Check out these super cute finds from Pottery Barn Teen. The bright colors and funky patterns are sure to get anyone’s day started on the right foot - plus they look extra adorable hanging out in the bathroom!

First up, these sassy little hair dryers, featuring two heat settings plus a cold shot option to set your style.

Hair Dryers, $69

Next, brighten up anyone’s morning routine with these stylish accessories. Both are available in the Pink Floral pattern.

Flat Iron ($129) and Curling Iron ($49)

And if the beauty queen on your list is all about the mani/pedi, check out this fabulous kit, which actually comes with all the tools inside!

Mani-Pedi Case, $59

Finally, this fun makeup kit comes with the brushes, plus plenty of room for any of life’s beauty essentials.

Makeup Case, $59

As an added bonus, many of the PBTeen products are available with free shipping, making your gift-buying experience easier than ever. Happy Shopping!

Images: PBTeen.com

Share This

Regardless of your age, at one time or another, you will be subjected to the beauty woe that is fine lines. Wrinkles. Crow’s feet. You know what I’m talking about.

But what if I gave you a very simple way to keep fine lines at bay? Because I’m about to do just that…

Use an eye makeup remover! Every day.

There - simple plan, isn’t it? But oh so effective. Because each night as I shower, I find myself literally scrubbing my eyelids to remove all traces of mascara and eyeliner. Then I hop out, look in the mirror, discover I haven’t gotten it all, and begin tugging and rubbing all over again.

Of course, this is awful news because the skin around our eyes is some of the thinnest and most easily damaged skin on our bodies. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you’re abusing a delicate area, you’re bound to have lasting effects - in the form of wrinkles. I (and you) could avoid this unnecessary damage simply by using an eye makeup remover daily. Easy peasy.

So while there are zillions of lotions and potions out there (not to mention Botox and other fillers) to fix wrinkles when they take hold, what better way to extend the longevity of your healthy skin than by with an inexpensive drugstore beauty fix?

Image: Maybelline.com

Share This

Not quite an outfit, loungewear is certainly presentable enough for that unexpected visit from a friend, neighbor or (gasp!) your sweetie - and it’s comfier than those awful skinny jeans!

Check out this adorable set from Aeropostale, all of the pieces which happen to be on sale. Can’t you see yourself cozying up in this? Me too!

The snowflake fleece hoodie and pants are currently on sale for 50% off (hoodie, $17.25; pants, $14.25) and you can even get all matchy-matchy with the snowflake slippers ($11.55) and undies (4 for $18). These pieces all make great holiday gifts, too!

Bonus: Right now, get free ground shipping on orders over $100, and while you’re on the site, check out the Clearance section, where you can score an ADDITIONAL 30% off now through 11:59pm on Sunday, November 16. Good stuff.

Have fun and happy shopping!

Image: Aeropostale.com

Share This

Do you walk around thinking your hairdo is the sassiest thing since Rosanne Barr? Or do you trudge through life just knowing you need a style overhaul? Here, 5 ways to know for sure whether you need to embark on a quest for a new ‘do:

1. If it has been six months or more since someone has complimented you on your hairstyle, it’s time for a new look.
2. If the ends of your hair have more splits than the womens’ gymnastics team, it’s time for a trim or a major cut.
3. If your hair color consists of several different shades (and not on purpose), it’s time for a color refreshment or rework.
4. If you were to pull out a magazine from 1990 and find your hairstyle in there, guess what? Time for a MAJOR change!
5. If your hair tickles your waistline, consider donating some of it to a charity program that makes wigs and give your self-esteem a boost with a fresh look. Double win!

So, how did you do? Maybe you are one hot little number in the hair department, but if you’re not, the holidays are the perfect time to treat yourself to a new look. Give it a try and watch your spirits soar!

Share This

Haircare is such a fickle phenomenon, isn’t it? Just when you fall in love with a particular product, it becomes discontinued and you’re back at square one. Thankfully, you’ve got me working tirelessly to find the best of the best just for you and I’m happy to report I have finally found THE perfect hairspray!

It seems that after months and months of sifting through blah products, I’ve finally hit a winning streak in the hair department. The other day I spoke of the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Smoothing Serum, the pre-styling product that saved me from days on end of frizzy, fuzzy funkiness. Now, I’m here to sing the praises of John Frieda’s All-Out Hold Hairspray from the new Luxurious Volume line of products.

This stuff very much reminds me of my beloved Redken hairspray of yore. The one that used to be completely perfect until they changed the formula and it became a sticky version of its former self. John Frieda’s All-Out Hold spray even smells very similar to the more expensive Redken one.

The beauty of the All-Out Hold spray is that it adds shine, gives volume and is humidity resistant. All this and it doesn’t weigh hair down or become sticky or clumpy. It’s just a nice, firm hold without the helmet-head backlash. It’s truly perfect.

And since I scored mine at Target for a mere $5.74 (plus I had a coupon!), this product is one I just had to squawk about. So if finding the perfect (and affordable) hairspray is on your to-do list, be sure to check this one out right away!

P.S. If you head to the John Frieda site, you’ll find a video on how to achieve some seriously sexy volume with your hair. It’s a great how-to definitely worth watching!

Image: JohnFrieda.com

Share This

Plagued by frizzy or unruly hair? Join the club. That’s why I’m forever on the hunt for the perfect product to tame my tresses and allow them to live up to their lustrous potential. My favorite find? Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Serum from their Smoothing line.

Ladies, this stuff is heaven sent, I promise. My stylist tried it on me right after a recent cut and lo and behold, my wavy mane settled down and straightened out just like a good ‘do should. It was phenomenal.

Now, I will admit that I am often easily persuaded to purchase whatever a stylist uses on me, only to let it languish in the cupboard under my sink for all of eternity. The Super Skinny Serum, however, has gotten used every single day for the last week and a half and I am still amazed by it. It truly makes such a big difference in how my hair behaves.

The idea here is to apply the serum while your hair is still wet, regardless if you plan to blow dry or air dry. If you blow dry, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a shorter drying time, as a smoother surface and smaller diameter (caused by the serum displacing the water in the hair shaft) makes for faster styling. If you’re a nighttime showerer like me, when you go to style the next morning, you’ll have a sleek and shiny surface to work with, rather than a frizzy, bushy mess. Joy!

This serum comes in several sizes and is available at most salons. Give the sample size a try like I did, but I have a feeling you’ll end up springing for the full-size bottle next time around.

If you want to enjoy your hair again (who doesn’t?) this stuff will help! Promise!

Image: PaulMitchell.com

Share This

In my opinion, one of the best Ugg product collections happens to reside within the Victoria’s Secret Christmas catalog. I love nearly every Ugg offering in there. Here, three of my top picks, though I totally love the Whitley Lace-Up Boots as well.

First up: The Ultimate Bind Boot. I love the black accented with bright colors. The ties in the back add just enough punch. And the price? At $190, a little steep, but if they last for ages, not a bad deal.

Next, this super cute Ugg Shearling Wristlet, for $78. I love wristlets and this one screams Winter Chic to me. Casual, but totally lavish. Absolutely perfect for daily use.

And finally, these gorgeous Ugg Shearling Gloves, $150. I can just feel my ice-cold hands melting into these gloves. They look so cozy, yet so elegant at the same time. Beautiful and practical, indeed.

So what do you think of these very Ugg-ly gift options? Love them or hate them? Let me know in the comments below…

Share This

Dry skin can be difficult to manage any time of the year, but things get particularly dicey during the cooler months, when dry air and artificial heating wreak havoc on delicate pores. Here, some great tips you can take to the bathroom with you to save face this season:

• Don’t wash skin with a traditional cleanser in the morning. Using your regular cleanser can wipe out dry skin’s precious protective oils, leaving your skin overly parched to start the day. Instead, try a cleansing cloth which contains a moisturizing ingredient like aloe or vitamin E.
• Use a very mild cleanser at night. For your nighttime routine, choose a cleanser that is soap-free and has little or no lather. Those requirements pretty much eliminate all cleansing bars, gels and foams. A cream cleanser is your best bet.
• After cleansing, immediately slather on a moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin or trehalose, as these ingredients draw in water. Also look for products containing shea butter or dimethicone which traps the moisture. If your skin still feels too tight, try using a hydrating serum on your skin before applying moisturizer.
• Exfoliate at home once a week with a lactic acid chemical peel, which will help slough off dead skin cells and enable your moisturize to penetrate the newer, healthier skin. Be sure to explicitly follow the directions on the peel’s packaging, never leaving the product on longer than suggested.
• Use a solid skin balm to touch up very dry areas during the day, like around the lips, nose and cheeks.
• Finally, settle down red or irritated skin by applying a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream twice a day. If the irritation persists or worsens, contact your doctor.

Of course, it goes without saying that covering your skin in severe weather (with a scarf, say) is another smart preventative move. The less your skin is exposed to the outdoor elements, the better.

Do you have any other tried and true dry skin tips to share? We’d love to hear them. Leave them in the comments below and thanks for sharing!

Source: Allure

Share This

After months in the works, the Beauty & Style channel here at b5media is now part of a portal concept called Splendicity.com. Providing the same (and better!) content you’ve grown to expect from us, we are now more accessible than ever. We’ve added more blogs and have brought back some of your old favorites. Splendicity is truly your one-stop shop for all things beauty and style.

I encourage you to dig around, get to know some new blogs and bloggers, leave comments, participate in discussions, add your opinions, subscribe to our feeds and whatever else suits your fancy. Remember, we’re doing this for you, so let us know if there’s something you’d like to see added or covered.

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to come back each and every day for the freshest news to make you the most beautiful and stylish you possible.

Share This

DO NOT pop those zits! Here’s help on how to deal.

As promised, this week I’ll be spending a lot of time on skin care tips for the cool weather. And also as promised, first up will be tips for acne-prone skin. Are you ready? Thought so!

Since cold weather can make your skin more sensitive to the harsh ingredients found in acne treatments that seem just right for summer heat, you’ll want to switch to more gentle cleansers and add protective ingredients to avoid irritating your delicate pores during the colder months. Some tips:

• For morning cleansing, try a gentle soap-free cleanser, lotion cleanser, or cream cleanser. My favorite? Clean & Clear’s Deep Action Cream Cleanser. At night (please don’t forget to wash your face at night!), you should use an acne-focused product that contains either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. If these products seem too drying, adjust accordingly, scaling back one use per week until you find the right balance.
• For moisturizing (yes, even acne-prone skin needs to be moisturized, otherwise it may naturally over-compensate by producing too much oil in an effort to hydrate itself) try an oil-free lotion in the morning which boasts an SPF of 30 or higher. This is important even in the colder months as our skin is always exposed to damaging rays to some degree each day. Not only that, but acne treatments can leave your skin even more sun-sensitive than non-treated skin.
• Blast your zits the instant they take root. Call it a sixth sense, but we can almost always detect a zit while it’s still in the brewing stage. Once you suspect you’ve got a volcano on your hands, go on the attack, since once it’s full-blown, spot treatments can only help dry it up (often leading to further irritation). Instead, try a treatment with 2 percent salicylic acid cream or a benzoyl peroxide lotion to stifle a disaster before it happens. One of my favorites: Persa-Gel 10 by Clean & Clear.
• If you’ve got more than just one mountain on your hands and several areas of your face are broken out, dilute an oil-free salicylic acid moisturizer with a regular moisturizer and apply it to your entire face each night. Also, apply a facial mask containing sulfur every other week (or every week, if necessary) to tighten pores and zap zits.
• If you still end up with a troublesome blemish despite all your efforts (you know it will happen), conceal the offender with a small, slightly pointed makeup brush dipped in an opaque concealer and dab it on the blemish only (not the surrounding skin).
• And finally, if you wear foundation each day, consider switching to a mineral formula which won’t clog your pores. As a devotee of the same foundation for years and years, I have always been fascinated with mineral foundations and plan to give some a try very soon. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. I’ll be sure to do the same for you as I go on the hunt.

Give these cool weather tips for acne-prone skin a try and let me know how they work for you - and if you have any other tips, please share.

*These tips come in part from the October 2008 issue of Allure magazine; the remainder come from personal experience and years of research.

Share This