Avene skincare & giveaways

Good afternoon beautycallers. Hope you are all staying cool today, it's a scorcher here.

I first heard of Avene while watching Lisa Eldridge's "My Favorite Skincare Products Part 1" video. I LOVE all of her videos. Because I would LUV to meet her, I've been asking on her facebook page when she will be in the NYC area. You can also find Lisa on twitter.

Avene's products are targeted for sensitive skin. I was breaking out a bit, on the right and left side of chin, usually known as hormonal break outs. Damn those stubborn blackhead suckers. If you are oily, combination or dry, your skin always needs moisture. Hence all of their products contain water. Not just any water, Thermal Skin Water, from the Cevennes Mountain in southern France. Per their website here are some details behind this water:

A 40-year journey in the Cevennes Mountain allows the water in Avène to acquire the perfectly balanced mineral composition and become gradually enriched with the trace elements and silicates.

For additional information read Water, the essential source of skin health.

The three products I purchased were the Gentle get cleanser, for normal to combination sensitive skin, Thermal spring water, for all skin types, and the Cream for intolerant skin.



Here are the cleanser's benefits per their website:

• Gently and thoroughly removes impurities and make-up without drying
• Moisturizes skin and provides anti-oxidant protection leaving skin soft, supple and smooth
• Pleasant fragrance tolerated by sensitive skin
• Oil-free, soap-free
• Avène Thermal spring water to soothe and soften skin
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

For additional information read Gentle Gel Cleanser. I absolutely love this cleanser. I was advised by the girl at the store to gently wipe off with a washcloth. By using a washcloth, you are getting an extra benefit of gentle exfoliation. As I'm sure you all know, exfoliating is SO important.

As I mentioned all skin types need moisture, and this spray is the BOMB. Almost all skincare lines have some type of refresher spray, but I love this one. You know the feeling you get when you put your face in a natural spring source? This feels the same exact way.

Here is additional information on this water spray.


Because those chin areas were itching, I bought the Cream for intolerant skin. I do not have intolerant skin, however the sales girl said this cream will help calm the itching (because this particular girl went attended several training classes, I felt and sensed that she thoroughly knew what she was talking about).

Here are the cream's indications per the website:

• Allergic reaction to fragrance, colorants, parabens, and/or other cosmetic ingredients
• Sensitive, irritated skin
• Burning, stinging, itching, scaling skin
• Post-procedure: Chemical peel, microdermabrasion, laser
• Adjunctive care to relieve the drying effect of acne medication treatments such as isotretinoin

For additional information please read soothing cream.

Here are some additional sites to purchase Avene:

spalook

DERMSTORE

SkinStore

Drugstore.com

Amazon


On a totally different topic, I want to share with you this Essie polish I discovered, yesterday called coral reef.




I always like to share the love, so here are two awesome beauty giveaways:

Check out RedsBeautyBlog's International Giveaway. Sleek. MUA Illamasqua and Beauty UK. Make sure you carefully read the entry rules as there are two parts.

Check out Makeup Diary's Huge "Just Because" Thank You Giveaway! Three Winners!
No doubt about it, this is HUGE.

FOTD, visiting my BFF & Giveaways

Hi beautycallers. Hope you all are having a nice weekend.

Yesterday was a happy day but a also a sad day. I visited my best friend Emily and her 4 month old son Nathan. He's SO SO SO CUTE! Next week she is moving to Maryland because her husband just began his fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Yes it's an incredible an opportunity, but sad because she will no longer be close by. It's not "goodbye", it's "see you soon."

Unfortunately because I was running late (what else is new) I wasn't able to do as an elaborate eye as I wanted to. But it's all good :)

(It looks like I'm sleeping here but I am awake)

FACE
Bobbi Brown corrector "light bisque"
Clinique airbrush concealer "neutral fair"
Jouer Cosmetics luminizing moisture tint "pearl"
Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour blush "tipsy"
Tarte smooth operator Amazonian clay finishing powder "bronze"
Tarte Amazonian clay shimmering powder "champagne"

EYES
Smashbox Brow Tech To Go "brunette"
Anastasia Brow Duality "matte camille/sand shimmer "
Tarte emphasisEYES clay shadow stick "bronze"
Tarte emphasisEYES waterproof clay shadow/liner "black"

Loreal luxurious color eyeliner "navy" (I've had this liner forever, I don't believe this particular line is made anymore. I can barely read the wording on the pencil, hence it's time for a new navy liner)
Tarte Amazonian clay mascara

Mally LightWand Eye Highlighter in tear ducts

LIPS
Sue Devitt lip enhancing gloss "coral sands"


Emily before gloss w/ Nathan

Applying gloss on Emily. Wish I could have done her entire face but that was not happening with Nathan around. It's ok b/c I had SO much fun playing with him.

I found this picture/quote about best friends & friendship. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Remember, best friends don't come around very often, so make sure your best friend knows how awesome they are. Here's to you Emily:



BEAUTY GIVEAWAYS:

Check out Lauren's Beauty Tips Giveaway Once I Reach 550 Followers!!

Check out D.G.S Beauty's Summer Giveaway. THIS IS HUGE!!!!

Check out Aquaheart's Obsessions Conair You Wrap and Wave Review and Giveaway.

SAKS FIFTH AVE & Mini Ulta Haul

Hi everyone. Sorry I have been MIA for a little while. Looking for a job is a job in itself. Speaking of jobs, I had an interview on Friday and guess what store was right across the street? That's right, Saks Fifth Avenue. In my opinion, no other Saks store compares.

When I saw the store I thought to myself this would be a great idea for a post, to share some pictures of the bottom floor with you, COSMETICS, SKINCARE & FRAGRANCES GALORE. When any of you are in NYC, you have to go inside the store, and let me tell you, you will DROOL.

How gorgeous is this fish tank with LA MER products inside

I'll take one of all of these please

I'm sorry about the poor quality of these pictures. I was not expecting to take pictures that day, hence I only had my phone. I wish I was able to take more pictures but unfortunately a security guard saw me and I was asked to stop...stupid store policy. However I took a short stroll uptown and took some more pictures which I hope you will enjoy.

Another love of mine CHOCOLATE, especially dark



What do you guys think of this necklace?

I have needed a haircut for a while now. I called the Ulta near me and they were having a special, $25 for cut AND blowdry! Pretty good deal if you ask me. I only purchased two items, Wet n Wild nail polish in "caribbean frost", and Sue Devitt lip enhancing gloss in "coral sands." I discovered Sue Devitt a while ago and love her products. What I love is that they have anti-aging properties so they are good for your skin. I have been looking for a peachy/coral lip gloss and they looked a bit too orange on me. This is the exact color I was looking for. I feel the picture is misleading, it is NOT a pink. I have an idea many of you know this...many Macy's stores now have a beauty section called "Impulse Beauty" where you can find Sue Devitt products.

Can anyone recommend a true teal polish? I'd prefer not so expensive, even though, don't get me wrong, I love Essie and OPI. I'm feeling a nail polish kick coming on. So please share, let's say, your top 3 nail polishes.

Summer eyes for an Interview & GIVEAWAYS

Hello beautycallers. Hope everyone is having a nice week.

Does anyone ever wonder what eyeshadow colors to use for going on an interview? If you have then please read on. I had an interview the other day. Don't even think about doing a dark smokey eye or using funky colored eye shadows (I have a feeling you guys know this but just in case). You want your makeup to be conservative looking. How conservative depends on a few factors, those being the industry, financial vs. creative, where the actual interview is taking place, be it at an office or at a Starbucks, or the season. From what I have seen, when women go on an interview, or go to work, they mostly wear neutral colors, brow, grays, taupes, etc. While this is always your safest bet, it doesn't mean you can't add a little color. I went for my Tarte lock & roll 12 hour eyeshadow in rose gold. This color is not a typical neutral, but it's still safe and very pretty, if I say so myself. In the spring and summer I prefer lighter eye shadow colors for during the day.

FACE

CHEEKS

EYES

LIPS








FOTD:

FACE
Bobbi Brown corrector in "light bisque"
YSL Touche Éclat in "2 luminos ivory"
Laura Geller Ethereal Spackle Skin Brightening Primer
Jouer Cosmetics Luminizing Moisture Tint in "pearl"
Tarte Park Ave Princess matte bronzer
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in "tipsy"
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian clay finishing powder in bronze
Tarte Amazonian clay shimmering powder in "champagne"

EYES
Smashbox Brow Tech To Go in "brunette"
Mally Lightwand Eye Brightener
Tarte lock & roll 12-hour eyeshadow in "rose gold"
Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner in "midnight"
Tarte Amazonian clay mascara

LIPS
Bare Escentuals 100% Natural Lip Liner in "shell"
Eve Pearl lipstick in "blushed"
Mally lip gloss in "baby blush"

I just came across a few beauty and chick lit giveaways:

Chic Beauty blog is have an awesome, huge eye palette giveaway from MUA Makeup Academy.
Enter here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chic-Beauty-Blog/181454715233941

Enter Fully Beatable's Summer Fun Mini Giveaway

Enter Dr.'s Remedy $85 Nail Polish Set


Chick Lit Central is having two book giveaways:

One to win Lennie Ross's debut novel "Blow Me" & another to win Lisa Lim's debut novel "Confessions of a Call Center Gal"

Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation & the Morristown Green

Hello Beautycallers. Thanks for stopping by. I was planning on posting this last night, but due to our toilet overflowing at 1:00am, it just wasn't going to happen. But I'm here now to share my Sunday with you.

I was like a little kid opening the Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation box. And then there was feeling the amazing brush, all I can say is WOW. It should get an award for "best foundation brush." I was hesitant to buy it because I don't like the heavy feel of a full coverage foundation. I prefer sheer to light coverage. But after reading all the glowing reviews on QVC, recommendations from fellow tartlettes, I caved. And you would think it must be amazing if it's always sold out on QVC.





Per the description on QVC, the foundation balances and neutralizes your complexion, absorbing any oily areas, and helping to reduce any dry areas. By using the brush, you will achieve an airbrushed finish. A very important benefit, for me and many others, is that it has SPF 15. I have tried many foundations with SPF, but for one reason or another, I didn't care for them. I am extremely happy that my search is over.




Jason and I spent the afternoon at the Morristown Green in Morristown, NJ. Morristown is a town with character, history and charm.

FOTD

* Face
Laura Geller Ethereal Spackle Makeup Primer - this is one of my favorite primers. If you are interested, now is a great time to purchase it on QVC, where it's offered in a super size for $35.96 with two EZ payments of $17.98. This event price ends Tuesday July 19th at 11:59pm EST
Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in "light"
Bobbi Brown corrector in "light bique"
YSL TOUCH ECLAT in 2 "luminous ivory"
Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in "tipsy"
Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzing HD Finishing Powder
Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in "champagne"
On neck & declotte used Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting in "honey glow"

* Eyes
Smashbox Brow Tech To Go in "brunette"
Mally Beauty LightWand Eye Highlighter in "midnight" on the upper waterline
Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Shadow Pot in "seashell pink"
Mally Evercolor Starlight eyeliner in "midnight" on the upper water line
Studio Gear Invincible Gel Cream Eye Color in "earth"
Tarte eyelash curler
Tarte multiplEYE lash primer
Tarte Amazonian Clay mascara

*Lips
Laura Geller Light Beams Ultimate Lip Shine Gloss in "pink flamingo"

Giveaways & Love

"What the world needs now, Is love, sweet love, It's the only thing that there's just too little of. What the world needs now, Is love, sweet love, No, not just for some but for everyone"

by Jackie DeShannon

During our journey through life, we experience many ups and downs. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing more downs than ups lately. If you are feeling sad, try to do something to lift your spirits. For example, go outside and take a walk, go for a drive, or watch a funny movie. What I've been doing is focusing on TheBeautyCall, reading fun and entertaining chick lit books, and entering A LOT of beauty giveaways. As a result I'm sharing with you a bunch of giveaways that are going on right now. Hopefully in a way I can lift your spirits too.

First I have to share a beauty blog contest that I won this week from Blinging Beauty. And to top it off it's from Tarte, specifically the Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in Blushing Bride. A big shout out to Blinging Beauty! You have to check out this awesome, full packed beauty blog. I can't wait to get it, and when I do I will include it in a FOTD.

Also, at the end of April, I won a bag of goodies from ShadowChic, an awesome makeup artist, who serves the NY, NJ and PA areas. Check her out on Facebook.


Who wants the Tarte for True Blood Limited-Edition Palette? I know I do! Enter Makeup and Beauty Blog's contest to win! Enter ASAP because the contest ends TODAYat 11:59PM (PT).

Check out Blushing Noir's 1000 follower giveaway. I can't believe how many products are included. And it comes in a gorgeous summer themed Lancome tote.

If anyone has heard of OCC Cosmetics, and has wanted to try their famous Lip Tars, well this is the contest for you. Enter xsparkage's Giveaway Thursday - Win a $250 OCC Prize Pack. Talk about another huge giveaway.

Next we have Beauty and Fashion Tech's Mystery Box Full of Beauty Items. Don't even try to count how many products will be in this box.

Calling all MAC Lovers! Check out Love Lust & Fairy Dust: Mac Giveaway. The winner will receive a lipstick and an eyeshadow from Mac's permanent lines. FYI this contest is open to international followers as well.

Now is the perfect time to try some self-tanning and bronzer products. Enter this Summer Giveaway from Beyond Beauty.

We all want smooth and moisturized skin. Enter Nadine Jolie's Suave BodyCare giveaway, where the lucky winner will receive a Suave Creamy Cocoa Butter Shea Body Wash.

Interested in a flat iron from Inglam? And what about a bag of makeup goodies from Planet Beauty? Enter these 2 giveaways from Beauty Junkies Unite.

I have never heard of SkinAgain but I am definitely interested in trying their products after finding this contest. If you are too, then enter My Life as an Esthetician's SkinAgain's nEu-tone Balancing Serum giveaway.

Whoever likes Elizabeth Arden, this contest is for you! Enter Beauty Info Zone's Elizabeth Arden Giveaway. The winner receives a great bag and makeup items inside.

I love Bed Head by TIGI. For a very short period of time I worked at their hair school and salon in New York City. I loved getting those 50% discounts :) Check out My Beauty Bunny's Bed Head Curling Iron Givaway.


Included in future posts I will definitely share more beauty giveaways and contests.


Have a great sunday :)

3 Newest Tarte Products

First I want to say a BIG thank you to my followers. It means SO much, especially this being a baby blog.

Now to the good stuff, talking about our favorite topic...MAKEUP! I get so gitty just hearing the words "makeup", "beauty", "beauty products", & "skincare" :)

Originally, this post was going to be called "2 Newest Tarte Products." The reason I changed it to "3" is because I got in the mail yesterday, from an awesome friend (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full-Coverage Foundation SPF 15 w/ Brush. Because I haven't tried it yet (I already had makeup on & was running out the door) it will not be included in this post. But you better believe I will be doing a separate post on it. Some of you may be shocked, those who know that I'm a Tarte fanatic, that I'm JUST getting this foundation. The reason I did not order it when it first aired, is because my preference is sheer to light coverage. But after reading ALL of the reviews on QVC, how it's almost always sold out on QVC, beauty blogger reviews, I caved. I caved at an awesome time, when it was the One Time Value (OTO) on QVC Friday Night Beauty on July 1st, right before Tarte's Today's Special Value (TSV) Glow Your Way to Gorgeous kit on July 2, which by the way I have not received yet, but that's a whole other story. I waited too long and now I'm on waitlist. Even though it will be late, I will definitely be doing a review as well.

So back to the OTO, which consisted of the foundation, the AWESOME foundation brush & and a full size Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Balancing Powder, all for just $38.02!! I can't tell you what an incredible deal this was. Just the foundation with the brush is $34.56. The powder is $25.46. Do I need to say anymore? If anyone is interested in the Amazonian Clay Airbrushed Skin Complexion Duo w/ Deluxe Brush it is available on QVC for $41.82.

If anyone does not have the Smooth Operator Amazonian clay finishing powder in bronze GO GET IT! I was hesitant at first because it seemed weird to put bronzer on all over the face, like you do with a finishing powder. However, Kimberly Lutes, a great friend & Tarte lover as well, BIG TIME talked me into it. As opposed to your typical bronzers, where you either use the "E" application, or contour, where you make a fishy face, this gives you a beautiful, all over sun-kissed glow with a matte finish. Many people, like myself, don't care for shimmer bronzers. Don't get me wrong, I love shimmer, getting dressed up for going out at night, but if you are looking for a natural glow, then this is for you. And like the original Smooth Operator micronized clay finishing powder, it balances out your skin, mattifying oily areas and, at the same time, hydrating areas that might be dry.

Available at Tartecosmetics.com, Sephora, Ulta and QVC. If you want the amazing brush, order from QVC, which I highly recommend. The brush is AMAZING!

Before

After. I think I put on too much here. I also had on Tarte Park Ave. Princess Matte Bronzer But it's all good because there's more.

I have been looking for a gold shimmer powder to highlight. What I like about Tarte's Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder, like I say above, is that the Amazonian Clay enhances all skin types.

Both the bronzer and shimmer powder in "champagne"

3 Favorite Laura Geller products

Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. Yesterday afternoon, while getting ready to go out for my husband's birthday, I used my current 3 favorite Laura Geller products, one of them being the Baked Eye Elements from her most recent Today's Special Value (TSV) on QVC, on June 18th. If this link does not work for you, the QVC item number is A215552.







Look how gorgeous this palette is. One half has 3 beautiful amethyst shadows, eggplant, shimmering lavendar & charcoal-purple. The other side is the most gorgeous peachy/pink highlighter. Talk about ALOT OF product! You can use the shadows either wet or dry (this goes for all of her baked shadows). I prefer using them wet. The pigment and color pay off is so much more vibrant.

I decided to purchase Laura Geller's Balance 'n' Brighten Baked Color Perfecting Foundation early spring of last year, because I knew I needed a foundation that would help mattify my gross oily skin in the summer. Because it's not just one color, it self adjusts to your skin tone.



Last, but definitely not least, we have one of my favorite blushes, Pink Grapefruit Blush 'n' Brighten. This blush is not just one color (none of the baked blushes are). It has swirls of shimmery pink, mauve and beige.

Both the Balance 'n' Brighten and Blush 'n' Brighten are free of mineral oil and parabens, however they are packed with antioxidants.

If you are interested in purchasing these products, they are available on either QVC or Laura Geller's website. The eye and highlighter palette is currently only available in The Lightness of Beauty 6-piece Color Collection.

The next few pictures are from the walk we took, along one of the canals and on the boardwalk.