Coming Soon: Bobbi Brown Metallics

On counter in August, Bobbi Brown's Metallic Eye Shadow is back by popular demand in 17 shades. Featuring a broad shade range including rich bold colors and pastels, the high-shimmer, high-pigment formula creates a sexy and sophisticated look. Color applies evenly and stays crease-free for all-day wear. Individual shadows can also be popped into Bobbi’s new customizable palettes.


And on counter in September/October, Bobbi presents her new Metallic Lip Color- the newest innovation in shimmer. Featuring high-shine emollients and light-reflective pearls, it will leave lips with a soft creamy feel and medium coverage and will be available in 15 multi-dimensional shades.

Swatches coming soon!

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!

The Early Bird Catches The NARS Fall 2008 Collection!

Great news...

NARS’ Fall 2008 Collection will actually be available on narscosmetics.com two weeks early – starting next Tuesday, July 15th!

And here are some product shots, hot off the presses...


Beautiful Liar Lipstick: sheer spiced coral


Señorita Lipstick: sheer shimmering cherry blossom


Female Trouble Lip Gloss: lilac mauve


Fez Single Eyeshadow: velvety cocoa


Isolde Duo Eyeshadow: frosted ginger & shimmering copper


Cordura Duo Eyeshadow: shimmering warm rich brown & shimmering sooty dark brown


Dolce Vita Blush: dusty rose


Rebell Yell Nail Polish: dusty pomegranate

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.

New From MAC: Electro Flash

Dagnabit, MAC. Don't you know we're not made of money? You keep churning out kick-ass collections. We remain broke, but beautiful. Thanks a lot.

Visa card, I'd like to introduce you to MAC Electro Flash. Electro Flash, meet my worn-out Visa card.

Short-circuit expectations. X-ray vision means you see ahead of the rest. Electricity is our most precious resource…everybody, electrified! Light up this world, and the next!

Electro Flash Mineralize Eye Shadow in nine new duos with unblinking courage, in convincing new combinations: tri-colorr shimmer minerals with marble shine – plus a monoshade on the other side. Add Lipglass and Lipstick finishes with quantum physics energy, in companion colors and electro-lustres.

Lipstick
Vanity’s Child: Sheer pale beige with pearl (Lustre)
Fast Thrill: Frosty clean mid-tone pink with pearl (Frost)
Mellow Mood: Glossy mid-tone dirty pink with pearl (Lustre)
Dangerously Hot: Creamy deep brown red (Amplified)

Lipglass
Cultureclash:
Frosty clear baby pink with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost)

Major Minor:
Frosty mid-tone beige with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost)

Sonic Vibe:
Frosty mid-tone pink with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost)

Li’ Hot Pepper:
Frosty burnt red with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost)

Mineralize Eye Shadow (Duo)
Play on Plums Mélange/Mono:
Peachy gold with pink and bronze veining/Bronzed burgundy mono

Sea & Sky Mélange/Mono:
Silvery pale blue with deep blue and silver veining/Bright blue mono

Hot Contrast Mélange/Mono:
Dirty red with silver and black veining/Black mono

Love Connection Mélange/Mono:
Pale beige with gold and blue veining/Warm gold mono

Two to Glow Mélange/Mono:
Dirty bronze with pink and orange veining/Orange mono

Odd Couple Mélange/Mono:
Warm gold with lavender and bronze veining/Purple mono

Polar Opposites Mélange/Mono: Dirty purple with silver, indigo and pink veining/True silver mono
Fresh Green Mix Mélange/Mono:
Golden olive with blue, gold and aqua veining/Lime mono

Pink Split Mélange/Mono:
Dirty rose with bronze and pale blue veining/Pink with gold pearl mono

Brush
227 Large Fluff: Large size paddle with fluffed double chiseled, rounded tip.

Available
International (except Asia): July 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com.
Asia: August 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com.

In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway: Work Bag

I'm beauty addict, but the truth is that I wear very little makeup to work. I’m not a morning person…so in the AM, it takes all of my cognitive abilities just to shower, get dressed, and grab my bag before running to catch the bus.

I may leave the house with basic hair and makeup, but don’t be fooled. I always come prepared. Trust me…there’s nothing worse than going to work looking a hot mess – figuring you’ll just be in your office all day and no one will see you – only to find out that a last-minute meeting has been scheduled or your co-workers are organizing an impromptu happy hour.

And even if you’re content to hide away at your desk looking like a bridge troll, it’s still a good idea to stock your work bag with a few beauty essentials. Here are some that I recommend:

*In the summertime, it’s very unlikely that your hair is going to go awry at some point in the day. If you’re blessed with perfect hair, I’m jealous…we’re no longer friends. I kid…great for you. But for those of us who aren’t so lucky, a purse-sized brush and comb might not bring perfection, but it’ll help tame your mane so that it looks polished.

*It’s also a good idea to carry an emollient hand lotion. If you shake a lot of hands in your line of work, your colleagues and customers might appreciate it if your skin is soft and smooth. It’s also a great way to make friends and allies at your job…I don’t know about you, but people are always asking to borrow my hand cream. If I lend them the good stuff, they’re indebted to me forever. Plus, hand lotion also comes in handy (pun intended) when your hair starts acting up; just rub a tiny bit between your hands and smooth away flyaways.

*Then there are the times when your hair is seriously misbehaving and needs a time out. That’s when you pull out your purse-sized comb and/or brush and tie it back with a snag-free elastic. Depending on the brand, a whole bunch of these hair ties will cost less that $5. Carry some in your purse and throw some in your desk drawer, just to be on the safe side. I happen to carry a cavernous handbag with black interior, so here’s how I do: wrap a couple hair elastics around the handle of your brush. That way, you always know where to find your bad hair day redeemer.

*For many women, summer is the time when the shine monster starts rearing its ugly head. You might have gotten away with powder during the colder months. But in the warmer months, powder can cake and settle into fine lines. Blotting papers absorb oil without disturbing your makeup.

*One of the obvious additions to your summer makeup arsenal is waterproof mascara. One or two coats of mascara on your upper lashes lets you get away with wearing less makeup on the rest of your face. And a waterproof formula gives you peace of mind that the pigment will stay put.

*Finally, every woman needs a lip product in her purse. Personally, I’m an advocate of tossing a variety lip products in there…different colors and formulas depending on the occasion, your outfit or mood. But remember you're at work...leave the Jezebel shades at home.


Today is day one of Spoiled Pretty’s In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week. And to get this party started right, I’m giving you the chance to win a beautiful Aleya New York handbag. Whether you wear a suit to work or your job’s dress code is a little more lax, the Aleya New York Allie Hobo is the perfect compliment to your ensemble. This a-line patchwork purse has enough room for all of your products and other incidentals, is extremely comfortable on the shoulder, and wonderfully unique. The double flap is graphic and functional.

For the winner, this bag will be accompanied by the following goodies:

Goody Mosaic Ouchless Purse Brush: The ultimate in snagless styling. This brush is smaller sized – perfect for travel or on the go styling.

Goody Mosaic Mini Versa Comb: This 3-in-1 comb is small enough to fit in your purse, but large enough to maintain your style.

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara: This lash-enhancing mascara instantly builds lash volume by 400%. The patent-pending formula with a touch of olive oil penetrates and helps plump the core of each and every lash. The Visible Volume Brush coats and builds even the smallest lashes with rich, volume-building color. No clumps, smudging or flaking…and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Neutrogena MoistureShine Soothing LipSheers in Sparkling Nude, Peach Sorbet, and Plum Kiss: Instantly soothe dry lips with sheer, cooling color. Moisture-infused formula contains SPF 20 to protect lips. The advanced formula contains moisturizing emollients and vitamin E to instantly soften and hydrate, while SPF 20 guards against sun damage. A unique cooling sensation soothes on contact.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: Instantly blot away excess oil and say goodbye to the shine. Oil-Absorbing Sheets soak up excess oil and remove shine from your face, without smudging makeup or leaving behind a residue. Softer than paper, these silky smooth sheets can be used easily around your nose and other areas of your face. Use them anytime, anywhere to remove oil and shine throughout the day.

DentaBurst “Be Ready To Shine” Kit: DentaBurst Freshening Teeth Cleaners are an effective way to clean teeth and freshen breath on-the-go. Unlike mints or gum, they remove plaque from the surfaces of teeth, leaving them feeling smooth and clean. The kit contains 72 individually-wrapped Dentaburst, a business card case, and a calendar/planner.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Aleya New York Handbag Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, June 29th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, June 30th, I’ll announce the winner’s name. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents only.

And be sure to check out the other bag giveaways. You can enter all of the giveaways, but you can only win once. Good luck!

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.

Stila Wants To Name A Lipstick After You

Stila Lip Colors have always been named after special women in the Stila family. Now it’s your turn to see your name in lips!

Submit your name (or the name of a friend or family member) and tell them why they should name a lip color after you! They'll pick our favorites later this month, then see which one gets the most votes on the website! If your name wins, you'll receive:

* Instant fame
* 10 free samples of your namesake Lip Color
* A gift basket filled with Stila goodies
* $100 gift certificate to stilacosmetics.com

Click here to enter. Good luck!

NARS Summer 2008: Exotica

Last month, NARS introduced its summer 2008 color collection: Exotica.

Encapsulating the wildness of sensuality, Exotica features a sultry palette of edgy neutrals that evoke intense carnal desire. Nude pigments in luscious textures impart sinful mystique, capturing the essence of the elegant seductress. Shades of matte ecru and bitter chocolate with golden accents enliven eyes with mesmerizing intrigue, while hues of sparkling mauve, succulent cherry red and sheer brandy give lips intense passion.


As the name implies, Portobello Duo Eyeshadow is comprised of two mushroomy shades. The first is a matte ecru and the other, a soft matte mushroom. Neither of these shades showed up well on my tan skin, but they would be gorgeous everyday shadows for lighter ladies.


Unconditional Love Duo Cream Eyeshadow is a matte seafoam paired with a soft shimmering copper. These creams tend to crease, so prep the eyelid with a primer before applying (here’s one I recommend).


Supervixen Lip Gloss is a sheer sparkling mauve – a great universal nude color.


Misbehave Lip Gloss is a sheer cherry red with gold glitter flecks. The glitter is a little bit bigger than what you’re probably used to, so be sure to try before you buy.


Mindgame Lipstick is a sheer brandy. It’s moisturizing, and a great choice for when you decide to play up your eyes and keep the mouth understated, but polished.


Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil combines the convenience of a pencil with the application of a lipstick in a jumbo-size crayon design. If you love the dusty mauve color, but aren’t thrilled with the matte texture, this bestselling shade is also available as a lipstick and a gloss.


Roman Holiday Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is a delicate pastel pink. This shade is feminine and pretty, but how many people can pull off pastel pink without looking like a blast from the past (namely, the 80s)? Not many is my guess.


Last, but not least, is my favorite product from Exotica – one that I know you’ll love a lot-ica. Galapagos Single Eyeshadow is the most divine shadow I’ve seen all year. If I could dream up my ideal eyeshadow, it wouldn’t come close to Galapagos’ bitter chocolate infused with gold. I'm just not that creative. Dust it all over the lid, or apply with a fine brush to line the eye. Galapagos is so hot that you’ll want to buy more than one, just in case.

Free Lip Product For First Timers at Bésame Cosmetics

Bésame Cosmetics has a new First Time Customer Gift Policy...

All new customers receive a free full size lipstick, lip glaze or lip pencil!

To take advantage of Bésame's benevolence, click here. Happy shopping!

MAC Cool Heat

Temperatures sizzle…but the perfect balance lies within reach. Cool Heat. Not an oxymoron: summer’s chillest look. Five Slimshine lipsticks, seven eye shadows, and two skin-cooling fragrances: Summer’s favorite Turquatic, and introducing its sister shade, Turquatic heat. Some looks are too hot for summer to handle but not Cool Heat. For this time of year, it feels just right.



Slimshine Lipstick
Tropic Glow: Blue pink with silver pearl (frost)
By Degrees: Neutral brown pink (frost)
Gentle Summer: Light clean yellow pink with white pearl (frost)
High 90’s: Clean pink orange (frost)
Swelter: Sheer clean red (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.50

Eye Shadow
Solar White: Frosty muted white gold (frost)
Warming Trend: Frosty light taupe (veluxe pearl)
Warm Chill: Frosty seafoam green with gold pearl (frost)
Gulf Stream: Frosty mid-tone blue green with green pearl (frost)
Cool Heat: Frosty teal with multi-dimensional pearl (frost)
Climate Blue: Mid-tone violet blue with pink pearl (velvet)
Blue Flame: Dirty metallic navy blue (veluxe pearl)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00

Creations
Hue: Tuquatic Keynotes: Lotus Leaves, Corsican Cedrat, Anemone, Orris and Blue Cedar
Hue: Turquatic Heat Keynotes: Cedrat saturated with the clear effervescence of Mineral Water, Lotus Flower, Opulent Orris, Jasmine and Tiare Soul.
Suggested Retail Price: $22.50

Cool Heat will be available June 2008 (US) and July 2008 (international) at all MAC counters and at maccosmetics.com.

MAC Neo Sci-Fi

Out to shock the fashion galaxy with their supersonic ray gun shades and neon orange compacts cases. Spinning glamour into another orbit: a magnetic field of alluring hot fluorescents, modern buffs, beiges flesh tones set against cyber-chromatic array Nail Lacquers destined test laws your style gravity. This is your beauty’s future.


Lipstick
Sci-Fi-Delity: Burnt red with gold pearl (frost)
Pleasureseeker: Creamy peach (glaze)
Astral: Midtone brown with red pearl (lustre)
Electro: Bright orange (lustre)
Sunsonic White gold (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00

Lipglass
Supreme Bronzed brown with white pearl (frost)
Naked Space Creamy midtone nude peach frost)
Pink Grapefruit Orange with gold pearl (frost)
Soft & Slow Midtone creamy plum (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00

Eye Shadow
Magnetic Fields: Black brown with silver pearl (veluxe pearl)
Femme-Fi: Frosty golden cream (veluxe pearl)
Evening Aura: Frosty golden pach (veluxe pearl)
Time & Space: Frosty copper (frost)
Expensive Pink: Pink with gold duochrome (veluxe pearl)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00

Cremestick Liner
80%: Deep, deep cocoa
Buerre : Dirtied plum
Summerfruit : Pale coral
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00

Plush Lash Mascara
Plushblack: Deep black
Suggested Retail Price: $11.00

Sheertone Shimmer Blush
Spaced Out: Shimmery peach
X-Rocks: Shimmery dirty mauve
Suggested Retail Price: $17.50

Nail Lacquer
Metalist: Neutral coppertone with white pearl (frost)
Plasma Blu: Turquoise blue with mathematic white pearl (frost)
Neon 8: Bright orange with matching pearl (frost)
Phosphor: Bumble bee yellow (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $10.00

Neo Sci-Fi is now available now at maccosmetics.com.

Oprah's Favorite Things For Summer

Today, Oprah surprised her audience with her top things for summer. When producers first approached O about doing this summer version of her favorite things show, she wasn't feeling it. "My producers pleaded with me to do this topic today, and I didn't want to do it," Oprah said. "So I said, 'Absolutely not. I am not doing Oprah's Favorite Things for summer.'" But after thinking about it, Oprah changed her mind...good thing for her studio audience, fans around the globe, and the brands whose products made the cut.


Gayle King, Oprah's BFF and the editor-at-large of O, The Oprah Magazine, stopped by to unveil her favorite of the Spring Makeup O-wards.

"Don't you hate it when you get something in very pretty packaging, and then you open it up and the product is not as good?" Gayle asks.

"The thing with Yves Saint Laurent is that we thought the packaging was so pretty and we liked all of the products. It was hard to pick just one, so we picked everything in the line—the marbled blush, the lipstick and the eyeshadow."

Another standout is the CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara. "This was the first time anybody's come to the offices with a scientist to explain how [the makeup] works," Gayle says. "This is the scientific explanation: A dual polymer system keeps the mascara from migrating underneath your eyes. That's code for it doesn't smudge."

OPI Nic Stick's Paint & Go Nail Lacquer is a portable pen filled with nail polish, perfect for anyone who smudges as soon as they leave the salon.

No one wants to wear heavy makeup in the summer heat, so Gayle's final two favorites made the grade for their light texture.

"Clé de Peau lipstick is silky and feels light on your lips," Gayle says. "And I like the fact that it's so sleek and slender in your purse." She gave Rimmel Mousse Blush major props for its high-quality, light formula and low price.

Oprah also added one of her beauty faves to the list - NARS Cosmetics Kabuki Artisan Botan Brush.

"I love a great brush," she said. "It's perfect for loose powder, for buffing and for blending."

Click here to read about all of the O-wards winners.

Source: Oprah.com

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine

If you buy one lipstick this Spring, make it Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine. Actually, buy more than one…that’s how gorgeous they are.

Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine is “the first lipstick to incorporate a blend of light-reflective pearls together with Shu Uemura’s groundbreaking hybrid pigment to create professional caliber brilliance for lips.” And the unique, hydrating formula practically melts onto lips and helps them retain their natural moisture.

The swatches below demonstrate the high color fidelity and shimmering, dimensional shine. From left to right: WH 002S, RD 174S, BR 775S, BR 755S, and OR 563S.





Shu Uemura Principal Makeup Artist Jason Hoffman shares the following tips on how to get the best look with the product:

*For a light glossy stain, apply directly from the tube.
*If you want a slightly heavier shine, use a brush to apply. The brush will pick up more product and blend it evenly on the lips.
*For more color depth and long lasting wear, pair the crystal shine with a pencil.
*As with all Shu Uemura lipsticks, crystal shine is great for eyes and cheeks. Use a synthetic foundation brush and apply on the apples (the colors look very fresh and the shimmer offers a beautiful sheen).
*For the eyes, use a synthetic concealer brush. Beiges and browns will be the easiest to wear on the eyes as reds and oranges can often make you look tired.
*Every woman should own the shade WH (white) 002S. It is so versatile! It can be used alone for a light glossy finish or layered over ANY lip color. It will lighten the color and give it a hint of pink shimmer. Spoiled Pretty agrees - this shade is a must-have!
*The shade BG (beige) 901S is also a must have for anyone who likes wear a smoky eye. It is the perfect beige that compliments browns, purples, greens, blues and black.

Available in 17 shades, Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine is sold at select Neiman Marcus stores, select Saks Fifth Avenue stores, and at shuuemura.com.

My Kim Kardashian Lip Look

The other day, I posted Kim Kardashian's 10 step makeup routine. I mentioned that my personal recipe for Kim K lips is MAC Lipstick in Syrup plus MAC Plushglass in Foolishly Fab.

I received a few emails asking for swatches. I'm all about serving the people, so here ya go. Click the pic for a larger view.

It's so gorgeous on...you don't even know. I would have puckered up, rather than snap pics of my inner arm. But my upper lip is late for a meeting with the wax, if you know what I mean. And no one wants to see that.

For more of Kim Kardashian's beauty and makeup tips, click here!

Besame Mucho

"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick." -Gwyneth Paltrow

If you let me loose in a makeup store, chances are I'm going to head for the lipsticks and glosses first. I gravitate towards pinks and neutrals, and don't usually give reds the time of day. Oh how wrong I've been.

I was recently introduced to Besame's Enchanting Lipstick in Red Velvet, and it has absolutely has won me over. This might sound odd, but I would compare it to a Jersey gown…while wearing it, you look ultra-feminine and sophisticated - but feel completely comfortable.

Red Velvet is a neutral red, so it's wearable and compliments a variety of skin tones. The creamy, semi-matte finish ensures an elegant lip look that won't feather. And I'm impressed by the unique double design – use the tip to line lips before filling in. Genius!

And how gorgeous is the gold bullet packaging? I imagine iconic beauties like Grace Kelly and Dorothy Dandridge carried something like this in their purses. Or perhaps a Bond girl might hide this in her décolletage.

Apply straight from the tube for a boldly pigmented pout. Or dab on with your finger for an effortless-looking stain. If you're more of a gloss gal (I feel ya), swipe Besame's Enriched Lip Glaze in Crystal on top…it's non-sticky and smells faintly of coconut.

Kick ass!

Bobbi Brown's Nude Lip & Eye Palette Is Pure Genius

I love me a makeup palette. I’m constantly on the go, and chaos has always been one of my strong suits. I could spend five minutes digging in my cavernous purse for a lipgloss that I know is in there somewhere, but I still can’t manage to find. So finding a sleek palette that contains high quality, versatile colors is a godsend. One that I’m just wild about is Bobbi Brown’s Nude Lip & Eye Palette.

This two-tiered, mirrored kit features all-new shimmer and matte shadows, four nude Lip Colors, and two mini brushes: a mini dual-ended Eye Shadow/Eyeliner Brush and Lip Brush with a protective cap. As you can see on Bobbi’s models (above), the palette contains universally flattering hues. The shadows are beautiful on their own, but even more fabulous when blended together.


This photo of my haphazard handiwork proves that the shades are equally gorgeous on a non-model like me. All I did was mix them together and swipe over my entire lid. So easy, a cavewoman can do it!

“The Nude Collection was inspired by color I see naturally in women’s faces,” says Bobbi. “Nude makeup is pure genius because it’s easy to apply and it enhances the natural tones of your skin. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who loves a naturally sexy look.”

Click here for a video of Bobbi creating her nude looks.

The Nude Lip & Eye Palette is already sold out online - yeah, that’s how genius it is. So visit your nearest Bobbi Brown counter to see if it’s in stock.

My New Fave Lipgloss: Reflection is Perfection

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics describes their Reflection Lipgloss as clear and glassy, with a hint of shimmer. But don’t believe them. It’s so much more than that.

It’s more like a white-gold pearlescent shimmer shine that takes your lip look to the next level. Wear it on bare lips, or over your favorite lip color to kick it up a notch.

Check out my pout (pictured, left). I’m wearing Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Lipstick in Cuvee (shimmer w/ a hint of pink and brown), with Lipgloss in Reflection layered on top.

Shu Uemura Spring 2008: Rebirth

This Spring, shu uemura introduces their 126th collection, aptly named REBIRTH, in which Mr. Uemura tells a story about nature blooming in spring.

REBIRTH embraces the energy of the season, and translates these elements through vibrant colors. The collection features an abstract image of a flower blooming, drawn by Mr. Uemura himself. This collection is very special, as it was his last before passing away in December.

The REBIRTH collection includes the following limited-edition products:

*Tri-Color Eye Pencil in Aqua Flow and Energy Flow
*Pressed Eye Shadow in Spring Breeze, Earth Brown, Sun Stream, Yellow Elation, and Pristine Green
*Rouge Unlimited in Dewy Beige, Pink Bloom, and Serene Pink
*Glow On in Harmonious Orange and Tranquil Pink
*Nail Enamel in Gold Zest and Innocent Beige

As a tribute to this collection and Mr. Uemura’s work, shu uemura Principle Makeup Artists Jason Hoffman and Misumi Kitano created three very special looks.

Rita Brown, shu uemura Principle Makeup Artist, created this look (left), entitled BREEZE, exclusively for Spoiled Pretty readers!

Face
Matte skin
Subtle highlight around the eye area

Eye
Rocket Eye Pencil in Aqua Flow – use grey pencil from lashline to mid-crease and under the eye
Pressed Eye Shadow in Spring Breeze – layer on top of pencil and blend up into the crease and under the eye
Pressed Eye Shadow in ME Beige 800 – inner corner of the eye
Liquid Eyeliner in Black – very tight line on the top and bottom
Precise Volume Mascara in Black – top and bottom
False Eyelashes Luxe in Black – top and bottom

Cheeks
Glow On Tranquil Pink – apply to cheekbone

Lip
Rouge Unlimited Pink Bloom – apply on top and bottom of lip

I’ll be testing the products soon, so check back for my review. To shop shu uemura, visit shuuemura.com.

Diddy Didn’t Happen

Last Friday, I was scheduled to be backstage at Sean John*. I was super excited to be attending the closing show of New York Fashion Week.

I fantasized that Diddy and I would meet, he’d be captivated by my charm, and then whisk me away to the star-studded soiree.

It would play out like that R. Kelly/Jay Z collabo:


After the show it's the after party and
After the party is the hotel lobby and
After the Belve then it's probably Cris…

But that didn’t happen. In fact, the closest I got to the Sean John show was a pizzeria on the corner of 22nd Street & 6th Ave. I was grabbing a bite there when I got a call from MAC telling me that there were no female models in the show, and therefore no need for MAC makeup. I was bummed, but also exhausted from my travels; so I caught an early train back to Philly.

So sorry, beauties. I know you were anxious for me to dish the Diddy dirt. C'est la vie.

If you absolutely need a Puffy fix, Glamour.com has an article entitled "Diddy knows pretty," in which the hip-hop mogul/designer shares his observations on what makes a woman irresistible. Here’s an excerpt:

Why he named his perfume Unforgivable Woman:
“It’s about being unapologetic. It’s about having swagger. Confidence is such a sexy, sexy quality.”

Makeup trend he’s so over:
“Red lipstick just isn’t working for me. It might be good for an awards show, but it’s not hot to kiss. I love natural lip color—that’s always a good look!”

Biggest beauty obsession:
“Sugar Bath Cubes by Fresh. I take a bath every night. I love the way they make my skin feel. I have very soft skin—go ahead, touch it!”

For the rest of the interview, click here.

*Is it just me, or does the Sean John Fall 2008 collection look a little effeminate? I'm not judging...just sayin'.