Philly’s Got A Brand New Bag – Plus A LILL Giveaway!

Last week, I had the pleasure of touring 1154 LILL Studio's newest boutique. The 1154 LILL “design your own handbag” concept was born at a Windy City street fair in 1999 – and since its inception, 1154 LILL Studio has opened stores in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. I’m so excited that they’ve found a home in my hometown, Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia boutique boasts 1000 square feet, with wooden design tables throughout the space where customers can create the bag/accessory of their choice by mixing and matching some of the 150 available fabrics. The styles offered range from small cosmetic bags and headbands to large handbags and oversized totes, and cost between $26 and $200.

After touring the premises and hearing the company back story, I was elated to learn that 1154 LILL Studio was allowing me to create my own custom bag! For almost an hour, I played with fabrics, colors, and textures to make a fab bag for Spring. Here’s how the 1154 LILL Studio custom handbag concept works:

1) First pick your style of bag from over 25 current shapes and silhouettes in the line.

2) Mix and match colors, patterns and textures to select the right choice for each part of your bag: exterior, interior, pockets, straps, etc. 1154 LILL Studio introduces new fabrics every few weeks and have between 150 – 300 designer textiles available at any given time.

3) After placing your order, you simply have to wait 3 to 4 weeks for the 1154 LILL Studio team to hand craft it to your exact specifications. Your order will be shipped to you, or you can pick it up in one of the boutique locations.

Even though my bag is currently in the hands of the Chicago-based production team, here’s a sneak peek at my Spoiled Pretty satchel...


Adorable, right? Even if you don’t reside anywhere near one of their boutiques, a one-of-a-kind 1154 LILL Studio creation is at your fingertips – thanks to their online store. 1154lill.com is open 24/7 – and the customization tool lets you see your bag as you design it.

Wait…it gets better. 1154 LILL Studio has graciously donated a $100 gift certificate, so that one lucky Spoiled Pretty reader can design her very own creation!

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com - be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "LILL Giveaway.” The contest ends at 9pm EST on Sunday, April 6th. A winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, April 7th, 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.

Good Luck!!!

Check out this video of 1154 LILL Studio, behind the seams.

The Long and The Short of It

Here's a problem that's not the easiest to solve: you currently have short or medium length hair but you want to have long, luscious locks and you want them NOW. It's always the way.

You have two options: 1) Spend some money, find a decent stylist, and have extensions added to your hair or 2) Be patient and let your hair grow.

I've never had extensions and I don't think I ever would. There's something weird about it, and they always look so...well...fake. When I think of blonde chicks with extensions, I immediately think about Britney Spears and her lifeless, mop like hair a few months back. Not a good look.

Therefore, I'd just wait for my hair to grow. I always heard that in order to get your hair to grow, you should cut it. I think the theory behind this is that damaged ends don't allow hair to grow well, so cutting away the damage will stimulate growth. It sounds good and yet a bit counter intuitive all at the same time! According to the hair experts, the best thing to do when at an in-between stage is to cut for shape only....without losing a lot of length.

When growing your hair out, you'll probably notice that the ends of your hair are dry and split easily. Since you don't want damaged hair and you don't want to cut your hair, the best thing to do is condition, condition, condition. To avoid split ends, keep your hair moisturized by using a gentle shampoo. In my experience, shampoos you buy in a salon are more gentle than the ones you buy at Target. Of course, they cost more, but you'll have to decide how much you're willing to spend for long, healthy hair. After a gentle shampooing, condition all over, paying particular care to your ends. You may want to consider a weekly deep treatment if your hair is very dry, damaged, or colored.

As your hair grows out to the desired length, you'll no doubt have to deal with awkward in-between lengths. When this happens, use hair bands to keep everything away from your face or try to pull or clip back just the top portion. This will give the rest of your hair movement and won't look so....shall we say...unpolished.

Once you get your long hair, take care of it. Be especially careful if you use a backpack or fling your purse over your shoulder. Trapping your hair under the straps of such things can cause a great deal of breakage...and this type of damage leads to frizz.

There are pros and cons with every hair length out there. But going from short to long takes patience and some care. Once you get the hair you want, though, you'll be glad you invested the time to get your new look!

These Eco-Friendly Brushes Are Wallet Friendly Too!

You know I tell it like it is. I’ll let you know when it’s worthwhile to blow your dough. But I’ll also tell you when I find an amazing bargain buy – like ecoTOOLS cosmetic brushes.

These brushes feature bamboo handles (bamboo has a low impact on the earth’s resources), synthetic bristles, and metallic ferrule made from recycled aluminum cans. The cosmetic brushes are housed in reusable/biodegradable pouches, printed with plant-based ink, and each item has a “green” tip on the back of the package…so everyone who purchases a piece of the collection discovers another small step that can create a greener lifestyle. Plus 1% of all annual sales provides financial support to environmental initiatives.

The standouts of the collection are the larger brushes. I’ve been using the Powder Brush almost every day since I got it. It’s unbelievably soft, applies my powder like a dream, and it’s only $7.99!

Individual ecoTOOLs brushes cost between $2.99 and $7.99. But for just $10.99, you can own the 5 Piece Brush Set – housed in a 100% linen and hemp cosmetic case.

ecoTOOLs products (they also offer bath and body items) are available at Walgreens, Kmart, and Ulta.

Rack Em

I wish that my bathroom looked like this.


Unfortunately, it more closely resembles this.

So when it comes to storing my beauty essentials, I need to think creatively. One of my new favorite finds is this chrome magazine rack. It’s simple to install – just lift the toilet tank lid, place the metal hanger over the side, and replace the lid.

It easily holds reading material. But my inspired idea is to use it to store my thermal hair tools. This magazine rack keeps your favorite curling irons and flat irons up and out of the way, but easily accessible.

This one from Sears will only set you back $13.

Guilt-Free Giveaway Winner Revealed

If your name is Lisa Garner – congratulations, you are the winner of Spoiled Pretty’s Guilt-Free Giveaway!

Lisa has won Jaqua’s Pink Champagne Guilt-Free Kit – which includes Pink Champagne Shower Crème, Pink Champagne Sinfully Rich Shea Body Butter, and Pink Champagne Hand Crème.

The announcement of our next giveaway is just hours away…and I know you’re going to flip for this one. So check back soon!

Make-up Trend: Matte Skin

Pack up your highlighters, ladies. Spring catwalks at the Lakme India Fashion Week showed us models with soft, silky skin with minimal luster and flawless texture.

To get Raagheshwari's seamless, natural complexion, smooth oil-free foundation over freshly washed and moisturized skin, then pat translucent loose powder over your entire face, and dust away excess with a fluffy powder brush. Touch up your T-zone with oil-absorbing sheets.

Rec: M.A.C Blot Film

LFW: Day 2 Make-up Trends

Kollol Datta

The Kollol Datta show, which saw hair swept into a pomaded off centre topknot, paired with a neutral face, and white under eye stick on extensions. Beauty? It may not make an appearance on the street, but definitely had the audience gasping.
Rec: Make Up Forever Lashes 25149 (White Feathers)

Kiran Uttam Ghosh

The center partings and natural waves at Kiran Uttam Ghosh gave us some relief from overkill, as did the soft natural make up, which actually let the garments get all the attention
Rec: M.A.C Select Tint

Neeta Lulla

We didn't see any hair at Neeta Lulla's show, because we only saw ornate, embellished turbans. Bring them on we say, bad hair days begone. The make up though was shimmery, luxe and very very sophisticated, with the emphasis on the eyes.
Rec: M.A.C Pigment in Platinum

Sonam Dubal

Glowing skin, with slight emphasis on the eyes. Cherry lips. Hair swept tightly off the face, held back with hairbands, and a topknot from which strands emerge in defiance of every law of gravity. We give a thumbs up to the look at the Sonam Dubal show.
Rec: M.A.C Lipstick in Dubonnet

Source: Lakme

Behind the Blog

I've been writing Kiss and Makeup since July 2006. Wow--a lot has happened in that time and yet it's gone by so quickly. While I write all about makeup and beauty products, I haven't ever really told you all about WHY I write this blog. It's time for a peak behind the curtain, so to speak.

WHO IS LYDIA?
Here's what I'm not: I'm not a makeup artist, I'm not an advertiser, I don't work in the cosmetics industry. I really am just your average beauty consumer. I'm in my early 30s, I live in the Seattle area (though I grew up on the east coast), I'm married, don't have any kids, and have to work full time. For my day job I work as an Admin Assistant for a teacher's union. It's not a glamorous job, but I'm paid well and I have a great deal of freedom in my job. While I love, love, love makeup, I don't consider myself overly trendy and I don't like spending tons of money for designer products when cheaper products are just as good. If you really want to know more about my non-makeup life, click here to go to my other blog.

WHY KISS-AND-MAKEUP?
I started Kiss and Makeup because I wanted an outlet to write. At the time I was also honing my inner girly-girl, and was changing my ways to take more time and care in my appearance. I have always had an interest in makeup and I wanted my blog to give me a place to focus on this interest. I never expected to have as many readers as I do now, and I'm thrilled each time I get comments on what I write or when the numbers on my Stat Counter spike.

I think of Kiss and Makeup as a way to communicate with a large group of women who are, like me, trying to put their best face forward. My sister is not a girly girl, so everything I learned about makeup I taught myself through trial and error and by reading fashion magazines. I like Kiss and Makeup to be a two way conversation. I have plenty left to learn and I also want to share the knowledge I already have. Though I first started writing for me, I now find myself writing for you...hoping what I'm saying makes sense and provides some insight and entertainment to my readers.

WHY NO ADVERTISING?
You may or may not have noticed, but I don't have any ads on my site. This is a deliberate move on my part. Yes, I could probably make some money if I included ads. Yes, I have been contacted to put ads on my blog. To me, not having ads allows me to be a bit more free in my reviews. I also don't like the way advertising looks on a blog--I think it clutters things up. You never know, one day I may get an offer I can't refuse, but until that day comes, Kiss and Makeup remains independent and free from advertising (you get enough ads in your life!).

DO YOU BUY ALL YOUR STUFF?
No, but I do buy my fair share. PR and cosmetics companies do send me products to try from time to time. There was an article in the New York Times awhile back that was very critical of beauty bloggers. This article caused an uproar in the blogging community. The Times said beauty bloggers are swag whores, and that companies love working with bloggers because they'll always give glowing reviews of the free products they receive. I don't think this is true. It certainly isn't true here at my blog. If I don't like a product, I'll say so--whether I bought it with my own money or if it was given to me.

So, there you go. That's me and my blog in a nutshell. As always, if you have any beauty questions you can email me at asklydia@hotmail.com or leave me a comment (I heart comments!).

Get Lippy And Help Raise HIV/Aids Awareness

The Body Shop and MTV are partnering for a wonderful cause.

The Body Shop Guarana Berry Lip Butter is a rich intensive moisturizer that leaves lips feeling lusciously soft and smooth. All net proceeds from the product will be donated to the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, which supports young people and youth groups worldwide to become involved in HIV and AIDS awareness, education, and prevention campaigns.

Visit moveyourlips.com to learn more about the campaign - sign up for our newsletter, send a "kiss" to your friends, and play the lip butter game for a chance to win tickets to the European Music Awards!

Freeze 24/7 Friends And Family: 50% Off

This is huge, people…

Right now, shop Freeze 24/7 and receive 50% off and FREE SHIPPING on any order over $45. Now's your chance to try it all – from your favorite cleanser, to advanced skincare treatments.

Just visit freeze247.com to shop and enter code THANKS at checkout.

I’m not really sure when this promotion ends, so hurry up and take advantage of this ridiculously awesome offer.

LFW: Day 1 Make-up Trends

Manish Malhotra

Extensions, extensions, extensions. Superlong, superluxuriant, superbackcombed hair, the way nature never intended it to be. Pair this with silver eyeshadow and a glossy pink pout for true super stardom.
Rec: M.A.C Eye Shadow in Electra and M.A.C Heatherette Lipglass in Style Minx

J.J. Valaya

Smokey eyes rule, and they are paired with a nude glossy lip. JJ Valaya proved that this look can look even deadlier than red lipstick and black eyeliner.
Rec: M.A.C Fafi Eyes 1 Quad, M.A.C Lipstick in Hug Me

Ruchi Mehta

The wide eyed naivette of the purely 'mascara'ed lash extension enhanced nude eye, and matte pink lips is another look du jour. In keeping with the feminity of the them, Ruchi Mehta had her models with an almost bare face and contoured cheeks, and hair that was just that bit in disarray.
Rec: M.A.C Select Tint and M.A.C Bronzing Powder in Refined Deeper Bronze

Source: Lakme

Don't Forget To Enter The Guilt-Free Giveaway

Spoiled Pretty's Guilt-Free Giveaway ends tomorrow at 9pm EST. You can't win Jaqua’s Pink Champagne Guilt-Free Kit if you don't enter. So click the link, follow the instructions, and maybe it'll be your name that I announce on Monday.

Bonne chance!

Lakmé Fashion Week Inspired Collection: Tropical Island Looks

Look 1Face

Apply Lakmé Nine-to-Five Flawless Make-up or Lakmé Crème Compact and blend it evenly across your face and into the neckline, to prepare your base. Dust Lakmé Face Sheer in Desert Rose across your cheekbones for a sizzling summer look.

Eyes

Sweep Shade 3 from the Lakmé Into The Blue Eye Quartet and sweep it across the inner half of your upper eyelid. Follow through by blending in Shade 4 from the Lakmé Sunlit Quartet. Then, define your eyes by lining your lower eyelid with Shade 3 from the Lakmé Into The Blue Quartet.

Lips

Apply a generous coat of Lakmé Enrich Sheer Lipcolor by Wendell Rodricks in Shade 520.

Nails

Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Clear Glass as a base. Paint your nails with Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 025. Highlight the tips in Shade 026 for a dramatic finish.

Look 2
Face

Create your base by using the Lakmé Nine-to-Five Flawless Make-up or Lakmé Crème Compact. Blend it evenly across your face and into the neckline. Unleash that Island spirit by highlighting your cheekbones with the Lakmé Face Sheer in Sun Kissed.

Eyes

Apply Shade 2 from the Lakmé Sunlit Quartet and sweep it across from inner corners of your eyelid to the rim. Then, apply Shade 4 from the Lakmé Purple Oasis Quartet over the outer half of your eyelid and blend outwards for definition. Finally use Shade 1 from the Lakmé Sunlit Quartet over your brow bone area.

Lips

Use Lakmé Starshine Lipgloss in Shade 27 and discover how your lips refract the summer sun.

Nails

Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Clear Glass as a base. Paint your nails with Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 025. Highlight the tip with Shade 029 for added drama.

Look 3
Face

Apply Lakmé Nine-to-Five Flawless Make-up or Lakmé Crème Compact and blend it evenly across your face and into the neckline, to prepare your base. Dust Lakmé Face Sheer in Desert Rose across your cheekbones for that blazing summer shine.

Eyes

Pick Shade 2 from Lakmé Into The Blue Quartet and sweep it across your upper eyelid and lower lash line. Follow through with Shade 3 from the same quartet and line your upper lid along the eyelash line from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner. Finish this look off by using Shade 3 on the outer corners of the upper eyelid from the Lakmé Sunlit Quartet.

Lips

Define your lips by outlining them with Lakmé Nine-to-Five Defining Lip Liner in Merlot. Shine out by applying Lakmé Starshine Lipgloss in Shade 67.

Nails

Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Clear Glass as a base. Paint your nails with Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 025. Highlight the base of the nail with Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 026.

Look 4
Face

Create your base by using the Lakmé Nine-to-Five Flawless Make-up or Lakmé Crème Compact. Blend it evenly across your face and into the neckline. Dust Lakmé Face Sheer in Earth Blaze across your cheekbones to outshine the summer sun.

Eyes

From the Lakmé Sunlit Eye Quartet, choose Shade 1 as a base and sweep it across your upper eyelid. Then use Shade 3 on the outer corner of your upper eyelid and blend outwards. Now, use Shade 4 from the same quartet as an eyeliner along your upper eyelash line. Sweep this color into a winged-up shape for some extra drama. Finally, highlight your brow line with Shade 2.

Lips

Apply a rich, creamy coat of Lakmé Enrich Lipcolor in Shade 521.

Nails

Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Clear Glass as a base. Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 024. Put on two coats for a subtle, summery finish.

TGBIW Winner Writes Back

Lindsay, winner of the Greatest Giveaway, wrote me the other day to say thanks - and to extol the virues of The Greatest Brush In The World. Here's what she said:

Daneen!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVE my TGBIW! I received it a few days ago and wanted to use it a bit so I could give you a full report. Bottom line: silky bristles, perfect application...if your readers DON'T have this brush...THEY NEED TO GET IT ASAP!

I'm heading to Philly soon so I will definitely be stopping by Ursula's About PHace to pick up some more goodies!

Thank you again!

Lindsay

Weekend Beauty Blog Network Reads

Beauty Anonymous brings you Anna Sui Beach Collection for Summer 2008!

Tousled, textured hair is the top tress trend for Spring 2008! StyleBell shows you how to create Beachy Waves with your flat iron.

Mischo Beauty shares her best tips on how to prepare for a bikini wax and what to expect!

The Makeup Divas Beauty Blog is blown away by these ProSilk Hair Products!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic reconsiders blonde hair after some great color advice from Brad Johns!

The Muse shows you the solution to eyeshadow fall out woes with a review of Shadow Shields!

SugarShock Beauty is channelling fashion muse of the moment Amy Winehouse – (in a subtle way, we promise!) – with Stila's new liquid eyeliner.

Beauty and Personal Grooming shares some DIY Antiwrinkle face masks.

A Touch of Blusher can't live without this foundation.

Beauty Blogging Junkie tells you how to channel the look of your fave The Hills girl here.

Mischo Beauty shares her best tips on how to prepare for a bikini wax and what to expect!

The Daily Cookie reviews a dupe for the popular MAC 187 blush brush for a fraction of the price!

Product Girl is having her first giveaway. Enter to win a Philosophy Breakfast in Bed Shower Gel Set from now until Monday night!

Makeup Moxie reviews Cargo Blu-Ray High Definition Mascara.

Glossypink reveals her favorite eyeshadow of all time!

Cybelesays Gets To The Shea Of Things with a feature on the best products out there containing the most Shea Butter.

Just when you thought SPF 15 was safe, The Beauty Bug makes you think again, and tells you why you should up your dosage of SPF!

Spoiled Pretty hearts her T3 hair dryer. But what's the one thing she would add to it? Find out what extra would push her head over heels...

Toya from "The Life of A Ladybug" still hasn't decided how she feels about Bourjois and these eye products haven't changed her mind.

Savvy Skin realizes her skin care obsession is ruining her career!

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to get Mariah Carey's look with MAC Heatherette Beauty Powder.

Non-Crunchy Curls

Sunsilk's new Captivating Curls Gel & Cream Twist blends cream and gel to deliver softness, conditioning, and long-lasting curl control. This product promises to fend off the frizzies and tame your tendrils.

Click here to choose a free Sunsilk sample - plus a $2 coupon!

Available now at mass market retailers.

Not Your Average Jo

For what seems like forever, I’ve heard beauty editors go on and on about Jo Malone. I had yet to hear someone find fault with the products, which I thought was a bit fishy. So I tried their new White Jasmine & Mint line to see if the brand merits all of the rave reviews. OMG. I am completely enamored with Jo – you don’t even know. The products absolutely deserve every accolade I’ve read and heard. They deserve more, in fact – thus my subsequent stellar appraisal.

Last fall, Jo Malone debuted White Jasmine & Mint Cologne – a fragrance “inspired by a tranquil moment in an English garden when the sun emerges, the dew gently lifts and the blossoms are at their most fragrant. Notes of just-picked white jasmine, chamomile, wild mint, rose and coriander are entwined in this lush combination.”

In March 2008, Jo Malone introduced four new offerings to the collection – White Jasmine & Mint Bath Oil, Shower Gel, Body Crème and Home Candle.

The quality of these products is beyond compare. If I were to search my mental lexicon and come up with a phrase that best describes Jo Malone, it would be sumptuous indulgence. And the fragrance…where do I begin? The White Jasmine & Mint scent is an elegant, crisp recipe that is decidedly feminine – womanly, not girly.

The White Jasmine & Mint Home Candle is without a doubt, the best candle I’ve ever smelled. Every night this week, I’ve lit the wick immediately upon returning home. It fills my apartment with the most enchanting aroma…I could wax poetic about it all day long. Once you drink in the scent of White Jasmine & Mint, you’ll be a convert too.

Jo Malone products are available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and jomalone.com.

Make-up Trend: Opaque Pale Pink Nail Polish

Wouldn't it be great to have your weekly manicure match a week's worth of outfits? Pale pink nail polish is a universally flattering shade, and it complements all the color trends for spring fashion.

The added bonus of pale pink is that it shows chips less than dark hues. To extend the life of your mani, apply a base coat, to which polish clings. Apply a glossy top coat nightly.

Rec: Essie Nail Polish in Pinkadelic

Beauty Product of the Week: Bionic Mascara

What is it? A new formula from Smashbox, Bionic Mascara, "is the first ionic mascara. It will leave you with longer, stronger, and more voluminous lashes! The specially-engineered brush coats lashes with our revolutionary long-wearing, water-resistant formula for a dramatic full lash. Aloe, silk, and wheat protein strengthen and condition." Available only in Jet Black (rich black) for $19 exclusively at Sephora.

What did you think? I had high hopes for this one. I kept hearing about how amazing it was. Hell, when I bought it at Sephora, the salesgirl was giddy with excitement. Sadly, I think the appeal of this product is all hype.

Here's my major beef: this mascara is just way too...black. To quote my beloved Dethklok, it's "blacker than the blackest black times infinity." It's thick, it's heavy, and it's a bitch to take off. But that's not all: it goes on clumpy. You really have to know how to apply makeup with some degree of skill to make this look decent. Even then, you'll invest a lot of time combing out the clumps in your lashes.

The actual mascara wand is nothing impressive. Because this particular formula is so tarry, it's prone to gunk build up...and we all know that gunk build up on the wand does not equate to great lashes.

There is a positive with this product: if you can pull it off, it will give you extremely long lashes. Because the mascara is so darn black, it will make you lashes look fuller and your lash line more defined.

The final verdict? Meh. This mascara is best for your night look. It's a bit too heavy for day unless you're a goth kid or something. Here's a hint: if you buy this, stock up on the eye makeup remover. (See my Battle of the Eye Makeup Removers for more!) If you want to buy a mascara from Sephora, opt for LORAC Lotsa Lash.

Urban Renewal At Urban Decay Means 50% Off For You!

In order to make room for new and exciting Fall products, Urban Decay is clearing out their R.I.P. items at 50% off.

Check out these Liquid Eye Liners (they can also be used as liquid shadows). Originally $14, you can now pick one up for $7. Score!

There are over 50 products to choose from, so hurry up and get shopping. This is a limited time offer, while supplies last.