Mascara

New From Besame: Gingerbread 1930s Waterproof Mascara

Posted on May 7, 2008 by daneen in Gift With Purchase, Mascara | Leave a comment

Gingerbread isn’t something the average person would naturally associate with this time of year. But Besame is about to change all that.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Besame introduces their new Gingerbread 1930s Waterproof Mascara. Originally developed in the 30s, it contains only 8 ingredients (paraben-free and allergy-tested) to impart gorgeous and defined lashes. The formula is waterproof, but washes off easily with a mild cleaner. The “gingerbread” refers to the conditioning oils (which won’t irritate eyes and smell heavenly), not the color; food grade colorants give this mascara a deep, glossy black hue.

And the best part is that Gingerbread Mascara’s clump-free formula can be layered to your desired thickness and won’t smear.

As a special introductory Mother’s Day Set, Gingerbread Mascara is packaged with Besame’s exclusive Satin Roll and Mini Lip Glaze*. This set is a $40 value for $24, and the promotion runs through May 31st.

*Glaze color may vary.

The Motherload Giveaway!

Posted on May 6, 2008 by daneen in Contest, Fragrance, Giveaway, Highlighter, Mascara, Perfume, Powder | 9 Comments

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate the woman who brought you into the world – and the lady who probably works your nerves more than any other. In honor of this special occasion, Spoiled Pretty is hosting another fabulous giveaway!

Three lucky ladies will win the motherload – a set of pretty prizes which includes:

Stila Multi-Effect Mascara is a true multi-tasker. It volumizes, lengthens, and curls with just the right amount of building power! Experience this ultimate mascara – and make a lash-ing impression.

Stila Face Contouring Trio is a set of three shading powders to sculpt your facial features. For a slimmed down nose, larger eyes, and sculpted cheek bones use both the light and dark matte shades with the highlighter flash.

Cynthia Rowley has teamed with Avon to create two new fashionable floral scents, aptly named Flower and Petal. The fragrances celebrate the bonds between women (especially mothers and daughters) everywhere. Flower is feminine and flirty, yet sophisticated. Every note was hand-picked by Cynthia herself, creating a bouquet of florals surrounded by warm woods and musks. The notes include: Casablanca Lily, Freesia, Cashmere Woods, Warm Vanilla, Skin Musk, Velvet Woods, and Sandalwood. “I like that the fragrance is complex, with so many disparate notes, but has such a simple name—Flower,” says Cynthia.

Petal is the bud to the grownup Flower. To create Petal, Cynthia wanted to take the essence of Flower and design a scent that was lighter with a more carefree sensibility. Her eight-year-old daughter even helped pick the notes that would make up the final bouquet. The result is a floral green fragrance that captures the innocent, youthful blush of freshly bloomed Lily of the Valley – and was made to be worn by young girls as well as women who are young at heart.

Each set is worth $103!

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Tell me what you love most about your mom or your favorite thing about being a mom – and attach a pic of you with your mom or your child(ren). I will be posting the photos of the winners…so don’t send a pic you don’t want published.

Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read “Motherload Giveaway.” The contest ends at midnight, May 10th. Winners will be chosen at from among the entrants. On Sunday, May 11th (Mother’s Day), I’ll announce the winners’ names. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents only.

Good luck!

SPINLASH!!!

Posted on April 14, 2008 by daneen in Mascara | 10 Comments

I’m addicted to magazines. No, really. I have a problem. Every month, I buy every fashion/beauty/celebrity gossip mag you can name and read them cover to cover. And I don’t subscribe because I can’t bear spying one of my faves on a magazine rack before it shows up in my mailbox. Yeah, it’s an expensive compulsion.

Anyway, my husband marvels how I can spend hours reading one of my mags. I dog-ear pages and take copious notes so that I can later share with all of you. For the past few months, I’ve been seeing these ads – towards the back of the magazine – for this new invention called SPINLASH. This mascara has a rotating brush that simultaneously separates, organizes, shapes, coats, lengthens and volumizes eyelashes. Allegedly. Sounds amazing, right? But how credible can this product be when it’s pictured right next to that weight-loss supplement ad (you know the one with the woman wearing the same neon bikini in her before and after pics)?

So I got my hands (and lashes) on SPINLASH to see if the product lives up to the hype. And to my surprise, it did! Here’s the dish…

SPINLASH uses a rotating rubber brush that simultaneously combs and coats lashes. The motion of the rotating brush is slow and steady, so there’s no need to fear putting this near your eyes. The brush rotates 360 degrees in both directions for upper and lower lashes, and to accommodate right and left-handed users. It comes with either black or brownish black mascara that is safe for contact lens wearers…but the best part about SPINLASH is that you can use it with your favorite mascara! Just use your mascara’s regular brush to apply to the SPINLASH brush…it’s really just that easy.

SPINLASH retails for $14.95 and is available at Target, CVS, Claire’s and other mass retailers nationwide – as well as at SPINLASH.com.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula

Posted on April 7, 2008 by daneen in Mascara | 2 Comments

Here’s a conundrum you probably can relate to:

You’re touching up your makeup and want to add some extra oomph to your lashes. You can’t just remove your eye makeup and start from scratch. But then again, applying a fresh coat of mascara on top of the old coat will lead to major clumps. What to do?

Try this tip from makeup artist, Molly R. Stern: Before reapplying mascara, wet your fingers slightly and moisten your lashes to soften the dried product. Then swipe on a fresh coat.

Or you could just apply Clinique’s new Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula in the AM for fresh-looking, fabulous lashes all day. It holds up for 24 hours and lasts through rain, humidity, sweat, and tears – but easily washes off with warm water. You’ll marvel at how weightless the wand feels in your hand. And if you’re looking for some serious lash lengthening and clump-free definition, look no further.

Available in Black Onyx and Dark Chocolate.

Here Comes The Bridal Kit – New From Bobbi Brown

Posted on March 4, 2008 by daneen in Bridal, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, Lipgloss, Makeup Brush, Makeup Case, Mascara | 2 Comments

Every year an average of 2.4 million weddings are performed in the United States. And June is the most popular month for marriages – accounting for 10.8% of weddings.

March may seem somewhat early to start thinking about wedding season. But, trust me – many June brides are already at their wits’ end, trying to decide on a makeup look that will be immortalized in their wedding photos and videos.

Last year at this time, I was preparing for my own nuptials – so I remember what an exciting, yet physically/mentally/emotionally taxing time it can be; I clearly recall agonizing over the makeup I would wear on my wedding day.

This Spring, Bobbi Brown, the bridal beauty authority, has done the hard work and assembled her wedding day must-haves in a new Bridal Kit. Exclusively designed with brides and their bridal parties in mind, the Bridal Kit contains special occasion essentials that flatter all complexions. The sleek white case includes: Ivory Eye Shadow, Black Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, Black No Smudge Mascara, Pink Sugar Shimmer Lip Gloss and a Short Handle Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush.

With the exception of the eye shadow, I own all of these products – and would highly recommend them to future brides. I’m speaking from experience, as I used a few Bobbi Brown products on my wedding day. Plus, if you were to purchase these products separately, it would cost you more than $100 (not including the cosmetic case) – but the Bridal Kit only costs $75.

Click here for a video of Bobbi’s Tips and How-To’s for Brides.

Lush Lower Lashes

Posted on February 29, 2008 by daneen in Celebrities, Lashes, Mascara | 3 Comments

To lash out like the lovely Courteney Cox, InStyle.com recommends wiggling a waterproof, no-flake mascara wand along the roots of lower lashes, then tapping each lash while holding the wand vertically. Wait two minutes, then gently curl lashes with a Sephora Lower Lash Curler.

Which mascara to use? CoverGirl LashBlast, my hands-down new favorite mascara, is now available in a waterproof formula! Lash Blast supersizes and volumizes, with no clumps. I love how it makes me look like “that girl” – you know the one with the ridiculously fab lashes? Yeah, well…that’s me now.

Here’s another lower lash tip: Last month, I had an opportunity to learn some tricks of the trade from CoverGirl celebrity makeup artist, Molly R. Stern. She said that if you wear a slightly lighter shade of mascara on your lower lashes than on your upper lashes (i.e. – very black on top, black on bottom), your wide-eyed look will look more natural. And at $8 a pop, you can afford to splurge and buy two tubes.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara is available at your local drugstore.

Shu Uemura Spring 2008: Rebirth

Posted on February 28, 2008 by daneen in Blush, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, Lashes, Lipstick, Mascara, Nail Polish | 1 Comment

This Spring, shu uemura introduces their 126th collection, aptly named REBIRTH, in which Mr. Uemura tells a story about nature blooming in spring.

REBIRTH embraces the energy of the season, and translates these elements through vibrant colors. The collection features an abstract image of a flower blooming, drawn by Mr. Uemura himself. This collection is very special, as it was his last before passing away in December.

The REBIRTH collection includes the following limited-edition products:

*Tri-Color Eye Pencil in Aqua Flow and Energy Flow
*Pressed Eye Shadow in Spring Breeze, Earth Brown, Sun Stream, Yellow Elation, and Pristine Green
*Rouge Unlimited in Dewy Beige, Pink Bloom, and Serene Pink
*Glow On in Harmonious Orange and Tranquil Pink
*Nail Enamel in Gold Zest and Innocent Beige

As a tribute to this collection and Mr. Uemura’s work, shu uemura Principle Makeup Artists Jason Hoffman and Misumi Kitano created three very special looks.