NARS Body Glow

If this was a single-phrase post, it would read: NARS Body Glow--run out and buy this product immediately!

An encounter with this liquid oil bronzer is sure to bring out your inner Brazilian beauty. This body bronzer may look like molten metal in the bottle, but it shows up on the skin as a subtly shimmery, sexy sheen. The tan-toned glow looks natural and healthy.

Although this product is oil-based, it doesn't leave an oily film, but absorbs beautifully, leaving skin softened and lightly moisturized.

The Monoi de Tahiti oil fragrance is so unreal it deserves its own paragraph. This intoxicating tropical sweet (but not too sweet) floral will transport you to paradise, with a few admirers in tow.

Resist the urge to totally bathe yourself in this product. You can still put it on head to toe, but use a very controlled amount, massage it in well and let it set for a few minutes before getting dressed.

I've Been Tagged!

Last week, Monique from the fabulous Beauty Girl Musings tagged me. You are supposed to list 6 quirks about yourself. It took me an entire week, but I finally came up with 6 quirks. Here they are:

1. I am by no means a Type-A personality, but my lipstick is alphabetized. I would never find the tube I was looking for otherwise!

2. I'm not a germaphobe at all, but I will avoid sharing lip products and hairbrushes at all costs.

3. I'm addicted to The Tudors and just love historical fiction in general. Historians say King Henry VIII was a good-looking guy in his younger years, but somehow I doubt he had anything on Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.

4. I never use an eyelash curler, and I even have the Shu! I know--blasphemy in the beauty community. But by the time I'm done with all my coats, I don't notice a difference whether or not I've used the curler, and my lashes look sufficiently upturned anyway.

5. I always use the exclamation, "Man Alive!" It's just second nature at this point.

6. I don't own any orange clothing. It's the only color I don't like, but yet I love orange-toned makeup (blush and lipgloss that is, not foundation).

Now here are the rules:

1. link the person who tagged you.
2. mention the rules in your blog.
3. tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. tag 6 random bloggers by linking them at the end of your post.
5. leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.
6. once your post is up, notify the person who tagged you.

I'm tagging Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog, Makeup2Beauty, Sugarshock, Savvy Skin, Product Girl and Ms. New Beauty.

Weekly Beauty Digest

Can't figure out those false lashes? The Daily Cookie gives her step-by-step on how to apply lashes in a breeze!

A Touch of Blusher loves the Golden Dior pendant.

StyleBell uncovers the Top 5 Flat Irons that work best with curly hair.

Beauty Anonymous invites you to the springtime nail colors of OPI 2008 Beyond Chic Collection .

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic check out Kiehl's Vital Sun Sunscreen and decides it has great broad UV spectrum coverage!

Beauty and Fashion Tech creates a great look using items from the new Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Cosmetic Line.

Product Girl asks What's in Your Bag? Check back daily for a new beauty blogger's bag each day!

The Muse gives her first impressions of the coveted MAC DressCamp Collection!

Beauty411 shares her review of Klean Bath + Body's Blue Hawaii Sugar Body Polish, which smells like a tropical island and exfoliates your skin, too!

Forget virgin daiquiris, The Beauty of Life is all about the gorgeous polishes from the new Extra Virgin Collection from Dashing Diva!

Need some luxury in your life? Beauty Junkie in SF finds her current high-end beauty favorites.

Want to take your hair from Flat To Fabulous? Then check out what The Makeup Divas recommends.

Win a gift set packed with Ferro Cosmetics mineral makeup goodies at Bionic Beauty!

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog discovers Chanel's Leopard lipstick, a coral color that makes her go rrrrrraooow!

SugarShock Beauty has found a ticket to paradise with the tropically dreamy Lavanila Laboratories' Vanilla Coconut Fragrance.

Beauty Banter discovers a healthy, inexpensive, sun and streak-free way to get your bronzed glow!

Toya of The Life of A Ladybug asks "What's your 'thing' right now?"

Beauty Blogging Junkie recommends these product picks for the most relaxing bath ever.

Makeup Junkie finds a new best friend in Chi's Pink Flat Iron!

Glossypink shares her Holy Grail lipgloss!

Kitiya of Mischo Beauty has a reader who shares her favorite organic conditioner!

Beauty and Personal Grooming shares a few homemade antiwrinkle creams.

Makeup Moxie reviews Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo Spray.

MAC Lipglass in Nymphette

Every once in a while, a beauty lover finds that special product that is worthy enough to be elevated to "Holy Grail" status. Beauty junkies bestow this honor on products that are tried and true-- a no-fail go-to product that will always have a permanent place in their makeup bag.

MAC Lipglass in Nymphette is my HG lipgloss. It was my first MAC product back in the day and one of the few glosses I've ever managed to finish and repurchase regularly.

A transparent pink with suspended fine gold flecks and a finish that is perfectly smooth and glassy, this gloss finishes any look beautifully. Nymphette glazes lips in lasting shimmer and shine, with pout-enhancing dimension. The combination of gold and pink is always a hit (hence the NARS Orgasm craze), and the vanilla scent is perfect.

Pair this gloss with some bronzer, jet black mascara and some surf spray for a summery look that has instant sex appeal.

Fresh Sake Hair Cream

Sake may be rough on the liver, but it's glorious on the hair. Fresh Sake Hair Cream defines hair and controls frizz, sans any greasiness or stiffness.

Infused with a sharp citrus scent, the cream smells uniquely good. Jojoba, olive and grapeseed oil moisturize hair along with persimmon and sunflower extract. Proteins and amino acids from the sake strengthen hair. A special anti-inflammatory root extract, gotu-kola, promotes healthy hair lipid formation.

This cream can be used on wet or dry hair to add texture, hydration and shine to straight or curly styles. I'm loving the definition and frizz control it gives me, without weighing my hair down.

Lately my routine has been to work a quarter-sized amount of the cream through my damp hair, then in the morning spritz with my dream curls and finish with another smaller dollop of cream for further definition. Using the right amount on my damp hair was a bit of trial and error--it's better to err on the side of less cream.

Benefit Miss Popularity

Now I don't know if illuminated skin will make you popular, but it sure does punch up a look. But despite the fact that I'll forever be dedicated to the power of illuminating powders, Benefit Miss Popularity precision highlighter wasn't on my running list of must-have products...

...until I did a swatch test on my hand at Sephora. Once the lights hit the golden white shimmer, the dazzle was out of control. This little baby was coming home with me.

This highlighter can be used anywhere on the face, but I mainly use it to highlight the inner corners of my eyes. This no-fail trick makes eyes look wide and bright. It does require a little blending after it's dotted on, but a pat of the pinky is all it takes.

Miss Popularity travels well too--even though it's a loose powder, the wand and well packaging keeps it from spilling everywhere. The built-in applicator is super convenient too, and now there's no excuse for not having luminous skin, even on the go.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer Contest

Today, starting at 12 noon, Physicians Formula is giving away 1,000 Organic Wear Bronzers in order to help make our world a little greener with makeup that’s good for the earth and for us too!

Click here for your chance to win!

*link will be activated at noon.

Good luck!

Weekly Beauty Digest

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic finds a great new gel eyeliner!

makeup loves me is helping you get ready for wedding season, by giving away 10 sets of french manicure fake nails!

StyleBell tries the CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protecting Spray and loves it!

A Touch of Blusher is putting gold on the lips.

The Makeup Divas reviews and falls in love with La Mer foundations and powder.

Beauty Anonymous loves the natural-looking makeup from Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eye Shadow.

Girl Gloss loves the all natural classic flavored lip balms from the Badger Company.

Beauty411 reviews Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser and Toner and has the 411 on the upcoming Kiehl's Earth Day promotion!

Find out why the Muse is loving Givenchy's Perfect Again! Corrector Palette!

Cybelesays helps you get stick straight hair with this 6" Powerhouse.

Stylish Opinion finds cosmetic bags that are actually eco friendly.

The Beauty Blog Network welcomes and interviews it's newest member, Beauty 411.

Elke reviews the "Gilette Venus". Is it worth the hype?

The Beauty of Life smiles pretty after discovering the tartly terrific Lemonade Smile Toothpaste by GoSMILE!

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog checks out Goldrush, Dior's newest summer makeup collection, and gives you pictures and swatches!

Want lashes as sharp and precise as hi-def TV? SugarShock Beauty gives you the lowdown on Cargo's blu-ray Mascara.

The Daily Cookie digs shu uemura's new Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine lip colors - check out why!

Beauty Blogging Junkie knows you'll love this news: no need to drop $300 on a T3 Hair Dryer anymore. The brand has come out with a $119 version that works JUST AS WELL but takes just a bit longer to dry.

Mischo Beauty shares her recommendations for an at-home skincare regimen to maintain the health of your skin in-between facials.

Kia of Yummy411 tries out MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Loose Foundation.

The Beauty Bug reviews the best exfoliating cleansers that all leave your skin soft, retexturized, and glowing!

Beauty Junkie in SF discovers great things come in small packages.

Beauty Banter asks super hot Rock Mistress Alison Sudol of A Fine Frenzy to dish on her favorite skin products for a pore-free complexion!

Glossypink has found an amazing sunscreen that doubles as a makeup primer!

SPINLASH - the mascara with a rotating brush - promises to simultaneously separate, shape, coat, lengthen and volumize eyelashes. Does it deliver? Spoiled Pretty finds out!

Toya interviews her first beauty lover of color - Angie! Do you want to be interviewed, too?

Pursebuzz.com teams up with Beauty from the Earth for a fantastic contest. The winner will win 10 jars of multipurpose mineral makeup of your choice! Click here to enter. Good luck!!!

Makeup Moxie craves a luxe tropical vacay after trying Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Breeze Body Shimmer

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipcolor

Whenever I pop into the drugstore and there's a Buy-One-Get-One Free sale, I'm in trouble. I mean, how can you turn down free makeup? You just can't.

I picked up a couple Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipcolor lipsticks on a BOGO sale, and they are fabulous for the price.

Everything from the watermelon scent, to the burst of moisture for lips, the SPF 15 and the wide array of colors makes this a great springtime lipstick.

The formula goes on smooth and slick, giving a good dose of color that feels light on the lips. Like most semi-sheer, glossy lipsticks, it won't stay put for hours, but it can be reapplied in a snap--without drying out your pucker.

Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo

Ok, Fred--I may not have been wowed by your shea butter hair mask, but you've won me back with your Technician Color Care Shampoo. This peachy pink hair smoothie, blended with apricot, avocado, calendula and peach, lathers up into a creamy froth that is delicate on hair and delivers shine and strength.

The anti-fade triple color protection complex shields hair from color-zapping UV rays. Protein fortifies hair and natural cleansers gently clean the scalp and strands. This shampoo gives color-treated hair the moisture it needs, without weighing it down or leaving a greasy residue.

Somehow I can even feel the difference whilst shampooing, so that I don't have to be nervous about stripping my hair of color.

My one complaint is that the delicious, slightly fruity smell could be kicked up a notch to really infuse hair with fabulous fragrance.

SkinMedica Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF 30+

Last month, I told you how I was loving SkinMedica Dermal Repair, chock full of ultra-nourishing ingredients. Well, there is another superstar in the SkinMedica line: SkinMedica Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF 30+.

With all the awareness these days about sun damage, 30 is the new 15 when it comes to a minimum SPF, so this scores big for the SPF 30. Plus, it's odorless (yes, it's completely absent of any sunscreen smell!), non-greasy and absorbs easily into the skin.

But beyond the sunscreen benefits, it offers skin much more. Green Tea Extract, Caffeine and Vitamin E provide powerful antioxidant protection, combating skin-damaging free radicals. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most hydrating ingredients out there, and makes this sunscreen an awesome moisturizer. Ceramide 3 mimics skin lipids to rebuild the skin's lipid barrier and increase skin's ability to retain hydration, which also contributes to soft, healthy skin.

But what really puts this sunscreen over the top? It functions as a makeup primer! Somehow this sunscreen, which isn't even intended to be a makeup primer, outshines all of the actual makeup primers on the market! It controls oil and makes my makeup stay perfectly intact all day long--no touch-ups required.

The formula is a pearlescent white, which also gives skin a beautiful, illuminated effect. And now I've officially died and gone to heaven.

Weekly Beauty Digest

A Touch of Blusher continues the feast of vibrant colors.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic tries out a mineral mascara.

SugarShock Beauty has found a blush with greatness: Pop Beauty's Rose Belle. It's perfect for achieving that healthy, rosy glow that's so now.

StyleBell shows how to create a fab Bridal half up half down hairstyle.

Want long, lush lashes? The Beauty of Life offers you the chance to win some with an amazingly lash-tastic contest, courtesy of Ardell Fashion Lashes!

The Beauty Bug gushes about a heat activated exfoliator that let's you know when your exfoliation is complete by changing colors!

Beauty Blogging Junkie has identified fashion items that do beauty duty. Find out which allows her to channel Elvira Hancock from Scarface.

The Muse reviews the Kiss Spring 2008 Collection directly from Japan!

Beauty Anonymous wonders if you also like to collect small sample containers.

The Makeup Divas reviews and recommends this sunless tanning lotion.

Beauty and Fashion Tech finds some great values when she compares the four new Milani mascaras.

Beauty Junkie in SF has Jumped on the Mineral Bandwagon with Laura Mercier.

When you think of L'Oreal do visions of Nestle Crunch bars dance in your head? Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog ponders the speculation surrounding Nestle's possible takeover of the company and gives you some random L'Oreal fun facts.

Cybelesays found another liquid mineral makeup that rocks!.

Makeup Moxie is intrigued with the new Mineral Water Eye Brightening Pencil by Too Faced.

Mischo Beauty is pleasantly surprised after using natural skincare and mineral makeup by Erth.

Glossypink has found a website that takes virtual makeovers to a whole new level!

Mineral makeup is a huge hit, what about mineral eyeshadows? Pursebuzz.com does a review on Beauty From the Earth mineral shadows. Is it a hit or a complete miss?

Spoiled Pretty is giving away products that AG Hair Cosmetics contributed to the 2008 official Grammy Awards gift bag. Presenters and performers like Rihanna, Carrie Underwood and Kanye West were recipients of these amazing products - and now you can be too! Enter the contest today!

Taaz Photorealistic Makeovers

Ever wish you could give your favorite celebrity a makeover? Want to see how you'll look with green eyeshadow before investing in a new purchase? Then you must check out Taaz Photorealistic Makeovers--the most incredible website EVER!!

Everything from the basics like foundation, blush and eyeshadow, to the details like concealer, lipliner and eye color can be customized. Pick from one of their photos, or upload your own. The coolest thing is the site actually has brand and shade names for each color, so you can run out and buy your new look with no guess work!

The pictures above are the before (left) and after (right) of one of the makeovers I created with a Taaz photo, and I can't wait to upload my own picture to try some new looks. Heck, with thousands upon thousands of combinations, this website will let you reinvent yourself more times than Madonna!

Warning: this website is highly addictive, and is likely to consume large amounts of your time and inspire massive makeup shopping sprees.

Love Her Look: Jessica Simpson

Tossled hair, glowing skin and a bright smile is always a good look. Jessica Simpson looks simply gorgeous in this picture.

To get Jessica's look, perfect your complexion with a natural foundation that looks like skin and will won't mask your natural glow. Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation does just that. Use a kabuki brush for a more luxurious experience. Then, sweep on a sheer bronzer to get a sun-kissed glow. Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder has 3 shades to pick from and built-in highlighters to keep it looking natural. Give cheeks a hint of pink with Lancome Blush Subtil in Miel Glace, or a similar light pink blush.

Warm up the eye area using a palette of shimmering tans and browns, such as Too Faced Candy Bars in Brown Sugar. Keep the application light to add just a hint of color and twinkle. Use your favorite brown eyeliner to give eyes soft definition. Elongate the upper lashline by extending the liner slightly at the outer corners. Next, dot the liner between the lower lashes to avoid a harsh line. Finish lashes with a volumizing black-brown mascara, like L'Oreal Voluminous Full Definition Mascara.

Enhance your pout with a nude lipliner, like LipFusion Lip Plumping Pencil in Buff. Lastly, top lips with a pearlescent pastel pink gloss like Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Air Kiss and you'll be blowing sweet kisses.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Liner Shadow

Remember smudged eyeliner? It seemed to be all the rage in the '90s, and now no one is talking about it anymore. Maybe that's because we have Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Liner Shadow, a modern powder eyeliner.

This liner shadow is basically all pigment, so fear not, it will definitely define and not disappear on the lid. Apply it dry for a softer line or use a damp liner brush to create a sassy liquid line. I favor using it dry and working it into the lashline, so that you can't tell where lashes end and rich color begins.

Usually whenever I use a dark eye shadow, I never have a problem wisping away the fallout particles underneath my eyes. But with this potent shadow liner, a tissue under the eye is a must.

My Coffee Bean shade is a necessary shade of bold brown, but my next acquisitions will definitely be Bon Bon and Midnight Sky.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara

For me, a mascara never reaches its full potential until it hits that "sweet spot" in its life span. Generally occurring around the 3-week mark, the formula is no longer super-wet and thin, but not so thick that it's dry and clumpy.

I'm at that point with Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara right now and we're in orbit, baby!

Let me rewind. When I first tried Lash Blast, it was a crash landing. The wet formula wasn't really volumizing, and the chubby brush was just splattering it all over the place. My Drew Barrymore-esque lashes were nowhere to be seen. I tossed it back into the sea of mascaras and forgot about it for a month.

Then, on a whim, I decided to try drying it out a bit by taking the wand out and leaving the tube and the wand exposed to air. This accelerated the mascara to that perfect equilibrium of the sweet spot.

And now? Plush, soft mega-lashes! My lashes look full and long, and I love how the formula dries with a healthy and conditioned effect, instead of looking dry, brittle or spidery like other mascaras. The formula is just the right volume-building thickness, and each lash is separated perfectly by the studded rubber brush.

If fatty brushes like Dior Show or Benefit Bad Gal are your bag, you might like Lash Blast as well. I have to admit that I usually don't love over-sized mascara brushes, and it did take me a while to get used to this one. And if you have teensy, short lashes, the big brush could be a challenge to keep on your lashes and not on your lids.

Weekly Beauty Digest

"Might as well face it, you're addicted to love..." Flash back to the 80s and see Lilan from The Daily Cookie recreate a look from a popular music video!

Check out Beauty Anonymous' Current Favorite Lippy - Einstein Lip Therapy Hydrating Lip Cream

A Touch of Blusher puts on more blusher......

The Beauty Bug previews the new products that hit the counters and shelves this month.

Looking for affordable high quality makeup brushes? Check out The Makeup Divas review on these cosmetic brushes.

Girl Gloss loves Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Plumping Lip Gloss.

Product Girl tries out Avon's Supershock Mascara and gets shockingly plump lashes.

The Muse features her very favorite, holy grail mascara from Japan (Nope, not Fiberwig!)!

Mischo Beauty has a fabulous reader who wrote in to share why she loves Sunsilk’s De-Frizz 24/7 Crème.

The Beauty of Life hearkens back to her childhood with Bonne Bell LipSmackers. Check out her favorites!

See what products Beauty Blogging Junkie has deemed promtastic.

Savvy Skin is having a contest where you can win the zit zapping tool ThermaClear. Win a ThermaClear!

In need of an awesome hair mask? Glossypink found one!

Cybelesays has found some winning makeup brushes with the new ones from Sonia Kashuk

Embarrassed by dark marks, sun damage, or age spots? Don’t get mad. Spoiled Pretty tells you how to get even!

Is your hair showing signs of frizz? StyleBell has discovered the secret to keeping those locks soft, shiny and frizz free all on a budget! Hint: Apple Cider Vinegar

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic starts off her sunscreen review series by looking at Neutrogena's UltraSheer with Helioplex

Elessa of Pursebuzz.com gets a makeover by Glamour. Beauty Pro's transform's youtube "web stars" see it all here. Check out newsstands for May's issue, can't wait, go to Glamour.com.

Makeup Moxie feeds her faux glow addiction with Fake Bake Tantalizing Self-Tanning Butter.

Phyto Phytocitrus Vital Radiance Mask

Looking for a fabulous deep conditioner that can work miracles? Try Phyto Phytocitrus Vital Radiance Mask, a deep conditioner that really penetrates to repair color-treated hair.

Fragile, frazzled and broken hair gets a serious therapy session with this mask. A blend of plant butters and grapefruit extract works to hydrate, smooth and provide UV protection.

During the color-treating process, hair scales open, zapping shine, strength and softness. The acidity from the grapefruit closes the cuticles, making hair smoother and more brilliant.

This mask gives me softness and shine, but best of all my breakage-prone ends are rejuvenated and elasticity is restored to my stressed hair. Now that is some real progress.

Plus it's super convenient to use. Unlike masks that require 20 minutes or more, this one takes as little as 3-5 minutes. So while you're doing the lather and shave on your gorgeous gams, this mask is busy working its magic.

Essie Nail Polish in Long Stem Roses

Bright nails bring pop and pizazz to any look. Essie Nail Polish in Long Stem Roses is a glowing, fluorescent crimson--certainly not your average red.

Long stem roses are definitely my favorite (hello, glamour and romance!), but this polish doesn't seem aptly named. I would have called it something more along the lines of "Fireball" or "Red Pepper"--something that speaks to its fiery and sassy spirit.

This shade looks awesome on both fingers and toes, but I especially love bright colors for toes. Coworkers, friends and strangers alike will appreciate this Miami-worthy shade peeking out of your peep-toes!

Be sure to seal your polish with a clear coat to keep the tips extra glossy and chip-free!

Beauty Sleep

Getting some extra beauty sleep!
Be back with a regular post tomorrow!


xoxo,
Glossy