Fierce, Fabulous and Flawless With Help From Cargo Cosmetics

Last week, Mr. Spoiled Pretty abandoned his loving wife in favor of a camping/fly-fishing excursion to Idaho. Now you know I wasn’t about to go hiking up mountains and trek through the wilderness to chill with rattlesnakes, horse flies and mosquitoes. So I stayed my ass at home and caught up on some reading, writing, and arithmetic (I took inventory of my makeup stockpile, and I’m slightly embarrassed by my excessive collection of lipglosses).

By the time the weekend came around, I had developed such a case of cabin fever that it didn’t take long for my BFF, Kristen, to lure your resident recluse out of the house. After some indecision, we opted to meet at a low-key bar and catch up over cheap, domestic beer. It’s been crazy hot in Philly lately, so I didn’t put too much thought or effort into my outfit, hair, or makeup; I threw on some jeans, quickly flat ironed my hair, and swiped on some Cargo blu_ray™ High Definition Mattifier before finishing my face off with mascara and gloss.

Around midnight, after drinking probably a little too much (pitchers are dangerous cuz I can never keep count), I took a bathroom break. I perched my handbag on the sink, rummaged for my blotting papers, and prepared to sop up the grease. But when I looked in the mirror, I was absolutely astonished. My face was flawless (well, flawless as in shine-free…not flawless as in resembling Liya Kebede).

And my face remained that way until I washed it off before bed. In fact, the only oil-related incident that night was a basket of greasy fries that Kristen and I couldn’t resist ordering just before last call.

Cargo blu_ray™ High Definition Mattifier is available at cargocosmetics.com and Sephora.

Hello, QVC? Yes…It’s Spoiled Pretty Calling For Kate Somerville

Last night, I did something I’ve never done before. I called QVC. Not to buy anything…just to tell Kate Somerville that she’s a rock star. The woman is so unpretentious and glowy, what beauty addict wouldn’t wanna chitchat and pick her brain a bit?

So after two rings, a friendly customer service rep answered the phone and asked what item number I’d like to purchase. I explained that I didn’t want to purchase anything - I just wanted to talk to Kate. All the while, I was unconsciously disguising my voice. Why? I have absolutely no idea. It’s just one of those stupid things you do without rhyme or reason…as if the woman on the other end of the line is gonna say, “Daneen…is that you?”

Anyway, the representative told me that – at that time – they weren’t taking testimonials, but kindly thanked me for calling QVC before ending the call.

I would have loved to converse with Kate. We could have bonded over our mutual fondness for exfoliation. I wanted to tell her that ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment is pure genius…that my mom thinks her Line Release Under Eye Repair is worth its weight in gold…and that I can’t wait to get my mitts on her new Oil-Free Moisturizer.

But who do they patch through to Ms. Somerville? Two crazy ladies who rambled on so long that they forgot what they were talking about. Typical. It’s just like the TV news – the on-the-scene reporter always interviews the eccentric woman with curlers in her hair or the man with the missing teeth who has nothing particularly relevant to say.

Gotta get me some of that moisturizer. I’ll report back when I do.

L'Oréal Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil-Free Lotion

L’Oreal says...

This unique, lightweight hydrator creates a more flawless complexion. The oil-free formula instantly smoothes skin’s surface and evens tone.

Strength building benefits:
* Builds strength deep within skin’s surface
* Reinforces skin’s matrix to add fullness, improve elasticity, and renew skin’s eveness from within
* Strengthens from between skin’s layers
* Helps promote healthy collagen production to fortify skin’s structure and support
* Smoothes the surface layer
* Boosts cellular renewal to help erase fine lines, and instantly hydrates for more even, light-reflective skin

Spoiled Pretty says…

As part of their 2007 Best of Beauty Awards, Allure Magazine honored L'Oréal Paris Skin Genesis line with the Breakthrough Award. Here’s why…the products are formulated with patented Pro-Xylane, an exclusive L'Oréal molecule seven years in the making that strengthens skin and reignites cell activity layers.

I’m no chemist, so I can’t really speak to the science behind Skin Genesis. But as a beauty addict, I can safely say that the Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil-Free Lotion ranks up there with the best facial moisturizers I’ve ever tried.

First, I love how my skin literally drinks it in. When I apply the lotion after exfoliating, better shield your eyes because my skin is positively luminescent. It also does an excellent job of keeping the greasies at bay - so if your face is on the shinier side, I would absolutely recommend this lotion. And in the few weeks that I’ve been using it, I have noticed an improvement in my skin’s firmness and tone. I’m not the best at using skin treatments consistently – I’m forgetful and easily distracted. But I never leave the house without moisturizer, so I love that this one has multiple benefits.

There’s just one caveat. Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil-Free Lotion doesn’t contain sunscreen. It just seems a little odd that a product aims to prevent and reverse signs of aging, yet doesn’t offer sun protection.

In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway: Weekender

Tis the for weekend getaways. But when you're packing for your summer sojourn, remember that you're going aways a weekend, not a lifetime. Yours truly has a penchant for overpacking... and as a repeat offender, I've picked up a few tips over the years. Here are a few to help lighten your load and travel like a pro:

* Don't choose a big bag for a trip that will only last a few short days. If you pick one that's too large, you'll be tempted to fill it up. Instead, select a small to mid-sized overnight bag and edit your list of trip essentials.

* Weekend getaways are all about breaking routines and doing something different and fun. When you think of your trip in these terms, you'll see that it's not necessary to bring all of the beauty products you typically use on a daily basis.

* When packing, consider your destination, the weather forecast, your planned activities, and the outfits that you'll be wearing. These factors will help to guide your beauty products choices.

* When it comes to products, think compact and efficient.

Today is day six of Spoiled Pretty's In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week. And - boy oh BOYY - do I have the bag for you!


The BOYY Pablo Summer Weekender is so chic that it makes you wanna schedule a trip every weekend, just so that you have more opportunities to show it off. The bag features a sand stripe linen body, whiskey leather box compartment and trim, waterproof lining, adjustable matching handles and shoulder strap, one inner zip pocket and two pouches. And the hand-painted dust bag can also be used as a tote!

One lucky winner will receive the Summer Weekender, filled with the following essentials:


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.


Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: These sheets absorb oil from the skin, effectively reducing shine - but without disrupting your makeup. They come in a slim, pop-up package for convenient access.


Clean & Clear SOFT In-Shower Facial: Provides a deep cleansing treatment to detoxify, smooth and soften young skin. The In-Shower Facial treatment is applied to skin while steam produced by the hot water allows the ingredients to deep cleanse pores while infusing moisture into the skin. The product is left on skin for one minute, then gently massaged into skin to exfoliate dead skin cells and extract impurities from pores. Skin is left feeling smooth and soft after just one minute.


Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes: These gentle, ultra soft cloths contain superior cleansing technology so effective it removes even waterproof mascara. With one step, it effectively dissolves all traces of dirt, oil and make-up. And it's gentle enough to use around the sensitive eye area, even for contact lens wearers.


Ojon mini TUNU Flexible Finishing Hairspray: This one-of-a-kind flexible hold finishing spray is formulated to add incredible fullness, control, and shine with a hold that allows the hair to still move naturally. It contains 100% pure wildcrafted Ojon oil, supported by clinical studies to instantly strengthen, hydrate and restore a healthy look and feel to dry, damaged hair. Plus a unique UV-inhibiting antioxidant complex stays in the hair to help protect color longer.


Tarte Lips Ahoy Lipgloss Set: For healthy, chic, on-the-go beauty, Lips Ahoy is the perfect little treasure. Packaged in a nautical pouch, these 4 mini double-ended, t5™ super fruit infused lipglosses with a water resistant formula leave you ready for smooth sailing!

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "BOYY Weekender Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Friday, July 4th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Saturday, July 5th, I'll announce the winner. 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!

In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway: Clutch

On a summer night, you don’t want to be schlepping a heavy handbag. A clutch is the perfect accessory to carry your beauty booty. But with a smaller bag, you must be careful not to cram. Your cell, keys, wallet and other basic necessities will take up a majority of your clutch’s empty space. So you need to be efficient with the cosmetics you add to your bag. What to carry in the clutch? Travel sized tools and multi-purpose products, of course!

It’s Friday. Thank heavens for that, right? And you know what that means - day five of our In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week!!! Spoiled Pretty is giving away Felix Rey’s deliciously chic Michelle Clutch. This bag is the ideal combination of elegant and earthy. It is crafted of oven straw with mirrored-leather bow detail and has a magnetic-snap closure front flap. And leave it to Felix Rey to put a surprise inside…the interior is lined in leopard print fabric! The bag also features a detachable wrist strap.


One reader will receive the Michelle Clutch, chock full of the following:

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara: My holy grail mascara gives you a blast of lush, volumized lashes! LashBlast's patented volume-boosting formula and patent-pending brush are designed to max-out each and every lash, leaving you with the ultimate big lash look.

Tarte Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duo: Say goodbye to cream shadows that crease & smudge. Whether it’s a hot day or you’re on a steamy date, this waterproof-shadow is sure to last! We’ve brought you one of our favorite makeup artist tricks for creaseproof cream shadow—two simple steps in one little wand.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: These sheets soak up excess oil and remove shine from your face, without smudging makeup or leaving behind a residue. Use them anytime, anywhere to remove oil and shine throughout the day.

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.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Felix Rey Clutch Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Thursday, July 3rd. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Friday, July 4th, I’m going to make some lucky lady’s Independence Day by proclaiming her the winner! 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!

In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway: Eco-Friendly Bag

Just because you care about the earth doesn’t mean that you should neglect your appearance. I am a firm believer that being an eco-friendly fashionista isn’t an oxymoron.

Take, for example, Elezar handbags. This summer, Elezar is expanding its collection of handbags to include a new vegan line, Vivi. Vivi bags match the beauty, sophistication and functionality of Elezar’s leather collection while providing stylish women with another fabulous form of expression. Vivi’s lush Ecouture materials mirror the luxury provided by Elezar’s leather bags, but is made from a unique, high-end biodegradable material found in Italy. The look and feel is not only luxurious, but the great functional shapes with a slight edge exude passion – from the old world feel of weaved fencing to the modern day ultra-chic chain handles. Elezar bags keep you organized, polished and always chic.


Today is day four of our In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week. So all of you haute hippies out there, here’s your chance to get spoiled pretty. Elezar’s Vivi Barrel Bag (which retails for $375) will be filled with the following summer essentials:


Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 15: This non-greasy formula provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and helps keep skin hydrated without using chemical sunscreen actives like octinoxate and oxybenzone. Instead, titanium dioxide, a naturally-occuring mineral creates a micro-fine barrier on your skin to reflect the sun's harmful rays. The natural sunscreen is effective immediately upon application and safe for kids.


Aloe & Linden Flower After Sun Soother: Help overexposed skin chill out with this intensely hydrating, quick-absorbing face and body lotion. It’s packed with natural aloe vera and linden extract to soothe. Coconut oil, bee pollen and glycerin nourish your skin and help replenish its natural moisture. Your sun-kissed skin will feel revived, soft and healthy, naturally.


Jurlique Sun Lotion SPF 30+: This broad spectrum sun lotion is formulated to give extra protection against sun exposure. Suitable for all skin types.


Jurlique Citrus Silk Finishing Powder: A silky translucent facial powder that refines the complexion and helps absorb excess facial oil to reduce shine. Leaves the skin fresh and radiant.


Jurlique Citrus Purifying Mist: This clarifying mist is infused with the living energy of witch hazel and marshmallow combined with essential oils of tangerine and lemon to enliven and purify. Leaves the skin hydrated and refreshed. Ideal for rebalancing summer-induced oiliness.


Tarte Double Dose Berry Boost & Gloss in acai boost, acerola rush, go go goji, and pomegranate punch: Get a double dose of beauty and treatment. The inner berry boost is a t5 super fruit complex™ concentrated pigment that mixes with the outer high shine gloss. The result is a rich color that helps rejuvenate your lips. The formula is infused with vitamin C, peppermint oil, and shea butter – and is paraben-free, mineral-oil free, and phthalate free. With the purchase of every gloss, you’ll be helping to preserve the Amazon Rainforest through forest conservation, improved living conditions and educational opportunities for communities in Brazil. Tarte supports Sambazon’s Sustainable Acai Project (SAP), a member of the Organic Trade Association and the Fair Trade Federation.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Elezar Handbag Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Wednesday, July 2nd. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Thursday, July 3rd, 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!

In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway: Everyday Bag

The average weight of the contents of a woman’s purse has skyrocketed over the past five years. Exactly how much does the typical gal lug around? More than five pounds of crap – that’s how much! Researchers predict that by 2018, the average handbag will weigh more than 6.6 pounds. High-tech gadgets have been blamed for the 38 percent increase…but lets be real, ladies. Those eight lip products add up.

If you’re anything like me, your purse is chock-full of nonsense…old shopping receipts, gum wrappers, enough Starbucks napkins to last a lifetime, and seven dollars in coins lining the bottom of the bag. I’m not going to be a hypocrite and tell you to throw that mess out. But I do have some suggestions for how you can pare down your beauty stash this summer, and lighten your load by at least a couple of ounces. Summer heat is oppressive enough…and let’s face it – Scoliosis isn’t sexy.

* Instead of tossing your regular hairbrush and comb into your purse, opt for a purse-sized set. But make sure that you invest in quality products…I don’t know about you, but those “nifty” pop-up purse brushes never work for me. And if it doesn’t work, you might as well not carry it. Right?

* Palettes and multi-purpose products are great options…they offer innumerable options without sacrificing space.

* If you’re prone to t-zone oiliness, you could carry around a translucent powder compact. But powder tends to cake in the heat, so you’re better off carrying some blotting papers. Plus you’ll shed some weight.

Today is day three of our In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week, and to get you over the hump, I'm spoiling you pretty with this handbag from Creations By Kage.


The "Stormy" tote is, in two words, effortlessly sumptuous. The bag is like buttah - all Kage creations are made of the finest Italian leathers. The line is geared towards the girl with very sophisticated taste who wants a really unique bag made of finest materials and the highest quality, but doesn't necessarily have to own a "name" brand. Designer Kristin Holstein says her bags have a certain elegance to them, as they are clean in design, with simple pleats and the Kage signature horseshoe detail. "The symbol of the horseshoe means so much to me. Not only does it represent good luck, but it reminds me of my mother and her love of horses. They constantly give me inspiration, and will always be a significant theme in my design process."

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


Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara: Get a blast of lush, volumized lashes! LashBlast's patented volume-boosting formula and patent-pending brush are designed to max-out each and every lash, leaving you with the ultimate big lash look. This happens to be my Holy Grail mascara.

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.

Tarte Infinite Glow Bestsellers Palette: Get a natural, radiant glow with this chic palette that has everything you need to tan, glow and pout in minutes flat! This bestsellers palette includes Park Ave Princess Mineral Powder Bronzer, award-winning Gel Cheek Stain in Tipsy and a moisturizing 24.7 Lip Sheer in a new shade May Flowers. This luxe faux-croc, compact with mirror is perfect for on-the-go application!

MAX Factor Vivid Impact Eyeshadow Duos in Domino Effect, Emerald Coast, and Peach Basket: Sweep on these loose powder eye shadows for a subtle shimmer or lay it on thick for a metallic effect. The couture-color combinations let you create vibrant shadow effects with the brilliant artistry of a pro.

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.

RoC Retinol Correxion Hand Repair Cream SPF15: This revolutionary formula not only moisturizes but has been scientifically shown to fortify the outer layer of skin and is clinically shown to even out the look of discolorations and age spots for more youthful looking hands. In addition, its SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreen protects hands from damaging UVA rays that may contribute to skin damage and premature aging of the skin. Allure Magazine Best of Beauty winner.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: Oil-Absorbing Sheets soak up excess oil and remove shine from your face, without smudging makeup or leaving behind a residue. Use them anytime, anywhere to remove oil and shine throughout the day.

Aveeno Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner SPF 15: This unique lip treatment provides essential long-lasting moisturization to help condition and protect dry, chapped lips. With an exclusive combination of natural oatmeal and natural skin conditioners, including jojoba oil and shea butter, it restores moisture and locks it in long after applying. It contains UVA/UVB sunscreens to protect lips from the sun and is good for daily use.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Creations By Kage Handbag Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Tuesday, July 1st. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Wednesday, July 2nd, 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!

In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway: Gym Bag

If you read my last post, you know that, this afternoon, I took a trip to TJ Maxx. What you probably don't know is that I went there on a mission to find new athletic attire.

You see, I recently joined a gym. After a long hiatus, I'm back on the scene - and I have to admit that I'm feeling a little zafdig next to all of the resident hard bodies. So until I slim and trim my body, I've resorted to hiding underneath some sporty outfits. Trying on the gear was a workout in and of itself cuz I'm majorly sore from my personal training sesh yesterday. But I found some cute separates, so I'm ready to head back tomorrow.

What I didn't need to buy, however, was a stylish gym bag. More on that in a minute...

So what are the necessities for your gym bag this summer? Obviously, you'll want to pack items like a towel and an mp3 player. But I also recommend that you also include a few key beauty essentials...so that, post-gym, you won't have to take your sweaty, smelly self straight home. Give your credit card a little workout and stock up on the following:

* If your hair is normal to oily, I'd recommend taking along travel-sized shampoo and conditioner. If your hair is dry/damaged/color-treated, then you might want to carry a dry shampoo or a product that revives your style.

* If you shower at the gym, you'll need some sort body wash and facial cleanser. Many gyms have those basic amenities. But if you're reading this, you're a beauty junkie...and you don't want no generic toiletries. You're better off bringing along some deep-cleaning products that will clear your pores of dirt, oil, and sweat.

* Odor may be a sign of an effective workout, but I think you'll agree that it's far from fetching. Deodorant is a no brainer. No?

*Spritzing on a light, fresh fragrance is also a nice precautionary measure - especially if you forgo a splish splash in the gym shower.

* A reusable water bottle is an excellent idea. I advocate aluminum (like those from SIGG) over plastic. But whatever you choose - you might want to pour your agua into a cup. Recent reports have shown that quenching your thirst straight from the bottle leads to "water bottle lips" - which are fine wrinkles around the mouth. Quel horror!

Today is day two of our In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week, so I'm spoiling you pretty with this lovely Lug gym bag.


The Puddle Jumper Gym Bag was featured on Oprahs "O List" and is a must-have for any active individual. Stuff it solid with items galore! From your ipod, glasses, pens, papers, clothing, bottles, cosmetics, etc., even throw your stinky sneakers in the back separated ventilated pocket! This bag represents functionality at its best while not compromising your sense of style!

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


Ojon Revitalizing Mist: This alcohol-free, leave-in conditioner detangles, refreshes and reactivate your style without washing. With a revitalizing fragrance, it neutralizes odor as it moisturizes and preps the hair for restyling. It's also a great moisturizer for the skin!


Neutrogena Rainbath Shower & Shave: As a body wash, this fresh, marine-scented gel is enriched with ingredients that clean and moisturize your skin without leaving behind a heavy residue. As a shave gel, the silky lubrication helps your razor glide smoothly over your skin while soothing aloe helps prevent dryness and irritation. This clean-rinsing formula won't build up on your razor—or your skin.


Clean & Clear Deep Action Refreshing Gel Cleanser: The icy gel turns into a foaming lather that instantly cools and invigorates your skin as it dissolves dirt and oil trapped deep in your pores.
After washing, it leaves your skin feeling refreshed and revived, with the unmistakable tingle of a really deep clean. Completely oil-free, rinses clean, and won't clog pores.


Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: Softer than paper, these silky sheets leave your skin feeling refreshed by instantly removing excess oil and shine from your face, without smudging makeup or leaving behind powder.


Bath & Body Works Body Splash in Enchanted Orchid: This lighter, casual fragrance is perfect for fragrance layering or enhancing the fragrance effect of previously applied products, such as body lotion. Notes include Calypso Orchid, Pink Grapefruit, Waterlily, Crisp Apple, Fresh Gardenia, Vanilla Orchid, Heliotrope, and Creamy Amber.


Goody Ouchless Detangling Comb: Flexible teeth slide through wet or dry hair without snags or pulls. Easy does it with this gentle approach to soft, manageable hair.


Secret Flawless Antiperspirant/Deodorant: Performs in more ways than any other anti-perspirant. It has strong protection, goes on clear, has self-renewing fragrances, it's smooth and lightweight, and has skin-nurturing conditioners.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Lug Gym Bag Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Monday, June 30th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Tuesday, July 1st, 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!

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!

More Beauty Secrets From Kim Kardashian

How does Kim Kardashian give oily skin the kiss off? Kim swears by oil-free makeup and powder. She also carries blot papers to keep the greasies at bay throughout the day.

And even though our favorite junk in the trunk-tastic socialite wears $400 Dior shades and kicks it in Christian Louboutins, she can be a bit of a penny-pincher. She says, "You can use toilet seat covers to blot your face. It's basically the same material as blot papers and they're free! Ha ha!"

To keep her skin and oil glands acting right, Kim visits her dermatologist, Dr. Ava Shamban, for medical facials. She also frequents Aida Thibiant in Beverly Hills.

As for hair removal, Kim has kissed her waxing days goodbye. She much prefers lasers. "I started at the American Laser Center, but Laser Away has numbing cream. I can be such a baby about that stuff!"

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

Source: officialkimkardashian.com

The Dope on Urban Decay’s Summer 2008 Collection

Urban Decay’s Summer 2008 Collection is the chronic. With product names like "Big Fatty,"Baked," and "Blaze" - you know you wanna try it. It'll make you feel good, feel good...

Pops of color are in style this season…and Big Fatty Colored Mascara is the perfect way to embrace that trend. Available in four bold, but wearable shades, Big Fatty thickens and lengthens lashes. Electric Blue and Indigo flatter brown and blue eyes, Purple Haze compliment green-eyed gals, and burgundy adds drama to any eye color. I’m a total Electric Blue groupie, and when I’m feeling bold, I pair it with 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Deviant.

"A colored mascara is the perfect summer beauty uniform. I slick a little on when I'm in a rush or headed out to thebeach and instantly get a ‘just enough makeup to look pretty, but not so much that I'm trying too hard’ look. And it adds aseductive, enigmatic little edge to those minimal makeup days of summer," says Wende Zomnir, Executive Creative Director at Urban Decay.

Urban Decay created two new eyeshadow shades, Blaze and Rush, to compliment the summer line. Blaze (golden peach) and Rush (medium coppery bronze) are smooth, richly pigmented and apply like a dream. To keep from slipping off your lid in humid weather, prep the eye with Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

De-Slick Mattifying Powder is one of the Co-Founder’s favorite products…and mine too, because you know that I’m one shiny beauty blogger come summertime. This shine-thwarting pressed powder contains lightweight, oil-absorbing rice powder. Use it on bare skin or over your foundation. The light purple shaded powder applies invisibly and won’t cake.

Baked Bronzer in Guilded gives you a baked, toasty glow without the threat of skin damage. And it’s literally baked in an Italian oven on a tiny terra cotta disc for 24 hours, then hand-finished by a factory full of motherly Italian women. The result is an ultra-smooth, sheer-finish bronzer that can be used on the face and body and applied wet or dry!

The Big Buddha Brush is Urban Decay’s answer to the kabuki brush. Bronze arms and legs with one sweep, dust on loose powder, or highlight shoulders and décolleté. Big Buddha features soft synthetic white fibers, tipped with purple, giving the brush a unique ombre effect.

Santa Tanita, Urban Decay’s imaginary saint of sunless tanning, answers your prayers for sun-kissed skin. The Santa Tanita Tinted Sunless Tanning Mousse instantly bronzes face and body, while a gradual self tanner goes to work, building a lasting tan that darkens with time. The moisturizing formula was created for both the face and body, and it won’t rub off onto clothes.

Urban Decay is available at Sephora, Ulta, Amazon.com, and urbandecay.com.

Sex And The City Beauty: Samantha

If you’re a fan of the series, you remember a time when Samantha Jones played for both teams. When we rejoin our favorite minx on the big screen, we learn that she’s bi again. Bi-coastal, that is. She’s traded the meatpacking district for Malibu.

Now that she’s a California girl, makeup artist Kyra Panchenko gave Sam a tan.

Kyra mixed St. Tropez Self-Tanner and Aircraft Body Makeup, then topped it off with Scott Barnes Body Bling. “Kim went through loads of wipes to remove her body make-up each day and loved how gentle they were on her skin,” she says.

Kyra also used MAC Blot Powder in Medium, MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy, and MAC Cleansing Tips to clean up under the eyes.

Image source: newline.com/sexandthecity

When Sebaceous Glands Attack!

Have you read my recap of the Total Beauty Blogging Summit yet? If not, follow the link to hear all about my adventures this past weekend.

In one of the photos, my t-zone is looking particularly reflective – because I accidentally dropped my holy grail translucent powder on the tile floor in my hotel room and it spilled everywhere. There was white powder all over the place…I mean, if you didn’t know any better, you’d have thought I was sharing the room with Tony Montana.

So for the rest of the weekend, it was a constant struggle between me and my oil glands. But I did learn something at the summit that gave me hope. Oily skin ages better because the extra sebum helps to prevent wrinkles! So apparently, even though it's a total pain in the ass at times, I’ll be thanking my greasy face when I’m older.

But until then, I'll rely on Three Custom Color Specialists Pressed Translucent Powder, which comes in a travel-friendly compact.

Carissa's Bridal Makeup Must-Haves: Day 4

In the days leading up to my wedding, last June, one of my biggest concerns was my shiny face. I diligently researched and then purchased every shine control product and mattifier. I spent more money than I needed to and worked myself into a tizzy - checking my face every five minutes on my wedding day. Carissa, writer and editor of Hooked On Beauty and professional makeup artist, has this advice for you gals with a tendency to glisten (and not in a good way):

The hot summer months that are so perfect for weddings are also perfect for shine to rear it's ugly head. I always hand out E.L.F's professional Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets and tell the photographer to let the girls know when to use them.

To learn more about Carissa and her services, visit coloradoweddingmakeup.com.

PS - Don't forget to enter the Ultimate Bridal Beauty Basket giveaway!

Shiny, Unhappy People

I thought I was done being Miss Greasy Face. In September, I waved goodbye to the oil slick that had summer vacationed on my t-zone. Little did I realize it would be home for the holidays.

I love the way super-rich winter moisturizers soothe my chapped, flaky face; my skin is so thirsty in the morning that it just drinks in the moisture. But by 10 am, I’m rummaging in my purse for my powder compact. And at the end of the day, I’m dabbing at my face with napkins left over from my Saladworks lunch.

If I could get away with the same gel moisturizer I use during warm months, I would; but as luck would have it, when I try wearing a lightweight moisturizer in the winter, I end up looking something like this…


Well, thanks to Eve Lom Moisturiser SPF 15, the oil slick took another vacation – which I think will be a permanent one. Somehow it manages to pamper my parched skin, without any shine or greasy residue; I apply a liberal amount in the AM and I’m shine-free all day - and all night. I would recommend this moisturizer to anyone, regardless of skin type. It’s just that good.

Isn’t it time you learned all about Eve? Eve Lom products are available at Space NK and evelom.com.

Look, World - I Have Cheekbones!

As I was prepping for my TV appearance last week, I decided to do a little experimentation. After using my Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go to brighten the area under my eyes, I decided to dot it along my cheekbones. Looking in the mirror at the time, I didn’t notice a difference; but watching the video, I’m amazed at how much it accentuated my bone structure.

Freeze & Go is lightweight, silicone brightener that can be worn under or over makeup to fix fine lines, absorb excess oil, and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores and imperfections. And it comes in a portable, metallic, pod-like package, complete with a removable mirror and metered dosage – so that you can look fab on the fly!

Siren Song

This past weekend, I stopped by Sephora expecting to just window shop. Oh, who am I kidding…does that ever really happen?

Aimlessly, I perused the aisles and tested dozens of products. I had no intention of actually buying anything, yet I couldn’t bring myself to leave the store. It was as if something was calling to me. Then I saw it - Viridiana lipstick from the Nars Siren Song Holiday 2007 collection.

This lip color had me at hello, ladies. At first glance, I was bewitched by the rich burgundy color. After testing it on my hand, I fell a little deeper in love. By the time the saleswoman finished carefully applying it to my lips, I was obsessed. And in the ten minutes between putting a tube of Viridiana in my basket and paying for it at the register, three women approached me to ask what lipstick I was wearing. Watch out, Dolce Vita…there's a new diva in town.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: For daytime, apply Viridiana to exfoliated lips with your fingers – for a subtle, but sophisticated stain. At night, apply with a lip brush for more concentrated color. The beauty of Viridiana lies not only in the shade, but also in the formula – the semi-matte finish isn’t drying and stays where you put it, so you needn’t worry about the color staying inside the lines.

Nars’ Siren Song collection also includes:
Duo Eyeshadow (in