Three Amazing Last-Minute Beauty and Grooming Gifts

Photo Credit: Reese Dane

With Christmas just a handful of days away, The Makeup Examiner found herself scrambling to finish her own holiday shopping list. Now that it’s done, TME thought she’d share a few of her best last-minute gift finds, and you won’t believe how easy these are to acquire … right down to Christmas Eve!

For the beauty box lover, or actually anyone on your list, you can head over to Birchbox and in less them 5 minutes, print out a gift box subscription or gift certificate (even on Christmas Eve!). Birchbox subscriptions come in increments of 3, 6, and 12-months. Birchbox subscriptions are so easy to gift, instructions can be explained in four steps:

1. Log onto Birchbox

2. Select men’s or women’s, and the subscription length

3. Pay for your gift

4. Print out the PDF gift certificate

It's as easy as that! Oh, and if you’re purchasing a 1-year women's gift subscription, enter the code cynthiarowleybeauty to receive a free Cynthia Rowley eyeliner ($18 value) for yourself!

Next up is Clarins “The Essentials” Eye Palette for the eco-conscious beautynista. From day to night, The Essentials Eye Palette has 10 mineral eye shadows in beige, taupe and brown shades to create eye-catching looks this holiday season. 93% of the raw materials used in the mineral and plant-based formulas are of natural origin, carefully selected according to Clarins eco-responsible guidelines aimed at reducing the brand’s environmental footprint.

The palette also includes a double-ended brush made of birch wood from sustainable forests, recycled aluminum and cruelty-free natural pony hair. As a part of a reforestation project with the PurProject organization, Clarins will also be planting 10,000 trees known for their medical and cosmetic properties in an effort to preserve the Kuntanawa culture. The Essentials Eye Palette ($45) available at Clarins.

Rounding out the last-minute gift ideas is The Makeup Examiner’s treasured find from Pinch Provisions. This Chicago-based mother-daughter company has the most amazingly brilliant beauty and grooming emergency kits! TME actually got one from Birchbox and was so blown away that she went directly to the brand’s site! Pinch Provision designs a beauty and grooming emergency kit for just about everyone on your list. Ranging from $13 - $26 Pinch Provision kits have a style for him, her, girls, the teacher, the bride … you name it! Can you tell that TME is obsessed?

The Minimergency Kit for Her ($15) includes 17 must-haves: hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, emery board, lip balm, earring backs, clear elastics, safety pin, mending kit, Shemergency tape, stain remover, deodorant towelette, pain reliever, tampon, breath freshener, dental floss, and an adhesive bandage.

The Minimergency Kit for Him ($13) is the size of a deck of cards, comes in a aluminum flip-top box embossed with a mustache logo, and contains 13 must-have items for him that include: lip balm, dental floss, breath freshener, stain remover, mending kit, safety pin, extra buttons, shoe shine towelette, nail clipper, hand-sanitizing towelette, deodorant towelette, adhesive bandage, and pain reliever. Orders can be placed at Pinch Provisions by 9 am EST on Dec. 23 and will arrive overnight.

©2013 Yvonne P. Mazzulo, a.k.a., The Makeup Examiner. All rights reserved. 

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Last Minute Cyber Monday Deals

With so many irresistible Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, your beauty closet is sure to hit gold – but these last-minute additions are about to make it go platinum. Read below for unbeatable savings!

Bigen, a best-selling hair color innovator from Japan and expert in the hairstyling and treatment category is giving you 24 hours of 50% off all products

Enter code: CYBERMON

Offer available: 12/2 from Midnight to Midnight at bigenusastore.com

Fat Hair, your style staple for transforming fine, limp tresses into big, beautiful, bombshell hair is offering you 24 hours of 60% off all products

Enter Code: CYBERMON

Offer Available: 12/2 from Midnight to Midnight at the fathairstore.com

Samy – the line created by the same Samy that has been making women feel good and look great with innovative, salon quality products year after year is treating you to  24 hours of 60% off all products

Enter Code: CYBERMON

Offer Available: 12/2 from Midnight to Midnight at SamySalon.com

Turbo charge your holiday shopping with this FAB deal: get 30% off purchases on FirstAidBeauty.com and free shipping on all orders over $25

Code: CYBERMONDAY

Offer available: Cyber Monday

Let your skin rejoice, Hydroxatone products will be 25% off on Ulta.com. Additionally, with any $50 qualifying purchase at Ulta.com, customers will receive a cross-branded Beauty Bag filled with deluxe size samples, including Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream (.5mL)

Code: Discount is automatic

Offer Available: Cyber Monday

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2013 Holiday Beauty Shopping Guide

The holiday shopping season will officially begin with Black Friday, and for many, so too does the pressure to find the perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list. The Makeup Examiner is sharing a few of her tips, from apps to product suggestions, that will help ease the stress of what should be a joyful time of the year.

Although you may be focused on the beautynistas and suavenistas in your life, don’t limit your gift giving to beauty products. A new set of makeup brushes is always a welcome gift, as are men’s grooming sets. Peruse through the List to find helpful holiday shopping hints, and don’t forget to check out “Beauty codes for beautiful Cyber Monday deals” and “Birchbox holiday happenings and Cyber Monday deals” for even more ideas and holiday shopping discounts!

Beauty Apps

• Beautylish - Find ratings and reviews on thousands of beauty products and post questions to a community of makeup and beauty experts 
• Beauty Mark - Beauty Mark allows you to view makeup looks on different skin tones, which is so helpful when you’re not sure if the makeup item you want to purchase will suit someone else’s skin tone. 
• Pretty in My Pocket - The Pretty in My Pocket (PRIMP) app takes the guesswork out of beauty decisions for you. As you choose products for potential purchase this app recommends other products for you. As with the other apps users can view product ratings and watch how-tos, but this app offers location-based discounts to local pharmacies, boutiques, and department stores.

The Body Product Beautynista - Cake Beauty has launched the “be Delectable” line for Holiday 2013. Developed with indulgence in mind, be Delectable includes a nourishing hand cream, a unique hair and body mist, body wash, body polish and body lotion. Each product comes in four “delectable” scents: strawberry & cream, lemon & cream, coconut & cream, and vanilla & cream. Products range from $10-$14 and are available at Kohls.

The Stiletto Lover - Still Standing Spray Box Minis - Still Standing is a natural, formula spray made of cooling menthol and Certified Organic eco-distilled Arnica, Aloe and Ilex. A set of four travel or purse size of Still Standing Spray ($19.99).

Men’s Skincare Set - DECLÉOR, the Cosmetic Aromatherapy expert, introduces perfectly curated holiday gift sets for the 2013 Holiday Season. For the gentlemen, DECLÉOR is offering a Men’s Skincare Set With Travel Case ($92).

Men’s Skincare Set With Travel Case:

• AROMESSENCETM for Men
• Men Skincare Soothing After-Shave
• Men Skincare Exfoliating Gel
• Aroma Cleanse Alguarômes Shower Gel

The Mature Beautynista - Carita offers The Perfect Treasure ($375), which features products from the brand’s ultra-luxe anti-aging line of creams and serums for the face, eyes and lips.

The Perfect Treasure:

• Perfect Cream
• Trio of Gold Serum
• Perfect Cream for Eyes and Lips
• Youth Cleansing Milky Cream
• Youth Perfecting Lotion
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The Nail Lacquer Lover - Inspired by Mariah Carey, OPI has bottled luxury for the holidays. Elegant and dazzling, Pure 18K White Gold & Silver Leaf Top Coat adds precious metal texture over any OPI shade or can be worn alone for a subtle but luxurious look. This genuine18 karat white gold & silver leaf topcoat comes packaged in a special limited edition collectable box. As with all OPI nail lacquers, Pure 18K White Gold & Silver Top Coat ($30) features OPI’s exclusive ProWide Brush for the ultimate in application. This limited edition nail lacquer is available now at ULTA.

The Woman On-The-Go - PINCHProvisions Stud Muffin Minimergency Kit ($15). This gold kit includes 17 lifesavers, ready to swoop in and help you at a moment’s notice and is a TME favorite. PINCH Provisions has packed 17 “I-can’t-believe-I-forgot-these” essentials into a cute, portable pouch: hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, emery board, lip balm, earring backs, clear elastics, mending kit, safety pin, double-sided tape, stain remover, deodorant towelette, pain reliever, tampon, breath freshener, dental floss, and adhesive bandage.

The Gamer Guy - Schick Hydro 5: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Gift Pack ($9.99). This holiday gift pack from Schick Hydro is perfect for the gamers and the groomers in your life. It features a Schick Hydro 5 razor, Schick Hydro shave gel, cartridges, a travel cap and a personalized online code for the exclusive in-game content. Available at Target.

The Scent Lover -While The Makeup Examiner is hard-pressed to suggest one specific scent for a guy or gal, she can whole heartedly recommend stopping at Sephora or perusing its website, as Sephora offers perfume and cologne gifts sets for every price range.

The Lip Product Addict - Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Trio ($28) at Sephora. Fresh Sugar Kisses offers tinted lip moisturizers and this trio makes a great gift or stocking stuffer! No lip product gift guide would be complete without also suggesting CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balm (12 shades - $5.99) available at mass retailers nationwide.

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Birchbox holiday happenings and Cyber Monday deals

Birchbox has had quite the busy week! In fact, the brand has been so busy that The Makeup Examiner had to write her very first “week in review” about Birchbox in order to cover all of the happenings at the brand. From the Nov. 22 announcement of Cyber Monday Deals to the launch of the Limited-Edition Holiday Box, read on for all of the holiday happenings at Birchbox.

Wednesday, Nov. 20 brought the rocking announcement that “Parks & Recreation” actress and style star Rashida Jones has created a curated shop of her favorite beauty picks! Rashida’s Holiday Wish List went live on Wednesday, giving Birchbox customers access to her must-have products and top favorites for gifting.

Rashida is adventurous with both her style and beauty on the red carpet, and now shoppers can get an inside look at what she’s been eyeing at Birchbox. Rashida’s picks run the beauty gamut, from the Caudalie Divine Indulgence Set to an Eyeko Mascara and Eyeliner Duo and the Twistband Specialty 12 Pack Tower. Rashida fell instantly in love with another one of her wish list picks -- Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Fox Hunt, but who hasn’t fallen in love with this lacquer? Check out Rashida Jones' Holiday Wish List on Birchbox.

Thursday, Nov. 21 brought two major holiday announcements! The brand launched its Limited Edition: Precious Metals Holiday Box and announced a partnership with fashion label Rebecca Taylor to design an exclusive pouch! The Limited Edition: Precious Metals box is dedicated to all that glitters and is stocked with luxe-meets-modern finds.

Precious Metals Holiday Box inclusions:

• Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eye Shadow Palette - No. 1
• Tweezerman Procurl Lash Curler
• Gorjana Taner Shimmer Necklace
• essie encrusted treasures in hors d'oeuvres
• Frends Ella Earbuds
• Folli Follie Heart4Heart Cosmetic Case in Gold
• Kusmi Tea Paris Rose Green Tea Loose Leaf Tin
• Kusmi Tea Paris Tea Infuser

The Limited Edition: Precious Metals Box ($120) is currently available exclusively on Birchbox. The Rebecca Taylor Pouch features a sharp leopard print canvas that is perfect for storing all beauty essentials and can double as a chic clutch. The Pouch will be available Dec. 2.

Rounding out the week of fun was the Friday, Nov. 22 announcement of Birchbox Cyber Monday Offers! This year, Birchbox is offering a few exclusive offers to its customers and a new shopping experience.

Birchbox Cyber Monday Deals:

• Birchbox Mobile - The Birchbox Shop has launched in the brand’s mobile app and first-time mobile app purchasers can use code MOBILE20 to get 20% off mobile app purchases
• Birchbox and Rebecca Taylor – Birchbox customers, who spend $55 on full-size products, can get the Rebecca Taylor Pouch for free by using code REBECCAGIFT and an exclusive 25% off shopping offer that comes inside each pouch
• Birchbox Points Offer – Earn extra points on Cyber Monday (Dec. 2) - check out the chart in the slideshow

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Beauty Codes For Beautiful Cyber Monday Deals

After a festive Thanksgiving filled with turkey, stuffing, and pies galore, battling the craziness of Black Friday shopping could seem like a daunting endeavor. Instead of waiting in lines this year, score great beauty buys for everyone on your list during Cyber Monday. From the comfort of your couch, grab your computer and check out these beautiful deals on must-have beauty items!

Colorescience

• Experience makeup that does more with a buy more, save more Colorescience special! Buy $75 and get $10 Off, buy $100 and get $15 Off, and buy $150 get $20 Off
• Enter code: THANKS10, THANKS15, THANKS20
• Offer available: Cyber Monday

Weleda

• Nourish your skin and soul with 25% off all products on Weleda.
• Enter Code: FRIDAY on Black Friday and MONDAY on Cyber Monday
• Offer Available: 11/29 – 11/30 and 12/1 – 12/2

Vichy

• Stress less and avoid lines (in-store and on your face), receive $15, $25, $35 off your purchase of $60, $90, $125 or more on Black Friday or 25% off your entire order on Cyber Monday on VichyUSA. Free shipping and a complimentary tote bag are also included.
• Enter Code: FRIDAY15, FRIDAY25, FRIDAY35
• Offer Available: 11/22, 11/25-11/30
• Enter Code: CYBER13
• Offer Available: 12/1-12/3

FirstAidBeauty

• Turbo charge your holiday shopping with this FAB deal: get 30% off purchases on FirstAidBeauty and free shipping on all orders.
• Code: CYBERMONDAY
• Offer available: Cyber Monday

Hydroxatone

• Let your skin rejoice, Hydroxatone products will be 25% off on Ulta. Additionally, with any $50 qualifying purchase on Ulta, customers will receive a cross-branded Beauty Bag filled with deluxe size samples, including Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream (.5mL)
• Code: Discount is automatic
• Offer Available: Cyber Monday

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