Belle Belle Beauty

Darphin’s Essential Oil Elixirs “Oil of the Month” and GIVEAWAY

I always love a good try-before-you-buy deal. Especially for skin care when you need to make sure it works with your skin. Darphin launched a pretty genius offer – on the 8^th of every month Darphin will be featuring one of their oils and a chance to try it out free of charge! If you go into any Darphin retailer (Blue Mercury, Space NK or any store in listed Darphin store directory on their site) you can get an oil sample without having to purchase anything. If you’d like to go through the online route, receive the “Oil of the Month” with any Darphin purchase, regardless of cost, when you type in the word ELIXIR into the code box.

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A little more about the Essential Oil Elixirs: these oils, designed for evening application, are created from 100% natural ingredients. Available in eight formulas:

Organic Chamomile Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Sensitive Skin
Organic Jasmine Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Mature Skin
8-Flower Nectar – A precious youth elixir
Organic Tangerine Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for First Signs of Aging
Organic Rose Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Normal Skin
Organic Orange Blossom Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Normal Skin
Organic Niaouli Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Overactive Skin
Organic Myrrh Aromatic Care – Essential oil care for Dry or Very Dry Skin

I’ve been testing the Organic Rose Aromatic Care for a couple weeks and love the balanced hydration it delivers. Even though it is designed for PM use, I also have used it in the AM and I love the way it looks under makeup for a dewy, glowy appearance. I’m not a fan of rose scent, but this oil didn’t have an overwhelmingly strong fragrance.

And a little treat for you guys today – I’ve partnered up with Darphin to give away one of these oils (your choice of which formula) to one lucky reader! Just enter using the widget below. US Only.

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AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Neutral Soft and Feminine Makeup

While I can appreciate bold and artistic shades, I will always gravitate towards natural, nude and soft colors. I’ve amassed quite a collection of products to achieve this look, but I certainly have some favorites. Here is a round up of my all-stars:

Tom Ford Lip Color in Casablanca – the perfect nude adds just a hint of pink and looks like your lips, but better.
By Terry Light-Expert Perfecting Foundation Brush in Vanilla Light – this brush/foundation combo has a luminous sheer finish.
Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée – this jelly textured blush can be applied with fingers for a sheer wash of color.
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Nobody’s Baby – I tap this super hydrating color onto my lips for a barely there look.
Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow in Impressionist – this handy palette contains a primer and has luxury-like soft powders that are so wearable.

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L’Oreal Paris Ever EverStyle Texture Tousle Crème

Women are always evolving their hair routine. I know the last year has totally transformed how I style and treat my hair. First, I learned how to round brush my hair. After the novelty of that wore off, I mastered the rough dry for messy volume. Most important was learning that I needed way more hydration than I thought. And if I doused my hair in moisture, I could actually air dry my hair!

But it wasn’t just moisture that made this possible. It was an introduction to L’Oreal Paris Ever EverStyle Texture Tousle Crème. While I used to think creams were suited for curly hair, this just isn’t true. I can use a quarter-sized amount of this and air dry for a messy, piecy and tousled look. The scent is great and it doesn’t leave my hair crunchy or sticky. Waves are soft and touchable.

With this colder weather, I sometimes don’t want to go out with wet hair. You can alternatively work it through strands before bed. Or rough dry and use fingers to encourage the tousled waves.

Fall Wish List

Heartbreaker Bib

Rodin Facial Cleansing Powder

Camp Dress

Alexandre Birman Ankle Tie Sandals

Saint Laurent The Shopping Leather Tote

Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

There was so much fun stuff around the web, that I decided to share a little fall wish list and links on Wednesday this week. Hope you enjoy!

– Lauren Conrad’s bedtime beauty rituals gave me loads of ideas!

– I can’t believe I am just now exploring Moda Operandi, the only site where you can order straight from the runway. Can’t get my mind off this dress.

– My manicure inspiration, Eva Chen, shares her at-home manicure secrets here.

And I never remember there being so many great fall sales. If you are in shopping mode, check out these steals and deals:

J.CREW is offering 25% off your purchase of $150 or more through October 30th with code SHOPNOW.
Through today only, Save 20% during the Friends & Family event with code FAMILY at Bluefly.com.
Lord & Taylor Friends & Family sale starts today through Tuesday, October 29th. 25% off (10% off cosmetics and fragrances).
Alice + Olivia Friends & Family runs through tomorrow with 25% off site wide.
25% off sale items at Folica through the end of the month with code LOVESALE25LS. 15% off site wide and free shipping with code SHIPPING15.
Neiman Marcus sale items are an additional 20% off!
Through October 28th enter code OCTOBER for 25% off at Stephanie Johnson.
Get 20% off at Loeffler Randall with code LRSHOPSTYLE20.
Save $20 on rentals of $75 or more through Nov. 2 at Rent the Runway with code SPOOKY13 (perfect for Halloween!).

Chatting Simple Skincare With The Glossaire’s Lara

I’m pretty darn enthusiastic about my partnership with Simple Skincare. Not only have the products transformed my sensitive skin over the past 10 months, but I get to work with some pretty amazing fellow Ambassadors. Long time friend and blogging buddy, Lara from The Glossarie, is sharing her thought on the Simple Skincare collection. Thought it would be fun to share some of her experiences and favorites. Read my interview with her below:

– What are your major skin concerns? How would you describe your skin type?

My skin is the worst! Breakouts are my major concern, followed by sensitivity and a tendency for my skin to react to everything. All of the aestheticians and dermatologists that I’ve seen have told me that my rigorous product testing regimen is wreaking havoc on my face and have advised me to stop immediately. Obviously that’s not happening!

– How has your skin changed since you started using Simple products?

It’s much more clear and even toned. Redness has been drastically reduced and it’s just overall much more comfortable and happy.

– What are your favorite products from the line? Which one surprised you the most?

The Foaming Cleanser is the hero of my nightly makeup removing ritual. It cleanses thoroughly without stripping my skin. It’s a relatively new discovery and I have been telling everyone how much I love it! The biggest surprise for me has been the Replenishing Rich Moisturizer. I have been using it day and night and it has brought serious balance to my skin. I find that my skin breaks out more when it’s dry, but thick moisturizers tend to clog my pores. This one moisturizes completely but has kept things totally clear. I’m kicking myself for not trying it sooner!

– Does your skincare routine change seasonally?

Oh yes! I just changed from using the Refreshing Facial Wash Gel and the Protecting Light Moisturizer to the Foaming Cleanser and the Replenishing Rich Moisturizer. I do use the two eye products year round: Soothing Eye Balm at Night and Revitalizing Eye Roll On in the mornings.

– Why do you love working with Simple?

I have been so happy to discover a line that not only works like a dream, but is affordable. To me, Simple epitomizes real girl beauty and I love that I get to partner with them on a formal level. The best part of working with Simple has been the emails and comments that I receive from my readers telling me how much they love the products and that they discovered them because of me!

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

Neutrogena Naturals “Every Drop Counts” and GIVEAWAY

I’ve quietly noticed Neutrogena’s new line, Neutrogena Naturals hitting drugstore shelves, but haven’t had a chance to try them out. When Kristin Bell, one of my favorites, signed on to be a Brand Ambassador, I knew I needed to try. I love that the natural formulations clean skin without stripping and using ingredients straight from nature. Neutrogena Naturals line includes post-consumer recycled packaging – 70% less water was used to make it! A little more about the line:

Neutrogena® Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser: Fresh smelling and foaming, this formula contains willowbark Bionutrient salicylic acid to remove dirt, oil and makeup.
Neutrogena® Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub: Very gentle exfoliating beads both wash and remove dull skin while detoxifying pores. Also has a great scent and is slightly foaming.
Neutrogena® Naturals Fresh Cleaning + Makeup Remover: Probably now in my permanent rotation to take off a heavy face of makeup, this soothing lotion-like cleanser removes the day without stripping skin’s natural moisture.
Neutrogena® Naturals Face and Body Bar: Avocado & olive oil Bionutrient omega fatty acids douse skin with moisture while cleaning.
Neutrogena® Naturals Lip Balm: Buttery and rich, this balm keeps my lips hydrated for hours without a sticky feeling and leaving a minty scent with no tingle.

As part of her Ambassadorship, Kirstin is championing the “Every Drop Counts” campaign. Through the end of the month, Neutrogena will contribute 10% of the purchase price of each Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Cleanser sold to The Nature Conservancy. Learn a little about our water use here:

Inspired to help? I encourage you to visit the Neutrogena Facebook page to join Kristin – take the pledge to adopt simple water-conserving behaviors. By pledging, you will be automatically entered to win a luxury green spa trip in Napa Valley!!!

And dying to try the whole line? Your lucky day! I’ve teamed up with to giveaway all five products from the Neutrogena Naturals line to one lucky reader! Just enter using the widget below. US only.

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