Earth Day: Companies that are Helping You Save Some GREEN!

Happy Earth Day! 
If you have not given up buying makeup for Lent like me, you might want to take advantage of the special GREEN offers these brands are promoting in honor of Earth Day. And if you are giving up makeup, head over to Starbucks with a reusable mug and get a free cup of brewed coffee or tea. I know I will be getting a passion tea around lunch time!

Zoya Nail Polish is repromoting their nail polish exchange. Here is how it works:

1. Go to Zoya.com and pick out the polishes you would like and add them to your cart. You must select at least 6 bottles  and no more than 24 bottles of polish (Salons accounts minimum 12 maximum 48 bottles.) 
2. Apply the code. EARTHZOYA  
3. Your order value will be adjusted to reflect the promotion  
4. SUBMIT your order!

Then Zoya will ship out your NEW polish! YEA!
Once you get your order (Here is where the exchanging* happens)…

1. Ship back the equivalent number of bottles to the ones you received to the return address below.(ie. If  you got 6 bottles of Zoya – you would send us 6 NON-ZOYA polishes)
2. Include a copy of your order
•  Shipping Address
  Art of Beauty, Inc.
  c/o Polish Exchange
  5060 Taylor Rd, Unit D
  Cleveland, Ohio, 44128, USA 

IMPORTANT!
The bottles you send in cannot be Zoya, Qtica or Nocti polishes (but they can be any other brand).


If nail polish isn't your thing but makeup is then you might be interested in what Tart is offering

 

Tart customer recycling incentive program Send us your empty clean slate primer and/or smooth operator SPF 20 foundation and we'll give you 15% off of your next complexion purchase (products include: clean slate, smooth operator, pressed powder, mineral powder bronzer) Send your empty slide tin lip balm with SPF 15 and tarte will give you 15% off of any lip product purchase. Send us your empty cheek stain and receive 15% off of your next cheek stain purchase. contact info@tartecosmetics.com for more information.

As always, Back to MAC allows you to trade in 6 used up products for a lipstick.

Lush allows you to trade in 5 of their black containers for a free face mask. See my post about my favorite, Brazon Honey Here.

I'll be back in full force after Lent with more hauls and reviews.
Until then... Walk, take a bus, or drive a connect by hertz car sharing vehicle to do your part to help save the environment today.(that's my plug for my current internship! I'll be leaving in 3 weeks for L'Oreal and I'm getting a little sad about it)
XOXO
Kelsey

Rock and Republic on Hautelook.com Tuesday

If you havn't gotten your hands on any of the Rock and Republic blushes yet, Tuesday is another chance. R&R will be on Hautelook.com Tuesday April 26, 2011 starting at 11:00 AM EST. Why is the time so important? Because these blushes GO! They really sell out within minutes. When I was lucky enough to snatch up Immoral blush (See Right) I had to keep refreshing the page until I saw it for a split second off "hold". Even then it was shipped later than the other products I purchased because of high demand. The moral of the story is if you get a chance to buy Rock and Republic blush on Tuesday... Do it!

Dreaming of Makeup Lent Wish List

Lent is ALMOST over (it ends this weekend) and I can't wait to break the makeup fast and buy up some of the products I've been dreaming about.
Let me tell you that I think I missed the boat with the MAC Quite Cute collection. The two lipsticks I really wanted are ALL sold out. I called all over DC to find if they were still in stock and its not looking good. If I can find it, or if its in stock online, I am about to snatch up Candy Yum Yum and Playing Koi lipsticks.

Playing Koi is the peachy color on the far left and Candy Yum Yum is the HOT pink right in the middle.

So I hope hope hope that they are in stock when I go out on Saturday to find them. Happy Easter to me! And to you!
XOXO
Kelsey

No Makeup Today

Sometimes it feels great to go naked... On your face at least!
I like to give my skin a break from the chemicals and pigments I layer on day after day. So today is one of those days. I took a nice long (LOOOOONG) shower and now my face is all nice and clear.

So really thats it... Nothing else to post..
Enjoy your no makeup day today!

XOXO
Kelsey

MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder

Have you guys heard the news!? The MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder is finally becoming permanent and the launch date is May 5, 2011.

If you haven't heard what this powder is or why its so hyped up let me tell you.... This powder is literally infused with 50% water so when you put it on if feels wet. Its the strangest thing.

Magically Cool Liquid Powder ($29.50 U.S. / $35.50 CDN)

• Truth and Light Sheer shimmer that reflects silver and pink
• Cajun Sheer bronze shimmer that reflects gold
• Honey Rose Sheer rosy beige with multi-dimensional shimmer

Now lets get one thing straight... it is clearly a rip off of the prescriptive's Magic powder that they used to have back in the day before they were discontinued. But at the same time, I'm glad that a little part of the company was able to live on.

If you remember back to the Venomous Villains collection last fall you may remember that this powder launched already for limited release.

My overall opinion of this formula is that you have to apply it carefully because it can pill or ball up if you apply to much and look chunky (GROSS!). Also the VV powder had some glitter in it so it didn't work well as a setting powder or a contour color. It was more to add some color to your cheeks but that kind of is not the point of a loose powder so I didn't really like that. Lets hope that the new editions will be glitter free! 

XOXO 

Kelsey

Promo images and pricing property of Temptalia.com

Maybelline or L'Oreal Paris

Which brand would you rather work for? I was asked by the talent director which brand I would most like to work for this summer during my internship and I have to say its a tough call. I know I want to work with cosmetics so either way I'm happy but by choosing Maybelline over L'Oreal Paris, I will be making connections with the key people that could offer me a job down the line due to the fact that Maybelline is actually based in New York.

On the other hand... I prefer to work with the products produced by L'Oreal Paris. I would probably give more effort when it is a product I am dedicated to and passionate about. Also, there is a better opportunity that I could work in Paris down the line. Its a tough call...

Here are my favorite L'Oreal Paris products that I would love to work with...

Bare Naturale Lip Conditioner

HIP Eyeshadows

True Match Foundation
 

Then again Maybelline is the official makeup sponsor of fashion week so I could end up helping with that! (Although that does not take place in the summer)

So many options to choose from!?! Help!? Leave a comment with your suggestion as to what brand to work for. PLEASE!

Kelsey

L'Oreal Brandstorm 2011 National Finals

This Friday was the L'Oreal Brandstorm Finals which I have been working towards for months! Look at how good the team looks. We all had these edgy black dresses with a flower in our hair. 

I must say that although we did not walk away first place winners, we did come in second beating out some really impressive schools. Shout out to NYU with their ipad application (fully functioning!) and BYU for taking home 1st and representing USA in the international finals this June. 

Dr. Meyers, the Howard advisor, helped us night and day to perfect the presentation and I have to say, if there were an aware for best support system, she would have received it for sure. 

This is us all mic-ed up waiting to go on stage. Our dresses were so tight the sound guy couldn't find a place to put our battery packs lol. So much nervous and exciting energy!

We came out clapping and getting the audience hyped up. I really was tapping into my Cheerleading days for this. 

You can kind of see the judges in this one. They are the 4 people in the front row. (only two are pictured here). The judges were all very senior executives and business owners from L'Oreal and an elite salon in the city.

We each had our turn to speak to the part of the presentation. This is me getting into the salon experience. You can see the board behind me with our virtual mock up. There was a projector and powerpoint over to the right. 

Finally, the judges asked us questions and we were all smiles (so much so that our faces hurt!) as we answered each question to a T. 

Although we did not win, at the end of the day two really great things came out of this experience. First, I landed myself an amazing internship with L'Oreal in their consumer products division and was able to put in preference for Maybelline or L'Oreal Paris which are both extremely well known and competitive cosmetic/makeup brands. Second, we secured another year of recruitment at Howard University. Hopefully, next year HU will take home first place and represent the US in Paris. 

And as for me! I'm the real winner because I am doing what I love and can't wait to start at L'Oreal May 23, 2011! 

XOXO

Kelsey

LUSH Emotibomb: Dorm Room Spa

I never really feel that the dorm room shower can ever be clean enough. I bleach and clean it often but there is something about the fact that countless dirty college students once used the tub that I am supposed to be able to pamper myself in gives me the chills. Bath bombs are out of the question along with bubble baths. So whats left?

Let me introduce you to the LUSH Emotibomb. This is basically a bath bomb for the shower. It works the best when you close the door, leave the fan off and turn the water on hot! I like to break it in half and put it in the back of the tub where the water is not directly coming down on it but rather it is slowly melting away and letting the delicious fragrance fill the bathroom with the steam of the shower.

Emotibombs come in three fragrances. Sex in the Shower is Jasmine scented, Too Drunk is Peppermint and Fennel scented (to help you get over a hang over!), and Up You Gets is Citrus scented.

All three are $4.50 each and will last you two showers if you break them in half. Store them in a dry area away from any water. You can purchase them online here http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/bath/emotibombs/

I hope you enjoyed this review of the LUSH Emotibomb and give it a try to create your very own spa steam shower.

XOXO
Kelsey

LUSH-ous Facial

Every now and again I find it necessary to treat myself and my skin to my favorite LUSH combo facial. That is exactly what I did last night with my roommate Lydia. 

Earlier in the day I went to the fancy Tyson's Corner mall which had my favorite "treat me" store, LUSH. I had to stop in and purchase a few goodies although I feel like I kept it in check. I ended up getting one of their fresh face masks because you can't purchase those online and they only last for 2 weeks before you need to replace them. 


Its a pretty simple 3 steps for the perfect facial


Step 1: Cleanse 
Use your favorite cleanser to get your face squeaky clean and free of all makeup. The Clinique three step system has been working really well for me. 

Step 2: Toner Tab

This goodie is from LUSH. Its called a toner tab but what it does is releases nutrients or in this case tea tree into your pores while you put your face over a bowl of hot water. Lush also makes tabs in Vitamin C & E depending on what your specific skin need is.  

How to Use

• Fill a medium-size bowl with very hot water and drop in a toner tab. 
• Immediately drape a towel over your head and the bowl to let the steam deliver its anti-oxidants and vitamin-rich essential oils to your skin. 
• Once the tab has finished fizzing, remove the towel and gently pat your face dry.
• Extra Cool Bonus!!!! You can put the water from the bowl in a spray bottle and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Use it to spritz tired skin whenever you need a lift.

Step 3: Mask

Next step is to apply the mask you want to use. I chose Brazened Honey because it has natural antibacterial properties to help with acne and ground almonds to exfoliate. Plus it smells delish! 

How to Use

• Apply liberally to a towel dry face (after step 1 & 2)
• Wait 10-20 minutes for it to try completely. You will be able to tell because the product will change color. 
• Take a wash cloth and dip it in the left over toner water from step 2. Use this to message off the mask and work it into the skin. 
• Rinse with cold water and pat dry with a towel. 

This is the most refreshing thing ever I swear. Your face will be glowing. 

XOXO 

Kelsey

Shower Gels Galore!

If you are anything like me you feel like there is always the next best shower gel waiting for you in the next Lush or Bath and Body Works. Right now I have 4 different brands and fragrances in my shower caddy all of which I love! I guess what it boils down to is I'm just to darn impulsive and need to have options in the morning when decided what to smell like.

Here are my favorites at the moment:

Happy Birthday Beautiful by Philosophy  

This is a yummy shower gel for sure! It's sented like vanilla birthday cake and was given to be as a birthday present from Sephora. I find this to be very scrumptious with lots of bubbly goodness. Its my first moment of philosophy but I have heard wonderful things about many of their other products. I prefer to mix it with a dash of other shower gels as well because it mellows out some overly sweet smells (such as iced wine shower gelly from LUSH)

Its Raining Men by LUSH

Its raining honey! This was a limited edition shower gel for the Valentines collection from LUSH. It smells exactly like "Honey, I washed the kids" soap (if you are unfamiliar, its a honey toffee sent). I love how this smells but the only downside is the price. I purchased the largest bottle because I loved the sent so much but it was $28 which is ridiculous in my opinion. Just like other LUSH shower gels, Its Raining Men is more watered down then the traditional shower gel. Once it is worked into a lufa, your good to go. (Try not to eat yourself)

 Triple Moisture Shower Cream in Warm Vanilla Sugar by Bath and Body Works

I am currently out of this and I'm waiting to run out of all the other loads of shower gel and soap I own before I go out and get more but I love it. Its a shower cream instead of a gel which basically means it looks like a cross between a lotion and a gel. The warm vanilla sugar is one of the most successful fragrances by the company and for good reason. The vanilla is not overly sweet but super yummy. I didn't see a noticeable difference in the moisturizing power of this product vs. the other products I use but it did leave my skin feeling soft. You can find this and other fragrances at bathandbodyworks.com or at their store for $12.

So I'm curious!? What do other people use? After writing this I feel like I have a mild obsession with being tasty. (Cake, honey, vanilla) GOSH! But who wouldn't want to smell good enough to eat!?

XOXO from your clean and fragrant friend

Kelsey