Picture This...

Take a few extra minutes to make a gift worth a million!

Upload your favorite pictures onto snapfish.com and create a photobook.

They start at $4.99, so you don't have to lay out a huge wad of cash, but it may be the best present someone gets!

Sending good cheer!

It's about that time to send out a bevy of cards to your nearest & dearest-- as well as the farthest!

Why not get cards that help the world?

Some of my favorites come from Unicef.

While you are there, you can also check out the great selection of gifts from around the world!

Shop like it's your job-- the money goes to a great cause!

For the mobile-addicted

Know someone who has a phone attached to their ear?

Can't stand someone texting & driving?

There is a present for them!

Get the Cell-R-Derm cell phone patch!

A great gag gift.

Too bad it's not real...

Hirsana Nutritional Supplement

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I'm all about supplements. I take a number of extra vitamins and supplements beyond the multi-vitamin every day. Hirsana promises beautiful hair, skin and nails if you take 2 a day. Each capsule contains vitamins E, B6, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin and Zinc. I've been using them for over a week and I must say just last night I thought my hair looked especially shiny. It could be just by chance. We'll see. I plan on taking these until they run out. I will give updates along the way but so far so good.

Global Goddess Upgrade Complexion Face Primer

This is definitely something new and different for me. I am used to face lotions and creams, but this Face Primer is silky, smooth, and not as thick. Smelled of black licorice, but lightweight and absorbed quickly into my skin. I like the way my face felt and looked after only a few uses. Great to use before applying makeup - it helps create a smooth, even toned canvas.

Olay Professional Pro-X Anti-aging Starter Protocol

Anti-aging Starter Protocol : Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, Eye Restoration Complex & Wrinkle Smoothing Cream.

This is a great starter kit for revitalizing your skin. Definintely using as directed on a daily basis is a must. I love the thickness and softness of each lotion. Thick, creamy & soothing to my skin. I would say that the biggest difference I noticed was around my eyes. Wrinkles, circles, and puffiness decreased. For those who are looking for a face pick-me-up without going through a procedure, I would highly recommend starting with the Pro-X Products. Olay even allows you to pick what you want to work on and put together your own regimen on their website. Go there and start rejuvenating your skin today!

shu uemura Eyelash Curler

Not all eyelash curlers are created equal. shu uemera has proven that. I have tried eyelash curlers before, but hated that they made right angles out of them or pinched my eye. This lovely little eyelash curler actually curls the lashes without pinching anything. The pad is well cushioned, and the angle is perfect. Don't waste your money on a cheap imitation!

IntelliWhite - Pout-n-Polish

I was so excited when I found out I was going to test this product. I thought to myself, what a great idea - lip gloss and teeth whitener all in one. Unfortunately, the polish never worked. I tried and tried to get it to work, but nothing ever came out. The polish left my mouth feeling clean and minty fresh. I am really bummed that the lip gloss was defective. Oh well, this product definitely had the potential to be great, but fell a little short of my expectations.

Luster 1 Hour White

Luster's 1 Hour White Tooth Whitening Light System was just what I needed before my wedding. A little pick me up to brighten my smile on the big day. It is easy to use, and you see results in less than one hour. I didn't even need to repeat the process more than 7 times to see the difference. Mouth rinse, gel, light - it is that easy! Definitely works better and faster than any of the whitening strips, toothpastes, and other products that I have tried. Thank you Luster for making my smile so bright!

skyn ICELAND

skyn ICELAND
the EYE CLINIC
Icelandic Relief Eye Cream & Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

Tired puffy eyes be gone! I can not tell you how amazing the Firming Eye Gels feel. After a long day or night, your eyes and face will thank you after 10 minutes with skyn's under eye pads. They provide a cooling, soothing feeling to those tired, wrinkled, and puffy eyes. The Icelandic Relief Eye Cream helps lighten dark circles to refresh your eyes. No matter how stressed or tired you are, no one will ever know if you use the EYE CLINIC products from skyn!

Mally

Mally
Citychick Smokey Eye Kit
Soho Silver



The perfect smokey eye all in one cool compact. This kit comes with everything that you need to make the perfect, non-smudging, long lasting look for the evening. Mally even has tips and a video on her website on how to use the kit effectively. Click Here

The kit includes a cream to powder base, 3 shadows, and a creamy pencil liner with sparkles. The first time I tried it, I went a bit heavy on the shadow, but now I have the smokey look down - all thanks to Mally!!

DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew

This face moisturizer is great. It is fragrance free and light, but not runny or goopy at all. I have been using it on a regular basis and am loving it. SPF 15 is an added bonus. My face feels protected, moisturized and ready for the day.

Boscia Sheer Tinted Moisturizer - Warm

I have tried tinted moisturizers before. Boscia created a moisturizer that is a little different from all of the rest. It is made with Willow Herb, an anti-irritant and Jojoba Leaf, an anti-oxidant. It goes on even and smooth, with a nice warm color that blended well with my skin tone. I used it instead of foundation and didn't feel I was missing anything. My face looked and felt great. The best part about boscia is that they offer preservative-free skincare that makes you look and feel better.

Umberto Beverly Hills

Umberto Beverly Hills
Regular Hold Hairspray



Lightweight, pleasant scent. Holds your hair without making it stiff and crunchy. Lasts all day, and doesn't flake or goop up. Perfect for every day styling. Oh, and right now Target has a great deal on a two pack!

Blow - the perfect shower cap

I often use shower caps to keep my newly styled look dry in the shower. Up until now, I am ashamed to admit, I had been using hotel shower caps. NO MORE. This shower cap is like no other. We are talking large enough for long hair, super soft on the inside, and it really seals out moisture. The terry cloth lining is well worth it. The case it comes in makes it easy to keep clean and take with you!

Simple Skincare

Simple
Kind to Skin
Soothing Facial Toner & Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash

Simple started introducing products that are gentle on your skin almost 50 years ago. They use perfume-free, non-harsh, all natural products to create skin care everyone can use. The facial wash foams and feels gentle on my skin. I love the texture, and the way my face feels after. Clean and soft. The toner cleans the last bit of dirt and makeup from my skin without drying it out. That is a huge bonus in my book because most toners make your skin so dry it itches! Simple ingredients, kind to your face...what more could you ask for?!

Remington - Wet 2 Straight

Remington
Wet 2 Straight
1" Ceramic Plate Flat Iron

I have used this a couple of different times now, but I haven't tried going "wet 2 straight". I love making waves with this thin flat iron, and even tried making curls with it. Works great for a quick straightening of a few stray hairs. Heats up quick and the instructions are great for knowing which setting to put it on. I hope to try it on my hair when it is damp soon. Stay tuned!

Philosophy - Pink Frosted Layer Cake

Philosophy
Pink Frosted Layer Cake
High-Foaming Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath


One word - YUM! I love starting my morning with this delicious smelling potion. It makes the day that much better. I have been mostly using it as a shower gel, but it definitely works well as shampoo and gives some flavor to an extra bubbly bath. Makes me think of celebrating birthdays when I was younger. I haven't run across a scent that Philosophy makes that I don't enjoy. My advice: buy it as a stocking stuffer this Holiday season!

Wen by Chaz Dean

Wen - By Chaz Dean
Lavender Conditioner
LOVE the large pump bottle for my shower! The directions actually say use 8-15 pumps or use 1-2 pumps and leave in. I first tried the 8 pumps and WHOA was that a lot of conditioner! It smells wonderful and makes your head tingle. Make sure you leave it in for 3-5 minutes. The second time I used it, I tried 3 pumps and felt that it was still enough. Thick and creamy, it makes your hair soft and smooth. The best part is that it is sold on QVC.

Global Goddess~Chair Cheek Color

This easy to apply and blend cheek color comes in a pretty case and a variety of natural blush colors. It is infused with ginseng and green tea which is intended to fight free radicals and prevent premature aging, as well as claming and balancing skin. Honestly, I cannot speak to these promises, but am definitely comforted and enlightened by the idea-a girl will take what she can get when it comes to skin care, am I right?

Over all, this is a beautiful product that leaves me with a healthy glow to my face and a hopeful intention to care more for my skin at the same time. I would fully recommend this product-particularly in "Chowrasta", a color I have grown very fond of.

FROM BROWNSQUARED

Holiday! Celebrate!

I am a firm believer in giving each holiday its season-- i.e., no Christmas until after Thanksgiving dinner!

Also, I really feel that we put far too much pressure on the Holidays (each New Years must be glammer than the last, etc).

With that said, the BrainyBeautys are doing a gift-guide.

On Saturday, we will start our 27 days of Low-Stress Gifting Guide!

Let us do the work for you-- the gift-guessing game part, at least. You have enough on your mind!

We will be featuring:

Beauty-ful gifts (of course)

Small gifts (perfect for stockings, co-workers..._

Family gifts

For Him

For the Home

Come back every day and check something off your list:)

Darac Beauty Sifted Blur

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This skin perfecting powder is pretty neat. What looks like a powder is actually a creamy thin delight. It goes on very light and contains tiny skin diffusing flecks. Use it under foundation as a primer, use it over your makeup to set it or use it alone! Surprisingly flattering shade on me. Seems to be quite versatile.

Faux-Bronze!

I am a pale person. I do not tan. I can get a sunburn in 10 minutes, through a window, if left unprotected. I have embraced my pallor, but still occasionally dream of melanin...

Next week, I am going to be in my sister's wedding--in Mexico.

Since tanning is not an option, and being whiter than the bride's dress won't look so good in the pictures, what's left???

This is where Lisa, the spray-tan genius comes in. Either in her salon (Island Dreams, Lake Orion, MI) or on the road, Lisa uses Aviva Organics products to airbrush a natural-looking glow!

Lisa is a consummate professional, which put me at ease, even in my skivvies. The spray is a bit cool, but Aviva has made an odor-free formula-- no stinking like fried food & fish!

Everyone at worked loved it! I love it!

People can't believe that

a) I am tan.

b) it came from a spray.

It's been 4 days & the color has held up. Thank you Lisa & Aviva!!!

Check out Lisa's website-- she is mobile!

Winning Thymes!

This year, Thymes introduces an exclusive online holiday offering:

Big or small, touching or outrageous, give Thymes a peek inside your favorite holiday tradition and you could win over $500 in Thymes gifts, wrapped and delivered, for six people on your Holiday shopping list. (Plus a little something for yourself, of course!)

Log on to www.thymes.com before December 7th and submit your favorite holiday tradition.

While you're there, you may get some gift-shopping done & avoid the lines!

ECRU New York Marine Styling Balm

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This soft and sticky free gel works pretty well in my fine/thin hair. The scent is similar to Cool Water but much lighter. After the shower, I put a smidge in and blow dry. It fattens up the strands and holds curling iron curls. Best part, my hair doesn't feel heavy or gloppy. Yay!