New Year's Eve Preparations: Kiss Kit

The countdown is ON in my apartment, which means pre-New Year's Eve beauty prep has begun. First up is a mean mixed mask concoction of Mario Badescu's Cucumber Tonic and Drying Masks, and next is my pre-kiss regimen, seen above.

The kiss kit is essential pre-date prep and the most important step in tonight's very special New Year's Eve beauty routine. In short:

• Start with a Crest Whitestrip for a crisp white smile. I use the 3D White version seen above for 30 minutes a day, generally while I'm in the shower. On day 5 of the regimen, I have no sensitivity whatsover and my teeth are already visibly brightened - there's no substitute for these in my beauty book.
• Next, to ensure smooth lips and later, the easy application of any lip color, apply a thick layer of lip scrub - I like the LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub, it's all sweet and salty, OR Sara Happ's The Lip Scrub, seen below (and available in various scents/flavors) - and massage in gently, in circular motions.  
• Lastly, wipe off remaining lip scrub with a warm, damp washcloth for added exfoliation and apply a thick, almost mask-like layer of a rich, emollient lip balm - I like Rodin Olio Lusso's best, seen above or the Simply Vera Vera Wang Cosmetics Soothing Balm, available exclusively at Kohl's.

Let the lip balm settle while you apply your makeup, and if you're applying color - be it a tinted balm, stain or lipstick - blot excess product with a single layer of tissue pre-applicable.

Voila! Your New Year's Eve Kiss Kit:

Gifts for the Gemini Woman: An Astrological Gift Guide

A Gemini woman is a very special breed indeed, and if you have one in your life, you likely consider yourself very lucky. I myself, happen to be particularly prone to Geminis - several of my very favorite friends fall under the sign of the Twins, so when it came time to compile my Astrological Gift Guide, I felt it necessary to crowdsource a suggestion or two. 

For the Gemini woman on your list this holiday, may I present you with the following options:

• "As a Gemini, I reserve the right to change my mind about what I'm wearing, sometimes multiple times a day. This Mackage Azur Convertible Jacket ($632)offers ladylike allure (a lady on the streets) for day, then rocker headline-making hotness by night (a freak in the sheets.)" - Guest Gemini Correspondent Kristin Booker of Fashion Style Beauty
• As hinted at above by Ms. Kristin, choice is key to a Gemini -let them never feel too boxed in. Pixi's Early Bird Kit ($34) is the perfect solution - tucked inside this girly and sweet palette is no fewer than 3 cheek colours, 2 bronzers, 1 face glow, 4 eye base shades, and 16 eye shadow colors. 
• Playful Gemini is naturally charming, living for fun and few beauty brands epitomize FUN in the way that LUSH does. The Godmother Soap ($6.40) is whimsical and sweet, scented with the girlish fragrance of Snow Fairy. But to balance the duality of Gemini, pair it up with Dirty, a fresh herbal and spearmint-y scent that rings in at $7.95.
• "As you KNOW, I'm a GEMini, and it's important for me to be able to communicate often and easily. So high on my list is this Ted Baker tablet case for my iPad, complete with gold glitter bow ($70). If there's one thing I like more than communicating, it's gold glitter. SPESH!" - Guest Gemini Correspondent Amber Katz of Beauty Blogging Junkie
• Indecisive, much? Gemini women tend to suffer from ADD at times - that's Attention Deficit Disorder. Thankfully, she'll never be bored with e.l.f.'s chic little Nail Polish Cube. At just $10, it includes 10 bottles of high color, high shimmer, high shine nail lacquers - the perfect solution to your Secret Santa needs.

For more in this year's Astrological Gift Guide series, visit Gifts for the Leo Woman here!

What's Working: Skincare Essentials

As previously discussed, my skin has been the bane of my existence for some time now. For some reason, it refuses to acknowledge that I'm a woman of a CERTAIN AGE and instead rewards my copious beauty product use with blemishes and pigmentation issues. But in recent weeks, I've hit a happy little groove in my skincare and these four products are the reason why:

$17.00 by Mario Badescu at Nordstrom

I've tried almost every blemish-busting product imaginable, to no avail. But in just short of a week, Mario Badescu's Buffering Lotion has cleared up nearly all of my forehead issues, shrinking and clearing blemishes dramatically without drying my skin.  I squirt a generous amount onto a cotton ball and apply twice a day. Best of all, it dries close to clear, so you can dab on a bit of foundation or concealer over it and go about your life.

$29.50 at Origins

Thanks to the stress in my life, eye cream is a non-negotiable. Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream delivers as promised, moisturizing delicate under eye skin and leaving the eye area looking visibly brighter.

 

$22.95 at Lush

The packaging on LUSH's Celestial Facial Moisturizer leaves MUCH to be desired (would a pump bottle be too much to ask for?) but the insanely gentle vanilla, almond milk and dove orchid blend moisturizes effectively and calms sensitive skin in a flash. Light in texture and unscented, this product is PERFECT for the dog days of summer.

 

$30.00 by Elizabeth Arden at Lord & Taylor

Hot humid weather makes the idea of foundation a non-starter, so I've embraced Elizabeth Arden's new Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15. It delivers a lovely diffused and glowy finish, as well as necessary SPF protection.

What skincare products are you swearing by this summer?

Spa at Home Sunday: LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub

Despite an overflowing vanity, I find it impossible to part with even the most unnecessary beauty products. I mean, let's get real. Could I exfoliate my lips with a fresh toothbrush or a wet washcloth? YEAH.  I COULD. But I don't want to. I'd rather use one of LUSH's NEW Lip Scrubs, preferably Mint Julips.

This sugar-based lip scrub marries peppermint oil (for it's breath-freshening properties and a refreshing tingle) with sweet and nourishing vanilla extract. I swipe a small bit on my finger and rub in circular motions across dry lips to remove any flakies. Finish by applying a luxe moisturizing balm before bed and voila, smooth and soft lips! A little goes a long way, so this generously-sized glass jar will last forever.

Snag LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub online or in stores now for just $8,95.

Spa at Home Sunday: LUSH Turkish Delight Body Polish

I have a long, tumultuous relationship with Turkish Delight. My fascination started with The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, but I didn't actually experience the sweet treat until a friend visited London and brought back a gorgeous assortment from Fortnum & Mason.

Unfortunately, as mesmerized as I was by the packaging, Turkish Delight didn't suit my tastebuds. Thankfully, LUSH's newest product, Turkish Delight Body Polish, takes the very best of the exotic treat - the divine scent of rose - and uses it in a gentle elixer that's designed to soothe and nourish dehydrated skin in the shower.

Turkish Delight Body Polish uses a cocoa butter, almond oil and soap base to cleanse the skin, while a blend of neroil oil, jasmine absolute, rose oil, rose water and rose absolute leaves skin soft and smelling nothing short of ah-mazing! Despite it's simplicity, this product feels like a divine little luxury and I love it.

Turkish Delight Body Polish retails for $29.95 at LUSH stores nationwide and on www.lushusa.com.

Holiday Gift-Terrific: LUSH Want to Believe Bath Melt

Not everyone can make Santa's "Nice" list, so for those that lean a little more naughty, consider gifting them LUSH's Want to Believe Bath Melt ($6.95).

Made with powdered charcoal to deep cleanse, fair trade sugar to exfoliate, fennel oil to detoxify and skin softening cocoa butter, this bath treat looks just like a lump of coal!

Pop a wee red bow on it as a tiny treat or tuck it in the bottom of that special someone's stocking, with a wink.

Shop LUSH at boutiques and online at www.lushusa.com.

Save Canadian Seals

The new First Swim Bubble Bar ($5.95) from LUSH aims to do more than create a relaxing bath. 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Sea Shepherd, a non-profit that directly intervenes on the high seas to stop sealers from killing baby harp seals during Canada's notorious Seal Hunt.

First Swim is a limited edition and hits all 145 North American LUSH stores today!

Spa at Home Sunday: St. Patrick's Day Edition

Our friends at LUSH are going ‘green’ again but this time in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Meet the limited edition, shamrock-inspired Luck of the Irish Bath Bomb ($7.95).

Available for a limited time only, you'll get clean and ready for the day of great spirits (literally and figuratively) with skin-nourishing ingredients like avocado and the invigorating scent of lemongrass, bergamot and rosewood.

Visit your local LUSH store to buy or www.lushusa.com.

Valentine's Day Booty: LUSH

Check out the NEW limited edition Valentine’s Day products from LUSH - launching on February 1st in LUSH stores nationwide and online at www.lushusa.com.

Happy Valentine’s Gift ($19.95):Soft Coeur Massage Bar, You Wash My Back Soaps, Melting Marshmallow Moments Bath Melt.

Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar ($8.95)

True Love Gift ($42.95): Sex Bomb, Soft Coeur Massage Bar, Honey I Washed the Kids Soap, Vanilla Fountain Bath Bomb, Honey Trap

Hello Sailor Gift ($12.95): Rub, Rub, Rub sea salt shower scrub,Too Drunk Emotibomb & a temporary tattoo just for fun!

eye4style: The Most Popular Posts of 2008!

There's just about 36 hours left until the ball drops and 2009 is here! If you have some time to spare, take a quick walk down memory lane with the most popular posts of 2008 here on eye4style:

1. '90's Supermodel Cindy Crawford made her big comeback in French Vogue this November - and here are the pics to prove it.
2. I shopped this year's LuckyShops event 'til I dropped and here's the full report.
3. LUSH - ies went crazy for this year's Clean Slate Sale - and I had the scoop FIRST.  The sale's still going strong, so click here for the details.
4. The Botkier Sample Sale was full of beautiful bags at positively yummy prices and I shared loads of pics and details - Best of all, there's now a Botkier pop up store here, so you can still stop by and grab a bag for a fab price.
5. Last but not least, my Black Friday posts were a big hit - click here for a recap!

A LUSH-ious Post-Holiday Sale!

The post- Christmas sale at LUSH is near legendary among the brand's voracious fans and this year's does NOT disappoint. Since LUSH is all about fresh products, they are making room for the New Year and new products with great deals, beginning on December 26! In store -

WHAT: Buy a LUSH holiday gift (like the 12 Days of Christmas, $69.95, left)and get a 2nd holiday gift (of equal or lesser value) for free OR buy any holiday product or any soap and get 2 holiday products or 2 pieces of soap (of equal or lesser value) for free.*

WHEN: December 26th – January 18th

WHERE: LUSH Stores Nationwide, visit this link for store locations

OR SHOP ONLINE:

WHAT: Buy a holiday product or any soap and get a 2nd one (of the same product) free.*

WHEN: December 26th at 1am (PST), while supplies last.

WHERE: www.lushusa.com

Happy Shopping!

Holiday 2008: Stuff Those Stockings!

Gifts of beauty are perfect for holiday stockings and this season, I've rounded up a few of my very favorite picks - even one for the guys!

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 is a classic - and with good reason. It's newly available in Coconut, Mango and Vanilla but for the holidays, I'd stick with the delightful Pear, Cranberry or Mint. I have one in every pocket.

Trish McEvoy's Portable Beauty Brush Set is a stocking splurge but whether it's for a girlfriend, mom or sister, she'll love you for it!

LUSH Bubble Bars are legendary - at least in my home. The Candy Cane version is sufficiently festive and smells amazing - like super sweet candy mint.

Men will love the Jack Black It's The Balm Lip Balm Trio. These thick emollient balms are perf for winter weather and frills free enough to keep guys happy.

Last but never least, the essie Winter 2008 Minis will get any girl in the holiday spirit - the beautiful jewel toned reds and purples are the ideal accessory to your New Year's Eve look.

To make life easy, you can click through each image in the above spread. Happy Shopping!

Black Friday Scoop - LUSH

LUSH 'Snowman of the Year' Event Tomorrow!

Deals & Steals Thursday

It's bottoms up at Club Monaco.  Take $25 off all regular-price pants from now through Sunday.

Get free shipping at Benefit today and tomorrow with code SPOOKY. If you're looking for something new and fun, try BadGal Plum Mascara, which really makes brown or blue eyes POP!

Take 20% off any purchase at Newport News with code 533. (Don't laugh, they do have the occasional find!)

Holiday yummies have arrived at LUSH and they're celebrating by offering up a free vegan bath bomb or soap with orders over $55.  Enter code VEGAN08DAYLL. You can also save 10% on all prewrapped gifts if you order before November 10. Use code 2008LUSHGIFTS10W at checkout and cross a few gift recipients off your holiday list.

I'm a major stationary girl myself so perhaps you are too? Enter code CAMEO for 20% off at The Paper Princess.

Get $25 off $100 purchase at Macy's - print the coupon here.

Billion Dollar Babes offers up big discounts on Mint by Jodi Arnold. Click here to shop the large selection.