Tag Archive | "beauty"

Test Kitchen: A PLRG Intern takes on Skindinavia’s Bridal Makeup Finish

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Test Kitchen: A PLRG Intern takes on Skindinavia’s Bridal Makeup Finish


If there was ever a day to be picture perfect, your wedding day is it. After the vows are vowed, toasts toasted and dances danced you will only have the pictures to remember this special (incredibly expensive and painstakingly planned) day. Thanks to the people at Skindinavia, a New England-based cosmetics company, PoorLittleRichGirls like yourselves (emphasis on the poor) don’t need to spend cash on an all-day makeup artist to keep you and your bridal party looking fresh. Two to three sprays of Bridal Makeup Finish throughout the day promises to cut shine and keep make up in its place for 16 hours.

Fill a travel-sized spray bottle with the solution to keep handy during your special day or every day.

The spray guarantees it will keep brides looking “picture perfect all day.” It boasts a cooling technology which holds skin’s temperature to keep from makeup from melting. According to the company’s site, the spray is a favorite on the Project Runway set where the makeup artists use it to set the models’ faces.

Since I’m years away from the altar, I tested the finishing spray during a night out on the town. It was the perfect storm for testing makeup longevity: a drizzly April evening spent drinking and dancing at a live concert.  Normally I wouldn’t have high expectations for my looks on such an occasion.  Even in pictures from much tamer nights, my blush and eye makeup seem to mysteriously disappear after one vodka soda. But after reading online reviews of Bridal Makeup Spray, I was skeptically hopeful.

It was love at first spray. The nozzle nebulizes the solution into a fine mist which dries almost instantly on hitting the skin.  I was surprised by the spray’s smell, which I expected to be like toner or astringent.  Instead a light floral scent reached my powdered nose.  I needed about 5 sprays to cover my entire face (the bottle suggests 2-3).  The spray is so fine I doubted it would do anything so I applied it several times before leaving.

Pictures do say a thousand words and the next morning it took just one glance at my roommate’s digital camera to become a believer in Bridal Makeup Spray. My blush was intact after a dash through the rain and my concealer barely budged.

This product is a “must have” for all women, especially brides. Nobody puts on makeup in the morning hoping it will be gone by mid-afternoon; however most of us face that fate daily. One 4oz bottle can last a gal three months or cover a whole bridal party. At $29 per bottle brides can’t afford not to buy this face-saving spray.

Lauren Bonenberger: PLRG Intern Extraordinaire

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Quick Tips to Whiter Teeth on Your Wedding Day

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Quick Tips to Whiter Teeth on Your Wedding Day


Is your smile as bright as it could be for the big day?

Dress? Check. Veil? Check. Hair & Make-Up? Check? White Teeth? Quick someone hand me a mirror…check?

So, you thought you had already done everything you needed to do to beautify yourself for your wedding day. But, if you’ve been spending long nights over gallons of coffee planning your seating chart, or celebrating your engagement with friends and a bottle of red, we’re willing to bet your teeth are not going to be their pearliest for a “white” wedding.

Now, we know PLRGs aren’t just going to run out and drop hundreds of dollars on teeth whitening treatments for something your little bro can probably fix for you in Photoshop after the fact. So, we hit up cosmetic dentist, Thomas Connelly, for some time and money saving tips on how to get your smile camera ready for the big day…

In the Shower: Stop stains and tartar buildup when you wake up and decide to jump in the shower. Use over the counter whitening strips and whiten while you wake up in the shower

Apples are healthy for your body and your teeth!

At Snack Time: Snack on apples, pears, strawberries, celery, carrots and any raw veggie which happens to produce saliva. That will help remove bacteria and whiten your teeth. These healthy foods will help clean your teeth says Dr. Connelly.

After Lunch: Chewing whitening gum that contains calprox, which will remove stains, but any gum will work. Since gum stimulates saliva flow and will act as a natural detergent and remove some of the stains. Rinse with water if nothing else is available, which will remove some of the stains.

After Dinner: Swish water in your mouth for 30 seconds right after eating to help prevent stains from the food that you ate, says Dr. Connelly.

Day of the Wedding: When choosing a lipstick for the big day, choose ones with blue undertones, which will make teeth appear whiter. Rose, red, burgundy, and plum shades work well. Be careful when choosing a shade because a color with an orange undertone can make your teeth appear dull and yellow.

Remember tough, no matter what your teeth look like come the day of, smile anyway and smile a lot! This is your big moment, so enjoy every second of it!

(Lacey Brenly)

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Face Time: Budget Make-Up Looks from Backstage at William Rast

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Face Time: Budget Make-Up Looks from Backstage at William Rast


For all you budget beauty buffs, this just in! A beautiful, sexy, fresh look walked the runway at this season’s William Rast fashion show in New York fashion week and PLRG was there to get the scoop from Charlotte Willer, key makeup artist for Maybelline backstage, herself! The look accompanied a collection of American biker meets rocker chic casual wear in leather, denim, cotton knits, furs and fringe. William Rast, as you may know, started as a denim line by co-creators Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala.

The makeup was very clean with flawless skin, a strong brow and bold lash topped off with the perfect nude pout. Willer and the team at WR created the look inspired by both Bridgette Bardot and an idea of riding the open road. Walking down the runway it was so simple but so beautiful at the same time, and most importantly it was a look we can all do at home on a tight budget! All products used were Maybelline (and this is the truth! I witnessed it backstage!).

What you need:

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation, $8.79, Drugstore.com

Colossal Volum Express Mascara in Glam Black, $5.99, Drugstore.com

Define-a-brow eyebrow pencil, $5.49, Drugstore.com in your shade or something slightly lighter than your eyebrow hairs

Color Sensational Lip Color in Nearly There*, $7.49, Drugstore.com

Mineral Power line of loose blush, $7.49, powder, $8.29 and illuminator, $10.99, Drugstore.com

How to get the look:

1) Apply the liquid foundation to clean skin using your hands to massage in the product as if it were a moisturizer, this, according to Willer, will give you the most flawless and seamless look.

2) Layer at least 5 or more layers of the mascara for a false, stuck-together lash look (think a new take on the 60’s lash minus the loads of eyeliner).

3) Fill brows using short strokes of the pencil and blend using an angled brush.

4) Use your finger to dab on the perfect nude lip defusing the edges creating a natural, not over-lipsticked look.

5) Finish using Maybelline’s Mineral Power loose powders of your choice, the illuminator makes a fabulous cheek highlight when added to the top of your cheekbones and the blush is wonderful for a light flushed and glowey look!

Take a look at the full collection and more photos of the William Rast Maybelline look at Style.com.

*This color was created by Willer for Maybelline especially for the show!  It is the perfect nude shade for those of you frustrated by the hunt for a perfect nude!

JP is a New York City freelance makeup artist working on everything from film and fashion to live performance. She moved out to NYC as a women’s footwear buyer and quickly realized her passion would always be in the art of makeup and transforming people. She left her desk job to pursue her dream and has never looked back! Even through the “tough times” following her passion makes everyday a pleasure. To contact her for work in anything beauty, character or hair… or for a guest blog, please email: jp.makeupdesign@gmail.com


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You Want Me To Put What, Where?!?

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You Want Me To Put What, Where?!?


Surprising, and somewhat kooky, beauty products that work!

This week: Milk of Magnesia

You heard me. The topical solution may be great for curing upset tummies, but milk of magnesia (government name magnesium hydroxide) is actually one of the makeup industry’s best kept secrets for curing oily skin and keeping your makeup in place all day.

Nothing is worse than leaving the house with a perfectly primed face just to have your makeup go completely South by lunch time due to an unruly case of the oilies. Milk of magnesia also has disinfecting properties that kill bacteria, which is great for acne prone skin.

How to use it:

Shake the bottle well. Use something disposable like a cotton swab to lightly apply to skin; it is very potent and will completely dry out, harden and ruin your makeup brushes. Only apply the solution to where you need it and let it dry before applying your makeup.

Quick tips:

  • If you have sensitive or dry skin, this treatment is not for you
  • If your face looks chalky after it dries, then you have applied too much. Simply rub away with a warm cloth or clean hand
  • Always put this on your face along with foundation-never by itself. You don’t want that whole “Powder” effect happening.
  • A little goes a ways with this, so don’t use too much

Lenora E. Houseworth is a Chicago-area writer/editor, freelance makeup artist and self-professed beauty addict. ”I join PLRG as your all around beauty guide, here to solve any of your cosmetic needs. Look at me as your beauty genie: Whatever you want to know about makeup and beauty, feel free to ask me and I will do my best to find out for you. My obsession with all things makeup related goes back as far as I can remember and I believe anyone can and deserves to look beautiful on a budget. I can be found on Twitter @sisterbaby, www.sugarrimmedsweet.blogspot.com and by email at l_ houseworth@yahoo.com.

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Don’t Get Suckered by Bad Beauty “Deals”

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Don’t Get Suckered by Bad Beauty “Deals”


Frizzy hair, skinny lips, skimpy lashes, lumpy thighs - for every dilemma, there’s a product that’s claimed to solve it. But many don’t, and lots of us have been suckered into buying stuff that doesn’t work, which we all know PLRGs cannot afford to do.

And, poof, just like a fairy-godmother, the March 2010 issue of ShopSmart, from the publishers of Consumer Reports, appears and gives us the lowdown on bad beauty deals:

Lash Growers
Lash growers are regulated by the FDA as drugs. (Latisse is FDA approved, but ShopSmart doesn’t recommend it because of risks.) You’ll still see plenty of other “lash lengtheners” on the market though. Some have been issued warning letters by the FDA because they contain drugs.

ShopSmart says Stick with mascara. Lancôme Définicils, $24, was top-rated in their last test.

 

Hair Smoothers
Ads for Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT), a popular salon technique, claim that it leaves hair smooth and healthy-looking for months. But a main ingredient in BKT is formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen that is not banned by the FDA in hair straighteners.

ShopSmart says Try a straightening iron. They like Revlon Perfect Heat Ceramic RVST2001C, $30.

 

Lip Plumpers
The results for lip plumpers were unimpressive for increasing lip volume, though some, including products from Clinique and DuWop, temporarily smoothed lip lines a little.

ShopSmart says Try makeup tricks instead. Line your lips with pencil just outside your natural lip line, then dot highlighter just above the upper lip and just below the lower lip. If you want a more permanent pout, see a cosmetic surgeon for temporary injections.

 

Scar Eliminators
No product can completely eliminate a scar or stretch marks.

ShopSmart says See a dermatologist. Certain laser treatments can reduce redness and smooth skin so scars are less noticeable.

 

 

 

Bust Boosters
There are no ingredients that have been scientifically proven to enhance or firm the bust.

ShopSmart says Use a moisturizer or bust cream if your décolletage needs softening. Or try a push-up bra or bra inserts, aka “chicken cutlets.”

 

 

Under-Eye-Circle Erasers
Many products promise to erase under-eye circle, but they’re hard to treat due to enlarged veins and very thin skin under the eyes.

ShopSmart says Some eye creams with caffeine can offer temporary help for puffiness. If the problem is allergy-related, try antihistamines or topical hydrocortisone cream. You can also see your dermatologist for cosmetic surgery.

 

Double-Chin Slimmer
A $20 infomercial gadget called the Neckline Slimmer promises to eliminate a double chin with resistance exercise, but the device mainly exercises neck-flexor muscles that have nothing to do with a double chin.

ShopSmart says Try losing some weight or see a cosmetic surgeon. A scarf might also do the trick.

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Facial Advice & Budget Tips From an Expert

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Facial Advice & Budget Tips From an Expert


According to experts, our faces should be treated to a facial exfoliator twice a week and a routine facial every eight to ten weeks, but how do you get a radiant complexion especially if you’re on a budget?  Well ladies, Mario Tricoci esthetician (and self-proclaimed PLRG) Heather Landies has the answers!  I caught up with Heather this week to find out her advice…

Heather Landies is an experienced esthetician that has spent the past five years at Mario Tricoci at 900 N. Michigan Avenue.   She specializes in facials and waxing, specifically microdermabrasion, peels and non-surgical face lifts.  She has been the top-rated esthetician for the past two years.

To start off and get the most bang for your buck, Heather recommends that ladies look into spas that have lots of spa services and great amenities - showers, relaxation rooms, the works and take full advantage of them. Heather suggests booking one service, then extending your spa experience both before and after your appointment.  Arrive an hour before your facial to get settled in and spend around 30 minutes in the steam room.   Not only will you be relaxed and ready for your appointment, the steam helps open your pores, so you will get an even better treatment. After your facial, don’t be afraid to help yourself to the complimentary refreshments.   Make a cup of hot tea, take a shower and curl up in the relaxation room with a book for an hour. We’re busy women, and the bottom line is that sometimes we just have to schedule time to relax.

If you can’t afford a routine facial, Heather says the next best thing is to get mini-facials every other appointment.  This will help you maintain a healthy skin regimen, which is the key ingredient in skin care.  It’s important to talk to your technician honestly about the products you use and how you care for your skin.  Going in for a facial or mini-facial every couple months will help you and your technician develop the appropriate regimen for you.   For the healthiest skin on the tightest budget, Heather suggests a facial four times a year at the end of each season.  One thing not to skimp on are products.  Give your technician a price point for products and services based on your budget, and he or she can help you figure out what is best for you and how often you really need to schedule appointments.

Heather’s tricks and tips for the best skin care on a budget:
• Make an appointment at the Aveda Institute. If you can handle a little commotion and the occasional hands-on interruption from instructors, this is a great way to keep your skin looking healthy for a really great price - just $40 for a facial.
• Take advantage of Spa Week Chicago, which typically happens twice a year in April and September. Chicago spas offer full-length services at discounted rates. Make sure to book way in advance because spaces fill up quickly.

Start off the New Year right and treat yourself to some pampering while getting your face in shape! To schedule an appointment with Heather, call 1-800-Tricoci.

(Jenna Daugherty)

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Detoxification: So Hot Right Now

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Detoxification: So Hot Right Now


Detoxify.  Cleanse.  Purify.  Restore.

These trendy words are all over the fitness and wellness industry, and never more so than when people are primed to get their New Year’s resolutions in order in less than a week.

So what on Earth do they all mean?  Why are some of the products ridiculously expensive?  And why should you want to “detox” anyway?  How can a girl on a budget who of course craves the clear skin, radiant eyes, and flat abs cleansing promises do it cheaply but safely?

I’m here to help.  Let me preface by saying that you should ALWAYS be in good health confirmed by a medical doctor before beginning any sort of cleanse.  This is especially important if you have any pre-existing conditions or if you are on any medications as some natural herbs in cleansing products can interact with medical drugs.  So get checked first!

Now, as the holiday drinks and cookies begin to pile on, a New Year’s cleanse can sound very appealing.  Think long and hard about how far you want to go.  You always want to set a goal that is reasonable for you, your occupation, and your prior experience with detoxifying routines.  Any goal, even if its just to give up your beloved diet soda (yes, personal experience with that one… sigh…) or if it’s to go whole-hog vegan (pardon the irony), is a great goal.  Do it for you and no one else.

For the budget diva, at-home kits versus spa treatments are the way to go (but be on the look for New Year’s specials in the Red Eye and such… spas have really suffered in the recession and prices are LOW!). Peruse your local Whole Foods (or try Life Spring on Clark & Belmont, a great family-owned place with good prices) and compare prices and ingredients if you are looking to do an actual cleanse.  Many of these kits are glorified laxatives, so be aware of that, and many have the same exact ingredients but range in price.  You could be better off just filling your fridge with fresh produce, Kombucha, and buying some organic teas on your own.  Another but pricier option could be enlisting the help of a place like Karyn’s Inner Beauty Center in Lincoln Park, a sort of go-between where you do thing on your own but with support.

I’m a true believer of Yoga as a great detoxifier.  Its twisting & compressing poses give all of your systems a good squeeze to keep things moving, literally.  This is ESPECIALLY important for your lymphatic (read: immune) system which has no pump and relies on body movement to keep things going & draining.  I’m running my 2nd annual Detoxification Yoga series at Infuse Yoga Spa this year beginning Sunday, January 3rd, from 10am -12 noon for 6 weeks.  Last year an amazing group of women signed up and this year the series is already almost full with returning clients and customers who heard of the amazing comraderie and results.  Think of it like Detox for Dummies… each week is a themed topic (i.e. Nutrition) and a complimenting Yoga practice with discussion, fruit, teas and handouts after.

Whatever way you go, cleaning your system by treating your body right is always a great thing to do after the holidays.  Your skin, eyes, energy levels, and mood will thank you for it.

Now that’s hot.

Yours in Fitness,

Christy

christylyonsyoga@gmail.com
www.christylyonsyoga.com

As the new Get Hot columnist, let me tell you that I firsthand understand how expensive keeping fit, kicking butt, and getting zen with Yoga or Pilates can be. I’ve been teaching Yoga for over 2 years now at big-name gyms, corporate private classes, and at Yoga studios…and you’re right, it’s expensive (and no, teachers don’t see that cash)! My love affair with fitness combined with my lifestyle as a PoorLittleRichGirl have led me here and I hope that my column can help you have the best of both worlds.

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Be a Two-Timing Beauty

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Be a Two-Timing Beauty


In the world of dating, two timing is usually viewed as completely and utterly unacceptable. Lucky for us girls, however, the opposite is true in the world of beauty and cosmetics.  Nothing beats the sheer delight of discovering that your favorite beauty product possesses other secret powers that you can call upon in a pinch. And let’s face it, in these economic times, we all have to put in a little extra over time and our beauty products should not be exempt. Here is a list of inexpensive beauty products that can serve more than one purpose, saving you time and much-needed money.

Covergirl Wetslicks Amazemint Lipgloss ($6.50, Walgreens)
Not sure what took so long, but the marriage between a breath freshener and lip gloss is a natural fit that equals perfection-not to mention convenience. The latest evolution in lip products, Covergirl Wetslicks Amazemint, infuses peppermint oil into your favorite lip color leaving your pout alluring and your breath minty fresh. The 2-in-1 product comes in 13 shades and is a definite date night must that should carried with you at all times.

The Original Moroccan Oil ($40, www.moroccanoil.com)
Everyone is raving about the benefits of Moroccan oil and it is completely understandable. The contents in this little bottle do it all: hair restorator, frizz and flyaway tamer, skin moisture, and cuticle softener. A little goes a long way with the lightweight oil, which can also be used pre-color treatment for a more intense color pay off.  It is made from the kernels of argan tree fruit, which is almost exclusively in Morocco, hence the name.

Oral B Vitality Precision Clean Electric Toothbrush ($22.99, CVS/Pharmacy)
Alright, maybe not the most exciting or most obvious pick at first glance (though some would argue fresh breath and clean teeth are the ultimate beauty accessory), but this tool in oral health also doubles as a spa treatment for your face.  When used with your favorite exfoliating cleanser, the soft-bristled toothbrush gently buffs out your skin and encourages skin cell turnover, which in turn reveals bright, beautiful skin. You can also use this with a hydrating lip balm to exfoliate your lips before your favorite lipstick for a smooth application.  Quick caveat: Purchase two separate toothbrush heads, one for your face and one your teeth.

Pur Mineral’s 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup ($24.50, www.purminerals.com)
Dubbed the “The One Minute Mineral Makeup Miracle,” the title alone sells it.  Few ladies would argue with a product that is an all natural mineral foundation, concealer, powder and SPF 15 protection all in one that leaves your complexion flawless. Available in 10 varied shades and rated by dermatologists as the number one mineral makeup formula, this delivers on everything it promises. Think of all the time and space you will save having this in your arsenal.

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara ($4.99, Target)
A kin to the beloved industry favorite Maybelline Great Lash in black, this clear version can be used as a conditioning mascara and an excellent eyebrow shaper.  What is great about this product is you won’t have to worry about the messy smudging, clumping and smearing that can be quite annoying with traditional mascara. Bonus tip: Spray an old wand with hairspray and use on your eyebrows for an added hold that lasts all day or on your hair to tame flyaways.

(Written by Lenora E. Houseworth, a Chicago-area writer and editor and a self-professed beauty addict.)

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Booty Parlor LoveKit Giveaway

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Booty Parlor LoveKit Giveaway



With the weather getting colder every minute, make your bedroom hot and pamper yourself or your partner with a LoveKit, exclusively from Booty Parlor! PLRG is giving away one LoveKit filled to the brim with items that will make you feel sexy, flirty and hot! It’s also a great gift idea, but we guarantee once you get the LoveKit home you’ll have a hard time parting with it.

The LoveKit will include:
~Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer - A gorgeous fine shimmer that looks like crushed diamonds that will make you look, smell and taste delicious!
~Kissaholic Kissing Kit in Shiver - An aphrodisiac plumping lip gloss with a high-shine that isn’t tacky and softens the lips and also breath mist that delivers a rush of fresh cinnamon and spearmint flavor.
~Flirty Little Secret Luminizing Body Butter with Pheromones - You can turn up the heat in and out of the bedroom with Booty Parlor’s pheromone-infused formula that’s designed to ignite the wearer’s inner-temptress! With an emollient rich formula, Flirty Little Secret Body Butter is luxuriously creamy to the touch and features age-defying antioxidants.
~Good Girl Bad Girl Blindfold - An elegant and luxurious silk blindfold that when used, can heighten the senses of touch, taste and scent. With Good Girl embroidered on the pink side and Bad Girl embroidered on the black side, you can celebrate either of your moods.
~Melt Chocolate Body Fondue - A delicious chocolate fondue made especially for the body, which can be used at room temperature or heated for a sensational warmed up experience. It comes with a sexy little paintbrush, which can be used to create edible art!
~Turn Me On Vibrating Panties - One of Booty Parlor’s most popular products, vibrating panties are a frisky piece of lingerie to play with featuring a 10-function bullet discreetly tucked away inside a luxurious and sexy black lace panty with pink satin ribbon ties. Your playmate can hold the wireless remote, (which works up to 15 feet away), while you get to lose control!
~Liptrick - The most discreet designer toy available, Booty Parlor’s Liptrick features a soft silicone tip with a surprisingly fierce buzz and two settings: Off and Oh my gosh!
~Feather Boa - A flirtatious and fun feather accessory in pink will make any girl’s day!

If your interest is piqued learn more about Booty Parlor and their fabulous parties featuring Mojo Makeovers conducted by Booty Parlor’s Sexy Lifestyle Advisors, (the ultimate Girls’ Night In) and business opportunities. Don’t wait join the Sexy Revolution today!

Booty Parlor is the Sexy Lifestyle Authority - the ultimate destination for seductive beauty products, romantic treats, lingerie, bedroom accessories and luxury toys. Booty Parlor’s products are designed to boost a woman’s sexy self-confidence and inspire her to create sexier experiences in the bedroom and beyond. Every woman deserves to feel sexy, desirable and satisfied.

Don’t miss this opportunity to turn up the heat in your love life, sign up to win now! Email giveaway@poorlitterichgirls.com with the subject “LoveKit” and be sure to include your mailing address for shipping purposes.

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The Beauty Maven: Gift Guide 2009

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The Beauty Maven: Gift Guide 2009


The Beauty Maven is no stranger to the spa, is the first in line to sample the newest beauty product, and loves to break a sweat at spinning class. She is the one to go to when you want a sultry makeover for your night out on the town or you when you need someone to tag along with you to the gym to keep you on the Elliptical for that extra 10 minutes! The Beauty Maven always keeps herself perfect inside and out, but she also does the same for you. The gifts below will show any Beauty Maven they are truly appreciated!

Get in the Holiday spirit with some Glitter Lashes from Sephora and at only $5 it’s a great stocking stuffer that will add the perfect shimmer for a holiday party, New Year’s Eve, or any special event. The brush tipped pen allows you to add some glitz to your lids, eye liner, or lashes.

Every beauty needs their beauty rest and now you can drift away while paying tribute to Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s! This stylish mask is a dead ringer for the mask worn in the movie and don’t we all want to look like a movie star while sleeping? ($14)

Winter is right around the  corner and pretty soon our toes will be begging for a pedicure. Why not offer them some relief with aloe infused socks? These socks offer spa like releif to tired feet and they come in a pack of 3 so you could easily break up the pack and give one to each one of your pals in the office. ($14.99)

This is a perfect gift for the gym fanatic in your life, because plastic is out and stainless steel is in! L.L. Bean is offering stainless steel water bottles in a variety of colors and sizes, and the engraving fee is only $6. You’ll never lose you water bottle again, and if you do the gym will know who to return it to. (27 oz bottle $18.95, without engraving)

E-boost is a perfect compliment for the water bottle above, ideal for stockings, or just great all by itself. E-boost is great help you get energy, keep up your immunity, recover from a hard workout, or maintain your focus. It is chopped full of vitamins and minerals and even comes in a new delicious flavor of pink lemonade. Just pour the packet, fill your water bottle with water, and you are ready to boost! ($14.99 for a tube of 10 tablets or 20 pack for $28.00)

This gift is an ideal mix for the beauty and fitness friend in your life. A gift certificate to Flirty Girl Fitness can include workout classes (which are anything but typical), manicure, massage, and many other spa treatments. Services and classes start at $20, but this gift is totally customizable based on price and services.

Give the gift of relaxation with this chic lavender eye pillow. Great to use in the bathtub, as an accent pillow, or while receiving an at home massage. It won’t break the bank either, because it’s from one of our favorite stores Target for $20.99

Add a touch of fun to your ear-buds and toss those plain white ones in the trash! Compliments are sure to follow when you put these cute Paul Frank ear-buds in your ears. If pink isn’t the color of your choice there is also a blue & white choice or black & white with skulls. ($21.95)

Indulge in rich, luscious, chocolate cupcakes without adding a single inch to your waistline! Dylan’s famous Candy Bar has branched out with a full line of bath and body products. So treat your loved ones to the Ice Cream Dream Gift set in Chocolate Cupcake flavor. It includes: 12oz. sugar scrub and 8oz butter cream for only $35. But make sure to exfoliate your skin and not your taste buds!

Everyone wants the perfect eyebrows and now the famed eyebrow guru Anastasia has made it easy to obtain Holloywood eyebrows anywhere with her brow express palette. The set is available in 2 color options, blonde and brunette and contains the following: 5 brow stencils for shaping, 2 brow powders for blending, 1 angled brush for application, cream highlighter to accentuate the eyes, and wax cream to ensure a perfect shape all day. ($38.00)

Tarte truly hit the nail on the head by naming this product the Treasue Chest, because to any Beauty maven this is a treasure chest beyond their wildest dreams! The chest includes 16 shimmering eyeshadows, 16 matte eyeshadows, 16 lipglosses, mineral powder bronzer in park ave princess, soft pink luminizer, and 4 powder blushes. As if that wasn’t enough it is also contained in an elegant jewel encrusted kit complete with a mirror. The price is only $52.00, which is a huge steal considering one eye palette alone could cost $40.00 if not more.

Splurges

Just in time for the holiday season Reebok is releasing their Tinsel EasyTone shoes. Now while, the gold and silver tones are reason enough to purchase them on the spot, read on because these aren’t your average gym shoe. Reebok’s EasyTone shoes help tone key leg & butt muscles by using advanced balance pods built into the shoe, therefore it is possible to generate 28% more butt muscle activation compared to an average sneaker. It also makes your hamstrings and calves work 11% harder. So if you can get a work out just walking around shopping in these imagine what will happen if you actually hit the gym! We’re sold! ($125.00)

Have you tried every single mascara out there hoping to get long, luxurious lashes, because we sure have! Well now there is another option out there and while it’s a little on pricey side it’s well worth it if you are dying for gorgeous, show stopping lashes. NeuLash claims that if you apply their serum to your eyelashes once a day you will achieve thicker and healthier lashes in 4 weeks. NeuLash is ophthalmologist and dermatologist safety tested, and has been proven to be safe to eyes without any adverse side effects. This truly is a miracle of the holiday season!-($150.00)

(Marin Heller)

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Hot This Month: July, 2010

Give back while throwing down with the Stimulus Social Club's July 7 event at Stanley's Kitchen & Tap in the West Loop. A $10 donation gets you your first drink and apps, plus all the proceeds will go to House of the Good Shepherd.
July 13 is National French Fry day, but soggy fries in a red paper carton aren't on the menu for you, PLRG! Stop by deca BAR at The Ritz-Carlton, spring for a cocktail and you'll score complimentary hand-cut french fries. Choose from truffle/duck fat fries with smoked sea salt or regular fries with lemon salt, fresh oregano and grated parmesan reggiano.
If you're celebrating Bastille Day, July 14, what better way to pay homage to our French friends than with gourmet food and wine? In Fine Spirits is serving up a four-course garden dinner and wine pairing, prepared by Chef Marianne Sundquist, for just $50. Make sure to call and RSVP by July 10.
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