Now, I have had blackheads across my nose since I can remember. And since I don’t get facials on the regular, ie., hardly ever, I take care of things at home – sometimes good things like good scrubs and peels; and sometimes really bad things like manual self-extractions. (*Those always go well. Uh huh.). But the one thing that I use that gives me the best clean is when I use my Clarisonic brush, that I got on QVC a couple of years ago (*5 easy-pays – Heeeey!). In my case I can’t use it that often, but when I do, it makes my skin feels really clean, but it never does that deep down scrubbing clean. Or at least it *didn’t*. That has changed with this new Deep Pore brush head.

So, when I was in NYC, I had a chance to try a true “Triple Oxygen Treatment” facial at bliss spa, to compare with my at home version that I had done. I had a hard time writing about it, because, well, it was so relaxing I slept thru most of it and woke up with amazing glowing skin (*and no post-facial breakouts! Score!), and I didn’t really know how to explain it properly. Anyway, I point this out to show that I had a great “baseline” fresh face – deep blackheads still there, but really smooth skin. Usually, not too long after a facial your skin kind of goes back to how it was before, well, in this case, I have been able to maintain a lot of the smoothness, but also have been able to get down into some of the deeper blackheads using this brush head, reducing the appearance on the bridge of my nose and down the sides. This makes for a very happy girl.

All of you QVC junkies, be jealous! Look who I got to hang out with that day: Dr. Robb!!

And, I want you to see the deep pore cleansing difference yourself by giving away a Deep Pore Cleansing brush head to you. Oh. You’ll probably need something to be able to use the brush head on, so, why don’t I throw in a Clarisonic Mia Sonic Cleansing System, too? You know what? I was talking to my best friend today, who is traveling overseas, and I bet she wishes she had a Mia to travel with right now. Let’s make sure your BFF doesn’t suffer the same way – let’s give them one, too!

That’s right – I’m giving away a Sonic Mia, with a Deep Pore Cleansing brush head to one lucky reader AND their BFF. All I need you to do is tell me why your BFF deserves one, and I’ll choose the winner. Yes, it’s entirely at my whim. And I already know why *you* deserve one, you beauty fiend you. I’ll take submissions until Midnight Friday night, July 29th. (*Sorry, this is for US residents, only!)

Are any of you already Clarisonic fans? Have you had a chance to try this new brush head out for yourself? Lemme know what you think if you have, or if you are thinking about picking one up!

*Disclaimer: I received a Mia and the brush head from PR for consideration. I also received the facial courtesy of PR, too.

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Starting at 12pmEST on May 13th (today!) thru May 15th (Sunday), you can go to the Clairol Facebook Page and get one of 25,000 free boxes they are giving out each day. I’m telling you – you better be quick, because I am certain these will go fast!

Also, just to let you know, I recently tried the “Vibrant” Dark Auburn, and the hue really is a brighter, not brassy color. In fact, it’s time for me to try the refresher (*review coming soon!).

Lemme know if you are able to snag one of these and what you think after you try it!

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This lovely lady not only loves her some Mally Beauty mascara, she’s also a twitter fan, too!

Thanks to all who entered and letting me know that we like a lot of the same things and that I have inspired many of you to try something new. I enjoy hearing from you all and hope to keep inspiring you this next year, too! xoxo

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Guys, I can’t believe it is already that time of year again! Another year of trying out new products, going to fashion shows, trade shows, trying new services, meeting great new people – and sharing it all with you!

As a token of my appreciation for sticking around to read my ramblings, I want to give you guys a chance to win a bunch of goodies. This year I really wanted to make a point and share with you some of my go to faves – from the “cheaper than lunch” treat to the decadent “you spent how much?”. Here’s what I’m giving away:

• Eight Body Moisture – Ginger Lime: The fresh scent wakes you up and it feels so good going on. I’m just glad my kid doesn’t like lotion, or he would have taken this along with my body wash. ($24/ea)
• Talika Lash Conditioning Cleanser: Hands down my favorite eye makeup remover. So gentle on the eyes & no weird film left afterwards. I wept when I finished my last bottle. No lie. ($24/ea)
• Mally Beauty Volumizing Waterproof Mascara: I do not like waterproof mascara, except for this one. Seriously. When I got this one I used it for a couple of months before I even realized it *was* waterproof – it just didn’t feel like other wp mascaras out there. And it makes my lashes look good, too! You’ll get *2* of these, so you can decide to hoard them for yourself or share one with a friend. ($20/ea)
• Votre Vu Duette: This combo lotion/lip balm is a multi-taskers dream. I may or may not have had words with a TSA agent at the airport when I forgot to check it, since it is a smidge over 3oz. (*Spoiler: I won!) Also, this scent is heavenly. ($39/ea)
• Mario Badescu Lip Wax: I recently gave my tube up to my friend who had lips like Lisa Rinna used to have due to an allergic reaction. Her situation was dire. I would only willingly give up my tube in emergencies like that. It’s that good. ($5/ea)
• Mario Badescu Flower and Tonic Mask: Sometimes my face just needs a little TLC, so I’ll slather this mask on for a little soothing. However, last time I grabbed it, I realized I hadn’t closed it properly and it had dried out. I was so devastated I attempted to revive it with tap water. Don’t do that. ($18/ea)
• Mario Badescu Super Rich Olive Body Lotion: In the winter my legs get really dry and itchy. I squeeze some of this on before bed, rub it all in and the itchiness goes away. Heavy duty, but light moisturize. And it absorbs quickly so my sheets don’t get all gross. ($10/ea)
• CoverFX MintGlaze FX: This lip primer works great on lips, but it does amazing things on mosquito bites, too. Seriously. I don’t know how, but when I used this on some nasty bites this summer – *bam* – they went away QUICK. No lie. I’m giving away *2* tubes of this, so that you can use one on your lips and one on your bites, since you really don’t wanna mix the two, do you? ($22/ea)
• Three Custom Color Cream to Powder Blush in “Morning After”: I love cream blushes now. And I know some of you are afraid to try them because you might be intimidated. This almost neutral shade is a perfect way to ease into it, esp since it dries down to a powdery finish anyway. ($22.50/ea)
• Orlane Paris Extreme Anti-Wrinkle Regenerating Night Care: Yep, this is expensive and oh so decadent. It also feels good and works really well at soothing my tired skin by absorbing fast & not sitting on top of my skin like so many night creams do. It makes it feel like my has bounced back overnight when I use it. Of course, it better for the price tag, right? And I’m giving you a jar to see for yourself! ($300/ea)

You all know I am nosy, so, this year’s contest question(s) is “Have you bought or tried anything that I have written about? If so, what?”. I’m really just curious if anything did so I can know if I am alone in my like for something. Anyway, enter your answer, name and email addy in the widget below, please:

I’ll run the contest from now until midnight the night of the 16th and will announce the winner next week on my birthday, the 17th! Good luck!

*Disclaimer: All prizes are being provided by PR on my, and their clients, behalf.

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Three Custom was started by Trae, Scott & Chad out of Scott & Chad’s apartment in 1997 with 15 lipsticks, 10 lipliners and a custom blending service. It has now expanded to over 250 products and their custom blending archive has over 9,000 discontinued colors dating back to the 1930′s. It’s pretty dang amazing, right?

One of the other cool things they do are collaborations with great artists and company’s for special edition products. That is where “Morning After” Crème to Powder blush came from – a signature collection with makeup artist, and best-selling author, Robert Jones. Robert is the author of “Looking Younger”, a book to help the “maturing” lovely camouflage wrinkles, sagging eyelids, etc while teaching practical and easy tips to play up their best features.

Well, I’m happy to say that I am able to give you 3 of you lucky (*US only) readers a copy of “Looking Younger” AND your own “Morning After” Crème to Powder blush. All you need to do is enter your name and email address in the box below (*fyi, you will be signed up for 3C’s monthly email with tips, discounts & samples, but you can opt-out any time) between now and MidnightCST on Monday, July 19th for your chance to win.

Have any of you already tried Three Custom? What’s your favorite color matched product? Let me know.

Congratulations!! (*I swear I didn’t have anything to do with picking these names, but these are some really pretty names, aren’t they?)

Okay, you lucky lovelies, I have already sent you a confirmation email, so, check your emailboxes and get me your addresses as soon as you can, so we can get these out to you asap.

And for those of you who didn’t win this time, I have another chance for you to win in my “Have a “Pretty” Spring – with a twist” contest, where you could win a bottle of Elizabeth Arden “Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash”, so check that out.

“Elizabeth Arden introduces a NEW limited edition, refreshing twist to the famous “Pretty” fragrance. “Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash” offers a fresh, spirited floral bouquet of Pretty with a hint of citrus. This new fragrance is the perfect addition to your glamorous look and carefree mood on a bright spring afternoon!

With its new fragrance notes, such as White Peach and Pink Lady Apple, Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash” reminds us of the beauty of spring and summer, with a subtle fruit note that gives a fresh sensuality to the fragrance. Presented in a pretty glass bottle, “Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash” comes with an optional pump so you can easily switch from spray to splash, to better suit your mood.

But remember, just like spring – it’s only here for a limited time.” (*Available on www.elizabetharden.com now and in stores starting May 1) Suggested retail price: $45.00 / 6.8 fl. oz.

This sounds like it is going to smell nice – I can’t wait to smell it, esp since it has Peach and Watermelon essence in it. And, guess what? I am able to give you guys a chance to win a bottle to try it for yourself. Just enter your name and email addy in the box below, and I will randomly pick a winner at 11:59pm CST April 28th. Good luck!!

Congratulations to them for winning the Birthday/Blogiversary goodies!
*Update: @WendyLoritsch (*man, I love me some twitter) just emailed me: ” OMG SERIOUSLY!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!? THANK YOU!!! You rock! I’m SO excited to try some of your favs.”

Thanks to everyone that entered – it was great to know what you guys liked, because, well – I’m nosy like that. I wish that I could reply to each of you, but let me talk about a few things that kept coming up in the comments:

• I am glad that so many of you liked the idea to keep your products in the fridge. I swear you will notice a huge difference next summer. It’s suprising what just one little thing that can do.
• I am thrilled to know that you guys enjoyed my NYFW coverage. I am glad you appreciated my perspective. I like to think that I made it just a little more accessible to all of those that don’t get the opportunity to be there themselves. Plus, it was hella fun.
• The fact that I may have influenced any of you to actually purchase/not purchase a product is wow for me. Makes me feel good that my opinion made a diff. Really.
• It’s good to hear that people liked the Daphne Guinness post. I don’t write much about fashion, but I think that was more about the person & the creative stuff about her/around her. If something else comes up I find interesting, I won’t hesitate to put something like this up again.

Thanks for coming around and I hope you keep coming back, because, like me – you just never know what you’re gonna get when you stop by. xoxo

I love my birthday – like a fish loves water. I used to countdown to my birthday starting 30days prior. I try not to do that outloud any more, as some people seemed to tire of it, like the spoilsports that they are. I also like presents – A LOT. Because I am greedy like that. *shrug* However, this year, in observance of my almost 40th birthday, I have decided to give away a present to one of you – my fun readers. (*except for my fab Int’l readers, of which I know there are many. I’ll try and make it up to you in the new year, okay?)

So, I asked some of my favorite brands if they would help me celebrating my birthday, and coincidentally, my 1st Blogiversary and they agreed. Check out what one lucky reader can win:

Talika Beauty of Your Eye Kit ($48)
CoverFX SkinprepFx ($45)
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17)and Super Rich Olive Body Lotion ($10)
Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System (*sans bag) ($50.50), SuperBalm Moisturizing Gloss (14.00), Blushwear Cream Stick ($18.50), High Impact Mascara ($14.00) and Vitamin C Lip Smoothie ($17.50)
Kiss Professional Manicure Kit ($9.99)
Dashing Diva Nail Polishes ($56)

Holy Crap – That’s worth more than $300! Do I love me some great brands, or what?

So, because it’s *MY* birthday, I get to make the rules, sort of. Enter in the box below, one entry per person, randomly picked winner, etc. HOWEVER, I would also like to know what has been your favorite thing that I have written this past year, because I am all nosy like that.

The contest closes at Midnight on the night of the 17th, after I have enjoyed my entire birthday, and I will announce the winner on the 18th. Good luck and thanks for playing in my playground with me.