Urban Decay Summer 2011 Collection

A few weeks ago, Urban Decay sent me their Summer 2011 Collection to test and review. As a huge fan of Urban Decay (they're one of my all time favorite brands - I love their rock and roll vibe and I’m addicted to their 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils), I always have high expectations for new products. And this collection does not disappoint.

Usually when I receive an entire collection to review, I'll choose a few of the best products and feature them here. This collection, which is comprised of some familiar faces and some new makeup bag staples, has so many choice products that I'm going to review the whole she-bang.

Okay, time to break it down...

The Rollergirl Nail Kit includes six mini bottles of summer's IT shades: Fame (shimmery beige), Superfreak (gold glitter), Xanadu (Purple Glitter), Miss T (pearly fuchsia), Woodstock (hot pink) and Love Train (iridescent white). Something to note about these lilliputian lacquers is that each brush has 220 strands, just like a standard polish brush - so it delivers the same flawless finish as a bigger bottle. I painted a pedicure using Woodstock a two weeks ago and it's still holding on and looking hot.

Even if you own just about every Urban Decay product that exists - like me - here's a reason you should still add the Rollergirl Eyeshadow Palette to your shopping list: one of the shadow shades, Verve (pale champagne with oyster shimmer), is exclusive to this set. And don't let the name fool you. There's more to this kit than just eyeshadows. You also get a full-sized 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whiskey (dark brown) and a mini Crush Lip Junkie Lipgloss (sheer bright hot pink with a vanilla mint flava).

Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizers are great for this time of year when a face of foundation is just too much. The formula is buildable and breathable for comfortable wear. And it' got SPF 20 to protect your baby face from the summer sun.

I've been wearing Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion for years and while I wouldn't change the formula for anything, the packaging left much to be desired. You could never seem to get all of the product out of the I Dream Of Genie-esque tube, and makeup addicts everywhere were pissed. Some of them even took to YouTube, demonstrating how to saw the shit open to extract every drop. Well, Urban Decay has responded in a BIG way. They've re-packaged the product in a squeezable tube - with 10% more product than before. If you wear eyeshadow, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion is a must. When used as a base, your eyeshadow will not move or crease for 24 hours. I kid you not. And what's more - the pigment of your shadow appears truer and more vibrant...not some washed out version of what you see in the shadow pan. It's available in 4 shades: Original (invisible), Eden (tawny matte finish), Greed (glimmering gold) and Sin (champagne shimmer). If you buy anything in this post, this should be it.

Urban Decay is not kidding when they describe Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara's formula as mermaid worthy. I wear Cannonball during my infant son's weekly swim lessons and it does not budge. Well, not until I remove it with Urban Decay's Meltdown Makeup Remover.

Even though I'm brown, I still like to up the ante in the summertime. What I love about Baked Face and Body Bronzers is that they are the antithesis of the flat, orangey bronzers that I loathe. The three shades deliver a gorgeous sunkissed glow that actually looks like it may have come from, well, the sun. I'm going to Miami in a few days and I couldn't decided which one should come with. In the end, I opted for Gilded (smoldering bronze shimmer). Besides being a gorgeous shade, I also figured that it could pull double duty as an eyeshadow. Genius consideration, right?

Lip Love Honey-Infused Lip Therapy gives lips a sheer/stained effect. The conditioning formula nourishes your pout, sans stickiness. Available in five shades (Stung, a sheer blackberry, is the prettiest IMO), the gloss smells and tastes like honey. Problem is I don't like honey - the smell or the taste of it. But if you don't have honey hangups, these are some gorgeous glosses to add to your collection.

Urban Decay is celebrating 15 years in the beauty biz with the Quinceanera Makeup Bag. This baby is already packed in suitcase for Miami. It's the perfect size for a product packrat like me. Roomy enough so that I can travel with enough stock, but not so cavernous that I'm tempted to fill it up with everything I own. LOVE!

Finally, there's the Urban Bride Kit. Urban Decay says, "If you're looking for something new to give your favorite bride, lavish her with this decadent gift-ready box of travel-sized products designed to keep her looking exquisite all day (and night, wink wink)." But, honestly, you don't need to be a bride-to-be to enjoy this set. I've been a Mrs. for 4 years and I'm crushing on this kit. It contains:
• Razor Sharp Ultra-Definition Finishing Powder to diffuse lines for a flawless airbrushed look.
• Urban Decay’s best-selling original formula Eyeshadow Primer Potion (full-sized) and Supercurl Curling Mascara to keep her eyes looking fresh.
• Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Midnight Cowboy to give bare and lightly colored lips a sensual, come-hither shine or electrify darker lipcolor with more texture.
• All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray to ensure her look stays put for 16 incredible hours.
• Marshmallow Sparkling Lickable Body Powder to keep the party going long after the guests have left.

I was so impressed with All Nighter that I bought Deslick (their other makeup setting spray that also addresses oil overload) yesterday at Sephora.

So there you have it. Which products are going on your wish list?

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base Is Great For Greasy Gals

And the award for Best New Primer for Greasy Gals goes to L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base. I received a sample last month, and it was love at first swipe.

Don't be fooled by its putty-like texture. It applies like a dream, leaving skin so satiny soft that you'll wonder exactly how you lived your life before this product came into existence. The primer easily disguises pores and wrinkles, and imparts a matte finish. So if the summer heat and humidity turns your mug into an oil slick, you'd be a brainy beauty to invest in a jar of this pink magic.

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base is intended to be worn in tandem with your favorite tinted moisturizer or foundation. But if you're having a low-maintenance kind of day, just apply a little to bare skin and it gives you a you-but-better look.

The formula is 100% oil- and fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic - so even the most sensitive skins should tolerate this product.

Just proof, once again, that it doesn't take a million bucks to look like, well, a million bucks. L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base is this Recessionista's Fabuless Pick of the Week.

Urban Decay Spring 2010

Urban Decay is one of my top 5 makeup brands, so I was super stoked to get deets and pics of their Spring 2010 collection in my inbox earlier this week. Here's the skinny:

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in (top to bottom) Binge, Crash, Mildew and Oil Slick were previously only available in Urban Decay's holiday gift sets, but now Urban Decay is introducing these new fame-bound shades to their beloved 24/7 pencil family. Crash is a rich deep eggplant, Oil Slick is black with silver sparkle, Mildew is a dark green based on our best-selling shadow, and Binge is a long-awaited navy. You're probably heard me say it before, but I'll say it again - 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils are the BEST eyeliners on the market. These pencils, with their creamy-on-the-eyes and waterproof formula (so you can apply to the inner rims) are must-have additions to your beauty arsenal. Available at Sephora and urbandecay.com.

Designed for stars of film and flat screens, Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder, this high-tech translucent powder, keeps you camera ready at all times. The micro-fine powder fools the eyes with "optical blurring." Imperfections are seemingly airbrushed away for a soft-focus finish. Skin appears flawless, even under bright, unforgiving light. Tiny water particles float along the skin's surface and actually "burst", creating a microscopic ball bearing effect when the powder is applied. The feel is refreshing, smooth, and light as air.

Apply as a finishing touch after your foundation. Or, wear it along for bare, youthful look. Used under make-up, it transforms foundation into a liquid powder! The sleek gunmetal lid and clear base showcase a unique mess-free system and attached puff. Other brands require swirling, brushes and hassle, whereas this is all-in-one, and even has an "on/off" feature to keep your purse powder-free! Available at Sephora and urbandecay.com.

Stardust Eyeshadow is an eyeshadow that has a prismatic sparkle set against a wash of captivating colors with 40% more glitter than the most sparkly shadows from Urban Decay. The futuristic, squeeze-open case holds over two times the amount of product than other Urban Decay eyeshadows.

Top row: 54 (light purple w/iridescent sparkle), Atmosphere (deep turquoise w/iridescent sparkle), Bobby Dazzle (white w/iridescent sparkle). Middle row: Diamond Dog (brown w/iridescent sparkle), Griffith (green w/iridescent sparkle), Moon Spoon (gray w/iridescent sparkle ). Bottom row: Retrograde (dark purple w/iridescent sparkle), Space Cowboy (beige w/iridescent sparkle), Void (black w/iridescent sparkle).

Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden is an eye prep product that provides smoother, longer-lasting, and absolutely crease-proof eyeshadow. If your shadow likes to move it, move it - you need Urban Decay's Primer Potion...which is now also offered in a very-wearable, tawny, matte hue. Available exclusively at Sephora.

Birthday Cat Eye

I have been told my many a professional that my eyes were made for makeup. Not to sound cocky or anything, but I'm pretty sure that when God formed me in the womb, s/he said to her/himself, "Wow...when this girl grows up, she's gonna rock a fierce cat eye."

So to celebrate my third annual 29th birthday, Mr. Spoiled Pretty and I dined at Tinto, one of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia - and I sported this ferosh feline eye.

Here's the recipe to replicate the look:

Apply Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion to entire eye, lashline up to brow bone.

Using MAC 242 Shader Brush, apply Stila Kitten Smudge Pot on the lid - from lashline to crease.

Using MAC 217 Blending Brush, lightly apply Stila Kitten Eye Shadow to the lid - from lashline to brow bone.

Using MAC 266 Small Angle Brush, line the eye with Stila Black Smudge Pot, flicking at the edge.

Prime lashes with Lancome Oscillation Powerbooster. Before it dries, layer Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara on top.

Finally, dip MAC 210 Precise Eye Liner Brush into Stila Kitten Eye Shadow and apply to inner corner of the eye, in a sideways V.

And here's a bonus - thanks to the products' staying power, your eye makeup will have nine lives. Meow!

Is Primer Worth The Time-r?

College Candy has the lowdown on when it's necessary to inject some prime time into your makeup routine. Check it out.

I've Fallen Hard For Urban Decay's Fall 2009 Collection

Though summer has just begun, fall makeup collections are popping up left and right. Not to be outdone, Urban Decay (one of my all-time favorite brands) just dropped 30+ products like they're hot. And they are. Take one look at the this virtual look book and try not to buy. I dare you. Makeup junkies, just try to keep those purse strings tight and see how that works out for you.

The Urban Decay Fall 2009 Collection includes:

Ink For Eyes Cream Eyeliner: It’s everything you want in a cream eyeliner! More precise than a pencil, more forgiving than a liquid, this super-smooth formula offers more control, play time, and buildable coverage than your average liner. Create razor-sharp lines or smoky bedroom eyes… the creamy formula and double-ended applicator make it easy. Try the angled liner brush for precise details, or use the smudger for blending and drama. Available in Binge (midnight blue), Demolition (brown), Empire (eggplant), Loaded (deep green), Pyrotechnics (iridescent glitter, clear base), and Zero (black).

Complexion Primer Potion - Pore Perfecting: Smooth on a little Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion before foundation (or alone!) to totally minimize the look of pores and fine lines. The velvety, paraben-free formula flashes down to a soft-matte finish, without the greasy, heavy feel sometimes associated with foundation primers. The result? Flawless skin with an airbrushed look and feel. Foundation applies smoothly, evenly, and won’t fade away. Ideal for oilier skin, but dry complexions who want pore perfection will love it, too.

Complexion Primer Potion - Brightening: Dull skin? Fine lines? Disappearing foundation? Try Brightening Complexion Primer Potion under foundation (or alone!) for beautifully moisturized skin that looks brighter and feels tighter. This lightweight, oil-free, paraben-free formula includes buzz-worthy ingredient Matrixyl 3000, celebrated for its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres also minimize the look of fine lines while leaving skin beautifully moisturized. Your skin will look youthful, lifted and firm, and your foundation will apply smoothly, evenly, and last longer!

Eyelash Primer Potion: Wave this magic wand before your favorite mascara for lashes that appear thicker, longer and stronger…right before your very eyes. Tiny fibers band together, cling to every lash, and construct towers of Babel… reaching for heavenly lashes. Just apply Eyelash Primer Potion, then apply your favorite mascara as usual. Your lashes will look fake, but the magic is real.

Lip Primer Potion: This invisible primer lays a silky foundation for your favorite lipstick or gloss. Color is truer, applies smoother, lasts longer, and will not fade or feather. The easy-glide formula feels velvety-soft, without the drying feeling often associated with long-lasting lip color. The formula includes SPF 15 (yay!) and moisturizing Vitamins A, C and E for a primer that protects and perfects.

Deluxe Eyeshadow: Created with maximum staying power, Deluxe Eyeshadows offer incredibly long-lasting wear that won’t fade (especially when paired with Urban Decay's miraculous Eyeshadow Primer Potion). Available in three new shades: Freakshow (deep purple w/red sheen), Frigid (deep purple w/blue sheen) and Ruthless (pale sandy taupe shimmer).

Lipsticks: The luxuriously creamy formula nourishes and protects lips with Vitamins A, C, and E. Hyaluronic Spheres are added to stimulate cellular function, prevent dehydration, and fill-in lines and wrinkles—now, how many Lipsticks can do that?! The teardrop-shape bullet (etched with an Urban Decay logo) is infused with a decadent crème caramel scent and flavor. Yum. Available in three new shades: Confession (deep, semi-sheer burgundy), Naked (creamy pink-nude) and Oil Slick (glossy black w/silver microsparkle).

24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils: Just like Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, these Lip Pencils are guaranteed to last, and also contain Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, and Cottonseed Oil to nourish the skin and improve the smoothness of application. They're the perfect complement to Urban Decay Lipsticks, Stains, and Glosses. Available in two new shades: Paranoid (dark pinky nude) and Wallflower (medium nude).

Surreal Skin Cream-to-Powder Foundation: This ultra-lightweight formula transforms from a decadent cream to a micro-fine powder upon contact with skin. The light-as-air texture glides on effortlessly and feels as natural as your own skin. (No heavy, greasy, or powdery makeup texture.) Lighter than liquid, the buildable formula gives you all the coverage you desire, without the pore-clogging effects of heavier foundations – you can even wear it as a concealer. Available in eight shades.

Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup: Use a little for sheer coverage or keep puffing for heavier coverage. Titanium dioxide, a major ingredient, provides formulation color and great coverage. The handy on/off switch means you can toss it in your purse – no spills. Available in four new shades.

I'm lusting after this entire collection, and I think the feelings are mutual because every single product is calling my name...especially, the Ink For Eyes Cream Eyeliner. Which ones have you at hola?

Free Sample of Urban Decay's New Complexion Primer Potion

Love Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion? I mean, how could you not? Anyway...if you do, you'll surely want to check out their new foundation primer.

Complexion Primer Potion - Pore Perfecting minimizes the look of pores and fine lines to deliver a soft-matte, airbrushed complexion without the heavy, greasy feel associated with most face primers.

Sephora Beauty Insiders can snag a free sample at Sephora.com. Just enter URBANLAB at checkout. Not a Beauty Insider? Click here to join.

The British Are Coming: Rimmel London Giveaway!

Rimmel London may be celebrating its 10th anniversary in the US, but one of you will win an absolutely fabulous anniversary present.

This week, enter to win a prize package worth $150, filled with some of Rimmel London’s best products for summer - including two new must-have mascaras that have yet to hit shelves!!!

One lucky reader will receive:

Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara (will be on shelves in July)
Glam'Eyes Lash Flirt Mascara (will be on shelves in July)
Lash Maxxx Waterproof Mascara
Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Jet Black and Deep Ocean
Colour Rush Eyeshadow Quad in Chocolatine and Bronzed
Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer
Stay Matte Clarifying Matte Foundation
Natural Bronzer in Sundance
Mono Blush in Peach
1000 Kisses Lip Liner in Natural and Indian Kiss
Lasting Finish Kiss & Stay Gloss in English Rose and Lustrous Nude
Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Pink Champagne, Alarm and Crush
60 Seconds Nail Polish in Camouflage, Shocker and Pulsating

To enter the giveaway, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "Rimmel London Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, June 28th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, June 29th, 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. residents.

Good luck!

In What Order Do You Apply Your Eye Makeup?

I always apply my mascara before any other eye makeup, because I inevitably end up getting mascara all over my eyelid (no matter how careful I am).

I clean up the mess with a moistened Q-tip...then apply primer, eyeshadow and liner - in that order.

In what order do you apply your eye makeup?

Summer Beauty Staples on the NBC 10! Show

Watch my latest NBC 10! Show appearance to hear about my favorite summer beauty staples!

Every member of the studio audience went home with a few product samples. But before you get all "where can I get me a 10! show ticket?" - just relax. How could you think I would forget about my online amigas?

If you don't know me by now, you will never never never know me...

This week, I'm gifting one of you with a plethora of products that will help you beat the heat and keep you looking hot all summer long!

Clinique Sun with SolarSmart is a new line of sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The formula is non-greasy, oil-free, water and sweat resistant, yet appropriate for sensitive skin. The range includes: SPF 30 Face Cream, SPF 50 Face Cream, SPF 30 Body Cream, SPF 50 Body Cream, SPF 15 Face/Body Cream, SPF 25 Body Spray, SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick, and Rescue Balm with Aloe.

ModelCo Body Meringue Bronze Glow is an instant bronze shimmer and gradual self-tanner, in a mousse formula. This weightless foam firms the skin while offering a light buildable, natural tan. After smoothing the foam on, a light instant bronze appears so you can see exactly where you've applied. And over the next few hours, your tan gradually deepens. The best thing about Body Meringue, IMO, is it's skin firming properties; it contains an ingredient that helps minimize the appearance of cellulite. Can you even? And if you want to kick your tan up a notch, mist on ModelCo’s Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser over tanned skin for a sparkly effect. My little secret tip is to spray it in your hair, which looks beyond amazing on all hair colors!

If the Philadelphia heat and humidity turn your face into an oil slick, I feel you. I get shiny too, and it’s very embarrassing and it’s a high-maintenance situation. Philosophy’s Never Let Them See You Shine line of skincare products are specifically designed to control oil. The Cleanser deep cleans pores and the Scrub gently exfoliates. The Primer creates a matte finish, and can be applied on bare skin or mixed with foundation.

Secret Clinical Waterproof Antiperspirant and Deodorant offers all-day protection through heat and humidity, or after being in the water. So it’s ideal in the city, at the pool, or at the shore. The formula is skin soothing, and Secret Clinical Waterproof is designed with two-click applicator to ensure that the right amount of product is delivered to the underarm area with each use.

In the summertime, you want to choose a lighter fragrance because heavier winter scents can become cloying in the warmer months. I’ve found the perfect summer scent: Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum by Fresh. Inspired by France’s Champagne region, the fragrance has crisp, lemony top notes, a heart of pinot noir and an earthy base. Citron de Vigne is unisex, so buy a bottle and your entire household can share!

This prize is worth over $360!

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "Summer Beauty Staples Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Monday, June 1st. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Tuesday, June 2nd, 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. and Canadian residents.

Good luck!

Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion Has A New Wand!

Urban Decay listens to their customers - which is why they recently debuted a new wand for their Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

Many customers complained that the old applicator couldn't reach all of the goodness inside, and much of the primer went to waste. Some women took their frustrations out on the bottle itself, sawing it in half to get their money's worth.

As you can see, Urban Decay tweaked the applicator - creating a little bend at the end which will (hopefully) make it easier to coax the genie out of the bottle.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion is sold at Sephora and urbandecay.com.

Coming Soon From MAC: Well-Defined Collection

Well-Defined brings to life over two years of work backstage in the lab to perfect our newest foundation and concealer. Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation is a rich, luxurious Cream Foundation in tube. This lush uniquely textured foundation delivers ultimate hydration while instantly revitalizing dull and dry skin. Smooth and even application yields a medium buildable coverage with a natural-satin finish. It’s paired with Studio Sculpt Concealer, which provides full-coverage that never becomes dry and cakey with a gel-based cream formula slips onto skin, effortlessly hiding imperfections.

"Studio Sculpt Foundation has fused new advancements in technology with innovative plant-based extracts to create a lush, luxurious new cream-gel foundation that delivers comfortable, weightless and flawless coverage," says Nick Gavrelis, MAC's Vice President of Global Product Development. "Makeup artists and women customers alike can easily achieve blendable medium coverage, with a luminous, satiny finish."

Gordon Espinet, MAC's Vice President of Global Makeup Artistry shares this application tip for the non-professional user: "Begin with a pea size amount on the back of your hand, and use any foundation brush to apply onto hydrated skin. Mix in a bit of your favorite moisturizer (try Strobe Cream or Strobe Liquid), which will create a sheer, luminous finish that makes skin appear to be candlelit. Use any MAC concealer over areas that need additional coverage."


STUDIO SCULPT SPF 15 FOUNDATION
NC 15, NC 20, NC 25, NC 30, NC 35, NC 37, NC 40, NC 42, NC 44, NC 45,NC 50, NC 55, NW15, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW43,NW45, NW47, NW50, NW55
Suggested Retail Price: $28.00


STUDIO SCULPT CONCEALER
NC 15, NC 20, NC 30, NC 35, NC 42, NC 45, NC 50, NW15, NW20, 25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW45, NW50
Suggested Retail Price: $16.50

191 FOUNDATION BRUSH
Large, flat, square shaped synthetic-fibre brush with a fine, firm edge for distribution and blending of liquid, emulsion or cream products on the face or body.
Suggested Retail Price: $32.00

195 CONCEALER BRUSH

Flexible, synthetic flat brush with slight pointed tip for application and blending of all concealer formulas and other emollient products.
Suggested Retail Price: $22.00


PREP + PRIME SKIN
Suggested Retail Price: $23.00

Available February 7, 2009 at all MAC locations and at maccosmetics.com.

Kim Kardashian's Tips For Making Makeup Last

On her blog, Kim Kardashian shares a few tips on making your makeup last and keeping it looking fresh all day:

It's definitely hard to keep up your makeup all day. I touch up throughout the day. Using a primer always helps keep the foundation fresh. I use Smashbox primer.

I keep a translucent powder with me in my purse and put it on with a blush brush to get rid of the foundation getting oily.

In order to keep your eyeshadow on all day, apply a MAC paint to the lid then apply shadow on top!

The key to fresh makeup is just bringing the essentials with you to touch up throughout the day!

For more of Kim Kardashian's beauty and makeup tips, click here.

Source

Kim Kardashian's Favorite Makeup Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish

Kim Kardashian is forever mugging for the camera. So homegirl should know a thing or two about foundation primers. She blogs:

"I love this Smashbox foundation primer called Photo Finish. Some make up artists
don't believe in primers. They think your natural oils should shine through. However, when I do my make up myself, I find it really helpful and it makes the foundation glide on really easily and flawlessly."

For more of Kim Kardashian's beauty and makeup tips, click here!

Source

Award Winning FOTD

Last night, I attended the PRSA/Philadelphia Pepperpot Awards - a celebration of outstanding performance in public relations by practitioners in agencies, industry, government, and non-profit organizations. The American Cancer Society’s Marketing Department (of which I am a member) was nominated for our efforts to pass Clean Indoor Air (smoke-free) legislation in Pennsylvania.

The Pepperpot Award has grown into one of the most coveted awards in the field of public relations, so I pulled out the big guns and went all out with my makeup. It’s a good thing I did, because my team ended up winning first place in the Public Affairs category! Yay us!

And the icing on the cake? Charm City Cakes, the bakery featured in the Food Network series, Ace of Cakes, created a magnificent confection that looked just like an actual pepperpot!

Here are the products I used to create my award-winning look:

Skin/Face:

L’Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil Free Lotion
Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 173

Cheeks:
* MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Sweetness

Eyes:


* Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
* Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
* MAC Fascinating Ruby: 6 Smokey Eyes (from Passions of Red holiday collection)...I used Ambience, a cool mid-tone grey with silver sparkle.
* Exceptionnel de Chanel Intense Volume and Curl Mascara

Lips:
Besame Enriched Lip Glaze in Crystal

Fierce, Fabulous and Flawless With Help From Cargo Cosmetics

Last week, Mr. Spoiled Pretty abandoned his loving wife in favor of a camping/fly-fishing excursion to Idaho. Now you know I wasn’t about to go hiking up mountains and trek through the wilderness to chill with rattlesnakes, horse flies and mosquitoes. So I stayed my ass at home and caught up on some reading, writing, and arithmetic (I took inventory of my makeup stockpile, and I’m slightly embarrassed by my excessive collection of lipglosses).

By the time the weekend came around, I had developed such a case of cabin fever that it didn’t take long for my BFF, Kristen, to lure your resident recluse out of the house. After some indecision, we opted to meet at a low-key bar and catch up over cheap, domestic beer. It’s been crazy hot in Philly lately, so I didn’t put too much thought or effort into my outfit, hair, or makeup; I threw on some jeans, quickly flat ironed my hair, and swiped on some Cargo blu_ray™ High Definition Mattifier before finishing my face off with mascara and gloss.

Around midnight, after drinking probably a little too much (pitchers are dangerous cuz I can never keep count), I took a bathroom break. I perched my handbag on the sink, rummaged for my blotting papers, and prepared to sop up the grease. But when I looked in the mirror, I was absolutely astonished. My face was flawless (well, flawless as in shine-free…not flawless as in resembling Liya Kebede).

And my face remained that way until I washed it off before bed. In fact, the only oil-related incident that night was a basket of greasy fries that Kristen and I couldn’t resist ordering just before last call.

Cargo blu_ray™ High Definition Mattifier is available at cargocosmetics.com and Sephora.