In today’s market, consumers are becoming more and more careful of spending habits. Lavish dinners and social outings are becoming less frequent as our up and down market has everyone more money conscious. However, looking and feeling your best has never been more important.
I chatted with my good friend – and minor crush – celebrity hairstylist and beauty expert Billy Lowe, and he believes there are ways to get around the current budget crunch.
Take advantage of salon referral programs.
Many salons offer client referral programs where they give clients discounts or incentives for referring new clients to the salon for …read more

There’s a lot of risk to our hair during the summer months – and I’m not just talking about increased humidity!
I consulted Edmondo Blando, owner of Salon Vanity in Philadelphia, and he gave some fabulous tips on how to avoid hair damage during the perilous (yet fun in the sun!) months of summer.
Step away from the blow dryer
With so much time in the sun, try to avoid using additional heat when styling. Instead rock the beach look of natural hair. Not only is it in style but it will also help strengthen your hair.
Bring your conditioner with you
Next time you …read more

No, my hair is not thinning – but it’s something I am totally obsessed with.
I’m so obsessed that I felt it necessary to do some additional research, and chatted with thinning hair and hair loss expert Thom Priano of the GARREN New York Salon. He just became spokesperson for Rogaine, so he has a lot to say on the subject!
Choosing The Right Products
“For my clients with hair loss, I suggest Women’s ROGAINE,” says Priano. If you have thinning hair, there are many hair care and styling products that work really well. “Anything with a “V” that adds VOLUME to …read more

Have you ever had your eyebrows professionally done? I don’t just mean your eyebrows waxed here – I am talking about the full treatment with all the bells and whistles. Of course waxing is involved – but there is also hair dye. And careful shaping and plucking. It’s a whole hour long affair.
While I was living in L.A., this kind of indulgence seems pretty reasonable. Of course, this was also a time where regular pedicures and manicures felt absolutely normal and almost…necessary. But even though I don’t think I will be going back to a salon for all of these …read more

As the recession begins to wear more and more of us down, the need to extend the life of our hair color becomes less a preference and more a necessity.
In order to help us get the job done, our friend Boy Sharp at Bella Bethesda has some great hair-color extending tips:
1. The shampoo you use always matters. A low surfactant – a cleaning agent – will keep more moisture in, which maintains color. Also, remember, the more you shampoo, the sooner color gets pulled out!
2. Always, always, make sure that your hair is well-conditioned. When you do condition, give it …read more

Have you ever been to LA?
I have, just twice, and both times made me really wish I could stay. And right in the heart of it all, in Beverly Hills, is Stuart Gavert’s Gavert Atelier.
Even in the most fashion forward and opulent of  hoods (you may be familiar if you ever saw an episode of 90210), it’s a recession. During these harder financial times, Gavert created some techniques of helping his clients stretch times between visits. He was awesome enough to share them with us, and I think they are ones you should go armed with when you visit your …read more

Delaware North recently began operating the historic Roosevelt Baths & Spa and the 1930s-built Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Spa State Park outside of Albany in Upstate New York.
They’ve got a couple of cool holiday specials on, that I’d love to check out, were I in the area! Treat yourself this season and take a break from the silliness and sped up drama. It’ll all get done, even if you take an hour or three to yourself.
The following holiday specials below are available through the end of the year:
Candy Cane Scrub $150 (save $12)
20 minute Mineral bath, ½ hr aromatherapy massage, …read more

Exhale Spa,  a new breed of spa by merging the paths of mind and body wellbeing is offering an experience that improves your life in one environment.
They’ve got a popular fitness workout—Core Fusion— which is coming to DVD this holiday season,  giving you the opportunity to continue Exhale’s transformational mind body class experience at home.  The DVDs feature two popular classes, and Core Fusion Pilates Plus each segmented into five focused workouts of just 10 minutes each.
The Core Fusion line of classes already have a large celebrity clientele including Cameron Diaz, Kelsey Grammer, Julia Roberts, Ashley Olsen, Tea Leoni, David …read more

Skinsational Skin and Body Spa in Carlsbad CA has some yummy sounding holiday treatments available. If you’re in the area, go check these out and let me know what you think!
Candy Cane Facial: Awaken your senses with aromas of warm cinnamon spice and brisk, cool peppermint. This facial rapidly resurfaces the skin and reduces fine lines revealing a brighter, smother complexion. Get the results of having a peel without peeling!  This treatment includes a hand massage and is perfect for the holiday season!
Japanese Red Flower Ritual: Indulge in tranquility with this lavish treatment! Relax while you receive a gentle body …read more

With the economy in steady decline, many people are letting go of luxury, but one spa in Washington DC is coming at this potential problem in a different way. Nusta Spa doesn’t think that they’re in the spa business, they consider themselves as being in the luxury goods business. Their competition is that trip to London or the Caribbean, that gorgeous bracelet from Tiffany’s.
Elizabeth Snowdon, owner of Nusta Spa (which is from a tribal language used in Peru, which means “royalty” or “wealth”) told the Washington Post that, “With the overall economic condition and people feeling the impact on their …read more