Pretty Pink Makeup

Blush

MAC Powder Blush in Blushbaby
This is a great subtle pink blush. It adds just enough color to make cheeks pop without overdoing it.

Paula Dorf Cheek Color cream in Playmate
Rich bright pink with amazing color payoff to give you that extra oomph!

NARS Powder Blush in Orgasm
One of my personal favorites. It really covers all the bases and shades it is an iridescent pink with a slight

Pretty Pink Makeup

Blush

MAC Powder Blush in Blushbaby
This is a great subtle pink blush. It adds just enough color to make cheeks pop without overdoing it.

Paula Dorf Cheek Color cream in Playmate
Rich bright pink with amazing color payoff to give you that extra oomph!

NARS Powder Blush in Orgasm
One of my personal favorites. It really covers all the bases and shades it is an iridescent pink with a slight

U Got The Look: NYE 2008

I still don’t have any plans for NYE. It might be a quiet, romantic dinner with my hubby. Or a raucous celebration with friends at a bar. Or I might just sit on the couch and blog my way into the new year. Whichever it is, here’s the makeup look I will be rocking.

I didn’t have a particular look I was going for. It really just started with Diane Brill’s Liquid Eye Liner in Lace Diamonds – and evolved from there. I didn’t expect to go so over-the-top. But once I started, I found it hard to stop…hence, my glittery glamtastic eyelids that rival the Times Square Ball in sparkle.

Once I finished piling it all on, I was afraid it was a little too Amanda Lepore for my liking. But it has since grown on me, and I hope you’ll agree that it looks quite pretty in pictures.

Step One - Face:
Apply Clinique Superfit Makeup (in Nutty) to entire face, using MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush.

Step Two – Eyes:
Line the inner rims with Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Eye Pencil (in Black). Apply Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow (in Woodrose) from lash line to crease. Apply Tarte’s Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duo (in Slate) - just the powder side; first, roll it on – then blend with a shadow brush. Next, line upper lid with Prestige Liquid Eyeliner (in Black). Then load shadow brush MAC Eye Shadow (in Idol Eyes) and pat onto lid. Curl eyelashes (I used a curler by Maybelline) and coat upper lashes with Diorshow Mascara (in Black) and apply DuWop Lash Lacquer mascara (in Carbon Black) to bottom lashes. Line upper lids again – but this time, use Diane Brill Liquid Eye Liner (in Lace Diamonds). Finally, brush some of the Diane Brill Eye Liner on the tips of upper lashes – to give them a diamond-like sparkle.


(top photo - naked eye lined with Diane Brill Liquid Eye Liner in Lace Diamonds; bottom photo - finished eye, after step two)

Step Three – Cheeks:
Dot DuWop Blush Therapy (in Hug) on apples of cheeks, then blend with fingertips.

Step Four – Highlighting:
Dot Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go down the bridge of the nose and on cheekbones, then gently tap with pad of finger until blended.

Step Five – Lips:
Finish off the look with a few swipes of MAC Lustreglass – I used Budding, but I think it’s been discontinued. Venetian is somewhat similar, but tad bit deeper – though still sheer.

That’s the recipe. I hope you had as much fun reading about the look as I had creating it! If you're looking for more NYE makeup ideas, my friend Marina at Makeup Loves Me has a bunch.

So with that, I’m going to conclude this post with the immortal words of my man, Prince. Every NYE, you’re bound to hear “1999” at least a couple times, so allow me to introduce you to another oldie, but goodie – a little ditty Prince recorded with Sheena Easton. Remember her? "Sugar Walls"? Okay, now I'm showing my age. Just watch the video.

U Got The Look: NYE 2008

I still don’t have any plans for NYE. It might be a quiet, romantic dinner with my hubby. Or a raucous celebration with friends at a bar. Or I might just sit on the couch and blog my way into the new year. Whichever it is, here’s the makeup look I will be rocking.

I didn’t have a particular look I was going for. It really just started with Diane Brill’s Liquid Eye Liner in Lace Diamonds – and evolved from there. I didn’t expect to go so over-the-top. But once I started, I found it hard to stop…hence, my glittery glamtastic eyelids that rival the Times Square Ball in sparkle.

Once I finished piling it all on, I was afraid it was a little too Amanda Lepore for my liking. But it has since grown on me, and I hope you’ll agree that it looks quite pretty in pictures.

Step One - Face:
Apply Clinique Superfit Makeup (in Nutty) to entire face, using MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush.

Step Two – Eyes:
Line the inner rims with Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Eye Pencil (in Black). Apply Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow (in Woodrose) from lash line to crease. Apply Tarte’s Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duo (in Slate) - just the powder side; first, roll it on – then blend with a shadow brush. Next, line upper lid with Prestige Liquid Eyeliner (in Black). Then load shadow brush MAC Eye Shadow (in Idol Eyes) and pat onto lid. Curl eyelashes (I used a curler by Maybelline) and coat upper lashes with Diorshow Mascara (in Black) and apply DuWop Lash Lacquer mascara (in Carbon Black) to bottom lashes. Line upper lids again – but this time, use Diane Brill Liquid Eye Liner (in Lace Diamonds). Finally, brush some of the Diane Brill Eye Liner on the tips of upper lashes – to give them a diamond-like sparkle.


(top photo - naked eye lined with Diane Brill Liquid Eye Liner in Lace Diamonds; bottom photo - finished eye, after step two)

Step Three – Cheeks:
Dot DuWop Blush Therapy (in Hug) on apples of cheeks, then blend with fingertips.

Step Four – Highlighting:
Dot Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go down the bridge of the nose and on cheekbones, then gently tap with pad of finger until blended.

Step Five – Lips:
Finish off the look with a few swipes of MAC Lustreglass – I used Budding, but I think it’s been discontinued. Venetian is somewhat similar, but tad bit deeper – though still sheer.

That’s the recipe. I hope you had as much fun reading about the look as I had creating it! If you're looking for more NYE makeup ideas, my friend Marina at Makeup Loves Me has a bunch.

So with that, I’m going to conclude this post with the immortal words of my man, Prince. Every NYE, you’re bound to hear “1999” at least a couple times, so allow me to introduce you to another oldie, but goodie – a little ditty Prince recorded with Sheena Easton. Remember her? "Sugar Walls"? Okay, now I'm showing my age. Just watch the video.

Buyer Beware

After reading that FragranceX.com sells discount skin care, body products, and cosmetics – in addition to fragrances – at up to 80% off, I couldn’t wait to log on and fill up my online shopping cart. So imagine my surprise when I found that not only are the discount claims highly exaggerated, but in many cases, their prices are higher than the retail value. Case in point:

Product: Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
Retail Price: $22.50
Fragrance X Price: $30 (and they have the nerve to say that you’re saving 17%)


Product: MAC Clear Lip Glass
Retail Price: $13.50
Fragrance X Price: $17 (they say you’re saving 26%)

Product: Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo
Retail Price: $19.50
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (they claim this is a savings of 18%)


Product: Philosophy Strawberry Milkshake Ultra-Rich Shampoo, Bath, & Shower Gel
Retail Price: $16
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (you’re supposedly saving 21%)

Don’t get me wrong – there are many products on FragranceX.com that will actually save you a couple of dollars. But can you really trust an online merchant that would so blatantly jack up prices, making you believe that you’re getting a deal?

The bottom line is that if you choose to purchase from FragranceX.com, or similar discount websites, take precautions. All it takes is a few extra minutes to check prices and make sure that it’s you, and not them, who is making out like a bandit.

Buyer Beware

After reading that FragranceX.com sells discount skin care, body products, and cosmetics – in addition to fragrances – at up to 80% off, I couldn’t wait to log on and fill up my online shopping cart. So imagine my surprise when I found that not only are the discount claims highly exaggerated, but in many cases, their prices are higher than the retail value. Case in point:

Product: Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
Retail Price: $22.50
Fragrance X Price: $30 (and they have the nerve to say that you’re saving 17%)


Product: MAC Clear Lip Glass
Retail Price: $13.50
Fragrance X Price: $17 (they say you’re saving 26%)

Product: Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo
Retail Price: $19.50
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (they claim this is a savings of 18%)


Product: Philosophy Strawberry Milkshake Ultra-Rich Shampoo, Bath, & Shower Gel
Retail Price: $16
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (you’re supposedly saving 21%)

Don’t get me wrong – there are many products on FragranceX.com that will actually save you a couple of dollars. But can you really trust an online merchant that would so blatantly jack up prices, making you believe that you’re getting a deal?

The bottom line is that if you choose to purchase from FragranceX.com, or similar discount websites, take precautions. All it takes is a few extra minutes to check prices and make sure that it’s you, and not them, who is making out like a bandit.

Hola From Orlando

By the time you read this, I’ll probably be back in Philadelphia – but I had to report on my fabulous beauty finds in Florida. I’m here on business, but I had some downtime – which I chose to fill with a trip to the Orlando Premium Outlets. I visited the Philadelphia Premium Outlets on Monday, so I guess you could say that I’m addicted.

Anyway, I stopped by The Cosmetics Company Store, and it didn’t disappoint. Like the one in Philadelphia, the outlet carried Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Estee Lauder, MAC, Origins, and Prescriptives. But they also sell select products from Stila (including some discontinued, yet gorgeous, shades of Lip Glaze).

I picked up three MAC Eye Shadows for $10 each (normally $14) and two MAC Tendertone Lip Balms for $11.25 each (usually $14.50). Tendertone is a lipcolor that combines the shine of a gloss with the soft emollient feel of a lip conditioner. Moisturizing and non-sticky in wear, they smell like a candy apple. I highly recommend Deep Sigh (sheer bronze pearl) and Pucker (sheer raspberry).

Hola From Orlando

By the time you read this, I’ll probably be back in Philadelphia – but I had to report on my fabulous beauty finds in Florida. I’m here on business, but I had some downtime – which I chose to fill with a trip to the Orlando Premium Outlets. I visited the Philadelphia Premium Outlets on Monday, so I guess you could say that I’m addicted.

Anyway, I stopped by The Cosmetics Company Store, and it didn’t disappoint. Like the one in Philadelphia, the outlet carried Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Estee Lauder, MAC, Origins, and Prescriptives. But they also sell select products from Stila (including some discontinued, yet gorgeous, shades of Lip Glaze).

I picked up three MAC Eye Shadows for $10 each (normally $14) and two MAC Tendertone Lip Balms for $11.25 each (usually $14.50). Tendertone is a lipcolor that combines the shine of a gloss with the soft emollient feel of a lip conditioner. Moisturizing and non-sticky in wear, they smell like a candy apple. I highly recommend Deep Sigh (sheer bronze pearl) and Pucker (sheer raspberry).

Bargain Beauty

If you’re in the Greater Philadelphia area, might I suggest a trip to the new Philadelphia Premium Outlets? Located in Limerick, PA (ironically, somewhat far from Philadelphia), the outlet mall boasts designer brands such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Michael Kors, and Neiman Marcus.

My favorite discovery, however, was the handful of beauty stores - which offer jaw-dropping discounts on cosmetics, bath and body products, and fragrances…I’m talking 25-65% off!

The Cosmetics Company Store carries an impressive selection of products from Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Darphin, Estee Lauder, MAC, Origins, and Prescriptives – just to name a few. The Lancome Company Outlet sells select makeup, skincare, and fragrances. There’s also a Crabtree & Evelyn outlet, as well as two perfume discounters.

Before you take the trip to Limerick, make sure to sign up for the VIP Shopper Club to receive exclusive discounts, a coupon book, and insider news on your favorite brands!

Bargain Beauty

If you’re in the Greater Philadelphia area, might I suggest a trip to the new Philadelphia Premium Outlets? Located in Limerick, PA (ironically, somewhat far from Philadelphia), the outlet mall boasts designer brands such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Michael Kors, and Neiman Marcus.

My favorite discovery, however, was the handful of beauty stores - which offer jaw-dropping discounts on cosmetics, bath and body products, and fragrances…I’m talking 25-65% off!

The Cosmetics Company Store carries an impressive selection of products from Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Darphin, Estee Lauder, MAC, Origins, and Prescriptives – just to name a few. The Lancome Company Outlet sells select makeup, skincare, and fragrances. There’s also a Crabtree & Evelyn outlet, as well as two perfume discounters.

Before you take the trip to Limerick, make sure to sign up for the VIP Shopper Club to receive exclusive discounts, a coupon book, and insider news on your favorite brands!

Rose Colored Glosses

Face the world with rose-colored glosses. Here are a few Spoiled Pretty favorites:


Bourjois Effet 3D High Shine Lip Gloss in Rose Angelic



Cargo Lip Duo in Chattanooga



Carol’s Daughter Candy Paint Lip Gloss in Grown and Sexy



Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Sugarplump



Kiehl’s Lip Gloss in Goldenberry



Shu Uemura Sweet Lip Gloss in Rose Candy



Stila Lip Glaze in Guava



TheBalm Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss in Water My Melon

Rose Colored Glosses

Face the world with rose-colored glosses. Here are a few Spoiled Pretty favorites:


Bourjois Effet 3D High Shine Lip Gloss in Rose Angelic



Cargo Lip Duo in Chattanooga



Carol’s Daughter Candy Paint Lip Gloss in Grown and Sexy



Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Sugarplump



Kiehl’s Lip Gloss in Goldenberry



Shu Uemura Sweet Lip Gloss in Rose Candy



Stila Lip Glaze in Guava



TheBalm Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss in Water My Melon

You Like Me, You Really Like Me

I was recently contacted by BellaSugar.com - asking if they could feature my review of Clinique's SuperMoisture Makeup in an upcoming post. I said yes, of course!

And now it's up!!! I'm so excited, and honored, that the geniuses at BellaSugar thought my critique was worthy of posting on their main page.

So, even if you've already heard about my experience with this new product - check it out anyway.

You Like Me, You Really Like Me

I was recently contacted by BellaSugar.com - asking if they could feature my review of Clinique's SuperMoisture Makeup in an upcoming post. I said yes, of course!

And now it's up!!! I'm so excited, and honored, that the geniuses at BellaSugar thought my critique was worthy of posting on their main page.

So, even if you've already heard about my experience with this new product - check it out anyway.

Irresistible En Rojo

Get the Latin Grammy look at Clinique...
Fresh, flirty color for day - made sexy for night. All starring irresistable lips in Angel Red.

Day
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Spicy
Cream Shaper For Eyes in Egyptian or Brown Sugar
High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara
Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator in Peach or Bronze
Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Sunset Glow
Quickliner For Lips in Bon Bon

Night
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Spicy
Brush-On Cream Liner in Deep Brown or Smoky
Cream Shaper For Eyes
Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Almond Blossom
Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Cherry Bomb

Irresistible En Rojo

Get the Latin Grammy look at Clinique...
Fresh, flirty color for day - made sexy for night. All starring irresistable lips in Angel Red.

Day
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Spicy
Cream Shaper For Eyes in Egyptian or Brown Sugar
High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara
Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator in Peach or Bronze
Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Sunset Glow
Quickliner For Lips in Bon Bon

Night
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Spicy
Brush-On Cream Liner in Deep Brown or Smoky
Cream Shaper For Eyes
Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Almond Blossom
Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Cherry Bomb

Happy Holidays

What do you have in common with Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss, Mariah Carey, and Sarah Jessica Parker? You all have your own fragrance! Well you don’t - not yet, that is...

Clinique just launched a new program, allowing customers to customize a bottle of their best-selling Happy perfume. Now you can personalize your perfume with pictures of whatever makes you smile. Smell sweet each day while you gaze upon the picture of your boyfriend/husband, pet, best friend, Mom or Dad – on a Clinique Happy bottle.

The process is simple: go to Clinique.com, upload your photo, name your bottle, and order. In less than two weeks, the bottle arrives on your doorstep. And the best part is that for each personalized photo bottle sold, Clinique will make a $1 donation (up to $10,000) to Big Brothers Big Sisters, a nonprofit that changes the lives of disadvantaged children and gives them a better chance of success.

Available just in time for the holidays, it’s a fun way to add a touch of personalization to your favorite fragrance and makes the ordinary gift unique.

The custom Happy fragrance is $52 for 3.4 oz, and can be ordered at Clinique's website.

Happy Holidays

What do you have in common with Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss, Mariah Carey, and Sarah Jessica Parker? You all have your own fragrance! Well you don’t - not yet, that is...

Clinique just launched a new program, allowing customers to customize a bottle of their best-selling Happy perfume. Now you can personalize your perfume with pictures of whatever makes you smile. Smell sweet each day while you gaze upon the picture of your boyfriend/husband, pet, best friend, Mom or Dad – on a Clinique Happy bottle.

The process is simple: go to Clinique.com, upload your photo, name your bottle, and order. In less than two weeks, the bottle arrives on your doorstep. And the best part is that for each personalized photo bottle sold, Clinique will make a $1 donation (up to $10,000) to Big Brothers Big Sisters, a nonprofit that changes the lives of disadvantaged children and gives them a better chance of success.

Available just in time for the holidays, it’s a fun way to add a touch of personalization to your favorite fragrance and makes the ordinary gift unique.

The custom Happy fragrance is $52 for 3.4 oz, and can be ordered at Clinique's website.

A Tale of Two Foundations

Yesterday, my quest for an everyday foundation took me to my local department store. I’d seen advertisements for Clinique’s new Supermoisture Makeup in my favorite fashion magazines, so I headed straight to their makeup counter.

On the Clinique website, the Supermoisture Makeup is described as having an ultra-creamy yet refreshingly lightweight formula that goes beyond flaw-fixing, providing a dewy look. Clinique promises that this product disguises unevenness with sheer-to-moderate coverage, resulting in soft and radiant looking skin all day.

Okay, so back to my shopping escapades…the saleswoman warned me that the Supermoisture Makeup is meant for individuals with dry skin. Now, while my skin can be an oil slick during the summer, it gets tight and very dry during the fall and winter months. So I told the woman that I still wanted to give it a try. She color-matched me, and the shade she chose was spot-on. However, it was much too dewy for my taste. In fact - it looked, dare I say, greasy. I would only recommend this product to those with extremely parched skin (think Sahara thirsty).

The story does have a happy ending, though. I walked out of Bloomingdale’s with Clinique’s Superfit Makeup in Nutty – an oldie but a goodie. And the helpful saleswoman threw in a gift with purchase (Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Twiglet and Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer) to boot.

A Tale of Two Foundations

Yesterday, my quest for an everyday foundation took me to my local department store. I’d seen advertisements for Clinique’s new Supermoisture Makeup in my favorite fashion magazines, so I headed straight to their makeup counter.

On the Clinique website, the Supermoisture Makeup is described as having an ultra-creamy yet refreshingly lightweight formula that goes beyond flaw-fixing, providing a dewy look. Clinique promises that this product disguises unevenness with sheer-to-moderate coverage, resulting in soft and radiant looking skin all day.

Okay, so back to my shopping escapades…the saleswoman warned me that the Supermoisture Makeup is meant for individuals with dry skin. Now, while my skin can be an oil slick during the summer, it gets tight and very dry during the fall and winter months. So I told the woman that I still wanted to give it a try. She color-matched me, and the shade she chose was spot-on. However, it was much too dewy for my taste. In fact - it looked, dare I say, greasy. I would only recommend this product to those with extremely parched skin (think Sahara thirsty).

The story does have a happy ending, though. I walked out of Bloomingdale’s with Clinique’s Superfit Makeup in Nutty – an oldie but a goodie. And the helpful saleswoman threw in a gift with purchase (Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Twiglet and Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer) to boot.