Beautiful Things My Mother Taught Me


Mom and me, circa 1979 Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CoverGirl. Mother’s Day is this Sunday and I’m so excited. Not just because Mr. Spoiled Pretty and my son, Westley, are treating me to a decadent brunch. But because it’s an opportunity to celebrate my hero, Andrea Stamps. I must admit that until two years ago, Mother’s Day was just another CONTINUE READING

Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candles: 2 for $22


At Christmastime, I agonized over what to get my son's daycare teachers. There are 12 of them - and even though he has his two main teachers, they all have interaction with him and take excellent care of him. So I needed to buy 12 gifts to show my appreciation, without breaking the bank. $10 each seemed doable, except CONTINUE READING

IMAN Skin Tone Evener BB Creme SPF 15


As a beauty expert, I’m embarrassed by how late I am to the BB Cream party. In the past year, so many friends and colleagues have asked me about BB Creams—what’s the buzz, which brands are the best, etc. —and they would look at me funny when I admitted to not having tried BB Creams yet. I mean, they CONTINUE READING

CoverGirl Outlast Brilliant Shine Nail Gloss in Vio-last


I’m very fickle about my fingernails. Before I paint my nails or get them professionally did, I spend a inordinate amount of time pondering my polish options. I consider the season, recent trends, my wardrobe that week and anywhere special I might go. But despite all of this planning, I’m usually over my polish choice before it even dries. Not CONTINUE READING

My New Arm Candy: Rebecca Minkoff Swing Bag


After beauty products, handbags are my secondary addiction. But when it comes to arm candy, I have discriminating taste. For me, the perfect handbag seamlessly marries fashion with function, is handcrafted from high-quality materials, has really unique hardware and is classic but edgy - all at the same time. I don't like to carry the of-the-moment "it" bag. I CONTINUE READING

Bust a Move On Over to Saturday.com


Earlier this month, Kate Spade (aka creator of cuteness and the reason why I can't seem to keep money in my wallet), launched a brand new line called Kate Spade Saturday. Kate Spade Saturday is a new global lifestyle brand created to channel the spirit of Saturday seven days a week. This younger, more accessible sister to kate spade new CONTINUE READING

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Beauty Tips

Beautiful Things My Mother Taught Me

Posted on May 9, 2013 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Featured | Leave a comment

mom and me Beautiful Things My Mother Taught MeMom and me, circa 1979

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CoverGirl.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and I’m so excited. Not just because Mr. Spoiled Pretty and my son, Westley, are treating me to a decadent brunch. But because it’s an opportunity to celebrate my hero, Andrea Stamps.

I must admit that until two years ago, Mother’s Day was just another Hallmark holiday. I would buy the obligatory card and flowers, and remind my mother that I appreciated her. But it wasn’t until I became a mom that I realized the depth of my appreciation.

You see, my mom was born to be a mom. Throughout my life, she silently sacrificed to provide the best life possible for my sister and me. She enjoys her job as a mom so much that it’s easy to overlook or forget how hard that job can be. It’s the most thankless yet rewarding job imaginable and now that I fully understand what it means to be a mom, I think one day a year simply is not enough. My mother is so much more than a mom to me. She is a mentor, my best friend and an inspiration.

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, CoverGirl created a Facebook page for you to share all of the beautiful things you’ve learned from your mom. You can also create and send your mom a custom e-card with the beautiful lesson she taught you – and it will also be added to the CoverGirl Mother’s Day public scrapbook on the Facebook page.

What beautiful thing has your mom taught you? Mine has shared so many words of wisdom over the years, there isn’t enough room in this blog post to share. But the most profound thing I’ve learned from my mom is that unconditional love is real – and she practices it every day. I only hope that I can be half the mom to Westley that she has been for me.

westy and me Beautiful Things My Mother Taught MeLil’ man and me at the Phillies game this past weekend

Okay, okay…enough of the mushy stuff already, right? Since this is a beauty blog, I’ll also take this opportunity to share some words of wisdom for busy moms – like myself – who often have little time for beauty routines. Celebrity makeup artist Sage Maitri, who works with celeb moms like Molly Sims, Rebecca Romijn, Jessica Capshaw, Minnie Driver, Elizabeth Banks and Emily Deschanel, shares some of her favorite mom-friendly makeup tips:

Morning Mayhem – For a busy mom, mornings can be the hardest part of the day! Concealer is mother’s little helper! Try COVERGIRL + Olay Simply Ageless Concealer, which brightens up your eyes for a wide-awake look while the Olay Regenerist Serum covers fine lines and wrinkles.

1 + 2 = 3 Time Saving Products – A product that contains more than one beauty benefit can be a real time saver. Try these three multi-benefit products from COVERGIRL:

  • COVERGIRL Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation is a primer, concealer and foundation in one.
  • For a quick pop of color on your nails try COVERGIRL Outlast Nail Gloss which contains a built in top coat.
  • To cover up those dark circles, try COVERGIRL + Olay Concealer Balm which is a concealer that is also infused with emollient-rich serum.

Bath Time is a Must – For a busy mom it’s hard to carve out time to wash your face before bed. Try to sync your schedule with your children’s so you can make time to keep you skin fresh and clean.

Date Night – A little lip color can go a long way and transform your daytime mommy look, to date night glam! Try COVERGIRL Jumbo Gloss Balm for a sheer pop of color, or LipPerfection Lip Color for a deeper more vibrant lip color. Both also have moisturizing ingredients which will keep your lips refreshed.

Mom-Only Brunch – When you’re a mom, your life revolves around your kids. Whenever I have an afternoon with the girls, I like to spice up my day to day look by adding a little life to my eyes. I love Clump Crusher by LashBlast Mascara to really bring volume to my lashes. The water resistant formula is also great for any unforeseen moments.

Treat Yourself – Sometimes you don’t always have time for yourself, but it’s important to treat yourself, even if it’s something small. I always have my clients invest in a face masque that is meant to be slept in. Wake up with glowing skin, a treat for all, but especially a multi-tasking mom!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my mommy readers. May your loved ones spoil you pretty this Sunday!

Pretty Powerful Q&A with Bobbi Brown

Posted on October 1, 2012 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Books, Featured, Interview | Leave a comment

Bobbi Brown1 788x1024 Pretty Powerful Q&A with Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown first arrived on the beauty scene in 1991 with the launch of Bobbi Brown Essentials, and changed the face of makeup with a handful of 10 brown-based lipstick shades created to fill a void in the market of simple, flattering and wearable makeup. Bobbi’s philosophy was simple: “Women want to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident.” Her unique approach to cosmetics was a long-awaited gift for women who wanted a more natural look.

Twenty years later, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is a global brand, having expanded beyond lipstick to a full range of color cosmetics, fragrance and skincare. Today, with a presence in more than 1000 doors in 57 countries and 18 free-standing stores, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is coveted by world renowned makeup artists, celebrities and style makers who appreciate Bobbi’s unique approach to beauty and her ability to translate the latest trends into wearable, real-life looks.

bobbi brown pretty powerful book 1024x632 Pretty Powerful Q&A with Bobbi Brown

My friend, Samantha (right), appears in Bobbi’s latest book!

This fall, Bobbi’s seventh book, Pretty Powerful, hits bookshelves. In the book, Bobbi interviews dozens of real women, celebrities, and athletes about what beauty means to them and shows, step-by-step, how to achieve each look. Along the way, she shares her trade secrets for striking eyes, youthful skin, pretty lips, and perfect brows for any age, skin color, or beauty type.

I recently scored an exclusive interview with this makeup maestro. In the following Q&A, Bobbi dishes on her makeup philosophy, everyday routine and #1 beauty tip. It’s a pretty powerful read… CONTINUE READING

A Quick Tip For Looking Fab in Photos

Posted on September 25, 2012 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Featured | 2 Comments

peter hurley jawline tip for photos 1024x536 A Quick Tip For Looking Fab in Photos

A few months ago, I found this video created by photographer Peter Hurley. In it, he explains and demonstrates an effective and genius tip for looking lean in photos. I’ve been using this tip – with much success – ever since, so I wanted to share with you.

Say sayonara to your dreaded double chin (well, in photos at least) by stretching your neck and bringing your forehead forward and down slightly. This accentuates your jawline and takes away those pesky ten pounds that the camera adds. It feels a bit awkward, but I swear it works.

The video is on the long side, but it’s definitely worth a watch. Just fast forward to 8:50 for some amazing before-and-afters, and tell me this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Try this technique in the mirror or snap some photos of yourself on your phone – I swear you’ll see a difference. If it works for you, I’d love for you to share in the comments.

How to Apply False Lashes with MAC Senior Artist Jennifer Chen

Posted on April 9, 2012 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Eyes, Featured, Lashes | 1 Comment

JenChen 8.5x10 300 791x1024 How to Apply False Lashes with MAC Senior Artist Jennifer Chen

Whether your look is dramatic or natural, here’s how to apply fake lashes like a pro with M∙A∙C Senior Artist Jennifer Chen. CONTINUE READING

2012 Oscar Hair Predictions From The Pros

Posted on February 23, 2012 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Celebrities, Featured, Hair, Hair Styling | Leave a comment

Hollywood’s “Night of Nights” is right around the corner, and while we don’t know who will take home the oh-so-coveted Oscar Awards, we do know that all you beauty junkies out there will be mentally casting your vote for Oscar superlatives – who has the best dress, the best accessories and of course… who has the best hair?

Michelle+Williams 2012 Oscar Hair Predictions From The Pros
Michelle Williams wears color that compliments her skin tone.

We spoke with the pros at Wella Professionals, the hair brand who has a very impressive roster of red carpet hair under their belt already from this season, including Madonna, Michelle Williams, Claire Danes, Emma Stone, Zoe Saldana, Emily Blunt and Shailene Woodley, to get the inside scoop on what hair looks will heat up the red carpet this Sunday.

Graceful Sheen

“We will see a peak in fluid textures and warm tones that suggest effortless elegance and healthy, shiny hair that shows a lot of movement and bounce,” states Wella Professionals Color Ambassador Aura Friedman. “Expensive and Luxurious are words you could use to explain this look – maximize this effect by asking your colorist to use Wella Professionals Haircolor to give you a soft shade with warm undertones that will best complement your skin tone.”

Charlize+Theron 2012 Oscar Hair Predictions From The Pros
Jason Merrit/Getty Images

Aura recommends her A-list clientele use Wella Professionals Brilliance Shampoo and Conditioner, which is designed to seal in color while leaving locks irresistibly smooth to the touch.

“Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier is a red-carpet favorite,” adds Celebrity Stylist Andy LeCompte, “that smoothes the hair surface so it can better prepare the hair for styling.” Andy also uses Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight Shine Spray on his clientele to create the most sheen and expensive looking finish to any end look. CONTINUE READING

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Making a Big Nose Look Smaller

Posted on February 13, 2012 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Featured, Makeup Mondays with Mario, Mario Dedivanovic | Leave a comment
mmwmd Makeup Mondays With Mario: Making a Big Nose Look Smaller
Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

makeup+big+nose Makeup Mondays With Mario: Making a Big Nose Look Smaller

Hey Mario,

I know you must get a lot of questions about how to make a big nose appear smaller using makeup. I am aware of highlighting the nose and shading the sides darker if you have a wide nose. But my nose isn’t wide – it’s just slightly bulbous and by shading and highlighting the bridge of the nose it only makes the end of my nose appear bigger.

I was wondering if you could help me by giving me a few pointers on how or where would be best to shade the end of the nose.

Thank you,
Jennan

Hi Jennan,

If your nose is already thin, you can skip highlighting the bridge as that will make your nose appear thinner and longer. Instead, apply the contour color to the bottom of the nose along the nostrils and blend a bit upward towards the tip. This should make the end of your nose appear shorter and thinner. The key really is to blend it well so there are no harsh lines.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario’s expert advice!

Beauty (Book) Mark: StyleUnited.com

Posted on February 2, 2012 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Fashion, Featured | Leave a comment

Style+United Beauty (Book) Mark: StyleUnited.com

I love fashion and beauty magazines.Mr. Spoiled Pretty, not so much. Probably because I subscribe to a gazillionand my magazine library takes up a ridiculous amount of real estate in ourhouse. Every month when my new issues are delivered, I pour over the pages –reading about the latest products and innovations and gleaning genius styletips. But as much as I love my magazines, I’m often frustrated by the broad-spectrumadvice. Like most women, I want advice and recommendations that address myunique beauty and style concerns. Which is why I am so excited to have recentlydiscovered a new website that offers a truly customized, interactiveexperience.

StyleUnited is the first personalizedwebsite that provides women with a one-stop destination for head-to-toe fashionand beauty consultations, recommendations, and news. The site features articles,slideshows, blog posts and how-to videos from P&G and industry expertsincluding: influential stylists, fellow bloggers and online editors.

Style+United+ +Style360 Beauty (Book) Mark: StyleUnited.com

StyleUnited provides customized recommendationsbased on responses to Style360, a one-of-a-kind diagnostic tool that gives youa fresh perspective on your total style. 

Four fun quizzes are designed to understandyour unique skincare, haircare, cosmetics and fashion needs:

Fashion Focus: Fashion goes beyond the season’s hottest trends.Whether you’re Boho Chic or Flirty Romantic, we help you find flatteringsilhouettes and the looks you love.

Mad For Makeup: Your makeup is as individual as you are. We evaluateyour features, coloring and goals to help you turn up your gorgeous.

Hair Affair: All hair is not created equal. From root to tip, weoffer you custom advice on making yours shine, and how to achieve the looks youwant.

Skin Deep: Every woman’s skin has unique characteristics andneeds. We help you create a custom regimen that gets yours glowing.

I had a ball playing around withStyle360 and was impressed by how spot-on the assessments were. For example, theFashion Focus quiz described my look as “edgy bold with a hint of casual cool.”It correctly guessed that I’m drawn to “sexy rock n’ roll pieces” (I am asucker for anything studded), but added that also like “a few soft cozy touches”(I have a closet full of open cardigans and I practically live in Uggs).

The product recommendations werealso dead-on. In fact, some of the items that Style360 suggested are already onheavy rotation in my beauty arsenal.

If you’re looking for an evenmore personalized experience, StyleUnited offers 1:1 eBeauty – a live webcamconsultation with professional beauty consultants. Don’t have a webcam? Noproblem. 1:1 can be done over the phone too. It’s like a department storebeauty counter experience (except you can do it in your pajamas and slipperswhich I’m pretty sure might get you kicked out of Nordstrom). And how much doesthis real time advice session cost? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. 

So if your New Year’s resolutionis to get gorge in 2012, you’d be wise to add StyleUnited.com to your bookmarks. Besides being a great style resource, it’sdownright addictive. But you don’t have to take my word for it…try it for yourself and let me know what you think in the comments. 

This post was sponsored by StyleUnited.com, but all opinions are my own.



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