This post is Sponsored by CVS/Pharmacy but my opinions are 100% my own!

Nuance by Salma Hayek is a line of beauty products that you can find at CVS/Pharmacy only.   It was co-developed by actress Salma Hayek and CVS/Pharmacy and is a full beauty line exclusively for CVS/Pharmacy offering high-quality products within four categories – skin care, cosmetics, hair care and body.  Launched in August 2011, this beauty collection combines science with exotic, natural ingredients and personal beauty secrets passed down through generations to create efficacious products that enhance the nuances that define every woman’s individual beauty.

CVS/Pharmacy asked me if I’d like to host a Nuance by Salma Hayek Beauty Party with my girlfriends and introduce them to the Nuance line.  I was so happy because I knew my friends would love this.  I hosted the party on Thursday, July 11th and 10 of my friends along with their children came over for lunch and a beauty makeover!  The kids played while the ladies tried on all the makeup and discussed what they loved about the products.

One thing that was common among them all was they had never tried any of the products and some of then had never even noticed them on the shelves of CVS!   So I knew then this party was a perfect idea.

I served lunch that consisted of salad with grilled chicken, tuna salad and chicken salad finger sandwiches, pasta salad and fruit kabob.

The kids have chicken nuggets and french fries and they were perfectly happy with that.  They even had their own section to sit and eat and they thought that was awesome.  They missing sitting with their friends at school so this was good for them to be together.

I set out the products for them to try on the table and while they ate lunch I explained the line to them and we discussed what type of beauty products they all use.  One thing that they all agreed on was that their facial moisturizer must have SPF in them.   Only one product I received for them to try had SPF in it and that was the BB Cream but when I looked over the lists I did find a few moisturizer’s that do have sun screen in them so they were going to look for those in stores.  That’s extremely important to me as well.

After lunch they began trying out the products and they each searched for their perfect foundation since I had a bunch of different shades.  I was happy they weren’t all the same shade so there was enough to go around the table and they each got to take home a color that worked for them.

One thing we found interesting is they all tried on the same color lipstick and it looked different on each of them.  It just really goes to show you that you have to try on a color to see how it goes with your own skin before you can make a discussion on whether you like it or not.    Did you know that CVS’s policy with their beauty products is if you don’t like it you can return or exchange it?   You just need your receipt and you can bring it to any CVS/pharmacy store. They refund the full purchase price — no questions asked!

A few of the girls painted their nails and at the end of lunch, some of the little girls also painted their nails.  They really wanted to try on some make up but they settled for nails.    One of the reasons that Salma added nail lacquer to her line was because of her daughter Valentina.  She wanted to create a formula that was safe for little fingers as well.  They use a lot of vitamins and minerals to nourish the nails and give them color all at once.  So it’s safe for your little ones too!

Once they tried on several products and found some they liked, I handed out a bag to each of them with products they could take home to enjoy.  They were so excited and CVS was very generous with the product in the bags.   And the bags themselves are really nice too!  Here is my beautiful mom posing with her bag.  Her make-up and lipstick all done at the party.

Then we pulled 3 names and gave away 3 $50 CVS gift cards.   One of my friends left after we were done and used her gift card to purchase some more things right away.

We had a great time and my friends absolutely loved this and said they would have never tried any of these products had I not had the party.  When I asked why, a few said they had never noticed them in the store and one mentioned that she has products she enjoys using so no reason to change.  But now she is going to.    As we talked more about it, we realized we are all creatures of habit and we are all on budgets.  We aren’t going to sway away from the products we know and trust and spend our hard-earned money and not know if we will love them.  So a party like this gave us all a chance to try something new that we would not have tried.  They asked me when I’d be hosting another party like this!  They all want to come again.

(1) Koupon Karen reader will win a $50 CVS/Pharmacy Gift Card to try some Nuance products of your choice!

To enter the giveaway, use the Giveaway Tools widget below.   Please let me know if you have any questions or problems/  Of course Facebook is in no way associated with this giveaway!

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Disclosure: I received a Free product for review. My opinions are 100% mine.