Load up on CARGO at Sephora!

You have probably noticed that CARGO is being discontinued in-store at Sephora... however, did you happen to notice that many items from the brand are still available on the store's website? Not only can you still snag several of CARGO's popular cosmetics, the items are deeply discounted! Shop the selection at Sephora.com while supplies last and save yourself an average of 75% off the original retail price!

CARGO TexasLash Mascara $5 at Sephora.com

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Above: CARGO's TexasLash is one of the few available that creates tubes around the lashes and removes easily with warm water! This mascara is currently sold at Ulta for $20 but is only $5 at Sephora.com while supplies last!

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SPOTLIGHT: Bare Escentuals MUST LOVE DOGS

Buxom, a product line belonging to the Bare Escentuals brand, has recently introduced a range of eyeshadow discs I find myself struggling not to run out and fetch. No bone about it, the Buxom Stay-There Shadows are so endearing they'll be "ruff" to pass up!

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The shades: Black Lab, Bull Dog, Chihuahua, Golden Retriever, Mutt, Poodle, Pugg, Saint Bernard, Schnauzer and Shih Tzu are available exclusively at Sephora. Sit, Stay and then Roll Over to Sephora's site to find your best friend's shadow namesake.

::NEWS FLASH!:: URBAN DECAY BOOK of SHADOWS VOLIII

If you are an Urban Decay lover, like myself, you will most likely be as excited about this announcement as I was; Urban Decay is releasing Book of Shadows Vol. III soon and photos are available!

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III $54.00

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The product is expected to launch on Urban Decay's website in early September and will be available to purchase from other retailers beginning October 1. Mark your calendars - this NYC themed palette is bound to sell out at record speeds! The product will be also available at Ulta, Sephora, Macy's (with Sephora) AND even more exciting:

For those who live in New York or plan on visiting in late August, you have a SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY to get your mitts on this palette! Sephora at Times Square will have 1000 palettes to sell on a first come, first served basis on August 28, 2010. The store will limit your purchase to three - how about including one of those for me?! :)

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2010's Version of Matchy-Matchy

As we've all noticed by this point in the year, 2010's fashion is undoubtedly influenced by all that is ironic - mixing patterns & textures, pairing several shades from the same color family to create a not-quite monochromatic ensemble, wearing rompers & cutesy sockies past the six year old mark, and etcetera. Matching? Well, the shoes to your shirt or eyeshadow to your shirt modus operandi, yeah that's no longer a stipulation. A nice way to keep with the matchy-matchy? See possibilities in the NARS collection available at Sephora, below.

NARS Lip & Blush Collection (Glosses $24.00 & Blushes $26.00)

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* The shades above (left to right) are as follows: Angelika, Super *rgasm, Albatross, & Luster.

How matching gloss and blush will work for you:

Choose the pairing that best suits your current comfort zone. As with trying any trend or new-to-you style, the only way to make it work AND to make sure that you don't buy on a whim, but will actually use the products, is to be reasonable. If you are comfortable with a particular tone of blush, stick with a similar tone when you transfer over to the gloss & blush trend. If you generally favor peach cheeks, don't say, "Well, I think it's about time I try something new-I've never tried pink blush and I've never matched my lips to my cheeks before," and then pick up the pinkest gloss and blush shade team. If you do, you may find your new purchase hiding inside your makeup drawer untouched once you've walked out of the store. It seemed like a fun way to turn over a new leaf in the store, but remember all those "new leaf" clothing garments you bought to change your look? Yep, they're still hanging in your closet with the tags attached.

Wear your matching blush and gloss as a statement (apply gloss over a lipstick for a lasting pout) and keep your eye makeup simple for daytime (think liquid liner and mascara); for night, pack more of a punch with eye makeup but keep the colors dark neutrals a la Urban Decay's Naked Palette so as to complement the lip & cheek duo, not combat it.

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Urban Decay Naked Palette - Back In Stock at Sephora.com

::Newsflash::

Urban Decay's Naked Palette (Post: Everyone's getting Naked) is back in stock online at Sephora's website.

xoxox

What is in a face wash?

"That which we call a cleanser by any other name would cleanse as thoroughly..."

So I'm no Will Shakes (I believe that would be his name equivalent these days), and perhaps the inquiry is less philosophic, but nonetheless...what is in a face wash?

Are you paying close attention to the labels on your face products? I'm fairly certain that the vast majority, which has included me at times, chooses the most recognizable product and waives the right to remain informed of ingredients. Are you using a cleanser (or other face products) that contain parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl - most prevalent), mineral oil, pigments or lanolin? The aforementioned ingredients are often cause for irritation and breakouts, but are still found in cleansers and other products offered by leading brands.

If you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts, as I am, raise your awareness and prevent skin irritation by considering these simple steps to improving the performance of your skincare regimen:

1. READ REVIEWS - Before making your purchase, read reviews of the product-in-question on Ulta.com or Sephora.com. Often you can weed out products that may cause irritation by learning from another reviewer's experience.

2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE INGREDIENT DISCLOSURE. Do online research to stay informed of which ingredients you will benefit from, which are unnecessary for your skin type, and which should be black-listed from your beauty arsenal. You have to wonder about cleansers with a kazillion ingredients that you can't pronounce - what are those materials doing for or TO your skin?

3. PURCHASE FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE - ONE CLEANSER DOESN'T FIT ALL. Though your best friend or next door neighbor may love a particular product, also consider her skin concerns and type. Choose a product that best suits your needs.

4. BE REALISTIC WITH EXPECTATIONS. Though we'd all love to see results overnight, this doesn't always happen. Allow about a week and a half for breakouts to begin clearing after having changed your skincare regimen.

5. CONSIDER THE VARIABLES. While ingredients in your makeup, wash, moisturizer and other face products may be the pore-clogging cause of breakouts, blemishes may also be attributed to stress, diet & lack of hydration, and medications (think B.C. and we're not talking British Columbia, ladies). When making changes to your skincare & prep routine, make one swap per week so that trouble-makers are easier to spot (and therefore unspot your face).

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SPOTLIGHT: 5 Sephora Sale Items

5 Items currently on sale (not just for sale, they're on sale) at Sephora - something for everyone!

Every product listed below was rated at 4 stars (out of 5) or above on Sephora's website - you didn't think I would recommend before reading reviews, did you, Doll? Become a Follower of The Gorgeous Gal Glam Society and visit often for more excellent input!

The Jet-Set Exec:

Sephora Collection Snake Print Pocket Brush Set (orginally $20 and on sale for $10)

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Why: This super-chic travel brush set says 'take no prisoners.' Perfect for airport touch-ups and keeping up appearances between board meetings and business luncheons.

The Sand and Surf Sailing Sweetheart :

Bare Escentuals A Little Sun All-Over-Face Color (originally $28 and on sale for $18)

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Why: A healthy alternative to a genuine sun-kissed glow. Simple and quick, this product's low-fuss application and natural appearance outshine traditional blush and bronzers during a Sand and Surf Sailing Sweetheart's summer.

The Minx Minimalist:

Lancome Spring Showers Juicy Tubes Gloss Set (orginally $36 and on sale for $25)

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Why: Offered in three kissable shades, these glosses will pair perfectly with the Minx Minimalist's flirty winged liner for a five minute look that will be eye-catching all day!

The Edgy Glam-Rocker:

Kat Von D Rock n Roll Eyeshadow Duos (originally $20 and on sale for $10)

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Why: Glittery, loud and impressed with Old English initials, Kat Von D Rock n Roll Eyeshadow Duo shown in Moonlight above, will rock her world. I'm partial to the KVD shadows in three other duo(d) hues: Riff Raff (browns), Confessional (beiges), and Believer (whites)...and, glancing back, Livewire (grey/taupes) has grown on me also...

The Starlet Stylista:

Juicy Couture Juicy Loves Sephora Pave Lip Gloss Heart Ring (originally $34 and on sale for $20)

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Why: Youthful, feminine and fun, this flashy lip gloss ring is true to its shape - sure to capture the heart of any accessory loving Starlet Stylista; pink, gold, pave...I rest my case.

Click this link to browse additional sale items at Sephora.

Have a great day, Gorgeous!

xoxox

Product Highlight: Sephora Sun Safety Kit

Sephora Sun Safety Kit $25

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Sephora's Sun Safety Kit has returned and me-likes! The kit is an excellent way to sample various SPF skincare products before making a purchase that will commit you for months. This kit is definitely worth checking out-it features fan-favorite brands like BareEscentuals, Shiseido, Peter Thomas Roth, Clarins, DDF, Bliss, Murad and Smashbox. An even better reason to purchase? Not all featured products are the typical SPF items - sunscreen or moisturizer! BareMinerals' product is Summer Bisque, a multi-tasking concealer; Smashbox's offering is a Photo Finish Primer; Murad brings an Essential-C Eye Cream to the kit! At $25, this is the ultimate try it before you buy it for summer!

Purchase Sephora's Sun Safety Kit here.

Ready? Set? Sun!

Have a sunny day, Sweetheart!

xoxox

Product Review: Peter Thomas Roth Skincare

One to love. One to like. One to pass up.

Lover's Lane: Peter Thomas Roth's Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel $35

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Peter Thomas Roth's Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel is the ultimate 'clean feeling' cleanser. Among its perks are: about half the standard amount will do the job; the cleansing gel not only gives results, it also makes you 'feel' like it's been effective by working into a nice foamy lather; leaves skin noticeably brighter in just a couple of weeks; formulated with Salicylic Acid to fight breakouts; formulated with Glycolic Acid to fight the signs of aging; it is suitable for all skin types except sensitive. This is the absolute best cleanser I have ever tried and regardless of age - 16 to 116, the Anti-Aging properties will brighten your skin to a healthy glow.

You can purchase Peter Thomas Roth's Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel from www.Ulta.com or from www.Sephora.com.

Didn't quite make it to Lover's Lane but still courting: Peter Thomas Roth's Gentle Foaming Cleanser $32

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Peter Thomas Roth's Gentle Foaming Cleanser is a soft, gentle option for all skin types. This product can be used as a makeup remover pre cleanser of your choice, but it is not my preference for cleansing when used alone. The product is gentle enough that it will not dry your skin, but as it is so gentle it doesn't provide the clean feeling the Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel does. If you wear minimal makeup and are looking for a cleanser that will work for sensitive skin, this product is worth trying. However, if you are similar to me in that you like a classic sudsy cleanser, you will be better suited for the Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel above.

You can purchase Peter Thomas Roth's Gentle Foaming Cleanser from www.Ulta.com or from www.Sephora.com.

We tried to make it work, but in the end, went our separate ways: Peter Thomas Roth's Botanical Buffing Beads $36

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The Botanical Buffing Beads may be ideal if you have very sensitive skin or are prone to dryness. My husband likes that it feels refreshing, but I find it too gentle to be effective. The buffing beads are minimal and my face felt nowhere near exfoliated after use. While I am able to justify spending $35 for the Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel, Peter Thomas Roth's Botanical Buffing Beads showed no results warranting a $36 purchase for my skin type.

Whether you end up loving, liking or leaving a product, my suggestion is always this: if you have the opportunity, try it before you buy it! Pop into an Ulta where testers are available and ask about a small sample.

Later, Lovely!

xoxox