Free Beauty Samples

If you're obsessed with concealers, then you already know about YSL's miracle wand Touché Eclat. And you're also very aware of the cost associated with it. At department stores it can be as much as $40 to get your fix.

That's why we're very pleased with the introduction of Milani Cosmetics HD Advanced Concealer available at CVS starting this week. Like Touché Eclat, you simply click on one end and the product automatically comes out of the brush-tip side. That makes it easy to apply and great to carry with you. Not to mention, it does a wonderful job of covering blemishes, dark circles, and spots. As a bonus, it's been clinically tested and proven to soften the look of wrinkles and reduce age spots by more than 50% after 28 days. After applying, we felt that it made us look more awake, didn't accentuate crows feet under our eyes (in fact, it lessened their appearance), it plumped our skin, and stayed on for hours.

So while Touché Eclat still holds a spot in our hearts, at $6.99 a piece, Milani HD Advanced Concealer holds a spot in our budgets and promises to be a staple in our cosmetics cases.

Free Beauty Samples on Facebook is giving Milani HD Advanced Concealer to a handful of our "Fans". Become a fan now to be included in the drawing!

By: Belinda Chang

Growing up in Los Angeles meant I never had to worry about changing my skincare routine by the seasons. That all changed when I moved to Pittsburgh (Humid, cold winters), then to New York (freezing cold winter coupled with harsh heater dryness), and now in my current residence in Nashville (blustery cold winter). Don't let the reference to the "South" fool you, Nashville can be bone chilling and your skin can get a beating! However, just as buying winter coats can be fun, so can investigating different skin products to save you from feeling like Leather Face. Below, some skin care creams and more that I've discovered to actually work for my very dry, winter skin.

Skin Food by Weleda
Food nourishes and replenishes the body, and that's exactly what Skin Food by Weleda does for the skin! My skin at least. Truly, this is a wonder cream with key ingredients like Biodynamic Calendula Flower Extract (a mildly antiseptic emollient that heals and soothes), Organic Chamomile Flower Extract (aids in skin repair) and Organic Pansy Extract (helps to reduce redness and inflammation). This 100%, natural skin care product literally "feeds and nourishes" your skin. The result is noticeably softer, smoother skin. And no joke, it actually does aid in skin repair--I've used it on my dry, cracked skin, as well as my paper cuts. I swear the healing happens much faster, with less pain.
For more information visit: www.target.com

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
If it's good enough for an expedition team that scales icy glaciers, it's probably good enough for me. The consistency of this cream is rich, but light, moisturizing, yet not greasy. It goes on so smoothly that I must say, this is the first cream that I've actually wanted to continue spreading from my face down to my neck and décolletage. As the packaging says, it offers continuous moisturization. Unfortunately, it's not my ideal day cream because it doesn't contain SPF, but that won't stop me from using it. After all, I can just slather on a sun block cream over it and call it a day...a moisturizing day.
For more information visit: www.kiehls.com

Palmer's Cocoa Butter
After a few weeks of wintery weather, I like to treat my face to a nice, overnight hydration treatment. Fortunately for my wallet, that treatment consists of just slathering on some Palmer's Cocoa Butter and going to bed. Bonus? It has a mild scent of chocolate and cookies (kind of nice when you crawl into bed next to your honey. You know what they say, "the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and this lotion makes him dream of cookies). Not to mention, it's also great to carry on planes to rehydrate after a long flight.
For more information visit: www.etbrowne.com

LaLicious Sugar Souffle Scrub
I need to hug the woman that created this scrumptious sugar scrub. Just as the packaging states, there's no oily mess, no re-mixing, this is a dry sugar scrub that exfoliates, conditions and moisturizes the skin. Though sugar scrubs in general can be messy, I don't mind it at all. This great product comes in nine delicious scents. I tried Island Guava and the scent truly makes me feel like I am showering in the midst of guava trees in Hawaii! Delectable! I can't wait to try the other scents. I'll be sure to use this sugar scrub year round.
For more information visit: www.lalicious.com

Do you remember your favorite beauty products from the 80s and 90s? I do. I was obsessed with a little known store (at the time) called The Body Shop. The creator was a cool, woman entrepreneur, the company promoted social responsibility, and I just couldn't get enough of the Banana Shampoo/Conditioner and the Mango Body Butter.

Plus, I looked forward to getting the catalog in the mail (yes, that's how we shopped for our products back then). At the time, there was nothing else like it.
Which is why it was sad to eventually see some of my favorite The Body Shop products slowly disappear from the store's shelves. I get it--new day, new time, but still? What about the good times?

That's why I'm VERY excited for the brand's newest product line, or should I say, oldest--The Body Shop's Originals!

Not only can I now pick up a bottle of the Banana shampoo, but I can also get Dewberry Body Lotion, Cucumber Cleansing Milk, and lots of my other favorites. It's like I'm in a time warp--they're even using retro packing!

Now if they could only bring back the original formula for their Mango Body Butter, I could smell like bananas AND walk around with shiny 80's legs.

Check out The Originals at TheBodyShop.com.

I can't tell you what my natural hair color is because I've been dyeing it since I was in middle school. And with good reason, whether it's a new, bold change or even just a simple rinse, dying your hair can make you feel like a new person. The only problem is--it can be a pain to make that new found shine and brilliance last much longer than a month...unless you have a great shampoo and conditioner. Below, some suggestions of brands that I tried in 2009. Give them a shot and let us know what you think!

Aquage SeaExtend Silkening Shampoo and Conditioner
www.aquage.com
The Aquage SeaExtend line uses botanical blends to seal in the hair cuticle and lock in hair color, which I thought worked pretty well. My hair color didn't last longer than usual, but it definitely didn't wash out quickly either. My hair was shiny, and bonus--the line creates a heat-activated shield so your hair doesn't dry out when you blow dry or use heat styling tools.

John Frieda Root Awakening® Strength Restoring ™Shampoo and Conditioner
www.johnfrieda.com
It's not too often that I pick up shampoo and conditioner from a drugstore (okay, so I'm spoiled), but I'm really glad I stumbled across the John Frieda Root Awakening line recently. The product gets a big thumbs up because they use just enough eucalyptus to wake you up in the morning--not too much, just enough. It cleans your hair well, the scent is nice, and the conditioner is great for unruly hair like mine. I opted for Strength Restoring, but there's also Health Infusing for normal hair and Nourishing Moisture for dry hair. Best of all, the formulas are safe on color-treated hair.

Rahua Organic Shampoo and Conditioner by Amazon Beauty
www.shop.amazonbeautysecret.com
A great shampoo and conditioner for those who like to use products that contain 100% natural ingredients. The scent is light, my hair felt smooth without feeling heavy, and my color lasted pretty well.

Phytonectar Shampooing and Phytokarite Mask for Ultra-Dry Hair
www.drugstore.com
Fans of Phyto products are very loyal and understandably so. Upon first use of the Phytonectar Shampooing formula, I noticed that it didn't lather quickly--which is a good thing. It means it doesn't contain sulphate or other ingredients that are actually bad for your hair. The scent is nice because it's light and is the essence of the ingredients it's made with. Same with the Phytokarite Mask--different scent from the shampoo, but only because it has different ingredients to make it effective. I coated my hair with it and left it on for 5 minutes. Once rinsed, my hair felt smooth and clean. (Free Beauty Samples members got to try these products in our November mailing!)

The summer may be over, but that doesn't mean you have to look pale. That's because there's Luminess Tan™--a major breakthrough in home self tanning.

Don't confuse it with spray tanning!! Airbrush tanning is the best way to apply a smooth, sunless tan because you control the amount that is applied to your skin.

There are two parts to the tanning system: first, Luminess Tan™ features a highly innovative airbrush body application system, then you use the innovative tanning solution. The formulation features both an instant bronzer for immediate color and tanning actives designed to physically darken skin. And don't worry, the formulation features dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is approved by the FDA for external use.

Luminess® is the #1 brand in airbrush beauty and perhaps the largest manufacturer of personal airbrush systems in the world...and one of our Free Beauty Samples members gets to own a kit by the end of the month! We'll be randomly choosing a name soon.

You can't purchase Luminess Tan™ at any store, so check out the website: https://www.luminesstan.com/homepage.aspx

And cross your fingers that we choose your name!!

This month our featured beauty brand is MD Skincare and we're positive you will love the products they're sending you. Check out this video with Dr. Dennis Gross talking about skincare.

Glam cosmetics company Purple Lab is asking their fans to share which Huge Lips, Skinny Hips color you identify with and why?

• To Enter: Go to the Purple Lab Kiss and Tell website and click the "Submit Entry" button on the contest's home page, select the Huge Lips Skinny Hips lip gloss shade that you identify with from the provided templates, upload a photo or photos of yourself that reflects how you identify with that particular shade.
• Grand Prize: Purple Lab will award a sexy trip to New York City for you and a friend complete with an amazing guided tour by Creatrix Karen Robinovitz to experience the inspiration for all six shades and enjoy accommodations at the hip Smyth hotel.
• Runner Up: Selected by a team of experts from Purple Lab from the top 250 highest scoring entries, one winner will be awarded Purple Lab's Huge Lips Skinny Hips collection.
• Most Viral: Ten winners, selected by a team of experts from Purple Lab from the top 250 Most Viral entries, will be named a Purple Lab "Multi-Tasking Maven." And each get 2 colors of their choice from the Huge Lips Skinny Hips collection as well as exclusive access to pre-launch products!
• Sign-Up Sweepstakes: Six winners, who sign up to receive news and information from Purple Lab and b-glowing.com, will be randomly selected at the end of the campaign to win a gloss of their choice from the Huge Lips Skinny Hips collection.

When: July 16, 2009 12:00 AM (PT) - August 27, 2009 11:30 PM (PT)

Where: www.purplelabnyc.com/kissandtell.html

Sign up and win!!

Weekend Feature: Beauty Freebies

Follow the link:
http://www.ny1.com/content/features/weekend_features/102124/weekend-feature--beauty-freebies/Default.aspx

Despite the popularity of celebrity self-tanner trends like the Vermillion Valentino, the Lohan Streak and the White-Hands Hilton, some women are just unsatisfied with an oompa loompa glow. Then what's a girl when she wants to practice safe sun without getting streaky limbs, staining her nails and emitting a chemically-laced odor?


Read more at: BeautyXpose.