2013 Summer Follower Giveaway: Lifeless to Luminous Skinsations

June Gloom recently arrived in Southern California. This unusual weather pattern occurs during early summer and creates overcast conditions in the morning with cooler temperatures. However, the gray gradually gives way to sunny skies at about mid-day. 

Our latest giveaway from Babor, Fleur's and Refineé emphasizes the blah to bright beauty of the June Gloom effect. Valued at approximately $700, these serums, eye creams and gels, moisturizers and masks allow you to turn lifeless skin into a more luminous complexion for a younger looking appearance. 

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at 9 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time). Good luck!

UPDATE: Congrats to follower ZESTYWONDERLAND! She's the lucky winner of all three prize packages. 

THE PRIZES

(PRIZE #1) SHINE: Doctor Babor Derma Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster For Lips, Doctor Babor Biogen Cellular Ultimate Repair Mask, Babor Moist & Lipid Algae Active Fluid and Babor Body Line Thermal Vitamin A-C-E Body Cream. BEAUTY: These must-have moisturizers give your complexion and body a healthy and hydrated appearance. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Dolphin Aid. RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $225.

(PRIZE #2) SHINE: Fleur's Eye Contour Expert Youth Eye Cream, Hand Cream Velvet Hand Care, First Wrinkle Cream, Intensive Wrinkle Firming Serum and Rose-Jasmine Shower Gel. BEAUTY: Prevent premature aging and preserve youthfulness with these powerhouse products. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of fragrances, dyes, sulfates, petrolatum, alcohol, mineral oil and parabens. RETAIL VALUE: About $225.

(PRIZE #3) SHINE: Refineé Protective Day Lotion SPF 15, Anti-Puff Brightening Eye Gel, Line Stop with Pep-Syn Complex, Micro Derma-Peel with Vitamin C and Green Tea, and Firming Mineral Moisture Cream with Marine Peptides. BEAUTY: Soothe, soften and shield your skin to achieve radiant results. BEACON: No animal testing. RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $250.

THE RULES

Three Steps To Enter:

1. If you're a legal resident of the continental USA, become a follower of SHINE Beauty Beacon via Google Friend Connect (GFC).

2. In the "Post a Comment" section below, tell us your email address and which prize or prizes you're interested in winning (i.e., Prize #1; Prizes #1 and #3; or Prizes #1, #2 and #3). NOTE: You'll be disqualified if you comment more than once.

3. Finally, please let us know which social media platforms you posted this giveaway (see "Entry Key" below). 

Entry Key

Please provide appropriate links for verification purposes.

--One entry: Become a GFC follower of SHINE Beauty Beacon.

--Two extra entries: Post this giveaway on Facebook.

--Three extra entries: Follow SHINE Beauty Beacon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ShineBeautyBcn and/or tweet (or retweet) a link to this giveaway.

--Four extra entries: Follow SHINE Beauty Beacon on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/shinebeautybcn/ and/or pin a photo from this giveaway.

--Five extra entries: Post this giveaway on your own blog (must include our URL).

THE FINE PRINT

This giveaway is open only to legal residents of the continental USA. Winners must be able to supply a residential address, as merchandise cannot be delivered to a P.O Box. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. The giveaway will end on Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at 9 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time). More than 15 entries must be received by this date in order for a winner to be selected. A winner will then be chosen by Random.org and notified via the email address provided in the "Post a Comment" section of this post. Odds of winning depend upon the number of entries received (see "The Rules" above). No cash substitutions allowed. The winner must respond within 48 hours of being notified or a new one will be selected. Void where prohibited by law. Any tax is the sole responsibility of the winner. By entering the giveaway, you release SHINE Beauty Beacon from liability, and waive any and all causes of action, related to claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, misdelivery or acceptance of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory. SHINE Beauty Beacon isn't affiliated with Babor, Fleur's or Refineé, but we purchased or received complimentary samples for review purposes.  

We look forward to your participation. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at shinebeautybeacon(at)gmail(dot)com.

Pretty in Pink: Summer Makeup Must-Haves for Lips, Cheeks & Eyes

Photo by Philip Nelson

Nicki Minaj: Picture perfect in pink hair, lips and nails.

Quick... What color comes to mind when you think about bubble gum, cotton candy and watermelon margaritas? Five, four, three, two, one--pink!

Beautynistas predict that eye-popping, pretty-in-pink colors will be this summer's hottest trend. In fact, when celebs wanna turn heads on the red carpet, they think pink. Everyone from Gywneth Paltrow to Nicki Minaj to Lea Michele has made style statements with this sassy shade to create show-stopping hair, gowns, nails and makeup.

Anne Hathaway kick-started a couture craze when she floated down the aisle in a pink-dipped tulle Valentino gown on her wedding day last September. Jessica Biel then took the trend to the next level when she tied the knot with Justin Timberlake in a whimsical petal pink princess gown last October.

The color now dominates cosmetics counters, so it's an ideal opportunity to add a pop of pink to your summer look. Check out the latest luscious blushes, eyeshadows, glosses and lipsticks. You'll be tickled pink with the results.

Anne Hathaway choose a pink-dipped Valentino tulle gown on her wedding day to Adam Shulman last fall.

Justin Timberlake jumps for joy over his bride Jessica Biel and her custom Giambattista Valli pink wedding dress last year.

Gwyneth Paltrow lights up the red carpet in a hot pink gown by Valentino at the Met Gala Ball last May.

Photo by Maryam Keshavarzi

Bella Thorne

JJ Duncan

Lea Michele

Photo by JJ Duncan

Ashley Benson

Photo by JJ Duncan

Lucy Hale

Photo courtesy MingleMediaTVNetwork

Emmy Rossum

SHINE: Hemp Organics by Colorganics Pink Satin Lipstick. BEAUTY: Seal in moisture and shine with castor, hemp seed and jojoba oils. BEACON: No animal testing and USDA Organic certified. Contains no gluten, artificial fragrances and flavors, parabens, SLS, phthalates or FD&C colors. Supports Green America, The Library Project and Vote Hemp.

SHINE: Milani Powder Eyeshadow (Shocking Pink) and Haute Flash Full Coverage Shimmer Lipgloss (Flashy). BEAUTY: This highly pigmented duo wears well during the day or evening. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Mineral Fusion Lip Gloss (Dazzle). BEAUTY: Create lush lips with this creamy color. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Purely Pro Cosmetics Sheer Glo Lotion (Glow Pink). BEAUTY: Mix this incandescent lotion with your foundation, or wear it alone, to lock in luminosity. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Dress for Success. 

SHINE: Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Long Lasting Eye Shadow Wet/Dry (Ice) and LipThick Super Plumping Gloss (Lollipop). BEAUTY: Create classic to crazy cool looks with this eye-lip combo. BEACON: No animal testing. Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Sumbody Mineral Blush (Pretty in Pink). BEAUTY: Sparkling silver shimmer in a warm pink matte evens your complexion without clogging pores or causing irritation to restore radiance. BEACON: Free of bismuth oxide, talc, fragrance, parabens, animal oils, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates and artificial preservatives. 

SHINE: Tarte Cheek Stain (Awakening) and LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint (Energy). BEAUTY: Allow your skin's natural pH to provide a personalized shade of pink. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Contains no parabens, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates or synthetic fragrances. Supports the Sustainable Amazon Partnership.

 SHINE: Vapour Organic Beauty Elixir Plumping Lip Gloss (Honor). BEAUTY: Maximize the fullness of your lips, while also enhancing their natural glow, with castor, jojoba and sunflower seed oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute.

Beaming Soon-to-Be Dads: Give Your Guy the Same Good-to-Glow Look of Superstar First-Time Fathers

Photo by Daniel Ogren
Josh Duhamel and Fergie expect their bundle of joy this summer.

Who's got the glow? Superstar soon-to-be dads Josh Duhamel, Prince William, Kanye West and Olivier Martinez beam about as bright as their respective expectant partners--Fergie, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kim Kardashian and Halle Berry.

This fab four of first-time fathers have the look of love and luminosity. The special guy in your life doesn't need to shop for strollers to enjoy a flawless, refreshed complexion. Lifeless skin responds well to scrubs, moisturizers, cleansers and shaving products that contain powerful vitamins, antioxidants, anti-aging ingredients and natural exfoliants.

For Father's Day on Sunday, June 16, give your guy the gift of glow. The following skincare collections and kits are designed to revitalize his skin with radiant results. His face will be about as soft as a baby's you-know-what.

Photo by Simon Taylor

Prince William and Kate Middleton prepare for the arrival of the royal baby in July.

Photo by David Shankbone
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian anticipate the birth of their daughter in July. 

Olivier Martinez will welcome the arrival his first child with Halle Berry (her second) in the fall.

SHINE: (Clockwise from the top) eShave Face Moisturizer, Face Scrub, Eye Cream and Face Wash. BEAUTY: These gotta-have-it grooming goodies polish and protect the skin, prevent early signs of aging and promote pore minimization with shea and cocoa nut butters, jojoba oil, crushed apricot seeds, vitamin E and green tea extract. BEACON: Free of parabens, animal ingredients, dyes, SLS and SLES.

SHINE: Jack Black Jet Set Traveler (Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather, Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser and Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20). BEAUTY: For the guy-on-the-go, this travel-size trio sanitizes, smoothes and safeguards the skin. BEACON: Contains no synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulfates or colorants.

SHINE: (Top to bottom) L'Occitane L'Homme Adventurous Verdon Kit (Eau de Toilette, Energy Moisturizer, Refreshing Face Splash and Invigorating Shave). BEAUTY: Shield his skin from the harsh and harmful effects of the sun, aging, lifestyle and the environment with rosemary leaf extract, vitamin E, and grape seed, peppermint and sunflower seed oils. BEACON: The L’Occitane Foundation supports women’s entrepreneurship and visual impairment fields of action.

SHINE: Murad Man Cleansing Shave, Razor Burn Rescue and Face Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 15 | PA++. BEAUTY: He can purify, pamper and protect his skin by utilizing sunscreen ingredients, glycolic acid, vitamins A, C and E, neem, apricot kernel oil and mushroom extract. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: (Clockwise from the top) Pevonia Botanica Easy Glide Shaving Emulsion, Soothing After Shaving Balm, Age-Defying Myoxy Caviar Balm and Aqua-Gel Foaming Cleanser. BEAUTY: This fierce foursome of skincare products for him screams spa day with healing and hydrating ingredients, such as green tea leaf extract, vitamins C and E, safflower seed oil and caviar extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, PABA, urea, artificial colors and sulfates.

SHINE: Skin Authority Man Age Defying Daily Basics Kit (Daily Wash, Shave Serum, Hydrating Sunscreen and Conditioning Toner). BEAUTY: Minimize irritation and redness, fine lines and wrinkles, razor bumps and in-grown hairs, and maximize healthier looking skin with sunscreen ingredients, aloe vera leaf juice, peppermint oil and glycolic acid. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, dyes and added fragrances. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

June Celebrity Birthdays: Let the Skin Smoothing Celebration Begin for Women 35 & Over

Photo by Georges Biard

June 4: Angelina Jolie turns 38.

Happy birthday to Angelina Jolie. The Oscar-winning actress turns 38 today.

It's been quite a year for the mother of six and humanitarian. Last February, Jolie underwent a preventive double mastectomy after discovering she inherited a genetic mutation that put her at a high risk of acquiring breast and ovarian cancer. Jolie's mother, actress Marcheline Bertrand, died from ovarian cancer in 2007 at the age of 56. Last week, her aunt Debbie Martin lost her battle to breast cancer at the age of 61. 

Jolie's decision to go public with her personal story has been hailed as a brave move that may save countless lives. Not only will it prompt others to undergo the same procedure, but it will also expand the discussion about women's overall health concerns and issues. 

When it comes to her skin, Jolie's complexion still looks beautiful and vibrant. For women 35 and over, elasticity and tone typically begin to change. New cell and collagen production start to slow down, so the skin may look drier and duller. Fine lines may also appear around the eyes and lips. 

In honor of June celebrity birthday gals, such as Jolie, Heidi Klum, Courteney Cox and Zoe Saldana, we've compiled several must-have products for your lips, eyes and face. These serums, gels, creams and treatments address the issues that women 35 and over experience.

They serve as icing on the cake for those at this stage of life.

Photo courtesy The Heart Truth

June 1: Heidi Klum turned 40.

June 15: Courteney Cox turns 49.

Photo by Cristiano Del Riccio
June 19: Zoe Saldana turns 35. 

EYES

SHINE: Basq Cucumber Tea Soothing Eye Gel. BEAUTY: Prevent puffiness and perk up your peepers with green tea leaf and cucumber fruit extracts, and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and phthalates.

SHINE: Murad Instant Radiance Eye Cream. BEAUTY: Shea butter, sweet almond oil and hyaluronic acid help to boost collagen production, revitalize your orbital area, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Skin Authority Reviving Eye Brightener and Dramatic Eye Lift. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E in the brightener diminish dark spots, while peptides and green tea leaf extract in the lift ease the effects of aging. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

FACE

SHINE: CellCeuticals CellGenesis Regenerative Skin Treatment. BEAUTY: Super-potent peptides, and the antioxidant power of vitamins C and E amp up your skin's suppleness and play down fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of artificial colorants and fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates and parabens.

SHINE: Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Serum. BEAUTY: Minimize age spots and fine lines, and maximize your skin's elasticity with sunflower seed oil, peptides, and grapefruit and orange peel oils. BEACON: Contains no artificial fragrances or colors. Championed joinFITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship), and the Dermalogica Foundation supports World Skills International, Kiva.org and the Everychild Foundation.

SHINE: Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream. BEAUTY: Olive oil and honey play a key role in this all-purpose cream's ability to hydrate and heal scarring from acne, dry skin, fine lines around the eyes, psoriasis, rough elbows, cracked nipples and stretch marks. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of additives, preservatives, fragrances, chemicals and parabens. Supports People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Celebrity Picks Gift Set (Blueberry Soy Exfoliating Cleanser and Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum). BEAUTY: These travel-size, red carpet favorites utilize softening ingredients, such as aloe and blueberry juices, pineapple extract and soybean milk, and firming ingredients, such as hyaluronic, lactic and salicylic acids. BEACON: No animal testing. Company plants one tree for each product sold through its Forests For the Future program.

SHINE: Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel. BEAUTY: Gingko biloba and aloe vera leaf extracts, and jojoba seed oil help to diminish dullness and dryness and restore radiance to your skin. BEACON: Contains no parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, artificial colors or fragrances, or nitrosamines.

SHINE: Lily Herbceuticals Goji Berry Youth Restore Complex Firming Serum. BEAUTY: Fight signs of aging and lackluster skin with goji berries, mushroom and broccoli extract and jojoba seed oil. BEACON: Contains no petrochemicals or parabens.

SHINE: ProBios Transderma C and Transderma A. BEAUTY: These softening and smoothing serums for day (Transderma C) and night (Tranderma A) utilize vitamins A, C and E to slow early signs of aging and accelerate a gotta-have-it glow. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of preservatives, fragrances, oil and alcohol. 

SHINE: VENeffect Firming Phyto-Lift Serum. BEAUTY: Tighten and brighten your complexion, the delicate area around the eyes, neck and décolletage with peptides, grapefruit seed extract and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: Contains no parabens, silicone, alcohol or fragrances.

LIPS

SHINE: Pevonia Botanica Youthful Lip Cream. BEAUTY: Pamper your pout with shea butter, vitamin E and hazel seed oil, which help to create a supple look and luscious lips. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Prana SpaCeuticals Revitalize Lips SPF 18. BEAUTY: Mushroom extract, hyaluronic acid and co-enzyme Q-10 repair sun damage and prevent premature aging. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and SLS.