Glitter Me, Shimmer Me...I am a SHINY MAMA

In high school, I used to buy this awesome glittery...sparkley eyeshadow at the back of one of those old school pharmacies (that hadn't changed in 25 years) near where I grew up.  It was made by "Stagelight." (and surprisingly it still exists, but I digress...)

Since I can't seem to tear my heart out of the 80s, I still long for this type of makeup, but with a modern twist.

In steps Shiny Mama.

Brought to you (and me) by make-up artist and creator Yana Chupenko, Shiny Mama has improved upon the make up of yore, regardless of your age and style.  One of the key improvements is the packaging - instead of a pot of loose powder that will doubtless eventually spill all over your sink or makeup bag, Shiny Mama provides you with glitter in a little "shaker" with its own applicator built in.  And what about the pink champagne glitter that comes with the little "spoon" (ahem) charm?  Too cute!

But the best part of it all is how much fun it is to wear - there are countless ways to use the glitter and the sparkling pencil - on your eyes, lips, nails, hair, body...wherever!  Oh and it's totally affordable too - what a great gift idea!

xoxox

LORAC Makeup: Major Online Sale

Get this massive VIP starter kit from LORAC for...are you sitting? $18.50 by clicking HERE!

A $160.00 value
Only available at loraccosmetics.com while supplies last.
3 Eye Shadows in "Cappuccino", "Harmony", and "Persuasion"
2 Lip Polishes in "Delicious" and "Bliss"
Front of the Line Liquid Eye Liner in Black
2 Cream Lipsticks in "Eloise" and "Charity"
Mini TANtalizer Baked Bronzer
Double-Ended Eyeliner/Shadow Brush

Online Accessories & Fashion: You Can Make Money!

For all you entrepreneurs out there. Anyone who is unemployed. Someone just looking to make some extra dough. Ladies who want to get more involved in the industry they love most. Or if you just want to learn/brush up on your business and computer skills:

YOU ARE FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE AT THIS TIME IN HISTORY

I know this from personal experience as well as from recent information I have received regarding how anyone who is motivated can make a couple bucks and/or get some free stuff online.

Examples:

1. mark makeup - Become a Rep!

mark identifies with its target demographic of young women inspired to be entrepreneurs who choose to be affiliated socially and professionally with a group of like-minded individuals. The mark Rep program provides young women with an opportunity to earn supplemental income through social interaction and benefits such as:
-Set their own hours and manage their business online
-Sell makeup, skincare, jewelry and accessories using the mark Magalog, a monthly publication of carefully selected products and tips from mark experts
-Earn a 25%-40% sales commission
-Participate in sales incentive programs including product discounts and the mark rewards program

Sign up to become a Rep here: https://www.meetmark.com/PRSuite/sell/apply/land

2. Tibesti (http://www.tibesti.com/) - This new social shopping site helps you earn cash by simply recommending and showcasing your favorite products. It’s where Facebook meets online shopping…but with actual cash rewards. I have signed up but am not really sure how to use it effectively, so the jury is still out. But if you want to give it a shot, here's how:

1. Create a profile
2. List your favorite things by browsing more than 20 million
3. Add and meet new friends
4. Create your own store with your favorite products and reviews
5. Earn 25 percent of the commission from the items sold on your Tibesti page, plus 25 percent of the commission on any products purchased anywhere on the site, totaling 50 percent in overall commission earned.

Other key features on the site include:
Expert Reviews from 120+ top experts in categories including beauty, electronics, fashion and gardening and World’s Most Expensive, which celebrates the most expensive and outrageous products in the world.

mark. lips

Oh, and I like mark's lip gloss products. You can buy them here. And they are cheap.

Fab Estee Lauder Sale at Lord & Taylor

If you haven't heard yet, you will now: at Lord & Taylor...with an Estee Lauder skincare or foundation purchase of $32.50 or more, you get a free 7-piece "Celebrate Summer" gift, comprised of other Estee make up items, all inside a beach tote.

Beauty Pros Team Up: Free Pre-Valentine’s Primp and Pamper Event

Valentine's Day is easily one of the more depressing days of the year for most of us. And to add insult to injury, it falls on a Saturday this year. But don't let that get you down! Take the world by storm, Bridget Jones-style!! Or at least get some free beauty advice and cocktails:

To get women looking their sexiest before Valentine’s Day, Three Custom Color Specialists, pioneers in custom-blended makeup, are teaming up with Juara Skin Care and Red Market Salon for a free evening of cocktails, consultations, and one-night-only deep discounts on makeup and skin care products.

The first 150 attendees will score a free goodie bag, including full-sized products from Juara, Three Custom Color Specialists, and a certificate for a free blow-out at Red Market Salon.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 4th, 6PM – 8:30PM

WHERE: Red Market Salon, 32 Gansevoort, 4th Floor

HOW: RSVP’s are recommended. E-mail appt@threecustom.com with your and your guests’ names. Walk-ins welcome as space permits; cash only.

Juara Skin Care Founders will be on-hand pampering each guest with winter skin treatments featuring their line of Indonesian-inspired botanical products. One-night-only deep discounts will be offered. Red Market Salon Pro stylists will meet with guests to discuss the best styles for their hair texture, face shape, and lifestyle. Three Custom Color Specialists will offer makeup-touch ups, applications tips and provide one-night-only deep discounts on picks from their coveted Ready-To-Wear line.

Gift Cards and Returns and Cash...Oh My!

I asked for a red scarf for Christmas. And I got it. And then when I brought it home I thought, "why did I ask for this?" So I returned it (sorry mom) - but I got something so much better! A gold (OK, not real gold) Skagen watch. I can't get enough of these Skagen watches, I have four! Then I also had a gift card from Bloomingdale's, so I went there and bought some Laura Mercier makeup...and then with the remainder put a small dent in a Elie Tahari coat that I couldn't say no to. It is so great - the style I have been seeking, 30% off, and...IT FITS! Then I headed to the Apple store where I bought a new iPod (an 8GB Nano) that I love - they have made some vast improvements over the one I bought about a year and a half ago. And since I gave them my old one back for "recycling," I got 10% off. THEN I went to Sephora because I had another gift card (thanks mom) and I bought a bunch of other fun makeup odds and ends from Make Up For Ever, Smashbox and Stila. I swear that store is a candy store for women.

Exclusive Bare Escentuals Offer from Sephora

This in from the KING KONG of guerilla shoppers (one of my stringers):

Exclusive Bare Escentuals Offer from Sephora!
Buy a full size Bare Escentuals foundation from Sephora (your choice of 5 shades) and get a full-size kabuki brush for FREE ($53 Value) for $25! Limited quantities so buy now!

New Eyelash Curler: shu uemura

I have already written about the famed shu uemura eyelash curler, but just wanted to give you an update on the new one I just purchased at Sephora for a bit over $20. What I really wanted was a couple of replacement pads to go on the apparatus that I already own. However, I was told that they don't sell them separately because once you are done using the two pads that come with it, the metal contraption is ready to be replaced as well. The woman didn't seem to agree with me when I told her that was an impressive marketing ploy to get people to spend $20+ on this thing a couple of times a year. Except for me of course, since I milked the last one for probably more than 3 years. This kind of thing annoys me.

Origins.com: More Free Stuff

Order from Origins.com and receive a full size Smileage Plus™ Liptint - select your shade at checkout.

Clinique Insider's Club

Clinique is starting up a program called the Clinique Insider’s Club. Clinique will be selecting 20 women from the submitted applications to be “Clinique Insiders.” As “Insiders” you get an exclusive sneak peek at the latest Clinique skincare, and makeup products and will have the opportunity to give product reviews and opinions that will be seen, heard and read on Clinique.com. Insiders will also have access to special upcoming events and will receive a special welcome kit which includes full-size Clinique products and a Flip Video digital camcorder. All interested candidates should apply here: https://www.clinique.com/templates/user/sweeps.tmpl?OFFER_CODE=InsidersClub08

ONE DOLLA: Nordstrom's e.l.f. Makeup sale

Nordstrom is changing the logo on their makeup, so they're selling everything that says 'e.l.f.' for $1!

I got this message from a stringer today, and could hardly believe it myself. So I visited the enclosed URL: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/shop.asp and clicked on a couple of items, and it's true. ONE DOLLAR. Although hurry up, it looks like things are flying off the e-shelves.

Apparently, The make-up line e.l.f. ( eyes, lips, and face) has been bought out by Nordstrom and will be re-packaged with the Nordstrom name on it, so they are getting rid of all the make-up in e.l.f. packaging. You do have to pay shipping, however, even with that charge it's cheaper. They have powder, mascara, brushes, nail polish, you name it. Also, if you use the coupon code: CAROLINA you will get $7.50 off the first $15 of your purchase.

Who said a recession isn't good?

Origins: Free Stuff

I am a fan of Origins. I tried to fight it, but I relented. They have really cool skin, hair and makeup products that smell and feel good. Have you tried their A Perfect World™ White tea skin guardian? You should; I do.

So right now, as in this weekend only, they're giving away a free one-week supply of the new Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega Mushroom Treatment Lotion with any $25 purchase (plus free shipping)! The special ends March 30th, which is Sunday. Perhaps you could buy a 1.7 oz. bottle of Ginger Essence skin scent and get your free stuff? Go on. Smell good; I do.

M.A.C. FAFI Cosmetics

So I got one of the best Valentine's Day surprises of my life - a whole stash of the relatively new line from M.A.C. cosmetics known as FAFI FOR M.A.C. Brushes, blushes, eyeliners, shadows, lip sticks, gloss and a black "gel" eyeliner that my hair stylist Helik (at Dop Dop Salon in Soho) had just told me to buy! Oh what is better than good makeup karma?

So the collection is so fun and the colors so vibrant and new - but not cheesy or overwhelming - that I decided I needed to stash it all in a special container. A Dom Perignon box. That way I can celebrate in style each time I put any of it on.

But who the hell is Fafi? Well I may not be keeping up with the kids but apparently she is a French artist who inspired the good people of M.A.C. to create and market a whole new makeup line, mostly for chicks younger than me. But since I am forever 31, I shall rock it my way.

The SVP of product development suggests that the ultimate Fafinette face is "toned-down skin with heavier emphasis on the eyes and a girly mouth. Colorful, but light."

Figures Fafi is French. I really need to get to Paris.

Prescriptives Lash Finder

OK, I admit I am being totally lazy today, but I have a wicked cold and everything seems to be going wrong at my day job, so bear with me as my creativity wanes. However, I am eyelash-challenged, so this is actually a topic of interest --

Prescriptives, the cosmetics brand that embraces all women, all skins, and all ages has created a fantastic tool to help find your PERFECT mascara. Prescriptives presents LASH FINDER, the interactive site that will help you create the look you want with the mascara that's best for you.
Four “how-to” videos featuring Prescriptives’ Director of Artistry and QVC® spokesperson, Jillian Veran will help you choose the right lash look:

• 24-Hour Lashes (featuring Here To Stay 24-Hour Longear Mascara)Long
• Luxe Lashes (featuring Lash Envy Volumizing Mascara) Curled, Conditioned
• Lashes (featuring False Eyelashes Plush Mascara)
• Beyond Long Lashes (featuring Beyond long Maximum Length Mascara)

February: Not a Great Shopping Month

OK, I've confirmed what I've been hinting at during the past few weeks. Shopping at this time of the year is not so hot. Literally.

First, yes, it is cold and windy - not a very relaxed convenient way to shop in NYC. Then, the stores are practically barren -- all of the fall/winter apparel already went on sale, more than a month ago, meaning that it's pretty much all GONE. Then, the new apparel is this weird "not Winter" and "not Spring" stuff. Some stores carry cruisewear and I don't know about you, but I've never gone on a cruise, and even if I did, I can't imagine that it would warrant an entire new wardrobe. But that's just me, the practical middle class kid.

I did buy the pictured skirt at my favorite, Club Monaco, today. Did I need it? Not so much, however it was on sale for only $29. What I really need are pants, but as I explained above, there was nothing doing.

What I did buy fairly free and easily today was makeup - at both Sephora and Aveda. And since it's freezing and there's not much to buy anyway, the stores were pretty empty - a nice change of pace for a NYC Saturday afternoon.

Parental Update, Urbanite, Sephora, Like.com

Hi all. Thought I'd forewarn you that today's post is going to be a hodgepodge of information. But I will be organized about it, and you will gain new insights and information that you will be able to use for yourself, and then against me somehow later on.

1. You'll be happy to know, as I was, that my parents did not disown me over yesterdays' blog. However, I left out a most important point on how they saved their money that allowed them to dress like fancy pants all these years, and also send me to a great out-of-state college: THEY ONLY HAD ONE KID (thanks to jay eff for that reminder!). The pictured rose is my peace offering to them.

2. Urbanite - Those brainiacs at The New York Times beat me to it with this new daily publication, which provides readers with what to see, eat, do and wear in New York City. It is a free e-mail newsletter sent Monday through Friday where you can find out about New York's newest restaurants, cultural events, latest styles, the best places to shop and more. There's also a weekend guide sent each Friday to help you plan your weekend. I have emailed the editor Melena Ryzik about Guerilla Shopper, but surprisingly have not heard back. She must be tremendously jealous. Let's hope she gets pregnant and goes on permanent maternity leave and then I can take over for her. I will accept an offer as a contributor in the meantime.

3. Sephora is opening a new store on Friday, November 17 at 711 Lexington Avenue @57th St. It's the most beautiful place on earth - they said so! Kidding aside, I love makeup they way I loved markers and crayons as a kid, so this place is fun for a girl and a boy (depending on what kind of boy we're talking about).

4. Like.com - Have you heard about this new shopping site? I've checked it out a bit, haven't acutally used it, but it sounded intriguing in The New York Times article that another G.S. friend passed along:
Like.com offers a shortcut for the budget-minded wannabe. The site, rolled out last week, relies on artificial intelligence technology to search images on the Web, and serve up goods for sale that visually match items on a shopper’s wish list.
Visitors to the site search for products in one of two ways. First, they may type in “red strappy shoes” or silver earrings and receive pages filled with images that match the description, along with prices and links to the product pages of the Web sites where the items are sold. Or users may browse through selected items in the wardrobes of about a dozen celebrities, including Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Simpson and choose, say, a pair of the dangling silver earrings Ms. Johansson wore to the premiere of “Scoop.” The site then searches for similar earrings, returning more than 8,000 pairs ranging in price from $40 to $8,000.