2013 Spring Follower Giveaway: Fresh Start Cosmetics

The month of March represents renewal--spring arrives and flowers begin to bloom. Plus, our clocks advance forward for Daylight Savings Time on the 10th.

We'd like to embrace this season of fresh starts. Our latest giveaway showcases makeup from GloMinerals, Sormé Treatment Cosmetics and Smashbox valued at approximately $330. These eye shadows, lipsticks and blushes allow you to create your own new beginnings with captivating colors.

The deadline to enter is Friday, March 29, 2013, at 9 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time). Good luck!

UPDATE: Congrats to follower Vicki (Spartan Wife)! She's the lucky winner of all three prize packages in our Fresh Start Cosmetics Giveaway. 

THE PRIZES

(PRIZE #1) SHINE: GloMinerals GloLip Plumper (Sheer Berry--light raspberry), GloLiquid Eye Liner (Coal--rich black), GloRoyal Lip Crayon (Countess Coral--glimmering apricot-coral) and Alloy Eye Collection (Silver Streak, Universe, Storm, Jet, Buff, Cappuccino, Enigma and Tuxedo). BEAUTY: A mesmerizing medley of mineral-based makeup. BEACON: Free of talc, perfumes and chemical dyes. RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $95.

(PRIZE #2) SHINE: Smashbox Blush Rush Flush, Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, Photo Finish Lipsticks (Stunning and Splendid), Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio (Light Speed--Butter, Peacock and Azure) and Lip Enhancing Glosses (Pixel and Siren). BEAUTY: A crazy cool collection of cosmetics colors. BEACON: Cruelty free. Packaging is recyclable and made using Sustainable Forestry Initiative certified paper. RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $130.

(PRIZE #3) SHINE: Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Extreme Volumizing Mascara, Bio Natural Eye Shadows (Amethyst, Arena and Suspense), Long Lasting Blush (Pomegranate), Lipstick (Glamour Red) and Brow Lift Brow Highlighting Pencil. BEAUTY: Pop goes the color with these pretty pigments. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Look Good...Feel Better. RETAIL VALUE: About $100.

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 Friday, March 29, 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 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 GloMinerals, Sormé Treatment Cosmetics or Smashbox, 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.

2013 Oscars: The 5 Best Red Carpet Hair Looks

Glitz, glamour, action! The hot pursuit of Oscar gold brought out the best of red carpet style at this year's Academy Awards. Sleek silhouettes and sparkles set the stage for lots of drama and dazzle.

Trending trains and trinkets weren't the only memorable moments. Head-turning hairstyles also stole the spotlight. Who can forget the cascading curls of Reese Witherspoon, the highlighted streaks and swept-up do of lead actress Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence, and the pretty pixie cut of Charlize Theron? Per-fec-tion!  

We're showcasing the five best hair looks of the Oscars, as well as a few shampoos, conditioners, finishing sprays, tools and accessories to help you achieve these styles. Please feel free to tell us which stunning strands you enjoyed most on the red carpet. 

CASCADING CURLS

Reese Witherspoon

Jessica Chastain

Zoe Saldana

Kerry Washington

SWEPT UP & TUCKED BACK

Jennifer Lawrence

Amanda Seyfried

Naomi Watts

CROPPED TOPS

Charlize Theron

Anne Hathaway

Halle Berry (go to 2:25)

TEASED TRESSES

Adele

Amy Adams

LONG & STRAIGHT

Jennifer Aniston

Sandra Bullock

SHINE: A.S.P. Kitoko Volume Enhance Leave-In Treatment (For Fine, Limp Hair). BEAUTY: Green tea leaf and date fruit extracts, shea butter and vitamin E maximize fullness and minimize static. BEACON: Contains no waxes, mineral oils, parabens or sulfates. 

SHINE: Belson Products Brazilian Heat After Dark Professional Titanium 1" Straightening Iron. BEAUTY: Safe for use on keratin treated hair, this flat iron's extra long titanium plates give you more glide and gloss. BEACON: The parent company, Helen of Troy, supports the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Cookies for Kids' Cancer.

SHINE: Conair Bun Maker. BEAUTY: Gather your hair into a ponytail and pull it through the hole in the bun maker. Slide the bun maker up to the ponytail base and spread your hair around it. Secure with pins. BEACON: Supports American Red Cross, American Ballet Theatre and National Dance Institute.

SHINE: Burt's Bees More Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner with Baobab. BEAUTY: Antioxidant-rich baobab oil replenishes and repairs lackluster hair. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of synthetic fragrances, sulfates, parabens, phthalates and petrochemicals. Supports Habitat for Humanity. 

SHINE: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Volume Curls Curling Iron. BEAUTY: Advanced ionic conditioning technology maximizes manageability by fighting frizz and flyaway hair. BEACON: Kao Brands, the parent company, supports the United Way and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Hippophae Botanical Shampoo with Collagen. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice, sunflower seed oil and vitamin B5 step up shine, softness and smoothness. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens. Recyclable packaging.

SHINE: Redken Quick Tease 15 Backcombing Finishing Spray. BEAUTY: This spray allows you to boost body and create lift at the roots. BEACON: L’Oréal, the parent company, partners with UNESCO to support For Women In Science.  

Academy Award Beauty: Best Porcelain Complexion Goes To Anne Hathaway

Photo by Jenn Deering Davis

And the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress goes to... Actually, we won't know who prevails until the Academy Awards show airs this weekend. However, the Odds On Favorite To Win Best Supporting Actress Award goes to Anne Hathaway for her portrayal of the tragic Fantine in "Les Miserables." 

Widely praised by critics and fans for the depth of her performance, she's predicted to be the belle of the ball on Sunday. In fact, her rendition of the musicals’ song, I Dreamed a Dream, has been called, "Raw, heartbreaking, haunting and beautiful."

Hathway's perfect porcelain skin also receives rave reviews from beautynistas. Her flawless face shows no signs of hyperpigmentation, pore congestion or premature aging. It's known as one of the clearest complexions in Hollywood.

We don't know what type of skincare products the 30-year-old Hathaway uses, but face primers often contribute to radiant skin. These glow-getters act as base coats when applied over your moisturizer and beneath your foundation. They also extend the wearability of makeup. 

To create a more finished look, some primers multitask. They provide a three-for-all for your skin with their tinting, moisturizing and sun shielding benefits. So get ready for your close-up with the following face and lash primers. You'll feel red carpet ready in no time.

SHINE: Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF 30. BEAUTY: Shield skin against sun damage and prep it for makeup application with peptides, green tea leaf extract, hyaluronic acid and iron oxides. BEACON: Contains no artificial fragrances or colors. Championed joinFITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship). The Dermalogica Foundation also supports S.K.I.N. (Skincare for Kids in Need).

SHINE: Elizabeth Grant Professional Tinted Primer & Pore Minimizer. BEAUTY: Vitamin E and iron oxides leave your skin with a smoother and more even toned surface. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Hollyrod Foundation, World Wildlife Fund and Sick Kids Foundation. 

SHINE: Inika Certified Organic Pure Primer. BEAUTY: Provide an even canvas for foundation application and improve the staying power of your makeup with aloe vera leaf juice, coconut and jojoba seed oils, and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no petrochemicals, talc, artificial colors or fragrances, parabens, DEA or sulphates.

SHINE: RevitaLash Volumizing Primer. BEAUTY: Nettle extract and peptides prepare your lashes for a long-lasting mascara application. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure and Cancer and Careers. 

SHINE: Sue Devitt Microquatic Fortifying Primer. BEAUTY: Heighten hydration and restore radiance with water lily extract, iron oxide, titanium dioxide and soy protein. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Africa Foundation and Blue Planet Network.

SHINE: Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer SPF 30 (Medium). BEAUTY: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica and diamond powder help brighten skin, minimize pores and shield harmful sun rays. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates and synthetic fragrance. Supports the Sustainable Amazon Partnership.

Pucker Up: Pretty Pouts for Valentine's Day

Amor, amour, amore... No matter how you say it, love is in the air!

Valentine's Day allows Cupid's arrow to take precise aim. And as the son of Venus, the goddess of love, he's got a lot of street cred. So if you're lucky enough to get struck, be prepared to not only fall under a powerful spell but to pucker up as well.

This means it's time to have a heart-to-heart discussion about how to present a pretty pout. Today's lipsticks and glosses come in matte, shimmery, glossy and creamy varieties to help bring out your inner glam goddess--no relation to Cupid. Colors range from classic to contemporary and subtle to standout. Plus, ingredients such as fruit extracts, natural seed oils and vitamins benefit the overall health of your lips.

To achieve a fuller, flirty pout, take a look at the following love struck lipsticks and glosses. They might even make Cupid blush!

SHINE: Babor Ultra Performance Lip Colour. BEAUTY: Soften and smooth your smoochers with castor seed oil, sea fennel and vitamin E in Shiny Plum--which is a sparkling mauve shade. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Mirabella Colour Luxe Lip Gloss. BEAUTY: Step up shine and suppleness with pomegranate extract, jojoba oil and peptides in a shimmery shade of Beam, a pearlescent pink. BEACON: Free of lead and parabens.

SHINE: Purely Pro Cosmetics Hi Gloss Lipstick. BEAUTY: Out your pout with a pop of bright hot pink pigment called Saucy, which also contains a hint of a warm vanilla fragrance. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Dress for Success. 

SHINE: Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss. BEAUTY: Nonstop, a soft raspberry shade, helps make lips feel super silky with vitamin E and a contoured wand. BEACON: Cruelty free. Packaging is made using Sustainable Forestry Initiative certified paper and soy ink.

SHINE: Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Perfect Performance Lip Color, and Mineral Botanicals Lip Color and Vitamin E Lip Conditioner. BEAUTY: Glamour Red, a classic crimson, and Confection, a pinky coral, provide pigment, protection and pizzazz. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Sue Devitt Balanced Sheer Lipstick and Balanced Matte Lipstick. BEAUTY: Villefranche, a sheer pink, and Phuket, a matte rust, maximize color, coverage and your kissability quotient. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Africa Foundation and Blue Planet Network.

SHINE: Susan Posnick ColorEssential Lipstick. BEAUTY: Keep caps secure with a unique magnetic closure, and create a lush lip look with Rio, a bright berry shade, and Milan, a deep red. BEACON: Supports Big Thought.

SHINE: VMV Hypoallergenics Glitz Lipstick. BEAUTY: Moisturize your lips and mesmerize your significant other with World Peace, a glimmer coral tone. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of fragrances, phthalates, dyes and parabens. 

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Lipstick. BEAUTY: Experience rich color and conditioning with Vixen, a matte red shade with blue undertones, and Spicy, a fiery golden red. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no oils, chemicals, alcohol, artificial fragrances or dyes.

Mardi Gras Masques: How to Brighten and Beautify Your Fat Tuesday Celebration

Bring on the parades and parties--it's Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras, as it's more commonly called, takes place in the French Quarter of New Orleans on the day before Ash Wednesday. Raucous revelers forego polite society in favor of fun, frivolity, fancy floats, face painting, bead tossing and wild costume creations.

People also like to adorn their faces with a variety of masks--the more outrageous the better. It's believed that the custom dates back to the 18th century, where the wealthy wore them to hide their identities while the working-class used them as their admission ticket into the prestigious parties of the time.

Today, these guises serve as a way for revelers to help release their inhibitions. But before you rock your favorite Mardi Gras mask, make sure you give your skin a party of its own with a refreshing facial masque. This nourishing treatment addresses common concerns such as acne, aging and dull skin by providing moisturizing, calming, detoxifying or deep-cleansing benefits.  

So jump start your Fat Tuesday festivities with the following cream, gel and lifting masques. They're designed to brighten and beautify all types of complexions, as well as any Mardi Gras celebration. 

SHINE: Ecco Bella Dark Chocolate Mask. BEAUTY: Soften and smooth skin as you clear away dead skin cells with aloe vera, organic cocoa powder, and vitamins C and E. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of gluten, talc, synthetic oils and fragrances, alcohol and FD&C dyes. Supports Friends of Animals.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Strawberry Kiwi Gel Masque. BEAUTY: Aloe gel, ginkgo biloba extract, vitamins A, C and E, and hyaluronic acid cool, calm and nourish the skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, or artificial colors or fragrances. 

SHINE: Naturopathica White Tea Antioxidant Mask. BEAUTY: Firm and fortify skin for glow on the go with aloe vera leaf juice, white tea leaf extract and sunflower seed oil. BEACON: Free of sulfate detergents, PEGs, DEA, TEA, parabens, glycols and urea. Supports the American Botanical Council and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

SHINE: Sjal Skincare Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask. BEAUTY: Sapphire powder, silk proteins, tamanu seed oil, and ginseng and ginger root extracts help minimize pores and maximize cell regeneration. BEACON: Free of parabens.

SHINE: Somme Institute Boost. BEAUTY: Purify, plump and protect skin with peptides, vitamin E and pumpkin fruit extract. BEACON: Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Systeme 41 Rejuvenating Masque. BEAUTY: White clay, sunflower seed oil, pomegranate and papaya fruit extracts, and hyaluronic acid help to decongest pores and restore radiance. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, artificial colors and fragrances, surfactants, detergents, mineral oils and glutens.

SHINE: Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask. BEAUTY: Replenish the skin and lock in luminosity with green tea leaf extract, hyaluronic acid and red algae extract. BEACON: Contains no parabens, mineral oil, synthetic colors or fragrances, sulfate detergents, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates.

Milestone Stunners: Celebs Turning 40 in 2013

Portia de Rossi: January 31

Happy birthday to Portia de Rossi. The former "Ally McBeal" star, author of "Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain" and wife of Ellen DeGeneres reaches a milestone today as she turns 40.

Not only does she deserve props for her age-defying beauty, but we'd also like to recognize her fierce philanthropic efforts. She supports several children's charities, including Locks of Love, which provides wigs to needy youngsters who have lost their hair due to alopecia or other medical conditions, and The Art of Elysium, a group of actors, artists and musicians who volunteer their time and talent to terminally ill kids.

She's also an animal lover who dedicated herself to a vegan diet in 2008. As a result, she supports Alley Cat Allies, an organization established to protect and improve the lives of felines, and The Gentle Barn, which helps heal and nurture special-needs and at-risk children through its animal program.

As we celebrate de Rossi's milestone birthday, let's take a look at other celebrities turning 40 this year. We've also compiled several products designed to help your complexion look firm, fab and flawless as your skin matures.

Here's to aging gracefully!

Tori Spelling: May 16

Photo by Bob Bekian

Heidi Klum: June 1

Kate Beckinsale: July 26

Photo by Rachel Sklar

Kristen Wiig: August 22

Photo by Jeff Balke

Rose McGowan: September 5

Photo © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com

Tyra Banks: December 4

SHINE: 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil. BEAUTY: Argan oil deeply moisturizes the face, eye area, décolleté and hands to repair and replenish the skin. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances and colors.

SHINE: CellCeuticals PhotoDefense Daily Skin Protector SPF 55+. BEAUTY: Photoplex technology provides protection against sun exposure, while pear fruit, green tea leaf and pumpkin fruit extracts strengthen skin's natural defenses. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of artificial fragrances, PABA and parabens.

SHINE: Clarisonic ARIA Sonic Skin Cleansing System. BEAUTY: The system utilizes sonic micro message action to facilitate gentle exfoliation for softer and smoother skin, while the Refreshing Gel Cleanser promotes cellular turnover with willow bark, kiwi fruit and green tea leaf extracts. BEACON: The cleanser contains no parabens.

SHINE: Kate Somerville Serum Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+. BEAUTY: Protect against damaging UVA and UVB rays, and prevent sunburn and premature aging with titanium dioxide, aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of oils, parabens and alcohol.

SHINE: Murad Age Reform Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++. BEAUTY: Lemon peel and pomegranate extracts, hyaluronic acid, lecithin and vitamin E restore youthful skin. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Lift Perfection SPF 20. BEAUTY: Counter signs of aging and protect against environmental damage with titanium dioxide, green tea extract, peptides and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, or artificial colors and fragrances. 

SHINE: Naturopathica Cassis Ultra Replenishing Cream. BEAUTY: Shea butter, vitamin E, orange peel and black currant seed oils, and hyaluronic acid promote restoration and radiance. BEACON: Contains no sulfate detergents, PEGs, DEA, TEA, parabens, glycols and urea. Supports American Botanical Council and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. 

SHINE: Nude Skincare ProGenius Treatment Oil. BEAUTY: Achieve luminosity and long-lasting skin cell nourishment with omega 3, 6, 7 and 9, and sweet almond and macadamia nut oils. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing.

 SHINE: Transderma A by ProBios Labs Vitamin A Serum. BEAUTY: Olive fruit oil, and vitamins A and E absorb deeply to regenerate and renew skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of preservatives, fragrances, oil and alcohol. 

SHINE: Ren Clean Skincare Anti-Ageing Eye Cream. BEAUTY: Reduce the appearance of wrinkles, crow's feet and expression lines with shea butter, lingonberry seed oil, peptides and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of synthetic fragrances and colors, petrochemicals, sulfates and parabens. 

SHINE: Somme Institute Serum. BEAUTY: Peptides, vitamins C and E, and orange and lime fruit extracts boost collagen and strengthen skin's elasticity. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.