Enter Our Fall Giveaway With Sephora - And Tell Us Why You Are A Beauty Authority!

Today we are featuring our fall giveaway with our good friends at Sephora! But today’s giveaway is a little different! We at Couture would like to hear why you feel that you are a beauty authority! Yes, we want you to tell us in a few sentences why you love the Sephora brand, and what makes you a beauty diva!

Here are today’s spectacular giveaways from Sephora!

Win this! Colorful Pearl Mono Eyeshadow

What it is: Luminous pearl eye shadow in a round compact.

What else you need to know: Each of these pocket-sized shadows glides on smooth with a sheer, luminous finish that can be layered for added intensity. Each sheer shade is perfect for layering and highlighting. Enriched with green tea to soothe the delicate eye area.

Here is what Sephora fans are saying about the product!

“I love these shadows! They apply smoothly, blend well, feel light, lasts a long time & don’t dry out the lids. Such a pretty finish!” Caroline G, Boston, MA

“I bought a lovely dark grey, and it blends so well! I love the dramatic looks I can achieve with this eye shadow.” Victoria Rae, Seattle WA

Win this! FACE Exfoliator & Mask - Normal Skin

What it is: A gentle, yet effective exfoliating face scrub and mask in one.

What it is formulated to do: Gently loosens and peels away impurities and dead skin cells while relaxing and smoothing facial contours.

What users are saying;

“I love this exfoliator and mask! At first I wasn’t sure how it could possibly work as both, but it does a fantastic job. For quick exfoliations, I rub it on and rinse it off. Then about once a week, I leave it on in the shower for 5 minutes or so and rinse. My skin has never felt better!” Sassy Red, Palm Dale, CA.

So be creative! And send us your comments on being a beauty authority! The reader who sends the most creative comment will be picked as the winner by Couture! So be sure to enter and send your comments to jacquelineh@coutureinthecity.com. And also to our Editor at angelique@coutureinthecity.com. Remember to leave us your name, email address, and where you are from. And please add this title to your email, Sephora And My Beauty Giveaway. This giveaway and contest will run until October 25th. So be sure to get your comments in! Also the winning comment will be posted on Couture in the City! So good luck my beautynistas!

Source: Sephora

Frownies - A Natural Alternative To Botox

Here we are ladies, our prayers have been answered! Finally, we have reached a natural alternative to those Botox injections. Yes, Frownies is here.

Frownies is Hollywoods best kept secret. But that is no longer the case. This fab age defying, anti wrinkle system has been featured in O Magazine, and Good Housing Keeping alike.

Now before we get into the exciting part i.e. testing the product. There is an amazing history behind Frownies and how it began.

Frownies were created in 1889 after Margaret Kroesen discovered that her daughter Alice, a concert pianist, had developed unsightly wrinkles and frown lines. With a desire to maintain her youthful beauty and stage presence, Mrs. Kroesen created Wrinkle Eradicators (as they were first called) by employing the basic principle of fitness to the muscles of the face. Several years later, Mrs. Kroesen’s entered the business world; she joined B & P Company (Beauty and Personality) as Managing Director. By offering only her Wrinkle Eradicators and skin treatments, which has become a great success up until today.

Frownies - Face Lift in a bag

Now I have had the honor of trying this fabulous product. And I can’t rave about it enough. After using the whole kit, Face Lift in a bag. My skin was radiant, bright, supple and plump. And beautiful, like I stepped out of a plastic surgeons office after having a few light botox and dermabrasion surgical procedures. Yes, I can hear it in your voice, you are excited!

But to get the full results you have to use the whole kit.

Frownies - Ph Balancing Wash -Contains the freshness of lavender essential oil and the cleaning power of soapwort and soap yucca to detoxify, balance, and clean the skin’s surface.

Start with the ph Balancing Complexion Wash. Apply small drop (less than dime size) in the palm of your hand, and work into lather with slightly cool to warm water. Apply to the entire face and neck area as well as under eyes, rinse well.

*Note from Frownies: Never use hot water on the face it is very drying.

Frownies - Immune Perféct Wrinkle Cream

Secondly, apply Frownies Immune Perféct Wrinkle Cream I just loved the texture of this lotion and the way it gently absorbs into the skin. Instantly I noticed my skin is hydrated bright and plump. This rich formula has powerful cellular interactive antioxidants with active Vitamin E and 17 amino acids! Use all over the the entire face, under the eyes and the neck area.

*Note from Frownies: Do not put the gel cream in the palm of you hand and rub. This activates the delivery system and the penetration begins in your hands.

Frownies - Facial Pads

Frownies - Facial Pads - How to apply to the face

Thirdly, wet Frownies Facial Patches using Hydrator Spray or distilled water and apply over the lines. Leave in place at least three hours or, for best results, overnight.

*Note: Remember to use plenty of water upon removing the pads. And don’t feel daunted by using the facial pads either. They do feel a little tight on the skin, so try to relax when wearing them for a few hours. But they are quite comfortable when you are use to wearing them. (Just think of the results!)

After removing the facial pads, the areas where the patches were are a little sensitive. And maybe a little red, so be gentle. But after a few minutues the results are amazing. Any minor wrinkles I had were completely gone. Plus the skin in those areas were firmer.

Rose Hydrator Spray

Now this is my favorite part, use the Hydrating Rose Spray as a daily toner, or after cleansing. It is a wonderfully refreshing pick up after exercising, or anytime of the day.

Now I truly loved this product. And I use it daily, especially the facial wash, hydrating spray and Immune Perféct lotion. I will now use the pads once a week, or every other week just for the tone and lift they give. But, what I truly love about the product is that it is made of natural ingredients.

I used Face Lift in a bag prior to a photo shoot, which gave me great results.

Jacqueline H. at photo shoot, having used Face Lift in a bag prior to shoot

You can visit the Frownies official website to learn more about this wonderful product. Also, Couture In the City will be giving away a Face lift in in a bag to one of our lucky readers. Check in to view the giveaway post for more details.

Source: Frownies.com, KMR Communicatuions, NY

Coutureinthecity.com

MAC Fafi Review and MAC Fafi Giveaway!

MAC wants to introduce you to a few of their new friends…Monoka, Ermine and Eriko are the three muses behind the MAC Fafi line. Bursting with color, life and edgy energy, these grafitti queens are the inspiration for this colorful new line. Check it out!

MAC Fafi’s packaging is emblazoned with images from the amazing artist Fafi for a cute and fun take on their classic black cases. These highly pigmented colors are available in paint pots (liquid to powder eye shadows), lip glosses, lip sticks, nail polishes and blush. MAC Fafi’s girly pearlescent hues, Easter egg blues and lots and lots of pinks are also just in time for spring.

Been dying to get your hands on some of the new goodies from the MAC Fafi collection? Read my MAC Fafi review to see why these spritely compacts and pretty pots need to grace your vanity:

My MAC-over with the MAC Fafi Collection

1) First, I started with the MAC Fafi lipstick in Utterly Frivolous, then topped it off with MAC Fafi lipglass in Totally It. As any makeup maven knows, a good lip gloss is hard to come by, and this one is one of the best. It stayed put without being sticky for hours and kept it’s bright hue.

2) Next, I brushed the apples of my cheeks with the MAC Fafi powder blush in Fashion Frenzy. This is the perfect blush for spring and is subtle and girly.

3) Finally, I used my beloved paint MAC Fafi paint pots (highly pigmented eye color) in Perky (pink) and Rollickin’ (turquoise) to shade my eyes. I’ve never used these two colors together on my lids and they truly made my hazel eyes pop!

4) Also great for spring is their pinky-pearlescent nail lacquer (I tried Girls will be Girls).

The greatest thing about the MAC Fafi line is that you can use the paint pots, lip glass and other goodies at the level of intensity that you want. I prefer a more subtle look, so for me, less was more; but I could have easily amped it up harajuko girl-style with a little help from MAC Fafi’s Eye Kohl eye pencils in white and black and a few more swipes of blush.

Snag these spring must haves from MAC Fafi here before your favorite colors sell out. And many already have…lucky for you, Couture in the City is hosting a fab MAC Fafi Giveaway!

Enter HERE to Win our MAC Fafi Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive:

Powder Blush - Fashion Frenzy
129 SE Powder /Blush Brush and Fafi travel pouch
LipGlass - Cult Fave
Lipstick - Flash-N-Dash
Eyes 1
Fluidline - Blacktrack
Paint Pot: Layin’ Low
210 Precise Eye Liner Brush
Rectangle MAC Small Clearly Fafi

MAC Fafi Giveaway valued at $189.00

Don’t forget to ENTER our MAC Fafi Giveaway for your chance to win! Deadline is March 17, 2008 at midnight…good luck!

Beauty: Cosmetics we Love: Benefit

10 Palette

This powder duo bronzes & highlights in one sexy sweep to give you sleek, sculpted cheekbones. We've chosen two seductive shades for lips & complimentary shades for your eyes. We like to call it "sexy to the max." Limited edition.

Get your very own 10 Palette at Benefit Cosmetics

Beauty Discovery: Prescriptives Lash Finder

Prescriptives, the cosmetics brand that embraces all women, all skins, and all ages has created a fantastic tool to help find your PERFECT mascara. Prescriptives presents Lash Finder, the interactive site that will help you create the look you want with the mascara that's best for you.

Four “how-to” videos featuring Prescriptives’ Director of Artistry and QVC® spokesperson, Jillian Veran will help you choose the right lash look:

24-Hour Lashes (featuring Here To Stay 24-Hour Longear Mascara)

Long Luxe Lashes (featuring Lash Envy Volumizing Mascara)

Curled, Conditioned Lashes (featuring False Eyelashes Plush Mascara)

Beyond Long Lashes (featuring Beyond long Maximum Length Mascara)

Below you will see Prescriptives Lash Finder bloopers video!

Visit Prescriptives Lash Finder today!

Elle Magazine, Hot List, Couture in the City Fashion Blog

What's new in the latest edition of Elle magazine? Find out what is hot this summer in bags, shoes and dresses, for this summer and beyond. However, check out this sneak peek on beauty tips now, or go to Elle.com for more great styles and insider tips on beauty, fashion and more.




ELLE's BEAUTY, BODY & HEALTH "IT LIST"-Fruit-Spiked Scents and Juice Lips Give New Meaning to Beach Chic. From DiorPlay's & Shiseido' lip glosses, and Givenchy's & Burberry's new fragrances, ELLE's Assistant Beauty Editor, Roopika Nayar, has the update on the latest beach accessories to pack in your summer bag. We love all of the cute packaging, but you will be sure to love the sweet scents.




ELLE's JUNE "TOP 5": SELF TANNERS-ELLE readers say these self-tanners set the gold standard for being sun-kissed without the sun. With instant tanning gel and body lotions, from Dove to Lancôme, you'll be ready for summer before it even begins. Who needs the beach? With self tanners like these, you can have a bronzed look without being susceptible to all of those dangerous UV rays. After all...there's nothing more fashionable than a safe healthy glow!

Check out all of these great tips and more in Elle magazine to be up on the latest in beauty and fashion news and trends.

Sunsilk's Color Boost Secret Model Experiments-First Peek

FYI: Sunsilk's Color Boost is the first daily haircare product with cationic dyes that bind color to your hair - just like products you'd find in the salon that gives your 'do a lil oomph whenever it needs it.

In line with our campaign ColorShowdown-which is all about pitting Blondes and Brunettes against each other we've conducted some secret experiments around the habits and personality quirks of Blondes vs. Brunettes.

Well here is our 1st video teaser titled: " Who pigs out on junk food more-Blondes or Brunettes?"

And since I know that all of our readers love a deal--who doesn't? Here is a coupon for you to save close to $3.00 on your product choice. Visit this link Sunsilk


Visit Sunsilk's Color Boost

What's New at Life & Style? Couture in the City Fashion Blog

This week at Life & Style, you can get the latest scoop on hot celebrity inspired trends! There's something new every day of the week...whether its' Halle Berry's hot satin top or Cameron Diaz's 80's inspired off-the-shoulder look, Life & Style has all the latest info on great trends.














Can we talk about Cameron's cute shoes? OMG...they are totally to die for. Life & Style tells you where to get similar styles so you can emulate Cameron's sophisticated but cool look. Leopard wedges will instantly turn your plain old jeans and tee into a dressy daytime style and are timeless additions to any wardrobe. Pair them with a red, white or black dress or top and jeans for instant glam.




















Speaking of cute shoes...its Spring, and that means it's time to bust out those sneakers again! Whether worn with a long flowy skirk or casual with denim's, these aren't your mom's white Keds. Look for sneaks with style like seen here on Lauren Conrad. Life & Style tells you where to find the hottest brands at the best prices.














J. Lo proves that fringe benefits are hot this Spring. The look is more luxe than down on the range, and is super hot on oversized satchels.














The look this season for leather is shiny! Patent leather is super hot right now on everything from shoes and bags to accessories. Tip: Only wear one piece of patent leather at a time to avoid looking like your little sisters' fashion doll.














It's amazing what designers can do with denim! It seems like every season there is a new look, a new cut and a new wash. Loved skinny jeans? Never fret...those are still hot, hot, hot, but so are wider legs, cuffs and, surprise! Colored jeans. Check out Life & Style's recommendation for the best looks right now and the hottest selling denim on the market.




















Beauty Alert: Short Nails! Acrylic lovers, you may be disappointed to learn that the hot look right now is trimmed and polished nails. Whether in clear coats, pink or red, short polished nails are the big beauty look this spring.

Love what you saw here? Check out Life & Style for more great tips on celebrity fashion, news, trends and more!

Heather Reier Brains Behind the Business of Cake

Ever wonder who started the ingenious line of delectable goodies called Cake Beauty?

Throughout childhood, Heather Reier was always drawn to the beauty world. In 2001, at the age of 26, her passion for indulgence and beauty had not wavered. That year, Canadian, Heather Reier realized that the beauty world needed a line of cremes, suds and scrubs with decadent, nourishing ingredients accompanied by sophisticated packaging and a sassy, fun concept. Cake Beauty was born.

Working initially in her kitchen, the young entrepreneur’ess spent countless nights and weekends developing, researching and sourcing ingredients from around the world, not resting until she found the ultimate recipe for Cake Beauty's collection. No detail was overlooked. She studied the properties of each ingredient, insisting on using only those that would benefit both physical and emotional needs while yielding the most superior textures. Mango and shea butters, coconut and jojoba oils, turbinado sugar, marshmallow, pure essential oils and whole milk were all used.

This ‘beauty junkie’s’ vision and ultimate goal was to create a collection of goodies that would trigger the emotional and physical feeling she knew the world starved for. If that wasn’t enough, Heather characterized each product with clever, distinct namesakes. When all details were covered, the collection was ready to be ‘served’.

Over five years later, Heather remains the driving force behind Cake Beauty. Her dedication and belief in Cake Beauty has resulted in worldwide distribution in lifestyle, boutique and department stores. The range can be found in the US, Canada, the UK, Sweden, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Philippines, Russia and Australia and contains over 20 signature products. Cake Beauty has become a true cult-beauty brand and favorite with celebrities the world over.

Cake Beauty products can be found at www.cakebeauty.com.

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

Conventional mositurizing lotions only attempt to replace a lack of natural moisture with artificial moisture but the problem is it comes off every time you wash or touch something.

Until now, all one could do to alleviate a dry skin problem was to apply conventional moisturizing lotions. In order for any moisture to actually improve a dry skin condition it needs to get below the second major layer of skin. In reality the only moisture that is going to reach this level is your skin's own natural moisture.

Have you ever stopped using artificial moisturizers only to experience an episode in which your skin actually became drier than it was before you started using them?

When you apply any artificial moisture to the skin's surface you are often sending the wrong signal - that your skin is being adequately moisturized, when in fact it is actually dehydrated of natural moisture. This often results in reducing your skin's production of the natural moisture needed to actually resolve a dry skin condition.

Unlike artificial moisturizers, Skin MD Natural bonds with the outer most layer of skin cells to turn it into what works like an invisible shield.



This "invisible shield" keeps moisture-robbing irritants out while helping to retain your skin's own natural moisture, resulting in skin that is far better hydrated, over the long term, than what can be achieved by conventional lotions.

See what doctors are saying about shielding lotions: Skin MD Natural

Visit Skin MD Natural today!