Senin, 31 Agustus 2009

Lancome Hypnose Mascara: Boom Batter, My Lashes Are Getting Fatter

This past weekend, Mr. Spoiled Pretty and I attended our friends’ wedding. Though my Audrey Hepburn-inspired cocktail dress was darling and my coiff was looking uncharacteristically on point, it was my Bambi lashes that elicited the most compliments from my better half.

“Your eyelashes look amazing,” he said, at least three times during the night. At first, I was a little skeptical. I mean, when was the last time you got a compliment on your lashes from a guy who didn’t idolize Cher and sweat glitter (to steal a phrase from my gal, Amber)?

At first, I thought Graham’s flattery might have been the result of the Glenlivet he was sipping at the reception. But when I stopped in the ladies loo and spied myself in the mirror, I realized that the compliments were well-deserved.

What was my secret? I’ll tell you. Swipe on Lancome’s Oscillation Powerbooster lash primer, from root to tip. And while it’s still wet, paint on a coat of Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara. Hypnose Drama’s s-shaped brush paints on inky goodness, resulting in fanned out, eye-popping, full body fringe. The formula is on the thin side, which means that it won’t dry out, or worse - leave your lashes a clumped up mess. I adore how the applicator grasps even my stumpiest, non-existent baby lashes and transforms them into their best selves.

Hypnose Drama is, by far, the best mascara on the market right now and it is absolutely worth every penny of its $24.50 price tag. But if you want to up the proverbial ante and elicit stares and compliments galore, you’ll dig deeper into your wallet and buck up for the primer too.

Lancome Powerbooster and Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara are available at Sephora.

Ideeli Sales This Week


Eva Franco Sale
Tuesday, September 1
RTW (Contemporary)
Save up to 68%Off
Prices start at $45


Lacoste Sale
Tuesday, September 1
Watches
Save up to 80%Off
Prices start at $38


Matisse Sale
Starts Wednesday, September 2
Shoes
Save up to 45%Off
Prices start at $52


London Fog Sale
Starts Wednesday, September 2
Handbags
Save up to 55%Off
Prices start at $34


Lucca Sale
Starts Wednesday, September 2
RTW (Contemporary)
Save up to 58%Off
Prices start at $25


Tadashi
Starts Thursday, September 3
RTW (Bridge)
Save up to 62%Off
Prices start at $74


Tahari Sale
Starts Friday, September 4
RTW
Save up to: 76%Off
Prices start at: $89

ideeli RED SALE
Starts Saturday, September 5
Whole lotta goodness for super cheap.
**More details to come**

Ideeli membership is free...click here for an invite, courtesy of Spoiled Pretty.

Q&A With Lana Horochowski, Mad Men's Makeup Department Head

Q: You’re the new department head at Mad Men for Season 3, will you be making any changes to any characters makeup?

A: Since we are moving a little forward into the future, we have changed up the color palette for each character to go along with the time period.


Q: When you were preparing for this season, did you do any research for inspiration? If so, what most inspired you?


A: Weeks and weeks of meetings and research. I love looking through the old magazines. They are a great reference and a huge source of inspiration; however, we do try to keep the characters looking like real people that do their own makeup and not like movie stars with a makeup artist standing by. Magazines and old movies are a great guideline for a basic look and color selection.

Q: How would you describe the looks of each one of the characters? How do they differ?

A: Joan Holloway- always put together, very sassy and sexy


Betty Draper- although she is a housewife she is an ex model, so her makeup is clean but very current for the period


Peggy Olson- Peggy is a young and fresh faced business woman of that period, she is a very clean natural makeup

Q: What are your key products for creating the makeup looks for the main female characters?


A: Joan Holloway- We do a heavier eye on Christina, so the key products would be eyeliner and strip lashes.

Betty Draper- Betty has 2 distinct looks, her at home look and her going out/evening look. For home she is very natural, basically a sheer foundation, think black eyeliner and mascara. Evening Betty goes a little thicker on the liner and a brighter lipstick, but aalways coordinated with her clothing.

Peggy Olson- Since the key to Peggy’s look is to appear as though she is wearing no makeup, a great foundation is super important. Also, a natural cheek and lip stain is applied to give her a little color.


Q: What are your favorite MAC products for each character?


A: Joan Holloway- Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle, Fluidline in Blacktrack and Rich Ground, brown and black, and Eye Shadow in Soft Brown.

Betty Draper- Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle, Blushcreme in Posey, and Lipstick in Vegas Volt, Lip Pencils in Redd and Cherry.

Peggy Olson- Eye Shadow in Orb, Vanilla, and Soft Brown and Blot Powder.


Q: Everyone always notices the lips on the show, but brows seem to play a very important part to the look.
Can you talk about the brows on the show?

A: Women of the 60's had a stricter code of style and etiquette, so people tended to follow the trends closer to the book. Nowadays, women have a variety of different brow styles so we are constantly tweezing, shaping, and filling the brows to recreate the look of the period.


Q:
Each character has the most perfect lashes framing her eyes. What are your favorite lashes to use to get that perfectly plump line of lashes?

A: We love the MAC individual lashes as well as the traditional strip lashes.

Q: Do you collaborate with the hair and costume departments when coming up with a look.

A: Absolutely! We have at least 3 meetings per episode to create the look as a unit. I could not do this show without Lucia Mace (hair), Janie Bryant (costumes), and my fabulous key Ron Pipes!


Q: There seems to be a lot of making out on the show, how many times do you have to redo those red lips? Does it get messy?


A: We do what we can to seal the lip color, but we still have to go in every take to perform a minor clean up.


Q: What can real women take away from the show’s look and incorporate into their everyday look?


A: Well, a great start would be lining the top lash line only with a gel liner like MAC Fluidline. We love this product for recreating the perfect 60's eye. Also, replacing gloss and sheer or shimmer lipsticks with matte reds, bright pinks, and corals help create a more retro look. Lastly, instead of a powder blush try using creme in pinks and corals to create a flushed looking cheek. For evening, strip lashes are always a bonus.

Hearst Launches RealBeauty.com


Hearst Magazines Digital Media, a unit of Hearst Magazines, will introduce RealBeauty.com, a new website dedicated to providing comprehensive content on all things beauty-related. The site will cover both inner and outer beauty, featuring topics including hair, makeup, skin, body and fragrance, as well as diet and exercise, stress relief, sleeping better, eating well and other wellness subjects. Hearst anticipates that RealBeauty.com will quickly become a top 10 beauty destination online.

RealBeauty.com will roll out a beta version in September 2009. In November, a unique personalization feature called “The Beauty Book” will be unveiled on the site, marking its official launch. The Beauty Book, an innovative new personalization tool not found on any other beauty sites, will provide consumers with customized beauty and wellness information, product recommendations and advice based on their characteristics, such as age, ethnicity and hair color, and on their preferences for specific content, products and beauty techniques. Consumers will be able to port their Beauty Book across the Hearst Network to sites such as Cosmopolitan.com and Redbookmag.com, as well as to select social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. Visitors to the beta site will be able to sign up for a Beauty Book and will then be notified when the function goes live.

Nicole Stagg, founding editor of RealBeauty.com, says: “Our research has shown that women are looking for a highly personalized site that covers all aspects of beauty. This led to the development of RealBeauty.com’s editorial voice as well as our proprietary ‘Beauty Book’ toolbar, which will allow site visitors to get beauty advice and information targeted specifically at them.”

Content channels on RealBeauty.com will consist of key categories that include hairstyles & color, skin & makeup, body & mind, diet & fitness, and shopping. In addition, the site will feature relevant beauty advice for all ethnicities (e.g. African-American, Asian, Latina, South Asian/Indian, Caucasian, etc.), ages (e.g. teens 20s through 60s), all life stages (e.g. single, married), styles (e.g. everyday, special occasions) and budgets.

RealBeauty.com will feature content from Hearst Magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Redbook and Good Housekeeping, as well as partners including Hype Hair, Latina, and other original content that will enable the site to delve deeper into subjects such ethnic-based beauty.

Visit RealBeauty.com and enter your email address to be notified when they officially launch.

Minggu, 30 Agustus 2009

Kim Kardashian Shows Off Her Dark Side In YRB Magazine

Kim Kardashian has a dark side...and, no surprise, it's absolutely gorgeous. Just peep these pics from the new issue of YRB Magazine.

"My YRB Magazine shoot just came out and I am loving the results," Kim shared on her blog.

"I love the photog, Mike Ruiz, and my stylist Darius Baptist was amazing! The always wonderful Troy Jensen did my makeup!! This shoot was done the day I left for Africa. I really love the transformation and the clothes were amazing!!! This has got to be one of the most unique shoots I've ever done! Not sure I'll ever go for a permanent short cut, but it definitely works for this shoot."













For more Kim Kardashian news, beauty and makeup tips, click here.

Source: kimkardashian.celebuzz.com

The Beauty Girls Weekend Read

Lianne from TheMakeupGirl got her first chemical peel at the Ted Gibson/Hela Spa in Chevy Chase and is never looking back!

Julia from All About The Pretty checks out cult skincare line Eve Lom's travel set.

Nobody does nudes like Bobbi Brown! Check out her latest Nude Eye Palette at Makeup Bag.

Quiz: Which new fall nail color came straight from the runway and promises to be the "it" color this fall? makeup loves me has the answer!

Find out why Daneen from Spoiled Pretty is channeling Sinead O'Connor and has declared that Nothing Compares to Darac TourQuam 3-D Face Sculpting Brush.

Amber from Beauty Blogging Junkie has Super Secret Behavior....and she lets us in on it!

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search is ready...are you? Her feature "Back To School Beauty" is back, check out her newest finds along with some blasts from the past.

Jumat, 28 Agustus 2009

Kim Kardashian Inks Perfume Deal With Lighthouse Beauty

Kim Kardashian is about to add another title to her resume: fragrance creator. Today’s Women’s Wear Daily reports that the reality star has inked a deal with beauty firm Lighthouse Beauty. Her first fragrance is expected to launch in spring 2010. "Collaborating with Lighthouse Beauty was a really creative, innovative process," said Kardashian. "What’s’ so different about their approach is that they have worked so closely with me on all aspects of my fragrance, the bottle, the juice...so I can develop a product that truly represents me and speaks to my fans...the fragrance really captures who I am."

For more Kim Kardashian news, beauty and makeup tips, click here.

Source: WWD.com

Kamis, 27 Agustus 2009

mark Urban Neutrals Fall 2009 Flip For It

mark introduces the new Urban Neutrals Fall 2009 Flip For It!

Get gorgeous on the go by carrying all your essentials in this surprisingly little case that includes the season’s perfect hues for lips, cheeks and eyes. The collection is filled with coordinating urban neutral tones with a twist, for a flirty, feminine look. Mix and match shades to your heart’s content and create a personalized look that is perfectly flattering on a range of skin tones.

The kit ($20) contains 2 Lip Color Shades, 2 Lip Gloss Shades, 2 Eye Shadow Shades and 1 Cheek Shade.

NARS Cleansing Oil

"Great skin is the first step to looking beautiful" - François Nars

Great skin begins with a radiant canvas, entirely free of any makeup residue. This technically advanced formula is the first, and most important step in the cleansing process. The weightless, silky solution eliminates makeup traces and flushes out pores, prepping the skin for cleansing. Excess oil coating the skin surface is obliterated, and clarity is visibly improved.

Unlike most facial oils, NARS Makeup Cleansing Oil can be applied with wet or dry hands, and rinses off effortlessly with zero residue. Both gentle and effective enough to use on the eyes and lips.

NARS Makeup Cleansing Oil ($40) will be available in September 2009 on narscosmetics.com.

Ulta Continues College Day Discounts For Students Nationwide

Ulta - the largest U.S. beauty retailer with one-stop shopping for prestige and mass cosmetics, skincare and hair care products and Salon services – is offering exclusive discounts on the hottest beauty trends during "College Day."

On the first Tuesday of every month, bring your college student ID to any Ulta location and receive exclusive discounts on an expertly edited selection of beauty products to make over your look for back to school.

On Tuesday, September 1, the following offers will be EXCLUSIVE for students who show their valid college ID:

Smashbox Cosmetics: 20% off
Bare Escentuals Get Started Kits (all shades): 20% off
Harajukku Lovers Fragrance: 50% off
TIGI Brand Professional Haircare: 25% off
Pro Nail Products: 25% off
Chi Flat Iron Style GF 1001: $99.95
Maybelline: 25% off on all mascaras, eye shadows & liners
Neutrogena: 25% off on Neutrogena Skin Clearing Foundation, concealers & powders
Salon at Ulta: $20.00 haircut

New offers will be revealed on Facebook each month. Visit Facebook.com/ulta and become a fan to receive email updates with the exclusive College Day offers!

Rabu, 26 Agustus 2009

Recessionista's Fabuless Pick of the Week: Black Opal Lip Liner-Lacquer Duo


Black Opal Lip Liner-Lacquer Duo ($6.75) is a fabulous lip duo with a gorgeous lip gloss on one end and an automatic lip liner in the wand handle. Available in six shades: Bronze Shimmer, Cherry Blossom, Fudge Brownie, Golden Gleam, Love Drop, and Wild Violet.

Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow Collection


"With these shadows there’s no need to choose function over style. They’re long-wearing and come in the most glamorous eye-catching shades ever." –Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown's award-winning cream shadow is now available with a glittering, high-shimmer finish. Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows ($22) feature a sheer, lightweight formula that goes on comfortably, it stays color-true and crease-free all day. Available in 8 shades: Chrome Patina, Brown Metal, Starry Night, Black Pearl, Starry Purple, Antique Gold, Goldstone and Mercury.

On Counter: September 2009

Barbie Loves Stila Fall Collection

Inspired by looks created for the first ever Barbie runway show at Fall 2009 New York Fashion Week, the new Barbie™ Loves Stila fall collection has everything you need to get all dolled up. The collection will be available on the Stila Cosmetics site in September, and you can snatch up the ultra-glam Barbie™ Loves Stila Smudge Pot and Barbie™ Loves Stila Lip Glaze NOW on the Stila website, as a special preview.

Barbie™ Loves Stila All Doll’d Up Palette ($28): A must-have for any glam girl, this adorable refillable compact – decorated with a lenticular of the iconic Barbie stare contains four eye shadow trios (TWELVE eye shadow shades!) for endless looks and countless levels of glamour. Available at stilacosmetics.com, Ulta and Sephora.

Barbie™ Loves Stila Lip Enamel Trio ($32): This set of highly-pigmented mega-watt glosses is a true triple threat. The three wearable shades include Joy (red), Happiness (light pink) and Tickled Pink (the Barbie signature power pink exclusive to the Barbie Loves Stila Collection) and feature mood boosting rhodolea rosea and long lasting lip conditioning ingredients. Available at stilacosmetics.com, Ulta and Sephora.

Barbie™ Loves Stila Lip Glaze ($22): Add dimension and shimmer to your lips with just a click of one of these iconic Lip Glaze pens. Choose from universally flattering Pale Pink, a Bright Pink or Red. Available exclusively at Sephora and stilacosmetics.com.

Barbie™ Loves Stila NEW Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner ($20): Created especially for the Barbie collection, this new marker-like pen glides on with precision and ease and won’t smudge or run. The intense carbon black color creates definition for day and drama for night. Available exclusively at Ulta and stilacosmetics.com.

Barbie™ Loves Stila Smudge Pot ($20): Tucked inside jars emblazoned with Barbie’s sparkling stare, these ultra-rich shades of the cult favorite gel-based liner are the first versions to be infused with intense sparkle. Options include eye enhancing Cobalt Clutch (blue with blue shimmer), Purple Pumps (purple with pink shimmer) and the intense Little Black Dress (black with pink shimmer). Each is perfect for lining the eyes and as a stay-put smudge-proof shadow. Available at stilacosmetics.com, Ulta and Sephora.

Free Graphic Tees at Old Navy

Align Center
On Saturday, August 29 (one day only), get a free graphic tee at Old Navy, with the purchase of adult jeans for just $19.

Selasa, 25 Agustus 2009

InStyle Presents 15 For Fall

Brace yourselves...this is a Spoiled Pretty exclusive. The rest of the world won't find out until tomorrow...

It is InStyle's 15th birthday and one of the ways they are celebrating is by offering finds and special deals from 27 fabulous fall collections where Instyle editors cherry picked 15 of their favorite items. They are also giving away 4 $1,000 shopping sprees!

Click here to see all of the special offers.

To enter for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree, click here.

Have an iPhone? Here is the app link so you can browse and shop the best of the season anytime!

Senin, 24 Agustus 2009

DERMAdoctor Giveaway

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

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

To enter the giveaway, send an email to fotohotcewekcontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "DERMAdoctor Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, August 30th. Two winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, August 31st, I'll announce the winners' names. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. residents.

Good luck!

Darac TourQuam 3-D Face Sculpting Brush, Nothing Compares 2 U



After using Darac's TourQuam 3-D Face Sculpting Brush, I have one thing to say to all of the other makeup brushes on the market: you should be ashamed of yourselves.

For applying powder products, nothing compares to the TourQuam brush. Nothing.

This Jetsons-esque tool has a magnet hidden in the handle. Because all powders have an iron oxide, magnetic base, this brush attracts the perfect amount of product. Which means no wasting your precious powders. And no more tapping and blowing on the bristles to avoid looking like a character straight outta Kabuki theater. So not necessary.

Seriously...even you unintentionally heavy-handed makeup junkies will be amazed at how this brush keeps your 'more is more' tendencies in check.

Lately, I've been using this brush in tandem with my LORAC TANtalizer Baked Matte Satin Bronzer and Fresh Freshface Blush Powder - and I can honestly say that my golden glow and flushed cheeks have never looked more natural.

Darac TourQuam 3-D Face Sculpting Brush, nothing compares 2 u!

Darac products are available at QVC and daracbeauty.com.

Shu Uemura Primitribe

Infused with the prevailing spirit engendered by its founder that "modes have a right to break rules," the premier beauty brand, named for its creator Mr. Shu Uemura, introduces "primitribe" (primitive+tribe), its 129th mode make-up collection.

Trained directly under Mr. Shu Uemura, international artistic director Kakuyasu Uchiide, continues to challenge the notions of the expected, taking us on an exploration that goes beyond the traditional borders of "seasonal makeup."

With his creation of primitribe, Uchiide leads us to a land filled with a unique product mixture that brims with adventurous and vibrant colors, rich textures and elaborately adorned packaging.

For Eyes

Primal Color Stick ($30) - Cream to powder texture glides on easily to create smoky shadows or add shimmering radiance. Unique diagonally cut tip achieves maximum decoration. Available in four limited-edition shades: Blazed Gold, Misty Grove, Rich Earth and Night Maroon

Painting Liner ($40) - Ultra smooth-glide gel-type eyeliner in colors inspired by gems from the wild’s of nature. Decorate your eye line with lucent accents or blend in varying degrees. Match with color stick for a treasure trove of impact. Available in two limited-edition shades: Citrine and Turquoise

Primal Mix Eyelashes ($25) - Long lashes in natural dark colors become amulets for the eyes. Interspersed with flashes of blue, pink, light green and yellow color. Cut into any desired width and apply on top or bottom lashes to enjoy various accents on eyes.

For Face

Primal Mix Blush ($24) - Duo-color blush mixes a fresh tone with a soft terracotta tone to create a perfect harmony to add a healthy, warm and natural glow to skin. Available in three limited-edition shades: Rhythm, Soul and Echo
For Lips

Rouge Unlimited Lipstick ($23) - An inviting selection of shades inspired by wild fruits at different stages of ripening. Muted colors complement a healthy skin tone. Natural dewy sheer finish. Two new shades!

For Nails

Nail Enamel Supplement Mineral ($16) - An exquisite face is complemented by nails adorned with a caravan of vibrant colors caressed by the sun. Two new shades!


Shu Uemura Red:Juvenus

Using the power and energy of red, shu uemura introduces a breakthrough technology in red:juvenus, a skin beauty program that that goes beyond prevention to visibly correct signs of aging.

Believing the flow of essential elements such as energy, water and nutrients at the cellular level is vital to maintaining and creating flawless skin, shu uemura empowered each of the line’s
five products with its proprietary Phyto-Red Energy Complex. Comprised of three key red and powerful ingredients, Amalaki, Pomegranate and Lycopene Capsule 2X, this high performance
innovation fights fine lines, wrinkles and large pores while improving skin’s elasticity, texture, clarity and radiance.

The red: juvenus line includes:

Vitalizing Refining Lotion ($40) – A light feeling textured lotion that contains Hibiscus Flower extract helps to renew and refine the look of skin’s surface. Spreads quickly for deep penetration into skin layers, to retain moisture content. Skin feels moisturized, looks energized, smooth, refined and radiant. Use after cleansing.

Intense Revitalizing Concentrate ($85) – A vitalizing, translucent gel concentrate that contains the highest concentration of the Phyto-Red Energy complex within the range. Skin looks energized and with the help of Dipeptide, elastin fibers are protected and the loss of skin
elasticity is limited. Use after the lotion.

Vitalizing Retexturizing Emulsion ($75) – A retexturizing emulsion that enwraps skin with long-lasting moisture. Skin surface becomes refined and smooth. Enriched with Meadowfoam Seed Oil and Hyaluronic Acid, the emulsion softens and plumps the skin with moisture. Use after
essence.

Vitalizing Retexturizing Cream ($65) – A retexturizing gel-cream that nourishes and hydrates the skin with selected lipophilic agents such as lecithin and cholesterol. With Meadowfoam
Seed Oil and Hyaluronic Acid, the cream comfortably spreads on the skin and envelopes it to keep it soft and moisturized.

Vitalizing Line-Reducing Eye Essence ($65) – A gentle eye essence to reduce the appearance of fine lines, first wrinkles and dark circles. Enhanced with caffeine, the eye essence helps promote a healthy looking glow. Its fresh, light texture leaves the delicate eye area moist and smoothes
without a filmy residue.

Minggu, 23 Agustus 2009

I Can't Believe It's Not Lip Gloss: Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick

I haven't worn lip gloss in almost three weeks. This is huge news for a lip gloss junkie like me...and probably a new record.

If you're a gloss loyalist who rarely breaks out anything in the stick variety, I've found a product that might just change your tune. For almost a month, I've had Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick on lockdown. It's a sheer lipstick with gloss-like tendencies that "drenches lips in moist, lush color that glides on buttery-soft, and feels luxuriously smooth."

I'm partial to Raspberry Rush, which is described as raspberry with a hint of gold pearl. Paired with a few swipes of black mascara, it lends my face an easy yet polished look.

Clinique recently enlisted the help of a dentist to identify lipstick shades that instantly make your teeth look less mother of pearl and more pearly white...and Raspberry Rush is one of them. These shades are proven to make teeth look at least one shade brighter – it was confirmed using a dental color guide. The Clinique brightening lipstick shades include:

*High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 in After Party, Go Fig, Peach Pop and Red-y To Wear

*Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Cranberry Cream, Pink-a-Boo and Raspberry Rush

*Different Lipstick in Ice Bloom, Raspberry Glace and Shy

*Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick in Twilight Nude

I've found my perfect shade. Find yours at Clinique.com.

A More Perfect Union: Gabrielle Graces Essence Magazine's September Cover

You know how they say magazines sell more issues based on which celeb is on the cover? Well, even though I know it's true, I never paid a cover much mind, to be honest. I'm a magazine nut - and if the pages are filled with beauty, fashion and star style, I'm buying it - regardless of who is on the front.

But the September 2009 issue of Essence is a rare exception. As soon as I spotted Gabrielle Union, sporting an espresso bob with side-swept bangs for her 5th Essence cover, I snatched the mag off the shelf and made a beeline for the register.

"She was mad for her new look with the sexy bangs and shoulder-length cut," recalls Beauty and Cover Director Mikki Taylor, who led the makeover team in creating this transformation.

When I brought the issue home, I showed Mr. Spoiled Pretty. "Isn't her hair to-die, Graham?" I asked. To which he replied, "Um...isn't that how you usually wear your hair when it's down?" Well, yeah...I am pretty handy with the flat iron and this is the look I'm going for. But Gabrielle's do is the gold standard, and my limited styling prowess has only achieved bronze status - at best.

But you best believe I'm going to tack this photo up and practice, practice, practice to perfect the look. Too bad there aren't any products to help replicate Gabrielle's flawless cocoa complexion and girl next door dimples.

The September 2009 issue of Essence is on newsstands now.

New From Tweezerman: Matchbox Twelve

How cute are these mini nail files from Tweezerman?

Tweezerman Matchbox Itty Bitty Files give you a convenient way to shape, smooth, and shine your nails to perfection wherever you may be. These small but mighty tools have a 240/180 grit ratio—the heavier side is for shaping and the lighter for smoothing. Get twelve files in a chic, matchbox-sized case that slips into your purse for no-fuss, on-the-go fixes; the case protects the files and keeps them from scratching your belongings.


Tweezerman Matchbox Itty Bitty Files ($4) are available at Sephora in three punchy prints: Prepster, Pop Princess and Pretty Punk.

Ideeli Sales This Week


Starts Monday, August 24
Save up to 68%


Marc Jacobs Watch Sale
Starts Monday, August 24
Save up to 63%



Voom By Joy Han Sale
Starts Monday, August 24
Save up to 83%



Linda Farrow Sun Sale
Starts Tuesday, August 25
Save up to 58%



Eryn Brinie Sale
Starts Tuesday, August 25
Save up to 62%



Starts Thursday, August 27
Save up to 62%


Ideeli membership is free...click here for an invite, courtesy of Spoiled Pretty.

LinkWithin