Recently in Health & Beauty Category

Over the weekend, I had a bit of a cold and was resting it out in bed. The idle time gave me a chance to take part in one of my favorite time consuming activities: searching the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Database "Skin Deep". The database is a safety guide which rates cosmetic, baby, and personal care products based on their potentially harmful ingredients. You can search the database by an individual product, product type or brand. I searched one of my favorite Health and Beauty destinations, The Body Shop and found that they have many products with a low hazard rating, which was great news for me. Even better news was that The Body Shop is a member of our exciting November Double Cash Back month and has a staggering 10.0% Cash Back with coupons galore.

Shop now and get free shipping on orders of $50 or more and shop for bath and body favorites that are buy one get one 50% off. I recently ended a seemingly futile search for something to save my dry skin. The only solution seems to be a highly moisturizing body treatment like The Body Shop's Shea Body Butter for $20. If I buy the Body Butter, I can get a Shea Body Scrub for 50% off, making it just $10. Nothing keeps Winter skin in tip-top shape like regular exfoliation and daily moisturizing.

I will pick up a few stocking stuffers to qualify for free shipping and take advantage of shopping with 10.0% Cash Back!

When it comes to shopping for Holiday gifts, I often do the majority of my shopping for gifts at Sephora. This year, with their participation in our November Double Cash Back month, I have even more incentive to do my holiday shopping there. Offering 8.0% Cash Back and a ton of free gift and shipping coupons, Sephora through Ebates is the place to be this year. With best-selling gifts from last year, like this Scent Sampler (with more varieties) back for another season and new gift collections in skincare, makeup, and fragrance from virtually every beauty brand Sephora carries, there is literally something for everyone at Sephora with increased cash back.
Even better than having a gift for every recipient on your list, Sephora has made the process a cinch with a new and improved gift guide: shop by personality (The Luxe Girl, The Natural Beauty, Men's, and more), gift type (stocking stuffer, corporate gifts, gift card) and price (with ranges from $25 and under to $50 and over). One of the irresistible new additions to the gift set arsenal is this My First Makeup Kit Deluxe Sampler, an $89 value and just $32. While this is a great kit for someone new to makeup, it is also suitable for virtually anyone looking for the perfect travel-size beauty kit to keep you looking gorgeous.

Get 8.0% Cash Back at Sephora on gifts, gadgets, and more! Want more cash back? Shop all twenty of our November Double Stores.

A recurring theme in my health and beauty posts is saving time in the morning. Just the other day, in a typical rush, I was on a hunt for an elastic headband. With the shower running and no time to spare, I rifled through an absurd amount of beauty and makeup products searching for what proved to be a needle in a haystack. At that moment, like so many times before, I vowed to find a better storage method to keep all of my toiletries stored and accessible. My hunt started with fond memories of my first beauty storage device and 80's toy icon: Caboodles. You may recall Caboodles from the eighties; they were tinted plastic tackle box-style storage containers that were easily transportable. Girls would use Caboodles to store their makeup, hair scrunchies, Barbie clothes and more.

Although they are rather outdated, they were quite practical, would hold a ton of stuff, and could slip into the cupboard under the sink. Driven by this memory, I did a quick search of my favorite Ebates merchants and I discovered that you still could buy Caboodles, with a new more updated look but same great practicality. Get your sleek and updated Caboodles Ultimate Organizer from Walgreens for $29.99 with 4.0% Cash Back from Ebates and end your struggle to keep your products organized.

Find more ways to store all your favorite things in our Health and Beauty Category.

By the time Wednesday rolls around, the past weekend is a distant memory and you have fully immersed yourself in the work routine. So good ol' hump day is usually dominated by feeling that the weekend is so close but at the same time, so far away. I find that by the time Wednesday rolls around all my promises to myself to "be more put together" have faded and I am more focused on getting rest. This morning, after a late start, I was in desperate need for a little pick-me-up to get me through the week and over the hump of hump-day. I reached for an old favorite, my bright-pink Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush (available at Bloomingdale's with 3.0% Cash Back and $5 shipping on all beauty orders). With a couple of swoops on the checks, I instantly felt (at least that I looked) a little rested with a natural healthy glow. Despite my rather lackluster outfit choice and hurried attempt to do my makeup, the blush made me feel more put together and ready for the day.

For a steal, try the Physicians Formula Pearls of Perfection Blush in Blushing Berry. Priced just under $10 at ULTA Beauty with 3.0% Cash Back from Ebates,  this natural formula is good for sensitive skin, and contains just enough subtle shimmer for a "lit from within" glow. Get $3.50 off any order of $10 or more with ULTA Coupon code 20594 at checkout.

Find more hump-day beauty pick-me-ups in our Health and Beauty Category.

It is no secret that I am a person who believes that there is a beauty product for every need. Dry Cuticles? Get a cuticle pen. Sallow Skin? Try an exfoliant. The list goes on an on. When it comes to cleansing my face, however, I have found it difficult to find a good balance between cleansing and retaining a natural moisture balance. I found also that the more products I used, the worse my skin felt, especially now that the season has changed from Summer to Fall. Lately I have been reading about skipping cleanser for those with sensitive skin and instead trying a warm wash cloth and water to rid skin of the daily grime. I figured the routine was worth a try and rounded up a few products to get the job done.


First, it is important to use a wash-cloth that is not super abrasive. Too much friction on the skin will strip moisture. This Ultra Gentle Cleansing Cloth from The Body Shop is perfect for the task. Plus, its reasonably priced at just $6 with 5.0% Cash Back.






If the thought of just water and a washcloth makes the routine seem a little lackluster, add some essential oil to the mix to spice things while reaping the aromatherapy benefits of a soothing scent. Try Aura Cacia 100% Pure Essential Oil in Lavender from Vitacost for 40% off and just $6.03 with 5.0% Cash Back from Ebates. Add a couple of drops to a sink basin full of water and cleanse with the cloth.

I have tried the routine myself and find that it works especially well for a pick-me-up in the morning. It feels great and is a calming ritual to add into the routine. Try it out for yourself for just about $12 with cash back!


Check out more skin savers in our Heath and Beauty Category

I spend enough time reading beauty blogs to be relatively immune to falling for some kind of home remedy that is likely to end as a fail with negative consequences or at least scars. To give you some idea what I mean, I asked a friend of mine if he thought it was a good idea for me to try out one of those at home waxing kits. His reply was an emphatic no and he said something about how he would find me like a hairless sphinx. The sad thing is, he is probably right. Most at-home treatments can go dangerously awry, but some actually work and can save you time and money. It is up to the discerning eye to know the difference and to research to know what you are doing is safe. One of these at-home treatments that piqued my interest was applying Castor oil to moisturize eyelashes (and eyebrows) and even promote growth. With all these products on the market for "lash vitality" and virtually every makeup brand selling some kind of lash conditioner, its hard to not think that maybe my lashes need a little T.L.C. and to jump on the lash care bandwagon.

So I bought my first bottle of Castor oil from the Vitamin Shoppe through Ebates for just $4.99 with 6.0% Cash Back. And I figured, at best my lashes could grow a bit (I also plan to applying it to sparse spot in my eyebrow) and at worst they could be naturally conditioned for under $5. Since I am by no means an impartial judge of my own lash growth, I thought that I could document my before and afters and let the readers be the judge! Starting today, I will apply nightly for three weeks and compare before and after shots to see if there is any discernible difference.

Pick up your bottle from the Vitamin Shoppe and do your own at-home trial or wait to see the results and decide for yourself!

It's that time of year when the onset of dry, cold weather coupled with overzealous hand-washing (twenty seconds!) causes dry skin that's virtually impossible to get rid of. Slathering your hands in a quality hand lotion several times a day is the only way to save them from being painfully dry and cracked. It's usually this time of year when I stock up on several tubes to equip my apartment, cubicle, and handbag so that I can be constantly moisturizing after constantly washing.

As you may imagine, I shell out a few bucks to keep myself in hand creme all season and I was happy to see that The Body Shop has released a $10 Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream, a limited edition product which will donate 100% of the proceeds to their global NGO partner ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography, and Child Trafficking) International and national members of the ECPAT network, whose work aims to help protect children and young people from sex trafficking. Buying this product will not only help out a hugely important cause that is underfunded, but also it's quite simply a great hand cream with essential moisturizing ingredients like olive oil. Of course, you will also get 5.0% Cash Back when you shop through Ebates (which you can also donate to a charity of your choice here) and The Body Shop coupons for more savings. Stock up and get free shipping on orders of $60+.

Find more skin-savers in our Health and Beauty Category!

Every year Allure Magazine publishes their Best of Beauty list where the expert editors and readers decide which products earn a highly coveted place on the list. It is honestly like a beauty manifesto, where you can find the tried-and-tested best shampoo for dry hair, foundation for oily skin, or the most universally flattering red lipstick and much more. This year the one hundred and eighty two item list boasts just as many drugstore buys as high end department store items, which is exciting news for anyone on a budget. It's even more exciting news for Ebates members, who can get cash back on the drugstore buys from merchants like drugstore.com with 6.0% Cash Back or at ULTA and get 3.0% Cash Back and samples galore.
 
The Best of Beauty list also has multiple items from Lancôme, Clinque, Bobbi Brown and Kiehl's (find all in our Health and Beauty Category), all of which offer cash back and coupons with Ebates. And of course, you can't talk beauty without Sephora and department stores like Nordstrom, Macys, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Find which items must make it into your "best of" list and earn cash back from Ebates!

The trouble with sample size beauty products is that you really do not get enough product to make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase it. How often do you try a sample of a product then buy the full-size only to realize you hate the smell, it makes you break out or, the worst, it doesn't seem to work as well as the sample did? The solution for full-size commitment-phobes are "beauty minis" or travel size. I love to stock up on these to give products a try without wasting money on a full-size. Plus, if you love to try the latest and the greatest products, this is your chance to try a range without breaking the bank. Nordstrom has a great selection of travel size beauty products for hair, skin, fragrance and even nails. This Essie Fall Mini 4-Pack is perfect for just $17 with 5.0% Cash Back (increased for our Boots and Bags Sale, but applicable on all purchases). You get four Fall polishes for the price of one, and they will surely last you through Fall and beyond.

For more beauty minis, check out Sephora, whose wide selection covers big brands like Skyn Iceland, Makeup Forever, Johnathan Product, and many, many more with 4.0% Cash Back from Ebates!

The trouble with fashion week being seasons ahead is that you can get prematurely excited about certain trends that just don't make sense for the season you are in. The good thing is that you can start preparing for whats next; planning and budgeting to make the right additions to your wardrobe. The same idea applies to fashion week beauty trends, you can make plans for a new haircut and start a list of items you want to buy. In the meantime you can also incorporate some of the newest trends into your current routine without looking like you woke up in the wrong season.


Take this minimalist look from the Chris Benz show: between the perfectly toussled hair, blushed cheeks, and matte skin with the absolutely to-die-for lip shade (a Lancôme limited edition, more details to come), this look is effortless and timeless. You probably have most of what you need to get the look: a light cream blush and a translucent powder to eliminate shine, couple coats of mascara and some beach spray or texturizer for the hair.





While you wait for the exact Lancôme shade to be released (aptly named Christ & Tell), pick up this Lorac Lipstick in "It Girl" from Sephora with 4.0% Cash Back from Ebates. 

You can always spot a woman who wears Bobbi Brown makeup. She is polished, natural, and looks like herself only a little enhanced (never too made up). It is for this reason that Bobbi Brown products are on lists of best beauty buys and have cult followings. As a loyal Bobbi Brown user, I stock up through Ebates where I can get 4% Cash Back and Bobbi Brown coupons.

Bobbi Brown coupons are not to pass up. When she gives gifts with purchase, she gives full size items. One particularly great offer is for a free gel eyeliner in ink (a $21 value) when you spend  $65 with code BEST5. Shop now and take advantage of a chance to try this award-winning eyeliner for free. Finding $65 worth of products at Bobbi Brown will not be difficult, as new fall collections are now available with a new site and great shopping features (you can even chat with an artist if you have questions or read product reviews). A standout of the fall collections is this limited edition Nude Palette for $60 with 4% Cash Back. It has all the shades you need to create a multitude of looks, and it is insanely versatile and easy to use.


Find more Bobbi Brown coupons or browse all free gifts coupons!

One of the problems with wearing lip gloss on a windy day is that your hair can whip into your mouth, getting gloss in your hair and smudging your makeup. As summer days draw to an end, the chances of this happening increase and my thoughts turn to a solution. An easy fix for this unfortunate beauty dilemma is a lip stain. Lip stains often get a bad reputation for being ultra-drying, but these days, most stains pack a lot of moisture without sacrificing staying power and stain finish.
A great example of this is Laura Mercier Lip Stain. It is the best of both worlds: boasting the look and lasting power of a stain with the balmy texture of a gloss. Choose from a wide range of shades, from Scarlet, a classic red, to Shy Pink, a pinkish nude that will pair perfectly with a bold eye. Get yours now for $20 with 3% Cash Back at Nordstrom.

For a budget friendly option, try Covergirl's Outlast lip stain at Drugstore.com for $7.49 with 6% Cash Back from Ebates. Shop now and buy one Covergirl item and get the other free!

Get cash back on all your beauty solutions at Ebates!

Of all the beauty items I obsess about on this blog, I rarely discuss hair products. I had completely given up on the prospect of having "good hair" and just accepted my fate of a tousled bun or a low pony tail style. That was until boredom got the best of me and I thought I would embark on my quest for good hair to pass the time. The only place to start my mission was the Ebates Health and Beauty category for a good deal and cash back.

I was about to call off the entire project when I stumbled upon John Masters Organics Bourbon Vanilla & Tangerine hair texturizer at Beauty.com with 6% Cash Back from Ebates. I am easily seduced by interesting ingredients and always try to use eco-friendly products, so this was looking really good. A texturizer was just what I needed. Not only would it conceal my split ends and flyaways, but it would also add a little dimension to my lifeless hair. The product feels good, smells great and works well. And best of all its suitable for short and long hair and will polish a variety of styles.

Find many more hair savers with cash back in the Health and Beauty category or find more Green products in Shop Green category.

Kiehl's products have always been a huge part of my beauty product regime. Like most product junkies, I like to display all of my beauty items the way a collector would display their fine tuned assortment of snow globes. And Kiehl's bottles are always a part of my own fine-tuned collection of bottles and potions. Rarely though, have Kiehl's products made an appearance in my makeup bag the way that they appear so often in my face and body care regime. That is until they released their Marvelous Mineral Mascara.

The mascara is formulated with mineral pigments for color, Acacia Senegal (to thicken and lengthen lashes) and moisturizing Jojoba Oil. It is also paraben and fragrance free and will not irritate even the most sensitive eyes. It is available at Kiehl's for $16.50 with 6% Cash Back from Ebates. I have been wearing mine for the last few days and have noticed that my eyes are less sensitive and my lashes do feel more moisturized. It lengthens and separates, but yields more natural looking lashes, making it the perfect choice for a daytime makeup look.


Get cash back at all of our health and beauty merchants and stock up on all your beauty favorites!

I won't lie to you, folks. When I first saw "Apothica" on the Ebates stores list, I thought it was a heavy metal band. Then I realized that would be crazy. So I just chalked it up to not having glasses on and the word actually being "Alopecia". Wrong again. The third time I thought maybe a site had started selling Alpacas. Strike three.

Rather, Apothica is a wonderful collection of products to help you look and feel your best. Featuring popular brand names like Perricone MD, Smashbox Cosmetics, bareminerals, and Pre de Provence, Apothica has something for all your health & beauty needs, plus they also offer 7% Cash Back. I know that I tend not to talk much about health & beauty because, frankly, I don't really know a lot about it. However, just from perusing Apothica for a little bit today, not only do I see brand names that even a novice like myself recognizes, I also see a lot of prices that look reasonable for what you're getting. Plus, right now they're featuring a Back to Basics sale, where you can save up to 20% on many name-brand products, and they offer free shipping over $49 which, as you know, always revs my motor.

Find great Health & Beauty deals through Ebates!

Just in time to feature their new fall 2009 makeup and hair trends coverage, Sephora has increased their rebate to 8% Cash Back from Ebates. This is good news for me and the rest of the beauty addicts out there who are waiting to make some final decisions on their must-have beauty products for the coming season. The experts at Sephora have done all the leg work; scoured the runways and compiled a presentation of the best looks. Including perennial favorites like the smokey and cat lined eye and new trends like the bold brow and ultra dark lips.
I am going to take this opportunity to update my nail polish collection and hop on the matte nail trend with some beautiful polishes from the Sephora by OPI Collection. Choose from three matte colors (matte version of the collection's best selling shades), each just $9 and limited edition. Select your must-have matte shade or get all three with increased cash back!

Be sure to check our our full list of Sephora coupons before you check out and score some great free gifts and other goodies!

Anyone within earshot has probably heard me complaining about the lack of sun here in San Francisco. I am sure they are all very pleased to know that next week I will be departing my Ebates blogging post for a little vacay to Los Angeles where I will get more than my fill of sun. Not only does my upcoming trip require planning what clothes to pack, the increased exposure to the sun has me thinking about how to protect my skin. Like most people, I am good about protecting my face and body when I am in the sun but I often forget to protect my lips, which can lead to chapping, burns, and premature aging. The perfect product to protect my pout from the sun and give me the same look and feel of a gloss is Fresh Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 for $22.50 with 4% Cash Back at Sephora. A lightly tinted spinoff of the perennial favorite Sugar Lip treatment, it goes on smooth leaving the perfect hint of rose hue with sun protection.

Get cash back and coupons at 1,000+ online stores!

The blogosphere was abuzz after Michelle Obama was photographed at the White House earlier this week sporting what seemed to be a shorter cut, complimenting her fresh-faced, rosy makeup and dressed in an embellished white dress. Despite the speculation that she had actually cut her hair, it has now been confirmed that she had just styled it differently. Which is proof of what a few bobbi pins and some styling product can do to spice up the hair routine for a new look. This is especially key for those of us on a budget and stretching out the time between haircuts.

All you need are some bobbi pins, like these for just $1.49 with 6% Cash Back at Drugstore.com. Make sure to blow dry your hair smooth and finish it off with a shine enhancing styling creme. Depending on the length of your hair, wrap it into a tight bun and secure it with the pins then loosely tuck it under at the nape of the neck.

 Look fabulous for less with cash back and coupons in the heath and beauty category!

These days, people are choosing to wear contact lenses for more than just vision correction reasons. Wearers are able to alter or enhance the color of their eyes with colored or special effects lenses. Newer colors are always being introduced and anyone can purchase colors such as amethyst and sapphire, or opt for a more natural color enhancer. Coupon code: COLORS will save you 15% off any colored contacts at Coastal Contacts until the end of July.

Those who wear contact lenses for vision correction often agree that contact lenses have come a long way in terms of design and benefit, converting more and more glasses wearers. After all, they are lightweight, convenient, virtually unnoticeable, and very comfortable to wear. In addition to colored contacts, the selection at Coastal Contacts is comprehensive - everything from daily disposables to bi-weekly lenses and even extended wear lenses that can be worn continuously up to one month  - covering brands such as Acuvue Advance, Acuvue 2, Focus Night and Day, and Freshlook Colorblends, each offering unique benefits to their users. For instance, Acuvue Oasys lenses (at left) contain Hydraclear, a remarkable moisture rich element that lies throughout the lens creating a soft, silky, comfortable feel.

Whatever your contact lens needs, you can save BIG at Coastal Contacts this month with prices up to 70% off retail and a whopping 7% Cash Back with Ebates. It's as easy as entering a coupon code and taking advantage of numerous free shipping offers.

My obsession with Lancome started at the age of thirteen, when my mother introduced me to Imanance, one of Lancome's most famous products. Fast forward to today, and I can credit this tinted SPF 15 moisturizer with keeping my face youthful and protected, not to mention darn near wrinkle free. As for cash in my pocket, that I can credit to Ebates. Thanks to Health & Beauty Week, I'll earn a whopping 12% Cash Back at this most beloved beauty destination.

Over the years I've fallen in love with other products such as Effacil, their easy-as-pie eye makeup remover, and Absolue Soleil, a rich body cream complete with SPF 3O. If I ever need a boost in my beauty routine, Definicils High Definition Mascara in aubergine is a favorite of mine as it strengthens my lashes while coating them in rich shades of purple. With free shipping over $50, and loads of free samples with every purchase, it's no wonder this site has become my one-stop beauty shop!

Get gorgeous with cash back at Health & Beauty Week!

While history books might tell you that the Puritans valued things like hard work and religion, in reality they were all about their vitamins. Or at least Purtian's Pride is, as they're one of the best places on Ebates to find all your dietary supplements, natural herbs, and other great holistic cures. Don't believe me? Check out our Puritan's Pride sales yourself, and get an astounding double (that's 10%!) Cash Back to boot!

Many people have heard of Puritan's Pride, as it's been the #1 "Direct-to-You" vitamin manufacturer for over 36 years. And for good reason - it has practically every herbal supplement, vitamin, and natural health aid known to man! With all the Puritan's Pride sales currently going on, you can get all your natural needs at a great price - with double cash back!

Shop Puritans Pride's sales today and earn double cash back. Hurry! Deals end soon!

No matter what skin type you have, the Summer months call for extra care and often a few extra products to keep skin healthy and protected. It can be quite a challenge to navigate all the options in skincare and beauty products. When I find myself in this predicament, I shop at Beauty.com through Ebates and get 7% Cash Back (increased for Health & Beauty week) and coupons galore. Beauty.com makes it easy to shop for skincare, beauty, and fragrance with personalized expert advice. My latest obsession is the Arcona skin care line. Not only is the entire line free of nasty petrochemicals and toxins, but it is also affordable and results driven. A great way to get acquainted with the line is through one of their Basic Five Kits, comprised of products for each skin type or concern. Get the kit for $87 with increased cash back and make sure to check out all of our available Beauty.com coupons before you shop.

Shop all the Health & Beauty merchants with double cash back and coupons galore!

I can only speak from my personal San Franciscan experience here, but we have Walgreens everywhere in this town. Literally, there are at least six within two square miles of my house. But you know what? I love it. I can always find what I want, and if I can't find what I want, there's always another Walgreens a few blocks away.

You know what's better than a Walgreens on every block? Having the entire stock of Walgreens at your fingertips with an array of Walgreens coupons and Ebates and a whole bevvy of Walgreens coupons (seventeen at the moment I'm writing this), you can save even more on the already-low prices on Walgreens products and never leave the comfort of your favorite chair.

Plus, right now Walgreens is part of our Health and Beauty Sale, so they are offering 6% Cash Back rather than their regular 4% - check it out!

When it comes to maintaining the crucial balance between summer glow and all out grease face, bareMinerals has been my saving grace. Thanks to Health and Beauty Week at Ebates I can shop this defender against humidity, perspiration, and grime while earning 6% cash back at ULTA Beauty. On top of double cash back, by shopping through Ebates, I'll also have access to exclusive ULTA Beauty coupons, special discounts, and of course, free gifts with purchase.

Not only is this line free from preservatives and other nasty ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, and petro-chemicals, but it's made from minerals that absorb oil, yet prevent the oh-so-undesirable cake face. As if double cash back wasn't reason enough to shop ULTA Beauty, as an added bonus I'll receive a free Bare Radiance All Over Face color with any $25 purchase of bareMinerals products. Where else can I find amazing deals on my favorite beauty products? Nowhere but Ebates!

Get gorgeous with Health and Beauty Week!

As part of Health & Beauty week here at Ebates, Sephora is offering 8% Cash Back (increased in honor of the occasion) and has special offers and coupons for big savings at the ultimate beauty destination. With hundreds of brands of makeup, skincare, hair care, fragrance, and tools for men and women, Sephora has quite literally everything you may need to keep you looking good for summer and all year long.

With the prospect of double cash back and Sephora coupons for free gifts and complimentary shipping, it didn't take me long to fervently fill up my shopping cart with summer essentials (eye cream, lipgloss and sunscreen) so that I could take full advantage of the cash back and coupons. Shop at Sephora now and get special offers, free samples with every order, exclusive skincare and beauty items and double cash back.

Shop all Health & Beauty week merchants or find coupons and deals on 1,000+ online stores at Ebates.

As it is officially Summer (woo hoo), we here at Ebates thought there would be no better time to kick off Health & Beauty Week, where ten beautiful merchants have doubled cash back and have exclusive sales and coupons to get you looking your best for Summers hottest months!

Shop with double cash back at Walgreens, Vitamin World, Lancôme, ULTA, HSN, Beauty.com, Sephora, Gaiam, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Puritan's Pride! Find amazing deals and money saving coupons on everything you need from sunblock to cotton swabs, lip gloss to yoga gear. Take advantage of all of the Health & Beauty sales now and save big on all of your Summer essentials.

Find more coupons and get cash back at 1,000+ online stores!

Contact lens users, unite in your distaste for me. I'm one of those folks who only needs glasses to read. While this might not make me as loathsome as those 20/20 showoffs, it still means that I know little to nothing about popping a thin piece of... something... onto my eyeball with the hopes of seeing better. Pair that with the fact that I can't even manage to put in eye drops, and I kind of become a somewhat odd choice to be writing to you about the benefits of VisionDirect.

However, what I lack in my knowledge of contact lenses, I make up for in my knowledge of finding great deals with the help of Ebates, and a few choice VisionDirect coupons. This is where the "did you know" part of this segment comes in: as I write this, there are ten different VisionDirect coupons that you can choose from to help save you money, so whatever your prescription may be, and whatever your needs are, we have a VisionDirect coupon that can help you save time and money when getting contact lenses.

My effort to go green had yielded mixed results, especially in regard to my beauty regimen. While there are some products that I happily replaced with green ones, others, like toothpaste, have been much more difficult to transition. I needed to try several brands and knew I needed to shop a place with a big selection, so I clicked over to drugstore.com, through Ebates, so that I could get 6% Cash Back and drugstore.com coupons.

After trying three different brands, one stood out above the rest for cleaning, taste, and whitening capabilities. The Natural Dentist Whitening Toothpaste on sale for $4.95 with 6% Cash Back is my choice, as it is superior to all of the other natural toothpastes I have tried, and the just-brushed feeling lasts for hours. Buy it now, or shop a huge inventory of health and beauty products (green and beyond) with drugstore.com coupons and cash back to save big!

Find more coupons or shop more discounts in our Health & Beauty merchants!

I have come to realize that most good gifts are equal parts thoughtful and useful. Striking the right balance can often be a difficult task, as you do not want to give someone something too useful, as to seem unthoughtful. On a tight budget, I am always trying to play up the thoughtfulness of useful gifts and I find myself in the same gift category: health and beauty. If you are in a jam for a gift, a great place to start the search is Skinstore.com, through Ebates where you will get 6% Cash Back and loads of Skinstore.com Coupons. Start your quest for a gift for Dad or a recent grad with a coupon offering $20 off any SkinStore.com order of $150 or more with code GET20 and free shipping on orders of $49!

Shop top names in men's skincare, fragrance, and grooming like Calvin Klein and Anthony Logistics. Also find gift sets for men and women, natural skincare and much more.

Shop Father's Day Merchants with double cash back and find endless coupons at all of our Online Stores!

It seems like every other day, there's a new tonic/herb/potion guaranteed to improve your health, and deciding what's best for you can be overwhelming. vitacost.com thinks getting healthy shouldn't be stressful or expensive, so they've created a site that's not only shopper friendly, but budget friendly too. Because you're an Ebates member you'll receive 5% Cash Back at vitacost.com, as well as vitacost.com coupons.

From multi-vitamins to the stress-reducing herb rhodiola rosea, you'll find great deals on a multitude of supplements, without having to find vitacost.com coupons. If you're not sure what supplements may benefit you, check out the science and health library, where you'll find homeopathic remedies and other information. There's never a better time to improve your health than the present, so head over to vitacost.com for great deals, cash back, and a wealth of knowledge. Your health depends on it!

Shop our Health & Beauty category and earn cash back!

Hi! I'm Sasha and I blog at Sasha Says. I'm a working mom of two who can't say no to new beauty products. I'm also a big Ebates fan too, and was so excited when they invited me to guest blog.

I absolutely love Reese Witherspoon; so much that I named my daughter Reese! So when I saw that she was the new face of Avon last year, I was intrigued. I had never tried Avon before, (in fact I always thought of it as an "older lady" company), but with her as a spokesperson, I had to try it! I first tried the Pro-To-Go Lipstick and it's been a favorite of mine for quite some time now. It retails for $9, and I love how it slides shut - no cap to lose! My current favorite color is Cherry Glisten, too bad it doesn't make me look like Reese!

Now, I'm going to admit something - I'm 35 and (gasp!) have the beginnings of some wrinkles. My Avon rep recommended I try the Anew Rejuvenate line. Right now they have a fabulous deal: you can get both the Flash Facial Revitalizing Concentrate and Night Revitalizing Cream for just $39.99 - that's a savings of $40! I use the Flash Facial before I apply my makeup in the morning and the Night Cream, well, at night.



I think you'll find Avon is always having spectacular deals and you can use code REPFS for free shipping too! Plus, don't forget -- whenever you shop through Ebates, you're automatically earning a solid 5% Cash Back at Avon! Happy shopping!

Stop by Sasha Says and let me know what you think about Avon.

One thing I have learned in my life it is that happiness comes from unexpected places and that the smallest things can inspire the greatest happiness. Take, for example, the Ebates Daily Double. Double cash back makes me happy, but double cash back from one of my favorite merchants, makes me really, really happy. So when I discovered that today's Daily Double is Avon and that they are offering a whopping 10% Cash Back, I couldn't help but spread the joy.

Today only, get 10% Cash Back at Avon and shop for the best and the latest in advanced skincare, makeup, and bath & body products. Shop now and you can get an Apple iPod Suffle for just $29 with the purchase of two select Anew Skincare Products, which are now up to 30% off. Also, shop the Heatwave Sale and enjoy buy one get one for $1.99 deals. Stock up on the best in beauty with double cash back from Ebates and Avon Coupons galore!

Want cash back on more of your favorite health and beauty products? Check out all our coupons or our health and beauty category.

In order to prepare for New Merchant Week at Ebates, I took some time to explore the new kids on the block. When it was time to check out Sally Beauty Supply, I instantly remembered a traumatic trip to Sally after I decided blue streaks in my hair would be attractive. Not only were they hideously placed on my head, but the dye was the worst shade of electric blue. Despite my foolish decision, my mom saved me with a trip to Sally where we could get the supplies to put me back to normal. These days, my beauty faux-pas are less drastic but still occur nonetheless. Instead of going to Sally Beauty Supply, I can get everything I need with 8% Cash Back from Ebates and Sally Beauty Coupons. This could be helpful especially if you make a big beauty mistake (lightening eyebrows) and refuse to leave the house.

Get free shipping on orders of $60+ with no coupon code necessary. So, procure your beauty supplies fast and for free while and enjoying extra cash back at Sally Beauty Supply!

Attention Ebates Shoppers! I have good news: Bath&Body Works is now part of Ebates' burgeoning family of over 1,000 online stores with cash back and coupons! Now you can shop for all your Bath & Body Works favorites and get 5% Cash Back for a limited time during New Merchant Week (with extra cash back). Get cash back at Bath&Body Works and find a huge selection of signature bath and body products for men, women and kids, unbeatable gifts, new and noteworthy skincare from the hottest brands and also home items and accessories.

I always shop Bath&Body Works for Patricia Wexler products. I plan on stocking up while the entire line is $10 off during an online exclusive sale. Plus, when I spend $50, I can get a beach tote filled with a full size SPF lip balm and eight samples for just $22.50! Now, I will be ready for summer with all the products I need to keep my skin protected from the sun. Plus, I can carry it all with me in a stylish tote!

Shop all New Merchants with extra cash back and coupons!

One of the many things to like about Avon is that they have high-end products with low-end prices. The thing to love about Avon is that their products provide results. Need soft skin? Get an Avon body lotion. Looking to diminish fine lines and wrinkles? Head to Avon for your regimen. Desperately need a good hair day? Avon is the place. Try the Advance Techniques Intense Repair Moisture Mask for just $4.99 with 5% Cash Back from Ebates. This little miracle jar provides 90% smoother hair after just one use as it restores dry, brittle hair to a healthy shine.

Make sure to check out Ebates for specials and Avon coupons before you shop. Pick up the $5 hair miracle and then shop for select Anew Skincare that is currently 45% off and buy one get one for $5. Stretch your dollar with Ebates, Avon, and little beauty miracles.

Find more coupons and deals in our Health and Beauty Category.

The beauty obsessed know that when an exclusive, limited edition product hits the market, it is to be seized and taken advantage of as soon as possible. The beauty obsessed should also know that shopping through Ebates, gives them a head start to getting such elusive products and they can earn cash back & get free shipping offers to boot. Enter the coveted Maybelline Pulse Perfection by Define-A-Lash Vibrating Mascara available at Walgreens.com for just $14.99 with 4% Cash Back and free shipping coupon on orders of $50+. You can buy the Maybelline mascara, set to ship on May 18th, with limited quantities available and sold at Walgreens.com.

So get mega lashes with the first drugstore Vibrating Mascara from Maybelline, with a brush that oscillates at over 7,000 vibrations per minute to get close to the lash line and completely cover each lash for the most dramatically full and beautiful peepers possible.

Find more exclusive offers and coupons in our heath and beauty category!

On Wednesday, I mentioned that I was on shopping diet that had just ended with, for lack of a better term, a binge. And because I saved money from shopping through Ebates with cash back and an exclusive coupon code, I did not feel any guilt! Riding the guilt-less shopping wave, I thought there was no better time to get a few more things at Sephora while they have 8% Cash Back and coupons.

Just as fast as I could click on the Sephora coupon (Get Josie Maran Essentials Green-On-The-Go Kit, a $98 Value, just $48) the item was in my cart. I really like to get acquainted with a new makeup brand or new products with an "on-the-go" kit because I do not have to commit to buying full-size products and I can try a range of the product line. Not to mention, the trial sizes are good for traveling (hence "on the go") and are a range of Josie Maran Beauty best-sellers, so it takes the guess work out of deciding on which item to buy. Plus, I save $50 get cash back at Sephora through Ebates and free samples with every order!

There is definitely something to be said for the beauty product junkie who is willing to step out of the "high end cosmetics box" and seek out less-expensive yet completely worthy products to work into the regimen. The best place to go if you too want to explore the expansive world of bargain beauty products is drugstore.com where, if you shop at Ebates you can get 6% Cash Back on all your thrifty purchases. Plus, find money saving coupons, discounts and online rebates.

Shop hundreds of cosmetics brands like Neutrogena and green beauty products from Burt's Bees and more. I am currently obsessed with the L'Oreal Everpure line, a Sulfate-Free haircare product collection formulated with natural, 100% vegan botanicals. Plus, every shampoo, hair styler, and deep conditioner is under $10.

After you're done shopping for products to keep you looking good without breaking the bank, pick up everything else you need from toilet paper to pain relievers.

Find more online discounts with coupon codes here!

It seems like the cost of everything these days has skyrocketed, from gas to a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, vitamins and supplements are following a similar trend. With budgets getting smaller and prices going up, it seems that the extra cost is hard to justify. Luckily you do not have to give up the things that keep you healthy when you shop through Ebates with Vitacost Coupons and special deals available with 5% Cash Back.

Find savings and instant coupons on thousands of brands at up to 75% off retail. You can also shop by health concern, so if you are looking for top rated supplements intended for everything from weight management to immune system support, Vitacost makes it easy. So, if you love coupons and you need vitamins, go to Ebates and shop Vitacost where you can live longer and save money!

Shop more discount health and beauty products here.

Being that it is Travel Week here at Ebates and that Lancôme is our Daily Double (cash back now 10%), it seems that the money-saving-travel gods have smiled upon us, making it easy for anyone with travel plans on the calendar to get their travel-sized toiletries in order and save money with Lancôme coupons and 10% cash back!



Wherever your travels take you, it's essential to keep yourself protected from the sun, so shop Lancôme for the latest in expert products that fuse skincare with suncare. Also, check out new color collections and revamp the beauty routine with beautiful and limited edition eyeshadows, lipglosses, and more. And once you have shopped for what you need to keep your skin protected and your makeup perfected,use coupon code APRILSHOWERS to score an exclusive deluxe sample collection full of five of Lancôme's best selling-travel sized products (makeup remover, anyone?) with any $50 purchase. No need to buy travel-sized beauty products when you can get them for free with 10% cash back and complimentary shipping!


Find more beauty coupons, discounts and rebates here.

I am sure I am not the only one who is shocked that Easter is just a couple of days away. It seems that most holidays these days come and go so quickly you do not really have time to sufficiently prepare for it. However, it's not too late to get what you need to plan a smashing Easter celebration when you shop at drugstore.com. If your Easter festivities do not feel complete without a visit from the Easter bunny, you can pick up your very own best-selling Deluxe Easter Bunny Suit for $99 with 6% cash back at drugstore.com and make the day of every Easter-goer you meet.

Once you have procured your Easter Bunny Costume, you can shop for delightful prepackaged Easter Baskets at up to 25% off. Find traditional candy-filled baskets, filled with all kinds of delicious seasonal favorites like Lindt Truffle Eggs and Easter Lollipops, on sale for $69 with 6% cash back. Or, shop for Spa baskets filled with luxurious bath and body items for $29.99 for a new spin on the holiday favorite. It's not too late to make this Easter memorable, earn some cash back, and save big on Easter holiday favorites!

Around this time of year, I always look in horror at the pasty whiteness that has become of my skin. And true to my yearly habit, I think two thoughts when I examine myself: one, I need a tan, and two, I need to wear lots and lots of sunscreen. While most health care professionals will agree that sun protection is a year-round thing, my regimen consists of sun block on the face year-round and on the body only when the extremities are exposed. Indeed, it is getting to be about that time where sun protection needs to reach farther than the face.

With so many sunscreens on the market, it is really difficult to find the one that is right for you. An obvious way to pick a sunscreen is to consider how much you are exposed to direct sunlight and how fair your skin is, and then go from there. Most people who don't work outdoors or spend extended periods of the day in the sun can wear an SPF 15-30 and be completely protected. I am very pale with sensitive skin; so while I do my best to avoid the direct sunlight, it seems foolish and horribly boring to stay out of the sun on a gorgeous Spring day.

My comprise? Rather than giving up the beloved sun, I douse myself in Lancôme SÔLEIL ULTRA EXPERT SUN CARE SPF 50. The triple action formula not only protects the skin from the sun, it also hydrates and firms. I feel that they only way I am actually going to take the time to put on sunscreen in the morning is if it provides tangible and immediate benefits. For just $34.50, you are getting a three-in-one bang for your buck that is suited for virtually any skin type. Plus, get 6% increased cash back and save more with Red Hot Dollars, get $5 off $25, $10 off 50+, $15 off $75 or $20 off $200+. And get a free deluxe-sized sample of one of Lancôme's best selling products with any Lancôme purchase at Macy's.


Shop all of the Spring Savings promotion merchants with increased cash back or find all health and beauty coupons here.

With Springtime glee on the lips (or, more appropriately, on the fingertips) of every blogger around, the new season really hasn't ceased to be a source of inspiration for yours truly. Although, my happiness seems to be merely theoretical; I am in theory happy that it is Spring and that warmer weather & bountiful sunshine are both on their way. However, in reality, I am stuck in the same Wintertime rut that I was before March 20th. Quick fix for the seasonal rut? A thorough closet cleansing, purchasing of some inspirational clothing, Spring cleaning of the home, and, my personal favorite, an easy-on-the-wallet at-home beauty treatment.

Shop Bliss Labs where you can get the creme de la creme of beauty products and spa essentials. Currently, the featured product of the month on the site is a beauty editor, customer, and celebrity favorite: the Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask, avaliable for $52 with 4% cash back. Formulated to be a simple quick fix for "dull, tired, sallow, 'I'm sick of my skin' skin", and packed full of antioxidants and oxygen for revitalizing and brightening, it really is the mask that does it all and packs some serious results for less than one trip to a professional facialist. Get you own Triple Oxygen Energizing Mask and use coupon code EBATES09 to get free shipping on orders of $75+ and get a free pore perfecting facial polish sample with your order. So if you also find yourself needing a powerful pick me up that's easy on the wallet, try it out! For more money-saving DYI beauty, click here.

Get beautiful and save money with health and beauty coupons!

When it comes to the things human beings actually need, we are quite simple, visceral beings who crave the totally obvious. When it comes to the things we want, both life and the laundry list of things we are ready to acquire gets far more complicated. Luckily, there is Ebates to streamline the process of coming to terms with the list, and using it will help me save on things I either need or want, with cash back, online coupons, discount stores and online rebates. I become a particularly happy human when I shop and save with Sephora coupons. I am still taking advantage of the March cash back increase and have used the free shipping Sephora coupon (code SHIP35) every chance I get: like if my shampoo gets dangerously low, or if I need to spice up my makeup rotation on a particularly uninspired day. Just when I thought (for a brief moment) that the well of products to buy and write about had run dry, I happened upon this horribly awesome new arrival.

As the month long cash back increase (to a fantastic 8%, nothing to shake your cup at) at Sephora continues, I have not yet reached the point where I lack inspiration for blog postings about the matter. That's probably because I have yet to reach a point where I visit the Sephora site and do not feel the urge to buy something. No, this has not happened, not yet, and likely not ever. But my addiction is not always so harmless on my wallet, and while I save money with Sephora coupons, free gifts, and cash back, I am not yet lucky lady on the Millionaire Matchmaker so something's got to give.

Enter Sephora's DIY section, a godsend to my budget and my addiction. I can shop and save money? Perfect. Sephora has you covered on how to skip the spas, do it yourself and save some dough. Some of the products include a professional manicure set for $30 (which pays for itself when you skip one visit to the professional nail salon), Oscar Blandi Pronto Colore root touch up pen, $23, teeth whitening kits, facial peels, and waxing kits too. If not just for the money saving benefits, visit the DIY section because most girls love to take some time out of her week, put on her favorite guilty pleasure music, light some candles, and have a spa night at home. Check out their extensive sale section too (with some stellar finds for cheap) with deals and specials as well.

And enjoy Free Shipping on orders of $35+ with coupon code SHIP35 at checkout.

The morning is full of obstacles and dilemmas, such as: what to wear and how not to be late. These two dilemmas are both interconnected and greatly complicated for most women on a regular basis. I also find that the question of "what makeup to wear today" dominates my slightly functional early morning brainwaves. As the days grow longer and slightly warmer, the makeup routine, much like outfits, needs to shift accordingly. If a Spring-appropriate makeup look is what I am after, I must asses what I have to work with: boxes full (overflowing, really) of makeup and beauty products. I think I need some help because my early morning brain is not going to formulate a Spring-like beauty look on its own, and when the midday sun is blazing, I will regret the sleep-deprived, half-awake time saving decision to go for an "au naturale" look for the day.

Luckily for me, and for every woman out there, Lancôme has the answer: a Spring-inspired deluxe free gift! When you spend only $35 (and I recommend buying La Laque Fever to get yourself there) you receive Free Shipping and a fashionable Spring makeup pouch filled with Color Design eyeshadow quad in Volcano, Color Fever Gloss, and best-selling Virtuose mascara. Essentially, this pouch contains everything one needs to get beautiful in the easiest and most time efficient way possible, and it's free! The eyeshadow quad has the shadows you need to create a sultry smoky eye or a soft but defined daytime look. Plus, you can easily carry the entire set with you on the go without adding any extra baggage. A streamlined morning routine that's oh so Spring? I think so!

Get pretty for free with Lancôme, just enter SPRINGBREAK at checkout! Find more exclusive Health and Beauty Coupons here.

Hurry, offer ends March 17, 2009

I had a thought this morning en route to work (public transportation is a surprising muse): instead of writing blog posts as an ode to Sephora and their vast collection of goodies, I should begin a collection of sonnets, as that could be a more appropriate way to pay homage to one of my favorite beauty destinations. Although this would be quite entertaining (and not in an "isn't she amazing" way), I think I will spread the joy the best way we here at Ebates know how: with a blog and a cash back increase for the month of march from 6% to 8%! That extra 2%, along with a multitude of coupons, like free shipping on orders of $35+ with code SHIP35 or a deluxe sample of Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Treatment with code FRESH at checkout, the savings and also the items in your shopping cart surely pile up. 

My most recent purchase and current obsession is Kinerase Clear Skin Blemish Dissolver, $39. The price is a bit steep, but it is honestly worth every penny (plus you will get free shipping and earn $3.12 in cash back), because it works amazingly well and it is the only product you need to treat skin eruptions. This is the product for people who have sensitive skin with problem areas or the occasional blemish. I have used it for just two days on a small blemish, post-blemish mark, and some blackheads, all of which have dramatically diminished. What was originally a mid-day impulse buy turned out to be one of my favorite purchases, and one that I would recommend that any woman have in their beauty arsenal. Use it twice a day, even on the go, and watch the blemishes dissolve...

Running late for work on Friday morning, I arrived at my desk, ready to greet the day with coffee in hand and surprising feelings of early-morning, pre-weekend optimism despite my rushing and lethargy. After tackling some work, I checked a mirror and realized that in my rushing around I had forgotten to apply mascara, the ultimate feel-good beauty product, which can transform a face from looking sleepy and over-tired into looking at least somewhat put together. As much as I don't like a too made up face for the daytime, it's nice to at least look like you attempted to pull yourself together for a day at work. I quickly recalled a magazine article, featuring a beauty expert (whose name escapes me at the moment) that recommended applying Vaseline to eyelashes as a makeshift mascara for ladies who had either found themselves in my position or who wanted the most natural look. I reached for my trusty tube of Vaseline (travel size - an amazing little must have, f.y.i) that finds its home in the pen holder on my desk, and I applied liberally to the top and bottom lashes. Viola! I looked like I had the separation and glossy after-effect of a quick coat of mascara. It did not leave me with dramatic peepers, but definitely added something extra to make my eyes appear more awake. Pleased with the result, decided to stockpile tubes of Vaseline, in case I am ever without.

I got a great deal, from drugstore.com with 6% cash back on each tube that cost a mere $3.29. Adding the current drugstore.com Coupon/BOGO sale into the equation, where all Vaseline products are buy one get one 50% off, I got enough Vaseline to coat my lashes at every place my day takes me for under $10. Use this affordable multi-tasker as a highlighter on cheekbones, add it a powder blush for a more natural, radiant look, or to eyelids for a young-fresh looking glow!


Find more Heath and Beauty Coupons and Deals Galore here.

One way to make shopping for life's necessary, albeit mundane, items more exciting is by seeking out the best deal for those little things we all hate to buy. I will speak for myself here, although I am fairly sure that most people will agree, that contact lenses are probably on the list of the least exciting things a person is forced to buy. Nothing seems worse than shelling out money to see my eye doctor, and then handing over even more money for lenses (that I have to come back to pick up at least a week later). I really like my eye doctor, he's a nice guy, but seeing him and paying him once a year is enough for me.

So being able to purchases contact lenses online, for a vastly cheaper price per box, with exclusive coupons and cash back really makes the entire lens procuring experience much more pleasurable. And on top of savings, you can add the irreplaceable convenience of the the lenses showing up at your door in just a few days.

Ebates offers eight contact lens retailers from 1-800 Contacts with online coupons only to Vision Direct, Lensmart and Coastal Contacts who all offer 7% cash back and special savings coupons to boot. With 7% cash back and a bevvy of money savings coupons, you can really rack up the savings and the cash back! Find an entire list of health and beauty coupons on our category page and a comprehensive list of contact lens retailers (and the coupons offered for each merchant) here.

It seems everywhere you turn, someone or something is taking a more natural approach. Such was true even at last night's Academy Awards. With the world going green and using less energy, my favorite celebs seemed to be channeling this very idea with minimal styling and primping. Glam goddesses such as Jennifer Aniston went back to basics working in a pretty braid, and a few hot rollers. Beyonce opted for a fresh take on the ponytail, and Sarah Jessica Parker lowered her carbon footprint with a simple part down the middle with some tousled curls. Hollywood is going au naturale, and I'm loving every second of it.

The key to getting a no fuss look, is all in the tools. No matter what your hair type, your hair dryer is the first line of defense against frizzy, unruly hair. Now at Folica Beauty Supply (6% Cash Back) you'll enjoy an extra $20 off all Sedu hair products, including my must have the Tourmaline Ionic Hair Dryer. While conventional hair dryers blast heat into the hair shaft causing it to break and frizz, this hair dryer uses tourmaline crystals which when heated, seal the cuticle locking in moisture and shine. The ion setting allows for static free styling, and the six heat settings guarantee you'll look amazing no matter how what look you're going for.

One of the must lucrative aspects of being a beauty junkie is scoring some double digit cash back through Ebates. When you shop the health and beauty category you will find up to 15% cash back from some of the top health and beauty retailers around. Not to mention the beauty junkie's creme de la creme: free samples. Nothing brings me as much joy as earning money and saving money on the things I would normally buy. Plus, a girl could really live on some free product samples, or at the very least, extend her makeup lifeline for an extra couple of weeks. Recession-proof your beauty routine by snagging some free samples and getting some major cash back. Here is how:

When you shop at the Best Bath Store, not only will you earn 15% cash back on your entire purchase (that's like 15% off of retail!) you can also get up to five free samples of their products before you buy anything. Find samples sizes of everything from nutrient-rich eye creams to bath salts and shampoo, all yours for free.

Want more samples? Currently, Bobbi Brown is offering an entire lip set, complete with three separate glosses with a minimum purchase of $50 when you enter code LIP9 at checkout. Sephora and Beauty.com offer three free samples of your choice with any and every purchase and both have a free shipping promotion and deluxe sample offers for a limited time. At Clinique you can get a free high impact mascara and free shipping with a minimum $35 purchase. Bliss is offering a free 'Love Handler' toning cream (a $36 value) with any purchase, no minimum! Benefit, e.l.f, L'Occitane and Origins are all offering free samples with minimum purchase as well. Find all here.

Although today is meant to be filled with high fructose corn syrup, overbearing perfume, and depressed singles, I'm going to step outside the box and not succumb to the frenzy that is Valentine's Day. After spending two years in overpriced and overcrowded restaurants, the bf and I gave up on going out for a special night. Like a true couple, we now stay home and get everything delivered. As far as my clothing is concerned, let's just say my attire has more flannel than frills this year.

Being that this is a long weekend, I took off to my parents house located in far far away. Besides making s'mores, ignoring my wine intake, and hoping I don't get mauled by a bear, I also have cash back to think about spending. In keeping with today's love theme, I'm going to show some serious love to the most important person in my life: me. I'm taking my cue from the original self-love guru, Ms. Piggy. No other woman loved herself with such passion. She never thought twice about spoiling herself, and neither will I.

I thought I would polish off my V-Day coverage with a special installment of Health and Beauty Thursday. Regardless of what your plans are for the special day, the pomp and ceremony of the holiday can be whittled down to just remembering the importance of putting your best foot forward. Look your best. Buy your loved one gifts all year round and eat lots of chocolate. Wear sexy lingerie for no reason. Then we can avoid the barrage of Valentine's Day for the rest of our lives and get back to talking about more important things like fashion and beauty products.

In light of this revelation, it seems important to consider changing up the beauty routine to make it more Valentine's Day ready all year round. I say wear red lipstick once a week. Not only is it empowering, but it will also make you feel sexy and a little special, even on the most unimportant day of your life. The toughest part of pulling off red lipstick is choosing the right shade for you skin tone. It's mostly a game of trial and error, but fair skinned women should stick to variants on cherry red, olive complected women should look in the direction of fire engine reds, and for those with darker skin tones, deep reds work best.

Once you have the right shade picked out, its important to make sure you are picking a lipstick that is long-wearing, moisturizing and will not not feather. Clinique's Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick is perfect for the job because it is specially formulated to prevent feathering, staining, and drying out. Get your hands on your right shade directly from Clinique for $14 and enjoy 4% cash back. Plus, take advantage of a free trial size High Impact Mascara (because nothing goes better with red lips than high impact lashes) and free shipping on orders of $35 or more with coupon code FEBHM at checkout.

In a time when even "The Donald" needs to squeeze an extra few weeks in between trims or root touch ups and color appointments, its best to make sure we are using products to make that extra time full of good hair days rather than a stale mix of hats, pony tails, deep side parts, and headbands. So what does a girl need for a time when even your hair is on a budget?

Make sure you are getting the most out of your shampoo and conditioner. Enlist a product regime that provides many results; you want shine, moisture, and volume in a formula full of ingredients to improve the long term health of your hair. Generally speaking, that sounds like a lot to expect from a single product. This list of demands may sound very similar to your list of traits for your dream man, although I promise this one will be much easier to find. I had given up on finding the perfect shampoo (and dream man, for that matter); one that provided the results listed above without costing me over $25 while being good for both the environment and my hair. That was until I found a dream man of sorts (actually a man and woman team, LA-based stylists Amanda George and Neil Weisberg) Neil George.

Alas, yet another Super Bowl Sunday in America is right around the corner. Most people have their traditions, getting together with family, deep frying things, drunken brawls with cousins post-game...I unfortunately do not have any longstanding traditions to look forward to. However, this year a very exciting event has peaked my interest (other than the prospect of baked macaroni and cheese and short lines at the supermarket during game time). In an unlikely match up, Sephora (those geniuses) is offering celebratory free shipping on every order from 1/31 to 2/2 with coupon code SUPERBOWL at checkout. Quite honestly, is there a more appropriate way to show my unbiased support of both teams and the great tradition of football than sitting in the comfort of my own home, face deep in junk food, shopping for makeup with free shipping and 4% cash back? I think not.

I can say for sure that a replacement tube of Makeup Forever Smoky Lash will be in my shopping cart, and I wholeheartedly recommend that you put one in yours too. As if I needed an excuse to praise my newest mascara obsession... allow me to list some things that make it praiseworthy. First, in a time where a $30 mascara doesn't cause beauty junkies to bat an eye, the $22 price is reasonable; especially with respect to how well this mascara works. It is at least four separate formulas in one. It thickens, lengthens, and holds a fantastic curl whilst providing the darkest black pigment without weighing lashes down. And for those of you traditionalists out there who are put off by the novelty application brush of some brands (Givenchy's Phenomen' Eyes, I still love you, I really do) Smoky Lash has the "Cadillac" of application brushes: perfect. classic. reliable. Makes any woman want to lash up.


This Superbowl, begin your own tradition with the help of Sephora and get free shipping on your favorite products (need I remind you, that it is like getting $5.95 off), 4% cash back, and something pretty to look forward to in five to seven business days.

Shop on!

If you find that you have your makeup routine memorized to a point where you could literally apply every single product in your regime with your eyes closed or when you are half asleep, then it could be time to shake things up. We all have the bastard makeup items that stay hidden in the back of drawers, tucked inside dusty cases, and buried in old purses. But what happens to all the unused makeup techniques? The great thing about makeup and beauty products is that there really are no restrictions. Unlike fashion, where certain things are simply taboo or inappropriate, makeup is a fun way to express yourself and a great way to try new things and feel a little different for a day or night.

Most women have their own modus operandi for applying eyeliner. Some apply thick lines, inner and outer lash line, there are thin lines, crooked lines, dashes, cat eyes. Essentially there is no single right or wrong way (I suppose some professionals would argue otherwise) to line the eye. Lately, it seems that partially lined eyes are making an appearance. Instyle.com tells us how to get the partially lined look as seen on Ginnifer Goodwin (pictured left). I really like the look, it is subtle and natural looking, which is a nice reprieve from the heavy liquid liner trend. Plus it makes eyes look bigger and more open, which is great for day time and when you are feeling a little too tired.

Get this look in a flash with Avon ANEW Smoothing Eyeliner. At a great bargain of just $6, with 5% cash back, this product is formulated with retinol to aid in diminishing fine lines and it will go on smoothly to avoid the dreaded pull and tug of other liners. Plus, it has has a smudger on the end, which is key for this look. Get it by drawing a line from pupil to outer corner on the top lid. Follow with the same technique on the lower lash line. Use the smudger on the end to blend where the lines meet at the outer corner of the eye. And Viola, you are done!

So add this trick to the routine and who knows, it could even change how you line your eyes forever!

People often say that when you encounter your soulmate, you know it immediately. I am admittedly skeptical of this frame of mind, but then again, it has never happened to me. That is, until I came across something magnificent, something so beautiful and perfect, I knew it would complete me and in that instant my tireless search was finally over.

When I saw Lancome's Spring 2009 collection, I was excited to take a look, but when I saw the newest shade of La Laque Fever, I knew I was in love. I had been looking for the perfect shade of electric pink lipgloss to complete my pink lip color collection, and this color is definitely the missing link. The color is concentrated and opaque, as you would expect from a lipstick, however, it has the easy application and shine expected of a great gloss. To add to the perfection, the gloss is extremely long lasting and claims to require no touch ups for six hours. It is available directly from Lancome for $26 with 6% cash back. To make the entire purchase even more appealing, if you spend $50, you will receive a deluxe sample and free shipping. Sometimes when you can't fall in love, you can buy the most perfect gloss.

As a woman who lugs around more beauty products than I care to admit, streamlining the "must not be without" products is always a big relief both to my arm and to my wallet. And judging by the overflowing makeup bags I have spotted women whipping out of their purses, I am not alone. There is truly nothing wrong with being prepared for any skin aliment or beauty crisis, or  having enough products on hand to transform your "low maintenance" makeup look into "night on the town" ready. I am sure our cavewoman ancestors were just as equally prepared, but, of course not with products from beauty emporiums on the internet. It is just proof that we have gracefully evolved to take advantage of all things offered to us.

One of these such things is a sale on Bliss's multi-tasking  wonder-balm Problem Salved. Buy two for just $31 from Bliss Spa with 4% cash back. Originally $18 each, you save 15% on each tube. This 20-in-1 stick can soothe skin problems from dry cuticles, to bug bites, can keep eyebrows in place and flyways at bay. Better yet, it can prevent blisters for those times when you wear your ill-fitting favorite shoes and encounter an unexpected walk.

So, buy this product through Ebates, de-clutter the makeup bag, and lighten your load. You'll save some money and earn some cash back, all without sacrificing your need to be prepared and look great. Now, who is the multi-tasker?

With the long weekend approaching, and vacation plans nowhere in sight, many of us need, at the very least, to feel like we are getting away without the luxury of actually leaving. If you are lucky enough to go on a vacation for a few days - I say go, enjoy, and book through Ebates, where you can find fantastic travel deals with cash back and coupons. If you are like me, and your vacation is limited to fantasies in your head, it is important to toss something new into the routine to keep the long weekend from being a reminder of your less-than-fantastic travel plans.

Although fake tans get a very bad wrap, a subtle bronze can make someone feel and look like they have spent the long weekend being lulled to sleep by the tropical waves of the ocean, whilst on a blanket warmed by the sizzling sand and being kissed by the gentle rays of the sun. So, if you can't actually get away this weekend, why not take some time to give yourself a refreshing faux-glow?

The important thing to remember is to keep it subtle and natural looking, I like to think of self-tanning less as achieving tan-looking skin and more as taking the "edge off" of a Wintery white face. This time of year, unless aided by a professional, it is best to only apply self-tanner to the face, making subtlety even more crucial. Find a formula that is designed for fair skin, even if you are not fair skinned. It is the surest way to a natural bronze and a great starting point to build upon if you so please.


My personal favorite is Self-Tanning Liquid Bronze, available with 12% cash back from Clarins. While shopping, keep in mind that you get free shipping and a complimentary gift with orders of $75+, when you use coupon code CLRNEW at checkout. This product is designed to be natural and subtle while being good for your skin. It smells amazing (so you don't reek of that tell-tale self-tanning stench) and also has vitamin E and aloe to soften and nourish the delicate skin on the face and decollete. Also, you can apply with a cotton ball and instantly apply makeup so there is no waiting with your fingers crossed. The result of two to three days of use is slightly bronzed and refreshed skin.



For a similar product that does not break the budget, order Jergens's Natural Glow Face with SPF 20, available from drugstore.com for $7.49 with 6% cash back. This product was created to give a person control over the level of tan they want to achieve with the "au naturale" look in mind. Use daily for a gradual presence of color and keep applying until you reach the level of bronze you desire.


With Spring's beauty trends all about the bronze glow, hop on the bandwagon early, escape Winter's peaked skin, and come out on the other side of the long weekend looking like you got some sun, even if you never leave your house.

Man, with Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve back-to-back Wednesdays, it feels like it's been forever since I last wrote a "Did you know?" feature, and it feels great to be behind the keyboard again for this perennially fun segment. Considering the time of the year, I consider it apropos that today's featured site is all about personal improvement. Verseo.com has a vast array of personal training and wellness accessories, from exercise equipment to power cleanses, stress erasers to hair growth, even hair removal. Basically, if there is something about your body that you'd like to do a little touching up to, this site has some sort of product that will allow you to do just that.

To be completely honest, I'm fascinated by a number of their products. I would love to try some of their detox patches or even home electrolysis options. There is one item, however, that fascinates me more than most, and that is the Body Burner. I actually think it's a great workout tool. It comes with instructional DVDs that cater to varied skill levels, and it is designed for low-impact workouts, which is great for folks with chronic knee problems (kind of like myself). Plus, it really just looks like it would be fun to work out on. However there is just one issue I take with this product. It's not the price, it's not the space it takes up; it's the "numerical dance platform." I understand the idea behind it, and I think it's great: this way anyone using the Body Burner can know where they should be facing and turning at all times. But look closely. That is not a platform, it's a trampoline. Let's call a spade a spade: this exercise machine is a trampoline. The numerical design is innovative, and I love the idea of a trampoline for low-impact exercise. But don't call it a "dance platform" folks. We're getting a trampoline exercise program, which I'm sure works well. I'd gladly spend the $59.95 for this package, complete with "dance platform", stability bar, DVDs, and even a nutrition guide, especially knowing I'll get 9% cash back on any Verseo purchase. My only hesitation is that nowhere in this whole product description does the word "trampoline" arise.

So, whatever your exercise, fitness, or personal care needs may be, be sure to check out all the innovative products available at Verseo, all of which can be had with 9% cash back by using your Ebates account. They also have an interesting blog called "Beauty Secrets by Mary" where the ladies can get all sorts of tips on looking their best and men can get all sorts of tips on understanding ladies.

Some people like change; they find it exciting and even invigorating. Others prefer to remain in a routine, where life is familiar and therefore comforting. Change is healthy, everything in the natural world changes and we are no different. Most people who are obsessed with beauty products are those who enjoy change and use their beauty and cosmetics regime to impose change on a daily basis because you can easily change your eye makeup, lipstick and hair style for the day. If you want to take it to another level and really change your regime on the regular, you can check out the "World of Jo Malone" fragrances. Each scent is multi-faceted, complex, and meant to be layered or combined with other fragrances, thus the ability to create a different scent almost everyday. I have a bit of a collecting problem with Jo Malone fragrances, I own quite a few and I love to mix and match the scents, layer with body lotion or body wash and concoct a different scent everyday. You can even take this to an entirely different level and combine fragrances in the home, in a practice Malone calls scent surround. You can find the complete collection of Jo Malone at Nordstrom along with more information about Malone's signature scent combining.

Another helpful hint: if you are sick of your current fragrance, but are not ready to dump the bottle or let it collect dust on your vanity, you can layer a Jo Malone fragrance with it and come up with a completely different scent. Also, apply fragrances to different parts of your body, for example one scent on your wrist and another on your neck.





Get introduced to Jo Malone with the perennial favorite and best seller (also the first in my arsenal) Orange Blossom, a light and floral fragrance made with the scents of with clementine and water Lilly, available online at Nordstrom for $55 for a 10z bottle with 3% cash back. It is light enough to layer amazingly with a variety of scents but robust enough to wear alone.







Or, explore the newest newest addition, Sweet Lime and Cedar (shown above in the 3.4oz bottle for $100), a fragrance inspired by the diverse flavors of Thai Cuisine. It perfectly balances zesty fruits with fragrant, aromatic leaves, delicate flowers, spices, and nutty woods, mirroring the balance of diverse flavors found in the cuisine. This one is truly as amazing as it sounds, and rest assured, you will not smell like food.


So spice up the routine and change a little something else everyday. It feels (and smells) great.


Shop on!

Back from Boston, I find myself truly wanting to better my life in the New Year. Having arrived home from my trip at 1:00 a.m. I also find myself extremely sleep deprived to the point where hallucinating seems almost inevitable. If it weren't for the kind heart of my family, who arranged for a driver to pick me up at the god forsaken hour at which I landed, I would probably still be wandering the Oakland airport like a zombie. A very well dressed zombie, but nonetheless, a zombie. As the haze of my trip is starting to lift, I now have the daunting task of how to go about this "New Year, New Me" attitude. Certainly I can't be expected to do a 180 overnight, however instead of unrealistic expectations, I am choosing to focus on three major things that need changing in my life. These would be travel, body, and attire. The key step to ensuring that I achieve all three of my goals is to save my money, and stop overspending on things I could find for less through Ebates. A tight wallet will help me focus on what is truly a necessity and what is not.

As for the body change, there's several things that need improving, and I'm not talking about "weight" as most people tend to obsess over. What I am talking about is the overall health and maintenance of my body, and for once I'll focus on the inside. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind, and this Green Drink from Institute For Vibrant Living is the best way to get all the benefits of green grasses and other cancer-preventing vegetables. Filled with anti-oxidants, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, this powder is what I like to call the stuff of life. It contains no allergens or pesticides, and as a green drinker I can honestly say that you will feel an improvement in your overall body health. Since starting this daily health boost, I've noticed that I crave sugar and carbs less, which is a miracle unto itself. Most health food stores sell these green powdered drinks for upwards of $40, but I found this for under twenty. Being an Ebates member means I earn 8% cash back, making my bank account healthy as well.

My next goal to overall body maintenance is the dreaded moisturizing of my skin. I could quite possibly be the only woman who hates this regimen, yet applying lotion during the cold winter months is not my cup of tea. However much I hate this chore, not doing so is leaving my body to resemble that of tree bark. Needless to say, this is not a look I am going for, and can be prevented with the help of Mountain Ocean Skin Trip. This lotion is not only natural (no toxins) but it dries fast and smells like coconut. I can't count the times I have been complimented on this lotion, and between the bf and myself, the bottle goes fast. Like most natural products, this one can be expensive if purchased at your local health food stores. Luckily for me, I found this on sale for under eight dollars at MotherNature.com, a mecca for all things natural and organic. Compared to the $12 I would pay elsewhere, I see no reason to ever pay top dollar again. Earning 7% cash back is reason enough to always shop Ebates.

Living in San Francisco will turn anyone into a relative health nut, and I am a perfect example of this. Once a fast food eater, I have taken significant steps in changing my diet, and my waistline reflects this. No one is perfect, yet if you're going to make positive changes to your body, keep in mind that Ebates has several merchants catering to this cause. Below are just a few more of our merchants that make the change easier..and much cheaper!

Drugstore.com Has hundreds of natural body, hair, and household products.

Vitacost.com Has discounted vitamins and other supplements.

MotherNature.com Has everything from supplements to cookbooks, beauty products to cleaning products, all natural and/or organic. They also cater to kosher goods.

Institute For Vibrant Living Has natural supplements that support digestive health, weight management, colon health, and much more. No speed-like diet pills, or unknown chemicals in the products on this site.

Now that the holidays are over, we can get back to important things like replenishing the meager beauty cabinet, tending to the closet, and getting ready to welcome 2009. As many of us are forced to prioritize what we need versus what we want while recuperating from the financial strain of the holidays, making smart choices about what to buy is as important as ever. I was feeling empowered by this sentiment, and came across the Big Beauty Sale at Sephora. In all of my time as a Sephora shopper, I have never seen a sale like this, where the most coveted items in makeup, skincare, and fragrance are up to 75% off. You'll even receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more.



Did Santa forget to bring you a few items? Then now is the perfect time to get what you wanted, or simply to stock up on great beauty buys and wrap up 2008 the right way. I am planning on buying some makeup brushes, like the Sephora Brand Professional Set, once $54, now only $29 with 8% cash back. This is a great collection of travel brushes that will keep you looking flawless on the go, but will not weigh you down either.



I will put my new brushes to good use with this NARS Limited Eyeshadow Palette, now just $45. This is a great value because it is filled with six must-have shades that will work to create virtually any look I am feeling that day or night. Plus, NARS eyeshadows are both highly pigmented and long lasting so I don't have to carry the compact along with me; but it is so chic I just might want to!

Shop on!

While it used to be considered rather insensitive to give money for the holidays, retailers have taken the taboo out of not knowing what to get someone and turned it into something desirable. Thanks to the rise of the gift card, anyone can purchase them for any person, from any store, and for any reason. Beyond the holiday season, gift cards are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, you name it. Being that it's Christmas Eve and the frantic search for the perfect gift is over, now is the time to relax and enjoy the presents coming. In celebration of the receiving of gifts, here is a list of my most wanted Gift Cards, and the things I would buy with them.

1. Number one on my list would be a gift card to beauty heaven, also know as Sephora. Although my attempts at make-up application have sometimes been frightening, I still enjoy the task of picking out the perfect shades of eye shadow, finding the best blush, and the greatest task of all, matching my skin tone to a new foundation. In a perfect world, I would receive a gift card in the amount of $500, but I'll happily settle for $75.

2. My second choice for must have Gift Cards is none else but Shopbop.com. Those of you who have been faithfully reading my blog (bless you) will know all about my obsessive tendencies to hunt through this site on a daily basis. Top on my list of items from this mega cool website is the Filomena Bag by Malababa. Also known as the chicest of briefcases, this bag will be complimenting my outfits for decades to come.

3. The next give-it-to-me Gift Card is none other than electronics central; Best Buy. Before I go and state my case, let me preface by saying that when it comes to electronics, I don't see what the big deal is. Blue-Ray, HD, blah blah blah. A TV is a TV, and if you want to be "in the movie", then I suggest an acting coach and a ticket to LA. It's because of this attitude that I rarely step inside a mega-chain store such as this, but for the few times that I have needed an electro-improvement, Best Buy offers the biggest selection and the best prices. Topping my list is a Zune 120gb MP3 Player. Alas after five years, the iPod Mini is dying a very slow death, and needs some serious upgrading such as more music space and the ability to watch videos.

Unlike most people, I rarely feel the anxiety of getting older around my birthday. Rather, I become hyper-aware of the passage of time on the crux of a new year. As I peer towards 2009, I actually feel like another year is about to pass, and I am aware now more than ever how fast time goes by. Only adding to this sentiment is that while watching the news last night, I heard the broadcaster say "A 25 year old  woman..." and I thought to myself, woman? The broadcaster was right. Calling the subject of the news story a 25 year old girl would not be appropriate. So, I suppose, to quote Britney Spears, "I am not a girl and not yet a woman." Actually, I am now a woman, and let me accept that fact with joy. Now that I can think of myself proudly as a woman, I should perhaps take a more woman-like approach to all aspects of my life: fiances, wardrobe, frequency of house-cleaning, and, skincare regime. I suppose it is time to take a preventative approach to my skincare.

First things first: always wear sun protection daily. While I loathe the sticky white film left by most sunscreens, this Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40 from Sephora for $40 with 8% cash back glides on smoothly and leaves no trace on the skin, which will make it easy enough to be protected. While I am using my Sephora Gift Card (that I will surely acquire over the holiday) I will also pick up this Peter Thomas Roth Age Defense Kit for $45, a $95 value.



While it may be slightly too advanced for my skin, I figure I can try out some products, give what I don't want to my mom, and defend my skin from harmful aging factors. And I can use up my gift card and earn 8% cash back. Well, aren't I being a resourceful woman...

Shop on!

Something happened last night that changed my life. When I discovered a small blemish on my face, instead of following my usual path of picking until red, swollen, and sore, I practiced some self-restraint and reached instead for my trusty tube of Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. I put a little on the spot and woke up to a smaller, less irritated (and therefore easy to conceal) spot. The Masque is a perennial favorite in my ever-expanding medicine cabinet because it is truly a miracle worker on skin conditions of all types. From blemishes to bug bites - this product will clear anything away. There is a reason Mint Julep has been a favorite since it was developed it 1930.

While singing the praise of Mint Julep (oh wait that was my pleasant neighbor who seems to have the Chicago soundtrack on repeat and is auditioning from her bathroom), I realized that the best part of Mint Julep is that it is effective and just $3.99 with 7% cash back at Drugstore.com. For $3.99 this bottle will literally last for at least a couple years and is a cute little retro addition to a girl's skincare regime. Got a beauty junkie on your list? This makes a perfect (and low-cost) stocking stuffer.

Shop on!

Of the many charming qualities I possess (wink wink), gift giving is not one of them. Frankly, I am just not an adept gift giver. Good shopper, yes. Good Samaritan, sometimes. Good at finding the perfect gift for someone, no. This personality defect only becomes a major problem once a year, so I have learned to live with it as I gently glaze over Christmas Gift time quietly and stealthy, with nice (just not perfect) gifts for everyone on my list. This year, I have decided to overcome the "bad gift giver" flaw and make the attempt at the elusive Perfect Gift.

Frankly, the odds are in my favor, and with my Ebates arsenal of over 1,000+ merchants, I really have no excuse. I have done a good job so far. I have my gifts and stocking stuffers picked out. Except for that one person on my list: the one who has everything and therefore is impossible to buy for. This person shall remain nameless, because this person does read my blog and I don't want to spoil the excitement of what might possibly be the best gift for the person who has everything.

Much to my excitement, I stumbled upon this Green Dimes Eliminate Home Junk Mail Gift Card, for just $19.99 with 7% cash back at Drugstore.com. This amazing gem promises to eliminate 90% of your home junk mail and plants up to five trees in your name! So not only do you give the gift of saying goodbye to annoying catalogs for stores where the previous resident shopped, but also the unwanted credit card offers that threaten the safety of your identity. This is a gift of joy and peace of mind - make someone you love the King of their mailbox once again and do something good for the earth in the meantime.


If the Green Dimes gift card does not seem like it will bring tears of joy to the recipient, the Sephora Brand Monopoly surely will. Sephora has teamed up with Monopoly to create a beauty-full edition of the classic game where you - Go To Jail for bad hair days, Advance To Go for winning a shopping spree, and pay for your products with Beauty Bucks. The special edition game sells $23.50 with 8% cash back, plus this items ships for free with code SHOPNOW (hurry, ends tonight). This is a great gift that will bring a sincere smile to the face of every man woman and child who has dreamed of taking over the world vis-à-vis their beauty product empire.


Shop on and Give!

In the lunch room at work this afternoon, we somehow got on the topic of dental hygiene. You'll be very happy to know that it turns out most Ebates employees (at least those who were dining in the lunch room today) are all avid brushers, flossers, and a few are even mouthwash enthusiasts. I, like my co-workers, can't get enough of that freshly-brushed feeling that most people only enjoy but once or twice a day.

Still, no matter how meticulously you care for your teeth, most people ignore the other major component of dental hygiene: the toothbrush. While we may buy wonderful and futuristic electronic toothbrushes or just get the newest latest traditional brush with hand-selected bristles or magical alignment, most people I know treat their toothbrush in the same manner: pick up, apply toothpaste, brush, rinse, replace in holder or cup, repeat.  It's a time-honored process that most everyone grew up with. I am no exception. However, after doing a little research, I discovered that there could still be thousands of germs and bacteria all over my brush every time I put it back in its designated spot, and that's just gross.

The solution? The VIOlight Zapi. This silly looking little egg-shaped marvel contains a special UV light that helps sanitize your brush after every use. It really seems about as simple as can be possible: set it inside the housing and press a button, and the Zapi takes care of the rest. And by "the rest" I mean massacring germs and bacteria. So if you want a clean, fresh, and, most importantly, healty mouth, this is the product for you. Right now they're in stock and on sale at drugstore.com for $29.99, with 7% cash back. They're available in four colors, so you can find the one that best matches your personality (or just your bathroom) and it even comes with a matching toothbrush. But fear not, you don't need to use their supplied brush; the Zapi sanitizer it compatible with most every "traditional style" toothbrush or electric toothbrush head. From what I can gather "tradtional" just means that it's long, narrow and has bristles that you clean your teeth with. 

If you have any questions about the Zapi, you can check out the user's manual in .pdf format here. 

With a skincare market full of $600 anti-wrinkle creams, $80 facial cleansers and procedures that require you to go under the knife, it is obvious that women are fervently looking to turn back the hands of time and get anti-aging results regardless of the cost. For those women who seek distinct results without the surgery or the gut-wrenching prices of some other brands, Olay Professional has the solution for you. Available now for pre-sale (due to the insanely high demand) at Drugstore.com for $51.50 and free shipping ($10 off suggested retail), is the Olay Professional Pro-X Anti-Aging starter Kit. This is not your average drugstore skincare line. In fact, this kit is filled with three essential scientifically developed and clinically proven products that are guaranteed to provide results.


The starter kit comes with three products: Age Repair Lotion with SPF30 intended to protect skin, Wrinkle Smoothing Cream intended to transform the skin by improving texture and tone while diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and the Eye Restoration Complex, which targets the delicate eye area, smoothing puffiness, dark circles, and crows feet. All of the products work by re-signaling the skin's moisture barrier and boosting the skin's turnover rate to encourage the skin to preform like it did when it was younger.

The kit packs some major bang for only $50 and is subsequently creating a major buzz with beauty junkies and skincare professionals alike. Pre-sale begins now, and the product is intended to ship on December 23, 2008. It would make a great gift for the woman on your list who needs to try all the new and cutting edge beauty products. But don't wait! This product is going fast! Save $10 and get 7% cash back, which is nothing to furrow your brow over. In fact, show some smile lines and save big!

Shop on!

The smoky eye look has remained a prominent trend in the beauty sphere for quite some time now. It's an ultra-feminine sultry look that instantly glamorizes your look and can update an old party dress in virtually an instant.

This look that requires some definite makeup application skill, and should not be taken lightly. It appears easy to achieve and somewhat haphazard on the models, but those models are gracing the runways of top designers for Spring 2009 like Matthew Williamson, Caroline Hererra and Nicole Miller to name a few, which means they have professionally trained makeup artists helping them achieve this look. But for those of us who can't afford our own makeup artists, it is probably one of the more difficult makeup tricks to master, save the cat-lined eye. 

Cosmetics powerhouse Stila has removed the guesswork from the smoky eye by putting a step-by-step recording right into the smoky eye palette, essentially bringing the professional makeup artist to you. You press the button and a recording talks you through the five steps of an expert smoky eye using the universally-flattering coordinating shades. This little gem is available at Beauty.com for $40 with 7% cash back. So get ready for all your holiday parties and be prepared for the fresh Spring beauty trends of next year.

Shop On!

I am a big fan of gifts that come ready to be stuffed in a stocking or put under the tree. Despite all the things I love about Christmas and general Yule, I am not a big fan of wrapping. Perhaps it was because I was enslaved by my mother as a child as her wrapping buddy - because "Little Fingers are better at tying bows". Although I cherish those moments, I am never in to mood to sit down and wrap gifts, which is why I love that you can find the perfect gift for anyone that is prepackaged to be enjoyed - straight from store to tree. I feel this way about this Shu Umera 24K Gold Eyelash Curler for $24 with 8% cash back from Sephora. Not only is the Shu Umera Eyelash Curler an essential must-have in any beauty regimen, it is also perfectly pretty plated in 24K gold and ready to give in this decorative red box. I plead: Santa, if you're listening, I really want one.

With all the uncertainty involved with the harmful effects of chemicals found in traditional antiperspirants and deodorants, I have undergone a personal quest to find an all-natural alternative that actually works, meaning, keeping me fresh all day. I have tried many different brands and types, all of which have not lived up to my high standards. Unwilling to concede and accept the fact that a natural deodorant couldn't work as well as a chemically made one, I have scoured the ends of the health and beauty world to find a fair substitute.

I fell in love with L'Occitane Aromachologie Purifying Deodorant, available at the L'Occitane store for $15, with 4% cash back. This particular deodorant is enhanced with essential oils of  lemon, cardamom, and eucalyptus, a blend understood to help eliminate toxins and impurities. Controlling odor, purifying the body, and helping to keep skin dry all day. Unfortunately, this brand does contain Aluminum - one of the culprit ingredients that are said to be harmful to the body. It is a great product if you are looking for a natural brand of deodorant and do not mind that it contains Aluminum.

I very reluctanly moved on from this product and purchased Aubrey Organics Natural Roll-On Deodorant for $7.69 with 7% cash back from Drugstore.com. This product is completely natural, contains potent anti-oxidants, goes on clear and is not tested on animals. It is also biodegradeable and recyclable. My verdict is that this brand is "so far so good." I feel great about using a product that is great for my body and enviornmentally concious too. If you are going to toss your deodorant and go the au naturale route, take note that it does take some time for your body to adjust to a new product before you can observe the benefits of a natural formula. And on a packaging note, it is quite cute. It also smells good without being overpowering and is not sticky  so it makes for a fanasitc unisex brand.

According to a economic barometer fondly called "The Lipstick Index" (reference a New York Times article printed Sunday) reports that during the last three months, cosmetic sales have been on the rise despite the sluggish economy. Meaning in a bad economy women still splurge on little "pick me ups", a.k.a. lipstick and cosmetics, when they can not always justify other, pricier things. Regardless of whether that is true for you or not, personally speaking, I am always spending my money on both, much to the chagrin of my savings account.

The real exiting aspect of the article is when they list the top 41 lipsticks, from merely  $1.99 to over $50, so there is something to splurge on for every budget. What the article failed to mention, was that most all of these best selling lipsticks are available though Ebates with cash back! To see the entire list and read the article, click here.

Here is our list of the Top ten available with the most cash back!

1. Pur Minerals lipstick in Raspberry Quartz, $15 with 10% cash back.

2. Clinique Long Lasting Shine lipstick in Bamboo Pink,$14 with 4% cash back.

3. Avon Beyond Color Plumping lip color in Divine Wine, $8 with 5% cash back.

4. Dior Addict High Shine lipstick in Casual Beige, $25 with 3% cash back.

5. Nars lipstick in Dolce Vita, $24 with 7% cash back.

6. Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick in Coffee Shimmer, $5.29 with 7% cash back.

7. Bobbi Brown lip color in Brown, $22 with 4% cash back.

8. Chanel Rouge Hydrabase lipstick in Enigma, $27 with 6% cash back.

9. YSL Beaute Rouge Volupte lipstick in Sweet Honey, $29 with 6% cash back.

10. Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick in Delightful, $22 with 4% cash back.

Shop on, gorgeous!

Welcoming Bobbi Brown to the list of Ebates merchants in the Heath and Beauty category is equatable to inviting the Poet Laureate to a reading. Bobbi Brown is one of the major innovators who transformed the health and beauty industry into what we know today. She was one of the first (after Max Factor, the man who is said to have coined the term makeup) makeup artists turned Beauty entrepreneurs who helped build the empire that has since taken women by storm. Bobbi Brown's name is on some of the industry's best products ranging from skin care to color to makeup brushes. Now, all of this is available to you, with 4% cash back.

Make sure to check out the looks and tips guide, which features "Get the Look" how-tos and tips on picking the right foundation and my personal favorite: tips on grooming the perfect brow. Also, you can visit the new holiday gift guide which includes special editions of best sellers along with new favorites. You can also chat with an artist live while shopping on the site, so you do not lose the expert advice, but you get to shop in the comfort of your own home.

Enjoy free shipping on orders of sixty dollars or more with code "Ebates1" and you'll also get two free samples with every order. Shop on!

Most adults who partake in teeth staining activities say, drinking coffee, red wine, tea, or anything else that can tarnish your teeth have a moment when they look in the mirror and realize that their pearly whites are neither pearly nor white. Keeping you smile up to par is especially important if you are planning on being in photographs for a wedding or Holiday cards.

Either way, maintaining a healthy white smile can be just as important as the makeup you use or the clothes you wear. Although, beware of "glow in the dark" white teeth, they are both unnatural looking and frighteningly unattractive.

Professional whitening and regular dentist visits are always recommended, especially if you have really tough stains or desire to make your teeth dramatically whiter. However, at-home kits and whitening toothpastes can do the trick for brightening your smile. There are many whitening kits on the market. Most of the drugstore toothpaste brands have some kind of whitening kit, usually in the form of strips. A main complaint I share with people who have used brands of whitening strips is that they are slimy and slip off your teeth, preventing the whitening solution from really penetrating stains. According to Real Simple Magazine, in a feature on the best teeth whiteners on the market,  Rembrandt Whitening Strips stay in place, are not slimy, and make your teeth much whiter in just five days. Rembrandt's Strips are currently on sale at Drugstore.com, for $19.99 with 7% cash back. You save $4 off the listing price. The strips are much cheaper than some of the others and boast great results in a limited amount of time.

To maintain a white smile after using the strips, without giving up your coffee, I recommend these GO SMILE Touch Up ampules. For $39 at Beauty.com with 7% cash back, you receive a kit of thirty breath-freshening, stain erasing mini whiteners that are easy to use and touch up on the go. These are perfect to carry around in your purse or briefcase, and can prepare you for a spur of the moment photo-op, a hot date, or a public speaking event. I tried these over the weekend, they work wonders! Plus, you can shop Beauty.com and partner site Drugstore.com, pay one flat rate for shipping and get both delivered to your door in just a few short days.

Keep your smile sparkling and your teeth healthy with a set of GO SMILE Whitening Toothpastes for AM and PM.  The set of two, sells for $30 at Sephora with 8% cash back. These whitening, good for your teeth toothpastes have aromatherapy benefits to calm for PM and energize for AM. They have essential oils, naturally hydrated silica which safely polishes away stains to maintain your white smile, and the doctor recommended amount of fluoride to prevent decay and strengthen tooth enamel. These are definitely worth the little splurge because they taste great and contain healthy and natural ingredients, keeping your smile bright after all the work you have done to whiten! Compared to a professional whitening system, this is a great way to get results and save money while earning some extra cash back shopping through Ebates! You don't see that at your dentist's office.


So before you buy that statement red lipstick or take holiday photos, brighten that smile and give yourself a mini-makeover and boost of confidence for less. Shop on!

It is a common myth that chocolate is bad for you, and it is even said that  chocolate is the culprit for  bad skin flareups like acne. Au contraire, myth. The truth is that chocolate is actually good for you!  Spread the word and the joy by giving someone on your list (or yourself) the gift of good taste and a container of "Health By Chocolate" Beauty Bars from Norm Thomson for $27.95 with 1% cash back. These "blissfully delicious" individually wrapped dark chocolate bars are packed with beneficial antioxidants and minerals and were formulated by a holistic dermatologist.

Choose from two kinds; either Beautiful Skin Bars, packed with Omega 3/6/9-rich cranberry seed oil and lutein, which helps fight free radicals. These bars also contains the disease-fighting antioxidant lycopene, and astaxanthin—a skin protector that's more powerful than vitamin E. One a day is the most delicious "medicine" ever!

Or, choose the Healthy Bones Bars with orange-flavored rich Swiss chocolate delivers sea algae-based calcium brimming with natural trace minerals and a natural vitamin K/D blend to support bone health. These amazing bars give a whole new meaning to eating right!

All talk about the health benefits of chocolate has me wondering; would it be bad to give someone both? Someone like myself?

For all those people who love a gift with purchase, but get stuck with the foundation sample that you have been dying to try but its two shades too dark, or the night cream that is formulated for combination skin when your skin is very dry, or the frosted lipstick that washes you out, I have pleasing news. At Bloomingdale's for a limited time, you can "Create Your Own" eight piece Estée Lauder Gift. Finally you have a choice: you can select your shades from two selections of lipstick, gloss, and eye palette, you can choose from three Repair Serums to suit your skin type as well as two cleansers and moisturizers. Plus, you get a fragrance sample and chic cosmetic clutch. One complete gift is pictured at left. Just spend $39.50 or more on Estée Lauder and the gift is yours. Also, don't forget about 3% cash back on all fragrance and beauty product purchases from Bloomingdale's quality with just $5 shipping! Wondering what to buy from the extensive Lauder Beauty Line? I recommend the new Turbo Lash, the mascara with a motorized brush, learn more here.

I also recommend any product from their popular skincare line, especially these Take It Away Long Wear Makeup Remover Towlettes, that are $17.50 for 45 pre-moistened cloths. They make cleaning you face an easy and trouble-free step, even if you are too tired to make it to the sink. Plus, they are fantastic for mid-day touch ups or to freshen up from work to cocktail hour.

With great products like this, you will be on your way to a free, personalized gift in no time. P.S., the petite sizes make great stocking suffers!

It was just yesterday, that we welcomed the online boutique Goldyn to the Ebates merchant family. Today, we can warmly welcome Smashbox Cosmetics offering 4% cash back to the health and beauty category. Although Smashbox products have been available through other merchants in the past, there is definitely something to be said about visitng a brand's own website, where you can really get a feel for the brand and seek advice from a Smashbox expert through live chat, email, or by phone. They also have a great interactive site. You can recieve special gifts through a program they call "Let's Do Lunch" where every Tuesday and Thursday you can shop between 9am and 2pm PST and get a free gift with every order. Plus, since Smashbox is such a fixure in providing makeup looks for fashion shows, they have a get the look feauture (my personal favorite) where they provide a step-by-step tutorial about how to achieve some of the most trend-setting and coveted makeup looks for every season. Like this beautiful look from the Spring 2008 show of Whitley Kros. Just beause this look is from past season does not mean its passe. This look is a perfect way to brighten up a drab fall day and when is a classicly lined eye and a healthy-glow not in style?. Shop Smashbox and browse many more "get the look" features and an array of innovative products with 4% cash back!

As the most traveled day of the year quickly approaches, Americans brace themselves for an onslaught of travel annoyances, delays, and setbacks summed up in one word: nightmare. I am grateful there is the prospect of turkey on the other side of my plane ride, and I am sure that this is the same sentiment that motivates people to contend with the hassle.

As Thanksgiving eve approaches, I start to obsessively plan my travel modus operandi. One of the many things that freaks me out about flying (other than the prospect of death) is making the choice of whether or not to check my luggage. I can either risk loss or damage and extra long lines to check a bag or simply carry on a bag, which is also problematic. I fear the idiot trying to push his giant bag into the overhead compartment as he crushes all my valuables. I was a devoted "carry-oner" until the TSA regulations mandated that all liquids must be 3 ounce or less and fit inside of a quart-sized baggie. I need to have a nice sampling of all my beauty products to feel grounded and comfortable when I leave home. That image to the left is my worst nightmare. There is no way I could survive on that!

Praise the geniuses of the beauty industry for producing travel-sized containers of quality beauty products. I can now stuff that quart-sized bag with miniaturized containers of my favorite products. And we can all enjoy the trip to the airport just a little bit more.

Some of the best travel sized kits out there are good quality and easy on the budget, especially if you are a regular in the friendly skies. For skincare, this Murad travel kit is perfect. For $12.95, you get a great kit to keep your skin healthy and glowing while away (it's also a great way to try products before shelling out the money for a full size). The Murad four piece Travel Essentials Kit comes with bestselling products like their hydrating toner and SPF eye-cream. Its truly a must-have for just $12.95 plus 11% cash back. At Beauty.com, you can buy this L'Occitane Getaway set, a $52 value for only $35 with 8% cash back. This eight piece set comes with everything you need for your hair and body. The set has shampoo and conditioner, body wash, lotion, hand cream, and bar soap. You can pick and choose which of these products you want to tote with you, and then store the rest for later. It's a great investment and will last forever, and will keep you looking good and breezing though travel lines!

Another great way to bypass check-in hassles whilst being eco-friendly and frugal is to pick up some travel sized bottles from the Container Store. Prices range from less than one dollar to $7.99 for a full travel set, all with 4% cash back. You can borrow product from your own full sized containers and easily pack these into the mandated baggie. Plus they are leak-proof, because we have all been there...

Book your travel through Ebates to earn cash back and make the flying experience that much more bearable!

Fragrances make excellent gifts. This is mostly because you are buying someone a thoughtful luxury that, perhaps, they wouldn't buy themselves. This warm-hearted sentiment can sometimes become problematic if you are unaware of what fragrance the gift recipient likes or, if you do not like their chosen fragrance and want to break them of that habit. This is where my new favorite holiday gift comes into play: the Sephora Scent Sampler Best Sellers For Her, available with 8% cash back (was 4% -- woo hoo increased holiday cash back! Learn more here). What makes this little sample set so genius is that not only are you giving ten deluxe samples of Sephora's top selling fragrances (Aquolina Pink Sugar, Bulgari Omnia Crystalline, Calvin Klein Euphoria, Givenchy Very Irresistible Givenchy Sensual, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Philosophy Amazing Grace, Stella McCartney Stella, and Vera Wang Princess), the set actually comes with a Sephora gift certificate to purchase a full-sized bottle of your favorite after you are done sampling! So basically, you are giving someone the gift of ten deluxe samples and one full sized bottle of a best-selling fragrance. It might just be magical.

Gents, don't despair. There is also a Men's Scent Sampler Best Sellers as well! And the set includes top sellers like: Bulgari Aqua Pour Homme Marine,Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme, Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme and many more! Truly, this is a gift-giving must-have for anyone on your list. Plus you get whopping 8% cash back for yourself to spread more cheer and fresh scent!

Shop on!

Sometimes I wonder, with all the developing technology, if popular culture has turned into some freakish Sci-Fi movie that scared teenagers sitting in basements fifty years ago. What spawned this new outburst of thoughts? Easy: the advent of oscillating mascaras introduced by Lancôme and Estee Lauder. They look exactly like traditional mascaras with an average container, but have motors causing the wand to vibrate for a better, more thorough, and clump-free application.

According to Lancôme, the result of the vibrating mascara wand are lashes that are "extended, separated and visibly multiplies", okay, you are slowly convincing me. Although the thought of a motorized device that close to my eye (especially with my lack-of-precision) actually frightened me. At least it did, but that was before I saw the demonstration video at Lancôme.com and realized how slight the vibrations actually are; so slight that I probably do not need to worry about inflicting injury. Also, you must hold down the power button as you apply, for added safety. The Lancôme Oscillation Power Mascara boasts 7,000 oscillations per minute! That is some high-tech beauty! This product sells for $34 at Lancome.com with 6% cash back. Also, you receive a complimentary gift and free shipping; just enter code POWERMASCARA at checkout! I think it is definitely worth a try, if not just to weigh in you opinion on the matter and get a great free gift to boot!

If you are more of an Estee Lauder person, don't despair. They have launched ' Turbolash' All Effects Motion Mascara. Turbolash promises volume, length, curl, and separation all with one stroke of the trademarked and patent-pending LashSonic brush. This product was the first vibrating wand mascara, and it sells for $32 at Nordstrom with 3% cash back.

So the world of technology continues, taking with it a beauty staple like mascara. While I do enjoy the novelty of a vibrating mascara, and think its a fun addition to the makeup bag, I'm still a fan of my Givenchy Phenomenon eyes, as the ball applicator is enough tech for me.

Somewhere along the line, the idea of an individual "wanting it all" has received a bad reputation. I ask, "What's so wrong with wanting it all, especially when it comes to makeup?" For example, I want to get 30,000 different makeup combinations for just forty eight dollars. I want it all; I want seventy-one eye shadows, thirteen cream eye shadows, sixty lip glosses, five blushes, brushes, one compact powder, one lip liner, one eyeliner and three sponge applicators. What's more is that I want all of that to fold up in a sleek, portable black case. Too much to ask? Not for my pals at Sephora. The have just released the Sephora Brand Ultimate Blockbuster: Collectors Edition. This fancy little kit appeals to over-the-top collectors like myself, people who want the wonderful world of makeup right at their fingertips, theoretically at all times. I could bring this beauty chest to work with me and one second look like myself and the next be Tammy Faye Baker's doppelganger (R.I.P.). I want that kind of possibility in my makeup routine, and for a staggering $48 dollars with 4% cash back, I can. The collection makes an amazing gift for someone special on your list or just for yourself, so go ahead... you deserve it!

A little too much bang for your buck? I understand. That kind of selection can be a tad overwhelming. Try this Tarte Limited Edition Vanity Palette instead, a $494 value for just $52 dollars plus 4% cash back. This set features sixteen eye shadows and sixteen lip glosses, a deluxe mascara, mineral bronzer, luminizer, blushes, and two quality brushes to put it all together. This is an amazing kit, and it makes a great gift for everyone from the beauty obsessed (like yours truly) to those people on your list who need a little help. This kit is all one needs to create countless day or night beauty looks.

You can have it all (with some cash back) and so can everyone on your list!

Cold and flu season is that time of year that everyone dreads like the plague....or like the flu ( they should change that saying). I am one of those people that thinks they hate being sick more than anyone else and we are usually the ones to drop first. It is always those people who don't wash their hands, never sleep a wink or let a vitamin pass their lips that reign victorious. Which has led me to the conclusion that getting sick is 1/2 frame of mind ( "I will not get sick...") and 1/2 essential products that will keep you like bubble boy for the entire season.

First and foremost, you will need Vitamin C. There are all kinds of fancy brands and names. I think just regular vitamin C will do the trick. Check out a great selection at Puritans Pride, offering 6% cash back. While you are there, pick up an Echinacea and Goldenseal liquid extract, for just $14.99 and you get one free! It is always a good combo to keep in the arsenal.

Add some Emergen-C Packets, on sale for just $10.46, 30% off original retail. These are great for on the go prevention and have B vitamins and other effective preventative compounds like Quercetin and Zinc.

I also recommended, stocking up on some kind of hand sanitizer for all of those times a sick person opens a door in front of you, boards the bus or gets anywhere near your personal space during the season. Try this EO Organic Hand Sanitizer six pack in lavender scent. It is currently on sale at Drugstore.com for 15% off and is now only $19, with 6% cash back. The six pack is great, you can stock your desk, work bag, car and home.

While you are shopping at Drugstore.com, I highly recommend adding some Zicam to your shopping cart and subsequently, part of your survival kit. This product is intended to reduce the severity of the common cold or prevent one from getting full blown sick. So if you feel something coming on, take some of this ( it comes in nasal swab form or lozenges) and your symptoms will not fully progress or last as long.

Hopefully, these suggestions for a Cold/Flu season survival kit will keep you well and enjoying all your cash back. Now is the time to stock up and save! Shop on!

If you have been waiting to splurge on a new skincare regime, makeup overhaul, or lavish hair care - wait no longer. Beauty.com is the Ebates Daily Double today! Once a respectable 6% cash back, today only we are offering 12% cash back, which will have a comforting impact on your shopping cart total. Shop for the pinnacle of skincare lines: Philosophy,  PerriconeMD, Murad, Bliss, and natural lines like, Korres, Lavanila Laboratories, Fresh, Dr. Hauschka, and many more. Plus the latest and greatest in makeup from Prescriptives, Jane Iredale, NARS... plus hair care and fragrance, gifts, and beauty tools. Enjoy gifts with purchase on many items and three free samples per order, plus free shipping everyday. As I am on a Paraben free kick ( f.y.i., you can shop for all paraben free items with a simple click), I am stocking up on Lavanila Laboratories ($25) body butter before the days of dry and chapped winter skin arrive. The container of this amazingly scented and richly moisturizing body lotion is 100% recyclable and the formula is free of Petrochemicals, Phthalates, Propylene glycol, Mineral oils, Silicone, Synthetic dyes, Sulfates or Parabens, so it is good for your skin and healthy for your body too.

If you are new to beauty.com you can save $10 on orders of $60 or more (restrictions apply and discount automatically occurs at checkout).

I've got some serious shopping to do!

I am a commitment-phobe when it comes to beauty products. I am always sure there is something better out there and I will leave my trusty favorites in search of a superior item. I usually come back, but I have to try everything else to be positive. When I stumbled upon The Lash Stash sampler at Sephora, I knew I had to get my hands on it. It comes with ten mini-sized best-selling mascaras, so you don't have to commit to just one until you have tried them all. It sells for just $35 (it is an $85 value) with 4% Cash Back. This item makes for a great gift and will bring smiles to the face of any woman you originally thought of buying chocolates for (unless it's your wife, then most often, neither are appropriate). I am picking up a couple; one for myself, one for my best friend, and one for my mom's stocking; apparently "beauty junkie" is genetic.

Life is generally about looking for answers, both simple and complex. We humans are always looking for our questions to be determined. Some people look to the stars to guide them. If you are one of those people, or if you are not and are just looking for some entertainment to perk up your day, I encourage you to check out Beauty.com's Beauty Horoscope. You can find out which products will make you feel gorgeous depending on your astrological sign. I am a Taurus. My beauty horoscope tells me that romance has been on the back burner, is about to pick up and  recommends buying Oscar Blandi's Olio di Jasmine, a restorative hair serum that imparts long-lasting shine and controls flyways. It's actually a fairly appopriate choice, as I did just get a haircut and lately I have been more concious about hair products. And, well, lets just say that I always welcome a little bit of romance in my life. Get your horoscope, shop for an impressive list of great products with 6% Cash Back and look good while you seek out answers to life's perplexing questions.

There is not much that is more exciting than two beauty wonders combining forces. Take OPI, a world leader in professional nail care and Sephora, the home of all things wonderful and Mecca to the beauty product obsessed. These two forces have joined up and put out a collection of nail polish, hand treatments, and nail care that is sold online and in Sephora stores nationwide. So now, when you are shopping for everything else in your regime, you can pick up all the things you need to keep your hands and feet perfectly polished and moisturized. They have an amazing collection of colors from classic, vibrant reds and neutral pale pinks to the most trendy, must-have nail colors of the season, like the perfectly named Sephora by OPI nail colour MetroChic. This neutral grey has caused average, reasonable women to turn into Sephora stalkers (guilty) and has also resulted in an ebay price-hiked frenzy. But don't worry, the color is back in stock and available at Sephora.com for $9. I just got mine this weekend. The formula applies consistently and easily and provides super glossy, rich color. I topped the nail polish with the brand's high-gloss top coat, also for $9, and finished it all off with Nail Colour Drying Drops ($14), that completely dries polish in under 5 minutes while providing nourishing jojoba oil and vitamin E for healthy, salon quality nails. For about $30, you can have shiny, perfect nails in a lust worthy color and 4% Cash Back in your beautifully polished hands. For more tips on bringing the salon home and saving some money click here.

    During tough economic times, one is forced to re-examine how you spend your dollar. In doing my own personal finance evaluation, I quickly realized that a huge chunk of my money was going to professional grooming services: waxing, manicures and hair color treatments. I think I can speak for most women out there and say that I am not alone. Women spend a lot of money on beauty treatments. After my self-evaluation, I started thinking; maybe I could start doing some of these things myself: at-home manicure, waxing, and hair color treatments. I will leave the hair cutting to the professionals; the result would be far too frightening, as I am not to adept with the scissors. But on the rest, I could save some serious money skipping a few beauty sessions a month. However, I need to invest in some good tools and products to bring the spa home to me.
First I will need a waxing kit. It is very important to select high quality wax - you definitely do not want to look like a bumpy, red mess. This Bliss ‘Road to no Hair’ set comes with their world-renowned poetic waxing kit, ingrown hair eliminating pads, and a moisturizing, regrowth-slowing lotion. The set sells for $106 at Bliss Spa with 4% Cash Back. This may sound like a lot; however, it comes with fantastic, spa quality products that will pay for itself when you skip just about two visits to a professional aesthetician.

For something a little easier on the pocketbook, this MS. Manicure Marvelous Minis Grooming 4 Essentials for Cuticle & Nails set sells for an amazing $ 3.50 at Drugstore.com, with 6% Cash Back. This mini-kit comes with every tool you need to keep your hands and feet presentable. It's very important to keep the nails looking clean and groomed (As I type this, I am looking down at my desperate nails). For under four dollars, you can bring the nail salon home and save a lot of money every month.

Another great at-home product is this new Frederic Fekkai Salon Color Kit. This color comes straight from the Fekkai salon color team and is the first salon-grade hair color available for use at home. Plus, the kit comes with a professional bowl and brush kit, pre-color treatment and post-color mask for extra conditioning and shine, so you really will bring the high-end color station to your bathroom sink! Offered in twenty expertly selected shades, each kit sells for $30, with 6% Cash Back at Beauty.com. Also, you can buy your manicure set and hair color in one cart thanks to the partnership between Drugstore.com and Beauty.com. Both ship for free, and you'll receive complimentary samples with each Beauty.com order, which is another great way to save money.

For just about $140, you can bring home the professional spa and save a lot of money. Shop on!

Through Monday October 13, SkinStore.com is donating a portion of every order to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This is a great time to shop; revamp your beauty regimen, pamper yourself, or stock up on your favorite products. You can contribute to shopping for a cure! This includes specially packaged "pink" products and regular items as well. One of my favorite special edition products is this DuWop Purse Your Lips Kit, available for $24 with 8% Cash Back (don't forget, you can also donate your Ebates Cash Back earnings to a charity of your choice here). This cute little DuWop kit comes with a stylish mini-purse filled with DuWop's perennial favorite, pink shimmer lip venom. 10% of the proceeds benefit CEW's Cancer and Careers, an organization that helps provide inspiration and insight to working women living with cancer.

SkinStore is the place to shop for great skincare products as well. This special edition skyn ICELAND 5 Day Detox Kit for Stressed Skin is available for $45. This product meets natural beauty standards and a portion of the proceeds benefit breast cancer research! Over the course of five days, this kit will completely restore balance to tired and irritated skin, and the result is nourished and glowing skin.
                         
So ladies, take care of yourselves and the ones you love with great skincare and beauty products while contributing to the betterment of women around the world!

A good cleanser is an important step in a woman's (or man's) skincare routine. Think of a good cleanser as your underpinnings; without them, your clothes just wouldn't work right. A cleanser is no different; subsequent treatment products or makeup will just not work right without properly cleansing the skin. This, however, does not mean that you need to spend a lot of money to acquire a great cleanser. The following three cleansers are all under $15.50 and contain high-quality ingredients that will keep your skin clean and looking great.

First (my current obsession) is the Skin Appetit Detoxifying Nutri-Cleanser ($15). It is available at Drugstore.com, with 6% Cash Back. The great thing about this cleanser is that it contains a unique Nutrx8complex; a blend of whole foods (like anti-oxidant rich blueberries) intended to feed the skin, keeping away wrinkles and blemishes. I often use this cleanser as a mask too, and it works great.

Next is Kiehl's Gentle Foaming Cleanser for $12.50 with 3% Cash Back. The is the most universal cleanser for virtually any skin type. It gently but thoroughly cleans the skin without being abrasive or stripping the skin of moisture. It's a great product to have, especially if you are using other treatment products that may make your skin sensitive.

The third is a medicated cleanser designed to treat problem skin, and it definitely boasts the most bang for your buck. Topix Gly Sal 5-2 Cleanser, from SkinStore.com, is priced at $15.50. It is truly a steal, as it is formulated with ultra-pure glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and green tea.

So, take some time to make your skin care routine a little more beneficial and reap the benefits of these cleansers, all of which are avaliable at a great price!

One of my guilty pleasures is laying in bed and watching QVC. For those of you Sex And The City fanatics out there its my S.S.B (Secret Single Behavior). I derive great joy from this act and find it equal parts soothing and entertaining, even if I never actually buy anything. There is something about a call center that puts me off, probably because for me QVC is secret (not after this post) and anti-social.

That was until I realized that the world of QVC is available online, and with 3% Cash Back from Ebates, which kind of makes me want to call in and tell my story about how much I love QVC. I can hear it now: "We've got Poppy here from California". My fondness for home shopping television might explain why a few weeks ago I received a mailer addressed to me from AARP explaining all the benefits (true story!).

But QVC isn't just for AARP, especially when it comes to beauty products. They have amazing deals on great beauty products from Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Yves Saint Laurent, Bare Escentuals and Philosphy and many more. Also, beauty brands put together packages and specials, often featuring QVC-exclusive colors that are only available to QVC shoppers. Like this ten piece Smashbox "Past, Present & Future of Beauty Collection". The retail value of this set is $166. QVC's price is usually $84.50, and now it is only $76.82, plus 3% Cash Back! This collection is filled with every standout product from Smashbox, and even includes brushes! Hurry, this deal will not last long and is only available at this price for a short time. Now I can enjoy the fruits of QVC from the comfort and solidarity of my own computer, although I will never give up watching all the people on television -- it is far too entertaining!

Working in retail, one gets pretty inventive when it comes to getting substances off clothes after they have been tried on. The bane of any retailers existence is getting deodorant marks off delicate fabrics (oh and it was always there before someone tried it on...). The last thing you want to do is take a wet cloth to a $600 silk chiffon dress. Let me also say that rubbing the fabric together doesn't work very well either; it can strech out fabrics and cause obvious puckering in place of the stain. Baby wipes suck too. So, whoever created these magical little deodorant removing sponges should be patted on the back, bought a drink, and deeply rewarded. Made by Gal Pal (trust me, they are pals of anyone who wears deodorant and clothes), these resusable disks are sold at Beauty.com for $11 with 6% Cash Back. They make an amazing stocking stuffer, thank you present, item in a gift bag, or just something to buy for yourself to make life a little easier. Take my word on this one, they are worth every penny and last forever.

I had to pull you in with the headline because this deal, much like many things in life, can seem too good to be true. Skin Care Rx is currently having an Autumn promotion offering 20% off storewide with code Autumn20, entered at checkout. This includes savings on some of the best skincare lines: DDF, Peter Thomas Roth, Eminence Organics (which is amazing, by the way) and many, many more. I plan on picking up a luxurious candle because I am inticed by the combination of big savings and double digit cash back. Always a nice choice is the Tocca Stella Candela, already reduced from $36 to $23.40 plus an additional 20% off. It is also a great time to start thinking about potential holiday gifts; remember, nothing says I love you quite like a candle or a new skincare regimine. So pamper yourself and the ones you love with 20% off!

Well known beauty brands are now jumping on the Target bandwagon and selling makeup collections exclusively for Target. Think Jemma Kid, Napoleon Perdis, and Pixi. Contrary to the usual "designer for Target" protocol, these collections are presented at prices comparable to the original brand. This was somewhat surprising to me, as I was hoping to score some great deals on designer makeup. What you can look out for if you are a beauty addict fiending for deals are weekly specials and great everyday prices on certain items. For instance, you can save on the brushes and tools, which cost less than the collections offered at department stores. Take a peek at this Jemma Kid professional brush set for just $35. You get a lot for the money, including four must-have, professional grade brushes in a sleek carrying case. All with the guarantee of 4% Cash Back. Love Target!

There are few products that I come across in my life that I think are so amazing that I feel it is my civic duty to spread the gospel to fellow women. It takes me some time to know if a product is worth this acclaim because I am usually excited about a product from the get-go. I am the perfect victim for gimmicks; I watch a lot of TV, read a ton of magazines, and am a sucker for great packaging. I admit this only because I know there are kindred spirits out there who feel the same way and spend the extra money to buy something just because it is cute. Let’s face it, life is too short.
Once again, I fell for the packaging and picked up Givenchy’s new Phenomen’Eyes mascara. I thought the bottle would look great in my makeup bag and couldn’t wait to try the innovative ball applicator. Let me say this in the most adamant and convincing way possible: This is the best mascara, ever. Believe me, I have tried enough to say that with creditable certainty. That little ball applicator gets into every crevice of your eye, reaching lashes no other brush could. It is a Sephora exclusive, and sells for $27 dollars plus the 4% Cash Back. Pick up a tube and enjoy! Also, enter code 10DAY at checkout and receive a special Bare Escentuals free 10-day sample plus brush.

It is with great hesitance that I make the following admission: I'm not as young as I used to be. I know, it's hard to believe, but that's how these things go. Luckily, all hope is not lost. In a time when so much attention is spent on women's anti-aging or revitalizing or firming or what have you, we men can feel somewhat left out. That's where today's site comes into play.

LabSeries is a website devoted to men's skincare and toiletries. Whether you just want to get a closer shave, moisturize your face a bit more, get the most out of every time you wash your face, or just take care of your hair, LabSeries is the place to go. Their collection of creams, tonics, balms, and lotions may sound a little absurd to the average reader, but the results are undeniable. Plus, with gift sets starting as low as $27.50, you can start looking years younger in no time. Remember men, there's nothing metrosexual about looking younger or taking care of yourself, and women, the gift of a skin care product tells your man you care about him while making him a little easier on the eyes.

There are a number of gift sets, which are practical and great for those who aren't sure what suits them, but there are some individual products that really bear mention, particularly (and somewhat peculiarly) the ab sculpting gel and the hair tonic.

I haven't heard the term "hair tonic" in ages, so I had to find out what this is all about; turns out that this little bottle caintains a wonderful solution that will strengthen and thicken your damaged hair, while taking good care of your scalp as well. 

The ab sculpting gel generally does not apply to folks like myself (it's hard to "sculpt" what I've got), but apparently for those gents who are in tip-top shape, this is a firming gel used to tighten up the ol' six-pack after working out and after the shower.  Truth be told, I am tempted to buy a tube for myself just to try it out. 

Either way, LabSeries has some great deals on all you might need for your "man care" needs. You also get a sweet 7% Cash Back from Ebates on everything you could ever dream of from this site, and through the end of September, you can use the coupon code EBATESMA for a free multi-action face wash with any purchase over $35.  Looking good never looked better!

I have a dish on a table in my foyer that holds, well, lip gloss. Some people put important things in there like keys, mail, loose change, even Axe Deodorant Spray; mine is brimming with a vast, bordering psychotic assortment of lip color. I looked at that dish this morning whilst running out the door and thought, "I don’t need another lip gloss." Then I came to my senses and realized a girl can never have too many lip gloss options and I remembered that I need and love all of them in a special way.

For those of you who share that feeling or for any of you who need to spice up the lip gloss dish, Avon’s Glazewear, America’s #1 lip gloss, is now on sale for less than $2 a tube at an amazing 66% off!  Also, you cannot forget about Avon's 5% Cash Back, so pick up an extra tube, it is practically on us. Shop on!

 

If you're pestered by the occasional blemish even though you're several years removed from puberty, I've got two words for you: Mario. Badescu. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion has recently garnered rave reviews in beauty blogs and magazines for its seemingly magical ability to zap blemishes overnight. High-end acne solutions can run into the hundreds of dollars, but this unbelievable treatment is available at Nordstrom for just $17. This is an incredible deal for such an effective product. Try it out! You won't be disappointed. Don't forget you'll get 3% Cash Back when you start your shopping at Ebates!

Does your mom or grandma have dozens of nail polish bottles rolling around in her bathroom drawer or does she consider the local nail salon a second home?  If so, she will simply adore the SpaFinder Manicutre & Pedicure Center from Avon. This professional-quality set includes ten features that will buff, file and shape her nails to polished perfection. It works for both natural and acrylic nails and even contains a built-in dryer- just like her favorite salon! For a limited time, this set is marked down to only $16.99. Treat her to a luxurious Mother's Day gift that will pamper her year-round.

I'm notoriously picky about putting new products on my face, but one brand that consistently wins me over is Kiehl's. If you've been slacking off on the sun protection, now's the time to start shielding your skin! Kiehl's Vital Sun Protection Lotion ($18.50) is light as a feather, easily absorbed, water-resistent and fragrance/color free to boot! Those trying to combat the signs of aging will simply adore Kiehl's Abyssine Cream+ SPF 23. This powerhouse product defends skin from free radical damage and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Through 6/1, get free shipping on your $75 order with code KIEHL.

 

Guys, take a tip from the ladies and start looking after your skin! While many men skip the cleanser and settle for a plain ol' bar of soap, it's worth your while to spend a few extra bucks and invest in a cleanser like Microfine Face Scrub from Mens Science. For only $29, the microbuffers and exfoliating formula will improve your complexion, deep clean, and prepare your skin for shaving! Men's Health Magazine even selected this as their top cleanser of 2007. Now, how many bars of soap can do that?

Since 1968, Clinique has been wooing women of all ages with their dermatologist-approved,  fragrance-free cosmetics and skin care. Even better, they're now on Ebates with 4% Cash Back! Baby your dry winter skin with award-winning products like Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion ($23), Glamour magazine's 2006 Glammy winner! For a very limited time, you'll get free shipping when you place an order of $50 or more. Your sensitive skin will thank you!

We all know that organic baby products are a luxury and too expensive for most parents, right? Wrong! Treat your baby to Chlorine Free Diapers from 7th Generation and pay less than the cost of Huggies when you buy them from Diapers.com. You'll save 15% on all Seventh Generation products with the monthly discount card, free shipping on all orders over $50, a 5% credit to use on your next purchase at Diapers.com plus 1% Cash Back at Ebates. (Whew!) Treat your baby to the most natural diapers available, and save!

Treat your Valentine to a delectable gift: the Philosophy Candy Hearts Lip Shine Trio. These pint-size glosses are available in three mouth-watering flavors: "be mine" (Melon Daquiri), "ask me" (Vanilla Birthday Cake) and "love you" (Raspberry Sorbet). She'll love the high-shine gloss and you'll love the convenience! Sephora offers free gift packaging that's done by a pro. All you have to do is buy the card and give your Valentine a kiss! Don't miss other sweet gift ideas at Sephora from Benefit, Issey Miyake and more. An added bonus? Spend $50 and code SHIPPING50 gets you free shipping!

Kick back after the holidays with a soothing soak in your very own foot spa! The Pollenex Foot Spa is now marked down 77%, making it a fabulous bargain! This luxurious foot bath with three custom comfort settings allows you to choose combinations of heat, massage and bubbles. Massaging nodes provide invigorating/relaxing relief to your feet. The Pollenex Foot Spa is a soothing start to the perfect pedicure, or a relaxing experience all on its own.

It's an all-too-familiar sound: sniffling, coughing and a voice that resembles a muffled foghorn. If your coworkers, friends and kids are dropping like flies during cold and flu season, it's time to stock up on Airborne, the dietary supplement that'll stop that bug right in its tracks! Buy your Airborne through Ebates and get free shipping at Drugstore (orders of $25 or more)! The Effervescent Health Formula is now reduced 33% to just $4.99, and On-The-Go Lemon-Lime Effervescent Dietary Supplement is now 29% off!

Practical yet sensual, flirtatious or affectionate, fragrances are the perfect present for a spouse, friend, family member or even boss. Start at Ebates and find exclusive and limited-time offers on top fragrances like Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang and Gucci. Try FragranceNet.com and choose free shipping with code EBATES7 or 10% off your order with code EBATES. FragranceX is offering several money-off coupons and Perfume Emporium will take $10 off your entire order! Smelling good has never been easier- or cheaper!

This Thanksgiving, don't surrender your toiletries to airport security! Tuck these convenient kits in a sandwich bag and you'll stroll through without a hitch. Try Juice Organics skincare line (a $45 value) for just $29, Anthony Logistics for Men Grab + Go Portables, or the L'Occitaine Shea To Go for only $20- perfect for dry skin. Remember- orders of $50 or more ship free, and you choose three free gifts with your order at Sephora!

In an e-society like ours, it's hard to imagine life without a computer. Like many Americans, you might work at a desk for more than eight hours a day, then while away your evenings responding to email (or shopping through Ebates). It's not hard to believe, then, how stressful these activities can be on your body! Going ergonomic takes some getting used to, but there are lots of available tools that make the process a whole lot easier. Try substituting your desk chair for an exercise ball (red and purple are the preferred colors of Ebates staffers) or simply invest in a new, ergonomic keyboard. From Ebates' Top Picks Newsletter: 

While an ergonomic keyboard will certianly relieve pain in your wrists, it might just strain another key area: your wallet! Don't bust your budget on $200 ergonomic keyboards when, for just $29.99, you can have the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. Engineered to reduce hand and wrist stress, this state of the art keyboard reduces your risk of carpal tunnel injuries caused by long term computer use. Score a refurbished one for only $29.99, or spend $46.99 for a brand new model.  You can't go wrong- this keyboard has a five star rating on ConsumerReview.com!

Did you know the US has issued new fitness guidelines, recommending "thirty minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five times a week"? Yes, it's true. For those of us who don't have time to spend hours at the gym, this next product may very well be the perfect solution. San Franciscans, I dare someone to use this on BART. From Monday's Top Picks newsletter:

Juggling a hectic schedule of work, kids, friends and errands? No wonder you don't have time to work out! Don't sacrifice your health when there's an easy solution: the $79.99 Easy Cycle at JCPenney. This super-compact cycle is portable so you can  use it at home or bring it to the office! It includes a remote control with vivid LCD display so you can manage the intensity of your workout. Imagine toning your legs, arms, shoulders and back all while sitting at your desk! The Easy Cycle is regularly $129.99, but now it's only $79.99. Hurry and get yours while they last!

Let me tell you- there are times when it is ok to spend $25 on lip balm. Perfectly ok. Lancome has released a deliciously soft and pillowy balm that tastes like a little kiss of heaven. I kid you not. It's called Baume Baiser and it tastes slightly coconutty, a tad rosey, and 100% delish. Lancome designer Gucci Westman dreamed up an art deco-inspired Mystery Game line for the 2007 Autumn/Winter Lancome collection, and this adorable  little balm is one of the most highly anticipated pieces! From next week's Top Picks Newsletter: 

Soft and cushiony, pillow-like, coconut milk fragrance; ladies, how can you resist Lancome's Limited Editon Baume Baiser lip gloss? If you've been looking for the perfect balm to toss in your bag, look no further! This ultra-hydrating lip treat is enhanced with a luscious coconut fragrance and deposits just a hint of shimmery tint to your lips. Remember, this in-demand, limited edition product won't be around for long! Get your Baume Baiser at Lancome for $25 and enjoy free shipping plus 6% Cash Back at Ebates!

What better way to show your support for breast cancer research than by investing in your own fitness? Fifteen percent of sales of Lace Up For the Cure merchandise go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. One of their best selling items is the Tonic Top: a full support tank with built-in bra for $42.45. Need a boost in your morning workout? Slip into New Balance Adrenaline Capris and enjoy an easy fit and the comfort of wrapped side seams- you'll have a chafe-free run! Go ahead- show your support. There are more Lace Up For the Cure items available at ShoeBuy!

The results are in. DuWop Lip Venom has been named a winner in Best of Sephora 2007! If you're looking to plump your pout, increase your kissability and look simply stunning, DuWop Lip Venom is your one-stop solution. The secret is a blend of spicy essential oils including cinnamon and ginger. Together, they enhance the natural color and shape of your lips by increasing circulation, resulting in a shiny, bee-stung finish. Remember- you get free shipping on your entire order at Sephora plus three free samples of your choice from brands like Stila, Kenzo and Frederic Fekkai!

Coffee, tea, red wine and cola: they're an irresistable indulgence, but turn your teeth more sallow than sparkling. What's a caffeine-addict to do? The answer is simple: Dr. Copeland Dental Whitener! This turbo-charged whitening solution promises to whiten your smile up to three shades in just one week! You get twenty applications in a box- far more than you'll find in most drugstore brand whitening kits. At just $39.99, it's a deal that will certainly make you smile! Check out Ebates' current ShopNBC coupons for six amazing money-off coupons that can save you hundreds on your next purchase.

Sure, a low-cal diet and months at the gym will slowly chip away at those extra pounds, but wouldn't you love to see results instantly? Now you can! Bliss Love Handler is a new formula that tones, flattens and smooths your abs so they go from flab to fab- in seconds! Why wait months when you can whittle your waist and firm up your core right now? You'll love your slim new look, and Love Handler is a steal at just $25 ! Get your Love Handler at Skinstore and enjoy free domestic shipping plus 8% Cash Back at Ebates.

Admit it. She may annoy you, bore you, or even frighten you, but for a fleeting moment, haven't you wondered what it would be like to sport Jessica Simpson's glamazon locks...only to change your hairstyle two days later in exchange for a sassy little bob? Now you can! Check out this featured product from Monday's Top Picks Newsletter. Remember, join Ebates so you can earn 4% Cash Back at Sephora. Note: vapid stare not included.

Jessica and her stylist, Ken Paves, recently released their very own line of 100% human hair extensions starting at just $90! Hairdo adds volume and length to your hair in seconds! Available in eleven lustrous hues, including Swedish Blonde, Dark Copper, Ginger Brown and Ebony,  hairdo lets you change your hairstyle as often as you change your mind! Go from a shoulder length bob to pin-up style waves in seconds.

Get soft, supple summer skin- the natural way! Burt's Bees uses only the most natural, non-toxic ingredients in all their products and lucky for us, Drugstore.com has marked down all Burt's Bees summer kits by 15%!  Prep your feet for summer sandals with the vitamin-enriched Tips n' Toes set for just $11.04! It includes a pumice stone, salve and an array of rich creme emollients. One shopper said, "The whole kit is a great value, and I use it constantly". You'll love the Spa Giftset, Essential Body Kit and Gardening Giftset- perfect as a gift for someone special, or even yourself!

The Body Shop not only takes the prize for having the yummiest, healthiest beauty and bath products, they sure know how to throw a big, blowout sale! Right now, you can save up to 75% on some of their top items. Some of the hottest offers can be found on gift baskets. So Dad's not a big fan of bath gel for a Father's Day gift? Stock up now and save these luxurious gifts for birthdays, holidays or any special occasion. Or, keep some for yourself! The travel size products are just the right size for a purse, gym bag or desk drawer.

Here are some of my favorites (descriptions are from The Body Shop):

Dream Spa Gift Was $50, Now $25
Bring the spa experience home with this deluxe collection. A purifying body mask tones and clarifies while a foaming milk bath conditions the skin. Moisturizers soothe from head to toe. Caution: may be habit forming.

Feet Treat Petite Gift Was $15, Now $7
Treat those special feet to pampering designed just for them. Pumice foot scrub smoothes while Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion and Foot Spray moisturize and revive tired footsies.

Coconut Dream Gift Was $22, Now $11
Remind her of those warm, lazy beach days with the rich, creamy scent of our Coconut collection. Body Butter, body scrub, shower gel and a mini bath lily make this gift a truly tropical treat.

Drugstore has just launched Alli Weight Loss Aid starting at $49.25 for the starter pack! If you haven't heard of it, Alli was just featured on the NBC Nightly News and The Today Show and is spurring lots of media attention for its potent and safe weight loss effects. According to its description on Drugstore.com,

The Alli program starts with your commitment to adopting healthy eating habits. It combines the only over-the-counter, FDA-approved weight loss aid with an individually tailored support plan, to help achieve gradual and healthy weight loss. When you take Alli along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet, you can lose about 50% more weight than dieting alone. For example, instead of losing 10 pounds with diet alone, you can lose 15 pounds with the Alli program.

Alli has endured some flack for certain unpleasant side effects (which you can read about here), but according to the manufacturer, they can easily be avoided by simply limiting your consumption of fatty foods.
Isn't this kind of obvious? I mean, if you're serious about losing weight, you wouldn't be chowing down on Funnyuns and garlic fries, expecting a weight loss pill to cancel out the side effects.

Alli is currently available at Drugstore.com for $62.99 or $49.25.

Honestly, who doesn't love free stuff? The Body Shop is currently offering a free gift (A $32 value) when you spend $55 or more. It includes mouthwatering Pink Grapefruit Body Butter and Shower Gel, Aloe Soothing Day Cream, and Hi-Shine Lip Treatment in Red Gleam. Summer's here, so your skin had better glow in that sundress...or tankini!

Speaking of tankinis (how's that for a smooth segue?) Gap has reduced their Essential Tankinis to just $24.99, with the exception of the "spanish olive" color which is just $24.38. As all women know, these are the saving grace of swimwear season. Lying somewhere between string bikini and skirted tank, tankinis are never dowdy, a little sporty, and always flattering.

Distar, Ebates user and blogger-extraordinaire, recently posted this blog entry about artificial self-tanning. She linked to recent New York Times article "Beware the Afterglow" which explores this ultra-fashionable (and questionably healthful) practice. A doctor is quoted in the article:

Even though a tan is now associated with pathology, it has had such a profound impact on the American psyche that to be untan is to look as terribly uncool as an unplucked chicken,” said Dr. Jablonski of Penn State. “People tend to think they look healthier if they have some sort of glow on their cheeks.

Readers, you tell me: Is it better to keep your pale skin au naturale, or is a little glow essential for summer skin?

Even if you'd rather flip through InStyle at the Safeway checkout than subscribe for an entire year, the annual InStyle's Best Beauty Buys is the one issue you need to take home. Where else can you find a huge list of  budget-conscious product recommendations from over 180 beauty experts? While these products are, for the most part, already affordable, you can save even more. Start at Ebates and use coupons so you can score an even better beauty buy.

Here are some of the top featured products and where to buy them through Ebates:

 
• Nars Blush in Exhibit A $25.00 with 6% Cash Back
 
• Aveeno Lip Conditioner $2.88 with 6% Cash Back
 
• St. Ives Apricot Scrub $4.99 with 6% Cash Back
 
• Clean & Clear Daily Pore Cleaner $4.99 with 6% Cash Back
 
• Jergen's Skin Smoothing Cellular Renewal Moisturizer $6.99 with 6% Cash Back
 
• Clairol Nice & Easy Root Touch-Up $4.49 with 8% Cash Back
 
• Maybelline Great Lash Mascara $4.49 with 6% Cash Back
 
• Dove Deep Moisture Day Lotion $6.99 with 6% Cash Back
 
• L'Oreal True Match Liquid Makeup $9.99 with 6% Cash Back
 
• Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist SPF 30 $8.49 with 6% Cash Back   

Visit InStyle.com to view all the Best Beauty Buys, but start your shopping at Ebates so you can earn Cash Back!

Here's a sneak preview from next week's Top Picks Newsletter:

Buttery bath bombs, coffee-infused salves, creamy cleansers- how can you resist the delectable delights at LUSH? LUSH is one of those brands that has a supremely loyal following. Why? Their products do more than just clean. They are downright luscious.

Justine from marketing recommends the top-ranked LUSH item, Butterball Bath Bomb because the cocoa butter feels soothing on dry winter skin yet invigorating on a sunny day. Also try Mask of Magnaminty, a deep cleansing tingly tonic that invigorates tired skin with peppermint oil and honey!

Use this link to earn 15% off your entire order at LUSH. With 3% Cash Back at Ebates, that's 18% off. It's time to treat yourself!

Edit: Use code GOLDENOFFER at checkout if the link above doesn't work

Today is one of those magical days at Ebates when we are giving Double Cash Back at two stores.Today only, get 2% Cash Back at Buy.com and 12% at Drugstore.com (as part of our Daylight Savings promotion).

Drugstore is practically giving away merchandise in their Anniversary Blowout Sale. From free gifts to 50% off select merchandise to free shipping for new customers, you're bound to get a deep discount on popular items.

If you are in the market for electronics, games, books or DVDs, check out Buy.com's coupon page on Ebates! This is quite possibly the longest list of offers I have ever seen for a merchant.

Blowout sales are all fine and good, but to be quite honest, there's only one product recommendation I have for you. Airborne. I've been savoring this stuff like a fine wine since six o'clock this morning. Buy the triple pack at Drugstore and earn 12% Cash Back! Your co-workers (not to mention your nose and throat) will thank you.

Sephora is selling a brand new $26 blush called Smashbox O-Glow. According to Sephora's description,

The first intuitive blush, this clear gel reacts with your personal skin chemistry to turn cheeks the exact color you blush, naturally in just seconds!...When applied, the skin's moisture activates the energizing Goji Berry-C Complex™. It creates a microcirculatory effect, producing a rosy flush that lasts all day.

A gel that can determine the exact shade you naturally blush? That's a pretty big claim.

You tell me: Is Smashbox's O-Glow just marketing deception or a must-have for your complexion?

Let me first preface this by saying that healthy skin is always fashionable. Thus, my topic for Fashion Friday:

I am pleased to announce that Origins just joined Ebates at 6% Cash Back! Origins specializes in botanical-based cosmetics and skin care products that are full of good-for-you vitamins and essential oils. They're kind of like Kiehl's crunchier, earth-lovin' cousin. As a teen, I used their Oil Refiner Tonic and it was very refreshing.

They've recently introduced new formulas, including  Plantidote Mega Mushroom by Dr. Weil and a line of all-organic oils and cleansers.

Ebates has two coupons available for Origins: one for free shipping, and another that rewards you with a free gift! Check 'em out!

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Did you or your partner use pre-natal yoga gear during pregnancy? I see birth balls, prenatal yoga DVDs (even pilates!) and maternity yoga clothing. Did you or your partner find any of these helpful during or after pregnancy?

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Our Design Director, Sam, has this suggestion for Hollie: 

I don’t think my wife used any kind of special yoga equipment during her pregnancy (but she did continue to do yoga even up to the day she went into labor!). The one special piece of exercise equipment we did get was an exercise ball (sometimes called a birth ball). This item actually proved invaluable to us – you can use it for pregnancy exercises, and for labor training (for actual labor too). The ball really came in handy for us though, after our daughter was born – holding her while “bouncing” on the ball was the ONLY sure method of calming her down and stopping her crying during the first month. Worked every time – and still mostly does today after 3 months.  

Readers, what do you think is the number one way to stay fit during and after pregnancy?

This week, our momma-to-be explores the softer side of impending motherhood. Readers, do you think body pillows are necessary for the comfort and health of an expecting mom? 

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I am having issues not being able to sleep on my back anymore since I have been pregnant, as that is the way I always would sleep before.  Did anyone use a pregnancy wedge or body pillow to help ease sleeping problems during pregnancy?  Did it help?  What was better, the wedge or the pillow?  How did your spouse, boys this is your turn to put your two cents in, adjust to this?  I know that some pillows are huge, like the size of another person, was that bothersome for your significant other?

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Anna (Product Manager): The pregnancy wedge is the way to go! I used it to comfortably support my belly while lying on my left side (best position for the baby). My husband would then stuff pillows behind me and basically tuck me in every night, because I too am a back sleeper and would often roll onto my back at night. With our “technique”, I basically couldn’t move so it was the perfect solution!

Wilma (Engineer): No, I did not use any body pillow to sleep on my side. If I used one at all, I used a regular standard sized pillow.

Ray (Director of Operations): You need a queen sized bed or bigger for this, though the pillow does help quite a bit, and it's not especially in the way if the bed is big enough.

Sam (Design Director):My wife used something called the “Snoogle”, and she loved it! The Snoogle extends to the length of the body from a “coil” – you can also use it in several different positions as well. Towards the end of her pregnancy my wife had to augment the Snoogle with a normal pillow under the belly, and this set-up seemed to work pretty well. I must admit I was a little jealous of the Snoogle at first, but then I got used to its presence, and I actually hi-jacked it a few times 'cuz it’s very comfy!

Ready to get your hands on a pregnancy pillow or wedge? Look no further than Ebates! You can find a Mini Snoogle starting at $32.39 with 4% Cash Back at Target. For the full-size Snoogle, get the lowest price at Drugstore.com. You'll pay just $46.99 and earn 6% Cash Back! The pregnancy wedge is an even more affordable option. Anna recommends a wedge shaped like this one from Best Rest. She says that the vertical piece prevents mom from rolling onto her back, which can restrict blood flow and oxygen to the baby. At just $24.99 with 4% Cash Back, it's a great deal.

Save even more by using a coupon from Ebates! Here is a list of all of our current Baby Store offers.

In this week's newsletter, you'll notice we have a small blurb about cold and allergy medicines. The itchiness and congestion I've had for the past few days have inspired me to post this:

With cold and flu season in full swing and springtime right around the corner, it can become expensive and inconvenient getting all the pharmaceutical supplies your household inevitably needs.  Don’t wait until you’re sick to stock up on medicine when you can earn Cash Back on all of those purchases. Pick up your Claritin, Benadryl, Tylenol, cough syrup and any other vitamins or health aids online today through Ebates and save with Cash Back and coupons! You can even earn Cash Back when you refill your prescriptions through stores like Drugstore.com and Wal-Mart. I’m sure you’ll agree that it beats running to the corner store when could be curled up in bed!

There's a chance that you're not signed up for our brand new newsletter. Simply go to your Account Profile and check the box next to "This Week's Top Picks Newsletter" and you're set!

To save even more, be sure to use coupons when you buy your spring health meds. Some of my favorites include:

• Buy one tube of Airborne, get one free at Drugstore.com. (Expires March 9th, 2007)
• New shoppers get free shipping on orders of $25 or more at Drugstore.com. (Expires April 1st, 2007)
• Get $5 off and free shipping on orders of $25 or more at GNC.com. (Expires February 27th, 2007)
  

This week, our resident first time mommy-to-be ponders a new question. Our staffers seem to have mixed feelings about this topic. Readers, what are your thoughts?

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Has anyone ever seen or used a pregnancy journal for both the mom-to-be and the dad-to-be to do together? You cant go to any bookstore or pregnancy store without finding a gazillion for moms-to-be, but nearly none for the dads-to-be. I would love for my husband to be able to be more involved with the pregnancy, and everything that is going on with me and the bambino, any suggestions? Has anyone heard of a pregnancy journal for parents-to-be?

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Larry (Engineer): My wife had a week-by-week development book,  (i.e. in Week x the heart starts beating.)  It was very neat, but it wasn't precisely a journal or calendar.

Sam (Design Director): We never used an interactive pregnancy journal or calendar (although I think this idea sounds pretty cool).

Wilma (Engineer): I would just use a normal journal for this and keep a log of your thoughts and feeling when you   were pregnant. For example, when did you feel the first flutter, kicks, etc..

Cath (V.P. of Finance): Don't know; I did not use one during my first pregnancy.

Anna (Product Manager): My sister bought me a journal as soon as she found out I was pregnant. I think she bought it at Papyrus, but you can get one at any baby or book store. It wasn’t for us as a couple, but more for Mom to track all her thoughts and emotions. It’s definitely a good investment! I can look back on my pregnancy experience and relive every joyful moment of it…or at least the parts I wrote down!

Whether you choose a plain journal or one designed just for parents-to-be, Ebates has options for any budget. You can even buy a pregnancy journal meant for moms and let dad write in it, too! Try this one from Wal-Mart for just $11.74, or see all pregnancy journals available through Ebates.

Sam also recommends Shutterfly's memory books. They start at about $43.99 and are great for documenting your pregnancy and baby's frst year in photos.

A few weeks ago, I posted about a condition now known  as "Wii Elbow". Gamers more accustomed to lazing on the couch were a little surprised by the exertion (seemingly) required to play a game of Wii Sports. I say seemingly because I find the Wiimote responds better to quick sharp motions of the wrist, rather than broad, sweeping arm movements.

Ebates staffer Jen pointed me toward something called the Wii Sports Experiment. In a rather Super Size Me fashion, blogger Mickey Delorenzo decided to test the fitness benefits of playing Wii. He restricted all forms of exercise from his regimen, played Wii Sports for 30 minutes per day for 6 weeks, and recorded the results. Amazingly, he lost 9 pounds, decreased his body fat percent by 2%, and lost 3.5 inches from his waist. Click here to read his story!

Mickey put together this video of his "training"...get ready to get pumped!

According to the Kiehl's website, "Kiehl’s was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York’s East Village neighborhood over 150 years ago." (Wow. How's that for hipster cred?) Kiehl's is one of those stores whose clientele shows a fierce, almost cult-like loyalty (minus the Kool-Aid). They use only the highest-quality ingredients, have great customer service (my friend Kristy loves getting hooked up with the free samples) and...motorcycles! (Really, they display motorcycles in every store. They're not for sale, though.)

You can shop directly from Kiehl's through Ebates and earn 5% Cash Back, or  Neiman Marcus, who also carries Kiehl's brand products (and gives 3% Cash Back).

Here are some favorite Kiehl's goodies from Ebates members and staffers:

Amino Acid Shampoo

Sara: Smells like coconut. I've been using (and sharing) the same 250ml bottle for 6 weeks and there's still more than half left. It's very gentle, and obviously very concentrated. I was looking for something that would make my fine hair a little fuller and this has worked well.

Blue Herbal Line

Sara: I like the Blue Herbal Moisturizer (w/ salicylic acid, cinnamon   bark, and ginger root): This lotion is recommended   for people with oiler skin who are prone to breaking   out. I like that it mattifies the skin and I imagine   that it helps prevent blemishes, but I quit using it   before I found out because it made my skin produce   more oil. The sales people at Kiehl's said   specifically that it wouldn't do that, but it does,   and also leaves your skin feeling sticky (like when the air is humid.)

Wilma: I **LOVE** the Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion. I brought it with me when I was in Asia for a month. It helped relieved any mosquito bugs and bug bites. Great for camping trips.

Kelly: This is the very first lotion I can use on my oily skin and not feel like I just smeared canola all over myself. It actually makes me less shiny, and it has done a great number on my blemish-attacks.

Distar: I have fallen deeply in love with Kiehl's Blue Herbal line- the gel cleanser and the spot treatment at least. Interestingly  the first blue stuff that brought fame to Kiehls 40 years ago and  spawned the rest of the collection was the Blue Herbal Astringent  ($9.50) which I was sorely dissapointed with. I have oily/combination  skin of the most non-sensitive kind, and this astringent left even me  feeling parched- I regret this purchase. The Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser ($14.50) on the other hand is lovely- 1.5% salicylic acid with extracts  of cinnamon bark and ginger root. It's a gel that foams and really  removes makeup well. It leaves your skin feeling very clean and not at  all dry- the tingliness of the menthol and camphor and the soothing  smell make me feel like I'm a spa. I've started using this every other  day, rotating it with another favorite face wash. The clear winner for  me in this line is the Blue Herbal spot treatment ($14.00) which with salicylic and glycolic acid attacks zits and  vanishes them the next day. I've been amazed by how well this product  works. I've had quite a few friends stay over recently and you know  they've been snooping in your medicine cabinet when they gushingly tell  you they love the Blue Herbal stuff :) (From Tales From the Nomad)

Over-Night Biological Peel

Kelly: This makes me look all dewy and glowy in the morning, not like my true haggard, used-up self. I swear it actually works.

Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner

Juliet: If you have winter dry hair this shampoo and conditioner   will make it smoother and moisturized without stripping hair of natural oils or unnatural color. Plus, it smells really good.

Sara: Even though my hair isn't dry, I use this for extra conditioning, especially on the ends.It smells really nice and doesn't feel heavy.

Lip Balm #1

Kelly: The infamous Lip Balm, for when you want your lips to be softer than a baby's butt. Um, eww. The tinted stuff is subtle and good for a wee bit of color.

Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant

Rebecca: Ten dollars might feel steep for stuff going on your armpits, but it's worth it. One tube will last a long time. I also like the fact that it's unscented- there's nothing worse than strongly scented deodorant competing with your lotion or perfume.

Juliet:  I use the deodorant- best thing ever. Unscented, leaves NO white streaks on black clothes. Apply like lotion and totally reasonable cost. Keeps you dry too!

Sara: I'd also add that the anti-perspirant cream works well on hands and feet too!

Suzanne: It is like applying hand lotion for the underarms. I love that it doesn't have the after-application deodorant smell that is so common with other deodorants, and it leaves zero residue on your clothing. I've also discovered that a little goes a long way- unless my friends aren't telling me something!!

Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion

Distar: A nickle size amount of this product rubbed on damp skin leaves it  feeling amazing. I've used other at home micro-dermabrasions (Dr.  Brandt, Origins..) and nothing works as well as the Kiehl's version. I  read an article where according to a top dermatologist at home kits  work as well as in-doctor office versions, because at home you can do  it more often. I've had micro-dermabrasion done professionally and I  don't know if I'd agree to that, but Kiehls version with micronized  shells and willow herbs leaves your skin feeling so soft. (From Tales From the Nomad)

Deluxe Hand and Body Lotion with Aloe Vera and Oatmeal

Ayse: I use Kiehl's Deluxe Hand & Body Lotion with Aloe Vera & Oatmeal daily. I actually keep it in my   kitchen next to the sink – it is the perfect light moisturizer to use after   doing the dishes. It is not oily and absorbs very fast; it has a very light, barely distinguishable fresh scent.

Herbal Toner for the Scalp

Rebecca: I've got dry, colored hair, so I try and skip a day or two between shampoos. The Herbal Toner makes my hair feel cleaner without shampooing, which helps me get more mileage out of my faux hair color.

Suzanne: The Herbal Toner came in handy this morning as I got home so  late from class last night that I didn't have time to wash my hair! I  poured it all over my head this morning & ran out the door with a  lovely shine to my tresses.

Kelly: I work out every day, so I shower regularly (you can thank me later)  but I don’t really want to wash my hair that often. (Why? Because my  super-cute hair stylist told me to wash every other day, and since she  works miracles with the hair, I’d probably shampoo with monkey blood if  she said I should.) This left me with the no-wash icky hair dilemma,  until my neighborhood Kiehl’s lady hooked me up with their herbal scalp toner. You squeeze it all over your head and rub it in. I love my Kiehl’s lady. I’m naming my next kid after her. (From Fitness Fixation)

My friend Kelly over at Fitness Fixation recently linked to an article at LiveScience.com called "Top 10 Bad Things That Are Good For You ". We already know that dark chocolate and red wine are packed with antioxidants, but did you know beer is also on the list? And maggots?  (No, you don't eat them. They eat you. Your wounds, that is. Please, just read the article!)

At this time of the year, people are seeking ways to better themselves (check out New Year, New You!), so why not make it fun? If all it takes is a little beer and coffee, so be it!

Here is an excerpt of the top ten. Why didn't I include all ten? Because I want to keep my job. For those of you interested in meaningful pursuit of the number one item, Ebates gives 50% Cash Back at Match.com. That's all I'm sayin'.

• Beer: It improves cardiovascular function! Watch out for that beer gut, though. Do you think downing a pint of porter while laying on this thing counts as ab work?
 
• Anger: We're talkin' quick release, not bottled resentment. Invest in a Slam Man and boxing gloves to stave off heart disease and high blood pressure.
 
• Coffee: It's packed with antioxidants and reduces your risk of diabetes. You can just counter the dehydration and yellow teeth with  water and whitening toothpaste!
 
• Sunlight : This doesn't mean you should soak yourself in oil and lie on the beach with a tanning mirror. A little sun will improve your mood (but wear sunblock!).
 
• Maggots: Are we supposed to be pleased with the revelation that maggots will eat dead flesh from our wounds? What is this, 14th century Europe?
 
• Red Wine: Keep the antioxidants (and good times) flowing every month! You might as well join a wine of the month club.
 
• Chocolate: Starts with an "a", ends with "oxidants"! Yup, chocolate's got 'em. Guess you'll have to take one for the team and earn 5% Cash Back at Godiva!