Cheap Thrills: Black Magic

We all know I'm the gothic Whoreder, so it comes as no surprise that I love the darker side of life - and that includes my beauty products. What fine lady and dapper gent couldn't do with a little black magic in their beautification routine?

Shampoo/Conditioner
Let's start from the top, my long-time hair care companion, Aveda's Black Malva Shampoo and Conditioner. I've been using Aveda for 20+ years, and although I like to try new products now and then, I've never been without my beloved Black Malva. It's made for dark hair colors, and helps bring out the cooler tones while reducing red & brassy tones. I loathe red in my hair, I want it black as black can possibly be. As mentioned on Aveda's site, "Contains organically grown aloe, black tea and emollient-rich black malva that's been wild-crafted—sustainably gathered by hand in its natural habitat." 

Left: Black Malva Shampoo, Right: Black Malva Conditioner

Black Malva is part of Aveda's Pure Plant collection, and there are other flavors colors available: Blue Malva (for blonde or grey hair), Camomile (brightens blonde highlights), Clove (enriches brown hair), and Madder Root (for red & auburn hair).


Charcoal Skincare

Black Moon Charcoal Sandalwood Soap

Charcoal is another dark and lovely ingredient that can work its black magic on your skin. Activated charcoal can draw out dirt and muck from your pores, leaving you with super clean skin. You can use if for your face, or for your whole body - just don't forget to do your best Buffalo Bill Silence of the Lambs voice while you lather up. The first charcoal soap I ever tried was Shea Moisture, which is available at drugstores (I got mine at Target). But there are so many out there now! Here are some others I've tried and are on my to-try list: Coal Face from Lush, Origins Body Soap, Soapwalla's Charcoal Soap, and Sisters of the Black Moon's Charcoal Sandalwood soap.


Origins Charcoal Mask
 

Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask

Origins introduced me to the world of charcoal years ago, and I still love their Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask. I use it a couple of times a month, and follow their recommendation to use a warm towel on my face right before applying the mask. The warmth will open up your pores and help the charcoal draw out the ick that got all up in your face. The 1.7 oz size is only $16, and will be enough for multiple uses, so treat yoself!

Boscia Black Mask  & Pore Strips
I am having a hardcore love affair with Boscia at the moment, their BB Cream blew my socks off and I've started trying more of their products (and falling deeper in love). I got their Little Black Book kit as a gift, it includes sample size versions of their Black Collection - all products that help control shine and minimize pores.

Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips

Boscia's Pore Purifying Black Strips are like those disgusting but fascinating pore strips you may have tried in the past. Boscia kicks it up a notch by including charcoal powder (to draw out dirt and oil), silica (to control excess oil), witch hazel extract (tightens the look of pores), and willowherb (an anti-irritant to help calm skin and remove redness). Plus, hello, they make you look fabulous!

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

My new favorite Boscia obsession, Luminizing Black Mask! First off, it's a peel-off - so you feel like a mad scientist or Christian Bale in American Psycho.  You apply a coat of the mask on your whole face (I just did my nose in the photos above), avoiding your hairline and brows. You wait for it to dry, about 30 min, and then slowwwwwly peel it off. If feels super weird and kind of gross, but SO GOOD. If you're a real weirdo (like me), you can save the peeled off sections to study later.

Nail Polish

Let's all agree that Karen O is amazing, okay?  That being said, her KnockOut (KO, get it?) Nail Polish is amaaaaazing! I especially love her Flatte Black, a black-black-black no-shine polish that comes in a beautiful bottle. I love flat nail color, hop aboard my crazy train. They also make a Flatte Top top coat that protects your polish while keeping the color matte.

Illamasqua also makes two really nice black polishes, Scorn (flat) and Boosh (glossy). I love their polish, it lasts a really long time and the color selection is gorgeous.

I've missed sharing my Cheap Thrills with you! I promise not to be such a stranger, if you promise to do that thing you told me about that one time.

Until next time, stay glamorous...

Swanky Sweepin' Volume 49

Daily:

Trip to Hollywood for a private Marilyn Monroe tour and jewelry  Ends 10/7


Single:

Ford vehicle of your choice  up to $30,000, ends 12/31

Murad hydrator  405 winners, ends 10/1

Keurig brewer  4 winners, ends 9/14

$1,000 Sephora gift card  Ends 11/17

$100 H&M gift card  and 4 runners-up get $50, ends 9/6

$2500 Banana Republic gift card  Ends 9/4


photo: Marilyn Monroe being a crazy cat. Meow.

Swanky Sweepin' Volume 45

Daily:

$50  20 winners a day, I think it's unlimited entries, and I'm too lazy to get the end date. Oh, and there's a grand prize of a million bucks. You're welcome.

HP ENVY 6 Sleekbook PC  A winner a day, ends 8/11

Samsung Galaxy tablet  A winner a day, ends 9/30

The Teen Vogue daily sweepstake is still going on.

Single:

Smashbox primer  600 winners, ends 10/1

$1,000  or 10 winners of a Sibu skincare set, ends 8/15

Trip to LA to go to the Sunset Strip Music Festival  Ends 8/10

A Beertender  Ends 8/10

25 piece Burt's Bees lipbalm set  200 winners, ends 10/1

Jeans for a year  Enter through text message, a winner a day, ends 8/19

Weleda facial oil  800 winners, ends 10/1

$500 Sephora gift card  Ends 8/27

$1,000 of denim  5 runner-ups get $500, ends 8/21

iPod dock  187 winners, ends 10/1

7 day cruise  Ends 8/31. Don't forget to sign up for a free $10 shopping credit.

Meet and greet with Pauly D  Get ready for fist pumping, ladies. Ends 8/31


photo: Early Fist Pumpers, probably taken somewhere on the Jersey Shore

Swanky Sweepin' Volume 40

Unlimited:

$2,000 Bloomingdale's wardrobe  Ends 7/11

Daily:

$1500 Saks Fifth Avenue credit  Ends 7/31

And the Teen Vogue sweepstake is still going on

Single:

2012 Ford Focus  Ends 9/30

A trip to London Fashion Week  Ends 7/18

$250 Sephora gift card  3 winners, ends 7/6

$50 NYX shopping spree  300 winners, ends 7/30

Trip to Beverly Hills for the Dexter DVD launch party  Ends 7/7

3 minute shopping spree at ALDO  Ends 7/31

Hang out with Kiss and Motley Crue in San Diego  Ends 7/6

OR go on a 2012 Kiss Kruise  Ends 7/8


photo: Vivienne Westwood at London Fashion Week 2011, by SUZANNE PLUNKETT/REUTERS

Another Year Older and More Free Stuff

As I do every year, I turned another year older a few days ago. I love my freebies, so of course I signed up with a bunch of companies on Charlotte's post from a few months ago, and anxiously awaited my prezzies. To my surprise, there were a few extras I wasn't expecting!

A few of these are specific to my area, but this made me realize that all of you should look up your fav local eateries and mom and pop stores to see if they have a sign up sheet for an account, rewards program, or mailing list. If they ask for your birthday on the sign up there's a good chance they'll send you something, even if it's just a shopping discount! Hey, I like discounts, too!