First Impressions: Olay Total Effects 7

Geia sas everyone!

I've been looking for a good facial moisturizer that also was for anti-aging, not that i'm old at all but i think its never to early to start especially when i have been a sun-baby sun-worshipper all of my teen years. I still am..just more cautiously. But anyway i saw some good reviews about Olay total effects 7, so i went to Walgreens & bought some, now the fact that it was $21.99 about made me walk away but i thought 'hey i'll give it one try if i don't love it i'll never buy it again'.

So since that was today i can't really do a review on it just yet but here are my first impressions.

1st impressions

-smaller bottle than i'd like for the price

-nicely designed

-formula is thick & rich

-smells like sunscreen mostly (i got the SPF 15 one)

-skin feels nice immediately after application

So we'll see how i feel about it in a few weeks, i really hope it doesn't break me out, but i'll be sure to let you know.

Nighttime Is The Right Time

While you sleep, your skin is hard at work repairing and renewing itself. Which is why it is so important to cleanse your face before your head hits the pillow. One more step you might want to consider is a night cream. According to experts, nighttime is the right time to hydrate and pamper your skin – because skin loses more water in the wee hours, and is also more receptive to active ingredients.

One of my new favorites is PCA Skin ReBalance, a nourishing and soothing treatment that helps to repair reddened, irritated or traumatized skin. It’s so gentle that it’s also recommended following chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser resurfacing procedures. ReBalance is ideal for use on the face, neck and chest, and safe for all skin types and conditions, including rosacea.

Used regularly, your face will look fresher and more awake!

Nighttime Is The Right Time

While you sleep, your skin is hard at work repairing and renewing itself. Which is why it is so important to cleanse your face before your head hits the pillow. One more step you might want to consider is a night cream. According to experts, nighttime is the right time to hydrate and pamper your skin – because skin loses more water in the wee hours, and is also more receptive to active ingredients.

One of my new favorites is PCA Skin ReBalance, a nourishing and soothing treatment that helps to repair reddened, irritated or traumatized skin. It’s so gentle that it’s also recommended following chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser resurfacing procedures. ReBalance is ideal for use on the face, neck and chest, and safe for all skin types and conditions, including rosacea.

Used regularly, your face will look fresher and more awake!

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.

Rocket Science

“The folly of one man is the fortune of another; for no man prospers so suddenly as by others' errors.” - Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

More than forty years ago, aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber suffered a horrific accident. A routine experiment exploded in his face, covering him with severe chemical burns. Neither science nor medicine offered a treatment to minimize his scarring, so Huber decided to help himself. Twelve years and 6,000 experiments later, he perfected a product that has been dubbed “the miracle cream.” In the case of Crème de la Mer, the folly of one man is the fortune of thousands of women…and now I am one of them.

Typically, it takes a few weeks to see results from a new face treatment; but with Crème de la Mer, it only took me two days to notice a drastic improvement in the quality of my skin.

Concentrated ingredients - including sea kelp, essential vitamins and minerals, plus oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower - are combined into a 'Miracle Broth', distilled, and fermented for three to four months. Then this nutrient-rich mixture is then hand-poured into jars, as not to disturb it delicate balance.

I can honestly say that when it comes to Crème de la Mer, the myth is indeed reality. There is a reason why it has achieved cult status. I now understand why Jennifer Lopez uses it all over her body - and we thought that J.Lo glow was the result of makeup. Only now can I appreciate why Victoria Beckham says it’s the one beauty product she can’t live without.

What I love so much about the cream is that it provides instant gratification. To activate the broth and release its key ingredients, warm a small amount between your fingertips. As you pat onto clean, dry skin, you will instantly feel the soothing effects of the cream.

Crème de la Mer may appear thick in the jar, but it simply sinks into skin – leaving it soft and luxuriously hydrated, with a youthfully dewy finish. Using other facial moisturizers, I would need to reapply throughout the day to treat dry patches – or apply powder to offset excess shine. With Crème de la Mer, I don’t have those problems – in fact, I haven’t been wearing makeup the past few days because my skin looks so radiant without it. It’s like I’m walking around with special lighting. Apply it in the AM and PM – that’s all it takes. And, as a bonus, the soft fragrance helps to calm me as I fall asleep at night.

At $125 for an ounce (or $1,350 for 16.5 oz), the price tag is a little frightening. But I think I’m just going to have to bite the bullet – because the thought of going back to some ‘regular’ moisturizer is a much scarier thought.

Put this on your holiday wish list: La Mer’s Holiday 2007 Gifts of Beauty, exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

The Essential Collection gift set combines three of La Mer’s most coveted products, and is ideal for both newcomers and longtime La Mer devotees. The Connoisseur Collection include the Crème de La Mer and Eye Concentrate in two lacquered boxes. Looking for a stocking stuffer to spoil someone (or yourself) pretty? Look no further than The Lip Balm, which works on contact to soften and hydrate.

Rocket Science

“The folly of one man is the fortune of another; for no man prospers so suddenly as by others' errors.” - Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

More than forty years ago, aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber suffered a horrific accident. A routine experiment exploded in his face, covering him with severe chemical burns. Neither science nor medicine offered a treatment to minimize his scarring, so Huber decided to help himself. Twelve years and 6,000 experiments later, he perfected a product that has been dubbed “the miracle cream.” In the case of Crème de la Mer, the folly of one man is the fortune of thousands of women…and now I am one of them.

Typically, it takes a few weeks to see results from a new face treatment; but with Crème de la Mer, it only took me two days to notice a drastic improvement in the quality of my skin.

Concentrated ingredients - including sea kelp, essential vitamins and minerals, plus oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower - are combined into a 'Miracle Broth', distilled, and fermented for three to four months. Then this nutrient-rich mixture is then hand-poured into jars, as not to disturb it delicate balance.

I can honestly say that when it comes to Crème de la Mer, the myth is indeed reality. There is a reason why it has achieved cult status. I now understand why Jennifer Lopez uses it all over her body - and we thought that J.Lo glow was the result of makeup. Only now can I appreciate why Victoria Beckham says it’s the one beauty product she can’t live without.

What I love so much about the cream is that it provides instant gratification. To activate the broth and release its key ingredients, warm a small amount between your fingertips. As you pat onto clean, dry skin, you will instantly feel the soothing effects of the cream.

Crème de la Mer may appear thick in the jar, but it simply sinks into skin – leaving it soft and luxuriously hydrated, with a youthfully dewy finish. Using other facial moisturizers, I would need to reapply throughout the day to treat dry patches – or apply powder to offset excess shine. With Crème de la Mer, I don’t have those problems – in fact, I haven’t been wearing makeup the past few days because my skin looks so radiant without it. It’s like I’m walking around with special lighting. Apply it in the AM and PM – that’s all it takes. And, as a bonus, the soft fragrance helps to calm me as I fall asleep at night.

At $125 for an ounce (or $1,350 for 16.5 oz), the price tag is a little frightening. But I think I’m just going to have to bite the bullet – because the thought of going back to some ‘regular’ moisturizer is a much scarier thought.

Put this on your holiday wish list: La Mer’s Holiday 2007 Gifts of Beauty, exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

The Essential Collection gift set combines three of La Mer’s most coveted products, and is ideal for both newcomers and longtime La Mer devotees. The Connoisseur Collection include the Crème de La Mer and Eye Concentrate in two lacquered boxes. Looking for a stocking stuffer to spoil someone (or yourself) pretty? Look no further than The Lip Balm, which works on contact to soften and hydrate.

Bling Blang

Got some extra room in your $18,000 Goyard/Lancome train case? Good news – La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Cream now comes in a refillable jar, be-dazzled with 2,400 handset Swarovski crystals. This dramatic firming treatment provides skin with vital nutrients, including a Caviar Firming Complex to hydrate, nourish and pamper skin. Only 610 pieces were produced worldwide – and one of those babies can be yours for the low, low price of $2,000.

Got some more disposable income – like $62,000 worth? Earlier this month, Guerlain introduced KissKiss Gold and Diamonds, a lipstick custom-designed in France, adorned with 18-carat yellow gold and paved with 199 diamonds, weighing in at 2.2 carats. Housed in a black lacquered wooden case, KissKiss Gold and Diamonds is refillable and accompanied by its own lip brush and protective black suede pouch. The gold encasing can be customized with a name or message engraving and the lipstick is available in 15 customizable shades hand selected by Guerlain’s Artistic Director, Olivier Echaudemaison.

If you're thinking that $62,000 is a bit steep, but $56,808 is more up your alley, The New York Post has a great idea for pinching some pennies - have the store ship it to you for a $12.75 fee, and save $5,192.50 in sales tax. What a steal!

The KissKiss Gold and Diamonds lipstick is available at Guerlain Boutiques at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus San Francisco, The Breakers West Palm Beach and Epcot through private appointment only.

Bling Blang

Got some extra room in your $18,000 Goyard/Lancome train case? Good news – La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Cream now comes in a refillable jar, be-dazzled with 2,400 handset Swarovski crystals. This dramatic firming treatment provides skin with vital nutrients, including a Caviar Firming Complex to hydrate, nourish and pamper skin. Only 610 pieces were produced worldwide – and one of those babies can be yours for the low, low price of $2,000.

Got some more disposable income – like $62,000 worth? Earlier this month, Guerlain introduced KissKiss Gold and Diamonds, a lipstick custom-designed in France, adorned with 18-carat yellow gold and paved with 199 diamonds, weighing in at 2.2 carats. Housed in a black lacquered wooden case, KissKiss Gold and Diamonds is refillable and accompanied by its own lip brush and protective black suede pouch. The gold encasing can be customized with a name or message engraving and the lipstick is available in 15 customizable shades hand selected by Guerlain’s Artistic Director, Olivier Echaudemaison.

If you're thinking that $62,000 is a bit steep, but $56,808 is more up your alley, The New York Post has a great idea for pinching some pennies - have the store ship it to you for a $12.75 fee, and save $5,192.50 in sales tax. What a steal!

The KissKiss Gold and Diamonds lipstick is available at Guerlain Boutiques at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus San Francisco, The Breakers West Palm Beach and Epcot through private appointment only.

Breakup Makeup

When we get our hearts broken, emotions run the gamut. We heal ourselves through tears, fill our iPods with sad love songs, and use Häagen-Dazs as an analgesic. But when things are going bad, sometimes the best revenge is looking good.


Newly single gals can paint the town (and their nails) red with Orly’s Divorcée 6-Pix. The collection includes 50/50, Pawn the Ring, It's Not Me, It's You, One Night Stand, See Yah, and Take Him To The Cleaners.


Got a friend going through a breakup? Buy her Hard Candy's Mix Tape in Breakup Mix. It takes a lot less effort than making a real one, and she’ll look cute to boot. The palette feature three eye shadows and three lip glosses, so you can create a mix of color to match your mood. All the shades are made to coordinate, so it’s impossible to come up with a bad combination.


Benefit’s dear john lustrous facial cream is like a 'moisture magnet' for your skin. Use day or night to moisturize and put lustre back into your complexion. Voted "best face cream" by Elle magazine in 2006.


MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil from Boscia is a miraculously different and extremely gentle way to deep cleanse, by breaking up all makeup, dissolving impurities and refreshing congested skin without leaving an oily residue.

Breakup Makeup

When we get our hearts broken, emotions run the gamut. We heal ourselves through tears, fill our iPods with sad love songs, and use Häagen-Dazs as an analgesic. But when things are going bad, sometimes the best revenge is looking good.


Newly single gals can paint the town (and their nails) red with Orly’s Divorcée 6-Pix. The collection includes 50/50, Pawn the Ring, It's Not Me, It's You, One Night Stand, See Yah, and Take Him To The Cleaners.


Got a friend going through a breakup? Buy her Hard Candy's Mix Tape in Breakup Mix. It takes a lot less effort than making a real one, and she’ll look cute to boot. The palette feature three eye shadows and three lip glosses, so you can create a mix of color to match your mood. All the shades are made to coordinate, so it’s impossible to come up with a bad combination.


Benefit’s dear john lustrous facial cream is like a 'moisture magnet' for your skin. Use day or night to moisturize and put lustre back into your complexion. Voted "best face cream" by Elle magazine in 2006.


MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil from Boscia is a miraculously different and extremely gentle way to deep cleanse, by breaking up all makeup, dissolving impurities and refreshing congested skin without leaving an oily residue.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye - Win Some FREE Beauty!

Want something for nothing? Well, you’ve come to the right place. I am so excited to announce Spoiled Pretty’s latest giveaway – generously sponsored by Face Boutique!!!

Face Boutique grew out of a quest to create products for young skin that really work, remain free from chemicals, smell divine, look great in the bathroom and, finally, leave everyone with a clear conscience. I think Spoiled Pretty speaks for many satisfied customers when I say, “Mission Accomplished.”

Spoiled Pretty is teaming up with Face Boutique to give away a whole lotta beauty booty.



One winner will be gifted with a goodie bag - filled with the following treats (valued at $71): Peachy Clean Foaming Facial Wash, Fresh Faced Moisturising Gel, Spot Less Blemish Gel, and Sweep Clean Cleansing Wipes.


Four runners up (yeah, you heard me right) will win a bottle of Hair Laundry Shampoo (valued at $16).

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 9 pm EST on Sunday, November 11th - be sure to include your name and email address. Or email me at spoiledpretty@gmail.com if you're uncomfortable posting your email address below.

Winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, November 12th, I’ll announce the winners' names. Please, only one comment per person; duplicate comments will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents. Good luck!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye - Win Some FREE Beauty!

Want something for nothing? Well, you’ve come to the right place. I am so excited to announce Spoiled Pretty’s latest giveaway – generously sponsored by Face Boutique!!!

Face Boutique grew out of a quest to create products for young skin that really work, remain free from chemicals, smell divine, look great in the bathroom and, finally, leave everyone with a clear conscience. I think Spoiled Pretty speaks for many satisfied customers when I say, “Mission Accomplished.”

Spoiled Pretty is teaming up with Face Boutique to give away a whole lotta beauty booty.



One winner will be gifted with a goodie bag - filled with the following treats (valued at $71): Peachy Clean Foaming Facial Wash, Fresh Faced Moisturising Gel, Spot Less Blemish Gel, and Sweep Clean Cleansing Wipes.


Four runners up (yeah, you heard me right) will win a bottle of Hair Laundry Shampoo (valued at $16).

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 9 pm EST on Sunday, November 11th - be sure to include your name and email address. Or email me at spoiledpretty@gmail.com if you're uncomfortable posting your email address below.

Winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, November 12th, I’ll announce the winners' names. Please, only one comment per person; duplicate comments will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents. Good luck!

Perfect Balance

I mentioned this product last month in my “Good Gourd” post, but it begs repeating – Molton Brown’s Skinbalance Toning Lotion is a wonderful product.

For years, I’ve been plagued with large pores and blackheads on my nose. But in just a few short weeks, Skinbalance Toning Lotion has totally transformed my skin. It naturally exfoliates and brightens the complexion. Unlike many toners, Skinbalance Toning Lotion contains no alcohol, so it doesn’t dry out the skin. In fact, pumpkin enzymes, pink grapefruit, lime and yeast extract combine to strengthen the skin and reduce moisture loss.

To use, simply apply to the face and neck after cleansing and before applying day or night moisture products. Skinbalance Toning Lotion gets rid of everything your cleanser missed…you’d be amazed at what you see on the cotton ball when you’re finished!

Perfect Balance

I mentioned this product last month in my “Good Gourd” post, but it begs repeating – Molton Brown’s Skinbalance Toning Lotion is a wonderful product.

For years, I’ve been plagued with large pores and blackheads on my nose. But in just a few short weeks, Skinbalance Toning Lotion has totally transformed my skin. It naturally exfoliates and brightens the complexion. Unlike many toners, Skinbalance Toning Lotion contains no alcohol, so it doesn’t dry out the skin. In fact, pumpkin enzymes, pink grapefruit, lime and yeast extract combine to strengthen the skin and reduce moisture loss.

To use, simply apply to the face and neck after cleansing and before applying day or night moisture products. Skinbalance Toning Lotion gets rid of everything your cleanser missed…you’d be amazed at what you see on the cotton ball when you’re finished!

Tis The Season To Be Stingy

I’m not really advocating avarice – but Stila makes it so difficult to be generous this upcoming holiday season. Their recently released Dazzle & Dream collection is so covetable, you won’t want to give it away!


The Gift of Glaze is the ultimate present for the gloss obsessed. The set includes six best-selling mini lip glaze shades - with two new flavors just for the holiday season. They are: two new limited-edition shade; nutmeg spice (a golden rosy peach with nutmeg flavor), and candy cane (a sheer golden red with a candy cane flavor), grapefruit, apricot, vanilla and brown sugar. This will sure sell fast so place your order now!


Tis the season to don a healthy bronze glow even though you may be surrounded by snow! The Gift of Glow Bronzing Set contains Stila essentials like sun bronzer SPF 15; baked eye shadow trio in gold; lip glaze in brown sugar; delux sample smudge pot in bronze; and a mini eye liner brush.


Whether giving a gift to your favorite Stila girl (or to the Stila girl in you), the Gift of Glamour/Best of Stila is most definitely the ULTIMATE! Featuring some of Stila's best-selling shades and iconic products, it includes: eye shadow in kitten and barefoot contessa; an illuminating tinted moisturizer; a tube of multi-effect mascara in black; and a new limited-edition lip glaze, fruit cake (a golden rose shade).


Take your look from the office to cocktail party in style with Guinevere's and Scarlett's deluxe palettes of dazzling shades. Each set includes three eye shadows, blush, and lip color. Beautifully decorated with two delicate Swarovski crystals, you’ll love to have them handy for touchups on the go.

Tis The Season To Be Stingy

I’m not really advocating avarice – but Stila makes it so difficult to be generous this upcoming holiday season. Their recently released Dazzle & Dream collection is so covetable, you won’t want to give it away!


The Gift of Glaze is the ultimate present for the gloss obsessed. The set includes six best-selling mini lip glaze shades - with two new flavors just for the holiday season. They are: two new limited-edition shade; nutmeg spice (a golden rosy peach with nutmeg flavor), and candy cane (a sheer golden red with a candy cane flavor), grapefruit, apricot, vanilla and brown sugar. This will sure sell fast so place your order now!


Tis the season to don a healthy bronze glow even though you may be surrounded by snow! The Gift of Glow Bronzing Set contains Stila essentials like sun bronzer SPF 15; baked eye shadow trio in gold; lip glaze in brown sugar; delux sample smudge pot in bronze; and a mini eye liner brush.


Whether giving a gift to your favorite Stila girl (or to the Stila girl in you), the Gift of Glamour/Best of Stila is most definitely the ULTIMATE! Featuring some of Stila's best-selling shades and iconic products, it includes: eye shadow in kitten and barefoot contessa; an illuminating tinted moisturizer; a tube of multi-effect mascara in black; and a new limited-edition lip glaze, fruit cake (a golden rose shade).


Take your look from the office to cocktail party in style with Guinevere's and Scarlett's deluxe palettes of dazzling shades. Each set includes three eye shadows, blush, and lip color. Beautifully decorated with two delicate Swarovski crystals, you’ll love to have them handy for touchups on the go.