Monday, May 30, 2011

Help L'Occitane help kids to see

As if the superior ingredients, amazing colors, and outstanding scents weren't enough to reason to shop L'Occitane, now this:

The L’OCCITANE Foundation and Helen Keller International strongly believe that impaired vision should not prevent children from taking full advantage of their educational environment. Children with undetected or uncorrected vision problems – such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism – are at a major disadvantage both in and out of school. Unable to fully focus on classroom lessons and schoolwork, they are often unfairly perceived as being learning disabled, low achieving or anti-social. ChildSight® has demonstrated that the provision of eyeglasses helps to level the classroom playing field and provides children with an essential learning tool to help them fully focus and excel in the classroom and beyond.

Working in seven states across the country, ChildSight® provides free, in-school vision screenings to low-income students and, if needed, prescription eyeglasses and referrals to
partnering ophthalmologists for full eye examinations. With funding from the L’OCCITANE Foundation, HKI will be able to support ChildSight® program services for approximately 1,700 children in all seven sites in 2011.

100% of the profits from sales of the limited-
edition “Grow Your Own Lavender” Gift Set, which is currently being sold on usa.loccitane.com, benefit Helen Keller International and their ChildSight® program.

P.S.: I noticed something that felt like braile on the box from my Pivoine Flora Lip Shine (Peche, which gives an awesome coral shimmer without the stickiness). I asked my Aunt, who happens to be blind to translate--it was the product info, in braile! For reals. Bravo!


Monday, May 23, 2011

LUSH: Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo

Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo-- sounds like a tongue-twister, works like a dream!
It seems as though LUSH can't make a bad product.
Doesn't smell like beer as in day-after-cleaning-from-the-party, just lemony and spicy and frothy.
Thoroughly cleans without leaving me with straw-hair.
It has been muggy, rainy, and gross here for the last two weeks-- Cynthia Sylvia Stout + Living Proof Frizz-Free conditioner= no humidity 'fro for me!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Boom Boom Brow Bar and The Baby (of NYT Fame) Hold Brow-A-Thon for the ASPCA

What
It’s killing The Baby (pictured here) to see other dogs struggle while Sarah McLachlan sings the
blues - it's truly devastating, who can stand those sad little faces? So, he and his owner, Boom Boom of Boom Boom Brow Bar are having a BROW-A-THON (not to be confused with a BARK-A-THON) to benefit The American Society for Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Boom Boom and The Baby are donating $10.00 from each brow service to the ASPCA. The Baby is inviting all two legged friends having brow services to bring their four legged friends for treats and a party around the pink doggie bowl to help the less fortunate. The 4H Blue Mountain Bloomers of Saugerties will
be baking biscuits for the Brow-a-Thon! Treat proceeds will also go to the ASPCA and the water will be on the house.

When
Wednesday, June 1st 11am – 8pm

Where
35 7th Avenue (between 13/14th)
212-229-2666

Background
Malynda Vigliotti (Boom Boom) is a self-proclaimed eyebrow queen and apparently the flashiest
waxer in town! She was educated at The Fashion Institute of Technology, trained as an esthetician and has worked in the fashion and beauty trenches long enough to be an expert and featured in The New York Times.
She does over 500 brows a month at Boom Boom Brow Bar in NYC, and sees no reason why everyone shouldn’t have thick, gorgeous eyebrows. Boom Boom knows there's no such thing as natural beauty, but she does believe a perfectly done brow is an instant eyelift – no Botox necessary! She makes waxing fun and affordable for everyone! She also gives back - everyday, all year long, 1% of all sales go to UNICEF. She also supports the American Cancer Society and the ASPCA.

Snazz up your e-mail


MeebleMail transforms the ordinary look of everyday email into a stylish expression of your personality.

By partnering with talented artists and fabulous designers such as Trina Turk, Kara Ross, Lela Rose, thomaspaul, Celerie Kemble, Bonnie Marcus and Boatman Geller, MeebleMail has a library of stylish and unique email stationery designs fit for anyone’s taste.

MeebleMail’s email stationery integrates directly into the most popular Windows email clients such as Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail; and users can personalize the designs with their name, monograms, addresses or a motif.

The price of each stationery design will be $4.95, but if you log on from now until the end of May, your purchases are free!

I just got totally cute Octopus-motiff!

Who's got Legs?

Use Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs?
Sally Hansen wants to know if you have superstar legs!

They are running a contest: From May 15th-June 20th, "Strike a Pose" inspired by your favorite celebrity on the Red Carpet. Submit photos on the Sally Hansen Website along with a blurb about how you used Airbrush Legs to accomplish your look. All entries will be judged by the Sally Hansen Team. Top 10 finalists’ poses will be posted to a photo gallery on the Sally Hansen Website and Facebook page. Public voting will be on Facebook.

Prizes:
- The Grand Prize Winner receives: $1,000 and a Sally Hansen Must-Have Goody Bag
- Runner-up winner #2 receives $500 and a Sally Hansen Must-Have Goody Bag.
- Winner #3 receives $250 and a Sally Hansen Must-Have Goody Bag.
- The remaining 7 finalists receive $100 and a Sally Hansen Must-Have Goody Bag

Curél Itch Defense Lotion


My question for this lotion: Where have you been all my life?

Even helped my hives!

Leaves skin super soft, and the lack of red scrapes from scratching myself is amazing.

I love that it is fragrance-free!

Go & buy NOW!

Another chance to win with your expertise!

To educate people on the importance of sun protection, Jan Marini asks for you to share your top summer skin tips, with an opportunity to win FREE Jan Marini goodies!
Free products? Sign me up! See the invite below for more details, or visit the Jan Marini on fb to enter.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Are you the queen of Sun Protection? Share your tips & win

Dr. Neal Schultz, the creator and host of DermTV.com, has teamed up with Eucerin this week in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and will be sharing tips for easy and effective sun protection.

Dr. Schultz and Eucerin are looking to hear from your readers about their own sun care tips! Visitors can post their personal sun care regimens on Dr. Schultz's Facebook page with the chance to win prizes, such as a Lands End Beach Package, a $50 gift card to The Sunglasses Hut and some amazing Eucerin products! The winners will be announced this Friday, May 20th.

Feathers in your hair

Steven Tyler, hair idol?
Usually, not so much; but loving the feathers!
You can get the same look with Fancy Feathers by Bling Strands. One of the BB has feathers, it looks AMAZING (love you, Trish)!
You can mix and match Fancy colors & choose how many feathers you want. There are 8 color groups and 12 individual colors to choose from. Note: Fancy Feathers are best applied by salon professionals.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Borghese~Rapido, Quick Dry Nail Polish


I must say, I was devastated when I found this product, from a well-known, luxurious brand, to be a disappointment. Although the palette of available hues are to die for, this polish was neither fast-drying or long lasting. I was also saddened by this paint's reaction to several of my hand or body lotions, as it became very tacky and sticky on my nails, upon contact. This is one sad product addict.

Glow Fusion~Face & Body Natural Protien Tan

Glow Fusion does offer an odor free, color enhancer but self-tanner-virgins: beware. Without any instant bronzing effect, it is slightly difficult to gauge self-application with this product. The color fully developed in a few hours and lasted a full week, but was difficult to apply. If you are a veteran to giving yourself an at-home tan, this luxurious formula needs to be on your next Sephora shopping list!!

Princess Kate's (the other one) hair


Loved the easy, elegant hair Kate Middleton wore for THE wedding?

Redken Brand Ambassador Rodney Cutler gives a how-to:

1. Apply Redken blown away 09 protective blow dry gel to dry hair and begin to set by blow drying, being sure to allow the hair to cool down on the brush to create extra bend. A medium round brush would work best.

2. Create a deep side part based on what suits the face best.

3. Using a medium curling iron (an inch and half barrel), section hair into two inch sections and over-direct the curls. You achieve this over-direction by rolling the iron from the end to the roots so that the majority of the wave is on the ends and its more of a wave than a curl.

4. Gently pin back a small section on either side just behind the ears.

5. Apply new Redken shine flash 02 glistening mist on just an the top layer and then a hairspray like Redken quick dry 18 instant finishing spray to hold the style in place.

Friday, May 13, 2011

InStyle Best Beauty Buy Winners

Congratulations to some of BBs favorites for winning the coveted Best Beauty Buy title from InStyle magazine!






L'Occitane- Shea Butter Hand Cream (this is what my dad uses during the winter)








Cures By Avance Anti-Acne Mask


This mask is full-on AWESOME!
Goes on creamy, cooling.
Does not get all dry & cracked.
Rinses well.
Leaves your face clean, but not arid.
A very nice treat for your visage, resulting in calmer, clearer skin!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Salon Effects - Real Nail Polish Strips




















I've been rocking the pattern "misbehaved" for 4 days now and I've already told 2 people about these. They. Are. The. Best. No strong smelling nail polish. No base coat. No top coat. No mess! I will no longer be spending $16 for my pre-wedding or pre-vacation manicures. I will be using these. They are easy to apply and I've showered 3 times and they've stood up. I can't wait to try the other choices!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Make your mom smell wonderful without dropping a fortune

You love your mother, but don't have the $80+ an ounce to spend on the fancy perfumes?
You can still give a great scent without going broke-- Smart!

o Beyoncé Heat Rush ($59 for 3.4 fl oz.: Department stores nationwide):Heat Rush instantly captures attention with sparkling top notes of passion fruit, blood orange and Brazilian cherry.

o Reveal by Halle Berry ($35 for 1.7 fl oz.: Mass merchandisers nationwide): Reveal opens with a sparkling burst of naturally fresh, fruity top notes.

o Faith Hill True ($31.50 for 1.7 fl oz.: Mass merchandisers nationwide):The perfect complement to Faith’s first fragrance which embodies her strength and confidence as a woman.

o Celine Dion Pure Brilliance ($33.50 for 1.7 fl oz.: Mass merchandisers nationwide):Pure Brilliance is an exhilarating fruity floral that opens with a sparkling combination of Pear, Apple, Green Leaves and Freesia.

o GUESS Seductive Wild Summer ($52 for 1.7 fl oz: Department stores): This scent opens with vivacious notes that signal a true summer scent: lushly floral with a musky base.

o Baby Phat L♥V ME($28 for 1.0 fl oz.: Target and Walgreens, nationwide): This powerful, flirtatious fragrance captures the essence of feminine strength.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Get your digits ready for a new season


Loving the new spring/summer colors from Deborah Lippmann!

From Left to right: Girls Just Want To Have Fun, I Know What Boys Like, Yellow Brick Road, Lara’s Theme
  • Girls Just Want To Have Fun– A smooth, vintage coral that everyone can wear because it’s bold yet velvety – a sort of carefree, creamy coral.
  • I Know What Boys Like– A creamy periwinkle that credits to both the 80’s and my clients. Several of my clients have asked for interesting blues. This one is a blend of blue and purple with a creamy finish, which gives it a slightly retro look that is so playful and hip.
  • Yellow Brick Road, a sheer mellow yellow with a jelly finish. The proof that it wears beautifully on all skin tones: it complements me and Lady GaGa, who wore it first for her “Born This Way” performance at the 2011 Grammy Awards
  • Lara’s Theme was created with supermodel Lara Stone is Deborah Lippmann’s newest celebrity collaboration. It’s a dare to wear shade of hot-hot orange

Check yourself before you wreck yourself

You've heard that May is Melanoma Awareness Month. But you may not know some troubling facts about melanoma: While the incidence of many common cancers is falling, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise at a rate faster than any of the seven most common cancers. In fact,1 in 55 people will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime. However, the survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early in an incredible 99%.
Renowned dermatologist Dr. Fredric Brandt explains, “Early detection is crucial when it comes to melanoma. Prevention is best, but being proactive about self-examination and dermatologist visits can literally be the difference between life and death.”

Dr. Brandt recommends the following self-examination techniques:
  • Thoroughly inspect every inch of skin, using mirrors to help you get a clear view of tough-to-see places.
  • Don’t overlook areas like lips, between fingers and toes, under nails, palms and soles of feet—these spots can be just as susceptible.
  • Use a blow dryer to thoroughly inspect your scalp—skin that gets a lot of sun and can be tough to protect.
  • Women should be sure to lift breasts to inspect the underside—you can still get melanoma on areas the sun doesn’t reach.
  • Ask someone close to you to help you with your check—the more eyes, the better.
  • Be sure to use the “ABCD” guide to assess freckles and moles: Be on the lookout for Asymmetry, uneven Borders, uneven Color or large Diameter.
  • If you’re concerned about any discoloration or growth, don’t hesitate to see your dermatologist! It could be one of the best decisions of your life.
  • Finally, prevention is the best cure—be sure to wear sunscreen every day, rain or shine. MyUV SPF 20 high protection face sunscreen provides superior protection against UVA/UVB rays while decreasing pigmentation caused by UV exposure to prevent photo-aging ($35 at www.drbrandskincare.com).

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Hot and Cold Color

Thanks to the ever-brilliant Suzanne Quinn for this color-decoder!
What makes haircolor hot? Tone! Determining the correct haircolor tone, either warm or cool, is simple with these tips from Krista Beahm, colorist at patrick mcivor color studio. Rule of Thumb: Natural cool tones look best with cool haircolor and natural warm tones look best with warm haircolor.

“Colorists are trained to choose a haircolor that matches a client’s natural skin tones. It’s a process that yields complimentary haircolor results – haircolor that makes eyes shine and skin glow. Choosing the wrong tone can result in skin and eyes looking washed out and tired. So, when choosing DIY color or consulting with your stylist, it’s important to take tone into consideration. I advise looking at childhood photos, if someone had warm tones in their hair as a child, go warm now – cool tones, then go cool,” explains Beahm.

Skin
  • Tan easily and veins tend to be bluish green - WARM
  • Burn quickly and veins tend to be bluish purple - COOL

Eyes
  • Golden flecks in eyes - WARM
  • Grayish flecks in eyes - COOL
Natural Hair
  • Red, orange and yellow – colors evoking fire and sunshine - WARM
  • Green, blue and purple – colors evoking water, sky, sea and forests - COOL
Jennifer Lopez (warm brunette)
Megan Fox (cool brunette)
Kate Hudson (warm blonde)
Cameron Diaz (cool blonde)
“If skin, eyes and hair are all the same tone or two out of three are the same, a person will most likely look best in that same tone of haircolor. If tonal results vary, they can usually pull off either tone,” explains Beahm who uses Matrix color products exclusively for predictable tonal results.

There are ALWAYS exceptions! Some warm toned people don’t like warmth in their hair and some cool toned people don’t like cool tones in their hair. When this is the case, try a neutral tone or ask a professional colorist’s opinion.

Summer is ready when you are


Get it while you can: Sephora has released their Sun Safety Kit for 2011.
Buy now!

Note from Sephora:

100 percent of the net profits from this kit will benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer found in the United States and is also one of the most preventable. Help others become aware of this growing problem while defending yourself against the sun's harmful rays.

Every Day is Earth Day With KLORANE

We salute KLORANE and especially recommend the eye make-up remover, the dry shampoo, and the Papyrus Hair Care.

KLORANE: Celebrating more than 40 years of sustainable beauty

In 1966, four years before we celebrated the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, French pharmacist Pierre Fabre harnessed his passion for botany to formulate the iconic Shampoo with chamomile, launching the establishment of KLORANE Laboratories. A leader in combining the best of nature with the best of science, KLORANE quickly followedthis success with the launches of more products—all of them pharmaceutically-proven—utilizing only the purest plant extracts to target specific hair and skin needs. This included the 1972 introduction of the first-ever eye make-up remover formulated with soothing cornflower.

By 1986, the innovative Phytofilière® concept was born, consisting of five main stages: in-depth research of natural substances; selection and experimental cultivation; traceability of each individual ingredient from agriculture to production tofinished products; KLORANE’s specific protocol for plant growth andutilizing only KLORANE farmers and farms. This ensures that only sustainable farming techniques arepracticed, and that each plant offers 100% sustainability. Today KLORANE continues its long heritage of exploring the plant universe to discover the most effective plants for each particular beauty concern.

With the creation of the KLORANE Institute in France in 1994, KLORANE strengthened its objective to protect plant heritage via research, education, conservation and financial support. Over the years, earth-friendly initiatives have included generous donations and scientific partnerships for reintroducing and developing endangered species of plants and flora; partnering with select pharmacists in France to promote “Botanical Days” to educate schoolchildren on the protection and the beneficial uses of plants; generous donations to plant trees in the aftermath of fires; creating environmental and plant education programs; supporting the Million Trees NYC program and donating to the New York City Botanical Gardens.

Each product KLORANE creates is also a reflection of its dedication to protecting the planet and harnessing the power of plants. From the quinine extracted from the bark of living Cinchona trees sustainably grown in Ecuador for KLORANE Shampoo and Conditioner with quinin eto chamomile sourced in Egypt—especiallyrich in a plant flavonoid (apigenine),a natural hair brightener—for its Chamomile hair care products, KLORANE stays true to its heritage.

Clinically proven to deliver high performance, the line utilizes the lowest number of ingredients for the highestefficacy and safety. This philosophy maintains unparalleled quality standards to guarantee the highest levels of purity, safety and proven performance inall KLORANE products. And as itshistory proves, KLORANE has always been ahead of the eco-curve. From philosophy to final product, KLORANE makes every day a celebration of Earth Day all year long, year in, year out.

Get your feet ready for summer

Tweezerman has got your back--or, to be more accurate, your feet!
Check out the new Pedro Too, ergonomically designed to remove the rough spots from your feet. It is cute enough to look good on the bathroom counter as well.

Win a TRIA laser and shopping spree


She of THE body, Kim Kardashian, has teamed up with TRIA Beauty and their home laser hair removal system.

Visit http://www.triabeauty.com/starletsweeps for your chance to win TRIA Beauty's brand new hair removal laser and a star quality shopping spree.

Grand Prize: TRIA Hair Removal Laser signed by Kim Kardashian and $1,000 shopping spree

First Prize: TRIA Hair Removal Laser and $250 shopping spree

Second Prize: TRIA Hair Removal Laser

René Furterer Teams Up with Hairstylist Cori Bardo and The Art of Elysium to Serve Children in Need

René Furterer proudly joins hairstylist Cori Bardo and The Art of Elysium in supporting their efforts to encourage self-esteem in seriously ill children by participating in a special makeover program

In partnership with hairstylist Cori Bardo of The Magnet Agency, René Furterer is supporting the L.A.-based non-profit organization, The Art of Elysium, dedicated to the needs of mentally disabled and critically ill children, with a special donation. The French hair care line, based on pure essential oils and active plant extracts that is loved by celebrities and top stylists alike, is donating their FIORAVANTI Shine Enhancing Kits—each one includes the FIORAVANTI shine enhancing shampoo, shine enhancing conditioner and spray gloss—to support a cause that Cori, a stylist fan of the line, devotes her free time to.

Along with providing artistic workshops in acting, art, comedy,fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing to bring out each child’s creativity, The Art of Elysium also runs a makeover program designed to increase their self-esteem. Believing every child deserves the opportunity to shine, Cori says that she and her fellow volunteers have found“a little pretty goes a long way,” regardless of the child’s condition, be it a physical disfigurement, mental or physical delay or any serious illness. Cori and the volunteers, including make-up artists, hairstylists and nail technicians, will introduce the FIORAVANTI SHINE ENHANCING KITS to their young makeover subjects as they help them to look and feel their best.

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask


A quality peel-off mask!
Entertains & clears the skin-- who could ask for anything more?
One caveat: Put on THICK layer and be very careful not to get around your hair/brows.
Let dry completely before peeling, which is hard when you are eager to peel.
Boscia products are all preservative-free, and this mask is loaded with lux ingredients to improve your skin.
Love it!