Words to live by.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry! Our 2010 kickoff of Brew City Beauty features world traveler Erica van Heerden. Author of the blog Erica’s Choice, she weaves her excursions of business and pleasure into posts that break down the best an area has to offer in food, wine and fun. Originally from...

What’s hot for 2010?  Cool Turquoise. Pantone, those responsible for the color charts and worldwide color trend, has selected PANTONE® 15-5519 Turquoise to rule for 2010. Because of its versatility, Turquoise is a great accent color in jewelry, purses, shoes, hair accessories and even...

Confetti inlaid tip in clear acrylic; gold border; champagne bottle

I can’t seem to get my water nail video in...

Did we all survive the holidays? We’ve got one last one coming up, but I consider New Year’s Eve the day of rest, so to speak. It is a night for dinner, dancing, drinking – whatever it is you want to do. You do it for yourself. Here’s another little thing for you...

Get your hands on Orly’s early, limited release: Matte Metallic collection. Dubbed Metal Chic, the 3 new colors consist of a gunmetal (Iron Butterfly), matte gold (Solid Gold) and matte Copper (Glam Rock). Even though this collection is small, it now brings Orly’s matte count...

In a moment of temporary insanity I purchased this haircolor: Last month it was blue dye, which I didn’t go through with. Wish me luck....

I created a nail look I’m really excited about! I call it the Ice Princess: The clear tip looks just like an icicle. I love it. I’m trying to get a set done on my own hands for Christmas and will upload photos. I’ll skip the Edward Scissorhands and just go for a...

Five days ago I had an inquiry about the Zoya Color Lock System: As you know, I did a review of, and we are on the last day, of a giveaway for the Zoya Color Lock system.  This kit is from a top “natural” nail product company and provides everything needed for an at home...

Will nail technicians of the world have to unite against the machine?  In Japan, vending machine nail art, in theory, can give you that little oomph to your plain manicure. Step 1: Size your nails (Two can be designed at a time for just over $3usd) Step 2: Add money, insert finger Step 3:...

I know a few of you are planning on hitting up the sale Tuesday. Everything $1-$5! http://bit.ly/33aPJz

Introducing a teen to the world of beauty? Looking to gift a woman who needs a little TLC for nails? A kit is the perfect answer, and Zoya has the perfect kit for nails. The Color Lock System provides everything the at home manicurist needs for a perfect polish.  Included in the totes cute...

This week I’m responding to a question on eyelash curlers – one of my favorite topics! Beth asks: Have you ever tried heated eyelash curlers? I have a standard but don’t really like it, may just need a different brand. I usually heat it w/the hair dryer. I have had it for...

Oh, Southern California, I shake my fist at you for being so far away! To everyone else within distance of Hollywood, Stila is having their Holiday Warehouse Sale Saturday, December 5, 2009 8-3pm 1161 VINE STREET, HOLLYWOOD CA 90038 Sneak...

This giveaway ends Sunday, December 13th Pacific Time 11:59pm. You must check back on the site to see if you have been selected as we have had difficulty contacting people. — Third Giveaway: This item is for (1) bottle of Fancy Love by Jessica Simpson. There will be 3 people drawn,...

***CHICAGO: MAC Cosmetics sponsored event 12/2/09 – Sushi & Drinks See Below*** Yes, yes.  Tuesday was World Aids Day, but what does that mean? For many of us, it was a day like any other.  For those of us who have lost someone to Aids, every day we carry in our hearts the memories...

Mare is blessed as a natural red head, but feels she has always been on her own for ways to enhance her look.  Her mom, a brunette, didn’t share the same coloring and wasn’t sure how to guide her.  She wants to update her makeup but doesn’t know where to start. Her second...

Here are a few great discounts available.  Happy Shopping! Ann Taylor: 40% off your entire purchase if you shop in store before Noon. Available at all Ann Taylor stores nationwide. Ann Taylor Online: 40% off one item. Code: MONDAY benefit: Free US shipping with orders of $25 or...

This Friday, please visit a unique online auction to benefit your shopping list as well as New Leash On Life. This auction is being held to raise funds necessary to keep the Ranch – a 13-acre facility – open through the end of January.  They have been hit hard by the economic...

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone that participated!  We loved your responses.  The lucky three that were randomly selected are: Audrey (morgan) Valerie (vac924) Terri (tsue1136) Please contact me within 48 hours (solessencenews AT gmail DOT com) from the email you registered with and provide...

One of the longstanding scenes from the movie Fight Club surrounds Brad Pitt’s character creating high priced soap from human fat. Turns out truth may be stranger than fiction.  Or at least mirror it. Police in Lima, Peru have uncovered a source for the decades long stories of...

This look started when I was inspired by a Nail Pro Magazine cover but didn’t have the right product: Blue & White microglitter flame acrylic w/gel overlay I used a clear and white acrylic. Without microglitter, I didn’t want a dense look, so I went for flakes: The resulting...

Southern California, holla! I know this is a bit in advance, but you need to mark your calendars for this baby. When: Tuesday, December 15 Time: 8am-8pm Where: 6065 Bristol Parkway, Suite 100  Culver City, CA  90230 What: Pixi/pop beauty Holiday Warehouse Sale – ALL ITEMS $1 –...

Cosmetology has been a creative, fulfilling and rewarding career choice. I have no regrets. Wife, mom and owner of the popular Madison-area (WI) Styles Salon Spa, Stacy Snook’s kind, vivacious personality shows through in her daily chats on and offline. How did she venture into the...

Where has the time gone?  The holidays are descending and now is the time to perfect your looks for the season.  Plan to attend this event Thursday. If you are near Minneapolis you must RSVP for this free event hosted by Kari and DIOR on Thursday, November 19.  Located in the prestigious...

Worried about how to fight off H1N1 this season?  The Professional Beauty Association and Barbicide® have created an online toolkit that addresses concerns for salon/spa owners but can be used by the general public as well. Barbicide is the #1 disinfecting cleaning solution on the market. ...

Video just released today! She is truly Madonna’s replacement while at the same time being an original. Gaga has been looking especially fabulous now that Billy B and Syd Curry are doing her hair and makeup and continue to travel with her.  LOVE the pale pink looks! Has anyone tried...

I’ve been tinkering on a post for weeks regarding the claims against cosmetic company Lime Crime, and now I’m glad I waited. For a company with a unicorn for a masthead and the brightest colored makeup around, the charges were pretty dark, and centered around LC using product...

Congrats to Sue E who was randomly selected for the Clarisonic Giveaway valued at $250usd. Please contact me within 24 hours at solessencenews AT gmail DOT com Thank you to everyone that entered.  Stay tuned, we have more giveaways for the...

We’ve officially hit holiday season, which means we can start having even more fun with our nails .  Today we’re looking at a mix of the hottest trends of the season: matte, reverse French, glitter, the color purple Matte Reverse French in Orly Purple Velvet Matte nail polishes...

October 31 is the last night to enter for the Clarisonic Giveaway! Follow instructions on this post for this $250 value skincare system for the face and body. It is amazing! As one of our entrants, Valerie, mentioned, it is the most beautiful model Clarisonic offers. Good...

Nails Night Out NYC was a success as brands and beauty lovers gathered to hear about new launches, swap, and talk polish.  Top lacquer brands that attended included: Rescue Beauty Lounge Nailtini No Miss Nail Care Priti NYC Color Club Nail Polish Flutterby Beauty Anise Cosmetics No6...

Considered the windows to the soul, people are forever looking for ways to widen and brighten up their eye area. In Korean culture, women are often scheduled for eyelid surgery as soon as they are old enough for approval. But when surgery and cosmetics aren’t enough, it could be time...

Our giveaway is heating up, but I’m still asked, “What is the Clarisonic?”  This video shows the items included in the Limited Edition kit. To enter, go to this post....

I love, love, love nails. Did I mention I’m also studying as a nail tech? So this is my fate to be far removed from the first Nails Night Out being held Saturday, October 24 in New York City. For the Nail fanatic, look at this partial special guest list: Ji Baek (Founder, Rescue...

Lusting after an entire collection? Spray foundation? Clarisonic cleanser? This is the time to get your items. Good to remember anyone that has been naughty or nice too. Sephora’s Friends and Family sale begins tomorrow, October 19th and lasts through November 2, 2009. Use code...

Ogilvy’s “Dove Evolution” is making a viral comeback three years after release. The short film showing a “model” arriving on set and transforming through makeup and Photoshop was the first insight for many to what happens on the editing floor. I don’t...

What is the one weapon in the makeup kit a girl cannot do without?  The eyelash curler!  Even if we’re lucky enough to be blessed with a full set, it just takes a flick of the wrist, a quick crimp with a curler, and eyes are opened wide up. That simple act instantly makes a face look...

Clarisonic is teaming up with Solessence for a giveaway of one of their new, Limited Edition models for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. The highly coveted plus version of this skin care tool retails in the area of $200 and provides pore deep cleansing for face & body. ...

Ted Rubin, CMO for e.l.f. cosmetics, announces the launch of the brand at Target stores nationwide on November 1st.  The hyper-affordable brand offers everything from glosses to brushes to...

The 2nd Annual Dior Auction continues. Bid on amazing opportunities for Dior products, internships and more. All to benefit the Look Good…Feel Good program of the American Cancer Society WHY BID? BID ON UNIQUE PRIZES AND BE A DO-GOOD DIVA! EVERY WINNING BID GOES TO SUPPORT LOOK...

Think you’ve got what it takes to represent your generation? e.l.f. makeup is looking for the Face of e.l.f. for 2010. Women ages 15 – 40+ – fill out this entry form and upload your photo. Friends and family can vote, increasing your chances of winning. From e.l.f. : The...

I have no camera, which makes this a little tricky right now, but a post is better than no post. And I have to tell you about Chanel’s latest in their lip line. Do you remember the little sample lipsticks that used to come with, possibly Avon? They were small and white and so adorable!...

I know there are an abundance of posts here on Manglaze, but it just seems like too much information to put into one post. It all unintentionally coincided. Read here on Chicago’s Manglaze being used during Paris Fashion Week, and see a video of the show that Rihanna attended. Now onto...

Back in June I blogged that Jimmy Choo was designing a line for H&M, and the time is almost here! Prepping for the highly anticipated launch, check out these video tips by Jimmy Choo on how to wear the new makeup line. In addition to the makeup, the infamous shoes and men’s &...

I first interviewed Marc Paez back in May about his matte polish line, ManGlaze (listen here for the radio interview) .  Relatively local, he works and ships out of Chicago, Illinois.  It’s a small company that started almost as a joke, but yesterday their polish landed on the models...

Watching the Hills tonight? Our favorite Hollywood gals visited Recess Spa (LA) this week & were treated to Zoya Nail Polish! ~Zoya Nail Polish Polish lovers – Zoya is offering a BOGO (buy one get one) that starts now and runs through tomorrow, through 9/30/2009 11:59 PM EST Buy...

Makeup lovers, rejoice! Discount makeup line NYX, known for affordable quality with a slightly upscale look, is offering 3 Autumn sales to clear house! Set A 9 Single Eyeshadows 8 Mega Shine Lipglosses Mascara & Liquid Eyeliner Colors Retail: $125 Discount: 80% Final Price: $25 –...

Dsquared show is all about geeky girls gone camping. Skin that glows from humidity…aka Face and Body foundation. ~ Gordon, VP Makeup Artistry for MAC Cosmetics DSQUARED2 goes glamping! MAC celebrates  DSQUARED2 as they wrap up the final show for Milan Fashion Week by launching the...

As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is most apparent in skincare, where positive, lifelong habits and great product can prevent or dramatically lessen unhealthy tone and aging. Celebrity skincare expert Renee Rouleau believes everyone needs to understand how to...

Looking for a deal on beauty related fixtures, including a few antiques? Now through Saturday, September 26th, Blush Beauty in Milwaukee is clearing house to create a new look to celebrate 5 yerars in the Third Ward. Prices range from $15 – $900 Blush 249 N Water St., Milwaukee, WI...

As we enter the fall season today, it’s important that we do what we can to help prevent further damage that’s already been done over the summer. Luckily, the color trends we will be seeing this fall are conducive to rehabbing your hair – it’s going to be all about giving your natural...

The makers of Latisse can’t bat their lashes out of this one. Latisse mascara, developed by Allergan Inc. from glaucoma medication, triggers eyelashes to grow at a quick rate and is approved for “thicker, fuller and darker” lashes. The Food and Drug Administration, however,...

A quick poll gathered these answers. Is yours...

Estee Lauder Cos Inc will be closing down all distribution of the Prescriptives line by the end of January 2010. Launched in 1979, the line is sold in five countries and had a definite with some crossover. Estee Lauder still maintains the Clinque, Bobbi Brown and MAC lines. The upside to the...

Heather Park, gracious PR rep and sistah with some killah pipes (she’s already had a song included for a movie soundtrack and second cd coming out soon) gets some major recognition overseas with VOGUE UK. They follow her revolving looks for fashion week, and highlight on her Calgels...

MAC’s Tom Pecheaux creates a beautiful blue and grey look for Doo.Ri Matte Skin Strong Brows using Nehru ES Futuristic Lips using Electric Eel & Moon’s Reflection ES credit: heather...

New Moon premieres on 11/20, and Twilight’s Kristen Stewart was at the VMAs with her co-stars to promote in a classic yet edgy look styled by Celebrity Stylist for Pantene, Hallie Bowman. You can do this too! Here’s how Hallie created Kristen’s look: 1. Hallie started by...

Twilight’s Ashley Greene left Forks, Washington behind to act as fashion correspondent for the 2009 MTV VMA’s. Pantene Celebrity Stylist Danilo created the long, controlled curls and side swept bang, and here’s how you can recreate this style for yourself. How to get...

Lisa Logan “installed” Beyonce’s Minx nails, along with 15 of her dancers.  What do you think of the metallic manicures? What? You’ve never heard of the Minx? It does seem to be Tinseltown’s best kept secret, but I assure you women across the nation are partaking...

MAC orange lipmix with mua Luc B MAC orange...

**Change Alert** The makeup look had to completely change last minute due to multiple colorful pieces in line. MAC’s James Skaliardos channels the power of pink at Luca Luca. Still very...

All about the lips by Romero. Coral Sunset Lip Story with 5 of the newest MAC...

I think this would have been very beautiful on a different face type – asian, Kate Moss type. Something where the eyes are not so deep set and the makeup could have reflected the gradient look. photo courtesy Heather...

MAC’s James Skaliardos uses #35 lashes with Graffic liner Very bold, yet pretty & feminine photo credit Heather Park photo credit...

Fresh off the runway, Preen looks by MAC’s James Skaliardos “Just arrived backstage at Preen. Makeup by James K. Makeup is all about subtle shading with Sculpt and Shape with an added highlight on eyes.” ~ Gordon/MAC Photo Heather Park (check out her Sakura Nail...

Celebrity makeup artist billy b worked with the one and only Lady GaGa a few days ago! What did he think of her? “2 words……..ICONIC+LEGENDARY” A sample shot from that...

There are two schools of thought on glycerin for the face: 1) This powerhouse humectant is so beneficial for dry skin because it attracts moisture, keeping skin soft (think about your best glycerin based soaps and how great your hands feel after). 2)Because it is such a powerhouse at...

Forget all of the stories coming out about redheads feeling more pain, because you will be the only one hurting if you don’t jump on fall’s most accessible trend. Red heads are back, and we are talking explosive, take no prisoners red. Hair highlighting hunk Jason Backe of Ted...

This is an edited transcript from Jennifer’s interview on Solessence Radio. This morning we have pur~lisse skincare founder Jennifer Yen. Jennifer is joining us from New York City. Her line marries Chinese skin rituals with French technology – and it has taken off fairly quickly....

Celebrity hair stylist Andy Lecompte is the man in charge of Madonna’s locks during her Sticky & Sweet tour. With such a high profile gig, he’s not taking any chances. Lecompte has stocked up on Leonor Greyl products to combat heat, humidity and the need for M to look stylish...

When John Paul Gaultier first came out with his line of “corset” perfumes, they looked all too familiar. That’s because two Elsa Schiaparelli bottles have sat on my dressing table since high school, passed on to me by my incredibly fashionable aunt. As someone interested in...

I am not about a blow dry ~ Syd Curry He’s coiffed an incredible client list, from supermodels to award winning actors to the President of the United States. Now he’s opened a new salon in…Aberdeen, Mississippi? Find out who inspires Syd Curry and his take on stylists trying...

When this reader sent in a request for advice on coloring his grays, I knew straight away I should call in the big guns. My thought is women love a silver fox, but his main goal is to “age gracefully”. Let’s see what these top Hollywood style influencers say he should...

Pat McGrath. Giselle Bunchen. Carmen Electra. Old Hollywood. These are a few things a beauty company would kill to be repped by. Alas, Max Factor had all of these trappings but will still pull out of the US market by the beginning of 2010. What is ailing the 100 year old company? Strong...