Ultraflesh Shinebox Highlight and Shimmer Collection Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Carrie!

I love the Ultraflesh multipurpose Shinebox Highlight and Shimmer Collection ($39) so much, I decided to do a giveaway contest for Christmas. I think Ultraflesh is one of the most exciting new brands that entered my life this year. This compact for the eyes, lips, and cheeks is exquisite.

"Now every angle is your perfect angle - day or night - with this chic and versatile compact that can be used to create a variety of looks. Formulated with an emollient cream-to-powder formulation, the shades hold up for maximum wear without ever creasing." Each of the five colors in the collection can be used anywhere the face.

The top level of the large fan-out compact is an "enhancer," or highlighting powder. The shade appears to be a golden pink in the compact, but on my skin, it's gold and gorgeous. The middle level contains two cream shimmers, sheer gold and sheer rose gold. Every time I apply one, I'm struck by their elegance; everything about these cream shimmers is divine.

The lower level houses two Secret Shimmer pencil highlighters/eyeliners. The shades are rose gold and platinum. These little pencils are the cat's meow. They are so creamy, I want to have them in lager sizes. I hope Ultraflesh is working on that. Surely they know that they have created some of the most heavenly pencils I've ever used! I've been shouting my love for this collection. Seriously, it's that good - the reason I want one of you to have one.

I took my swatch photos in full sun back in May (with my old camera, so they aren't great). I applied the pencils at the bottom of my arm directly from the pencil tips, but I applied all other shades with a sponge-tipped applicator - even the creams. The shades shimmer more in the sun than they do indoors, but they are highlighting shades.

The top swatch is the golden top-level enhancer. The two shades below are the sheer gold and rose gold cream shimmers. The two creamy pencil shades - rose gold and platinum - are at the bottom. Have you ever seen a compact with so many ways to shine?

Each time I have written about Ultraflesh, I have struggled to find enough superlatives to describe the shades. Shimmering, stunning, gorgeous, divine, extraordinary, exquisite - they all work. I'm sure I could use a thesaurus and find more adjectives to apply to the shades in the Shinebox Highlight and Shimmer Collection.

Ultraflesh is sold exclusively by Sephora, where I purchased this giveaway gift during Friends & Family. We are going to do a quick contest, open just four days. So, if you are headed out of town, enter now before you get swept up by holiday festivities.

How can you enter the contest? 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 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, 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 tweeted the contest, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, December 25, Christmas Day, at midnight. Monday 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. Lately, my shipping luck has improved significantly.

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

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

Coming Attraction: Jo Malone London Blossoms for Spring 2012

A gorgeous collection of new Jo Malone fragrances has been created by Christine Nagel for Jo Malone's Spring 2012 Collection. Like other groundbreaking Jo Malone launches over the last two years, London Blooms offers something different. There are three new fragrances: White Lilac & Rhubarb, Peony & Moss, and Iris & Lady Moore - all of which celebrate the quintessential English Garden. The bottles are a departure from the traditional minimalist bottles from the company. The blossoms are a beautiful touch. You can see them from any angle.

I had an opportunity to purchase these fragrances, and I decided to start with two (yes, I really want the third, but it will have to wait for the launch). Both are dreamy.

Iris & Lady Moore Cologne is an intoxicating scent. The bottle is decorated with iris blooms (even though iris used in fragrances comes from the rhizome) and what I assume are Lady Moore geraniums (luminous pink flowers with purple veins). It's an unusual fragrance, with a lovely, soft iris scent that is present in the top notes and base notes. I wish I could provide you with all the notes in these fragrances. I can't, even though I've searched for them on the Web (and written a company rep). I'll find out by the time they launch in March. I can smell something woody in Iris & Lady Moore.

White Lilac & Rhubarb Cologne is delightful. It's one of the few "lilac" fragrances I have that actually smells like lilac. The top notes burst forth with May's welcome lilacs. The sweet scent of spring is accompanied by rhubarb, a tart vegetable that's making a comeback in farmers' markets. The overall effect of the lilac and rhubarb in the cologne had me at first sniff. I love it!

Now I really want Peony & Moss. I imagine it also combines sweet with tart. I had an opportunity to purchase it on eBay, but decided to do the prudent thing and wait to see how I liked the first two. Now it's gone. I did find the collection for sale on Amazon, but at a much higher price than I paid. I have no idea how these bottles have been made available months before the official launch. If you can't wait, head over to Amazon.

Update 12/22: Confession - I contacted the seller and also purchased Peony & Moss. I decided I couldn't wait until March.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Coming Attraction: New Clinique Almost Lipsticks

Last week, Clinique offered me a limited-time preview of the new line of Almost Lipsticks in the shade Luscious Honey ($15). I checked tonight because I couldn't "get to" ordering until now. The preview shade, Luscious Honey, was still available! I ordered it, with free shipping. I hope my order goes through.

Clinique will introduce seven sheer new shades to its Almost Lipstick line-up. The new colors were inspired by the brand’s cult Black Honey signature color statement - one I love. The new lipsticks will be available worldwide in January 2012.

Black Honey was introduced in 1971 as a new lip gloss shade and launched as an Almost Lipstick in 1989. Earlier this year, it inspired an entire make-up collection, featuring violet and berry hues for the eyes, lips, and cheeks. I think I've bought everything.

The new Almost Lipstick colors feature natural nudes, pinks, violets, and reds. The shade names are Tender Honey, Luscious Honey, Spicy Honey, Shy Honey, Flirty Honey, Lovely Honey, and Chic Honey. Take a look at this photo. They all look luscious.

“The ultra-sheer formula is a great way to experiment with different colors and introduce yourself to shades you’ve never worn before,” noted Jenna Menard, Clinique’s Global Color Artist. “Sometimes women are hesitant to try a pink, red, or nude lip – Almost Lipstick can be the perfect stepping stone into other color families.”

She added, “When I work with women, I tweak and mix shades that will be custom to them. Almost Lipstick works with your own natural coloring, and the shades will allow you to have a color that’s essentially custom to you the second it’s applied. Choose any shade and it will instantly be your own.”

That's the beauty of Almost Lipstick. I can't wait to get Luscious Honey - followed by the rest of them next month.

Update: 12/20: I got a back-order e-mail after my confirmation. Bummer! I'll have to wait at least two weeks.

Photos courtesy of Clinique and The Moodie Report

Holiday Hands from butter LONDON

I wanted to try some festive nail lacquers from butter LONDON, so I ordered two: British Racing Green and The Black Knight ($14 each). Online, both appeared to be perfect shades for Christmas. I love one of them.

British Racing Green is a dark, “hunter green” that has become a classic. Given that it wasn't sparkly, I also ordered the limited-edition The Black Knight, pictured at right from the butter LONDON site, and described as a glitter fusion containing black, pink, blue, and silver suspended in a black base. The description was a bit strange, but I used the photo to guide me. I anticipated a vibrant, glittery purple.

When I applied them, I was surprised by The Black Knight. I had to apply three coats to get even color. That might be due to my inept application techniques. I also found that the glitter wanted to extend beyond the tip of my nail (and I have no idea how to fix that). The same thing happened when I swatched on a color wheel, as you may see in my swatch photo below, which was taken in full sun. I tried to clean up the tip with my finger, and I did pretty well for some reason.

I adore the glossy British Racing Green. I love all things this color, so I'm not surprised. The Black Knight? Not so much. It's a little too black (for my taste) and a little too glittery/chunky. I'll know next time. Read the description; don't just look at the photo.

What do you think of these butter LONDON shades? What do you think of glittery glosses in general? I could use some help with this one. Which one would you wear for Christmas? You can find them at the butter LONDON Web site, Nordstrom, Beauty.com, and other online sites.

Photos at top courtesy of butter LONDON; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Catching Up: Weekend Stroll around the Internet - December 19

The week before Christmas is always busy - even if all the gift shopping has been completed. Do you ever get that panicked feeling that you have to procure all the "staples," such as cat litter and cat food, because you don't want to try to park at a retail store on the last few days before Christmas? I ran a lot of errands this weekend. Still, I found a little time each morning to check out the last 10 days of my favorite beauty blogs. These features caught my eye.

I love greige, and I got a box from Butter London recently. Check out The Non-Blonde's latest favorite. I should have ordered it!

So many women suffer with rosacea, some without even knowing they have it. Fab over Forty got great advice from a dermatologist. Find out how to get the red out.

Daly Beauty featured fantastic brow tips. Her feature is a must-read.

The Beauty Look Book compared Rose Envolée (from Le Blanc, an Asia exclusive Collection and Nordstrom Anniversary 2011 exclusive) and Éclosion (from Spring 2012). Her photos are beautiful, and you can decide whether Éclosion is a must-have. I think it is.

I showed you last week my new Rouge Bunny Rouge Fire Drops. Café Makeup also ordered them during the Zuneta sale. See what she thought (it's all good).

Love Rouge Bunny Rouge with the rest of us? Have you tried the cleanser? You might after you read Time4Beauty.

Gouldylox gives her heart (and time) to Karma Dogs. From now until the end of the year, 15% of your purchase of jeune d’ âge organics Anti-Oxidant Moisturizing Eye Crème will go to Karma Dogs!

Product Girl was shopping. See what grabbed her, from NARS to a Kate Spade bag. I love the bag. It looks perfect for a laptop.

One of the latest, coolest Tarte Cosmetics offerings was featured at Beauty Black Book. You need to see Puttin' on the Glitz.

I was doing fine, avoiding the fall nail color I-wants, until I saw Le Métier de Beauté's Gilded Lily Nail Lacquer at Messy Wands. I'll be making a call today.

I have to run off now, but I'll leave you with visions of chocolate, courtesy of Beauty, Bacon, Bunnies. I'm getting hungry.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

NARS Sea of Love Giveaway Contest

Congratulations and Merry Christmas to Sarah!

NARS Sea of Love ($49) is a collection of beautifully sophisticated NARS cult classic shades. This set features Laguna Illuminator, which gives the complexion a lit-from-within bronzed glow. Super Orgasm delights the cheeks in a shimmering flush, while Turkish Delight lends lips the perfect pink pout. The ultimate multitasker, Multiple in Orgasm, (one of my favorites) provides a glow for eyes, cheeks, or lips.

Here's what's in Sea of Love. It's a nicely edited set.

• 0.14 oz mini The Multiple in Orgasm (peachy pink shimmer)
• 0.12 oz mini Blush in Super Orgasm (peachy pink with gold glitter)
• 0.14 oz mini Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight (pink sorbet)
• 1.1 oz full sized Illuminator in Laguna (brown with golden shimmer)

I have one Sea of Love to give away. How can you enter this 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 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, 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, December 24, Christmas Eve, at midnight. On Christmas day, 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. Lately, my shipping luck has improved significantly.

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

Note: The prize will be sent it to the winner the week after Christmas.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Le Métier de Beauté Jan's Jewel Lip Crème - Swatched

Yesterday, I got my hands on Le Métier de Beauté's Jan's Jewel Lip Crème ($36). I also got to visit with Erin Lockard, so it was a perfect day. Jan's Jewel is exclusive to Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria, and Erin helped celebrate the launch. The Le Métier de Beauté counter was hopping!

I promised swatches, and the sun finally made an appearance here. It has been cloudy for days. So, without further ado (and assuming you read the preview feature I posted last week, here are two swatch photos of Jan's Jewel.

As you can see, this lip color is a very sheer pastel grape. It's also brilliant. I "painted" it onto my arm in multiple coats to get enough color for the photos. Apply one coat, and it's a sheer, shiny gloss. You can build the color for more oomph.

For the second photo here, I turned my arm slightly away from the sun to try to get better color rendition. I hope you can see how pretty Jan's Jewel is. Add the pigment of your own lip color, and you get a gloss shade that's as perfect as it gets for some of us.

If you'd like to be the happy owner of Jan's Jewel Lip Crème, which is a very limited edition, call the counter at (703) 761-1600. When I left yesterday, there were still some available for sale.

I promised a comparison of Jan's Jewel and All About Me. Here it is at right, with Jan's Jewel shown at the top of my arm and All About Me below. As you can see, All About Me is more pigmented. The shades are quite different in color and saturation.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty