LaLicious Sugar Kiss Moisturizing Body Scrub Giveaway!

LovingEco is a new members-only shopping site that offers unsurpassed and innovative eco-friendly products at exclusive price points (up to 70% off retail), without compromising style. By working closely with the top brands, they bring you amazing discounts through private sales. LovingEco recognizes that people will continue to consume, but as we change our purchases to products that are better for the environment, healthier for our bodies and committed to doing good, we together will help change the world.

For each purchase, LovingEco donates 3% of its net proceeds to a social or environmental cause. For founders Justine Lassoff and Melinda Moor, an important goal in founding the site was to give back and to create a sustainable way to raise critical funds for non-profit organizations that are fostering important change for our community and our world.

Not only does LovingEco believe in giving back, they also believe in giving away. This week, they’re giving away LaLicious Sugar Kiss Souffle Moisturizing Body Scrub! This highly moisturizing, all-natural body exfoliator combines notes of Vanilla, Citrus and Rose. Before you get out of the shower, scrub all over your body and rinse with warm water. Skin is left soft, smooth and moisturized.

To enter, follow me on Twitter (I'm @spoiledpretty), then tweet this message:

Follow @spoiledpretty and @loving_eco & RT to win a LaLicious Sugar Kiss Moisturizing Body Scrub! http://bit.ly/kdqnaC #giveaway #contest

The deadline is Friday, June 24 at 5pm ET. I'll choose FIVE winners - and will DM them to contact me with their mailing address. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

Closest Shave Ever

Pregnancy hormones have sent my hair follicles into overdrive. It's gotten to the point where I've got a 5 o'clock shadow on my legs at, like, 2pm. And thanks to the ungodly heat and humidity in Philly right now, hiding my grizzly gams under long pants isn't exactly appealing...especially considering that I'm having one long hot flash right now.

So I recently got reacquainted with my favorite scrub - KP Duty by DERMAdoctor - and it gave me the closest shave ever. Yeah, using it adds an extra few minutes to your shower routine. But it exfoliates so well that it allows your razor to cut super close so that you can go longer between shaves - which is great for me because:

a) no one actually enjoys shaving and

b) in my current condition, the act of shaving my legs is like pregnant Cirque du Soleil.

Oh, and you won't be able to stop petting your legs because they'll be ridiculously smooth. I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating. KP Duty Body Scrub runs circles around that scrub you've got sitting on the edge of your tub.

H&M To Launch Bath & Body Line!

H&M, the international fashion retailer known for offering fashion-forward apparel and quality basics, just announced its first ever range of skincare with certified organic ingredients.

Debuting in stores at the beginning of March, the range of everyday essentials includes shower gel, body scrub, body lotion, hand cream and lip balm, all of which are based on natural and organic ingredients and are certified by Ecocert (Europe's biggest certification body for organic and natural cosmetics). The products are available in the fragrance combinations of raspberry and melon or lavender and mint, and are accompanied by make-up and toiletry bags made from organic cotton.

"It felt like a natural step, since we've worked with organic cotton garments for a few seasons now. There's also a strong demand from our customers for organics, and I hope they will be as excited as I am about the new products," says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M's head of design.

Shower gel contains the juice of organic apples, while organic apple juice and apricot seeds are key ingredients in the body scrub. Organic apple juice and oils from sunflower seeds make up an essential part of the body lotion, while the hand cream has organic apple juice and oils from organic almond seeds. The lip balm has the key organic ingredients of jojoba and beeswax, and all of the products are scented with natural perfumes derived from essential oils, sold in recyclable packaging.

Prices range from $4.95 to $7.95:

Shower Gel $4.95

Body Lotion $4.95

Body Scrub $4.95

Hand Cream $4.95

Lip Balm $4.95

Toiletry Bag $7.95

Makeup Bag $4.95

DERMAdoctor Giveaway Winner Writes Back!

Suri, winner of the DERMAdoctor giveaway, just wrote back to rave about the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub she won as a prize:

Hey Daneen. It's Suri, the winner of the DERMAdoctor. Just wanted to let you know I received it and tried it last night on my upper arms where I have KP. Amazing! My skin was sooo soft and the texture already started feeling smoother. I'm so happy I got a chance to try this. Thanks!!

Stay tuned for the next Spoiled Pretty giveaway. The next contest is just around the corner.

Once You Go MAC Style Black, You Never Go Back

Haven't you heard? Black is the new black.

For the past six months, I was anxiously counting down the days until September 24th. Not because it was my birthday, but because I had insider information that MAC was re-releasing its Volcanic Ash Exfoliator as part of the Style Black Collection. If you're a Spoiled Pretty regular, you've probably heard me mention it once or twice...or, possibly, a million times. That's how much I adore this scrub.

I’ve tested an excessive amount of exfoliants, so it takes a serious scrub to even get my attention...and the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator is, hands down, the best EVER. Yes, I said ever - as in since primordial soup 'til today.

Originally released as part of MAC's Future Earth collection last summer, it became a cult classic. Those who missed out were singing the shoulda woulda coulda's. And those who got a taste were wishing they could jump in a DeLorean, rev up the Flux Capacitor and go back to June 2008 and snag a lifetime supply. I fell into the second category, rationing my Volcanic Ash Exfoliator like it was a bag of beans on a season of Survivor.

Now that MAC has answered my prayers (and even packaged it in a convenient tube), I've stocked up and I suggest you do the same. It's already sold out on maccosmetics.com, so I suggest you do your best Sherlock Holmes impression and sleuth that sh*t out (hint: Macys.com and Nordstrom.com still have it in stock).

And don't just buy one lonely tube. Ah, naw. by the time you buy one, try it, and realize you can't live without it, exfoliating fools will have wiped out the supply. So just trust me on this one, act like you're at Costco, and buy in bulk.

The Style Black collection also includes these other gems:

Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask, $19.50
Formulated with volcanic ash and natural oils, this ash-black facial mask simultaneously deep-cleanses and treats the skin. When water is added, the mask heats up and the oils instantly lubricate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and clean. Helps keep skin moist, clean, soft and evenly textured.

Mineralize Eye Shadow, $19.50
Cinderfella: Mineralize black with silver pearl (frost)
Gilt By Association: Mineralize black with gold bronze pearl (frost)
Blue Flame: Mineralize black with blue pearl (frost)
Young Punk: Mineralize black with pinkish purple pearl (frost)

Cream Colour Base, $16.50
Black: Creamy true black
Bat Black: Blackened burgundy with pink pearl

Penultimate Eye Liner, $16.50
Rapidblack: True black

Greasepaint Stick, $17.50
Intense black

Eye Kohl, $14.50
Smolder: Intense black

Cremesheen Lipstick, $14
Black Knight: Creamy true black

Mattene Lipstick, $14.50
Night Violet: Deep purple grape
Midnight Media: Dense matte black

Glimmerglass Lip Gloss, $18
Bling Black: Sheer black with gold pearl (as seen at NYFW Fall 2009)
Blackfire: Sheer black with pinkish purple pearl
Blackware: Creamy true black

Nail Lacquer, $12
Seriously Hip: Black with gold particle pearl
Baby Goth Girl: Black with pinkish purple pearl
Nocturnelle: Black as night black

214 Short Shader Brush, $23


The Style Black collection is now available at MAC counters, stores and maccosmetics.com.

Winners of the DERMAdoctor Giveaway

Congrats to Suriyati Barnes and Faith Perfecto, winners of the DERMAdoctor giveaway. These ladies have won the best body scrub ever, DERMAdoctor's KP Duty Body Scrub. This amazing exfoliator acts as a chemical peel and microdermabrasion session in one - leaving skin resurfaced, retexturized, soft, smooth and radiant. I am 100% confident that Suriyati and Faith will love it as much as I do!

Many thanks to DERMAdoctor for spoiling these readers pretty. Stay tuned for your next chance to win. The contest I have cooked up for later this week is hot like fiya!

Until then...

DERMAdoctor Giveaway

Remember the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub I told you I can't live without? Well, I don't want you to exist without it either. Which is why I am partnering with DERMAdoctor for a giveaway! We're hooking up two lucky winners with the BEST SCRUB EVA!

Up for grabs are two 16 oz tubs of this amazing body exfoliator. It acts as a chemical peel and microdermabrasion session in one - leaving skin resurfaced, retexturized, soft, smooth and radiant.

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 "DERMAdoctor Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, August 30th. Two winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, August 31st, 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. residents.

Good luck!

Best Body Scrub Since Ever!

There really aren't enough superlatives in the English language to adequately describe how I feel about DERMAdoctor's KP Duty Body Scrub. It has got to be the best body scrub ever...and I dare someone to prove me wrong. After using it, my skin rivaled my pal Julia's; which, if you met her, would convince you to go out an buy KP Duty this very second.

KP Duty is a dual-action chemical and physical exfoliator that blends the best of a chemical peel and microdermabrasion into a single, easy-to-use treatment. Dermatologist-recommended chemical exfoliants dissolve the glue that cements epidermal cells together, while non-abrasive synthetic beads lift away dead skin cells without inflicting trauma to the epidermis. So, in layman's terms,this product runs circles around that scrub you've got sitting on the edge of your tub.

To use, apply a small amount of the scrub to dry skin and gently massage it in with your fingertips. Rinse, pat dry, and marvel at the smoothness. You won't believe that the skin you're touching actually belongs to you.

I'm an exfoliating fool, so when I say KP Duty is the best I've ever tried and you NEED to try it too, you know this is sage advice. I really can't say enough wonderful things about this scrub. It's one of those rare beauty products that comes along once in a blue moon and blows you away. Use it on arms to reveal skin you never knew was underneath there. Use it on legs for the closest shave you've ever had. Use it all over to remind your man why he got with you in the first place.

Quite simply, it's life changing.

DERMAdoctor KP Duty is available at Sephora and dermadoctor.com.

*This product is not intended for use on the face or for those with sensitive skin. But it works wonders for those of you who suffer from dry skin and/or keratosis pilaris (a common skin disorder typified by "chicken skin" or bumpiness on the surface of the skin).

MAC Paints It Black For My Birthday

I don't usually enjoy knowing what I'm getting for my birthday. But I think I'll be able to find it in my heart to forgive MAC for opening its lipglass lacquered trap a few months early.

Turns out that the highly-anticipated Style Black collection will be released on my birthday. What makes this such a treat is that the collection will resurrect my favorite scrub of all time...like a phoenix rising from the ashes!

Since last spring's limited edition Future Earth collection, I've been rationing my Volcanic Ash Exfoliator like it was a bag of beans on a season of Survivor. With no idea that MAC had intentions of bringing this beauty gem back from the dead, I've been reserving this primorial soup-esque scrub for special occasions. But now that I know I can stock up come September (you've never seen hoarding like the kind I'm gonna do this fall), I'm gonna indulge in a little Volcanic Ash scrub-a-dub on a weekly basis.

Mark your calendars for September 24th, when these babies hit real and virtual shelves. Take it from me...you definitely don't wanna play the 'shoulda woulda coulda' game with this holy grail scrub.

The Style Black collection also includes:

Lipstick ($14)
Black Knight: Creamy true black (Cremesheen)

Mattene ($14.50)
Midnight Media: Dense matte black
Night Violet: Deep purple grape

Glimmerglass ($18)
Bling Black: Sheer black with gold pearl
Blackfire: Sheer black with pink purple pearl
Blackware: Creamy true black

Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19)
Cinderfella: Black with silver pearl
Young Punk: Black with pink purple pearl
Gilt by Association: Black with gold bronze pearl
Blue Flame: Black with blue pearl

Grease Paintstick ($17.50)
Black: Intense black

Penultimate Liner ($16.50)
Rapidblack: True black

Eye Kohl ($14.50)
Smolder: Intense black

Cream Colour Base ($16.50)
Black: Creamy true black
Bat Black: Burgundy black with pink pearl

Nail Lacquer ($11)
Nocturnelle: True black (cream)
Seriously Hip: Black with gold particle pearl (frost)
Baby Goth Girl: Black with pink and purple pearl (frost)

#214 Short Shader Brush ($23)
Short, rounded, double-chiseled brush with soft, natural bristles. Can be used with shadow to line and smudge around the lash line and very effective for densely shading lids.

Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask ($19.50)
Heats when mixed with water to remove impurities from skin.

Remember my sneak peek of Bling Black Glimmerglass at Donna Karan, Fall 2009?

Bumpy Ride: A Long Journey To Rid My Legs Of Hair Bumps

Since I hit puberty, I've been cursed with hair bumps on my legs. Because the hair on my legs is coarse and grows in a curly pattern, sometimes as the hair grows out, it curls back under the skin into the same follicle. And because the hair is trapped under the skin, even after I shave, I still have many unsightly ingrown hairs.

The condition isn't physically painful, like razor bumps; but it is emotionally painful, as I've spent many years hiding this condition beneath long skirts and pants - even during the dog days of summer.

For half of my life, I've had a serious case of leg envy. Every time I see a woman with silky smooth gams, I selfishly hope that she silently suffers from stretch marks, bacne or some other embarrassing ailment that isn't apparently obvious. It just isn't fair!

I've tried a million and one products and techniques to solve the problem...and while I've yet to discover a panacea, I have found a temporary solution.

To keep hair bumps to a minimum, here are my shaving suggestions:

1) Don't start shaving as soon as you get into the shower/bath; allow the steam and warm water to soften the skin and hair.

2) Next, exfoliate (like all get out) with a scrub that won't irritate skin. Right now, I'm enamored with LaLicious Coconut Cream Sugar Soufflé Scrub, an all-natural sugar scrub made with coconut oil that absorbs quickly and easily into skin, leaving it moisturized and protected without feeling greasy. Pure cane sugar crystals buff away dead skin cells while sweet almond and vitamin-e oils condition, moisturize, and smooth you to perfection. And it smells amazing; if heaven has a tropical all-inclusive resort, this is probably what it smells like. By exfoliating, you will release the ingrown hairs that are trapped beneath the skin.

3) Slather your legs with an ultra-hydrating shave cream; I'm a fan of eos Shave Cream, which is so moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry (though I recommend wet). Then shave with a new or relatively new razor; the sharper, the better. Gillette's Venus Embrace razor takes shaving to a whole new level of smoothness with 5 blades that deliver a dramatically close shave.

4) Finally, when you emerge from the bath/shower, don't towel off completely. While your legs are still a smidge wet, slather on lotion or body butter. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion is an excellent choice because it heals, softens, and tones - plus an 8.5 oz bottle costs less than $5!

Even if you don't have issues with ingrown hairs (I hate you...just kidding...okay, not really), you can benefit from my bumpy journey to smooth stems. The above routine is highly recommended for achieving your closest shave ever.

Soap & Glory Spa Sugar Crush Body Scrub

My friends at College Candy just tipped me off to a product I'll find a way to justify blowing some of my rent money on - Soap & Glory Spa Sugar Crush Body Scrub.

Out of all the scrubs we’ve tried, this one definitely takes the cake. It smells absolutely divine — so sweet, yet somehow not cloying. And our skin is left feeling so silky smooth without even a hint of dryness or ashy-ness. What could be better?

Check out the other beauty must-haves they've become completely enamored with in recent weeks.

My Favorite Skin Care Products EVER: Amala

It's really difficult to admit this, but I used to be very dismissive of natural and organic beauty products - particularly skin care. I used to believe that I needed to patronize products with harsh chemicals to get my problem skin to act like it had some sense. In fact, I would often joke that I didn't care what damage a product did to my insides, as long as my outsides were looking good.

But I've done a complete 180 since discovering Amala, a luxurious collection of skin care and body care products with 100% natural formulas.

Earlier this month, I began testing Amala's new Purify line - for Earth Day editorial consideration. Purify is a collection of products formulated for oily and acnegenic skin types. The products help control excess oil and shine, clear clogged pores, and prevent and heal blemishes and blackheads with treatments inspired by the healing plants and flowers of Eastern Asia.

So for three weeks, I've been religiously using the Purifying Gel Cleanser, Purifying Face Polish, Purifying Toner, and Purifying Moisturizer. And I have to say that besides feeling like I'm indulging in an extravagant spa treatment every time I use these citrus-scented products, my skin hasn't looked this good in years.

My acne is now very mild, if not practically nonexistent. And my skin is so radiant that many of my friends have remarked about the drastic improvement in my complexion.

While Amala's Purify price tag isn't exactly recessionista-friendly (products range from $30 to $136), these products are, in my expert opinion, an absolute steal for the results you'll see.

I am so enamored with the Purify line that I want to tell every person I meet about this brand. I would gladly be the company's spokesperson and do commercials - because I feel so strongly about how the treatments have transformed my skin. Hell, I'd do it for free...in exchange for a lifetime supply of this stuff.

Amala is available at Barneys New York and amalabeauty.com.

Mr. Spoiled Pretty's Review of Clinique Face Scrub For Men

A few weeks ago, Mr. Spoiled Pretty told me he was in the market for a new face scrub. So I told him that I’d do some research and get him anew scrub to try, with one small condition…he had to pinky swear that he would provide a product review for Spoiled Pretty. But after a few feeble attempts to get him to write a formal review - to which he gave me one word answers or sentence fragments - I just sat him down for an interview.

So without further ado, here is a Q&A with Mr. Spoiled Pretty about his experience with Clinique Skin Supplies For Men Face Scrub.

DB: How do you use Clinique’s face scrub?
MSP: You put it on your face.

DB: No, I mean do you use it in the shower or at the sink?
MSP: In the shower. I don’t do anything at the sink except brush my teeth, wash my hands, or shave.

DB: Okay. So how do you apply it?
MSP: You smear it on your face and rub it in?

DB: You mean, like, massage it into your skin in a circular motion?
MSP: Yeah.

DB: Okay, so what does it feel like?
MSP: Like 160 grit sand paper, which is a good thing. I feels really, really good. It scraped off my face and made me feel like a new man.

DB: How would you compare it to other face scrubs that you’ve used in the past?
MSP: I used to use the Nivea face scrub and that was pretty good. But it’s not as high-quality as the Clinique face scrub. With the Clinique stuff you can tell that it’s actually doing something to your face.

DB: Is that it?
MSP: The only thing bad about it is that you can’t use it every day because it would hurt too much. It might scrape your face clean off.

DB: But you’re not supposed to use it every day, Graham. With a serious face scrub like that, you should probably only use it a couple of times a week, max.
MSP: Says who?

DB: Says me. I’m a beauty expert, remember?

Clinique Skin Supplies For Men Face Scrub is available at Macy's, Nordstrom, Sephora, Clinique counters and clinique.com.

Nudists: Get To Sephora For Your Skin Fix

NUDE Skincare is now available at Sephora!

NUDE is an eco-friendly skincare line that utilizes bio-technology to deliver clinically-proven anti-aging results. Created with biocompatible ingredients that can be effectively utilized by the skin and safely metabolized by the body, NUDE's range of skincare works to reduce premature aging, inflammation, and dehydration the same way organic and nutritious foods heal and nourish your body from the inside out. The packaging is made from 100% recyclable materials and the company is committed to sourcing fair trade or community-traded ingredients.

As an exfoliation enthusiast, I'm really excited to try their Facial Scrub...and I'm beyond anxious to test the Facial Cleansing Oil, a world-famous cleansing oil famed for effectively balancing both dry and oily skin.

Purchase products now at sephora.com. Or head on over to your local Sephora store - but call ahead to make sure the skincare line is on shelves.

One Step Manicure/Pedicure Winners!!!

Good day, everyone. I hope that all of you had a wonderful weekend!

It’s Monday, and you know what that means…time to announce the winners of Spoiled Pretty’s latest giveaway. I received scores of emails, begging me to have mercy on your haggard hands and feet. I feel for you…I really do. So without further delay, the twelve lucky winners of the One Step Manicure & Pedicure giveaway are:

Becky Brown
Brandi Chandler
Traci Goldstein
Christopher Harner
Nicole Hebert
Jaime Herby
Karen Hurst
John Lee
Kaitlin Martin
Jennifer Russell
Jennifer Vong
Melissa Walters

They have won a 16 oz jar of One Step Manicure & Pedicure in Sugar Cookie, plus a Four-Piece Gift Collection (includes 4 oz jar of One-Step Lemon Manicure, .30 oz Beeswax Moisturizer Cuticle Stick, 2.5oz Surgeon's Skin Secret Moisturizing Stick, and 8 oz tube of 25% Beeswax Cream).

Big thanks to Surgeon’s Skin Secret for sponsoring this contest. And I appreciate all of you for participating. Please stop by later, when I will reveal the deets on the next fantabulous giveaway!

Ashes, Ashes, We All Get Smooth: MAC Future Earth

When I popped by my parents’ house today, I was warmly greeted by their housekeeper, Ruth, whom I haven’t seen in a while. “Marriage certainly agrees with you. You’re positively glowing,” she said.

Marriage to Mr. Spoiled Pretty is bliss...but I have to admit that MAC, not my man, is most likely responsible for my radiant skin.

MAC’s Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, from the Future Earth collection is made of natural volcanic ash and sugar crystals. When I twisted the cap off of the jar, the oily, mineral-rich scrub kinda reminded me of Primordial soup.

It doesn’t look like something you’d want to smear all over your face, but with its promises of softer, smoother, clearer and less-oily skin, I did just that. Not too cute, I know…but wait until you see your skin after you wash it off. Mwah!

The Prep + Prime Microfine Lip Refinisher is another product from the Future Earth collection that does double duty. This dual-sided lip stick exfoliates to scrub away scaly skin, and conditions lackluster lips. Pucker up!

One Step Manicure & Pedicure Giveaway!

Don’t you love how soft and smooth your feet feel after a day of walking on a wet, sandy beach? Well, if you’ve got 60 seconds to spare, you can recreate that beach-beauty feeling with Surgeon’s Skin Secret’s One Step Manicure & Pedicure Spa Treatments.


Using a unique combination of sea salts, beeswax, shea butter and botanical oils, One Step Manicure & Pedicure has a two-in-one formula that gently exfoliates and smoothes even the driest skin and cuticles – in less than 60 seconds.

Ideal for use on hands and feet, it’s available in three yummy scents (Lemon, Vanilla, and Sugar Cookie). I’ve recently discovered a new use for One Step Manicure & Pedicure. Rub it all over legs before shaving. Your stems will be so silky smooth, you almost won’t recognize them…and the product is so hydrating, you may be able to get away without lotion, post-shave.

It’s Monday evening, and you know what that means…time for a giveaway! This week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Surgeon’s Skin Secret for a sweet giveaway. Twelve readers will win:

One 16 oz jar of One Step Manicure & Pedicure in Sugar Cookie

plus

Four-Piece Gift Collection (in lemon): includes 4 oz jar of One-Step Lemon Manicure, .30 oz Beeswax Moisturizer Cuticle Stick, 2.5oz Surgeon's Skin Secret Moisturizing Stick, and 8 oz tube of 25% Beeswax Cream.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Mani/Pedi Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, June 15th. Winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, June 16th, 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!

MAC Future Earth

Earth-shatteringly lava-licious: the explosively earthy power of volcanic ash brought into one dynamic new all-black elements, Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. Formulated from volcanic ashes, this is the real thing – straight from world-famous island of Vanuatu. Naturally harvested from the ash of live volcanoes, this formula is mineral- and sulphur-rich. For absolutely deeply-cleansed, natural radiance, use one to three times a week. To bring your lips up to par: new Prep + Prime Microfine Lip Refinisher. A handy dual-action pre-makeup lip conditioner that exfoliates and moisturizes. Gives any lip color formula the perfect smooth base to work from. When it comes to great skin, this is where it’s happening: Future Earth.


Volcanic Ash Exfoliator
A highly effective foaming and exfoliating scrub containing natural volcanic ash and sugar crystals to cleanse and exfoliate the skin at the same time while adding moisture and leaving skin feeling soft and clean. Made with volcanic ash from Vanuatu, which contains sulfur from deep within the earth and has been used for centuries for the treatment of a wide variety of skin conditions.
Suggested Retail Price: $19.00

Prep + Prine Microfine Lip Refinisher
A dual-sided lip exfoliating stick with an exfoliator that helps to remove dry, flaky skin from the lips while a lip conditioner conditions and evens out lip texture.
Suggested Retail Price: $14.50

Charged Water
Charged water, fused with vital ions from a diamond and instilled with a spirit-lifting therapeutic aroma, then delivered to the skin in the soothing aura of revitalizing hydrating mist. Like its source – a diamond – on application it makes the skin feel clear, sparkling, pure and energized. Its aroma, a blend of green tea and citrus.
Suggested Retail Price: $19.00

Future Earth is available now at maccosmetics.com.

This Line Takes The Cupcake!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve undoubtedly heard about Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2007 list. Though Oprah made some fine choices, I have one recommendation for the media mogul.


If I had a list, I’d call it ‘The D-List’ (original, I know) - and everything on it would be from Jaqua’s Buttercream Frosting line of products. I’ve been using the Buttercream Frosting Exfoliating Body Polish, Shower Crème, and Hand Crème for a couple of weeks, and my enthusiasm has not waned. In fact, my fondness grows stronger every day. Not only do the Buttercream Frosting products pamper my parched skin, they smell like heaven - a sweet tooth’s version of heaven, anyway.


Like vanilla frosting with a hint of fresh strawberries, Jaqua's Buttercream Frosting products smell so much like the real thing, I have to remind myself that they're not edibile. I can only hope that Jaqua is developing hair care, shaving cream, toothpaste, antiperspirant, and contact lens solution…so that every square inch of me can smell saccharinely sweet.

Spoiled Pretty tip: while you’re on the Jaqua website, sign up to become a Jaqua VIP (no purchase necessary, and it’s free). Be the first to find out about new Jaqua products, special discounts and best of all, freebie offers only available to Jaqua VIP members.

Philadelphia Phocus: Ursula Augustine

When I visited Ursula Augustine in her Rittenhouse studio, I patiently waited while she finished the makeup of a customer. As she was leaving, the woman warmly hugged Ursula and said, “See you on Saturday” before walking out of the door. Being that it was Thursday, I asked, “Is she a regular?” Ursula explained that the woman isn’t just a regular; she does her makeup 20 days out of every month. The moral of this story? Ursula Augustine has skills, and she takes care of her customers.

Ursula is a board-certified cosmetologist with an impressive career that spans over two decades. Earlier this year, she opened Philadelphia’s only makeup studio, About pHace – and since then, has been very busy, thanks to features in The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Magazine (she was voted Best of Philly 2007, Makeup Application). Ursula’s creative talent is no news to me, as we have been acquainted for years. So for my first Philadelphia Phocus, I decided to pay her a visit and find out how the new business is doing.

The first thing I noticed while touring Ursula’s studio was the organic tea bar; depending on the day, Ursula’s customers can choose blends such as Blueberry Echinacea or Exotic Chai. And while they sip tea, customers can leaf through some of the books in her library. Ursula prefers non-fiction, particularly biographies – from Marlon Brando to Chuck D, and everyone in between. Ursula’s space, is a calm retreat in the midst of bustling downtown Philadelphia; with its waterfall wall sconces and meditation area, it’s easy to understand why Ursula’s customers come back again and again. But, naturally, talent is her ace in the hole.

In addition to her makeup artistry, Ursula recently unveiled her own line of cosmetics and skin care products that blend natural products with beautiful packaging. Her makeup line is mineral based, but this is no Bare Minerals knockoff. The foundation is liquid powder – so it’s minerals without the mess. The foundations and powders come in a variety of shades to compliment every skin tone.

Ursula’s eye shadows and blushes are gorgeous, yet very wearable – and her lipsticks are available in three finishes: matte, lip shine, and micro-bubble (which release oxygen to the lips throughout the day, keeping them hydrated). The item that blew me away, however, was the Retexturizing Face Primer – which, literally, melts into skin and leaves an invisible layer of silk on the face. Amazing is the only word to describe it.

Ursula’s own line of skin care is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and natural preservatives. When asked to name her favorite product, she couldn’t decide. “It’s like picking your favorite child,” she complained. Finally, she narrowed it down to two – her Oolong Tea and Carrot Oil Eye Cream (which smells like she poured it straight out of the teapot into the jar) and the Pumpkin Apricot Walnut Facial Scrub that she kindly gave to me as a gift. The scrub, which Ursula created years ago with her Cuisinart, is unlike any I have ever tried. It uses ground walnuts (not walnut shells) because they are gentler on skin. And the product can be used without water - just apply and tissue off, which means that you can pamper your skin anywhere, anytime.

It gets better…Ursula offers “pHace Lift Parties” - so you and a group of your friends can enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres while taking a “Smoky Eye Class” or learning how to get that “J.Lo Glow”. She divulged that she’ll soon be adding karaoke to the menu!

Ursula’s About pHace Rittenhouse Makeup Studio is located at 1700 Sansom Street, Suite 201. For more information and to contact Ursula, visit her website.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: If you visit Ursula’s studio, ask her about the TGBIW brush. The acronym stands for “The Greatest Brush In the World”, which was shortened to fit on the brush’s handle. Created with a blend of sable, mink, and inner-thigh goat hair, the brush's name doesn’t exaggerate.

Photos courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer.