Treat Your Tresses Right: Shu Uemura Moisture Velvet Treatment at Butterfly Studio

Recently, I had the pleasure of checking out New York's Butterfly Studio. I'd been curious about the space for quite awhile -- I kept seeing it pop up in various magazines and blogs, and it always sounded amazing. Luckily, I had the absolute best experience! The fabulous Eli Santos gave me the Shu Uemura Moisture Velvet Treatment, and WOW. My tresses have never been softer!



To begin, the space is beautiful. You walk into an open oasis with glassed-in treatment rooms and rows of fun wooden salon chairs lining tons of oversized mirrors. It's busy but doesn't feel crazy -- and each person there treats you like family. I was greeted with a smile and a kind word, which in this city goes a long way! After relaxing in the lounge, I was greeted by Eli and led to the private treatment room, where she examined my hair and determined that the Shu Uemura Moisture Velvet Treatment would be the best for my locks.

This is where the fun began. Eli began by coating my dry strands with Shu Uemura FUYU Eucalyptus Scalp Cleanser and then washed them twice with Shu Uemura Moisture Velvet Shampoo. She followed with the treatment, which included mixing camellia oil with an enriched conditioning base.

While the treatment sank into my strands, I was given an amazing upper body massage -- scalp, neck and shoulders -- and then led to the Micromist Machine, where I sat for 10 minutes and got an arm massage. The micromist machine helped the treatment to penetrate deep into the hair cortex and open the hair cuticles, while a cool mist at the end sealed in the treatment. Eli then washed the treatment out of my hair and led me to one of the stylists, who gave me the most fabulous bouncy blowout.

At the end of the treatment -- and for days and days afterward? My hair was shiny, bouncy and touchably soft. I've never felt anything like it!

The Shu Uemura Moisture Velvet Treatment is $75 for 45 minutes. Call 212-253-2100 or visit butterflystudiosalon.com for more information.

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Obsession of the Moment: Anything and Everything Rebecca Minkoff

I am dying over every single piece Rebecca Minkoff has put out lately. From the Double Zip Bracelet to the Linear Studded Flame, her signature Morning After Mini Bag to the covetable Studded Devote Tote, I just can’t get enough. Every piece has such flair, such charm, such whimsicality ... and the studded detailing on most bags just makes me want to become a tough glam-rock chick. Observe:

Linear Studded Flame Satchel, $595
Double Zip Bracelet, $58
Morning After Mini in Cardinal, $550
Loveletter Suede Satchel in Violet, $435
Can't Buy Me Love Pouch, $50

See what I mean? DYING!! Now I just have to figure out how my wallet can afford my obsession...

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Pretty as a Princess: Vera Wang Glam Princess Eau de Toilette

My new fave fragrance? Vera Wang Glam Princess Eau de Toilette. Everything from the chic heart-shaped bottle to the flirtatiously brilliant scent has drawn me in from the very beginning.

To begin with, the star-bedecked bottle is so adorable yet feels completely adult. I love the miniature jeweled crown stopper atop the bottle as well -- because, let's face it, who doesn't want to feel like royalty from time to time?

And the scent? So delish. Notes of guava, pear, honey, vanilla orchid, marshmallow orchid and cedarwood create a fragrance that's at once beautifully sweet and surprisingly sensual. And at the end of the day, that's exactly what I've been looking for!

Vera Wang Glam Princess Eau de Toilette retails for $45-$72.

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Beauty Launch: The M.A.C & Milk Collection

Want to know which products the makeup artists swear by at Fashion Week? Well, lucky for you, M.A.C has now introduced the M.A.C & Milk Collection -- a selection of backstage essentials found in every makeup artist’s kit! These are the staples used in shows around the globe, constantly relied upon by the M.A.C PRO team to create the key beauty trends each season.

“Radiant skin, smoky eyes and beige lips seem to be a part of the beauty trends every season,” said Gordon Espinet, the Vice President of Global Makeup Artistry for M.A.C Cosmetics. “The M.A.C & Milk Collection are the iconic products that create these trends. No makeup artist can live without [them] during Fashion Week.”

The collection coincides with M.A.C’s partnership with Milk Studios, started last season to offer an innovative New York Fashion Week experience. Check out the pieces in the collection after the jump.



Strobe Cream ($29.50): The ultimate quick fix for skin, this cream brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants.

Fast Response Eye Cream ($30): This caffeinated cream depuffs, firms, soothes and softens skin around the eyes.

Fix + ($18): One spritz of this vitamin and mineral blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber and a scent of Sugi leaves the skin radiant and fresh.

Kohl Pencil in Smolder ($14.50): This intense black eye pencil lines, defines, and shades with rich color and a silky smooth finish.

Brow Set in Clear ($14.50): This brush-on clear gel grooms and slicks brows into shape without flaking or stiffening the brow.

Zoom Lash Mascara in Zoomblack ($13): This smudge-proof and long-wearing mascara provides instant volume and length to the lashes.

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ($25): This luxurious face powder contains baked-in minerals that provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Perfect to set and fix foundation.

Face and Body Foundation ($32): This water-based, water-resistant, long-lasting foundation provides sheer, natural-looking coverage.

Lipglass in Clear ($14): Contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips and creates a high gloss, glass-like finish that lasts.

Brush #187 Duo Fiber Brush ($42): This large full circular brush made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibers can be used to blend face powders or pigments to create soft layers or add textures.

The M.A.C & Milk Collection also includes Eye Shadow in Copperplate and Brown Down ($14.50 each) and Lipstick in Fleckletone and Fleshpot (PRO) ($14 each). All products will be available until February 22.

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Obsession of the Moment: Hayden-Harnett Passport Multi-Function Case in Violet Crinkle Patent

As many of my friends have pointed out to me, I am a traveling maniac. In the past six months, I've visited the following places:

Hawaii (Oahu and Kauai)
London
Israel
Chicago
Cleveland
Boston

Not to mention random trips to far-off places like New Jersey and Queens. So it's only fitting that I should find myself a good passport case, n'est-ce pas? Luckily, the Hayden-Harnett Passport Multi-Function Case in Violet Crinkle Patent walked into my life just in time.

Not only do I love the chicness of the distressed, crinkly, super-vibrant patent -- but it has an interior ID pocket and two big multi-purpose pockets perfect for keeping everything from the obvious passport to your money, license and credit cards. And on my Israel trip? People couldn't stop commenting on how cool it looked.

The Hayden-Harnett Passport Multi-Function Case is available in multiple colors and finishes and retails for $52.

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