Today, after attending the Cashman & Associates Girls’ Day Out event, Mama Spoiled Pretty and I headed over to Macy’s for some extra innings of shopping. Mom was kinda working my last nerve, shopping up a storm, then asking me (aka telling me) to carry her heavy bags. But then she spotted a $180 Michael Kors dress - in my size - for $9. Can you even believe? So all was forgiven and Philadelphia has since been re-named the City of Motherly Love. Anyway, despite saving $171 on the dress, it still wasn’t my most satisfying purchase of the day.
Before mom and I headed for the petites department, we stopped at the MAC counter and had a ball playing with the makeup. At first, mom was all, “What do you need more MAC makeup for?” Obviously, I did not inherit my product addiction from my mother. But after watching me get all done up, thanks to the talented and knowledgeable MAC makeup artist Jillian, she too was bitten by the MAC bug. Jillian gave her a very sophisticated smoky eye and mom ended up buying both of the shadows Jillian used - Nehru (muted bluish black) and Knight Divine (black w/ silver pearl).
For my fabulous purchase (you’re going to be green with envy), watch the video:
For more video product reviews and tips, click here for Spoiled Pretty TV.
Beauty411 shares her finds for the Best Winter Hand Creams. If your hands need relief, don't miss it!
Advice Sister's Alison Blackman Dunham is sharing Fashion Week's "must-haves" because it's always the little things that make life easier, more successful, and more fun!
Head on over to The Makeup Divas and enter to win 2 tubes of Covergirl's Lashblast Luxe Mascara. While you are there, check out the other giveaways I have.
Monique at Beauty Girl Musings has discovered, and fallen in love with, a foundation that makes skin look flawless and stays in place all day. Read about it here!
Dina at eye4style takes it all off with Paul & Joe's Makeup Remover. Check out her review here!
Checkout the Informed Makeup Maven's fave mascaras, palette buying tips and reviews Neon Bible shows you how to get Natalie Portman's Oscar Look for Less.
Addicted To Lipstick shows us swatches and gives us her review of the Mac Hello Kitty Collection. You can see the pics here Mac Hello Kitty Review.
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having a giveaway. They have 5 boxes of the new Crest Whitestrips up for grabs. Hurry, the contest ends Saturday!!! Check out the details here.
Backstage at the Fall 2009 Reem Acra collection (held at Reem's showroom),teams from Bumble and bumble and MAC were busy at work styling hair and crafting makeup to compliment the collection’s Grecian theme.
“The inspiration is goddess-like,“ said Polly Osmond, Key Makeup Artist of MAC.
“So the face is highlighted and shaded. We’re doing a greasy, taupe-y eye with highlights on the cheeks and a pale lip. The only specification Reem had for the makeup was to make the girls look beautiful. The entire look took about a half hour to conceive because it’s very simple and easy.”
When I approached Laurent Philippon, Lead Hairstylist for Bumble and bumble, he was scrambling because the electricity had gone out - which left him and his team without power for their styling tools. But he was so calm and gracious, and gave me his full attention for a quick interview.
“This is a red carpet kind of hairstyle. Reem wanted something quite sophisticated. It’s a side chignon with a really, really low side part. It frames the face and brings a geometrical shape to the hairstyle, but with softness as well. It’s a very clean and finished hairstyle but it’s not glued. I don’t want it to look glued. I still want it to feel like it’s hair. We’re drawing the part with a comb, then using Styling Lotion and drying hair really flat. And we’re putting it into a side ponytail - no backcombing involved. The twist is really about securing it with large pins. So it’s really tight, but it doesn’t look tight.”
Angi Wingle, and her team of Creative Nail Design technicians, put the finishing touches on models’ tips and toes. The nails were filed to a naturally rounded shape (to echo the bustlines of Reem’s draped gowns) and polished with a coat of Cocoa.
For her Fall 2009 collection, Lela Rose drew inspiration from the rainforest - and the creepy crawlies that call it home. To help transform the models into chic, tropics-trekking entomologists, Lela enlisted the help of two of the biggest names in the beauty business.
"The skin is fresh and dewy, not dead and matte," Tina explained. "I'm so excited to have the skin be healthy and shiny and glowing."
When I asked if dewy skin was an emerging trend for Fall, Tina confessed that she's ready to see the skin again. "I love the idea of sheen. I love seeing the skin, and powder usually takes that away. This morning, we're only applying powder to the t-zone."
Cheeks were earthily flushed, using Convertible Color in Camellia and pouts glossed with Lip Glaze in Praline. Eyeshadow in Constellation and Venus (new shades) were brushed over brows and high on the cheekbones to give the face definition and impart a jungle-like wetness to the look.
I wasn't surprised to see mane magician Ted Gibson backstage, as he and Lela love to collaborate. For the past two seasons, I have chatted with Ted backstage at Lela Rose - and he always serves up something fierce.
Every fashion week, I am amazed by his conceptual (yet accessible) hairstyles...and this season's coiffure made me heart Ted all the more.
While Tina Turnbow was inspired by the beetle, Ted found his muse in Odonata - aka the dragonfly.
To create the insect-inspired do, Ted created a center part, then swept hair back into a "youthful ponytail." The voluminous crown was created using Build It. Tame It Shine Lotion smoothed the hair and calmed flyaways. The ponytail was coiled and blasted with heat from a hair dryer (air concentrator nozzle on), to give the hair texture.
Finally, the twisted tail was set with Beautiful Hold Hairspray, which smells so wondorous that you want to spray it on - whether or not your hair needs help staying put.
Backstage at the Fashion Week Barbie show, Orlando Pita styled exaggerated ponytails, bloated bouffants and larger-than-life buns using T3 Plump and T3 Control sprays. To add shine and glossiness, Pita spritzed the models’ manes with his latest creation, T3 Renew Dry Conditioner.
Dry conditioner?!? Yeah, that’s what I thought. As soon as I left the backstage area, I set out on a reconnaissance mission to learn more about this mystifying new mist. At the CEW Product Demonstration, I ran into my T3 contact, who supplied me with the top secret deets. Here’s what I learned:
T3 Renew Dry Conditioner is a waterless, lightweight dry conditioner (the first of its kind) with a non-greasy formulation that breathes life into parched, lackluster locks - instantly restoring moisture, shine and softness. The product features Quaternium, known in the skincare world for its long-lasting, penetrating conditioning power - alongside nourishing botanicals such as chamomile, ginger and rosemary extract. Powerful blend is rich in antioxidants, Vitamins E and B6 to nourish, soften, protect hair while enhancing highlights and restoring shine.
Unlike traditional conditioning formulas, Renew doesn’t weigh hair down or leave hair oily like shine sprays. A natural wheat protein ensures the instant conditioner is lightweight, not heavy or greasy, and diffuses easily throughout the hair without a trace. Renew can be used as an instant pick-me-up for dry, damaged hair - or as a nourishing, overnight conditioning treatment.
It is the perfect complement to any dry shampoo, like T3 Refresh Volumizing Dry Shampoo. To apply, shake well and hold the can 6-8 inches from your head. Spray the aerosol all over dry hair and brush through.
Prices START at a mere: $138.00 Save up to 44% Off!
This event is scheduled to start on Friday, Febuary 27 at 11am for 1st Row members, noon for 2nd Row members. This event will run for 3 days, or until it sells out.
To join Ideeli (membership is free), visit ideeli.com and enter spoiledpretty as your invite code.
I am loving Taraji P. Henson's bob right now. And she obviously loves it too. Can't you tell?
The face-framing cut and sideswept bang are so flattering. I appreciate that Taraji isn't trying to go all Rihanna and experiment with a whole lotta looks. She's just letting her do do it's thang. If I had the chutzpah to chop my locks, I would take Taraji's photo to my mane man, Erik.
Enjoy a complimentary chair massage by On the Spot Wellness and enter to win luxe spa and beauty giveaways! The first 60 shoppers to register and attend receive a Tory Burch tote filled with Cashman & Associates’ goodies!
Admission is FREE – save your money for shopping! Cash and checks are preferred; some retailers will accept credit cards. Please bring a gently used accessory or an unopened beauty product to benefit Career Wardrobe.
The Loews Hotel 1200 Market Street Regency Ballroom, Level 2M Saturday, February 28, 2009 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Don’t let the economy get you down! The best shopping of Philadelphia, South Jersey and the Main Line in one location! Find reduced prices on stylish pieces to wear now and great discounts on spring collections before they hit stores!
Feel good by helping a local woman look her best at her next interview. The Career Wardrobe is the nation’s largest community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting women in their transition to work by providing professional attire, networking and career skills training.
Just in case you missed my most recent Recessionista's Fabuless Pick of the Week (I posted it at an awkward time and it got buried under Fashion Week and Oscars articles), check it out. It's my first video product review. Enjoy!
For the final segment of Kim Kardashian's Vegas Magazine How-To Makeup Video, makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic show fans how to complete Kim's eye makeup, contour the face and gloss the lips.
In part 3 of the video, Mario uses the following products:
This is your chance to be the first Clearasil Dance Crew. Win a prize package worth $10,000 from Clearasil and tons of great media exposure. Dance, compete and bring on the heat!
If you're 13 to 22 years old and in a dance crew of five to eight members, made up of any combination of girls and guys, then get ready to battle!
Dance crews must bring 1-minute song on an audio CD or an iPod. Judges will evaluate routines based on presentation, choreography, technique and performance. Top dance crews will be asked to remain for a freestyle dance-off.
Saturday, February 28th, 2009 at Noon Casting Cut-off is 4 p.m. First come first serve - audition times are not guaranteed
Icon Dance Complex 14 Wilson Avenue (Rt.527), Suite 5 Englishtown, NJ 07726
Top dance crews from Saturday’s casting call will advance to a competition Clearasil will host in Times Square with celebrity judges, and have the chance to become the Clearasil Dance Crew for a year!
Linda, a Spoiled Pretty reader, wrote me with the following skincare dilemma:
“I have a skincare question for you. A few years ago, I began to notice that I was developing these little white bumps on the tops of my cheeks just above my cheekbones. Thinking they were pimples, I tried to squeeze them to see if that would make them go away. They are hard little bumps, and my home extraction did nothing. I tried increasing my exfoliation, but this didn't reduce the number of bumps either. I have ignored it for the last few months as they didn't really bother me until recently. I looked in the mirror the other day and noticed that more of the bumps have appeared! I am starting to get worried, but I am not sure what product I should get as I have sensitive combination skin and am scared to try anything that might be too harsh and make the problem worse! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Love your blog!”
I immediately recognized Linda’s issue as milia. So I contacted DERMAdoctor's Dr. Kunin for some advice - and a prescription for this reader’s skin affliction.
Dr. Kunin’s response:
It sounds like you are trying to describe a condition called milia; these are essentially very deep seated white heads that have sealed themselves off from the surface of the skin. While these can form just because they can, frequently the use of skincare or cosmetic products that are too heavy for one’s particular skin type can lead to these. Read the labels of your products carefully and make certain they say they are non-comedogenic.
Next, exfoliation will help keep pores open and reduce your chances of forming more milia in the future. Try products such as DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry once or twice weekly to obtain a simultaneous physical and chemical exfoliation. Use DERMAdoctor Poetry In Lotion every other night to keep those pores open and your complexion vibrant.
Milia often need to be extracted which is not to easy to perform upon yourself. Your facialist or dermatologist can easily pop them open and extract them.
Thanks for the wonderful advice, Dr. Kunin!
Oh...and Linda, Dr. Kunin will be sending you DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry and Poetry In Lotion. Help is on the way!
Baffled by beauty? Overwhelmed by the number of products on the market? Desperately in search of answers to your hair, skincare and makeup dilemmas? Email me your query to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com - and if your question is answered on the blog, you will receive expert advice, plus a Spoiled Pretty-approved product that addresses your specific beauty issue! Be sure to include your full name and mailing address in your email.
Neon color illusion..Do you see an orange neon heart with a magic bright halo around it? View the picture from a good distance.
The color of the background is in reality perfectly UNIFORM. The apparent orange color is created by the interaction of the black lines with the yellow background and the apparent white halo by the interaction of the blue lines with the small dark squares.. The author’s name is G. Sarcone
While in NYC for Fashion Week, I was carrying this super stylish (and handy) gray handbag…and getting asked, on every street corner, who designed my tote. As you can probably guess, that was the beginning of many a conversation…once I get talking about handbags, there’s no stopping my motor mouth.
Anyway, I can’t have half of New York knowing about this under-the-radar designer and not let you all in on the scoop. What kind of friend would I be?
After a life-long love affair with purses and years of being teased by friends for being such a ‘handbag buff‘, Della Murphy decided to design her own line of shoulder bags, clutches and totes. At Della Designed, you will find gorgeous, beautifully constructed and functional handbags that are a joy to wear and stop strangers on the street (take it from me). Made with quality leather, the bags maintain their integrity - even with everyday wear. And here’s the best part - every Della Designed handbag is under $200. Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Della’s handbags are named after family and friends who encouraged and inspired her. I’m not sure who Valerie is, but she must be one hell of a muse because her namesake is so chic.
The slate grey Valerie is crafted with soft leather and prominent silver zippers, in a bold shape. The adjustable shoulder strap provides options for drop length. The interior is lined in cotton and contains enough pockets to keep you thoroughly organized.
If you are looking for a sassy new handbag that no one else is carrying (yet), but you don’t want to break the bank - visit delladesigned.com.
In Part 2 of Kim Kardashian's Vegas Magazine How-To Makeup Video, Kim and makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic continues to apply Kim's eye makeup. In this segment, Mario uses the following products:
The advanced formula gloss saturates lips with a high-impact shine. Vitamins and hyaluronic acid deeply moisturize, fill in lines, and naturally plump for the perfect glossy pit. Wear it alone or over any lip color - the reflective pearlescent shade looks stunning on every skin tone. $19
The number 13 may be considered unlucky to some...but for aspiring short models, it may just be a blessing.
For the first time in America’s Next Top Model history, Tyra Banks announces that girls must be 5'7" and under to qualify for cycle 13 of the hit reality show.
Typically, ANTM requires that contestants meet a minimum height requirement of 5’7” – matching the industry standard. But next time around, Tyra is searching for shorties, ages 18 to 27, of diverse backgrounds, shapes and sizes.
"There have been top supermodels in the past that weren’t as tall as the industry demands, like fashion icon Kate Moss," said Tyra. "So we are changing up Top Model for cycle 13 and making it a year for the shorter model!”
Open Call Cities:
Saturday, February 28 10:00am-3:00pm Eden Roc (A Renaissance Beach Resort and Spa) 4525 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Tuesday, March 3 10:00am-3:00pm The Westin San Francisco Market Street 50 Third Street San Francisco, California 94103
Bobbi Brown introduces her new Platinum Collection - a necessary indulgence for any Bobbi Brown fan!
The collection features the new limited-edition Platinum Pink Shimmer Brick which comes in a unique metallic silver finish and contains five bars of color that will beautifully highlight cheeks or anywhere you want to add shimmer. The shades included: soft pink, platinum, bright pink, golden coral and rose, can be blended together or used individually.
In addition to the Shimmer Brick, Bobbi also adds new shades to her line of ever popular Long Wear Cream Shadows, Shimmer Lip Glosses and Lip Glosses that reflect this spring’s trend of strong and smoky eyes and glossy, high-shine lips.
Bobbi also introduces her new, limited-edition Shimmering Body Oil which is infused with pink and platinum pearls. Perfect for giving skin a radiant glow, the oil also moisturizes and conditions with a blend of essential oils. Lightly fragranced, the Shimmering Body Oil features a sneak peek of Bobbi’s Party, a new fragrance that will debut Holiday 2009!
On her blog, Kim Kardashian posted this how-to video, so that fans can cop her Vegas Magazine look (above). In the video, makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic gives shout outs to the following products:
Se entregaron los Premios Oscar, aquí un repaso de las pelis ganadoras, en el orden que fueron saliendo.
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (2008) de Woody Allen, con Rebecca Hall (Vicky), Scarlett Johansson (Cristina), Javier Bardem (Juan Antonio Gonzalo), Penélope Cruz (María Elena), Patricia Clarkson (Judy Nash), Kevin Dunn (Mark Nash). La obra de Woody Allen trata sobre dos americanas que van para España y se enamoran de un pintor que no pudo nunca terminar con su amor anterior (quien vuelve). Oscar ganado: Mejor actriz secundaria (Penélope Cruz) MILK (2008) de Gus Van Sant, con Sean Penn (Harvey Milk), James Franco (Scott Smith), Josh Brolin (Dan White), Diego Luna (Jack Lira), Alison Pill (Anne Kronenberg). El director Gus Van Sant ("Mi mundo privado" - My Own Private Idaho, 1991 -, "Psicósis" - Psycho, 1998 -, "Elefante" - Elephant, 2003) toma partido por la comunidad gay (de la que es partícipe) para contar la historia del Supervisor de San Francisco asesinado por un colega a fines de los '70. Harvey Milk era abiertamente gay y luchaba para lograr derechos para esta comunidad, posiblemente esa haya sido la causa principal para su asesinato; aunque en este excelente filme se postulan otras suposiciones. Oscar ganados: Guión original y mejor actor para Sean Penn. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: ¿QUIEN QUIERE SER MILLONARIO? (Slumdog Millionaire, 2008)de Danny Boyle, con Dev Patel (Jamal Malik), Freida Pinto (Latika), Irrfan Khan (Inspector de policía), Anil Kapoor (Prem Kumar), Madhur Mittal (Salim). Excelente filme de Boyle, conocido por haber dirigido "Tumba al ras de la tierra" (Shallow Grave, 1995), "Trainspotting, sin límites" (Trainspotting, 1996), "Vida sin reglas" (A Life Less Ordinary, 1997), "La playa" (The Beach, 2000), "Exterminio" (28 Days Later..., 2002), "Millones" (Millions, 2004), "Sunshine: Alerta solar" (Sunshine, 2007). La historia de Jamal, un chico de la calle que se decide a participar en la versión india de "¿Quien quiere ser millonario?" y sus problemas para encontrarse con la chica de su vida. Oscar ganados: Mejor película, Director, Guión adaptado, Fotografía, Canción (Jai Ho), Montaje y Mezcla de sonido. WALL-E (2008) de Andrew Stanton, con Ben Burtt (Wall-E), Elissa Knight (Eva), Fred Willard (Shelby Forthright - BnL CEO), Sigourney Weaver (Computadora). El Oscar de animación no tenía competencia, era obvio que lo ganaría de nuevo Pixar, en este caso con su filme del año pasado; ganando por segundo año consecutivo (en el 2007 fue con "Ratatouille"). Oscar ganado: Mejor animación. LE MAISON EN PETIT CUBES (2008) de Kunio Katô, con Masami Nagasawa (narración). Este corto cuenta la historia de un anciano solitario y sus recuerdos melancólicos. Oscar ganado: Cortometraje animado.
EL CURIOSO CASO DE BENJAMIN BUTTON (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, 2008) de David Fincher, con Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button), Cate Blanchett (Daisy), Elias Koteas (Monsieur Gateau), Jason Flemyng (Thomas Button), Taraji P. Henson (Queenie), Tilda Swinton (Elizabeth Abbott). La gran perdedora de los Oscar, la historia del niño que nace viejo y comienza a rejuvenecer, obtuvo más de lo que merecía: un montón de nominaciones y premios consuelo (que no debió ganar), al parecer a la academia no la emocionó esta historia para chicas. Oscar ganados: Dirección de arte, Maquillaje y Efectos visuales. LA DUQUESA (The Duchess, 2008) de Saul Dibb, con Keira Knightley (Georgiana), Ralph Fiennes (El Duque), Charlotte Rampling (Lady Spencer). Drama de época, clásico merecedor del Oscar que ganó. Oscar ganado: Diseño de vestuario. SPIELZEUGLAND (2007) de Jochen Alexander Freydank, Julia Jäger (Marianne) y Cedric Eich (Heinrich). Una historia infantil que cuenta que un niño alemán cree que los niños judíos van a la tierra de los juguetes. Oscar ganado: Cortometraje. BATMAN: EL CABALLERO DE LA NOCHE (The Dark Knight, 2008) de Christopher Nolan, con Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne, Batman), Heath Ledger (El Guasón), Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent, Dos Caras), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Rachel Dawes), Gary Oldman (James Gordon), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), Cillian Murphy (Espantapájaros), Eric Roberts (Salvatore Maroni), Anthony Michael Hall (Mike Engel). El Oscar cantado de la noche, la gran actuación del difunto Ledger es clásica, tanto es así que podría ser el mejor Guasón de la historia del cine. Oscar ganados: Mejor actor secundario para Heath Ledger, Edición de sonido. MAN ON WIRE (2008) de James Marsch, con Philippe Petit. El documental sigue al equilibrista Petit, quien pudo atravesar en 1974 las torres gemelas de un lado a otro a varios metros de altura y de forma ilegal, en lo que se consideró "el crimen artístico del siglo". Oscar ganado: Documental. SMILE PINKI (2008) de Megan Mylan. La historia de una niña india nacida en una familia de condiciones muy bajas, con una deformación en su labio. La sorpresa le llega cuando le ofrecen una operación gratuita para quitar esa marca de nacimiento, el corto fue promocionado como un cuento de hadas real. Oscar ganado: Cortometraje documental.
OKURIBITO (2008) de Yojiro Takita, con Masahiro Motoki (Daigo Kobayashi). La historia de un chelista que queda sin tocar en ninguna orquesta y debe trabajar embalsamando cuerpos. Oscar ganado: Película extranjera. EL LECTOR (The Reader, 2008) de Stephen Daldry, con Ralph Fiennes (Michael Berg), Kate Winslet (Hanna Schmitz), Lena Olin (Madre de Rose e Ilana). La historia de un chico que se enamora de una mujer mayor, y luego se convertiría en su amante, que desaparece misteriosamente. Unos años después reaparece acusada de crímenes vinculados al nazismo. Oscar ganado: Mejor actriz para Kate Winslet.
Last Tuesday, a select group of bloggers was invited to the Givenchy offices in NYC to celebrate the launch of the Maharani Spring 2009 collection. Fresh fruit and yogurt were on the menu for this beauty breakfast, but I couldn’t be bothered with the food. I was too busy salivating over the products. It’s rare that I fall in love with an entire collection, so trust me when I tell you that every component of this compilation is a winner and deserves a spot in your makeup case. As Nicolas Degennes, Artistic Director of Givenchy Makeup, took us on a tour of his artistic imagination and described each Indian-inspired beauty, I fell a little deeper in love.
Once the presentation concluded, Nicolas (the creative genius behind the aptly named Phenomen'Eyes Mascara) approached me and whispered in French accented English, “My dear, you will love this eye pencil. You will love it.”
Initially, I was taken aback. Was Nicolas clairvoyant? Was he reading my mind? Could he see the eyeliner and sugarplums that dance in my head? Then I remembered that I had swathed my eyes in rings of bright blue pencil, earlier that morning. Of course Nicolas knew I was dying to try his new Magic Kajal Eye Pencil. My eyeliner junkie status was written all over my face.
After the breakfast, I couldn’t get back to my hotel room quick enough. I couldn’t wait another minute to experience Kajal’s conjury. I took the chubby crayon in my hand, ran circles around my eyes, then looked into the mirror for the final verdict. Survey says…WINNER! Rimmed in the glossiest, most bewitching black, I couldn’t take my eyes off of my eyes.
There aren’t enough superlatives in the English language for me to adequately sing the praises of Givenchy’s Magic Kajal Eye Pencil. This is the black smudgy pencil that eyeliner enthusiasts have been waiting for. The pencil contains wax and oil, which gives the crayon a creamy texture. This creaminess does cause the pigment to travel; so if you like a clean, more graphic line, I advise dusting some translucent powder underneath the lower lash line (I like Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinish Powder).
I love how this liner makes me look like a badass.