Here’s a new freebie for all the Bionic Beauties out there! And I owe a huge thank you to fellow reader, Kelly for letting me know about this wonderful free sample.

Enter to win a Hawaiian vacation for two at Veria at they’ll send you one of their vanilla organic lip balms for FREE! It’s as simple as that.

Thanks, Kelly!

Aquafina did it first… now Glaceau, the makers of Vitamin Water drinks, have teamed with Bonne Bell to create Vitamin Schtick lip balms.

All the flavors come packed with SPF 20 to protect your lips this summer; and vitamin E to help moisturize. Glaceau sent me the Acai-Blueberry-Pomegranate flavor to test and review. While I certainly love the added vitamin E and SPF – this balm never really soaked into my lips. It sat on top as more of a liquid. It also wore off incredibly quick and actually dried my lips out after a few days of consistent use. Of course, you may have better luck.

For now, I’ll stick with my favorite lip balms: YBF’s Quench and all-natural My Lip Stuff.

Look for the Vitamin Schtick Lip Balms at your local Walgreens or grocery for $2.99.

FTC Disclosure: This item was sent to me free of charge in return for an honest review. The opinion in this article is based on my personal experience and was not influenced by any source. I was not compensated for this article. Feel free to read my disclosure policy for more information.

YBF Skincare has created yet another amazing product! I never would have considered an anti-aging potion for my lips other than my usual Jojoba Oil and multiple daily applications of lip balm. YBF’s new Define is billed as a “Lip area anti-age cream, Brightens and contours, and Improves fullness”.

Here’s a bit of Define information direct from YBF Skincare ~

“For many of us, age and stress show first on our lips in the form of darker lips and loss of contour or definition of the lip line. This leads to a thinner-looking smile and for women, vertical lipstick bleed lines.”

I’ve been using Define on my lips every night before bed for the last two months. The formula is super smooth and creamy; and has a slight minty flavor. It’s definitely made a difference in smoothing my lips, and defining the edges. Plus I wake up with moisturized lips that don’t leave me grasping for balm immediately!

Define costs $70 and is available on The Skin Care Shop. I know it seems pricey, but you don’t even need a pea-size for each application… and if you’ve got creases around your lip area or seek some extra fullness, Define should definitely be tops on your list!

You can find more intel on Define and a full ingredients list at YBF-Skincare.com. If you decide to try this super-cool product, I’d love to hear your experience!

FTC Disclosure: This item was sent to me free of charge in return for an honest review. The opinion in this article is based on my personal experience and was not influenced by any source. I was not compensated for this article. Feel free to read my disclosure policy for more information.

This week’s Bionic Asks…

Imagine if you will… You’re headed out for a gals night, a hot-date, a concert or ___ (insert your super-swanky plans here) and little to no pocket room and you definitely don’t want to lug around a purse.

For me, I grab a Snog mini lip balm (since it can double as a hand moisturizer and I simply cannot go anywhere without lipbalm!!), my ID, credit card, and a mini lip stick or gloss (hint: look for sample sizes at your department store makeup counters). Second hint: If I don’t have a sample size of the color I want, I add some of the lip color to an empty lipbalm tin and ta-da! Lip color to go without bulging out my pockets!

Some of my pocket-sized beauty essentials

What beauty essentials do you fit into that precious pocket space?

Happy Tuesday everyone! Here are some fun and fabulous freebies for all the Bionic Beauties out there!

Grab some freebies of John Frieda Root Awakening shampoo and conditioner hair care products at Walmart.com.

Cellnique skin care is handing out some free samples of their products. You can either become a fan of them on Facebook and fill out a short quiz; or upload a picture that about too much paper on your desk. Their website explains how to qualify for the sample in detail!

Are you a Sam’s Club member? If so, request your free sample of Level 2000 bar soap now!

Enter every week at Carmex’s website for a chance to win a free pot of lip balm. They pick 50 new winners every week.

I know black lipstick isn’t for everyone, but if you are interested in trying out the trend… here are some tips and looks to play around with. And you don’t have to be a Film Noir star or a goth chick to pull them off!

Face – Purely Cosmetics mineral makeup in California Blonde mixed with PRIIA Cosmetic’s Complexion Enhancer in Angelic (basically my normal makeup). Topped with Purely Cosmetics’ Diamond Perfect Finish powder (I love, love, love this product!).
Cheeks – Light rose pink blush (Koh Gen Do in Coral Pink) topped with silver dust GlitterAll in Snow by Shiny Mama.
Lids – Silver eyeliner by PencilMeInCosmetics.com, smudged out a bit, topped with Clinique’s Long Last lipgloss in Clearly Pink.
Lashes – Clinique’s new High Lengths mascara in black on top lashes (Full review soon, but in short it’s okay. Not as wonderful as Blinc, but average), silver/black glitter mascara (found on clearance at my local Sally Beauty store!) on bottom lashes.

And now, onto the makeup looks!

Trying out the Black Lip trend in real life!

The Full-On Drama Lips – Prescriptives Longwear Kohl eyeliner in black (but any longwear or waterproof black eyeliner would work fine!), Purely Cosmetics’ Diamond powder dabbed on very lightly to set the liner. Topped with Lancome’s Piha Black lipgloss (here’s a link to my previous article with loads of tips and looks using Piha Black lipgloss).

Lots of Drama! Black eyeliner topped with Lancome's Piha Black gloss

The Budget Version! – Wet n Wild’s lipstick in Black Orchid ($1.29 at drugstore.com), topped with Sally Hansen lipgloss (or any clear or sparkly lipgloss you have laying around). As you can see this black lipstick tends to settle into any lip lines you may have. It can be a bit of a pain, but for the two bucks or so it costs, it’s a great lipstick and not drying at all!

Budget friendly black... Wet n' Wild black lipstick with gloss over top.

Sheer and Wearable – If you’re looking for something a bit less “Jami, you’re crazy!” then, Three Custom Color’s Noir lipstick and Noir lip gloss are gonna be right up your alley!
Another recommendation, if I may, is Three Custom’s Doubles lipgloss. It’s my absolute favorite

Sheer Noir - Three Custom Color's Noir lipstick with Noir lip gloss on top

My Tips…

• For all the lip looks, I highly recommend starting with a very moisturizing lip balm to prep lips (I used YBF’s Quench lip balm). Put it on before you start the rest of your makeup and it’ll have soaked in by the time you’re ready to start lips.
• Surround lip line with concealer, or I use Anastasia’s Eye Lights Matte pencil in Camille. The goal here is to really set your lips off and make sure the lip line is exact and very clean since the colors are so dark.
• Clothing – Pair this look with something that is silver, maroon, blue, navy to keep things bright… unless you want to embrace your inner goth, then by all means go for the black, strips, deep gray, or reds!
• Same thing goes for jewelry. KISS – Keep it simple silver. *wink*
• Whichever makeup you choose, keep your lids, cheeks and face subtle, however you want *something* on those other features so you don’t look too washed out.

This look is instant glam when you’re at home feeling a bit low or down… Even if you just wear it around the house!

If you’re going out on the town with a strong black lip, ROCK IT. You can’t be shy and meek. Embrace that inner-gal-power and let it show. Shoulders back, walk proudly! Pretend you’re Mina Harker (actress Peta Wilson) from The League of Extraordinary Gentleman; or Abby from NCIS!

Personally, I love the dark lip look… but I’m fully aware it’s not for everyone. What are your thoughts are the varieties I’ve shown?

This tiny powerhouse lip balm is full of everlasting moisture!  You may think it’s silly to buy Snog- I mean, it’s half the size of your typical balm at about the same price.

So, why buy?

With such cute, simple packaging- it’s perfect for a night out!  Whether you shove it in your pocket while heading to a hockey match; or stuff it in that mini-clutch before a night on the town- this bite size balm is definitely worth checking out. Plus the names are utterly fantastic: Naked (plain, no flavor), Cheeky Mint, and Virgin Cherry.

It’s become my favorite lip balm, especially on cold DRY winter days!

Snog Balm Naked, Virgin Cherry, and Cheeky Mint are available for $3.50 each at SkinStore.com.

I created this makeup look after spending Thanksgiving in the mountains of Georgia. Trees, boulders, and autumn colored leaves were everywhere! Playing off the browns and greens in nature, I used two of my favorite Milani eyeshadows- Java Bean (a cool-toned brown) and Clover (a medium true green), to create this mostly-neutral face.

A makeup look inspired by nature!

The makeup I used…

• Milani single eyeshadows in Clover and Java Bean (available at some drugstores)
• Lancome brown pencil eyeliner in Black Coffee (a deep, rich brown)
• Three Custom Color’s lipgloss in Whisper
• And my normal face makeup- Purely Cosmetics “Pure Mineral Foundation”, in California Blonde

The makeup I used to create this look.

I started by lining my upper lash line with the Lancome pencil.

Next I applied Java Bean eyeshadow across my entire lid and smudged it up into the crease. Blend the edges until it fades away (you don’t want any sharp lines where the shadow stops; especially when the goal is an organic and amped-up natural look).

The Clover eyeshadow is applied on the outer half of my upper lid. Use a large shadow brush (or your ring finger) to blend the brown and green shadows together (brown on the inner half, green on the outer half).

Greens and browns - layered and blended.

I used a small smudger brush to apply the Clover shadow over the Lancome eyeliner. This layering makes the green really pop since it’s layered over a darker color!

Finally, apply your favorite mascara (I’m using Blinc’s tubing mascara).

To keep lips in line with the neutral palette, I recommend a shimmery peach gloss. My absolute favorite is Three Custom Color’s Whisper gloss. I never leave home without it. I have always loved their gloss formula, but this color adapts to everyone I’ve put it on!

The final makeup look!

Has nature ever inspired one of your makeup looks?

A weekend is even happier when you can kick it off with some wonderful makeup and cosmetics freebies!

Head to your local Estee Lauder store or counter (find a location and details by visiting the Estee Lauder website) and get a free hand massage using Estee Lauder’s Beautiful lotion and a free lip gloss! Good only on December 5, 2009 from 10am to 8pm.

Martha Stewart Living and Aveeno have paired up to give you a free Aveeno Tote Bag with coupons and a few skin care samples packed inside!

San Francisco’s ABC 7 television station is offering a chance to win one of a 1,000 samples of Pureology Texture Twist hair care styling product. Just fill in your mailing information and you’re entered!

Enjoy!

If you’ve been a Bionic Beauty reader for a bit, you know that one of my favorite makeup brands is PRIIA Cosmetics. Well, I’ve got more reasons to love them… In honor of the upcoming holidays, PRIIA has launched some new products!

• Body Sparx™ is a scented body shimmer powder ($16 for a 20g jar). Contains all-natural and organic fruit extracts such as pomegranate, apricot and wild cherry bark. Available in two shades- Goddess (for light to medium skin tones) and Diva (for medium to medium/deep skin tones). I love having some body shimmer around for the holidays and special events. I dust it on my chest for glimmer or add a bit to my body lotion to use on my arms and legs. Ta-da! Legs look instantly more toned!
• 6 new lip colors available in the “About 2 Pout™” lip gloss formula or the “Pucker Upz™” lipstick formula. Also launched is a clear lip gloss!

In other news… PRIIA has some great samples! They are pretty darn cheap and let you try which colors are best for you. Check out their makeup sample page for details.

And last, but not least, it wouldn’t be very Bionic of me to neglect mentioning PRIIA’s current sale. All their vegan lip and eye liners are currently 50% off!! Lots and lots of colors to choose from!