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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Powder

MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection

Posted on September 18, 2012 by daneen in Blush, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, Eyebrows, Featured, Lashes, Lip Pencil, Lipgloss, Lips, Lipstick, Mascara, Nail Polish, Nails, Powder | Leave a comment

mac marilyn monroe 791x1024 MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection

I am so excited about this collection…you don’t even know. I mean, what glamour girl doesn’t have a girl crush on Marilyn Monroe?

MAC Marilyn Monroe, a color collection that channels the legend’s lustre and sex appeal in shades and formulas meticulously Marilyn. Lipsticks in rapturous reds, gleaming Dazzleglass, a dramatic 35 Lash, False Lashes Extreme Black and Eye Shadows in shimmering metallic and diamond tones provide silver-screen allure. The finishing touch: Nail Lacquers destined to be a girl’s best friend and Beauty Powder to evoke that flawless Forever Marilyn.

 

mac marilyn monroe eye shadow 1024x551 MAC Marilyn Monroe CollectionLARGE EYE SHADOW, $21
How to Marry: Soft white (Veluxe Pearl)
Preferred Blonde: Pale champagne beige (Veluxe Pearl)
Silver Screen: True silver (Veluxe Pearl)
Showgirl: Dark blue grey (Veluxe Pearl)

mac marilyn monroe brow finisher MAC Marilyn Monroe CollectionBROW FINISHER, $15
Clear

 

mac marilyn monroe mascara MAC Marilyn Monroe CollectionMASCARA, $20
False Lashes: Extreme Black CONTINUE READING

Polished: Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER Kit

Posted on December 15, 2011 by daneen in Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, Featured, Lipgloss, Mascara, Polished, Powder, Primer | Leave a comment
best+of+make+up+for+ever+kit Polished: Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER Kit
As a fan of long-wear makeup, I was ecstatic to receive the Wild and Chic Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER Kit.

It includes:

  • HD Microfinish Powder
  • Aqua Cream in 13 Warm Beige (champagne shimmer)
  • Travel Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L (black)
  • Lab Shine in Star Collection – S4 (pearly pink beige)
  • HD Microperfecting Primer
  • Smoky Lash Extra Black Mascara
I usually spend about five minutes on my makeup every morning. Before leaving the house (yes, I’m one of those girls) I apply foundation, pressed powder, eyeliner, mascara, and lip stain – at minimum. I recently tested all of the products in this kit, minus the lipgloss. No offense to MAKE UP FOR EVER, but I’m not a gloss girl.
 
none Polished: Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER KitFirst, here is a photo of me with no makeup on. This is what I start with.

I first applied the HD Microperfecting Primer, which made my skin feel smooth and wasn’t too heavy. I then applied my regular foundation. Next up was the Aqua Eyes eyeliner (inside upper lid, and on upper lid), which was precise but had smude-ability. I added Aqua Cream in 13 from the liner to my brow bone, and it gave the perfect amount of color and highlight. Then two coats of Smoky Lash Mascara, which I was probably the most curious about. My lashes are long, and hit my brow bone, so at the end of every day I have to make sure I haven’t turned into a raccoon. Finally, I dusted the HD Microfinish Powder over my entire face.

This whole process took about 10 minutes. I was eager to see if my extra time in the morning would hold up by the end of the day. This is what I looked like at 8 a.m., post makeup application. 
during Polished: Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER Kit
I then walked eight blocks to work on a foggy and humid day, had a typical seven hour day at work, and walked home the eight blocks in the humidity. This was unintentionally the perfect day to test these products!

Here is a photo of what I looked like when I got home. 
after Polished: Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER Kit
Everything had held up really well! The eyeliner, Aqua Cream, and mascara looked as good as they had 10 hours earlier. My foundation had melted a little, mostly in the T-zone area, which was to be expected after a humid day.

Overall, I adore this product set, and it was absolutely worth doubling the amount of time I spend applying makeup in the morning. I would suggest this most to ladies who have a long day ahead of them, and no time for a mirror check. Trust me, all MAKE UP FOR EVER products will stay exactly where you applied them, and you will look fresh and lovely (not made-up and cakey).
The Wild and Chic Best of Make Up For Ever Kit ($55) is available exclusively at Sephora and Sephora.com.

-Alyssa

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Don’t Make Me Matte

Posted on October 18, 2011 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Featured, Makeup Mondays with Mario, Mario Dedivanovic, Powder | Leave a comment
mmwmd Makeup Mondays With Mario: Dont Make Me Matte
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.

Hi Mario,

I have really dry skin so I am not really a fan of matte foundations. I always use foundations that give me a radiant, dewy glow – however every time I set my foundation with my compact powder, I lose my glow and my skin gets matte and dull. It looks dry all over again which makes me not want to set my foundation. Is there a way I can set everything without losing the glow?

Ashley

powder+puff Makeup Mondays With Mario: Dont Make Me Matte

Ashley,

The reason you’re looking matte and probably muddy is because you’re using a compact powder to set your foundation! You should always set your base using loose powder.

Pressed powders usually have too much coverage to use over a foundation, not to mention all the additional ingredients that are used to make the powder into a pressed compact. They’re great for touchups throughout the day or for areas that need more coverage.

Try setting your makeup with a loose powder. They come in translucent and even light reflecting formulas so your skin will maintain the glow. I prefer using a velour puff to apply the powder evenly and set your foundation.

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!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Set Under Eye Concealer

Posted on August 30, 2011 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Concealer, Eyes, Makeup Mondays with Mario, Mario Dedivanovic, Powder | Leave a comment
mmwmd Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Set Under Eye Concealer
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.

Hi Mario,

I have been struggling to find a powder to set my concealer without it caking or eventually creasing. I don’t know if I’m applying the powder wrong. I use a sponge and swipe my compact, then press it under my eyes. What powders – both high end and drugstore – would you recommend to set concealer? And with what makeup tool should I apply it with (i.e. sponge, powder puff, makeup brush)?

Thanks,

Alyssa

makeup+sponge+eyes Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Set Under Eye Concealer

Hi Alyssa,

You should not be using a compact powder to set your under eye concealer. Pressed powders are too heavy to set that area with. What you want is a very fine loose translucent powder to set your makeup with. Dip a basic cosmetic sponge (I like the white wedges from the pharmacy) into your loose powder to pick up a generous amount of the powder and pat/press over the concealer under the eyes. Follow with a clean brush to sweep away the access powder from that area.

Be sure to get a powder that is colorless or a couple of shades lighter then your skin tone so that you don’t get that “muddy” look which happens when foundation is set by powder that is too dark. Any brand of loose powder will work – it’s just a preference. I suggest you go out and try a few to see what feels best on your skin. 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!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Too Light Undereye Concealer?

Posted on June 29, 2010 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Concealer, Eyes, Makeup Mondays with Mario, Mario Dedivanovic, Powder | Leave a comment
mmwmd large Makeup Mondays With Mario: Too Light Undereye Concealer?
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.

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Too Light Undereye Concealer?

Hey Mario…

You have a gift that would make any woman feel a little more confident after you’ve worked your ‘magic’.

My question is how come the concealer under my eyes looks fine in the mirror when I put it on, but in photos it looks ghastly white?!? I can’t figure it out.

I use Laura Mercier camo concealer and then pat Makeup Professional translucent powder over to set it. What gives???

Thanks,
Michelina

Michelina,
A lot of people make the same mistake with going too light under the eyes. It’s no secret that I like to highlight and lighten that area of the face but there’s a pretty fine line between bright and white. Try using a concealer and/or powder that is a shade darker. Also, check to see that your loose powder doesn’t have light-reflecting or shimmery pigment in it. To the human eye, it’s difficult to see – but the bright flash of a camera will catch it and magnify it. Another thing to try is to not use too much product where it’s opaque. Instead, apply with a lighter hand. It’s always good to take pics of yourself with a digital camera to test it out and see how you will look. Hope this helps.

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!

Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection

Posted on March 26, 2010 by daneen in Blush, Eye Shadow, Fragrance, Highlighter, Lipgloss, Makeup Brush, Perfume, Powder, Tools | Leave a comment
philosophy+the+color+of+grace+makeup+collection Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection
the color of grace collection, $20-37.50: Inspired by philosophy’s best-selling fragrance (and my favorite), amazing grace, the color of grace is makeup that embraces your inner girl with all things pink and beautiful. Philosophy created skin-loving formulas in perfect pink shades that deliver sheer color and heavenly luminosity for a look that is soft, graceful and inspired. Everyone looks prettier in pink lighting. The color of grace is universally flattering and created for all women who want to feel sweet, kind, pretty and feminine. Available at philosophy.com, Sephora and Nordstrom stores in April.
philosophy+the+color+of+grace+heavenly+light+pink+illuminator Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection
the color of grace heavenly light pink illuminator, $28: A pink light, liquid luminizer that combines skin-loving moisture and brightening botanicals to restore radiance for heavenly luminosity.
philosophy+the+color+of+grace+amazing+grace+shimmering+face+powder Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection
the color of grace amazing grace shimmering face powder, $29.50: a sweetly shimmering, silky, pale pink powder that brightens your complexion and creates a soft focus glow as it releases an uplifting, feminine hint of amazing grace fragrance.

philosophy+the+color+of+grace+art+of+blushing Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection
the color of grace art of blushing, $35: a multidimensional palette of three silky, sheer blushes in perfect pink shades surrounded by luminous highlighter, to deliver pure color and light for skin that looks soft, luminous and inspired.

philosophy+the+color+of+grace+amazing+grace+coloring+book Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection
the color of grace amazing grace coloring book, $37.50: a purse-sized palette of perfect pink shades for lips, eyes and cheeks to create the face of grace. two eyelighting shadows, two perfect pink lip glosses, an all-over cream illuminator, powder blush and a shimmering face powder scented with a touch of amazing grace fragrance.

philosophy+the+color+of+grace+go+with+grace+face+brush Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection
the color of grace go with grace face brush, $20: heavenly pink, kabuki-inspired natural hair brush that provides flawless application and blendability of powder or blush. In a pretty-to-go, retractable case.

philosophy+the+color+of+grace+eyelighting+shadow+duo Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection
the color of grace eyelighting shadow duo, $22: sheer washes of color that light up the eyes with delicately shimmering minerals. Available in a luminous duo: heaven/earth.
philosophy+the+color+of+grace+angel+kiss+lip+gloss Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection
the color of grace angel kiss lip gloss, $17.50: Grace your lips in creamy, dreamy goodness. The color of grace angel kiss lip gloss loves lips. It blends high-shine, sheer color with lip-caring goodness. Helps enhance the softness and natural rosiness of lips, while a hint of vanilla-mint flavor refreshes the breath.

MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Posted on March 12, 2010 by daneen in Blush, Eye Shadow, Lipgloss, Lipstick, Makeup Case, Nail Polish, Powder | Leave a comment

MAC+give+me+liberty+of+london MAC Give Me Liberty Of LondonGive Me Liberty Of London: The very latest in a series of famous MACollaborations, it was only a matter of time before the demure-to-daring kaleidoscopic prints of Liberty of London colored our world with Brit wit and bohemian chic.

From the unstudied, Sienna Miller style of Spitalfields Market to the grit and glamour of Portobello Road, the swinging London girl has always been an unstoppable MAC makeup force!

Spring 2010 blooms with the ultimate flower fusion as MAC joining forces with Liberty, creating cool Britannia compacts and Lipsticks, Eye Shadows, Powder, Blush, Nail Lacquers and blushing, bountiful, quite British accessories.

MAC+give+me+liberty+of+london+product+shot MAC Give Me Liberty Of London
mac+give+me+liberty+of+london+beauty+powder MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Beauty Powder, $25
The luxurious, soft pearl finish of MAC Beauty Powder packaged in a glossy white compact. Lid is decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection.
Shell Pearl: Pale peach with gold pearl
Summer Rose: Soft violet pink with pearl

mac+give+me+liberty+of+london+eyeshadow MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Eyeshadow, $14.50
Give Me Liberty of London: Flat creamy pink (Matte)
Free to Be: Creamy true coral (Matte)
Dame’s Desire: Frosty mid-tone reddish purple (Frost)
Birds & Berries: Frosted dark green blue (Veluxe Pearl)
Bough Grey: Mid-tone bluish grey (Satin)

mac+give+me+liberty+of+london+lipstick MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Lipstick, $14

Ever Hip: Creamy light coral (Cremesheen)
Peachstock: Neutral peach (Satin)
Petals & Peacocks: Creamy bright magenta pink (Amplified)
Blooming Lovely: Creamy greyed lilac mauve (Amplified)
mac+give+me+liberty+of+london+lipglass MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Lipglass, $14

Frankly Fresh: Neutral pink beige with soft pearl
Perennial High Style: Creamy bright pink coral
English Accents: Creamy mid-tone blue pink
A Different Groove: Deep purple brown with pearl
mac+give+me+liberty+of+london+blush MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Blush, $18.50
Dirty Plum: Sheer dark plum
Prim & Proper: Neutral nude

mac+give+me+liberty+of+london+nail+polish MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Nail Lacquer, $12
Vestral White Creamy white (Cream)
Blue India Dark green blue with pearl (Cream)
MAC+give+me+liberty+of+london+makeup+bag+small MAC Give Me Liberty Of London
MAC+give+me+liberty+of+london+makeup+bag+medium MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Liberty of London Makeup Bags, $22-25
Limited-edition laminated makeup bags decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Zip closure boasts a fabulously outsize floral pull.

MAC+give+me+liberty+of+london+scarf MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Liberty of London Scarf, $95
A limited-edition scarf designed with an exclusively created floral pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Rows of coral, orange, yellow and blue flowers form a repeating pattern on a white background. The fabric is a soft wool/viscose blend. Made in Italy. Measures 27″ x 82″.



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