Cult of Pretty

The perfect blend.

Via: SNC

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

I don’t know if you guys caught a glimpse of my most surreal experience ever, but this massive Cover Girl giveaway is all about it!  The Polyvore Live runway show during NYFW featured some pretty transformative beauty, all thanks to Cover Girl and key artist Beau Nelson <- love this man.

Cover Girl Lash Blast 24 HR | Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Flame and Euphoria | Cover Girl Liquiline Blast in Silver Spark, Violet and Brown Blaze | Cover Girl Intense Shadow Blast in Extreme Green and Blue Bomb

The “day” look Beau created featured a simple, fresh eye with a bit of shimmer, and a bold, classic red lip, and a strong brow.  I did the makeup “test” for the show and I thought it was great that Beau’s day look really was something you could do every day … took him less than 10 minutes and I’ve since recreated it.

My favorites were the Cover Girl Intense Shadow Blast primer + shadow in one.  Beau applied it with his fingers for a wash of color - so easy.  The Cover Girl Lip Perfection was also a revelation - lasts FOREVER.  If you’re looking for a true red (or anything else for that matter), go to the drugstore - at $6.99 you can try a bunch.

CONTEST OVER THANKS FOR PLAYING!

Today you can win the selection of new Cover Girl products above, ~$64 value.

TO ENTER YOU MUST COMPLETE BOTH OF THESE STEPS … PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BELOW.

1. Do ONE of the following…. reblog this post OR follow Cult of Pretty on Bloglovin’ OR follow 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 which product you’re most excited to try and why. 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!

Contest ends next Friday March 2, 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.

P.S. The hair & nail experience was also amazing - more on that next week!

I loved this girl and this look at Falguni & Shane Peacock.  The makeup was Mehron; key artist Edward Cruz. 

Mehron is a cult brand that got its start in theatrical makeup.  I love brands like this where you can really dig in and play like the pros, but for less than other professional brands. Great example - here’s an array of eye pigments for $8.95 each … Just saying.

Image - courtesy of Richard Esposito

Resolution #3

Learn my way around (eye shadow) color!

I feel ashamed to admit this since I write a beauty blog/work in this biz, but I really can’t do a nice blended eye with colors : ( I just haven’t spent enough time playing.  Can you? 

In any case, I lost my whole cosmetic bag (more on that some other day) so I have an excuse to rebuild my collection and this is what I’m getting:

1. YSL Ombres 5 in Midnight Garden ($56.00) | 2. Urban Decay Naked 2 ($50.00) | 3. NYX Glitter Cream Pallet in Sweet Chocolate ($5.99 - these are Buy 1 Get 1 50% off right now helloooo)

Do you have any eye tutorials you love?  I watch a lot of Sam Chapman/Real Techniques … I think it’s just a matter of practice.

Image: YSL shadows, created by me

I’ve had a bunch of questions lately about how to keep your eyeliner in place, so I’m going to do a GIVEAWAY in lieu of an answer! I mean, if you’re skilled enough to do beautiful liner (cat’s eye or lower lash), you want it to stick around.

And basically, if you win these puppies you’ll be all set.  Literally.

CONTEST OVER THANKS FOR PLAYING!

One tricked I’ve used is to paint on Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion under my lower lashes (and on my eyelids) before applying liner - bonus, primer tends to brighten and lighten which is great for undereyes.  Further, my new addition is misting on Urban Decay Dew Me Moisturizing Makeup Setting Spray - which I love because in addition to setting, it takes away that powdery look of newly-applied makeup. 

TO ENTER:

1. Do ONE of the following…. reblog this post OR follow Cult of Pretty on Bloglovin’ OR follow Cult of Pretty on tumblr OR subscribe via email.

2. Leave a DISQUS comment below and tell me HOW GOOD YOU ARE AT EYELINER ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10 WITH 10 BEING AWESOMELY STEADY-HANDED!  Don’t comment in “Ask Me Anything.”  P.S. I am about a 3 : (

Contest ends next Friday September 30, 2011 at 12am Eastern.  If you subscribe or follow to enter, you must be subscribed or following at the time of the drawing.  XO 

Image: Vogue Japan by Giampaolo Sgura, makeup by Jessica Nedza via; product courtesy of the brand.

Yes to this.

Image: Jeff Tse; makeup by Beau Nelson, rest is here - some amazing hair too!