Cult of Pretty

The perfect blend.

Via: SNC

If you like owls and all natural, handcrafted balms of all kinds from a brand you’ve (probably) never heard of, please visit my post on Gloss Daily!

I’m happy to announce I’m a new contributor there, where you can find treasures from my Cult Cabinet once a month.

Image via: Twin Mag

The only white lines you should do, kids.

Via: Antidote

Beautiful mess.

Via: Vogue Italia

S’io credessi che mia risposta fosse
A persona che mai tornasse al mondo,
Questa fiamma staria senza più scosse.
Ma per ciò che giammai di questo fondo
Non tornò viva alcun, s’i’odo il vero,
Senza tema d’infamia ti rispondo.

I found myself in the flagship Santa Maria Novella pharmacy in Florence, Italy on a Saturday night a few weeks back, after wandering there purposefully/aimlessly on purpose.

I didn’t have a real camera - and I’m glad, because a decent camera in hand would have meant I knew I was going to be there, and the unexpectedness of things lends a lot to their beauty.

So this place was founded in 1221 (yes) and opened to the public in 1612.  Rumour has it they created the first eau de cologne and I won’t commit blasphemy by questioning. They also make every personal care essential you could possibly need. Find your way to the pharmacy at the back and tell them of your most intimate concerns - unlike at CVS no one that hears will care, nor make note in some digital record. Such is the magic of being a stranger in a strange land.

I just bought the gigantical bottle of my beloved rosewater, which involved the library-like experience of telling someone I wanted it, receiving a perfect white paper card, bringing the card to another desk, and thereafter the goods appeared.

Without that bottle on my NY dresser I’m sure I would have thought this was just a dream I had on the plane back from what was in fact a 48 hour business trip.

What: Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Where: Via Delle Scala 16, Florence, Italy

So it’s not Friday, it’s Sunday, but since the next thing that’s happening to you is Monday morning … why not cheer things up with a massive $168 Benefit makeup drawer makeover #GIVEAWAY for Spring!

I had been searching tirelessly for a cream shadow to create a more subtle, everyday version of the glossy look in the editorial above, and I was thrilled when this pot o’ gold (or copper, smoke and nude, as the case may be) landed on my desk from Benefit in the form of their new way-expanded creaseless cream shadow line.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow ($20) in Birthday Suit, My Two Cents, and Holy Smokes!; Benefit Longwear Powder Shadow ($20) in Nude Swings, Pinky Swear, and Thanks a Latte; and Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss ($16) in Lollibop, Kiss You, and Outrageous.

The stunning collection of art-deco inspired newness also includes a whole new range of longwear powder shadow, and three sweet shades of their ultra plush lip gloss for Spring (in packaging that will freak you out with its chic charm), including the pale violet Kiss You.

You can win the complete selection shown above, valued at $168. Here’s how to enter:

1. Do ONE of the following…. follow Cult of Pretty on Bloglovin’ OR be follower of Cult of Pretty on tumblr OR subscribe via email.

2. Leave a DISQUS comment below [click through if you’re reading this in tumblr] and tell me your favorite urban site-seeing attraction in any city you like … tell me your tips, or look some up!  Be clever! (Benefit’s is the Golden Gate Bridge - the inspiration for this packaging range is the art deco design of that famous San Fran landmark).  My favorite is Sutton Place in NYC - where the sunrise scene in Woody Allen’s Manhattan was filmed (read/see what I mean here). Don’t comment in “Ask Me Anything” OR in the “FAN NOTE” area of tumblr <—- guys, click through please, leave a comment on the blog not inside tumblr!

3. You must be 18 or older to enter. (You can ask someone to enter on your behalf if you like, up to you, but the prize will be sent to their attention).

4. This giveaway is for U.S. residents only - due to contents and size we cannot ship this outside of the country.  Sorry!

Contest ends Sunday March 31, 2013 at 11.59pm Eastern.  If you subscribe or follow to enter, you must be subscribed or following at the time of the drawing. Multiple comments DO NOT increase your chances of winning but love ya. Winner is drawn at random.

Products c/o Benefit

Image via Vogue Spain