Valentine's Day Beauty Giveaway Sponsored by Stila and June Jacobs

Did you know that Valentine's Day is next week? Well, it is – a week from today, in fact. Just thought I'd remind you, in case that obnoxious red aisle at your local drugstore hadn't tipped you off already.

To celebrate Valentine's Day at Spoiled Pretty, I’m partnering with June Jacobs and Stila for a giveaway. Just think of me as Cupid – hooking up one lucky winner with some love-ly cosmetics:

June Jacobs Limited-Edition "Kiss In The Park" Lip Kit
Every true romance begins with a kiss. So treat your lips as well as you treat your skin with a lip facial trio that supports one of New York’s most romantic destinations, Central Park. To support her favorite place in New York City, June Jacobs has partnered with the Central Park Conservancy to create a Limited Edition version of her bestselling Lip Kit - "Kiss In The Park." The first step to perfecting your pucker is to apply the emollient lip exfoliation treatment which utilizes sugar granules to gently sweep away dead skin cells, leaving lips silky smooth. Next, the luxurious Lip Masque is applied to gently calm and nourish the lips. The last step, Lip Renewal is infused with shea butter, mango, aloe and ceramides to instantly provide exceptional and continual relief to dry, dehydrated and chapped lips. The end result is lips that have been rescued, refreshed and revitalized – ready for kissing.
Price: $60, available at JuneJacobs.com

Stila Make Me Blush Palette
This multi-color blush is inspired by Valentine's Day Conversation Hearts. The top layer is sprayed with the gold shine for visual and once dusted off with brush you are left with all over glow pressed powder that will add warmth, soft color, and sheer luminosity to cheeks and complexion. Great for all skin tones, the micro-fine formula is velvety and blendable and instantly enhances the complexion with a tint of pinks and corals. You look and feel radiant from within, just like when that someone special makes you blush.
Price: $14, available at stilacosmetics.com

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 Sunday, February 13, 2011. Good luck!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Blush That Won't Budge

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,

I love your blog, and have been reading all your posts at Spoiled Pretty! I need some help with making my powder blush last. I put on my blush after applying my primer, cream foundation, and loose powder. I am using a variety of blushes, including NARS, MAC, and Wet n' Wild, but none of them seem to stay. Is there anything I can do to get my powder blush to last longer? Thanks!

-Cassidey

Hi Cassidey!

Powder products tend to stay better on moisturized skin. You mentioned that you're using a primer, cream foundation and loose powder which all work. However, using an emollient moisturizer will certainly help your blush and any powders to last longer.

Another way to get your cheeks blushing longer is to first apply a cream blush and follow with a powder blush right over it. I do that often when I need a client's makeup to last through the day and night.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays With Mario!

xo,
Mario

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

Blush Blast From The Past: Benefit CORALista

You know what’s almost as fun as a new beauty product? It’s when you re-discover an oldie but goodie that you forgot that you had.

For the past several weeks, NARS Blush in Torrid has been step 2 of my three step/minute makeup routine (step/minute 1 being Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara and step/minute 3 being either Lancome Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin in Rose Pretty, Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss in Rave or Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Nude Almond topped with Make Up Forever Fascinating Lip Gloss in #10). But this morning, I decided to switch it up and go fishing in my bottomless basket o' blushes. What I came up with was Benefit CORALista Blush – and after sweeping it on my cheeks and admiring myself in the mirror, I can't believe I ever let CORALista slip my mind.

It imparts the most gorgeous, coral-pink glow that looks ab fab on a multitude of complexions. What I love most about CORALista is how effortless it looks; it applies like a dream and the blush actually looks like it's coming from within. Another reason to put CORALista on your shopping list? Coral happens to be the it blush shade right now (ladies, if don't know…you betta ask somebody ).

Oh, and did I mention that the blush – besides looking fantastic – smells fantastic too? It has this light floral scent that, while completely unnecessary, is totally genius. CORALista comes with an applicator brush, but for best results, I like to apply with my ecoTools blush brush.

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!

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.

Make Up For Ever HD Blush: Buy This NOW!

Make Up For Ever’s new HD Blush is one of the best blushes I’ve ever tried - and you know that, when it comes to makeup, I get around.

I am absolutely enamored with MUFE’s HD Foundation, so when I heard about the new blush, it went straight to the top of my makeup must haves list. And lemme tell you, it does not disappoint. First of all, it is very pigmented, which means a little goes a long way…but not so crazy bold that you end up looking like Bozette the Clown. I also love its creamy texture, which is ideal for the warmer weather that is upon us. Another plus of the cream consistency? No need for a makeup brush…all you need is your fingers. But if you want a really professional look, the beautyblender sponge applies like a dream.

The real reason to love HD Blush is the fact that it looks, well, real. Even up close, it appears as if you’re actually blushing – not wearing something to mimic a radiant glow. It blends seamlessly and lasts all day (and night). Oh, and did I mention that it comes in 14 amazing shades? Make Up For Ever sent me samples of #4 (Walk of Shame) and #6 (Quickie) and I love them both. I wear the first when I’m going for a cool toned makeup look, and it looks amazing; when I’m going in a warmer direction, I wear the latter. Though these are the only shades I’ve tried, I can imagine that most of the colors would be universally flattering because they apply so fantastically well and can be layered for intensity.

The only unfortunate thing about this product is that, for now, it’s playing hard to get. I’ve visited two local Sephora stores and, to my dismay, the MUFE display does not yet include the HD Blushes. For the time being, you can purchase on sephora.com (and, luckily, the swatches on the Sephora website are pretty accurate).

MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Give Me Liberty Of London: The very latest in a series of famous MACollaborations, it was only a matter of time before the demure-to-daring kaleidoscopic prints of Liberty of London colored our world with Brit wit and bohemian chic.

From the unstudied, Sienna Miller style of Spitalfields Market to the grit and glamour of Portobello Road, the swinging London girl has always been an unstoppable MAC makeup force!

Spring 2010 blooms with the ultimate flower fusion as MAC joining forces with Liberty, creating cool Britannia compacts and Lipsticks, Eye Shadows, Powder, Blush, Nail Lacquers and blushing, bountiful, quite British accessories.

Beauty Powder, $25
The luxurious, soft pearl finish of MAC Beauty Powder packaged in a glossy white compact. Lid is decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection.
Shell Pearl: Pale peach with gold pearl
Summer Rose: Soft violet pink with pearl

Eyeshadow, $14.50
Give Me Liberty of London: Flat creamy pink (Matte)
Free to Be: Creamy true coral (Matte)
Dame's Desire: Frosty mid-tone reddish purple (Frost)
Birds & Berries: Frosted dark green blue (Veluxe Pearl)
Bough Grey: Mid-tone bluish grey (Satin)

Lipstick, $14

Ever Hip: Creamy light coral (Cremesheen)
Peachstock: Neutral peach (Satin)
Petals & Peacocks: Creamy bright magenta pink (Amplified)
Blooming Lovely: Creamy greyed lilac mauve (Amplified)

Lipglass, $14

Frankly Fresh: Neutral pink beige with soft pearl
Perennial High Style: Creamy bright pink coral
English Accents: Creamy mid-tone blue pink
A Different Groove: Deep purple brown with pearl

Blush, $18.50
Dirty Plum: Sheer dark plum
Prim & Proper: Neutral nude

Nail Lacquer, $12
Vestral White Creamy white (Cream)
Blue India Dark green blue with pearl (Cream)

Liberty of London Makeup Bags, $22-25
Limited-edition laminated makeup bags decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Zip closure boasts a fabulously outsize floral pull.

Liberty of London Scarf, $95
A limited-edition scarf designed with an exclusively created floral pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Rows of coral, orange, yellow and blue flowers form a repeating pattern on a white background. The fabric is a soft wool/viscose blend. Made in Italy. Measures 27″ x 82″.

MAC Too Fabulous

Lips and cheeks get the pretty young thing treatment...Cremesheen makes a comeback for Spring 2010 as part of our permanent collection. Introducing six new très jolie shades and and three bring-back essentials, because the world wants more of this creamy, high-flying gloss formula that provides sheer, Just Superb color with a touch of sex-o-shine!

To accentuate them, a combination of six Lip Pencils ranging from neutral to pinks and browns, to delight and define.

And here's a lovely thought: Six new Mineralize Blush Duos are also making a limited appearance. Inspired by the original, they provide a gossamer sheer and lightweight application…all TOO FABULOUS!

Lip Pencil, $15
Naked Liner: Light Neutral
In Synch: Bright Yellow Pink
Mouth Off: Deep Peach Coral
Trimmed in Pink: Bright Blue Pink
Boldy Bare: Dirty Red Brown
Chestnut: Intense Brown

Cremesheen Glass, $18
Fashion Scoop: Clear Pink
Just Superb: Dirty Neutral Pink
Boy Bait: Light Nude
Partial to Pink: Light Peach Pink
Richer, Lusher: Peach Coral
Loud & Lovely: Blue Pink
Double Dare: Coral Red
Deelight Mid-Tone Neutral
Over Indulgence: Neutral Brown

Mineralize Blush Duo, $23
A limited-edition Mineralize Blush featuring two shades swirled into an abstract pattern. Delivers the sheer color and soft, dimensional pearl finish of all MAC Mineralize Powder formulas.
Rhapsody In Two: Light Pale Pink/Pale Peach (Frost)
Chic Couple: Light Yellow Brown/Dark Peach (Frost)
Two Virtues: Light Blue Pink/Light Violet (Frost)
Bi-Tone Rose Pink/Copper Bronze (Frost)
Buddy Up: Dirty Rose/Neutral Yellow Pink (Frost)
Sun & Moon: Neutral Brown/Pink Brown (Frost)

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette Giveaway Winners!

Congrats to the following winners of the Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette giveaway:

carladgray
Julie (fizzlette)
Shanhai
Staci (dailyglam)
Team Morris

The palette includes five eye shadows, two blush shades, and a bronzing powder for glowing radiance.

Many thanks to Josie Maran for sponsoring this giveaway...and stay tuned for Spoiled Pretty's next contest.

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette Giveaway!

This Spring, Josie Maran created the perfect palette for you to unleash your inner makeup artist. With the Natural Wonder Powder Palette, you can create a variety of looks with the multiple shades, ranging from ashy bold pigments to classic neutrals. The palette includes five eye shadows, two blush shades, and a bronzing powder for glowing radiance.

Eye Shadows: Daydream (shimmery apricot), Hope (bright iridescent blue- purple), Desire (iridescent teal), Trance (shimmery gold), Think (shimmery copper brown)

Blush: Illusion (deep rose), Fiction (peachy pink)

Bronzing Powder: Beach No. 1 (bronze)

This week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Josie Maran to put some spring into your step (and makeup bag). Five lucky readers will win the Natural Wonder Powder Palette (retail price: $35).

To enter the giveaway, leave a message in the comments section; make sure to leave a way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Friday, March 5, 2010. Good luck!

Bobbi Brown Color Strips Collection

Clueless with Color?
Give Bobbi Brown 5 Minutes.
She’ll Make You a Pro.

The Problem: You buy shadows that look amazing in the store, but then you get home and don’t know what to do with them.

The Fix: Everyone can wear bright shades. Bobbi put together these three palettes with pops of color - plus the perfect neutrals that make them work for everyone.

Introducing Bobbi Brown Color Strips Collection: a complete spring eye, lip and cheek wardrobe - designed by Bobbi. Each of these three palettes has five Eye Shadows and three shades of Pot Rouge designed to work together beautifully.

"Don’t be afraid of color. Each palette has one bright eye shadow that really stands out - the rest of my hand-picked shades for eyes, lips and cheeks will make it wearable." –Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Color Strips palettes: Aquamarine (top); Orchid (middle); Bonfire (bottom)

Suggested Retail Price: $60.00
On Counter: March 2010
Available at all Bobbi Brown Counters and on bobbibrown.com

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.

Makeup Mondays With Mario: You're Blushing!

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, I want to say that I'm a big fan and so in awe of your talent. How and where should I apply blush, for a natural-looking flush? Also, do you have any advice for what shades of blush look best on different complexions?

Thanks so much, Nicole
Hi Nicole,

Thanks so much! Choosing the right color and texture of blush is the trick to getting a natural-looking flush. First you want to be sure that your skin is evened out with your base. If you're going for a cream blush, don't use powder on your cheeks. If you choose a powder blush, definitely use a bit of translucent powder to set the makeup so that the blush wont get blotchy.

Now that skin is properly prepped, you can grab your blush brush in front of a mirror and smile. Apply the color right onto the apples of the cheeks. Start with a little product and add more if needed. Do not take the color all the way to the temples/ears unless you're getting dressed for a 70's/80's themed party! Blend the color with your brush to be sure there aren't any lines, etc.

For lighter skin tones, go with pink and peachy colors. Darker skin tones can also use these colors, but should have more yellow and/or red undertones to avoid looking ashy. Reds also look great on dark skin. Play around and have fun! Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with me!xo,
MarioGot a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

MAC Lillyland

When MAC meets the lore and legend that is Lilly Pulitzer, you get a fabulous and funky fun new chapter: a bit of Mar-a-Lago, some well-to-do winky-wink, and a dash of retro-modern pop culture mayhem in prints and colours that make it hip to be in permanent happy land!

A collaboration that feels like the best tongue-in-chic resort retort, with all the wonderful prints and Key West colour combinations Lilly has done so beautifully since, well, forever!

Fly down to South Florida, with MAC in Lillyland!

168 Large Angled Contour Brush, $32
For expert application of cheek contour. This brush is a large angled contour. The fibres form a buffed edge and are soft and firmly bundled.


239 Eye Shader Brush, $24.50
Soft and dense to shade or blend eye shadow or emollient-based products. This brush has a tapered, rounded edge with smooth, firm, fine fibres. It can be used to build intense colour on the eyelid.



Technakohl Liner, $14.50
Purple Dash: Intense aubergine
Graphblack: Rich graphic black



Lipgelee, $14
Resort Life: Off -white with pink pearl
Lush & Bright: Bright pink-yellow-coral with pink pearl
Preppy: Blue-pink with pink pearl
Shift to Pink: Light violet with silver pearl



Nail Lacquer, $12
Coconut Ice: Light yellow-peach-pink (Cream)
Steamy: Hot pink (Cream)



Paint Pot, $16.50
Bare Study: Soft beige with gold pearl (Frost)
Rubenesque: Golden peach with gold pearl (Frost)
Fresco Rose: Pink with matching pearl (Frost)

Pearlmatte Face Powder, $27

Pearlmatte Eye Shadow, $19.50



Cremeblend Blush, $18.50
So Sweet, So Easy: Light yellow-pink
Optimistic Orange: Bright coral
Joie-de -Vivre: Peachy coral
Florida: Bright fuschia

Available in North America on January 7, 2010 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com. Available internationally in February 2010.