Clean Up Your Act! (GIVEAWAY!)

I have tons of makeup.  And I store my tons of makeup all over the place in a number of different ways.  I a toolbox filled with nail care products, drawers and bins with cosmetics, a cabinet of perfume and skin care products, etc. 

I try to keep all my frequently used products in a makeup bag that I can tote around with me.  The problem with this is that my bag tends to get overfilled quickly as I add new products, and things seem to get messy.  There is nothing worse than opening up a bag that looks good on the outside only to find spills, stains, lint, pencil shavings, and other mysterious messes junking up the bag lining.

I recently received a new makeup bag to try out, a Vemayca Cosmetic Bag with a removable Soft Peal Lining.  This is a new kind of bag designed to help us with our cosmetic cleanliness.  The outside of the bag is quite lovely. It's soft but it also feels sturdy and substantial.  It has a plain but stylish gray exterior and two generously sized pockets.  It also comes in a bright, feisty red.  The inside of this bag, though, is what makes it innovative. 

The lining is made with a flexible but durable liner that snaps in and out.  You can use the bag without the liner, remove the liner to clean it (in the delicate cycle with a mild detergent), or replace the liner entirely if it gets really messy.  Nice!  I don't know how many cosmetics bags I've thrown out because they're messy beyond help on the inside.  That seems like such a waste, especially when the outside of the bag still looks good.

I really like the look, feel, and function of the Vemayca Cosmetic Bag. The bags cost $25 or $35 (depending on the style you go for) and the linings are $7.50 for one or $15 for a pack of three. 

Want a Vemayca Cosmetic Bag of your own?  Thanks to Emery Lane PR, I'm giving one away. To enter, please leave a comment below, like Vemayca on facebook and/or follow them on Twitter.  This contest is open to US residents only.  I'll pick a winner at random next Wednesday.  Good luck!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Clean Makeup Brushes

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.

Hey Mario,

I'd like some advice on how to best clean my makeup brushes. I don't know if I should be using soap, shampoo or a special kind of brush cleaner. And how often should I be cleaning them? I've spent a small fortune on brushes but have no idea how to care for them.

Thanks so much!
Ella


Hi Ella,
 
It took years of experimenting with different techniques and products to clean my brushes and I've found a way that works for me. I hope it does for you as well.
 
To clean brushes with natural or synthetic bristles, I use a basic hair shampoo. First run water over the brush hair then rub into the shampoo in a circular motion (I pour a bit of shampoo into a bowl). Rinse under running water again to get all of the soap out. I finish off by squeezing the water out, making sure not to pull on the hairs.
 
To dry your brushes, you should lay them flat on a towel. If you stand them up in a cup to dry, the water seeps into the handle and causes the brush to weaken and fall apart over time.
 
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!

Bed Head Foxy Curls Styling Iron Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to the winner of the Bed Head Foxy Curls Styling Iron Giveaway - C and C girl.

She has won the Bed Head Foxy Curls 1-1/4 Inch Tourmaline Ceramic Conical Styling Iron, which creates softer, shinier, natural looking curls and waves – without frizz. The iron heats up in just 30 seconds, and the temperature dial has multiple heat settings that can be adjusted to suit your hair texture. The cool tip lets you get a grip, without fear of burning your fingers. And forgetful gals will appreciate the iron's automatic shutoff feature – which powers down after an hour.

Many thanks to Bed Head for sponoring this contest. And stay tuned for Spoiled Pretty's next giveaway, which will be revealed very soon!

Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer

My natural nails, sans polish, are so dull that I'm kind of embarassed to go without polish. So when I saw Revlon's new Crazy Shine Nail Buffer at my local CVS, I snatched it up. And, let me tell you...the name is accurate. Crazy accurate, in fact. My iPhone photo above doesn't do the shine justice.

The double sided buffer smoothes and evens out the nail surface - creating an outrageous, mirror-like finish. The tool promises to create 400% more shine than bare nails. To be honest, I couldn't tell you the difference between a 100% and 400% increase in shine, but I will say that it looks like I'm wearing a clear topcoat on my nails. And this was achieved in about three minutes (all 10 nails) - no drying time necessary. What I also love is that you can use the white side on polished nails - to restore shine when your mani is looking a lil murky.

Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer retails for $3.99 - but right now it's on sale at CVS for $2.99.

Gold 'N Hot 1875 Watt Foldable Handle Travel Dryer

To get my relaxed hair poker straight after shampooing, I rely on a comb/pik attachment when blow drying. I own a “universal” pik attachment that fits perfectly on my beloved Conair Infiniti Pro, which is fine 99% of the time. But a full-sized dryer is a bit bulky to travel with, especially when you’re a chronic overpacker like myself.

Problem is that most travel hair dryers have a wide barrel that isn’t compatible with pik attachments. For what seems like forever, I’ve searched for a travel dryer that comes with a pik attachment – to no avail. After endlessly searching in stores and trolling the Internet, it got to a point that looking for travel dryer with a comb attachment became – to steal a phrase from Cher Horowitz – "as useless as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie."

But a few weeks ago, my pik attachment prayers were answered. While browsing around Folica.com, I came across the Gold 'N Hot 1875 Watt Foldable Handle Travel Dryer. Folica.com sent me a sample to review and take on my trip to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami this past weekend (more on that later) – and after using it, I can tell you that it is exactly what I’ve been searching for all of this time. In fact, this travel dryer is so fabulous that you could use it as your regular dryer.

Unlike many travel dryers which are just glorified fans blowing hot air on your hair, the Gold 'N Hot 1875 Watt Foldable Handle Travel Dryer has all the power of a full-size dryer but in a lightweight, foldable model complete with concentrator and comb attachments! Two speed and heat settings along with tourmaline conditioning and worldwide dual voltage ensure that you have perfectly styled hair no matter where you travel. And how cute is the giraffe motif on the sides of the dryer?

Whether or not you use a pik attachment, the Gold 'N Hot 1875 Watt Foldable Handle Travel Dryer is an excellent buy. And did I mention that Folica.com has it marked down from $50 to just $29.99? Bottom line: this travel dryer blows the competition away.

Bed Head Foxy Curls Styling Iron Giveaway!

Bed Head Foxy Curls 1-1/4 Inch Tourmaline Ceramic Conical Styling Iron creates softer, shinier, natural looking curls and waves – without frizz. The iron heats up in just 30 seconds, and the temperature dial has multiple heat settings that can be adjusted to suit your hair texture. The cool tip lets you get a grip, without fear of burning your fingers. And forgetful gals will appreciate the iron's automatic shutoff feature – which powers down after an hour.

To catch some Gisele-esque waves, follow these instructions:

For a looser curl at the ends, take a 2-inch section of hair and put the end under the kink-free mini clamp. Hold the iron at a vertical angle and rotate it, wrapping the hair tightly around the barrel. Hold the iron in this position for a few seconds, depending on your hair type. Release the clamp and pull the iron out from the center of the curl. For a looser curl at the roots, place hair closest to the roots under the mini clamp and wrap hair down the barrel, leaving the ends out. Repeat this process until your desired look is achieved.

Natural curls are never uniform in size or direction – so to create "maybe she’s born with it" ringlets, it's best to alternate curling methods. Once you've finished your entire head, let the curls cool and then gently shake them or loosen them by finger combing.




This week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Bed Head and giving a Foxy Curls Styling Iron away to one lucky reader. To enter, leave a comment below. Be sure to post your email, Twitter handle (make sure you're following @spoiledpretty so I can DM you) or some other way for me to get in touch if you win. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

Contest ends on Friday, July 22 at 5pm ET. I'll announce the winner then. Good luck!

Winner of the ghd Iconic Eras of Style Giveaway

Congrats to the winner of the ghd Iconic Eras of Style Giveaway - Jessica Lucente!

Jessica will receive the Boho Chic set - which includes the ghd Gold Professional 1" styler, two sectioning clips and a step-by-step booklet showing you how to recreate iconic styles at home - packed in a heat-resistant, brown fringed clutch!

I own the same set and I'm obsessed. It's like the styling iron of my dreams, made real. I love that it heats up in mere seconds, and beeps to let me know it's time to do the do. And the contoured plates allow me to create both straight and curved styles. It also shuts off after 30 minutes of inactivity, which is a big plus for me because I'm constantly paranoid that I've left my flat iron plugged in and I'm going to burn down the house. But my favorite feature is the plate guard - it slips on like a cap so you can just throw your hot-as-hell styling iron into your bag (or wherever) without fear that it'll singe up all of your stuff. Love that!

Jessica is going to love it too. Congrats, girl!

Many thanks to ghd for sponsoring this giveaway and to everyone who entered. Check back tomorrow for Spoiled Pretty's next giveaway!

Lustful Looking...

I'm smack in the middle of an expensive summer. Among other things, I'm having a boat-load of dental work done right now...and dental work is spendy.  Add to that the fact that my computer crapped out and needed to be replaced yesterday.  Thanks to all of this, my beauty budget has been slashed.  That doesn't mean I can't window (or web!) shop.

Here are three items that I've been lusting after lately:

Tokyomilk Cosmetic Bags, $14 each.  These aren't ultra expensive, but I love the way they look!  My fave is the sea-inspired Oceanic Dream bag.  They're so cute and the little butterfly detail rocks.

Balsamo Italian Argan Oil Balm, $13.50.  Again, not an ultra-expensive item.  This is one I really want to try.  I love taking boring, every day products and pumping up the volume a bit.  That's just what these artisan-made balms do...and they come in unique and tempting scents like black currant, honeysuckle, and rose hip.  Plus they look cute.  Love it!

Tarte for True Blood Limited Edition Palettes, $52.  True Blood is one of my summer guilty pleasures.  It's a campy, over-the-top show and it's so addictive.  This palette is inspired by the show and includes 17 eye shadows, an eyeliner (I adore Tarte's eyeliners!), mascara, and an eye primer. Perfect for your inner vamp!

Beauty Product of the Week: Spin Pin

What is it? Goody's Spin Pin allows you to get "3 easy styles. Spin your style! Style guide inside features 3 spin pin styles. To use:
1. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck (no ponytail holder needed).
2. Twist your hair into a tight bun and tuck in the ends.
3. Spin one pin in from the top and the other up from the base, taking care not to interlock pins."
Available at drugstores and big box stores in either blonde or brunette for less than $7.00.


What do you think? Good Housekeeping gave this product a VIP (Very Innovative Product) Award and for good reason: it's easy to use and it works. 

I suck at styling my hair.  My hair styling skills are limited to a simple ponytail and, when I'm feeling plucky, flat ironing.  I've been growing my hair out--it's now just at my shoulders--and being able to pull it back and up into a quick easy bun is a great option, especially now that it's getting warmer.

The Spin Pin makes pulling my hair away from my face and up off my neck a breeze.  The instructions are easy to follow, and once you get the hang of it, putting your hair up into an easy bun takes a matter of seconds.  The Spin Pins keep hair in place without being overly restrictive.  They don't pull or snag, and they twist right out.  I can't stress how easy these pins are to use!

Lots of us have used pencils or chopsticks in the past to get our hair up into an easy bun.  With these pins, you can leave pencils for writing and chopsticks for sushi.



Final verdict? I like this tool so much that I bought an extra to keep in my purse. It's easy to use, easy to remove, and I love it!  Give it a try if you're a hair klutz like me!

Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic Styling Iron

When I showed up at work last week with a halo of shiny, bouncy curls, all of my co-workers wanted to know which salon I had visited. They were all very surprised when I told them that I styled my own hair – in 10 minutes, no less. They were even more shocked when I told them I didn’t own a curling iron.

So what’s my secret? Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic Styling Iron. It’s a three-in-one straightening, curling and wave making machine. The ultra-smooth, polished plates seals the hair cuticle and easily glide through hair, delivering high shine. The anti-slip edges capture all of the hairs, so that each section gets evenly straightened/waved/curled. The iron has adjustable temperature control that goes up to 450°F – and it heats up to the desired temp in less than 25 seconds – so even when I’m in a rush (which I always am these days), I never have to wait to style my hair.

What’s even better is that, in addition to basic black, it comes in…

PINK!

The Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic Styling Iron retails for $160 and is available at folica.com. Kinda pricey, I know…but when you consider that this one tool is all you’ll need to style your hair (it’s great for travel!) and how well it performs, you’ll realize that it’s worth the investment. Buy it now and you’ll thank me later.

Hello, Sephora

I love, love, love this.  If you haven't been by your local, friendly Sephora, you're missing out!  They're unveiling their new big collection: the Hello Kitty line.

I'm a grown-up and should know better, but I do love me some Hello Kitty.  Combining Hello Kitty and Sephora to make some super cute products?  Freaking genius!  Here's a link to everything Hello Kitty related at the makeup mecca.  And here are a few of my faves:

Hello Kitty Brush Set, $45
Inside a shiny silver Hello Kitty (that would look adorable on any vanity!), you'll find a lip brush, an eyeliner brush, an eyeshadow brush, a shading/blending brush, and a face brush.

Hello Kitty Compact Mirror, $18
This cute compact contains a regular mirror and a 3x magnifying mirror.  It's small and perfect for your purse.  (I have a Kuromi compact from Sanrio in my travel makeup bag!)

Hello Kitty Sweet Gloss, $16
This super-sweet smelling gloss is available in a number of light shades.  I like that it's a Hello Kitty gloss for grown-ups.  The packaging is cute but not little girly, and the colors are more adult than bubblegum pink.  This stuff smells so good!

If you're a Hello Kitty fan, you're probably a makeup fan, so be sure to check these products out before they're gone!

Tool Time: Turbie Twist

I blow dry my hair every single day.  I try to give my wet locks some time to drip before breaking out the hair dryer since I know that regular exposure to super hot products is not ideal for healthy hair.  Even after 30 minutes of drip drying, I still spend a considerable amount of time drying and styling. 

I just received a Turbie Twist to try out, but so far, I'm loving it.  The Turbie Twist says it's easy to use: you just place it over your head with the loop at the back, twist your hair like you would with a bath towel, and then loop it through the elastic band in the back and Viola!  Your wet hair is on top of you head, wrapped up in a super absorbent towel to help reduce drying time

I was a bit concerned that I would have difficulty figuring out how to use the Turbie Twist, but it was a snap to use.  My wet hair was tucked into a towel neatly, bundled out of the way on top of my head.  The towel is lightweight (unlike a bath towel!) so it's not awkward or heavy to wear.  I through on the Turbie Twist and easily did some vacuuming while my hair dried.

I still needed to blow dry my hair, but because the Turbie Twist absorbed some of the moisture, my drying time was cut down a bit.

Overall, I'm very impressed with the Turbie Twist and would recommend it.  You can get Turbie of your own from places like CVS, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc.--they run about $10 for a pack of two.

Tool Time: BrushLab Black Label Hair Brush

One of the more expensive beauty products out there is this:

A Mason Pearson nylon and boar bristle brush.  A brush like this could set you back $100 or more easily.

But!  You can save yourself some big-time cash while getting a kick ass brush.  Check out this:

A Black Label hair brush from BrushLab.  Like the Mason Pearson, the Black Label brushes feature a single nylon quill surrounded by tufts of natural boar bristles.  Brushes like this smooth out the hair making it ready for styling and finishing.  The nylon controls the shape and style of the hair while the boar bristles add shine and a polished finish. 

I received two Black Label brushes to try out...and I LOVE them!  They feel good on your scalp when you brush and they really do make your hair look and feel smoother...more finished. 

The Black Label brushes from BrushLab are a great alternative to the Mason Pearson brushes.  Better yet, the Black Labels will set you back about $20.  These would make a great gift for one of your fashionable friends!

Check out the Black Label brushes at www.brushlove.com or at your local Ulta.

You Can't Keep Your Paws Off This!

There are certain beauty companies that I adore.  These select few companies seem to consistently put out quality products at a reasonable price.  For me, one of these top beauty companies is Tweezerman.  I love, love, love their tweezers--they're my absolutely favorite on the market.

Right now, Tweezerman has teamed up with one of my favorite charitable organizations, the Humane Society of the United States. Tweezerman has introduced two new products: Paw Print Mini Slant Tweezer ($15) and Matchbox Itty Bitty Paw Print Files ($4). Featuring adorable black paw prints on a white background, these mini miracle workers are sure to and stand out in your favorite cosmetics case or purse and remind you of your favorite furry friend…especially while traveling. For me, these are purse essentials!

Here's the best part: Tweezerman is donating $1.00 from the purchase of each Paw Print Mini Slant Tweezer and $0.50 from the purchase of each Matchbox Itty Bitty Paw Print Files to the Humane Society of the United States in an effort to assist with their mission to “create a humane and sustainable world for all animals – a world that will also benefit people.”

Be on the lookout for these cute Tweezerman products!

Pro Tools for an Amateur Price!

I've tried many Ms. Manicure products in the past, and I've really liked them. They're easy to find, they're inexpensive, and their kits include everything you need to give yourself a pretty decent mani or pedi.

Ms. Manicure now has a new kit out that I just love: their Tips and Toes kit. It contains 9 pro tools, including two pairs of easy to grip clippers (one for your toes, the other for your fingernails), orange sticks, a pumice stone, and other great stuff. The best part is that it will only set you back about $10 or so.

Use this kit to save yourself some money! You can easily give yourself a salon-quality mani or pedi by following these tips:

FOR BOTH A MANICURE OR PEDICURE:

1. Get everything you need set up in one place before you start. The last thing you need is to be running around looking for a nail clipper when you're trying to give yourself a relaxing at-home spa beauty session!
   
2. Remove any old nail polish. (Click here for my Battle of the Nail Polish Removers!)

FOR A PEDICURE:

1. Soak your feet in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you have a foot soak, go ahead and use it. If not, try some Epsom salts. Even if you use water and nothing else, do NOT skip this step!
2. Clip your toenails straight across with toenail clippers. Doing so will help prevent ingrown nails or nail infections. Also, don't clip your toenails too short!
3. Using cuticle cream and an orange stick, gently push back your cuticles. Never, ever, ever cut your cuticles. Doing so could result in an infection! Not pretty.
4. Use a pumice to exfoliate your feet, paying particular attention to your heels and the balls of your feet. You may have a lot of cracked and flaky skin that needs tending to. Take your time exfoliating and don't be too rough on your feet. Avoid "cheese grater" style foot stones--they may take off a little too much!
5. Massage your feet with a foot lotion. Try something with peppermint in it to make your skin feel rejuvenated and to cut down on foot odor.
6. Make sure your nails are not covered in lotion.
   
7. Use cotton balls or a specially designed toe spreader to spread out each toe.
8. Apply a base coat to each nail. Doing so will help your polish last longer and will prevent the color from leaching into the nail which results in your nails looking yellow when not polished.
9. After allowing the base coat to dry, apply two coats of your nail color.
   
10. Allow nail color to dry and then apply a top coat.
11. Give your toes enough time to dry before putting on shoes/socks or becoming overly active.
12. Between pedis, try these Tea Tree Oil Foot Wipes--they are easy to use and make your feet feel refreshed, clean, and cool in a matter of seconds. Plus you can stash them in your purse or beach bag--they're great for the summertime!

FOR A MANICURE

1. Like with a pedicure, take 10 to 15 minutes to soak your hands. Dry when done.
2. Trim nails if they are very long.
3. File nails in one direction. Do not go back and forth across your nails in a see-saw fashion!
4. Use cuticle cream and an orange stick to gently push back your cuticles. Again, DO NOT CUT YOUR CUTICLES!
5. Massage your hands. If you have an at-home microdermabrasion kit, you can use it on your hands to soften them up. If not, use any exfoliating cream you have on hand, or just massage your skin with your favorite hand cream.
6. Make sure your nails do not have lotion on them!
7. Apply a base coat and allow to dry.
8. Apply two coats of your nail polish and allow to dry.
9. Apply your top coat.
10. Give yourself plenty of time to let your nail color dry before using your hands for heavy duty work!

ecoTools EcoPouf Giveaway Winners

Congrats to MaryBeth and Selina314, winners of the ecoTools EcoPouf Giveaway.

They will receive the world’s first 100% recycled plastic bath sponge! The EcoPouf sets the standard for bathing, showing beauty buffs everywhere that getting squeaky clean and supporting sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

ecoTools products are sold at Target stores.

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!

ecoTools EcoPouf Giveaway!

Go green while you get all spring clean with ecoTOOLS EcoPouf!

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! The first of its kind, the EcoPouf sets the standard for bathing, showing beauty buffs everywhere that getting squeaky clean and supporting sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

The EcoPouf is available at Target stores, but you can win one for free. ecoTOOLS is helping two Spoiled Pretty readers go green without spending any greenbacks!

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 Friday, April 30, 2010. Good luck!

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

The New Gold Standard

After years of dominating the world of eyelash curlers, Shu Uemura recently pulled out of the US market. Their products will still be available online, but you'll no longer be able to pick them up in person. To me, this isn't a big deal. I never bought into the cult of the Shu Uemura curler and in fact found the cheap-o Revlon curler to be just as effective as the pricey "iconic" Shu Uemura offering (click here for an old post about this!).

But now, one of my favorite toolmakers, Tweezerman, is entering into the eyelash curling fray with their Tweezerman Pro-Curl Curler.

According to their product info, the Pro-Curl Curler is designed to exceed the standards and performance of any other curler on the market today. Reworked angles create excellent access to each lash like never before—allowing for effortless use and maximum curl. ProCurl's sleek body shape, with a larger opening, is tailored for exceptional comfort and unparalleled leverage. A narrowed top bar adapts to all types of eye shapes, and a thick, rounded silicone pad ensures intense, crease-free curl. You're sure to flip over this fringe-enhancing tool in its new uber-glam, rose gold color.

I've been using this curler for the past few days, and here are my thoughts thus far:

• unlike other curlers, this one does not pinch at all...which is a good thing!
• this curler seems to do a better job of curling my outer lashes--you know...the ones in the corner that can be tough to get.
• the curler is easy to use and doesn't require a lot of effort to get a decent amount of curl. I don't have to put too much pressure on the curler, and it doesn't tug quite as much as the Revlon or Shu Uemura curler.

So far, I give this product a thumbs up. I still think that if the cheap Revlon brand works for you, stick with it. But if you're in the market for something well made and will give you good results, and if you don't mind forking over a little bit more (this curler will set you back $20), I honestly prefer the Tweezerman to the Shu Uemera.

Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection

the color of grace collection, $20-37.50: Inspired by philosophy's best-selling fragrance (and my favorite), amazing grace, the color of grace is makeup that embraces your inner girl with all things pink and beautiful. Philosophy created skin-loving formulas in perfect pink shades that deliver sheer color and heavenly luminosity for a look that is soft, graceful and inspired. Everyone looks prettier in pink lighting. The color of grace is universally flattering and created for all women who want to feel sweet, kind, pretty and feminine. Available at philosophy.com, Sephora and Nordstrom stores in April.

the color of grace heavenly light pink illuminator, $28: A pink light, liquid luminizer that combines skin-loving moisture and brightening botanicals to restore radiance for heavenly luminosity.

the color of grace amazing grace shimmering face powder, $29.50: a sweetly shimmering, silky, pale pink powder that brightens your complexion and creates a soft focus glow as it releases an uplifting, feminine hint of amazing grace fragrance.

the color of grace art of blushing, $35: a multidimensional palette of three silky, sheer blushes in perfect pink shades surrounded by luminous highlighter, to deliver pure color and light for skin that looks soft, luminous and inspired.

the color of grace amazing grace coloring book, $37.50: a purse-sized palette of perfect pink shades for lips, eyes and cheeks to create the face of grace. two eyelighting shadows, two perfect pink lip glosses, an all-over cream illuminator, powder blush and a shimmering face powder scented with a touch of amazing grace fragrance.

the color of grace go with grace face brush, $20: heavenly pink, kabuki-inspired natural hair brush that provides flawless application and blendability of powder or blush. In a pretty-to-go, retractable case.

the color of grace eyelighting shadow duo, $22: sheer washes of color that light up the eyes with delicately shimmering minerals. Available in a luminous duo: heaven/earth.

the color of grace angel kiss lip gloss, $17.50: Grace your lips in creamy, dreamy goodness. The color of grace angel kiss lip gloss loves lips. It blends high-shine, sheer color with lip-caring goodness. Helps enhance the softness and natural rosiness of lips, while a hint of vanilla-mint flavor refreshes the breath.