MAC's given birth to another new collection, aptly titled New View.
Natural and Shimmer. The split personality of powder to sheerly and subtly perfect skin with dimensionality and mineralized starshine. These Mineralize Skinfinish duos are state-of-the-art simplicity, high-resolution finish.
Unlike most powders that are pressed into traditional metal pans, Mineralize Skinfinish is molded onto small round terracotta tiles and carefully baked for 24 hours, allowing for an exceptionally sheer and light application. The Natural portion of the duo will provide a dimensional yet natural matte-finish, while the shimmer portion will add buffed-up highlights to cheeks and brows, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face. This unique powder contains vitamin A and E derivatives, which help buffer the skin from environmental aggression and jojoba oil, which calms and soothes the skin. This product can be used on face or body and is appropriate for all skin types. Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested. Use with the 189 Face Brush. With its rounded paddle and chiseled edges, it’s perfect for precise blending and sculpting.
Mineralize Skinfinish Light Medium/Natural and Shimmer: Pale golden beige/Warm yellow beige
Dark/and Shimmer: Deep caramel/Mid-tone yellow gold
Deep Dark/Natural and Shimmer: Rich golden bronze/Deep copper bronze
Brush 189 Face Brush: Rounded-paddle face brush with chiseled shape on each side for effortless placement and blending of product. Very soft synthetic bristles can even be used by those with sensitive skins. May be used with almost all MAC powder forms and other light emulsions and liquid foundations.
Available International (except Asia): July 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com. Asia: August 2008 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com.
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!
Coming soon from Stila: Hydrating Primer SPF 15 and Hydrating Finishing Powder.
The Hydrating Primer SPF 15 provides time-released skincare benefits and maintains hydration levels in the skin for a perfectly-prepped palette. The innovative formula contains Dermaxyl for anti-aging and hydration benefits, and time-released Hyaluronic Acid spheres that plump the skin for a soft, moisturized feel.
The Hydrating Finishing Powder is finely milled and ideal for all skin types. It is formulated to absorb oil and protect the skin while providing supreme translucency for lightweight sheer coverage. It contains micro-encapsulated ectoin for time-released hydration as well as Meadow Seed Extract for anti-oxidant protection.
Though these new products won’t be available for 2-3 weeks, you can pre-order them now. And your credit card won’t be charged until your complete order is shipped…which means no need to wait until your next payday.
If your order comes to $50 or more, take $10 off and get free shipping my using coupon code THK6TU6E at checkout. This offer expires on Friday, June 27th, 2008.
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!
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.
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.
Glamour beams across the universe via solar bits: transforming free-formed clusters of rich pigment and pearl. Applies shine and sparkle to eyes, cheeks wherever you want highlights. Crush for full color and sparkle effect; for a light shimmer, sweep your brush over the top of the clusters. Wear with skin made provocatively golden through bronzing powder in solar riche and refined golden. Apply with 168 and 239 application brushes.
Solar Bits Sunpower: Light metallic tan with gold pearl Black Ore: Rich black with gold pearl Bronzescape: Clean yellow brown with gold pearl Scatterrays: Soft metallic peach with gold pearl Suggested Retail Price: $19.50
Bronzing Powder Refined Golden: Finely spun golden with soft pearl finish Solar Riche: Mid-tone deep orange brown with pearl Suggested Retail Price: $20.00
This Sunday is Mother's Day, a time to celebrate the woman who brought you into the world - and the lady who probably works your nerves more than any other. In honor of this special occasion, Spoiled Pretty is hosting another fabulous giveaway!
Three lucky ladies will win the motherload - a set of pretty prizes which includes:
Stila Multi-Effect Mascara is a true multi-tasker. It volumizes, lengthens, and curls with just the right amount of building power! Experience this ultimate mascara - and make a lash-ing impression.
Stila Face Contouring Trio is a set of three shading powders to sculpt your facial features. For a slimmed down nose, larger eyes, and sculpted cheek bones use both the light and dark matte shades with the highlighter flash.
Cynthia Rowley has teamed with Avon to create two new fashionable floral scents, aptly named Flower and Petal. The fragrances celebrate the bonds between women (especially mothers and daughters) everywhere. Flower is feminine and flirty, yet sophisticated. Every note was hand-picked by Cynthia herself, creating a bouquet of florals surrounded by warm woods and musks. The notes include: Casablanca Lily, Freesia, Cashmere Woods, Warm Vanilla, Skin Musk, Velvet Woods, and Sandalwood. "I like that the fragrance is complex, with so many disparate notes, but has such a simple name—Flower," says Cynthia.
Petal is the bud to the grownup Flower. To create Petal, Cynthia wanted to take the essence of Flower and design a scent that was lighter with a more carefree sensibility. Her eight-year-old daughter even helped pick the notes that would make up the final bouquet. The result is a floral green fragrance that captures the innocent, youthful blush of freshly bloomed Lily of the Valley - and was made to be worn by young girls as well as women who are young at heart.
Each set is worth $103!
To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Tell me what you love most about your mom or your favorite thing about being a mom - and attach a pic of you with your mom or your child(ren). I will be posting the photos of the winners...so don't send a pic you don't want published.
Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Motherload Giveaway.” The contest ends at midnight, May 10th. Winners will be chosen at from among the entrants. On Sunday, May 11th (Mother's Day), I’ll announce the winners’ names. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents only.
Apply loose powder underneath your eye so that when you apply your eye shadow, the loose powder will catch any shadow that falls.
Eye shadow falling where it doesn’t belong is annoying. Yes. But does anyone actually do this? Besides professional makeup artists, I mean. It seems kinda messy. Well, if any of you have been wasting your precious loose powder following this old-school rule – it is my pleasure to introduce you to Shadow Shields.
These half -moon shaped adhesives are placed under the eye before applying eye makeup. Any excess product that falls is caught by the shields, leaving you with clean, raccoon-free eyes… every time!
I used to think that truly translucent powder was a thing of myth…like the Yeti. I've finally found one (powder, not Yeti) - and I'm hooked!
Trae Bodge, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Three Custom Color Specialists gave me a jar of their Translucent Powder when I visited her in February. My parched face didn’t need it then, but I’m starting to need it now. And come summertime, this will be my secret weapon against Philly humidity and the greasy face that typically results.
No matter your complexion, this product has you covered…literally. But thanks to the ultra-light and extraordinarily sheer formula, all anyone will see is you. Given that most women are one shade in the winter and another during the warmer months, save some time and money and buy one powder that works year-round.
Three Custom Color Specialists Translucent Powder is available loose or pressed, and can be worn on bare skin or over makeup.
Want to slim your nose, open up your eyes, or chisel your cheekbones? You could go the plastic surgery route, but that's so expensive – not to mention permanent. Luckily, Stila's got a solution for all the fickle penny-pinchers out there.
The Stila Contouring Trio is a set of three shading powders to sculpt your facial features. If the word ‘contour’ is dredging up frightful memories of the 1980’s, be not afraid. Stila has modernized the art of contouring, and made it super-easy to follow.
Each compact contains three shades: light (a high-lighting powder), dark (a low-lighting powder), flash (a soft neutral shimmer), a step by step simple instructions on how to contour cheeks, nose and eye, and some cute lights that surrounds the mirror.
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to follow the directions and replicate the looks – not to mention how flattering the shading powders were on my skin tone.
And here’s the best thing about this kit…at the end of the night when I was starting to miss my petite, cat nose and chipmunk cheeks, I simply washed my face.
New from MAC is the Fafi Color Collection – now available at MAC stores and counters everywhere.
Inspired by the graphic expression of French graffiti artist Fafi, this hip Spring collection includes is filled with bold, empowering hues, unapologetically girly lip shades of pearly pinks and tangerine reds, iridescent powder, brown, blue and green Paint Pots and Quads, and whimsical cosmetic accessories.
"We had the idea on a shoot to capture the spirit of a young woman having fun playing — with clothes, technology, fashion," said James Gager, senior vice president and creative director of MAC Cosmetics worldwide. "We were inspired by Japanese anime, and as we researched the movement, we discovered Fafi. We asked if she would collaborate with us on a photo concept, and the creation began from there."
LIPSTICK Fun ‘n’ Sexy: Blue pink with blue pearl (glaze) Not So Innocent: Sheer tan with pink and peach pearl (glaze) Utterly Frivolous: Rosy coral with pink pearl (lustre) High Top: Grey purple with blue pearl (glaze) Flash-n-Dash: Intense tangerine red with pink pearl (glaze) Strawbaby: Coral rose with rainbow pearl (lustre)
LIPGLASS Cult Fave: Blue mid-tone pink with white pearl (frost) Sugar Trance: Creamy soft pink with white and rainbow pearl (frost) Squeeze It: Brassy plum (frost) Totally It: Sheer bright pink with intense pink pearl (frost)
EYE SHADOW X4 - Fafi Eyes 1 Howzat: Deep grey with silver sparkle (satin) Hey: Neutral tan with white pearl (veluxe pearl) Pink Venus: Washed pink (lustre) Vanilla: Soft pale-peachy-ivory flecked with shimmer (velvet)
EYE SHADOW X 4 - Fafi Eyes 2 Bold as Gold: Yellow gold with gold pearl (lustre) You’re Fresh: Pale green with silver sparkle (lustre) Shockwave: Intense orange with silver sparkle (velvet) Prankster: Muted dark blue (satin)
PAINT POT Nice: Vice Dirty purple with purple pearl (frost) Girl Friendly: Creamy grey pink (cream) Layin’ Low: Creamy beige (cream) Cash Flow: Green gold with gold pearl (frost) Perky: Cream coral with white pearl (satin) Rollickin’: Aqua blue green with white pearl (frost)
POWDER BLUSH Hipness: Intense coral with soft white pearl Fashion Frenzy: Mid-tone blue pink
IRIDESCENT PRESSED POWDER Sassed-up: Soft coral pink with gold sparkle Verve-acaious: Intense yellow gold with gold pearl Belightful: Gilded peach bronze
NAIL LACQUER Girls Will Be Girls: Pink with coral pearl Boom!: Rich eggplant with purple pearl
BRUSHES 210 Precise Eye Liner: Firm, extra-fine tip brush for precision lining with emollient or water-based products. 129SH Powder/Blush (with decorated pouch): Soft natural fluffed dome Brush for application of powder products on cheeks and face. In a special decorated Fafi-themed pouch. 208 Angled Brow Brush: Firm, angled tip Brush for precision application of brow and eye-lining product. 182 Buffer Brush: Ultra-soft, large, rounded dome tip Brush for use with powder face and cheek product.
Don't ya just love when a product does double beauty duty? Me too. That’s why I was so excited to get my hands on Glamo-Glitz by Scarlett Cosmetics.
Glamo-Glitz is a one-of-a-kind product that can be used in seven different ways! These mineral-based loose cosmetic dusts are multi-functional, and are used on eyes, cheeks, lips, body, highlighting and even for mascara. Here’s how it works...
Eye Shadow: Use wet or dry and sweep lightly or dramatically over lid.
Eye Liner: Dip an eyelining brush into water and then into Glamo-Glitz, and sweep along lash line. The ones with glitter look fabulous this way!
Lips: Put petroleum jelly on lips then mix one part water with two parts Glamo-Glitz and dab onto lips.
Mascara: Mix two parts water with one part Glamo-Glitz and put onto lashes with a disposable mascara wand. Need a shocking teal mascara but can't find it? No problem, make one from your Glamo-Glitz. Do not wear glitter formulas if you have contact lenses, though.
Cheeks: Dip a blush brush into your Glamo-Glitz and swep onto cheeks.
Decollete: Get a big, fat brush and brush over this area – as well as shoulders. Very sexy!
Nail Polish: Adding your choice of Glamo-Glitz color to clear nail polish can make a custom color. It blends smoothly so you don’t have to worry about clumps and the nail polish not drying. Try mixing one that has glitter in it!
In the photo, you can see a few of my favorite Glamo-Glitz shades (from top to bottom – Gypsy, Mombasa, and Pop Star). I wet the powders so that they would photograph more vividly; but please note that they also can be used for a sheer wash of color. That’s why they’re so great – because they’re all-purpose!
Scarlett Cosmetics are sold by select retailers in the U.S., U.K., and Hong Kong. But no matter where you’re from, you can live the Glamo-Glitz life by visiting scarlettcos.com.
I’m the type of woman who carries her beauty arsenal with her at all times. Judging from the size (and weight) of my handbag, this should come as no surprise. So when I’m heading out for cocktails with friends, to a wedding, or dinner with my hubby, it’s always a struggle to fit all of my products in my cute, petite purse. Over time, I’ve learned that you needn’t sacrifice style just because you have to sacrifice space. The secret? Travel sizes and multi-purpose products. Here are a few of my favs…
Clinique's Perfectly Real Compact Makeup looks like your skin—only better. The silky, oil-free formula optimizes your skin’s varying tones to create a more even, perfected appearance. Buildable coverage lasts for hours, yet feels like nothing at all.
Benefit's A Little Bit BADgal Lash Mascara is a little bit of BADgal lash for the girl on the go. Even though it's mini, it carries a big BADgal punch - lavish mascara that's sexy, sultry, pure, unadulterated black.
Stila's Convertible Eye Color is a versatile, dual-ended eye color wand that contains a smooth, easy to apply (thanks to the built-in applicator), powder eyeshadow on one end, and a matching automatic eyeliner pencil on the other, for perfectly color-coordinated lids in a flash. Available in 9 color combinations.
Stila's ingenious lipstick and blush-in-one proves irresistible. Convertible Color is a creamy, sheer tint that adds an inherent glow to the cheeks while lips bloom with fresh, radiant color. A mini-mirrored compact makes touch ups on the go a snap.
DuWop Duet Gloss & Highlighter is a double-ended wand with a gorgeous shimmering lip gloss on one end, paired with a liquid all-over face highlighter on the other.
Revlon's Makeup Eraser Pen quickly and precisely removes makeup smudges and smears in one simple step. Designed for portable perfection and touch-ups on the go. Easily lift away longwearing and waterproof makeup without irritating skin. The soft tip lets you target hard-to-reach mistakes without disturbing your makeup.
Now you can smooth frizz, prevent over-drying, eliminate odors, and protect your hair from the sun anytime, anywhere with Ted Gibson's Hair Styling Sheets.
Sephora's 3 Inch Fragrance Atomizer will keep you smelling sweet from dusk til dawn. Just fill with your favorite fragrance, drop in your handbag, and 'spritz' yourself whenever you need a pick-me-up. Three inches in length, this atomizer comes with a drawstring pouch and funnel for easy refilling.
Today, my Internet surfing took me to InStyle.com – where I stumbled upon an article about the summer celebrity weddings of 2007. Looking at the glowing faces and wide smiles of Rebecca Romijn, Katie Holmes, and Eva Longoria made me remember my own nuptials three months ago.
I felt more beautiful on my wedding day than any other moment in my life. Mainly, it was because I was marrying my true love and best friend, but I have to admit that my makeup choices didn’t hurt any.
Bridal beauty is tricky because you want to appear fresh, but you also want your look to last. And while you want to be a drop dead gorgeous bride, you don’t want to look at your photos later and ask yourself - who is that?
“On your wedding day you should look like yourself at your most beautiful,” says Bobbi Brown.
I spent a long time figuring out which beauty products I would use to look special on my special day. And I think all of my research and makeup trials paid off (if I do say so myself). The following were the contents of my wedding beauty bag:
Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer* creates a smooth, invisible layer that acts as a buffer between skin and makeup, and helps makeup stay fresh and color-true for hours. Available in three formulas – regular, hydrating, and oil-free (for shiny gals, like me).
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit includes concealer on top and sheer loose powder on the bottom to set concealer for long-lasting wear. I’ve had this kit for years, and I swear it’s bottomless – a little goes a very long way. Awarded Brides Magazine 'Beauty Makeup Award' (May/ June 2007 issue).
If you want to look flawless, but your skin is far from it – look no farther than Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation*. Its sheer texture evens out dark spots and delivers an airbrushed finish. At $55, it’s a splurge – but one you won’t regret when you see yourself in photos.
Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Makeup* is, technically, foundation – but I use it as powder. Its silky, oil-free formula looks like your skin - only better. The buildable coverage lasts for hours, yet weighs nothing. Can be applied with a brush, sponge, or puff.
Diorshow Mascara* is an industry cult-fave, creating the longest, thickest, curviest lashes ever, resulting in an ultra-glam "just-off-the-catwalk" look. I accidentally bought the regular formula, but it held up beautifully though the vows, toasts, and even the dance with my dad.
My wedding day blush was actually a bronzer – Giorgio Armani Sheer Bronzer in #2. The finely-milled powder imparts sheer, buildable color that warms the skin with a subtle shimmer.
Armani Silk Lipstick clings to lips without the dryness that usually accompanies many long-last formulas. Available in a palette of 18 signature shades with 3 must-have fashion top coat lip accessories to be layered for a matte, satin, or sparkling effect.
Add Giorgio Armani Lip Shimmer over lipstick to give more depth, intensity and shine to the shade. Lip Shimmer is a sophisticated, shimmering translucent gloss – without any of the tackiness that typically traps stray hairs like a magnet.
What are you still reading this for? Enter right now! Don't miss out - because that wouldn't be pretty.
Good luck!
GET TO KNOW ME
Daneen :)
Philly, PA, United States
Beauty Buff. Cosmetics Connoisseur. Makeup Master.
I selflessly test beauty products and write about their shortcomings and virtues…all to save you time and money. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.