Nails of the Week

Hi All!


I fancied something different for my nails this week so I purchased this cool
polish from Accessorize the other day. It's from the Exotic Brights collection and the shade is called Indigo.

What do you guys think?

Doma-Nikki....x

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Frappuccino Happy Hour at Starbucks!

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled beauty programming to bring you this important, public service announcement...

From May 6 to May 15, visit Starbucks between 3-5 p.m. for a half-price Frappuccino of your choice.

Customize your drink to be just the way you want it. You can flavor it up with an old favorite like caramel, enjoy a new dynamic duo like our Mocha Coconut Frappuccino blended beverage or make any combination of flavor offerings. Mix up your milk with 2%, nonfat or soy. Coffee it up with an extra pump of coffee or a shot of espresso. And don’t forget to top it off with a little bit of fun in the form of whipped cream, drizzles or sprinkles.

For a daily Happy Hour text message reminder, text MIXIT to 44264 (In Canada text MIXIT to 98075).

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CoverGirl LipPerfection Transformation Challenge

Back in February, I had an opportunity to test COVERGIRL's newest lipstick, LipPerfection lipcolor. LipPerfection does double duty – while drenching your pout in rich, creamy color, it performs like a treatment. Silk therapy moisturizers hydrate and smooth dry lips. So, the more you wear it, the better your lips look and feel. COVERGIRL promises the product's "Silk Moisturizing Complex" provides smooth gorgeous color and sustained levels of moisture to actually improve lip condition in just 7 days.

After testing it out for a few days, off and on, I was so impressed by the flattering shades, staying power and unique formula that I included it in a Beauty Breakthroughs article I penned for Philadelphia Magazine.  But, to be honest, I didn't test it for seven days straight, so I really couldn't verify the better-lips-in-a-week claim.

But a few weeks ago, I was contacted by COVERGIRL – and they asked me to do just that. So I agreed to take the "LipPerfection Transformation Challenge" and wear nothing but LipPerfection on my lips for a week. Over the next seven days, I'll be chronicling my experience here, sharing my experience with the product. And this time, next week, I'll let you know whether or not to believe the hydration hype.

So for the first day of the challenge, I decided to go for the something out of my comfort zone. When I wear makeup, nine times out of ten, I wear lipgloss – and a nude/neutral one, at that. COVERGIRL sent me all 44 shades of LipPerfection, so I had a plethora of pretty shades to choose from.

Siren (left), Tempt (right)

I opted for a richly pigmented, bright pink called Siren. It applied very smoothly and felt comfortable on my lips. But after seeing my reflection in the mirror, I felt that it was a little light for my complexion. I was running late for work and didn't feel like taking it off and starting over – so I grabbed a wine shade, called Tempt, and layered it on top. The result was a gorgeous fuchsia that garnered a handful of compliments at work, and made me feel like a more polished version of myself.

My lips didn't feel or get dry, and I didn't feel the urge to swipe on lip balm throughout the day, like I usually do. And it gets better: my lipstick looked freshly applied all day long (even after lunch!) and even when it faded in the late afternoon, it left behind a uniform, intentional looking stain.

So far, so good. I'll be back in a few days for an update.

*COVERGIRL is compensating me for my time and participation in the LipPerfection Transformation Challenge; however, all opinions shared are my own.

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BCBGeneration Charlie Envelope Clutch

Though I'm a total handbag junkie, I don't usually get all verklempt over a clutch. It's just that I'm a purse pack rat and carry around too much junk to fit in anything smaller than a roomy satchel. But the BCBGeneration Charlie Envelope Clutch has me considering downsizing.

It immediately caught my eye in the May 2011 issue of InStyle. With a price tag of $78, I thought "What a steal!" What's even better is that I located it online at Zappos.com ON SALE for $54.60. And how pretty is the pale pink?

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Makeup Mondays With Mario: Picture Perfect

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.

Hi Mario,

As a celebrity makeup artist who also does makeup for magazines and such, can you share some tips and favorite products that will help me look more beautiful in photographs? Thanks a lot!

Sincerely,

Livia

Livia,

When doing makeup that will be photographed, it's important that your skin has an overall even coverage to start with. Try to get a perfect foundation shade that will match your neck and body. Women tend to use a base that is lighter than their body. But when photographed, the face will look very washed out or too made up. Tinted moisturizer like the ones from Laura Mercier work great for photos because they have just enough coverage and pigment. 

Try to stay away from pressed powders as they will give off a very flat and harsh look on camera. Instead, set your face with loose, translucent powders. Highlighting the cheekbones is one of my favorite tricks for photographs because it gives you that young and healthy glow to your skin. My favorite highlighter is Eye M Glam, of course, because of its sheer, golden glow. It’s also important to warm up your skin with bronzer so you don’t appear to be just one shade. Try LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer across your cheeks and framing your face. It's a great shade and also looks very natural and warm in photos. 

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!

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Haul: Motel Dress

Hi All!!

I bought a new Motel dress today amongst a whole heap of other items. I wanted to show you want I added to my Motel collection....

£19 House of Fraser

For that price I couldn't resist! If I am out this week, I will more then likely be wearing this!

Doma-Nikki...x

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Winners of the TIGI Your Highness Giveaway

Congrats to the winners of the TIGI Your Highness Giveaway: @BreakfastatSaks @marsha511 & @KissesForUsAll. These lucky ladies are getting royally hooked up with the entire Your Highness Collection, which includes:

* Elevating Shampoo preps hair and gives it body

* Nourishing Conditioner delivers fullness and shine

* Thickening Gel Crème creates thick, luminescent locks 

* Root Boost Spray Mousse lifts hair and gives it texture

* Weightless Shine Spray guarantees an illuminating finish

* Firm Hold Hairspray keeps any look in place, while allowing movement 

 Thanks to all who entered! And many thanks to TIGI for sponsoring this contest.

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