Breast Cancer Awareness Contest Winner!

Okay, here's the news I know you've all been waiting for. The winner of the draw for this lovely bottle of Donna Karan Cashmere Mist .....



.... is none other than my good friend, Cowgirl Warrior! Her support of our Comment for a Cure Fundraiser and her generous donation to the Canadian Cancer Society meant so much to me. Thank you, Cowgirl Warrior, and thank you to ALL of you who commented and donated! Through your combined efforts and donations, we have raised a total of $51 for the Canadian Cancer Society. It may be a small step, but it's a step in the right direction! :)




Thank you again for all your comments and support during this campaign, and I look forward to doing it again next year!

SYTYCD Canada, the inside scoop!

Remember that you still have a chance to win a bottle of Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist! For every dollar you donate to the Canadian Cancer Society using the widget on the left until November 30th, 2008, you'll get 2 chances to win the prize!


Howdy, bloggerinas! Sorry I've been away so long, seeing a live So You Think You Can Dance taping affected me so that I've been recuperating for the past week and a half.

Okay, not really. I've just been busy. But being part of the Live! Studio! Audience! really was a lot of fun. Yeah, there was a lot of standing around, and I felt too old by about 7 years, but they had a comic-type-guy come out while we were standing around, getting various audience members to be ridiculous on stage, and other such tomfoolery. Good times.


Yup, that very well could be the heads of me and Ex-Roommie up in there. Yup, entirely possible. Or it's just some randoms, I can't tell.

And of course, there was the show! Tre Armstrong and Lara (poor Lara!) look even lovelier in person, and Nico... well, Nico is just... sigh. He's so... tall and so... grrrrr! Leah Miller calls everyone "sweetie", but not sarcastically. I know I like to give her crap for not being Cat Deely, but that girl was wearing a frickin' pink spandex dress last week, folks. And she looked tight, so mad respect to her for that. Another person I like to rip is Natalli, for her sometimes overly sexed up routines. But after seeing her 6...no, make that her 8-pack from like 30 feet away, I take it all back. If you've got a stomach like that, you've earned the right to show it off wherever and whenever you want.

Tamina and Jesse were both in the audience cheering for their friends, and Jesse at least was great about posing for fan photos. (Tamina might have been too, I wasn't paying much attention). Nice to see that these dancers really are as tight-knit and supportive of each other as they appear to be!

The one negative thing about seeing a live results show is that on TV, after they announce the loser, the show just ends. In real life, you get to watch the eliminated dancers look crushed for a whole 10 minutes afterwards (until you, the audience-sheep, are ushered out, that is). The "losers" cry, the winners cry, Leah cries, and Rex... well, he just keeps chewing his damn gum like the queen he is. But really, it's very, very heartwrenching. (Incidentally, I did NOT agree with the choices... I thought Francis' solo was awesome, and that Danny and Allie should have been the ones to get cut.)

Francis looked SO disappointed and verklempt... everyone kept hugging him. Lara got an extra long hug from Miles (just the friendly kind), and Lisa had those strong silent tears streaming down her face.

In fact, I think Lisa might be the nicest person ever... she came up and hugged 2 fans (not us, sadly) at the end of the show, even though the stage manager types yelled at her not to. She kept saying "I know, I'm sorry, I just have to!" while hugging those 2 girls. What a doll!


Alrighty, I just wanted to pop in and say hi. Turn in tomorrow for my first nail polish review ever!

Still Looking for a Halloween Costume?

This ad might give you a few ideas. NSFW, depending on where you work, due to rather copious swearing.





Comment for a Cure is still on! For every comment left on this blog until Halloween, I will donate $1 to the Canadian Cancer Society, to a limit of $50. ALSO, your comment enters you into the draw to win this lovely bottle of Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist. It's sexy to comment!

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Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Update & a GIVEAWAY!

Hey folks! 2 quick things:

First, I've decided to extend my Comments for a Cure campaign until the end of the month. That means, for every comment made on this blog until October 31st, I will donate $1 to the Canadian Cancer Society, up to a limit of $50. Please note that you don't have to pay a cent to participate in this. Just comment, and *I'll* donate. Easy peasy! My heartfelt thanks to those who have already commented, and please feel free to leave some more comments, because...


Second, and possibly more exciting: I will be running a giveaway for a gorgeous, limited edition bottle of Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist perfume! Full review to come, but this soft and warm scent is perfect for cooler weather... it's really like wrapping yourself in a cozy sweater. Wanna win? There are 2 ways:

1. Make a comment on this blog between now and October 31st. Each comment you make will count as one chance to win! (Limit of one comment per poster per day please)

2. Donate to the Canadian Cancer Society before November 30th by using the ChipIn widget on the sidebar. ChipIn is a secure way to donate -- all you need is a PayPal account or an American credit card. The money gets transferred to me at the end of the campaign, and I'll post the receipt from my donation at the beginning of December. Every dollar you donate counts as TWO chances to win, and of course, there is no limit to how much you can donate! So, if you comment every day between now and October 31st, plus donate $20 for example, you'd have 45 entries in the draw (5 from the comments, and 40 from the donation)!

I will do the draw and announce the winner on December 1st. Due to shipping issues, this contest is only open to Canadian and US readers. Sorry to the folks abroad, it doesn't mean I love you any less!

Hopefully all this isn't too confusing, but I really want to continue to support the cause, even into November. While it is absolutely wonderful that so many bloggers and companies focus on Breast Cancer Awareness during October, our fight against this disease doesn't end when we take down the Halloween decorations. I've seen too many friends and colleagues battle this illness, and I believe that with our efforts, a cure can and will be found.

So yes, I hope there will be lots of comments over the next week, and lots of donations! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments. A great contest for a great prize, all for a great cause!


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Pink Product Review: Clinique Buttershine in Ribbon Pink

The Comments for a Cure Campaign continues! Please leave a comment -- for every comment made until the end of October, I will donate $1 to the Canadian Cancer Society, up to a cap of $50. I extended the campaign since so far, I've raised a very impressive ONE dollar. Seriously people, help me out! ;)


So, unless you've been hiding out under a rock lately, you will know that the economy is suffering on a global scale. So much so, for some countries, that the underside of a rock actually seems to be a pretty good place to take cover until all this kufuffle settles down.

But in reality, life must go on, and part of life (mine, at least) involves makeup. And if you're going to be buying makeup during these tough times, then you might as well do some good with your consumer dollar, right? Of course, there's a slew of lovely "Pink" products to choose from, but if you're looking to get the biggest donation-bang for your buck, then look no further than Clinique's Buttershine Lipstick in Ribbon Pink.

A whopping $10 out of the purchase price of $16 goes towards the Breast Cancer Awareness Research Foundation. That's 62.5% of the sale price!

Other equally-important reasons to love this Limited Edition lipstick is how great it feels on. It's not as "smushy" as a lipbalm, but it glides on nicely, with no oily or goopy feeling. It lasts pretty much as long as a regular lipstick, but feels much more moisturizing -- even after the colour's gone, my lips feel soft and smooth.

And of course... the shade! A light-medium pink that's sheer enough to work on most skintones, Ribbon Pink packs a sparkly punch! The micro-glitter is plentiful, but not gritty, and adds great sparkle to your lips. If you're really not a sparkle-lip kind of girl, you might want to check out Estée Lauder's lip trios instead (I know I will... tomorrow!), but me, I love the sparkles. It ain't no gaudy disco glitter either... from a distance, it just looks like a nice natural shine. Here, see for yourself:

       

Bare Lips on Left, wearing Pink Ribbon on Rigth. Pretty!

I could definitely see putting this over a peachy lip pencil, or used to tone down a too-dark shade as well. Finally, if all that wasn't enough for you, it comes in the most darling silver case, with a magnetized closure, mirror, and pink ribbon within (of course!). Smooth glossy lip colour for a good cause... you can't lose!

For a detailed breakdown of where your "Pink" dollars go, check out Jazmin's list at Makeup Moxie. It's not surfing just a great beauty blog, it's *education*. ;)


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Pink Product Review: Jo Malone Red Roses

Today is the first day of the Comments for a Cure Campaign at Brain Spam! Please leave a comment -- for every comment made between today and Friday October 24th, I will donate $1 to the Canadian Cancer Society, up to a cap of $50. Help me reach my goal and join the fight against Cancer!


Having just gone through The Summer Of Weddings, I have amassed a fair amount of wedding-related advice. The obvious one (don't wear white!) is a no-brainer, but a more subtle etiquette tip stuck out at me: Don't wear red.

Whether you choose to accept this advice or not is clearly a personal choice, but the advice-giver says that red is too eye-catching, too dramatic and passionate, and too strong. Weddings are purportedly about romance rather than drama, about a comforting, gentle love rather than a fiery, passionate one. And so, to reflect the romantic theme, one should stick with pinks if one wants to wear something in the red-family (either on the body or on the lips!).

Okay, so that might be the case for weddings, but when it comes to cancer awareness, I say we need to add a splash of Red to the Pink campaign. In the fight against cancer, yes we need compassion and understanding, but we also need the fire. We need to be dramatic and bold and attention-getting, to tell our friends and loved ones that they CAN and SHOULD take care of themselves. (Put down that cigarette! Do your monthly self breast-exams!) We need that passion, devotion, and strength if we are going to end this disease that strikes 1 out of 8 American women.



To me, Jo Malone's Red Roses cologne is a perfect combination of Pink and Red. It is the most realistic scent depiction of a real rose that I have smelled. It starts off supple and lush, with a jammy, greenish toothsome-ness, as if you'd stuck your nose in a big bouquet of freshly-cut roses with plump petals. The sweetness of the rose is balanced by a slight but bracing spiciness, reminiscent of lemon verbena (probably the lemon and spearmint notes coming through). As it dries down further, a touch of cream is apparent, with the slightest suggestion of water droplets sprinkled on petals, but it mostly stays true to the rose. Near the base of the fragrance, there is a salty earthiness that I don't detect often in floral scents, but somehow fits perfectly here.

Red Roses is a fresh and young scent -- there's no overpowering musk or sickly sweet powder associated with it. But, it has a headiness, assertiveness, and composure that usually isn't present in fragrances marketed toward younger crowds. It is at once girlish and womanly, and I could imagine myself wearing it at a day in the park or for a romantic night out with equal ease. Indeed, it might last all the way from a day at the park to a big night out -- this fragrance, despite being labeled a cologne, lasts longer than any other floral I've tried. I can still detect traces of it lingering on my coat collar days after first wearing it. I cannot imagine needing more than 2 spritzes in the morning to last you through the day, and so the 100mL bottle will last for years and years and years.

The matching bath oil in the line smells pretty much identical to the cologne. I find it works tremendously as a post-shower moisturizer, especially on the legs. It is silky, non-sticky, and leaves my sheets deliciously scented if I put it on before bed.


So if you love a beautiful rose, and want to envelope yourself in its sensuous fragrance, Jo Malone Red Roses is a beautiful candidate. Because it is relatively straight forward, I imagine it will be easily paired with other scents to create endless combinations. Plus, you'll be doing some good: Jo Malone will donate $15,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in connection with the North American sales of Red Roses Cologne and Bath Oil. So get some Red into your Pink Month, and when your friends and coworkers ask you what alluring scent you're wearing, be sure to take a minute to tell them about the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign!


Check out other blogs participating in the Comments for a Cure today: All Lacquered Up, Makeup Makes Me Happy, Mystical Beauty, and see my last post for other blogs participating in the campaign!



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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Oh wow, blink twice and already we're half way into October! I've been crazily trying to prepare for what may well be the most un-fun conference ever, but I do want to take a minute to talk about Breast Cancer Awareness month. As some of you may know, the members of the created a campaign last year, both to raise funds for various cancer charities, and to raise awareness about cancer prevention and treatment. It was such a success that we're doing it again this year!

I'm excited to participate -- not only will I be writing some pink-related posts, I'll also be doing the Comments for a Cure fundraiser. For every comment left on this blog on October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, I'll be donating $1 to the Canadian Cancer Society, up to a limit of $50. (That's Wed, Thurs, and Fri next week!) Plus, there's going to be a contest for a great prize! So please stop by on those days to comment about the Pink campaign, share stories about how cancer's touched your lives, or just say 'hi'!

Of course, the best part is that the whole BBN is involved in this! Check out the "Think Pink" widget on the sidebar for links to Breast Cancer Awareness-related posts by network members, and do stop by the blogs below and drop a comment on their fundraising days. Every comment is another step in the fight against cancer!





The Beauty Blog Network Blog - Oct 15-30th

Makeup Junkie - Oct 20-22

Mystical Beauty's Musings - October 21-23

All Laquered Up - Oct 22-24

Sarah's Surprises - October 28-30

Beauty Junkie in SF - all October, on Pink posts

Christina Loves... - all October

Makeup Moxie's Beauty Blog - all October

Mischo Beauty - all October

Temptalia - all October (she has a huge goal of $1000! Let's help her make it happen!)




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Product Review: Estée Lauder Evelyn Pink Pure Color Crystal Lipgloss (Pink Ribbon Collection)

aka: All up in the Pinks.

Hello friends, can you believe we're half way through October already? This also means we're half way through Breast Cancer Awareness month, which means you've only got 2 weeks left to snap up all those "Pink" fund-and-awareness-raising goodies.

It can be hard to choose from amongst all the pink-themed products, but I had my eye on Estée Lauder's Pink Ribbon collection. I love Estée Lauder's lip products, and the company had committed to donating $500,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Besides, didja know that it was Evelyn Lauder who started the whole Pink Ribbon push 15 years ago?




This year's collection features 2 glosses, a lipstick, a bronzer compact, and a pin. Although the compact and matching travel brush was quite elegant, I am not much of a bronzer girl, and so I turned my attention to the lip products. The High-Gloss in Pink Ribbon was the same amazing texture and quality as the rest of the High-Glosses, but the colour was just too intense for me. It is a medium fuschia-pink that would go on sheerer than it looks in the tube, but just wasn't my cup of tea. I think it would look great on darker skin tones, or if you have cooler colouring than I do.

Deciding between the Pure Color Crystal Gloss in Evelyn Pink and the Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Elizabeth Pink was harder. The gloss is a sheer, medium, cool-toned pink shot with silver sparkle, and is apparently Evelyn Lauder's favourite pink. The lipstick is paler and peachier... perfect for that signature nude pout that Liz Hurley (for whom the shade was named) does so well.

I went with the gloss in Evelyn Pink and it's lovely. Great with a neutral work face, the shimmer allows you to use it with darker eyes for the evening as well. And in case you haven't heard, Estée Lauder reformulated their Pure Color glosses this past Spring -- the texture is thicker and longer lasting, but somehow still retains that velvety smoothness and non-stickiness. Plus, the tube is slimmer and more streamlined, which makes it both easier and more chic to carry around. Oh, and they lowered the prices. (Yes!)

This was a fantastic little reward for a very busy month, plus it helped support a great cause. Definitely worth a splurge in my books! If you'd like to read more about where the Pink dollars you spend really goes, check out this article by the NY Times. Natasha Singer did a great job, and I'll be sure to refer to it for my next Pink Purchase!