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

Dry Skin

Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream

Posted on by daneen in Dry Skin, Eczema, Holy Grail, Moisturizer, Skin Care | Leave a comment

clinique+comfort+on+call+allergy+tested+relief+cream Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief CreamA few weeks ago, my skin just up and decided to stage a mutiny. My upper body broke out in a rash. From my hairline all the way down to my torso, I was covered in itchy, sandpaper-like bumps (I now suspect eczema was the culprit). My lips didn’t even escape unscathed; they were bumpy and inflated to almost twice their normal size. And on the worst day, my left eye was so swollen and droopy, I looked like a female Forest Whitaker.

As the days wore on, the bumps started to dry out and my skin became dessicated and extremely flaky. It was as if I was a snake, shedding an exoskeleton. The dryness of my face was unbearable. With every facial expression or movement of my mouth, it seemed like my skin would literally tear; it was so painful. Up until this point, I had only been using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – as it was all that my traumatized skin could handle. But it begged for more, so I dug through my skin care arsenal looking for a moisturizer substantial enough to quench my skin’s thirst, but gentle enough not to send it into another tizzy. I hit the jackpot when I came across a sample of Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream that the brand sent me a few months ago to review.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about this cream. My skin is the true testament. After just a few days of using Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream, I started to recognize the reflection in the mirror again. And now that the rash (and its remnants) are almost gone, I continue to apply the cream after cleansing in the AM and PM.

According to Clinique, I’ve got their “exclusive, patent-pending Enviro-Soothe™ Complex” to thank for soothing and saving my face. Clinique also promises that when “used over time, it strengthens skin’s lipid barrier to support natural healing.”

Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream also works wonders on dry, cracked hands. I can’t think of a better winter skin care pick than this one; it earns Holy Grail status. If you suffer from reactive, sensitive or dry skin, you’d be a smart gal to add it to your shopping list.

Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream is available at clinique.com, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom.

Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Shower Cream and Body Cream

Posted on by daneen in Bath and Body, Discounts, Dry Skin | Leave a comment

bath+and+body+works+triple+moisture+shower+and+body+cream Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Shower Cream and Body CreamAs I reported a few weeks back, Bath & Body Works recently reformulated their Shower Cream and Body Cream, with a triple moisture complex moisturizes skin all day and also shows visible improvement in skin’s radiance and feel. This week, the new stock makes its way to real and virtual shelves.

The new Triple Moisture Shower Cream is the ultimate luxuriously hydrating body cleanser. With rich, creamy moisture and a gentle kiss of fragrance, this pampering treatment works hard to nourish skin while you shower. With natural soybean oil, milk proteins, rice bran oil and acai berry, it leaves your skin feeling deeply moisturized and soft as silk.

The new Triple Moisture Body Cream is fortified with an exclusive Triple Moisture Complex of conditioning milk proteins, hydrating rice bran oil and protective acai berry extract, our Signature Triple Moisture Body Cream provides deep, 24-hour moisture that softens even the driest skin. And the non-greasy formula deeply conditions, leaving skin moisturized, fragrant, and more beautiful than ever before.

Right now, buy two and get one free…or buy three and get two free! I don’t know about you, but I’m going to take this opportunity to replenish my stock. For dry skin, I really don’t think it gets better than this body wash and lotion (Japanese Cherry Blossom, Butterfly Flower and Moonlight Path are my personal faves).

Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel: Don’t Judge a Cleanser By Its Label

Posted on by daneen in Acne, Cleanser, Dry Skin, Skin Care | Leave a comment

vichy+normaderm+deep+cleansing+gel Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel: Dont Judge a Cleanser By Its LabelWhen it comes to skin care, there’s only one thing scarier to me than benzoyl peroxide in the ingredient list (I’m severely allergic)…and that’s the words “deep cleansing” on the label.

All of the deep cleaning cleansers I’ve used have left my skin feeling desiccated and looking like peeling paint. So when I received a sample of Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel, I almost gifted it to one of my friends. But I’m glad that I decided to give it a whirl because it’s absolutely fabulous.

Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel sucks the dirt and grime out of pores without sucking the life out of your skin. When you rinse it off, your face feels refreshingly clean – never dry and tight. I highly recommend it – especially for dry, acne prone complexions.

Now, kids…what’s the moral of this story? Don’t judge a cleanser by its label.

Class dismissed.

Kiehl’s Friends & Family: Take 20% Off 6/12 – 6/16

Posted on by daneen in Coupon Code, Discounts, Dry Skin, Lotion, Sale | Leave a comment
kiehls+friends+and+family Kiehls Friends & Family: Take 20% Off 6/12   6/16
Might I make a suggestion? Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion smells divine and hydrates like all get out. Friends don’t let friends look ashy.

Winners of the Amala Giveaway!

Posted on by daneen in Contest, Dry Skin, Eco-friendly, Giveaway, Skin Care | Leave a comment
amala+beauty+hydrate Winners of the Amala Giveaway!

Congrats to Jill Holden and Joanna Smith, winners of Spoiled Pretty’s Amala giveaway. Jill and Joanna will receive:

amala Winners of the Amala Giveaway!Hydrating Cream Cleanser
Hydrate dry skin while gently removing makeup and impurities with this comforting cleansing cream. The whole botanical ingredients help soothe and restore moisture for clean, soft, radiant skin.

Hydrating Toner

Revive and rehydrate skin with this refreshing toner. Soothing floral waters and whole plant extracts help refine pores and restore moisture to soften and comfort skin.

Hydrating Face Cream
Quench dull, dry skin by helping to restore its natural moisture and elasticity with this creamy hydrating treatment. Whole plant ingredients restore elasticity and protect skin from dehydration for lasting smoothness.

Many thanks to Amala for generously sponsoring this giveaway!

Check back soon for Spoiled Pretty’s next giveaway.

When Life Hands You Lemons: Be Fine Rough Spot Lemon Balm

Posted on by daneen in Don't Waste Your Money, Dry Skin, Feet | Leave a comment

be+fine+rough+spot+lemon+balm When Life Hands You Lemons: Be Fine Rough Spot Lemon BalmIt’s human nature to be seduced by pretty packaging. And we gullible homo sapiens expect that inside said exterior, we’ll find something equally fabulous. Unfortunately, this misguided tendency is the reason why beauty buffs, like myself, end up knee deep in products we were so excited to buy, open and use that don’t live up to our expectations.

Such is the case of Be Fine’s Rough Spot Lemon Balm. The packaging looks like a lemon; it’s so realistic-looking that if I left it lying around, Mr. Spoiled Pretty might take it upon himself to put it in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, the salve hidden inside is such a nothing-to-write-home-about product, it makes total sense that they worked so hard fashioning the container.

First, I assumed that the balm would actually smell fresh and citrusy…and it does, if you sniff really, really hard. Secondly, you literally have to dig the balm out with your fingernail to get any product in your hands. Finally, the balm is so greasy, it’s a hazard to your clothing, couch and carpet.

burts+bees+coconut+foot+creme When Life Hands You Lemons: Be Fine Rough Spot Lemon BalmSo what’s a beauty addict to do when life hands her lemons? Yep…make lemonade. So I dug into the salve with my nail and spread that grease balm all over my heels, arches and toes. Then I covered my tootsies with some old gym socks and let it marinate for a bit. Twenty minutes later, I did a preliminary check and was shocked to find that my feet had completely absorbed all of the product – but they didn’t feel softer or more moisturized…not at all.

Rough Spot Lemon Balm was disappointing – on so many levels – that I cannot recommend this product, despite the package’s high kitsch factor. One thing the product did accomplish, though, was to remind me about the awesomeness of Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Crème.

Slather it on, slide on some socks and hit the hay. In the morning, you’ll swear the magic foot fairy made a late-night house call.

Recessionista’s Fabuless Picks of the Week

Posted on by daneen in Baby, Body Wash, Dry Skin, Eczema, Fabuless Pick of the Week | 3 Comments

johnsons+oatmeal+vanilla Recessionistas Fabuless Picks of the Week
I’m eczema prone in the wintertime, so I can’t be sudsing up with just any old body cleanser this time of year. Last month, while shopping at CVS for wrapping paper, I came across Johnson’s Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash, and quickly snatched it off the shelf. For centuries, oats have been used to soothe, protect and moisturize dry and irritated skin; so I figured if this body wash contains oatmeal and is gentle enough for infants, it couldn’t hurt. I’m glad that I took a chance because this bottle o’ bubbles is just what the dermatologist ordered. The creamy formula lathers up nice (sans sodium lauryl sulfate) thoroughly cleanses without stripping, the oatmeal relieves my itchy scratchies and the subtle vanilla scent is warm and comforting. And for less than $5, it’s this recessionista’s pick of the week. And it’s even more fabuless if you actually have a baby…you can share!

palmers+oil Recessionistas Fabuless Picks of the WeekAfter you emerge from the shower/bath, do yourself a favor and don’t dry yourself completely. Pat your skin with a towel so that there’s still some moisture on the skin – then apply Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil all over your body. This preservative-free, lightweight formula contains an exclusive blend of key ingredients for scars, stretch marks, dry, damaged skin, uneven skin tone, aging skin, lines and wrinkles. The oil locks in moisture; your skin will look and feel soft, with a radiant sheen. The product sinks in on contact and the formula is non-greasy and non-staining, so you needn’t wait to get dressed. The scent is to die for (like a frothy black and white milkshake) and it’s only $10.99 for a 5.1 oz bottle!



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