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.

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!

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!

Introducing Lancome's Le Curler, I'm a Curler Girl! Are You?

Exciting news!  Lancome just launched Le Curler, a very well structured lash curler, and asked me to be part of their video series called, "Chronicles of A Curler Girl."  I couldn't have been more excited since my lash curler is my secret weapon!  Check out the series on their Facebook page and confess – What kind of curler girl are you?

The Best $100 Ever Spent, Plus WIN Katy Perry Tickets!

After a spontaneously fun and relaxing weekend with Schick in Miami, they dared me to pamper myself for a full day (I know what you’re thinking, what kind of dare is that, but wait for it…) unplugged! No tweeting my manicure polish shade, catching up with my bestie on the phone during my pedi or obsessively checking my iPhone for that big email I’ve been waiting for. I felt like I was paralyzed. My day of pampering was more like two and a half hours and included a mani and pedi plus and extra ten minute foot massage and twenty minute back massage while my nails dried, of course (who has patience to sit under the drier).

It made me realize that I never take the time out to relax and enjoy these treatments that I get weekly. Instead they always feel more like a chore. Keeping my phone in my bag and laptop in my apartment, I flipped through weeklies and zoned out. It was awesome!

I dare you to take the challenge!  Plus, I'M GIVING AWAY KATY PERRY TICKETS!Put your phone away during your next mani and pedi. Pamper yourself and get those extra ten minute massages. Make your weekly manicures pampering instead of chores. Give those texting fingers a break and really enjoy it!

Participate in the giveaway by commenting below telling me about your best "unplugged" experience.  The tickets are for Katy's LA concert on 8/6 at the Nokia Theater.

A winner will be chosen at random and announced in the comments section under this post.  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!

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Check Out My Partnership with Lancome

I'm so excited to share this video I created in partnership with Lancome!  I was chosen as one of the brands top 20 beauty and style bloggers to participate in a video series in conjunction with the Style Coalition, a network of prestige bloggers.  They sent me the Lancome Color Design 5 Pan Palette in Amethyst Glam and I was asked to create a short film about how the colors inspire me. I was lucky to get the Amethyst palette as the only color I wear on my eyes is purple because it brings out the green in my hazel. The colors were vibrant much like my fast paced NYC lifestyle, which inspired my video.

I think it's cute, but let's just say that filming it wasn't!  Since I'm freelance and most of my friends have full time jobs I often find myself asking complete strangers on the streets of NYC for favors throughout the day.  Yes, even to film me walking down the street smelling flowers and sitting on park benches.  Take a look...

Each day for 20 days there will be a new video based around Lancome's new palettes so check out what my friends have to say too and if you're a social media junkie like me, follow Lancome on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

*This post is sponsored.

Melanoma Awareness: Prevent, Protect and Get Checked

Last month I reported on the scary truths behind skin cancer and since May is Melanoma month, I feel it's only right to point out a few more facts.  As we cross out days on our calendars leading up to Memorial Day Weekend it's important to remember why sunscreen is so key not just in the summer months, but year round. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and one person in the US dies of it every hour.  Can you even grasp that?  This month, many skincare brands are building awareness campaigns around Melanoma, but you should be cautious and take care of your skin year round.  I recently went to my dermatologist for a full body scan to make sure I'm OK.

SkinCeuticals began a mission to raise more awareness of Melanoma by educating people on prevention, protection and getting checked.  They're encouraging Facebook fans to share their story on the how melanoma has affected them or how they plan to stay protected this summer.  They're also donating $20 to the Melanoma Research Alliance for every video uploaded to the Facebook page, or $2 for every written post. Each user who uploads a video will also get a free full-size Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50.

Win Rachel Zoe's Fave Hair Products

Hey BeautySweetSpot readers!  I wanted to fill you in on a huge Facebook sweepstakes that a great haircare line, LiQWD is holding.  In case you're not familiar, Rachel Zoe and Cameron Diaz are both hugely obsessed with this line so you may want to check it out. To enter, check out the LiQWD Facebook fan page and click on the Sweepstakes tab.  One winner will get a “Mega-Moisture” wardrobe of LiQWD’s hydration products, worth over $150.  The products are Hydrating Shampoo, Hydrating Conditioner, Professional Smoothing Catalyst, LiQWDITY Intensive Hair Repair and SLiQWD serum.

You can enter now until Feb. 4th.  And while you're on the page, "like" it!  Why not?  Good luck!

Schick Intuition Gifts Fans Smooth Legs & Free Music

It may be winter but this season is all about showing off your legs so Schick Intuition comes to the rescue. What girl doesn’t want incredibly smooth legs?  Well we all know shaving can lead to drier skin so I suggest using Schick Intuition because of the built-in moisturizing shave bar. My favorite is the Schick Intuition Plus Renewing Moisture with pomegranate extract, not only because it's pink and looks cute in my shower, but also because it smells great and my legs feel moisturized after use.

Because the brand loves their fans, if you go to emusic.com you can score 2 free music downloads as a gift from them to you! All you have to do is go to www.facebook.com/schickintution and "like" their page then click on the "K.I.S.S. & Jam" tab to receive an exclusive code for the free music. It’s that easy.  So dance around your apartment with your sexy, smooth legs!

Walk A Red Carpet with A Gossip Girl Star

As you know I go to a fair share of events throughout the week for new product launches, cocktail parties for the industry and once in a while, red carpet events.  I've been to the Emmys and other red carpet events like the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.  Well, now it's your turn. Crest is giving you the chance to walk to a red carpet with Gossip Girl actress, Katie Cassidy!  Enter their Crest 3D White's Light Up the Holiday's Contest on Facebook for a chance to win.  All you have to do is "like" their page and press "enter" for your chance to win.

The grand prize of flying to LA to attend a red carpet event with Katie is valued at $3,500 and each day prizes worth $55 of the Crest 3D White collection are awarded.  You'll need it to prep your pearly whites for the paparazzi – or at least for the holidays!  Contest ends Nov. 29th.  Good luck.

Join the DKNY Core Club & Win

One of my fave fragrance brands, DKNY recently created a new campaign that you can get involved in and def don't want to miss out on. First off, I have to tell you that two of my favorite perfumes are created by Donna Karan (we must have the same taste), and that's rare because I rotate between 4 perfumes in general since I'm very pick.  My picks: Pure DKNY and Donna Karan Cashmere Mist.

This project has to do with DKNY Be Delicious.  I'm one of their Core Bloggers, and was interviewed by the team during Fashion's Night Out at the DKNY store (part of the interview is below).  By liking DKNY Fragrances on Facebook you have the chance of joining their Core Club and designing a fragrance bottle inspired by your lifestyle.  The person who creates bottle with the most votes will win a trip to NYC and shopping spree at DKNY.  Have fun designing and make sure you share it on Facebook!

Veet Sexy Legs Vacation Contest & Giveaway

It seems every body and every brand is Facebook obsessed these days.  Honestly, how many things do you "like?"  I'm going to give you four fabulous reasons to "like" Veet more than you already do, ready – NYC, LA, Vegas and Miami! Yes, just by liking the brand on Facebook and entering their Get your Veet On Challenge you can win a weekend getaway with one of your besties.  Just click on the "Get Veet" tab and explain in a paragraph or if you're feeling extra creative you can make a video explaining how you got your veet on this weekend.  Then, just share the link and have your friends vote for your story.

Each person that enters automatically is entered to win an iPod Nano and just for liking the page Veet donates $5 to GirlUp.org.  Sweet deal.  Now for the BeautySweetSpot giveaway...

Comment below and tell me tricks you use to keep your legs sexy and smooth this summer. Two winners will be chosen at random to receive Veet Suprem'Essence Spray On Hair Removal Cream.

Win Purple Lab Products

One of my fave beauty brands, Purple Lab, just launched a new contest where you can win a ton of their beauty products.  I'm in love with Huge Lips Skinny Hips (which has a cult following), Luvah and Lashionista Modelista. The brand recently shot a look book using some bloggers and close friends and now they're asking you to recreate some of the looks.  Embrace your inner makeup artist and go to town.  Upload your looks on Purple Lab's Facebook page and you can win!  The contest ends July 3rd.

To celebrate the launch of the contest, they're also offering free shipping on website purchases through June 10th with code: LOOKBOOK.

Introducing: TheLimed.com

A new website was brought to my attention that I just had to share. You can purchase the same hot new necklace for $10 or $100 – it’s your choice.  Sound too good to be true?  Until now, it was. Behold: TheLimed.com, a unique online store that features one fashionable, high-quality hand-made piece of jewelry at a time.  Only one piece is available at each price point, so if you’re quick enough, you can snag a great bracelet with, say, a $75 value for as little as $3.

One lucky BeautySweetSpot reader will win a pair of the blue quartz tear drop earrings pictured right that were designed by Grace Hakimi.

Since each piece is only featured for a limited time, it would be wise to grab the best deal while you still can, if something catches your eye.

To Win:

Follow me (@beautysweetspot) and TheLimed on Twitter (@thelimed) and RT our tweets about the giveaway.  One winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, May 16th.  Good Luck!

Rebecca Ward's Installation for Kate Spade

What happens when you put the minds of designer, Kate Spade and artist, Rebecca Ward together?  A vibrant collaboration including a candy colored tape installation, exclusive taped bag, and one hip party. The artist recently did an exhibit in Kate Spades Soho store and designed a Maryanne Tote to mimic the installation that you can win.

Win a Kate Spade Bag:

All you have to do is enter Kate Spade's Pop of Color Contest on the brand's Facebook page. Entering is simple, photograph your favorite use of color and post it on their wall by March 8th. The best submission will be announced on March 12th and will win the bag!