Happy Halloween from me and Westy, who is so spoiled that my mom bought him TWO costumes for the Halloween parade at daycare. Did you dress up this year? Tell me about your costume in the comments section.
Carol's Daughter Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Bath and Body Collection
A few weeks ago while at home on maternity leave, I was channel surfing and landed on HSN. Lisa, founder of Carol’s Daughter, and the HSN host were raving about the ‘Today’s Special’ – the new Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Bath and Body Collection. They extolled the virtues of the products’ ultra-hydrating properties, and couldn’t stop gushing about the collection’s unique fragrance profile. And by the end of the presentation, I had reserved a set for myself.
I don’t think I’ve ever purchased bath and body products without smelling them before, so ordering the Sugar-Dipped Vanilla products online was a leap of faith. And I fully intended to give someone a piece of my mind if my order didn’t live up to the hype. Luckily, the products turned out to be just as amazing as they were described – which is why I’m taking this opportunity to start spreadin’ the news.
For all of you fellow vanilla addicts out there, I think you’re going to dig the Sugar-Dipped Vanilla fragrance. Why? Well, because notes like peach, pink peony, guava, water lily, sandalwood and cotton candy set it apart from your run-of-the-mill vanilla scent. It smells so soft and fresh, and the fragrance is so flattering that I think a lot of vanilla haters will actually love it too. Trust me, you won't smell like baked goods.
You’ll also love how the Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Bath and Body Collection - which includes body wash, body cream, and an ‘All Over Sheen’ (plus a loofah) – deeply moisturizes skin while leaving it velvety soft…not greasy.
I’ve been using the collection every day since it arrived on my doorstep, and I adore it so much that I’m kicking myself for not also buying the Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Eau de Toilette Rollerball.
The Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Bath and Body Collection are an HSN exclusive, so if you take my advice and snag yourself a set, visit hsn.com.
Maybelline Volum' Express the Falsies Washable Mascara
First, Falsies has just the right consistency. I’m like Goldilocks when it comes to mascaras. I hate when the consistency is too thick or too watery. This one is just right – coating evenly without clumping. And over time, it doesn’t dry out like so many on the market. Another reason to love Falsies: the curved brush grabs every lash – lengthening and volumizing them to their true potential. For gals with sparse lashes like me who have little to work with, you know that this is a big deal. Finally, I absolutely love that the formula is buildable. So many mascaras claim to be buildable – and then you layer on coats only to wind up with clumped up, tarantula-looking foolishness. The Falsies Mascara builds perfectly. Apply one coat for a natural, “maybe she was born with it” doe eyes. Layer on multiple coats and your peepers will be batting a thousand.
I’m so impressed with Falsies that I’d say it’s a close second to my #1 mascara, Lancome’s Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara. They’re alike in many ways…well, except for the $16.50 difference in price.
Honestly, Falsies’ mascara is so great that Maybelline didn’t even need to augment their ad. The actual results speak for themselves, and the $8 price tag is just icing on the proverbial cake.
Makeup Mondays With Mario: Turn Back Time
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.
Hello Mario,
I find as I get older, my skin needs a lot more coverage and does not have as much luster. Is there a specific product that could help because if I use too much concealer, I look too made up and if I use too much highlighter, it is not smooth looking - and too much glitter on older skin just doesn't look good. Can you recommend some products to use to cover and give the appearance of smooth maturing skin? I am going to turn 42 next month and I am a single mother of a 19-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son and I feel I have lost my shine....please help!
Regards,
Sue
Hi Sue,
I get asked this question a lot from women! As our skin changes with age naturally, the makeup you wear should change as well and same goes for your skin care regimen. Start with your skin products first because it can make a huge difference. Use anti-aging, lifting and collagen-boosting products and always use a rich eye cream like the Eye Balm Intense by La Mer.
For foundation, I recommend you go with a liquid like DiorSkin Sculpt Line-Smoothing Lifting Makeup SPF 20. It covers nicely, contains light-reflecting crystals and gives a glow to the skin. Just blend it well and make sure that the color is a perfect match. If your skin is dry, you can skip powder all together or apply a little loose powder to set the t-zone. For concealer, it's important again to use a liquid and one with anti-wrinkle or lifting properties. A great one is Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector by Maybelline.
To finish off your face, I think every woman should use a makeup setting spray or even Evian spray, especially if you use powder. There are so many out there that are amazing! One of my favorites is 10 Years Younger Makeup Setting Spray by Motives. Apply it right after you finish your makeup and throughout the day to refresh your makeup and keep you glowing.
Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!
xo,
Mario
Hello Mario,
I find as I get older, my skin needs a lot more coverage and does not have as much luster. Is there a specific product that could help because if I use too much concealer, I look too made up and if I use too much highlighter, it is not smooth looking - and too much glitter on older skin just doesn't look good. Can you recommend some products to use to cover and give the appearance of smooth maturing skin? I am going to turn 42 next month and I am a single mother of a 19-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son and I feel I have lost my shine....please help!
Regards,
Sue
I get asked this question a lot from women! As our skin changes with age naturally, the makeup you wear should change as well and same goes for your skin care regimen. Start with your skin products first because it can make a huge difference. Use anti-aging, lifting and collagen-boosting products and always use a rich eye cream like the Eye Balm Intense by La Mer.
For foundation, I recommend you go with a liquid like DiorSkin Sculpt Line-Smoothing Lifting Makeup SPF 20. It covers nicely, contains light-reflecting crystals and gives a glow to the skin. Just blend it well and make sure that the color is a perfect match. If your skin is dry, you can skip powder all together or apply a little loose powder to set the t-zone. For concealer, it's important again to use a liquid and one with anti-wrinkle or lifting properties. A great one is Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector by Maybelline.
To finish off your face, I think every woman should use a makeup setting spray or even Evian spray, especially if you use powder. There are so many out there that are amazing! One of my favorites is 10 Years Younger Makeup Setting Spray by Motives. Apply it right after you finish your makeup and throughout the day to refresh your makeup and keep you glowing.
Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!
xo,
Mario
Bare Traps Trystine Boot: Stylish Answer to the Wide Calf Conundrum
If you have wide calves like me, you know how physically and emotionally exhausting it can be to shop for tall boots. The funny thing is that my calves aren't even that fat. It's as if shoe designers are making boots for anorexic appendages...or trying to embarrass all of us thick-legged sistas so that we struggle, in vain, zipping up a cute boot while all these other heffas simply just slip them on.
Anyway, I lucked out a few weeks ago when I purchased these super cute boots at DSW.com. I first spied the Trystine Wide Calf Boots by Bare Traps at my local DSW store, but they didn't have my size in stock. So when I returned home, I logged onto dsw.com and ordered a pair.
The store's limited size offerings actually worked out in my favor because I used three coupon codes (920 for 10% off, SHIPR for free standard shipping, and 919 for 500 bonus points added to my DSW Rewards account). So the $59.99 boots ended up only costing me $53.96 - and I'm closer to my next rewards certificate.
The Trystine boot, while synthetic, look like the real thing. The heel is high enough to elongate and visually slim the leg, yet low enough that they're comfortable all day long. The boot shaft circumference is roomy enough that I can wear them over leggings and skinny jeans. I can also pair them with skirts and dresses.
And for those of you lucky enough to have average sized calves, the Trystine Boot comes in a regular width too.
The store's limited size offerings actually worked out in my favor because I used three coupon codes (920 for 10% off, SHIPR for free standard shipping, and 919 for 500 bonus points added to my DSW Rewards account). So the $59.99 boots ended up only costing me $53.96 - and I'm closer to my next rewards certificate.
The Trystine boot, while synthetic, look like the real thing. The heel is high enough to elongate and visually slim the leg, yet low enough that they're comfortable all day long. The boot shaft circumference is roomy enough that I can wear them over leggings and skinny jeans. I can also pair them with skirts and dresses.
And for those of you lucky enough to have average sized calves, the Trystine Boot comes in a regular width too.
Makeup Mondays With Mario: Color Coordination
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.
Hi Mario,
As a beauty junkie, I just want to say how awesome it is to get to write and ask you a question. And if you're reading this question, that's even more awesome. You are so talented and I really admire your abilities. Anyway, moving on - here's my question. Do your eye shadow, blush and lipstick/gloss have to be in the same color family? I'm always so confused about the rules. Like, if I wear warm tones on my eyes, do my cheeks and lips also have to be warm toned too? And if not and it's okay to mix them up, do you have any tips for how to coordinate them all? Thanks so much, Mario!
Love, Leslie
Leslie,
Thank you! This is a great question so I want all the ladies to pay attention, please. ;-) To help rid yourself of confusion, get rid of "the rules." There are no rules or laws when it comes to makeup, but there are a lot of options.
Eye, cheek and lip colors do not have to be in the same color family. For those of you who don't know, warm tones are shades like brown, bronze, yellow and peach. Purple, pink and blue are all cool tones. I think mixing cool with warm tones can have a beautiful result. Let's say your skin is warm with a yellow undertone and you do your eye makeup with purple shadows which are cool tones, it doesn't mean that your cheeks and lips have to be cool. I think a warmer cheek like peach and bronze and a nude lip in this situation paired with the cool eye is aesthetically more flattering.
A client of mine once referred to me as the "mix master of makeup," LOL. I mix everything on the back of my hand to see the result. One of the best parts of doing what I do is being able to "wipe it if I don't like it."
Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!
xo,
Mario
Hi Mario,
As a beauty junkie, I just want to say how awesome it is to get to write and ask you a question. And if you're reading this question, that's even more awesome. You are so talented and I really admire your abilities. Anyway, moving on - here's my question. Do your eye shadow, blush and lipstick/gloss have to be in the same color family? I'm always so confused about the rules. Like, if I wear warm tones on my eyes, do my cheeks and lips also have to be warm toned too? And if not and it's okay to mix them up, do you have any tips for how to coordinate them all? Thanks so much, Mario!
Love, Leslie
Thank you! This is a great question so I want all the ladies to pay attention, please. ;-) To help rid yourself of confusion, get rid of "the rules." There are no rules or laws when it comes to makeup, but there are a lot of options.
Eye, cheek and lip colors do not have to be in the same color family. For those of you who don't know, warm tones are shades like brown, bronze, yellow and peach. Purple, pink and blue are all cool tones. I think mixing cool with warm tones can have a beautiful result. Let's say your skin is warm with a yellow undertone and you do your eye makeup with purple shadows which are cool tones, it doesn't mean that your cheeks and lips have to be cool. I think a warmer cheek like peach and bronze and a nude lip in this situation paired with the cool eye is aesthetically more flattering.
A client of mine once referred to me as the "mix master of makeup," LOL. I mix everything on the back of my hand to see the result. One of the best parts of doing what I do is being able to "wipe it if I don't like it."
Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!
xo,
Mario
Mila Kunis Is Fed Up With Engagement Rumors
Mila Kunis is sick of hearing reports claiming she and long-term boyfriend Macaulay Culkin 
are married - because they are all "made up." Kunis, 24, has been dating the actor for six years, and admits false reports about alleged proposals, weddings and children can become tiresome.
She tells Parade magazine, "I've been engaged. I think I've already been married. And I'm sure I have a child somewhere. I'm waiting to have something else happen. No, I'm not married. And no, I'm not engaged. And no, I do not have a child.
"No one seems to listen. And next week I'll be engaged again. I think, at one point, they were like, 'Seen shopping in Beverly Hills for engagement rings.'
We were in Japan working. What is wrong with these people? Half the time you can say they misconstrued facts. But, more often than not, they just make stuff up."
are married - because they are all "made up." Kunis, 24, has been dating the actor for six years, and admits false reports about alleged proposals, weddings and children can become tiresome.She tells Parade magazine, "I've been engaged. I think I've already been married. And I'm sure I have a child somewhere. I'm waiting to have something else happen. No, I'm not married. And no, I'm not engaged. And no, I do not have a child.
 |  |  |  |  |
"No one seems to listen. And next week I'll be engaged again. I think, at one point, they were like, 'Seen shopping in Beverly Hills for engagement rings.'
 |  |  |  |
We were in Japan working. What is wrong with these people? Half the time you can say they misconstrued facts. But, more often than not, they just make stuff up."
Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish
Are you a fan of Fresh's Lip Treatment SPF 15 and Brown Sugar Body Polish? If you are, well, I've got some sweet news for you. Imagine a hybrid of these two cult favorites...
Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish leaves lips incredibly soft and smooth. The unique formula is enriched with real brown sugar crystals to gently buff away dry flakes. And it nourishes the lips with the oils of meadowfoam seed, jojoba seed, and grapeseed while shea butterprovides long-lasting moisture. Just apply Sugar Lip Polish and gently massage away dull skin. Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse with warm water. Recommended use is two to three times a week for irresistibly kissable lips.
Right now, Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish is only available to Sephora Beauty Insiders. So click here to sign up (it's free!) and be one of the first to snag this exclusive.
Right now, Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish is only available to Sephora Beauty Insiders. So click here to sign up (it's free!) and be one of the first to snag this exclusive.
MAC Earthly Harmony Nail Lacquer
While perusing the MAC counter at Nordstrom, a new nail polish caught my eye. Earthly Harmony, one of six new shades created by renowned nail guru Jin Soon, immediately reminded me of OPI's You Don't Know Jacques (one of my all time favorites) – a slightly lighter version with frosty sparkle, anyway. It took me about three seconds to decide I couldn't leave without a bottle on my person. Sadly, it was not meant to be. The saleswoman apologetically explained that they had sold out of the shade and wasn't sure that they'd get any more in stock.
While forced to leave the store empty handed, I decided that I wouldn't leave with nekkid nails. So I brazenly took the tester bottle and gave myself a quick mani right there at the counter. How tacky is that? I know, I know…I’m a mess. Ain't no shame in my game.Undeterred, I left Nordstrom and headed to MAC's freestanding store in another section of the mall. Once again, in the words of Cher Horowitz, I was brutally rebuffed. Another MAC artist informed me of the shade's popularity and explained that it had sold out almost immediately. So when I returned home, I juiced up my laptop and ordered myself a bottle online. Thank God for e-commerce.
Earthly Harmony and the rest of the MAC Nail Trend F/W '10 collection is available, for a limited time, at maccosmetics.com and nordstrom.com. Heed my advice and nail this shade down before it's going, going, gone.
Makeup Mondays With Mario: Pretty Palettes
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.
Mario,
I’m going to start by saying that you are a genius! I have learned so much through reading your blog and your Makeup Mondays with Mario column. What are your thoughts on makeup palettes? I have so many little eye shadow and blush containers that I never use because it's not convenient to open up every little jar one by one. Do you like palettes and if so, any recommendations for everyday colors? Thank you so much and keep inspiring!
Thanks, Debbie
Debbie,
Thanks for visiting MMwM, Debbie! I totally agree with you when it comes to the single eye shadow and blush containers. I have hundreds of them in my drawers and in my kit. That being said, I do like makeup palettes and I often use them on set. The trick is finding the right palette that works nicely for you. Check out The Balmbini Palette by TheBalm. I love the combination of shades for everyday makeup and one of my fave blush colors (Hot Mama) comes in the palette! Hot Mama blush is very similar to NARS' Orgasm blush and it works beautifully on darker complexions. For bronzy, warm tones, Lorac's Croc Palette is perfect. You won't get lip product in this palette but you'll have four great eye shadows and a basic natural colored rosy blush. These are only two of many makeup palettes out there to check out. Have fun!
Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!
xo,
Mario
Mario,
I’m going to start by saying that you are a genius! I have learned so much through reading your blog and your Makeup Mondays with Mario column. What are your thoughts on makeup palettes? I have so many little eye shadow and blush containers that I never use because it's not convenient to open up every little jar one by one. Do you like palettes and if so, any recommendations for everyday colors? Thank you so much and keep inspiring!
Thanks, Debbie
Debbie,
Thanks for visiting MMwM, Debbie! I totally agree with you when it comes to the single eye shadow and blush containers. I have hundreds of them in my drawers and in my kit. That being said, I do like makeup palettes and I often use them on set. The trick is finding the right palette that works nicely for you. Check out The Balmbini Palette by TheBalm. I love the combination of shades for everyday makeup and one of my fave blush colors (Hot Mama) comes in the palette! Hot Mama blush is very similar to NARS' Orgasm blush and it works beautifully on darker complexions. For bronzy, warm tones, Lorac's Croc Palette is perfect. You won't get lip product in this palette but you'll have four great eye shadows and a basic natural colored rosy blush. These are only two of many makeup palettes out there to check out. Have fun!
Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!
xo,
Mario
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