Do you know how impossible it is to find a good manicure and pedicure in Paris and London? And if you do find a place willing to paint the claws, it costs a fortune. In Paris it's about 70 Euros just for a pedi, that's around 100 dollars. In London it's about 60-70 pounds for both mani and pedi. That's around 100-130 dollars.
Coming from LA where there is a mani-pedi shop on every corner for $35.00 a pop, the thought of spending 100 bucks on my cuticles was enough to send me into an agro frenzy. That's when I discovered Emma, the British freelance beauty therapist that comes to YOU.
Emma is amazing - so sweet and warm and incredibly talented when it comes to the treatments. I splurged on a pedi for 4o pounds (after all, I was walking like a mad woman and my toes were in crazy amounts of pain, although Emma said I have fab feet). With the pedi came a relaxing citrus cream scrub, a soothing salt scrub and a delicious citrus lotion - with massage aplenty. She uses all Jessica products and Chanel polishes. Naturally, I went with red, my go-to color of choice. And while my feet were being pampered, I was watching Chicago on the flat screen TV, eating chocolate covered digestives and chatting with my friend whose house I was staying at. A very relaxing Sunday in London...
Emma doesn't just do mani/ pedis, she's also quite the waxer (London and Paris aren't known for their waxing skills either) and she does wonders with facials, brow shaping and tinting, St. Tropez tanning and massages. She's so good at what she does, her clients include the likes of Kate Moss and Sadie Frost.
Just think, the same person who touches Kate Moss' toes, touched mine. Now that's 2 degrees of separation!
Next time you're in London, book an appointment with Ms. Emma by emailing emma@spoiltathome.com. Tell her that Beauty Banter sent you!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Posh Pedi
Stumble This!Thursday, April 02, 2009
Topshop: Take a Look Inside The Hottest Stop In NYC
Here is a first hand account of the madness that is Topshop, NYC. Fashionista and Publicist extraordinaire, Laura Katzenberg, gives Beauty Banter readers an *exclusive* insider's look at the much-hyped opening soiree, the infamous store and, of course, the fabulous fashion!
"After a 6-month delay, the most highly anticipated store opening of the year, Topshop opened its doors today on Broadway in downtown NYC. Expectations were high for the London transplant…but sure enough, they “had me at hello.”
I attended the preview VIP shopping event/extravaganza with my dear friend and renowned stylist June Ambrose. While most of the celebrity attendees, (Jennifer Lopez, Paul Sculfor & Georgina Chapman) fashionistas, and socialites were drinking champagne, I got down to business.
The minute I stepped inside the 4 story, 40,000 square-foot Soho behemoth, I froze in awe of the gorgeous flowers hanging from the ceiling and the vast space filled with endless florals, stripes and sequins. There were almost too many versions of the perfect mini dress as well as some of the best YSL, Gucci, Alexander Wang and Burberry knock-offs that I’ve ever seen. The first floor is strictly Topshop so I really had to hold back until I got to the second floor for all the up-and-coming designer collaborations, such as Alice McCall, Reko and most significantly Kate Moss, the reason many of us this side of the Atlantic initially fell in love with the British brand.
Kate is now on her 9th collaboration with Topshop and this time she has brought her signature bohemian style to fashion for every occasion. From party dresses to quilted jackets and sequins to the nines, she falls nothing short of chic in every sense of the word. Most notable is her interpretation of the Thierry Mugler gown that Beyonce wore recently filming videos for her upcoming world tour. Truly stunning!
Riding up the escalator to the third floor and breaking through the clouds of fashion heaven was where I spent most of my time looking at over a hundred different styles of shoes. From boots with fringe, to platform pumps, neon stilettos and gladiator sandals… they have it all covered, it's really quite impressive.
But upon checkout the clouds turned grey & gloomy when I realized how much I'd spent. Those that are used to shopping at H&M might be a little shell-shocked at first. You really have to look closely at the tags because they start to add up a lot quicker than you think with items costing anywhere from $22 for a set of bangles to $400 for a trench, or even $90 for a cotton tank dress. I did however think the pumps were reasonably priced at $180.
My only other quip with the debut was that the sales people could really use a little help on the styling front… ironically its the mannequins that really bring the clothes to life.
All things considered Topshop launching in NYC is exciting for me, as I’m sure it will be for thousands of other New Yorkers. Although I got first dibs on a handful of winners, I will have to go back “on the reg” before I really feel like I’ve seen everything. Prepare yourself for the experience of a shopper’s lifetime!!!
Check out my exclusive pictures from inside the store and my fabulous purchases at http://twitter.com/laurakatzenberg."
Even a recession won't stop my Topshop obsession... can't wait to venture across the country and do a little (massive amount of) impulse shopping.
**Remember ladies, Topshop NYC opens its doors to the public TODAY!**
Thanks, Laura!
Click here for more exclusive pics and party banter!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Bathing Beauty: Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss
Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss is the designer behind the wildly successful clothing line aply called, Shoshanna - a favorite among celebs including Katherine Heigl, Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, Kristen Bell and Rachel Weisz - known for its bustier fit. She's also a gorgeous New York City native with a love of all things beauty (like us!).
Recently, Shoshanna added beauty designer to her resume with the limited-edition beauty case exclusively for Beauty.com. Loaded with deluxe and full sized products, you can receive the retro-inspired floral print case free with any $100 purchase by visiting www.beauty.com/shoshanna .
“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,” says Shoshanna.
In this *exclusive* Beauty Banter interview, my friend, the fiercely talented and exceptionally fun Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss, answers a few of our favorite beauty-related question.
Pay attention, ladies... Shoshanna is tres, tres in-the-know!
What are your top 5, can't-live-without products?
1- Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Air Kiss
2- YSL Faux Cil Mascara
3- Chanel Automatic Liquid Eyeliner
4- Magic Prescriptives Loose Powder in Bronze
5- Bobbi Brown Blush in Soft Pink
What is your all-time favorite product?
"YSL Faux Cil Mascara in black. I never leave the house without it on. It gives me the longest, most natural lashes, and it smells like roses (really!)."
What product do you buy in bulk?
"Body Shop Camomile eye makeup remover and Air kiss lip gloss. I like to have a lip gloss in every bag, at my desk, in my car, in the kitchen etc."
You moisturize your face with...
Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer.
Favorite body product?
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Scrub.
Favorite beauty secret you've picked up along the way?
Stick with the make up that works best for you, and then amp it up or down for day or night. You don't need a bunch of different looks. Always go with what is most flattering for you.
Beauty icon you admire?
My mother is the most stylish beauty I know.
To check out Shoshanna's clothing collection, click here. And to check out her beauty case, click here.
Perhaps a makeup line is in the near future???
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Happy 50th, Barbie!
Can you believe it? Barbie is a half a century old (yet she doesn't look a day over 21 -- I need some of her beauty cream!). In honor of Barbie's birthday celebration, interior decorator extraordinaire, Jonathan Adler took a Malibu mansion and transformed it into a chic, Barbie dream house.
A bit of Barbie History: The first Barbie was introduced at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. She was Barbie, the Teen-Age Fashion Model. Ruth Handler, creator of the Barbie doll (and mega millionaire), says that "Barbie has always represented that a woman has choices... She had the clothes, for example, to launch a career as a nurse, a stewardess, a nightclub singer..." As of 2009, Barbie has 108 careers! Ken was introduced in 1961. Midge, the best friend, in 1963.
Last night, I ventured to Malibu for a look at the life of the original girl power doll, Barbie!
From a real Andy Warhol painting of the birthday girl, to a Barbie shrine room housing Barbie's from every era, a chandelier entirely made of Barbie hair, to custom B-embroidered carpet and lampshades, to a closet solely consisting of pink Christian Louboutin heels, to a Dylan's Candy Bar Corner, Barbie's dream house is both girly and glamorous (with loads of pink, naturally).
Here are some pics:
Click HERE for a dozen more pics (including the original Ken doll and Andy Warhol painting)!
Swag bag included the 2009 Bathing Suit Barbie, a Jonathan Adler for Barbie black and pink mini vase, a Barbie Heart Stila Eye Shadow Trio and Lip Glaze Set (an homage to the Stila/ Barbie collab), Dylan's Candy Bar Barbie through the years chocolates, and a Patricia Field for Barbie t-shirt that reads, "I want my dream house."
Hey, I'd settle for Barbie's dream house!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Alice + Olivia Sneek Peak!
I was in New York at the beginning of the month styling a photo shoot for my friend Stacey Bendet's fabulous fashion line, Alice + Olivia. The photos, shot by famed photographer Mick Rock, were being used for an instillation in her Bryant Park store to honor 2009 Fall Fashion Week.
Here's an **exclusive** look at the preparation:
Hair: Andre Rodman for Frederic Fekkai
Makeup: Anthea King
Models: Cory Kennedy, Peaches Geldof, Byrdie Bell
Location: Chelsea Hotel, NYC
Cory Kennedy (blogger; hipster extraordinaire)
Inspiration: Old Hollywood glam meets rocker... a little Audrey (Hepburn), a little Grace (Kelly), a little Katy (Perry). Dark, Crimson lips, winged eyes and perfectly coiffed hair.
(In the name of rock history - We shot in the EXACT bathroom where Sex Pistols Sid Vicious killed Nancy Spungen... so we just had to take this pic!)
one of the looksPeaches Geldof (rock royalty)
Inspiration: 80's punk rock... bright pink lips, teased hair, gilded eyes.
one of the looksByrdie Bell (socialite)
Inspiration: Mod ala Edie Sedgwick or Sharon Tate with a contemporary rock twist. Dark, heroin-chic eyes with pale lips. Long, loose curls teased at the crown of the head for added volume.
one of the looks
another lookFriday, February 06, 2009
Gwynie's Bob Inspiration!
I love a good piece of beauty gossip... this one's fantastic!
A very reliable source informed Beauty Banter *exclusively* that Gwyneth Paltrow chopped her mop after the beautiful Vogue contributing fashion editor, Lauren Santo Domingo cut her locks into a shoulder bob.
Lauren, in the infamous Nina Ricci dress (remember the SJP debacle?) sporting her shorter do, standing with Olivier Theyskens.Apparently, Vogue stylist Edward Enninful was so obsessed with Lauren's shorter do, that he convinced Gwynie to cut hers before a Vogue shoot.
Gwyneth, post cut.Can you see the similarities??? We sure can!
And thus began the Gwynie long bob trend... but really, it should be considered the LSD (Lauren Santo-Domingo) trend.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sundance 2009
Sundance isn't just about the movies! It's also about the skiing, celebrities and free swag! Basically, swag is product that the companies are trying to promote so they give it up for free to the trendsetters and taste makers in hopes to create hype, buzz and word of mouth.
Here is some of my favorite swag, directly from the gifting suites of Sundance 2009.
Burt's Bees - amazing organic products, great price points -- scored a body cleanser, lotion and these amazing colored lippies!
Beauty.com - although I didn't take anything home, I did discover some new lines that I can't wait to get my hands on! Drugstore.com was also there, showing off products like my new favorite shaving cream E.O.S. in vanilla (more to come on an additional post).
Sephora - A house devoted to Sephora! Is there anything cooler? Givenchy gifted their coveted Phenomenon Eyes Mascara while Sephora serviced celebs with pre-packaged goodies -- all from the Sephora line. They were also on call for makeup application.
Youngblood - I've tried the line before and love it... it's makeup for makeup artists! I scored a nice face palette.
Other beauty lines at Sundance included Nivea, St. Ives and Conair...
Love me some beauty swag!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sundance!
I've been in Sundance for the weekend, catching some movies, drooling over the gorgeous men and checking out the swag houses!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Getting Beautiful For A Cause...
I just returned from a fabulous event honoring the 60th anniversary of the Emmy's AND Breast Cancer Awareness (October is the official month of Breast Cancer Awareness).
The event was hosted by The Silver Spoon and it paid homage to the people who suffer from breast cancer. All of the companies involved were helping to increase awareness and find a cure (you know how we love a company that gives back)! With that in mind, products being gifted were "pink" themed (the official color of Breast Cancer Awareness).
The event was all about health and beauty! The companies included Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, M.B. York, The Face Shop, New Balance, The Andy Lecompte Salon (where I visited with my new colorist, George... getting the roots beautified tomorrow and, of course, I will have before and after pics.... AHHHHH) and Yakult Cultured Drink (tastes like Pink Berry in a bottle!), among others.
I decided to take some pics and do some deeper exploration on the phenomenal products.
First up was Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. Their claim to fame: a Mineral Rice Setting Powder meant to absorb oil, mattify shine and cover pores. I was given a trial and I LOVED IT! It made my skin so soft and it really sucked up all the excess oil. The products are extremely gentle, great for sensitive skin like mine (and they can even be used post peel or facial - and I JUST had a peel so I was ecstatic to be using a healthy powder on my red and irritated mug). It's a full color line and I hope to test out more of the products asap - so check back!
Next was M.B. York. Their tag line is "survival of the prettiest" - I just love the vanity! Founder Mary Beth York demonstrated how easy her line is to use. The shadows and colors come in pre-numbered kits that correspond with the appropriate brushes. This line is idiot-proof! But their claim to fame is a 3 step kit aptly called the Beauty Ammo Kit, used to camouflage wrinkles and under-eye bags and dark circles (Hollywood A-listers are obsessed with the kit - it's said to take years off of any woman... DIE!). We took home a kit and can't wait to test it out - check back for our review!
Next, it was over to The Face Shop for some exquisite masks like aloe vera, lemon and pomegranate. The masks come individually wrapped and are actually sheets of a gauze-like material pre-soaked in the natural fruit juices! The Korean-based company just launched their mask line in the US of A. I've never tried such a mask so I'm interested to see its outcome! But hey, Koreans have good skin... don't they?
New Balance was our next stop and they gifted us with a wonderful baby pink workout suit, embossed with the Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon. We also scored some fabulous pink and silver sneakers (I guess this means we should probably start working out...).
Yakult Cultured Drink was next up and this is such an amazing product, I'm literally floored. It's a Probiotic cultured dairy drink that is meant to infuse your body with good bacterias for a healthy lifestyle. It tastes delicious and just one tiny bottle a day does the trick. A pack of five sells for a mesely $2.99!!! There is no excuse - a healthy inside equals a healthy outside! Drink up, girlies!
Over at the spa, generously donated by YSharis Spa of Monrovia, massages were underway. Although we didn't stick around for a relaxing rub down, we did pick up a special-edition OPI Nail Polish in Pink of Hearts. Emblazoned with the pink Breast Cancer ribbon, the polish is a gorgeous hue of barely-there pink - very au natural!
Finally, we ventured to the hula-hoop section (yes, those things you used to shake around your waste in junior high school). Hoop Delite is not only a new and improved form of the hula-hoop, it also folds to half its size for easy storage!!! A great mid-section work out (and come on, who can't stand to shed a few pounds in the love handle arena?) and convenient storage? Say it ain't so! Again, no excuses for a healthy lifestyle! They also offer special hoop classes and hoop work-out dvds (like pilates or yoga, only more fun!). Click HERE for additional info. and a look at the video!
Thanks to all of the aforementioned companies for their part in helping to find a cure, and thank to The Silver Spoon for putting together such a special soiree... now it's YOUR turn! Throughout the months of September and October we will be featuring other incredible companies that are aiding in the fight against breast cancer.
Giving back makes you feel beautiful - and when you feel beautiful, chances are you're looking beautiful, too!
For more information on breast cancer, or to give yourself a personal breast exam, click HERE.
