Yesssss!! I just received the much talked about Stimulus Tax Refund, and I feel it is my civic duty to boost the economy and spend every last cent. Sure, I could use the money to pay off a nice chunk of a credit card or do the responsible thing and stick it in my dwindling savings account but you and I both know that I shall re-circulate that six hundred dollars back into our American economy.So let’s get to the crux of the matter, what to spend it on?

1. Korean Spas & Massages

Well I was recently introduced to the hidden realm of the Korean spas by my friend Kyung. Once you get over the blatant nudity and hard core “full body loofah” scrub it’s actually an awesome deal and every time I leave my whole body feels like butter. I recommend the: Olympic Spa in Los Angeles Read reviews on Yelp so you are prepared for the “culture shock” but it’s a definite “must do” if you have never gone.

2. Cosmetics & Makeup

I have been wanting to buy a gold eyeshadow of some sort. Not sure what brand yet, but gold eyeshadow. Anyone have any recommendations?

3. Sunglasses in Vision Care

I have been browsing this pair of Dita Sunglasses called “Xanadu” from ShopBop.com. I like the style and color, I like over sized frames and colors that are not common. These sunglasses cost $350.00! For that price I hope they instantly transform me into this model, but I have to admit designer sunglasses is my shopping weakness.

So far that’s what I plan on spending my Tax Refund on … what are you going to buy with your six hundred dollars?

I just don’t get it, what is so fabulous about Claire Danes? She seduced Billy Crudup from Mary Lousie Parker while she was pregnant and now she is the new face for GUCCI jewelry!! What am I missing? What pray tell is so alluring about this woman? I liked her in “My So-Called Life” but that’s about it, since then she kind of rubs me the wrong way. I happen to think that Mary Louise Parker is much more alluring and attractive..

Well heres what the folks at Gucci say:

“Claire Danes is a modern icon. For me she is one of the most interesting young actresses on the international scene,” Gucci creative director Frida Giannini told fashionweekdaily.com. “She is very natural, fresh, and has a carefree attitude which can also be seen in the roles she has chosen. Claire’s sensual, confident beauty and her passionate, independent and strong character embodies today’s Gucci woman.”

Hmmm, I am still not convinced, but whatever. If the necklace she is sporting above is Gucci, well I hate to break it to you Miss Frida Giannini but she does NOT make me want to buy it. Sorry for ya!

(Source: CelebrityBrands.net)

Right in time for summer, you can add free beauty samples of Neutrogena Natural Radiance Bronzer to your spring/summer makeup collection.

The Neutrogena Natural Radiance Bronzer is unique healthy skin blend collection that features a palette of multiple sheer shades that blend together to flatter almost any skin-tone with a natural sun-kissed hue. The Neutrogena formula also includes multi-vitamins and a botanical conditioner to soften and refine your skin that is non-comedogenic (aka will not clog your pores), fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic.

Click here to get your FREE Sample: Neutrogena Natural Radiance Bronzer

(Source: MyBeautyMatch.com)

Well I am literally the color of snow, so let’s just say I am not a super HUGE fan of the beach. However I do super love beach hair, but I read and know for a fact that it is not healthy for your hair to be roughly combed when it’s wet! You should do so gently and with a wide toothed comb, thus I present to you the Babyliss Shower Combs!

BaByliss’s new shower comb is created with specially rounded teeth to make it really gentle on those snarls and helpd reduce breakages as well… finish reading Kiss and Makeup Blog! 

To be clear I realize that men who work in the industry (ie. TV, movies, music) often have to become camera ready before getting in front of the lens. However more and more of these chaps are sporting the makeup off camera and in everyday life. Which brings us to the question at hand, Makeup on Men - Rockstars, Freaks or Geeks?

Wow! To think there was a time I would lay awake at night and dream that someday I would become Mrs. Jordan Catalano!! (My So-Called Life) Now he just looks like a greasy jerk with a Marilyn Manson fetish…

First of all what exactly is Pete Wentz famous for? What does he do? Anyone?

Well regarding his excessive eyeliner use, I couldn’t tell you who or what this guy does BUT I do know every time I see him in a photo he is wearing eyeliner. I guess we all have to be known for something?…

Lastly this is my friend Welfrey who is a makeup artist for M.A.C. makeup. Now granted he is of the gay variety and I give him some slack because I feel his makeup use is an extension of his craft, however would you not die if your man wore this much makeup?!?

Am I wrong ladies? I am a very open minded gal but I just can’t get behind men wearing makeup! The occasional tweezing of the unibrow is fine, lotion and cologne is a-ok, but I draw the line at eyeliner and face powder.

I need all the bathroom counter space as it is, and by god if I have to fight a man early in the morning for bathroom beauty time, well folks there will be bloodshed is all I am saying!

What do you guys think? Makeup on Men - Rockstars, Freaks or Geeks?

MAC makeup has a line of bold and colorful makeup designed by Heatherette. Take the weekend pop quiz at BeautySnob.com and win the Heatherette MAC makeup collection for FREE! It’s easy, just guess who is the celebrity featured in the photo.. contest ends on March 30 (11:59pm)!

Take a sneak peek at the new Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trios from LORAC at Beauty and the Blog!

Physicians Formula is giving away 1,000 FREE Organic Wear Blushes! Find out how you can receive your free blush at Makeup Blog’s post called: “How green is your makeup?”

Good luck with the contests and free giveaways, thanks always for reading! - Michelle

Ahhh, so I have finally decided to give this whole “mineral” make-up thing a try! Anything that is supposedly good for your skin, while concealing your blemishes and providing a healthy natural sheen is worth giving a shot. I will cross my fingers that the products live up to the hype.

So I scoured the web and according to Beauty Polls consumers raved primarily about Bare Escentuals (Bare Minerals), followed by a small cult following for Everyday Minerals.

Well after reading all the rave reviews for Bare Escentuals I went to my local Sephora and bought a starter kit. The tarantula eyed sales rep assured me it was the best, and that for only $60 dollars I was getting a $181 dollar value kit.

Click on image to check out Kits at Sephora.com!

So I went home and tore into my little kit. I immediately bypassed the instructional video (Who has time for that? Plus I regard myself as a makeup Svengali - ha!) What follows is what I liked and dis-liked about the Bare Minerals makeup.

HITS

• the bare vitamins serum they include in the kit, to prep your skin pre-application was light, scentless and absorbed readily into my skin without leaving any yucky heavy coating
• Believe me, I was skeptical, however the powder did manage to mask my facial flaws (I mainly suffer from red/pink zones and the occasional crop of 1-2 big zits during certain times of the month). It was not heavy or cakey and I was complimented at work that my skin looked specially “glowy” that day!
• Attention Gym Fans! - you can wear it to the gym! Does not streak, or sweat off or have that “oh my god, why is she wearing so much makeup to the gym vibe”… but enough coverage to entice the cute gym chaps.

MISSES

• It’s messy! - I guess I was just not use to it. Being a lifetime foundation and pressed powder user. Plus I tend to wear black, alot! The first time I used bare escentuals I made the mistake of wearing my shirt first and I got tiny specs of powder all over it. First time, last time situation.
• Also, initially I felt that it dried my skin. Another humbling moment for yours truly, I should have watched the instructional video because I have come to find out that a “little” goes a long way. In my skepticism, I was using too much and it started settling in my wrinkles and drying my skin. Now I use just a sprinkle and blend with the brush so I get a nice soft result.
• The “tan” or “bronzer” powder was too dark for me, I am really fair and I felt I looked like an Oompa Lumpa. But you guys may not have that problem.

So does it work? Answer, YES!

It was slow going at first, trying to change my habits and get use to my new facial cosmetic regime. But I will say that I do get complimented on my skin tone when I use it, and I have not had any additional break-outs or skin irritations.

During my research there are some who swear that EverydayMinerals is better, that it’s more pure and does not cause any irritation or itching. Well I did not experience those symptoms with Bare Minerals but if you want to give EverydayMinerals a shot, the company sends free samples!

EverydayMinerals starter kit costs $75.00, click here or the image to go to EverydayMinerals.com!

To shop for Bare Escentuals Makeup & Cosmetics, click here.

Read about the Fragrance of the Year Awards, otherwise known as the “Oscars of the Perfume World” at SugarShock Beauty Blog …

Glow this spring with Lancome’s Color Ideal Illuminateur! Learn how to highlight your features, mix with foundations or lotions for an all over shimmer or simply use as eye color. Finish reading at Beauty Daily Blog!

Searching for Acne Scar Fading Tips? Dermatologist Jeffrey Dover, MD and regular folks like you and me chime in on what are effective treatments to remove acne scars at TeenVogue.com!

Editor’s Note:

Well this week I got rear ended by a Mercedes, so I have to confess my blogging took a back seat to my back pain! But I should be re-charged and highly medicated next week…

Stay tuned! Same beauty time, Same beauty channel…

Well unless, I get hit by a bus? Whoa..that wasn’t even funny huh?

Michelle

Culprits of my current dilemma:

• I have been on a matte dark red lipstick stint, (about a week and counting…matte lipsticks dry the lips)
• The fluctuations in weather is doing a number on my hair and skin. Dry, dry, dry…
• When I experience any sort of flaw on my face, I pick at it. Ugh! Thus the bleeding.
• I lost my mandatory stick of Burt’s Bees Lip Balm and have been too busy to buy a new one. (again, my fault..)

So yeah, my bloody lips are all my fault. But here’s how you can save yourself from the same hassle. I looked up what seems to be the Top 3 Best Chapsticks according to YOU!

1. Satin Lips by Mary Kay

Satin Lips, Lip Mask contains miniature buffing beads that gently exfoliate dead surface skin cells that cause lips to appear dull and lifeless. Anyhow, it seems to come highly recommended for chapped, dry lips. I personally have never tried it, but now I am more than a little curious myself.

Price - $9.50

(click on image or link to purchase)

2. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

This natural lip balm moisturizes lips with ingredients like ultra-emollient lanolin, coconut oil and sunflower oil, and seals in hydration with beeswax. This is my personal choice and my fan favorite. I live for this stuff. Leaves your lips smooth and leaves a little peppermint tingle. Take your pick of an old-fashioned yellow tin or a recycled plastic tube. It’s their most popular product and for good reason.

Price - $3.00

(click on image or link to purchase)

3. Moisture Therapy, Intensive Lip Treatment by Avon

Glide on this emollient-rich formula to help protect lips from chapping and dryness, with the added benefit of SPF 15 to protect lips from the sun’s harmful rays. Here’s a direct quote from a fan:

“Moisture Therapy from AVON–cheap cheap cheap but the best I’ve found. No scents or flavors ,doesn’t sting, just moisturizes and stays on. Both in stick form for convenience and a potted ointment. ” - Unknown

Price - was $1.49 on sale $.79 cents!

(click on image or link to purchase)

Wow! This I ordered right now, read the comments and for 79 cents, I’m giving it a try. - Michelle

Ladies, for those of you who have not discovered the joys of Shu Uemura Cosmetics let me be the first to welcome you …

I started using Shu Uemura products about 3 years ago and I have not looked back since. What I enjoy about this make-up line is it’s light, made to enhance your natural features in lieu of masking them or altering them completely like some other cosmetic lines. Named after and founded by Mr. Shu Uemura, he began his career in Hollywood in 1955 and found fame when he transformed Shirley Maclaine’s makeup in My Geisha. Turning her caucasian features into that of a Japanese Geisha. (click on Mr. Shu Uemura to read about the Beginnings of Shu Uemura)

I have a couple of “must have” items I swear by at Shu Uemura:

1. Cleansing Beauty Oil

#1 selling shu uemura Cleansing Oil in the world. A premium, anti-aging and anti-oxidant skin purifier that thoroughly cleanses the skin while protecting it against the internal and external aggressions associated with aging. Features Green Tea Extract, known worldwide for its anti-oxidant properties. Leaves skin smooth and protected without stripping it of itsnatural oils. Removes waterproof makeup.

Price: $75.00 (450mL)

2. Eyeshadows

(click on the color of eyeshadow image to purchase)

Shu Uemura eyeshadows are light, iridescent and do not rest in the folds of your eyes or creases. (Which I HATE!) What I love about their shadows is the silky texture it leaves on my eyes, and their ability to open up my eyes. Which means no matter how tired I am, they give me a fresh look that makes me feel younger and brighter.

To shop for more colors of Shu Uemura Eyeshadows, click here.

Price - $20.00

3. Eye Lash Curler

Shu Uemura eyelash curlers are world renowned and used by all make-up professionals. The design is simple yet wonderfully effective. Even for someone like myself who has literally 5 lashes on each eye, the eyelash curlers are able to curl perfectly every time without pulling out the precious strands.

Price: $17-$19.00

Saks Fifth Avenue

I recently received a $400 dollar gift certificate for Saks Fifth Avenue so I have been visiting their website to peruse my spending options before I head over there. As luck would have it I came across this great deal on FREE GIFT with purchase! My good luck, shall be your good luck!

This exclusive terry case filled with goodies is yours with any cosmetic or fragrance purchase of $100. Include three travel-size containers, a travel toothbrush, a terry headband, plus deluxe samples of Annick Goutal Petite Cherie fragrance, our exclusive Chloé fragrance, Clinique High Impact Mascara, Estee Lauder Ultimate Youth Creme, Laura Mercier Lip Plumper, one of: Fekkai Glossing Cream, Technician Mask or Technician Shampoo. Contents of case may vary. Please let us choose color of case. Use code AGELESS at checkout.
*ONE GIFT PER CUSTOMER. ONE PROMO CODE PER ORDER. Valid at saks.com thru Sun., March 9, 2008 at 11:59pm(ET) or while supplies last. Use code: AGELESS at checkout. Purchase must contain $100 of cosmetics or fragrance. Purchase excludes shipping, taxes, gift-wrap. Cannot be combined with any other offer. No adjustments to prior purchases. Not transferable.

Blue and braids ruled the Gareth Pugh Fall 2008 at London Fashion Week.  Are you ready for it?