Swell Skin: Olay Offers $20 Rebate

Good skin care is a big thing with me. I have the opportunity to try all kinds of products, so I have a good idea of what works and what does not. For example, the best night cream I've used is AVON's Reversalist. I've used plenty of $60-$90 creams and it's the AVON that works best.

Another good product is Olay Regenerist line. It's both affordable and effective. Right now Olay is offering a $20 rebate when consumers spend $50 on Olay facial care products. The rebate is available online, you can click here to download it.

The rebate is good until May 9, 2010 and it needs to be postmarked by May 21, 2010. It is not limited to the Regenerist line. It also includes favorites like the Total Effects and Definity line. To find out which line will give you the best results, click here for a consultation.



Image credit: Olay

Swell Style: Handmade Accessories From Etsy

One of my favorite places to shop is Etsy. I love the handmade scarves or the jewelry made with recycled watch parts or sea glass, or the perfume made from essential oils that no one else is wearing. I like the idea that each item is made by hand with care.




Here's an example, a beautiful silk scarf made with soft merino wool and natural silk. I love the soft colors, they'll go great with the grays and khaki seperates that are going to be everywhere this Spring.

Nuno Felted Scarf - Spring Wind
$69 - Jane Bo Felt



Here's another piece that would go great with those khaki and gray neutrals. A pop of color at your waist. This cute little buckle measures 2 7/8 inches by 2 1/4 inches and works with belts that measure a half to a full inch in width.

Dandelion Belt Buckle
$28 - Anomaly Design



Do you watch that show Glee? My daughter and I love it and I know she'd love this Glee themed keychain with one of her favorite characters, Kurt, on it. (My favorite episode of the first season was the Kurt-centric that featured a whole lot of Beyonce's "Single Ladies.")

Glee keychain featuring Kurt
$7.99 - Straight Jacket Fun



Image credits:  Jane Bo Felt, Anomaly Design, and Straight Jacket Fun

Swell Makeup & Smell: Kim Kardashian Gift Set From Sephora

My youngest daughter loves to watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Me, not so much, but I have to admit that I love Kim Kardashian's style and makeup. She is a gorgeous lady and she really knows how to create the perfect smoky eye look.





Not that long ago, I got a chance to sample her Kim Kardashian Eau de Parfum for review. It's nice and not at all what I expected. I expected sexy, because that's what her image projects, but it's more of a feminine Floral with a strong note of Gardenia. My daughter, Bailey, uses it every day and the last time we were in 7-11, the clerk said, "Oh, your smell is good." I said, "It's Kim Kardashian," and he answered, "No. It is her." Ha!

Sephora has a new Kim Kardashian Gift Set available at Sephora. For a limited time, you can get all you need to create her "signature look" for only $55.

Wear luscious nude lips, sultry smoky eyes, flushed cheeks, and a voluptuous scent to channel Kim Kardashian's coveted sexiness. A chic, mirrored compact holds your must-have eye, lip, and cheek colors, plus applicators for on-the-go glamour. A set of simple instructions walk you through Kim's tips: "How I create my signature look!" Add a touch of fragrance and get ready to be downright irresistible.

The kit includes a 1 oz Eau de Parfum, 2 shades of lip gloss, 1 cheek color, and 3 shades of eyeshadow.



Kim Kardashian fragrance notes: Mandarin, Honey Suckle, Orange Blossom, Pink Jasmine, Tuberose, Sensual Spice, Lush Gardenia, Jacaranda Wood, Tonka Bean, Vanilla Orchid, Sexy Musk, Creamy Sandalwood



Image credits: Sephora and Picapp.com

Swell Guys: AXE's New Twist & Rise Lines

Personal hygiene products for men have come a long way in the past few years. AXE and Old Spice, in particular have gone from being something your dad used to wear (Old Spice) or something only a teenage boy could love (AXE) to products that are built in the same way as a high-end men's fragrance.

An example of this would be AXE's new Twist fragrance products. The Twist line opens with fresh Lime and Citrus notes, then deepens in time with base notes of Cedar and Sandalwood. The Rise line is made with citrus notes that are meant to "conquer morning grogginess." The body wash contains minerals from the Himalayan moutains that are "uplifting.". Both the Twist and Rise lines are super-reasonably priced and include Deodorant, Deodorant Sprays ($4.99), and Shower Gels ($3.99).

AXE sent me both of the new lines to sample for review. I found both to smell very refreshing, but my favorite AXE fragrance is still the Instinct scent (Smoky/Woody, very nice). Max, my oldest son (19) is wearing the Rise line and my daughter's boyfriend, PJ, likes the Twis (PJ's Twist quote, "Fresh.").  I'm not sure if the new fragrances wake the guys up, but they sure do smell good.

For more AXE info visit the AXE Effect website.

Image credit: Michelle Hamor Smith

DuWop's Twilight Lip Venom

Fans of Twilight might want to take a look at DuWop's new Twilight Venom. It's a lip-plumping lip gloss that contains the lip smoothing and conditioning ingredients Vitamin E, Argan, Avocado, and Olive Oil.

DuWop is thrilled to announce the partnership between Stephanie Meyer's acclaimed Twilight saga and the brand that started the lip plumping craze. In a chilling twist of fate DuWop's signature product, Venom, is also the means by which Meyer's mortals become transformed into vampires. Rather than a typical gloss, Twilight Venom is a shimmering crimson lip stain...

To use the product, shake well, then apply and reapply until desired color intensity is reached. You can find the Twilight Lip Venom at Sephora or Drugstore.com.

Image credit: Sephora.com

Makeup Inspired by Malibu Barbie

In celebration of Barbie's 50th Birthday, Stila has a series of limited-edition Barbie inspired makeup palettes. The kits are available online at Sephora.com

I like this one, featuring the look worn by my very first Barbie - the 1971 Malibu Barbie. I loved this doll and later her friend, I believe her name was PJ, joined us while we spent hours together playing. I've never understood the Barbie-haters. I never felt that I had to look like Barbie, but as a California Girl, I did think that she was the perfect bronzed beauty with the frosty eye shadow and cool pale lilac-colored sunglasses. They were sewn into her head. I wish I still had that doll.

Here's the product description from Sephora:

Stila Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can - 1971 Malibu Doll contains aqua eyeshadow and
pink lips for a sunny, beach look that symbolizes the fresh, natural beauty of
the 1970s. The three-pan palette contains eyeshadows, a bronzing powder, and
pinky-peach lip glaze so you can create the iconic look with just one kit at
your fingertips.

Image credit: Sephora.com

Foundation That's Worth Your Money

Ever since I was allowed to wear makeup I have been a big fan of the liquid foundation. Recently I decided to try a different brand than usual. I wanted something that would hide my blemishes and acne scars that's when I learned that M.A.C. Select SPF 15 Foundation was the solution.

A water-based liquid foundation. Combines medium coverage with SPF 15. Provides a fresh, natural matte finish. Layers up, lasts long: helps protect the skin all day. Non-oily.

It goes on smoothly and doesn't blotch on your skin. What I use to apply it with is a blush brush (there are foundation brushes you can purchase instead), I dip it in water then pat it damp dry, put two drops of the foundation in the palm of my hand and then dip the brush in. Then I apply it to my face with a circular motion as if you were to apply blush or a bronzing powder.

Here is a before and after I applied the M.A.C. Select SPF 15 Foundation: Before-
- after

They have many skin tones, these are only a few. If you live near a M.A.C. store they might have more tones to choose from depending on your store.
The cost of a 30 ml / 1.0 US FL OZ in the US is $26.00 and another $4.00 if you wish to purchase the pump. I find that the pump helps to give you the right amount of foundation, where if you pour some out you might end up using to much.

Some other good foundation brands that are cheaper that I've used before this have been Maybelline New York- Pure Makeup, Maybelline New York- Dream Matte Mouse, Cover Girl- Clean Makeup