Maybelline is celebrating its association with New York Fashion Week with a limited edition NYFW Baby Lips Lip Balm for the month of February.  Baby Lips is one of my favourite stick lip balms, with its on-trend packaging, moisturising sheen, SPF20 and less than the cost of an extra tall latte.  The limited edition lip balm features a delicious berry scent.

There are 10,000 Baby Lips up for grabs! Here’s how to enter:

• Visit facebook.com/MaybellineAU and register your details
• Between 9-16th February, follow the clues on Facebook to find the treasures hidden within Maybelline’s exclusive Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NY coverage.
• If you’re fast enough, you’ll receive your free Limited Edition Baby Lips.

Treat yourself to a new lip shade this Christmas! Whether you’ve been meaning to try Chubby Sticks, the sheer tinted berry lip trend or simply want to instantly multiply your gloss collection, you’re spoilt for choice this year with a myriad of gift sets that are guaranteed to please.

1. MAC Dazzlesphere! Ornaments - $65 AUD
Available in Corals, Neutrals and Pinks.

2. CLINIQUE Chubby Stick Set -$59 AUD
Shades: Whole Lotta Honey, Mega Melon, Woppin Watermelon and Strawberry.  Shade Strawberry swatched here.

3. BOBBI BROWN Lip Gloss Trio – $75 AUD
Shades: Aubergine Lip Gloss, Bare Sparkle High Shine Lip Gloss and Pastel Pink High Shine Lip Gloss)

4. MOR Lip Sync Trio - $24.95 AUD
A trio of lip macarons individually fragranced with French Vanilla, Rosebud and Peach Nectar.

5. THE BODY SHOP Lip Balm in “Cranberry Joy” – $9.95 AUD
Cult favourite fruity balm with a delicate shimmer, made with Community Fair Trade beeswax and a fruity cranberry fragrance.

6. LANOLIPS Lip Ointment with Colour SPF 15 in “Mulberry”
Available as part of a gift set together with the cult favourite 101 Ointment and Rose Balm Intense for Very Dry Hands & Nails for only $24.95 AUD (valued at $43.85).  Available exclusively at Myer.  Previously swatched here.

7. DIOR Limited Edition Christmas Collection Bejewelled Lipsticks – $50 AUD
Available in eight shades all blended with a fine golden powder for a luminous glow.   Shade “Cinderella” swatched here.

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a week since the epic ABBW2011 weekend!  I was amazed to meet so many amazing bloggers and it felt extra special to meet so many that recognised me & Beauty Swatch.  A huge thank you to Kimmie (The Plastic Diaries) and Jacie (You’ve Got Nail) for organising such an amazing event for us.

Being the minimalist that I am, I somehow managed to under pack & came back with only 18.7kg baggage (despite paying for 23kg) , and only hauled my “must have” Hakuhodo brushes and a few Inglot lippies to add to my Beauty Swatch collection.

I’m not sure about the other bloggers who attended, but this weekend was just as much about engaging bloggers, brands & PR as it was about self-reflection.  So this ABBW wrap is about what it meant for me & my take aways from the weekend.  To view more detailed ABBW coverage, check out the ABBW official website, in particular Ponikuta and Beautyholics Anonymous.

5 Things I Reflected from ABBW2011 

1. Differentiation is key 

The best decision I ever made was to stick to a niche topic.  It’s helped with everything from pitching, managing my blogging workload and PR’s expectations. But most importantly, it’s gives readers a reason to visit your blog over someone else’s.  Finding a point of differentiation is just as important for a “hobby blog” as it is for a “professional” blog.  Your point of differentiation could be anything from topic coverage, writing / visual styles or blogging voice.  Find a style that resonates with who you are & it’ll be easy to stick to in the long term.

2. The “blogging for love vs. money” debate 

This Friday I will be on a plane to Sydney to attend the Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW) at the International Makeup Artists Trade Show (IMATS)!  I made my airfare included 23kg luggage space, in case things my hauling gets out of hand.

The idea of a ABBW weekend started on Twitter but only came to life thanks to Kimmie (The Plastic Diaries) and Jacie (You’ve got Nail), who dedicated hours towards coordinating this event for the rest of us bloggers.

Before I start squealing with excitement on the event itself, I have to take my hat off to these two ladies, as this has been the most organised event I have ever attended – with press releases, branding, sponsorships & even a blog post advising us what to bring & wear!

I can’t wait to meet other Australian beauty bloggers & finally put faces to Twitter names and blog aliases.  And if for whatever reason you can’t find me, I might be hovering at one of these exhibitor stands:

• Hakuhobo
• Crown Brushes (Rae Morris’ brushes had better be there!)
• Ben Nye
• MUFE
• Inglot
• MAC
• Napoleon Perdis

Are you attending ABBW or IMATS this year?   

Long before I used serums & many years before we went crazy over the Clarisonic, my skin was pretty good and clear (if I may say so) during my uni days.  The secret?  A simple routine  which involved only 5 skincare products.  Yep – only FIVE.  It was Clinique‘s 3 Step Skincare System, Clinique 7 Day Scrub and a mask.

If achieving good skin in just 3 minutes a day seems too good to be true, try it for yourself with Clinique’s 2 Week 3 Step Challenge.

Step 1: Visit your Clinique counter (Australia only) and collect your 2 week supply of Clinique 3 Step (deluxe 30ml samples).

Step 2: Download the 3-Step iPhone App & register for the challenge.

Step 3: Check in daily to win hundreds of prizes PLUS go into the draw to win a $1000 Westfield Gft Card and a 2 year supply of 3-Step!

Open from 6 July to 17 August 2011. For more information visit Clinique Australia’s Facebook page

* * *

After 2 weeks, get ready to see the cleanest, freshest and healthiest version of your skin.
Here’s a cheesy photo of me back in 2004, with skin courtesy of the Clinique 3 Step Skincare & Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.