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The Beauty Look Book November Giveaway! Comment To Win . . .

November 9, 2009

I’m hosting my second giveaway to celebrate my new domain name and having reached over 200 followers!

This month’s giveaway includes Hard Candy Nail Polishes, mini Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitizers, and mini L’Occitane Hand Creams.

This is how it will work, there will be 4 winners selected at random, each of whom will receive:

  • 1 Hard Candy nail polish
  • 1 Bath & Body Works mini holiday hand sanitizer
  • 1 L’Occitane mini scented hand cream (not pictured, but will be one of the ones featured HERE)


The giveaway will be open an entire week, deadline to post a comment will be next Sunday the 15th at 9:00 pm PST. Winners will be selected randomly and announced next Monday.

Rules to be considered for the drawing:

  1. Be a follower of my blog through google friend connect
  2. Open to all followers (all countries)
  3. Leave me a way to contact you (if you don’t want to leave your e-mail listed below, send a separate e-mail to me through the contact button on the side bar and tell me the screen name you posted under)
  4. Winners I will try my best to give you the nail polish color you prefer, but cannot guarantee you will get your first choice
  5. Write in the comments below your answer to this question: What is your biggest shopping incentive? Which shopping incentive would you choose: A gift with purchase event or a shopping discount event? Any most importantly why?

Would be very interested to know your thoughts! (My answer will be posted in the comments section!)

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New Domain Address!

November 8, 2009

Hi readers, I just converted my blog from a blogspot.com to a domain name http://www.thebeautylookbook.com – most everything will remain the same and I plan on still using google blogger to post all of my pictures, articles, commentary etc. so the format will essentially be the same throughout.

You can still follow my blog through Google Friend Connect which is located at the bottom of the screen.

Please note that this might take a few days to go into full effect for everyone. You can still type in the blogspot address and it should redirect you to the new domain name soon. If you can update your bookmarks in the meantime, that would be great!

Also note that some of my original layout was lost when I converted so I am in the process of updating my blog lists etc.

If you are having any problems accessing the site or notice anything significantly different, please send me an e-mail through the contact button on the side bar or write a comment below.

To anyone concerned about this, FYI, I do not plan on changing my blogging model for the time being, so you as a reader will not be bombarded with advertising or things like that. Do note I haven’t completely ruled it out for the future – but for the time being, my plan is to simply keep doing what I’ve been doing the past 6 months which is to bring you reviews and share pictures of things I’ve purchased or makeovers I’ve had or any new tidbits of info that I receive. Perhaps inspire you to try something new every once in a while.

Thanks!

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More Dolce & Gabbana Goodies

November 8, 2009

These were from Saks.com from Friends and Family last month. Fuschia Nail Polish, Red Nail Polish, Soft Lipstick, Nude Lipgloss, Tender Lipgloss:

Desert Bronzer:


Compared to Edward Bess Daydream (left), Giorgio Armani #5 (right), Le Metier de Beaute Sunkissed (bottom):


L to R – Soft Lipstick, Nude Lipgloss, Tender Lipgloss:


Another view, Tender Lipgloss (left), Nude Lipgloss (middle), Soft Lipstick (right):


Fuschia (corally shimmer) & Red Nail Polishes:


Overall thoughts: I have to admit I’ve grown to like Dolce & Gabbana a lot more than I initially did. Although I did love everything from my first haul (First Look: Dolce & Gabbana Makeup) thanks to some great recommendations from Melissa at Saks NY – I wasn’t completely thrilled because I felt everything was overpriced.

However, after having tried more of the line, I’ve come to like the high quality of their products. Some can be a hit or miss. For me, I like the nail polishes as long as you get the newer skinny brush (rather than the original fat chunky ones), I love the eyeshadow quads and duos for excellent velvet like texture and rich pigment, and the classic lipsticks are vibrant and moisturizing.

The blushes in my opinion are pretty, but seem to be more on the soft side. I prefer to go a bit heavier with my blush, but they are nice if you like a natural soft cheek (think along the lines of the Laura Mercier reformulated blushes).

The lipglosses may vary per preference. I haven’t been able to try them all, but really liked Baby, Seduction and Sunset. They have a thicker rich texture. Nude and Tender are pretty, but I find them more sheer than rich. Still very pretty.

I have a couple of the holiday items coming in the mail soon, check back for it later this week.

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Looks I’m Loving Right Now: Day 5

November 6, 2009

Today’s looks are centered around pink eyeshadow. For me it’s hard to find a pink shadow that doesn’t make me look like I have pink-eye. These work for me because they aren’t too pink.

Look Day 5: neutral/warm pink eyeshadow with soft rose cheeks and rosey lips


Cheeks:
Chanel Tweed Rose Blush
Becca Angel Loose Shimmer Powder to highlight

Eyes:
Laura Mercier Pink Chiffon Satinee Cream Eye Color
Chanel Demure Quad
Urban Decay Bourbon 24-7 Eyeliner

Lips:
Trish McEvoy Bare Lipliner
Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipstick
Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipgloss (Nordstrom Exclusive, try LM Blush Lip Glace for a dupe)

Swatches, left to right: LM Pink Chiffon, Chanel Demure Quad, UD Bourbon, Chanel Tweed Rose, Becca Angel, Trish McEvoy Bare, Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipstick, Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Gloss

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Alternate 1: Cool pink with purple eyes


Cheeks:
MAC Stark Naked Blush

Eyes:
Dior Petal Shine Iridescent Quint
MAC Deep Purple Pigment (Pro)

Lips:
Laura Mercier Chestnut Lipliner
Chanel Naive #25 Rouge Allure
Chanel Imaginaire #84 Glossimer

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Alternate 2: Neutral light pink-gold sparkle with taupe and black

Cheeks:
Shu Uemura P Pink 30 Blush

Eyes:
Bobbi Brown Ballet Pink Cream Eyeshadow
MAC Naked Pigment
Urban Decay Stray Dog Eyeshadow
Shu Uemura ME Black 990 Eyeshadow

Lips:
Chanel Waikiki Aqualumiere
Bobbi Brown Brightening Pink Lipgloss

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Color Focus: Purple Nail Polish Photos & Swatches

November 6, 2009

Thanks to several e-mails and other blog recommendations, I checked out the new Hard Candy Mr. Wrong at Walmart and the new OPI Merry Midnight Nail Polishes. Hard Candy Mr. Wrong is very sparkly with a base similar to Dior’s Silver Purple but with chunky gold glitter mixed in. I was initially worried that OPI’s Merry Midnight would be too over the top, but when I tried it on at home, it turned out really pretty. The formula is super sheer though and required 3 full coats for me. Here are a few swatch pictures to compare.

Unique Purples: Hard Candy Mr. Wrong (Walmart), Dior Silver Purple (Holiday 2009), Dior Lemon Balm (Nordstrom Exclusive)


Plummy-Mauve Purples: Le Metier Violaceous Splendor, OPI Merry Midnight, Le Metier Black Orchid

* Note, the OPI Merry Midnight sparkle doesn’t show up so well in the swatch photo, I highly recommend you check out All Lacquered Up or Scrangie’s Blogs for better swatch pictures!

Light purple shades: Like purples, but don’t like darker colors? Check out Le Metier de Beaute Phlox, Chanel Violette, MAC Love & Friendship


If you want to see more purple nail polishes I’ve written about, check out these links:

* Color Focus: Dark Vampy Nail Polish
* I *HEART* MAC Baby Goth Girl
* A Few Alternatives to Super Dark Nail Polish . . .

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Looks I’m Loving Right Now: Day 4

November 5, 2009

Today’s focus is around silvery eyes with a few alternatives in case you can’t pull off silvers. I have warmer skin with olive tones and can’t always pull off silvery eyeshadows because they make me look tired, but the Dior Smoky Crystal Quint was a surprisingly pretty on! I hope this gives you a few ideas of what types of colors you can use. These may not work for everyone, but these are looks that I’ve done that work for me.

To recap (in case you haven’t read my About Me section), I have dark black/brown hair with red highlights, medium olive/golden skin and use Chanel Shell/Beige Teint Innocence, my eyes are dark brown.

Look Day 4: silvery eyeshadow with rose-pink lips/cheeks


Cheeks:
Dolce & Gabbana Desert Bronzer (not swatched)
Lorac Velvet Rope Baked Blush

Eyes:
Shiseido Rose Tulle H11 Hydropower Eyeshadow
Bobbi Brown Steel Cream Eyeshadow
Dior Smoky Crystal Quint
MAC Feline Eyeliner

Lips:
Chanel Tulip Lipliner
Trish McEvoy Pink Innocent
Le Metier de Beaute Cannes Lipgloss or Bobbi Brown Pink Lilac Brightening Gloss as an alternative

* Note the swatches for the eyeshadows look greenish on my screen for some reason. In real life they are close to what the product photo looks like in the picture near the top.

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Alternative if you can’t pull of silvers: try champagne, a soft taupe, a sparkley silvery-gold cream shadow and a smokey black eyeshadow


Cheeks: Giorgio Armani Blush #10

Eyes: Giorgio Armani Maestro Eyeshadow #30
Bobbi Brown Galaxy Cream Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani Eyeshadow Maestro #32
Giorgio Armani Manta Ray Duo #1

Lips: Bobbi Brown Blondie Pink Lipliner
Chantecaille Oleander Lipstick
Dolce & Gabbana Nude Lipgloss

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Cheeks: Bobbi Brown Pink Sugar Shimmer Blush

Eyes: Chantecaille Quartz (top left)
Chantecaille Meteorite (top middle)
MAC Sunnydaze Pigment
MAC Cinderfella Mineralize Eyeshadow
Chanel Noir Le Crayon Kohl Eyeliner

Lips: MAC Dervish
Dolce & Gabbana Charm Lipstick
Paul & Joe Lip Lacquer #9

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Looks I’m Loving Right Now: Day 3

November 4, 2009

Today’s feature focuses on green eyeshadows and a few ideas on how to coordinate with other colors for the rest of your face.

Look Day #3 Focus: Green Eyeshadow Combinations


Cheeks:
Edward Bess Daydream Bronzer
MAC Pink Swoon Blush

Eyes:
Nars Mousson Cream Eyeshadow
Nars Taiga Eyeshadow Duo
Bobbi Brown Forest Shimmer Ink Liner

Lips:
MAC Whirl Lipliner
Chanel Tempt Hydrabase Lipstick
Chanel Bon-Bon Aqualumiere Gloss

* Please note that the bronzer and blush were applied with a heavy hand for swatches and do not look the same on the face, when applied with a bronzer/blush brush, these 2 mixed create a healthy soft glow

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Another combination: green/gold/brown eyes with peachy lips/cheeks

1) MAC Cash Flow Paint Pot
2) Giorgio Armani Eyeshadow Quad #3
3) Benefit Coralista
4) MAC New Vegas Mineralize Skinfinish
5) Chanel Black Jade Eyeliner
6) MAC Summerfruit Lipliner
7) MAC Shy Girl Lipstick
8) Giorgio Armani Lipshimmer #1
9) Giorgio Armani Lipshimmer #16

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Another combination: green eyes with pink lips/cheeks


Cheeks: Chanel Rose Petale

Eyes: Bobbi Brown Ballet Pink Cream Eyeshadow
Bobbi Brown Ivy Shimmer Gel Liner
Chanel Murano Quad

Lips: Bobbi Brown Blondie Pink Lipliner
Chantecaille Camelia Lip Chic
Edward Bess Bare Rose Lipgloss