Breast Cancer Awareness: Marilyn Minter Bag

Okay, I know that I'm getting a little carried away with my love of Breast Cancer Awareness month, but there are so many products that support the cause!

Right now, I'm in love with Intermix's exclusive Marilyn Minter Bright Pink Tote. The bag is printed with a still from Minter's art film, Green Pink Caviar. A percentage of the proceeds benefit Bright Pink, a national non-profit organization that focuses on empowering high risk women to take care of their breast and ovarian health.

You can pick up the bag for $48.

Drugstore Beauty Bargain: Hair Shimmer Spray

While I'm usually a huge fan of any and all Frederic Fekkai products, I was not very impressed with their new Golden Shimmer Gelée Mist. It did seem to make my hair shiny, but it lacked the overall shimmer effect that I was expecting. At $20 a pop, the spray is a bit overrated.

For under $7, you can get Herbal Essences Shimmery Nights Shimmer Spray Gel which does basically the same thing only it also gives your hair some holding power. I also felt that is delivered more shimmer and made my hair look healthier.

Save your money, ladies!

Boyfriend Blazer Without the Bulk

One look that I'm currently loving is the boyfriend blazer. There's just something so incredibly chic about throwing on a slightly oversized blazer with something fitted (like skinny jeans, or a well-tailored shift dress). I love pairing them with flirty skirts to toughen up the overall look.

Guess' Mary Jane blazer fits the bill. It's cut just right to look like it fits, but not overly so. You could have borrowed this jacket from your main squeeze, but it doesn't look bulky enough for that to actually be the case.

The blazer is sheer, so you won't get any of the extra weight that comes with wearing a big comfy jacket.

Currently, the blazer is on sale for $79.99. It's a little pricey, but this is a piece that you'll be able to get a lot of wear out of.

Clinique Gift With Purchase at Macy's!

Okay, how cute is Clinique's fall gift with purchase for Macy's??!!?  I'm mainly obsessed with the cosmetic bags--the apples are such a cute idea.  I LOVE the smaller apple case.  And of course, all the products that come with the set are also good.  Here's what's included:

• Clinique Color Palette (with Color Surge Eyeshadow Duo in Butter Pecan and Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Sunset Glow)
• Lash Doubling Mascara in Black
• Different Lipstick in Spiced Apple
• 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula
• Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
• Two Cosmetic bags (in your choice of green or red)

Product-wise, there's nothing too spectacular.  All the products work really well, and their small size makes them ideal for traveling or throwing in your purse.

The Set  is free with any $21.50 Clinique purchase and is available until October 25th.

Huge Lips Skinny Hips

Oh. My. God. It has finally happened. There is now a lip gloss that not only plumps your lips, but also makes you skinny. I'm freaking out a little here.

Apparently, Huge Lips Skinny Hips is THE multi-tasking lip gloss. It sounds too good to be true, and I haven't tried it yet, but this gloss is definitely on my shopping list. The lip gloss is smooth and non-sticky. It contains lemon peel oil to plump (without the annoying sting that most plumpers contain). It smells orange-y and yummy, and also contains Hoodia, all-natural appetite suppressant.

Thoughts? Has anyone tried this? If it works, I think I may have found my new fave gloss!

Tutorial: How To Apply Concealer

Applying concealer can be pretty tricky. Everyone wants a flawless face, but getting it involves a bit of work.

Start out with a clean canvas. By this, I mean wash your face with a creamy cleanser. You can even use a face wipe. Boots No7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes are good and you can get them at any drugstore. Apply a light moisturizer like Dove's Day Lotion. Hydrated skin is the easiest to work with. If you have severe dry skin (like me), use something a little thicker and creamier like Lierac's Anti-Aging Hydration Extreme Balm. The thicker the moisturizer, the longer you should wait before applying makeup. This shouldn't take longer than 5 minutes.

Faux-Vintage Pumps

Grey pumps are an unexpected fall must-have. They go with everything from jeans to a cocktail dress and the neutral color is flattering with all the fall jewel tones.

Merona's Reta Platform Pumps are comfy and stylish. At a mere $32.99, the shoes are a bargain and a half (cheesy, I know). I think they look much more expensive than they are.

I love the contrast of the suede and the faux patent. Mixing textures is big this season, and the T-strap look is most definitely vintage inspired.

This is a pair of pumps that will most likely never go out of style and should be a staple in your shoe wardrobe.

A Reusable Bag That Tells it Like it is...

I'm all about saving the planet. And what better way to do so than to use a reusable bag to carry your groceries? There are some cute options out there. My personal favorite is Wishing Fish's Better Than You Shopping Tote.

The bag's got a bit of sass, which I obviously love. How can you not want a bag that literally reads, "my reusable bag makes me better than you"? Not only are you making the world a better place by carrying the bag, you're also throwing it in everyone's face.

The tote is about $8. Not bad for a bag that'll make everyone look twice. And you know that you're better than everyone else. Why not show it?

Global Goddess 60% off!

The Fairest is quickly becoming my new BFF. For the next two days, they're selling Global Goddess cosmetics for 60% off.

I was basically salivating as I scrolled through the page. The lip glosses are marked down to under $7. They look so pearly and pigmented and I can't wait to try them.

The Goddess Glow powder pictured is $13. The pretty compact alone is well worth it.

I'm a little ashamed to say that I haven't actually heard of the brand before now. But no better time to try it than when a sale's going on!

Cash For Clunkers at Sephora

Until October 12 (that's Monday, ladies!), Sephora is giving $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. All you have to do is bring 5 unwanted beauty items into any U.S. Sephora store and trade them for up to $10 off. This is only available in stores, since you need to physically bring in unwanted products.

You also need to bring in this barcode, so print this out:

It's a pretty good deal. And I know that I for one have a TON of used makeup that I'd gladly trade in.

**Offer valid now through October 12, 2009, at 11:59 PM PST. This is a one-time-use-only promotion valid for $10 USD off one merchandise shopping transaction of $50 USD or more. Offer may not be applied toward previous purchases, eGift certificates, gift cards, shipping, taxes, or with any other Sephora promotion. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Not transferable or valid for resale. Valid in U.S. Sephora stores only. Not valid in Canada, Sephora inside JCPenney, or on sephora.com. Sephora employees are not eligible for promotion. Sephora reserves the right to end or change this promotional offer at any time. To redeem in stores: this barcode (left) must be handed in at time of purchase. Sephora reserves the right to end or change this promotional offer at any time.**

Man Mishap: The Unibrow

I don't know why there are still men out there who do not feel the need to tame their unibrow. Living in New Hampshire, I constantly am subjected to seeing unfortunate looking dudes sporting solo-brows. And I am not pleased.

How can you look in the mirror and think that this is okay? It's so sad because if these guys took the time to fix their hair-ibble (har har har) problem, they would immediately gain about 10 points in the looks department.

While I'm generally not a fan of men taking tons of time to beautify themselves, I do feel that ridding their face of unwanted hair is something that simply must be done. Rather than spending the time painfully waxing your brow, or plucking, I suggest a much easier hair removal method: shaving. Why not just make one quick swipe between your eyebrows while you're shaving the rest of your face in the morning? It takes barely any time and the result is that girls will actually like you and stop puking everytime they see you.

No one should choose to look like Bert from Sesame Street.

Today Only: Aerosoles Sale!

Have you tried Aerosoles shoes? I'm in love with 'em. For some reason, the brand has a connotation of being simple, comfy shoes for work--which usually means ugly. Once you actually look at some of the shoes they have though, it's easy to see that there are tons of adorable pairs.

6pm.com is having a one-day sale of Aerosole shoes. Most pairs are around $20, which is a huge deal since they usually run anywhere from $45-$130.

My two fave pairs are the Sweet Part shoes (pictured) and the Whisper flats. Both look extremely comfortable yet stylish. I love the Sweet Part pair a bunch--the vintage-y t-strap look is fabulous right now.

Hop over a buy a pair or two (or a dozen) before it's too late!

Breast Cancer Awareness: Beauty For the Cure

Have I mentioned how much I love October? Aside from all the gorgeous foliage in lovely New England, I'm a huge fan of all the great products that are coming out for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

My new find is Bobbi Brown's Pink Ribbon collection. For $40, you get two super pretty lip products: Blush Pink Creamy Lip Color and a limited-edition Pink Crystal Glitter Lip Balm. The lip balm color looks gorgeous on. It's everything a pink lip balm should be--shimmery, hydrating and flattering on all gals.

For this month only, the set ships for free as a thank you for the support.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Think Pink

I love Tarte's cosmetics. Everything I've ever tried from them has been phenomenal. For the month of October, Tarte is donating 20% of all proceeds from their Think Pink collection to the Young Survival Coalition (a support network for women under 40 with breast cancer).

All of the products look fabulous. As a thank you for your support, get Tarte is offering a free pink go dutch clutch with every purchase of $40 or more from the Think Pink Natural Collection. USE CODE: PinkOct9. The clutch is so cute and is $22 on it's own.

Fusion Sale!!!

For the next two days, The Fairest is selling Fusion products at up to 70% off!!! Eeee!!! I'm so tickled by this.

Fusion products are amazing. I'm in love with their lip plumpers, especially BlingFusion, a sheer red color with a bedazzled cap. That's going for $19 now (it's usually $50!!) Even though $19 may still seem steep for a lip gloss, I'm telling you right now that this one will change your life. It's the perfect shade for going out and the candy apple red color is flattering on nearly all skintones.

But all their products are superb. This sale is a great way to try them out, or to stock up!

Bigger is Better

I've always been a huge fan of Maybelline's Great Lash mascara. The formula is great and the price can't be beat. I'd even go as far as saying that it is the best mascara you can find in drugstores.

My only complaint would have to be the brush. It isn't very full, so applying the mascara can be tricky. It requires a few coats and for some reason the brush is just prone to clumping. I finally started using my own disposable mascara brushes whenever I wanted to use the mascara simply because it ended up looking better.

Well, it looks like Maybelline has figured out a way to fix this. Great Lash Big Mascara has a huge brush that deposits just the right amount of mascara in one or two coats. I found that it was easier to apply and even added more volume to my lashes. I'll definitely keep this mascara around for a while.

The best part is that it retails at $5.99!

Breast Cancer Awareness: It's Back! OPI Pink of Hearts Nail Lacquer

One of my fave OPI shades is back! Pink of Hearts is my go-to pink polish. It's a very sheer cherry blossom light pink that is flattering on all skin tones.

It's a great color to wear year round and I've found that it lasts longer than any other polish I've tried.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, OPI will make a donatoin of $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Each bottle retails at $8.50.

Pixi Sale at The Fairest!

Oh boy. If you know me at all, then you know that I am obsessed with Pixi makeup products. Their eye shadows blend amazingly well, their lip glosses are gorgeous, and everything in between is absolutely superb.

My new fave discount site, The Fairest, is currently selling oodles of Pixi items for 60% off!! Squeals of delight are emerging from me!! Unfortunately, the sale is only for the next two days so you've got to act quickly. Stock up, ladies!

The lip palette pictured is only $11.20. I mean, come on. This is a sale that is too good to pass up.

Tutorial: How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner

Applying liquid eyeliner can be quite the hassle. It's tricky to do and very easy to mess up. But when done correctly, liquid liner can look sleek and gorgeous. It can also give you and old Hollywood look, which I find is great for parties.

Here's how I tend to apply this tricky product:

Start out with a good base. I like to apply a thin layer of concealer to the lid and a light shimmery shadow. Then, gently pull on the outer corner of the eye. This creates a flat surface for the liquid liner to adhere to, which makes for a flawless line. Begin lining from the inner corner out, thickening the line as you go.



Next, I like to take a pencil liner in the same color and smooth out the line. The result is still sharp and classic, but you can fix any mistakes you've made. Also use the pencil to line your lower lid--just on the outer corner.

Finally, apply two coats of mascara and you're good to go!



My personal fave liquid liner is Revlon's ColorStay Liner Liquid Eye Makeup in Black Brown. It's dark enough to add some drama, yet isn't too bold for my fair skin.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Great Skin for a Great Cause

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I'm pretty passionate about this cause and luckily there are ways to help out that also involve looking gorgeous!

For a limited time, Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is donating $10 per bottle sold to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This product is actually a staple of mine. This is a great moisturizer to use daily. I love applying it before I put on my makeup as it hydrates and leaves the skin with a smooth canvas for color. My skin is crazily sensitive and I've had no problems with the formula irritating it.

This limited-edition bottle also comes with a super cute pink bracelet with two charms (and it's pink! how can you beat that?!)

Clinique is also selling this adorable keychain with three Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 minis attached.

The moisturizer retails at $35 and the keychain is $18.50.