Victoria's Secret Incredible Bra Is Aptly Named

Since I gave birth in August, I have been rotating five sad-looking nursing bras. For a while now, I've been meaning to upgrade to more sexy support systems. But as most new mothers know, there's not a lot of free time those first few months - and when you do get some downtime, you take a nap.

But last week, I decided enough was enough. It was high time my undergarments made me feel like a woman again, rather than a milk maid. So I made a sojourn to Victoria's Secret to get outfitted for a ultra-feminine bra.

The first thing I did upon entering the land of lingerie was flag down a helpful salesperson and asked to be fitted. Pre-pregnancy, I was barely a 34B - but her tape measure revealed that, post-pregnancy, I am now a 36D!!!

I told the saleswoman that I was in search of a bra that would give the girls some serious lift (post-baby, gravity is not your friend). I also mentioned how frustrated I have become with my nursing bras and the fact that they look lumpy under my form-fitting tops. So she introduced me to Victoria's Secret Incredible Bra and selected a few styles to try on.

In the dressing room, I discovered that the Incredible Bra is aptly named. It's moniker isn't just a clever marketing ploy. It was as if Victoria's Secret read my mind and created a bra just for me. So I snagged the Incredible Demi Bra (for everyday) and the Incredible Front-Close Push Up Bra (for dramatic, Jessica Rabbit-esque décolletage). So what's so incredible about these bras? Lemme break it down:

The bras have a cushioned underwire doesn't dig, bind or pinch. Both styles I purchased are front-close, which makes it, literally, a snap for me to nurse my constantly hungry baby boy. Last, but definitely not least, both bras feature self-adjusting straps that fit perfectly every time. I don't know about you - but this was the ultimate selling point for me...my bra straps stay slippin' and it drives me insane. The Incredible Bra is also available in a wide range of shades and pattens, which is a nice change from the pedestrian palette of most nursing bras.

I am beyond pleased with my new bras. Visit your local Victoria's Secret store, try one on for size, and it'll be incredible if you leave the store empty-handed.

Victoria's Secret Angels Land in NYC

Yesterday, 30 Victoria's Secret supermodels, including Victoria’s Secret Angels Heidi Klum, Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, Marisa Miller, Miranda Kerr, and PINK’s Behati Prinsoloo, took over Times Square to celebrate the return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show - airing on CBS Tuesday, December 1st.

Angels Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, and Marisa Miller shared their tips for selecting the perfect gift for the one you love and their favorite gifts, including top beauty picks for the holidays.

Marisa Miller’s favorites:
* Love Rocks Fragrance $12-$39: the newest fragrance from Victoria’s Secret Beauty was inspired by the edgy allure of rock 'n' roll.

Alessandra Ambrosio favorites:
* The Lacie Collection $16-$48: a collection that features bright, super soft stretch lace in a one-size-fits all thong, hiphugger, bralette, slip and more.

Doutzen Kroes favorites:
* Gift Cards: the perfect gift that allows the one you love to buy their favorite items that have been on their wish list forever!

Victoria’s Secret Drops A Bombshell: Miraculous Push-Up Bra

The other day on my lunch break, I stopped by my neighborhood Victoria's Secret store to try on the new Miraculous Push-Up Bra. You know…the one that adds two cup sizes. Yeah, that one. In the dressing room, I put on the bra and it instantly transformed my small B’s into generous D’s…truly miraculous. But the true test was when I slipped my sweater back on, over top of the Miraculous Bra. That’s when my eyes bugged out of my head. The reflection in the full-length mirror was a surprising optical illusion. It was as if I was looking at Jessica Rabbit’s body with my head perched on top. Once you take the bra for a test drive, you'll understand why the tagline for this bra is "Hello, Bombshell"…it's cuz it looks like you're smuggling weapons of mass destruction under your top.

If ever there was a bra that delivered on its promises, it's this one. But there are some major caveats. Though the Miraculous Push-Up is available in sizes AA through DD, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with more than a B cup. While I was blown away by the bra, I would have felt totally inappropriate wearing it anytime other than Friday or Saturday nights; this is definitely not one to don under your work wear, unless you work at Hooters.

I’m small on top with wide hips and a lil junk in the trunk, so I had hoped that the Miraculous Push-Up would help balance me out. What it ended up doing is making me appreciate what God gave me (or rather, didn't give me). So instead of paying $48-52 for a bra I would only wear on rare occasions, I've decided to just shake what Mama Spoiled Pretty gave me.

Update: After telling Mr. Spoiled Pretty about this post and my experience with the Miraculous Push-Up, he suggested I return to the store and buy it.

Rihanna's 20/20 Frosty Nude Lip Look

On Friday night, I was among the 8.2 million people who watched Rihanna's 20/20 interview. But afterwards, while most people were thinking, "Wow...that Rihanna is so brave to publicly discuss such a horrifying personal tragedy" or "That jackass, Chris Brown, deserves whatever is coming to him" - I was thinking, "What products can I use to copy Rihanna's icy nude lip look?"

So I did what any self-respecting beauty junkie would do. I broke out my lip gloss/lipstick stash and played makeup mad scientist/mixologist. I found that creating Rihanna's 20/20 look is quite easy to do. All you need is a nude lipstick that is lighter than your complexion, and a silver gloss. Be sure to apply foundation to lips before trying this look, as the foundation will help cancel out any pink in your lips and let the lip color stand alone.

Here are some combos that I think would pass RiRi scrutiny:

1) Clinique Different Lipstick in Tenderheart + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
2) MAC Lipstick in Modesty + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
3) Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Nude Almond + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
4) Julie Hewett Lipstick in Biba + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
5) Victoria's Secret Sheer Gloss Stick in Exposed + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
6) Benefit Full-Finish Lipstick in Lady's Choice + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
7) Urban Decay Lipstick in Midnight Cowboy + MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam
8) This is just to show what MAC Dazzleglass in She-Zam looks like on its own

Not satisfied with Rihanna's lippie recipe? Want to cop her cafe au lait nails too? Try OPI Barefoot in Barcelona.

Emmys 2009 Beauty: Heidi Klum

2009 Emmy Awards nominee Heidi Klum walked the red carpet in a Marchesa gown, Lorraine Schwartz jewels, hair styled by Michel Aleman for Frederic Fekkai and make-up designed by Linda Hay.

Michel created a 50s inspired updo with a modern interpretation – ultra feminine with a bit of volume. To get the look he crafted soft texture with slight waves pulled back to softly frame the face. A strong middle part was accented by a chignon positioned back of the head at ear level. Michel started off by applying Fekkai Coiff Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel to create some texture and then blow-dried the hair. Once dry, he applied Fekkai Coiff Oceanique Tousled Wave Spray to create the soft waves. He created a middle part and two pony tails in the back of the head at ear level, making sure the hair in front is smooth but pulled back softly. He teased each ponytail to create the volume and then brought together into one dramatic chignon. Michel finished off with the Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Sheer Shine Mist.

The simplicity of Heidi’s gown inspired Linda Hay to keep her makeup minimal and fresh. She used a palette of pale pinks and apricots for her eyes and cheeks. To begin Hay used Brightener around her eyes, nose, and the corners of the mouth, blending everywhere to even out Heidi’s complexion. She followed this with a very light touch of cream powder blush on the cheeks.

On the eyes Hay used a selection of pale pink and lavender shadow's from Victoria’s Secret, applying the pale pink to the lid using a flat shadow brush, lavender in the crease using a pointed shadow brush and a silver to highlight just under the eyebrow. Under the eye Hay applied a touch of lavender using a small pointed shadow brush and then added a touch of silver to the inside corner of the eye to make it pop. Next she curled the lashes + applied 3 layers of Black Mascara to the top and bottom. Individual lashes were applied to the outside corners to make the eyes pop. The lips were lined with a nude lip liner then painted with a beige lipstick. She finished off Heidi’s look with Victoria’s Secret Body Perfecting Spray to make her skin glow.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Christian Siriano Makeup Collection For Victoria's Secret

Fashion phenom Christian Siriano makes his beauty debut with a limited edition makeup collection for Victoria's Secret. The line, inspired by his Fall 2009 collection, includes: a black kajal eyeliner ($12), a bronzer/highlighter trio ($16), three neutral lipglosses ($12), five eye shadows ($12), a face brush ($18) and ruffled cosmetic bag ($12).

This Fall, Victoria’s Secret Will Be Fierce, Fabulous and Flawless

Project Runway’s fourth season winner, Christian Siriano, has partnered with Victoria’s Secret to produce a limited-edition collection of makeup, slated for release in late summer.

The line, inspired by his Fall 2009 collection, includes: a black kajal eyeliner ($12), a bronzer/highlighter trio ($24), three neutral lipglosses ($14), five eye shadows ($14), a face brush ($32) and ruffled cosmetic bag ($16).

One of the eye shadows, a black pigment with flecks of gold, is called 'Gilded Fierce.' Come Fall, I’m all about that shade - even if it makes me look a hot tranny mess.

Mark your calendars…the Christian Siriano for VS Makeup collection hits stores in August 2009.

Photos: christianvsiriano.com

Oscars 2009 Beauty: Heidi Klum

The inspiration behind Heidi Klum's Oscar beauty look began with her Roland Mouret gown. The graphic silhouette and bold red color of the dress required a softer, natural face to compliment the design rather than compete with it.

Make-up artist Linda Hay wanted to bring out on Heidi’s dramatic eyes and also incorporate the powder pink color of the coral and diamond Lorraine Schwartz jewelry on the lips and cheeks. Linda sought to create a look that was light and dewy while still modern and sexy.

Eyes:
Linda began by lining the top and bottom lashes with Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Eyeliner in Dark Chocolate and highlighting the inside triangle of the eye with a shimmering nude eye shadow in Champagne. She then used the Victoria Secret Spring Look Eye Shadow Quad to highlight the eyes and make them pop. Using a large shadow brush, Hay applied Rich to the crease, Devoted to the eyelid and Champagne again as a highlighter under the brow and the inside corner of the eye. Using a smaller point shadow brush she blended a soft line under the eye from the outside corner to the tear duct. To finish, Linda applied three coats of Victoria’s Secret High Definition Mascara in Blackest Black.

Cheeks:
On the cheeks, Linda used the new Victoria’s Secret Highlighter/Blush Duo in Fresh to the apple of the cheek to create the allusion of more defined bone structure.

Lips:
Linda lined the lips with the Perfect Lipstick in Whisper followed by Victoria’s Secret Lip Gloss in Blush for subtle pink finish.

Photos: Wireimage

Kim Kardashian's Red Carpet Makeup Essentials

On his blog, Troy Jensen shares the products he uses to get Kim Kardashian red carpet ready. For Troy's technique tips, click here.

For more of Kim Kardashian's beauty and makeup tips, click here.

Source

Victoria's Secret Clearance Sale

Back in September, my review of Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Makeup Limited Edition Lip Gloss Duo in Flash caused quite a frenzy. Many of you ran out to your local VS store or logged onto the website to stockpile the double-ended gloss.

If you bought it and ran out (or you’re just reading my review for the first time and decide you’ve gotta get that gloss), there’s good news. Victoria’s Secret is having a winter clearance. Originally $14, the Lip Gloss Duo in Flash is marked down to $7.99.

Check out what else is on sale.

Recessionista's Fabuless Pick of the Week: Victoria's Secret Flawless Glow Face Bronzer

My sister’s BFF turned me onto Victoria’s Secret Flawless Glow Face Bronzer, from the Bare Bronze Collection. This velvety duo-bronzer has two finishes. Use the satin matte shade to contour, the pearly powder to highlight; and blend the two shades together for a shimmering bronze glow.

The shimmery half of the duo leaves you looking sunkissed, rather than muddy - a la Lindsay “Dirty Face” Lohan.

Here’s another tip passed along from Lauren’s friend: apply the shimmery shade, in a stripe, down the middle of the nose - then continue the line from the bottom of the nose to the cupid’s bow. And ta-da - instant hotness.

Flawless Glow Face Bronzer is available in three shades: light (glow 1), light/medium (glow 2), and medium (glow 3). I’ve got a Halle Berry-esque complexion and I wear the light/medium, just to give you an idea.

On the website, Flawless Glow Face Bronzer will set you back $17.50. But my sister and I snagged ours in the Victoria’s Secret store, where they’re selling these babies for $4.37! There’s also this adorable kabuki brush (super soft brown bristles with hot pink tips) that’s on sale for $4.87.

I finally cashed in the gift card I got last September at Fashion Week - and bought the Flawless Glow Face Bronzer and the Very Sexy Demi Push-Up Bra with Gel-Curve (very sexy, indeed).

Heart Art? Enter the VS Pink Design-A-Tee Contest!

This week, VS PINK launched a Design-A-Tee contest where users can create and submit their own tee design for a chance to have their tee sold in stores and online and receive a VS PINK $500 shopping spree! A portion of the proceeds from the winning tee will be donated to the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

PINK will select the top three designs and let VSPINK.com users vote on their favorite. The contest ends February 15th and PINK already has over 5,000 entrees.

What are you waiting for? Get your sketch on.

Bath & Body Works: Hiring For the Holidays, Plus Generous Discounts!

The U.S. economy is not fundamentally sound. Many people are unemployed or underemployed, and desperate to make ends meet - particularly with the holidays right around the corner.

If you're looking to pick up some seasonal work, Bath & Body Works is hiring. Click here to find out about employment opportunities and how you can enjoy a generous discount at Bath & Body Works, White Barn, Victoria's Secret, C.O. Bigelow and Henri Bendel.

Copy Heidi Klum's Very Sexy Emmy Look

Victoria’s Secret head makeup artist, Linda Hay gave Heidi Klum a 1930’s inspired look for the 2008 Emmy Awards.

Linda was inspired by Heidi’s gunmetal grey Armani Prive gown. To off set the color of the gunmetal and staying on trend with the season, Linda opted for a palette of green, gunmetal and silver. Keeping it soft, but bright, Linda used items from Heidi Klum’s Very Sexy Makeup Fall Collection:

Eyes: Mosaic Eye Shadow in Butterfly
Cheeks: Mosaic Blush in Jewel
Lips: Lipstick in Malibu and Lip gloss in Cupcake

Very Sexy Makeup Lip Gloss Duo - On Me!

Since I posted my review of Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Makeup Limited Edition Lip Gloss Duo in Flash, I have received numerous emails and comments asking for a photo of Flash on moi.

Voilà...

Very Sexy Indeed

If my lips joined eHarmony and were matched on 29 dimensions of compatibility, my pout would undoubtedly be paired with the Very Sexy Makeup Limited Edition Lip Gloss Duo in Flash. If I never wore another gloss for the remainder of my natural life, I wouldn’t bat an Exceptionnel de Chanel-coated eyelash.

This double-ended lip gloss holds two formulas. The crème transforms my lips into their sexier selves. It’s a perfect nude that makes all of my other pale glosses seem pathetic.

One swipe of the rose gold shimmer on the center of my bottom lip has me convinced that I'm the brown Angelina. And the sugary caramel scent is so delicioso that I sniff the applicator each and every time I apply.

I’m seriously considering stocking up…build a bomb shelter and fill it with tubes of the Lip Gloss Duo in Flash.

Its limited-edition status is giving me high blood pressure, heart palpitations and stomach ulcers. Go get some…and see if it doesn’t turn you into a total mess, envisioning a life lived with out it.

Victoria's Secret PINK Hoodie Winners!

Happy Friday, all! Today couldn't have come sooner - I am in serious need of some R&R. I don't know about you, but it's felt like a lifetime has lapsed since Monday. And I know I'm not the only one..those of you who entered the Victoria's Secret PINK Giveaway are probably especially anxious.

Suspense isn't my forte (I'm more adept and comedy and sarcasm), so I'll just get on with it.

Congratulations to Abby Bageant, Eileen Karla Dautruche, Amy Kresica, Lisa Le and Summer Swee-Singh. These lucky ladies have won a Zip Hoodie from the new PINK Collegiate Collection.

Thanks to Victoria's Secret for sponsoring this giveaway and thanks to all of you who entered.

And don't miss out on your chance to win silky, smooth hair - courtesy of Clairol Nice 'N Easy ColorSeal Conditioning Gloss. Enter the giveaway today...contest ends 7/20.

Don't Forget To Enter Victoria's Secret PINK Giveaway!

Today is your final chance to enter the Victoria's Secret PINK Giveaway. Five readers will win a Zip Hoodie from the new PINK Collegiate Collection!

Click here for more information and to enter. Contest closes at midnight EST. Good luck!

Victoria's Secret Pinkapalooza - Plus A Giveaway!

On Thursday, July 17th, Victoria’s Secret PINK is celebrating the launch of their back-to-school collection with Fall Out Boy at L.A.’s legendary Santa Monica Pier!!!

Pinkapalooza will be hosted by international supermodel, current "It" girl and the new face of PINK, Behati Prinsloo. VS PINK fans are invited to rock out with Fall Out Boy, compete in USC vs. UCLA rivalry games and be among the first to shop the brand’s newest collection. And Danny Masterson (aka DJ MomJeans) will be on hand to spin everyone’s favorite summer tunes.

Guests can pick up their Pinkapalooza party passes at participating Victoria’s Secret PINK stores, from designated PINK street teams throughout the Los Angeles area or download from vspink.com. The first 3,000 people to show up with party passes will enjoy free rides and games all night long. Lots of fun prizes and cool VS PINK items from the new collection will be given away!

Doors open at 5 PM. Fall Out Boy takes the stage at 9 PM.

Not a Southern California girl? No problemo. Neither am I, and I don't want anyone to feel left out.


So Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Victoria's Secret for a PINK giveaway!!! Five readers will win a Zip Hoodie from the new PINK Collegiate Collection!

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Victoria's Secret PINK Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Thursday, July 17th. Five winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Friday, July 18th, I'll announce the winners' names. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. residents only.

Good luck!

Get Heidi Klum's Marie Claire Cover Look

Heidi Klum strikes a pose for the cover of Marie Claire's June 2008 issue.

“Balance a smoky, dramatic eye with a neutral lip for a look that’s custom made for the cover of a magazine – or a night out!” –Linda Hay, Victoria’s Secret makeup artist

Get the look with these makeup and hair products from Victoria's Secret.