File this one under wacky firsts, but totally true:

Head & Shoulders has just insured Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu’s hair through Lloyd’s of London for a cool one million dollars.  As the mane man repping Head & Shoulders Hair Endurance for Men collection, Polamalu’s precious curls will be protected throughout this NFL season and is definitely a first for the sport.  According to Procter & Gamble (makers of Head & Shoulders), Troy’s hair is so full and thick that end to end it spans 100 football fields—and he hasn’t cut it in over seven years!

When and if Troy Polamalu decides to get a little trim, I’d hate to be the stylist responsible for that head of hair, the pressure would be just too much.  Troy’s hair even has it’s own website, Troyshair.com where you can enter to win NFL prizes including a Super Bowl XLV VIP package.  I’m thinking he receives his fair share of razzing in the locker room over his hair, and then some.  Breck girls, eat your heart out.

Have you taken the Eucerin SkinFIRST pledge yet?  If you already have, please take a second to pat yourself on the back.  If not, listen up—I’ve got some incentive for you (and a little reward for those of you who already have).

It’s craziness that we often take the largest organ in our body for granted.  A few months ago I partnered with Eucerin as a member of the SkinFIRST network in an effort to to bring awareness to the importance of the skin’s needs to be cared for.  You’d be surprised by what a difference even the most basic of changes makes to your skin’s overall health!  Our skin has to last a lifetime and I can’t think of anything better than something I read a few months ago to illustrate the point:

If you bought a car and you knew it had to last a hundred years, wouldn’t you take care of it differently than if you thought it could be replaced?  Wouldn’t you check out every rattle and fix every ding?  Wouldn’t you fill it with high-octane fuel?  I bet you’d do anything to take care of that car if you knew it had to last you a lifetime.  Most of us don’t do that for our bodies.  But if we did, we’d look and feel a lot better.  –Dr. Katie Rodan, Write Your Skin a Prescription For Change

Ready to be rewarded for taking the pledge by winning a great SkinFIRST prize pack, compliments of Eucerin?  Read on!

Prize: One (1) Eucerin SkinFIRST Everyday Protection Prize Pack containing one Everyday Protection SPF 30 Face Lotion, one Everyday Protection SPF 15 Body Lotion, and one $50 Sunglass Hut Gift Card

There are 3 ways to enter daily!

• Take the Eucerin SkinFIRST pledge here.  Then, leave a comment at the end of this post letting us know you did. (If you’ve already taken the pledge prior to this giveaway, just let us know that you did!)

• Follow us (@beautyjunkies) on Twitter and press the Retweet button (near the top of this post) OR share on Facebook using the Facebook Share button on this post. (Make sure you leave your comment on this post for each time you retweet or share daily!)

• Enter by subscribing to the Beauty Junkies Unite newsletter and leave a comment on this post that you are a subscriber. (If you’re already a current subscriber, just let us know that you are.)

Details: You may enter once daily via each method (maximum of 3 entries per day if you comment, retweet or Facebook share, and subscribe) until 9/6/2010 at 6:59pm EST.  You can still enter via one or two of the ways as well!  Shortly after the end of the giveaway, one (1) winner will be chosen in a random drawing and contacted by email.  The winners will have 24 hours to reply to the notification message to verify their US shipping address.  After 24 hours, the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be selected.  Good luck!

Open to residents of the US, 18+, void where prohibited. Each comment you leave will count as one (1) entry. Please note:  If you are reading this in a feed reader or newsletter, you will need to enter through the direct permalink of the giveaway.  Comments are moderated to prevent spam and are approved on a daily basis.  If your comments do not immediately appear, valid entries will be approved before the giveaway is closed.

*Comments left on posts other than this page will not be counted as entries.

If you’ve noticed a lack of posts lately, I can explain—I kinda messed up.  No, I actually really messed up.  I didn’t take what has been going on with my left arm for over two years very seriously.  I don’t know if it was more stupidity on my behalf, or the fact that I thought I could wish it away—but I have cubital tunnel syndrome in my left arm.  There could be worse things wrong with me and for that I am very grateful, but I have to say that this has become one of the most physically painful things I’ve had to suffer through (aside from the summer I spent in bed with a broken chest bone, but that’s another story for another time).  If I would have done things sooner to try to remedy the issue when it first started, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now.  It’s BAD.

In the past month, it’s gotten progressively worse and it’s now worse than I ever imagined.  What used to bother me only when typing is now interfering with my daily activities.  In the past week alone, I’ve gone through long periods of time where I can barely feel sensation in my ring and pinkie fingers and I’m experiencing excruciating pain in my elbow almost non-stop.  I wake up several times a night to try to shake out the insane pins and needles shooting through my arm and it just DOES NOT STOP.  It’s about to drive me to crazytown!  The good news is, I finally took my head out of the sand long enough to go to the doctor to seek treatment for it.  I’m trying to take it easy on my arm while I’m waiting for my appointment to see the specialist who will determine just how compressed the nerve is, and what our next step is.  I’m hoping a simple procedure can release some of the pressure on my ulnar nerve and that will be that.  I’m pretty much over the constant feeling of having slammed my funny bone into a corner, you have nooooooo idea.

I have been DYING to swatch the gorgeous new fall nail polish collections from Essie and Zoya for you, post some excellent giveaways, and write reviews for incredible new products like the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, but I haven’t been able to get my arm and fingers to cooperate with me long enough to do so.  And for that, I’m sorry.  But most of all I just feel like a moron (as well I should) for not taking what my body has been telling me seriously at all.  So please hang in there with me!  I’m actually having a rare moment right now where I can post so I better go try to get something in!  Please make sure your desks and typing situations are ergonomic, as I’m 99.9% sure that’s what caused my issue.  Missing you beauties!

xo
Amber

I must say, I think this is the coolest nail art ever for tech babes!  I apologize if I’m tardy to the party (did I just say that?), but I had to share this in case you haven’t seen it yet.  Japanese blogger, Mamipeko is rocking some internet browser inspired nail art!  You must check out her Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox, and Safari icon nails.  They’re pretty sweet!

image credit: Mamipeko

What’s the most interesting/unusual nail art you’ve ever seen?

Check out more nail polish swatches and reviews

How many times have you purchased a lippie that promised to be long wearing, only to wind up so disappointed that it quickly found it’s way to the bottom of your makeup stash or nearest trash can?  It’s happened to me more times than I care to remember.  True long wearing lip colors are out there, but they’re far and few in-between, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to let you in on one that I could not get to budge—pinky swear. LipSense by SeneGence isn’t a brand I’ve spied in any retail stores, so had I not been contacted by one of their representatives—I definitely would have missed out on it altogether.

The formula itself is part liquid lipstick, part lipstain, and can be turned into a very long-wearing lipgloss by finishing with a coat of one of their LipSense glosses (which are available in several different finishes).  I tried out the basic clear Moisturizing Gloss formula over my LipSense colors, but you can purchase them in matte, pearl, glitter, and diamond finishes as well.  When you consider the number of shades available in LipSense Long Wearing Lip Color and the amount of glosses you can apply as a “top coat”, the combinations for your customized lip colors are pretty much endless.  But does it work?

Totally!  It’s the closest thing to a bulletproof lip color that I’ve ever worn so far and blows any other long-wear lipgloss, lipstick, or lipstain I’ve tried in the past out of the water—in terms of length of wear.  I found it almost unbelievable that the color was not budging at all after eating, drinking, and chatting all day.  The color did not transfer on any cups or glasses (but the clear gloss will), it didn’t rub off when I touched it, and it didn’t start that dreaded unattractive “disappearing in the middle of my lips” act.  By the time it was all said and done, I had it on for 7 hours before I took it off the first time.  It’s recommended that you use their Oops! Remover if you make a mistake or it’s time to remove it, and I’m completely a believer!  I didn’t have it handy one night and I resorted to using waterproof eye makeup remover on a cotton pad to wipe it away, and even that didn’t remove it entirely.

There is a little trick to applying it, and it will make a difference!  For best results, you’ll need to apply it in three thin coats (drying a few seconds in between) from one corner of the lip to the other without rubbing the applicator back and forth.  It’s simple enough, but if you try to apply it like a regular lippie you’ll probably wind up disappointed.  Upon applying the liquid to my lips, I felt a temporary stinging sensation.  It was tolerable but it did catch me completely off guard because it’s something I normally would associate with a lip plumper—although stinging did lessen after a few days of use.  The formula uses SD Alcohol 40 to aid in it’s staying power, so I definitely recommend wearing the gloss over it to keep your lips moist.  In a pinch I slapped a clear lip balm over it because I feel naked without feeling something on my lips and it was completely okay for me, but of course it’s formulated to perform best when layered with a LipSense gloss.

There are over 50 shades of LipSense to choose from in a wide selection of blue, yellow, and neutral undertones that retail for $22 each.  The LipSense glosses are sold separately for $18, and the Ooops! Remover is an additional $10.  So the first shot might seem a little expensive, but I couldn’t imagine ever having to replace all three products at once which might help lessen the blow—it just depends how you look at it!  For me personally on a day-to-day basis, I prefer not to be married to my lip color all day.  I do love a great long-wear lip product, but I swap colors out as often as I change my mind!  Let’s say you’re someone who works in the hospitality or food service industry and you’re constantly interacting with people, you’re a public speaker or teacher, a performer, attending a special event, or someone who just doesn’t want to think about it again for the rest of the day—this is a GREAT alternative to constantly reapplying.  It’s also fab for date nights because it doesn’t kiss off!  LipSense is available for purchase on SeneGence.com and through independent SeneGence distributors.

More long-wearing lip color reviews

An editorial sample was provided by the company and evaluated to determine my opinion of the product in this post.  Please see the Disclosures page for further information regarding my policies for using editorial samples.

There are about to be some VERY happy Urban Decay lovers in NYC!  1,000 New Yorkers are going to beat us all to the punch on this beautiful thing right here:

The latest installment of their popular Limited Edition Book of Shadows series from the edgy west coast beauty brand proves that Urban Decay has mad love for New York City!  The new Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III ($54) rocks an NYC vibe with an impressively versatile range of eyeshadow shades (both classic must-have colors and new), mini Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and two mini 24/7 Glide On eyeliner pencils (Ransom and Zero).  All of which are enclosed in an adorable pop-up palette that even lights up to show off the famous NYC skyline.  I know, I know!  I can hardly CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT MYSELF!  If only someone who shares my excitement could be standing next to me right now so we could hold hands and jump up and down together…

What?  It’s not like I would do that or anything, right?  I mean really, who does things like that?  *insert sheepish look here*  Oh, forget it!  I totally would!

Ready for the eyeshadow shade breakdown?

• New Shades:
Bordello – purpley-pink w/gold shift
Kush – bright green
Loaded – deep emerald/black
Money – silvery pale green
Radium – bright blue
Rockstar – deep eggplant w/metallic base
Suspect – oyster w/dimensional shift

• Cult Faves:
Haight – shimmering, mermaid blue
Psychedelic Sister – purple amethyst
Snatch – peachy-pink w/glitter

• UD Best Sellers:
Last Call – plum punch
Maui Wowie - medium gold w/silver glitter
Midnight Cowboy Rides Again – golden beige w/bronze, gold & silver glitter
Smog – deep coppery bronze
Perversion – matte jet black
Uzi – metallic silver w/big iridescent sparkles

Urban Decay really knows how to tug at my wallet, because as usual–even though I own a majority of the regular permanent shades already, I want this for the WOW factor, not to mention those new colors.  Loaded, Money, Rockstar, and Suspect…YOU WILL BE MINE!

Remember when I said 1,000 New Yorkers will beat us all to the punch?  Here’s why:

There will be a one-day only sneak peek event for the Book of Shadows Volume III at Sephora in Times Square on Saturday, August 28th, from 1-9pm (1500 Broadway, #304, New York, NY 10036). Only 1,000 pieces of this coveted palette will be sold on a first come, first served basis.  There will be a limit of 3 per person and the first 200 Urban Decayers in line will receive a limited-edition Urban Decay t-shirt with their consultation.  In what will likely already be a frenzy of excitement, Urban Decay’s International Makeup Artist, Eric Jimenez, and his team of ‘A-List’ artists are offering makeovers as well as sharing tips and tricks created specifically for the NYC non-stop, glam-and-go lifestyle.

Oh, I’m totally jealous!  The rest of us suckers will have to wait until after Labor Day for the palette to launch on UrbanDecay.com, and it won’t even be released until October 1st in stores at Macy’s, Ulta, and Sephora.  I imagine this BOS will create even MORE excitement than the Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows, and that’s saying a lot because it was such a hot ticket!  So, what do you think?  Are you liking the looks of Volume 3, or are you going to pass this time?  I think it’s safe to say what I’ll be doing…

Urban Decay Says: We’re Making The Naked Palette As Fast As We Can!

Who dreads a bikini wax?  Maybe I should ask who doesn’t dread a bikini wax!  I’m a true believer that if it’s done correctly by a seasoned pro, the pain is definitely minimized and it’s not as bad of an experience as it’s feared to be.  But it still hurts!  I’ve had my share of pain in the past and I’ve always wished for a better way–so I know I’m not alone in my sentiments.  You might be happy to hear about something that can make it easier to grin and bear it!

BareEase & Cream is a bikini wax prep-kit created by a Beverly Hills anesthesiologist that contains a 4% lidocaine topical cream to help de-sensitize the area and relieve some of our pain-anticipating anxiety.  BareEase requires some strategic planning since you’ll need to apply it about 30 minutes prior to your appointment, but can start numbing in as little as 15 minutes and reach it’s peak in about 45.

While I know the product wasn’t created for this–I also used some prior to a threading appointment on my upper lip, where it helped curb some of the involuntary nose-twitching and tears that escape from my eyes I usually experience, which was a very welcome relief.  (It might be tempting to use near the eyes, but please don’t!)  You may find the tube a little small at 0.3 oz for $24.99, but for those of us who don’t go by the motto “pain is beauty”, it could be a price you’re willing to pay.

An editorial sample was provided by the company and evaluated to determine my opinion of the product in this post.  Please see the Disclosures page for further information regarding my policies for using editorial samples.

I’m baaa-ack!  And I’ve missed you all!  I just got back from Arizona where I was checking out the Bare Escentuals Quickie Van West in action.  Let me tell you, it was HOT!  I mean, it was just en fuego and it’s not for the faint of heart.  Kudos to all of the dedicated Bare Escentuals makeup artists and customers who braved the scorching temps for a little bareMinerals action.  Most of their venues along the way are outdoors, and even though they were inside the student union at the U of A campus yesterday, the amount of excited freshman swarming around caused a heatwave at the Bare Escentuals booth!

It was such a great time, but I’ve made a mental note that if I’m in Arizona again–I need stronger than an SPF 55 to get me through.  The west coast team is on their way to Las Vegas to beautify Sin City and I’m with them in spirit!  They are a super group of talented young ladies who are just as sweet as they are beautiful.  I had fun!  Now I’m off to blast my fan and A/C…