Eve Gives Obama The Thumb Up

You thought you were too cool with your Obama t-shirt and car magnet. But you can do better than that. Yes you can. Just follow Eve and Solange Knowles' lead...rock Barack on your nails.



Minx has a few more ways to get political with your mani/pedi...

MAC Ungaro, Cremesheen and Holiday Swatches

Passions of Red: Fascinating Ruby 6 Smokey Eyes

Ungaro: See Thru Lip Color and Pastel Emotion Lipglass


Red She Said: Mineralize Eye Shadows in Inter-view and Persuasive

Red She Said: Miss Dynamite and Sugarrimmed Dazzleglass

Adoring Carmine: My Dear Lipglass


Passions of Red: Fascinating Ruby 3 Plum Lips

Red She Said: Crazee Lipstick
Cremesheen: Crosswires Lipstick

Adoring Carmine: Soft Spot and Real Treasure Lipsticks

Happy Halloween!

It's all tricks and treats in Philadelphia today. Not a lot of orange in my hometown this Halloween. Rather, a sea of red...

The treat: upwards of three million Phillies fans have descended on Center City Philadelphia, as The Parade of Champions makes its way down Market and Broad Streets. The last time a Philadelphia team won a major sports championship was in 1983, when the 76ers won the NBA title. The Phillies won their only other World Series in 1980.

The trick: navigating the crowds and getting my short ass home, where I could actually catch some of the parade action on television.

Happy Halloween, y'all!

Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spa Doesn't Like Sending Customers Home Empty-Handed

Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spa doesn’t like to send customers home empty-handed. During the month of November - visit one of the spa’s three NYC locations, choose one the following NARS Nail Polish shades for your mani or pedi…and you’ll go home with a full-sized bottle in that shade!

Participating shades include:


Arabesque


Bohemia


Candy Darling


Dovima


Edelweiss


Gimme Shelter


Jungle Red


M Butterfly


Saratoga


Schiap


Temptation

This promotion is available at all three NYC Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spa locations.

Recessionista's Fabuless Pick of the Week: L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

Lately, I'd sworn off wearing mascara during the work week. You see, around 3:00pm, when my Cosi sandwich-induced stupor sets in, I absentmindedly rub my eyes…then scold myself and mutter expletives under my breath, upon realizing that I have just turned my doe eyes into racoon eyes.

But since being introduced to L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara (say that five times fast), I’ve ended my self-imposed, work week mascara strike. Double Extend Beauty Tubes mimics the look of lash extensions by combining a nourishing base coat with tube technology, once only found in prestige mascaras (Blinc and Fiberwig).


For half the price of the aforementioned mascaras, you get lush, lengthened lashes that won’t clump, run, smudge or flake. In fact, the other day, I accidentally fell asleep with my mascara still on (truth: went to bed without washing my face cuz I’m lazy) and when I awoke, my mascara looked ab fab and the color hadn’t migrated one bit.

I’m a gal who’s always running late, so I was initially skeptical about whether or not this 2-step mascara would fit into my free time-deptived lifestyle. So I was very happy to find that while Double Extend Beauty Tubes does involve an additional process, the extra time is minimal…the ‘Nourishing Base Coat’ doesn’t need to dry before you paint on the ‘Ultra Lengthening Tupe Top Coat.’
And here’s the best part…when it comes time to remove the mascara, all you need is warm water. No heavy duty makeup remover or elbow grease required. When washing your face (do as I say, not as I do), simply smooth the tubes away from your lashes with your fingertips, or hold a cotton pad soaked in warm water on the lashes for 30 seconds…the tubes will come off without leaving the surrounding area an inky mess.

The only downside to this mascara (and it’s a very nitpicky one) is the name. Because L'Oreal's decided against giving this new mascara a totally unique moniker, it could be confused with L’Oreal’s Double Extend Lash Extender & Magnifier Mascara, which features the primer…but not the tube technology. So if you decide to give Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara a try, look for the red and white packaging.

Spoiled Pretty's Talk Is Chic Giveaway, Sponsored by Stila!

Spoiled Pretty and Stila invite you to fully realize your inner makeup artist potential…this week, they partner to bring you the Talk Is Chic Giveaway!

One winner will receive the following glam goodies:

Day to Night Palette
Stash a makeup artist in your desk drawer. When you need to go from the boardroom to the black tie gala, or even a night on the town, she will take you from day to night in the time it takes to shut down your computer. Featuring a complete look for eye: base, crease, contour and lid shadows as well as Convertible Color for lip and cheek, this has the essentials to amp up your beauty volume. Extra credit: It’s a great value, coming in at $28 less than the cost of buying products separately.

Smoky Eye Palette – The Emeralds
Push the button and the palette literally talks you through 5 easy steps to the perfect smoky eye. It's complete with artistry tips and what brushes to use - all in under a minute. The Emeralds includes four shades: the base is a new shade that is vintage champagne shimmer, a new shade that is golden olive shimmer for the lid, and shade june bug that is a rich emerald shimmer as the contour and shade poise that is an iridescent purple as the liner. This is a palette that literally gives new meaning to the term 'beauty talk.'


Paint Your Pout Red Talking Palette
Stila introduces the first Talking Palette for your pucker- this can take lips from Plain Jane to Sultry Siren in under a minute, flat. Start with the lip smoother, and then, dip the enclosed retractable lip brush into your choice of the three tones of red provided.


Lip Color in Sonya (berry velvet creme)


Lip Glaze in Mocha (sheer plum brown) and Praline (shimmering peachy brown)


Kajal Eye Liner in Onyx (black)

This giveaway prize is valued at $204! Enter to win these Spoiled Pretty-approved products…

Send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "Talk Is Chic Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Wednesday, November 5th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Thursday, November 6th, 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 only.

Good luck!

Have A Ball: Ojon's Tawaka The White Ball

Ojon new Tawaka The White Ball is a rich, decadent body cleansing and conditioning treatment that produces a creamy lather that can be used in the bath or shower to purify and nourish the skin to silky perfection. Formulated without fragrance, artificial color, sulfates, silicones, or preservatives, The White Ball is a lavish luxury that conditions dry, winter skin.

The unique blend of ingredients, including a high dose of White Cocoa Seed Butter with wildcrafted Ojon and Swa+ oils, lets you "roll your way" to velvety-soft skin.

Available exclusively at Sephora stores and sephora.com.

Jurlique's New Biodynamic Beauty Range: Now Available at Sephora

Jurlique’s age-defying, high-performance Biodynamic Beauty Range is now available in Sephora’s Natural Section. The new facial skincare collection is clinically proven to deliver dynamically different results to help maintain and improve skin’s youthful properties and maintain hydrated, smooth, firm and radiant skin. The Biodynamic Beauty Range includes:

Eye Cream ($45): Helps treat fine lines, under eye puffiness and increase moisturisation. Botanical ingredients in the eye cream include Beech Tree Buds, Blue Algae, and Hibiscus, which firm the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The formula increases skin firmness in 88% of test subjects, and 71% of respondents noticed that the area around their eyes felt firmer after only six weeks.

Refining Treatment ($35): Helps enhance cell renewal, while gently uncovering a more even, luminous skin tone and glowing complexion. Botanical ingredients in the Refining Treatment include Willow Bark Extract, a naturally gentle source of Salicylic Acid, to help promote cell renewal, Apricot Seed Powder to help with the removal of dead skin cells, and Calendula for its skin soothing and healing properties.

Serum ($75): Diminishes the appearance of dark spots and discolorations; brightens and evens skin tone to enhance luminosity and clarity, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother more youthful appearance with continued use. The formulation features Jurlique’s proprietary Biodynamic Blend of Black Elder and Licorice to combat puffiness, redness, help fade discolorations, and brighten skin for increased radiance. Clinically proven to reduce major signs of aging. In just six weeks, visible lines and wrinkles were reduced by 34%, 77% of users noticed firmer skin and 73% of respondents cited smoother skin.

Night Lotion ($55): Improves firmness, moisturisation and the appearance of wrinkles. Botanical ingredients in the moisturiser include Marshmallow for intense hydration and skin smoothing properties, and Calendula for soothing and calming the skin. An increase in skin firmness appeared in 89% of users and a high number of respondents reported a significant increase in moisturisation after six weeks of use.

"The range offers beneficial results of hi-tech, artificial anti-aging products – but with all natural formulations,: says Marie-Pierre Stark-Flora, Jurlique’s SVP of Global Marketing.

The Biodynamic Beauty Range is available at 12 Sephora locations throughout California’s Bay Area, Central California, Los Angeles and Orange County as well as online at sephora.com and jurlique.com.

Aveda Giveaway Winners Revealed!

Congratulations to Geneva Tatem, the grand-prize winner of Spoiled Pretty's Aveda Smooth Infusion Giveaway. She has won Aveda's Smooth Infusion Kit ($107 value), a 4-step smoothing system, with a smoothing brush. This set of smooth operators softens and defends against humidity for up to 12 hours.

Christina Kelly and Amanda Tracy are the lucky runners-up. They will receive Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother, which protects against surface damage from heat styling, defends against humidity for up to 12 hours, and makes styling faster and easier.

Thanks to everyone who entered this contest, and to the generous folks at Aveda - without whom, this wouldn't be possible.

And check back later for another unbelievable giveaway...one that will have everyone talking!

I'm Baaaaaaack

Hi, everyone. Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been in the hospital, without access to a computer. It's been killing me to be out of touch.

Anyway, thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, I'm doing better and back at home resting.

So let's get this show on the road, shall we?

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm Works 22 Different Ways!

It’s a good thing when a beauty product does one thing really well. When it peforms double duty, even better. And when a product can be used more than twenty different ways, you ask yourself, “Is it my birthday?”

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm is an all-in-one, on-the-go beauty essential with over 22 uses from your nose to your toes. Enriched with organic butters, organic plant extracts, vitamin E and nourishing organic oils, this multi-tasking solid moisturizing balm softens, smoothes and protects skin.

Some of its 22 uses include:

* Relieving chapped lips
* Soothing dry spots
* Softening lines
* Feeding parched nails
* Combating flaking skin
* Taming unruly eyebrows
* Fighting free radicals
* Preventing stretch marks
* Smoothing flyaways
* Conditioning hair
* Nourishing dry cuticles
* Calming skin irritations
* Conditioning dry hands
* Sealing in skin moisture
* Priming skin for makeup

All-Over Body Balm reminds me of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15, on account of the lemony sugar scent. But for $6 more than Fresh’s cult classic, you get 21 additional usages.

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm is a Beauty.com exclusive and retails for $28.

If This Concealer Is Smart, I Shudder To Think What A Dumb Concealer Looks Like

Yesterday, I visited the parental units and my sister happened to be home from college. As is the norm when she makes an appearance, her makeup arsenal was splayed out on the counter in our once-shared bathroom. I couldn’t help myself from taking a peek and rooting around a bit.

Most of the products I’ve tried before, and a majority of the stockpile were gifts from her benevolent big sis. But before turing off the light and moving on, an unfamiliar tube caught my eye – Almay Smart Shade Concealer.

Almay promises, “with Smart Shade Concealer, there’s no more guessing or stressing over what shade of concealer is right for you. This revolutionary colorless concealer contains microscopic color beads that are activated when you smooth it on—transforming into a shade that complements your skin tone. It conceals minor imperfections on face and dark circles under eyes and provides easy, buildable coverage.”

So what’s the verdict? This product is neither a smart buy, nor does it conceal.

First of all, the concealer has an odd, paste-like consistency. Kinda like toothpaste. And it’s thin, so don’t smooth it on, as directed. In order to achieve any kind of coverage, you must dab it on…but even when you do, don’t expect to camoflage anything more than a freckle. No joke. And, finally, if you’ve got medium to dark skin, just fugetaboutit. Almay Smart Shade Concealer leaves chalky white patches in its wake.

I think that a product that adjusts to compliment your skintone is great…in theory. But, in my opinion, this ‘technology’ is much better left to blush or lipgloss – situations where there’s more leeway with regards to color. With foundation, powder and concealer , you’re trying to fake a flawless complexion. So why leave a perfect match to chance?

You would do much better to choose your own shade than let Almay’s ‘microscopic color beads’ make the decision for you.

Philosophy Shower Gel Ornaments

I realize that it's not yet Halloween, but I'm already thinking of the holidays...and I couldn't resist posting about Philosophy's Shower Gel Ornaments.

Give the gift of decadence. Now your friends and family can savor those heart-warming holiday scents in the shower! These bottles of high-foaming shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath will fill their senses while they're cleansing, softening, and moisturizing.

Includes six-2oz bottles in individual gift boxes: (2) 2oz bottles in orange cranberry spritzer, (2) 2oz bottles in spicy pear cobbler, and (2) 2oz bottles in cinnamon buns.

Introductory Price: $29.96. Available only at QVC.

Total Beauty Weekend Web Tour

Viva Woman tells you different ways to use mineral water to boost your beauty.

The Makeup Divas are giving away one pair of Anastasia Limited Edition Swarovski Pink Ribbon Precision Tweezers (retail:$33.00) So hurry and enter, contest closes October 25th.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Paul & Joe Moisturizing Foundation Primer.

Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happy hangs out withR&B songstress Cassie, and gets the full scoop on all her beauty secrets. Click to read what she had to say!

Discover from Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog how to fight back fat and muffin-top with the Unbelievabra!

The Jet Set Girls are giving away 3 tubes of B. Kamins Lash Fortifier worth $90 each! Who wouldn't love to have longer lashes?

Beauty411 shares the details on a new sun-kissed and sexy Bobbi Brown collection!

Eileen over at MissWhoever You Are gushes about her new haircare routine that is simply DIVINE and has her hair looking fab.

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings gets a little help from her mom for the review of some new products in Dr. Obagi's new skincare line, ZO Skin Health! Click here for the story.

Fabulous Over Forty meets Carmindy and discusses her book Get Positively Beautiful.

Glossypink has found a new miracle product for shiny, healthy, frizz-free hair!

Beauty Blogging Junkie has your Halloween faux lash needs covered with this lash round-up.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having another Pink Giveaway. Click here for all the details.

Talking Makeup launches MissLush.com new makeup and beauty video sharing website!

Spoiled Pretty wants to help you tame your unruly mane. Which is why they've partnered with Aveda for an amazing giveaway. Enter to win Aveda's Smooth Infusion Kit ($107 value), a 4-step smoothing system, with a smoothing brush!

Beauty Blog Network: Best Week Ever

The Muse lets you know the scoop on the US Debut of the Paul & Joe Disney Collection that was exclusive to Japan only last Spring! Click on over for the details and the Muse's past review of this cute collection!

Beauty Anonymous reviews Paul &Joe's latest Moisturizing Foundation Primer.

The Makeup Divas reviews YSL Rouge Volupte in Sweet Honey.

A Touch of Blusher reviews two eye palettes from CARGO's fall 2008 collection.

Beauty Junkie in SF continues to find great pink products to support Breast Cancer Awareness month, like Origin's Peace of Mind On-the-spot Relief.

Lilan from The Daily Cookie reviews Ojon's luxe Tawaka "The Ball", a chocolaty rich body scrub for bath time.

Beauty411 shares the details on a new sun-kissed and sexy Bobbi Brown collection!

Cybelesays is giving away mascara and eyelash curler from me by {me}zhgan. Click here to enter!

Find out which dark and dangerous product Glossypink is obsessing over!

Beauty Blogging Junkie has your Halloween faux lash needs covered with this lash round-up.
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having another Pink Giveaway. Click here for all the details.

Liquid Cashmere?! Beauty Banter uncovers a new body care line that claims to have bottled liquid cashmere!

Makeup Moxie's got her eye on the new Lash Stash from Sephora.

Spoiled Pretty wants to help you tame your unruly mane. Which is why they've partnered with Aveda for an amazing giveaway. Enter to win Aveda's Smooth Infusion Kit ($107 value), a 4-step smoothing system, with a smoothing brush!

Until Now, Ponytails and Knit Hats Didn't Mix

I typically wear my hair in a ponytail at least five days a week. And during the cold Philadelphia winters, when I'm forced to wear a hat, I end up looking ridiculous with my ponytail or bun stuffed into my knit caps.

Girl 32 understands. Their pony-friendly hats marry fashion with function!

It's a simple concept, really. A fashionable wool winter hat you can wear two ways - with your hair up, or down. Features Swarovski crystal buttons in the back, and comes in a variety of delicious colors. Smart girl. Smart hat.

To wear: 1) Unbutton one button at the height of your ponytail. 2) Slip hat on, and pull ponytail through. 3) Voila! Now get out there and turn some heads.

The geniuses at Girl 32 also created the Smart Glove, featuring hooded fingertips on the thumb and forefinger...so you can dial your phone or apply lipstick, all without having to take off the entire cute glove you're wearing. And be sure to also check out their Smart Scarf, with a hidden zipper pocket to stash your lipgloss, keys, bus pass or iPod.

It's In The Bag: Trina Turk Collabo With Clinique

I have to admit that I’m not easily wooed by a gift with purchase. Maybe it’s because most of them are essentially throwaway products, in a multitude of shiteous shades. Or perhaps it’s because I’m an ungrateful heifer who, by virtue of this blog, is spoiled by too much beauty swag.

So when I tell you to mark your calendar for a gift with purchase, you know it’s time to sit up and pay attention.

Clinique has partnered with fashion designer Trina Turk and Nordstrom for the brand’s first-ever designer makeup bag. From November 5-22 (or while supplies last), you can get your paws on Turk’s adorable animal print cosmetic case, filled with Clinique goodies hand-picked by the designer.

"The silver and white mini-tigress print with a bright yellow lining works beautifully with Clinique’s packaging and reflects our own silver and white brand identity," says Turk.

The gift with purchase includes:

* Zero Gravity Repairwear Lift
* Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser
* Colour Compact with Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Beach Plum/Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher in New Clover
* Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Bamboo Pink
* Lash Doubling Mascara in Black
* Long Last Lipstick in Twilight Nude
* Lipstick case with Mirror

There are no throwaways here. In fact, I would bet cash money that many of these products become your beauty must-haves. And, speaking of money, the Trina Turk gift with purchase is free with your Clinique purchase of $25 or more.

The partnership between Clinique and Trina Turk will last for three seasons, so keep your eyes peeled in the months ahead.

Phillies Fan Wears Pride On Her Nails!

My BFF Kristen is a self-proclaimed "gung ho Phillies Phan." So to celebrate their trip to the World Series, she's wearing her pride on her nails. Go Phils!

Credits:

Kristen, hand model
Raine, nail artiste
Shannon, photog extraordinare (watch out, Annie Leibowitz)

Apparently, Spoiled Pretty is a Snoozefest

Here's a comment that I recently received:

Lately it seems as if you're not as versatile as you used to be. All I see on your blog nowadays is news about Kim Kardashian and what she's wearing etc. I could easily just visit her blog if I wanted to know every update of her beauty life. It's getting boring.

Here's my response:

Sorry if you feel that this site is 'getting boring.' Many of Spoiled Pretty's readers are interested in what Kim is wearing, what she's doing, and what makeup she's currently using. Obviously, this site can't be all things to all people...but many visitors enjoy my Kim K posts because it's an extra step to visit her blog and weed through all of her posts to get the beauty/style news they want. Also, you might notice that (unlike Kim's actual blog), Spoiled Pretty provides links to her favorite products...which eliminates the need to perform Google searches and Internet sleuthing. Many readers appreciate that they can just click a link and be transported to the retailer's website.

Here at Spoiled Pretty, it's just me. I don't have a staff and I don't have an intern. I have a full time job (40+ hours per week), a family and a life. And still I find time to post every day - and often, several times a day. I report beauty news like it’s my J-O-B, even though it’s just my H-O-B-B-Y. So I apologize if it appears that I’m slacking off and not bringing my A-game 24/7. But, to be honest - if this site is getting to be a snoozefest, then there are plenty of other beauty blogs on the Interweb you can hit up instead. I encourage you to go out there and find one that will keep you sufficiently entertained. And while I normally do appreciate feedback, I think you will agree that your comment borders on spiteful criticism.

Recessionista’s Fabuless Pick of the Week: L’Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss

You may love lipgloss. But your lipgloss don’t love you back. You know how it goes. She’s like that flighty girlfriend who shows up at the party, makes a glossy but brief appearance – and before you know it, she’s gone without a trace.

L’Oreal knows the drill...which is why they created Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss, the first longwearing gloss in one step. No touch ups, no top coats, no feathering and no fading – for six hours. No kidding!

I swear it’s not an urban legend because I’ve personally witnessed the miracle. The color clings to lips for hours, never falling flat. Yesterday, my friend gave me a totally unsolicited compliment three hours after I applied Infallible Lip Gloss in Bloom.

The patented 'Petite Coeur' applicator allows for precise, flawless application – so you don’t have to worry about going outside of the lines, which can be an issue with the more pigmented of the 16 shades. Besides Bloom, I’m also a big fan of Rebel Red, a gorgeous scarlet that I imagine will flatter a variety of skin tones. And because it’s infallible, the crimson color stays exactly where you put it – meaning you don’t end up with red smeared across your face à la Bette Davis in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

L’Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss is available at a drugstore near you, and costs less than an Alexander Hamilton.