Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge #6: Your Community

For this week's 6th and final Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge, my task is to find ways to make small changes in my neighborhood.

First, I try to reduce the amount of plastic bag usage as much possible. I use recyclable shopping bags both in supermarkets and shopping malls. It's actually a lot of fun carrying around these light and cute bags.  In fact, I can carry most of my groceries using 2 large bags compared with the traditional 3-5 plastic bags.

Second, I make a conscious effort to support local farmers by purchasing my fruits,vegetables, and flowers from farmer's markets .

Thirdly, as an Aveeno Ambassador, I am more than excited to share with you the Aveeno Be An Active Natural Fund. This program supports those that are leading community projects that benefit others in need, educate on a healthy lifestyle and give back to the environment. Aveeno will be rewarding grants to individuals who are committed to making a difference. You can enter to win one of eight $10,000 grants that will be awarded in 2012 by creating positive change in one of the following ways:

 · INSPIRE - Inspiring others to see their natural and inner beauty
·  EDUCATE - Educating about the values of an active and healthy lifestyle
·  PRESERVE - Preserving, restoring and improving the local environment

 Apply now on the Aveeno Facebook page (www.facebook.com/aveeno) for full program details to vote for the Active Natural who inspires you! Grant competition starts 4/5.

New AVEENO® PURE RENEWAL™ lets you renew your hair to its naturally balanced state daily. Unlike ordinary shampoos, these sulphate-free formulas have Balancing Seaweed Extract; bringing hair back to its naturally healthy, most balanced state with each wash, for beautifully healthy-looking hair. Learn more here http://bit.ly/A1cjWg

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by AVEENO® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AVEENO®

Guerlain Emilio Pucci Summer Terra Azzurra Terracotta Collection Swatches and Review

Guerlain's Emilio Pucci Summer Terra Azzurra Terracotta Collection is making its debut this month.  You can now find this collection at Nordstrom both online and in stores. 

Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge #5: Body

For this week's Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge, my task is to find ways to improve my body. Here are a couple of things that I often tone my "problem areas":

1. Now that spring season is here, I am ready to head out to my favorite hiking trails.  I'm not sure about you but I'm not a fan of exercising in a stuffy indoor gym.  I find it so much more fun spending time outdoors walking, hiking, or biking.

2. I'm a bit sad we have a late winter this year but I'd also love to head up to the mountains for a nice run on the slopes. Nothing works the body muscles like a couple of hours snowboarding!

3. Another activity that I'd really love to incorporate into my "exercise" routine is camping and swimming. The recent hot weather is perfect for a nice long swim in the pool or ocean. Not only is this relaxing but it also helps burn off a lot of calories.

New AVEENO® PURE RENEWAL™ lets you renew your hair to its naturally balanced state daily. Unlike ordinary shampoos, these sulphate-free formulas have Balancing Seaweed Extract; bringing hair back to its naturally healthy, most balanced state with each wash, for beautifully healthy-looking hair. Learn more here http://bit.ly/A1cjWg

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by AVEENO® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AVEENO®

Chanel Tumulte, Malice, Pink Explosion, and Plum AttractionJoues Contraste Swatches and Review

Chanel launched 3 new and 1 re-promoted Joues Contraste Powder Blushes last month.  These retail for $43USD and can be purchased both online and in stores. Pink Explosion first came out in the baked formula (reviewed here) in an Asia Exclusive collection last year.  Chanel brought this back but in the US formula that we all love.  Tumulte, Malice, and Plum Attraction are all new shades.

Dior Glacier Vernis Swatches and Review

Dior Glacier (191) is a limited edition nail polish that was released in the Asia Exclusive Icy Halos Collection.  It is described as a "a misty blue as delicate as a cloud" on Dior's website. I am head over heels with Glacier.  I am so incredibly glad I was able to get a hold of it from Asia.  I shall let the beauty of this shade speak for itself.

Currently Obsessing Over...

Swatches and review coming soon....

Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge #4: Spirit & Mind

For this week's Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge, my task is to find ways to relieve stress to improve my spirit and mind.  Here are a couple of things that I often do to when I need some serious R&R:

1. After a long day of work, I like to wind down with a cup of warm honey water and read my favorite beauty magazines. Nothing relaxes a beauty junkie's mind better than learning about the latest makeup tips or the newest cosmetics collection soon to be released. 

2. Carving out a small section each day for "me" time.  It can be as simple as doing my nails, watching TV, or picking up the camera and taking photos of anything that catches my eye.  Sometimes the simplest things can clear my mind off of the stress from work or the long daily commute.

3. Sometimes I light a candle, spritz on a nice scent, or lather on myself a nice smelling lotion.  I find that lavender calms my mind while citrus and fruity scents gives me a nice kick of energy. As you all already know, I absolutely adore Aveeno's Positively Nourishing Body Lotions (more scents reviewed here). Needless to say, I am in love with the two new scents of Lavender + Chamomile and Pomegranate + Grapefruit.

New AVEENO® PURE RENEWAL™ lets you renew your hair to its naturally balanced state daily. Unlike ordinary shampoos, these sulphate-free formulas have Balancing Seaweed Extract; bringing hair back to its naturally healthy, most balanced state with each wash, for beautifully healthy-looking hair. Learn more here http://bit.ly/A1cjWg

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by AVEENO® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AVEENO®

Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation Review

Laura Mercier recently released the new Oil Free Supreme Foundation.  It retails for $42USD and is available now for purchase.

Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge #3: Your Home

For this week's Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge, my task is to try and re-decorate my home without going shopping.  If there is one place that needs cleaning, it's definitely my vanity table.  I have too much makeup that requires to be organized in an orderly fashion.  Here are a couple of steps that I have taken to help clean up my personal space:

1. Instead of purchasing a new makeup holder, I use a simple glass dish from the kitchen cupboard.  It actually fits quite a few lipsticks and lip glosses! This is a great way for me to rotate through all my lip products so I don't end up using the same colors all the time.

2. After finding a makeup storage solution, it's important to keep it neat and organized. It only takes a couple of seconds to place the products into different sections. This way, I can quickly grab the lipsticks, lip balms, or lipglosses while putting on makeup in the morning.

3. I also re-used the bottom purple velvet jewelry box holder from UD's 15th Anniversary Palette (shown here) to store my perfume. I can fit at least 5 bottles in the box without spending more money for storage.

New AVEENO® PURE RENEWAL™ lets you renew your hair to its naturally balanced state daily. Unlike ordinary shampoos, these sulphate-free formulas have Balancing Seaweed Extract; bringing hair back to its naturally healthy, most balanced state with each wash, for beautifully healthy-looking hair. Learn more here http://bit.ly/A1cjWg

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by AVEENO® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AVEENO®

MAC Superb Skinfinish vs. Laura Mercier's Rose Rendezvous Comparison

Last year's Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous Face Illuminator sold out incredibly fast when it first came out.  I know a lot of people were unable to get their hands on it and had to pay outrageous prices on Ebay.  When MAC's Superb made its debut this week, I've seen many rumors of this being a good dupe for Rose Rendezvous. As expected, Superb made its round among the beauty community and was sold out pretty quick from MAC's website.  I personally love Rose Rendezvous (reviewed here) not only for its beautiful design but also for the incredibly lovely texture.  I mainly purchased Superb as a backup but also to see if it is an exact dupe for Rose Rendezvous. Are you also wondering the same thing? Let's find out together now shall we?

MAC Extra Dimension Collection Swatches and Review

MAC Extra Dimension Collection officially launched on 4/5/12 at all MAC counters. As usual, MAC had the collection online a couple of days earlier. Since I'm no longer able to check out the collection on the day of the launch, I made a quick decision to purchase the Skinfinish in Superb with free shipping. As predicted, that particular shade sold out real quick! For those who are looking for the Skinfinishes, they are still available on Nordstrom's website.

Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge #2: Beauty Routine

For this week's Aveeno Beautiful Change Challenge, my task is to try and simplify my beauty routine. My first step was to cut the makeup application time down to 15 minutes in the morning. It is really amazing how quickly I can apply toner, moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, and lipstick after a couple of practices.  This allows me an extra 15 minutes every morning for a cup of Joe or some quick breakfast. Other baby steps I've made to simply my beauty routine are:

1. Apply cuticle oil and hand lotion before going to bed.  This way, I wake up with soft hands and great looking nails. I let the magic happen while I'm getting my beauty rest!

2. Whenever I'm in a crunch for time, I apply Aveeno's new Tinted Moisturizer with SPF.  It provides a light to medium coverage with the protection of sunscreen. This way I don't have to apply moisturizer, sunscreen, and then foundation.  3 steps in 1!

3. I apply body oil prior to stepping into the shower.  I think I read this trick somewhere in Allure magazine.  The steam from the shower helps lock in the moisture so when I come out, I don't have to re-apply more body lotion. What a time saver.

4. Last but not least, I also switched to using Aveeno's new Active Naturals Pure Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner.  These are great because they are light weight, sulfate-free, and are made with natural ingredients. To further simplify my shower routine, I use the 2-1 formula, which contains both Shampoo and Conditioner.  These smell quite nice and they do not dry out my hair.

New AVEENO® PURE RENEWAL™ lets you renew your hair to its naturally balanced state daily. Unlike ordinary shampoos, these sulphate-free formulas have Balancing Seaweed Extract; bringing hair back to its naturally healthy, most balanced state with each wash, for beautifully healthy-looking hair. Learn more here http://bit.ly/A1cjWg

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by AVEENO® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AVEENO®