ProductWhores

Leap Day Giveaway - Merle Norman Heavenly Blush!

Hey everyone!  In honor of Leap Day, we thought we would celebrate with an awesome giveaway!  Sweeeeeet!  Merle Norman Cosmetics is releasing a gorgeous new blush called Heavenly on March 1 and 10 lucky PWs readers will be able to brag to their friends that they own it!  This limited edition blush is downright stunning - a beautiful deep rose with gold overspray - and definitely suits all skintones.  I love the way it brightens my pale face and how the gold specks add a bit of shimmer.  So, you want to celebrate Leap Day with Heavenly Cheek Color by Merle Norman?  Post a comment and let PWs know your go-to cheek color for Spring '12.  (Of course Heavenly will become your new fave as soon as you can get your hands on it!) 

The Leap Day Giveaway will run from February 29th, 2012 through midnight PST, Wednesday, March 7th, 2012.  We will choose a winner at random using random.org and that winner will be contacted by email.  You will have 72 hours to claim your prize.  Entrants must live in the U.S. and be 18 or older.

Neons and Nudes

 

Even though my nail polish stash has risen to epic proportions lately (and is currently being stored in just a big brown box while I figure out a permanent solution) I still keep adding to the collection because, well, I like nail polish and have no self control.  It's pretty much that simple.  I was trying to ban myself from buying anymore for at least a few weeks, but then I stumbled across this new nails, inc. Neon and Nude Collection and I've been pretty much accepted that it's coming home with me as soon as I find it in a store.  (Acceptance is the first step, right?)  I love the bright shades paired with the darker neutrals and the fact that every single one of the shades is something I would wear.  And the mini bottles are so cute!  Also, at only $25 for the set, it's still cheaper than ONE Chanel polish.  (This is how I justify things I in no way need.  I'm a pro at it).  And I wonder why making a budget never seems to work out...

Laura's Custom Artist Porfolio

Laura Mercier is releasing her Custom Artist Portfolio in March and it's a definite check-out (especially considering it's in that dreaded category of limited edition!)  Her new Custom Artist Portfolio allows you to be in the driver's seat and control exactly what you want in your palette - genius!  You choose either the 3 or 6 well custom compact and then can add in any of her new amazing Sheer Creme Colours, new Lip Glazes or new Second Skin Cheek Colours!  Her Sheer Creme Colours are ultra-sheer and highly-blendable formulas which give a heathly glow to the skin.  I love how sheer these really are and how they awaken the skin.  Sheer Creme Colours come in Bronze Veil, Pearl Glow Veil and Pink Cheek Veil.  Her new Lip Glazes are super-moisturizing and are sheer but with killer shine.  I love this product and am bummed it's limited edition.  The colors are stunning, too  -Soft Pink, Plum, and Lotus Blossom.  Plum has become my stunning go-to for day and evening.  Last part of her new collection is 5 new shades to her Second Skin Cheek Colour - an extremely fine powder blush with beautiful coverage.  The Second Skin Cheek Colour us a usual staple at the Laura Mercier counter but the new shades are definitely worth the trip to the mall.  New shades are Sweet Mandarin, Honey Mocha, Heather Pink, Soft Iris and Peach Whisper (my favorite of the bunch - a beautiful peach, perfect for the pastel craze of Spring '12.)  She also is adding three limited edition shades to her Eye Colours - Merlot Sateen (the answer for the updated smokey eye - no need for black if you have this guy!), Golden Creme Luster and  Seashell Pink Sateen.  Something I especially love about Laura Mercier - and she stays very true to this in her latest collection - she has the most beautiful coverage and stunning ability to make my "naked" face look flawless every time... and that's no small feat.

Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR representative working with Laura Mercier. 

Daliia Herbal Eyeliner

I have been hearing some awesome buzz about Daliia's Herbal Eyeliner and even though I haven't had the chance to check it out myself... yet... I couldn't not post about their giveaway - who wouldn't want the chance to win something free, right?  Just visit their site and join their facebook page to be entered into the drawing!  Also, each time you post a comment you get an extra entry, or follow them on twitter (@DALiiACosmetics) you get another entry.  Stay tuned for my review on the eyeliner, as soon as I do have the chance to make it mine!

ck one Takes Over

Well, this is interesting.  Calvin Klein, Inc. today unveiled the first images from the advertising campaign for their new ck one color cosmetics line.  This is the first I've heard of it, but it sounds massive, with over 130 products "that all capture the core ck one brand DNA - authentic, confident and cool."  I can't wait to see images of the actual products because I'll bet they're going to be gorgeous.  The collection will debut worldwide beginning in March, and here in the US the products will be sold in limited distribution starting in late April and nationwide in September.  Can't wait!

Chanel Goes to Vegas

Oh, Chanel.  Why must I love you so much when I can afford so little of your products...  I could seriously buy every single thing Chanel ever made if I didn't need to, you know, eat.  The new Las Vegas de Chanel collection contains four fabulous products, all in gorgeous shades of gold.  (The color of the coins I've never won in any of the slot machines there!)  Here are the four pieces you'll be coveting:

Lucky Strips - The Exclusive Creation of the collection concentrates the entire spirit of Las Vegas in its traditional square case. Lined up in rows, four shades of sand and bronze sweep through every variation of a fabulous desert in which gold embraces the sun and shines. On the surface of the colours, an embossed star design seems to extend a warm welcome to the city of dreams. For an illuminating makeover, a beveled brush is ideal for choosing and blending shades, sweeping lightly over the cheekbones, face or eyelids.

Rouge Coco Shine Brilliant - The extremely melt-away texture and playful spirit of the most mischievous CHANEL lipstick get into the game with a total golden look. BRILLANT: faithful to the style of Coco Chanel, its sheer golden shade gives a fun twist to the traditional codes of elegance.

Le Crayon Levres Vegas Gold - It accentuates the centre of the upper lip with a golden line. A makeup tip that adds a touch of light and emphasizes the fullness of a sparkling smile.

Le Vernis Gold Fingers - A semi-sheer golden lacquer glides over nails like a talisman for a Midas touch. 

If I could only buy one thing, it would definitely be the Lucky Strips palette.  I'm seriously swooning over it.  Gorgeous!

The collection is available now on Chanel.com and at the CHANEL Bellagio Hotel and Wynn Hotel boutiques. 

Spring 2012: La Boheme

Okay, Make Up For Ever, I was super excited to check out your new Spring collection and you did not disappoint!  La Boheme embraces the romantic, carefree spirit of the 1970s but, I think, with a very modern twist - extra glitz.  The Eye Shadow Palette features 6 baked shadows - four glittery and two pearlescent - and all surprisingly subtle despite their vibrant exterior.  I love how silky smooth the shadows are and adore the mix of shades (Lagoon Green, Vegetal Green, Beige, Parma Purple, Brown and Coral).  Lagoon Green (a bright aqua which makes me think of gorgeous sparkling water in Australia) and Coral are my favorites and pair together for a gorgeous day or evening look.  The packaging is stunning (almost looks like a patchwork quilted cardboard box) and the price is right on ($39.00).  La Boheme Collection also features two new lip colors which are so ultra-creamy you won't want to use another lipstick ever.  Positive - both shades are beautiful (Folk is a peachy-beige and Boheme is an iridescent coral).  Negative - they only released the two shades (too bad because I would buy them all, I swear).  Last part of the new collection is the Aqua Eyes liner (which we all already are obsessed with) in a new shade - La Boheme which is a rich, deep brown (doesn't sound that exciting but it's really pretty and pairs well with the palette).  Collection is available now at Make Up For Ever Boutiques and online at Sephora.com.  

Note:  A sample of the above was sent to me by a PR representative working with MAKE UP FOR EVER

Shine On

I've been obsessed with hair serums lately, which is very weird for me because after what I affectionately like to call The Great Hair Disaster in college, where my friends and I inexplicably decided to tease my hair a crazy amount for my Halloween costume, which resulted in a tangled, knotty mess that took me TEN DAYS to fully get out, I've understandably stayed away from most styling products.  (TEN DAYS!  What were we thinking?  Looking back, I'm pretty sure a happy hour was involved...)  Lately though, I can't seem to walk out the door without using a hair serum, which is a nice change for me, especially because it definitely makes my hair look better.  My newest obsession is L'Oreal's EverStyle Smooth & Shine Serum.  It's a total drugstore deal at only $6.99 (less if you get it on sale) and it's super easy to use.  All I do is put a few pumps in my hands, rub them together, and then run them through my hair.  Voila!  It keeps it looking a lot less frizzy and adds shine to my strands all day.  (And it takes less than 20 seconds to accomplish the entire process, so I don't even have to sacrifice any hits on my snooze alarm - very important!)  It works just as well as some of the pricier serums I've tried, plus it's alcohol-free, so it won't dry out your hair.  (Important if you use a lot of products with heat, like a flat iron, curling iron, etc...  Luckily, The Great Hair Disaster - and my laziness - cured me of that too.  I can barely handle getting dressed in the mornings, let alone curling my hair).  Get thee to a drugstore immediately!      

Note: A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with L'Oreal

Bohemian Brights

 

 

Ooh, I like the new Bohemian Brights collection of polishes from SEPHORA by OPI.  I really love the way the shades are evenly divided between super bright shades (which I would use for pedicures) and more subdued neutrals (which I would use for manicures.  Here are the six shades in the collection:

• Let's Hear It For the Free Spirit! - a pink/orange shimmer
• What Aura Gonne Wear? - a bright pink
• It's Totally Karma - a bright green
• Neutral Beauty - a camel
• That's What Fringe Is For - a brown shimmer
• Happy Earth Day To Me - an olive shade

The only one I don't like is It's Totally Karma, just because I would never wear it, but if you like brights and greens, you'll probably fall head over heels because it is definitely both of those things.  I love, love, love Neutral Beauty and Happy Earth Day To Me though and must at least own both of them if I don't end up picking up this set of the smaller bottles of the entire collection.  Which, let's face it, we all know is going to happen...

Blue!

When BBW discontinued their water fragrances years ago (anyone else obsessed with Fresh Waterfall Mist?) I was crushed.  They then released their Dancing Waters collection which made me mildly happier, but I was still longing for the old scent I had fallen head over heels for.  Well, H2O+ clearly heard my cries because they just released their new fragrance Blue!  The fragrance actually makes me think of how Fresh Waterfall Mist and Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue would smell if they made a baby (absolute watery-floral perfection).  This incredible scent is a delicious blend of watery peony, rosewood, nectarine and bergamot.  I adore the way the scent smells on my skin (so fresh!) and love the pricetag (only $42.50 for 1.7 oz).  Love this and would recommend to anyone who has a thing for water scents, like I do.

Note:  A sample of this scent was sent to me by a PR representative working with H2O+