Givenchy Giveaway at Beauty Maverick

The Beauty Maverick is having a contest to celebrate the holidays. Up for grabs is wonderful assortment of beauty products, courtesy of Givenchy.

Included in the prize:

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara -A revolutionary new mascara that combines a distinctive applicator with a unique, highly-pigmented formula. Givenchy's innovative spherical brush works to coat each and every lash, ensuring the fullest possible fringe, whilst their strengthening formula glides on to separate, curl and fortify lashes with every stroke.

Givenchy Rouge Interdit Shine - Providing more shine than a lipstick, and more color than gloss, this unique creation leaves lips soft and gleaming. Included are both Nude Shine (shimmering beige pink) and Rose Shine (shimmering raspberry).

Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal in Plum by Night -A shimmering, blueberry-tinted gloss, heightened with mother-of-pearl particles in pink and white.

Givenchy Radically No Surgetics Night Cream -This plush cream covertly attacks dark spots while you sleep, eradicating them with a double-pronged attack— antioxidant boldine, to thwart the enzyme that riggers melanin production, and licorice root extract to inhibit this enzyme's active form. The result is a more evenly toned and glowing complexion.

Get your entry in before January 2nd, 2009! Click here to enter.

Time to Clean out the Makeup

After each winter holiday season, I place my newest makeup on the top of my makeup bag. I slowly shift the older makeup to my larger, back-up bag. Soon, I am only using my small bag and the older makeup is forgotten, like an old friend you never call.

My poor MAC, Bobbi and Chanel. No attention and no love.

This year, I vow to organize my makeup better so that I don't forget those older items that still work for me and are still fresh. I will also recycle the old! Don't forget that MAC cosmetics has a recyclying program in which you can earn a free lipstick, in the shade of your choice. Check out their website for more information at http://www.maccosmetics.com/.

Does Your Makeup Need a New Year Makeover?

It may be time to give your product stash the update it needs

Is your cosmetics bag overflowing with dried-out mascaras, cracked eye shadows and a tube of lipstick from 2002? If so, it may be in need of an overhaul. Take this quiz to find out how much TLC it needs. Take the quiz

Dame Edna for MAC

Check out the new line from MAC cosmetics. Dame Edna is the newest spokesperson. MAC never ceases to amaze or shock with their ad campaigns.

The colors are great in this after-holiday collection which is now available in stores.

Here are some samples:

Nars Shadow

Thank you Todd! Review to come soon......

Cracked Hands are not Flattering

Living in Arizona, we reap the benefits of the great weather this time of year. When most people are knee deep in snow, we are wearing shorts and playing at the park. But, there are downfalls to living in the desert. One of the downfalls is DRY skin! How many times this year have I had bloody knuckles or cracked skin? It's downright embarassing. I was so happy to see this article from Total Beauty regarding hand creams.

Hand Cream Showdown

Find out which top hand hydrators our testers found desk drawer-worthy

Dry winter air making your hands all chapped and gross-looking? Join the club. Battle the dryness with one of these proven hand creams, your fingers will thank you. View creams

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

I have to admit that I was a little resistant when I heard Pantene's claims that this shampoo could make your hair healthier and therefore grow quickly.

But, I am desperate for length. My hair just won't grow! I continue to get it trimmed and the ends keep breaking due to the straightening iron. This year I resolve to not use the straightening iron as often, use less harsh hair colors and try to resist the urge to blow dry each day. I vow to have long hair again!!

I have been using the shampoo and conditioner, Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths, for a week now and I am quite pleased. The shampoo seems to lather like an expensive brand and the conditioner seems to make my hair feel more moisturized.

Pantene has this to say about their product:

**Advanced Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Shampoo and Conditioner System is specially designed with Aquacurrent Science, which directs the movement of moisture and provides strength against damage to help you grow your hair longer*

As a bonus, they say that a portion of the proceeds from every bottle will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a program that creates real hair wigs for women fighting cancer. What could be better than that?

The next thing I wanted to tell you is that it is currently on sale at TARGET through Saturday. 3 for $10!

Ok- So what shampoo do you use? Do you swear it makes your hair healthier?

Check out your Eyebrows

Have you ever left for a party in a rush and then checked your makeup in the car mirror? OH MY GOSH!!! Check out my eyebrows and stray hairs! Yeah, not good. No tweezers in sight.

Well, for 2009, make a resolution. Keep up on your eyebrows once a week. Pick a time when everyone will leave you alone and dedicate those five minutes to yourself to pluck away. Secondly, buy a $2.00 pair of tweezers and stash them in your vehicle. You never know when you will have an eyebrow emergency!

Celebrity Eyebrow Makeovers

From pencil-thin to insanely bushy, see how stars like Madonna, Tyra Banks and Mariah Carey have tamed their unruly brows

Brows hold center stage in the beauty world. Why? Because they can make an amazing difference in how you look. Check out our gallery to see the improvements your favorite celebrities have made to their brows over the years and decide if you should step up your brow maintenance. Even if you have to lay off the tweezers for weeks ... it's worth it. See eyebrows

Benefit on Sale today!

Today Only! 20% off any order at Benefit. They have the cutest things on clearance too! Check out this adorable bathina shower cap. The clearnace section is under the tab called "Buh-Buys". Happy Shopping!

Click on the picture below to view larger:

Win a set of Karmin Titanium Hair Irons!

This awesome beauty could be yours! Just head over to the Beauty Blog, Puckered and enter by the end of January 2009. They have teamed up with myhairstylingtools.com to bring you this great competition! The winning prize is a set of Karmin Titanium Hair Irons valued at $99.99!

Click on the link below to head over to Puckered:

http://puckered.blogspot.com/2008/12/win-win-win-karmin-titanium-hair-irons.html

Need a Party Hairdo?

Hot Hairstyle Trend: Buns

From messy to super-sleek, these looks put a new twist on tradition

When celebs need a quick way to complement their red-carpet ensembles, the smart girls go for the bun. We can follow their lead whether we're going to the office party or just running errands around town. This guide has looks that cover it all. Best buns

Ps: I love my Dirt

I tried the Jonathan Spray Dirt on dry and wet hair and I love it. Basically, the dirt makes your clean hair feel like you haven't washed it in two days, minus the grime. It creates texture to your hair so the curls stay and separate.

I am still going to experiment more with the Dirt and I will try to post some pictures. I would never tell someone to go buy $28 of Dirt from a man in LA named Jonathan without proving it worked!

Now, go make your own dirt with your hair products. I am going to bed.

Don't put Chocolate Mints on your Scalp

Therafuse makes this great intense hair repair. It smells just like Andes Chocolate mints. The problem is, the menthel in the formula burns your scalp...a lot! Then after leaving it on my hair in the shower and rinsing, my hair did not feel softer at all. It actually felt course.

I will use it until it runs out due to the brand quality and the high price I paid (waste not, want not) but I would not recommend it. I will try other Thermafuse products though. I was happy with the shampoo and my stylist loves the line.

Info from their site: http://www.thermafuse.com/intense.htm

Overstressed hair?
ThermaFuse it - with the infusion of hydrolyzed proteins in this deep conditioning treatment.

Why It's Hot
Everyone needs a little therapy. Replenish what your hair is missing with this weekly deep-penetrating protein treatment. Bring damaged hair back to life while improving its elasticity, tensile strength and health. Salud!

Size Availability
6.8oz

Is your Nail Salon Safe?

Is Your Nail Salon Safe?

Before you go barefoot, check for these healthy-pampering-place clues

Manicures and Pedicures are a great way to relax and pamper yourself - but it can actually be dangerous if your salon is unsanitary. This guide will help you know what to look for and what to run screaming from. Read the signs

I bought more Dirt

Jonathan has a new product out called Spray Dirt. I am a major fan of his Dirt and his Silky Dirt. Tomorrow I will share my results! I got mine at ULTA where they carry the entire line. So, please excuse me while I have a date with Jonny and my curling iron!

PS: Bridgett asked me where I got my Sorbie deep conditioning treatment. I braved the mall with two toddlers and found it! They have it at Shear Performance. It turns out my brother has curly hair like mine so I might buy him some for Christmas. Then I can get a man's perspective too!

Eye Creams

This past weekend I saw a friend that I haven't seen since college. She told me that I looked exactly the same as I did in college and just as young. Well, first off, I am about 15 lbs less and secondly, I have more eye wrinkles! In 2009, my goal is to find out more about preventing those fine lines. I know about sunscreen but what else can one do? Quiz: Is Your Eye Cream a Rip-Off?

Pinpoint the right ingredients for dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles

Eye creams aren't exactly cheap, so if you're going to use one you want it to work, right? Find the perfect eye cream (that will actually give you results) with this quiz and stop wasting money on sub-par creams. Take the quiz

Holiday Tipping

The folks from Total Beauty have some tips for you on tipping your favorite beauty service providers. Check it out! Holiday Tipping Cheat Sheet

Is it essential to give a little extra to your hairstylist, manicurist and other beauty service providers? Read on to find out

This year, we're all feeling the money crunch and this tipping guide takes that into consideration -- so don't stress. The bottom line is our hairstylists, manicurists, massage therapists, etc., work hard for us and deserve some thanks during the holiday season. Read on to see how much is appropriate to tip and creative alternatives to say 'thanks" to your beauty gurus. See tip guide

Bobbi Brown Friends and Family Discount

NOW EXTRENDED THROUGH DECEMBER 4TH

Enjoy 20% off your order plus free shipping! You can also feel good about this purchase since proceeds from your purchase will help support Dress for Success.

Enter code BFF08A at Checkout. Click here to start shopping!

Legal Mumbo Jumbo: *Offer code required for 20% off and free standard shipping valid only on Bobbibrown.com through December 4, 2008 (midnight ET). Offer may not be used in combination with any other offer or discounts. Offer applies to merchandise purchases only. Offer is not applicable to the purchase of eGift Certificates, pending purchases made prior to December 2, 2008 or after December 4, 2008.

Best Eyeliners Under $10

Check out this article on Total Beauty! Which is the best eyeliner under $10? They took reviews from Total Beauty members and now they are showing you which brands won. Check out the article here.

L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise Collagen Remodeler

I am in love with most L'Oreal products as you may know, so trying this lotion was pretty natural for me. I have to admit though, I didn't see any visible results after using it for almost 3 weeks.

The lotion comes in a pump dispenser, so it is easy to use, mess-free and has no noticeable scent. The lotion is very light, so you feel like you have moisturizer on but not enough. I resisted the urge to add another lotion so I could really see the results. Unfortunately, the results never came in my case.

This moisturizer is supposed to restore volume to collagen diminished skin and redefine facial contours. Using this lotion won't hurt, but I don't think it will help.

At the price of $19.99 for a 1.7 fl oz pump, I will pass next time.

Ugg..I don't know!

I admit it, I hated the UGG trend too. I hated seeing Pamela Anderson in a mini with Uggs walking in LA in the 83 degree weather. I hated seeing all the stars on their movie sets wearing UGGs and their white fluffy robes.

Until one day, when I saw a pair in real life. I slipped them onto my sore, aching feet and POW. I got ugged. It was a sweet sensation. Then I dreamt of all the places I could wear them and get away with it: to work on weekends, to the grocery store up the street, to pick up my kids at school, to run to my mom's house, on an airplane, in the ski lodge, to run to Blockbuster, to run to get the mail (the Spackmans might be out), to run to the post office.

Then my list got longer: to run to Target, to run to work on a weekday to check something. Oh, heck....I could wear them ANYWHERE! I then looked at the price tag and jumped back down to reality. Another year without Uggs. Poor me.

Then, someone VERY sweet and wonderful told me that I should ask for them this year from Santa. And that person just might be the real Santa in my life.

Sooooooo, if you see Moody walking around town in some Uggs, you better not make fun of me. You better just understand that I have waited 4 years for Uggs to become boring and normal, so that I, too, can look like Pamela Anderson. Minus the "top" of course.

Thank you Santa. I believe!

Vanilla Bean Noel is Back!

On of my favorite times of the winter is when Bath and Body Works get their holiday collection on the shelves! My very favorite is the Vanilla Bean Noel. It comes in body splash, body lotion, body cream, antibaterial soap, and glittering shower gel. I love it all!

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/