Does L.C. Live at Les Deux?

From People.com: Sexy sailor Lauren Conrad reports for duty at L.A. hot spot Les Deux, where she joined her Hills pal Audrina Partridge for a Hpnotiq-sponsored Halloween party on Tuesday.

Spoiled Pretty's take: It’s a little spooky how much L.C. looks like Marcia Brady, right? Maybe that should have been her costume, instead of this shipwreck of an outfit.

Lighten Up

As the days get shorter and the weather colder, most women opt to go darker – with their hair, cosmetics, and wardrobe. Christina Ricci isn’t most women. Just in time for Halloween, the actress traded in her signature goth style for a lighter, brighter look at a Louis Vuitton event in Los Angeles.

What do you think of Christina’s new do? Is it a keeper? Or should she go, as Amy Winehouse puts it, back to black?

Photos: courtesy of People.com

My Pony Tale

I’m a ponytail girl. If you pass me on the street, nine times out of ten, I’m wearing my hair pulled back. Don’t get me wrong, I love hair styling products and I get compliments every time I wear my hair down – but when it comes to my mane, I subscribe to Murphy’s Law.

Pulling my hair back gives me peace of mind – that when I pass a pane of glass or check myself out in a mirror, I will not be horrified by the reflection staring back at me.

When it comes time to tame my mane into a sleek into a pony or bun, my weapons of choice are Scunci No Damage Poly Bands. They keep my hair in place all day – and when it's time to let my hair down, these hair elastics glide off without pulling or tugging.

Available in two colors (black for those with darker hair, clear for those with lighter hair), they’re virtually undetectable. And for less than $3.50 for a pack of 75, the price can’t be beat.

Irresistible En Rojo

Get the Latin Grammy look at Clinique...
Fresh, flirty color for day - made sexy for night. All starring irresistable lips in Angel Red.

Day
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Spicy
Cream Shaper For Eyes in Egyptian or Brown Sugar
High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara
Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator in Peach or Bronze
Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Sunset Glow
Quickliner For Lips in Bon Bon

Night
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Spicy
Brush-On Cream Liner in Deep Brown or Smoky
Cream Shaper For Eyes
Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Almond Blossom
Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Cherry Bomb

Hear Ye, Hear Ye - Win Some FREE Beauty!

Want something for nothing? Well, you’ve come to the right place. I am so excited to announce Spoiled Pretty’s latest giveaway – generously sponsored by Face Boutique!!!

Face Boutique grew out of a quest to create products for young skin that really work, remain free from chemicals, smell divine, look great in the bathroom and, finally, leave everyone with a clear conscience. I think Spoiled Pretty speaks for many satisfied customers when I say, “Mission Accomplished.”

Spoiled Pretty is teaming up with Face Boutique to give away a whole lotta beauty booty.



One winner will be gifted with a goodie bag - filled with the following treats (valued at $71): Peachy Clean Foaming Facial Wash, Fresh Faced Moisturising Gel, Spot Less Blemish Gel, and Sweep Clean Cleansing Wipes.


Four runners up (yeah, you heard me right) will win a bottle of Hair Laundry Shampoo (valued at $16).

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 9 pm EST on Sunday, November 11th - be sure to include your name and email address. Or email me at spoiledpretty@gmail.com if you're uncomfortable posting your email address below.

Winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, November 12th, I’ll announce the winners' names. Please, only one comment per person; duplicate comments will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents. Good luck!

This February, MAC Gets Fergalicious

MAC has tapped Stacy 'Fergie' Ferguson, the Grammy Award-winning singer, as the next Viva Glam spokeswoman.

The chanteuse is the latest in a long line of Viva Glam celebrity spokeswomen - which include Eve, Dita von Teese, Mary J. Blige, Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott, and Pamela Anderson. The deal includes an ad campaign featuring Ferguson, which breaks in February, as well as a new limited edition MAC Viva Glam Lipglass.

In 1994, MAC introdued Viva Glam, an outspoken deep red that was universal in its appeal and glamour. Since then, the MAC Viva Glam campaign has raised more than $95 million dollars to benefit the MAC AIDS Fund, which supports people living with HIV/AIDS globally.

Doing It Well

Jennifer Lopez, and her rumored unborn twins, have been very busy lately. To promote her sixth studio album, Brave, Lopez has appeared on Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman – and most recently, Dancing With The Stars.

But Jenny from the block isn’t satisfied with conquering the radio and small screen. She’s also on newsstands now – showing off her pregnancy glow on the November issue of Allure.

For Lopez's Allure cover look - dramatic false eyelashes, dewy skin, and glossy nude lips - her longtime makeup artist Scott Barnes drew inspiration from 1960s model Marisa Berenson. "I understand Jennifer's face so well I could do it in the dark. I have," he says. "She's my muse beyond a shadow of a doubt."

Recreating JLo’s makeup is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Fill out the upper and lower lashlines with clusters of false lashes; they give a more natural effect than full lashes. Swipe a stroke of black liquid liner along both lids to camouflage the falsies. Brush black mascara on the top and bottom lashes.

2. Fill in the lips with a pale, nude pencil.

3. Add a layer of shimmery, clear lip gloss. Makeup artist Scott Barnes always uses his fingertips to apply the maximum amount.

To learn how to replicate the best beauty looks from the pages of Allure, go to Allure.com.

Spoiled Silly

Spoil yourself silly with Origins’ most irresistible Bath and Body Beauties. The Spoiled Silly set includes:

• Shedonism Intensely bubbling bath syrup (3.4 fl. oz) - a bubble bath/body wash scented with the Tahitian Tiare flower
• Shedonism Exotic floral essence rollerball (0.14 fl. oz.) - deep, hypnotic Tahitian Tiare delicately dashed with evocative Jasmine, sweet Petitgrain Mandarin, sparkling Bergamot and Basil
• Shedonism Deeply hydrating butter cream (8 oz.) - a sumptuous, hydrating blend of Sweet Almond, Coconut oils, and Shea Butter
• Shedonism votive candle - adds a lush and lavish feel to any room and makes it simple to spoil yourself silly; all natural essential oils, 100% vegetable wax, 100% cotton wick
  

Spoiled Silly is a $66 value for $58. Origins products are sold at Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s, Douglas Cosmetics, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Origins.

Happy Holidays

What do you have in common with Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss, Mariah Carey, and Sarah Jessica Parker? You all have your own fragrance! Well you don’t - not yet, that is...

Clinique just launched a new program, allowing customers to customize a bottle of their best-selling Happy perfume. Now you can personalize your perfume with pictures of whatever makes you smile. Smell sweet each day while you gaze upon the picture of your boyfriend/husband, pet, best friend, Mom or Dad – on a Clinique Happy bottle.

The process is simple: go to Clinique.com, upload your photo, name your bottle, and order. In less than two weeks, the bottle arrives on your doorstep. And the best part is that for each personalized photo bottle sold, Clinique will make a $1 donation (up to $10,000) to Big Brothers Big Sisters, a nonprofit that changes the lives of disadvantaged children and gives them a better chance of success.

Available just in time for the holidays, it’s a fun way to add a touch of personalization to your favorite fragrance and makes the ordinary gift unique.

The custom Happy fragrance is $52 for 3.4 oz, and can be ordered at Clinique's website.

Sephora Bath Collection Makes A Splash

Sephora just launched its new bath and body line, consisting of six products (dry oil, body butter, shower gel, body scrub, body lotion, and bubble bath) in seven light fragrances. Each product contains deeply hydrating ingredients, such as Aloe Vera and Jojoba, for delectably soft skin.

Available in Tropical Jasmine, Guava Passion, Tangerine Grapefruit, Asian Ginger, Citrus Sage, Riviera Blue, and Morning Waterlily.

Then I Saw My Nails, Now I’m A Believer

I’m the woman whose nails are never done. Not because I don’t care, but because the odds are never in my favor. It's usually because my husband is complaining that the fumes kill his brain cells. Or I’m too exhausted to spend the hour and a half that it takes to properly do my nails. But even when I do make the time to give myself a manicure – inevitably, I get an itch that just has to be scratched, and I end up destroying the polish on one or more of my digits.

That’s why I was so excited about Incoco Dry Nail Appliqués, which “take a few minutes and result in professional manicure quality.” But being the skeptic that I am, I didn’t honestly think that this product would hold a candle to a trip to the nail salon - but beggers can’t be choosers, so I gave them a try.

The Incoco Dry Nail Appliqués are dry strips of polish (basecoat, color, and topcoat layered and dried to the touch) that you fit to your nail size, peel off the backing paper, affix to your nail, and file off the extra. So, last night, I applied the appliqués according to the directions…and when I was through 20 minutes later, I couldn’t believe my eyes! For the first time in two months, my nails were done – and they looked like I had gotten them professionally done!

With Incoco Dry Nail Appliqués, there’s no smudging, no waiting, and no dead brain cells. The enamel bonds to natural and acrylic nails, for a manicure that lasts up to 14 days.

Available in 20 colors and 6 French Manicure shades (I’m modeling ‘Pink Satin’), each Incoco Dry Nail Appliqués kit contains 20 nail color strips, a mini nail buff, an orange stick, and a polish remover cloth. Sold exclusively at Walgreen’s.

Be Cordial To Your Lips

I love Palmer’s. Everytime I turn around, I’m back in love with one of their products. Lately, I’ve been indulging my chocolate cravings with their brand new Cocoa Butter Formula Dark Chocolate & Cherry Lip Butter.

In one simple step, this lip treat hydrates and softens with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E to heal and soften even the most chapped lips. It leaves behind an irresistible sheen that’s not sticky or overly glossy – it’s more of a “don’t hate me because my lips are so naturally moist and sexy” look, if you will. And the cherry on top? It will only set you back $3 and the yummy scent is reminiscent of a cherry cordial.

Also available in Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Flavor (which tingles with breath-freshening peppermint oil). Palmer’s products are sold at Amazon.com, CVS, Drugstore.com, Walgreen’s, Target, Walmart, Ulta and palmerscocoabutter.com.

Faking It

It’s the weekend before Halloween, which means that many of you will be attending a costume party in the next few days. So whether you decide to dress up as a sexy fill-in-the-blank, or choose to go as a sexier version of yourself – your best accessory is a pair of killer lashes!

The November issue of In Style explains how to choose the right fake lashes:


If you want a subtle effect, wear short lashes, which you can buy or customize by trimming a standard pair. Or opt for a small cluster (three hairs) and apply it only to the outside corner or center of the eye. Ardell DuraLash Naturals Individual Lashes are weightless, permanently curled, waterproof and comfortable.


For a bit of drama, try a medium-length strip made of synthetic material. “It will keep its shape and last longer,” says makeup pro Kristofer Buckle. MAC’s 34 Lash features a long, winged-corner edge.


To go all out, try mink, fox-fur, colorful and rhinestone sprinkled versions. Lash out with Lash Freak Lashes by Hard Candy.

Whichever you choose, you'll be sure to knock 'em dead!

Below, MAC Pro makeup artist Chantel Miller shows how to apply fake eyelashes. Visit Ford Models TV for more great how-to videos.

The Shopaholic's Guide To Web Deals

From Glamour.com:

Got the urge to splurge but not the bucks? No worries - online shopping gurus and Glamour’s beauty editor share the very best sites to find deals.

Adiscountbeautysupply.com gives up to 75 percent off on makeup, fragrance and more. Drugstore.com’s sister site beauty.com doles out free samples, along with regular special offers on yummy treats like Jaqua Pink Buttercream Frosting lip gloss.

Strawberrynet.com stocks a slew of discounted cosmetics and fragrances - and everything ships free.

Save on the “soap of the week” as well as scents and lotions at mistralsoap.com.

Beautydepot.com has deals on hair, skin and bath stuff—check out the “specials” link for major cuts.

And if you’re looking for designer fragrances like Clinique’s Happy and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely, try beautyboutique.com.

How to pay less for anything?
So-called shopping bots search hundreds of online retailers for the best prices on practically any product in the universe. Try glimpse.com, pricegrabber.com, mysimon.com and dealtime.com; they all do the same thing but sometimes search different vendors, so it’s worth it to try a couple.

Happy shopping!

Cause-Metics

Next time you’re at Whole Foods, after you load your basket with groceries, head on over to the body care section and look for PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics. This is a brand that should be on everyone’s lips (and fingertips) because it’s the first make-up company in history to donate all of its profits, after taxes, to women’s health and human rights advocacy issues. PeaceKeeper encourages women to use their power as consumers to make a difference.

My favorite PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics product is their Eco-Sensual Balm, a moisturizing and unisex stick that smells exactly like Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum. Eco-Sensual Balm soothes and hydrates lips with organic Palm, Jojoba, Coconut, and Virgin Olive oils – and is 73% organic and 100% vegan, natch.


The PeaceKeeper line also includes 12 Lip Paints, 10 Nail Paints, and 4 Lip Glosses.

PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics are sold at Whole Foods, Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, Marriott Spas, Earth Fare, and select Nordstrom stores.

Here's The Skinny

Fall has finally come to Philadelphia. Unfortunately, it brought steady rain and winds with it. On days like today, when I don’t feel like doing to much to my hair – because I know the weather will just un-do it – I pull it back into a pony or bun, then reach for a skinny headband. It adds polish to an otherwise bland hairstyle.

This look works better on hair that has a little texture, so if you’re working with freshly-washed hair, use a product like Ojon’s Animated Styling Cream or Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan Product. To keep the headband in place all day, lightly spray the underside with hairspray before sliding into place.

Nordstrom has some gorgeous headbands, but I suggest getting more bang for your buck by purchasing yours at Urban Outftters, Forever 21, Goody.com, or Scunci.com.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: If traditional headbands give you a headache, look for ones with elastic banding on the back.

I Told You Not To Blow Your Dough

Last week, MAC unveiled Antiquitease, a holiday collection inspired by the ornate excess of antiquity. But I warned you about being a spendthrift because MAC had bigger and better offerings on the horizon. Well, I hate to say “I told you so” (I’m lying), but I was right.

This week, beauty addicts hit the motherload as MAC unleashes Royal Assets, Heirlooms, Curiositease, Finery, and Viva Glamorous. Is your wallet ready?

From mac.com:

Royal Assets

Stately in look, fabulously collectible: our gilded antique-inspired compacts for lips and eyes. With their magnificent assortment of shades and distinctly royal colour waves, who wouldn't regard these as an asset?

Heirlooms

Extol the virtues of the past while staying perfectly au courant - with our Heirlooms brush bags. Each features the antique signature of M·A·C Holiday with a full set of professional brushes. Available in three distinct collections: Face, Eye and Basic.

Curiositease

In the majestic fashion of our holiday Antiquitease collection yet with a style and realm of its own. Handsome in their bearing, these mini colour sets come in a textured cream paper cylinder with gold or silver crown motifs. Inside, all your M·A·C favourites.

Finery

Every Antiquitease adores her finery, including this petite purse of woven cream fabric with metallic thread and an ivory crown motif on the handle. Each contains three lipcolours of one colour scheme. Fabulously authentic in look and feel.

Viva Glamorous

This season's crowning glory: the VIVA GLAM compacts make their debut in their traditional red this year, embellished with our royal crown icon. Available in Cool and Warm palettes. Every cent of the purchase price goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: Receive FREE standard shipping with all purchases. Automatically applied at checkout. This offer is valid through midnight EST Saturday, October 27 on orders shipped to U.S. or Canadian addresses only.

Models And Mangoes

Tonight’s episode of America’s Next Top Model entitled, “The Girl Who Gets A Mango,” had its fair share of famous faces - including the delectable Tyson Beckford and Miss Mary J.

But for me, the most exciting guest appearance was that of Lisa Price, creator of Carol’s Daughter, who founded the brand in her Brooklyn kitchen.

In honor of tonight’s eppy, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to a new product from Carol’s Daughter - Mango Mélange Shea Body Lotion. A luxurious blend of 15% shea butter, this moisturizer absorbs quickly and penetrates deeply to hydrate, condition, moisturize, soften and nourish dry skin for an ultra healthy glow.

And how cute was Saleisha when she was begging for some Carol’s Daughter leftovers?

I Heart SugarLoving

If you've been active on the Sugar Network recently you've probably noticed one of their latest features: SugarLoving. The site allows you to submit your favorite stories from all over the web, then "heart" those that are interesting, relevant, and you want to share with others. In an effort to spread the SugarLoving lovin', they are hosting a special Sugar Network contest.

Next time you stumble upon a great link, they want you to submit it to SugarLoving. They'll pick one random winner from the list of people that submit links between now and October 29 at 5 pm (PST) and award that person with a $500 gift card to Victoria's Secret. You know how contests usually say "one entry per person"? This time you can enter as many times as you like!

While you’re on there, show Spoiled Pretty some link love.

Pick Up The Tempo!

No time for hair repair? Here's how to refuel your hair without wasting a moment: pick up Oscar Blandi’s Tempo! Hair Treatment Trio.

This sampler of three intensive hair restoration treatments (Trattamento al Fango conditions, Trattamento D'Alternanza exfoliates the hair and scalp, and Trattamento Di Jasmine strengthens and moisturizes) was created to give quick restorative benefits in just a few minutes.

And to make sure you stay on track, there's a shower timer to make sure you're not kept waiting while the products work overtime.

Only at Sephora.

20% Off At Tocca

Take advantage of a 20% discount on Tocca.com to indulge in their delightful scented candles, and bath and body goodies, which make a great present. From October 15 until November 30th, use code INSTYLE07 (thanks, In Style!) to take advantage of this discount.

Sonia Kashuk's Got The Midas Touch

This holiday season, Sonia Kashuk turns everything you touch into gold. Starting in November, Sonia Kashuk Beauty, will introduce a luxe Holiday 2007 collection that reflects the opulence of the season with gilded cases and accessories.

The Glitz and Glam Brush Set includes a Blush Brush, Large Eye Shadow Brush, Concealer Brush, Small Eye Shadow Brush, Angled Eye Shadow Brush, Smudge Brush and Lash/Brow Comb.

The brushes in Kashuk’s Prized Possession Kashuk Tools Set are made with the finest quality hairs and a comfortable, ergonomic design for flawless application every time. The thee-piece set includes a Blush Brush, Blending Brush, and Angled Eye Shadow Brush encased in a beautifully ornate box.

The Gold Mine Accessory Kit contains gold Cosmetic Scissors, Deluxe Eye Lash Curler, Emory Board, and Tweezers - all carried in a suede bag for easy access in your purse.

The most stylish travel mirror on the market, Looking Glass Case and Mirror, is held in a gorgeous gold faux-snakeskin zippered case and is your ideal travel companion.

The Treasure Chest Train Case is perfect for displaying on a vanity or jet-setting during the holidays. The suede lining inside, complete with slots for every makeup brush to be stored and organized, makes this makeup case a must-have travel accessory for this holiday season.

Sonia Kashuk Beauty is available exclusively at Target, and prices range between $14.99 and $29.99. Fabuless!

Sleeping Beauty

Having trouble falling asleep? Warm milk and counting sheep no longer cutting it? Believe it or not, the right beauty products could help you catch up on some much-needed beauty sleep.


Spoiled Pretty suggests you soak and shower your way to a good night's rest.

Drift off to sleep with Bath & Body Works Dream Bath in Vanilla Chamomile. This luxurious cream bath contains a unique blend of essential oils to soothe you and enhance sleep, and aloe to nourish and rejuvenate skin. Vanilla absolute helps to calm feelings of stress that can keep you from falling asleep and chamomile essential oil has a lulling effect, to enhance sleep.

Borba Atomizer Linen, Face & Body Reviving Mist is the first and only linen, face, and body mist. The lightly scented mist not only moisturizes and softens your skin throughout the day, it also helps you instantly unwind at night with its relaxing sweet almond fragrance.

TJ Maxx Is My New BFF

You all know that I heart Sephora. I’m also a fan of department stores and specialty boutiques. But my new favorite places to shop for beauty products are retail chains like TJ Maxx and Marshalls. To me, there’s something so satisfying about rooting through shelves of crap and spotting the perfect product – as if it was put there especially for me to find.

This weekend, I went to TJ Maxx – and was amazed at what I found: GapBody body lotion for $5.99; a gift set of three Jaqua Shower Syrups for $9.99; and Lucky Chick Mandarin White Orchid Sugar Body Scrub for $4.99. I’ve also spied products from Peter Thomas Roth, Juice Beauty, Davies Gate, and N.V. Perricone on shelves at TJ Maxx. And you’d be amazed at the fragrance selection…not too long ago, my Mom bought a 1.7 ounce bottle of Hanae Mori Butterfly Eau de Parfum for $29.99 (retail value $85)!

Spoiled Pretty Tip: On your next trip to TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and similar retail chains – be on the lookout for products from CST (Commonwealth Soap and Toiletries) and Asquith & Somerset. These bath and body products are high-quality at a low price (most items are under $8). Right now, I’m loving CST’s Tangerine Vanilla Sugar Scrub…it gently polishes my skin, and smells just like an orange creamsicle!

Siren Song

This past weekend, I stopped by Sephora expecting to just window shop. Oh, who am I kidding…does that ever really happen?

Aimlessly, I perused the aisles and tested dozens of products. I had no intention of actually buying anything, yet I couldn’t bring myself to leave the store. It was as if something was calling to me. Then I saw it - Viridiana lipstick from the Nars Siren Song Holiday 2007 collection.

This lip color had me at hello, ladies. At first glance, I was bewitched by the rich burgundy color. After testing it on my hand, I fell a little deeper in love. By the time the saleswoman finished carefully applying it to my lips, I was obsessed. And in the ten minutes between putting a tube of Viridiana in my basket and paying for it at the register, three women approached me to ask what lipstick I was wearing. Watch out, Dolce Vita…there's a new diva in town.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: For daytime, apply Viridiana to exfoliated lips with your fingers – for a subtle, but sophisticated stain. At night, apply with a lip brush for more concentrated color. The beauty of Viridiana lies not only in the shade, but also in the formula – the semi-matte finish isn’t drying and stays where you put it, so you needn’t worry about the color staying inside the lines.

Nars’ Siren Song collection also includes:
Duo Eyeshadow (in Balthazar, Violetta, and Cheyenne); Lip Gloss (in Rose Gitane and Bad Education); Blush in Luster; Single Eyeshadow (in Night Snow and Night Rider); Lip Gloss/Lip Stain Gloss (in Metis/Victoire, Turkish Delight/Sayonara, Sand Piper/Dare Devil, and Moon Fleet/Indian Red); Nail Polish in Saratoga ; and Perfecting Powder Sheets.

Ask And You Shall Receive

Interview the stars! InStyle.com gives you the opportunity to ask your favorite celebrities a question.

READERS ASKED: What was your first fragrance?
GWEN SAID: "Love's Baby Soft. Probably because it was the one that I saw over and over again in commercials. I've always been into beauty products. As a kid one of my favorite stores was Sav-On Drugs. I just loved the smell of L'Oréal lipstick."

Dying to know how Halle Berry always manages to look so effortlessly beautiful? Find out what products she uses - click here to submit your question.

News You Can Use

I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but I spent my Saturday night watching QVC.

Totally by accident, I stumbled on QVC while channel surfing…and was surprised by the addictive nature of their Beauty Newsmakers Face-to-Face, a special that gives viewers the inside scoop on beauty from the industry's leading experts.

The program showcased new and bestselling products from Bare Escentuals, Borba, Essie, Kate Somerville, Laura Geller, Mally Roncal, Ojon, Peter Thomas Roth, Smashbox, and Tarte – just to name a few. I was also surprised to learn that many of the show’s featured products are QVC exclusives. For example, RareMinerals Blemish Therapy with Brush won’t be available at Bare Escentuals stores, counters, or on their website until February 2008 - but you can buy it now at QVC.

I usually consider myself immune to home-shopping television, but this particular program was absolutely riveting. The hosts were selling the you-know-what out of those products. I had to restrain myself, several times, from pulling out my credit card and picking up the phone.

For more information about the products featured on QVC Beauty Newsmakers, click here.

A Tale of Two Foundations

Yesterday, my quest for an everyday foundation took me to my local department store. I’d seen advertisements for Clinique’s new Supermoisture Makeup in my favorite fashion magazines, so I headed straight to their makeup counter.

On the Clinique website, the Supermoisture Makeup is described as having an ultra-creamy yet refreshingly lightweight formula that goes beyond flaw-fixing, providing a dewy look. Clinique promises that this product disguises unevenness with sheer-to-moderate coverage, resulting in soft and radiant looking skin all day.

Okay, so back to my shopping escapades…the saleswoman warned me that the Supermoisture Makeup is meant for individuals with dry skin. Now, while my skin can be an oil slick during the summer, it gets tight and very dry during the fall and winter months. So I told the woman that I still wanted to give it a try. She color-matched me, and the shade she chose was spot-on. However, it was much too dewy for my taste. In fact - it looked, dare I say, greasy. I would only recommend this product to those with extremely parched skin (think Sahara thirsty).

The story does have a happy ending, though. I walked out of Bloomingdale’s with Clinique’s Superfit Makeup in Nutty – an oldie but a goodie. And the helpful saleswoman threw in a gift with purchase (Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Twiglet and Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer) to boot.

Virtual Reality

Want to test the hotest new trends, without the commitment? Why not try a virtual makeover? Here are a few of my favorites:

Who needs to end up on the wrong side of the scissors? Try on hairstyles at the Marie Claire Virtual Hair Salon. Make an informed choice by uploading your photo (or choose from our library of models) and virtually try on a variety of popular cuts, colors, and styles.

With InStyle.com’s Hollywood Hair Makeover, you can try on your favorite star styles and colors before you make a trip to the salon. Get Jennifer Aniston’s beachy waves or Jessica Simpson’s blonde – with a click of your mouse. Just upload your photo or choose a model with similar face shape and complexion. With new styles added every month, the possibilities are endless and the commitment is zero! Print your favorite looks or email them to friends!

Ready for a free, fun, no-hassle virtual makeover? The iVillage Makeover-o-Matic virtual makeover game lets you try on virtual hairstyles, makeup and accessories with your own photo or a model photo. Select from hundreds of hairstyles, cosmetic colors and accessories in the privacy of your own home.

Want to try on hundreds of CoverGirl shades? Just install the CG Makeup Mirror! It's easy, fast and free to install, and takes less than 2 minutes to download to your computer. The CG Makeup Mirror is certified virus-free and is safe for your computer.

Get A Tan While Taking A Shower?

Diana B. 60 Second Instant Miracle Tan is a totally unique product designed to gives your skin a sunkissed glow...while you take a shower.

Using breakthrough technology, this product produces a water-activated sugar protein-based foam that subtly and temporarily tints skin, without the downtime (or odor) of a traditional self-tanner. Deliciously scented with chocolate truffle, coconut and almond, 60 Second Instant Miracle Tan can be used every day to build color.

Available November 1st.

Complicated Name, But Simply Amazing

You’ve probably never heard of this product, but once you use it, you’ll never forget it. Just don’t forget who told you about it…

Semi Di Lino Cristlli Liquidi Illuminating Serum by Alfaparf Milano is an ultra-luxurious beauty fluid that instantly adds more light, shine, and softness to every hair type.

Alfaparf Milano, started in 1980 with the goal of distributing high quality Italian haircare throughout the world, is now sold in 80 countries around the world. Their products are known for “making soft and shiny hair a breeze,” and the Semi Di Lino Cristlli Liquidi Illuminating Serum is a cult favorite among hairstylists and beauty addicts, like me.

Semi Di Lino Cristlli Liquidi Illuminating Serum forms an invisible protection film that temporarily smoothes the hair cuticle and seals split ends, resulting in strands that are soft, shiny, easy to comb, and pleasing to the touch.

The Semi Di Lino line is made specifically for hair that needs shine, and contain linseed extracts to brighten, Vitamin E to protect, and Omega 3 and Omega 6 to reconstruct. The light formula isn’t greasy, won't weigh down your hair, and brings out the highlights in both natural and colored tresses. It can be used on damp hair before styling, or as a finishing touch on dry hair. And the fragrance is heavenly. The reasons to purchase this product go on and on...

The only downside is that the product is not widely available in stores. Your best bet is to purchase online. Right now, SleekHair.com is offering a 1.69 ounce bottle for $22, which is pretty decent. Spoiled Pretty suggests doing a Google search and finding a reputable seller with the lowest price.