A Gem Of A Tool

After the longest/ snowiest winter on record, I can report that everyone is feeling dry all over. The most obvious place would be our skin. Yes, the skin is tapped out from the climate conditions but our hair has also take quite the beating with all the cold. Dry, brittle hair that lacks any moisture from the atmosphere has left my clients complaining about the look and condition of even the glossiest and most supple hair. Conditioning treatments are great and can nip your hair dryness right in the "split end" bud, but the best way to combat the brittle fly away's is to incorporate a tool into your daily routine that actually uses patented technology from a gem stone to make hair it's healthiest.

The T3 Line of hair care tools are the most technologically advanced that money can buy and they use one ingredient to actually produce healthy hair. Tourmaline.

Tourmaline, a semi-precious stone is also known as the "electric stone". When heated, it produces negative ions that translate into healthy heat. T3 Hair tools use crushed tourmaline which they infuse into the internal tool components, resulting in the healthiest way to style your hair. It actually cuts your drying time in half! Along with a patented technology called  SoftAire™, T3 Hairdryers use negative ions in the air flow to cancel static and quickly seal the cuticle. The results are amazing! You will see a reduction in frizz, and increase in body and shine, and hair that is easier to comb through and manage.

And who doesn't want greater, more manageable hair? Shed the winter dull and dry hair and try something that can actually produce a shinier, healthier looking hair. This one is a true gem!  It's a bit more than you may expect to pay for a hair tool, but the life expectancy of the T3 product will guarantee your money's worth.  I highly recommend it.

Swiffer, Are You Listening?

As my good friend The Walking Man can attest, The Candy Bar, is an all white, light and bright retail beauty destination. It has been compared to heaven on more than one occasion so we have since taken to calling it "Beauty Heaven".

see what I mean?

So I'm watching TV and I see that cute little couple who do the commercials for the Swiffer products, Lee and Morty Kaufman. They are so adorable that you can't help but remember the line,"Morty, are you listening?" They even do a cute little dance on the kitchen floor after they have effortlessly cleaned their floors with the Swiffer products.

Everyday when we close The Candy Bar, we vacuum then mop our floors with the Swiffer Wet Jet. Every day..The Wet Jet is by far, the best cleaning tool we have at our disposal to keep The Candy Bar, " Beauty Heaven White" I always say we would be one heck of a Swiffer commercial. The store, being all white top to bottom, shows every little dirt deposit and smudge from a mile away and the Swiffer Wet Jet is our best defense.

Like the adorable little couple, we marvel with the ease that the Wet Jet allows for us to clean and shine the floor. The Swiffer Dusters with the extendable handles make dusting the shelving a snap and when we receive compliments on how clean our store is we smile a little bit on the inside knowing that the Swiffer products help us at The Candy Bar look our best every day.

Swiffer, are you listening?

Because right now we are doing a little dance around our bight and shiny white floors, just like Lee and Morty.

Three Reasons To Be Thankful This Beauty Of A Thanksgiving

Two weeks from today and for some of us it's already zero dark thirty and counting. 

The thought of spending a day, or in some cases a long weekend, with long lost relatives you'd rather loose for even longer can cause even the most level headed person major anxiety. I know what you are thinking.. Are they going to judge you and the career decisions your are making? Will Uncle Bob bring up old memories that still sting? And what about Cousin Janice? She's always looking for a juicy tidbit of gossip to share at the family water cooler; the punch bowl. And the biggest question of all: can I loose that extra 25 lbs in two weeks? 

While I can't claim to have a degree in the workings of human interaction and behavior, I can share with you some expertise of a different kind that is sure to give you a "turkey leg" up on spending time with your family during Thanksgiving. 

1.  The wonder of an at home facial mask: Seriously...listen up here because this one is a no brainer and a guaranteed game changer for hardly any effort. A simple "spring clean" for your face is what's in order and it's as easy as slathering it all over your just cleansed skin and waiting 15 minutes before rinsing off. Watching your favorite TV show? Perfect opportunity to pamper your puss. Eve Lom's Rescue Mask is just about the most perfect complexion concoction you could ask for. Voted by In Style Magazine as the Best Mask for Congested Skin for 9YEARS consecutively,  it's key ingredients are Kaolin (China Clay), Camphor and Honey. Rescue Mask boosts the complexion by improving  tired, dull skin. Puffiness? Dilute with a little water and apply under under the eye for 2-3 minutes and remove with damp muslin cloth. Your skin will glow and your relatives will wonder what it is about you that looks so "fresh".

2.    If you haven't already, get yourself an illuminating powder: I say this all the time and if you've ever been to The Candy Bar, chances are you've heard it, but a product like Kevyn Aucoin's The Celestial Powder in Candelight can take years off your face and make you the envy of everyone you know. Applied evenly to the top of your cheekbone, your brow bone and down the center of your nose, this light, shimmery powder can cause others to inquire about your special "glow". It's like this: You've just bumped into a friend you haven't seen in months at the grocery store. While you are answering her questions about your husband and the kids, her quizzical stare at your face and the distracted manner in which she responds to you is all the answer you need: SHE'S NOT LISTENING TO YOU BECAUSE SHE"S WONDERING WHAT IT IS ON YOUR CHEEKS THAT IS GIVING YOU THAT GORGEOUS GLOW. Take that Aunt Mary....can you please pass the pumpkin pie?

3.     A little bit of Bling dangling from your earlobe: Marilyn wan't kidding when she gave us the head's up about diamonds being a girl's best friend. While there's no need to break the bank here, a strategically placed gorgeous, blinggy earring lights up your face and your psyche! It's the holiday season, so a little dressier the occasion, the bigger and better the bling! Choose a sexy, dangly pair of earrings or a crystal clear stud to bring out your best face. Rebel Designs has several stunners that are budget friendly and perfect to pair with your holiday ensemble. Affordable, classic elegance that you can wear over and over again, a gorgeous pair of earrings is a great way to let everybody know you are no shrinking violet. 

Holiday's? They come and go but your family is forever. Don't sweat the small stuff. I promise, at least one or all of these simple beauty secrets can give you the boost to sit at the Thanksgiving table with confidence. At most, you'll feel better, and you might even find yourself having a great time!  

Because we all know what's coming next.....

Egg On Your Face

European women have been doing it for years.
We just marvel at their clear, poreless skin. I've found their secret and it's so simple.

Pure protein egg whites.

Egg whites apllied to the face as a facial have the power to firm loose and sagging facial skin on the face and neck and draw out impurities. Kala Farms Egg White Facial Soap, from Belgium is a European beauty staple. This gentle facial soap cleanses away impurities, soothes and firms the skin in a daily wash that leaves skin flawless.

This multi-tasking product can be used two ways:

1. As a gentle, daily facial wash that rinses away impurities that leaves skin glowing.
2. As a egg white facial. Lather up this rich bar and leave on face for 5-8 minutes. 

It's really that simple. 

A popular product at The Candy Bar, Belgium Egg White Soap is a favorite of my clients who report to love the scent and the way it leaves thier skin after washing. At $10.00 a bar, it's a natural, cost effective way to anti-age and a secret you'll want to share with your friends. 

Or maybe you won't want to share. It's that good, pure and gentle.

Whatever you decide, your secret is safe with me. 

 

Tapping A Vein

Like my BFF texted to me just yesterday, "You my dear absolutely need a product intervention". 

Ok, so I will wholeheartedly admit to being a hapless, hopeless product junkie. I do not discriminate either. I even like products that don't come from The Candy Bar, and I will spend money on them at RETAIL cost. Maybe my BFF was right.

Take for example this scenario:

My BFF and I were shopping after the brunch we shared on Sunday and we ventured into L'Occitane. They were having a sale so I, of course purchased three items. I purchased the product pictured here: 

Without really looking ( which is very interesting)  I pulled out the amazing scented "lotion" and applied it to my just showered body. The glorious scent of honey permeated the bathroom as I smoothed it on my arms. Immediately it turned white on my body, which was completely unexpected and slightly foreign for a body lotion. I contunued rubbing to the point where the white color disappeared; approximately 4-5 seconds later. "Strange consistency and a bit longer to rub in",I thought, but my smooth and  supple skin scented with the most amazing honey scent made me soon forget the application. 

On day two I was still surprised by the same application process, and the day-long, fresh scent of honey that surrounded me made me slightly obsessive over my new found body lotion. My skin looked great! It was hydrated and looked dewy. Still, the application haunted me. Was I doing something wrong? Last night I grabbed my glasses and picked up the bottle to read it for the first time. As you can see it was CLEARLY body wash not body lotion. That explained a lot!

I chuckled a bit, at myself, and quickly realized that I didn't care if it was lotion or wash.  I'm thinking im still going to continue to use it the way that I have been. Maybe I am on to something here? It's creamy enough to fake me out, and I'm an expert!! I later did a bit of research on the line to see if there was a honey body lotion. The answer is there is not. There is a honey hand cream in a tube, but not quite the size one would need for an entire body daily. I think I will use it as a body wash first, then decide how I best would like to use the product. 

Intervention indeed. Clearly I need a weekend at a spa rehab as my treatment. 

Time For An Oil Change

All the fellas and ladies out there, listen up! There's a new trend taking the beauty industry by storm and it's somewhat confusing, considering most of us were taught to steer clear of it in it's pure form. Welcome to the new era in beauty/grooming products!

PURE OIL..

Jack Black has brought us a wonderful, pure oil that's unisex and has multiple use. MP 10 Nourishing Oil is made up of 10 natural oils:

1. Argan Oil
2. Organic Moringa Seed Oil
3. Organic Marula Seed Oil
4. Watermelon Seed Oil
5. Plum Seed Oil
6. Organic Baobab Seed Oil
7. Olive Fruit Oil
8. Grape Seed Oil
9. Jojoba Oil
10. Rice Bran Oil

These natural oils form a most perfect way to deliver rich, pure moisture to the skin without clogging pores and infuse powerful antioxidants to fight the aging process. But here's the best part: there are so many uses for this oil, you will be amazed!!

• Guys-use it as a pre shave oil: It prepares the skin like no other and allows for the closest shave while protecting the delicate skin on your face. 
• Ladies-use it for the same. Your legs will never feel smoother or softer after shaving with this.
• Use it on your HAIR...As a conditioning treatment use a small amount on wet hair at the ends. Use it on dry hair, in small amounts to take frizzies and fly away's and as a beard conditioner. If you have no hair, even better! It's a great conditioner/moisturizer for men with a baldpate.
• Use it as a facial moisturizer: Now, for those of us who were taught that oil is bad for you skin listen up: this product is non comedogenic and rich with antioxidants. You are doing your skin a favor by using this. Mix it in with your daily facial moisturizer for an extra boost.
• Use all over your body: This is arms and legs season, and nothing is better for glowing skin than nourishing oils. It's also great for dry skin on your heels, elbows and cuticles straight up, and even better when added to your body lotion or cream. 

We are obsessed!! And you will be too. At $32.00, with everyday use, the bottle should take you right through the summer. 

Come by The Candy Bar and check it out! We will even give you a sample to take home and try. I know you will love it!

It's Going To Be A Smash!

Hey all! Here's a little "Weekly Wank" just for you!

A little shameless self promotion. This is me for the next two days and keep your fingers crossed that It is a successful event.

Stop by if you're around and say hi!

This Ain't Your Little Brother's BB's

OK ladies, by now I'm sure you've all heard about BB creams. If you haven't heard about them yet, then come out from under the rock that you have been living under and listen up!

BB Creams, (which stand for Beauty Balms) are quite possibly the best thing that has happened to make up in a long time. The thing about this simple, wonderful, multi-purpose beauty product is that it is packed full of benefits and complexion enhancers that will leave your skin glowing.

• They PRIME- BB's come in several complexion enhancing shades which can be worn alone or as a smoothing primer under your favorite foundation or mineral powders.
• They PERFECT-BB's even out skin tones, softens and smoothes skin texture during wear. 
• They PROTECT-Most BB's have an broad spectrum SPF which protect skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays. 
• BB's HYDRATE-Packed with moisturizing agents the Smashbox BB Cream boasts a 21% reduction in fine lines and wrinkles after 4 weeks of use and a 22% improvement in skin's moisturization.. 
• BB"s PREVENT-By controlling oil and aiding to prevent break outs, BB's help reduce the production of oil and shine.

With all that going for it, it's foolish not to have a BB Cream in your makeup bag. It takes all the guess work out of trying to create flawless skin. 

You Give Me Fever...

Right now, I'm cuckoo for color.




It all started with something I wore this week.

Now I can't get enough.

It's like a bight ray of sunshine in the dead of winter.

Like the crocus, popping up through the snow.

I die for it...

It's a fashionista's dream because right about now we are starving for color.

It takes me back a few decades when I was young and carefree....
and Madonna was at the top of the charts.

I like this one the best cuz this is me. This is how I still roll, decades later.

I've got the fever.

Today's Special: Guerlain Product Haul

Great deals on popular titles like People magazine.

It's very rare that I get sucked in at the beauty counters in the department stores, as I own so much more make up than is humanly possible AND, I do what these ladies do, all day, every day.

Being a shopper, I touch and feel and smell and try everything and occasionally I'll ask for help. I usually end up buying something, but the woman at the Guerlain counter was good. Real good, cuz she sucked me right in and I bought it all. Kudos to her for a job well done.
I always purchase lip gloss, Let's just say that's usuall where I start and then I work my way around the line. The Terracotta lip glosses are amazing! Lightweight, sheer and pretty; these are exactly what I like in a gloss. Pair this gloss with your favorite lip pencil and the result is a soft, sexy lip. It's scent is devine too!

OMG! This is just about the best product I have seen in a while. Inspired by Guerlain's Vol de Nuit perfume, this fragranced loose powder has a subtle irridescent shimmer that can be applied to face, neck and body for a sexy all over shine, and the bottle is pretty too.

This is by far my favorite product in the haul. I didn't even want it, but the girl convinced me that this was "the best mascara" so being curious, I had to buy it and try it. She was right! At $50.00 a pop, this lengthening and lifting formula does just that. It lifts and separates each lash and give your lashes a full, dark and sexy look. The case is a work of art in itself, mirrored for easy application, and get this: it is refillable! Refills are $26.00. It really has everything one needs for dramatic eyes.

Guerlain Meteorites Cruel Gardenia Illuminating Powder. This soft to the touch powder almost feels like a cream, but goes on with a soft powder look. It brightens and highlights cheeks, eyes and face with a soft and subtle illumination that catches the light just right. I apply this beauty last, over everyting on cheeks and eyes for a fantastic glow.