Steals & Deals

I’ve never been a big accessories person. I’ve always defaulted to makeup and skincare to look and feel my best. But I now have a new little obsession. Last week, I was at a production shoot for one of our products. Since I have no free time these days, I decided to go shopping in the stylist’s closet. Of course, all the models’ clothing was a size 0, so I moved on to the accessory area.  I don’t normally wear jewelry, but I tried on a couple of necklaces and bracelets just for fun. I was hooked! I didn’t realize how much more beautiful I would feel just by wearing a gorgeous piece of jewelry.

I’m the first to admit I love shopping at Target. But until recently, I really hadn’t thought about buying beauty products there. I guess I didn’t think lower-priced color cosmetics could deliver the same results as their higher-priced cousins.

Sonia Kashuk for Target changed my mind.

A night at the CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) event with make-up artist and entrepreneur Sonia Kashuk really opened my eyes to high-quality, low-priced mass-market beauty products. Sonia knows what a product needs for smooth application and a flawless look. She told us about the attention to detail that goes into her products to ensure that they meet her own high expectations.

I have a confession to make. Spa Week starts in a few days and I haven’t made any appointments. Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking…I must be nuts to put it off this long.

Well, I feel guilty.

Not about the price of the treatments or the deals during Spa Week. I feel guilty about leaving my husband and kids for the afternoon when we could be doing something as a family. Am I too selfish? Will my kids be scarred for life because their mother spent an afternoon getting a massage and a facial?

Think you don’t have to wear sunscreen in the winter?  Check out these sunscreen myths and learn why it’s just as important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays in winter as in summer, whether it’s cloudy or sunny.

I’m 90% done with Christmas shopping and I haven’t bought a single thing in a store.  I’ve saved a ton of money shopping online!  I’d love to pass along some of my tips to help you save your hard-earned cash and still score fabulous gifts.

Want to feel like your own makeup artist with the power to adorn your eyes for any occasion - from smoky to glam to angelic?  Then you’d love our new favorite eye shadow palette, the Coastal Scents Warm Palette #88.  Imagine having 88 new shades including shimmers, pearls, and matte shades all in one palate.  We had so much fun playing with the array of colors including silver blues, camo greens, earthy peaches and stones, rich plums, browns, and even highlight colors.  If you’re afraid to commit to purchasing a new eye shadow color, getting a mixed palate is a great way to test the waters.  This palate compliments women of all ages and backgrounds because of the way that it’s toned, but it’s especially flattering for women with olive colored skin. 

In the world of beauty products, you don’t have to break the bank to look beautiful.  Cosmetic and personal care companies spend billions of advertising dollars on television commercials, radio spots, magazine ads, and even product reviews to convince you that you need to spend more money on their products.  However, you can look and feel beautiful without it costing hundreds of dollars.  You just need to be smart about which products you splurge on.  Some of the most expensive cosmetics are made by the same companies as less expensive brands and often use the same formulas.  Even professional makeup artists combine drugstore, department store, and boutique products in their makeup kits.

Let’s get real ladies…to stay afloat during these tough economic times we’d give up just about anything EXCEPT our beauty products!  I’m sure I speak for all of my sisters in beauty when I say that there are just some things we refuse to live without, and beauty products are definitely in that category!  Without my cosmetics I’d surely be mistaken for Susan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent (before her recent makeover).  No hate mail—-please!