Each year, we (the collective beauty/fashion blogger community) write countless posts about what we should buy, or what we must have, or even what we need, but very little is said about the things in life that really matter - family, friends and helping others. Admittedly, I haven't been the most charitably active as I've gotten older and that's definitely something I intend to change as we slide into 2011.

My dear friend Karla - you might know her as KarlaSugar - has taken the initiative to unite some of your favorite beauty bloggers and brands (with enviable product closets) to create a site auctioning some of the most coveted beauty items, all benefiting Doctors Without Borders. BeautyBloggers.org officially launched yesterday, with products from more than 40 brands and bloggers, all for auction now through December 20th at 5pm CST.

The products up for auction are pretty mind blowing. Some of the internet's most coveted products, like Lancome's Erika F eyeshadow, MAC's Lavender Whip lipstick and Bobbi Brown's Stonewashed Nudes eyeshadow palette, just to name a few.

If you're looking for gifts (or treats for yourself), stop by, bid and help out Doctors Without Borders. A huge round of appreciation for the participating brands and bloggers:

Afrobella, A Girl's Gotta Spa!, AlyWalansky.com, Armani Beauty, Bay Area Style File, Beauté Cosmetics, Beauty Alchemist, The Beauty Look Book, Bobbi Brown, Cafe Makeup, Cargo, China Glaze, EnKore, Estee Lauder, For the Love of Beauty, Givenchy, Gloss Menagerie, Gouldylox Reviews, Grace Gold for AOL StyleList, KarlaSugar, KraseyBeauty, Lancome, Leonor Greyl, The Makeup Girl, Miss Whoever You Are, Musings of a Muse, My Lips But Better, Nadine Jolie, The Non-Blonde, Older Girl Beauty, OPI, Out in a Pout, Pink Sith, Prime Beauty, Product Girl, Pursebuzz, Renee Rouleau, Sasquatch Swatch, Sicka Than Average, Spoiled Pretty, Talika, Three Custom Color Specialists, and Votre Vu.

Shop Spring 2010 and Fall 2010 collections from 40-70% off

Goldfaden Daily Scrub

$65.00 at SkinStore

During a recent trip to Haven Spa for a little ME time (more on that soon), I had an interesting discussion with my facialist - she told me I was over-using my Clarisonic. My first thought was: how can this be? I was only using the device once a day, during my morning shower. The next thing she told me was that I should be using an exfoliator with my Clarisonic. This was a whole new world that I hadn't considered - could I have been wrong?

While I'm still not convinced that I shouldn't be using my Clarisonic daily, however I have cut back in favor of trying out a scrub with the brush. She was very specific about the type of scrub that I should be using - a super-refined formula without any large particles. I mentally went through my product library and realized I had the perfect scrub on hand to experiment with.

Goldfaden's Daily Scrub is made of very refined particles, just like my facialist insisted. The superior exfoliating comes from ruby crystals, along with antioxidant and anti-aging ingredient red tea, the foundational element of Goldfaden's entire line.

The whole conversation has me wondering if I should reduce how often I use my Clarisonic to maybe 2-3 times a week (let's be honest - I just can't give it up). How frequently do you use your Clarisonic? Have you tried a scrub with the brush? I'm so curious as to how other people use their devices!

Honestly, I can't even believe that I'm typing this - this whole process has been a little surreal. If you happen to pick up the holiday issue of Ladies' Home Journal (Sela Ward, at left, is on the cover) you'll spot a familiar floating head on page 40.

For the issue, I was asked to pick a couple of my favorite holiday pieces from two brands that have always been incredibly supportive of me - Torrid & IGIGI. In addition to inside the magazine, you can find an expanded version of my holiday party essentials online.

From the issue: Torrid's Black Sequin Jacket & IGIGI's Sabina Gown

I'm so honored & blown away that Ladies' Home Journal thought to include me in their holiday issue - and it's all because of you (yes, YOU). Thank you so much for all your love and support (and even the haters). I couldn't have done it without you! xo

Katy Perry was certainly a Firework on the American Music Awards red carpet last night. (Side note - can we talk about how gorgeous her earrings are? They are pink tourmaline and pave diamond earrings from VRAM for GRAY. Love!) Pantene's Celebrity Stylist, Danilo, created Katy's look for the evening.

Danilo says “Her look was classic Hollywood with a contemporary twist. Katy wanted big, voluminous hair for the show. Using the Fine Collection from Pantene, I was able to vamp up her hair to create long lasting volume.” To recreate Katy's look, follow these easy steps:

1. “Before doing any hair style, I always encourage my clients to wash and conditioner their hair—that way I can start with a clean, healthy base. I recommended beginning with the Pantene Pro-V Fine Flat to Volume Shampoo and Conditioning regimen, the customized formula gently cleanses hair to help remove dulling residue and build up while replenishing from root to tip.”
2. “Before blow-drying, I applied a light mist of the Pantene Pro-V Fine Heat Protection & Shine Spray to Katy’s hair. This helps to protect hair against heat while providing a soft, healthy-looking finish.”
3. “Next, I sprayed each section with the Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Root Lifter Spray Gel, this provides weightless volume that is full of long lasting body and shine. After her hair was prepped, I blew out the hair, creating volume from the base of the strands.”
4. “Using a medium curling iron, I created a spiral glamour set on each section of the hair and sprayed it with the Pantene Pro-V Touchable Volume Hairspray. Then each curl was pinned up and left to cool.“
5. “Once I took the curls out, I used a glamour set where I brushed the curls out so the wave pattern revealed itself, opposed to hair being tousled. This gives a glamorous look to the hair. What I love about this look is that the wave is at the bottom, opposed to a retro look were the hair is curled under.”
6. “I finished by misting the hair with the Pantene Pro-V Touchable Volume Hairspray.”

What did you think of Katy's look from last night? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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