January 2011 Giveaway: Add Some Color To Your Life

January has flown by, but before February comes through, I'd like to give my fabulous readers a chance to win some free products!

This year (well... every year...), I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.

For a lot of people, one way of stepping out and experimenting is with color. 

So, here are 3 new products that will add some color and sparkle to your life!

All you have to do is become a subscriber (it's really easy! just click on the FOLLOW box at the right!) and answer 1 question! (Yes, this time, you have to comment, because I want to hear from you!)

* What are your 3 must-have beauty products? *
It can be anything beauty related: makeup, hair, skin, etc. 

If you subscribe and comment to this post by 11:59 pm  PST on 2/2/11 , you could win:

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream

Earlier this year, I discovered an amazing product at the L.A. Makeup Show.
I didn't really use the product until recently~ I'm officially in Makeup Love.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams have recently became a new favorite and have been added to my must have list.

Make Up For Ever Flash Palette/ 12 Flash Color Case

When I was in Beauty School, my teacher Orlando Santiago told me if there's one thing I need in my kit, it is the Make Up For Ever Flash Palette.  Since then, I have heard this from many different amazing makeup artists.

Everything's Just Peachy- Peach Blushes

I recently wrote an article for Korean Beacon about Blush.

Before...Not only did I rarely use blush... but when I did, it would usually be a pinkish toned one.
My cheeks tended to be on the rosier side, so people would always ask if I was wearing blush.
Now that I'm a Makeup Artist, I do wear blush... and people probably assume I'm wearing makeup (since a hint of bright neon pink cheeks don't really happen naturally)  ;)
However, when I want a really natural looking pretty glow, I love using Peach Blush.

Tarte Cheek Stain

I actually got this product a few years ago at a yoga event where they were giving out these babies for free.  It's one of the best freebies I've ever gotten (and you know I LOOOVE my freebies~ If it's free, it's for me!)
I have the colors FLUSH and BLUSHING BRIDE

The Tarte Cheek Stain comes in a circular push-up tube. It goes on very light, so you can layer to add more colors.
The product is a gel-like/ lip-balmy texture that is different from most. I like to actually stamp it onto the face and blend. You can also just rub some on with your fingertips and blend.

* It gives a very light and natural looking color.  It's great because you won't look too powdery, as blush can.  Instead, it gives you a very fresh and dewy look.
* It's great for everyday because you can just swipe, blend, and go!
* Another great thing is that it smells really good ~ They all have different fruity scents!

The Tarte T5 Super Fruit Complex™ is a proprietary blend of the five most active superfruits: goji, açaí, maracuja, acerola, and pomegranate. The first blend of its kind, the T5 Super Fruit Complex™ is loaded with naturally occurring, antioxidant-rich nutrients, and vitamins that have been known to deliver refining, antiaging, and skin-restorative benefits with each application. It contains a natural fragrance and is free from preservatives, paraben, sulfate, phthalate, and mineral oil. Dermatologist-tested. 

In keeping with Tarte's eco-friendly efforts, they've partnered with Sambazon, creators of the Sustainable Açaí Project—an initiative to promote positive change in the Amazon Rainforest through forest conservation, improved living conditions, and educational opportunities through the sustainable management of the Açaí Palm tree. Açaí is an antioxidant-rich super fruit that helps fight free radicals, promotes cell regeneration, has known anti-inflammatory and skin softening properties, and combats premature signs of aging.  

There are 8 different colors and special editions at Sephora.
If you want add a little color to the face that looks pretty and natural, this is the product for you!

Retail Price: $30

Click here to order

Smashbox O-Glow and O-Gloss

I love Smashbox. Dean and Davis Factor (the great-grandsons of Max Factor) created this line a few years ago and they have made many great products over the years. These are two of my favorite.

O-Glow and O-Gloss are two products that are fabulous. I’ve always loved things that change from one form into another. O-Glow and O-Gloss starts out as a clear gel when you put it on your finger and instantly changes into a bright fuchsia pink on the lips and cheeks. It contains Goji Berry-C Complex and is “full of antioxidants”. All I know is that it’s really cool and gives a nice pink glow. For a more natural look, use just a tiny dab.

O-GLOW
Intuitive Cheek Color With Goji Berry-C Complex™
What it is:
A naturally-pink hued gel cheek color.

What it is formulated to do:
Experience instant chemistry as you watch your complexion go from so-so to oh-so-glowing! This intuitive cheek color reacts with your personal skin chemistry to transform from a silky clear gel into the shade you blush naturally

What else you need to know:
O-GLOW is packed with our exclusive Goji Berry-C Complex™, ginkgo biloba, pomegranate seed for antioxidant protection, and revitalizing marine botanicals for added healthy-skin benefits.

This product also works on everyone, but it is more of a brighter pink. It’s a very girly look that everyone should try out. Go and get your “O”.

I suggest buying this at http://www.smashbox.com  on a Tuesday or Thursday between 9 AM-2 PM PST.  They do a special called Let's Do Lunch where you get a free gift with purchase (usally ranging from $10-$20!!!)  HELLO!!! FREEBIES!!!! and they're great products that you might want to try but don't want to spend the cash on. This is one of the best deals around... and girlfriend knows a good deal!
*** Smashbox is based in Cali ...so they're on PST.. You have to buy the product within 9-2.. but if you're on the east coast.. that means... you have to wait til 2-7 PM)

NARS Orgasm and Laguna Duo

These are two of Nars' best-selling products combined into one. Orgasm (Hmmm... I wonder where they got the name from) is a light pink blush with gold shimmer combined into one great package. The color looks very pink when you see it, but looks very natural with a little flair when on the skin. Think of the look you get after excercising... or something else... ;)

The shimmer in the blush highlights the skin, but doesn't look flashy or distracting. It's almost undetectable on the skin unless you get up close. It can be used for day time as well as night- You won't feel like a shiny disco ball if you wear it to work. So try it out and have a little "O"~*

Laguna is a bronzer that is very natural and can be used all over the face. It's a just-right brown color that can be used to fake an all-over glow, for a tan look (please... no tanning beds or laying out ladies~ Think of the neighbor in "There's Something About Mary), or as a blush if you don't like the typical peaches and pinks, but want a flush of color to your face. It's very natural looking and can be used alone or combined with another blush. It's actually one of my favorite bronzers because it's not too shimmery or coppery like many bronzers are.

Retail Price: $37
Retail Price Each: $25

They are selling the brush/bronzer set at Sephora right now as a limited edition so I highly recommend that you go out and get them while you can. These are two colors that you should definitely have. Best part is that it comes with Orgasm Nail Polish and is $2 less than the original! Go out and get your multiple O's!!! ;)

Retail Price: $35

Benefit Benetint

This is a product that has been around forever, but I've never gotten around to trying until a few months ago. Benefit Benetint is a waterproof liquid stain that can be used on lips and cheeks. It comes in a bottle similar to a bottle of nail polish. The liquid is a dark red, but looks much lighter when actually put on the skin.

The product dries VERY quickly, so make sure to blend right away.
There are many stain products out there, but this is the original.


The great thing about this product is that it's a stain, so it doesn't smear, run, or fade like other products can.


* I love to put this on the apple of the cheeks to give a glow that looks like it's coming from within. ( I usually use 3 stripes on the apple, and layer to add more color)

* On the lips, the stain gives a "just ate a cherry popsicle" look

* Another way I like to use this product is by putting a Neutral/Light Colored lipstick (or a dab of foundation in my case) and to put a spot of the Benetint on the middle of the lips and blend out. It looks natural, but very pretty.

* I've decided to put away my self-tanner and go au-natural for fall/winter. I'm gonna rock the pale skin/rosy cheeked "Snow White" look. This product is perfect for that look. And it'll still look great even if you're not into looking like a Disney princess~* =)

Retail Price: $28



Benetint Pocket Pal
This glossy color wand is your best beauty pal. A mini Benetint-the original and still the best rosy lip and cheek stain- is paired with a shiny clear gloss on the other end. Carry it in the handy pocket protector and you'll have kiss-proof, smudge-proof color with you wherever you go.

Retail Price: $20




Tinted Love
It's love at first tint! Get a full-size Benetint Rose-Tinted Lip and Cheek Stain and Pocket Pal Double-Ended Benetint and Gloss Duo packed in a chic ruby red clutch.

Retail Price: $38