Must-Have Mondays: Frederic Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Travel Faves Kit

Were you born with shiny, silky tresses? Then I am seriously jealous of you ... because unfortunately, I was not blessed with the genetic lottery when it comes to my hair! It takes a lot of work to make it sleek, shiny and Pantene-worthy. But thanks to the Frederic Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Travel Faves Kit, it's definitely a lot easier ... and now there's a fantastic Travel Faves set with all the products guaranteed to make my locks shine with the best of them.

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Fake That Gorgeous Glow

I'm one of those people who's been cursed with pale skin that either burns or, well, stays pale. I guess that's good in terms of staying away from tanning and getting skin cancer ... but it means that even in the heat of summer I am as pale as a ghost! But thanks to Sundara Airbrush Tanning, I can now look like I just got back from a week in the Caribbean without ever leaving the island of Manhattan!

My favorite feature of Sundara is definitely the fact that instead of going into a booth, you have an actual person standing in front of you with a tanning gun -- so you really get customized, perfect color from head to toe. No mishaps like Ross had on Friends! (And yes, a lot of people asked me if I would come out as an "8.")

From the moment I walked in the door of the adorable venue, Natalie took excellent care of me. After filling out a form specifying the color I wanted (light) and answering some questions (Did you shave today? Exfoliate? Wear deodorant or perfume?), Natalie led me back to the changing area and instructed me to rub some of the Sundara Coconut Body Butter into my knees, elbows and heels. She also wanted me to feel comfortable, so she said underwear or a bikini was optional -- which I definitely appreciated!

Once I was ready to be sprayed, Natalie turned on the gun and went to work. I found myself performing almost ballet-like moves as she turned the spray toward me. (Luckily I had some dance training in the past!) I was impressed by her deftness, quickness and ability to reach even the toughest areas just by asking me to turn my leg or arm this way and that, ensuring a really even tan. Within 10 minutes, Natalie was finished spraying me, and then it was just time for me to stand under the fans for 10 more minutes to ensure that I was dry before dressing!

Quick, painless and absolutely the easiest sunless tanning experience I've had to date. As for the color, while I was on the light side (I didn't want to look too tan, as I thought it would look fake on my pale complexion), it looked seriously amazing. It did streak a bit as it faded, but not too noticeably -- so all in all, I'd say this was one self-tanning experience that's definitely worth it! Rates are as follows:

$75 for full body
$45 for half body
$25 for face

For more information about the treatment and available packages or specials, visit Sundara's website. Now when my friends see me, they'll think I got back from a beach vacation! I guess this is just my trusty little secret.

Not sure whether airbrush tanning is right for you? Ease into the whole sunless tanning game with Jergens Natural Glow Express. The bottle guarantees natural summer color in just three days. After only one usage, I saw a substantial increase in color! It's available in either Medium or Medium/Tan and retails for $7.99 on Walgreens.com.

Two-For Tuesdays: C.O. Bigelow Forever Lemon Caddy

I'm a huge fan of caddies that contain beauty products. Maybe it's just me hearkening back to my college days, carrying a bunch of products to and from the communal bathroom each morning, but I just really love them. And this one by C.O. Bigelow is so wonderful, I just had to feature it today in Two-For Tuesdays!

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Bright Eyes: Thanks to Two Miracle Products!

I have unfortunately been "blessed" with dark under-eye circles. When I wake up in the morning, I look as though I've been out partying for six nights straight with a consecutive amount of three hours of sleep -- and that's when I've slept for eight hours a night! It only gets worse throughout the day ... by the time I head to bed around 11 or 12, I seriously have such dark circles that it looks like I got punched in the face and have not one, but two black eyes.

I only wish I were exaggerating. But thanks to the two miracle-workers below, my eyes have almost returned to normal! (And hey, the rest is what concealer is for.) Check out the two eye creams this beauty chick just simply cannot live without.


Kiehl's Abyssine Eye Cream+
Want to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, all while defending your skin from free radical damage? Kiehl's Abyssine Eye Cream+ is the way to go. When I first opened up the jar, I have to admit I was skeptical. Could this cream really deter the look of aging while soothing my skin and making me look less tired? But the luxe, light-as-air white cream really felt amazing going on -- it's cool to the touch, and just feels so rich as it's spread on the skin. There's a light, almost buttery scent that just sinks right into the skin along with the formula, which absorbs within 10 seconds and leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and not at all greasy. The main ingredients -- apricot kernel oil (has a high Vitamin E content to moisten and soften the skin while retaining its suppleness), corallina extract (a mineral-rich red alga that thickens and reinforces the skin's moisture barrier) and of course abyssine 657 (to soothe and protect skin) really just make skin feel incredible. Within two weeks, lines and darkness under my eyes had all but disappeared, leaving me looking healthier, more rested, and definitely happier!
Kiehl's Abyssine Eye Cream+ retails for $37 at kiehls.com.

La Mer The Eye Concentrate
Unless you live under a rock, chances are you've heard of La Mer. The cult favorite (it's rumored that Jennifer Lopez uses best-seller Creme de la Mer not just on her face but all over her body) has been churning out some of the most sought-after products in skincare for decades. But their most recent addition to the family is this beauty chick's absolute favorite. The Eye Concentrate is formulated with not one, not two, but three forms of La Mer's patented Miracle Broth -- the original, a concentrated form and a new, encapsulated form to optimize continuous release to the skin. Designed to reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, lines and wrinkles, the miniature tub packs quite a punch with the light cucumbery scent that wafts out as you unscrew the cap. As I dabbed it on under my eyes, it felt cool to the touch and left a slight sheen over the skin. In addition to the Miracle Broth, this cream contains hematite -- a naturally magnetic mineral that's known for its energies. The tub even comes with a specially engineered silver-tipped applicator that's just oh-so-chic. Within days of usage, my dark circles had basically disappeared, unbelievably staying far away even late into the evening hours!
La Mer The Eye Concentrate retails for $180 at blissworld.com.

Must-Have Mondays: The Warm Milk and Honey Massage at Glow Skin Spa

All right, this beauty chick is doing things a bit differently for this week's edition of Must-Have Mondays! While this column is usually product-focused, I simply have to tell you about one of the best massage experiences ever ... making it the perfect candidate for Must-Have Mondays!

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First Look Fridays Interview Series: Makeup Artist Jenna Menard

I am pleased to bring you this week's edition of First Look Fridays, featuring makeup artist Jenna Menard! Jenna graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in Psychology in 2003 and currently lives in NYC. I met this lovely gal months back at a Ralph Lauren fashion shoot and instantly was impressed by her kind demeanor, impeccably done makeup and flawless fashion sense! Jenna has worked with top photographers like Raymond Meier, Nigel Parry and Eric Ogden and has had a slew of fantastic editorial clients such as Elle, Vanity Fair and Vogue! I'm so thrilled to bring you my Q&A with Jenna.

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Piercing Screams Heard Round The World

My least favorite job of all time? I pierced ears at Afterthoughts (an offshoot of Claire's) for one summer while I was in college. It was the most horrific experience I've ever had. Every time someone wanted a piercing, my hands shook uncontrollably as I marked their ears and loaded the gun. (Miraculously, they always stopped shaking when I did the actual piercing -- so the holes were always accurate!) I vowed never to get near a piercing gun again after leaving Afterthoughts ... and to stop with the piercing of my own ears, since I already had five holes.

So when I discovered the Studex Personal Piercer Piercing Earrings , I was immediately terrified. Earrings that you use to pierce your ears yourself? I'm sorry, but is Sally Beauty Supply crazy?!? Supposedly these are easy to load and just head right through the earlobe with precision, ease and minimal pain. But I'm sorry, I find that hard to believe! It hurt like heck every time I got mine pierced, and I didn't have to do it myself! I can't even imagine the fear that would go into trying to shoot one of those through my ears. But if you're curious about them, you can view more info on Sally Beauty Supply's website and then head to a Sally Beauty Supply store to pick them up for yourself.

What do you think of these? Must-have beauty product ... or torture device?

Beauty Launch: Upcoming Collections from Essie!

Essie, oh how I love thee. Let me count the ways. I have at least three -- Essie's three brand-new collections for spring and summer! I am seriously excited for all three collections coming up in April and May. And I'm happy to present them all to you, complete with pictures! Let's dig right in, shall we?

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Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Caress Exotic Oil Infusions Moroccan Ultra Rich Cream Body Wash

I must admit, I'm a bit of a body wash snob. Not that I won't use drugstore brands -- I'm not completely against them -- but I usually reach for my Philip B., Jaqua or Philosophy shower gels in a pinch. But when I had the opportunity to try Caress Exotic Oil Infusions Moroccan Ultra Rich Cream Body Wash (say that three times fast!), I hearkened back to my junior high days when Caress was the only brand I'd consider using in the shower.

Do you remember when the brand first started, and their signature body wash came in the peach-colored bottle and just smelled so, so good? It was seriously my go-to shower product for years! Why had I forgotten that, I wondered. Had I become jaded? I decided right then and there to hop in the shower and lather up with the creamy goodness that I was sure would come out of the eggplant-colored bottle. And I have to say, I was not left disappointed!

The scent is absolutely fantastic -- the blend of cassis and starflower transports you to a faraway exotic island where it feels like anything can happen. And the formula, while honestly a bit creamier than I normally like (meaning I needed to use more on my pouf to get a decent lather), did leave my skin feeling incredibly soft and silky. All in all, it's a definite must-have! Because, let's be honest, who doesn't want to be magically whisked away to Morocco while still in their shower at home?

Note: This product is no longer available.

Stila Gives A Whole New Meaning to Vintage Shopping

I know tons of people love vintage shopping, but it's just not for me. Something about the crowdedness of the racks paired with the fact that the clothing isn't, well, new, just doesn't appeal to me. But I can totally get on board with Stila's Vintage Stila products ... because not only are they brand-new-in-the-packaging-never-been-touched-before, they're all the old favorites and standbys that I thought had disappeared but are making a new appearance for a limited time only! On a recent perusal of the Vintage Stila section on Stila's website, I came across so many products that I'm just totally in love with ... and will definitely need to stock up on before they're gone for good! Here are some of my favorites.

Summer Must Haves ($45): The pink kit contains five essentials for gorgeous summer glamour -- Kitten Eye Shadow, Kajal Eye Liner in Tiger's Eye, Multi-Effect Mascara, Convertible Color in Lillium and Lip Glaze in Grapefruit.

Eye Shadow Trio in Acapulco ($32): This was my favorite Stila product from last fall! The palette itself is just so beautiful, and the colors are all totally wearable.

Vintage Lip Glaze ($20): I can't wait to snap up my all-time favorite lipgloss in colors like Pumpkin (shimmering coral) and Pina Colada (sparkling nude).

Creme Bouquet Purse Spray ($30): The vanilla, pink lilac and lily of the valley fragrance is now in an adorable miniature EDP that fits into even the smallest clutch!

Plus, for a limited time only, you can save 20 percent and get free shipping on Vintage Stila orders over $30! Simply use code VAVOOM at checkout. Happy shopping!

Must-Have Mondays: Bliss Steep Clean Mask

As a rule, I tend to stay away from face masks. They usually dry out my skin, make it tight and itchy, and just generally cause more harm than good. But something about the Bliss Steep Clean Mask really intrigued me.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Dashing Diva

There are few things this beauty chick enjoys more than getting my nails done. I can think of nothing more enjoyable and relaxing than plunking myself down in an overstuffed armchair or on a comfortable couch and watching my toes be scrubbed, buffed and polished to perfection. So I was super-excited when I was invited to experience the wonder that is Dashing Diva. I had been curious about this nail chain for awhile, and this weekend I finally got the chance to check out the 8th Street location -- Dashing Diva's first!

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All That And The Kitchen Sink: The Bliss Sinkside Six-Pack

I am a sucker for beauty gift sets. Package up any product and you'll probably see me lusting after it. But my current obsession? It's none other than the Bliss Sinkside Six-Pack.

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Feeling Stressed? Not After Olay Calm Release Body Wash

Feeling tense, but don't want to spend the moolah on a massage? This beauty chick hears you! Sometimes, just thinking about spending the money to try and feel less stressed out just makes me feel more stressed out! But then I came across Olay Calm Release Body Wash with Violet and Lavender, and I thought, "Well, maybe this is a way to de-stress and only spend $7.65 in the process!"

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Seductively Sexy Lips: Maybelline Shine Seduction Glossy Lipcolor

Another twist-up lip gloss, I wondered to myself as I picked up Maybelline Shine Seduction Glossy Lipcolor? There's no way this will be any better or different than the other ones on the market. And the multitude of tiny dot-shaped pinpricks that the color needed to twist up through looked a bit intimidating, to be honest! But then I got my courage up and twisted the end of the silver tube, and voila! My opinion changed instantly.

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Notes From Paris, Volume 2: The French Pharmacy (AKA the Pharmacie)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know what that symbol means? I didn't, until I set foot in Paris. But over my few days there, I came to know it intimately. It's none other than the sign outside every pharmacy in Paris. But we're not talking about a place where you can get aspirin, TUMS or fill prescriptions from the doctor. We are talking about one of the best places to visit in all of Paris for beauty products galore! 

 

I was fascinated by what constituted a drugstore product in Paris. We've moved beyond the realm of Revlon, Maybelline and L'Oreal! 

 

Upon my first entry into a pharmacy — or pharmacie, as the French may have it — I was immediately greeted by Bourjois, Vichy, Clarins and La Roche-Posay. I doubt that you'd find any of those brands in a pharmacy or drugstore anywhere in the US! 

 

Even more exciting were the prices. For as little as 10 euros, you could find amazing products by some of the top brands in the States. Does life get any better than this? (Answer: Absolutely not.)

Notes From Paris, Volume 1

Yes, this beauty chick is back from Paris! And I have anecdotes to share ... some of which, of course, deal with beauty! The definite frontrunner? Sephora. The beauty mecca has long enticed and excited me, but imagine my complete and utter delight when I happened upon the biggest Sephora store I've ever seen! As my friend and I were strolling along the Champs Elysees, we came to a sudden halt and stared in awe at what was before us. I'm telling you, this Sephora store was massive. It went back, back, back as far as the eye could see, and scattered throughout were more brands and products than I would have ever thought possible in one place. There were even makeup studios for Chanel and M.A.C inside ... though, sadly, I got there too late in the evening to have my makeup done. And I live in New York, where I thought I'd seen everything! Check out the pics below for proof!

The outside of the Sephora store on the Champs Elysees. You can't even see all the way to the back!

A shot of the M.A.C Makeup Studio. I caught glimpses of the N Collection, which looked even prettier in person than I thought they would!

Another shot of the M.A.C Makeup Studio. This was set about halfway back in the store, right past the cash registers.

The Chanel Makeup Studio, right at the front of the store. I just had to stop and stare at all the wondrous products at the counters!

Another shot of the Chanel Makeup Studio. I got yelled at for taking this one ... luckily I was on my way out the door at that point!

Isn't it nice to know you can travel to a different country and still be surrounded by all your favorite products?

*Images are the sole property of The Beauty of Life.

It's a Wash: Jaqua Hand Soap

My love affair with Jaqua has just gotten incredibly more intense. Already totally in love with the brand's Shower Syrups, Body Scrubs, Shower Cremes and Body Butters -- I always have at least three of the aforementioned products scattered around my shower and vanity -- I was beginning to wonder when they would next introduce a product. And now my prayers have been answered. Say hello to Jaqua's brand-new Hand Soap!

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Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Sephora Airplane-Approved Beauty

I've written before about the wonderfulness of Sephora's Airplane-Approved Beauty Products. Traveling is hard enough as it is -- why make it even more difficult by trying to fit tons of products into a Ziploc bag? But with the bevy of options Sephora has come up with, you can definitely still travel beautifully. And for this week's edition of Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays, here are a ton of products -- all under $10! -- that will get you from the airport to your final destination in style.

Stila Mini Lip Glaze ($8 each): This beauty chick's all-time favorite lipgloss in a totally adorable miniature size! Choose from Brown Sugar (golden nude), Mandarin Mist (shimmery peach) or Vanilla (pearly nude).

Bourjois Mini Volume Glamour Ultra Black Mascara ($8): I'm a huge fan of Bourjois mascaras. And since this one clips onto your bag, it's just perfect!

Sephora Round-A-Pout in Beach Ball ($9): I've been in love with this little ball of fun for years. Four glosses in pretty pinks abound, making it perfect for, well, the beach!

Rosebud Salve ($6): Every woman's standby lip balm is remarkably calming, remarkably soothing and cheap!

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash To Go ($9): Prevent breakouts and exfoliate with infusions of rose hips, chamomile and passion flower.

Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser To Go ($10): I love products that transform from one thing to another. And this cleanser changes from a liquid to a mousse!

Demeter Fragrance Library Sex On The Beach Travel Spray ($10): Love drinking Sex On The Beach? Then why not spritz a bit of the scent on yourself before heading out for an evening of drinks and dancing?

Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 15 To Go ($8): While I usually scour the drugstore shelves for the cheapest sunscreen, I'd definitely be willing to spring the couple extra bucks for this one!

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream To Go ($8): I always have a tube of this in my purse when I'm traveling. It seriously quenches the dryness out of airplane-starved skin!

Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream ($9): Straight, shiny locks? You'll get them quickly and efficiently with just a dime-sized amount of this miracle-worker.

Jonathan Product Conditioning Leave-In Gloss Creme To Go ($8): Want to spend your extra time sightseeing instead of in the shower? Just rub a bit of this in your hair and it will be soft, smooth and frizz-free!

GoSMILE Touch Up Mini On-The-Go Smile Refresher ($8 each): Choose from Peach-licious, Pear-licious or Mint-licious and keep your pearly whites ... pearly and white!