A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

Take a peek inside the November Birchbox!

November Birchbox
Inside the November Birchbox

Last month was my second month in the Birchbox program and I detailed my beauty swag here. Well November has arrived and I am very pleasantly surprised by this months’ swag.

Now let me back track a bit because I was initially hesitant on continuing with the program because I felt that the box contained mostly samples (as opposed to deluxe sized samples) that I get from Sephora with my order. Well I decided to voice my concerns directly to Birchbox and they responded to my concern. So shout out to Birchbox for their excellent customer service AND for informing me that there will be more deluxe sized samples. Sweet.

Needless to say, I have decided to keep my Birchbox subscription so on to the goodies! This month we received:

  • Benefit, Crescent Row Scent Trio
  • Herban Essentials, Essential Oil Towelettes
  • NARS, The Multiople in South Beach
  • Too Faced, Primed and Poreless
  • Birchbox Treat, Hair Bungee
Benefit, Crescent Row Scent Trip in November Birchbox
Benefit, Crescent Row Scent Trio
Herban Essentials, Essential Oil Towelettes November Birchbox
Herban Essentials, Essential Oil Towelettes

Too Faced, Primed and Poreless in Birchbox
Too Faced, Primed and Poreless

This month is my favorite so far and it’s well worth the $10 (shipping included). The Benefit Crescent Row sample contains three fragrances in one package so I think that it was a great choice to include in the box. The deluxe sized sample of NARS The Multiple is compact and the perfect size to toss in your purse.

If you’re like me and you like to try before you buy then this small monthly investment will allow you to enjoy some of the best names in beauty. If you enjoy the sample you can order the full size product directly from Birchbox. Have you tried Birchbox yet?

The POSH Sale

posh sale fashionable philanthropy
Shop at an amazing NYC fashion fundraiser where you can purchase new and gently worn designer clothing and accessories for women, men and children at bargain prices to help a wonderful cause.

The POSH Sale
Fashionable Philanthropy
To benefit Lighthouse International ~ Dedicated to helping people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss.

May 13 to May 15, 2010, 11 am – 7 pm
May 16, 11 am — 5 pm

Admission: 4-day pass for $30, or $10 per day payable at door

Entrance: 111 East 59th Street
(between Park & Lexington Avenues) New York City

Payment methods: AmEx, Visa, MasterCard, cash and debit cards

“2 FOR 1: BRING A FRIEND”
Pre-purchase tickets at poshsale.org/tickets
by May 7and get 50% off a daily ticket for you and a friend

Featured designers and retailers include:
A.G. Jeans, Accessories by JoAnn, Alexander McQueen, Alice + Olivia,
Asprey, B. Clark Designs, Badgley Mischka,  BCBG Max Azria,
Balenciaga, Betsy Johnson, Bill Blass, Brigitte NYC, Brooks Brothers,
Burberry, Carlos Falchi,  Carolina Herrera, Celine, Chanel, Chloe,
Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Coach, Courreges, Diane von
Furstenberg,  Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Emilio Pucci, The Estée
Lauder Companies, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hanes, Hermes,  Herve Leger,
Jean Paul Gaultier, Jessica Simpson, Jimmy Choo, John Galliano, Jones
New York, Juicy Couture,  Lambertson-Truex, Lilly Pulitzer, Louis
Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Marc Jacobs, March Boutique, Michael Kors,
Milly,  Narciso Rodriguez, Nicole Miller, Oscar de la Renta, Prada,
Rachel Roy, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Shelley &  Renee
Productions, Stella McCartney, Sylvia Heisel, Theory, Thierry Mugler,
Tod’s, Tory Burch, Tracy Reese, Valentino,
Vera Wang, XOXO

Go ahead and treat yourself, it’s for a worthy cause!

Get Gorgeous with Rue La La!

This week Rue La La is offering a Get Gorgeous Boutique where you can purchase personalized spa packages. What a great gift just in time for Mother’s Day! Take a look at some of the offer available:

Advanced SkinCare Day Spa and Laser Center is about much more than pampering with services.  With personalized skin and body care programs that will substantially improve your appearance, including Forever Young Face, Light Therapy Oxygenation and Benefit Peel you will be sure to find exactly what your body is craving for.

Mizu, (505 Park Avenue, New York, NY): Mizu New York’s newly designed salon features relaxing lounging areas, private workstations and a wide selection of nutrient-rich, feel good products for your hair.  Services being offered include a haircut, color, wash & style blending the finest hairstyling with modern architectural aesthetic and function.

John Barrett Salon, (754 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY): For more than a decade, John Barrett has been the mastermind behind some of the world’s most fashionable women. The salon, located in the penthouse of the famous former Goodman apartment, offers a haircut, half head of highlights, wash & style for the ultimate New York look.

The Parlour on Third, (8113 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA): The Parlour on 3rd is a chic hair care oasis in the heart of Los Angeles, located in the fashionable West Third Street / Fairfax district. They offer an exceptional and unique hair salon experience: an elegant décor and chill vibe with a truly hospitable staff committed to ensuring you walk out looking great with healthy and beautiful hair. Whether you’re looking for a cut, color, a new style, or drop-dead gorgeous highlights, you will be rewarded with a “miracle of magic” provided by the one and only Alyson Powell.

Carissima, (2901 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL): “Carissima translates to “an endeared one.” Lending itself to how they feel toward their clientele as well as professional staff. In conjunction with their name, they strive to maintain that each and every experience throughout their salon leaves you with a feeling of satisfaction and superior service, splashed with a pleasant uniqueness that is consistent and sincere. Services being offered include: Facial, Highlight service and singles process color & haircut.

Sean Patrick Salon & Spa, (1304 S. Halsted, Chicago IL and 7 S. Lagrange Rd., Lagrange, IL): Sean Patrick’s Salon and Spa, where the image becomes real. As a full service salon celebrating its 12th year in business, Sean Patrick’s offers the finest in hair and skincare services and our professional staff is also experienced in Massage Therapy and Make-up application. Services being offered include: Swedish Massage, Spa Manicure & Pedicure and Facial.

To purchase any of these packages you must be a member of Rue La La so be sure to login or join here. Enjoy!

Treat Yourself to a Spa Discount at Spa Week

Image: Spaweek.com

Everyday we work hard to pay our bills, put food on our tables and accomplish the goals that we’ve set for ourselves. This is one of the main reasons why I feel that Everyone deserves a little bit of luxury”. Every once in a while we need to reward ourselves for the hard work and sacrifices that we make on a day to day basis. So whether you treat yourself to an expensive (but worthy) makeup bag, a new makeup palette or a Chanel tote – I say hey you are truly worth it. Why work hard if you cannot reap the rewards? Treating yourself well is not just about the material luxuries of life but also taking care of your bodies. If you do not take care of yourself how can you take care of the kids, your hubby, your wife or even your goldfish?

I frequently get manicures, make trips to the salon and get facials whenever I can. Sure sometimes these treatments can be expensive and may not always fit into your budget, after all these are tough economic times. Well ladies (and gents) this is where Spa Week comes it. Spa Week is the glorious week of April 12-18, 2010 where you can get $50 spa treatments at approximately 800 spas throughout the US (and Canada) including (but not limited to) New York, Virginia, Florida, California, Nevada, New Jersey and several other states. Ladies you can treat yourself to everything from Botox to ear candling to laser hair removal to vajazzing. I was quite happily surprised at the extensive list of participating spas and services available. I plan on partaking in a 60 minute hot stone massage since I’m always in need of some relaxation after a long day at work. A trip to the spa is not just a luxury as there are many healthful benefits such as stress relief, detox and healthy skin (depending on the treatment). When you feel good you look good and this is important to your overall mental well being. When a person takes care of themselves it helps to improve their body image and their self esteem. So take a moment or an hour out of your busy life to do something fabulous for yourself, you deserve it.

To check out the participating spas go to http://www.spaweek.com/ and then book your appointment.

Sephora Says: It pays to have beautiful skin!

SEPHORA Skin care challenge

Sephora wants everyone to have great skin in four easy steps:

1.     Cleanse
2.     Treat
3.     Moisturize
4.     Protect

Sephora Skincare Challenge

From March 25th through April 14th Sephora pros will assist you in finding the right products for your skin. To take part in this special simply sign up for the Beauty Insider Program and you will receive your Skincare Challenge Card. Each time that you purchase a facial skincare item you will receive a stamp on your card, collect 4 stamps and you will receive a FREE personalized sample bag. So be sure to stop by your local Sephora to participate in this great challenge, you’ll earn some pretty cool swag!