Blu Salon

Because of that, I was super grateful when New Jersey’s fabulous Melina James, owner of Blu Salon invited me out for a day of recoup (and beauty!).

Melina is the sweetest person ever, and her entire staff clearly likes each other. I told her how rare that is – I’m used to NYC salons where the guy cutting your hair likely last night had a drunken one-nighter with the girl who colored your hair, and now everyone is snickering about it behind their backs. There’s also none of that haute-salon elitism – and you can tell by the huge range in age and lifestyles of the clients who come in throughout the day.

My day started with a relaxing Swedish massage with Albert Agnello, my very first massage from a guy – I think I’m hooked. They are way better at working on those tight spots!

Next, I got quite possibly the best facial of my life with Jill Turano – we gabbed about everything from food to boys as she gave my skin some serious recuperation. We spoke a lot about the products I use, and my skincare regime – as a product junkie, I am not often loyal to a single line or ritual, and this is bad. But the important thing is to cleanse morning and night, no matter how tired or drunk we may be! Jill said though that I had good skin, and we spoke about the importance of keeping it good – and that involves hydration. Since then, I’ve been attempting 8 glasses a day of water, and am seeing a difference already! Later in the day, Jill gave me a makeup touchup – I was looking for that sexy “looks like I am not wearing makeup look, but actually am” – and that’s exactly what she gave me! I maintain that while men THINK they don’t want us wearing makeup, they actually do…and the key to happiness is letting them think they are getting what they want, even though we are.

The rest of my day was just as blissful – Angelica Pulgarin gave my nails and toes a touch of shimmery navy – I’m all about the dark colors in fall, and everyone says they are perfect on me! – and then creative director Stephanie Atwell finished me off with a blowout. I so wish I had taken before/after pix – I feel a little remiss that I forgot to – because by the end of the day, it was truly night and day. I left looking like a princess! A very relaxed one, at that.

I love, love, love Blu Salon – it has a very chic – and I normally avoid using the word chic – oasis-like aspect. Full of comfy couches and girlie colors of pink and black, you feel like you are at a trendy bar, hot spa, and cozy lounge…all at the same time. Plus, they have candy out and about for guests…you ain’t lived until you had m&m’s with your manicure.

And, how’s this for exciting news? ANY reader who goes to the salon and mentions me or my blog during the month of November gets a $20 gift card! As the prices are surprisingly reasonable there – that’ll go a long way!

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The October issue of Fitness has a huge feature surrounding their 2009 Beauty Awards.

You can check it out for yourself, but among the winners are some of my faves, like Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara, and Olay Professional Pro-X.

Image: Fitness Magazine

To celebrate this fabulous help – MUCH of the stuff on the list is drugstore brands! – we have a Fitness Magazine giveaway!

One reader will receive a Fitness-centric prize package, including a subscription to the magazine, cosmetic bag, umbrella, apron, floppy hat, notebook, massager, and baseball!

To have your chance at this fabulous prize package, please share your favorite beauty, skin, or hair find of 2009. Earn extra credit by RT-ing this contest (I’m @alywalansky on Twitter). Deadline to enter is October 15. Good luck!

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Venus

(Unrelated. But oddly not.)

To celebrate, we have a really exciting giveaway from Venus for two lucky readers!

Two winners will each receive:

* Venus Embrace, Satin Care Lavender Kiss and Embrace replacement blades

(It’s bikini designed and bikini approved!)
* Olay Touch of Sun Quench Plus – body lotion plus gradual self-tanner
* Mara Hoffman Bikini
* Fedora hat – small straw hat with changeable black ribbon around the brim
* Colorful oversized beach towel – large green and white striped cotton beach towel

The approximate retail value: $250! To have your chance to win, please do the following:

1 – RT this contest (I’m @alywalansky on Twitter)

2 – Become my fan on Facebook and comment about your favorite eBeautyDaily post so far this summer!

Deadline to enter is August 20!

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We all got to take home the products to try out but weren’t allowed to write about them until they were out and available on shelves.

Now they are, and I can gush with freedom! Fresh Effects has a super-awesome Scent Release Technology, that sends out burst of fresh scent at exactly when you most-need it. Also, the Clinical Strength? Well, lets just say I wore it while moving – as in HUGE giant boxes up and down 4 flights of stairs – and never broke a sweat! It has a patented triple-layer prescription strength protection. That’s nothing to sneeze at!

But my favorite is the Secret Flawless Clear Gel – summertime is the best time to switch to a clear gel deodorant – transparent is always a good idea! It’s for the most obvious of reasons – if you are running around in tank tops and halters all day, the last thing you want is white stains on your pits.

Now that I’ve waxed poetic about what I do about my sweat for several paragraphs, I want to hear about you. What are you sweating this summer? Share with us!

One winner will be chosen at random to receive a gift tote including all of the below:Beach tote, Beach towel, Sunglasses, Secret tank, Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof, Secret Flawless Clear Gel, Secret Fresh Effects, COVERGIRL Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara

To be eligble for this giveaway, you must also retweet the contest (I’m @alywalansky) – good luck! Deadline to enter is August 1.

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The world is aglow with the tropics…even Carl Jr’s! They have a new Teriyaki burger that is fabulous! And in honor of that burger, we are doing a super prize giveaway.

The gift pack features the following items:

· Carl’s Jr. Teriyaki Burger Coupons

· A SIGNED Rilo Kiley “Under The Blacklight” CD (Their song “The Moneymaker” was featured in the new Teriyaki Burger commercial)

· Archipelago Botanicals Pineapple Ginger Candle

· Pineapple Diffuser

· Pineapple Cosmetic Bag

· Miso Pretty Pineapple Lip Balm

· Carl’s Jr. Hula Doll

To have your chance to win, share your most tropical fantasy! (Not x-rated, please!) Deadline to enter is July 30. Earn extra entries by retweeting this contest (I’m @alywalansky) – good luck!

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Pepsi

Pepsi Natural is a new premium cola made with all-natural ingredients, including natural sugar, natural caramel, kola nut extract, natural apple extract, and lightly sparking water – all that healthy stuff!

It also comes in a glass bottle like in the good ole days. The new cola from Pepsi-Cola offers consumers a taste of all-natural, pure, simple enjoyment, and is currently available across the country.

I think this is the most fabulous idea ever (and a great compromise – you get to have the Pepsi you want, and know you aren’t being bad!). To celebrate this invention, one reader will win the below gift package:

Pepsi Natural re-usable canvas bag -100% organic cotton

· Yoga mat

· Yoga mat tote

· Pepsi Natural canvas hat made from 100% organic cotton

· 4-pack of Pepsi Natural premium cola drinks

To have your chance to win, tell me what you best like to eat with your Pepsi. Earn extra entries by retweeting this contest! (I’m @alywalansky) – deadline to enter is July 30.

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Lever 2000 is actually currently doing a contest where customers can submit a photograph showcasing how their family embraces the power of touch on www.makeeverytouchcount.com.

All who enter the contest will have a chance to win a professional photo shoot and be featured in a Lever 2000 advertisement, among other prizes. In addition, each submission helps Lever 2000 support Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which provides safe places and positive programs for kids and helps them develop close personal bonds.

And to make it easier to take your prize-winning photos, ONE reader of eBeautyDaily.com will win a Flip Cam Ultra and a bar of Lever 2000!

Lever 2000

This contest follows up the study I mentioned before, “Lever 2000® Making Every Touch Count Study: A National Report on the Power of Touch,” in which parents report hugging and kissing their kids, on average, six times a day!

The study actually showed family closeness is on the rise, and most (4 in 5!) of parents say they show more affection to their kids then their parents showed them.

To have your chance to win your very own Flip Cam Ultra and a bar of Lever 2000, tell us your tip for how your family stays close. Earn extra entries by re-tweeting this contest! (I’m @alywalansky on twitter) – deadline for entries is July 15.

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Did you know Rimmel actually produced the very first commercial mascara? Prior to that, it was often made with kohl or lampblack – not safe!

In honor of this special occasion, Rimmel and eBeautyDaily.com is giving away a really special prize package of some of their hottest products for summer that will include:

1. NEW Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara (will be on shelves in July)
2. NEW Glam’Eyes Lash Flirt Mascara (will be on shelves in July)
3. Lash Maxxx Waterproof Mascara
4. Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Jet Black and Deep Ocean
5. Colour Rush Eyeshadow Quad in Chocolatine and Bronzed
6. Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer
7. Stay Matte Clarifying Matte Foundation
8. Natural Bronzer in Sundance
9. Mono Blush in Peach
10. 1000 Kisses Lip Liner in Natural and Indian Kiss
11. Lasting Finish Kiss & Stay Gloss in English Rose and Lustrous Nude
12. Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Pink Champagne, Alarm and Crush
13. 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Camouflage, Shocker and Pulsating

To have your chance to win, tell us how you think this cosmetic wardrobe will help to shape your summer. Deadline June 29.

Image: Rimmel London

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Acne can be a personal horror story, and can be aggravated by anything from stress to hormones to genetics (yes, you can blame your parents!!!).

Plenty of my readers swear by Proactiv, and their 3-step system is undeniably awesome.

Step 1: Renewing Cleanser

This cleanses but  also exfoliates dead skin cells, and contains benzoyl peroxide, which helps to attack bacteria.

Step 2: Revitalizing Toner

You know how I’m always saying how important toner is? This one contains glycolic acid, which helps balance skin tone and the skin’s natural acids. The witch hazel in it also refines and purifies pores; aloe and chamomile to soothes, plus removes excess surface oil without drying.

Step 3: Repairing Lotion

Finishing touches are super important, as is a smooth, soft surface. This is a light, oil-free lotion with milled 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to help heal blemishes.

Five winners will receive this three-step system, chosen at random from the entries below. To have your chance, please share your biggest skincare concern! Deadline is June 20.

Image: Proactiv

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Carl’s Jr. is now featuring a new Orange Cream shake and to celebrate this, they are doing a giveaway where one eBeautyDaily winner will win a “Orange You A Diva?” gift crate valued at over $150 features the following items:

• Carl’s Jr Orange Cream Shake Coupons
• Citrus Bath & Body Works Lotion (8 oz), Shower Gel (10 oz)
• Citrus Fragrance Bulb
• DVD of the First Season of “The O.C.” TV Show
• Flip Video Ultra F260 Orange 60-Minute Digital Camcorder

To have your chance, please, by May 14, comment below with what makes you a diva! For extra credit, scroll down to the video I posted yesterday, and tell me what makes me one. Good luck!

Image: Carl’s Jr.

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