Makeup Mondays With Mario: Make Brown Eyes Pop!

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,


Like most people in the world I have brown eyes. Blue and green eyes pop so effortlessly with minimal makeup. What are your tips and tricks for making the common brown eyes pop and rival any bright blue eyes?


Thanks,
Tiffany

Tiffany,


To make brown eyes pop, I prefer using bronze and copper eyeshadows to give a smoky eye, both on the lids and along the lower lash line. Try a metallic bronze or golden pencil in the inner rims or a shadow with a clean brush will do the trick. This will help lighten and bring out the gold tones in your eyes. 


Throw some Visine, a great lash curler and mascara into the mix and those blue eyed girls won't have nothin' on you!

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!

MAC Bloggers' Obsessions Collection

No one loves M·A·C more than a Beauty Blogger. To thank them for their passionate devotion & always honest feedback, we invited NINE of our favourites to our lab in Toronto to custom-create their own Eye Shadow or Lipglass. Exclusively online, just like the makeup-mad minds that created them.

Congrats to my girls Amber, Lianne, Karen and Patrice on their gorgeous creations!

M·A·C BLOGGERS' OBSESSIONS collection will be available June 21st through August 2nd at maccosmetics.com only. Mark your calendars because this collection has a high sellout risk! Which products are going on your shopping list?

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Smokey Eyes For Dark Complexions

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,

I love the soft, natural smokey eyes you do on Kim Kardashian but have trouble re-creating them on my dark skin (my complexion is closer to Gabrielle Union or Jessica White) - it always comes out too dark and muddy. Can you give me some ideas on color selection to best re-create a soft, smokey eye for my skin tone? And can I use Eye M Glam or will it be too light for me?

Thank You SO MUCH,
Niki 

Niki,

Here's how you can easily rock soft smokey eyes. First start by evening out the lids a primer or concealer and set with powder. This step will prevent the muddy look you mentioned. Try a rich copper or deep bronze shadow (shimmery or satin finish) all over your lids below the crease. Blend that with a clean brush going up slightly above the crease. Using a small brush, sweep the same shadow along the lower lash line. Line the inner rim of eyes and the base of the lower lashes with a black pencil and also line the lids. Blend the pencil softly so there's no sharp lines. You want the black line to blend up into the copper shadow. Do the same with the bottom but this time blending downward into the shadow.

You can use Eye M Glam on your skin tone for sure as its a sheer highlighter. To polish the look, place some right on the inner corners of the eyes and a bit on the brow bone. Finish off with mascara on top and bottom.

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!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Glossy Eye Makeup

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.

Dear Mario,

I hope this message finds you well. I know you're super busy so I'll jump right in with my question for you. For years I've seen woman in magazines with a glossy eye makeup and I want to try this look on me but don't even know where to begin. I read once that Vaseline works over a normal shadow and when I tried it on myself it lasted all of about 10 minutes before getting into my eyes and on my lashes. Please help me with a product recommendation or one of your genius techniques so my eyes too can be glossy like the magazine models!

-Lucy

Lucy,

There are several ways to get a glossy effect on your eyelids. I've done this look many times through the years and it's gorgeous when done the right way. I have also experimented with a few techniques and products. The simplest way to get your lids looking glossy is to use an eye gloss. Here's what you do - first apply shadow primer or concealer to the lids and set with loose powder. This will even out the color of your lids and help the eye gloss to last longer by preventing your oils and the actual gloss from mixing together and eventually making a mess on your pretty eyes.

You must try the Jane Iredale Eye Gloss. It comes in a little tube with a wand applicator in several shades. Just apply it directly to your lids and that’s pretty much it! No need to add several products. This eye gloss is great because it's not overly glossy and it doesn't crease or run at all.

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!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Wear MAC Pigments

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,

First, let me say that I think you are a makeup genius and I am a very big fan of yours. Which is why I am reaching out with this question. My question is about MAC pigments. Have you ever used those? I have a whole bunch, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to use them. Can they only be used as eye shadows or can they be used elsewhere on the face? And what's the best way to apply them - I have trouble making them stay put. Thanks so much and best of luck to you!

-Keisha


Hi Keisha,

Thank you! I recommend priming the eyelids with either concealer or an eye primer and setting it with loose powder before you apply any pigment or mica. This allows for a more smooth, clean application. The brush that you use should not be too fluffy. Blending brushes will not work when applying pigments. Instead, use a normal eye shadow brush that is more dense like Sigma's eye shading e55 brush. A dense brush is great for building eyeshadow for more intensity and also holds on to the pigment so it goes exactly where you apply it.

Pigments can sometimes be used on the cheeks or as a highlighter and even on the lips. If the color is appropriate, dab some on your lips and rub it in or mix a bit with a gloss. It has great staying power. Shimmery pigments look great when applied with a wet brush. I often wet the brush myself before applying a shimmer pigment because it makes application very clean and I get more intense color. Another tip is to first dip and sweep your brush into the lid of the pigment before you apply it to your face. This coats the bristles in pigment and, again, provides a more clean and precise application.

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!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway Winners Revealed!

Congrats to Alcimary123, Barbiedolltori and victoriasecrets11 - winners of Spoiled Pretty's Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway!

Each winner will receive Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter, which features five coordinated waves of luminous color that can be applied as eye shadow, blush or highlighter. Darker shades can be used to contour and accentuate cheeks. Lighter shades can be used for an instant highlighting and brightening effect. Or sweep a brush across all shades for the ultimate blushing glow!

Winners will receive Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter in all four shades (Healthy Glow, Natural Glow, Rosy Glow, Sunkissed Glow).

Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter is an inexpensive dupe for Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks. For more drugstore alternatives to your favorite department store beauty products, watch my latest TV segment!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway!!!

Did you happen to catch my latest tv appearance? A few weeks ago, I taped a segment for the Philadelphia NBC affiliate and dished on my favorite drugstore beauty buys. If you haven't seen the segment yet, I highly recommend you check it out because you’re missing out on some super fab product recommendations. For example, if you love Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks but your wallet is saying, "Nuh-uh, honey" – you (and your beauty budget) are in luck.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter features five coordinated waves of luminous color that can be applied as eye shadow, blush or highlighter. Darker shades can be used to contour and accentuate cheeks. Lighter shades can be used for an instant highlighting and brightening effect. Or sweep a brush across all shades for the ultimate blushing glow!

For the price of one Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, you can get three Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips. But I’m going to do you one better. This week, three lucky Spoiled Pretty readers will win Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter in all four shades (Healthy Glow, Natural Glow, Rosy Glow, Sunkissed Glow). Each prize is worth $48!

Enter to win by leaving a message in the comments section. Make sure to leave your email or another way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky.

Contest is open to U.S. residents. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Good luck!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Making Eyes

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,

I love eye shadow, but I don't know how to wear them. I usually only wear one shade at a time because I don't know how to mix and match and blend them together to create a more sophisticated look. Do you have any tips or color combination recommendations?

Thanks a bunch,

Taylor

Dear Taylor,

Eyeshadow application only gets better with practice. If you don't already have a few good brushes, make that a priority. Generally, a lighter shade should be applied to the lids and/or brow bone. A darker, matte shade looks great applied along the crease of the eyes. Using a clean brush or one dipped in some loose powder, blend the shades together for a flawless finish. For added drama, apply an even darker shadow to the outer corners of the eyes. Check out my youtube videos for a clear demonstration of how to apply eyeshadows.

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!

Philosophy The Color of Grace Makeup Collection

the color of grace collection, $20-37.50: Inspired by philosophy's best-selling fragrance (and my favorite), amazing grace, the color of grace is makeup that embraces your inner girl with all things pink and beautiful. Philosophy created skin-loving formulas in perfect pink shades that deliver sheer color and heavenly luminosity for a look that is soft, graceful and inspired. Everyone looks prettier in pink lighting. The color of grace is universally flattering and created for all women who want to feel sweet, kind, pretty and feminine. Available at philosophy.com, Sephora and Nordstrom stores in April.

the color of grace heavenly light pink illuminator, $28: A pink light, liquid luminizer that combines skin-loving moisture and brightening botanicals to restore radiance for heavenly luminosity.

the color of grace amazing grace shimmering face powder, $29.50: a sweetly shimmering, silky, pale pink powder that brightens your complexion and creates a soft focus glow as it releases an uplifting, feminine hint of amazing grace fragrance.

the color of grace art of blushing, $35: a multidimensional palette of three silky, sheer blushes in perfect pink shades surrounded by luminous highlighter, to deliver pure color and light for skin that looks soft, luminous and inspired.

the color of grace amazing grace coloring book, $37.50: a purse-sized palette of perfect pink shades for lips, eyes and cheeks to create the face of grace. two eyelighting shadows, two perfect pink lip glosses, an all-over cream illuminator, powder blush and a shimmering face powder scented with a touch of amazing grace fragrance.

the color of grace go with grace face brush, $20: heavenly pink, kabuki-inspired natural hair brush that provides flawless application and blendability of powder or blush. In a pretty-to-go, retractable case.

the color of grace eyelighting shadow duo, $22: sheer washes of color that light up the eyes with delicately shimmering minerals. Available in a luminous duo: heaven/earth.

the color of grace angel kiss lip gloss, $17.50: Grace your lips in creamy, dreamy goodness. The color of grace angel kiss lip gloss loves lips. It blends high-shine, sheer color with lip-caring goodness. Helps enhance the softness and natural rosiness of lips, while a hint of vanilla-mint flavor refreshes the breath.

MAC Give Me Liberty Of London

Give Me Liberty Of London: The very latest in a series of famous MACollaborations, it was only a matter of time before the demure-to-daring kaleidoscopic prints of Liberty of London colored our world with Brit wit and bohemian chic.

From the unstudied, Sienna Miller style of Spitalfields Market to the grit and glamour of Portobello Road, the swinging London girl has always been an unstoppable MAC makeup force!

Spring 2010 blooms with the ultimate flower fusion as MAC joining forces with Liberty, creating cool Britannia compacts and Lipsticks, Eye Shadows, Powder, Blush, Nail Lacquers and blushing, bountiful, quite British accessories.

Beauty Powder, $25
The luxurious, soft pearl finish of MAC Beauty Powder packaged in a glossy white compact. Lid is decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection.
Shell Pearl: Pale peach with gold pearl
Summer Rose: Soft violet pink with pearl

Eyeshadow, $14.50
Give Me Liberty of London: Flat creamy pink (Matte)
Free to Be: Creamy true coral (Matte)
Dame's Desire: Frosty mid-tone reddish purple (Frost)
Birds & Berries: Frosted dark green blue (Veluxe Pearl)
Bough Grey: Mid-tone bluish grey (Satin)

Lipstick, $14

Ever Hip: Creamy light coral (Cremesheen)
Peachstock: Neutral peach (Satin)
Petals & Peacocks: Creamy bright magenta pink (Amplified)
Blooming Lovely: Creamy greyed lilac mauve (Amplified)

Lipglass, $14

Frankly Fresh: Neutral pink beige with soft pearl
Perennial High Style: Creamy bright pink coral
English Accents: Creamy mid-tone blue pink
A Different Groove: Deep purple brown with pearl

Blush, $18.50
Dirty Plum: Sheer dark plum
Prim & Proper: Neutral nude

Nail Lacquer, $12
Vestral White Creamy white (Cream)
Blue India Dark green blue with pearl (Cream)

Liberty of London Makeup Bags, $22-25
Limited-edition laminated makeup bags decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Zip closure boasts a fabulously outsize floral pull.

Liberty of London Scarf, $95
A limited-edition scarf designed with an exclusively created floral pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Rows of coral, orange, yellow and blue flowers form a repeating pattern on a white background. The fabric is a soft wool/viscose blend. Made in Italy. Measures 27″ x 82″.

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette Giveaway Winners!

Congrats to the following winners of the Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette giveaway:

carladgray
Julie (fizzlette)
Shanhai
Staci (dailyglam)
Team Morris

The palette includes five eye shadows, two blush shades, and a bronzing powder for glowing radiance.

Many thanks to Josie Maran for sponsoring this giveaway...and stay tuned for Spoiled Pretty's next contest.

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powder Palette Giveaway!

This Spring, Josie Maran created the perfect palette for you to unleash your inner makeup artist. With the Natural Wonder Powder Palette, you can create a variety of looks with the multiple shades, ranging from ashy bold pigments to classic neutrals. The palette includes five eye shadows, two blush shades, and a bronzing powder for glowing radiance.

Eye Shadows: Daydream (shimmery apricot), Hope (bright iridescent blue- purple), Desire (iridescent teal), Trance (shimmery gold), Think (shimmery copper brown)

Blush: Illusion (deep rose), Fiction (peachy pink)

Bronzing Powder: Beach No. 1 (bronze)

This week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Josie Maran to put some spring into your step (and makeup bag). Five lucky readers will win the Natural Wonder Powder Palette (retail price: $35).

To enter the giveaway, leave a message in the comments section; make sure to leave a way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Friday, March 5, 2010. Good luck!

Bobbi Brown Color Strips Collection

Clueless with Color?
Give Bobbi Brown 5 Minutes.
She’ll Make You a Pro.

The Problem: You buy shadows that look amazing in the store, but then you get home and don’t know what to do with them.

The Fix: Everyone can wear bright shades. Bobbi put together these three palettes with pops of color - plus the perfect neutrals that make them work for everyone.

Introducing Bobbi Brown Color Strips Collection: a complete spring eye, lip and cheek wardrobe - designed by Bobbi. Each of these three palettes has five Eye Shadows and three shades of Pot Rouge designed to work together beautifully.

"Don’t be afraid of color. Each palette has one bright eye shadow that really stands out - the rest of my hand-picked shades for eyes, lips and cheeks will make it wearable." –Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Color Strips palettes: Aquamarine (top); Orchid (middle); Bonfire (bottom)

Suggested Retail Price: $60.00
On Counter: March 2010
Available at all Bobbi Brown Counters and on bobbibrown.com

Stila Dust to Diamond Collection - Buy It All!

Because the recession isn't recessing any time soon, I don't usually advocate purchasing entire makeup collections. I understand that, for most, money is tight...so I usually highlight certain items as must-have additions to your beauty arsenal. But in the case of Stila's new collection for spring 2010, Dust to Diamonds, I can't choose.

I'm a sucker for sparkles, and this collection had me at "bling." Seriously, if Stila had't furnished me with samples to review, I would have paid my own cash money for these products. That's how fantabulous they are. Since I first tested the collection two weeks ago, I've worn at least one of the products every day since.

Top: Yumberry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain; Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Middle: Jewel Eye Shadow Palette
Bottom: Jewel Lip Glaze Trio

To purchase the entire collection would run you $132, which isn't all that bad. But if your makeup fund is maxed out, here are my individual reviews - so you can decide what you need now (and what can wait til later).

Jewel Eye Shadow Palette ($32): "This high-tech eye shadow formula creates a glittering wave of sequin-like sparkle, leaving your eyes glistening like jewels." These really aren't the shadows you'll be applying in the AM before work; more likely, this is the palette you'll reach for in the evening to kick it up a notch and create a truly glitterrific effect. The formula is a blend of pigment and pearl, and the coverage is buildable - so don't worry that these shadows will take you into drag queen territory...unless that's the look you're going for. Shades include Rose Quartz (light pink with silver sparkle), Amethyst (gray aubergine with champagne sparkle), Black Diamond (black with silver sparkle) and Golden Topaz (champagne shimmer with silver and gold sparkle).

Jewel Lip Glaze Trio ($32): "Sprinkle stardust on the lips with this trio of glistening glosses infused with Stila Gem Complex, a blend of Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Ruby, Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Sapphire, Topaz, Amethyst, Amber, Garnet, Mother of Pearl, Opal and Alexandrite. Mango Seed Butter, Goa Seed Butter and Shea Butter keep lips moisturized all day. The formula seamlessly glides on the lips leaving a celestial wave of sequin reflections." Okay, if you're a gal who believes that glitter makes everything better, this should be your first purchase. Likewise, if you're a lipgloss lover. At first glance, these glosses are verrrrry glittery; even I was a little hesitant about trying them. But I found the glitter content to be Goldilocks perfect (not too much, not too little)...and the formula felt smooth, not gritty. The shades are more sheer on the lips than in the tube - so don't let the concentrated color fool you. Shades include Pink Diamond (pink with pink sparkles), Amethyst (deep plum with gold and red sparkles) and Golden Topaz (warm amber with pink sparkles).

Black Diamond Mascara ($24): Not only does this mascara beautifully plump and lengthen your lashes, it imparts a subtle little shimmer shimmah. Available in Black Shimmer (black with silver shimmer) and Blue Shimmer (black with blue shimmer).

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($20): "Marker-sharp precision and a true carbon black pigment, this waterproof liquid liner glides on easily without pulling, smudging, or running. Color stays in place all day long." This eyeliner is amazing. It draws razor thin and thick lines. The shade is inky black...and, as the name suggests, the formula ain't coming off until you're ready to take it off. If I was purchasing from this collection, the Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner would be my first buy.

Though not technically a part of Stila's spring 2010 collection, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Yumberry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain ($24). At first, I was very skeptical that the pearly pink shade would compliment my cappuccino complexion. But once I blended the sheer blush into my cheeks and lips, it gave me a believable snow bunny glow. I mean, you could go outside in the cold and wait until you can't feel your face...or you can pick up this clickable pen and apply the berry scented gel for a yummy, fresh-faced flush.

Bobbi Brown Heart Truth Bronze Shimmer Brick Set

For the fifth year in a row, Bobbi Brown is proud to be a sponsor of the The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2010 Fashion Show. The show, which brings some of Hollywood’s leading ladies together on one runway, will be taking place on February 11th during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park.

This year Bobbi created an exclusive, limited-edition Bronze Shimmer Brick Set in partnership with The Heart Truth campaign and its annual Red Dress Collection Fashion Show to raise awareness about women and heart disease. Ideal for creating a warm, bronzy glow, the set includes Bobbi's iconic Shimmer Brick in Bronze and a Mini Face Blender Brush.

Only 500 of these limited-edition sets, which feature a specially designed package and the tagline "Listen to Your Heart," will be available from bobbibrown.com for $40 each.

Winner of COVERGIRL Giveaway

Congrats to Imani, winner of the COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast and ShineBlast Giveaway!

Smoky ShadowBlast is a smoky eye tool plus makeup artist all in one shadow stick. Available in six shade duos with uniquely designed ends, it lets you create a traditional or colorful smoky eye in two easy steps. One end acts as a base, and the end lines the eye and shades the crease – so you can easily apply, smudge and blend shadow to a smoky perfection. ShineBlast Lip Gloss has a patented ShineSculpt™ applicator that hugs the contours of lips and boasts a tapered tip for precise shaping and sculpting, while 16 sheer shades deliver a brilliant, glossy finish and perfectly polished pout. The lip hugging applicator delivers more shine in a single swipe than the leading gloss, which results in 4x more noticeable shine vs bare lips.

Many thanks to COVERGIRL for sponsoring the giveaway, and spoiling Imani pretty. Stay tuned for the next contest announcement.