NARS Pure Matte Lipsticks

Behind-the-scenes of Model Heather Marks Nars' shoot

Just in time for fall, NARS finally unveiled their Pure Matte lipstick ($25). Ever since my favorite matte lipstick got discontinued (RIP Clinique Nude Bloom), I’ve been looking for a similar replacement that won’t look cakey. These lipsticks contain vitamin E, acai oil and wild mango butter, so they say it will condition your lips instead of drying them out.

To promote the collection which just launched exclusively at Saks on the 1st, model Heather Marks stars in a short film, “Infinite Reflections,” directed by Tim Richardson.

I’m curious enough to check it out — what do you think?

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Seasoned and aspiring makeup artists alike: This giveaway will be particularly relevant to you

Physicians Formula is running a “Makeup Challenge” from now until September 30th (mypfbeauty.com). Just use at least 3 of their products and show how you make your eyes POP with color for a chance to win some pretty serious prizes — which includes $5,000 CASH, a trip for two to LA, and a one-on-one tutorial with celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip, who’s worked with celebs like Eva Longoria Parker, Miley Cyrus and Jessica Simpson. Random weekly prizes also include: makeup from Physicians Formula, RayBan Aviator sunglasses, Milly earrings, and Jennifer Behr accessories. Best part is, you can enter as many times as you like.

Now here’s our giveaway: To coincide with the videos (and to give an exclusive head start to BATF readers), Physicians Formula graciously agreed to give away a “Shimmer Strips” makeup collection which you can use to make your video! That includes:

(1) Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner (an eye shadow palette with 9 shades tailored to your eye color, Brown, Blue, Hazel or Green)
(1) Shimmer Strips Custom Bronzer
(1) Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Mascara Duo
(1) Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel CreamLiner

It’s all worth $45, but yours for free (and one step closer to winning a trip to $5,000?).

TO ENTER:

Winner will be announced on Sept 10th!

PS For more details on PF’s Makeup Challenge, be sure to visit http://mypfbeauty.com. Don’t forget to tell your makeup artist friends!

PPS To hear about BATF giveaways first, be sure to join our Facebook Fan Page.

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Alexa Chung answers some goofy questions Photo via Daily Candy

How is it September already??:

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By Melissa Stephans

An Arcona-fan, Julia Roberts

Arcona is a brand that has long been on my beauty bucket list.  The name itself brings me comfort, thanks to the steady magazine coverage it’s earned throughout the years.  So, now that I’m stuck in L.A. (“Bitter, party of one” needs a plane ticket to NYC ASAP), I’m making great strides to experience places and products that really represent the city.

Arcona was created by a chemist who believed that quality ingredients could be combined and processed in a way that keeps the enzymes and antioxidants active and effective.  The company’s studio, which is in Santa Monica, has helped celebrities and civilians protect their skin from the daily abuse hurled at them from smog and sun.

The holistic skincare line boasts a hoard of celeb fans, including Julia Roberts.  In case you didn’t see Eat Pray Love, I will save you two hours and fifteen dollars:  Roberts goes to Italy for good food, India for spiritual growth, Bali for love…and, clearly, Arcona for beauty.  Since I want nothing short of movie star skin, I’ve decided to go to Arcona, too.  This is what I found:

“The Basic Five” is the way to go.  Arcona groups skincare into categories, each with five basic steps.  I used a variation of The Basic Five for problem skin:

Raspberry Acne Bar

Raspberry Acne Bar — I was a little terrified to use a cleansing bar on my face.  The idea that bacteria can sit and grow on it horrifies me, so I was pretty shocked that this worked so well.  It left my skin soft and it smelled yummy.  I made sure to let it air dry before closing the container.

Cranberry Gommage

Cranberry Gommage — Oh.  My. God.  There is no way to describe how fruity and fragrant this scrub is!  Seriously…I completely ignored the fact that this is not a mask, and just left it on for hours so I could smell as mouthwatering as this product.

AM Acne Lotion

AM Acne Lotion — This thin antibacterial serum is sticky and moist, but it really did the trick.  Unlike many acne lotions, it does not have a pungent odor.  Plus, it actually moisturized my skin while obliterating blemishes.

Raspberry Clarifying Pads

Raspberry Clarifying Pads — Loved these.  I carried them everywhere, and they didn’t leak once.  This product was one of my faves because it was not harsh at all.

Reozone 40

Reozone 40 — This SPF 40 sunscreen has a subtle tint mixed into its “whisper light” texture.  I’m happy to report that this did not leave my skin greasy!  Also, the tint was not too dark for my difficult-to-match skin tone.

Though you don’t have to invest in all of these products to make a difference in your skin (the ones here range from $32-$38 a piece), this combination did work brilliantly on mine.  Two people actually commented on how much better my skin has looked in the past month.  Luckily, you don’t have to live in La La Land to get the goods.

Arcona’s additive-free products are available online (www.arcona.com) and is newly available at www.Nordstrom.com.

Have you ever tried products from Arcona? What did you think?

Sorry for the late post! The winner for the Marley Coffee giveaway is ISLAND TOM. Congrats! Please reply to the email to claim your prize .

Thanks to all who entered…our next giveaway is coming up shortly!

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ATTENTION PHILANTHROPISTS: Arnold, Brownberry and Oroweat breads have recently announced their very first Get Ingrained Grants Program, where they will give two $15,000 grants to people or organizations committed to improving health in their communities.

How it works:
From now through October 4th, submit an entry at www.getingrained.com. You’ll have to submit an essay of 250 words max describing a personal or organizational mission to improve health and wellness in the community through nutritional-based initiatives. Additionally, a budget overview, complete with an explanation of how the $15,000 would help to implement a new project or complete one that is underway, is required.

Who can enter:
Open to U.S. residents aged 18 years and older, who lead or inspire health and wellness-based initiatives in their communities.

On October 25th, five finalists will be chosen and the public will have an opportunity to vote to select the two winners who will ultimately receive the $15,000 Get Ingrained Grants.