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

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Oily Skin

When Sebaceous Glands Attack!

Posted on May 22, 2008 by daneen in Oily Skin, Powder | Leave a comment

3c translucent face powder When Sebaceous Glands Attack!
Have you read my recap of the Total Beauty Blogging Summit yet? If not, follow the link to hear all about my adventures this past weekend.

In one of the photos, my t-zone is looking particularly reflective – because I accidentally dropped my holy grail translucent powder on the tile floor in my hotel room and it spilled everywhere. There was white powder all over the place…I mean, if you didn’t know any better, you’d have thought I was sharing the room with Tony Montana.

So for the rest of the weekend, it was a constant struggle between me and my oil glands. But I did learn something at the summit that gave me hope. Oily skin ages better because the extra sebum helps to prevent wrinkles! So apparently, even though it’s a total pain in the ass at times, I’ll be thanking my greasy face when I’m older.

But until then, I’ll rely on Three Custom Color Specialists Pressed Translucent Powder, which comes in a travel-friendly compact.

Carissa’s Bridal Makeup Must-Haves: Day 4

Posted on May 2, 2008 by daneen in Bridal, Oily Skin | Leave a comment

elf+shine+eraser Carissas Bridal Makeup Must Haves: Day 4
In the days leading up to my wedding, last June, one of my biggest concerns was my shiny face. I diligently researched and then purchased every shine control product and mattifier. I spent more money than I needed to and worked myself into a tizzy – checking my face every five minutes on my wedding day. Carissa, writer and editor of Hooked On Beauty and professional makeup artist, has this advice for you gals with a tendency to glisten (and not in a good way):

Carissa Carissas Bridal Makeup Must Haves: Day 4The hot summer months that are so perfect for weddings are also perfect for shine to rear it’s ugly head. I always hand out E.L.F’s professional Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets and tell the photographer to let the girls know when to use them.

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

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

Shiny, Unhappy People

Posted on January 3, 2008 by daneen in Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Face, Moisturizer, Oily Skin | Leave a comment

I thought I was done being Miss Greasy Face. In September, I waved goodbye to the oil slick that had summer vacationed on my t-zone. Little did I realize it would be home for the holidays.

I love the way super-rich winter moisturizers soothe my chapped, flaky face; my skin is so thirsty in the morning that it just drinks in the moisture. But by 10 am, I’m rummaging in my purse for my powder compact. And at the end of the day, I’m dabbing at my face with napkins left over from my Saladworks lunch.

If I could get away with the same gel moisturizer I use during warm months, I would; but as luck would have it, when I try wearing a lightweight moisturizer in the winter, I end up looking something like this…

crackinup 259 Shiny, Unhappy People
0028 4609 Shiny, Unhappy PeopleWell, thanks to Eve Lom Moisturiser SPF 15, the oil slick took another vacation – which I think will be a permanent one. Somehow it manages to pamper my parched skin, without any shine or greasy residue; I apply a liberal amount in the AM and I’m shine-free all day – and all night. I would recommend this moisturizer to anyone, regardless of skin type. It’s just that good.

Isn’t it time you learned all about Eve? Eve Lom products are available at Space NK and evelom.com.

Look, World – I Have Cheekbones!

Posted on December 19, 2007 by daneen in Concealer, Highlighter, Oily Skin | Leave a comment

freezeandgo Look, World I Have Cheekbones!As I was prepping for my TV appearance last week, I decided to do a little experimentation. After using my Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go to brighten the area under my eyes, I decided to dot it along my cheekbones. Looking in the mirror at the time, I didn’t notice a difference; but watching the video, I’m amazed at how much it accentuated my bone structure.

Freeze & Go is lightweight, silicone brightener that can be worn under or over makeup to fix fine lines, absorb excess oil, and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores and imperfections. And it comes in a portable, metallic, pod-like package, complete with a removable mirror and metered dosage – so that you can look fab on the fly!

Siren Song

Posted on October 23, 2007 by daneen in Blush, Eye Shadow, Holiday, Holy Grail, Lipgloss, Lipstick, Nail Polish, Oily Skin | Leave a comment

sirensong Siren Song
This past weekend, I stopped by Sephora expecting to just window shop. Oh, who am I kidding…does that ever really happen?

Aimlessly, I perused the aisles and tested dozens of products. I had no intention of actually buying anything, yet I couldn’t bring myself to leave the store. It was as if something was calling to me. Then I saw it – Viridiana lipstick from the Nars Siren Song Holiday 2007 collection.

viridiana Siren SongThis lip color had me at hello, ladies. At first glance, I was bewitched by the rich burgundy color. After testing it on my hand, I fell a little deeper in love. By the time the saleswoman finished carefully applying it to my lips, I was obsessed. And in the ten minutes between putting a tube of Viridiana in my basket and paying for it at the register, three women approached me to ask what lipstick I was wearing. Watch out, Dolce Vita…there’s a new diva in town.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: For daytime, apply Viridiana to exfoliated lips with your fingers – for a subtle, but sophisticated stain. At night, apply with a lip brush for more concentrated color. The beauty of Viridiana lies not only in the shade, but also in the formula – the semi-matte finish isn’t drying and stays where you put it, so you needn’t worry about the color staying inside the lines.

Nars’ Siren Song collection also includes:
Duo Eyeshadow (in Balthazar, Violetta, and Cheyenne); Lip Gloss (in Rose Gitane and Bad Education); Blush in Luster; Single Eyeshadow (in Night Snow and Night Rider); Lip Gloss/Lip Stain Gloss (in Metis/Victoire, Turkish Delight/Sayonara, Sand Piper/Dare Devil, and Moon Fleet/Indian Red); Nail Polish in Saratoga ; and Perfecting Powder Sheets.



pixel Siren Song

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