How much is your beauty worth?

I was reading an article on MSN money this morning. Is $3600, annually, on beauty products and regimines excessive spending? Wow?! Absolutely! Well, it matters what's included in that.

I spend between $80 - $100 monly on my pedicures and waxing. I do a $60 peel and facial 4-6 times a year, and there's a copay the 6 times a year I visit my dermatologist's office, for vanity's sake.That doesn't include Latisse, other prescriptions, the MAC cosmetics, or ELTA and Aveeno skin care products. What about the money wasted on "trying" new products and services? All the cosmetics and nail polishes I thought I had to have amount to something. There's also a drawer full of tea tree, sea salt, and eucalyptus blends of spa, relax, and rejuvenation stuff.

I have no room to judge. Do you?

Professionally speaking...

Do you leave things to the professionals? Do you know when to DIY and when to call in the experts? This is true in fashion, style, and glam, because if done incorrectly it can be costly or impossible to fix.


I hate to confess this, but a few years ago I went to the beauty school to get a quick trim. I had some bad ends along the back and needed it just chopped off blunt. I was expecting no more than 1/2 an inch. I had been before for a few washes when I was too lazy to lather, rinse, and repeat myself. I had called the salon, but my stylist was unavailable. I can't remember why, but I had to have it done RIGHT THEN! So I ran by the beauty school. I was thinking that these are students, and no one here will be overly ambitious. I can get a quick trim, spend less than a $10, and be on my way. Nope. This heffa took it upon herself to take about 3 1/2 inches off my hair. She couldn't hear 1/2 inch, but she understood blunt cut. Idiot! You get what you pay for. I hope she didn't graduate but instead ended up doing crochet braids off her grandma's front porch. That's what I get for asking a student to do expert work.

The same goes for all aspects of the beauty industry. It's been said that the only thing a stylist needs to do to become a stylist is to say they are a stylist. You can't trust that everyone knows anything at all about style. You have to see to believe. I never trust a hair stylist with nappy hair that looks like it's home to a flock of birds. I would never trust a fashion stylist that looks a hot mess.

I encourage the masses to get expert advice on the important things in your life. This includes your home, your health, your sanity, your family, and YOU! Go for a professional bra fitting, have a tailor, not a box of safety pins, hem your trousers, have licensed professionals do your hair, your face, your skin, and your nails. Take care of yourself with as much knowledge and know how as you can, but when all else fails...seek out a professional opinion!

Organization

I'm always looking for ways to make it easier to work where I live and live where I work. Because my inner fashionista is growing by leaps and bounds my clothing and accessories wardrobes are growing and expanding. I'm quickly out growing my space. b.E.'s inventory and my personal jewels are starting to mix. Some of my prized possessions are being buried under other fabulous possessions. It's sad.

So I used some of my Internet surfing time to look for new storage ideas. Eureka! I came across this nifty video of ways to use typical household stuff in new and interesting storage ways. There were numerous suggestions that intrigued me, but I loved this peg board idea. Basically, you mount a peg board on your wall and hang all of your stuff. Easy! So, I ran to my local hardware store and bought a 4X2 peg board. Because it wasn't the most fascinating color, I spray painted it. Now, I have a royal blue peg board hanging on my beautiful green wall. My favorite jewelry is always at hand, and it's become a piece of ever changing artwork. Both the artsy and fashionista parts of me are satisfied.

Another idea I had, actually it's a revamped idea, is using an old school coffee mug rack for more useful storage. It was initially saved from a heap in my grandparents garage to hang my jewelry on, but with the birth of the peg board it's been bare. Now some of my hats, and my son's hats, have a new place to call home.

I realize I may not be the first to have this epiphany, but I'm still proud. Organization is on the way into my life at a high rate of speed. This is recycling and reusing at it's best!

Glamorous

I'm obsessed with all things glamorous. I think it's bigger than just being pretty or even beautiful. There's just true intention in being glamorous! I think glamour is intoxicating, magnetic, and almost magical. It's not just old Hollywood furs and diamonds. It's beautiful heels with great stuff like platforms and box toes, unconventional jewels that you obsess over, designer clutch bags, and high quality clothes that feel like second skin. It's how you carry yourself. It's sex appeal, attitude, and crazy confidence.

Take some extra time here and there to just glam up your style. You don't have to put on every shiny accessory you have or restrict your breathing in some too tight outfit. Just step up your look. Put on a little extra eye make up, your boldest cocktail ring, highest most stunning heels, and a dress that hugs every inch of you perfectly. Maybe even curl your hair a little daring and step out like you just wrote a check to purchase the planet! It will boost your confidence and bring on some good attention.
Be glamorous...to death

Fashionable v. Trendy

It's important to be fashionable. Being fashionable is appropriate for every age, body type, and style. You could never say that about a trend. Trend is a personal decision, dependent upon a number of things, but being fashionable is just...required.

Look at fashion as your welcome, cliff's notes, or cover letter. It sets your tone, a quick reference to what you're all about. It introduces you. Partner that with killer confidence and you will be unstoppable!

Fashion Season

Stores are filling up with spring and summer fashions!

I salivate, with my face pressed against the glass of boutique windows, as I tighten my scarf around my neck and wonder which layer, the tee, the cardigan, or the coat, is failing me. I'm cold, and I'd love to go inside and try on that yellow printed maxi dress, bronze strappy wedges, and fitted denim jacket. I'd like to sit in that window display and pretend to be enjoying a margarita, at a cantina, on a playa somewhere that's not right here, right now. And you know, I have the perfect accessories for that outfit! http://blaisedenvy.com/

Fashion's funny. It never rests. It won't be turned off or shut down. There's always something new, and it's typically something old that's been revamped. Yet, it's alluring. Fashion is constantly in motion. The fashion seasons lead the regular seasons. You have to work hard to stay current and play the game of wearing what, when, without being in sandals in midst of winter.

I am already mentally building a glamorous new summer wardrobe while sitting here with my heater on high. And, I wouldn't have it any other way. Enjoy!

A full set?!

So, I frequent the nail salon. I get my eyebrows and lip waxed. But don't get it twisted, I'm not rocking a handlebar mustache. I just like my ladylike peach fuzz tamed. I also, faithfully, get a pedicure. I love to be pampered, even if it's in small doses.

Today I went into my FAVORITE local nail salon. The staff is incredible, the service is the best, and it's in walking distance of my house. This is a great nail salon. Plus, I have inadvertently tattooed their name on my left hand, RELAX. While I was in there today the owner once again made comments about the free advertising I'm accidentally giving him. And me, with all of my charisma, mentioned how this advertisement is bogus without perks. So he offered to give me a full set. A full set?! I've never had my nails done. I have really strong, fast growing, nails. I've never needed nails. It would be nice to not have to worry with the upkeep of my own nails, but is this worth the trade of the constant commitment? I mean it's free. He's the owner. He offered to do my nails. I can't pass up this opportunity. It's too generous.

We gathered my things, and I made my way into the nail area. I was sliding my freshly pedi'd and slippered feet along wondering if I was biting off more than I really wanted to chew. I did it though. I sat there like a small child studying every step. I wanted to know what every product was, how it worked, and why he was using it. I made few requests. I wanted to just enjoy this experience. I let him determine the best nail length for me, the thickness of the nail, and how much French tip was right.

The finished product was beautiful despite the disclaimer halfway through of this being the one job he does the least in the salon. And although they are a little painful and quite heavy, I'm happy. It was an experience that was past due!

March 2nd
I scratched, bit, and peeled everyone of those things off my nails! Well, it was great while it lasted.