Meet Our Beauty Blogger Roundup Team - Kelly

Every week, I post a Weekend Roundup with exciting features written by our beauty blogging friends. We thought it would be a great idea if you got to know each of us a little better to find out what drives the beauty passion we share. This week, we meet Kelly from Gouldylox Reviews. Kelly is a fellow animal lover, almost a neighbor (she lives in Baltimore), and has great swatch photos. Just last week, I found swatches of a Tarte product that had interested me; I wish I had seen Kelly's review before I placed my order with QVC! I would have purchased it.

Here's Kelly in her own words.

When did you start blogging and why?
I started blogging in 2009 as a way to share my favorite things with my friends. I was always being asked to go to cosmetic counters and stores like Sephora with my friends, so I thought it would be fun to start writing about makeup, hair, and skin care.

Every blog seems to have a special voice - what's the message on your blog?
I love to write about color, but I also love to research ingredients to find out what works and what doesn't. Instead of sounding like a professor, I try to relate to other beauty lovers like their friend. I assume they understand my quirks and goofiness and don't hold it against me. Every now and then my sarcasm, silliness, or oddball comments anger some people. If you're one of them, I'm sorry. My blog probably isn't for you.

I always try to approach makeup like someone who is a serious fan, not someone who is all about fashion and the role that makeup plays in that world. I love drugstore finds, as well as higher-end goods. Don't get me wrong, I love to embrace (or mock) trends, but I don't live or die by the latest words of WWD. I'm more of a real woman, who struggles with things like growing my hair, finding a mascara that actually lengthens my lashes, and the perfect peach blush. It's all an adventure I enjoy writing about and sharing.

Have you always been a beauty fanatic or did it come later in life for you? What made it blossom?
I have loved makeup for as long as I can remember. I was even a makeup artist for a short amount of time at a local spa and did some TV and print work. Nothing makes me more giddy than a good "before and after." Makeup can have a powerful effect on your mood and how you see yourself. It's like having the power to be a chameleon. I am inspired by people and things everywhere. It's fun to have an outlet to build on that inspiration.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am married with five pets. I watch way too much television, and I produce television ads at my day job. I also founded a non-profit called Karma Dogs, where we help rescue dogs become therapy dogs. They help kids do lots of things, like learn to read, work on goals set by a therapist, and teach kids how to take care of a pet. My ultimate goal would be for the kids who participate in our programs to grow up to be good pet owners.

What's your daily beauty routine?
My beauty routine takes too long, but I truly enjoy the "me" time I spend every morning! I start by washing my face and sometimes using my Clarisonic. I then use two eye creams, a serum, moisturizer, and an SPF. I then usually use between 10-25 different makeup products each morning. The whole shebang (not including the hair) takes about 25 minutes. But it's one of the few times I get to spend time focusing on me, so I love it. It's a very Zen time for me, when I'm not rushing around.

If we were to invade your beauty closet what surprises would we find?
I have more makeup than any one person could ever use. I still have the M·A·C brushes that I bought more than 10 years ago, and I use some them every day. I also have a huge collection of faux hair that I used to wear daily. Wigs, falls, ponys, and hair extensions - it's a lot of hair. I also have a mild obsession with peach makeup. I have almost every peach blush and lip gloss known to man. As my blogger pal Anne from BeautyXposé can tell you, I take my peach collection very, very seriously.

How many lipsticks/glosses can be found in your handbag at any given time?
It's embarrassing. I have no fewer than 20 lip products in my purse at any time. Most of them are peach.

What's the best beauty advice you've ever received?
A long time ago, a makeup artist I really respected told me I could wear any color. It makes me bonkers when people tell me they are only a warm or cool tone (or even worse, a season). It's all about how you use a color, and done right, you can wear anything. More importantly, wearing a daily SPF is the one true, proven thing you can do to keep aging at bay. No magical cream can undo all the damage a good sunscreen can prevent. I'll never forget meeting Leslie Blodgett and having her be really surprised at my age. I can't say it often enough or loud enough - wear a sunscreen every day the sun rises!

What is the most surprising thing you've learned since blogging?
When I started blogging, I thought paying more than $40 on a foundation was nuts. My idea of what is expensive and what is reasonably priced has now totally shifted. I am also genuinely surprised each time I get a comment from readers that I am not related to. When I started this, my only readers were my close friends and a cousin. I can't believe so many people take the time to check in with me and see what's new. I am so happy to have made so many new friends through my blog, and I love it when they comment on something I've written.

How often do you actually go to stores or events to research new product or releases?
I probably make a point to go hunting for new goodies specifically three or four times a week. I usually go to Sephora the day (or the day before) the new products hit the shelves each week. I can't go into a department store without checking out what's new in the makeup department. I'm on a first name basis with everyone who sells makeup within a 10 mile radius, which is great, and sometimes a little embarrassing. I have two younger sisters-in-law who are always suggesting and requesting reviews, not to mention all the texts from friends across the country asking me for on the spot advice when they are at the makeup counter. I have to stay on my toes! I'm a little obsessed. But in a good way!

You can learn a lot by reading Kelly's Gouldylox Reviews. Head over now to see what's featured today!

YSL Palette Peach Celebration Face Highlighter - Spring Look 2011

The prettiest piece of YSL's Spring Look for 2011 is the Celebration Palette ($65). This multitasking highlighting palette will give your face, eyes, and neckline a springtime glow with a delicate and shimmering golden peach hue. The ribbon pattern in the palette takes it from "just another highlighter" to desirable.

Its golden square case with graphic Yves Saint Laurent type is bold and modern, and it's housed in a collectors pouch in a matching pattern. I took a photo of the compact, with the pouch, to show you that it's not the traditional YSL look with the logo on the front. Instead Yves Saint Laurent is repeated in block lettering across the top of the compact. I find it busy.

Fortunately, I like what's inside! The ribbon pattern, although simple, adds an elegant touch. You can see in my close-up at left that the ribbons are embossed, so they will stay with you beyond the first use.

It was very hard to get a good photo of the powder on my arm. I am not sure you will be able to see the swatch I applied very heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. I used an arrow to point to it, but the similarity of the color to my skin tone makes it hard to photograph. That's a good thing, though, for its usefulness. Celebration adds a subtle, pearly gold sheen - not at all too shiny - to my skin. I'll be able to apply this powder liberally (and quickly) without looking like I had an accident with a glitter bomb.

I took my photo at right indoors in full sun. The arrow points to a stripe of gold that has a hint of peach. YSL calls it pink, even though the name on the box is "Palette Peach Celebration." To my eye, there's a peach cast, but the predominant shade is a yellow gold. I think it's very pretty. It coordinates beautifully with the gold Golden Gloss shades featured for spring.

You can find the YSL Spring Collection at the YSL Beauté Web site and in department stores now. I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus. I will be featuring other pieces from the collection in the coming days.

Photo at top courtesy of YSL Beauté

YSL Spring Look 2011 Rouge Volupté

This spring is the season for pink! Forget what you read about orange. The beauty companies were thinking pink. YSL's Spring Look for 2011 puts pink front and center with four new Rouge Volupté Lipsticks ($34).

Rouge Volupté, an award-winning lipstick, is wrapped in a romantic, elegant gold case that exudes luxury. Each signature shade saturates lips with captivating, intensely pigmented color that imparts a glossy shine. The long-lasting, comforting formula is highlighted with a unique "Color-shine Complex" that leaves lips visibly smoother, plumper, and more radiant. The light, silky texture smoothes on a veil of satiny color that’s altogether alluring. The companion mirror on top of the case ensures easy application any time, and with the SPF 15, you can wear it knowing your lips are protected.

I prefer the newer formula, Rouge Volupté Perle, introduced last fall. There's something about the finish I like on myself. That doesn't mean I don't like Rouge Volupté! I purchased two of the four shades featured for spring. The four shades are #7 Lingerie Pink (very light), #8 Fetish Pink, #19 Frivolous Pink, and #29 Opera Rose. My selections were #19 Frivolous Pink and #29 Opera Rose (see the update below). I shopped (again!) with assistance from my favorite sales associate at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. She helped me with my choices.

These lipsticks are bright, and the color is saturated. They are much more pigmented than the lipsticks I prefer. However, every time I wear a bright pink lipstick, I get lots of compliments. I think brights "pick up" my pale face, so I plan to try to wear them more often, particularly now, when I look a little weary.

You can see in my swatch photo (taken indoors) that #19 Frivolous Pink at the top is a true baby pink. It definitely belongs in the blue-pink family. #29 Opera Rose is well-named. It's a pure rose pink, and I think it's stunning - the winner of the four, in my opinion. These are bold lipsticks to my eye. They don't whisper "Spring is coming." They shout it from the rooftops!

You can find the YSL Spring Collection at the YSL Beauté Web site and in department stores now. I will be featuring other pieces from the collection in the coming days. I have saved my favorite for tomorrow.

Just an FYI...you will find a 5 Colour Harmony for Eyes in Indian Pink on the display. It's very pretty. It is a re-release, not new as the YSL Web site claims.

Update 1/23 at 9:00 pm: Looks like these two lipsticks are re-releases too (one of my pet peeves, when cosmetics companies list colors as new when they aren't). See the comments. Opera Rose was launched a year ago, while Frivolous Pink came out in 2009.

Photo at top courtesy of YSL Beauté

Giorgio Armani Beauty Platinum Palette Giveaway Contest

Giorgio Armani Beauty introduced the Platinum Palette ($55) as the centerpiece of the Holiday 2010 Gold Rush Collection. Also called the Gold Rush Palette, it is shown in the photo at left.

The soft, universal golden beige, sheer, shimmering powder lights up the face and décolleté with an irresistible gold-cut glow. The sleek, pale gold and black lacquered signature compact adds a sparkling note to this elegant palette.

The highlighting powder is a subtle, shimmering gold on the face, perfect for any skin tone. Thanks to a generous Armani sales associate, I have one to give away! One lucky reader will be a very happy gal! This is a gorgeous compact. Even though I have my own, my first thought was to hoard it. I won't - I would rather make one of you as happy as I was when I brought mine home.

To enter to win this week's giveaway contest, just leave a comment here once. After you comment, feel free to e-mail bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing your e-mail address on a blog, so I would follow this second step if I were you (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can "earn" a second entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) in your tweet. I will tweet the contest later today, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. You can earn a third entry by following the blog - either here or on Twitter (any entrant who is already a follower will automatically earn the follower point). I can't track followers through a third-party service, so you need to be on Google's list for me to verify the entry.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, January 29, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner at that time. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to U. S. and Canadian residents only. I still can't go to the Post Office, but I can do Click-n-Ship!

Good luck!

P.S. Don't forget our Apothica $50 gift card giveaway contest is still underway. Make sure to enter that one too! Who doesn't like free money?

Photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Clinique Milly Pink Long Last Glosswear SPF 15

Clinique launched Milly Pink Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 ($14) to accompany the pretty-in-pink and chocolate Milly Pretty in Prints Compact. The shades for eyes, cheeks, and lips coordinate beautifully to take us into spring.

Here's how Clinique describes Long Last Glosswear...
Lip gloss juiced up with eight hours of lasting shine. Spends every minute comforting lips. In glistening shades from sheer to full intensity. Moisture makes each one even more mouthwatering. Protects lips, too. Welcome to Clinique's juice bar.

I don't get eight hours of lasting shine from any lip gloss, and I don't expect to. I must use my lips to much (I sure talk on the phone a lot at work), and then there are eating and napkins, Kleenex, and frequent balm applications. I purchase Clinique's lip glosses, including Long Last Glosswear, for their colors, finish, feel, affordable price, and the absence of fragrance. The price is so right, I never feel constrained to limit the shades I buy - or choose one pretty gloss over another.

Here's a swatch photo of Milly Pink Long Last Glosswear. Even though the gloss looks a bit darker in the tube, it's light petal pink. This is a sweet color, one you can wear alone or over your favorite pink lipstick. I wanted to show you how nicely it coordinates with the Milly palette, so the photo below left shows all of the shades on my arm, with the gloss at the top. All photos were taken indoors in direct sunlight.

I always love the combination of pink and chocolate. The shades flatter each other. The look you can create with these shades will make you long for spring. It's tender and soft. Who doesn't like tender and soft?

You can find the Milly Pretty in Prints Compact at Clinique counters nationwide. I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus. I know Milly is available at Nordstrom too. I'm not sure why I can't find the items online at Clinique.

Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom

Giorgio Armani Beauty Spring Collection 2011 Pink Light Powder

To round out my series of features on Giorgio Armani Beauty's stupendous Spring 2011 La Femme Bleue Collection, I present one of the prettiest loose powders I have ever purchased. The Spring Collection 2011 Pink Light Powder ($49) completes the look with a fresh pink glow.

Armani's loose powders are always extremely light and fine. As a rule, I don't use loose powder. I like the glow I have after I apply my foundation, and if I use a powder, it's normally a pressed powder highlighter. I make an exception for Armani's loose powders. They never take away my glow, but instead leave a veil of almost transparent color that polishes my appearance. The look is natural and luminous. This new powder continues the legacy.

I was sure I would not be able to get a swatch photo to show you the gorgeous light pink color. I got one, and I added an arrow pointing to the swatch so that, hopefully, you could differentiate between my arm and the powder. I applied the powder heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator to pick up enough product to make it show up in the photo, which was taken indoors in a bright window.

None of us will apply this pretty powder that heavily, but I'll bet you can imagine the pretty pink wash it will add to your spring look. Combined with the other pink selections from La Femme Bleue, it completes the look.

I was tweeting with Tim Quinn, Giorgio Armani Beauty's Celebrity Makeup Artist, today, and he predicted the Spring Collection 2011 Sheer Blush would sell out. I think Dawn Pink will sell out too, and I wouldn't be surprised if this powder becomes scarce quickly. It's that pretty. Glad I bought two of everything!

You can find La Femme Bleue Armani at the Giorgio Armani Web site, Neiman Marcus, or wherever you normally purchase your Armani Beauty products.

Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Weekend Roundup - January 22

From spring collections and beauty at home to the ultimate in celebrity beauty and fashion, we had the scoop this week. We hope you'll sit back this cold winter weekend and enjoy the roundup with us.

Kari showed us the new Chanel Rouge Coco Shine that has me drooling! You have to see it. I have to have it. Go to Fab over Forty now.

Gaia from The Non-Blonde has been looking for a new Spring 2011 Collection to her liking. She found one in Shu Uemura's Morphorium Blue Palette. Check out the gorgeous rich tones and see if they end up on your I-want list.

Amy at Café Makeup is very selective about her eye liners - from liquid to pencil to gel. When she found Le Métier de Beauté's Precision Liquid Liner, she found a new favorite.

Kelly received the newest collection from Tarte Cosmetics - Achiote Cheek Stain and Lip Tint Duo, which premiered on QVC Friday. Check out these lovely products at Gouldylox Reviews, where Kelly tested and swatched for us.

Jane featured some fabulous lip conditioners at Daly Beauty. This is winter reading at its best.

Trying to keep your hands and nails neat and polished all year long? Laurie from Product Girl showed us her do-it-yourself, must-have manicure products that keep her hands in tip-top shape.

Awards season never gets old! Debbi, a personal shopper, loves red carpet events. Head over to DivaDebbi to read her review of the hits and misses at the Golden Globes.

Have you ever wondered what someone is carrying in her handbag? It's rather voyeuristic, but so much fun to see! Sabrina from The Beauty Look Book shared with us what's inside her Miu Miu Bow Satchel. It may leave you wanting the bag and its contents.

What is a great fashion trend for winter? Jennifer from BeautyXposé showed us how to incorporate various patterns, colors, and textures of tights to look fashionable this winter.

This was an exciting week for me. I got my hands on Giorgio Armani's Le Femme Bleue Collection for Spring 2011, and I've been been featuring it for the last few days. Scroll down or jump to this link to see swatches of Le Femme Bleue Eye Palette. See if you can resist this collection!

Hope you have a great weekend. Stay warm!