Hot Holiday Party Looks 2: Go for the Glitter

Holiday parties are the perfect time to add a little shimmer, so why not go for full sparkle. One way to add some twinkle to your eyes is with glitter. One technique I like thanks to celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman is to dust glitter onto the center of the lid and then sheer out with a dot of moisturizer to make it look more lived in and effortless. My go-to glitter is Make Up For Ever’s Diamond Powder ($24). They’re lightweight, fine particles of bright light that add glamour to any type of makeup, and they can be used on the face or body. A little bit goes a long way with Diamond Powder as well. For a long-lasting effect: Pat on the skin with a wet brush. Some other brilliant beauty tips:

“Sprinkle onto lip gloss in the evening to emphasize lip volume. To make glitter adhere to the body or hair, first spray these areas with water, then place a small amount of glitter in the palm of your hand and gently blow onto the dampened areas.” — MUFE creator Dany Sanz

So get ready to party because it’s never too late to shimmer!

A catwalk just wouldn’t be a catwalk without glitters. These lightweight, fine particles of bright light add glamour to any type of makeup – on the face or body. A little bit goes a long way. Just pat on the skin with a wet brush for a long-lasting effect.Dany’s Tip: “Sprinkle onto lip gloss in the evening to emphasize lip volume. To make glitter adhere to the body or hair, first spray these areas with water, then place a small amount glitter in the palm of your hand and gently blow onto the dampened areas.”

Favorite Things Giveaway 4: Z Palette

Walk on the wild side or look pretty in pink with Z Palette’s newest additions. If you’re a makeup artist or makeup lover, you’ve probably heard of Z Palette. It’s the “ultimate customizable makeup palette” with an open magnetic base to fit any size shadow, blush, bronzer and some foundations. You can even condense makeup from different brands into the palettes, which is why it’s one of our favorite things.

Some other reasons why we love Z Palette:

• Sleek and slim

• Made of high quality matte paper which is easy to clean and 70% recyclable

• Eco friendly because you don’t have to purchase product in plastic or metal packaging

• Cost effective because refills made for palettes are much cheaper than the shadows in pots

• You can see the contents when the lid is closed, so no guesswork or digging for single colors

So tis the season to find your inner artist! Customize your makeup palettes to your own taste or add some flair to your kit with the newest colors. Enter for your chance to win just in time for the holidays! Complete the form below or send an email to blendedbeaute@gmail.com. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. Palettes don’t include colors pictured above.

Special thanks to fellow makeup artist and Z Palette creator Zena Shteysal for contributing to Blended Beauté’s Favorite Things giveaway.

HOLIDAY DEAL: To introduce the new colors, Z Palette is offering an online special when you visit www.zpalette.com. Take 10% off if you spend $40 or more with special code ZPALHOL1, or 15% off if you spend $60 or more with special code ZPALHOL2. And there’s FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the US. (special runs 12/6/09-12/20/09)

Congrats to Christy, Mary, Lola and Nina. Winners in the “Luscious Lips” giveaway.

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Favorite Things Giveaway 3: Luscious Lips

Smile bright for the holidays with five of our favorite lip products that will definitely give you the perfect pout.

Revitalize, hydrate, and pamper your lips so that new lip color you’ve been dying to wear looks its best. The Artistry Lip Care Kit offers a gentle exfoliating Lip Polish that lightly buffs away dry skin cells from lips, while the Lip Conditioner instantly softens, soothes, and smoothes. This kit is a Blended Beauté favorite because it truly creates soft, supple lips. And both products together provide the ultimate protection without being heavy or sticky.

Smashbox’s WISH for the Perfect Pout is a limited-edition set of six gorgeous glosses showcasing best-selling and new-for-holiday shades, including two bonus full-size glosses. The set includese Pout (full size), Luster (full size), Tease, Candy, Aura and Radiant.

Get high shine and major flavor with Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush lip glosses. The set includes Cherry Bomb (sheer red), Strawberry Fizz (light pink shimmer) and Cupquake (pink shimmer). Pucker up with a satiny swipe of yummy color.

Want a grown and sexy lipshine? Then reach for Lancôme’s La Laque Fever Ultimate Lasting Full Color Lipshine. I loved this when PR sent it to try because of its great color payoff and shine in one gliding stroke. And it truly is lasting. I didn’t need to touch up for hours. I usually don’t like the applicators that come with glosses, but this “soft-sculpt” applicator is different. Not only does the color glide on, but it precisely defines fuller lips in an even layer and shapes the contours of the lips for a great application. Fever lipshine is available in over 20 shades too. Since purple is hot this season, we have the universally flattering Plum Savvy up for grabs!

I’d never heard of Laneíge Cosmetics until a trip to San Diego over the summer. I was shopping in a small boutique in Old Town where I tried several products. Truly liked the Snow Crystal Sheer Lipgloss and love the concept behind the line:

“When light meets snow crystals, the reflection generates different effects in each of the six steps in the snow’s journey. Those effects are incorporated in the makeup line of Laneíge.”

Snow Crystal Sheer lipgloss has beautiful shimmer and shine without stickiness. The texture is light and the finish is glassy, sleek, sheer brilliance. It has a great soft-tip applicator as well. It comes in 15 shades of which Shine Purple is up for grabs.

To enter to win one of our favorite lip products, fill out the contact form below or send an email to blendedbeaute@gmail.com with “Luscious Lips” in the subject.  Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

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http://www.smashbox.com/WISH-FOR-THE-PERFECT-POUT-SET

Hot Holiday Party Looks

The holiday party season is here and now is the time to shine with sexy, sultry makeup that will get you noticed.

LUSCIOUS LIPS Get glam with a lacquered lip. Put the sticky gloss aside and go for a chrome-like finish that’s super-shiny and sparkly. Berries, wines and reds are great holiday lip colors so don’t be afraid to add a little punch of color. Some lip lacquers to consider: Lancome La Laque Fever Ultimate Lasting Full Color Lipshine available in 20 shades; and Smashbox’s WISH for the Perfect Pout set which has six gorgeous holiday-ready glosses.

SOFT SMOKY EYES A classic holiday party look you can certainly never go wrong with. But think outside the black, brown, or gray box and try more vibrant hues. Purples are hot this season so get playful with a purple smoky eye that makes any eye color pop. Use eyeliner to define your eyes and coat your lashes with mascara. Pair with a gorgeous soft nude lip.

AU NATURALE If you prefer to stay in the natural zone, that’s okay too. Try sultry, sparkling eyes in golds, champagnes, soft peach tones, pink tones or lavender, depending on your complexion. And add a little bit of black eyeliner along the lashline and a white eyeliner on your waterline, which will make your eyes appear bigger.

CONGRATS to Naseya and Tina, winners in the “Smoky Eyes” drawing. Keep following Blended Beauté for your chance to win. In the spirit of hot holiday party looks, we will have some luscious lipshines up for grabs next!!

Favorite Things Giveaway 2: Smoky Eyes

The smoky eye look is one of my favorites to do as a makeup artist. It’s classic, sexy, and anyone can pull it off. From a subtle smoky eye to super dark, there are many variations. Want to rock a smoky eye but not sure how to achieve it? Well the two smoky eye kits we have up for grabs make it super simple, which is why they are Blended Beauté favorites.

Sephora’s Smoky Eyes Palette is an all-in-one-kit to create sultry, smoldering eyes. The palette gives you the tools and instructions you need to achieve the classic smoky eye in six easy steps. The kit includes:

• Four eyeshadow shades
• Black eyeliner pencil
• Gradual Volume Black Mascara
• Double-sided brush/sponge-tip applicator
• Palette equipped with explanatory pictures and a mirror

Now you can take the makings of a stunning look wherever you go with this essential ensemble.

Sally Hansen’s Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy line has a Perfect Smoky Eye kit that is also makeup made simple. In just five steps, you can achieve smoky eyes. The kit includes:

• Eyeshadow palette in Storm (pictured)
• Mascara in Jet Black
• Liquid eyeliner in Black Onyx
• Step-by-step instructions

The eye shadow colors are a shimmery black (goes on the lid); shimmery dark gray (for the crease); and a vanilla (highlight color). The colors are universal and look good on many skin tones. This kit is also a Blended Beauté fave because it’s part of Sally Hansen’s line of paraben-free cosmetics.

To enter for your chance to win one of these awesome foolproof kits fill out the contact form below or send an email to blendedbeaute@gmail.com with “Smoky Eyes Giveaway” in the subject.  Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

CONGRATS TO SMASHBOX GIVEAWAY WINNERS Deanna (Photo Finish winner) and Gretchen (WISH for the Stars winner)!!! Thanks to everyone who entered. The drawing was conducted by Random.org, a third-party drawing service using entrant email addresses. The contest closed at midnight on Saturday, Nov. 28th and the drawing was completed at 6:48 pm EST. A permanent record of the drawing is here. Entrants can query the drawing to see if their email address was included and whether it won or not.

Keep following Blended Beauté for more holiday freebies from MAC, Tarte, Lock & Mane, Z Palette, Lancome, Senna, Steelo and more. The giveaway won’t end until the last prize is won!!

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Smoky Eyes Palette ($50 Value)
What it is:
An all-in-one kit to create sultry, smoldering eyes.What it does:
The Sephora Brand Smoky Eyes Palette gives you the tools and instructions you need to achieve the classic smoky eye in six easy steps. It’s the ultimate sexy look made beautifully mistake proof!What else you need to know:
- Four 0.07 oz eyeshadow shades
- Black eyeliner pencil
- 0.1 oz Gradual Volume Black Mascara
- Double-sided brush/sponge-tip applicator
- All in a smart, handy palette equipped with explanatory pictures and a mirror. Take the makings of a stunning look wherever you go with this essential ensemble you simply can’t miss.

Smashbox Giveaway Now Closed!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Smashbox Giveaway!! The contest is now closed and the winners will be announced later today. The drawing will be conducted by Random.org.
Stay tuned!

Favorite Things Giveaway: Smashbox Cosmetics

Today kicks off Blended Beauté’s “My Favorite Things” giveaway! We love this time of year and have teamed up with some great sponsors to spread a little cheer. First up are two awesome sets from the WISH Holiday Collection from Smashbox.

If you want to create a perfect canvas for foundation application, then enter to win this limited-edition set of Smashbox’s best-selling foundation primer. Photo Finish is one of our favorite things because its silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smooths and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores. The set includes both full and travel sizes for flawless skin anytime, anywhere.

Get portable beauty for the holidays with WISH for the Stars, a limited-edition set of Smashbox’s superstar products in convenient travel sizes. This is a Blended Beauté fave because it’s perfect for your holiday clutch or carry-on tote and the colors are universally flattering. The set includes:

• Lash DNA Mascara in Jet Black
• Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume
• Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk (Perfect if you’re in a pinch. Just sweep over eyes for a wash of shimmery shadow).

To enter for your chance to win, fill out the contact form below or send an email to blendedbeaute@gmail.com with “Smashbox Giveaway” in the subject.  Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

GRANT A WISH THIS HOLIDAY Blended Beauté sends a heartfelt thanks to Smashbox for helping us give back to our readers. You can also join us in discovering the beauty of giving and getting. With every WISH purchase, $1 will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network*, a non-profit that grants the wish of life to millions of sick or injured kids by providing care and investing in life-saving research. Help Smashbox make miracles happen this holiday. (Donation up to $25,000). Visit Smashbox.com for a glamorous way to give back.

SMASHBOX DRAWING CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT! !!!!

Keep following Blended Beauté for the next giveaway! Smoky eyes anyone?

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Michelle Obama Brings Modern Elegance to State Dinner

credit: REUTERS/Jason Reed

First Lady Michelle Obama knows how to get gorgeous and glam. She did so Tuesday night for the State Dinner at the White House where she and President Obama welcomed India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Mrs. Gursharan Kaur. Mrs. O wore an elegant strapless gown by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan. The ivory and silver dress was a classic floor-length cut that she paired perfectly with a light shawl. According to Khan on Larry King Live, Mrs. O’s dress, which was made from sterling silver sequins sewn into a floral motif, took three weeks and 40 people in India to hand sew. “That is couture at its best,” said fellow blogger Makeda-Saggau Sackey of The Glamazon Diaries. I loved her makeup as well. She kept it to a minimum and her hair done in a simple, yet dignified updo. As one story stated:

“The entire ensemble seemed traditionally feminine and sophisticated, reminiscent of the first lady’s more conservative predecessors.”

She didn’t over-accessorize either. She opted for a pair of elaborate chandelier earrings and a stack of glittering gold-and-diamond bangles on her left arm. Perfect little touches that added extra wow. She truly looked sophisticated, elegant and regal.

GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART Blended Beauté wishes you a happy Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy this time with family, friends, people you love. We have so much to be thankful for.

FAVORITE THINGS GIVEAWAY And remember Friday kicks off our “My Favorite Things” giveaway. Good luck!

“My Favorite Things” Giveaway in Five Days!

It’s only five days until Blended Beauté’s “My Favorite Things” Giveaway! Over $500 in beauty goodies will be up for grabs. Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the festive freebies we will be featuring:

TEMPTU’s ADORN Temporary Tattoo Kits are the perfect stocking stuffers for the holidays. Add that finishing touch to any beauty routine with a fun, whimisical temporary tattoo. There are three different kits (Zen Chic, Girly Chic and Seductive Chic) and Blended Beauté will have two up for grabs, but we can’t tell you which ones yet. So keep following for your chance to win!

Show and Tell: Steelo Cosmetics

Steelo Cosmetics has stolen my heart. I got a chance to try several products that PR sent and was totally impressed. Steelo is a full line of cosmetics created exclusively with the needs of diverse skin tones in mind. From African American and Asian to Latina and Middle Eastern, Steelo has women of color covered. They truly developed a line “not as an afterthought or an addition to a mainstream line” and it shows.

The Flawless Coverage Mineral Foundation ($25) is available in 21 shades, more than any mineral makeup line today according to the company. It’s made from all natural ingredients. No talc, chemicals or Bismuth Oxychloride, an irritant to the skin that makes the face appear shiny. Blended Beauté tested Medium Dark shades 30, 40, 50 and 65. These foundations are very weightless. They melt into your skin helping to minimize pores. Think naked beauty. Yet they provide excellent coverage. The foundations also leave a dewy finish. Nothing chalky or ashy-looking. And upon closer inspection, you can see fine shimmers throughout which help for a natural glow. And when applied after the Foundation Primer ($17), the mineral foundation really adheres for a long-lasting wear. Steelo’s primer is definitely one of the best primers I’ve tried. It has an SPF 20, retexturizes and reduces fine lines creating a smooth base for foundation.

The Mineral Eye Shimmers ($13.50) have great pigment. Intense colors that you can use to highlight or add sparkle and shine. Available in 20 shades, they can also be blended to make gorgeous custom colors. I tested Vixen (a charcoal gray), Soulmate (a taupe with pink pearl shimmer) and Bordeaux (a rich wine). Steelo’s single eye shadows ($12) are just as pigmented and gorgeous. I tried Karma (a deep burgundy) and Icon (a golden bronze).

I am a fan of non-sticky lip glosses, so you can count me a fan of Steelo’s lip glosses ($13). They’re vitamin enriched and glide on with a sparkling pearl finish. I’m spoiled over Spoiled (a golden peach with shimmer). It looks good worn alone or over lipstick.

To see more of Steelo’s products, visit steelocosmetics.com. And to my fellow MUA’s, they offer a professional makeup artist program too.