December 28, 2012

First Aid Beauty is FAB-ulous!

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First Aid Beauty’s new Ultra Repair Moisturizer is the ultimate Hydration for a fab-ulous face!  I love this facial moisturizer.  It is perfect for you if you have dry, itchy or super sensitive skin that can not tolerate parabens, lanolin, fragrances or artificial dyes.  Its very light weight and sinks into your skin quickly adding hydration with a soft finish. My mineral makeup went on flawlessly when using this moisturizer. Natural botanicals like Licorice root, Feverfew and White tea deliver a healthy dose of antioxidants to combat free radicals. Colloida oatmeal, shea butter, avocado and meadowfoam seed oil tops off this fantastic daily moisturizer.

First Aid Beauty’s new Ultra Repair Moisturizer can be purchased at    http://www.firstaidbeauty.com and  http://www.sephora.com/ultra-repair-face-moisturizer 

Guest Post by Crystal Price

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December 27, 2012

Morning Glamour is a Touch of Class

Who has not woken up in the morning to find their hair standing in every which way and/or visible creases on their faces which are noticeable for a couple of hours into the day. Studies have been shown, that both these problems can be eased simply by switching from cotton pillow cases to satin ones.  Morning Glamour does just that! Morning Glamour is two standard satin pillowcases which improves our appearance just by sleeping on them.  If you think about it, it is true……Cotton fabric is an abrasive material.

It may feel warm and cozy, but it is a highly absorbent material that draws moisture from our skin and hair as we sleep. We don’t need our pillowcase stealing the moisture from our skin and hair!! Whether you are a light sleeper or a heavy one, repeated action on the cotton pillowcase during the night, can cause hair to tangle and break which is a result of spit ends or hair loss!  Cotton fabric ruffles the cuticles of the hair and makes hair frizzy, especially if you have curly hair as I do.  The same repeated action can irritate skin and cause our ever less elastic skin to crease.  Morning Glamour allows your face and head to move easily on the pillowcase, avoiding the friction and damage caused by cotton.

Satin is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Morning Glamour not only has these wonderful benefits to improve your appearance and avoid damages but sleeping on satin is the ultimate comfort and luxury not only for the wealthy. Your bed will feel inviting and enjoyable. Morning Glamour is a touch of class and will relax you so you will be able to get a good night’s sleep.  The Morning Glamour pillowcases have a stay-put pocket design which keeps the pillow in place while you sleep. Sleep your way to a wrinkle free face and healthy hair just by switching your pillowcase to Morning Glamour!!!!!!
Morning Glamour pillow cases come in 6 different colors and patterns  http://www.morningglamour.com


Guest post by Laurie Carcieri

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December 25, 2012

Last Minute Holiday Survival

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December 25, 2012

My Interview with Celebrity Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Amanda Schackleton

Amanda Schackleton exemplifies the true meaning of a consummate Beauty Expert! Not only is she a seasoned professional makeup up artist, but an extraordinary hair stylist as well! What a plus in this business to be able to develop and excel in both the worlds of hair and makeup! That dual ability really gives Amanda a unique edge in the industry, as she is hired “equally” for makeup and hair assignments!

Meet Celebrity Makeup Artist and HairStylist ~ Amanda Schackleton:

Amanda is a New York gal, but was actually educated in makeup artistry and hair styling in London, England for five years, where she also worked professionally.

I like Amanda’s style and technique! We share similar philosophies, and I believe that they always bring out the best in a person’s look and are really timeless.

Quoting from Amanda’s Biography :
” When it comes to makeup application, Amanda’s style can be described as modern and super clean, with a strong focus on the eyes and lashes. Working with all age ranges, Amanda creates something that is wearable and adapts the eyes to the occasion, and what the client is personally comfortable with.

For hair, Amanda specializes in styling, particularly for red carpet and updos. Inspired by classic imagery such old Hollywood glamour, she is able to add a twist to make the hair current and on trend.”

Quite the entrepreneur, Amanda also has a company in New York called
NY Bridal Beauty where she adapts the latest looks to compliment each Bride’s special day!

Amanda Schackleton’s NY Bridal Beauty
Visit this website for more information:
http://www.nybridalbeauty.com

To top it off, Amanda founded the “The Media Makeup Academy” in 2009. There is nothing more gracious than to share your ability and success by providing an opportunity to teach and empower aspiring makeup artists to be able learn this wonderful trade in a professional manner with self confidence ! The Media Makeup Academy now has two locations. One is in Chicago and the other in New York!

(Quote)”Students complete 40 hours of intensive and more affordable training and the course acts as an “How-To” guide for the industry. Led by qualified makeup artists that are currently working in the industry, the teachers share their professional experiences of working with both clients and on set. Students are guided through the course and leave with a fully developed skill set and images for their portfolios.”

If becoming a professional makeup artist has always been your dream, I highly recommend that you check out:
http://www.mediamakeupacademy.com

Make that dream become a reality!

My Interview with Celebrity Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist, Amanda Shackleton:

VICKI :It’s truly a pleasure to interview you Amanda. As a well recognized celebrity makeup and hairstylist in the industry, what was your inspiration to become involved in the beauty business?
AMANDA: My inspiration to be in the beauty industry wasn’t something that I even realized until I was 21. I have always loved fashion and grew up in an artistic household (my Dad was an artist), so I was comfortable painting with him in his studio from a young age. I was in college for physical therapy in the Mid West and being from NY, I had a different fashion sense than most of my friends. They would always end up in my room on the weekends asking me to do their hair and make up, and ask to borrow clothes to wear. It was actually my parents who suggested I would be better at an art school, so when I moved to London with my Mum and Dad at age 20, I went to school for both hair & make u and that’s how it began. London offered so much creative inspiration for me.

VICKI : We both have an appreciation for the timeless and classic look of “Old Hollywood”! Would you be able to share a few hints with our readers on how they might transition their look into a more classic ageless look of that Glamorous “Era” gone by?
AMANDA : Transitioning your look to Hollywood glam is much easier than you think. People get intimidated and think its a hard look to pull off, but really its very simple. My best suggestion is to watch the old Hollywood films and see how the women wore their hair and make up.

I love old school hot rollers, they heat up quickly and once you have set your hair, you can go ahead and do your make up. I suggest keeping a lighter eye and emphasizing your brows and lips. Don’t forget to practice putting on false eyelashes, they do not have to be big and obvious, just cut a small set in half and practice applying them to the outer corners of your eyes. This will make all the difference in your make up look.

Then go back and pull out your rollers, give your hair a spray and run your fingers through your hair in the direction you would like the curls to go. They should be bouncier and not too brushed out, so just keep practicing!!

VICKI: You founded the Media Makeup Academy that is now in two locations ~ Chicago and New York. What qualities do you believe a person who wants to get into a career in the makeup artistry profession needs to possess?
AMANDA: Founding Media Make Up Academy has always been a dream of mine so when I began teaching I always tell my students tenacity is a key quality to make it in the industry. All of my students dream of working with magazines and celebrities but its a long road and you cannot get deterred.There’s a lot of competition and rejection but if you keep practicing and networking while building your portfolio, you will eventually get there.

VICKI: A bride’s special day is so important and can end up being a rather stressful day after all of the pre planning for her wedding. Your company NY Bridal Beauty sounds like a perfect solution. What is your main objective as you prepare a bride for her special day?
AMANDA: When I opened NY Bridal Beauty my main objective was to bring high end hair and make up services to brides in their homes and hotels so they didn’t have the extra stress of running to a salon. We set up a trial and do numerous looks about 6-9 months in advance so we can get the style down perfectly.Trials are pretty intense and we do a lot of work, so once the bride trusts my aesthetic and what we have done it makes her wedding day a little less stressful.

VICKI: What’s trending for brides with hair and makeup looks, right now?
AMANDA: I’ve noticed a definite change in styles I am being asked to do for my brides.Without a doubt we are trending back to über feminine hair styles with a vintage vibe. Brides are also looking up to celebrities at award shows so the hair and make up is more “red carpet” than the traditional bridal looks of the past.

VICKI: With the Holiday’s right around the corner could you share a few ideas about creating a look that will have them on the “cutting fashion” edge for their upcoming events and New Year’s Eve Parties?
AMANDA: Fashion changes so much so I would suggest finding a current look and making it your own.I would concentrate on either your hair or make up and make a statement with it. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it fits your look and style and you feel like yourself. I’m seeing a lot of vintage inspired hair combs and barrettes right now and I think they are a great way to add a little dazzle to your holiday hair.

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful answers to my questions. They were exceptional, and sharing your time with us has been so appreciated and enjoyed. I’ve learned so much and I know the readers will be thrilled with all of your wonderful hints and techniques. Let your “Magic” continue, Amanda, and all the best to you in 2013!

In closing, I want to make sure you visit Amanda’s website:
http://www.amandashackleton.com

Amanda’s many years of hard work and dedication have awarded her with numerous credits, here are just a few:

Magazines: Glamour, Modern Bride, Vogue, Oprah and more!

Ad Campaigns: Levi Strauss, Avon, XoXo Clothing, and more!

Celebrities : Pierce Brosnon, Katie Courick, Ricky Martin, Harrison Ford, Sara Michelle Geller, and more!

Visit Amanda’s website (above) for more information about Amanda and additions credits !

(Quotes and paraphrased information & photos obtained from PR-Biography, press information, websites and images provided to me. Credit for interview questions: Vicki L. Fischer)

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December 24, 2012

Last minute holiday survival with Deb Berry

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December 23, 2012

A wonderful conversation with New York Times bestselling author Ellyn Spragins who has written an online booklet as part of the DePuy Orthopaedics campaign to educate people about joint health and Osteoarthritis!

It’s always a pleasure to talk with New York Times Best Selling Author, Ellyn Spragins.

Ellyn’s ability to inspire others to “go back in time and write letters to their younger selves” during difficult periods in their current lives, assists them to go inward and glean answers from what they know now that helps them to become aware of different choices and approaches that they may have overlooked in earlier years. In turn, they begin to move forward in the “present”, and get on the right track to persevere in a more positive direction which is simply amazing!

ELLYN SPRAGINS: Author of What I Know Now:Letters To My Younger Self

DePuy Orthopaedics,Inc., (Quote) “teamed up with Ellyn to write a new booklet on “joint health” in 2012 , together with medical contributions from Dr. Steven Barnett , a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with a practice specializing in Joint Replacement and Adult Reconstructive Surgery for arthritic conditions. The new booklet is a collection of letters from men and women who have struggled with osteoarthritis, and shares the wisdom of people who wish they had known then what they know now about joint replacement surgery.”

This is a free online booklet entitled, Had I Known Then…Letters of Self Reflection From Those whose lives Were Changed by Joint replacement !


Do you or someone you know suffer from osteoarthritis? Here is the link to Ellyn’s booklet where you can read the personal “letters” of the participants with osteoarthritis who had joint replacement! There is also a lot of helpful information for you to peruse in this free online booklet!
Go to : http://www.HadIKnownThen.com

Are you aware that:
• (Quote) “Osteoarthritis” is the most common form of arthritis and is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage, which causes the bones to rub against each other, leading to stiffness, pain and loss of joint movement.”
•(Quote) “It’s estimated that one out of every five people in the U.S. has some form of arthritis!”
• This is really an “eye opening” fact! (Quote) “Two-thirds of the people who have been diagnosed with arthritis are under the age of 65.”

Along with my conversation with Ellyn, I was so fortunate to be able to speak with one of the participants, Diane Hughes, whose letter appears in the booklet. Diane Hughes is a Manhattan based Nurse.

I’ll paraphrase our casual conversations as I spoke with Ellyn and Diane as they were being driven to a location for more interviews. I was curious about Ellyn’s new internet booklet with DePuy , and the letters that were written by patients with osteoarthritis who had gone through their joint replacement procedures.

Ellen was very positive with the results of the letters that had been written, and mentioned that it’s a process that works very well with men and women! When writing these letters, people are not only expressing past buried emotions, but finding out that there are often so many physical issues that they may experience in their “outer self” that are not acknowledged, but surface as they write. They then realize they are not alone, and things are not “as much” of a kept secret. Connecting with others via the letters is a great source of “sharing” and can be very cathartic. We closed as Ellen mentioned that sometimes it takes a story with a “touching point” that a person can relate to that opens them up!

Diane Hughes-Nurse
Diane’s Letter to herself- “You’ll walk without pain. Without Swelling. Without burning.”

Diane Hughes is a nursing supervisor for the Visiting Nurse Service of New York Palliative Care in New York City, and such a congenial and sharing person to talk with. You can tell her patients must really adore her as you feel right “at home” with Diane the minute you hear her voice.

Diane, in hindsight, relayed that she was a “handicapped” person since she was thirteen. She really enjoyed athletics, but had an injury on an amusement park ride at an early age, and then tore ligaments playing basketball in high school. After that, it seemed that knee issues started restricting Diane’s life. As a surgical intensive care nurse, Diane, on her feet 10 hours a day, endured such swelling and pain that she had to resort to crutches and find a different job. When living in Colorado she was unable to ski, and when residing in California she had to give up hiking. There was no doubt that Diane needed a knee replacement. She wanted a DePuy knee for the flexibility, and in 2005 she had her complete knee replacement. Her whole life changed and in two weeks Diane oriented for her current Visiting Nurse position in Manhattan. Diane’s Doctor would tell her to walk “one more block each day”, and she did!

Diane’s advice about “writing the letter to herself”? (Quote) “DON’T WAIT! Rehab isn’t easy but don’t put it off! There is NO need to suffer!”

On going success Diane!

I said goodbye to Ellyn and Diane and really looked forward to sharing this message. The online booklet, “Had I Known Then…Letters of Self Reflection From Those whose lives Were Changed by Joint replacement” reaches out with a lot of good advice regarding osteoarthritis, and information from those who have gone through the process that has brought positive changes into their lives.

May it be helpful to you or someone in your life who is needlessly suffering from joint pain.

(Quotes and paraphrased from provided PR fact sheets with information regarding DePuy Orthopaedics,Inc., Osteoarthritis, Joint Pain, and sources including:Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis Fact Sheet. http://www.arthritis.org/media/newsroom/Osteoarthritis_Fact_Sheet_from_AF-Final_12-10-09.pdf. Accessed August, 2011. Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis Prevalence: A Nation in Pain. http://www.arthritis.org/media/newsroom/Arthritis_Prevalence_Fact_Sheet_5-31-11.pdf. Accessed August, 2011. American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Total Knee Replacement – Your Orthopaedic
Connection. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00389 Accessed August, 2011.)

 

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December 23, 2012

What's Hot? Fashionable "In Crowd" Jewelry

Farrah KarinaFarrah Karina Jewelry was launched in June of 2011. Farrah was born in Los Angeles, California and was raised in Palm Beach, Florida. Where she had the best of two very different fashion worlds. She wanted to find the happy medium where clients could mix her finds with things they already had at very reasonable prices. Farrah wanted to find pieces that were unusual yet practical. She is known as “The Go To Jewelry Girl” because she is your jewelry stylist at your finger tips. clear cali wrapThe line can be found online atwww.farrahkarinajewelry.com and she also has a fan page at www.facebook.com/farrahkarinajewelry . The jewelry can also be spotted in spas such as The Omphoy Ocean Resort Spa in Palm Beach Florida to Spa Cara also located in Palm Beach. The pieces are also carried in several boutiques such as Le Reve Boutique, Envy, She’s The One, The Sunflower Room, Aristokids, and Eye Of The Needle to mention just a few in Palm Beach County where Farrah Karina resides. The Cali wraps were a hit at FredSegal Yoga in Santa Monica, California. A boutique in Tennessee called Chocolate A La Maison also caught on to Farrah’s trends and has a few Farrah Karina pieces. Farrah Karina Jewelry was a hit at last years Green Expo Emmy Gifting Suites. You coudn’t find one celebrity walking around with out a Farrah Karina cali wrap adorned as a hair piece or as a wrap bracelet. Fiona necklaceFarrah Karina is slowly grabbing the attention of followers in Canada, Australia, Singapore, and many more countries. Celebs such as Sofia Milos, Bai Ling, Penny Marshall, Radha Mitchell, Katie Cleary, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Beverly Mitchell to name just a hand full can be spotted sporting Farrah Karina Jewelry pieces. The Cali wraps have stuck with the line because they have gotten so much notariety that Farrah plans to continue carrying the wraps. Farrah has seen quite a few write ups in Miami Living Magazine, where she was called a “Fashion Gem”, La Costa Magazine called her “up and coming”, and Palm Beach Women Magazine awarded her one of ten Palm Beach Women Achievers for her success thus far. Farrah Karina has been currently working on trunk shows in her locale of Palm Beach and her recent trunk show donated a percentage of the proceeds to The Boys And Girls Club Of America. She loves dogs and is also an advocate for Peggy Adams Rescue in Palm Beach County. Farrah Karina is in the works for a trunk show at Jose Eber’s Salon in Beverly Hills, California. She will continue to find you exciting finds at reasonable prices. Farrah Karina’s goal is to become a world renowned name in everyone’s home.

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December 22, 2012

Do It Yourself Hairstyles

Looking for a great Holiday Do? Try one of these great step by step hairstyles.

The Top Knot, similar to the Carrie Bradshaw moment

1.Brush out your hair so that it’s nice and smooth
2.Flip your head over and put your hair in a high ponytail at the top of your head and secure with a hair tie. (Use a hair tie color closest to your hair color)
3.Twist, braid, or simply wrap your ponytail hair around the hair tie to create a smooth “knot” and secure with a second hair tie.
4.Use bobby pins to secure any loose pieces.
5.Spray with a little bit of hairspray and use to smooth out any frizzies.

 

For something softer:

1. Create a deep side part when hair is wet
2. Then blow dry hair using hands.
3. Next, with a one 1/4 inch curling iron, curl your hair.
4. Then pull your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck, leaving a few pieces in front to frame the face,
5. Secure with a piece of hair from the underneath by wrapping it around the base of the ponytail; this creates a beautiful, clean hold.

*****You can also pull your hair into a chignon

 

For something in between, (half up do) :
1. Once hair is dried, used a one inch curling iron and curled from the bottom of the hair to create tousled undone waves. 
2. Leaving a few pieces in front to frame the face, pull the hair from the sides to the center and secure with bobby pins.
3. Leave the rest of the hair down, in front of the shoulders to keep the look modern. 
4. To secure the look, apply Hairspray to maintain the look.

 

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December 21, 2012

Our Stockings Are Getting “JUICY” This Year

It’s never to late to pick up those last holiday gifts. I have to say that stocking stuffers are always the hardest gifts for me to find and I always wait until the last minute to pick those up. As it turned out, my last minute shopping was a success. I found the perfect gift to fill a few stockings with, Viva La Juicy/Viva La Fleur Rollerball Duo (shown on left).  I couldn’t believe it, two of my daughter’s favorite fragrances combined into one, this is just fabulous.

Have you even smelled these two fragrances? I can see why Adrienne had a hard time choosing between the two, she just couldn’t decide.  The Two scents included in the roller ball duo are Viva La Fleur and Viva La Juicy and they both smell absolutely divine. Now she can have both scents in one beautifully designed rollerball.

I was captivated by Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum. This sweet scent combines wild berries and mandarin with delicate playful notes of  vanilla, sandalwood, amber, caramel, praline and jasmine. It is a playful and fun fragrance, and I can see why the girls love it. Viva la Juicy La Fleur Eau de Toilette is a breathtaking fragrance that captures the feeling of love’s first embrace, it is a very romantic fragrance, so how does a girl choose between these two fragrances.  Well, they don’t have to choose anymore.

While shopping, I found another sensational gift idea, Viva La Juicy Rollerball & Lip Gloss Duo (shown on right). This duo holds the same fabulous scent of Viva La Fleur Eau de Toilette at one end and a beautiful shimmering sparkly pink lip gloss on the other end. Now I had a difficult time choosing between the two.

I have just purchased the last of my stocking stuffers with Viva La Juicy/Viva La Fleur Rollerball Duo and Viva La Juicy Rollerball & Lip Gloss Duo. It’s not too late to pick up those last few gifts and stocking stuffers from Juicy Couture,  I found mine at  http://www.ulta.com and you can also find them at http://www.sephora.com/viva-la-juicy-la-fleur-rollerball-duo.

 

 

 

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December 21, 2012

My Favorite Skin Serum

 

I came a cross Arianna Cellular collagen Face Serum and just love it.  The very first time I tested it I found great results. The next day my skin was soft and supple. Although it is expensive, it only takes a little bit of product to get results. Here is some information on the product.
 Cellular Collagen Face Serumarianna

 

 Active Dead Sea minerals have been combined with a rich blend of natural plant extracts, essential oils, Collagen & Vitamins A, C & E to create this lightly textured Serum.  

This is more about the skincare line: Arianna Skin Care

Beauty comes from the inside with Dead Sea Minerals Skin Care

Arianna Beauty was founded in 2007 by CEO, Miri Torres. Miri’s vision for Arianna is to show people that beauty and health come from the inside, and treating yourself well is a promise you need to make to ensure growth and happiness. Born in Israel, Miri arrived in the United States when she was 22. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in high school, she had several chemotherapy treatments, which drastically altered her weight and appearance. During that trying time, Miri found that her beauty and energy were restored through natural treatments, confidence from building her business, and an overall healthy lifestyle.

Arianna Beauty now sells the products that Miri used in her own personal restoration. In the past six years Miri has built a successful network of Arianna Skin Care stores in Boston, Martha’s Vineyard and Newport. In these stores, you will find an oasis that sells mineral make-up, skin care, bath accessories and beauty products.

 

Active Dead Sea minerals have been combined with a rich blend of natural plant extracts, essential oils, Collagen & Vitamins A, C & E to create this lightly textured Serum.

 
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