Sam Villa E.T.C. Light Professional Ionic Dryer

I was pumped to try this because I've heard ionic dyers are great for fine, thin hair. Low and behold, it worked. The dryer gave my hair some much-needed oomph and volume. The stream of heat is not too hot, which is great because heat is hair's enemy, right? And I love the rubbery feeling of the dryer and handle for easy gripping. It has 2 heat and speed settings-great for bangs since they don't need to be blasted. Out with my old dryer and in with this new one!

INTRODUCING YOUBEAUTY.COM

The newest bookmark in your collection:

A GROUNDBREAKING ONLINE DESTINATION

DEVELOPED BY DR. MEHMET OZ AND DR. MICHAEL ROIZEN

It’s a question as old as time: What makes you beautiful? It’s not only a flattering lipstick shade, or the color of your hair—science shows it’s your happiness, self-esteem, charisma and much more. The perfect haircut for your face shape sure doesn’t hurt, either. Beauty is a combination of inner and outer factors rooted in hard science. Two of the leading names in medicine—Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen—developed YouBeauty.com to arm women with proven tools that use science to measure and improve inner and outer beauty, so they may become healthier, happier people.

“Beauty, like health, is multi-dimensional. Every aspect of your body and mind matters,” says Dr. Oz. “We have the opportunity to use the power of the Internet to give every woman access to the leading science in a very personalized and actionable way.”

Trading unattainable standards of beauty in favor of proven quantitative and qualitative metrics,YouBeauty is the first online resource devoted to attaining optimal health through beauty.

“Stress causes gray hair, poor sleep will increase wrinkles, and your diet will directly affect your skin,” adds Dr. Roizen. “The scientific community has proven all of these facts, and many more. We wanted to create a place where women could improve their beauty and health all at once.”

Here’s how it works: At YouBeauty, you’ll find a series of quizzes based on proven research that examine all the factors that affect your beauty. The website features quizzes that measure personal dimensions like happiness, stress, sleep quality, physical activity levels, skin and hair health, along with tools that find your face shape, facial symmetry and body shape, among others. Your score on each quiz will be compiled to measure your YouQ™. Through an ongoing series of personalized action steps based on your quiz results, you’ll be encouraged to improve your YouQ™ to reach your full beauty potential, while learning about yourself in new and important ways.

Unlock your individual beauty potential with YouBeauty.com:

· Take specialized quizzes in nutrition, sleep, relationships, your body, face, hair, skin and mind.

· Receive easy to understand numerical and graphical results based on each scientifically validated scale on your personal profile page. You’ll be able to see where you stand in real time, and anonymously compare your progress to that of other quiz takers.

· Improve your scores with easy to understand,personalized action steps, delivered daily to your inbox.

· Explore the YouLearn section for the latest health-meets-beauty news and feature stories, along with a rich research section consisting of the most important beauty-impacting studies.

· Chat about hot topics in the YouTalk community.

· Tap into expert information with interactive columns written by experts in their fields, including Dr. Oz, Dr. Roizen, dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler, iconic hair stylist Guido, psychology professor Arthur Markman, nutritionist Kristin Kirkpatrick, celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles, prominent plastic surgeon Dr. Arthur Perry, women’s wellness expert Dr. Beth Ricanati, among others.

· Learn about implementing a healthier lifestyle with columns by model Karolina Kurkova and “The Dorm Room Diet” author Daphne Oz.

YouBeauty.com

The science of a beautiful you

Vote for your favorite & win Slatkin & Co.

The home fragrance authorities, Bath & Body Works and Slatkin & Co. are pleased to announce the three lucky winners of the MyCandleRecipe contest, selected by Harry Slatkin, Creator of Slatkin & Co., Erica Tucker, owner of Sweet E’s Mini Bakeshop in Los Angeles, and Givaudan Fragrance Expert, Jeanine Guerrero during a live cooking event held in New York City.

• Tim Ong of Houston, Texas with Strawberry Pistachio Delight
• Mary Shivers of Ada, Oklahoma with Tropical Tangerine Cake
• NayletLa Rochelle of Miami, Florida with Maple Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Now the expert judges are turning the decision over to you to select the winner who deserves the ultimate grand prize – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Harry Slatkin in New York City to watch as his or her dessert turned into a gourmand candle. Simply log on to MyCandleRecipe.com to view exclusive cooking event footage and vote for your favorite contestant. FIVE lucky voters will also win a year’s supply of Slatkin & Co. candles! Voting begins Wednesday, August 3rd and closes at Midnight on Tuesday, August 9th.

Win a Clarisonic Mia

During the month of July, Clarisonic will be celebrating the Evolution of Skin Care with Weekday Mia Giveaways. The brand will be providing fans and those interested in skin care with the videos of demonstrations. In addition, they will ask fans fun questions about what they learned and what they know about Clarisonic. Winners will be selected each day from among those who answered the question correctly to win a Clarisonic Mia.

Access the contest here: http://www.facebook.com/clarisonic

Slatkin & Co. Candle

Okay, the Sparkling Mojito candle is delicious!

Bath & Body Works totally lucked out in its pairing with Slatkin & Co., and we all benefit with great quality candles that are easily attainable!

Sparkling Mojito is a sweet, yet very clean smell.

Sugared citrus with just the right hint of mint.

Not at all over-powering, perfect pick-me-up!

Well done.

Dr. Brandt UV SPF 30 Face

Claim:

Formulated to provide advanced broad spectrum UVA (PA+++) protection against UVB rays (SPF 30). Dr. Brandt advanced sun care helps decrease pigmentation induced by UV exposure; preventing photo-aging. Designed with dry-touch technology to absorb quickly, leaving the skin smooth and soft with a shine-free finish.

Truth:

Totally works! No greasy or kabuki face, no sunblock shards, no melt-offs!

My problem:

The container, with its convenient pump dispenser, is too small. While great for traveling, I want a honking giant bottle at home to last the whole summer.

All the other sunblocks should take notice.

BoomBoom's truth on threading

From Brow-master Boom Boom:

The Skinny on Threading

Thread or wax, what’s a girl to do?! For Boom Boom, owner of Boom Boom Brow Bar, there’s no question, wax it baby! Here’s the skinny on why…

“When done correctly, threading removes the hair follicle from the root, however, many people tell me that they have to thread every week-10 days. Suspicious…this happens when the thread simply cuts the hair instead of pulling it out from the root. It’s basically the equivalent of shaving which is a BIG no no, because the hair will eventually get really coarse and resemble stubble,” explains Boom Boom.

Note to all, if threading more than once a month you might as well get an awesome brow job for just $20 and be done with it! With gentle warm, NOT HOT, waxes like Boom Boom’s Flash Wax, burning is NEVER an issue – EVA! For those who fret about bumps, no worries, Boom Boom uses bacitracin ointment – an antibiotic that prevents infection and reduces irritation.

The other challenge with threading is it tends to produce a particular brow style that Boom Boom believes removes too much off the underneath of the front of the brow bone. It eventually creates rainbow brow, not big bold beautiful arches. “We do lots of rehab for this – it’s a cultural style thing and I’m more into big beautiful brows,” adds Boom Boom.

Truth be told, Boom Boom tested threading out on her lip once and was not comfortable being face to face with someone who was holding a piece of thread in their mouth over Boom Boom’s mouth (yuck). Boom Boom thinks cleanliness is next to fabulousness, so she almost died!

The Skinny: To reduce hair growth and prevent coarse stubble, wax it baby!

Tarte up the QVC awards

Love LipSurgence™ lip tints or a lights, camera, lashes! mascara fan? Then show your tarte support by voting in this year's QVC Customer Choice Beauty Awards.

Share the Tarte love!

While you're at it, follow Tarte on Twitter and Friend on Facebook!

Eat your way to a more beautiful you

Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder shares the recipe for Sally’s Salsa, featured in Kim’s book The Beauty Detox Solution: A perfect healthy snack to bring to the beach, BBQ or just have handy in the fridge. Make a hearty bowl of this every week to keep for you and your family to snack on. It tastes amazing and you will realize you don’t need dense snack foods! Please visit Kim’s blog to get more healthy and delish recipes and beauty food tips.

Tomatoes, a main ingredient in this recipe, are one of the best beauty fruits.

“Fruit is the most life-enhancing food we can put into our bodies. It has the highest water content of any of the food groups and supplies us with vital amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fatty acids. Because fruit breaks down the fastest in our system, while leaving no toxic residue, it supplies us with readily available energy that can be used for immediate fuel.” – From The Beauty Detox Solution

Sally’s Salsa

Ingredients:

• 4 large tomatoes
• 1 large sweet onion
• 1 large orange bell pepper
• 1 large yellow bell pepper
• 2 cups chopped cilantro
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp. Celtic or Himalayan sea salt
• Cayenne pepper, to taste

Directions:

Turn on some good music in your kitchen! Then dice the tomatoes, onion and bell peppers and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped cilantro, black pepper, lemon juice, sea salt and cayenne pepper, and adjust the seasonings to taste.

This recipe and many more are available in The Beauty Detox Solution, featuring a full guide on eating your way to radiant skin, renewed energy and the body you’ve always wanted!

New from LUSH

From the great minds at LUSH:

LUSH is known for the frothy fun it brings to bathtubs and showers, but we get serious when it comes to giving good hair. All of our hair care products have a trained trichologist behind them, our founder Mark Constantine. Trichology is the scientific study of the hair and scalp, which includes the identification, diagnosis and treatment of hair and scalp conditions. LUSH is interested in TREATING problems, not just masking them - although we do like to mask the hair with nutritious ingredients from time to time. In an effort to help you manage your mane, we’ve created three limited edition haircare gifts launching in LUSH stores and www.LUSH.com on July 18th for the most common hair conditions.

VOLUME AND SHINE: Take hair up a couple of notches with our Volume and Shine set. Our Big shampoo uses sea salt to conjure up more volume than you thought was possible while our lightweight Veganese conditions without flattening hair. Switch it up with our Ultimate Shine shampoo bar and Marilyn hair treatment for shiny hair you can see from miles away.

• Contents: Marilyn, Big Shampoo, Ultimate Shine Shampoo Bar, Veganese Conditioner

PROTECT AND NOURISH: If your hair is a frizzy, dry or simply out-of-control, this is the set for you. Curly Wurly shampoo shows hair who’s boss with coconut and vanilla while Jasmine and & Henna Fluff Eaze smoothes with jojoba and Brazil nut oil. R&B revives and balances misbehaving hair and Jungle conditioner keeps everything tame.

• Contents: Jasmine & Henna Fluff Eaze, Curly Wurly Shampoo, R&B, Jungle Conditioner

BALANCE AND REPAIR: Wipe the slate clean and start over with the Balance and Repair set. Rehab deeply cleanses while Retread conditioner nourishes hair with yogurt, soy milk and olive oil. The H’Suan Wen Hua hair treatment is an extra step that pampers hair with avocado and eggs.

• Contents: H’Suan Wen Hua, Rehab Shampoo, Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar, Retread Conditioner

Brow-ssiere Brow Gel

Click Here

Dare I say this brow gel does all it says it does? I shall!

This clear gel smooths unruly eyebrows or the occasional hair that rather meander. At first I thought it'd dry hard and crunchy but after a few minutes, my eyebrows were soft and tame. This is great for girls with thick, coarse hair or those who are meticulous about their brows..ahem, me.

Why do we love Dr. Graf? She wants to save our skin & our children!

Check it out:

Did you know that between 50% and 80% of one’s lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18? And that the earlier you begin to protect your child’s skin against sun damage, the sooner you begin to reduce his or her risk of developing skin cancer? Just as you teach your children to make brushing their teeth a daily habit, teaching them good sun safety habits will go a long way in keeping their skin healthy.

In this segment of Ask Dr.Graf—PLAY IT SAFE IN THE SUN: HOW TO PROTECT THE LITTLE ONES—we’ll look at simple ways to safeguard your child’s skin before you go out the door and while you’re enjoying the outdoors. From protective clothing specially treated to provide optimal SPF levels to child-friendly sunscreens, to the rules of safe sunning, such as the importance of reapplying sunscreen, and the need to be sun-smart even on a cloudy day, Dr.Graf covers all the basics. Follow her advice and you and the whole family will have fun in the sun while practicing the habits that will help prevent sunburn and minimize the risk of skin cancer.

Check out the video: Ask Dr. Graf—PLAY IT SAFE IN THESUN: HOW TO PROTECT THE LITTLE ONES

The same golden rules of sunprotection we teach our kids also apply to us throughout adulthood. We all know the statistics: According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 3.5 millionskin cancers in over 2 million people are diagnosed annually. And one in fiveAmericans will develop skin cancer over the course of a lifetime. Anotherreason to practice safe sun: up to 90% of the signs of skin aging, such aswrinkles, brown spots and rough, leathery texture, are the result of over exposure to UV rays.

All the more reason for a refreshercourse in sun protection. In this segment of Ask Dr. Graf—THE BASICS OF SUNSAFETY FOR SKIN CANCER PREVENTION AND ANTI-AGING—Dr. Graf gives an overview ofwhat you need to help keep skin wrinkle-free longer and to protect against skincancer. How to choose the most effective sunscreen formula, the right way toapply your sunscreen for the best results, what level of SPF provides optimalprotection as the seasons change and more—it’s all here.

Checkout the video: Ask Dr. Graf—THE BASICS OF SUNSAFETY FOR SKIN CANCER PREVENTION AND ANTI-AGING

Calling all brides & bridesmaids

Hey Brides & entourage!

Sephora wants to help you look your best for the big day:

Sephora says “I Do” with the new limited edition Sephora Favorites Beauty & The Bride kit. This set contains all a bride needs to look beautiful while walking down the aisle, posing for picture-perfect moments, and beyond. From Gucci's romantic Flora fragrance to Boscia's green tea blotting linens, this kit helps beautiful brides on their big day, and also makes a great gift for the bridal party too!

The Sephora Favorites Beauty & The Bride kit includes 11 must-have wedding-day beauty essentials complete in a keepsake box. This beauty filled box is the gift that keeps on giving, also including a voucher for a complimentary Special Occasion Makeover at the Sephora Beauty Studio*. Schedule a time in advance of your big day to learn how to create your most blushing bridal look with the help of a Sephora beauty expert at a Sephora store near you. This exclusive, personalized service will give you all the tips and techniques needed to achieve the look of your dreams on your big day and ever after.

Appointments are required, so please call the store to book your Special Occasion Makeover. For more information on services at the Beauty Studio, visit sephora.com/go/beautystudio.

The limited edition Sephora Favorites Beauty & The Bride, $50, ($108 value) includes:

• bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer
• Benefit The Porefessional
• Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens
• Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick in Brooklyn
• Flora by Gucci Eau Fraîche
• Josie Maran Argan Oil Color Stick in Rosy
• Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Spring Fling
• Sephora by OPI. Nail Colour in True Romantic
• Sephora Collection Flashy Liner Waterproof in Flashy Black
• Stila Eye Shadow in Kitten
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Mascara in black

Wedding bells? Beauty Tips for the Bride-to-be

About to take the plunge? Get professional help!

Bella Schneider, celebrity esthetician and owner of LaBelle Day Spas & Salon, makes sure your beauty regimen is perfect for the big day. Bella has established five bridal tips, which will help make your day flawless and fabulous.

Facial Facts

Bella advises that every bride-to-be should start treating her skin to monthly facial treatments 4-6 months prior to her wedding. Your facial should best fit your skin conditions (clarifying, detoxifying, anti aging, etc.) in order to receive the benefits of the treatment. If you want that glowing, radiant look on your big day, start this process early and all eyes will be on you.

Sun Safety

Every beauty rule of thumb is to protect your skin, don’t let sun damage ruin your sparkle. Bella suggests that the bride, always wear her sunscreen--especially two weeks prior to walking down the aisle. Getting a sunburn during this time period will make you not a blushing bride, but a peeling bride- not the look you were going for, right?

Rehearsal Ritual

Before the big day, there’s a rehearsal dinner and rehearsal ceremony, Bella recommends a rehearsal hair and make-up run through. Make sure your hair is exactly to your liking, as well as your make-up so that there aren’t any surprises the day of. This run through will fix last-minute quirks, which is the last thing you want to be worrying about before walking down the aisle…

Hydration Station

This should already be part of your daily skin care ritual, but before your wedding, Bella suggests that the bride-to-be especially hydrates her skin and under eyes with antioxidant rich night cream (to prevent under eye bags). Your skin should be fresh and exuberant before your wedding day. If you follow a daily skin care ritual, stick to it-- and if you do not, find one and follow it!

Perfect Shade of Tan

If you’re looking for that shimmering faux wedding-day glow before your big day, Bella recommends finding your perfect spray tan shade at least 4 months before to prevent a streaky/uneven color. We all have our spray tan horror stories-- your wedding day is not the day for such a story. Make sure to plan ahead to find the best air brush technician as well as shade to match your skin tone.

Now concentrate on the kiss!

Dr. Graf explains it all

Read the article about the acid-alkalinity levels affecting your complexion & body in Allure?

Learn more!

We are always on the quest to achieve balance, whether in our personal lives, work, foods, etc., that we sometimes forget that the ultimate balance begins with our body's acid-alkalinity levels. In this segment, Dr. Graf explains how balancing our acidity-alkalinity level is the foundation of beauty and health from the inside-out.

Tips + BeautyBlender = Perfect face

Seen a funny looking pink tear-dropped shaped sponge in the magazines, on TV, in your friend's makeup bag? It's a Beautyblender! Learn the myriad uses and get your own:

Celebrity makeup artist and Beautyblender founder Rea Ann Silva provides her blending tips and tricks that will leave you looking flawless!

Cover Up Dark Circles and Blemishes

Apply your favorite concealer to Beautyblender. Use the pointed side and the “stipple and twist” technique to work makeup into depressed areas of the face. The stippling and twisting actions feathers out the makeup’s edges, blending it with

out creating changes in the texture or tone of your skin, leaving a perfect finish. The pointed side is particularly great for hard-to-reach spots like around the nose and mouth, and under the eyes.

Ditch the Cakey Foundation Look

Use the round base for foundation on the larger areas of your face such as your forehead, cheeks and chin. It leaves just the right amount on the skin and will leave an airbrushed finish. Be sure to blend makeup all over, including the eye area, starting in the middle and working your way out.

Add Some Color to Get Your Glow On

Instantly brighten your skin with bronzer and blush. Use the round base and apply bronzer to the apples of your cheeks followed by blush. A fast way to find the apples of your cheeks is to smile. Be sure to blend the color up toward your temples. You can even add a highlighter to your cheek bones to really accentuate them and give a glow. Start at the inner corner of the eye, blend it over the brow bone and onto your cheekbone – then do the other side. Finish by blending a little down the bridge of your nose, chin and above the middle of your lips.

Make Your Eyes Pop

Using the pointed side of Beautyblender, apply eyeshadow in your creases and blend it down over the lids avoiding the brow bones. By using the Beautyblender, there won’t be any harsh lines or stripes of color. Instead, it will look blended and effortless. For more definition, rim your upper lashes with a liner pencil and smudge it upward with the pointed side. To get an extra bright-eyed effect, use the tip of the pointed end and dot shimmery eyeshadow onto the inner corners of your eyes. Celebs use this trick on the red carpet all the time!

Add Some Strategic Shimmer

Blend some shimmer on the top of your decolletage in a capital T shape. For an even bigger boost, blend bronzer with the round base of Beautyblender around the inside of each breast to enhance your cleavage. This little beauty magic trick works wonders!

Get your own Beautyblender at major retailers nationwide including Duane Reade, Look Boutique, CO Bigelow, Henri Bendel, Beauty.com and online at www.beautyblender.net

Jan Marini FB celebration & contest

In celebrating 17 years of great skin, Jan Marini wants you to share YOUR most memorable anniversary stories on Facebook!

Whether it’s the anniversary of your wedding day, first date, or big move to a new city, anything at all that celebrates anniversaries, we want to hear it! “Like” the Jan Marini Facebook page and share your story! The top 3 best anniversary stories will be the lucky winners of Jan Marini’s Clean Zyme and Skin Zyme duo, valued at $72! After all, anniversaries are meant to be shared with those who mean the most to you, and Jan Marini couldn’t think of anyone better than their fans to celebrate with! Click here to get started: http://www.facebook.com/#!/JanMariniSkinResearch

Thymes- great products, great place to work!

Congratulations to Thymes and their employees:

Thymes is proud to announce their new spot as the 7th top small workplace of 2011 according to Minnesota employees surveyed by Workplace Dynamics for the Star Tribune.The unique survey was designed to identify the Top 100 Workplaces in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area for 2011. A staggering 278 companies participated and 60,538 employees were surveyed.

Founded in 1982 by two single mothers, Thymes was born of a shared appreciation for art, nature and beauty products that create a relaxing ritual. The two women set to work developing a collection of natural yet luxurious soaps and bath salts made with essential oils and wholesome ingredients, and packaged with hand-touched details, pioneering an entirely new category of botanically-based bath and body products.Today, Thymes is the leading bath, body and home fragrance brand in specialty stores across the nation. And, continues to deliver exceptional products that stand apart in their uncompromising quality and attention to detail.

Strong values and heartfelt products have always been the backbone of Thymes and remain at the core of the unique homegrown business. Thymes is also committed to supporting non-profit organizations through the Positive Change program. Employees contribute their extra “change” (coins) into a community jar in which Thymes often matches employee donations. Thymes also offers one personal day for each employee to use to volunteer their time helping an organization in need.

EOS S.O.S. (Saves Our Skin)

Fact: Approximately 1 in 32 (8.4 million) people in the USA suffer from dry skin.

Thankfully, the eos Everyday Hand Lotion is infused with moisturizing shea butter, oat extract, and a generous helping of antioxidants and vitamins C and E. These handy lotions leave skin feeling soft, supple and healthy long after you apply it. So say goodbye to dry, chapped hands forever and smooth on eos’ non-greasy, super-soothing hand lotion and make your skin smile!

Dermatologist tested. Hypoallergenic. Paraben-free. Not tested on animals

Key Ingredients:

• Aloe– soothes, moisturizes and heals

•Oat – protects delicate, dry, sensitive and irritated skin

• Shea butter – softens and nourishes

• Vitamin E & C – rejuvenates and hydrates for healthy looking, radiant skin

I like the cucumber (green). It's a great, fresh summer scent without being too smelly! The cool pod fits into your purse or pocket really well. And it works!

L’Occitane History + bonus + Road Rally

In the late 1970s, the founder of L’OCCITANE, Olivier Baussan, made his start independently selling soaps and essential oils in the markets of Provence. Baussan traveled from town to town in his rattletrap Citroën 2CV bringing the sensorial ingredients of Provence to life.

This year, L’OCCITANE,the natural Provence beauty brand, will celebrate Baussan’s

entrepreneurial autonomy and France’s Independence on Bastille Day (July 14th) at its boutiques nationwide with a special Bonne Mere Soap gift-with-purchase offer. Valid now until July 17th, buy 2, get 2 FREE Bonne Mere Soaps! Buy 3, Get 3 FREE Soaps available in the colors of the French flag.

Also, if you happen to be in New York City on Sunday, July 10th, check out the annual Bastille Day Rally and Rendez-Vous, featuring classic Velosolex motorized bicycles and French Citroën cars much like the 2CV L’Occitane founder Olivier Baussan once used to sell soaps and essential oils in Provence. Sponsored by L’OCCITANE, the vehicles will take a Tour de Provence in Manhattan as they pass several of the brand’s boutiques. The annual Bastille Day Rally and Rendez-Vous in NYC started 12 years ago with just 5 Citroëns and has grown to become the largest participant-active auto event in New York City and an integral part of the Bastille Day New York. For more information about the rally & route, visit www.greaternycitroenvelosolexclub.com

Deborah Lipmann, nail genius

As much as I hate to think about impending fall (back to school= back to work), Deborah Lipmann has given us a Fall Collection that is, simply put, AWESOME!

• Billionaire: moody hunter green (creme)
• Brick House: shimmering rust (shimmer)
• Single Ladies: flirtatious red (creme)

She has also teamed up with designer Narciso Rodriguez for Stormy Weather. I think Lena Horne would have totally rocked it.

Win Amika products

Go to Facebook, like Amika, & win!

How simple is that?

Also, Amika is now on HSN!

Loving their Obliphica Oil Treatment! So great for summer hair!

Shopping help

Love it or hate it, shopping is something 99% of us HAVE to do.

Now there's help!

Liz & Jane's Shopafrolic!

Tips, tricks, sales, sites-- like having a great friend on the inside.

Sally Hansen~Airbursh Legs, Leg Make-Up

I am a huge fan of all things Sally Hansen, but when I was asked to try this stuff out, I thought: "Are you SERIOUS!?" I'll work a self-tanner every now and then, but Leg Make-Up!!??!!?

After trying the stuff, just once, I thought-no, I said out loud: "This is SERIOUS!!!!"

I've said it before and will again, every once in a great while, you come across a product that is life changing. This is one of those products. Airbrush Legs comes in four shades, is simple to use, lasts until washed off (I have a feeling this product would survive even the sketchiest walk of shame...), and does not rub off onto clothing or furniture!! Even if you're over the sun-scorched tan look, this product does wonders with skin discoloration, showing veins, scars, and bruises (I may or may not have all of the above...), making for flawless, sexy, youthful gams!!

I HIGHLY recommend Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs, Leg Make-Up, unless you are my mother, sister in-law, one of my coworkers or close girlfriends-because I will be buying this product for all of you for your birthdays, Christmas, and Hanukkah. 

Miss Jessie’s Partners with Black Girl with Long Hair to Celebrate Natural Hair in Chicago

Chicago, IL. -- On Sunday, July 24, 2011 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. leading natural hair company Miss Jessie’s will team up with award-winning, Chicago-based website Black Girl with Long Hair for the July Chicago Naturals Meetup, a day-long celebration of the growing natural hair community in Chicago.

Held at the Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center in Chicago’s historic Kenwood neighborhood, the July Chicago Naturals Meetup will include a giveaway of 400 gift bags, containing full-sized Miss Jessie’s products, as well as, an hour long styling demonstration by Titi and Miko Branch, founders of Miss Jessie’s. " We are so happy about the opportunity to meet with this prestigious group of Chicago Naturals and can't wait to share tips and hair stories about the journey into natural hair," says Titi and Miko. There will be more than 40 local vendors, natural women, selling everything from jewelry to vintage clothing to beauty products. The event is open to all hair types – relaxed, transitioning and natural.

“This event is not just about hair care, it’s a celebration of the natural hair culture and community that has grown in Chicago,” says Leila Noelliste, founder and editor of Black Girl with Long Hair, “It’s an honor to have a leading, internationally recognized natural hair company come on board and share in what we’re doing here. The reputation of the Miss Jessie’s brand adds real legitimacy to an already notable event.”

Since their start in March 2010 Chicago naturals meetups have grown from 40 to more than 600 attendees, with women flying in from Detroit and New York.

ABOUT MISS JESSIE’S

Sisters Miko and Titi Branch are the founders of Miss Jessie’s™, a hair care collection developed specifically for those with naturally curly, kinky, and wavy hair, as well as Miss Jessie’s Salon in SoHo, NY. With a reputation as “The First Ladies in Curly Hair Care,” Miss Jessie’s™ products are well-known throughout the hair care industry, and have a loyal curly cult following across the country and world.

For more information visit www.missjessies.com

ABOUT BLACK GIRL WITH LONG HAIR

Founded in April 2008 by journalist Leila Noelliste, Black Girl with Long Hair quickly became a leading voice on natural hair care and culture. It has been recognized by TheRoot.com as one of the 30 most influential black blogs and received the 2010 Black Weblog Award for Best Culture Blog. It is one of the highest traffic black beauty blogs, with an average 20,000 daily views.

For more information visit bglhonline.com

Fashion Fair Lip Teasers

Tested by Elisha!

· Brave Babe – Bright Orange Gloss

· Coral Craze – Bright Coral Gloss

Moisturizing, light touch of color. May be a bit scary in the tube, but look great on!

Coral is almost peach, but with an edge.

The orange looks like cherry Popsicle.

Great color, great shine, great consistency--GREAT!

Vitamin D: How? How much? Dr. Graf sets the record straight.

We want to hear more and more about the importance of Vitamin D3, the “sunshine vitamin.” It does things like improving bone strength and helping your skin repair itself after injury. Vitamin D3 is essential to overall good health.

But we have questions: Is it better to expose your skin to sunlight to get your daily dose of Vitamin D3?Or should you take supplements, and if so, how much? What are the best food sources of Vitamin D3?

Although there are not a lot of studies directed at how the skin benefits from taking Vitamin D3, we do know that nutritional deficiencies have profound effects on the skin. In this segment of Ask Dr. Graf, we’ll look at Vitamin D3, why you need it and easy ways to make sure you’re getting enough. Check out the video on YouTube, and check Dr. Graf's YouTube channel often!

Protect Your Skin This Summer from the Most Extreme Elements

Thanks to Mother Nature, keeping our skin healthy during the summer months can be quite the challenge. Every day we face all forms of external aggressors that contribute to the signs of aging, skin damage, and even skin cancer. Celebrity esthetician and owner of LaBelle Day Spas & Salons, Bella Schneider, gives us her inside tips on shielding ourselves from the most severe skin damaging elements.

Environmental Pollution

Bella tells us, “Our bodies naturally produce free radicals when exposed to toxins like cigarette smoke, pesticides, and pollution. These free radicals are known to trigger aging, tissue damage, as well as cancer.” To counter the effects of free radicals, Bella recommends using a daily moisturizer that contains antioxidants.Antioxidants counteract free radicals by giving one of their own electrons, ending the electron "robbing" reaction. Because of this, antioxidants are known for being actively involved in the prevention of cellular damage.

Wind Burn

Windburn is typically caused when the top layer of skin is stripped of its natural oils, causing a red, chapped surface. Ideally this happens when we forget to cover or protect our skin during those summer days near the water, while exercising, or simply just enjoying a beautiful day in the sun. Bella tells us the best way to prevent wind burn is to cover your skin by using a scarf or floppy hat while also using a thick moisturizer to add a barrier between your skin and an aggressive breeze.

Sunburn

Sun damage is the leading cause of aging and skin cancer, and we are told time and time again that using sunscreen will ultimately prevent from exposing ourselves to harmful UVB and UVA rays. Bella tells her clients to make sure their sunscreen has a few different components including: SPF 45+, water-resistance, and antioxidants. All three essentials will provide you with the ultimate protection on the harshest summer days.

Summer's Hot Hair Tips from Pureology'​s Natasha Sunshine

With Summer just around the corner, Natasha Sunshine, Owner of Byu-ti Hair Therapy, A Pureology Salon gives quick and easy haircare tips that will keep hair looking fabulous and leave more time to do the things you want to do, like get to the beach!

1. Use a leave-in conditioner every time you wash and follow with a spray that has UV protection like Pureology Essential Repair Colour Max to keep sun damage to a minimum and your colour looking fresh all summer long.

2. Don't skimp on your upkeep. Reserve your summer salon visits in advance to keep your hair colour vibrant and your ends free of damage.

3. Air dry as much as possible. For girls with curls or waves, use a cocktail of Pureology Essential Repair Instant Repair and your favorite styler (I love Pureology Colour Stylist Nourishing Nectar sculpting gel!). Then twist your curls away from the face and let dry naturally. Once dry, scrunch for soft but defined waves.

HOT TIP: Slick hair into a clean ponytail or ballerina bun with Pureology Essential Repair Colour Max before heading to the beach for extra sun protection.

Lash Galore and tips from BeautyAddicts

Loving BeautyAddicts Lash Galore! Not super heavy, but defines and lengthens lashes. Goes on smoothly and wears very well!

Some quick and easy mascara how-tos from the BeautyAddicts pros:

- Contrary to popular belief, an eyelash curler is not necessary to achieve desirable

lashes and wide-open eyes. Instead, when you

brush your lashes up and get to the tips, roll the wand backwards. This will grab the lashes and effortlessly curl them.

- If you don’t like a lot of mascara on your bottom lashes, here’s another great eye-opener trick. Take your eyeliner brush and run it lightly across the LashGALORE wand. Lightly comb it on your bottom lashes to get just the perfect hint of color and definition!

- Mascara works at its best about 3-6 months once opened. Preservatives in mascara only work for so long, plus old mascara is a nonperformer. Be sure to keep track of its life span and purchase a new one once its shelf life has expired.

LUSH gifts for grads

If you are looking for gifts that grads will love, search no longer. Whether they are off to college or entering the real world, LUSH has the perfect presents for graduates – a range of pre-wrapped gifts they are sure to covet. Take a look… Almost makes me want to go back to school!

Shower Me With LUSH, $89.95

College dorms do not come equipped with baths, so give her this beautiful reusable hat box (great for storage when empty) filled with 10 shower power products.

Celebrate, $36.95

Celebrate is a bright 'n bouncy bunch of reviving body treats to help her celebrate whatever needs celebrating and recover afterwards. It's got an uplifting grapefruit shower gel, zesty soaps to perk her up and a massage bar to give her a really good boost of vitamins (and a bit of sunshine).

Happy Gift, $54.95

Get happy with a septuplet of cheery products embedded with good mood potential - scented of grapefruit, mandarin, lemon and bergamot which are all shown to improve mood naturally. If she’s feeling down about the big changes ahead, this will wash her cares away!

Sweet & Dreamy, $69.95

Our Sweet and Dreamy Gift has a plethora of the creamiest and dreamiest of bath treats, soaps, moisturizers and massage bars to soak, scrub, slather and stroke her anxiety away with blends of calming lavender, honey, chamomile and vanilla.

You’re a Star, $69.95

Everyone from Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie to Madonna has admitted to loving LUSH! Every item in the box has been selected by an A-list celebrity, You're A Star box is a collection of their choices to help her feel like the star she is!

LUSH Legends, $199.95

Show her your pride by giving her this shiny gold hat box filled with LUSH’s best-selling

products. Face, feet, hands and everything in between, this gift will have her beauty needs covered from head to toe.

Faux Tan--the only safe kind-- Tips

There’s nothing more embarrassing then applying self tanner only to realize you look like a streaky, orange mess after you’ve walked out the door. Follow these simple before & after tips for self tanning to ensure you achieve a beautiful, bronzed glow from head to toe!

Beauty Expert Emily Fitch of Luminess Tan recommends the following steps:

Pre-Tanning:

· Shower & exfoliate skin a minimum of one hour before tanning. Exfoliation will help remove dead skin cells, which will not tan.

· Shave/wax at least one hour before tanning. If you are able to shave a day ahead, even better.

· Remove makeup, perfume, lotion, etc. Skin should be completely dry before tanning.

· Don't use moisturizers, body oils, lotions and perfume for at least four hours before airbrush tanning.

· Wear loose-fitting clothing for at least 30 minutes before tanning so as to not constrict or crush skin.

Post-Tanning:

· Allow 5-30 minutes for the tanning solution to set before dressing.

· Wait at least 6 hours before showering.

· You should not exercise, swim, moisturize or any other activity in which your skin will become wet until you shower the first time.

· After waiting 6-8 hours for your tan to develop, shower and lightly exfoliate.

· Apply lotion on your skin at least once a day.