Showing posts with label l'occitane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label l'occitane. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Last Minute Holiday Gifts For Beauty Lovers

No matter how much you plan or how good your intentions, sometimes you get busy and you find yourself scrambling at the last minute to finish your holiday shopping. So for those of you who are still looking for that perfect present, I have some fabulous finds for the beauty lovers on your list.


Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing System - Jaguar , $129
If you've got money to splurge on your special someone, I can't think of many beauty gifts that would wow more than the Clarisonic. This limited-edition, Sephora exclusive set includes the Clarisonic Mia One Speed Brush, international charger for worldwide use, Sensitive Brush Head, and Gentle Hydro Cleanser. I don't normally advocate getting catty with the ones you love, but I think that in this instance, the gift recipient would welcome it.




Juicy Couture Nail Polish & Hand Warmer Set, $44.90
Juicy Couture and Deborah Lippmann teamed up on this impossibly chic set of hand warmers and nail polish (available in two colors - black and light khaki). You lucked out by waiting 'til the last minute because it's now 33% off!



Yankee Candles, $2-26
You know what I love most about Yankee Candle? What you expect is what you get. The scent is always spot-on. And they last forever...or up to 150 hours, to be exact. Plus, they always seem to be having a sale (right now, it's buy 1 get 1 50% off of the holiday candles). I shopped the sale last week and picked up Christmas Cookie and Balsam & Cedar. I've been burning them non-stop - but like I said, they last so long, they're still full and look basically brand new. Get on this.

Sephora by OPI Glimmer Wonderland Eighteen Piece Mini Nail Colour Set, $48
This set of 18 on-trend, mini nail polishes makes a great gift for any manicure maniac. If you need to stuff a few stockings, you can always split up the bottles between a few of your friends.



L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream Trio, $28
Whenever someone asks me for a beauty stocking stuffer suggestion, the L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream Trio is one of the first things that comes to mind. Shea Butter Hand Cream is the #1 international best-seller from L'Occitane, and one of my personal favorites. Enriched with 20% shea butter, this super-creamy hand balm quickly penetrates to protect, nourish and regenerate dry skin. The scent is light, yet intoxicating. Smooth even the most hard-working hands with a blend of nourishing ingredients including almond oil, honey, coconut oil and antioxidant vitamin E. Keep one tube on your vanity at home, leave the second tube in your desk drawer at work, and stash the third tube in your purse so you're never without this little luxury.


Tweezerman ProCurl Eyelash Curler, $20
Oh my, gift recipient - what big eyes you'll have! Tweezerman's ProCurl Eyelash Curler has a sleek body shape, with a larger opening, that is tailored for comfort ease of use. A narrowed top bar adapts to all eye shapes, and a thick, rounded silicone pad ensures intense, crease-free curl. And you've gotta love the color (I can't be the only sucker for anything rose gold). If you've got a couple extra bucks to spend, throw in a tube of my favorite mascara, Maybelline's The Falsies in Blackest Black.




Urban Decay Naked Palette, $48
Whenever I put on makeup and decide to do up my eyes, I always find myself reaching for the Naked Palette. It's my favorite eye kit of all time. With 12 gorgeous neutrals that look gorgeous on anyone, you can mix and match to create office-appropriate eyes or sexy, party-perfect peepers. What makes this even more irresistable is that it also comes with a an eyeshadow brush and travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion (which every girl should own).When I asked Urban Decay Co-Founder and Creative Director Wende Zomnir what inspired this ingenious kit, she told me, "I travel a lot and I created Naked because I wanted a great collection of easy-to-wearshades at my fingertips. It was so fun putting the shadow shades together and gettingthem in just the right order (you should see all the different iterations on my iPhonecamera roll!). My ultimate smoky eye includes Virgin, Naked, Smog, Darkhorse andCreep!" The equally amazing Naked2 Palette just launched but is currently sold out, otherwise it would earn a spot on this list.



ecoTOOLS Alicia Silverstone Brush Set with Bag, $16
There is a common misconception that a set of quality makeup brushes will set you back a pretty penny. I've tried (and own) more brushes than I know what to do with - and my favorites, hands down, can be found at Target! The ecoTOOLS Alicia Silverstone Brush Set with Bag includes five bamboo brushes with incredibly soft and luxurious (synthetic) bristles - nestled in a hemp and cotton bag.



MOR 'Essentials' Honey Nectar Gift Set, $22
Since discovering MOR Cosmetics this summer during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I have been obsessed with their products...so much that two weeks ago during a HauteLook sale, I bought 10 more  MOR products - at 50% off (lucky me!). So my holiday bath and body gift picks are the products that introduced me to the brand. The MOR 'Essentials' Honey Nectar Gift Set includes a full-sized Honey Nectar Soap Bar (6 oz.) and Hand and Body Lotion (11.8 oz.). The Honey Nectar scent is one of the best fragrances I've ever smelled. I'm not a big honey fan, but the scent isn't so literal; it also features notes of brown sugar, candied almonds and warm vanilla milk. If you opt to give this gift, here's a cute suggestion: on the attached gift tag, write "MOR, MOR, MOR...how do you like it, how do you like it?"



Beauty-Inspired iPhone Cases, $28-34
These beauty-inspired cases by Diane von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs dress your iPhone in fabulosity.






Forever 21 Cosmetics Cases, $5-10
This is just a sampling of the super cute makeup cases from Forever 21. For these prices, you can afford to stuff some stockings with these cases - stuffed with more beauty goodies!

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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives

Nordstrom's annual Anniversary Sale is in full swing. Have you seen their Beauty Exclusives? They are off the chain! If you haven't had an opportunity yet to shop the sale (hurry...sale ends July 31), allow me to play personal shopper and make some recommendations.
Deborah Lippmann Get This Party Started Set, $42 ($58 value)
How could you NOT add this polish trio to your wish list? Get This Party Started is a set of three glitters, inspired by the overwhelming demand for Deborah Lippmann's best-selling Happy Birthday, a party in a bottle. The set includes Happy Birthday, along with two new variations of the glittery shade: Forget You, with a black base, and Candy Shop, with a bubblegum-pink base.


Bobbi Brown Bobbi Beauty Favorites, $80 ($160 value)
This set is a must-have for you beauties who love Bobbi Brown. It includes the Beach Shimmer Brick, Face Blender Brush, Full Size Extreme Party Mascara, Black Ink Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush, Shimmer Lip Gloss in Rose Gold and Creamy Lip Color in Toffee.


MAC Cine-Matics 'On-Screen' Pro Palette Eyeshadow Duo, $25 ($29 value)
I don't know any beauty lover who doesn't LOVE MAC eye shadows. These eight daring pairings are housed in an ultra-slim, stackable, easy-to-use palette. Great for your makeup kit and for travel.


MAC Cine-Matics 'Smoky Black' Makeup Lesson, $49.50 ($105 value)
Define the ultimate smoky eye with three sensational shadows - Carbon (M), Ambience (VP) and Bisque (M)—Zoom Lash Mascara in Zoomblack (0.14 oz.) and Technakohl Liner in Graphblack, a 275 SE Brush to smudge, a 212 SE to blend and step-by-step instructions. This kit is an incredible value and, I recommend you snatch it up immediately. Also available in Smoky Brown.


L'Occitane 'Shea Home & Away' Collection, $25 ($36 value)
Shea Butter Hand Cream is the #1 international best-seller from L'Occitane, and one of my personal favorites. Enriched with 20% shea butter, this super-creamy hand balm quickly penetrates to protect, nourish and regenerate dry skin. The scent is light, yet intoxicating. Smooth even the most hard-working hands with a blend of nourishing ingredients including almond oil, honey, coconut oil and antioxidant vitamin E. Keep the 5.2 oz. tube on your vanity at home and stash the 1 oz. tube in your purse so you're never without this little luxury.


MOR Essentials Hand & Body Lotion, $9.90 ($18 value)
Before the Anniversary Sale started, I was provided with an advance sample of MOR Hand & Body Lotion to review. The Honey Nectar lotion is one of the best fragrances I've ever smelled, and the formula is lightweight but deeply hydrates. I'm not a big honey fan, but the scent of the Honey Nectar moristurizer isn't so literal. It also features notes of brown sugar, candied almonds and warm vanilla milk. Unfortunately, the Honey Nectar lotion appears to be sold out online - but I recommend you track it down at your local Nordstrom store. The Hand & Body Lotion is also available in Neroli Clementine, Basil & Grape, Black Currant Iris and Sugar Rose Tiger Lily. Corresponding Hand & Body Washes are also Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives.


Clarisonic Mia, $149 ($189 value)
You've wanted a Clarisonic for, like, forever...and keep saying that you'll finally buy one if and when it goes on sale. Well, now's that time. Mia is the travel version of the original Clarisonic, so it has all of the benefits of the more expensive brush - like six times more makeup removal, better product absorbtion, smaller looking pores and fine lines. It also comes with a cute, pink travel bag. Available in Island Coral, Fuchsia, and Zebra print.


MAC Cine-Matics Face Brushes, $49.50 ($112 value)
Touch up your look with a fabulous foursome of short-handled face brushes packed in a stylish grey MAC bag with red trim. With Technicolor bristles, these are sure to take your close-ups to the next level. The set includes: 187 SE Duo Fiber Face Brush, 190 SE Foundation Brush, 168 SE Large Angled Contour Brush, 194 SE Concealer Brush, and a brush bag.


MAC Cine-Matics All-Over Brushes, $49.50 ($120 value)
Go from nominee to winner with a star-quality set of short-handled brushes for eyes and face. Packed in a chic zip bag, these five Technicolor talents are musts on red carpets and runways everywhere. The set includes: 129 SE Powder/Blush Brush, 227 SE Large Fluff Brush, 224 SE Tapered Blending Brush, 219 SE Pencil Brush, 266 SE Small Angle Brush, and a brush bag.


philosophy 'amazing grace' 3-piece super set, $70 ($137 value)
Feel like you're wearing a beautiful dress every day of the week. 'amazing grace' is philosophy's best-selling fragrance, designed to make a woman feel amazingly clean and beautifully feminine. The set includes 'amazing grace' perfumed shampoo, bath and shower gel (32 oz.); firming body emulsion (32 oz.) and body spritz (8 oz.). Layer the clean floral scent of 'amazing grace' as you cleanse in the shower or bath and, afterwards, as you moisturize your skin. Then surround yourself with a refreshing, perfumed body mist that lightly hydrates as it scents your skin for a full-body fragrance experience.

Hanae Mori Paris Butterfly Anniversary Set, $85 ($133 value)
If I didn't still have a full bottle of my beloved Hanae Mori Butterfly (it's my signature scent), I would be snagging this set. Butterfly is a rare blend of berries and flowers, with a distinctive tone of strawberries and almond, giving an impression of vanilla. This deluxe set contains the world-renowned Butterfly eau de parfum spray, take-anywhere shower gel and body cream (1.7 oz. each), as well as long-lasting, non-alcohol Butterfly deodorant (2.6 oz.). A 1.7 oz. bottle of Butterfly retails for more than the price of this set - so this is a real steal!


Prada 'Infusion d'Iris' Gift Set, $99 ($133 value)
Once again, I have a full bottle of this perfume (it's another one of my top 3 fragrances), so I won't be buying this set. On second thought, maybe I will. My mom is also a fan of this fragrance and I usually gift her with a similar set for Christmas - so perhaps I'll pick up her present extra early this year. Infusion d'Iris fuses tradition with idealism, creating a universe that every modern woman wants to be a part of. A floral citrus fragrance, Infusion d'Iris balances the clean fresh scent of the Iris Pallida with the subtlety of mandarin, creating a dream-like experience for the senses.


PHYTO 'Phytodéfrisant' Large Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm, $31 ($39 value)
You know that elusive, salon perfect blowout that you can never seem to replicate at home? Now you can, thanks to the folks at Phyto. Phytodéfrisant Botanical Relaxing Balm is a heat-activated straightening balm that hydrates, fights frizz, and leaves hair touchably soft and silky smooth. Suitable for all hair types, the product has a light, gel-like consistency that won’t weigh hair down. Apply a silver dollar-sized dollop to towel dried tresses, comb through, and blow dry for sleek, professional looking results. Phytodéfrisant is so fabulous that you might just bid your flat iron farewell.


Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel - Large Size, $36 ($39 value)
I'm kind of kicking myself for just having bought a bottle of this a month ago. It's my go-to summer moisturizer because it's light, doesn't aggrivate my sensitive skin, and doesn't leave my oily skin looking greasy. The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is also on sale, so I'll pick that up in preparation for the colder months ahead.


Donna Karan 'Cashmere Mist' Deodorant Trio, $32 ($54 value)
Cashmere Mist Deodorant is the best smelling deodorant, possibly, ever. Have I actually smelled every deodorant that ever was? Um, no...but I highly doubt that they could top Cashmere Mist. $32 may sound pricey for three deodorants. But, trust me, they are worth every penny. Buck up now and thank me later.

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Friday, June 10, 2011

Before we get started

Let me tell you a little bit about me, what kind of beauty products I like generally, and what is important to me.

I am:
Slightly over 30 years old.
Married.
Someone who lives in a warm, humid climate.
Someone who does not have a lot of time, so I like products that do not require a lot of time.
A fanatic when it comes to skin care.

I think:
Natural and organic beauty products are awesome, so I look for them all the time.
Everything looks better when it's applied on great skin, so we should all care for our skin properly before looking at anything else.
Makeup can be fun, but should never be a chore.
Makeup for special occasions is even more fun.
The best products are not always the most expensive ones, but sometimes you do get what you pay for.
The right perfume and scent can make a huge difference.
Sometimes you need to feel girly and glamorous, and beauty products can help us do just that.

Some of my favorite brands are:
L'Occitane
MAC
Clarins
Dior
Chanel
Neutrogena
Lancome (especially their mascaras)
Lumene (a brand made for Scandinavian skin)
But I still have tons of other brands to try, and I also use products from tons of other brands as well on a regular basis.

(pic from Face Fitness Center)

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