Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and those of us holding the mascara wand.

After two decades of covering the beauty industry, I've come to learn what makes it so alluring. Finding the perfect shade of makeup to match your skin tone, adding a swipe of eyeliner to give your tired eyes a lift, discovering an innovative new product line, or indulging in a totally luxurious spa treatment. My experiences have been documented in magazines, newspapers and websites worldwide. I've tested newly formulated products in the lab, explored hair removal options, shopped for lipstick, added shine to my hair and succumbed to massage marathons--all in the name of beauty. I've written press releases, hosted makeover events and co-authored a Do-It-Yourself Beauty book (Alloy). On this blog, I write about products and services that I come across every day as well as those that have been provided by publicists or the companies that make them. Either way, I write what I think. I hope to share some of my insights--and bring you the latest, greatest beauty news right here. Join me in the quest to find all things pretty.


Thursday, December 3, 2009

holiday gift guide: give juicy couture

Ever since Juicy Couture debuted its famous A-list track suits, the company has continuously delivered highly coveted fashion, accessories and beauty items. Share them with friends this holiday season and give the Juicy Couture fragrance gift set. Complete with Original, Juicy Couture, Viva La Juicy and now the new Couture Couture scents, it offers yet another way to dress in Juicy Couture. Co-Presidents, Co-Founders and Co-Designers Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy apply the same whimsical, feminine charm that makes the label's clothing and accessories so irresistible to their fragrances. The ladylike bottles aren't exactly my cup of tea but I'd be happy if I found one of the beautifully scented Body Crèmes or Shower Gels in my stash of gifts. Create a customized gift set ($35 to $100) at www.juicycouture.com.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

holiday gift guide: give terax

Whether you're looking for a token Chanukah present or a stocking stuffer, sometimes the most basic of necessities will do. Take Terax Crema conditioner ($9), for example, You can never have too much of the stuff. It glides through hair, smells clean and fresh (thanks to the creative combo of rice flower, shea, bergamot and juniper) and leaves hair feeling soft and looking shiny. Stuff some stockings with Terax Crema – this pint size product packs big beauty benefits. Kate Beckinsale and Liv Tyler are fans--you will be too! Get more info on www.terax.com or pick up your portable, holiday get-away Terax Crema tubes at select Sephora stores, www.sephora.com, Ulta and www.Ulta.com.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

holiday gift guide: give H2O+


The trick to gift giving is to give someone something they want that's also something they really need. And everyone needs skincare products that feel good but also really work. Tucked away in this handy beauty bag, the Sea Pure Natural Skincare gift set (a $42.50; a $56 value) features three marine-based beauty essentials. There's a gently foaming Creamy Facial Cleanser, an ultra-hydrating, antioxidant packed Deep Moisture Cream and a line-minimizing Perfecting Eye Cream--all enriched with ingredients that boost the body's sirtuin levels to naturally stimulate skin cell regeneration. Blended with marine botanicals, shea nut butter and sunflower oil, this rejuvenating collection helps smooth skin and deflects daily free radical damage. Give it early for great results by the holidays! Go to www.h2oplus.com for this and other gift set options.



holiday gift guide: give tarte


Tarte starts off the holiday season with a burst of color with three incredibly beautiful makeup gifts.

Want to keep all your color essentials in one complete package? Check out Tarte's Treasure Chest, Limited Edition Palette ($52, $686 value!), an annual offering that's now 30% bigger, thanks to an added layer of 16 additional eyeshadows. It includes 16 new shimmering tarte eyeshadows, 16 new matte tarte eyeshadows, 16 new lipglosses, tarte's mineral powder bronzer in park ave princess, new soft pink luminizer and four new powder blushes. The best part: It's packed into the cutest bejeweled, mirrored compact that fits neatly into your purse.

Need multiple gifts for family or friends? Tarte's Crown Jewels Lipgloss Multi-Gift Set ($39) offers three gifts in one! It makes one deluxe gift or three individual gifts for the diva, trendsetter and green goddess on your list. Choose from Glittering Green Goddesses (sheer nude-peach, sheer beige, sheer sweet pink, sheer cotton candy pink, sheer shimmering cinnamon), Dazzling Divas (dazzling warm sand, dazzling gold, dazzling orchid, dazzling violet, dazzling coral- pink) and Twinkling Trendsetters (twinkling strawberry, twinkling melon-pink, twinkling fuchsia, twinkling brick-red, sheer raspberry). Chances are you'll want to give away two and keep one for yourself!

The Three Carats Limited Edition Mini Cheek Stain Set ($25) features three carats mini cheek stains infused with the company's natural, t5 super fruit complex ™ (packed with antioxidant rich nutrients and vitamins). It comes in three new, limited edition shades: brilliant (shimmering champagne), princess (shimmering rose) and cushion (shimmering deep apricot).

Available at www.tarte.com, Sephora, www.sephora.com, www.beauty.com, Henri Bendel, and boutiques nationwide.

Monday, November 30, 2009

gift-a-day holiday gift guide

check out prettyisprettydoes'
holiday gift guide,
featuring a gift idea every day
for the month of
december.
plus,
great party
makeup essentials....

happy
holidays!

cyber monday: www.thefairest.com


It's Cyber Monday...the first big shopping day after Black Friday when the biggest sales are happening online. Among all the great sites to shop...check out TheFairest.com, an exclusive, members-only online beauty destination where beauty lovers can participate in premiere-brand, private sale boutiques, each open for 24-48 hours. Membership is free, and subscribers can purchase today’s top beauty brands up to 75% off retail. A first of its kind, the private sale site focuses exclusively on beauty by providing a platform for brands to communicate directly with consumers. This includes: user-generated makeup brand reviews, industry insider commentaries, and expert editorial content from the site’s Editorial Director, Nadine Jolie of http://www.jolienadine.com/. If you can't live without Jurlique's face mist, Pixi's makeup palettes or Sonya Dakar's Pore Minimizer, check out http://www.thefairest.com/ to fulfill all your beauty needs at a price that works for you. Invite your friends to join and they'll save on their beauty essentials too.

cyber monday: www.shuuemura-usa.com


From rouge unlimited lipsticks to ultimate expression mascara to primal mix blush, shu uemura has your makeup needs covered. To celebrate cyber monday, fans get an extra special treat. Shu Uemura offers seven deluxe samples to customers who spend $125 or more plus free shipping and the 20% discount! The deluxe items include a mesh bag filled with mini-gloss, brightening cream, red:juvenus intense vitalizing concentrate, pleasure of Japanese bath – hinoki, cleansing beauty oil premium A/O, deep sea water mist in chamomile, and powder foundation. Just enter the promotion code WISHDELUXE09 upon checkout. Bookmark www.shuuemura-usa.com for regular deals and great beauty buys all year long!