Beautiful Things My Mother Taught Me
Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candles: 2 for $22
IMAN Skin Tone Evener BB Creme SPF 15
CoverGirl Outlast Brilliant Shine Nail Gloss in Vio-last
My New Arm Candy: Rebecca Minkoff Swing Bag
Bust a Move On Over to Saturday.com
I may be the cosmetics connoisseur of the family, but my mom is definitely the nail phile. I know a lot about polishes and own an extensive library of lacquer, but every now and again I get schooled by my manicure mixtress mother. Her latest combo is a coat of OPI Servin’ Up Sparkle (from the Serena Glam Slam collection) layered over her all-time fave, Essie Chinchilly.
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For years, Tory Burch’s Reva flats (left) have been on my wardrobe wish-list. But every time I work up the nerve to exercise my Visa, something always rains on my fancy footwear parade.
That’s when I saw it…the Audrey Brooke Paris Flat. I was immediately enamored with the Reva doppleganger and rendered positively giddy by the price tag – just $59.95! But would the shoe fit? As I hurriedly removed my Ugg boot and slipped my foot into the shoe, I said a little prayer and…it fit like a glove. Not to sound dramatic – okay, maybe just a little – it was a Cinderella moment.
Alas, I didn’t buy the shoe in the store because I figured I could save more if I purchased online. So as soon as I returned home, I got on the Internet and picked up a black pair for less than $30. As I explained in a recent review of the Audrey Brooke Leopard Satchel, the awesome thing about DSW.com is that you can combine coupon codes. By combining some promo codes I researched online and cashing in some coupons I received as a DSW Rewards member (sign up…it’s free!), I saved $30 and got free shipping.
In addition to black leather, the Paris Flat is available in a metalic leather and a leopard print haircalf. They leopard ones aren’t available online, but I spotted them in the store – just, sadly, not in my size. So I called some other local DSW stores and tracked down a pair in my size – and they’re on hold until I can go adopt them on Friday. I can’t wait!!!
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| Update: I scooped up the shoes a few days ago and I am so proud of my purchase. Too cute, right? |
Maybe it’s a godsend that my feet are so fat…because, for less than the price of Reva, I can pick up all three pairs of Paris.
Rebecca Minkoff is my absolute favorite handbag designer. I die for every single bag single bag she creates. Since discovering her line of chic arm candy a few years ago, it has been my mission to create a Rebecca Minkoff collection within my handbag arsenal. I currently own four – and I’m always on the hunt for more (bank account be damned). Even Mr. Spoiled Pretty, my fashion-oblivious fella, knows I love me some Minkoff.
This month, my girl is giving you the opportunity to start (or add to) your own Rebecca Minkoff collection!!! 30 lucky Minkettes can win the latest addition to the Morning After family, the Mini MAC (retail $195).
Click here to enter. And for more chances to win, join Rebecca Minkoff’s newsletter and be sure to follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Giveaway ends November 30th at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be randomly selected and notified on December 4th. Must be a US Citizen and be 13 years of age or older to enter.
Good luck!
Hi Mario,
You are a huge inspiration to me you truly inspire me to try new and different unique things as a make up artist. There is just one thing I find tricky to achieve when I do make up. What’s a easy way for a really defined eye crease? I find it very challenging to create this look and I always end up with two different shapes on each eye! What’s the trick?
Thank you so much!
xoxo,
Janet
Hi Janet,Thank you and Happy Halloween! 
. When going for a defined crease, using a typical dome shaped blending brush will not do the trick. Instead, try using a pencil along the crease. Use a small eye shadow brush or Q-tip to softly blend the line from side to side. If you want to define it more, try drawing a very thin line along the crease using a liquid liner. A thin eyeliner brush and eyeshadow also works well.
Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!
xo,
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!
Hello, spoiled pretty readers!
I adore good nail art. The Internet is full of great examples – chevron stripes, zombie faces, manicures in Tiffany blue with white detail to look like gift boxes – the examples are endless.
Personally, I always wanted to achieve half-moon nails at home. A beauty idol of mine, Dita Von Teese, often rocks a perfect half-moon manicure with ruby red and bare nail.
For my first attempt, I painted the bottom half of my nails silver, and went for purple on the top portion of the nail. It was so ugly, I destroyed the photographic evidence.
For my second and final attempt, I went for bare nails on the bottom portion, and red on the rest of the nail. I applied stickers meant for french manicures on the bottom of my nail, and painted over them. You are supposed to wait until the polish is completely dry to remove the stickers. I didn’t exactly trust that, so I removed the stickers when the polish was still slightly tacky.
Some stickers left a well-defined line behind, some were crooked, and more still looked like I hadn’t even used stickers at all. Ugh.
I came to the conclusion that I am far too much of a perfectionist to ever be happy with do-it-yourself nail art on my own nails. I applaud those of you who have the patience and artistic ability to do it, I am just not one of those people. So, I am going to stick to what I am good at – basic manicures!
-Alyssa
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
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,
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!
After weeks of sporting a chipped-up, raggedy-ass-looking mani because I was too busy to get my nails did, I finally found some time to do them myself. Peep my new polish…
I started with a coat of Zoya Get Even (to create a smooth surface) and a coat of Zoya Anchor base coat. Then I applied two coats of Coco Blue, from the Les Jeans De CHANEL collection. Once Coco Blue dried, I layered OPI’s Crown Me Already! (from the Miss Universe collection) – a mix of sparkly microglitter and larger glitter pieces. Finally, I sealed the deal with Zoya Armor topcoat.
Glitterrific, no?
