If you are in the L.A. area, you should check out the Stila Warehouse sale.  I have heard about them, but since I am not in the area, I can only hope that someone else will find this information helpful.  They have a ton of Stila cosmetics on sale at 50-80% off, so you can get some crazy deals like $5 brushes.  Check out this article from a "Stila Warehouse Sale Veteran" and let me know if you go!

Details: Saturday, December 5th.  Doors open at 8AM, but apparently there's a pretty big line that forms, so plan to get there early.
Location: 1161 Vine St. Hollywood CA
Only Cash and major credit cards accepted.

While I believe that the first step in a flawless complexion begins with taking care of the skin, sometimes some airbrushing can't hurt.  And in this case, I don't mean photoshop!  I had planned to purchase the Temptu airbrush system from Sephora; at least once I have the money (a date TBD).  However it is pricey and I wasn't sure it'd be worth it.  So it was with some excitement that I saw it being offered in store at a local Sephora!  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to see it in action.  The sales associates at the store were not helpful while I was still browing the store, but once I got up to the counter to pay for a couple of items, the guy behind the register asked if there was anything else I might be interested in so I told him I wanted to test the Temptu system out.

Now don't get me wrong, the system is expensive and the foundation samples are expensive.  The smell is a little strange but it dissipates rather quickly.  You just kind of move the airbrush around in small circles until you reach the desired coverage.  Even though I didn't get a chance to try the application myself; it seemed easy enough and I was more interested in the coverage anyways.

[A side note: makeup artists around the country please stop using such light shades!  I am not happy with this shade and had I needed to be photographed for any reason, I would have come out looking like a ghost.  So please, become better shade matchers!]

So the verdict?  The coverage and finish is great.  I wasn't super impressed immediately for some reason, but I have to admit that an hour later when I got home and took a picture, I was pretty amazed at how even my skin looked.  Even without a powder, my face stayed covered and flawless, no red cheeks in sight!  I wish my skin looked like this naturally.

The elephant in the room: the price.  Saving up for the compressor must happen of course, but the foundation pods alone are on par with other high end foundations like Dior and Armani.  It's said that each pod of foundation lasts 2 months, but I can't imagine using it every day so I think it would last longer.  You get 2 pods for the $55 price.  So Santa, have an extra $300 for me?  I'll have to pass right now on cost alone.  Everything I have right now works just fine.

I have been dying to try Kate Somerville products, especially ExfoliKate.  Do I take the plunge at 30% off?  People rave about her line, so if you want to try it, head over Kate Somerville and save 30%.  A good discount, not just the 20% most cosmetic companies offer.  Enter code KATE2009 starting Friday November 27th through November 30th.

I am a nail polish fanatic and over the past couple years, have built up a a sizable collection.  One of my favorite brands is Zoya and have I got a deal for you!  The day after Thanksgiving is going to be Zoya's "Green Friday" where you can score 6 FREE polishes with a $20 purchase.  Wow!  And they are 6 beautiful greens. Tangy, Envy, Midori, Irene, Suvi, and Veruschka.  I actually have Envy, Irene, and Suvi so if I got these polishes, I would probably gift those out.  I'd be excited to get Tangy, Midori and Veruschka; the last one is one of the new matte polishes.  Since each Zoya polish is $7, you can pick up 3 of your favorite shades and wallk away with 9 polishes.

Details: Add three polishes to your cart and enter the code: GREENFRIDAY.  The offer is good starting tonight at 5PM (EST) through Friday, November 26th at 5PM (EST).  Happy polish picking!

Here are the samples of the six free polishes.
Tangy
Midori
Irene
Suvi
Envy
Veruschka

Happy Thanksgiving!  I don't know who will read this today; I for one am enjoying turkey and stuffing (myself).  I used to be a little blase about Thanksgiving but it has become my favorite meal of the year.  And my pants definitely feel it at the end!  Okay, enough of food talk.  Once you're ready, it's time to shop!  Whether you do it online or brave the crowds tomorrow, there are a number of discounts to be had.  Here are threethat are online, so no risk of being stuck in traffic or suffering a worse fate.

Lancome Friends and Family

Bobbi Brown - Save 20% at BobbiBrown.com

Smashbox, Save 20% online with the code SBFF9.  They have some cute holiday sets and kits that would be a stea at 20% off.  Also, if you've balked at the price of the primers, you can save some money now.

Also at Saks Fifth Avenue, if you spend $100 on beauty products, you'll receive $25 Saks gift card.  Use code: BEAUTY9 online

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and so instead of telling you what I'm wishing for, it's going to be a more thankful edition.  I've made no secret of my tough year jobwise, but that's no reason for me to be unthankful.  I really do have a ton to be thankful for...let's start with:

1. A roof over my head, food to eat; i have all the basics and more.

2. A family that loves me.

3. Friends that put up with me.  I can be pretty crazy sometimes, often joking with them about the voices in my head

4. The opportunity to give back and serve others in the community.

5. With a lack of finances, I'm thankful that (knock on wood) there have been no serious or unexpected financial burdens.

6. Thanks to beauty blogs and the internet in general for keeping me busy with reading material.

7  I'm thankful I'll get to take a mini-vacation to see my sister and brother-in-law.  [insert squeal here!]

What are you thankful this year?

Today my sister celebrates her birthday, so I wish her a very, very, happy birthday.  She is my style icon and the most fashionable person I know.  She jumped on the makeup train long before I did; I remember her applying lipstick and mascara every day before she left the house.  I would roll my eyes at the effort, but now find myself doing the same thing.  Although her style may not be to don the most trendy outfit (she never got on the tracksuit bandwagon thank goodness!), she is always put together, sophistacated and lovely.  Inside and out, my sister is a beautiful woman.  Thank you for loving me, encouraging me, and being there to listen to me.  We've had some fashionable and unfashionable moments together and despite the 3,000 miles that separate us,  we've grown closer than ever.  So happy birthday sis, and have some cake!

Oh my, that was more than four years ago.  Time for some new pictures!  I think we've both refined our look.

A quick post:  If you're in need of some beauty items, head to Sephora.com to save 20%.  It's their annual Friends and Family event.  Enter the code FF2009 online and save some money!  As of right now, it's only online, but if you know a Sephora employee, you may be able to save in store.  The code will be good through November 2nd.

Today's wishing well is short , earlier than usual, and ohly consists of one wish.  It's personal and simply is this: I have the flu and wish for my healthy body back.  I have ceased any beauty habits as I simply try to rest and keep my head somewhat clear.  I had set up posts earlier in the week, that's why some posts went out, even though I've been sick since Saturday night.  Right now, all I want to do is crawl back into bed.

Are you a Bare Escentuals fan?  Well then tomorrow, Thursdsay October 8th is your lucky day.  Rue La La is having a Bare Escentuals Sale!  It's not clear what the products available will be, but expect prices to be at 25-50% off typical retail prices.

(images from Sephora, not necessarily what will be available at the Rue La La sale)