Winner of the Summer Beauty Giveaway!!!

Entry #179 Debbie R. please come on down!  lol  

You are the winner!  

I sent you an email and be sure to contact me in the next 48 hours!

Thank you for everyone who participated.  

I have another giveaway planned in the next couple of months!  :)

OPI Germany Collection for Fall/Winter 2012

From the OPI Press Release:

Edgy Elegance

OPI Launches the Germany Collection for Fall/Winter 2012

OPI embraces runway trends with the Germany Collection for Fall/Winter 2012. Drawing inspiration from Berlin, an exciting new fashion hub that blends classic looks with the avant-garde, the collection’s twelve shades offer a mixture of vibrant color, urban-chic neutrals, and reds in variations from light to dark.

“Designers showcased rich colors and striking textures for fall,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “The Germany Collection beautifully complements these looks, with standout shades in various hues of red and burgundy – the season’s ‘new black.’ Sapphire, black olive and lime yellow are married with creamy neutrals in honey, taupe and nude rose.”

“The overall feel of the Germany Collection is elegance with an edge,” adds Suzi. “The varied palette of colors adds another accent to the list of special touches – think beadwork, paneling, fur and embroidery – that walked the runways during New York Fashion Week. Wearing these shades on fingers and toes is a great way to accessorize a range of looks for the season.”

Germany by OPI includes the following shades:

Don’t Pretzel My Buttons
A haute honey-beige that can always make you smile.

My Very First Knockwurst
…and what a magical rosy-nude rendezvous it was!

Berlin There Done That
A traveling taupe that’s seen it all. (Yep, that too).

Don’t Talk Bach to Me
There’s nothing mellow about this sassy lime-yellow!

Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!
A bodacious black-olive? We say “Ja! Ja! Ja!”

Unfor-greta-bly Blue
Everyone’s favorite Fräulein loves this über shiny blue.

Every Month is Oktoberfest
Prost! Here’s to the prettiest plum in the Biergarten.

Suzi & the 7 Düsseldorfs
The most beautiful bright purple of all.

Deutsch You Want Me Baby?
A self-assured shade of shimmering red-orange.

Danke-Shiny Red
You “Bitte” try on this ravishing ruby before it’s too late!

German-icure by OPI
The best burgundy shimmer in the business.

Schnapps Out of It!
Shake off the blues with a shot of fall’s must-have mauve!


Germany Collection nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

Germany by OPI will be available August 8, 2012, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($9.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

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ABOUT OPI
As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

Nicole by OPI/Target Fall 2012 Collection!!!

From the OPI Press Release:

Accessorize with Lacquer!

Nicole by OPI Launches Five NEW Fall Shades, 

Exclusively at Target

Nicole by OPI announces five new nail lacquers to be sold exclusively at Target this fall. With richly pigmented formulas in shimmering shades of deep blue, gold, purple, mauve and green, these five hues can be worn as the ultimate accessory to the season’s hottest styles, from military-inspired jackets and heavier brocades to micro floral prints and leather.

“Nicole by OPI is excited to bring the fashion-forward Target guest new lacquers for the fall season,” remarks Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Not only do the shades add the final touch to runway trends, the shimmery finish adds elegance and depth to these trendy colors.

The five new lacquers include:

For Gold Times Sake
Go on and try on this gold…

Iris My Case
Because this purple is amazing.

Just Busta Mauve
You will want to put on your dancing shoes to wear this one.

If the Blue Fits…
This blue fits all!

Mer-Maid for Each Other
This green is so hot it was made just for you!

Nicole by OPI nail lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality. These new Target exclusive shades will be available August 2012 for $7.04 each at select Target locations nationwide and online at Target.com.
For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

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About Nicole by OPI:
Nicole by OPI offers a salon-quality range of bold, fashion-forward nail lacquers. The brand’s heritage is based in OPI’s well-established foundation of excellence in both color and technology, providing premium products to a broad range of consumers looking for trendsetting nail lacquers.

 

New OPI Designer Series for Fall!!!

Hot off the presses!!!

Press Release by OPI... 

Indulge in Luxurious Lacquers!

OPI Launches New Diamond Dust-Infused Designer Series Shades for Fall 2012

OPI releases two new high-shine hues – DS Indulgence and DS Luxurious – to join the Designer Series by OPI collection this fall. Fusing fashion and technology, the Designer Series lacquer formula is enhanced with real diamond dust, offering light reflecting, multidimensional color. 

DS Indulgence, a radiant red-violet with a shimmering, golden finish, will launch along with DS Luxurious, a captivating coral-red with a golden glisten. With these two additions, Designer Series by OPI will offer 12 glitter-filled, highly-saturated, breathtaking colors.

 

DS Indulgence

DS Luxurious

“Red nails are the epitome of glamour, and this fall OPI is adding two dazzling reds to the Designer Series line,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “With vivid color and intense shimmer and shine, these lacquers create a bold, high-fashion accessory statement. DS Indulgence provides a deeper, classic red look, while DS Luxurious incorporates rich auburn pigments.”

Designer Series by OPI nail lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. DS Indulgence and DS Luxurious will be available beginning September 2012 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $12.50 ($14.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.  

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com.  Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

###

ABOUT OPI

As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics. 

 

Nostalgic and Color Club

I received a mini Color Club Nail Lacquer in Blue-Ming in my most recent Birchbox.  Love the color but hate the formula, my base coat or maybe it was the brush.  It applied streaky, and goopy and the brush would take off the color when I tried to smooth things out.  But being a nail applying pro (hahahaha) I worked it out and grabbed a Nostalgic Nail Lacquer in Magic Dance to make it look nice and pretty!

Magic Dance is a green and and pink color shifting top coat.  It works fantastic over dark polish so you can really see the effect, but I wanted a little shimmer on my mint green cream polish.

This isn't the best example of using Nostalgic Magic Dance but I like that it covered up Color Club's streaky formula!  This is my first Color Club.  I have picked a few sets up for gifts and I have a friend who loves them.  I will switch it up with my basecoat and see if that makes a difference.

From the look of the sun this morning you would never have guessed we had a massive thunder boomer early this a.m. that sent Nika dog jumping into bed and sharing my pillow.  She shook for a good 2 hours as the storm just seemed to circle around.  Poor thing.

And summer sleepovers are in full swing.  3 screaming girls had a tough time falling asleep last night.  :)

Quite tired this morning!  Off to make some tea!

OPI Just Spotted the Lizard

OPI Just Spotted the Lizard came out with the OPI Spiderman Collection back in May/June.  I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  I tried looking in several stores and I was just out of luck.  Until I found Bloom.com...  :)

I just love this polish!!!  The dupe of Chanel Peridot, a color that I swear I have gone on to order 3 or 4 times but just couldn't pull the trigger on a $22 polish, plus tax and shipping.  Ahem, I just checked chanel.com, $26!!!  lol  Way too savvy for that!  I've just been lucky to find similar colors in affordable options.

However, the appeal for a Chanel polish is still there...  :)


Here is OPI Just Spotted the Lizard.  

I can't get enough of this polish!  It's blue, it's green, it's gold! 


And here it is in the sun...

China Glaze is coming out with a similar color as well in August.  So if you missed out on it, you can either wait until August or order from Bloom.com and get some cash back.  Link!

My first Bloom.com order!

My first order with bloom.com.  I think I had heard of the site before.  Lots of beauty products, points and cash back from purchases, free shipping over $49 and up, free samples...  Just my kind of place.  Of course going though ebates.com gives you more cash back!  Yay!

For your first order you can get 30% back using code 30BACK that is good through 12/31/2012.  If you have already ordered through them, right now code JULY10BACK will get $10 in bloom dollars when you spend $50 and you get free shipping!  Ebates.com is giving 6% back right now as well.  


I've talked about ebates.com before but all you do is go to the site, create a profile and every time you shop on-line, look for your store on ebates.com and pull it up from their site.  Complete your purchase and a short while later you will get an email from ebates.com about your cash back status.  They pay out quarterly I believe so you can opt to have a paper check mailed to you, or the balance sent to your paypal account.

It's awesome, it's easy, it's no joke, no scam.  Love ebates.com!  Here is my link!


What made bloom.com even better for me is that they had Just Spotted a Lizard!  I missed this in the stores while on vaca, traveling all over MA and NY.  When I got back home and tried looking for it, sold out!  :(  I thought about ordering from ebay, tried all my usual sites and just had no luck.  Until someone named Laura entered my Summer Giveaway and said that she had just ordered it from Bloom.com.  So I almost immediately went and ordered it!  


Paid full price plus shipping but I still wanted it that bad.  :)  But with 36% back on that purchase and free samples...  why not?

I chose some masks because, well I love masks and I only have 2 which I am bored with.  So I thought I would try out Befine Warming Clay Mask and Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque.  I also liked the sound of Sundari Neem and Coconut Hair Treatment Oil.

I like that the invoice and samples were put in a cute silver drawstring bag, a card that was hand written out to me, and pink tissue paper!  I just love it when companies go that extra step to make it fun to open up a package.


Like I have said in the past, there are a lot of stores and on-line retailers out there...  adding that special touch will ensure that I remember and will order again from the same place!


What do you think of Bloom.com?  Have you ordered from them before?

My favorite Birchbox Samples

Most of us have subscribed already or have heard of the many monthly sampling subscriptions out there.  I've tried a few that I have shared in the past year or so.  One thing is for certain, I have been happily introduced to so many new brands.

One sampling service that I have stuck with, for better or worse, has been Birchbox.  They definitely have had their up and down months, from paper coasters to the endless perfume samples that you can get without a sample box for free.

But overall, I am excited every month when my Birchbox comes in the mail.  Today, I wanted to share a few memorable samples that I have and will purchase full sizes in the future.

One has been the Shu Uemura Cleansin Oil shampoo.  I only needed a single sample to know I needed this shampoo in my life.  With a 20% off coupon and some Birchbox points, I was able to score this $55 priced baby for a steal!  For me, it works as a gentle clarifying shampoo, removing build up and allowing for my conditioner to deeply penetrate.  I love the smell, the lather and the fact that it is free of parabens and silicones.

Laura Geller Blush in Brighten in Como.  I use this everyday either as a cheek highlight, brow highlight, inner corner highlight, cupie's bow, or a combo of all those areas.  This was a full size product and it will last me probably forever!

Stila eyeshadow in Cloud.  Hands down my favorite eyeshadow ever!  Buttery soft and smooth, this shadow glides on like a dream.  It's a fantastic gray, silvery taupe shade.  It was my first time sampling Stila when I received this one month and I intend to explore more within the brand.  I did swatch a few eyeshadows at IMATS but none of them seemed to be the quality of Cloud so I passed.  Kitten is another I want to try as well as diamond lil, storm and espresso.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof eye liner in blue ribbon.  I have blue eyes and blue is the least used color on my eyes.  I guess it should be intuitive to use blue to bring out the color of my eyes, but I needed Birchbox to   include this in a sample box to try out that concept!  I guess I still have nightmares of the bright blue eyeliner that my friends would try to force on me in middle school.  Never was a fan, plus those eyeliners were so dry and rough, it hurt to apply it!  lol  Fast forward 20 years and this Stila smudge stick is soft and in a dark blue shade that truly complements my eye color.  It is also waterproof, something I appreciate having oily lids.  Unfortunately my smudge stick does not twist up.  I will be needing to purchase in the future.

Dry shampoo and baby powder are staples in my hair routine as I do not like to wash my hair everyday because the ends can get quite dry but my scalp is on constant oil production mode.  Baby powder works pretty god but you really need to work it in and the spill factor on dark clothes is not sure.  I've pretty much tried most dry shampoo sprays, white sticky powder that I can't stand the smell, feel or texture of my hair after using.  Enter into my life, Oscar Blandi Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray.  Non-sticky with a lemony scent.  So much neater than baby powder.  I just need to use up one that I currently cannot stand and I will buy this one.  Waste not, want not!

Cynthia Rowley Band-Aids.  This are chic and fun.  Yeah it's not makeup or skincare but an essential everyday item that I can use. Better than Spiderman or Disney princesses!  Great item that I can throw in my purse.  You never know when you are going to need a bandage.  :)

Colorscience Pro Sunforgettable mineral powder, SPF 30.  I used to always wear mineral foundations, mainly Bare Minerals for years.  I've branched out to liquid and BB creams in the past couple of year but I am finding myself wanting to go back to powder foundations.  This is in fair which is currently too light but it works well in the winter for me.

Jouer luminizing moisture tint.  SPF 20, oil free.  I've gone back and forth with oil free for oily skin because my skin doesn't need any more oil and then not oil-free for oily skin because my skin will over-compensate.  I still enjoy light coverage so my skin will show through and luminosity in my products.  Glowing skin looks better than dull skin any day.  As a perfecting base, it blurs imperfections, minimizing pores and doesn't deaden the skin, giving a lit from within, healthy look to the skin.  This sample is in pearl but I want to try this next in golden.

theBalm Stainiac.  I love theBalm.  I love them even more because I can find great deals on their products in Marshall's and TJ Maxx.  Oh and today on Hautelook! :)   My lips aren't really pigmented so this stain just adds a little something, just a rosy natural tint and doesn't look like I have any product on my lips.  I don't have to worry about getting my lip lines perfect, I can just slap it on and I'm done.  It lasts for a long time and it doesn't dry out my lips.  I will need a full size soon!

Jouer lipgloss in Birchbox pink.  I actually like to pair this with theBalm Stainiac.  Both are tiny and take up barely any room in my already packed purse.  I need the extra color base to really make this pink pop on my lips.  It's moisturizing and non-sticky too.  Great formula.  This sample has lasted a good while too!

Nuxe Dry Oil in Golden Shimmer.  I reserve this for special occasions.  In fact, I saved it for my sister's wedding and then ran out of time getting ready and never used it!  Still one of my favorite luxury samples.  I've used it a few times sparingly for it's light scent and shimmer.  I love lathering oils on my body after a bath or shower.  They absorb so much more readily than lotion and work a lot better at moisturizing and softening the skin.  I will definitely repurchase this when I run out of the sample.

Last but certainly not least VMV Hypoallergenics Re-everything eye serum.  I've used a lot of eye creams and serum in my day and I've seen results with only 2 so far.  VMV Hypoallergenics Re-everything eye serum and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.  And have I ever re-purchased them?  Nope.  Why?  Well for one the hefty price tag.  But all the others I have tried and used are always less but if you add them up, the price tag out weighs VMV Hypoallergenics Re-everything eye serum's $80.  Currently I am using 2 fabulous eye creams in their own right but I still want VMV Hypoallergenics!  However, I still need a few more Birchbox points to make this purchase a reality.


So there you have it, my 11 Birchbox faves.  If you are subscribed to Birchbox or another monthly sampling service, what is your favorite product sampled to date?

Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1

Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector...  That's a mouthful!

Yet another drugstore "BB cream" claiming 8 benefits.  That's a lot of claiming...

1.  Blurs Imperfections
2.  Enhances
3.  Brightens
4.  Adjusts to skin-tone
5.  Smooths
6.  Hydrates
7.  SPF 30 (!!!) protects
8.  0% oils and other heavy ingredients

I grabbed this in Medium and I think it's a pretty good match for my NW20-25 tanned skin right now.

This product has 30 SPF  Titanium Dioxide 1.15% sunscreen.  This isn't broad spectrum, meaning screens out UVA and UVB but right on the package it says "helps prevent sunburn."  Now for someone that lives in Southeastern US, I need a lot of sun protection.  15 SPF doesn't quite cut it for me.  30 is my comfort zone.

That being said, with the higher SPF, comes with it the "greasy" factor.  It does give a nice luminous glow so the oily skinned need to beware.  It is thicker product, less so than Garnier and L'OREAL Youthcode BB creams, but it also feels heavier than those 2 as well.  Garnier and the Youthcode BB cream feel lighter but are bulkier coming out of the tube.  If that makes sense.  Lower SPFs though, they both weigh in at 15 SPF.


The consistency reminds me of Lioele Beyond the Solutions BB cream but with just a little more slip.  But that's as far as you can compare the two.  Lioele is a "traditional" BB cream from Korea and it offers a less dewy finish and medium to full coverage.


As far as coverage-wise, I think it has the least out of all 3, Garnier, L'OREAL Youthcode and L'OREAL Magic.  You will definitely need concealer under the eyes and on imperfections if you are looking for a flawless face.  But it's not claiming to be full coverage, on the front of the bottle it says, "Sheer tint" and that is exactly what you are getting.

Here are some photos!

Love the hygienic safety seal!!!

It has a neutral undertone, maybe with a hint of pink.

So here is the before shot.  Completely bare face except for some eyeshadow and some lip gloss.

This is seconds after applying Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector in the shade Medium with my fingers.  The next shade down, light/medium might have been a better match but it does blend in nicely.  I have a couple blemishes on this side of my face that I wanted to show.  

This is me with blush (MAC Crew) a little bronzer (Physcians Formula Bamboo Wear Light Bronzer) and powder (Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder 001 transparent).

Now on to the claims:


1.  Blurs Imperfections?  Slightly, the coverage is very sheer.
2.  Enhances?  Slightly, again the coverage is very sheer.  It evens out the skin-tone minimally.
3.  Brightens?  It has a nice glow to it.  Oily/combo need a good powder.
4.  Adjusts to skin-tone?  Yes, it blends in nicely.
5.  Smooths?  I have large pores and though it doesn't settle into my pores, it does accentuate them.  I definitely need a primer with this product.
6.  Hydrates?  Yes but I also do not need any extra moisturizing with my combo/oily skin.  I don't think anyone would need any extra moisturizer except for the seriously dry.
7.  SPF 30 protects?  Broad Spectrum would be better but 30 is nice!
8.  0% oils and other heavy ingredients:  Still feels slightly heavy but since it has an SPF of 30 I do not need to add another lotion to my face.


Overall, I like the light coverage Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector and the 30 SPF that this product contains.  I do recommend a mattifying primer like Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive shine + oil control cream for those of us with combo/oily skin especially in the summer months.  It applies nicely with your fingers but I actually prefer either my Sigma Duo Fibre F50 or my Real Techniques Stippling Brush.

L'OREAL Magic Skin Beautifier is still my #1 drugstore BB cream right now because of it's semi-matte finish and it does a nice job of minimizing my pores.  The shade in light is spot on perfect color match for me.  However, I do need to add a sunscreen to my face as it does not contain any.

Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector comes in fair, light, light/medium, medium, medium deep, deep and will set you back $7.44 (walmart) to $11.99 depending on wear you shop.

Have you tried Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector yet?  What do you think?

Beauty Blogger Sample Swap

All or most of us beauty bloggers subscribe to beauty boxes.  It's super fun to try out new products, especially those from higher end brands.  My stash of sample size beauty products is getting a bit out of hand so I was really excited to see that Shannyn from Frugal Beauty organized a swap!  A few beauty bloggers were paired up to swap 6-8 samples and one full size beauty product.  Fun right?
I will be honest.  I haven't had much luck with swaps.  My most recent from Australia was lost or never sent, I've received used and broken makeup, oh and counterfeit products...  lol  But I figured with this one, what did I have to lose?  Extra samples?  Well I have plenty of 'em and they surely won't be missed.
I was paired up with Lori Peters.  Lori said that she will be starting up her own monthly sample box called Box Monthly very shortly.  

I can never have enough conditioner samples.  I love L'occitane products!

One of my absolute favorite products right now.  I also received this sample from Beauty Army and I have a full size!

I've never tried self-tanning wipes before.  

I also got this EBOOST sample from Birchbox.  I don't believe I have ever tried it.  I swear by Emergen-C. If I am feeling just a bit sluggish or off, Emergen-C fixes me right up!

 Lori mentioned that she will be having this green tea in her in sample box, Box Monthly.  Healthy To Go Green energy Tea fusion is made from organic teas.

So excited to see Julep Emilie!  I didn't have it in my collection.

Love NIVEA bodywash and lotions!  I haven't tried Touch of Serenity yet.

This has a very different scent.  Fresh grapefruit, tangerine, blood orange, white musk...

pixi eyeshadow No.2 Champagne Glow  This is my first pixi product!
Any other Beauty Blogger Sample Swaps I should aware of?  I'm ready for another!