This Friday, Shannon from A Girl’s Gotta Spa joins Bionic Beauty to share her thoughts on Achieving Powerful Beauty.

First here’s a little background on Shannon and her blog…

In 2005, Shannon launched her beauty blog, A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (making her one of the original beauty bloggers!) as a forum to merge her love of beauty products and writing and give consumers product reviews they could relate to.

Shannon lives in Northeast PA with her four young sons, who are of course, the most beautiful children in the world (but who’s bias?).

So how does Shannon Achieve Powerful Beauty?

Shannon from A Girl's Gotta Spa

I achieve powerful beauty by helping others. Goodness, kindness and sincere concern for others is really the most beautiful thing to see in a person…and when they do good for others, it shows in their demeanor, relationships and personality. Plus isn’t it the most wonderful feeling knowing that you helped someone else? And this makes the saying “beautiful inside and out” a very true statement.

Doing good for others doesn’t have to cost money nor does it even have to be for someone you know. Last year I heard about a 7 year old girl in my son’s school who needed money for a medical procedure that her insurance denied to pay for. Just networking with my beauty blog friends and auctioning off the unused beauty samples I had in my office, we were able to raise $2000 for her. Two years prior I collaborated with my local American Cancer Society to hold a “Shop for a Cure” in which we raised $1230.  I don’t tell you this to brag, but more to inspire you. It can be done, even if you are only one person. Think of it this way–Mother Teresa was one person. Martin Luther King Jr. was one person. Mahatma Gandi was one person.

I can assure you that one act of kindness always leads to another. You are creating an opportunity for your one act to grow into hundreds more when the person you helped helps someone else in return. So what can you do to bring beauty into someone else’s life?

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another dose of how to Achieve Powerful Beauty!

The Axe Man.

We’re all familiar with the Axe commercials, right? Women flocking to the yummy smelling guy? Well, the Bionic Hubby (known from now on as “BH”) agreed to review some of the latest goodies from Axe. Their new line is geared to be “man-friendly”.

For instance, here’s a typical conversation in Bionic-land…

BH: Hey honey… which of these eleventy-thousand bottles in the shower is for my hair?
BB (that’s me): Uhhh… you can use the pink metallic one but you won’t need much because it’s sulfate free and very concentrated…. /insert more girlie product babble here/.
BH: You mean this one that says Coiff de whatever? Why can’t they just say Shampoo???
BB: Yeah, that one.

What it boils down to, is our shower is a mini arsenal of bath goodies. There are bottles and potions everywhere. And I agree, sometimes it does feel like one needs a secret decoder ring to figure out what to use, and when.

This is where the new Axe line fits right into a man’s thought process- straight forward, clear, smells nice (yeah, they might not admit it, but they like to smell nice), and no frills or fuss.

So without further fussiness, here is the BH’s thoughts on his Axe hair care products…

Axe De-Glue Shampoo

• Scrubbing particles really do their job to de-gunk hair
• Smell is good (BB says “See, I told you they like to smell nice.”)
• Not much suds but leaves hair clean and soft

Axe De Glue Intense Hair Shampoo (a 12 ounce bottle) is $5.44 at AmericaRx.com (which is 55 cents cheaper than Drugstore.com).

Axe Clean-Cut Look Pomade

• Too goopy, thick and gunky
• De-glue shampoo is a must to remove
• Does not spread easily
• Scent is fresh and clean

Axe Refined Clean-Cut Look Hair Styling Pomade (for a huge 2.64 oz tub) $6.43 at AmericaRx.

"Aging Backwards - Secrets to Staying Young" book by Jackie Silver

To enter, visit AgingBackwards.com and find one of Jackie’s tips, recipes, hints, favorite authors, or other fun factoids. Then leave it in the comments section below.

And if you’re a gal who’s looking for tips on skincare, lifestyle changes and anti-aging, be sure to subscribe to Jackie’s free newsletter!

The Rules: Three (3) winners will be chosen randomly from the qualified entrants and will receive Jackie Silver’s book “Aging Backwards” as detailed above. To qualify for entry, you must follow the entry rules as outlined in this post. This giveaway is open to United States and Canada residents only. Please enter only once; duplicate entries will be detected and discarded. Entry deadline is July 16th, 2009 at midnight USA ET. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be announced here on Bionic Beauty and contacted via email. Approximate retail value of each book is $19.95. *Please note that I will never share your email address with anyone! I only use your email address to contact you if you are a winner. However, if you do not enter a valid email address, you will be disqualified. Please do not post your email in the comment itself… *just* in the email box (for your own safety).

Don’t forget to sign up for the Bionic Beauty blog newsletter (or you can subscribe in your favorite RSS reader) so that you can keep up with the product reviews, beauty and makeup samples and giveaways offered here.

Good luck Bionic Beauties!!

Bionic Beauty tests L'Oreal HIP Presso lip glosses

In theory, the applicator is super cool. I love that you can swap glosses in and out a la MacGyver style, but the glosses themselves are a bit too liquidy. When you release your squeeze, most of the dispensed gloss is sucked back inside.

L'Oreal HIP Color Presso in Classy

L’Oreal’s HIP makeup line stands for High Intensity Pigments. I typically love their eyeliners and eye shadows (especially their loose pigments!). There are some amazing duochrome shadows that surpass department store lines in my opinion; along with super colorful blushes and lipsticks.

The Color Presso glosses are quite sheer. In my color swatches of Classy and Spunky, I applied the lighter “frosted” color of each Presso pair to my top lip, with the deeper shimmer color on my bottom lip. You can see some difference between Classy and Spunky- but not the pigmentation you typically expect from L’Oreal’s HIP cosmetics.

L'Oreal HIP Color Presso in Spunky

That’s not to say these glosses are nice… the scent is really unique! It reminds me of warm spun brown sugar- the kind you smell at the fair. Yummy! And the formula has absolutely zero stickiness. So if you prefer a lighter, liquid gloss these might be up your alley. If you’re a pigmentation and bold lip look lady, grab one of the other HIP lip products.

For another perspective on the L’Oreal HIP Color Presso lip glosses, check out Mo’s review on Mythbuster Beauty.

HIP Color Presso lip glosses can be found at your local drugstore, mass market retailer or drugstore.com for around $13. There are 10 duos to choose from.

And now… your chance to win YBF’s newly reformulated and repackaged Restore skin care serum plus a tube of Quench Lip Treatment balm!

Bionic Giveaway - Week 1 YBF Skincare Bundle

The giveaway winner will receive the YBF Skincare Week 1 Bundle (a $135 value):

• RESTORE (1) 30ml full-size (new larger size) one ounce updated formula
• QUENCH Lip Treatment (1) full-size. (Here’s my review of Quench.)

And as Bionic Beauty readers, you are getting the chance to experience the new and improved Restore FIRST!

• Restore’s size has increased from 1/2 ounce to one ounce without any price increase.
• Brightening ingredients Alpha Arbutin and our stable Vitamin C (ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate) were increased.
• Niacin was added, which enhances the brightening process and helps to balance oil production.
• Lipochroman-6, a powerful antioxidant partner to spin trap, has been introduced and very actively goes after ROS and RNS free radicals.
• Check out my review of the original YBF Restore on Bionic Beauty.

To enter, tell me what one or more of the ingredients in YBF Skincare products. You can find all the listings on YBF-Skincare.com. Leave your entry in the comments section below.

The Rules: One (1) winner will be chosen randomly from the qualified entrants and will receive the YBF Skincare set as detailed above. To qualify for entry, you must follow the entry rules as outlined in this post. This giveaway is open to United States and Canada residents only. Please enter only once; duplicate entries will be detected and discarded. Entry deadline is July 7th, 2009 at midnight USA ET. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be announced here on Bionic Beauty and contacted via email. *Please note that I will never share your email address with anyone! I only use your email address to contact you if you are a winner. However, if you do not enter a valid email address, you will be disqualified. Please do not post your email in the comment itself… *just* in the email box (for your own safety).

Don’t forget to sign up for the Bionic Beauty blog newsletter (or you can subscribe in your favorite RSS reader) so that you can keep up with the product reviews, beauty and makeup samples and giveaways offered here.

Good luck Bionic Beauties!!

I’d like to say a huge thank you to some my favorite people and brands who have made this anniversary celebration possible!

YBF Skincare (YBF-Skincare.com) - Total retail value of YBF Skincare products across all five weeks of giveaways will be $2,542. (Eek!!) And… Bionic Beauty readers will be the VERY FIRST people ANYWHERE to hear about the new skin care products launching this month from YBF! (Y’all knew you were special, didn’t you?!?)

Purely Cosmetics (PurelyCosmetics.com) - You’re going to have the chance to check out Robyn’s must-have new powder: Diamond Perfect Finish Powder. I just bought this a few weeks ago (right after it launched) and it’s simply wonderful. I wear it over my regular mineral makeup and it leaves my skin super soft and “finished” without heaviness. And the name is appropriate… it’s actually made with Diamond dust! More details when the giveaway launches…

Aging Backwards (AgingBackwards.com) - Not only is Jackie a talented writer, but her guidance and support as a friend have certainly helped me numerous times. Her book is a guide to sorting life, relaxing, and improving yourself inside and out. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

L’Oreal is also sponsoring a giveaway this month with one of their famous Colour Riche lipsticks. This one has some “very special bling” for you ladies!

And of course, like I said in the video- my readers are the ones that keep me full-steam ahead. It wouldn’t be nearly as fun without having “met” all of you. And as always, I love hearing your thoughts, questions and suggestions. Never hesitate to reach out by email or leave a comment. I’ll be spotlighting reader comments throughout the month, so make ‘em good!

You can certainly invite your friends and family to enter the giveaways and contests. The more, the merrier! And hopefully they’ll split the winnings with you! The first giveaway from YBF will be launching later today!

Thanks for a perfect two years!
Stay Bionic,

This week’s Bionic Asks… What are your skin “issues”?

Do you worry about wrinkles, breakouts, sagging skin, under eye circles, discoloration, skin cancer, or something else entirely? Do you gear your purchases and cosmetics around those concerns?

My main skin concerns are breakouts since my skin became uber sensitive after I hit the thirties. But I also am very disciplined in my SPF application. A close friend of mine used to tan constantly and ended up with skin cancer at a relatively young age- that was a wakeup call. Not to mention, if I’m not careful to keep my sunblock on I end up with some melasma discoloration. So… there are my issues, right out for the world to see.

Your turn to share!

• Coppertone sunblocks: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!
• Hawaiian Tropic Sunblocks: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
• Neutrogena sun care products: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!
• Neutrogena foundation, concealer, powder or blush: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!
• Rimmel Lip and Eye makeup: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
• Sally Hansen nail treatments, HD nail polishes, LaCross tools: On sale for 40% off
• Johnson’s Body and Skin care: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!
• Softsoap, Zest or OldSpice body wash: On sale for $2.99
• Pond’s Skin Care: 33% off!
• Yes To Carrots, Yes To Cucumbers, Yes To Tomatoes skin, hair and body care: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!
• Got2b hair styling products: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
• Sally Hansen hair removal products: $2 off
• Olay Complete skin care: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!
• Dove hair care- shampoos, conditioners, styling products: On sale for $2.99
• L’Oreal Lip and Nail makeup (including HIP!): Buy 1, Get 1 FREE

These sales end July 5th, 2009.

CVS
(remember, you’ll need a free CVS Discount card to get these prices…)

• Neutrogena Sunblocks: On sale for $7.99
• Essence of Beauty body lotions, skin care, shower gels, etc: 3 for $10
• Clairol Natural Instincts hair color: On sale for $5.99
• Viologie shampoo or conditioner: On sale for $1.99
• Cover Girl makeup and cosmetics: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off!
• CVS brand Regenerating Skin Care or Skin Effects: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE

These sales end July 4th, 2009.

Rite-Aid

• Banana Boat Sunblocks and skin care: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
• Garnier Nutrisse hair color: On sale for $4.99
• Clearasil Skin Care: On sale - 2 for $9
• Veet hair removal products: On sale - 2 for $9
• Aveeno skin, body, hair care, cosmetics: On sale for 20% off
• Neutrogena Lip an Eye makeup: On sale for 40% off
• ROC Skin Care: On sale - starting at $14.99
• All artificial, press on, glue on acrylic nails: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off
• Daisy Fuentes shampoo, conditioner, styling products: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
• L’Oreal skincare, Advanced Revitalift, Age Perfect, or Collagen Filler: On sale for $9.99
• Clairol Loving Care, Clairol Nice & Easy Root Touch-up, and Garnier Color Breaks hair color: On sale for $4.99
• David Babaii hair care: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
• Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Lash mascara: On sale for $14.99
• Dove and Caress 4 packs of soap bars, or Body Washes: On sale for $4.99
• Physician’s Formula makeup and cosmetics: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off (I highly recommend their Mineral Wear mascara. It’s one of my ultimate must-have mascaras!)
• John Frieda Root Awakening, Brilliant Brunette, Sheer Blonde or Luxurious Volume hair care: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off
• Revlon Face and Eye makeup: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off
• Charles Worthington hair care: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
• Sally Hansen Nail polishes: Buy 1, Get 1 50% off

These sales end July 4th, 2009.

Complete the short form on Dengaku with your mailing address and information and your sample will be on it’s way. Enjoy!

Anyhow, my nails being brittle and weak, they constantly fray and break. So I have to touch up my filing at least twice a week.

I found a much more eco-friendly and wallet friendly option. Crystal or glass nail files. With my testing nature, I picked up one of each at my local Sally Beauty Supply. The crystal was pink and almost like a slightly rough stone file. It worked well enough- but if you have weaker nails like mine, I wouldn’t suggest this option. It’s best for stronger nailed gals or those with acrylics. My recommendation: The Revlon Crystal Nail File which is $7.99 at Drugstore.com.

The other option: glass files. Mine is by Swissco, and was $6.29 at Sally. It’s perfect for the purse or at home use. It files gently and easily and even better, it doesn’t tear up my nails. I LOVE this file!! And… it lasts forever. So no more pitching and re-purchasing!