A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

If lady luck has been bypassing you on her mission to make everyone feel more blessed, take refuge in the beauty department at Liberty tomorrow where you’re guaranteed to prosper.  The iconic London department store is launching an exclusive Liberty Beauty Lottery extravaganza, and for once in our lives, we’re all winners.

Every customer who spends over £65 will be given an exclusive Beauty Lottery Scratch Card which will reveal an instant (sur)prize…

Infact, there are over 3,000 full-sized products to give away and scratch cards will continue to be issued until the last free product has left the store, clutched tightly in the hands of its “lucky” recipient.

Prizes include: Molecule 01 100ml, Diptyque Philosykos 50ml, Dr Sebagh Serum Repair, Frederic Malle Candle, Egyptian Magic cream, Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, Kiehl’s Crème de Corps 125ml, Margaret Dabbs manicure, NARS Laguna The Multiple, ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk, Bobbi Brown long wear gel liner, Chantecaille Le Stylo, Magnesium Flakes, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Aromatherapy Associates Enrich Body Serum, Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil 150ml, ReVive Microdermabrasion Renewal System, Liberty Rose Shower Gel, Liberty Print large washbag and Cowshed Grumpy Cow Body Lotion.

This is one streak of good fortune you won’t want to leave to chance.  Starts tomorrow at Liberty!

If the advent of this new year has inspired a fresh start when it comes to your skincare choices, you could save yourself a pretty penny by heading over to the Organic Surge website and indulging in their Skin and Body Mega Bundle which offers everything you need to turn over a new leaf.

The Mega Bundle, worth £60, is currently priced at an astonishingly good value of only £23.97 and contains many of Organic Surge’s bestselling products including:

Gentle Cleansing Lotion
Daily Care Face Wash
Skin Perfecting Polish
Overnight Sensation Night Cream
Super-Intensive Daily Moisturiser
Eye Gel
Kiss & Make-Up Wipes
Gentle Meadow Body Lotion
Sweet Blossom Shower Gel
Lemon & Honey Soap

This deal should be of particular appeal to those of you with sensitive skin and anyone concerned about the chemicals in their skincare, the entire range is 100% free of parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate with no artificial fragrances or colourants.

Beware, this is a limited edition bundle so go forth and shop!

What with it being the season of goodwill and thinking of others, spare a thought for your BFF (best friend forever!) and invite them along to your local Smashbox counter for a no-holds barred, makeup play-date!  Whether you’re looking for advice on a cool smoky eye or hot tips to create the perfect statement lip, the beauty crew at Smashbox will demonstrate how to up the beauty ante this party season.

Whilst you’re there, register both your details with the Smashbox team and you’ll both be treated to a free Smashbox Try It Kit * containing some of the brands most talked-about products.

The Smashbox Try It Kit contains:

Photo Finish Foundation Primer 7.1ml
Photo Finish Lid Primer 0.5ml
Limitless Eye Liner in Onyx 0.8g
Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout 4ml
Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume 4.2ml

…and is available on counter**, exclusively at Boots, from 1st – 31st December 2012

In London last week, I got my makeup done at a Smashbox event whilst catching up with blogging BFFs: @vexinthecity and @makeuptomakeout, the girls were on top form and Lina in particular was sporting a rather incredible hot pink lipstick from the LA brand. Check it out:

But for me, when it comes to Smashbox, it’s got to be all about the face – the brand are renowned for their primers and base products, so when I was offered the chance to be made over by the lovely Janine Bird, Smashbox’s National Make Up Coach, I was keen to see how their base products would perform on my dry skin.  Here I am… looking all “speshul”, consider it a before/after…

Janine used their HD foundation on me and it felt extremely comfortable on my skin, not at all heavy or drying, which is what I was expecting following dalliances with other HD foundations.  Having said that, I also felt that the lightest shade was too yellow-toned for my complexion, I got away with it… but the match was definitely not 100% for me.  Still, flawless skin ahoy and it did. not. budge. an. inch. all evening.

If you’re curious about the line, now’s the time to head into your nearest participating Boots store and check it out.  Don’t forget to take a friend!

* press sample

**Customer registration required (including postal address) following a makeup session. One Try It Kit per customer, whilst stocks last. Closing date 31^st December 2012. Your Try It Kit will be delivered within 6 weeks of the closing date.

Who says that history doesn’t repeat itself?  Starting next Monday, Clinique are hosting a repeat of last year’s frivolities with a week of Christmas treats and offering some particularly lovely gift with purchases to entice you into spending your pennies.

If you’ve been planning a beauty purchase or some gift shopping, it will pay dividends to log on to www.clinique.co.uk each morning to uncover the purchase qualifier and offer code.

Each offer is top secret until the grand reveal BUT I can divulge the teasers that have been released especially to whet our appetites!

Day 1 (Monday 3rd December): A treat to make the eyes flutter during the party season.

Day 2 (Tuesday 4th December): Let your eyes do the sparkling.

Day 3 (Wednesday 5th December): Treats all around.

Day 4 (Thursday 6th December): Everything you need for party perfection.

Day 5 (Friday 7th December): Get them before they’re gone.

If you’re struggling for inspiration, my Christmas pick would be the Limited Edition Taste of Honey set which incorporates four sheer lip shades, beautifully presented.  It’s the kind of gift that should please even the most difficult to buy for!

The Clinque Sweet Treats promotion will run from December 3rd – December 7th, inclusive, only online at clinique.co.uk, while stocks last.

Got presents to buy this weekend? Of course you have *sounds the “it’s nearly December klaxon*!   How about a Cult Beauty goody bag to go with them?

I got lured into Space NK yesterday… what can I say? I don’t have a store near me, so whenever I do spot one, I break into a four-minute mile on the approach.  I’m mildly ashamed to say that I didn’t actually buy anything in there for anyone else (it was all about ME) but I’m hoping to restore some karmic equilibrium by sharing this offer from Cult Beauty with you, especially after it proved so damn popular last year!

Spend £40 (and a penny – although not necessarily exactly – duh) and claim a goody bag of delights that include the following:

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Lash Genius
2. Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel (15ml)
3. Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask (10ml)
4. Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil (3ml)
5. Eve Lom Rescue Mask (5ml)
6. DuWop Mini Lip Venom (1.5ml)
7. Jouer Cosmetics Essential Lip Enhancer (full size)
8. Kai Perfume Oil Vial (1ml)
9. Alison Raffaele Reality Base Foundation (5ml)

Yes, yes… did you spot #7?  My eyes may have made a beeline…

I’m a massive fan of sample-sized masks and peels, they’re “treatments” that you can reap the benefits from in just one sitting.  The ladies at Cult Beauty have clearly put some thought into this year’s goody bag.  Also, would totally save the Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress for Xmas Day evening… bliss.

The offer starts tomorrow morning and is only available while stocks last.  Simply spend over £40 and enter the code GOODYBAG at checkout to claim yours.

Now, that’s gotta make Christmas shopping a little more palatable!  Done yours yet?

I was just browsing the Tesco website and discovered that there are a number of hairstyling tools to be had at a decent saving.  I thought that with the “party” season just around the corner, this could be of interest to some of you. I wish I had more dedication to making my hair look nicely done, I always feel better when it looks less bird’s-nesty but when you have to prioritise time in the mornings, something’s gotta give and hair is just way down there on the list of priorities.

Anyway, here are the offers on cheap hair styling tools on the site that caught my eye… anyone know what the TRESemme “big hair-alike” is like (number 2)?

1.  TRESemmé Salon Professional 24 Hour Body Rollers – normal price: £29.97 / current price: £17.50

2.  TRESemmé Salon Professional 24 Hour Body Styler – normal price: £24.97 / current price: £19.97

3.  BaByliss Pro 235 Smooth Straightener – normal price: £59.97 / current price: £29.50

4.  THX Power Up 2200w Hairdryer – normal price: £19.94 / currently price: £14.94

What hair styling tool could you not live without?  Mine is the modest hairdryer, my fringe looks like a pair of curtains without it.

What is it?

Ojon Damage Reverse Shampoo and Conditioner – formulated with Ojon Oil, which helps instantly hydrate extremely dry, damaged hair and protect it from future breakage.  The brand are offering customers the chance to take home a full size Damage Reverse Shampoo and a full size Damage Reverse Conditioner, completely free of charge!

How do I get it?

Customers are invited to visit their nearest John Lewis, selected Boots stores, House of Fraser, Fenwick and Harrods on November 8th 2012  to take part in this one day event. Customers will receive the Damage Reverse Shampoo and Conditioner, worth £41.50 in exchange for an empty shampoo or conditioner bottle from any brand.  This offer is on a first come, first served basis and the offer will only stand while stocks last.

Really?!

Yep.

Get that date in your diaries ladies and don’t throw away your empties!

* for your nearest participating store call: 0870 034 2454

Sorry ladies, don’t mean to play chief enabler on a Wednesday afternoon but I know that many of us are starting to think about Christmas pressies and the like and this seemed like too good an offer not to shout about.

Debenhams are offering an online Elemis exclusive collection which includes some thoroughly lovely products in travel sizes, some of their most popular infact… for only £23.50.

Award winning Elemis collection in travel sizes! Beautifully presented in a silver cosmetics pouch:

• Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 30ml
• Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml
• Frangipani Monoi Body Oil 35ml
• Exotic Frangipani Monoi bath & shower cream 50ml
• Pro-Radiance cream cleanser 30ml

The entire set is worth in the region of £74, that’s a saving of ALMOST 70%!  Debenhams are also currently offering 1000 bonus beauty club points on spends over £50.

How’s your Christmas shopping going?

Morning!

Hope you’re reading this from the comfort of your beds, I intend to still be fully tucked up when this post goes live – probably with one eye on Franny’s Feet, Mike the Knight or whatever else is showing on TinyPop that will grant us an extra half hour in bed in the morning.  Sweet, sweet children’s T.V.  Once that’s over and done with I’ll be heading to my parent’s house to eat my Dad’s birthday cake celebrate my Dad’s birthday.  Possibly with a little trip to the supermarket on the way back.  Not the most exciting of Saturdays is it?

Whatever you’re doing today, I thought I’d give you a little heads up to a rather tasty free delivery offer that’s gone live over at Illamasqua.com.

The deal lasts until Monday morning and is valid on both domestic and international orders with NO MINIMUM SPEND.

If you’re interested in checking out some of my favourite (and not so well liked) Illamasqua goodies, click here for an archive of Illamasqua-inspired posts.   Also worth checking out is the Illamasqua Perfect Pout bundle; The Retractable Lip Brush, any colour in Medium Pencil and any colour in Lipstick for the price of just £38.00, originally £47.50.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Are you thinking about Christmas yet?  Can I let you in on a little secret?  I’ve nearly bought all my Christmas presents already.  Don’t hate me, it just seemed to happen without any real intention to get organised – perhaps it’s because funds are a little tighter this year than normal (“real” rent will do that to you), or perhaps there’s been some really good offers on in all the shops I frequent?  Either way, I have managed to secure some thoughtful pressies for definitely less than it would cost if I had left it until the “holiday spirit” is in full swing!

I even hit the supermarket this week and bought all the chocolates (you know, the present bulker-uppers!) for a £1 a bag – malteasers, minstrels, rolos…. oh god, did someone say chocolate?

Anyway, incase you are feeling a little bit organised, I wanted to tell you about a rather lovely Jimmy Choo GWP that’s out on counter now.

No, sorry, it’s not a pair of shoes! But perhaps the next best thing – no, not a lifetime supply of Galaxy either, stay with me…

It’s a Jimmy Choo shoe case, to put your, err, Jimmy Choos in!  But you know, your Converse would look pretty good in it too (sacrilege!)  This would make a lovely gift for any fashionistas and you can either keep the perfume for yourself, or be super generous and part with that aswell!  Or you know, you could just keep it all for yourself (my precious, etc. etc.)

The Jimmy Choo shoe case is available in department stores nationwide from October 2012 with a purchase of any Jimmy Choo 60ml fragrance.

For 48hrs only, get 25% off at Cult Beauty with the discount code FLASH25. Perfect for those organised Christmas shoppers out there (I know you’re out there!)

Code valid until midnight on Monday.

* Discount exludes Escentric Molecules and Moroccanoil

Do you know what are stupidly expensive?  GHDs.

Also, everything else that I currently want but cannot afford… like a KitchenAid.

Still, if you are in the market for a new pair of hair straighteners but have been holding out for a better deal, you might be interested in this week’s offerings at BrandAlley.co.uk.  The private sales website will be holding a flash sale on the following discounted GHD goodies at up to 40% off from now until Sunday 30th September.

Starting with (1) the GHD Style and Protect gift set (RRP: £39 / BA Price: £23), (2) GHD Peacock Purple Standard Iron (RRP: £119 / BA Price: £95), (3) GHD Peacock Green Standard Iron (RRP: £119 / BA Price: £95) and finally (4) GHD Scarlett Deluxe Iron (RRP: £149 / BA Price £90).

If you’ve spotted something on your Christmas list, you might want to point your nearest and dearest in the direction of brandalley.co.uk this week.  Now, where can I get 40% off a KitchenAid?