DryBar -- L.A.

DryBar 

My husband and I are headed to California early Thursday morning (so, limited posts this week) to spend some time in L.A. and on the coast in Santa Barbara with my very best friend and her boyfriend for the July 4th holiday weekend.  Whenever I visit L.A. I always schedule an appointment at the DryBar.  DryBar is a custom blowout bar that serves up a menu of different styles ranging from pin straight to super bouncy curls.  No cuts, no fuss, just washes and blowouts from uber talented & very fast stylists.  Last year I went with the Cosmopolitan (curls) but I think this year I’ll stick with my standard sleek & straight look, the Manhattan. For $35 you cannot get a better deal + they serve you wine or champagne during your style.  Love that!!  You can add in all sorts of extras like a scalp massage or rejuvenating treatment for very reasonable prices as well.  Who said L.A. was more expensive??  Last year we hit the Brentwood location but this year we are booked at their newer location in West Hollywood.  Of course the salons are all very cute and chic.  I’m adding some shots below.

Check out their fun website link below & this pic of my hair (& my two gorgeous girlfriends) after my style last year!

http://www.thedrybar.com/menu/

They're Real!!

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara

I know, I totally got lucky and scored big time with samples last weekend at Sephora.  I think actually this was my beauty points free gift but anyhoo, it’s AWESOME.  You all know I’m a fan of Trish’s curling mascara but this one by Benefit gives Trish a real run for her money.  I have stick straight lashes and this product and especially the wand made my lashes look super long, separated and noticeably more curled.  This is a new product and I believe just launched this month.  I’m seeing a cult following in Benefit’s future…

I highly recommend it.  Here is a link to the mascara at Sephora:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P289307&categoryId=B70

Dying to try Estee Lauder’s new…

Estee Lauder "Idealist" Even Skintone Illuminator

http://www.esteelauder.com/evenskintone/index.tmpl?cm_sp=Gnav-_-WhatsNewPromo-_-Illuminator

If you’re a magazine reader… I know you’ve been drawn to the recent Estee ads.  How could you not be when you read what this guy promises??  Reduced redness, sun spots, dark spots and hyper pigmentation guaranteed.  More even skin tone that is brighter all over with results in as little as 2 weeks... fights fine lines and wrinkles... Will it disappoint like so many others that have come before it or, will it change the “illuminator” market forever??  I'm about to run out of my Skinceuticals Phloretin CF and I'm buying this next.  Keep reading and we’ll soon find out if it will really live up to the hype.  See the link to the Estee website above to find out more info.

A fabulous no-color dry shampoo option

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo

I normally use a different brand of dry shampoo but since I like to review new products for my readers I went out on a limb with this one… & I actually am very happy with it.  It has made my fabulous blowout (Thank you Jeffrey Todd Williams of Lotus, Atlanta) last  a full week (nuts, right??).  It has no color and since my hair was just highlighted last Weds. it works out perfect for my current freshly colored tresses.  It has a barely there clean/fresh scent and doesn’t make hair feel the least bit stiff or sticky.  The formula absorbs excess oil and product buildup and boosts your volume.  It comes in an enormous spray can for only $23 – way more affordable than my usual dry shampoo picks and with no weird scent!!  Definitely a winner!  Also, I’m adding a link to Lotus’ website in Atlanta because if you live there or not, JT gives the best “hidden layers/shaped” haircut of maybe anyone around – it’s so true.  He’s incredible with color, especially blondes too!!  Yes, after living in Nashville for almost a decade I still sometimes drive all the way to Atlanta for a cut and color.

http://www.lotushairartisans.com/

My dry shampoo came from Sephora but I’m adding a link below to the product on Zappos for your easy reference.

http://www.zappos.com/oscar-blandi-pronto-invisible-dry-shampoo-spray-no-color