Online Cosmetics

Friday, April 30, 2010

Summer Coral Tutorial

Products Used:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC Cream Color Base in Fresco
MAC eye shadows:
Paradisco
Swiss Chocolate
Vapour
MAC Fascinating Eye Kohl
Loreal Carbon Black Liner Intense
Urban Decay 24/7 eye pencil in Lucky
MAC Plushlash Mascara
NARS Laguna Bronzer
MAC Cream Color Base in Hush
MAC Peachykeen powder blush
MAC Ravishing lipstick
MAC Nymphette lipglass

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Sushmita Sen's Beauty Secrets [Vogue India]

As an actress, my skin is exposed for long hours to damage from heavy make-up, lights, pollution and UV rays which have a long-term detrimental effect on skin. My advice is to drink a lot of water, get enough sleep, use sun protection and wear products that enhance your looks but don't cover up your natural beauty. Use Besan Ka Aata (Gram flour) with malai (clotted cream) as a scrub to soften and cleanse the skin. And a concoction of neem (azadirachta indica) and honey to drink; it's not as bad as it sounds! An in-flight ritual I have is that, I make sure I take off all my make-up. If I've been shooting outdoors in too much mud and dust, I oil my hair before boarding.

Jennifer Lopez & Her Beehive/Ratsnest Hairdo

I'm usually behind (pun intended) J Lo when it comes to her fashion and beauty choices, but I don't know how I feel about the beehive/ratsnest hairstyle she wore to the UK premiere of her new film, The Back-Up Plan.

One minute I'm all "Homegirl should have had a back-up plan for that do." The next minute, I think it's the fiercest red carpet hair I've seen in a long while. Who knows...maybe the hairstyle had nothing to do with style at all, and her exaggerated bun was just a ruse to sneak her toddler twins, Max and Emme, into the movie without paying. Damn, Jenny, I know movie tickets are ridiculously high and all, but you didn't have to do all this!

But don't get me started on that dress. I realize that it's Lanvin, but it might as well be the winner of a Project Runway trash bag challenge.

Beauty Product of the Week: Exfoliating Scrub

What is it? Clinique's Exfoliating Scrub is a "skin-clearing, water-based scrub for strong, oily skins. De-flakes, refines, softens tiny lines. Leaves skin refreshed." Available at Sephora and wherever Clinique products are sold for $18.

What did you think? Clinique's description of this product is insanely stark, but also accurate. While I don't have strong, oily skin, I've been using this product off and on for the past 20 years (really? How in the world did I get so old?!?) and have loved the results. Whenever I try a new facial exfoliator, I inevitably compare it to Clinique's old stand-by. And product after product, I like what I get from Clinique better.

My skin feels smooth and soft after using this scrub. It doesn't strip away any of the good oils in my skin, but instead sloughs away the dead cells that can dull my complexion. My skin looks rosier (in a good way!) and the texture feels so much better when I use this product.

The final verdict? In my world, Clinique's Exfoliating Scrub is a consistent, reliable, effective product. Also, for less than $20, this is very reasonably priced. Add this to your skin care routine (use it twice a week), and you'll be happy with the results. I know I am! My skin's tone and texture are much improved. I've loved this product forever, and it remains one of my top 10 beauty products of all time.

Vogue India Beauty Page [May 2010]

(click the image to zoom in)

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Expert Wear Blush Duo

Korres Color Lip Collections

Korres Color Lip

Aveda Shampure Soy Wax Candle Winners!!!

I'm so excited to announce the winners of the Aveda Shampure Soy Wax Candle Giveaway because it's, literally, the best smelling candle ever. So without further ado, the lucky winners are Satvi and swankygirl.

Ladies, be sure to check your email because I'll need your real names and addresses to ship your prize. And please let me know how you like the candle, though I'm sure you'll agree with my rave review.

Many thanks to Aveda for sponsoring the giveaway - and for making such an ab fab candle, natch.

And don't forget to enter Spoiled Pretty's remaining Earth Day-inspired beauty giveaways!

Arm Yourself: Urban Decay Revolver Fragrance Oil

Arm yourself with Revolver, Urban Decay's new "sexy and powerful weapon of love." The fragrance oil opens with top notes of lychee and pineapple leaf, then mixes with the middle note of fig. Sheer, yet potent base notes of amber and Egyptian musk round out the scent.

Eau de toilet perfume sprays often dissipate and fade as the day wears on; but this concentrated perfume oil comes in a perfect, go-anywhere roll applicator that can be targeted right at your pulse points (wrist, inner elbow and behind ears) - ao the fragrance seems as captivating at the end of the day as when you first put it on. Revolver tucks easily into the smallest evening bag without fear of unloading.

ecoTOOLS Giveaway!

It's still April, which means it's still Earth Month! And to wind down the month, I'm hosting a little giveaway, thanks to my friends over at ecoTOOLs.

As a pioneer in environmentally-friendly cosmetic and bath and body care products that are affordable, effective, and eco-fabulous, EcoTools makes it simple to green your beauty routine without sacrifice; all you need are the right tools!

Just in time for Spring 2010, EcoTools unveils the brand-new body butter, body scrub, body mists and EcoPouf – helping consumers start the season with eco-friendly essentials for a spring clean and cleanse.

A little lather goes a long way as the pioneers at ecoTOOLS introduce yet another eco-innovation with the world’s first 100% recycled plastic bath sponge! Launching in March 2010 at Target stores nationwide, ecoTOOLS takes scrubbing to a new level and – pouf! – totally updates daily bathing routines. The first of its kind, the EcoPouf ($1.99) sets the standard for bathing, showing beauty buffs everywhere that getting squeaky clean and supporting sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

Strip skin of grit and grime, and replenish and restore radiance naturally with the “Polished & Protected” Body Scrub ($5.99). The earth-friendly exfoliating scrub contains crushed walnut shells that gently remove dry, flaky skin to reveal soft, smooth and stunning skin, proving you don’t have to sacrifice effectiveness for eco-friendliness! The brand-new “Replenish Your Natural Resources” Body Butter ($5.99) banishes dry skin while saving the environment. Enriched with mango butter that replenishes and hydrates all over, it meticulously massages to keep skin supple and well-protected. The body butter exudes a warm lavender, vanilla fragrance – and an eco-friendly recipe – that will put minds and bodies at ease.

Enrich the body and the earth with two fresh fragrances from ecoTOOLS. Featuring organic botanical extracts, the new “Passion for Change” Body Mist ($5.99) wraps the body in rich, earthly warmth with just one spray. Get back to basics with a natural, yet luxurious, aroma that soothes and settles. The new and improved “Blooming Planet” Body Mist ($5.99) returns with a revised floral fragrance. Notes of organic peony and passion flower shower skin with a sheer layer of soft, pink petals. With sophisticated scents, organic extracts and affordable prices, the ecoTOOLS body mists bare it all to bring green into daily beauty routines. Although you didn’t receive these samples, they are available upon request.

Now, here's the giveaway part: Leave me a comment and I'll pick two of you at random to receive an ecoTOOLS EcoPouf. I'll give you one week and will announce the winner next Wednesday. NOTE: this giveaway is open to US residents only--sorry! Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you. Good luck!

Make-up Trend: Sultry Smoky Eyes

Looking casual, yet chic on this month's issue of Vogue India is none other than Deepika Padukone. MAC's Mickey Contractor focused on a smudged, smoky kohl eye, "We aimed for a not-so-perfect look, a little messy." To get her look, line your upper and lower lashes with a creamy black pencil. Apply dark charcoal powder shadow on your lids. Add a shimmery ivory shadow in your inner corners and brow bone. Mickey contrasted that with a nude lip and gives us a key tip to achieve this look, "Use concealer with lipgloss for the perfect nude lip which is huge this season."

Rec: SEPHORA Collection Smoky Eyes Palette

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Revlon Matte lipsticks Review/Swatches

There was time in my makeup life that I was so into matte lipsticks. I liked the no shine, no shimmer/glitter or any type of iridescent finish on my lips. Matte lipsticks gives the most coverage and intensity on the lips and it can give you a sophisticated look. I own a couple of matte lipsticks from Mac but when Revlon came out with their line of matte lipsticks, I had to try it.

WHAT: Ultra-creamy saturated lip color that delivers beautiful, lightweight matte color without any dryness, caking or fading. Straight from the Runway shades !Beautifully rich matte color glides effortlessly across lips. Suede-like, cushiony feel and with maximum color impact. Beautifully rich shades from nude to deepest berry. (source: revlon website)

WHERE: You can find them at their website, your local drugstores such as Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid and other stores like Walmart, Target, Utla and etc.

TEXTURE: A creamy matte texture

PRICE: Price varies depends on where you go. I got mine at Rite-Aid when they were having a BuyOneGetOne sale for $7.99

Final Thoughts: These matte lipsticks were okay. The texture was great but the coverage wasn't so great. I had to re-apply several times to get the coverage I wanted. It can look chalky on the lips so be very careful. Nude Attitude looks pale and way too chalky on my lips so its a no-no. The only way I can use that shade is if I mix it with a darker lipstick shade. Also, matte lipsticks in general can be drying so I always apply a lip balm underneath them. On the other hand, I love the available shades you can choose from pinks to reds ^_^ Will I re-purchase? maybe.

please check out my food blog ^_^

Fudging Over Our Diet

How To Look Good....When You Feel Like Crap!

I'm a relatively healthy person, but I do suffer from seasonal allergies (pollen is my arch enemy). To add to my sneezing and running eyes, I got a nasty cold last week. I spent too many days with a stuffed up nose, a raging headache, and the itchy-est, watery-est eyes ever. To put it short and sweet: I felt like crap.

But a cold/allergies can't keep a good woman down...oh no! So here we go...here are my quick tips for looking presentable when all you want to do is crawl under the covers with a box of aloe tissues shoved up your nose:

After you take all your meds, be sure to exfoliate and then moisturize. The skin around my nose and lips tends to get scaly and gross when a cold/allergies strike. Exfoliate your lips by brushing them lightly with your toothbrush, and be sure to coat your irritated nasal area with moisturizer.
Lay down a light foundation. When I'm not feeling great and I have to go out into the world, I don't like spend a lot of time on makeup. I've been swearing by Laura Geller's Barely There Tinted Moisturizer. It makes my skin feel good and provides a light amount of color and coverage.
Add a little color. To give my skin a little lift, I swipe a bit of Pur Mineral's Mineral Glow over my cheeks and on my eyelids (instead of wearing eyeshadow).
Groom the brows. Colds and allergies mean weepy eyes for me (so lovely), so spending a lot of time applying makeup that will run down my face doesn't make a lot of sense. I do, however, take a moment to make sure my brows are in place and fill in what I need to using Anastasia's Universal Brow Definer.
Curl lashes and apply mascara--at your own peril! Even if I don't bust out the mascara, I'll at very least curl my lashes. Since mascara is my favorite beauty product, I tend to add a quick coat of whatever waterproof mascara I have in my kit. I just think it helps make my eyes look a little more open and a little less frightening.
Keep your lips hydrated! A stuffy nose means mouth-breathing, and mouth-breathing means chapped lips. I've been using (and love!) LypSyl LypMoisturizer.

That's all I do. 6 steps to looking less awful when you're feeling like death warmed over. What do you do when you don't feel good? Do you even bother with makeup?

Make-up Trend: Healthy Skin

In a gorgeous and colorful kurti at a promotional event for her latest movie Housefull, Lara Dutta made a statement with flawless and nourished looking skin. To get your skin looking like her, start your make-up routine with an antioxidant rich moisturizer, neutral liquid foundation and a touch of loose powder. After the powder sets the foundation, dusted bronzing powder on your cheeks, chin and forehead. A swipe of light coral blush applied finishes the look.

Rec: Philosophy Hope In A Jar

Monday, April 26, 2010

HANA Professional Flat Iron review/giveaway

Hey guys please read my review/giveaway on the Hana Professional Flat Iron 1 inch Pink Edition. Click here HANA FLAT IRON REVIEW

to see more photos and before and after results of my hair ^_^

Thank you so much for stopping by .

Dynamic Duo: Votre Vu Duette Luxe Lip Balm and Hand Crème

Believe it or not, I wear hardly any makeup on a daily basis. I'm so pressed for time in the mornings that I have neither the 15 minutes nor the energy to spare. But I'm not entirely low-maintenance. I'm never without lip balm and hand cream in my purse.

So I was thrilled when Votre Vu's Duette recently showed up on my doorstep to review. Duette is a duo of deeply moisturizing lip balm and decadently rich hand crème in one package, and has become a staple in my purse since I first used it.

Flip the first cap on the tube to reveal a nourishing lip balm made from coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax. A deliciously light and natural coconut flavor delivers a guiltless treat to your lips with every application. The cap also contains a clandestine mirror for precise application.

Flip open the second cap to enjoy the Almond Pie Nutrient Rich Luxe Hand Crème. This intoxicating hand cream deeply moisturizes without any greasy residue, and leaves a soft veil of almond and coconut fragrance lingering on the skin. Beautifully absorbed, this special formula was developed to maintain the health, beauty and suppleness of your hands, while delighting your nose with a decadent aroma. Formulated with sunflower, grape seed and jojoba oils combined with moisturizing and healing aloe, wheat proteins and natural sun filters, this sweet treat is one big serving of hydrating heaven. The cream also contains sun filters for UVA/UVB protection to maintain skin tone, while helping protect and keep hands soft, supple and younger looking.

I'm digging on Duette so much that I'm compelled to spread the wealth. So, this week, I'm partnering with Votre Vu for a giveaway. Three readers will win this dynamic duo, which retails for $38.

To enter the giveaway, leave a message in the comments section; make sure to leave your email or another way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Good luck!

Burt's Bees Natural Toothpaste Giveaway Winner

Congrats to the winner of the Burt's Bees Natural Toothpaste Giveaway, Stephanie (tvollowitz).

Burt's Bees Natural Toothpastes are natural, effective toothpastes clinically proven to improve oral health. With regular brushing, they prevent cavities (fluoride versions only), reduce plaque, whiten teeth by removing surface stains, and freshen breath. They feature natural ingredients like plaque-fighting cranberry extract and calcium & phosphorous to promote strong healthy teeth. The toothpastes are SLS-free and don't contain any artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners.

Stephanie will receive:

Natural Toothpaste - Multicare with Fluoride
Natural Toothpaste - Multicare without Fluoride
Natural Toothpaste - Whitening with Fluoride
Natural Toothpaste - Whitening without Fluoride
Natural Toothpaste - Kids Orange Wow with Fluoride
Natural Toothpaste - Kids Berry Bee without Fluoride

Many thanks to Burt's Bees for sponsoring the contest.

And don't forget to enter Spoiled Pretty's other Earth Day-inspired beauty giveaways!

Still on a purple trip...

So many new followers and awesome blog awards - welcome and thank you all so much ♥!!

Yeah, I am still stuck in the same colour family... But I just felt like white and blue, and I added some teal glitter just because I love everything teal. I really, really couldn't think of a good title for this one though!

Product List
Eyes: Art Deco Eyeshadow Base, Zoeva 88 Mattes Palette, Vivid Cosmetics Palette, teal glitter, Claire's lashes, kohls in black & white, MAC Nightfish fluidline, CG Lash Blast

This Product Surprised Me!

I get a lot of products to try out...it's one of the hazards of being a beauty blogger! And I recently received a bunch of products from mark (a division of Avon). The products they sent over are double-sided multi-taskers called mini mark it sticks: on one end is a lip pencil , on the other side is eye color. The idea is that you can mix and match and make your own combination of colors.

Using a pencil on your eyes is nothing new, so that side of the mini stick didn't surprise me in any way. The lip pencil, however, I instantly dismissed. At first look, I thought--well, I would never use that. I don't use a lip pencil because I am not a big fan of that dark lined lip look. But then I looked at the lip pencil and realized it is meant to be used to color the entire lip. That intrigued me, but also concerned me. Would it make my lips too dry? Would the color go on nicely?

So with a level of trepidation, I swiped the Plummy Pearl pencil over my lips. And to my surprise, the color went on smoothly. My lips weren't cakey, they weren't dry....they felt shockingly slick. And even more surprising was that the pencil color produced a bit of shimmer. The Plummy Pearl reminded me--at least a little bit--of Clinique's Black Honey. And for a fraction of the price.

So there! My initial impression was meh!, but on final inspection, I don't think mark's mini mark it sticks are a bad product whatsoever. This product proved me wrong...and I'm glad for that!