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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Ring in the New Year with DIY Beauty Masks

I am an avid magazine reader- currently subscribed to over 15 magazines, mostly women's interest magazines and some business ones as well.

I received the February 1, 2009 issue of Woman's Day this past week and it's not even the new year and I'm already getting February's issue! I can't complain though because the magazine revolves around getting Discounts/Sales and Ways to Get Healthier! (Two of my favorite subjects)

Woman's Day included an article on DIY masks using all natural, simple ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. I have been meaning to write a blog post on this because it has been the subject of a beauty consultation I've had recently. The topic was more on getting rid of blackheads but beauty masks seemed the next natural (no pun intended) step.

Since this article is not on their website yet, I will not post their DIY recipes until they do so. (Link to be added soon!)

The recipes they include are Honey-Banana hair smoothie (hint: another ingredient is a tablespoon of yogurt), Milk and Honey Facial Mask (another ingredient is: Powdered milk) and Essential Body Scrub (using sugar and olive oil.)

After a quick internet search, I found many sites that list DIY facial mask recipes, depending on your skin type. Some that I liked are:
Fat Free Kitchen- http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/beauty/facial-masks.html
About.com:Beauty- http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/a/facemasks.htm

Another comprehensive site which lists many recipes to homemade masks is at TotalBeauty.com- Natural Homemade Beauty Care Tips.

Their recipes include:
-Aloe Vera Facial Cleanser
-Chamomile and Oatmeal Facial Scrub
-Rich Avocado Facial
-Honey Lip Scrub
-Pineapple Sage Facial Mask
-Hand and Foot Sugar Scrub
-Lavender Bath
-Skin Firming Clay Mask
-Cucumber-Honey Toner
-Green Tea Toner
-Tropical Eye Cream
-All-Purpose Olive Oil Moisturizer

I had previously tried a recipe similar to the Honey Lip Scrub, but I used for my hands/arms instead. The recipe exfoliates well because of the sugar, so it leaves you with soft skin.

Some masks that I have tried before were simply plain yogurt and plain avocado, but now I have these recipes- with just a few more natural ingredients-to look forward to using for the new year!

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year everyone!!Let me know if you have tried out any of these recipes and which worked best for you!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Product Review: Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Shampoo

I recently tried a sample of the Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Shampoo. On Sephora's website, it says it is a "natural hair purifier." I expected it to be a clear shampoo, since I read somewhere before that usually clear shampoos are more clarifying. Regardless, I gave it a try and wasn't in love with it. My hair felt a bit slick even after washing, and I even used another quarter-size drop just to try to make it feel less oily. However, my hair feels really soft. (Could it be the essential oil and organic ingredients?)


source: www.sephora.com

If you want to give it a try, you can buy yours at Sephora too!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Sephora Sale -On Front Page!

In my 5+ years of visiting Sephora's website, I have never seen their Sale section so blatantly advertised. In fact, the only way I can find their sale section is to literally type "sale" in the search box. It's not exactly their thing to have a "Sale" section as one of their categories. So when I checked their website this morning, I was very surprised to see this:


source: www.sephora.com

Although I have seen this page before, it is now easy for everyone to find their sale section..until they take this ad down of course. They had the usual brands on sale, Vincent Longo, their own Sephora brand, Pop Beauty, and also a relatively new line, on10 cosmetics. Their products are exclusively sold on Sephora and specialize in vintage-style lip balms. They have flavors such as 7-Up, Hersheys, Wrigley's DoubleMint, Disney White Tea, and Schweppes! Most of these lipbalms were originally priced at $9 and are now $6.30!

I even saw some Cargo lip glosses on sale :)


To see my Sephora Beauty Sale picks...
The Vincent Longo Amalfi Dream collecion $29 (Originally $58)



This gorgeous set includes an 0.14 oz Eye Shimmer Soufflé in Lily Mist (iced pink), 0.14 oz Eyeshadow Trio in Orbit Dusk (white/ taupe/ silver taupe), 0.24 oz Perfect Shine Lip Gloss in Amalfi Dream (peach), 0.064 oz Duo Lip Pencil in Passion/Soft Pink (rosy mauve/ icy pink), 0.12 oz Velvet Riche Lipstick in Sexy Lady (lavender pink), and a sample of The Curl Mascara (black).

on10 Schweppes Gold Medal set $26.60 (Originally $38)



This set of lip balm includes the following flavors: Orange, Black Cherry Seltzer, Lime, Tonic Water, Raspberry Ginger Ale, Sarsaparilla, Cider, Peach, Grape Ginger Ale.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Yes to Carrots

Yes to Carrots
Source: http://www.yes-to-carrots.com

I've been using the Yes to Carrots Lip Butter in Citrus flavor and it's the best. It smells wonderful, like a citrus candy but unfortunately doesn't taste it, and it is paraben-free. Since I've allergies to SPF-anything on my lips, I have to be very careful with using new lip products. So I would recommend using this All-natural, 95% organic lip product. (Read more reviews on their other products here)

I checked out their website and they have an offer to join their Carrot Club. Or if you're already a member, log-in to get a Buy one Get one Free coupon! Offer valid per account and while it lasts! They have some interesting advertising images...to see what I am talking about


I'm not quite sure if that image makes me really want to join the club, but the coupon offer sure did. :)


Friday, December 19, 2008

Product Review: Burt's Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar


source: http://www.burtsbees.com

I recently tried Burt's Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar for several reasons. First, I want to switch to using more natural, organic beauty products and what better way than to try a brand like Burt's Bees? :) Second, I was tired of using my regular shampoo which just made my hair feel blah and didn't even feel clean sometimes after washing. After hearing mixed reviews about this product, I am pleasantly surprised! My hair was not at its best before washing, if you know what I mean, and after using the shampoo bar, my hair felt lighter and so much softer! It was a bit weird getting used to at first, since there wasn't the usual foam and suds that my other shampoos gave (think: chemicals!!). But after I got a good lather and the mint does really make your scalp tingle, it felt like any regular shampoo.

Not only does this shampoo bar work, it is 99.9% Natural!! Look at their ingredients: vegetable soap base, glycerin, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, yucca schidigera leaf extract, avena sativa (oat) kernel protein, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, urtica dioica (nettle) leaf powder, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, panthenol.

To buy yourself a bar and enjoy $3 shipping while it lasts..Go to: Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar

Free Sample of Calvin Klein Secret Obsession

Want to try Calvin Klein's Secret Obsession? Request your free sample now!


source: http://www.secretobsessioncalvinklein.com



Want another free sample of Escada Moon Sparkle Perfume?
I've been reading about this lately, and I've already posted this at the end of the summer.. Escada Moon Sparkle Perfume

Thursday, December 18, 2008

December 18 is Free Shipping Day

December 18, 2008 is the first Free Shipping Day. Online merchants such as below, are participating in this to allow their customers free shipping just in time for their orders to arrive by Christmas. (How thoughtful) Maybe this will be the new trend.. like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.



Hurry! Free shipping ends tonight!!

To learn more...
Check out: www.freeshippingday.com

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

9 Days Until Christmas !


I have been hearing about EyesLipsFace beauty products, or better known as E.L.F. for a while and have been wanting to try it.

Most of their products are only $1, including eyeliners, brushes, lipsticks ! So they are very affordable if you just want something fun or if you're just learning how to use make-up. They also have a Studio line, for a more Professional look. The packaging looks a lot sleeker, with the cases in black, and also very affordable (only $3). Their Minerals line caught my line, especially since their eyeshadow pots are only $3!! They give you a pot of .03 ounces which may not sound a lot but it's more than what Bare Escentuals give for their eyeshadow pots.

So I was pleased to find in my email box this morning that they are offering $2 shipping (normally $6.95) OR a free upgrade to 3-day shipping, using the promo code: UPGRADE.

To see my wishlist on their site...
Here are the items I am considering:
1) Mineral Eyeshadow.. in ALL colors: (they had a deal earlier where all mineral makeup were 50% off!)



2) ELF Shine Eraser..


3) ELF Nail polish... ALL colors


Monday, December 15, 2008

Free Overnight shipping - Today Only!

Enjoy free overnight shipping TODAY only using the promo code: TB1DAY, compliments of TotalBeauty.com

Terms are: **Offer valid from 12:01 am (EST) - 11:59 PM (EST) on Monday, December 15. Offer valid on orders shipped via Overnight Shipping only. Offer available to U.S. residents only. Overnight service may require a signature upon delivery service and is not available for P.O. Box and APO/FPO destinations, U.S Territories and some locations in Alaska and Hawaii.Click here to see overnight shipping cutoff times and other restrictions.

This code is valid for many popular beauty brands including....


Clnique, Aveda, Estee Lauder, Ojon, Mac, DKNY...
To check out the complete list AND view TotalBeauty's Holiday Beauty 'It' List, go here.

10 More Days Until Christmas!

Christmas is one of my favorite Holidays- it's the holiday spirit of gift exchange and fun surprises. To celebrate JOY, how about receiving free shipping with any order until Tuesday, Dec 16 at Banana Republic?


(source: banana republic email)

The code: JOY applies to Gap, Old Navy and Piperlime!

To see my Gorgeous Find* (a selected item that I would want/wear) at Banana Republic...
The Poinsetta Statement Necklace



Source: Courtesy of Banana Republic.com



Sunday, December 14, 2008

Estee Lauder- Free Shipping until Tuesday with $25 min. purchase



Enjoy free shipping from Estee Lauder with any $25 purchase. Don't forget to add 4 wonderful samples to your cart too. Samples, include their eau de parfum spray, Pleasures, Sensual and Beautiful, trial size lipstick pencils, mascaras, and make-up removers.



source: http://www.esteelauder.com/
And here is the rest of it.

Monday, December 08, 2008

Bath & Body Works- Free Item* with any $10 in-store purchase


Source
Get a free item up to$13 in value with any purchase of at least $10! It's a great treat for yourself while you do your Christmas shopping there.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Lucky Brand- Friends and Family 40% off Dec. 7-14, 2008




Use the code: 8DFFEP
Hurry this offer ends on December 14, 2008! To go shop: www.luckybrand.com

Free Sample of AVEENO® Skin Care



I was digging through my beauty/make up sample collection that I have collected in the past several months, and I came across an AVEENO® POSITIVELY AGELESS™ Lifting & Firming Night Cream sample that I found in a beauty magazine. (Can't remember which one it was, although it was probably Allure)

Review:
After using it last night, I may pick up a bottle at my nearest drugstore soon. It has a very pleasant smell that you can sleep in and it absorbed quickly into my skin. Since it was just a very small sample, it was enough for one application. My skin feels smoother and tighter, but it may be because I just washed it. :)

If you're looking for a night cream, I would recommend this! To receive your FREE SAMPLE and $1.50 off coupon...


source

check out: http://www.aveeno.com/antiaging/index.jsp


source

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Product Review: Bossa Nova


I tried Bossa Nova - Superfruit Juice (Acerola Juice with Mango) this weekend and I am hooked! It's a small petite bottle but each sip is so flavorful and packed with vitamin C. (Reminds me of the Ausome Fruit Nuggets I had earlier this summer) I absolutely love this drink and I can't wait to taste the other flavors. They have Acai juice and Goji Berry juice in all yummy flavors including Red Peach and Passionfruit. Mmmm!!




If you're interested in finding out where you can buy this drink..



Monday, December 01, 2008

Macy's Believe- Be Claus !


Have you heard of Macy's Believe- Be Clause marketing campaign? I was browsing on Macy's website, looking through their beauty products (of course) and I found a link to Macys Believe.. "Prove you Believe and be Santa Claus" was their motto. Of course I believe in Santa Claus! :)

Similar to the concept for elf Yourself (which I heard is better this year) and Sephora's Mistletoe Makeover, this time you get to be the ultimate Santa Clause and not just a servant elf! After you upload your picture and choose your mustache and beard, they dress you up as Santa in a background of your choice


and you can send this e-card via email, text, or simply embed it on your blog!

(One con about the sound effects: Santa yawns! I don't want my e-greeting to be yawning. Where is the Holiday music?)






Now believe in this:
Macy's is offering FREE SHIPPING with $99 purchase. For the code:

The code is: MERRY

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Hearst Magazines are just $5

I received this exclusive deal in my email, since I am a Hearst reader. Although new subscriptions to these magazines apply to new subscribers only, I may take up on their offer and try a new subscription. Who doesn't love reading new magazines? (I do! I do!)



You can get a year subscription for most Hearst Magazines, including Cosmpolitan,Harpers BAZAAR, Marie Claire, and many others, during their holiday sale for only $5!!

To start ordering....
Go here: https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/subscribe/veranda/21048

Sephora Mini Train Case of Samples

Here are my overdue pictures of the Sephora Beauty Box that I received. With a minimum of $25 purchase, Sephora gave you a mini-train case with 15 beauty samples!

It came in a huge box and I only ordered a palette! So imagine all the tissue paper they used to pack the box..


Underneath all the tissue paper, surprise!


Here are the samples lying on top of the mini-train and box:


A better view of the samples..


It's unfortunate that some of the samples in the advertisement were not available. I even looked at other bloggers' posts and they got the same samples as I did! I would have liked a DKNY Be Delicious sample and it looks like you get an actual bottle of the Clinique makeup. However, it looks like they just copied the image of the sample size portion on there.
Advertisement:


Nonetheless, I am happy that I received this mini-train with plentiful of samples!! I haven't used them yet, but I will review them when I do. As a Beauty Insider, I was able to score an extra bonus gift (you get one for every $100 spent), so I chose ....



their reusable shopping bag. (look how easy this is to store!)



Shop Sephora at http://www.sephora.com

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Tommy Hilfiger Designer Warehouse Sale- Up to 80% off!



Tommy Hilfiger is having a designer warehouse sale for the Fall/Winter 2008 Collection in Secaucus, NJ. I went there when it opened right before Thanksgiving and I have to say that it is nothing like the regular Outlet stores. All the clothes were in racks and the store atmosphere inside felt a bit dreary. Nonetheless, they had some great outerwear jackets in peacoat and puffy styles for only $50. They also had lots and lots of denim jeans for women and men for only $25. Their selection in skirts were not plenty, but I was lucky to get this.... Their Womens Reed Skirt. It's a cute holiday bubble skirt that I can wear this season :) According to the site, it has a tweed pattern and a waist belt with front tie. It's made of 59% wool, 20% polyamide, 11% silk, 1% lycra. What a great find!!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Black Friday madness/sadness

I hope everyone had a great day shopping on Black Friday and getting all the great deals that you hoped to get, either you went to Midnight Madness or shopped online. It's wonderful (for us) that retailers are discounting so much since we get such great prices, but sometimes we forget that these are just material goods and that safety is utmost important. I heard in the news today about a Walmart worker in NY who was trampled to death when he opened the doors to let a mob of hungry customers go inside the stores. It's so tragic that this had to happen. Why didn't anyone try to help him? Why did people continue to step all over him? This behavior is disgusting and makes me sick! Everyone needs to practice SAFE SHOPPING..

Note to self: Don't go out to Walmarts on Black Fridays!
Be safe!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

LeSportSac Reopens in NYC Soho Nov 26


LeSportSac is moving.... to: 118 Green St at Prince St. NY NY Check out their new store!

Monday, November 24, 2008

GNC Freebie- Until Nov. 30

Get a FREE drink or energy bar from GNC by giving them this coupon:



To get the coupon..

Go here: GNC Good for a Free Drink or Bar coupon

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hard Candy cosmetics- 75% off!



Found this delicious find yesterday.. everything on the HardCandy website is 75% off! I remember Sephora used to carry their line because I had wanted to get one of their makeup palettes a few years ago, but sadly they don't carry the line anymore. I did find an archived page of HardCandy at Sephora by doing a quick search online. And if they do, everything is sold out..

To see what products that I caught my eye from HardCandy..


The Secret Stash Makeup Kit includes 4 lip glosses, 4 eye shadows, a bronzer and a mattifying powder. All this for only $5.50 (original price is $22) !! It's a great bargain and shipping and handling is only $5 for orders up to $50. You can purchase the Hard Candy Secret Stash Makeup Kit here.




The MixTape is also a trio palette with 3 eyeshadow shades and 3 lipglosses! Very cute and handy to take with you...

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Send a Sephora Mistletoe Makeover Holiday e-Greeting Card!



Remember the craze with ElfYourself?
A holiday marketing promotion by OfficeMax, where you can upload pictures of your faces and have it on a dancing elves? Well, Sephora's "Mistletoe Makeover" allows you to send a personalized e-greeting card where you can either "wink" or "kiss" your recipient. Also, when you've completed a card, you get a code to get a free mini lipstick or set of eyelashes, with any online purchase.

Make your Sephora Mistletoe Makeover card here!! Even if you don't want to make a card and spread the holiday cheer (Are you a Scrooge or Grinch?), you can still enjoy some lovely holiday music and leave it in the background..

To get the code here..

the code is: WINKORKISS

Theory Sample Sale in NYC- Starts Nov. 20

Theory's annual sample sale is taking place this Thursday, November 20. I went several years ago and was impressed with their selection. Hopefully they will be able to deliver again this year! They will have Women's clothing, including their "current Fall merchandise of tee's, shirts, sweaters, cashmere, skirts, pants, dresses, jackets, outerwear," according to Clothingline.com

To find out when & where this sample sale takes place..
The schedule is as follows:
November 20 - November 25
Thursday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

The Clothingline location:
261 W 36th Street
between 7th & 8th Ave)
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10018

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Kate Spade- Private Sale!


Source: www.katespade.com

Shhh! There's a private sale going on at Kate Spade online and it ends Nov 14!

Their sale includes clothing, handbags, and shoes!

Check it out at... Go to: Kate Spade Sample Sale 2008

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

November's My Pretty Pink Box on sale Nov 13!


I first heard about My Pretty Pink Box from Sugar, one of my favorite blog sites, and I thought, What is a pretty pink box? It is basically a sampling of different *Beauty* products from sponsors who want to promote their merchandise. There is a small fee for a box, (November's will cost you $11.99 + shipping), but it is a great gift to give to someone you know or to yourself to try out various products. Each month, you will see who the sponsors are and you will get a majority of the sponsored products, including 1-2 full size products.

Order your Pretty Pink Box here! On SALE Thursday, November 13 at 7AM(Pacific time)/10AM(Eastern)

November's pretty pink box will include sponsors from...
Jesse's Girl Cosmetics
The Brow Collection
Purely Cosmetics
Mixed Chicks
Lure Beauty
PureBliss
and many more!

To get a complete list, click here.

NYLON and Burton Party in NYC, Wed. Nov 12



Come out tonight to the Burton Flagship Store in New York City to party with Burton and NYLON magazine. There will be free cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, raffles and a chance to purchase limited edition snowboards! Also Gift Bags for the first 200 women who show up. This soiree starts at 7pm, so get there early!

The Burton Flagship Store is located on 106 Spring Street (At Spring & Mercer)

To see who the guest artist will be....

It's Mikey Welsh!! So if you're a fan, don't miss this event!!

Unfortunately, I won't be attending.. I've another event to attend :)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Beautify your Smile with Dentyne Ice


Source: www.drfresh.com

Get $1.00 off Dentyne Ice Mouth Rinse in Shiver Mint or Arctic Chill flavors.


To get your coupons...
Print coupons

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Friends & Family Coupons

Lately, I've been hearing about all sorts of extra discounts, Friends & Family sales, including the Tommy Hilfiger event this past weekend.

Retailers are really trying to give us the extra incentives to make that purchase! And I'm here to help as well. In order to consolidate these offers and bring them to you in a neat and fashionable order, I will simply list and update this post as I see fit.

Comment if you find anything not listed here! Beauty and Ideas appreciates it and so do her loyal readers!





WebsiteDiscountCodeDates (if known)Notes
www.benefitcosmetics.com20% offFRIEND08Until Dec. 10
www.gap.com25% off SALE itemsEXTRA25Until Dec. 11
www.mariobadescu.com15% off SAVE15Until Dec. 11





www.stilacosmetics.com20% offECYX12Until Dec. 16


Saturday, November 08, 2008

Tommy Hilfiger Outlets 40% off -This weekend only!

Tommy Hilfiger is having another Friends and Family event, Nov. 6-9, 2008. Print out the following image with the barcode to get your discount at outlet stores!



.

Friday, November 07, 2008

November Lucky Magazine & Store events


Lucky magazine has been partnering with select retailers this month, including Express, Dooney & Bourke and Mango, to have fun shopping in-store events. Here is what is going on this month:

Thursday, November 13, 2008 with Express in NYC
*Meet Lucky Style Correspondents at this event and get a free Lucky tote with purchase, while supplies last! Also, if you spend $75 or more, get $30 off!
To RSVP, go here: Lucky Express Event

To get the complete list,

Saturday, November 15, 2008 with Dooney & Bourke in White Plains, NY
*Get Lucky Cashmere gloves when you spend $50 or more!
To RSVP, go here: Dooney & Bourke Event

Thursday, November 20, 2008 with Mango in Queens, NYC
*Receive 30% off
To RSVP, go here: Mango Event


Thursday, November 06, 2008

Shecky's Girls Night Out Pictures

This picture-post has all the pictures that I took at the October NYC Shecky's Girls Night Out event. The event was fantastic and was sooo much fun with so many vendors with their gorgeous products..




Now... for the goodie bag!! To see which companies sponsored the goodie bags, go here: Goodie Bag Sponsors

If you're interested in looking at the goodie bag pictures...


The Rectangular Shecky's Bag


All the products


Aveeno full-size products


Dove samples-body wash and deodorant


BORBA drinks


(Review of these products coming soon!)

*Note: I actually did not get all the products that were listed on the sponsor page. The products must have ran out by the time I picked up my goodie bag. Next time I will get mine earlier!!

I can't wait till the NYC Holiday Night Out and the Spring 2009 Girls Night Out !!


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