Happy Monday ladies!  How was everyone’s weekend?  I hope all my east coasters were able to safely enjoy the snowstorm.  I spent most of my weekend staying warm and cozy right here inside the apartment.  There was no way I was trekking through the snow to head out to holiday parties and what not.  But now that the storm has passed and I’m able to make it out for a little more holiday shopping, trust that I will be passing by my local M.A.C. counter to pick up some digs from their new winter collection aptly named Warm & Cozy.

Launching this week, Warm & Cozy by M.A.C. is the perfect winter collection including lots of yummy neutrals as well as great skincare to help soothe and heal what the harsh weather has caused.  Earthy combos have always been my fav so I feel like this collection was made just for me! And with the Mineralize All Over Lotion and the Care Blends Essential Oils, my skin is sure to start feeling divine!

Check out some pics of the collection below and head to maccosmetics.com for some fabulous samples of makeup looks.  And in case you were looking to place an order online, enter promo code OVERNIGHT at checkout for free overnight shipping until tomorrow evening.

Until next time ladies…  xoxo

During my recent trainings with Caudalie, I fell even more in love with the company and their philosophy.  In 1993, a young, beautiful couple was giving a tour of their vineyard to Professor Vercauteren, a professor of the Pharmacy Faculty of Bordeaux.  On this tour, the professor had asked the couple what they did with the unused grape seeds from their harvest and proceeded to explain to them how these seeds contained polyphenols, the most powerful antioxidant in the plant world.  With the professor’s anti-aging research, and Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas’ passion for skin care and their vineyard, Caudalie was born.

What most people don’t know about Caudalie is that they were the first company to discover and use stabilized polyphenols in cosmetics.  In addition to this groundbreaking patent, Caudalie also has patents on Resveratrol (which stimulates cellular renewal) and Viniferine (which promotes radiance and treats dark spots).  Another fascinating fact about the company is that they were at the forefront of eco-beauty before it became what it is today.  Their products are free of parabens, phenoxyethanol, mineral oil, artificial colorings or sodium laureth sulfate.  In addition, no ingredients of animal origin are used, products are not tested on animals and a maximum of natural active ingredients can be found in all of their products.

With their devotion to skin care research and the environment, Caudalie has not only grown to be my favorite eco-beauty line, but a part of my life now as well. 

So without further ado, I would love to present to you the THREE prizes I have to offer for Big City Beauty’s End of the Year Giveaway:

First Place

Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa in a Box

Second Place

Caudalie Fleur de Vigne Fresh Energizing Fragrance

Third Place

Caudalie Beauty from the Vine Sample Pack

For a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes, pay close attention to the following:

Big City Beauty is in search of a green charity to partner with.  So I am leaving it up to you guys to help me find the perfect match.  Submit your ideas by clicking here by December 25^th at 11:59pm EST and the top three charities I think will be just right for BCB will be considered for these three prizes.  After I do my own research on these submissions, the winners will be announced on January 1^st, 2010.  And like all contest held here, you must be either a Fan on Facebook or a Follower on Twitter to qualify.  So don’t forget to give me your Facebook or Twitter name with your entry.

The best of luck to you all!  And thank you again for being such wonderful and supportive readers.

Until next time my pretties…  xoxo

P.S. – To book a facial with yours truly in the new year and experience the magic of a Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa Treatment, call 212.265.3182 and request a facial with Lia!

For those of you that are new to the brand Philosophy, this is the perfect starter set for you.  It is an effective skincare line and comes at a completely affordable price.  This set includes Philosophy’s best-selling skincare products all designed to promote radiantly clear and smooth skin.  And coming in fairly large sizes, The Miracle Worker will last long enough for you to see real results.  I highly recommend it to those of you looking to try a new line but don’t want to spend a ton on purchasing an entire skincare regimen.

The Miracle Worker contains:

• 8 oz Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
• 8 oz The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash
• 2 oz Hope In A Jar
• 0.5 oz Hope In a Tube
• 1 oz The Microdelivery Peel Crystals
• 1 oz The Microdelivery Peel Gel

Do any of you use Philosophy products?  I’m a huge fan of their body care line and especially their holiday sets. Check out my previous post on another Philosophy holiday gift set I’m definitely picking up!    And head over to Sephora.com to see more from their holiday collections.

Until next time girls and boys…  xoxo

Now a couple weeks ago I told you all that I would be attending some of the Shecky’s events that were being held in NYC.  Well I did and they were fun!  I purchased some fabulous shadows, one of a kind jewelry, and of course some skin care products.  I also received the infamous Shecky’s Goodie Bag, which came loaded with what else…  goodies!  So I wanted to share with you on this BCB Eco-Friday a brand that I came across called Noah’s Naturals.

I had never heard of Noah’s Naturals before, so when I found some of their products in my goodie bag I was super excited.  I love discovering new organic skincare!  And most importantly, I love bringing it back to share with you.  So Noah’s Naturals is a skincare, body care, and hair care line that is pretty much affordable for anyone!  You can usually find it at your local WalMart and Longs Drugs or online at drugstore.com.

They have two lines called Noah’s Naturals and Organics by Noah’s Naturals that are a family of natural and organic beauty care formulated with the highest quality of natural ingredients and essential oils.  They are certified organic and best of all they are members of 1% For The Planet meaning they donate 1% of all sales to environmental organizations worldwide.  Noah’s Naturals do not contain parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, petrolatums, propylene glycol, artificial colors, phthalates, or animal byproducts and are not tested on animals.  Their products smell good, feel good, and really work well with my tempermental skin.  I actually really, really like it!

The following are products I have tried and genuinely enjoyed:

Grapefruit Shower Gel
Hand Salve with Jojoba and Soy Wax
All Day Moisture with SPF 15 for the face
Rosemary Lip Balm
NEW Age Defying Brazilian Body Polish with Acai Berry

For more information on Noah’s Naturals and their products, visit www.noahsnaturals.com.

Until next time my beauties…  xoxo