Many mass-market hair care products rely on harsh chemicals that can cause follicle, skin and eye irritation. In some cases, ingredients have been implicated in respiratory, immune and endocrine problems, even cancer. Fortunately, there is now a wide range of greener, healthier hair care products available. (Thinkstock/iStock)

Many common hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners and hair sprays, can pose health hazards. Most of the shampoos for sale on supermarket and drugstore shelves use a chemical called sodium laureth sulfate (or one of its derivatives), a foamy de-greaser that can cause follicle, skin and eye irritation, and which has been linked to some cancers when combined with other common shampoo ingredients.

Meanwhile, mass-market conditioners typically rely on so-called quaternary compounds to produce thicker, silkier and tangle-free hair, but these chemicals can also irritate the skin and eyes and likewise have been linked to cancer. As for hair spray and other styling products, most work by coating the hair with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a plastic polymer that has been dissolved in solvents to keep it flexible. Environment Canada, Canada’s counterpart to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, classifies PVP as a medium health priority, although phthalates, triethanolamine, parabens and other hair spray ingredients may be more harmful, having been linked to respiratory, immune and endocrine problems as well as cancer.

Luckily for those who spend a lot of time and money getting their hair to look, smell and feel just right, a wide range of greener, healthier hair care products has emerged in recent years. Aveda has been a pioneer in the industry ever since Horst Rechelbacher launched the company in 1978 after visiting India and witnessing the healing powers of Hindu medicine and aroma. Today the company offers seven hair product lines tailored to different hair types, with the majority of the ingredients derived from plants, non-petroleum minerals or other natural sources. Furthermore, upwards of 89 percent of the essential oils and raw herbal ingredients Aveda uses in its hair cars products are sourced from certified organic producers.

There are hundreds of other companies, too, that sell natural hair products. A great place to look is at the GoodGuide, a website that rates 145,000 foods, toys, personal care and household products according to health, environmental and social responsibility standards. Top-rated shampoos listed there include Burt’s Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar, Aura Cacia Kids Shampoo and Aubrey Organics Men’s Stock Ginseng Biotin Shampoo. GoodGuide’s top performing conditioners include Dr. Bronner’s Hair Conditioning Rinse, Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick with Tea Tree Leaf Oil, KMS Haircare Liquid Assets and Nurture My Body Conditioner. As for styling, GoodGuide likes any of the varieties of Dr. Bronner’s Hair Conditioner and Style Cream as well as L’Oreal’s Elnett Extra Strong Hold.

Another source for credible hair care products recommendations is the Guide to Less Toxic Products, a free online resource produced by the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia. The guide lists 25 shampoos, 22 conditioners and 18 hair styling products that meet its stringent ingredient standards. Also check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetics database, which provides detailed ingredient information and safety assessments for 70,000 personal care products, including hundreds of shampoos, conditioners and hair styling formulations.

CONTACTS: Aveda, www.aveda.com; Good Guide, www.goodguide.com; Guide to Less Toxic Products, www.lesstoxicguide.ca; Skin Deep, www.ewg.org/skindeep.

By Kasey Miller at Emmanuel College

Photo Cred: www.laurenshope.com

The main reason people do not wear medical IDs is because they are ugly and bring attention to their medical conditions. Another reason is because people do not know what medical conditions are considered important enough to merit wearing a medical ID. The simple solution would be to ask your doctor. If your doctor thinks you should wear a medical ID odds are you should wear one.

Lauren’s Hope medical IDs are negating the stigma of people wearing medical IDs. They are fashionable and, unless the person wearing the ID wants or needs to bring attention to their medical condition, no one knows that they are wearing one.

The front of the pendant looks like a carnation with a lot of colorful layers. In the center of the flower is a red medical alert symbol but unless you are strictly looking for it, you do not see it. If you are trying to look for it, you will see it.

“It’s so important to wear a medical ID and when Laurens Hope makes them so cute I don’t mind wearing mine! People need options when they have diabetes. We have minimal options in treatment, but in fashion they are limitless.” Says Allison Crace, a type one Diabetic.

On Lauren’s Hope webpage, you can choose from a variety of styles of medical IDs. If you prefer to wear something subtle, like a watch, they have that option. If you want something flashy that shows up when you wear it, they also have jewelry that fits that description. Whatever style you are, and if you have any known chronic illnesses, Lauren’s Hope has the type of medical ID you are looking for.

People with known chronic illnesses crave control – and Lauren’s Hope gives some control back to these people.

A Lauren’s Hope medical ID necklace looks like a normal necklace. This brings up the question: How does medical staff know if a person is wearing a medical ID? The answer is that emergency medical staff is trained to check for the little red medical alert symbol on the arms, neck or feet of any person seen by emergency medical staff.

The price of a Lauren’s Hope medical ID would be somewhere in the sixty dollar range. The price of not wearing a medical ID, on the other hand, is far more costly.

Beautiful hair was everywhere at this year’s New York Fashion Week, and thanks to some of the industry’s top hairstylists, you can create these chic, straight-from-the-runway looks yourself at home. Read on for step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be looking runway-ready in no time!

A modern, youthful twist

Designer: Preen 
Hairstylist: Paul Hanlon, lead stylist for Aveda

To complement Preen’s modern yet feminine look, Hanlon says he “wanted the hair to impart the same lightness, innocence and purity.  We created a sleek silhouette to mirror the clean lines of the clothes.” The result? Hair that is “pure and neat; it almost has a forties feel,” he adds.

How to do it

1.     Prep hair by spritzing throughout with Aveda Volumizing Tonic, then blow dry with a round brush.  Work hair away from the face and neck to keep the hairline clean.  If hair is dry or damaged, begin by prepping with Aveda Brilliant Damage Control, and follow with Aveda Volumizing Tonic.

2.     Once dry, gently brush hair away from the face and let hair part naturally on the left side. Smooth hair with a fine-toothed comb and a light mist of Aveda Air Control Hair Spray.

3.     On the right side of the head at the top of the ear, begin to twist hair toward the back of the head, staying just on top of the parietal ridge.  Use a tail comb to neatly bring hair up into the roll, and secure the roll with “U” pins.  Avoid twisting too tightly at this point.

4.     Continue twisting toward the back of the head following the natural hairline.  Twist all the way to the nape, secure hairwith a clip.

5.     Repeat twist on the left side, starting slightly lower, one to two inches above the top of the ear, sloping downward at the back of the head to create a “U” shape when twists meet at the nape.

6.     Neatly brush hair upward from the hairline to create a seamless connection between the two twists.  This gives the appearance of a single, smooth, twisted roll that snugly wraps around the head.

7.     Use Aveda Air Control Hair Spray and the end of a tail comb to smooth all wisps and flyaways while replacing “U” pins with bobby pins, snugly tucked and hidden. 

8.     Finish with Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine.     

Long, loose, effortless waves

Designer: Christian Siriano
Hairstylist: Antoinette Beenders, lead stylist for Aveda

“The hair for Christian Siriano this season is playful and looks effortless,” says Beenders. “We’ve updated the loose, beachy waves of the ’90s with a more groomed look that’s smart, young and approachable. I was inspired by Christian’s muse for this collection: a charming, smart girl who radiates happiness. The hair is super wearable and reflects her flirty, yet clever nature.  It’s fun, fresh and modern—just like the collection.”

How to do it

1.     Dampen hair at the root with Aveda Volumizing Tonic and blow dry with a large round brush to create natural volume.  For added lift, use Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray as a setting lotion while blow-drying by lightly misting the hair.

2.     Use a one-and-a-half-inch barrel curling iron to curl one-inch sections of hair away from the face until all hair is curled.  Rake with fingers to loosen. 

3.     Flip hair upside down and gently brush curls through.

4.     Flip hair back up. Create a deep side part and gently smooth out the top of hair using a comb, maintaining volume at the part.

5.     Spray Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine onto a kabuki makeup brush and stroke the brush over hair from roots to ends to give a healthy shine.  Keep style in place and protect against humidity with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.

Textured and touseled

Designer: Band of Outsiders 
Hairstylist: Didier Malige, stylist for Aveda

Malige created two looks for the Band of Outsiders’ show (which was inspired by the dark 1975 Australian film “Picnic at Hanging Rock”), a romantic, “girly” look of textured waves, and a “boyish” look of a touseled chignon. “The hair for both looks at Band of Outsiders is textured, matte and has an easy look, almost undone,” says Malige. “It’s as if she’s done her hair herself, pulling it back into a loose chignon or letting it fall into natural waves.”

How to do it: The “girly” waves

1.  Divide dry hair into two sections with a straight middle part.

2.  Working with one section at a time, twist each section of hair away from the face while applying Aveda Brilliant Retexturizing Gel.

3.  Continue twisting hair and working in the gel until hair is nearly saturated.

4.  Holding the twisted section out with your fingertips, use a blowdryer to set hair. Continue blowdrying and twisting until hair is completely dry.

5.  Pin the twist to the side of the head, creating a large spiral. Leave for several minutes to set.

6.  Repeat on the other side of the head.

7.  Once the spirals have set, remove pins so that the twists fall onto each shoulder. Rake hair with your fingers to create waves.

8.  For added texture, scrunch Aveda Pure Hair Abundance Potion into waves.

9.  Finish with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray.

How to do it: The “boyish” chignon

1.     Mist Aveda Air Control Hair Spray throughout hair from roots to ends to texturize the hair and give pliable hold.

2.     Gently brush hair through using a brush.

3.     Using a wide-toothed comb, backcomb hair from mid-length to ends, leaving the roots untouched. This creates grip and hold on the hair, making it easier to pull back and secure.

4.     Twist hair back and create a loose chignon at the occipital bone. Pin into place.

5.     Gently backcomb the top layer of hair and the chignon in a feathering motion, creating additional wisps and a slightly “undone” look.

6.     Loosen a few wisps of hair around the face for a natural, slightly mussed feeling.

7.     Hold style in place with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray.

 A wearable, pretty chignon

Designer: Sophie Théallet
Hairstylist: Didier Malige, stylist for Aveda

For Sophie Théallet’s collection, inspired by the 1969 film “La Piscine” (meaning “The swimming pool”), Malige wanted hair that expressed “an understated refinement, an instinctual sensuality.”  Malige says that “the hair is that of a girl who has just gone swimming, as if she has offhandedly pulled her hair back in a chignon and just left it to dry.  It reflects a nonchalant sensuality, her natural and understated sophistication.”

How to do it

1.     Brush hair away from the face with fingers, while working Aveda Pure Abundance Potion throughout to texturize.

2.     Pull hair back with hands, gathering at the back of the head as if to pull into a ponytail.

3.     Twist hair and coil into a loose bun, fasten with bobby pins.

4.     Pat a generous amount of Aveda Men Pure-Formance Grooming Clay and Aveda Control Paste onto the head, massaging and scrunching to create a matte, wet-and-dried texture.

5.     Smooth sides very close to head and leave a little volume on top.

Here is some information about hair transplants.

NEW YORK — Your eyes smolder from behind the black birdcage veil that wraps the brim of your hat. I know it’s you purely by the style and way you hold yourself, if nothing more. You and those damn hats and how they get me every time. I pretend like my heart doesn’t skip when I see a woman walk past with one of your unique style hats on, but I am only lying to myself. A week ago a woman, elegantly dressed with a Parisian accent was walking down the street, a green hat upon her finely groomed tresses. It was green felt, delicately folded together by a single golden button, complimented by a contrast flume of feathers. It reminded me of the hat you have, almost identical in every way. So badly I want those feathers to brush my cheek as I hold pull you closer to me, away from the noisy traffic on the street, which you migrate to, distracted as you look up at me, excitedly telling me a story. A story about a hat. The grey straw one with the three black progressing circles. The one you said you stumbled upon at a small shop in Greenwich, but you swore you’d never buy because you were embarrassed over all the hats you already owned. Your obsession was always so quirky and loveable to me, though maybe to others compulsive and irresponsible. But you love them. And when buying one you are always wearing one, which always creates a beautiful web when you tell me about them. The simple blue sailor piece you wear almost everyday, being a catalyst to all the others you buy. It almost seems maybe too small atop your already small head, making one wonder if it is for comedic effect or fashion. Some would argue both. But while some might call it comedic, or maybe even tragic, I find it all so beautiful. Like the day I first met you…walking slowly towards me, eyes looking right past me, your hair tucked sweetly underneath the beautiful velvet number that made you seem so utterly sexy and demure at the same time. I wasn’t sure how to react. Should I aggressively pull you close and show you the passion that dwelled inside me when seeing you for the first time, proud and confident? Or did I want to softly pull you closer to me, away from the traffic bustling by in a hurry, unlike you, who slowly seeped into my heart and now stood before me with smoldering eyes beneath another beautiful obsession…

Team:
Photographer: Christopher Helmut Grosser
Model: Carley Beck
Stylist: Ximena Garcia De Onrubia
Hair: James P. Moore
Makeup: Nichole Heid

Rihanna's bright red 'do makes a statement. (Media Credit/J. Strauss, WireImage)

There’s a hot new look for the hottest season: red hair. Although just two percent of the population are said to be natural redheads, one look at the TV and the latest magazine covers proves that many more want to be!

Some celebrities, such as Rihanna and Paramore’s Haley Williams, are choosing very bright “look at me!” shades of red that add extra oomph to their larger-than-life rock star attitudes. More recently, we’ve also seen “Gossip Girl’s” Blake Lively and aptly-named Scarlett Johansson take on subtler red shades in preparation for upcoming roles. Natural blonde Drew Barrymore also recently went red.

Yahoo.com reports that many of the most recognizable fiery-haired celebrities are not natural redheads, citing Lucille Ball, “Mad Men’s” Christina Hendricks, “Sex and the City’s” Cynthia Nixon, and “Will & Grace’s” Debra Messing; they’ve all been faking it for years, and many of us couldn’t picture them in any other shade. Blast spoke with in-home beautician Arielle Ferguson from Salem, Mass., for tips on how the everyday woman can successfully pull off the trend.

Blake Lively looks sultry and smokin' hot with red hair. (Media Credit/Mazur, WireImage)

First, consider your skin tone. “If you have a golden tone, try a deep auburn red to make you hair really stand out,” says Ferguson.  “An olive complexion works well with a darker shade like a burgundy. If you have a pale skin tone, stay away from bright reds, instead opting for a coppery shade.”

Different hair colors will absorb the red tint differently, so it’s best to ask your stylist how to get your desired look. For instance, naturally lighter hair may turn orange if handled aggressively, and naturally darker shades may first need to be chemically lightened to achieve the right look.

Ferguson advises, “Bring pictures of the color you want to help your stylist get a sense of what you’re looking for in terms of the brightness or intensity of the color.”

If you have to do it at home, start with a semi-permanent shade until you’re sure you’ve gotten it right; red is the hardest color to apply and hardest to remove, celebrity stylist Tracey Cunningham told Yahoo.com. You should also use a shampoo and conditioner formulated to preserve your color and prevent fading. Root touch-ups will likely need to be done every several weeks, but lighter shades may need the entire head recolored every couple of months, Cunningham adds.

Drew Barrymore's dark locks are sophisticated. (Media Credit/David Livingston, WireImage)

So what makeup goes with your new shade and what color clothes should you wear?  ”Try earthy colors on your eyes,” says Ferguson. “Or, for a nighttime look, use red lipstick to make your mouth pop and swipe a brown or black liner on your eyes.”

Beauty and fashion advice website Greatest Look suggests avoiding purples or pinks in your wardrobe that can clash with your hair, but it’s a matter of personal preference. If you really love a clashing color, Greatest Look suggests accessorizing in that color or simply wearing it as far away from your face as possible. Green also offsets red in the color wheel, so search for a shade of green that works; the lighter your hair, the lighter the green in your clothing should be. Knowing your color “season” can also point you in the right direction.

But when it comes to red hair, the most important accessory is you! Work your confidence to show off your bold new look, because blondes don’t have all the fun anymore!

NATICK — Katie Cazorla is a girl’s girl, from head to toenail, and she’s proving it to America from a traveling nail salon. Cazorla launched her nation wide tour in a mini-salon truck to promote her upcoming TV Guide Network show, “Nail files,” and landed in Natick.

“Nail Files,” Cazorla’s new show, chronicles the exploits of her nail salon in Los Angeles, The Painted Nail. After moving to LA from upstate New York in hopes of being a stand up comedienne, Cazorla became fed up with subpar (or even horrific) mani/pedis.

“I felt like there is a lack of places to get your nails done,” Cazorla explains.

After a particularly horrifying pedicure experience involving a drill, a callus remover and some newspaper, Cazorla decided to take matters into her own, neatly manicured, hands. She had a dream that she opened a wildly successful nail salon with plush chairs and free drinks, so she decided to make her dream come true.

“It was risky,” Cazorla said about opening her dream salon. Her family and friends thought it was equally as crazy, but supported her anyway.

Three months later, after extensive studying and some nail schooling, Cazorla opened the doors of the Painted Nail with little more than a hand written sign on the door saying “Open.”

The difference between her salon and others, Cazorla explained, is the relaxing environment, the cleanliness (everything is one-time-use), and, of course, the champagne.

Clients flooded in, and the business was an instant success, especially with celebrities.

“Vanessa Williams, Vanessa Hudgens, Teri Hatcher, Debbie Gibson, oh my God I freaked out when Debbie Gibson came in!” Cazorla listed only a few of the many celebrities that frequent her salon. “We booked up so fast.”

Hilary Duff even had her bridal party’s nails done at the salon before her wedding.

The Painted Nail caught the eye of a television producer at it’s grand opening. He approached Cazorla with the premise of a reality show about a nail salon, and said he was just looking for a venue. After some negotiation, Cazorla accepted and “Nail Files” was born.

Cazorla never though her salon would make it so big, especially after she abandoned her Hollywood dreams and got what she dubbed a “regular job.”

“I gave up doing comedy and show biz, and all of a sudden it happened!”

Even though Cazorla now has a solid foot in the entertainment industry’s door, she has no intentions of reviving her former dreams.

“I love nails and I love everything about nails. I can’t imagine giving that up to take a chance on something else,” Cazorla explained enthusiastically.

The Painted Nail now includes a hair salon and party lounge to continue the VIP nail experience. The salon’s transformations are far from done, however.

“My goal is to have more of the Painted Nail in different places,” Cazorla said.

“Nail Files” airs June 21st on TV Guide Network. Expect a light-hearted reality show with just a little drama.

“It’s a cute, funny show without the cragginess of reality TV,” Cazorla jested. “Without the drunken girls…which I love! But I don’t want to be one.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only limited say in what cosmetics manufacturers can and cannot put into their products. And the cosmetics industry has essentially been regulating itself for some three decades. But critics argue that self-regulation isn't appropriate for an industry trading in potentially carcinogenic products. (Media credit/Jupter Images via Thinkstock)

The Safe Cosmetics Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2010 by Democrats Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. But it never got past committee reviews and thus never came up for a vote.

The proposed bill aimed to ensure that all personal care products for sale in the U.S. would be free of harmful ingredients and that all ingredients would be fully disclosed. The bill would’ve given the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to prohibit the use of certain ingredients, including carcinogens and reproductive and developmental toxins, to recall products that fail to meet safety standards, and to require product labels to name each ingredient.

The FDA has only limited say in what cosmetics manufacturers can and cannot put into their products. And the cosmetics industry has essentially been regulating itself for some three decades, and would like to keep it that way. In response to failed efforts in the 1970s to force the FDA to regulate cosmetics more like drugs—with required pre-market safety assessments—the industry decided to take matters into its own hands, creating the Cosmetics Industry Review Panel to judge the safety of various ingredients.

Critics argue that self-regulation isn’t appropriate for an industry trading in potentially carcinogenic products. “It’s a panel funded by the trade association,” Stacy Malkan of the non-profit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics told the Washington, DC-based Corporate Crime Reporter. “For 30 years that they have been in operation, they have only looked at about 13 percent of the chemicals in cosmetics. They do cursory reviews. They look mostly for short term health effects. It’s a panel of mostly dermatologists, not toxicologists. So, they don’t have the expertise to be looking at long-term health effects like cancer.”

Another non-profit, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), has identified upwards of 100 different products that passed Cosmetics Industry Review Panel safety assessments despite obvious violations of that body’s own guidelines. According to EWG’s research, 22 percent of all personal care products on store shelves today—including children’s products—may contain a cancer-causing ingredient (1,4-Dioxane), while some 60 percent of sunscreens contain oxybenzone, a potential hormone disruptor.

In response to the government not requiring cosmetics manufacturers to be more responsible, EWG launched the Skin Deep website, an easy-to-use, keyword-searchable database of cosmetics and their health risks and environmental footprints. The idea behind the website is to let users decide for themselves which cosmetics to purchase; EWG hopes that making this information freely available and easy-to-access will help drive demand for safer products.

Supporters of the Safe Cosmetics Act were hopeful that passage of their bill would usher in a new era of more rigorous mandatory screening of cosmetics here at home, and leadership in a global marketplace hungry for safer, greener products. Advocates for safe cosmetics hope that lawmakers will muster the resolve to reintroduce the bill, or another like it, in the current or some future session of Congress.

CONTACTS: FDA, www.fda.gov; Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, www.safecosmetics.org; Corporate Crime Reporter, www.corporatecrimereporter.com; Skin Deep, www.ewg.org/skindeep/.

Buying this lavender-scented candle is just one of the ways you can help

Next time you suds up, shave and relax in the tub, remember this: Taking just one bath uses, on average, over 40 gallons of water, while many people in the world have access to fewer than eight gallons of water a day. Nearly 900 million people around the world struggle to obtain clean water, and over 3.5 million people die each year from water-related diseases, according to Water.org. But despite the grim statistics, there is hope. This month, Aveda celebrates its 12th Earth Month Campaign in the effort to raise $4 million to bring clean water to those who need it. The best part? You can help!

Aveda, known for its high-end skincare, haircare and makeup products made with plant-based, organic ingredients, has raised over $18 million for environmental organizations since 1999.

“Environmentalism and social activism are Aveda’s heritage; they are part of our culture, they are in our DNA,” said Katie Galloway, Aveda’s Earth Fund manager. “We believe it is our responsibility to care for the world and communities where we do business.”

This year, all of the money raised by the Earth Month Campaign will go to the Global Greengrants Fund, which gives grants to grassroots organizations working to provide clean water to impoverished communities around the world.

“Water is a fundamental human right and a global issue,” said Galloway. “Whether pollution or scarcity, this is a problem in everyone’s back yard.” Galloway continues, “We all have a role to play in preserving biodiversity and protecting the health of the planet for future generations. It’s a question of sustainability; we cannot continue to ignore environmental degradation without understanding its detriment to all life forms —plants, animals and humans.”

How you can make a difference

Relax with aromatherapy. One hundred percent of the purchase price ($12) of Aveda’s soy Light The Way Earth Month Candles will be donated to the campaign. The limited-edition candle is scented with 100 percent certified organic lavender, lavandin and clary sage essential oils and is packaged with recycled materials.

Go for a walk. During the week of April 22, join the Walk for Water event at participating salons and spas. Raise awareness by walking 3.7 miles, the average distance women in developing countries must walk in order to collect water every day.

Get your hair done. Make an appointment at a participating salon or spa and a portion of the service fee will be donated to the campaign. If you use Foursquare or Facebook to check in at that location, Aveda will donate $1.

Go shopping. Shop at Aveda.com and donate $1 at check-out to support organizations working to improve water quality for disaster victims in Japan.

For more information or to find out which salons and spas are participating in Aveda’s Earth Month Campaign, go to www.aveda.com or Facebook.com/Aveda.

In the sea of anti-aging creams, serums and lotions that floods stores everywhere, choosing what to buy can be dizzying. Rows of products boast ingredients such as retinol, hydroquinone and alpha and beta hydroxy acids, but the new Easeamine Skin Care Collection is bringing a breakthrough ingredient to anti-aging skin care: adenosine.

Adenosine is a naturally-occurring compound found throughout the body that increases the skin’s production of collagen and elastin, proteins that reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. James G. Dobson, Jr., Ph.D., discovered adenosine’s skin-repairing qualities at the University of Massachusetts Medical School while researching how aging affects heart function. Through Easeamine’s Adenosine Skin Technology, adenosine is delivered to the lower layers of the skin, where it also increases blood flow to the skin’s outer layers and increases cell size, making the skin look smoother and fuller.

The company behind Easeamine, Carmel Laboratories, Inc., reports that the skin line also decreases roughness, dryness and sallowness of the skin. In clinical trials conducted by International Research Services, Inc., participants experienced a 38 percent improvement in skin dryness, a 26 percent improvement in skin elasticity, an up to 48 percent improvement in skin firmness, a 22 percent improvement in skin tone, a 40 percent improvement in fine lines and wrinkles and a 42 percent improvement in overall appearance.

“Scientists and dermatologists have long sought topical treatments that stimulate collagen production in the skin,” Dobson said. “But until the use of adenosine in Easeamine, the products available were limited to invasive treatments or chemical solutions.”

Not only is its breakthrough ingredient naturally-occurring, but Easeamine, unlike many of its competitors, is formulated without parabens, preservatives, mineral oils, artificial fragrance, artificial colors or dyes. Even better? It’s American-made, and it’s not tested on animals.

Easeamine is sold exclusively online at www.easeamine.com. A portion of the profits — “nearly all,” according to the product website — goes towards the Teresian Carmelite, a monastic community in Millbury, Mass., and its charitable programs benefiting the underprivileged through education.

The Easeamine Skin Care Collection

Easeamine Cleanser, $26, soothes, moisturizes and removes impurities from the skin with aloe, marshmallow root extract and grapefruit seed extract.

Easeamine Revitalizing Toner, $29, detoxifies and refreshes skin with witch hazel, chamomile and aloe.

Easeamine Day Crème, $76, is a lightweight, antioxidant-packed moisturizer  with Vitamins A, C and E.

Easeamine Night Crème, $138, helps moisturize, regenerate and restore the skin.

Easeamine Eye Crème, $98, reduces puffiness, dark under-eye circles and crow’s feet.

You could win this Jockey No Panty Line Promise Luxe set (in your size, of course!)

Jockey has spent the past few weeks surprising 250 lucky ladies at 13 spas in six cities across the country as part of their Random Acts of Luxe campaign. Winners were given free spa and salon treatments, free beauty products, and Jockey Luxe gift bags.

Now, Jockey wants to give one of our Blast readers a Jockey No Panty Line Promise Luxe gift set! 

Mo Moorman, director of public relations at Jockey International, said that the idea for the campaign came from a survey conducted by Jockey earlier this year. The survey found that 57 percent of American women have been struggling financially to purchase new apparel items, and that 40 percent of American women admit that the economy has made it more difficult for them to get their favorite beauty treatments.

“With so many women cutting back on life’s little luxuries, the survey also showed us that most would like to be surprised with a pampering gift,” said Moorman. “At Jockey, we understand that every woman deserves to be pampered but can’t always afford to do so.”

How to enter

Become a registered Blast user (it’s free!) and leave a comment below about how the economy has affected your beauty routine.

Comments must be posted by Nov. 18. A winner will be chosen on Nov. 19.

Isn’t it a random combination that Justin Bieber and nail polish? But the 16-year-old pop sensation is taking that kind of new step in his career. Nicole by OPI nail polish is reportedly creating a collection of colors inspired by Bieber, Hollyscoop reported. The collection will be titled “One Less Lonely Girl.”

The collection is described as including the following shades: One Less Lonely Glitter (Pale Purple), Prized Possession Purple (Grape), Give Me The First Dance (Silver), Me + Blue (Metallic Blue), O.M.B! (Metallic Red), and Step 2 the Beat of My Heart (Heart-Shaped Specks).

The nail polish colors will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores starting in December, and will later be offered by Target, Sears and Ulta.

Have you ever read the ingredients to your favorite beauty products only to discover the word "urea" on the label?  If so, you’re probably wondering why that word sounds so familiar… then it hits you; urea sounds like urine! As gross as it sounds, the majority of your favorite products contain urea, but before you throw them away in disgust, you should keep reading.

Urea, also known as carbamide, is an organic compound that is essentially a waste product of digested protein that gets filtered through the kidneys and is expelled from the body through urine. However, the urea that is often found in cosmetics is made from synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Initially, urea was discovered by the French chemist Hillaire Rouelle in 1773. Just 55 years later it became the first organic compound to be created synthetically.

So why is it used in beauty products? Urea slows down the loss of moisture from a product; when used in skin care products it increases the water content of the top layers of the skin. Urea also minimizes the change in the pH balance of a product when other ingredients are added to that product.

One important factor of urea is that it acts as a preservative; it helps to control the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Without urea, our beauty products wouldn’t last nearly as long as they do once they are opened.

Some beauty products that contain urea include Nair, Veet, hair conditioners, body lotions (such as Eucerin), teeth whitening products, skin softeners, bath oils, facial cleansers, and cosmetics such as eye makeup, facial makeup, makeup removers, tanning/bronzing lotions, and cuticle removers.

The ingredients you should be looking for are urea, carbamide, imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl urea (which is found in the preservative Germaben).

Diazolidinyl urea can also be found in baby wipes, household detergents, and bubble baths.

Imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea are chemically related, therefore they are used in the same way. Both preservatives act as formaldehyde releasers (this is what makes them preservatives).

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review board (CIR) has found urea to be safe as used up to 10 percent, imidazolidinyl urea safe as used up to one percent, and diazolidinyl urea safe with qualifications up to a maximum of 0.5 percent.

Allergic reactions to imidazolidinyl urea may result in a rash on your skin; however it is not a common cause of allergic reactions when compared to other preservatives. Therefore it is often found in beauty products that are labeled "hypoallergenic."

If you are unsure about the ingredients found in your beauty products your best bet is to contact the company that makes the product. They will be able to provide you with all the pertinent information.

You can relax though, there is no one peeing in your favorite beauty products.

Skin is the largest organ of the human body, yet people have a tendency to ignore it. That is until we notice a wrinkle or a blemish that seems to have appeared over night. At that point, we’re panicking to find any cure to our embarrassing dilemma no matter how obscure it sounds. Perhaps it is time to care for your skin before you react to it. How should you care for your skin you ask? It’s simple…from the inside.

According to nutritionist and co-formulator of GliSODin Skin Nutrients, Paula Simpson, drinkable beauty is "a functional food defined as ‘those foods that encompass potentially healthful products including any modified food or ingredient that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains.’"

In simpler terms, a food that may have extra health benefits in them other than their known nutrients.

Simpson said that the idea of beauty from the inside "stemmed from the Asian and European markets. These women look at total beauty from a holistic perspective; to protect their bodies from accelerated aging with antioxidant rich diets and effective topical skincare programs."

Now you’re wondering, what foods will produce these cosmetic benefits?

The answer, according to Simpson, is foods that contain high sources of antioxidants, because they will "help to combat the damaging effects of free radicals (toxins that have been linked with accelerated aging). The richest sources of antioxidants include those from berries, carotenoids (tomatoes and carrots) citrus, and green leafy vegetables. Selenium rich foods such as oats, turkey, and Brazil nuts can help to promote healthy immunity to ward off free radical damage on the skin."

Another way to promote healthy looking skin is to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. "If you are not getting enough fluids on a daily basis then your skin will be the first to show signs of this," explains Simpson.

The website for GliSODin Skin Nutrients calls the product "ingestible skin care for beautiful, healthy skin." Simpson said the product was created to protect the body from accelerated aging as well as "to promote optimal skin health."

SOD stands for superoxide dismutase which is an enzyme found in the human body that reduces potentially harmful toxins. It is also the key ingredient in GliSODin.

Simpson believes if you include antioxidant rich foods and drinks to your normal diet, "you are essentially boosting your intake of specific nutrients to help support a healthy immune system.”

“By maintaining healthy immunity, you will feel well and look well!"

Charles David Salon of Hanover owner, Charles "Buddy" Dudley has been asked to do hair coloring for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York.

“Dudley will be using his expertise to color models for celebrity designer, Donna Karan’s DKNY fashion show,” the Middleboro publicity firm Grassroots Marketing said in a statement monday. “The three time Redken Elite Salon of the Year in Hanover is no stranger to glitz and glamor. Many national and local celebrities are frequent guests at Charles David Salon.”

The hot button annual fashion event showing off major spring 2010 collections takes place Feb. 11 to 18 at Bryant Park.

If you’ve been to a recent hot event — i.e. Boston Fashion Week 2009 — you may have seen a parade of fashionable ladies, rocking the runway and looking perfectly polished thanks to the talent of local designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, and photographers who capture every stride. That’s all good and dandy, but pay attention; it’s not just a typical eye candy moment, you could very well be in the presence of Omid Maxey’s Glam Squad, which is taking over Beantown’s fashion scene, one pleasurable appearance and sultry fashion show at a time.

Omid Maxey Glam Squad – Click here for more free videos

The Glam Squad is described as an interactive photo shoot which showcases local talent such as make-up artists, stylists, and designers, and is also becoming a live news feed on Facebook and social media/networking platforms. Whenever the Glam Squad makes an appearance, thanks to their team of photographers, the footage is crafted into a video montage and streamed onto the web.

Maxey, who has been a stylist at Safar Coiffure Salon for 15 years, came up with the Glam Squad concept after, he said, seeing too many dismal and disappointing displays of fashion being showcased at local venues.

"I got sick and tired of going out and seeing these fashion shows," explained Maxey. "Nobody cares; nobody knows who the designer is, and who is doing all the work to make that show happen."

Maxey created his own solution.

"I like to promote local artists. That’s what this is all about," he said.

Maxey credits his loyal clientele, the constant need for music, and the lovely "Glam Dolls" for his inspiration for the Glam Squad appearances. The dolls are switched up depending on the shoot, and what look Maxey is going for.

The very first interactive photo shoot the Glam Squad created was a Glam Doll invasion, hitting seven different locations throughout Boston. These included starting off at Safar, which is where the models get their hair styled by the salon’s stylists, including Maxey himself, and where they continue to get into full "doll" mode. Then they hit up Scoozi, Cafeteria, 33 Lounge, The Estate, Rocca, and a private loft to end things on a personal note. These locations were chosen by Maxey because the squad’s goal is to reach out to a VIP audience in a sophisticated atmosphere.

It’s an upscale, glamorous experience, nothing but the best for Omid Maxey’s Glam Squad.

The Glam Squad entourage originally began with 15 people, and has exploded to 45. Maxey insists that it will keep growing. The members include local artists who pull the event together through makeup, style, photography, and hair. In the past, the looks have been pulled from Betsy Johnson, Michael De Paulo, and Nirva Derbekai. Makeup is done by Nelse Karini, videographer Jamie P. Ryan and the photographers that loyally document the Glam Squad are Mike Zoto, Eric Rakston, Todd Lee, and Amy Azeredo-Samson.

Maxey is not a new name to the style scene. He is the artistic director for Safar Coiffure, and boasts a celebrity clientele list as long as his impressive resume. Maxey has been an on-camera host for a slew of events, including working next to Channel 7 anchor Francis Rivera for the Jarvis Green Foundation event this past October. Somewhere else you may have seen him is on Show Tube TV, where he has worked as a Style Host, directing women on the street how to pull together their look with, you guessed it, their ultra-important shoe selection. He also has a new show getting ready to debut, "Style with Omid Maxey,” a promo video for which is available online.

The Glam Squad made their appearance at Boston Fashion Week this year by attending iMan Fashion Group’s "Fashion Evolution Forever" event at the Joe Moakley Courthouse in the Seaport District. They also held a photo shoot at the grand opening of The Ames Hotel on November 19.

The Glam Squad’s most recent appearance was at the anticipated "Dancing with the Stars" event that took place on December 12 at the Westin Copley Hotel. It was here that a fusion of dancing, fashion, and style created quite a stir as the event was packed and a sure success. DWTS dancers Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo performed for the crowd, a Mercedes car show was showcased, a La Perla fashion show took place, and finally the Glam Squad walked the runway with hair done by Safar Coiffure, makeup by Nelse Karini, and draped in dresses by Michael De Paulo. Maxey kept the crowd entertained by co-hosting the event with Saran Kaba Jones, the executive director of FACE Africa. As dozens of camera flashes went off from every direction as the beauties took the stage, this is just one example of a typical night for the Glam Squad.

By the next day, there were online feeds of the footage from the event, credited by the Glam Squad’s photographers.

Safar Coiffure Salon is expanding and the long-awaited opening of the Miami branch was just this past week. The Glam Squad has scheduled appearances for the new branch and plan on taking Miami by storm with their cutting-edge fashion shows.

(ARA) — You’ve made your holiday list and checked it twice, but what happens when the salesperson helping you is naughty, not nice? Crowded stores, long lines, low inventory and cranky shoppers rushing to find that perfect holiday gift can often lead to a “perfect storm” of bad service.

That’s why many retailers are ensuring that they have service quality systems in place to avoid the typical holiday mishaps between shoppers and service staff, according to the American Society for Quality, which provides service quality training for many industries, including retail.

“The top four causes of customer dissatisfaction are out of stock items, discontinued items, returns and shipping charges,” says John Goodman, an ASQ customer service expert. “These are issues that are easily resolvable if sales staff have the right tools and training.”

Bigger stories like Bath & Body Works, for example, provide staff with training to handle these kinds of complaints. Its sales staff takes steps such as maintaining eye contact with customers during every step of the sale. They are also trained in how to detect and respond to unspoken needs and are told to “treat a return like a sale” because a properly handled return will often move the customer to buy something else.

Best Buy is ranked highest in customer satisfaction among national and multi-regional major appliance retailers, according to a new report by J.D. Power and Associates. One key reason is that they make customer service training a priority.

In addition to a rigorous certification process, employees are well-educated on complicated products and solutions, enabling them to better help customers, says Mike Fisher, senior director of Lean Six Sigma for Best Buy’s corporate campus in Richfield, Minn..

The store’s TRUST model ensures that employees thank consumers for coming into the store, respect their opinions, understand their needs, solve challenges together and thank and support the ongoing consumer relationship.

“Our goal is to put more sales staff or ‘blue shirts’ on the sales floor instead of handling paper work and other duties,” Fisher said. “That way they are immediately available to assist consumers with their questions and needs.”

While many retailers will make an extra effort to ensure excellent customer service this holiday season, Goodman suggests that customers take these steps to help ensure a positive sales experience:

• Get to know the sales clerks at your favorite stores. This ensures that you will be in the loop regarding stores sales and events. A salesperson who knows you may also be more apt to help if a problem does arise.
• Research store policies before you buy. Being aware of policies regarding cash refunds or sale merchandise returns can help you avoid problems later on.

So what happens when you run into a problem? Goodman offers these tips for successfully handling service complaints.

• Take three deep breaths — when you are upset you may not think clearly and therefore often don’t present your case logically.
• Tell the company rep that you know that the problem is not their fault – this reduces their defensiveness.
• After outlining the facts, state exactly what you want the rep to do for you – if you don’t they might go off in the wrong direction in developing a response.
• Don’t ask for cash compensation for your time — companies can almost never do that, but they can give you credit toward your bill.
• Never use profanity — most reps are authorized to hang up on you if you do.
• If you have been a long-term customer, point that out but don’t exaggerate — employees can often access your actual purchase history.

The simplest and most important thing you can do is to recognize good service when you receive it by remembering to say thank you.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Ah, summertime: refreshing cocktails, days at the beach, s’mores over a campfire…and hair so frizzy it looks like you’ve been electrocuted? Let’s face it: we wait all year for this season, but it isn’t without its own beauty woes. And these days, who has the money to spend on fancy products? The good news: you don’t need Angelina Jolie’s bank account, hair stylist or dermatologist to be gorgeous this summer. We’re spilling the dirt on beauty steals you didn’t even know you already had. Blast is sharing some alternate uses for products already in your cabinet, and the best news? They work!

• Is the hot weather giving you greasy hair? Are you camping and unable to shower? Forget shelling out the big bucks on trendy dry shampoos; some baby powder or cornstarch works just fine. Just sprinkle a little on your roots, leave it there for a couple of minutes to soak up the oil, rub it out with your fingers and voila!
• Is the humidity turning your hair into a frizzy mess? Have no fear,‚  just head to your kitchen. Rub a few drops of olive oil together in your hands and lightly pat onto dry or damp hair. If your hair tends to be greasy, apply it to the ends of your hair only to smooth any split ends. It may sound gross, but mayonnaise also works wonders on dry, frizzy hair. Apply a small amount of it as you would conditioner, cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for up to 30 minutes, rinse it out and then shampoo. Or try mixing 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 quart of water and pour it through your hair in the shower in lieu of your regular conditioner, then rinse it out. Do this once a week. Depending on your hair length and your preference, you may have to experiment with the ratio. Another super easy and totally free fix is to simply end your shower with a quick rinse of cool water, which will seal the hairs’ cuticles and leave your mane smooth, shiny and manageable.
• Summer’s heat and humidity can wreak havoc on acne-prone skin. But there’s no need to shell out lots of dough on expensive skincare products or subject your skin to harsh chemicals, perfumes, dyes and preservatives. There are a plethora of homemade skincare options – so many that we couldn’t list them all. But don’t worry, we chose from some of our favorites. Do you have oatmeal and baking soda in your pantry? Grind 2 teaspoons of oatmeal (a coffee grinder will work just fine), mix it with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and slowly add water to make a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your face and rinse well. Or raid your medicine cabinet and take out some aspirin, which is a natural source of salicylic acid, a popular ingredient in acne products. Crush 3-5 tablets (un-coated plain white pills) and mix the powder with water to form a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your skin and leave it on until dry. Now rinse and enjoy your new smooth skin. Feeling a little adventurous? Add a couple squirts of honey to the aspirin powder and then add the water to form a paste. After cleansing, always splash your face with cold water to close the pores.
• Does your skin get super oily in the summer? Try a homemade toner. You’ll have to experiment with the recipe, but start off with 2/3 part water to 1/3 part apple cider vinegar (ACV). If your skin can handle it, eventually move up to a 50/50 concoction. We recommend using distilled or filtered water. Shake the mix well, soak a cotton ball with it, and apply it to the face each night after cleansing. ACV is packed with vitamins and minerals and is, among many things, known to help regulate oil production. If you’ve got some tea tree oil or want to shell out some bucks to buy some, add a few drops to the toner for an added bacteria-killing benefit. Warning: this toner does not smell good. But if you want clear, radiant skin, get over it!
• Make sure your legs are bikini ready by exfoliating for a closer shave, a more even tan and fewer ingrown hairs. The aspirin mask mentioned above does wonders at sloughing off dead skin and eradicating those pesky ingrowns. Great alternatives to store-bought body scrubs (can you believe Fresh sells one made with brown sugar for $65?!) are ridiculously simple. Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar or brown sugar and 1/2 cup of oil – any vegetable oil will do. Sea salt and Epsom salts are wonderful at exfoliating the skin, and can be used all over the body; just mix 1/2 cup of the salts with 1/2 cup of vegetable, olive, or baby oil, or simply scrub your skin with some salts mixed with a little water.
• Got dry legs? Exfoliate them, of course! Also, try using hair conditioner as a substitute for shaving cream.
• Hot summer days equal embarrassing sweat and odor. Forget expensive “clinical strength” antiperspirants that contain aluminum (yuck!) and stick to the basics: Rubbing baking soda or cornstarch onto dry armpits should do the trick. If sweaty, stinky feet are a problem, brew a strong batch of black tea, let it cool, and soak your feet in it for 20-30 minutes. The pore-closing tannins in black tea will solve your problem. Or take Cosmopolitan magazine’s advice and do this routine every night for two weeks: soak a cloth in some strong black tea, allow it to cool, and put it on each armpit for five minutes. If excess sweating has caused some BO and your deodorant just isn’t cutting it, soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to your armpits. Don’t worry, the vinegary smell will disappear within a few minutes.
• Spent too long sunbathing and now you’re paying for it with a sunburn? Don’t distress! As long as your burn isn’t blistering or oozing, try some of these remedies. Apply a cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar to the affected areas, and then apply a moisturizer, preferably one containing aloe and/or vitamin e, since ACV is drying. Add Epsom salts or oatmeal to your bathwater and relax. Soak a cloth in a mixture of warm (not hot!) water and dissolved baking soda and apply it to your skin. Got a cucumber? It’s not just for salads and soothing your eyes; rub your skin with its cool slices. This one is strange, but it works: soak a cloth in cool milk and apply it to your skin, leaving it on for about 20 minutes, then rinse. Plain yogurt can also do wonders. Apply it to the burn, leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse with cool water. Another, less strange, solution is to make some tea (any kind will do), drink it, relax and apply the cooled tea bags to your burn.
• It’s no mystery that chlorine wreaks havoc on your hair. But why spend money on clarifying shampoo when you can use what you already have? Once again apple cider vinegar earns a gold star: rinse your hair with it in the shower to remove product and chemical build-up. Baking soda also offers a solution: mix 1 tablespoon or so of it with your shampoo in your hand, suds as usual, leave it on for a few minutes, rinse and enjoy chlorine-free locks. Another awesome tip? Before swimming, wet your hair and apply your conditioner to it but do not rinse it out; this will prevent the chlorine from penetrating your hair. After swimming, be sure to shampoo and condition as usual.

So, Blast readers, got your own summer beauty solutions? Comment below and help your fellow readers with cabinet-raiding, beautifying, cheap summer tips. And please, if you have adverse reactions to any of the recipes above, discontinue your use of them and see a doctor.

Men: follow these styling guidelines for perfect hair at every age (*Key Takeaway: Don’t be afraid of a little pomade!):

Here’s a little help from beauty & hair guru Yves Durif.

1. Lose the gel. “Pastes and Shines are in,” says Yves.‚  “You want to be able to run your hands through your hair – or somebody else’s – without the drama of being stuck in hair product.”

2.‚  Go bald gracefully.‚  Yves says, “Men who lose their hair should cut it as short as possible.‚  Hiding it is unflattering and indicates a lack of confidence.”

3.‚  Don’t forget the details. Yves insists, “Sideburns are a man’s most important accessory.‚  Whether the hair is super short or very long, sideburns are a must.‚  They add structure and tone to the face.”

4. You DO need product. “Simple finishing products make a big difference. They add texture and style to a good haircut.”

5.‚  Make the most of Gray. “Structure Pearl Finish ($25) is ideal for creating the very popular ‘silver look’ women die for.‚  Its prismatic formula adds gorgeous dimension to the hair color without looking too shiny.”

Yves Durif began his career at the famed Jaques Dessange Salon in Paris, and has been cutting and styling the hair of celebrities, CEO and influencers all over the world.‚  Featured in numerous magazines and television programs, Yves is at the center of the style world in his new flagship salon at New York City’s Carlyle Hotel.

Spa Week has some fabulous giveaways this month with‚ something‚  for everyone, a $1,000 Spa Week gift card, a pair of Manolos, a case of wine, a free vacation to Peter Island Resort, beauty products, and more. Yes, you read it right.‚ 

Spa Week Media Group Ltd., ‚ an integrated boutique marketing and public relations firm that specializes in the niche spa industry was founded in 2003 by‚ Cheryl Reid of New York. By reaching spa owners directly and offering treatments, regularly costing hundreds of dollars for only $50 the concept of having a website promoting these deals grew at a great rate. At first only having 25 spas‚ participating, there are now‚ Spa Week chapters in more than 21 cities nationwide.‚ ‚ ‚ 

“In three short years, Spa Week has gone from one of Manhattan’s best kept secrets to a nationwide spa enthusiasts’ dream. ‚ My goal is to have Spa Week in every American city that has a high proliferation of day spas to accommodate eager consumers looking for affordable indulgence and a peek into the future of wellness. I’m confident that the future of Spa Week will assist in educating Americans on the importance of spa as a part of a new and improved healthy lifestyle campaign,” said Reid.‚ 

It is very easy to maneuver through the website, finding your city and spas offering deals near you. After booking your treatment you can check out the giveaways tab and enter to win as many goodies as you like, equally simple.‚ 

This month Spa Week and Rioja wine are bringing you a chance to win a pair of Manolo Blahniks or a case of delicious red wine. ‚ Heroes of the beauty industry like Chris McMillan and Pat McGrath, from Allure Magazine, reveal their secret beauty weapons this month too and give away the fabulous products and tools they speak of.

With the economy slowly settling, and your cuticles probably‚ suffering form those at-home manicures, you are better of booking an affordable treatment at Spa Week that will cheer you up and not leave your wallet empty. And if you don’t want to get a treatment, you should still enter to win those Manolos!

(ARA)- With award season in full swing, all eyes are on celebrities and their red carpet style. For every A-lister, looking great at an awards show is almost as important as remembering an acceptance speech. While most celebrities have a team to get them picture perfect, there are some simple tricks you can do at home to make sure you’re camera ready for your next big event whether it’s a first date or family reunion.

Giuliana Rancic, host of E! News and a red carpet staple, shares some simple beauty tips that are sure to make you look and feel your best all night long — without a celebrity-sized budget.

Hydrate: Give yourself a healthy and glowing complexion by getting plenty of rest the night before the event, and stay hydrated during the day. When water gets too boring, add a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice. The antioxidants will add to your glow.

Relax: If you’re prone to getting pre-event jitters, it’s important to find a way to relax beforehand so you can arrive feeling your best. Remember that confidence shows. To de-stress, she suggests meeting a friend for yoga, getting a full body massage or putting on some fun music to dance around to as you get ready.

Be prepared: Try on your outfit the day before to assure that you have the right shoes and accessories. You’ll feel much more relaxed on the day of the big event knowing that you have everything ready. It also pays to have a Plan B outfit in mind, just in case. And while you have your outfit on, pull out your digital camera and snap a couple photos of yourself to practice finding your picture-perfect pose the way models do.

Giuliana Rancic, host of E! News shares some simple beauty tips that are sure to make you look and feel like a million bucks, without spending that much

Say cheese: You can count on there being photos taken at any big event, so your smile needs to be camera-ready. A lip stain is your best bet for long-lasting lip color, and a bold shade will make your smile extra eye-catching. Of course, no matter how bright the color, it can’t hide dull teeth. Giuliana swears by Crest Whitestrips to make sure her teeth are sparkling before the big event. “My latest beauty secret is to use new Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal two weeks before my big event. Because the strips mold to my teeth, I can talk, drink water and go about my routine while I’m wearing them! They fit perfectly into my busy schedule.”

Finally, eat right: You don’t want to be hungry during the event, but you also need to look your best in that dress. On the day of a big event, eat a small meal with protein in the morning, like an egg white omelet with veggies and feta cheese. Then, in the afternoon, stick with liquids like a fruit smoothie, which gives you energy without making you feel too full or bloated.

Following these simple steps will help you feel like you had your own personal glam squad for your next big night out.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

We ladies have all been there, done that, and will more than likely do it again … fake something! We wear push-up bras to give us a more voluptuous boost, skinny it out in skinny jeans to make us appear longer legged. Even strut around in stiletto boots to make our 5’4″ frames appear to be a more modelesque‚ 5’9″. (Of course if you’re me, you will show your grace by falling down a flight of stairs while wearing them! Jump up, dust yourself off and try again, hence the “do it again” scenario.)

Since we can’t seem to help but lash out against our natural born beauty… it doesn’t seem so bizarre to bat our eyes at a new trend that seems to be taking on a view of its own!

Fake eyelashes are all the rage. From the individual ones that you place near the edge of the eye to the full eyelashes, they are a beauty obsession among many women, and in some cases a must-have for nights out on the town.

False eyelashes have been around since 1916, when American film director D.W. Griffith was filming his epic, “Intolerance.” Griffith wanted actress Seena Owen to pop on screen so he invented lashes that brushed her cheeks, so her eyes would appear larger than life. A wig maker wove human hair through fine gauze, which was then gummed to Owen’s eyelids.‚  They continued to be used in films and were also loved by everyday women looking to enhance their look.

Now fast forward almost 100-years and you will still find women winking over their fake and flirty lashes. Only now they are more practical in design but much more daring in style, and selection. Basic black is the most popular of course, but if you’re looking for a more Glamazon look, you can also find: feathered, furry, glittered and show-girly. It’s all a matter of preference, taste and in some cases how daring you dare to be!

Seeing someone in false eye lashes can make a girl wonder… “How did she get those things on?” It’s not exactly rocket science, but it’s not for the shake-y handed either. It does take a little patience, a good mirror and a little insight on how to apply them.

Here are some suggestions I was given by make-up artists:

• Apply a thin layer of liquid black eyeliner
• Curl eyelashes with an eyelash curler
• Before gluing fake eyelashes, lay them over your natural eyelashes to make sure they are the right length
• If lashes are too long, trim with scissors from the outer edge until you have the right size
• Squeeze out glue (I use the eyelash plastic container, why not)
• I use the back of my tweezers to add glue to the base of the eyelashes
• Wait till the glue is tacky before applying
• Lay fake eyelashes over your eye and slide down as close to the base of your real lashes
• And just like that, you have stunning eyelashes!

As you can see, I have worn lashes before, and I wanted to pass on a little tip I learned. Obviously, I was over joyed at the fact I was able to put them on myself and they stayed on! But one helpful find has made my lash locking a little easier- black glue. I tried the typical white when I first started and you could see I over-used it in fear of them falling off. Even though it said the white would dry clear, when you use as much as I did, there was still little remnants of white caked on the lashes. So even though I have gotten better at application, I still prefer the darker glue. Of course, you can always have a professional put them on for you too.

If you are looking for a long term glue-less solution, you can get eyelash implants. Eyelash implants are hair follicles taken from the scalp and sewn into the lash area. It is considered a surgical treatment, but you will have long thick lashes without the need to apply any fake ones. The only down fall is that the hairs that have been transplanted, may need to be trimmed. I wonder how soon there will be a line item at my salon under Eyebrow waxing that says “Eyelash Trim -$ 25.00?” Implants are also a little pricey, so the drugstore false lashes may have to do for awhile!

If you’re into trying new things, but are a little hesitant about lashing yourself out with false eyelashes or eyelash implants, there are a few liquid alternatives. One hot new product on the market today, that won’t break the bank, is called MaxoLash. If you want the lush lashes, but on a more permanent, no muss no fuss or needle basis, Maxolash can be easily applied to your lashes like mascara. Its patented formula allows your eyelashes to grow longer and thicker within a 4 week period.‚ You just need to plan ahead if that’s the case!

Few! Who would have thought there would be so much to say about eyelashes? Even I am amazed at my findings. So get your fabulous blinkers winking with your new found lash love, it’s something to bat your eyes over!

Pamper yourself from the comfort of home with the professional-grade products from Sothy’s international French spas.‚ The new At Home Spa Kits are targeted for sensitive, normal or oily skin types to indulge and refresh without having to make an appointment or kick of your slippers. Plus, the do-it-yourself aspect makes this option a little more wallet friendly than a full spa experience.

This month, one Blast reader will win a kit of their choice, worth $140, and, in keeping with a French theme, a $50 gift certificate to Manhattan’s Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club in New York City. No sense in wasting a glowing complexion on Chinese take-out and re-runs of “Sex and the City,” right?

The contest is open to US and Canadian Residents only. Email us your information at Giveaways@BlastMagazine.com by December 31 to enter and please indicate your skin type.

Although not yet FDA approved, the company has been using the products in their international spas and in New York City spas for years. Here’s a break-down of what each kit includes.

For sensitive skin types:

• A new formula used for Sothy’s Immuniscience Crƒ¨me is said to hydrate and soothe the epidermis, providing a protective shield to combat the everyday elements that can make skin dry and chafed.
• A Clearness Serum gives a concentrated punch of natural polyphenols to help sooth and diffuse redness.
• The Clearness & Comfort Mask softens skin. Throw on some Chopin an close your eyes for the full calming effect.

For regular skin types:

• A Hydra-Protective Crƒ¨me moisturizes with chaparral extract for extra protection.
• Vitamin Serum with chaparral and eau’thentique of strawberry is said to make a difference in six weeks. Our tester didn’t have quite so long to find out, but did note that the‚ strawberry juices infused into this protective trio leave behind a delightful and light scent.
• A‚ Desquacreme forms a lotion-like barrier as it cleanses, but rinses clean. Active ingredients are said to clear and tone the skin for impurities.

For oily skin types:

• A Hydra-Matt Fluid is a light gel made from biotechnological compounds to reduce shine, moisturize and protect.
• The Clarifying Correcting Serum is a concentrated formula, containing natural polyphenols with properties of regulation, protection, and immediate soothing effect for chafed, red skin.
• The Absorbent Mask goes on creamy, but is enriched with powders and menthol for a clearer complexion and clean, shine-free, healthy skin.

After getting pretty enjoy a night out at the Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club. It features fine cuisine of the French Riviera with the convenience of a taxi ride in New York’s upper east side. Dine until 3 a.m. on chocolate soufflƒ© and Foie Gras. Reservations are suggested and chic attire requested to blend in with the dƒ©cor that was given the “Best Interior Design” award by Hospitality Design Magazine.

The club has hosted celebrity guests including Billy Baldwin, Joan Rivers, Cindy Adams, Chazz Palminteri and former President Bill Clinton.

Have you ever been on a date and caught a glimpse of yourself in your glass of water?‚ 

You hope it’s the condensation that’s making your reflection look like you left the gym locker room, but no.‚  You’re forehead is glistening with perspiration.

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals’ Pore-Revolution-T-zone -Mattifier might be the solution you’re looking for. This beauty treatment is safe for all skin types, and a small dab of the silky cream applied to your forehead and nose, and any other areas that are prone to shine, should do the trick (Experts say to use your ring finger when applying, as this appendage has the gentlest touch). The salicylic acid in the cream stimulates the pores and, at the same time, cooling reliefs like willow leaf oil soothe the skin.‚  The thin cream dries faster than your first coat of mascara, so there will be no remnants of residue.

The odorless product also works to tighten your pores and refine your skin.‚  Stop the shine and go through your day with confidance forever more.

Other products available at www.dermelect.com include Dermelect Cosmeceuticals’ Detoxifying Oxygen Facial Commisson.‚  This facial cleanser is designed to awaken the skin with just a dime-sized squirt in the morning. Its natural ingredients, including soy protein and licorice extract, are gentle and soothing to the skin, and the cleanser releases oxygen molecules that instantaneously detoxify the unwanted dirt and residue in your pores.‚  This product, which was formulated by medical professionals and licensed estheticians, can additionally be used as a quick and easy makeup remover in the evening.

For more information or to purchase, please visit www.dermelect.com.