My Vow To Frilly Lilly

I, Spoiled Pretty
Take you, Frilly Lilly Lemongrass Sage Hand Cream
To have and to hold
And keep, at all times, in my purse
From this day forward
Until summer do us part

I could wax poetic - all day long - about this divine hand moisturizer.

Typically, if someone complains about chapped hands, I graciously offer them the use of my hand lotion. Not anymore. With its zesty scent and adorable damask packaging, this tube is all mine. Go get your own.

My Vow To Frilly Lilly

I, Spoiled Pretty
Take you, Frilly Lilly Lemongrass Sage Hand Cream
To have and to hold
And keep, at all times, in my purse
From this day forward
Until summer do us part

I could wax poetic - all day long - about this divine hand moisturizer.

Typically, if someone complains about chapped hands, I graciously offer them the use of my hand lotion. Not anymore. With its zesty scent and adorable damask packaging, this tube is all mine. Go get your own.

Five Reasons To Cleanse With T’Fivve

The top five reasons to wash your face with T’Fivve Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam:

5) The rich foam gently melts away makeup and pollutants
4) Doesn’t strip the skin's natural hydration
3) Helps maintain normal pH balance
2) After cleansing, your face feels refreshed, not dry or tight
1) Because I said so (and because it’s one of the best cleansers I’ve used in a very long time)

T’Five Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam contains Bergamot Fruit Oil, to act as an anti-bacterial; Orange Peel Oil to smoothe skin; Lemon Peel Oil softens; and Ylang Ylang Oil controls sebum production.

If you have very dry and sensitive skin - like mine - you’ll give T’Fivve Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam five enthusiastic thumbs up.

Available at skinscientifica.com and skinstore.com.

Five Reasons To Cleanse With T’Fivve

The top five reasons to wash your face with T’Fivve Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam:

5) The rich foam gently melts away makeup and pollutants
4) Doesn’t strip the skin's natural hydration
3) Helps maintain normal pH balance
2) After cleansing, your face feels refreshed, not dry or tight
1) Because I said so (and because it’s one of the best cleansers I’ve used in a very long time)

T’Five Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam contains Bergamot Fruit Oil, to act as an anti-bacterial; Orange Peel Oil to smoothe skin; Lemon Peel Oil softens; and Ylang Ylang Oil controls sebum production.

If you have very dry and sensitive skin - like mine - you’ll give T’Fivve Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam five enthusiastic thumbs up.

Available at skinscientifica.com and skinstore.com.

Want Some Free Skin MD Natural Lotion?

Skin MD Natural is doing a field trial of their shielding lotion and they’d like to invite twelve Spoiled Pretty readers to participate.

They will send you a bottle of the lotion, to do a one-month trial of the product; they are looking for both men and women who suffer from dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis - or want to try it as protective lotion from chemicals, irritants, excessive hand washing, etc. Skin MD Natural is interested in your honest feedback.

All you need to commit to is: 1) using the product for one month, and 2) emailing me a weekly update of your experience with the product (and how it’s working for you). If you’d like to do a photo journal of your skin over the month, that would be a great idea too (but not necessary).

The first 12 people to email me with their full name and mailing address will be entered to participate.

Update: I received 12 responses, so this contest is now closed. Be sure to check out our other giveaway, sponsored by Profound Beauty.

Want Some Free Skin MD Natural Lotion?

Skin MD Natural is doing a field trial of their shielding lotion and they’d like to invite twelve Spoiled Pretty readers to participate.

They will send you a bottle of the lotion, to do a one-month trial of the product; they are looking for both men and women who suffer from dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis - or want to try it as protective lotion from chemicals, irritants, excessive hand washing, etc. Skin MD Natural is interested in your honest feedback.

All you need to commit to is: 1) using the product for one month, and 2) emailing me a weekly update of your experience with the product (and how it’s working for you). If you’d like to do a photo journal of your skin over the month, that would be a great idea too (but not necessary).

The first 12 people to email me with their full name and mailing address will be entered to participate.

Update: I received 12 responses, so this contest is now closed. Be sure to check out our other giveaway, sponsored by Profound Beauty.

Shiny, Unhappy People

I thought I was done being Miss Greasy Face. In September, I waved goodbye to the oil slick that had summer vacationed on my t-zone. Little did I realize it would be home for the holidays.

I love the way super-rich winter moisturizers soothe my chapped, flaky face; my skin is so thirsty in the morning that it just drinks in the moisture. But by 10 am, I’m rummaging in my purse for my powder compact. And at the end of the day, I’m dabbing at my face with napkins left over from my Saladworks lunch.

If I could get away with the same gel moisturizer I use during warm months, I would; but as luck would have it, when I try wearing a lightweight moisturizer in the winter, I end up looking something like this…


Well, thanks to Eve Lom Moisturiser SPF 15, the oil slick took another vacation – which I think will be a permanent one. Somehow it manages to pamper my parched skin, without any shine or greasy residue; I apply a liberal amount in the AM and I’m shine-free all day - and all night. I would recommend this moisturizer to anyone, regardless of skin type. It’s just that good.

Isn’t it time you learned all about Eve? Eve Lom products are available at Space NK and evelom.com.

Shiny, Unhappy People

I thought I was done being Miss Greasy Face. In September, I waved goodbye to the oil slick that had summer vacationed on my t-zone. Little did I realize it would be home for the holidays.

I love the way super-rich winter moisturizers soothe my chapped, flaky face; my skin is so thirsty in the morning that it just drinks in the moisture. But by 10 am, I’m rummaging in my purse for my powder compact. And at the end of the day, I’m dabbing at my face with napkins left over from my Saladworks lunch.

If I could get away with the same gel moisturizer I use during warm months, I would; but as luck would have it, when I try wearing a lightweight moisturizer in the winter, I end up looking something like this…


Well, thanks to Eve Lom Moisturiser SPF 15, the oil slick took another vacation – which I think will be a permanent one. Somehow it manages to pamper my parched skin, without any shine or greasy residue; I apply a liberal amount in the AM and I’m shine-free all day - and all night. I would recommend this moisturizer to anyone, regardless of skin type. It’s just that good.

Isn’t it time you learned all about Eve? Eve Lom products are available at Space NK and evelom.com.

Down With Dermatitis!

I have eczema. Not all year round. Just December through March. Sometimes, it’s just a minor annoyance. Other days, I’m covered with dry patches and the itchiness is almost too much to endure. Luckily, this year, I came prepared for battle – and I think I’ve found a product to help me defeat my dermatitis.

Skin MD Natural is a lotion that is immediately absorbed, hydrates without greasiness, and transforms the outer layer of skin into an invisible shield. What I love most about the product is that it protects my skin from the cold weather outside, dry heat inside, and harsh chemical irritants.

Every year, when my eczema starts to spread, I reach for the steroid cream - which I hate to do because it’s very tedious, you need to cover every dry patch to keep it under control, and your skin can become immune to the medicine. This is another reason why I am so excited about this product – it won’t cure my eczema, but it’ll control it so that steroids become a last resort.

I know some of you are thinking, “I don’t have eczema. What can Skin MD Natural do for me?” Because it helps skin to retain moisture and lasts for four hours (even after washing your hands), it is especially helpful to anyone who experiences dry skin – particularly, doctors and nurses who constantly wash their hands, or cancer patients who experience dry skin from cancer treatments.

A 4-ounce bottle (1-2 month supply, with daily use) is $25, but if you plan to buy in bulk, check out the Christmas Specials. And if you’re still not persuaded, Skin MD Natural offers samples so you can decide for yourself. For a $2 postage and handling charge, they’ll send you a two sample packets.

Skin MD Natural is available at drustores, supermarkets, and at skinmdnatural.com.

Down With Dermatitis!

I have eczema. Not all year round. Just December through March. Sometimes, it’s just a minor annoyance. Other days, I’m covered with dry patches and the itchiness is almost too much to endure. Luckily, this year, I came prepared for battle – and I think I’ve found a product to help me defeat my dermatitis.

Skin MD Natural is a lotion that is immediately absorbed, hydrates without greasiness, and transforms the outer layer of skin into an invisible shield. What I love most about the product is that it protects my skin from the cold weather outside, dry heat inside, and harsh chemical irritants.

Every year, when my eczema starts to spread, I reach for the steroid cream - which I hate to do because it’s very tedious, you need to cover every dry patch to keep it under control, and your skin can become immune to the medicine. This is another reason why I am so excited about this product – it won’t cure my eczema, but it’ll control it so that steroids become a last resort.

I know some of you are thinking, “I don’t have eczema. What can Skin MD Natural do for me?” Because it helps skin to retain moisture and lasts for four hours (even after washing your hands), it is especially helpful to anyone who experiences dry skin – particularly, doctors and nurses who constantly wash their hands, or cancer patients who experience dry skin from cancer treatments.

A 4-ounce bottle (1-2 month supply, with daily use) is $25, but if you plan to buy in bulk, check out the Christmas Specials. And if you’re still not persuaded, Skin MD Natural offers samples so you can decide for yourself. For a $2 postage and handling charge, they’ll send you a two sample packets.

Skin MD Natural is available at drustores, supermarkets, and at skinmdnatural.com.

Talk To The Hands

If your hands could talk, they would probably say, “Quit paying so much attention to your face, and spend some time on us!”

Winter weather can be tough on skin - especially thin skin, like that on your hands. Warm winter gloves and mittens can help shield against frigid winds and cold temperatures; but to prevent dryness, chapping, and cracking, your hands need some extra protection.

Shea butter has become a popular remedy for dry skin because it absorbs quickly without being greasy; and one of the best hand care products out there is J.R. Watkins’ Lemon Cream Shea Butter Hand Repair Moisturizer.

Shea butter, cocoa butter and five oils are whipped for a smooth, spreadable feel that’s perfect for in-home manicures and hand massages. Or keep a tube in your handbag for hydration on the go. And the scent (exactly like the Lemon Pastry Creme Girl Scout Cookies) is so deliciously intoxicating that you’ll want to slather all over your body…luckily, J.R. Watkins is one step ahead of us and created Lemon Cream Shea Butter and Lemon Cream Hand & Body Lotion.

Bottom line – this is a rich hand cream, on a pauper’s budget. Visit Target or jrwatkins.com and pick up a tube today!

Talk To The Hands

If your hands could talk, they would probably say, “Quit paying so much attention to your face, and spend some time on us!”

Winter weather can be tough on skin - especially thin skin, like that on your hands. Warm winter gloves and mittens can help shield against frigid winds and cold temperatures; but to prevent dryness, chapping, and cracking, your hands need some extra protection.

Shea butter has become a popular remedy for dry skin because it absorbs quickly without being greasy; and one of the best hand care products out there is J.R. Watkins’ Lemon Cream Shea Butter Hand Repair Moisturizer.

Shea butter, cocoa butter and five oils are whipped for a smooth, spreadable feel that’s perfect for in-home manicures and hand massages. Or keep a tube in your handbag for hydration on the go. And the scent (exactly like the Lemon Pastry Creme Girl Scout Cookies) is so deliciously intoxicating that you’ll want to slather all over your body…luckily, J.R. Watkins is one step ahead of us and created Lemon Cream Shea Butter and Lemon Cream Hand & Body Lotion.

Bottom line – this is a rich hand cream, on a pauper’s budget. Visit Target or jrwatkins.com and pick up a tube today!

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.

Do It Yourself

Pampering yourself doesn’t have to put a strain on your pocketbook. The next time you’re longing for the spa or the salon, head to your kitchen instead. You don’t have to be a top chef to master the following DIY beauty recipes. All you need is a few minutes and some everyday ingredients. And, voila…a more beautiful you!*


Eliut Rivera's Cucumber & Olive Oil Shine-Boosting Hair Treat
Heat, sun, and sweat can do a number on your hair. This rich mask, from the celeb stylist who counts Penélope Cruz among his fans, helps return your mane to its former soft and shiny self.

1 cucumber
1 or 2 tablespoons olive oil (depending on length of hair)

Puree cucumber and olive oil in blender or food processor. Comb mixture evenly through hair, concentrating on ends. Let set for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, shampoo twice, and condition as usual.


Naturopathica's Skin-Softening Avocado Mask
This quick-fix moisturizer from the famed East Hampton spa thwarts dry skin fast.

1/2 avocado
1 egg
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional; adds extra moisture)

Blend all ingredients together. Apply to face. Leave on five to ten minutes and rinse well.


Raechel Cunningham's Mojito Scrub for Rough Hands
This cocktail-inspired scrub, from aesthetician Raechel Cunningham of New York Laser & Aesthetics, leaves hands smooth enough to raise a glass confidently in public.

1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small lime
3 to 5 mint leaves

Chop mint leaves and squeeze 1/2 lime into bowl. Combine remaining ingredients. Massage into palm of hand, working the product around. Also makes a great cuticle treatment.


Sweet Lily's Grapefruit Vodka Pedicure
This grapefruit-vodka foot treatment from the Tribeca-based natural nail spa sounds good enough to drink, but we suggest you whip up a second batch for your drinking pleasure.

1 gallon grapefruit juice (no pulp)
1 sliced grapefruit (pink or yellow)
2 limes (1 sliced in wheels, the other halved)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 shot glass of vodka

Pour 1/4 cup sugar into small bowl and place lime half on top. Heat grapefruit juice on stove or in microwave until warm (not hot). Pour heated juice into a large basin, add shot of vodka, and garnish with sliced grapefruit and lime. Soak feet for a few minutes. Then, dip a lime half into the sugar and squeeze out a bit of the juice. Use lime to gently apply sugar to feet in a circular motion to exfoliate rough skin. Repeat with remaining sugar and the other lime half. Rinse well. Follow with foot lotion and polish.

*Before you start: do a patch test to make sure you aren’t allergic to any ingredients.

Recipes courtesy of Style.com.

Do It Yourself

Pampering yourself doesn’t have to put a strain on your pocketbook. The next time you’re longing for the spa or the salon, head to your kitchen instead. You don’t have to be a top chef to master the following DIY beauty recipes. All you need is a few minutes and some everyday ingredients. And, voila…a more beautiful you!*


Eliut Rivera's Cucumber & Olive Oil Shine-Boosting Hair Treat
Heat, sun, and sweat can do a number on your hair. This rich mask, from the celeb stylist who counts Penélope Cruz among his fans, helps return your mane to its former soft and shiny self.

1 cucumber
1 or 2 tablespoons olive oil (depending on length of hair)

Puree cucumber and olive oil in blender or food processor. Comb mixture evenly through hair, concentrating on ends. Let set for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, shampoo twice, and condition as usual.


Naturopathica's Skin-Softening Avocado Mask
This quick-fix moisturizer from the famed East Hampton spa thwarts dry skin fast.

1/2 avocado
1 egg
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional; adds extra moisture)

Blend all ingredients together. Apply to face. Leave on five to ten minutes and rinse well.


Raechel Cunningham's Mojito Scrub for Rough Hands
This cocktail-inspired scrub, from aesthetician Raechel Cunningham of New York Laser & Aesthetics, leaves hands smooth enough to raise a glass confidently in public.

1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small lime
3 to 5 mint leaves

Chop mint leaves and squeeze 1/2 lime into bowl. Combine remaining ingredients. Massage into palm of hand, working the product around. Also makes a great cuticle treatment.


Sweet Lily's Grapefruit Vodka Pedicure
This grapefruit-vodka foot treatment from the Tribeca-based natural nail spa sounds good enough to drink, but we suggest you whip up a second batch for your drinking pleasure.

1 gallon grapefruit juice (no pulp)
1 sliced grapefruit (pink or yellow)
2 limes (1 sliced in wheels, the other halved)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 shot glass of vodka

Pour 1/4 cup sugar into small bowl and place lime half on top. Heat grapefruit juice on stove or in microwave until warm (not hot). Pour heated juice into a large basin, add shot of vodka, and garnish with sliced grapefruit and lime. Soak feet for a few minutes. Then, dip a lime half into the sugar and squeeze out a bit of the juice. Use lime to gently apply sugar to feet in a circular motion to exfoliate rough skin. Repeat with remaining sugar and the other lime half. Rinse well. Follow with foot lotion and polish.

*Before you start: do a patch test to make sure you aren’t allergic to any ingredients.

Recipes courtesy of Style.com.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Depending on the season, I’ve got a different skincare regimen – clarifying products during the summer months and hydrating products in the winter. But a recent visit to Nordstrom yielded a must-have moisturizer that I can use year-round.

N.V. Perricone M.D. Face Finishing Moisturizer is effective in restoring the appearance of health and beauty to the skin. Enriched with advanced antioxidants, Vitamin C Ester, and Alpha Lipoic Acid, this rose-scented formula increases radiance and ensures maximum daily protection against moisture loss. And

Perricone’s Face Finishing Moisturizer is one of the most popular hydrating products used by newscasters and models, and was a Best of Sephora 2007 Nominee.

After 12 hours, my combination skin showed no signs of dry patches or shine. I'm sold. You?

Bottom line: Buy. This. Now.

Perricone products are available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora, and the N.V. Perricone M.D. website.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Depending on the season, I’ve got a different skincare regimen – clarifying products during the summer months and hydrating products in the winter. But a recent visit to Nordstrom yielded a must-have moisturizer that I can use year-round.

N.V. Perricone M.D. Face Finishing Moisturizer is effective in restoring the appearance of health and beauty to the skin. Enriched with advanced antioxidants, Vitamin C Ester, and Alpha Lipoic Acid, this rose-scented formula increases radiance and ensures maximum daily protection against moisture loss. And

Perricone’s Face Finishing Moisturizer is one of the most popular hydrating products used by newscasters and models, and was a Best of Sephora 2007 Nominee.

After 12 hours, my combination skin showed no signs of dry patches or shine. I'm sold. You?

Bottom line: Buy. This. Now.

Perricone products are available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora, and the N.V. Perricone M.D. website.