When washing is fun

Once again, I wish I had the scratch and sniff option on my blog. Truth is, when it comes to washing your hands, it doesn't really make that much of a difference what kind of soap you use -- as long as you use it and rub your hands. Experts say the trick to killing germs is the rubbing motion and making sure you get under your fingernails. Didn't mom tell you that? I think you're supposed to wash for at least a minute. Anyway, there are times when I buy the cheapest hand soap available. Then there are times when I go for luxury. And Molton Brown's White Mulberry hand soap is a great choice. It just smells so good. Makes you kinda wish your hands were dirty more. MB's hand soap and hand cream also make a great hostess/housewarming gift.

Blowout Lessons

Here's something I found in WWD that struck me as a good, albeit expensive idea.

Oscar Blandi's hair salon is now offering hair styling classes. For $300, customers get a one-on-one lesson with a professional on how to style and blowdry your hair.
Clients select a look and then stylists demonstrate how to achieve that look on one side of the head. Then it's your turn to replicate the look. Classes are limited to 20 participants. This reminds me of makeup artists who do one side of your face and have you make up the other.

Cost: $300 for 1-hour class

Bonus: Lessons come with Bellinis and hors d'oeuvres!

Upper West Side Blue Mercury Events

Plump My Pout

I recently had the pleasure of attending a beauty event at Molton Brown's Soho store. There I picked up a few items including their Wonder Lips Booster. Traditionally when I think of Molton Brown I think of the best smelling hand soaps and creams. But it turns out the company also makes hair products, foundation and candles. I wanted to take home a candle, but I was ill-equipped to carry a large candle around Manhattan that particular evening. So I went for the small prizes. Over the next few days I will be posting about the products I picked up.
But I wanted to share my review of this winner. Basically the Wonder Lips Booster has been marketed as a pout plumper -- and it does increase the fullness of the lips -- albeit slightly and thankfully minus the trademark tingling sensation of plumping products. But here's what I learned. WLB can also be used as a lip moisturizer. An industry insider tipped me off to this, so I decided to try it. It's great. I'm unsure exactly what I like about it since I've only tried it for a few days. But I find myself reaching for it -- searching the bowels of my pocketbook in need of a little lip therapy. I'll keep you posted.

Dry already, dry.

This Borghese stuff rocks. And lucky for you, it makes your nails as hard as a rock. It sets your polish and accelerateds drying. I hate waiting for nail polish to dry, so I was thrilled to try this out. Please note that I used this in addition to sitting under one of those UV dryers. Borgehse's Finale is sold at Walgreens. Nice to buy prestige products at your local drugstore.

The Lippman Collection

This has got to be one of the greatest inventions of all time in the beauty category. For people who don't like bottles of nail polish remover, you can use these mini mitts to help rub away last week's polish. I know you can't see it from this picture, but inside the packets are thumb-sized mittens saturated in nail polish remover. They smell great too because they are infused with lavender. Really, a nice call when it comes to cleaning up our fingers and toes.
Great for your purse, the airplane or anywhere else you happen to find yourself needing to remove old polish. Oh yeah -- I forgot to tell you the name of the product. Perhaps Eliot Spitzer should get that honor.

Coming Events at Blue Mercury

There are a couple of events coming to Blue Mercury on the Upper West Side.

Makeup
Trish McEvoy April 25 & 26
Laura Mercier May 3

Skincare
Caudalie April 4
Anthony Logistics April 5
Darphin April 18
Fresh May 17
Bliss May 30
MD Skincare June 5

Weather Works

Here is a product I'm truly excited about. You would be too if you had natural curls and lived in a humidity prone city such as the Big Apple.

I have to admit, I was just introduced to this product today. I have not *yet* tried it. But I have high hopes for it.

What is it?

John Frieda's WeatherWorks by Frizz-Ease Weather-Proofing Shampoo and Conditioner

WeatherWorks help fight frizz and static-related hair problems caused by humidity and dry conditions.

Sold at drugstores, mass retailers; $5.99

Keep your fingers crossed!

Burberry's The Beat

Introducing Burberry's "The Beat," a sexy new fragrance combining ceylon tea and iris.

Top notes include bergamot, cardamon, pink pepper, and mandarin with cedar wood, vetiver and white musk.

Although "The Beat" has floral notes, it is still woody, musky.

In typical Burberry fashion, this is a very wearable fragrance. This is the kind of scent that once you start wearing, you'll reach for ALL the time. It's reliable. I've already caught myself sniffing my sweatshirt for an extra whiff.
Try the intense elixir for a richer scent.

1.7 oz $62
2.5 oz $80
Available at Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus & Nordstrom
This product is out of stock on the Burberry site.

Coming soon!

Friday I have a very special meeting with the founder of Pur~Lisse. I can't wait to share with you all the details of this line. More later...