Guest Post: BareMinerals Get Started Kit

The following review comes courtesy of guest blogger, Kim Stanley. Enjoy!

Are you looking for a foundation that is natural and lightweight? I checked out Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Get Started Kit to see what all the fuss was about.

With bareMinerals’ Get Started Kit you can color, contour, and correct flaws. The Beyond the Basics Kit takes the bareMinerals’ experience to the next level (my next review).

I created a natural look in 5 steps:

1) I used the skin rev-er upper before applying my moisturizer;
2) pre-concealed under eye circles, blotches and other discolorations using the foundation with the full-coverage concealer brush;
3) applied foundation (tan) with the full-coverage kabuki brush until I achieved the coverage I wanted;
4) applied the warmth all-over color with the flawless face brush; and
5) applied the mineral veil (warm) as a finishing powder with the flawless brush to reduce shine and achieve a polished look.

Helpful Tips: Get color matched by a professional and ask questions. Next, watch the DVD, that is included in the kit, several times to get familiar with the products and techniques. Remove daily makeup and oil from your brushes by using make up brush cleansing wipes; a good one to try is by the Sephora brand.

Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals foundation is a nice change from typical foundation and offered the most flexibility I have ever experienced applying makeup. Depending on my mood, event or skin condition I can layer on as much product as needed. However, darker skin tones may find that the foundation can appear ashy.

The bareMinerals foundation has good coverage, good concealment and was weightless on my face. It didn’t take long to master the techniques but it took practice achieving the finer points to look polished and pulled together. The kit is a bit pricey at $60, but retails for $181 and is worth every penny.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: For a limited-time only, Sephora is offering free shippng on Bare Escentuals' Get Started Kits - just enter promo code GETSTARTED at checkout.

Guest Post: BareMinerals Get Started Kit

The following review comes courtesy of guest blogger, Kim Stanley. Enjoy!

Are you looking for a foundation that is natural and lightweight? I checked out Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Get Started Kit to see what all the fuss was about.

With bareMinerals’ Get Started Kit you can color, contour, and correct flaws. The Beyond the Basics Kit takes the bareMinerals’ experience to the next level (my next review).

I created a natural look in 5 steps:

1) I used the skin rev-er upper before applying my moisturizer;
2) pre-concealed under eye circles, blotches and other discolorations using the foundation with the full-coverage concealer brush;
3) applied foundation (tan) with the full-coverage kabuki brush until I achieved the coverage I wanted;
4) applied the warmth all-over color with the flawless face brush; and
5) applied the mineral veil (warm) as a finishing powder with the flawless brush to reduce shine and achieve a polished look.

Helpful Tips: Get color matched by a professional and ask questions. Next, watch the DVD, that is included in the kit, several times to get familiar with the products and techniques. Remove daily makeup and oil from your brushes by using make up brush cleansing wipes; a good one to try is by the Sephora brand.

Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals foundation is a nice change from typical foundation and offered the most flexibility I have ever experienced applying makeup. Depending on my mood, event or skin condition I can layer on as much product as needed. However, darker skin tones may find that the foundation can appear ashy.

The bareMinerals foundation has good coverage, good concealment and was weightless on my face. It didn’t take long to master the techniques but it took practice achieving the finer points to look polished and pulled together. The kit is a bit pricey at $60, but retails for $181 and is worth every penny.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: For a limited-time only, Sephora is offering free shippng on Bare Escentuals' Get Started Kits - just enter promo code GETSTARTED at checkout.

Taking It All Off

You’ve been told time and time again – don’t sleep in your makeup. But we’ve all done it. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve stumbled home from a long day at work (okay, okay…more like a long night at the club/bar) and passed out on my bed without removing my makeup.

But the truth is that sleeping in your makeup is a major beauty faux pas. Skin repairs and renews itself while you’re asleep, which is why it’s so important to wash off your makeup (as well as the daily dirt and grime that builds up on the skin) before your pretty head hits the pillow. Going to sleep with makeup on increases your odds of waking up with clogged pores, or worse – a pimple! Doesn’t it make sense to take 2 minutes to wash your face at night, rather than spend 2 or more days treating a blemish?

If you don’t trust yourself to be responsible, make it easy on yourself. Wear mineral makeup, like Bare Minerals or Sheer Cover. Or use makeup remover wipes; Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes dissolve all traces of dirt, oil, and make-up – even waterproof mascara – but are gentle enough for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive skin.

Taking It All Off

You’ve been told time and time again – don’t sleep in your makeup. But we’ve all done it. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve stumbled home from a long day at work (okay, okay…more like a long night at the club/bar) and passed out on my bed without removing my makeup.

But the truth is that sleeping in your makeup is a major beauty faux pas. Skin repairs and renews itself while you’re asleep, which is why it’s so important to wash off your makeup (as well as the daily dirt and grime that builds up on the skin) before your pretty head hits the pillow. Going to sleep with makeup on increases your odds of waking up with clogged pores, or worse – a pimple! Doesn’t it make sense to take 2 minutes to wash your face at night, rather than spend 2 or more days treating a blemish?

If you don’t trust yourself to be responsible, make it easy on yourself. Wear mineral makeup, like Bare Minerals or Sheer Cover. Or use makeup remover wipes; Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes dissolve all traces of dirt, oil, and make-up – even waterproof mascara – but are gentle enough for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive skin.

News You Can Use

I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but I spent my Saturday night watching QVC.

Totally by accident, I stumbled on QVC while channel surfing…and was surprised by the addictive nature of their Beauty Newsmakers Face-to-Face, a special that gives viewers the inside scoop on beauty from the industry's leading experts.

The program showcased new and bestselling products from Bare Escentuals, Borba, Essie, Kate Somerville, Laura Geller, Mally Roncal, Ojon, Peter Thomas Roth, Smashbox, and Tarte – just to name a few. I was also surprised to learn that many of the show’s featured products are QVC exclusives. For example, RareMinerals Blemish Therapy with Brush won’t be available at Bare Escentuals stores, counters, or on their website until February 2008 - but you can buy it now at QVC.

I usually consider myself immune to home-shopping television, but this particular program was absolutely riveting. The hosts were selling the you-know-what out of those products. I had to restrain myself, several times, from pulling out my credit card and picking up the phone.

For more information about the products featured on QVC Beauty Newsmakers, click here.

News You Can Use

I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but I spent my Saturday night watching QVC.

Totally by accident, I stumbled on QVC while channel surfing…and was surprised by the addictive nature of their Beauty Newsmakers Face-to-Face, a special that gives viewers the inside scoop on beauty from the industry's leading experts.

The program showcased new and bestselling products from Bare Escentuals, Borba, Essie, Kate Somerville, Laura Geller, Mally Roncal, Ojon, Peter Thomas Roth, Smashbox, and Tarte – just to name a few. I was also surprised to learn that many of the show’s featured products are QVC exclusives. For example, RareMinerals Blemish Therapy with Brush won’t be available at Bare Escentuals stores, counters, or on their website until February 2008 - but you can buy it now at QVC.

I usually consider myself immune to home-shopping television, but this particular program was absolutely riveting. The hosts were selling the you-know-what out of those products. I had to restrain myself, several times, from pulling out my credit card and picking up the phone.

For more information about the products featured on QVC Beauty Newsmakers, click here.

I Love Lucy

I’ve always liked Lucy Liu, but it was her turn as badass assassin O-Ren Ishii in 2003’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 that made me sit up and take notice. In October’s issue of In Style, Liu shows us her softer side and lets us peek inside her G-Ahn makeup bag.

In Style: What’ your earliest beauty memory?
Liu: I used to watch my mom put makeup on, and we would go to the five-and-dime store and experiment with whatever makeup was there. It was basically L’Oreal lipstick – which is funny, because I still use it.

In Style: Do you always carry around two different eye liners?
Liu: Yes. The liquid liner is for above the eye, and the pencil is for inside of the eye. But I rarely use the pencil unless I’m going out. If you put liquid liner on during the day and then add pencil to the inner rims at night, it glams it up.

In Style: What about Aquaphor? I’ve heard you’re obsessed.
Liu: I use it for everything. It’s not too glossy, so I wear it when I do movies because it looks really natural. I always carry a mini with me. And if I fall, which I do a lot – I’ll put it on my [scrapes]. When I was shooting a movie in Montreal, it was freezing. If you take a little bit of Aquaphor and dab it on our face, it keeps your skin looking fresh. I dubbed it Aqua for Everything.

In Lucy Liu’s Makeup Bag

Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Ocher

Maybelline New York Expert Eyes Twin Brow and Eye Pencil in Velvet Black

L’Oreal Paris Colour Juice Lip Gloss in Cherry on Top

Scott Barnes Pressed Powder in Petal

L’Oreal Paris HIP High Intensity Pigments Gloss in Precious


Bare Escentuals Face Brush


L’Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Liquid Liner in Black

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

I Love Lucy

I’ve always liked Lucy Liu, but it was her turn as badass assassin O-Ren Ishii in 2003’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 that made me sit up and take notice. In October’s issue of In Style, Liu shows us her softer side and lets us peek inside her G-Ahn makeup bag.

In Style: What’ your earliest beauty memory?
Liu: I used to watch my mom put makeup on, and we would go to the five-and-dime store and experiment with whatever makeup was there. It was basically L’Oreal lipstick – which is funny, because I still use it.

In Style: Do you always carry around two different eye liners?
Liu: Yes. The liquid liner is for above the eye, and the pencil is for inside of the eye. But I rarely use the pencil unless I’m going out. If you put liquid liner on during the day and then add pencil to the inner rims at night, it glams it up.

In Style: What about Aquaphor? I’ve heard you’re obsessed.
Liu: I use it for everything. It’s not too glossy, so I wear it when I do movies because it looks really natural. I always carry a mini with me. And if I fall, which I do a lot – I’ll put it on my [scrapes]. When I was shooting a movie in Montreal, it was freezing. If you take a little bit of Aquaphor and dab it on our face, it keeps your skin looking fresh. I dubbed it Aqua for Everything.

In Lucy Liu’s Makeup Bag

Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Ocher

Maybelline New York Expert Eyes Twin Brow and Eye Pencil in Velvet Black

L’Oreal Paris Colour Juice Lip Gloss in Cherry on Top

Scott Barnes Pressed Powder in Petal

L’Oreal Paris HIP High Intensity Pigments Gloss in Precious


Bare Escentuals Face Brush


L’Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Liquid Liner in Black

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

BellaSugar's Super-Huge Contest!

If you are a Bare Escentuals devotee, or if you just want to try their products for the first time, head on over to BellaSugar. They’ve got the perfect contest for you!

One lucky winner will receive all of the month's Bare Escentuals mineral makeup giveaways—plus an additional Classic Rock Flawless Diamond 9-Piece Color Collection. That's $684 worth of beauty! With all that loot, you're sure to fall in love with Bare Escentuals. The winner will also share a blog about her look on the website, so everyone can see what she does with the Classic Rock gift set!

To enter, post a blog/video/photo collage that explains why you want to TRY Bare Escentuals, why you BELIEVE it will work for you, or why you already LOVE Bare Escentuals products. Sephora and Bare Escentuals will be choosing the most creative entry, so don't be afraid to show everyone all you've got!

The contest starts... right now! And it ends October 29, 2007, at 5:00pm (PST).

For more information, and to read the official rules, click here. Good luck!

BellaSugar's Super-Huge Contest!

If you are a Bare Escentuals devotee, or if you just want to try their products for the first time, head on over to BellaSugar. They’ve got the perfect contest for you!

One lucky winner will receive all of the month's Bare Escentuals mineral makeup giveaways—plus an additional Classic Rock Flawless Diamond 9-Piece Color Collection. That's $684 worth of beauty! With all that loot, you're sure to fall in love with Bare Escentuals. The winner will also share a blog about her look on the website, so everyone can see what she does with the Classic Rock gift set!

To enter, post a blog/video/photo collage that explains why you want to TRY Bare Escentuals, why you BELIEVE it will work for you, or why you already LOVE Bare Escentuals products. Sephora and Bare Escentuals will be choosing the most creative entry, so don't be afraid to show everyone all you've got!

The contest starts... right now! And it ends October 29, 2007, at 5:00pm (PST).

For more information, and to read the official rules, click here. Good luck!

Get ‘Em While They’re Hot (and Still In Stock)

I thought I was losing my marbles the other day when I saw decorated Christmas trees in Macys. But apparently, department stores aren’t the only ones getting a head start on the 2007 holiday season. Right now, Sephora has more holiday kits than you can shake a makeup brush at. And check out how much you’ll save by buying the products in a palette. Remember…these are limited edition. So if you’ve been a good girl all year long, go ahead and treat yourself early.


Bare Escentuals’ new Classic Rock Flawless Diamond 9-Piece Color Collection will leave you dipping in diamonds – literally! The collection boasts a precious blend of all natural bareMinerals and real diamond powder to illuminate your face, cheeks, lips, and eyes with brilliant, sparkling color. This collection can be yours for the low, low price of $59 ($145 value).


Tarte’s We Wish You Wealth Palette is stacked with exclusive shades of (16) eyeshadows, (16) lip glosses, (4) eyeliners, (3) lip sheers, an eyelid primer, luminizer, makeup brushes, and for the first time ever, (4) of their best-selling cheek stains in a pan form. This jaw-dropping, must-have palette is only $52 (you save $526). What, what?!?!?


The Best Of Benefit is the best of beauty at the best value. This beautiful set includes BADgal Lash, their best mascara, Eye Bright, their best eye brightening pencil, and Dallas, their best bronzer/blush that works on every complexion. The best part? The kit costs $46 (a $65 value).


Anastasia's Best In Brow Pencil Set ($70.40 Value) is a steal! For $44, you get a set containing everything you need to maintain perfectly polished brows. A compact burgundy bag features 1 full sized Perfect Brow Pencil (available in 3 shade options; Ash Blonde, Medium Ash or Brunette,) a full sized Brow Fix to keep brows in place, a full sized Eye Lights Matte cream to powder highlighter in Matte Camillle (the perfect shade for any brow bone) and 1 set of each 3 shapes of (Petite, Medium and High) Browstix Arch Stencils.


Get all your LORAC favorites in one easy-to-use collection. Lotsa Gift includes Lotsa Lip Plumping Lipstick in Kissin, matching Lotsa Lip Plumping Lip Gloss in Cutie, and Lotsa Lash Fiber Mascara in Black. You'll have full, plump lips and long, lush lashes just like the stars you see walking down the Red carpet. All yours for $25 - just a couple bucks more than the price of the mascara…not bad, considering it’s a $56 value.

PS - Score a full-size tube of Buxom Lips in Amber, the pout-plumping, mineral-infused, lip polish sensation from Bare Escentuals, when you spend $50 on Sephora.com. Enter promo code 'AMBER' at checkout.

Get ‘Em While They’re Hot (and Still In Stock)

I thought I was losing my marbles the other day when I saw decorated Christmas trees in Macys. But apparently, department stores aren’t the only ones getting a head start on the 2007 holiday season. Right now, Sephora has more holiday kits than you can shake a makeup brush at. And check out how much you’ll save by buying the products in a palette. Remember…these are limited edition. So if you’ve been a good girl all year long, go ahead and treat yourself early.


Bare Escentuals’ new Classic Rock Flawless Diamond 9-Piece Color Collection will leave you dipping in diamonds – literally! The collection boasts a precious blend of all natural bareMinerals and real diamond powder to illuminate your face, cheeks, lips, and eyes with brilliant, sparkling color. This collection can be yours for the low, low price of $59 ($145 value).


Tarte’s We Wish You Wealth Palette is stacked with exclusive shades of (16) eyeshadows, (16) lip glosses, (4) eyeliners, (3) lip sheers, an eyelid primer, luminizer, makeup brushes, and for the first time ever, (4) of their best-selling cheek stains in a pan form. This jaw-dropping, must-have palette is only $52 (you save $526). What, what?!?!?


The Best Of Benefit is the best of beauty at the best value. This beautiful set includes BADgal Lash, their best mascara, Eye Bright, their best eye brightening pencil, and Dallas, their best bronzer/blush that works on every complexion. The best part? The kit costs $46 (a $65 value).


Anastasia's Best In Brow Pencil Set ($70.40 Value) is a steal! For $44, you get a set containing everything you need to maintain perfectly polished brows. A compact burgundy bag features 1 full sized Perfect Brow Pencil (available in 3 shade options; Ash Blonde, Medium Ash or Brunette,) a full sized Brow Fix to keep brows in place, a full sized Eye Lights Matte cream to powder highlighter in Matte Camillle (the perfect shade for any brow bone) and 1 set of each 3 shapes of (Petite, Medium and High) Browstix Arch Stencils.


Get all your LORAC favorites in one easy-to-use collection. Lotsa Gift includes Lotsa Lip Plumping Lipstick in Kissin, matching Lotsa Lip Plumping Lip Gloss in Cutie, and Lotsa Lash Fiber Mascara in Black. You'll have full, plump lips and long, lush lashes just like the stars you see walking down the Red carpet. All yours for $25 - just a couple bucks more than the price of the mascara…not bad, considering it’s a $56 value.

PS - Score a full-size tube of Buxom Lips in Amber, the pout-plumping, mineral-infused, lip polish sensation from Bare Escentuals, when you spend $50 on Sephora.com. Enter promo code 'AMBER' at checkout.