Guiltless Goodies: SELF's seasonal sparkly suggestions

Hi all:

SELF Magazine's December issue featured all that sparkles in both clothing and make-up. I previously posted on the clothing, but here is the make-up feature - thankfully, the majority of products featured in this editorial are cruelty-free, so there is a fantastic range of sparkly, glittery cosmetics here for both body and face! For full feature, click here.

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

BODY
AVON Spotlight Moisturizing Shimmer Gel, $10

This gel is a clear winner, with see-through sparkle and a delicate floral scent.

NYX Cosmetics Glitter Gel, $4

Feeling festive? Gild yourself with NYX's glitter gel. Smooth one pump into palms, then spread evenly over your arms, legs and neck.

Soap & Glory Glow Lotion, $10

Brighten pale skin with rose-coloured body highlighter Soap & Glory Glow Lotion. Spray on right after moisturizing; rub in a circular motion to blend.

Victoria's Secret Garden Holiday Shimmering Powder Puff in Sparkling Sugared Pear, $8

Gold-flecked shimmering powder imparts a heavenly halo effect and aroma.

HAIR

Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Liquid Glass Serum, $7

Go from lacklustre to glossy in an instant with the silk protein and avocado oil in Organix's serum.

Ultra-thin gold Revlon headband, $6 (comes in a 2-pack with a silver band as well)

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Prettify any style by adding a bit of bling.

MAKE-UP

Revlon DoubleTwist Mascara, $9

Chose a volumizing formula with a wide wand such as this mascara to cover every lash - from inner to outer corners- with a single swipe. (You'll use less, so it's economical, too). Comb out clumps, then cover lower lashes with clear mascara to avoid raccoon eyes.

Sephora Glitter Pot in Silver, $8

Swipe a wet eyeliner brush into the ultra-fine glitter pot. Brush across lids to achieve eye-catching allure.

Mark Mini Mark It Stick for Eyes eyeliner and shadow in Gold Opal, $8

For golden, smoky eyes, line lids with this supersoft eyeliner and eyeshadow and lightly smudge.

Femme Couture Mineral Effects Baked Eye Colour in Pure Platinum, $7

Chemical-free Femme Couture eye shadow goes on sheer; layering creates an opaque effect.

Mehron Metallic Powder, $8

Accessorize eyes with silvery metallic powder.

Smudgeproof e.l.f. Liquid Eyeshadow in Sexy Silver, $1

This eyeshadow glides on easily while the noncreasing finish equals that of pricier brands.

Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Glitter Mascara in Gold Digger, $6

If sparkly shadow seems a bit much, dazzle them with a swipe of Hard Candy glitter mascara.

Guiltless Goodies: FITNESS award winners - the 'safe' products

Read full feature at www.fitnessmagazine.com


Hi all!

Here are the details of the products that passed GiGi's safety test!

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Face Finds:
BEST SERUM - Estee Lauder item removed because company tests on animals.

BEST MOISTURIZER - Philosophy Divine Illumination, $85, qvc.com - This antiager contains light-reflecting mica for instant radiance. "It gave a dewy glow without too much shine," says Judi Roode of Wrentham, Massachusetts. Over time, ingredients like niacinamide work to wipe out wrinkles.

BEST MAKEUP REMOVER - Wet N Wild Eye Makeup Remover, $1.99, drugstores - Oil-free and enriched with aloe vera, this gentle formula whisks away waterproof mascara from lids and lashes. Bonus: "I love that it comes in a small, easy-to-pack bottle," says Abigail Oesterling of Butler, Pennsylvania.

Complexion Correctors:
BEST PORE MINIMIZER - Boscia Skin Perfecting Primer, $28, sephora.com - Pores look larger when they're filled with oil, which temporarily stretches them. This gel is made with peppermint and vitamin B5, which absorb sebum, leaving a "matte surface that lasted all day," says Cassandra TenBrink of Goodrich, Michigan.

BEST MASK - Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask, $35, clarins.com - Hyaluronic acid helps prevent moisture loss, restoring your glow, while sorbier, a tree-bud extract, boosts circulation, helping sun-damaged skin look even more vibrant. It can even bolster your budget: "It softened my skin so much, I was able to use less night cream and save money," says Izabela Szabo of Chicago.

BEST SKIN REFRESHER - HydroPeptide Polish and Plump Peel, $68, hydropeptide.com - In this two-step treatment, peptides reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while lactic acid and vitamin C whisk away dullness. "It left my skin smoother and visibly brighter," says Susan Payment of Colorado Springs.

Best Base:
BEST NAIL POLISH - Essie Spring 2009 Color Collection, $8 per bottle, essie.com - Finally - a one-minute manicure. These shades looked perfect with just one quick coat. "My usual polishes chip within days," says Andrea Woodward of Omaha. "This one lasted nearly a week."

BEST EYE DEFINER - N.Y.C. New York Color Metro Quartet, $3.99, drugstores - This smart eye quad, smaller than a credit card, clears up the what-goes-where confusion. The four long-lasting powders - designed for lids, creases, brow bones and lash lines - "come with how-to-apply instructions, making them oops-proof," Warren says.

BEST BLUSH - Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter, $11.95, drugstores - This palette works several ways. Blend the five waves of color for a sun-kissed glow. Or "use them separately as highlighter or even an eye shadow," says Alina Yakovenko of Vancouver, Washington.

Body and Sun Standouts:
BEST CLEANSER - Nivea item removed as Nivea is owned by Beiersdorf, who do test on animals.

BEST FOOT FIXER - Sephora Super Foot Scrub, $22, sephora.com - Get silky spa-pedicure soles at home. The sugar scrub, paired with its brushlike applicator, makes it a cinch to slough off dead, dry skin from heels and toes. "It's instant callus control in a bottle," says Daphne LaSalle of Altus, Oklahoma.

BEST EVERYDAY FACE PROTECTOR - Murad Oil Control Mattifier SPF 15, $39.50, murad.com - This broad-spectrum UVA/UVB shield is infused with willow-bark and argan extracts, which reduce oil production all day. Plus, "it's a great primer for makeup," says Caitlyn Beacham of Oklahoma City.

BEST SCRUB - C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Pomegranate Body Scrub, $15, bathandbodyworks.com - Skin-brightening lemon extract and pomegranate, a super-antioxidant, join forces in this cream exfoliator, which "leaves skin looking radiant from neck to toe," says dermatologist tester Hema Sundaram, M.D.

Hair Helpers:
BEST SHAMPOO - Nexxus Dualiste Color Protection + Volume Shampoo, $11.99, nexxus.com for info - This wash coats hair with shine-inducing ginseng and flaxseed oil. And its hydrophobic formula prevents water from sinking into the shaft and washing away dye. "It also removed all traces of styling product," says Caron Gross of Hagerstown, Maryland.

Workout Bag Winners:
BEST PALETTE - Smashbox Cosmetics Beauty Guru Palette, $47, smashbox.com - This houses three swiveling tiers, packed with 10 makeup must-haves, from bronzer to gloss. "It has everything I need, including a mirror," says Bobbi Wessels of Jacksonville, North Carolina.

BEST CLEANSING WIPES - mark Make It Go Away Makeup Remover Wipes, $8, meetmark.com - Use these cloths before hitting the gym to wipe away potentially pore-clogging foundation, and afterward to erase sweat and oil "They left my face feeling refreshed," says Aronda Dent of Stafford, Virginia.