Oh Oh Oh...It's Magic: Givenchy Magic Kajal Eye Pencil

Last Tuesday, a select group of bloggers was invited to the Givenchy offices in NYC to celebrate the launch of the Maharani Spring 2009 collection. Fresh fruit and yogurt were on the menu for this beauty breakfast, but I couldn’t be bothered with the food. I was too busy salivating over the products. It’s rare that I fall in love with an entire collection, so trust me when I tell you that every component of this compilation is a winner and deserves a spot in your makeup case. As Nicolas Degennes, Artistic Director of Givenchy Makeup, took us on a tour of his artistic imagination and described each Indian-inspired beauty, I fell a little deeper in love.

Once the presentation concluded, Nicolas (the creative genius behind the aptly named Phenomen'Eyes Mascara) approached me and whispered in French accented English, “My dear, you will love this eye pencil. You will love it.”

Initially, I was taken aback. Was Nicolas clairvoyant? Was he reading my mind? Could he see the eyeliner and sugarplums that dance in my head? Then I remembered that I had swathed my eyes in rings of bright blue pencil, earlier that morning. Of course Nicolas knew I was dying to try his new Magic Kajal Eye Pencil. My eyeliner junkie status was written all over my face.

After the breakfast, I couldn’t get back to my hotel room quick enough. I couldn’t wait another minute to experience Kajal’s conjury. I took the chubby crayon in my hand, ran circles around my eyes, then looked into the mirror for the final verdict. Survey says…WINNER! Rimmed in the glossiest, most bewitching black, I couldn’t take my eyes off of my eyes.

There aren’t enough superlatives in the English language for me to adequately sing the praises of Givenchy’s Magic Kajal Eye Pencil. This is the black smudgy pencil that eyeliner enthusiasts have been waiting for. The pencil contains wax and oil, which gives the crayon a creamy texture. This creaminess does cause the pigment to travel; so if you like a clean, more graphic line, I advise dusting some translucent powder underneath the lower lash line (I like Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinish Powder).

I love how this liner makes me look like a badass.

Anew, I Think I Love You

If you’ve been visiting Spoiled Pretty for any length of time, you know that I am an exfoliating fool. With all of the buffing and scrubbing I do, it’s a major miracle I don’t look like the Crypt Keeper by now. When it comes to exfoliation, I’m like an archeologist with ADD, relentlessly digging for buried treasure. And I’m not satisfied until my flaky façade is polished baby butt smooth.

I’ve tested an excessive amount of exfoliants, so it takes a serious scrub to even get my attention. But I recently tried a product so mind-blowing that it has my undivided attention. Avon’s Anew Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion is so rocking my world right now, I can’t even stand it.

Anew Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion is a skin system that delivers varied levels of exfoliation. The dual-barrel bottle is topped with a dial that allows you to increase the intensity of the micro-crystal formula, offering multiple strength polishing in one package.

To use, you simply apply to clean, wet skin. Starting with Level 1, use Anew Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion 2–3 times a week for 2 weeks before proceeding to the next level. After completing all 4 levels (8 weeks) stop using for 2 to 3 weeks and then start over at Level 1.

I noticed a dramatic improvement in my skin after just one use, and you know how much I enjoy immediate results. I used it before a date night dinner with Mr. Spoiled Pretty and let me tell you…my moisturizer and foundation melted onto my skin like buttah.

This is an ideal product for anyone with dry skin, rough skin texture, fine lines, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone and dark age spots.

Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion gets two very enthusiastic thumbs up. If you’re like me and like to scrub a dub dub it up, you must purchase this product - no ifs, ands or baby butts about it.

Sephora by OPI: Digital Diva Nail Polish Collection

Introducing Digital Diva, the Spring 2009 nail color collection from Sephora by OPI.

With names like IM Beauty and Techno Girl, you'll be texting pretty with Sephora by OPI's exclusive collection of high-voltage pinks, oranges, and corals—just in time for spring.

Access 24/7 (juicy magenta pink)
Techno Girl (vivid azalea)
Lost Without My GPS (bright vintage orange-red)
I'm Wired (electric coral red)
Hi Def (rich tangerine)
IM Beauty (bright buttercup yellow)

Attention, Thrifty Shopaholics: Get 45% Off Tarte Lipstick

Celebrity makeup artists Tina Turnbow used Tarte’s Vitamin Infused Lipstick in Bikram on Krysten Ritter at the Confessions of a Shopaholic premiere in NYC. For thrifty shopaholics, Tarte is offering Bikram Vitamin Infused Lipstick for 45% off. Get it now for only $12 (a $10 savings). Use promo code SHOP at checkout.

And while you’re at tartecosmetics.com, check out The Toolbox: Brow Know-How Eyebrow Kit. Originally $32, it’s on sale for just $18.

Oscars 2009 Beauty: Vanessa Hudgens

Actress and Neutrogena brand ambassador, Vanessa Hudgens, was glowing alongside boyfriend, Zac Efron, at last night’s 81st Annual Academy Awards. The actress’s natural beauty was enhanced with neutral shades and warm pink lips.

To achieve her naturally beautiful evening look, celebrity makeup artist, Karan Mitchell, first applied Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers in Light to Medium to Vanessa’s already radiant skin.

To set the look and add a hint of shimmer, she then applied Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Blush in in Natural Apricot to the apples of her cheeks, followed by a touch of Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Illuminator.

To create Vanessa’s soft-smoky eye, Mitchell began by applying Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes in Medium underneath the eye to rid of any dark circles, and on the eyelid as an eye-shadow base. She then used Nourishing Eye Duo in Fairy Dust, applying the darker shade to the crease and then brushing the accent shade over the entire lid up to the brow bone. Mitchell finished by applying two coats of Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara in Carbon Black.

To complement Vanessa’s darker eye, Mitchell applied a mixture of two pink moisture-infused lip colors – Neutrogena MoistureShine Lipstick SPF 20 in Angel’s Blush and Sheer Luck.

FHI Heat National Artistic Director Angel del Solar explains step-by-step how to recreate Vanessa's glamorous hairstyle. "Take 2 x 2 inch triangles, lightly saturate the hair with your favorite aerosol hairspray. Comb through the section to make sure hair is evenly distributed. With one hand, take entire section and twist to base. Place the FHI Heat 3/4" Curling Iron underneath the section. Take the hair and wind around the FHI Heat 3/4" Curling Iron. Hold for approximately 15 seconds - slide iron out and secure with the FHI Heat T-Rex Clips. Complete the entire head in this fashion. Let it all cool and remove clips. Apply approximately 1/2 a dime size of FHI Heat Hot Sauce to hands to emulsify - work through sections gently."

Photos: Wireimage

Oscars 2009 Beauty: Evan Rachel Wood

Benefit fragrance was hot at the Oscars last night with some scent-sational buzz from actress Evan Rachel Wood, star of the Oscar-nominated film The Wrestler. Her scent was so alluring, E! host Ryan Seacrest stopped her on the red carpet to ask her what fragrance she was wearing. Evan announced, "I'm wearing a Benefit perfume," during the E! Entertainment Live from the Red Carpet broadcast.

Photo: Wireimage

Oscars 2009 Beauty: Alicia Keys

For Alicia Keys, celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff was inspired by Veronica Lake, Lena Horne and "the women in Hollywood in the 40's and 50's."

Eyes: Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in Tropical Mist, Dior Crayon Eyeliner in Trinidad Black, Dior Brow Pencil in Blond and Diorshow Brow in Shiny Blond

Lips: Mary Kay Lip Liner in Raspberry and Mary Kay Fleur De Polynesie Lipstick

Cheeks: DiorBlush in Fruit de Mar

Skin: Skin was refreshed - so it looks dewy - with Dior Cleansing Water For Face And Eyes. It also locks makeup in and makes it last.

Photos: Wireimage