Delaying the links to bring you the Beauty box

I was a slacker on the links this week (weddings and work kicking my behind have left little time for Google reader). BUT I got my Allure this weekend and found the ad for the Summer Beauty Box.

virtualstore.allure.com

Y'all this thing is AWESOME. All full size products. Mostly drugstore brands, but a few higher end like Oscar Blandi. The only thing I don't care about trying in this set is the hairbrush! If you bought all this in the store it wouldn't be anywhere near only $40. I'm still using stuff I got in the box last year. Doesn't look like it comes with a bag this year, but that's ok. You can read about my geeking out over it HERE. Looking at the pic from last year, I think there is more stuff in the bag this year, which is awesome!

I recommend ordering it HERE on Allure's virtual store ASAP. Sale begins at noon today. The supply is limited as far as I know. Shipping is $10, which is totally bogus, but whatever. That bottle of Clean & Clear body wash would probably be about $8 at a drugstore, so it's still worth it. Last summer it took a few weeks to get it which is kinda bummer, but this year they are saying only 2 weeks for shipment. Trust me my friends, it's totally worth the $50.

Well look at Pantene. Steppin it's game up...

I'm pretty sure I remember when Pantene got big in the late 1980s. They've been around forever, but I remember buying Pantene with the gold cap thinking I was all hot shiz. The two-in-one shampoo/conditioner. Anyone else? And it has that smell that is just...Pantene. And then it just wasn't working that great, and I moved on to better shampoos...Well. Ladies, Pantene has stepped their game up.

Photo courtesy of www.pantene.com

First of all, it has won one of Allure's Breakthrough innovations for 2010...specifically, the Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Solutions Flat to Volume Shampoo and Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Frizzy to Smooth Shampoo. Winning a breakthrough award is kinda maja, because the Allure editors started with 150 submissions, cut that to 63 contenders, and ended with 12. Only 12. And it has to be something new, something novel. No other shampoos made the cut, and Allure is not one to shy away from the expensive stuff. So, pretty good start...especially for a drug store brand!

Here's how it works. The peeps at Pantene figured out that hair really can be separated into 4 groups: fine, medium/thick, curly, and color/chemical treated. So all the products are designed and separated into these 4 groups, with the intent of working on this hair TYPE. They also have a "restore healthy lengths" and "Original" line, but I don't know much about that. I guess other shampoo companies do this, but it's not as obvious. Most bottles don't say "Fine hair" or "Thick hair" specifically. I think that they should, and why it's 2010 and this is JUST now occurring to beauty product developers, I don't know.

Now. I have not tried the shampoo...YET. I plan to, especially after the Allure shout out. My Brocato shampoo is awesome..but it's $20+ a bottle (I KNOOOOWWW...) This stuff is $7. So much better on my wallet.

I HAVE tried the Medium to Thick Straighten and Smooth Creme, and I really, really like it. It makes my hair straight as a board, and it STAYS that way. I have naturally wavy hair, so if all I do is blow dry it just looks straight. If I flat-iron it does NOT frizz, even in humidity, and it stays basically two days. If my bangs didn't get so grease-tastic I could go without washing. A little goes a long way, so you don't need to overdo it or your hair could feel kinda weighed down. They have a smooth/straight creme for fine hair, so as the bottle says, don't use it if your hair isn't medium/thick. It's only $5.99. Seriously, I spend over $6 on a glass of wine at a restaurant...this is nothing compared to most product costs.

Photo courtesy of www.walgreens.com

There really are a bunch of new, interesting products from Pantene I want to try. There are other styling products I think would work great with my hair...and thanks to the new labeling I don't really have to wonder "Does this work for my hair type?" Cause it's WRITTEN ON THE BOTTLE. Everything is so inexpensive as well, which makes me feel better about tossing it if it doesn't work out. I never try the high end stuff cause I hate to waste the money. But I'll be testing a good bit of this line.

Pantene has some neato stuff on their site to help you out. First, there is a little tutorial to help you pick what works best for you (since I have both colored AND medium hair, it may be hard to choose) HERE. They also have reviews and vids from other women HERE. Test it out, it's pretty fun to run through!

Pantene, who knew??

(sidebar: I SERIOUSLY need to figure out how to get into R&D in the beauty world. It's like my dream job. DREAM.JOB.
sidebar 2: That pic of me with my godson that some of you were so sweet about and RAVED about my hair? Yeah. I used this cream, twisted my bangs to the side, and then curled the ends with a 1" curling iron. Easy.)

Chanel's fall nail polish line

So the break up with summer is going well. I have quite enjoyed the purple polish on my toes, and plan to hit up the greige nail polish this weekend.

While I CANNOT afford Chanel ($23 a bottle? No thanks) THESE are exactly the colors I'm loving this fall. I would recommend you all check out Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure ($7.50 a bottle at Walgreens). They have a great selection at a MUCH MUCH better price.

Photo courtesy of Allure.com

Here's the Allure blog post: Chanel's New Fall Polishes are Here!

Excellent tips that I didn't know about....

Esp the swiping of polish remover before the base coat even if you don't have polish to remove.

From Allure.com. Manicure Tricks Too Good To Skip

I LOVE when I forget I ordered something!

Uh, so I totally forgot I ordered this Allure summer beauty box that I blogged about HERE. I got it in the mail today and I am PUMPED. Look at all this stuff!! ALL full size, ALL good stuff. Shampoo, conditioner, hair moisturizing oil, hair cream, a bunch of different moisturizers, eye shadow, highlighting powder, lip glosses (8 of them!), toothpaste, For $40!!!

Everything is full size, and the bag is actually sturdy and cute (I may get it monogrammed, not sure yet)! It has a waterproof lining as well, which is a big bonus. So excited---and let me just say the first thing I plan to try is the Garnier skin renew moisturizer. It's supposed to tone down sunspots. I currently have one on my upper lip that looks like DIRT and it is SOOOO embarrassing. So this stuff will get put to the test ASAP! (And to think I was about to go out and spend $50 on Clinique dark spot corrector!)

YIPEE! Will let you know how all the products turn out!!


Photo courtesy of http://www.garniernutritioniste.com/en/

Allure Summer Beauty Box

Hey everyone! So Allure is doing a summer beauty box at their virtual store. I read about it HERE on their blog.

I just ordered mine. It contains 11 full-size bottles of products I already use, such as Aveeno SPF 70 sunblock, Colgate whitening toothpaste, Stila lip glosses (EIGHT of them), Neutrogena sheer SPF 70, and a few other products I'm excited to try, like the Biolage hair oil and Biore moisturizer!

It's $39.99 and comes with a small tote. The sunblocks and moisturizers alone at Rite Aid would be at least $10 a pop. The lipgloss set is $25. I like that they are all full size bottles too!

The only bummer...it says 4-6 weeks for delivery AFTER you order it. But, summer is just beginning so I know I will still use the sunscreen up before the end of August. Hopefully it will arrive much sooner than that.

Go to the ALLURE VIRTUAL STORE to find yours! I would purchase soon if you want one, I think there is a limited amount.

Maybe 50 IS the new 30. Which makes 30 the new what?

Whoa. Read this blog post from Allure. I thought the Golden Girls were 70 or something. Nope.

Sex and the City's Golden Years from Allure

Veerrrry interesting.

Carrie Underwood on the cover of Allure

So, girl crush #2 in my life (next to Reese Witherspoon) is Carrie Underwood solely based on the fact that her hair and her makeup (Good Lord her MAKEUP) is always flawless. FLAW-LESS.

I was excited to see her on the cover because they always tell which makeup they use. Here is the link to some pics on Allure.com Check it out! If you're looking for a good read, I would get the whole mag in stores. They have some good articles this month.

I really like how she always has this smokey eye, but it's not overpowering. It's also usually more brown than black, which looks a bit better on me as well (blond, fair, etc).

Alas, they used ALL Dior on her for the shoot. Now, it is not beyond me to spend a silly amount of money on makeup, but I am trying very hard to be much better about my budget lately. I just cannot afford Dior. But, they did list the colors so I tried to mimic. I couldn't find the lipstick, so I just started with the eyes (they are my fav anyway). They reported they used an eggshell color to highlight under her brows but didn't list the name. However, eggshell is a pretty standard color that you can find anywhere.

On her:

Dior Ultra-Smooth High Impact Eyeshadow in Bronzy night ($28 at Sephora)
Dior eyeliner in Deep Brown ($28 at Sephora)
What I bought:

Revlon Satin Luxurious Eye Shadow in Polished Bronze ($4.99 at Target or Drugstore.com)

Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Cocoa (bonus 2 pack at Target for $6.99 or Walgreens.com)

I'll let you know if I find a match for the lipstick and blush!

Images courtesy of Sephora.com, Walgreens.com, and Drugstore.com

Busy day over at Allure

Hi all. This is a pretty nice little sweepstakes, and a GREAT time killer. :) But I NEVER procrastinate, so I wouldn't really know, right??

Anywho, it's the reader's choice awards from Allure. The survey is extensive, but you do not get penalized for skipping sections. For example, if you do not have a fav dept store lipstick, then you don't need to fill out. There is no purchase of Allure mag required. They do ask for your contact info. They also ask you to subscribe, but you can just click "No" if you aren't interested. I do, however, enjoy this mag, and if you have been wanting something new to read I recommend. Obviously up to you!!

Here's the details (copied from my email to you!)
"No matter how many sections you complete, you'll be entered to win a trip for two—with airfare and treatments—to the Exhale Mind/Body Spa at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, worth $7,890. If you complete all of the sections, you'll also have a shot at winning a $500 Beauty360 shopping spree, $350 worth of Neutrogena skin-care products, and $300 worth of gorgeous makeup and fragrances from Benefit*."

Click HERE or put this link in your browser:
http://www.tsgonline.com/studies/CN/allure200912/default.asp?id=DB

You have until Feb 28 to fill everything out!! Have fun!

How to Look Good In Heels

I thought this was interesting from the Allure Daily Reporter:

How to Look Good in Heels (Without Killing Your Feet)

Most interesting tip? Buy shoes that are slightly big to allow your feet to swell a bit...which I never do. Kinda makes sense though. There is really nothing worse than feelin smokin' hot but simultaneously contemplating cutting your foot off at the ankle. :)

Happy Tuesday!

Allure and Dior

Beauty tips video from Allure and Dior/Nordstrom. Fun to watch!
http://allureaccess.com/dior/