When it comes to relaxing after a particularly stressful few weeks or recovering from some intense workouts at the gym, there’s nothing quite like hitting up a spa for a pampering treatment. Unfortunately, if you’re looking to stop by the likes of the Four Seasons, that luxe pampering will likely set you back a few hundred bucks. On the flip side, that sketchy parlor on the corner (where the therapists have questionable qualifications) doesn’t exactly fit the bill either.

To that end, the folks at Spa Week have been holding a bi-annual event that’s nothing short of fantastic. Twice a year, for $50 each time, anyone can head to one (or more!) spas from a long list to indulge in a pampering treatment. This Spring Spa Week is taking place April 16th-22nd and treatments include everything from body wraps and facials, to waxing services and mani/pedis. To boot, Spa Week has enlisted spas across the U.S. to participate so, no matter where you live, you can indulge in a luxurious treatment offered at the steeply discounted price of $50.

I’m nothing short of a spa addict so I can’t wait to head to VMV Hypoallergenics Skin-Specialist Boutique in NYC for a 50-minute Coconut Hydrating Body Wrap and to Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa for a pedicure — the perfect treatments to help transition my body from Winter to Spring.

Click here to find treatments/spas near you!

Image: Spa Week NYC

No related posts.

You tell yourself to keep walking. The last thing you need is another bag. You almost have yourself convinced that this new life of frugality is possible, invigorating even. You’re feeling pretty empowered. You’ve just overcome the lure of an animal print bag. Is there a more difficult challenge known to women worldwide? It’s about on the level of world peace or universal health care or something. In your opinion, anyway.

But then something shifts. You stop. There’s this tingle. The Itch.

Suddenly, you’ve burst through the double doors. You’re holding the purse in one hand and credit card in the other, as if you didn’t just purchase a studded clutch and cross-shoulder bag last week. Who can survive The Itch?

Not me. I’ve tried. I can’t walk away from a perfect carryall, and to be rather blunt, I don’t want to. That’s why I’ve come to realize that if The Itch is truly happening, I just go with it. Unless you are truly endangering your well-being or sanity, sometimes you can splurge a little in one area of your fashion life. I save on lots of pieces when I can — mostly trendy items, non-essentials and shoes (because I go through “shoe phases” all the time). But bring up bags and, well…

I’m a little bit addicted, and sometimes I just NEED that perfect sleek, black tote that catches my eye at the store. That’s why I’ve decided to employ this style and shopping philosophy: If I am working like crazy to fight off The Itch, then it’s best to just give in. Buy the bag. Or blouse. Or perfect jacket. Or fabulous pair of shoes. Then just tell yourself you will save on something else (and actually do it). I mean, you could torture yourself and then freak out when you change your mind and the item is no longer in stock… Oh, no. The horror!

So, just forget it. Don’t make yourself crazy. I can’t resist buying fabulous bags. So I will allow myself the occasional extra out of sheer necessity and to avoid the nasty repercussions of The Itch. Just make sure to save on other items. That’s my philosophy. I guess I should simply be thanking my lucky stars that I don’t purchase totes in every gorgeous shade. Hmm… that’s an idea…

Just kidding! Do you ever suffer from The Itch? Let me know what your weakness is in the comments.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/novecentino/604779490

No related posts.

When I first started wearing makeup, my routine consisted of foundation, loose powder and red lipstick–it was the 90s and I was thirteen, what do you want from me?

But that’s all over now. I mean, I still wear the bronzer, but I’ve reincorporated the translucent loose powder and my makeup is all the better for it. And still pretty dewy.  Considering the way it keeps makeup in place all day (no, seriously!), absorbs oil, and minimizes the appearance of pores, I can’t believe I went without wearing it all these years. I guess I thought that it would give me too much matte texture, but if you apply it with a large powder brush, you can really control it.

My technique is to give my face a light dusting after the bronzer but before blush and eyeliner in order to increase the staying power and true color of both. Because of its moisture eradicating super powers, a quick sweep of powder on the eyelids before you let any liner or shadow near  ‘em will eliminate the smudges and makeup build-up in the creases. Yuck, I hate when that happens.

Another trick is to powder your lips before applying lipstick, which makes lipstick last and last. It’s also a good tool if you’re going for nude lips–just dab a little bit of foundation on your kisser until you get the fleshiness you’re going for and then lightly powder. You’ll be amazed at how long the effect will last.

Top to Bottom: LORAC Face Powder for the Face $28, Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush, $18.50, Shu Uemura New Face Powder, $32

No related posts.

While LORAC isn’t insanely expensive, it does set me back $17.50, so you can imagine my delight when I caught sight of Revlon’s new Limited Edition Pinch Me Sheer Gel Blush. At around $12.00, Pinch Me seemed like a good deal, and the “Cheeky Cherry” hue it comes in looked like a close match to LORAC’s “Sheer Luck.”

The Verdict: I think I’m going to keep paying the extra 5 bucks to LORAC. The Revlon blush was less messy than the LORAC, which comes in a roll-on bottle that can be unruly at times, causing too-much-at-once application, but that wasn’t enough to convince me. The consistency of the Revlon was too gelatinous for my taste, and it seemed like the jelly texture caused the pigmentation to be barely visible. It also made it difficult to build color, and I’m not the type to pack it on, so if I couldn’t get the color I wanted, that’s saying something.

All told, I think I can live with Revlon’s Pinch Me until it runs out, but I won’t be going back for more. I prefer the thinner consistency of LORAC’s formula and the deeper color. I do, however, appreciate Revlon’s effort, and I hope more mass-market brands start making and perfecting cheek stains.

LORAC Sheer Wash Lip & Cheek Tint, $17.50

No related posts.

Exfoliating your face is a beauty must if you want vibrant skin since a good scrub will remove dead layers of skin, minimize fine lines, and make your complexion glow. It’s a great way to minimize the effects skin-damaging environmental pollutants like smog, which can clog your pores big time. The key is to avoid overexfoliating, which can either cause your face to dry out (wrinkle alert!) or produce too much oil (break out alert!) depending on your skin type.

L’OCCITANE makes a great scrub mud (pictured above) that’s gentle on skin, but you can get away with paying a little less with these great products:

Desert Essence, $7.49, Avalon Botanicals, $8.09, Kiss My Face, $5.56

No related posts.