Bit By the Beauty Bug

TotalBeauty.com has just launched the “Totally Green Sweepstakes” in celebration of Earth Day. One lucky winner will be driving away with a new 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid car filled with a year’s supply of luxurious green and organic beauty products.

To enter, all Earth-Day supporters should go to TotalBeauty.com and search for your favorite (or not so favorite) beauty products, then write and submit a review. That’s it. From April 17th through June 5th, TotalBeauty will be giving away hundreds of Earth-Day inspired daily prizes. And, each time a review is written, TotalBeauty.com will automatically enter the reviewer in the Totally Green Sweepstakes that will give them the chance to win the ultimate prize of a 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid car filled with beauty products from Origins Organics, Sephora, Raw Natural Minerals, Suki Skincare, and Tela Beauty Organics. And, with every review written about a green product (these are tagged on the site), TotalBeauty.com will donate $1 for to HealthyChild.org, a worldwide charity dedicated to protecting the health and well being of children from harmful environmental exposures.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic finds a great new gel eyeliner!
Makeup loves me is helping you get ready for wedding season, by giving away 10 sets of french manicure fake nails!

StyleBell tries the CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protecting Spray and loves it!

A Touch of Blusher is putting gold on the lips.

The Makeup Divas reviews and falls in love with La Mer foundations and powder.

Beauty Anonymous loves the natural-looking makeup from Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eye Shadow.

Girl Gloss loves the all natural classic flavored lip balms from the Badger Company.

Continue reading »

Happy Birthday to the Queen! Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary II turns 82 this coming Monday, 4/21. Molton Brown is celebrating by breaking out the bubbly and toasting to her Royal Highness every hour. For every $82 spent at any Molton Brown emporia throughout NYC, each customer will receive a free gift. If you don’t spend $82, take your chances with the raffle - you could win a birthday gift of your own.
Molton Brown NYC locations include:

• Molton Brown Madison Emporium, 515 Madison Ave
• Molton Brown SoHo Emporium, 218 Spring St.
• Molton Brown 3rd Ave Exporium, 1098 Third Ave

The Beauty Bug has 2 things to say to The Queen - remember, age is nothing but a number! And, who knew you were a Taurus? You hide your stubbornness well!

With summer just a couple months away, lots of blogs are serving up the perfect recipe to prep your skin and face for self tanning. While The Beauty Bug won’t be posting or reviewing self tanners because any and every shade She sports looks unnatural, She does make sure her skin is thoroughly exfoliated. First She told you about 2 exfoliators that are used after cleansing, now here’s a short list of the best exfoliating cleansers (and Somme Institute’s Transport Pads) that save you one step in your skin care routine.

Philosophy’s Microdelivery Exfoliating Fash Wash - There’s an upside down bottle sitting on The Beauty Bug’s bathroom sink right now. She refuses to throw it away until She uses every last bit. She’s determined to use every last exfoliating grain. This cleaner is that good. It’s mild enough that you’re able to use it everyday, but it’s exfoliating properties gently resurface the skin. Trust The Beauty Bug when She says it’s as addictive as their Purity cleanser.

Murad’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser - This one makes this list because of its key ingredients - salicylic, lactcic, and glycolic acid - all of which are all great anti-aging agents. The formula also contains retexturizing jojoba beads. The Beauty Bug likes it because Her face feels squeaky clean after she uses it. The scent is very light, and it leaves skin soft and renewed. Use it everyday, or 2-3 times per week.

DDF Glycolic Exfoliating Wash - A combination of ultra pure glycolic acid blended with aloe vera gel and glycerin, this cleanser earned a place in The Beauty Bug’s crowded medicine cabinet because of it’s minty fresh scent, and its ability to cool and refresh your skin. It tingles upon application - that’s the glycolic acid going to work to exfoliate and minimize fine lines. The best part? How smooth your skin feels after using it continuously.

Somme Institute Transport Pads - Quick science lesson. The Somme Institute developed and patented a new technology called MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology), a non-prescription blend of 5 vitamins -A, C, E, D, B3 and B5 that penetrate the inner skin layers in their active forms at high concentrations. Did The Beauty Bug lose you yet? Bottom line is, these little pads are powerful. Not only are they chock full of the aforementioned vitamins, but they also contain alpha hydroxy (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids to exfoliate dead cells on the skin’s surface and unclog pores. The pads may may sting or itch after the first few uses, but stick with them because you’ll be happy with the results. Don’t shy away from this product because of the price - to make the jar last longer try cutting the pads in half - each is so saturated with liquid that one half is enough.

A Touch of Blusher continues the feast of vibrant colors.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic tries out a mineral mascara.

SugarShock Beauty has found a blush with greatness: Pop Beauty’s Rose Belle. It’s perfect for achieving that healthy, rosy glow that’s so now.

All Lacquered Up lets you in on this Summer’s Nail Trend, Orange Polish, and suggests 6 hot colors.

StyleBell shows how to create a fab Bridal half up half down hairstyle.

Want long, lush lashes? The Beauty of Life offers you the chance to win some with an amazingly lash-tastic contest, courtesy of Ardell Fashion Lashes!

Beauty Blogging Junkie has identified fashion items that do beauty duty. Find out which allows her to channel Elvira Hancock from Scarface.

Continue reading »

The Beauty Bug already told you how much She loves Shu. She would have loved to have been able to have dinner with him - She can only image the stories he has to tell of his travels and discoveries. His products, his philosophy, and his boutiques are colorful, inviting, and don’t have that big brand, mass-produced, feel.

Shu’s newest products to hit shelves are the Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine, a lipstick that contains a blend of light-reflective pearls that provide lips with a luminous sheen. It’s the perfect in-between product - it’s not thick like lipsticks can be, and it’s not sticky like glosses can be. The formula is light and is comprised of water-capturing molecules that help retain natural moisture. Coverage can be controlled - for a heavier shine, apply the product with a brush. The brush picks up more product and blends it evenly. For more of a stained look, apply directly from the tube.

One applied, the product can barely be felt on your lips. The shine it provides is really exquisite - it doesn’t have a high-glossy finish, but a beautiful pearlized luster mixed with a hint of sheer shine that catches the light nicely. Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine comes in 17 colors all of which are housed in a very chic, cool, modern capsule-like case that’s unique to Shu.

The Beauty Bug’s favorite, must-have color is BG 950S, pictured to the left. It’s a versatile color that goes with anything - wear it to compliment a smoky eye, or let it brighten a bare face.

Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine is $22 and is available in Shu Uemura boutiques in San Francisco, Boston and Costa Mesa; select Neiman Marcus stores; select Saks Firth Avenue stores and Barney’s New York, Chicago and Beverly Hills, ShuUemura.com.

The following post is about a product so unique that The Beauty bug can almost guarantee that you’ve probably never used anything like it. The Beauty Bug knows She’s never introduced a product quite like this to Her bathroom cabinet before - it’s different in both it’s color, and what it offers.

The Seikisho Exfoliating Massage Gel is the answer to one of the most frequently asked skincare questions - how much exfoliation is enough? Women are often quick to deem skincare products ineffective, when in fact most are just simply not exfoliating long enough to allow the product to be effective. Short of getting a timer for your bathroom vanity, the exfoliating gel is the easiest and best solution. It contains tiny scrub particles, and once you’ve thoroughly exfoliated, the gel turns a gray color. And you’re done. No questions asked.

The jet-black gel, which is similar is in consistency to gel-based cleanser, is a bit gooey in texture, but not messy in the slightest. It’s heat activated, so apply it directly to a cleansed face and do not rub your hands together first. Massage the face until the gel turns a medium gray color - a tone much lighter than the gel in its original form. The scrub sloughs off dead skin cells revealing softer, brighter skin.

The Seikisho Exfoliating Massage Gel is $28 and is available at select Neiman Marcus stores, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, select Bath & Body Works and C.O. Bigelows.

TDO turns 2 on April 13th. Born in mid April makes TDO an Aries. Aries are noted for their courage and leadership qualities and are always ready for action. This rings true, as TDO is a leader in the blogosphere. Help them celebrate their birthday by entering their massive giveaway contest. While you’re there, admire their impressive collage of photos of all the prizes you could win - as a fellow blog editor, The Beauty Bug can definitely appreciate the time and effort that went into that.

Two lucky winner will win an amazing prize package valued at over $3,200. Contest begins now, and ends at midnight on Sunday April 13th.

Good luck, and Happy Birthday TDO.

“Is that lipstick you’re wearing?” a co-worker of The Beauty Bug’s questioned. “It looks so pretty, I’m just not used to seeing you wear it,” She continued.

Lipstick, no. One of Bobbi Brown’s new Lip Crayons, yes. These new little chubby lip pencils were making all of The Beauty Bug’s co-workers look twice. Part of Bobbi’s new Quick Face Collection, the pencils come in four different shades - Nude Berry, Red Plum, Naked Pink and Warm Rose. The Beauty Bug’s favorite and the most universally flattering is Nude Berry - a gorgeous medium berry tone with natural undertones. Here’s what you need to know about these new crayons:

• Unlike most other pencils, they aren’t super-drying. They crayons have a hint of moisture that keeps your lips from having that flaky, dried out feeling/look.
• The pencils have a velvety, matte texture, and wear very well - similar to a stain. The Beauty Bug checked her lips at lunch time after She applied them at about 8:30AM, and they looked freshly applied. The Beauty Bug, who is a regular gloss wearer, welcomed the texture change, but for those who don’t like thicker-based lip products, this may not be for you.
• While they are part of the Quick Face Collection, The Beauty Bug wouldn’t call these products very on-the go. As with any pencil, they do take an extra second to put on to ensure that the color is even and within the outline of your lips. That being said, the extra 30 seconds or so is well worth it and will save you time later in the day when you don’t have to reapply.
• They are Limited Edition, so get them while you can!
• The crayons conveniently come with a sharpener to fit their chubby heads!

The Bobbi Brown Lip Crayons are $22 and are available at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com.

“Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love…” Flash back to the 80s and see Lilan from The Daily Cookie recreate a look from a popular music video!

Check out Beauty Anonymous’ Current Favorite Lippy - Einstein Lip Therapy Hydrating Lip Cream.

A Touch of Blusher puts on more blusher……

Looking for affordable high quality makeup brushes? Check out The Makeup Divas review on these cosmetic brushes.

Girl Gloss loves Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Plumping Lip Gloss.

Product Girl tries out Avon’s Supershock Mascara and gets shockingly plump lashes.

The Muse features her very favorite, holy grail mascara from Japan (Nope, not Fiberwig!)! Continue reading »