This week Rue La La is offering a Get Gorgeous Boutique where you can purchase personalized spa packages. What a great gift just in time for Mother’s Day! Take a look at some of the offer available:

Advanced SkinCare Day Spa and Laser Center is about much more than pampering with services.  With personalized skin and body care programs that will substantially improve your appearance, including Forever Young Face, Light Therapy Oxygenation and Benefit Peel you will be sure to find exactly what your body is craving for.

Mizu, (505 Park Avenue, New York, NY): Mizu New York’s newly designed salon features relaxing lounging areas, private workstations and a wide selection of nutrient-rich, feel good products for your hair.  Services being offered include a haircut, color, wash & style blending the finest hairstyling with modern architectural aesthetic and function.

John Barrett Salon, (754 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY): For more than a decade, John Barrett has been the mastermind behind some of the world’s most fashionable women. The salon, located in the penthouse of the famous former Goodman apartment, offers a haircut, half head of highlights, wash & style for the ultimate New York look.

The Parlour on Third, (8113 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA): The Parlour on 3rd is a chic hair care oasis in the heart of Los Angeles, located in the fashionable West Third Street / Fairfax district. They offer an exceptional and unique hair salon experience: an elegant décor and chill vibe with a truly hospitable staff committed to ensuring you walk out looking great with healthy and beautiful hair. Whether you’re looking for a cut, color, a new style, or drop-dead gorgeous highlights, you will be rewarded with a “miracle of magic” provided by the one and only Alyson Powell.

Carissima, (2901 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL): “Carissima translates to “an endeared one.” Lending itself to how they feel toward their clientele as well as professional staff. In conjunction with their name, they strive to maintain that each and every experience throughout their salon leaves you with a feeling of satisfaction and superior service, splashed with a pleasant uniqueness that is consistent and sincere. Services being offered include: Facial, Highlight service and singles process color & haircut.

Sean Patrick Salon & Spa, (1304 S. Halsted, Chicago IL and 7 S. Lagrange Rd., Lagrange, IL): Sean Patrick’s Salon and Spa, where the image becomes real. As a full service salon celebrating its 12th year in business, Sean Patrick’s offers the finest in hair and skincare services and our professional staff is also experienced in Massage Therapy and Make-up application. Services being offered include: Swedish Massage, Spa Manicure & Pedicure and Facial.

To purchase any of these packages you must be a member of Rue La La so be sure to login or join here. Enjoy!

I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about using elf (eyes, lips, face) cosmetics because they are quite ahem…cheap. Each piece costs $1 and their studio line costs about $3 per piece but in general each item is a buck. I’m super picky about what I put on my face because my skin is super sensitive and I’m prone to breakouts. Now I’ve tried elf makeup a few years ago (with no reaction) but I just wasn’t impressed, I didn’t like the colors, textures, pigments etc. However lately I’ve been reading some reviews on elf and they have been quite positive so I decided to give it another try. Here are some of the products that I purchased:

I really liked the eye shadow colors, so I picked up two of the creme shadows: Berry Mix (L), Mocha Swirl (R)

Berry Mix (L), Mocha Swirl (R)

Natural Lash Kit in Black – Who can resist lush lashes that only cost $1?

These Hypershine glosses have a very similar design to Stila glosses…and for the price of $1. The shades are: Flirt (L), Honey (R)

Makeup brushes: Total Face Brush, Bronzing Brush, Eye Shadow Brush, Lip Defining Brush, Eye Liner Brush (L to R)

Complexion Perfection powder (to even skin tone and control shine) from the Studio Collection – this piece was $3

Overall I find the products to be a bit “hit or miss”. I liked the eyeshadows, they were easy to apply and had lots of staying power. The eyelashes were quite good, similar to the ones that you would purchase at the drugstore, more than worth the $1 cost. The glosses were quite sheer – almost too sheer for me to want to buy them again. The glosses just do not give off as much color as I like in my gloss but they do smell and taste great. The complexion perfection powder was too pale for my complexion but I’m not surprised since the main ingredient is Talc. The eyeshadow applicators were just too rough for me to use so I won’t be buying them again. The eyeshadow brushes were quite soft and I will be stocking up on more of these during my next trip to Target.  I would also say the same for the Total Face Brush which was one of my favorite pieces that I purchased so I will also pick up an extra one of these brushes.

What I will say is that for the price of these items you are certainly getting more than your moneys worth, you’ll just need to try out some of the products and see which ones work best for you.

While at my favorite makeup store I saw a kit by bareMinerals and decided to try it out. As I’m sure you’re aware of by now, I’m a little OCD about palettes and kits because their just easy and included everything you need. I snapped up this little gem on my way to the register so I really didn’t even look at it to see what was included in it. But since it was a kit I figured that it would have all that I needed for a new look. On the cover the kit reads: “Learn the lessons they didn’t teach you in school. Tutorials: Foiled Eye”

On the inside flap of the kit is the “tutorial” or  rather instructions on how and where to apply the shadow. I was kind of hoping for something a little more in depth. Take a look:

The kit includes two mineral shadows and a double-ended brush.

The two shades are Night Owl and Disco Glimmer – cute names huh? Night Owl is a translucent steel amethyst shade and Disco Glimmer is a lilac pearl shade. Both shades can be worn wet or dry depending on the effect that you are looking to achieve.

Night Owl

Disco Glimmer

The shadows are pretty pigmented dry on skin, here are the swatches:

Night Owl (l), Disco Glimmer (r)

I love these shades for the evening, I don’t know if I would wear them during the day. I also found the loose shadows a bit messy so it’s going to take me a while to get used to using them.

Overall the kit was worth the price because it includes two shadows and a double sided eye shadow brush.

The foiled eye kit retails at $32 and can be purchased at Sephora.

In July 2010 fragrance and apparel retailer Burberry will launch a new cosmetics line in Nordstrom department stores nationwide. The collection will have 96 pieces, some of the items such as the lipliner which will retail at $24 and a foundation compact which will retail at $59. Some of the other items included in the collection will be eye shadow, lip gloss, lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, bronzer, liquid foundation, blush and translucent powder.

Burberry’s creative director, Christopher Bailey told WWD: “Like the trenchcoat, it can be worn anywhere and at any time”

Photo: Getty Images

Christopher Bailey told WWD: “It started because I felt that, at shows and the shoots, the whole [Burberry] attitude is epitomized through the shoes, the bags, the clothes, the accessories, but then the face was the one thing I really struggled with. When we were doing makeup, I felt like we weren’t able to get the right attitude. It was either caked-on makeup or then just the wrong colors, the wrong tones, the wrong spirit for makeup. I wanted it to be this kind of effortless elegance.”

This should be no surprise..I am all over this line the minute it hits Nordstrom. Will you be sampling this luxurious line?

It’s been a few weeks since I had a giveaway so I decided that I would give away one of the things that I love best…a makeup palette. This months’ giveaway is the Sephora Color Play 5 in 1 palette which has 5 interchangeable color stories. Each individual palette features 10 eyeshadows, 2 lips colors and 1 blush. Simply remove the palette of your choice and throw it in your purse, how handy is that!

The color stories in the palette are:

Dinner in Paris: Grays and blacks

Coffee in New York: Browns

Shopping in Milan: Purples and pinks, green

Tango in Buenos Aires: Blues and greens

Clubbing in Tokyo: Baby blues, pinks, and yellows

This contest is open to my loyal subscribers so ONLY Subscribers are eligible to WIN this giveaway. Your subscription status will verified through the subscribers database.

To enter:

1. Subscribe via Feedburner (if you are not already subscribed)

2. Leave a comment letting us know that you are a subscriber and why you would like to win the 5 in 1 palette.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, 18+. The winner will be chosen at random on May 10th , 2010. All entries must be received by May 10th 11:59pm EST.

Shop in the name of a good cause with Rue La La. Charity Buzz Boutique debuts this week on April 21st offering once-in-a-lifetime and luxurious, five-star getaways at premiere prices! The Charity Buzz Boutique will offer luxury items such as vacations, sporting events, and precious jewelry. By purchasing one of these items 80% of the profits will go back to a charitable organization.

Here is what Charity Buzz Boutique has to offer to Rue La La members this week:

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Guest:  Purchase an opportunity to sit court side at a L.A  Lakers home playoff game as the guest of basketball great, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  Enjoy V.I.P tickets, and take home an autographed jersey.  Proceeds from this purchase will go towards the Sky Hook Foundation, dedicated to providing literacy and sports programs to disadvantaged youth around the globe.
• Wailea beach Marriott, Maui Hawaii:  Escape to the beautiful beaches of Maui for a four night stay at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.  This package includes a private cabana dinner, daily breakfast for and round-trip tickets for two. Rest and relax easy knowing that your dollars are going tot he Nuru Lights organization, providing innovative and affordable off-grid lighting system for underprivileged populations worldwide.
• Russel Simmon’s Art for Life:  Join Hampton’s in crowd while attending Russel Simmon’s 11th annual Rush Philanthropic fundraiser, Art for Life at Simmon’s East Hampton home.  Rub elbows with your favorite celebrities, while contributing to the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation , providing urban youth with arts programs.
• Jeffery Designs:  Treat yourself to a one of a kind jewelry creation from Jeffery Designs’ “Forever White” collection.  Each piece is uniquely crafted and are socially and environmentally responsible.  Experience the thrill of guilt free decadence with a beautiful piece that keeps on giving.  Proceeds from this sale will benefit the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, dedicated to supporting defenders of the ongoing human rights movement.

Log on to Rue La La on Wednesday April 21st to indulge is one of these amazingly extravagant events that you will not be able to experience any where else. If you are not yet a member of Rue La La, you can join here.



Now available is Chanel’s new Summer Makeup Collection – Collection Les Pop-Up De Chanel. This collection features vibrant limited edition colors. Take a trip to the French Riviera with these gorgeous sun kissed colors.

Le Vernis Nail Colour (l to r): Mistral, Nouvelle Vague, Riviera – $23

Gloss Fluo de Chanel (l to r): Laser, Pop, Bikini Peach – $27

Rouge Allure Satin Lip Color (l to r) Genial, Super, Darling – $30

Soleil Tan de Chanel bronzers (l to r) Terre d’ore and Terre Halee – $50

I want one of each and every one of these colors but unfortunately I can only get a few. I’m aiming for the Nouvelle Vague Nail Colour, the Laser Gloss and the Satin Lip Color in Super. What are you getting?

Because I know you like to shop…

Friends & Fam of Saks employees can receive 25% off some amazing swag (20% off of jewelry and 15% off cosmetics).  To use this discount in the store, print and use the barcode in the image below.  When shopping online, enter the discount code SFAFAM4.  Hurry offer ends on April 19th!

Enjoy…