Korres Giveaway Winner & Updates

Howdy, y'all!

The winner of my Korres Giveaway is...

Diana of Diana's Beauty Corner!

Congratulations!  Please contact me via e-mail at: kategeneblog [at] gmail [dot] com.  You have one week from today to claim your prize, otherwise a new winner will be selected using random.org.

So, for the past six months, I have resembled Cher (circa 1970).  My locks literally reached my gluteus maximus, were stick straight, and lacked shape.  I finally got a cut and feel much better.  I also dyed my hair jet black.  Chiggity check it:

Wow.  This picture is borderline too hot for Blogger.  Frizzy hair and a baggy t-shirt?  Me-ow!  Playboy Magazine is sure to call after seeing this sexy gem of a photograph.

By the way, I made entering my latest giveaway a little easier.  Click on the photo below to enter:

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Tweet, Tweet:  http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously:  http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

ONE DAY SALE: 50% off The Body Shop!

There is a catch, though...  You must purchase a $5.00 gift container to receive the discount.  Still, that's not bad considering The Body Shop's prices!

I have been wanting to try this Body Butter for ages:

[photo credit: www.thebodyshop-usa.com]

Has anyone tried this scent?  Is it as delicious as I am imagining it to be?  It has to be "I'd take a spoon to it if it weren't toxic!" good.  ;)

Click here to be routed to the sale!

Tweet, Tweet:  http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously:  http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Cupcakes in the tub? Yes! [REVIEW & GIVEAWAY **** CLOSED ****!]

After a long, FML-type of day, my adorable hubby knows just what I need to turn my frown upside down.  While some women light up at the sight of that infamous blue Tiffany box, I go gaga over a different kind of package: the kind that holds a baker's dozen.

This works, too:

Ha ha ha!  Just kidding. 

So, I was browsing Etsy, searching for a birthday gift, when I stumbled across myotherprincess' shop.  My jaw fell to the floor.  Bath bombs that look like cupcakes?  Yes, please, and thank you!

The first order I placed was for my best friend.  Her birthday bath bombs sat around our house for days, and had several "close calls" with our tub.  I couldn't risk purposefully accidentally using my friend's gifts, so I purchased the following goodies for myself:

♥ BIRDS OF PARADISE BATH BOMB CUPCAKE FIZZY ♥

Retails for: $5.50

PROS:  This bath bomb smells soooo GOOD!  Strawberries, pomegranate, and vanilla goodness are blended perfectly into this life-sized sweet treat.  Once dissolved, it lightly fragrances your water and turns it a pretty blue hue.  This bomb is perfect for someone who is seeking a yummy fragrance, but doesn't want to be overpowered by it.

CONS:  It's almost too cute to use.  And, despite being a professional cupcake eater, I had a bit of trouble getting the paper off my life-size cupcake.  Ha ha!  It was no biggie, though; I was relaxing in a sea of fizz within minutes of my order arriving.

♥ STRAWBERRY COTTON CANDY CHUNKY LAYERED GOAT'S MILK SOAP ♥

Retails for: $3.75

PROS:  This soap smells INSANELY GOOD.  I am a huge fan of super sweet, fruity, candy-like scents, and this soap is no exception.  It smells of freshly spun clouds of pink sugar and sweet strawberries.  It's extremely strong, which I love, and will linger on your skin for a bit after use.  It lathers with the tiniest splash of water, creating massive amounts of suds and bubbles.  And last, but not least, this soap moisturizes like a dream.  It is honestly the most moisturizing soap I have ever used!

CONS:  None for me!  If you're not a fan of over-the-top sweet scents, you're not going to like this soap.  (To give you an idea of the type of scents I tend to gravitate towards, here are a few perfumes I love to wear: any of the Escada eau de toilettes, Clinique Happy, Marc Jacobs Daisy, and BBW's Black Raspberry Vanilla spray.)

♥ BLUEBERRY CARAMEL PINK SUGAR CHUNKY LAYERED GOAT'S MILK SOAP ♥

Retails for: $3.75

PROS:  See above.  This one also smells DIVINE.  It is the perfect blend of warm sugar, butter, and blueberries.  I cannot keep my nose away from these bars of soap!

CONS:  Child, please!  By now you should know I have nothing negative to say about myotherprincess' products!  ;)

**********

Miranda, the gal behind myotherprincess, is a total sweetheart!  Some of you may have seen me chatting her up on Twitter or on her blog, both of which I recommend you check out!  (Insider Tip: She often tweets about specials!)  She is super crafty and also sells pretty paper products - as well as clothing for babies and little girls - on her other Etsy site: PaperPrincess34.  Miranda's customer service is great, extra surprises were thrown in with both orders, and shipping is lightning fast.  I have nothing but positive things to say!  

P. S.  She and her brother must have been raised by Martha Stewart; her brother sells wood creations on Etsy as well: http://www.etsy.com/shop/youngwoodcreations.

Now, on to the fun part...

♥ MINI-CUPCAKE BATH BOMB (SET OF FIVE) GIVEAWAY ♥

Miranda kindly offered to give away some of her products to one of my followers, and I jumped at the opportunity!  (Can I enter my own giveaway?  I kid, I kid!)  One randomly selected winner will receive a five pack of her best selling mini-cupcake bath bombs!

But wait!  There's more!

To sweeten the deal, I'm throwing in a couple of goodies, too:

♥ St. Tropez Radiance Mousse

♥ a mark. Brighten Every Day Kit

**** I KNOW IT'S A LOT TO READ AND DO, BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL THE RULES OR YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED! ****

TO ENTER:

♥ You must be a follower of my blog, as well as Miranda's. 

♥  Post this giveaway on your blog and/or in your sidebar, and leave me a comment so I may see your handiwork.  :) 

♥ If you are under the age of 18, please get your parent/guardian's permission before entering as I will need to collect your full name and mailing address.

♥ This giveaway is open to U. S. and Canadian residents and ends on my birthday: May 15, 2010 at 12:00 AM (PST).

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES:

♥ Add Miranda on Twitter and Facebook.  Please let me know if you've done so by leaving a comment below.  Earn another entry by tweeting about our giveaway!
 ♥ Those of you who had valid entries prior to 4/30/10 will receive an extra entry for following the original, complicated rules! :)

Thank you, Miranda, for your generous donation!  The winner will be announced on my blog, so stay tuned!

Tweet, Tweet:  http://twitter.com/kate_gene
Ask Me Questions Anonymously:  http://www.formspring.me/KateGene
*photo credits: http://www.etsy.com/shop/myotherprincess, www.meetmark.com, & Google*

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

 [Click to expand.]

Ha ha ha!

Anyway...

My Korres Basil Lemon Giveaway ends soon, and I'd love to see more entries!

I stopped by Sephora a couple weeks ago, as I was curious to see what "Basil Lemon" smelled like.  I am happy to report the products have a soft, fresh, lemony scent.  (I heart eating basil, but was concerned the products might smell a bit too herbal.  Fortunately, they do not!)

Click on the photo below to be directed to the giveaway post!

Tweet, Tweet:  http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously:  http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Votivo Candle Review

My birthday is in mid-May, making yours truly a Taurus.  Tauruses are notorious for being extremely stubborn, which my adorable husband can vouch for.  Arguments in our household often go something like this:



In addition to being hard-headed, we bulls are known for our adoration of all things luxurious.  I am far from a snob (my pinky does not stand at attention when I consume my beverages), but I do have a genuine appreciation for all things upscale and plush.  Votivo Candles are no exception.  I kid you not...  They are the Louis Vuitton of the candle world.

Votivo Candles was kind enough to send me a few items to review.  The first thing I noticed about their products, aside from the amazing aromas they emit, was the packaging.  They have a heavy, rich weight to them.  Even the boxes they are nestled in are deluxe! 

♥ GLORIOSO ♥
I detect sweet, floral, and citrus notes.  This candle smells heavenly and is perfect for Spring.

♥ MOSAIC ♥
You know that relaxing aromatherapy scent that can only be found in lavish spas?  This is it in a jar.  I cannot keep my nose out of this candle!

♥ SEABLUE SKY ♥
This scent reminds me of my hubby's signature cologne (Kenneth Cole's Black), combined with a clean ocean breeze.  He's leaving on business the first week of May; I plan on burning this every night he is away.  :)

Wow...  I'm so glad our camera picked up all the dust particles on the lid.  Not!

Votivo Candles burn neatly and evenly, and aren't overpowering.  Their 6.8 ounce candles (pictured above) boast 50 hours of burning time.  The only con?  They're $25.00 a pop.  Fortunately, Votivo offers other products at lower price points, including cute travel tins for those of you on the go.  I cannot wait to try their (infamous) Red Currant, Blackberry Basil, and Island Grapefruit candles next!

You can purchase Votivo Candles online at: www.votivo.com and at select retailers.

Tweet, Tweet:  http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously:  http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me by Votivo Candles, free of charge. I am not affiliated with the organization, nor am I being paid to endorse their products.  My views are not influenced by anything other than my personal experience.  Please use these products at your own discretion.

10th Photo Tag

Wow...  I haven't posted in over a week.  (In Beauty Bloggersville, that is the equivalent of disappearing for a month.)  Take my photo off the back of the milk cartons, folks.  I'm still here!

Pop Champagne, the girl who gives Perez Hilton a run for his money, tagged me on her blog months ago.  Being the bum that I am, I am just now getting around to doing it.  Thank you, P. C.!

Rules:

1. Open your 1st photo folder.
2. Scroll to the 10th photo.
3. Post the photo & the story behind it.
4. Tag five or more people.

Following a Costco run, my adorable hubby came home, arms full of boxes.  After unloading 80 gallon drums of peanut butter, 600 pounds of apples, and 20 loaves of bread, I noticed a little something extra on the counter for me.  Sweet, thoughtful, and unexpected; my husband had surprised me with a note, flowers, and a CD that was on my wish list.  How did I repay his thoughtful gesture?  With a dirty look.  Why?

My husband was in the dog house.  Ha ha ha!

Before you start thinking the love of my life is some kind of jerk, know that he listens, still writes me love notes (after over a decade of being together), and surprises me with cupcakes whenever I have a bad day.  Oh, and he's cute to boot.  I could not ask for a better husband.  ♥  I LOVE HIM.  ♥

I know a lot of you have already done this tag, so I'm tagging those who haven't had the opportunity to do it!

I hope you're all doing well!

Tweet, Tweet:  http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously:  http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Korres Review & Giveaway! [CLOSED]

Yogurt is one my favorite snacks.  Pop a container in the freezer, and in a couple hours you'll have a healthy, frozen treat.  Did you know yogurt is also great for the skin?  Easy there, chief.  Before you start smearing Yoplait on your face, read on.

Korres (pronounced "kor-rez", not Coors like the adult beverage, you lush, you!) has a wonderful yogurt line that is great for oily, dehydrated, acne-prone, and sensitive skin.  Their products are actually made with organic, edible yogurt.  Organic yogurt encourages moisture, without increasing oil production.  It also contains vitamins D and E, which help soothe the skin, reducing irritation and fine lines.

YOGURT MASK
1.35 oz, Retails for $39.00

This mask is heaven in a jar!  In my last Korres review, I raved about how their night cream was helping to diminish the wrinkles that have decided to set up shop around my eyes.  That was the truth, however, I have seen even more dramatic results with this mask.  It feels cool and refreshing when applied, like a cold cream that's been chilled in the fridge.  I apply the mask twice a week before bed, and love how firm and soft it makes my skin.  It offers instant gratification; my face looked healthy and glowing after one use.

The only negative?  The product is a bit pricey.  Still, it's less expensive than what you would spend to get a facial.  I believe it's worth every cent!  Also, trust me when I say, the tiniest bit goes a loooong way!  My adorable hubby was (mock) horrified when he saw me glop it on the first time.  He said, "Wow! Do you really need that much?"  LOL!  The answer to that?  No.  You get the same results with a thin layer as you do with half a jar.  ;)

[photo credit: www.korresusa.com]

YOGURT MOISTURIZER
1.40 oz, Retails for $32.00

Like its mask counterpart, this moisturizer contains genuine yogurt and offers the same all natural benefits.  It glides over my skin with ease and feels wonderful.  After going a little crazy with my tweezers one night, I noticed the skin surrounding my brows was splotchy and red.  I smoothed a little lotion over the irritated areas, and it helped calm things down.  This moisturizer, combined with the mask and my other Korres products, have made my skin look so healthy!  I cannot say enough great things about this line!

Those of you who have been following me for awhile know how much I love Proactiv's products.  I have been a fan of theirs for years, and have family and friends who rely on their line to keep their skin clear.  That said, I am seriously considering retiring these products and only using Korres on my mug.  Korres has truly stolen my heart!

Now, on to the part you've been waiting for...  The giveaway!

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Earth Day is the 22nd of this month, and Korres is doing their part to help spread the word.  Check out their website and their Facebook page for "30 Days, 30 Ways To Be Green" tips and tricks.

To celebrate Earth Day, one of you will win a Jumbo Basil Lemon Showergel and Body Butter, courtesy of Korres!  (I have yet to try their shower gel, but their body butter is AMAZING!)

[photo credit: KorresUSA]

Here are the giveaway rules and details:

♥  You must be a follower of my blog.
♥  You must be a fan of Korres USA's Facebook page.
♥  Leave me a comment below, letting me know your favorite way to be green!  (I make sure to always turn the faucet off while brushing my teeth.)
♥  For extra entries, you can blog, tweet, or post this giveaway in your sidebar!  Please leave me a link so that I can see your handiwork.  :)
♥  One winner will be randomly selected using www.randomizer.org.
♥  Giveaway ends April 23, 2010 at 12:00 A.M. (PST).
♥  Open to US residents only.

Also, just a friendly reminder that the discount code "KATIE" expires on the 15th.  Use it when shopping on www.korres.com to receive 30% off your entire order!

Have a great day, everyone!

Tweet, Tweet:  http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously:  http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me by Korres, free of charge. I am not affiliated with the organization, nor am I being paid to endorse their products.  My views are not influenced by anything other than my personal experience.  Please use these products at your own discretion.