How To Create A Side Chignon, Plus A Giveaway

I love wearing my hair down with texture or as it was called in my last holiday hair how to video, "bends," but a chic chignon is always a good option for upcoming holiday parties.  After all, I don't think there's anything sexier than showing off your neck and décolletage.  Here's an easy how-to from Dove along with a giveaway worth $380 that'll help you achieve the perfect party hairstyle.  Good luck!

1. PREP: Wash your hair with Dove® Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner to help nurture damaged strands and smooth out your hair
2. DRY: Blow dry your hair, using your fingers to separate sections
3. CURL: Spray Dove® Style+Care Thermal Replenishment Spray on 3-inch sections of your hair and wrap them around a 2-inch curling iron
4. SEPARATE: Rake a dime-size amount of Dove® Style+Care Frizz-Free Shine Cream-Serum through your hair to break up the waves and add shine
5. LOOP & SECURE: Pull your hair back and braid it.  Run a bobby pin through the elastic at the base of the braid, loop it up and secure it messily with the bobby pin.  Allow pieces to fall out.
6. FINISH:Finish the look with Dove® Style+Care™ Strength & Shine Extra Hold Hairspray

All Dove products are available at Walmart.

Giveaway!

1. Create your own Dove holiday inspired look and upload photo of it on Instagram with the hashtag #doveholiday. 
2. Then, leave a comment underneath this blog post with a link to your Instagram post and two winners will be chosen at random from the comments on this blog post on January 1st!  Good luck!

Two winners will receive:

• Dove products (all the products featured in our how-tos): $60
• Chi Straightening Iron,  $100
• Conair Infinit Pro Curl Secret Curling Iron, $100
• BARBAR Blowdryer, $120

*This post is sponsored by Lunchbox, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

A Picture Perfect Smile with Crest in Glamour

Have you gotten your hands on the January issue of Glamour yet?  Check it out!  I'm honored to announce that I'm featured in a Crest advertisement for their 3D White collection!  Yes, the same collection that's also taking up most of the middle cabinet of my vanity.  Check out the rest of the pics from the ad below and details on how you can win a style consultation with yours truly and more.

Contest details: Instagram a pic of your pearly whites using #GlamSmile and tag @glamourscoop and @3DWhite to enter.  The winner will receive a style consultation with me, a wardrobe of white and products from the 3D White collection.

Rules: www.glamour-scoop.com/3d

National Donate Your Hair Day, Get Involved with Pantene for A Cause

I'm so excited to announce that I'm partnering with Pantene to help spread the word about National Donate Your Hair Day on September 7th.  Now, this isn't just another reason for the beauty industry to celebrate.  I'm sure you've heard of Pantene Beautiful Lengths, but what you may not have known is that they have a partnership with the American Cancer Society.  We're asking you to "Pony Up" and donate your ponytail to make real-hair wigs available at no-cost to women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments.  Read on to learn how you can donate and help spread the word. Plus, there's a special opportunity in here for a BeautySweetSpot reader!

While there are many different ways you can donate your hair to create wigs, I've always been a supporter of Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program, because you know exactly where your hair goes. In 2010, best friend Melanie wanted to donate her hair.  I recommended this program and covered it on BeautySweetSpot (see her experience here) to encourage others to do the same.  After all, since 2006, Pantene has donated more than 28,000 free real-hair wigs to the American Cancer Society’s wig banks, which distribute wigs to cancer patients across the country.

Looking to donate your hair?  Here are the qualifications.  When I cut 10" off of my hair in February I, unfortunately, wasn't able to donate it, because it was dyed so frequently.  If you are interested in donating and qualify, I'm looking for a BeautySweetSpot reader to join me in NYC on Saturday, September 7th at Pantene's NDYHD event!  You'll receive a fresh new cut by a Pantene celebrity stylist (just in time for fall) and be featured in Pantene's video documentary that'll capture your journey. (Note: reader must live in the tristate area).

Comment below and let me know if you'd like to join me on Sept. 7th and donate your hair!  Unable to donate?  No worries, you can still get involved by pledging to donate next year or by Tweeting their support for the program @Pantene using #BeautifulLengths.

Summer Haircare Problems Solved, Today on Twitter

During this time of year, chances are thanks to the sun, chlorine and salt water, your hair definitely needs a bit of extra TLC.  Today at 1pm EST, join me on Twitter as I'll be answering all of your summer haircare questions and giving away three Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Styling Oils, plus $20 Walmart gift cards. Deemed a 'miracle oil' in the beauty industry, moroccan argan oil has both, skin and haircare benefits.  Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil is created with moroccan argan oil, which is able to penetrate your hair shaft to hydrate and gives incredible shine. Plus, it's lightweight.  The Moroccan Infusion line is great for coarse or super dry hair and the best part, it's budget friendly.  You can find it at Walmart.

See you at 1pm EST on Twitter!  Use #shinechallenge!

*This is a sponsored post, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

A Peek at P&G Beauty Brands Through the Years

When you think of iconic beauty looks which come to mind? For me, I've always loved Twiggy's bob, Audrey Hepburn's chignon as Holly in "Breakfast at Tiffanys," Farrah Fawcett's waves and Julia Roberts' "Pretty Woman" curls.  And of course I can't leave out Jennifer Aniston's "The Rachel."  Believe it or not, throughout all of those styles and dating back even further, P&G Beauty brands have been there for women to help them achieve the decades’ most iconic looks!  I'm sure even Audrey, Jennifer and Julia have some of their fab products to thank. I spoke with a P&G rep to find out some fun facts about your favorite brands dating back to the beginning.

I feel like I've been using them forever as well, or at least for 30 of their 175 years of existence!  As a huge COVERGIRL fan I got the scoop from their P&G team and found out they made their national debut in 1961 with Clean Liquid Makeup.  Who knew?  Another fun fact, Pantene has been around for 60 years and Secret was the first deodorant marketed to women.

Check out the video below (it's super cute) to watch about a minute of how brands like COVERGIRL and Pantene have helped women beautify throughout the years.  And to commemorate P&G’s 175^th Anniversary, P&G Beauty brands are locking a time capsule away packed your favorite beauty products plus today's trends and other can’t-live-without-in-2013 items. Visit the StyleUnited by P&G Beauty Facebook page to vote on which of your favorite products you'd like to see go inside the capsule for others to see in the future when it’s open again in 2038!  Ps: I voted COVERGIRL.

*This post is sponsored by P&G but all of my thoughts and actions are my own.

The Best Beauty Products of The Year & A Gift Bag Giveaway

Soon on store shelves you'll see more beauty products with "CEW Award Winner" stamps of approval on their packaging. Last Friday I attended the awards ceremony where the best of the best were celebrated at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC.  There were over 650 entries and we (the industry) voted on 185 finalist.  Allow me to present the winners... Oh yea, and I'm giving away a gift bag from the event!  Read on to find out how to win.  GIVEAWAY ENTRY:

1. Comment below and let me know what your product in your vanity wins your beauty award and why.
2. Fill out this form so I have your info to contact you if you're the winner!

The 2013 CEW Beauty Awards winners are... right here!

Holiday Nail Art Inspired by DKNY Be Delicious Eau So Intense

Happy Holidays BeautySweetSpot readers!  Since my latest project with DKNY left my nails appropriately sparkling for the season, I thought it was a good time to fill you in on what I've been up to with the brand (see post on partnership).  My mission: to interpret their latest fragrances through nail art.  In honor of the holidays, I experimented with green first inspired by DKNY Be Delicious Eau So Intense.  Here's a look at the scent and how I captured it on my tips!

You may be familiar with DKNY Be Delicious, as it's been out for years and has a cult following thanks to the refreshing apple accord.  This newer fragrance that launched this summer, DKNY Be Delicious Eau So Intense, ups the ante as it's even juicier.  The apple note is simply intoxicating and is layered on top of other fresh notes like grapefruit and florals while dried down by woody notes like sandal wood.

When I spritz the fragrance I automatically receive an intense splash of energy.  Playing off of the apple accord and green packaging, green was the only color that could capture the freshness and vibrancy.  I decided to use sparkles instead of flat polish to up the intensity and created an ombre effect to showcase how a fragrance wears.

Want to replicate my look?  Check out the DKNY Fragrances Facebook page for an easy step-by-step guide.  Interested in creating your own version of nail art inspired by DKNY Be Delicious Eau So Intense?  We can't wait to see what you come up with!  Post your versions on their Facebook wall as well!

A Blessing & A Curse: Curly Hair, Straight Hair... Name Yours!

You know what else is a blessing and a curse?  Straight hair.  My hair looks the same whether I blow dry it or not.  Unless of course, I get a blow out.  The stylists at the Dry Bar really know how to work it.  What do you think about the statement above?  What's your beauty blessing and curse?   Share it with me under the comments section or on Twitter @BeautySweetSpot.  If curly hair is it, then share it with Paul Mitchell.  Your Curl Confession (#curlconfession) can be projected on a billboard in NY and LA on November 15th.  Submit it here or post it to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag before 11:59 EST on 11/14.

Check out the Paul Mitchell FB page to see other Curl Confessions including yours.  After submitting your entry, you'll be entered for a chance to win full size Paul Mitchell curls products.  Good luck!

*This post is sponsored by Paul Mitchell, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

BeautySweetSpot Launches A Safe Sun Facebook Campaign, Join In & Win!

Hey BeautySweetSpot readers!  With all of the attention that's arouse from my tanorexic story I decided to take the opportunity to launch a safe sun Facebook contest.  I've been getting a ton of emails and Facebook messages from all of you and people around the world about your safe sun stories and thought it would be an awesome if you had a place to discuss them, help me spread the word and a chance to win a years worth of SPF and a chance to be featured on BeautySweetSpot! So here you go... Check out BeautySweetSpot's Facebook page and visit the Photo Contest.  Once there, upload a pic of yourself by August 13th practicing safe sun.  It can even be a pic of your fave SPF, self tanner, a wide brim-hat... anything that sends a safe sun message and tell me why practicing safe sun is important to you.

After submissions are collected, there will be a voting round!  Share your submission with your friends and vote for yours and your favorites.  Three winners will be chosen on August 27th and each receive a years worth of SPF along with their stories and photos featured on BeautySweetSpot.com.  At random, one will receive 12 bottles of Vichy, another, 12 bottles of La Roche-Posay and another will receive 12 bottles of Australian Gold.

Yes, I'm deeming 12 bottles of SPF a years worth, even though any person may need more than that.  Let's not get greedy!  I thank you all for your support through out my tanorexia story and it's media coverage.  Now, let's all help spread the message of safe sun!  Good luck!

Win A Celebrity Inspired Prom Makeover with Yours Truly & Clearasil

It's prom season and I partnered with Clearasil to help teens get red carpet ready for their big day, but one lucky fan and their BFF will win a huge makeover!  Looking back at my prom prep it typically included getting tips on, a fancy French pedi (can you imagine?), visiting the MAC counter to get my makeup done, the tanning bed daily for at least a week prior and what I liked to call a creative updo with sparkly butterfly clips that matched my Cache' beaded dress. My dates obvi had no idea how lucky they were!  Luckily for teens today, Clearasil and I are stepping in ... check out the video for deets. Red carpet season just ended so there are lots of places to pull inspiration from for hair, makeup, nails and of course, the dress.  Clearasil and I are looking to give one lucky fan and their BFF, or prom date, red carpet makeovers for prom!  Prom goers can enter on their Facebook page to win up to a $3,000 makeover and I'll fly to their hometown to help them get ready for their big day.  You can also find prom beauty, skincare and style tips from me on Clearasil's Facebook page throughout the season.

Check out the video on the contest and good luck!

Win L'Oreal Products from CVS Beauty and Yours Truly

I normally don't write about a ton of giveaways and contests, but since this is being done by CVS Beauty and they're giving away a ton of L'Oreal products I had to share!  It's kind of redic.  They're also letting me giveaway the Grand Prize to my readers! From now until Jan. 31st head over to the CVS Beauty Club Facebook page for a chance to win a L'Oreal "Product of the Day" (listed below).   Each day 100 fans will win and you can enter daily.  You'll also automatically be entered to win the Grand Prize gift basket filled with all 14 new L’Oreal products!

I'm giving away the Grand Prize to BeautySweetSpot readers too!  Comment below with your #1 beauty tip.  A winner will be chosen at random on 2/1/12 and be announced on BeautySweetSpot's Facebook page.

The Beauty Club & L’Oreal Grand Prize Gift Basket includes one each of the daily prizes:

• 1/18 – Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara – provides eye-catching lashes from any angle
• 1/19 – Youth Code Foaming Gel Cleanser – removes impurities and gently exfoliates for smooth skin
• 1/20 – EverCrème Cleansing Conditioner – an ultra-gentle, low lathering face wash that cleanses and conditions in one step
• 1/21 – Colour Riche Lip Balm – SPF 15 balm with a subtle hint of color
• 1/22 – Colour Riche Nail Color – provides intense color with a high shine that lasts for up to 10 days
• 1/23 – Youth Code Dark Spot Serum Corrector – clinically proven serum fades dark spots to reveal luminous skin
• 1/24 – EverCrème Intense Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner – deeply restores lost moisture to make hair soft and shiny
• 1/25 – Colour Riche Nail Color – provides intense color with a high shine that lasts for up to 10 days
• 1/26– EverStyle Strong Hold Styling Spray – high-performance, alcohol-free spray that locks in and holds any style all day
• 1/27 – Age Perfect Serum – repairs signs of past damage, reducing the visible signs of aging
• 1/28 – Youth Code Dark Spot SPF 30 Day Cream – clinically proven cream that fades dark spots and helps prevent future discolorations
• 1/29 – Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner – provides smoldering definition for a high-drama look
• 1/30 – Infallible Eye Shadow – waterproof, crease and fade-resistance for 24-hour wear
• 1/31 – EverStyle Volume Root Lifting Spray – an alcohol-free, root lifting spray that builds thickness and lift at roots for 24-hour volume

VOTE for My Red Carpet Beauty Look and YOU Can Attend the People's Choice Awards!

Hi ladies!  I'm excited to announce that I've partnered with CVS Beauty and created a video about what my red carpet beauty look would be if I were to attend the 2012 People's Choice Awards.  The video lives on the People's Choice website and I need your votes!  If I win, I get to attend the event in January and bring a dedicated BeautySweetSpot reader with me! I chose to center my red carpet look around confidence, because no matter what I'll end up wearing, I know there are certain elements of my beauty routine that won't change.  When I get ready for big events I always play up my best asset (eyes), make sure my hair is super shiny and teeth are pearlywhite and smile ready.  Check out my video to see how I achieve the results.

Voting began and runs through Tuesday, December 6th.  Please tell your friends!  I'd love to bring one of you on the red carpet with me!

WIN A Meet & Greet with Me & Rihanna Plus More...

I'm super excited to fill you in on a giveaway and contest I've been keeping secret for quite sometime!  I love rewarding you guys with goodies, but this one is really fun!  Are you ready?  It includes two Rihanna tickets to a concert this summer, a possible meet and greet for you to fly with me to hang with the songstress and tons of prize packs along the way!  Here's the scoop: PART ONE

Nivea is sponsoring Rihanna's summer and fall tour and is doing a Skin 2 Skin challenge on their Facebook page.  Check it out!  All you have to do is enter and when you fill out the form in the "Title" put BEAUTYSWEETSPOT.com and share your entry with all of your facebook friends and encourage them to enter too using BEAUTYSWEETSPOT.com in their title as well.

Here's my entry Soft & Sweet Summer Love.  Feel free to vote for me!

The person with the most "Likes" on their entry in the contest at the end will win a meet and greet with me and Rihanna and runners up will receive concert tickets and prize packs.  The contest ends on August 8th.

PART TWO

That's not all! I also have two tickets extra to give away to Rihanna's Uniondale, NY concert on July 19th to giveaway to my loyal BeautySweetSpot.com fans. Here's how to win 'em:

- Follow me on Twitter @beautysweetspot and RT the giveaway and post

- "Like" BeautySweetSpot on Facebook

- Comment below proving the above (showing links to your tweet AND/OR a comment on BSS facebook wall and as a BONUS your Nivea entry)

The winner will be announced under the comments section of this blog post, via BeautySweetSpot's Facebook page and on Twitter on July 12th.

GOOD LUCK!

A $1,500 Giveaway to Rid Cellulite, Really!

I'm really excited because this is the biggest giveaway I've ever done in BeautySweetSpot history!  Being that it's summer time I figured I'd give you something that will help fight the one problem we all have – cellulite, but it helps much more than that. I'm giving away a Wellbox, an at-home lipomassage and liftmassage device that works on your body to smooth cellulite, firm skin and help sculpt stubborn areas.  On the face, it helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles and restore definition (think turkey neck).

It probably sounds too good to be true, but I was first introduced to the Wellbox when I worked for Cosmopolitan and learned that results show over time with repeated use.  It works through micro-pulsations that stimulate the skin.

Want one?  I'm giving one away and it retails for $1,500!  Find out how to win after the jump!

Comment below telling me why YOU need the Wellbox.

LIKE BeautySweetSpot on Facebook.

ReTweet the giveaway all week on Twitter @beautysweetspot and @wellboxusa.

The winner will be selected at random and announced once I reach 6,000 Twitter followers (I'm almost there)! Good Luck!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Turn Your Short Story into A Film

Hey BeautySweetSpot readers! I thought I'd share this contest with you that Glamour is doing called Reel Moments. It's a great opportunity for women like you to have a short story turned into a film featuring some of your fave famous actresses. In the past, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson (my fave) and Demi Moore played lead roles in the films that were developed out of Glamour readers short stories and the films were shown at festivals throughout the US.

I personally don't think I have a short story for it, but encourage you to enter! The contest ends this week. Visit glamourreelmoments.com to enter and good luck.

Giveaway: T Mobile HTC HD7 Phone

I've been extremely loyal to my Blackberry since my college days, but recently I've been thinking about making the switch.  Being a blogger need a phone with a big, clear screen, great camera (mine doesn't even have a flash, forget Twit pics) and shoot video. I was checking out the T Mobile HTC HD7 phone and am pretty impressed with it's features's so I'm giving one away to a lucky BeautySweetSpot reader!  It retails for $199.99 with a two year contract, but if you're a T Mobile customer you can just pop in your SIM card.

Phone and giveaway details are after the jump!

The HTC HD7 features a large 4.3-inch screen perfect for popping out the kickstand to consume all your favorite blockbusters, sitcoms or updating your blog while on-the-go. To make watching all your content even more enjoyable, the HTC HD7 has a super fast processor to optimize HiFi sound and with headphones you can experience Dolby surround sound. The phone uses the intuitive Windows Phone 7 system that helps clear clutter and focuses on the content you want quick access to.  Last but not least, shoot video and photos of your killer outfits with a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus and flash. You can upload and share instantly with your friends, family and followers.

To win:

Comment below telling me why you need this super high tech phone.

Follow @BeautySweetSpot on Twitter

Tweet: "Hey @BeautySweetSpot I need a new T Mobile phone! #giveaway"

A winner will be announced under my comments section on March 1st.

Show Some Love on my Glamour.com Posts

Hey BeautySweetSpot readers!  Happy Monday! As you know, I'm contributing to Glamour.com as a member of their Young & Posh network.  (I know, I can't believe it)!  Twice a week I post new articles and would love your feedback on them.

The comments are pouring and I'd love for you to join in the conversation too!

Here's a link to all of my posts to date: Jeannine's Glamour Young & Posh posts.  Please check them out and comment where you have opinions and keep reading!

Thanks a billion!

Vera Wang Preppy Princess Fragrance Giveaway

I have to admit, when I hear the word "preppy" two things come to mind, first my best friend Adrienne who has the chicest Upper East Side style with a downtown attitude and then I think "ew, not me". That's probably why we're still best friends after 20 years, because as different as we are we're very alike.  I'd far from Upper East Side style, but definitely have the downtown girl attitude!  So when I first received the press release for this new fragrance by Vera Wang I thought it would be something Adrienne would buy just for the name.

Vera Wang Preppy Princess, $75 is blended with tangerine, red apple and crushed berries layered with honeysuckle, jasmine, woods and a hint of coconut.  Talk about tantalizing your senses!  Delicious!

So whether you buy it for yourself or your BFF because of the name or the scent that's up to you, but I'm giving away a bottle to one lucky BeautySweetSpot reader!  Follow and RT @beautysweetspot on Twitter about the contest and comment below telling me about your preppiest BFF.

The winner will be announced on Friday, Jan. 21st.  Good luck!

Last Giveaway of the Year - Muks Boots

It's Monday and time to get back to the grind!  I hope you all had happy holidays!  To kick off the last week of the year I'm doing one more giveaway.  Perhaps the best one yet.  No matter where you live or what kind of weather you have everyone can go for a pair of these during the winter season – Muks Boots, $275. These boots are to die for!  They're the black studded half muks boots from the Glam Rock Collection, which are a combination of soft suede and rabbit fur with a studded design around the top and on the top edge.  The black wool lining will keep your feet warm and cozy all season long.

In case you're not familiar, Muks are worn by A-listers like Kate Moss, Beyonce and Kate Hudson.  I'm obsessed with them and can't wait to gift a pair to one of my readers!

Here's how to win:

• Follow and RT the contest @beautysweetspot  Twitter
• Comment below filling me in on what you'd like to see on BeautySweetSpot for 2011

Holiday Gift Idea & Giveaway: Tavalon Tea Sampler Gift Box

As a true tea lover I had to include this gift set on my holiday gift guide, but not just because its loose leaf tea, but because it's my favorite brand of loose leaf tea  – Tavalon. I first discovered Tavalon Tea while getting a facial at the Townhouse Spa in NYC that was infused with the goods.  The antioxidant properties were working on my skin and then I decided to purchase the loose leaf tea the spa had for retail because it smelled so good. Give someone the gift of relaxation and antioxidants this holiday season with the Tavalon Tea Sampler Gift Box, $35.  It includes three medium jars of of their most famous teas – tropical peony, serenity and summer fruits in a gift box.

Want one?  Happy Holidays to you from BeautySweetSpot!  I'm giving away a set to one reader.  Follow and RT the giveaway and comment below telling me about your favorite type of tea.

A winner will be chosen at random at the end of the day.