Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, dear readers!

It's one of my favorite holidays, and one I usually miss out on due to time and money constraints... this year seems to be no different, as I'm working this evening. However, I'd like to hear and see what YOU are doing this festive autumn day!

Feel free to post pictures of your costume, makeup, etc.! What are you going to be? Where are you going? I'm parading around the office as a "dark" princess tonight!

Review and Giveaway: The Body Shop Love Etc...

All you need is love...

Launched on October 19, Love Etc... is the newest fragrance from The Body Shop and master perfumer Dominique Ropion. Jasmine paired with vanilla, pear, neroli, bergamot, musk, and sandalwood are united in this inspiring, feminine blend meant to signify love in all its forms.

This fragrance deserves a front spot on every woman's vanity. It's completely versatile and deceptively complex: warm and uplifting, sensual and flirty, fun and sweet, all at the same time. It embodies the energy of love on every level.

Additionally, The Body Shop is working to spread love around the world by using Community Trade alcohol made from organic sugar cane (fairly traded and organically sourced from farmers in Ecuador), organic honey (from Africa), and organic babassu oil (from Brazil) in the line of Love Etc... products.

I'm so enamored with this fragrance set that I'm proud to give one away to a special reader!

The Love Etc... Gift Set includes:Love Etc... Eau de Parfum

Love Etc... Body Wash
Love Etc... Body Lotion

To enter, submit your name and e-mail address in the box provided. E-mail subscribers can find the box by visiting the post online. Comment entries will not be considered. This giveaway begins today and ends November 9, 2009 at 10 PM EST. One entry per person; multiple entries will disqualify you. This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only - sorry, international readers!

Sephora Friends & Family Sale

The long-awaited event is here... Sephora's Friends & Family Sale!!

Today through November 2, Sephora is offering shoppers 20% off on their entire online purchase by using coupon code FF2009 at checkout. This offer is only available online, not in-store, and is restricted to US residents only.

Readers... what do you plan on buying this year? I've got my eye on some Urban Decay and those amazing sampler kits Sephora has been releasing lately!

Take It All Off with Clean & Clear Soothing Eye Makeup Remover

Lately, I seem to be having more and more of those kinds of days... you know, the ones where you come home and nearly collapse the moment you get in the door. Or maybe you do collapse, and just spend the night sleeping on your living room floor. Who knows.

Either way, it's days like these when certain products can make your life infinitely easier... because the last thing on your mind is spending five minutes scrubbing all the makeup off your face. This is one such product.

Clean & Clear Soothing Eye Makeup Remover is, by far, the BEST makeup remover I've ever tried on a budget. This oil-free formula is everything I've always wanted in a drugstore remover, without the irritation and hassle.

A few swipes of this stuff takes off anything from long-wearing eyeliner to eyeshadow over primer to mascara. Simply shake, apply to a cotton round or ball, and gently swipe your eyes. You'll be amazed at what comes off those babies!

And since I wear contacts and have extremely sensitive eyes, I'm all about the oil-free, gentle formula. The liquid feels similar to an oil, without the greasy touch or gross residue after. Instead, your eyes are left feeling fresh, soft, and clean.

This remover doesn't take off everything in one swipe - something I've yet to see any drugstore product do - but it's still darn good for the price, and probably as close to a fancy, $30 makeup remover as you can get. Seriously, it works miracles.

For $5-7, you just can't say no. And why would you want to? Be sure to check out the makeup dissolving wipes and foaming cleanser, too, for even more ways to make your nightly routine a snap.

Pick yours up wherever Clean & Clear is sold, and stop falling asleep with your eye makeup on.

Too Faced Cosmetics Vintage Super Sale!

I'm a little late hopping on this bandwagon, but now that I've seen this sale, I MUST share it with you!

Too Faced Cosmetics is running a fabulous sale right now in their Vintage section, offering savings up to 75% on discontinued items - including the So Smurfy collection, the Naughty or Nice set, baked eyeshadows, and much more!

Check out just a taste of what's on sale:












Baked Eyeshadow, $9 (was $19.50)












Diamond Gloss, $3 (was $14)












Tricks of the Trade, $15 (was $40)

If you want in on the sale, it ends on October 25... so hurry on over to the Too Faced Vintage page before these items are gone for good!

LC Lauren Conrad at Kohl's

Ever since The Hills star Lauren Conrad began launching her own fashion designs, I've been wanting to get my hands on them... but could never get over the Laguna Beach prices.

Now, Kohl's and Lauren Conrad have teamed up to bring us an affordable, chic line of "California Casual" designs that won't break the bank! LC Lauren Conrad features the stylish, simply elegant pieces that LC is famous for within a price range of $20-60 and a wide variety of sizes. And with the amazing sales Kohl's runs regularly (like right now), you can be sure you'll be looking your best for less.

Check out what's currently available in the collection, along with a behind-the-scenes look with LC herself, at Kohl's LC Lauren Conrad page.

This line hits stores this month, so take a look at your neighborhood Kohl's!

Review: IQ Derma Clear Remedy

Finally, after months of testing, I've come bearing my complete review of the IQ Derma Clear Remedy system. I've been using it consistently ever since I first posted about it over the summer, and am so excited to share my findings with you!

Keep reading for the full review of the system!

The IQ Derma Clear Remedy system is a 3-step regimen consisting of a cleanser, treatment lotion, and hydrating lotion. IQ Derma also sells a spot treatment and nutritional supplement within the line, which are not included in the kit.

The Clear Remedy Purifying Cleanser is an extremely gentle, non-drying cleanser that is excellent for all skin types. It has a wonderfully light scent that is not at all medicinal, so it hardly feels like an acne product! This face wash has a very gel-like consistency that is thick and emollient, so it won't dry out your skin, unlike many acne washes that are harsh and stripping. One bottle of this product will last forever, since you need a very small amount to cover your entire face. I recommend using a pea-sized dab, cleansing two times each morning and night, to get your face clean without that dry, tight feeling other cleansers may give you.

Next is the miracle product of the line, the Clear Remedy Acne Treatment Lotion. I have to say that this lotion is totally amazing, and by far my favorite in the whole system! The 2% salicylic acid is stronger than over-the-counter formulations, but still mild enough to not be extremely irritating. It also provides gentle exfoliation and smooths while keeping pores clear and unclogged. A variety of other bacteria-killing ingredients help treat current acne and prevent new breakouts. I absolutely love how my skin glows after using this treatment - it's like getting a mini peel every day! When you begin using this product, I suggest limiting application to once a day until you're sure your skin tolerates it well. For extremely sensitive skin, use once every other day to start.

Finally, the Clear Remedy Hydrating Lotion provides the finishing touch to your new, acne-free face. It's a creamy, moisturizing lotion that adds hydration back into the skin and helps keep oil balanced. While oily skin types may feel they don't need to add an extra moisturizer, ALL skin types can benefit from it! After cleansing or using treatments with ingredients like acids, adding moisture is essential - and this lotion is perfect. While it's lacking an SPF, a light layer works well underneath sunscreen and doesn't feel heavy or greasy. It also aids in calming and soothing while it targets discoloration from blemishes and redness.

Sounds great, right? But does the system work?

100% yes! I am so pleased with the complete turnaround my skin did after just a few weeks using the kit. When I first began, I was in the middle of one of my monthly hormonal breakouts and had some severely clogged pores and blackheads. After about three days of using the products, my skin felt soft and smooth, and I could see my blemishes healing before my eyes!

After a week or two, my blackheads began to diminish in appearance, looking less dark and noticeable. This is a huge plus to me, since I can never find anything to help my blackheads!

Now, after over two months on the system, I'm proud to say that my skin is completely smooth and acne-free. The few breakouts I did experience - those pesky hormonal ones - were very minimal, and after zapping them with my spot treatment, disappeared so fast that it was like they never happened. Poof!

Overall, I am incredibly pleased with IQ Derma Clear Remedy, and highly recommend it if you have tried other acne systems without success. IQ Derma isn't harsh or overly irritating, and instead focuses on nourishing and healing. Is it pricey? Yes. Is clear skin worth it? I think so!

Remember: BBB readers get a 30% discount on the entire Clear Remedy line! Whether you purchase the 60-day supply, items a la carte, or the trial kit, you'll receive 30% off your purchase and free ground shipping! To get your savings, you can click here to shop or enter code GETCLEAR30 at checkout!

Update!

Hi guys! Wow, it's been a while!

Just to give everyone an update on my absence, I went to Vegas last weekend for a trip. When I came back, my internet connection at home started acting up and we're still trying to fix it. (I'm posting from work right now!)

Please continue to be patient as I juggle my busy schedule and my finicky wireless service. I've got some really great specials and promo codes just for readers coming up in the next few weeks!!

Thanks, everyone!