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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Tools

Beauty Addicts, Meet Beauty Addicts

Posted on November 5, 2008 by daneen in Holy Grail, Lipgloss, Makeup Brush, Tools | 1 Comment

beauty+addicts+lipclick Beauty Addicts, Meet Beauty Addicts
You know your retractable lip brush? The cheap gold one where the tip falls off every time you use it? The one that deposits more hairs on your lips than pigment? Yeah, that lip brush. Here’s my advice to you…th’ow it out, as my mother would say.

I mean, why would you keep holding on to a beauty tool that makes your mouth look a hot mess when you can replace it with one that makes you look hot, period?

Beauty addicts, meet Beauty Addicts LipCLICK Retractable Brush. The best lip brush I’ve used – retractable or otherwise, in forever. Hands down.

Chic, sleek and the perfect definition of form meets function. The brush opens to reveal a full size lip brush with just one click – and slides back after use into a fully protected casing. Perfect for on the go application for your busy life!

It’s my holy grail retractable lip brush. Go get you one – and while you’re there, pick up one of Beauty Addicts’ RelationLIPS palettes. I’m partial to ExpressLIPS, a combination of four nudes (buff, rosy-gold, cream and bronze) that make for the inherently sexy Angelina kisser.

Beautyaddicts.com. You’re welcome.

Right On, Target: Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

Posted on May 6, 2008 by daneen in Tools | 2 Comments

SK Right On, Target: Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge
Looks like Sonia Kashuk is giving beautyblender a run for its money.

kashuk+beauty+blending+sponge Right On, Target: Sonia Kashuk Blending SpongeKashuk’s Blending Sponge – one of the newest additions to her collection – is a reusable, non-latex sponge that is ideal for applying, blending, and smudging makeup – thanks to its unique shape.

And unlike beautyblender, which costs $19.95 and is mainly sold via online retailers, the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge will only set you back $6.99 and is available at a Target store near you.

What’s The Scoop?

Posted on April 30, 2008 by daneen in Nails, Tools | 1 Comment

nail scoop Whats The Scoop?I love nail polish. But to be honest – I don’t wear it all that often because I’m too lazy/busy to do them myself or to go get them done. So nine times out of ten, you’ll see me with bare nails.

Because I sport nekkid nails so often, one of my pet peeves is gunk under my fingernails. Anytime I’m playing the waiting game or trying to kill time, I find myself picking at my nails – making sure they’re not embarrassing me.

I used to think that orange sticks were great, but you really don’t know what you’re missing until you’ve tried the Sephora Brand Nail Scoop Cleaner. It’s got this miniature scoop on the one end that really gets under nails and removes every little bit of debris. Quickly and easily. It’s one of those beauty implements that makes you think, “What did I ever do without this in my life?”

$14 at Sephora

These Eco-Friendly Brushes Are Wallet Friendly Too!

Posted on March 31, 2008 by daneen in Eco-friendly, Makeup Brush, Tools | 2 Comments

ecotools These Eco Friendly Brushes Are Wallet Friendly Too!
You know I tell it like it is. I’ll let you know when it’s worthwhile to blow your dough. But I’ll also tell you when I find an amazing bargain buy – like ecoTOOLS cosmetic brushes.

These brushes feature bamboo handles (bamboo has a low impact on the earth’s resources), synthetic bristles, and metallic ferrule made from recycled aluminum cans. The cosmetic brushes are housed in reusable/biodegradable pouches, printed with plant-based ink, and each item has a “green” tip on the back of the package…so everyone who purchases a piece of the collection discovers another small step that can create a greener lifestyle. Plus 1% of all annual sales provides financial support to environmental initiatives.

The standouts of the collection are the larger brushes. I’ve been using the Powder Brush almost every day since I got it. It’s unbelievably soft, applies my powder like a dream, and it’s only $7.99!

Individual ecoTOOLs brushes cost between $2.99 and $7.99. But for just $10.99, you can own the 5 Piece Brush Set – housed in a 100% linen and hemp cosmetic case.

ecoTOOLs products (they also offer bath and body items) are available at Walgreens, Kmart, and Ulta.

Rack Em

Posted on March 31, 2008 by daneen in Organization/Storage, Tools | 1 Comment

largebath1 Rack Em
I wish that my bathroom looked like this.

smallbath1 Rack Em
Unfortunately, it more closely resembles this.

searsmagrack Rack EmSo when it comes to storing my beauty essentials, I need to think creatively. One of my new favorite finds is this chrome magazine rack. It’s simple to install – just lift the toilet tank lid, place the metal hanger over the side, and replace the lid.

It easily holds reading material. But my inspired idea is to use it to store my thermal hair tools. This magazine rack keeps your favorite curling irons and flat irons up and out of the way, but easily accessible.

This one from Sears will only set you back $13.

Attention Curly Girls: This Giveaway Is Just For You!

Posted on February 14, 2008 by daneen in Contest, Giveaway, Hair, Tools | 8 Comments

CLU pink 72rgbSM Attention Curly Girls: This Giveaway Is Just For You!
Do you have curly hair? Do you suffer from frizz, tangles, breakage, and split ends? Maybe it’s time you quit abusing your tender tendrils with terry cloth towels.

curlcloth Attention Curly Girls: This Giveaway Is Just For You!Curls Like Us knows that curls don’t respond favorably to being mishandled. So they invented a kinder, gentler towel – created especially for girls with curls.

The Curl Cloth is a patent-pending, drying cloth specifically designed to wick away just the right amount of moisture from your locks without introducing frizz. The smooth surface of this 100% cotton cloth ensures that your favorite curl-enhancer sets the curl for optimal spring, shine, and definition.

Lucky for you, Curls Like Us was kind enough to donate three Curl Cloths for a Spoiled Pretty giveaway!

To enter the giveaway, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com and include your full name. The subject line should read “Curl Cloth Giveaway.”

The contest ends at 9 pm EST on Sunday, February 17th. Winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, February 18th, I’ll announce the winners’ names. Please, only one comment per person; duplicate comments will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents. Good luck!

The Root Of The Problem

Posted on February 12, 2008 by daneen in Hair, Hair Styling, Holy Grail, Tools | Leave a comment

rootcontrol The Root Of The Problem
Every 8 weeks, I visit my hairdresser Erik to get my roots relaxed. And for the next 4 weeks, my hair does whatever I want it to – and I revel in straight-haired bliss. But once my curly roots start growing in, my hair goes up in a ponytail and I mentally count the days until my next salon appointment.

Any gal with relaxed hair knows what I’m talking about. There’s nothing worse than your roots sabotaging a potentially good hair day.

Luckily, Editorial Stylists Kevin Ryan and Frank Rizzieri have gotten to the root of the problem, and created an innovative styling tool that has me loving my locks – even in week 7.

Root Control is designed to allow quick, safe, and effective straightening and styling of all types of hair. It’s great for touching up hairlines and roots in between blowdries and relaxers. It can also be used to redirect cowlicks and style bangs. Plus, its combination of ceramic barrel and double comb allow you to style the hair while keeping the heated barrel away from the scalp.

Product features include:
*Dual Styling / Pressing Combs
*Ceramic Heating Barrel
*Instant Heat Up
*Advanced LCD Digital Programming
*Up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit Pro High-Heat
*9ft. European Jacketed Line Cord
*Heat Resistant Storage Pouch with Embroidered Logo

At $179.00, Root Control is kinda costly. But can you really put a price tag on a good hair day?

Not yet convinced? Watch this video of the tool in action, then be prepared to pull out your credit card. Trust me. It’s worth every penny.

Root control is available online at rsessiontools.com.



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