Tarte's Summer Essentials Plus a Memorial Day Sale

Rain or shine, Tarte will transform you into a glowing bronze goddess this Memorial Day weekend. Their new Rainforest Glow Maracuja Waterproof Body Bronzer ($34) and Park Ave Princess Bronze & Glow Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint ($32) will help you achieve that perfect sun kissed look from head-to-toe. Traveling? Tarte's Prime, Shine, and Define To-Go-Kit ($12) has all of the pocket-sized essentials you'll need to look flawless on the fly.

It will take seconds to score a waterproof faux glow with Rainforest Glow Maracuja Waterproof Body Bronzer. If you don't have time to wait for a self-tanner to work, Rainforest Glow will give you instant color without commitment - my preference anyhow. It's also a great product for filling in a patchy tan or rejuvenating a fading one. Ultra-hydrating maracuja restores the skin's natural luster, so even after you wash it off with soap and water, your skin will still feel supremely soft and look radiant. This streak-free, quick-drying, and non-transferable formula is the cat's meow for when you want a fast, natural-looking tan.

Park Ave Princess Bronze & Glow Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint, which I really want, is the new liquid version of Tarte's iconic Park Ave Princess powder bronzer. With this innovative two-in-one complexion enhancer, you'll achieve the perfect balance of sun-kissed bronze and a healthy flush. Plus, nature's pure miracle, maracuja, instantly absorbs into the skin, delivering a high dose of essential fatty acids and vitamin C to hydrate the skin while imparting a beautiful pop of sheer color. By fusing two products into one, Tarte has reduced packaging for an eco-friendly option.

The Prime, Shine, and Define To-Go-Kit, shown at the top of this feature, is a three-piece of deluxe travel-sized essentials - just what you need for getting flawless on the fly. Perfect and brighten your complexion and dramatize your eyes with Clean Slate Poreless 12-hour Perfecting Primer, Amazonian Clay BB Illuminating Moisturizer, and Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara - the three products in this kit. This convenient, travel-friendly kit will cover your beauty basics as you prime, shine, and define yourself.

It gets better. Over Memorial Day weekend, Tarte will be offering a 15% discount off everything at the company's e-commerce site - plus free shipping. Just use the code MDAY between May 23 and May 27. See Tarte's Web site for details.

Photos courtesy of Tarte

Sephora's V.I.B. Sale is On!

Sephora's V.I.B. sale has started. I was taken hostage and forced to shop. Twenty percent is 20%. Sephora stole all my blogging time, which was already compressed by fatigue and a busy work project.

I was sleep-deprived after election night. I couldn't stay up while "inconsequential" state after state came in, and I knew states like mine, where people waited in line to vote until 11:00 pm, would be delayed in reporting. I wanted to see the Ohio results, though, so I asked a night owl friend to call and awaken me the moment Ohio was called. He did, and I had to turn the TV back on at about 11:15. I watched for an hour, waiting for more news - or perhaps a glimpse of the candidates. Nothing much happened - except wild celebrations (they were waving flags from trees in front of the White House) - so I went back to sleep around 12:30 and got up at 4:00 to watch again. That was enough to leave me struggling to stay awake yesterday. I drank a lot of Diet Coke. On top of that, my right knee swelled - from waiting in line to vote, I assume - so I had to sit around with ice on it most of the day.

Add my shopping time to the dense clouds we had yesterday, and I have no photos for you today - despite the fact that I have a lot of nice new makeup to feature. I do expect to take my camera and a few new goodies to work with me today so that I can covertly snap a few photos outside in the cold at lunchtime. If the sun reappears.

If you are a V.I.B. at Sephora, make sure to use the code CELEBRATE with your order. I filled my basket last night. One of the items I wanted was sold out when I went back in to order it at 5:00 am. Wow! Don't delay if there is something you want. Order it! If you change your mind later, you can always return it. 

Have you ever noticed that Sephora withholds from posting certain new items until the sale ends? I am dead sure, after years of observation, that the new eye shadow quads from Edward Bess will go up online the moment the sale ends. I could have ordered them from New York, but I didn't want to pay the $12+ postage.

Happy shopping! Come on back and let us know what you ordered. Vicarious shopping is fun.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Fashion's Night Out Sale!

Will you be stuck at home tonight, Fashion's Night Out? You can still shop and enjoy the special at Tarte's Web site. Starting at 6:00 pm officially, but it looks like the site works now, shop Tarte.com to order the latest Tarte beauties. There are some great deals!

Photo courtesy of Tarte Cosmetics

Le Métier de Beauté's Beauty Vault for Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

A kind reader sent me this photo today. It pictures Le Métier de Beauté's "Beauty Vault" ($49) for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. If they don't sell out during pre-sale to card members, maybe everyone will be able to purchase one.

The Anniversary Sale set includes a purse-sized Peau Vierge Tinted Luminizer in #2 and Anamorphic Lash Mascara in black. The Noir Precision Liquid Liner is full-sized, normally a $42.00 item. "The perfect product ensemble to complete your flawless, long-wearing look." This is a special chance to try these products if you haven't used them before.

If you want this set and are a Nordstrom credit card customer, you will be able to purchase the set during pre-sale. If you aren't, you will have to take your chances - or find a friend willing to user his or her card to purchase it. I don't plan to carry a Nordstrom credit card - or any store card - ever.  As some of you know, that makes me a second-class citizen to Nordstrom, despite the fact that I spend a bundle there.

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom and a sweet reader

Tarte Sale Alert

There are fabulous Earth Day discounts this weekend for beauty lovers. Here's one of my favorites from Tarte. Happy Shopping!

Photo courtesy of tartecosmetics

Giorgio Armani Beauty Holiday Sale

Giorgio Armani Beauty is having a sale!

This Sunday, December 19, there's a one-day only online sale exclusive to GiorgioArmaniBeauty-USA.com.

• Spend $75 or more, and you will enjoy complimentary overnight shipping. Use code OVERNIGHT.
  
• Spend $90 or more, and you'll receive a $10 discount and complimentary overnight shipping. Use code GABSAV1.
  
• Spend $100 or more (easy at Armani!), and you'll receive a $20 discount and complimentary overnight shipping. Use code GABSAV2.

Remember, the offer is only valid Sunday, December 19. It's a great time to try the new Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow or Acqua di Gioia.

Photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Sephora VIB Sale

Just a quick note in case you didn't receive notice of this Sephora sale...

Are you a Sephora VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider)? If so, you are eligible for a 20% discount on all purchases through November 15. Use code VIB20 at checkout.

Supposedly, there were postcards distributed before the Thursday night in-store event. I never received one, but I did get an e-mail notice on Thursday morning. If you have your postcard, take it to the store with you. They will honor it through November 15. Otherwise, shop online. It's more convenient anyhow.

I'm not sure what gives with Sephora's communications. I wrote them last week, expressing my dismay that I could possibly be one of their biggest VIB spenders, but hadn't received any notice of Friends & Family - or this VIB event. The next morning, a VIB e-mail appeared.

This sale "extends" Friends & Family, so if you are a VIB and the items you wanted during Friends & Family were sold out, you may want to check again. Or go see the temptations that arrived right after Friends & Family ended.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Bug Bites Are Not Pretty!

Don't you hate those welts on your arms, legs, ankles - anything that's exposed when you dart outside in the summer? A mosquito feasted on me at a picnic recently, and my arm itched for a week! I'm as fast as "he" was, so fortunately, his meal on my arm was his last.

I like Avon's SKIN SO SOFT insect repellents. This morning, I received an e-mail alert that Avon's Bug Guard Plus IR3535 EXPEDITION SPF 30 Aerosol Spray and the pump spray version are on sale. Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition is unscented, so I love it. So many insect repellents have a dreadful scent! This one also offers SPF protection, so you get a two-fer when you use it.

Priced at $7.99 instead of $16 (or $6.99 for the non-aerosol spray), Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition is currently a great deal. Until July 1, use code SUMMER10 for free shipping at Avon.

Photo courtesy of Avon

Last Chance: Sephora Makeup Madness Sale

Sephora's Makeup Madness sale ends on Monday, April 19. If you are a Beauty Insider, you will receive a 15% discount on your purchases. If you aren't, you can join and enjoy the discount.

I went a little wild on Josie Maran products I haven't tried and other new things I want to try. The boxes are rolling in, making every day a holiday here. Love my UPS guy!

There is an online promo code of BI15, and as long as Sephora's Web site recognizes you as a Beauty Insider, that code will give you the 15% discount. Once you join, you will be eligible for perks like the fabulous 500-point perk, the Tarte Insider Collection.

Great time to buy!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Sephora Makeup Madness Sale - Just in Case You Missed the News

Sephora is having a Makeup Madness Event (that's a sale!) from April 12-19 for Beauty Insiders. Head over to Sephora and join the Beauty Insider Program. Anyone interested in makeup is probably already a member, but if you haven't joined, now's the time.

There is an online promo code of BI15, and as long as Sephora's Web site recognizes you as a Beauty Insider, that code will give you the 15% discount. Once you join, you will be eligible for perks like the fabulous 500-point perk, the Tarte Insider Collection. Who doesn't like lagniappe?

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Sephora VIB "Madness" Sale

Sephora started a VIB Madness makeup sale today! I'm not really sure whether you need to be a VIB to use the code online (I think the code will work for "regular" Beauty Insiders, but the fine print below is confusing on first read). The VIB code is VIBMADNESS, and I used it this morning. The VIB sale kicks off today, and there is an in-store event from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Sephora stores. The "regular" Beauty Insider Makeup Madness Sale starts April 12. The event ends on April 19.

Sephora sent VIB Beauty Insiders coupons for use in the store - one for the member and one for a friend. They are bar coded, so I don't know whether the coupon I gave to a friend will help you - or prevent her from using it. It appears from what came in e-mail that you will have to be a Beauty Insider to use the code or store coupon (get one today from a big-spending friend!). It's free to sign up for Beauty Insider status, so why not? I prefer shopping online anyhow!

Here are the rules around this promotion - straight from Sephora's e-mail.

Select stores will have different event hours, check your local store for exact times. Each VIB may only bring one friend during the VIB event on April 8, 2010 from 6-9pm. VIB friends must sign up for Beauty Insider to redeem the 15% off promotion. Online use promo code VIBMADNESS. VIB OFFER VALID APRIL 8 THROUGH APRIL 19, 2010, AT 11:59 PM PST and may be used in Sephora stores and Sephora inside JC Penney stores during regular store hours and on Sephora.com (excluding Canadian checkout on Sephora.com). Offer limited to Sephora VIBs only. Voucher must be presented at time of redemption when used in store. No minimum purchase required. May not be combined with any other offers. Not valid on prior purchases. May not be sold or otherwise transferred. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent or with purchase of eGift certificates and gift cards. Not responsible for lost or stolen vouchers. Sephora reserves the right to change or rescind this offer at any time. Not valid for Sephora employees. Learn more about the V.I.B. program at any Sephora store or online.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Happy Hour Specials from Skin Care Logic

I'd like to introduce you to a great opportunity to save money: Happy Hour Specials from Skin Care Logic! I will take advantage of their special offers because I'm always looking for a discount or free shipping. Read on for a special offer for blog readers.

Skin Care Logic is a health and beauty site dedicated to helping their customers achieve the healthiest skin possible. How do they do that? Skin Care Logic keeps it simple by selling what they deem to be the best in the industry: Dermalogica skin care and Jane Iredale mineral makeup. Their education center is full of articles and videos to help answer beauty questions. They offer virtual Face Mapping to help determine each customer's ideal skin routine, and they are always available via phone or e-mail to help! Orders typically ship the same day, and I like that since I'm into instant gratification. They include lots of goodies and free samples in every shipment - another plus.

Skin Care Logic knows the cost of beauty can add up. They know that we want gorgeous skin, but we can't necessarily spend a small fortune on it. So they came up with a way for us to achieve healthy, gorgeous skin without guilt (I am so into guilt-free shopping). Their home page features a Happy Hour banner. Every Monday, they post a new special that runs the entire week (Monday through Sunday). Happy Hour specials could be free shipping, a store-wide discount code, an awesome free gift with purchase - you never know. Fans can check in weekly for savings or follow them on Twitter or Facebook to see new deals as they are posted.

Dermatologica

They sell Dermalogica because it's know to work. Dermalogica is the #1 most-used line by professional skin therapists worldwide. InStyle, O Magazine, Lucky, Allure, Marie Claire, and Us Weekly continously praise Dermalogica for the effectiveness of its products. I use the UltraCalming Cleanser ($33) and love it. It's a great cleanser for anyone experiencing skin sensitivity, which can be caused by pollution, stress, hormonal imbalances, irritating cosmetics, harsh climates, and all kinds of other factors. Right now, there is a 10% discount available on all Dermatologica products. You can see the March specials at this link. Within a day or so, the April specials will post.

Jane Iredale

Known as "the skin care makeup," Jane Iredale mineral makeup is a highly respected line. The Jane Iredale products are talc- and paraben-free. They are also anti-inflammatory and provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. In fact, many Jane Iredale products have received a "Seal of Recommendation" from the Skin Cancer Foundation! I have, use, and love Jane Iredale makeup. That reminds me...I need to review some of my favorites for you.

Special for Best Things in Beauty Readers

Skin Care Logic has generously offered Best Things in Beauty readers an extra 15% discount on their Happy Hour Specials. Just enter code BEST15 during checkout to get 15% off in addition to whatever Happy Hour Special is running at that time. It's a generous offer to introduce BTiB readers to Skin Care Logic.

Check out the site! I think you will like what you see. I'm always comparison shopping, and I'm impressed.

Photo courtesy of Skin Care Logic

Coming Attraction: Sephora Beauty Insider Makeup Sale

Get ready! Sephora will be having a makeup sale from April 12-19 for Beauty Insiders. Sephora tells me that you will need to be a Beauty Insider to use the discount code. They are e-mailing the codes out in "waves" of a couple hundred thousand at a time. Clearly, there are a lot of Beauty Insiders!

Head over to Sephora and join the Beauty Insider Program. Anyone interested in makeup is probably already a member, but if you haven't joined, now's the time. Once you join, you should receive an e-mail before the sale with your own personal bar-coded coupon for use in the store.

There is an online promo code of BI15, and as long as Sephora's Web site recognizes you as a Beauty Insider, that code will give you the 15% discount. In the store, they tell me they are going to be looking for your personal bar code and/or proof that you are a Beauty Insider. All the more reason to go sign up now! Once you join, you will be eligible for perks like the fabulous 500-point perk, the Tarte Insider Collection. Who doesn't like lagniappe?

I am compiling my wish list now!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

BeautyTicket's Year-End Sale

Steady my heart! BeautyTicket is having an end-of-year sale. For the final hours of 2009, take 25% off everything. Use code YEAREND25 at checkout to take advantage of this remarkable offer.

BeautyTicket.com is one of my weekly go-to sites. Every week, there's a new Steal of the Week, along with lots of new arrivals. This week's steal is Jelly Pong Pong Lip Sorbet, which is $2.99 at BeautyTicket; it's $15.99 at Amazon. Take 25% off $2.99, and you'll steal it. The new arrivals include Bare Escentuals, YSL, Stila, Bobbi Brown, Two Faced, and Pop Beauty. This is recession shopping.

If you aren't a BeautyTicket shopper yet, what are you waiting for? Have fun!

Photo courtesy of BeautyTicket

Beautorium 15% Discount Sale

Another great sale! For one week, Beautorium.com is offering a 15% discount on all full-priced items. Use code FALLSAVINGS at checkout.

If you are a natural and organic products fan, this is your sale! I'll be stocking up on my favorite John Masters Organics, ordering more Korres Materia Herba, and trying Revolution Organics for the first time. The Revolution products are new to Beautorium. I have to try the Beauty Balm ($34), but I may need help choosing between Blushed and Bronzed.

Beautorium has lots of special offers. It's a good time to check out the Marina Cosmetics lip products reviewed last week at Best Things in Beauty.

Happy Shopping!

Photo courtesy of Beautorium

Julie Hewett Los Angeles Discount Days

Anyone a Julie Hewett fan? If so, you can score a 20% site-wide discount by entering code SUM20. There are many new products, so it's worth a visit.

Check out the Cheekie + Shimmie Duo. It's a great set for $45.00. I think I'll be ordering it in jami + pinkie. And who should live without Camellia Balm Stick (no messy fingers)?

The discount will be good through August 31, and there's a shipping discount too. These are good days for cosmetics lovers!

Photo courtesy of Julie Hewett.

Check out the Laura Mercier Online Sale

Hey friends, there's a sale at Laura Mercier's Web site, and it's worth checking out. The prices are terrific. You can purchase two colors of her illuminating stick, Golden Honey Glow and Golden Rose Glow, for $12.50 each (regular price was $25.00!). If you spend at least $50, shipping is free. And, you get two free samples.

Other sale products available include eye shadows, lip colors, and blusher. Hurry over and look because when they're gone, they're gone!

While you are there, check out the non-sale items too. This is a nice line.


Photo courtesy of Laura Mercier.