Tag Archives: giveaway

ChapStick Makes Lipstick Now

February 1, 2017

Yesterday, I met a mega celeb at work. The Target mascot! You know, Bullseye, the Bull Terrier? He was the ultimate professional. So dapper and ready to dole out his love to a bunch of PR ladies. When the world feels like it is literally crumbling around you, an office visit from a celebri-dog (like does he know how famous he is?) is a much needed break from reality. On an unrelated but related note (because, Target), I’ve got some news. Scroll to the end, too, because I’m serving up my first giveaway of 2017.

Have you scanned the beauty aisles at Target lately? I’m into it all. So much newness on the shelves. Among them, a whole lot of brand new and first from ChapStick. They gave me a preview of the new exclusive to Target Total Hydration line that is cropping up on shelves and there is a lot to unpack. And, because it’s ChapStick, nothing is more than $5. At the end of this post, I’ve got a giveaway for a $25 Target gift card and the ChapStick Total Hydration line – make sure to enter! Sorry that I can’t hook you up with a Bullseye visit to accompany it – that was a totally separate and unrelated work perk.

I’ve used ChapStick forever and will always save a spot in my bag for the Classic Strawberry (all time fav flavor). Now ChapStick has tints – a first for them! – in twist-up tubes that are reminiscent of another high end brand I’m fond of and I’m guessing you are, too. I tried Rose Petal, Coral Blush and Merlot and was impressed with how saturating and comfortable they are to wear. Merlot is more brown than it is berry, Rose is actually quite pink and Coral Blush is peachy neutral perfection. It’s a more premium version of the ChapStick you probably grew up using.

I’m wearing the Coral Blush here.

There’s also a Conditioning Lip Scrub that is a nice budget alternative to others out there. I’ve never quite mastered making my own so this is a lovely alternative for under $5. I’ve been careful not to ingest any of the sugar (was very serious about my Whole 30 compliance in January). It has coconut oil, vitamin E and Shea Butter – it’s a creamy blend and not crumbly in the least. I do this a few mornings a week when my coffee is brewing and then I saturate my lips with a tube of Honey Blossom. Definitely the sweetest combo I’ve had on Whole 30. I usually get up an hour or so before I start getting ready and with all the heat I’ve got cranking, my lips are ready for moisture when I wake up. I like how this one feels – it’s really moisturizing.

There’s also a 3in1 K-beauty inspired ChapStick that is uber refreshing. This is the one I usually toss in my coat pocket. There’s something really refreshing about Cooling Peppermint on the lips when it’s cold outside. Dare I say it’s almost like chewing gum? I really did stay true to every facet of Whole 30 and even gave up gum. I brush twice a day and floss after lunch but I can’t completely wear my enamel down for the sake of a better relationship with food.

ChapStick is giving one reader a sampling of Total Hydration and a $25 Target Gift Card — enter below! (U.S. residents only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: this post was sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare – opinions and thoughts are mine! Thanks to ChapStick for the continued partnership.

Beautycounter Makes Palettes Now (& I’m Giving One Away)

November 14, 2016

How are you?

After a week where my emotions ranged from full of hope and pride to rage and sadness fueled by uncertainty and fear, I’m tired. There’s a lot to feelings to unpack in all of that and I know this is a shared state by so so many. Whether we’re ready or not, there’s a future unfolding. It’s been near impossible to shift my attention from the world to my own world, I admit. Next week, I’ll be eating Thanksgiving dinner with people I love. Next week! I need to be in my world for a bit in order to make sense of anything. Everything. When I was walking Betty yesterday, I also noticed that my neighbor already had a Christmas tree up. Sometimes you’ve also got to accelerate the magic of the holidays. Whatever you need in your world, you do you.

The holidays are definitely on my mind. Not in the ‘put up the tree’ way just yet, but in an ‘oogle all the new beauty’ way. It’s what I do. I’m excited today to share something pretty awesome with you — especially with one of you. I’m giving away one of Beautycounter’s holiday face palettes! I got a peek at all of the beautiful holiday beauty gifts launching from the #betterbeauty brand of the moment and zeroed right in on their palettes. It’s a first for Beautycounter and they’re pretty much all I’ve been using lately.

There are two: Winter Dream and Winter Warmth. While Winter Dream pulls slightly more cool with icy lavender and navy shadows and Winter Warmth leans more bronze, both appeal to my neutral-loving, owner of every Urban Decay Naked palette, side.

Both have six eyeshadows and three cheek colors. The colors are sheer so you can build up but impossible to overdo it with a swipe. The first three shadows in Winter Warmth – Bronze, Malt and Goldleaf – are the ones I’ve been using most. I combine Bronze and Goldleaf on the lid and crease and smudge Malt on my lower lashline and layer on liquid or cream black liner on the upper lash line.

There is also a taupe shade, called Dove, in the Winter Dream palette that is precisely the eyeshadow I’ve been searching for forever. It’s the hero of the palette and the one color that goes with every single shadow. I almost see this as five eyeshadow duos because Dove looks different with every pairing. Taupe is a chameleon that way. I couldn’t pick a favorite but Dove is reason enough to pick up the Winter Dream. (giveway details at the end of the post, p.s.)

One of my favorite ways to shop for beauty gifts for my friends and family is to pick up sets and break them apart. Sometimes I keep one shade for myself…maybe… I see the four glosses in the Love & Luster set as four really amazing gifts. Especially since the colors are so different, too, it’s easy to match them up with the people you know who would really rock them.

Now, for the giveaway. I’m REALLY excited to give away one of these gorgeous palettes – I’ll let the winner choose if they want Dream or Warmth. U.S. only winners – hoping that doesn’t exclude too many of you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here’s to keeping on and leaning on those in your world to help you navigate the world.

For this week, also, I have a shopping page on Beautycounter. Which just means if you buy something through me, I get a hostess reward. It’s like the e-version of the Beautycounter party. No obligation to buy anything at all – I’m just leaving the link here for you to browse. My friend Ryan was sweet enough to offer up the giveaway palette and I’m grateful to her generosity. Thanks, Ryan!

Illume Eternal Nomad Spring Giveaway

March 19, 2013

Scent has the power to bring us to another place or time. Like when I get a whiff of Love Spells randomly, I’m in high school again. Happens more than you’d think… Currently, though, I’m interested in transporting directly to the places Illume drew inspiration from for its Spring 2013 Eternal Nomad collection.

Illume, best known for chic design and home fragrance, is expanding its travel-inspired Eternal Nomad bath and body care collection into more Sephora stores this spring (including Chicago’s State Street and Northbridge locations!) Look for Illume’s signature Thai Lily and Coconut Mango fragrances as well as brand new scent Cactus Verde. There are five products in total, designed to be layered – Intensive Moisture Body Wash, Cocoa-Illipe Body Butter, Lathering Body Scrub, Gold Lustre Shimmer Mist and Sunlit Bronzing Lotion. The Lathering Body Scrub is a welcome add to the shower. It has a ton of tiny beads that, when wet, seem to transform into soft miniature sponges. This and the deliciously thick (and super moisturizing!) Cocoa-Illipe Body Butter might be my favorite products in the collection.

After slathering on the Cactus Verde, I felt summoned to a place where all I need is SPF and sunnies. Likewise, the sweet and girly Thai Lily has me thinking of a colorburst sunset. Coconut Mango? That definitely has an easygoing tropical vibe. I imagine a different makeup bag accompanying each Eternal Nomad destination. To bring these personas (/wishlist vacations) to life – or just inspire a trip Sephora – I’ve selected some spring makeup bag essentials!

The scent: Cactus Verde, a bright blend of cassis, pink sea salt, aloe vera and wild geranium with a hint of avocado.

Makeup bag essentials: Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer, Josie Maran Argan Brightening Bronzer Sun Spot Corrector, NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Mad Mad World.

312 Beauty tips: Tarte offers the perfect mix of coverage and sun protection (SPF 30!) A sweep of bronzer – Josie’s has argan oil and vitamin c! – along the hollows of cheeks, jawline and temples is all you need to look desert-ready. I love layering the blue and emerald in Mad Mad World for a custom shadow.

The scent: Thai Lily, a sensory ritual of Bali mango, blood orange and white nectarine – with Brazilian teak, Asiatic lily and a hint of musk.

Makeup bag essentials: Hourglass Aura Cheek Stain in Petal, YSL Glossy Stain in #12 Coril Fauve, NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Bouthan.

312 Beauty Tips: This scent is sweet and girly, therefore you have permission to wear a lot of pink. Hourglass Aura Cheek Stain is like the cheek fountain of youth and layering NARS Bouthan on eyelids gives a soft and feminine effect. The light pink shade can even double as a highlighter on cheekbones.

The scent: Coconut Mango, a tropical fusion of mango and coconut milk, infused with orange and eucalyptus oils.

Makeup bag essentials: Benefit Sun Beam, Becca Eye Tint in Vicuna and Ojon Rare Blend Total Hair Therapy.

312 Beauty Tips: Mix a little of the golden Sun Beam into your sunscreen or base for extra radiance, layer on Becca’s Beach Tint in a creamy opal shade and make sure hair is protected with Ojon’s Rare Blend mutli-tasking oil. Then proceed to soak up the sun all day long.

Now for the exciting news! Illume has teamed with 312 Beauty on our first ever giveaway! Tell me in the comments here which Eternal Nomad spring scent you’d most like to try. Do this by Saturday, March 23, and I’ll pick one winner* to win the 5-piece Eternal Nomad collection of their choice!

*winner must reside within continental U.S.

note: Illume provided me with samples of the Eternal Nomad collection for review purposes

update: The giveaway is closed! Congrats to Lauren, who won the Illume Coconut Mango Eternal Nomad collection.