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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and those of us holding the mascara wand.After two decades of covering the beauty industry, I've come to learn what makes it so alluring. Finding the perfect shade of makeup to match your skin tone, adding a swipe of eyeliner to give your tired eyes a lift, discovering an innovative new product line, or indulging in a totally luxurious spa treatment. My experiences have been documented in magazines, newspapers and websites worldwide. I've tested newly formulated products in the lab, explored hair removal options, shopped for lipstick, added shine to my hair and succumbed to massage marathons--all in the name of beauty. I've written press releases, hosted makeover events and co-authored a Do-It-Yourself Beauty book (Alloy). On this blog, I write about products and services that I come across every day as well as those that have been provided by publicists or the companies that make them. Either way, I write what I think. I hope to share some of my insights--and bring you the latest, greatest beauty news right here. Join me in the quest to find all things pretty.
Every so often I have those days when I wish I had a big-time makeup artist living in my medicine cabinet. That way, I could open the door, have her reach out a brush or sponge, and make me look picture perfect. But, of course, that would be ridiculous (especially given the size of medicine cabinets in Manhattan apartments!) If you can relate, I urge you to get to Bloomingdale's on Thursday, May 7th, for a playful day of beauty plus a two-hour makeup lesson from one of the world's leading makeup artists, Trish McEvoy. Her Power of Makeup Master Classes feature new products, makeup tips and application techniques. The cost ($150, redeemable in products) is definitely worth all the expert advice. The place: Bloomingdale's, 1000 third Avenue, New York City. The time: 5:30 PM or 7 PM sessions. The products: www.saksfifthavenue.com.
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.
