The Beauty Girl

Best Beauty Buys for Moms event Highlights, Photos & Giveaway!

$300+ gift bags, manis and brow waxes, raffles prizes galore, delicous food, a stocked bar and a crowd of happy mamas and moms-to-be all made our sold-out event a huge success. Enjoy this video montage highlighting the night's festivities and the recap of my presentation. Plus, enter for your chance to win the coveted gift bag.

My top 10 beauty picks and tricks for busy moms

1. Meaningful Beauty Skincare. Yes, beautiful mom Cindy Crawford partnered with the esteemed Dr. Sebagh, but what I appreciate even more is how streamlined and affordable this skincare line is.

2. Phyto haircare. Sure, our hair is shinier and thicker during pregnancy. But our dreamy hair days are numbered. Phyto's new Phytokeratine line has shampoo, conditiioning treatment and serum created specifically for fragile, weak hair and damaged ends.

click to see the rest of my tips and to enter the giveaway...

Tags giveaways, Events & Parties, Mom & Baby, best beauty buys for moms

Not Another Greasy Hair Serum

I understand why some women (especially those on the oilier side) treat a hair serum like the devil. Unless the eenciest bit is applied, and applied evenly, bad things can happen. Not this time around. Here are a couple of new serums that have something wonderful in common -- Argan oil.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime ($54)  This souped-up serum smells lovely and contains a blend of conditioning and anti-oxidant rich ingredients including Maize, Pracaxi, Camellia, and Argan oils. What's this mean for your hair? No more frizz and lots of fullness and softness.

Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil ($21.50)

I'm all for multi-tasking products, and this utlra lightweight serum, which also contains the hair softening ingredient Argan Oil, can be used 6 ways! 1. as a heat protector pre-blow dry 2. as a shine booster 3. as a softening treatment. 4. as a pre-shampoo moisturizer 5. as a smoothing serum post-blow dry 6. as an overnight conditioner.

Tags Hair Serum, Argan Oil, kerastase elixir ultime, Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil, smoothing hair products

Get your favorite celeb looks worn at the 2012 Golden Globes

Your guide to the best looks of the night!

Reese Witherspoon's beachy waves

1. On dry hair, layer Pureology Root Lift from roots to tips. Blowdry with a medium round brush for volume.

2. Working around the head, wrap hair around a 1” iron creating soft curls.

4. Separate curls with finger, Apply Anti Breakage Twist for added texture and definition.

5. Backcomb (tease) the crown for volume and finish with a mist of hairspray.

Click here to find out how to recreate the best celebrity looks of the night...

Tags Hair, angelina jolie, Charlize Theron, makeup, nails, updo, revlon, pureology, golden globes, Freida Pinto, Emma Stone, L'Oreal Paris, beachy waves, star beauty, chanel nail colour, Reese Witherpsoon, 2012 Golden Globes

Guide to Your Most Gorgeous Curls

After years of watching my curly girlfriends do their hair, it’s become clear that the Holy Book of Healthy Bouncy Curls is something they all follow religiously. Some commandments include: never brush through dry curls; shampoo only a couple times per week; a wide-toothed comb is your best friend.

One to tack on: Add Mixed Chicks to thy repertoire of hair products. Originally created for multi-cultural women with coarse hair, the hair care line has become a cult favorite amongst curly-haired chicks of every flavor.

There are all kinds of products including shampoos and conditioners, thermal protection potions, and styling products. The great thing is that the formulas are really moisturizing, which is essential because naturally wavey locks tend to be on the dry side, but not heavy. Of the entire line, highlights include: the sulfate free shampoo, the detangling deep conditioner, and the leave-in conditioner. As one loyal customer/friend puts it, "They define my curls and eliminate frizz better than anything else I've tried." That’s such an impressive endorsement, now my straight haired self is itching to lather up. (posted by Cody)

Tags Hair Products, curly hair, Anti-Frizz, Mixed Chicks, Leave-in Conditioner, coarse hair, sulfate free shampoo, detangling deep conditioner

How To Recreate Shakira's Hair Dos

At the Latin Grammy Awards, Shakira made my best hair list. The award-winner and performer sported three different looks—all glamorous—courtesy of Wella Professionals Celebrity Stylist Andy LeCompte, whose a-list clientele also includes Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez and Penelope Cruz. Below are step-by-step instructions to recreate each ‘do on your own.

EFFORTLESS UPDO

1. Wash and condition your hair with a volumizing shampoo/conditioner.

2. Then, apply a styling crème and blow-dry the hair with a large round brush.

3. Spray hair with a texturizing spray to create matte texture and the slightly undone look.

4. Gather strands into a loose, natural piece-y chignon and pin it with a mixture of bobby pins and long T pins.

5. Pull down a few loose pieces and curl them with a curling iron.

6. Set your 'do with a few spritzes of hairspray.

click here to see the next hairstyle...

Tags Hair, Jennifer Lopez, waves, Penelope Cruz, updo, shakira, megan fox, Straight hair, celebrity hairstyles, andy lecompte, celebrity hairstylist, Shine Spray, Wella Professionals, Latin Grammy Awards, texture spray, Wella Professionals Flowing Form Smoothing Balm

5 Must-Haves for a Clean, Stylish, Happy Baby & Mommy

It's only Tuesday and it's already been a big week of celeb news: Kim K's divorcing and Jessica Simpson's having a baby! Breakups suck, but personal experience proves they make you stronger. Babies, on the other hand, are the biggest gift of love. I can't believe my little man Rex is already 8 weeks old! I admit, the past couple of months have been grueling between the sleepless nights and never-ending bouts of spit up. But they've also been the most rewarding, magical moments of my life.

Jessica's announcement got me thinking about how far I've come as a mom. Like, I went from not knowing what a breast pump was to being able to put the parts together in the dark. And the full five minutes it once took me to change a diaper has been shaved down to seconds. In just two months, I've become fluent in baby from gadgets to products. I still have a lot to learn, and I've been greatful to all the moms who have shared their tips with me. Now, it's my turn to pay it forward. I've listed a few of my favorite finds (more installments to come!). Hopefully these will come in just as handy for baby Simpson and all the future tots-to-be.

Baby Aquaphor: I oil Rex up from head to toe every night. I keep a tub by his changing table and a tube in my diaper bag. I swear by this ointment. It's kept his pretty baby face acne free, has fended off diaper rash and stopped the first signs of cradle cap in its tracks.

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash: After washing Rex's hair and body with this, he smells just like a baby should -- fresh, clean and yummy all at once. I've been sent a lot of baby bath products from a bunch of different companies and will report back on the others as I give them a try.

Kicky Pants, Ralph Lauren and Splendid onesies: A onesie is the baby equivalent of a dress. Just slip it on and the look is complete. From preppy to hipster, I love dressing Rex up in stylish looks, and I've fallen in love with the fashions from these three brands. Kicky Pants onesies come in fun prints and are made with a bamboo fabric that's so soft, I wish they made clothes for adults. Rex may as well be a model for Ralph Lauren because every other thing he wears is RL baby. From the most precious white nighty (shown below) to a velour jumper, there's a wealth of adorable options, especially for boys. Splendid wins for creating mini versions of fashions that you'd wear yourself. Like the brand's adult line, the clothes are comfy and cute. Check out Rex in the lower photo with his teddy. He's rocking a Splendid hooded onesie.

Giant Teddy: This is the granddaddy of all gifts. Our friend Brad went above and beyond to welcome home Master Rex with this GIANT, loveable, squeezable teddy bear is. I pose Rex next to his forever friend for all of his milestone photos (see below!) and know that he'll love this bear more and more as he grows.

Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Elizababy Bag: A happy mom means a happy baby, and every time I carry this bag, which is 24/7, it makes me happy. To me, a diaper bag was an excuse to get an awesome new accessory, so I was on the hunt for a tote that was as practical as it was fashionable. I fell in love with this one from Marc Jacobs. It's lightweight, has all the compartments I need and is roomy. Plus, my husband is as into this badass navy and rust panther pattern as I am, which means he's just as happy to have it on his shoulder. I was so excited when it arrived, just days before Rex did, that I snapped a photo of me trying it on for the first time.

Tags marc jacobs, Ralph Lauren, style, accessories, gifts, Jessica Simpson, Aquaphor, Splendid, kim kardashian, Bath Products, baby products, Burt's Bees, Kicky Pants

A Safe Frizz-Fighting Treatment

“Everything good in life is either immoral, illegal or fattening.” During her badgirl phase, Nicole Richie spoke those wise words…and I’d like to add carcinogenic to her list.

The Brazilian Blowout was all the rage last year. It became known as the professional frizz-eliminating treatment that was gentler and safer than its predecessor -- Japanese straightening. But true to theory, as one of the good things in life, the Brazilian Blowout is now apparently carcinogenic as it contains formaldehyde.

Thankfully, there’s a new pro treatment that’s quicker and safer. The Keratin Complex Express Blow Out is a one-hour, in-salon process that infuses keratin proteins into the cuticle to make strands smoother and less frizzy. The main difference between this treatment and the Brazilian Blowout, aside from the fact that the formula really is supposed to be formaldehyde free, is that it smoothes and de-frizzes but doesn’t straighten and flatten the hair.

Nicole enlisted me to try out the Keratin Complex Express Blow Out at Chicago's Studio 110 salon to see if it really works.

Full disclosure: I have relatively straight hair with a little bit of bend. But I also have a lot of breakage, which creates a lot of flyaways, so I was excited for this service. First, my hair was shampooed, conditioned, and given a quick tousle with a hair dryer. Then, the keratin solution was applied to my hair in small sections using a brush like the one used to apply hair dye. Next, the stylist went back over my strands with a fine-toothed comb and a flat iron to help the keratin fully penetrate my strands. When I left the salon, my hair looked shiny/slightly greasy and stick straight/flat (see the above pic). I was told to keep it dry and elastic free for 8 hours—not 3 days like other keratin treatments out there. Whew!

After my first wash, I air-dried my hair and was thrilled with the result -- there weren’t any frizzies in sight. My hair still had its natural shape and curvature, minus the straggly, frizzy flyaways. Talk about a miracle! The Express Blow Out lasts about 5-6 weeks and is a fraction of the cost (about $100) of the full-fledged Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment that lasts up to 5 months.

My verdict: The Keratin Complex Express Blow Out is great way to give conditioning treatments a try without the commitment. And it’s not immoral, illegal, fattening or carcinogenic.

Tags Hair, Brazilian Blowout, de-frizzing, keratin complex, Keratin Complex Express Blow Out, hair conditioning treatments, in-salon blowout, straightening treatment

Support Breast Cancer Awareness with These Pink Product Picks

With the exception of black and orange, during the month of October, everything turns pink. The beauty industry supports Breast Cancer Awareness month in a big way. Just like last year's roundup, this year presents another helping of great specialty items that all support the cause. Here are some of our favorites!

The original shattering nail polish has gone pink! OPI has introduced Pink Shatter: Pink of Hearts Nail Lacquer, $8.50. Proceeds support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

A personal favorite for putting broken blood vessels to rest: Darphin Redness Relief Soothing Serum, $85. For each serum purchased, $15 will go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Stila Positive and Pretty Palette, $14. It’s a limited-edition palette with four eye shadows, cheek color and a highlighter. Way to save a pretty penny! A total of 10% of proceeds will go to a variety of BCA charities, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

There’s nothing more comfy-cozy-yummy than Alternative Apparel. The clothing line has partnered with all Urban Outfitters stores and Susan G. Komen for the Cure to introduce the Pink Ribbon Collection, which features the brand’s best-selling tees, tanks, dresses and hoodies all in pink. Urban Outfitters stores and the Alternative Apparel website will sell the line through the remainder of 2011. Urban Outifitters has already made a $60,000 donation to Komen and Alternative will donate 10% of the retail price from online sales to Komen.

A few months ago, we decked out our pouts with Violent Lips temporary lip tattoos. Now you can mouth off wearing The Pink Ribbon Collection. A set of three tattoos is $9.99 and $2 from every sale will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Charles Albert Pink Jasper Ring, $170. The jewelry designer will be donating 25% of sales of the ring to Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization

Pureology hair products rarely go on sale so here's one deal to take advantage of. In support of breast cancer awareness, you can get a set of PureVolume Shampoo and PureVolume HairCondition for $39. Even better, Pureology will make a $20,000 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Estee Lauder is always thinkin' pink. The Limited Edition Evelyn Lauder Pink Ribbon Collection, $24, is a chic lipstick/clutch combo. They will donate 20% of the suggested retail price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Tags Hair, Urban Outfitters, Estee Lauder, Stila, makeup, nails, skin, Breast Cancer Awareness, serum, pureology, Darphin, Alternative Apparel, Charles Albert Jewelry, Violent Lips, deals & freebies, OPI Shatter