Beauty Archives - Page 2 of 2

Boston’s New Blow Bar

August 26, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

I had the ultimate day in pampering when I started my Sunday off at the new BeStyled blow-dry salon in Chestnut Hill yesterday morning. Picture this: iced coffee in hand (or mimosa, should you choose), big comfy styling chairs, and the classic Clueless on the big screen TV as you sit back and enjoy a blowout that costs less than most dinners in Boston.

First, you have to know that I am not a blow-dryer. I do it only when absolutely necessary, like on those 20-degree winter mornings when combing my hair and letting it air dry means risking pneumonia. So when I get a haircut, I savor that sweet blow dry that leaves my hair so sleek and silky but means no work for me.

BeStyled lets you enjoy that feeling without sitting through an entire a haircut, or paying a high salon price. At only $35, this is the perfect service to try before an interview or big meeting, wedding or party, special date, or girls’-night-out even. Whatever events leave you needing to look your best!

Choose from Sleek, Soft, Swirly, or Swanky— your stylist will be able to offer advice on which style will work best on your hair as well. Or be trendy, and try the style of the month! I wanted a soft curl, but needing it to last the full day (my hair doesn’t hold very well), I went with swirly, knowing the curls would drop and loosen.

Currently, find locations in Chestnut Hill and Wellesley, with Lynnfield’s opening this fall. I’ll say, it’s a good thing I don’t live or work just a bit closer to any of those storefronts, or I would be dishing money out to BeStyled all too often!

Do you frequent blow-dry bars? Which ones have you tried?

Disclosure: I received a complimentary blow-out at BeStyled; all opinions expressed are my own.

Pin Up Bar at Salon Mario Russo

May 13, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

[ Courtney of Those Graces ]

I was so lucky to start last weekend off at Salon Mario Russo on Newbury Street, enjoying some sweet treats, chatting with fellow Boston bloggers, and playing with some 60s-style hairdos as a part of the salon’s beauty pop up bar!

I’ve gotten the chance to work with this salon before, and I can’t sing their praises enough. Last summer, stylist Sal gave me a textured side bun [that I resisted taking out for as long as possible] as a part of their Summer of Style series. Last week, their darling Leah gave me a fun little Brigitte Bardot poof, with loose curls and swept bangs [that I promptly messed up, but you see the idea].

They have a fantastic staff, and I really don’t think you could leave this beautiful corner of Newbury feeling any hint of disappointment.

[ Jodi of Jodi Bean’s Blog ]

[ Georgina of Notes on Lifestyle ]

[ Elissa of Style-Wire ]

[ The salon’s super chic set-up + the beautiful lady who set this up for us! ]

[ Bloggers photographing bloggers photographing bloggers, obviously ]

[With the fabulous Andrae of Mario Russo ]

[ These ladies. Such sweethearts I tell ya. ]

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary hairstyle for this event from Mario Russo. All opinions are my own.

Eau de Massachusetts

March 25, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

Last month, I attended the launch of the United Scents of America’s Massachusetts fragrance launch. How fun is this concept? Founders and scent experts Sasha and Samantha have teamed up to bring you the reminiscent smells of some of your favorite states– in a perfume. They use focus groups to create the scents that aim to bring back memories and embody the aura of said the states. Massachusetts is the newest in the line– which already included California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Hawaii. I think they hit it on the head– a little woodsy, a little salt watery, and with an overall sweetness. It really encapsulates an autumn day in my favorite New England state.

The entire line is proudly made in America and can be purchased online, or in select stores in respective states. Purchase your Massachusetts candle or perfume here, or at Shake the Tree in the North End of Boston– 67 Salem Street, Boston MA 02113.

Grapefruit Goodness

February 26, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

Believe it or not, I am not a beauty product junkie. I do, from time to time, have my weak moments of spending $12 on nail polish, but other than that, I’m pretty good at only sticking to products I know I love, and especially in drugstores where it’s so easy to rack up a basket full. One of my newest loves? Yes To Grapefruit skincare products. Hello body butter // dark circle correcting cream // towelettes // SPF moisturizer // serum // scrub // and more!

Grapefruit is the newest member of the Yes To family, whose products blend powerful fruit acids with ingredients that help to reduce hyper-pigmentation, correct skin damage, and enhance radiance.

Why grapefruit? I could give you all the science behind it, but all you really need to know is the rich Vitamin C found the the extract is great for enhancing skin radiance and evening skin tone– something I’ve always struggled with. I apply the Dark Spot Correcting Body Cream right after showers, and after only a week my skin is feeling so much softer, and I’m already in the midst of saying goodbye to any lingering dark spots. Plus, I don’t even need to tell you how perfect the citrus smells. Like a tropical getaway in the middle of this dry and bitter winter.

The best part about all of this? No mail-order. No brand reps. No wandering around department store beauty counters. All Yes To products can be found at stores like Target and Walgreens at drugstore prices that won’t break the bank. You can buy them online here and here, but I just dare you to tell me you’re not within five miles of one of the stores listed here 🙂

Disclosure: I was provided Yes To sample products for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

SPF

February 20, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

I’m excited to present a little video I did with Bona Clara (remember my review of their skin care line here?) I got to show off one of my favorite products of theirs– the SPF moisturizer. I’m no vlogger so go easy on me! 🙂

The SPF 29 sunscreen + moisturizer runs at $40 and is worth every penny– I am SO thrilled to not have to worry about greasy sunscreen all over my face this summer! Click here to shop the SPF that’s right for your age.

Love your skin. At any age.

January 3, 2013 by Emily 20 Comments

I have a bad habit of taking a lot of things for granted, and one of those things is my skin. In my twenties, I’m out of my adolescent break-out phase, and not yet old enough to have to worry about my skin aging, so I should be in the clear! …Or am I? Thinking about all the late nights I come home and flop into bed without taking off my makeup… all of the carefree summer days I spend lounging in the sun… the stress caused by any twenty-something’s life that is bound to wreck havoc on my skin… now I’m a little more awake and concerned.

Bona Clara is an educational beauty brand whose purpose is to teach women about the changes happening to their skin as they age, and to help that skin age beautifully and healthily. This is not your average infomercial, skin-care-party retailer. They are truly inspiring and their products have left me feeling like I just walked out of a spa.

Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s or older, Bona Clara offers products targeted to the skin challenges faced by each age group. Buy the five-step process– Cleanser, Scrub, Toner, Serum, and Treatment Cream– or buy what you feel your face needs most. I am not a product girl {as you can see by this blog’s lacking beauty section!}, but I couldn’t be happier from what I’ve tried in the Stages of Beauty line so far.

Giveaway!

Bona Clara is generously giving away a Cleanser + Scrub duo pack (and I have to admit, these are two of my favorite products in the line). Giveaway ends Friday, January 11th at 12pm EST, so get entering!

Please leave a separate comment for each…
MANDATORY:
Follow so anthro via e-mail // RSS // Bloglovin’ // or let me know how else!
AND Like Bona Clara on Facebook
Optional entries:
-Follow @Bona_Clara on Twitter
-Follow Bona Clara on Pinterest
-Follow @emilygeaman on Twitter
-Follow so anthro on Pinterest
-Follow @emilyshell on Instagram

Disclosure: I was provided complimentary small samples of all five basic products in the Radiance (20’s) line. Winner’s prize will be provided by Bona Clara. All opinions expressed are my own.