Beautyhabit Friends & Family Sale

This says it all. Beautyhabit is having a Friends & Family sale that lasts through tomorrow, Wednesday, November 20. Use the code FF13 to save 20%. This is a real deal. I need time to shop. I'll see you later.

Photo courtesy of Beautyhabit

Bobbi Brown Friends & Family Sale

***The Discount works now, Sunday, April 14***

I love hearing about a Friends & Family Sale the day after I drop money at the counter. Bobbi Brown sent me an e-mail yesterday announcing special early access to the Friends & Family sale that doesn't start officially until Sunday. May I recommend Bobbi's new Sheer Lip Color? I'll be taking swatch photos today.

For now, because you - my readers - are special, you can shop Bobbi Brown at this link and save 20%! Just in case you are wondering, it is not an affiliate link, and I am not being compensated for sharing this information with you. Grin.

So, spend some money on this fabulous beauty line. You will save money, get free shipping on purchases of $75, and also help Bobbi's Dress for Success philanthropy. The company will donate $10,000 to Dress for Success for online sales during this annual event.

No offer code is necessary, but you must use the links here. The sale won't be publicized on Bobbi Brown's Web site until Sunday. Then it will run until Thursday, April 18.

Photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Chantecaille Friends & Family Sale

Pardon me while I hyperventilate. Chanetecaille is holding a Friends & Family Sale. It starts today and ends tomorrow, so don't miss it. A 20% discount is unparalleled.

Like Chantecaille on Facebook to get your promo code. The code is HAPPY13 for everyone, but Chantecaille would love to have new Facebook friends.

This offer is available to U.S. residents only.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

IT Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Stain and a Friends & Family Sale

I'm always excited to discover a new-to-me brand - one that knocks me off my feet. IT Cosmetics did that. They contacted me and sent a few products I might want to feature. The timing is perfect. Their Friends & Family sale starts today! Now, through Monday, November 19, you can take 25% off your purchase. I'll be shopping.

I'd like to start showing you my new It favorites with Vitality Cheek Stain (normally $24, but $18 right now). I have to admit I'm a little confused. My powder cheek color is called "Vitality Cheek Flush" on the compact. At QVC, it's called "Vitality Cheek Flush Powder Blush Stain," and at the It Cosmetics Web site, it's called "Vitality Cheek Stain." Perhaps they are all the same. Maybe they are different incarnations of the same basic cheek color - or simply name changes over time. No matter to me; this cheek color is drop-dead gorgeous.

The shade I have is Pretty in Peony, shown directly above. It's a powder blush, cheek stain, antioxidant defender, and hydrating skin conditioner all in one. The cutting-edge micro-milled, long-wear powder stain never clings to fine lines and wrinkles, but it imparts the glow of a stain with a powder. Pretty cool!

Developed with plastic surgeons, this hydrating, brightening, and anti-aging blush gives the perfect naturally pretty flush of color to the cheeks and is surprisingly long-lasting. The innovative formula contains IT Cosmetics' Hydra-Luxe technology, including ingredients such as plum oil, cherry oil, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate, seaweed extract, grape seed, aloe, and jojoba that all work together to treat, hydrate, condition, and nourish your skin. Plus, Vitality Cheek Flush is packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, açaí fruit, green tea, and white tea. They packed all those fabulous ingredients into one blush. What did they leave out? Talc, paraben, sulfate, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, and phthalates, making Vitality Cheek Stain a blush for everyone. An extra-added benefit is that is is made in the USA and cruelty-free.

This is Pretty in Peony. Isn't the rose shade exquisite? It reminds me of watermelon when applied to my cheeks. I swatched it at the top of my arm with my usual sponge-tipped applicator (I buy them by the thousand), and I used a kabuki brush to apply the large swatch below. Both were heavy applications for the photos.

Pretty in Peony is a great shade for "normal," medium, or dark complexions. I can wear it on my ultra-pale face, but I have to apply it carefully, using a fan or fluffy brush and barely running it over my cheeks. Do I look good in Pretty in Pink? You bet! The color is so luscious, I stop to admire my cheeks each time I pass a mirror. Now I'd like to have the other two shades, Radiant in Rose and Magical in Mauve, even though I'm sure Magical in Mauve was not created for pale faces.

All of you who have a hard time holding onto your blush for an eight-hour day will love Vitality Cheek Stain. It is seriously long-lasting (as are some other It products I've been trying), and it may be the answer to an issue that has vexed you as long as I've been writing this blog - or longer.

I have to admit I've had my head in the sand. Perhaps I'm too much of a luxury brand snob. Look at this page of stories and wonder (along with me) how I had only a passing knowledge of the brand. I'm almost ashamed to admit that my first try of It Cosmetics was in October. Want to know a little more about IT? Check out this About page on the company's Web site. I'm joining this family. Who doesn't like anti-aging makeup with flair?

You can find IT at QVC (where I don't hang out often), Henri Bendel, and Beauty.com, but you really need to take advantage of the sale right now at the company's Web site. In Canada, you can order from The Shopping Chanel, and in Australia, you can order from PM Studio. Look around online and let us know what rocks you. Next up here will be Vitality Lip Flush. It's the cat's meow.

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

Giorgio Armani Beauty Online Friends & Family Sale

It's always nice to wake up to good news. Giorgio Armani Beauty is having an online Friends & Family Sale. Been wanting to try something new for the holidays? Love the limited-edition gift sets? Now's your chance to save money.

Use the code GAHOLIDAY1 through November 24, and you'll receive a 20% discount and complimentary two-day shipping. Make sure to use all caps when you enter the code. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going off to shop.

Photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

The Interesting Twist of Sephora Friends & Family

Many beauty bloggers publicized today's start of an online Sephora Friends & Family sale, with a 20% discount, running through November 2. I mentioned it earlier today in my Ultraflesh feature, and I tweeted it.

Mid-afternoon, I started reading about a scam involving the offer code and the site for obtaining it. I also heard that Sephora's Web site had "crashed." Because I had placed a large order this morning, I called Sephora Customer Service to find out the "real deal." Here it is.

This Friends & Family sale was not intended for V.I.B.'s, Beauty Insiders, or large categories of customers. It was intended to be a sale for "real" friends of Sephora employees, and somehow each employee was given codes or the link to distribute to a limited number of friends. I did not ask about the method they used for doing that; it was not a concern for me. I was interested in knowing if someone had stolen my e-mail address or credit card information, as was suggested on Twitter.

The lovely gal with whom I spoke gave me the scoop on the sale and what had been intended, and she assured me that my e-mail and credit card information were safe. She said my order would probably go through and be shipped, but cautioned that it was possible it would be cancelled. She also acknowledged that today's traffic had slowed the company's system, but not crashed it.

I wanted to share this information with you. Even with the mega-dollars I spend each year at Sephora, I don't always receive sale information in a timely manner, so it didn't seem unusual to me that I hadn't received a notice from Sephora about this particular sale.

If I were you, and I wanted that discount, I would trust that it's safe and try to place an order. Since it's a one-time-use code, I can't try again to test it and report whether the link and code still work. Sephora is aware that it was "leaked."

Hope this information helps clear up some of the confusion.

Logo courtesy of Sephora

Ultraflesh Perfect Pinks 6-Piece Set and Sephora Friends & Family Sale

Ultraflesh quickly lept to my "favorite brand" list when it was introduced at Sephora. Because an online Sephora Friends & Family sale started today, it's a great day to tell you about the Perfect Pinks ($29), a six-piece set of mini-sized lipsticks - three sheer and three matte - to suit your every mood.

There are actually two Ultraflesh sets (reds and pinks), but the pinks are my colors. They are delightful little lipsticks, perfect for popping into my handbag. I paid full price, but with Friends & Family, you can get a discount.

The six colors span the pink spectrum. It might have been a good idea to give the sheers and mattes different names, but that's a minor quibble with such pretty colors.

• Ethereal (matte golden pink)
• Tender (matte baby pink)
• Fragile (matte hot pink)
• Ethereal (sheer golden pink)
• Tender (sheer baby pink)
• Fragile (sheer hot pink)

I took my swatch photos in full sun in the following order, top to bottom on my arm. Tender sheer it at the top of my arm. Tender matte is below the sheer. Ethereal matte follows, with Ethereal sheer below it. At the bottom, Fragile sheer is above Fragile matte. I did get them "out of order" in the middle. The little devils were rolling on my driveway's incline as I tried to line them up like little soldiers for the photo above. Fortunately, each is labeled on the bottom, so I'm sure my swatch photos are properly identified.

Because I'm partial to sheer lipsticks, the sheers are my personal favorites, but I will wear all of them. Most of the colors are "conservative," meaning stunningly wearable. The only shade that is dashingly bright is the Fragile matte. Isn't that an interesting name for the hot pink? The Fragile shades are the coolest, while the Ethereal shades are the warmest. Could I choose a favorite? It might be Ethereal sheer, but it's a toss-up when compared with the other two sheers. I like them all and consider this introductory set to be a great value.

To get your Sephora Friends & Family discount code, go to this Sephora link and enter your e-mail address. The promotion is valid through November 2, but it's a one-time use code this time. Make sure to do all your shopping in one visit. While you're at Sephora online, make sure to look at all the fabulous Ultraflesh makeup.

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

The Friday Forum - September 30

What a strange week! My last week in September flew by, punctuated by two MRIs. Later today, I find out why I have what appears to be a pinched nerve in my neck. I decided last night that I've been trying to do way too much and need to slow down a little. Now that Charlie is healing, we have only one more vet visit on the calendar. I can check those trips off the to-do list, which will delight Bengal Boy. I hope I don't have to substitute my own set of doctor visits.

This week, I couldn't figure out why comments on the blog features had dropped off so radically. It turns out they hadn't. You've been here to comment...I haven't! Normally, Blogger sends me an e-mail each time someone comments. That's how I know to respond. This week, even though I had done nothing to change my settings, I stopped receiving those e-mails. After a little investigation, I figured it out. Google Gmail was flagging its own Google Blogger e-mails as spam! Isn't that priceless? Now, I've got to figure out how to fix that problem. I started by adding Google as a contact. I wanted you to know that I haven't been ignoring your comments. I tried to catch up early this morning, and I'll figure out how to instruct Google that Google is safe later today - if my first step doesn't work.

It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist this week? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers have moved on.

Last night, I went to a media event at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase. We got a sneak peek at Beauty Week, which starts today. There are plenty of gifts with purchase, and the free tote with samples is darling. Green, purple, and silver, who could choose? I brought home green. Today and tomorrow, Saks is having a gift card event. Depending on how much you spend, you can get a gift card for use later. It's like free money!

As always, I enjoyed talking to my buddy Loyd Cassler, now at Chanel, and Christina, the Guerlain specialist, who introduced me to some fragrances that are only sold in the DC area at her counter. I'm glad I went, and I'll have more information about events - there and at Neiman Marcus - for you DC-area gals this weekend.

There are a couple of noteworthy Friends & Family events underway (20% discounts). Today is the last day for New London Pharmacy's event, so make sure to check it out. The code is on the home page. Also, Beautyhabit is celebrating F&F. The code is FF11. Their discount event ends Sunday night. Beauty lovers can get some great deals. I'm sure I've missed events or specials this week - given my schedule - so please share in the comments. We all love a good discount.

Don't forget the fantabulous Giorgio Armani Beauty giveaway contest that ends tomorrow night, October 1. When I published it, I typed Saturday, October 2. I should have typed October 1, so please enter soon if you want a chance to win a wonderful Eyes to Kill Mascara in Brown.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty; it's a Chinese herb that volunteered in my garden

Lord & Taylor Friends & Family and Tysons Corner Events

Liza Wade, a beauty veteran, is now managing the beauty department at Lord & Taylor at Tysons Corner Center. Lord & Taylor has always had a great beauty department, but Liza has given it a little extra pizazz!

This week, Liza hosted a preview party for bloggers the night before Friends & Family began. The spotlight was on the Allure Readers' Choice Awards. We had an opportunity to browse and talk with representatives from many of the brands offered at the store. Now you have an opportunity to stop by your closest Lord & Taylor to take advantage of the Friends & Family events and, of course, discounts. You can even shop online using the code FRIENDS to save money! The Friends & Family event runs through Monday, June 13.

Where did I spend my time while I was roaming the beauty department? I started at Shiseido, one of my favorite brands, spent a lot of time with the charming Dior rep, poured over all the Lancôme summer colors, and checked out Clinique and Chanel. I can cover a lot of ground in my favorite department.

While I was in the store, I tried on a pair of fabulous Michael Kors shoes (they didn't have my size) and navy blue slacks (they didn't have my size). I was a lot more successful in the beauty department. I think I told you I came home with yet another Dior Addict Lipstick.

There are some fabulous gifts with purchase available during Friends & Family. One of my favorites is from Clinique. A darling, colorful water-resistant bag, perfect for the pool or beach, is filled with generous samples and bonus samples. For the bonus samples, you can choose a Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Violets or Nudes and a Long Last Lipstick in Bamboo Pink or All Heart. The GWP is free with any Clinique purchase of $25 or more.

When there is a GWP, it's the perfect time to stock on on your Clinique essentials. Based on Allure's awards, we know many consider 7 Day Scrub Cream ($18.50) an essential part of their beauty routine. The gentle exfoliator nudges away roughness and flakiness to refine the skin, lessening the appearance of fine lines and clearing the way for moisturizer to absorb. The rinse-off formula is convenient. I keep one in my shower.

Did you know that Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector ($49.50), a serum that targets hyperpigmentation, is Clinique's #1 seller? It was launched early last year and had a meteoric rise to the top. Lynne Greene, Global Brand President of Clinique, saw an opportunity to fill a "white space" in skin care. She consulted with dermatologists, who told her they didn't have a great product for hyperpigmentation without sensitivity. Lynne saw the need - 26% of American women are interested in pigmentation issues - and tasked her team to create Even Better Dark Spot Corrector, now a worldwide hit. Under Lynne's leadership, Clinique has jumped from a being tried-and-true company to an innovative one with a host of skin-care solutions. I mentioned in April how much I love CX Neck and Chest De-Aging Cream ($110).

Interested in the gorgeous new Lancôme Bronze Sensations Collection for Summer 2011? You can try out all the shades at Lord & Taylor.

This weekend, Lord & Taylor at Tysons Corner Center has a host of events tied to Allure's award winners and favorites. Here are a few of the events on Saturday, June 11, that should interest DC-area gals. I think it would be worth your time to stop by!

• Clinique diagnostic facials
• Chanel summer color sessions
• Dior makeup sessions
• Shiseido facials (who doesn't like a free facial?)
  

There's another event on July 22 I have to mention. Clarisonic is having a trunk show, featuring Evan Harlow. Evan is the Clarisonic expert of our area, and he's a delight - as much fun as it gets. Why not stop by to let Evan show you how Clarisonic can change your life? I'm loving my Opal!

Everyone living in the DC area knows that Tysons Corner Center is a shopping destination. Don't forget to make Lord & Taylor your beauty destination. While you're there, ask for Liza and introduce yourself. I'm sure she would love to meet Best Things in Beauty readers. You can bet I'll be stopping by this weekend to take advantage of the 10% discount in beauty. It's like free money!

Photos by Lord & Taylor, Clinique, and Best Things in Beauty

Giorgio Armani Beauty Friends & Family Wednesday and Cyber Monday Offer

The special offers keep rolling in, and this one's irresistible! Wednesday, November 24 - one day only - Giorgio Armani Beauty is having a Friends & Family event. Use code FRIENDS, and you will receive a 20% discount on your purchase, along with complimentary shipping if you spend $75 or more. The offer is valid only on the Armani Beauty U.S. Web Site.

If you miss that, Armani has you covered! On Cyber Monday, there's a special "step-up offer." Spend $75 and receive 20% off and complimentary shipping. Use code FRIENDS.

Or, spend $125 and receive the 20% discount, complimentary shipping, and an exclusive six-piece gift in a deluxe Armani cosmetics bag. The set includes deluxe samples: Rouge d'Armani Lip Card, mini Eyes to Kill mascara, Luminous Silk foundation in shade 5.5, Light Master Primer, Fluid Sheer #3, Armani Code for Women, and the bag. Use offer code FRIENDS2.

Even though this Cyber Monday offer says "one day only," both of the Cyber Monday specials will be valid until November 30 at the Armani Beauty U.S. Web site. I have confirmed that. Shop early, though, to get your first choices!

Tempted? I am!

Photos courtesy of Armani Beauty

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

KORRES Line-Smoothing Lip Butter Glaze Trio

I just ordered a great set at Sephora, and I wanted to tell you about it in the waning hours of Sephora's Friends & Family event. Through tonight at midnight PST, you can use code FF2010 to save 20%.

KORRES has introduced a Line-Smoothing Lip Butter Glaze Trio ($24) in tubes! New and exclusive to Sephora, this limited-edition trio of multi-functional lip glazes is said to smooth fine lines, improve lip texture, and condition the skin, while also depositing vibrant and shiny color onto the lips. Coming from KORRES, I believe it.

The formula's lightweight, 89% natural emollient oils soften and moisturize; certified organic sugar cane conditions lips and improves lip texture; and pomegranate fruit sterols hydrate and provide antioxidant protection and line-smoothing benefits. A delightful blend of certified organic bee waxes and sunflower seed waxes create a soft and creamy texture that will make you want to apply these glazes again and again.

The colors look lovely in Jasmine (sheer neutral pink), Pomegranate (sheer coral), and Raspberry (sheer berry). Since I love the "traditional" KORRES Lip Butters, I suspect I'm going to flip over these. I'm partial to tubes rather than pots.

In the United States? You have time to save 20% too! Just head over to Sephora.com and use code FF2010 at checkout. Hurry to buy your favorites before Friends & Family ends!

Signed, your personal shopper. :)

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Saks Fifth Avenue Friends & Family

It's Friends & Family time at Saks Fifth Avenue. If you have a Saks near you, the event starts on Thursday, October 21, and runs through Saturday in store (I think). The discount in the beauty department is only 10%, but any discount is welcome these days!

This is the time to purchase those expensive beauty staples you use every day. I'll be stocking up on La Mer and Sisley skin care, and of course, I'll be purchasing the Giorgio Armani Beauty holiday sets if they arrive. There is a whole new line of YSL lipsticks I want to consider, and I need one of the new Guerlain Rouge G lipsticks that has sold out at Neiman Marcus. I'll wander by the fragrance department too, dragging Loyd Cassler with me to shop.

Friends & Family used to be a secret event. You had to be appreciated by someone in the store to be told. Now, it's open to everyone - certainly more democratic. At the Saks stores local to me, the event coincides with the cancer charity shopping events, so there's a double-good reason to shop later this week. Will you be there?

Update 10/24: Friends & Family ends today, Sunday, October 24.

Photo at top courtesy of Saks

Tarte Friends & Family - Only a Few Hours Left

You only have a few hours left to take advantage of Tarte's Friends & Family Sale, featuring a 40% discount and your choice of a free gift with every order. I selected the eye shadow brush, and it's very nice!

I wanted to show you what I purchased in case you get the I-wants. The sale ends at 11:59 EST August 9 (tonight). Owning almost everything (yes, I'm a Tarte groupie), I ordered two Lock & Roll 12-Hour Eyeshadows (regularly $17). Sandstone is described as a matte nude cream with a shimmery bone powder. Rose Gold is described as a shimmery rose-tinged gold. Both are gorgeous! See my arm photo at right. Top to bottom, the eye shadow shades are Sandstone cream, Sandstone powder, Rose Gold cream, and Rose Gold Powder. Sandstone is beautiful. Rose Gold makes my heart flutter.

Lock & Roll 12-Hour Eyeshadows are filled with Tarte's skinvigorating ingredients. The formulas are waterproof and creaseproof. Each duo has coordinated shades for a luminous look that will last all day. The cream applies with a brush; the matching loose shadow applies with a convenient rollerball.

I also ordered an EmphasEYES Aqua-Gel Eyeliner (regularly $18) in Navy. Look at how pretty it is at the bottom of the photo! EmphasEYES offers the high pigment concentration and staying power of a pot gel - but in Tarte's effortless pencil. The tip is thin, making it easy for me to apply the thin line I prefer. I adore the navy shade and may be popping over to Tarte for an order of additional shades before the bewitching hour.

Head over to Tarte's Web site and figure out what you need before the Friends & Family sale ends. What a perfect time to buy a Cheek Stain (normally $30)! I'm partial to TEN and Green Siren, as I mentioned last week, but every Cheek Stain shade is gorgeous. Make sure to check out the value sets too.

Photo at top courtesy of Tarte

Giorgio Armani Beauty Friends & Family Sale

This photo says it all! I'm excited. Use code FAMILY for your discount through June 27. What will you be ordering?

Photo courtesy of Armani Beauty

Bare Escentuals Friends & Family Sale

The Bare Escentuals Friends & Family Sale starts today! Use code SHARE to save 20% through Sunday, June 20. To sweeten the deal when you shop the event, you will receive a $10 off coupon for a future purchase between July 1 and 4, 2010.

Now's the time to stock up on your favorites or try something you've had your eyes on!

Photo courtesy of Bare Escentuals

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

Saks Fifth Avenue Friends & Family Sale

Saks Fifth Avenue's Friends & Family Sale starts April 22. In the Beauty Department, you will receive a 10% discount on your purchases. Pre-sale has started, meaning you can visit or call and select your purchase in advance of the 22nd. The sale only lasts a few days.

If you want to order Giorgio Armani Beauty - or anything from any brand in the Beauty Department - and you don't have a Saks near you, you can call Loyd Cassler or any member of the Armani Beauty Team to place an order. It will ship as soon as the sale starts. The Armani counter can be reached in Chevy Chase, Maryland at (240) 497-5206. Or you can ring through the switchboard by calling (301) 657-9000.

This is a great time to purchase that Armani Beauty item you've been coveting, a new fragrance, Clinique (there's a gift with purchase), something from the new Clarins Sun Light collection from Summer 2010 (I'll be reviewing it in the new few days - love it!), or whatever strikes your fancy.

Coming on the heels of tax day, this is a great sale!

Logo courtesy of Saks

Urban Decay Friends and Family 30% Discount

Urban Decay is having a Friends & Family Sale. Between now and April 19, you will receive a 30% discount with code 1SFNF at their Web site.

This is a great time to try my favorite Urban Decay products or discover your own! Their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils are fabulous and are available in an amazing range of 23 shades! My all-time favorite (so far) is Stash. Another product you might want to try is the Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Available in Original or Sin - as well as in a duo set - this primer is renowned.

This sale was so popular today that I had trouble with the Urban Decay Web site. No matter - their Customer Service line took and placed my order in a jiffy. Great company!Photo courtesy of Urban Decay

Kinerase Friends & Family Sale

Kinerase is having a Friends & Family sale! Through January 31, you can save 20% on your entire purchase by using the code FF110 at checkout. This is the perfect time to try the new Restructure Firming Cream ($98 before discount) or Restructure Firming Eye Cream ($55 before discount). Both are loaded with peptides, "LOXL Stimulator," and Kinetin to firm, moisturize, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Of course, you could stick with the tried-and-true Under Eye Rescue ($78 before discount), one of my all-time favorites.

Just go to the Kinerase Web site. You might want to look at their special offers too (the special offers are excluded from the sale because they are already on sale, but use code FSHIP110 for free shipping on purchases over $50).

Photo courtesy of Kinerase