I recently had a spur of the moment trip to join my Daddy-O for a few days. With 5 days of travel and 3 different hotels, I wanted my makeup kit to be portable but diverse. I needed something for transit, for the moment when I jumped into his arms, for a touristy walk through the art district, and for fabulous evenings out to dinner. How could I possibly fit everything all those looks required into one little train case? If only there was something compact that contained a plethora of flattering shades….

Ask, and you shall receive. Only days previous I had opened a box containing theBalm’s Shady Lady Eyeshadow Palette(Limited Edition, Sephora only). I’d heard good things and I was headed out on an adventure anyways, so I just tossed it in my case along with a few brushes and hit the road. I guess I figured that if it didn’t work I could always use the excuse to hunt down a cosmetics counter and buy something new. It turns out that no hunting was necessary.

The palette case has a magnetic lid, a generous sized mirror, and is fairly sturdy. It survived being bashed about by baggage handlers, me, and later, my 15 month old daughter (a moment of silence please for the half a pan of Easy Wheezie which ended up embedded in her nails and my couch cushions). It’s smaller than a standard CD case so it can be easily tucked between folded clothes or jammed into the corner of your train case. Not that I would ever do such a thing.

There are 9 colors in this collection, ranging from light to very dark and covering every major color family. The 3 darkest colors are perfect for use as liners as well so you needn’t pack anything more than an extra brush. The color combinations are limited only by your imagination and I found that even the most seemingly insane combination were lovely. On a whim I used Curvy Cami(Plum shimmer with gold flecks) partnered with All about Alex(olive shimmer) and I loved the results. You only need to rub your fingertips across the pans of color to realize why these shadows are described as velvety. They apply smooth and clean, with no clumpy, chalky texture. They glide across your eyelid and stay quite well without feeling heavy in the slightest. I generally use a shadow base, but theBalm’s shadows stay well without one.

I think the thing that most impresses me about this set is the value. With nine shades for only $38 it averages to just under four and a quarter for each shade. There’s no way you’ll find a shadow of this quality for that kind of money anywhere else. This set has great potential for people who want to try several new shades without the expense of buying a bunch of singles. However, I think its true value is for the woman who wants variety and quality but can’t afford to lay down the cash this usually requires. I found that this palette offers something for every occasion, from a picnic at the park to an evening on the town, and something for every mood, from soft and playful to sultry and divine. This was a well thought out color collection of a fantastic eye shadow packaged in a convenient way. For the price and the quality I simply have no choice but to rate it two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Mythbuster Beauty along with Baby Quasar are enthusiastic to be part of this initiative. In search for a cure and to promote BCA, for today only you can enter here to get a chance to win a Baby Quasar PowerPack!

What it is: The Baby Quasar PowerPack (which is both the Baby Quasar and the Baby Blue) are Photo Rejuvenation and Acne Clearing Devices.

The Baby Quasar (or BabyQ, as it’s affectionately called) is designed to deliver four light wavelengths that can enhance the skin cells’ circulation, stimulating collagen production and healing. The Baby Blue delivers only blue light and kills the bacteria that causes acne. Both devices have been favorably reviewed and are probably the most coveted photo rejuvenation items on the planet!!!

To read my very positive review of the Baby Quasar and Baby Blue, you can follow this link to: Mythbuster Beauty Review: Baby Quasar and Baby Blue.

These two “babies” have a total retail value of $749!

So how do you enter? Just enter your name, email address, and one of the facts about breast cancer found on the Total Cure Myspace and Facebook pages in the box below. But HURRY…this contest will be open for 24 HOURS ONLY!

Giveaway Rules:

The contest will end at 3:00 AM EST on Saturday October 18th. I will draw THREE winners at random and they will be notified by email. The winners have 48 hours to respond to my email notification that they have won and if they do not respond an alternate will be drawn. The winners will be announced by Monday, October 20th.

One of the things I love Too Faced for is their ability to be fun and kicky but remain classy. As I get older and finally grow into my adult responsibility (sort of), I try to evolve and keep my style on course with my age. Too Faced offers products that help me look smartly put together while still having a little crazy fun.

One of their products that helps me do that is Starry Eyed Liquid Liner ($17.50). Liquid liners packed with micro glitter, these are perfect for a little extra pop during the day, or a lot at night. A quick pass of Gold Digger right at your lash line gives a brightening look to your typical bronze shadow. It gave my eyes an open happy look, without being over the top. One swipe gives a twinkling shine without screaming “HELLO, I’M WEARING GLITTER!”, or add a few more layers for a bold, eye catching disco ball effect. Unlike a lot of micro-glitter eye products, Starry Eyed doesn’t irritate my eyes, and I appreciate that I can wear something I love without my eyes ending up goopy and itchy for once. Is it the addition of calming cucumber or soothing carrot that does it? Heck if I know, but I can tell you it’s a fantastic formula all around! It’s not quite as fast drying as you hope, but a quick shot of cool air from my hair dryer takes care of that. Be sure to let it dry all the way before opening your peepers wide, or you’ll end up with glitter on your upper eyelid all day long because the staying power is awesome.

Too Faced has a perfect product in their Mirror Mirror Lip Gloss ($16). Beautiful tints of color with amazing shine. It seems like it should be thick and sticky, especially to those of us accustomed to MAC’s Lipglass, but the light, smooth formula has not a hint of stick to be found. Super shiny and gorgeous, one glance in the mirror makes me feel ready to strut my stuff, especially with a color name like “Damn I’m Hot”. Yes, yes I am, and don’t you forget it honey .These are so easy to throw on over a lip liner for more color, and the light scent with lack of an added flavor makes them a real pleasure to wear.

Holiday party season is swiftly approaching. These are an easy way to add a little bit of glamor to your party outfits. Or your work outfits. Or your grocery shopping outfits for that matter. Both Starry Eyed and Mirror Mirror are available in mini sets ($25) so you can try them out without choosing just one color.  Also check out their bronzer in Snow Bunny ($25), a color formulated for wintertime bronzing. Seriously, has anyone else out there even thought of offering a winter bronzer?  Nope, Too Faced FTW!

Thank you Too Faced, for helping us be awesome and adult at the same time!

Friday, October 17th & Saturday, October 18th* (I will be sure to be at this one!)
Grand Opening Event co-hosted by Paula Dorf Cosmetics
Complimentary Make-overs
(To schedule an appointment for these events you need to call 801-583-1555.)
Beverages, Food, Free Product with Every Purchase
Gift Basket Drawing Every Hour
 
Special Promotion:  Free Kinerase Cleanser or Antioxidant Mist with the purchase of $100 in Kinerase products…While supplies last.  During the month of October you can enter to win an OJON ‘Try Me’ Kit every time you spend $50.

And be sure to mention that Jen from Mythbuster Beauty sent you!

Suki’s Velvet Cream is a greaseless, sensuous, all over body cream made with organic botanical nutrients hydrates while smoothing away bumps & imperfections for healthier, smoother skin. ideal for everyone ($26.95; sukipure.com).  

Sukicolor’s Pure Cream Stain in Opal is a gorgeous shimmery neutral with just a touch of peachy pink ($40.15; sukicolor.com).

Both beautiful for your skin and ways to support BCA.

Hi beauty blogging friend,

I am trying desparately to keep myself from blabbing out this secret.  I am horrible at keeping secrets (my sister will verify this).  But I feel like I would be unkind if I did not give you a heads up about a giveaway that is going to be held here on Friday, October 17th.   This giveaway will be held for one day only.  If you don’t enter on the day of Friday, October 17th you will miss out, and believe me, you will be one very sad individual if you did.

I am going to give you three clues: 

1.  In July I wrote up a very positive review about this “mystery” giveaway item.  
2.  It isn’t makeup, it isn’t a hair care product, and it isn’t even in a jar.
3.  Three words:  infantile extragalactic object

You can also read my review at:  MYSTERY GIVEAWAY ITEMS!

Okay, so I pretty much gave it away.  Then without a doubt you will be back on Friday, October 17th to enter!   And please pass it on!  This giveaway is to promote the Total Beauty – Total Cure Campaign and Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Pink Ribbon Alert!

Did you know that if you add the Total Beauty – Total Cure MySpace Page as a friend that you will be automatically entered in a giveaway sponsored by Tarte Cosmetics!?  One grand prize winner will receive a product gift set valued at $253!  The set includes:

-clean slate primer
-sunburst bronzing moisturizer
-lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 mascara
-picture perfect eyelash curler
-emphasEYES high definition eye pencil
-lock & roll creaseless eyeshadow duo
-tzone travel
-double dose berry boost & gloss
-cheek stain
-rest assured brightening wand
-rejuvelash declumping lash exhilarator
-fRxtion

AND, Twenty runners-up will win the ready-to-wear/prêt-à-porter palette!

Right now you can also receive 30% off your entire order at tarte cosmetics.  Just type in “luckybreaks7″ at checkout, this code is good until 11/30/08.   Thank you tarte!

My freshman year in college I took a ballroom dance course and there was a very low ratio of men to women enrolled in the class. I asked my teacher if my single Dad could participate.  As it turns out, my future step-mom Jan was enrolled in this dance class as a faculty member of Indiana University and within a few weeks, the two got acquainted during class time.  Jan and my Dad were engaged and married by the following semester.  As a younger man, my Dad served in the US Air Force, he also spent two years living in West Africa while serving in the Peace Corps.  Before retiring, he worked as an Electrical Contractor for 35+ years and started several small businesses that ranged from a CB radio business to a copy & typing business. 

Ed loves being in the outdoors, his vegetable garden, to write, and his family.  At the age of 72, he takes his health seriously and stays active by walking daily with his wife Jan and their dog Sandy.   He volunteers for several local community projects, as well as being a wonderful Grandfather to 16 grandchildren!

Thank you Dad for being such a fine human being and for sharing your love with us.  And thank you for your valiant fight last year to still be with us.  May you continue in good health and cancer free!

Do you live in the Hoosier State?  The Indiana Cancer Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the continued improvement of cancer treatment through ongoing clinical and prevention trials that offer the latest drug therapy and technology.  To learn more about this foundation you can go to their site:  IndianaCancer.com.

We had the chance to sit down with Chuck Hezekiah, national makeup artist for Maybelline New York, who told us how to get perfect, clump-free lashes with almost any mascara. Read on to find out exactly how your mascara can work in more ways than one to save you time, guesswork and money.

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