Makeup Mondays With Mario: Best Facial Sunscreen

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,

I'm in North Carolina where it is hot AND humid frequently. I've been searching for the perfect facial sunscreen that doesn't make me look chalky and doesn't melt off in the humidity. Any suggestions?

Thank you,
Jamie

Hi Jamie,

If your question about sunscreen came to me about a year ago, I probably would not have answered because until recently, I was not a fan of the SPF products on the market. Like you said, they tend to make you look chalky and I feel that makeup doesn’t sit or blend well over it. I am not suggesting that you shouldn't use an SPF. In fact, I strongly recommend that women apply sunscreen daily to protect the skin and prevent skin damage.

I’ve found an amazing product by Josie Maran Cosmetics that I love! It will not make you look chalky and your makeup will blend nicely and stay true to its color. Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40 blocks all the harmful UVA and UVB rays - but this product is different as it contains Argan Oil which repairs and reverses damage caused by the sun, fights signs of aging and improves skin tone for a radiant, renewed complexion. Oh, and one more thing - you can use it as a primer as well! Need I say more?

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

 Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Josie Maran Argan Slimline Lipstick with Gloss

I’m currently in love (okay, obsessed) with Josie Maran Argan Slimline Lipstick with Gloss. On one end, there’s a creamy and lipstick and on the other, there’s a super shiny, non-sticky, sheer gloss that just so happens to smell and taste like vanilla cupcakes. 

Formulated with Josie's signature ingredient, Argan Oil, the product provides moisturizing coverage and is available in three pretty pink shades (I own Rosey, a dusty rose).  I’m crossing my fingers that more colors are in the works because I would add each and every one to my collection. 

This double-ended multitasker is a makeup bag must have. 

Josie Maran Argan Slimline Lipstick with Gloss ($25) is sold exclusively at QVC.

*A sample was provided by the brand for review.

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Natural Beauty

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.

Dear Mario,

I'm writing for advice on eco-friendly/natural/organic beauty products and makeup. I want to incorporate some "green" products into my routine, but I don't know where to start. I'm not interested in granola-crunchy stuff made out of hemp that smells like patchouli. I want high quality products that work as well as my regular products, but are also good for my body and the earth. Please share any favorite brands or products. Thanks.

-Linda

PS - I'm a big fan - so basically whatever you recommend, I'm going to buy.

Linda,

There are definitely great eco-friendly, organic beauty products out there for you to use and enjoy - and I think in the future we'll be seeing a lot more beauty companies going green as well.

One of my personal faves is Josie Maran Cosmetics. Her line of makeup is very eco-friendly and the products deliver beautifully as true makeup should. Aside from being good for our environment, Josie's makeup has tons of benefits for your skin. Most of her products are made with Argan Oil which, thanks to Josie, is becoming very popular for its healing abilities.

As a makeup artist working on sets and photo shoots, I tend to use product that has great pigment and textures over products that are eco-friendly or organic. But Josie's line totally delivers. Of course, I have to mention the Bear Naked Wipes that I can't live without. They are, hands down, the best makeup wipes ever! Other great natural brands I like are Tarte, Korres and Bare Escentuals.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Skin Care Superstars!

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,

This is so exciting being able to ask you a question. I am a regular visitor to your blog and have learned so much about makeup from you. But my question isn't about makeup. It's about skincare. I'd love to know what your favorite skincare products (cleanser, moisturizer, scrub, makeup remover and lip balm) are and why.

Thanks and keep up the awesome work,
Jessica

Hi Jessica,

I have tons of favorites when it comes to skincare products. For cleansing, I love La Mer The Cleansing Foam; it feels amazing, smells good and spreads nicely. A less expensive and comparable cleanser (and one of my all time faves) is Olay Deep Cleansing Face Wash with Witch Hazel. A great, basic and cheap scrub is St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I try not to exfoliate every day though - it can be too harsh on your skin. Once or twice a week I use DDF's Glycolic 5% Exfoliating Wash. To remove your makeup, I recommend Josie Maran's Bear Naked Wipes. I love everything about them and I'm sure you will too. Wipe away makeup and then follow with your normal skincare routine.

When it comes to moisturizing, I tend to use products that are not too thick or oily. I love La Mer The Moisturizing Lotion. It comes in a pump and is more lightweight than the popular creme. Cetaphil is still a favorite of mine also and works well on a lot of skin types. Sara Happ's The Lip Slip is a very nice lip balm and you should try out her lip exfoliators that come in lots of great flavors. I also love MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioner w/ SPF 15. I saved the best for last - The Eye Balm by La Mer. It's a new eye cream and it's the creme de la creme! I use it like three times a day and I LOVE IT!

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Your Perfect Nude Lip

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,

If you're reading this, it means that you chose my question – which is so exciting!!! I am a big fan and am awed by your talent. I've been reading your column on Spoiled Pretty since it started, and have really improved as an amateur makeup artist. So thanks! Anyway, here is my question – I love the nude lip look, but I never know how to pull it off. How do I find my right shade of nude, and do you have any tools/techniques for pulling off the look? And can you recommend some of you all-time favorite nude lipsticks/glosses?

Your biggest fan,
Kirstie

Hey Kirstie,

Let me start out by saying that you're very sweet!

When choosing nude shades for your lips, you should keep a couple things in mind: light pinks look better on fare skin because they will most likely have too much white in them for darker complexions. Peachy/beige nudes look great on medium to darker skin tones because of the yellow pigments in them.

If your lips are naturally red or dark, pat some foundation on your lips first to block out the color so that the true lipstick shade shows. My fave nudes are Honolulu Honey Lipstick by NARS and Josie Maran Plumping Lip Gloss in Optimism.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette Giveaway Winners!

Congrats to the following winners of the Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette giveaway:

carladgray
Julie (fizzlette)
Shanhai
Staci (dailyglam)
Team Morris

The palette includes five eye shadows, two blush shades, and a bronzing powder for glowing radiance.

Many thanks to Josie Maran for sponsoring this giveaway...and stay tuned for Spoiled Pretty's next contest.

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette Giveaway!

This Spring, Josie Maran created the perfect palette for you to unleash your inner makeup artist. With the Natural Wonder Powder Palette, you can create a variety of looks with the multiple shades, ranging from ashy bold pigments to classic neutrals. The palette includes five eye shadows, two blush shades, and a bronzing powder for glowing radiance.

Eye Shadows: Daydream (shimmery apricot), Hope (bright iridescent blue- purple), Desire (iridescent teal), Trance (shimmery gold), Think (shimmery copper brown)

Blush: Illusion (deep rose), Fiction (peachy pink)

Bronzing Powder: Beach No. 1 (bronze)

This week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Josie Maran to put some spring into your step (and makeup bag). Five lucky readers will win the Natural Wonder Powder Palette (retail price: $35).

To enter the giveaway, leave a message in the comments section; make sure to leave a 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 Friday, March 5, 2010. Good luck!

The Beauty Girls Giveaways: Day 2

Today is Day 2 of the The Beauty Girls giveaways (valued at over $10,000)!

Today, we're giving away some luxurious products from Leonor Greyl, Josie Maran, Priori and Sampar! These prizes are so amazing, there's something wrong with you if you don't enter.

Visit thebeautygirls.net to enter...and check back every day for more chances to win.

Beat Dry Skin With Josie Maran's Argan Moisturizing Stick

The Argan Oil Revolution continues! Josie Maran’s latest launch - the Argan Moisturizing Stick - debuted today and is now exclusively available at Sephora.com ($22.00).

Josie's best-selling Argan Oil now comes in a stick form; this multi-purpose balm offers all the benefits of the nourishing oil, which includes anti-aging ingredients rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. A head-to-toe spot treatment for dry areas in need of moisture, this soothing balm conditions and repairs skin as it hydrates.

Use it to moisturize chapped lips, soothe dry skin, tame fly aways, alleviate itching and stinging from insect bites, moisturize dry cuticles, relieve chafing skin, soothe stretch marks, calm sunburn, soothe waxed skin, and much, much more.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Khloe Kardashian

Have you seen my beauty Q&A with Khloe Kardashian? It’s must-see TV, though my opinion might be a bit biased. The exclusive interview with Khloe Kardashian and her makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic, features their must-have products, makeup techniques and beauty secrets!

If you’ve already seen the interview and are fiending for more Dash dish, consider this a companion piece…

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Khloe Kardashian

1) She believes that being a prankster helps her hone her acting skills.

2) The Keeping Up With The Kardashians episode that makes her cringe is when she participated in an acting class.

3) Khloe’s fashion icons are Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, Victoria Bekham and Rihanna. “I love that one day she’s a schoolgirl and the next day she’s a dominatrix,” Khloe says of Rihanna. “I can appreciate that because I have multiple personalities
too.”

4) If she could only wear one designer for the rest of her life, it would be Alexander Wang.

5) “When it comes to my nails, I just always do crazy. I recently went to Africa and all of the kids were totally fascinated by my nails, which were really long with silver glitter tips and rhinestones on my ring fingers in the shape of a K.”

6) Khloe hardly ever wears false lashes because her natural lashes are forever long. “She just doesn’t need them,” Mario told me. I was up close and personal, and I can attest to the fact that Khloe won the genetic lottery when it comes to her lashes. They are ridiculously lush.

7) After seeing Khloe in certain photographs, people swear that Khloe has had her lips done – which isn’t true. It’s just that her natural lip color is the same as her skin…so when her lips are all done up, it makes them really pop.

8) Khloe is contemplating having the inside of her wrist inked with the word "Bunny," written in her mother’s handwriting. Since she was little, Bunny has been her mom’s pet name for her – and the new tattoo would be a compliment to this one she got last year.

9) Khloe says she would never get a name tattooed on her body, with the exception of her family. “Honey, even husbands come and go,” she joked.

10) Since watching the video, my inbox has been inundated with emails asking what lipstick/gloss Khloe was wearing in the video. Here’s the recipe: First, Mario lined her lips with MAC Lip Pencil in Spice. Then he mixed Josie Maran Finger Paints and MAC Lipstick in Myth, and filled in her lips. Finally, he topped it all off with NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight.

Want more Kardashians deets? Be sure to check out my interviews with Kim Kardashian and Mario Dedivanovic!

If You Are What You Eat...

If you are what you eat, then I guess you can call me Josie Maran Plumping Lip Gloss. Instead of irritants or stimulants which cause lips to temporarily swell, this gloss relies on gentle but effective marine collagen to pump-up pouts for lasting results. Available in six shimmery shades (if you buy one, make it Freedom - a sheer golden rose), Josie Maran Plumping Lip Gloss has a dulce de leche flavor that’s lip smacking delicious!

Every time I put it on, I get the urge to just lick it all off. And when I do (which is quite often), I don’t have to worry about what I‘m ingesting - because the gloss is formulated with organic and natural ingredients (including Josie's signature ingredient, 100% pure organic Argan oil) and doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, or phthalates.

Josie Maran Plumping Lip Gloss is available at select Sephora stores, sephora.com and josiemarancosmetics.com.