Closest Shave Ever

Pregnancy hormones have sent my hair follicles into overdrive. It's gotten to the point where I've got a 5 o'clock shadow on my legs at, like, 2pm. And thanks to the ungodly heat and humidity in Philly right now, hiding my grizzly gams under long pants isn't exactly appealing...especially considering that I'm having one long hot flash right now.

So I recently got reacquainted with my favorite scrub - KP Duty by DERMAdoctor - and it gave me the closest shave ever. Yeah, using it adds an extra few minutes to your shower routine. But it exfoliates so well that it allows your razor to cut super close so that you can go longer between shaves - which is great for me because:

a) no one actually enjoys shaving and

b) in my current condition, the act of shaving my legs is like pregnant Cirque du Soleil.

Oh, and you won't be able to stop petting your legs because they'll be ridiculously smooth. I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating. KP Duty Body Scrub runs circles around that scrub you've got sitting on the edge of your tub.

Phantastic Products Inspired by the 2009 World Series

For the second consecutive year, my Philadelphia Phillies have made it to the World Series. So to mark the occasion, Amber from Beauty Blogging Junkie - a native Philadelphian, who happens to live in the land of the Yankees – and I have teamed up for a baseball-inspired, beauty double header.

We’re shining a spotlight on big league beauty products that step up to the plate and knock the cover off the ball. Since there are nine dudes on a baseball field, Amber and I have chosen nine categories – and we're giving shout-outs to products that hit it out of the park.

So get your head in the game and read on for some phantastic product recommendations…

Face: Back in September at the Lela Rose Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week show, I asked Sarah Lucero (Key Makeup Artist for Stila) to recommend one Stila product that every woman should buy. She quickly answered Stila's One Step Makeup Foundation, and now I know why. Stila just launched their Makeup Player – and right now, it’s the only way to get your hands on this miraculous product. One Step Makeup Foundation is a primer, foundation, concealer and powder all in one – to cover all of your proverbial bases. The consistency is kind of surprising; it almost looks/feels like colored foundation primer...that's the texture. But it looks fantastic on…not too sheer, not too opaque. Plus, when my sebaceous glands try to throw me a curve ball and sabotage my makeup, One Step makeup Foundation keeps my combination skin from getting shiny – so my face looks as flawless in the homestretch as it did at the beginning of the day/night. Pick up this switch hitter at stilacosmetics.com.

Eyes: The old adage goes, "Keep your eyes on the ball." So what should you keep on your eyes? Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, of course. I've said it before and I’ll say it again: Urban Decay's main ingredient must be crack, or some other controlled substance…because that’s the only explanation I can find to rationalize my addiction to their products – particularly their eye pencils. Velvety-soft, the formula stays soft and creamy for blending (about 30 seconds), then dries down to a long-lasting finish that WILL NOT budge. If, at this stage of the game, you don’t own at least one of these pencils – well, you have seriously dropped the ball. Lucky for you, Urban Decay just released Super Stash - a set of nine mini-sized 24/7 pencils, including four new, limited-edition shades. Buy this immediately. It's a good call.

Lips: My new lipgloss love is Phiff!, a new Dazzleglass from MAC's Magic, Mirth, & Mischief holiday collection. Alone, it imparts a peachy shimmer to lips. But it's also a team player; layer it on top of your favorite lipstick and it's a whole nother ball game.

Nails: When it comes to nail polishes, Zoya is in a league of their own. They are the longest lasting polishes I've ever used; expect knockout nails that go into extra innings (two weeks – with minimal upkeep). And they're free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects. Just when I thought Zoya couldn’t get any better, they hit it out of the ballpark with their limited-edition ULTRAGLITTER collection for winter 2009/2010. Luna (silver glitter), Astra (rose glitter) and Nova (magenta glitter) provide full coverage in just two coats for ultra-intense, ultra-gorgeous, glitterrific color. Astra (on my nails in the above pic) is the Dottie Hinson of the collection – but, honestly, this trio is so amazingly beautiful that, in comparison, they make most of my other polishes look like Marla Hooch.

Hair: Before I wash my hair, I like to indulge in a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. But I don’t always have 15-30 minutes to let that mess marinate…which is why I am so thankful for Ojon's Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment. It’s that pinch hitter I need when what I want is immediate gratification. Perfect for gals on the go - in just 5 minutes, this intensive daily treatment prepares hair to absorb the ingredients of your shampoo, conditioner and products. If you want homerun hair, I suggest you run your behind to Sephora or ojon.com and pick up a tube.

Skin Care: I used to be very dismissive of natural and organic beauty products - particularly skin care. I thought that I needed to patronize products with harsh chemicals to get my problem skin to act like it had some sense. In fact, I would often joke that I didn't care what damage a product did to my insides, as long as my outsides were looking good. But I've done a complete 180 since discovering Amala, a luxurious collection of skin care and body care products with 100% natural formulas. Since April, I've been using their Purify line - a collection of products formulated for oily and acnegenic skin types – which help control excess oil and shine, clear clogged pores, and prevent and heal blemishes and blackheads with treatments inspired by the healing plants and flowers of Eastern Asia. And just when I thought Amala couldn't get any better, their new Purifying Blemish Treatment came outta left field . Using Blue Lotus, Tea Tree and ginger, it gently treats blemishes while playing hardball with acne-causing excess sebum. If your battle with breakouts has you ready to throw in the towel, I highly recommend you add Amala’s Purifying Blemish Treatment to your anti-acne lineup. Seeing that it's all-natural, I'd call it the Roy Hobbs of skin care.

Bath and Body: I'd be way off-base if I failed to include DERMAdoctor's KP Duty Body Scrub on this list. It has got to be the best body scrub ever. KP Duty is a dual-action chemical and physical exfoliator that blends the best of a chemical peel and microdermabrasion into a single, easy-to-use treatment. Dermatologist-recommended chemical exfoliants dissolve the glue that cements epidermal cells together, while non-abrasive synthetic beads lift away dead skin cells without inflicting trauma to the epidermis. So, in layman's terms, this product runs circles around that scrub you've got sitting on the edge of your tub. DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub is a game changer.

Fragrance: Forget Jack. All I need is Jil, the newest fragrance from Jil Sander. "An elegantly structured floral amber composition, Jil reflects the true spirit of Jil Sander. A clear focus and a subtle fusion, to define a totally contemporary simplicity and sensuality." With notes of Pink Pepper, Lavender, fresh tangerine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Heliotrope, musk, and warm vanilla bean, this perfume scored points with me – right off the bat. Starting this month, Jil will be available exclusively at Dillard's.

Beauty Tool: I'm not quite sure how I lived without MAC's 219 Pencil Brush. I am an eyelining fool, so I absolutely adore how this brush allows me to turn any of my powder shadows into a smoky eyeliner; so, considering my eyeshadow stash, my smoky eye options are endless. The 219 Pencil Brush is also perfect for smudging pencil eyeliners, without erasing the line. The pencil retails for $23…but if I had to give you a ballpark figure for its actual value, I’d say it's priceless.

Visit Beauty Blogging Junkie for Amber-approved beauty products that bat a thousand.

DERMAdoctor Giveaway Winner Writes Back!

Suri, winner of the DERMAdoctor giveaway, just wrote back to rave about the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub she won as a prize:

Hey Daneen. It's Suri, the winner of the DERMAdoctor. Just wanted to let you know I received it and tried it last night on my upper arms where I have KP. Amazing! My skin was sooo soft and the texture already started feeling smoother. I'm so happy I got a chance to try this. Thanks!!

Stay tuned for the next Spoiled Pretty giveaway. The next contest is just around the corner.

Winners of the DERMAdoctor Giveaway

Congrats to Suriyati Barnes and Faith Perfecto, winners of the DERMAdoctor giveaway. These ladies have won the best body scrub ever, DERMAdoctor's KP Duty Body Scrub. This amazing exfoliator acts as a chemical peel and microdermabrasion session in one - leaving skin resurfaced, retexturized, soft, smooth and radiant. I am 100% confident that Suriyati and Faith will love it as much as I do!

Many thanks to DERMAdoctor for spoiling these readers pretty. Stay tuned for your next chance to win. The contest I have cooked up for later this week is hot like fiya!

Until then...

DERMAdoctor Giveaway

Remember the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub I told you I can't live without? Well, I don't want you to exist without it either. Which is why I am partnering with DERMAdoctor for a giveaway! We're hooking up two lucky winners with the BEST SCRUB EVA!

Up for grabs are two 16 oz tubs of this amazing body exfoliator. It acts as a chemical peel and microdermabrasion session in one - leaving skin resurfaced, retexturized, soft, smooth and radiant.

To enter the giveaway, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "DERMAdoctor Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, August 30th. Two winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, August 31st, I'll announce the winners' names. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. residents.

Good luck!

Best Body Scrub Since Ever!

There really aren't enough superlatives in the English language to adequately describe how I feel about DERMAdoctor's KP Duty Body Scrub. It has got to be the best body scrub ever...and I dare someone to prove me wrong. After using it, my skin rivaled my pal Julia's; which, if you met her, would convince you to go out an buy KP Duty this very second.

KP Duty is a dual-action chemical and physical exfoliator that blends the best of a chemical peel and microdermabrasion into a single, easy-to-use treatment. Dermatologist-recommended chemical exfoliants dissolve the glue that cements epidermal cells together, while non-abrasive synthetic beads lift away dead skin cells without inflicting trauma to the epidermis. So, in layman's terms,this product runs circles around that scrub you've got sitting on the edge of your tub.

To use, apply a small amount of the scrub to dry skin and gently massage it in with your fingertips. Rinse, pat dry, and marvel at the smoothness. You won't believe that the skin you're touching actually belongs to you.

I'm an exfoliating fool, so when I say KP Duty is the best I've ever tried and you NEED to try it too, you know this is sage advice. I really can't say enough wonderful things about this scrub. It's one of those rare beauty products that comes along once in a blue moon and blows you away. Use it on arms to reveal skin you never knew was underneath there. Use it on legs for the closest shave you've ever had. Use it all over to remind your man why he got with you in the first place.

Quite simply, it's life changing.

DERMAdoctor KP Duty is available at Sephora and dermadoctor.com.

*This product is not intended for use on the face or for those with sensitive skin. But it works wonders for those of you who suffer from dry skin and/or keratosis pilaris (a common skin disorder typified by "chicken skin" or bumpiness on the surface of the skin).

Words From The Wise: DERMAdoctor Has The Prescription for Reader’s Milia

Linda, a Spoiled Pretty reader, wrote me with the following skincare dilemma:

“I have a skincare question for you. A few years ago, I began to notice that I was developing these little white bumps on the tops of my cheeks just above my cheekbones. Thinking they were pimples, I tried to squeeze them to see if that would make them go away. They are hard little bumps, and my home extraction did nothing. I tried increasing my exfoliation, but this didn't reduce the number of bumps either. I have ignored it for the last few months as they didn't really bother me until recently. I looked in the mirror the other day and noticed that more of the bumps have appeared! I am starting to get worried, but I am not sure what product I should get as I have sensitive combination skin and am scared to try anything that might be too harsh and make the problem worse! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Love your blog!”

I immediately recognized Linda’s issue as milia. So I contacted DERMAdoctor's Dr. Kunin for some advice - and a prescription for this reader’s skin affliction.

Dr. Kunin’s response:

It sounds like you are trying to describe a condition called milia; these are essentially very deep seated white heads that have sealed themselves off from the surface of the skin. While these can form just because they can, frequently the use of skincare or cosmetic products that are too heavy for one’s particular skin type can lead to these. Read the labels of your products carefully and make certain they say they are non-comedogenic.

Next, exfoliation will help keep pores open and reduce your chances of forming more milia in the future. Try products such as DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry once or twice weekly to obtain a simultaneous physical and chemical exfoliation. Use DERMAdoctor Poetry In Lotion every other night to keep those pores open and your complexion vibrant.

Milia often need to be extracted which is not to easy to perform upon yourself. Your facialist or dermatologist can easily pop them open and extract them.

Thanks for the wonderful advice, Dr. Kunin!

Oh...and Linda, Dr. Kunin will be sending you DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry and Poetry In Lotion. Help is on the way!

Baffled by beauty? Overwhelmed by the number of products on the market? Desperately in search of answers to your hair, skincare and makeup dilemmas? Email me your query to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com - and if your question is answered on the blog, you will receive expert advice, plus a Spoiled Pretty-approved product that addresses your specific beauty issue! Be sure to include your full name and mailing address in your email.