beauty blog - 5/27 - A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care | A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care

Need for Speed: New Quick Drying Nail Polishes

Today's modern polishes promise to dry faster than a speeding bullet, but which ones actually save the day? Top manicurists have known about pro top coats for years - those specially formulated clear coats that left lacquer intact for an extended wear manicure. Compatible with nearly every brand, topcoats like Read more

Verb Detangle+Defrizz Conditioning Leave-In Mist Review

To be completely up front about things, I hate washing my hair because it's a nightmare to comb afterwards.  It’s much like that of a 6 year old little girl. It tangles like nobody’s business and is a nightmare to comb after washing. It’s so bad that my hairdresser Read more

Delfin Spa Cellulite Reduction Apparel and Anti-Cellulite Lotion Review

Everyone deals with cellulite. And no one is a fan of it. We've written about coffee ground products like Gail's DIY Coffee Scrub or isola Jamaican Coffee & Sugar Scrub, that are said to help minimize the appearance of cellulite due to the caffeine. Now there is another product system Read more

Mom: Get Glamorous Twitter Party

This year we're mixing things up with our Mom: Get Glamorous contest! We're adding a Twitter party, where some of the great brands participating in the contest are also giving away products during our party. Come join us on May 15, 2013 from 1pm-2pm EST and tweet with @TheMakeupGirl @ClumpsofMascara Read more

5th Annual Mom: Get Glamorous Contest

// // Are you ready for our 5th annual Mom: Get Glamorous contest? This year I am partnering with Lianne of The Makeup Girl, Brittany from Clumps of Mascara, Christine from 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic and Bryce from The Luxury Spot to find the most deserving mom to award Read more

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Purple Lab Challenge: Operation Chic & Sexy

karen_robinovitzToday Karen Robinovitz, Creatrix of Purple Lab, is launching on HSN at 9am EST (and again at night 8pm EST.) Purple Lab epitomizes all things sexy and chic. My favorite being Huge Lips Skinny Hips, but I’m pretty sure Lashionista Modelista will quickly become my second favorite (I saw what amazing feats this lash growth-enhancing liquid liner/tubing mascara can do back in October when it was still all hush hush!)

Karen and I are in contact on a daily basis and about 2 weeks ago she issued me a challenge that I like to call: Operation Chic & Sexy (or she might call it Dramatic Makeup – Purple Lab NYC.) Regardless, she was sending along her only lab sample of Cheek Implants in 6 Inch Heels and I was already armed with my Huge Lips Skinny Hips in Worship Kate to help aid in this challenge. Now I just needed to find someone to do my hair, someone to do my makeup, find an event to go to and find an amazing date to show up with. I had my work cut out for me.Davide_Torchi-ShannonNelson-1

I tackled hair first. Davide Torchio has invited me into his salon many times, but the timing had never been right. In fact, I had sent Nando in my place once when he had his hair emergency. Without hesitation, Davide gave me an appointment time and I was excited to see what he had in store for me. After seeing what he and Roberto Morelli did for the Lance Bass photo shoot, I took a chance to see if Roberto would be willing to do makeup for a non-celebrity like myself. When Davide tweeted that Roberto agreed, I was over the moon.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Hair Care, Makeup 1 Comment

Makeover with Davide Torchio and Roberto Morelli

This is me before. Karen Robinovitz of Purple Lab had issued me a challenge: make yourself over into the sexy woman that you are. The full details of that challenge will be in my next post, but since my 5 hours spent with hair stylist Davide Torchio and makeup artist Roberto Morelli were so awe inspiring, I felt it deserved a post of its own.

So you remember my post about the transformation of Lance Bass, right? Well that is what I wanted for myself. I told Davide and Roberto that I grew up on makeover shows and hoping that one day someone could transform me into the swan I knew I was inside (which, sidebar: do you remember that reality TV show, The Swan? That show was crazy.) Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Hair Care, Makeup 9 Comments

Extra Kissing Power for Valentine’s Day – Smashbox Lip Treatment

During the coldest winter months I am in a constant battle with dry flaking lips. I’ve tried several lip balms and lip treatments and many of them only protect the surface and don’t get to the heart of the problem, which is dry peeling skin.

Smashbox’s Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($16 at Sephora) is one lip treatment that has been effective in my battle against dry chapped lips. This lip therapy has a subtle sweet honey flavor. It is colorless, but does add a pretty transparent sheen. The honey helps to soften and moisturize while the Vitamin E and shea butter help to nourish the skin. It is also packed full of antioxidants, vitamins A, C & E as well as shea butter, jojoba and avocado oils. Chamomile and aloe aid in soothing.  Read more

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Review: CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless Foundation

It’s my second video review here on A Girl’s Gotta Spa! and for this review I decided to share with you my love for CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless Foundation. Sure, I’m only 19–but you are never too young to start taking care of your skin! So I’m loving the inclusion of Olay Regenerist Serum in this foundation. You can find it at www.CoverGirl.com

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Posted on by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, Makeup, skin care Leave a comment

Review: Marie Louise Cosmetics Restoration Clear Gel

exfoliating_gelThis winter is doing a number on my skin, both my body and face. And thanks to Punxsutawney Phil (really when has he ever NOT seen his shadow?!), 6 more weeks of winter means fighting off flaky skin. I love winter for the beautiful snowfall, but I hate it for the chaos it wreaks on my skin.

Marie Louise Cosmetics sent me their Restoration Clear Gel, which is a unique exfoliating gel, that gently removes dead skin cells. I say unique because of what happens once you apply this gel to your face and massage it.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, skin care 1 Comment

Beyonce Heat Sneak Preview

beyonce_heatOh my. I think I need to take a few pointers from Beyonce on how to be totally sexy. Below is a sneak peak of Beyonce’s commercial for Beyonce Heat, a new fragrance with a “floral bouquet of magnolia, neroli and red vanilla orchid balanced with a kiss of luscious blush peach. At its heart, almond macaroon, sweet honeysuckle nectar and crème de musk combine to create an exquisitely sensual experience. Finally, warm and sexy notes of giant sequoia milkwood, tonka bean and amber linger to seduce the senses.”

Watch the video below (and wonder like I did how she kept everything from falling out of that dress!)  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Celebrity Beauty, perfume 4 Comments

Review: Ola Hawaiian Bath and Body Products

ola_hawaiian

When first trying the Ola Hawaiian lotions and salt scrubs, I was quite skeptical as to the ingredients and if they would be too greasy for my skin. Still being a teenager, I end up getting the really flaky dry skin, yet oily at the same time (why me!?) But when I tried a sample of the Sandalwood Verbena lotion on my hands, they felt wonderful. The smell was just as intriguing as the texture of this lotion; rich, creamy, and non-greasy, this product is perfect for my dry skin. Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in bath and body, beauty, skin care 1 Comment

Jemma Kidd’s Crushed Jewel Gel Liner

Add some sparkle to your wintertime look with an eyeliner infused with glitter this season. Makeup artist Jemma Kidd’s Crushed Jewel Gel Liner ($20.00 at Drugstore.com ) adds a whimsical look with tiny specks of glimmery shimmer that can be used as over shadow or pigmented liner. You can also wear it alone to dramatize the sophisticated palette of colors including azure, lapis, onyx and topaz. The sparkly liquid liner is made of a clear gel base containing suspended flecks of glitter. Not for only special occasions, this liner makes a fun look for every day. The ’80s are back on trend in a major way so why not have some fun with some seriously retro chic glitter liner.   Read more
Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Makeup 1 Comment

Wintertime Dry Skin Remedy – In Fiore Kashmir Body Balm

With the recent wave of freezing temps, careful attention to keep skin moisturized and hydrated is a essential. One of my favorite all natural remedies for the winter months is San Francisco-based In Fiore. I stumbled upon In Fiore’s storefront apothecary in San Francisco’s emerging Tender Nob district. In the cozy and fragrant space, In Fiore founder Julie Elliott hand blends organic, biodynamic and wild-crafted essences from around the world into glorious bath and body oils, balms, and complexion treatments.   Read more
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A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Beauty Blog Best of 2009

Shannon Nelson & Nando

Wow, what a year in beauty. This is honestly my most favorite post each year, yet I procrastinate like crazy to write it. This year A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Beauty Blog saw the addition of the very handsome and funny Nando, who handles the men’s grooming reviews and vlogs. So this Best of 2009 recap includes both men’s and women’s beauty products and a mix of text and video. Did you have a favorite product you saw reviewed here this year? Be sure to let us know at the end of this post.

Shannon’s Favorites of 2009:  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in bath and body, beauty, beauty interview, lip gloss, Makeup, men's grooming, men's shaving, men's skin care, Nail Polish, salon, skin care Leave a comment