Jessica Allison - beauty practices, products and philosophy

WIN IT! Follow Friday Good Karma Giveaway:Limited Edition Crème Brûlée Vaseline Lip Therapy!

2012-01-27T18:05:00.000-05:00

What you're looking at is a tin of Vaseline Lip Therapy in the limited edition Crème Brûlée flavor. Not only was it limited edition, but it was only available in the UK. But I have one (actually I have two, but one is mine!) Wanna win it? It's super easy to enter.

You must be a follower here on my blog (click that little blue button on the right that says "Join This Site") and on Twitter.

Then tweet this:

It's a @outinapout #ff giveaway! Win a limited edition Crème Brûlée lipbalm: http://outinapout.blogspot.com/"

Don't worry, if you don't have a Twitter account, you can still enter- just leave a comment on this post (you still have to be a follower of the blog).

That's it.

Needless to say, the contest starts today, Friday, January 27th and I'll choose a winner at random at midnight, January 29th.

You can tweet as often as you like, but only one will count as an entry. The contest is open to everybody, pursuant to your local laws & regulations.

Good luck, have a great weekend, and thanks for following!!!

Quick Tip: Starting a Retinol Treatment

2012-01-26T13:22:00.000-05:00

Photo: Brennan Vargas

I've used prescription retinol for a couple of years now, and recently discovered an important factor in starting a new retinol regime that my dermatologist failed to mention. Sure, he told me to ease in by using it only every few days at first, and of course he reminded me to use sunscreen daily. What he did not tell me is that the difference between starting a course of retinol in January vs. starting in April? Freddy Kreuger skin!

Retinol generally has a 2-3 week break in period, so when I first began using it, I was quite surprised at how well my sensitive skin reacted. I had just a little peeling, and basically no irritation or redness to speak of. Fast forward to a week ago, when I finally renewed my prescription after being off for around 6 months. One week (2 treatments) later and my skin is peeling in fine sheets all over my face, complimented by lovely red splotches from forehead to chin. Mind you, I'm using the same exact form and concentration of retinol, so what gives? Well, apparently, the weather. Blame it on El Niño, climate change, or just ol' man Winter, but it seems January is not the best time to start a course of treatment.

Skin in temperate climates naturally has less moisture in the winter time- there's simply less moisture in the air for your skin to drink in. Thing is, you may not necessarily notice this shift if you have naturally oilier skin, or if, like me, you're using skin care products that address your dryness. But add some retinol into the mix and that lack of moisture will become more than apparent. My trial-and-error advice? If you're looking to start a retinol treatment program, wait until Spring hits. The increase in humidity will boost your skin's natural defenses (more moisture in the skin=healthier skin barrier) and you'll probably see less irritation as a result.

January Birchbox: Instant Reviews

2012-01-18T22:15:00.001-05:00

Birchbox is a tiny bundle of monthly love made with beauty junkies in mind. For $10 a month you receive a package filled with 4-5 samples, many of which are deluxe size, with the occasional full-size product thrown in. Deluxe size samples are plenty big enough get a good feel for the instant effects, but maybe not quite enough to judge long-term results. Instant reviews are just that- my instant impressions on the products. These installments will be based on my initial testing, swatching and, of course (you know me) a peek at the ingredients.

Archipelago Pomegranate Body Soap
Sample Size: 1.8oz
Retail Size: 6.8oz for $12.50
Sample Value: $3.31

It's a little bar of soap, what can I say? I like the crisp, slightly citrusy, pomegranate scent, and the pretty etching on the soap itself. I also think the concave shape on the other side is rather ingenious as it keeps the bar from sitting in a puddle of water, but I have no idea if this shape is featured in the full-size or not.

The lather was nice and rich, though the scent didn't seem to carry into the bubbles. It rinsed away without leaving a film behind, but did leave my skin dry and noticeably rough across the knuckles. As far as the claims that this is better than drug-store bars, or that the botanicals in the soap can provide an anti-oxidant boost, I'm skeptical. I've never found a bar soap that wasn't drying, and though things like white tea, cranberry and pomegranate do have antioxidant properties, I suspect they'd do very little in the short amount of time it takes to wash your hands (or body).

Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum Spray
Sample Size: .05oz
Retail Size: 3.4oz for $89
Sample Value: $1.31

First, I have to say, I think Birchbox needs to lay-off the fragrance samples. Sure, trying new scents is great, but I can walk into any department store or Sephora and get these for free- it seems kind of shady to even say they have monetary value!

I'd call this a fruity floral, leaning heavily toward the floral side. The rose, lily and tuberose undertones all but dominate the fruity top notes of watermelon, mandarin and passion fruit. Even with a trained nose, I can barely pull out the green apple accord that's supposed to lighten up the scent, which just stops short of being cloying. Not a bad scent, especially if your style is "sweetly romantic" but it seems a bit...familiar- especially for such a high price tag!

LÄRABAR Mini Bar in Carrot Cake
Sample Size: .78 oz (1 mini bar)
Retail Size: $14.95 for 12 (Carrot Cake not available in mini)
Sample Value: $1.25

In short: $1.25 for a two-bite, 100 calorie nugget? No thanks. It didn't even taste all that good- definitely an "energy bar" flavor & texture. Having said that, I do like the little nommy treats that Birchbox includes from time to time, so even though this wouldn't be a "repurchase" for me, it still gets a thumbs-up!

Origins Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash
Sample Size: 1oz
Retail Size: 5oz for $19.50
Sample Value: $3.90

Smells like Origins! Which is to say, lightly pepperminty with an ever-so-subtle herbal undertone. I love the scent, but knowing that mint extracts are skin irritants gives me pause- a peek at the ingredient list shows more worrisome ingredients (bergamot, lavender, and linalool). According to Origins, these additives "add pleasure to the process" but irritation isn't exactly my idea of pleasing.

Upon using it, I found the foamy cream very concentrated- a pea sized dollop will do your entire face. It rinses away well, with maybe a tiny bit of a filmy feel. Despite Origins' claims, I did feel some tightness after toweling off, but I have dry skin so that's normal for me with any sudsing or foaming cleanser. Origins says this is for all skin-types, though I think oily and normal skin-types would find it most comfortable. Having said that, the potential irritants in the formula would probably keep me from recommending it to anyone.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Lionfish

Sample Size: Full Size (.01oz/28g)
Sample Value: $20

This liner is right down my alley- as the name suggests, it's smudgeable, which is a must for me with any pencil liner. My preferred method for applying pencil is to line the outer 1/2 of my upper lid, then use a smudger brush to soften the line & pull color closer to the inside corner. Ideally, I can then use the "leftover" pigment on the brush to smudge a soft line under my bottom lashes. The problem I run into is often liners that are soft enough to smudge either wipe right away or never set. Smudge Stick blends well as long as you work relatively quickly. The liner does set pretty quickly, so I'd suggest doing one eye at a time if smudging is your preference.

Lionfish is a chocolatety-bronze shade with shimmer, and while browns aren't my choice for every-day use (I prefer a reddish-plum to highlight my green eyes) I'm sure I'll get plenty of use out of this.

TOTAL JANUARY BOX VALUE: $29.77

Though there was nothing in my box this month that I was unconditionally in love with, I still consider this box a win. The samples were items I was happy to try, all good sizes, and of course the inclusion of a full-sized product goes a long way to sway my favor. As I mentioned, I also like it when I get an "eat me now" treat in my box- even if I do have to share it with a curious little 4-year-old!

How about you guys? Are any of this month's samples on your favorites lists?

Illamasqua 70% Off Sale!

2011-12-23T14:24:00.000-05:00

Beginning Friday, December 23rd get up to 70% off select Illamasqua products! Don't look for hot new items here- you won't find the awesome new Skin Base Foundation, for instance, but you will find a bunch of great deals on pigments, shadows, polishes, pencils and more that are on their way out. Prices start at just £5 (about $7.80) and supplies are sure to run low quickly, so hurry over!

Lash Out With Your Paperself!

2011-12-15T13:01:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for something unique to vamp up your eye look this holiday season, these amazing lashes may be it. Incredible art for your eyeballs, London based Paperself now ships all 17 of their styles internationally!

Retailers like Anthropologie, Sephora, and Urban Outfitters are catching on to the trend too, and since most styles retail for under $20, they're definitely an affordable indulgence!

Some of my favorite styles are:

Deer and Butterfly

Lace Garden

Small Peacock

I mean, how adorable and unexpected would those flirty little peacock lashes be, peeking out from the outer corner of your eyes?

Have you ever tried paper lashes? What are your favorite styles? What kind of looks would you wear these with?

Ask Outinapout: Do Pore Minimizers Really Work?

2011-12-13T11:11:00.000-05:00

The Question
I was wondering if you know if there are pore minimizing treatments, permanent fixes, or even any products that can temporarily help reduce pore size. I've tried pore refining primers, such as Benefit Porefessional, and treatments like Peter Thomas Roth gel and Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner but none really seem to help.

I've heard masks, exfoliating, and toner/witch hazel help but I'm not sure if this is true?

My Answer
As you've no doubt realized, there are a lot of products out there claiming they can make pores appear smaller. The bad news is, most of the claims out there are simply marketing, and the key word is appear. The majority of "pore-refining" products, like both the Benefit and Dr. Brandt products you mentioned, simply help cosmetically. They use silicone to essentially act like spackle, scattering light and smoothing over the surface of the pore to make the skin look smoother. Depending on the size of your pores, this bit of optical trickery may not even be noticeable. More importantly, products like this don't do anything to permanently improve pore size- as soon as you wash them off, the benefits are gone.

As far as other topical treatments like masks, toners and exfoliators, it all comes down to what's on the label. The list of key ingredients to search for is a short one- there are really only two that I would bother spending my money on when it comes to pore refining:

Salicylic acid (aka. beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a chemical exfoliant that's oil soluble, so it can actually dissolve and remove the gunk in your pores that's stretching them out and making them look larger. Salicylic acid is readily available at all price points, in products ranging from at-home daily treatments to the higher concentration chemical peels performed by dermatologists or estheticians. If you choose the do-it-yourself route, you'll want to make sure the product you choose is effective, so read this post for more info on choosing the correct product and starting a BHA regime.

FYI, I'm not sure exactly which Peter Thomas Roth gel you're using, but the AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel does contain salicylic acid, so provided it's used at the correct pH, you should see some improvements. Keep in mind, however, that it takes time for these types of products to work- a minimum of 4 weeks, but often up to 6-8 weeks to see a real difference.

Retinol can also be helpful for pore reduction. Since it increases the rate at which your skin renews itself and encourages your skin to produce healthier cells, it can strengthen and tighten the skin. Tighter skin means smaller pores! Keep in mind, not all retinols are created equal; I highly suggest spending a little extra and springing for a trip to your doctor for a prescription for this one!

As far as longer-term results, most experts will tell you that there is no permanent treatment to reduce pore size. There is some evidence that fractional CO2 laser treatments or photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be options, though it would seem the jury is still out on both treatments. Of course, both treatments carry risks, so this would definitely be something to discuss with a dermatologist.

The real rub about pore size is that it's largely influenced by genetics, so in some ways, we're all stuck with what we've got. Of course, the condition of your skin will always play a part. Oily, thicker skin often has more noticeable pores, and the more built up debris on the skin, the more obvious the pores will look. Adding the treatments I mentioned above to a skin-type appropriate skin care regiment can go a long way toward giving you the skin (and pore size) you want!

Beauty Buzz Words:Retinol

2011-12-13T10:42:00.000-05:00

Retinol is the primary form of Vitamin A. It is a nutrient essential in growth, repoductive, and vision processes. In skincare, it's used for its cell communicating and antioxidant properties.

Prescription retinol (aka: tretinoin, retinoic acid or all trans retinoic acid, brand names vary) penetrates the skin's outer-most layer into the deeper dermal area, aiding in healthier cell formation. This means a reduction in hyper-pigmentation (age/sun spots), acne and psoriasis. Retinol also stimulates collagen production, which means fewer wrinkles. At high-levels, retinol can actually help to protect from the development of skin cancer.

Keep in mind, over-the-counter retinol is not regulated and may not have the same effect as the prescription forms.

Because retinol works to expose new skin, users will be more sensitive to the damaging effects of the sun. Use of a daily sunscreen is an imperative part of any routine that includes retinol.

Beauty Buzz Words:Beta Hydroxy Acid

2011-12-13T10:20:00.000-05:00

Beta Hydroxy Acid (aka. BHA or salicylic acid) is a chemical exfoliant that works by essentially dissolving the glue that holds dead skin cells together. BHA is oil soluble, meaning that it can get past the sebum in clogged pores to remove build up and clean pores out. For this reason, BHA is commonly found in acne treatments, but may also improve the appearance of large pores, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. BHA works best at a pH of between 3 and 4.

Because BHAs work to expose new skin, users will be more sensitive to the damaging effects of the sun. Use of a daily sunscreen is an imperative part of any routine that includes BHAs.

Cherry Culture 20% Off Holiday Sale

2011-12-09T02:31:00.001-05:00

As the kids say: I'll just leave this here! :) The graphic tells it all, but some of that type is awfully tiny, so I'll give you the details. December 8th to December 15th, get 20% off everything in store on Cherry Culture. with code WHS20. That teeny tiny print says: All sales are final, no returns or exchanges. Order processing may take up to 14 days, offer ends 12/15/2011 at 11:59 CST.

There you go! Anyone stocking up or gift shopping?

Product Review:Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum

2011-12-07T22:19:00.001-05:00

It's no secret that I'm somewhat (OK, alotwhat) wary of "natural" skincare. Sure, when it comes to cheesecake recipes, my grandma's advice is exactly what I want, but when it comes to my skin, I want all of the advancements modern science can provide! So when I was approached by Reviva Labs with an offer to review some of their products, I was skeptical. Nonetheless, my Mama taught me well, so I never judge a book by its cover.

After browsing Reviva's product selection a bit on their website, I was impressed to see formulations that seemed to successfully merge natural and state-of-the-art, using the best of both worlds to create gentle but effective skincare. I tested several items in Reviva's line that I'll be reviewing shortly- today's feature is:

Hyaluronic Acid Serum 1oz for $22

One of my very favorite ingredients, hyaluronic acid is like little moisture magnets for your skin. A Natural Moisturizing Factor that's able to hold up to 1000 times its weight in moisture, hyaluronic acid can help maintain a healthy skin barrier while it temporarily plumps skin, relieving the appearance of fine lines.

Reviva's version is a clear gel that spreads easily and absorbs immediately. The texture is slippery (kinda like aloe) but not at all sticky. Since I have dry skin, I chose to use this under my moisturizer, both day and night. Since it absorbs so quickly, it worked beautifully under makeup, and despite its weightlessness, I could definitely see the difference it made in the moisture levels of my skin. I suffer from year-round flakiness, and this serum basically eradicated it. I also like that Reviva added Green Tea extract, a potent antioxidant.

Like I mentioned, this lightweight formula layers well under moisturizer for those with normal to dry skin. Oilier skin types (especially those that have a hard time finding a hyrdator that doesn't feel greasy or break them out) will love this oil-free serum applied all by itself.

Given the versatility of this serum, its compatibility for all skin types, and the fact that it costs half to a third of what similar serums run, I would definitely recommend this, and plan on purchasing a replacement bottle for myself! Reviva Labs products are available at several online retailers, as well as health food stores and salons across the country.

The product featured in this review was submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

Eye of the Day: Mulled Cranberry Cider

2011-12-06T01:10:00.001-05:00

It's been a long time since I've done an EOTD...honestly, it's been a long time since I've done anything fancy makeup-wise at all (on myself anyway!) Having a VERY active almost-four-year-old takes makeup down a few notches on the priority list, and the fact that my camera is crap and I can pretty much never get pictures that decently portray my work doesn't help. Really, my blood pressure is high as it is, so spending the time to create a look and then not being able to get a photo that shows accurate color, depth and texture (sometimes I'd even settle for 2 out of 3) is sometime more trouble than I can bare. But enough whining!

The other day I was talking to the lovely Mika of aijuswhanakno, about a particular brand that I have no great love for, Urban Decay. Mika mentioned that she was a little jealous that I had the first Book of Shadows and didn't even like it. This got me to thinking, maybe I need to get it out and give it another try. That's where this look came from.

I wanted to do something seasonal, but not totally expected, and I also wanted to work strictly within the palette. I decided if I was going to give Urban Decay some love, I was going to go in full force: the first shade I dipped into was glitter-bomb extraordinaire, Midnight Cowboy.

After applying NYX White Eyeshadow Base (not my favorite, but it was the closest at hand) I used my MAC 239 to dab Midnight Cowboy on the inner corner of my eye, not quite 1/3 of the way toward the center.

Again with my 239, I took Baked and put it on the rest of my lid, blending it lightly into the Midnight Cowboy by tapping gently with my finger. I took the Baked out to the outer corner of my eye, and blended it just up to the crease.

With a MAC 219 I added Roach, concentrating the color toward the outer corner and crease and lightly pulling it in toward the midpoint of my lid.

Above my crease, I used a MAC 217 brush to blend Last Call into and slightly above where I'd placed the roach, stopping just on top of my orbital bone.

When it came to blending and hi-lighting my brow bone, I ran out of luck with my Book of Shadows. Of the 16 shades in the book, not one was light enough or matte enough to use as a blending shade, so I grabbed my Sleek Au Naturel palette and used my MAC 217 with Honeycomb to soften the top edge of the Last Call. I added a bit of Nougat under the high point of my brow and blended it outer end of my brow. As a last though, I took a little bit of baked in the inner 1/3 of my crease to add some interest and soften the transition from the berry-plum Last call and the fair champagne of the Midnight Cowboy (you can see this touch better in the picture below, it's not as apparent in the pic above).

I applied UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar on the top lash line from the outer corner inward to just about the pupil, and just about to the outer 1/4 of my bottom lash line. Using a smudger brush I softened the top line and pulled the bottom line in to about the mid-point of my eye. Then I used the same brush to apply a bit of Last Call on top of the liner. I cleaned my brush, applied 24/7 pencil in Eldorado to my lower waterline and the very inner corner of my eyes, and used my smudger to add a bit of baked to the inner corners and inner, lower lash line, blending the gold shade into Last Call.

I added some Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash in black, and called it a day!

You'll have to forgive me for the pictures- the lighting is awful, and the cropping and wonky angles are even worse, but these were the shots that I felt best captured the colors and placement. Hauling my Book of Shadows out of the depths one more time was a nice challenge- though that Midnight Cowboy almost made me regret my decision from the get go. One thing you can see in the pictures are some of the tiny white flecks that show the migration path Cowboy's silver glitter moseys along on. Keep in mind, this was after constant dusting and sponging to remove the glitter from beneath my eyes. Finally, I grabbed my makeup wipes and wiped away the glitter- 3 or 4 times! I re-did my foundation, but still, by the time I was ready to take pictures, the only place this glitter wasn't was on the part of my lid where I'd actually put it. Grrr....

As I mentioned, there also isn't a great hi-lighting option in this set for fair skin. There's also a lack of contouring shades, being that even the deeper shades like Roach are satiny and reflect light- making it really hard to get good depth out of them. The one good, dark contour in this palette is Perversion, but to my eye this "jet black" leans a little blue, so I skipped it this time lest I muddy up my look.

Product List:

NYX White Eyeshadow Base (I prefer Urban Decay Primer Potion)
UD Midnight Cowboy (pale champagne with chunky silver glitter)
UD Baked (an almost-bronze gold)
UD Roach (satiny deep copper brown)
UD Last Call (mid-tone satin plum-berry)
Sleek MakeUP Honeycomb (matte light wheat)
Sleek MakeUP Nougat (matte off-white)
UD's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar (charred eggplant)
UD's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Eldorado (gold)
Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash mascara in Black.

Brushes:

MAC 239 (small dense, short-bristled paddle brush)
MAC 219 (pencil brush)
MAC 217 brush (full, fluffy, round-tipped brush)
Lancome #10 Smudger Brush

The Sleek product featured in this review was submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company.

Quick Tip: Give Your Skin a Chill Pill!

2011-11-30T13:42:00.001-05:00

Cold weather outside can mean all kinds of nasty things, but a little cold for you skincare can actually do you good!

Keeping eye creams, face masks, even moisturizers in the fridge can give your skin a little extra in addition to what's built into the formula. The chill of your potions on the skin can help to relieve puffiness, reduce redness and make pores appear smaller! It's a nice wake-up call too!

Just remember to keep bottles and jars tightly capped (or if possible, store them in a low-humidity compartment) to keep goods at peak performance!

Shop Beautiful:2nd Annual BeautyBloggers.org Charity Auction

2011-11-28T23:40:00.001-05:00

What's the most you paid for a beauty item this year? How long did you wait in line to get that hot-selling limited edition? Us beauty fanatics will go to some pretty fantastic lengths to satisfy our cravings, and thanks to Beauty Blogger extraordinaire Karla Sugar, once again this year your lemmings can help those less fortunate.

BeautyBloggers.org is the partnership of over 70 beauty bloggers and brands. In the spirit of the holidays, we wanted to make a meaningful contribution to charity, so we’re putting our (new) makeup on the auction block. Winning bids are donated directly to Doctors Without Borders. International bidders are welcome, and since we bloggers have agreed to donate the cost of shipping along with our beauty goods, shipping to winning bidders is free. That means the full amount of your winning bid will go to charity!

I'm honored to be able to participate once again, and hope that you can help me spread the word far and wide about this great opportunity to simultaneously give and receive! If you're a lip plumper fan, check out (and bid on!) my donation- a limited edition set of Fusion Beauty LipFusion glosses, paired with a bling-a-licious compact for creating your perfect pout.

If that's not your bag, check out one of the other items up for sale- from Armani to Urban Decay, there's something for everyone (don't forget your gift list!) The 2011 auction began at 8am CST on Monday, November 28, and ends at 5pm CST on Monday, December 12.

Ebates: Shop Online, Save Money!

2011-11-28T15:00:00.001-05:00

Though this is included in my list of Black Friday- Cyber Monday deals, I just wanted to pull it out in case some of you aren't aware of this great service! Ebates offers a way to get actual, cold, hard cash back on many of your online purchases- not just this weekend, but all year long. I've known about it for a while, but it wasn't until this weekend that I realized just how many retailers participate. Target, Best Buy, Walmart, you name it, they're probably there!

If you do any online shopping through out the year (especially this holiday season) it's worth registering for a free account here. Earn cash back (they send checks to you!) when you shop at popular retailers- all you have to do is register, click the E-bates link to the website of your choice, and SHOP! Since you're shopping from the actual retailer, you can be assured that your transaction is safe and authentic.

As a bonus, Ebates offers Daily Double deals where you can beef up your bonuses! For example, today's deal is at the Apple Store. What's usually worth a 1% Ebate is worth 2.5% today. That means you can get up to $20 off a new iPad, just for clicking the Ebate link to the Apple website! Not to shabby, and you can imagine how it adds up!

Today, the site's Cyber Monday Double Cash-Back Event raises the steaks a little: deals include 16% cash back on BeautyBar.com, 12% online at Bobbi Brown, and 10% cash back from Ulta. Keep in mind, to my knowledge, Ebates offers are ON TOP OF other discounts the individual companies may be offering, so you can double up!

Great Big List of 2011 Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Cyber Monday Beauty Deals!

2011-11-24T02:47:00.001-05:00

And it officially begins: I searched far and wide to bring you one comprehensive list of the best deals out there in beauty land. If you know one that's not on here, please add it in the comments and I'll do my best to update the master list as the weekend progresses! Happy Thanksgiving to all and have fun shopping!

Arcona
40% Off of all product purchases of $100 or more with code black. Friday November 25th ONLY. Free shipping on orders over $200, some exclusions apply.

Armani Beauty
20% off and Free 2 Day Shipping orders over $75 with code GAHOLIDAY1.

The Balm
Friday, November 25th get 40% off site wide with code BLACKFRIDAY. Sale begins 9am PST and ends at 11:59pm PST.

Bath And Body Works
Monday, November 28th, get 25% off your entire online order with code CYBER2011.

Beauty.com
Free sample filled Erickson Beamon makeup bag, valued at $165, with your $100 purchase.

BFTE Cosmetics
Cyber Monday only, get 40% off (excludes Zach's Friends and Indelible Gel Liners). Free US shipping to all orders of $50 or more.

BeautyTicket.com
50% off everything with code cyber50. Offer valid while supplies last.

Bella il Fiore
25% off site wide from Black Friday to Cyber Monday with code Bella25

Belle Butters
Black Friday, receive free shipping on any order, even international! On Cyber Monday, spend $35 or more and receive 10% off your order with code ZE24CS at checkout. Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales begin at 12amCST and end at 11:59pmCST on their respective dates.

Benefit
Free Shipping over $50 with code PRETTY50

BH Cosmetics
Thanksgiving: 35% off palettes, 25% off brushes (exp. Thursday 11/24/2011 at 6pm PST) 40% off Build Your Own Palette (exp. 11/24/2011, 11:59 PST) Offers can not be combined.

Black Friday only:
45% off of the 88 Color Tropical Matte Palette

Cyber Monday only:
Save up to 50% on eye shadow, eye liner, brushes, and more.

b-glowing
20% off orders of $75 or more plus free shipping when you shop November 25th through 28th, 2011. Use coupon code cyber11.

Black Baccara
Now through Monday get 15% off of your entire order with code PROMO88.

Black Rose Minerals
40% off full size individual jars with a purchase of $20 or more with code BF2011. Excludes collections and Your choice. Offer valid on Friday, November 25th, 2011 only.

Also beginning Black Friday, use coupon code blackfriday for 15% off your entire purchase with the regular site minimum of $6 or code BF201130 for 30% off your entire purchase of $20 or more. Offers end Monday, November 28th at midnight PST.

Bliss US
20% off Bliss, Elemis, and Remède purchases with code THANKS20. Ends 12/5/2011

Bliss UK
20% off all orders with code AFFDEC20. Expires 12/31, one use per customer.

Bloomingdale's
Free shipping with code FREESHIP11, expires Monday, November 28th.

Bobbi Brown
3 mini best sellers plus free shipping on all orders with code HAPPY12. Online only, one per customer. Offer valid through midnight EST November 29th, or until supplies last.

The Body Shop
Entire store 3 for $30, excludes prepackaged gift sets and charitable items. With a $30 qualifying purchase, get a $125 "Mistletoe" set for only $25.

Borghese
Thanksgiving (while supplies last) get a 6-piece free gift with any purchase of $50 or more, plus free shipping on orders over $60.

25% off entire purchase on Cyber Monday with code 25CYBER11. 12PM EST through 4PM EST 11/28.

Brazen Cosmetics
Black Friday surprise- get 50% off any order over $35 (before tax/shipping) with promo code SURPRISE50. But act quick...this deal is good starting midnight until 10am est tomorrow.

Butter London
Now through Wednesday, November 30th get 30% off with code CELEBRATE11.

Carol’s Daughter
Thanksgiving day get 15% off with code THANKS. Orders over $25 ship for free.
Black Friday sale and free shipping with code THANKS, ends Sunday, November 27th.
Cyber Monday spend $35 save $5; spend $50 save $10, spend $100 save $25. Offer valid Monday November 28th through Wednesday, November 30th.

Chantecaille
Starting Black Friday and until Cyber Monday with every $150 purchase on chantecaille.com, enter SHOPCHIC at checkout to get Les Macarons Palette and complimentary shipping.

Chella
FREE Single Treatment of our Anti-Fatigue Eye Mask Kit, a $12 value, with any purchase.

Cherry Culture
Cyber Monday get 20% OFF everything in store and double rewards with code CM20. Offer expires at 11:59 CST.

Clarins
Free 2 piece gift and standard shipping with $30 order with code SEM.
Free 3 piece gift with $40 order with code THANKS, expires 11/27.

Clarisonic
From Friday November 25th through Tuesday November 25th, get 20% off all Clarisonic skincare pairs.

Clinique
Black Friday only, get a free eye look and free shipping with code HOLIDAY orders $25 and more.

Coastal Scents
50% off entire site. Sale ends Tuesday, November 29th at 9:00am EST. Offer does not include packaging products, combos, kits or collections.

C.O. Bigelow
Black Friday only, get a free I Love Bigelow tote filled with over $130 in full-sized product with any purchase of $75 or more.

Also, get $10 off orders of $75 or more with code BIGTHANKS. Offer expires Monday, November 28th.

Crabtree & Evelyn

Black Friday only, Get a Weekender Collection worth $400 for just $150. Features an overnight tote, fleece robe and 16 Crabtree & Evelyn body and hand care products. Offer valid online and at participating Crabtree & Evelyn stores.

Cult Nails
Friday November 25th through Monday 28th, 2011

ALL Polish Colors $7.75 each
Nail Treatments $6.00 each ($12 for the pair)
Glass Nail Files $10.00 each
ALL Available Collections $31.00
Each US domestic order placed during the sale will come with a Quick Response Code in the package! Simply scan the QR Code with a QR Reader on your smart phone for your chance to WIN! (Contest open to US residents only) Prizes include:
1 complete set of every color in stock.
1 gift set of out Get It On/Wicked Fast combo, a polish and a file.
1 Clairvoyant Necklace (by Ginger Kitty Designs), a Cult Nails T-Shirt, and 1 Unicorn Puke!

Darling Girl Cosmetics
20% off everything in the shop! Starts Thursday November, 24th at 6:00pm and ends Friday November 25th at 10:00pm CST. Discounts will be refunded via Paypal within 24 hours of your order.

For every 5 orders placed during the sale there will be a raffle ticket included in the envelope with your free samples. If you get one, that is $5 in free Darling Girl swag. All you have to do to redeem is leave the raffle number in notes at check out and I will refund your $5 within 24 hours.

Detrivore Cosmetics
50% off all orders over $20 with code Black Friday. Only good November 24th through 26th, 2011.

DHC
10% off Cyber Monday only, no code necessary.

Dr. Brandt
Black Friday only, get a 4 piece Dr. Brandt Detoxygen Experience ($225 value) for $75.
Cyber Monday, get a Lineless Eye Cream for $29 (reg $60) or Flaws No More for $39 (reg $80)

Ebates
If you're doing any online shopping this holiday season, it's worth registering for a free account here. Earn cash back (they send checks to you!) when you shop at popular retailers including Bath and Body Works, Lancome, Macy's, Nordstrom and Sephora (among TONS of others). All you have to do is register, click the E-bates link to the website of your choice, and SHOP!

Cyber Monday Double Cash-Back Event raises the steaks a little: deals include 16% cash back on BeautyBar.com, 12% online at Bobbi Brown, and 10% cash back from Ulta. Keep in mind, to my knowledge, these ebates offers are ON TOP OF other discounts, so you can double up!

e.l.f.
Cyber Monday only, use code 50WIDE at checkout to get 50% off sitewide on orders of $25 or more, maximum discount $100.

Elizabeth Arden
Thanksgiving only, get a free 12-piece gift with any purchase over $49. Use code WILD49 at checkout.
Black Friday through Cyber Monday get 25% off and free shipping on any order with code BF2.

Eve Pearl
From Thursday 11/24 11AM EST to Monday 11/28 11pm EST receive 40%-55% off store wide with code BPTG2011.

Face Atelier
Now through Monday, 11/28, get 30% off with code THANKS.

Geek Chic Cosmetics
Black Friday through Cyber Monday get 30% off site wide (excludes samples). Free shipping and full-size prototype/discontinued item on orders over $50.

Hi Fi Cosmetics
40% off Black Friday only.

Illamasqua
Free full size liquid metal of your choice with any purchase from the Illamasqua Christmas Gift Boutique. One transaction only, can not be combined with other offers, use code GIFTFORYOU at checkout. Offer expires 12/20/2011 at 11:59pm GMT.

Inglot Cosmetics
Thanksgiving online sale, 15% off all online orders and free standard shipping this Thanksgiving weekend. Offer valid Thursday, November 24th 3am EST until Sunday, November 28th 3am EST).

Josie Maran
25% off your entire purchase with code GIVEBACK, offer expires Monday, November 28th.

Juara
Black Friday through Cyber Monday get free shipping on all online orders and a free 4.75 oz Candlenut Hand and Body Balm (a $25 value).on all orders $50 and above. Free shipping and gift will be applied automatically to your order.

Kate Somerville
Online offer will be announced on Friday morning! Stay tuned!

Kiehl's
Free US shipping and deluxe trio of your choice with any order of $30 or more. Use code BIGTREAT at checkout, offer ends Monday, November 28th at 11:59 EST.

Kiss My Sass
Thanksgiving Day: use coupon code turkeyday2011 to save 24% on orders over $10!
Black Friday: use coupon code blackfriday2011 to save 40% on orders over $25!
Cyber Monday: Buy 3 full size eye shadows and get 3 free! There will be a special listing for this, do not buy from the regular eye shadows page.

Korres
20% off your entire purchase with code FF2011. Offer valid Tuesday, November 22nd through midnight PDT, Sunday, November 27th.

Laura Geller
Black Friday only, get 20% off online kits, no code necessary.

Lime Crime
Cyber Monday 24 hour extravaganza starts November 28th at noon PST and ends noon the next day. Everything 25% OFF, except Carousel Gloss since it's a new release.

Linnaeus Cosmetics
Friday November 25th through Monday, November 28th, all eye shadows will be $4 (regular price $6). Discounted sample packs will also be available.

LIT Cosmetics
Buy 1 glitter, get 1 free (enter free color in comments box). Valid midnight Thursday, November 24th through midnight Friday, November 25th.

Lost in Makeupland
Now through December 1st, get 20% off everything (excludes 10 sample packs which won't be available through the sale) using the code EARLYXMAS.

On Black Friday, in addition to the 20% off, get a special gift with purchase depending on your order's total (pre-shipping)

Orders over $10 receive a 5 sample pack from the upcoming Rock My Look v2.0 collection.
Orders over $20 receive a full size eyeshadow jar from the upcoming Rock My Look v2.0 collection.
Orders over $30 receive a full size eyeshadow jar and a 5 sample pack from the upcoming Rock My Look v2.0 collection.
Orders over $50 receive a full size eyeshadow jar, a 5 sample pack from the upcoming Rock My Look v2.0 collection, AND a surprise gift.

Gifts with Purchase begin on Friday, November 25th and ends on Sunday, November 27th.

L’Occitane
Spend $40 and get your choice of the "Best of Shea" or "Best of Provence" 7pc gift sets for only $14.

Lunaricsales
30% off Black Friday only with code BLKFRIDAY.

MAC
Free overnight US shipping with code CYBER. For MAC Pro members (levels A, B, S and P only), free US or Canadian overnight shipping with code CYBERPRO. Offer expires 11:59 EST on Monday, November 28th only.

Macy’s
Click here to see almost 40 different beauty offers, including a free digital video camera with a $65 fragrance purchase!

Magnolia Makeup
Beginning midnight on Friday, get 50% off pigments and glitters, 20% off everything else. Offer ends Monday, November 28th.

Mario Badescu
Cyber Monday only, spend $50 or more and get 10% off, free shipping and a free gift with code cmonday. US orders only.
Meow Cosmetics
20% off w/ code gobble. Free shipping on all US orders and international orders over $30.

Milani
Cyber Monday only, get 50% off and free shipping with code CYBER. 8AM PST through 11/29 8AM PST.

The Morbid The Merrier
Now through Friday, November 25th, buy any 2 full size perfumes, get one free. Buy any 3 solids, get one free.

Morgana Cryptoria
Sale begins Thursday, November 24th at 11:30 PM PST and ends on Cyber Monday at midnight PST.

50% off lip balms in regular tubes
$2 lip balms in slimline tubes
Quantity discounts on cream lipsticks ranging from $4-$6 off!
Gel Lipsticks $5 (including new and soon to be released shades)
50% off New Limited Edition Glosses (large tube)
various other specials

My Pretty Zombie
Black Friday through Cyber Monday get 25% off new "The Blue Period" set.

Naila MD Skincare
Use code BF40 and get 40% off all Acne products and SPF20 on Friday, November 25th (online only).

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
20% off all individual OCC products (excludes already discounted items such as box sets and airbrush systems).

To receive discount, click here and log in using guest as your user name and cyber as your password! Sale prices will not be reflected on product screens, but will appear in your cart.

One Hand Washes the Other
Black Friday through Cyber Monday, get 40% off remaining Halloween collection and 25% off the rest of the store. No code necessary, follow link on site's main page to receive discount!

On Cyber Monday only, "Choose your own scent" products will be available.

There will be various doorbusters added, and a "Post-BF" sale in case your wallets are stretched too thin during the Black Friday week!

Origins
$10 off and free shipping on purchase over $25 with code TENOFF, expires 11/28.

Persephone Minerals Artfire and Etsy
Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday get 30% off with coupon code BFMADNESS.

Philosophy
Daily doorbuster deals, holiday sale and free shipping on all orders.

Cyber Monday through November 30th (while supplies last) get a free gift valued at over $100 with your purchase of $85 or more. Use code holidayjoy.

Pollen Cosmetics
Cyber Monday get 20% off with coupon code CyberMonday. Includes new Winter and Holiday Collections!

PrttyPeaushun
40% off on Black Friday only. Use code PRTTYFRI40.

RéVive Skincare
Free Shipping on all orders (no code required) plus your choice of deluxe samples.

Ricky's NYC
Cyber Monday, online only, get 20% off select discount appliances with code CYBERMONDAY. Now through November 30th, use code BEAUTIFUL20 to get 20% off all professional haircare, Mattese Elite Cosmetics and all hair appliances (excludes Moroccan Oil and sale items).

RockABetty Beauty
Black Friday through Cyber Monday, use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to receive 35% off your entire order! Sale starts Black Friday at 12:01am central time (1:01am eastern) and ends Cyber Monday at 11:59pm central time (12:59am eastern).

Royal and Langnickel Brush Inc.
Cyber Monday special: All SILK 12 piece sets for $60, plus a free gift (total value $194.99). Offer runs November 28, 2011 from 6am to 12am CST.

Pro Only Cyber Monday offer: 25 piece SILK set, plus free gift, for $75 (total value $294.99)

Saks Fifth Avenue
Cyber Monday deals include free gifts with purchases from Bobbi Brown, Burberry, Clarins, Clinique, Jo Malone, Estee Lauder, and many more! Qualifying purchase varies, offers good while supplies last.

Sasa
Monday, November 28th only get up to 70% off of over 100 beauty and makeup top-sellers.

Scaredy Cat Cosmetics
Black Friday only, get five free Trial Vials for every $10 spent (specify colors in Notes to Seller section).
Black Friday through Cyber Monday get all full sized sifters for only $3.00 each (reg. $5.00)
All Trial Vials 30% off.

Sephora
Cyber Monday only, enter code MYSTERY at checkout to receive a Mystery Sample Bag including five samples, free with any online merchandise purchase of $25 USD or more. Valid while supplies last, US only. Free Shipping on orders over $25, with online code SHIPNOW.

Shiro Cosmetics
November 25th-28th use code 30off30 for 30% off of orders totaling $30 or more.

Shu Uemura
20% off with code WISH2011, Thanksgiving through Tuesday, November 29th. Free shipping on orders over $50.

Sigma
10% off with code IN2011

SkinStore.com
20% savings store wide with code GIFT20. Certain items are excluded from offers. Each product detail page indicates if the promotion does not apply.

Smashbox

20% off with code SBXFF11, expires 11/28.

The Soap Seduction
Use coupon code BLACK30 to save 30% now through 11/27!

Somme Institute
40% off site wide 11/24 through 11/29.

Sonya Dakar
Cyber Monday only, save 15% storewide with code PR/CM1111. This sale ends tonight, November 28th at 9pm PST/12am EST. Free ground shipping on orders over $100.

Stila Cosmetics
Black Friday first 500 people to spend $25 will receive a 6-piece eyeshadow palette and free shipping with code BLACKFRIDAY.

Cyber Monday through December 2nd: Warehouse sale, up to 80% off!

Sugarpill Cosmetics
Pink Weekend Sale: Get 30% off Friday, November 25th and 20% off Saturday, November 26th through Monday, November 28th. Use code PINKWEEKEND at checkout, applies to in-stock items only.

Sweet Treat Cosmetics

Black Friday: 6 for $20 on all $5 items
FREE surprise item with purchases of $25.00 or more
FREE shipping on all orders $30 or more!

Cyber Monday: 25% off your entire purchase in the Facebook store with coupon code cybersweets.

Tarte
Cyber Monday only, get a free full-size gift PLUS:
$10 off orders $50 and up
$20 off orders $75 and up
$30 off orders $100 and up!

Use code CYBER at checkout.

Temptu

Cyber Monday only:
20% off all systems with code SYSTEM20
10% off all AIR Pod makeup with code POD10

Three Custom Color Specialists
Cyber Monday only get 30% off site wide with code CYBER11.

Tick:Tock Cosmetics
Black Friday through Cyber Monday all items are 45% off, no code necessary.

TINte Cosmetics
20% off online only with code FRI11, expires 11/25.

Too Faced
Use code CYBERMONDAY to receive an extra 10% off your entire order (does not apply to items already marked 50% off).

Cyber Monday only, receive a free Deluxe Lash Injection Mascara with orders over $50, the mascara and a free fluff eye shadow brush with orders over $100 and mascara, shadow brush and a free Lash Layering Mascara Kit ($30.50 value) with orders over $250. Gifts will automatically be added to your order, while supplies last.

50% off all Too Faced vintage products.

Use code Black11 for free shipping November 23rd through 28th, 2011.

Ulta
Cyber Monday deals include an online only "choose your own beauty bag" filled with 14 samples, free with a $35 purchase. 25% of Pur Minerals and Fekkai haircare, $3.50 off any $10 purchase with code 61733 (exclusions apply); $10 off any $60 purchase with code 18137 (exclusions apply), expires 12/2. Free shipping on $25+ orders with code HOLIDAYSHIP25.

Unique Pigments
Use coupon code CYBERMONDAY to get 25% off all of our eyeshadow products, including collections.

Urban Decay
Feminine, Dangerous and Fun 8 piece Eyeshadow Palettes on sale for $19 (Reg. $34)plus, get free shipping on orders over $50 and a free gift with orders over $75.

Victoria's Secret
Free with any $65 purchase: a limited edition tote filled with $70 in beauty products (As a former VS manager, take my word for it- if you want the tote, show up within the first hour your store is open!)

Violent Lips
Black Friday only, get 50% off any order and free shipping worldwide with code VLFB50.

YSL
20% off now through 11/26 with code CYBER.
Cyber Monday 20% off with free shipping; orders over $100 get a free gift with code MONDAY until 11/30 or as supplies last.

Whimsy Beading

30% coupon discount all day Friday,November 25th, 2011 using coupon code BLACK30
Free shipping on orders over $75 (after discounts, shipping cost refunded via Paypal).
If you purchase a gift certificate at full price for use on or after December 26th, 2011, you will receive a gift certificate with a bonus amount.

$25 gift certificate will get you $35 in shop credit (40% more).
$50 gift certificate will get you $75 in shop credit (50% more).

Zoya
Now through January 1, 2012, get free standard ground shipping with code ZOYA4ME.

Purchase 2 or more nail polishes and get a free 2oz Remove Nail Polish Remover and a Coupon Code for $5 Off Your Next Zoya Order

Some restrictions apply, see website for details.

November Birchbox: Instant Reviews

2011-11-16T00:12:00.001-05:00

Birchbox is a tiny bundle of monthly love made with beauty junkies in mind. For $10 a month you receive a package filled with 4-5 samples, many of which are deluxe size, with the occasional full-size product thrown in. Deluxe size samples are plenty big enough get a good feel for the instant effects, but maybe not quite enough to judge long-term results. Instant reviews are just that- my instant impressions on the products. These installments will be based on my initial testing, swatching and, of course (you know me) a peek at the ingredients.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules
Sample Size: 5 capsules
Retail Size: 60 capsules (.95 oz) for $68
Sample Value: $5.67

Ceramides are great. They're a major part of our skin's natural barrier- they help to keep moisture in and bad stuff (bacteria, allergens, etc...) out. Elizabeth Arden has been stuck on ceramides for years; I was first introduced to these single use capsules no less than seven or eight years ago. This particular serum is a hydrating blend of silicones, fatty acids and oils, the aforementioned ceramides, and several antioxidant ingredients. It feels like a light oil on the skin- it absorbs into my dry skin quickly and feels soft (not greasy). Having said that, I don't imagine it's a texture oilier skin would enjoy. For those looking to get a good ceramide fix without the high-end price tag, both ceramides found into this Arden serum can also be found in CeraVe moisturizers, which is one reason why I always keep a jar of CeraVe in my medicine cabinet!

Gueralin Shalimar Parfum Initial
Sample Size: 1 ml
Retail Size: 60 ml for $84
Sample Value: $1.40

This resinous amber floral is meant to be an introduction to the classic (and according to Gueralin, the world’s first) oriental fragrance, Shalimar. I’m a fan of the original, and this update has many of the same notes- a sharp, citrusy bergamot top note gives way to a woody, floral heart of rose, jasmine and iris. The vanilla and tonka bean base lend to the powdery, almost gourmand dry down.

It was a surprise that the newer version actually seems bolder to me than the original- Parfum Initial has a muskier finish, and I can’t shake my impression of a somewhat sour note that seems to pull the fragrance out of balance for me. The original Shalimar feels soft, feminine, sophisticated and innocent all at once (it actually reminds me a bit of how Strawberry Shortcake dolls smelled when I was younger!?) The new one smells, to me, like what you'd get if you layered Chanel Chance over original Shalimar. Somehow, it's just not quite right.

Thymes Eucalyptus Body Lotion
Sample Size: 1.5 oz
Retail Size: 9.25 oz for $24
Sample Value: $3.89 (plus a max of about $.55 for the packet, see below for explanation)

Feels light if not a little waxy going on, but dries down quickly leaving behind a scent that smells lightly lemony- kind of like the moist towelettes they give you at a ribs joint. Both my fiancé and I felt it smelled like soap also- not at all the brisk, medicinal scent I'd expect from something labeled Eucalyptus. Having said that, the lotion reminded me entirely of a complimentary hotel toiletry- not at all luxe feeling and definitely not something I'd pay $24 for. One positive about the ingredients in this fairly standard formula: it doesn't contain actual eucalyptus, which can be a potent skin irritant.

Oddly, apparently one scent of this lotion wasn't enough- Birchbox also included a sample packet in Thymes' Kimono Rose scent. Given my underwhelment with the formula, I have a feeling this little packet will join my stash o' samples that I stick in with giveaways and gifts. (The packet is not labeled for individual sale, thus, it doesn't include a weight for me to figure in the value total. By my calculations, the entire packet weighs around 6g, so this is the quantity I used for the value estimate given above. Obviolulsy, this includes the weight of the package itself so it is definitely a high-end estimate.)

Zoya Nail Polish in Sooki
Sample Size: .25 oz
Retail Size: .5 oz for $8.00
Sample Value: $4.00

Sooki mini (left) next to my own full size Raven (right).

A nice ever-so-slightly cool red polish. The Shiny, creme finish makes it a classic year-round choice. Applies smoothly with almost one-coat coverage, and if your inclined to wonder, you probably already know: Zoya is 3 Free (for those less inclined, that means no toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates). Though I'd say this polish was the bright spot in this month's box for me, I do feel like I should mention that this is the second time since I joined in July that I've gotten a mini Zoya in my box. They were different shades, of course, so I'm not exactly complaining, but knowing that one of the downfalls of Beauty Fix, to me, was too much repetition of brands, so this seems important to note.

TREAT: Two Paperdolls Coasters
Sample Size: 2 coasters
Retail Size: 10 coasters for $15 (if ordered through Birchbox. The set is 8 for $15 on two paper dolls’ site)
Sample Value: $3.00

Coasters? Are you kidding me? Watching some Birchbox reviews this month, I couldn't help but notice some people got chocolate, but I got coasters. Not just any chocolate either: spicy artisanal chocolate with popping candy inside. Did I mention I got coasters? Not just any coasters though- paper coasters. OK, they do have cute letterpress typographical designs on one side (and a Birchbox ad on the other) but still...coasters?

TOTAL NOVEMBER BOX VALUE: $18.51

Definitely kind of a dud box this month, in my opinion. As I mentioned in the blurb about the coasters, I did see some more interesting things in other subscriber's boxes. Birchbox does claim to customize the box to your preferences; I'm not really sure what in my profile said "send paper coasters, not chocolate" but I'm thinking I'd better check my preferences stat! Nonetheless, I'm still pleased with the service as a whole- knowing I have the box coming always gives me something to look forward to!

Do you subscribe to any beauty sample services? What do you think?

This Week's Sales: Lorac, NuMe, Terax & More!

2011-11-07T01:30:00.001-05:00

Beyond the Rack

Monday, November 7th: Lightning Whitening

Brand Alley
Ends Wednesday: Baylis & Harding

If you're not a member yet, click here for an invite and we can both earn a £10 voucher!

HauteLook
Monday: LORAC
Tuesday: Juice Beauty
Wednesday: NuMe

Swirl
NuMe Hair Styling Tools (yes, here also!)
Holiday Shop featuring: Fiat Luxe, Lipstick Queen, Lollia, Tocca, Tokyo Milk and more!

Totsy

Ends Monday: Pangea Organics
Ends Tuesday: Terax Haircare
Starts Tuesday: Baudelaire

30 in 30: Question #29. Do You Like Liquid Liner?

2011-11-02T14:46:00.000-04:00

OK, so 30 days didn't happen. My cat ate my...computer? I accepted a drink from a stranger and woke up yesterday in a motel bathtub full of ice? I thought it was 30 business days (on the planet Mercury)? Anyway, we are in the home stretch, so I'm going to continue on with...

Question #29. Do you like wearing liquid liner? If so, what's your favorite?

I adore a nice winged cat eye, and my long-time favorite to achieve it is Lancome Artliner in Noir. It’s a long, felt tipped pen that applies precisely, goes on bold in one stroke, and stays on all day. I’m honestly surprised it’s not more popular among other bloggers and YouTube gurus- it’s tops!

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T14:52:00.003-04:00

Hope everyone out there had a great Halloween. It's my favorite day of the year, and even though it was on a Monday this year, I was determined to make it special. I filled my day watching cartoon specials with Lily, eating Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins (not bad, but they look better than they taste!) with hot spiced caramel-apple cider, and carving pumpkins.

The bottom two are mine, Brad did the top one!

When it came time to dress up, Brad set to work endowing super-hero powers on Lily. I'd planned on being a ghostly specter, but soon realized that wasn't going to be possible, due to a cat-related occurance. So, pressed for time and in need of something I could create with what I had on hand, and without an actual costume, this is what I came up with...

Obviously, not dressing up isn't an option, so living-dead it was. Keeping in mind I've never done zombie/dead makeup before, and didn't have time to research or even check out any tutorials, I'm fairly happy with how this came out. Aside from a just a few items (like the cocoa powder I used to give the blood a clumpy texture) this is all Ben Nye makeup- yay for my college theater makeup kit!

I custom blended a light gray-green base color, used red shadow to rim my waterline and a deep plum to shade in the orbital bone- especially in the bottom, inner corners. After adding some texture by mottling different shades of grey, green and plum, attempting to use eyelash glue for rotting, peeling flesh (bad idea!) adding blood and teasing out my hair, all I needed was a few leaves from the yard to give my costume that authentic crazy touch. It was a bit scary for the younger kids, but I got lots of compliments from the older kids- especially the boys!

So what did you do for Halloween? Trick or Treats, party times, or just a quiet evening at home? Hope everyone was safe & had tons of fun- can't wait until next year!

Urban Decay Holiday 2011 Friends & Family

2011-11-01T13:44:00.001-04:00

Now through Saturday, November 5th, use the code FFHOLIDAY11 and get 20% off of your entire online order at Urban Decay! I believe this is the first time they've allowed a discount on the coveted Naked Palette, so if you've been lemming it, now's the time! Of course, don't forget your whatever denominational winter gift-giving holiday consumption list (buy gifts).

Sleek MakeUP Nude Collection:Review & Swatches

2011-10-28T02:37:00.000-04:00

Staying on top of the trends, and just in time for fall, Sleek MakeUP recently released it's Nude collection. Included in the collection is the Au Naturel i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette, Suede Blush and Bare Minimum Pout Polish.

I'm generally not a fan of neutrals (too boring!) but they are classics for a reason, and nothing beats neutrals for autumnal elegance. The Au Naturel Eye Shadow Palette contains 12 shades with a nice range of finishes- everything from matte to satin to shimmer.

Sleek Au Naturel i-Divine Palette

Au Naturel Pallete, Left Side

Au Naturel Pallete, Right Side

Upon swatching, I was initially disappointed in the pigmentation of the lighter shades. Though the texture is wonderful, especially for the matte finish shadows (smooth, soft and not at all chalky) they simply just didn't have much to show for it.

Au Naturel Pallete, Top Row

Having said this, I can still see their worth in "blending" shades, to soften edges on more intense shades, and the shimmery champagne shade Taupe is a wonderful highlighting shade for light and light-medium skin.

Swatching the deeper shades on the bottom row was a different story altogether. Every shade was packed with pigment, applied smoothly, and blended like a dream.

Au Naturel Palette, Bottom Row

While the palette is filled with neutrals, the shades are just different enough to make them different. Moss, for instance, isn't your typical muted green, but rather a slightly green-tinged dirty ochre-bronze. Regal is a great eggplant that's the perfect balance of not too drab, not too bright. Bark is a gorgeously rich cool toned brown with a creamy texture and a semi-matte finish; if I'd had this palette last month after breaking a shadow at a bridal trial-run, this shade would have saved me a last-minute Sephora trip that cost me $19 for a single shadow! Compare that with the i-Divine's $10.50 price tag and it's a steal- even with a few lackluster shades.

Since the richer, smokey shades are obviously the star of the eye shadow palette, it's no surprise that the cheek and lip offerings are more subtle.

Suede blush is a nicely pigmented spiced peach shade. My Suede looks VERY different than the one on the Sleek website. In real life, it's brighter, warmer, and frankly, much prettier than the drab Sleek swatch! The warm shade and matte finish work nicely in the fall, but I also think this is just bright enough to work in the warmer months as well.

Sleek Suede Blush

The Pout Polish in this collection is very aptly named Bare Minimum; a barely-there creamy nude.

In the pot, Bare Minimum looks like it leans on the peachy side, but it's so sheer this doesn't really read on the lips.

Sleek Pout Polish in Bare Minimum

It's perfect for days when you really do want the bare minimum- a plush, moisturizing balm with sun protection and a hint of shine. If your lip color is naturally more pigmented, this shade may mute down the color ever so slightly, but if you're looking for more color on your lips, you may want to pass on Bare Minimum. As with all Pout Polishes, this balm has a vanilla scent and slight chemical aftertaste.

All in all, I think this collection is great for anyone who wants to get in on the "Nude" trend or just stock up some neutral basics. The blush is pigmented and blends well, and while the Pout Polish doesn't pack much of a pigment punch, it is a great formula for nourishing and protecting the lips. Like most eye shadow palettes, you may find one or two shades that remain untouched when your palette is tapped, but the quality for the price, as usual, is hard to beat!

The products featured in this review were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

Taking Martha Stewart to Task on Beauty:A Commentary

2011-10-21T03:04:00.000-04:00

First, a small disclosure: I'm a long-time fan of Martha Stewart. I've subscribed to Martha Stewart Living since I was a 20-something living in a studio apartment. I save each and every issue, and I DVR her show daily. My three-year-old not only knows who Martha is, she asks to watch her show. My bath towels are Martha Stewart.

I was excited when the magazine recently added a beauty section. Let's face it, Martha's been around the block a time or two and by the (fantastic) looks of her, has a few tricks up her sleeve. So when I turned to page 55 in the November 2011 issue and saw the feature "Striking Gold" proclaiming that "oil isn't the skin saboteur you've always thought it was", I was psyched. "Finally!" I thought. "Martha's going to lay down the law and let people know that oil can be good for their skin!" While that indeed is the bent of the feature, I wasn't 30 seconds into the passage before I saw something that had my eyes rolling.

On the second page of the article, author Sarah Z. Wexler recommends a slew of oils for different purposes. In the cleansing category I noticed a photo of Philosophy Purity Made Simple Mineral Oil-Free Facial Cleansing Oil. As a fan of the original Purity, I skipped right to the product description. According to the article, Purity Oil "dissolves makeup with natural oils from olives, sandalwood, and geraniums instead of pore-clogging mineral oil".

BIG roll of the eyes. Here we go again...and in an article that I'd thought was trying to dispel myths about oils! Let me restate the claim once again, for those who aren't sure what's got me in such a tizzy.

"dissolves makeup with natural oils...instead of pore-clogging mineral oil".

Apparently Ms. Wexler, as well as the editors over at Living, missed the memo (by memo, I mean widely quoted study published in the January 2005 Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology). Mineral oil DOES NOT clog pores. It is non-comedogenic. On the 0-5 scale used to rate comedogenicity (the likelihood of an ingredient to clog pores) with zero being the least likely and five being most likely, MINERAL OIL IS A ZERO. It. Does. Not. Clog. Pores.

Now that we've got that cleared up, lets back up a minute. One natural oil the magazine implies is better than mineral oil is sandalwood oil. You all know it as the musky scent so popular in college campus hacky-sack circles. Which should be a red-flag to all: fragrance is one of the most common irritants in skincare products, and natural oils don't get a free pass. Indeed, according to "Cosmetics Cop" Paula Begoun, sandalwood oil can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. I, of course, reinforced this data with several studies archived on PubMed. A brief look at the ingredient list of the Purity oil shows that it includes several other oils that are known irritants, but it also revealed something much more interesting: the first two ingredients in the product, isopropyl palmitate and isopropyl myristate.

Why, you may ask, is this so interesting? Well, remember that 0-5 scale for comedogenic ingredients? Remember how a five is as bad as it gets- the most pore clogging potential an ingredient can have? Well, it just so happens that isopropyl palmitate and isopropyl myristate are a 4 and 5 on that scale, respectively. Yup. Both ingredients are considered highly comedogenic. Big ol' pore-cloggers. Funny isn't it? Or notsomuch.

Now, as a member of the beauty blogging community, I see myths like this perpetuated regularly. While it's bad enough to see bloggers do it, I'm a bit more forgiving when I know it's simply a consumer passing on a personal experience or second-hand knowledge. However, when such misinformation is being sustained by someone who is looked at as an "expert" on the subject- a feature writer or beauty editor for a major magazine- I find it simply inexcusable. So many people look to these writers for education; to become smarter, more savvy consumers. If we can't trust them to do more than essentially reprint a company press-release in the guise of a beauty feature, well...you always have me ;)

Product Review:Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Solutions

2011-10-19T19:51:00.000-04:00

Recently, I was invited to participate in my first BzzAgent campaign and got the chance to try two new products from Burt's Bees. Both items were from the company's new Natural Skin Solutions for Sensitive Skin line. Burt defines sensitive skin as skin that shows signs of redness, irritation, stinging, dryness, itching, blotchiness, rashes or even skin that easily breaks out. Since I exhibit all of those symptoms (though luckily, usually not all at the same time) I certainly fit into the line's target demo.

The products I was sent were the Sensitive Facial Cleanser and the Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream. Both products, as with all products in Burt's Sensitive line, are fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic, allergy-tested and dermatologist-tested. It's important to remember though, most of those terms are marketing terms, not scientific ones. There's absolutely no regulation for use of the term hypo-allergenic, and all "allergy tested" and "dermatologist tested" tell us is that they were tested. The terms alone don't tell us what they were tested for, whom they were tested by, or even what the results are. Of course, having these terms doesn't automatically make the product bad, but it doesn't necessarily make the product better either.

Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser ($10 for 6oz) is a rich cream cleanser that is designed to cleanse skin without causing irritation or stripping skin of its natural protective barrier.

I found this cleanser to be gentle and non-drying, and while it's not greasy, I do think it's a formula best left to drier skin types. The cleanser contains plenty of emollient ingredients, and while it does rinse away mostly with water, I felt like it left a waxy film behind. A peek at the ingredients shows several potentially comedogenic ingredients, notably the coconut and cotton oils. This may not be as big of a deal in a rinse-off cleanser, but it's certainly something break-out prone individuals should be aware off. I also felt like this cleanser lacked a little bit in the makeup removal category; I definitely saw traces of foundation left behind after cleansing.

Burt's Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream ($15 for 1.8oz) is non-SPF hydrator that has a nice not-too-thick, not-too-thin lotion consistency.

It smooths on easily and leaves skin feeling slightly balmy, though on my dry skin it was not at all oily. I actually feel like this is just on the borderline of not being rich enough for my dry skin, and would guess that the formula would be best for normal skin that is not excessively oily or excessively dry. I like the pump bottle: its opaque, airtight design keeps antioxidants and soothing ingredients at peak performance, and it was very easy to control the amount coming out of the tube. Pumps are also more sanitary than jars, an important consideration for all skin types.

I did notice that both versions of the Sensitive moisturizers (this one and the Night Cream, which I did not test) have corn starch listed quite high on the ingredient list, which I find concerning. Corn starch is used as a thickener, skin protectant and absorbent in skin care, but is also abrasive, which is not good for anyone with sensitive skin. It also can promote fungal and bacterial growth, which is why it's generally recommended that acne prone skin types avoid it- the corn starch actually feeds the bacteria that cause acne!

One last thing I have to concede is my confusion of Burt's use of "Cotton Extract" and the claims that the brand makes surrounding it. While the picture of cotton on the label certainly conjures up feelings of comfort and gentleness, I couldn't find any evidence that this "extract" (more commonly known as cottonseed oil) functions as anything but an occlusive emollient. While occlusive ingredients (even basic petroleum) may help to keep skin hydrated and promote healing, I think more is implied by Burt's claims. Sure, eliminating irritation may make skin softer and reduce redness (which would, in turn, make skin appear more even-toned) BUT irritation is not the only cause of such symptoms. If you have such issues in the absence of actual irritation, cotton extract won't do a thing for you.

Despite the exaggerated marketing, Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin solutions seem like a decent choice for those with sensitive skin who are looking for reasonably priced, no-frills skincare. Personally, I would have liked to see more protective antioxidants, and soothing anti-irritants and anti-inflammatory ingredients, but there's something to be said for the less-is-more approach. The less that's in the product, the less of a chance there is of reacting to it!

30 in 30: Question #28 What's Your Favorite Makeup Remover?

2011-10-18T01:19:00.000-04:00

Question #28. What's Your Favorite Makeup Remover?

When it comes to taking my makeup off, the fewer steps the better. I always look for a cleanser that will take all of my makeup too, and for years I’ve found that Philosophy Purity Made Simple does not exaggerate its claims of being a one-step solution. It removes just about everything but waterproof mascara- on days I opt for that, I use Make Up For Ever Sens’eyes or Sonia Kashuk dual-phase remover. For quick corrections, I use MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover- it dries quickly with no oily residue, so I can work right over it immediately, but I find it somewhat irritating to use on my entire eye.

This Week's Sales: Stila, Creed, Crown Brush...and More!

2011-10-18T00:56:00.000-04:00

Beyond the Rack

Monday: Amika Flat Iron purchase with purchase
Tuesday: Melissa Beth

Brand Alley

Ends Wednesday: Beauty Boutique
Ends Thursday: Baylis & Harding

Starts Tuesday: Le Bain Bath & Beauty, Designer Cosmetics feat. Lord & Berry, Stila and more

If you're not a member yet, click here for an invite and we can both earn a £10 voucher!

Editor's Closet

Wednesday: Creed Fragrances

Gilt Groupe

Monday: Passport to Style- Chic Travel Accessories

HauteLook
Monday: Stila
Tuesday: Evis MD, Ecru New York
Wednesday: Creative Hair Tools
Thursday: Crown Brush

Ideeli
Monday: Cosmesis Skincare
Friday: Lava Tech