Beauty Counter Giveaway

On Friday our friend Katie Kahn shared some of her favorite makeup products. If you missed the post, I highly suggest you check it out (post here).

As for today, we are continuing on the beauty theme with a post about some products that Katie and I recently had the pleasure of trying. Are you familiar with Beautycounter? I wasn't until my college friend Evie introduced me. Beautycounter creates safe and effective skin care and cosmetics for women and their families. They have banned over 1500 harmful ingredients from their products with the hope of keeping you and your family safe and healthy.

My beauty routine is simple. I use products from the drugstore, so I was excited to add some new products to my "regimen." And let me say, I'm fairly critical when it comes to these kind of things. I tried Arbonne a while back and was somewhat underwhelmed, but that has not been the case with the Beautycounter products.

The first product Evie sent me is The Lustro Face Oil 1.

I started using the face oil shortly before we sent to Sun Valley for Christmas. Idaho is a high desert, and the air is so dry it sucks all of the moisture out of your body. This face oil was my savior in the dry and sub zero temperatures. I had never used a face old before and was afraid it would leave my skin really oily and cause breakouts, but it hasn't. In fact, I think my skin feels and looks better.

The second product is the Any Time Eye Cream. 

I've never been consistent about using eye cream until now. I love the way this feels on my skin, and I'm hoping my regular use will help offset any further development of those fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes. Crows feet is the technical term, right?

The last product she sent me is the Kidscounter Squeaky Clean Bodywash.

I'm in love with the smell of this body wash. It's a combination of pomegranate and cranberry fruit extracts that has a berry-pop scent that smells like a sweet treat. What kid doesn't like that? I am going to buy the shampoo and conditioner in my next order. 

Did I mention that I love the names of the kids products and the packaging?

Evie also sent Katie some products to try. 

1. Peppermint Lip Balm, 2. Translucent Lip Sheer 3. Lip Shine 4. Hydrate Everyday Body Lotion

Since Katie has been busy with work and vacation, she wasn't able to write an extensive review. She did tell me that she keeps the lip balm next to her bed and has been using it every night, and she loves the lip sheer, lip shine and lotion as well. I am definitely going to add a few of these products to my next order.  Peppermint lip balm sounds right up my alley. 

So here's the exciting news! Evie is sponsoring a Beautycounter giveaway of the Lustro Face Oil 1 and the Lip Conditioner! That's $82 worth of products that you can win! Happy Tuesday to you! 

To enter, leave a comment below with why you would like to try these products. A winner will be announced on Friday! 

Also, if you would like to try some of the other products, Evie is offering C&C readers a 10% discount through the end of the month. To place your order with the discount you will need to contact her directly through email. 

Website: evie.beautycounter.com

Facebook page: Beautycounter by Evie

Email: evie.cartwright@gmail.com

Good Luck and Happy (and healthy) shopping! 

Major Manly

Today C&C is giving away something major for the special man in your life, this Scout Travel Set from Ursa Major.

Ursa Major, a company based in Stowe, VT, specializes in super natural skin care for men. All products include robust formulations, premium natural ingredients and sublime aromas and textures.

My +1 is a major fan of the face balm (he'll be receiving some in his stocking this year), and you too can share the love by surprising the man in your life with this awesome set of Ursa Major products.

The set includes the Fantastic Face Wash, Stellar Shave Cream, Fortifying Face Balm and Essential Face Wipes (5 single wipes)! 

Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter! You have until Wednesday night to enter, and the winner will be announced on Thursday! 

And, in the mean time, you can also use the code "traveler" to get 10% off all travel products from now until the end of the month. They make great stocking stuffers (see above). 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Products We Love

For the last few years despite the fact that I'm in my 30's, I've been feeling like my skin is still in its teens. I mean...isn't the loss of acne supposed to be the trade off for the arrival of wrinkles?

Anyway, I kept having an internal dialogue with myself about all the ways I could improve my skin: facials, more expensive products, dermatological treatments??? Finally, after lots of consideration and with some prompting from the Discountress of Washington (read her post here), I decided to take matters, literally, into my own hands!

About a month ago I purchased a Clarisonic Mia. I chose the mango color just because it was fun and bright. Even skincare can be fashionable!

Skinstore was having a 20% off sale, which they are currently having as well (use the code NEW20), so I even saved a little money!

So, after using my Clarisonic for over a month now, I am a believer! I do feel like more pores are smaller, like I have fewer blackheads and that my skin looks a bit better. And, more importantly, my skin feels cleaner! I'm not saying I've taken 10 years off my life or gotten rid of every blemish and imperfection, but it's better, and anything is an improvement.

Bottom line...if you've considered purchasing a Clarisonic, what are you waiting for? Go! Do it! You won't regret it!

Along with my Clarisonic, I picked up a new foaming facial cleanser from CeraVe.

I also bought a moisturizer and have been really happy with the products. I like the "smell" better than I do that of Cetaphil. It also seems to be gentle on my skin, it has very little odor and most importantly, it's affordable!