Willie Nelson Chops His Long Locks
According to USA Today, Willie Nelson has chopped off his signature pigtails. The country music singer and songwriter got a new chin-length ‘do within the last couple of weeks. As he gets older, he must be looking to simply his life and opt for things that require less maintenance. Click over to USA Today to read more.
Classic and Chic Summer Sandals with the Perfect Heal Height
The Blowfish Catrell wedge sandal is one of my favorites this summer season! This $59.00 sandal is available in two colors: Whiskey Santana (see photo) and black. I’ve listed what I love most about this sandal below:
- Soft, cushioned footbed (making it super comfortable for walking/standing for extended periods of time)
- 2.5″ heal (the perfect height)
- Versatility (i.e. can be worn with leggings, skinny jeans, skirts and dresses)
- Woven detail
- Back-zip closure
- True to size
Where to find them:
- Online at BlowfishShoes.com
- Online at Piperlime.com
- Shoe Boutique Sous le Lit in Centennial or Denver, Colorado
Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Skincare that Reverses Sun Damage and Aging
Let’s talk about sun damage. Until recently, I wasn’t aware that 80% of the skin’s aged appearance is caused by the sun, not the from the passage of time. Yikes! Looking back to when I baked in the sun for hours on end in my late teens and early 20s makes me cringe.
When it comes to sun damage, it’s often not what you see, but what you don’t see that causes the skin to look dull and aged. The damage caused by UV exposure sits under the skin’s surface. Have you ever looked at your skin under an ultraviolet light at a dermatologist office? Well, it’s quite surprising for some, whether you’re age 20 or 60. Some of you may actually have a few visible age spots (or brown spots) on the surface of your skin. And a dark mark on the surface of the skin is just the tip of the iceberg. More damage lurks below and will reveal itself over time.
I’ve recently learned about a product definitely worth looking into if you’re looking to erase signs of premature aging, including brown spots, dullness, and sun damage (on the face, neck and hands) and make a huge difference in how your skin ages going forward.
It’s made by Rodan + Fields, the creators of Proactiv® Solution. The REVERSE Regimen by Rodan + Fields, recognized on Allure Magazine’s A List, is clinically proven to treat dullness and dark marks associated with sun damaged skin. Click here and watch this video to learn more about how this REVERSE regimen works (allow a minute or two for the video to load before playing).
I first heard about this product from a good friend of mine who had two noticeable brown spots on her face, both of which disappeared after only 2.5 months of using this regimen.
In the past six months, I’ve heard from many woman who have started using this product and are shocked at the results. This would be a fabulous Mother’s Day gift if you haven’t picked one up yet (and there’s a 60-day money back guarantee). The other Rodan + Fields product I recommend as a great gift idea for anyone over age 20 is the Anti-Age Multi-Function Eye Cream. It has been proven in clinical studies to diminish crow’s feet, under eye dark circles and puffiness and was named Skin Miracle Worker by Lucky magazine.
Number of Massage Therapists Grows 5.4% in Past Two Years
According to new research by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), the number of massage therapists in the U.S. has grown 5.4% to 293,531 as of January 2010, up from 278,089 in January 2008.
Les Sweeney, ABMP president and a nationally certified massage therapist, says “Massage continues to gain respect from the public and health professionals as a relaxing and restorative way to promote health and reduce stress. Massage has often attracted career changers in the past; now it’s even more attractive to people who want a second job because of the economy.”
Which state has the most massage therapists? California, with 41,645. The states with the most massage therapists are listed below in no particular order:
- California
- Washington
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Ohio
The state with the fewest massage therapists is North Dakota, with just 599. The states with the fewest number of massage therapists are listed below in no particular order:
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
- Vermont
Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Vermont and Maine have the greatest penetration of massage therapists (i.e. the greatest number of residents per one massage therapist). ABMP is the nation’s largest massage membership association. It is headquartered in Golden, Colorado and has more than 71,000 massage therapist members.
Click here to read more.
See How Much The Prices of Some Beauty Products Have Increased Over the Years
I completed a few of BellaSugar’s quizes to see how much the prices of the below beauty products have increased over the years. Thanks to BellaSugar, I’ve shared what I learned below:
1. Jergens Lotion, 1946
Jergens Lotion retailed from 10 cents to $1 in 1946. Today, similar Jergens products retail between $2.50-$7.50.
2. Arrid Deodorant, 1944
A jar of Arrid Deodorant retailed for 39 cents in 1944. Today, Arrid Cream Deodorant retails for approximately $3.
3. Max Factor Lipstick, 1951
Max Factor lipstick retailed for $1.10 in 1951. Much of the Max Factor line has been phased out in the U.S., but the Vivid Impact Lip Color was recently sold on Drugstore.com for $9.
4. CoverGirl Clean Makeup, 1980
A bottle of CoverGirl Clean Liquid Makeup retailed for $1.66 in 1980. Today, CoverGirl Clean Liquid Makeup retails for approximately $7.
5. Maybelline Magic Mascara, 1959
This waterproof, spiral-brushed mascara retailed for only 79 cents in 1959. Today, comparable Maybelline mascaras average around $8.
6. Chanel No. 5 Spray Perfume, 1965
In 1965, the perfume retailed for $5 (and $3.50 for the refill). Today, Chanel No. 5 Refillable Purse Spray retails for $95 (and $82 for the refill).
7. Cutex Nail Polish, 1942
This nail polish retailed for only 10 cents in 1942. Cutex no longer manufacturers nail polish today.
8. Ivory Soap, 1926
A bar of this soap retailed for only 5 cents in 1926. Today, a three-pack of the soap retails for $1.40 (approximately 47 cents a bar).
Steve Madden Kendel Boots Perfect for Summer and Winter
I love these Steve Madden Kendel Leather boots! In fact, I ordered a pair online just last week as a birthday gift to myself. I first eyed these boots a few months ago at DSW when they were regularly priced at $229.
More recently, I stopped by DSW with a friend (who was visiting from out of town) and noticed the boots were on sale for $149.95. Unfortunately, by this time, they had only a few pairs left and sizes were extremely limited.
I went home and called several local DSW stores in hopes of finding a pair in my size but had no luck. Each store was sold out or had only two pairs in stock (and not in my size). I then got online at DSW.com and found the same boot, for the same sale price and in my size! I guess being a “boot stalker” paid off.
I wasn’t too keen on paying shipping, so I started searching the web for a “Free Shipping” promo code. To my surprise, not only did I find a free shipping promo code (SHPSPR), but I also found an additional promo code for 15% off my order (TAKE15)! I applied both these promo codes to my order at checkout and paid only $127 (plus tax). By the way, I typically wear size 8, but I ordered a size 7.5 because I expected the leather to stretch and planned to wear thin socks. They were a bit snug at first. But after wearing them one full day, they fit perfectly.
What I love most about these boots:
- Heel height: 1 3/4″ stacked heel; was looking for a boot with slightly more height than a flat-soled boot
- Shaft height: 14 1/2″ shaft; this knee-high, pull-on boot hits just below the knees
- Versatility: Can be worn in winter and summer, making them of great value. I currently wear them with tights and skinny jeans but also look forward to wearing them with dresses, skirts and even some shorts in the next few months!
- Leather: A bit worn (but of high quality), which gives them a vintage look and doesn’t show “wear and tear”
- Overall style: I’ve already received many compliments on these boots from both friends and strangers
Jessica Simpson Posts Pics of Her Chic Hairstyle on Twitter
Last night, while onboard a flight to Atlantic City, Jessica Simpson and Ken Paves (her hairstylist and BFF) shared photos of her sporting a new chic hairstyle via Twitter. Ken uploaded the photos to his Twitter account, while Jessica tweeted, ”In flight hairdo fun!”
Is Jessica Simpson over her long, blonde locks? Not exactly. This isn’t a permanent style for Jess. Apparently, it’s just a wig. Real or not, what do you think of this look on Jessica?
Photo: twitter.com/kenpaves
See Jessica Simpson With No Makeup on the Cover of Marie Claire
Jessica Simpson goes without any makeup or photo retouching for the May cover of Marie Claire magazine. According to Bella Sugar, she is sporting the natural look after traveling the world for her VH1 show The Price of Beauty, where she has set out to learn what defines beauty and see what makes women feel beautiful in other cultures. She has also launched a new initiative called “A Beautiful Me,” in which she is leading self-esteem conferences that empower youth to identify their inner beauty, be more confident with themselves and realize that they can make a difference. Shared by Bella Sugar, below are a few quotes from Jessica featured in the May issue of Marie Claire.
- On her newfound confidence: “I don’t have anything to prove anymore. What other people think of me is not my business.”
- On her preferred hairstyles: “If I’m in a mood to go out and feel hot and sexy, I want long hair that I can feel on my back. But I also like bed head.”
- On her hair regimen: “I’ll usually wash my hair and let it air-dry wavy, but if I’m just in a hang-out mood, I won’t even wash it. I’ll wait until it smells.”
Photo: Pop Sugar
Aging by Numbers: Interesting Facts from Allure Magazine
The April issue of Allure shares interesting tidbits about aging in its “Beauty by Numbers” section of the magazine. Below are a few of the facts I found most interesting.
1965: The term “midlife crisis” was coined by 48-year-old Canadian psychoanalyst Elliott Jaques.
42: Percentage of American women age 35 to 64 who said in 2006 that they had never used and did not plan to use anti-aging skin products.
28: Age at which Cindy Crawford began seeing a dermatologist for anti-aging treatments. By the way, Cindy Crawford has her own anti-aging skincare line Meaningful Beauty, launched in conjunction with her dermatologist Dr. jean -Louis Sebagh, one of Europe’s premier cosmetic doctors.
80: Percentage of aging process attributed to lifestyle after age 50; the other 20 percent due to genetics, according to chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute.
2008: Year the New York Times reported that red wine might slow aging, since the resveratol in the wine slowed the age process in mice. For those unfamiliar with resveratol, according to the New York Times, it is “a chemical found in the skin of grapes and in red wine that has long been conjectured to be a partial explanation for the French paradox, the puzzling fact that people can enjoy a high-fat diet yet suffer less heart disease than Americans.” Click here to read more.
25: Age at which a person’s short-term memory slowly begins to weaken.
2010: Year a skin dye called My New Pink Button was marketed to women whose labia had darkened with age. Really? My New Pink Button is described on its website as “a simple to use genital cosmetic colorant that restores the “pink” back to a woman’s genitals.”
252: Average times per week women ages 35 to 69 felt anxiety over aging, according to a 2009 British survey.
Photo: Teodora Vlaicu
Ever Wish You Could Wear a Designer Dress for Just One Night?
Have you ever been flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine (maybe Vogue?) to find a gorgeous dress that you’d love to wear for just one night? Well, you aren’t the only one. Most of us either can’t afford these designer dresses or simply can’t justify spending that much on a dress to wear it only once.
Launched only a few months ago, RentTheRunway.com is a new website that lets you browse top designer dresses and rent them. It was started by two girls at Harvard Business School who also wanted to wear designer dresses but simply couldn’t afford them.
All you need to do is register for a membership, choose the dress you want, the size and the date you want it. It will be shipped to your door. They will even ship the dress in two sizes, provide a package for returning the dress (you can keep it four-eight days) and take care of the dry cleaning. They currently offer sizes 0-12. They also plan on launching jewelry soon.
Now, you’re probably wondering how much renting a dress will cost! The prices are about 10% of the retail price, starting as low as $50 and as high as $300. Not bad! Unfortunately, there’s a wait list. Sign up here to be added to it.
In the meantime, you can become a fan of their Facebook page to stay up to date on what’s to come and to hear from others who’ve rented from the website. Looking at the Facebook page, it looks like many peeps are renting dresses for their upcoming prom or for a few of the seven weddings they have to attend this summer!
