Makeup Mondays With Mario: Hold The Oil

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 problem is that when the weather gets warmer, my face gets very oily. It seems that no matter what I do, my face always looks shiny/greasy - which embarasses me. Can you recommend any products or makeup tips that might help me keep my shine under control?

Thanks!!!!!
Scarlett


Hi Scarlett,

You can control your naturally dewy skin's shine using a few products and/techniques. Start out with an oil-free, light moisturizer (Daneen recommends Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel) all over, prior to makeup application. Let that set in a couple of minutes, then apply Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light by Smashbox. If your skin doesn't need much coverage, I'd skip the foundation altogether and instead use a concealer on spots. Try Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage concealers. Use a loose powder to set the face, making sure that it's free of shimmer and sparkle, of course. Try Priori loose powder. For touch ups throughout the day, use Tatcha Blotting Papers to absorb shine. I once learned a tip from a brilliant beauty blogger who's spoiled pretty - she uses a Starbucks napkin to absorb oils on the skin. It truly works! All the more reason to go to Starbucks! Oh and one more thing- don't feel embarrassed for having oily skin – it's the most effective anti- aging product and it's all yours!

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!

Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser

Lately, my skin has been uncharacteristically well-behaved. And so soft and smooth that I can't stop petting my face. I didn't know what to make of my enhanced complexion until I realized that I had recently switched up one element of my skincare routine.

After moving into my new house, I couldn't immediately locate my usual facial wash. So when I came across a long lost sample tube of Clinique's Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser, I decided to give it a whirl. And once I did, I was happy my old stuff went A.W.O.L. because I might have missed out on such a fabulous product.

Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser has a cream consistency that gently cleanses – leaving skin feeling moist, clean, and fresh. It's fragrance-free, but the subtle scent reminds me of Dove soap. As mild as it is on skin, it removes long-wearing makeup and sunscreens quickly and efficiently. Plus, it's also a great value; the concentrated formula is long-lasting and a little goes a long way.

I wish you could see/feel my face. It’s a true testament to the brilliance of this cleanser (I've awarded it 'holy grail' status). After washing my face with it, I moisturize with 2-3 pumps of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. And ever since I started this routine, my skin is like a dream.

Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser ($18.50) and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion ($24) are available at Sephora, your local Clinique counter, and clinique.com.

Clinique High Lengths Mascara Giveaway Winners!

Congrats to the winners of the Clinique High Lengths Mascara Giveaway: Angelique, Deb C, Elaine, Estrella Castillo, and vnssa906. These lucky ladies have won Clinique's newest mascara, which provides dramatic length and volume immediately upon application.

Many thanks to Clinique for sponsoring this contest, and for creating such a kick lash mascara!

Don't forget to enter Spoiled Pretty's latest giveaway.

Clinique High Lengths Mascara Giveaway!!!

A few weeks ago, I raved about Clinique's new High Lengths Mascara. The amazing formula and genius applicatior took my stumpy lashes from itty-bitty to BLADOW!

My review and before & after pic really speak for themselves, but I wanted to give you Spoiled Pretty readers the opportunity to try for yourselves.

So, this week, I'm teaming up with my peeps at Clinique - and five lucky readers will win a tube of High Lengths Mascara!!!

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, February 26, 2010.

Good luck!

Clinique High Lengths Mascara

I didn't even know Clinique had a new mascara until a sample showed up in my mailbox last week. And after twisting off the cap and removing the wand from the tube, I thought I had received a defective product. I was expecting to see your standard issue mascara brush; instead, I met a curved, neon green, plastic applicator with teeth. Wait, I take that back. The comb isn't exactly curved; it's more limpy. It leans. Anyway, I took one look at the wand and said to myself, "Oh here we go again. Another gimmicky mascara, just what the beauty world needs." But then I tried it, and quickly changed my presumptuous tune. Before I tell you about my change of heart, I just want to go on record as saying, "Sorry to have ever doubted you, Clinique."

Left eye: with Clinique High Lengths Mascara
Right eye: sadly, without (doesn't it look pathetic?)

As promised, Clinique High Lengths Mascara took my stumpy lashes from itty-bitty to BLADOW! Seriously, they went on for-ev-er. The formula also imparted just the right about of volume - dramatic, yet believable. Since the comb doesn't pick up a lot of product, you'll find High Lengths to be much less wasteful than traditional mascara. And the leaning tower of green teeth did a great job of coaxing my wayward lashes into a curl.

Ever heard the theory about the flap of a butterfly's wings affecting weather patterns thousands of miles away? Well, I have a hypothesis of my own. I'm pretty positive that the flutter of my fab fringe is responsible for this weekend's predicted Nor'easter.

Thanks, Clinique High Lengths Mascara! Sorry about the storm, y'all.

Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream

A few weeks ago, my skin just up and decided to stage a mutiny. My upper body broke out in a rash. From my hairline all the way down to my torso, I was covered in itchy, sandpaper-like bumps (I now suspect eczema was the culprit). My lips didn't even escape unscathed; they were bumpy and inflated to almost twice their normal size. And on the worst day, my left eye was so swollen and droopy, I looked like a female Forest Whitaker.

As the days wore on, the bumps started to dry out and my skin became dessicated and extremely flaky. It was as if I was a snake, shedding an exoskeleton. The dryness of my face was unbearable. With every facial expression or movement of my mouth, it seemed like my skin would literally tear; it was so painful. Up until this point, I had only been using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - as it was all that my traumatized skin could handle. But it begged for more, so I dug through my skin care arsenal looking for a moisturizer substantial enough to quench my skin's thirst, but gentle enough not to send it into another tizzy. I hit the jackpot when I came across a sample of Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream that the brand sent me a few months ago to review.

I can't say enough wonderful things about this cream. My skin is the true testament. After just a few days of using Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream, I started to recognize the reflection in the mirror again. And now that the rash (and its remnants) are almost gone, I continue to apply the cream after cleansing in the AM and PM.

According to Clinique, I've got their "exclusive, patent-pending Enviro-Soothe™ Complex" to thank for soothing and saving my face. Clinique also promises that when "used over time, it strengthens skin's lipid barrier to support natural healing."

Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream also works wonders on dry, cracked hands. I can't think of a better winter skin care pick than this one; it earns Holy Grail status. If you suffer from reactive, sensitive or dry skin, you'd be a smart gal to add it to your shopping list.

Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream is available at clinique.com, Sephora, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom.

Rihanna's 20/20 Frosty Nude Lip Look

On Friday night, I was among the 8.2 million people who watched Rihanna's 20/20 interview. But afterwards, while most people were thinking, "Wow...that Rihanna is so brave to publicly discuss such a horrifying personal tragedy" or "That jackass, Chris Brown, deserves whatever is coming to him" - I was thinking, "What products can I use to copy Rihanna's icy nude lip look?"

So I did what any self-respecting beauty junkie would do. I broke out my lip gloss/lipstick stash and played makeup mad scientist/mixologist. I found that creating Rihanna's 20/20 look is quite easy to do. All you need is a nude lipstick that is lighter than your complexion, and a silver gloss. Be sure to apply foundation to lips before trying this look, as the foundation will help cancel out any pink in your lips and let the lip color stand alone.

Here are some combos that I think would pass RiRi scrutiny:

1) Clinique Different Lipstick in Tenderheart + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
2) MAC Lipstick in Modesty + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
3) Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Nude Almond + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
4) Julie Hewett Lipstick in Biba + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
5) Victoria's Secret Sheer Gloss Stick in Exposed + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
6) Benefit Full-Finish Lipstick in Lady's Choice + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
7) Urban Decay Lipstick in Midnight Cowboy + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
8) This is just to show what MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam looks like on its own

Not satisfied with Rihanna's lippie recipe? Want to cop her cafe au lait nails too? Try OPI Barefoot in Barcelona.

New Nude Lip Combo: Tenderheart Plus Love Nectar

This week, I unwittingly created the sexiest nude lip combination. Apply Clinique Different Lipstick in Tenderheart (midtone blushing nude brown), then top it off with MAC Lustreglass in Love Nectar (ultra-soft apricot with pearl). I'm a genius.

Shown: Tenderheart (left), Love Nectar (middle), Tenderheart and Love Nectar (right)

Clinique's Fresh Faces Tour

Clinique is on a national tour to find fresh faces. Will you be one of them?

The Clinique Mobile Beauty Studio (not your average big rig!) is traveling across the country, providing young women with the opportunity to experience star treatment.

Have your makeup and hair done by beauty experts and leave with your own professional headshot! Enter your best pic in the Clinique Fresh Faces Contest for a chance to win.

Shop your favorite Clinique products while a DJ spins the hottest tunes. You can even score some free Clinique treats!

Visit cliniquefreshfaces.com for tour stops, times and event details.

Photo Credit: WireImage.com

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.

CEW’s Best Beauty Products on QVC!

Tonight, the 2009 Cosmetic Executive Women Beauty Insider Choice Awards Winners and Finalists will be showcased on QVC! Tune in from 10 p.m. to midnight (EST) for special promotions on the best in beauty.

Featured products will include everything from skin care to hair care to cosmetics. A few of the highlighted products to be featured include: Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, Fresh Appleseed Brightening Exfoliant, Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Foundation, Living Proof No Frizz, NIA 24, Ojon Tawaka "The Ball," Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment, YSL Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15, Bare Escentuals Bareminerals 100% Natural Lip Gloss Duo, and Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF 20.

Do You Like My New Nude Lip Look?

Can you guess what lipstick/gloss combination I used to create this nude lip look?

Okay...stop guessing. It's a trick question because there's actually no lipstick involved. I stole a tip from Kim Kardashian's makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic:

I applied a tiny* bit of foundation (here, Clinique Superfit Makeup in Nutty) to partially cancel out the pink tones in my lips; then I coated my lips in MAC Clear Lipglass.

Genius!

*Make sure you just use a tiny bit of foundation. Too much will have you looking like crackhead Tyrone Biggums from Chappelle Show.

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.

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.

Trina Turk For Clinique Gift With Purchase

For the second time, Clinique is partnering with fashion designer Trina Turk and Nordstrom on a fabulous gift with purchase. The fun, floral cosmetics bag was designed by Trina Turk to house her favorite Clinique skin care and makeup products. Perfect for travel and packed with summer staples, this gift is filled with seven hand-picked beauty essentials:

* Lash Doubling Mascara in Black
* Different Lipstick in Tenderheart
* Blushwear Cream Stick in Rosy Blush
* Superfit Makeup (choose from three shades)
* Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
* Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Sunburst
* Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips

"I’ve created a vibrant, floral cosmetics bag and paired it with must-have skin care and makeup essentials from Clinique in one great gift. The shades go great with just about any daytime outfit and together it makes the perfect summer-time accessory." -Trina Turk

If you were thinking about buying the Clinique Sun with SolarSmart products I raved about on the NBC 10! Show, here's an incentive to open your wallet.

The Trina Turk for Clinique Gift is available free with any purchase of $25 or more (a $65 value). Available exclusively at Nordstrom stores nationwide and Nordstrom.com, now through June 6, 2009.