Votre Vu January Special

Luxury French skin care brand Votre Vu has a fab promotion running now through January 31st. With the purchase of any Face Base set, receive a free full size Luxee Yeux Eye Beauty Balm, a $49 value. Votre Vu takes the French approach, natch, when caring for skin, which involves following a cleansing, toning, treating and moisturizing routine. Each Face Base set includes a cleanser, toner, serum and day creme for four specific skin types:

• Attentive, for Sensitive Skin ($98.70 instead of $141 individually)
• Full Benefits, formulated specifically for Mature Skin ($125.30 instead of $179 individually)
• Peau Equilibrée, for Oily and Combination Skin ($95.90 instead of $137 individually)
• Best Regards, for Normal to Dry Skin ($94.50 instead of $135 individually)

Luxee Yeux Eye Beauty Balm is specifically formulated to counter the three prominent signs of aging – moisture loss, collagen breakdown, and free radical damage. Visit the Votre Vu site to order your Face Base set before January 31st to receive a free eye cream.

Pureology November Giveaway

Pureology's November giveaway features minis from the new Colour Stylist family of products. I personally love the blowdry cream and cuticle polisher. Visit http://pureology.com/discover/styling between now and November 30th for a chance to win one of the following minis:

Fortifying Heat Spray protective primer
Thermo-protective spray provides mild hold with Xylose Sugar. Primes and protects hair up to 400ºF when using thermal styling tools.

Anti Split Blowdry styling cream
Lightweight humidity resistant cream that provides mild hold and adds moisture and reflective shine for an effortless blow-dry.

Nourishing Nectar sculpting gel
Conditioning gel formula shapes and conditions hair with structure and shine while giving medium hold.

Cuticle Polisher shine serum
Lightweight cream-to-serum formula seals and smooths hair with intense shine and mild hold.

Strengthening Control zero dulling hairspray
Non-dulling finishing spray with a fast-drying formula that shapes hair with flexible hold and a radiant finish. Medium control with special no-water formula to protect hair color.

Sephora Friends and Family Sale

Is there anything better than a Sephora friends and family sale? This one is online only and hurry up and order your goods because it ends November 3rd at 11:59PST. Just enter code FF2010 to receive 20% off. 

How was everyone's Halloween by the way? Yours truly had a fabulous time dressing up as Snooki and painstakingly creating the perfect orange tan glow. It took my entire compact of NARS bronzer in Casino, but I think the result was well worth it. For lips I'm wearing MAC Myth lipstick and a massive dose of MAC liner in Black Russian.

Pureology October Giveaway

From now until October 31, visit: http://pureology.com/discover/styling to win one of the following Pureology styling samples:

• Pure Volume BlowDryAmplifier - An alcohol-free volumizer for color-treated hair that amplifies hair’s bounce and flexibility as you blow it dry.
  
• Pure Volume Thickening Mist - This featherlight ZeroAlcohol spray infuses hair with weightless volume, natural texture and radiant shine while keeping color brilliant.
  
• Root Lift - Build amazing volume and control with this light, clean, humidity-resistant cream spray mousse for color-treated hair. Root Lift has to be my favorite Pureology styling product; it's reached life changing status.
  
• InCharge - A working spray with thermal and color protection, delivers enhanced color vibrancy and easy brush-through with flexible, medium hold.
  
• InCharge Plus - A firm-hold finishing spray with thermal and color protection, locks in color and style all day long.

Clarins Teams with Celebrity Makeup Artist Pati Dubroff

Huge news babies - internationally-renowned makeup artist Pati Dubroff, who makes A-listers like Julianne Moore, Katherine Heigl and Naomi Watts look flawless on the red carpet, is teaming up with fab beauty brand Clarins and YOU get to take advantage. On Friday, October 22nd head over to the Clarins counter at Bloomingdales for skin care advice and makeup techniques by Ms. Dubroff herself. Plus you'll receive your choice of two limited edition palettes free with any Clarins purchase. 

When: Friday, October 22nd

11:30am-6:30pm

Where: Bloomingdales 59th St. 10000 Third Avenue, New York

Clarins Beauty Counter

You can either stop in between the designated hours or call and make an appointment (I guarantee it will be packed so call ahead!!) 212-705-2891/2892.

NeoStrata Friends and Family Sale

It's Friends and Family time over at the NeoStrata website so log on, enter code FRIENDS at checkout and enjoy 20% off! I know I'll be stocking up on the Exuviance Performance Peel AP25, which is completely life changing.

Womanity by Thierry Mugler Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

It's officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Womanity by Thierry Mugler (my fragrance du jour I might add - smells intoxicating) will donate all proceeds from the sales of the Womanity Bath and Body collection to benefit Look Good Feel Better, a free support program that helps those with cancer improve their appearance and self esteem, and manage their treatment and recovery with greater confidence. 

Please run to your nearest Bloomingdales or Nordstrom, or visit the U.S. Thierry Mugler site and scoop up the Womanity Perfumed Shower Gel ($40), Perfumed Body Milk ($45), Perfumed Body Cream ($55) or all three! Really, it's all in the name of charity here so stock up! 

I especially love that Thierry Mugler chose this particular charity to support because it's so important to help those currently undergoing treatment and survivors help to regain their confidence and femininity and to feel beautiful again. Click here to learn more about Look Good Feel Better.

20% Off Tonight Only at Bare Escentuals

Tonight only, from 5-9pm Bare Escentuals is offering 20% off all purchases! You can either stop by a BE boutique from 5-9 local time if there's one near you (click here to find one) or use code GLAMMY at BareEscentuals.com from 5-9 EDT. It's the perfect time to stock up on essentials like bareMinerals foundation, Mineral Veil, brushes (I LOVE BE's brushes), or try something fun and new. I am obsessed with Buxom Lip Polish, all the Radiance shades and the eyeshadow collections.

Pureology September Giveaway

From now until August 31 visit: http://pureology.com/discover/shampoo and win one of the following samples of Pureology shampoos, which are sulfate-free, 100% vegan and contain the exclusive Antifade Complex for max color retention. My fave formula is the Hydrate - it has a super rich, luxe lather and smells amazing.
 

Pure Volume Shampoo - This extra gentle cleanser offers extraordinary volume with brilliant color vibrancy and serious color protection. This ZeroSulfate®, non-color stripping formula volumizes while adding moisture.

Hydrate Shampoo - Pamper your hair with the award-winning, moisturizing, super-concentrated shampoo. This extra gentle, non-color stripping, ZeroSulfate®, salt-free formula enhances color brilliance and maximizes color retention.
 

SuperSmooth Shampoo - Gently cleanse and smooth unruly hair without stripping away moisture, and intensify natural shine while protecting color vibrancy with this concentrated ZeroSulfate® shampoo.
 

Essential Repair Shampoo - Renew strength and help repair and fortify against damage while protecting color vibrancy with this concentrated and gently cleansing ZeroSulfate® shampoo.

tarte Friends and Family Sale

Case of the Mondays? Why not let some goodies from tarte on the cheap get you through the day? Beginning today through August 9th everything on the tarte site is 40% off for their Friends and Family sale. Just enter code FFAUG for the discount. Plus you get free shipping on orders over $40 and a free gift. I know I'll be stocking up on lip and cheek stains and lock and roll shadows. Happy shopping!

Check Out the Wella Tour

If you're in the NYC area tomorrow make it a point to stop by the Wella Professional Color Discovery Tour event happening from 11am to 6pm at South Street Seaport, Pier 17 to be exact. You'll see a huge Wella tent - can't miss it. Upon arriving you fill out a brochure detailing your haircolor habits, and then receive a free professional consultation with a colorist from fabulous participating salons including ARROJO studio and Mark Garrison salon. 

You'll also walk away with a coupon for 25% off services from the participating salons and some free samples and goodies. Don't live in NYC? No worries, there's lots of other tour locations - check them out below:

Philadelphia
6/26 - 6/27, 11AM-6PM
Chestnut Hill on the Golden Block
8434 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118

Salons: Blue Hair Studio, Citrus Salon & Spa, Salon Thalia, Salon L'Etoile (locations Manayunk and Jenkintown), Jolie Salon and Day Spa, East End Salon, Richard Nicholas Hair Studio, Lakshmi Hair Studio

 

Washington DC
7/10 - 7/11
 

Miami
7/17 - 7/18
 

Dallas
7/24 - 7/25
 

Chicago
8/7 - 8/8
 

San Francisco
8/14 - 8/15

Los Angeles
8/20 - 8/21

Pureology Launches Monthly Sample Giveaway

While I am a huge Pureology fan, I'll admit the price can sometimes be a little out of one's budget. But, with that being said, I always say I'd rather pay $25 and up for something that works, than $5 for something that doesn't. And Pureology, my friends, is an investment of the necessary kind if you color your hair and need a high quality, sulfate-free, vegan, luxurious shampoo and conditioner that keeps hair color in tact. Looking for a way to try before you buy? You're in luck with the brand's new monthly sample giveaway program.
 

Each month, a different category of hair products will be featured on the Pureology website, beginning with Pureology hair treatments in June! 

All you have to do is visit: http://pureology.com/discover/treatments.aspx and enter to win one of the following miniature products of your choice:

    * SuperSmooth Smoothing Elixir - Reparative treatment silkens, replenishes and smoothes highly sensitized, chemically-treated hair, and intensify natural shine while protecting colour vibrancy.

    * SuperSmooth Relaxing Serum - Lightweight serum smoothes flyaways and unruly hair as you blow dry, and intensifies natural shine while protecting colour vibrancy.

    * SuperSmooth Smoothing Cream - Deep nourishing styling cream that helps control frizz and unruly volume, and intensifies natural shine while protecting colour vibrancy.

    * EssentialRepair Split End Correcting Treatment - Intensively nourish distressed hair and seal split ends while protecting colour vibrancy.  Delivers high-performance thermal protection and defense against split ends from mid-length to ends.

    * EssentialRepair Instant Repair - Reinforce distressed hair and fortify against damage while protecting colour vibrancy.  Lightweight leave-in conditioner renews strength and manageability.

    * EssentialRepair Colour Max - Fortify and help repair distressed hair while delivering extra colour protection and radiant shine.  Lightweight spray contains UV filters to help defend against colour-fading and free radical damage.

What are you waiting for? Log on and win yourself some Pureology!

Hazel & Harlow Partners with Borghese for Promotion

Designer shopping site Hazel & Harlow, which sells their own signature collection of antique, French-inspired jewelry, in addition to creations from both emerging and established designers, is partnering with luxe skin care and cosmetics line Borghese, in honor of its Fango line's 35th anniversary, for a spring beauty giveaway worth $250! 

All you have to do is click here to visit the giveaway site, enter your name and email and you're done. The giveaway ends June 1st, where a winner will be randomly selected to receive a Hazel & Harlow signature Antiqued Flower in a Frame pendant, Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face and Body, Fango Delicato Active Mud for Delicate, Dry Skin and Fango Brillante Brightening Mud Mask for Face and Body.

Also be sure to sign up for last minute sale alerts on Hazel & Harlow, where you can receive 40-50% off by visiting their twitter page here.

Sandals Vacay Sale on Rue La La!

While not exactly beauty related, I had to let you all know about the Sandals Luxury Included Resort (aka all meals, drinks and activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking are included) sale on Rue La La that starts this morning at 11am. Sandals Resorts are absolutely to DIE for, and if you're in the market for a vacay soon, (have to book between June 18th-August 31st of this year for a 3, 5, or 7-night stay) reserve one of these trips now!

Sandals Whitehouse, Jamaica

Mr. M and I actually did a 10-day Sandals trip to St. Lucia (we stayed at the Grande St. Lucian, there's three resorts, which is unfortunately not included in this sale) for our honeymoon and when all was said and done it ended up being five figures, (and that was with 65% off the regular price deal we go) which is expensive for a vacay, but so worth it. The food is stellar and so authentic whether you're eating at an Italian, French, Japanese, etc. restaurant. Also the staff is SO nice, accommodating, helpful and basically just want to make your trip as perfect as possible. We've been to Turks & Caicos and St. Lucia and the experiences were both first class all the way.

Sandals Grande Antigua

Also, in addition to the standard hotels, Sandals Resorts offer private villas with your own pool and butler, and you can add on extras (for a fee) such as private airport transfers, private candelit dinners on the beach, booze cruises, horseback riding, and a ton of other stuff. Several resorts also have golf courses on site, which are free.

If you're not a member of Rue La La, score an invite with this link. http://www.ruelala.com/invite/lrmbeauty and book your vacay now!

Limited Edition La Mer

Put the words limited edition and La Mer in the same sentence and I'm there. The ultimate luxe moisturizer just announced its fifth anniversary partnership with Oceana, the world's leading international ocean advocacy organization. To celebrate, La Mer created a 100ml limited edition World Ocean's Day blue Creme de la Mer jar and will make a $200,000 donation to Oceana.

Maybe it's the Cancer in me, but I am such a sucker for anything with an ocean scene/theme and I love the blue La Mer. This is also historic since La Mer has never altered its packaging until now. Quantities are limited; so get thee to lamer.com, or participating Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman locations to scoop yours up. Retail price is $310. An investment? Of course. But, a La Mer purchase is always justified (super concentrated, lasts forever, God's gift to moisturizers, you get the picture), especially for a lovely limited edition such as this. 

World Oceans Day
Created in 1992 and made official by the United Nations in 2009, World Oceans Day takes place annually on June 8th and is a day to recognize the sea’s importance as a vital ecosystem and take action to preserve its delicate habitats and wildlife. With over 300,000 members in 150 countries, Oceana’s science-based policies have greatly reduced over-fishing and protected threatened marine habitats.

For more information about World Oceans Day and the partnership between La Mer and Oceana, please visit www.lamer.com/oceana.

Summer Stock-Up - Be There!

When I first read about the Summer Stock-Up event courtesy of Beauty.com and AtHisBest.com I was like huh? Is this for real? This Friday, May 21st (as in tomorrow) and Saturday, May 22nd everyone who walks by the Summer Stock-Up will get a free "scoop" from a pool of beauty and grooming samples. Participating brands include Bare Escentuals, tarte, Too Faced, Stila, Oscar Blandi and many more. You can also chat one-on-one with Peter Thomas Roth and Tony Sosnick who can answer your burning beauty questions. 

The Sched:

Friday, May 21st: 8:00am – 7:00pm at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue

Peter Thomas Roth; Stila; Borghese; Zeno; BareMinerals; Caudalie; tarte; Origins; Anthony Logistics; Somme Institute; Too Faced; Korres

Saturday, May 22nd: 10:00am – 6:00pm at 13th Street and Ninth Avenue

Jane Iredale; Somme Institute; Mission; BareMinerals; Darphin; Origins; Korres; Urban Decay; Pop Beauty

Yours truly will be there on Friday since I'll already be in the nabe. If you love free stuff and beauty products, make it a point to stop by one of the days.

Happy Earth Day!

While you're getting into the Earth Day spirit and doing what you can to help the planet and green your life (today and beyond) why not treat yourself to a makeup makeover? tarte cosmetics is offering 30% off sitewide now through April 25th so you can toss those chemical-laden cosmetics and stock up on natural cosmetics that are good for you and the planet. It's a start right?

Origins Rocks Earth Month

Earth Day is technically April 22nd, but why not celebrate all month (and all year for that matter) and help out the environment any way you can. Natural beauty brand Origins is rocking out this month with its first annual free Origins Rocks Earth Month Concert in NYC. Featuring Grammy winner Macy Grey, this free event takes place at Webster Hall on 4/19. For a ticket, all you have to do is bring an empty cosmetic package to an Origins retail store in NYC, Westchester, NY or Garden State Mall, NJ. 

The first 50 Fans showing their fan status either through a print out of the Facebook page or on their smart phone at the Flatiron NYC Flagship store, will receive a concert ticket guaranteeing access +1 & 2 free drink tickets (as long as you're of age of course) Tickets are limited so be sure to get yours ASAP.

 

To further allow everyone to help out the environment this month, Origins is rolling out the Trade-In program.  On 4/22, Origins is offering customers the chance to bring an empty cosmetic container to any Origins retail store or counter (which Origins then recycle for them through their Return to Origins Recycling Program) to trade it in for a free full-sized Checks and Balances Frothy face wash ($18.50 retail value) or A Perfect World Antioxidant cleanser with White Tea ($20 retail value). Why not help the environment and score some free products at the same time?

I'm actually a fan of Origins (favorites are Oil Refiner and the new Brighter by Nature) because it's a natural brand that's good for you and the environment, but there's actual science behind the products so you know they're going to work and be efficacious at the same time. It's a win win!

Cover Girl, Secret Team with US Gymnastics for Chalk Full of Beauty

Drugstore favorite cosmetics brand COVERGIRL and my antiperspirant du jour, Secret are teaming up with USA Gymnastics and Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin for the "Chalk Full of Beauty" Sweepstakes. Starting now until May 28th, 2010, you can enter to win one of two fabulous grand prizes: a trip for two to New York City to enjoy a full weekend of beautification and relaxation, or a visit to the U.S. Women’s National Team Training Center for the opportunity to meet Nastia. If you were like me, doing cartwheels in your living room room as a kid while watching the summer Olympics, visiting the US Gymnastics team is a total dream moment.

Have no fear if you're not the lucky winner:

* 5 First Prize Winners will each receive a basket filled with selected COVERGIRL and Secret products.

* 75 Second Prize Winners will each receive a basket filled with selected COVERGIRL products.

Check out the deets below for how to enter:
Visit www.usa-gymnastics.org/chalkfullofbeauty and complete the entry form. Entries must be received by noon ET on 5/28/10. A person can use only one email address to enter. Limit one entry per email address throughout the promotion period.

Hurry and enter to win!

Broke and Pale? Head to Hollywood Tans

It's officially March and even though spring isn't quite in the air yet, you can almost feel the warm weather coming. In an effort to kick off the impending spring/summer season, participating locations of Hollywood Tans is offering a free tan on March 6th, including Mystic spray tans, which is what I'll be sampling that day. Just make sure you visit a participating location to get your free tan. You can visit the salon locator here. If you already have a membership, you get free upgrades for the month of March. Head on over to a participating location and get your glow on so you can at least feel like the warm weather's coming, even if you're staring at a foot of snow.