NARS Illuminators!

Every time I apply foundation or tinted moisturizer, I mix in a little NARS Orgasm Illuminator - without fail. It takes my complexion to a whole nuther level...which is why I am positively giddy that NARS just added three new shades to the Illuminator family.

COPACABANA - Like its namesake Multiple, Copacabana Illuminator will impart a pearlescent sheen and can be applied all over the face, mixed with foundation, and used to highlight the neck, shoulders and décolleté.

SUPER ORGASM – Infused, like the blush, with golden shimmer and a peachy-gold hue that can be applied all over the face, mixed with foundation, and used to highlight the neck, shoulders and décolleté.

LAGUNA - A golden-bronze hue, just as in Laguna Bronzer, that will give a sun-kissed glow and can be applied to the face or mixed with foundation.

This collection of light-reflecting liquids glides on to refresh the skin, enhance the complexion and create a shimmering incandescence. The Illuminators can be used to highlight bare skin or to light up your makeup as it lights the skin from within.  

Key ingredients include:
• Polar Berries, known for their antioxidant properties 
• Bisabolol, known as an anti-inflammatory (obtained from the Chamomile plant)
• Indian Frankincense, known for its soothing and comforting properties
• Vitamin B5 to, known to condition skin 
• Sodium Hyaluronate, known to hydrate skin

The Illuminators are $29 and are available at the new NARS Boutique in NYC, NARS counters and narscosmetics.com.

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Wear MAC Pigments

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

First, let me say that I think you are a makeup genius and I am a very big fan of yours. Which is why I am reaching out with this question. My question is about MAC pigments. Have you ever used those? I have a whole bunch, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to use them. Can they only be used as eye shadows or can they be used elsewhere on the face? And what's the best way to apply them - I have trouble making them stay put. Thanks so much and best of luck to you!

-Keisha


Hi Keisha,

Thank you! I recommend priming the eyelids with either concealer or an eye primer and setting it with loose powder before you apply any pigment or mica. This allows for a more smooth, clean application. The brush that you use should not be too fluffy. Blending brushes will not work when applying pigments. Instead, use a normal eye shadow brush that is more dense like Sigma's eye shading e55 brush. A dense brush is great for building eyeshadow for more intensity and also holds on to the pigment so it goes exactly where you apply it.

Pigments can sometimes be used on the cheeks or as a highlighter and even on the lips. If the color is appropriate, dab some on your lips and rub it in or mix a bit with a gloss. It has great staying power. Shimmery pigments look great when applied with a wet brush. I often wet the brush myself before applying a shimmer pigment because it makes application very clean and I get more intense color. Another tip is to first dip and sweep your brush into the lid of the pigment before you apply it to your face. This coats the bristles in pigment and, again, provides a more clean and precise application.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to fotohotcewekquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway Winners Revealed!

Congrats to Alcimary123, Barbiedolltori and victoriasecrets11 - winners of Spoiled Pretty's Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway!

Each winner will receive Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter, which features five coordinated waves of luminous color that can be applied as eye shadow, blush or highlighter. Darker shades can be used to contour and accentuate cheeks. Lighter shades can be used for an instant highlighting and brightening effect. Or sweep a brush across all shades for the ultimate blushing glow!

Winners will receive Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter in all four shades (Healthy Glow, Natural Glow, Rosy Glow, Sunkissed Glow).

Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter is an inexpensive dupe for Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks. For more drugstore alternatives to your favorite department store beauty products, watch my latest TV segment!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway!!!

Did you happen to catch my latest tv appearance? A few weeks ago, I taped a segment for the Philadelphia NBC affiliate and dished on my favorite drugstore beauty buys. If you haven't seen the segment yet, I highly recommend you check it out because you’re missing out on some super fab product recommendations. For example, if you love Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks but your wallet is saying, "Nuh-uh, honey" – you (and your beauty budget) are in luck.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter features five coordinated waves of luminous color that can be applied as eye shadow, blush or highlighter. Darker shades can be used to contour and accentuate cheeks. Lighter shades can be used for an instant highlighting and brightening effect. Or sweep a brush across all shades for the ultimate blushing glow!

For the price of one Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, you can get three Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips. But I’m going to do you one better. This week, three lucky Spoiled Pretty readers will win Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter in all four shades (Healthy Glow, Natural Glow, Rosy Glow, Sunkissed Glow). Each prize is worth $48!

Enter to win by leaving a message in the comments section. Make sure to leave your email or another way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky.

Contest is open to U.S. residents. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Good luck!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Plump Your Pout

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.


Hi Mario,

My lips are on the thin side, and so I was hoping you could share some techniques and products that will make them look fuller.

Thanks!
Joanna

Hi Joanna,

To make your pretty little lips appear more full, start out by lining just above the natural lip line with a lip pencil very close in color to your natural lips. Careful not to overdraw too much, especially on the outer corners as it can look clownish or sad-ish. Follow with lipstick and/or gloss and make sure to fill the lips in completely, going over the lip pencil as well to prevent seeing the matte pencil next to the shine or gloss. In other words, apply the gloss exactly over the pencil, not just within the lip line.

For a really pretty pout, finish the lips by applying a cream or powder highlighter to the cupid's bow and center of the bottom lip. This will attract light and lift those areas a bit. If using a gloss, apply the highlight before the gloss or use a light, shimmery gloss on the center instead.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays With Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to fotohotcewekquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection

the color of grace collection, $20-37.50: Inspired by philosophy's best-selling fragrance (and my favorite), amazing grace, the color of grace is makeup that embraces your inner girl with all things pink and beautiful. Philosophy created skin-loving formulas in perfect pink shades that deliver sheer color and heavenly luminosity for a look that is soft, graceful and inspired. Everyone looks prettier in pink lighting. The color of grace is universally flattering and created for all women who want to feel sweet, kind, pretty and feminine. Available at philosophy.com, Sephora and Nordstrom stores in April.

the color of grace heavenly light pink illuminator, $28: A pink light, liquid luminizer that combines skin-loving moisture and brightening botanicals to restore radiance for heavenly luminosity.

the color of grace amazing grace shimmering face powder, $29.50: a sweetly shimmering, silky, pale pink powder that brightens your complexion and creates a soft focus glow as it releases an uplifting, feminine hint of amazing grace fragrance.

the color of grace art of blushing, $35: a multidimensional palette of three silky, sheer blushes in perfect pink shades surrounded by luminous highlighter, to deliver pure color and light for skin that looks soft, luminous and inspired.

the color of grace amazing grace coloring book, $37.50: a purse-sized palette of perfect pink shades for lips, eyes and cheeks to create the face of grace. two eyelighting shadows, two perfect pink lip glosses, an all-over cream illuminator, powder blush and a shimmering face powder scented with a touch of amazing grace fragrance.

the color of grace go with grace face brush, $20: heavenly pink, kabuki-inspired natural hair brush that provides flawless application and blendability of powder or blush. In a pretty-to-go, retractable case.

the color of grace eyelighting shadow duo, $22: sheer washes of color that light up the eyes with delicately shimmering minerals. Available in a luminous duo: heaven/earth.

the color of grace angel kiss lip gloss, $17.50: Grace your lips in creamy, dreamy goodness. The color of grace angel kiss lip gloss loves lips. It blends high-shine, sheer color with lip-caring goodness. Helps enhance the softness and natural rosiness of lips, while a hint of vanilla-mint flavor refreshes the breath.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation Plus Orgasm Illuminator Equals Perfection

I'm not much of a cook, but I've got one heck of a recipe for ya...

Yesterday, my boo took me out for breakfast. As we sat across the table from each other, Graham kept gushing about my complexion. "Your skin looks amazing. Really, you're glowing...it looks so fresh and healthy." That's when I really started beaming, as Mr. Spoiled Pretty throws around compliments like manhole covers (his euphemism, not mine).

So what's my secret? Unfortunately, this time, it had nothing to do with the pregnancy hormones. This glow was a gift from NARS. A few weeks ago when I was in NYC for Fashion Week, I had an opportunity to meet with the NARS team - and I got color matched by James Boehmer, NARS International Lead Makeup Stylist. NARS gifted me with their Sheer Matte and Sheer Glow foundations in Cadiz (medium-dark with caramel and red undertones) - which was a PERFECT match, by the by.

Anyways, so my glow yesterday was the result of the Sheer Glow Foundation mixed with the new Orgasm Illuminator. Here's the recipe: mix 2 parts foundation with 1 part Orgasm Illuminator, and apply with a brush or sponge (I recommend the beautyblender). Then go somewhere where your beauty can be truly appreciated, and wait for the compliments to start flying.

Glo-oh-ow get 'em, girl.

PS - I want to take this opportunity to give a big shout out to NARS for their wide range of foundation shades. Far too often, women with deeper complexions find themselves forgotten by makeup brands. Not so with NARS. I'm so glad to have found this foundation. I encourage you to go to your nearest NARS counter or Sephora store and get color matched too. I guarantee you won't be able to leave empty-handed.

Dior: Dentelle Collection for Spring 2010

I've been coveting just about everything in Dior's new Spring 2010 makeup collection, particularly Lace Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder For Face. You see, makeup and lace are two of my favorite things - so scooping up this highlighter is a no-brainer. Dior Vernis in Gris Perle (Silver Pearl) is also high on my shopping list.

Dior Lace Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder For Face Shade 001

Dior Lace Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder For Face Shade 002

Bobbi Brown Heart Truth Bronze Shimmer Brick Set

For the fifth year in a row, Bobbi Brown is proud to be a sponsor of the The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2010 Fashion Show. The show, which brings some of Hollywood’s leading ladies together on one runway, will be taking place on February 11th during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park.

This year Bobbi created an exclusive, limited-edition Bronze Shimmer Brick Set in partnership with The Heart Truth campaign and its annual Red Dress Collection Fashion Show to raise awareness about women and heart disease. Ideal for creating a warm, bronzy glow, the set includes Bobbi's iconic Shimmer Brick in Bronze and a Mini Face Blender Brush.

Only 500 of these limited-edition sets, which feature a specially designed package and the tagline "Listen to Your Heart," will be available from bobbibrown.com for $40 each.

Bobbi Brown Cabana Corals: Spring 2010

Problem: You love coral, but worry it'll look too bright or chalky.

Solution: Bobbi's modern formulas and juicy colors take an old-fashioned favorite for a fresh, modern spin. Introducing Bobbi Brown Cabana Corals collection.

"This spring, there is a beautiful selection of coral shades perfect for lips and cheeks. The shade range spans from fresh new Pink Corals to universal Nude Corals to true Coral shades - every woman can find the coral shade that’s right for her." -Bobbi Brown

Metallic Lip Color, $22
Metallic Lip Color is made with a unique combination of high-shine emollients and
light-reflective pearls for medium coverage with multi-dimensional shimmer. Available
in three new shades: Coral Reef, Coral Glaze and Calypso Glaze.

Lip Color, $22
Bobbi's classic lipstick: rich, full coverage with a soft matte finish. Available in two new shades: Cabo Coral and Guava.

Shimmer Lip Gloss, $20
Infused with subtle sparkle, Shimmer Lip Gloss is perfect worn on its own or over your favorite lipstick. Aloe extract soothes, Vitamins C and E offer anti-oxidant protection, and Jojoba and Avocado Oils keep lips soft and moisturized. Available in three new colors: Sunset Beach, Coral Sand and Golden Nectar.

Cabo Coral Pot Rouge, $22
Bobbi's purse-friendly Pot Rouge - now in a new sunny shade of coral. Creamy and easy to blend - pat on lips and cheeks for a beachy pop of color.

Shimmer Bricks, $38
Bobbi's iconic Shimmer Brick Compacts are hand-made in Italy and have five bars of luxe, pearlized pigment for a shimmering glow. Run the Face Blender Brush across all five bars and lightly dust over cheeks and forehead, or brush on eyes for subtle glimmer. Available in two new shades: Nectar and Pink Quartz.

Follow Bobbi Brown on Twitter @AskBobbiBrown.

New From NARS: Orgasm Illuminator!

New from NARS: Introducing Orgasm Illuminator, a scintillatingly sheer, weightless fluid that instantly makes skin refreshed, radiant and glowing. Flecks of gold, peach and pink shimmer softly diffuse light, melting into the skin to allow natural luminosity to shine through.

Apply Orgasm Illuminator all over the face for a barely-there, healthy glow. Use as a highlighter for a glimmering accent on the cheekbones. Layer it under, over, or mix directly with NARS Foundations for added overall brilliance. Wear it on the neck, shoulders or décolleté for a silky, subtle, eye-catching sheen.

The Orgasm Illuminator, a new product category for NARS, joins the cult-followed collection of NARS Orgasm-hued products, which includes Blush, Lip Gloss, Nail Polish and The Multiple. Revered by makeup artists and consumers worldwide, NARS Orgasm products have been the recipient of numerous beauty accolades.

NARS Orgasm Illuminator contains raspberry and black currant; bisabolol; Indian Frankincense, Panthenol and Sodium Hyaluronate. It is non-comedogenic.

The NARS Orgasm Illuminator is available exclusively at Sephora.

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To "Luminize" Your Face

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.


Hi Mario!

What is your favorite luminizer? And how can I luminize my face?

Love, April


Hey April,

I have a few favorites when it comes to luminizer. LORAC makes a really good one that comes in two shades. A pearly color for lighter skin and a golden/bronze shade for darker tones. Sometimes I will mix a bit of both together to create my own shade. This luminizer is oil-free and great for sensitive skin. You can luminize your face by mixing some of your foundation and/or moisturizer with the luminizer. I prefer to apply it on the cheekbones with my finger and blend with a damp sponge. Also use a bit on the bridge of your nose and center of lips. Try to not use powder directly on top of the luminizer and instead only on your t-zone. If you really want your face blinged-out, brush some shimmer powder over the liquid luminizer only on cheekbones and only at night.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,
Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to fotohotcewekquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

I TEMPTU. Do You?

I recently received the TEMPTU Airbrush Makeup System to test and review for Spoiled Pretty, and I'm really dreading having to give it back. That's how amazing it is. Watch the video to find out why I'm awarding TEMPTU with 'holy grail' status.


TEMPTU is a great holiday beauty gift (the recipient would love you forever). The TEMPTU Airbrush Makeup System is available at Sephora and costs $225. A duo of foundation pods (there are 12 shades) costs $55. Blush pods (4 shades) are $30 and highlighter pods (4 shades) are $35 each.

For more expert gift picks, check out Spoiled Pretty's 2009 Holiday Beauty Gift Guide!

New York Fashion Week: Alice & Olivia, Spring 2010

For the Alice + Olivia Spring 2010 presentation, MAC created two very different makeup looks. The first was a black super smoky eye, worn by The Plastiscines, who performed at the show.

The models, on the other hand, sported two different shades of pink shadow (Rosy Outlook and Perky) along with a white shade (Just So). Irridescent powder was applied to the cheekbones and the inner corner of the eye. Cream blush in So Sweet was blended onto the cheek, and the above pink shadows were blended together and layered on top. The brow shape was kept natural and kept in place with brow gel.

Angel Lipstick (Kim Kardashian's fave) was applied to lips, with Lipglass in Underage and English Accent on top. Silver dust was also mixed with moisturizer and applied to the entire body, for a ethereal glow.

Key Makeup Artist Nadine Luke emphasized that the look flatters a wide range of complexions, as evidenced by my backstage photos.

"The hair for Alice + Olivia is a crossroads of edgy and girly," said Frédéric Fekkai. "We created a look for funky, confident women."

Andre Rodman, Lead Stylist for Fekkai added a fun, punky edginess to the s weet, girly looks at the Alice + Olivia show. To get the look Andre twirled crimped hair around a double barreled iron in a figure eight pattern. He then pulled the front piece to the side, smoothed it with Fekkai Coiff Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Crème and secured it neatly with jeweled pins. Finally, Andre set the style using Full Blown Volume Lifting Hairspray.

Alice + Olivia for Payless shoes

How darling are these labels?


These boots were made for Payless...and that's just where they'll be.
One of these days these boots are gonna come on home with me.

Impossibly chic booties - for cheap (also for Payless)!


Katty Besnard, lead singer of the Plastiscines (note the sooty black eyes)

#NYFW

After Midnight, We're Gonna Let It All Bling Out

The key to cosmetics is never looking like you tried too hard, even if you've worked up a sweat...though it's preferable to just use simple products that yield simply amazing results.

Which is why I'm currently enamored with Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy Body Shimmer Lotion. Inspired by their best-selling eye shadow, this subtly fragranced shimmering lotion imparts a golden shimmer - without making you look like you're trying to be JLo 2.0. No chunky glitter means it's subtle enough for day, but still potent enough to turn heads 'round midnight.

Midnight Cowboy Body Shimmer Lotion ($28) is available at Sephora and urbandecay.com.

YSL Fall 2009

YSL Fall 2009 Beauty Collection: Inspired by the YSL Fall RTW Fashion collection of exquisite tailoring with sumptuous textures, a flawless complexion is offset by magnetic pearl grey eyes and intense plum lips.

FACE:
* Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation
* Touche Éclat Radiant Touch in Luminous Radiance
* Palette Y Collector Palette for the Complexion (limited edition)
* Crème de Blush Cream Blush in Powdery Rose (limited edition)

EYES:
* Ombres 5 Lumières 5 Colour Harmony for Eyes in Midnight
* Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara in Sublime Grey

LIPS:
* Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick in Exquisite Plum

NAILS:
* La Laque Long Lasting Nail Lacquer in Stormy Grey

Don't Forget About The Nordstrom Anniversary Beauty Exclusives Event

The Nordstrom Anniversary Beauty Exclusives Event doesn't officially kick off until July 17th, but you can get a head start on your shopping now. Beat the crowds and pre-order now so you won't miss out on the limited-edition sets and beauty bargains available only at Nordstrom during this decades-old annual ritual.

I recently got my hands on a sneak preview of Yves Saint Laurent 'All Fore Eyes' Set, one of this year's exclusive offerings.

All For Eyes includes a full-size Touché Éclat Radiant Touch No. 1 Luminous Radiance, a travel-size Instant Eye Makeup Remover, and a full-size Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara No. 1 in Black - which is responsible for the impossibly lush lashes I've been sporting as of late (True Blood-sucker Jessica, eat your heart out!)

Bobbi Brown Nudes Collection, Fall 2009

“Nude makeup never goes out of style - it’s polished, sophisticated, and always looks modern.” -Bobbi Brown

This July, Bobbi introduces her newest take on nude makeup with her 2009 Nudes Collection. “Nude makeup doesn’t mean monochromatic, barely-there makeup. It means makeup that’s right for your skin,” says Bobbi who has created a new, limited-edition eye palette for fall.

The Nude Eye Palette ($60) features eye shadow duos in a sophisticated and universally flattering selection of shades and textures. The eye shadow duos come in our customizable 3 Pan Palette, which can be filled with your choice of any Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow or Blush shades.

Bobbi also introduces a new shade to her iconic Shimmer Brick collection - the Nude Shimmer Brick ($40). Featuring five pure pearl pigments in pink, gold, bronze, beige, and caramel, the shades are designed to be blended together to give all skin tones a soft nude, lit from within glow.

In addition, the Nudes Collection includes Caviar Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($21) Bobbi Brown's best-selling liner now in a rich, deep brown shade, and four new shades of Bobbi’s popular Creamy Lip Color ($22) that compliment the Nude Eye Palette and Nude Shimmer Brick.

All of these products will be available from bobbibrown.com and Bobbi Brown counters July 2009.

Clinique's New Pink Bamboo Collection

This summer is all about a natural pink lip accentuated by beautiful warm browns and muted pinks on the eye with an allover soft, luminous face.

The Bamboo Pink Collection Exclusives from Clinique takes its inspiration from Bamboo Pink, one of Clinique's best-selling lipstick shades - a wearable and subtly seductive hue.

This must-have collection features beautifully crafted 'bamboo' packaging on select items within the collection.

The gotta-have-it items include:

Limited Edition Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Bamboo Pink ($29.50): Long-wearing powder creates a sheer, subtle radiance and allover glow. Sweep over face for an allover, luminous glow, or brush on cheekbones to highlight.

Limited Edition Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Bamboo Pink ($25): Four coordinating shades of velvety, shimmery colour to create the looks you want, from natural to dramatic. Creamy, intense shadows build quickly, blend easily for lasting colour. Wear them alone, as duos and trios, or layered together. Ophthalmologist tested.

Limited Edition Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Bamboo Pink ($14): The creamiest, richest, smoothest lip colour you can imagine. Our revolutionary gel formula delivers the shine of a gloss, the comfort of a lipstick. Drenches lips in moist, lush colour that glides on buttery-soft, feels luxuriously smooth.

Limited Edition Powder Brush ($30): Large, plush face brush dusts on loose or pressed powder for smooth, even application. Unique antibacterial technology helps ensure the highest level of hygiene, keep brush irritant-free.