The Makeup Divas Beauty Blog: 7/1/10

Personal Microderm Review

I was recently sent the Personal Microderm System to test and review. It's an at home microdermabrasion system that works like a professional microdermabrasion treatment without the high price.

I am at that age where fine lines and wrinkles are becoming more prominent and so I need all the help I can get in smoothing them out. I also have some melasma/hyperpigmentation that I developed during both of my pregnancies and so I was excited to try this out to see what it could do for my skin.

I've only used it three times since receiving it three weeks ago. The instruction booklet recommends that you use it once a week. That's really not enough time to test a product's effectiveness, however, after three treatments I have noticed an improvement in my skin's texture and appearance. A word of caution, if you apply too much pressure or stay in one place for too long, you will end up burning your skin like I did. I have tough skin and thought I needed to get aggressive with the pressure in order for the tool to work well. I was so wrong and ended up with minor burns on my chin, nose and around my eyes. When using the small green disc around my nose, I found it extremely difficult to get a proper suction. I applied more pressure and in doing so, I ended up sandblasting my skin off. Ouch! I won't do that again. So the next time I did a treatment, I was very gentle with the pressure and that produced better results.

I haven't noticed any significant changes in my melasma, however that may be because I have only used it three times. It does a great job of sloughing off dead skin cells a lot better than my exfoliation creams that I use. With continued use I am sure to see great results.

This system can be used on your face, elbows, hands, feet or wherever you have age spots, fine lines, wrinkles.

Here is what the system includes:
1 personal microderm
6 exfoliating discs
2 green 4 blue
1 electric cord
2 caps 1 body large
1 facial small
1 reusable filter
Instructional CD and pamphlet

Price: $179

The Personal Microderm

Note: This review contains a sample/samples of products sent for consideration by a representative of the manufacturer. For more information please see my disclosure page.

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GIVEAWAY: Win a $50 Spa Week Gift Card!

Winner: #64 js22

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Win a $50 Spa Week Gift Card! The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner: SPA WEEK®! Since 2004, Spa Week® has become famous for being your week to experience the most luxurious, exotic and healthful spa treatments for just $50 a piece at over 1000 spas across the US and Canada. From hot stone massages and oxygen facials to teeth whitening, waxing and acupuncture, the possibilities are endless. Take care of the basics then discover something new you love!

Mark your calendars, Spa Week® Fall 2010 dates are as follows:
West Coast, Arizona, Vegas & Chicago: September 13th – 19th
East Coast, Midwest, Denver & Canada: October 11th – 17th

In honor of the approaching “holiday,” we’re giving away a $50 Spa Week Gift Card to one lucky reader.

Please read these Rules before entering this giveaway.
OPEN TO: US residents and Toronto.
CLOSING DATE: August 13, 2010 @8pm EST

TO ENTER
1. Comment below with a spa treatment that you’d like to try during Spa Week®, and indicate that you’ve done these 3 things:

2. Sign up for Spa Week’s news and deals so you won’t miss the $50 treatments!

3. Follow @SPAWEEK on Twitter and Tweet:
" I entered to win a $50 @SPAWEEK Gift Card from @TheMakeupDivas! http://ow.ly/2jIIL "

4. Like Spa Week on Facebook and write on the wall:
“The Makeup Divas were right. Spa Week rocks!”

Optional Extra Entries (worth 1 entry each)

LIKE THE MAKEUP DIVAS on Facebook

FOLLOW THE MAKEUP DIVAS on Twitter

Additonal Entries:

RETWEET this giveaway and leave a comment with the tweeted link. You can RETWEET as many times as you like for extra entries but you must leave a comment with the tweeted link for each retweet that you do. eg: if you retweet 2 times, leave 2 comments with the tweeted link.

THE SPA WEEK NEED-TO-KNOW:

WHEN IS THIS FAMOUS SPA WEEK® I’VE BEEN HEARING ALL ABOUT?
OFFICIAL DATES For SPA WEEK® FALL 2010, presented by Dove Deodorant:
West Coast, Arizona, Vegas & Chicago: September 13th – 19th
East Coast, Midwest, Denver & Canada: October 11th – 17th

WHAT EXACTLY IS SPA WEEK®? Since 2004, Spa Week has become famous for being your week to experience luxurious, exotic and healthful spa treatments for just $50 a piece at over 1000 spas across the US and Canada. From hot stone massages and oxygen facials to teeth whitening, waxing and acupuncture, the possibilities are endless. Take care of the basics, then discover something new to love!

HOW DO I FIND SPAS NEAR ME THAT ARE PARTICIPATING? The official Spa Week® Directory goes live August 16th, 2010 for the West Coast and September 13th for the East Coast. That’s when you’ll find out exactly which spas in your area are participating and which amazing $50 treatments they’re offering and when you’ll be able to start booking all your appointments.

WHAT KIND OF SPAS PARTICIPATE? As always, Spa Week® draws in the highest quality spa participants. The most prestigious and trusted names in the wellness industry use Spa Week as a way to expand their reach and develop new client relationships. Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas, Clarins, Cold Water Creek, Sleek Med Spas and Laser Cosmetica are just some of their spa partners.

I LOVE IT…HOW DO I SIGN UP? Appointments will book up fast once the directory launches! We’re talking Lady Gaga concert style. So, go to www.spaweek.com now or SIGN UP HERE for all the latest Spa Week® news and updates.

DO SPA WEEK GIFT CARDS WORK ONLY DURING SPA WEEK? Nope! You can use them all year round, and they never expire.
(Also, I highly recommend checking out their blog, Spa Week Daily for daily spa scoops, Live Spa TV, beauty, fashion and beyond.)

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Beauty Bucket List: Wild Makeup to Try

Beauty Bucket List: Wild Makeup to Try

Push the makeup envelope before you die with these celeb-inspired looks

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article

From Lady Gaga to glam goth, we found some makeup-gone-wild looks that you might be able to pull off next time you're feeling ballsy.

See looks

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NOTE: This post is syndicated from Total Beauty and does not necessarily represent the views of this site. This site receives compensation for posting this material.

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Celebs Love NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment!

NARS PURE SHEER SPF LIP TREATMENT - CELEBRITY FANS!

“NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment is the softest of moisturizers for my lips. It also has this amazing light, sheer color that not only leaves my lips with a sexy tint but has sun protection built right into it. I simply slide it on for natural, silky lips.”

-Rachel Weisz

Since its launch this summer, NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment has been a hit with the celebrity world! They love how it hydrates and protects while giving a color boost to summer lips.

NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment contains Vitamin E, Mango Butter and Polar Berries to keep lips hydrated throughout the heat of the summer. In addition to nourishing ingredients, it contains SPF 15 and is available in six shades for a low-maintenance, wear-anywhere, tint of color.

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9 Low-Rated Self-Tanners and Sunscreens

Total Beauty readers give low marks to these summer skin care products

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care article

If you want to look like Casper after applying sunscreen or dig a streaky, orange tan, then choose from this list of the worst sunscreens and self-tanners.

See products

No. 9: Too Faced Tanning Bed In A Tube, $22.50

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.1

"It didn't build a tan at all …"

No. 8: Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 15, $9.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6

"This sunscreen is one of the worst products I have ever used …"

No. 7: Sally Hansen Airbrush Sun Especially for Body, $7.42

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.9

"This product is streaky and will make you look orange …"

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!

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Beauty Rebellion Project

Have you heard of the Beauty Rebellion Project yet? If you are into cruelty-free beauty you may already be a part of this movement! What is the Beauty Rebellion movement and who's leading it, you might ask?
The Beauty Rebellion Project is a group of stylish, young conscious consumers who understand that true beauty is cruelty-free. They rebel against the traditional ideas of skin care, hair care and cosmetics and have made it their mission to spread the word about new and established cruelty-free beauty brands through fun events and hip venues throughout Los Angeles.

Keeping with a cruelty-free theme, those who attend one of these hip events can expect to enjoy cocktails, vegetarian cuisine, goody bags with cruelty-free products and of course amazing support from the droves of beautiful people who support this amazing movement! The first rebellion event will be in August 2010. For the upcoming event, some of the MANY cruelty-free sponsors include: Aveda, Dermalogica, DermaDoctor, Earth Natural Essentials, InStyle, Manic Panic, Mountain Girl Soap, Naturopathica, Sibu Beauty and Urban Decay.
Urban Decay is sponsoring a full-sized vegan palette for every goody bag! Many thanks to Jen Mathews (founder of the popular beauty blog, My Beauty Bunny)and The Beauty Rebellion project for bringing attention to this cause.

So, do you want to go to a cruelty-free beauty party in Los
Angeles? Sign up for their mailing list and JOIN THE REBELLION!

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Winner of the Tarte ReCreate Primer and Eyelash Curler Giveaway

Congratulations to: ginnn7 you are the winner of the Tarte giveaway! I'll be sending you an email shortly. If you don't receive it, please check your spam box.

Thanks to all that entered this giveaway. I've got more giveaways coming up so keep checking back.

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Perfect Eyebrows: How to Get Hollywood’s Best Arches

No matter who you are eyebrows can always prove to be a problem at some given point. Whether it’s with waxing, plucking, or even filling in the eyebrow, without the proper tools and know-how, it can prove to be difficult. And believe it or not, having well-shaped brows can take years off your face. Check out this article over at elle.com for some useful tips and tricks by Anastasia Soare, celebrity brow expert who shapes the arches of famous celebrity clients, on how to get Hollywood's best arches. Perfect Eyebrows: How to Get Hollywood’s Best Arches

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Style Your Hair Like a Pro

Experts school you on how to blow dry, curl and straighten your hair

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article

Getting your hair done at the salon is such a treat, but what if you could work your hairstyling tools like a pro? Now you can with these expert tips.

Get tips

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Cosmetic Brush Design Contest

ANISA INTERNATIONAL, INC. ANNOUNCES SUSTAINABLE COSMETIC
BRUSH DESIGN CONTEST
Cosmetic product design contest to award and highlight innovative use of
sustainable materials

(click the image to enlarge)

Anisa International Inc., a premiere cosmetic brush manufacturer, announces the Sustainable Cosmetic Brush Design Contest. The contest is open to anyone with a new and original design or idea to create and design an innovative cosmetic brush utilizing more sustainable materials. The winner will be awarded $2,500, international recognition and a trip to New York City for the unveiling during the
HBA tradeshow in New York City in September, as well as the opportunity to see their product manufactured.

Contest details and entry form available at: Anisa.com

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SpaFinder Deal Days: Exclusive Access to Spa/Fitness Deals

BE FIRST TO BOOK SPA TREATMENTS, PRIVATE YOGA & PILATES CLASSES AND MORE FOR ½ PRICE OR
$50 DURING NATIONWIDE WELLNESS WEEK, SEPTEMBER 20-26

Sign up by August 15th and get exclusive access to early booking for deals at hundreds of spas
and studios nationwide during SpaFinder Deal Days
SpaFinder Deal Days

Starting today, people across the country can sign up to get exclusive early access to major deals at local spas and wellness centers on spa treatments, yoga, Pilates, and other activities from September 20-26.

It is all part of SpaFinder Deal Days, The Wellness Week™, the first nationwide event offering consumers the chance to experience spa treatments and wellness services for either 1/2 price or $50.

Anyone who registers online by August 15th at SpaFinder Deal Days will receive early exclusive access to the list of participating facilities giving them a chance to book a treatment at the spa or wellness center of their choice ahead of the general public.

Named the best website for spa travel by Forbes.com and USA Today, SpaFinder is the world’s leading spa and wellness resource.

“Our goal is to inspire consumers to create their own week of wellness by connecting them to a wide range of new treatments and activities at fabulous prices,” said Sallie Fraenkel, chief operating officer of SpaFinder, Inc. “We hope the public will take advantage of this opportunity to explore new practices to add to their daily wellness routines.”

While signing up for Deal Days, consumers can also enter The Greatest Spa Getaway sweepstakes for a chance to win a 4-night/5-day trip for two at Miraval Arizona (grand prize); a 1-year national membership at Bally’s Total Fitness and $200 Danskin voucher (1st place prize); or a black patent weekender bag and train case from LeSportsac, a 1-year subscription to Women’s Health Magazine, and a yoga book entitled Slim Calm Sexy Yoga (2nd place prize).

Top day spas, destination spas, and wellness studios throughout the country will be taking part, including: Si Spa at the Palm Beach Marriot Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa (Singer Island, FL), Apogee Pilates & Wellness Center (White Plains and Bedford, NY), Firm Body Evolution Spa (Los Angeles, CA), The Spa at the Crescent (Dallas, TX) and Kohler Waters Spa (Chicago, IL).

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Total Beauty's Make Your Face Jealous Sweepstakes

Enter for a chance to win an Yves Saint Laurent handbag

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care article

Want to get a handbag that's worth over $1,300 … for free? We thought so. Enter our sweepstakes and you could be sporting some Yves Saint Laurent arm candy come September.

Enter now

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NEW Sephora Beauty in a Box: tarte bronze smoky eye (Aug-Oct)

Extend your bronzy glow Sephora's Beauty in a Box: tarte bronze smoky eye ($45). Packed with cult favorites in our signature color, this exclusive set's long-wearing items will keep you bronzed and beautiful from morning 'til night!

Sephora Beauty in a Box: tarte bronze smoky eye
$45 US/ $59 CAN

formulated without: parabens, pthalates, sodium laurel sulfate, synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrance

Be bronzed and beautiful with this Sephora exclusive kit packed with best-sellers and brand new products featured in new shades; all of which are waterproof or water-resistant for a look that will last morning 'til night! From lids to lips, each longwearing must-have perfectly complements each other for an overall bronze glow topped off with a modern take on an old favorite: the bronze smoky eye. Unlike the traditional charcoal smoky eye, this look is flattering on a wide variety of skin tones and can easily be worn day to night.

Sephora exclusive kit includes:

* full size lock & roll 12-hour eyeshadow, burnt bronze
* full size emphasEYES™ waterproof clay shadow/liner, plum
* full size rise & shine lip gloss and stain, nude
* full size clean slate natural face primer
* deluxe mineral powder bronzer, park ave princess
* deluxe lights, camera, splashes! natural waterproof mascara

skinvigorating™ ingredients:

* rice bran wax: natural wax that helps lengthen lashes
* carnauba wax: emollient, natural wax ensures smooth application
* provitamin B5: vitamin B derivative that treats and thickens lashes
* vitamin C: antioxidant that fights free radical damage and prevents oxidative stress and premature signs of aging
* mineral pigments : colors and dyes derived from natural minerals

Sephora's Beauty in a Box: tarte's bronze smoky eye ($45) is available
August-October 2010 at Sephora stores and sephora.com

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Tarte Giveaway Ends Tonight

Just a quick reminder that the Tarte giveaway ends tonight at 11:59 PM EST. There is still time to enter if you haven't already. Good luck to all of you!

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JANUARY JONES WEARS NARS TO MAD MEN SEASON 4 PREMIERE!

Makeup artist Fabiola used NARS Cosmetics on January Jones for last night’s Season 4 Premiere of “Mad Men” in NYC. Pure Matte Lipstick was key in creating the look!

Below is a list of products January wore:

· Bangkok Pure Matte Lipstick (for now, try Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil)

· NARS PRO-PRIME Skin Smoothing Face Prep and Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

· Brousse Duo Eyeshadow and Eurydice Duo Eyeshadow

· Douceur Blush

The inspiration for the look was “Catherine Deneuve” - strong eyes and a simple, matte lip. January loved Pure Matte so much that she kept it!

Pure Matte will be available September 1st at Saks Fifth Avenue. All other products are currently available at narscosmetics.com.

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14 Hair Secrets from the Pros

These insider-y tips from hairstylists will tell you how to get fresh-from-the-salon hair -- everyday

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care article

Hair experts from coast to coast spill the beans on their hairstyling tricks. You'll get the scoop on how to style your hair like a pro.

Get secrets

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Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky at Victoria's Secret Beauty in LA!

The Bachelorette's Ali Fedotowsky shopping at Victoria's Secret Beauty at The Grove in LA on July 22, 2010. Ali, wearing an Armani Exchange romper and belt, shopped for summer fragrances and beauty must-haves, including Noir TEASE, Victoria's Secret Beauty's newest fragrance collection, along with Dream Angels Heavenly, Secret Moments "Kissing In Paris" and "Island Escape" collection, Noir, Very Sexy, Beauty Rush lip glosses and more!

Photo Credit: Startraksphoto.com

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Extreme Hair Makeovers

See three Total Beauty readers' hair go from drab to fab -- then find out how to copy their looks

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article

Celeb hairstylists transform the hairdos of three real women. See their hair makeovers and find out how to spruce up your own 'do using drugstore products.

Get tips

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An African American Girl's Guide to Beauty

Look good 24/7 with these skin, hair and makeup tips

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty tips article

In this comprehensive guide, you'll find out if you're a good candidate for relaxing your hair and get makeup tricks and tips. Plus, you can tell us who your girl crush is by voting for your fave celeb.

Read guide