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NARS Sheer Glow Foundation Plus Orgasm Illuminator Equals Perfection

I'm not much of a cook, but I've got one heck of a recipe for ya...

Yesterday, my boo took me out for breakfast. As we sat across the table from each other, Graham kept gushing about my complexion. "Your skin looks amazing. Really, you're glowing...it looks so fresh and healthy." That's when I really started beaming, as Mr. Spoiled Pretty throws around compliments like manhole covers (his euphemism, not mine).

So what's my secret? Unfortunately, this time, it had nothing to do with the pregnancy hormones. This glow was a gift from NARS. A few weeks ago when I was in NYC for Fashion Week, I had an opportunity to meet with the NARS team - and I got color matched by James Boehmer, NARS International Lead Makeup Stylist. NARS gifted me with their Sheer Matte and Sheer Glow foundations in Cadiz (medium-dark with caramel and red undertones) - which was a PERFECT match, by the by.

Anyways, so my glow yesterday was the result of the Sheer Glow Foundation mixed with the new Orgasm Illuminator. Here's the recipe: mix 2 parts foundation with 1 part Orgasm Illuminator, and apply with a brush or sponge (I recommend the beautyblender). Then go somewhere where your beauty can be truly appreciated, and wait for the compliments to start flying.

Glo-oh-ow get 'em, girl.

PS - I want to take this opportunity to give a big shout out to NARS for their wide range of foundation shades. Far too often, women with deeper complexions find themselves forgotten by makeup brands. Not so with NARS. I'm so glad to have found this foundation. I encourage you to go to your nearest NARS counter or Sephora store and get color matched too. I guarantee you won't be able to leave empty-handed.

Perfume Vanity I-Spy

Here's a pic of my perfume vanity tray. How many fragrances can you name? Take your best shot in the comments.

Clinique High Lengths Mascara Giveaway Winners!

Congrats to the winners of the Clinique High Lengths Mascara Giveaway: Angelique, Deb C, Elaine, Estrella Castillo, and vnssa906. These lucky ladies have won Clinique's newest mascara, which provides dramatic length and volume immediately upon application.

Many thanks to Clinique for sponsoring this contest, and for creating such a kick lash mascara!

Don't forget to enter Spoiled Pretty's latest giveaway.

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette Giveaway!

This Spring, Josie Maran created the perfect palette for you to unleash your inner makeup artist. With the Natural Wonder Powder Palette, you can create a variety of looks with the multiple shades, ranging from ashy bold pigments to classic neutrals. The palette includes five eye shadows, two blush shades, and a bronzing powder for glowing radiance.

Eye Shadows: Daydream (shimmery apricot), Hope (bright iridescent blue- purple), Desire (iridescent teal), Trance (shimmery gold), Think (shimmery copper brown)

Blush: Illusion (deep rose), Fiction (peachy pink)

Bronzing Powder: Beach No. 1 (bronze)

This week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Josie Maran to put some spring into your step (and makeup bag). Five lucky readers will win the Natural Wonder Powder Palette (retail price: $35).

To enter the giveaway, leave a message in the comments section; make sure to leave a way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Friday, March 5, 2010. Good luck!

Winners of the ZENO HOT SPOT Giveaway!

Congrats to Holly B and Tania Katherine, winners of the ZENO HOT SPOT Giveaway.

The ZENO HOT SPOT Blemish Clearing Device is the new secret weapon in the war against pimples. This hand-held device uses a single ingredient you can actually pronounce - heat - to destroy the bacteria that causes your pimples. The result: quick and painless pimple relief. Unlike other treatments, HOT SPOT can eliminate or significantly reduce 90% of blemishes within 24 hours.

Many thanks to ZENO for sponsoring this giveaway. And stay tuned for Spoiled Pretty's next giveaway announcement, coming later today!

Look What I Recently Rescued From Sephora

Now that my I'm pregnant, a beautiful thing happened. My skin decided to act like it's got some sense. Seriously, my skin developed behavioral issues circa 1990 and has been screwing with my self esteem ever since...until recently.

I used to be that girl who wouldn't dare leave the house barefaced for a night out or a special occasion. I just couldn't get away with it. Now, not only has my complexion drastically improved, but I also have that fabled pregnancy glow...and I don't want to cover it up with the full coverage foundation I have in my beauty arsenal.

So last week, I decided to pay my little friend, Sephora, a visit. Mama needed some new makeup.

I ended up purchasing:

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Tan
Laura Mercier Undercover Pot in 4
Lancôme Hypnose Drama Mascara

At $42, Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer is pretty pricey. But is just so happens to be the best tinted moisturizer I have ever used in my entire L-I-F-E. And Laura gets big props for the wide range of shades. Can I get a hallelujah, brown girls?

Though I've been getting more sleep lately, I've started getting dark circles under my eyes - which I never had before. The shadows beneath my eyes were detracting from my glow, so those suckers had to go. I bought Laura Mercier's Undercover Pot because after spending an hour testing almost all of the concealers at Sephora, this one reigned supreme. Undercover Pot is a travel friendly pot with two amazing concealers: Secret Camouflage (oil free and stays in place all day long to cover blemishes, scars, and imperfections) and Secret Concealer (the emollient formula combats dark circles and allows for a smooth application in the sensitive eye area). The pot also includes Translucent Loose Setting Powder, which adds a velvety finish.

The Lancôme Hypnose Drama Mascara was a re-purchase. I just cannot be without this product. It is my mascara soulmate. I'm sure my friends at Lancôme would have replenished my stock; they're aware of how much I adore Hypnose Drama, but I didn't have time to wait. My old one was, well, old and I needed a new tube stat.

In the above pic, I'm wearing another of my new favorite products: Hourglass Cosmetics' new Prodigy Lipgloss. Hourglass sent me a sample a few weeks ago, and it has been a staple in my handbag ever since. I love the sleek packaging and non-tacky texture. If you're one of those girls who loathes a sticky lip, you are going to LUVRE this gloss. It come in six gorgeous shades, but "Legend" shade is my fave...it's like my natural lips, except 100% sexier. It is also available at Sephora.

All I Want To Wear Is Trance

Add this to the "why didn't I think of this" list: the 2 Carat Cup. The handle on this oversized porcelain mug looks like a solitaire diamond ring. Lianne and I discovered this little treasure at a Fashion Week event. It will soon be available on HSN.

I'm also dangerously in love with Lianne's Trance nail polish from Ginger + Liz. It's #1 on my shopping list right now.

All I want to wear is...all I want to wear is Trance!

Red Door Spas Blogger Lounge at New York Fashion Week

Earlier this month, when I was in New York for Fashion Week, I got my hair did at Red Door Spas Blogger Lounge at the W Hotel in Times Square. My friend (and Fashion Week roomie, above), Lianne, partnered with Red Door Spas to create space where bloggers could stop - between shows, meetings and events - and relax, recharge (phones too) and get all gussied up.

Thanks to Zahir Zihani, Creative Director of the Red Door Spas, and his team (including the adorable and amazingly talented Billy Dee Williams, who did my hair), every gal left there with head-turning hair. Forget reporting from backstage...we looked like we were ready to sashay down the runway.

Me and Billy Dee

A rear view of my do

Marina's side updo definitely made the best-tressed list.

Want red carpet hair like us? Visit your local Red Door Spa. There are 31 locations nationwide.

H&M To Launch Bath & Body Line!

H&M, the international fashion retailer known for offering fashion-forward apparel and quality basics, just announced its first ever range of skincare with certified organic ingredients.

Debuting in stores at the beginning of March, the range of everyday essentials includes shower gel, body scrub, body lotion, hand cream and lip balm, all of which are based on natural and organic ingredients and are certified by Ecocert (Europe's biggest certification body for organic and natural cosmetics). The products are available in the fragrance combinations of raspberry and melon or lavender and mint, and are accompanied by make-up and toiletry bags made from organic cotton.

"It felt like a natural step, since we've worked with organic cotton garments for a few seasons now. There's also a strong demand from our customers for organics, and I hope they will be as excited as I am about the new products," says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M's head of design.

Shower gel contains the juice of organic apples, while organic apple juice and apricot seeds are key ingredients in the body scrub. Organic apple juice and oils from sunflower seeds make up an essential part of the body lotion, while the hand cream has organic apple juice and oils from organic almond seeds. The lip balm has the key organic ingredients of jojoba and beeswax, and all of the products are scented with natural perfumes derived from essential oils, sold in recyclable packaging.

Prices range from $4.95 to $7.95:

Shower Gel $4.95

Body Lotion $4.95

Body Scrub $4.95

Hand Cream $4.95

Lip Balm $4.95

Toiletry Bag $7.95

Makeup Bag $4.95

Bobbi Brown Color Strips Collection

Clueless with Color?
Give Bobbi Brown 5 Minutes.
She’ll Make You a Pro.

The Problem: You buy shadows that look amazing in the store, but then you get home and don’t know what to do with them.

The Fix: Everyone can wear bright shades. Bobbi put together these three palettes with pops of color - plus the perfect neutrals that make them work for everyone.

Introducing Bobbi Brown Color Strips Collection: a complete spring eye, lip and cheek wardrobe - designed by Bobbi. Each of these three palettes has five Eye Shadows and three shades of Pot Rouge designed to work together beautifully.

"Don’t be afraid of color. Each palette has one bright eye shadow that really stands out - the rest of my hand-picked shades for eyes, lips and cheeks will make it wearable." –Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Color Strips palettes: Aquamarine (top); Orchid (middle); Bonfire (bottom)

Suggested Retail Price: $60.00
On Counter: March 2010
Available at all Bobbi Brown Counters and on bobbibrown.com

Salon Perfect Lashes Giveaway Winners!

Congrats to the winners of the Salon Perfect Lashes Giveaway:

Crissy
Ema
Ferriz
Gianna
Ginnn7
Jen (lilmamaj)
Julie H
Keyona
Laura (flawlessface101)
Molly (meoleme)
noir_intelligista
Sammie23
Sharon Harmon
Styleetza
Windycindy

Winners, check your email. I'll need you to send me your full names and mailing addresses so that the contest's sponsor can ship your prizes.

If you didn't win, don't cry. Just drop by your local Walmart (or walmart.com) and pick up a pair!

And don't miss out on other chances to get spoiled pretty. Win a ZENO Hot Spot or Clinique's newest mascara!

Is The Mad Hatter Johnny Depp or Elijah Wood?

What is it about this Mad Hatter makeup that makes Johnny Depp look EXACTLY like Elijah Wood? Every time I see this Alice in Wonderland poster, I have to remind myself that it's Jack Sparrow (and not Frodo Baggins) underneath it all.

C'mon...I can't be the only one who's noticed this.

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Apply False Lashes

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hey Mario!

Before I ask my question, I just want to say that I am a big admirer of yours and look forward to your column on Spoiled Pretty every week. I think it’s so great that fans like me get an opportunity to ask you beauty questions…and I would be so thrilled if you could answer mine. Okay, so here’s my question: how exactly do you apply false eyelashes? I have a few pairs in my beauty kit, but every time I try to apply them, I just make a mess and give up. Can you give some step-by-step tips? Also, do you have any favorite brands you can recommend? Thanks!
-Irina

Dear Irina,

First of all, thank you for your kind words and for putting a smile on my face this morning! I love sharing my knowledge of makeup and beauty and hope that my answers to your questions solve whatever makeup dilemmas you may have. Before I explain some tips and tricks about false eyelashes, remember that a little mess can be cleaned up, so giving up is not an option!

Before applying false lashes, determine what style or shape works best for your eyes. Strip lashes will most likely have to be cut shorter on the corners for a perfect fit. Some find individual lashes easier to apply and more natural looking. I think it depends on your own lashes and "look" you're going for.

Start by curling lashes and applying mascara as usual. Hold the lash with fingers or tweezers and apply some lash glue along the entire strip, making sure not to use too little or too much of the product. Now STOP. The glue must dry a bit to a tacky texture before it’s placed. You will know its ready when it darkens a bit and looks almost dry.

Now you can take the lash with tweezers or even your hand, tilt head up a bit and apply the lash right over your own lashes. Make sure to try and get it as close to the roots as possible. Curling your lashes and false lashes together (with very little pressure) works beautifully to sort of join and blend the two. For added drama, apply more mascara and then separate any clumps if needed.

Some extra tips - use Dark Tone Duo Eyelash Glue. It dries dark and comes in a user-friendly tune.

Lining the top lids with a dark liner really finishes the look and conceals any imperfections along the upper lash line. ;-)

For fun and glamorous lashes, try Ja'Maal Buster lashes and Smoke and Mirrors lashes. Another fave of mine and classic are the Ardell lashes which come in tons of different styles.

Remember practice makes pretty! Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario.xo,
Mario
Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Neti Pot Gave My Cold The Cold Shoulder

I've been breathing out of my mouth for two days, thanks to a nasty cold and mutinous mucous membranes. Blowing my nose became an exercise in futility because no matter how hard I blew or how much came out (sorry, TMI, I know), my nasal passages stayed perpetually clogged.

As a mom-to-be, I don't have many cold remedy options. So I decided to try the Neti Pot. Used by yoga practitioners for thousands of years, this therapy uses a salt and water solution to flush out the nasal cavity. Oprah featured the Neti Pot on her show, a few years back...and an O endorsement never hurts. On that eppy, Dr. Oz said, "The [ear, nose and throat] doctors who are specialists in this area will often say this is a better treatment than a lot of the other drugs that we try to offer folks, because it mechanically cleans out the problem."

As I was too ill for a trip to the drugstore, I asked Mr. Spoiled Pretty to look for a Neti Pot on his grocery sojourn to Whole Foods. He returned with Ancient Secrets Nasal Cleansing Pot, which I used as such:

1. I poured 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized table salt into the pot.
2. I filled the pot with warm water and mixed the solution to thoroughly dissolve the salt.
3. Then, I positioned my head over the bathroom sink and tilted my head to the side.
4. I inserted the spout of the pot into my raised nostril, creating a tight seal.
5. I then raised the pot to start a steady flow of saline solution into the raised nostril. If you're doing it right, the water will flow through the one nostril and exit via the other nostril.
6. During the process, I breathed through my mouth - which was, after two days of severe nasal congestion, old hat to me.
7. After I irrigated the first nostril, I blew my nose to clear everything out, and repeated the process on the second nostril.

I was planning on reviewing the Neti Pot on this blog, whether or not it worked. And I am happy to report that, thanks to this ancient wonder, I am now breathing easier. I was surprised by how immediate the results were. I have to admit that the feeling of pouring salty water up your nose and watching your other nostril flow like a faucet is kind of gross. And the sensation is weird, though not very uncomfortable. But you get over all that once the air starts flowing freely through your nose again.

At $15-20, a Neti Pot will run you about 2 or 3 times the cost of nasal spray/mist. But once you have the pot, you're all set because the only other ingredients you need are ones found in your home (water and table salt). And because the pot is reusable - you use it, wash it, and reuse it.

The Neti Pot gets Spoiled Pretty approval. Trust me...it's a hot pick during cold season.

New York Fashion Week, Fall 2010: Thuy

Acclaimed fashion designer Thuy Diep selected MAKE UP FOR EVER to perfect her models' faces at the Thuy Fall 2010 show at Bryant Park during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

MAKE UP FOR EVER ALLIANCE team member, Lottie, served as key make up artist for the show, where she created a cool, fresh look to complement the vibrant jewel tones of the collection.

Complexion & Cheeks: Lottie first applied HD Invisible Cover Foundation to perfect the models' complexion. Next, she created a contour on the cheeks using Mat Bronze #2, and then applied more bronzer high on the apple of the cheeks. The look was set with Super Matte Loose Powder #12 on the t-zone.

Eyes: To create a sheer, shimmery gold wash on the eyes, Star Powder #920 was applied to the entire eye area starting at the lid and extending beyond the brow and temple. Pan Cake Foundation #3 was then applied to the temples to illuminate the skin. The eyes were finished with Smoky Lash Mascara on both the top and bottom lashes.

Lips: Lottie mixed Flash Color #1 with a hint of Flash Color #17 to get a matte, blood red stained mouth. She applied the Flash Color with her finger tips to blot it onto the mouth

Dior: Dentelle Collection for Spring 2010

I've been coveting just about everything in Dior's new Spring 2010 makeup collection, particularly Lace Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder For Face. You see, makeup and lace are two of my favorite things - so scooping up this highlighter is a no-brainer. Dior Vernis in Gris Perle (Silver Pearl) is also high on my shopping list.

Dior Lace Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder For Face Shade 001

Dior Lace Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder For Face Shade 002

Warning About Marc Jacobs Daisy In The Air

I always thought Marc Jacobs Daisy smelled great in the bottle, but not so hot on me. I'm much more of a Lola gal, myself. So, today, while perusing Sephora.com, I noticed a new version of Daisy - called Daisy In The Air - and thought I'd check it out.

But after doing some research, I found that Daisy In The Air isn't a new version of Daisy at all. It's actually the original Daisy fragrance in a limited-edition bottle, adorned with light blue flowers. It comes with "a scented daisy chain to hang in your room for a touch of inspiring scent and playful visual appeal."

It's not clear at all, on Sephora.com, that this "new" Daisy isn't a re-imagination of the original scent. So I just wanted to warn Daisy owners not to be fooled into purchasing a bottle of Daisy In The Air - that is, unless your bottle is almost empty and you need to replenish anyway.

Salon Perfect Lashes Giveaway!

Time for another giveaway...once I start, I can't stop!

Salon Perfect Lashes are made from sterilized 100% human hair and individually trimmed by trained technicians. Give your look a little extra flare with these gorgeous black lashes. For picture perfect eyes, first apply all make-up except for mascara. Check lash size by applying without adhesive and trim where necessary. After sizing, apply a thin coating of Perfect Lash Adhesive along the back of the lash strip and then apply. The adhesive will dry clear after a few minutes. Apply mascara and go!

Salon Perfect Lashes ($4) are available at Walmart stores. 15 lucky winners will win their own set of gorgeous lashes!

To enter the giveaway, leave a message in the comments section; make sure to leave a way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Monday, February 22, 2010.

Clinique High Lengths Mascara Giveaway!!!

A few weeks ago, I raved about Clinique's new High Lengths Mascara. The amazing formula and genius applicatior took my stumpy lashes from itty-bitty to BLADOW!

My review and before & after pic really speak for themselves, but I wanted to give you Spoiled Pretty readers the opportunity to try for yourselves.

So, this week, I'm teaming up with my peeps at Clinique - and five lucky readers will win a tube of High Lengths Mascara!!!

To enter the giveaway, leave a message in the comments section; make sure to leave a way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Friday, February 26, 2010.

Good luck!

New York Fashion Week, Fall 2010: William Rast

Thomas Dunkin (Lead Stylist) and the Sebastian hair team were on hand backstage creating edgy, erratic hairstyles that looked as though the models had just hopped off the back of a motorcycle, complimenting the designers’ aesthetic for fall. Of the looks Thomas says, “we went with a beachy, tousled look with lots of windblown volume and texture to fit the free-spirited nature of the collection.”

Inspiration: Nomadic biker girls; rides through the desert; textured, dusty, wind-swept, adventure-laden beauty.

Get the look: Liberally apply Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray onto damp hair. Next, twist small sections of the hair from root to tip and blow-dry the entire length of the hair. Then, lightly cover hair with Re-Shaper Hairspray and gently tease the roots with fingers to create volume and erratic texture. To add definition and piecey-ness, apply a small amount of Matte Putty to finger-tips and whisk hands through hair, concentrating on the twisted pieces.

New York Fashion Week, Fall 2010: Funky, Chunky Haircolor

Backstage at New York Fashion Week, my girl Megan McIntyre (from Daily Makeover) recognized an emerging trend for fall 2010: funky, chunky haircolor.

"Looks like it’s time to break out the Manic Panic. The big beauty trend for hair at Fashion Week was bright, chunky streaks of color that brought to mind punk-inspired street style circa 1996. At the Cynthia Rowley Fall 2010 fashion show, Eva Scrivo for Wella Professionals custom colored hair extensions in shades of emerald, lapis, amethyst, navy and turquoise to replicate the rich jewel tones present in the collection. Each hair extension was completely saturated with professional salon haircolor and then woven into the hair and styled, creating an element of surprise and intrigue when models hit the runway.

Super stylist Ted Gibson for beauty.com went for a version of the trend that was a little easier to DIY at the Vena Cava Fall 2010 fashion show (shown left). He used Streekers to color hair extensions in shades of hot pink, purple and green, then pulled them back into the models' slightly mussed ponytails to give a "downtown, cool feel," to the otherwise equestrian look.

We think this is one trend that just might hit the trifecta of translating in all three worlds: runway, red carpet and real world. This is the second season funky color has been featured at Fashion Week (the girls at the Spring 2010 Proenza Schouler fashion show rocked lovely lilac streaks) and Lady Gaga recently caused a stir at the Grammys with her own spin on the Crayola color trend. Adding a bright streak of color to your coif is an easy way to add a hip edge to your regularly scheduled hairstyle without a huge commitment. Now all you really have to decide is which happy hue you want to adorn your hair with."

Related Articles:
Stellar Beauties Float Down The Lela Rose Runway
Fashion Week: The Bold And The Beautiful
Gwen Stefani Talks Beauty Backstage At LAMB
Vampire Inspired Fashion Week
Give Yourself A Virtual Makeover

Photo source: Wella Professionals (top); Luca Cannionieri (bottom)