Imagine my excitement as I’m sitting at my desk, replying to the gazillionth email on a Monday morning when all of a sudden I receive a brown package full of goodies delivered to me! I had completely forgotten that I had ordered some new (and unneeded) makeup for Nordstorm last week. And when I remembered, it came with the 19-piece sample sample I blogged about a couple of weeks ago - woo hoo! Talk about random acts of beauty - thanks Karen! By the way, check out some of Makeup and Beauty Blog’s random acts of beauty this week HERE.

Here’s what came in my zebra-print clutch - which is kinda hideous, by the way, so I think I’m going to toss it.

The first photo includes:

* Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste Body Lotion
* Clarins Super Restorative Serum
* Japonesque Snowflake Lashes
* Kinerase Intensive Eye Cream
* L, a L.A.M.B. Fragrance by Gwen Stefani
* Lancome Definicils Mascara
*LiftFusion Face Lift (packette)
* MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel (packette)
* N.V. Perricone, M.D. Face Finishing Moisturizer
* Thierry Mugler Alien Prodigy Body Lotion

The second photo includes:

* Bare Escentuals Prime Time Foundation Primer (packette)
* Bliss Thinny Thin Chin (packette)
* Fekkai Glossing Cream (packette)
* Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Creme Body Wash
* L’Occitane Verbena Shower Gel
* Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream
* Philosophy Inner Grace Shower Gel
* Smashbox Lipgloss
* Vera Wang Parfum

I haven’t tried most of these products so I’ll be road-testing them all and reviewing my samples over the next couple of weeks. Let me know what you think of these products before I try them out. Maybe your favorite will become one of mine as well!

It’s that time again, ladies! Starting today, Estee Lauder is offering a gift with any purchase of $37.50 or more.

Need some ideas on what to buy to receive your awesome gift? Check out some of my Estee Lauder picks:

This adorable Jingle Bell Solid Perfume Compact ($80 US) I just spotted on Beauty Addict makes for a perfect holiday treat! This limited edition compact opens to reveal one of Estee Lauder’s signature scents, Beautiful. And to top it off, this gorgeous bell actually jingles!!

Help others while you help yourself when you purchase items from the Pink Ribbon Collection 2007. Items from this collection include a sparkly jeweled pink ribbon pin, a limited edition pink ribbon compact and brush set or try their limited edition lipsticks and glosses.

Or get their After Hours look, essential for the fall season. You all know I’ve totally jumped on the red lips bandwagon and Estee Lauder offers a beautiful shade in their Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in After Hours Red ($22 US).

Take advantage of this great GWP from now through Nov. 4th where you get a cute little 7-piece gift featuring goodies like: Advanced Night Repair, a lipstick in Sugared Honey, lip gloss in Honey, a Pure Color Eye Shadow quad, Projectionist Hi-Def Volume Mascara in Black, and a Raspberry Tote with matching cosmetic bag!

Enjoy!

This morning I decided to try the Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects palette I got a couple of weeks ago in my Lancome gift with purchase at Nordstorm. I choose the cool palette which has two blue shades, a pinky one, and a matte white highlight.

Even though it was a quick morning application for me and I didn’t plan on sharing, it turned pretty so I thought I’d show you anyway!

Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Palette (COOL):

The New Blue (darker blue) is applied on the eyelid, starting from the lash line and blended just above the natural crease of the eye.

Off The Rack (pinky shade) is applied slightly above and blended into the crease.

Daylight (matte white) is used to highlight right underneath the brows.

MAC Coffee Eye Pencil is used to line the top and bottom lids.

Finish off with Lancome Cils Booster XL mascara base and one coat of Loreal Original Voluminous Mascara in Black.

Let me know if you like this look and if you do, I plan on featuring this Lancome palette in an evening look.

Even though I picked up a couple of items on Saturday at the San Francisco Centre Nordstorm’s, this offer might be too good for me to pass up!

Right now, you’ll receive a zebra-print clutch filled with deluxe samples from all your favorite beauty brands with your $95 beauty or fragrance purchase from Nordstorm’s online.

This GWP (gift with purchase) includes goodies from: Bare Escentuals, Clarins, Fekkai, Kinerase, Lancome, L.A.M.B. Fragrance by Gwen Stefani, Origins, Smashbox and more!

Okay, I know I just bought a few goodies on Saturday and I really shouldn’t but, I think I’ll take advantage of this offer, for sure! It’s only right, don’t you think? I’d love to hear what your beauty purchases are going to be to get this gift!

One last tip, you’d better act fast, too, because I know this offer isn’t going to last very long. Remember, it’s online only and it’s one gift per person while supplies last.

Enjoy!

Don’t miss it! Saks Fifth Avenue’s Reel Beauty event starts Oct. 4th. All you have to do is spend $100 or more at Saks.com or in-store and you’ll receive a beautiful black patent tote filled with great samples from Estee Lauder, Annick Goutal fragrances, Bond No. 9 scents, Dolce & Gabbana, and more!

Hurry, this special Stephanie Johnson-designed tote filled with beauty goodies is only available until Oct. 13th in a Saks store near you or online until supplies last!

We received some samples of Kinerase Ultimate Day Moisturizer at work the other day and I just had an opportunity to sample it. I must admit that I don’t really like to use creams over lotions because it usually ends up feeling too heavy. But I really enjoyed this because it is rich without being too heavy, which is perfect for dry skin.

It provides advanced all-day moisture and antioxidant benefits. When used daily, it will help skin retain more moisture and improve the appearance of texture, tone and blotchiness in sun damaged skin. Contains the highest concentration of kinetin to improve skin’s appearance and is clinically proven to improve the appearance of sun damaged skin by 52%.

If you’d like to sample this product, please email your first and last name and mailing address to KineraseSample@glam.com and they’ll send you your own 7-day sample of Kinerase Ultimate Day Moisturizer to try, ideal for more mature consumers with dry skin.

And if you love it, you can purchase it here and receive a FREE Daily Cleanser (a $30 value!) with any purchase through Nov. 1st. Just enter code MBCDRIVE when you check out!

NOTE: If you opt-in to receive your Kinerase sample, you agree to receive future email offers from Kinerase. We will only share your email address.

I was just about to retire for the day when I discovered a Gift with Purchase from Laura Mercier. If you’re interested in the LM’s Metallic Creme Shadow I just posted about (a $22 value!), you can get one for free when you spend $100 stocking up on your fall favorites on LauraMercier.com through the end of September.

Included in your free gift is:

- A full-size Platinum Metallic Creme Eye Colour

- 0.5 oz Foundation Primer

- 0.4 oz Moisturizer Cream

- 0.4 oz Face Polish

- 1.0 oz Almond Coconut Milk Souffle Body Creme

- 0.10 oz Wildberry Lip Plumper

Enjoy!