Get NAKED in the New Year.

Well, did I grab your attention? I thought so. While searching for a new eye shadow to wear while ringing in the New Year, I was told by a co-worker/beauty product guru about the spankin’ new must-have eye shadow palette by Urban Decay, NAKED2 ($50). Similar to its predecessor, the original NAKED palette, the NAKED2 features “12 Taupe + Greige Neutrals” (love it! beige + gray = greige) and features gorgeous warm and cool tones, neutrals, all at a very wide range. Only one shade is carried over from the original palette (Half-Baked) and the NAKED2 palette has added five brand new shades to the Urban Decay eye shadow collection. Who knew there were so many potential colors in the neutrals spectrum – and believe me, they are not the boring neutrals you may be used to. This collection lets you achieve lots of different looks, from day to night, and from matte to sparkly – and more.

After a little Internet browsing to read all the five star reviews and drool over the 12 delectable shades, I knew I had to have one…STAT. But because of the high demand for the Naked2 palette and it only being sold on the Urban Decay website, they were completely out-of-stock. Worst. Three. Words. But not to worry though, I was notified when the palette was back in stock and in a little over a week, my order had arrived. Definitely worth the wait!

Since receiving NAKED2, let me tell you – I’m completely obsessed. This is an eye shadow palette every gal should own. The pigments are truly amazing and I believe they are colors that will look fabulous on everyone. After only a week of wearing the shadows, I’ve already received several compliments. Mark my words, these will be my 2012 go-to eye shadows for day and night!

That being said, if you don’t own this palette, I suggest you get in line now. If you already own NAKED2 (or the original NAKED palette), tell me what you think – I would love to hear about your experiences with these must-have palettes!

- Kelly
@Klevergirlpr

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{Product Review} WEN by Chaz Dean Special Edition: Winter Vanilla Mint

I think one of my simple pleasures in life is getting down to the bottom of my current shampoo and conditioners and knowing I get to go pick out a new duo to try on my hair…so when I received an e-mail about trying this special edition cleansing conditioner from WEN by Chaz Dean, it was perfect timing.  I was instantly sold by the special edition scent – Winter Vanilla Mint.  Raise your hand if that doesn’t sound amazing…that’s what I thought.  It sounds amazing because it is amazing.  I’ve always been a huge fan of minty scents and this one does not disappoint.  It is subtly sweet from the vanilla and perfectly minty – and, bonus, your scalp will tingle as the cleansing conditioner works to do it’s thing.

If you haven’t used WEN products before, they are certainly a little different than what most of us are used to.  It is a cleanser (shampoo) and conditioner in one – and admittedly I’ve always shied away from the 2-in-1′s – but this one really does deliver on results.  To use, you pump a good amount into your hand and apply to your hair as if you are shampooing, concentrating on the scalp.  This product is free of harsh chemicals and sulfates, so it does not suds up – so expect your hair color to last longer when using.  After shampooing, you comb the product through your hair to the ends and leave on for a few minutes for the conditioning to take place.  Rinse the product, and voila!  You’re set.  I find the process to be pretty quick and quite exhilarating, honestly.  And as I said, I really really love the tingle from the mint – it makes for a very enjoyable shower experience.

The claim with WEN products as well is that this one product will take the place of everything you’re using – shampoo, conditioner, styling products, etc…and I really did find this to be true.  My hair was super soft, shiny, and manageable after just using this cleansing conditioner – which is saying a lot since my hair leans toward dry and frizzy most days.

Make sure you get in on trying this special edition soon as it’s only available for a limited time!  You can purchase through QVC; the retail price is $32 for a 16 ounce bottle.  Let me know if you have tried WEN or if you do end up trying it – I certainly was not disappointed.  Have a wonderful holiday week!

xo.

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The Average Joe: 2011 Gift Guide

Time’s running out to get that perfect gift for your man this holiday season. If you’re stuck…chillax. I’ve done some clicking around on Uncrate.com and found—what I think to be—some great gift ideas.

COAL HEADWEAR

If it’s been awhile since your man’s last haircut or if he’s just having a bad hair day, cover his head up in style this year with Coal Headwear ($40-$60). From fitted caps and beanies to bowlers and fedoras, this site’s got a great selection of high-quality headwear in cool designs for your guy’s dome. I’m partial to their “Considered Collection,” but really you can’t go wrong.

iPHONE LENS DIAL

Being a photographer, maybe I’ll be the only one who thinks this is cool—but hopefully not. If you’ve got an iPhone 4 or higher, you know the quality of the camera is pretty sick. With the iPhone Lens Dial ($250) it can get even sicker. This aluminum case offers dual tripod mounts for portrait and landscape shots, as well as a tri-lens dial with a 0.33x fisheye, 0.7x wide angle and 1.5x telephoto lenses.

RATCHETING READYWRENCH

Whether your man’s extremely handy or, like me, not so mechanically inclined, he should dig the Black & Decker Ratcheting ReadyWrench ($40). This one tool fits 16 of the most common standard and metric socket sizes. And because it can replace a whole assortment of sockets and wrenches lying around your garage, you may like it too!

MOONSHINE COLOGNE

Let’s be honest, you want your man smelling good, but not fruitier and perfumier than you. Moonshine Cologne ($75) will ensure that never happens. As its website boasts, this is a “woodsy aroma with hints of spice, including notes of black pepper, tobacco, leather, gin, and patchouli.” Plus it comes in a wooden box, wrapped in burlap sack. Nothing “perfumy” about that.

And with that, I’d like to thank you for a great 2011! It’s been great getting to know you this year! Happy holidays!

— AJ

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

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Kimmie’s Pre-Weekend Pretty-Up: Stuff Those Stockings!

It’s that time of year: Black Friday is over, Cyber Monday has come and gone, it’s officially December…and you still haven’t gotten (or even thought of?) those little gifts to pad out your Christmas giving list.  You can have the best intentions of making homemade treats that would do Martha Stewart proud, but really, who has the time to build a neighborhood of gingerbread houses with gumdrop chimneys?  In case you’ve fallen behind, here are four of my favorite stocking stuffer ideas – from the aromatic to the charitable, there’s something for everyone!

Drops of Joy:  Got a friend who’s perpetually stressed, a family member who can’t sleep, or a boyfriend suffering from crazy allergies?  Give the gift of aromatherapy with Sephora’s new line, 21 Drops.  These therapeutic-grade essential oils pack a serious aromatic punch for a whole host of conditions.  From the basics – stress and insomnia and focus, oh my! – to lesser-known ailments, like “immunity” for your sniffle-prone loved one and “hangover” for your buddy who hits every holiday party just a little too hard.  These little silicone-wrapped rollerballs are a great little gift to show someone you’ve been listening to their everyday stresses.

Sparkles Galore:  Last-minute gifts are always the hardest to find; there’s no worse feeling than standing there empty-handed when someone springs a gift on you.  To prevent such a situation, make up a few little goodie bags and keep them handy.  I suggest a little bag of homemade cookies or cocoa mix, a hand-healing lotion or lip balm from Avon, and a seasonally sparkly OPI for Sephora nail polish.  One complete gift bag will run you less than 10 dollars.  Never get caught without a gift again!

Dashing Duos:  Philosophy is so well known for its line of seasonally-scented products, and every Christmas they come through with some new, super-cool gift set.  This year’s Sweet Kisses and Merry Wishes set features lip gloss and shower gel duos in eggnog, funnel cake, peppermint bark, and pomegranate bubbly.  Divide the set into pairs and pop them into your friends’ stockings for around 8 dollars a gift.

Charitable Cheer:  Need a gift for a community service-minded friend or the person who already has everything?  Give a charitable gift through Heifer International.  This activist gift catalog lets you order an animal – from a $120 llama to a $20 flock of ducks – and gift it to a family in a struggling part of the world.  The organization helps each family use its animal – for eggs, wool, breeding, or work – to better the local community.  Sure, it’s unconventional – but nothing keeps you prettier than helping others!

Do you have a go-to stocking stuffer?  Keep us in the loop!

Cheers,

@KimmieTrubiro

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

It’s Friday…we made it!  Celebrate the end of the week by entering to win our 5th giveaway in our 12 Days of Giveaways promo.  Up for grabs today is a hair analysis with Greg Lee of G Michael Salon and a J Beverly Hills shampoo and conditioner for you to take home that will suit your hair’s needs.

I have fallen in love with this line; every time I use the shampoo and conditioner, it smells like a spa in my shower.  J Beverly Hills uses no sulfates or other harsh chemicals and it shows in the response your hair will give.  For me, my once frizzy/dry thick hair turns into silky, shiny, soft locks.  I barely have to use styling products after using the shampoo and conditioner – this stuff works. 

Enter to win by heading to G Michael Salon’s Facebook page and letting them know you’d love a free hair analysis.  Good luck!

xo.

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{12 Days of Giveaways} On the Fourth Day…

It’s day 4 of 12 giveaways and we’re trucking right along!  Today, G Michael Salon wants to gift one lucky reader with a shampoo and blowout – leaving you looking quite snazzy for a date night, party, or whatever your little heart might desire.  And take it from me, these blowouts last.  And seriously, who doesn’t want a little pampering right about now?

Simply like G Michael Salon on Facebook and tell them why you are deserving of this lovely shampoo/blowout treatment!  For an extra entry, follow G Michael Salon on Twitter and tweet why you should be the lucky winner.

xo.

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