Beauty411

Valentine's Day Gift Guide--Lady in Red Edition

With Valentine's Day right around the corner and inspired by the classic "Lady In Red" song by Simply Red, I pulled together some of my favorite red gift ideas. 

Nothing is sexier than red lips.  Estee Lauder has released a new Love Your Lips Collection.  The limited-edition collection includes 12 lip-loving Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick ($19.50) shades and 4 new Kissable Lip Glosses (18.00).  What I love about the Love Your Lips Collection is the design.  Each lipstick features a special L♥VE logo.  The glosses feature the same L♥VE logo on the outside container.  Try the lipstick in the gorgeous "Cherry Kiss" shade. Available now at Estee Lauder counters nationwide and at www.esteelauder.com.

Heidi Klum for VS Makeup Exotic Jewels Collection

Inspired by a trip to the spiritual city of Varanasi, India and the Indian-themed vow renewal ceremony she shared with husband seal in Mexico last year, the Heidi Klum for VS Makeup Exotic Jewels Collection is Heidi's most personal creation yet. 

You can see the Indian influence in the selection of colors in the eye shadow palette and certainly in the packaging. Overall, this strikes me as very pretty and versatile makeup collection.  I haven't tried it, but I'm definitely tempted! 

Christian Siriano for VS Makeup Collection - Fall 2009

Fashion designer and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano has teamed up with Victoria's Secret to introduce his own limited-edition makeup collection.  The Christian Siriano for VS Makeup Collection is full of touches that invoke his fashion roots--from the ruffled cosmetic bag to the luxe gold packaging.

"This Fall the inspiration is Egypt--the warmth of the desert, the blue of the Nile.  It's about the juxtaposition of soft fabrics and strong shapes", according to Christian Siriano.  This homage to Egypt was the theme of Christian's Fall 2009 Fashion Collection.

The Christian Siriano for VS Makeup Collection includes:

• Silky Eye Shadow in satin finish in five couture shades: Sahara (nude), Sandstorm (copper), Oasis (greenish blue), Royalty (deep chocolate) and Gilded Fierce (black w/gold sparkle), $14
• Kajal Eye Liner, a pigment-rich kohl eyeliner in Eclipse, $12
• Lip Gloss in Embrace (champagne), Sublime (warm coral) or Chic (deep berry), $14
• Bronzer/highlighter trio in Sunspell Bronze, $24
• Face Brush $24
• Petite Makeup Bag $16

Although I haven't tried the line, I love the packaging, which gives the products a decidedly upscale look, as well as the texture on the eye shadow and bronzer tablets. The product I'm most intruiged by is the Kajal Eye Liner.  This is a tightly edited collection for now; I'm hoping that there will be more products, such as lipstick and a finishing powder added.

The Christian Siriano for VS Makeup Collection is available now exclusively at Victoria's Secret stores and at www.VictoriasSecret.com.

Victoria's Secret Pink Body Collection

New Victoria's Secret Pink Body Collection is really more green than pink!  The line is natural, organic, eco-friendly and vegan.  There are no parabens, mineral oil, sulfites or animal testing.  And the packaging was designed to be easy to recycle.

The Pink Body Collection is made up of four solution-based collections:  Nourishing is for dry skin; Energizing is for dull, sluggish skin and Soothing is for sensitive skin.  There is also an Essentials Collection with products for all skin types.  Prices are recession friendly, too.  From $8 for a hand cream to $12 for body lotion, the Victoria's Secret Pink Body Collection won't break the bank.  The products have a light, citrusy fragrance.  I definitely plan on checking this line out!

Victoria's Secret Pink Body Collection is available now in stores and online at www.victoriassecret.com.

You may also be interested in:

LAVANILA Healthy Body Wash

Nude Skincare

Sales in the Beauty Aisle, including Sephora!

This truly is a holiday season like no other.  Not only do I never remember the amount of Friends & Family discounts, free shipping offers and special beauty promotions but now I am seeing actual Sales in the cosmetic departments. It's like the day after Christmas sales have started before!

I'm glad I'm done shopping for friends and family so that I can snag some bargains for me.  Here's what I've found so far:

Bath & Body Works --various reductions 25-50% 0ff

Bliss -- various reductions, some great deals!

Bloomingdales -- Reductions on many giftsets, including Estee Lauder and Kiehl's

Bobbi Brown--25% off the Holiday Collection

Jo Malone--25% off holiday merchandise

Laura Mercier -- 25% off holiday

Lovely Skin -- Save 20% - 30% or 40% on selected skincare

MAC--25% off holiday sets

Neiman Marcus -- 25% off various holiday sets

Nordstrom--25% off various brands

Prescriptives -- various holiday sets on sale

Saks -- various markdowns

Sephora -- up to 75% percent off!

Victoria's Secret -- up to 40% off select beauty gifts