Introducing.... BEAUTY WEEK!! (by Macy's.com)

Our friends at Macy's have decided to take a page out of the restaurant industry's playbook and created "Beauty Week". This week only, you can get FREE shipping on purchases over $50 & a FREE cosmetic case when you spend $75 or more.

Not tempted yet?!? You will be when you check out Beauty Week bonus offers like these:

Bobbi Brown is offering a free Mini Extreme Lash Party Mascara & Mini Crystal Lip Gloss when you purchase $65 or more. Bobbi's Extreme Lash Party Mascara is sure to provide lashes with "extreme build, endless volume" and lastastic definition. The Crystal Lip Gloss gives lips a boost - it looks great over natural lips or your fave lipstick (or liner if you are going for a less drying long-wear effect).

Lancome wants to help keep you looking your best with this free deluxe sample trio (when you purchase $50 purchase or more). These generous sized samples make a fantastic addition to any "on-the-go" makeup bag. The trio consists of the following:

• GENIFIQUE Youth Activating Concentrate - gives your skin's genes a protein packed boost to produce softer, more youthful looking skin. Don't believe us? Try it and see for yourself!
  
• CILS BOOSTER XL Super Enhancing Mascara Base - a must have for creating "are those falsies?" lashes; and
  
• BI-FACIL Double Action Eye Makeup Remover - our personal "go-to" remover. It works wonders on waterproof eye makeup while nourishing the delicate skin around the eye.

Hurry to Macy's.com today to check out all the great Beauty Week offers! You won't be disappointed - we promise!

Credits: Macy's.com; Bobbi Brown Professional Cosmetics, Inc.; Lancome Cosmetics (division of L'Oreal USA S/D, Inc. and L'Oreal USA, Inc.).

NEW YEAR HAPPY

Image courtesy of freechristmaswallpapers.net

Overall, 2010 was a VERY good year & we hope the same was true for you. As we prepare to say "See Ya" to the old & "HELLO!!" to a promising new, we wanted to take a minute to thank you for following us and being so supportive! HERE'S TO A BIGGER & BETTER 2011 for us all!

Cin Cin!

b.f.f.

Have A Holly Jolly......

Image courtesy of brand.swarovski.com

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Festivus! Whatever you celebrate, we sincerely wish you all the best this time of year brings. We also hope you get everything your beautiful hearts desire!

So Happy, Merry, Feliz, & Mazel to you all!

xoxo,

b.f.f.

Weekend Happy - HiFi Edition

Courtesy of Max Factor, Cosmopolitan Magazine, February 1965

Have a "Hi-Fi" weekend Beautynistas!

xoxo,

B.F.F.

WISH List

Looks like the good people at SMASHBOX decided to get a jump on the holiday season and have launched their limited edition WISH Collection -Holiday 2010. Of the many unbelievable offerings, we think the following are absolute must-haves:

"WISH for the Perfect Pout" - This gem of a set comes with every shade of gloss a true "beautynista" could ever need, for just about any occassion:

• "Candid" - Pink with Gold Shimmer


• "Luster" - Sheer Golden Pink


• "Radiant" - Shimmering Pink Plum


• "Baby Pout" - Sheer & Shimmering version of SMASBOX's best selling "Pout" shade
  
  
• "Ecstacy" - Shimmering Blackberry


• "Divine" - Golden Nude

Want a custom look? Just combine any of these glosses to create the ultimate custom shade to compliment your signature look.

"WISH for the Perfect Pencils" - also an absolute must! The set includes four "waterproof long wearing creamy " eyeliner pencils in the following shades:

• "Onyx" - Jet Black
  
• "Orchid" - Dark Purple
  
• "Graphite" - Metallic Grey
  
• "14K" - Soft Metallic Gold

*B.F.F. tip: Use "14K" as an inner eye highlighter to make eyes really pop!*

The best thing about these sets is that SMASHBOX will donate $1 of every purchase (up to $25,000) to the Children's Miracle Network - "a non-profit organization that grants the wish of life by providing medical care, life-saving reearch, and on-going education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind."

Photos courtesy of Smashbox Cosmetics

Weekend Happy

Here's a little makeup humor for the week......(thanks Michelle)

Happy Weekend "Beautynistas"!

xoxo,

b.f.f.

M.I.A.

Hello Beautynistas:

We can not apologize enough for going "ghost" earlier this year. However, it's been with good reason...things have taken off in different directions that demanded our attention.

From landing some pretty major gigs (we're talking national television people!) to getting our first opportunity to "key" makeup for a short film (it's an indy, but it's a start - Hollywood, we are comin' for ya!!), our plate has been more than full!

Since fall is upon and winter's close behind, we encourage you to visit some of our previous posts on getting and maintaining a "b.f.f." during these harsh weather months!

Through it all though, we've missed you and can't wait to get going here again. Thanks for checking in on us and we promised not to take such a big break!

xoxo,

b.f.f.

Walk of Shame....with DIGNITY

Whether you want to admit it or not, most if not all of us have had to do the Walk of Shame at one point or another. Some are probably still doing it - no worries though, your secret is safe here.

Why not give your "Walk" a bit of dignity with this fabulous kit from Two Faced Cosmetics:

Two Faced's Walk of Shame comes packed with all the tools for looking good while you do the "Walk":

• Toothbrush;
• Mints;
• Lip of Luxury lipstick;
• Compact containing two shadows & a blush in shades that are perfect for practically all skin tones;
• Mini Primed & Poreless tinted face primer that can also be used as a flawless finish foundation for some skin tones; and
• Shadow Insurance eyeshadow primer.

Interested in making your "Walk" cause worthy? Check out the official "Walk of Shame Kit" (comes with a dress & flip flops among other things) where portions of your purchase benefit Breast Cancer Awareness.

Credits: Too Faced Cosmetics, Inc.; Clubsmerch, LLC

Winter Skin Rx

So by now, many of you non-makeup up wearers are LOVING your easy new makeup routine right?! RIGHT!?!?! Ok well, we trust that you are. ;) Another issue we have been hearing lots about is dryness....even for those with oily skin - and no wonder! This year's record setting artic blasts are enough to take even La Mer to task.

Here are some essentials for whipping winter skin back into shape...(keyword: MOISTURE):


1. Water - ahhh...Mother Nature's greatest gift never fails to deliver. While a good moisturizer is key to Giving Good Face, so is hydrating from the inside out. Not only is this precious gift great for helping skin look and feel its best, it is also great for hair too. Just like your skin, your hair also needs moisture to thrive so why not start from within. Trying to shed those post-holiday pounds? Water makes an excellent "hunger buster". For a fat burning effect, try adding fresh lemon slices (or freshly squeezed lemon juice) to your water - it has the same impact as eating a 1/2 of grapefruit because of the citric acid!

2. Moisturizer - In addition to hydrating your skin from the inside, having a really good moisturizer on-hand helps quench thirsty skin. Clinique's Moisture Surge Thirst Relief is just what the doctor ordered. This lightweight, non-greasy, cream-gel smooths fine lines and banishes flakey dryness. The cream-gel formula is quickly absorbed by skin - leaving a silky smooth texture and making it a cinch to apply makeup over it. Blemishes got you nervous about giving this hydrating wonder a try? Rest easy - it is known to help fight breakouts too! If your skin requires a more heavy duty cream formula, check out Moisture Surge Thirst Relief's Cousin - Moisture On-Line.

3. Mask It! - As we have mentioned before, some of the best remedies for hydrating wind-whipped skin can be found in your kitchen (or local grocer if you are like us and hear an echo when you open your fridge). Avocado not only makes for excellent "guac", it is very hydrating and provides intense moisture to dry skin. Here is a quick & easy "Rich Avocado Facial" recipe courtesy of "Natural Beauty at Home" by Janice Cox:

• 1 Tbsp ripe avocado, mashed
  

• 1 Tsp honey


• 3 drops apple cider vinegar


• A little sesame oil

Mix the first three ingredients and add enough sesame oil to create a spreadable consistency. Smear on with clean hands. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and pat skin dry. If desired, finish off with a light application of rosewater (spritz it on and gently pat in or apply it with a cotton pad) to tone, then apply moisturizer.

Credits: Clinique Laboratories, LLC.

New Year...New You

Many clients have told us they skip make-up as part of their daily routine because they: (a) do not have the time and/or (b) do not know where to begin. We think the following sets are a perfect way to put "Add Make-Up to Daily Routine" on their New Year's "To Do" lists (aka New Year's Resolutions for those who make them).

Cargo's "7 in 7" helps you Give Good Face in a snap! Designed to "...get you gorgeous in 7 steps in under 7 minutes", this kit is packed with the following "can't miss" glam essentials:

• OneBase lightweight concealer and foundation;
• Essential Eye Shadow Palette - each part of the eye lid is imprinted on each color for "can't miss" application & and includes an easy to follow diagram;
• High Pigment Eye Pencil - rich in color, helping eyes really "pop";
• LashActivator mascara - gives lashes extra volume & length;
• BeachBlush - combining blush and bronzer for that "from within" glow;
• Reverse Lip Liner - to help give thinner lips a fuller pout; and
• Classic Lip Gloss with Timestrip technology - non-sticky & paraben free, this silky smooth gloss nourishes lips, while the Timestrip technology lets you know when it is time to "toss the gloss" and get a new one.

"7 in 7" is available in "Light Medium", "Warm Medium", and "Dark Medium". While we do not think the Reverse Lip Liner is great for all skin tones, or is necessary for all lips, we think this package is overall worth the investment. Not sure if you want to commit to the full package? Check out the the mini version available at Ulta.

The Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection is touted as "an all-inclusive kit that includes nine [9] essential shadows for all-over lid color, highlighting, smudging, and more" and we agree! Complete with: color-rich, long wearing eyeshadows; 3 easy to follow "How To" cards for creating 3 flawless & easy natural looks; and a double sided brush/wand, your eyes will go from drap to fab in a blink! The "pure pigment" formula of the eyeshadows allow for effortless blending so you have no excuse for not adding this collection to your beuty bag.

Credits: Cargo Cosmetics Corp.; Two Faced Cosmetics, Inc.