I AM AN AMATUER MAKE-UP ARTIST!

Hello Divas!

How was your Memorial Day weekend?  Mine was fabulous! I spent time with my family and friends and it was just lovely!

As a matter of fact, a good friend of mine, Jackie, was the keynote speaker for the 31st Annual Christian Women's Retreat and she asked me to do her make-up.  Of course I said yes because in my mind I am a celebrity make-up artist! LOL!  Jackie also has a fabulous blog entitled, after the alter call, that discusse the issues Christians face "after the alter call."  It is a great read!

Well here are the results!

She was very pleased with the results!  I went for a professional crisp look but with a little pizazz.  I really love her eyes!  I think they are the best I have ever done.

Of course I used mostly Lancome products. Why? Because they are just darn good! Specifically, I used:

Face

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Foundation in Suede 2(w)
Nars Blush in Lovejoy
Lancome Tropiques Mineral Bamboo Bronzer on top of Nars Blush and all over face.
Benefit Cosmetics Lust Duster in Nugget as a highlighter.

Eyes

Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Smooth Hold Eyeshadow: the color "Makeover," (a intense metallic pink) all over lid, "Drape" on the brow bone.  I used Lancome Tropiques Mineral Bamboo Bronzer in the crease of her lid. I also lined her bottom lashes with Lancome "Makeover" eyeshadow and used Lancome Kajal eye pencil in Gold Blaze in the inner corner of her eyes.  Of course I finished her eyes with Lancome Defencils Mascara. Classic.

Lips

Mac lip glass in Spite
Milani Easyliner in Dark Coffee

So what do you guys think?


Toodles!

Benefit Cosmetics- Dr. Feelgood Complexion Balm

For Christmas, my friend C gifted me a travel-sized Dr. Feelgood complexion balm. This travel-sized product is great for reducing shine while leaving your skin feeling smooth. It goes on clear, as you can see, it's a clear-ish, beige-ish balm, so it can be worn alone or with makeup.

Since I received this I have seen improvement with my skin during the day. I know that it works because when I don't use it, my skin gets oily esp. on my T-zone by mid-morning. With Benefit's Dr. Feelgood balm, I only have to blot my skin in the early afternoon. The travel-sized container is great to carry around in the purse or your pocket during the day.

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Cyber Monday Deals! Macy's, Aveda, Benefit Cosmetics, Avon, and More!

Hello Divas!

Happy Cyber Monday! I hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving. Mine was lovely. I finally caught up on sleep! Yeah for me!

For those of you who love to shop online, today is your day, Cyber Monday. There are tons of deals and steals to take advantage of before the clock strikes midnight. LOL! Here are a few fashion and beauty deals I thought were pretty cool:

Avon is having a mega Cyber Monday sale. Shop their online boutique and receive deep discounts on their Anew Clinical skincare line. This line has several products such as their anti-wrinkle cream and eye lift cream that was voted the Best in its category by Allure Magazine. Buy one product from this line and get the second product for $5! Woot!

Benefit Cosmetics is offering free shipping on any order until 11:59 midnight. Simply enter CYBERMON at checkout.

Aveda is offering free shipping on any order $25 or more. Plus you will receive 4 Aveda samples of your choice free! Love! Simply enter PICK4 at checkout.

Macy's is offering free shipping on any order $75 or more. The great thing about this sale is that Macy's has tons of Christmas gift ideas already deeply discounted. This is really an opportunity to rack up!

Lastly, my favorite beauty emporium, Sephora, is offering free shipping on all orders until tonight at 11:59pm. They have the best beauty brands, plus I love their holiday sets! Simply enter SHIP4FREE at checkout!

Toodles!

Benefit Endless Summer deal - Free Gift!

Free Gift (Pocket pal) with $50 purchase. Use code: POCKET50

What is Pocket Pal? It is a double-ended wand stick with clear gloss on one end and Benetint, a rosy lip or cheek stain. (Retail value of $20)

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Josie Maran in NYC Sephora stores

Josie Maran is coming to two Sephora stores this weekend on July 31 and August 1, 2009. First, she will be here at the old Times Square store on 1500 Broadway on Friday, July 31 from 9AM to 3PM. Then, she will be back on Saturday after a night out in the town (I am guessing since she is in NYC) to celebrate the grand opening of the Sephora store on 42nd Street and 7th Ave. (This is the 5 Times Sq. location) from 1pm to 7pm.

Hopefully she will be in stores for that long for a meet and greet and a picture or two. ;)

Beauty Insiders, check your emails to get a free tote ...


with any purchase at the new Sephora store opening on July 31..

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Free Sample of Benefit Crescent Row at Sephora

Preview Benefit's new Crescent Row fragrances in this adorable set with any Sephora purchase. To get your free sample, use code: CRESCENT.

Enjoy!

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Banana Republic & Benefit Cosmetics presents City Sounds Tour- February 26, 2009

On February 26, join Banana Republic and Benefit Cosmetics for a night of fun, fashion and beauty. Check out: http://bananarepublic.p.delivery.net/m/p/bna/lux/rsvp/index.asp
to RSVP at a select Banana Republic store near you!

You will get 30% off the Spring line, get makeup tips from Benefit makeup artists and also get a limited edition gift bag, while supplies last!



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Valentine's Day Must Haves!

Hello Divas!

Happy Pre-Valentine's Day! Ladies I know most of you are getting ready for the big day! Today I am going to the hair and nail salon! Whoohoo! In celebration of this all important holiday, here a few must haves every Diva should have on Valentine's Day! Enjoy!

1. A sexy seductive hot scent. Personally I love Tom Ford's Black Orchid or Lancome's Magnifique. Wear either scent and I promise he will give you kisses all night!

2. False Eyelashes. Valentine's Day is a special night so go for the dramatic. False eyelashes will give you a sexy look and you can continually bat those babies over a candlelit dinner. My personal favorites are Revlon's Fantasy Lengths Eyelashes. The flirty lashes in this product line are outstanding! They are so easy to apply and a breeze to remove.

3. Luminous skin. To achieve a beautiful natural glow use Benefit Cosmetics Lust Duster Shimmer Powder in Nugget. You can mix this powder with your facial moisturizer for an all over glow. Also you can mix it with your body moisturizer and apply it to your collar bone and decolletege. In addition, use coconut oil for a full body sheen.

4. Chocolates. Whether you are a Godiva or Hersey's fan, chocolates are a must! For the past 3 years, I have had chocolate-covered fortune cookies. I purchase Emily's Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookies from.....CVS! The chocolate is so rich and creamy and they come in the cutest Valentine's Day box. They retail for $5! A MUST MUST HAVE. They are so yummy!

5. Champagne. This is not the day to go for the cheap stuff. My Valentine's Day tradition includes a bottle of Moet's Nectar Imperial. It is a better quality than their White Star version and it is so delish! The hints of peach are very strong. Mmmmmm!


Toodles!

Fun Fridays! Beauty Rest and Benefit Cosmetics Sale

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having an outstanding Friday! Divas today I must confess that I am exhausted! I had a very stressful demanding week. So I am taking the day off to get some beauty rest. As I was told by Jackie Silver of AgingBackwards, the best defense against aging and particularly puffy or baggy eyes is proper sleep and rest. Do you ever wonder why after a vacation, under eye bags disappear and your wrinkles appear less visible? Because you allowed yourself to relax and get much needed rest. So ladies we all need to make a commitment to get at least 8 hours of sleep in 09. I am going to start with 6 hours and work my way up. lol!


Also Benefit Cosmetics is having an additional 15% off sale on select items. As you guys know, I am a HUGE fan of Benefit Cosmetics! So I urge you to take advantage of their sale and get some of their must have items! Just enter Enter code JANUSALE at checkout. Offer valid 1.9.09 thru 1.12.09.

Toodles!

Achieve a "Dewy Glow" with Benefit Cosmetics' Moon Beam Highlighter!

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is filled with sunshine and happiness. It has been raining in Atlanta for 4 days now. Hopefully the sun will break today. As I mentioned before a good girlfriend of mine gave me a box of Benefit Cosmetics as a Christmas gift. I am loving all of the products I received! Benefit's Moon Beam Highlighter is one of the products I received and it is fabulous! This highlighter can be applied on top of makeup for a nice pop to your overall look or you can mix it with your moisturizer for an all over glow. I have used the product both ways (as suggested by Benefit Cosmetics) and I am very pleased. First I love the packaging. This highlighter comes in a nail polish like bottle. You simply dip the brush in the product and apply to your face or you can apply it to your fingers and then blend it in. In addition, the golden-pink color of this highlighter is perfect for my skin tone. My absolute favorite way to wear this product is all over my face to achieve a nice dewy glow. It is the perfect alternative to wearing foundation. I love the way it makes my skin look. Glowing and perfectly balanced. My hubby really likes this look, which is saying a lot because he does not like makeup! Benefit's Moon Beam Highlighter retails for $24 and you can purchase it online here or at any Sephora.

Toodles!

New Year's Eve! Look Radiant with Benefit Cosmetics' Lust Duster Shimmer Powder

Hello Divas!

It is New Year's Eve! Whoohoo! How are you going to spend your New Year's Eve? I am going to spend it at home with the hubby and kids. However, a champagne toast will be had! lol! When I was kid free, I always went out for New Year's Eve and I had to look fabulous! So for you beautiful Divas who will party it up tonight, I recommend that you use Benefit Cosmetics Lust Duster Shimmer Powder. This shimmer powder will give you a radiant glow that will last until the wee hours of the morning. I love this product! Lust Dusters are loose shimmering powders that come in 10 different shades. You can use them on your eyes, cheeks, or all over to give your face a fantastic sheen. If I were going out tonight and had on a strapless or low cut dress, I would also use this powder on my collar bone and decolletege. I am currently using the Lust Duster powder in Nugget. It is a nice champagne color that I believe looks great on any skin tone. Plus the glimmer is insane! You only have to use a tiny bit of this product to achieve a fabulous glow! This powder is also great for everyday use. I use it on my cheeks and brow bone as a highlighter. Also I use it as a eyeliner and as an all over lid eyeshadow. It definitely "wakes up" your eyes. Lust Dusters retail for $18 and you can purchase them online here or at any Sephora.

Have a Great New Year's Eve!

Toodles!

Benefit Cosmetics: The Gloss!

Hello Divas!

I hope your weekend was fabulous! This weekend my best girlfriends and I had our annual Christmas get together and it was so much fun! One of my friends, who is a true beauty junkie like me, gave me a really sweet gift...a box of Benefit Cosmetics! Woot! I love Benefit Cosmetics! I love the packaging, the creative product names, and the quality of the products. The eye bright pencil is a must have! Well in this box I received The Gloss. The Gloss is a super moisturizing lip gloss that has tons of shine. I have been wanting to try The Gloss for awhile, so you can imagine my excitement! This lip gloss does live up to the hype. The shine is insane plus it smells like apricot! The Gloss comes in 8 versatile shades. I have the shade Curfew and it looks great with my MAC Chesnut lip pencil! The Gloss retails for $16 and you can purchase it online here or at any Sephora.

Tune in tomorrow for a list of fantastic last minute beauty gifts for $20 and less!

Toodles!