Susana Monaco Flutter Tube Dress


I just had to share how much I adore this Susana Monaco 'Flutter Tube Dress' I just bought from Shopbop.com.  I'm usually very hesitant to buy clothing online because I'm short and curvy and I can't be assured that something will look right until I try it on. And even when I do buy clothes off the Internet, they're CONTINUE READING

Kiehl's Friends & Family 2013


It's Friends & Family time at Kiehl's, so if you a fan of their amazing skincare, bath & body and hair products like I am, now is the time to stock up. If you're never tried Kiehl's...gurl, this is the perfect time to get acquainted. Get 20% off all of your purchases at a Kiehl’s freestanding store or on Kiehls.com CONTINUE READING

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

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Foundation

New From Fresh: Umbrian Clay Freshface Foundation & Brown Sugar Body Cream

Posted on May 1, 2009 by daneen in Bath and Body, Foundation, Lotion | Leave a comment

I absolutely adore Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Treatment and Brown Sugar Body Polish. So when I learned that the brand recently launched Umbrian Clay Freshface Foundation and Brown Sugar Body Cream, I immediately added them to my Sephora shopping list.

fresh+umbrian+clay+foundation New From Fresh: Umbrian Clay Freshface Foundation & Brown Sugar Body Cream

Umbrian Clay Freshface Foundation SPF 20 is a purifying and balancing treatment foundation that refines and hydrates the skin, while providing natural-looking coverage for a flawless finish. Fresh’s exclusive Umbrian Clay removes impurities from the skin to refine, nourish, and balance the complexion while Porphyridium Cruentum, a micro-algae extract, retains optimal moisture levels throughout the day. Your skin will be left fresh and radiant, with visibly reduced fine lines, noticeably improved skin tone, and with SPF 20 UV protection.

fresh+brown+sugar+body+cream New From Fresh: Umbrian Clay Freshface Foundation & Brown Sugar Body Cream

Brown Sugar Body Cream is an ultra-rich, indulgent moisturizer that leaves skin super soft and supple. It is enriched with apricot kernel, sweet almond, evening primrose, and jojoba oils that nourish the skin to silky perfection. An addictive and iconic scent completes the luxurious experience and will keep you coming back for more.

Can’t Wait To Try: Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF15

Posted on March 17, 2009 by daneen in Foundation, Hyperpigmentation | Leave a comment

clinique+even+better+makeup+spf15 Can’t Wait To Try: Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF15Last April, Clinique gave us Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, a lightweight serum that gently erases skin discolorations. This spring, the brand unveils something even better than Even Better.

Wear oil-free, dermatologist-developed Even Better Makeup SPF 15 and something amazing happens: Without any makeup, see improved clarity, a more even skin tone, visibly diminished age spots. For all ethnicities. In just 4 to 6 weeks. For continued benefits—even after you take it off—partner with Even Better Skin Tone Corrector.

Even Better Makeup SPF 15 ( $24.50), available in 15 shades, is sold at department stores, Sephora, and clinique.com.

Coming Soon From MAC: Well-Defined Collection

Posted on January 29, 2009 by daneen in Concealer, Foundation, Makeup Brush, Primer | Leave a comment

mac+well+defined Coming Soon From MAC: Well Defined Collection
Well-Defined brings to life over two years of work backstage in the lab to perfect our newest foundation and concealer. Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation is a rich, luxurious Cream Foundation in tube. This lush uniquely textured foundation delivers ultimate hydration while instantly revitalizing dull and dry skin. Smooth and even application yields a medium buildable coverage with a natural-satin finish. It’s paired with Studio Sculpt Concealer, which provides full-coverage that never becomes dry and cakey with a gel-based cream formula slips onto skin, effortlessly hiding imperfections.

“Studio Sculpt Foundation has fused new advancements in technology with innovative plant-based extracts to create a lush, luxurious new cream-gel foundation that delivers comfortable, weightless and flawless coverage,” says Nick Gavrelis, MAC’s Vice President of Global Product Development. “Makeup artists and women customers alike can easily achieve blendable medium coverage, with a luminous, satiny finish.”

Gordon Espinet, MAC’s Vice President of Global Makeup Artistry shares this application tip for the non-professional user: “Begin with a pea size amount on the back of your hand, and use any foundation brush to apply onto hydrated skin. Mix in a bit of your favorite moisturizer (try Strobe Cream or Strobe Liquid), which will create a sheer, luminous finish that makes skin appear to be candlelit. Use any MAC concealer over areas that need additional coverage.”

wd3 Coming Soon From MAC: Well Defined Collection
STUDIO SCULPT SPF 15 FOUNDATION
NC 15, NC 20, NC 25, NC 30, NC 35, NC 37, NC 40, NC 42, NC 44, NC 45,NC 50, NC 55, NW15, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW43,NW45, NW47, NW50, NW55
Suggested Retail Price: $28.00

wd4 Coming Soon From MAC: Well Defined Collection
STUDIO SCULPT CONCEALER
NC 15, NC 20, NC 30, NC 35, NC 42, NC 45, NC 50, NW15, NW20, 25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW45, NW50
Suggested Retail Price: $16.50

191 FOUNDATION BRUSH
Large, flat, square shaped synthetic-fibre brush with a fine, firm edge for distribution and blending of liquid, emulsion or cream products on the face or body.
Suggested Retail Price: $32.00

wd1 Coming Soon From MAC: Well Defined Collection
195 CONCEALER BRUSH
Flexible, synthetic flat brush with slight pointed tip for application and blending of all concealer formulas and other emollient products.
Suggested Retail Price: $22.00

wd2 Coming Soon From MAC: Well Defined Collection
PREP + PRIME SKIN
Suggested Retail Price: $23.00

Available February 7, 2009 at all MAC locations and at maccosmetics.com.

Award Winning FOTD

Posted on December 5, 2008 by daneen in Blush, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, Foundation, Lipgloss, Mascara, Moisturizer, Primer | 5 Comments

FOTD+2 Award Winning FOTD
Last night, I attended the PRSA/Philadelphia Pepperpot Awards – a celebration of outstanding performance in public relations by practitioners in agencies, industry, government, and non-profit organizations. The American Cancer Society’s Marketing Department (of which I am a member) was nominated for our efforts to pass Clean Indoor Air (smoke-free) legislation in Pennsylvania.

The Pepperpot Award has grown into one of the most coveted awards in the field of public relations, so I pulled out the big guns and went all out with my makeup. It’s a good thing I did, because my team ended up winning first place in the Public Affairs category! Yay us!

And the icing on the cake? Charm City Cakes, the bakery featured in the Food Network series, Ace of Cakes, created a magnificent confection that looked just like an actual pepperpot!

Here are the products I used to create my award-winning look:

Skin/Face:

90s Ladies Week: Clueless About Foundation? As If!

Posted on November 19, 2008 by daneen in 90s Ladies Week, Foundation | 3 Comments

clueless 90s Ladies Week: Clueless About Foundation? As If!
For the second installment of 90s Ladies Week, I draw inspiration from one of my most beloved movies. A modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, starring one Alicia Silverstone. Maybe you’ve heard of it. Yes, I’m talking about Clueless – the movie that defined a generation and introduced my sixteen-year-old self to the genius of Azzedine Alaia, the ever adorable Paul Rudd, and a host of notable quotables that remain on the tip of my tongue thirteen years later. Does this convo ring any bells?

Tai: Do you think she’s pretty?
Cher: No, she’s a full-on Monet.
Tai: What’s a Monet?
Cher: It’s like the painting, see? From far away, it’s OK, but up close, it’s a big old mess.

make+up+for+ever+hd+foundation 90s Ladies Week: Clueless About Foundation? As If!Don’t be a Monet like Cher’s nemesis, Amber (not to be confused with my bestie, Amber – who’s a total Betty). My new favorite foundation, Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation ensures that you look flawless – in any light, from far away, up close and even in High Definition. The oil-free, medium-to-full-coverage formula creates a soft-focus effect that softens lines and blurrs imperfections. Available in 25 shades to match all skintones. My color is #173, coincidentally named Amber.

On Friday, while having dinner with Señor Spoiled Pretty, he couldn’t stop commenting on how perfectly luminous my skin looked. I’m paraphrasing, of course – but this was a big deal, as Graham hardly comments on my makeup. Thanks to my hubby’s ringing endorsement, HD Invisible Cover has become my foundation of choice. Hopefully, moving forward, his compliments won’t be so sporadic*.

Make Up Forever is available at Sephora.

Remember to surf on over to Beauty Blogging Junkie for Amber’s 90s movie inspired beauty product review.

* “Sporadic means once in a while. Try using it in a sentence.”

 

Carissa’s Bridal Makeup Must-Haves: Day 2

Posted on April 30, 2008 by daneen in Bridal, Foundation | Leave a comment

Carissa Carissas Bridal Makeup Must Haves: Day 2
Carissa, writer and editor of Hooked On Beauty and professional makeup artist has this tip for brides-to-be:

Kett Hydro Foundation Carissas Bridal Makeup Must Haves: Day 2Perfect skin is essential, and Kett Cosmetics’ Hydro Foundation is what I use to achieve the skin we all wish we had. It’s designed for HDTV, so the close up shots won’t reveal anything you don’t want it to.

To learn more about Carissa and her services, visit coloradoweddingmakeup.com.

PS – Don’t forget to enter the Ultimate Bridal Beauty Basket giveaway!

Guest Post: BareMinerals Get Started Kit

Posted on February 1, 2008 by daneen in Coupon Code, Discounts, Foundation | Leave a comment

getstarted Guest Post: BareMinerals Get Started Kit
The following review comes courtesy of guest blogger, Kim Stanley. Enjoy!

Are you looking for a foundation that is natural and lightweight? I checked out Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Get Started Kit to see what all the fuss was about.

With bareMinerals’ Get Started Kit you can color, contour, and correct flaws. The Beyond the Basics Kit takes the bareMinerals’ experience to the next level (my next review).

I created a natural look in 5 steps:

1) I used the skin rev-er upper before applying my moisturizer;
2) pre-concealed under eye circles, blotches and other discolorations using the foundation with the full-coverage concealer brush;
3) applied foundation (tan) with the full-coverage kabuki brush until I achieved the coverage I wanted;
4) applied the warmth all-over color with the flawless face brush; and
5) applied the mineral veil (warm) as a finishing powder with the flawless brush to reduce shine and achieve a polished look.

Helpful Tips: Get color matched by a professional and ask questions. Next, watch the DVD, that is included in the kit, several times to get familiar with the products and techniques. Remove daily makeup and oil from your brushes by using make up brush cleansing wipes; a good one to try is by the Sephora brand.

Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals foundation is a nice change from typical foundation and offered the most flexibility I have ever experienced applying makeup. Depending on my mood, event or skin condition I can layer on as much product as needed. However, darker skin tones may find that the foundation can appear ashy.

The bareMinerals foundation has good coverage, good concealment and was weightless on my face. It didn’t take long to master the techniques but it took practice achieving the finer points to look polished and pulled together. The kit is a bit pricey at $60, but retails for $181 and is worth every penny.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: For a limited-time only, Sephora is offering free shippng on Bare Escentuals’ Get Started Kits – just enter promo code GETSTARTED at checkout.



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