Blush

I TEMPTU. Do You?

Posted on November 29, 2009 by daneen in Blush, Foundation, Highlighter, Holy Grail, Tools | Leave a comment

I recently received the TEMPTU Airbrush Makeup System to test and review for Spoiled Pretty, and I’m really dreading having to give it back. That’s how amazing it is. Watch the video to find out why I’m awarding TEMPTU with ‘holy grail’ status.

TEMPTU is a great holiday beauty gift (the recipient would love you forever). The TEMPTU Airbrush Makeup System is available at Sephora and costs $225. A duo of foundation pods (there are 12 shades) costs $55. Blush pods (4 shades) are $30 and highlighter pods (4 shades) are $35 each.

For more expert gift picks, check out Spoiled Pretty’s 2009 Holiday Beauty Gift Guide!

Five Cold Weather Makeup Bag Essentials – Plus A Giveaway!

Posted on October 21, 2009 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Blush, Contest, Deodorant, Giveaway, Hands, Lip Balm, Lipstick, Lotion, Nail Polish | Leave a comment

The cold weather hit Philly earlier than I had expected. So this weekend, I switched out the contents of my makeup bag (I don’t even want to say how many products I had crammed in there…I’m embarrassed) and replaced them with the following cold weather beauty essentials.

Last week, it was cold and wet in my neck of the woods. It’s not even November yet, and my hands are crack-a-lackin’. So I retired my summer hand lotion, and pulled out the heavy artillery…Aveda’s Hand Relief. If this isn’t the best hand lotion on the market, I don’t know what is. It hydrates and soothes even severely dry hands – without leaving them greasy or sticky. And the citrusy scent is a nice pick-me-up. If you’ve never tried Hand Relief, now is the best time to buy. The Pink Ribbon special value tube has 7% more product than the regular size, and Aveda will donate $4 from each purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Clear Nail Polish is another cold weather essential I highly suggeststashing in your makeup bag. Not only does it protect your polish against the elements and extend the life of your mani, it’s also great for stopping stocking runs and rips in their tracks.

Remember how I told you that I carried a mini tube of Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant in my purse this past summer? Well, it’s still there. And that’s where it’s gonna stay this season. Yes, I realize that the mercury is falling – but layered clothing combined with co-workers who like to jack up the thermostat can have you smelling quite ripe, if you’re not prepared. I am…are you?

Chapped lips are the bane of my existence. I hate how they look, how they feel, and how they’re the prelude to a bleeding, peeling, jacked up mess of a mouth. Preventing chapped lips doesn’t have to cost a fortune, as is evidenced by one of my new cold weather beauty finds – Carmex Moisture Plus. It moisturizes with Vitamin E, Aloe, and Shea butter and protects your pucker with SPF 15. I love the vanilla menthol scent and the fact that, despite the sun protection, I don’t feel like I’m eating sunscreen if I lick my lips. The slant tip applicator also ups the fab factor.

Stila Convertible Color is a makeup bag must have year-round, but I always fall a little deeper in love when it gets colder and the summer glow fades from my face. This versatile bestseller brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent color. If your skin tends to dry out during the colder months, you’ll love the formula – and how it gives your complexion a lit from within, realistic glow. I use Poppy to give my cheeks a pop of color – for a straight from the slopes, snow bunny look.

This post was sponsored by Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm. Thanks to them, I’m giving away a $25 Visa gift card and a one year supply of Carmex Moisture Plus samples! To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment by Wednesday, October 28th at midnight – and tell me one of your favorite cold weather beauty products.

For more chances to win, visit DivineCaroline.com. There, women are sharing their five favorite beauty products and entering to win a $250 gift card. Check it out!

New York Fashion Week: Alice & Olivia, Spring 2010

Posted on September 15, 2009 by daneen in Blush, Eye Shadow, Fashion, Fashion Week, Hair Styling, Highlighter, Lipgloss, Lips, Lipstick, Shoes | Leave a comment

For the Alice + Olivia Spring 2010 presentation, MAC created two very different makeup looks. The first was a black super smoky eye, worn by The Plastiscines, who performed at the show.

The models, on the other hand, sported two different shades of pink shadow (Rosy Outlook and Perky) along with a white shade (Just So). Irridescent powder was applied to the cheekbones and the inner corner of the eye. Cream blush in So Sweet was blended onto the cheek, and the above pink shadows were blended together and layered on top. The brow shape was kept natural and kept in place with brow gel.

Angel Lipstick (Kim Kardashian‘s fave) was applied to lips, with Lipglass in Underage and English Accent on top. Silver dust was also mixed with moisturizer and applied to the entire body, for a ethereal glow.

Key Makeup Artist Nadine Luke emphasized that the look flatters a wide range of complexions, as evidenced by my backstage photos.

“The hair for Alice + Olivia is a crossroads of edgy and girly,” said Frédéric Fekkai. “We created a look for funky, confident women.”

Andre Rodman, Lead Stylist for Fekkai added a fun, punky edginess to the s weet, girly looks at the Alice + Olivia show. To get the look Andre twirled crimped hair around a double barreled iron in a figure eight pattern. He then pulled the front piece to the side, smoothed it with Fekkai Coiff Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Crème and secured it neatly with jeweled pins. Finally, Andre set the style using Full Blown Volume Lifting Hairspray.

nyfw1+014 New York Fashion Week: Alice & Olivia, Spring 2010

Alice + Olivia for Payless shoes

How darling are these labels?

These boots were made for Payless…and that’s just where they’ll be.
One of these days these boots are gonna come on home with me.

Impossibly chic booties – for cheap (also for Payless)!

Katty Besnard, lead singer of the Plastiscines (note the sooty black eyes)

#NYFW

mark Urban Neutrals Fall 2009 Flip For It

Posted on August 28, 2009 by daneen in Blush, Eye Shadow, Lipgloss, Lips, Lipstick | Leave a comment

mark introduces the new Urban Neutrals Fall 2009 Flip For It!

Get gorgeous on the go by carrying all your essentials in this surprisingly little case that includes the season’s perfect hues for lips, cheeks and eyes. The collection is filled with coordinating urban neutral tones with a twist, for a flirty, feminine look. Mix and match shades to your heart’s content and create a personalized look that is perfectly flattering on a range of skin tones.

The kit ($20) contains 2 Lip Color Shades, 2 Lip Gloss Shades, 2 Eye Shadow Shades and 1 Cheek Shade.

Darac TourQuam 3-D Face Sculpting Brush, Nothing Compares 2 U

Posted on August 25, 2009 by daneen in Blush, Bronzer, Holy Grail, Makeup Brush | Leave a comment

After using Darac’s TourQuam 3-D Face Sculpting Brush, I have one thing to say to all of the other makeup brushes on the market: you should be ashamed of yourselves.

For applying powder products, nothing compares to the TourQuam brush. Nothing.

This Jetsons-esque tool has a magnet hidden in the handle. Because all powders have an iron oxide, magnetic base, this brush attracts the perfect amount of product. Which means no wasting your precious powders. And no more tapping and blowing on the bristles to avoid looking like a character straight outta Kabuki theater. So not necessary.

Seriously…even you unintentionally heavy-handed makeup junkies will be amazed at how this brush keeps your ‘more is more’ tendencies in check.

Lately, I’ve been using this brush in tandem with my LORAC TANtalizer Baked Matte Satin Bronzer and Fresh Freshface Blush Powder – and I can honestly say that my golden glow and flushed cheeks have never looked more natural.

Darac TourQuam 3-D Face Sculpting Brush, nothing compares 2 u!

Darac products are available at QVC and daracbeauty.com.

Shu Uemura Primitribe

Posted on August 25, 2009 by daneen in Blush, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, Lashes, Lips, Lipstick, Nail Polish, Nails | Leave a comment

Infused with the prevailing spirit engendered by its founder that “modes have a right to break rules,” the premier beauty brand, named for its creator Mr. Shu Uemura, introduces “primitribe” (primitive+tribe), its 129th mode make-up collection.

Trained directly under Mr. Shu Uemura, international artistic director Kakuyasu Uchiide, continues to challenge the notions of the expected, taking us on an exploration that goes beyond the traditional borders of “seasonal makeup.”

With his creation of primitribe, Uchiide leads us to a land filled with a unique product mixture that brims with adventurous and vibrant colors, rich textures and elaborately adorned packaging.

For Eyes

Primal Color Stick ($30) – Cream to powder texture glides on easily to create smoky shadows or add shimmering radiance. Unique diagonally cut tip achieves maximum decoration. Available in four limited-edition shades: Blazed Gold, Misty Grove, Rich Earth and Night Maroon

Painting Liner ($40) – Ultra smooth-glide gel-type eyeliner in colors inspired by gems from the wild’s of nature. Decorate your eye line with lucent accents or blend in varying degrees. Match with color stick for a treasure trove of impact. Available in two limited-edition shades: Citrine and Turquoise

Primal Mix Eyelashes ($25) – Long lashes in natural dark colors become amulets for the eyes. Interspersed with flashes of blue, pink, light green and yellow color. Cut into any desired width and apply on top or bottom lashes to enjoy various accents on eyes.

For Face

Primal Mix Blush ($24) – Duo-color blush mixes a fresh tone with a soft terracotta tone to create a perfect harmony to add a healthy, warm and natural glow to skin. Available in three limited-edition shades: Rhythm, Soul and Echo
For Lips

Rouge Unlimited Lipstick ($23) – An inviting selection of shades inspired by wild fruits at different stages of ripening. Muted colors complement a healthy skin tone. Natural dewy sheer finish. Two new shades!

For Nails

Nail Enamel Supplement Mineral ($16) – An exquisite face is complemented by nails adorned with a caravan of vibrant colors caressed by the sun. Two new shades!

shu+uemura+primitribe+product+shot Shu Uemura Primitribe

Twilight Beauty Product Photos

Posted on August 14, 2009 by daneen in Blush, Eye Shadow, Lipgloss, Lipstick | Leave a comment

As previously reported, Twilight Beauty, a new cosmetics brand themed after the series of films, will launch two lines debuting this Fall: Luna Twilight and Volturi Twilight. The two lines will be available in conjunction with the release of the second film, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, which arrives in theaters on November 20, 2009.

Luna Twilight reflects the mood and spirit of the saga’s iconic female characters, presenting a collection that creates a harmonious blend between soft, natural beauty and stunning, fierce splendor. Notable products from the Luna Twilight line include First Light Body and Face Glow for radiant illumination and Gleam Metallic Mascara for captivating lashes.

The crowning jewels of the Luna Twilight collection are found in the four Color Palettes ($28), designed to reflect the mood and spirit of the iconic female characters from the Twilight saga, bringing together a harmonious collection for lips, cheeks and eyes. Apply each lip and eye color separately or layer them both for a dimensional effect. Powder blush should be applied just behind the apples of the cheeks and blended along the cheekbone.

Bella: Soft and Subtle with nude shadows, warm nude blush, nude lipstick and the sheerest cherry red gloss

Alice: Eclectic and Spunky with shimmering blue and silver shadows, rosy blush and sheer hot pink lips

Rosalie: Regal and Refined with peach toned shadows, a coral blush and apricot lipsticks and gloss

Victoria: Bold and Fiery with shimmering jewel-toned shadows and deep wine colored lipstick and gloss

Volturi Twilight offers entry into Twilight’s exclusive coven through use of the Volturi family crest as the brand’s logo. The line features Foreshadow Primer, an ultra-sheer eye base that provides the ultimate prep for a smoother, crease-proof eye shadow application that is coupled with loose glitter dust, called Labrynth Shadows. The highly pigmented loose powder shadows and the lid primer are housed in stackable pots, providing the ability to mix and match the colors to create personal, one-of-a-kind eye shadow favorites. Other standouts include Deity Body Lotion, Immortal Body Shimmer and Crown Mascara.

Luna Twilight will be available September 15, 2009 at Dillard’s and Nordstrom. Volturi Twilight will be available September 15, 2009 through specialty retailers. Both lines will be sold at TwilightBeauty.com, the exclusive website for both lines.

Update: Twilight Venom lip plumper, a collaboration between DuWop and Twilight Beauty, is available NOW at Sephora.com!