Smashbox Beauty in Bloom Eye Palette Giveaway Contest

Smashbox's Beauty in Bloom is an eye wardrobe in one palette. Each of the three trios in the palette gives you a complete look or you can mix and match with your choice of three base shades, three lid shades, and three contour, liner, or crease shades. Your eyes can be golden one day and plum the next - all with one palette. I like options, and this nine-shade palette provides plenty of options.

The palette was available at Nordstrom in a Glambox kit. I found myself with an extra one, so one lucky Best Things in Beauty reader can win it. There are a few simple steps to enter this contest. Please note: this is a three-day contest, unlike the weekly Best Things in Beauty giveaway contests. I'll be starting another fabulous giveaway mid-week.

All you really have to do is leave a comment on this feature. After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com 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).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. 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. One easy way is to follow by e-mail subscription or to ensure that Best Things in Beauty is on your blog list if you have a Google account.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. I will tweet the contest this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. Only one tweet will be counted as an entry. I appreciate multiple tweets, but it's not necessary.

The deadline for entries will be Wednesday, September 28, at midnight. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday. 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 won't be able to replace it with another. 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. Lately, my shipping luck has improved significantly.

Update: I left in the contest text some words about choosing a shade. Silly me! All shades come in one palette. Sorry for confusing everyone!

Good luck!

Smashbox Masquerade Creamy Cheek Color & Brush Giveaway Contest Winner

It happened! Random.org selected our first entrant as the winner of the Smashbox Masquerade Creamy Cheek Color & Brush. I often wonder if random.org is biased toward numbers that make me count to get three-quarters of the way through all the entries - after I have figured out who's a follower and who isn't (and added all those entries to the list).

Congratulations to Sarah! She was #1, and she is about to receive a new blush with brush. It's very pretty. I hope she likes it. Sarah has been notified by e-mail. Her new blush should feed her "blush obsession."

Thank you for entering - and for reading Best Things in Beauty. I feel so privileged to have such loyal readers. I always enjoy reading your entries, and your comments about the blog inspire me. Come back later today. We will start a new contest.

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Masquerade Creamy Cheek Color & Brush Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Sarah!

I thought the Smashbox Masquerade Creamy Cheek Color & Brush ($29), introduced in the fall, was so cool, I bought one for a giveaway contest. Then, I put it away and forgot it for a few months! Such is the hectic life of a beauty blogger who works pretty hard at a "real job." I love Smashbox, a company that has been outdoing itself with each new season. I'm glad we have a Smashbox counter at Nordstrom!

Masquerade Creamy Cheek Color & Brush has a luscious, creamy cheek blush formula on one side and a built-in blending brush on the other. It's packaged in a sleek, dark blue case. This beauty allows you to apply a gorgeous rose glow to your cheeks - and blend it with the brush, which is perfectly designed for blending a creamy blush. The blush is ultra-luxurious and long-wearing, so you may not need it for a late-day touch-up, but its portability will allow you to take it along in case you do.

The Masquerade Creamy Cheek Color & Brush comes in a one-size-fits-all warm rose-pink shade that will suit just about any skin tone. It's called Intrigue on the box. Glide the creamy formula over the apples of your cheeks, then blend with the brush for a flawless pop of color. You can even use it on your lips! Although it was introduced in the fall, I think it's a perfect color for spring.

How can you enter to win? Just leave a comment here once. After you comment, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing your e-mail address 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).

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 later today, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. You can earn a third entry by following the blog - either here or on Twitter (any entrant who is already a follower will automatically earn the follower point, but you can save me time by telling me you're a follower in your comment). I can't track followers through a third-party service, so you need to be on Google's list for me to verify the entry.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, February 12, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner at that time. 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 U. S. and Canadian residents only. I still can't go to the Post Office, although I expect to get cleared to drive this week, I'm not banking on it until I hear the words from the surgeon. I can do Click-n-Ship!

Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox O-Gloss Noir

O-Gloss Noir ($22), the latest O-Gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss shade from Smashbox, is a beauty on the lips. This pretty berry hue adopts to your own lip tone. It goes on a deathly shade of grey and then reacts with your skin chemistry to morph into a custom berry tone. I wouldn't have believed it had I not already tried the original O-Gloss.

There is no sense in swatching this gloss for you. On my arm, it's grey - a horrid shade that reminds me of dirty snow. Once I give it a minute or two on my lips, it's a beautiful, natural berry shade that's perfect for my skin tone. It's magic!

O-Gloss is packed with Smashbox's exclusive microcirculating Goji Berry-C Complex, ginkgo biloba, pomegranate seed antioxidants, safflower seed oil, marine botanicals, and avocado oil for lustrous shine and moisture. It has a little peppermint oil in it, but not enough to make it tasty.

It's a fabulous lip gloss to keep with you - in your jeans pocket or makeup bag for a quick color touch-up. You don't need a mirror to apply O-Gloss. Just swipe and go. You will bloom with your lip gloss. Can't tell you how much I like it! I'm in good company. Reese Witherspoon likes it too.

You can find it at the Smashbox Web site, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta.

Photos courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Wish for the Perfect Pout Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Victoria - she won!

I absolutely adore this Smashbox lip gloss set! I liked mine so much, I bought a second one for a contest. Wish for the Perfect Pout ($29) is a wardrobe of lip-enhancing glosses. The set includes two full-sized glosses and four medium-sized beauties to make your lips shiny and pretty.

The shades are all keepers! Smashbox put together a smashing set of best sellers and exclusive shades for the holidays!

• Candid (pink with gold shimmer) - full-sized
  
• Luster (cool pink nude) - full-sized
  
• Radiant (shimmery pink plum)
  
• Baby Pout (sheer and shimmery baby-doll pink)
  
• Ecstasy (gorgeous grape)
  
• Divine (warm peachy nude)
  

I have one set to give away. To enter to win this giveaway contest, just leave a comment here once. 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). That's what most of you do.

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 soon, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. You can earn a third entry by following the blog - either here or on Twitter (any entrant who is already a follower will automatically earn the follower point).

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, December 4, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner at that time. 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.

Here is more "fine print." 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 palette for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I won't be able to replace it with another palette for an overseas winner. We'll see how this works. My shipping issues have occurred when I've shipped overseas - the packages to the U.S. and Canada always arrive without incident. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail services do right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

Good Luck!

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Friends & Family Sale

Now through November 29, you can spend less at Smashbox! Use the code FFSB20 at checkout, and your order will be discounted by 20%. Unfortunately, you can't combine the offer with Let's Do Lunch. Spread the word.

This is the perfect time to buy the holiday Wish Collection. You may need to join to become an insider. Have fun!

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Wish Holiday 2010 Collection

Smashbox has a stunning collection of holiday sets, and, even better, a portion of the proceeds from the Wish Holiday 2010 Collection will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network. I saw the collection last weekend at Nordstrom and wanted just about everything. So far, I have confined myself to two of the limited-edition sets.

The Wish for the Perfect Pout Lip Collection ($29) is an incredible value (actually, all the sets are incredible values). This wardrobe of award-winning Lip Enhancing Glosses, including exclusive holiday shades, is a must-have for the season. The set includes two full-size glosses among its six pieces.

• Candid (pink with gold shimmer, full size)
• Luster (sheer golden pink, full size)
• Radiant (shimmering pink-plum, medium size)
• Baby Pout (sheer shimmering baby-doll pink, medium size)
• Ecstasy (shimmering blackberry, medium size)
• Divine (golden nude, medium size)

Just like the name Ecstasy, this set is ecstasy for lip gloss lovers!

There's so much more. You have to check out Wish List ($49), the Eye Wish Palette ($45), Wish for the Perfect Primers ($39), and Wish for the Perfect Pencils ($16) - along with all the photos on the Smashbox Web site to help you create a pretty look for the holidays and beyond.

There's a video too. Wonder how a fabulous collection like Wish comes together? Smashbox has given us "inside access" to the makeup, fashion, and photography that made it all possible. It's jazzy and a fun watch - quite a teaser just in case you get the urge to resist this beautiful new makeup!

You can find the Wish Collection at Nordstrom, where I purchased Wish for the Perfect Pout. I purchased Wish List at Smashbox online. Check it out. Now I'm wondering if I should buy a few more sets. There's always Let's Do Lunch on Thursdays. Today, the Let's Do Lunch special was a gorgeous Lip Enhancing Gloss in Candid, a $15 value - free - that I'm thrilled to have on its way. Plus, Smashbox offers free shipping on any order. Can't beat that!

Photos courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Masquerade Baked Fusion Soft Light Palette

I bought this pretty Smashbox face palette a few weeks ago and have been using it ever since. Today I realized that I had never shown it to you!

The Masquerade Baked Fusion Soft Light Palette ($32) in Illusion was made for me. It has a checkerboard design (I almost expect pretty palette designs now), allowing use of each color separately. Or you can use it as I do, swirling your brush around all of the shades for a soft highlighting blusher in a pretty rosy champagne shade.

Blushers have to be the hardest products to photograph. Unless you do unnatural things to them, like moisten the brush, the best ones are hard to see on the arm. I hope you can see that this one is a pretty pink with a slight shimmer. It's sheer. I brushed it on fairly heavily to get the color to show.

You can use Masquerade alone or over your blusher for a finishing gleam. I haven't tried the shades individually on my face, but I played with them on my arm. They can be used to highlight under the brow bone, at the top of the cheekbones, or anywhere you want a flash of light.

While I was outside taking the Masquerade photo, my neighbor's yellow lab stopped by to say hello and see if I had any treats for him. I thought you might enjoy his darling face. He's such a sweet old boy.

You can purchase Smashbox cosmetics at the Web site, where free shipping is offered with every order, or at Nordstrom. A good time to buy online is during the Tuesday and Thursday Let's Do Lunch hours from 9:00 to 2:00 PST at Smashbox. You will get a special free product when you order during those hours. It's such a great deal!

Top photo courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Evening Chic Beauty Collection

Did you see the e-mail for the Smashbox Evening Chic Beauty Collection yet? Look at the pictures above to see what you can purchase for $59 - and there's more! If you order by August 8 and use code CHIC at checkout, you will receive a free Double Exposure Lip & Cheek Color in Speedracer. See the photo below. You must spend $55 to get the gift, but if you order the Evening Chic Beauty Collection, you're there! Smashbox offers free samples too!

I really like the Eye Shadow Quad in Glitz. What perfect neutral colors! The Lip Enhancing Gloss in Posh is a very pretty shade. Of course, Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Lid Primer are "an item" in the beauty universe.

If you like value sets, head over to Smashbox to see this one! While you can't combine offers, there's always Let's Do Lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm PST. The free gifts are fabulous. Yesterday's was an eye shadow in Credit. Every Tuesday and Thursday when I get too busy at work to check, I want to kick myself! There's no minimum purchase for Let's Do Lunch, and shipping is free.

Photos courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Naked Beauty Mini Lip Gloss Winner

Revised post...

Congratulations to Kammi! She was notified by e-mail that she was the lucky winner of the Smashbox Naked Beauty gloss collection. Selected by random.org, Kammi's was one of many entries. This was a popular contest! I can see why; I love the set I bought for myself, with its luscious pastel colors. It's perfect for summer.

Thank you - to all who entered, to all who left or sent sweet notes, and to all my blog readers! My thanks, also, to my new Twitter followers. I try to put content on Twitter that's not "long enough" for a post here in the blog, so I hope you will stick around. We can chat there too! Remember, this summer I will do a contest only for followers.

We have these contests every week so that I can share with you my love of "the best things in beauty." Contests with over 70 entries are hard to win, so please don't get discouraged. Keep entering. We'll start another contest tonight. Come back later, please.

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Naked Beauty Mini Lip Gloss Collection Giveaway Contest

I thought it might be fun to do a lip gloss giveaway contest again! Summer is a great time for lip gloss. The Smashbox Naked Beauty Mini Lip Gloss Collection ($25) has eight pretty new shades, from glistening nudes to peek-a-boo pinks. These eight mini glosses infuse lips with just the right amount of soft color and shine. The colors are Bare, Buff, Naked, Nude, Exposed, Natural, Sunkissed, and Pure. Each gloss is small, but perfect for carrying in your pocket or a carefree summer bag.

How can you enter to win this set? Just leave a comment here once. 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 residents of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. The deadline for entries will be Saturday, June 19, at midnight. I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner.

I will post this contest at Free!Grechen, my favorite giveaway site on the Web. If you like giveaway contests, you will love Free!Grechen.

Good Luck!

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox Friends & Family Sale

This e-mail says it all! Use code FF2010 at Smashbox for the 20% Friends & Family discount through May 28.

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

Estee Lauder to Acquire Smashbox

WWD reported today that Estee Lauder plans to acquire the photostudio-born makeup company Smashbox Cosmetics. Lauder announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to buy Smashbox, which is based in Los Angeles. The deal is expected to close in July, subject to certain normal legal conditions.

Smashbox, founded in 1996 by the great-grandsons of legendary Hollywood makeup artist Max Factor, generates about $80 million in wholesale net revenue and roughly $140 million in retail sales. That's a whole lot of money in my book!

Is this good or bad for Smashbox? If history is our guide, it's good. Bobbi Brown, MAC, and other companies purchased by Estee Lauder have grown and flourished. I'm not sure it's equally good for Smashbox customers. We have grown to love the generosity of the gifts with purchase (Let's Do Lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays have been a huge hit with me!) that might disappear under certain conditions. We'll see. Smashbox has been innovative in its use of new media to promote the brand, and their presence at Nordstrom, Macy's, and other large department stores has been exciting. Additionally, I think the brand's quality and breadth of offerings has improved markedly in the last year or two.

The only thing we can say with certainty is that a very few beauty conglomerates control the majority of major cosmetics brands. To borrow Bobbi's phrase - in a way she didn't intend, I'm sure - that's pretty powerful.

What do you think?

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer

The latest bronzer from Smashbox Cosmetics, HALO Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer ($39), imparts a pretty sun-kissed glow with an extra-added bonus. It's packed with anti-aging ingredients, such as gold, 48 minerals, and a peptide to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and deliver time-released moisture all day long.

The shaver is characteristic of Smashbox's HALO products. Just twist the shaver, and out pops a perfect amount of loose powder bronzer for a single application. That keeps most of your makeup behind the shaver and uncontaminated.

When applied, the sheer color of this bronzer is great. It's a pretty brown - no mud in this one! The photo at right was taken inside (it's raining as I write), so it's a little dark (the backdrop was a piece of white paper). If I can get a better photo after it stops raining, I will swap out this one.

I have worn HALO Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer for two days. I just got it, and I really like the shade! It warms my complexion without making me look like I'm trying to fake a tan.

My only reservation? The diameter of the .25-ounce container is small. I apply bronzer with a big, fluffy powder brush. I have to scrunch my brush down into the container, which is only two inches in diameter. Smashbox could have been a bit more generous with the size of this nice bronzer. HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder is larger (.75 ounces), but then it costs more too at $59. The bronzer is advertised as a "travel size," which I think is a little weird for a new introduction, but then I don't travel often. In my mind, it would be logical to offer a travel option along with a "regular" option for those who want a larger size. On the other hand, anyone who wants to try it will be happy with the travel-sized price.

HALO Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer is oil-free, talc-free, paraben-free, and sparkle-free. The matte finish makes it especially natural looking.

You can purchase it at the Smashbox Web site or wherever Smashbox Cosmetics are sold. Near me, that would be Nordstrom and Sephora. Don't forget the Smashbox Let's Do Lunch Tuesday and Thursday gifts if you go to the Web site.

Top photo courtesy of Smashbox

Let's Do Lunch, Smashbox!

I have a new Tuesday and Thursday shopping habit. It has become a serious addiction! On those days, between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm PST, Smashbox gives away free products with any order. The gifts are nice too!

The week before last, I bought the gorgeous glosses shown above (still to be reviewed), along with a few other items I decided I couldn't live without, and I received a free Mini Soft Lights. Last week, I ordered the new Halo Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer, and I received a Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner. My latest beauties arrived today. These are amazing deals.

On top of the gifts with purchase, they offer free shipping with any order. You have to wait until the Let's Do Lunch special starts each Tuesday and Thursday to find out what the day's gift will be.

Remember to check tomorrow. I will be there! Just go to the Let's Do Lunch tab at Smashbox Cosmetics.

Photo courtesy of Smashbox

What's New at Smashbox

Plenty! I had a bird's eye view last Saturday after the Nordstrom Trends Show. Smashbox had stations set up for makeup applications, and Chris Coles and I "monopolized" one of the Smashbox artists to try their new products. Today, I'll tell you about the first two that captured my attention - and wallet. There's more to come.

The Smashbox photo at the top of this post doesn't begin to capture the fabulous colors available in the limited-edition Glambox ($68). It had sold out at Tysons Corner; mine will come from the Nordstrom at Dulles Town Center. If I had it in my hands, I would photograph it. As soon as I get it, I will add my own photo to this post.

See the geometric Baked Cheek & Highlighter Palette? It's filled with lightly shimmering shades that, when mixed, provide a rosy blush. In my mind, it's a blusher, although you could certainly use a small brush to select one of the lightest shades for use as a highlighter. This palette is exclusive to the Glambox. You want it, you purchase the whole collection. That shouldn't be a roadblock because you get $195 worth of products for $68! The cheek and highlighter palette was on a small table surrounded by makeup, and it reached out and grabbed my attention.

Here's what's in the Glambox - all beautiful colors for the spring and summer season and beyond.

• Lip Tech in Posey - pretty in pink
  
• Baked Cheek & Highlighter Palette in Blossom - truly gorgeous
  
• Fan Brush #22 - incredibly useful
  
• Lip Enhancing Gloss in Petal - pretty in pink
  
• Beauty in Bloom Eye Palette - three full-sized trios and nine shadows!
  
• Bionic Mascara in Jet Black - with aloe, wheat protein, silk, and olive oil to strengthen and condition your lashes as it lengthens, strengthens, and adds volume (check out the link for more information)
  

The new Limitless Eye Liner ($19) comes in five shades. The waterproof long-wearing liner provides bold definition that won’t smudge or budge for eight hours or longer. This creamy, easy-to-apply formula contains vitamin E and jojoba oil to moisturize and protect. I love the way it applies, and I'm sure the "good-for-you" ingredients have something to do with its easy glide. The cap houses a built-in sharpener so you’ll always have the most precise application. I like that too because I want my liner to be "sharp" and thin - and I misplace sharpeners regularly.

I purchased Indigo Ink, a deep navy to show off my blue eyes. I was very tempted by the teal-toned, eye-catching Peacock. It was clearly the artist favorite on Saturday. I resisted because I was already over my "budget" when Chris and I wandered over to Smashbox. In addition to Indigo Ink and Peacock, the liner is available in Onyx (black), Java (deep brown), and Black Violet (deep purple). If you want a liner for summer that won't budge, check out the Limitless Eye Liners. They are a great value, and there's a shade to match every mood and personality.

You can purchase these Smashbox products at Nordstrom or at the Smashbox Web site. Smashbox is offering free shipping on any order.

Photos courtesy of Smashbox

Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Shadow Duos

In December, I told you how much I loved Smashbox's HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder ($59). I recently received my Sephora order for three new Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Shadow Duos ($36), and the love continues.

The anti-aging promise from Smashbox hooked me on buying and trying.

The first eye shadow proven to dramatically minimize the signs of aging in just 10 minutes. Unlike typical shadows that can accentuate fine lines, this advanced formulation of 48 all-natural minerals, pure gold, 11 amino acids, goji berry, a silk peptide-soy complex, and Halo’s patented hydration system smoothe the texture of lids while imparting soft, beautiful color.

My choices from the five duos offered were Bisque/Almond, Buff/Ivy (I can only find this duo at Sephora), and Soft Peach/Cocoa. I love them all! The two duos I didn't order are Petal/Plum (colors don't work for me) and Pewter/Smoke (I want this one too). You can see these color combos at this Sephora link.

Each duo has a lid color and a "crease shade," which can be used not only in the crease, but to accent the outer lid (by making a "V" and blending). The shadows blend easily and look fabulous once applied. They have great all-day staying power. Today I wore Bisque/Almond to work. I applied the shadows 12 hours ago, and they still look great. Granted I wore a primer, but I always do, and not all powder eye shadows maintain their oomph for 12 hours.

I continue to be impressed with the delivery vehicle of HALO products. You turn the container's shaver, and just the right amount is shaved off for your use. That leaves the majority of the product hygienically contained. A little goes a long way, so I could be using these shadows for years! I did have to get one of them started with a toothpick prod into the holes, but that was most likely an effect of its being frozen in transit.

Smashbox says that daily use of these shadows for four weeks will lead to 98% less lid crepiness. After four weeks, 96% of women participating in a trial reported that their eyes appeared more youthful looking. I may not have an opportunity to experience that because I mix it up so often with my makeup colors and brands. I love the idea, though!

The shadows are free of oil, talc, and parabens. These eye shadows have a lot going for them! They are available at Sephora, Smashbox, and Nordstrom online. It's interesting that Nordstrom lists them at $34 - two dollars less than Sephora and Smashbox. A typo? They are also available at Smashbox counters.

Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder and Brush Set

I am very picky about face powders. They can't look powdery (witness Nicole Kidman's powder bourde). They can't sit on top of my foundation, making my skin look cakey or dry. They have to blend well and add value (of some sort), or why bother?

This year, I ordered Smashbox's HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder ($59) sight unseen. I read on Sephora that it is an anti-aging, face-perfecting powder, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'm glad I did. This is one really nice powder!

Here's what Sephora and Smashbox have to say about it, with a few of my own comments thrown in.

HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder is the first anti-aging powder with the science of skin care built in. It's advanced formulation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids, and a powerful peptide deliver powerful anti-aging benefits, while the patented hydration system continuously revitalizes skin and provides a hydrated look that won't accentuate lines and wrinkles. Check!

The built-in shaver allows for the convenience of a pressed powder combined with the radiant finish of a loose one, and the super-sized brush deposits the perfect amount of powder every time. Check!

The powder is made for all skin types and is free of oil, talc, and parabens. A custom Travel Kabuki Brush comes with it for flawless application. Nice touch, but I used my own Armani brush.

Smashbox claims that clinical studies show that after 10 minutes there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes, and after six weeks of use, there is a 67% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overall. I can't validate this finding. That's way too much to expect from powder, especially if you don't use it every day!

Otherwise, it does what it promises. I really like the way it looks and sets my makeup. It disappears into my skin, which is great. Nicole's makeup artist, take note! A powder that isn't powdery! It is hydrating, and it doesn't accentuate my "expression" lines.

I am also impressed with the delivery vehicle. You turn the container's shaver, and just the right amount is shaved off for your use. That leaves the majority of the product hygienically contained. A little goes a long way, so I could be using it for years!

It comes in four colors. I purchased Porcelain Ivory, which is recommended for fair complexions. It's also available in Light Beige for light complexions, Neutral Beige for medium complexions, and Dark Tan for dark complexions.

I purchased mine from Sephora. I know Nordstrom also carries it. Check it out the next time you browse the makeup aisles!

Photo courtesy of Sephora