New Year's Eve Glow Girl Sephora Challenge!

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Dilemma- You've left work early to get ready to celebrate the New Year. You have THE dress. Check. You have the KILLER shoes. Check. But....but...you're missing something. OMG! The tragedy! Is it your favorite lip gloss? Eye shadow? Foundation? You don't have that much time and YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED THIS IN YOUR LIFE to make your night a great night. You remember you have a gift card from Sephora for $25 and you make a hasty decision to make a quick run to the mall.

What is it that you can't possibly live without that would make you drag race to Sephora and use your $25 gift card? We've all been there before at one point or another! Leave a comment telling us what it is and why you can't live without it! ONE comment will be selected to win a Sephora e-gift card!

*Sephora e-gift card comment contest begins December 31st, 2009 and ends January 2, 2010 12:00pm. Comments will need to include a valid email address to be notified if selected as a winner. This contest is only open to those who have NOT already won contests and giveaways on Gimme That Glow. This is only open to US residents. Void where prohibited. One winner will be selected.

Magnum P.I. Martini: Oyin Handmade Investigation

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Case #	20091128	Title	Addictive Scents
Report #	20091128.1	Subject	007 - Addictive Prod.
Location	2103 N. Charles St
City	Baltimore	MD	http://www.oyinhandmade.com/
Precinct	1	District	1
Occurred	11/28/2009 12:46:00 PM	Between	N/A
Report Date	12/01/2009 6:19:53 PM
Reported By	Officer Martini	Badge	2126

Report Narrative

Officer Martini crept like a stealthy cat. Unbeknownst to the shop owners Jamyla, HoneyBaby and Pierre I decided to drop in and "check them out." Word on the street was that they had "natural handmade products" that were so good...they instantly made their customers addicted. After researching them online and deciding what products I was going to purchase I made my move. The shop- a clean vanilla box, quaint and bohemian chic I couldn't help but to be impressed with their "front." No sooner than I walked in the door, their trusty sales associate pounced on me like a ninja. His smile and offer to assist me almost made me blow my cover. I carefully tried out their testers. One by one the scents were heavenly. The products felt good and healthy. The packaging effective and sleek. Then HoneyBaby was probably on to me. Holding a small jar of Shine & Define, he squealed loudly and smiled that cute baby smile. I knew I didn't have that much time before he would figure me out. Then Jamyla smiled and complimented me on my hair and asked if I were natural. Quickly I replied :YES.  She asked what method I used to style my hair...I began to panic..maybe HoneyBaby tipped her off...maybe she sensed something was up...I told her my method...she said it looked nice. I smiled and placed my "products" on the counter. Yeah, I couldn't help myself...I purchased two products. The Shine & Define (delectably citrus and coconut scented. Light and airy) and the Juices & Berries (island breezes wafted from its bottle I wanted to sail away). The associate rang up my items...I began to look around for a quick escape...then....then....a 10% discount...a sample shampoo bar. HOW COULD THEY DO THAT?! Oh, they are smarts ones....placing my items in a nondescript brown kraft bag- we said our good days and good byes....but I know I'll be back. I got home and used the Juices & Berries and haven't stopped yet. I must warn you: THEIR PRODUCTS ARE WORTH BECOMING INSANELY ADDICTED. I have over the weekend just opened the containers just to smell them. The cunning couple have their operations online along with funny Youtube vids. Indulge yourself. Tell em Officer Martini sent you. Offenses Offense #1 Offense Description Completed Addictive Scent and Product Y Victims Victim #1 Individual Name Gender/Race/Age Officer Martini F / B / ?? Address www.gimmethatglow.com Worldwide, USA 00000

Carmex Is Evil...

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When I think of lip gloss, lip balm, chap stick or whatever it is that you call it...my mind automatically reverts to my good old trusty can't-live-without-it Carmex. Those who know me might call it an addiction but I beg to differ. Just because I apply it an average of 10-12 times a day does that justify calling it an obsession? And just because I go into panic mode & have withdrawal symptoms similar to a cocaine addicted feign; whenever I misplace my little crack in a yellow jar....does that really constitute addiction? OK I admit it & maybe my critics are right...But here's why the chapped-lip patrol will never catch me unarmed. To me, dry lips are the equivalence of not being well groomed. I've tried other products but none are comparable to the brand I love. I like it because it doesn't have a waxy feel or an overbearing scent, I used to like the cooling sensation it gave after applying it but due to my consistent use I've become immune to that special tingle. It simply has lasting power & holds moisture for hours. But, even with all the perks I still find myself applying it numerous times a day. What's my problem?

Carmex is the third-largest selling lip balm in the country (WOW!)I wanted to get to the core of this so called addiction; So I decided to do a little independent research, which led me on a whirlwind of unanswered questions. I started by actually reading the ingredients on my tube of Carmex. Active Ingredients included Menthol, Camphor and Phenol...Wait a minute 'Menthol' isn't that used in cigarettes? Like many, I've heard the rumors & urban legends that Carmex can be addictive because of it's dirty, grimy, medicated ingredients...But nevertheless these rumors never made me self conscious about what I was applying on my lips.

After one simple search presented countless results, there was one finding that really stood out to me. It suggested that Carma Labs; the creator of Carmex "does admit to putting salicylic acid into their product, and they acknowledge the rumor that they put ground fiber glass into the lip balm." And Carma Labs has never denied this rumor...(Oh my..say it ain't so) I have no intentions of jumping on the band wagon of the fiber glass rumor because I think that's pretty far fetched...by the way Carmex is FDA approved...and so are cigarettes, caffeine and the list goes on...

To make a long story "which could eventually turn into a Babara Walters special" a little less intense; I discovered and came to the conclusion that these so called harsh ingredients can be addictive if you use massive quantities...but that's the case with any medication Right? Although the dangers of long-term use are still up in the air, I can attest that personally I haven't recognized any physical differences in using this product VS other medicated lip balms...well you know besides the fact that I can't go a day without it...And just a side note; the Menthol ingredient is used as a cooling vapour to relieve itch....Wheeeww...I'm relieved.

For more in depth information on the Pros & Cons of CRACK carmex you can check it out Here.

And for all my Carmex lovers here's a little something for you...

Maybe I'm behind but I just discovered that Carmex comes in different flavors...yummmmm....Strawberry, Mint & Cherry. I don't know if they're holding back on me but I've never seen any of those flavors in stores. And I almost went into a carmexic coma when I saw that they make a whopping 1/2 & 1/4oz. jar of the stuff....But hold those chapped lips people, the massive jar is only available online. Talk about chap stick heaven. God forbid that they ever stop making it because I'll be the one selling my TV & microwave for a hit of the scrapings...

*Sidenote* My sister introduced me to the variety pack sold @ Sam's Club Wholesale...(I was in aww)