Ready For Winter Hats?

I've been trying to be a cool hat person for years.  Every season I buy the latest fashion head accessory, then take it home and put it in my closet where it sits on the top shelf, with tags still attached.  I bought myself a fedora at the end of summer and was convinced this would be the hat that broke my no-hat-wearing curse.  Wrong again.  I'm just not a trendy hat kind of girl.  

The only hats I don't seem to have a fashion block over are cold weather hats.  For some reason, I can sport those no problemo.  Maybe they remind me of snow skiing as a little girl or maybe I'm just trying to channel my inner snow bunny.  Either way I've found some cute womens winter hats that I have my on (pictured above).  Now, if I can just get this Southern California weather to get below 70 degrees I'll be in business!

Vajayzzle, Vajacial, Brazillians...Oh My!

A few weeks ago I was invited to Cocktail Wax in Los Angeles.  The name alone had me excited and curious.  I’ve been going for routine waxing for more years than I care to admit, but never to a salon that promised cocktails upon arrival.  Points scored already! 

It was a rainy day in Southern California but as soon as I walked in to Cocktail Wax I felt at ease.  The décor is fabulous, think reds, black, stylish.  I was immediately offered a cocktail and decided quickly on a vodka cranberry which I sipped on as I filled out the informational questionnaire and waited for Julie, my Waxing Specialist.  The moment my delicious vodka cranberry was gone, Julie was ready for me.  The wax was extremely gentle and smelled fantastic.  Julie explained that the different waxes used at Cocktail Wax were all exotic European wax flavors described simply as “fragrant, flirty and delicious” which is just what they were.  I was completely comfortable and enjoyed chatting with Julie about how much we both love Maroon 5. 

If you think you’ve heard of Cocktail Wax before it’s because you have.  Kathy Griffin visited Cocktail Wax during her famous “Vayjayzzle” episode of her reality show ‘My Life On The D-List’.  Jennifer Love Hewitt also raved about her Vayjayzzle (a flashy way to embellish your Brazillian with Swarovski crystals) from Cocktail Wax in her book “The Day I Shot Cupid”.

In addition to the menu of waxing and Vajayzzle-ing, Cocktail Wax offers something fairly new to the states, the Smooth Peach Vajacial.  The Vajacial is said to be popular in Europe and is about to take off here in the U.S!  The Vajacial is a 30 minute, 3-step treatment said to rescue our delicate, down there, skin.  I’d love to hear from someone who has already had the treatment…I’m so curious!

To everyone in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas: call Cocktail Wax for your appointment…you will love it!  AND if you mention The Curvy Blonde you’ll receive 15% off your services!

For more information you can visit CocktailWax.com and you can also follow them on Twitter @CocktailWax or “Like” their page on Facebook.com/CocktailWax

Mani Of The Week - Nutra Nail Gel Perfect

I've had shellac manicures three times in the past nine months or so and haven't been thrilled with the results.  First of all, it costs a fortune ($30 for a manicure??) and two of the three times, the shellac was lifting two days later! 

Nutra Nail Gel Perfect UV-Free Gel-Color was loaned to me by Cindy of HelloDollface.com for a test drive.  I love it so far!  It was super easy to apply, first, a coat of the clear Gel Polish Activator, a coat of the Gel-Color, then do the other hand and repeat once more...easy.  And it fully dried within 10 minutes!  I am sporting LOTUS, a bright pink color.  I think I will go with red next time!  I highly recommend Nutra Nail Gel Perfect!

My Face Works - I Need Damage Control

My Face Works – I Need Damage Control
If you’re anything like me, when the seasons change, your skin changes right along with it, and I was hit pretty hard this season. My skin was looking dull and blotchy and when I don’t feel like I look good, I don’t even want to leave the house!
I got my hot little hands on My Face Works Coenzyme Q10 Facial Masks (adorably titled I Need Damage Control). Loaded in these soft and silky little cloths (made of 100% silk) are powerful anti-oxidants that protect your skin against free radicals as they strengthen skin deficiencies against wrinkles and natural degradation. The key ingredients are Sodium Hyaluronate, Imperata Cylindrica Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Glycoprotein. All of these things work together to improve skins overall appearance and texture.
Each Coenzyme Q10 Facial Mask comes individually packaged and ready for use. Just open up the mask-like cloth and place gently on your face. The mask conveniently comes in two pieces, one for the top half of your face, the other for the lower half. Then sit and relax for 20 minutes. No messy mask to clean up….just peel mask off your face and you’re done. It’s genius!

Original post can be found at HelloDollface.com

Wrinkles, acne, aging…Murad to the rescue!

Murad’s Most Wanted Complete Skin Renewal Kit is right on target. Included in the kit is the Refreshing Cleanser, Complete Reform with Glyco Firming Complex, Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30, and Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture. Since these are perfectly compact, I decided to bring them along on my recent trip to NYC and give them a whirl. I had all of my eggs in one basket, so to speak, since I hadn’t packed any of my old, trusty skincare standbys, but Murad came through for me!

The Refreshing Cleanser removed all of my makeup, even my eye makeup, and left my skin soft. I went light on the Complete Reform because my skin tends to be sensitive but I had no problems with Murad. Before bed I used the Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture since my face had been out in the grimy NYC all day long and needed some serious moisture and paired that with Murad’s Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for eyes. Then in the mornings I moisturized with the Perfecting Day Cream with SPF 30 full of powerful antioxidants and a broad spectrum of sunscreens for max protection. I found that the combination of Murad’s Complete Skin Renewal Kit gave my face a youthful texture and tone and was super simple to follow.

I love the multi-purpose problem solving Hybrids Soothing Skin, Lip and Cuticle Care pen. I’ve been using the pen mainly to rejuvenate and condition my dry lips, but I did swipe some on a hangnail the other day and it helped sooth and smooth the skin down. I’ve been keeping it in my purse and using throughout religiously throughout the day.

I also want to mention two products from the Murad Hybrids collection; Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer, Acne and Shine Control and Hybrids Absolute Bronzing Boost SPF 15/PA++. I added a tiny bit of each of these to my regular foundation and it added just the right amount of sun kissed glow to my face. Both go on smooth and silky and don’t leave any of that funky bronzy build up.

Murad’s Acne Treatment Concealer comes in a sleek “stick” type dispenser for easy touch ups on unsightly imperfections. I also slipped this into my purse for any touch ups during the day. Since it looks a little like a skinny tube of lipstick, no one was the wiser. The stick contains Sallicylic Acid so it’s working to fight acne while concealing at the same time.

Cindy’s note- *Also fabulous is the Murad Treat/Repair Rejuvenating Lift for Neck and Decollete. I apply this after my nightly shower. The delicate skin around the neck and chest often goes neglected. These are areas that show aging so be sure to apply this often to keep skin smooth and supple!

Original post can be found on HelloDollface.com

Shopping your way at Become.com

My latest discovery is Become.com.  On my current quest for fall accessories, I've narrowed it down to a few staple items that I simply have to have.

For obvious reasons, I'm in love with Tory Burch 'Reva' ballerina flats.  Through my one stop shopping at Become.com, I was able to find these within seconds!

Next up, the Birkin.  Since technically I can't even afford to be put on the waiting list for the Hermes icon, I'm happy sporting this on my arm.  I found this on Become.com for only $69.95!

Something else that caught my eye at Become.com was this gorgeous Mel tri fold wallet in 'natural'.  Perfect for all of my new fall handbags!

If you haven't checked out Become.com I suggest you head over there and do so immediatley!  They have everything you can think of from clothes and accessories to automotive and books.  Where else can you find a home computer, cheap soccer cleats, cheap birkenstocks, sandal boots and gardening supplies all in one place?

Mani of the week - Essie and OPI

This week I'm all about the White Crackle by OPI layered over 'Jazz' by Essie.  I was wanting something light and muted to go with some bright outfits I had in mind for the week.  I wasn't sure if this combo would work, but I love it! 

Bluefly.com For Your Fall Wardrobe Must Haves

Fall has come!  Gone are the bright colored T's and flip flops, and in are the warm, cozy, colors and textures that welcome my favorite season back home.  This season, I'm inspired by the deep mochas and earthtones I'm spying in all of my favorite fashion magazines.  Although my wardrobe consists mainly of black, this year I am vowing to incorporate some of these comforting colors with a few statement pieces from Bluefly.com

My top priority is always a fabulous bag.  Speaking of, I am drooling over this coffee colored, ostrich embossed 'Elisabeth' tote by Furla.  I can already imagine the smell and softness of this bag on my arm!

I saw these fantastic Cole Haan Shoes that I can't wait to get.  The birch leather 'air.jocelyn' platform sandals are on sale at Bluefly.com and will look perfect with the new sunglasses I also have picked out.

I've been wanting some Tom Ford sunnies all summer but haven't been able to settle on the style I wanted.  I saw these and they are just perfect!  The shiny rose gold 'Miranda' sunglasses by Tom Ford are stunning!

Lastly, I saw this little gem on a thumbnail on Bluefly.com and couldn't resist clicking on it.  The gold domed crystal star ring by Rachel Leigh is a fun statement ring that will get noticed. 

I could spend hours on Bluefly.com!  My wish list is overflowing!