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

Moisturizer

DDF Discoloration Reversal Moisturizer

Posted on by daneen in Dry Skin, Face, Featured, Holy Grail, Hyperpigmentation, Moisturizer, Skin Care | 2 Comments

DDF Discoloration Reversal Moisturizer DDF Discoloration Reversal MoisturizerLate last year, my friends started to remark about how fabulous my skin looked. I quickly dismissed the first few compliments, thinking my pals were just being kind. But the flattery just kept coming and I started to wonder what all the fuss was about. Then one morning, I looked in the mirror and finally saw what everyone else was seeing. The dark marks around my jawline that have plagued me for years were almost gone – and my complexion was positively radiant. That’s when it all clicked…and my new moisturizer instantly achieved holy grail status.

DDF Discoloration Reversal Moisturizer promises to “effectively hydrate skin during the nighttime sleep cycle to help reduce the appearance of melanin build up, and help to achieve younger looking skin.” And boy does it ever. I’ve struggled with hyperpigmentation since puberty and have tested a ridiculous amount of products to minimize my the dark marks that acne and other blemishes have left in their wake. I’ve had good results with a handful of those products, but nothing comes close to the transformation I’ve witnessed with DDF Discoloration Reversal Moisturizer.

Not only did it practically obliterate my dark marks, it evened out my entire skin tone and imparted a glow that – up until now – I’ve only been able to achieve with makeup. What a welcome surprise! And the funny thing is that even though you’re supposed to use it twice a day, I only use it in the morning (I didn’t read the directions when DDF first sent me a bottle to review) and my friends noticed an improvement in my skin after just two weeks of using the product. Just imagine how quick you could see results if you actually use as directed! CONTINUE READING

A Rosa Arctica by Any Other Name…

Posted on by daneen in Eye Cream, Eyes, Featured, Holy Grail, Moisturizer, Skin Care | Leave a comment

rosa arctica A Rosa Arctica by Any Other Name...

In the winter of 2011, I was introduced to Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream – and whatever moisturizer I was using at the time went by the wayside. I honestly don’t remember which moisturizer came before (and who cares, really) but I do remember that it couldn’t compete with the Rosa Arctica results. After using it for not that long, I noticed a significant improvement in my skin. During the colder months, my skin is Sahara dry and there are only a few moisturizers on the market hydrating enough to quench its thirst; Rosa Arctic is one of them. But it gets better; the thick cream also smoothes, reduces lines and wrinkles, improves firmness and gives it a youthful glow.

Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream is so fabulous that it pains me when I retire it for the spring and summer months, when my face turns into an oil slick of BP proportions. As it turns out, I wasn’t the only one wishing for a lighter version of this must-have moisturizer. In response to customer demand for a lightweight texture, Kiehl’s just launched Rosa Arctica Lightweight Cream.

Kiehl’s, knowing how much I adore the original, sent me a sneak peek of the new formulation and I have been using it faithfully for a few weeks. I love it as much as the original and I’m so thrilled that I can now use Rosa Arctica year-round. CONTINUE READING

Lighten Up with Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

Posted on by daneen in Featured, Hyperpigmentation, Moisturizer, Skin Care, Sun Protection | 1 Comment

Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution Lighten Up with Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

Hyperpigmentation is the beauty bane of my existence. Every time I get a pimple, it leaves a dark mark in its wake – whether or not I pick at it. Luckily, I don’t get too many blemishes or else Cruella de Ville might want to make a coat out of me. But even one dark mark is a cause for concern and embarrassment – not to mention they can take months to lighten up.

One mark has taken up residence on my jawline for the past six months. It’s been there for so long, sometimes I just forget about it. That is until I see a photo of myself and cringe at how dark and mole-like it appears. So when a bottle of Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution showed up on my doorstep to review, I was very hopeful. Kiehl’s is one of my favorite skincare brands and their products have yet to disappoint, so I was very hopeful about this new innovation. CONTINUE READING

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Fix For Flaky Foundation

Posted on by daneen in Beauty Tips, Dry Skin, Makeup Mondays with Mario, Mario Dedivanovic, Mineral Makeup, Moisturizer | Leave a comment
mmwmd Makeup Mondays With Mario: Fix For Flaky Foundation

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

dry+skin Makeup Mondays With Mario: Fix For Flaky FoundationHelp me, Mario. I have super dry skin and no matter what I do or how much moisturizer I use, my skin always looks flaky when I wear foundation. What am I doing wrong? If anyone can help me, I know it’s you!

Thanks,
Kaitlin

Hi Kaitlin,

Flaky skin can be a result of a skin condition such as eczema. If you haven’t already done so, please have your skin checked by a dermatologist to determine what the problem is – if any – and the appropriate treatment you may need.

I find that with very dry skin, it’s good to use a tinted moisturizer. Stay away from setting powders which will absorb all the skin’s moisture and bring attention to flaky, dry areas.

Another option is to use Bare Minerals mineral powder foundation – it works beautifully on dry, flaky skin and even gives a glow!

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario’s expert advice!

Look What I Recently Rescued From Sephora

Posted on by daneen in Concealer, Lipgloss, Lips, Mascara, Moisturizer | Leave a comment

 Look What I Recently Rescued From SephoraNow that my I’m pregnant, a beautiful thing happened. My skin decided to act like it’s got some sense. Seriously, my skin developed behavioral issues circa 1990 and has been screwing with my self esteem ever since…until recently.

I used to be that girl who wouldn’t dare leave the house barefaced for a night out or a special occasion. I just couldn’t get away with it. Now, not only has my complexion drastically improved, but I also have that fabled pregnancy glow…and I don’t want to cover it up with the full coverage foundation I have in my beauty arsenal.

So last week, I decided to pay my little friend, Sephora, a visit. Mama needed some new makeup.

I ended up purchasing:

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Tan
Laura Mercier Undercover Pot in 4
Lancôme Hypnose Drama Mascara

laura+mercier+tinted+moisturizer+oil+free Look What I Recently Rescued From Sephora

At $42, Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer is pretty pricey. But is just so happens to be the best tinted moisturizer I have ever used in my entire L-I-F-E. And Laura gets big props for the wide range of shades. Can I get a hallelujah, brown girls?

laura+mercier+undercover+pot Look What I Recently Rescued From Sephora

Though I’ve been getting more sleep lately, I’ve started getting dark circles under my eyes – which I never had before. The shadows beneath my eyes were detracting from my glow, so those suckers had to go. I bought Laura Mercier’s Undercover Pot because after spending an hour testing almost all of the concealers at Sephora, this one reigned supreme. Undercover Pot is a travel friendly pot with two amazing concealers: Secret Camouflage (oil free and stays in place all day long to cover blemishes, scars, and imperfections) and Secret Concealer (the emollient formula combats dark circles and allows for a smooth application in the sensitive eye area). The pot also includes Translucent Loose Setting Powder, which adds a velvety finish.

lancome+hypnose+drama Look What I Recently Rescued From Sephora

The Lancôme Hypnose Drama Mascara was a re-purchase. I just cannot be without this product. It is my mascara soulmate. I’m sure my friends at Lancôme would have replenished my stock; they’re aware of how much I adore Hypnose Drama, but I didn’t have time to wait. My old one was, well, old and I needed a new tube stat.

 Look What I Recently Rescued From Sephora

In the above pic, I’m wearing another of my new favorite products: Hourglass Cosmetics’ new Prodigy Lipgloss. Hourglass sent me a sample a few weeks ago, and it has been a staple in my handbag ever since. I love the sleek packaging and non-tacky texture. If you’re one of those girls who loathes a sticky lip, you are going to LUVRE this gloss. It come in six gorgeous shades, but “Legend” shade is my fave…it’s like my natural lips, except 100% sexier. It is also available at Sephora.

Sponsored Post: Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer

Posted on by daneen in Anti-Aging, Moisturizer, Samples | Leave a comment

Beauty Bloggerati Spotlight Sponsored Post: Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti Aging Moisturizer

BB Philosophy Miracle 450px Sponsored Post: Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti Aging Moisturizerphilosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging moisturizer is a new skin care savior that boasts the highest level of antioxidants of any philosophy moisturizer. The satiny formula leaves skin feeling soft, while it helps strengthen skin’s natural rejuvenation potential to guard against signs of aging. All this while it helps protect against free radical attack.

Want to try it? philosophy is providing a free deluxe sample of the new eye hope advanced anti-aging eye cream (2 ml) with any purchase of the philosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging moisturizer. The offer will be valid through March 1. Use code ageless to take advantage.

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.



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