Happy Valentine's Day

Trust me in that whoever you're buying a sweat treet for would much rather have Too Faced's Chocolate Bar Shadow Palette over actual chocolate. So much less guilt! $49

Their blush is a great way to say I 'heart' you, too. $30

For a more affordable option, check out Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting products~ like this blush. $11.99

Philosophy's My Heart to Yours Gift Set has a little bit of everything at a great price point if $24. Whether or not you even have a Valentine, I say be sweet to yourself!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Beauty Blog Coalition Spring Giveaway

The Beauty Blog Coalition is a group of Beauty Bloggers who work day & night to bring you the latest on all things beauty. This spring, because we adore our readers we have collaborated to put together a giveaway of $500! Who doesn't want some fresh make-up looks for Spring?!? Please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to enter. The giveaway is even open to our international readers. Also here is a list of the member's participating in the current giveaway including yours truly- so be sure to check them out for some enjoyable reading. Good Luck Beauties!

 Blushing Basics PolishGalore Clumps of Mascara Justina's Gems Beyond Beauty Lounge Beauty 101 Cosmetics Aficionado Just For Trendy Girls Peek & Ponder Pretty In Pink Aquaheart's Obsessions InTruBeauty Beauty Info Zone Moxie Reviews Prime Beauty Midnight Manicures Geniabeme Blushing Noir Beauty by Miss L Peace Love Lipgloss TheFabZilla polarbelle My Highest Self MinaSlater.com - Fabulous Awesomeness george&bear Lipgloss Break Painted Ladies a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must Have Make-Up Monday: Naked Princess

 

Who doesn't love exquisitely packaged confections? It doesn't matter whether said confection is a cupcake or lipgloss, presentation matters. Unwrapping lip treats from Naked Princess is a swoon worthy experience. Insert ohhhs and ahhhhs here.

 

  I immediately thought of the gifting potential.  With the tag line "And she lived lovely ever after" imprinted on all of their lip products...I thought this would be perfect gift to send to girlfriends for a number of occasions.  For my newly engaged neighbor, I'd attach a note with "sealed with a kiss." For another friend going through a rough break-up, I'd go with a note saying "Kiss that sucker good bye!"

The presentation makes you feel like a princess.  I bet the company is called Naked Princess, not just because they craft artisan lingerie- but also because their beauty products are free of parabens, phthalates or GMOs.

Their Objet D'Love Luxurious Lip Treatment ($26), which comes in 2 flavors & its very own carrying pouch, calls on Matcha Green Tea and shea butter to pamper your lips.  A collagen stimulating peptide rounds out the mix to ensure your lips look fuller & smoother. Another bonus? The compact is refillable!

The Naked Shine Luscious Lip Glosses ($26) also feel like lip treatments on, I could tell that they were packed with beneficial ingredients like shea butter and sweet almond oil to hydrate my pucker.  The Moroccan Vanilla lends a delicious scent.

Shades listed from top: Barely Blush, Barely Naked, Barely Nude. These colors are just 3 of the gorgeous sheer options in Naked Princess' 8 color nude collection and you know I can never get enough nude glosses!  My entire sensory experience was pure luxury from beginning to end. This cruelty free line gets my seal & kiss of approval!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.
*Gifted for Review

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$500 Visa Card Valentine's Giveaway

The Beauty Blogger Coalition is back with another $500 Visa card giveaway! To enter, please allow the Rafflecopter widget to load below. All Terms and Conditions may also be found in the widget. Please visit the following Beauty Blogger Coalition members who are bringing this to you! You may enter using Rafflecopter from any of the below blogs but your entry will only count one time. You may, however, tweet about the giveaway (the last option) once a day for the duration of the giveaway.

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Beauty Blogger Coalition
Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty Info Zone
Beauty Swatches
BlushingNoir
Gems in a Bottle
Madame B Fatale
Moxie Reviews
My Beauty Bunny
PeaceLoveLipgloss
Perilously Pale
Phyrra
Polarbelle
polish insomniac
PolishGalore
Pretty in Dayton
Prime Beauty
The Beauty Delicacy
The Plastic Diaries

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Beauties!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Lately, I am surprised to say I have been rather unimpressed with gifts with purchase. {Check out the window for pigs flying!} Yes Clinique & Lancome & all the big brands have theirs down, but I'm often uninspired. Though this make up case is not really my style, I'm sure my 7 year old niece will swoon over it!{Bonus points for favorite Aunt will also accrue.} But it's always inside that counts- yes? This latest offer from Beauty.com is jammed packed with deluxe sized samples, just how mama likes them! Stila, Tarte, Urban Decay & It Cosmetics just to name a few of the brands! If you know you need to stock up on your essentials- now's the time to do it as this gift is yours with any $100 purchase.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Marvelous Marchesa

Well I'm back from vacation girleeens & I just got this 'Beauty' of an offer in my inbox while digging out from hundreds of emails this morning! How I adore all things Marchesa. With any $150 purchase at Beauty.com you will receive this gorgeous bag filled to the brim with deluxe samples. I know $150 is pretty pricey, but this is the time when I would stock up on current favorites. Most sample bags lately have done little to impress yours truly, but this one has generous sizes. If you love Marchesa like moi, it's a no brainer!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Labor Day Weekend

Is everyone else breathing a collective sigh of relief as the holiday weekend is upon us? I actually am giving the entire beauty team off today- we all deserve a Saturday off! I can't even tell you how excited I am to actually get to catch up on my gossip magazines and blogging while watching the US Open in my pj's! I'm going to do a peel & mask & actually beautify myself a bit, instead of others for a change. Speaking of beauty, here are 2 new products I have my ahem eye on:)

Though the eye area is incredibly fragile (read stop tugging at your eyes when putting on your eye make-up girleens!) all areas of the face can benefit from mild exfoliation. This new peel from Ole Henriksen, contains a cocktail of purified soy, rice peptides and yeast protein that the company claims dramatically reduces dark circles. I am eager to put this product to the test since dark circles are one of the most difficult skin complaints to treat!

After my eyes are perfectly exfoliated, I would want to apply this new product. Though I'm somewhat concerned about her decision to date Jesse James, Kat Von D has made a great choice in adding this new primer to her line. Finally an eye base specifically made in a darker hue for smokey eye looks- hooray! What are my beauties up to over the long weekend? I hope you all get some much needed R & R!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

All images courtesy of Sephora

Wishlist Wednesday

The Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale starts this Friday girleens & they have some amazing make-up collections! This Blue & Brown kit ($75)from Bobbi Brown has everything you need for a classic, yet gorgeous look. There's not a dud in the batch! If the blue in the eyeshadow kit makes you a little nervous, just use it as a liner.

I have to hand it to Trish McEvoy, she keeps coming out with her adorable planner collections (& did anyone catch her cameo on Gossip Girl this past season?!) These shadows are neutral, but with dimension & great texture to keep them from being boring. This small kit($85) also includes her new undereye concealer which I'm dying to try! Most of you know how much I heart her lid primers, a mini is included.

Here's the bigger bag ($95)that includes face shades, as well to give an all over soft sensual glow. Again everything in this kit is a winner with everything being very wearable. A little secret? Estee Lauder's GWP looks very much like this bag, so if you love it, but want to save some moolah- keep your eyes out for that. I couldn't find a picture to upload, but I'll be snatching it up! Also Lancome has a nice GWP as well, so I will be stocking up on some concealers. Have you seen the sale catalog? What will you be scooping up my beauties?
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Sally Hansen Salon Manicure

I picked up Sally Hansen's new Salon Manicure polish after reading about it in Allure. I of course gravitated towards this grey beige or "greige" color since it's called Commander in Chic(loves the name.) FYI "greige" is supposed to be huge this fall. The polish claims to have both the base & top coat built into the polish. Just two coats are all you need. The brush took a smidge getting used to, it's a little paddle like. But after I got the hang of it, I had smooth even coverage that wasn't drying mid application of polish like some quick dry polishes do.

This is the next morning after application. It looks good, but I love a super glossy top coat feel. Up close I could see subtle ridges (I'm quite picky) so I would have finished it with something like Seche Vite top coat.
Here's the polish still going strong after 5 days! It's held up very well, even with tons of hand washing throughout the day for work. This is the perfect grab & go polish when you're heading out of town for the weekend & want something quick & easy! I would definitely recommend it on the staying power alone, which is always a problem for me. Tell me beauties, what polish do you think is the best? Have a great weekend!
Peace. Love. Polish. M

Make-up Must Have Monday

It would have been wrong of me not to use a $20 coupon from Sephora- right? I keep saying I'm going to try & cut back on my make-up purchases in 2010...I seriously don't need another eyeliner for probably a decade, but oh how I love them so!

I had already purchased Illamasqua's cake liner in Mislead (jet black-bottom), and loved it so much I went back for Danger, a deep grey navy(top). I so wish they would hurry up, add more shades of the cake liner & get the entire line in our Sephora so I could play with everything!

As I've mentioned before Clinique's All About Eyes is pretty amazing, they just need to add some more shades. I picked up 02 & that one's a smidge light, and the other one(04) I have is too dark- such a Goldilocks I am! I have to blend them, but it's worth it since it offers full coverage, without being cakey. One little tube lasts forever. I also picked up Benefit's Some Kind of Gorgeous since I had been wanting a more full coverage foundation than my beingTrue minerals for when I went with a strong smokey eye. Unfortunately, the product smelled intensely of melted crayons ( I have a ridiculous sense of smell) & made me hesitant to apply to my acne prone skin- so back it went! So the search continues for a foundation that won't look mask like or break me out, but I'm thrilled with the cake liner & concealer!

Peace. Love Lipgloss. M

Don't forget the Clinique contest winner will be picked Wednesday

Award Winning Beauty Products

Alright Girleens, here's a better peek inside the CEW Beauty Awards swag bag. Hair products were plentiful - I'm looking forward to trying out the No Frizz line by Living Proof when it gets humid here(developed by MIT students no less, there's some serious science behind it!)

Neutrogena was in full force with a product from almost every category in the gift bag. I'm intrigued about the Tone Correcting SPF with Retinol, but as an esthetician I recommend using any type of Vitamin A at night since it tend to break down in sunlight.

There were also lab samples (less pretty versions of product launches for us peeps in the industry) to try out including Bebe's fragrance & Gap's latest scent Close.

Here a peek at what's up for grabs! Over $400 worth of beauty loot! This week it is Clinique's Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder. Just enter in the comments section your must have beauty product(not just lipgloss for example- but brand, type & color!) Good Luck My Beauties!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

This swag bag was gratis from a paid event I attended.

Winner will be announced on St. Patty's Day!

Confessions of a Beauty Junkie

Now I'm in trouble! I was trying so hard to be good, really I was! Then I found out Neiman Marcus is also having a beauty event as we speak and all bets are off! Cuter bag(sorry Saks, they win this go around-I will be getting the darker denim version!)? Check. Gift with Chloe perfume purchase? Check.

What's on my wishlist? Trish McEvoy's Little Black Card in Champagne Truffle looks like a great collection, chock full of wearable colors I will actually use. Not one dud in the offering!

Neiman Marcus also carries the hard to find Armani Beauty line(always an Allure Magazine favorite for their foundations) This shadow palette looks to die for and is appropriately named "Eyes to Kill." With a palette like this, you wouldn't need any others(I shudder at the thought!)

This gorgeous Guerlain palette. I wouldn't want to even use it! I think I need to start displaying products like these around my home! This is beautiful enough to be in anyone's art collection! Since snow is headed our way again *sigh* it definitely looks like I'll be seeking comfort in a little online retail therapy!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Wishlist Wednesday

It's one of my favorite times of the year girleens! No it's not a holiday, but rather it's Saks' Beauty Event time! With any purchase of $75 of more you get a tote( I will comment- who designed the pattern on that thing?) filled with deluxe samples & irresistible offers!

I have been quite honest about my adoration of gifts with purchase & the frenzy that ensues making sure I get mine! What rates top on my wish list? Chantecaille's new Les Dauphins Palette- another stunning work of art launched by them.

If you've been a long time reader you know that I need another perfume like a hole in the head. Partner in Crime just picked up a bottle of Chloe however, and now I'm craving it! Specific brands will be offering their own additional gifts with purchase, so check it out. What tops your list? The event starts tomorrow, just enter code: PURE at checkout.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

What's Your Virtue?

By now, my beauties know that I live and breathe make-up, especially lipgloss! The gals over at What's Your Virtue were kind enough to send over some treats for the entire La Papillon Beauty Team(yes, we did a little dance- what gal doesn't love an installment of fresh gloss in their day?!)

All of the colors are very wearable(they're thickly applied on my hand to show shades, but very sheer on.) Lip Bliss glosses are also non drying since they contain cranberry seed oil, an antioxidant and moisturizer that contributes to the lipid barrier protection of the skin and helps with moisture retention(that's important for my lips, which chap and can become irritated very easily- especially in the winter.)

Yours truly wearing my favorite shade , Kindness, over my favorite nude lip liner.

Our lovely Lisa opted for shimmery soft shade, Simplicity.

While Lucky Penny gravitated towards the fresh pink of Curiosity! What I think would be a great idea? To have a stash on hand of my favorite shades- Kindness & Generosity. How cute would that be- to have your personal note to say thank you for your 'Kindness' & your gloss reinforce that sentiment!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Make-Up Must Have Monday

Tis the season to Let it Glow, Let it Glow, Let it Glow! Your skin, that is. This time of year, most of us are feeling...how shall I say? Pasty. Put some radiance back into your skin with highlighting products!

I know people with oily skin (moi included!) are sometimes hesitant to add more shine to their face, but fear not. I prefer a powder form like Paul & Joe Beaute's for that reason. Pick 1 or 2 places you want to brighten(no more or you will look like a disco ball!) Let's get started.

Liquid highlighters like Benefit's High Beam are good for placing on the cheeks or dabbing on the bridge of the nose to elongate it's appearance. If you want to take baby steps, you can mix a drop in your moisturizer or lotion to give a subtle all over glow.

Powders like this Dior product you can place just about anywhere. I also feel like I have more control with them. Inner corner of the eye, the brow bone, right above the center of your upper lip- pick your poison! Put it wherever you want to draw attention on your face. A favorite trick of mine? After I've done my eye make-up, I dab a smidge of highlighter smack in the middle of the lid. It really brightens the area & makes me look well rested- which let's face it, I'm not! What are your favorite places to highlight & what are your favorite products?

Peace. Love. Get Your Glow On. M

Today's the last day to enter my 200th post giveaway! The top highlighter is one of the goodies included! Hop over to the Bon Bon Girls to enter- good luck!