{12 Days of Giveaways} On the Third Day of Giveaways…

…G Michael gave to me…an eyebrow wax to feel so prettttttty!  Valued at $20, today’s lucky winner will be treated to an eyebrow waxing – just in time to get you through the holiday season.  I don’t know about you, but I always feel so much better after such a treatment.  It’s hard to believe that something so small can make a huge difference!

To enter:  Like the G Michael Salon Facebook page and let them know how much you’d LOVE that eyebrow waxing (and of course that Pretty Indy sent you)…you can also follow G Michael Salon on Twitter for extra entries.  As with the Facebook page, just let them know that Pretty Indy sent you and that you’re in the market for a free eyebrow waxing.  Good luck!

xo.

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{12 Days of Giveaways} On the Second Day…

It’s day 2 of our 12 days of giveaways…and today’s giveaway is a pretty fab black suede tote from J Beverly Hills!  Valued at $40, who can’t use extra carrying space at this time of year, whether you’re out doing holiday shopping or traveling?

To win this tote, simply like the G Michael Salon Facebook page and tell them Pretty Indy sent you…and that you’d love to win this suede tote!  For an extra entry, follow G Michael Salon on Twitter and again tell them we sent you!

Good luck!

xo.

{12 Days of Giveaways} On the First Day of Giveaway…

Pretty Indy is SO excited to be teaming up with the fabulous G Michael Salon to bring you a solid 12 Days of Giveaways to kick off the holiday season!  Check back daily to see that day’s giveaway.  And now for the kick-off giveaway item…

G Michael Salon is giving one lucky reader a J Beverly Hills paddle brush ($16) value!  The paddle brush is a very versatile brush that is especially great for long and/or thick hair.  It helps smooth your hair while styling and helps you achieve a nice, sleek look.  Because the brush is so wide, it’s great for thicker hair and also provides a little scalp massage in the process!

To win, simply head to the G Michael Salon Facebook Page.  Let them know that Pretty Indy sent you and you would LOVE that brush!  For an extra entry, follow G Michael Salon on Twitter and again let them know we sent you to win this fab brush.  You’ll have the smoothest, sleekest hair for all those holiday parties!  A winner will be chosen by the end of the day.

xo.

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Ulta Cyber Monday Preview

Take a peek at Ulta’s Cyber Monday deals…I’m especially intrigued by the beauty bags (free with $35 purchase, $65 value) – 14 samples in a nice little re-usable clutch.  There are some other great deals in addition to a couple fab coupons as well.  Happy Shopping!

xo.

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Black Friday Deals

Here are some deals I’ve come across for Black Friday, both online and in the stores. Feel free to comment and share anything you’ve come across as well! Happy shopping and Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Sephora: offering 10 different beauty buys for $10 each…choices include Kat Von Dee’s Adora fragrance, Josie Maran’s Argan Color Stick, and other options from Korres, Tarte, Bare Minerals, and more.  Take a peek at the Sephora Facebook page for details!

2.  Banana Republic:  40% off your entire purchase until 1pm tomorrow, 25% off your purchase after 1pm (in stores only).

3.  J Crew Factory Store (online):  30% off entire purchase plus an additional 25% off all orders of $150 or more with code YOURGIFT

4.  Bath & Body Works:  2011 VIP bag (over $100 value, $20 with $40 purchase), 14.5 ounce candles 2 for $20, buy 3 get 3 free signature collection, $5 wallflower refills

5.  Gap:  everything in stores and online up to 60% off

6.  Lock and Mane:  Through December 18, take 25% off purchase with code FRIEND25

7.  The Body Shop:  3 items for $30 (entire store, excluding gift sets), Mistletote (8-piece collection, $120 value; yours for $25 when you spend $30 or more)

8.  Loft:  Everything 40% off in stores and online

9.  Bare Escentuals:  5 days of deals…take a peek at Black Friday Deal 1 (a steal at $36 for a kit valued at $123) and check back over the next 4 days for additional deals.

10.  Beauty Brands:  Get an exclusive sneak peek of deals online along with a coupon for 20% a single item of your choice.

11.  Ulta:  Multiple deals – take a look at the store ad to form your plan of attack.

12.  Simone France Skin Care:  One of my favorite under the radar skin care lines, take 20% off your purchase through Monday with code SMALL.  I especially love their moisturizers (Lovely Glow is great at this time of year) and the masks are fantastic as well.  Oh and definitely snag the disposable facial cleansing cloths – some of the best I’ve ever used.

13.  Express:  40% off in stores and online until noon tomorrow

14.  The Limited:  Today – 50% off with code GOBBLE; tomorrow 40% off in stores and online

15.  Bliss Spa:  Take a peek at this link for lots of great beauty and spa deals

16.  Ella Moss:  Take 30% off entire purchase with code GLITTER

I will continue to add as more come my way and please feel free to comment with your fab finds!

xo.

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{Giveaway + Review} Softlips Winter Flavors

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is all the special edition beauty products – and the new Softlips winter flavors are no exception.  I had the opportunity to try them all; with flavors like Winter Mint, Sugar & Spice, Sugar Cookie, and Sugar Plum Berry, it’s hard to choose just one to use!  Every one of them smells great and provides excellent hydration to the lips as we get into these cooler months.  My personal fave?  Sugar Cookie…it smells just like the real thing.  And probably better for my waist-line.  You can find these special edition flavors available in dual packs that make fabulous stocking stuffers as well as a Winter 5-Pack available exclusively at the Softlips online store (includes all four holiday flavors and a bonus Mint with a Hint of Vanilla).

GIVEAWAY – one lucky reader will score the entire collection of Softlips Winter Flavors (and have soft, kissable lips all winter long)…just comment and tell me which flavor you’re most excited to try!  I will choose a winner this Friday (November 25).  Good luck!

Take a peek at this video by Softlips for some great beauty gift-giving ideas – and feel free to share your own creative ideas!

xo.

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The Average Joe: The Pants Game

I discovered something about myself recently…I dig pants. Not just any pants, but particularly ones with loud colors, strong patterns or—if I’m lucky—a combination of the two.

The pic to the left is a sampling of my pant collection today. If you were to rummage through my closet right now, you’d find the staples:  khakis, black dress pants, and jeans. And you’d also find six pairs of plaid pants, four pairs of striped ones, one pair of madras pants, one pair of seersuckers, two pairs of Kelly green pants, and one pair of pink pants. Yes, pink. (I’m confident enough to share that with you.)

It hasn’t been easy acquiring those pants, though. In fact, I’ve found it downright impossible sometimes for me to find pants that provide enough room in the thighs, while not being overly tapered down to the ankles.

Until Bonobos.com that is.

In 2007, pants shopping got way easier when Bonobos (pronounced bə-’nō-bōs) began offering well-designed, properly-fitted men’s pants via their e-storefront. And the good news? The pants come in straight leg and boot cut styles, ensuring there will always be enough room for the rump, thighs and ankles. And the gooder news? You can get them in some highly-unique colors and patterns if you’re daring enough—or in essential solid colors if you’re not.

Bonobos also offers shorts, swimwear, polos, bags, belts, shoes, and watches through their site. But pants are really what they do…and do well.

So go visit them today and start elevating your man’s pants game. Just don’t grab the Huckleberries or Orange Game Day Chinos before I do.

— AJ

(Email your column ideas to averagejoe.pi@gmail.com or tweet me @AverageJoePI.)

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Kimmie’s Pre-Weekend Pretty-Up: On-The-Spot Fixes

Pick your best holiday outfit.  Maybe it even has chic turkeys on it somewhere.  Wear it for an hour, pick up a dainty holiday party appetizer and *boom!* drop it on whatever fabulousness you were wearing.  I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a klutz when it comes to maneuvering through holiday parties – in heels – with a plate of food – and a glass of wine – in my hands.  It’s almost inevitable that I’ll trip, fall, spill, and generally ruin the façade of being effortlessly put together.  Even if I hold it together for the evening, chances are I’ll wake up less than refreshed after a night of festivities.  Here are my quick fixes for little life’s little snags.

Pull Yourself Together:  If you find yourself having hair, makeup, or wardrobe issues during some festive event, there are a few ways to minimize damage.  You can completely save the day by keeping three things in your large purse, desk drawer, or glove compartment: white vinegar, black tea bags, and lots of natural-hued hair ties.  Dabbing vinegar can lift even a red wine stain from a white shirt (for real!).  Tea bags can be used wet to reduce puffiness and redness; apply them dry to your face to remove oily spots or under your arms if – eek! – you forgot to put on deodorant.  Besides the obvious use of getting frizzies out of your face in a chic bun or braid, hair ties can fix anything.  Broken bra strap, popped button, broken necklace, too-big blouse – you name it, a hair tie can fix it with a little creativity.

Party Aftermath:  It seems to be typical of the holiday season that you stay up late doing very non-work things during the work week.  Whether you’re sporting an ugly Christmas sweater, schmoozing with your boss or having cocktails with out-of-town friends, there are lots of November/December mornings spent looking like you slept in a drainpipe.  The fix?

Clothes: Pull the focus from your sleepy, sleepy face with a work-appropriate pop of color.  Step 1: White silk short-sleeved blouse.  Amazing with everything.  Invest in one now. Step 2: Super-bright pencil skirt (red is so hot – and holiday friendly).  Step 3: Gray tights and oxford pumps (hello, menswear).  Step 4: Tuck the blouse in and add a skinny black lacquered belt.  Done.

Face: Buy a Benefit Eye Bright Pencil and leave it in your purse through the whole holiday season.  Nothing perks up your face faster than bright eyes, and a little dab of this at the inner and outer corners is how I convince the rest of the world that I’m ready to go when, in reality, I’m sleepwalking.  Light pink blush (ahem, Nars Orgasm) is also a go-to for waking up your exhausted (read: hungover) face.  No time?  Gently pinch your cheeks for a rosy, awake look.  If you really can’t be bothered, opt for a low, loose side bun and plunk a bold hat on your head.  I just got the cutest black-and-white plaid number at Nordstrom Rack on 82nd – check out their awesome hat section!

Do you have a go-to fix during a beauty emergency?  Share with us!  Have a pretty – and beauty disaster-free – weekend!

Cheers,

@KimmieTrubiro

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{Giveaway + Review} Conair You Wrap & Wave

Admittedly, I am so not good at doing my own hair unless I’m using a straightener.  When I had the chance to try Conair’s new You Wrap & Wave, I jumped at the opportunity.  I don’t know about you, but I have been known to longingly gaze at the natural, flowing waves I see on models’ and celebs’ hair when flipping through my magazines, wishing I could recreate that look.  Thanks to this nifty Conair tool, I am wishing no more.

This 2-barreled ceramic tool gives you the ability to make 3 different types of waves with relative ease (there is a slight learning curve, but if you’re already adept at using irons – you’ll be just fine).  This video shows you how to make each wave – the “s” wave, the oval wave, and the spiral wave.  I also noticed that this iron is super functional, with features like 30-second instant heat (and it gets HOT…like up to 400 degrees hot), automatic shutoff, and a little glove to protect your fingers from the heat.  The tips of the barrels stay cool as well for extra control while styling your hair.  This tool retails for around $46 – not too bad when you consider how many styles it helps you achieve.

Now for the really fun part – we’d love to give this little baby away to one lucky reader!  It’s a perfect time of year to give this styling tool a try with the upcoming holidays.  To enter, simply answer this question: What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

Good luck gals!

xo.

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Kimmie’s Pre-Weekend Pretty-Up: Skin Solutions

Our skin says so much about our overall state of mind, and often we don’t even realize it.  In today’s stressful world – hello, bad economy – a whole host of emotions can send your skin into a spiral of hormonally-induced weirdness.  I stressed so hard pre-vacation last week that I gave myself hives for three days – ew – so this week I dug deep to find the causes and cures of these common problems.  From breakouts and blushing to dry skin and red spots, here are my skin solution picks.

Redness: Ever seen a nervous bride walking down the aisle, turning various shades of splotchy red?  Rashes and hives happen when you have some kind of emotional overload – your body releases adrenaline and histamines that display on the skin as your body’s temperature rises.  Hives generally come in large, raised patches that itch and last for a few hours.  To block the histamine buildup, take an oral antihistamine (like Benadryl) or slick on some hydrocortisone cream (I swear by it).  If your red marks are splotchy and all over, it’s likely a rash.  Rashes can be minor allergic reactions or stress-induced, so taking an antihistamine, applying a topical anti-allergy cream and thinking calm thoughts can squelch a rash within 30 minutes.  Cold compresses work on both rashes and hives, so relief might be as simple as running your faucet.

Sensitive Skin: Skin sensitivity strikes seemingly at random and causes itching, irritation, discoloration and stinging.  This sudden sensitivity can be caused by new products, unfamiliar perfumes, new exposure to detergents or chemicals and stress.  Sensitivity will usually take care of itself in a week or so, but in the meantime switch to only fragrance-free cleansers and lotions – like Aveeno – and take an Omega 3 supplement to restore your skin’s elasticity.  Make sure you talk with your MD prior to taking any new supplements.

Impromptu Acne: Breakouts hit the best of us at the worst possible times.  Unfortunately, the more stressed out we get about breaking out, the more oils our skin produces.  Zap zits with a powerful spot treatment, keep your hair off your face and take some time out to do yoga, go for a walk, or have a short nap.  Drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated and flush toxins from your body.

Do you have any tricks for pop-up skin issues?  Share them here!

Cheers,

@KimmieTrubiro

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