Friday, November 30, 2012

Skyy Hadley Helps Your Hands

Here are some tips and treatments from Skyy Hadley (owner ofAs “U” Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, NJ) for keeping your skin, and especially your hands, healthy! 
Gloves and mittens can sometimes tear at our nails. If your nail splits, cracks or tears on the edge, drop a small amount of nail glue on the nail where it is damaged and then lay a tiny piece of facial tissue over the nail glue. Let the nail glue dry and gently buff to smooth. The benefit of using tissue rather than fabric is that when the tissue dries over the glue, it will become clear. If you use a fabric, like silk, you will see the individual stitches in fabric.
If you can’t make it into the salon to be pampered, you can make your own moisturizing treatment for your hands and feet that will counteract the drying effects of the cooler temperatures:
1) Take one cup of regular oatmeal and ½ cup of regular milk and heat up over the stove.
2) Stir until cooked, add sugar to thicken the mixture, and then let cool a bit.
3) When the mix is thickened, apply to hands and feet. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. The oatmeal soothes dry, itchy skin, and the milk acts as an exfoliant to help get rid of dry and dead skin cells.
4) Finish off with pure shea butter as a moisturizer or a product that contains shea butter.
If you don’t have the time for an at-home creation, pick up a pre-made treatment, like Atopalm’s Moisturizing Hand Treatment ($18 at www.atopalm.com). This hydrating formula is designed to soften the hands while reducing visible signs of aging. Moisturizers and antioxidants work to diminish dryness and dullness, while other ingredients tackle telltale signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. With regular use, the hands will become softer, smoother, brighter, and more comfortable.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Votre-Vu helps you get ready for Bond

Watch this mini-movie for great makeup tips and a hot faux Bond.
Love a man in a tuxedo!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Get Kate Middleton's Hair

Still have to find your own prince, but...
 
Check out Kate Middleton’s gorgeous holiday styles with tips on how to get the look from Edward Tricomi, Co-owner of Warren-Tricomi Salons.
Kate’s Updo:
“This look is Elegant, charming and surprisingly easy to achieve.”
· Begin by parting your hair where it would naturally fall.
· This look is started with a very basic French braid at the back of the neck. Be sure to braid very loosely, this will keep the look modern and effortless.
· Once your braid reaches the top of your back begin to twist it into a bun. The bun should be more oval in shape as opposed to round and should sit right at the base of your neck. Secure with hair pins.
Products used:
“Kate has mirror-like shine which makes her color look extremely rich. I would recommend using a hair glaze to really bring out the shine and richness in color.”
Kate’s Half Up, Half Down Style:
“Lady Kate kills it with this, taking a look that is sophisticated yet surprisingly simple to create. The off-center pin curls are unexpected, innovative and original.”
· Start by setting your hair with a curling iron in large sections until your entire head is curled. This will give it a soft bounce.
· Divide your hair into two sections from ear to ear across the back of your head.
· Brush the top section straight back (this look is achieved with no parting)
· Take hair from your temple and pull it away from your face, twirling it into a pin curl and securing it with pins at the crown of your head, repeat with the remaining side.
Including products used
“Use a blow dry lotion to provide humidity resistance, frizz-control and protect the hair from heat styling.”

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Eau Thermale Avène invites you to take the Cleanance Clear Skin Challenge

The fight against acne in pursuit of clear, blemish-free skin can take you on a long, frustrating journey. The Eau Thermale Avène Cleanance Blemish Control Solution Kit for blemish-prone skin steers you in the right direction by helping to eliminate clogged pores, blackheads and blemishes—without irritation. And now the road to clearer skin could also lead you to Avène, France!
From October 2012 through February 2013, Eau Thermale Avène invites you to take the Cleanance Clear Skin Challenge. To participate, contestants are asked to post their “Before” photos to the Avène Facebook page, and then use the Cleanance Blemish Control Solution Kit, as directed, for six weeks. Contestants will then be prompted to share their “After” photo. The person whose photos show the most improvement using the Cleanance Skin Care Regimen after six weeks will win a five-day trip for 2 to Avène, France.
Avène, a quaint town located in the southwest of France, is the home of the Saint-Odile spring, the source of Thermal Spring Water. Originating as rain, the water filters through the Cévennes Mountains absorbing precious minerals and trace elements for 40 years until it reaches the mouth of the ancient Sainte-Odile spring. While in Avène you will have the opportunity to visit the renowned Avène Hydrotherapy Center, a state-of-the-art medical facility which treats skin conditions in adults and children and is recognized by the French Government for its therapeutic benefits. The Winner will be invited to experience Avène’s signature hydrotherapy treatments in addition to SensiCure specialized facial treatments.
To send you on your way to clear skin, the kit includes Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water, Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser, Cleanance Toner, and Cleanance K Cream-gel. At the core of every Avène skin care product is Avène Thermal Spring Water, the only thermal spring water bottled directly from the source and packaged in a sterile environment to guarantee purity and maximum benefits to soothe and soften skin. Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser removes impurities and excess oil without stripping the skin while maintaining the skin’s natural pH balance. Cleanance Toner, a paraben-free, oil-absorbing toner, helps to tighten and minimize the appearance of pores, leaving skin with a fresh, shine-free finish thanks to mattifying Silica powders. Both the cleanser and toner are formulated with patent-pending Glyceryl laurate, clinically proven to prevent blemishes by limiting sebum production. Rounding out the kit is Cleanance K Cream-gel. Formulated with AHAs Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid and BHA Salicylic Acid, the cream-gel deep cleans to help eliminate clogged pores, blackheads and blemishes and contains mattifying powders for instant shine control. Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seed oil) helps to regulate sebum production.
To help support your transformation, throughout the course of the contest Avène will send you weekly tips to support and guide you. Take the first step to clearer skin with Avène!
Here’s how you can enter:
· Purchase the Cleanance Blemish Control Solution Kit, found at participating retailers and online at Dermstore.com (To find retail locations visit www.aveneusa.com.)
· “Like” Eau Thermale Avène on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aveneusa
· Register for the Cleanance Clear Skin Challenge and upload your “Before” photo.
· Use the Cleanance product range for exactly six (6) weeks as directed. Best results will be achieved when accompanied with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
· After six weeks upload your “After” photo on the Avène Facebook page.
· A winner will be chosen by judges by comparing the “Before“ and “After” pictures of each contestant to determine which entrant had the best evolution of blemishes and lesions after six weeks.
Please visit www.facebook.com/aveneusa for complete rules and regulations.

Maintaining Your Hair Color on a Budget

There is no denying that fall is finally in full swing! For many of us, the change in weather and temperature isn’t the only thing that changes. From cuts to extensions to coloring, the hottest hair trends can change as often as the seasons do and it’s no secret that looking good doesn’t always come cheap...or can it?
Andrea Pomerantz Lustig, author of How to Look Expensive, gives us some great tips on getting that perfect hair color on a budget and how to keep your new fall do in tip-top shape all season long!
HOW TO GET EXPENSIVE-LOOKING HAIR COLOR FOR CHEAP
BE A HAIR SPY. Investigate women’s hair on the bus, in yoga class, or at the office. See a color you like? Ask who did it. Or walk into a chic salon you came across and check out the hair color on the employees. Ask who did it. It’s usually another employee. This can be a great way to discover up-and-coming colorists whose prices have yet to skyrocket. Chances are, they have apprenticed with the star colorist in their salon and will give you a great color at half the cost!
ASK YOUR STYLIST TO DO A FINER HIGHLIGHT AT THE ROOT, GETTING THICKER AND CHUNKIER DOWN THE LENGTH.This process will avoid a severe root line and making it okay to grow out a little without having to spend the extra cash on the constant up-keep.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR HAIR COLOR INVESTMENT
Once you’ve got your color where you want it, how do you keep it this way? Try these tips:
WAIT 48 HOURS AFTER FRESH COLOR BEFORE WASHING IT. Although there are no studies to prove this works, it’s something that many colorists have suggested, so it definitely can’t hurt. Give your color some time to settle into your roots and hair.
KEEP IT DIRTY. Not REALLY dirty, of course, but avoid washing it every day. The less often you wash, the less your color will fade. Use dry shampoo to sop up greasy roots between shampoos. A great low cost option would be the newAmika Perk-Up Dry Shampoo. It’s available at professional salons and folica.com for only $21 andleaves your hair looking clean, shiny, and beautiful!
USE HIGH TECH ANTI-COLOR FADERS. It’s not a marketing hype. Products designed to maintain the color in color-treated hair can help prevent fading, keep color true, and put back needed hydration.
INVEST IN A WATER FILTER FOR YOUR SHOWERHEAD. This filter will remove water minerals like chlorine from the water, which can fade or distort your color (turning it green or brassy). You can pick one up for only $20!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Black Friday Deals

SMASHBOX COSMETICS
Skip the long lines at department stores and still save with Smashbox’s Black Friday Friends & Family deal! Enjoy 20% off orders on Smashbox.com for purchases of $50 or more. To receive the discount, enter the code FRIENDS2012 when checking out. (Discount Dates: November 21st – November 26th)
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LUMENE
In honor of Black Friday, Walgreens is offering 40% off all Lumene products! All good things must come to an end, though. Be sure to head to your Walgreens (or Walgreens.com) by 11:59pm as promotion ends after November 23rd.
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Mally Monday

MallyBeauty.com is going to kick off “Pink Monday” (Monday, November 26th, 2012 starting at 12amEST) by offering 25% off all face products. If you are a Mally Beauty email subscriber, you will receive 25% off all site items. The Promo code for 25% off all face products is 25FACE. Please visit: www.mallybeauty.com/cyber-monday to redeem the 25% off site wide if you sign up for Mally Beauty emails.
And the sales don’t end there! On Tuesday, November 27th, 2012, the 25% off site wide sale will apply for any users that “Like” the Mally Beauty’s Facebook page! Not a fan? Join in on the deal byclicking here: www.mallybeauty.com/cyber-monday and to redeem the 25% off all site items.
On Wednesday, November 28th, 2012, the sale will be extended to Mally Beauty’s Twitter followers. All of Mally Beauty’s Twitter followers will receive 25% off all site items. Not following Mally Beauty on Twitter?Click here: www.mallybeauty.com/cyber-monday and to redeem the 25% off all site items.

Philip B.'s 4 Bad Hair Habits

Hollywood's preeminent hair treatment expert, Philip B. gives us his four most unthinkable BAD HAIR HABITS and his advice on how to break them. I know I am guilty of two (1 & 4--feast or famine)...:

1. Brushing wet hair - Your hair is weaker and more elastic when wet, so brushing it can lead to breakage and split ends. Make sure to follow this styling commandment: Comb hair when it's wet and brush when it's dry.

2. Overdrying - If you have color- or chemically-treated hair and flatiron it often, beware! Heat styling tools and chemical treatments burn precious moisture out of your hair. Unless you replace that moisture with frequent botanical oil treatments (2-4 times per week), eventually it will start breaking off. To keep hair healthy, turn down the heat as much as you can and treat your hair to frequent oil treatments. I love my Rejuvenating Oil for this, but plain olive oil can work in a pinch.

3. Not protecting bleached hair - While it was tempting to dive in the pool during the hot summer, I’m sure it left your bleached strands looking a lot like greenish straw. Bleach is drying and makes your hair more porous, and chlorinated water also strips moisture from your hair – plus, it contains metals that can seep into your hair and leave a greenish tint. Now that summer is officially over, treat your hair by soaking it in a vinegar-and-water bath to help eliminate some of the remaining chlorine molecules. After that, an oil treatment is key to restoring moisture and shine.

4. Neglecting to brush - A good brushing is an exfoliation treatment for your scalp. It stimulates cell turnover to make your hair stronger and healthier, drags the natural conditioning oils from your scalp to your ends to keep them shiny and moisturized and also buffs the hair cuticle to boost overall glossiness. But forget the old wives’ tale about brushing your hair 100 times each night – it's excessive and might be damaging. Instead, aim for 10-20 strokes, depending on the thickness of your hair. Tip: Use a pure boar bristle brush if you have fine, wispy hair; if your hair is normal to thick, look for a brush that contains a mix of natural boar's hair and nylon bristles. I use my own Philip B. brushes. You can also find good boar's hair brushes in fine department stores or salons.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Fight Hat Head with a Cool Tail

New York City, NY-- People think the ponytail is the summer savior, but anyone who skies or wears winter hats knows that while there are tricks to minimizing hat head, it can not always be prevented. So, embrace the winter hats and helmets, and then create a sleek ponytail to hide the damage with this step-by-step from Sam Villa, top Redken stylist.

Creating a Sleek Ponytail
· Begin by applying Redken fashion work 15 to create tact, control, and calm flyaways.
· Using a paddle brush, smooth out hair and brush a horseshoe section (from ear to ear) back and hold in place with hands at the back of the head (lower than center).
· Brush the remaining hair (from the nape to ears) up into hands, switching from one hand to another brushing both sides. Always brush to thumb to control position of ponytail, secure with a bungee or elastic.
· Wrap a small section from the ponytail around the bungee and secure with a grip.
· Backcomb tail to create natural texture.
· Finish with Redken fashion work 12 to lock in texture in the tail and to control frizz and flyaway’s in smoother area of ponytail.
· Layer smooth area with a small amount of Redken Glass for that ultra sleek finish.

Aspire for more with Sam Villa! 
Villa is the founding partner of the Sam Villa® brand, Education Artistic Director for Redken 5th Avenue and a Stylist Choice Award Winner for Favorite Platform Artist and Educator (2012, 2011 and 2007). Discover his coveted hot tips and techniques, along with Sam Villa Signature Series brushes, combs and thermal tools on www.samvilla.com ; Facebook: samvillahair; Twitter: samvilla.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Talika Lash Conditioning Cleanser

As a daily user of waterproof mascara, your average eye makeup remover doesn't cut it for me. I've been using a nice oil-based remover made for waterproof for years that at times, leaves some oily black leftovers under my eyes. Not the case with Talika. This stuff is a pretty great alternative that leaves ZERO leftovers. One pump does a whole eye and there's no need for a tissue to clean up the residue after. And because it's a gel, I don't need a ton so it'll last forever. 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Tarte~Lip Gloss





Sometimes all a girl needs is some lip tint to light up her face or brighten up her day! I am a huge fan of Tarte's natural, high quality products, their lip glosses included.
Tarte lip treats come in a buffet of flavors, varying from all sorts of natural hues to many in the more statement making shades. No matter what delicious tone you choose, you can rest assured that you will be adding an environmentally friendly, luxurious product, in adorable packaging to your cosmetic collection!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Miss Oops Jaks Black


Like a shirt extender, this handy crack (bum- crack) cover is great for those low rise jeans that are oh so trendy. Black, white or nude with a touch of lace detail, this looks like cami peaking out of the bottom of your top without giving you the added bulk of a cami on top. Now you can bend over without showing the world your business.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

EAU THERMALE AVENE and KLORANE WIN BIG

 
Great news for two of our beloved brands! Congratulations! & If you haven't tried anything from Avene or Klorane yet, get to it!
 
New York, NY -- Once again, Eau Thermale Avène and KLORANE have been honored by Allure, walking away as winners at this year’s Allure Best of Beauty Awards, the beauty industry’s most prestigious event recognizing the highest level of excellence in product performance and packaging innovation. Out of thousands of entries, Allure, the highly influential Condé Nast publication renowned for its beauty expertise, and an illustrious panel of industry experts selected 245 nominees as winners. In the category of Big Breakthrough, Avène won top honors for Antirougeurs FORT Relief Concentrate for Chronic Redness. In the category of best product for Sensitive Skin, awards went to Avène Skin Recovery Cream and Klorane Soothing make-up remover lotion with cornflower water in the easy-to-use pump bottle.
And the winners are:
BEST BEAUTY BREAKTHROUGH. Avène Antirougeurs FORT Relief Concentrate for Chronic Redness ($46, 1.01 fl. oz.)—exclusive to physicians—is an advanced spot treatment formulated with medical-grade, saponin-enriched Ruscus Extract that targets redness by acting directly on blood vessels. Clinically proven to provide anti-inflammatory benefits and help improve microcirculation, it reduces the appearance of small blood vessels and decreases facial flushes. Avène Thermal Spring Water enhances the hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic formula with soothing, skin-softening benefits. Also fragrance- and paraben-free.
BEST OF BEAUTY: SENSITIVE SKIN. Avène Skin Recovery Cream ($32.00 / 1.69 oz.) is a lightweight, 100% sterile moisturizer that helps to prevent and calm irritation with Parcerine®, an advanced, patent-pending ingredient that goes right to the source of skin intolerance, deactivating the skin’s inflammatory response. The groundbreaking, patented D.E.F.I. (Device for Exclusive Formula Integrity) air-tight safety cap keeps the fragrance-free, paraben-free formula 100% sterile from first pump to last drop. Avène Thermal Spring Water enhances the hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic formula with soothing, skin-softening benefits. Formulated with only 12 ingredients to reduce the risk of potential irritation, ensuring gentleness for sensitive skin.
BEST OF BEAUTY: SENSITIVE SKIN. KLORANE Soothing make-up remover lotion with cornflower water ($23, 13.4 oz.). This soothing, 3-in-1 make-up remover, cleanser and toner features refreshing cornflower water to easily remove impurities and make-up in a single stroke without irritating even the most sensitive skin and eyes. When it comes to sensitive skin, less is more. So KLORANE features just six ingredients to ensure a gentle touch for all skin types. And now KLORANE introduces this pure, no-rinse make-up remover in a convenient pump bottle—which dispenses a perfectly pre-measured application of product every time. Hypoallergenic, fragrance- and paraben-free.
All winning products are now eligible for the coveted Allure Best of Beauty seal, the beauty equivalent of the Gold Oscar, recognized by industry insiders and consumers alike as a sign of the product’s excellence. Read all about our winners in the October 2012 issue of Allure and on allure.com.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

d.j.v. beautenizer Fiberwig® LX: Brush-on Fiber Extensions

Japan's #1 mascara promises a thick fiber-rich formula that conditions, lengthens and separates lashes. And it does just that. The perfectly curled brush touches every lash, leaving them long and smudge-proof all day. Great for dramatic lashes and ladies who don't like waterproof but want the same results.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Sheswai Nail Lacquer

Formaldahyde-, DBP-, & Toluene-free nail polish.
Thin enough to go on smoothly, but substantial enough to give good coverage.
The wooden bottletop is awesome, and I have a new nail polish love.

Stoked-- A blue somewhere between Tiffany's and robin's egg. This may sound ridiculous, but I swear it makes my fingers look longer & thinner.

Fersure-- Red! A deep cherry, can get to bordeaux with a few more coats. Such a rich red, so elegant.