C.O. Bigelow Friends & Family: Save 25%

December 11-13, save 25% off your entire purchase at C.O. Bigelow (in stores and by phone). The offer code is 1622. Happy shopping!

Winner of the Thanksgiving Beauty Giveaway

Congratulations to the winner of the Thanksgiving Beauty Giveaway, Alexandra Wagner. Alexandra will receive:

Sara Happ Lip Scrub, $24
C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Cordials, $7.50
June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Enzyme Masque, $78
June Jacobs Creamy Cranberry Cleanser, $44
Philosophy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, $16

Many thanks to the sponsors for making this contest possible! And stay tuned for Spoiled Pretty's next amazing giveaway.

NBC 10! Show Segment: Beauty Products You'll be Thankful For

This morning, I appeared on Philadelphia's NBC 10! Show, to share some of my favorite Thanksgiving/holiday themed beauty products:

Sara Happ Lip Scrub, $24
If you’re in dire need of a pucker-perfecting product, look no further than Sara Happ’s Lip Scrub. This sugar-based exfoliant acts like a lip loofah and leaves your pout kissably soft. The Lip Scrub comes in six lip-smacking flavors – three of which are perfect for this time of year: Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Sugar, and Vanilla Bean.

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Cordials, $7.50
Treat your lips to delicious new flavors that'll remind you of your favorite winter drinks. C.O. Bigelow's Mentha Cordials combine the high shine and breath-freshening benefits of Mentha Lip Shine with a host of new seasonal flavors: Hot Buttered Rum, Triple Hot Chocolate, Warm Spiced Cider and Vanilla Cream Eggnog.

June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Enzyme Masque, $78
This deliciously spicy, skin purifying pumpkin enzyme masque is a natural, gentle enzyme "peel" designed for home use. Gently digests and exfoliates dead skin cells and impurities as it delivers pumpkin’s botanical repair benefits into the skin. Leaves the skin cleansed, detoxified and silky smooth. Age-fighting anti-oxidants and vitamin A protect and silken the skin. Roughness retreats and dryness disappears.

June Jacobs Creamy Cranberry Cleanser, $44
This hydrating creamy cleanser provides moisture and nourishment to the skin during the cleansing process with a bouquet of fresh cranberry. Active antioxidants and nourishing botanicals soothe and protect from moisture loss leaving the skin revitalized. Completely water-soluble emulsion, rinses off easily, leaving the skin refreshed.

Philosophy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, $16
Philosophy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Shower Gel smells absolutely scrumptious. The ultra-rich formula cleanses skin and leaves it feeling soft and hydrated. Not only is the warm, gooey smell of pumpkin spice muffin appealing to the senses - according to scientific research, this aroma has been found to arouse men and women. It's a smell that's so irresistible, you'll lather, rinse, and definitely want to repeat.

Studio audience members received a gift bag that included a C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Cordial, and samples of the June Jacobs Pumpkin Peeling Enzyme Masque and Creamy Cranberry Cleanser...but I'm sweetening the deal for one lucky Spoiled Pretty reader. One of you will win ALL of the products!

To enter the giveaway, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "Thanksgiving Beauty Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Tuesday, November 17th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Wednesday, November 18th, 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!

Fashion School Is In Session: Interview With Sydne Summer

Everybody puts their pants on one leg at a time. But while most of us are just throwing on an old pair of faded Levi’s and t-shirt, only a select few would think to pair a $23 skinny white jean with a BCBG leather jacket, Forever 21 lace camisole, Manolo Blahnik gladiator sandals, and assorted silver and black bracelets.

Such is the gift of Los Angeles based Fashion Editor, blogger and TV fashion commentator, Sydne Summer. On the Style Network’s website, Mystyle.com, Sydne deconstructs star style, advises real women on how to cop runway and red carpet trends, and interviews style icons. Sydne’s own blog, ThinkThruFashion, provides how-to solutions, fashion and beauty tips, trend breakdowns and pictorial inspiration of clothes on real people.

Recently, I had the opportunity to pick Sydne’s brain and learn some tricks of the trade. If, like me, you’re looking to up your style ante - read on. Sydne’s taking us to fashion school...

SP: When did you first fall in love with fashion?
SS: I can’t pinpoint one exact moment because I have so many childhood memories that involved fashion. I grew up in the 80s and I used to stage photo shoots in my backyard dressed in neon shirts over biker shorts with my hair parted as far to the side as possible. During a family holiday one year, I think I was about seven, I made my younger cousin produce a fashion show while the adults were having cocktails. We made a royal mess in my grandmother’s closet trying on her silk printed tunics and piles of costume jewelry. Then I charged everyone a nickel so they could see us model our creations. And I don’t know when I was first given my dress-up chest but I don’t remember every not having it. Whenever I had a playdate we’d immediately dig in to the box of elbow length gloves, silk pajama gowns and rhinestone shoes and prance around thinking we were Claudia Schiffer.

SP: What was your first big break in fashion?
SS: In college I was interning for Boston Magazine Publications. My editor was planning an event for Elegant Weddings to shows Boston brides how to create a New England-style wedding. I had to research New England based brands and have them ship us samples to use during the event. My editor was really pleased by the assortment of clothing, jewelry and party favors I came up with. She then trusted me to handle bigger projects, which was a great learning experience.

SP: What does it take to succeed in fashion?
SS: To make it in fashion in general, I think you need to study. Not study in the sense of cramming for a law exam but studying everything and anything about fashion. During fashion week, if I can’t make it to the shows I spend hours and hours on Style.com, analyzing each piece and writing down what I like and don’t like about the collection. When I’m out to lunch at the farmers market, I study what people are wearing to observe what works and what doesn’t work on different body types. I’m constantly reading up about designers, pouring over every fashion magazine and just talking to regular people about what they think about the latest trends or what so-and-so was wearing. You just need to absorb everything around you and of course, it doesn’t hurt to have the innate eye for style.

SP: What is your style philosophy?
SS: I think the most important thing is to dress for your body type. It doesn’t matter how much you love a trend. If it’s not right for you, you shouldn’t wear it. I have an hourglass shape, so even though I loved the dropped waists that were in style about two years ago I resisted. I knew they wouldn’t look good on me so I admired from afar as my more narrow shaped friends strutted around in the flapper style dresses.

I’m also big on mixing high and low, something I did way before Michelle Obama came along in her J. Crew and Lanvin combos. I splurge on shoes, two handbags a year and dresses I know I’ll wear season after season. Then I head to Forever 21 and stock up on all the trendy stuff I’m loving at that moment—but might get sick of in a few months.

SP: What is the most treasured item in your closet?
SS: My father passed away when I younger so on my 21st birthday my mother made a necklace using the diamond from her engagement ring my father gave her. She set it on a platinum strand with floating diamonds so it would be a present from both of them on my birthday.

SP: If you could spend the day with one fashion icon (living or deceased), who would it be and what would you do?
SS: I’d love to spend the day with Christian Dior. His New Look is perhaps one of my favorite fashions of all time. I’d spend a day with him in Paris and go to my favorite museum, Musee d’Orsay. Dior started in art before becoming a fashion icon. Then we would go to his house and he would create a dress for me that would make me look like Dita von Teese. We’d go out later in the evening and talk about his genius ideas over glasses of champagne.

SP: What makes a woman 'stylish?'
SS: Confidence. I know everyone says this but that’s because it’s true. I think I started gaining this confidence after I stopped comparing myself to other people. I grew up in Miami then moved to Los Angeles as a teenager so I’ve always been around beautiful women with great style. But over the years, I developed my own style and once you start becoming comfortable with your body and your sense of fashion it shows in the way you carry yourself. People would rather look at a woman standing tall and smiling in a Kmart dress than a pouty girl sulking in the corner in couture.

SP: Who are some of your favorite designers of all time?
SS: Missoni for prints, Dolce & Gabbana when I want to feel sexy, Chanel for handbags that I can’t afford, Rebecca Taylor and Catherine Malandrino for feminine pieces and Jimmy Choo for classic shoes.

But as much as I love designer pieces, my favorite thing is to mix them with inexpensive finds. I do that in my blog on a daily basis. It’s fun to put an outfit together and have people guess which piece cost $300 and which cost $30. Their guesses are often incorrect, which just goes to show, you don’t need designer good to look good.

SP: Which trends will be big this summer?
SS: Rompers are huge, which I’m super excited about because I never bought one last summer and I’m a big fan of jumpsuits. Cutouts are popular on clothing and bathing suits. Also a big bathing suit trend is the one shoulder, which we know is extremely popular for dresses as well. Maxi dresses are everywhere, I especially like them paired with a bib necklace, another trend for spring and summer. As people get more tan, they’re going to start wearing one of the hottest colors this season: bright pink. And as we’ve seen on Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan, Victoria Beckham and just about every other celebrity, denim is distressed. Plus, the boyfriend jean is still going strong.

SP: Which trend(s) do you wish would die?
SS: I hate over-the-knee boots. I’ve seen maybe one person pull this look off: Diane Kruger in Tommy Hilfiger. But the majority of time, the thigh high boots just look like Pretty Woman, pre-Julia Roberts’ classy makeover. Then there is the harem pant that just won’t seem to go away. They’re still popular for summer, which means we’re going to see plenty more baggy crotches on the red carpet.

SP: Current handbag obsessions?
SS: I am absolutely obsessed with Valentino’s spring collection. Of course, I can’t afford even a fraction of any of the handbags but I could sit and stare at the floral masterpieces all day. They truly look like pieces of art. Just look at this one!

SP: Which celebrities would you love to style and why?
SS: Anne Hathaway. I love feminine, elegant pieces and I can’t think of any current star who looks better in them than Anne. Recently she’s tried to look edgy, wearing suits and leather but to me, she looks best as a classic beauty. But truthfully, I’d rather style women that really need help, rather than those that have Marc Jacobs on speed dial. I get more enjoyment out of helping a friend realize how amazing her body when she has the right clothing.

SP: Where are your favorite places to shop?
SS: I recently got in to the whole vintage thing and even if I don’t buy anything, I have a blast shopping at thrift stores. My favorite one in L.A. is Jet Rag. I got this 80s velvet dress, cut off the skirt and now it looks just like a Balmain top, shoulder pads and all. I can’t wait to wear it with jeans this fall. For trendy items, I always go to Forever 21. And for my splurges I wait until Saks has their huge sales and stock up on everything I’ve been coveting online.

SP: What tips do you have for women who want star style on a budget?
SS: Don’t try to copy a star from head to toe. If Beyonce is wearing Balmain and you try to find the exact same $11, 000 jacket for $11 you’ll just look like a cheaper version of Beyonce. In my blog, I always recommend to take inspiration from celebrity style instead of copying it. Figure out what you like about their style and find ways to make it your own. Earlier this year I really liked Cameron Diaz’s all-American look. But I didn’t try to find an exact replica of her striped Michael Kors dress. Instead I thought about what it was I liked about her style and kept that in mind when I went shopping. Things always look more expensive when they’re original—or at least when they’re styled in a creative way.

SP: Can you share some figure-slimming fashion tips?
SS:
1) Create the illusion of long legs by wearing shoes that match your skin color.
2) Show off your best feature. Mine is my waist, so I’m always cinching everything with belts. My friend has the hottest legs, so you’ll usually find her hiding her stomach with a billowy top and showing off her gams in a mini. My mother has amazing shoulders, so she always looks thinner when she wears a shell or halter.
3) Wear monochromatic outfits. If you wear all black, navy, brown, etc, it will create the illusion of a longer and leaner figure.
4) And if all else fails throw on some statement jewelry. If you have sparkly earrings or a unique necklace, nobody will notice you’re having a fat day.

SP: What are three fashion accessories every woman should own?
SS:
1) Black pumps: They add instant sex appeal and never go out of style.
2) A bright or metallic clutch: It makes sure a LBD isn’t boring and dresses up a pair of jeans.
3) A tan leather carryall: If I could only have one bag, it would be my cognac Foley + Corinna hobo. I can wear it with black, brown or navy and the more worn the leather gets, the better the bag looks.

SP: What products are staples in your makeup bag?
SS: Mascara is a must. It’s an instant pick me up when I haven’t slept. I switch on and off between L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara and Stila Convertible Mascara. For lips, I’ve been carrying around a tub of Rosebud Salve since my freshman year of college. But recently I’m addicted to C.O. Bigelow Mint Lip Tint Gloss. The coral has just a touch of color and the minty flavor is refreshing. I also need a bronzer. Whenever I’m laying out on the beach I always cover my face with a towel or wife beater. So my face obviously is just a tad lighter than my body. Bare Escentuals A Little Sun is great because it gives me a natural glow. I start on my cheekbones then lightly dust the rest of my face.

For more of Sydne’s fab fashion advice and commentary, visit mystyle.com and thinkthrufashion.com.

Bath & Body Works: Hiring For the Holidays, Plus Generous Discounts!

The U.S. economy is not fundamentally sound. Many people are unemployed or underemployed, and desperate to make ends meet - particularly with the holidays right around the corner.

If you're looking to pick up some seasonal work, Bath & Body Works is hiring. Click here to find out about employment opportunities and how you can enjoy a generous discount at Bath & Body Works, White Barn, Victoria's Secret, C.O. Bigelow and Henri Bendel.

C.O. Bigelow's New Mentha Lip Tints

C.O. Bigelow’s new Mentha Lip Tints are the lip balms we all know and love – now available in six gorgeous shades (bare mint, coral mint, pink mint, magenta mint, plum mint, and violet mint). Lips stay moist, look ultra-glossy, and peppermint oil gives breath long-lasting freshness. One tube will set you back $7.50…but pick up three tints today for the low, low price of $15!

Available at Bath & Body Works and C.O. Bigelow.

Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Three years ago, Bath & Body Works abandoned its single brand, single price point strategy when it started carrying popular lines like C.O. Bigelow, Frederic Fekkai, and Wexler. Neil Fiske, then CEO, said of the change, "This represents another step in the transformation of Bath & Body Works from raspberry shower gel to a modern apothecary of beauty and well-being."

Now, Bath & Body Works is reinventing itself, once again, by cutting its outside vendor list by 50%. Upscale brands that have left, or are slated to leave flagships by the end of the year include DDF, Peter Thomas Roth, Korres, Juvena, and The Savannah Bee Company. "We still feel very strongly about third-party brands and continue to carry them. We continue to look for not only new items within the brands we carry, but also additional brands," current CEO Diane Neal said. "I personally think we over-assorted ourselves,” she added.

So if your favorite brand is getting the ax, visit your nearest Bath and Body Works store now and adopt a few soon-to-be homeless beauty products.

What's Haute?

Log on to HauteShopping.com for exclusive deals and chic steals from your favorite fashion, accessories, and beauty brands. Here's a Spoiled Pretty sneak peek:


C.O. Bigelow
20% discount on select Bigelow Body Care Products.
Enter promotional code MARIE at checkout


Fred Segal Beauty
15% off your next purchase of selected Fred Segal Beauty products
Enter promotional code HAUTESHOP11 at checkout


Tarte Cosmetics
Spend $35 on Tarte Cosmetics and receive a free vitamin-infused lipgloss powered by BORBA.
Enter promotional code MC2007 at checkout

I Made Up My Mind, I'm Keeping My Baby

Although it pains me to betray my old friends at Fresh, I just can’t resist telling my new friends (all of you) about my latest discovery. I absolutely adore Fresh's Brown Sugar Body Polish, but I cannot justify spending $62 on a 14-ounce container of sugar crystals and apricot kernels. Even the “to go” size is $15 for a little more than an ounce…highway robbery if you ask me.

C.O. Bigelow products are another shining example that luxurious products needn’t cost you your first-born. Bigelow Lemon Body Scrub exfoliates and moisturizes skin with a blend of pure white and brown sugars, skin-brightening lemon extracts and finely crushed, natural lotus flower and fruit seeds - leaving skin looking radiant, smooth, and renewed.

And in exchange for $20, you get 10 whole ounces (plus, you get to keep your baby).

Made For A Man, But Strong Enough For A Woman

Never one to pass up a sample, I said “Why not?” when a generous C.O. Bigelow salesman recently offered me Glycolic Facial Cleanser from Anthony Logistics For Men. I figured I would just give it to my husband to try. But after reading that it makes your face “squeak with cleanliness”, I decided that his Nivea Energizing Face Scrub works just fine, and that I should use the sample myself. This might sound selfish (don’t judge me), but you don’t know my husband. He balks at anything he can’t get at the drugstore – plus, he would never pay $18 for face wash.

After using the cleanser, my face was not just squeaky clean - it was also smooth and soft. And it left me wondering, “Why don’t they market this stuff to women?” So I’m doing Anthony a favor and letting you all in on the secret.

The Glycolic Facial Cleanser has aloe vera to soothe skin, glycolic acid to ease away fine lines, and Vitamins A, C, and E to nourish. But, unlike many products made specifically for men, this cleanser has a citrusy, unisex fragrance. Anthony Logistics is available at Bath & Body Works, Blue Mercury, C.O. Bigelow, Douglas Cosmetics, Nordstrom, and Sephora stores.

Laying It On Thick

A few weeks ago, I was in C.O. Bigelow - zipping through the aisles like a Whirling Dervish. A helpful salesgirl, seeing I was overwhelmed by the plethora of products, approached me and asked if I needed help finding anything in particular. Usually I coyly answer, "Just looking" - hoping that the salesperson backs up and leaves me to my own devices (eg- testing 20+ shades of lipgloss on the back of my hand).

But this time, I actually needed some assistance. I explained that I turn into an oil slick during the summer and I'm sick of looking shiny all of the time. So she patiently guided me around the store, suggesting cleansers, toners, and other oil-obsorbing products. I purchased a few, and when she rang me up, she threw a good amount of samples in my bag as well. Now that's what I call customer service (shout out to my local C.O. Bigelow store in the King of Prussia Mall)!

When I returned home, I ripped open my bag to see what beauty booty this girl had bestowed upon me. I was excited to see that she had included DDF's Daily Matte SPF 15, which I had heard such wonderful things about. Sephora describes the product as, "Ideal daily care for oil and combination skin, this lightweight, shine reducing fluid is oil-free and boasts a powerful SPF 15." Well, when Sephora says it's powerful - they ain't just whistlin' dixie.

I applied the Daily Matte immediately after washing my face, and I had planned to follow with a lightweight foundation. As I started smoothing the product onto my face, I couldn't help but be a bit turned off my how thick it felt. I then became more annoyed that it kind of sat on top of my skin, rather than melting into it - the way I thought it would. In fact, to be perfectly honest, it was like slathering sunblock onto my face. Now I realize that the product contains sunscreen, but so do plenty of other facial mositurizers and treatments...and they don't leave me with a Coppertone complexion.

My skin hated this product so much that I couldn't bear it on my face for more than 5 minutes. I had to wash it off and start all over. Don't you just hate when that happens?

Hence, I'm going to have to give Daily Matte SPF 15 two (manicured and Essie-polished) thumbs down. But don't think I'm hating on DDF products...I absolutely love their Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, which helps to clear blemishes, clogged pores, acne, and seborrhea.

Does Your Do Make the Cut?

The right haircut can transform your face by complimenting your best features and camouflaging imperfections. It can even reveal assets you never knew you had. Read on to see if your do makes the cut.

Show the world you love your nose: Pin-straight hair will mirror the bridge of your nose. A center part, because it is on the same vertical line as your nose, will focus attention on it. To help smooth hair and tame flyaways, protect hair from the heat of flat irons, use a thermal protectant. On August 21, the first 250 people to sign up on Allure.com will win Fekkai Coiff Defense UV Protectant (retail value: $25).

Take attention away from your nose: The key is to get a softer cut. A feathery bang will do the trick. And a side part takes attention away from the center of your face. For a sleek blowout like SJP's, use a ionic hair dryer, which eliminates frizz, creates sleekness, and improves shine. On August 24, the first ten visitors to sign up on Allure.com will win a T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Hair Dryer.

Accentuate your cheekbones: Have your hair cut in layers that form a U-shape from the end of your eyebrows to right below your cheekbones, with side-swept bangs. If your hair is feeling overprocessed, use a treatment that provides intense moisturizate and deep conditioning. C.O. Bigelow's Protein-Enriched Conditioner penetrates easily to soften, detangle, and control frizz.


Bring out your eyes: The tension from a tight ponytail gives your eyes a slight lift, and pulling your hair back from your face puts attention on your eyes. Heavy shine serums can make hair look greasy. So use a lightweight product, such as Fekkai Glossing Cream, to add glossiness without heaviness.


Soften a strong jaw: The bob is really popular right now, and the blunt edges will downplay your jawline. A layered cut that's shorter in the back will make the lower half of your face look sleeker. Use a flat iron to achieve Rihanna's coif, but don't forget to start with some heat relief. John Frieda's Frizz Ease Hair Thermal Protection Serum adds moisture and protects strands.


Add fullness to a narrow face: A side part creates a diagonal line that will move the eye horizontally, creating the illusion of a wider face. To achieve Nicole's chic bob, use a round, metal brush while blow-drying your hair, which will also give you extra lift at the roots. Score a Goody So Smooth Ceramic Round Brush on August 21 when Allure.com gives away 500 of them (retail value: $7.99).

Streamline a round face: A side part with a cut that covers the temples will help contour your face. If your locks are on the limp side, try Bumble & Bumble Thickening Spray - a moderate hold setting spray that builds body and gives lift, control, and helps define curl.



Get a swan-like neck: Pull your hair off your neck into a chignon or partial updo. Volume at the crown creates a long vertical line that extends to your neck. For extra body, use a volumizer like Phyto Phytvolume Actif Spray. On August 20, the first 75 people to sign up on Allure.com will win the volumizer (retail value: $28).


Minimize a large forehead: A long, sideswept bang that starts at the outer corner of your eye and covers the top half of your face will do wonders. For shiny, bouncy hair like Catherine Zeta Jones, try Molton Brown Depth Charge Seednoir Prewash Hair-Therapy. This deep action pre-shampoo treatment oil blend consists of a unique blend of essential oils to revitalize and prevent dehydration and restore shine, suppleness and body to even the most dry and damaged hair. Log on to Allure.com on August 30 for your chance to win a bottle (retail value: $30).


Elongate a short forehead: Tell your stylist to cut a fringe that begins about an inch to an inch and a half above the hairline. Taking the bangs further back gives you the illusion of having a longer forehead. For hair with a high-gloss shine like Naomi, use a silicone product like BioSilk Silk Therapy. Biosilk is a leave-in replenishing and reconstructing treatment that is ideal for all hair types. It repairs split ends, protects from heat and UV rays, and imparts incredible shine.

When Life Hands You Lemons

My skin is usually dry, but the summer humidity in Philadelphia turns my face into an oil slick. It’s so embarrassing to go about my day thinking I look okay, or maybe even good – just to catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror or pane of glass, and realize that the light reflecting off of my forehead has been blinding people wherever I go. And don’t get me started on the countless potentially flattering photos that have been ruined by my shiny t-zone.

I’ve tried my fair share of oil-free moisturizers, mattifying gels, blotting sheets, toners, and powder to know that any attempts at shine control need to start with your cleanser.

One of my favorites is by Fresh. Cleansing Balm with Lemon Oil is a corrective cleanser that controls combination and oily conditions without stripping the skin. Lemon oil acts as an astringent and antiseptic, sandalwood oils rebalance skin, and emollient olive complex dissolves excess sebum while sending a regulating message to skin's oil glands.

The going rate for shine-free skin is $38 for a 3.4 oz tube. Sounds pretty steep…but in my opinion, it’s a small price to pay for renewed confidence in the way I present myself to the world.

Cleansing Balm with Lemon Oil is available for purchase on the Fresh website, as well as at Sephora, C.O. Bigelow, Blue Mercury, and Douglas Cosmetics.