Benefit Fine One One

I love Benefit makeup, and I'm always browsing at Sephora online to see what's new. That's how I found Fine One One ($30). I couldn't understand how it would work, with its stripes of color. I had to order it just to play. Was I thrilled during my first play session to see the color!

Billed as a sheer, brightening cheek-and-lip color for instant lift, shape, and pop, this stick of thee colors emerges from the tube when you turn the little wheel in the base. I couldn't imagine how it would look on my skin until I applied it. What I got was even color - and a magnificent color. It was magic.

Having a beauty emergency? Call Fine-One-One! This lip-and-cheek illuminator glides on sheer in three different shades for a coral pink flush that builds from soft and natural to bright and cheery.

I didn't get three distinct stripes of color, as I expected, and there was no need to blend. The result of swiping on Fine One One is a homogeneous, luscious, peach highlighting blush that drips with juicy color.

Take a look at the color in full sun! Is it gorgeous or what? I applied it without any attempt to blend the shades. I simply ran it against my arm. What you see is what resulted. You can blend it after application with your fingertips or a cream blush brush. The edges blend out easily because it's creamy and light.

I actually want another one so that I can carry it with me in my handbag. What a perfect pick-me-up shade! Fine One One is one of the most pleasant surprises I've had in months. Who knew?

You can find this treasure at Sephora, where I purchased mine. It is already out of stock at Benefit, so hurry if you want one. I'm off to order my second.

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

Benefit Ticket to Glossytown Lip Shine Set Giveaway Contest

Benefit's Ticket to Glossytown Lip Shine Set ($24), a limited-edition set of six glitzy mini glosses, finishes any look with show-off shine. I purchased one set before they sold out, and I think the winner of this giveaway will love it.

This set contains six of Benefit's Ultra Shines in the following shades.

• So Frisk Me (gilded berry)
• Nudie-tude (goldspun twist)
• Spiked Punch (juicy coral)
• Life on the A List (bubblegum pink)
• Foxy Lady (diamond rose)
• Kiss You (clear fuchsia)

Benefit's dazzling lip glosses drench your lips in brilliant shine and a burst of juicy color that's never sticky. Loaded with crystal brilliance, they glide on smooth with a silky brush that's specially designed for perfectly even application. Just one stroke will give you glimmering, shimmering lips.

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 winners 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, January 26, 2013, 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.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some trouble with both U.S. and international addresses lately.

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 Benefit

Benefit High Flyin' Lip Glosses Set Giveaway Contest

When Benefit's Ultra Plush Lip Glosses were introduced a few months ago, I bought five of the six colors, planning to give one away. I love them! Now, Benefit has created a limited-edition set, High Flyin' Glosses ($26), containing all six of these gorgeous lip glosses in a "mini" size. They are nicely sized minis.

The set of glosses will keep you looking sexy at any altitude. It includes six irresistible shades, from sultry nudes to punchy pinks - all sheer and shiny. The luxuriously plush formula glides on perfectly smoothly, thanks to the easy-squeeze tube and custom tip.

The set includes six 0.22-oz Lip Glosses in Coralista, Dallas, Bellabamba, HOOLA, Sugarbomb, Dandelion - there isn't a dud among them. They match Benefit's amazingly popular blushes. To create a beautifully pulled-together look in seconds, you can pair your favorite gloss with its complementing box o’ powder.

You can see my swatch of four of the shades at this link. You'll see that they are very sheer. That's what I like about them. I can apply them on the go, without a mirror, and end up with perfectly juicy lips in a hearbeat.

Now, one of you will get to experience the lovely look and feel of these Benefit glosses - in all the shades. I love them - hope you will too.

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, October 27, 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.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some trouble with both U.S. and international addresses lately.

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 Sphora

New: Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Goss

Benefit's new Ultra Plush Lip Gloss ($16) is a silky, plush gloss that glides onto the lips, drenching them in brilliant shine and a burst of juicy color that's never sticky. Loaded with crystal brilliance, the color glides on smoothly. Just one stroke will give you glimmering, shimmering lips. They may not have a lot of color, but they will feel great.

The six irresistible shades, from sultry nudes to punchy pinks, come in soft-squeeze tubes with a custom tip designed for perfectly even application. They match Benefit's amazingly popular blushes. To create a beautifully pulled-together look in seconds, you can pair your favorite gloss with its complementing box o’ powder.

I couldn't stand it when I saw them. How was I going to select? I ordered five of the six and saved one for a giveaway contest. Here are the five I'll be wearing, as shown above and directly below from left to right: Dallas, Hoola, Sugarbomb, and Dandelion.

Dallas is described as a dusty rose. Hoola is a shimmering golden nude. Sugarbomb is a shimmering pink nude, and Dandelion is a pretty soft pearly pink.

Here are some swatch photos, taken in full sun, that show how sheer and shiny they are. They are shown on my arm in the same order above, from top to bottom. Dallas probably has the most color (top of arm), followed by Sugarbomb (third down). Hoola and Dandelion are nudes, one pure and one with pink.

These are the kind of lip glosses you take along, throw in your car, or keep at your desk - for any time that you need to hydrate your lips with a tinted gloss. They offer great value at $16. That's why you might follow my lead and buy a few.

I purchased my Ultra Plush Lip Glosses at Sephora. Check them out!

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Benefit Sun Beam Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to m.fay! She won the Benefit Sun Beam.

Brand new from Benefit, Sun Beam ($26) is a golden bronze complexion highlighter. It's time to start thinking about how to brighten up for your winter vacation or spring's arrival.

Sun Beam is like liquid sunshine in a bottle. The golden bronze highlighter gives a natural, sun-kissed radiance. Dot and blend over makeup onto cheek and brow bones for a bronzed glow that complements all skin tones. This product illuminates your bronzer; it adds a pretty golden touch. It doesn't replace it. Benefit recommends you start with Hoola, its own matte bronzer, then add Sun Beam. I recommend mixing it with your foundation, just as you can mix in Giorgio Armani Beauty's Fluid Sheer with foundation. Blend a drop of the liquid with your foundation in your palm and apply as usual. You'll develop a sudden golden glow.

I have one Sun Beam to give away. I bought one for me and one for one of you. 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 this afternoon, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, January 21, 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. 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 courtesy of Sephora

Benefit The Big 10 Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Rebby!

Benefit's limited-edition, travel-sized set of 10 small wonders packs a big punch. The Big 10 ($32) offers a fabulous introduction to Benefit's biggest hits of the season: primers, concealers, lip-and-cheek tints, highlighters, and blushes. This set packs all the Benefit legends we love in conveniently compact sizes - perfect to throw in your handbag.

This set contains all these goodies.

• 0.1 oz Dandelion (soft pink)
• 0.11 oz Erase Paste in No. 2 Medium
• 0.08 oz Benetint (rose)
• 0.08 oz High Beam (luminous pink)
• 0.08 oz Posietint (poppy pink)
• 0.08 oz Ooh La Lift
• 0.08 oz Stay Don't Stray
• 0.25 oz That Gal
• 0.25 oz The Porefessional
• 0.1 oz Bella Bamba (watermelon pink)

I have one set 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 this afternoon, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, January 14, 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. 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 courtesy of Sephora

Benefit POWda WOWza Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Szappanbubi!

Benefit combined their famous face powders together in a single, limited-edition POWda WOWza portable box ($28). The limited-edition "box o’ powder" adds a holiday glow with CORALista, a coral-pink cheek powder; Hoola bronzing powder; and Bella Bamba, a 3D brightening pink face powder. You can use the mini-brush included for unstoppable gorgeous on the go, or use your own blush brush when you're at home. It's a handy set with pretty colors!

I have one POWda WOWza 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 in just a few minutes, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, December 31, New Year's Eve, at midnight. On New Year's 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!

Photo courtesy of Benefit

Benefit I'm Glam Therefore I Am Giveaway Contest

I love Benefit Cosmetics, and the I'm Glam Therefore I Am set ($36) features Benefit's chic new shades and celebrated bestsellers. The full set of gorgeous essentials makes an exceptionally swank gift - if you would even think of parting with it. Follow the step-by-step lesson inside for a fabulous flush, glamorous glow, alluring eyes, a flirty wink, and irresistible lips.

This set contains the following items and shades in a flip-top box that has a huge mirror.

• 0.25 oz Girl Meets Pearl (pearly golden pink)
• 0.18 oz Eyeshadow Palette in Pink Fancy (pale pink), Icy Lilac (silvery light mauve), Posh Amethyst (soft plum), and Precious Pewter (steel gray)
• Double-Ended Sponge Applicator
• 0.07 oz Glamming Face Powder with Brush (soft rose/peachy pink sheen)
• 0.14 oz A Little Bit BADgal Lash Mascara in black
• 0.18 oz Lip Gloss in Life On The A List (bubble gum pink)
• Makeup Lesson

The colors are universally wearable any time of year. I have one to give away. Use it yourself or as a holiday gift. Someone's going to glow! You may even find a few "random" samples in your shipping box.

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 17, 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 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 courtesy of Sephora

New: Benefit Watt's Up! Highlighter

Benefit is one of the brands that makes Sephora an online destination for me. I love everything Benefit - not only the innovation, but also the amazing value of the company's products. Watt's Up! ($30), a soft-focus highlighter, is my latest Benefit treasure - ordered sight unseen. Don't let the cutsie name mislead you, Benefit makes seriously great makeup.

What's Up! is a cream-to-powder highlighter that turns up the wattage with a delicate, gorgeous, luminous champagne glow. The one-size-fits-all shade is just that. Who can't wear champagne? It highlights all skin tones, from ultra-pale to extremely dark. The smooth application and luminous sheen of Watt's Up! will switch on the "wow" factor for any complexion.

Apply it to cheeks, brow bones - any part of your face that deserves extra attention - then sculpt the creamy color with the soft-glow spongy blender to achieve the perfect look for your skin. This little do-all wonder will make you smile. The container with applicator is clever, but Watt's Up! isn't just a pretty face. It's a gorgeous highlighter created to give you a pretty face.

I took some swatch photos about two weeks ago when Watt's Up! arrived at my house. My photos were taken in full sun. I applied the highlighter heavily, without blending, directly from the tube at the top of my arm. Then I applied a small amount and half-blended it below so that you could see its potential when blended normally.

I hope you can see that the color of Watt's Up! leans rose gold (or maybe peach gold, depending on your perspective). The formula is lusciously creamy on first application, but does dry to a powder pretty quickly, which gives it its long-lasting quality.

Watt's Up! will not slide off your face if your skin is oily. It's best for me (and my dry skin) to apply it to my face directly from the tube, but to blend with a concealer or foundation brush. I suspect the little spongy brush on the dual-ended product is actually soaking up some of my highlighter, primarily because it's new. Once it becomes saturated with product, it will "let go" of the highlighter and blend it more easily.

You can find this gorgeous highlighter at Sephora, Benefit counters, and at Benefit's Web site.

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

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liners in Silver Spoon and Tidal Rave

I've loved Benefit Cosmetics' Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liners ($19) since they were introduced. I must have half of the shades available, and I troll Sephora regularly looking for new shades. I hit the jackpot recently, finding four new shades. Better still, it was during a Sephora promotion, so I got a 20% discount.

My selections were Silver Spoon (a true silver) and Tidal Wave (a muted teal with gold shimmer). I'm delighted with them. The other two shades are Icy Shot (icy white) and Purple Snap (lavender violet).

With their crease-proof, smudge-proof formula, these cream eye shadows can double as liners. I'll admit, I use them only as shadows. I love the way they apply easily with either a synthetic brush or my fingers, and they stay on all day. I can build the color, applying a little for work or a little more for evening. The shadows are sheer, allowing me full control over the intensity on my eyelids.

Here's a photo of the two pots. You'll have to trust me that Silver Spoon on the left is really silver. There was something about the morning sunlight that gave it a pink cast. You can see how muted the teal shade is. I really love it.

I swatched the shades onto my arm with my fingers. I really like to finger paint with these Benefit goodies. It's so fast! I applied the shadows lightly, the way I like to wear them during daylight hours. I took my photo in full sun in the morning. The full sun gives a glittery effect to the photo, but these shades gleam - no glitter. Silver Spoon is applied at top, Tidal Rave below.

There are many shades of Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner I like. Current favorites are Birthday Suit, R.S.V.P., Tattle Tale, and Skinny Jeans.

You can find these lovely cream shadows at Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics. Some Macy's stores have them too.

Benefit always has whimsical messages in its boxes. I like the one that came with Tidal Rave.

Want perfect posture? Wear more makeup!

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora

Vaseline Aloe Fresh Summer Giveaway Contest Plus Benefit Stay Put Bonus

The oppressive summer heat is upon us! With temperatures topping 100° in many areas of the country (including mine!), how is it possible to look great and avoid a dreaded “make-up meltdown?”

Simple adjustments to your beauty routine can help you beat the heat, while still looking fabulous. Even better, Vaseline has offered a lucky Best Things in Beauty reader the opportunity to win the fabulous set of Aloe Fresh products shown at left, and I'm throwing in something extra - makeup designed to say put - to help you take advantage of Vaseline's great advice. More about the contest below. Here are Vaseline's great tips for making this brutal summer more bearable.

Switch-up Your Lotion: Summer heat waves are no time for your thick, heavy winter lotions. Swap them out for something light and fresh like Vaseline Aloe Fresh lotions. Try the Vaseline Aloe Fresh Moisturizing Body Gel right after showering. Formulated with 100% pure aloe, the lotion glides onto skin to hydrate and invigorate it.

Tame Your Tresses: Humidity during the summer can cause major frizz, especially with dry hair. The best thing you can do to combat frizz before it happens is to use a rich, leave-in conditioner that will keep your locks moisturized. You can also pop a moisture spray in your bag for mid-day quick fixes.

Preventing Makeup Meltdown: Heavy liquid and cream-based foundations can melt away with perspiration. They can also look too heavy for casual summer looks - particularly outdoors. Unless you have very dry skin, try using a light powder foundation or tinted moisturizer, preferably one with SPF. Adding a little bronzer on your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, and other spots the sun hits naturally will give you a sun-kissed glow. Waterproof mascara and eyeliner are also musts if you are going to be outdoors.

Chill Out Your Morning Routine: We can't all pop into the pool before work! Need a quick, refreshing start to your day before venturing out into the sweltering heat? Try popping your cleansers and lotions in the refrigerator overnight for a nice cooling effect in the morning.

Drink Water: We all know how important it is to drink water, and it's extremely important now. You can get dehydrated so easily, and that's bad for your body. Drinking water will keep your skin healthy too.

For more tips on lighting up your routine this summer, log on to www.glo.com/Vaseline. You can view vignettes with tips for lightening up this summer from volleyball star Gabrielle Reece and vote for your favorite lighten-up tip for a chance to win a trip for two to Malibu and a $500 shopping spree. Wouldn't that be super-nice?

Of course, your odds of winning a contest will be better here! Vaseline has offered the set of fab, clean, and hydrating Aloe Fresh body lotions and gel (I love them!) shown above to a lucky Best Things in Beauty reader. Aloe Fresh Body Lotion replenishes the skin with a sheer burst of non-sticky hydration. The fast-absorbing and non-sticky moisture leaves skin feeling cool and healthy. Aloe Fresh Protecting Body Lotion is a lightweight, daily lotion with added SPF 15 that gives the skin a refreshing moisture boost along with the daily sun protection it needs - perfect when you plan to be outdoors. Non-greasy and fast-absorbing, skin is left hydrated and revitalized. Aloe Fresh Moisturizing Body Gel glides onto skin for a sheer burst of hydration. The light aloe vera formula conditions while instantly refreshing skin. It's intended for daily use all year round, but perfect for summer. I would love to have this set!

I'm sweetening the prize with Benefit's Stay Put Set, three must-have eye products for any time of year, but perfect for days when you want melt-proof eyes. There's Stay Don't Stray, a stay-put primer for concealers and eye shadows; Erase Paste, a brightening camouflage for eyes and face; and Benefit's creaseless cream shadow/liner in the shade R.S.V.P.

Win this contest, and the rest of the summer should be a breeze! You'll be looking good and feeling good. How can you enter? Just leave a comment here once. It's that easy. You don't have to subscribe to the blog (if you do, though, you will be eligible for the follower giveaway that starts this week) or retweet the contest - although I would love that!

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 only this time. The deadline for entries will be Saturday, July 17, 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.

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!

My thanks to Vaseline - this is a perfect summertime prize!

Vaseline photo courtesy of Vaseline
Benefit photo courtesy of Sephora

Sephora's Limited-Edition Value Sets

Sephora has been offering us some especially nice sets. Two very different ones, available now, are definitely worth a look! These sets are limited editions and available only at Sephora.

Benefit To Go Beauty Bestsellers ($10) is irresistible - both because of its price and its products. It has four portable minis of Benefit's best-selling complexion enhancers. These are all popular products. If you have them, you will appreciate the small purse or pocket sizes. If you have never tried them, now's the time.

The set has four products.

• 0.08 oz Posietint: A poppy-pink tinted lip and cheek stain
• 0.06 oz Some Kind-A Gorgeous: The foundation faker
• 0.25 oz That Gal: A brightening face primer
• 0.09 oz High Beam: A luminescent complexion enhancer

The second set I recommend is MAKE UP FOR EVER's Beauty In A Box - Aqua Essentials Kit ($69).

This kit includes seven long-lasting, must-have products that resist water and humidity, even in the most extreme summer conditions. Stay crease-free with Aqua Cream's long-lasting formula, which contains mother-of-pearl particles that provide rich color in just one application. I am absolutely smitten with Aqua Cream! Define your eyes with the award-winning Aqua Eyes, a two-in-one eyeshadow and liner pencil that adheres to the lids and remains melt-proof. You can apply it as a defined line or smudge it to smoke it out. The shades included in the set are black and a dark, metallic grey. Create an extra-black faux lash effect with Aqua Smoky Lash mascara, which delivers lashes with volume, length, and curl. Shape your lips with Aqua Lip in Nude Beige, which contains vitamin E and jojoba wax for comfortable wear. You can instantly remove your waterproof look with MAKE UP FOR EVER's best-selling make-up remover Travel Sens' Eyes. Its gentle formula can be used on even the most sensitive eyes.

The Aqua Creams alone are $22 per shade, and I have both Warm Beige (champagne shimmer) and Taupe (taupe shimmer), the two colors included in this set. Beauty in a Box is a great value.

There you have it! Two great sets worth a look before they disappear.

Photos courtesy of Sephora

Benefit Silky-Finish Lipstick in Breathless

There are two new shades available in Benefit's Silky-Finish Lipstick ($18). Breathless is described as a pearl muted grape, and Frenched as a cream cherry red. I prefer the pearls - with their nice, quiet shine - over the creams. It was an easy choice online - Breathless all the way. When Breathless (shown below right) arrived, I was a bit breathless - with delight.

I love Benefit's Benefit's Silky-Finish Lipsticks! I have so many of the shades I've lost count. Hug It Out, a pearl-pink mauve has been my favorite. It has a new competitor for that honor!

These aren't new, but they are noteworthy nonetheless. They have a silky smooth formula, so they feel great on the lips. They have sheer coverage that's buildable. I find that one coat is enough for me, though. There's a nice slanted tip for ease of application. Each lipstick even comes with a beauty fortune inside the package. My favorite says, "And on the 7th day, makeup was created." Even better, the price is right at $18.

In addition to Hug It Out, I love Swoonderful (pearl/silver mauve) and Candy Store (pearl/copper pink). I do have some of the cream shades, and they are very nice too. Skinny Dip is my favorite cream.

Here is a swatch of Breathless taken in sun. You can see that it's not as purple as its grape description. There is a lot of rose in the shade.

This is a beautiful shade on the lips, perfect for those who love cool-toned lipsticks. I think it would look good on most warm-toned gals as well. I'm very happy with it, which is why I'm spreading the word!

You can purchase Benefit's Silky-Finish Lipsticks at Sephora, Benefit, and Bloomingdale's. I highly recommend them!

Photos courtesy of Sephora and Benefit

Benefit Celebrating April Fools' Day with a Treat

Benefit Cosmetics is celebrating the gags, jokes, and pranks of April Fools' Day with a honey-laden offer! Today only, with any $75 order, you will receive a "Honey Snap out of It" exfoliating facial cleanser with any $75 order. Use the code FUNNYDAY at checkout before midnight PST.

Something good will come out of today's frivolity!

Photo courtesy of Benefit

Benefit Cosmetics Stay Don't Stray

Benefit Cosmetics has a new stay-put eye shadow and concealer power-primer. Stay Don't Stray ($24) is intended for 360° use around the eyes.

Concealers don't crease, eye shadows stay vibrant and true...you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

I was a little baffled by the concept because I expect my primer to serve as a concealer. The ones I use are perfect for the skin tone around my eyes, and they serve multiple purposes: concealer, brightener, and primer. Then I talked to a couple of friends who said that their concealers don't stay put. My friends don't suffer from the level of dryness that I do. Now I get it.

Stay Don't Stray comes in one shade advertised as a neutral nude shade that is universally flattering. Used as a primer, I believe that's true. However, if you expect it to do double duty, as I do, working as both primer and concealer, test if for your skin tone before you buy. It's light enough that I can skip the concealer when I use it.

It holds my eye shadow in place like Gorilla Glue. Can't ask anything more from a primer! To apply, dot under your eyes, pat to blend, and then do the same over your eyes, from the lash line to the brow. If you want a finishing touch under your eyes, apply your concealer, foundation, or even powder over it. You will be ready to go.

The lightweight formula blends seamlessly into skin and subtly brightens the eye area to minimize the appearance of fine lines. It is said to be hydrating and anti-aging because it contains sodium hyaluronate (to lock in moisture) and vitamins C and E.

You can find Stay Don't Stray at Benefit Cosmetics and Sephora. Sephora did have some "regular" and deluxe samples available. I'm not sure if you can still choose them; if you can, I would recommend trying it. I think you will like Stay Don't Stray!

Photo courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit Sugarbomb

This crazy collecting blogger has some great new blushers, and Benefit's Sugarbomb ($28) is among them. It's the bomb!

Marketed as a "sugar rush flush" facial powder, Sugarbomb has four unique shades of rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, and peach. Blended together, the blush leaves a rosy pink with a touch of peach on my cheeks. The color is buildable, which I appreciate. One swirl for me, and I am wearing enough. Others with darker skin might want to apply a second coat.

Sugarbomb has a slight shimmer, but not so much that I would avoid wearing it to work. I wore it to work a few days this week, and I was very pleased with the results. I liked the color, and I liked the fact that I could see it - unfaded - when I got home from work. We can add "workhorse" to its list of praises.

I love multi-colored blushers. They seem to leave a depth of color on the face that single shades can't match. Of course, this blusher collector possesses and wears single-color blushers (the Armani Beauty ones, such as #10, are incomparable), but I'm smitten with those that blend shades. That's why I was attracted to Sugarbomb, which I ordered online before I had seen it.

Do you purchase blushers because of the brush? Hope not because this one's as useless as most of the brushes that come prepacked in blushers. Please don't misunderstand; it works. It's just not an ideal way to apply Sugarbomb. If you are on the go, however, you may find it useful, tucked into the top of the box and separated from the product by a plastic lift-out divider. Otherwise, you can use this one to keep your keyboard clean.

You can purchase Benefit from the Benefit Cosmetics Web site, Sephora, Macy's, or wherever you find a Benefit Cosmetics counter. Yesterday, Sephora sent me an offer to select a deluxe sample without giving up 100 points. I chose a sample of Benetint, one of Benefit's most-fabulous products. Use code CHOOSEME to see what's available.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Benefit Friends & Family

Benefit is having a Friends & Family Sale. You will receive a 20% discount any order. Use code FRIEND09 at checkout.

As usual, you will receive free standard shipping with any purchase of $50 or more and two free samples.

What a good time to consider the Benefit Holiday Collection! While you are there, check out the new Lip Gloss and the Silky Finish Lipsticks. They are two of my favorite Benefit beauties.

Photo courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit's New Lip Glosses

Benefit's new Lip Glosses ($18) are terrific. Because I love Benefit's Silky-Finish Lipsticks (see prior posting here), I wasted no time in ordering two of these glosses. Of course, now I covet the other six!

I purchased Fresh Squeezed, described well as pink grapefruit, and Zone Out, a light golden nude. Of the two, my favorite is Fresh Squeezed. Fresh Squeezed is such a pretty and summery color, it brightens my whole face. Zone Out is a great color for adding a golden glow to a darker lipstick.

The glosses are so nice and creamy they can be used as lipsticks. They add a perfect subtle shine - nothing over the top - and they are not sticky. They have a delicate apricot-lychee scent - fortunately delicate because I don't like heavily flavored lip glosses.

Now that I have two in hand, I can judge how the other colors will look. Sometimes, it's hard when all you have is an online color swatch. I could go to Sephora, but I am the ultimate armchair shopper.

If I can't have all six remaining, I have to order three more: I'm with the Band (golden pink shimmer), Friends in High Places (sparkling raspberry), and Who are You Wearing? (passion fruit pink). They look gorgeous. The glosses are available from Benefit and Sephora.

Photo courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics.

Benefit Fall Colors and Specials

Benefit has some pretty Fall 2009 colors! The collection includes three new Velvet Eye Shadows ($18). I like Fawn over Me (shown above) and Where There's Smoke (shown at left). Where There's Smoke combines fall's gray and green themes into one shadow - I'll bet we can all wear this color.

There are three new Full-Finish Lipsticks, my favorite being Break-up Rumor (shown at top), although I had to try Fame Game too. I really adore Benefit's Silky-Finish and Full-Finish lipsticks.

On top of that, there's a fabulous new Fluff Shadow Brush ($18) that picks up just the right amount of shadow. The right brush can make all the difference between a great eye and a good eye.

Spare collection? Maybe, but the intros are spot-on. Check out the collection at
Benefitcosmetics.com. I think Benefit provides great value at a fair price.

Right now, there is free shipping for any purchase of $50 or more. Use code FALL2009 at checkout (valid until August 11). On top of that, Benefit will send you two free samples, and with a purchase of $35, you will get a free California Kissin' (while supplies last). No promo code is needed for that.

Photos courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics.

Benefit Silky-Finish Lipsticks

I love Benefit's Silky-Finish Lipsticks! I have so many of the shades I've lost count. Hug It Out, a pearl-pink mauve is my favorite. I'm on my third tube.

These aren't brand new, but they are noteworthy nonetheless. They have a silky smooth formula, so they feel great on your lips. They have sheer coverage that's buildable. I find that one coat is enough for me, though. There's a nice slanted tip for ease of application. They even come with a beauty fortune inside every package. My favorite says, "And on the 7th day, makeup was created." Even better, the price is right at $18.

These lipsticks are available in cream and pearl formulas, and I prefer the pearls that have a nice, quiet shine. In addition to Hug It Out, I love Swoonderful (pearl/silver mauve) and Candy Store (pearl/copper pink). I do have some of the cream shades, and they are very nice too. There are 22 shades on Sephora, so there's a color for everyone.

Benefit's Full-Finish Lipstick ($18) is the "companion product" to Silky Finish. Like the Silky-Finish lipsticks, Full-Finish is nice and creamy. It simply has more pigmented color. My favorite is Do Tell, a pink/mauve. There are 14 shades, and three are new. One of the new colors, Breakup Rumor, available on Benefit's Web site, looks like a must-have to me.

Right now, Benefit has free shipping (through July 22 only) with code TWODAYUS. You can get a free California Kissin' with every $35 order (no code needed). In addition, you get two free samples with every order. Sephora has some great deals too, so now's the time to shop.