October 2008 Beauty Q&A

Q: I need some beautiful candles for my bathroom. I spend a lot of time in there doing my makeup, hair and taking bubble baths and I want something that will great a relaxing atmosphere. Any suggestions?
I think its wonderful that you are trying to create a beautiful relaxing space to do your beauty routine in. I truly think our atmosphere effects the way we look. So if your in a hectic messy, unorganized environment your look will reflect that. I think the lighting a few smell good candles and slowing you’re your routine down can help you relax and help you create a more put together look.

I suggest Altru Artistry Aromatic Soy Blend Candle ($55, gamillahboutique.com). The soy blend wax candle comes beautifully packaged in a hammered copper vessel with a delicate golden lining. After lighting this in your bathroom you will be left with a medley of rich, warm spices and creamy vanilla with hints of black tea. And its beautiful enough to leave out at all times.

And you can always leave out fragrance like a diffuser in order for your bathroom to smell good at all times which helps create a more relaxed environment. Try Melange Apothecary Grenade Home Ambiance Diffuser ($30, melangeapothecary.com) a fruity and sweet Pomegranate with notes of Nectarine and Bergmaount citrus. The scent is gentle and comforting but with a nice twist.

Q: I recently accepted a new position in my company and will be traveling a lot more. What are the best beauty products to travel with?
When you are traveling you want to pack as light as possible. Nothing is worse then packing a ton of full size products only to have them either bust open in your luggage or be taken out of your carry on by the gate agents.Trust me. So you need to get a set of travel size products that will help you continue your beauty routine no matter where you are at. I recently got my hands on an adorable set that will be perfect for travel. Lalicious Travel Set ($50, lalicious.com) contains everything you need to clean, exfoliate, moisturize all in airplane approved sizes. The set comes is a beautiful, canvas clutch with a handle and latch and 4 2oz Travel Size LaLicious products. You get a Whipped Soap, Sugar Soufflé Scrub, Body Butter and Body Oil all in your favorite scent. Pick from scents like Coconut Cream, Passionfruit Lime or Tahitian Flower among others. I liked the Lalciious Travel Set so much I almost booked myself a trip just so that I could have an excuse to use it.

Q: I love the look of the models and celebrities with cool headbands and hair accessories but I don’t know how to wear them. What are some tips?
The runways last month were filled with beautiful models wearing beautiful hair accessories. From feather headbands to skinny headbands and scarfs. Accessories are an easy way to turn the volume up on your look and keep thinks looking fresh. If you don’t feel like doing much more then pulling your hair back then why not slip on a cool headband or sparkly hair clip? It can turn a boring pony into a work of art. The trick is to find accessories that suit your look. If you are going for a cool laid back vibe try a cool patterned head scarf. If you are going for something more put together try a simple head band in basic color.

Goody has a ton of fun and sophisticated hair accessories. There Precious Metals collection sold exclusively at Target, is full of femmine sophisticated accessories that unite modern metallics with classic lines. The metal hair clips and berets are amazing. If your looking for a fun retro look check out Goody’s Paisleydelic Collection at Target as well. The collection fuses organic shapes with bright, vivid colors. Paisleydelic reinvents an iconic pattern in a sassy, playful way in every headband and hair accessory.

Q: My body wash is great but I want a new fun scent. Something that won’t leaving smelling like flowers. What do you suggest I try?
I am a firm believer that a a body wash can make or break your shower. If you have a boring or overpowering body wash the shower is worthless. If you have a fun great smelling body wash then you leave the shower in a great mood. Philosophy makes the best selling body washes on the planet. Each body wash is also a shampoo and bubble bath too. I would recommend one of their latest and greatest, The Soda Fountain ($30, philosophy.com). The set contains three scents that will take you right back to the days of the soda fountain, rootbeer float, cherry cola and fruit punch. These ultra-rich formulas leave skin clean and silky soft. The deliciously sweet and refreshing scents of a creamy rootbeer float, syrupy cherry cola and red fruit punch, are a great start to any morning.