In August of 2001, my friend Maureen, at the very young age of 23, passed away from cancer. During her 5 year battle she had lost her hair and turned to Locks of Love for a wig. When Maureen passed away, I went right to my salon and had 11 inches chopped off and donated it to Locks of Love in her honor. When you are battling cancer, it is so difficult to feel beautiful, especially when you are a teenager and are bald. Locks of Love is a great program and I am so happy to help Nexxus and Locks of Love spread the word about their recent partnership.

Nexxus Salon Hair Care and Locks of Love have partnered through a unique program to educate women and men about the proper way to donate hair to the charity, ensuring that all the hair sent is usable.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides wigs and hair pieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 who suffer from long-term medical hair loss. All of the custom hairpieces are made with hair donated from individuals.

Nexxus Salon Hair Care, with Locks of Love, created an easy-to-follow, brief video tutorial to educate interested donors and their stylists on the proper steps to donate. The video can be found at www.Nexxus.com, and the following are the main steps.

· Hair must be at least 10 inches from tip to tip.

· Hair must be secured in a ponytail or braid before it is cut; and the cut must be made above the hair elastic.

· Hair must be clean and completely dry before it is mailed.

· Ponytail should be placed in a plastic bag and then into an envelope.

· Include the hair donation form you find at www.LocksofLove.org so they can acknowledge the donation.

Hair donors each give something of themselves and do so with the best intentions. Although requirements are listed on our Web site, many don't understand the importance of the 'how-to' or the 'when-to,'" said Locks of Love President Madonna Coffman. "That's why we were thrilled when Nexxus approached us with this wonderful idea of making it even easier for donors to see first hand what's acceptable and how to donate."

To date, Locks of Love has provided more than 2,000 children in all 50 states and Canada with hairpieces. Most of the children who receive hairpieces suffer from a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cure.

At Nexxus, we believe that beautiful hair should be everyone’s right; that’s why the work that Locks of Love is doing is so essential," said Gina Lazaro, Senior Director of Marketing for Nexxus. "Our hope is that with this video we answer some of the lingering questions about the right way to donate hair and, thus, ensure that all the hair donated to the charity is put to good use."

In addition to producing the video, Nexxus made a donation of $10,000 to the organization to help defray operating costs and to help fund research in finding a cure for alopecia areata. Over the past two years Locks of Love has expanded their efforts in the search for a cure by awarding research grants to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The video is available for viewing at www.Nexxus.com; Locks of Love provides a direct link from their home page, www.LocksofLove.org.

A head-to-toe makeover just got super easy with Glamour's 30-day makeover—simply try one new tip daily. After 30 days, you’ll have glossier hair, prettier skin, a flatter stomach and lots more energy. What could be bad? Plus each time you check off a tip or mark a favorite, you’ll be entered to win a spa getaway at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, including treatments from Equinox Solstice or a treadmill from Life Fitness.

With the 30-day makeover you get to interact with other members using the program--your own little social networking site and also a great way to keep each other motivated.

Something I love is the Calorie Math section. It's a calorie counting section where you get to see how you can settle for say--two fatty slices of pizza, or you can eat veggie pizza with a bunch of other great foods to equal the same amount of calories for a healthier alternative. It's pretty amazing how much great food you can eat compared to fattier, unhealthy foods of the same calories.

The tips are really great as well. Some are common sense tips that sometimes we forget about, others are unique. I agree with tip #2--you CAN transform your face just by grooming your brows.

So head over and check it out: www.glamour.com/tips/makeover

Aid For AIDS, a non-profit which works to prevent homelessness and hunger to those disabled by HIV/AIDS, is hosting their 5th annual spa day event on Thursday, November 8th.

On Spa Day, participating spas and salons in Northern California, Southern California, Miami / Fort Lauderdale, New York, Chicago, Arizona, Atlanta, and Michigan will be donating 20% or more of their revenue from services and gift certificate purchases to support Aid For AIDS.

You can find out more information about the event at www.spaday.org, and more about their agency at www.aidforaids.net.

It's no secret that I am a mom--a very busy mom at that; being a blogger (of 7 blogs!), holding down a very wonderful job and chasing after 4 rough and tumble boys. Thankfully, after the birth of each of my sons I did not have to deal with Postpartum Depression, but there are so many moms out there who do--around 500,000 of them. Although Postpartum Depression may sometimes seem like it is making strides to be formally recognized as a major issue for moms, it's stills something that many people don't fully understand.

Today is Blog For The Mother's Act and I'd like to bring your attention to it:

Mothers Act is a bill introduced into the Senate by Senator Menendez of New Jersey that would provide for education about postpartum mood disorders for new mothers and their families, require healthcare professionals to screen new moms for postpartum mood disorders during the first year postpartum, and train those professionals on how to conduct proper screenings and care for women who are diagnosed with these illnesses. This bill is currently with the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee of the Senate. If the majority of the Help Committee Members endorse the MOTHERS Act, the bill will move forward for consideration by the Senate. Without Senate sponsors, the bill could languish in committee and await reintroduction at a future date.

Please read this story by a fellow mom who has suffered from Postpartum Depression: "If You Are A Mother, Know A Mother or Have A Mother, You Need To Know About Postpartum Mood Disorders."

Please call or write your local senator and ask them to pass The Mother's Act bill.

Thank you.

Tags: bloghers for the mother's act, postpartum depression, bloghers act

Help the Gal To Gal Foundation reach it's goal of 1 million virtual walkers for Stage IV Breast Cancer. Even if you are lazy (like me), you can do this! Click on the banner and be part of the cure!

If you happen to be a lover of shoes, Shoe Stor has a great product to keep them in tip top shape. Their clear shoe boxes are perfect for organization and storage--plus they also make them for handbags, men's sneakers and boots!

They're having a sale and bundling their boxes for some great discounts (and I happen to think their titles are funny):

Baby Bundle
A set of 30 Women’s Clear Shoe Boxes
Regularly: $119.85
On Sale: $107.89

I love my shoes more than I love food Bundle
30 of Shoe Stor’s signature women’s clear shoe boxes;
10 of Shoe Stor’s women’s large boxes (which also work great for men’s shoes); and
5 of Shoe Stor’s clear low boot boxes.
Regularly: $210.79
On Sale: $189.72

Boot Babe Bundle
Have a thing for boots? Well then, Shoe Stor has a bundle for you. The Boot Babe Bundle gives you:
20 of Shoe Stor’s low cut boot boxes (they work great for booties and purses); and
10 of Shoe Stor’s tall boot boxes.
Regularly: $214.97
On Sale: $193.48

My Shoes Are My Life Bundle
A bit of a footwear freak? Don’t be ashamed, show them all off with Shoe Stor’s clear shoe boxes. This bundle includes:
40 Women’s Shoe Boxes;
10 Women’s Large Shoe Boxes (also work great for men’s shoes);
10 Low Boot Boxes (also excellent for purse storage); &
10 Tall Boot Boxes.
Regularly: $365.73
On Sale: $321.84

My Shoes Are Worth More Than My Car Bundle
If you aren’t afraid to admit that your shoe collection is worth more than your car (and you don’t drive a 1991 Buick), this bundle of boxes is for you:
50 Women’s shoe boxes;
20 Low boot boxes (also excellent for purse storage); &
15 Tall boot boxes.
Regularly: $462.71
On Sale: $393.31


Sold My Soul To The Devil For Shoes Bundle
You may have sold your soul into eternal damnation, but at least you have some great shoes!!! This bundle of boxes gives you:
70 Women’s shoe boxes;
15 Women’s large/Men’s shoe boxes;
25 Low boot boxes; &
20 Tall boot boxes.
Regularly: $707.57
On Sale: $567.99

Tags: shoe storage, shoe stor

Eighty minutes of pure pampering paradise – what spa novice or super enthusiast wouldn’t dream of this? Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas, the quintessential destination for unsurpassed spa expertise, has now made that dream a reality with the introduction of the Ultimate Arden Facial. This multi-faceted, first-of-its kind beauty indulgence that goes above and beyond to lavish each recipient from head to toe… creating an ultimate escape that is absolutely like no other spa service anywhere else. The renowned go-to spa for sophistication and serenity, Red Door Spas is changing the face of the facial with its new multi-faceted experience.

The journey to the pinnacle of pampering begins with a cleansing, toning and exfoliation to remove impurities from deep within the surface of the skin. An upper body massage featuring warm stones, a hand-softening treatment and a soothing cool stone facial massage produce an aura of exquisite tranquility. Following a refreshing eye contour treatment, Arden’s unique face and decollete firming mask is applied. A relaxing scalp massage, and lip or brow wax are this facial's divine touches. Flawless makeup application crowns this transcending experience, leaving the guest totally renewed and radiant.

Our latest addition to the portfolio of offerings from Red Door Spas has no equal," says Janice Vitale, vice president of marketing for Red Door Spas. "We continuously look to introduce treatments that mirror our vision of enhancing the lives of our guests through beauty, harmony and well being. The Ultimate Arden Facial delivers on our vision and encapsulates the Red Door Spa experience."

Further elevating the level of luxury, the Ultimate Arden Facial uses Elizabeth Arden’s premium Signature skincare products. Expert estheticians will customize the facial by selecting the product best suited to each individual’s needs. For more mature skin types, Ceramide Gold products strengthen and firm the skin’s look while plumping lines. For anti-aging, Prevage helps target lines, wrinkles and discolorations while improving skin-tone and firmness. And Intervene helps delay aging signs for guests with younger skin. As a limited –time launch offer, guests will receive a complimentary deluxe sample of the Arden skincare product used in their facial service.

The 80-minute Ultimate Arden Facial is available at all Red Door Spa locations for $175. For more information on the facial or Red Door Spas, visit www.reddoorspas.com

Nadine Haobsh, author of Beauty Confidential and the blogger behind Jolie in NYC, offers advice to make sure your time in the tub is quality time for you, no matter what your day was like:

The search for the perfect bath products--I've never been much of a bath girl; my hair gets all wet, the water is either scalding or freezing, my toes inevitably cramp...it's always a disaster. After spending the summer in England, however, where the only options were "terrible shower that will only work when it feels like it" or "huge bathtub that is the size of a swimming pool," I obviously went with the latter. And somehow, against my will, I became addicted. Now, I bathe at least four times a week, carving out an hour for myself in the evenings with a magazine, my iPod or just my own thoughts. I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover what everybody else has always been raving about, but hey---at least I eventually got there!

Now I just need to settle upon my perfect products. Early contenders include Lush Avobath bomb-- love this stuff!-- and Jo Malone Red Roses bath oil, but I'm willing to undergo the sacrifices that come with an exhaustive search. Suggestions welcome!

Tags: nadine haobsh, beauty confidential
*Photo Credit: George Bogart

Today being Blog Action Day, where thousands of blogs are discussing the environment, A Girl's Gotta Spa is going to focus on eco-friendly, sustainable, green beauty with Recycline's Preserve Razor and Pacific Shaving Company's All Natural Shaving Oil.

Recycline's Preserve Razor is just like any other disposable shaving razor in terms of quality. Don't be fooled that because it is made of recycled yogurt cups that it is any less efficient or durable. This razor has twin blades and an ergonomic for a close shave. I've used it and I think it's pretty cool to think that at one point someone was gobbling down a Stonyfield Farms yogurt and soon enough that yogurt cup is shaving my legs. Recycline is an innovative company--also recreating toothbrushes, tongue cleansers and tableware. You can find the Preserve Razor and all other Recycline products at Target, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop and online. Recycling is good for the environment--that is true beauty.

Pacific Shaving Company's All Natural Shaving Oil is not only good for the environment because you are using an all natural product made of essential oils such as sunflower, avocado, bergamot and grapefruit peel, but because this small bottle packs a mighty punch when it comes to helping eliminate more than 18,000 pounds of shaving cream cans clogging up landfills. While the shaving oil container may be compact, only a small amount of product is needed to get the job done; this half ounce bottle will last up to 100 shaves. The scent is mild, so it can be used by men and women alike. I also loved how it moisturized my skin, as well! Pacific Shaving Company's All Natural Shaving Oil can be found at Whole Foods and at www.pacificshaving.com.

Tags: blog action day, recycline, pacific shaving company, green beauty

I was definitely happy to review Nubar's Support The Cure collection of nail polishes not only because they are pink (my favorite color) but also because 10% of the proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Cancer Treatment Research Foundation and the City of Hope.

If you haven't tried Nubar's polishes before, you definitely should. They are free of harmful ingredients such as; Toluene, Formaldehyde or DBP (Phthalate). The Support The Cure collection of polishes includes Pink Cami and Je’Taime (a light pink and darker one), a foundation base coat and Diamont Seal & Shine.

The colors were beautiful and the quality was very good, as well.

Support The Cure costs $28 and can be purchased at www.bynubar.com

Tags: nubar, nail polish, support the cure

When I was in NY, I finally got to meet up with my friend Ellen of Lipstick Powder n'Paint after only knowing her online for the last year. She is holding a great contest this month to celebrate her blog hitting the one year mark. Below are the details:

Christmas has come early and Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint is giving away thousands of dollars worth of beauty products to YOU! Have you been naughty or nice? Well, at Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint that doesn't matter as every woman should be spoiled.

As the not-so-secret Santa, Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint is giving away amazing prizes for each of the 31 days of October.

How to enter: Keep your eyes peeled to www.lipstickpowdernpaint.blogspot.com each day and guess what the product is shown (image will be distorted slightly). Contests will close at midnight each day. Winning entries will be randomly picked the following day and the winner announced on the site.

Here are some of the brands that have kindly donated prizes:

Lancome
Kenzo Fragrance
Bombshell Bargains
Tinte Cosmetics
Principessa
Open Sundaes
Pure & Petal Hair Fragrances
Tarte Cosmetics
Benefit Cosmetics
Bliss
Jelly Pong Pong
Jaqua Beauty
MAC
Herbal Essences

The nights are getting colder and soon enough we'll be turning up the heat to keep warm this winter. Of course, along with that comes dry skin and of course, chapped lips. Einstein Cosmetics has two lip products to help keep you one step ahead of dry lips (which never look pretty no matter how much lipstick you apply) .

Einstein Cosmetics Cooling Relief Balm is deliciously scented. A combination of vanilla and mint provide a warm-cool sensation to your lips. The balm isn't waxy feeling or tacky and it's rich with cocoa butter and Vitamins A & E to intensely hydrate your lips.



Einstein Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Cream is quite an interesting creation. In the jar it is a cream that looks and feels like body lotion. It contains tiny yellow Vitamin C beads that first lead me to believe that this was an exfoliating cream rather than a lip product you wear. However, rubbing your lips together enough will slough off the dry skin and minimize the beads to a size that you can no longer feel them on your lips. The scent is very light and resembles a mint or eucalyptus fragrance. It surely makes your lips tingle and feel cool.

Both products kept my lips well moisturized; have you used these products? Let me know what you thought!

Available on Amazon.com for $6

Tags: beauty, einstein cosmetics

The Baby Quasar from AdvanThera is a wonderful advancement in skincare and beauty. It's where technology and skincare meet to provide you with a pain-free way to satisfy your anti-aging needs and provide a pill-free alternative to eliminating acne.


Some of the benefits of light therapy are:

Stimulating the production of collagen
Kills bacteria that causes blemishes
It's an anti-inflammatory
Stimulates tissue repair

The Baby Quasar is a portable hand held device with 24 LED's. It is surprisingly lightweight and has timed signaled intervals to assist you in giving each area of your face an equal amount of light. There is one pulsed light session and 2 sessions of a continuous beam. The light is not at all hot and it only slightly warms the Baby Quasar's metal body.

Before using the Baby Quasar, you will want to clean your face and apply a well absorbing serum. I chose to use Dr. Bragi's Marine Enzyme as it is activated by heat and I had success with it when used alone.

Your first 8 minutes of treatment are with pulsed light. You move the Baby Quasar pressed against your skin clockwise around your face. The areas of the face are to be treated in 4 sections, with the pulsed light focusing on one area at a time for 2 minutes each. The pulsed light does take some getting used to. By this I am referring to when you are moving the Baby Quasar between your eyebrows, above your eyebrows and under your eyes. The pulsed light is similar to a strobe light and I suggest not closing your eyes when you are treating these areas, but keeping your eyes open and looking to the side. This should help to prevent you from feeling dizzy.

The next 20 minutes are with two different wavelengths, but both are a continuous beam of red light. Not at all uncomfortable or hot. When the time is up for treatment to each section of your face, the Baby Quasar beeps. You can continuously smooth the Baby Quasar to equal parts of your face or you can keep it focused on trouble spots (ie. wrinkles, fine lines, acne). This is just what I did and was amazed by it's results.

I am always prone to acne on and around my chin. I made sure to pay special attention to the blemishes I had and also to two deep wrinkles I have that I loathe. By the end of day one, a few of my blemishes were just about gone. Still there---but greatly diminished. This really pumped me up for my next treatment session. Within a week, my face was clearer and the two wrinkles I had been focusing on seemed noticeably softened. My skin looked fresh and healthy.

When first starting out with Light Therapy, you should do a 28 minute treatment session everyday, however over time you can do maintenance sessions only 3 times a week. Prior to the Baby Quasar, I had never tried Light Therapy for my acne and wrinkles and I was honestly skeptical about whether it worked or not. I'm happy to say that it definitely works and even though the 28 minute treatment session sounds like an inconvenience, it really is worth it once you see the results.

Also--their customer service is awesome. The owner spoke directly with me about this product and how to use it. He listened to all of my questions and gave easy to understand answers about the technology of the Baby Quasar. What other company does that?

The Baby Quasar is available at drugstore.com for $449.

* If you are prone to epileptic seizures, please consult your doctor before purchasing the Baby Quasar.

Tags: baby quasar, skincare, beauty, led light therapy

First things first--I love how Suave has changed it's image to be all about moms. Love that. Also? When I think of shower gel and lotion, Suave was never the brand that came to mind, but after reviewing the products that they sent, they sure will be.

I received 2 lotions and 2 shower gels from Suave's new Exhale collection: Lively Juicy Tangerine, Calming Lavender Vanilla, Lime Verbena and Alluring Sandalwood and Cinnamon. All of the scents are fabulous, but my favorite is Lime Verbena. It actually reminds me of perfume and is a really alluring fragrance.

The Exhale lotions are softening and fragrant, while the shower gels are luxurious in lather and scent. Both make you feel pampered and dare I say it--sexy. Yes, I can't believe it myself--I just said Suave was sexy. If you've tried the Lime Verbena, admit it--you thought you were a sex vixen for a minute until that familiar knocking on the bathroom door, "Mom! I need to go potty!" brought you back to reality. I know that many of you are secretly chuckling and knowing all too well that joy of motherhood.

Seriously, I am pleasantly surprised by Suave's Exhale collection and I definitely recommend them.

Tags: beauty, suave exhale, bath & body

My fellow beauty blogger at All Lacquered Up is holding a Halloween themed manicure contest with a great giveaway! And guess who gets to be one of the judges? Moi! So please head over to her blog to see what you need to do to enter and check out the great prize she is offering: All Lacquered Up

I can't wait to see what you come up with!