Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Harshleen!

By popular request on Twitter, a skin-care giveaway...

Kate Somerville's Detox Daily Cleanser ($32) will give your skin a clean start by detoxifying and restoring clarity to your complexion. It's billed as clean perfection for those who want to fight acne, even the occasional blemish, and treat their skin to an anti-aging cleanser.

Detox Daily Cleanser removes impurities without irritating or over-drying stressed skin. It fights the bacteria that cause acne, while stabilizing oil production to counter future breakouts. The salicylic acid takes care of bacteria. The cleanser includes among its ingredients phytic acid to help fade post-acne scars and reduce inflammation. It's also packed with soothing ingredients, such as aloe, and tea tree leaf oil.

Kate Somerville's products have become a favorite of mine over the last year or so. I like everything about them. If you have any oiliness in your skin or struggle to keep it free of the gunk (technical term) that exacerbates breakouts, you will love Detox Daily Cleanser.

How can you enter to win? Here's the "fine print."

There are a few simple steps. First, all you really have to do is leave a comment on this feature. After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) or my Twitter account, @BTiBeauty. That will earn a second entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) in your tweet. I will tweet the contest this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. Only one tweet will be counted as an entry. I appreciate multiple tweets, but it's not necessary.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, July 23, at midnight. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I won't be able to replace it with another. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail services do right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner. We had one in Norway this month. I'm hoping her prize gets to her unscathed.

Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Kate Somerville

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Chantecaille Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser

Attention makeup fans! You need a nice cleanser to remove that makeup before bed, a mandatory step in your beauty routine. Even if you fall asleep in your clothes, even if you didn't finish your chores, you must remove your makeup and prepare your skin for sleep - a time when it breathes, relaxes, refreshes, and regenerates. Why not have a luxurious experience while you perform this daily ritual? Chantecaille has just the cleanser for you!

I rotate through a few favorite cleansers every month. They come, they go. Chantecaille's Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser ($55) is one of the cleansers that never goes. It's always on my bathroom counter.

Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser leaves my skin unusually smooth, thanks to the exceptional softening and extremely gentle exfoliating properties of rice bran. The other ingredients? Geranium, an antibacterial agent traditionally used for healing nicks and cuts, helps stimulate the lymphatic system (something aestheticians do while performing facials). Seaweed aids in the regulation of sebum production. Soybean, green tea, and olive leaves are antioxidants that protect the skin from free-radical damage.

This cream cleanser turns to a thick, foamy cream on my face, cleansing effectively without stripping the moisture I guard. In fact, I think my skin is more hydrated when I finish. My face always feels and looks great after using this divine cleanser. The teeny tiny rice bran in it exfoliates very lightly, ensuring that my makeup and any gunk left behind from the day goes down the drain. It's remarkably easy to wash off. My cleansing routine with Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser is a fast task - nice at the end of a long day.

The cleanser serves as an aromatherapy treat too! Geranium has wonderful balancing properties for the mind and body, while orange blossom eases tension and stress. The scent is relaxing and extremely pleasant. Who would have thought washing one's face could be fun?

You can purchase Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser at Chantecaille's Web site and Chantecaille counters. It's not new, so you won't have to call ahead.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

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Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and a Coming Attraction

Did you know that Fresh Soy Face Cleanser ($38) is Neiman Marcus's best-selling cleanser? I didn't until I started talking with a Fresh representative who had given me one. It was also a Neiman Marcus Beauty Award Finalist in 2010, voted by customers.

I told one of my "Fresh friends," Alyson O'Brien (remember Alyson? she wrote a guest feature for us), about burning my lips recently with glycolic acid and that I had used only pure, gentle products on my face the week after. I didn't want to apply anything that would exacerbate the burn and accompanying pain. My Fresh Soy Cleanser had arrived recently, and it seemed like the perfect choice for removing makeup at night and washing my face in the morning shower. I knew it was mild, so it has been my go-to cleanser since. I love it!

Soy Face Cleanser has a unique, multifunctional, soap-free formula that promotes a pure, clean, healthy complexion. Ideal for all skin types, this ultra-gentle face wash contains nourishing amino acids, rich soy proteins, and soothing botanicals to hydrate, calm, and tone. The lightweight, natural cucumber- and rose-scented formula has a refreshing and cooling effect (good for the dufus who her burned her skin). It effectively removes every last trace of my makeup, even around my eyes - no raccoons here (inside at least)! It even conditions your eyelashes.

Fresh’s unique crème-gel formula won’t strip the skin of its essential nutrients. It leaves my face feeling hydrated and clean. Because it's safe for use around the eye area, I apply and cleanse with abandon, which is how I got myself into trouble with the glycolic acid. No worries - Fresh wouldn't hurt us.

The ingredients of this French-made cleanser contain pure, organic extracts of rose and cornflower, mallow, and aloe vera, cucumber, and ginseng.Then, there's the soy. Soybean extract is a valuable protein that protects the skin and improves texture and resiliency. Soybeans provide amino acids that are essential in helping the skin to retain moisture, maintain elasticity, and preserve a smooth appearance. They contain a high concentration of isoflavonoids, a type of polyphenol that exhibits antioxidant properties. Soybean germ extract is derived from the soybean; after the hulls and oil are collected, the remaining flakes, which represent this valuable protein-rich extract, are crushed into a fine powder and used to make this soy extract in the cleanser, which is a liquid-gel that dispenses easily and feels great. It also contains soybean oil. It has an unusual botanical fragrance - floral, fresh, fruity - more like cucumber than rose.

I can see why so many women have discovered it before me. If you share your house with a man, you may be fighting for the Fresh! You can find it at Neiman Marcus, Sephora, and Fresh's Web site, along with the rest of Fresh's Soy Collection. This mild cleanser has earned a permanent spot at my house.

Heads up: Jawn Marques, Creative Director of Fresh, is coming back in June! We are having a Fresh party at Neiman Marcus after work. E-mail me if you'd like to attend.

Photo courtesy of Fresh

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bareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam

Bare Escentuals' new bareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam ($20) is really nice. One of four items in the new bareMinerals Skincare line, this creamy, luxurious cleanser is powered by a 100% pure RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex to help you enjoy increased cell turnover, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and the famous bareMinerals naturally luminous glow.

Extracted from nutritionally dense virgin soil, the proprietary RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex contains a blend of 72 essential macro- and micro-minerals that dramatically improve the appearance of skin by increasing cell turnover and providing antioxidants at levels significantly greater than blueberries or pomegranates.

The Deep Cleansing Foam deeply cleanses skin and lifts away impurities with a creamy lather that's non-drying. It takes only a pea-sized amount per application. Sometimes I read that part about a pea-sized amount and think, "Oh sure." This time, it's spot-on true. The formula bursts into a very rich, creamy lather when activated with water. One might have an initial impression that it will be hard to rinse off, given the richness of the lather. Not! It is easy to rinse away. Once rinsed, every trace of my makeup, including mascara, is gone, and my face feels good. I have been using the cleanser for a week and haven't ever felt dry after using it.

We had a giveaway contest for Deep Cleansing Foam and Purely Nourishing Moisturizer two weeks ago, and I was surprised there weren't more entries. Anyone who didn't enter to win this cleanser missed a good bet! It's extremely nice. I received my tube from the company about two days before our contest ended - not enough time to give it a thorough evaluation before the deadline. I would have urged you (implored you) to enter; it's fabulous. If you didn't win, you should definitely check it out at a Bare Escentuals store (or online), Sephora, or wherever you purchase bareMinerals. A $20 investment will take you far.

Want to learn more about all the new bareMinerals Skincare? Just go to bareMinerals Skincare online to get the full scoop and watch videos.

Photo courtesy of Bare Escentuals

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Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil ($32) has quickly become one of my favorite oil-based cleansers. This gentle, all-natural cleanser is extremely effective, removing my makeup and every trace of my mascara in a pleasant, easy wash. To my nose, it has a delicious, light citrus scent.

This multitasking cleanser removes makeup and skin impurities (i.e., environmental grime and dirt) while providing deep hydration. The non-greasy texture leaves the skin feeling moisturized, not tight or over-dried.

The first ingredient on the list is argan oil, followed by an impressive list of natural and organic oils that include almond, safflower seed, grape seed, and grapefruit peel oils. The oils effectively cleanse the skin's surface and renew the skin. The grapefruit peel oil has to be responsible for the luscious scent.

Sephora, the exclusive retailer for this cleanser, says this product is ideal for all skin types. I can tell you that my dry skin loves it. Argan oil is an effective natural cleanser, restoring the skin's natural moisture and pH balance. It is produced from the argan tree in the arid lands of Morocco. Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, this organically grown ingredient is known to prevent skin dehydration, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and excess production of sebum. Naturally, as with other Josie Maran products, Argan Cleansing Oil is formulated without a lot of the not-so-nice ingredients we like to avoid.

One of my favorite features of cleansers is a pump dispenser, and Josie Maran has obliged with an easy-to-use pump that requires no struggling. The box says to rub 3-4 pumps of the oil into dry hands and apply evenly over the face. Then wet the face and massage the oil into a rich milk. To remove it, rinse with water. It slides off very easily, leaving my skin feeling hydrated and clean. What more can you ask?

Josie Maran's Argan Cleansing Oil has a much nicer price point than some of the other cleansing oils I use. I highly recommend it. You can find it at Sephora, where it has Sephora's natural seal.

Now, if Sephora would just put up a heart-stopping 500-point or 1,000-point reward, I would be a happy customer. I've been building points for so long, my total is getting ridiculous. I don't want glittery eyeliner, men's products, and skin-care samples that aren't right for me. Even their free samples have been pretty boring (obnoxious fragrances galore), but you shouldn't really complain about free. While I'm whining about Sephora, I didn't like the padded envelope in which my last order arrived. Who likes to pay full price for squished boxes? Sorry, Josie. Not your fault!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

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NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash

NeoStrata's Foaming Glycolic Wash ($32) is a perfect cleanser for glycolic acid users who prefer a deep cleanser that will not cause irritation. I like glycolic acid products. My sensitive skin tolerates them with ease, and they exfoliate without the harsh actions of some physical exfoliators.

NeoStrata sent me Foaming Glycolic Wash before Christmas, and it has been my go-to shower cleanser ever since. I must have a pump applicator in whatever cleanser I keep in my shower. This one was designed with my pump preference in mind. Thank you, NeoStrata!

NeoStrata's most potent cleanser is formulated in an amphoteric system to capture the benefits of glycolic and lactobionic acid, while minimizing the potential for irritation. It's formulated with 18% glycolic acid and 2% lactobionic acid to gently exfoliate, unclog congested pores, and stimulate cell renewal. It prepares skin for optimal benefits of any regimen that follows.

• It's a soap-free, pH-balanced face wash that is a very light foam.
• It contains 18% glycolic acid to smoothe the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
• Lactobionic acid diminishes lines and wrinkles and smoothes the texture of "uneven" skin.
  
• The cleanser is recommended for experienced glycolic acid users. I'm not sure I understand this last one, since I find Foaming Glycolic Wash gentle. Maybe that's because I don't leave it on my skin for a long time. When I'm in the shower, I'm often in "gotta move along" mode.

This cleanser was featured on The Today Show when Prevention magazine had a "Defy Your Age" series. You can see the feature at this link. It's a short read; I recommend you take a look. Prevention recommended using Foaming Glycolic Wash in the evening. No matter, use it whenever you want! Once/day is probably often enough, though.

NeoStrata does not recommend Foaming Glycolic Wash for sensitive skin. Oh well, my skin is extremely sensitive and reactive, and I have never had a problem using it. No burning, tingling, or after-cleansing irritation. I like it very much, and it's staying in my shower!

You can purchase the Foaming Glycolic Wash at NeoStrata's Web site, where you can learn more about NeoStrata skin care the its undeniable results. It's also available at SkinStore, SkinCareRX, Ulta, and Pure Beauty - at price points that are extremely attractive for state-of-the-art skin-care technology.

Photo courtesy of NeoStrata

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