holiday 2014: give the gift of Origins

committed to the environment and all those who populate it, Origins creates fabulous, natural products so many already enjoy using {including me}. for the holiday season, they've created an assortment of fabulous gift sets! naturally {no pun intended}, i think you should consider gifting them to the gorgeous people in your life...

one standout to me is this luscious Ginger Pleasures Set featuring a Ginger fragrance, candle, bubble bath and body soufflé. who wouldn't want to unwrap this lovely set?! of course, there are many sets that can be gifted to everyone on your list, from that special guy, your bff, neighbor or hostess of your annual holiday soiree.

 Origins has further decreased the use of paper and cartons in all holiday packaging and specifically designed the bath and body sets so you can create personalized home cards, hangtags or re-giftable packaging; you'll also love that for every holiday ornament sold {$12; filled with samples of skincare goodies}, Origins will plant a tree {love that!}.

visit origins.com for more info. if you're able, pay a visit to your local Origins counter in person. you'll find their special holiday helpers are prepared to guide you in discovering the perfect gifts, and while you're there, you can treat yourself with a free mini facial and complimentary wrapping!

happy shopping!

Get Her Look: Vera Farmiga at 'Up In the Air' Premiere

makeup artist Tina Turnbow gave actress Vera Farmiga a simple, yet still gorgeous, look for the los angeles premiere of her new film, "Up In the Air" (also starring George Clooney, swoon).

Tina says: "Vera's look was simple glamour: her dress was ephemeral– a white, almost grecian Dolce & Gabbana, and i wanted her makeup look to shine forth her beautiful features, while keeping that simple, effortless air."

using mostly natural makeup, Tina shares how she created the look:

face:

Tina Says: "Vera has a beautiful, fair complexion, so i kept it simple – with a lightweight foundation and finished with a light, rosy blush."

foundation: Almay Pure Blends Mineral Makeup in Fair - "i love that this foundation is 97.4% natural."

blush: Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm in Blushed - "it's a beautiful cream stick that creates very natural-looking rosy cheeks."- and Mineral Fusion Blush in Trace, "a soft, baby pink to highlight cheek bones."

powder: Tarte Provocateur SPF 8 Pressed Mineral Powder & Compact in Fair

eyes:

Tina says:"i kept the eyes nude, with a bit of pearly shimmer smudged on the lids and beautiful lush lashes. it was also important that her brows were defined and framed her face."

eyeshadow: Jane Iredale Liquid Eyeliner in Silver (smudged on lids)

lashes: Origins Full Story Lush Lash Mascara

brows: Clarins Pro Palette Eyebrow Kit. "this all-in-one kit has everything i need to create the perfect brows – from highlighter to powders to even a holding wax to groom them brows."


lips:

lip prep: Korres Guava Lip Butter to prep lips "offers creamy hydration and is a great primer for lipcolor."

lipstick: ZUZU Luxe Lipstick in Vino D'amour


Tina finished Vera's look with ARCONA Lavender Hydrating Mist "to set the makeup and give a little finishing glow"

xo

photos: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Origins Modern Friction

Origins doesn't want you to have to scrub your face with harsh, chemical crystals, so they have created Modern Friction, a rice starch cushioned in cream, to gently slough off dead skin cells, reverse damage and get rid of discolorations. lemon oil starts the process of illumination, while aloe keeps skin calm and comfy. there's no ouch, extra steps or other complications. no redness or flaking follows, and the perk-me-up aromas of bergamot and peppermint help you look on the bright side.

from the reviews online, this is definitely something i want to try! stay tuned...

find Modern Friction at your local Origins counter and online at origins.com

xo

holiday gift ideas for under $50, part four!

how are you my beauties? it's friday, and that means more gift ideas that are fun, fabulous and super-affordable!

this week is an eclectic mix of fun little items:




Origins Calm to Your Senses Lavender and Vanilla Milk Bath sounds divine right about now! but seriously, this amazing product will turn the bath into a relaxation station with the two most soothing smells: lavender and vanilla. plus, the milk mixture will soften your skin-- perfect for the winter months!



Sephora Swirl Bag Collection is perfect for the person in your life that needs more space for her beauty goodies (ahem, ahem...). really, if you know she needs more space to store her never-ending collection, than be a doll and get her some things to put them in! these bags are sold separately, but still cost less than $50 for the four!




Clinique Happy To Go fragrance pencils (yep, pencils) will help her create a new scent everyday, or create a signature scent that is all her own! includes Clinique Happy in the original scent, A Hint of Citrus and A Wealth of Flowers.




Hamadi EcoPac features a soymilk shampoo (choose ginger for all hair types or honey for volume), shea rice milk conditioner, and one healing serum in 2oz bottles that are airline friendly! the natural weave bag they come in can also double as a soft body cloth.




Harney & Sons Tea is my favorite brand of tea, and if you have a tea lover on your list, i suggest you take a look at the fabulous selection of blends and accessories! all of the flavors come in a variety of forms: bagged, loose and in sachets, so if you know how they prefer to make their tea, then you can choose it! my favorite? the Bangkok blend-- a green tea with a blend of lemongrass, coconut and ginger-- in sachets. love it! :)




Acca Kappa "The Flowering Seasons" Soap Set includes 4 amazingly luxurious bars of soap that are vegetable based, rich in scent and lather and are perfect for any skin type! i don't know any gal who wouldn't love these-- unless she doesn't like soap...





Betseyville by Betsey Johnson "Polka Bow" Clutch is too cute not to share! this would be great for the friend who loves to play up her outfits with an amazing accessory piece, or the relative who is spunky and not afraid of using color in her ensembles.





this Holly Golightly Sleep Mask is so adorable, and as you already may know was inspired by the sleep mask worn by Audry Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (my all-time favorite movie!). so if you know a fan, this would definitely be a surprise for them to open!




Kim Vo Replenish Moisture Masque will give hair a hydrating, nourishing treatment like one that would be received with the much sought-after hair stylist, but without the hefty price tag!


next friday is the last installment of holiday gift ideas under $50, can you believe it? soon it will be 2009...*sigh*...until then, have a fabulous weekend!

xo

Pink Products for Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Origins

since 1990, Origins Sensory Therapy has been a best-seller because of its de-stressing properties. key ingredients include basil, eucalyptus and peppermint oils. it's these oils that help to produce calm feelings in the brain, so you can relax.

sounds like something that we all sometimes need in our daily lives, right?

so why not pick this up, for yourself or someone you love, and help a great cause? by the way, it's only $10!

Origins will donate $35,000 to the BCRF in connection with north american sales.

xo

create a lit-from-within glow

each month ELLE magazine publishes their "Top 5" must haves. i love highlighters for summer as they help to create such a beautiful appearance on the skin without having to use alot of makeup. check out the "Top 5" highlighters:




Origins Halo Effect-- this lightweight pearly potion, gentle enough even for sensitive skin, casts a subtle shine over skin to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.










Benefit High Beam-- the celeb makeup artist's secret weapon creates beautiful illumination with just a hint of shimmer.








Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact-- sweep on cheeks just on top of the cheekbones, after blush, to give yourself the most flattering, natural look.









Yves Saint Laurent Touche Elcat-- like a touch of magic, this take-anywhere pen adds a touch of light, banishes shadows and eliminates signs of fatigue.










Stila All Over Shimmer-- allows for added application control and will last longer than traditional powder or cream shimmers. use alone or mixed into your favorite foundation for an all-over glow.











choose any of these or find your own highlighter to create a sensational glow any time of year!




xo



source: ELLE