Daily Dish - beauty finds

From My InBox To You

On April 18th Rory McNeill will unveil ROAR, a stylish new urban salon located in the Brazos Lofts on 5th street. Clients, neighbors, and interested parties will be welcome to stop by between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. for a champagne cocktail party that will reveal a new salon experience for Austinites.

McNeill returns to his hill country roots after 7 years away in Chicago where he was voted best colorist in the city by Chicago Women Magazine, and further made a name for himself by coloring hair on FOX's Ambush Makeover show and TLC's "A Makeover Story." McNeill also opened his own well-respected salon in Chicago called Tousle Salon which has been featured in Time Out Magazine and Daily Candy.

ROAR Salon, McNeill's newest creation, has true style and an elegant quality that is felt from the moment a client walks in. Formerly an art gallery, the space retains an element of exhibition with high, angled lights and lofty chandeliers accenting the salon chairs below and illuminating the salon with warmth and brilliance. McNeill has not cut any corners with the designing of the salon and his product selection reflects this as well - Kerastase products are found throughout the salon on every station and hidden in each custom designed cabinet.

ROAR is located on the first floor of the Brazos Lofts at 201 E. 5th Suite 107 Austin, TX 78701 (right across the street from Eddie V's)

beauty finds
posted - beth / 8:35 AM / 04.18.08

Beauty Finds - Golden Goodness

The planning for the new you in 2008 can tire even the most energetic of us. Between the parties, the shopping, the traveling and the stress, the season often leaves us a bit haggard. The antidote? The Holiday Golden Glow at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Austin.

The recent renovation has elevated the spa into a world-class experience. Everything about the facility exudes tranquility, from the well-appointed changing room with sauna to the waiting area. The new lounge kicks off the relaxation with cushy chairs overlooking Ladybird Lake. Refreshments such as dried fruit and tea are available both prior to and following your treatment.

The Holiday Golden Glow begins with a gentle exfoliation to rid the body of its dull, dead skin and preps it for the application of a super-moisturizing golden gel. Minerals in the gel help to detoxify the skin while adding nutrients. Next, layers of warm towels cover the body and are topped with a thermal blanket. During this cozy portion of the treatment the golden gel goes to work inside the warm cocoon while a therapeutic scalp massage eliminates any remaining stress. After being carefully unwrapped, a warm shower rinses away any product on the skin and reveals fantastically soft skin. Back on the table a gold-flecked body oil and milk massage locks in the moisture. Finally, a light dusting of luminous, iridescent golden powder gives the body a radiant glow.

With no messy oils to shower off, you walk out of the treatment a golden goddess. Confident in your new skin, you'll once again be ready to take on the world...or at least face the New Year.

Holiday Golden Glow, 50 minutes, $135, for a limited time at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd., 512.478.4500

(editorial by Elaina Martin)

beauty finds
posted - beth / 11:59 AM / 01.11.08

Beauty Finds - Austin's Newest Eco-Chic Studio

Remember when you were in school and you just couldn't bear to sit through another boring lecture? So, every now and then, you'd skip out looking for a better way to pass the time?

I've discovered the adult equivalent.

During a recent lunch break I escaped the fluorescent bulbs of the office and headed to Pure & Natural Nails, the new polish place adjacent to The Waxing Studio in the hip 2110 space on South Lamar. I eased into a chair--delighted to find the massaging function for my back, popped my feet into the bubbling tub, and quickly forgot all about impending deadlines.

Pure & Natural is an eco-chic studio. No Formaldehyde. No Toluene. No DBP. It isn't just your hands and feet that benefit, but the environment does too. The chemical-free approach and vegan product line, SpaRitual, is perfect for moms-to-be. Cleanliness ranks high on the priority list and hospital-grade standards ensure superior hygiene and sanitization. It's a beautiful thing.

I opted for the Ultimate Pure Pedicure--a little more than standard fare, the treatment included a sugar scrub, foot and leg massage and hot towel wrap in addition to the customary soak, salts, cuticle care, shaping and polish. My feet looked amazing and I felt that way.

Next time you feel up to no good, head straight to Pure Austin Nails for something that feels great.

Pure & Natural Nails, 2110 S. Lamar, 512.284.6000

(Editorial by Elaina Martin img source Pure and Natural)

beauty finds
posted - beth / 10:31 AM / 11.20.07

Beauty Finds - Red Hot Glamour

NORDSTROM.comThis Thursday evening the Latin music industry will set Las Vegas on fire at the Latin Grammy Awards. And on the lips of all those lovely ladies?

Clinique's Different Lipstick in Angel Red.

For the fourth year in a row, Clinique has partnered with The Latin Recording Academy as the exclusive cosmetic sponsor of the event. Created to capture the red-carpet sophistication of the Grammy's and the spice of Latin culture, the lipstick with its currant undertones creates the perfect pout for day or night.

I got a chance to preview the new shade and, ladies, for fall's bold lip trend, it's perfect. I love lip gloss as much as the next girl, but it's time to try something that packs a bit more punch.

Get in on the Latin Grammy glamour at a Clinique counter near you.

beauty finds
posted - beth / 8:58 PM / 11.07.07

Beauty Service - Peppermint Pedicure

Ah, the pedicure--sitting pretty while someone caringly waits on you hand and, well, foot. For all of us Wonder Women out there, how often does that happen?

Hang up those capes, ladies, and take a seat. The Peppermint Pedicure at milk + honey spa is the perfect pick-me-up. The treatment features a peppermint and dandelion infused soak to reduce swelling, heavenly rosemary and eucalyptus sea salt scrub for smoothness and a cooling mask to refresh.

It's amazing how sometimes all you need is a little polish on your tootsies and you're ready to take on the world, once again.

milk +honey, 204 Colorado St., 512.236.1115

(Editorial by Elaina J. Martin)

beauty finds
posted - beth / 11:00 PM / 11.01.07

R-N-R Recharge

R-N-R Recharge with Austin's Massage Harmony. The holiday season is quickly approaching, and what better way to handle the stress than tackling it before it begins? Enter Massage Harmony and their celebration of Massage Therapist Awareness week October 21st-27th, which aims to educate people about the numerous healthy benefits of massage therapy. In honor of the occasion, Massage Harmony is offering free chair massages as well as massage rate specials (as if their prices weren't low enough) for Austin residents who are looking for a little R-N-R. Stop by any location, either the Westgate Shopping Center on S. Lamar Blvd or the West Bank Shopping Center on Bee Cave Rd. on Saturday, Oct. 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and relax with a complimentary 10-minute chair massage from one of their therapists. If you are one of their patrons subscribed to their mailing list, you will also be receiving further discounts when you present the coupon provided next week.

If you have never visited before, then you are missing out. Massage Harmony has all the amenities and perks of a high-end studio without the prices. With well-trained therapists, they provide you with a massage that is customized for your needs. Choose from a Swedish massage, deep tissue or sports massage, acupressure or reflexology, or a pregnancy massage for you mammas-to-be. And the best part? They are all offered at low prices-as low as $34 for 30 minutes and only $44 for an hour-that's less than a dollar a minute! Stress relief isn't the only reason to enjoy one of their massages-in fact, the owner, Derrick Amoriko, originally became interested in massage therapy for his own lower-back pain relief. Massage therapy also releases tension, lowers chronic pain, improves sleep, increases energy and even improves your skin tone. Personally speaking-this was one of the best massages I have ever gotten-and I consider myself to be a connoisseur of such luxuries. The therapists are really friendly-even giving personalized wellness advice after the massage. After a visit to Massage Harmony, you'll be ready to fight those shopping lines and deal with finicky relatives in no time.

To schedule an appointment at their Westgate location, call 512.306.0900, or 512.358.9300 for their clinic at the Westbank Shopping Center.

Styleshaker special: For our readers, Massage Harmony is offering a $10 off any massage.

(editorial by Kristine Reeves)

beauty finds
posted - beth / 9:02 AM / 10.17.07

Shop Austin - Nordstrom's Power of Pink Campaign

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Perfectly pink for those of you who "Love Being a Girl". Below is a set of limited editions from Nordstrom's for their Power of Pink Campaign. Estée Lauder Pink Ribbon Compact Set - Get a passion ofr pink and do your part to contribute to the fight. This compact and brush set will be a timeless reminder of your support.

pink power pick: Estée Lauder Pink Ribbon Compact Set, $45.00

Smashbox 'Blushing Pink' Fusion Soft Lights Powder & Brush Set See what the power of pink can do with this limited-edition set of illuminating silk-like Fusion Soft Lights powder (full-size) in a new blushing shade that features the breast cancer ribbon and makeup artist essential Face & Body Brush #19 with a shiny pink handle.

pink power pick: Smashbox 'Blushing Pink' Fusion Soft Lights Powder & Brush Set, $59.00

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection Bobbi has created this specially-priced lip set featuring a new, Exclusive Pink Flower Shimmer Lip Gloss shade and best-selling Sandwash Pink Lip Color to complement it. Bobbi Brown will donate $35,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in connection with the North American sales of the Pink Ribbon Collection.

pink power pick: Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection, $30.00

Nordstrom Barton Creek Square (#731), 2901 Capital of Texas Hwy South, Austin, TX 78746, 512.691.3500

beauty finds
posted - beth / 2:53 PM / 10.08.07

Beauty Finds - Fall Make up Trends

#1 Red Lipstick - For the last few years it was all about lipgloss but lipstick is back and back in a big way. Red is the hottest shade this season. If the thought of thick red lips scares you, you are not alone. Don't worry lipstick has come a long way. Lightweight lipsticks, that are easier to wear, with shimmer and vitamins for soft, beautiful lips.

Try Rae Cosmetics Lip Lust - Bombshell, $18.00 raecosmetics.com. Similar to the shade worn by Ashlee Simpson at the Just Cavalli New York Flagship Opening - Red Carpet during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2008.

Rae's Lip Lust line has a silky formula creating a lush, creamy finish that minimizes fine lines. The treatment spheres filled with lip-plumping folic acid and ultra-moisturizing hyaluronic acid enhances the lips.

Try lining the lips with a nude color first and then apply the lipstick on top. Lightly blot with a tissue, then re-apply lipstick to the just the center of the lips. This will keep it from bleeding, which can be very bad with red lipstick.

(editorial by Austin's Rochelle Rae of Rae Cosmetics)

Continue reading "Beauty Finds - Fall Make up Trends"

beauty finds
posted - beth / 9:31 PM / 09.11.07

Beauty Find - Beautiful Reads I

A Fantasy Memoir, by Cynthia Rowley

When you happen to be one of the best-known American fashion designers around, who says it's necessary to stick completely to fact when telling your life story? Cynthia Rowley has taken a few fanciful liberties in her charming latest book, Slim: A Fantasy Memoir. In this volume (which follows her successful Swell series and spinoff line of products for mega retailer Target), incidents in Rowley's life are presented fable-like, each chapter accompanied by her dreamy illustrations. With magical-realist touches, a young Rowley wrangles all the helium balloons at a party, stuffs them into the big net sleeves of her dress and floats away. More true-to-fact, we suspect, is the account of the young designer making her first sale on Chicago's El train, to a woman who admired the jacket Rowley was wearing - and who just happened to be a buyer at a major department store. Sounds like a charmed life, and it's rendered even more so by this whimsical read.

Slim: A Fantasy Memoir, by Cynthia Rowley, $29.95 at www.rizzoliusa.com

(editorial by Jenny Miller)

beauty finds
posted - beth / 10:19 AM / 08.28.07

Beauty Find - Loose Lip New York

Styleshakers on the hunt for their next under-the-radar beauty fix should consider Loose Lips New York. The line, created by a makeup-addicted best friend duo, features fresh formulations that pamper and pretty-up in no time. We especially love the Hint of Mint lip glosses, which come in a range of sheer colors and do the job of an after-dinner mint. The Pumpkin Peel for faces goes on smelling just our favorite fall muffins, and lemongrass body butter absorbs quickly and smells so fresh we can't stop applying it. Best of all, Styleshakers who purchase products on the company's website will receive 10 percent off when they use the code styleshaker10 at checkout. That's a deal that's too good to stay mum about.

our find: Loose Lips New York beauty products, $10 to $45 at www.looselipsny.com. *Try a few samples of foundation, bronzer and skincare for just five dollars (that's right, this offer includes shipping and the whole Caboodle - remember those) .

(editorial by Jenny Miller)

beauty finds
posted - beth / 10:46 AM / 08.23.07

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