Beauty Products :The Fashionable Gal

Best Beauty Tool: Beautyblender

July 15th, 2010 by Laney

Beautify Your Body with Beautyblender™ This Summer

“Tired of beach season sneaking up before you have time to get your body beach-ready? This summer, turn to Rea Ann Silva, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Creator of the Beautyblender™ for some fabulous tips on how to fake perfection when the heat rises…

* For a summer-time glow, mix your foundation with a highlighting cream (try a light golden-bronze shade), dampen the Beautyblender™ and blend over areas of the face, such as the top of your nose, cheek bones and the under eye area. You can also apply this mixture to your shoulders and collar bone. The outcome – glowing goddess!

* For a flawless self-tanning application, exfoliate, lightly moisturize and apply self-tanner on your body using your hands. Dampen a Beautyblender™ with water and bounce it on the areas that are hard to apply evenly, such as bikini lines, elbows and under breasts, to ensure that you blend equally – leaving you without any streaks or blotchy areas. The result – a mess free, golden tan!

Beautyblender™ comes with Blendercleanser™, an environmentally friendly cleansing solution. With proper cleansing, this ultimate makeup tool can last for several months. So you can toss away your disposable makeup sponges for good. With Beautyblender™ you can achieve gorgeous looks everyday while minimizing waste.”

The article above was written by celebrity makeup artist Rea Ann Silva. Silva has used Beautyblender on celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Gwen Stefani, Tyra Banks, and many more. After hearing all the uses for the tool, I had to try it for myself – so the generous people at Beautyblender sent me the set pictured above, which contains the sponge and the cleanser.

At first, I thought Beautyblender would work like any ordinary makeup sponge. I use cream foundations, so I’ve become quite familiar with cosmetic sponges. They work fine, but aren’t my favorite thing in the world. Beautyblender, on the other hand, totally is.

The unique egg shape makes it perfect for applying makeup around my eyes and the corners of my nose. Brushes and blunt edged sponges aren’t made to work on those areas, so they don’t. Beautyblender gives me flawless coverage all over my face, plus makes my foundation look more natural and seamless.

I have used my Beautyblender with liquid foundations, and it works just as well with them. However, I have two favorites to pair it with. The first is Urban Decay’s Surreal Skin Cream-to-Powder Foundation. It’s a miracle foundation, but the brush it comes with makes a mess around my nostrils and the eye socket area. Another favorite to use Beautyblender with is CoverGirl’s True Match Roll on Foundation. The formula is creamy and works well to cover imperfections, but the roller brush is extremely impractical. Beautyblender fixes that – I still get the benefit of the foundation, but not the awkward application demanded by the roller. True Match Roll On is available through drugstore.com

You can purchase beautyblender online from Sephora.

Posted in Beauty Products Related Topics: beautyblender, beautyblender cleanser, beautyblender tips, blendercleanser, covergirl true match roll on foundation, urban decay surreal skin foundation

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Talika Eyebrow Lipocils: The Results

July 7th, 2010 by Laney

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By now, I think you’re all quite familiar with Talika’s Lipocils. All the lucky ladies who won their Lipocils Expert for lashes (courtesy of the fabulous brand!) should be receiving their prizes soon, and getting to experience their own amazing results.

A while back, I posted about how I was going to start using their Eyebrow Lipocils. For the full details on the product, and it’s clinical results, please check out that post.

Because of a whole slew of eyebrow issues, I hadn’t been able to use the product continuously. Various skincare products I’ve tested have caused breakouts, some in my eyebrow area. I had to use treatment products on my brows, and couldn’t use the serum with it. Other products dried my skin out to the point where I had to slather moisturizer over my brows. And a few times, I’ve straight up overplucked them, which has set back the results of the serum.

Now, however, I’ve been using it frequently and have my results. They’re fabulous! For the first time in as long as I can remember, by brows are even, symmetrical, and just the thickness I want them. Because they’re so pale, I have to fill them in every day – and having actual brows to go over is a million times better than having to make it up as I go.

Combined with my Talika Lipocils for lashes, my eye area is looking fabulous. Thank you, Talika!

Posted in Beauty Products Related Topics: eyebrow growth serum, lash enhancement, lash growth serum, talika, talika eyebrow lipocils, talika lipocils, talika lipocils expert

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Cynthia Nixon Beauty Secrets

June 15th, 2010 by Laney

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Celebrity artist Matin has been using several products on Cynthia Nixon during the Sex & the City 2 Premiere tour. One favorite has been Orlane Creme Royale Eye Contour with 24-K gold and royal jelly. Matin uses this eye cream on Ms. Nixon’s cheekbones to highlight them. Orlane’s Eye Contour is available through Neiman Marcus.

Another main players in Nixon’s premiere prep is Sampar Eye Rule. It’s formulated with adenosine and peptides, which hydrate, refresh, and smooth the skin of the eye area. It’s available through Beauty 360.

Both products have contributed to Nixon’s radiant complexion and overall glow. She looks fabulous!

Posted in Beauty Products, Celebrities Related Topics: cynthia nixon, cynthia nixon beauty products, cynthia nixon makeup, cynthia nixon sex & the city premiere, cynthia nixon skincare, orlane creme royale eye contour, sampar eye rule

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Giveaway: Lipocils Expert ($55 Value) for 10 Winners! CLOSED

June 10th, 2010 by Laney

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“When it launched the original formulation of Lipocils in 1948, Talika was the first company to introduce a product to naturally help lengthen lashes. Now, Talika is the first to create a product that naturally helps make lashes grow up to 36% longer, 50% darker, and 50% more curled – without the possible side effects of some of its competitors.

Lipocils Expert also features a new applicator with a spong tip to apply to the roots of lashes and a mascara wand to apply to the lashes themselves. To use, apply twice a da for 28 days and then ocne a day thereafter for maintenance.”

Normally, I won’t use products like this that are meant to lengthen or darken eye lashes. I may wear a lot of makeup, but these type of chemical formulations make me really nervous. Especially the ones that advertise actual eye pigmentation issues! However, after previously having used Talika’s Brow Lipocils on my sparse eyebrows, I know they’re a brand I can trust. Especially since their formula is natural!

“Putting makeup on, taking makeup off, pollution, stress, an unbalanced diet, free radicals, UV… so many daily impacts that weaken the lashes, making them age more quickly. The skin of the eyelid becomes thinner and more rigid and nutrients have a touch time reaching the bulb in which the lash is rooted. Result: shorter, thinner, stiffer, duller eyelashes that fall out prematurely.

To extend the lashes, Lipocils Expert contains 12 plant extracts that have already been tried and tested in the original Lipocils (including nettle, hamamelis and apple).”

Mascara is my biggest beauty must have – you know, the product I’d want on a desert island, possibly even more than an iPod with infinite battery life. I feel as though my lashes really make my look, and are the finishing touch to the eye making I spend so many minutes applying. With a product like Talika on hand, I could skip the mascara – but I prefer to wear it anyway for lashes that look larger than life (and require only one coat). If you prefer a more natural look, you won’t have to worry about mascara at all. Considering how much mascara I seem to go through, that could be a huge savings!

“Talika’s Lipocils has pioneered treatments for eyelashes, and was even the forerunner in this new category of products which is now everywhere. Developed 60 years ago, its handy design and efficacy have made it a winner with women. The proof: over 4 million units have been sold since the year 2000! Lipocils extends the eyelashes by up to 2.4mm in 1 month… and women can’t go wrong with it!”

The only problem I had with this product was that I kept forgetting to use it both morning and night. I almost never take my mascara off at night (bad girl, I know) so while I did miss some applications, forcing myself to remember did also create the better habit of taking off my makeup before bed! After using the Lipocils Expert I was sent for review, I had definitely noticed longer and thicker lashes. I’m not sure if they’re darker, but that’s because my lashes were pretty dark to start with.

***Talika has generously offered up TEN tubes of Lipocils Expert for you lucky gals. Thank you Talika!***

Contest Info: This giveaway will run until 11:59 PM EST June 20th. You MUST complete the Mandatory Entry for all Extra Entries to count. Please make sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH entry or the extras will not be counted. This giveaway is open to US Residents only, please!

Mandatory Entry: Tell me why you need Lipocils Expert in your life. Also, visit Talika and name one other product from the company that you’d like to try. Leave the answer to both in one comment.

Extra Entries:

Fan Talika on Facebook – 1 Entry

Fan The Fashionable Gal on Facebook – 1 Entry

Follow @TalikaCosmetics on Twitter – 1 Entry

Follow @FashionableGal on Twitter – 1 Entry

Blog this Giveaway (leave a direct link) – 5 Entries

Add me to your Blog Roll – 3 Entries

Subscribe to my newsletter – 1 Entry

Share any way you can (ie Stumble, Digg, etc.) – 1 Entry per Location

Tweet the giveaway using the text below – 1 Entry per Tweet, 2 per Day (please keep at least 2 hours apart)

#Win 1 of 10 Tubes of Lipocils Expert lash enhancing serum (ARV $55) from @TalikaCosmetics & @fashionablegal http://wp.me/pbj1u-1Sw

Posted in Beauty Products, Contests & Giveaways Related Topics: lash conditioning serum, lash enhancing serum, lipocil experts giveaway, lipocils expert review, talika, talika lash darkening, talika lash enhancing serum, talika lipocils, talika lipocils expert

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Tarte Summer Prep Kit Giveaway ($100 Value!)

May 17th, 2010 by Laney

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tarte

Recently, tarte asked me to part of a fun new blogger initiative they’ve created. Several times throughout the year, they’ll send me a set of hand-picked products for me to check out and share with you. Yeah, I know – great for me… But how does it concern you (aside from the fact that I’ll be keeping you in the know about the best of tarte)? Well, they won’t just be sending me once set of products… They’ll be sending me two! And that second set, dear readers, will be given away to one of YOU!

Today, I’m here to dish on the first set of products – and yes, host a great giveaway. So read on to find out what fab swag is up for grabs!

First up is the ReCreate Silicone-Free Primer with Wrinkle-Rewind Technology ($32). This primer is perfect for those with sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. Like ReCreate Foundation, this anti-aging primer is powered by Wrinkle Rewind technology for clinically proven results. 67% decrease in wrinkles, 47% increase in firmness, 53% increase in skin’s moisture content in just 15 minutes post-application.

I love the feel of this primer when I put it on after moisturizing. It’s very soothing on my irritated skin, which definitely fits the criteria of “sensitive, oily, and acne-prone.” It doesn’t emphasize any of these products, and instead, helps the foundation that covers them up to stay in place! Considering how hard it is to keep makeup on my skin during the hot summer months, I’m excited to have a great primer to rely on so I can keep my makeup looking great!

The second product in the batch is Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer ($29).

Sweep on this lightweight mineral powder and reap all the benefits: the fragrance free, talc free formula allows skin to breathe and it won’t clog your pores even on the hottest days (and steamiest nights!). This formula is darker and packaged slightly differently than the original Park Avenue Princess Bronzer (pictured at top) and is now matte AND waterproof! I’m far too pale to wear bronzer, but I gave this to my mom, as she’s a real bronzer fiend. She’s used tarte bronzer before and told me that it was great – plus, we both think the packaging is adorable! This is a great item for a summer at the beach or a tropical vacation, especially considering that it’s waterproof.

The third, and my personal favorite, in the pack is MultiplEYE™ Natural Lash Enhancing Mascara ($24). Fortify lashes by naturally increasing lash volume by 638% while increasing the appearance of lash length and growth. Using a unique blend of high-performance natural™ botanical nutrients we’ve engineered a nourishing onyx-black mascara base infused with our proprietary HydroPlant™ peptide, a soy-amino super protein, to help stimulate lashes for a 638% increase in lash volume and increased appearance of length, growth and strength.

This is hands down the best mascara I’ve used in months. It separates, thickens, and elongates my lashes without even the tiniest amount of clumping. And it reminded me of the miracle that is two coats of mascara – since there’s no clumping, two coats are a snap and make me look like I’m wearing false eye lashes. And the results are even better when paired with the last product…

The last product up for grabs is the Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler ($15). The picture perfect curler ensures an easy and painless eyelash curl with every use! before this, I was under the impression that all eyelash curlers were created equal. Not so, my friends! With my old curler, I got an almost ninety degree bend in my lashes, and almost always pulled them when they stuck to the cheap material it was made with. The Picture Perfect caller from tarte creates a soft bend and doesn’t pull my lashes. When I use it with the multiplEYE mascara, the results are absolutely amazing!

CONTEST INFO: One lucky gal will win all the items mentioned above, which have a combined retail value of $100! You must complete the Mandatory Entry for all Extra Entries to count; please leave a separate comment for each. US Residents only, please. This contest will run until May 21, 2010, 11:59 PM EST.

MANDATORY ENTRY: Which product are you most interested in trying, and why? Also, do you have any favorite tarte products?

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Fan tarte on Facebook – 1 Entry

Fan The Fashionable Gal on Facebook – 1 Entry

Follow tarte on Twitter – 1 Entry

Follow @fashionablegal on Twitter – 1 Entry

Blog this Giveaway (leave a link) – 5 Entries

Add me to your Blog Roll – 3 Entries

Share in any other way you’d like (Facebook, Stumble, Digg, etc) – 1 Entry per Location

Tweet the Giveaway using the following text – 1 Entry per Tweet, Max 2 per Day

#Win $100 worth of products from @tartecosmetics & @fashionablegal – including 4 summer favorites! http://wp.me/pbj1u-1Oq

Posted in Beauty Products, Contests & Giveaways, Makeup Related Topics: best eyelash curler, tarte, tarte cosmetics, tarte cosmetics giveaway, tarte multipleye mascara, tarte multipleye natural lash enhancing mascara, tarte park avenue princess bronzer, tarte park avenue princess matte bronzer, tarte picture perfect eyelash curler, tarte recreate silicone free primer

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Beauty.com & Lela Rose Custom Clutch and Samples

May 16th, 2010 by Laney

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Beauty.com is excited to continue its ever-popular partnership with designer Lela Rose – offering a custom creation just in time for spring and summer, Beauty.com and Lela Rose launch the “Lela Rose Feather Painted Linen Beauty Clutch.”

Starting May 4, customers who shop online will receive this custom clutch and 16 deluxe samples with their purchase of $100 or more. The slim linen purse features the signature feather painted Lela Rose print from her spring 2010 collection. Accented with a handsome wooden closure, the clutch unfolds to reveal a bright citrine lining and two zippered compartments.

With a value of $135, this chic limited-edition clutch is perfect for carrying beauty essentials while also doubling as a stylish accessory or gift for Mother’s Day, bridal showers and summer birthdays.

The samples I’m most excited about include Urban Decay De-Slick In a Tube Mattifying Gel, Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner, tarte emphasEYES High Definition Eye Pencil, and Bliss FatGirlSlim Skin Firming Cream. And that’s not even mentioning the bag! I love how Beauty.com ensures that their sample bags are as fabulous as the samples themselves, so nothing gets tossed aside. If you’re not a clutch person or have too many bags (blasphemy, I know!) then consider using it as “gift wrapping” for any of your girlfriends with summer birthdays!

Posted in Beauty Products, Handbags Related Topics: beauty.com sample bag 2010, bliss fatgirlslim skin firming cream, dr. brandt pores no more pore refiner, lela rose, lela rose clutch, lela rose feather painted linen beauty clutch, lela rose for beauty.com, lela rose sample bag, tarte emphaseyes high definition eye pencil, urban decay de-slick in a tube mattifying gel

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Mother’s Day Idea: Rance Imperial Collection & Luxury Soap

May 6th, 2010 by Laney

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The Rance legacy began in the early 1600s with the production of perfumed gloves for French aristocracy in Grasse, France. A little over a century later, Francois Rance’s innovative spirit led him to create extremely refined and modern perfumes that would make him Emperor Napoleon’s favorite perfumer. Napoleon, in fact, as such a devotee of Rance that he eventually become apprentice to Francois Rance himself.

Rance‘s extraordinary perfumes, soaps and bath & body care products are a first-hand account of an age of delightful elegance and great creativity.

If your mom is one of the many that neglects self-pampering for endless chores, now’s the chance to give her a chance to indulge. Rance’s beautiful collection of products will be sure to brighten her day, and maybe even make up for a few of those dirty diapers. Since we’re close to the big day, I’ll save you the time of hunting through their selection – here are some of my favorite items.

Francois Alexandre Rance, Francois’ grandson, confirmed the devotion of the Rance family to the Imperial Family. He dedicated a new and refined fragrance to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III.

Top Notes: Bergamot, Mandarin, Lily of the Valley, White Flower accord, Melon, Passionfruit

Middle Notes: Jasmine, Rose, Violet leaves, Peach

Base Notes: Iris, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Oakmoss, Vanilla

Purchase the Eugenie collection ($68 – $135)

Triple-milled and handmade, Rance soaps are produced in Italy where the Rance family now resides, making them an exquisite marriage of fine French essences and Italian soap making tradition. Rance sops are based on centuries old formula created by Francois Rance himself. The soaps are cooked for a total of 6 days, allowing for 3 separate siftings when impurities filter to the bottom and drain.

Rance Soap is so pure that no preservatives are required and the fragrance is so infused in the soap that it lasts the entire lifetime of the soap. Rance soaps are available in luxury sets containing six magnificent sculpted soaps, in each of the four Rance Imperial Collection Fragrances as well as a wide range of over 15 scents – including Acacia, Gardenia, and Freesia.

I received a box of the tuberose scent for review. I haven’t had a chance to use these soaps yet, but the fragrance is amazing. I can smell it through the packaging, which blows me away. My mom suggested putting bars of soap in a sock or lingerie bar to add a little scent, if you’re not a big bar soap user (like me). What a fabulous idea!

Prices on the soap box sets range from $44 to $82, 4 to 6 bars per set. Shop Rance Soaps.

I love that Rance has a rich history, and more important, a family history. What an appropriate background for Mother’s Day; how neat is a gift with a fabulous back story? So treat Mom like a Queen with these Empress approved products and get her Rance.

Posted in Beauty Products, gift ideas Related Topics: celebrity approved products, french soap, mother's day, mother's day gift ideas, mother's day gifts, mother's day ideas, mother's day suggestions, rance, rance body products, rance fragrance, rance soaps

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Just In: Taylor Swift Selected as New CoverGirl Spokeswoman!

April 30th, 2010 by Laney

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Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift can now add COVERGIRL to her list of accomplishments. The 20-year old, award-winning star has just finished shooting her first advertisements and will be representing a new line of luxury products for the brand.

The ads are scheduled to debut in January 2011 along with the new line. Taylor joins the ranks of Ellen DeGeneres, Rihanna, Queen Latifah, Drew Barrymore and Dania Ramirez as the newest face of the brand.

I love Taylor Swift – she’s so quirky and cute! Plus, she always look gorgeous. I’m dying for the green dress she’s wearing in the photo above. And even more exciting – I want to know about this new makeup line! January is much too far away, although to wish for these products also means snow – which I’m SO over.

What do you think of this news? Love Taylor Swift? Just excited for the new products? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted in Beauty Products, Celebrities Related Topics: covergirl new collection 2011, taylor swift, taylor swift covergirl spokeswoman, taylor swift for covergirl

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Naturopathica: New Site, 15% Discount

April 28th, 2010 by Laney

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Naturopathica has undertaken a re-branding evolution: ECOCERT certification, new packaging, an upcoming renovation of their signature Hamptons spa, indulgent new products – and a new site, designed to “be a destination for consumers to achieve ‘a better beauty.’”

The new site gives visitors a place to research ingredients, learn wellness rituals, and more. One of my favorite new features of the site is that you can shop by classification, and visit detailed categories (which include gluten-free, vegan, and more). This makes it much easier for people with specific needs and concerns to find products that are just right for them, without hours of guessing and Googling. You can also sort my skin type and best sellers, which provide another great layer of depth to your shopping experience.

Equally as enjoyable as the shopping platform, the site also includes a detailed “Learn” section. Naturopathica was founded by Barbara Close, a clinical esthetician, herbalist, aromatherapist, message therapist, and author – so you know she’s qualified to be dishing out advice. Her belief in attainable well-being and wellness education spurned the learn section, which teaches easy DIY wellness rituals and much, much more. Some of the current tutorials include a range of hydrotherapy techniques, such as detoxifying showers, bath cures to de-stres and promote sleep, and muscle recovery baths.

I was given the opportunity to review one of the repackaged Naturopathica products, and I eagerly chose the Aloe Cleansing Gel ($28/5 oz). It’s described as “a foaming sulfate-free cleanser with a refreshing blend of Aloe Vera and Lavender that gently clarifies the skin while maintaining natural moisture,” perfect for normal to oily skin (that’s me!). It’s main ingredient is Aloe Vera, which “helps to prevent immune suppression caused by UVB rays by repairing damage to the Langerhans cells.”

Naturopathica’s Aloe Cleansing Gel has a great texture – it’s like a thick soap, without being overly creamy and exacerbating my oily skin. It strips the oil and dirt off my skin without being drying, and also has a great lather. It’s a favorite to use with my Clarisonic, and after a week of using the two together, my skin has been significantly clearer and smoother. The only aspect I’m not in love with is the smell – I find it a tad overpowering. However, if you enjoy the scent of lavender than I’m sure you’ll find it enjoyable.

I intend to check out more of Naturopathica‘s products in the near future. I recommend that you look into them as well – and as an added bonus, if you use code “ABETTERBEAUTY” you’ll receive 15% off your order!

Posted in Beauty Products, Skin Care Related Topics: a better beauty, aloe skincare, barbara close, gluten free beauty products, natural skincare, naturopathic products, naturopathica, naturopathica aloe cleansing gel, naturopathica rebranding evolution, naturopathica skincare, vegan beauty products

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Urban Decay Face Case: $14 to Fabulous!

April 23rd, 2010 by Laney

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“This case is small but mighty. It has a miniature price (less than a round of Starbucks), but it gives you a BIG selection of beauty products. You get 3 best-selling Eye shadows (Grifter, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again and Twice Baked), a generous pan of blush in NEW SHADE Hookup, and 3 sexy XXX Shine Lip Glosses: Carney, Naked and Love Junkie – Wow!

Lots of shades mean lots of looks. Apply your neutral shades for your business meeting, then add a pop of brightly colored eyes or lips for your last minute dinner plans.

The dark purple mirrored compact is coated with a soft touch finish for a luxurious, sueded feel, while the compact size measures barely bigger than your cell phone. Imagine how many pieces of full size makeup you can leave behind! With the addition of a double-ended mini brush, any multi-tasking girl can sneak this compact it into her bag and rush out of the house at a moment’s notice.”

I am experiencing a sense of overwhelming lust when contemplating this newest Urban Decay edition. I mean… three shadows, three glosses, and blush for under $20? Is this some sort of a prank? Because if it is, I’m going to be totally furious.

In case Urban Decay changes their mind and realizes this is too fabulous – you might just want to grab yours now.