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Hooray!  Spring is officially here. I can finally pack up all my dark woolen clothes and whip out the whites, brights and open-toed shoes.  The downside of re-introducing a colorful spring wardrobe is that it highlights the pasty winter afterglow.

Throughout the spring months, I’ll be working up to a full-body faux glow.  But to kick off my transition to an enviable golden hue, I’m starting with my face and relying on a bevy of beautiful, believable bronzers.

mark Glowdacious Illuminating Powder ($12 US) is one of actress Ashley Greene’s favorite beauty products.  The Twilight star, also a gorgeous mark spokeswoman, relies on Glowdacious Illumination Powder for her sun-kissed look.  The trio of shimmery shades is arranged in a bulls-eye pattern allowing for a quick concentric brush stroke to pick up all the colors.

Choose from three color options: Prettied Up (light skin tone), Shimmied Up (medium skin tone) and Amped Up (dark skin tone).

For a hint of color without the brush fuss, Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator ($23 US) is the perfect solution.  Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator is great for on-the-spot bronzing without depositing too much color over your morning application.  Use fingers to glide on a modest amount to highlight cheek and brow bones.

Though available in Natural (neutral beige with gold shimmer) and Blush (pink with white shimmer), I’d recommend Bronze if you’re looking for a tanned effect.

Shiseido Bronzer ($35 US) is the silkiest and most luxurious of the bunch.  The oil-free formulation is so airy and light that it creates an air-brushed effect.  The small compact and short flat brush also prevents from bronzer overdose.  Just a modest amount of Bronzer dusted along the cheek bones gets you that that gorgeous J. Lo glow.

Tailor the level of color intensity with one of three shades: Dawn Light (1), Desert Rose (2) and Dusk (3).

The limited edition MAC Wonder Woman Mineralize Skinfinish ($35 US) is my daily go-to bronzer.  The playful red, blue and yellow Wonder Woman packaging is fitting for any glamazon looking to fake a fabulous tan with the skin-damaging downside.  The oversized compact offers two shimmery shades and a larger matte color in the center.

Choose from two color combinations: Pink Power (peachy rose with pink shimmer) or Golden Lariat (true coral with fine gold shimmer).

Topshop Bronze ($16 US) is available in two soft shades: Radiance 1 and Radiance 2.  Both color palettes feature four varying gradations of shimmery tan to play up skin’s natural tones.  Just like the clothing line it’s named after, Bronze delivers an effortless, cool, and beautiful look.  The compact is adorably dressed in black and white stripes that make it a cute accessory both on the face and in makeup bags.

What’s your go-to face bronzer?  Which products do you count on to give you a sun-kissed look?

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

In case you didn’t know, AVON Glazewear Lip Glosses are the brand’s best-selling lip gloss. In fact, they tout that they are America’s best-selling as well, selling an average of 8 Glazewears per minute – who knew?

So if you haven’t picked up a tube yet, today is your lucky day!  We’ve partnered with AVON to give one Daily Cookie reader a full set of Glazewear glosses.  That’s 16 shades in three finishes and one clear tube with SPF 15.

Here’s a little sneak peak at the entire set:

Intense finish (L to R): Crimson, Cherry Liqueur, Intense Plum, Brown Sugar, and Sweet Maple

Shine finish (L to R): Mauve Movement, Darling Pink, Tickled Pink, Iced Pink, and Island Glow

Sparkle finish (L to R): Mocha Latte, Rave, Apple Cinnamon, Mirage, Dazzling Diamond, and Clear

To win this amazing set worth $96 US, all you have to do is fill out the entry from below from now through Friday, July 2nd at 11:55pm PST for your chance to win – good luck!

Love contests? Subscribe to The Daily Cookie RSS feed and email for more opportunities to WIN beauty products from your favorite brands this holiday season!

This giveaway is sponsored by AVON.

What: mark’s Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 is a multi-tasking, time-saving beauty solution packaged in a portable, airport regulation-compliant tube.

What’s even better is that Get A Tint sneaks in SPF 15 sun protection without compromising the quality of a solid tinted moisturizer.  Get A Tint protects against both UVA and UVB rays, provides sheer coverage and hydrates and balances skin.

Why We Love It: The tinted moisturizer is perfect for the upcoming summer days because it’s oil-free, lightweight and contains nylon powder to absorb excess oil from the skin’s surface.  Also, silica powder helps to scatter light to minimize skin’s imperfections and impart a smooth and silky complexion.

Despite its added bells and whistles, the formula is still good for your skin.  Get A Tint is alcohol- and fragrance-free on top of being oil-free.   Get A Tint is also non-comedogenic so your pores will thank you.

Why It’s Unique: Humectants, oil-absorbing agents and silica, nylon and acrylic acid copolymer powders work together to save time, money and fuss.   On casual days, all you need is a sheer layer of Get A Tint, some bronzer or blush and you’re ready to go.

Price and Where to Get it: $9 US for 1.6 fl. oz. Get A Tint is available in four shades.  Contact your local mark representative or shop online at www.meetmark.com.

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

Anyone’s who’s looked in my purse knows that I am always carrying at least 5 or 6 lipsticks and gloss at any one time.

I always need a variety of shades so that I can be prepared for any situation, any time of day.  Need to touch up at the office after lunch?  Check.  Want to add a little sass for happy hour drinks to with the team?  Check.  Impromptu dinner date with the Boyfriend?  All set!

In just one tube, AVON’s new SpectraColor Lipstick ($9.50 US) delivers seven shades that can change your look whenever you want and for any occasion you need it for.

SpectraColor Lipstick contains a light and dark color formula that dispenses a certain amount of each shade depending on which level you choose.  The lower the number, the more of the lighter formula comes out; the higher, the darker and more dramatic the shade.

Above, I’ve swatched the colors, from the lightest Level 1 to the darkest Level 7.  As you can see, there are few variances between some of the levels.

In the first image, I’m wearing SpectraColor Lipstick in The Raisins at Level 3.  It comes off as a lovely, sheer pink.  With Vitamins A, C, and E, you can see that it makes my lips look shiny and luscious.  I love the finish but unfortunately the color doesn’t stay put as well as I’d like it to.

In this version, I’m wearing the same lippie but at the highest Level 7, a brighter shade, kind of like the flesh of a ripe watermelon.

Overall, I think the SpectraColor concept for a lip product is unique, although 7 shades is a little bit of overkill when you can’t tell the difference between some of the numbers I swatched.

I also wasn’t in love with the applicator.  With a plastic surface, I couldn’t get an even coverage on my lips.  However with a little maneuvering, I was able to get a nice coat on my pout.

SpectraColor Lipstick is available now in 10 different color blends and is even on sale for $7.99 US on the AVON website right now.

Have you tried this 7-in-1 lippie before?  Tell us what you think of this Recessionista-friendly product!

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Sure they might have nannies and personal trainers, things that may be out of reach for some of us, but there are a few beauty products that A-listers love that are surely within reach for any mom this Mother’s Day to make her feel her most beautiful.

Avon spokeswoman Courteney Cox invites you into the spotlight with Avon’s new Spotlight fragrance ($22.50 US).  With notes of citrus, white freesias, and cashmere sandalwood, it’s a fun and flirty scent that’s light enough for summer.

Give yourself a Demi Moore-approved manicure this season!  Moore’s assistant tracked down Celebrity Manicurist Marsha Bialo because Demi simply had to have Hope Chest by China Glaze.

Heidi Klum loves her regular visits to eyebrow guru, Anastasia Soare of Anastasia Beverly Hills.  Get picture perfect arches with my daily go-to brow product, Anastasia Brow Powder Duo ($22 US).

Celebrity mom Jada Pinkett Smith reveals her pick for this Mother’s Day – Carol’s Daughter Pearls Gift Set ($49.50 US).  And who can blame her, the soft floral scents of jasmine and rose combined with sweet vanilla and caramel makes this a rich, sophisticated scent you’ll love too.

Aside from taking care of herself, Jessica Alba knows just how to pamper her little one too.  She uses California Baby’s Calendula Cream ($12.99 US), a moisturizing cream with lavender aromatherapy oils to hydrate and calm baby – and mommy too.

Eco-friendly mom Julianne Moore loves Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion ($10 US) from eco-brand Burt’s Bees. Who can blame her?  The combination of milk and honey is gentle on sensitive skin and uber moisturizing as well.

Calling all moms!  Share your favorite beauty products with us – or what you’re hoping to open from your family this Mother’s Day. 

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