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
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
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
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
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
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
You know your retractable lip brush? The cheap gold one where the tip falls off every time you use it? The one that deposits more hairs on your lips than pigment? Yeah, that lip brush. Here’s my advice to you…th’ow it out, as my mother would say.
I mean, why would you keep holding on to a beauty tool that makes your mouth look a hot mess when you can replace it with one that makes you look hot, period?
Chic, sleek and the perfect definition of form meets function. The brush opens to reveal a full size lip brush with just one click – and slides back after use into a fully protected casing. Perfect for on the go application for your busy life!
It’s my holy grail retractable lip brush. Go get you one – and while you’re there, pick up one of Beauty Addicts’ RelationLIPS palettes. I’m partial to ExpressLIPS, a combination of four nudes (buff, rosy-gold, cream and bronze) that make for the inherently sexy Angelina kisser.
Just don’t apply the liner with the “professional brush” that accompanies these paint pots. The applicator is, dare I say, cheap. It doesn’t apply the product precisely – and I would liken it to those shoddy brushes we used to paint watercolor masterpieces in the kindergarten. Worst of all, the harsh bristles have a tendency to scratch the sensitive skin of the eyelid…ouch!
Bottom line: Buy HiP High Intensity Pigments Color Truth Cream Eyeliner but toss the brush. For a few extra bucks, invest in EcoTools Bamboo Angled Eyeliner Brush – this high-quality tool comes at a low price, is made of natural and recycled materials, and comes in a reusable cosmetic pouch.
Dagnabit, MAC. Don’t you know we’re not made of money? You keep churning out kick-ass collections. We remain broke, but beautiful. Thanks a lot.
Visa card, I’d like to introduce you to MAC Electro Flash. Electro Flash, meet my worn-out Visa card.
Short-circuit expectations. X-ray vision means you see ahead of the rest. Electricity is our most precious resource…everybody, electrified! Light up this world, and the next!
Electro Flash Mineralize Eye Shadow in nine new duos with unblinking courage, in convincing new combinations: tri-colorr shimmer minerals with marble shine – plus a monoshade on the other side. Add Lipglass and Lipstick finishes with quantum physics energy, in companion colors and electro-lustres.
Lipstick Vanity’s Child: Sheer pale beige with pearl (Lustre) Fast Thrill: Frosty clean mid-tone pink with pearl (Frost) Mellow Mood: Glossy mid-tone dirty pink with pearl (Lustre) Dangerously Hot: Creamy deep brown red (Amplified)
Lipglass Cultureclash: Frosty clear baby pink with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost)
Major Minor: Frosty mid-tone beige with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost)
Sonic Vibe: Frosty mid-tone pink with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost)
Li’ Hot Pepper: Frosty burnt red with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost)
Mineralize Eye Shadow (Duo) Play on Plums Mélange/Mono: Peachy gold with pink and bronze veining/Bronzed burgundy mono
Sea & Sky Mélange/Mono: Silvery pale blue with deep blue and silver veining/Bright blue mono
Hot Contrast Mélange/Mono: Dirty red with silver and black veining/Black mono
Love Connection Mélange/Mono: Pale beige with gold and blue veining/Warm gold mono
Two to Glow Mélange/Mono: Dirty bronze with pink and orange veining/Orange mono
Odd Couple Mélange/Mono: Warm gold with lavender and bronze veining/Purple mono
Polar Opposites Mélange/Mono: Dirty purple with silver, indigo and pink veining/True silver mono Fresh Green Mix Mélange/Mono: Golden olive with blue, gold and aqua veining/Lime mono
Pink Split Mélange/Mono: Dirty rose with bronze and pale blue veining/Pink with gold pearl mono
Brush 227 Large Fluff: Large size paddle with fluffed double chiseled, rounded tip.
Available International (except Asia): July 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com. Asia: August 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com.
MAC’s given birth to another new collection, aptly titled New View.
Natural and Shimmer. The split personality of powder to sheerly and subtly perfect skin with dimensionality and mineralized starshine. These Mineralize Skinfinish duos are state-of-the-art simplicity, high-resolution finish.
Unlike most powders that are pressed into traditional metal pans, Mineralize Skinfinish is molded onto small round terracotta tiles and carefully baked for 24 hours, allowing for an exceptionally sheer and light application. The Natural portion of the duo will provide a dimensional yet natural matte-finish, while the shimmer portion will add buffed-up highlights to cheeks and brows, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face. This unique powder contains vitamin A and E derivatives, which help buffer the skin from environmental aggression and jojoba oil, which calms and soothes the skin. This product can be used on face or body and is appropriate for all skin types. Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested. Use with the 189 Face Brush. With its rounded paddle and chiseled edges, it’s perfect for precise blending and sculpting.
Mineralize Skinfinish Light Medium/Natural and Shimmer: Pale golden beige/Warm yellow beige
Dark/and Shimmer: Deep caramel/Mid-tone yellow gold
Deep Dark/Natural and Shimmer: Rich golden bronze/Deep copper bronze
Brush 189 Face Brush: Rounded-paddle face brush with chiseled shape on each side for effortless placement and blending of product. Very soft synthetic bristles can even be used by those with sensitive skins. May be used with almost all MAC powder forms and other light emulsions and liquid foundations.
Available International (except Asia): July 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com. Asia: August 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com.
This collection of Mineralize Blush is reminiscent of an end of summer sunset: warm, soft, shimmering shades of pink, gold and bronze that take you right into fall without skipping a step. The baked powder formula allows for exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. It builds color without heavy coverage. Super-fine provides soft shimmer on skin. The blush enhances and veils the cheekbones for a luminous complexion. Can be worn on face, eyes and/or body. Use with the 181 Buffer Brush for flawless blending, even color. Everyday-efficient, travel-size small, it’s built for speed.
Mineralize Blush Dainty: Light yellow pink with gold pearl (frost) Warm Soul: Midtone beige with gold pearl (frost) Nuance: Midtone peach with gold pearl (frost) Gleeful: Deep dirty blue pink with gold pearl (frost) Gentle: Raspberry with gold pearl (frost) Love Joy: Warm midtone brown with gold pearl (frost) Merrily: Midtone dirty (burned) red with gold pearl (frost) Pleasantry: Intense midtone blue pink with gold pearl (frost) Love Thing: Dirty burgundy with gold pearl (frost)
Brush 181 Small Buffer Brush: Ultra-soft natural, rounded dome tip brush for application of Blush and Powder. Smaller version of existing 182 Buffer Brush.
Available International (except Asia): July 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com. Asia: August 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com.
Urban Decay’s Summer 2008 Collection is the chronic. With product names like “Big Fatty,”Baked,” and “Blaze” – you know you wanna try it. It’ll make you feel good, feel good…
Pops of color are in style this season…and Big Fatty Colored Mascara is the perfect way to embrace that trend. Available in four bold, but wearable shades, Big Fatty thickens and lengthens lashes. Electric Blue and Indigo flatter brown and blue eyes, Purple Haze compliment green-eyed gals, and burgundy adds drama to any eye color. I’m a total Electric Blue groupie, and when I’m feeling bold, I pair it with 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Deviant.
“A colored mascara is the perfect summer beauty uniform. I slick a little on when I’m in a rush or headed out to thebeach and instantly get a ‘just enough makeup to look pretty, but not so much that I’m trying too hard’ look. And it adds aseductive, enigmatic little edge to those minimal makeup days of summer,” says Wende Zomnir, Executive Creative Director at Urban Decay.
Urban Decay created two new eyeshadow shades, Blaze and Rush, to compliment the summer line. Blaze (golden peach) and Rush (medium coppery bronze) are smooth, richly pigmented and apply like a dream. To keep from slipping off your lid in humid weather, prep the eye with Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
De-Slick Mattifying Powder is one of the Co-Founder’s favorite products…and mine too, because you know that I’m one shiny beauty blogger come summertime. This shine-thwarting pressed powder contains lightweight, oil-absorbing rice powder. Use it on bare skin or over your foundation. The light purple shaded powder applies invisibly and won’t cake.
Baked Bronzer in Guilded gives you a baked, toasty glow without the threat of skin damage. And it’s literally baked in an Italian oven on a tiny terra cotta disc for 24 hours, then hand-finished by a factory full of motherly Italian women. The result is an ultra-smooth, sheer-finish bronzer that can be used on the face and body and applied wet or dry!
The Big Buddha Brush is Urban Decay’s answer to the kabuki brush. Bronze arms and legs with one sweep, dust on loose powder, or highlight shoulders and décolleté. Big Buddha features soft synthetic white fibers, tipped with purple, giving the brush a unique ombre effect.
Santa Tanita, Urban Decay’s imaginary saint of sunless tanning, answers your prayers for sun-kissed skin. The Santa Tanita Tinted Sunless Tanning Mousse instantly bronzes face and body, while a gradual self tanner goes to work, building a lasting tan that darkens with time. The moisturizing formula was created for both the face and body, and it won’t rub off onto clothes.
Glamour beams across the universe via solar bits: transforming free-formed clusters of rich pigment and pearl. Applies shine and sparkle to eyes, cheeks wherever you want highlights. Crush for full color and sparkle effect; for a light shimmer, sweep your brush over the top of the clusters. Wear with skin made provocatively golden through bronzing powder in solar riche and refined golden. Apply with 168 and 239 application brushes.
Solar Bits Sunpower: Light metallic tan with gold pearl Black Ore: Rich black with gold pearl Bronzescape: Clean yellow brown with gold pearl Scatterrays: Soft metallic peach with gold pearl Suggested Retail Price: $19.50
Bronzing Powder Refined Golden: Finely spun golden with soft pearl finish Solar Riche: Mid-tone deep orange brown with pearl Suggested Retail Price: $20.00
