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
Elle Macpherson – who is nicknamed ‘The Body’ – will now be the face of Revlon. Elle joins Revlon’s diverse lineup of gorgeous spokeswomen including Halle Berry, Jessica Alba, and Kate Bosworth. “Elle’s special qualities as a businesswoman, beautiful and talented model, actress and mother represent the essence of the Revlon brand,” says Revlon’s President and CEO David Kennedy.
In related news, American Idol alum Katharine McPhee has signed a two-year endorsement deal with Neutrogena to become the new face of their anti-acne line. Katherine shot her first Neutrogena commercial in L.A. last week. The ad will be coming to a TV set near you, beginning in May.
Guess what?!?! Spoiled Pretty is going to be featured on the news!!!
This past January, I sat down with WPVI-TV Channel 6 (the Philadelphia ABC affiliate) to talk about the blog, how much I enjoy writing it, and how you beauties enjoy reading it (and winning free prizes). They even interviewed a local reader!
So if you’re in the Philly area – pop some popcorn, stay up a little late, and watch your resident beauty expert run her mouth.
It’s sure to be entertaining, to say the least.
Update: This was not a case of blink-and-you-missed-me. I was not on the news last night. I think Spoiled Pretty got bumped – probably thanks to the Eliot Spitzer saga. So I’ll keep you posted, and let you know if/when the segment will air.
In today’s New York Times, the paper takes an interesting look at the growing phenomenon of pre-pubescent makeup use. Analysts say this is part of a trend called KGOY (kids getting older younger) – a trend which is only enabled by pushover parents.
Years ago, I was shocked when pre-teens started carrying Dooney & Bourke handbags and wearing 7 For All Mankind jeans. And don’t get me started on the sweatpants with “Juicy” splashed across the ass. I used to find fault with just the parents, but the article points out that retailers are also to blame.
“Today, cosmetic companies and retailers increasingly aim their sophisticated products and service packages squarely at 6- to 9-year-olds, who are being transformed into savvy beauty consumers before they’re out of elementary school.”
According to the article:
*In a study last year, 55 percent of 6- to 9-year-old girls said they used lip gloss or lipstick, and nearly two-thirds said they used nail polish, according to Experian, a market research company based in New York. In 2003, 49 percent of 6- to 9-year-old girls said they used lip gloss or lipstick.
*Sweet & Sassy, a salon and party destination based in Texas for girls 5 to 11, includes pink limo service as a party add-on, which starts at $150 a ride.
*At Club Libby Lu, a mall-based chain, girls of any age can mix their own lip gloss and live out their pop idol fantasies. Last year, the chain did about a million makeovers in its 90 stores nationwide.
*Dashing Diva franchises often offer virgin Cosmos in martini glasses along with their extra-virgin nail polish, free of a group of chemicals called phthalates, for a round of services for a birthday girl and her friends.
Virgin Cosmos?!?!?! Huh?
I don’t know about you, but I am sickened by this. It doesn’t quite rise to the level of Big Tobacco marketing to adolescents and teens, but it’s pretty damned close. And the parents who can’t say no just add fuel to the proverbial fire. I’m all for buying your pre-teen some Bonne Bell Lip Smackers (that’s what my mom did, and I turned out just fine)…but limos and faux cocktails? I think this trend will only lead to bad things – like girls begging for rhinoplasty and boob jobs to commemorate their sweet sixteen.
I love beauty products. But as much as I try, I can’t find the right products to recreate the crackhead look that’s all the rage these days. It seems that I’ve been to every department store and beauty boutique – and while many of the makeup brands have a Park Avenue vibe going on, I’m looking for products that scream skid row. Help!?!?
-Wino Wannabe
Dear Wino,
If looking sober and hygienic isn’t your thang, you’re in luck. The Sun reports that Amy Winehouse is launching her own line of beauty products, which will include hairspray, liquid eyeliner, and perfume.
A cosmetics line, called Lookin’ Good For Jesus, has been publicly crucified (sorry, I just had to) and pulled from shelves in Singapore. Catholic customers were appalled by the products and packaging, which depict J.C. as somewhat of a sex symbol.
Lookin’ Good For Jesus products include bubble bath that “makes you feel like you’re walking on water” and lip balm that promises to return your pout “to near virgin quality.”
Wing Tai Retail, which owns three Asian TopShop outlets, removed the line from their stores after receiving complaints.
Yesterday, the New York Times ran a particularly scathing piece about beauty bloggers. In a nutshell, the ‘expose’ likened us to beauty whores – posting for free products.
There are so many inaccurate allegations in this article that I have neither the time nor the energy to set the record straight. Luckily, fellow BBN member Christina posted a retort on her blog, Bon Bons in the Bath…and I wholeheartedly agree with her assertions.
So Spoiled Pretty readers, please be assured that I am solely motivated by my love for all things beauty – and the opportunity to converse with you all everyday. Product samples and industry events are wonderful perks; but essentially, these benefits are what enable bloggers to compete with ‘traditional’ beauty media – and provide you with the unbiased reviews, breaking news, and tips you crave, in real time.
If you have any questions about the beauty blogging biz or the product review process, I am open to questions. Please feel free to email me, or leave a remark in comments section below.
A new breed of beauty writers is building the sort of influence that’s gaining the attention of major brands: bloggers.
Scores of blogs largely dedicated to opinions and reviews of beauty products have proliferated in the past several years. And as the quality and quantity of blogs increases, beauty companies’ traditional marketing strategies are having to adapt.
Linda Wells, editor in chief of Allure, said she believes beauty brands have started to take blogs seriously over the past few years because blogs are “starting to have an effect on product sales. Companies are more excited about being mentioned [on blogs], so we’re seeing more of the industry reaching out to bloggers,” she said.
To read the article in its entirety, click on the image (above, left).
