Honeycat Cosmetics Giveaway

As a thank you for supporting BLACKswan Beauty, I am happy to announce that the official HONEYCAT COSMETICS giveaway is finally here. You can win all natural products that put a fresh sexy spin on bath time.

Several ways to win:

1. Subscribe directly to BLACKswan Beauty and leave a comment with your favorite bath time ritual.
2. "Like" my FaceBook page and leave your comment there.
3. Follow me on Twitter @BLACKswanBeauty to tweet this giveaway.
4. Shy about sharing? Send me a message at toscha@blackswanbeauty.com.

NOTE: Be sure to include New2BSB with each comment. Contest open to U.S. residents (in the 50 states/D.C.) only. Winners will be chosen at random on 1/23/11 at 6 pm EST. You will have 24 hours to respond.

What's New Pussycat?

Some of you know I have a feline fetish (particularly Cat Woman). But I'll save that for another post...Anyhoo, I came across a fun feline brand, HONEYCAT COSMETICS, that appeals to the kitten in us all. HONEYCAT COSMETICS was created by Theresa Spruill. And I was super excited that she sent me some products to review (see pix). My favorite was the Frisky Kitty Bath Time Fizzy/$10. I loved everything -- from the paw printed packaging to the lingering fragrance (honey and lilac).

The products make grooming a purr-fect experience every time with lush body lotions and creams, velvety milk martinis, and edible body powders. Even better, the line contains "good for you" ingredients like aloe, sweet almond oil, mango, cocoa and Shea butter to name a few. What's more you can pucker up with a pink peppermint gloss...yum.

Orders of $50 or more get a charming tank top (gratis)!!! You can preview all of the products from this line here. HONEYCAT will partner with BLACKswan Beauty for a contest. (To enter, you must follow/subscribe direct to BSB blog.) You can expect a HONEYCAT giveaway early 2011! Details soon!

(Note: Also, all products were received through sponsorship. I was not paid for my review and have no affiliation with the company.)

Korres Cosmetics...For Natural Beauty

A brand for those who prefer a natural approach to beauty without compromising color and care.

KORRES delivers with the High Drama Antioxidant Color Collection -- seven pieces of their best-selling color products needed to create a look for every day or special occasions. The set includes:

mascara -- with pro vitamin B5 and rice bran to strengthen and condition lashes.

four shadows -- formulated with sunflower and evening primrose oil for crease resistant lids.

eyeliner --creamy formula rich in Vitamin E and jojoba oil.

lip gloss -- high shine gloss potent with Vitamins C and E.

The collection is formulated without parabens, dyes and sulfates but contains high concentrations of the good stuff like botanicals, minerals and essential oils. Available at www.sephora.com for $39.50 You may also like the Evening Primrose & Sunflower Oil Antioxidant Eye Quad in Warm, Neutral, Cool and Smoky/$35.

Although the eye palettes had the shades I'm drawn to, I found that the payoff wasn't quite the same (but this can quickly be remedied by using an eye shadow base). The shimmer isn't overwhelming in any quad and will look good on the mature woman. The four-pack shadows are inseparable but small enough to carry in your makeup case for retouches. If you prefer ingredients that are good for your skin and make you look good, then this is for you.

Slough It Off

FOUND: Yet another body scrub. Why do I love them so? I liken them to a mini-spa treatment every time I use them. They buff away dead skin, hydrate with oils and increase circulation. You already know I LOVE my Kiehls Soy & Honey. The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Body Scrub didn't have the grainy texture I prefer in a scrub. But my skin felt baby smooth.

On to the next one: TREEHUT SHEA SUGAR BODY SCRUB. Borrowing from the super food group - almond oil and honey - it does the body good. Also combines safflower seed and avocado oil for a nourishing treatment. And fragrant orange oil supports collagen formation, detoxifying and repairs sun damage. Plus the Shea is moisturizing, increases elasticity, and diminishes stretch marks and scars. The sugar provides exfoliation to remove dry/dead skin. Only quip is it's somewhat messy when you're scooping it out of the jar. It's paraben free and super cheap/$8.

You may also like: ST. IVES IN-SHOWER BODY POLISH, BOOTS AMAZON FOREST BRAZIL NUT & VANILLA BODY SCRUB, and FRESH SUGAR ACAI BODY SCRUB.

A Natural Beauty

Face it, we L-O-V-E makeup! Ruby red lipstick. Smokey eye shadows. Volume packed mascara. But some of us are a little curious about the contents...even a bit concerned. Reports of toxic ingredients have many women tossing top brands to avoid side effects. What's a gal to do? Eco-friendly/organic/natural products to the rescue. Free of (most) parabens , synthetics, sulfates and artificial ingredients.

Here's a list of goodies to use from your nose to your toes:

ALL OVER BEAUTY: REVOLUTION ORGANICS All Over Body Balm -- the ultimate multi-tasker. Can be used as a makeup primer, hair conditioner, and even relieves chapped lips with organic cocoa butter, Shea butter and apricot oil.

HAIR: BURT'S BEES Very Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner with Pomegranate & Soy -- sulfate-free shampoo is gentle on hair with white soy amino acids to create extra lift. 97.2% natural.

LIPS: TARTE NATURAL Lip Stain -- infused with peppermint to glide over lips and increase moisture by 6000%.

FACE: ORIGINS Nourishing Face Lotion -- restores moisture and softness with weightless butters and organic sunflower oil. A blend of clove, rose, lavender, patchouli and red thyme essential oils protect the purity of the product.

EYES: URBAN DECAY Vegan Palette -- six top selling shadows that just happen to be "all natural."

NAIL: ZOYA Nail Polish -- vegan friendly lacquers in an abundance of creamy, shimmery or metallic colors.

(Thanks to BSBB reader Joey N. for the inquiry...hope this helps!)