As alleged beauty experts, we probably shouldn’t admit that, until yesterday, we’d never tried false lashes. But it’s true. We’ d swiped every mascara known to man, we’d admired fake fringes on all the celebs, and we’d even done lash extensions…yet every time we passed strips of falsies at CVS or Sephora, we immediately pictured Tammy Faye Bakker. Or spiders.

So when we heard that Shu Uemura was celebrating its 25th anniversary with complimentary lash applications by makeup artist (and Best of Boston winner) Dani Wagener, we figured it was now or never. Wagener’s applied literally thousands of lashes…so at least we knew we’d be in good hands. (more…)

My typical hair-doing routine is exhausting, and the results are lackluster at best. It involves a half-dozen products, a half-hour of haphazard brushing beneath a blow dryer, and about 20 minutes of flat-ironing and re-flat-ironing. Years ago, I stopped trying to master the round brush method; there was just to much long, thick, wavy hair and too little patience to go around. To me, nothing defines luxury like a professional blowout.

So when I heard that Salon Capri in Newton Highlands will be teaching a (free!) group blowout class this upcoming Wednesday as part of its new educational series, I was both skeptical and intrigued. (more…)

Growing up in Swampscott, Jody Cohen didn’t have to smuggle makeup past her mother. There were no covert eyeliner applications in the junior high bathroom, no sneaking out the door with a hand concealing technicolor lips, no borrowing of a best friend’s bright-pink Wet n Wild eyeshadow before first period.

No, Cohen was blessed with a makeup-artist mother—so she only got into trouble if she left the house without lipstick. Little surprise, then, that she grew up and decided to make lip-color a career. After stints doing makeup for the Today show and learning the retail ropes at Scoop NYC, Cohen returned to Boston to start her own line of lipstick/gloss hybrids.

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Since it launched last year, MiniLuxe’s premise of quick, affordable, sanitary nail service in a sleek setting has been super attractive. However, its Newton Centre locale was less than ideal for city-centric schedules, leaving those of us who work in town to deal with cheapo nail shanties and price-gouging spas for nearby digital clean-ups.

So my over-walked tootsies and bitten-to-the-quick cuticles rejoiced when I heard the mani-pedi pros had finally opened up their second shop in Back Bay, just a few blocks away from work. (more…)

Faithful Bostonistas-in-training know the quickest way to a new and improved look is a fresh-faced, rosy hue. And though a few of us differ on the best way to achieve said glow, this writer is sticking with her tried and true method. Namely, Kiehl’s Sun-Free Self-Tanning Formula. I’ve been a faithful slatherer for years, and only ever gotten one “you look a little orange” comment. (He clearly had no appreciation for a November tan.)

And come to think of it, it’s not just the faux-glow we heart. Several Boston staffers, guys included, can list an assortment of Kiehl’s products among their daily toilette (the Facial Feul, the Silk Groom, the Creme de Corps). Which is why we’re pleased to announce we have a new reason to head to Burlington: To shop the brand new Kiehl’s store, the company’s second free-standing outpost in New England (the first is on Newbury).

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As my coworkers can (and will) attest, my ankles—especially the back side of them along my Achilles tendon—take on an orange hue around this time each year. And, last year, our managing editor even stopped me in the hallway to alert me that “a seam” had appeared down the back of my calf. These things happen because I’m obsessed with self-tanning, but I’m not very patient. (Or so I thought.) So, last week, before I left for a bathing suit-filled weekend, I decided to leave the pigment enhancing to the pros.

I got on the books at Bella Sante’s Newbury Street locale for their signature Body Bronzing Treatment, which I’ve heard sun-kissed looking spa goers rave about since I moved to Boston. The base service goes for $90, but a $55 follow-up is recommended within three days. Totally worth it for Gisele-toned skin, right? (more…)

Until last week, we hadn’t set foot in Victoria’s Secret for quite some time. The whole “lack-of-restraint” concept embarrasses us (or, rather, makes us embarrassed for the brand’s creative people). Why do they persist in believing that females want to buy underwear in a pink boudoir-inspired store? Why do they think that females want to wear sweatpants that scream “PINK” across the rear? And why do they assume that females want to announce their slightly trashy purchases to the world at large via those pink-striped bags?

So, truth be told, we weren’t expecting much from the store’s makeup line. But we were intrigued when we found out that VS’ lead makeup artist, Linda Hay, was also Heidi Klum’s personal makeup artist. And then, when we met her, Linda blew us away: So smart! So down-to-earth! Such great jewelry! (and Ray Ban aviators!) Someone with flawless accessory taste, we reasoned, couldn’t possibly promote cheesy products.

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Our unrelenting quest for self improvement took a hair raising turn this week when, after two years of trusty service, our ionic Vidal Sassoon short circuited mid-dry Monday morning. A mangled updo ensued, followed by many “late night?” comments at the office. Bostonista is all for tresses au naturale, but this half-winter, half-spring weather is playing havoc on our half-curly, half-straight hair. A quick lunchtime trip to Sephora was in order.

Turns out, the mega beauty emporium only stocks a couple of blowdryers, none for under $130. (Our aforementioned tool cost a mere $15.99.) As frequent beauty masochists, we’d read all about the pros of owning a “salon quality” dryer— faster job, fewer split ends, sleeker finish—though a poll of local pros revealed it’s all marketing hype. Nevertheless, after a lengthy consultation with a black-clad, well-coiffed Sephorite, we found ourselves handing over the Amex for a $200 T3 Bespoke Featherweight.

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It’s been a rough week, but now that our taxes are finally filed, it’s time to spend that refund on a little relaxing, renewing, and rejuvenating! Take advantage of Spa Week from now until Sunday. For only $50, beauties on a budget can experience one of many ultra-luxurious treatments that normally cost more than a Ben Franklin.

Participating spas in town include Bella Sante, Daryl Christopher, Emerge, G Spa, G2O, MELT, Spa Bella, Spa Newbury, and many more. Even suburban spots get in on the deal, including 1 on 1 Self Indulgence in Concord, Ardan MedSpa + Salon in Wellesley, Pamper Me Skin Care in Wakefield, and others. Check out the full list here.

While most places are offering massages, facials, and body polishes, there are also some more unique treatments available. (more…)

I spent the weekend packing up my apartment, kicking up dust and pet hair that’s lived between books and behind furniture for three years, and assembling cardboard boxes, all of which has left me with a wheezy cough, papery palms, and a cat that I swear to god said “me-ove.”

Packing is not fun. Every few boxes or so, I’d stop to check email, watch an episode of Sex and the City, and test out some beauty product I’d uncovered in the rubble.

My favorite find is a spray cream by Italian skincare brand Terme di Fontecchio, a light moisturizer that goes on in a mist. Sort of like how you can never really eat orange tic-tacs one at a time, I started spritzing it a la OCD, every half hour, then every time I filled a box, then every time Joanie scratched the couch. (more…)