BellaSugar

Birchbox: The High-End Beauty-in-a-Box Sampler Kit

Jaime Richards — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 07:00:18 PST

Have you heard of Birchbox? It's the latest beauty products sampler-in-a-box that's been generating a whole lot of buzz - and with good reason. For $10 per month (or a one-time $110 payment for a full year), you can try out four to five larger-size high-end samples from brands such as NARS, Deborah Lippmann, Stila, Phyto, and Too Faced. There are even plenty of opportunities to earn points along with way.

Cofounder Katia Beauchamp put it best when she likened it to a mashup of fruit of the month-meets-Sephora-meets-Allure kind of experience. "My business partner Hayley Barna and I came up with the idea while we were still at school [Harvard Business School], specifically, December 2009. We had a successful beta while in school, graduated in May, and launched in September," Katia explained. Have you tried out Birchbox - or if you haven't, are you planning on it?

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FREE Sample Alert: Alavert Allergy Medication

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:30:00 PDT

It's FREE sample alert time again and this time it's allergy medication. I'd say it's very appropriate since this is one of the worst allergy seasons ever.

Alavert, the makers of the quick-dissolving tablets that melt in your mouth and provide non-drowsy, 24-hour allergy relief are offering FREE samples right now. They come in two flavors - Original Mint and Citrus Burst. Personally, I like to keep some form of allergy relief in my purse in case I have a run in with a cat (or blossoming tree for that matter) -- Sample sized Alavert tabs are perfect for just that, especially since water is not needed to take Alavert.

To get your free samples, just visit here and fill out the information along with answering two questions on your current allergy medication preference. It's super quick, I promise.

Beauty Byte: NewBeauty Believes Samples Sell

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:35:55 PST

If you're a product sample junkie, then you'll be a sucker for the latest in super-sized swag. As opposed to tiny samples in magazines, NewBeauty is offering subscription-only mailings of TestTube™ sized samples in conjunction with retailers and cosmetics companies.

Although they aren't totally free, for just $25 you get an estimated net worth of $200 in samples along with a brochure that details the benefits of the products and how to use them. Participants include: Lancôme, Jane Iridale, Purpose, Skingenic, CaliDerma, Babor, GoSmile, ROC, SuperSmile and Bioelements. This program was founded in the fall and has already generated 11,000 subscribers within two issues of the magazine.

To read more about NewBeauty,

Adam Sandow, chief executive officer of Sandow Media, which publishes NewBeauty said,

"We were sitting with an advertiser, and were told, 'We love NewBeauty, but we need to come up with another way to quantify how many people are responding to this ad.' That's when we came up with the idea for the TestTube, which offers samples - some of which are full size - of beauty products, both mass market and prestige.

Four times a year, a new TestTube is sent to subscribers, along with a detailed survey. We're then able to go back to advertisers and say things like, 'Twenty-two percent of those who got your sample say that they'll buy this product,' and for those the users didn't like we can say, 'Well, here's why they don't like it.' It's phenomenal information for them."

Based on the success of the TestTube project from NewBeauty a new project called the BeautyBox will be available each quarter for retail outlets for $29.59. Soon you will be able to purchase the BeautyBox at Nordstrom and Barnes & Noble - and by the end of the year it is expected to enter additional retail and outlet stores. Looks like they are really onto something here...sign me up!

Exclusive, Early Access to James Perse's Summer Sale

PopSugar Shop — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:55:00 PDT

With all of this warm weather we're experiencing, there's no better time than the present to be draped in luscious, lightweight knits. Our personal choice? James Perse, of course. Especially when such a wide selection of the designer's Summer collection is going on sale - and a big sale at that. Join PopSugar Shop as they give you early access to James Perse's current sample sale, a full two days before it goes live to the public. We recommend you shop now before your size runs out; after all, that would be a travesty.

Back on Track: Map Out the Week's Healthy Dinner Menu

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:45:06 PDT

After getting home from a busy day of work, especially if I hit the gym, the same question always pops into mind - what to make for dinner? Without a plan in mind, it's easy to fall back on boxed mac and cheese or Chinese takeout, which aren't the healthiest options. To prevent scrambling to whip together a not-so-healthy meal, take time to map out your dinner menu for the week. Knowing which dishes you're making will also make you more efficient in the grocery store. Here's a sample menu (complete with a grocery list) that you can follow to ensure your weekdays always end in a nutritious meal.

Monday: Salad With Grilled Chicken and Fresh Strawberries

What you'll need:

Chicken
Fresh spinach
Carrots
Cucumber
Green peppers
Broccoli
Strawberries (feel free to add other fresh or dried fruits)
Avocado
Goat cheese (optional)
Your favorite dressing

Continue reading for the rest of the week's healthy menu and grocery list.

Are Your Undertones Warm or Cool? Take the Quiz to Find Out

Jaime Richards — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:00:00 PDT

Have you ever wondered which makeup colors would complement your own skin, hair, and eye colors? Back in the '80s, a huge movement existed that used seasons to determine just that. Were you a Winter or a Summer? And what color palettes would go with said season? On and on the process went - there were even swatch books with fabric samples carefully customized by a color expert so that the guesswork was taken out of each and every shopping trip. They were definitely on to something, though.

Choosing the wrong colors will give you that blah, worn-out look, after all. Choosing the right colors, however, will accentuate your natural features and make you glow. Now that you know how to find your face shape, take this quiz below to uncover more about yourself. See if you're a warm or a cool, and get helpful tips on making your color selections a breeze. Note: It's best to do this test in natural light with a freshly washed face. Also, pull your hair back and keep your shoulders bare so you get a true sense of your natural coloring. Take the quiz now.

Make Breakfast a Moment to Remember

Sponsor — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:00:00 PDT

Mornings can be a lot of things to a busy mom, usually in the form of a morning rush, the morning madness, or an eventful morning circus, but rarely are they referred to as purposeful. Fortunately, Honey Nut Quaker Oatmeal Squares are out to turn that morning insanity into a collected morning routine, and we're on board! Step one: Start each day with a delicious bowl of Honey Nut Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal to prepare you for the madness ahead! Step two: Like us on Facebook and get your free sample of Honey Nut Quaker Oatmeal Squares.

Step three: Have you mastered the morning routine? Share your tips with other busy moms in the comments below!

A Simple Guide to Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

Laura Marie Given — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:00:14 PDT

Choosing to write your own wedding vows can make for a special, personalized ceremony - but it can also mean late nights spent agonizing over each and every line. Your wedding vows are some of the most meaningful words you'll ever say, so it's important to take your time and consider all the possibilities. To make things a bit easier for you, we've come up with a few simple, helpful ideas that will streamline the process.

Set Guidelines:

Decide early on whether you'd prefer to write your vows together or individually. Another option? You can write an opening or closing line together, then personalize the rest of the vows separately.
If you plan to write them individually, agree on a proper length. Depending on the length of your ceremony, you should aim to speak for around 30 seconds to one minute each.
Consider the reading options. Are you good at memorization? Are you worried that your nerves will get the best of you? Ask yourselves if you'd like to memorize your vows or repeat them after your officiant.

Plan Ahead:

To stay sane, don't wait until the last minute. Several months before the big day, start a brainstorm list on your phone or in a notebook so that you can jot down ideas as they come to you.
Be on the lookout for phrases, quotes, or special moments you may want to include. Check out sample vows online to get an idea of which style and content appeals most to you. A poem? A list? A few simple sentences?

Gather Inspiration:

Step back and consider your relationship: its past, the present, and what you hope for the future. Jot down some special memories and funny anecdotes, then list the qualities you love most in your fiancé.
To get in the writing zone, reread your favorite quotes, poems, or even novels. Don't be afraid to deviate from the norm, either. Personal vows can be as traditional or as unconventional as you'd like, so get creative and let yourself think outside the box.

Edit, Edit, Edit:

Remember that you're writing wedding vows - a promise, not a flowery speech - so you should get to the heart of what you want to say. Be thoughtful and concise, and do your best to make every word count.
Worried about the length? Look to traditional vows as a guideline, then read your own vows aloud to see where you may be able to cut.

Did you write your own wedding vows? Share any tips in the comments below!

Photo by Orchard Cove Photography via Style Me Pretty

Goldilocks Never Had It So Good

Sponsor — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:00:00 PDT

No one ever said it was easy being a woman, and certainly NO ONE ever dared to say that it was easy to find your perfect makeup foundation shade (too light, too dark . . . it's easy to feel like Goldilocks!). But fortunately for us, we're living in a L'Oreal Paris True Match™ world, and we are all about to become L'Oreal Paris girls. L'Oreal Paris True Match™ can help make each morning just a little simpler by blending seamlessly into your skin coloring, leaving you with a flawless face and an even better day ahead.

Want to find your perfect True Match color? Visit L'Oreal Paris True Match™ and find out your exact shade, whether it's Light Ivory or Warm, and you can bask in your easy and perfectly matched makeup mornings too.

Be on the lookout for your chance to be part of L'Oreal Paris True Match™ Makeup's BellaSugar Sample Squad!

Stock Up Now: Built by Wendy's Online Sample Sale

Noria Morales — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:04:02 PDT

The crisp, slightly preppy basics on the Built by Wendy online sample sale are screaming for your Spring closet. True to its sample sale name, the prices are cheap for Built by Wendy's signature tailoring and cute details. Warm weather uniform: we love these Military Shorts ($35, originally $117), paired with a Little Yellow Camisole ($32, originally $108). Visit Built by Wendy to check out the sample sale for yourself, which ends Monday, April 11, so no dillydallying.