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Best Gifts Under $10: Black Opal Holiday Eye Palettes

December 17, 2011 / No Comments

Looking for a great gift for your gal pal that won't break the bank? Or do you need a fierce new look for this season's soirees? Black Opal has the perfect little palettes for you- two glam, limited-edition holiday eye kits that are sure to turn heads! To bump up your look, pair your metallic shadow with Black Opal Liquid Liner in silver or black. All available exclusively online.

HANA'S POT OF GOLD EYE KIT $7.95
Light up your eyes and create various looks with this color-coordinated collection of warm shades of gold and bronze. Mineral-based formula reflects light away from fine lines and dark circles while vitamins A, C, and E condition and protect eyelids. Jet-milled pigments create a smooth velvet finish and blend easily. Won't crease or fade. Oil-free, dye-free, talc-free. Hypoallergenic.

BROOKELL'S SILVER PLATTER EYE KIT $7.95
Emphasize your eyes by playing up the contrast between muted mattes and bright minerals with this color-coordinated silver collection. Mineral-based formula reflects light away from fine lines and dark circles while matte formula creates a smooth, wrinkle free surface. Vitamins A,C, and E condition and protect eyelids. Jet-milled pigments create a smooth velvet finish and blend easily. Won't crease or fade. Oil-Free, dye-free, talc-free. Hypoallergenic.

LIQUID EYELINER $4.95
Add instant glamour and drama to your look with this waterproof, pigment-rich formula that stays put until you take it off. Liquid eyeliner glides on without skipping, running or smudging to create ultra-sharp, super-intense definition. Easy to use flexible natural hair brush allows easy, mistake-proof, precision application. Paraben-Free.

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Bad Beauty Habits: Chelsea Will Stop Sleeping in Her Makeup

I need to stop sleeping with make up on now! (Editor's note–story was written before the first of the year) January 1, 2012 cannot wait. My plan to kick this awful habit is to make it easier to take my make up off at night. Sometimes, as conceited as this is going to sound, I really love the way my eye makeup looks and I just don’t want to take it off. Other times, I am just too tired or simply have forgotten and am too lazy to get out of bed and wash my face. To combat this lazy habit I plan to do the following: 1) Wear less makeup in 2012 2) Keep makeup remover/facial cleansing clothes on my nightstand. I am going to use Organic Wear Facial Makeup Remover Towelettes. About Physician's Formula Organic Facial Makeup Remover Towelettes: Eco-Aroma Therapy™ 100% of the Total Ingredients are from Natural Origin Naturally Gentle & Pure 100% Naturally soft towelettes gently remove traces of makeup and impurities leavening skin soft and supple. Ultra gentle formula conditions and helps soften skin. Infused with Organic Aloe Vera Extract to condition skin. Formulated with Eco-Aroma Therapy™ to Condition & Soothe OrganiSoy®: Moisturizes and helps nourish skin. Eco-Olive®: Natural antioxidant helps shield skin from harsh environmental aggressors. Organic Orange Water: Helps nourish and restore delicate skin's moisture balance. Organic Lavender Essential Oils: Sweet, natural scent for a calming effect. I am hoping that this plan of action will curb my bad habit. I’m sure my skin and pillow cases will thank me for it! Try these wipes, you will like 'em! Perfect for lazy girls!
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Bad Beauty Habits: Terez Vows To Take Her Vitamins

The bad beauty habit I need to break in 2012 actually qualifies as a bad habit all around. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I am terrible about taking vitamins! I’m aware of all the benefits, yet I continue to neglect my health and (more importantly?) my beauty by skimping on my daily multi. I'm quite disciplined about other beauty habits, but for some reason I consistently forget my simple one-a-day. I know, I know- it’s terrible! And as a nursing mother, double shame on me. But I’m ditching my bad beauty habit once and for all this year. I plan to start a healthy new routine by setting myself up for success. As a busy working mom, the easiest way for me to remember my vitamins is to carry them with me. Ordinarily that would be a hassle, but this year I’ve upgraded to Sprayology Oral Vitamin Spray. Here's what you need to know about Sprayology: Sprayology® reinvents the vitamin as it invigorates a generation of time-deprived professionals. These pioneering nutritional supplements are sprayed into the mouth and under the tongue, where they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Unlike the traditional capsule form, oral sprays bypass the digestive system, which can degrade the restorative properties of nutrients, so more nourishment makes it into the bloodstream. Vitamins are vital nutrients that our bodies need for energy and to prevent disease. Our bodies cannot make vitamins, so we must take them as part of our diet through the foods we eat and through supplementation. The key to a supplement's effectiveness is its ability to transport an appropriate amount of the active ingredient into the bloodstream in a timely manner. Spraying the vitamin under the tongue allows absorption directly into the body. Additionally, the delivery of vitamins and minerals by a sublingual spray is convenient and tastes good. Proof that multivitamin-mineral supplements protect health continues to accumulate: Taking a multi-vitamin for 15 years or more may reduce the risk of colon cancer by 75% Daily doses of multivitamin supplements have been found to cut fetal deaths, low birth weight, and pre-term births by 40% Studies show that women with the highest intake of folate and vitamin B6 may cut their heart disease risk in 1/2 Men & women taking levels of Vitamin E higher than can be obtained from food have lower rates of heart disease Daily multivitamin supplements have been found to boost immune response by up to 60% in older people Viamin E supplementation has also been found to boost immune response in the elderly Researchers estimate that regular use of vitamin supplements could delay the onset of cataracts by at least ten years. It couldn’t be easier—just a few quick sprays and I’m on my way! No need to lug around a huge, heavy bottle, wash several tablets down with a gallon of liquid, or face my horse pill-swallowing phobia. Plus, Sprayology comes in a palm-sized mister that fits right in my purse. Vitamin capsules are SO 2011. Sprayology is super convenient, efficient, easy to use, and even tastes good. With a variety of homeopathic, vitamin, and mineral sprays to alleviate everything from PMS, dry skin, to jet lag, there's no better way to keep my 2012 beauty resolution! So now that I’ve spilled, what’s YOUR bad beauty habit?
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Editor’s Picks: Leap Year Winter Skin Care Essentials

It’s Leap Year. That means you have an extra day this year to do something special for you. Since we are in the throes of winter, with the harsh cold wreaking havoc with out skin, it may be time to check out some skin care products that bump up the level of beauty quotient of your skin. Remember how you used to write a word and associate another word with each letter of that word? Well we are doing just that for LEAP year. 1. L—Lather Choose gentle cleanser that not only get’s your skin clean, but is calming and chock full of good-for-you ingredients. Try: First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser $18 What it is: A face cleanser with a whipped texture that transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. What it does: This Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin—removing surface oils, make up, dirt and grime—and its whipped texture transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. It’s infused with a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that works hard to scavenger free radicals. It calms redness and is PH-balanced to maintain the natural acidity of the skin. Daily use will result in fewer flare ups and reduced skin reactivity. 2. E—Exfoliate Improve texture, brighten and clarity your skin in one fell swoop with a gentle yet effective exfoliant. Try: Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator $45 What it is: A fruit-based facial treatment that leaves skin visibly smoother and revitalized. What it is formulated to do: This ideal natural alternative to synthetic chemical peels harnesses enzymatic action to gently exfoliate skin and boost cell renewal for a refreshed, clear, glowing effect. Indigenous Australian extracts help to brighten and invigorate dull complexions, and improve skin texture and firmness. A dose of antioxidants and humectants soften fine lines and wrinkles while contributing to an overall healthier look and feeling. This formula is dermatologist tested. 3. A—Anti-aging It’s never too early to start fending off the ravages of time. Adding a treatment into your daily skin care regimen will slow the clock or turns the hands counter-clockwise. Try: Philosophy Miracle Worker™ Miraculous Anti-Aging Concentrate $62 What it is: An advanced antiaging serum designed to target the appearance of deep wrinkles and loss of elasticity. What it is formulated to do: This versatile, gel-textured, oil-free, age-defying essential features breakthrough peptide technology that bolsters the skin’s self-restorative capacity, supporting natural collagen to increase firmness and elasticity, and minimize lines and wrinkles. The water-based gel formulation helps bind hydration to the skin, maintaining a natural moisture barrier, while multiple antioxidants protect against free-radical attack. – Encourages improved elasticity and firmness. – Helps improve the appearance of deep wrinkles. – Helps protect against environmental attack. 4. P—Pamper Take one day a week to pamper your skin with a mask that adds hydration and nutrients. Try: AmorePacific Moisture Bound Vitalizing Masque $60 What it is: An overnight mask with a liquid-gel texture for improving internal hydration and antioxidant levels. What it is formulated to do: Restore tired, dehydrated skin overnight with this lightweight mask. AmorePacific’s 5-Hydra Complex dramatically improves internal hydration and antioxidant levels. Cellular turnover and youthful metabolism are promoted while moisture loss is prevented, all from the inside out. Get your leap year goodies here: Editor’s Picks: Leap Year Winter Skin Care Essentials Face Anti-Aging by philosophy Face Moisturizers by Amore Pacific
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Trending – Winter Beauty: Beauty Hacks from Celeb MUA Joanna Simkin

Whether you’re going on a winter getaway, planning a date night or using the day off to focus on yourself, we’ve got you covered with these makeover Monday “Winter Beauty Hacks” from Celebrity MUA Joanna Simkin. Simkin stresses that beauty begins with moisturized, glowing skin and is fan of using Vaseline® Cocoa™ Radiant lotion for herself and her celebrity clients. Made with 100% pure cocoa butter, this hydrating moisturizer is a cold weather must-have that treats dry and dull winter skin. Don’t skip SPF! The sun’s rays are still out on cold winter days and can even reflect more directly off freshly-fallen snow. Winter is a time you can use heavier formulas of SPF for added moisture as well. To help your moisture absorb and last during the winter season, apply Vaseline® Cocoa Radiant™ lotion all over immediately after showering, then add thin layers of clothing or sleepwear (think Long Johns, gloves, socks). The 100% cocoa butter acts an emollient known to help hydrate the skin and lock in moisture to keep skin soft, smooth and glowing. Dark, matte lipstick is my favorite winter look! Prep lips by scrubbing with Vaseline® Lip Therapy® mixed with raw sugar to smooth. Rinse and pat dry before using a dark lip liner followed by a matte lip formula. The exfoliation will ensure smooth application, while the pat-dry will ensure no shine peeking through. To perk up my complexion in the winter months, I love to mix a golden liquid illumination with my winter shade of foundation. It softly warms the skin to look lit-from-within and provides my face with a subtle, natural glow. Minor skin irritations can be easily caused by dry winter air and harsh winds. I love using a thin layer of Vaseline® Jelly over red, irritated areas such as cheeks – it protects by creating a thin barrier on your skin.
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Make it Work Monday: Top 5 Cold Weather Makeup Tips

The winter chill takes its toll on more than our heating bill. Our skin and hair needs a dose of TLC during these frigid temperatures with a boost in hydration. One of the best ways to have healthy skin is to use beauty products that are creamy and have hydrating properties. Avoid over-powdering and dark colors so that you can look fresh and radiant. Here are 5 steps to healthy, moisturized radiant skin and makeup! 1. Use a rich moisturizer with healing properties Try: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream $28 A thick, rich, emollient product that hydrates deep down with exceptional penetration. 2. Even complexion with a multi-tasking cream Try: IMAN Skin Tone Correcting BB Cream $20 Tinted moisturizer by Iman that visibly brightens complexion & minimizes appearance of imperfections, reducing signs of discoloration and promotes long-term skin tone evening. 3. Add healthy color to cheeks Try: Vapour Organic Beauty in Courtesan $34 Aura is made with 70% Certified Organic ingredients and 30% mineral pigments & vitamins is and moisturizing & calming. 4. Use a creamy eyeshadow Try: Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Iced Cocoa $13 This soft, creamy, long-wearing formula glides on easily, lasts for 10 hours and can be applied in multiple layers to deliver more noticeable color while retaining a lightweight feel. 5. Colorful moisturized lips Try: Clinique Color Surge Butter Shine Lipstick Drenches lips in moist, lush color that glides on buttery-soft, feels luxuriously smooth. Shop! Make it Work Monday: Top 5 Cold Weather Makeup Tips Lipstick Face Blush
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