It's Snowing!

There is currently an honest-to goodness snowstorm raging outside my bedroom window, and having waded through at least a good 5 inches of snow while wearing 4 inch heels (not the smartest idea I know!), I can attest to the fact that it's pretty darn cold outside! Nights like this make me think of sipping hot cocoa in front of a warm fireplace, and of course, festive holiday makeup.

So how's your weekend been treating you thus far? I spent 11 hours Christmas shopping - can you believe it?! Of course some of that involved playing with makeup (it's a hard task but somebody's gotta do it =P) and I took a quick moment to test out Armani's new Rouge D'Armani's, which in a word are FABULOUS! It boasts 8-hour wear time and is just a gorgeous gorgeous formula ~ non-drying, long-wearing, pigmented, creamy, amazingly packaged.


More details after the jump!

Vogue editors chose Rouge d’Armani in shade #600 selected as a favorite, while Harper’s Bazaar declared Rouge d’Armani #500 a “must-have” - which is why I've ordered it for myself using my Saks Mystery Money. It was all of $20 this year, but that still meant I only had to pay $12 and change for my new lipstick, which I haven't even swatched. Hopefully I love the shade!

Celebs who've been spotted in Rouge d’Armani include Rihanna (shade #401) and Kerry Washington (#100).


From what I remember, shade #503 was my favorite, but sadly it was sold out at Nordstrom and not available on the Saks site. I hope to get my hands on it soon though!

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20% Off All Giorgio Armani Beauty Purchases Through 9/18/09

I'm a little late on this one so you only have a little over one day to shop, but enter code: MAKEOVER during checkout to receive 20% off all your cosmetics and skincare purchases on the Armani Beauty website. Plus receive free shipping on all orders of $50 or more!

I'm tempted to order a few items (a certain foundation and brush set is calling my name) just for the sake of taking advantage of the discount, but I'm managing to resist for now. What are you getting?
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What New Products Are You Experimenting With?

One of the main reasons that I blog, other than the fact that it allows me to interact with some amazing individuals like you my readers, is that it gives me an excuse to play with new products all the time. Thanks to all the Armani samples Nicole sent me, I was like a kid in a candystore this morning!


So I started off with Armani's Light master Primer ($55), which was nothing like what I was expecting. It has the consistency of a light liquid luminizer, and is supposed to create a mirror-like veil for the skin by reflecting light just so.


Next came Armani's new Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 in Shade 2 ($58) which I've seriously been dying to get my hands on. The SPF in this has been micronised in such a way that it won't reflect back during flash photography (meaning no Edward Cullen-esque white face), and it touts a revolutionary new water-based foundation provides 14-hour luminous matte coverage without the coverage feel.

This is my first day using this so I can't say much about it, but I am loving the way my skin looks today. I was able to achieve a flawless complexion with minimal foundation and my pores aren't as prominent as they have been as of late. And best of all, I feel like I'm not wearing any makeup.


I topped the foundation off with Armani's Micro-Fil Loose Powder in Shade 0 ($48) to matify everything and keep the oilies at bay. I didn't have adequate time to really feel this out, but the powder seems to have a gorgeous, super-finely milled feel to it and looks great on.


And of course I had to wear my new La Mer The Lip Balm ($45)! Anybody who knows me knows that I can't resist La Mer. I'm loving the minty taste and how soft, supple and plump my lips are looking.

So what new products have been been testing out lately?

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Armani-Mania Courtesy of Nicole!

Nothing brightens up a miserable week (or two or three) at work like a Nicole package! Today was seriously a disaster of a day--I wore my new sneakers to work (it's a decent walk so I keep the heels under my desk), and of course it poured on my way home, soaking them through and through--and work itself wasn't all that much better. So a built-by-Nicole package was the best thing that I could come home to (along with my baby Chloe of course).

Knowing how much I love playing around with different foundations, Nicole sent me samples of all the latest and greatest Armani products. How incredible is she? She's such a sweetheart for actually giving me a reason to look forward to waking up bright and early tomorrow morning. I get to play with new products!


My lovely package included samples of Armani's Crema Nera Obsidian Mineral Restoring Serum, Designer Shaping Cream Foundation, Lasting Silk UV Foundation, Luminous Silk Foundation, Light Master Primer and Micro-Fil Loose Powder. Did I happen to mention that Nicole and I are the same shade, meaning that I don't have to bother to test out a million foundation shades before settling on the right one? Nicole did all the hard work for me!

She also threw in some Moroccan Oil for my hair, which is sorely in need of some TLC thanks to all the styling it's been undergoing lately. My hair thanks you!

And last but most definitely not least, Nicole threw in an amazing surprise for me--La Mer's The Lip Balm!!!!! It'll be a great summer alternative to the Lip Slip she got me, which, in case you weren't aware, is the best lip balm ever (review HERE). Nicole also recently sent me the most thoughtful package for my birthday--check out what was in it by clicking HERE.

As always, thank you so so much Nicole, your generosity always amazes and humbles me!
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Sparkling Holiday Lashes: Giorgio Armani Black Sparkling Mascara Top Coat

Giorgio Armani Black Sparkling Mascara Top Coat ($26)
Top off your lash look with an intense sparkle of black crystal for the most glamorous and sophisticated effect on lashes. Professional comb applicator helps separate lashes to maximize the crystal effect

Application Techniques:
Create a glamorous effect by applying the mascara top coat sparingly to the tips of lashes, over regular mascara.

Ooooh sparkly mascara--Jen likie! This sounds like it'd be gorgeous to glam up that special holiday evening look, and unlike Armani's red glitter version from last year, I can actually see myself wearing this one!

I don't know if I'll be purchasing this just yet since I do have more mascaras than any sane woman should own, but technically it's not a mascara it's a top coat...or so I plan to keep telling myself.

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