Holiday Gift Guide: Soap & Glory Cube Set

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2011 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift-worthy items for everyone on your list, check out my other offerings.

This is a BARGAIN, you guys.

The Soap & Glory You Cube Set is packed with the Brit brand's most glorious bath and body products in easy-to-tote sizes. Ideal for the frequent flyer in your lifestyle or anyone who likes to test-drive a myriad of beauty delights without commitment. At $25, it comes packaged in an adorable cube and includes everything you need to get so fresh and so clean, wherever you may land.

This set contains:

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The $3 Skin Care Item I'm Loving.

My mother is in her mid-60s and looks about 20 years younger. Her face has NOT ONE LINE. Her fabulous complexion is the result of staying out of the sun (ALWAYS--I’ve never seen her on a beach without SPF 50+ and a huge floppy mom hat), genes and 20 plus years of cleansing with a super inexpensive soap.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Les Essentiels: Le Regard Noir

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2011 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift-worthy items for everyone on your list, check out my other offerings.

The Chanel Les Essentiels: Le Regard Noir (translated from French: the black gaze!) is a luxe must for any gal's growing makeup collection. It contains all you need to giveth and then taketh away a fly smoky eye.

It contains: LES 4 OMBRES Quadra Eye Shadow in Smoky Eyes, STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ebène, INIMITABLE INTENSE Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel Sophistiqué in Noir and a mini DÉMAQUILLANT YEUX INTENSE Gentle Bi-phase Eye Makeup Remover; all in a signature Chanel makeup bag with snowflake charm.So simple, so useful, so chic.

One alluring dusky lid concept coming right up.

The Chanel Les Essentiels: Le Regard Noir retails for $115 at chanel.com.

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Beauty Bootcamp: Raychel Wade's Upcoming Makeup Workshop

La Prairie Colour Ambassador and makeup maven extraordinaire Raychel Wade is hosting a two-day intensive makeup workshop. Raychel Wade will lead you through  extensive hands-on makeup application training. Topics covered will include bridal, day & night, lash application, blending, contour, brush education, brow shaping color theory and more. Day three will be dedicated to building your kit with Raychel and the highly ranked team at the M·A·C PRO store in NYC.

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Marni Collaborates With H&M!

If you feel like we were just discussing the Versace/H&M collabo, that's because we were.

Howevs, it was just announced that the next designer to collaborate with H&M was announced this morning--and it's Marni!

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Express Launches Beauty Products

Credit: BellaSugar

I don't know about you, but my preteen years were about four things, namely, Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers, French braids (pretty sure that kicked off a lifelong belief that EVERYTHING French was better, given the logic of The Braid), The State and Express.

BellaSugar reports that the company has just begun selling a few cosmetic items: a limited-edition Shimmer Body Powder ($30), Love and Cheers lip gloss trio ($17), and its Love Express scent ($16 to $60), a blend of lily of the valley, vanilla musk, and tiare blossom. The selection is relatively small so far, but expect to see the line expand with each new season.

What do you think? Will you be purchasing anything from the line?

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Holiday Gift Guide: Limited Edition Dove Winter Care Body Wash

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2011 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift-worthy items for everyone on your list, check out my other offerings.

 This year, I'm committed to offering you gals fabulous finds for under $10 and this new Winter Care Body Wash by Dove is not only dressed up in a charming winter wonderland-adorned bottle, that which it contains is enriched with natural oils and creams to fight against flaky, moisture-deprived areas.

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More Breaking Dawn Skin Care Used On Kristen Stewart

Ohai Twi fans!


Just got word that Kristen Stewart’s Twilight makeup artist, Stacey Panepinto used SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($144) and Daily Moisture ($59) (two of my go-to skin care items) to balance and moisturize Kristen Stewart’s skin on the set of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. She also used SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque after Kristen’s makeup was removed.

Tip: Drop a drop of the Hydrating B5 Masque into your mascara to keep it from drying out.

Pick up all three at skinceuticals.com.

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Felicity Jones Is The New Face of Dolce & Gabbana Make Up

Dolce&Gabbana The Make Up unveils its newest face: Felicity Jones, the rising British acting talent. She'll be joining Scarlett Johansson in representing the line.

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Gaga's Workshop Nail Tips By Kiss

I'll never forget interviewing Deborah Lippmann after she'd done Lady Gaga's nails for the VMAs in 2010 (when she hatched from an EGG) and Deborah talked about how Gaga wanted a false tip on top of another, like a host/parasite nail. I think its pretty safe to say that Lady Gaga is a nail icon, so it doesn't come as a surprise that Gaga teamed up with KISS Nails to release four sets of limited edition press on nails. They are limited for the holidays at Gaga’s Workshop at Barneys NY, and go for $45 a pop. I think it's also safe to say this must be the first time false nails have EVER graced the hallowed aisles of Barney's. Here are the different options:

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tarte Cyber Monday Deals

Save today at tarte.com!

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More Cyber Monday Coupons

Guys, here are a whole mess of Cyber Monday deals! Get involved and let me know what you caved on.

Kohls Cyber Saving Days: 20% Off Sitewide + Free Shipping no min. + Redeem your Kohls Cash for an even deeper discount. Promo code: CYBER20. Hurry! Ends tonight.

30% Off at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athelta. Coupon code: HUGECYBER. Hurry, ends tonight!


10% Off $50, 15% Off $75, 20% Off $100, 25% Off $125 purchase + Free Shipping at DisneyStore.com! Coupon code: CYBER. Offer ends tonight!


Macy's Huge Cyber Monday Sale: Up to 70% Off + An Additional 25-40% Off Clearnance items at macys.com + Free Shipping on $75 with code CYBER or $10 Off $75 with Code XJW562A992. Only one code allowed at check out. Ends 11/28


Free Shipping On Orders of $49 Or More at Kmart.com. Coupon code: HOLIDAY. Valid Through 12/19/11


Shop Cyber Monday Deals at Target.com and get Free Shipping with Red Card and on Orders of $50+


Sony Store USA Cyber Monday - Best VAIO deals of the Year - Starting at just $399.99

Barnes and Noble Cyber Monday Sale: Up to 50% Off Sitewide + Free Shipping on $25 (with eligible items). Don't forget to sign up for Barnes&Noble's Membership program and get $25 Off a Nook Color or Nook Tablet + Free Shipping for one year (no min.)


Best Buy Cyber Week Sale - Laptop/Desktop Sales & Featured Offers + Free Shipping + Free $10 Gift Card with Store Pickup Orders of $100 or More. Ends 11/28.


Cyber Monday Sale! $10 off $40 at Walgreens.com + Free Shipping. Coupon code: MONDAY10. Ends 11/28.


30% Off at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athelta. 20% off at Piperlime. Coupon code: HUGECYBER. Ends 11/28


$5 Off $50+ at HomeDepot.com. Coupon code: CYBERHD. Can't combine with other codes. Ends 11/28.

Hotels.com 4 Day Sale! From Black Friday to Cyber Monday save 50%! Expires 11/28/11

$5 off over $50 or more at Zulily.com.

Take an additional 25% off your purchase + Free Shipping with code 49827101. Today Only and Excluisvely at AE.com!

Save $70 plus free shipping on Little Tikes Triangle Bouncer at LittleTikes.com. Coupon code: TRNG Cyber Monday only!

PacSun Cyber Monday: 30% Off $50 or More + Free Shipping!


Save up to 25% off at asos.com thru 11.28.11! Coupon code: HAPPYBLACKFRIDAY


$100 OFF XBOX 360 at MicrosoftStore.com! Includes 250GB Console + 2 games for only $199.99 and Free Shipping!

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Cyber Monday Sale At Saks

Take advantage at saks.com.
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It Factor Beauty Quick Blowdry Shampoo & Conditioner Review

First off, who DOESN'T want a cleansing combo that helps their hair dry faster than a straight stylist tells you he is? Enter It Factor Beauty Quick Blowdry Shampoo and Conditioner. It's hair care that actually helps your mane dry half as fast, and I noticed, with less effort. It's making me question my commitment to every-other-day stylings, in all honesty. Read on...

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How to Stay Fit Over The Holidays And More Links

Funny sexy dude Jon Hamm

Health expert Dr. Raj tells you how you can stay fit over the holidays
[Betty Confidential]

Compliments that are insanely offensive now
[College Candy]

An amazing list of funny, hot dudes
[Pajiba]

Allison's secret to huge lashes
[Women's Health]

What Tamz doesn't need to read when she's trying to "jam a tam"
[Fashion Binge]

Arizona Muse rocking Tom Ford makeup
[Into The Gloss]

Cat discusses the trend to wear a placenta as a facial mask (seriously)
[Xo Jane]

The (in my opinion) DISGUSTOR trend of posting awkward glamorous pregnancy photos on Facebook
[The Luxury Spot]

Vogue's Dress The Part series this time is The Talented Mr. Ripley. Such understated GLAM
[Vogue]

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Fictionary: Counterfeet

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty- and fitness-related words that don't exist, but should.


Regular readers know I'm quite committed to my thrice-weekly (oh yeah, I busted out a Rose Nyland-style "thrice up in here") Core Fusion classes at Exhale Spa. However, I'm not quite as committed to the $13-- pair Exhale grippy socks, which are so very necessary for plank positions. Since I'm always Exhale-ing, I needed to invest in a few pairs of the socks and after buying two, I decided to find some that do the job, even if not emblazoned with the totally-more-bougie "Exhale." Read on... 

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Sponsored Post: LiLash

Presented By Lilash 

LiLash, the world’s most purified eyelash serum, just came out with a limited edition size for the holiday season,  and Dealery has it! LiLash is the world’s most purified eyelash serum, giving you the sexy lashes you’ve  always dreamed of without the messy glue or fake lashes. This limited edition size of .1 fluid ounces is perfect for stocking stuffers or holiday travel!

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Holiday Gift Guide: Rodial Life & Style Scented Candle in Rehab

Welcome to the 2011 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide!

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2011 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift-worthy items for everyone on your list, check out my other offerings.

So let's all pause and acknowledge this. There's always someone on your list you didn't anticipate--maybe an acquaintance who bestows on you a most unexpected lovely gift that was thoughtful and so you. This always makes me irate, though I recognize it's the polar opposite of the holiday spirit. But because those people come out of the woodwork every year (and they're always people you barely know) I'm always armed with an arsenal of gifts everyone likes, so they're perfect for virtual strangers. For anyone female, that gift is a CANDLE. They're perfect for your weirdly corporate boss's boss you swear ends verbal sentences with "Please advise," even at her holiday table on December 25th. And I have the perfect gift suggestion for her: The Rodial Life & Style Scented Candle in Rehab.

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Rebecca Minkoff Black Friday Sale

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Small Business Saturday Buys

Small businesses are fueling our town's economy, and this Saturday, I took it to the streets in search of some fabulous small biz beauty and fashion finds. Here's what I scored:

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale

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Sponsored Post: Meaningful Beauty Rejuvenate Glycolic Treatment Pads

I sort of have... attitude about growing up in the '90s, much as Cher Horowitz "had attitude" about dating high school guys, in the parlance of her pal Dionne. In the '50s, there were charming sock hops and pre-Dylan McKay greasers. In the '60s, the aesthetic was all about big bouffants, major volume and cat-eyes. It was so GLAMOROUS. Obviously, this one's the one I'm MOST pissed I missed. The '70s, meh. I'm not so sad I missed that. Hippies are, by definition, not glam. While I was able to experience the '80s as a small child, I think I would have had an AMAZING time being a teen/early 20s gal in Jay McInerney's New York. So yeah, I'm mildly annoyed about that, too.

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Norma Kamali Cyber Monday Sale

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Video: Some Holiday Gifts Under $40

Getting some makeups done with CoverGirl products!

A pic of Aly, me, Amber from MMC and Ashley
gabbing with Robert Verdi, I believe about carbs. 

Gals, I recently headed to Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab in Chelsea to discuss my favorite holiday picks with you, each under $40. Can you EVEN?

Discussed in the video:


1.    P&G Beauty/SELF Daily Essentials for the On the Go Girl Kit; $9.99 at drugstores

2.    P&G Beauty Smoothing Delights Gift Set; $9.99 at drugstores

3.    Wood Top Candlepots; $17 at West Elm

4.    Passport Holder; $14 at ASOS

5.    Jonathan Adler Nook Cover; $40 at Barnes & Noble

Disclosure: I don't own the sets featured above, though I have sampled all of the products within them. There was no compensation for this video, but editing and shooting provided by P&G.

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(Gla)A(m)bercrombie & Fitch HOT LIFEGUARD PARTY

Yes, I know.

Abercrombie & Fitch pumps gallons of their eau de teenage boy out of their stores so that the entire mall/surrounding five blocks smell just like your boyfriend did in high school. I KNOW. But the brand is going big for Black Friday and I think it's something you won't want to miss. By you I mean me, because they're assembling 60 models at the Abercrombie flagship and 40 at the Hollister flagship on 5th Avenue in New York City.  Read on...

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MAC Cosmetics Black Friday 2011

M·A·C Black Knight returns…

On Friday, November 25th M·A·C is bringing back the cult classic Black Knight Lipstick for one day only, exclusively online. Starting today, follow two of my very favorite makeup artists in the biz, M·A·C Senior Artists Keri Blair (@MAC_Keri_B) and Romero Jennings (@MAC_Romero_J) on Twitter for tips on how to rock this elegantly ebony Black Knight shade. I'm interested to hear what they suggest; I fear it would make me look like The IT Crowd's Richmond.

Enjoy!

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Vested Interest: Sabine Mongolian Fur Vest

Confession: I visited this Sabine Mongolian Fur vest online about 36 times before finally caving and purchasing it. I just adore it. It's one of Rachel Bilson's picks on Piperlime.com. It's just so PERFECT. So puffy. The right gossamer shade of grey. It's a little steep at $189, BUT it's real fur. Which sparked another conundrum for me; I try not to buy the stuff. THEN I read that no animals were harmed to create this garment, so a sheep was simply shorn. Greeeaaat, a nice haircut for a toasty ewe somewhere in the universe! Also, Dina and I constantly talk about our primal struggle: When IS a good time to wear a vest, and what outerwear garments do you rock on top? But know what? I just don't CARE. I love this vest. I will wear it the entire winter/holiday season.

I can't wait to welcome it into my closet.

The Sabine Mongolian Fur Vest retails for $189 at Piperlime.com. 

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Don't Call It A Comeback: Prescriptives Is Back

Remember way back in 2009 when Prescriptives sadly closed its counters? In a very The Vampire Diaries way (seriously, everyone gets stabbed on that show and no one ever dies), it's back in action online only at prescriptives.com. And I couldn't be more elated. Read on...

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Travel Blogging Junkie: Heure Bleue Palais, Essouira, Morocco

When we arrived at  the section of the walled Medina (as Ashley hailed it, a Funky Cold Medina) of Essouria, Morocco where Heure Bleue Palais is situated, our little tour group was kind of... underwhelmed. But once you enter and are met with the facade of the hotel itself from the front, it is BREATHTAKINGLY gorgeous. 

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Breaking Dawn Skin Care: Get Bella's Beautiful Bridal Glow

This just in: For the wedding scene in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (read my review here if you missed it. Kristen Stewart’s makeup artist Stacey Panepinto turned to Dr.Hauschka to keep Bella looking perfectly smooth and moisturized. Read on...

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Get The Look: Taylor Swift At The 2011 American Music Awards

Taylor Swift had a personal beauty best, in my profesh opinion at the 2011 American Music Awards. And did she ever clean UP! I loved the dress, the straight hair (for a change), the green sartorial shout-out to the Angelina Jolie green earring moment of the Oscars a few years ago. EPIC. Here, the beauty breakdown, courtesy of makeup artist Lorrie Turk.  In her words:

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Get The Look: Katy Perry At The American Music Awards

For Katy Perry's American Music Awards hairstyle, Renato Camporo for Fekkai created a very sculpted, modern take on a French twist, while makeup artist Jake Bailey created a retro look using CoverGirl products. Read on for the hair and makeup how-to. 

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Trend: Red-Hot Lids

So, it's like, empirical that you guys have seen The Hunger Games trailer already, right?





Because we need to discuss how the red lids rocked by Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket is SO Pat McGrath's cherry red eyes moment at Miu Miu's Spring/Summer 20112 show by way of Tom Pecheux's red-orange eye moment created with Estee Lauder lip products at the Derek Lam Spring/Summer 2011 show. I can only hope the future will include technicolor lids in varying shades. If there's anything that thrills me more than a portal in a sci-fi work, it's fashion and beauty predictions. P.S. I'm still waiting for my Hoverboard. Get on that, Mattel.

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Saturday Night Live "Red Flag" Perfume Parody

This faux Chanel "Red Flag" perfume commercial is HYSTER. Genius.

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Recommended Reading: 'Glow'

So it's Thanksgiving, you've already seen Breaking Dawn more times than you've needed to AND you've got months until The Hunger Games is out in March. What can you do to soothe your YA-fantasty-sci-fi loving soul?

Buy a copy of Amy Kathleen Ryan's "Glow," a straight-up riveting read about a violet batttle that separates  two teens in love on a ship bound for New Earth. Two parts "Star Trek,"  one part "Hunger Games," one part "Battlestar Galactica," one part "Lost," and shades of "Silence of the Lambs," you'll burn through this read in mere days, as I did.

Here's the synopsis on Amazon:

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Get The Look: Charlize Theron's Makeup At The Screening Of 'Young Adult'

Doesn't Charlize Theron look formal, yet refreshed here? Shane Paish, International Beauty Expert for Dior, created a sultry look for the face of J'adore, Charlize Theron, at a screening of her new film "Young Adult" in New York tonight. Theron was also dressed in Dior. Parenthetically, those shoes are the stuff of Roman-aesthetic-inspired dreams.

"It's a vintage French couture look," said Paish. "It's all about drawing out the eyes." Read on for the full beauty breakdown.

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Hunger Games Nail Polish And More Web Reads: Destination Procrastination

China Glaze will launch a Hunger Games themed nail polish range in 2012, but my gal Lilit has come up with eight polish color names I'd like to see, including the genius "Tracker Jacker"
[Racked]

The best of Craigslist Missed Connections (a secret guilty pleasure of mine)
[College Candy]

Is it sexist to expect women to cook?
[Your Tango]

Eight ways to get laid on Thanksgiving
[The Frisky]

An amazing piece on the dazzling awesomeness (and crazy hotness) of Paul Newman. They don't make 'em like that anymore
[The Hairpin]

Meet some of Pippa Middleton's exes
[TresSugar]

Drink this Prohibition-style Bloody Mary
[The Luxury Spot]


Check out the Best of Beauty 2011
[Women's Health]

Thanks to Sarah Howard for including me in Interview magazine's round-up of beauty bloggers' holiday wishes!
[Interview Mag]

For the love: IS THIS ORGANIC? Youbeauty tells you how to decipher confusing labels.
[You Beauty]

Love this Fug Girls commentary of how well SWINTONed SWINTON is here
[Go Fug Yourself]

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NEW: Calypso St. Barth Accessories Boutique

Some of the Calypso confections at the new boutique!

Just when you thought the expertly edited selection at Calypso St. Barth couldn't get any more magnif, the brand will open a dedicated accessories boutique at 280 Mott Street on Saturday, November 19th.  This morning, I attended a press preview for the shop and nearly died of sparkle envy. The bracelets, scarves and glittering shoes look like sick finds from an unforgettable vaca somewhere far flung. “We’ve curated a unique assortment of jewelry, bags, cold weather accessories and giftables that represent the spirit of the Calypso St. Barth lifestyle,” says President, Stefanie DiRienzo Smith.  Read on...

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Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale

Don't miss it! 


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Meet Milly's Michelle Smith At Saks

Get involved Tuesday, November 22 5pm to 7pm at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC. Enjoy!


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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Review

Stop playing chess and give the people the PG13 stuff they paid for. People = me.

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't seen the movie and don't want to be spoiled, do NOT read this post. If you do, read on...

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Links of London + FEED

Palindrome enthusiast and good samaritan Lauren Bush Lauren has partnered with jeweler Links of London on a joint collection to benefit Lauren's charity FEED, the proceeds of which will help feed children arond the world. Read on...

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MINI Vaseline Lip Therapy

Good things come in VERY small packages! Though the new Vaseline Lip Therapy looks deceptively large in the photo above, it actually stands at about two inches by two inches. Do you love the shout-out to the original tub of Vas you know and love? I am so charmed by it, I almost submitted it to thingsthataretiny.tumblr.com. It softens your pout perfectly, especially when applied after a little scrub-a-dub with a dry toothbrush to exfoliate.

Vaseline Lip Therapy is available for $.99 at Wal-Mart. Can you even, at that price? (You can't. Go buy some.)

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theBalm's Cast Your Shadow Palette Story In NYLON

Gals, I'm psyched about my first beauty piece published in NYLON. And it's about MUPPETS!




Check it in the November issue on page 105.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First Look: MAC Viva Glam 2012 With Ricky Martin & Nicki Minaj

Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj in the M·A·C Viva Glam 2012 campaign visual shot by David LaChapelle. photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

M·A·C Cosmetics' Facebook page just revealed the image for the 2012 Viva Glam campaign.

Every cent of Ricky and Nicki's Viva Glam products, on-counter February 2012, goes to support the M·A·C AIDS Fund. I can't WAIT to rock this shade. I love me some Ricky M and OBV, I love Nicki Minaj. It's all about Ricky and Nicki in 2012.

Speaking of Nicki, I leave you with the best thing I've seen on the Internetz to date.




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Fictionary: EauMG

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty-related words that don't exist, but should.


Today's entry comes courtesy of blogger Victoria, who started a fragrance/beauty blog by the name EauMG, which I think is just genius. The scent that sparking def con 5 levels of EauMG for ME these days? Prada Candy. Read on...

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