Winter Follower Giveaway: Cosmetics

Winter's right around the corner. We're celebrating the arrival of this special season by unlocking our product closet. Three prize packages are now up for grabs.

Our latest follower giveaway showcases cosmetics products from Jane Iredale,  Smashbox and Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. The deadline to enter is Friday, January 6, 2012, at 9 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time). Good luck! 

THE PRIZES

(PRIZE #1) SHINE: Jane Iredale Just For Me collection spotlights My Steppes Cool and Warm Makeup Kits (Bronzing Powder, PurePressed Blush and PureGloss for Lips), Mystikol Powdered Eyeliners/Highlighters, and Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain. BEAUTY: Multipurpose colors refine and define cheeks, lips and eyes. BEACON: No animal testing. Also supports the Berkshire Humane Society. RETAIL VALUE: $185

BONUS: Jane Iredale Bitty Brow Kit. RETAIL VALUE: $27

UPDATE: Congrats to follower Tabitha Michelle. She's the lucky winner of Prize Package #1!

(PRIZE #2) SHINE: Smashbox Studio Stash features a black roll bag packed with jet black mascara, eye shadow palette, lip enhancing gloss, cream eyeliner palette and blush/soft light duo. BEAUTY: Collection provides lots of possibilities for day and evening looks. BEACON: Cruelty and paraben free. RETAIL VALUE: $59

BONUS: Smashbox Eye Shadows (Clockwise: Honey, 24K, Fizz and Safari). RETAIL VALUE: $64

UPDATE: Congrats to follower Katherine. She's the lucky winner of Prize Package #2!

(PRIZE #3) SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Party Mix collection holds five full-size lipglosses in Coy (light pink), Guava (dark pink), Marrakech (dark red), Reflection (natural) and Mesmerize (brown). BEAUTY: Formulated to provide a natural lip-plumping effect. BEACON: No animal testing. Also contains no alcohol, artificial fragrances or dyes. RETAIL VALUE: $75

BONUS: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Lunar Dust (Dusk). RETAIL VALUE: $33

UPDATE: Congrats to follower Amber. She's the lucky winner of Prize Package #3! 

THE RULES

Three Steps To Enter:

1. 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):

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

Two extra entries: Add SHINE Beauty Beacon to your blogroll.

Three extra entries: Follow SHINE Beauty Beacon on Twitter @shinebeautybcn and tweet (or retweet) a link to this giveaway.

Four extra entries: Post this giveaway on Tumblr or Facebook.

Five extra entries: Post this giveaway on your 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 Friday, January 6, 2012, at 9 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time). Winners will 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, international or otherwise, is the sole responsibility of the winner. By entering the giveaway, you release SHINE Beauty Beacon from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind 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 Jane Iredale, Smashbox or Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, 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.

Luscious Lips

Pucker up! We're on beauty duty in celebration of National Lipstick Day.


Classic crimson colors have happily withstood the test of time. Back in the day, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor made bold style statements wearing ruby red lipstick. Fast forward almost a half century, and glam icons such as Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Madonna rarely missed a photo op without sporting their scarlet smiles. 


Today, pink, coral and neutral shades also rule runways and red carpets. Check out these playful pouts.

Scarlett Johansson

Zoe Kravitz

Megan Fox

Rosario Dawson

Drew Barrymore

Need to pamper your pucker? Add shine and suppleness with the latest lipsticks, stains and glosses.

BEAUTY: Elizabeth Grant Light Up Your Lips (Shimmering Red) comes with an attached gold mirror on the side of the tube and a handy LED light inside the cap. BEACON: No animal testing. Also supports the Children's Diabetes Foundation and Hollyrod Foundation.

BEAUTY: Essence Mini Lipgloss Set (01 Devil's Love & Kisses) contains three shimmery colors in a convenient carrying case. BEACON: No animal testing.

BEAUTY: Jane Iredale Lip Fixation (Craving) is a two-in-one product designed with a lip stain on one end and gloss on the other. BEACON: Cruelty free. Also supports the Berkshire Humane Society.

BEAUTY: One Bath & Body Triple Play Shimmer Lip Gloss Trio with Bamboo Lip Brush utilizes yellow beeswax and vitamin E oil to keep smiles supple. BEACON: Cruelty free, and packaged in recyclable cardboard cartons and aluminum tins.

BEAUTY: Smashbox Lipsticks (Stunning and Splendid) leave a luminous finish with vitamin E and coconut oil. BEACON: Cruelty free. Also uses recyclable packaging made with Sustainable Forestry Initiative certified paper and soy ink.

BEAUTY: YBF Beauty Royalty Collectible Pewter Lipsticks (Royalty Red and Princess Pink) nourish with castor seed oil and lanolin, and sparkle with faux stones. BEACON: Contains no parabens. Also supports Look Good...Feel Better.

Marilyn Monroe's Legendary Look

It's difficult to imagine Marilyn Monroe as an octagenarian. However, if she were alive today, the sultry screen siren would've turned 85 this month.


Monroe's rendition of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" in the '50s flick Gentlemen Prefer Blondes showcased her superstar style. She dazzled the world as one of the biggest beauty icons of the 20th century with her carat-cut smile, deep-set eyes, platinum blonde hair and heart-shaped lips.

Just like a diamond, her flaws created many facets to her personality. She suffered from depression and an addiction to sleeping pills, but the compassionate side of Monroe used her star power to shed light on worthy endeavors. She entertained American troops stationed in Korea in 1954 and lifted the spirits of injured soldiers by visiting military hospitals (see video above).


To help release your inner Marilyn Monroe, we've assembled several lip and eye products. Enjoy!

BEAUTY: Create your own Monkey Business with DermaQuest Skin Therapy C-Lipoic Lip Enhancer. BEACON: Cruelty free.

BEAUTY: Some Like it Hot with Essence Gel Eyeliner (Midnight in Paris), Colour & Shine Eye Shadow (Trip to Venus) and XXXL Shine Lipgloss (Bubble Babe). BEACON: No animal testing.

BEAUTY: If you've got The Seven Year Itch, try Jane Iredale PureGloss Lip Gloss (Hazelnut), PurePressed Eye Shadow (Silver Lining), Liquid Eyeliner (Silver) and Eye Pencil (Midnight Blue). BEACON: Member of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and supporter of the Berkshire Humane Society.

BEAUTY: Make it all about you rather than All About Eve with Palladio Beauty Group Baked Eye Shadow Trios (Blue Lagoon, Lovely Lilac and Pop Idol). BEACON: No animal testing.

BEAUTY: Cure The Asphalt Jungle blues with Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Extreme Volumizing Mascara (Black), Lipstick (Glamour Red) and Eyeliner (Jet). BEACON: No animal testing. Also supports the Noreen Fraser Foundation and Look Good...Feel Good.

BEAUTY: There's No Business Like Show Business as long as you're using Peacekeeper Cause-metics Yum Glaze Lip Gloss (Strawberry). BEACON: USDA Organic seal.

Earth Day Mineral Makeup

One of the best cosmetics products for your skin comes directly from the earth. 


Used in foundations, blushes, mascaras, shadows and liners, mineral makeup contains a unique composition of natural ingredients. Mica creates color and luminosity, while bismuth oxychloride provides pearlescent pigment. Zinc oxide contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and titanium dioxide offers protection from environmental factors, including UVA rays and wind.


Known for their pureness and ability to calm the skin, these finely ground minerals appeal to acne and rosacea sufferers--as well as eco-conscious consumers. The ingredients contain no fragrances, binders, synthetic dyes, talc or preservatives.


Many mineral makeup formulations also include anti-aging antioxidants such as green tea and pomegranate extracts, and vitamins A, C and E. In honor of Earth Day, take a look at the latest product innovations.

BEAUTY: Advanced Mineral Makeup Perfecting Concealer (Beige Cream) covers dark circles and Loose Mineral Foundation (Angelina) serves as an all-on-one concealer, SPF 30 and foundation. BEACON: Vegan and non-comedogenic.

BEAUTY: gloMinerals gloEye Shadow Trio (Champagne Rose) sports shades of pink, warm brown and cream as contour, highlighter and liner. BEACON: Non-comedogenic.

BEAUTY: Jane Iredale My Steppes (Cool and Warm) contains two lips glosses (featuring mint and ginger extracts), and blush and bronzer (featuring pine bark and pomegranate extracts). BEACON: Supports Global Green USA (the American arm of Green Cross International), which promotes sustainability.

BEAUTY: Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Mineral Blush (Confidence) employs amino acids, which hydrate the skin and allow color to apply evenly. BEACON: Contains no talc or dyes.

BEAUTY: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint (Natural) hydrates and shields skin from environmental damage, and Mineral Radiance Creme Powder Foundation (Barely Beige) helps moisturize and soothe redness. BEACON: No animal testing, and contains no oils or alcohol.

Elizabeth Taylor Eyes

The world not only lost a beauty icon and film legend when Elizabeth Taylor passed away last week, but a true humanitarian. As a tireless AIDS activist, the two-time Academy Award-winning actress raised millions for The Foundation for AIDS Research and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Taylor's flawless beauty also endures. She possessed a nearly perfect complexion, along with dramatic brows and one-of-a-kind violet eyes. A genetic mutation gave her two rows of lashes, which only enhanced the mesmerizing effect of her eyes. 


With a nostalgic nod to Taylor's best beauty asset, the following products help to maximize the look of eyes, lashes and brows: 

BEAUTY: glo.minerals gloEye Shadow and glo.therapeutics Vital Eye Cream. BEACON: Mineral formulations are talc-free, non-comedogenic and free of perfumes and chemical dyes. Also contains no parabens or gluten-derived ingredients.

BEAUTY: Bioelements All Things Pure Eye Oil. BEACON: Natural Products Association Certified. Contains no artificial colorants or synthetic fragrances, and no animal testing. Also packaged in glass for maximum freshness and recyclability. 

BEAUTY: RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum. BEACON: Paraben and fragrance free.

BEAUTY: iS Clinical Eye Youth Complex. BEACON: Supports Stars For Stripes, a group that provides celebrity entertainment tours for military personnel.

BEAUTY: RevitaLash Volumizing Mascara and RevitaBrow Eyebrow Conditioner. BEACON: Supports Relay For Life and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

BEAUTY: Jane Iredale Professional Faux Lashes and Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner/Highlighter (Citrine and Aquamarine). BEACON: Supports Living Beyond Breast Cancer and platinum sponsor of Teens For Safe Cosmetics Green Spa events.

BEAUTY: Refineé Anti-Puff Brightening Eye Gel. BEACON: Works with the Noreen Fraser Foundation. Also supports Look Good... Feel Better.

BEAUTY: B. Kamins Laboratories Eyelash Fortifier. BEACON: Contributes to Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation and PJs For the Cure, which raises money for juvenile diabetes research.

BEAUTY: Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Pen. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan certification. Also supports Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Gilda’s Club.