Spa Blah Blah Blog

Outside the Chocolate Box: Valentine's Day Gifts of Beauty

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

In typical Valentine's Day fashion, chocolate, flowers and stuffed Teddy bears are cropping up everywhere you look. This year we're ditching the cliche kitsch with festive gifts a little less heart-shaped and calorie-packed. Here are our Valentine picks for every crush on your list.

LUSH Ex Factor Bath Bomb. He's cute, he's blue and he comes with a tiny pink heart that will fizzle down the drain along with any lingering feelings of a bad relationship. Turns bath water a sea blue with notes of warm vanilla, $4.95 at lush.com.

Salud Wine Aromas. Two Valentine's staples get an edgy twist with these unique wine fragrance blends. Laced with notes of wine including pear, red currant, fig and vanilla, the scents are light, wearable and smell anything but from the bottle $22-$34 at saludspabar.com.

L'Age de Thé Valentine's Gift Basket. Pure, hand-blended teas melt the heart with these steamy aromatic loose leaf blends packed in a pretty box. The gift box includes Love Blend, Kyoto Cherry Rose and Almond Cookie Rooibos tea tins along with delicate chocolate, strawberry and vanilla macaroons, $22-$45 at lagedethe.com.

theBalm For Keeps Watercolor Lip Stains. Hippie-chic packaging and art class application make these solid lip stains perfect for any free spirited friend. Shades are long-lasting and all you need is water to activate the paint-on formula, $28 at thebalm.com.

Carol's Daughter Sweet Honey Dip Chocolate Brown Sugar Scrub. Give eco-friendly bliss with a mix of irresistible chocolate, honey and sweet vanilla. Polishes dry skin and hydrates with all-natural oils, $34 at carolsdaughter.com.

Philosophy Flirty Girl Set. A pretty pink trio for girly-girls of all ages. Includes a sweetly-scented shampoo, showergel and bubble bath, hydrating body lotion enriched with olive and macadamia nut oils and sparkling lip shine, $35 at sephora.com.

Anthony Logistics For Men Body Cleansing Gel. We just couldn't help ourselves and had to throw something in for the Spa Boys. Super-sized 32 ounce "Keep Love Smooth" pink grapefruit body wash leaves skin squeaky clean and hydrates with glycerin, aloe vera and wheat protein, $35 at anthony.com.

Zeno Hot Spot. To avoid hard feelings and date night blemishes, here's a gift to keep! This tiny essential erases bacteria with heat and reduces spots in one hour flat. Keep handy for first date primping and all other single girl happenings, $39.99 at myzeno.com.

Michael Kors Very Hollywood Valentine's Set. It's pink, it's shimmery and one of the most craved fragrances out there. Get this glam must-have infused with mandarin, gardenia and velvitier in a limited time 1.7 ounce Eau de Parfum Spray and Eau de Parfum Rollerball with charm set, $65 at michaelkors.com.

Molton Brown Intoxicating Davana Blossom Eau de Parfum. A provocative, feminine blend of Egyptian orange flower, jasmine sambac and exotic Indian Davana blossom, $70 at moltonbrown.com.

Rodial Boob Job. For a date-worthy lift without the nip tuck, this fabulously firming cream traps fat for gradually increased cup size. Gives instant perk with plumping Asian root extract, myrrh extract, wheat protein and anti-aging pomegranate, $150 at blissworld.com.

An Apple a Day Keeps Wrinkles at Bay: New LATHER Swiss Apple Wrinkle Remedy

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Wrinkles on a newborn pup? Cute as heck. Wrinkles on your face? Well, not quite as cute. Always on the prowl for ways to keep skin healthy and youthful minus harsh chemicals, our forward-thinking friends at LATHER have launched a new product clinically proven to diminish the appearance of facial wrinkles. LATHER's new Swiss Apple Wrinkle Remedy utilizes a little known but robust apple from rural Switzerland to repair and replenish skin. The story goes something this: Discovered in the 18th century, this particular type of Swiss apple was heralded for its excellent storability and longevity. Unfortunately, the taste was pooh-poohed by gastronomes of the time and the tree dwindled. Oddly enough, the apples lived on and hence, we have a happy ending to our tale. Scientists recently discovered that stem cells of the long-living apple could repair human tissue and actually reduce the depth of wrinkles. LATHER's new Swiss Apple Wrinkle Remedy contains a generous helping of the apple extract along with other natural extracts and enzymes that work in cooperation to retain hydration, plump fine lines and give skin a healthy glow. Simply glide the translucent, quick-absorbing formula across clean skin twice daily and follow with your favorite moisturizer (we like their Ultra Light Face Lotion). Swiss Apple Wrinkle Remedy is $62 and available in LATHER stores and at lather.com. Bonus: Buy Swiss Apple Wrinkle Remedy at the eco-cool Kierland Commons store in Scottsdale and get a card for 25% off your next in-store purchase of any treatment product. Free samples with purchase too! Little did Ben Franklin know that when he coined the phrase, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," that he'd someday be referring to cosmetic surgeons. Humph!

Bliss Lends Haiti a Helping Hand

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

For a limited time Bliss is making it easy to stave off dry winter skin and lend a helping hand to disaster relief in Haiti. From now until March 31, the signature blue brand is giving a whopping 75% of the purchase price of Glamour Gloves and Softening Socks to an international children's organization supporting relief efforts. As seen in O Magazine and Shape, Bliss Glamour Gloves slip over hands for soft, line-free skin in 20 minutes flat. Equipped with a self-activating gel lining that's packed with olive oil, grapeseed oil and Vitamin E, the powerful gloves send parched skin packing and last up to 50 uses. Like Glamour Gloves, Bliss Softening Socks work the same magic on feet. Slip on for a serioulsy hydrating home pedi or pre-heel prep for a big night out. Spread the word, stock up and get Bliss Glamour Gloves and Softening Socks for $48 each at blissworld.com

Couture Crush: Free Sample-Packed Designer Case with Beauty.com Purchase

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Dotting Hollywood red carpets and spotted on celebs like Heidi Klum and Blake Lively, designs from the fashion powerhouse Marchesa are going beauty with a glammed up gift with purchase. Just in time for Valentine's Day, Beauty.com and Marchesa have teamed up for a pinker-than-pink Red Carpet Ready Kit. For a limited time, shoppers who spend $150 or more will receive the fuchsia case brimming with an assortment of 16 beauty samples from top makeup, hair and skincare brands. Designed for Beauty.com by Marchesa co-founders Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, the couture carryall makes a statement with it's bold shade and showcases Marchesa's unmistakably feminize style with an oversized flower. The case comes equipped with roomy compartments for date night primping essentials and has a built in mirror for last minute touch-ups. The Red Carpet Ready Kit also includes a sample size assortment of beauty favorites from Origins, Fekkai, bareMinerals, Go Smile, Kinerase, Tarte, MD Skincare, Urban Decay, L'Occitane, Jurlique and others. For a complete list of products and full details on the Marchesa Red Carpet Ready Kit visit beauty.com/marchesa. (Hint to all you spa boys out there, we'll take Marchesa over heart-shaped candies!).

Product Review: Lauren Luke My Smokey Classics Makeup Kit

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

The girl behind the YouTube video alias Panacea81 and creator of her own makeup line, Lauren Luke hits the road this month for a nationwide tour with stops at Sephora stores from Miami to Los Angeles and a few lucky spots in between. Not your ordinary makeup personality, Lauren hit it big in the beauty biz with a mission to develop products that make people feel special. Lauren's interest in makeup began as a distraction from her less than accepting peers at school. She started experimenting with celebrity looks and eventually launched her career with a DIY YouTube makeup demo in July 2007. Within moments of the video airing, it was a smash hit and a star was born. After recording numerous video looks from her home in the U.K., Lauren scored a deal to create her own line of five makeup palettes handpicked with her favorite shades. Each slick mirrored palette comes with primer, shimmery shadows, eyeliner, blush, lip color and a high shine gloss. Plus, every palette has a how-to video on Lauren's web page so you can recreate each look at home. Not your typical cookie cutter demos, Lauren's videos are candid, fun and feel like a friend (a friend with an endearing British accent) is teaching you how to apply your makeup. Lauren gets up close and personal in each video by looking into a mirror and facing the camera so viewers see her face to face as she's explaining each step.

Forever stumped by the smoky eye myself, I decided to see what all the fuss was about and try out Lauren's My Smokey Classics palette. Before grabbing my brushes and going to town with the coordinating colors, I watched her 15-minute tutorial. Like her other videos, Lauren infuses her carefree, friendly personality that's seriously hard not to like. After her entertaining quips about New York's humid weather she begins the Smokey Classics look with her signature shadow primer. Next, Lauren demonstrates how and where to apply shadow, highlighter and eyeliner and does each eye so you get to see it twice. Next, she gives helpful tips for a dusting of blush and tops off the look with two shades of lip color. After watching the video I camped out with my laptop and palette in front of the bathroom mirror and painlessly recreated the look. I like the versatility of the palette and Lauren's suggestions to do it up or down with smudging and powder placement. Plus, the shadow colors are gorgeous and they stick for hours with the primer and cream liner.

Always in search of fan feedback and celebrity look requests, Lauren is making her way across the U.S. on her Inspiration Nation Tour! At each city she'll be throwing parties at a local Sephora store to see what her fans think of her makeup line and get ideas for new looks and products. Don't miss her when she lands in the Scottsdale Fashion Square on Thursday, Jan. 21, 6 to 8 p.m., where she'll showcase her makeup palettes and demo an exclusive, Scottsdale-inspired look. For full Lauren Luke Inspiration Nation Tour details and updates visit bylaurenluke.com.

The Lauren Luke Launch Collection makeup palettes are available for $32.50 at bylaurenluke.com. For everything makeup, check out Lauren's demos on her YouTube page.

Tress Tamer: Moroccanoil Oil Treatment

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

When it comes to hair, I'm a creature of habit. I have my close circle of products and unless something really good comes along I rarely stray. At my last highlight touch-up my stylist was all about her newest pre-blowout find, Moroccanoil Oil Treatment. Packaged in a dark glass bottle with signature ocean blue label, she poured a few drops of serum into her palm, rubbed her hands together and applied to the mid section and tips of my hair. After styling, my usual bleach-crisp tresses felt soft and the serum even de-frizzed my new Lady Ga-Ga bangs. That said, I obviously needed a bottle. On the pricier side, the amber colored serum only calls for a few drops per application and my stylist promised one bottle would last a few months. After using the Moroccanoil Oil Treatment at home, the lightweight formula made my hair softer and shinier than any other product I've tried. Plus, it has a musky yet sweet floral smell that's completely addictive. Like all Moroccanoil products, the secret ingredient in the Oil Treatment is argan oil. Only grown in Southwest Morocco, argan oil is packed with nutrients and antioxidants, protects against UV rays and fights free radicals. Just remember, a little goes a long way and avoid greasy disasters by keeping far away from roots. With regular dosing, the Moroccanoil Oil Treatment absorbs quickly into strands and locks in moisture for healthy, smooth tresses even if you heat style. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment available for $39 per bottle at select salons. For a list of retailers visit moroccanoil.com.

Shadow for Dummies: Eye Majic Instant Eyeshadow

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

For special occasions or a night out, I'm all for doing it up big. Go crazy with color and brave the ever popular smoky style with Eye Majic Instant Eyeshadow. These small foam strips contain a light, tri-colored shadow dusting and are a serious cinch to apply. As a neutral-lover, I was a little skeptical of the brightly colored strips. Orange and pink are not my usual go-to shades so I opted for the safest bet--a brown, gold and green blend. After carefully removing the Eye Magic applicator from the package, I gently placed the strip on my lid and slid it from the inner corner to the outer corner of my eye. In one quick swipe I was covered with just the right dose of shadow. Next, I used a small brush to gently blend the layers together, painted on a coat of mascara and was ready to go. Just the thing to get me out of my beige and cream rut, the strip added a hint of funky color without going over the top. The pre-blended Eye Majic shades look a little daring before application but after testing out my rainbow colored pack, each strip delivers wearable color for a nighttime look. Easily layered over or under regular shadow for extra drama, Eye Majic strips are long lasting, flake-free and ideal for on-the-go party primping. Get Eye Majic Instant Eyeshadow for $6 (2 pack) at amazon.com.