LORAC PRO Palette Plus Tom Ford Bonus Giveaway Contest

LORAC's new PRO Palette ($42) is a professional eye palette featuring 16 eye shadows infused with soothing botanicals, along with a mini-sized Behind The Scenes Eye Primer for stay-true color that lasts. Created by celebrity makeup artist Carol Shaw, this PRO artistry palette is packed with eight shimmer and eight matte eye shadows in all the shades you'll need to create the hottest looks - from Fashion Week or the red carpet.

LORAC’S velvety smooth shadows are ultra-pigmented to perform wet or dry so you can shade, shadow, line, and define your eyes, just like a pro and with the intensity you want. I was stunned when I took a peek at this beauty when it arrived from Sephora. I ordered it not knowing whether I would use it for a giveaway or keep it for myself. Today, I felt generous.

The box contains a tiny 0.17-oz Behind the Scenes Eye Shadow Primer and the following eye shadows.

• Top row matte colors: White, Cream, Taupe, Light Pink, Mauve, Sable, Espresso, Black
• Bottom row shimmer or sparkle colors: Nude (Shimmer), Champagne (Sparkle), Gold (Shimmer), Lt. Bronze (Shimmer), Pewter (Shimmer), Garnet (Shimmer), Deep Purple (Shimmer), Slate (Shimmer)

LORAC's eye shadows are formulated without any of the nasty ingredients we would all like to avoid. See the link for the list, along with pro tips for application.

The winner of this palette will also receive a sample pack with all four of the new Tom Ford Private Blend Jardin Noir fragrances, courtesy of Jason Layden, Tom Ford representative at Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie - a friend of Best Things in Beauty.

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of entrants I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, September 15, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

New: LORAC PRO Powder Cheek Stain

When you think cheek stain, do you think powder? I don't. That's why LORAC's new PRO Powder Cheek Stain ($20) caught my eye online at Sephora. As a fan of Carol Shaw's makeup, I added Petal Pink to my cart faster than I could blink.

Here's what enticed me...

An innovative, 12-hour long-wear powder blush stain infused with skin-nourishing nutrients. Get an instant flush of long-lasting, natural-looking color with LORAC’S PRO Powder Cheek Stain. Created by celebrity makeup artist Carol Shaw, this innovative blush stains your cheeks with one swipe of healthy, radiant color. This formula is infused with antioxidants of vitamins A, C, E; pomegranate; green tea; white tea; grape seed extracts; and aloe to help nourish and protect, while hyaluronic acid helps to keep skin hydrated. 

This fragrance-free and paraben-free powder stain is easy-to-use and applies super-smoothly and evenly for color that lasts. Packaged in a sleek, "camera lens component," cheek stains are "perfect for the pro on the go."

I like it! Because is has no embedded sparkles, it doesn't shimmer on the face. I know many of you prefer sparkle-free blush for a natural look, and PRO Powder Cheek Stain delivers. The texture is superb. The powders are extremely finely milled. If you run your finger across the color, you'll swear it's a cream or cream-to-powder blush. The color I selected, Petal Pink, is perfect for my fair skin. There are four other shades - all tempting - so I'm sure there's one for everyone. I'm tempted to try Rosy Glow or Plum Passion (with a light hand).

• Petal Pink (Pink)
• Ruby Rouge (Crimson)
• Rosy Glow (Rose)
• Plum Passion (Plum)
• Coral Crush (Peony)

My photos were taken in late afternoon with light that was compromised by high clouds.  Still, I think I was able to represent the color accurately. 

 

I applied Petal Pink very heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. From my two photos - one darker than the other - you should be able to see that Petal Pink is the perfect choice for fair-skinned beauties.

The selling feature of PRO Powder Cheek Stain is its long wear. I've tested it for a few days, and I'm impressed by its longevity. I'm not sure whether I get more pale as the day passes, or whether my makeup is wearing off. If I look for my makeup, I can see it, but the general effect in a mirror (yes, one of those dreadful ladies room mirrors with bad lighting) is pale. Petal Pink has given me a few extra hours of "pretty in pink." Can't beat that, especially for $20.

You should know that Carol Shaw says a little of this blush goes a long way. I didn't experience that with Petal Pink - I apply my usual amount with a fluffy brush - but I can see that you might want to use a light hand with the other shades.

I purchased mine during one of my many browsing expeditions at Sephora. You can also find PRO Powder Cheek Stain at the LORAC Web site. Please let me know what you think.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

LORAC Blush/Bronzer Duo in Hot Spicy

This one is a Hot Spicy duo!  LORAC's Blush/Bronzer Duo ($30) is a treat. The colors are even prettier in person than they look in Sephora's photos (shown above). I have Hot Spicy, a peach and light bronze shimmery pairing, sent to me by the company. The other shade available is Hot Flash (seriously, I don't need to be reminded - not sure if that was a tongue-in-cheek title). It looks darker and more vibrant, probably better for darker skin.

My photo of Hot Spicy is shown directly above. It was taken in full sun. I love these colors, particularly since they look so warm and natural on my skin. Plus, there's a little pink in each color, making them suitable for many complexions.

I don't have much time to gush right now, but I did gush when I first applied the two shades, individually and in tandem. I applied both shades heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator and took my photos in full sun. Aren't they pretty?

The top peach shade, the blush, is a gorgeous, warm-weather color on the cheeks. While I have other colors like it, I have nothing exactly like the bronze shade. I love it! The light brown has a touch of pink that makes it extremely natural. I don't tan brown. I tan a hybrid of brown and pink. Now I try to avoid sun exposure, so the duo is perfect for me. The bronze coordinates perfectly with the peach color. LORAC's duo is a big hit at my house.

You can find it at Sephora. There's also another LORAC duo available with a matte bronzer, but I love this one. It's not at all glittery, but it adds a subtle shimmer that looks great. Get it before it's gone. It's a great buy. The compact is generous, and it includes a brush for on-the-go application.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

LORAC Unzipped The Nude Collection

LORAC, created by Carol Shaw, celebrity makeup artist, introduced a set that grabbed my attention the first time I tried it. LORAC Unzipped The Nude Collection ($34) is drop-dead gorgeous - and a value that's amazing.

"Get unzipped and unleash your natural beauty with LORAC's universally flattering nude collection for eyes, cheeks, and lips." Create head-turning looks with four ultra-rich eye shadows, Plum Blush, Lips With Benefits Gloss, and Shaw's famous Visual Effects Mascara.  The Nude Collection shows you how to create natural or dramatic eyes with directions on the box. However, you should feel free to do your own thing with the eye shadows. I usually do.

I swatched everything except the mascara for you. I swached with a sponge-tipped applicator (clockwise in the palette) and took my photos in full sun. You can barely see the Undercover shade at the top of my arm. It is, without doubt, a perfect undercover shade for me. It provides a neutral base that blends right into my eyelids while it brightens them.

The golden bronze, shown below Undercover appears to be named Unrevealed. It shimmers with a summer, beachy intensity that I adore. The matte Unapologetic is a pretty chocolate brown - not original, but a shade everyone needs to have. Unlaced, a unique shimmering shade, shown at the bottom of my arm, joins Unrevealed as a must-have. It's best described as shimmering taupe, with a hint of gold. Totally stunning!

The lip and cheek shades coordinate beautifully. I applied the Plum Blush at the top of my arm, using a sponge-tipped applicator. It was applied very heavily. On my face, the color looks amazingly natural. I love it! It has the right hues of pink-rose, toned by a matte finish that makes it look just right. The Lips with Benefits Gloss in an exclusive shade,  Andy, is a neutral pink that's right up my alley. My only question is, "Why would anyone name a lip gloss Andy?" I'm going to have to ask. Anyhow, Andy is a very pretty natural, almost nude pink.

This is a beautiful set, with $134 worth of makeup for only $34. Even though I received mine from LORAC, I feel like to won the bargain hunter's lottery. I would have snapped up LORAC's Unzipped The Nude Collection the moment I saw it.

I'm having trouble locating it online. Theoretically, it's available at Ulta.I found it at Amazon, but the seller wants to sell a lot of two for $119.46, which is crazy. I must run off right now, but I'll contact LORAC PR and figure out why I can't direct you to a source.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

LORAC TIE DYE FOR Lip Gloss Collection for Holiday 2010

The holiday sets that my favorite cosmetics companies are introducing are irresistible. One day recently, an e-mail from LORAC popped into my box showing the new, limited-edition TIE DYE FOR Lip Gloss Collection ($25). How could I resist? The glosses looked unique, with their pretty swirls.

Once the set arrived, I vowed to buy more if they ever go on sale (not unlikely with LORAC). These full-sized lip glosses are absolutely gorgeous - and an incredible value. You get five glosses for $25!

The ultra-rich lip glosses feature a menage a trois of color swirls to create a one-of-a-kind high-shine gloss with highly pigmented color. The unique formula is infused with açaí berry and pomegranate to add a boost of powerful antioxidants to help nourish and protect your lips, while natural emollients, such as grape seed, apricot, and coconut oils, soothe and moisturize your lips.

The collection contains five TIE DYE FOR lip glosses.

• FLAMING MIX (Red)
• BERRY BLENDER (Purple)
• SOCIAL MIXER (Pale pink)
• IN THE MIX (Nude brown)
• SHOCKING TWIST (Fuchsia)

That's the order in which they are shown in my swatch photo, top to bottom. The glosses were applied with their own brushes, and my photo was taken in full sun. My painting skills aren't great when I'm rushing, so my gloss lines are wavy. There's no mistaking the beauty of these shades, despite my artistic failures! Fortunately, when I'm applying gloss, my lips provide an outline to follow.

It's hard to select a favorite. I will probably reach for BERRY BLENDER most often, but how could anyone resist SOCIAL MIXER, shown on the model below? I'll wear every one of these shades. Love them!

Pop over to LORAC's Web site to see all of the Holiday 2010 beauties for yourself. Let me know if you succumb to the temptation.

Photos at top and bottom courtesy of LORAC

Four Prizes - Four Winners

We had four prizes to give away this week, and we have four winners. Congratulations, ladies! You have all been notified by e-mail.

The LORAC On Screen Duo didn't seem to be a hot ticket - probably because by the time I put up the contest, the price had dropped to $7 at the LORAC site. Oh well, it's still free, and Nightowl and Victoria will each receive one (along with two nice Armani samples). Random.org drew Nightowl's number first, so she will receive the Champagne & Caviar duo. Victoria gets Fame & Fortune.

After random.org did its work on LORAC, it set to work on the Armani Beauty Lip Shimmers. Liberty_Belle said in her entry that she would eventually win a prize. She must have had special influence with the random number generator! She won #63. Cara won #59. Both are fabulous shades.

Winners, please make sure to send me your address within 48 hours. Twice in the recent past, a winner has not responded. That's why I have now adopted the 48-hour rule. I had wondered why so many beauty bloggers had a response time deadline. Now, I know.

Once again, I want to thank my friends on the Armani Beauty Team at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, for their generosity to Best Things in Beauty readers. We love you!

Many thanks to everyone who entered for your sweet comments and e-mails. I love hearing from you. If you haven't won a contest yet, keep entering. The odds are pretty good that you will win someday.

You may have noticed that I haven't posted the latest contests at Free!Grechen. I love Grechen, but she had to start charging for the service (understandably - I'm sure maintenance can add up). I really can't afford to pay the charge right now because the postage and the prizes add up to a lot of money. On top of that, I splurged on an iPad last month, so my credit card bill is grim. I will try to use Twitter to publicize all the contests for awhile, so make sure to visit the blog or check Twitter each week. For other contests, please visit Free!Grechen. She does a great job. As soon as I win the lottery (eat your heart out, Kelly - I'll share), I can go back.

Makeup Lovers: Our next giveaway starts later today, and I think you are going to like it. See you then!

Photo courtesy of salotteries.com.au

LORAC On Screen Duo Giveaway Contest

LORAC's On Screen Duo is a powder highlighter and cream eye shadow/liner with coordinated shades for your perfect eye look. Several months ago, I bought two for me and two for you. I kept forgetting to put yours up in a giveaway contest. I'm rectifying that today! I know I promised to start this giveaway tonight, but here we go - now!

LORAC's innovative, multi-functional eye duo has everything you need to instantly create your own on- or off-screen drama! There's an ultra-pearlized powder highlighter in the swivel-top compartment. The highlighter has soothing white lily extract in it to provide buildable coverage and an effervescent finish. In the lower compartment, there's an ultra-rich cream eye shadow/liner (you can use it for either purpose) that easily blends over the powder highlighter for crease-proof, long-lasting color.

Carol Lorac recommends that you use the powder from lash line to brow bone and then line your eyes with the cream shadow/liner. She says this makes the liner adhere extremely well for long-lasting glamour.

I have two color duos, shown below, to give away: Fame & Fortune (for the classic Hollywood red-carpet eye) and Champagne & Caviar. Both are perfect for your fall look!


How can you enter to win one of these? Just leave a comment here once, telling me your first choice of the two duos. I can't guarantee you will win your first choice, but let's hope. After you comment, feel free to e-mail bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing your e-mail address on a blog, so I would follow this second step if I were you (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can "earn" a second entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) in your tweet. I will tweet the contest, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - or make up your own tweet.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, August 14, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winners. I will e-mail the winners at that time. The winners will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. If I don't hear from a winner within 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected.

This contest is going to have to be limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada. I promise we will have more totally open contests as soon as I can figure out how to solve my international shipping issues. Of four boxes that have gone overseas, three have had mishaps. Is it just me?

Good Luck!

LORAC Little Black Palette Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Resham, the next-to-last entrant for the palette! My thanks to everyone who entered. Keep entering the contests. You never know what number Random.org will select.

Last weekend, I told you how much I like LORAC's Little Black Palette ($32). The set includes four neutral baked eye shadow shades that will work for everyone, along with a Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer (which I reviewed last week).

Here's LORAC's description of this fabulous set.

Everyone needs a Little Black Palette! Create long-lasting, hot looks for days, evenings, and after-hours in the city with this must-have palette. Shine in rich golds and bronzes with four color-coordinated, mineral-infused, silky-smooth, shimmering Baked Eye Shadows and a mini Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer, all packed in a must-have sleek black case. Buy a little perfection with LORAC's Little Black Palette - it's the must-have accessory for every season!

I have one fabulous Little Black Palette to give away. To enter to win, just leave a comment here once. It's that easy! After you comment, feel free to e-mail bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing your e-mail address on a blog, so I would follow this second step if I were you (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

The contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. The deadline for entries will be midnight, May 29. The next day, I will use a random number generator to select the winner.

I'll be posting this contest at Free!Grechen, my favorite giveaway site on the Web. You should check it out if you haven't already!

Good Luck!

Photo courtesy of LORAC

LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer

LORAC says that all eyes will be on you when you use Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer ($20). I think that depends on the eye shadow you use, but I will tell you that this eye shadow primer works!

This gentle, lightweight, oil-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free formula keeps your eye shadow "picture-perfect from daytime to prime time." Prime time is any time I leave the house! Created by celebrity makeup artist Carol Shaw to be used behind the scenes on photo shoots and the red carpet, this nice eye shadow primer glides on easily for crease-resistant, silky-smooth color that lasts.

As you may remember, I've been on a mission to test primers of all types. I received this LORAC primer with the Little Black Palette. LORAC says to apply this primer with your finger(s), which makes application fast and easy. It takes only a tiny dab of product to cover the lid from lash line to brow. No fussing required to apply this one quickly.

How does it work? Courtesy of LORAC, here's how and why.

• BentoneGel adds silkiness to your eyelids
• NetTrioctanoin is emollient and moisturizing
• White Beeswax is a conditioning agent
• TimironSilk Red helps provide a silky glow
• TalcBC provides a powdery after-feel and finish and serves as an anti-caking agent
• Micropoly520 is a film former and line filler
• Anti-crease formula, correction of imperfections and discoloration, and easy to spread and apply

I found almost all of this to be true. It's pink-nude in color, but when applied it adds just a hint of coverage to the eyelid area. I have some redness above my crease, and this primer blurs it, but doesn't completely cover it. The finish is semi-transparent. So, if I want to have a totally even base, I just apply a flesh-toned shadow over it.

It does feel silky and emollient. I like that. Even more impressive, though, is its effectiveness at increasing the longevity of my eye shadow. I first tried it with various powder shadows (expensive and inexpensive), and it performed like a champ. Then I tried it with my favorite Dior cream shadow and got the same results. Then I got evil and decided to test it with the NARS cream shadows, the ultimate test in my book. They are slippery on my eyelids, and without a primer, the color migrates to the crease. LORAC's primer passed the NARS test! The cream shadows stayed in place all day.

For its effectiveness, ease of use, and silky feel, LORAC's Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer gets a definite thumbs up!

You can purchase LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer at LORAC's Web site and Sephora. I think you'll like it.

Photo courtesy of LORAC

LORAC Little Black Palette

I run hot and cold on Sephora. Lately, it's been hot. I have found a lot of intriguing items, and I've been happy with them when they arrived. One of the latest was this fabulously useful Little Black Palette from LORAC ($32, said to be worth $72).

The set includes four baked eye shadow "neutral" shades that will work for everyone and an eye primer.

Here's the scoop from LORAC.

Everyone needs a Little Black Palette! Create long-lasting, hot looks for days, evenings, and after-hours in the city with this must-have palette. Shine in rich golds and bronzes with four color-coordinated, mineral-infused, silky-smooth, shimmering Baked Eye Shadows and a mini Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer, all packed in a must-have sleek black case. Buy a little perfection with LORAC's Little Black Palette - it's the must-have accessory for every season!

For those of you who are watching what you put on your face, the set is formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and dyes, phthalates, GMOs, and triclosan.

I love every color shadow in the set - there are no throwaways here - and the primer is effective. I'm going to tell you about the primer in a separate post.

Check out this cost-effective set at Sephora or LORAC.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

LORAC's Collections - Great Makeup, Great Prices

If you aren't on LORAC's e-mail list and you like makeup sets at great prices, you really ought to consider signing up! Each week, LORAC offers one or more incredible deals - great makeup, great prices. Not too long ago, I bought the darling little Croc Moctail Collection of mini lip glosses for $7.50. It came with Irish Coffee, a color I adore.

Their Social Beautyfly Eye/Cheek Palette ($22.50), shown at top left, arrived in my inbox yesterday. This nice face collection has six eye shadows, a warm blusher, a mini Pink Champagne lip gloss, and a face/body luminizing powder for party-hopping glow. There's also a Kabuki brush and a dual-ended eye brush. Pretty case too!

The Holiday Smoked Out Collection, shown here, is only $18.50 and includes a Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Rising Star (very pretty shades, including a great green), a Midnight Sparkle Pencil Eye Shadow/Liner, a Cheek Stamp in Island Spice, and a Lip Polish in Bliss - all in a black makeup bag.

There are plenty of other nicely composed collections available at LORAC's Web site. Each of them is offered for a limited time, while supplies last. I'm headed over to do some holiday shopping with LORAC. I have a few makeup addict friends who will love LORAC gifts.

Photos courtesy of LORAC Cosmetics

Check Out This LORAC Set

The VIP Jet Setter Makeup Collection is $25! It's a $170 value available only at LORAC's Web site. Not bad!

Included while supplies last?

• Special Effects Conditioning Primer and Lengthening Mascara
• Showstopper Eye/Cheek Palette
• Mini TANtalizer Baked Bronzer
• aquaPRIME Face Primer
• Cream Lipstick in Premiere
• Matte Lipstick in Imagine
• Front Of The Line Liquid Eyeliner in black
• Includes Travel Roll Up Bag

Photo courtesy of LORAC