Makeup Mondays With Mario: Pretty Palettes

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.

Mario,

I’m going to start by saying that you are a genius! I have learned so much through reading your blog and your Makeup Mondays with Mario column. What are your thoughts on makeup palettes? I have so many little eye shadow and blush containers that I never use because it's not convenient to open up every little jar one by one. Do you like palettes and if so, any recommendations for everyday colors? Thank you so much and keep inspiring!

Thanks, Debbie

Debbie,

Thanks for visiting MMwM, Debbie! I totally agree with you when it comes to the single eye shadow and blush containers. I have hundreds of them in my drawers and in my kit. That being said, I do like makeup palettes and I often use them on set. The trick is finding the right palette that works nicely for you. Check out The Balmbini Palette by TheBalm. I love the combination of shades for everyday makeup and one of my fave blush colors (Hot Mama) comes in the palette! Hot Mama blush is very similar to NARS' Orgasm blush and it works beautifully on darker complexions. For bronzy, warm tones, Lorac's Croc Palette is perfect. You won't get lip product in this palette but you'll have four great eye shadows and a basic natural colored rosy blush. These are only two of many makeup palettes out there to check out. Have fun!

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!

Kiss MS Goodbye

To help support the National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month, theBalm has created a limited-edition KISS MS GOODBYE version of their best-selling “You Buy, I’ll Fly” Overshadow Eye Shadow; a 100% pure mineral, shimmery copper shadow that adds a luxe look to the lid.

During the entire month of March, theBalm.com will donate 25% of proceeds from the sale of the Limited Edition Overshadow to the cause. As a special thank you, customers who purchase this Overshadow will receive 25% off of any additional purchases they make from the site.

theBalm KISS MS GOODBYE Limited Edition overshadow retails for $15 at thebalm.com.

New York Fashion Week: Julie Rocks The Haus

Backstage was bustling Friday at Julie Haus. Dwight O’Neal, Key Makeup Artist for theBalm, gave me the skinny on the makeup inspired by Haus’ NYFW debut…

A model hurriedly does her makeup in a cab on the way to a go-see. She dots a lip stain on the center of her pout and blends outward with her fingers, then applies a few hasty swipes of mascara to her lashes. When she arrives at the casting, she stands out in the crowd…she’s shining through. She’s wearing the makeup. It’s not wearing her.

To create the look, Dwight (who is fabulously personable, by the by) started by creating a flawless foundation, literally, by mixing Balm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer SPF 18 with timeBalm Anti-Wrinkle Concealer. “It gives a great dewy glow and provides medium to full coverage without looking like a mask,” he says. “The mixture of these two products creates an anti-aging foundation. It’s concealing and healing!”

On the eyes, Dwight used timeBalm Anti-Wrinkle Concealer in Lighter than Light, as a primer. Then he set the concealer with Sexy Mama Translucent Powder, followed by Caught in the Act Courtney Shady Lady Eye Shadow lightly in the crease and along the lash line. He lightly dusted Luscious Lani Shady Lady Eye Shadow on the brow bone, then applied Sexy Stacy Shady Lady Eye Shadow with a wet brush as an eyeliner. After applying FIVE coats of Two Timer Mascara in Black to top lashes only, Dwight finished the eye look by shaping brows with Pick Up Liner. Bahama Mama Bronzer was applied beneath the cheekbones to contour the face.

To achieve the effortlessly sexy lip, Dwight starts with Staniac in Prom Queen (applied to the center of the lips and blended out), Read My Lips Lipstick (to moisturize), and Plump Your Pucker in Cocoa My Coconut (to plump, plump, plump, plump it up).

I also had an opportunity to chat up Marissa Shipman, the Founder & CEO of theBalm. After I went on and on about the genius of BalmsAway Eye Makeup Remover, she told me that it was inspired by her grandma. She also hinted that theBalm has an amazing new product in the works – and Julia got her to divulge that it is a lip product. I'll keep you posted as details unfold…

Oscar Blandi was the mastermind behind the masterfully beachy waves. He told me that the Julie Haus hair look embraces natural texture rather than fighting it. To replicate, start with wet hair with Proteine di Jasmine Protein Mist. Apply Volume to roots, Acqua Marina to the ends to the ends for hold, and blow dry hair to a smooth finish. Using a straightening iron, curl sections of hair in different directions to create an edgy look. Then take a few sections and braid them – then curl the braid around the flat iron. Finish the look by teasing the ends with flat brush to open up the curls. Use Tocco Finale for hold and definition and Lacca for additional volume.

Stay tuned for more New York Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2009 coverage!

Balm Shelter Tinted Gloss SPF 17 in Uptown Girl

Balm Shelter Tinted Gloss SPF 17 in Uptown Girl has been a member of my makeup arsenal for a few months now. But while recently cleaning out my cosmetic case, I rediscovered this oldie but goodie.

Uptown Girl is a "shimmery golden pomegranate" with a strawberry banana flavor and scent. The long-wearing, non-sticky formula moisturizes and soothes with jojoba, while protecting your pucker from damaging UV.

Balm Shelter is also available in All-American Girl (clear), Daddy's Girl (sheer berry pink), Dream Girl (sheer nude beige), Ghetto Girl (coppery pink shimmer), Girl Scout (shimmering nude beige), Girl Next Door (light pink shimmer), Girly Girl (coral shimmer), It Girl (beige mauve shimmer), Material Girl (sheer plum berry), Pin-Up Girl (sheer berry red), and Valley Girl (golden peach shimmer).

Available at Sephora and thebalm.com.

What's Victoria's Secret? Beauty Products On Sale - Up To 90% Off!

Been saving your pennies for a rainy day? Now's your opportunity to cash in and save big. Shop Victoria's Secret beauty clearance - get up to 90% off select products from VS, Vincent Longo, Lippmann Collection, Talika, TheBalm, and Anna Sui. Here's just a preview of the steals and deals...


Vincent Longo Diamond Lip Gloss
Originally: $22
Clearance: $8.99


Lippmann Collection Heaven In My Hand Warmers
Originally: $39.50
Clearance: $3.99


Anna Sui Eye Color
Originally: $17
Clearance $6.99


TheBalm Stainiac
Originally: $14
Clearance: $5.99


Wexler M.D. Universal Anti-Aging Starter Kit
Originally: $45
Clearance: $24.99

The Naked Eye

I don't typically get excited by makeup removers. But Balms Away, a new vitamin-infused, skin-soothing eye makeup remover from TheBalm has me intrigued. What makes it so special? It's solid!

Simpy apply a dollop to each closed eye, massage in a circular motion for 3o seconds, and remove with a tissue. Perfect for travel, and for gals on the go.

Available at thebalm.com and Sephora.

Kiss MS Goodbye With theBalm Lipgloss

March 10th-17th is National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Week - and to support the efforts of the NYC Chapter of the National MS society, theBalm has created a limited edition KISS MS GOODBYE version of their best-selling “Girly Girl” BalmShelter Gloss.

During the month of March, theBalm will donate 25% of proceeds from the sale of this shade - a wearable coral hue infused with SPF 17 and a delicious strawberry banana scent - to the cause. The New York City Chapter of the National MS Society helps the thousands of New Yorkers impacted by MS to move their lives forward they provide comprehensive support services and educational programs to people with MS, their family and friends, and raise funds locally to support the National MS Society’s research initiatives.

Click here to Kiss MS Goodbye…because doing good is oh so pretty.

Rose Colored Glosses

Face the world with rose-colored glosses. Here are a few Spoiled Pretty favorites:


Bourjois Effet 3D High Shine Lip Gloss in Rose Angelic



Cargo Lip Duo in Chattanooga



Carol’s Daughter Candy Paint Lip Gloss in Grown and Sexy



Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Sugarplump



Kiehl’s Lip Gloss in Goldenberry



Shu Uemura Sweet Lip Gloss in Rose Candy



Stila Lip Glaze in Guava



TheBalm Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss in Water My Melon