Don't Forget to Enter the Walmart Beauty Bag Giveaway!



have you entered to win the fabulous gift bag Walmart is giving away to celebrate their new online beauty department?

if not, click here for the details and what you'll need to do to enter (trust me, it's simple). the deadline is monday, november 2nd at 11pm, pacific time.

good luck! :)

xo
pic taken by me :)

Demi Moore Celebrates Helena Rubinstein's New Fragrance, All You’ve Ever WANTED



on thursday night, Vanity Fair, L'Oreal and Demi Moore celebrated Helena Rubinstein's launch of the century--All You've Ever WANTED, the new fragrance inspired by Demi.

Demi was joined by Ashton Kutcher (of course), Zac Posen and an elite group of very important people to toast the debut of the fragrance at Monkey Bar in nyc.



All You've Ever WANTED reflects Demi's modern love story and captivating allure and is also a contemporary expression of her daring appeal. the intoxicating fragrance blends an enveloping sensuality of magnolia with iris-cream, magnified by a charismatic touch of cedar extract for an irresistibly feminine and intense potion.

this new scent will be available exclusively at Macy's starting november 5th.

are you looking forward to smelling this new fragrance?

xo
info courtesy of Tractenberg & Co.

i'm loving: my new statement ring



last weekend i did a little browsing at the mall with my mom and kids. mainly it was her way of getting gift ideas for our family. of course, because my mom is my mom, she ended up buying a few things.




one of those things was this amazing flower ring from a store called Cinderella. if you can believe it, it was my first time in there ever, and i was amazed at all of the fabulous accessories they carried. the ring is metal and has a huge stone in the center. i have no idea who designed this, but i love it. it came in other color combos, but i liked this black one the best.




btw, it just so happens that my hands aren't small and i have long fingers, so wearing larger-sized rings suits them well. this ring is crazy big-- it makes my other "big" rings look small, ha!



thanks mom!

xo
pics taken by me :)

Meet Rebecca Minkoff at Henri Bendel!



fabulous handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff will be making an appearance at Henri Bendel next week, so if you're in the nyc area, be sure to check it out! make it a fun night-- meet Rebecca, do some shopping, mingle with friends, and eat some yummy cookies (who doesn't love cookies??). wish i could be there!

here are the details (you can also click on the image to make it larger)...

what: Rebecca Minkoff in-store event

where: Henri Bendel, 712 fifth ave @ 56th street, nyc

when: friday november 6, 2009 5pm-7pm and saturday, november 7, 2009 3pm-5pm

p.s. if you spend $250 or more, you'll get a gift!

have fun!

xo
info courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff

Gossip Girl Style Featuring Winifred Grace and Suzanna Dai



on monday's episode of Gossip Girl, Chuck (Ed Westwick) throws a roaring twenties party to open a club in his new hotel. it was so fun seeing all the costumes and fun accessories that made the party a night to remember...

Taylor Momsen's character, Jenny (above pic, left), wore many necklaces, but it was this Winifred Grace Fringe necklace that added that extra bit of pizazz to her outfit.




Blair (Leighton Meester) chose to wear the uber-impressive St. Petersburg Necklace by Suzanna Dai.

great accessories, don't you think?

xo xo

The Body Shop Introduces Love Etc...



Love Etc..., a new fragrance collection from The Body Shop features, get this, the first eau de parfum to feature an alcohol perfume base created from an ingredient which is fairly-traded and organic. how cool is that? in any case, this scent, to me, is everything one is likely to expect because of its name alone-- romantic, sweet, alluring and delightful, with a slight hint of luxuriousness.



Love Etc... Eau de Parfum***

described by The Body Shop as a floriental, the top notes consist of pear, neroli and bergamot; middle notes include jasmine, heliotrope and lily of the valley; base notes are warm vanilla, sandalwood and musk cream.


Love Etc... Body Wash***

when i first smelled this, i instantly liked it. it's soft, romantic-- you know, girly. it's young and vibrant, but not over-the-top. it will appeal to the masses, something that, i'm sure, was done on purpose. because really, what perfume doesn't want to be liked by everyone?



Love Etc... Body Wash***

i really love wearing this scent-- the Body Wash and Lotion are perfect to use on their own or to layer under the perfume, leaving skin with a fragrance that lasts all day. while i prefer to wear this during the day, it could work for night, too-- the bright quality will keep you in a love-is-in-the-air mood.

Love Etc... is now available at The Body Shop and online, thebodyshop-usa.com

xo
pics taken by me :)
***products sent to me for the purpose of review

Holiday 2009: Bobbi Brown Chrome Collection



meet Bobbi Brown's newest collection-- Chrome, a fierce, hip and very downtown-feeling collection.

Bobbi says: "Chrome is cool and icy–it's a very modern, but still pretty, way to illuminate the skin."





with this collection comes the Chrome Palette- Bobbi's cool, contemporary take on holiday beauty. housed in a fold-out palette, it features icy, shimmering accents for eyes and lips. it's everything you need to create countless party-read looks including: 10 eye shadows, 4 lip shades, a Mini Eye Shadow Brush and a Mini Lip Brush.






Chrome lips are another trend Bobbi is loving this holiday season, which is why she is introducing three new limited edition products for lips: Port Lip Color, Chrome Metallic Lip Color and Plum Pearl Metallic Lip Color.



also included is Bobbi's holiday Chrome Mini Brush Set- the perfect present for the beauty-junkie in your life (or yourself!). the set, which comes in a chrome zip-around cases features a Mini Face Blender, our new Mini Angle Eye Shadow Brush and a Mini Eye Liner brush.


watch Bobbi share the Chrome look:






i personally am liking what i see in this collection-- what do you think of it?

be sure to visit bobbibrown.com for more info

xo
info courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

nail color of the week: OPI for Sephora Mermaid to Order



something a little different: OPI for Sephora's Mermaid to Order. i bought this amazing blue-green shade at the beginning of summer on a trip to Sephora with my daughter. we both said "ooohhhh, so pretty!", so i bought it.

then it sat on a shelf all summer...


top pic taken indoors with a flash; above pic taken in the sun

if mermaids were real, their tails would be this color (well, at least some of them, LOL). anyway, i finally pulled it off that shelf last week and put it on. when i went to pick up my kids from school, my daughter instantly noticed-- "you've had that for so long, i'm glad you're finally wearing it"-- of course now she wants to wear it, too. :)

you can find OPI for Sephora Mermaid to Order at Sephora or online sephora.com

xo
pics taken by me :)

Milani "Black Magic" Nail Lacquer Collection



want to go for a wicked-cool nail look this week? one of Milani's limited-edition Black Magic Nail Lacquers just might be the nail polish to wear with whatever costume your wearing on the 31st and beyond. the colors are daring blacks with a fabulous glitter-- gorgeous!

colors featured in the collection:

Enchantment
Magical
Charmed
Fairy Tail
Whimsical
Spellbinding


i've seen these in person, but haven't worn any of them. Scrangie posted her take on them (with swatches of course), so head on over there to check it out. :)

Milani Black Magic Nail Lacquers are available at CVS stores nationwide.

xo

Holiday 2009: Yves Saint Laurent



YSL wants your holiday season to be a glamorous one with their holiday collection. inspired by their sophisticated Fall Look, the Holiday Look 2009 is smokey, vibrant and elegant (and if you love red lipcolor, you're going to love this-- they have a great new shade of it).




for face:

new Teint Resist Long Wear Transfer Resistant Foundation
Touche Éclat Radiant Touch #1 Luminous Radiance




for eyes:

Dessin du Regard Haute Tenue Eye Pencil #1 Intense Black
Ombres Duolumières Eyeshadow Duo #1 Heavenly Beige / Astral Brown
Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara #1 High Density Black




for lips:

new Fard à Lèvres Rouge Pur Lipstick #150 Sublime Red

also available, a collector's Limited Edition Duo Lip Color Palette-- the case was inspired by the YSL lugguage tag-- fabulous!-- and comes with a lipstick and a gloss.




as if that weren't enough, check out the Limited Edition Mini Touche Blush-- absolutely adorable and a must-have for getting your holiday shimmer on.


visit yslbeautyus.com for more info on what's new in makeup and skincare for Holiday 2009!

xo

The Magical Beauty Collection by Carol's Daughter



is there a princess in your life (a daughter, niece, or fabulous little girl you just happen to know)? you may be interested to know that Carol's Daughter has collaborated with Disney to create The Magical Beauty Collection -- a line created based on the upcoming Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog.

The Princess And The Frog is a story about inner beauty, the power of believing and working hard at your dreams. this groundbreaking movie is also the introduction of Disney's first african-american princess, Tiana (obviously, a major milestone in franchise history).



The Magical Beauty Collection is a line for mothers and daughters (or as i said, you and any little girl you love) to share, and tells the story of Tiana's transformation along with the values she learns along the way. each product is a reflection of a specific lesson that Tiana learns during her journey, making the collection an inspirational way for girls to connect with Disney's newest princess.

here are the product details...




Shampoo ("The Beauty Within"): designed with a child's delicate hair in mind, this cleanser gently removes dirt and residue without stripping hair of natural oils. the formula leaves hair silky smooth and soft to the touch. renowned for its soothing, nourishing and calming properties, aloe leaf juice helps condition dry scalp and hair.


Conditioner ("Inner Shine"): this moisturizing conditioner provides long-lasting softness and shine, leaving hair more manageable for easy combing and styling. sunflower seed oil cleanses as olive fruit oil and aloe leaf juice condition and hydrate. protein-rich sweet almond promotes hair growth and adds luster while silk amino acids detangle for improved control and manageability.


Hair Detangler ("Dream Big"): this ‘wonder-product’ spray releases tangles while protecting hair against breakage, soothing tender scalps as it conditions. aloe leaf juice nourishes and calms as cranberry fruit extract helps maintain a healthy, itch-free scalp. lemon peel extract acts as a natural antiseptic, treating hair concerns while nourishing the scalp and adding shine.


Bubble Bath ("Sharing Means Caring"): this moisturizing bubble bath provides long-lasting bubbles that make bath time fun without irritation or drying delicate skin. the ultra rich formula cleanses and moisturizes skin with natural ingredients like aloe leaf juice.


The Magical Beauty Collection Gift Set: housed in a reusable tote, it includes shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath and a rose-shaped loofah sponge.

how fun does this collection look? i was in the Disney Store over the weekend with my daughter, and while her favorite princesses are Jasmine and Ariel, she scoped out Tiana and expressed her excitement over seeing The Princess and the Frog-- i think she would really enjoy these.


The Magical Beauty Collection by Carol's Daughter is available at Carol's Daughter Stores, select Disney Stores, Macy's, Dillard's, carolsdaughter.com and disneystore.com

xo

Walmart.com Launches Beauty Products Online & a Giveaway!!



anytime i'm in Walmart, i have to spend a little time in their beauty department. i mean, come on, the prices are fab. now Walmart.com is offering a selection of beauty products that can be purchased for home delivery.

Walmart's top-selling items from trusted, national brands like Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Pantene and Gillette have been added to Walmart.com's online assortment and can now be shipped directly to your home!

the company recently sent me a sampling of some products they will have available, and want to offer the same opportunity to one of my fabulous readers. here's what's in the bag:



*Cover Girl Continuous Lip Color in Rose Quartz (two shown in the pic)
*Cover Girl Lashblast Volume Blasting Mascara in Very Black
*Cover Girl Eye Enhancers Trio in Shimmering Sands
*Crest Advanced Seal White Strips
*Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream with Amino Peptides
*Pantene Pro-V Moisture Renewal Shampoo for Damaged Hair
*Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant


so do you want these products to be yours? u.s. residents only-- send me an email, bgmcontests@gmail.com with Walmart Giveaway in the subject line. include your full name and your mailing info and that's it**!

the deadline to enter is 11pm pacific time, monday, november 2nd, 2009. the winner will be announced tuesday, november 3rd.

be sure to visit walmart.com/beauty

p.s. you can receive free samples of select health & beauty items online every day at walmart.com/samples

xo

first image, Todd Wright. second pic taken by me :)

**read please: entering this contest means you are giving me permission to forward your name, email and mailing address to representatives of Walmart for fulfillment and mailing of contest prize(s). failure to include all information requested will disqualify your entry. one (1) winner, chosen at random, will receive the prize mentioned. duplicate entries will not improve your chances of winning. giveaway sponsored by Walmart. some restrictions apply. open only to US residents only. entries will be accepted through 11pm, pacific time on monday, november 2, 2009. thank you. :)

Tune in to Watch Vapour Organic Beauty on ShopNBC




talk about must-see tv! this tuesday tune in to watch Eric Sakas, makeup artist and co-founder of Vapour Organic Beauty, demonstrate the latest fall beauty looks on ShopNBC (btw, you might also be interested to know that he also co-founded Kevyn Aucoin Beauty and served as Director of Color for Philosophy!). he'll be demonstrating how to create the hottest looks for fall while offering the Vapour's special kits to help make it easier to create gorgeous jewel-toned eyes and the uber-sexy smokey eyes/pale lips combo.




i am looking forward to seeing these products in action as i am unfamiliar with them myself. from what i've been told, Vapour beauty products are all about getting that natural look, with products that contain certified organic, light, dry plant oils that are non-comedogenic to the skin. sounds yummy, right?

here are the details:

date: tuesday, october 27th

time: 12 noon eastern (a full hour), 4pm eastern (a full hour), 10pm eastern (part of Beauty Confidential) and 11pm eastern (part of Beauty Confidential)

station: ShopNBC

visit vapourbeauty.com for more info

xo
info courtesy of BOLD PR

Beauty Girl TV: Three Cleansers I'm Loving Right Now

there are so many cleansers on the market, and i have many favorites! in this episode of Beauty Girl TV i'm sharing three cleansers for all skin types that i've been using the most lately. plus, watch to find out my secret to getting my skin truly clean...

enjoy!




products featured:

Philosophy Purity Made Simple*

Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser**

Sponge Gel Cleanser*** (available spring 2010)


tell me: what cleanser(s) are you loving right now?

xo
*purchased by me
**sample received in press kit from Tractenberg PR
***sample received from a Sponge Rep in The Plaza Hotel's "Beauty by Warren-Tricomi" Department in NYC

what i'm reading: Fierce Style by Christian Siriano



Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self by Christian Siriano* allows every woman the opportunity to get advice from Project Runway's most successful and fierce winner.

i admit, i was always a huge fan of Christian's-- every week i would tune in to PR, eager to see what he would create. he was even memorable to hubby because of his repeated use of the word "fierce"; the man couldn't remember Christian's name, but if i said "you know, the 'fierce' guy", he instantly remembered, LOL!

with a foreward from Tim Gunn (if you get the book, don't skip this part!), Fierce Style touches on everything from how to create your own signature style, give your wardrobe more pizazz, how to dress your body type, the best places to shop for your style preferences (even on a budget!), beauty and hair tips, what inspires him, and the list goes on...


pic of Christian working, featured in chaper 7 (page 98)

throughout the book, Christian shares his own style blunders and missteps, lists his favorite (and not so favorite) things, and the best part of all? the glossary of terms at the back of the book (i'm glad i'm not the only one who uses the word fabulous to describe everything i love!)!

i really like this book because it's practical, fun to read, has amazing tips (and pics!), and each chapter is broken down into bites, rather than being long and drawn-out. you can literally pick this book up, open it to any page, and get a style tip, beauty inspiration or an idea on how to make the most of your own time and talents so you can be your most fabulous, fierce self.

great job Christian!

you can find Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self in bookstores now and online at amazon.com

xo
first pic taken by me :)
Christian Siriano photo via amazon.com

*the publisher, The Hatchett Group, sent this book to me for review

Carol's Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar



little pampering treats are great mood lifters, wouldn't you say? one of my favorites is Carol's Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar. it hardly takes any time to do, but it makes such a difference!

i bought Manicure in a Jar myself a couple of months ago, and created my own mid-week mini pampering ritual that includes this. i like to use this right before bed (after i've cleansed and treated my face, put on some lip moisturizer, a little body lotion, my pjs and ran a bit of leave-in conditioner through my hair). the sea salt exfoliates so well and essential oils moisturize, leaving my hands feeling silky smooth. there's always a little hint of oils left on my hands, but i don't mind. i apply lotion to my hands and go to sleep. when i wake up, my hands are so soft and look refreshed. love it!

you can find Carol's Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar the same place i did-- Sephora, of course!-- or visit carolsdaughter.com for more info as well as locations of stores.

xo
pic taken by me :)

Myth-Busting Advice from CARGO's Top Makeup Artist

CARGO's top makeup artist, Renée Ryan, hears it all when it comes to makeup. women have their own thoughts and misconceptions about the subject itself, but she wants to squash any myths that even you may think are true.

Renée believes makeup should work for you, so take a look at her simple tips, techniques and advice to ensure a flawless look every time and get her take on some of the most common makeup myths:

myth: i can use my lip gloss for years

reality: no, yucky! lip gloss, like food, has an expiration date. "the fact is, lip gloss gets old and goes bad," Ryan says. "ensuring that your make-up is fresh will mean that you're always looking your best."



because it's difficult to remember when you first use a gloss, it just so happens that CARGO incorporates cutting-edge Timestrip® technology into their packaging. this tiny (genius!) strip is embedded in the product's cap and keeps track of how long the gloss has been open. with 15 shades of Classic and blu_ray™ Lip Gloss, you'll never run out of new colors to try!


myth: bronzer is only for summer

reality: don't be afraid to use bronzer year-round to retain that healthy glow! "women are often intimidated by bronzer and sometimes unsure about how to apply it, but there's an easy trick," admits Ryan. "brush it on above the brow bone, under the cheek bone and along the jaw line. basically trace an 'E'nd a '3' on either side of your face. it's that simple!"



CARGO has an award-winning Bronzer that can be applied lightly, for a subtle sun-kissed glow, or layered for a deeper, intense "golden goddess" look.


myth: using eyeliner on the lower lid makes eyes appear larger

reality: this technique actually has the reverse effect, making eyes appear smaller, not larger. think about it: when a woman wears all black, she appears thinner. the same thing happens when we line our lower lashes, "slimming" our eyes. instead, Ryan suggests making your eyes appear wider and brighter by by highlighting the brow and shading the lid of the eye.




CARGO's Essential Palette features shadows that "are embossed with an application guideline-- outer corner; crease; lid; browbone-- to ensure perfectly sculpted eyes every time."


myth: my concealer is too bright

reality: you're probably applying it wrong! "with concealer, less is more-– and application is important," notes Ryan. "always begin with a small amount and blend it, using your fingers for the best coverage."




Ryan recommends CARGO's blu_ray™ Concealer, which comes in two shades, appropriate for all skintones. it was originally designed for high-definition filming and photography, so the blu_ray™ Concealer has light-diffusing pigments that create a fresh, natural look in any light.

myth: blush should only be applied to the apple of your cheeks

reality: no way! blush can be used to create a rosy glow and contour your face. "you can always put a light dusting on the apples of the cheeks, but to get the most out of your blush, simply change the way you use it," Ryan explains. "for denser coverage, select a dome brush and apply your blush below the cheekbones to get lots of definition."



another trick is to trace the tragus line (beginning mid-ear) with one of CARGO's bestselling blushes in Rome, Topeka or Big Easy. this both contours and highlights the cheekbone. "and don’t forget to experiment with color!" reminds Ryan. "CARGO's blushes all have neutral undertones, so the colors work on a variety of complexions. enjoy and have fun with it!"

great info-- thanks Renée!

if you would like more info about the CARGO brand, i recommend you visit cargocosmetics.com or sephora.com.

xo
info courtesy of Janine Gordon Associates

15% Off GO-GIRL Products!




hello beauties! have you heard of GO-GIRL? it's a fabulous company that offers fun, yet practical, problem-solving items to keep us looking great, pulled together on-the-go.




one of their bestsellers (used by many celebs like Angelina Jolie and Kelly Ripa) called Lint-On-the-Go Sheets , are portable and small enough to fit in your purse without taking up a hunk of space. i haven't tried them myself, but i caught a clip of one in action, and it looks to be a fabulous invention.

if you read the title of this post, you must know i'm so excited to share that they want to offer a discount to you!

here are the details:

use code GOBEAUTYGIRL at checkout to receive 15% off your order.

this offer is good until noon pacific time this friday, october 23rd.

so visit the website, shopgogirl.com, and browse around-- i'm sure you'll find some goodies to add to your shopping cart (you know that holidays are just around the corner...).

happy shopping!

xo

on my must-buy list: Marc Jacobs Lola Solid Perfume Ring



i'm going to be honest-- i have only smelled Marc Jacobs' latest fragrance Lola in a magazine, but what i smelled was divine, amazing, practically made for me!

ok, that was a little over the top, but i liked it that much. :)

then, last week i found out it came in an adorable, limited-edition solid perfume ring-- hello?! the flower matches the one found on the perfume bottle-- too cute, right? i had to add it to my "must-buy" list.



i know, it may sound a bit nutty to want to buy this without having actually worn the scent, but i figure since i liked it on paper, and the notes are some of my personal preferences, i don't think it will be a disappointment (at least, i hope not, ha!). also, i think solid perfumes are great because they are portable, easy to apply and this one comes in something i can wear without wearing the perfume, making it that much more appealing.

in addition to being limited-edition, there is one catch to being able to purchase this ring: you must be a Sephora Beauty Insider. if you aren't already, 1) why not?, and 2) it's very simple to do! just go to sephora.com, click on the "sign up for Sephora" link and fill in the info. you can also sign up in Sephora if you have one locally. and that's it!

so, what do you think of the ring? have you smelled Lola? if so, do you love it? hate it? tell me your thoughts in the comments!

xo

Pantene Stylist Shares Fall's Hottest Hair Color Trend



the fall season has officially started-- although the weather doesn't seem to realize that-- it rained two days last week, then warmed up to literally 100 degrees by the end of it! it's moderate today, but will warm up to 80's temps again this week-- bleh. well, at least have cool evenings to enjoy. hopefully the weather will decide to stay below 80 during the day at some point...ha!

ok, on to serious beauty business-- fall hair color trends!

the color trends we can expect to see this season are, thankfully, conducive to "rehabbing" hair that may have been damaged over the summer-- you've gotta love that!

to make sure you're on trend, and give your natural hair color a chance to shine, stay away from the harsh colors and bright platinum shades that are most damaging to your hair.

"the days of striking, contrasting colors are gone this season," explains celebrity stylist for Pantene, Hallie Bowman (pictured, above). "this fall people will be going back to their roots, or at least making it look that way. we're going to see natural-looking tones to balance the more extreme hair styles that are going to be big, including mixed textures and nods to the 80s shapes."



if you're blonde:

platinum is out and warmer, neutral tones are in. Bowman recommends shades of sable, vanilla or mink. however, if you're not ready to let go of your platinum locks, soften the look by adding some golden highlights.


if you're brunette:

reddish or bluish browns are out and warmer browns are in. shades like deep chocolate and chestnut are going to be all-the-rage; it's all about making your shade believable.


if you're a redhead:

two words-– true red. the key is to ask your stylist to stay away from blue and copper undertones, both of which reflect orange in the sunlight. one way to avoid orange is to add some highlights to cool down the shade.


if you're hair is black:

stay away from blue undertones and go for ebony to keep the shade natural-looking.


to maintain your new, more natural-looking tresses, Bowman recommends using a shampoo and conditioner system that is developed for color treated hair.



"i love the Pantene Expressions collection because it keeps hair color looking fresh, and helps reveal the three facets of hair color: tone, depth and vibrancy," explains Bowman.

with five collections custom designed by shade-- blonde, brunette, red, midnight and highlighting-- each product helps color-treated hair maintain its vibrancy and multi-dimensional shine in between colorings.

Pantene Expressions shampoos and conditioners can be found at national food, drug and mass merchandisers, and online at drugstore.com.

xo

nail color of the week: Sapphire in the Snow



this week's nail color comes from OPI's Holiday Wishes Collection. Sapphire in the Snow is a fabulous deep purple that leans so much toward blue, it doesn't quite photograph the way it looks in person (the pic was taken with a flash). it's a great color worth adding to your polish collection. :)

xo
pic taken by me :)



By Crew