Me Plus MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo Equals Love Connection

Of the roughly 22,000 couples who met on Love Connection, 31 eventually married. If MAC Cosmetics were running the show instead of Chuck Woolery, I suspect the odds would have been much higher. You see, MAC recently introduced me to "Love Connection," a Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo from their new Electro Flash collection, and it was true love at first sight.

Described as “Pale beige with gold and blue veining/Warm gold mono,” this baked duet of shadows has a super-fine pearl finish that’s like multi-dimensional fairy dust on your lids.

Appropriate for daytime and evening wear, this shade is sure to become your number one steady. I haven’t worn another shadow since Love Connection and I met a few weeks ago. Just be sure to prep the lid with a primer. If you apply with a brush, pat it on – as it has a tendency to fall under the eyes…or use a sponge-tip applicator.

You really must try Love Connection to understand why I’m so enamored. MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow Duos are available at MAC counters and maccosmetics.com.

Spoiled Pretty will return in two and two. Honestly, it’ll be a little longer than that…but I couldn’t resist.

Coming Soon: Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura Lashes

How deliciously decadent are these lashes?

Shu Uemura partnered with Viktor & Rolf, the avant-garde designers of the moment, to create their first ever "couture" lashes.

"Shu Uemura eyelashes are almost a fashion accessory and we like that. It’s something you can play with and transform yourself. This appeals to us because the idea of transformation is really important in our own work and in our philosophy." – Viktor & Rolf

Rhombus (top)

A glance with a certain message, directed to a certain someone is like a precious diamond, something to be treasured.

Wing (middle)
These lashes were created with the concept of the eye becoming a dove, the delicate miniature wings give the eyes an expression of bewilderment, enchantment. The mind wanders and airborne. A messenger of hope.

Swirl (bottom)

The swirl lash is an instant smile, the blink of an eye, a moment of attraction between the wearer and the person who was lucky enough to steal a glance. If ever a statement was true: a moment can last forever.

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to snatch up a pair of these falsies (works of art, really), save them 'til Halloween, and build an entire costume around them.

The limited-edition Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura lashes ($95 each) will be available at Shu Uemura boutiques, select retailers and shuuemura-usa.com beginning September 2008.

New From MAC: Starflash

Hollywood's new Power Couple. Our 12 new limited-edition Starflash shadows, combined with Kohl Power Eye Pencil. Shades for a smooth, creamy, cushioned life. Provides the double-wattage impact that will take you to the new stylesphere!

Starflash Eye Shadow: A remarkably creamy jet-milled pressed Eye Shadow that provides a distinctive pearly finish. Provides smooth-as-silk application with no dust or fly-aways. Medium buildable coverage allows versatility in application. Use discreetly or build it up. Long-wearing. Lasts all day without creasing or fading. Blends effortlessly, stays colour-true. Limited edition.

Star By Night: Frosty midtone blue
Talent Pool: Frosty blue green with gold pearl
Smoke & Diamonds: Frosty dirty taupe
Top Hat: Frosty dirty indigo
Lotusland: Frosted pinky lavender with gold pearl
Sunset: Frosty clean midtone pink
Bold & Brazen: Frosty light copper
Grand Entrance: Frosty neutral pink beige
Glamour Check: Frosty reddish brown
Mink & Sable: Frosty olive green
Dreammaker: Frosty yellow gold
Go: Frosted bronze
Suggested retail: $14.50

Kohl Power Eye Pencil: A kohl pencil that has all the intensity and colour power of ultra-soft carbon. Specially formulated to provide deep, fully opaque coverage, provides an intense, smoked finish with duo-chrome pearl. Versatile in application: blend or smudge.

Orpheus: Intense black with gold pearl (frost)
Mystery: Rich black with green and teal pearl (frost)
Feline: Rich black (frost)
Raven: Intense black with red pearl (frost)

Suggested retail: $14.00

Plushlash: A mascara formulated to instantly plump up lashes for extreme voluptuous effect. Works fast. Builds volume smoothly and evenly from root to tip. Delivers a silky, flexible, full fan of lashes. Fluid formula lightly coats lashes one layer at a time without smearing, smudging or clumping. Goes on via an innovative, specially patented wand with a v-shaped groove that prunes the bristles on one side while leaving the other side full and lush. The short bristles coax the lashes upward to an extraordinarily sophisticated yet flirtatious curl, while the other side separates and combs the lashes root-to-tip creating a long, well-defined glamour lash. Volumizing, lengthening, curling, lifting. This mascara features everything you want, with all the top mascara no’s: no clumping, spiking, smudging or flaking.

Plushblack: Black

Suggested retail: $12.00

Now available at MAC counters and maccosmetics.com.

New From MAC: Lustre Twins

Nine new shades of Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour featuring an exclusive sheer pigment top coat, with three Nail Lacquers. Separate if you must, but these Lustre Twins shouldn't live without each other. Codependent couture colour and shine starts here!

Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour: A two-step application of lightweight colour + mirror-finished top coat. Apply the colour. Let it dry. Apply the top coat! Provides sheer to medium coverage with a rich, lustrous, moisturizing finish. Longwearing, comfortable on the lips. Won’t shift, transfer, feather or smudge. Replacement top coats available.

Alta Moda/Hip Love: Deep blackened red/Deep plum with red with pearl
Boss Brown/Slave To Pink: Chocolate bronze with pearl/Campagne neutral with pearl
Coco Lust/Sexy Sweet: Deep red brown/copper brown with gold pearl
Custom Rose/Pink Virtue: Berry plum with pearl/Light blue pink with silver pearl
Gypsy Rose/Shimmer It: Berry red with gold pearl/White gold with multicolored pearl
Pink Air/White Top: Ligt pink with pearl/Clear white with red and pink pearl
Red Flame/Orange Flicker: Intense bright yellow red/Bright yellow red with gold pearl
Red Reflection/Mirror: Deep berry magenta with pearl/clear with white pearl
Ripe & Ready/Soft & Lush: Clean bright pink coral with gold pearl/Yellow pink with gold pearl

Suggested retail: $20.00

Nail Lacquer: Revolutionary new high gloss formula. Three long-wearing finishes - Cream, Sheer, and Frosted. Visibly different. Provides no-streak/no-chip finish. Contains conditioners and UV protection. Go hi-lacquer!

Firehouse: Clean bright chrome red (frost)
Perplexing: Deep blue purple (frost)
$$$$$ Yes: Metallic silver foil (frost)

Suggested retail: $11.00

Now available at MAC counters and maccosmetics.com.

Lashes For Days: The Lash Stash From Sephora

I know you. You're what I call a mascara minx. Sure, you have a number one lash luvah...but it's hardly an exclusive relationship.

You're not alone. Many women find mascara monogmany to be challenging. It's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, Sephora supports your cheatin' ways.

New from Sephora: The Lash Stash, a best-selling mascara sampler set.

Brought to you exclusively by Sephora, The Last Stash allows you to test-drive a new mascara every day until you find your true lash love. It contains seven travel-size black mascaras from your favorite brands, for the longest, lushest, most-volumized lashes ever. The kit includes:

* Benefit A Little Bit BADgal Lash in Black
* Blinc Kiss Me Mascara in Black

* LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes in Black
* Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Black
* Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black,
* Sephora Brand Lash Plumper in Black
* Too Faced Lash Injection in Black

A $50 value, The Last Stash can be yours for the low, low price of $28.

Front Row Look Palette from the Stila Backstage Beauty Collection

Be both a trendsetter and a do-gooder when you are the first to snag the Front Row Look Palette from the Stila Backstage Beauty Collection. Let your inner makeup artist go to work creating the softly smoldering eye that is destined to emerge as one of Fall’s top beauty trends, and exercise your inner philanthropist at the same time.

10% of proceeds from the first 625 sold will be donated to Step Up Women’s Network to support teen programs, women’s health education and advocacy professional mentorship and social networking opportunities.

The Front Row Look Palette features the essentials to create the soft smoky eye seen all over the runways at the Fall 2008 fashion shows. Tucked inside a chic faux patent compact is a trio of eye shadows; Bouquet, a matte nude pink, Moonlight, a shimmering white, and Fog, a light grey. They are accompanied by a Smokey Quartz Kajal Eye Liner. Tying it all together is a beautiful faux leather rosette pendant - a versatile accessory that encourages you to get creative.

Stila Front Row Look Palette retails for $40 and is now available at stilacosmetics.com. Order yours today, before this limited-edition palette struts off the catwalk for good.

*Add Cherry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain to your shopping cart when you order the Front Row Look Palette, and get free shipping. Enter code CHERRYCRUSH at checkout.

Stila Teams Up With Rock The Vote To Encourage Women To Hit The Polls

To inspire women to exercise their right to vote, Stila is teaming up with Rock The Vote for a limited-edition lipstick that will bring a new breed of "lip service" to the 2008 Presidential Election.

Equally flattering on pouts of all political persuasions, Stila's Rock The Vote Red Lip Color will go on sale beginning July 17th at stilacosmetics.com and 25% of the proceeds of the first 500 tubes sold will be donated to Rock The Vote in support of their efforts to mobilize young people to get involved in the political process.

Stila will also feature a "Register to Vote" icon on their website so that those who have not yet registered can get started.

Rock on, Stila!

80s Ladies Week: Oh, Cargo...You're So Fine!

If you caught yesterday’s installment of 80s Ladies Week, you know that I’m pretty handy with the pom-poms. So it should come as no surprise that one of my childhood idols was singer/choreographer/fellow Philadelphian, Toni Basil.

For today’s 80s-inspired product review, I’m going to steal a line from Toni’s pop music classic…

Oh, Cargo you’re so fine,
You’re so fine you blow my mind.
Hey Cargo!
Hey Cargo!

On the 4th of July, I was invited to a late-evening barbecue not too far from my own apartment. I had to hoof it because there was no chance of finding parking anywhere in the vicinity of the art museum, which serves as backdrop for the city’s Independence Day festivities. The weather was pretty typical for July - hot and humid – with a light drizzle.


So before heading out the door, I finger painted with Cargo’s Melt-proof 3 in 1 Eye-Cheek-Lip Palette and swiped on some Better-than-waterproof Mascara. Eight city blocks later, I showed up at the party looking perfectly polished - and you know how shiny I can get. And when I returned home late that night, my makeup still looked freshly applied!!!

The Cargo Melt-proof Make-up Collection, which also includes a Melt-proof Bronzer, is limited-edition and costs $39 (retail value is $90). Pick this up immediately, you'll thank me later. You will be absolutely amazed at the staying power – it’ll blow your mind!

Cargo products are available at Sephora, Amazon.com, and cargocosmetics.com.

Isn't 80s Ladies Week totally rad? Be sure to check out Amber’s 80s inspired product review over at Beauty Blogging Junkie.

MAC Metalist and Neon 8 Nail Lacquer

Hello, my pretties. Meet Metalist and Neon 8, two pretty polishes from MAC's Neo Sci-Fi collection. The former is described as a "neutral coppertone with white pearl," the latter as "bright orange with matching pearl."

I'm partial to Metalist - it's the perfect compliment to my summer tan. Neon 8 is good, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it great. It just didn't do it for me. But don't take my word for it...the shade is sold out online, so someone is feeling it.

The formula is long-lasting, and is enriched with conditioners and UV protection.

I've been walking around for nearly two weeks with mismatched nails (a running joke at work). What kind of self-respting beauty blogger does that? Anyway, I've gotta go...I'm overdue for a date with the polish remover.

Toodeloo!

Shu Uemura's Summer Collection, Plus 20% Off!

Since the opening of the shu uemura’s first Beauty Boutique in Tokyo in 1983, each year a limited edition Boutique Birthday Collection of the season's most festive beauty items is created in celebration.

This year, to mark the 25th anniversary, the late Mr. Uemura created the most special and unique collection yet. HANA-BI is inspired by the three fundamental elements in nature: terre (earth), rose (flower), and source (water). The collection includes a series of 100% natural origin fragrances formulated with Depsea water, three color palettes, and two shimmering liquid eye liners.

My favorite of the HANA-BI bunch is the Fleur de Source Palette. These powder shadows feel cool and creamy on the skin. Lightly apply to create a soft and natural effect or layer them for a more dramatic look.

And, as if this new limited-edition collection wasn’t exciting enough, shu uemura is offering all their “friends & families” 20% off all orders and FREE standard shipping! The promotion will begin on Thursday, June 26th and end on Sunday, June 29th*. Enter promo code SHUSUMMER** at checkout.

*Valid: from 6/26–6/29 at 11:59pm EST.
**You must be signed in and enter promo code to receive the discount.

Knock Knock. Who’s There? Orange!

My complexion has orange undertones. So when MAC sent me samples of Neo Sci-Fi to review and I unwrapped Electro Lipstick, I was like, “Well, what am I supposed to do with this?” The neon tangerine case isn’t too far off from the “bright orange lustre” lipstick inside the tube.

But be not afraid. Once again, MAC pulls a fast one. Electro is genius. I didn’t think I could pull off a such a carroty color, but this shade has made me a believer. My only advice is to keep the rest of your makeup minimal. Don’t make the mistake of going overboard on the eyes or glopping gloss over top of the lipstick. You don’t need it. All you need is Electro plus your pretty face.

Don’t think you can wear orange? Think I’m the exception to the rule? My friends Kristen and Toya are also enamored with Electro. Check out their reviews.

In the photo above, I paired MAC Electro with two coats of Shu Uemura Precise Volume Mascara Waterproof.

MAC Dazzleglass

MAC Dazzleglass is a lipgloss lover’s dream come true. These dazzling, multi-dimensional glosses give a high-wattage shine. Non-sticky and lightweight, they can be worn on bare lips or layered, to take your lipstick to the next level.

The brush applicator applies evenly, and the glosses feature the signature MAC vanilla aroma that you know and luvre.


Above: Dazzleglass in Glamour O.D. (Bright coral red with red pearl) and Comet Blue (Violet blue).


Above: Glamour O.D. layered over Hollywood Nights (from the Heatherette Collection); Comet Blue layered over Hollywood Nights.

Trend Alert: Fluorescent Fingernails

Fancy yourself a nail trendsetter like Rihanna? Then the next addition to your beauty arsenal must be Essie's Neon Collection.

Even if you're a bit color-shy, your little piggies will love these polishes. In fact, these eye-popping shades are so sublime, your fingers will be jealous that your toes are having all the fun!


The Neon Collection consists of four va-va-voom varnishes:

Short Shorts: shockingly flamingo pink (see above)
Mini Shorts: vibrant orange pop
Shorty Pants: light up the night electric yellow
Bermuda Shorts: high-voltage violet

Each color is such a superstar, it's hard to play favorites. I can tell you my mom's fave, though...she pleaded and pestered me until I surrendered Bermuda Shorts.

Essie's Neon Collection is limited-edition, so get 'em while they're hot. And they're hot, trust me.

Mr. Sandman, Bring Me Smooth Skin

Get ready for summer with Bobbi Brown’s Beach, a collection of bath and body products that perfectly captures the atmosphere and attitude of summer. Beach Fragrance is a lightly intoxicating blend of Sand Jasmine, Sea Spray, and Mandarin. The Body Oil, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Sunscreen Body Spray SPF 15 and Body Scrub share the same beachy scent.


My favorite item in the collection is the limited-edition Beach Sandbar Soap. Back by popular demand, this creamy bar soap has a luxurious lather, a fresh beachy scent (like ocean air and sunscreen), and it contains tiny grains of sand that clean, refresh and exfoliate the body all at the same time. The sandy side is especially effective on knees, elbows, and feet...but take it easy on more delicate skin. Plus, the bar looks super cute in the soap dish.

The Beach Sandbar Soap ($16) is selling like hotcakes, so get yours while supplies last. Buy a few just in case Bobbi decides to retire this perennial favorite. It's still available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

Fabulous New Fragrance: Armani Code Sheer

If you’re a fan of Armani fragrances, you’ll be delighted to hear that they just added a new scent to their repertoire.

Armani introduced Armani Code Sheer, a fresh spin on their bestselling Armani Code Pour Femme. This floral oriental is more floral than its predecessor, with notes of orange blossom petals, cyclamen, jasmine, lily of the valley, honey, and delicate musk.

The 1.7 oz eau de toilette is $52 and the 2.5 oz eau de toilette is $67. But get more bang for your buck with the limited-edition Armani Code Sheer Gift Set, which includes: 1.7 oz eau de parfum, 1.7 oz shower gel, and 1.7 oz body lotion...only $55 at Sephora!

NARS Orgasm Nail Polish Makes Its Debut

NARS Orgasm Nail Polish has made its official debut. But you’ll have to dig a little deep into your pockets because it’s being sold as one-half of the Orgasm Lip Gloss And Nail Polish Gift Set. This duo is comprised of one lipgloss and one nail polish in the cult-classic peachy-pink shimmer shade Orgasm.

Don’t bother trying to shop around. And act fast. This limited-edition set, available only at Sephora, will fly off shelves.

Brights Done Right

The brightly colored eyes that are on-trend right now are so hot! But it seems like such a daunting task to replicate the look for real life, right? Not so, say the experts at Shu Uemura.

The Rebirth Collection Tri-Color Eye Pencil is a stacked eye crayon, made up of three coordinating shades. It has a soft, creamy texture that glides across skin, without tugging. Use as a liner, or blend on the entire eyelid as an eyeshadow.

The limited-edition pencils come in shades Aqua Flow (cool tones of green and blue) and Energy Flow (warm tones of yellow and peach).

Check out my Aqua Flow swatches.


Available at ShuUemura.com, Sephora.com and NeimanMarcus.com.

Get Lippy And Help Raise HIV/Aids Awareness

The Body Shop and MTV are partnering for a wonderful cause.

The Body Shop Guarana Berry Lip Butter is a rich intensive moisturizer that leaves lips feeling lusciously soft and smooth. All net proceeds from the product will be donated to the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, which supports young people and youth groups worldwide to become involved in HIV and AIDS awareness, education, and prevention campaigns.

Visit moveyourlips.com to learn more about the campaign - sign up for our newsletter, send a "kiss" to your friends, and play the lip butter game for a chance to win tickets to the European Music Awards!

Thank Heaven For Heatherette

Yesterday, Mr. Spoiled Pretty and I went over my parents’ house for Easter Dinner. When I walked through the front door, I immediately noticed my mom’s sassy lipcolor.

Here’s how the convo went down...

Mom: Do you like my new lipstick?
Me: Actually, I really do. What lipstick is that?
Mom: Oh, it’s from MAC. That new stuff. I can’t remember the name.
Me: From Heatherette?
Mom: Yeah, that’s it! Hollywood Nights is the name, I think.

What the bleep?!?! My mother is down with Heatherette? Here I thought I was too cute with my lips slicked in Sock Hop – and my mother goes and tops me by wearing in-your-face fuchsia.

I guess the point of this story is to emphasize the universal appeal of this color collection. From club kids to soccer moms (and all of us in between), everyone is loving Heatherette. And from the swatches below, you can see why. Nothing fell short of my expectations, which speaks volumes – because I had high hopes for Heatherette.

Which products are my favorites? They’re all amazing. But let’s put it this way…if I had a limited budget, here are the ones I’d pick up, mos def:

Hollywood Nights Lipstick
Sock Hop Lipglass
Heatherette Trio 1
Any of the Dual Edge Eye Pencils (you can’t go wrong)

And without further ado, my pics...


Here's my Heatherette sampling, courtesy of the munificent folks at MAC.


Left to right: Pink Pearl Pigment, 3D Silver Glitter, and Heatherette Trio 1 (Mood Ring, Hoppin’, and Cloudburst).


Left to right: Dual Edge Eye Pencils in Phone Me/Text Me and Nighthawk/Front Row.


Top to bottom: Lipglass in Sock Hop, Lipstick in Lollipop Lovin, Lipglass in Style Minx, and Lipstick in Hollywood Nights.

MAC Beauty Powder Blush Review

Everytime I get an itch to expand my beauty arsenal, I pick up a new treat for my eyes or lips - and I often forget about my cheeks. I've been alternating between the same two blushes for about about a year, so I was overjoyed when MAC debuted their limited-edition Beauty Powder Blushes.

Available in eight gorgeous shades, these silky, smooth blushes offer a high-color payout. A little goes a long way - so gently sweep over cheeks, and use a slightly heavier hand on the apples for a bright pop of color.

MAC generously gifted me with four blushes from the collection. See below for swatches. Joyous has become my personal fave, and I have been applying with the fabulous 169 Angled Brush.


Left to right: Joyous - Peach with gold pearl; Sweetness - Intense blue pink; True Romantic - Mid-tone pink with silver pearl; and Serenely - Deep brownish red with gold pearl.