Deeeeeep Conditioner

3 minute miracle

With this new economy I’ve had to budget myself – having dry and frizzy hair  forces me to use a hair mask on a daily basis and using Kerastase everyday can get expensive.  I discovered a hair conditioner that received great reviews in Allure magazine a few months ago.        

 Aussie’s 3 minute miracle, it comes in two formulas: Moist and Sydney Smooth.
 
I alternate using them and love them, they are cost effective and do the job they claim to do – my hair is left soft and silky smooth.  My sisters and I now buy aussie 3 minute miracle in bulk. 
This hair mask gets a TEN!
 
 Aussie hair products can be found at Walgreens and Target.
 $ 3.24 for an 8oz bottle – what a bargain!

~ Innovating beauty Products ~

By Fresh

 

My sister Rosemary and I share our indulgence for Fresh products – especially their hand milled soaps.  They foam to a frothy lather, leaving your skin smooth, silky and soft.  One of our favorites is their Nectarine soap – made with shea butter and milk protein.     

It’s hard to have a favorite – there are 15 collections that include both hair care and skin care. Fresh products are indulgent and effective –      

Love Love Love the Sugar Acai and Sugar Blossom – the Sugar Acai has been clinically proven to tone and firm the skin in 4 weeks!  I love anything that holds the promise of firming and toning – my only regret is not having started that process years ago.  It’s never too late –     

another product I fell in love with is the Sugar body oil – leaves your skin soft and it smells yummy.     

Soaps $13 – $14     

shower gels $18.50 – $22.50     

lotions/creams $65     

scrubs $45     

Body oil $45     

www.fresh.com     

Fresh     

310 Sutter street     

San Francisco, CA 94102     

415-248-0210     

sanfrancisco@fresh.com  

Fresh products also available at Neiman Marcus, Barney’s NY, Bloomingdales

~ Lash Boosting Serum ~

L'OREAL Double Extend Mascara

 

For months I’ve been reading press about this new mascara.  I’m going to admit I’m a makeup snob, especially when it concerns lipstick and mascara.  I tried Great Lash  and was not thrilled with the results.
 
I was skeptical – but after reading the article “5 beauty breakthroughs” in MORE magazine I allowed myself to be convinced and gave it a try.
Double Extend mascara glided on my lashes, giving me a natural full lash effect.
 
I was pleased with the results, although it’s fine for everyday – I plan on using it with my Yves Saint Laurent Faux Cils, especially on date night.
This mascara gets a TEN!
 
Double Extend Mascara $13.95

~ L’OREAL~

Studio Secrets

 

 I’ve been reading about Loreal’s new studio secrets line for the past month or so and grew disappointed each time I walked into Walgreens and didn’t find it sitting on the shelf.  Visiting my parent’s this past weekend I looked through the new Vogue magazine and noticed a $2 dollar coupon and sample for this magical base I’ve been dying to try. This morning  I sampled the product  and ran to Walgreens –        

I immediately saw the difference in my skin’s appearance, it smoothed my facial lines and minimized my pours.  Lately my skin care concerns have turned more to skin resurfacing – this product really helped create a smoother foundation.  They are right – it is a studio secret and I’m glad I’m looped in.  

$13.95      

Studio secrets magic perfecting base – Get’s a TEN!

~ A New Beauty Magazine ~

I don’t subscribe to every fashion magazine, because sometimes it’s just a treat to pick one up the next time I’m standing in line at the grocery store. 

Wandering around I noticed a new magazine, it was for women of style and substance, what caught my attention was an article on Jennifer Aniston’s Fab look for weekends – having been a fan of hers since the 1990’s I  purchased the magazine. 

Walking home I remembered that I met Jennifer right as her career was taking off – I have been on Team Aniston since and have always admired her choices in clothing and makeup.  She’s on my top ten list of the most fashionable women in the world.  I enjoyed reading the article and looking at the pictures for inspiration. 

MORE magazine also has a section dedicated to women’s health – a must read.

L’OREAL – Paris

Visiting my parents in Tracy, CA is a visit to suburbia and worth the trip, my older sister Wendy is a magazine junkie and subscribes to everything.  I race up the stairs in search of the magazines I don’t subscribe to and go through them at a leisurely pace.  Bonding with my sister began with a copy of Mademoiselle magazine and ice tea. I still remember the afternoon she came home with it – we poured over the magazine, hopeful.

Since then its been out of circulation – but there our other magazines that help fill it’s void.

Going through the issue of Lucky I read about  Loreal’s New Healthy Look – I couldn’t wait to try it and immediately took a trip to Walgreens.  The economy today forces us to cut back on certain expenses and having my hair touched up every six weeks can get expensive.

I tried different brands of do it yourself hair dye applications and the one I was using before was Loreal’s root touch up, which I loved!  However after having tried New Healthy Look I can honestly say my hair  looks more natural, and glossy!!  This product gets a TEN!

www.loreal.com sign up to receive coupons and beauty consultations.

$9.95

~ Mouhannad Al-majdalani DDS ~

As a child I hated going to the dentist, as most children.  As an adult it becomes necessary, especially if a little more work is required.  I also happen to enjoy going to see my dentist, afterall he’s the one that gave me back my smile.  If you’re looking for a new dentist  or dentist I highly recommend  Dr. Al-majdalani – his finger tips feel like butterfly’s wings.  Everyone in the office is friendly and cheerful making a tedious appointment feel like a simple routine checkup. 

Center for Cosmetic dentistry

1550 Lombard street

San Francisco, CA 94123

415-921-5555 ask for Patricia

Eye Lashes – the New Breast Implants ~

  

Mascara that makes the grade

 

During my younger years I used Lancome mascara, for one it worked and two it was affordable.  I happen to be a sucker for good marketing and became a Chanel girl. 

Until  I started working for Yves Saint Laurent and discovered the holy grail of Mascara, their Faux Cils.  Being into makeup the way I am, I combined the YSL Faux Cils with the YSL Infini Curl – while one lengthens the other thickens and creates a false eyelash effect.   I received many compliments and was asked to divulge my trade secrets, which I happily did.  I read in a fashion magazine that lashes were the new breast implants – and I have to agree.  I’ve been obsessed since and have tried other brands.  I was never a big believer in eye lash curlers but I’ve reformed and now am the owner of one – I never travel without my Shu Uemura eye lash curler. 

Other mascara brands that make the grade: 

1) Smash Box, Lash DNA $9 

2) Mac, Zoom Lash $20 

3) Chanel, Exceptional and Inmitable mascara $35 

I recommend using a magnifying mirror in mascara application, it helps with attention to detail.

A Great Lipstick

Between my sisters and I we could open up a boutique that specialized in all things fashion.  From the latest fashion staples to things belonging in a beauty closet.  Finding gifts for each other is easy, but what do you give  someone who already has everything?  This past Christmas the gift of choice were lipsticks from SERGE LUTENS, available at Barney’s New York. 

 They are $75 dollars each and well worth the price point.  After a lunch of salad and spare ribs my sister’s lips maintained a natural rosy like color.  At first we believed the lipstick’s price point had to do with the  quality of ingredients and beautiful smell – after lunch we realized that it was because you didn’t have to reapply  after a huge meal ~  * note: refills available for $50

A City Girls Guide to Beauty ~

Beauty Questions & Answers: Please feel free to email me any beauty questions you might have, I’ve tried almost everything and know which products actually work.

I’m a beauty product addict ~

“There is no such thing as an ugly woman, just a lazy one.”  Helena Rubinstein