while I know you could buy Murad's new anti-aging skin care set, Resurgence for your sister, I bet you'd have more fun getting it for yourself.

I think the best deal of all is the Create your own gift set option over at Murad. You can select from their most popular products, and watch the value of your gift set go up with each addition. They'll also show you how much money you'll be saving- perfect for stocking up or trying out a new regimen!

Murad

Cyber Monday Deals

Update 11/29 am I've added a ton more deals, keep an eye on this post, I'll be updating it throughout the day as I find deals!

Crabtree & Evelyn
• 25% off site-wide, Free standard shipping on all orders

Elizabeth Arden
• 25% off Makeup, Skincare and Fragrance with free shipping on all orders until 11/30/2010
• On Monday they'll be adding even more deals to the site, the best of which is a 31-piece Black Tote with everything from blushes, to mascara, to glosses and more. Worth over $300, it is free with any order over $65: CYBER65

ULTA
• On Monday only, with a minimum purchase of $35 and receive a free travel bag that includes 12 free product samples, there are 3 different bags to chose from.
• Through 12/4, save $10 off a $50 purchase: 50710
• Free shipping on orders over $25: SIZZLE25
• Note that this is the first day of 25 days of on-line exclusive offers, check back each day for a new one!

Senna Cosmetics
• Everything is 20% off
• Free shipping for orders over $50

3 Fluid Ounces
• 30% off all holiday gifts: CYBERMONDAY

Fragrancenet
• 15% off everything

Comodynes
• 50% off Hydra Tanning

Lierac
• Their Friends and Family starts Monday and runs through 12/3. 30% off everything: FF2010

Calvin Klein
• $15 off for every $75 you spend on Calvin Klein's cku.com: FBNOV29

Beauty Ticket
• 30% off everything on 11/29: CYBER30

Ole Henriksen
• Ole Henriksen has created new deluxe sample kits with savings of up to 67% off the products included in the kit. A perfect time to stock up, buy items for travel or try out some new products

Truth in Aging Store
• Associated with a blog about aging (they have some great reviews), this store is having 20% off everything and free shipping until midnight on Monday. They carry some of my favorite brands, such as Your Best Face. Code: TRUTH

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
• Spend $50, get 25% off
• Spend $100, get free ground shipping
• Valid until midnight 11/29, code: CYBER

Smashbox
• Last day of the Friends & Family sale!
• 20% off everything
• Valid until midnight 11/29, code: FFSB20

Stila
• 20% off until 11/29: STILALOVE
• As well, the Stila Warehouse sale is today, the code won't work there but the deals are amazing!

B-Glowing
• 20% off the entire site until 11/29: GIFT20

Donna Karan
• An extra 20% off the entire site, free shipping through midnight 11/29

Bath & Body Works
• 25% off everything on-line today: CYBER25

Land's End
• Many special deals on the site
• Save $20 on $75 or $50 on $150
• Free shipping on every order
• The order should automatically become active when the site loads, but just in case the code is NOV29 with the pin 7410

Skin Store
• 20% off everything until 11/29: CYBER20

Clarins
• Receive a great set of travel sized products with orders over $60: CYBERM
• Free standard shipping on any order over $75
• 3 samples with each order

Barielle Nails
• Free shipping
• Buy 2 color polishes and get 1 free

Becca Cosmetics
• Until 12/22 get a free satin tote and free shipping with orders over $100: GTL10

Murad Skin Care
• Save $30 with a $100 purchase through midnight 12/1: GIFTSAVE30

LOFT
• 40% off your entire purchase: ENJOY
• There might be free shipping? My email says there is, but the fine print says it is only through 2:59 am EST on 11/29, in which case it was only for about 3 hours of Cyber Monday. This seems a big stupid to me, but give it a try and let me know!

Lock & Mane
• 25% off: FRIENDS

Piperlime
• 20% off sitewide: LUCKY20

Mario Badescu
• Free shipping and a free gift for purchases over $50: CMONDAY

Henri Bendel
• 30% off everything with free ground shipping until Midnight tonight: CYBERHB

Zoya and Qtica
• Buy 1 item from the holiday gift set page and get 2 of equal or lesser value for free!
• Free shipping over $55
• Free gifts at $30, $50 and $100!

Kate Spade
• 25% off of sale items until midnight 11/29: CYBER25

BCBG MaxAzria
• 30% off Holiday Styles
• Free Shipping

Talbots
• I know, it is no longer your mom's Talbot's though! They've been declared "The New J. Crew" by the girls at Shopafrolic for good reason.
• 25% off with free shipping until tonight: GIFT

Ann Taylor
• 40% off your entire purchase with free shipping: MONDAY

Eddie Bauer
• 30% off your entire purchase and free shipping: CYBERDAY

Temptu
• 25% off until 12/4: FLAWLESS25

Sabon NYC
• 25% off everything

Shu Uemura
• 20% off and free shipping on orders over $50: WISH2010

Giorgio Armani Beauty
• 20$ off and free shipping on orders over $75: FRIENDS

Ella Moss
• 30% off: FFHOL201
• Free shipping on orders over $150

Zeno
• 25% off everything with free shipping

Korres
• They are offering new flash sales each hour, and they are valid until Midnight eastern or supplies run out, which ever comes first
• They have so many special offers that there are too many to list! Check them out on the Korres site

Philosophy
• Tons of things are on sale! Check the site to see if your favorite products are included
• 15% off: EBATES15
• Free shipping on all orders

Tarte
• Spend $25 and get free shipping and a free Charcoal emphasEYES eyeliner!
• Many items are up to 30% off
• Holiday items are all 15% off
• Use the code CYBERMON

Flirt!
• Some of the Flirt holiday sets are on-sale on-line today only

Urban Decay
• Select best selling items are on-sale for $6 or $12 each

Ahava
• Spend $50: Get 15% off and a free deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot Cream: GIVE15
• Spend $100: Get 20% off and a deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot Cream, an Exfoliating Washcloth, and a Botanic Bliss Set: GIVE20
• Spend $200: Get 30% off and a deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot Cream, an Exfoliating Washcloth, and a Botanic Bliss Set: GIVE30

Beauty.com
• Amazing deals throughout the store!
- 20% off all Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
- 20% off all hair appliances
- 10% off all Borghese
- Up to 80% off all items from Laura Geller
• Spend $50 and get a free Lela Rose Tin filled with samples and a $10 Beauty.com gift card

Benefit
• 20% off picks from Benefit Global Beauty Authorities, Annie and Maggie: FORDPICS

Freeze 24-7
• 50% off everything: Cyber2010

Cole Haan Bow Belt

I'm not really a belt person (I think it's stems from the large amount of flannel everyone wore back when I was in high school), but I was starting to wear them more pre-baby bump. Hopefully I'll be back in belt wearing shape in no time after my little one arrives!

In the meantime, I loved the bow belt on Tiffany over at I am Style-ish. Her exact belt is no longer available, but this Cole Haan is a great replacement. It would be the perfect gift for a someone that is a little more fashion forward.

Cole Haan Bow Belt

Victoria's Secret Holiday 2010 Sparkling Fragrance Products

I'm not generally a big sparkle girl (I like a little subtle shimmer on my face to help fake the "pregnancy glow"), but something about a holiday party just screams out for sparkle. When I need body shimmer I think Victoria's Secret, they have a great selection of well priced products every year.

This year they have a trio of shimmer products so you'll be happy whether you prefer a light dusting of shimmer powder, a spray mist or even a lotion. All 3 products come in a variety of Victoria's Secret scents (each with a different color of shimmer) so you'll find one you love pretty easily.

Available Scents:
• Secret Bombshell: Silver pink glimmer with notes of Purple Passion Fruit, Shangri-la Peony and Vanilla Orchid.
• Dream Angels Heavenly: Golden glimmer with notes of White Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla and White Peony.
• Very Sexy: Silver glimmer with notes of Vanilla Orchid, Clementine and Blackberry.
• Pink: Pink glimmer with notes of Artemisia, Neroli Flower and Peony.
• Sexy Little Things Noir: Golden pink glimmer with notes of Nectarine, Amber and Orchid.

Victoria's Secret Holiday 2010 Sparkling Fragrance Products

Yuko's KokoroG: The Cure for Split Ends

I've mentioned it a few times in passing on the blog in the last few months, but my hair seems to be having extra issues this fall. The change from summer to winter and back again is typically a bit hard for me, my hair gets dry, static prone and frizzy. Even worse, I can develop sudden split ends overnight. I'll go for a trim and be fine for a week or so, and then suddenly the one morning... they are everywhere. No amount of conditioning or other treatments prevents this, it is just a fall thing with my hair. My goal is usually to minimize the overall breakage I experience during this time by minimizing heat exposure, increasing hydration and getting another trim to get rid of the split ends again.

This year the split ends have persisted despite multiple trims, a dramatic decrease in heat exposure and many amazing new super hydrating hair masks. But, then a new shampoo/conditioner duo came my way. Can I just say Oh Em Gee?

Dr. Paul Friedman's Beautiful Skin Revealed

I'm really into new skin care and beauty books lately, and this is a pretty amazing one. Dr. Friedman is a cosmetic dermatologist, and I love his easy, straight forward way of explaining things. He talks about everything in cosmetic dermatology, from acne to stretch marks, a brief explanation about why things happen, and then he briefly describes the things that can be done to help. He tells you what types of lasers will help, which topical ingredients, how much things cost and even mentions expected recovery time and experience.

I don't think that this is a book for those that are trying to do things at home on their own. So, if you have acne and are looking for some help, I don't think this book has enough info for you. Rather, this is the book to turn to if you are considering a little freshening up, have a port wine stain or something similar, and you're thinking of visiting a cosmetic dermatologist for something a bit more invasive than just another lotion. Thinking about lasering those acne scars? Want to get rid of those ugly leg veins? Info is presented on different treatment options and their pros and cons. This is a great place to start reading before you go to the doctor. In addition, there is a nice section at the back about products and what to look for (similar in complexity to what I usually offer on this blog).

Approachable and matter of fact, this book feels more like reading a well informed magazine than an intense medical book.

Dr. Friedman
Beautiful Skin Revealed at Amazon

Sephora's Tokidoki Accessories and Hair Tools

The tokidoki collection at Sephora is designed by Italian artist Simone Legno and is available exclusively at Sephora. The cute little characters are definitely sassy, and this holiday season they will be featured on a huge range of accessories and hair tools. I've only featured some of the items in this post (read on below to see more), but there are also really cute iPhone covers amongst other items. I'd run to Sephora.com or the local Sephora location to check them all out.

Nicki Minaj and MAC's Pink Friday

Nicki Minaj is a hip hop artist from Trinidad, and she is a huge MAC fan. Her trademark lippie has long been Pink Nouveau, but in celebration of her highly anticipated debut album she has collaborated with MAC to create this new pink. Pink Friday is "a bright, creamy pink satin formula."

It will be available for purchase only on 4 Fridays: November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 17, 2010
Only available while supplies last and only on MAC's website. Will you be checking it out? I'm strongly considering ordering a tube, it looks like it would be great for spring.

MAC

Kiehl's Friends and Family Discount

As you plan your attack on shopping for this weekend, keep this coupon in mind! It only works at Keihl's stand alone stores, and you will need to bring a print out of the coupon (click to enlarge it to full size). 20% off is a great deal though, and I'm jealous of those that live near a Kiehl's store!

Votre Vu's Pampering Gift Sets

La Boum $49.00 ($91.00 Value)
This set includes great items to help pamper you before going out.
• Amour D’Ore Multi-Vitamin Oil for Face, Body and Hair: A cocktail of oils and vitamin E
• Tarte d’Amande Rich Soufflé for the Body


Le Lendemain Des Fêtes $66.00 ($122.00 Value)
Perfect for recovering after a night out!
• Tout Le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gel
• SpécialEyes Intensive Eye Treatment
• À Votre Santé Elixir Essential
• SnapDragon Beauty Beverage


Votre Vu

Black Friday Deals

Personally, I'm an on-line Black Friday shopper, but here's a smattering of what I've found so far. Happy bargain hunting!

Sephora
• Free Shipping on select holiday gifts: HOLIDAYSHIP
• Free Bobbi Brown Makeup Remover with Any Purchase: BBOFF
• Free Bremenn Face Cream Sample with Any Purchase: BREMENN
• Free Buxom Lipstick With Any Purchase: AMSTERDAM

Express
• Save 40% off everything in store or on-line before noon on Friday
• Save 30% off everything in store or on-line after noon on Friday

Drugstore.com
• They have special deals (click the link above to head to them) such as 25% off all Kinerase, and StriVectin SD marked down to $99 from $135.

Donna Karan
• An extra 25% off all sale items through Sunday

Michael Kors
• Free shipping with orders over $100: SHOPMK

Banana Republic
• 25% off everything through Sunday (in store and on-line): BRTHANKS

DuWop Cosmetics
• The first 100 customers (I don't know the starting time) to check out on-line will receive a mini "Love-in-a-Mist" Venom Gloss and a mini Prime Venom. As well, there will be free ground shipping through December 26th for most orders (only within the continental US and for orders that have a regular priced item).

Sonya Dakar
• Free shipping on all orders over $75

Kate Somerville
• 30% off everything through November 30th: KSFF2010
• Free shipping on all purchases through November 30th

Crabtree & Evelyn
• 50% off select products (they seem to have picked their most popular items) and you can get their Hand Therapy for only $7 (normal price $15, limit 8)
• In store:
- Buy one get one 50% off entire store
- Friday: First 50 customers receive 6 piece hand care bundle for $5 with any purchase.
- Saturday: First 50 customers receive Hand Therapy Sampler for $5 with any purchase.
- Sunday: First 50 customers receive Ultra Luxury Crabtree Sampler featuring 8 Crabtree & Evelyn travel size products for $5

Elizabeth Arden
• 25% off Makeup, Skincare and Fragrance with free shipping on all orders until 11/30/2010

ShopBop
• Take $50 off for every $250 you spend up to $500 off your order. Use the code BIGEVENT until 11/29

Tory Burch
• Get 30% off $300 or more in store or on-line: GETGIFTS
• Spend over $150 and you'll get a free tote bag.

Lush
• Spend $100, get free ground shipping
• Spend $120, get free 2 day shipping
• Spend $150, get a free 1 ounce perfume (choose from Olive Branch, Candy Fluff, Cinders, Honey I Washed the Kids and So White)
• Get a $10 LUSH e-gift card with any purchase over $100
• All Lush offers are good until 11/30

ULTA
• Free shipping with $25 order or more: 512213
• Free Crabtree & Evelyn Mini 60 Second Fix with $35 on-line purchase, while quantities last
• Stores will open at 6 am and there are doorbusters on Friday and Saturday, check your ad for details

DermStore.com
• Pick up a Mystery Bag for only $25, each bag has $200 worth of products! While supplies last or until 11/29, whichever comes first.
• 20% off everything in your "My Favorites" section

Skin Store
• 20% off everything until 11/29: CYBER20

Smashbox
• 20% off until 11/29: FFSB20

Stila
• 20% off until 11/29: STILALOVES

B-Glowing
• 20% off the entire site until 11/29: GIFT20

Ayari's Makeup Tour

I wanted to remind everyone about Ayari's Makeup Tour and the launch party. If I was in NYC I would definitely be attending this party! Someone please go so I can live vicariously through you.


December 2, 2010
6-10:30 PM
Pearl My Lounge
155 8th Ave., NYC

The VIP ticket includes:
• Manicure
• Mini Makeover
• Massage
• Hors D'ourves
• Desserts
• 2 Drink tickets
• 1 Raffle ticket
• Gift bag


Ayari's Makeup Tour is hitting the East Coast, and the sessions sound like so much fun! The tour stops are still being decided, but once they are I think it will be well worth checking out.

Attendees receive:
• a 3 hour education from a full makeup artist staff
• full makeup kit and brushes
• a chance at winning an aluminum makeup case and a complimentary airbrushed makeover
• lunch


Ayari's Makeup Tour

Tory Burch Saffiano Slim Card Case

I received a black one version of this about 2 years ago as a gift, and it is much more useful than it looks. Yes, it is very thin and small. It is meant to hold extra credit cards that don't fit in your wallet, but there is also a central pocket that works to hold money. I like to use this to hold an ID, credit card and cash for situations that I can't bring my entire purse (or even a wallet). Lately that means it is in my back pocket at The Big House, where purses are not allowed for football games.

Tory Burch Saffiano Slim Card Case

MAC Naughty Little Vices Nail Lacquer

In addition to their usual mini sets of glosses and pigments, this year MAC has released a mini collection of nail polishes. I love that they finally did this. While I've never had great wear from a MAC manicure (about 2-3 flawless days as opposed to the 5-6 days I can get with OPI, China Glaze or Essie), they do have some great colors.

The formula is the same as the usual MAC nail polish, so it flows nicely off of the brush and is easy to use. The bottle is tall and thin, perfect for bringing with you on travel. The brush seems to be similar to the usual MAC brush and just as easy to use. Overall, the packaging gets a thumbs up.

Read on to see swatches of each shade.

Sensai Triple Touch Compact

See that great little compact? It's the perfect item to take with you everywhere. You'll need at least 2 (1 for home and 1 for your purse), so budget accordingly!

The two concealers on the top level are amazing. The white one is not really white. It's a clear gel that melts with your fingers. Put it anywhere you want a smoother texture such as over pores, fine lines, etc. Surface irregularities are filled in, anything that goes over this concealer (which moves and contracts with your skin throughout the day, by the way) will not be able to settle in and make things more obvious. It works best with smaller imperfections (this is not going to work on giant, shar pei style wrinkles), but I found it to be great over some pore issues on my nose and the slight dryness I had in my nasolabial fold yesterday.

The second concealer is just a basic concealer. I liked that it did really react well to the heat of my fingers, melting and becoming much easier to blend than most caked/creamy concealers, but still offering the extra pigmentation of those forms. It works great alone, over the first concealer or over foundation. It was perfect for under my eyes and other trouble spots.

Finally, the bottom layer is an amazing pressed powder. This powder is different than other powders. According to Sensai, this is "Moistened Powder, a unique powder that has been pre-moistened with skin-hydrating oil so that each pigment particle hydrates the skin and don’t “soak up” skin’s natural oils as other drying powders do." (FYI, I didn't mention it, but the moisten powder also appears in concealer #2.) I found the powder to be very finely milled, easy to blend, and it is a perfect color match for the concealer. Which means you can apply more concealer over the powder without worrying about being splotchy. With my combination skin I did not need to reapply this powder throughout the day, it seemed to do a perfect job of keeping my skin semi-matte and flawless.

Sensai Triple Touch Compact

pureDKNY Fragrance

This may be the freshest, most watery fragrance I've ever tried. It is a simple fragrance, so much so that to me it really is reminiscent of the early 1990s, when it seemed everything was being brought down to the barest essentials. This is a simple, fresh scent that is light and airy.

Top Notes:Ugandan Vanilla, Dew Drop Floral Petals, Lotus, Bulgarian Rose
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Freesia, Orchid
Base Notes: White Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla in Water

While there are floral notes in this scent, on me they are very faint. The initial impression is of a very light vanilla scent (but not overly sweet), with a hint of the freesia. The dry down is a bit prolonged, after an hour or so the freesia steps back a bit and the amber and sandalwood are a bit more apparent. To me they are very subtle and watery.

Overall this is a fragrance for those that don't like fragrances. It's so light and subtle, it really is more like you've changed laundry detergent or your shampoo. A subtle change that isn't overwhelming.

pureDKNY Fragrance

Kiehl's Healthy Skin Solutions Holiday Set

This set is perfect for the person that wants to pamper themselves or maybe should be pampering themselves, but hasn't been able to do so. The products work for every skin type, though the products are geared towards those looking for glowing skin and to help fight aging. (Powerful Strength is a Vitamin C concentrate and the MRC is a blend of botanicals to help super moisturize the skin and help fight aging) Perfect for anyone over about the age of 25.

Contains:
• Ultra Facial Cream 1.7 oz
• Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate 1.7 oz
• Avocado Eye
• Midnight Recovery Concentrate Deluxe Sample

$79 ($111 value) at Kiehls.com and Kiehl's Stores.

L'Oreal's Youth Code: A Pre-Sale to be Excited About?

If you've done any web surfing recently, you've likely noticed the L'Oreal Youth Code Pre-Sale ads everywhere. I mean, everywhere. They are on almost every site I visit. (Actually, not every site. Sometimes I run into the Youth Code Facebook Contest ad instead.)

What exactly is this stuff and should you consider buying it through the pre-sale? Personally, I wanted to know more about the science behind it and why it does (or does not) work.

(Incidentally, I think it does, read on for more info about why.)

Cole Haan Tablet Sleeve

If you have an iPad, I say flaunt it. There are some insanely over the top iPad cases, but I like this one the best. It is a bit more affordable at $98, and I love the white patent croc styling.


Cole Haan Tablet Sleeve

Pixi Winter Eyes Palette: Swatches and Review

This holiday season you might spot this palette of 12 (!!) eye shadows by PIXI for only $10 at your local Target. If you're lucky. It's been sold out at the 2 Targets near me each time I've checked, luckily I have PR connections and managed to get my hands on one of these little babies.

The shadows are pretty well pigmented, though slightly powdery. They last most of the day, longer if used over a lid primer like Urban Decay's Primer Potion. I would definitely call these shadows a great buy, and they would be a great stocking stuffer.

Victoria's Secret Midnight Glamour, Holiday Collection

This year's Victoria's Secret Beauty Holiday collection is already available, and the colors look amazing! They're perfect for creating a sultry smoky eye for your holiday parties. Perhaps the product I'm most interested in is the Hypergloss Eye Shimmer, which can either be worn alone or layered over eye shadow to add shimmer.


VS always creates amazing looking collections on the outside of the product, and this year is no exception. Look at how pretty they are!


In the Collection:
• Hypergloss Eye Shimmer
• Nail Lacquer- In Midnight Glamour, a dark midnight blue shade
• Luminous Highlighting Powder- 3 shimmery shades come together to create an amazing glow! In Starlit.
• Deluxe Eye Palette- Features Eye Shadows and a Gel Liner. In Spellbound (champagne, bronze, dark silver and midnight shadows plus black gel liner).
• Deluxe Lip Palette- A mix of both Lipsticks and Lip Glosses. In Temptation (clear sparkle and nude gloss, berry and deep red lipstick).


Victoria's Secret Midnight Glamour