expert scoop: Le Metier de Beaute luxury cosmetics

Sure, you can buy as much drugstore brand makeup as you want...but sometimes you want to splurge on something really special. Le Metier De Beaute products use advanced technology and luxurious formulations to make you look and feel beautiful. Here, International Makeup Artist Ivan Castro gives us the scoop behind the line...

Prettyisprettydoes: What's was the inspiration for Le Metier De Beaute?

Ivan Castro: "The inspiration behind Le Metier De Beaute lies in the passion which goes into crafting the most incredible cosmetics that can be formulated."

PIPD: What's something special in the line that you won't find anywhere else?

IC: "Le Metier De Beaute offers a line of professional quality, travel sized make up brushes that are PETA Approved."

PIPD: Who is the Le Metier De Beaute customer?

IC: "Le Metier De Beaute attracts women who truly care about luxury cosmetics that are not only beautiful but also life changing."

PIPD: How does new technology come into play:

IC: "Le Metier De Beaute is all about fusing high-quality skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and retinol with richly pigmented, high performing luxurious textures."

PIPD: Why are women so obsessed with luxury cosmetics?

IC: "Women are returning to luxury because they now, more than ever before, appreciate the value of a fantastic product."

PIPD: What's your favorite Le Metier De Beaute product?

IC: "My favorite product is Peau Vierge Anti-Age Tinted Moisturizing SPF17 because it instantly delivers a radiant finish and combats redness on contact."

For more info on Le Metier de Beaute products, go to www.metierbeaute.com.

expert advice: keep your hair frizz-free with these tips from Yves Durif

In less than two months, we'll see the start of summer and the onset the most frustrating hair season. Sun, humidity, sea-air, wind and humidity all contribute to an abundance of frizz. There are plenty of frizz serums out there but how do you know which to choose? Yves Durif, of the Carlyle, shares his tips for keeping hair frizz-free.

Prettyisprettydoes: What are the biggest mistakes women make when trying to de-frizz their hair?

Yves Durif: "They do not use a nozzle on their hair dryer to concentrate the airflow, they do not dry their hair completely or they use an incorrect product for their hair type. If you visit ProfoundBeauty.com, every woman can find their own personalized routine and select the products that are right for their specific hair concern."

PIPD: What can you do to avoid the frizz in the first place?
YD: "Using a defrizzing product like Profound Beauty Linear Serum or Hush Time-Out treatment before blow drying will help to eliminate frizz once the hair is dry. After blow drying you may want to add a finishing product like Profound Beauty's Design Paste to keep hair free of frizz throughout the day."

PIPD: What should you look for in a de-frizzing product to know that it will work?
YD: "You always want to look for a product that has conditioning elements in it. All products for eliminating frizz might not work on all hair types. Different hair textures need different products, for example the coarser the hair the stronger defrizzing agent the product should have. Again, log on to ProfoundBeauty.com to fill out your unique hair profile to find out what products are best suited for your hair type."

For more info on frizz control, log onto www.profoundbeauty.com. Stock up on these frizz-fighting products from Profound Beauty and you'll be set for summer.

expert advice: brush up on your brush basics

We all do it, usually every day. But sometimes little things like brushing your hair can become so routine, we may forget the basics. TRESemmé celebrity stylist Mara Roszak helps us brush up.

PIPD: Why is it important to brush your hair?

MR: "It is important to brush your hair because everyday we shed a certain amount of hair naturally and if your hair isn't being brushed daily, some of that hair gets locked into the other hair and causes knots and tangles. It’s best to brush hair when it’s wet in or out of the shower to cause less breakage."

PIPD: How often should you brush?

MR: "Daily in the shower, preferably with conditioner to prevent breakage. Brushing dry hair can cause damage and breakage. Always brush starting at the ends and work your way up."

PIPD: How do you choose the brush that's right for you?

MR: "I always recommend metal brushes or brushes without the balls on the ends of the bristles, which can damage hair."

PIPD: What's the best way to clean your brush?

MR: "Clean your brush with a wide tooth comb by scraping it at the base of the brush."

For more great hair care tips and products, check out www.Tresemme.com.

happy mother's day: give her some space

We all know Space.NK is the place to get high-quality beauty products from innovators and specialists around the world. So it's a natural choice for the place to shop for your mother's day gifts. For beauty finds from the pros, choose from Nars Lip Lacquer ($24) in adorable pots of spring's newest shades, the Jemma Kidd English Rose Palette ($68), handbag-friendly tubes of eye, lips and cheek color, and the Eve Lom Travel Gift Set ($95) featuring her favorite skin care products. Or try Space.NK's own innovative products: Champaca Bath Tablets ($30) for a sensual bath experience, Laughter Solid Perfume ($45) in a sleek silver compact, the Tuberoli Ultimate Experience bath and body set ($75), or--my pick--the Hands Lavender Set ($50--shown here). The mild sugar and coconut-derived hand wash is gentle on your hands and kind to the planet. The hand lotion, enriched with candelilla, rice and jojoba protects hands and leaves them silky smooth. And you can't beat the luxurious lavender scent (also available in bergamot and rose)! Buy any of these Space NK Hands products for your mom at Space NK stores, Space NK at select Bloomingdale's locations and at www.spacenk.com.

expert advice: salon owner Rodney Cutler

So times are tough and we're not supposed to be spending frivolously... But when it comes to beauty, who's to decide what's frivolous? I asked Rodney Cutler, owner of Cutler/Redken salons, how to maintain a hair cut and color without breaking the bank. "At CUTLER salons (in midtown Manhattan and SoHo), an average cut costs $100 – much more affordable than $200 at most other high-end salons," says Cutler, whose sleek salons offer exceptional service without the pretentious vibe. Cutler adds that in these tough times, it's important to look and feel your best in order to keep your spirits up. "Find a way to treat yourself without spending a lot," he recommends. "It will help you get through the tough times." According to Cutler, you don’t have to give up on your color either. "Talk to your colorist about ways to lengthen the time between color touch-ups," he says. "There are creative ways for colorists to do color placement so that you don’t have to get your hair colored as often.” For some budget-friendly treatments, try Cutler's Recover at Cutler (let's hair recover after brushing, blow-drying and styling), Strengthen Up (brings back strength and vitality to color-treated hair), No More Fading (prevents fading of your natural color due to stress and the environment), Soft and Silky (moisturizes brittle dry hair) and Get It Straight (gives you a silky, smooth, frizz-free finish). Each only $35, or $25 when combined with another salon treatment. Go to http://www.redken.com/ for more info or www.cutlersalon.com to see a treatment menu and find out how to schedule an appointment.