Origins Single Serve Masks

Love a good face mask  but want variety or no commitment in case you don't like it ? ?  Origins is now selling their face masks in single pods so you can mix and match or try one before buying a pack.

 A single pod is $ 4 or you can grab a 6 pack for $ 24 ( mix and match, your choice).  There are six varieties for all skin types.

These are exclusive to Sephora online and select stores.

Origins Be Bright & Let It Glow Gift Bags

Origins makes skincare gifts fun with  jute bags filled with their top selling items.  The bags are nice sized and easily will fit in your purse. I plan on using the red one myself.

Be Bright  has Dr. Andrew Weil Mega Bright Serum ( 1oz) , GinZing Eye Cream (.5oz) and Brighter by Nature SPF 25 moisturizer(.5oz)

Let It Glow has Vita Zing SPF 15 (1 oz), GinZing ( .5 oz), and GinZeng Brightening Mascara in a travel size.

Be Bright is $ 66 and Let It Glow is $ 32.50. These are currently sold out online but stores should, hopefully, still have them.

Another pick, this one not shown - the Scents on the Go fragrance rollerball set with Spring Fever , Ginger Intensified and Gloomaway.  Spring Fever is an old favorite and they are all quite nice.


Origins has also launched their Eco Chic Holiday Series of videos. The first features Amanda Hearst taking viewers inside the Marie Claire Fashion Closet to discuss the latest ethical fashions . You can see the video here 

Also follow  @Origins on Twitter and RT the video for a chance  to win eco friendly fashions.

Origins Ginger Holiday Gift Sets

Last minute shopping ? Or perhaps thinking what you might treat yourself with that gift card you got ?  Well pampering comes easy with Origins Ginger line  holiday gift sets. This was one of the first high end  bath products I ever bought a gazillion years ago. It still smells amazing and remains a great gift idea.  They even come pre-packaged in pretty gift boxes.

Ginger Treats: 

-Ginger Float™ Cream Bubble Bath

-Incredible Spreadable™ Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub

-Ginger Souffle™ Intensely hydrating body cream

 $35.00

Ginger to Go and to Stay:

 This set includes Origins most popular Ginger bath and body products in both full-size and travel-size, packaged in a clear, reusable travel pouch. Now you can have the wonderful Ginger smell wherever you go.

-Incredible Spreadable Scrub™ Ginger body smoother

-Ginger Burst™ Savory body wash

-Ginger Souffle™ Whipped body cream

 $55.00

Origins Earth Month Concert- Live Stream Info

Origins is holding their Earth Month concert once again this year ,  featuring Train . It will streamed live for anyone to see on April 20.

Here are the broadcast details  if you want to join in :

 The Origins Rocks Earth Month™ concert will be streamed live on April 20th at 8pm EDT and rebroadcast the next day at 7am EDT and 2pm EDT on www.origins.com/liveconcert . Music giant, MOG will also be streaming the concert live to an international audience. Origins, along with its partner American Forests’ Global Releaf™, have pledged to plant a tree on behalf of every concertgoer and additional trees for live stream viewers.

Best of Beauty 2010

It's time for the best of the year , a look back at my top favorites. It's not always easy to slim the list down as I like so many products. But these that follow were the tops, or at least the ones that came immediately to mind. Most were reviewed here before so a link is there if you wish to read the original post. Please share your "best of" for the year in the comments. I'd love to know what's on everyones list.

Dior J'Adore L'Or- Full review coming soon on this as I only tried it at Christmastime.  An updating of the original J'Adore with a focus on purer , high grade essences and rose absolute and jasmine from Dior's own fields, this powerhouse white floral is beyond beautiful. So well done, and a bit more of an oil than as it's an essence of perfume rather than a  straight EDP.

Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio- Another hit from the great house. Love at first sniff and few others came close to it all year. It's not like anything else out there and for Spring and Summer weather,  so beautiful, fresh and  green.

Clinique Acne Solutions  Liquid Makeup - Kept my skin in check all summer, the hottest on record here. Not as matte as I usually use but it worked so well at keeping acne  down and helped oilies as well, while also providing great coverage and good looking skin.

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage- A genius idea. Cools, soothes , brightens and de-puffs all at once. Not it is not quite a miracle worker, you don't suddenly lose all puffiness etc.,  but it does make a difference and feels so good on. Anytime your eyes are tired or irritated , reach for this.

Dior Rouge Dior Haute Couleur Lipsticks- There were a lot of fabulous new lipsticks this fall, one from most major brands. I liked or loved  most , but the best to me was the new Dior. It feels like air on your lips but packs pigment and moisture and simply looks like lipstick should. 

Ellis Faas Makeup - Everything in this new  this year line but especially the Eye Lights metallic eye shadows.  With innovative colorways and packaging,  this became a huge favorite.

Origins Zero Oil Cleanser- Most amazing oily skin cleanser ever. Yes ,really. Did wonders for my skin in the super hot summer heat. Kept using all fall and into winter  even. Not harsh but cleanses well and helps bat down that pesky over oiliness. Zero Oil indeed. Maybe not all of it, but enough.

Chanel Les Khakis nail polish- The polish everyone at Fashion Week in Sept. 2010 was either talking about, wanting or wearing. I got more compliments on my Khaki Vert toes than I ever expected. I also didn't expect the  polish to look so good, but somehow it was perfect. The two other shades didn't move me as much but I still like them.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger - This new line  grabbed a lot of reader attention and deservedly so . Deeply repairing for damaged and very dry hair, it's that good. 

MAC Venomous Villains- One of the most hotly anticipated collections of the year . This was simply fun but also had some great colors. I know people who wanted it simply because it was Disney, but most of us I think wanted it because it was Disney and MAC.  The decals/logos were well done and I love having at least one lippie sitting out where I can see it.

Honorable mentions go to :

 1. Clarins Extra Firming Foundation-  they do know foundation as well as skincare there .  Super coverage, firming, radiance. Hits all the marks.

2. Atelier Perfumes- a new, niche line  of old  style cologne  scents modernized and better.  

3. Maybelline Age Rewind The Eraser Foundation - A drugstore foundation that truly competes with the high end lines.

Andrew Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum

Origins has tackled the difficult problems of red , irritated skin with their Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum.

Among the ingredients to help deal with inflammation ,  per Origins, are " scientifically-proven anti-irritant ingredients such as Chaga Mushroom, Pleurotus Mushroom, Certified Organic Sea Buckthorn, Spike Moss and Mangifera Leaf Extract"   It also works to strengthen skin.

 I have a dear friend( The Movie Mommy) who suffers with highly reactive red skin so I  gave her this to test and hopefully help her skin some. She told me she has never really had her skin diagnosed but feels it is eczema or rosecea of some kind.   She says "With nothing on my face it becomes painfully dry and then actually oozes. I never wanted to go through the stuff at a dermatologist (like a biopsy!) to find out the real cause. " She has good luck with it and I am glad she has found something that has begun to help .

After more than  2 months of use here is what she wrote me about the serum:
 
"After my skin got over the initial shock of something new...it
seemed to be just fine. My skin color became more even and remains so. "

"Now that winter is here, climate change and heaters are on...my skin is dry. Even with the serum my face will still be dry BUT not painfully dry like before. I use  a  moisturizer or body butter . A few applications of the moisturizer and my face feels fine."( Ed. note, yes she uses body products on her face. Odd, but it works for her).

"I do still get the monthly little breakouts but they appear to be not as bad as before the serum. Just little quick blemishes that go as quickly as they came. "

She also says a little goes a long way and I can concur on this from my brief test of it. I also found  it was very ( too) moisturizing on my oilier skin.

Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum is available wherever Origins is sold and at http://www.origins.com/ and is $ 66.00 for 1.7 oz.

Origins Great Skin Care Giveaway

 

Origins  is having the Great Skin Care Giveaway. This is a great time to maybe grab some product you need to stock up on or have been wanting to try and take home extra skincare goodies as your free gift.

You can visit any Origins store nationwide for this limited-time offer and free gifts.

Details:

 Origins is giving away one of four “personalized” skin care starter sets with any skin care purchase. During this limited-time offer; you can choose one of four sets to complete their skin care regimen. Each of the four kits includes a face cleanser, exfoliator and eye cream focused on a specific skin care concern – all free of charge (up to a $29.25 value). Choose one of the following to address specific skin care needs:

- Skin Brighteners: For those looking for a brighter, more even skin tone

- Skin Protectors (shown): For those looking for environmental skin protection

-Skin Firmers: For those looking for firmer, more visibly lifted skin

- Skin Relievers: For those looking for calmer, less reactive skin

Additionally, bring a friend and Origins will give you a limited-edition reusable shopping tote, also free of charge. As a gift to your friend, with any Origins skin care purchase, they will receive a skin care starter set and reusable tote as a gift too.

Promotion runs from : September 15 - October 2, 2010

Origins Zero Oil Cleanser and More

I try a lot of cleansers and generally like most of them , but am always it seems, on the hunt for the very best one. I think at last I have it- new Zero Oil from Origins.

When I first started using this we had just begun a week of high 90 temps, then it went over 100 . With my oily skin I expected meltdown and oil overload , yet when I looked in the mirror even after being out for a bit, my makeup looked great. Maybe a light powder needed but that was it. I thought , what's changed? And realized it was the cleanser.

Nothing has ever slowed down my oil like this and believe me I have tried. Do I still get some shine and oil, of course , but far less than normal. It really works and I was amazed.

Zero Oil has saw palmetto , mint and salicylic acid. It does have a minty feel and smell and gets skin super clean. Blessedly I seem to be seeing less blackheads on my nose also . Another first- I rarely need toner after this. Toner is a must normally.

Zero Oil is actually a whole line and Origin's says it is proven treat acne , reduce pore size and unclog pores with regular use of all products. The line also has a moisturizer which is a light, light, gel/cream with just the barest hint of moisture as well as salicylic acid that blends immediately and also a toner and instant matte which I haven't tried yet.

For this hot weather, my go to combo has been the Zero Oil cleanser and Clinique's new Acne Solutions foundation. These two get the job done and give me a basically flawless face for much of the day.

All Zero Oil products are on counter and online now at http://www.origins.com/

Origins Free Concert With Macy Gray

**Update** On April 19th go to www.origins.com/liveconcert beginning at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST to watch Macy’s performance streaming live and view behind-the-scenes video .

If you live in or near New York/ New Jersey , you could be among the attendees at a free concert by Macy Gray, hosted by Origins.

Details and more about Origins recycling and Plant a Tree programs:

In celebration of Earth Month 2010 and Origins Earth Initiatives which support programs that help to sustain the planet, Origins will host its first annual Origins Rocks Earth Month Concert in NYC on April 19th. Fans are invited to the FREE star-studded concert at Webster Hall New York City located in Downtown Manhattan featuring Grammy Award-Winner Macy Gray. Origins has chosen to partner with Macy as her new single “Beauty In The World” captures the sentiment of Earth Month. The concert will also include performances by emerging artists Ryan Star and Jon McLaughlin and will be hosted by a special celebrity guest emcee.


One free concert ticket will be offered to those who bring at least one empty cosmetic package, regardless of brand, to Origins retail stores in NYC, Westchester and the Garden State Plaza Mall (no purchase necessary, while tickets last.) Ticket holders must arrive at Webster Hall New York City for first come first serve entry. Origins will collect all the packaging and recycle or responsibly convert it to energy through its Return to Origins Recycling Program.


RETURN TO ORIGINS RECYCLING PROGRAM
Earth Month 2009 marked the launch of the Origins Recycling Program, a first-of-its-kind national cosmetics recycling initiative. Origins leads the industry-wide campaign by providing customers a place to drop off their empty cosmetic packaging including bottles, tubes, jars, caps and compacts regardless of brand to any Origins retail store or department store counter. Origins will then submit the packaging to be recycled or responsibly converted to energy.

According to The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, everyday packaging accounts for approximately 1/3 of all landfill waste. In an effort to continue Origins commitment to protecting the earth and its resources, Origins decided to tackle this problem head on and launch the Return to Origins Recycling Program. As a thank you for participating, Origins offers consumers a free product sample of their choice.


PLANT-A-TREE CAMPAIGN
To further its Global Plant-A-Tree Campaign, Origins will plant a tree on behalf of each concert attendee through its partners Global ReLeaf™. Did you know that just one tree provides oxygen for up to four people per day?

In addition to planting a tree for each concert attendee, from April 18th to 30th, Origins will plant a tree in honor of each customer who purchases the NEW A Perfect World™ SPF 25 Age-defense moisturizer with White Tea or current moisturizer.

Origins GinZing Eye Cream Free Event & Contest

Origins has partnered with illy caffé to provide an energizing pick-me-up and there is no purchase required. If you happen to live near one of the stores having this event, go sample and have fun.

"Origins would like to invite you to stop by the below Origins retail stores, where you will receive FREE illy espresso, a FREE sample of Origins GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream, a FREE “Eye-Opening” Mini-Facial, a FREE Makeup Application and a FREE Origins and illy gift bag! "

You can also join the Wake Up & Win Sweepstakes from November 2nd until November 30th at www.origins.com/wakeupandwinsweeps. Fabulous prizes will be awarded to one Grand Prize winner and nine additional winners!

Origins and illy caffé are inviting the people of New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boca Raton and Dallas to stop by select Origins retail stores for an energizing pick-me-up on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th! Origins invites you to enjoy the following (with no purchase necessary!):

· FREE shot of illy espresso
· FREE sample of Origins new GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream (with Caffeine)
· FREE “Eye-Opening” Mini-Facial
· FREE makeup application
· Chance to win the Wake Up & Win Sweepstakes

To keep you bright-eyed and energized for weeks to come, Origins is giving away gift bags containing a three week supply of GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream and illy espresso, while supplies last.

Events will be held in the following locations:

-New York, NY (opening at 8am)
Flatiron: 175 Fifth Avenue SoHo: 402 West Broadway
Upper West Side: 2327 Broadway
Grand Central: 62 Grand Central Terminal

-Los Angeles, CA (opening at 9am)
South Coast Plaza: 3333 Bristol Street

-San Francisco, CA
Embarcadero Center: One Embarcadero Center

San Francisco Centre: 865 Market Street (opening at 10am)

-Boca Raton, FL (opening at 9am)
Town Center at Boca Raton: 6000 Glades Road

-Dallas, TX (opening at 9am)
Southlake Town Square: 1426 Civic Place