Holiday Features

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas from Avon

January 25, 2012 By Denise Shively

If you’re looking for a lovely beauty gift for your significant other, best friend or simply to treat yourself, check out these great Valentine’s Day gift ideas from Avon.

1. Shine Attract Lipstick

Right now, they only have mini versions of this lipstick available on Avon.com, so you can try them out and see if they’re right for you. These lipsticks are wrapped in a clear jelly-like gloss, and are designed to moisturize while coating your lips in beautiful, luscious color. Keep an eye out for the full-size versions, coming next month.

($9, available in February)

2. Avon SuperExtend Extreme Mascara

Forget falsies or lash extensions! With Avon’s SuperExtend Mascara, your lashes will soar to new heights with just one coat. From Avon:

Get the ultimate wideeyed look with Avon’s most dramatic mascara yet. The formula instantly lengthens 100% of lashes as the new dual extension brush combs, defines and builds lashes for a full fringe of long, lifted, shiny lashes.

If you want your best look yet this Valentine’s Day, consider picking up this mascara as a special treat to yourself.

($9, available in March)

3. Nailwear PRO Nail Enamel in Sweet Mint, Aqua Fantasy and Fuchsia Fun

These colors are absolutely gorgeous – and perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond. Aqua Fantasy is the shade pictured above, but the rest of the pastels and vibrant neons are just as gorgeous and will look equally at home on fingers or toes.

($5, Available in February)

I was sent all of these items from a PR company for consideration, so stay tuned to The Fashionable Housewife for detailed reviews in the coming weeks!

Treat Yourself this Valentine’s Day with These “Lovely” Products!

January 14, 2012 By Denise Shively

Valentine’s Day may still be a month away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking of treating that special someone in your life… YOU! Give yourself a great gift this Valentine’s Day with one of these lovely gifts you’ll be able to use all month long.

Philip B. “Double Happiness” Body Wash Collection

Two delectable body washes come packaged in a gorgeous gift box to help you relax and unwind on Valentine’s Day and beyond. The collection includes their Chai Latte Soul & Body Wash, a spicy and aromatic wash that has a warming effect, and the calming, skin-cooling Thai Tea Mind & Body Wash to help you cleanse your cares away.

($62, philipb.com)

Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner

If you have dry, frizzy hair but desire soft and luscious locks, turn to Davines LOVE Collection. Made with Indian fig extract, these intensely nourishing and moisturizing hair products will turn even the driest and unruliest hair into silky, manageable strands.

($23-26, davines.com)

ONE Crush Mini Iron

If you’re not happy with your current flatiron, switch to this mini iron that helps minimize damage to the hair while giving you salon-like results at home. The result? Smooth, frizz-free hair that looks fantastic. Plus, it’s travel-friendly and super affordable!

($30, ONEStyling.com)

Clark’s Botanicals Lip Tint in “Because I Love You”

Show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day with this appropriately-named lip tint from Clark’s Botanicals. Made with natural moisturizers like shea butter, jojoba, aloe leaf extract and sweet almond oil, your lips will be smooth and moisturized with a hint of coral color – flattering on every woman.

($19, ClarksBotanicals.com)

Which of these goodies will you be treating yourself to this holiday?

Filed Under: Beauty, Gift Ideas, Holiday Features Tagged With: beauty gifts, Clark's Botanicals, davines, One Styling, Philip B., Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day beauty gifts, Valentine's Day gift ideas

New Year’s Eve Beauty Essentials

December 30, 2011 By Denise Shively

Make sure these New Year’s Eve beauty essentials are tucked away in your purse this year, and you’ll ensure you look fab all night long – no matter how long you stay up to ring in the new year.

1. Blotting Papers

To absorb excess oil and shine without ruining your makeup, keep a packet of blotting papers stashed in your purse. Whether you’re party hopping all over town or need to look perfect for that New Year’s eve kiss, blotting papers (like these from Boscia) will ensure a matte, gorgeous complexion all night long.

($10, Sephora)

2. Volumizing Powder

You want your style to last all night long, but if your hair falls limp and flat somewhere between cocktails and dancing, give your ‘do a boost with a volumizing powder you can tuck in your purse. Just a little of Not Your Mother’s Girl Powder Volumizing Hair Powder will instantly add volume to limp locks, ensuring you’ll be rockin’ your holiday hair until your next shampoo.

($5.99, Drugstore.com)

3. Lip & Cheek Stain

Minimize the amount of touch-up’s you need during the night with a two-in-one lip and cheek stain, such as Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Pink. A long-lasting lip and cheek stain is great for a New Year’s Eve party, because you won’t have to run to the bathroom for touch-up’s every hour and your makeup will stay fresh and gorgeous until the wee hours of the morning.

($25, Beauty.com)

4. Foot Petals “Heavenly Heelz”

Chances are, you’re wearing a killer pair of heels and partying until the wee hours of the morning – save your soles with these Foot Petals, which help prevent blisters, cushion feet and prevent your foot from sliding out of those strappy sandals you just had to have. Trust me – when you’ve been dancing up a storm, you’ll be thankful you had these on hand!

($18.95/3 pack, Dillards)

What are your recommendations for a few New Year’s Eve beauty essentials?

Filed Under: Beauty, Holiday Features Tagged With: Beauty.com, blotting papers, Dillards, drugstore.com, Foot Petals Heavenly Heelz, hair volumizing powder, Jane Iredale Lip & Cheek Stain, new year's eve beauty essentials, new years eve, Sephora

5 Beauty Resolutions to Make for the New Year

December 29, 2011 By Denise Shively

2012 will be upon us before we know it, and what better way to ring in the New Year than with a list of beauty resolutions to help you look and feel your absolute best all year long? You may have been lax about your beauty routine in 2011, but make a commitment to stick to these 5 beauty resolutions for the new year and you’ll likely have your best year ever!

1. Wear SPF Daily

UV rays can damage your skin even on the cloudiest day, so it’s important to wear SPF year-round to protect your skin from the harsh sun. I’ll admit I’m guilty of forgetting to do this, but it’s important to keep a healthy and youthful complexion. Look for a moisturizer that contains at least SPF 15, and make sure to put it on before you do anything else in the morning. One to try: L’Oreal Youth Code Day Lotion SPF 30 Moisturizer, $19.99, Drugstore.com.

2. Maintain your Makeup Brushes

Cleaning and regularly maintaining your makeup brushes keeps them nice and soft, and also rids them of nasty bacteria that can contaminate your beauty products and your skin. If you’ve been lax about cleaning your brushes, start the New Year off right by cleaning your brushes with a gentle shampoo or brush soap once a week. One to try: SEPHORA COLLECTION Purifying Brush Shampoo To Go, $6, Sephora.

3. Get Rid of Expired Makeup

I have a bad habit of holding onto beauty products well after their accepted expiration date, but I just can’t bear to part with tubes still half full of lipstick or eyeshadow quads that are almost completely full. However, I realize that hanging onto expired beauty products is a definite no-no, and I’ve resolved to clean out my makeup drawers. Plus, this will make room for new products you’re dying to try!

4. Change up your ‘Do

The New Year is the perfect time to try out a new hairstyle, so be bold and experiment with a daring new cut, add a few layers or get bangs to completely change up your look. If you can’t remember the last time you tried something new with your hair, make an effort to do so in 2012!

5. Love What You’ve Got!

Above all, make an effort to love yourself this year. Embrace the assets that please you, and work to change whatever you don’t like if it will make you happier. Once you learn to embrace what your mama gave you, you’ll be a happier and more beautiful person on the inside and out!

What beauty resolutions are you going to follow this year?

Filed Under: Holiday Features Tagged With: 5 beauty resolutions for the new year, L'Oreal Youth Code Day Lotion, new year beauty, new year's beauty resolutions, Sephora Collection Brush Shampoo

Last-Minute Holiday Gifts Idea: Giftcard to StyleSeat.com!

December 22, 2011 By Denise Shively

Are you searching for the perfect last-minute gift for someone on your list? If so, you need to check out StyleSeat.com. This revolutionary new website, founded by 27 year old Melody McCloskey, brings consumers and beauty industry professionals together to allow clients to find the beauty services they need while empowering salon professionals to build their business.

Right now, you can purchase gift cards for anyone on your gift list to StyleSeat.com, and they’ll be able to search from over 20,000 colorists, stylists, massage therapists, aestheticians and more to book their perfect salon service for the holiday season and beyond. Whether your best friend is in need of a killer new hair cut; your mom wants a relaxing massage, or your sister needs a great mani/pedi, they’ll be able to find a local salon that offers the beauty services they need.

Plus, it’s quick and easy to purchase a last-minute gift card for any lucky recipient on your gift list this year. Simply log on, purchase a gift card, and present it to your recipient. Gift cards can be used at any StyleSeat salon that accepts credit cards – and with more than 20,000 professionals available, your gift recipient is almost guaranteed to find a local salon.

Once you’ve checked off the last people on your gift list this year, you can also consider treating yourself to a beauty service found through the site – it”s a fantastic concept that allows small and large business owners to build their brand and their business, while bringing top quality salon services to consumers everywhere. Check it out now, and make this holiday season a beautiful one for everyone on your list – yourself included!

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Features Tagged With: Gift Cards, holiday ideas, last minute holiday gifts, Melody McCloskey, salon gift cards, StyleSeat.com, StyleSeat.com gift cards

searsStyle – Splurge vs Steal for Holiday Looks

December 21, 2011 By The Fashionable Housewife

Christmas is almost here and the Holiday Season is upon us! One of the biggest things I stress out about when it comes to the Holidays is what I’m going to wear!!!! I have so many clothes, but most days I don’t have time to try to figure out how to put them together to make a fabulous outfit.

Before I had two kids, I used to put together fantastic outfits everyday but now that my life has been overtaken by sippy cups and diapers, fashion isn’t always a part of my daily routine. (I know, I know…. The Fashionable Housewife can’t even stick to her own rules!)

When trying to plan my Christmas Outfit I browsed many websites and found lots of super fabulous items I wanted. Unfortunately, my dream outfit cost more than I could afford….

MICHAEL Michael Kors, Christian Louboutin

Cocktail Dresses by Alice + Olivia
Pumps by Christian Louboutin

Dress: Alice & Olivia Beaded Tiered Dress – $645
Shoes: Christian Louboutin Burlina T Strap Pump – $895
Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors Large Sequin Wristlet – $98

Outfit Cost: $1,638

OUCH!!!! That’s more than I paid for my new fridge!

Well I was delighted to find I could find similar looking items for a lot less at Sears!

Dress: Sally Lou Beaded Tulip Tier Cocktail Dress – $50
Shoes: Kardashian Kollection Dallas T Strap Pump – $30
Bag: La Regale Sequin Flap Clutch – $15

Outfit Cost: $95

That’s a much more manageable price for a Christmas party outfit!

No monetary compensation was provided by Sears or Glam Media for this post. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sears.

Filed Under: Affordable Fashion, Holiday Features Tagged With: christmas party, holiday attire, holiday dresses, holiday looks, Sears, SearsStyle

Last-Minute Christmas: Pajamas from The Children’s Place

December 21, 2011 By Lucie Amberg

When do you open your Christmas gifts? At our house, we’ve settled into a tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve and saving all the rest for the next morning. Since this wasn’t how either my husband or I did it growing up, I’m not sure how we came up with this, but I love it. And for the past few years that Christmas Eve present has been one very specific item– pajamas.

Taking the time to wash everyone’s pajamas before I wrap them means we can wake up Christmas morning wearing our new jammies, so we’re ready for photos as we leisurely (ha!) unwrap our remaining presents.

If you’re looking for cute pajamas for your kids, I highly recommend The Children’s Place. My little guy exclusively wears TCP pajamas, and I’ve found them to be durable, warm, and comfy. Plus, with almost every option under $20 (and some even less than $15 or $10), they make an easy add-on gift. Check out a few options below:

Since there are so many Children’s Place locations, you should be able to find adorable pajamas near you. If– like me –however, you are still scrambling and need something delivered directly to you, Children’sPlace.com is offering guaranteed Christmas delivery for all orders placed by 11 AM ET on 12/23! Even better- orders under $75 ship for just $5, and orders over $75 ship for FREE.