GIVEAWAY (Closed): Eylure False Lashes

It’s giveaway time! A few weeks ago, I wrote about how fabulous Eylure false lashes are. Now the generous people at Eylure want you to try them out, too. In this giveaway, two winners will receive one pair of Eylure falsies. Up for grabs: one pair of Naturalites Double Lashes, which feature two bands of lashes for a dramatic effect; and one pair of Naturalites Super Full to add a boost of length and thickness to your natural lashes.

Here’s how to enter:
1. Follow Eylure on Twitter.
2. Like SugarSocial on Facebook and leave a comment on the Eylure post, telling me which pair of lashes you have to have
OR
3. Leave a comment below.

Post here and on Facebook to earn 2 entries!

Contest ends Wednesday, August 3 at 11:59PM Eastern time. The winner will be chosen at random and notified via email and/or Facebook message. Good luck!

Eylure lashes are available now at Ulta.

Gel-ous: A Fling With OPI Axxium

My nails are my biggest embarrassment. I find myself folding my fingers into my palms and tucking them under my legs when sitting far too often. Every time my nails start to grow past my fingertips, I inevitably start picking at them and eventually rip the tips off. No matter how hard I try, I can’t break this disgusting habit. It makes my nails stubby and ruins any shot at a decent manicure.

So I finally decided to suck it up and get an OPI Axxium gel mani.

Summer Scents: Acqua Di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo Line

Italian perfumer Acqua di Parma is known for their striking, long-lasting fragrances and quality perfumes. The fact that they’re housed in gorgeous blue bottles reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea doesn’t hurt. But what will really draw you in are the lovely scents housed in these crisp blue bottles and jars, all inspired by regions of Italy and what they represent. They capture the beauty of the country in a sniff (not including the decadent tiramisu, crunchy pizza, pillowy pasta, and lush wines Italy is known for). Now is the time this blog needs smell-a-vision! Here is a sampling of what you can expect from these intoxicating fragrances.

Arancia di Capri: Fresh and bright, this scent evokes the oranges and citrus trees and the shimmering blue water lapping at the shores of sunny Capri.

Fico di Amalfi: a blend of figs, lemon, tangerine, and grapefruit that takes you to the citrus groves and white-roofed houses that dot the Mediterranean coastline.

Sparkling Smile: Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss

I am a huge fan of Bobbi Brown‘s lipglosses. They’re gorgeously colored, not too tacky, and long-wearing. My only complaint is that the tubes are so small for their price (around $22 for a teeny tiny tube!).

In her latest limited-edition collection, Tortoiseshell, Bobbi zapped her glosses with a magic wand and made them bigger. High Shimmer Lip Gloss ($23) comes in a full-sized tube and features a gorgeously shimmery gloss in 3 shades. I picked up Bare Sparkle, a glittery champagne nude. (I really wanted Bellini, a nude pink, but Bloomingdales was sold out.) The gloss is classic Bobbi (comfortable, non-tacky, and utterly gorgeous) but kicked up with unabashed sparkle. It’s really sheer with just a touch of color, so I’ve been layering a pretty pinky-nude lipstick underneath. It’s summertime casual, yet polished.

GIVEAWAY (Closed): FORAGE Bowties

UPDATE: Congrats to our winner Sam!
FORAGE, a beautiful line of handcrafted bowties based right here in Philadelphia, turns one today. To help celebrate the line’s birthday, Shauna & Stephen, the lovely and talented duo behind the brand (who you may know from Something’s Hiding In Here), want to give YOU a bowtie.

The winner will receive one bowtie in a vintage chambray plum fabric (pictured), handmade by Shauna and Stephen.

One of the best things about Forage bowties is their unisex appeal. Ladies, snag one of these to give to your favorite boy (who’ll obviously look very dapper in it), or wear it yourself! The ‘ties also make great hair accessories. How you wear it is limited only by your imagination.

To enter, post a comment here by 11:59pm eastern time on Wednesday, July 27. One winner will be chosen at random and notified by email on Thursday, July 28. Good luck!

MAC Fall ’11: Colourizations

Since Seasonally Supreme was all about the lips, MAC’s other fall collection (there are about 10 of them — exaggeration) is all about the eyes. Opposites attract! Colourizations takes seemingly contrasting colors and puts them side by side, letting you create juxtapositions and complementing looks. Take your eye color to new heights with color combos in risque palettes that stimulate the eyes and create intrigue. Double Features (pre-packed palettes with 2 shades of eyeshadow) come in 8 daring pairings. They’re being introduced just as summer fades away, so you can still play with color long after the lazy days draw shorter.

From left:
Technakohl Liner ($15) in Jade Way, Purple Dash, Auto-de-blu, Uniform, Photogravure, and Graphblack.

Zoomlash mascara ($15) in Zoomblack

Brushes: 227 Medium Angled Shading Brush ($24.50) and 222 Tapered Blending Brush ($29)

Click through to see the centerpieces of this collection: Pro Palette Eyeshadow x 2

Body Art for Commitment-Phobes

I am loving Tattly, a new line of beautiful temporary body art ($5-$35). Dreamed up by designers, these temp tats let you indulge your fantasy of getting inked without the life-long commitment. They’re pretty, artsy, painless, and last just long enough for you to scratch the tat itch. Why not adorn yourself for a few days? I’m drooling over the color wheel design.Images via Tattly

One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Balm

Every once in awhile comes a beauty product that has many hidden uses that weren’t originally on the label. Because these products are so rare, they’re usually a gem when you discover them. So imagine buying a product knowing it has about 10 different uses that they name on the label. Pretty cool, right? That’s the case with One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Balm ($68).

This little tub of geniusness contains a light balm that serves as: a makeup remover, hair styling cream, flyaway tamer, body lotion, luminizer, primer for face powder, pomade, and skin soother. Phew! Is there anything this little pot can’t do? Well, it might not be able to scrub your bathroom into spotlessness, but that might be all it can’t do.

Since it’s peak vacation season, you might want to throw a jar of this in your suitcase and leave everything else behind!

Laura Mercier Fall ’11: Canyon

Laura Mercier is known for her polished approach to natural beauty. Her fall 2011 collection, Canyon, totally fits within that realm, and features beautiful earth tones reminiscent of amber deserts, illuminated sunsets, copper canyons, and green foliage. No one feature stands out; everything is gently highlighted to bring balance to the face and maximize natural beauty. Cheeks and lips are bathed in warm ambered hues, and eyes get the green treatment with pine and cedar-inspired hues.

Click through for photos and details.

How To: Beachy Waves

Beachy waves are undeniably gorgeous. Tousled and imperfect, they evoke a carefree, fun-loving lifestyle.

The last thing I want to do is sit under a hot hairdryer for at least 30 minutes on a sweltering summer afternoon. I’ve been giving up my straight hair in favor of these easy beachy waves, which require no dryer and give you extra free time. And they’re super easy to score!

Click through to learn how to rock them.