Join the Clinique Insider’s Club!

Clinique is starting up an awesome program called the Clinique Insider’s Club - they will be selecting 20 women from the submitted applications.

As an insider, you'll get an exclusive sneak peek at the latest Clinique skincare, and makeup products and will have the opportunity to give product reviews and opinions which will be seen, heard and read on Clinique.com. Insiders will also have access to special upcoming events and will receive a special welcome kit which includes full-size Clinique products and a flip video digital camcorder!

Click here for more information, and to apply. Hurry...the submission period ends on July 17, 2008 at 11:59 PM (EST).

Now Screening: Spoiled Pretty And The Quest For The Holy Grail

Tonight, Mr. Spoiled Pretty and I will be braving the crowds to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I am so wound up. I’ve been waiting 19 years for this! Hopefully, I won’t end up sitting next to someone who likes to shout at the screen. Or someone who pays $10 for a movie ticket, then yaks on her cell phone half of the time.

Anyway, buying our advance tickets got me thinking about the third movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade…you know the one where Harrison Ford and Sean Connery go in search of the Holy Grail? Which got me thinking about my holy grail beauty products. Odd train of thought, I know. But you’ll thank me after I introduce you to my new obsession.

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss is exactly what it sounds like. It hydrates even the most parched pout, but looks and feels like a non-sticky lipgloss. The formula protects with antioxidants and can be worn on bare lips or over lipstick.

It’s available in eight shades, but you really only need Lilac. It’s one of those rare tints that looks gorgeous on everyone…like my pal Amber, who familiarized me with this ab fab gloss.

Update: I give the latest Indy movie a C+. If you're a fan of the series, check it out. But don't get your hopes way up. And as luck would have it, I ended up next to a woman who thought out loud (very loud) the entire movie. I totally jinxed myself.

Brides: Take The Clinique Lash Power Challenge

Bridal Beauty Week ended last week, but that doesn’t mean Spoiled Pretty has forgotten about you brides-to-be.

Between now and June 30, future brides can visit clinque.brides.com to download the Clinique Bridal Beauty Countdown Widget to help plan your day of bliss – including weekly wedding-prep tips for glowing skin and flawless makeup – right on their desktop. Once downloaded, Clinique will deliver a FREE SAMPLE of Lash Power Mascara. This mascara vows to stay put through rain, sweat, humidity and tears.

And for the chance to win every bride’s dream wedding day accessory (beautiful diamond jewelry valued at $5,000), Clinique invites women to submit a video of their best teary-eyed moment – weather watching a tear-jerking movie, jumping in a pool, or peeling an onion – showing Clinique Power Mascara standing up to the test. The winning submission will receive the diamond jewelry collection and three runners-up will receive a Clinique Makeup Artists on their wedding day for themselves and two friends.

Me Gloss You Long Time

I don’t typically gravitate towards long-lasting beauty products. I can appreciate that cosmetics companies are trying to give consumers more bang for their buck. But I’m fickle. I change my mind all of the time, and I don’t like my makeup overstaying its welcome. This is usually the case. But I’ll make an exception for Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15.

As you can see from my amateur swatches below, this product puts the gloss in lipgloss. Check out how it reflects the light!

Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 promises 8 hours of shine – and while I would say 8 hours is a stretch, it’s not too far off. Yesterday, while riding the bus to work, I swiped some on my lips. My mouth was still super-shiny come mid-afternoon. My only criticism is that the taste leaves a bit to be desired. I’m the kind of girl who loves a gloss with some flava – and this one tastes kinda clinical. Sorta old school, if that makes any sense. I think it’s the sunscreen. Otherwise, I have no complaints.

I predict that these lipglosses will become my summer staples. Philadelphia humidity has a tendency to melt everything off of my face. So it's nice to know these babies will stay put.


From left to right: Bonfire, Sunset, and Tenderheart.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula

Here’s a conundrum you probably can relate to:

You’re touching up your makeup and want to add some extra oomph to your lashes. You can’t just remove your eye makeup and start from scratch. But then again, applying a fresh coat of mascara on top of the old coat will lead to major clumps. What to do?

Try this tip from makeup artist, Molly R. Stern: Before reapplying mascara, wet your fingers slightly and moisten your lashes to soften the dried product. Then swipe on a fresh coat.

Or you could just apply Clinique’s new Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula in the AM for fresh-looking, fabulous lashes all day. It holds up for 24 hours and lasts through rain, humidity, sweat, and tears – but easily washes off with warm water. You’ll marvel at how weightless the wand feels in your hand. And if you’re looking for some serious lash lengthening and clump-free definition, look no further.

Available in Black Onyx and Dark Chocolate.

Get Even

One of my biggest skin concerns is hyper-pigmentation. While most people pray for their acne to dry up, I dread it – thanks to the dark marks my pimples inevitably leave in their wake. A blemish that spends a few days on my face can leave a spot that lasts for years.

For what seems like forever, I have been waging war against hyper-pigmentation. My bathroom cabinet is a graveyard of scrubs and creams that wooed me with promises of a clearer complexion. Unfortunately, most of them don’t work…and the ones that do can lighten skin to such an extent that they can lead to hypo-pigmentation – which is especially bad for brown gal like me.

A month ago, I was sick of looking into the mirror and seeing my dark marks staring back at me. So I decided to get even – and I’m so glad that I gave it another try.

Clinique’s Even Better Skin Tone Corrector has made a marked improvement (pun intended) in the appearance of my skin. Developed specifically to address all skin tones, this lightweight serum gently erases discolorations – and results can be seen in 4 to 6 weeks.

How does it work? Clinique's Executive Director of Research and Development, Dr. Tom Mammone, says, "Even Better breaks down the appearance of dark clusters caused by hyper-pigmentation into less visible dust. Then exfoliating ingredients whisk away these clusters."

In addition to acne scarring, Even Better also treats sun damage and age spots – and it prevents the appearance of new dark marks. So use it on your face, neck, chest, hands, or anywhere you’re looking spotty.

Even Better Skin Tone Corrector is available at Clinique counters and at clinique.com.

Get Gifted At Saks

Ageless Beauty 101 is in session at Saks Fifth Avenue. From now until March 8, stop in to learn about your favorite beauty brands and take home deluxe gifts with purchase. Click here to browse the catalogue.

Here is a sampling of the deals and steals available at Saks*:

BLISS Deluxe samples of Vanilla and Bergamot Body Buff, Vanilla and Bergamot Bubbling Bath and Shower Gel and Foot Patrol Exfoliating Foot Cream, with your $75 purchase.

BOBBI BROWN Pink Truffle Collection includes full-size Pink Truffle Pot Rouge and mini Sandy Beige Shimmer Lip Gloss, with your $100 purchase.

CLE DE PEAU BEAUTE Cosmetic pouch includes deluxe samples of La Crème, Revitalizing Emulsion and Eye Contour Essence, with your $300 purchase.

CLINIQUE Deluxe samples of Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick, Quickliner for Lips, Long Last Lipstick, Take The Day Off Makeup Remover and a white lipstick case, with your $50 purchase.

DIOR Black saddle pouch includes mini samples of L’Or de Vie Crème and Lip & Eye Palette, wit your $125 purchase.

FEKKAI Deluxe sample of Glossing Cream, with your $75 purchase.

FRESH Gift box includes deluxe samples of Rose Face Mask, Soy Face Cleanse and Umbrian Clay Face Treatment, with your $125 purchase. Gift box plus a deluxe sample of Sugar Face Polish, with your $150 purchase.

FREEZE 24/7 Mini miracle kit includes deluxe samples of Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Anti-Aging Eye Serum, IceCream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer and IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep and Polis, with your $150.

GUERLAIN Discovery kit includes mini samples of Maxi Lash Mascara, Kiss Kiss Lip Gloss in No 570, Super Aqua Toner, Orchidee Imperiale Cream and Insolence Eau de Toilette, with your $175 purchase.

KIEHL’S SINCE 1851 Deluxe samples of Crème de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Scrub Crème de Corps Nurturing Body Wash and Abyssine+ Cream, with your $75.

LANCOME Signature train case includes Clor Design Lipcolor, Color Design Eye Shadow Quartet, Star Bronzer Poudre Soliel, Definicils Pro, Cils Booster XL, Blow Sensuelle and Absolute Premium bx, with your $75 purchase.

MOLTON BROWN Deluxe samples of Heavenly Gingerlily Body Cream or Shower Gel, with your $65 purchase.

PHYTO Deluxe sample of Phytodefrisant, with your purchase of any two products.

TRISH MCEVOY ink Rose Collection includes full-size Pink Rose Lip Color, travel sizes of Deep Nude Lip Liner, Sexy Lip Gloss, #9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk fragrance, Beauty Booster Cream, Beauty Booster Serum and a blue logo cosmetic bag, with your $125 purchase.

*One per customer, while supplies last. Samples may vary. In-store only.

Clinique Gets Even Better

New from Clinique is a skin care product that promises to create brightness and clarity for all ethnicities.

Even Better Skin Tone Corrector is a lightweight serum that creates a notably more even complexion by helping to undo the visible evidence of sun damage, dark patches, skin stresses, age spots, even the darkening that follows acne scarring. It supposedly even helps to prevent new dark spots from forming.

Developed specifically to address all skin tones, it can be used anywhere on the face, hands, and chest - and results can be seen in 4 to 6 weeks.

Available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Dillard's, and Neiman Marcus.

U Got The Look: NYE 2008

I still don’t have any plans for NYE. It might be a quiet, romantic dinner with my hubby. Or a raucous celebration with friends at a bar. Or I might just sit on the couch and blog my way into the new year. Whichever it is, here’s the makeup look I will be rocking.

I didn’t have a particular look I was going for. It really just started with Diane Brill’s Liquid Eye Liner in Lace Diamonds – and evolved from there. I didn’t expect to go so over-the-top. But once I started, I found it hard to stop…hence, my glittery glamtastic eyelids that rival the Times Square Ball in sparkle.

Once I finished piling it all on, I was afraid it was a little too Amanda Lepore for my liking. But it has since grown on me, and I hope you’ll agree that it looks quite pretty in pictures.

Step One - Face:
Apply Clinique Superfit Makeup (in Nutty) to entire face, using MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush.

Step Two – Eyes:
Line the inner rims with Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Eye Pencil (in Black). Apply Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow (in Woodrose) from lash line to crease. Apply Tarte’s Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duo (in Slate) - just the powder side; first, roll it on – then blend with a shadow brush. Next, line upper lid with Prestige Liquid Eyeliner (in Black). Then load shadow brush MAC Eye Shadow (in Idol Eyes) and pat onto lid. Curl eyelashes (I used a curler by Maybelline) and coat upper lashes with Diorshow Mascara (in Black) and apply DuWop Lash Lacquer mascara (in Carbon Black) to bottom lashes. Line upper lids again – but this time, use Diane Brill Liquid Eye Liner (in Lace Diamonds). Finally, brush some of the Diane Brill Eye Liner on the tips of upper lashes – to give them a diamond-like sparkle.


(top photo - naked eye lined with Diane Brill Liquid Eye Liner in Lace Diamonds; bottom photo - finished eye, after step two)

Step Three – Cheeks:
Dot DuWop Blush Therapy (in Hug) on apples of cheeks, then blend with fingertips.

Step Four – Highlighting:
Dot Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go down the bridge of the nose and on cheekbones, then gently tap with pad of finger until blended.

Step Five – Lips:
Finish off the look with a few swipes of MAC Lustreglass – I used Budding, but I think it’s been discontinued. Venetian is somewhat similar, but tad bit deeper – though still sheer.

That’s the recipe. I hope you had as much fun reading about the look as I had creating it! If you're looking for more NYE makeup ideas, my friend Marina at Makeup Loves Me has a bunch.

So with that, I’m going to conclude this post with the immortal words of my man, Prince. Every NYE, you’re bound to hear “1999” at least a couple times, so allow me to introduce you to another oldie, but goodie – a little ditty Prince recorded with Sheena Easton. Remember her? "Sugar Walls"? Okay, now I'm showing my age. Just watch the video.

Buyer Beware

After reading that FragranceX.com sells discount skin care, body products, and cosmetics – in addition to fragrances – at up to 80% off, I couldn’t wait to log on and fill up my online shopping cart. So imagine my surprise when I found that not only are the discount claims highly exaggerated, but in many cases, their prices are higher than the retail value. Case in point:

Product: Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
Retail Price: $22.50
Fragrance X Price: $30 (and they have the nerve to say that you’re saving 17%)


Product: MAC Clear Lip Glass
Retail Price: $13.50
Fragrance X Price: $17 (they say you’re saving 26%)

Product: Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo
Retail Price: $19.50
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (they claim this is a savings of 18%)


Product: Philosophy Strawberry Milkshake Ultra-Rich Shampoo, Bath, & Shower Gel
Retail Price: $16
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (you’re supposedly saving 21%)

Don’t get me wrong – there are many products on FragranceX.com that will actually save you a couple of dollars. But can you really trust an online merchant that would so blatantly jack up prices, making you believe that you’re getting a deal?

The bottom line is that if you choose to purchase from FragranceX.com, or similar discount websites, take precautions. All it takes is a few extra minutes to check prices and make sure that it’s you, and not them, who is making out like a bandit.

Hola From Orlando

By the time you read this, I’ll probably be back in Philadelphia – but I had to report on my fabulous beauty finds in Florida. I’m here on business, but I had some downtime – which I chose to fill with a trip to the Orlando Premium Outlets. I visited the Philadelphia Premium Outlets on Monday, so I guess you could say that I’m addicted.

Anyway, I stopped by The Cosmetics Company Store, and it didn’t disappoint. Like the one in Philadelphia, the outlet carried Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Estee Lauder, MAC, Origins, and Prescriptives. But they also sell select products from Stila (including some discontinued, yet gorgeous, shades of Lip Glaze).

I picked up three MAC Eye Shadows for $10 each (normally $14) and two MAC Tendertone Lip Balms for $11.25 each (usually $14.50). Tendertone is a lipcolor that combines the shine of a gloss with the soft emollient feel of a lip conditioner. Moisturizing and non-sticky in wear, they smell like a candy apple. I highly recommend Deep Sigh (sheer bronze pearl) and Pucker (sheer raspberry).

Bargain Beauty

If you’re in the Greater Philadelphia area, might I suggest a trip to the new Philadelphia Premium Outlets? Located in Limerick, PA (ironically, somewhat far from Philadelphia), the outlet mall boasts designer brands such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Michael Kors, and Neiman Marcus.

My favorite discovery, however, was the handful of beauty stores - which offer jaw-dropping discounts on cosmetics, bath and body products, and fragrances…I’m talking 25-65% off!

The Cosmetics Company Store carries an impressive selection of products from Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Darphin, Estee Lauder, MAC, Origins, and Prescriptives – just to name a few. The Lancome Company Outlet sells select makeup, skincare, and fragrances. There’s also a Crabtree & Evelyn outlet, as well as two perfume discounters.

Before you take the trip to Limerick, make sure to sign up for the VIP Shopper Club to receive exclusive discounts, a coupon book, and insider news on your favorite brands!

Rose Colored Glosses

Face the world with rose-colored glosses. Here are a few Spoiled Pretty favorites:


Bourjois Effet 3D High Shine Lip Gloss in Rose Angelic



Cargo Lip Duo in Chattanooga



Carol’s Daughter Candy Paint Lip Gloss in Grown and Sexy



Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Sugarplump



Kiehl’s Lip Gloss in Goldenberry



Shu Uemura Sweet Lip Gloss in Rose Candy



Stila Lip Glaze in Guava



TheBalm Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss in Water My Melon

You Like Me, You Really Like Me

I was recently contacted by BellaSugar.com - asking if they could feature my review of Clinique's SuperMoisture Makeup in an upcoming post. I said yes, of course!

And now it's up!!! I'm so excited, and honored, that the geniuses at BellaSugar thought my critique was worthy of posting on their main page.

So, even if you've already heard about my experience with this new product - check it out anyway.

Irresistible En Rojo

Get the Latin Grammy look at Clinique...
Fresh, flirty color for day - made sexy for night. All starring irresistable lips in Angel Red.

Day
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Spicy
Cream Shaper For Eyes in Egyptian or Brown Sugar
High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara
Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator in Peach or Bronze
Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Sunset Glow
Quickliner For Lips in Bon Bon

Night
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Spicy
Brush-On Cream Liner in Deep Brown or Smoky
Cream Shaper For Eyes
Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Almond Blossom
Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Cherry Bomb

Happy Holidays

What do you have in common with Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss, Mariah Carey, and Sarah Jessica Parker? You all have your own fragrance! Well you don’t - not yet, that is...

Clinique just launched a new program, allowing customers to customize a bottle of their best-selling Happy perfume. Now you can personalize your perfume with pictures of whatever makes you smile. Smell sweet each day while you gaze upon the picture of your boyfriend/husband, pet, best friend, Mom or Dad – on a Clinique Happy bottle.

The process is simple: go to Clinique.com, upload your photo, name your bottle, and order. In less than two weeks, the bottle arrives on your doorstep. And the best part is that for each personalized photo bottle sold, Clinique will make a $1 donation (up to $10,000) to Big Brothers Big Sisters, a nonprofit that changes the lives of disadvantaged children and gives them a better chance of success.

Available just in time for the holidays, it’s a fun way to add a touch of personalization to your favorite fragrance and makes the ordinary gift unique.

The custom Happy fragrance is $52 for 3.4 oz, and can be ordered at Clinique's website.

A Tale of Two Foundations

Yesterday, my quest for an everyday foundation took me to my local department store. I’d seen advertisements for Clinique’s new Supermoisture Makeup in my favorite fashion magazines, so I headed straight to their makeup counter.

On the Clinique website, the Supermoisture Makeup is described as having an ultra-creamy yet refreshingly lightweight formula that goes beyond flaw-fixing, providing a dewy look. Clinique promises that this product disguises unevenness with sheer-to-moderate coverage, resulting in soft and radiant looking skin all day.

Okay, so back to my shopping escapades…the saleswoman warned me that the Supermoisture Makeup is meant for individuals with dry skin. Now, while my skin can be an oil slick during the summer, it gets tight and very dry during the fall and winter months. So I told the woman that I still wanted to give it a try. She color-matched me, and the shade she chose was spot-on. However, it was much too dewy for my taste. In fact - it looked, dare I say, greasy. I would only recommend this product to those with extremely parched skin (think Sahara thirsty).

The story does have a happy ending, though. I walked out of Bloomingdale’s with Clinique’s Superfit Makeup in Nutty – an oldie but a goodie. And the helpful saleswoman threw in a gift with purchase (Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Twiglet and Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer) to boot.

In The Clutch

I’m the type of woman who carries her beauty arsenal with her at all times. Judging from the size (and weight) of my handbag, this should come as no surprise. So when I’m heading out for cocktails with friends, to a wedding, or dinner with my hubby, it’s always a struggle to fit all of my products in my cute, petite purse. Over time, I’ve learned that you needn’t sacrifice style just because you have to sacrifice space. The secret? Travel sizes and multi-purpose products. Here are a few of my favs…

Clinique's Perfectly Real Compact Makeup looks like your skin—only better. The silky, oil-free formula optimizes your skin’s varying tones to create a more even, perfected appearance. Buildable coverage lasts for hours, yet feels like nothing at all.

Benefit's A Little Bit BADgal Lash Mascara is a little bit of BADgal lash for the girl on the go. Even though it's mini, it carries a big BADgal punch - lavish mascara that's sexy, sultry, pure, unadulterated black.

Stila's Convertible Eye Color is a versatile, dual-ended eye color wand that contains a smooth, easy to apply (thanks to the built-in applicator), powder eyeshadow on one end, and a matching automatic eyeliner pencil on the other, for perfectly color-coordinated lids in a flash. Available in 9 color combinations.

Stila's ingenious lipstick and blush-in-one proves irresistible. Convertible Color is a creamy, sheer tint that adds an inherent glow to the cheeks while lips bloom with fresh, radiant color. A mini-mirrored compact makes touch ups on the go a snap.

DuWop Duet Gloss & Highlighter is a double-ended wand with a gorgeous shimmering lip gloss on one end, paired with a liquid all-over face highlighter on the other.

Revlon's Makeup Eraser Pen quickly and precisely removes makeup smudges and smears in one simple step. Designed for portable perfection and touch-ups on the go. Easily lift away longwearing and waterproof makeup without irritating skin. The soft tip lets you target hard-to-reach mistakes without disturbing your makeup.

Now you can smooth frizz, prevent over-drying, eliminate odors, and protect your hair from the sun anytime, anywhere with Ted Gibson's Hair Styling Sheets.

Sephora's 3 Inch Fragrance Atomizer will keep you smelling sweet from dusk til dawn. Just fill with your favorite fragrance, drop in your handbag, and 'spritz' yourself whenever you need a pick-me-up. Three inches in length, this atomizer comes with a drawstring pouch and funnel for easy refilling.

One Concealer To Go, Hold The Oil

Today, I received an email from a reader asking me to recommend an oil-free concealer…which got me thinking about concealer, in general. As a person with combination skin, I tend to gravitate toward oil-free moisturizers, primers, and foundations…but I never think to look for oil-free concealers.

It makes absolute sense that if you’re using concealer to cover blemishes, you would want an oil-free formulation. But, for some reason, most concealers aren’t marketed that way. After conducting a lengthy Internet search, I was surprised to find that there aren’t many out there that make the claim to be oil-free. So either the choices really are limited, or there are a lot of cosmetic companies that don’t bother putting the words on the package. My suggestion is to look for concealers made for "oily or combo skin" - these formulas tend to contain drying properties that reduce both inflammation and oiliness.

The following are the fruits of my labor. As I am a tried and true fan of Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit, I can’t vouch for these products. So head on over to Makeup Alley for some unbiased and candid reviews.


Drugstore


Revlon Colorstay Undereye Concealer's exclusive formula and soft-touch applicator work to gently conceal dark undereye circles and discolorations, while giving you natural looking coverage all day. Patented SoftFlex provides a lightweight, comfortable feel. Oil-free. Non-pore-clogging. Non-irritating. With SPF 15 UVA and UVB protection.


Neutrogenia Skin-Clearing Oil Free Concealer treats and helps prevent breakouts with its easy to use click pen. Unlike ordinary concealers, this dermatologist developed formula contains salicylic acid to get rid of acne you have now and help prevent future breakouts. Natural-looking coverage helps to reduce the appearance of acne.


Almay Clear Complexion Concealer is an oil-free spot concealer that targets your blemishes with salicylic acid to speed healing, while never blocking pores. The sponge tip wand delivers the perfect amount of concealer every time. Infused with meadowsweet to help purify and clear skin as well as calming botanicals such as chamomile and aloe to soothe irritation. Not for use near eyes.


Department Store


The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas by Philosophy is a multi-tasking 4-in-1 high-pigment powder that conceals, camouflages, and provides SPF protection all in one easy step. The lightweight powder is talc-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, water-free and oil-free and the incredibly fast and easy-to-use sponge applicator makes this gentle powder safe to use on all skin types - from the most sensitive, to the most prone to breakouts.


Full Cover by Make Up For Ever is an ultra long-lasting, matte finish, oil-free, waterproof, full coverage concealer. Designed to cover major imperfections like scars, hyperpigmentation, major discoloration, burns, and tattoos, this light and creamy concealer contains a high concentration of pigments that stay put, making it perfect for use on the face, as well as the body. Full Cover is clinically tested on sensitive skin and dermatologically controlled for gentleness.


Conceal, shield and heal blemishes with Galactic Shield - an oil-free, waterproof anti-acne concealing stick. In three shades that suit almost every skin tone, it's your daytime avenger! Received Elle magazine's Top 5 Winner "spot-on blemish eraser" award and voted "best concealer for acne" by Real Simple magazine.


Clinique Acne Solutions Concealing Stick provides natural-looking spot coverage as blemishes heal, disappear. Its medicated formula works to cover and clear blemishes. Convenient stick formula blends on easily, under or over makeup. Oil-free.


Clinique All About Eyes Concealer disguises dark undereye circles while helping to reduce the look of puffiness. Long-wearing, moisturizing formula won’t crease or settle into fine lines. Oil-free.


Created for women with sensitive skin, LORAC's Oil Free Neutralizer is a specially-tinted makeup which can correct and conceal imperfections. Formulated without the use of harsh chemicals, this neutralizer is infused with rich botanicals such as aloe, comfrey, and chamomile to calm and soothe skin. The Oil Free Neutralizer can be used as a foundation, as a cover for redness, or as a concealer of blemishes, pigmentation spots, and under-eye circles.

Primetime Emmys 2007 - A Retrospective

It’s the day after the 2007 Primetime Emmys…so without further ado, I bring you the obligatory red carpet recap.

Dude, Where’s My Makeup?

Rebecca Romijn looks like a beauty bandit snuck into her house and stole everything but her pastel makeup. Smart thief…I would have left it too. I really like Rebecca – she seems to be down to earth and unpretentious, but she’s a former model...so she, of all people, should know what looks good (and what doesn’t) in pictures. I would recommend a slightly stronger lip for Rebecca, such as Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Poppy Love. If I were her makeup artist, I would also coat her lashes with a few coats of Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara and use Benefit’s Gilded Eyeliner on the inside of lower lids to make her eyes pop.

Scarlet Fever

Like a timeless black dress, red lips never go out of style. So it should come as no surprise that we were seeing red last night, as more than a few starlets decided to match their lip color with that of the carpet.

Hot mama-to-be Christina Aguilera, and Katherine Heigl channeled old Hollywood - smartly pairing bold lips with lengthy lashes. I kinda wish Christina would have shown us a softer, less sultry side - but this is Mrs. Bratman's signature look...and she's gonna rock it 'til the wheels fall off.

As for Miss Heigl, "Congratulations" are an order. First she gets engaged, now she's an Emmy winner. She's come a long way since My Father the Hero.

To find a red that's wearable, use your complexion as a clue to finding your perfect hue. Blue-based reds give pale skin a boost - try Maybelline New York Moisture Extreme Lipcolor in Candied Apple. Gals with medium skin should choose orangey reds, like Nars Lipstick in Heat Wave. Ladies with dark skin can wear any red, as long as it's bright enough to show up. MAC Lip Pencil in Brick and Lipstick in Lady Bug is a winning combination for me.

Choosing Sides

Did I miss the memo? Did all of the attendees call each other on Saturday and coordinate their hairdos? I thought the point of these shindigs was to outdo the next girl, not be her carbon copy. Rashida Jones' makeup is beautiful, but her "side updo" falls flat...the bangs and side wisps look a little deflated and defeated.

Kate Walsh's do isn't exactly a don't - but between the red hair, lips, dress, and nails...it's just too much. So who am I siding with in the battle of the side updos? I'm crowning Heidi Klum the champ. The perfection that is Project Runway may have gone unacknowledged, but Heidi looked every bit the winner last night.

Not only did she choose the right makeup, she created her makeup! The collection is called the Heidi Klum Very Sexy Makeup Collection and will be available at Victoria's Secret in October. For more on the makeup Heidi wore, visit BellaSugar.com.

Life on the E List

Kathy Griffin is now an Emmy winner - but unfortunately, my favorite crazy comedienne has seen better days. First things first, Kathy - grow out those bangs...a nice side-swept bang would look so nice on you! And I would trade that nude lip for a soft rose-gold - try Clarins Lip Colour Tint in 19 Wild Berry.



Uh-Oh

Sandra, are you even wearing makeup? News flash: even the natural look requires makeup. Your Bottega Veneta dress, however, was gorgeous.



Pump Up the Volume

One of the series I'm most excited to return this fall is Heroes. So it pains me to be critical of Ali Larter, whose character is so fun to watch every week. Her skin looks flawless, and you can tell from her expression, that she's genuinely enjoying herself and excited to be there. But her hair is neither here nor there...looking at this and subsequent photos, it's clear that Ali's limp locks could use a little lift. A product like Phytovolume Actif Maximizing Volume Spray would add body to her fine hair.

The Sopranos

Who hit high notes last night? In my humble opinion, Eva Longoria looked anything but desperate - and set the bar high. She didn't pull any punches...instead opting for a look we've all seen before, but one that always delivers. As Rupert Everett says in My Best Friend's Wedding, "Love the bag, love the shoes, love everything!"

Honorable mention is awarded to both America Fererra and Hayden Panettiere. In a sea of reds and neutrals, it was so refreshing to see America in cerulean. And although her hair may have looked a little prom-ish from the front - trust me, her 'do was fierce.



Hayden didn't win high fashion marks with me, as her Marc Bouwer gown swallowed her petite frame. But her skin was youthfully dewy, her eyes sparkled, and she had this lit-from-with glow to her. Some of the vets could learn a few things from this newbie...when it comes to putting her best face forward, she's wise beyond her years.

Do you agree? Think I'm snarky cuz I'm jealous? Who do you think took top honors? Leave a comment below.