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.

Gold & Yellow smokey eye

Hi everyone. It's my hubby's bday today so we are going out to dinner with my inlaws tomorrow night. We are going to Klein's Fish Market in Belmar, NJ. If any of you love seafood, live in NJ, and enjoy the Jersey Shore, you should definitely check it out. Great food and affordable prices.

I was at Sephora yesterday (my home away from home) and absolutely LOVED one of the makeup artist's eye makeup. I have never seen a smokey with played up with yellow & golden shadows. I had to take a picture of her and get all the product details to share with you, and of course my wishlist that much longer.





FACE:
Laura Mercier secret concealer #3
Laura Mercier silk creme foundation in "cashew beige"
Laura Mercier loose setting powder
Benefit "hoola" bronzing powder
Benefit "coralista" blush
Lorac blush in "desire", for a little pop on the cheeks

EYES:
Lorac behind the scenes eye primer
Makeupforever eyeshadow in #10, a yellow gold shimmer. This is on the inner lid corner out to the middle of the eye lid and in the tearduct
Makeupforever eyeshadow in #2, a matte brilliant yellow. This is applied on top to make the eye pop
Makeupforever eyeshadow in #4, a matte black, for contouring and the crease
Makeupforever eyeshadow in #126, iridescent beige yellow, for the brown bone and a little bit of highlighting
Makeupforever aqua eyes black liner in #0L
Benefit BADgal mascara.

LIPS:
Nars lip gloss in "turkish delight", ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVES!

What do you guys think?

Beauty weekend w/ my cousin Lucy

Jason and I had the best time last weekend with Lucy and Sophie, my 9 year old twin cousins. The entire time I was playing with Lucy, a huge girly girl, while Jason was hanging out with Sophie, who's wat at the opposite end of the spectrum. They were playing Wii and video games while Lucy and I were beautifying ourselves.

Friday night we both did our makeup. Lucy told me she had a big party to go to and wanted an all glammed up look, and requested glitter. I wish I brought my Lit Cosmetics bag of goodies that I got at The Makeup Show. Oh well. I still had a couple of glitter products.





FOTN:

Eyes:
Mally Beauty eye primer from my city chick smokey eye kit
Heidi Klum VS eye palette
Milani Infinite liquid eye liner in "endless"
Makeupforever aqua liner in 8, a gorgeous purple
Urban Decay heavy metal glitter liner in "distortion"
Makeupforever aqua eyes in 11L, purple, on bottom lashes
Tarte lights camera lashes mascara

Face:
Motives blush in "lust"

NO NEED FOR CONCEALER OR FOUNDATION. Remember those days when we didn't even have a clue what concealer was? Or obviously had no need for it?

Lips:
Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipstick in "blossom"

Please don't laugh at my makeup. Remember it was done by a 9 year old.

I was begging them to stop making funny faces. As you can see I was not successful.

Face:
Laura Geller balance 'n' brighten in "fair"
Tarte smooth operator micronized clay finishing powder.
Tarte the eraser 4-in-1 natural concealer in "fair"
Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in "dollface"

Eyes:
Mally Beauty city chick smokey eye kit in plum chelsea (she only used the lighter purple shade)
Makeupforever aqua eyes in 12L, "teal"
La Splash Liquid Eyeliner in "silver dollar"
Tarte lights camera lashes mascara.

Lips:
Tarte lipsurgence natural lip luster in "pouty"
Bare Escentuals 100& natural lip gloss in "glazed donut"

SATURDAY MORNING PEDICURES!

On Lucy's toes we put Brucci "Christina Court" & Essie "Sweet Tart"

I used Essie "Pop Art Pink"

Ulta visit & a little bit more - Thursday June 23

Hi everyone. Sorry it has been a while since my last post. Things have not been going well for me in the job department. But I'm trying to stay positive.

"Nurture your soul with positive thoughts and internal happiness will blossom before your eyes" ~ Melanie Moushigian~

"Don't ever let someone tell you, you can't do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you that you can't do it. You want something? Go get it. Period." Will Smith (Pursuit of Happiness)

Talking about jobs, this morning I called the Ulta store near me and found out they were hiring. I filled out the online application and went to the store late this afternoon to meet the hiring manager. I'm going to be following up with her on Monday. Now, does anyone think I was going to leave without playing? COME ON NOW! Surprise surprise, I have some more items on my wishlist.

Ulta has an exclusive Lorac 10 eyeshadow palette called "Time to Shine." A great spring and summer palette. Unfortunately it is not listed on Ulta's website. You can see how gorg the colors are from this picture.

If any of you want this, which comes with a mini mascara, run to Ulta NOW! Check out another review and picture from the great beauty blogger known as Makeuptalk.com.
http://www.makeuptalk.com/forum/thread/115645/new-ulta-exclusive-lorac-time-to-shine-palette

I also finally tried on Lorac's 3D Liquid Lustre Shimmering Top coat for the eyes. I saw this in Sephora, Ulta & on Lorac's website. when it first came out. On Sunday I saw MakeupGeek's review and video called Top Beach Products. One of the products is the 3D Liquid Lustre, and WOW does it stay put. Put it on top of any color shadow and it makes the color pop and sparkle. You can also use as a highlighter on your cheeks and brow bone. I would have swatched on my hand, and taken a picture, but of course my phone died :(


I have been on the hunt, for a long time, for a muted gloss when wearing a dark smokey eye. Well I finally found it! Amazing Cosmetic's Amazing Seven Lip Gloss in "Sandy." This picture does not do do the color justice.



I have seen many youtube beauty bloggers reviewing their favorite spring blushes and it seems NYX blush in "peach" comes up a lot. One of them, again, being Makeup Geek. On my fair to light skin, it is the perfect peachy/pink.


Talking gorgeous corally/peach blushes, my favorite and newest blush, is Tarte's Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in "Tipsy."




When it comes to nude color lipsticks I am very picky. (I'm actually a very picky person, but that's a whole other story). Well today the search has ended. I found a gorgeous creamy sheer nude plumy color by Smashbox called "Flawless." This lipstick will be MINE very soon, I will make sure of that!



Last, but certainly not least, we have Tarte smooth operator Amazonian clay finishing powder in bronze. I didn't buy it from QVC, when it first came out, because I was a bit skeptical about a bronzer being used as a finishing powder. I knew eventually it would be available at other stores for me to try. Today was my second time trying it. I wasn't too fond of it the first time. (I don't remember why). But after putting it on today, I LUV IT! I can't decide which I like more, this or my Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer. As opposed to a few areas, my entire face had a NATURAL looking flawless tan! That's pretty darn hard to find for those of us who have fair to light skin tone complexions.


Normally I would do a Face of the Day (FOTD) but because this picture is from earlier tonight, and I did a few touch ups, I'm calling this Face of the Night (FOTN):

FACE:
Jouer Cosmetics Luminizing Moisture Tint in "Pearl." I mixed the tint with Make Up Forever's Uplight Face Lumizing Gel in "23" (pearly golden flesh).
Lorac's 3D Liquid Lustre as highlighter on my upper cheeks.
Tarte smooth operator Amazonian clay finishing powder in bronze.
And a pop of Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in "tipsy."

EYES:
Smashbox Brow Tech To Go in "brunette."
Laura Geller eye spackle.
Too Faced shadow duo in "toasted." - the light color on the lid, the dark color in the crease, and a pop of purple, in the crease, from Tarte's 8th World Wonder Kit eyeshadow quad. I put the light pink color from this quad on the brow bone.
Make Up Forever Aqua Liner in "8" (bright purple sheen).
Mally's Evercolor Starlight Waterproof liner in "midnight" on the inner rims.
Mally's Light Wand Eye Highlighter in the tear duct.
Tarte lights, camera, lashes mascara.

LIPS:
Chanel Le Crayon lip liner in "nude."
Tarte's Pure Optic Moisturizing Lip Gloss in "Golden Pink" from the 8th World Wonder Kit

Tarte event @ Sephora, Friday May 6, 2011

Hi everyone. I realize this should have been my first post, May 6 did come before May 15, when I attended the NYC Makeupshow (my first post), but again better late then never.

I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Maureen Kelly, Tarte's CEO & Creator, at Sephora in Herald Square, 34th Street & Broadway, in New York City, on Friday May 6. I have been a Tarte fanatic for the last year. I have known of Tarte Cosmetics since the line came out in 1999. I love their Cheek Stain, my favorite being "Tipsy." My Tarte obsession started a little over a year ago when I started watching QVC Beauty. SUCH A DANGEROUS CHANNEL. So what is Tarte Cosmetics all about? Good question. Their motto is "High Performance Naturals." You will not find any of the "bad" stuff...only the "good" stuff. Their products are free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Check out Maureen Kelly's welcome letter on Tarte's website for more details.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.