The Perfect Mask!

No, this isn’t a late Halloween post. It’s a blog about the new 3Lab PerfectMask. However, it might be good to warn anyone in the area before you put it on because it’s kind of creepy in a Jason from the “Halloween” movies kind of way. In fact, I decided to scare my husband with it one night. And boy did it work. I laughed and laughed and laughed. He didn’t. (But he did say my skin was smoother after I took it off so I guess he wasn’t too mad at me.) Anyway, this is the easiest mask I’ve ever used. Just take it out of the package and place it on your face. They say it is “infused with Nano-Claire GY™, the world’s first bioengineered growth hormone.”  Whatever it is, it’s supposed to help boost collagen, smooth lines and give you a glow. They come in packets of six ($120 at Barneys) so you can have a beauty night with your girlfriends and try them together. Then you can all go outside and terrorize the neighborhood, or get drunk and watch the Sex and the City movie.

ZO Skin Health Launch at Nordstrom November 22

Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi will be at Nordstrom NorthPark this Saturday from 10 am-5 pm promoting his new skincare line, ZO Skin Health. So what’s different about ZO, you ask? Well, Dr. Obagi doesn’t believe in moisturizers, because he thinks your skin becomes addicted to them, which causes them to “become lazy and slow down.” (Bad little skin cells.) Instead, his 11-product system uses the highest over-the-counter concentration of retinol–10 to 25 times higher–which attaches the body converts to retinoic acid, thereby stimulating collagen production. Or something like that. For a better explanation of this out-of-the-box thinking, you can visit with Obagi yourself and get your personal consultation. All you need to do is RSVP to 214-231-3900 x. 1417 by TODAY. The cost is $50, which can go toward purchase. Those who show up will receive a travel-size Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 while supplies last.

Woo Hoo! Free Misa Nail Polish!

You may remember this blog where I told you how much I loved Misa nail polish for its staying-power and its fantastic colors. Well, the fine people at Misa Cosmetics wanted to do something special for ShopTalkers so they have graciously offered to send a FREE bottle of to you if you are willing to pay $3.25 for shipping!  Just click on this link, pick out your color, and call them at 1-888-733-6472. Tell them you read about their offer on D Beauty’s ShopTalk blog. Thanks, Misa!

Lip Balm to the Rescue

AIDS kills one child every minute, according to the YouthAIDS website. That’s an absolutely disturbing statistic. But in honor of World AIDS Day 2008, Kiehl’s is providing a way we can help. (And we’ll get beauty out of the deal, too.) During the month of December, 100 percent of the proceeds from the Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 will be donated to YouthAIDS, an organization whose mission is to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in young people around the world. So put it in your planner and on December 1 (Worlds AIDS Day), log on to the Kiehl’s website, and purchase a tube. It’s quick and painless, and it benefits an amazing cause.

Private Botox Party at Regimens November 18

Well, I guess it’s not-so private now that I’ve spilled the beans. But why keep a good thing to yourself? On Tuesday, November 18, from 6-8 pm, Regimens in West Village is shutting its doors to the GP to welcome Eterna Med Spa staff for Botox, massage, and giveaways. Eterna is offering a discount rate of $14/unit of Botox for this night only. You can also expect complimentary chair massages, cocktails, and a 20% discount on all merchandise. Only 20 spots are available, so make your reservation now at 214-520-9740. Regimens will charge your credit card $25 to reserve your spot, but that money will go toward your Tuesday night purchase.

Friday Giveaway: Nude

Yes, I know. It sounds racy. But, sadly, it’s pretty PG. Today I’m giving away the Nude Touch gift set–”the ultimate gift of eco luxury,” if you believe the PR hype. The set includes Cleansing Facial Oil, Age Defence Moisturizer, Miracle Mask, Replenishing Night Oil, and Advanced Eye Complex, and it’s available exclusively through Barneys. All of these come tucked inside a super-cool bag made of reclaimed seat belts–the sort of thing you want to hang on to long after you’ve used the products. But here’s the real kicker: this bad boy retails for $280. I’ll notify the winner next week. Ready, set, e-mail!

P.S. Congratulations to last week’s winner of the Soap & Glory swag, Kathy Sievert!

Get Skinny With Skineez

Well ok, they don’t promise you’ll get skinny but they do say that this line of “skincare wear” can reduce the appearance of cellulite, moisturize skin and even serve as a Spanx-type undergarment that will hold in all that jiggly stuff. Skineez comes in several styles to target your problem areas like the Thigh Slimmer and the Waist Slimmer. I’m not even going to try to explain the science behind the product but click on the link above to get the details on their web site. For best results, Skineez are supposed to be worn 8 hours a day for 6-8 weeks. I have been sleeping in mine and they are really comfortable. My skin feels surprisingly smooth when I take them off in the morning. They’re made well too - the top and bottom edges don’t curl up (which is one of my pet peeves - I can’t stand that) and they’re machine washable. The best part is that a portion of every item they sell “funds non-profit efforts to improve women’s health.” I give them a lot of credit for doing that. They certainly don’t have to and since they’re not some giant corporation (as far as I know) I’m sure they don’t have tons of money to throw around. So kudos to them! Skineez can be purchased at Macy’s or on their web site. Oh, and Vanessa Williams, Pink and Lisa Marie Presley wear them so they must be good! Right?

Stila to the Red Lipstick Rescue

After reading Katie’s blog yesterday I pulled out something I recently got from Stila. “Paint Your Pout Red” is a lip palette they’ve created that actually talks you through the red lip process. (Red lips are serious business.) Just press the button in the lid and a voice tells you what to do. I hear the hard part of finding the perfect red is that some people need a warm red, some a cool red and some a true red depending on your skin tone. That all sounds so complicated but this product gives you the opportunity to try all three and see which works best. And it’s not that any look bad, it’s just that they won’t all look like red on you. So you can use the other colors when you want a different shade. Plus, you’ll be the coolest kid on the block with a talking lip palette! Oh and don’t forget about this Stila online deal that I blogged about last week!

Botox vs. NoTox: What’s a Girl To Do?

Dear Botox,

I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. We’ve never officially met, but I’ve heard lots of good things about you. To be perfectly honest, the reason I’ve been so shy is because I’m a little afraid of you. I know, I know, it’s silly—the FDA says you’re safe. But, ya know, there’s that whole needle thing. Anyway, I’m writing today because I thought I was finally ready to make your acquaintance. The past several decades have started to do a number on my forehead, and I figured you could help. But then I heard about something called NoTox. It’s also called Relaxed Expressions, and you can get it at this place in Plano. I don’t know much about it, but you can read more here. The results are immediate, and it’s supposed to last up to two years! That’s impressive, no? I’m still thinking about you, Botox; I just wanted you to know that there was someone else, too. No matter what happens, I hope we can at least be friends. TTYL!

Now You Can Smell Like Pink and Green

Lilly Pulitzer has moved into the frangrance business. This month they introduce three delightful perfumes that are available at Sephora, Dillards and Lilly Pulitzer stores. They describe “Wink” as being flirty and feminine which I have go agree with. “Squeeze” is a fresh citrus scent with slight floral notes. I’ve been wearing “Beachy” probably because it hints of watermelon which is one of my favorite things in the world. So even if you’re a rocker and Lilly’s cheerful colors and whimsical design’s aren’t your thing, you really should give these perfumes a try. Even your least preppy friends will have to admit they smell great.

Who Doesn’t Love Stila?

Not me. I love Stila products. And even though the economy stinks, I love Stila even more for helping us to get our cosmetic fix by offering free shipping and a 20% discount on any web site orders of $30 or more from now until December 16. It’s the perfect time to get some holiday shopping done without breaking the bank. Just go to www.stilacosmetics.com and use code ECYX12 when checking out.

Friday Giveaway: Soap & Glory

You may have seen the Soap & Glory display at Target (god I love Target), and if you have, you know that this company is campy, super fun, and oh-so-affordable. Today I’ve got Clean of England Spa Body Wash and Big Butter Body Butter. The former has a yummy, unisex, subtle bergamont and mandarin scent; the latter is scented with lemon, flowers, and orange. If you love it, you can buy these products as a gift set in a darling spa bag for just $29.99. E-mail me to enter and I’ll notify the winner on Monday. Good luck! Oh, and props to John Gay for his tricked out Friday Giveaway photo!

I’m Smooth As A Baby’s Bottom

So about three years ago I decided to finally get rid of that nasty bikini hair permanently. I decided on electrolysis based on a friend’s recommendation. She had been going to Lynne Rains for electrolysis for years and said she was the best. At my consultation, Lynne told me how long the process would take - about three to four years BUT I wouldn’t go every week. That’s not how it works. There would eventually be breaks of 3-6 months between appointments. You see, hair grows in cycles so after each appointment I would wait until the next cycle of hair popped through and then go see her again. As the process progresses the time between appointments gets longer and longer. Now, let’s talk pain. Yes, it hurts. Bad. But, I called my doctor and got a prescription for a numbing cream called Emla. I’d apply it two hours before my appointment so it had a lot of time to soak in and it worked like a charm!

All that aside, I like Lynne so much I might keep going to see her even after I am hair-free! (I’ve now got her started on my brows.) She’s sweet, funny, cool, thoughtful and smart, and we talk like we’ve been friends for years. I hear the same from her other clients as well. So say goodbye to that unwanted hair and hello to a new friend and skin like a baby’s bottom. (Seriously, it’s soooooo smooth I can’t believe it! And it never comes back!) Oh and Lynne was written about in the “Best of Big D 2005” issue as best electrologist. So there.

Celebrity Makeup Artist Sandy Linter Talks about Beauty for All Ages

Sandy Linter, celebrity makeup artist and Lancôme’s Beauty at Every Age Expert, made a stop in Dallas last week to visit NorthPark’s Lancôme boutique and its customers. I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with her and Vanessa, the assistant vice president of Lancôme Public Relations, at the Joule, where we talked for hours about the trick to getting glowing skin, how to apply eye makeup in three easy steps, and vibrating mascara. Jump to get these top beauty secrets.

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COR Launches New Products

The people at Stanley Korshak (love the new web site) are nuts about COR Silver Soap, reportedly the best-selling cleanser in the store–and that sucker is $125! Which means one of two things: excellent marketing or the darn thing takes 10 years off your face. (If someone out there uses this soap, I want to know if it’s worth $125.) Anyhoo, I digress. The real news here is that there are three new products to boost the soap’s results: Silver Anytime Moisturizer, Silver Wrinkle Serum, and Silver Eye Cream. The products are designed to even skin tone, maintain moisture, and replenish collagen using the same patented technology and active ingredients as Cor soap. Stay with me after the jump for a full list of active ingredients. And, COR users, let me hear from you! (more…)

November Specials at Grand Spa

First I have to take a deep breath, because I can’t believe it’s November already. There now. All better. Okay, I know times are tough, but those are precisely the times when we need to pamper ourselves, just a little. Well, Grand Spa in Addison is helping the cause with a long list of November specials:  $62 mani/pedis; 10% off all nail products; 15% off facials over $115; complimentary collagen eye mask on any facial;  20% off highlights, lowlights, and single-process color; and complimentary shampoo and style with any body massage 80 minutes or longer. (These specials are available Sunday-Wednesday only, BTW.) Plus, the spa is offering pumpkin scrubs and massages for the season. So go ahead and spoil yourself–or perhaps get a gift certificate for another girl in need.

(Much Delayed) Friday Giveaway: Akhassa Home Spa Products

Talkers, forgive me. A visit to the dermatologist (hi, Dr. Sklar!) and a meeting got my day off to a slow start, but, as promised, I have some goodies for you. Today I’ve got peppermint soap, ginger bath tea, cinammon shower cream, rosewood body lotion, and tamarind body scrub from Akhassa, a line of natural, holistic skin care rememdies and treatments based on Southeast Asian traditions. Plus, it’s all packaged in this beautiful grosgrain ribbon box, so if you don’t keep it for yourself, we won’t tell if you regift come Christmas. E-mail me to enter, and I’ll notify the winner on Monday. Happy weekend!

You’re Invited to a Spa Party!

On November 6 from 6:30-8:30 pm, stop by The New You Aesthetic Medicine med-spa for a spa party. Besides discounts on laser packages and products, other party favors include free product drawings every 30 minutes, complimentary chair massages, and complimentary facial masks from Actifirm. In addition, the guest who brings the most friends will receive two free laser treatments of their choice and two free microdermabrasion treatments. That sounds like my kind of party! I’m especially interested in the Actifirm mask. This local company, which you can read more about in an upcoming issue of D Beauty, has been growing, growing, growing. The New You Aesthetic Medicine is located inside PURE Spa and Salon.

Celeb Stylist Launches New Hair Care Line

Robert Ramos of Estilo Salon in Los Angeles has styled the hair of big-name stars like Jessica Alba, Bette Midler, Eva Mendes, and Stevie Nicks (Stevie Nicks!). And now he’s used his expertise to create a line of hair care products called—you guessed it—Robert Ramos. The line includes a volumizer, a shampoo, a daily conditioner, and a leave-in conditioner, and Ramos says his products “help the hair, rather than assault it.” Sounds good, RR, and your resume looks pretty fancy, too, but are you cool enough to dig the Eagles of Death Metal like my hair guy does (what up, Salomon!)? Buy Robert Ramos products online or stop by Estilo the next time you’re down SoCal way.

Clinique Medical + Chemical Peel = Match Made in Heaven

With the popularity of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures being what it is—especially in Dallas—the new Clinique Medical skincare line sounds like a grand idea. This recently launched skincare system is specifically formulated to help support skin before and after procedures such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser skin resurfacing. The products in the Optimizing Regimen kit, including the Probiotic Cleanser, the Skin Conditioning Treatment, the Recovery Week Complex, the Optimizing Treatment Cream, and the Daily SPF 38, also help manage redness and irritation and encourage even skin tone. The press materials I got say Clinique Medical is available only in physicians’ offices, but you can buy it online here.

Attack of the Giant Pores

Breakouts? Yes, I get ’em. Wrinkles? There are a few cropping up. And hyperpigmentation? Yep, got some of that, too. But these little annoyances pale in comparison to my real skin problem: oversize pores. Aestheticians from here to Zihuatanejo have pointed out this particular flaw and chastised me for not exfoliating regularly. I understand such a problem does not bode well for my dermatological future. The VISIA Complexion Analysis I got a few months ago told me such. (The high-tech piece of depression-inducing technology ages you five to seven years then shows you the results. So not awesome.) So my question is this: what exfoliator do you use? Katie, my dear friend and fellow ShopTalker, told me about this little bit of microdermabrasion in a tube from Kiehl’s (pictured), and I do like it. I’m just not sure if it’s enough. So give me what you got, and I’ll try it out. My next facialist will be so proud.

Heaven Scent

I mentioned it was due to open in October and it has finally arrived…LAFCO (Luxury Articles And Fragrance Company) opens it’s doors just in time for Holiday shopping! LAFCO’s New York team (including owner, Jon Bresler) all flew down for the Highland Park Village store’s debut last week and I got a grand tour of the sophisticated fragrance shop. I have never smelled so many savory scents in my life, starting with the Claus Porto soaps (there are 16 scents to choose from) which are made by a century old Portuguese soap making company that is highly regarded throughout Europe. Each bar is milled seven times for the finest finish (lasting three times longer than other soaps the same size). The artful packaging, created using the same paper stock, embossing techniques and screen printing methods from decades ago, makes them great for gift-giving (many on my list will be getting them). Don’t worry guys, you aren’t forgotten. Be sure to check out the Musco Real men’s face and body collection. The shampoo/shower gel is perfect for the man on-the-go and all products are reasonably priced, starting at just $10. The shop is also the exclusive importer of infamous Santa Maria Novella (founded in 1221) products for men, women, children, and more (they even have fragrant fire-starters for the fireplace). Also find candles that are packaged in colorful art-deco glass (that can be recycled), Eau d’Italie fragrances, Linari diffusers, and Arte & Cuoio leather goods.

I Was Shocked at Exhale, Too!

As you may have read in her blog, Rhonda recently experienced the new Lift facial at Exhale. I too, tried it and had similar results - smooth, glowing skin. During this facial, the esthetician uses a metal tool that feels like a pair of tongs with a little ball on each end. I was completely relaxed as she gently swept it across my skin, and although Rhonda said she felt little tingles, I didn’t. But when the “tongs” were used on my chin I could definitely taste metal in my mouth. It didn’t last long though and it wasn’t even uncomfortable, just a little odd. Don’t let the $195 price tag scare you off, especially if you have a special occasion coming up. It definitely makes an immediate difference. I was lookin’ good. Yea, I said it. And I was!

Friday Giveaway: Mannatech Optimal Skin Care Gift Set

Ladies, there are seven products in this package, so e-mail me for your shot to win the following skin care products from Mannatech Optimal: face cleansing cream, skin serum, skin cream, eye cream, skin lotion, cleansing oil, and after shave milk. Just when you thought you had to tighten your belt a little, ShopTalk comes along with some great stuff–for free. I’ll notify the winner on Monday. Good luck!

Exhale’s New Lift Facial A Shocking Experience

As promised yesterday, I have a report on the new Lift facial from Exhale. Let me start by saying this: If you see me around over the next 72 hours, be sure and tell me if my nasolabial folds look plumper than usual. ’Cause, boy, they sure got a workout!

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