holiday gift idea: Harajuku Lovers Jingle G

looking for the cutest gift or stocking stuffer? i'm in love with Jingle G, the latest, adorable fragrance from the Harajuku Lovers range.

all dressed up in a super cute and sparkly santa suit, Jingle G features a built-in hook, making her the perfect holiday ornament for years to come. the scent itself is oh-so fab ~ fruity notes like tangerine and white star, along with floral accents of jasmine, honeysuckle and gardenia, finished with the perfect touch of yummy vanilla and cedarwood, make this fragrance unique and fun. :)

visit your local Sephora or sephora.com for more info about this limited-edition gem!

product sent to me for review/feature consideration; pic taken by me :)

mark holiday 2011 beauty collection

hello beauties and happy december! as if you didn't already know, it's time to start shopping for holiday gifts! while most of my shopping is almost done {i have my fabulous, non-procrastinating hubby to thank for that}, i still have gorgeous finds to share.

these beautiful, wallet-friendly goodies from mark will definitely bring delight to your favorite beauty-loving recipient. the holiday collection is glitzy, glam and feature products that are perfect for gifting alone, stuffing stockings or for yourself, to take along while traveling.

take a look...

Showcase Color & Clutch To Go is not only a great grouping of shadows, all-over face powder, blushes and glosses, but the inserts can be removed, transforming it into a clutch.


Earn Your Metal Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Silverado or Liquid Gold {pictured} is oh-so-fab! the long-lasting wear formula is an easy way to dress up eyes, even for day!


Glitz & Gloss Mini Purse & Go features a shimmering change purse with attached key chain that connects to any one of four best-selling glow baby glow and glow baby glow luxe lip gloss shades (lotus luxe, girly girl, sweet talk and sun luxe).


Bling On The Brushes Mini Brush Kit is purse-friendly and perfect for the gal on the go...


On The Dot Neutral Eye Color Compact features gorgeous must-have shadows in metallic, shimmering neutrals and Main Squeeze Lip Gloss{Cherry Squeeze, Papaya Squeeze {pictured} and Honey Squeeze} will keep lips feeling nourished and looking gorgeously glossed.


Nailed It Trend Mini Lacquers set includes a shimmery berry, called Sure Fire, and Meltdown, a metallic taupe, that are perfect for giving your tips a bold mani for all your holiday events.

the collection also includes sensational smelling products: Instant Vacation Fragrance Trio Collection {Original, Costa Rica, Ibiza Sol}, Body Luxe Pear Blossom Get Misty Body Mist, Body Luxe Pear Blossom Three’s A Charm 3-in-1 Cleanser and Body Luxe Pear Blossom Whipped Up Body Butter


for more info, to see the rest of the collection {which includes handbags, accessories, fragrance, bath & body and more makeup!} or to order products, visit meetmark.com

products featured sent to me by PR of the brand; pics taken by me :)

Laura Mercier Holiday 2011

Laura Mercier's holiday 2011 collection is gorgeous!

really, could we expect anything less?

take a look at these fabulous gems, perfect to gift to any special makeup-loving gal on your holiday list....


Mini Lip Glace Set includes posh and portable shades in Rose {red pink}, Blush {medium rose brown}, After Hours {soft peachy-pink shimmer}, Sparkling {nude beige shimmer} and Quartz {rich sienna with a hint of red}...fabulous for any occasion.

The Luxe Colour Portfolio {first pic, at top} is packaged oh-so-beautifully in a faux snakeskin organizer and features a collection of 12 new, exclusive and top-selling eye color shades, plus 3 mini professional brushes. a great options for home or travel.

bath & body candles are available in Tarte au Citron, Creme Brulee and Warm Roasted Chestnut {pictured ~ smells beyond delicious!} and would make a splendid hostess gift!

other goodies in the collection include a Travel Brush Set {4 double-ended brushes + full size finishing brush}, Kohl Eye Pencil Set, bath & body duo sets {in Creme Brulee or Tarte au Citron scents} and trio sets {includes a Souffle Body Creme, exfoliating scrub and soothing honey bath in scents of Almond Coconut Milk, Creme Brulee, and Fresh Fig}; other palettes include a Book of Nudes {featuring 8 classically neutral eye shades, 1 universal-flattering black-brown Tightline Cake Eye Liner and 3 sun-kissed Creme Veil shades for face and cheeks}, Luxe Eye Portfolio {12 eye colors, plus 3 brushes}, and Petite Eye Colour Trio {available in Smoky Neutrals, Smoky Mauves or Smoky Taupes}.

Laura Mercier holiday 2011 is available now on counter at nordstrom, sephora and saks -- visit lauramercier.com for more info.

happy shopping!

pics taken by me :)

American Eagle Rhinestone and Chain Bracelet

while browsing for holiday gifts, i discovered this Rhinestone and Chain bracelet from American Eagle Outfitters. i'm hoping this will be liked (and worn) by my hardest-to-buy-for-because-she-is-the-complete-opposite-of-me friend. this little cutie has a row of clear rhinestones, a row of dark rhinestones and a bronze chain link-- it's sparkly (love!), but still casual enough to be worn with jeans (her basic unform). :)

visit ae.com for more info.

xo

Total Beauty: 12 Ways to Spoil Yourself

the holiday season is in full swing, and as if my life weren't busy enough, i also now have to shop for gifts! shopping for them is fun, but one thing i love about shopping for others is the opportunity to discover goodies i could gift to myself (you do that, too, right?).

check out this list Total Beauty created featuring some fabulous, splurge-worthy gifts that you just might want to give yourself this year.

12 Ways to Spoil Yourself This Season

Sure it's the season of giving, but it's not a total crime to be selfish every now and then, right?

This is a TotalBeauty.com Beauty products article Check out the luxurious items you should consider wrapping up for yourself with a "From Santa" tag. See products

xo

NARS Holiday 2010

is it really that time of year already?? i've been getting more and more emails regarding holiday collections and that's what i'm asking myself, LOL! i guess it is-- it is already november!




for the NARS Holiday 2010 Collection, the mood is fearlessly bold featuring Francois' versatile muse Daphne Guinness. as you can see, her smoldering, cobalt-rimmed eyes, platinum hair and peach-glazed cheeks are captured not once, but in multiple kaleidoscopic images-- love!

according to Francois, "when you have Daphne Guinness for a campaign model, you just let her be who she is. Daphne fits the brand so well-- she has such a modern approach to fashion and beauty."

available now at narscosmetics.com, check out the highlights, including the very first NARS Trio Eyeshadow, below:


click on image to see colors

Okinawa Trio Eyeshadow- the first trio eyeshadow for the brand is a striking triad of black onyx, silver and cobalt blue.

Etrusque Single Eyeshadow- an antique gold hue reminiscent of Etruscan cast bronze art


Melusine Duo Eyeshadow- an ultra-modern union of rich purple orchid and silver-spun lilac


Sex Apeal Blush- soft peach blush, perfect for foolproof contouring


Petit Monstre Lipstick- a luxurious berry pigment with a satin finish


Little Darling Lipstick- a classic, nude beige with a sheer finish

Downtown Lip Gloss- a metallic-pink lavender lip gloss that vibrates with party-perfect iridescence

Bougainvilla Lip Gloss- this pomegranate lip gloss appears deep in pigment but is sheer on the lips


Pokerface Nail Polish- a vibrant, magnetic, purple orchid


Bad Influence Nail Polish- a fabulous smoky taupe nail polish that is a unique yet universal hue


anything stand out to you? do you already own any of these goodies? the NARS Holiday Collection is available now at narscosmetics.com and your local Sephora!

xo
info courtesy of NARS

Holiday Makeup Look featuring Smashbox Cosmetics

Smashbox sent me* some fabulous lippies and other goodies to help me come up with a fun holiday look. since all of the gloss colors were amazing, immediately knew what look i was going to create.



as you can see, i decided on a cat-eye look-- yet another look i don't wear often enough.



i used Smashbox Oil-Free Photo Finish Primer as a base before applying my foundation. i highlighted my cheeks and added a bit of color to my eyelids using a mini version of the Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk, then applied a creamy eyeliner and blended it, creating a little cat eye effect.

on my lips i used glosses in Tease (raspberry) and Radiant (a shimmery pink plum), both featured in the limited-edition Wish for the Perfect Pout Set.



i finished with a couple of coats of Lash DNA mascara and voila! a fabulous holiday makeup look. what do you think?

find all these products and more at smashbox.com

xo
*products featured were sent to me by a representative of Smashbox for the purpose of this post.

(Very) Last Minute Gift Ideas

if you're among the many individuals who have had to put off holiday shopping for one reason or another or are procrastinating because it's just something you always do, here are my picks for last-minute shopping...





bareMinerals Happiness Collection-- this 9-piece set features mineral products infused with a mood-boosting plant-extract complex called Happybelle believed to mimic the effect of endorphins and induce a sense of happiness. even if that isn't true, the products in this kit will make any makeup-loving gal happy just the same.




Banana Republic Silk Blend Abstract Print Scarf is a a great gift for the woman in your life who is impossible to shop for. she may have a plethora of scarves, but hopefully not this one. :)




a journal like this one from Peter Pauper Press is a great way to encourage your recipient to keep track of the events or most important happenings in their life during 2010.




an iTunes gift card is always a great way to go for the music lover in your life. be as generous as you can-- they will definitely appreciate having new tunes to serenade them into the new year.

good luck & happy shopping for the holidays!

xo

Holiday Gift Idea: Nordstrom Fragrance Atomizer

practical items make great gifts but let's face it, they can sometimes come off as dull. thankfully, Nordstrom's Jeweled Fragrance Atomizer is anything but. this travel-friendly goodie is ideal for the glitzy gal on-the go who never wants to be without her favorite scent.

a fabulous and yet still very practical gift-- i wouldn't mind finding this in my stocking (hint, hint, wink, wink,). :)

xo

Holiday Look Featuring Raw Natural Beauty

Raw Natural Beauty was kind enough to send me some products so i could create another holiday-inspired look for you. when i first recieved the products i sort of had an idea about what i wanted to do, but once i started playing with the eyeshadows, i changed my idea. i decided i wanted to create an "icy" look-- something that is natural, fresh, shimmery and definitely unlike what i normally wear on a typical day (but still very pretty!).



the products i used for this look:

VitaFirm Foundation Duo in Dark
Perfect Balance Concealer and Highlighter Trio in Dark
Mineral Eyeshadow in Lily*
Mineral Eyeshadow in Rose*
Mineral Eyeshadow in Lavender*
Primal Pigments Pure Botanical Lipstick in Nectar*



the shadows are all loose, and i really like that they are sheer, but buildable shades. after placing a bit of the Highlighter to my cheeks and inner corners of my eyes, i applied Lily all over my lid and Rose and Lavender very lightly in the crease to add a hint of depth.

Nectar was the perfect complimenting shade for my lips. this lipstick leaves my lips feeling so smooth and nourished thanks to ingredients like cocoa butter, omega-6 and omega-3-- love it! following this, i used a similar shade of blush i have in my stash to give a little color to my cheeks.

visit rawnaturalbeauty.com for more info on all the products featured.

xo
all products sent to me from represntatives of Raw Natural Beauty; * represents products sent to me for the purpose of this post.

Holiday Look Featuring Prescriptives

Prescriptives announced a few months ago that it will no longer be in stores come january 31, 2010 (sigh...), but their makeup is still around now (and will be online while supplies last). in fact, they just released the Lustre Holiday Collection, featuring baked shadows, lip glosses, liners and shimmering cheek colors.

so here i am sporting a fun, smokey eye look using the Cool Lustre Baked Eye Color Quad, Shimmering Cheek Color in Cool and Reflective Gloss in Ruby. i also used Longwear Kohl Liner in Black and ColorScope Lipcolor in Posh Honey, a limited edition lipstick from their fall '09 Well-Suited collection.



btw, the roses in the back were given to me by my fabulous hubby. at the time i took this pic, they were almost 2 weeks old-- aren't they pretty? :)

visit prescriptives.com to view the entire Lustre Holiday collection and stock up on your faves before they're gone forever!

xo
all products sent to me by representatives of Prescriptives

Holiday Makeup Looks featuring MAC Cosmetics

i love this time of year when i can really play with different makeup looks and brands offer a wide assortment of new goodies to try (well, i guess technically they do that every season, but this time of year is especially fun for me).

MAC is a great brand when it comes to creating dramatic looks, and some of my friends believe that the products are a bit too dramatic for them (just because the girls at MAC wear dramatic makeup doesn't mean that's the only way the makeup can be worn). i created the following looks to debunk that myth and show that you can create more subdued looks that are still pretty.

these are the MAC products i used:

*Studiofix Foundation plus Powder

*Studiofix Liquid Foundation

*Mineralize Blush in Conjure Up**

*Mineralize Blush in Ablaze

*Mineralize Eye Shadow Quad in Eccentricity

*6 Sorceress Eye Shadows Palette**

*Softsparkle Eye Pencil in Iris Accents**

*Dazzleglass in Phiff!**

*Lipstick in Total Wow!**




though you can't really tell, my eyes were much darker in person than in the pic. this look is very daytime-friendly. most of the makeup is on the upper lid (i used the darkest silver from the palette on the lid and the darkest purple as a liner), but i did apply some of a the gold from the Eccentricity shadow quad along my lower lashline. Conjure Up blush on my cheeks and Phiff! on my lips.




a more colorful look. :) i used only the two purple shades in the holiday palette and the Softsparkle liner along my entire eye for this look. i used Conjure Up on my cheeks and added a bit of bronzer to add more definition. the lipstick alone added the perfect flush of color.

for this look i only used the mid-tone silver from the holiday palette. i applied a couple of layers to my eyelids, then blended it up into the crease. i always like the effect that this technique gives with any darker shade shadow. i then lined my eyes with a black eyeliner along the waterline and added two coats of mascara. on my cheeks i used an old fave, Ablaze, which has no shimmer to it. my lips have a bit of lipstick with a coat of Phiff! on top.

a huge thank you to MAC for providing some of their holiday products for this post!

most of the products featured can be purchased at maccosmetics.com

xo
**products pictured in first photo that were also sent to me by MAC for the purpose of this post

Just in Time for the Holidays: Enjoy 30% Off Korres!

hello beauties! i'm thrilled to share that Korres is extending a fabulous gift of 30% off their products and free shipping on orders over $35 using promo code BEAUTYGIRL just for you-- just in time for the holidays!

if you're like me, you like to get as much of your holiday shopping done as soon as possible. if you're not, that's ok, too. just be sure to take advantage of this opportunity! need some suggestions? here are some great picks to consider:



limited edition Sugar Plums color collection-- this set features a Cherry oil lip gloss in Plum, Plum lip butter and Sunflower and Evening Primrose shimmering eyeshadow in Plum. all three products are gorgeous, all-natural and would make a fabulous gift for any beauty-lover.




Triple Threats Little Gift Set-- this limited edition value set includes three travel approved shower gels in scents of Jasmine, Gauva and new Japanese Rose! each shower gel is enriched with Active Aloe®, wheat proteins and vitamins C, E & zinc.

visit korresusa.com, browse around, and you just might find that perfect gift for that special person! if you do, don't forget to enter code BEAUTYGIRL at checkout. :)

xo
products featured sent to me by Korres

Holiday 2009: Napoleon Perdis

during the holiday season, most people take the opportunity to reflect, regroup, relax and in most cases, reward loved ones (and themselves!) with a gorgeous gift or two. it's for this reason Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics is offering a captivating array of holiday-themed goodies handpicked by the makeup maestro himself.

this stylish, desirable and moderately priced "Guilty Pleasures" collection includes limited-edition mini brushes, mega makeup palettes, lip glosses, eye shimmers and bronzing products. everything is graced with the midas touch. each palette shines with glittering gold fabrics, the eye shimmers come in three divine metallic shades, and the lip glosses are embellished with a filigree of glistening metal. when purchased online,customers who spend over $100 will also receive a gold tote bag destined to be dangling from the chicest wrists this winter.


"Guilty Pleasures" is made up of affordable little luxuries-- so much so that you are most likely to think, "one for you. two for me!"

take a look...




Gold Digger Glimmer

"like mini pots of gold at the end of the rainbow." -Napoleon

three brilliant highly-pigmented shimmer pots for eyes include yellow gold, white gold and bronze—an ideal offering for the height of the party season. wear them solo or blend for dramatic and seductive tonal effects. the effect is always dazzling. brush applicator included.


Deco Deluxe Lip Gloss

"create a pout with memorable clout!" -Napoleon

from their sparkling tubes to their radiant shades, these limited edition lip glosses are the height of festive glamour. their juicy flavors (Strawberry, Peach, Raspberry, Tangerine and Watermelon) make them an absolute delight to wear, while jojoba seed oil helps to effectively hydrate your pout. the gloss tubes are bedecked with an art deco-inspired filigree that makes your lip application a fashion statement.



Bronze Bonanza

"you glow girl!" -Napoleon

sun-kissed beauty—with a twist. this intriguing trio of products consists of pressed powder, bronzing brush and lip gloss housed in one convenient kit. the shimmering powder can be used on cheeks, decolletage and limbs for a decadent all-over luminosity. the bronze lip gloss is perfect for jet-setters.



Golden Girl Palette

"welcome to the golden age of makeup." -Napoleon

one ravishing palette, one million looks. available in three variations, each Golden Girl Palette boasts 16 riveting eye shadows, three delightful cheek colors and two brush applicators, all enclosed in an eye-catching gold fabric wallet. that's a whole lot of razzle-dazzle, and all you need for day-to-night transformations.



Gold Fever Brush Sets

"brush up on your makeup skills with these stellar tools." -Napoleon

Shake Rattle and Brush Roll Set features six plush travel-sized brushes: powder brush, blush brush, eye liner brush, concealer brush and two eye shadow brushes in a blend of natural and synthetic hair. the brushes come in a swanky gold brush roll.




Eight is Enough Brush Set comes with eight elegant travel-size brushes including a powder brush, concealer brush, liner brush, lip brush, mascara brush and three eye brushes in a blend of natural and synthetic hair. the brushes are presented in a stylish gold wallet with built-in mirror.

all of the products, along with some other goodies, are available now at napoleonperdis.com. to find a location near you, click here.


xo
images and info courtesy of Napoleon Perdis

LORAC Holiday Smoked Out Collection

if you're looking for an amazing, wallet-friendly gift for your makeup-loving friend or family member, this limited-edition LORAC Holiday Smoked Out Collection is definitely one to consider. sold exclusively on loraccosmetics.com, this set includes fabulous products to create everything from a sweet to a sultry look.

here's what's in this set:

*Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Rising Star
*Midnight Sparkle Pencil Eye Shadow/Liner
*Cheek Stamp in Island Spice
*Lip Polish in Bliss
*Black Makeup Bag

if you're still not convinced, know this: Starry-Eyed Baked eyeshadows retail for more than this whole kits costs-- that's a serious deal!

visit loraccosmetics.com to get more info and to order.

p.s. -- in addition to this, there are many products on sale right now from about $5 (click on the vip discount tab), so take advantage and happy shopping!

xo

Holiday 2009: NARS Gift Sets

Nars is celebrating the holidays with red-hot packaged gifts that boast a variety of products. these are definitely on my wishlist! check these out:




15th Anniversary Palettes

Nars is including two palettes to celebrate 15 years of color innovation. Everlasting Love contains intense eye hues to create the perfect smoky eye and Wild at Heart (pictured at top) features bold lip shades for a deeply pigmented pout.






Plein Etè Mini Multiple Set

this exclusive set of mini Multiples contains three best-selling shades.






Drop Dead Gorgeous Mini Nail Kit

gift your nail polish fanatic pal with this cute set. it also makes a great gift in any stocking; includes four glamorously festive shades: Arabesque, Chinatown, Candy Darling and Saratoga




D. Lovely Lip Gloss Duo Set

with four smaller versions of the brand's best-selling Duo Lip Gloss, this set is a variety of shades that can be mixed and matched: Misbehave/All Night Long, Pillow Talk/Sandpiper, Orgasm/Chihuahua, and Greek Holiday/Stolen Kisses.

The Holiday 2009 gift sets and palettes are currently available at narscosmetics.com and the Plein Etè Mini Multiple Set is available exclusively at Sephora.


xo
info courtesy of Nars Cosmetics