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

It's the Most Wonderful Time of The Year....

We hope each of you had a beautiful.flawless.holiday and got everything you wanted - whether it be lazy days lounging in your fave robe and/or pj's, to taking the hordes *we mean mall* by storm, to cashing in on some of those unbelievable deals!

As we have mentioned several times before, retail seasonal changes are the best times to update your beauty arsenal and find great cosmetic deals. If you are anything like us, you can NEVER have too many cosmetic bags and travel cases. The following great bags/sets + unbelievable post-holiday prices = absolute "MUST HAVES".

Clinique's Lash Impact Gift Set is a true "gem"! As if the cute purple cosmetic bag is not reason enough to buy it, the 4 travel sized mascaras will have you "SOLD"! Each of the mascaras will solve just about any lash dilemma: The "High Impact" Mascara volumizes and lengthens; "High Impact Curling" Mascara coaxes lashes to their most upturned look; "Lash Power" Mascara vows to keep lashes looking their best for 24 hours; while "High Definition" Lashes delivers extreme length and definition.

What is better than one gift? Two gifts in one! That is what you get when you purchase Lorac's Double Booked Full Face Collection. Celebrity make-up artist Carol Shaw (Lorac = Carol backwards) took the guesswork out of knowing what shades go best together in this two palette set - making it a cinch to create the perfect day and evening looks. The set contains 16 eyeshadows (8 cool and 8 warm respectively), 2 blushes, 2 lip glosses, 1 lip liner, 1 bronzer, 1 highlighter, 1 face mirror, and Lorac's exclusive dual-sided shadow/liner brush. This book style palette set comes in a faux crocodile case (in silver at Sephora and Black Patent Leather at Lorac.com that can be used a jewelry box or travel case.

Indulge your inner make-up artist with the Limited Edition Smashbox Eye Wish Palette. Create an endless array of "soft & simple" or "smokey eyed vixen" looks with any of the 4 cream eyeliners, 12 eyeshadows, and Photo Finish Lid Primer. Follow the step-by-step techniques in the "Eye Wish Look Book" for perfect party eyes or to find your new signature look.

Credits: Clinique Laboratories, LLC; Lorac Cosmetics, Inc.; Smashbox Cosmetics

Doin' the Dash

If some of you are like us, you may still be shopping for that "perfect gift" for your loved ones or yourself. Here's a run down of some "Deals & Steals" that may make your hunt a little easier:

What better way to find the perfect addition(s) to your make-up treasure chest than to hit up beauty wonderland Sephora! With gift sets galore, we are sure you'll find the perfect gift that's too fab to part with. Don't want to deal with the hordes of last minute shoppers? No problem, check out Sephora.com - orders placed TODAY will arrive to your door by 12/24! As if this deal could not get any sweeter, you get to pick 3 Free Samples with EVERY ORDER!


Giving with a Purpose? Check out the "WISH" collection over at Smashbox.com. $1 of each purchase of a "WISH" gift set will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network, "a non-profit that grants the wish of life to millions of sick or injured kids by providing care and investing in life-saving research." The good folks at Smashbox are also offering free Jumbo Samples and Free Shipping (if you don't mind getting your gift after Christmas).

In addition to DELICIOUS holiday pallets, NARS is offering Free FedEx Shipping on all purchases of $25 or more (sooo very easy to do once you see these pallets). Want more than make-up? Be sure to check-out the heavenly scented candles and Essential Oil-Infused Therapy Soak.

Rounding out our last minute holiday "Deals & Steals" are some great finds for "Under $55" over at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. We are sure you will find that perfect "stocking stuffer" (or cosmetic bag stuffer) in the array of gloss trios, pallets, and cream shadow sets available. You have to hurray though, because the Free 2 Day Shipping offer ENDS TODAY. Running out of wrapping paper? No problem - Bobbi offers complimentary Gift Wrapping & 2 Free Samples.

Credits: Sephora USA, Inc., NARS Cosmetics, Smashbox Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown Professional Cosmetics, Inc.

Eye Candy

Suffer (or if you are like us, think you suffer) from dark circles under or around your eyes? Let us introduce you to your new "Best Friend" (and cosmetic bag staple):

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

Packed with lots of good stuff for your skin [e.g., vitamin E, peptides, and marine collagen (which helps repair and disguise pesky fine lines & wrinkles)], this little "miracle" will help make the skin under your eyes instantly look brighter and more "awake". Designed to be a primer for your concealer, you can wear this by itself (depending on your skin tone of course).

As some of you may have already discovered, concealer alone won't necessarily win your dark circles battle for you. For a battle victory, apply Photo Op under your eyes (and in the inner corners of your eyes and on your orbital bone for an even more youthful look), and blend it outward using your fingers or a concealer brush. Next apply concealer (no more than 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation shade) to this same area and VOILA! Score: 1 - Team You, 0 - Team Dark Circles!

We know, we know! You've tried everything so you are skeptical - but trust us! This gem didn't win the Self Magazine Beauty Award for Best Highlighter for nothing!

Credit: SMASHBOX Cosmetics