ShopEatSleep

I’ve always shied away from wearing eye shadow, not only because I’m lazy but also because it never really stayed on my lids. I would get the dreaded creasing that makes shadow so ugly, which wasn’t helped by the fact that I have really oily skin that makes all makeup slip and slide. I’ve tried various bases to avoid this, but nothing really seemed to work. Then I tried Pop Beauty‘s Eye Magnet Primer ($18), which I was given as a gift after my interview with the company’s founder, Sara Strand, and now I can wear eye shadow again without worrying about creasing! Not that I wear much makeup, but this stuff does a great job of holding color in place for hours at a time. It comes in an easy-to-use pen-brush applicator, too. There’s also an eyelid primer to create a smoky eye — eyeshadow for dummies!

If you’re anything like me, you worry about your skin — how it looks, how healthy it is — you know, that kind of thing. Well, never fear because Perricone neuropeptide is offering one lucky ShopEatSleep reader a skin-boosting product to help you deal with just that. Perricone’s products include anti-aging ingredients that help with elasticity, firmness and hydration, according to its website. It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin!

You can win any Perricone product valued at $150 or less. Need helping choosing? How about the Perricone Evening Repair, which works to smooth and illuminate while you sleep? Sounds good to me.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post by Aug. 24 at 11:59 p.m. PST stating why you’d like a particular product (remember, it can’t cost more than $150).

2. Either follow me on Twitter or “like” me on Facebook.

That’s it. I’ll pick a winner at random and make the announcement on Aug. 25. Good luck!

**Contest is closed.**

UPDATE: Congratulations to Sacha of Swirl Smell Slurp!

If you haven’t yet heard, the new Santa Monica Place mall opens tomorrow, Aug. 6, and if you remember what the old mall looked like, this is a real treat. Gone is the bunker-like feel (sorry, Frank Gehry, this was not one of your best designs), replaced by high-end stores and an open-air dining deck. There will be all sorts of hooplah surrounding the grand opening, including live music and dance, and sale specials, of course! Here’s a full list of retailers.

One of those special grand opening events will be taking place at Bloomingdale’s (yes, Bloomies!) with Nation LTD, the luxe basics brand. Designer Jen Menchaca will be offering styling tips, and there will be a giveaway contest with the chance to win one of three “Summer Survival Kits” filled with Nation LTD tees (retail value $325). The first 50 purchasers will receive a free denim Nation LTD tote, and Bobbi Brown makeup artists will be on hand to offer beauty tips and to give out mini Crystal Lip Glosses. If only I didn’t have to go to work tomorrow!

Friday, Aug. 6
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bloomingdale’s at Santa Monica Place
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA, 90401

Recess Nail Spa. From Green L.A. Girl.

I recently checked out Recess Nail Spa, an environmentally friendly nail salon not far from the Beverly Center, and came away impressed. For one thing, the space is huge — it looked about three times the size of a typical nail salon — and it was much more luxurious, with plush chairs and flat screen TVs. Aside from actual spas, I have never seen a dedicated nail salon look so nice.

I got a manicure and pedicure, courtesy of a gift card I won at The Fashion Frontline launch party. I got the the Basic Manicure, which includes a mani, hot towels and massage, and the Basic Pedicure, which includes a pedi, scrub, hot towels and massage. I had two people working on me at the same time, and both did a great job. I chose a pink-coral color from SpaRitual, which according to its website, is a vegan nail polish line free of synthetic dyes. I’ve noticed that the color doesn’t chip as much as it wears away from the tips. Recess also carries Zoya, which is free of toluene, formaldehyde, phthalates and camphor. You also get your choice of lotion for your massage, with scents that are sweet, spicy or citrusy.

I was also happy with the service. Even though I came in without an appointment less than an hour before closing time, the salon accommodated me and didn’t make me feel rushed at all.

Through the end of August, the salon is offering a special on the Basic Manicure for $20 and the Basic Pedicure for $30. If you want to save $5, just forgo the hot towels. I’ve had similar manis at actual spas (and even ones that weren’t as good) for much more. This is a great deal. I just may have to make this a regular part of my beauty regimen!

Nights With Neve at Osteria La Buca. From Caroline on Crack.

A year ago, having just lost my job as a reporter for the Los Angeles Business Journal, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself. But within days, I started this blog, building on the reporting I had done as a retail, dining and hospitality journalist, and I have never been happier. This blog is a labor of love for me, and I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive responses I’ve received. To celebrate my first year online (the exact date was actually April 22), I would like to thank my readers — because without you, I’d just be talking to myself. To show my appreciation, I’m giving away a grab bag chock full of awesome stuff I’ve generously been given over the last year but could never go through on my own (and why should I? That’s just greedy!). I’m going to keep this shrouded in a bit of mystery, but expect full-size cosmetics, accessories and anything else I can get my hands on before the entry deadline. All you need to do to enter this giveaway is:

1. Leave a comment on this post (if you’re reading this on Facebook then please go to the blog URL — do NOT comment via Facebook, or else your entry may not be counted) explaining what you like most about ShopEatSleep and/or what kind of coverage you’d like to see more/less of on the blog. I always strive to do better, you know.

2. Follow me on Twitter and/or “like” ShopEatSleep on Facebook (the Facebook page is brand new, so you’ll have to search for it until I can get enough fans to qualify for a username) and tweet or post on the Facebook wall “I entered to win a grab bag of goodies from @shopeatsleep to celebrate its 1-year blogiversary! You can enter here: http://ht.ly/1Govf”

That’s it! The deadline to enter is May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Once all entries have been made, I’ll pick one lucky reader at random. Good luck, and thanks again for making this blog so much fun!

**Contest is closed.**

UPDATE: Congratulations to Emily (@emilythepanda), who just won products from Trees, Hourglass, POP Beauty and more!

Code.ai products. From L.A. Splash Magazine.

Code.ai, which makes eyelash and eyebrow regrowth products, is offering a blogger-exclusive sale for one week only, and it would behoove you to snatch some up because this is the best deal I’ve seen yet for these items. That means prices are as follows:

Lash Extend Serum L-117 ($115) with coupon code now $57.50
Brow Boosting Shaper B-216 ($75) with coupon code now $37.50
Lash Extend Primer L-122 ($40) with coupon code now $20

Click here to read more about code.ai’s products.

As I’ve said before, I’ve tried the Lash Extend Serum and Brow Boosting Shaper, and they both work. I found more noticeable results more quickly with the Last Extend Serum, but the my brows also showed improvement with the Brow Boosting Shaper. I didn’t have any irritation or discoloration with either product, which I know are concerns with these kinds of products.

From Monday, April 5, through midnight EST on Sunday, April 11, use the online code WELOVEBLOGS at checkout on www.codeai.com. You can use the code a maximum number of three times. Do it — your lashes and brows will thank you.

Steam Salon: On Saturday, Feb. 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., get a mini steam treatment, a blow dry or style, a manicure and a chair massage for $100 (normally $125). While you’re doing that, enjoy red velvet cupcakes and cinnamon cocktails (you can get them virgin, but why would you?).

And don’t forget the L.A. Street Food Festival!

Do-Lover: This special Valentine’s Day version of the summer party series the Do-Over will take place Sunday, Feb. 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Crane’s Hollywood Tavern, just like usual. Also like usual, it’s free to get in, though you do have to be at least 21 years old and RSVP here. Since Monday is a holiday (for most of us), expect a long line.

Stinker’s Truck Stop: The ultimate in ironic Silver Lake bars is shutting its doors and giving away everything it hasn’t already auctioned off. This Monday, Feb. 15, at 9:00 p.m. enjoy $2 Colt 45 tall boys while snatching up left over bar memorabilia — because you know you need that stuffed skunk wearing a trucker cap. (FYI: 1933 Group, which owns the bar, isn’t letting go of the space. A new concept will takes its place in a few weeks, per co-owner Dimitri Komarov.)

UPDATE: Komarov says the new concept taking over the old Stinkers space will be a whiskey bourbon bar tentatively called Old Crow projected to open sometime in mid March.

I love lip balm. I need to have some on me at all times. If I find myself without it, I have a mini freak out. So when I discovered LaROCCA‘s Lip Shield Multi-Active Lip Balm ($16), which was included in the Great Chefs of Los Angeles event gift bag, I rejoiced. Sure, it claims to have all kinds of amino acids, antioxidants and antimicrobials, but the bottom line is this stuff keeps your lips nice and comfy for hours. No having to reapply constantly, even after eating and drinking — lips still stay moist.

There are all kinds of fancy-sounding ingredients listed on LaROCCA’s Web site for the lip balm, including colloidal gold, but the one ingredient I actually know a little about, hyaluronic acid, is what keeps lips’ moisture so well. It is also what makes your lips look so smooth and plump, which is an effect of this lip balm. There’s also SPF 8 in it, so you get a little sun protection, too.

Escada has its own sizing system?

Have you been to the new Nordstrom Rack at Beverly Connection yet? I finally made it over there last weekend — sad, because it’s so close to my place — and took some notes so you’ll know what to expect. (Blackburn and Sweetzer was, of course, on top of things at the grand opening and offered an early look at what the store has to offer.) This could be a good place to find a holiday party dress or gift, though right now the store is still stocking a lot of left over warm-weather clothes. But this is Los Angeles, where we can and do wear out-of-season clothes all the time — because we can, practically and stylistically — so get your discounted-designer-goods shopping on!

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I started using Code.ai‘s Lash Extend Serum and Brow Boosting Shaper a little more than a month ago, so when I was invited to attend the brand’s official launch party at Fred Segal Santa Monica, of course I jumped at the chance to go. Food, drink, beauty products and fashion? Yes, please!

While I didn’t take a “before” photo of my lashes and brows (those pictures creep me out, though I’m not sure why), I can say I have definitely noticed a difference, especially with my lashes, which are longer and fuller. Now, I started out with a respectable set of lashes, but now they’re even longer, making it even easier to not have to wear mascara — just curl and go, that’s my motto. As for my brows, I just starting noticing new growth, and the Brow Boosting Shaper has made the existing hairs longer. Tara of When Tara Met Blog, who represents the company and who I served on the Blogger Prom committee with, has been using the brow booster with very noticeable results, so I have hope that this bald patch I’ve been trying to grow in forever will be bald no more.

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