Weekend Beauty Blog Network Reads

The faux tan has never been easier - The Daily Cookie finds a fool-proof self-tanner she loves!

Bionic Beauty found freebies just for you! Including Aveda skincare, Gillette body wash, and TiGi haircare.

A Touch of Blusher presents Lilting Lilac Part 2.

Beauty Anonymous is loving the Foot Relief Cream and Body Exfoliator from Belli!

Christine, from Beauty in Real Life, let's you in on the brilliance that is Max Factor's Colorgenius Pressed Powder...it's amazing.

The Muse gives you the lowdown on Stila Kitten Silk Eyeshadow Wash and Stila Kitten Silk Shimmer Gloss!

Raging Rouge discovers an easy way to shiny hair, and it's chemical-free!

makeup loves me gives you the secrets behind sjp's look in this weekend's most anticipated release, sex & the city: the movie.

Beauty Blogging Junkie gives you the scoop on Denise Richard's fave makeup items she's been rocking on her new show, It's Complicated.

StyleBell shows how you can get fantastic super sexy summer hair . Get ready for the summer!

Makeup Moxie agonizes over her MAC Tendertone Lip Balm.

It's beauty on a budget at Girl Gloss, with skin swatches and a review of two great Sonia Kashuk sheer lipcolor and gloss duos!

Would you like those fine lines to disappear? The Makeup Divas tells you how you can wipe away the years with this new skincare line.

Sci-Fi goddess! Check out our newest member Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happy as she does a gorgeous tutorial featuring the latest Neo Sci-Fi collection from M.A.C. that she has been raving about!

Toya at "The Life of A Ladybug" continues in her search for the best "Bronzers for Brown Girls!" In this edition, the Sephora Bronzing Essentials Kit!

Kitiya from Mischo Beauty shares a lesson on serums in her “Mischo Beauty School: Serums 101” post!

It's time to update your summer makeup and Beauty411 shares the details on the new Bobbi Brown Bronzed Pink Collection. You won't be able to resist!

Getting married and looking for your wedding day fragrance? Glossypink found one you'll adore!

How does Fergie keep her tresses in top form while on tour? Here’s a hint…it involves PAM Cooking Spray. Visit Spoiled Pretty for the answer!

Face Candy looks at the new beauty products from Korres.

Pursebuzz.com shows you how to create a super simple French Twist in 6 minutes. All you need are bobby pins and a mirror :P Perfect for everyday, weddings and those special events.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to create a purple smokey eye using pigments from MAC Cosmetics.

Beauty Banter reveals the very best BRONZERS for summer face!

You could be one of All Lacquered Up's THIRTY winners in the Estee Lauder Pearls of Light Giveaway.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic shows you what to do for your sunburn.

Mickey Contractor Speaks to Vogue India

Make-up guru Mickey Contractor is the A-list and Bollywood's darling but his essential everyday make-up tips are perfect for every woman who wants to look her best.

On using foundation
Foundations that are too light can make you look chalky; they won’t make you look fairer. The trick is to match foundation to your neck, and not the back of your hand. Foundation can oxidize and make your skin look dull and gray, so try it for a day before you buy.
Mickey's Favorite: M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid

Blend, blend, blend
Not blending make-up properly is a common mistake. When foundation looks blotchy, it means it hasn’t been blended well. Foundation that’s blended well looks natural and has a clean finish. Apply moisturizer first: on the face, particularly under the eyes, and down the neck. When you apply foundation next, it blends easily and looks natural. Use the right tools: either a foundation brush or sponge. Don’t wear too much or too little; always start with less, and if you feel you need more, apply a second layer and blend towards the ears, neck, and hairline.
Mickey's Favorite: M.A.C Studio Moisture Fix SPF 15

Think holistically
Pay attention to little details: nails, eyebrows, skin and hair. If your hair isn’t washed, wear it up; if your brows are messy, take a few minutes with a tweezer; if your nails are broken, file them down. As for skin, there should be a daily regime – the minimum is cleanser and moisturizer.
Mickey's Favorite: M.A.C Green Gel Cleanser

Source: Vogue India

Make-up Trend: Cream Blush

As the mercury starts to rise, blush might wear out during the day. Rather than submitting to melting makeup, try cream formulas. The sheer, weightless wash of color they impart on skin lasts for hours.

To get a soft glow like Malaika Arora Khan, lightly swirl two fingers over your blush. Then tap fingers along your cheekbones and gently blend downward.

Rec: Revlon Cream Blush in Berry Flirtatious

If NARS Orgasm Doesn't Work For You, Read This...

I hate when beauty brands or makeup artists speak in absolutes. When I hear that a product allegedly works on all skin tones, I want to shout, “That’s impossible – nothing works on everyone!” So for a couple of years, I’ve been walking around feeling sorry for myself because Orgasm looks like crap on me. Every time someone gushes about how Orgasm is a must-have for every woman’s makeup bag, I want to throttle them.

Don’t get me wrong…I think it’s an ab fab color. And it does look gorgeous on most women. But on me, it looks like sparkles. The first few times I tried Orgasm, I thought I was doing something wrong. I thought if I applied it differently, magic would happen. So I used a brush. Then a puff. Then my fingers. I applied it lightly. Then heavily. And nuthin’.

Then, when NARS released Orgasm The Multiple, I though that it might be the answer to my Orgasm prayers. But, again…nuthin’. Just sparkles.

But guess what…I am happy to report that I’ve finally found my Orgasm. Except it’s called Torrid, and it’s perfect for light brown girls like me. This sexy flush of coral shimmer is exactly what I thought Orgasm would be. So if you’re like me, and have been silently cursing Orgasm all of these years, go and brush your shoulders off. While all of your friends are going on and on about their Orgasm, you'll be enjoying a Torrid affair.

And while you’re at the NARS counter, check out Sandpiper/Daredevil Lip Gloss/Stain. Sandpiper is a shimmering amber coral gloss (when NARS does shimmer, they don’t mess around) and Daredevil is a deep scarlet stain. It’s great to keep in your purse because it takes you from day to night. Just be careful with the stain.

Make sure to exfoliate your lips in advance, because the stain will highlight dryness and flakes. And when you apply, dot the stain on the middle of the lips and blend outward with your finger (cuz the pigment is potent). “Don’t go all up in there with the stain,” says Jason, my new fave makeup artist at the Walnut Street Blue Mercury store. Thanks for the words of wisdom, Jason!

Raise Your Glass To Sex And The City

Hosting any Sex And The City festivities this weekend? Serving cosmos? Oh, no! Cosmopolitans are so last season. There's a new pink drink in town.

After the film's NYC premiere, the cast and crew celebrated at the Carlyle hotel's Bemelmans Bar, where they sipped a signature cocktail in honor of Sarah Jessica Parker's character. Here's how to make one:

The Bradshaw

2 oz. Don Julio Blanco Tequila
1/2 oz. X Rated Passion Fruit Liquor
3/4 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Cane Sugar Simple Syrup

Shaken, serve straight up in a martini glass rimmed in hot pink sugar, garnished with a lime wedge.

Image source: newline.com/sexandthecity and

NARS Summer 2008: Exotica

Last month, NARS introduced its summer 2008 color collection: Exotica.

Encapsulating the wildness of sensuality, Exotica features a sultry palette of edgy neutrals that evoke intense carnal desire. Nude pigments in luscious textures impart sinful mystique, capturing the essence of the elegant seductress. Shades of matte ecru and bitter chocolate with golden accents enliven eyes with mesmerizing intrigue, while hues of sparkling mauve, succulent cherry red and sheer brandy give lips intense passion.


As the name implies, Portobello Duo Eyeshadow is comprised of two mushroomy shades. The first is a matte ecru and the other, a soft matte mushroom. Neither of these shades showed up well on my tan skin, but they would be gorgeous everyday shadows for lighter ladies.


Unconditional Love Duo Cream Eyeshadow is a matte seafoam paired with a soft shimmering copper. These creams tend to crease, so prep the eyelid with a primer before applying (here’s one I recommend).


Supervixen Lip Gloss is a sheer sparkling mauve – a great universal nude color.


Misbehave Lip Gloss is a sheer cherry red with gold glitter flecks. The glitter is a little bit bigger than what you’re probably used to, so be sure to try before you buy.


Mindgame Lipstick is a sheer brandy. It’s moisturizing, and a great choice for when you decide to play up your eyes and keep the mouth understated, but polished.


Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil combines the convenience of a pencil with the application of a lipstick in a jumbo-size crayon design. If you love the dusty mauve color, but aren’t thrilled with the matte texture, this bestselling shade is also available as a lipstick and a gloss.


Roman Holiday Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is a delicate pastel pink. This shade is feminine and pretty, but how many people can pull off pastel pink without looking like a blast from the past (namely, the 80s)? Not many is my guess.


Last, but not least, is my favorite product from Exotica – one that I know you’ll love a lot-ica. Galapagos Single Eyeshadow is the most divine shadow I’ve seen all year. If I could dream up my ideal eyeshadow, it wouldn’t come close to Galapagos’ bitter chocolate infused with gold. I'm just not that creative. Dust it all over the lid, or apply with a fine brush to line the eye. Galapagos is so hot that you’ll want to buy more than one, just in case.

Free Lip Product For First Timers at Bésame Cosmetics

Bésame Cosmetics has a new First Time Customer Gift Policy...

All new customers receive a free full size lipstick, lip glaze or lip pencil!

To take advantage of Bésame's benevolence, click here. Happy shopping!

Spoiled Pretty Featured in The Nest Magazine!

More exciting news...

Spoiled Pretty is featured in the Summer 2008 issue of The Nest magazine!!!

On page 114, the mag lists the "Nesties'" favorite blogs. There are nine categories and four blogs in each category.

So apparently, Spoiled Pretty is where it's at?!? But you already knew that.

Smooches,
Daneen :)

LFW Part 2: Make-up Artists Tell Us How To Achieve Runway Looks

Suneet Varma

Jojo and Yatan tell us how we can achieve Suneet Varma’s "traditional Japanese" look:

• Apply dramatic eye liner (M.A.C Boot Black Eyeliner) and red lipstick (M.A.C Russian Red Lipstick) for rosebud mouths on an otherwise neutral canvas.
  
  
• Since you're going for strong eye and lip make-up, you might not need blush at all. Use liquid tint (M.A.C Improper Copper Cream Color Base) instead. Go gradually, patting a bit on and blending it out; liquid tints stain the cheek with colour, and the intensity is hard to reduce once it's on. They also dry fast, so you have to blend quickly.
  

Lil Kim, BIG Problem

Allow me to digress for a second...

Lil Kim walked the pink carpet at the NYC premiere of Sex And The City: The Movie.

More shocking than the fact that she was fully clothed was the condition of her face. Look at Lil Kim's face, people! She looks like the lost member of The Chipettes.

Let this be a lesson to us all. Makeup is for a moment. This hot mess is forever.

My "Best Content" Award

I was just over at TotalBeauty.com and reading the Editor's Blog. Guess what they had posted? My Best Content Award. Couldn't keep it to myself. It's your award too...you motivate me, inspire me, and fuel my creativity. And I love making you laugh. Thanks, y'all!

And I'd like to give a shout-out to the other award winners. Check them out:

A Mom in Red High Heels
All About the Pretty
All Lacquered Up
Beauty Blogging Junkie
Makeup For Life

Sex And The City Beauty: Carrie

Makeup artist Judy Chin, who worked with Sarah Jessica Parker on the last four seasons of SATC and on several films, is responsible for SJP’s big-screen beauty.


“Sarah had many looks for this film but one thing that I always wanted to be present for her was a natural beauty that didn't look like makeup,” Judy says.

“I tried to keep her eyes the focus by creating a strong yet natural lash line and I always framed her eyes with beautiful lashes. Also important: a healthy rosy flush to her cheeks, a soft mouth, and clean, healthy skin that had a natural glow and shine to it. I used blot film to remove excess shine and powdered only if I needed to.”

To give SJP’s skin a light, dewy finish, Judy applied tinted moisturizer with a brush, which gives a more even blend than fingers. Then she smoothed it out with a cosmetic sponge to work the color into the skin, making it more natural. She used concealer only where necessary, and gave SJP a slight rosy cheek using cream blush. By layering and blending it into the skin, it more closely mimics a natural flush.

“I worked the eye pencil into her lashline by applying it in between her lashes and smudged it very softly to blend it,” Judy says. “I was careful to coat her lashes from the root and brushed them out - and we always curled them.”

To steal the look, get carrie-d away with the following products:

Face
Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20: Liquid Foundation
TheBalm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer SPF 18
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Cheeks
Shiseido Accentuating Color Stick in Rosy Flush
NARS Multiples in Cannes, Copacabana, and Palm Beach

Eyes
MAC Paint Pots in Constructivist, Bare Study, and Moss Scape
Paula Dorf Eye Colors in Hussy, Twilight, and Hypnotic
MAC Fluidline Gel Liner
MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil
Laura Mercier Kohl Pencils

Brows
Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil
Paula Dorf Brow Tint

Lips
Laura Mercier Lip Balm

Image source: newline.com/sexandthecity

Sex And The City Beauty: Samantha

If you’re a fan of the series, you remember a time when Samantha Jones played for both teams. When we rejoin our favorite minx on the big screen, we learn that she’s bi again. Bi-coastal, that is. She’s traded the meatpacking district for Malibu.

Now that she’s a California girl, makeup artist Kyra Panchenko gave Sam a tan.

Kyra mixed St. Tropez Self-Tanner and Aircraft Body Makeup, then topped it off with Scott Barnes Body Bling. “Kim went through loads of wipes to remove her body make-up each day and loved how gentle they were on her skin,” she says.

Kyra also used MAC Blot Powder in Medium, MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy, and MAC Cleansing Tips to clean up under the eyes.

Image source: newline.com/sexandthecity

Sex And The City Beauty: Charlotte

“Charlotte lives on the Upper East Side in New York, so the makeup is rich and classy,” says Kristen Davis’ makeup artist Nuria Sitja. Charlotte has a clean and classic style, so her look isn’t that different from a few years ago.

To transform Kristen into Charlotte York-Goldenblatt, Nuria relied on mascara, pink powdered blush, and sheer pink lipstick.

“I also used lavender shadow in a few scenes because the color complements her eyes and skin tone. Charlotte’s signature look is really natural, so a lot of makeup just wouldn’t work.”

Charlotte’s high-gloss mane comes courtesy of hairstylist Michael Kriston, who applied a leave-in conditioner and a serum to prevent flyaways. “I wanted her to look really glamorous and sexy,” says Michael. To steal Charlotte’s sultry waves, blow drying hair, then use a professional curling iron for a tousled look.

Image source: newline.com/sexandthecity

Beauty Product of the Week: LashBlast

What is it? According to their website, Cover Girl's LashBlast mascara is being sold as such: "Get a blast of lush, volumized lashes! LashBlast's patented volume-boosting formula and patent-pending brush are designed to max-out each and every lash, leaving you with the ultimate big lash look." Available at drugstores for about $7, depending on in-store sales.

What did you think? For several reasons, I am not typically a big fan of Cover Girl products. However, I read that this particular product won a pretty prestigious makeup award and thought I'd give it a try.

Because I am not usually enamored with "easy, breezy, beautiful" Cover Girl, part of me wanted to hate this product. Yes, I admit it: I came to this beauty product test with a hint of prejudice. I was thinking of ways to slam this product and was being very picky in my mental critiques. For example, I was not fond of the packaging. Cover Girl is trying to highlight the mascara brush, so they have it packaged separately from the actual tube of mascara. This means Cover Girl is using excess packaging by adding a plastic cap to the tube that is thrown out immediately and replaced with the wand. In my mind, being a compassionate consumer, this was a major complaint.

When I used the mascara for the first time, I noticed a strong chemical smell. Fatal flaw number 2, I thought.

But then I actually applied the mascara. Though it didn't do anything radical to make me rethink what mascara can do for me, it was easy to apply, made my lashes look longer, and made them look thicker. In short: it did everything a mascara is supposed to do...and it cost about $7. Not bad.

Final verdict? I concede. I shouldn't be so quick to prejudge because this product is pretty decent. If you've read me, you know that I'm a Great Lash girl when it comes to cheap mascara. However, Cover Girl's LashBlast is just as good as Great Lash. Apart from the packaging issues and the initial "mascara-y" scent, I can confidently state that LashBlast is a perfectly decent utilitarian mascara that won't break the bank.

Sex And The City Beauty: Miranda

Determined to hire a redhead for Miranda, Sex And The City creator Darren Star almost passed over Cynthia Nixon. "For me, it was important that the hair color, body types and everything was different," he remembers. "When Cynthia Nixon came in to read for the first time, she was blond. I saw Miranda as a redhead. Thankfully, I took that leap of faith that she would look good as a redhead."

In the movie version of SATC, Miranda is undeniably more polished and modish than we last saw her. Thanks to a sassy and versatile hairstyle in an enviable scarlet shade, she finally looks the part of urban sophisticate.

The new and improved Miranda also sports a smoky eye and lots a lashes, to showcase her baby blues. Dusty rose blush and a soft pink lip round out the look.

At long last, our fave wry redhead is exercising her rights (Miranda rights, get it?) to step out of the shadows and be fabulous!

Image source: newline.com/sexandthecity

New York State Of Mind: Sex And The City Beauty Secrets Revealed!

In case you didn’t know or haven’t heard, there’s this little movie called Sex And The City coming out on Friday. The story revolves around these four dowdy prudes living in a sleepy town called New York. I predict it will be a total snooze fest. It probably won’t even break even.

I kid. If you’re anything like me, you’re counting down the hours until Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda come to a screen near you. Some of you die-hards have tickets to tonight’s midnight showings. Good luck at work tomorrow.

Today, Spoiled Pretty will be revealing the beauty secrets behind this summer’s most anticipated film. Stay tuned…it’s gonna be BIG!

LFW Part 1: Make-up Artists Tell Us How To Achieve Runway Looks

Vijay Arora

Here's how you can achieve Vijay Arora's 'Amy Winehouse meets Sharmila Tagore look. His inspiration continues to be Amy Winehouse. Mickey Contractor calls this look a young Sharmila Tagore eyes with a very soft mouth:

• Line the lower lash line with M.A.C Costa Riche Eye Kohl and then apply M.A.C Blacktrack Fludiline on the top lash line. Make it dramatic by applying M.A.C Boot Black Liquid Liner by progressively thickening the line outwards.
  
  
• Use M.A.C Prrr Lipglass for a very soft mouth.
  
  
• Mickey Contractor gave a soft illumination to the models' skin with M.A.C Strobe Liquid
  

Source: Vogue India

Make-up Trend: Metallic Green Eye Shadow

Everyone was green with envy over Kareena Kapoor's alluring gaze for this cover shoot. She infused a normally-heavy smokey eye with a burst of refreshing olive just in time for summer. The result? Irresistible bohemian smolder, just what Clint suggested here.

There's a rule this summer, don't match your eyes to your outfit! Instead make greens work so they make your eyes pop. With metallics, you have more liberty —they take on different hues in the light.

Rec: L'Oreal Wear Infinite eye shadow in Golden Olive

Clint Fernandes Speaks to Vogue India

Make-up artist Clint Fernandes, who has been involved with the Lakme Fashion Week for years, speaks on the "smudged kohl" look, how to work psychedelic into your look, make-up for daywear...

On the 'it' make-up trend for spring summer 2008
The "smudged kohl" look is very in for the season and it is a look that Indian women are not unfamiliar with. It is the glam bohemian look that is very in for the moment.

On wearing the psychedelic look at a party without looking 'made up' and experimental
To wear psychedelic colors without looking ridiculous is to minimize and restrict its usage to an "only where need be" basis. Using colors on the eyes should be controlled; for the nails you can be more experimental.

On lipsticks that compliment the desi complexion
Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Midnight Rose, Chanel Aqualumiere Sheer Color Lipshine SPF 15 in Antigua and Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Lipstick in Barcelona Red

On a key red carpet look
Smokey eyes with a dramatic mouth works well for the red carpet! Wear with straight long hair or very sculpted curls.

On make-up for daywear
Just kohl on the eyes with mascara and a translucent pink lip color looks great! When worn with just a light compact, it works well for a summer day.

Make-up Trend: Enhanced Lashes

Want a flutter like Preity Zinta? A lash curler can get you only so far. Attach small clusters of fake lashes along the outer half of each top lashline. A full band of lashes are best left to on-stage performers.

To keep your faux flutters a secret, be sure to use a gray lash glue (conventional adhesive dries looking white).

Rec:Ardell Duralash Naturals Individual Lashes

Hand Sands

On the hunt for the secret to making your manicure and pedicure last during the beach season? Neri Ortega, nail expert of Butterfly Studio Salon, recommends the following for a long lasting, perfect manicure without chipping:

1. Following a hand massage, it is vital to clean the nail bed twice with acetone or acetone free nail polish remover to make sure that there are no emollients left on the nail- a clean, oil free nail bed is the most important part of a lasting manicure, as it creates a clean surface to begin on.

2. Continue with a protein based base coat- this is key in keeping polish from chipping. A strengthening treatment like OPI's Nail Envy, works wonderfully to keep nails strong, and polish from chipping.

3. Following the application of polish, a good basic top coat is needed. Neri recommends Essie, and prefers classic top coats over "quick dry" as she finds that quick dry top coats tend to peel faster.

4. Pushing back cuticles rather than cutting them will also help a manicure last longer. To keep nail polish looking shiny and new, and cuticles from looking dull and ashy, she recommends a good cuticle moisturizer like Solar Oil - the oil treatment will multi-task to keep your manicure going for extra days.

With tips this easy, the hardest part will be choosing your favorite color!

Product Preview: Salon Glaze

Like most self-respecting makeup junkies, I love samples! They're a way to try out a new or trendy product without plunking down a ton of dough. I have a sample of Frederic Fekkai's new Salon Glaze Clear Shine Rinse and can't wait to use it.

According to Sephora, this product, "is a clear shine rinse inspired by professional salon glazing services. The rinse-off treatment binds shine, recharges color, and adds silkiness to the hair. This non-chemical formula contains a unique blend of conditioning and lightweight silicones that coat the cuticle to shine and condition the hair shaft. With its lightweight formula, Salon Glaze won't weigh your hair down like traditional shine serums. It works on all hair colors and types, and both non-colored and color-treated hair." A full sized bottle costs $28.00.

As soon as I try it out, I'll give you a full report and tell you if it's worthy the investment or if you should just save your money. I have high hopes!

Who Are You? Who, Who, Who, Who?

This past weekend, I attended a Memorial Day party. While chatting with my friend, Claire, she asked me how the blog was going – so I proceeded to tell her what I’ve been up to and about some surprises I have up my sleeves. At one point in the convo, she inquired about Spoiled Pretty’s demographics. I was pretty embarrassed that nine months have passed and I don’t know the first thing about the people I chat with every day.

So since I open up and share my life on a daily basis, it’s only fair that you help return the favor. I’ve created a survey to capture some visitor demographics. It is my hope that in learning more about all of you, I can better my blog and help spoil you prettier. Sounds good, right?

The poll is multiple-choice and only has six questions. So help a sista out and take the quiz. Merci beaucoup!

Image source: Getty Images

Update: The poll has reached its respondent limit (boo)...I tried to upgrade my account so that I could capture more data, but I've been having some technical difficulties. If I get it working again, I'll let you know. Thanks to all who participated!

Bambi-Like Lashes

Over at Makeup Loves Me, my girl Marina extols the virtues of Cover Girl LashBlast Mascara. Her review made me realize how much I’ve been taking LashBlast for granted lately.

I used to think that it didn’t get any better (or bigger) than DiorShow mascara. But when I met LashBlast, I fell in love – hard and fast. Its phat brush and glossy ink color gives me Bambi-like lashes.

And, as if you needed more convincing – LashBlast is one of Oprah’s favorite things.

Update: Lip Gloss Quest

Back at the start of April, I mentioned to you that I was on the search for the perfect ligloss for the spring. Click here for my earlier post. I'm sad to report that I never really found "the one" that suited me perfectly.

I did, however, find a brand of drugstore lipgloss that I liked quite a bit--I just need to keep trying to find the "just right" shade. The brand I liked the best? Maybelline Volume XL Seduction.

It glides on so easily, I don't have to use a mirror to apply it. It has a yummy flavor that reminds me of juicy, summery fruit, and it has just the perfect amount of lip-plumping tingle that wakes up my lips.

Volume XL Seduction comes in 10 shades, including a clear coat that can be applied over your favorite lipcolor to get its plumping and shine benefits. I've tried two shades: Born with It, a very pale pink that was too light for my tastes, and Fully Blushed, a pink that looks brighter in the bottle than on the lips (a good thing). Fully Blushed is pretty good, but I think I'll try another shade soon...just in time for the summer.

If you're looking for a decent lipgloss and want the added bonus of slight plumping, look no further than Volume XL Seduction...it's a very decent addition to my bulging makeup case!

Make-up Trend: Creamy Lipstick

Imagine mixing the rich hue of your everyday lipstick with the moisturizing qualities of a lip balm. Dry, cakey lipsticks of the past made pouts look anything but kissable. But the latest crop of conditioning lipsticks glide on smooth and leave your lips buttery soft like Madhuri's .

To make creamy lipstick look fresh and modern (a little less granny), dab a matching gloss over the middle of the upper and lower lips.

Rec: Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color

Deep Condition Like The Dutchess

How does Fergie keep her tresses in top form while on tour? Kim Vo says olive oil is the key.

To deep condition like The Dutchess, spray your strands, from root to tip, with Pam Olive Oil Cooking Spray. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap, chill for 30 minutes, then shampoo out.

Fergalicious.

Alice Cosmetics Giveaway!

I don’t typically get excited about mineral makeup. Probably because, nowadays, it seems like everyone is introducing a mineral line. So when I say that I’m blown away by Alice Cosmetics, you know I’m telling the truth.

I’m not really a mineral makeup girl. And I’m a klutz. Something about jars of powder just seems too complicated and cumbersome for me. But what I love about Alice Cosmetics is that it’s a line of minerals made for people like me. The rich shades are comparable to colors you would find in a “traditional” line of makeup. Plus, Alice Cosmetics offers innovative brushes and accessories.

One of the standouts is the Mini Miracle Cloth, which cleans your face without soap! Made of millions of microfibers (each a tiny fraction of the size of a human hair), the Mini Miracle Cloth emulsifies the oil in the skin and then rinses it away along with your makeup. As an added bonus, it aids in the treatment of acne because you can wash using only water, with no added chemicals or irritants.

I am so wild about Alice Cosmetics that I’m partnering with them for a giveaway! Three winners will receive one Buff Palette, three eye shadows (winner’s choice), one foundation (winner’s choice), one Buffer/Veil (winner’s choice), and one eye shadow guard.


The Buff Palette is a more elegant way to load your brush with minerals. Make life easy for yourself and use this palette instead of your jar lid for swirling your brush full of foundation minerals. The palette allows the full brush head to be used and provides the perfect surface for mixing minerals to find your perfect match. Comes in a red velvet pouch with a small companion brush for sweeping excess minerals back into the jar through the "lip."


All of Alice Cosmetics twenty eye shadows are appropriate for sheer to heavy coverage. And the powders can be used wet for more intense color. As my inner-arm illustrates, the colors are fab (from left to right: Gold Frost, Hunter, Bourbon, Amethyst Gem, and Tawny Star).


The twelve shades of foundation, the heart of the Alice Cosmetics line, are made to complement all complexions from the palest to the deepest – and can be mixed to create your perfect match.


Alice Cosmetics Buffers/Veils are translucent powders that give your makeup a perfect finish. These feather-light mineral powders set your foundation and blush…or use alone without foundation for a natural look.


Last, but certainly not least, is the Eye Shadow Guard. This handy tool helps to keep eye shadow from spilling down below the eye, particularly when applying in heavy layers. It also doubles perfectly as a mascara guard.

Each prize is worth over $80!

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Alice Cosmetics Giveaway.” The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, June 1st. Winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, June 2nd, 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.

Good luck!