HOT Hollywood Holiday Original Gifts...

An Accessory Must Have:

Check out Ch'armz at: http://www.ch-armz.com/
Created by my girlfriend Carlie Tracey who has worked on TV & Film sets for 15 years as a costumer & wardrobe stylist is brilliant! They are sleeves that attach to your bra straps to add arms to any short sleeve or 3/4 sleeve sweater/top. They are so unique and comfortable. I wear them all winter & they are flying off the shelves at the spa. My fav is the black & white floral swirl.

Give the Gift of Astrology:

One of my clients, a local British astrologer Gillian Payne, is offering an Xmas holiday discount of 50% for an astrological reading of your natal chart. In addition to covering your natal chart she will discuss the astrological trends affecting you in 2011. Readings typically last 90 minutes and you can visit her in person or consult with her by phone. She works by referral only so please mention my name when you contact her at gillianpayne@ymail.com.

A Hollywood Keepsake:

Warner Bros. donated three movie reels to the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank. As a fundraiser they decided to make these unique bows for holiday gift giving. They are actual shots on real film stock from the films: The Traveller's Wife.. Sherlock Holmes.. & Valentine's Day.
They are a great unique hollywood souvenir! They are $5 each. You can order them or pick them up at the spa.

Hollywood Lashes:

Whether you are from here, live here or dream of Hollywood - YOU can give or receive the gift of affordable gorgeous lashes. There are alot of growth products on the market but my pick is RAPID LASH. No matter where you live you can buy this product online or in stores like Ulta. There aren't severe side effects like Latisse and I have used it myself as well as my clients and have seen great results. It is affordable at $50 and of course it makes a great gift.
Anyone in the area, once you have new fabulous lashes, should look into the new semi-permanent mascara application that lasts 2-3 weeks. I'm just saying..

Shoe Stoppers:

These one of a kind creations are all done by hand! You buy the Keds or Vans and Sara does the rest. Sara Hellman is the daughter of one of my clients and is definitely an up and coming artist. This is a great was to get an original before she is famous.. I have an sparkling angelic pair myself. $30 for B&W print, $40 for color design. You choose the theme.. All shoes are delivered via the spa. Kids & Adults LOVE them!



So wherever you are this holiday season, remember it is the time not only to reflect & renew but also to give thanks. Be grateful for all the beautiful blessings you have in your life and do something for someone else so they can count you as a blessing of their own.

Happy Holidays & Wishes for a Beautiful New Year! ~Michelle

Hollywood Fall Trends 2010

It is 7am and here I am in a dark, cold room that will soon turn into a bright, bustling make-up room. This is the place where the “magic” happens, stories are shared and tips are exchanged. It is fall and everyone is asking about looks and trends. Red & Plum are the hot colors and here is the TOP 5 Fall Hot Sheet for anyone in my chair:

LASH RAGE:

Lashes whether they are false or extensions, they all everyone is talking about. When I work with someone new, they soon realize, I am the lash girl. Eyelashes draw the camera & others right into what you are expressing or saying. With the new lash growth products like Latisse ($150 Rx only) and Rapid Lash ($50), everyone can find something that works for them. Lash growers are wonderful for nourishing lashes but take commitment and patience. Healthy, shiny, full and long - this is what everyone wants. False lashes are great for a few nights of drama. Extensions are great for months of waking up without mascara, ready to go. Mascara (love CG LashBlast) is awesome and the one item I would need on a deserted island!

HAIR BLING!:

This is really NEW in Hollywood! Beyonce’ make them popular in the spring and now every celebrity is sporting some BLING! These are sparkly fibers that gently get tied into your hair and last 1-2 weeks. You can wash them, curl them, flat iron them and style your hair with them in. They loosen and just slide off the hair… but definitely turn heads wherever you go. I think everyone needs a little BLING! in their life.

SMOKEY EYES or RED LIPS:

The Fall colors are Red and Plum. This is always the time where the natural, bronzed summer look kicks up into a more deep, dramatic look. Smokey eyes are always popular for fall/holidays. Shimmer, sparkle, black lined inner eyes, winged top liner and purple/eggplant/plums are this year’s look. Most makeup lines have a fabulous plum palette you can try for the Fall (Chanel’s ENIGMA a client fav). I suggest starting with a neutral base (brown/grey) and slowly layer the brighter/darker shade into the neutral base. Keep a highlight under the brow and the rest is your creation. Palettes are great, allowing you to try colors you may not normally choose, without worrying about blending tones.

Red always comes around in the Fall and this year it is all the rage. I LOVE red lips and usually recommend a bluer based red for most lips. Try on the color before purchasing and look at your teeth. If your teeth turn yellow, tone down the red and choose a darker, softer tone like a brick. When you are sporting a bright lip, you may want to go easy on the eyeshadow treatment. You don’t want your eyes & lips competing with each other. Dark liner, dark lashes with light sparkly shadow is a great compliment to red lips.

FLAWLESS SKIN:

Clean, smooth skin is on everyone’s wish list these days. A proper skincare regiment accompanied by ALWAYS washing your face before bed, is the best start. Your skin rejuvenates itself at night, so moisturize and treat before dozing off. Lighter foundations are the most popular, but with good coverage. People want to see skin and high definition television requires a much lighter coverage. If you have a foundation you like, you can mix it with moisturizer to create your own tinted moisturizer. The key to good skin, is using SPF, all year long!

DETOX before HOLIDAYS:

Everyone in Hollywood is always on a diet or detoxing (especially before the holidays). There are so many fads and crazes. A new favorite is alkaline water. It is a natural detox for your body. Our bodies are made up of mostly water (approx. 50-70%). Scientists say that antibodies, disease, sickness and toxins cannot survive in an alkaline environment. Foods we eat create an Acidic environment. If we can balance the PH level in our bodies, we are healthier and illness free. This is one of the new best anti-aging tips. I love the Kangan water and include it in home care treatments for my clientele. With regular use, you will definitely see a difference. In a pinch, no alkaline water? Add a lemon.

Remember, celebrities look just like you and me without makeup. Red carpet looks do not always translate into real life. Have fun, try something new for the season and be happy. The best make-up sits on a naturally unique and beautiful face with a smile on it! A smile is the best accessory any time of the year!

HAIR BLING!

We are in LOVE with hair BLING!
Beyonce` made it popular first and now it's all the rage.


Tiny strands of tinsel add a very subtle glimmer to your hair. It will definitely make people stop and stare. I actually makes us Giggle... they can't figure out what it is!

We have been BLINGING! :

- Brides & Moms of the Bride (perfect added sparkle for that special day)
- Vacationers (just a touch of fun for your trip)
- Teenager/Cheerleaders (just in time for school; they love showing off their school colors)
- Pets (anyone with a full tail gets a bit for a sparkling tail wagging)
- Special People (that's you) with an everyday special event (because it is fun)

You can wash your hair with them, flat iron or curl on medium heat, blow-dry and style. You just can't color with them or their color will be lost.


They come in all colors (red, green, blue, turq, purple, pink, etc.)
and hair colors too (champagne, chocolate, copper, deep red, and black)

They last about 2 weeks!


We think EVERYONE needs a little BLING! in their life!

10 Small Ways to Make The World a Better Place!!

I had to borrow this article from DUSTIN WAX. Everything listed here is so true and I was so touched by the list. It only take a minute to make a difference in someone's day... which may lead to a better next day, to making someone else's day... and so on. You've heard of "Paying it Forward..."

Our spa is choosing to make a difference in our community for AUGUST by collecting items for our local FOOD BANK. What can you do this month to "Make the World a Better Place... for Someone Else?"

(Copied from original link: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-small-ways-to-make-the-world-a-better-place.html) Thanks DUSTIN!

Here are ten little gestures, all of them easily within our grasp, that can spread goodwill in our own communities, as well as increase our own sense of mindfulness about the people around us and our relationship to them.

1. Tip generously: As often as you can afford, leave a tip of 25%, 50%, 100%, or even more. (Obviously this applies mostly in countries where 15% tips are the norm.) Unless the service was simply awful – and even then, it might pay to consider what your server goes through – leaving as large a tip as you can afford not only puts a little extra extra money in your servers’ pocket, it tells them that they’re appreciated, a message that often slips our minds in our demanding, service-now society.
2. Compliment someone: Tell someone how much you like the job they’re doing, their outfit or new haircut, their singing voice – whatever. Be honest and sincere. I like to practice “drive-by compliments”, sending an out-of-the-blue email to someone whose website, post, or comment on a post I really liked. Don’t expect anything in return, just let someone know that something they’re doing works and move on.
3. Be totally open with someone: Let someone know exactly how you feel about something on your mind (though not something negative about them – there’s a different “protocol” for that sort of thing). We often keep too much to ourselves; letting someone into your confidence can be a great way to show your trust and appreciation of them. Of course, you have to judge what is and isn’t appropriate – it is possible to move past openness to dragging others into your problems, and that’s not making the world a better place.
4. Give someone a book you’ve read: Making a gift of something you’ve read and enjoyed is more than just a nice gesture, it’s a way of showing someone that a) you think of them, b) you understand them, and c) you want to share something with them. The moment doesn’t end when they take the book – once they’ve read it, you can talk about your reactions together. Don’t do this with people around you who don’t read, though – you’ll build up an obligation that will be painful for them to discharge.
5. Make something for someone: Bake an extra batch of cookies, draw a picture, decorate an extra Christmas ornament, and give it to someone for no good reason. Like giving someone a book, it tells them that you were thinking about them and wanted to do something nice for them, and that it’s something you made adds a nice touch. Give without expectations – whether they return the favor or not, whether they like it or not, whether they’re nice to you or not, these are all irrelevant.
6. Send a letter, email, tweet, or text message out of the blue: Email someone you haven’t spoken with for a while, or text someone you see every day just to be nice. Maybe they’ll respond, maybe not – it’s beside the point. They just need to know that they’re important to you.
7. Commend an employee to their manager: It’s one thing to tip or compliment someone for their service, it’s another to contact their manager and tell them what a great job they’ve done. If you don’t have time at the time of service, note the employees name and call, email, or write a letter later.
8. Teach someone how to do something: Share your skill or talent with someone by showing them how to do something. Not so they won’t bother you with it, but so they can move a little bit towards improved mastery of the world around them. Have patience and respect for the person you’re helping – you’re giving them a gift, not compensating for some lack in their character.
9. Let someone shine: Put a spotlight on someone else’s talents by letting them take over a presentation deferring to their wisdom, asking them advice, or otherwise flex their “talent muscles”. Especially if they are junior to you, giving them a chance to strut their stuff shows that you trust them and appreciate them, as well as allowing them to get the attention they deserve (and which might often be obscured by your own shadow).
10. Connect like minds: Introduce two friends or colleagues who you feel have something to gain from each other. You’ll be letting them know you value them – and maybe creating a partnership that will make everyone better off.

You’ve probably heard the saying “Practice random acts of kindness”, and that’s basically what I’m talking about here. Anything that shows people you care about them – something we can be mighty stingy about most of the time – has the potential to make the world, or your small corner of it, a better place.

Ahh SUMMER - remember like a child, then act as adult Natural, Beautiful & YOU!

The summer was always my favorite time of the year growing up on the East Coast. Memorial Day Weekend was the start of freedom, sun and friends! I also knew school was almost out and the pool was finally unveiled for the summer...

Living in Southern California, I am spoiled... the pleasures of summer fun are enjoyable almost year round. But I always refer back to my childhood attitude. As an adult, I now see Summer as a time to PLAY, SLOW DOWN and TAKE time for ME! I can still have a mini-summer vacation.

At the shop, we try to turn our services into treats for the over-worked, over-stressed client that needs to slow down and treat themselves to SUMMER LOVE. The kids are at home and the weather really starts heating up. We make sure we have LOTS of sunscreen available as well as all natural choices (skincare with SPF and mineral foundations with zinc).

We always have the chocolate bowl filled, an iced cappuccino or herbal tea instead of hot treats. Alkaline water is a great re-generator and detox option - and always on hand at the spa. Of course we have our favorite coconut based lotions from FIJI with yummy smelling scents that compliment our all natural soy candles along with glittering accessories.

So we make sure all the ingredients to a mini-staycation or "me" time are all available for the summer months. We all work more than we should, but we need to balance that with playtime (especially during the summer!) But as Memorial Day approaches lets take a moment and remember what the idea of summer meant to us as kids...

Even though we aren't on summer vacation, we can't spend every waking hour in the pool and our friends aren't available - try to do something for YOU this summer.

Grab a book you want to read - take 15 min. and sit in the sunshine - take a nap

rent a movie - light a candle and take a bath - plan a long weekend

enjoy the outdoors & weather - buy a new outfit - try a new haircut
learn something or try something you have on your list

paint your toes a fun BLUE (try a reverse french manicure)

buy a new lipgloss - visit an old friend..
create a LASTING summer memory this year,
just like when you were a kid.

Whatever you do, enjoy the coming of SUMMER.

Summer is the time to slow down, have fun, relax and do something just for YOU!
Just because you are grown up.. doesn't mean you can't enjoy the summer like a kid.

I'm taking up GOLF!

A Beautiful Story That Needs to Be Shared...

If you know anyone with Cancer or going through treatment who could use a lift, please forward this story.

The American Cancer Society has a wonderful program for women going through cancer treatments, called "Look Good...Feel Better!"

Lisa Sigell did a wonderful segment! Thank you Lisa and CBS News for letting people know what we are doing...

CBS News Story

Some Beautiful Products Giving and Helping Charities

I have just received information on some new products and I thought, "GREAT!" I use all of these and what great causes they are benefiting. Even better!

"No one has ever become poor by giving." ~Anne Frank

Never leave without my LIPSTICK:

Elizabeth Arden is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. The color, "RED DOOR RED" is released to pay tribute to the history and heritage of their beauty brand. All proceeds with be donated to the "Look Good... Feel Better" program for the American Cancer Society.


I always need STAMPS:

Starting April 30th you can buy stamps that help buy food for shelter pets. Keep your eyes out for "Stamps to the Rescue." We use them and can help our favorite furry friends.

More to come... email with any great find you know of.

Change is Good - Celebrate Spring!

Change is often thought of as scary. Many people are going through change now, whether they want to or not. If you look back on the times in your life you had change, I can guarantee something positive came out of it. It shakes things up, keeps you on your toes, gets the creative juices flowing, changes your attitude - but yes, can be scary!

Lets give CHANGE a positive spin...

Think Spring Cleaning... take the time to eliminate anything that isn't working in your life. Try something you have always wanted to try. Take a class to learn something new. Make a new friend. Re-connect and visit with a long lost friend. Take some time out to be quiet and listen. Start a journal. Clean out your closet and donate your clothes to a local charity. Look at a unexpected change as an adventure into something new - it will usually leave you with an unexpected gift...

Springtime Beauty Advice

One of the best secrets in beauty is this: If you want to stay young = stay active. If you want to feel young = stay positive. If you want to look young = wear sunscreen!

Some of the best new and old tried and true products for spring we have found:
CHINA GLAZE nail polish. We love the great BLUE colors for the season and that they are "going green".

BYE BYE BLEMISH sulfur based spot treatment. This is the time of year a few breakouts pop out. This treatment will zap those unwelcome guests, sometimes even before you see them!

REVITALASH & LATISSE lash growers. The lashes are hot! These growers have proven their importance in beauty! Latisse is by prescription, Revitalash is at most beauty stores. Within 3-4 months your lashes will be gorgeous and stronger.

FIJI moisturizers are all coconut oil based. These are awesome! All the lotions, moisturizers and scrubs are 100% coconut oil in base. They are moisturizing, healing and healthy. They layer nicely and smell incredible with natural oil essences.

COLORSCIENCE POWDER SUNSCREEN is all minerals. Most mineral makeup has natural sunscreen of mica and zinc in the product. We like this line for the variety of products and the actual blocking of the sun. They are also endorsed by the Skin Cancer Association.

Some fun accessories we can't live without for the spring:

Homemade cadet style hats. These are all one of a kind designs, flattering to all faces and shapes and have great brims for sun coverage.

Keys around our neck. We love all the Tiffany inspired key necklaces. We like to call them the key to our hearts.

Flowers for our hair. Nothing says Spring like flowers. Accessorizing in an updo or curly mane with a flower definitely draws attention.

Scarves. Whether in the hair, around the neck or tied at the waist. We still love scarves as the weather warms. Fun, light, colorful prints dress up or accessorize a basic outfit for any day.

Sarah Tops. Custom decorated by hand - Vans or Keds. One of our clients (19yrs. old) started her own business making custom shoes... they are amazing and look like they are manufactured not drawn by hand so precisely.

So be inspired:

"Change is the essence of life.
Be willing to surrender what you are,
for what you could become!"

And here's to a WONDERFUL Spring...

Beauty and Giving

~ True Beauty ~

What is Beautiful to YOU?
A song, a poem, a piece of artwork, a friend, a child, the ocean, a sunset, a flower, a car, a color, a place, a memory, a smell, a touch, the voice of an old friend, a picture in a magazine, an outfit or a hairstyle?
How about giving to someone else?

A dear friend told me, “Looks don’t last in the end, they fade over time. It is what is in your Heart that stands the test of time – that is what lasts Forever.”

He is right! I work with beauty all day. I touch a lot of beautiful people. Many of them have so much beauty inside them, they just can’t see it for themselves…

Giving to someone else, with all your Heart, without expecting anything in return…
that is “True Beauty.”
The act of selfless Giving that comes from Pure Love, is how we not only find the beauty in others, but we realize the beauty in ourselves.

So make a point of doing for someone else each day. Even just a smile to a stranger works! You will be surprised at how great it makes you feel and how beautiful people will say you are…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Results from our Locks of Love Event!
A BIG THANK YOU to ALL that DONATED time & hair!

Watch our Video...

Mascara, Lashes or LATISSE?

Everyone is looking at each other’s eyelashes these days and wondering what their secret is, if they are REAL.

There are a lot of ways to achieve a fuller, longer lash – but it up to you to decide which is best for you. It is also up to you to figure out if the woman’s lashes you are staring at are a great mascara, natural eyelash extensions or if they are using LATISSE? Although, I guess it might not hurt to ask…

Benefits and tricks of using Mascara for fuller, longer eyelashes:

1. Find a great formula that works with your eyes and individual wear. Not too dry, not too thick, not too wet – actually the secret is the applicator. I love the new plastic applicators like COVER GIRL’s LASH BLAST. It is an easy application and can work out clumps with no problem. Don’t spend your money on the vibrating wand or spinning wands… stick with the originals.

2. Lash primers are great for people who have lashes and want a fuller look. Most lines have a lash primer. I am a fan of ORIGIN’s Underwear for lashes. The trick is to apply the primer to your lashes first and allow it to dry completely. The primers are usually a lighter color of white or purple so your lashes look crazy with just the primer on them. After applying one coat of primer, follow with one or two coats of mascara. The primer wraps around the lash and actually thickens the lash so when you apply the mascara, your lashes are actually fuller.

3. There are also some great lash extenders I love the one from DivaDerme. These are small fibers that stick to your lash and extend or lengthen the lash itself. The trick when using extending fibers is to try to not get the fibers directly into your eyes. Apply a layer of mascara first and immediately apply the fibers to the damp lashes with the wand or brush. Start from center of the lashes (not the base) and swipe fibers to the tip of your eyelash. This will prevent clumping and dropping fibers in your eyes. Brush any extra fibers off your face with a soft brush. If you try another coat of mascara to hold the fibers better in place, use a slight coat to avoid clumping.

4. For anyone who is light haired, lash tinting is a great option. This is a little trick to do to yourself so I suggest only letting a licensed professional treat your lashes. There are a few professional tinting lines; I find longer results from Intensives from Universal Companies. Ask your artist to leave on the tint for a minimum of 15 minutes, maximum 25 minutes. I have found if you treat tinting like hair color dye, you will receive better and lasting results.

Benefits and care of Lash Extensions for natural, more dramatic eyelashes:

1. The key to great looking lash extensions is two things: A great extension artist (application) and great home treatment (after care). Make sure you have the service performed by a certified, licensed artist. The type of brand used isn’t so important (I love LASH BeLONG’s lashes and volume extensions). How they are placed on your lashes and cared for is what makes lash extensions a good addition. Ask for home care instructions before the service and after the service. Main point, the less you do to them, the longer they last. Do not put any OIL anywhere near the extensions this will remove them.

2. Extensions are great for many reasons. Busy clients love not having to wake up in the morning before going to the gym to put on makeup. With extensions, it looks like you have mascara on at all times. Anyone with receding eyelids loves how they open up their eyes. Some clients even swear they get more dates…

3. Our lashes have a growth cycle; everyone’s is different and as we age this process slows. As your lashes grow and fall out, another lash follows in its place. Normally when we wash our faces we have a few lashes that exfoliate out. But when there is an extension on the end of the lash, you tend to notice it more. Extensions do not make your lashes fall out. But they need to be taken care of and taken off when the extension is halfway out on a grown lash. If it isn’t taken off that it where an extension can overpower the natural lash in weight and cause breakage. If you are gentle to your lashes and see a professional regularly for a fill, this is when the old, grown out lashes are removed and replaced with newer extensions at the lash base.

4. Using a lash growth product such as Revitalash works great for clients that have extensions for a long extended period of time. As long as the growth product is water based it will not interfere with any of the adhesive.

5. For more drama you can also add ARDELL’s strip lashes or individual flares into the extensions with DUO adhesive that is latex based. This will add a more dramatic effect for a special event or to fill in between fills. Make sure the adhesive is latex based; other adhesives will bond with the lash extension adhesive and create a huge problem and potential lash breakage.

Benefits and side effects of LATISSE (by prescription) for darker, fuller, lengthened eyelashes:

1. Brooke Shields. Everyone has seen the ads. The new lash Rx is the talk of the town! Does it work? Do you have to use it forever? Will it cause my eye color to change? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages? Does it take a long time? Will it work for everyone? How much is it? These are a lot of questions people ask me every day. Lets break it down simply…

2. LATISSE came about from Revitalash and Jan Marini Lash Growth. There was an ingredient in these cosmetic lash growers that was from a pharmaceutical company found in glaucoma medicine. They found the ingredient stimulated eyelash growth in most patients using it for glaucoma. When Revitalash and Jan Marini’s Lash Growth products hit the market, people were crazy for it in the cosmetic field – it gained a lot of attention. Needless to say, the main ingredient was actually a pharmaceutical ingredient. So they were made to take the product off the shelf, redo the formulation without that ingredient. Both brands still work GREAT! They take a little longer for results to show now, approximately 4 weeks. Consequently, a year later LATISSE was born.

3. In my experience, LATISSE is a great product. I have seen client with minimal results to clients with phenomenal results. You need to be patient. LATISSE takes almost 3-4 months for results to show. If you stop using the product, your lashes will go back to the way they were before usage began. You need a prescription for the product which costs from $140-$175 per tube. Application is a bit trickier than the eyeliner wand found in the cosmetic lash growth products.

4. Success story: I have a client who I was applying lash extensions on for almost a year. She is a working actress and early last year, she became pregnant. Just before summer her show went on hiatus 3 months before her delivery date. Her last appointment with me was just before her last shoot and break. After seeing her 3 months after giving birth I could not believe her lashes! She is a red head and her lashes were always very light. Most times we would tint them in between redo applications for added darkness. She told me she started LATISSE on her break, while at the end of her pregnancy (please consult your doctor first if pregnant). Her results were slow, but within 3 ½ months her lashes were dark brown, double the amount, much longer and slightly thicker. I told her she should have her agent contact LATISSE. Her results were astounding! I kept washing off her eyes to try and remove the mascara I thought she was wearing. ☺

5. Possible side effects. May NOT stimulate your lash growth, Itching and/or redness (all the lash growth products may cause slight skin irritation), Possible darkening of eyelid skin (may be reversible), Possible darkening of the colored portion of the eye (may be permanent). Possible risk of hair growth in places other than the eyelash and a risk of bacterial dermatitis from contamination of LATISSE or the applicator itself (which would happen from a dirty makeup applicator as well).

6. Talk about a cheaper version available also by Rx is Lumigan. Ask your doctor first.

In summary:

We all want gorgeous lashes. Everyone can enhance his or her natural lashes. A person just needs to figure out which option works best for them according to lifestyle, cost, maintenance and desired look. There are many options available. Ask a lot of questions and do your research. Remember when having a service performed or using a product around your eyes, be careful and consider all your options. I truly believe the options I explained above are a great alternative to cosmetic surgery. Try one of these methods first; you’ll be glad you did.

“The eyes are the doors of our human masks, that open to our souls…” ~ Phillip Hallawell