The Black Dress Traveler

Glam Giveaway: Lumene Skincare Travel Kit

Can't make it to the Sundance Film Festival? No worries, thanks to my friends at Lumene one lucky reader will experience a bit of the glamour. Leave a comment below for your chance to win the same travel size kit of luxurious Lumene skincare products that will be given to celebs who pop by the Lumene Rejuvenation Lounge at Sky Lodge during Sundance. Lumene skincare is made in Finland and harnesses the power of Arctic berries. 

The Lumene travel kit includes:
 - Radiant Touch Moisturizing Cream Cleanser with Arctic Cloudberry
- Radiant Touch Moisturizing Toner with Arctic Cloudberry
- Pure Radiance Day Cream SPF 15
- Firming Day Cream SPF 15
- Sensitive Touch Cleaning Wipes with Soothing Arctic Linen Seed
- Radiant Beauty Drops

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below by 5:00 pm EST on Friday, January 27, 2012. One winner will be selected by random and notified via e-mail. The prize can only be shipped to addresses in the United States. Good luck! 

Just Tripping: Win a Getaway for 2 to Argentina

Yesterday, I kicked off Malbec Madness on my site with a review of 2 delicious Argentine wines. If reading my description of these luscious vinos made your mouth water, imagine what it would be like to sip Malbec in the land of rolling vineyards, polo playing guapos, sensual tango, and juicy asado?

Well, darlings, here's your chance! Enter for a chance to win a trip for 2 to Argentina courtesy of Trapiche and Frederick Wildman. The prize has an approximate retail value of $4700 and consists of the following:

  - A six (6) day/four (4) night trip for two to Buenos Aires, Argentina, including round-trip economy class air transportation from the major airport closest to winner’s home city to Mendoza, Argentina

- Four (4) night hotel accommodations (double occupancy) in Mendoza

- A full day excursion to Trapiche Winery, including breakfast and lunch.

You have until April 30, 2011 to enter and must be at least 21 years of age. Buena suerte!

Win a Brush Set from the Sonia Kashuk Spring 2011 Makeup Collection for Target

On your next visit to Target to stock up on necessities for your next getaway, be sure to fill that red basket with some snazzy Sonia Kashuk makeup! Us Target devotees are very familiar with celebrity makeup artist Sonia Kashuk's signature cosmetics line that is sold exclusively at our favorite affordable store. Well ladies, Miss Sonia has really raised the bar for her Spring 2011 collection of cosmetics and tools. I recently had a chance to meet Kashuk and get a sneak preview of all the beautiful color palettes, limited edition brush sets made with organic materials, and a collection of bags that includes colorful clutches and weekend totes. (Yes, that is yours truly with the sensational Sonia Kashuk after my mini-makeover. She was so sweet! ) Here is a little video clip of Kashuk talking about the travel friendly nature of her collection and her mission to glamify women everywhere!

Here are a few of my favorite goodies from the new collection! Keep reading for a chance to win a Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Small Treasure Brush Set!


I can't wait to tote one of these Sonia Kashuk bags on my next overnight trip. Can you believe that the large travel duffel is only $39.99? It is lightweight, sturdy and nicely organized inside. The collection also includes cute cosmetic cases for as little as $5.99.

How chic is this Gold Mine Seven-Piece Brush Set? Only $24.99, the brushes are made of natural materials and housed in a wicker clutch with an organic stone closure. You will save precious time on the road by having the right tools to apply your makeup. From a powder brush to a smudge brush, this kit has virtually everything you need for a flawless application. And, this clutch is nice enough to carry on its own.

Another great travel friendly item in the collection is the Spring Awakenings Face Palette. Only $19.99, it contains 4 eyeshadows, 1 eye intensifier, 3 lip glosses, and 1 blush nestled together in a wicker covered palette. The colors flatter a wide range of skin tones. And, do you see how nicely this palette is packaged? Buy one for you and one for a friend - this is a great gift that won't break the bank.

 
One lucky reader will win this Small Treasure Purse Brush Set ($14.99).
The four brushes (synthetic powder/blusher, medium eye shadow, crease, and pointed eyeliner) are packaged in a travel-friendly soft burlap pouch with tribal symbols that mean Love, Strength & Unity.

For a chance to win, just leave a comment below telling me what your favorite item of makeup is. Do you feel naked without lipstick? Moody without mascara? Leave your comments below by Thursday, March 10, 5pm EST. One winner will be selected at random. Prize can only be shipped to addresses in the United States.

Get Pampered Like a Rock Star: NIVEA and NIVEA for Men GRAMMY Giveaway

The GRAMMY awards may have come and gone but you can still share in some of the cool swag that the celebs received. Celebrity love birds Bill and Giuliana Rancic were the official celebrity hosts of NIVEA and Primary Wave’s GRAMMY soiree. The bash  was attended by a diverse group of stars, including Brandy, Cee-Lo, Melanie Griffith, and one of my favorite guapos -  Antonio  Banderas. There was also some serious partying going on in Beverly Hills where NIVEA for  MEN hosted celebs at the “Look Like You Give a Damn” Mansion Party. 

 

I'm a big fan of NIVEA body wash and lotion - the products are very affordable but do a stellar job of keeping skin moisturized - and you can find them virtually everywhere you travel.

2 lucky readers will each win a gift bag containing NIVEA's new HYDRA IQ Body Wash & Lotion for women and a selection of NIVEA for Men products.  (The retail value of each prize is approximately $50.) Keep some goodies for yourself and then share the rest with a special fella in your life. To enter the giveaway,  just leave a comment below by 5pm EST on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. 2 winners will be selected at random from the comments left below. Prizes can only be shipped to addresses in the United States.

(Please note that the prize may not contain the exact NIVEA products depicted.)

Tastebud Travels: Win a Tasty Tonnino Tuna Gift Box

When I was asked to review Tonnino Tuna, I tried to politely decline but the pleasantly persistent publicist insisted that I would love this tuna. Maybe, but what could I say about tuna that you don't already know? Well, friends, she was soooooo right. I have to say that Tonnino Tuna is absolutely delicious  - this is the little black dress of tuna. 

Like many people, I always have several cans of tuna in the pantry for those lazy days that I want to make a quick sandwich or salad - nothing sexy about that. However, the first thing you will notice about Tonnino is that the tuna is packaged in a pretty little glass jar - classy! Instead of tiny little chunks of tuna jammed in a can, each jar of Tonnino Tuna  contains fillets of premium yellowfin tuna. And the flavors, oh those flavors. My absolute favorite is the Garlic but Tonnino is also available in jalapeno, oregano, spring water and olive oil. And, Tonnino considers their Tuna Ventresca  to be the star of their product line: it is an extremely smooth and soft strip of tuna that is hand filleted from a small section of the underbelly.

We all want to be healthy and look great in our little black dresses. Tonnino Tuna is low in saturated fat and is an excellent source of protein, minerals, thiamin, selenium, vitamin B6, and Omega 3 fatty acid. Yellowfin tuna is also lean and lower in mercury than several other tuna species. I tossed the Tonnino Garlic tuna with some thin spaghetti and spinach - simple and delicious. It also tastes pretty darn good straight from the jar. From  sensational sandwiches, haute hors d'oeuvres and enticing entrees, Tonnino is very versatile and their website has some great recipes.

You really have to try Tonnino for yourself so that you don't think that I've gone crazy with all this tuna talk. Tonnino can be found at gourmet stores, Whole Foods, and online but 3 lucky readers will each win a gift pack ($25 value) of Tonnino Tuna that contains a 3 jar assortment. Fill out the form below for your chance to enter. Bon appetit!

Pucker up Long Distance Lovers: Enter NIVEA's Kiss the One You Love Contest

My eclectic romantic history includes a few long distance relationships so I thoroughly understand the frustration of being separated from your sweetie on New Year's Eve. (Ah, where was NIVEA when I was pining for Pepe in Spain?) Long-distance couples can log onto NIVEA's Facebook page to share their stories of love and how they have been kept apart this holiday season. Today, December 20th, is the last day to enter the contest. Consumers can view and vote on their favorite love stories until December 23rd and Nivea will reunite two winning couples in Times Square on New Year's Eve 2011 to share the kiss of a lifetime.  (The winners will be notified December 29th.)

TV personalities Giuliana and Bill Rancic will host New Year’s Eve atop the NIVEA Kiss platform in the heart of Times Square. “Bill and I are thrilled to partner with NIVEA and help to bring together these special couples,” said Giuliana. “We started our whirlwind romance long-distance, so we can certainly empathize with anyone who is apart during the holidays. It’s important to make the most of the times that you’re together and we’re so excited that two lucky couples will win the chance to share the most exciting kiss of the year at the epicenter of New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world.”

  As the official sponsor of the Times Square Alliance New Year’s Eve Celebration for the third consecutive year, NIVEA will prep the lips of thousands Times Square revelers with their hydrating lip balm A Kiss of Smoothness as they prepare for their midnight kisses. Pucker up!

 

 

Books I Love: Win a Copy of "All Over the Map" or "An Italian Affair" by Laura Fraser

There are definite side effects to reading too many travel memoirs: increased daydreaming about far away places, heightened wanderlust, and, occasionally, even a little envy at the writer's good fortune. My weak spot : travelogues written by women in search of love, adventure, and good food and my all time favorite is An Italian Affair by Laura Fraser.

After a painful divorce, Laura takes a trip to Italy to heal her broken heart and rediscover her zest for life. Well, this San Francisco girl really knows how to get her mojo back because during her trip she embarks on a passionate affair with a Parisian professor. More than a fling, Laura and the Professor share a passion for travel and over the years continue to rendezvous in cities and islands all over the world. Hopeless romantic and travel lover that I am, I have read An Italian Affair at least 5 times and recommended it to countless friends - the book is so beautifully written and Laura so candid with her emotions that it really feels like a conversation with a friend. I always wanted to know what happened next with Laura and was thrilled to learn that her new memoir All Over the Map was released this summer. (photo credit: Laura Fraser photo by Cristina Taccone)

From Buenos Aires to Naples, New York City to Provence, All Over the Map finds Laura adding more stamps to her passport and asking more questions about the trajectory of her life. Is her constant travel an obstacle to her desire to have a lifelong companion? Should Laura stop traveling after a terrible incident in Samoa? Will she stop stressing over those 15 extra pounds and love her curves? Wherever you live or have traveled, All Over the Map is a book that women everywhere can relate to.

Just in time for the holidays, I am going to send one reader a brand new copy of An Italian Affair OR All Over the Map. The winner will get to choose the book they prefer. (I recommend choosing An Italian Affair if you haven't read it already - it really provides a good foundation for All Over the Map)

To enter, just leave a comment below by 5:00 pm (EST) on Friday, December 17th. The winner will be selected at random and will be contacted via e-mail. The prize can only be shipped to addresses in the United States. Good luck!

Are You the Next Tonnino Chef? Win a Trip to NYC & $5,000 Towards Your Culinary Education

Do you watch TV shows like Top Chef and know that you have what it takes to simmer, saute, and sous vide with the best of them? Would you love to quit your day job to pursue a career in the culinary arts? If so, the Tonnino Tuna Chef Challenge is looking for you!

If you are a whiz with tuna, Tonnino may pick you to be their next chef ambassador. More than a cool title, the winner will win a $5,000 cash prize for the advancement of their culinary education, an all-expense paid trip to NYC, and a year's supply of Tonnino Tuna. Tonnino contains only the finest cuts of hand-packed Yellowfin tuna and is available in a variety of flavors including Garlic, Oregano, Jalapeño, Spring Water, Olive Oil and Ventresca.

To enter, submit a 1-2 minute video to Tonnino by December 1 that shows you preparing your unique tuna recipe. Be creative and let your personality shine!

Good luck! If you win, I am expecting you to make me the best tuna sandwich EVER!

Win a Little Black Dress from Nuova Vita!

In celebration of Fashion Week, one lucky reader will win this elegant and sassy little black dress from Nuova Vita. This extremely flattering style (available in sizes XS-L) is named the Modern Mary Lynn Convertible T-Length Dress and has a retail value of $135. Best of all, this one dress can be worn 12 different ways - talk about stylish and travel friendly! On your next trip you can pack one Nuova Vita dress and have a new look for every occasion.

Francesca is the visionary that created Nuova Vita and turned her life long passion for fashion into a thriving business. Nuova Vita means "new life" in Italian and this boutique fashion house creates effortlessly chic dresses, bridesmaid dresses, swimwear and separates. Each Nuova Vita garment is handmade in the USA and can be converted to create multiple styles.

I recently had to select the perfect black dress to wear for a VERY important photo shoot and I decided to wear a Nuova Vita creation. The dress was elegant and sexy yet effortless, and I loved the fact that I could manipulate the dress to conform to my figure. Enter for your chance to win this fashionable and functional dress!

HOW TO WIN THE MODERN MARY LYNN CONVERTIBLE T-LENGTH DRESS

- Become a Facebook Fan of The Black Dress Traveler

- Become a Facebook Fan of Nuova Vita

- You must be a fan of BOTH pages by 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 18 in order to be eligible for the random drawing. One winner will be chosen at random.

- The winner will be announced the week of September 20.

- Upon notification of winning, the winner has 72 hours to respond or another random winner will be selected.

- This prize can only be shipped to dresses in the United States.

From Jet-Lagged to Looking Fab: Khuraira Age Control Dark Circle Primer

Let’s face it - travel ain’t always pretty. Spending hours trapped in stuffy airplane cabins and having our sleep patterns disrupted by changing time zones can leave us jetsetters feeling and looking worn out. 

I reached out to celebrity makeup artist Khuraira for some tips on how to make travel weary skin look radiant. Khuraira is the founder of an eponymous make-up line and her portfolio includes celebrities such as Paula Abdul, Cher, Brandy, and Mandy Moore.

One of Khuraira’s most popular products is the very travel-friendly Age Control Dark Circle Primer ($30). Worn under your concealer, it significantly diminishes the appearance of dark under eye circles by using the color orange to neutralize discolorations. It also helps your concealer to last longer. Khuraira Age Control Dark Circle Primer moisturizes the delicate skin under your eyes, works on all skin tones, is hypo-allergenic and is not tested on animals. 

To get off the red eye looking red hot - moisturize your skin with a hydrating moisturizer, apply Khuraira Age Control Dark Circle Primer before your concealer, and keep shininess at bay with an oil-absorbing and light reflecting powder. Sure, you may still feel tired but you’ll look fabulous!

For your chance to win a full size of Khuraira Age Control Dark Circle Primer, just leave a comment below by Monday, August 16, 2010. One winner will be selected. The prize can only be mailed to an address within the United States.

Glam Giveaway: Win a Pair of Ryders Eyewear

One of the most versatile accessories a gal can own, the right pair of shades will stylishly protect your pretty peepers. Sunglasses aren't just for sunny days - use them to cover up jet-lagged eyes or to control unruly hair as an impromptu headband. I love wearing shades when I want to discreetly admire a tall, dark and handsome stranger! They are also great for blocking out the stares of weirdos on the subway!

Three lucky Black Dress Traveler readers will each win one pair of Ryders high style and high performance eyewear.  All Ryders eyewear offer 100% UV protection and feature optically correct and shatter proof lenses.

First prize: HALO polarized sunglasses (Black frame and lenses. Retail value $69.99) I own a pair of the HALO shades and I love them! The HALO style is from the Ryders' Chill Collection - high glamour and high quality. These are very chic, indeed! 

Second prize: HEX polarized sunglasses (Dark purple frame and brown lenses. Retail value $39.99)

Third prize: HEX (Pink frame and lenses. Retail value $39.99)

The HEX style is from the Ryders' Performance Collection. Designed for almost any outdoor activity, these glasses come in a wide range of styles to fit any athlete and are stylish enough to wear even if your favorite sport is shopping!

Prizes can be shipped to addresses within the United States only. Contest ends Friday, June 11 at 5:00 pm. Eastern Standard Time. The winner will be announced on Facebook and on The Black Dress Traveler the week of June 14th. The Black Dress Traveler reserves the right to substitute the listed styles with similar prizes of equal value.

Win a Luxury Trip to Cannes Courtesy of Stella Artois

I'll admit to fantasizing about walking the red carpet at Cannes. Of course, in this Technicolor daydream I am wearing a va va voom couture dress perfectly accessorized with a handsome movie star on my arm. Yet, somehow my invitation to the world's most glamorous film festival gets lost in the mail each year - c'est la vie! But now I have a plan B for making my way to the French Riviera.

Stella Artois is hosting a great contest where one lucky winner (hopefully me but I'll be happy if it's you) will be awarded a lavish weekend to Cannes. The prize package includes round-trip first class airline tickets, accommodations in a 5 star hotel, a personally tailored dress (or suit), and exclusive VIP festival screenings.

Befitting a contest to win a trip to a film festival, this Stella Artois campaign has a clever plot. You see, French film director/producer/playboy and the "King of Cannes" Jacques D'Azur has gone missing and they are feverishly searching for his heir. Could you be the rightful heir to Monsieur D'Azur's Cannes rendezvous? Enter by April 25th for your chance to claim your Cannes getaway. Bonne chance!

Win 2 Tickets to the Hit Broadway Musical MEMPHIS!

Congratulations to winner Kathryn W.!

Don't miss your chance to see the musical that has been called "the biggest hit on Broadway this year or any other year.” (WOR Radio.) Enter for your chance to win 2 tickets to see a January 2010 performance of the hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS! (The winner will be mailed a voucher and must follow the instructions in order to redeem the prize.) Contest ends on Friday, Dec. 11 at 5:00 pm (EST).

From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical with a brand-new story to tell. Get ready to rock, because MEMPHIS is blowing the roof off of Broadway! The plot - She's a black singer whose career is on the rise, but who can't break out of segregated clubs. He's a white radio DJ whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock 'n' roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music - or their love - is put to the test. A thrilling theatrical event that combines Broadway splendor with the roots of rock.

These Shoes are Made for Winning : Christian Louboutin Contest

Shop It To Me invites you to tweet your way to a fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Made in France, Louboutins are known for their signature red soles and high quotient of ooh la la. From the Champs Elysee to Main Street, Louboutin shoes are coveted by shoe loving ladies around the world. 

Putting your tootsies in a pair of Louboutin shoes is a splurge, so I was excited to hear from my friends at Shop It To Me that they are giving away a pair of these coveted shoes to some lucky gal. (Guys can enter to for a chance to win a $500 department store gift card.)
Click here for details on how to enter the contest using Twitter.  Bonne Chance!

Bigger than Baseball: Win a Trip to Philly

As a native New Yorker and a Yankees fan, I am risking major ridicule and even banishment by writing nice things about Philadelphia just a few hours before the start of the World Series. Healthy rivalry is a good thing in sports but I refuse to malign an entire city. Sure, I don't want the Phillies to beat my hometown team but I still think our neighbors in Philadelphia are pretty cool.

Just a few weeks ago, I took the bus to Philly to check out the wonderful Princess Diana exhibition at the National Constitution Center. This short one-day getaway made me promise myself that I would get back to Philly to see more of the arts, fashion and culinary scene, so I was really excited to learn about the Philly 360 Makeover Contest.  

The lucky winner will get pampered with a two-night stay at the shiny and new Hotel Palomar, round-trip tickets on Amtrak, and two tickets to Philadanco's 40th anniversary season performance. To make sure you look glamorous during your getaway, the winner will also receive a head-to-toe makeover with hair consultation and styling, facial, make-up application, jewelry, clothing, shoes, accessories, shoes, and more! Whew, those Philadelphians sure are generous! Baseball aside, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship! Click here to enter the contest.

PS. Go Yankees!

Win 2 Tickets to The Marvelous Wonderettes

"AN EFFERVESCENT AND IRRESISTIBLE MUSICAL! AN UTTTER CHARM!" - The New York Times

Looking for a fun girls night out in the Big Apple? One lucky reader will win two tickets (value: $158) to THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES-  a cotton-candy colored, non-stop musical blast from the past! THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet the Wonderettes - four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match! The show is brimming with such classic hits as "Lollipop," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick on Your Collar," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "It's My Party" and "It's In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)."

Escape with a Cup of Tea: Win Two Traveler's Tins from the Republic of Tea

Ahhh, who doesn't love to escape with a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Not only is tea good for you and delicious but it can calm your nerves, ease a tummy ache, and be the catalyst for great conversation when shared with friends. Tea is always a big part of my journeys. Not only do I travel with my own tea for a taste of something familiar when I am far from home but I love trying new teas and even visiting grocery stores to pick up a few boxes of the local favorites.

Republic of Tea pays homage to the tea-loving-traveler with their Traveler's Tea Tins collection. Each compact tin contains 6 unbleached, round tea bags in an airtight container. (Once emptied, these refillable containers can be used to hold more tea or as a great container for change, earrings or cream when traveling.) Seven lucky Black Dress Traveler readers will each win 2 Republic of TeaTraveler's Tea Tins. (Each tin has a retail value of $4.75). Each winner will receive a pair of tins selected by me from the following teas: Get Relief (herb tea for digestion), Get Charged (herb tea for energy), Get Happy (herb tea for lifting your spirit), Get Passionate (herb tea for the libido), Get Heart (herb tea for cardio health), Get it Going (herb tea for regularity), Get Clean (herb tea for detoxing), Get Growing (herb tea for hair, nails/bones), Get Some Zzz's (herb tea for rest), Get Relaxed (herb tea for relieving stress), Get Wellness (herb tea for immunity), Get Soothed (herb tea for scratchy throats), Get a Grip (herb tea for PMS/Menopause) and Get Maternal (herb tea for pregnant/new moms). 

Join the Black Dress Traveler at the New Jersey Crab Cake & Shore Chef Cook Off

The Black Dress Traveler is thrilled to be the hostess for the New Jersey Crab Cake & Shore Chef Cook Off.  This is a perfect summertime event: great food and plenty of fun at the legendary Monmouth Park Racetrack on the Jersey Shore. The event will take place on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 from 11:30 am - 5:00 pm and admission is only $3 and free for ages 12 and under. (I will be there on Sunday only for the judging of the crab cakes.)

Taste crab cakes and seafood delicacies cooked up by some of New Jersey’s top restaurants as they compete for top honors from judges and you, the public.

This family-friendly event includes live music, lots of fun for the kids and of course thoroughbred racing. Saturday will feature performances by the Rock N’ Roll Chorus. Sunday is the Jersey Thoroughbred Festival. Enjoy The Star-Ledger Family Fun Day, with clowns, face painters, live music, pony rides, bounce houses, and more. 

Watch the commercial! Hope to see you there!

Win Heidi Klum's In An Instant Skincare!

In honor of the return of Project Runway to television (premieres Thursday, 8/20 on Lifetime), The Black Dress Traveler is giving away a starter kit of Heidi Klum's In An Instant Skincare. (retail value $39.95)

Supermodel and super mogul Heidi's product line is designed to diminish the look of fine lines, wrinkles and large pores in just seconds. Heidi states, "In An Instant® is the perfect name for my skin care system because it instantly cleans, instantly polishes, instantly hydrates, instantly rejuvenates, and instantly gives your skin a natural-looking glow. The In An Instant® system is one of the best things I do for myself everyday."

This 30-day kit of six travel friendly products includes:

• - Instant Warming Scrub
   - Gentle Foaming Cleanser
   - Intensive Firming Serum
   - Instant Daily Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
   - Intensive Eye Treatment
   - Instant Wrinkle Smoother
  

(Supermodel contract and a sexy R&B singer husband not included).

So You Think You Know Proactiv? : A Great Skincare Solution at Home & On the Road

Enter to win a Proactiv Solution Mini Maintenance Kit. (retail value $15)

Is there anyone who hasn't been mesmerized by those Proactiv Solution commercials? More than any other skincare line, I credit Proactiv Solution for emphasizing the point that acne does not discriminate and that even rich and beautiful celebrities like Serena Williams, Vanessa Williams, Jessica Simpson, and Jennifer Love Hewitt aren't immune to the frustration and shame that unsightly pimples can cause. These ladies are all proud Proactiv users. If they are bold enough to share their skincare woes, I feel that I can too.

I have had sensitive and acne-prone skin since my pre-teens. I was picked on and teased about my condition - sometimes to the point of tears. From over-the-counter treatments to prescription medications, over the years I have spent a small fortune on my face.  A break-out is a downer anytime but I really remember feeling so angry and embarrassed when my face would betray me on a special occasion or a vacation. As an adult, my skin has vastly improved but I have to remain vigilant.

When I was invited to try Proactiv, I was suprised to learn that their famous 3 step combination therapy system has expanded to include a wonderful array of products, including anti-aging and makeup. The hot and humid weather can even wreak havoc on skin that is generally trouble free so this seemed like the perfect time to give Proactiv a whirl. Here are some of the Proactiv products you may want to try and that have really worked for me. If you are also a ProActiv user, I would love to hear from you!

In case you are not familiar with Proactiv Solution, let me start off by sharing their basic 3-step maintenance system - Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and Repairing Lotion. If you've never used Proactiv, I suggest starting with this regimen. I began with this and the results were pretty dramatic. In just a few days, my skin was less oily and noticeably clearer. You can order a mini-maintenance kit for $15 at QVC.  This kit is perfect for travel.

After using the standard regimen for about 10 days, I decided to swap out the Renewing Cleanser with the Deep Cleansing Wash. I am crazy about this cleanser and pray they never stop making it. At first, I was a little nervous about using a product that was designed to be used on the face and body. However, the Deep Cleansing Wash is remarkably gentle. Like the Renewing Cleanser, it also has microbeads that give the skin a gentle exfoliation and the salicylic acid has a nice brightening effect on the face. You can get two 8 oz. bottles at QVC for $33.50.

Moisturizing is an absolute MUST when you are using Proactiv because overly dry skin will start to go crazy producing oil and that will lead to the very break-outs you are trying to avoid. Oil free moisture is the solution. For daytime, Proactiv's Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15 is the BEST oil-free moisturizer I have ever used. ($27)  Lightweight and moisturizing, this gem also has also oil absorbing Nylon 12.  My face is visibly less oily and I have to powder my face less frequently.  For night time, try the Green Tea Moisturizer ($24.50) and for extra oil control during the day, you could also put on a sheer layer of the Daily Oil Control ($20).

During the day, I use the Repairing Lotion that is a part of the three step maintenance system but at night time I have quickly become devoted to the Clarifying Night Cream. ($28.75). Addressing adult acne and aging simultaneously can be a real drag but this cream combines retinol, vitamins, and salicylic acid to effectively and gently fight pimples and wrinkles. No zits + a great smooth glow = LOVE IT!

That's all for today. The second part of my review  next week will feature the Proactiv makeup, eye cream and some other treatments. To learn more about Proactiv, visit www.proactiv.com.

Beauty Giveaway: Sheer Cover Mineral Makeup

Let the real you shine through with Sheer Cover! Enter for your chance to win the Sheer Cover Mineral Makeup 30-day intro kit (retail value $29.95). Perfect for travel, Sheer Cover is made from 100% pure minerals, offers natural sun protection and is lightweight and long lasting. I received my Sheer Cover intro kit last week and I have been having so much fun with it. The coverage is very buildable yet natural and gives the skin a great glow. I love all of the extras in the kit: especially the Sheer Color compact (lip colors & highlighters) and the Pocket Duo Kit. The sleek and snazzy makeup case is also very-travel friendly. The always gorgeous Leeza Gibbons is the celebrity spokesperson for Sheer Cover. Like Leeza says, "Know where you're going and look good when you get there."  Sheer Cover offers shades from fair to dark and the winner will get to select the ideal shade for their skin tone. The Sheer Kit Intro Kit contains all of the items in the picture - a true beauty bonanza! Visit www.sheercover.com to learn more about Sheer Cover.

Win a Bottle of White Truffle Olive Oil from Carter & Cavero!

On a recent visit to Red Bank, New Jersey, I was introduced to the wonderful Carter & Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company. My 2 years as a student in Spain instilled a passion for olive oil and Carter & Cavero offers high quality extra virgin and whole fruit fused olive oils grown and pressed in special mills in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Australia and California. They also sell luxurious olive based beauty products, an exquisite selection of vinegars, gourmet foods and more. If you can't make it to their stores in Red Bank or Long Branch, you can shop online at www.carterandcavero.com. 

Enter the contest for a chance to win a 500ml bottle of Carter & Cavero's White Truffle Olive Oil (retail value $45). Incredibly fragrant, White Truffle Olive Oil transforms the simplest dish into a decadent delight. Made in Italy, this olive oil is smooth yet intense in flavor. If you like the wonderfully unique taste and aroma of white truffles, this is the oil for you!

 

Win a Box of Roni-Sue's Chocolate Truffles!

Take your tastebuds on a journey with this delectable selection of Roni-Sue's Chocolates. Made by hand in New York City, Roni-Sue's chocolate truffles are edible indulgences that artfully combine rich chocolate with spices, fruits, and fine spirits. One lucky reader will win an assortment of 15 chocolate truffles (retail value $22); including Manhattan, Dark & Stormy, Zydeco and others. The New York Times calls Roni-Sue's Chocolates "a winner" and The New York Daily News says "Roni-Sue's Chocolates really rock!" Zagat raves, "Ohhhh...those truffles!"

Giveaway: Luxe FACE Travel Kit from Om Aroma & Co.

 

Pamper your face with Champagne, Caviar, & Truffles -3 Step Organic Skincare System^TM, Enter for your chance to win the Luxe FACE Travel Kit from Om Aroma & Co. ($30 retail value).  The Luxe Face Kit won the 2008 Beauty Olympics  - Best 3 Step System. The Luxe FACE Travel Kit meets airplane carry on guidelines and includes the following.

• Elixir de Beaute
• Creme Luxe 1, or Creme Luxe 2, or Creme Luxe 3
• Extrait de Caviar

Supply should last approximately 5 to 10 days.

"Sexy Green Has Arrived™" with Om Aroma & Co. -  luxury organics that are gentle on the skin and the planet.  They take ultra-sensual ingredients—Caviar, Champagne, Truffles, and Chardonnay—and fuse them with organic ingredients to create products that are deliciously sexy and naturally great for the skin. 

Our First Giveaway: Win a Fabulous Laptop Bag from Donnella's Closet Designer Handbags

  

 

 

The contest has ended. Congratulations to Megan S. from Georgia on winning this very chic bag!

 

I am so excited about the very first Black Dress Traveler giveaway! Every traveling diva needs a fashionable laptop bag and this chic bag from Mango Tango fits the bill and everything else!  A very big thanks to our friends at Donnella’s Closet Designer Handbags for providing this fabulous prize.

 

With a retail value of $69, this Pretty Pink Classic Quilt bag in butter-soft faux suede with coordinating tassel is an absolute "must" for every woman on the go. Pretty and functional, the bag boasts an interior organizer for cell phone, writing instruments and business cards, and padded protection with elasticized convertible straps.  Zip and outside pockets make it easy to tote the bag on your suitcase but still grab your passport while on the go! Fits 16” laptop.

 

How to Enter

To enter the giveaway, take a moment to visit the Donnella's Closet website at dcsbag.com and browse their site. Then come back to the Black Dress Traveler and leave a message in the comments section following this post and let me know which Donnella’s Closet bag best fits your personality. Do you like your bags more conservative? Or a little wild? Are you a trend setter? Or do you prefer a classic look? This is great way for me to learn more about you!

 

A winner will be chosen at random from all readers who leave comments. The comments must include your full name and e-mail address so that we can contact you in the event that you are the winner of the Mango Tango Laptop Bag (Pink). By entering the contest, you agree to receive future notifications of giveways, sales, news, and other information from the Black Dress Traveler and Donnella’s Closet. 

All entries/comments must be received by 12:00 PM (EST) on Friday, January 16, 2009. Only one entry per person.

The winner of the Mango Tango Laptop Bag (Pink) will be notified by via e-mail on Monday, January 19, 2009. The winner has 48 hours from prize notification to respond to an e-mail announcing them as the winner or another winner will be selected. The bag will be shipped to the winner within 2 weeks. The prize can be shipped to U.S. addresses only. By entering the contest. the winner agrees to let us use their full name, city and state when the prize is announced.