Discount

Sale Alerts! (I will try to post these quite often)

30% off Jemma Kidd Makeup. Enter the code xmas01 at the checkout. Ends on the 16.12.11 www.jemmakidd.com

$15 off any purchase of $60 or more for Beauty Insiders at Sephora (check your email for coupon). Ends 15.12.11 www.sephora.com

Free delivery of any order from Illamasqua. Expires 18.12.11 www.illamasqua.com

Free shipping on any order from Forever 21 (code: S2DFREE) or a free $10 Gift Card on orders of $100 or more (ends today 13.12.11). Also, if you are signed up for emails, they sent a Friends & Family coupon (10% off $40 0r more, 15% off $100 or more). Coupons expire 15.12.11 www.forever21.com

20% off online orders $100+ at Urban Outfitters. Expires 17.12.11 www.urbanoutfitters.com    

30% off online at The Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy (expires today 13.12.11). Enter code: HOLIDAY. Only for shipments within the US.
www.gap.com 

naked

Original Naked Palette

The Naked 2 palette from Urban Decay has launched (although it is already sold out on their site). Sure to be another cult fave as the follow-up to the Naked palette ($48 US at Sephora), which was continuously sold-out. The colours on both palettes are very usable, the texture soft and blendable.

I think the value is quite good based on the number of shades, the fact it includes a useful brush and currently, the original Naked palette comes with the famous "Primer Potion".

Match

Beauty trend:

Matching nails & makeup (lipstick and/or blush and/or eye shadow).

Colours to try:

Orange, berries, rust, pinks, navy blue, purple and of course, classic red.

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Reptile

Loving all the reptile print out there? Here are tons of ideas, most under $100.

Aldo $62.99

Python-Like Belt
Le Chateau $19.95

Vero Moda
Sale $27.80 @ The Bay

Bakers
$69.99 US

Timex $60
@ Urban Outfitters

Forever 21
Sale $9.93

Clutches: Le Chateau

$25/75

 

Leggings

Zara $79.90 / Topshop $36

 Items in collage (top):

Zara python print dress
$60 - zara.com

Gap
gapcanada.ca

ALDO glamorous shoes
$60 - aldoshoes.com

Zara clutch hand bag
$129 - zara.com

Zara printed scarve
$36 - zara.com

Le Château: New Arrivals
lechateau.com

Le Château: New Arrivals
lechateau.com

Le Château: New Arrivals
lechateau.com

Gift DIY

It's not always the monetary value, but more the gesture of gift-giving that is truly special. Even if you don't have a lot of money, making a little something for the people you care about can really mean a lot.

Here are a few ideas of affordable gifts that are easy to make yourself.

Sachets
You can use dried lavender flowers or rose petals (or a mixture of both). Either sew little sachets, or you can get packs of them at the dollar store (usually sold for wedding/party favours),

Bath Salts
Mix epsom salts with essential oils of your choice. You can add dried lavender, herbs (like rosemary), even food colouring and stir together.

Scrubs
Get some pretty jars, fill 3/4 of the way with sugar (white or turbinado) or salt (sea salt or epsom) and cover with enough oil to moisten. Grapeseed or coconut are quite neutral, soothing for skin, and fairly inexpensive. You can add a couple drops of essential oils or get creative, like this recipe:

Holiday Scrub

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup almond oil or olive oil

1 tablespoon vitamin E oil

2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoon ginger

2 teaspoon cinnamon

Face Spritzers
Check out my blog "Quench" on how I make these

Hair Treatment
4 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoon jojoba oil
3 drops of essential oil of your choice

Milk Bath
2 cups Dead Sea salt
1 cup powdered milk

You can add:
4 drops of essential oils (whichever you prefer)
2 tablespoons of dried ginger
Dried lemon zest... or anything else your heart desires

Manicure-in-a-Jar
1 cup epsom salts
3 tablespoons lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon
5 tablespoons almond oil (or any preferred oil)

Body Oil
Fill a decorative bottle with oil (jojoba is best) and add drops of essential oil. Try creating your own custom blends (read up on aromatherapy online for guidance).

You can add nice tags, raffia, dried flowers, fabric, stamps etc to spruce up your home-made "packaging". Get creative, plan a gathering with friends to work on them and most of all... make the process fun!

Pierre Balmain

I find it quite exciting when amazing design talent can bring their ideas to the masses by offering a lower-priced line (hence the popularity of H&M designer collabs). Here's a look at some of what's to come from the new "Pierre Balmain" line, launching this Spring/Summer 2012...

Quench

If you have ever taken one of my makeup classes, you would know that I am quite passionate about water sprays for the face. Like I said in my "Groundwork" post, (http://stylewithinmeans.blogspot.com/2011/11/groundwork.html) foundation looks best on plump, hydrated skin.

Basically, I use a spritz of water all over the face, then moisturizer, sometimes primer... then foundation. I describe it as the difference between putting skin cream on straight out of the bath/shower or later on dry skin. You may notice that your skin feels much softer when you apply your moisturizer on wet skin. Your cream or lotion can "lock" the water in, making your skin look nice and fresh.

I also like using these sprays after I've applied makeup, to "set" it and take away a powdery look on the skin. They are also great part-way through the day to refresh your skin and makeup.

 DIY: get a spray bottle, fill with filtered

or mineral water. You can even add rose-water, a

tsp of Glycerin and/or a couple drops of essential oils

(I like lavender in mine)

MAC Fix + $12
"An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals,
infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green
tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the
fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi."

L'Occitane Rose Face Mist $11
"Rich in natural rose floral water, this truly
refreshing mist quenches the skin's thirst and
maintains optimal moisture levels" *I have this,
it's very rosey! I added a bit of water to it.

Evian Mineral Water Spray $11
Love the way this bottle sprays,
like aerosol hairspray. If that doesn't
matter much to you, just fill the empty
spray bottle with some Evian!