Happy Halloween from Sephora

SANDy, Adios, and all of us at B&TB wish you a safe, happy, and very dressed-up Halloween.

Let us know your witty costume plans. And, if you're still looking for inspiration, check out our Facebook page for more beauty-raising ideas from our castmembers.

More Tricks & Treats (Giveaway!) from SUPER by Dr. Nicholas Perricone

Yesterday, we offered you some tricks and treats from Perricone MD--today we're focusing on SUPER, Dr. Nicholas Perricone's new line of superfood-packed skincare. Try these expert tips from the doctor himself to get the most out of this duo of crave-worthy products. 

SUPER Super Lush Lips with Coconut Oil
Everyday use: This treatment nourishes, quenches, and subtly shines lips.

Trick: Massage it onto the bottoms of your feet for unbelievably soft heels.

SUPER Super Supermodel Legs with Chili Pepper
Everyday use: An innovative moisturizing and smoothing cream that boosts the skin's natural radiance and helps you to achieve runway-ready legs.

Trick: Apply it to your arms and décolleté for an alluring upper-body glow.






Now it's once again time for treats. Three lucky winners will win both the Super Lush Lips with Coconut Oil and Super Supermodel Legs with Chili Pepper. Post a comment about which superfood you're dying to try. We'll select the winners at random. (Don't forget to include your e-mail address, so we can contact you if you win!)

Start Your Halloween With Buxom

While you're putting the finishing touches on your costume tonight, watch this video from the sassy ladies at Buxom to get some last minute makeup inspiration. How will you do your lashes? Go skyscraper-high and dramatic with their blacker-than-black Buxom Lash mascara. Top it all off with a pop of color from the Big & Healthy Lip Stick and a dab of bright gloss using Buxom Lips. The Buxom ladies know how to look good, and they know how to party, so let them take you out on the town for the night. Live life vividly.

Just The Stats, M'am

Here, some beauty fun facts from a recent poll of 1,000 British women:
16 million: The average number of mascara swipes we ladies apply a year.
1,035: The amount in dollars the average woman spends on beauty in a single year.
68,055: The price of beauty over a lifetime.
880: Gallons of foundation spackled on each year. (Writer aside: Do you think tinted moisturizer is more or less?)
40: Percentage of women polled who said they wouldn’t leave home without makeup.
19: Percentage of those who said they’d rather spend less on groceries than cut their beauty budget.
5: The total average number of days a woman spends looking into a mirror.
1/4:Women who said beauty is an essential, not a luxury.
What are your thoughts on these numbers? –Jenna Mahoney

Experience Illamasqua's "Art of Darkness" Collection

Discover the inspiration behind Illamasqua’s autumn/winter 2010 Collection, “Art of Darkness.” This dramatic new collection invites you to enter a world where seeing is believing, and believing can be dangerous.

“Lured by the promise of immortality, a host of fantastical beings try their hand at creating the ever-elusive Elixir of Life. The resulting potions dazzle the eye and ensnare the senses, a beautiful array of jewel-like substances. They may not deny mortality, but they do make the theatre of life a more colourful stage on which to play.”

Here’s what Illamasqua’s Creative Director, Alex Box, says about this captivating new collection:

"In designing the Art of Darkness concept, we discussed banquets and bringing characters together that represented different elements and emotions. I am fascinated by the alchemical procedure of creating precious materials out of base materials. It's so medieval—we explored the idea of the Renaissance, Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian etc. Those dark, alluring colours and the rich symbolism within the paintings were inspiring, the idea of a story within a story."

Watch the film and prepare to enter the darkness. Then, shop the collection.

The Illamasqua Art of Darkness Collection

Nail Varnish in Scarab (deep metallic red) & Viridian (deep metallic green), $14

Pure Pigment in Ore & Alluvium, $24

Powdered Metal in Ether (shimmering gold), $36

Liquid Metal in Superior (metallic cobalt blue) & Resolute (metallic cranberry), $26

4-Colour Liquid Metal Palette, $42.50

Precision Ink in Alchemy (gold) and Abyss (gloss black), $27.50

Intense Lipgloss in Hermetic (burgundy plum), $20

False Eyelashes in 023, $16

Tricks & Treats (Giveaway!) from Dr. Nicholas Perricone

That Dr. Perricone is one smart man. Not only are his advanced formulas extremely effective, they're also multi-useful. Since Halloween is just around the corner, we asked the skincare expert to reveal some lesser-know "tricks" (alternative use) for his products. Today, we're focusing on a pair of Perricone MD products. Prepared to be impressed.

Perricone MD Super Berry with Açaí - Dietary Supplement Powder
Everyday use: This powdered supplement fights wrinkles and provides instant energy.

Trick: For nights when you've been a little overindulgent, drink it before bed to help avoid hangovers.






 

Perricone MD Cleansing Treatment Bar
Everyday use: This multifunctional face-and-body soap with glycolic acid rejuvenates skin and reveals a healthy, glowing complexion.

Trick: If you suffer from keratosis pilaris (chicken skin bumps), use this soap to cleanse inflamed areas--it dramatically reduces the roughness!

Now that you've received some scary-good tricks, it's now time for treats. Three lucky winners will win both the Super Berry with Açaí - Dietary Supplement Powder and Cleansing Treatment Bar. Post a comment with a question for Dr. Perricone. We'll select the winners at random--and collect the best questions to be answered in a future post. (Don't forget to include your e-mail address, so we can contact you if you win!)

Ask away.

Meet Kat Von D

Our favorite tattoo artist, reality star, brand creator and author added another bestseller to her resume, The Tattoo Chronicles. Kat Von D will be touring the country's bookstores to meet her fans, pose for pictures and sign their copies. Check out the locations listed below to see if she'll be hitting up your hood in the near future. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for any Kat Von D bookmarks they might give away at the signings. If you bring it back to Sephora, you'll get a FREE deluxe sample* of Kat's new High Voltage Eye Primer, which allows your favorite True Romance shadows to last longer and look that much brighter.


10/28 - Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

10/29 - Barnes & Noble, 4300 Mongomery Rd, Ellicot City, Maryland, from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm

10/30 - Barnes & Noble, 12405 N. Kendall Drive, Miami, Florida, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm

10/31 - Borders, 600 N. Orlando Ave, Winter Park, Florida, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

11/1 - Borders, 1540 Golf Road, Schaumburg, Illinois, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

11/2 - Barnes & Noble, 2500 N. Mayfair Rd, Wisconsin, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

11/3 - Barnes & Noble, 1000 Research Blvd, Austin, Texas, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

11/4 - Borders, 3600 McKinney Ave, Dallas, Texas, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

11/8 - Barnes & Noble, 2675 NE University Village St, Seattle, Washington, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

11/9 - Borders, 2605 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, Oregon, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

11/10 - Tattered Cover Book, Highlands Ranch Town Center, Denver, Colorado, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

11/11 - Borders, 6521 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

11/12 - Barnes & Noble, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd, Scottsdale, Arizona, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

11/13 - Books Inc., 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco, California, from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

11/14 - Borders, 2339 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, California, from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

11/15 - Borders, 1072 Camino Del Rio N, San Diego, California, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

11/18 - Barnes & Noble, 189 Grove Drive, Los Angeles, California, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

11/19 - Barnes & Noble, 7881 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, California, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

11/20 - Borders, 12370 S. Main St, Rancho Cucamonga, California, from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm


*While supplies last.

Two Amazing Ladies Get Down to Beauty

 AmazingCosmetics recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary and have a big giveaway coming up in the next couple of weeks (more on that from Beauty & the Blog in an upcoming post). Two of the lovely ladies behind the Illinois-based brand are actually more than just coworkers—they’re mother and daughter. Mother, Sandy Incardona (below, left), and director of sales and marketing, along with her daughter, Samantha Bordignon (below, right), Amazing’s public relations and marketing coordinator, sat down with us to share some insight on beauty today and where we’re headed.

What in your makeup bag right now?
Samantha: What isn't in my makeup bag? I do my makeup on the train, so I carry an arsenal. I always have my AmazingConcealer in medium golden, Powder Set to take care of mid-afternoon shine, and our Blush Matte in hot pink, which is right on trend with the Mad Men-inspired vintage look that's currently making a comeback. Just a touch on the apples of my cheeks makes my eyes brighter and my teeth whiter. Oh, and I can’t forget my teeth whitening pen, Tweezerman mini-tweezers, and a mini Michael Kors Leg Shine.

What’s changed in beauty in the last 10 years, and where do you see it going?
Sam: Nothing goes away—it just adapts. If you look back 10 years ago I was sporting glittery blue eyeshadow with icy pink lips—not my best look, I admit. My mom used to call it my moon-man lipstick. Now, you see versions of those trends. For instance, I still love adding a pop of blue to my eyes with teal liner, and wear hot pink lipstick almost daily, except now I use matte formulas and very sparingly. Everything old is new again.
Sandy: I think consumers are going to get even more involved and informed about what's going into their makeup and how it's being tested. We've always been passionate about not testing on animals and we don't use irritating ingredients. People are becoming more selective in what they use on their face—after all, you only get one! 

How are you celebrating the 10 years?
Samantha: Lots of champagne... I’m only kidding! We created a panel of 10 fabulous YouTube gurus—10 women for 10 years—called the “AmazingExperts.” They create product reviews, tutorials, and comparison videos to help our online customers learn as much about our products as possible.
Sandy: We also introduced our anniversary product, the Anti-Aging Face Primer, to accompany our first-ever formula, the AmazingConcealer.

What are your top steps to achieving your ideal complexion?
Sandy: Your makeup can only look as good as the canvas you apply it to. That being said, you have to make sure you’re paying attention to what’s under the makeup. I always use a moisturizer with SPF, preferably one with AHA or Glycolic in it so it works to increase cell turnover rate. After skincare, you only need four products and five minutes to perfect your canvas. Start off with the Anti-Aging Face Primer. It’s a moisturizer and primer in one, so it hydrates while filling in fine lines and wrinkles. Secondly, apply AmazingConcealer in pin-dot amounts under your eyes and over blemishes. Next up, dust on the Velvet Mineral Powder, or apply with a sponge for an airbrushed-looking finish. I prefer the pressed for it's convenience, but a loose mineral powder works too. Finally, set your look with a translucent setting powder, like our Powder Set. You can reapply throughout the day to reduce shine.

What makeup product can you not leave the house without using?
Sam: AmazingConcealer! I know—I have to say that, right? But it's true. I had tried every concealer on the market before my realization. I'm a self-diagnosed makeup addict. After one day of wearing it, I’ve never looked back. If I have a big day, or a date, I’m reassured that my concealer can handle it.

What beauty trends are you noticing in Hollywood right now?
Sam: I'm loving the return to natural-looking beauty. Women are less tan, which is a blessing for pale people like me! We're seeing fuller brows, thinner lips, rosy cheeks, and barer faces. All of these place a lot of emphasis on how skin should look and feel: healthy.

Top 10 Must-Haves on Sephora's BeautyTalk

We hate to be the last one to know especially on the topic of cult beauty. It's a matter of pride, we suspect. That's why we were so happy to discover the Top 10 list on sephora.com's BeautyTalk. It's a list of your most beloved products. Featured right now on the homepage is Kat Von D's picks, which has hidden gems like Fresh's Rose Face Mask and Illamasqua's Nail Varnish in Harsh (a clear silver glitter).

Our many contributors are also a goldmine for buzz-worthy recommendations. Wouldn't you want someone like Bekahbabz, who just shared her tip on keeping makeup off her boyfriend's sheets, to suggest a foundation? By the way, her favorite is Yves Saint Laurent Teint Resist, a long-lasting 14-hour formula.

Beauty buffs, we want to know what's on your radar! Tell us here on BeautyTalk.

Tomorrow Night: Meet Cindy Crawford at the Glendale Galleria

Supermodel Cindy Crawford will be introducing her Meaningful Beauty skincare collection on Thursday, October 28, at Sephora inside JCPenney at the Glendale Galleria. Stop by between 6 PM and 7 PM to sample the exclusive antiaging formulas, have your beauty questions answered and get an autographed photo of Cindy. No appointment necessary. For more information, call the store at 818-240-8700. And if you don't live in SoCal, you can still discover Cindy's secret to beautiful skin, as Meaningful Beauty is now sold at all Sephora inside JCPenney stores.

Introducing: Kate Spade

This week marks the arrival for one of our newest brands, Kate Spade. Though her name is recognized around the world and noted as a top accessories designer, she’s new to the beauty industry. The new fragrance, Twirl, evokes the aroma of a fresh garden in full bloom, topped with a twist of sweet fruit. Fresh mandarin, watermelon, blackberry, and red currant create a divine scent when mixed with fresh jasmine, magnolia, and Tiare flower.

“Twirl by Kate Spade New York is a captivating day-to-night fragrance,” said Deborah Lloyd, creative director and co-president of the brand. “[Twirl] is perfect for colorful days and cocktail soirees.”

Perfectly in line with the colorful, modern designs of Kate Spade accessories, Twirl comes in a beautiful bottle decorated with gold dots, resembling a disco bottle filled with sparkling Champagne. This is quite possibly the sweetest introduction to a new brand yet.

“At Kate Spade New York, we love colored tights and sparkly heels, festive fêtes and tables for two,” said Lloyd. “We believe in celebrations both big and small and when it came time to design our signature scent, we created a fragrance infused with joie de vivre.”

Vamping It Up: Trick or Treat?

Even though I wouldn't be considered goth, I often call myself a vamp tramp. I’m pretty sure that I’ve talked about my love for all things vampire here.) I love those creatures of the night so much that I read eight of the 10 Sookie Stackhouse books in the past two weeks. HBO’s True Blood is based on the escapist and warning: racy novels And I know that I’m not alone in my love for all things Fang-tastical. I mean, why else would they extend the fourth Twilight book into two movies? But I pretty much draw the line at fang implants. But it looks like I may be alone on that. Last night on NPR’s All Things Considered reporter Margot Adler reported on and tried some basic falsies as designed by an artist based in New York City. The 29 year old inserts and files a variety of styles ranging from Interview with a Vampire style to Lost Boys. She also does dog-like fangs for all of you in the team Jacob pack. Prices start at $80, but I’m not so sure I’d let someone other than a dentist touch my teeth. What do you think? Fake, yet, attached fangs are they a trick or a treat? –Jenna Mahoney

Getting Vegas-Ready at the MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutique & Studio

Vegas with your best friends is exciting enough. But getting pampered at the new MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutique & Studio at the Sephora Venetian instantly amps it up to a whole new experience. To dress up our Saturday night, my friends and I decided we all wanted dramatic eyes, so we gave ourselves up to the amazing talents of the MAKE UP FOR EVER artists—Mark, Brandon and Shelley.

Danielle chose neutral shades that enhanced her natural shape and already enviously long lashes. Tabitha shimmered with metallic silver shadow and a dusting of glitter on top. I went smokier and paired it with an intense red lip. Our artists then helped to fit each of us with false lashes for extra feminine allure. Add dresses and heels, a bit of music, and the exhilarating energy of the city, and you can probably guess where the rest of the evening led us.

Check out the MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutique & Studio for yourself at Sephora SoHo, Sephora Venetian and Sephora Costa Mesa, and choose from their menu of services to learn these makeup techniques and more from the pros themselves!

Q&A with NUDE Skincare Scientists

Last month, we asked you to submit your questions for the scientists at NUDE. You came up with almost 200 thoughtful questions about topics ranging from active ingredients to anti-aging regimes to how to treat sensitive and acne-prone skin. The experts at NUDE helped us round up the most commonly asked questions and we wanted to give you the answers—because if that many people are asking about it, you’re probably wondering as well!

Q: Is Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum okay to use on sensitive skin?

A: Yes, Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum is perfect for all skin types because it’s free from harmful or irritating ingredients. In addition, our Probiotic Technology works to sooth irritation, effectively calming the skin and reducing redness.


Q:  Is Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum suitable for acne or breakout-prone skin?

A: The Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum is very good for acne-prone skin. NUDE’s Probiotic Technology works in synery with our Prebiotics to control the levels of acne-causing bacteria, oil production, and breakouts. Probiotics also speed up the repair process of acneic skin. That being said, it’s important to never use the serum on broken skin.


Q: What are pre- and probiotics?

A: Pre- and probiotics are natural substances found in the skin that strengthen its defenses against premature aging, inflammation, and dehydration. More specifically, probiotics are healthy bacteria naturally found on the skin that help your skin repair itself. Prebiotics feed off of the good bacteria on your skin and overpower the bad bacteria that cause acne, congestion and breakouts. Damaging environmental factors and harsh skincare regimens can destroy probiotics and allow irritation to occur. Skin becomes dehydrated, elasticity is lost, and wrinkles form. Pre- and probiotics work together to create a smooth, glowing, healthy complexion—naturally!


Q: Should I use Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum if I’m under 30?



A: Because Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum prevents cellular damage as well as repairs cellular damage, it’s never too early to start using the Serum. All of NUDE’s actives are natural and work with the skin, boosting and supporting its natural processes of repair, renewal and regeneration, so you’ll see results whatever your age. Plus, because our actives work with the skin, your skin doesn’t do anything unnatural (such as relaxing facial muscles), which could further age the skin.


Q: Will Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum make my skin greasy?

A: No.The Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum is free from ingredients that make the skin greasy; most importantly, it’s free from Silicones and Mineral Oils, two ingredients that are found in most of the serums on the market. Siilcones and Mineral Oils are occlusive and suffocate the skin, trapping actives on the surface and making the skin feel greasy. Silicones make products feel slippery, but we believe they’re not good for the skin and that you should avoid products with ‘dimethicone’ or ‘methicone’ in the ingredients lists. NUDE believes probiotics must be in a bio-available and silicone-free formula for optimal results.


Q:  How does Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum compare to other serums?

A: There are a few key differences between Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum and other serums:

1. Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum is all natural, except for the preservative system (which is Paraben free).
2. It’s Silicone free and Mineral Oil free.
3. It looks at damage and repair as a complete process.
4. It uses probiotics to repair cellular damage and correct ageing, and is proven to increase cellular renewal by up to 70% and reduce cellular damage by up to 50%.

Q: What does Hyaluronic Acid do? I thought Acid was bad for the skin?

A: Without getting too technical, every liquid is either classed as “acidic” or “basic” (with one exception: distilled water). All liquids sit on a scale of how acidic or basic they are and it is the liquids at either end of this scale that will irritate the skin. Hyaluronic Acid is not bad for your skin; it is actually a naturally occurring part of your body and is widely distributed in your skin and tissues. It forms a key part of the structure of normal, healthy skin by delivering nutrients, hydrating the skin and acting as a cushioning agent.
 



Q: What key actives do you use and why?


A: There are three key actives we use:

1. Probiotic Technology repairs cellular damage increasing cellular renewal by up to 70% and reducing cellular damage by up to 50%.
2. Bioactive Peptides boost levels of Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid and Fibronectin. 
3. Hyaluronic Acid System restores and protects levels of Hyaluronic Acid.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a question and to the pros at NUDE Skincare for their thoughtful and informative responses.

Let us know in the comments what your favorite NUDE Skincare products are.

Guerlain’s New Parisian Palettes

Behold: Guerlain’s five new beautiful palettes, all inspired the brand’s hometown, Paris. Hence, each of the Écrin 6 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palettes is named after a street where one of their luxurious Parisian boutiques is located.

Outside, you’ll notice the striking, weighty case, designed by artist India Mahdavi. It features a chiseled metal top with a gorgeous latticework design and the signature Guerlain bee.

Inside is a flip-out mirror and six exquisite eyeshadows surrounded in luxe black suede. Infused with an ingredient derived from moonstone, the eye colors come in three different textures—iridescent, matte, and satin—to create looks with depth and dimension.

Which fits you best? Take a tour of the Paris “streets” and find out. Here, Guerlain's creative director, Olivier Echaudemaison, tells us about each palette's relationship to their corresponding streets.

93 rue de Passy
"Close to the Bois de Boulogne, Paris’verdant quarter is brimming with children and pleasure, elegance and style."
Pink, smoky pink, grey, and taupe

10 rue des Francs Bourgeois
"[Rue des Francs Bourgeois is] close to the Place des Vosges, the royal square designed by Louis XIII, where tree foliage intertwines with wrought iron railing."
Beige, golden bronze, and brown

29 rue de Sèvres
"[These colors represent] the left bank, where the artists and intellectuals that embody the Parisian spirit gather around legendary cafes."
Taupe, light gray, and turquoise

2 Place Vendôme
"As day fades into night, the stones of the historical 18th century façade take on a truly chic grey with an almost pearly sheen."
Iridescent ivory, deep grey, intense indigo, and navy blue 

68 Champs-Élysées (pictured above)
"The blue-grey of tin roofs, of the cobble stones which line the longest avenue in the world, and imperial purple, brings a touch of sophistication to symbolize the historical boutique of La Maison Guerlain."
Gradations of brown, beige, and vibrant violet

Video Lookbook from MAKE UP FOR EVER

Happy Monday! It's been an insane day and our pantyhose is pinching. We're going to scurry into our imaginary cave for 36 seconds of pure inspiration courtesy of MAKE UP FOR EVER. Of the many fashion-forward trends in this video lookbook, our favorite is the two-toned metallic lip. It makes us feel like gold-medal champs. Press play and enjoy!

p.s. If you're one of the lucky ones who live near Costa Mesa, Las Vegas, or New York City, visit our new MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutique & Studio inside Sephora to recreate any of the above looks with an official MAKE UP FOR EVER artist. See store locations here.

Two Thumbs Up for the Dr.'s Two-Step Peel

As a member of the thirty-something club, my skin concerns have grown deeper than when in my twenties. How do I get rid of these unwanted sun spots, lessen the look of fine lines around my eyes and zap those occasional hormonal pimples that creep up on a monthly basis?

It seems that the answer lies in a simple two-step punch, I mean peel. After visiting Dr. Dennis Gross at his office in NYC, getting an in-office peel and following up with the at-home version—I've been getting compliments on my skin left and right. And I also have noticed a difference. Lately, I feel like my makeup hasn't been creasing into my fine lines, and those sun spots and zits have magically disappeared. Maybe I'm on to something ... The only change in my skincare routine has been adding the Alpha Beta Peel.

In this quick video below, Dr. Dennis Gross answers some questions specifically about his latest launch: Why two steps? Is it really as effective as the in-office procedure? What skin types should use this product? Press play below to find out his answers.

You don't have to take my word for it. Here are some pretty impressive stats from consumer tests that were taken:

• 92% reported visible improvement in firmness and radiance
• 88% reported visible improvement in minimized pore size
• 82% reported visible improvement in skin tone and spot reduction
• 86% reported they felt increased hydration in their skin

Have you tried the peel? If so, do tell. I'd love to hear your results.

The Silver Ticket Sweepstakes

We’re celebrating the SEPHORA COLLECTION Blockbuster Palette’s 5th anniversary by giving you a chance to win all the gifts. If you’re not familiar with our Endless Color Blockbuster Palette, here’s the scoop: the travel-friendly palette is packed with 187 makeup products, including 98 eyeshadows, 70 lip glosses, nine eyeliners, and so much more. It is without a doubt the biggest, most beautiful Blockbuster, ever.

To commemorate this makeup milestone, we’re giving you a chance to win a $1,000 Sephora shopping spree, a year supply of SEPHORA COLLECTION products, and a $1,000 donation to the Arbor Day Foundation in your name. (If you’re wondering about the tree donation, it’s to represent the time-honored five-year anniversary gift of wood. Cute, right? We thought so.)

Here’s how to win:
Buy the 2010 Blockbuster Collector’s Edition Makeup Palette*
Find the included silver ticket
Hold on to your ticket and visit Sephora.com/win/silverticket on January 1, 2011 to see if it holds the winning number

If you don’t have the grand prize-winning ticket, you could be one of the five second-place winners to receive a year supply of SEPHORA COLLECTION products. Don’t forget—you have to check back on January 1, 2011 to claim your prize. Happy winnings!


*See Terms & Conditions for alternate method of entry.

Product Patrol – This Week’s Hottest Launches

Korres Guava and Fig Tropical Shower Duo: Ideal for stuffing those stockings, this little duo packs a big, fruity punch with the scents of fig and guava reminiscent of the Mediterranean. These showergels are guaranteed to rejuvenate your skin as well as your senses.


Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Travel Set: We love this adorable kit of four travel-sized haircare essentials for it's ability to act just like a tall glass of thirst-quenching milk for your curly tresses.








Dior Miniaudière Eyeshadow and Lip Gloss Palette: There are too many reasons to adore this fashionable clutch-shaped compact, among them, the vintage-inspired kiss clasp and the five makeup must-haves inside that help you achieve radiant eyes and lips.

Thierry Mugler Womanity: This sweet and savory fragrance continues Thierry Mugler's tradition of creating fragrances a step ahead of their time. The fragrance opens with energetic citrusy accords and dries down to a daring yet wearable cloud of complexity that smells of fruit, woods, granite, and salt.

Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Brightening Set: This high-value set features essentials for aging skin that combine exclusive retexturizing properties with highly advanced skin brightening.

Sephora's Halloween Potluck

There is a perception among the other corporate residents of our building that Sephora employees are cocktail-swilling party girls. That, we cannot confirm nor deny. But, we can say without hesitation that we throw the baddest, meanest potlucks of all time.

To celebrate the birthdays of two of our favorite people on the marketing team, Brandace and Christie, we hosted a shared-food extravaganza. The theme was Halloween, a holiday that we, Sephora gals, wholeheartedly embrace with a pagan lust. See our glow-in-the-dark polish from SEPHORA BY OPI and devilishly flirty kits from MAKE UP FOR EVER. For this particular celebration, our marketing director tasked us with the challenge to produce treats that are extra gross and creepy. On the menu:

Mummy Meatloaf: Google it and you'll see it's a viral phenomenon
Witch's Fingers: carrot sticks with gnarly almond sliver nails in a zesty ranch dressing
Kitty Litter Mac 'n Cheese: with a secret cheese blend
Frog Eyes: mochi cheese bread
And, for dessert, Dirt Cupcakes, Boo Cakes, and Wizard Nipple Cookies

Trick or treat! This potluck will be hard to beat, but we'll try at our next one: a 2-in-1 Thanksgiving/Christmas theme with the possibility of a turducken.

Accessorize With Marc Jacobs’ Perfumed Jewelry

Sometimes I’m in such a rush to get out the door that I forget to put on a bracelet or necklace to finish my look. When I get to work, I’m always slightly bummed that I feel so naked, as though my outfit is now less cute without a piece of jewelry to complete it. Other days, I may remember my necklace or gold bangles, but then I forget my perfume. There’s just too much going on to remember it all. What’s a girl to do?

Marc Jacobs, one of my favorite ready-to-wear designers and perfumers, has come up with some pretty new ways for me to combine these duties into one. Perfumed jewelry isn’t a new idea, but I’ve yet to find many that combine cute jewelry with scents that I’ll actually wear. Problem solved with two new jewelry pieces from MJ.

Lola, his playful floral scent, is now available as a solid formula in a cute bracelet with multi-layered floral charm. The purple, red, and pink abstract flower looks exactly like the topper on the full-size bottle. Daisy, his bright mixture of strawberry, ruby red grapefruit, and gardenia, comes in a darling black-and-gold oversized ring decorated with little daisies. (It’s my favorite.)

Now when I’m rushing out the door, all I need to remember is to grab one of these jewels and I can dab some perfume on while walking to work. Saving time, accessorizing my outfit, and smelling good—I could probably even stay in bed an extra two minutes now.

Top Spring/Summer 2011 Trends from Our Favorite Beauty Editors

After running into a few of our favorite beauty editors backstage during spring/summer 2011 fashion week, we thought it would be a great idea to pick their brains and report back what their favorite looks of the season were. So before you read it in their glossy mags, you can say you heard it here first!


"I love to see something unexpected, so my favorite makeup look was the reddish eyelids at Carolina Herrera. Red is such a strange color to use on the eyes, but it looked seriously gorgeous and really fresh. For hair, Odile Gilbert created the most beautiful style at Rodarte—the hair was worn down, loose and tousled, with a swooping part clipped back with a large, chunky barrette." Amy Keller Laird, Beauty Director, Allure



"The highset braided buns at Sophie Theallet presentation were just gorgeous. I'm soooo over basic buns and these reinvent that classic style with unique visual interest. The front is sleek and polished-looking while the braid's intricate detail ensure this updo looks fresh, rather than formal and stuffy." Caitlin Kiernan, Beauty Director, Life & Style

"I love the strange applications of color to hair—from Odile Gilbert using eyeshadow on parts at L’Wren Scott to the colored hair gel Paul Hanlon used at Altuzarra. There are so many cool ideas that come of these out-there trends when you try to make them more wearable. A braid can get a few little streaks of color thanks to bright mascara, or bangs can be dusted with a shimmery metallic eye shadow."

Holly Siegel, Beauty Director, Nylon

"Hot pink lip color is going to be huge this spring—and I’m loving the looks at shows like Diane von Furstenberg and J. Mendel! Perfect for a sexy night out, it’s a cool and fresh alternative to classic red. And surprisingly, it works on every skin tone—I can vouch for that!” —Holly Carter, Beauty Director, People Stylewatch

"I'm still swooning over the matte lip looks at Marc Jacobs, Sophie Theallet, Jil Sander, and more. It's a little tough to pull off for the over-twenty crowd, but we'll find a way to make it work for the grown-ups!" Cheryl Kramer Kaye, Beauty Director, Redbook

"I'm obsessed with flawless skin so the fact that the runways for Spring 2011 were filled with what I'm calling 'doable drama' is a winner for me. The makeup is grown up and polished with an attention to detail without being fussy. For example, the skin looking buoyant and breathable with a slightly more refined brow at Vera Wang, the sculpted cheek at 3.1 Phillip Lim, the enhanced luminescent skin at Tracy Reese, the warm peachy cheeks at Versace. It's all making me rethink my own routine and crave clever formulas along with new application techniques." Elaine D'Farley, Beauty Director, SELF

"I have a small skincare obsession. I tote around extra SPF in my handbag and rotate between no less than five antioxidant serums, so it's no surprise that I fell in love with the dewy, radiant complexions makeup artists created at Phillip Lim, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. Come spring, I am going to be wearing just a hint of tinted moisturizer with just a little bit of highlighter on my cheeks, so my skin skines through. No more hiding behind layers of heavy foundation!" Ellen Miller, Beauty Director, Shape


"My favorite trend from SS2011 is pure happiness— orangey red lipstick! From youthful, Teen Vogue-y brands like Marc by Marc Jacobs and Jill Stuart

to seriously chic luxe labels like Fendi and Marni, designers are thinking bright for spring. Truth be told, I'll probably cave mid-January and start wearing the trend then, but with a clean, defined eye and bare cheeks." Eva Chen, Beauty Director, Teen Vogue

"My fave trend from SS11 is the overriding message of ease and simple glamour. I loved seeing ponytails at BCBGMAXAZRIA

because a ponytail screams effortless polish. The hair look that I'm personally going to rock come spring is center-parted neo-hippie hair, like the look at Tracy Reese. Loose locks are sexy in an I-just-wake-up-like-this way. Makeup looks were also totally attainable, with just one pop of color on lips, like at Cynthia Rowley, or on eyes such as at Victoria Beckham's show." Gwen Flamberg, Beauty Director, US Weekly


Model images courtesy of Nick Baratta, style.com and Getty Images.