Free Lela Rose-Designed Cookie Tin from Beauty.com

Beauty.com is giving you this cookie tin designed by the stylish Lela Rose when you make a purchase of $50 or more. But you won't find cookies in the tin--it's loaded with beauty samples (24 of 'em) from brands including Urban Decay, Stila, Darphin, Fekkai, and Fresh, plus a $10 gift card for your next purchase at Beauty.com! Give the tin as a gift (you can fill it with Lela Rose's very own "Best Ever Cookies" recipe, available on the website) or keep it for yourself and fill it with something sensational.

Need help figuring out what to buy? Check out these Top Selling Beauty.com Products.

Too Faced Mood Swings

Oh, how I loved mood rings when I was a little girl! I was amazed at this magical jewelry's ability to change colors according to how I was feeling (it never seemed to change from blue, but I didn't question it). Plus there were different shapes to choose from, so I could wear a star one day and an oval the next. They were the perfect mix of fashion and fun. This could be the reason why I am so intrigued by this Too Faced Mood Swing Emotionally Activated Lip Gloss.

Part of an new, limited edition Smurf collection available exclusively at Sephora, this body heat activated gloss magically changes from Smurf-blue Shimmer to countless shades of Smurfberry pink. The perfect mix of beauty and fun!

Head to Sephora.com for to see the entire limited edition Too Faced Smurf collection.

Cranberry Sheer Body Shimmer at The Body Shop

'Tis the season for holiday soirees, which means little black dresses, chance encounters under the mistletoe, and lots of photo opportunities! Be the girl everyone's talking about -- you know, the one with the gorgeous glow -- with new Cranberry Sheer Body Shimmer from The Body Shop. The lightweight formula softens skin and leaves behind a subtle-yet-glamorous 'It' Girl shimmer. Smooth it over legs, arms and décolletage, then watch as heads turn!

Save 30% on new Cranberry Sheer Body Shimmer (it's now only $14) and other goodies from The Body Shop!

Say No to Drugs; Say Yes to Benefit Beauty Uppers

I've got a little brother and tons of little nieces, nephews, and cousins, so I'm constantly preaching the importance of eating all your veggies, being a good boy/girl, and, most importantly, saying no to drugs. But the clever minxes at Benefit Cosmetics have created some "uppers" I can actually condone.

Benefit Beauty Uppers ($68) is a collection of three of the brand's best-selling beauty pick-me-ups tucked neatly into a darling (I mean darling) canister that you can reuse. You'll find Dandelion, a powder that brightens and illuminates your face, Benetint, the rose-colored stain that put Benefit on the beauty map, and You Rebel Lite, a tinted moisturizer. It's an adorable gift, but make sure you get one for yourself too!

And while you're at it, order the newest Bad Gal to join the troop - Plum! BadGal Plum Mascara is an electrifying formula to brighten and beautify those pretty peepers. The purple hue will bring out that sexy little sparkle in your eyes.


Don't forget Benefit's gift to you: Free US Standard Shipping on any $50 purchase. Enter promo code PRETTY50 at checkout.

Beauty on a Budget at Sephora

A five dollar bill doesn't get you a whole lot these days, save for a cholesterol-laden, "value-menu" calorie fest from the drive-thru. So you can imagine my delight to find a mascara at Sephora for just $4! A misprinted price label? That's what I thought, but the Sephora Brand Fantastic Color Mascara really is only four bucks.

And no, it's not some puny little sample-sized tube. It's an actual tube...well, actually, the packaging is unlike any other mascara you've ever purchased! It's a squeeze tube (like a lipgloss) that lets you get every last drop of product. How clever can they get? The mascara itself is a fabulous, clump-free, smudge-proof formula, just like the expensive brands. Choose from Auburn, Blue, Brown and Green.

So what to do with the leftover dollar? Pick up a Sephora Brand Slim Eye Pencil in Blue, Mauve Purple, or Light Purple--there's just a buck each.

Buy You a Drink...

As fall creeps in and we head indoors, treat yourself to a little something that'll remind you of those warm summer days--luxurious bath products inspired by your favorite summertime libations!

Malin & Goetz Mojito Soap Set ($30) contains three individual, vegetable-based soaps in natural Peppermint, Rum, and Lime fragrances -- the perfect mojito!

Celebrate in your shower with Philosophy's The Cocktail Party ($30)! The delicious set includes three multi-tasking, 3-in-1 shower gel/bubble bath/shampoos in Mimosa, Margarita, and Daiquiri.

Just about any scent you can think of is available at the Demeter Fragrance Library! Pick up Body Polishing Sugar Scrubs ($19) in Gin and Tonic, Mojito, or Sex On The Beach.

Just Let Your Soul Glow

Designer Jason Wu showed off a Spring 2009 collection of polished, ladylike looks that were fresh and sexy and colorful.


As deliciously girly as everything was, this picture caught my eye...

The dress is gorgeous (the floaty fabric, the detailed neckline, the saturated color--swoon), but I can't take my eyes off the model's radiant skin! Must she have used pounds of exfoliating sea salt and gallons of luminizing lotion to achieve it?

Or is it possible the knowing makeup artists backstage spritzed her lovely face with Sephora Brand's new "Tricks of the Trade" Radiance Mist before sending her out on the runway? 100% colorless and alcohol-free, this kiwi and citrus fruit-infused spray absorbs quickly into skin to refresh and rejuvenate and leave it glowing and fresh.

Sephora Brand has an entire line of "Tricks of the Trade" products, including Makeup Setting Mist and Anti-Shine Primer. Head to Sephora.com to view the collection.

The Beauty of Politics: Stila and Rock the Vote

It's an election year and while I am concerned about the the environment, the war, and the state of the economy, it's hard to ignore the sartorial style (or lack thereof) on the campaign trail. Hey, don't judge me--even Tim Gunn has sounded off about this very subject! (He chose Michelle...a wise choice if you ask me.) But what's fashion without beauty?

Since the two go hand in hand it's not surprising that makeup artist extraordinaire Bobbi Brown has been tapped to beautify Jill Biden for her husband Joe's acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention. And why shouldn't Stila Cosmetics jump on board and team up with the Rock the Vote campaign to create Rock the Vote Red ($17), the most delicious true red lipstick I've ever seen? And while they're at it, why not donate a portion of Rock the Vote Red sales to the campaign of the same name? It's the politically correct thing to do.

Pucker Up: Free Lipgloss from Benefit

Benefit Cosmetics is hands-down one of my favorite beauty brands: I love the insanely clever names, plus the formulas are so luxurious and the prices are surprisingly reasonable. That said, I'm constantly checking the website for new products and deals. Check out what I found...

Now you can get two shades of the so-divine Her Glossiness from Benefit, in one convenient, twice-as-nice little bottle! Her Glossiness double-ended lipgloss features Talk to My Agent, a sweet, sugar plum shimmer, and Next Question Please, a seductive, golden berry shimmer. Plus, if you act now (and spend $50 or more) you can score your own little bottle for nothing! It's Benefit's free gift for you -- just add the lipgloss to your shopping bag and enter promo code LIPGLOSS at checkout. Talk about thrice-as nice!

4 Reasons to Try Schick Quattro for Women

I tried out the new Schick Quattro for Women and honestly can't remember the last time I had such a comfortable shave! Here are four big reasons to give it a try:

4. Four ultra-thin blades provide a close, comfortable shave. (READ: You won't have to rake your legs over and over to get silky skin!)

3. Each razor comes with three cartridges: one attached to the handle and two handy refills!

2. Two conditioning strips ensure your skin gets the treatment it deserves.

1. One fabulously low price -- just $9.99 at Drugstore.com!

Lip Service: Vinyl Unlimited by Shu Uemura

As if having the industry's most coveted eyelash curler wasn't enough, Shu Uemura has gone and created what I am guessing will be the most sought after lip gloss this season! Vinyl Unlimited (the name alone is so enticing!) is "a new, innovative and professional vinyl-like expression lip gloss with unprecedented brilliance for a shockingly artistic and lustrous lip expression." Unprecedented brilliance? Shockingly artistic? How utterly divine!

The collection of glosses features 8 shades, 5 bold colors like High Shine Hot Pink and High Shine Chocolate Brown, as well as 3 clear top coat shades that range from transparent to pearly to iridescent, sort of like special effects for the lips. Get yours exclusively online at ShuUemura.com!

Bliss World

The past ten days have been a little more than hectic for me - art directing a two-day photo shoot, attending a memorial service, and hosting a 40+ guest-bridal shower for my dearest friend. I'm yearning for a bit of pampering but am a little too exhausted to even leave the house. And I may not have to thanks to this ad from Bliss Cosmetics:

Take the ‘spa’ into your own hands at blissworld.com

Intriguing! So I can get the same glow-inducing facial products that I'd find at a Bliss Spa without leaving the comforts of my own little nook - perfect! I'm after the Bliss Triple Oxygen Take Home Trio (above left) for its calming effects and super-cleansing-yet-non-drying formula. The kit comes with Bliss Cosmetics bestselling Clog-Dissolving Cleansing Milk, Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask, and Sleeping Peel Resurfacing Gel.

I'm also going to pick up Bliss Tempt Feet (right) to soothe and soften my tired feet - the Foot Patrol AHA exfoliating and softening cream combined with the Diamancel #11 Tough Buffer turn cracked heels and dry feet silky and feather soft!

Spaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!

Splendid Reads

FASHION

Haute & Bothered says The Hills Are Alive with...Fashion Lines! Check out Whitley's new collection here.

eye4style hates Bluefly but is open minded enough to check out their newest site concept, b*fly, anyway. Check it out here.

She Knows Best continues it's month long weekly contests with 2 free shirts from The Ryde.

My Wardrobe Today sends out a special dedication to "Do we dress too casually?"

Snarkstress thinks Fergie could make Bootylicious an entry in the dictionary.

SHOPPING

CelebLOOK tells you where to get an affordable and casual outfit that was recently seen on Jessica Simpson.

Let's Go Shopping says Forzieri is a one stop destination for Italian Designer Handbags, Shoes, Jewelry and Accessories.

Wardrobe Oxygen offers suggestions on where to purchase supportive yet flattering swimwear.

Style It Less lets you in on the best bras according to a Consumer Reports research.

Style Tots picked uber-cute Hello Kitty accessories from Claire's for your Little girl.

The Latest Luxe enjoys some rainbow RX with the Fendi Multicolored B Bag

BEAUTY

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search finally made a visit to Space.NK in Soho.

A Touch of Blusher continues the feast of vibrant colors.

Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint appreciates a quick and easy beauty routine and Bobbi Brown's Quick Face Collection will help take minutes off your makeup routine.

Style Goodies has the scoop on the new fragrances from Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers line!

makeup loves me has an exclusive discount code to get you 20% off on tarte, cargo, philosophy and so much more.

Beauty Banter reviews the BEST lippies with SPF for summer protection and a hydrated pout!

Raging Rouge kicks off an introduction to Urban Decay's 2008 Summer collection with a review of Big Fatty Mascara in a rainbow of colors!

eBeautydaily explores how to look better in photographs and avoid common mistakes.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gives herself a facial in 1 minute!

TheScentedLife is suspicious about Gwen Stefani's new fragrance, Harajuku Lovers.

Teen Style Lounge rolls out the first of 4 weekly Clean & Clear skin care giveaways. Don't miss your chance to win this week's prize: an In-Shower facial.

Minerals and Good Old Mary Kay

Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation

Okay, this is hard for me to admit, since I am a fashion and beauty writer, but I have to get it off my chest. Here goes...I don't wear foundation. I know, I know! It provides (much-needed) coverage and blocks free-radicals blah, blah, blah. But the truth of the matter is, I have this phobia that my skin can't "breath" under foundation. Weird? Perhaps. Well you can imagine my utter annoyance when I learned that the makeup artist who's glamming us up for my girlfriend's wedding wants to do a trial run next month and we're each required to bring our own foundation. Hmmm...

Luckily, I spent Easter Sunday at my aunt's house, where she pulled me into her boudoir and proceeded to powder and blend and brush my mug until I was transformed into some flawless, fresh-faced goddess! Transfixed by my renewed, glowing skin, I managed to ask her what on earth this miracle product was. "Minerals," she said. "MAC?" I asked. "Mary Kay!" she replied. Shocking? You bet! Worth the $30 for the powder and brush? Absolutely!!!! The light-as-air formula was actually light as air. Plus, she swore that the foundation would last and last, since a little goes a long way. Sold, to the foundation-phobe in the front row!

Deals at The Body Shop

Head to The Body Shop now because they're offering up three of their so-yummy mini body butters and scrubs for $20! You already know I'm stocking up on Pink Grapefruit! They've also got deals on their soothing lip butters and balms (3 for $14), glycerin soaps (5 for $12), and their mix-and-match Invent Your Scent fragrances (2 for $26).

Rihanna on Cosmopolitan

Rihanna looks positively sunny and radiant on the March cover of Cosmopolitan! I can remember a time when there weren't too many of "us" showing up on the covers of Cosmo and Glamour, and it actually wasn't too long ago. It's so refreshing to see beautiful women of color being embraced by mainstream magazines. And speaking of beautiful women, don't miss the so-provocative article in Glamour called "Your Race, Your Looks." It's a round table of real women discussing the beauty biases that every woman faces, no matter what her race.

It's Bow Time

Recently, makeup artists and beauty brands have taken notice of a usually unnoticed-but-somehow-unmissable part of the anatomy—the bow just above the lip. Subtly but undeniably sexy, the bow has typically taken a back seat to the plump pillowy fullness of a pouty bottom lip, until now!

Dick Page, makeup artist and artistic director for Shiseido the Makeup, highlighted the sweet spot on the runway at Doo.Ri by dusting a shimmery, golden pink powder at the bow of the lip for a soft, ethereal effect (I'm thinking Nars The Multiple in Orgasm - just right for all the lip locking you'll do tomorrow!); and Benefit Cosmetics has Cupid’s Bow, a lip liner devoted to making the bow of the lip the most appealing part of the body. With Valentine's Day just 24 short little hours away, it's the perfect time for beautiful, kissable lips!

Sweet Links: Splendid Reads - January 27, 2008

From the Splendicity community, comes this weeks best posts in beauty, fashion, and shopping!




SHOPPING
Let's Go Shopping is giving away a bracelet worth $135 From Nomination Italy.
Style Goodies is giving away a sinfully stylish Freedom necklace, just in time for Valentine's Day!
The Latest Luxe enjoys a taste of simplicty with the Versace Patent Hit bag.
She Knows Best found 6-Foot Red Roses For Her On Valentine's Day.
Style Tots has the latest on Reebok and Kool-Aid For Sweet Smelling Kicks.
Aging Fabulous says to visit her site and leave a comment to win a T'Fivve Body Smoother.

BEAUTY
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic finds her All-Time Perfect Mascara!
Beauty Banter gives you the top celeb hair colors... asked and delivered!
Have a wish? Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint asks you to enter the Pantene Beautiful Wishes contest for a chance to have your wishes granted! For every Wish made, $1 will be donated on behalf of the wish-maker to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
makeup loves me is giving away products from mac's newest collection!
Raging Rouge finds a solution to hideous pregnancy breakouts.
eBeautyDaily tackles her lizard legs with Bioelements Vitalization.
The Scented Life is posting recipes and resources for making DIY bath and body goodies!
Check out A Touch of Blusher's ultimate makeup archive.
Beautiful Makeup Search wonders about Sue Devitt's Eye Intensifier Kit.

FASHION
STYLEnosh asks, "Is this acceptable travel wear?"
The Well Heeled Society says to come on over to enter for a Chance to Win a copy of The Girl's Guide to Kicking Your Career Into Gear.
Which expecting diva wore 4/5 inch platform heels to her baby shower? Find out at Hot Mama Daily.
The Fashionable Kiffen welcomes everyone to Studio-808.
Wardrobe Oxygen celebrates the new year with a contest to win an Aliza Darik necklace valued at $70!
The Snarkstress reminds us that Tom Cruise does have other children - and that they are stylish, too.
Teen Style Lounge wonders if change is always good?
Style It Less shares the joy of finding 10 Spring Floral Print Dresses at only $15 Each.

Goodies from Carol's Daughter

There's a Carol's Daughter boutique in a nearby mall so I took advantage around the holidays, requesting yummy, whipped, moisturizing concoctions from friends and family. Fast forward to today (less than a month later) and I've got a jones for more of the good stuff - Ecstasy, Groove, Almond Cookie...hmmm, maybe cupid will plant a bug in my darling boy's ear.

These are new and totally divine! As the Almond Cookie Bath Bomb fizzes and bubbles in your warm tub, essential oils, natural butters, and detoxifiers melt into the water, making for a decadent, spa bath like nothing you've ever experienced!

Fruity and sweet with just a hint of Egyptian musk, Ecstasy Sea Salt Scrub, is an indulgent way to pamper your tired feet after a long day in heels. Avocado, jojoba, and wheat germ oil quench your dry itchy skin, while natural sea salt buffs your skin to a gorgeous glow.Beauty fast-fix: If you've got zero time (or money) for a manicure, simply clip your nails straight across and rub cuticle oil on them. This gives the appearance of clean, manicured, healthy nails. My cuticles get painfully dry and this Lemon and Jojoba Cuticle Oil really softens and protects.

Groove Body Butter is so intoxicating I would honestly drink it if I could! The blend of rich cocoa and shea butters drenches your skin in moisture and the sweet red currant, dewberry, and vanilla fragrance leaves you smelling like heaven!

The Brow Factor

Celebs like Halle Berry and Eva Mendes have an army of experts to make sure they look picture perfect at all times, but what about the rest of us? Well, when it comes to beauty, one tried-and-true secret to looking your best all the time is to have great-looking eyebrows. No kidding! Have you ever studied your face after a brow wax - you're instantly transformed, instantly fresh, and instantly glamorous! That's where Billion Dollar Brows comes in.

Aside from the insanely clever name, Billion Dollar Brows is a line of fantastically life-changing products that help to boost puny, over-plucked brows, keep stray hairs in place, and promote beautiful, healthy eyelashes and brows, plus a whole slew of powders, tweezers, mascaras, pencils and tools to give your eyebrows the star treatment.

The ingredients in this little tube are the answer to your over-plucked prayers. Put the tweezers down and pick up Brow Boost ($19.95) immediately to correct and restore straggly, sparse brows.

The eyes are the windows to your soul - frame them with gorgeous, lush lashes. Forever Lash ($19.95) is a blend of vitamins and proteins that nourish and strengthen your eyelashes from root to tip. Wear it alone or under mascara for instantly fresh, wide awake eyes.
This Brow Gel ($12) is heaven sent! I typically don't get strays but occasionally one random strand will decide to go against the flow - this stuff whips it right back where it belongs. Plus it's not at all flaky like other gels.

And just for Style Goodies readers, I've got the scoop on how to pluck the perfect arches from the Eva Scrivo Salon in New York. Here's Eyebrows 101:

Shape
1. While looking straight ahead, draw an imaginary line from the center of the pupil down to the apple of your cheek.

2. To determine where the inner edge of your eyebrow should begin, place a ruler flat against this point, and line it up with the inner corner of your eye (the bottom of the ruler will cross about an inch below the corner of your jaw bone). Where the ruler lands along your brow bone is where the inner edge of your eyebrow should begin.

3. Next, place the ruler against the same point below the eye and angle it against the corner of your mouth. Where the ruler lands along your brow bone is where the outer edge of your eyebrow should end.

4. Create the arch of your eyebrow 2/3 of the way out from its inner edge.

Technique

1. Work on one eyebrow at a time. Pluck eyebrow hairs one-by-one starting from the outer edge, working in rows and alternating between the top and bottom of your eyebrow to avoid creating too thin of a brow. Remember that today's eyebrows are more full and furry, so be careful not to over-pluck. For this reason, avoid using a magnifying mirror.

2. To fill in thin brows, use an eyebrow pencil one shade lighter than your hair color and make upward strokes to create the appearance of individual hairs. Use a stiff, angled brush and the same technique to apply powder over pencil to create a "furry" look.

Copyright © 2007 Eva Scrivo Salon