Lipgloss Break: April 2013
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ZOYA Earth Day 2013 Nail Polish Exchange


The nail polish exchange is back! Zoya is helping you with your spring cleaning. Get 50% off Zoya nail polish when you send in your old polish. Check out Zoya.com for details. Hurry and place your order...you have until Friday, April 26th!


Giveaway Break - Modella Weekender Bag

Since I already shared with you my top tips for packing my travel cosmetic bag, I thought I'd share with you a giveaway for you to win one!

Modella wants to give away one Floral Diaries Weekender bag to a lucky Lipgloss Break reader.

***Giveaway***
Enter to win a Modella Weekender bag!

Fill out the form below to win! There are also several different ways you can get extra entries: sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me & retweet on Twitter , follow me on Pinterest, follow me on Instagram or become a fan on Facebook; just make sure to list the number of extra entries in the form below. Enter up to once a day!

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Thursday, May 23rd. I will randomly select one winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!




Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup

 

Catch up on your weekly dose of beauty info, all in one post!
 

  • Mama Fashionista: Mama Fashionista shares the products and tools she's been using lately to get her curls sleek and straight, while maintaining their health!


  • Emily Hudspeth, hair design and makeup artist: Beautiful Spring Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty
  • Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: It is no secret that Clarins makes so many gorgeous products, but their new Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in Petal Shimmer No. 4 is simply pure magic!
  • BeautyTidbits: Check out the the swatches and review of the new Prestige Cosmetics Total Intensity Bold Eyeshadow trios over at BeautyTidbits.
  • Peppermint Lips Beauty Blog: L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Crayon Concealer Review!
  • Painted Ladies: IMAN Cosmetics Blush in Allure is a budget-friendly win, says Sheila at Painted Ladies.
  • Scottish Beauty Blog: Outdoor hot tubs and pampering packages, Sarah from Scottish Beauty Blog is hanging out at Scotland's Stobo Castle.
  • TheFabZilla: TheFabZilla shares how you can update cat-eyes for spring and summer!
  • The Advice Sisters Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Website: OMG! The most beautiful collection of colors for Spring are blooming at AVEDA
  • Blushing Noir: RocksBox just may be the only jewelry subscription box that is a WIN every time!
  • Lipgloss Break: Lipgloss Break shares tips on how to efficiently pack (and stock) a travel cosmetic bag!
  • D.G.S.Beauty: Looking for new skincare products? Check out D.G.S.Beauty's review on a few B. Kamins products
  • Fabulous Awesomeness: Heard the fuss about keratin but don't know what it is? Mina Slater will tell you in What Is Keratin & Why It's In My Hair Care!
  • The Lacquered Lady: Check out this gorgeous gray holo!


  • Oh Snap! It's Giveaway Time!



    Get excited...I've teamed up with some fabulous bloggers...again....to bring to you a fabulous giveaway. 10 different prizes, all listed below, with lots of chances to win. Make sure to take advantage of every way to enter!

    a Rafflecopter giveaway


    My Top 7 Tips for Packing a Cosmetic Bag

    Modella cosmetic bag
    I’ve come a long way since my days of over packing for trips. I use to have to check a large suitcase for a 3 day trip! Now, after a lot of practice, I don’t panic when I have to pack for a few nights, and I can even get everything in my carry on, in under an hour.


    One tactic that I have used that has streamlined the packing process is always keeping my makeup and toiletries bag packed. I like to keep a separate travel cosmetic bag packed with all of my travel friendly sized necessities. The Modella Weekender Cosmetic bag is one I have been using lately. 

    The Weekender has 3 main zipper pockets (2 on the inside, one on the outside) that can fit all of my cosmetic items and toiletries. I like that one side is a meshed zipper pocket for toothbrushes and makeup brushes, which will help them dry/breathe if you have to put them in damp. The front pocket also contains travel size bottles which you can fill with your face wash, shampoos, etc. With this always packed and ready to go, I only have to worry about my clothes and accessories when packing for a trip.

    Here are my top tips for packing (and stocking!) makeup products and toiletries fast and efficiently!



    1 - Keep a container of all your travel size items. I put mine in a separate basket in my linen closet, so when it's time to pack, I know right where they are at and can easily sort through the ones I need to take.



    2 - Call ahead and ask the hotel or your host if they have a hair dryer you can use. Hair dryers are bulky and if you don't have to pack one, you'll have more room for shoes :)

    3 - Redeem Sephora and Ulta points for travel size items. Free gifts with purchase are also commonly travel size items. Save these for travel. Don't use them every day unless you run out of your full size product. Birchbox and Glossy Box monthly beauty subscriptions are always great for stocking my travel size collection.



    4 - Prescription creams, ointments and liquids do not have to be under 3.4oz and do not have to fit in a quart size bag, saving you more room for beauty products.



    5 - Opt for towel or powder versions of products when traveling. Towel cleansing facial pads, towel self tanners, powder foundations (instead of liquid), dry powder shampoo, etc.
    This will allow you more room for your liquid necessities if you want to carry your luggage on the plane.



    6 - Little vials of perfume aren't just sample size, they are travel size! Whenever I get a sample I like I immediately add it to my travel makeup case. I would just recommend putting it in a little Ziploc bag before putting it in your makeup bag for traveling.


    7 – I usually use the shampoo and conditioner provided by the hotel, but if you require your own, the mini bottles in hotel rooms are perfect for this. Recycle the mini bottles provided to refill with your own shampoo and conditioner for your next trip!

    Remember, liquids have to be below 3.4 ounces. You'll be seeing more of the '3-1-1' rule through security lines now. Here is what the TSA.gov site says:

    3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure.

    What are your travel tips and tricks? Please share! And stay tuned for a cosmetic bag giveaway this week! 

    Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer. 


    Yoga + Kettlebells = Cosmic Kettlebells

    kettlebellsMy kettlebell coach had once told me that Minneapolis has a huge kettlebell following, so when I was there last year, I attended a local kettlebell studio, Southside Kettlebells, and had a blast. So when I was in town last week, I wanted to try out a new studio. I came across Four Gates in my searches and decided to check out a class called Cosmic Kettlebells.

    Cosmic Kcttlebells is a combination of vinyasa yoga and kettlebells. Here's the description on the site:

    "The word “yoga” means “to integrate” or “union”, and this definition is very well exemplified in this one of a kind class. We merge sun salutations, kettlebell lifts, Qi Gong exercises, and full body hooping to create a state of cosmic bliss and universal strength. We recommend that students attend one kettlebell expansion class first."

    I was really curious how the class was going to flow. I was pleasantly surprised at the balance between yoga and kettlebells. I got a great cardio workout in while stretching and meditating in the same hour.

    It was American style kettlebell moves which I'm not totally use to, but caught on quick. We picked up our bells from the squat position to start each kettlebell circuit, and then once the circuit was over we did traditional yoga moves.

    I was really sore the next day from all of the stretching and deep squats. I will definitely be taking the class again when I visit Minneapolis again. I highly encourage checking out a new class or gym when traveling for work or pleasure. Every class is different and it's always fun to learn and try something new!

    lululemon

    And on a separate note, to end my trip, I swung by the Mall of America before I caught my flight, and guess which store was right by my entrance??? Fate!





    Get Cozy at a Kimpton Hotel

     
    I completed a wonderful stay at the Harbor Court Hotel in San Francisco about a month ago. Harbor Court is a Kimpton Hotel, which are all boutique hotels. I've always been very impressed with Kimpton hotels' hospitality, loyalty program and perks.

    Few of the perks....
    • I've stayed at 3 different Kimpton Hotels before and all have a complimentary happy hour for guests, including beer, wine and snacks. This is really nice to come back to after a long day of work. They also always have lemon and/or orange flavored water and coffee in the lobby in the AM.
    • Once you join their free loyalty program, Kimpton inTouch Loyalty, you automatically get free in room WIFI (it's hard to believe some hotels still charge for this) and $10 worth of goodies from the mini bar. This stay I opted for 2 water bottles, but next time I'm going for the wine.
    • At Harbor Court in SF, they have bikes you can check out and use to explore the city. They are also usually pet friendly. I don’t have a pet, but could see this being a huge plus if I was pet owner.
    Last year my husband and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary in Chicago. We made reservations at the Palomar hotel and of course, I tweeted about it. We were out and about in the city and when we came back at night we had a lovely surprise, chocolate cover strawberries and champagne! The hotel staff left a really sweet note wishing us a happy anniversary.

    Kimpton hotels do a really great job at making you feel ‘at home’ in a big city. They have locations in several big cities, including Boston, Chicago, SF and Miami. If they are an option for your next trip, I highly recommend checking them out!

    Photo from Kimptonhotels.com







    Shop It To Me Threads Louboutins Giveaway

    shop it to me threads
    If you haven't heard of Shop It To Me Threads, it's definitely worth checking out. It's like having your own shopping assistant. When you sign up (for free) you specify what kind of clothes, accessories, brands, trends etc. you like to shop for. In daily or weekly emails, Shop it to Me Threads will send you an update when those brands or items are on sale.

    To celebrate their recent launch, Shop It To Me Threads is giving away a pair of Louboutins! Here's how to enter:
    1 - Join Shop It To Me Threads
    2 - Follow @ShopItToMe on Twitter and tweet the following phrase:  "Enter to win #Louboutins c/o your free personal shopping assistant @ShopItToMe Threads! Just visit http://bit.ly/14RBh4T & RT"

    Good luck!



    Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup


  • Mama Fashionista: Quinn of Mama Fashionista opens up and shares the beginning of a different kind of beauty story...


  • Fabulous Awesomeness: Mina Slater shows off vibrant nail polish with the Julep Maven April 2013 Turn On The Brights collection. See swatches & reviews of all 5 maven boxes including Rock Candy Nail Glaze!
  • Emily hudspeth, hair and makeup: Subtle Changes to Freshen Up your Look for Spring. Without Spending Too Much Time or Money.
  • D.G.S.Beauty: Dinah reviews and swatches Rouge Bunny Rouge Loose Glitter Pigments, Highlighting Liquids, Anti-ageing Moisturiser, and Make-up Melt Cleanser
  • BeautyTidbits: Harshleen raves about the new Jane Iredale PureGloss Lip glosses, her new favorite glosses for spring!
  • TheFabZilla: Get Yo Funk on with Eddie Funkhouser New York Makeups! TheFabZilla has the deets for ya!
  • Painted Ladies: Sheila from Painted Ladies is raising awarness for Autism by sharing her son's journey.
  • Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: If ever there was a perfect Kaleidoscope, Le Métier de Beauté created it with their stunning Bauhaus Lip Kit! It is pure unadulterated magic!
  • The Advice Sisters: Red lips are like a little black dress, a must-have classic. Mally Roncal's Perfect Red Lip Kit helps you get the look
  • Beauty Professor: The Beauty Professor discusses some of her favorite beauty products of the spring!
  • Endless Summer: Elena tried and tested the newest Gatineau Renew 7 Detox serum, which promises to change your skin in just 7 days!
  • Scottish Beauty Blog: Dubbed the beauty accessory of 2013, Sarah from Scottish Beauty Blog is checking out the inking at the Scottish Tattoo Convention
  • Lipgloss Break: Angela from Lipgloss Break shares her review of Mane Teeze hair perfume.


  • Sally Hansen Magnetic Nails in Red-y Response

    sally hansen magnetic nails red-y response
    My best friend Tina tried out Sally Hansen's Magnetic nails in Red-y Response. She thought it was easy to do too, but did chip on her pretty quickly. Make sure to get a good top coat for this polish. It's harder to touch up little chips and keep the magnetic waves.

    Check out my swatch of Sally Hansen Magnetic nails in Electric Emerald.



    And the Winners Are...

    The winners of the Clos du Bois Pixi cosmetic set are:
    shempgames
    dstephan6
    sweett36
    mleejohnson1967
    sully872

    Thanks to all who entered! Don't forget to enter my current giveaway for a surprise beauty prize pack!


    Giveaway Break - I Hit 2k Twitter Followers!


    A long time ago I announced on Twitter that once I got 2k followers, I would put together a massive giveaway. Since I'm a woman of my word, here it is! Enter below to win a Beauty Surprise Pack. This giveaway will be filled with fun goodies  from brands including Yves Rocher, Korres, DHC and MORE. Enter to win below!
    a Rafflecopter giveaway