The Pulse Network Segment: Best Beauty Products

A few weeks ago, I was a guest on The Pulse Network's beauty and fashion show, The Look. When host Maggie Rulli asked if I'd like to be interviewed and chat about my favorite products, I was all "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."

So if you're looking for some great product picks, press play for my round-up of the best in beauty!

Phantastic Products Inspired by the 2009 World Series

For the second consecutive year, my Philadelphia Phillies have made it to the World Series. So to mark the occasion, Amber from Beauty Blogging Junkie - a native Philadelphian, who happens to live in the land of the Yankees – and I have teamed up for a baseball-inspired, beauty double header.

We’re shining a spotlight on big league beauty products that step up to the plate and knock the cover off the ball. Since there are nine dudes on a baseball field, Amber and I have chosen nine categories – and we're giving shout-outs to products that hit it out of the park.

So get your head in the game and read on for some phantastic product recommendations…

Face: Back in September at the Lela Rose Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week show, I asked Sarah Lucero (Key Makeup Artist for Stila) to recommend one Stila product that every woman should buy. She quickly answered Stila's One Step Makeup Foundation, and now I know why. Stila just launched their Makeup Player – and right now, it’s the only way to get your hands on this miraculous product. One Step Makeup Foundation is a primer, foundation, concealer and powder all in one – to cover all of your proverbial bases. The consistency is kind of surprising; it almost looks/feels like colored foundation primer...that's the texture. But it looks fantastic on…not too sheer, not too opaque. Plus, when my sebaceous glands try to throw me a curve ball and sabotage my makeup, One Step makeup Foundation keeps my combination skin from getting shiny – so my face looks as flawless in the homestretch as it did at the beginning of the day/night. Pick up this switch hitter at stilacosmetics.com.

Eyes: The old adage goes, "Keep your eyes on the ball." So what should you keep on your eyes? Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, of course. I've said it before and I’ll say it again: Urban Decay's main ingredient must be crack, or some other controlled substance…because that’s the only explanation I can find to rationalize my addiction to their products – particularly their eye pencils. Velvety-soft, the formula stays soft and creamy for blending (about 30 seconds), then dries down to a long-lasting finish that WILL NOT budge. If, at this stage of the game, you don’t own at least one of these pencils – well, you have seriously dropped the ball. Lucky for you, Urban Decay just released Super Stash - a set of nine mini-sized 24/7 pencils, including four new, limited-edition shades. Buy this immediately. It's a good call.

Lips: My new lipgloss love is Phiff!, a new Dazzleglass from MAC's Magic, Mirth, & Mischief holiday collection. Alone, it imparts a peachy shimmer to lips. But it's also a team player; layer it on top of your favorite lipstick and it's a whole nother ball game.

Nails: When it comes to nail polishes, Zoya is in a league of their own. They are the longest lasting polishes I've ever used; expect knockout nails that go into extra innings (two weeks – with minimal upkeep). And they're free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects. Just when I thought Zoya couldn’t get any better, they hit it out of the ballpark with their limited-edition ULTRAGLITTER collection for winter 2009/2010. Luna (silver glitter), Astra (rose glitter) and Nova (magenta glitter) provide full coverage in just two coats for ultra-intense, ultra-gorgeous, glitterrific color. Astra (on my nails in the above pic) is the Dottie Hinson of the collection – but, honestly, this trio is so amazingly beautiful that, in comparison, they make most of my other polishes look like Marla Hooch.

Hair: Before I wash my hair, I like to indulge in a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. But I don’t always have 15-30 minutes to let that mess marinate…which is why I am so thankful for Ojon's Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment. It’s that pinch hitter I need when what I want is immediate gratification. Perfect for gals on the go - in just 5 minutes, this intensive daily treatment prepares hair to absorb the ingredients of your shampoo, conditioner and products. If you want homerun hair, I suggest you run your behind to Sephora or ojon.com and pick up a tube.

Skin Care: I used to be very dismissive of natural and organic beauty products - particularly skin care. I thought that I needed to patronize products with harsh chemicals to get my problem skin to act like it had some sense. In fact, I would often joke that I didn't care what damage a product did to my insides, as long as my outsides were looking good. But I've done a complete 180 since discovering Amala, a luxurious collection of skin care and body care products with 100% natural formulas. Since April, I've been using their Purify line - a collection of products formulated for oily and acnegenic skin types – which help control excess oil and shine, clear clogged pores, and prevent and heal blemishes and blackheads with treatments inspired by the healing plants and flowers of Eastern Asia. And just when I thought Amala couldn't get any better, their new Purifying Blemish Treatment came outta left field . Using Blue Lotus, Tea Tree and ginger, it gently treats blemishes while playing hardball with acne-causing excess sebum. If your battle with breakouts has you ready to throw in the towel, I highly recommend you add Amala’s Purifying Blemish Treatment to your anti-acne lineup. Seeing that it's all-natural, I'd call it the Roy Hobbs of skin care.

Bath and Body: I'd be way off-base if I failed to include DERMAdoctor's KP Duty Body Scrub on this list. It has got to be the best body scrub ever. KP Duty is a dual-action chemical and physical exfoliator that blends the best of a chemical peel and microdermabrasion into a single, easy-to-use treatment. Dermatologist-recommended chemical exfoliants dissolve the glue that cements epidermal cells together, while non-abrasive synthetic beads lift away dead skin cells without inflicting trauma to the epidermis. So, in layman's terms, this product runs circles around that scrub you've got sitting on the edge of your tub. DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub is a game changer.

Fragrance: Forget Jack. All I need is Jil, the newest fragrance from Jil Sander. "An elegantly structured floral amber composition, Jil reflects the true spirit of Jil Sander. A clear focus and a subtle fusion, to define a totally contemporary simplicity and sensuality." With notes of Pink Pepper, Lavender, fresh tangerine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Heliotrope, musk, and warm vanilla bean, this perfume scored points with me – right off the bat. Starting this month, Jil will be available exclusively at Dillard's.

Beauty Tool: I'm not quite sure how I lived without MAC's 219 Pencil Brush. I am an eyelining fool, so I absolutely adore how this brush allows me to turn any of my powder shadows into a smoky eyeliner; so, considering my eyeshadow stash, my smoky eye options are endless. The 219 Pencil Brush is also perfect for smudging pencil eyeliners, without erasing the line. The pencil retails for $23…but if I had to give you a ballpark figure for its actual value, I’d say it's priceless.

Visit Beauty Blogging Junkie for Amber-approved beauty products that bat a thousand.

CEW’s Best Beauty Products on QVC!

Tonight, the 2009 Cosmetic Executive Women Beauty Insider Choice Awards Winners and Finalists will be showcased on QVC! Tune in from 10 p.m. to midnight (EST) for special promotions on the best in beauty.

Featured products will include everything from skin care to hair care to cosmetics. A few of the highlighted products to be featured include: Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, Fresh Appleseed Brightening Exfoliant, Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Foundation, Living Proof No Frizz, NIA 24, Ojon Tawaka "The Ball," Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment, YSL Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15, Bare Escentuals Bareminerals 100% Natural Lip Gloss Duo, and Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF 20.

2nd Day Hair: Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Spray

Pop quiz, hot shot. How many times a week do I wash my hair per week?

If you've been paying attention, you know that more than one shampoo every seven days would have me looking like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (I picked him cuz he's pretty). My hair's just so dang fine and brittle.

On day one, my hair is looking okay. 24 hours post-shampoo, my hair is looking quite fab...if I do say so, myself. But on the seventh day, my tresses are looking tore up and terrible. At the end of the week, I have to coat my hair in creams, balms and shine serums just to comfortably walk down the street without eliciting 'who let the crazy girl outta the asylum?' stares. And even then, I need to pull my hair back into a ponytail to prevent nature from taking its disastrous course.

So I'm elated to report that I've found a product that gives me a 2nd day hair look on day seven!
Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Spray is enriched with Ojon and Swa oils, and infuses hair with a nourishing dose of omega 3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids while adding shine. It can be used daily (and even layered throughout the day) without weighing hair down or causing buildup.

Basically, it's Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment in a fine mist formula. You spray it on dry hair, and it's like a wake-up call for dry, damaged and/or limp locks...reviving your style and imparting weightless sheen. For additional volume, just flip your head upside down and spray the root area. One thing to note: this product is not a hairspray; it doesn't give hair any hold whatsoever. So if that's what you were hoping for, too bad. It's great for someone like me who doesn't wash her hair every day, because it means you can spray day after day without leaving your hair crispy and crunchy.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Spray is a QVC exclusive, so don't bother trying to track down a can elsewhere.

Next up on my Ojon shopping list...

Restorative Leave-in Treatment: Replenish much-needed moisture to your hair with this leave-in restorative gel. Packaged in a pump bottle, it uses Ojon and Swa oils to add shine and hydration to hair. Dispense one to three pumps into your palm, and rub hands together. Apply evenly throughout damp hair. Finish with a blow dryer or let your hair air dry.

Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment: This product is billed as the Restorative Hair Treatment, in a super-concentrated, in-shower formula. Before shampooing, emulsify a quarter-sized amount between your palms and apply to dry or damp hair. Comb hair gently from roots to ends to distribute evenly, and leave in for up to five minutes before rinsing. The founder of Ojon says the Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment is so amazing that it eliminates the need for conditioner!

In the words of Black Eyed Peas' front man, will.i.am: "Gotta get get."

Ojon Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to Margaret Gabriele, Naomi Shapiro, and Aimee Waerhouse - winners of Spoiled Pretty’s Ojon giveaway. They have won Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner, a $64 value! This unique duo cleanses and conditions hair, leaving it soft, silky and manageable.

Thanks to Ojon for sponsoring the contest. Check back later of the announcement of Spoiled Pretty’s next giveaway!

Ojon Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner Giveaway!

As trees are budding and tulips are blooming, Ojon thinks it's the perfect time to tell you a little bit about their favorite flower.

A key ingredient in Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner, Passion Flower oil is rich in vitamin C and calcium and has a high concentration of essential fatty acids, known for their ability to help hydrate and nourish dry hair. When combined with Ojon oil and the antioxidant-rich properties of rare Tawaka cacao, this unique duo cleanses and conditions hair, leaving it soft, silky and manageable.

Formulated without sulfates, colors or parabens, Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner work to combat springtime frizz and flyaways by restoring precious oils hair loses over time.

As April showers give way to beautiful May flowers, I'm teaming up with Ojon to spoil a few of you pretty. Three lucky winners will receive Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner (a $64 value)!

Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser is a a 98% natural, intensively moisturizing, antioxidant-rich and sulfate-free cleansing treatment for the face, body and hair. Formulated for all hair and skin types (particularly dry, damaged, aging skin and hair), this cleanser quickly and thoroughly absorbs into the skin and hair - helping to increase firmness, elasticity and vital hydration, leaving skin and hair feeling velvety-smooth with no oily residue.

Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Conditioner is a unique, in-shower hair, scalp and body conditioning treatment that quickly and thoroughly absorbs into the skin and hair. It helps increase firmness, elasticity and vital hydration, leaving skin and hair feeling velvety-smooth with no oily residue.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "Ojon Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, May 17th. Three winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, May 18th, 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. and Canadian residents.