An Affair to Remember: Henri Bendel and Warren Tricomi

My first internship after college graduation was at the U.N. Kofi Anan was in fact one of the more humble creatures I've ever encountered but that's another story for another blog. Kofi's wife however completely qualifies for beauty blog banter. She is an incredibly smart, lanky, blond, Swede who gave all the interns manicures at Bendels in support of her pet project, UNIFEM. Since that day I have always known that the ancient secrets of beauty are housed deep within the inner sanctum of Bendel's. On July 8th some of the most ingenious men in hair care will also be housed there. The last time I was at Warren Tricomi I met Lauren Conrad and had the best haircut of my life. I highly recommend attending this event.

From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on July 8 Joel Warren and Edward Tricomi will be at Bendels to kick off a week of Warren-Tricomi specials within the hallowed halls of this legendary 5th Ave entrepot. Also up for grabs is a day of beauty (worth $1,200) with this follicularly proficient duo. Enjoy!

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Comment to Win This Tolani Silk Scarf!

Girls, on Thursday I went to Nordie's to buy shoes and was held against my will by the summer-weight scarves in the accessories department. Arriving daily in a fabulous variety of textures, colors, and cuts these neck nuzzlers left me physically incapable of moving past their perimeter of pashminas, sunglasses, and belts. I paid my own ransom in the form of the two most fabulous pieces of fabric to ever be laid around my neck. I returned home, only slightly more intoxicated than a newly degreed college co-ed. But my shopping-high was short-lived. I had in fact gone to the store for shoes and no matter how chic the scarves, not even Stella McCartney could turn them into a suitable pair of shoes. I returned the scarves, and the results of the highly successful shoe seeking trip ended up on A Mom in Red High Heels. (These things happen with beauty bloggers on speed dial.)

Still, I was determined to find scarves equally as lovely to replace the ill-fated ones of the unfortunate accessories department hostage refugee situation. This quest led me directly to the ultra-hip Chickdowntown.com. Featuring in-the-know designs from coast to coast, Chickdowntown.com houses brilliant scarves by Tolani. In fact I love this purple morning glory scarf so much that Chichdowntown.com and I are going to give it to one of you! Pair it with any of these looks from Siwy Denim for the ultimate in summer-chic.

How to Win: Leave a comment on this post by Friday May 15 at 5 PM EST and return on Saturday to view the announcement containing the winner's name.

The Booty: The dramatic over-sized scarf adds the final, fashionable finishing touch to any ensemble, a riotous mix of swirling abstract florals and stripes in rich jewel tones. Brilliant style in bold 27” x 72” size. 100% Silk. Purple/turquoise/raspberry/multi.

Value: $99.00

Core Fusion at Exhale Spa NYC Changed My Life

Since Exhale Spa is giving away free meditation classes I decided to visit their Central Park South outpost yesterday to do research on behalf of you, my lovely readers. Let me just say, though I couldn't make the mediation class, these instructors are simply the best I have ever seen. You must go. In a one hour Core Fusion Basic class they may change your life, as they did mine.

Despite being possibly the most out of shape person in the class, one hour in Core Fusion (basic!) increased my stamina and convinced me that I can in fact change the shape of my body. Diana, the sprite-sized yogini instructing the class, had a sinewy toned body which I imagined to have the automotive equivalent of a two-door mini cooper with a supped up engine. After an hour of watching her body pretzel about the room I've decided I have the flexibility of a grandma in an assisted living facility. Still, in my workout today I noticed increased stamina and Diana's stretches are releasing muscles that have been bound up for years.

Just like core fusion itself, the music, was outstanding and a bit of the best of everything - moving from LL Cool J to Enya without missing a beat. With 10 minutes left in the class, just as all of my limbs were convulsing and I swore I couldn't go on, LL Cool J started saying things like, "Push it out girl. Arch your back." and "Come on, come on, move somethin'. Come on, come on, prove somethin'. Do a split if you're really hard core" Done and Done.

Let's just say when LL speaks I listen. "Hurt me girl. Move somethin'."

RSVP Today for Your Free Organic Facial (or What’s Good About Winter in Minneapolis)

Remember when I freaked out about Horst Rechelbacher launching a new organic hair care line? Well now he's going into skincare and throwing a fab launch party with all kinds of free organic services.

Aveda won't be happy about this. Consider yourself invited.

What: Certified Organic Anti-Aging Skin Care Launch Event
Why: Celebrate the new Intelligent Nutrients® Certified Organic Anti-Aging Skin Care line. Where:  Intelligent Nutrients® Headquarters, 983 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls

When: April 6, 2009, 10 am – 7 pm

What's Free and Organic?

• Hair & Scalp Treatments• Facials • Aroma journeys• Intellimune® Oil Super Antioxidant Elixers Organic Refreshments & Hors de'Vours

RSVP by Friday April 3 by calling 612-617-2042 or emailing customerservice@intelligentnutrients.com

Free Classes at Exhale Spa!

In an effort to help reduce the enormous stress of tax season mixed with the perpetual anxiety brought on by our faltering economy, exhale spa is doing its part to pitch in and alleviate some of this burden. Annbeth Eschbach, exhale spa founder and president, has decided that exhale must do something to help counter the mental and physical health risks that are associated with stress, especially during one of the most trying times of the year.

So, for the month of April, exhale is going to be offering complimentary, weekly meditation sessions, which are FREE (yes, Free) and open to the public at all locations nationwide. Reservations are required, so be sure you call to get a spot!

NY- 980 MADISON AVENUE
Mondays
April 6 + 13 7:30pm – 8:30pm
April 20, + 27 7:30pm – 8:00pm

NY- CENTRAL PARK SOUTH
Fridays
April 3 + 10 7:30pm – 8:30pm
April 17 + 24 7:30pm – 8:00pm

BOSTON
Fridays
April 3, 10, 17, + 24 12:00pm – 12:25pm

CHICAGO
Mondays
April 6, 13, 20, + 27 6:00pm – 6:30pm

DALLAS
Wednesdays
April 1, 8, 15, 22, + 29 6:00pm – 6:30pm

NY Fashion Designer Shoshanna Gruss Collaborates with Beauty.com to Create Exclusive Spring Travel Bag

Girls, as we speak I have my hands on Beauty.com's newest gift with purchase. If you have only $100 left in the beauty budget you must spend it at beauty.com! Their collaboration with celebrated fashion designer Shoshanna Gruss includes generous samples or full sizes of the item listed below and they are fantastic!

Beginning February 25th for a limited time until supplies run out, the exclusive Shoshanna-designed travel case loaded with deluxe and full sized products is FREE with any purchase of $100 or more from beauty.com. The spacious and durable beauty case features a retro-inspired floral print in spring’s modern, bright palette with two polka dotted waterproof interior compartments. The packable shape, carrying handles, exterior easy-access pocket and water-resistant surface make the bag an ideal no-spill, travel accessory.

"I chose to re-create a floral print from our spring line that really personified the Shoshanna collection," says Gruss. "It is pretty, bright, and fun, with a 1960s Palm Beach vintage feeling. It’s what every girl on the go needs; a cute makeup bag to fit all of her beauty essentials."
"Shoshanna’s original design paired with a premium assortment of samples and full-sized products lets customers experience spring fashion and beauty without breaking the bank," says Kathleen McNeill, President of Beauty.com.

Valued at more than $120, the Shoshanna for Beauty.com travel case comes packed with the following full-sized and deluxe samples, including:

LORAC Breakthrough Performance Foundation
ARCONA Booster Defense Serum
Stila High Shine Lip Color in Amber
tarte Blushing Bride Cheek Stain
Frederic Fekkai Coiff Lifting and Texturing Spray Gel
skyn ICELAND Glacial Face Wash
(MALIN+GOETZ) Assorted Hair Care
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
Jane Iredale Eye Gloss in Champagne Silk
Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara
Ken Paves Healthy Hair Shine Serum
Bliss Lemon + Sage Soapy Sap
DDF Daily Protective Moisturizer

Love Despite Basketball at Bliss

Already sick of your BF's Final Four Fantasizing? Grab the girls and head for free Bliss during their 1st annual Arch Madness event. While you're there why not go for a full eye makeover? The ever adorable Johnny Lavoy details his favorite eye-saving tips. (The man hides model hangovers. He's worth listening to.)

Hottest New Site Giving Away MacBook Air, Balenciaga Giant City bag , or a Jennifer Meyer Necklace

I've had the pleasure of meeting the creative geniuses behind the blogosphere's hottest new site, Limelife, and now they'd like to introduce themselves to you, goodies in hand. They arrive on the scene offering the beautilicous prizes below. Enjoy!

Enter to Win a $1000 Sephora Gift Card Courtesy of Lucky Magazine!

Lucky Magazine and Sephora are giving away a $1,000 Sephora gift card! Also, they have a freeshipping offer from Sephora! To win and retrieve the shipping code visit this link. While entering to win you can get make up tips from Celebrity makeup artist, Kat Von D.

Benefit Cosmetics: Powderflage Sweepstakes!

Completely Free Spa Services and Swag Bags Tomorrow at Spa Chinois!

I was planning on being in North Carolina tomorrow but this may be worth a trip to the cit-ay.

Free Spa Party at Spa Chinois. Free gift bags for the first 200 guests. No appointment necessary, just drop by.

Party indeed.

Celebrate the end of summer at Spa Chinois with free spa services on Wednesday August 20th. Come in anytime between 12pm and 7pm and get free spa services. Yep, free, but only for one day.

Choose one of the following:
Free Foot Scrub
Free Eyebrow, lip or chin wax
Free Chinois Couture Face Mask
Free Hair Styling & Consultation

During the spa party, all gift certificates are 30% off. And you also get 30% off any treatments you book during the party. (You don’t have to get the treatment right then, just book it.)

Spa chinois is conveniently located at 44 West 55th Street , 5th Floor.


"Hands on Couture" is the guiding principle at midtown Manhattan 's Spa & Salon Chinois by Yan. Yan's vision of a chic detail oriented boutique salon & spa is expressed in every detail from the exceptionally comfortable hair washing stations to the intricately carved wood panels throughout the salon and spa.

Summer Spa Sweepstakes!

Excluse Beauty's Spot Contest Winners: Swag Bag Madness

The winners are:

1) Hil'esha (110 clicks/dollars to Healthy Child Healthy World)

2) Jude (22 clicks/dollars to Healthy Child Healthy World)

3) Jessica (10 clicks/dollars to Healthy Child Healthy World)

Also, I know there were many more of you who did an absurd amount of clicking and didn't report them. Many thanks to you as well!

Hil'esha will be getting a beautiful swag bag, the contents of which can be seen below. Jude and Jessica will be getting smaller but still beautiful bags o' swag. Thanks to everyone for all of your support. Check back and let me know if you won any prizes from Total Beauty.com. You can also check out their new contest for instant beauty money prizes and a grand prize spa vacation!

Spa Magazine is giving away 2 free spa trips in return for a 3 minute survey!

Spa Magazine wants the skinny on your favorite spas. I entered. It took about 3 minutes. Let me know if you win!

Exclusive Beauty's Spot Contest: Swag Bag Giveaway!

Starting today I will be running an exclusive contest for Beauty's Spot readers. I’ll be honest. I got an obscene amount of swag while in LA and there is no good reason for me to keep it all to myself. I spent a good part of the morning deciding what I can part with and what is a suitable reward for all of your hard work. I have come up with a delightful tote bag filled with hundreds of dollars worth of beauty products from Anastasia (I can’t believe I am parting with anything from Anastasia!), L'Oreal, Redpoint, Organic wear, and iQ Derma among others. Below is a picture of everything currently in the prized swag bag. I'll also throw in some lipsticks and if anyone goes all out I'll throw in the cutest little red clutch/makeup bag I have ever seen.

Here is how you can win the swag bag. I am desperate to go to Paris and raise money for Healthy Child Healthy World. As a result of my desperation I'll let you enter as many times a day as you want. For each entry:

- visit Beauty's Spot

- click on any link to total beauty

- Return to Beauty’s spot and post a comment about total beauty's blog of the day, product of the day, or one of their editorial articles at the top of the page. Since we are all spending time on this we might as well dish. What do you like or dislike about the tips, blogs, and articles on total beauty?

Since I have no way to know how many times you are clicking I will assume each new comment correlates to a click from Beauty's Spot to Total Beauty.com. You will get a point for each click which you record with a comment. On June 6 the person with the most comments/clicks wins!

Also, don't forget to try and win yourself some more amazing prizes from Total Beauty's own sweepstakes.

3 More Weeks of the "Vue the World Differently" Campaign: It's Time for an Exclusive Swag Bag Giveaway!

There are only three weeks left in the Total Beauty Vue The World Differently Campaign and this means BIG things for Beauty's Spot readers.

1) Every time you visit Beauty's Spot and then click on ANY Total Beauty.com link (see the ones flashing in the right hand column? Yes those count too!) a dollar will be given to Healthy Child Healthy World. For those of you who have been clicking away already the results of your hard work are below. Total Beauty CEO Emrah Kovacoglu is presenting Healthy Child Healthy World with a check for the earnings you have created so far.

2) After you click on Total Beauty you can write any product review (up to 5 daily) to enter yourself in the sweepstakes. Multiple $100 gift certificates are given out each day. Our reader Super Jessica already won one certificate. Also up for grabs are a Saturn Hybrid Vue filled with beauty products, conflict-free diamonds, and numerous eco-spa vacations! What is not to love?

3) An exclusive SWAG BAG give-a-way for one lucky Beauty's Spot reader. See the next post for details!

Please, I beg you, click on the picture below.

Exclusive Beauty's Spot Contest

Reminder!

Here is your stunningly beautiful weekly reminder, featuring the YonKa male model (otherwise known as the official Hunk of Burnin' Love).

The contest lasts until April 28.

Whoever posts the most comments on Beauty's Spot in those 30 days will receive a care package full of samples (with daily use, each bottle lasts about two weeks). The care package will include the majority of products in Yonka's AMAZING skin care line for men! And I will throw in one full sized Yonka for Men product.

The winner gets to write his own blog entry reviewing the Yonka Products! (We'll call this our first Beast's Spot entry in honor of Beauty Spot's first male reader, Mr. John C.)

Ladies, I'll count your comments too if you have a man in your life who you'd like to gift the prizes to. Thanks to BeautyGoneGreen for their generosity!

Exclusive organic makeup giveaway for Beauty's Spot readers from Physician's Formula Organic wear!

On Tuesday, April 22nd, Physicians Formula is giving away 1,000 Organic Wear bronzers in order to help make our world a little greener with makeup that’s good for the earth and for us too!

The contest will go live tomorrow at noon and here is the link to the site (which will NOT be live until the contest begins): http://www.physiciansformula.com/EarthDayGiveaway/

- The First Mass-Market Makeup Line to Make “Green” History -

The first 100% Natural Origin makeup line available at mass-market with certified organic ingredients
The first 100% Natural Origin makeup line which is 100% FREE of harsh chemicals, parabens and synthetic preservatives
The first 100% Natural Origin makeup line in the U.S. to be certified by ECOCERT® Certified Organic
The first 100% Natural Origin makeup line featuring a patent-pending recyclable paper compact

The beauty industry has gone earth-day bananas!

Totalbeauty.com has fabulous amazing prizes and contests for earth day along with quizes and guides to green your beauty routine! Best. Earth Day. Ever.