Luxetips Beauty! Youtube Star Michelle Phan Lancôme Glamour Eyes Kit!

Hello Divas!

Happy New Year!  What are your New Year's resolutions?  One of mine is to travel, travel, travel.

Youtube sensation, Michelle Phan now has her very own Lancôme product!

The Glamour Eyes Kit includes a new Color Design 5 Pan Palette (Chic by Chelle), which was created and named by Michelle herself, as well as Michelle’s other Lancôme favorites:  Artliner and Hypnôse Drama Mascara. 

“I was inspired by my `Day to Night Makeup’ Lancôme video, where I used two 5 Pan Palettes,” says Michelle. “I figured I’d create one palette that was versatile enough for both day and night makeup.” The resulting palette, Chic by Chelle, features neutrals for a more casual look, along with purple, silver and black for instant glamour—all in the intense 5 Pan Palette formula.  “I'm so excited to use this kit to ring in the New Year!" adds Michelle.

To celebrate the launch of this exclusive kit, Michelle filmed a video where she created three stunning, unique looks—Natural, Smoldering and Diva—using the Lancôme products featured in Glamour Eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ-msKfWADg&feature=relmfu

The Glamour Eyes Kit launched exclusively at Sephora and Sephora.com on December 26th and is available while supplies last. 

Toodles! 

Hot Drugstore Find of the Week: Lumene Time Freeze Eye Perfecting Treatment

Hello Divas!

I hope you are living your best life ever!

You guys know how much I love Lumene skincare.  As I have said before it is the best premium drugstore brand beauty line on the market.  The products have natural and powerful ingredients to address all sorts of skin issues such as discoloration, dull skin, wrinkles, and sensitive skin.  I use Lumene religiously and the products do not cause breakouts and they are very effective.

Lumene has a new product on the market.  The Time Freeze Eye Perfecting Treatment is a new eye cream that addresses ALL areas of the eye instead of just the "under-eye" area.  You apply this product to the skin around the eyes and the upper lid.  Lumene claims this product will firm and reduce fine lines, diminish puffiness and firm the eye area.  This product contains all natural: artic heather (known to help delay skin aging), and plaint protein.  It is over 95% natural and is paraben, fragrance and colorant free.

Also it comes with this nifty applicator.  So it is super easy to use the product.

Lumene Time Freeze Eye Perfecting Treatment retails for $19.99 and you can purchase it at CVS.

I can't wait to try it on my eye area!   I will certainly report my results.

Toodles!

Disclaimer:  Product was provided for review by Lumene

CVS Beauty Club

Hello Divas!

How was your weekend?  Mine was awesome!  I finally had an opportunity to relax and it felt great!

So I was in CVS doing my usual: picking up medicine for the kids, buying toiletries and of course browsing the beauty aisle, when I saw a coupon for a 10% off shopping beauty pass.  Of course, I was intrigued.

Basically CVS has a new beauty club where you can earn exclusive beauty offers such as $5 ExraBucks every time you spend $50 on beauty purchases and $3 ExtraBucks on your birthday.  Believe those CVS ExtraBucks rack up fast.  I shop at CVS all the time and sometimes I will receive $3 back to just spend on any item in the store.  When those ExtraBucks come up it is always a nice surprise.  Of course I always head for the beauty aisle.  LOL!

CVS has quality yet affordable beauty products like Lumene skincare (Love!), RoC, Kimberly Kimble haircare and of course the staples such as Revlon, CoverGirl, and Loreal.  The great thing about CVS is they always have GREAT sales so you can find quality products for less.

Divas I encourage you to stop in your local CVS store today and get your 10% off Beauty pass and of course sign up for the CVS Beauty Club today.

Toodles!  

Juice Beauty: Green Apple Peel

Hello Divas!

Always do your absolute best. Give 100%.  Regardless of the outcome, you know you did your  best.

I am always in search of good facial products.  I have oily skin and always need to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize to keep my skin balanced.  But my skin is also very very sensitive, so I am very careful to choose facial products that are for sensitive skin, natural or organic.  So when I was offered the opportunity to test, Juice Beauty's, Green Apple Peel, I was more than excited.  You see Juice Beauty is an organic skin care line that is certified organic, and free of parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances. So you can rest assured when using Juice Beauty products, you are only getting the purest ingredients on the planet.

The Green Apple Peel is beyond amazing.  It contains potent alpha and beta hydroxy acid complex (the good stuff!) with certified organic apple, lemon, grape, raw cane sugar and willow bark.  The recommended use is once per week, but I have been using it twice a week because my skin needed some serious rejuvenation.  After washing and toning my face, I apply a thick layer of the Green Apple Peel to my face and neck.  I let it sit for 15 minutes.  During the 15 minute wait, it does tingle but only a little bit.  I rinse and my skin feels baby smooth and is definitely brighter.   It is awesome!  The formula is light weight and because it is organic, my sensitive skin loves it.  I have been using the product for 4 weeks and I have not experienced any irritation or break outs.

Juice Beauty's Green Apple Peel retails for $45 dollars.  You can purchase it online here or at any Whole Foods.

Toodles!

Disclaimer:  This product was provided for review.  However my experience with the product is 100% true and my own.

BECCA Cosmetics: Gorgeous Beauty!

Hello Divas!

I am so sorry I have been MIA, but last week was super INTENSE. However God is a miracle worker, and I am thankful!

I have been testing out a new make-up line and I LOVE IT! Have you ever heard of Becca Cosmetics?  Becca Cosmetics is a Australian beauty line started by make-up artist, Rebecca  Morrice Williams.  She created the line to establish the perfect foundation for all skin tones.  Since then, the company has developed a line of beauty products that are gorgeous, multi-faceted and look fabulous on all skin tones.

I was given the opportunity to test out a few standout products from the line.  I was truly blown away by the range of colors and products.  Check them out.

Packaging.

Bombora Palette. This Palette is gorgeous and contains from left to right: Mai Tai lip gloss, Bougainvillea lip and check creme, Mazu highlighting creme, Raffia eyeliner, Sunburst eyeliner.

Brazilian Bronzing Sheen. Ooh la la!

Beach Tint in Raspberry.  The beach tint is used on cheeks and lips. I love multi-use products.

Glossy lip tint in Bellini.  This lip gloss gives crazy shine and it smells like rich caramel. LOVE IT.

What do you think of Becca Cosmetics?  Have you ever used them?  I am loving them so much right now!  I will follow up with some photos of my experience with the products!

Toodles!

Disclaimer:  Becca Cosmetics provided products for review.

Get Your Beauty Fix!

Hello Divas!

I am so loving that Spring is finally here!  I enjoy nothing better than hanging with the luxe kids in the park! Heaven!

Last summer I blogged about Beauty Fix.  Beauty Fix is a beauty products subscription in which a panel of Beauty Experts pick the hottest beauty products for you to try every quarter. I was able to try out Beauty Fix when I won a contest on Black Vixen Beauty and the products were pretty impressive.  The subscription is $50 per quarter, but you get hundreds of dollars worth of products.  Sweet!  Well the good people at Beauty Fix are sending me out the Spring 2010 Season Beauty Fix subscription to try and I will share my experience with the products.  Of course my opinion will be unbiased and truthful.  But they are also offering Luxetips readers $30 off the Spring 2010 Season of Beauty Fix Products! So you will receive a selection of all of these fab products for only $19.99 plus free shipping!  Woot!  It is so worth it!  Simply visit beautyfix.com and enter promo code BFIXI at checkout.  

Toodles!

Fun Fridays! Beauty Fix

Hello Divas!

Remember Life is what you make it! Make it Beautiful!

This week has been very challenging. But I did perk up a bit when I discovered I won Blaq Vixen Beauty's Beauty Fix contest! Whoohoo! Blaq Vixen Beauty is a beauty website devoted to all things beauty for women of color! I actually discovered the Milani lip pencil from Blaq Vixen Beauty and you Divas know I love that lip pencil! LOL! Well Beauty Fix is a beauty products subscription. Every quarter a team of beauty experts choose a train case full of beauty products and send them to subscribers. The products are either full size or deluxe sample size. And Divas these products are the best of the best! The subscription is $50 per quarter, but you receive hundreds of dollars worth of products. YOU CAN'T BEAT IT! Click here to see a list of the products I am receiving. I am looking forward to testing the products and sharing my opinion with you fab Divas!

Have a great weekend!

Toodles!

Luxe travel: How to pack for a quick weekend getaway!

Hello Divas!

I hope all is wonderful in your world. I am doing fantastic! Well this weekend, I was scheduled to take a quick weekend trip to New Orleans with my sister. But it was derailed. First she had drama with her rental. But we obtained a car and alas my nephew broke his leg in 3 places playing tackle football with his friends. Go figure. This trip was just not meant to be. Hey, we can always go another weekend. But I did pack my little weekend bag for this trip. My rule is to "travel light and still live the luxe life!" This means I only take one carry-on or one bag regardless of where I am going. How do I do it? Well take a look:

1. I always pack several dresses when taking a trip. I love dresses that are made of wrinkle free material like jersey and some polyester blends. Plus dresses are so easy to pack. You can simply roll them up very tightly...they take up minimal space. I purchased this wrap dress and shift dress from Target on sale! Love Target!

2. My next rule is to always pack a pair of jeans and/or slacks..depending on the nature of the trip. It may rain or be a little chilly. So jeans are a must! I packed my favorite Hudson Jeans. I love Hudson Jeans...I tell ya they are so comfortable you can sleep in them.

3. I love to pack a crisp white shirt. I can wear it with jeans, slacks or shorts. In addition, I also pack a nice casual shirt for sight seeing or for casual events. I love love my Ralph Lauren pink fitted polo shirt for casual events.

4. One pair of shorts is a must also. I love these green Bermuda shorts I purchased from Old Navy. I can dress these up or down.

5. Shoes and Accessories. I pack 2-3 pairs of shoes that can go with a multitude of outfits. As you can see my bronze pumps, brown pumps, or gold flats can go with any outfit. If I am going out, I can wear the pumps or if I want to wear flats the sandles are cute enough to wear to a restaurant or simply walking. Also my gold belt (so cute!) can be worn with my jeans, shorts, or dress.

6. Jewelry. Once again, I choose jewelry can that can compliment a multitude of outfits. As you can see, neutral but funky jewelry is the way to go! The orange necklace is great for a nice punch of color!

7. Beauty Products. I only take the essentials. These are the products I am currently using: Lancome Genefique Serum, Lumene Day Cream with SPF 15, Clean and Clear Astringent, Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser, Dior HydraAction Eyecream with SPF 20, RX for Brown Skin Naturally Flawless Skin Brightener (for hyperpigmentation), Johnson's Body Care Be Radiant Cocoa & Shea Butter Lotion.

8. I also minimize all of my beauty products and place them in these 4 oz. containers. You can purchase these from CVS.

9. I only take essential make-up to save space. The Lancome Eye Palette in Safari Escapade (has 4 neutral but hot colors that will compliment any look), Lancome Defencils Mascara, MAC lipglass in Spite (great neutral), Black Opal stick foundation in Hazlenut, Milani lip pencil in Dark Coffee , Lancome Kajal Eye Pencil in Gold Blaze, Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, Revlon lip palette in Honey Bunch, Nars Blush in Lovejoy and makeup-brushes. All of my make-up has to fit inside my small compact Helena Rubenstein make up case. It fits perfectly in my handbag.



As you can see, I pack at least 2 outfits per day. I have a total of 5 oufits that are interchangeable and that will be appropriate for any occasion! Truly fabulous.

I also filmed a short video on how to actually pack your weekend bag with these items. Check back tomorrow to see the actual video!

Toodles!

My Favorite Drugstore Beauty Products!

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is truly Fantabulous! It is gorgeous in Atlanta. The luxe kids and I were out all day yesterday. So today is another day on the scene! Woot!

Last week I was asked by Concierge PR to recommend beauty products for the Dress To Remember Event. This event was sponsored by Dress for Success and Concierge PR. The purpose of this event was to provide gently used prom dresses, mini-makeovers, and goody bags for Atlanta Public School teenagers in need. The products I recommended were included in the goody bag. Of course, I only recommended the best drugstore brand products..that I use. Here they are:

1. Covergirl Lashblast Mascara. I know I have blogged about this mascara before but it is my current go to mascara. Love!

2. Black Opal Foundation sticks and concealers. Black Opal is a GREAT bargain foundation. It goes only smoothly and completely covers blemishes. Plus the range of colors compliment women of color beautifully.

3. Loreal Hip Color Presso Duo lip shades and eye shadows! I love Loreal's Hip line. I compare it to MAC but on a budget. The colors are intense and very rich. I love the duo lip gloss. You get two shades for one price. You can layer the shades or use one at a time. The eye shadows are pretty fab too. They have purples, golds, greens, etc.

4. Revlon A Floral Affair Blush. These blushes contain 3 colors that you can blend together or use separately. I use one color as a blush and another color as a highlighter. In addition, the color ranges are great for all skin tones. Great product!

5. Wet n Wild's cream and powder bronzers. Awesome products. The Megaglow Illumnizing bronzer is my all time fav drugstore bronzer! Wet n' Wild bronzers come in several shades for different skin tones and they are only $2.99! Can't beat it.

6. Milani lip liners. These lip liners are creamy and retractable! I love that! Plus they come in a wide range of shades and they are only $3.50!


I hope the young ladies enjoy these products. I use all of these products several times a week. Beauty does not have to break the bank!

What are your favorite drugstore brands?

Toodles!

Win A Free Mini-Makeover and Products from Lancome!

Hello Divas!

I hope your Thursday is beautiful! It is raining cats and dogs in Atlanta! As you Divas know, I LOVE Lancome! I love their Mascaras, Foundations, Eye Shadows, Parfum, etc. Whatever they have, I want it! The quality is outstanding and the products work on ALL skintones! Well Lancome has launched a new blog and they are having their first contest! Basically if you visit the Lancome Blog here and post a question for Celebrity Make-Up Artist, Sandy Linter, you can win a free mini-makeover from Sandy (via phone) and ALL 10 of the products she recommends for you! How awesome is that??!! You know I am entering this contest! Sandy is an industry icon and has worked on tons of celebrities and supermodels. A winner will be chosen by the end of this Friday, March 27. So Divas enter this contest and good luck!

Toodles!

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday is awesome! We all want to know if a product works before we spend our hard earned money. Check out this list of anti-aging products that do not live up to the hype.

Toodles!

14 Products That Won't Keep Your Skin Young

Skincare addicts beware: These won't likely smooth away your wrinkles and age spots -- so save your money

With proper skincare habits, a little product can go a long way to help reduce signs of aging over time. But before you invest, make sure you're getting your money's worth: Avoid these overhyped, overpriced disappointments. See products

No. 14: Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Gel, $45

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 4.9*

Why: "Week 1, no results. Week 2, still nothing. Week 3, I saw something and it's a frown on my face from seeing that this wasn't a very effective product...

No. 13: Burt's Bees Evening Primrose Overnight Creme, $14.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 4.4*

Why: "It felt very thick and oily and didn't do dramatic things for my skin..."

No. 12: Principal Secret Reclaim EyeMazing Eye Serum, $36

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 4.6*

Why: "It just makes my eyes puffier and I have noticed looking more tired than usual..."

Want to see what's #1? Click here!

Fun Fridays: Ulta 20% Off for Friends and Family

Hello Divas!

Yeah it is Friday! This is a short post because I am on my way to my girlfriend's wedding with the hubby and kids in tow! Pray for me! LOL! I am sure it will be a fun adventure. Ulta Beauty was gracious enough to send me some discount coupons for friends and family. Well you guys are my friends and I have two coupons to giveaway. As you know, I love Ulta Beauty. Ready my review of Ulta here. Basically you will receive 20% off your entire purchase. The promotion begins October 12th through October 25th. The first two persons who send me an email with the subject line Ulta Beauty will receive the coupons.

Toodles!

Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra Foundation

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having a wonderful day! Recently I discovered Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra Foundation. My good girlfriend is getting married this weekend and she asked moi to do her makeup. I play with makup for fun, but all of my friends think I am an undercover makeup artist. LOL! We ventured to the Lancome counter to look for eyeshadow and mascara, but my friend let the makeup artist give her a wedding look. Well the makeup artist used Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra Foundation on my friend. This foundation is so sick! First of all it comes in a great range of colors that literally match any skintone. My girlfriend is a medium dark mocha color and the color matched perfectly! Second, the coverage is amazing. Any and all blemishes or uneven skin tone disappears when using this foundation. Third, the foundation feels like satin on your skin and you truly have a smooth satin finish. As an extra added bonus this foundation is re-touch free. I used it on my girlfriend this weekend when she took her bridal photos and we never had to re-touch! Amazing. Also this foundation boasts that it lasts for 14 hours! Now you definitely need this type of staying power for a wedding.

Teint Idole Ultra foundation retails for $38 and you can purchase it at Sephora or online at Nordstroms.com.

Toodles!

ULTA Beauty: My New Obession

Hello Divas!

I hope everyone is well this Monday! I love that the weather is cool enough in the morning to wear a fly jacket or cardigan...but I don't like that by 3pm it is 80 degrees. Fall or Summer please. LOL! Divas, I am in love with ULTA Beauty. I admit I am a little late to the ULTA party, but I am a Sephora Junkie! I love Sephora so much and of course CVS, I just did not see the need to visit any other beauty emporium. Well I was wrong! I ventured to ULTA because they had the OPI La Collection de France nail polish that I had to have. Plus In Style Magazine always has an ULTA $5.00 off a purchase of $10 or more coupon in each issue. So, I was like now is the time to check it out!

ULTA is a true beauty haven. Why? ULTA carries over 21,000 beauty products ranging from drugstore brands like Revlon and Loreal to upscale brands such as Lancome and YSL. Ulta's beauty products include makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, bath and body, tools, accessories, men skincare, candles and home fragrance products. In addition, each ULTA has a full service hair and nail salon. Do you understand why I am obsessed? Oooh and the best part is that ULTA has a clearance section. Yes ladies a clearance section. So you may get a high end lip gloss for a sweeet price! Do you really need anymore incentive to visit ULTA?

Visit Ulta.com to find a location hear you. Also, check out the Ad. Ulta is currently offering an introductory set of Bare Minerals makeup for only $15.00! With my $5.00 off coupon in hand, I am definitely purchasing this set!

Toodles!

Politically Pretty Challenge: Get Out and Vote!

Hello Divas!

I hope your Friday has been fab! This post is extremely late today because I am in San Francisco attending a conference that has me on lock all day; after one day of being here I am sick as a little puppy dog; and the original photos I took for this post are not available because I left my cable to upload photos from my camera. So Boo to all of that!

But I am participating in a Politically Pretty challenge with some of my absolutely favorite beauty bloggers. See some of us met on Twitter and we love Politics. So as a tribute to the November 2008 election, we are doing FOTD (Face of the Day) make-up challenges that are inspired by this election season.

My inspiration for my FOTD is Michelle Obama. She is classically chic and beautiful. Her make up is subtle but flawless. Not too light and not too heavy. My kind of gal! My other photo that I can not access is a better version, but I found this photo that is similar. So check it out. I used:




Black Opal Stick Foundation in Hazelnut
Cover Girl Eyeshadow in Golden Sunrise on lid
Iman eyeshadow in Gem on crease
Iman eyeshadow in Sahara on browbone
Lancome Defencils Mascara in Noir
Nars Blush in Exhibit A
MAC lip liner in Chesnut
MAC lip glass in Spite

Check out these other beauty bloggers political FOTDs:

Clumps of Mascara
Peace, Love & Namaste
Rural Glamour
Gangstarr Girl
Silver Lips Beauty & Make-Up Haven
Makeup by Ren Ren
Rocket Queen
Facepaint 101
Beauty in All Shades
Danyelle
Miss Whoever-You-Are
Life of a Ladybug
Blaq Vixen Beauty
Betty Brown Beautification
Nessary Make-up
Coup de Coeur
Diva 4 Less
My Pursuit of Happyness
I Adore MakeUp
My Makeup Blog
Blaq Beauty
Makeup Fiend
Tracez of my Lipstick
Ishtastic

Hot Drugstore Find of the Week and Skyn Iceland Announcement

Hello Divas!

Is your week rocking and rolling? I am tired but so happy that summer in the ATL has been very mild thus far. Quick announcement: I am extending the Skyn Iceland, Skin Renewal Giveaway until next Wednesday, July 23 at 12 midnight. I want all of you fabulous Divas to enter! So ladies go ahead and enter to win this FANTASTIC skin renewal kit that is valued at $90.00! Click here to enter the contest. Remember to leave your name in the comment section

Okay, Ladies I have an awesome "Hot Drugstore Find" of the week. RoC Daily Microdermabrasion Cleansing Disks. I have been wanting to try these disks for a while, because I have heard rave reviews about them. Plus, I needed to exfoliate desperately. However, I am always cautious when trying exfoliation products because my skin is very sensitive and too much abrasion will cause major breakouts. Divas these disks are a must have! The disks contain gentle microdermabrasion action on one side and conditioning moisturizers on the other side. You simply wet your face. Then you use the microdermabrasion side to exfoliate and remove dead skin. Afterwards, you turn the disk over and wet the moisturizing side and use it to massage your face. Rinse and pat dry and apply your usual moisturizer. Immediately, my skin looked brighter and it was definitely smoother. I have been using these disks for 1 week now and my skin feels absolutely awesome. They do not irritate my skin or leave it dry. I'm loving it! RoC claims that these Disks will visibly reduce fine lines and improve the texture of your skin after 1 week of use. Well ladies after 1 week of use, I absolutely stand behind RoC's claims! These disks definitely live up to the hype! And of course you can purchase these disk at your favorite drugstore for only $9.99 for a pack of 24. CVS had a sale on all RoC skincare products and I purchased mine for $7.99. Gotta love CVS! You can also purchase them online here at Drugstore.com. Drugstore.com has a promotion for all RoC products: buy one get the second 50% off!

Toodles!

Tried and True

Hello Divas!

I truly hope you are having a fab week! Ladies there are certain products that I keep coming back to and for good reason. They just work great. One product that is a true staple in my beauty arsenal is Lancome's Bi-facil eye makeup remover. Loves it! It removes all of my eye makeup with just one wipe. It is so gentle (it does not burn my eyes!) but unbelievably effective, I am sometimes amazed that I have tried other eye makeup removers. Yes, I have tried other less expensive brands and they never work as well as Bi-facil. They either burn my eyes or I have to use a lot of the product to remove my eye makeup. Bi-facil is a bit pricey at $26.00 for 4.2 ounces, but it is the best. I also use it to remove other makeup. It has repeatedly been voted as The Best eye makeup remover by Allure Magazine and Glam.com! Invest in this product and I know you will love it too! You can purchase it here or at any Sephora.

Toodles!