I am a huge fan of a messy bun.  Maybe it stems from my days of dance classes growing up or maybe it comes from not always taking the time to “do” my hair every morning.  Whatever it is, most days you can find me with my hair in a bun.  I have quite the assortment of bobby pins of all shapes, styles and colors….and now I don’t know what to do with them….

….Because I bought a Spin Pin.  I am not exaggerating when I say I bought this on Tuesday and I haven’t worn my hair down since.  And I had a dream last night that I couldn’t find my spin pin and I was frantic.  When I found it, my mom had somehow twisted it so it didn’t work anymore and I was pretty upset.  Don’t read too much into the dream, except that I’m clearly obsessing over this product.

The package comes with two spin pins but since my hair is so thin, I’ve only needed to use one to keep my bun in place.  One pin!  Normally I use five or 6 bobby pins and they fall out throughout the day and I have to constantly restyle.  But with the Spin Pin I take my hair, twirl it into a bun and then take my Spin Pin and twist it up into the bun from the bottom like it’s a corkscrew. And I’m done.  It is unbelievably simple and holds into place remarkably well.  Women with thicker hair – I’m looking at you, Melissa – will probably need to use both pins but, still, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it.  Plus!  You aren’t limited to just creating a “messy bun” – you can do several different up-dos with ease.  I have several weddings to attend in the next few months…guess how I’m doing my hair….

Has anyone else tried the Spin Pin yet?  Are you loving it as much as me?  Or did it not work for you?  I’m curious! Let us know with a comment…

You’ve probably heard of Groupon, LivingSocial, Woot! and all of those a-deal-a-day sites in their respective niches.  BloomSpot, is another one of those group deal websites.  BloomSpot, however, caters to customers with an affinity for the finer things in life.  According to their website, “BloomSpot is about enjoying a short lived special opportunity to enjoy yourself close to home.”  They work with luxury brands, ranging from hoteliers and spas, to four star restaurants, to trendy fitness classes – all targeting the discerning recessionista.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can purchase these services:

Combo Lash  for $85 (a $175 value)

or

the Signature Eyelash Extensions for $175 (a $375 value)

At D’Lashes by Dionne Phillips

Do you ever envy your friends that have naturally long, dark and perfectly curled lashes?  Well, envy no more!  Now, you can have long, think and luscious lashes yourself!  Lashes are applied one by one on top of your real eyelashes – for a look that looks and feels completely natural.  The process takes anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on where you get it done, and can last 6-8 weeks.  6-8 weeks!!!

A-list celebs get this done all the time (don’t think they’re all naturally gorgeous!).  Beauty is an investment

Nadine Jolie wrote about her experience with Daniel Dinh’s lash extensions a few weeks ago.

If you’re considering lash extensions, grab this deal ASAP, because you only have about a day and a half left!

Nail polish. You’re either obsessed with it – like I am – or you probably don’t give it very much thought at all. But for those of us who simply can’t get enough polish, it’s all too easy to become jaded about the latest colors. Thanks to ’90s-era polish pioneers like Hard Candy and Urban Decay, not to mention drugstore stalwarts like Wet’n'Wild who have been offering unusual colors ever since I can remember, there’s basically nothing new under the sun, right? Wrong! The latest nail innovations are all about texture and finish rather than simple variations in color. Case in point, last year’s unavoidable matte trend. Every polish company imaginable created a collection of mattes, and while the prospect seemed exciting at first, many women were dissatisfied with the reality of a matte manicure. Mattes are difficult to apply evenly, tend to chip almost as quickly as they dry, and – oh yeah – look pretty dull when it comes down to it. But hope is on the horizon: The big nail trend of 2010 looks to be satins, and Orly is right there at the forefront with their Plastix Collection for fall.

Instead of the dull finish of mattes or the glossy gleam of traditional polishes, Plastix polishes have a “shiny and rubbery look,” according to a press release from Orly. The idea is that your nails won’t merely look painted – they’ll look like they’ve been coated in liquid plastic. The collection is available in four different shades: An eye-catching teal, a vibrant purple, a summery neon orange and a bright strawberry red. If the swatches over at All Lacquered Up are any indication, Orly has certainly achieved their goal of giving nails an unusual, plasticky gleam. I love how strange and futuristic this finish is, and I’m excited that polish companies keep pushing the boundaries when it comes to their product. What do you think of the Plastix collection and satin polishes  in general?

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Demystifying celebrities - mainly by showing images of them without the beautifying effects of makeup and/or Photoshop - is a recent trend that shows no signs of slowing. You may recall French Elle’s 2009 “No Makeup” issue, which made waves by featuring the likes of Eva Herzigova and Monica Bellucci sans cosmetics. Recently, Jessica Simpson went bare-faced for Allure, while an unretouched version of a Britney Spears ad for Candie’s sparked yet another discussion about the role that the media plays when it comes to shaping women’s perceptions of their bodies. When I saw this “model mugshot” that Louis Vuitton released - dozens of models, including a few big names like Laetitia Casta and Elle Macpherson - I figured I would get your opinion: Does seeing celebrities without makeup still carry the impact it once did?

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Revisiting old posts seems to be a theme for me on LB lately - case in point, last Friday’s update on how well it works to use sea salt as an acne treatment (hint: very!). In the spirit of finishing what I’ve started, I’m going to revisit two more products that I posted about but never actually got my hands on…until now. Fortunately, both were worth the wait!

First, I am happy to announce that I finally have my own glorious bottle of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear polish in Wet Cement, which I wrote about in my gray nail polish post and have been attempting to track down for months. In fact, I’m actually wearing it on my nails as I type these very words! Hurrah. I’m not sure why I was so obsessed with this particular gray polish; maybe it’s something about the price tag ($3 or so), maybe it’s the fact that it’s at least a shade or two lighter than most gray polishes…or maybe it was just the fact that it eluded me for so long, which only intensified my frustration. In any case, I picked up a bottle (one of only two left on the shelves!) at a nearby Walgreen’s, and wow. It is creamy, shimmer-free, cement-colored heaven! Not only is the color fun and unexpected without being over-the-top, it was also extremely easy to apply; great coverage, opaque in 2 coats, and very shiny, even before a topcoat. Plus, it’s been a few days now and still no chipping! Love it. (Note: I actually have a few different polishes from the Xtreme Wear line, and they’re all pretty great - if you’re interested in trying out new/trendy colors on the cheap, I highly recommend it.)

While at Walgreen’s, I also spotted my other new beauty obsession - the EOS Smooth Sphere lip balm, which I wrote about way back in June of ‘09. I’ve been meaning to pick one up for a while, because I’m basically infatuated with the strange packaging, but I pretty much forgot all about them. The only flavor they still had in stock was Honeysuckle Honeydew, so I snatched it up. The bulbous container and lightly fruit-scented, waxy sphere of balm contained therein are both absolutely adorable, but I was even more delighted by how smooth and soft my lips felt after applying. I expected the EOS Smooth Sphere to be little more than a novelty, but I was wrong! It’s actually an excellent product, and earth-friendly to boot - 95% organic and 100% natural, to be exact. Like the Sally Hansen polish, these can also be had for a mere $3 or so. You’re welcome!

Black nails have been everywhere for more than a decade now, but change has finally come to the nails of the rich and famous: Gray is the new black. (Check out Gwyneth, rocking the look at a movie premiere back in October.) Whether you covet the edginess of black but could never quite make the unforgiving hue work on your hands or you’re a black fanatic ready for a little change, there are tons of grays on the market right now - light gray cremes, dark gray cremes, shimmery charcoals, gunmetal metallics, and more. I’m currently obsessed with the idea of a medium gray creme, although I have yet to actually purchase one; in fact, I’ve been on the hunt for Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Wet Cement for what feels like ages now, and I still haven’t been able to get my hands on a bottle! (For fellow polish hunters, China Glaze Recycle and Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy both look similar, although neither one appears to be an exact dupe.) Have you gone gray yet? Is this a nail look you’re excited to try?

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While browsing the makeup section at Target yesterday evening, something interesting caught my eye: L’Oreal has unveiled the latest addition to their True Match line, and it’s unusual indeed. Why? Check out that applicator! We already have liquid foundations that can be applied with your fingers, a sponge or a brush, powder foundations both loose and pressed, “air brush” style makeup that can be sprayed on for a flawless finish, and even an oscillating puff designed to buff makeup into the skin. But this True Match Roller Perfecting Roll On Makeup offers something that I can safely say I’ve never encountered before: A “liquid light formula” foundation that is applied with a little sponge roller, just like paint! (Well, hopefully not just like paint, as I doubt that anyone is seeking that particular look for their skin.) I’m completely intrigued, if a little intimidated - and I predict that many more companies will follow suit with roll-on applicators for a variety of products. Any takers?

Happy New Year, Latest Beauty lovers!  Has anyone else noticed how optimistic people are about 2010?  It seems like the general consensus on the facebook statuses I’ve seen is that everyone thinks this is going to be a great year.  That this will be “their year.”  I love it!  And I love thinking about how to make 2010 a great year in fashion.  One of my favorite trends that is coming back in 2010 is the chandelier earring.  These were popular a few years back and now Harper’s Bazaar is touting them as one of the big trends to look forward to seeing in 2010.  I love the idea of putting my hair in a messy bun, throwing on a t-shirt and jeans and slipping some fancy chandelier earrings on for a finishing touch.   They add a bit of pizazz to any outfit!

There are only 10 days left until 2009 disappears into the ether of history and 2010 is upon us, so without any further ado, here is the final installment in my series of posts on the biggest trends of the year. Today, we will cover the most notable nail fad of ‘09, the wild hair trend sparked by a certain Gossip Girl, and the fashion trick that’s fit for a First Lady.

BEAUTY: Matte nail polish. This was, hands down, the biggest nail trend of ‘09 - and one of the biggest beauty trends of the year, period. After matte-centric ManGlaze and KO Knock Out made headlines early on with their unique colors and finishes, it seemed like every single polish company (OPI, Zoya, Nubar and Orly leap to mind) launched at least one collection of matte polishes this year - and, in many cases, several. Essie, China Glaze and Rescue Beauty Lounge took the craze one step further with by creating matte top coats, which can be brushed onto any shade to create that velvety matte look. I haven’t seen many low-end knockoffs of the matte nails craze yet - you still have to stop by a beauty supply store or specialty retailer like Ulta to stock up - but I predict that drugstore brands will be rolling out their take on the trend very soon. Something to look forward to in 2010 - unless you’re already burnt out on it, that is! So what was your take on matte polish? Did you dig it, or do you prefer your manicure shiny?

HAIR: Long, untamed tresses. If you’re wondering what the most popular hairstyle of 2009 was, then look no further than Blake Lively. The blonde bombshell, best known for her portrayal of Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, epitomized the wild, messy, borderline unkempt long hair that could be seen on countless Hollywood starlets this year. (Case in point: Check out my last Latest Trends post, in which Lindsay Lohan is shown rocking the look.) I would describe it as Brigitte Bardot meets a serious case of bedhead. The New York Times even likens it to “the ‘Rachel’” of the ’00s - in other words, the defining women’s hairstyle of the decade, just as Jennifer Aniston’s updated Friends shag was the ‘do of the ’90s. And if you lack the natural length necessary, don’t fret - there’s always extensions!

FASHION: Waist-accentuating belts. This is one of the most figure-flattering fashion trends in recent memory, and it is my humble opinion that we owe it all to First Lady Michelle Obama. Sure, women wore belts before Mrs. O emerged as a fashion icon, but I can’t remember so many ladies belting their dresses, cardigans, and so forth quite as much as they do now. The belt has evolved from a sartorial afterthought to one of the most vital accessories a woman can own. They can make an ill-fitting or loose dress incredibly pretty and polished, and they make any outfit look “done,” but not stuffy. If you don’t have at least one or two belts at this point - which I doubt - look for a wide one that’s fitted to your waist but has a bit of stretch, and consider an eye-catching color for added drama. Or you could go the First Lady route and pick up a clear belt, like this one. It’s sleek and futuristic yet pretty and classic, and it will certainly go well with any color combination. Belts, we salute you. Thank you for bringing the hourglass figure back into popular consciousness!

Holidays are stressful, y’all.  There are all the parties, the gift giving, the holiday cheer, the elbowing in the stores.  And you often feel like you’re being pulled in ten different directions so that you can get everything just right.  I can feel the tension building just thinking about it.  We are in the midst of Hanukkah and Christmas is next Friday….do you think you can squeeze in a little R&R for yourself before the end of the year?  Because if you can, and you are in the LA area, then you need to check out this rundown of spa specials that expire at the end of the year.  If you don’t think you can fit in some “me” time, you might change your mind when you read about some of these tantalizing treatments.  I am totally getting the Rock Star treatment over at El Leon Spa on Beverly Blvd.   Here’s the rundown:

El Leon, a Spanish-Moroccan oasis, and its sister spa the Raven, inspired by the jungles of Thailand, offer $50 off a treatment they call the Rock Star: more than two hours of services featuring a Dead Sea salt and lavender oil hand/foot massage, a full-body Thai massage, and a head, neck and face massage ($135, regularly $185).

TWO HOURS of services for what some spas charge for one hour??  And I have been dying to try a Thai massage.  Mama needs to be stretched.  Seriously.  Now I know what to tell my husband to get me for Christmas.  Heck, we should go together as a holiday treat for both of us.  Which means my shopping for him is done…ooh…I can already feel the tension slipping away…

If massages aren’t your thing, there are plenty of spas offering deals on facials and pedis and more.  Treat yourself.  You deserve it.

It was announced this month that THE color of 2010 is Turquoise.  Pantone, the global authority on color, has made the call and they explain their reasoning behind this decision, saying,

Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.

Well, sign me up!  I have always been a big fan of turquoise and I think it is one of those rare colors that is bold but also flattering on most skin tones and colorings.  With turquoise being the latest and greatest color to look forward to in the new year, I decided to get a head start and pick out a few turquoise pieces that can take you throughout the year….

This turquoise coat from Love21 (Forever21’s contemporary line) is sophisticated and stylish.  I love the collar and the texture of the trim.  Perfect for getting you through the beginning months of 2010.

And I am crushing majorly on this chunky statement necklace from Banana Republic.  How amazing would it look with a crisp white tee in the spring?  The combination of the turquoise and the gold chains is totally on trend.

Once summer rolls around, show your playful side with these turquoise sandals from Steve Madden.  Think of turquoise as your new neutral and wear it with any color combination.

Welcome to the latest entry in my retrospective on the fashion, beauty and hair trends that have been making waves in 2009! Today I’m focusing on a recession-friendly way to keep your hair looking gorgeous, the comfy/sexy fashion sensation that just won’t die, and one of the two biggest nail trends of the year.

HAIR: Coloring your hair at home. Okay, so home hair dye has always been an option - but the big news now is that it doesn’t have to be your “last resort” anymore. More women are opting to save the money they would spend on a trip to the salon by stopping by the drugstore and picking up a box of their favorite shade instead. Personally, I’ve had good experiences with Clairol’s Natural Instincts, which can freshen up or slightly change your existing color for about a month or two, but you can find products that are perfect for everything from highlighting your hair to touching up your roots. Instructions are easy to follow and virtually foolproof, and the kits are very affordable. Does anyone have a favorite at-home hair color to recommend?

FASHION: Leggings. After several years in the fashion spotlight, it’s beginning to feel like a bit of an understatement to refer to leggings as a mere “trend.” Celebrities - including unofficial poster child Lindsay Lohan, who even designed her own leggings line - swear by them, as do non-famous ladies everywhere. They’re so widespread that it seems clear that they may soon be taking their place in the fashion canon, right next to jeans, as an indelible staple of the American wardrobe. Why? Because they’re form-fitting and sexy yet comfortable and flattering, and they can be styled in so many different ways, depending on the rest of your outfit and accessories. (Plus, they’re perfect for layering!) They’ve really come a long way from their workout wear/80s origins.

BEAUTY: Glitter nail polish. With so many different brands to choose from and the increasing popularity of nail polish blogs (yes, there is a subset of the beauty blogging world devoted solely to swatching and reviewing the latest polish collections!), nails are really coming into their own - and one of the biggest trends for tips this year was intensely glittery polish. Rescue Beauty Lounge came out with this amazing trio of glitter polishes early in ‘09, and pretty much everyone followed suit, from Zoya to OPI to Sally Hansen - and, most notably, China Glaze, who unveiled a collection of fifty gloriously glittery shades. There’s only one polish trend that eclipsed glitter this year…which I’ll talk about in next Monday’s Latest Trends! Stay tuned…

There is no debate about how gorgeous our First Lady looked in Naeem Khan’s golden dress during Thanksgiving week.  But what I can’t stop coveting is her glowing complexion.  I usually think of glowing skin only during the summer months (or on pregnant women) but Mrs. Obama shows us that a healthy looking shine looks good all year round. Her skin has a soft and subtle sheen that I want to replicate on my own pale and pasty winter skin at all of the holiday parties I plan to attend.  Glowing skin is the latest and greatest way to show off your holiday spirit!

So what is the best way to be the shining star at the parties you attend?  Here is a tip, courtesy of Glamour, from Mara Levarre, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist:

“I layer a light oil like Alba’s Kukui Nut Body Oil under a rich lotion made with shea butter.”  Victoria’s Secret Shea Butter Soft Embrace Deep-Nourishing Body Lotion is nice and rich, if you’re looking for one.  “The combination of oil and lotion gives you amazingly soft skin!”  For mess-free application, Levarre suggests pouring the oil onto a damp washcloth in the shower and gently scrubbing legs with it and rinsing off the excess.  Finish by putting on the lotion when you get out of the shower for a party ready glow…”

Anyone who lives in L.A. will tell you that “mobile cuisine” is all the rage right now. It all started with taco trucks and hot dog carts, and before long you could find basically any type of food under the sun being sold from a vehicle of some sort somewhere in the greater Los Angeles area - everything from sushi and ice cream to Indian dosas and Korean BBQ. (Check out this article on the phenomenon for a detailed rundown on the trend.) Of course, this led me to wonder whether anyone has had the brilliant idea of putting beauty services on wheels, and a quick online search indicated that, indeed, they have! Call a number and you can have a mobile spa roll right up to your house (or office!) to give you a quick massage, facial, or mani/pedi on your lunch break. Pretty awesome, right? It’s not quite the same as a food truck - you make your appointment in advance and tell them where to go, as opposed to finding out their latest location via the Web. Still, it’s the same concept: Can’t make it to the spa or salon? Then make it come to you! You can even hire these mobile beauty gurus for your next party. Here are a few to check out in the L.A. area:

• GreenBliss EcoSpa - combines “green lifestyle and wellness trends with authentic spa rituals”
• Serve the Goddess - “offers pure indulgence and exquisite pampering with massage and a wide selection of spa treatments”
• SQ Nails Mobile Manicures & Pedicures - lets you sit “in the comfort of your own home or office and [have] a professional manicure or pedicure done”
• Spa-Go’s - “a luxury mobile day spa and lifestyle company” founded by a massage expert

Has anyone ever used the services of a mobile beauty expert? I would love to hear how it went!

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving and a great Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday! We’re edging closer to the end of the year here, so I’d like to take this opportunity to observe a few of the latest trends that have been popping up in fashion, beauty and hair. Here are three of my favorites:

FASHION: The statement necklace. The beauty of this showstopper is that it does all of the work for you. Throw on an enormous, eye-catching necklace and what you’re wearing  is really of secondary concern. In fact, since your necklace is so bold, your best bet is to keep things simple. For formal occasions, choose a strapless gown or a basic sheath in a solid color; if you’re going casual, try a plain white T-shirt, skinny jeans and boots. And, of course, the rest of your accessories will need to stay understated - or completely non-existent. For a quick primer on how to do this right, check out Amy Adams in this sparkling emerald, sapphire and ruby bib necklace at last year’s Oscars. Gorgeous! If you don’t have a movie star budget, there are much more affordable takes on the trend available at stores like Old Navy and Forever 21.

HAIR: Shampooing less often. In the December issue of Glamour magazine, hair guru Oscar Blandi recommends shampooing no more than twice a week. Apparently, this practice “keeps hair healthy” - not to mention the fact that your scalp’s natural oils will make your hair much easier to style. If you’re concerned about smelling like, well, unwashed hair, rest assured that your locks will adapt over time as you start to shampoo them less - and in the meantime, why not try a dry shampoo? They come in a wide range of prices and scents, and you can buy them in a powder that you shake on or a simple spray for convenience and portability. Professional hairdressers seem to swear by dry shampoo - and you can even make your own low-budget version with cornstarch if you’re watching your wallet!

BEAUTY: Lining the inner rims of your eyes. As modeled by the lovely Olivia Wilde, lining the inner rims of your eyes (i.e., the “waterline”) with a soft pencil will throw the whites of your eyes into sharp relief, really making them “pop.” Several companies are making super skinny eyeliner pencils just for this purpose, but it’s easy to do with any eyeliner as long as you take the time to sharpen and then soften the point beforehand. (Try running the tip on your hand or on a Kleenex before beginning.) Line slowly to avoid poking yourself in the eye, and stop immediately if you feel any irritation. Unfortunately, this look probably won’t work for contact lens wearers or ladies with especially sensitive eyes. But it sure looks pretty, doesn’t it?