Mary Kay Spoiled Me With a Miami Makeover

Last month, I traveled to Miami to report on Mercedes-Benz Swim Fashion Week as a correspondent for Mary Kay. I've been a Mary Kay fan for years, and was excited to get better acquainted with their products – particularly, their newest offerings.

One of the highlights of my trip was a makeover with celeb makeup artist, Ashunta Sheriff. Ashunta’s client list reads like a who's who of Hollywood (Rihanna, Ciara, Hillary Duff, Ashlee Simpson, Keri Hilson, Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Stone, Queen Latifah, P. Diddy and Alicia Keys) – so to be in her gifted hands was a major treat. Using products from Mary Kay, Ashunta gave me the J.Lo glow I've always wanted but never knew how to properly replicate.

Of all the products Ashunta used to create my Miami-inspired makeover, I fell hardest for Mary Kay's Lash Love Mascara. Lash Love promises to define and deliver 4 times the volume – and child, did it ever!

After Ashunta applied the mascara using her "uptown, downtown, cross town" technique (peep the video for a demonstration), my fringe looked fat and fabulous – without looking overdone. And I really love how deeply pigmented the color is; my natural lashes are black, but skimpy – so I need something ultra dark to make my peepers pop. Not to mention, Lash Love managed to stay put all day, despite the merciless Miami heat and humidity.

Lash Love Mascara costs a very affordable $15 – and is available at marykay.com.

Miami, Mary Kay and Mercedes-Benz - Oh My!

A few weekends ago, I attended Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami, as a correspondent for Mary Kay - and they put me up in a gorgeous room at Fashion Week headquarters, The Raleigh Hotel.

I had the most fabulous time in South Beach, getting acquainted with the Coyne PR beauty girls and the other blogger correspondents, Annie Tomlin from BellaSugar.com and Lizzie Dunlap from RealBeauty.com.

In between makeovers, delish dinners and runway shows, I was also able to schedule some mojito-sipping downtime with one of my BFFs, Aimee.

If you're ever in Miami, I highly recommend the Raleigh Hotel. The rooms, service and ambiance were incredible - and the picturesque pool was just the cherry on top.

I had the time of my life...and I owe it all to you, Mary Kay!

The Raleigh Hotel beach

Me and my homegirl, Aimee

I've been craving Mojitos all summer, so I stocked up in Miami!

Modeling the Carmen Marc Valvo retro swimsuit I bought at Rue La La and the Dolce Vita wedges I bought at Ideeli.

The Cojito (coconut rum mojito) at Ola Miami is the yummiest cocktail I've ever tasted!

This cotton candy dessert at Barton G was, seriously, almost 3 feet tall.

The famous Raleigh Hotel pool

Make Up For Ever Custom Lashes

While in Miami for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I stopped by the Make Up For Ever booth at my hotel, The Raleigh Hotel, which also happened to be Fashion Week headquarters. Make Up For Ever was an official sponsor of the event - and so they set up shop and were making made-to-order lashes for Fashion Week revelers. You could customize a pair of their fashion lashes with glitter, feathers and other fun accessories - like mini butterflies and bows. I accessorized mine with gold and pink glitter, and black and white feathers.

I wore mine to the Skintimate/Mara Hoffman Swim Show after party (more on that later). At first, I felt a little bit silly - but after a while, I started to embrace the lashes. I mean, where better to rock flashy fringe than Miami Fashion Week?

What do you think?

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.

Red Door Spas Blogger Lounge at New York Fashion Week

Earlier this month, when I was in New York for Fashion Week, I got my hair did at Red Door Spas Blogger Lounge at the W Hotel in Times Square. My friend (and Fashion Week roomie, above), Lianne, partnered with Red Door Spas to create space where bloggers could stop - between shows, meetings and events - and relax, recharge (phones too) and get all gussied up.

Thanks to Zahir Zihani, Creative Director of the Red Door Spas, and his team (including the adorable and amazingly talented Billy Dee Williams, who did my hair), every gal left there with head-turning hair. Forget reporting from backstage...we looked like we were ready to sashay down the runway.

Me and Billy Dee

A rear view of my do


Marina's side updo definitely made the best-tressed list.

Want red carpet hair like us? Visit your local Red Door Spa. There are 31 locations nationwide.

New York Fashion Week, Fall 2010: Thuy

Acclaimed fashion designer Thuy Diep selected MAKE UP FOR EVER to perfect her models' faces at the Thuy Fall 2010 show at Bryant Park during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

MAKE UP FOR EVER ALLIANCE team member, Lottie, served as key make up artist for the show, where she created a cool, fresh look to complement the vibrant jewel tones of the collection.

Complexion & Cheeks: Lottie first applied HD Invisible Cover Foundation to perfect the models' complexion. Next, she created a contour on the cheeks using Mat Bronze #2, and then applied more bronzer high on the apple of the cheeks. The look was set with Super Matte Loose Powder #12 on the t-zone.

Eyes: To create a sheer, shimmery gold wash on the eyes, Star Powder #920 was applied to the entire eye area starting at the lid and extending beyond the brow and temple. Pan Cake Foundation #3 was then applied to the temples to illuminate the skin. The eyes were finished with Smoky Lash Mascara on both the top and bottom lashes.

Lips: Lottie mixed Flash Color #1 with a hint of Flash Color #17 to get a matte, blood red stained mouth. She applied the Flash Color with her finger tips to blot it onto the mouth

New York Fashion Week, Fall 2010: William Rast

Thomas Dunkin (Lead Stylist) and the Sebastian hair team were on hand backstage creating edgy, erratic hairstyles that looked as though the models had just hopped off the back of a motorcycle, complimenting the designers’ aesthetic for fall. Of the looks Thomas says, “we went with a beachy, tousled look with lots of windblown volume and texture to fit the free-spirited nature of the collection.”

Inspiration: Nomadic biker girls; rides through the desert; textured, dusty, wind-swept, adventure-laden beauty.

Get the look: Liberally apply Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray onto damp hair. Next, twist small sections of the hair from root to tip and blow-dry the entire length of the hair. Then, lightly cover hair with Re-Shaper Hairspray and gently tease the roots with fingers to create volume and erratic texture. To add definition and piecey-ness, apply a small amount of Matte Putty to finger-tips and whisk hands through hair, concentrating on the twisted pieces.

New York Fashion Week, Fall 2010: Funky, Chunky Haircolor

Backstage at New York Fashion Week, my girl Megan McIntyre (from Daily Makeover) recognized an emerging trend for fall 2010: funky, chunky haircolor.

"Looks like it’s time to break out the Manic Panic. The big beauty trend for hair at Fashion Week was bright, chunky streaks of color that brought to mind punk-inspired street style circa 1996. At the Cynthia Rowley Fall 2010 fashion show, Eva Scrivo for Wella Professionals custom colored hair extensions in shades of emerald, lapis, amethyst, navy and turquoise to replicate the rich jewel tones present in the collection. Each hair extension was completely saturated with professional salon haircolor and then woven into the hair and styled, creating an element of surprise and intrigue when models hit the runway.

Super stylist Ted Gibson for beauty.com went for a version of the trend that was a little easier to DIY at the Vena Cava Fall 2010 fashion show (shown left). He used Streekers to color hair extensions in shades of hot pink, purple and green, then pulled them back into the models' slightly mussed ponytails to give a "downtown, cool feel," to the otherwise equestrian look.

We think this is one trend that just might hit the trifecta of translating in all three worlds: runway, red carpet and real world. This is the second season funky color has been featured at Fashion Week (the girls at the Spring 2010 Proenza Schouler fashion show rocked lovely lilac streaks) and Lady Gaga recently caused a stir at the Grammys with her own spin on the Crayola color trend. Adding a bright streak of color to your coif is an easy way to add a hip edge to your regularly scheduled hairstyle without a huge commitment. Now all you really have to decide is which happy hue you want to adorn your hair with."

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Fashion Week: The Bold And The Beautiful
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Vampire Inspired Fashion Week
Give Yourself A Virtual Makeover

Photo source: Wella Professionals (top); Luca Cannionieri (bottom)

ZENO HOT SPOT Giveaway!

The makeup artists behind the scenes at Fashion Week can work wonders, but no model wants to be that girl showing up at call time with an unsightly blemish.

It is with this in mind that ZENO launched the ZENO BlemishBuster Hotline. This emergency "skin-tervention" service is available exclusively to models walking the runway at New York Fashion Week. All it takes is a simple text or email, and within six hours, a new ZENO HOT SPOT Blemish Clearing Device will be delivered to her door - charged up and ready to zit zap.

The ZENO HOT SPOT Blemish Clearing Device is the new secret weapon in the war against pimples. This hand-held device uses a single ingredient you can actually pronounce - heat - to destroy the bacteria that causes your pimples. The result: quick and painless pimple relief. Unlike other treatments, HOT SPOT can eliminate or significantly reduce 90% of blemishes within 24 hours.

Intrigued? Want a ZENO HOT SPOT of your own? Of course you do. Models are already blessed with tiny waists, un-cellulite-y thighs, and legs for days...so why should they be the only ones with photo ready and fabulous skin? Spoiled Pretty feels you, which is why I'm partnering with ZENO for a giveaway.

Two lucky readers will win the ZENO HOT SPOT (retail value $39.99), to keep their skin in the clear!

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 Thursday, February 25, 2010. Good luck!

Sally Hansen and Tracy Reese Collaborate Again for Fashion Week Fall 2010

THINK: The new neutrals . . . deep, smoky nail shades inspired by modern runway designs.

WHAT IT IS: A fashionable collaboration between nail color expert Sally Hansen and designer Tracy Reese. For the ninth season in a row, Sally Hansen has joined forces with fashion icon Tracy Reese to develop the season’s essential accessory: stark nail lacquers inspired by Reese's fall collection.

INSPIRATION: For fall 2010, Tracy Reese draws on urban and rural influences in a highly modern, wearable collection. Prince of Wales checks, distressed faux fur and stretch suede styles are softened by feminine lace, pleated chiffons and draping. In an array of rich, natural tones like spruce green, bittersweet brown, smoky blue and sweet blush, the collection infuses rustic country fare with sharp city bite. The shades in the Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Collection reflect this emphasis on natural tones, urban inspiration and layering. On the runway, Reese layered black Leaver's lace over the nude shade Wet Clay to create a custom textured look.

The five new shades in the nail color collection are made with Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, an all-in-one formula that combines the benefits of a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, rich color and top coat in a single multi-tasking polish. The patented formula features the most advanced lacquer technology, concentrated high-intensity color, and encapsulated treatment sphere of Vita-Care Technology.

This season's shades include: Evening Fog, Fedora, Wet Clay, Touch of Mink, and Bittersweet.

"A touch of color to your nails gives you a total polished look, as it creates a complete package from head to toe," says Reese. "And what woman doesn't feel amazing with a fresh manicure and beautiful dress?"

Tracy Reese receives a manicure by Sally Hansen Nail Expert, Dana Caruso, with the Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Bittersweet.

Sally Hansen manicurists apply black Leaver’s Lace over Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Wet Clay to create the runway nail look.

"We're so thrilled to be joining forces with Tracy Reese once again," says Bill Boraczek, Senior Vice President of Cosmetics Marketing, Coty Beauty US. "We love working with her season after season because she always brings her uniquely feminine sensibility to Sally Hansen shades, creating a fashion-forward collection that truly works for every woman."

The polishes are $7 each and can be purchased at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Chris Benz Signing Chris & Tell Lipsticks Tomorrow at Saks NYC

If you're looking for the Chris Benz Chris & Tell lipstick, here's one of your last chances to get it. Chris is doing a personal appearance at the Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter in Manhattan tomorrow. He'll be signing lipsticks and sharing the inspiration for his Spring 2010 collection. Saks is the official retailer for Chris & Tell and this is one of the only counters that has any lipsticks left.

Chris & Tell was created specifically for the Chris Benz Spring 2010 Fashion Week presentation held in September 2009. Since its debut earlier this month, it has become one of the fastest-selling lipsticks in the Lancôme Pout-à-Porter designer lipstick series. Six hundred of the lipsticks sold on lancome-usa.com in just 48 hours. Beauty aficionados have already snatched up most of the supply and some have already popped up on eBay.

Chris is also happy to sign previously purchased lipsticks...so if you already have a Chris & Tell, feel free to stop by. Joining Chris will be makeup artist extraordinaire Daniel Martin, co-creator of the gorgeous peachy coral lipstick, the Lancôme team and some of his favorite models, who will be wearing the clothing and the makeup look from the Spring show.

Chris Benz Personal Appearance
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter
Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets
5 to 7 p.m.

New York Fashion Week Fall 2010: Red Lip Trend

My gal Amber over at Daily Makeover shares one of the hottest trends for fall 2010. Are you red-y?

Lipstick lovers always look forward to fall because it's the season of the bold lip. If you're not yet ready to plunge into the deep hues of the glampire beauty trend, there are many interpretations of the more classic crimson look. Oh, and stop making fun of your mother about her lip pencil: The formerly eschewed makeup implement is making a major comeback this fall. Get your sharpeners ready: Here are our favorite red lip looks of the season.

At Richard Chai, Gucci Westman for Revlon keyed makeup. Lips were defined with new-for-fall Revlon Suede Rhapsody Multi-Use Palette, set to launch in September 2010. First, Gucci applied ColorStay Lip Liner in Red all over the lip as a base, then painted on the deeper red lipstick from the palette which created a matte effect. "The clothes don't have a lot of color, so I felt a pop of pigment was needed on the lips," explains Westman.

China dolls were the beauty inspiration at Vivienne Tam, where makeup lead Charlotte Willer for Maybelline created a bright defined red lip look that was tempered by fresh skin and punctuated by a defined brow. To get such a precise defined lip look, Willer lined and filled lips in with Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner in 50 Red, a gorgeous garnet. "It's an Asian red, which echoes Vivienne's collection," Willer explained. The color and texture was perfect--no additional lipstick was used.

Another stunning, sculpted red lip took center stage at Herve Léger, as it's known to do - this is no understudy red. Lisa Butler for MAC cosmetics created a strong, matte lip with MAC Lipstick in Lady Danger, a cult favorite orange-red. Gals with pink skin tones need not shy away from this warm red. Per Butler, "Simply toning down the pinkness in the cheeks with a bit of foundation and skipping blush will prepare even a cooler-complexioned girl for this type of yellow-based red."

Related Articles:
Vampire Inspired Fashion Week
Fashion Week: The Bold And The Beautiful

Gwen Stefani Talks Beauty Backstage At LAMB

Stellar Beauties Float Down The Runway

Give Yourself A Virtual Makeover

New York Fashion Week: L.A.M.B., Fall 2010

My girl Megan McIntyre of Daily Makeover scored an exclusive interview with Gwen Stefani, backstage at the L.A.M.B. Fall 2010 Fashion Week show.

Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Week started today, and Daily Makeover kicked it off backstage at L.A.M.B. with designer Gwen Stefani. She gave us an exclusive look into what inspires her, how she creates that fab red lip (girlfriend does her own makeup!) and what beauty look her husband can’t get enough of.

What inspired the beauty look for the L.A.M.B. show?
The collection is based on a vintage, naughty, Hollywood starlet girl, a little bit of a modern, futuristic girl and a little bit of a soldier girl. I found these Ellen von Unwerth pictures with black makeup and the dark lips [that I loved] so we’re going to do the hair very set, vintage and glamorous with a lot of bangs.

The thing that I’ve learned is that you have an inspiration, you have a picture, an idea and it just evolves into what it’s going to be. You don’t consider when you come up with three ideas for a theme that you’re going to have a blizzard, a baby with an ear infection and the Chinese new year, but at the end of the day the creative process of having that pressure and that drama means you come up with things you normally wouldn’t. I can’t wait to see it all together. For me, it’s all about that part with the music and seeing the girls.

Red lips are a big beauty trend we’re seeing for Fall 2010. The red lipstick look is already one of your trademarks!
I just love when things that I love come back into style. I don’t have one specific red lipstick that I use. MAC’s sponsoring the show today, so [lead makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury] put a mixture of four different reds on me. I know she definitely used Russian Red. I tend to go more for the blue-reds than the orange-reds–I think they look better on me.

My husband [musician Gavin Rossdale] actually really likes [red lips] so whenever I don’t wear them he’s like “Wait, where are the lips?” So I like that Hollywood glamorous look and I always have and always will…I’m kind of stuck in my own ways.

Related Daily Makeover Links:

• Nailing The Nude Nail
• In The Navy
• Valentine's Day Makeup

Image: © Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

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.

Puttin' On The Glitz: Felix Rey Spring 2010

A few weeks ago, while in New York for Fashion Week, I popped by the Bryant Park Hotel for a sneak peek of the Felix Rey Spring 2010 collection.

The brand's signature details (bows, leopard, and hardware - oh my!) are back - and better than ever. But what sets these handbags and accessories apart from previous collections is the razzle dazzle factor. Using sequins and metal mesh, co-founders Lily Rafii Band and Sulaika Zarrouk (above left) have fashioned impossibly chic accessories that seamlessly transition from day to night.

Spoiled Pretty Exclusive: Kim Kardashian Fashion Week Hairstyles How-To

Last week while in New York City for Fashion Week, I ran into celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic in Bryant Park. Sweetie that he is, Mario introduced me to the man responsible for Kim Kardashian's fierce Fashion Week hairstyles.

Lucky for you, I had my Flipcam (along with 10,000 of my other worldy possessions) in my purse - so I conducted an impromptu interview. Watch as Rolando Beauchamp shares how to steal Lil Kimmy's (my new nickname for her) Fashion Week hairstyles. Enjoy!


For more Kim Kardashian news, beauty and makeup tips, click here.

Photo Credit: Getty Images