The Goudlylox Gift Guide: Gifts for Gal Pals

Like every other good blogger, I have been compiling a list of gifts worth giving all year. Here is the thing with gift guides: People list stuff you can buy, but what if you don't know what your giftee would like? What if they like gadgets and beauty? What about the people you want to impress or ladies who love their cosmetics and have seen it all? Welcome to the first installment of The Gouldylox Gift Guide: Gifts for Gal Pals.

Gal Pals are your friends you hang with when you go out. Or maybe they are the group you lunch with. They aren't your besties, but they fall completely within range of being gift worthy. Instead of cookies or an ornament, here are some fun ideas that won't break the bank, but will leave them oohing and ahhing.

Pick up a few of these collections and create your own personalized little gift baskets (or makeup clutches). They're thoughtful, hand-picked and easy on the wallet. Here are my selections for your gal pals.

And since it's Cyber Monday, be sure to check out my list of checkout codes and store coupons to make the most of your money.
Stila Smudge Pot Holiday Collection, $32: These little pots pack seriously addictive color.

BE Keychain Kisses, $15: - These little lip glosses are small enough to go anywhere and leave you smoochable at all times.

Urban Decay 24/7 Super Stash, $36: This set of nine mini liners includes favorites and a few new shades, so there is something for everyone!

BE Buxom Babes About Town, $39: This lip stick and lip polish collection contain colors that are sure to work on all of your friends.

Radiant Skin Regimen Sampler by Sephora, $38 - What a great way to share your favorite products with your gals!

Fresh's Star Light, Star Bright, $28, This kit contains multiple goodies at bargain prices. Everything inside is sure to please!

Shower gel Collection from Korres, $9: These floral shower gels are a wonderful way to wake up! Use code Gouldylox at checkout and save 30%!

Mix and match from any or each of these collections and you will surely leave your gal pals a bunch of happy campers.

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Black Friday Through Cyber Monday: Sales and Checkout Codes Too Good To Miss

Happy CyberMonday! Here is a list of shopping codes and deals I've compiled. There is a lot to haul- what is on your list?

TODAY ONLY! Everything at Tarte is 40% off, plus you get a gift for you AND free shipping! Use checkout code CYBERMON9.

Kate Somerville is offering 30% off November 27 -30 with checkout code KATE2009. Go here for my review of Quench.

Bare Escentual Friends and Family Sale December 2-6: 20% off with checkout code BLOGFRIENDS.

Sue Devitt Beauty is offering free shipping from November 27-30 with checkout code SHP1109. Check out my Sue Devitt Story.

Drugstore.com is extending their $5 off $30 or $10 off $50 offer. Click here to add the code to your order.

Vis-a-Vis Cosmetics is selling everything on their website for $5! (Plus tax and shipping)

Stila is offering huge discounts on many items, up to 80%! I can't keep track of everything on sale, you have to look for yourself! UPDATE: Free shipping, with no minimum purchase now through Monday! Use code THANKS at checkout.

Smashbox Friends and Family Sale now through December 1, save 20% with checkout SBFF9.

Korres is offering 30% off of everything with code GOULDYLOX at checkout and free shipping when you spend over $35. This code should be good through 12/15.

LORAC is giving you a free gift with purchases over $50 and offering free shipping (over $50). Go here for a review of one of my favorite concealers.

Beautydeals.net is offering 20% off November 27-29 with checkout code 6291.




Finally, give back to yourself by entering to win $1,000 in beauty products from Beauty Xpose!

UPDATE!

Lancome is also having a friends and family sale - save 20% online and get free shipping through November 30 with code HOLIDAYJOY2.

Shu Uemura is giving free shipping and the 20% discount using WISHDELUXE09 when you checkout, today only!

Keihls is giving 20% off orders and get free shipping on orders of $30 or more. Enter FAMILY at checkout. Code is good through December 1, 2009.

Too Faced cosmetics is offering 30% off and free shipping on orders of $50 or more with code LUCKYBREAKS. This code should be good through the holidays.

Code HOLIDAY on Bobbi Brown will get you a free Indigo Gel liner.

Save 20% at Bliss with code CYBER20.

Save 10% at Juara with code NOV09.

Save 20% at Sally's Beauty Supply with code 55945.

Save 20% at Peter Thomas Roth Cyber Monday only. No code needed.

Lierac Paris wants you to use checkout code FF2009 through December 6th and save 30%.

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First Look: Nubar to Launch Prisms Nail Polish Collection in January

By guest blogger, Anne Houseman, of Beauty Xpose.





Those of you who’ve been following us for a while know of our long-time love for Nubar Nail Lacquers. With a brilliant spectrum of colors in different themed collections released each season, perhaps the best part of these long-lasting lacquers are what they don’t have — harmful, carcinogenic ingredients including formaldehyde, toluene and phthalate (often found in many popular salon brands). These pretty polishes are also vegan and cruelty free, so you can be rest assured that no matter what color suits your fancy, it was created with the highest standards in mind.

We were fortunate enough to get the first look at the Nubar Prism Collection, which is scheduled to be released in January. The prisms collection consists of eight spectacular nail polish colors inspired by the colorful play of light through a prism. Each is filled with holographic glitter reflecting every color of the rainbow, with base shades just as varied:

Spark – A shimmering champagne



• Jewel – A dreamy, cool bronze



Gem – A rosy gunmetal glitter



• Essence – A classic pink shimmer



Treasure – A deep translucent purple



• Brilliant – A translucent violet pink (shown with three coats)



Absolute – A translucent shimmery baby blue



• Prize – A hot cherry red



All of the nail polishes glide on evenly without chunky glitter poking through the top as you might expect; the glitter lies flat, resulting in a smooth, glass-like finish. These pictures hardly do the holographic Nubar Prism nail polishes justice — depending on the angle of your nails, the glitter really does pick up every possible color with a magnificent, prismatic play of light. It’s really quite a remarkable sight. Of course, like all the Nubar nail polishes we’ve tested, the polishes are salon-quality and lasted a week without chipping (which is the gold standard for our nails).

Stay tuned for more details on when you’ll be able to purchase the Nubar Prism Collection for yourself. In the meantime, enter our Holiday Haul giveaway, where on Dec. 20, one lucky winner will get the entire Nubar Prism Collection along with $1,000 of other great prizes!



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Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a wonderful day and remember to give thanks for the little things.

Personally, I am thankful for family and friends. I am also thankful for my and Mr. Lox's health, as well as the health of my pets. Finally, I am thankful for the kindness of new friends I have encountered on this blog, as well as at Karma Dogs.

Enjoy your day and Happy Thanksgiving!

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Works of Art and Science: Paul and Joe Beaute'

When I recently visited Baltimore's Brow Whisperer, I was delighted to find a new line cosmetics that I couldn't stop admiring. Paul and Joe Beaute' create beautiful works of art that look as good on you as they do on your vanity.

(Paul and Joe Beaute' Pressed Powder. I love this compact!)


I have been using a mineral powder for touch-ups, which is fine and I have no complaints. But when I saw this compact and tried it on, I realized I had to have it. Not only does the powder look beautiful on, the compact itself reminds me the ones I use to admire on my grandmothers' dressing table.


(This pic doesn't show how gorgeous this compact is in real life, but it is beautiful, trust me!)


This powder offers medium coverage and imparts a slight radiance on the skin, that isn't glittery, despite being able to see bits of sparkle in the powder. It is just a beautiful radiant powder, in an even more beautiful compact.

I couldn't pass up trying Paul and Joe's Lip Lacquer, either. This is the least stickiest lip gloss I have tried in some time. It also wears really, really well. This is no doubt due to the technology behind this gloss, which sets it apart from the rest. Paul and Joe lip lacquer contains thixotropic, a gelatin agent that spreads smoothly over the lips and adheres firmly. Depending on the amount you put on, it could feel slightly "thick", which doesn't bother me the way stickiness does. The result is long lasting, beautiful color and a slightly fuller lip appearance. I picked it up in the color #5, a delicate nectar sheer color. When paired with a creamy foundation and cream blush, it is the perfect finish to a creamy complexion.


(My pucker in Paul and Joe #5 Lip Lacquer)


Check out Paul and Joe Beaute' on Beautyhabit.com, PeaceLoveLipgloss.com or in Baltimore at La Papillon Salon .

I purchased these items because I am a can't pass up new, pretty things.

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BE Friends and Family Sale Starts a Day Early For Readers!

Save 20% on all Bare Escentuals purchases through the boutique and online by using code BLOGFRIENDS at checkout from December 2 - December 6th. (The official friends and family sale starts on December 3.) If you want to shop in-store, print out the invite below and shop 'til you drop. Start planning your haul now!


With so many things to pick up, what are you going to get? Don't forget, if you pick up The Surprise, you may win a lifetime supply of BE Foundation!





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