Cult of Pretty

Hello! The giveaway madness here on Cult of Pretty starts today and will run through January 17th so get psyched! You guys deserve it! 

Kicking it off today with this awesome little kit from Benefit. Primping with the Stars couldn’t be a better “best of” my cult faves if I curated it myself … In addition to the cult classics, the set contains some new additions that topped my list this year: Stay Don’t Stray is the concealing love of my life, They’re Real is at the top of my mascara list and on my lashes as I type, and the POREfessional is my preferred primer on those days when my pores are … more.

Set contains: 0.08 oz Stay Don’t Stray Stay-Put Primer; 0.12 oz Some Kind-A-Gorgeous Foundation in Medium; 0.13 oz Benetint Rose-Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain; 0.25 oz The Porefessional Pro Balm; 0.25 oz Girl Meets Pearl Liquid Pearl for Face; 0.1 oz They’re Real! Beyond Mascara in Black

To enter to win this treasure trove of mini gems valued at $32:

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, if you could primp for a holiday party with one star, who would it be (future or past).  I guess I’d choose Kate Moss - she seems like she’d be fun to get ready with, I picture champagne and some good British rock happening … and maybe she’d let me borrow some clothes?  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).

Contest ends next Friday December 28, 2012 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.

Good luck!

I am writing to debunk the myth that sea salt spray is for beach hair and feeling like it’s summer.  If you’re looking for no-brainer holiday hair, may I suggest spending five minutes on a teased out french twist with a little vintage volume … because you’re hot, but you don’t care.

Here is the solution (literally, figuratively): I recently met the stylist Brent Lavett. Stare within the pages of the J. Crew catalog, amongst many other publications, and you’ll see his super-yet-natural magic at work.  He was wielding a cultish bottle simply labeled Sea / Salt … and making major hair things happen with it.

By combining the finest sea salt, Bulgarian rose water, rice and algae extracts, the husband and wife team of Lavett&Chin created this non-crunchy, non-drying, non-oily sea salt spray that pumps in softness and volume even on the finest hair (and by the finest hair I mean my hair and by finest I mean this). I’ve been using this as a volumizing mist before blow drying and it is a life changer … so much easier to create messy fluff without backcombing, which my hair can’t afford to experience.

Does this: Volume-, texture-, vavavoom-izer in it’s purest form
Is this: Lavett & Chin Sea/Salt Texturizing Mist
Get this: Above
Price: $30

Image: UK Bride

This hair is the closest thing I’ve seen to the natural wonder of a bird or butterfly wing that I’ve ever seen.  Magic.

Via: i.D. via It’s Vintage

File under / Ask an Artist

I recently met pro makeup artist Tamah Krinksy on set, and after contemplating grabbing her cases full of cult secrets and *running*, I asked her if she might share with us her expert tips.  Luckily she spilled the bags beans on her cult must-haves and her own beauty routine.

Tamah is a born-and-raised New Yorker who studied acting at the legendary High School for the Performing Arts (aka the “Fame” school). She made the leap behind the camera after discovering an innate talent to create beautiful makeup, and has since lent her talents to the pages of Teen Vogue, L’Officiel, InStyle and many more.

1. What are your must-have cult products on set?

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation ($62). In my 13 years as a makeup artist I have never found a better foundation. It is so sheer and leaves a beautiful natural finish on the skin, but still has enough pigment to even out skin tone. I love it!

Lime Crime lipstick in “Coquette” ($16). Let’s start by talking about the packaging, these lipsticks come in lavender tubes with unicorns on them, they make you happy just by looking at them! The packaging aside, Coquette is the most universally flattering nude lip color. It literally looks great on everyone.

I also love Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Mascara in black ($7.79). It is the blackest black I have found in a long time, and the brush is fantastic, you can really layer this mascara on and still keep your lashes looking natural.

2. What do you swear by in your own beauty routine?

I use cold pressed coconut oil to wash my face (try Fiji, $13.99). It is a great and efficient way to remove makeup, it is naturally anti-microbial, and it leaves your skin hydrated at the same time. I am also a fan of using vitamin E oil as a moisturizer (try Jason, $8.45), I usually use it at night so that it has a lot of time to soak in. I am big into keeping my skin hydrated.

3. If you could only give out one beauty tip - for every woman - what would it be?

I would say less is more. Keep your everyday makeup simple. And, curl your eyelashes!

Thanks Tamah!!  So many good ideas.

Image: Tamah’s work with Ellen Von Unwerth for L’Officiel Homme

The nails.

Image: FGR

Soft edge.

Image: Madame Figaro

Why don’t you …

Collect rhinestone brooches at the flea market and pin them in your hair for holiday parties?

Image: Chanel Haute Couture (Spring 2008)

Look what I did you guys … my very own gel manicure (also, a red pedicure, not shown)! This is my new jam.

I used to get manicures sometimes 2x a week (?!). I look back at those days from my current time-for-nought, cheapskate vantage point and ask myself why I wasn’t the HAPPIEST PERSON ON EARTH during the years ~2004-2009.  One thing’s for sure: I had a lot of time on my hands - LIT’RALLY.

Anyway, those days are over.  I got pretty good at doing my own nails, but I still can’t always find the time.  I’ve splurged on gel manicures in the past but I don’t love the expense.

Enter these conveniently boxed items ->

Sally Hansen is pretty much my gold standard when it comes to product innovation for nail, and I swear by their Salon Effects nail polish stickers, so I had a good feeling (that’s why I accepted this sponsored post, in case you wonder how I make these decisions).  Still, I was surprised that this was so mistake-proof, really turned out nice … and lasted.

Here’s how it goes down:

First and foremost, READ THE DIRECTIONS!  There are lots of tips and they’re important.  Plug in the little lamp, file and clean your nails (with the enclosed wipe) and then apply the base coat.  Press the little button and wait 30 seconds - the lamp turns off by itself.

Apply the color coat.  I used Shell We Dance - the kit came with a burgundy red but I wanted to tiptoe into this operation. Don’t hesitate to really wipe down your nail with the brush to ensure the color is thin.  It’s not like nail polish - it doesn’t gunk up when you swipe through it, but it goes on thick and it’s important to keep the layer on the light side.  Then cure again.  Repeat with a second coat, and cure.

Make sure to take the polish over the tip of the nail for BOTH COATS!  This felt kind of unnatural to me, but it’s essential for making the manicure last … otherwise it can peel up at the tip.  I kept a thin eyeliner brush (that I only use for nail stuff) and the included acetone at the ready - that way I could clean up any polish on my skin.

You’ll notice throughout the process that your nails feel tacky - this doesn’t mean they’re wet so don’t go crazy with the lamp.  Just follow the directions, like I said!

Apply the top coat, cure again.  Then finally, wipe with the cleansing pad. It feels strange to swipe just-finished nails with a wet pad but this is an essential step and leaves your nails shiny.

I loved this manicure and repeated it on my toes with the burgundy red included in the kit.  I would never share a picture of my feet on the internet but this at-home pedicure thing is one of the better things that has happened to my life. 

If you’re terrified of removal based on your experience with salon gel manicures - don’t be.  The technique they recommend is super easy and fast, way better than soaking your fingers in a bowl of acetone and my nails looked fine afterwards, not parched.

I cosign this purchase for yourself or for a holiday gift for anyone in your life who can decently do their own nails.  You will LOVE it!  If not, write me.

Does this: Truly easy and awesome-looking gel manicure at home
Is this: Sally Hansen Salon Pro Gel Polish Starter Kit
Get this: Online at Target and at many other retail + drugstores
Price: About $64.99

And now a word from our sponsor:

Sally Hansen’s Salon Gel Polish™is a professional at-home gel system that delivers the salon experience at a great value. Compared to regular nail polish, this gel polish gives you high-gloss, mirror shine color that lasts for up to 2 weeks without dry time, chipping and smudging. It’s never been so easy to get a salon manicure at home – saving you time and money! Get up to 10 gel manicures in a starter kit! Disclosure of compensation (at the bottom of your post):

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