Beauty From Around The World

Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah? It was an interesting look into what other cultures deem to be beautiful.

Here are some highlights:

JAPAN: They are obsessed with pencil straight hair (no surprise here as the straightening technique used in many salons in the states is called the "Japanese Straightener"). They drink collagen and eat collagen infused foods as a way to promote healthy, poreless, youthful skin (we inject collagen into our faces for the same effect). They have a facial made from bird feces that is meant to keep skin youthful and radiant (Ummm...).

INDIA: They have a religious practice where the woman shave their heads and sacrifice this hair to God (this is considered spiritual and beautiful). In reality, the hair is shipped off to the states where we use it as very expensive hair extensions! The women of India are also known for their at-home beauty secrets... like mixing turmeric, lemon and honey for a glowing complexion!

BRAZIL: Plastic surgery is not only accepted, it is a way of life. You can actually pay for the surgery in installments - like layaway!

IRAN: The nose-job capital of the world. Iranian woman consider a nose job to be a status symbol, actually roaming the streets with post-op bandages.

MAURITANIA: Big bodies (and booties) are in! Thick ankles and plump arms are not only considered sexy, they are extremely desirable - stretch marks and all!

I guess what they say is true... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

P.S. I was just in El Salvador last weekend for a wedding, and I received a blow out and curls for $12.00!!! AND it actually looked great.

No frizz or flyaways!

Has anyone had their hair tended to for less than $12.00!!! Let us know!

Summer Tan In A Winter Wonderland

Here's a recommendation from my friend, Omi Rajpal... now pay attention, because Bostonians know what it means to look hot in the freezing cold!

"Okay you little LA bitches, west coast life may be hard to contend with, but it is time to bring you all a voice from beyond---Although it may seem foreign at first, no worries, style does live outside of the Hills. So, let me invite you to jet set to the city I call home, Boston. Beauty travels beyond borders and who can call themselves a true fashionista without extensive knowledge of all cosmopolitan cultures?

And Boston is not so far-flung from the life of SH, your resident beauty whore, who not so many moons ago, graced the pavement of the city in the ultimate fashion displays of collegiate life. Divas are hard to come by but SH and I had some stylish misadventures that will remain confidential—at least for now!

There are so many gems in this city for us fellow socialites and I hope in the future to unlock the doors to my faves, but this time around I want to introduce you all to a product that is at the top of my winter list and a MUST have as this dreadful season approaches. Cold, bitter, and grey the city is not conducive to glamour after September. In addition, along with this misery, we have to deal with our summer tans fading, as we eagerly await our island getaways in January. Not to fret, the perfect antidote does exist, and fortunately does not require a trip to the, dare I even say, tanning salon…

I think the days of orange skin, and Lindsay Lohen, are long gone and anyone with even a hint of je ne sais qua avoids the not so-chic bake ovens. Enter, L’Oreal Sublime Bronzer. I have tried my range of self-tanners, leaving my bathroom in desperate need of a Clorox overload, but this drugstore find is fantastic. I did go through a period of believing any self-tanner worth gracing my body had to cost more than $75 and live outside of a drugstore shelf, but I was proven wrong.

L’Oreal Sublime is the prefect bronzer, with a hint of moisturizer, and Vitamin E for smooth skin. The lotion itself is void of any typical nasty tanner smell and doesn’t leave your palms, or sink!, the color of pumpkin pie.

Even better, the product has a “face” bronzer as well as body; in other words, you don’t break out the day after you use it. The pump dispenser makes it easy to apply and the plastic cover keeps it mess free and perfect for transport.

Although I have a natural olive complexion, I too start to turn a strange shade of, well, just bland after the summer months. The medium shade is perfect for me, and doesn’t leave me looking overcooked or like a victim of Wal-Mart. Rather; it leaves you with a natural glowing tan, that lasts 2-3 days, and makes you forget that three more months remain before sunshine returns. For under $10 this is the ultimate drugstore find!

Check out SH’s write-up on Loreal’s Sublime Glow, a great body moisturizer with gradual color build (click here to read the review) for another perfect pairing.

Au revoir my fellow beauty lovers and sun on!"

PRICE TAG: $9.99

How To Reject -- And Laugh -- In Style

There's this fabulous book called, "Dis-missals: 36 Fill-In-The Blank Rejection Letters For Every Occasion" by Melissa Heckscher. It's one of those things you'd probably never buy for yourself but would totally purchase as a gift, and if received, would spend endless hours thumbing through the hilarious post cards.

How does this relate to beauty? Well, it doesn't really. Although, as they say, a smile makes the face prettier - - and these will definitely leave you smiling! Oh yeah, they have a super stylish (and girly) aesthetic too!

Here are some of my favorites (P.S. all of the cards are left BLANK so YOU get to write in who it's for and who it's from, then you tear out the card, stick a stamp on it and drop it in the mail):

To my sib,
Remember that time we forgot you at the gas station? Mom and Dad left you behind on purpose.
Hugs, (BLANK)

Dear (BLANK),
You may have thought I enjoyed our conversations, but really I just wanted to sleep with you.
See you around, (BLANK)

Dear Grandma,
Thanks for the two dollars you sent me on my birthday. I'm sure it was worth a lot in 1937.
Love, (BLANK)

Dear (BLANK)
It's not you, it's me. (And I'm the one who matters.)
See you around, (BLANK)

Dear (BLANK),
Things obviously didn't work out between us and that's okay. But I'm curious: Is your roommate single?
E-mail me.
(BLANK)

Dear (BLANK),
Everyone at work thinks we're dating, but I let them know we're just sleeping together.
See you at the meeting!

Dear (BLANK),
Stop looking at my breasts. I would tell you in person, but I know you'd be looking at my breasts.
Sincerely, (BLANK)

Hey (BLANK),
Remind me: why are we friends? I don't even like you.
??? (BLANK)
(BLANK)

Note to Self: great idea for Christmas gifts...

PRICE TAG: $12.95

Biotherm Goes Apricot

Biotherm has a lotion that is a longtime favorite of mine - the Lait Corporel. My mother used to literally stock up on the cream and I've come to regard the citrus scent as the smell of my youth. The lotion is incredibly milky and light to the touch - not thick - yet it still moisturizes and absorbs into the skin with such ease that your body is left feeling like silk and smelling like an orange grove - all without the white residue.

Unfortunately, they no longer sell Biotherm in stateside stores, but you can order on line by clicking here.

For all those lotion lovers out there, Biotherm also makes the milky moisturizer in apricot. I've just discovered this scent and I'm in fragrance love. It still offers the silky hydration, albeit a little thicker, but the smell is more sweet than citrus. The body lotion is packed with Vitamin F and naturally-derived Apricot and Corn Oils. What does this mean? Who knows, but my skin has never felt softer!

Winter weather requires a serious lotion to combat chapped, dry skin and this is a great alternative to thick shea butter creams. I'm obsessed!

PRICE TAG: $23.00 for 6.7 oz

Live! On Sunset

A really unique, new store opened up on the Sunset Strip in the famed Tower Records building. It's more of a shopping experience, really, rather than an actual shop. As the marque suggest, Live! On Sunset is, well, live. Everything that happens in the store is streamed onto the internet for a truly virtual experience. So, even if you don't live in LA, you can log on and tune in to the store's site and either shop or simply people watch - all in real-time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (genius for all of you online shopping addicts).

Even cooler, the sales associates aren't merely there to make a commission, they are actually stylists who act as consultants creating multi-media content that is then broadcast (live) online. Sort of like your very own internet personal shopper.

The 8,000 square foot store is modeled after a sound stage (when in Hollywood...) with an open floor plan and movable fixtures that are constantly changing with the fashion. It's really like mini boutiques within the building. They have Kitson, The Way We Wore (amazing vintage!), Sportie LA, Dylan's Candy Bar (yes, the NYC candy emporium), Taschen, and, my personal favorite, Studio Apothecary (from Fred Segal). There's also a Buddha Bar replica, complete with those infamous Buddha Bar mixed CD's.

The Studio Apothecary section is complete madness - a beauty whore's heaven on earth! Candles, fragrances, lotions and potions occupy the shelves and fill the jars. It's mildly overwhelming but completely exhilarating!


Some of the beauty lines include Korres (their guava body butter is an all-time favorite), Voluspa, Rosebud, Creme Pour Les Mains, Mor, Marvis Toothepaste (amazing!) and Sud Pacifique.



Naturally, I attended the editor's launch, eager to see if the gift bag was a must or bust... and thankfully, it did not disappoint!

Here's a list of the swag:
Voluspa Pink Fatale Candle
Creme Pour Les Mains Extra Pure Orange
Savon Extra Pure Fresh Verbana Soap
Rosebud Lip Balm in Strawberry
Dylan's Candy Bar - Chocolate Hazelnut
Top Shop Ivory and Gold Ornate Flower Ring
Joie Cotton Heather Grey Scarf
DIS-missals Book of Blank Rejection Letters (hilarious!)
Buddha Bar Volume III CD
Gift Certificate to the Store (YAY!)

Anything you want - from jewelry to jeans to hand cream - is literally a click of your mouse away. This place epitomizes the "one-stop-shop."

To log in and begin your virtual shopping experience, click here.

5 Favorite Drugstore Finds of the Week

The economy is in the toilet (metaphorically speaking) and we've all got to cut down on costs... but how do you spend less and still maintain your sexxxy looks?

Here are 5 drugstore finds for the frugal shopper:

L'Oreal Skin Genesis Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes - Like my fave Boots No 7 wipes, but these are part of the highly-coveted Skin Genesis line. Great for removing make-up AND cleaning make-up brushes. Non-irritating (although I would still recommend washing your face after using these towelettes - there's nothing like a little soap and water!). $7.59

OPI Avoplex High-Intensity Hand & Nail Cream - With the tiniest hint of citrus orange, this liquidy hand lotion moisturizes dry, cracked and brittle hands and nails. Fits perfectly into your Balenciaga bag. $14.95


Johnson's Soft Oil Melt Away Stress Massaging Moisturizer - Who needs boyfriend when you have extra hydrating, super moisturizing, deliciously smelling baby oil (light oil and AROMASOOTHE plus some chamomile do the trick)! Great for applying to a wet body (stay out of the gutter, you dirty minds), post shower, pre-towel dry off. $5.99

24.7 Skincare Instant Plump Volumizing Lip Shine - Lip Fusion ($38.00) what?! This stuff is almost half the price and plumps the pucker like a queen bee sting. It's not super glossy but it's literally Restalyn in a bottle, sans the injection. Fave drugstore plumper by far! $19.99

Aveeno Positively Radiant Exfoliating Body Wash - It lathers AND exfoliates with a flip top (perfect for the shower). Fine grains and microbeads really work to remove dull skin. The smell is a tad soapy, but this stuff is so packed with moisture that the aftermath of soft skin is worth it! BONUS - This wash is great for shaving - extra exfoliation! 2-in-1! $6.79

I Just Got Nailed! PLUS Fall Polish Trend

Lena's Nail Shop is a true hidden gem. How did I find it, you ask? My dear friend Sarah Jane Wilde swears by the place - and SJ is super glam (she wears fur... in L.A.!). I figured, if it's good enough for SJ's claws, it's definitely good enough for mine!

Tucked below Third Street and Fairfax, the sleek shop is unlike any other inexpensive mani/ pedi destination. It's simple and elegant and impeccably clean with 6 stark white stations and one massage/ spa chair. The walls are adorned with funky framed photographs and the ceiling boasts gorgeous ornate chandeliers. It's more chic than shlep. In fact, it's pretty spectacular. You won't find loud music or a blasting television or erroneous chatter in this place. And to think a mani/ pedi combo is only $22.00!


Perched on my throne (massage chair), I felt like a princess in a Parisian boudoir... everything was so elegant (especially the hand massage - I think I may have dozed off!). The shop's founder, Lynn, tended to my fingers. Attention to detail is Lynn's specialty - there wasn't a rough nail or a missed cuticle. And the color (black) lasted over a week! Lynn gives credit to Seche Vite - a super shiny, fast drying top coat!


Lynn is an expert manicurist - she's been pampering celebrity nails for 17 years. So naturally, I asked about the most sought after Fall polish colors...

The trend:
Brown

The colors:
Essie Material Girl
Essie Downtown Brown
OPI Suzi Says Da!

Would YOU rock a brown nail???

**Lena's Nail Shop is located at 359 South Fairfax in Los Angeles. 323-782-1098; $22.00 for a mani and pedi**

YOU ASK, WE ANSWER

dear beauty banter-

my hair is dull dry and damaged. i have tried every deep conditioner, hot oil treatment under the sun. even my cut didn't really do the trick. i need something more drastic. what can i do? do u know salon treatments that actually work? or over the counter products? coconut oil? vitamins? i'll do whatever you tell me as long as i can afford it.
i need help!

Xo,
Diana

When it comes to hair, I turn to Jen Atkin of Andy Lecompte Salon -- not only is she a hair maven, she's also cutter to the stars (and yours truly!)

Here's what Jen had to say:

Brazilian blowout. It adds shine to the hair. Andre or Maurice at the Argyle Hotel in West Hollywood are the best. Also Morrocan oil is great... you can get it at any major beauty supply store.

For hair growth, Phytologie Phytophanere Hair and Nail Vitamins. These will help a lot!

Have a Beauty question? Email the Beauty Whore at beautybanter@gmail.com and we'll get a beauty pro to answer!