Shopping Getaway

Just around a week ago, Nordstrom has launched its beauty exclusive sale. Now, you have another getaway. Sephora is now offering loads of "only-at-Sephora" exclusives. Look like the mid summer is going to be lots of fun!

Beauty Anonymous here has some worthy picks:

1. Vera Wang Princess Perfect Pair ($25 at Sephora Exclusive)includes a .17 oz Roller Ball Eau de Toilette and a .17 oz pink lipgloss.

2. Cargo Liquid Shadow Collection ($25 at Sephora Exclusive) includes six water-based eye shadow gels (copper, turquoise, creamy pearl, seashell pink, intense mauve, moss green).

3. Master's Class Expert Eyes Set ($174 value, now $59 at Sephora Exclusive) includes 2 eyeshadow trios, a cream eyeliner duo, a mascara, 3 brushes, and an instructional DVD.

4. Shiseido 'Benefiance' Anniversary Set ( $78 at Nordstrom Exclusive ) includes BenefianceCreamy Cleansing Foam, Daytime Protective Emulsion with SPF 15+, and samples of Enriching Balancing Softener, Concentrated Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, and Concentrated Neck Contour Treatment.

5. L'Occitane 'Slip Into Shea' Set ( $79 at Nordstrom Exclusive) includes Shea Butter Hand Cream, Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream, Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream , and two Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soaps in Verbena and Milk.

Benefit "buh-buys" sale!

Benefit is now having a "buh-buys" sale online. You could easily save up to 75% on selected items. Here is a sneak peek of the "buh-buys" sale: Lipstick is now half price down ($8) with great color selections. Why not lining your lips with the lip sketching pencil($12) to match up? The lip sketching pencil has color on one end, and a blending sponge on the other end. I found this is quite convenient! For eyes, the powder eyeshadow in icy powder blue($7), and shimmering sugared lilac($7) are absolutely perfect for a summer look! There are more nice stuff on sale at the Benefit website. You gotta go find out more for yourselves! This is going to be a sweet opportunity to stock up your favorites. Have fun!

Glamorous USB Drive!

Dear geeky beauty, there is a fashionable way to store your valuable files in a USB flash drive! You no longer need to carry a dorky USB flash drive. Philips has teamed with Swarovski to launch the Philips-Swarovski Active Crystals Collection this August in the US. The collection consists of two categories : USB keys and stereo headphones.

All the USB drives are embedded with Swarovski crystals in different cuts, and the earphones are encrusted with one crystal for each ear. Integrating high fashion and functional technology, the Philips-Swarovski Active Crystals is a fashionable accessory for women. It is so glamorous and elegant! Nowadays more and more women are catching up with technology, there is really a trend that more electronic gadgets are designed with a sense of feminine!

The USB drives in the collection can store up to 1GB of data with password protection. They come in four types: Heart Ware, Heart Beat, Lock In and Lock Out. The first two are heart-shaped necklace pendants. You have to open the heart to reveal the USB connector. The latter two can be attached to a key chain, a bracelet, or as a cell phone charm. Each of them is going to cost you $129

The other deluxe series is Active Crystals, which comes in 4 models of headphones: Amazone (retail $149), Icon (retail $79), Space (retail $99), and Mirage (retail $129). Among all, the Amazone model is noise-isolating with a necklace. On one side, the clasp can hold a small MP3 player. The other side features two headphones set with bling bling.

The Philips and Swarovski Active Crystals collection is arriving in department stores, electronics retail stores and Swarovski stores in August 2007.

Kose Hair Cologne

Have your hair ever smelled like tobacco after a night of clubbing? Or, after a day of cookout, yummy, your hair smells like a slab of smoky BBQ pork rib? Or, your hair itself is odoriferous after a walk under sun. Now, that is a way to keep you and your hair happy. Kose "happy bath day" rose scented hair cologne gets rid of unpleasant odors (such as cigarette smoke, sweat, BBQ smoke...etc) and prevents bad odors from getting trapped into hair. All you do is spraying it on dry hair evenly, and you are good to go!

My hair easily absorbs bad smells in my surroundings. What I really like about this hair cologne is after one spray, it gets rid of all kind of "unhappy" odors and leaves no oil behind. The fragrance is a little artificial and overly sweet for me when I first spray on my hair. But within 1 to 2 hours, my hair starts to smell like refreshing lightly-floral scent and it lasts all day!

From Japan, this hair cologne is in a girlie-cute packaging. The spray bottle itself is easy to put in my tote. Now, I always keep this hair cologne with me and it is my hair "saver" after a night of clubbing. (Unfortunately, this product is currently not available in the US. Click here)

I am not a plastic bag!

Anya Hindmarch's "I am not a plastic bag" is definitely the hottest accessory of the season. The canvas tote worths only USD$15, already hitting the waves from UK, the US, to Asia. It had sold out in every Anya Hindmarch boutique everywhere. It is talk of the town for every fashionista.

I am lucky enough to own one before it was sold out the first time. For a month, I have carried it around for grocery and running errands. Sometimes, I was asked by passersby where to get the bag with such a sense of humor. Truly, I think every fashionista and even non-fashionista would fall in love with the tote. The tote is simply stylish. Most importantly, I find it is very sturdy. The handle is designed very comfy to carry.

Anya Hindmarch began to design this environmentally-friendly and affordable bag with the U.K. activist organization We Are What We Do two years ago. The goal is to encourage citizens to shop with their own green bags / reusable bags, and reduce the use of plastic bags. It started out as a good intention, surprisingly, it has come out huge success.

Soon later, the controversy following the success broke out over issues on worker rights, fair pay, fair-trade cotton, carbon emissions, etc. Anya Hindmarch responded that all bags are made in a reputable supplier in China where workers are paid double the minimum wage, and the factory has been monitored to ensure the highest ethical standards. Bags are shipped by sea to reduce carbon emissions. Anya Hindmarch has never hid the truth that the bag is neither organic nor fair-trade. "Im Not A Plastic Bag" was aimed to be a fashionable, reusable bag that would raise awareness of this green issue.

Alright, regardless of the controversial issues, regardless of the high demand stemming from popularity, regardless of the crazy inflated prices of the bag, I want to give Anya Hindmarch credits for launching the bag with a "do-good" intention. Fashion sells. Anya Hindmarch knows how her brand in a position to influence the world. Afterall, she offers an alternative to the use of plastic bags, and try to promote green awareness and a green living style.

For gals who missed the chances of grabbing one, you still have a chance. A new edition of the bag is hitting the shelves at selected Whole Foods markets in the New York and Tri-State area on July 18th.

Lipgloss to-go!

For lipgloss addicts and girls always on the go, here are some mini glosses you can carry anytime and anywhere!

Lola Lipgloss Keychain

With a cute little lipgloss attached to your key ($5), you can always get ready for a glistening shine. The lipgloss is made with jojoba, Vitamin E, and breath freshening mint. It is available in nine colors at http://www.lolacosmetics.com/










Bourjois Effet 3D Lipgloss Mobile

This is an interesting lipgloss cell phone charm (available at Sephora for $9). Attached to your mobile to stay beautiful while staying connected, kaiwaii! It is available in eight bestselling shades of Effet 3D Lip Gloss.

Speaking from experience, life is much easier with lipgloss on hand all the time. It saves me from hunting for lippy in my tote, cosmetic bag or one of my pockets.

Nordstorm Beauty Exclusives!

Ladies, start your engine!! Nordstorm is offering beauty exclusives! The in-store sale starts on July 20th, 2007. It is not a "sales" per se, but not only you'll find many exclusive items from top beauty name brands, you will also find larger-sized versions of many best sellers and combination sets at great value prices. This is definitely a chance you don't want to miss because you won't find it elsewhere. If you can't wait, online pre-order is available right now (but they only will start shipping on July 20th). Click here.

Eco-chic lipstick!

The Plantlove Botanical Lipstick ($20) collection launched by Cargo is environmentally-friendly inside out. It is the first ever lipstick case manufactured by bioplastic technology on the market! The lipstick case is made from corn-based polylactic acid and is easily biodegradable. Most importantly, it is mineral oils and petroleums free. In other words, it lets you pretty and fabulous but minus greenhouse gases. The packaging box is made of recycled paper embedded with wild flower seeds. The cool thing is it grows into flowers after the packaging is moistened and planted in the garden.

The lipstick contains Orchid Complex, meadowfoam seed oil, jojoba and shea butter. There are twelve shades in this line. Five shades are designed by celebrities, and the rest of them are inspired by seven national parks around the world. Two dollars from each Plantlove lipstick sale will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to help children with cancer. Alright, beauty isn't skin-deep anymore! Cargo's Plantlove Botanical Lipstick collection is embracing beauty, eco-awareness, and charity!