Cult of Pretty

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

I arrived home from a 24 hour business trip to find the most delicious thing on my desk — this REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask.

You know I love a weekly deep cleansing mask … and I also felt disgusting from the airplane, as one does … so I immediately slathered this on.

This gentle treatment goes on like something you’d spread on toast and savor by the side of your infinity pool — papaya honey, let’s call it. The active ingredients are a blend of four fruit acids (lactic, glycolic, tartaric and citric) that purge pores without irritation. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wipe off with the included cotton cloth.

YUM.

I loved that it left my skin soft and really moisturized - the opposite of that stripped feeling common to cleansing masks. Also, like all REN products, it’s paraben, sulfate, petrochemical and synthetic dye and fragrance free.

Also perfect for post fashion week face rehabilitation.

Does this: Gentle and delicious deep cleansing mask
Is this: REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask (and cloth, included)
Get this: Above
Price: $55

Image: David Sims for Alexander McQueen S13 via

And the giveaway love continues! For me, the holidays have several distinct stages … eating … family snuggling … sentimental movie watching … and then right before the New Year, a thorough cleansing and refreshing of cabinet, hair, skin, self etc.  I like to kick things off with a fresh start.

The folks at DDF thoughtfully sent me two beautifully wrapped Revolve 400x Micro-Polishing Systems - one for me to try and one for a friend. But since my whole beauty jam *revolves* around you all, of course that lucky friend is going to be ONE OF YOU.

The DDF 400X Revolve Micro-Polishing System offers gentle cleansing that’s 8x more effective than a scrub alone.  It comes with self-warming polishing crystals and both a cleansing brush and a soft polishing pad (which I really liked for applying the scrub).  It’s small and battery operated, which I think is a major plus for travel when you simply aren’t going to lug a charger around.

It’s valued at $98 and you can win it by entering as follows:

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, what’s your favorite holiday ritual?  Watching Love Actually?  Egg nog by the fire?  Taking a walk after an early dinner?  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!  And click here to enter all the current giveaways!

Image: Via TFS

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!

With the holidays cold, flu and family fighting season truly upon us, may I suggest that you arm yourself with this remedy:

While your Cloud of Protection may include eggnog infused with Bacardi 151 and non-stop refreshing of Instagram at the dinner table, mine includes this essential oil tincture that ‘fights airborne bacteria & viruses’ with eucalyptus while more importantly clearing negativity by filling the room with microscopic droplets of rose + vanilla scented good vibes.

Also ideal for air travel and stocking stuffing!

Does this: Keeps one of sound mind and body
Is this: By Nieves Cloud of Protection
Get this: Above
Price: $18

Image: Vogue Italia

File under: Sainted or Overrated / Jao Goe Oil Review

When I started this blog, I promised myself I’d avoid the obvious: shout-outs to products so often listed as “cult” that they’re practically mainstream.  You know the types … Carmex, Egyptian Magic, Elnett, etc.

But having received so many “is this worth the hype?” ask me anythings, I’m going to start today with a question you may have asked yourself about this cult classic body oil.  For $36, should you Goe there?

Jao’s Goe Oil is a pure moisturizing oil with no fillers - and an extremely cult-ish formula feel that goes from cream to oil almost instantly in your hands.

I’m a huge fan of Monoi oil, and this melt-on-your-bod, not-in-the-box oil smells lightly of that Tahitian nectar of the gods, but it’s made up of much more: a total of 28 plant, fruit and flower oils and butters. Supposedly the formula is similar to sebum, which sounds seriously gross until you see how your skin drinks it in. 

It’s ideal for slathering over bare legs and arms before you head out, because it creates a very natural and long-lasting glow.  The first time I tried it was on a set - the makeup team used it to de-ghostify my legs - and I’ve been using it ever since.  I can feel and see the difference.

The bottom line? It’s pricey, but if you’re suffering from dry winter skin or live in a place where bare legs get a daily showing (you’re so lucky), I can definitely cosign this cult purchase. 

Does this: Ultra-pure, multi-purpose, cream-to-oil cult classic
Is this: Jao’s Goe Oil
Get this: Above
Price: $36

Are you on the fence about a cult beauty product?  Ask away in the comments or ask me anything.

Image: Cosmo Australia via FGR