This Is Why I Love TJ Maxx

Today, I took a trip to my local TJ Maxx - in St. Davids, PA. At the end of a 2-hour stint in the store, my cart was full and I was ready to checkout. After the cashier rang me up, I realized that I forgot my credit card. So I had to put it all back. Stupid, stupid me. Just look what I missed out on...

LipFusion Color Shine, $7.99


Clinique lip gloss set, $19.99


Urban Decay Mai Tai Flavored Body Powder, $7.99


Urban Decay Sparkler Pen, $3.99


Check out this ModelCo display. I nearly lost my beauty-loving mind!


ModelCo Bronze Airbrush Sun, $7.99


ModelCo Bronze Airbrush Face, $7.99


ModelCo Beauty Fix Airbrush Face, $5.99


L.A.M.B. All Over Me Body Scrub, $7.99


Miu Miu sunglasses, $19.99

Summer Beauty Staples Giveaway Winner

Drumroll please...the winner of Spoiled Pretty's Summer Beauty Staples Giveaway is Andrea Lurie. Yay!

Andrea will receive Clinique Sun with SolarSmart line of sunscreens, ModelCo Body Meringue and Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser, Philosophy's Never Let Them See You Shine oil-control products, Secret Clinical Waterproof Antiperspirant and Deodorant, and Fresh Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum. Whew...that was a mouthful.

Many, many thanks to Clinique, ModelCo, Philosophy, Secret and Fresh for providing products for my latest NBC 10! Show appearance - and for generously donating an extra set of everything to offer this giveaway to Spoiled Pretty readers!

This was one of the most highly coveted prizes yet - but, alas, there could be only one winner (lucky Andrea). But if you didn't win, don't despair. Every week, there's another amazing weekly giveaway...so there's always another chance to get spoiled pretty.

Summer Beauty Staples on the NBC 10! Show

Watch my latest NBC 10! Show appearance to hear about my favorite summer beauty staples!

Every member of the studio audience went home with a few product samples. But before you get all "where can I get me a 10! show ticket?" - just relax. How could you think I would forget about my online amigas?

If you don't know me by now, you will never never never know me...

This week, I'm gifting one of you with a plethora of products that will help you beat the heat and keep you looking hot all summer long!

Clinique Sun with SolarSmart is a new line of sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The formula is non-greasy, oil-free, water and sweat resistant, yet appropriate for sensitive skin. The range includes: SPF 30 Face Cream, SPF 50 Face Cream, SPF 30 Body Cream, SPF 50 Body Cream, SPF 15 Face/Body Cream, SPF 25 Body Spray, SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick, and Rescue Balm with Aloe.

ModelCo Body Meringue Bronze Glow is an instant bronze shimmer and gradual self-tanner, in a mousse formula. This weightless foam firms the skin while offering a light buildable, natural tan. After smoothing the foam on, a light instant bronze appears so you can see exactly where you've applied. And over the next few hours, your tan gradually deepens. The best thing about Body Meringue, IMO, is it's skin firming properties; it contains an ingredient that helps minimize the appearance of cellulite. Can you even? And if you want to kick your tan up a notch, mist on ModelCo’s Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser over tanned skin for a sparkly effect. My little secret tip is to spray it in your hair, which looks beyond amazing on all hair colors!

If the Philadelphia heat and humidity turn your face into an oil slick, I feel you. I get shiny too, and it’s very embarrassing and it’s a high-maintenance situation. Philosophy’s Never Let Them See You Shine line of skincare products are specifically designed to control oil. The Cleanser deep cleans pores and the Scrub gently exfoliates. The Primer creates a matte finish, and can be applied on bare skin or mixed with foundation.

Secret Clinical Waterproof Antiperspirant and Deodorant offers all-day protection through heat and humidity, or after being in the water. So it’s ideal in the city, at the pool, or at the shore. The formula is skin soothing, and Secret Clinical Waterproof is designed with two-click applicator to ensure that the right amount of product is delivered to the underarm area with each use.

In the summertime, you want to choose a lighter fragrance because heavier winter scents can become cloying in the warmer months. I’ve found the perfect summer scent: Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum by Fresh. Inspired by France’s Champagne region, the fragrance has crisp, lemony top notes, a heart of pinot noir and an earthy base. Citron de Vigne is unisex, so buy a bottle and your entire household can share!

This prize is worth over $360!

To enter, send an email to fotohotcewekcontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "Summer Beauty Staples Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Monday, June 1st. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Tuesday, June 2nd, I'll announce the winner's name. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents.

Good luck!

March Monthly Promotion at ModelCo

Spend $55 at modelco.com and score this gift set, valued at $73. Gift with purchase includes comprises a chic compact with 4 shades of eye shadow (Costa Rica, St Barts, Miami, Ibiza) to flatter any skin tone, a powder blusher (in Peach Bellini) for a peachy-keen glow, plus Pink Sea Shell Lip Gloss.

Enter MC9997 at checkout to activate promotion.

What Michelle Obama Will Wear (On Her Face) On Inauguration Day

It's anyone's guess which designer will hit the fashion jackpot tomorrow, when our new first lady finally unveils her inaugural ball gown. But thanks to Us Magazine, we have a sneak peek at the makeup Mrs. O will be wearing.

Michelle's makeup artist, Ingrid Grimes-Myles said she would choose "chic neutrals" for the daytime Inauguration ceremony, including:

ModelCo Colourbox Eye Shadow in Seychelles
Stendhal Mascara in Noir Black
POP Beauty Blush Cake in Natural in Nudes
It Cosmetics Lip Plumping Pencil in Attract and Energy

For the inaugural ball, Grimes-Myles hints that Michelle's makeup will be "major glam, with deep, smoky plum-lined lids." Will her dress be purple? We shall see...

For nighttime, Michelle's makeup wardrobe will include:

Mineral Essence Eye Shadow in Merlot
Bloom Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black
Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten in Berry
Paula Dorf Lip Color Sheer Tint in Innocence

All I Need Is A Miracle, All I Need Is You

My complexion is far from perfect. Like many of you, I struggle with acne, dark circles, hyperpigmentation and rednesss. But masking these imperfections with foundations and concealers can lead to a vicious cycle. Yes, heavy face makeup camouflage your problem areas, but they can exacerbate skin issues, rendering you more dependent on these products. Besides, I’m not the kind of gal who likes wearing base on the regular. Boo hoo. What to do?

ModelCo (the whiz kids behind Body Meringue and Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser) just unveiled Miracle Veil Skin Perfecting Fluid, a light-weight skin corrector that minimizes imperfections, disguises redness, lightens pigmentation, evens out skin tone and protects skin with SPF 14.

When I first took a chance on Miracle Veil, I was absolutely perplexed. It’s green, so I was extremely hesitant to rub it all over my mug. I thought to myself, “How in the ham sandwich will smearing this mint colored mess all over my face make me look better?” But the beauty of most beauty products is that they wash off. So I gave it a try, figuring that I had nothing to lose - other than a few flaws.

Well, let me tell you…they don’t call it Miracle Veil for nuthin’. It brightened my skin tone, whisked away the shadows beneath my eyes and enhanced my skin’s luminosity. Wearing Miracle Veil is akin to traveling with your own lighting crew. So I can dare to go bare. The product also acts as a primer for optimized makeup application; it cancels out darkness and redness, so your foundation and concealer don't need to work as hard. But the benefits don’t end there. Miracle Veil doesn’t just hide imperfections, it heals the skin.

White Mulberry Root Extract balances skin pigmentation and protects against future discoloration. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, soothing and calming the skin to combat redness with anti-bacterial properties. Hawthorn Extract prevents the visible appearance of wrinkles while treating pigmentation and uneven skin tone. And Phospholipids create a protective barrier while reducing water loss and protecting against environmental pollution.

So if you look in the mirror and it seems like you’ve stumbled into some bad lighting, don’t hope for a miracle. Just go out and buy one.

Miracle Veil is available at Henri Bendel, Sephora, Beauty Bridge and modelco.com.au.

ModelCo Giveaway Winners!!!

Watch out, JLo...Sydney Brougham, Rachel Campbell and Carina Zhong are about to show you how to glow.

These lucky lasses are the winners of the ModelCo giveaway. They will each receive:

* ModelCo Body Meringue: a revolutionary 4-in-1 product - and instant bronzer, shimmer and self-tanner with anti-cellulite benefits.

* ModelCo Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser: this illuminising mist evenly covers your face and body - leaving your skin with a shimmery, youthful glow.

Thanks to everyone who entered. And special thanks to ModelCo for sponsoring the contest!

If you didn't win this giveaway, you can still get glowing. ModelCo products are available at Sephora and modelco.com.au. Body Meringue and Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser are among my top picks for summer - so trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Check back soon for our next giveaway!

Go For The Bronze: ModelCo Giveaway!!!

Like it or not, the summer is coming to an end. Before you know it, we’ll retire our sundresses and gladiator sandals to the recesses of our closets. But just because fall is almost here doesn’t mean that your summer glow has to fade away like the lazy days of summer. Oh no, girl. Didn’t you read my Summer 2008 Beauty Olympics post? In case you missed it, here’s the Cleland Notes* version…

ModelCo’s Body Meringue and Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser won the gold and silver, respectively, in the Self-Tanner/Bronzer category. I was so blown away by these products that I couldn’t keep the excitement to myself. So Spoiled Pretty is teaming up with ModelCo for a giveaway.

Three readers will win:

* ModelCo Body Meringue: a revolutionary 4-in-1 product - and instant bronzer, shimmer and self-tanner with anti-cellulite benefits.

* ModelCo Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser: this illuminising mist evenly covers your face and body - leaving your skin with a shimmery, youthful glow.

Each prize is a $68 value!

To enter, send an email to fotohotcewekcontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "ModelCo Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, August 24th. Three winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, August 25th, 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. and Canadian residents only.

Don't miss this golden opportunity to go for the bronze. Good luck!

*anyone else a die hard Cosby Show fan?

You Glow Girl: ModelCo Body Meringue Bronze Glow

This past weekend, my sis, Lauren, finally caught up to her ID and turned 21. On the agenda for Saturday night was a Sex And The City-inspired partay at a hip lounge, with loud music and libations.

Pre-celebration, Lauren coached me on exactly what to wear (LBD from Arden B), how to style my hair (flipped at the ends, volume at the crown, and side-swept bangs), and my makeup look (bronze smoky eye, a hint of color on the cheeks, and glossy pale lip)…just in case premature Alzheimer’s had set in and I forgot how to work it.

So, just to prove that I’m still stylish and hip in my old age – I decided to up the beauty ante by self-tanning with ModelCo Body Meringue Bronze Glow, an all-in-one instant bronze shimmer and gradual self-tanner with skin-firming benefits. This weightless foam hydrates, protects, and leaves the skin feeling firm while offering a light buildable, natural tan. After smoothing the foam on (absolutely no mess whatsoever), a light instant bronze appeared so I could see exactly where I applied. I waited 10 minutes for it to dry, and over the next few hours, my tan gradually deepened...and left a subtle, sexy shimmer on my skin for added glow.

The best part about this product? Skin is left feeling firm and toned with active ingredient SLIMFIT® LS 9509 - which works to reduce the appearance of the visible orange peel effect associated with cellulite. I can’t remember the last time my gams looked this good! My only pet peeve, however, was the scent...but it was faint and easy to overlook, considering how blinded I was by my gorgeous golden glow. I would have topped off my tan with a spritz of ModelCo’s Airbrush Shimmer Luminizer, but I didn’t want to steal the spotlight from the birthday girl.


ModelCo Body Meringue Bronze Glow is available at Sephora and modelco.com.

ModelCo Behavior

Since it came into my possession, I have been spraying myself silly with ModelCo’s Shimmer Airbrush Illuminizer. This long-lasting, luminous mist contains light-reflecting pigments that evenly cover your face and body with a shimmery, youthful glow.

On my arms...ssshhh
On my legs…ssshhh
On my décolletage…ssshhh

Vitamin E and Chamomile moisturize and soothe, and the pink frangipani fragrance lightly scents skin with a heavenly essence. Worn on its own or layered over makeup, Shimmer Airbrush Illuminizer is so sexy. You’ll be mist-ified!


Go ahead...click on the picture above and see the shimmer for yourself.

And for sinfully-scented, shimmering locks, lightly mist over your hair. Just be prepared to have girls all in up in your grill asking you how you got that glow.