Beauty without the Headache

 

NEW Dashing Diva “Extra Virgin” Collection – for Extra-Sensitive Divas If you’ve ever felt light-headed after painting you toenails, these polishes are for you. These polishes contain no DBP, toluene or formaldehyde. They’re perfect for pregnant women, or anyone with heightened sensitivities. Available in 8 of the best-selling Dashing Diva shades.

Dashing Diva

A Dashing Diva nail salon recently opened up here in Pasadena and I was very excited to try it out. I was not dissapointed. When I walked through the doors I was impressed by the decor and the overall fun, girly atmosphere. Everything’s pink. It’s cute. My friend K and I were greeted by a friendly front desk person and were instructed to pick out our colors. This was no simple task – Dashing Diva has the most extensive, comprehensive assortment of nail polishes I’ve ever seen. Once we settled on our colors, we were led over to the pedicure area, which is a long, comfy pink couch complete with throw pillows. Both of our manicurists were friendly and accomadating. I was definitely pleased with the end results. 

A couple of interesting things to note about Dashing Diva:

• They are amazingly clean – no whirlpools are used, everything is autoclaved (like at the dentist) and they open a complete new pack of emory boards & files for each person.
• They boast having the first truly viable alternative to acrylic nails. Virtual Nails are clear, full-color nails that look and feel like your natural nails.
• Head to Dashing Diva on a Thursday or Friday for their Girls’ Night Out evenings and receive free drinks with your services.
• The Pink Pedicure Lounge is great for hosting Bachelorette Parties or Birthday Parties. 
• Located in Pasadena, North Carolina and several New York locations.

Services:

• Manicures – range from Basic to Spoiled Diva. You can even get a special aromatic manicure called the Divaroma
• Pedicures – range from Basic to All-Out-Diva. The All-Out-Diva is like a 60min facial for your feet, very indulgent.
• Men’s Services – Racer’s, Winner’s and Player’s Manicures are for the man who likes a little extra TLC
• For the Kiddies – Little Diva Mani & Pedi are for the 8 and under crowd
• Virtual Nails, Silk Wraps, Acrylics
• Paraffin Treatment
• Waxing Services – using their special Azulene wax, derived from the chamomile plant with anti-inflammatory properties.

I really enjoyed my experience at Dashing Diva and I would definitely go back. If you’re looking for a great place for a girls night out or just an excellent nail spa experience, Dashing Divas is your place. 

Dashing Diva – Pasadena

27 N. Raymond Ave

Pasadena, CA 91103

626.449.DIVA

www.dashingdivapasadena.com

www.dashingdiva.com

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The Fountain of Youth

I’ve found the fountain of youth in a little pill call Imedeen.  This pill is the best kept secret of celebrities for keeping their skin soft and wrinkle free and their hair shiny and strong.  Within 3 weeks of using Imedeen you’ll begin to see the wrinkles smooth out and skintone even out.  I’ve been using Imedeen for about 3 months and I’m constantly being told how glowing my skin is.  I told five of my friends about the wonder pill and they can’t stop singing its praises.

The latest person to jump on the miracle pill bandwagon is my 53 year old male friend. He was a little skeptical at first but has since told me about his smooth skin and tightening jaw line- now he has his wife taking Imedeed to rave reviews.

There are 3 formalas:

Imedeen Time PerfectionTM

This oral supplement restores and nourishes the skin from inside the body with all-natural ingredients that help reduce the visible signs of aging.

Just two Imedeen Time Perfection tablets daily for three months:   Improves the basic quality and structure of the skin Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Diminishes the visibility of dilated capillaries, pigmentation spots and pore size Increases the skin’s moisture level by 30% on average Improves the look and feel of the skin over the entire body   Imedeen Prime RenewalTM     Imedeen Prime Renewal has been formulated to target the very specific skincare needs of women post menopause. Most women are aware of the fact that their skin ages faster after menopause, but do not necessarily understand what happens to the fundamental structure of the skin deep in the dermis. Imedeen Prime Renewal preserves and revitalizes the collagen and elastin content, ensuring skin that looks and feels firmer, smoother and more supple. Just four Imedeen Prime Renewal tablets for three to six months: Improves the dermal density of the skin Creates firmer skin Reduces visibility of fine lines and wrinkles Reduces visibility of hyperpigmentation Improves the appearance of skin on the face, hands and décolletage Imedeen Tan OptimizerTM  This formula helps prepare the skin for sun exposure by boosting the skin’s own sun-protection mechanism, as well as promoting, optimizing and prolonging one’s tan.This innovative skin nutrition tablet contains natural source ingredients and is scientifically documented to be a highly effective method for achieving an even, golden tan.

  vettie

Save Face

It’s officially the first day of summer! The absolute best season of the year (in my humble opinion). I hope you are all fully enjoying the longest day of the year today and hopefully you’ve adorned yourself with the summer’s most essential accessory–sunblock. I’ve always found it especially difficult to find a good sunblock for my face. And although I’ve been completely guilty of skimping on the SPF in the past, I’ve learned my lesson and am ready & willing to pass along some good nuggets to you all. Real Simple has listed 5 great sunblocks for your face for every occasion.  

1. For the Natural Product Lover: Korres SPF 30 High Protection Sunscreen Emulsion – non chemical ingrediants such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide make a strong shield. www.sephora.com

2. For the City Slicker: Lancome UV Expert 20 – Lightweight protection that works well under make-up. www.lancome-usa.com

3. For the Beachgoer: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 85 – this powder-based lotion is sweatproof and water resistant and won’t leave the skin feeling greasy. at drugstores

4. For the Traveler: California Baby SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick – a compact but effective stick that can cover even large areas. Plus it’s made for babies so it’s non-irritating. www.californiababy.com

5. For Everyday Use: Aveeno Positively Radiant  Daily Moisturizer w/ SPF 15 – My own personal favorite. It’s clinically proven to tone skin and it has natural light diffusers. at drugstores.

There. You’re armed with plenty of sun protection options so now there’s no excuse for not slathering on the all important SPF before heading outside this summer.

Happy Summer!!

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Beauty on the Go

Vacation season is right around the corner and I’ve always had such a difficult time trying to pack all of my fave beauty products to take on the road. I don’t want to leave anything behind but I also don’t want to lug around tons of bottles and kits. Add to that the crazy liquid limitations for air travel and you have one stressful situation for any Beauty Maven. Lucky for us, there are several great travel-ready beauty kits out there. Here are some of my faves:

Boscia Travel Kit – Very soothing and basic skincare. Available for Normal to Oily & Dry complexions. www.boscia.net

 

Olivina Travel Bag - Olive oil infused shower gels and scrubs. Much yummier than your average hotel soaps. www.olivinaspavalley.com

Malin + Goetz Essential Travel Kit – Everything you need for hair, face & body. And gentle enough for everyone (even me!) www.malinandgoetz.com

L’Occitane Shea Butter Bon Voyage Travel Kit - This kit includes Shea Butter Milk Soap, Shea Butter Hand Cream, and 100% Pure Shea Butter…Delish! www.loccitane.com

Balm’s Balm Voyage Kits – There’s a Lips Kit & an Eyes Kit. Lip comes with Stainiac lip and cheek stain in Beauty Queen, Balm Shelter SPF 17 lip gloss in Daddy’s Girl, and Plump Your Pucker lip plumper in Cocoa My Coconut. The eye kit contains wo shadylady shadow/liners and a Hot Mama blush/shadow/highlighter.

Frederic Fekkai Travel Faves Glossing Kit - Keep frizzies at bay with this smoothing shampoo, conditioner, cream and hairspray. The kit even has a mini comb! www.sephora.com

Now you’re all set for your vacay and you’ll still have room for all those cute sundresses and madras shorts. 

Happy Travels!

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Snip, Snip…

Well summer is finally here and it’s time for a fresh, new hair do. Short, edgy hair is trés chic once again.  Ever since Rihanna bravely chopped off her locks, many others have followed suit making short hair stylish again.  Short hair can make you look younger, gives you tons of spunk and looks great on basically all face shapes. So I’m ready to throw caution to the wind and try out a new funky do!

This haircut is going to be very special because I’ll be celebrating my 44th birthday next month and I want a hot, sexy new look.  For the last 3 years I’ve been wearing my hair natural and curly and I’m ready for a short, straight, sleek look— a la Rihanna!

I’ll let you all know how it goes.

vettie

 

Mineral Makeup

Although I love beauty products and would be happy to give them all a whirl, I have very sensitive skin and have to be careful with what I use. This is precisely the reason that I decided to give mineral makeup a try. I was definitely skeptical at first (Minerals in my makeup? Riiiight…) but was pleasantly surprised by the results. I started using Bare Escentuals foundation about 4 months ago and have found it to be remarkable. The foundation is incredibly light and gives my skin an overall healthy glow. It really doesn’t look or feel like I’m wearing any makeup, which is a huge bonus for me. I also bought the bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper which is like a vitamin cocktail for your skin–it really leaves my skin feeling smooth & replenished. Another great plus: the foundation has SPF 15 to help protect your from the sun’s rays.

All in all, I love the product and would definitely recommend it to anyone. Especially those who have had trouble in the past with foundations. 

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I bought the ‘Get Started’ Kit from Sephora which comes equipped with:

• 2 shades of bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation to ensure the perfect match 
• bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper: can be applied daily before applying bareMinerals to rev up your skin 
• Mineral Veil: provides a translucent finishing touch to your makeup, infusing it with softness and adding a flawless finish
• Warmth All Over Face Color: add an instant sun-kissed glow to skin where the sun would naturally touch 
• Flawless Application Brush
• Full Coverage Kabuki Brush
• Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush
• Bonus! A How-to DVD for tried and true beauty tips from Leslie Blodgett, Bare Escentuals CEO.

Get Started Kit

bareVitamins – Skin Rev-er Upper 

 

 

 

Looking Hot in the Summer Heat

We recently received this question from Nikki B. and wanted to share the answer with everyone:

I have a new question of the day for you, Vettie. The weather outside is frightening. It is beyond sweltering. Can you recommend makeup that won’t melt on my face for these hot, summer months?

Thanks!

On these hot summer days, it’s takes a lot out of us to wear make-up but we still want to look fantastic. Here are a few things you can use to look polished:

Diorshow Black Out Waterproof Mascara

What it is: A better-than-ever version of the best-selling Diorshow waterproof mascara.

What it does: Dior’s sensational new Diorshow Mascara knocks out any waterproof mascara you’ve ever tried. Never sacrifice intense color and thickness for waterproof protection again. Creamy new Black Out Waterproof creates incredible black kohl intensity and spectacular volume, stroke by stroke.100% smudge proof. 100% waterproof. 100% amazing.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – Oil Free

What it is: This lightweight foundation that can be reapplied as necessary

What it does:  Offers sun protection for sensitive or acne prone skin, oil control, and provides hydration to prevent dryness.

DiorKiss Luscious Lip-Plumping Gloss

What it is: A lip-plumping gloss in hot new shades.

What it does: Cocktails, anyone? Indulge in every one of Dior’s succulent lip-plumping “cocktail bar” shades this summer with lip gloss from the new DiorKiss collection. Designed to dazzle with a delicious scent and translucent multi-effect shine plus intense care and lasting wear, it comes in a sleek new tube, with an exclusive curved applicator that fits perfectly in the contours of the lip for ultimate precision.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Ex-press

What it is: The Brow Ex-press palette is the ultimate travel kit for creating flawless, Hollywood eyebrows anywhere.

What it does: The kit contains all brow essentials: four perfect brow stencils created by Anastasia to suit various brow shapes and styles (stencil results vary from face to face due to different bone structure and hair growth, no two brows will ever look the same); two brow powders in your range (blonde or brunette) to custom blend the most natural brow color; an angled brush for clean application; cream highlighter for application along the brow bone to lift and accentuate the eyes; and wax cream created to hold a perfect shape all day. 

vettie

Brow Beat

If our eyes are the window to the soul then our eyebrows are the pretty little awnings that shade them. I’m a firm believer that eyebrows shape our faces and can provide an instant lift. Here’s some pointers from InStyle.com to get them in tip-top shape. Happy Tweezing!

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1. The basics

Before you start improving your brows, there are a few universal standards you should know.

• Your brow should frame the entire eye — no exceptions.

• Pay attention to the brow’s arch and to its width and length in relation to your features and face shape.

• Everyone looks great with a medium-arched brow. This classic shape is ideal, says brow expert and makeup artist Ramy Gafni of Ramy Spa in New York, who boasts a laundry list of celeb clients such as Naomi Campbell and Brooke Shields.

2. Balance your features

Think about what you like best and what you dislike.

• Find the formula. “If you have strong features, you should have a stronger brow to create balance,” says Landy Dean, arch expert and makeup artist at Edris salon in New York. If your eyes are large, keep brows thicker so your features are in proportion.

• Examine your face shape. Is it round, oval, long, heart-shaped or square? If your face is round like Cameron Diaz’s, have the tail of your brows extend as far as possible. Think of it this way: “A wider frame for a wider face,” says Gafni. Again, balance is key. When in doubt, have a pro sculpt your brows and provide you with maintenance tips.

3. Think about color

There are always color rules, and when it comes to your brows, there’s a set for them too.

• Drastically changing your hair color? Don’t try to figure it out alone. See a brow expert to determine if your brows need reshading. Otherwise, stick with cosmetic products like pencils, powders and pomades to manage brows after they’ve been sculpted.

• DIY coloring: As a general rule, “you want to use something one shade lighter than your hair color or something totally neutral,” according to Gafni. If it’s the same shade, it will look too heavy and artificial.

• Mind the balance. When you wear a deep red lip color (and have light hair), step up your brow color a shade by using a pencil to darken the hairs.

4. Learn to enhance

How do you decide whether to use a pencil, powder or pomade? “It depends on the brow,” says Gafni, who has his own line of grooming products.

• Pencil: When you need to lightly fill in the brow to make it more dramatic.

• Powder: If your brows are mostly grown in but you want to make them look fuller. If there is little hair, the powder won’t stick.

• Pomade: Because it adheres to the skin, use pomade to fill in big gaps or add volume to sparse brows.

• Stencils: “Don’t use them,” says Gafni. “They’re unflattering. Eyebrows are like fingerprints. No two people’s are the same.”

Tweezing tips

• Store your tweezers in the freezer so you numb the skin as you pluck.

• Don’t stand too close to your reflection or use a magnifying mirror; both can distort your perception. Instead step back to look at your face.

• Make sure you have good lighting (near a window is best) so you can see all the hairs.

• Invest in a great pair of tweezers, which should have a good grip and a rounded tip so you can grab the hairs without poking delicate skin.

• After tweezing, soothe eyes and reduce redness with a cold cucumber or conditioner. 

 

Smell you later…

Do you all remember the movie High Fidelity? The plot revolves around the main character’s intricately thought out Top 5 Lists, particularly his Top 5 Devastating Break-ups. Well we’re going to take a cue from the movie and roll out our very own Top 5 Lists. Feel free to agree or disagree.

And if you haven’t seen High Fidelity yet pay a visit to your local Blockbuster and pick it up, it’s not half bad.

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SafiyaBeauty’s Top 5 Perfumes…

1. Hanae Mori Butterfly– My absolute fave! A delightful mix of strawberry & blackberry with just a hint of sandalwood. Also, if you’re in the market for a good summer scent, try the lighter Yellow Butterfly

2. Prada Iris Infusion–Clean, classic scents with top notes of Orange Blossom and Iris. Light and refreshing

3. Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil–This scent infuses green mango and grapefruit for a fresh, citrus-y flavor.

4. Tom Ford Black Orchid–Perfect for those of you who like a more spicy fragrance. Also great for those of you who hate wearing the same scent as everyone else. Very unique!

5. Flowerbomb–May be too sweet for some but if you like a sugary sweet scent, this is your best bet.

**special shout-outs to Dior Miss Cheri & Cashmere Mist

To research more great scents or find out what make your favorite scent smell so sweet check out www.basenotes.net