LORAC POREfection Mattifying Face Primer is the most ingenious primer out on the market right now. It’s oil-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and colorless. To top it all off – its formulated with salicylic acid to help keep nasty pimples away and also contains vitamins A, C, and E that will keep your skin looking fresh and beautiful.

I love it for it’s mattifying effect – if I don’t use a primer underneath my foundation, I end up with 5 o’clock shine! It helps my makeup last longer and look better because it’s like Spackle for your face – it leaves you skin smooth and even – masking away unsightly pores. Wish it had SPF in it, but both my moisturizer and foundation have it, so I’m good!

LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer is my favorite eye shadow primer right now. I even like it better then that cult favorite one. I like to you use it on my eyelids and under eye area. It has a silky finish and helps my eyeshadow go on beautifully. I am able to blend shadows like no other and the final result looks fabulous. I can totally see the difference between when I use it and when I don’t. Using it under my eye concealer helps even up the area and concealer just glides on – we never ever want to tug the skin under the eye.

BTW for a limited time LORAC is offering a Daylight Savings Value Set! A $72 value for only $25!

The Set includes:

• Multiplex 3D Lashes Mascara
• Travel-Size TANtalizer Highlighter/Matte Bronzer Duo
• Travel-Size TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer
• TANtalizer Lips With Benefits in Marco
• Gold Cosmetic Bag

LORAC POREfection Mattifying Face Primer 1.7 Oz.$32

LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer 0.5 Oz. $21

(Photos courtesy of LORAC)

For a limited time, get a free gift from Lancôme at Macy’s with a Lancôme purchase of $35 and if you spend $70 – you also get to choose an additional gift.

The 7 piece gift set includes:

• Cosmetic Bag: Choose pink or printed
• Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover
• Hypnôse Star Mascara
• Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor:  Choose Love It!, Wannabe or Pretty Burgundy
• Body Essential: Savon Fraîchelle Invigorating Body Cleansing Gel, Hydra Fraîchelle Invigorating Body Moisturizer or Exfoliant Fraîchelle Invigorating Body Scrub
• Moisturizer: Bienfait Multi-Vital -Rénergie, Lift Multi-Action or Absolue Premium BX

Make a Lancôme purchase of $70 and choose an additonal gift from the following options:

• Option 1: Créme Mousse Confort Comforting Creamy Foaming Cleanser for Dry Skin & Tonique Confort Comforting Rehydrating for Dry Skin
• Option 2: Créme Radiance Clarifying Cream-to-Foam Cleanser & Tonique Radiance Clarifying Exfoliating Cleanser
• Option 3: 3 Juicy Tubes Ultra Shiny Lip Glosses

If you live on the Tri-State area, visit my friend Karinna at the Lancôme counter at the Macy’s inside Livingston Mall! Offer ends February 25th or until supplies last. Great Valentine’s Day present!

 

Inspired by the icon comic book – MAC Archie’s Girls collection offers fun colors for Spring 2013. It highlights the innocent rivalry between Betty and Veronica with contrasting hues. The Betty collection features bright pops of pink and pastels; while the Veronica collection vamps out with deep reds and dark purples.

Lipstick — Veronica $16.50 (Limited Edition)

Daddy’s Little Girl – Mid-tone pink violet (Satin)

Ronnie Red – Bright red (Matte)

Boyfriend Stealer – Deep blackened plum (Cremesheen)

Lipglass — Veronica & Betty $16.50 (Limited Edition)

Strawberry Malt – Bright red

Kiss & Don’t Tell – Bright coral

Pearl Glide Intense Eye Liner — Veronica $16.50 (Limited Edition)

• Designer Purple – Violet with pearl
• Petrol Blue Deep – navy with pearl

Spoiled Rich Eyeshadow Palette — Veronica $44.00 (Limited Edition)

(Photos courtesy of MAC Cosmetics)

 

 

What better way to show your sweetheart how much you love them than with a gift of beauty. This year a whole bunch of brands launched Valentine’s love inspired gifts ranging from eye shadow palettes to fragrance sets. Here are my top picks:

 

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Set $110

Currently on of the most popular fragrances, this is sure to put a smile on her face! Features notes of bergamot, tea, freesia, jasmine, orange blossom, orchid, rose and patchouli. Set includes: Flowerbomb Bomblicious Body Crème (1.3 oz.), Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Spray (1.7 oz.), Flowerbomb Bomblicious Shower Gel (1.7 oz.).

 

Smashbox Love Me Eye Shadow Palette – Admire Me $34

Smashbox got it right with this palette. First of all – it’s just so pretty to look at! The neutral colors blend together so effortlessly and these eyeshadow glide on so smoothly and evenly.

Lancome Blush in Love – Pommettes d’Amour $49

This dual sculpting blush add the perfect touch of color for the ultimate romantic makeup look. It’s designed to work well with all skin colors – Coral Effect adds a pop of bright color and Urban Ballet helps soften it so it looks radiant and natural.

Lipstick Queen Look of Love $39.75

This set offer a sheer tint of color for lips and cheeks. Use them separately or blend them together for a customize look.  Set includes: Saint Pinky Nude Lipstick, a romantic natural pink shade (.12 oz.), Oxymoron Honest Politician Lip Gloss, a natural shade (.28 oz.), Butterfly Ball Lipstick in Smitten, a sheer shade with a hint of turquoise – that make teeth appear whiter (.134 oz.).

Philosophy X’s and O’s Valentine’s Day Gift Set $24

The perfect gift box filled with Valentine’s Day inspired goodies. The set includes: Vanilla Cream Topping Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (4 oz.), Vanilla Cream Topping Body Lotion (2 oz.), Cherry On Top High Gloss High Flavor Lip Shine (.5 oz.)

A little something for him:

Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Gift Set $88

The man in you life deserves some V-Day gift giving love too – it’s not all about the ladies you know! But in all honesty, this gift pleases both. Top notes of invigorating Italian lemon and mandarin orange alongside crushed green leaves, fresh lavender and a defiant punch of pink pepper. The set includes: Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette (3 oz.), Gucci GuiltyDeodorant Stick (2.5 oz.),  Gucci Guilty On The Go Spray (.25 oz.).

(Photos courtesy of Viktor & Rolf, Smashbox, Lancome, Lipstick Queen, Gucci, Philosophy)

MAC brings effortless glamor to the slopes, MAC Après Chic Collection is a must-have for the season. Après Chic is my favorite lipstick this year. If I had awards to hand out – Lipstick of The Year would go to this shade! It just works so well with my complexion. It’s warm and bright at the same time and looks so good with a basic smokey brown eye!

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow $21.00 (Limited Edition)

• Ice – Light peach base with white veining
• Frost at Midnight – Deep blue/grey with grey veining

 

MAC Pro Longwear Eye Liner $19.50 (Limited Edition)

• Mountain Air – Vibrant teal
• Night Trail – Deep navy blue
• Snow Shadow – Purple violet

 

MAC Lipstick $15.00 (Limited Edition)

Après Chic – Pinky brick red (Cremesheen)

(Photos courtesy of MAC Cosmetics)

Happy New Year Beauties! How about we start the new year right with a brand new giveaway!

The Prize: (1) Victoria Secret’s Hello, Bombshell Makeup Kit. The kit contain 30 eyeshadows, 5 lipsticks, 5 lip glosses, 4 blushes, 1 bronzer, 1 luminous powder, 1 translucent powder, 1 mascara, 1 lip liner, 1 eye liner, 2 eye applicators, 2 lip brushes and 1 face brush (worth over $200)

How to Enter: It’s simple – just enter by using the Rafflecopter form below. Enter daily for more chances to win.

Good Luck!

Official Rules:
This giveaway will end Sunday January 27, 2013 at 11:59 pm EST. It is only open to U.S. residents of the contiguous states who are at least 13 years old. All entries will be verified. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. The winner will be announced on Monday January 28, 2013 on this post and will be immediately contacted via email. Once notified; the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

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Wild Thing, you make my heart sing oh you make a every – okay okay – I’ll stop with the annoying off pitch singing! It’s just that I get so excited when Hello Kitty brings us grown up items! The Hello Kitty Wild Thing Makeup Palette features 12 eyeshadows, 1 Pen Pal Eyeliner in Black, and a super cute compact mirror all housed together in an adorable black and gold zebra print collectable tin. The eye shadows are all highly pigmented and the eyeliner is very similar to the Nars Eyeliner Stylo pens. The second row is my favorite eyeshadow combo, but you can create endless looks with this palette because all the color compliment each other well. The mini compact mirror lives in my purse and I always get compliments on it!

Hello Kitty Wild Thing Makeup Palette $49

(Photo courtesy of Sephora)

Flex your femininity with the new MAC Strength collection. Bold lip colors, chiseled cheeks, and sharp eyes – complete this powerful collection. Ring in the new year with a knock-out look.

MAC All Woman Eyeshadow Quad $40.00 (Limited Edition)

Flawless Figure – Pale warm shimmering white (Veluxe Pearl)
Brains & Brawn – Mid-tone taupe (Matte)
All Woman – Greenish dark grey (Satin)
Black Magique – Deep, dark black with warm tones (Velvet)

MAC Lipstick $15.00 (Limited Edition)

Party Parrot Bright red pink (Matte)

Strong Woman Bright violet (Matte)

Absolute Power Rich red (Matte)

(Photos courtesy of MAC Cosmetics)

Give the gift of beauty to your loved ones this holiday season. Whether they’re into beauty or not, I’m sure these gift ideas will win them over. Some of these also make great stocking stuffers – Happy Holidays!

Sephora Fragrance Sampler for Her $50

Whoever came up with this idea is a genius! I love giving these as a gift because it never disappoints. This set comes filled with 12 sample sized fragrances from various designers like Juicy Couture,  Versace, Givenchy, and Prada. After sampling each one, they can choose their favorite and redeem a full size bottle at the store. Sephora also sells a sample set for men too.

James Bond 007 Fragrance Gift Set $30

I got this for my boyfriend for his birthday and he loved it and so did I. This cologne is a blend of bergamot, lavender and crisp apple for a fresh and powerful experience.  Set includes a 1.0 oz. cologne spray & 1.7oz. shower gel.

Lorac Eye Candy Full Face Collection $59

This ultimate beauty kit comes dressed up as a box of fancy chocolates. This limited edition holiday collection features six palettes for eyes, lips, and cheeks. Just like a box of chocolates, this set is filled with rich shades of browns and shimmering nudes. HSN also has a similar set with four palettes for $40.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Refueling Set $58

I’m always trying to find ways to get my boyfriend to start a skincare routine. If your guy likes to pamper himself – then this is the gift for him! It’s filled with all the essentials he needs like shave cream, face wash and moisturizer – plus a few extra items.

Philosophy Think Beautiful Thoughts Skin Care Gift Set $39

This year give the gift of gorgeous skin. This gift set features a 3 oz. purity made simple facial cleanser, one microdelivery triple-acid brightening peel pad, a 0.5 oz hope in a jar moisturizer for all skin types, a 0.375 oz when hope is not enough facial firming serum and a 0.25 oz eye hope multitasking eye cream.

Braun Series 5-550cc Men’s Shaving System Gift Set – Includes Bonus Fusion Pro Glide Styler $149.99

This is a great shaver that’s designed to leave your man’s face nice and smooth. The best part is that after the shave, the Braun Clean & Renew System automatically cleans, charges, and lubricates the shaver at the touch of a button! This set also includes a bonus Fusion Pro Glide Styler – you know the one that features Adrien Brody and Andre 3000 in the commercials. It’s a 3-in-1 facial hair styling tool that trims evenly, shaves closely and edges accurately.

(Photos courtesy of Sephora, James Bond, Lorac, Kiehl’s, Philosophy and Braun)

 

This limited edition smolderEYES collection is the perfect gift for your beauty obsessed friend this holiday season. Tarte Eye Catchers smolderEYES Collector’s Set features 5 full size smolderEYES Amazonian clay waterproof liners in brand new shades – ash violet, rainforest black, gold, champagne, and gunmetal -  and 1 skinny smolder Eyes liner in onyx.  These liners are vibrant and stay on all day. It’s infused with Amazonian clay which helps keep oil at bay so that your liner lasts all day long. You can use it as an eyeliner for a bold look or as an eyeshadow for a smoky look. All the colors look beautiful paired together or worn separately.

From top to bottom: champagne, gold, gunmetal, ash violet, rainforest black, and onyx

Tarte Eye Catchers SmolderEYES Collector’s Set $39 also available at sephora.com

(Photo courtesy of Tarte)