Cult of Pretty

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

It’s GIVEAWAY Friday!  Finally - it’s been a while! Today I’m giving away $112 worth of natural(ly amazing) hair & body products from famed stylist Janet Waddell.

So obviously around here I’m a big supporter of woman-founded companies - so many cult beauty brands fall under that header - and I recently discovered the site Plum Alley, which offers awesome deals on products from companies founded by women - from jewelry to housewares to art to beauty and beyond. (Sign up here to get these gems in your inbox).

The UK-born, NYC-based hairstylist and product creator extraordinaire Janet Waddell is featured on the site right now.  She crafted a hair and body product line with the cultish potion called emu oil, used by Australian Aborigines for over 2000 years and known for it’s soothing, healing attributes.

Gorgeous Shampoo 6 oz | Flawless Conditioner 6 oz | Genius Hair Balm 4 oz | Beyond Body Lotion 8 oz 

Each is paraben free and contains 100% natural and botanical ingredients.  Her philosophy? “I wanted to make products that actually made a difference…” These definitely do - the shampoo formula is especially unique, like a fluffy rich creamsicle … you kind of have to experience it to understand it!

You can win the complete collection valued at $112.

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 current female idol - whoever inspires you to pursue your dreams - and why!  Can be a celebrity, businesswoman, your mom, whatever!  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 Friday March 22, 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 Janet Waddell & Plum Alley

Image via Trendhunter

Pssst I swear I exist.  I’ve been traveling like a maniac but I’m back to share with you what’s been in my bag, along with a 200lb laptop and a bunch o business cards -> the new Maybelline Color Whisper lip … lip … I don’t even know what to call it.

I’m a constant applier of all things tinted lip balm ish, but this is a little bit more than that - it has the creamy feel of a lipstick but the sheer look of a tinted balm.

When I had the opportunity to pick these up c/o Maybelline, I couldn’t stop myself from buying the hot pink Faint for Fuchsia, but obviously hedged my bets like the lame adult I am and also bought the shade literally called One Size Fits Pearl. 

That was not necessary. I was so pleasantly surprised when the pink turned out to be completely wearable - it’s like that bright matte pink you’re dying to wear with a grey t-shirt, jeans and Ray-Bans, like you’re some kind of retro downtown Nicki Minaj … but it’s really just the idea of that and not the (potentially so wrong) reality. It’s toned down and shined up just enough to not cause your man/woman, your boss, or your reflection to wonder where the real you went.

The sheer pearl is the easiest thing on earth - I use it on days that start with my favorite lip stain, to moisturize and create dimension. 

My advice -> look at the shades in the tube, pick the lipstick shade you always wanted to wear but didn’t dare, and buy it - because what this actually is … is the wearable version of it.  Trust.

Does this: Lipstick, but not, yet more lipsticky than a tinted balm
Is this: Maybelline Color Whisper
Get this: Your local drugstore or Drugstore.com
Price: About $7.50

Maybelline New York’s Color Whisper™ by Color Sensational® empowers you to make a statement in soft, sexy sheer color. Because sometimes a whisper says more than a shout. Dare to whisper for a chance to win fab prizes: http://www.maybelline.com/colorwhisper.aspx

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Maybelline via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Maybelline.