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Ole Henriksen

Thursday, December 1, 2011

GIVEAWAY! Larenim Mineral Makeup

Having recently been introduced to this line of mineral makeup, I wanted to share some background information as well as some new products from the line because once you try this, I know you'll love it!


Kirsten Corcoran, Founder and Creative Director of Larenim Mineral Make Up has over 25 years as a health and wellness expert in the beauty and cosmetic industry. As 2012 approaches she continues to push the envelope by developing innovative products that surpass her competitors as well as educate and build awareness when it comes to clean, healthy make up and skin care. She's a business woman, mother of five, who maintains a very busy schedule. She understands the need for women like herself who are forever seeking great beauty products that do what they say, make them feel good, their skin look gorgeous and most important, affordable. Larenim Mineral Make Up offers today's working woman, soccer mom and everyone in between luxury products that fit their lifestyle and their budget.


 Kirsten has worked in the natural Product’s Industry for 28 years, 22 of them as an owner of a health food and supplement store in Columbus, Ohio. With her knowledge of the natural product industry Kirsten strives to bring the toxicology of current makeup brands to the forefront of inspection in the media. She hopes to share her knowledge of natural solutions and help expand this ideology throughout the beauty industry.  Below are some of Larenim's brand new products as well as some favorites that once you try, you're sure to love. Buy your own at  www.larenim.com


Blanket Flower

Larenim Mineral Make Up launches the Magical Mystery Flower Tour, a brand new collection that captures the fresh, cool feel of winter. The collection, full of minerals and vitamins will give your skin a bright healthy glow, and that natural pinched cheek look, by starting with the Blanket Flower blush, a mauve-pink with a splash of silver gleam. As the tour continues you can your eyes for a wild ride with the Last Crush eyeliner ( a deep ebony brown with a matte finish) and choose from one of the three new eye colors, Bubbly (a rich mahogany brown with a hint of copper shimmer), Beige Bauble ( a silver-beige with a mirror finish) or Tenderly (a warm chestnut brown with a silken matte finish). Blanket Flower $21.00, Shadows: $9.50


C the Light medium

In addition to the above-mentioned the collection also includes two shades of C the Light, a bio-active blend of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and trans resveratrol in a vitamin & mineral base. You can apply this to your entire face to minimize the appearance of hyper pigmentation. It will help your overall skin tone appear brighter.  $26.00




No time to spa, treat yourself to Larenim's Bamboo Skin Polish. It takes one minute and leaves your skin glowing and refreshed.

The Bamboo Skin Polish, a unique and creative combination of all natural, organic, and chemical-free ingredients, designed to “polish” your skin, leaving it refreshed, glowing and in great condition.

The Bamboo Skin Polish is made from bamboo stem extract and cacao shells to help exfoliate without using harsh and damaging chemicals. Larenim has also developed a unique alpha-hydroxy-acid blend from sugar cane and sugar maple. It’s so natural and fresh you could eat it! The polish, gentle enough to clean and exfoliate on a daily basis    $26.00
Diamond Girl Glossy Lip
Gorgeous gloss from day to night...every mom should have one.
Diamond Girl Glossy Lip Colour with REAL DIAMONDS is a 100% natural formula that imparts enduring, unrivaled moisture and brilliant, non-sticky lustre. Emollient, antioxidant-rich extracts of seeds, flowers, fruits and berries are infused with pure earth minerals to indulge your lips with delicately luscious flavor and seductively rich colour.

                                         Diamond Girl Glossy Lip is free of Polybutene, parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrance and color, petro-chemicals, phthalates, GMO and Triclosan.

Each Glossy Lip Colour contains FeatherGuard Wear botanical complex, a unique and nourishing blend derived from sunflower, horsetail and myrrh, that promotes agelessly defined lips. The collection is available in five beautiful shades: Seduction, Princess (as seen below), Mauvelous, Timeless Rose, True Romance and Positively Clear. Larenim also has powders in all of these shades to match. $17.00 each







One lucky reader will win a lip gloss from Laranim in the color either Princess or Seduction. Simply follow this blog, share it with friends and leave a comment  between now and December 8th. I will announce the winner on December 9th!


Good luck!
 






Monday, November 28, 2011

Who's Got The Time?

I don't know about you, but it's that time of year when there's so much going on, with family and work and decorating and parties, I need to stretch a minute anywhere I can. And if you have to wash your hair everyday like I do, you know how much time that takes. So every now and then I cheat to save some time and use a dry shampoo from Oscar Blandi.

If you haven't tried a dry shampoo, or it's been awhile since you last did, you have got to get this and try it for yourself. It comes in two varieties, a powder and a spray can. I prefer the powder, but they both do the job, and it's really very simple.

Just squeeze a little of the powder into your hair at the roots, and then brush like crazy with a natural hair brush, which will disperse the powder better and keep you from having a white scalp while the oil absorbing particles go to work giving you the illusion of clean hair almost instantly. Same process with the spray. Bonus - they actually give your hair some volume at the same time, so hair doesn't look limp and flat.

This will save upwards of half an hour in your beauty routine, when you're pressed for time. I won't go out of town without it!

Pick yours up at any ULTA store or www.sephora.com  A small bottle is just $11, and it will last you through many many treatments!

Stila Dream in Full Color Palette Winner

As promised, I have chosen a winner at random from the comments left here during the period specified.

I am happy to announce the winner is Shaashii from http://shaashii.blogspot.com/ you can check her blog for lots of other fun giveaways from all over the web.

Shaashii, just email me at brettknowsbeauty@gmail.com with your address and I will get this out to you soon! I hope you enjoy!

Now who's ready for the next awesome giveaway? Don't go anywhere, it's coming up next!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Let's Get Pro Active!

Acne happens. Let's face it. Whether you're a teenager or a new mom or somewhere in between, it's likely to happen at some point. And there are so many products to choose from - it's overwhelming.

One line I have recently been introduced to, and really like is Proactiv. My only experience with the line was what I've seen on TV, but they have a full line of acne solutions in addition to the infomercial products.

There are a few that really stood out as hero products and solutions to make acne disappear quickly. First, I love the Advanced Blemish Treatment. It's great if you have just one or two little blemishes that you want to dry up quickly, and it's small enough to fit in the tiniest purse or pocket. I have several to keep one handy all the time.
Another thing I really like is the Clear Skin Body Pads. I mean we all know that acne isn't limited to your face, and these pads are designed to have more weight to them, so they can tackle cleaning your chest or shoulder or back with ease. They kind of feel as though they are exfoliating pads so you get a really clean feel from them. When used morning and night, they are super quick to clear up acne and do not irritate or over-dry skin out.

I'm really bad about taking my makeup off at night. I think about it, but I hate doing it. The Makeup Removing Cloths make makeup removal tolerable. These pre-moistened wipes easily remove makeup (including eye makeup), leaving face feeling clean and fresh. It may not be a perfect solution, but it's better than going to bed with full makeup on, right?

Ok, so where to buy? I have heard there are kiosks in the mall that sell Proactiv - but I have yet to see on with my own eyes. Best bet, visit www.proactiv.com to get the products that fit best into your life to keep you acne-free!


Do you have a tried and tested anti-acne product that you love? If so, I'd love to hear about it!

There's still time to win the Stila Dream in Full Color Palette. Just follow this blog and leave me a comment before November 28th! It's easy to do and takes just a minute. The link to follow is on the right hand side of the page.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Dream in Full Color: New Giveaway!

Don't you just love playing around with eye makeup and finding new looks? I do! That's why I'm especially excited to share Stila's holiday Dream in Full Color palette with you.

Check it out! This pretty round palette includes 29 eye shadow colors, and along the outside edge, 7 gorgeous cheek colors! Also included is the Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Stingray.

And this is no tiny palette - it's about 5.5 inches wide, so there's no shortage of colors and you will be able to create hundreds of looks with all of these colors. Of the 29 colors, only 4 are shimmer free, so your looks will really sparkle this season.

The cheek colors range from a light dusty pink to a deep mauve and will suit many different skin tones. Still unsure about which colors to use together, or what might look best on you? The great people at Stila thought of that, and included a 16 page lookbook with directions on how to put an eye together and even which blush works best with which eye. Genius!

At a $366 dollar value, I am happy to announce that I've been given an extra that I can now give away to a lucky reader!

What do you have to do to qualify to win? It's simple! Sign up to follow my blog and leave me a comment anytime between now and November 28th! I will choose a winner than night who will receive their very own Stila Dream in Full Color Palette for the holidays!

Monday, November 14, 2011

In Honor of The Young & The Restless: Jabot

Yeah, I admit it. I'm a closet soap fan. I'm addicted to the uber-drama of the daytime world. It's my respite from the real world, my guilty pleasure and reminds me of my childhood, as many people in my family regularly watched CBS soaps.

If you are a Young & The Restless fan, then I don't need to introduce you to Jabot Cosmetics - the line speaks for itself.

If you're not a soap fan, then Jabot Cosmetics may be new to you and I am happy to introduce you to a line that is near and dear to my heart. It's conception was born on the show, and now, some 20 years later, a real line has been developed and promoted and launched simultaneously on the daytime drama and in real life on HSN.

I had to try it. It became my mission. I worked and worked to get information on this line and my persistence paid off! A package arrived filled with some of my favorite things!

Enter the Jabot Lasting Performance Foundation. Available in 5 shades from Fair to Deep Mocha, this foundation goes on evenly and sticks around all day - I love long wearing foundation! There's not much worse than foundation that slides off your face before the day is over.

Want to pick some up to try for yourself? Visit HSN or www.shopjabot.com or now you can visit your local ULTA store to try out this iconic brand.

Congratulations to our first giveaway winner, Holly Havens! She won the Urban Decay set of mini nail polishes!

We have more giveaways coming up, so stay tuned and follow me on this journey!

No Flaking, Smudging or Running Allowed!

I'm really picky when it comes to mascara. I won't wear it if it flakes, smudges, runs or is too difficult to remove.

I've compiled a list of mascaras that over the years, I've used and adored. So here they are!

Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara is awesome. I love this mascara because it has two ways to apply it - either for length or volume. It gives you some options, while still being economical. Typically available at drugstores or www.rimmellondon.com
Stila Glamoureyes Mascara gives you the look of falsies, but they're all your own! The brush is a little different, with several layers so you don't get the clumping when applying that is so annoying and the polymer that's in the formula makes lashes look so amazing and long. www.stilacosmetics.com
LancĂ´me DĂ©finicils Precious Cells is your HD mascara, also dubbed as the first caring mascara. It, too, has a uniquely shaped brush that keeps lashes from clumping and a plant extract that actually improves the condition of lashes, making them stronger and densified, so they look healthier. www.sephora.com
Need big fat lashes? Also need waterproof formula? Then check out Rimmel's Max Volume Mascara in waterproof. Formula is full of collagen, which thickens lashes and the brush is gigantic, helping you reach every single lash. Keratin helps lashes look healthy and shiny so you can go from thin to fat in 10 seconds. Where else is that going to sound good?? www.rimmellondon.com
Last but not least is Makeup For Ever's Aqua Smoky Lash. This is waterproof, too! Also available in regular, but I like the waterproof version. What's great about this is the deep pigment. It's a rich black that makes lashes appear darker, while the dense brush gets lashes from root to tip. www.makeupforever.com







Enjoy experimenting with some new mascaras and let me know your favorites. I'm sure there will be lots more mascara roundups to come!

Also, don't forget to sign up to follow this blog! With great giveaways happening, and lots of makeup news and updates, it's a great time to join us! Just look to the bottom right of this page and sign up - it only takes a second and I would so appreciate your support!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Follow This Blog

Hi Friends!

It's so much fun sharing my favorite beauty tips and secrets with you. And I love hearing from you all! Go ahead and sign up to follow my blog as I'm going to be doing some really fun giveaways over the next month and you won't want to miss out!

Just click on the link in the lower right hand corner to follow me and get updates any way you choose and you will be entered into the first giveaway - a fun, festive Urban Decay Holiday set of nail polishes.

Just 6 more days to enter to win this giveaway on November 18th, but there's so much more than that. I've got super sneak peeks of new items you'll want for winter and spring, so don't miss out. It just takes a minute to sign up! Click here and you can go right to the sign up page! Now, on with the sharing!



Beam me Bronze!

Sun Beam
Benefit Cosmetics has a new product in the Beam line arriving soon - Sun Beam. It's like sun in a bottle.

This bronze complexion highlighter goes to work immediately, giving you a natural, sun-kissed glow. It's not orangey at all - it's more like a golden highlighter. The great thing is, its a liquid and you can use it right over your foundation!

Look for Sun Beam at www.benefitcosmetics.com or at your local Benefit counter next month and let me know how you like it!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

At Ease

It happens to all of us. It does. And it's never fun. You wake up one morning and have a blemish front and center. Egads! What to do?!

Hopefully, you will have the Tarte Cosmetics At Ease Micronized Clay Calming Concealer at hand. See, this product does double duty. With a yellow-based concealer cream on top, you can cover any red blemishes easily (the yellow helps neutralize the redness) and with the powder on the bottom, you can easily set the concealer so it stays in place as long as you need it to. Bonus, the cap has a mirror, so this product, though small in size, packs a gigantic punch. Easily throw this in your purse, or makeup bag and you're set to fight blemishes whenever they might pop up.

Now go stock up before your next outbreak!

$30 and www.tartecosmetics.com




Give It Away!

Are you all as excited as I am?


Brett knows Beauty has partnered with Atlanta Social Season Magazine and Urban Decay Cosmetics to bring you my first ever blog giveaway!

You have from now, until November 18th (that's over a week!) to complete a few, quick tasks and be entered to win.

"So what do I have to do?", you ask. It's easy! Simply become a follower on Brett Knows Beauty, and leave a comment on one of the upcoming posts. That will get you entered to win one of my most favorite holiday goodies - The Urban Decay Nail Polish Sampler.

With jewel tones and sophisticated neutrals you can rock out and captivate the room this holiday in style. With fun names like Hot Mess (also my personal favorite), Wrecked, Gunmetal, Mars and Ziggy, they've pulled their best sellers and combined them into one awesome set. And it can be yours!

If you're unfamiliar with this brand, it's a great way to try it out and see how you like it. If you're already familiar with Urban Decay, then you know how innovative, fun and inspiring this line is! So what are you waiting for? Follow, comment, win!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

No Oil Slicks Here!

Clini-Matte Oil Control SPF 20
I get tired of having to reapply powder to my shiny face all day, which is why I cried tears of joy when I found out about Peter Thomas Roth's Clini-Matte lotion. It stops the shine, lightly moisturizes and has an added SPF 20 to keep my skin protected from the sun.

But does it work? It does! Applied in the morning before makeup Clini-Matte does it job undercover all day, keeping your face looking fresh, not frightful. And keeping you from having to reapply powder all day long.

Pair this with some long-wearing makeup and you'll be set all day or all night.

www.peterthomasroth.com Clini-Matte Oil Control, $48

Friday, October 21, 2011

Lip Service

It's officially fall. I know it because both the calendar and my lips told me. With the cooler temperatures, my lips need extra hydration to keep from cracking and looking like a hot mess. My new secret weapon I stole from the boys. Jack Black (not the actor) is a line of men's products that are phenomenal, and their lip balm is no exception.

Made with luxurious conditioners and packed full of antioxidants, it feels soft and smooth going on and not like Chapstick at all. He will love it because it's packaged in blue & black and looks masculine, isn't shiny, glossy or goopy - and you'll steal it from him because it works like a charm.

In interesting and unique flavors like Lemon & Chamomile, Grapefruit & Ginger or Lavender Vanilla, why not go all out and try the mini set that includes 5 flavors - then you don't have to share!

Lip Service set, $30 www.getjackblack.com

Just A Little Blanched

While I was blessed as a teen to have not struggled with acne, over the last ten years or so, I have had my fair share of breakouts and blemishes. Whether due to hormones, crashing at night without removing your makeup or just plain bad luck, it happens.

Blanche
Most of the time they go just as easily as they appeared - quickly and without much effort. But once in awhile you get a blemish that remains past it's welcome (Let's be honest, it was never really welcome to begin with, was it?) In these cases you can be left with a red or dark colored mark on your skin. No good.

While it's not necessary to slather yourself in hydroquinon​e (the skin bleaching agent Michael Jackson was rumored to have used), it can be helpful to have a tool that helps the skin return back to its natural state.

Enter RĂ©Vive's Blanche Lighten Whiten. Yes, it's pricey, so prepare yourself An ounce will set you back $400. But, applied twice daily, this light feeling cream lightens and fades spots from acne, sun damage and even the dreaded age spots. It won't happen overnight, but you will notice a difference in just a few short weeks.

Want to try it for yourself? order directly from www.reviveskincare.com or visit your local Neiman Marcus store, as they sometimes offer samples and you can try several products from the line.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Bit of Bronzer

Mineral Bronzing Powder from Tarte
Now that we're entering fall and the bronziness of summer is beginning to fade, don't run to the tanning bed - yet!

Tarte Cosmetics has an amazing Mineral bronzing Powder that can help you keep your summer glow without wreaking havoc on your delicate skin.

Available in two shades - Park Avenue Princess (the one I wear) or a darker shade, Hotel Heiress.

I love this product so much because it doesn't clog my pores or make be breakout (and I have very sensitive skin), yet it works and looks natural on so many skin tones.

Best trick - use a fan brush to sweep the bronzer on the places the sun would normally hit - forehead, bridge of nose, cheekbones. The fan brush will keep the application light so you look as thought you've had a little warmth, not played in the dirt.

Want to make it yours for $29? Visit www.tartecosmetics.com

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Eyeliner that Stays

24/7 set in Electric
I know you know what I'm talking about. You find the perfectly shaded liner, it glides on like silk and makes your eyes look amazing - and then real life happens and by the end of the day you look like a sad raccoon. No more sad raccoon faces!

Meet Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On Eye-Pencils. They come in sets of two, which at $15 is a great deal, but it's Holiday time, so they're offering sets of 24/7 liner  in two sets of 5! You can pick either the electric set (which has some pretty funky colors included) or the Naked set, which contains all your basic neutrals. Never will you want for another waterproof liner.

24/7 set in Naked
I myself, chose the Naked set, which includes all the shades I'll ever need to create any smokey look I might ever want. And at $32, it's like you're getting one for free!

You can pick these up at www.urbandecay.com now until they're sold out.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Dermablend, Dermawonder

I've loved Dermablend products for years. They cover amazingly. And trust me I know, as growing up I had a nasty scar on my face that I tried to keep covered up. Thankfully, I was able to have some scar tissue removed, and you can barely see it now. But Dermablend isn't just for faces anymore! This Leg and Body cover can do amazing things. It can cover varicose veins, tattoos, uneven skin tones, bruises, scars and burns.

Dermablend Leg & Body Cover, $27
And it doesn't rub off on your clothes or anyone else's clothes. It lasts all day or all night, helping you put your best body forward.

With my upcoming wedding, you can bet I will be using this to make sure my skin looks perfect.
Although you can get it straight from www,dermablend.com, I would recommend actually going to their store/counter and let them find your perfect shade for your skin. They offer 14 shades, so women from all walks of life are sure to find a color that suits them perfectly.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Foot Wash!

Ok, as many of you may know, I love flip flops. And with that love comes stinky feet. Imagine my joy and surprise to be gifted this handy gadget: 

 It's a foot washer for the shower! You just lather up your toesies and stick it in the little flip flip foot wash and they come out smelling great and looking even better. Genious! Now if they only made something that easily removed the callouses on the bottom of feet caused by solely wearing flip flops. Progress people!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Nails Dry, Lickity Split!

For those of us who don't have an hour to spend on a regular basis to indulge in a manicure (or even just a polish change!), I have found an amazing product that has made my at home mani/pedi experience so much easier.

After I've picked out the color for my nails or toes and give them at least two good coats, I break out the Jessica Quick Dry. This is a little bottle of magic. Simply use the dropper and drip a drop onto each nail and Jessica instantly goes to work, providing a barrier for smudges, dents and helps nails dry within 60 seconds.

No more going to bed with wet nails only to wake up with hair marks embedded in your polish! So go ahead, no excuses, paint those pretty little fingers any time, day or night!

www.jessicacosmetics.com $13.90

Friday, March 25, 2011

Organic Treats for your Lips!

Sante America has created an incredible line of organic cosmetics and my new obsession is with their lipglosses. Paraben free, infused with organic shea butter and chamomile extract lend nourishing hydration to lips. And the colors!! With six colors to choose from, and an inexpensive price ($13), you can load up like I have and have a color for every occassion!

My two favorites are the 3 and 5, shiny red and funky cassis. Shiny red is great for going out or when you want a little extra color and funky cassis is a more laid back neutral for when you need a less intense color or just a little hydration on your lips. Pick them up at www.santeamerica.com

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Best Conditioner!


What's not to love about a conditioner that detangles, adds moisture and gives your hair volume? That's what I thought. Add to that the yummy strawberry fragrance that lingers all day and we've just about covered everything!

Bed Head's Superstar Volumizing Conditioner fits the bill. With regular use your hair will feel and look thicker and more luscious (not to mention it will smell great, too!). I'm loving the silky feel of my hair and the bounce it has after using.

Need a new shampoo? Try the Superstar Volumizing Shampoo as well.
Check it out at www.tigihaircare.com

Sunday, March 13, 2011

High Brow, Baby

Getting the perfect brows is an important step to attaining a polished look, but not knowing where to start can make the whole process seem scary. Not to worry, friends - I've got you covered!


First and foremost, if you have never had your brows plucked or shaped before - invest in seeing an eyebrow specialist to help you achieve the best arch possible, without the worry of having your brows plucked too rounded or too thin. (That's really not a good look!)


Once you get the basics down, it's easy to maintain, and there are lots of products out there that can help. One I love? Benefit Cosmetics Brows A-Go-Go. It's a kit only slightly larger than a powder compact that includes lots of ingenious tools to keep your brows looking nice and neat
until you make it to your next wax.


Included in the kit are two shades of brow powder, a wax to use on the brows to keep the brow color in place, a two-sided brush for wax/powder, baby tweezers, baby eyeliner, brow highlighter powder and eye bright shimmer. Everything you need to let your eyes do the talking.


Best thing about this kit? It comes complete with a lesson showing step by step how and where to use each product, so you get great results no matter where you are.


At $38, it's a great value for perfectly arched brows on the go-go! www.benefitcosmetics.com

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Pretty In Pink - Cheeks

With Spring nipping at my heels (OK, so it's more like Spring deadlines, rather than Spring itself) I am thinking all about makeup trends and spring colors.

As Pantone announced the color of the year as Honeysuckle (a pretty spring pink), it seems fitting to create an entire beauty story full of pretty pinks.

I'm loving the Cream Blushes that so many lines have launched. Not only is cream blush easy to apply, it looks natural and is easy to customize to create the most beautiful blush.

Smashbox has a Cream Cheek Duo which is genius as it pairs two complementary shades side by side in order to make customization easy and painless. For $26 you get two shades that blend seamlessly together. Yes!

Also, Urban Decay has a line of Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tints that you can wear bare or with foundation - guaranteed to get you blushing in no time. Again, these tints are easy to apply, look natural and have good for you ingredients like vitamins A, C and E. Not too shabby!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Get Beautiful Locks in 2011


I absolutely adore the Philip B. Russian Amber shampoo. From its delicate Amber fragrance to the nutrient-packed formula, there's so much to love.

There's not much this super-shampoo can't do. It helps resist fading, adds life, luster and shine to hair and even helps repair damage done to locks during styling, coloring and other chemical processes.

A definite must for anyone who has trouble managing their hair, or wants beautiful hair every day of the week!

Try it out at www.philipb.com - your hair will thank me.
 
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