Beauty Buzz

Dr. Brandt Brings Laser to Your Home!

Dr. Brandt is a well-known name in clinically based skincare. His treatments.  are cuttng edge and have serious ingredients as well as great technology.  Two recent products that have launched that are flying off the shelves are unique products that could find a place in your regimen--depending on your skin type.  His  Laser in a Bottle  products mimic the effects of laser treatments thanks to his unique Qu Some technology. This technology makes the ingredients penetrate better because they are smaller thanks to nano technology and better able to reach the operative levels of the skin--down deep in the underlying tissue.

  Laser Relief  was created to help those with Rosacea-- a skin condition that typically leaves people (men and women) with bright red cheeks and nose and can worsen over time. The condition best responds to laser treatment but takes time and is quite costly. Thanks to this Laser Relief product, you can get similar results from the QuSome technology that will take potent ingredients down deep into the skin and help calm the angry skin down with anti-inflammatory ingredients and cooling agents to soothe and cool.  Add in the key ingredients of green and white tea (a Dr. Brandt signature cocktail)  to fight free radical damage and mix in grapeseed extract to protect collagen and firm skin, and you have a great little product that will make a visible difference in  your skin.

It comes in a pump action bottle so that the product is sealed and can't be contaminated. 1.7 oz bottle retails for $85.00 .

Ingredients
water, PEG-12 glyceryl distearate, cetyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate, cyclomethicone,
camellia oleifera (green tea) leaf extract, camellia sinenis (white tea) leaf extract,
vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract, ranuncuius ficaria (pilewort) extract, sodium hyaluronate,
glycerin, menthone glycerin acetal, PEG-100 stearate, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, titanium dioxide, triethanoiamine, benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, methylparaben, propylparaben

Laser Tight  is a hot product for those who want to tighten and firm skin. The QuSome technology delivers a protein from sweet pea that tones and firms skin-giving it a lift and plumping effect. Include Dr. Brandt's green and white tea along with grapeseed extract and you have a great  potion that will treat your skin seriously! This is particularly good around the lower eyes and the cheeks. It perks your skin up.  The 1.7 oz bottle pumps up the product and all you need is a couple of squirts for your entire face. It's sealed for a contamination-free delivery system.  I think this one is a winner!
Retail is $110.00

Ingredients
water, cetearyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate, PEG-12 glyceryl distearate, pisum sativum (sweet pea) extract, camellia oleifera (green tea) leaf extract, vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract, camellia sinenis (white tea) leaf extract, lavandula latifolia (lavender) oil, cyanocobalamin, ceramide-2, glycerin,
menthone glycerine acetal, hyaluronic acid, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate,butylene glycol, xanthan gum, titanium dioxide, cyclopentasiloxane, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone corsspolymer,triethanolamine, benzyl alchol, dehydroacetic acid, methylparaben, propylparaben

Find  Dr. Brandt skincare at www.drbrandtskincare.com, Nordstrom stores, Sephora, Dermadoctor.com, amazon.com, Nordstrom.com, Sephora.com

check it out and let me know what you think! I would be interested in your feedback

See you at the beauty counter!

Stevie

Peeling It Off-- a Little At A Time

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Hi! It's Stevie from Fashiontribes.com and you hopefully just listened to the podcast. If not, give a listen (and maybe a shout)  to the podcast du jour.

Facials can be pricey and time consuming--even when you do them at home. The key to most facials is the exfoliation which is to remove the top layer of skin which typically is dry, dead skin that holds all the dirt and debris and is what makes your complexion look tired, blah and can cause breakouts.  Exfoliation  done at an esthetician's office or by a derm can be done with 1) microdermabrasion; 2) laser or 3) a peel-- chemical in nature either with a genuine chemical or with natural ingredients that  will cause a chemical reaction to exfoliate the skin. However you slice it, you tend to walk out pink (or red) around the edges in your efforts to get cleaner, clearer, fresher looking skin. Home based facials  using microdermabrasion or peels need to be done carefully to actually get the product to exfoliate (some are so mild that they don't do much) yet not turn you bright pink! Typically it's a time-consuming process and one that we have all endured--especially me.

Instead of shelling out at least $50 for a single facial, spend that dinero on a product that can give you several facials and  in the effort of being efficient, this facial can be done while you are in the shower and takes approximately 15 minutes from start to finish --which is about the length of time for a shower!

InstantPeel  is a  gift for the multi-tasker (and that is totally me!) Take a single packet of the InstantPeel into the shower with you. Wet your face as you shower down and wait about 5 minutes for the steam from the shower softens skin and opens pores. Try doing your shampoo  during this time with a good scalp massage and rinse your hair well (heck might as well do a great job).

Carefully rip open the corner of this packet and pour a very small amount into the palm of your hands or fingertips. Use less-- not more-- since you only have 10 fingers. This is a liquid based peel so you have to be careful so you don't spill it. It's not going to hurt you or your shower but it's all about economy here. ( I lost my first packet because I screwed this part up royally). Apply this liquid to one section of your face: chin, forehead, nose, cheeks, jawline, or neck,  and then start massaging this brisking into the skin. It feels good just to be massaging the skin  firmly.  You will start to feel the  ribbons of skin peel off. It's sort of like rubbing adhesive left on the skin from tape, but it's your dead, dry icky skin.  It comes of easily like rubbing an eraser on paper--so don't press so hard that you bruise yourself.  You are left with distinctly clearer, fresher skin that feels and looks better.

If you didn't get this reaction, you left something out -- like waiting that five minutes for your skin to soften up. (i did that the first time too and used up another packet in the process).  Before using this packet, make sure you read the directions in the box. It's key to getting this facial to work properly.

One packet can last approximately 1-2 facials.. depending on your skin type and if you are doing the entire face or just a section. I do a section a day and thus don't waste a lot of time. While I work on my skin, I have conditioner on my hair (multi-tasking at work) allowing it to soak in.  I pour out a tiny bit onto fingertips and apply and then come back for more if I need it. For larger areas of the face you will need it--like forehead or cheeks. For chin and nose, maybe not so much.

It's highly portable and perfect for traveling-- just take 2 packets with you and  you are set. It doesn't require down time and it doesn't leave you all pink except that you have improved blood flow to the area(s) you have rubbed--and that's a good thing. (it means it's cleaning out your skin and delivering more oxygen to the skin). It's a cool little product and you will see a more refined skintone when you emerge all clean (and shiny) from your shower.

Guys love this product because it's guy-friendly and super easy to use. This is a product they understand.  You will love it because it beats the heck out of trying products that don't really  work as well as you would like or ones that are too harsh for your sensitive skin.

After you finish up the facial, remember to rinse thoroughly and make sure you remove all residue. Try washing your face which will take care of that problem. Earthen Products (the mfg) recommends using a moisturizer after using an InstantPeel and it makes sense to use your treatment afterward since it's hitting fresh new skin.

You can try the Earthen  Peptide Infusion for seriously good anti-aging skincare though it's geared for normal to combo skin.

If you want a synergistic  moisturizer,  Earthen's Instant Cellu-Moist  is chock full of hydration and great natural ingredients to nourish the skin--for any skintype. 

While these products seem pricey in comparison to the InstantPeel , they really are  intensive skincare products that are extremely economical because a little goes a very long way.

Visit InstantPeel.com for information or to purchase products or call 888.733.5669 or email InPeel@aol.com

So start "peeling" !

See you at the beauty counter!

Stevie from fashiontribes.com

Getting It Straight with EASY STRAIGHT!

Is your dream to have "Aniston"-like straight hair? Do you havef the frizz, the waves, the curls, the bends in your hair? Are you building biceps and delts with the time you spend with the blow-dryer and flat iron?  Ready to ditch that flat iron and kiss those curls goodbye?
You can thanks to  EasyStraight, an over the counter, NON SALON treatment that you can do at home  in 3 easy steps in  about an hour to straighten and relax curls and waves to get hair straight  that lasts  for about 3 months.

This unique process doesn't require heat appliances that could damage hair. The formula allows you to tailor the treatment to your hair type and straightening needs whether you have coarse curly hair or  fine highlighted hair.  It's a non-drying, non-damaging mixture that is a careful balance of conditioning and straightening ingredients  that creates a consistent result in terms of texture and preserves the health of the hair-- and in some cases will improve the condition of the hair by leaving it silky, shiny and well-hydrated. With healthy hair, you can reduce your drying and styling time which is so crucial when trying to run out the door.

You can forget about worrying about humidity, rain or any situation where hair might get frizzy. With EasyStraight, your hair is straight and silky all day.  Styling expert Haime Munoz created this product from his experience as a celebrity stylist  and working on  television production sets.  He uses it in his salon and has made it easily available for you to use at home. While not recommended for all hair types,  it is easily used on most hair types

The EasyStraight System includes Step 1: conditioning oil; Step 2: straightening cream; Step 3: straightening sealant  plus a leave in conditioner and all the tools and equipment you would need to do the process.  The kit retails for about $30.00 which is a steal!

Other products that Haime Munoz recommends for perfectly treated hair includes shampoo, conditioner and gloss.

Perfect Balance Shampoo is the specially designed shampoo from Munoz for  gently cleanses and nourishes treated hair with  ingredients  like panthenol and chlorophyll  that will soften hair (reducing breakage) and help maintain healthy shiny hair that is consistently even textured.

Optimal Strength Conditioner  is the professionaly  formulated product from Haime Munoz that fortifies hair  with an intensive strengthening complex with natural ingredients to  enhance moisture retention, smooth cuticle roughness and   improve elasticity for smooth, flexible, supple, shiny straight hair.  Including vitamins, omega oils and keratin protein, the conditioner improves the structure of the hair and the glycerin restores moisture for a high shine result.  It protects hair exposed to heat styling the chemical processing as well as daily styling stress.  Humidity blockers prevent frizz yet won't weigh down hair!

Finish off your hair with  Smooth Finish gloss a professionally designed product for straightened hair. This cool product will detangle, smooth and provide the optimum texture for glossy shiny hair. It improves manageability and movement  while proteciting hair from heat styling and UV damage.
Protect hair from heat styling and UV damage. With organic oils, humectants and moisturizers, Smooth Finish restores elasticity and helps smooth the cuticle of the hair to enhance shine. It also detangles the hair to make it easier to brush or comb while eliminating frizz!

Each of the hair products retails for $7.99 and can be found exclusively online at walgreens.com or easystraight.com as well as in brick and mortar stores like Sav-on, Osco, Rite-Aid, Brookes, Duane Reade, Target, Ulta and lots of other fine merchandisers.

Ok... now you do know that I didn't use this product on me, right? I have seen it used on someone and their hair looked great!. This is a 3 month commitment to straight hair which makes it ideal for summer or anytime!  Just realize that your hair will grow out as it naturally was prior to treatment. If you don't want to make that long a commitment or don't want to do the upkeep, this isn't for you. However, there are tons of people out there who use flat-irons who would be better served with this sort of product used once every three months rather than daily use of a flat iron.

Me??? I am happy with my curls. I wouldn't be me without them.

See you at the beauty counter!

Stevie

Hitting the Sweet Spot!

As women, we all have times when you need a product to do more intimate cleansing. Maybe  you are dry or you have had a round of vaginal infections that have left you with a decidedly medicinal odor and you want  something more feminine.. more YOU.

Sweet Spot is the ideal product line for those needs --and trust me we all have those needs about once a month.. sometimes more, maybe less, but we still could use some "intimate products"

Sweet Spot Labs have created and tested both in the lab and on women this unique product line that will help maintain the proper moisture and pH balance.  It's all based on the specific needs of a woman's anatomy and it's easy to see why this line is getting so darn popular.

Made with essential oils, the products have blended scents that are slightly floral with a bit of citrus and woodsy fragrance along with ingredients that will gently cleanse and moisturize.  Each scent is specifically created to be "fresh" without  being overwhelming, irritating or soapy. More than any sort of label, the scents are more of the foodie type scents that work well to be fresh, clean and natural as well as anti-bacterial, calming and soothing.

Spot Fresh is a gentle wash that will cleanse, sooth and refresh and condition the skin and hair. It's "girl-friendly" essences will enhance --but not overwhelm or irritate -- you.  The plant derived cleansing ingredients are so mild that they are typically included in toothpaste--but Sweet Spot products aren't  for your mouth.. just your Sweet Spot! The vegetable-based glycerin acts to moisturize and not irritate.

Balancing Mist works with the other products and will help freshen and moisturize your intimate area. It will balance the pH, moisturize and nourish skin, condition hair and keep you feeling cool and fresh all day with a single spray.  It contains vitamins, botanicals, pH balancers and essential oils.

On the Go Wipettes  are just what the name implies: not so small wipes packaged in tiny packages that will keep you fresh and clean while you are on the go or traveling.  These larger sized wipes are very soft and can be used as often as you need with their gentle cleansers and scents. Alcohol free and containing only nourishing ingredients  like aloe vera that won't irritiate, these will soothe and freshen you --without smelling like baby wipes! the scents blend with the other products or you can choose the unscented version as well. These are totally fun and for holiday there will be mini packs of wipes available so that you can give them to your girlfriends too or use them as party favors for wedding and/or baby showers.

Spot Delight  is a sort of  Eau de Spot is a natural scent freshener for your personal use --anywhere. These are single use, infused pads that have lastng essential oil scents that work with your natural scent--not against it or masking it.  Alcohol free, gentle and pH balance, one dot will make you feel fresh fast! It comes in a compact that fits into purses and travels easily.

Sweet Spot Lab products come in unscented, citrus galbanum, geranium lavendar, and basil grapefruit. The Spot Delight only is available in citrus galbanum and geranium lavendar.  Sweet, herbal scents that are delicate and not overwhelming and won't conflict with any fragrance.

Buy a few of these items for a wedding or baby shower. The recepient will be happy to get them! Purchase them at SweetSpotLabs.com or check their store locator for a  store near you.  Definitely worth trying--after all you are worth it! And someone else might really like it too.

See you at the beauty counter!

Stevie

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3CCS Hits the Beauty Target

3  Custom Color Specialists (or 3CCS  as they are known) are amazing makeup artists who have created a line of cosmetics that work for all skintones and colors--you simply have to know if you are warm or cool toned (there's a quiz on the site) and you will find it easy to select colors for day or night. The point of 3CCS is that the line is based on  creating a warm and cool version of every color in the spectrum and add colors when necessary. With over 140 shades, you can find the perfect color for you regardless of whether it's lip, eye or face color.

The face products include cream concealer from the lightest to darkest shades that can double as foundation. Loose and pressed powders are also available. What's great about this line is that you can buy small refillable trio palettes  ( complete with mirror)  to drop your favorite three essential shades and always have the perfect colors on hand.  If you are really into custom blending, there's a pro palette with small pots of shades for you to create the perfect face match.

The 3CCS Bronzers rock!  These bronzers come in warm and cool tones and will give your skin that perfect sunkissed tone (and right now honey, you need that sunkissed look.)

Cream to Powder blushes are housed in an easy to use package that swings out the pot of color and it glides on effortlessly.  Why bother with powder when you can get the ease of cream application with a powder finish? I am always trying different colors with them because I change it up from plum to rose and even a tweak of beige to give just the slightest hint of color.

3CCS shadows are a wet to dry shadow that have a silky texture and blend easily.  I have gone through my share of 3CCS shadows and love  the variety because I can layer colors within a narrow spectrum that are only a tone or so apart.  Choosing colors is the hardest part and there are great colors. If you are seeking seasonal colors for Fall 2005, check out the aubergine shades --either cool or warm along with a warm white (to create a nice counter to any undereye circles). The range of shades includes the metals of silver, gold, copper, bronze and opal so have a blast creating a couple of trios of your fave colors. Make one for day and one for night and include a liner shade to smudge into lashes ( cool midnight or warm smoke are great choices). Shown below is the cool collection of powder, shadows and gloss.

Lipcolors are where I have the most fun and so will you. LOTS of textures from semi-matte colors to glosses and sparkly glosses in  tubes, pots and palettes. How will you choose? (just buy a bunch! Trust me, that's the best way). Lipsticks are done in semi-matte with richly pigmented hues that will last a long time. Packaged in a gunmetal case, you will find it an elegant solution .

Glosses are presented in swing out pots that are sheer glossy lush color. It's your choice if you want to go with the pots or the wands like those below.  The wands come in special colors that are specifically created for those wands. The colors are great. Choose the Spiced Berry for a rich browned berry color that will take you from day to night.

For Fall 2005,  Candy Apple (a rich candy apple true red) and  Brown Betty ( sexy bronze shimmer shine)  are perfect tones for the season. You get a great shot of clear color in a non sticky gloss that really moisturizes. The colors come in "cool", "neutral" and "warm". I already have my faves: Trae's Favorite,  Billie  (from that book and you probably heard about this in a magazine),  Blackberry Sparkle ( bronze shimmer loaded into blackberry stain).

Dont stop there but check out the  Shimmering Lights. I managed to snag a slew of these in tiny samples and used them on a recent trip to Hawaii. I didn't need any other makeup. I used the lip colors on my cheeks,  as a gloss on my eyelids and of course on my lips. These luscious colors rocked my world--and might do the same for you.

Make sure you check out the special shades because they have some unique trios and singles that were made just for some special people. Miss Sandra is named for Sandra Bernhardt and it's a fab pink.  3 C for Women Lip gloss supports Breast Cancer with a pink ribbon inspired color.  Check out NedandShell Autumn and Summer lip colors too that have charitable ties as well. Great colors; cool causes.

Not last and certainly not least, the palettes. Yes a bit pricy but the colors you get are amazing and such a great deal to get so many great colors in one palette complete with lip brush.

Choose from these palettes:

Cool  or  Warm  Lip Color or  Lip Gloss Palettes. One of each type!

Perfectly Pink Lip Gloss Palette

A Century in Red -- a red for every decade of the 20th century and definitely a MUST HAVE

Favorites Palette-- from Trae and Chad's mad scientist concoctions.. these are their faves!

The Special Effects Palette-- with every color you will need to create a special effect.

Each palette has a mirror and a brush.

What's really cool about 3CCS is that they will custom blend any color lip color, cream to powder blush,  eye shadow, concealer, face powder and more. All you need to do is provide the sample for them to match --and along with a few details and voila!! Instant match. So no more crying when that fave blush or lip color is discontinued. You can always replace it with a custom blend from 3CCS!

I think I have babbled on long enough. You can tell I am a fan. I have lots of 3CCS products and I met the 3CCS people way back as they were launching.. Trae, Chad and Scott... and they are fabulously fun, exceptionally creative people. 

Where to find 3CCS products? First place to look would be ThreeCustomColor.com; Beauty.com , www.b-glowing.com  and beautycollection.com.. as well as tons of stores listed on their website.

see you at the beauty counter-- the 3CCS counter!

Stevie

Anna Sui Grants Your Secret Wish!

   Remember when you were a kid, you totally believed in  wishes and fairy tales?  Seeing Peter Pan and knowing that it was the most important thing in the world to believe in fairies?   That magic was real and that there really was  a Santa Claus. (well there still is, you just look at her and her "magic" plastic card in the mirror). Magic is part of  childhood and that belief in magic is what helps you appreciate the extraordinary "ordinary" things in life-- clouds moving through the sky,  playing "he loves me, he loves me not" with a daisy and so much more.

Anna Sui believes in magic and she wants you to believe in it too--and resurrect that child-like innocence and wonder within you to allow yourself to experience the unique, magical qualities in life

Anna Sui created a new fragrance,  Secret Wish for the child in each of us that believes in magic--for the child hidden within  each of us. Thus Secret Wish when opened, will release that 'essential magic' in each of us and allow you to dream and wish for the things that were

Anna Sui's Secret Wish is for the child in us that believes in magic…an adult
that still believes in possibilities. Upon opening the bottle, releasing the magical power,
ask yourself, "what do I wish for?"  because with magic, anything is possible. Anna  Sui's inspiration is  the magic we have within us and the magical moments we have in our lives. It's all about capturing and living in the "now" of the moment of magic and embracing it.

Because, in the end, the magic is in each of us.

The Package

Sui's packaging epitomizes the essence of magic, fairies and all things magical. This luscious bottle was designed by Marc Wittenber (iconomy, Sydney/Australia)). It's a blend of matte and clear sparkling crystal done in a 3 sided flacon. A delicate fairy sits atop a matte crystal ball and she is the guardian of Secret Wish. She tempts, teases and bewitches you to unleash the power of Secret Wish. Because the contrast of the matte and clear crystal is so complex, it captures and disperses light through the curved and linear aspects of the tri-sided bottle. It becomes a piece of contemplative sculpture.

The package is done in metallic aqua with decorative designs of floral sprays, butterflies  and fairies who entice you to  open this "pandora's box" of fragrance.

The SCENT

Secret Wish was created for Anna Sui by Mr. Michel Almairac (Robertet/Paris) and it captures the intimate moments while it lingers with the voluptuous scents. It opens with fresh lemon sparkling against summer melon notes played against tagete, an apricot-scented flower. The scent evolves with a burst of ripe pineapple which is contrasted against a slightly acidic black currant which turns on the sexy notes. The base of the fragrance creates the enchantment with white cedarwood, skin musk and amber to ensnare one after you have drawn them in with top and heart notes. It's the essence of the sunset as it merges into twilight. 

The Products--

Available exclusively  at select Victoria's Secret stores and online at Victoriassecret.com

Eau de Toilette Natural Spray, 1.7 fl oz $48.00    
Eau de Toilette Natural Spray, 2.5 fl oz $65.00
Body Lotion, 6.8 fl oz    $30.00
Bath & Shower Gel, 6.8 fl oz   $28.00

Try this scent. If you are into florals or fruity scents you will like this one because it's a silky presentation. It sneaks up on you softly, and then when you realize what it is, you totally ensnared byt the scent, captured by its essence, the very magic of the fragrance.

If you have tried this fragrance, please let me know what you think.

See you at the beauty counter1

Stevie

Skip the Needle: Get Fuller Lips with Lip Injection

Fuller lips are all the rage for this season (and have been the trend for a while now). Given that you have seen a number of celebrities who have fuller lips getting more coverage because of their lips, there's a way for you to achieve this marvel of genetics without getting stuck with a needle or the bill from a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon who will artificially plump that pout!

TooFaced Cosmetics has not one or two but THREE different products to  produce that fuller lip look. 

FAT KISS adds dimension, volume and an "oh so glossy" look to your lips. Using the "top secret" mix of natural essential oils, Fat Kiss gives you the appearance of fabulously full lips. This roller ball dispenser makes it easy to tote along in  several luscious shades:
Fat Honey-- honey beige
Fat Crystal--crystal clear
Fat Jelly--sheer berry
Fat Chocolate--hot chocolate brown
Fat Daiquiri--bubblegum pink
Fat Ice- icy blue
Fat Currant--brick red

Each priced at $18.50 each at TooFaced.com

  Want to jazz up those lips a bit more? Then turn to the injection--not the needle, honey!  TooFaced Cosmetics LIP INJECTION!! This crystal clear liquid volumizing gel will plump your lips for up to four hours thanks to the vitamin E derivative that provides increased circulation to the lips that will plump those lips in nothing flat!

KEY: Apply a thin coat of this liquid treatment with the applicator brush. Tingling sensations often occur and can last about five minutes--so NO panicing allowed!! Once the formula has kicked into high gear, your lips can be up to 20% fuller!
Tip: You can use the FAT KISS over the Lip Injection for maxi-pout! and will give you a more vibrant lip look.
For those who want to go it alone with Lip Injection, try it in their tempting colors
Lip Injection--Pale pink diamond   
Techno Kiss--Shell Pink Shimmer   
Techno Buff--Nude Shimmer 
Techno Tart--Plumy Jam Shimmer
.

Each Lip Injection is $18.50 and can be found at TooFaced.com or Beauty.com

Ready to take it to the max?? Skip the in between stuff and  crank up the volume?  Super-Size Lip Injection  is BRAND NEW and will have you begging for more. More what? MORE COLORS! Since you want those fab pouty just bitten type lips, Jerrod and Jeremy satisfy your deepest desire and actually encourage you to "super-size" it. This treatment will tingle for the requisite five minutes but will leave you fabulously full lipped. Wipe off the goo after the waiting period and apply a matte or semi-matte lip color for an amazing look. Or just stick with the gloss honey for the most sought after lips in the room. After all, you've earned it thanks to  Super Size Lip Injection.

Available in Pale Pink Diamond for $23.50 at TooFaced.com and Sephora.com

Get going and get pouting--with TooFaced Cosmetics

see you at the beauty counter

Stevie

"Working Out" the Beauty Within You

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Hi! Stevie from Fashiontribes.com here to share with you some great new workouts for fall. Why talk about fitness? Being fit is about being healthy. Being healthy is essential for being beautiful and the best of what you are! Whether you go to a gym to take a class, use equipment,  run, bike, walk or do any of these workouts at home, it's important for you to maintain a good fitness level during the fall and winter particularly because the weather makes it easy to be more sedentary. Sedentary = weight gain and clothes that might not fit after the holidays or ---eeeeek!!-- before the holidays!  (horrors!!) By staying active, your mind and body function better and you overall health is better.

What to do? If you are part of a gym or so motivated that you run, cycle or walk on your own--KUDOS!! Keep it up! However if you are like a majority of us, you might find it hard to keep those habits going when the weather gets colder, the days get shorter and  you come home more frazzled from busy days. Try working out at home instead. Now that doesn't mean you need to have a ton of equipment at home--though some do (uh... raising hand here!)  You can get by with a few things like a towel, a small ball, a stool and a video or dvd player along with some shoes and  you are ready to go.

Where to start? Depends on what you want to do: do you want body-sculpting or do you want fun? Do you want both?

If it's serious sculpting  is what you are after, then turn to  Leisa Hart's Sexy Legs and  Sexy Abs.  These two  workouts rock! The "legs" workout is amazing! It's ballet inspired moves slim your legs and will work out the "trouble" spots of hamstrings and quads. You can trim down those saddlebags and your butt and make your legs look superb!

 

Sexy Abs  features  four routines that will carve out those obliques  and get you the flat sexy six-pack you want.  It's a fun, easy-to-do  work-out and really is different thanks to using a scarf/belt or small towel and sitting on a stool--so there's no saying you can't do this one! Leisa guides you through  moves that carves your abs and improves your core strength.

Find Leisa Hart's Sexy Abs and Sexy Legs workouts at Naturaljourneys.com and collagevideo.com available in VHS ($9.98 MSRP) and DVD ($14.98 MSRP)

Other workouts that would do the bodysculpting include   The Bar Method, Lotte Berk  and   SmartBells ( saving that one for another blog!)

Now if you are looking for fun and a workout ,  now we are talking! That's always what I am looking for. Yes I do the other workouts mentioned above and YES they really do work! But  you need to have fun working out too! The fun factor keeps it all going! Typically you want something that makes you just "move" and groove. One of my fave places or people to workout to is MaDonna Grimes.

MaDonna Grimes is known for her great upbeat choreography and she does more than just hip-hop! Her work is fun and grooves to the best of the street beats. My current fave is her  African Beat, Latin Heat workout which isn't her newest but it sure is fun. You will workout while learning these relatively easy moves that feel like stuff you could use in the clubs.

Grimes latest workout has pure club potential   and it's called  Street Heat --which is pure hip-hop. One of the great things about these workouts is that her dvds have extra chapters. Once you get the moves under control, you can do it to music sans voice-over and you get the full effect since you can watch these cool dancers do their thing. Also her standing ab workout will have you cookng!!

It's hip-hop heaven in a box and you will be ready to hit the floor if you can master both these workouts. Plus your body will be looking "fine" too.

MaDonna Grimes workouts are available at Naturaljourneys.com

If it's body sculpting and fun in your workouts that you want, then I have a great recommendation!
Yoga Booty Ballet is fairly well-known in LA and in certain fitness circles.  Based on a workout from Teigh and Gillian, directors of the yoga studio SWERVE in West Hollywood. Yoga Booty Ballet came about as a blending of dance moves, yoga and booty/body sculpting in a life --and body-- affirming workout that was just plain fun. According to Teigh and Gillian, it's about loving the body you have and making the most of it--regardless of its size. It's about being healthy and beautiful from the interior out. So in blending the dance with the yoga and some judicious body sculpting, they have created Yoga Booty Ballet. Available at Swerve and also through Beachbody.com, there is an entire workout of YBB . But wait!! There's even MORE fun! So many people love the Yoga Booty Ballet workouts done at Swerve because they are more than just what you would see in that first set of workout tapes.  Done with a fun attitude, Teigh and Gillian decided to mix it up and create themed workouts. Bodysculpting Bollywood Style features an Indian-inspired workout that ends with some very challenging body sculpting.  Go-Go is the best of the "mod 60's" in a fast, fun, easy workout.  Hip Hop Abs  brings some hot ab workout after a fast-paced hip hop workout that's cranks up the heart rate.  Cardio Cabaretb  teaches you the basics of Fosse-like jazz blended with the best of burlesque for a great fun, body-awareness building workout. It hardly seems like a workout and the time flies by! Filmed LIVE at the Swerve studio, you see real students in all sizes and shapes along with Gllian and Teigh. It's become one of my favorite ways to unwind and blow off steam at the end of the day as well as get my groove on first thing in the AM. Definitely worth checknig out! To get more info, contact Swerve Studio or Beachbody.com to order direct and get some great deals on package prices.

Ok.. now that's enough from me today about working out. It's time for me to get do some workout myself and my body needs a bit of stretching though I have been on the go a lot today.

If you have tried any of these workouts, I would love to know what you think.

See you at the beauty  counter--or the gym!

Stevie from Fashiontribes.com

Pure Strength: the 3 C's to Amazing Hair

Hey!

Happy Monday! I have been busy at the Emmy suites (not going to the event itself.. been way too busy for that). Read the LA Story Blog for all the scoop on the events, but here's a product line that I am totally in love with:  Warren Tricomi Hair Care!

Hitting the Silver Spoon Hollywood Buffet event in Beverly Hills was fab fun, but much to my surprise I ran into a PR friend from a long time back and turns out she works with Warren Tricomi. Having heard about this amazing salon in NYC but never having been there, I was thrilled to see them at the event and see the new product line up close --the  PURE Strength featuring the 3 C's:  Cleanse, Close  and  Condition. One of the things that I find crucial with a new line is that I need to see it: see the ingredients, see the packaging and smell and touch it. I know a great product when I see one.

Well I got more than just to do all that: I got it used on my hair! Sam Dark, (DARK PR) introduced me to Joel Warren of Warren-Tricomi and he took one look at my dry, frazzled, slightly out of whack curls (ok!! More than slightly out of whack) and asked if I wanted a treatment. Atypically, I said I would love a trim--the reason being is that one of the stylists had hair that was all ringlets and I knew that the someone would be able to deal with my curls! (Curls are tricky beings. It can't just be cut wet, you have to cut fairly dry or else the hair winds up too short)

I sat down in a chair and since the event was in the backyard of a large estate in Beverly Hills, there was no running water. Instead the stylist --   Nate (pronounced Na-Tay) sprayed a ton of the HAIR SHIELD leave-in conditioner to dampen my hair before picking up the scissors. At least she had the ability to see it wet and soften into the ringlets that were there first thing in the AM when I left for LA!   It smelled heavenly--like fresh fruit and I highly recommend this product. It wasn't sticky or goopy but it softened up my hair without weighing it down.  Typically this product is used AFTER the 3 C system but since there was no water at this event, she used this and my hair loved it!

Next NATE set about combing out my hair a bit and cleaning up the ends. Yes my curly hair is middle of my back and she probably took off about 2 inches and cut in some layers too. Suddenly my curls seemed to spring back into action rather than being lazy!

FABULOUS! Took her about 30 minutest from start to finish including the diffusing blow dry (starting with me bending over the head first to get the bottom layers dry first) and then softening the edges of the curls. She used a bit more of some styling product and voila, I was done with massive ringlets and long curls in about 35 minutes. (It's never  been that fast for me).

Here's what Joel Warren and his staff recommend in products--obviously the 3 C's system from Warren Tricomi.  Mine was the 3 pc set for Extremely Dry, Damaged Hair.  Why? Because my hair is very dry because it's curly and long plus I color it. Hence the recommendation!

What's different about this system? You have the atypical  Cleanser-- sort of a shampoo, it's more like a gentle cleanser. This shampoo leaves hair clean without feeling stripped. It rinses out easily. Ingredients include  Montana Flower, Achilea Millefolium, Lappa Root, Hops, Nettle, Yucca, and Henna extracts to  remove impurities from frazzled and de-hydrated hair. It also contains
Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein to guard and provide added nutrients to protect against heat-damage,  color-treatments and high-lighted hair. The fragrance is fab: Italian Bergamot, Lavadin, Clary Sage, Sweet Rose and Jasmine. That's step number one!

Step number two is the  CLOSE.  Close is a unique step because it closes the cuticle of the hair shaft and prevents any more damage, snapping and deleterious effects from environment or  treatment.  It helps replenish  and heal damaged hair cuticle and nourishes hair to give back the bounce and life to the hair strand -- and this stuff WORKS!!!  After ONE treatment, I could feel the difference in my hair --while it was still wet.  It smells great with Wild Fig and Cassis!

Condition is step three. This ultra-rich conditioner treats hair to a luxurious blend of avocado oil, wheat protein, and a blend of Henna, Montana Flower, Hops, Yucca, and Nettle
extracts. This conditioner  coats each strand to lock in moisture and leave it healthier, shiny and strong. It's so amazing because I haven't seen my hair look this good at home! It smells heavenly with  Italian Bergamot, Lavender, Clary Sage, Sweet Rose, and Jasmine.  Plus the PURESTRENGTH™ Conditioner provides SPF protection to hair.

At this point, after blotting hair you would use the Hair Shield all over your hair and just leave it in.

How does my hair feel? Amazing!! The curls are soft. No more frizz and it  coils into ringlets easily. after  I used the second step "CLOSE" I could feel the difference in my hair. It didn't feel fragile; it didn't feel so fine. I could tell it was thicker -immediately. Now everyone's hair is different.These are the results I got with it. Am I thrilled?   You bet!! My hair looked great when I left the Silver Spoon on Friday (and more about that event in the LA Story blog later) and looked great when I hit another event that day.  I used the products the very next day and voila, gorgeous hair--and I didn't have to "work" at it. One post- shower product (the shield) and that was it. So if you can skip the other stuff in your cupboard and just deal with 4 products, that would save a chunk of change--at least it does in my case.

There is a PURE STRENGTH 3 C's collection for fine, normal and extra-damaged hair. Plus there are styling products too. More another time about those products. If you are tired of how your hair looks--sad, lazy and lacking shine and bounce, I suggest investing in some  Warren-Tricomi Pure Strength 3 C's  collection.

Available at Warren- Tricomi salons (soon to be in LA!! --YIPPEE!!!), Warren-Tricomi.com, and beauty.com. It's worth it buying the set. If you buy the set from Warren-Tricomi.com you get a price break. Definitely worth doing it!

See you at the beauty counter!

Stevie

NEWSFLASH!!! MALLY Alert!!!

Hey!
Stevie here with a NEWS FLASH

Mally Roncal will be back on QVC this weekend. She just finished up working on the TRACY REESE fashion show for NYFW and it was amazing.. (check it out on style.com or wireimage.com)

Mally's schedule for QVC is 2  one hour shows on 9/17:
7-8 AM  ET and
5-6 PM ET

PLUS she is part of the COLOR TRENDS OF THE SEASON   at 1 PM EST .

A portion of all proceeds will go to American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina plus QVC will match the funds!

So it's a good reason to go shopping!!

See you at the beauty counter!

Stevie