*UPDATE: The kind folks at Insolia are offering ShopTalk readers 15% off their Insolia purchases. Just enter “shoptalk” as your coupon code.

You see, when we walk in our heels we’re taking unnatural toe-to-heel steps which places added pressure on the balls of our feet and causes our body to be out of balance. Insolia reverses this and shifts the weight back so we walk in the natural heel-to-toe stride. I tried a pair in my 3″ booties on my last trip to New York (where I normally walk too much to wear heels at all) and honestly, my feet hurt much less at the end of the day than I thought they would. And testing them on the crowded, uneven, (and that week end) rainy streets of NYC is probably more than was necessary. So I can only imagine how they can help Dallas girls who usually only have to walk from the car to the office, the car to the mall and the car to the bar (you know it’s true – and there’s nothing wrong with it!). At only $19.95 per pair it’s definitely worth giving them a try.

Why did you decide to partner up with ILORI?
I decided to partner with ILORI because the Luxury Sunglass Boutique has its finger on the pulse of trends in both fashion and eyewear, and is a true arbiter of style in both realms. Eyewear is that final piece that finishes off a look, and can be the extra touch of glamour and sophistication, or the edgy accessory that pulls everything together.

What is the trick to finding the right lens shape for your face?
I do feel that analyzing your face shape is a good place for consumers to start when selecting sunglasses, as a more rounded pair of sunglasses can soften a strong jaw line and a more squared style can help add definition to a rounded jaw line.  But I don’t feel that face shape is the only factor to choosing the right pair(s) of sunglasses. 

The glam Ilori boutique in NorthPark above.

One of the most important things I look for when people try on sunglasses is proportion.  Where do the sunglasses lie on the face in relation to the nose, chin, eyebrows and hairline?  Are they too wide or too narrow?  Do they cover too much of the forehead or not reveal enough cheek bone?  The right pair of sunglasses will compliment the face by creating symmetry and not drawing too much attention to any one area.

I suggest using a camera phone and taking pictures of yourself in a variety of sunglasses. That way you can get a more objective view of how they look on your face. I also think it’s important to experiment with different shapes and materials – don’t focus on the idea that only one style suits you. Break out of the rut and try on a bunch of styles! 

What are some of the biggest mistakes you see people make selecting/buying/wearing sunglasses?
I have noticed that people have a tendency to just use small mirrors when shopping for sunglasses so people will focus on the face, but ILORI has huge full-length mirrors to help pick out the perfect pair of sunglasses to also compliment wardrobe.

I suggest people try new styles and let go of the idea that there’s just one style or color that will compliment them best. Experiment with color, style and size – you may just surprise yourself. Between wraps, aviators, and over-sized plastics, there’s something for everyone. Make sure to try on a variety of sunglasses when searching for your perfect pair. Have fun and experiment with different colors and shapes. Pick out sunglasses that make you feel your very best, regardless of any rules.

I also suggest that people also consider their skin tone, hair color and even personality when seeking out a new pair of shades.

What is your personal favorite pair of sunglasses?
I am a huge advocate of having a sunglass “wardrobe,” people should own a variety of styles and colors to compliment their outfits, moods and occasions. Plus it’s always great to have one pair for the car, your purse, your briefcase… 

My very favorite pairs of sunglasses right now are my grey Chanel and a classic Burberry. I am a big fan of plastics.

*Update: Congratulations to our six winners!

In short, no. I don’t think these are gimmicks. You know when you wiggle the wand between your lashes before making that upward stroke? Well, that’s what this vibrating motion imitates. And I think it does a better job. I’m actually amazed to see that they create a look more dramatic then non-buzzing mascaras. But you have to have time to practice and get the hang of them. I don’t think these are good for a quick swipe-and-run-out-the-door type of morning. You’ll see other beauty bloggers say similar things. I tested Estée Lauder, Lancôme, and Maybelline. Below is my recap.

Lancôme’s Oscillation, $34: This has a press-and-hold button for vibration on the end the cap with a thin, stiffer brush at the tip of the wand.
Pros: This stuff works major lengthening magic. It made gave my lashes a thick black shiny coat. I felt like I was wearing new lashes.
Cons: This has serious potential to clump. If you’re not very careful, and you make a too-thick swipe, you’re stuck with the damage. Work slow, pay attention, and don’t add too many coats.

Estée Lauder’s TurboLash, $32: The vibrating starts automatically when you pull the wand from the tube. Twist back into tube to turn it off. The brush here is fairly full and soft.
Pros: The fluffy brush gives my lashes volume. After application, it looked like my lashes had doubled in number. The formula is comparable to that of DiorShow, which, if you haven’t tried is a cult classic and for good reason. It also gave my lashes a little curl, which lasted all day.
Cons: It doesn’t have magic in the lengthening process. In terms of length, it works like regular non-vibrating mascara.

Maybelline’s Pulse Perfection, $12: This, too, has a press-and-hold button at the end of the cap. The brush on the wand has a rubbery, flexible finish.
Pros: If you like Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash, this formula feels exactly the same but with newly added vibration effect. This mascara gave me a shiny finish and a hint of a curl that lasted all day without any flaking.
Cons: Because of the brush, this has the potential to do serious clumping, too. I definitely see longer length, but it doesn’t do much for me in the way of volume.

Now, in honor of the experiment, I’d like to continue the opinions. I have six vibrating mascaras to give away—three Oscillations and three TurboLashes—so fill out the form to enter to win. When mascaras have been received and tested, I’d like to get a quick blurb from all of the winners on their opinions of the mascara. Good luck!

*Update: To clarify, I’ll pick six winners and each one will receive either the Oscillation or TurboLash. Make sense?

*Update: I was just told gift bags are first-come, first served basis.

Thanks to intern, Kara Koloini for this blog!

*Update: We’re giving away two sets! You’ve got until noon today, Monday, Aug. 31.

Congratulations Fern and Kathy!

Let me start off by saying that I love Kate’s attitude toward skin. Even with her 19-year background in a clinical setting, she truly believes that skincare is about skin health, both inside and out. Following is a summary of  Kate’s top skincare tips and info on her Glow Kit (valued at $265 and available at Neiman Marcus at NorthPark).

PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE LINE
“The philosophy behind my line is actually the skin health pyramid. These are five principles: protection, hydration, feed, stimulate, and detoxify.

PROTECTION: meaning you have a good sunscreen, but also antioxidants, which can be great protection.

Number two is HYDRATION. So many consumers are confused between moisturizing and hydrating. Moisturizing is more about oils, and as we age, we lose the ability to hold water in our skin cells, so what happens is as we age, we tend to look drier. Our lines start to form, and it’s because we’re not holding water in our skin cells. This is really from not having enough Hyaluronic Acid in our system. You can topically do that and internally do that. Also drink lots of water.

The next step is FEED. What I’ve learned is that the skin needs a ton of nutrients. When we eat food, it’s the last place it goes, even though it’s our largest organ, so you need to apply topically, but you also need to internally supplement. Omegas are really important. It cracks me up when physicians say it doesn’t matter what you eat how your skin reacts. That’s absurd. It’s our body’s biggest organ. If you’re putting crappy fuel in your body, guess what it’s going to show?

The next is STIMULATE. Stimulating collagen and elastin growth is key. Right when we hit about 25, we start losing collagen in our skin. It’s important to use peptides, retinols, and those types of things to really start getting that stimulation happening.

Last but not least is DETOXIFY. Detoxification is so important because you want to get rid of that top layer of skin, which really can show damage, fine lines, and wrinkles. It makes you older and makes your skin look dull. If you really do those five principles on a weekly basis, you’re going to see a huge improvement in the skin.”

THE GLOW KIT
According to Kate, the Glow Kit contains the products she thinks people most often need to achieve healthy skin, but often don’t have. ExfoliKate removes the top layer of skin. (It’s a good thing.) “You’ll see results as soon as it’s off,” Kate says. (I can tell you this is true.) Quench is a hydrating serum, which locks in hydration and leaves silky-feeling skin behind. Then there’s Deep Tissue Repair. It uses peptides to promote collagen and elastic growth at the cellular level. What I can tell you is that this moisturizer penetrates deep into the skin, but doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind.

ON A BUDGET?
For the woman on budget Kate says there are a handful of necessary products every woman (and man) should have. “A good exfoliator,” she says. The beads in the scrub should be round to avoid breaking the skin. “Exfoliating shouldn’t be dangerous.” “A good cleanser and a moisturizer that promotes collagen growth.” Kate’s favorite is obviously her own Deep Tissue Repair.

To enter for a chance to win the Glow Kit, go here and fill out the form. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

“I know summer is almost at the end, but I am still craving the french-braid look. I usually have a friend braid my hair because my own multiple attempts on myself have turned out awful. However said friend is not available anymore. Is there a quick, inexpensive salon in Dallas that does french braids or braiding in general?”

I’m thinking any hair salon could do a quick French (of the braiding variety) for cheap, but do you ShopTalkers do of anything specific? Help a sister out!

Is it ironic that the Bliss Spa in the W Hotel is named Bliss? I don’t think so. I went in last week for the Peeling Groovy Facial. It was 30 minutes of sheer delight. 

From the moment you walk into the spa you know you are in for a treat. The luxe robe, zen-like decompression area, sauna and cozy treatment rooms are all A+. During my visit, I only ran into one other client which tells me that they strive to keep it private and relaxing.

The facial itself promised to reduce large pores, wrinkles and sun-damage spots. I can’t speak too strongly about wrinkle reduction as I am still in the beginning stages of development. However, I did notice a sizeable reduction in my pores and the dry skin from this 100-degree Texas sun is gone.  It’s almost a week later and my face still looks and feels fabulous.

I can’t wait to go back!

But, in the meantime, I can keep up with treatments at home. Bliss is now offering the Peeling Groovy Facial Serum online.

(us) What are three products a woman shouldn’t have to live without and why?
(Napoleon) Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-foundation Primer – my primer can act as a moisturizer as well as freshen up the skin, act as an anti-irritant and also prepare the skin for your makeup to glide on and last all day.
Napoleon Perdis Long Black Mascara –  the eyes are the window to the soul, and mascara instantly defines and maps out the face, acting as an instant pick-me-up, like your morning coffee!
Lip gloss (try the Napoleon Perdis Gloss Patrol in DALLAS!) – I believe that mascara, gloss and primer complete a perfect fresh look.

You give celebrities and models a flawless face and natural glow. How can we get that look without a makeup artist?
In three steps:
1. Go to a beauty store you trust and have an artist show you easy tips and tricks that you can replicate at home.
2. Always apply mascara as your  first makeup step to wake up the face and follow by using foundation only where needed, acting like a concealer.
3. Use the Napoleon Perdis Light Patrol wheel as a makeup emergency essential and glam wheel all in one. This palette acts as a highlighter, bronzer, contour, blush and gives the illusion of flawless skin.

When warmer weather rolls around, a lot of women want to experiment with more colorful makeup (blues, violets, etc.), but are afraid they’ll wind up looking like a clown. What are your suggestions for adding a bit of color with class?
I have three suggestions.
1.        Keep it simple and start slowly!
2.        Use color as a wash of color rather than focusing on intensity. Use a buildable approach, little by little. Start with colored eyeliner then maybe move on to colored eyeshadow, and play with the intensity as you feel more comfortable.
3.        Blending is extremely important! If you are applying bright shadow, make sure to blend with a makeup brush to achieve a flawless look.

Can you describe your Auto Pilot Step 1-2-3 Pack?
The Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Steps 1-2-3 is a water-based skincare regime that maximizes hydration, minimizes fine lines, and leaves your complexion feeling nurtured and nourished. The three step beauty kit blends water technology with nanotechnology. Nanocapsules deliver active ingredients, such as Vitamin C, E, B1, B2 and B6 to the deeper layers of the skin, heightening their anti-ageing and antioxidant properties. After a few weeks of use, skin appears luminous and youthful.

Why is this a part of your line?
I wanted instant to provide women with an anti-ageing skincare and maintenance skincare program in three easy steps that was efficient and hassle-free. I love Japanese technology and worked hard in developing this amazing formula.

Any advice for Dallas women and their makeup in the heat?
Using the Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pore Minimizer and Mattifier is essential! In this heat, you do not want to keep powdering your face constantly to make makeup cake, however, you want to look matte and fresh at all times. This product can be used over makeup and is AMAZING to preserve your makeup in the heat!

Your Question: I was curious if anyone has tried the Versa Spa sunless tannning. It is similar to mystic but is suppose to look more natural. If so, did they like it and where did they go?

Our Answer: Okay, so let’s talk VersaSpa. I have to be honest here: I’ve done it a handful of times (all at Planet Tan) and have been similarly dissatisfied every time. I’ve done the sunless tanner thing at home, so I know how to use “barrier cream” to block tanner from caking under fingernails and around elbows, but the formula from VersaSpa gets—and stains—between my fingers and around my cuticles every time, no matter how much stuff I slather on for protection. I liked the color the VersaSpa provides, olive-toned, not orange, but not the uneven and splotchy tan I received. (And note, I went in exfoliated and completely clean, so I did my best to be the perfect canvas.) I had a pretty dark, although uneven, tan for about two days before it quickly faded, leaving lingering brown marks behind. I don’t suggest Versa Spa. It’s completely possible that I’ve had a few, unusual, bad experiences, but I think it’s much better (unfortunately more expensive, though) to be airbrushed by a human, rather than a machine. For those who love the spray tan, perhaps try VersaSpa and see what you think. It does have its benefits. For starters, you can breathe in the machine, unlike in the Mystic Tan booth. You have extra options, like adding a moisturizer or anti-aging boost—you pay extra, of course. And there’s a drying segment, where blow-dryers make a pass up and down the machine to dry your body off from the wet tanning solution. I say, try it for yourself and see how it works for you, but if you don’t have time to deal with Cheeto fingers for a few days, skip the VersaSpa and try something else. I suggest Xen-Tan that we’ve blogged about before or a personal airbrush experience, like the one Jennifer mentioned. If anyone has an opinion on the subject, please join in the conversation and let us know what you think!

*UPDATE: Our Nightlife gal, Kyle Kearbey, says she prefers Mystic Tan to VersaSpa, and she usually has a lovely tan.

(Mystic Tan on left, VersaSpa on right.)

*Update: Kyriaki is actually in town this year for the Dallas Film Festival, not as part of a tour.

1. Decide where you want your money to be spent in cosmetics and stick by it. Don’t get persuaded at counters to mix products once you get them home. You’ll never do it.
2. Spend your money on things that make your skin look and feel flawless. Without a good canvas, all of the bells and whistles won’t work. Nothing says beauty more than well-maintained skin.
3. Probably the most important tip to achieving beauty on a budget is to make sure your purchased pieces create duality for you at home. Plain and simple, the more a product can do for you, the less things you’ll purchase. For example, a concealer is a dynamite product. It’s a face-lift in a jar, a primer on the eyes for shadow, and a highlighter on the skin. Also, cream shadow palettes come with 5-7 different colors of cream-based shadows. Using the colors on eyes, lips, and cheeks is like having a mini makeup kit in your purse. Finally, your favorite lipstick or lip tint is perfect for blotting on the cheeks for a healthy glow to the skin with a flushed or pinched effect.