Trends: Fun Festivals

Hi All!!



So hands up those of you heading up to V Festival this month? I bet you're all excited huh?! I have still yet to attend a festival in my life but I thought I would do a post about the sort of looks that I believe are suitable for Festivals and what I would wear.



Take a peek at these cool trends....

The only item I think is missing on this post is a cool pair of wellies. If you are attending V Fest what are you planning on wearing?



Doma-Nikki...x

Read more »

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Clean Makeup Brushes

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.

Hey Mario,

I'd like some advice on how to best clean my makeup brushes. I don't know if I should be using soap, shampoo or a special kind of brush cleaner. And how often should I be cleaning them? I've spent a small fortune on brushes but have no idea how to care for them.

Thanks so much!
Ella


Hi Ella,
 
It took years of experimenting with different techniques and products to clean my brushes and I've found a way that works for me. I hope it does for you as well.
 
To clean brushes with natural or synthetic bristles, I use a basic hair shampoo. First run water over the brush hair then rub into the shampoo in a circular motion (I pour a bit of shampoo into a bowl). Rinse under running water again to get all of the soap out. I finish off by squeezing the water out, making sure not to pull on the hairs.
 
To dry your brushes, you should lay them flat on a towel. If you stand them up in a cup to dry, the water seeps into the handle and causes the brush to weaken and fall apart over time.
 
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!

Read more »

33 Money-Saving Tips from Beauty Bloggers

RealBeauty.com just published an article entitled, "33 Money-Saving Tips from Beauty Bloggers" - and I'm one of the experts they interviewed!

Our cash-saving tips and tricks (here's mine) will save you a pretty penny, so be sure to check out the story!

Read more »

Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner High Precision Waterproof Eyeliner

Normally, I don’t wear eye makeup to work because, when I do, around 3p.m., I catch a case of the afternoons and start rubbing eyes – and my handiwork ends up all over my fingers. But I recently discovered a product that has me re-thinking my work week eye makeup embargo.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner High Precision Waterproof Eyeliner is a high precision, richly pigmented waterproof liquid eyeliner with unmatched staying power.

Just to give you an idea of how well it wears, when I first received samples to review, I tested a few of the shades on my hand. 24 hours later, the lines look freshly applied, despite a shower and several thorough hand washings.

Available in 15 gorgeous shades (with matte, iridescent and diamond finishes), these liners come off easily with waterproof makeup remover.

Forget 9 to 5...Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners are taking care of business - and working overtime!

Read more »

Mary Kay Spoiled Me With a Miami Makeover

Last month, I traveled to Miami to report on Mercedes-Benz Swim Fashion Week as a correspondent for Mary Kay. I've been a Mary Kay fan for years, and was excited to get better acquainted with their products – particularly, their newest offerings.

One of the highlights of my trip was a makeover with celeb makeup artist, Ashunta Sheriff. Ashunta’s client list reads like a who's who of Hollywood (Rihanna, Ciara, Hillary Duff, Ashlee Simpson, Keri Hilson, Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Stone, Queen Latifah, P. Diddy and Alicia Keys) – so to be in her gifted hands was a major treat. Using products from Mary Kay, Ashunta gave me the J.Lo glow I've always wanted but never knew how to properly replicate.

Of all the products Ashunta used to create my Miami-inspired makeover, I fell hardest for Mary Kay's Lash Love Mascara. Lash Love promises to define and deliver 4 times the volume – and child, did it ever!

After Ashunta applied the mascara using her "uptown, downtown, cross town" technique (peep the video for a demonstration), my fringe looked fat and fabulous – without looking overdone. And I really love how deeply pigmented the color is; my natural lashes are black, but skimpy – so I need something ultra dark to make my peepers pop. Not to mention, Lash Love managed to stay put all day, despite the merciless Miami heat and humidity.

Lash Love Mascara costs a very affordable $15 – and is available at marykay.com.

Read more »

Video Post: Summer Holiday Haul

Hi All!!

I'm off on my jollies in two weeks time and thought id show you what I have bought for it...

Coral Maxi: Hypnotique
Leopard Maxi: H&M
Maxi Skirt: H&M
Bikini: New Look
Bikini Bottoms: New Look

Doma-Nikki...x

Read more »

LaLicious Seasonal Travel Sets: Summer Series

Last month, LaLicious sent me one of their Seasonal Travel Sets to review - and they were absolutely perfect for my recent summer sojourns to Miami and Maine.

Each Seasonal Travel Set includes four 2 oz mini LaLicious products (Whipped Soap, Sugar Soufflé Scrub, Body Butter, Body Oil) in a travel friendly bag. And with TSA-approved sizes, you'll fly through the airport security line. Available in 8 irresistible scents (I have/love Tahitian Flower - a soft, tropical gardenia), the sets are available until September 15.

Read more »