If you want to make your wife/girlfriend/daughter/or fellow worker the happiest person in the world, then take The Bender Sisters advice and give the gift of Marco Polo Designs!  Since 1994, Marco Polo Designs has been producing spectacular high-fashion fine art glass jewelry.

Sweetheart Collection

The Hearts of Glass Collection is perfect for this Valentine’s Day!  And at checkout use coupon code: Romance12 when ordering and receive 20% off!

Gold Tender Heart Earrings

Also discounted this Valentine’s Day is the Chocolate Collection!

The Chocolate Collection

Dark Chocolate Extravagant Necklace is stunning and one of our favs!  This will make any girl smile:)

Dark Chocolate Extravagant Necklace

Or maybe she would like these…Chocolate Decadence Earrings to match…YUM!

Chocolate Decadence Earrings

Founder of Marco Polo Designs, Jane Barthelemy, is a talented artist who sang opera as a prima donna in Venice, Italy for several years. While in Venice, Jane developed handmade glass jewelry designs to enhance her singing attire.  Claude and Penny Cruz teamed up with Jane after she returned to the states and retired from singing and eventually, the business.  As owners of Marco Polo Designs, their artistic direction has added new designs and glassmaking techniques to Marco Polo’s beautiful jewelry collections, making it grow in popularity worldwide over the years!

So, get that special someone a beautiful piece of glass jewelry from Marco Polo Designs this Valentine’s Day!  Don’t forget to use the code: Romance12 when purchasing any piece from the Hearts and/or Chocolate Collections!

the bender sisters

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Face: Studio Tech Foundation is perfect for building and blending to even out your skin tone.  Dust over Select Sheer Loose Powder to create a matte finish.

Just a hint of natural looking cheek color using Powder Blush, Pinch Me.  Apply to brush then shake off before dusting from cheek to ear.

Eyes: Get this metallic eye using Metal-X Cream Shadow.  Start with the lightest color, Fusion Gold, under the brow and inside corner of eye.  Apply the rich, warm color,Rusty Peach to the crease of the eye and blend the two tones together with a mid-tone, Gold Carbon.  This shade can go under the eye also.

Apply Fluidline Gel Liner, Blitz & Glitz, along the top lash line using a fine, firm brush. Apply lightly to the bottom lash line.

Plump the lashes with black Mascara X. Add some flair to the top lashes with 20 Lash.  This is a Half Lash applied with tweezers and Duo Eyelash Glue.

Lips: first line the lips with Cremestick Liner in the color,Sublime Culture, then finish with Sheen Supreme Lipstick color, Supreme Style, for a naturally enhanced lip.

For the fourth consecutive year, my go-to salon for anything hair, BYU-TI has been selected for the 2012 Best of Santa Monica Award in the Hair Salons category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). Yay!!!

For anyone who doesn’t know, the USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country.  Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Nationwide, only 1 in 120 (less than 1%) 2011 Award recipients qualified as Three-Time Award Winners. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

Byu-Ti provides clients with more than just a beautifying experience.  From the wholesome ingredients to the services provided, the goal is to “serve” with integrity, excellence and professionalism.  Creating a salon experience that supersedes a client’s expectations, Byu-Ti Salon (pronounced beauty) is the premier hair boutique led by beauty industry veteran, Natasha Sunshine-Antonioni.

Natasha Sunshine-Antonioni has run her fingers through some of Hollywood’s most notable manes including that of Ivanka Trump, Elizabeth Pena, Sean Young, Molly Sims and Eva Herzigova. Known in Los Angeles and New York City fashion circles for her keen sense of style and unique approach to hair therapy, Natasha created a six-step consulting system to identify and meet the needs of her high-profile clientele, and also developed her own exclusive collection of hair care products.

And in just a few weeks Byu-ti Salon will be opening its second location in Brentwood, CA which will no doubt be a huge success.

Seriously if you are as obsessed with your hair as we are you will LOVE Byu-ti.  One visit is all it takes for you to be a client for life.

This Valentine’s Day, why not get that special someone something they really want…

Red Hot Gift Ideas For Valentine's Day!

Here are some great gift ideas…

For your man check out 2(x)ist “Love” collection underwear.  Hot, hot, hot…

For your lovely lady get them our favorite handbag designer, Olivia + Joy sequin clutch

Danielle Nicole – Davina Sway bag

Expressions by Almar Nail Polish and Slap Watch

For the your favorite youngster why not a Hello Kitty wallet or an iHome for Disney Minnie Mouse electronics

For your music lover why not buy a iHome Retro Boombox

Have a dog…?  Get him a Lazybonezz pet beds & accessories

And for that special someone, this is the perfect way to say, “I love you,” with a Sweethearts diamond pendants

Muah…Happy V-day from the bender sisters…

A scant three days before her hotly anticipated Super Bowl performance, Madonna will release her new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin’.” The song, which features cameos from Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., will debut as a video during “American Idol” on Thursday Feb. 2, between 8 to 9 p.m.  It can also be seen on Madonna’s YouTube Channel starting at 9 a.m. Friday.

At the same time, Madonna’s new record company, Interscope, announced that the star’s 12th studio album, “MDNA,” will arrive March 26.

“Luvin’ ” was written by Madonna, Martin Solveig, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.

The full album, which was recorded in New York and L.A., features production from William Orbit, Martin Solveig, the Demolition Crew and more. It will also include the Golden Globe-winning song “Masterpiece,” from the Madonna-directed film “W.E.”

The CD is the icon’s first since 2008’s “Hard Candy,” which debuted at No. 1 in 37 countries, including the U.S.

Julianna Marguiles was positively beautiful at last nights SAG awards! Makeup artist Kristopher Buckle, and hairstylist, Matthew Monzon, share their  tips on how to copy Julianna’s  look! I’m a huge fan of L’Oreal Paris products, especially the lip glosses and mascaras.

HAIR/ Step by Step How-To:

Starting with freshly washed hair Matthew used the L’Oréal Paris EverStyle Curl Activating Mousse, distributed from root to end with a large tooth comb placing hair in a finger wave going back and away from the face.

Matthew diffused her hair until it was dry. He then took a “1″ barrel iron and spot waved it to create truly defined curls. Once the desired texture was achieved, Matthew combed his fingers through her curls to loosen up the wave.

To smooth out the look, Matthew used the L’Oréal Paris EverStyle Alcohol-Free Smooth & Shine Crème & Serum throughout her entire head. He finished the look with L’Oréal Paris Elnett Unscented Hairspray to lock Julianna’s hair into place.

Makeup Artist: Kristofer Buckle

Inspiration: For Julianna’s makeup, Kris was inspired by her dove grey, pearlescent Calvin Klein dress. Using a color palette of pastels, he wanted to create a feminine look that matched the radiant glow of her jewelry and gown.

MAKEUP/ Step by Step How-To:

Kris kept Julianna’s skin looking flawless with L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in Soft Ivory and L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Age Reversing Concealer in Light which worked together to accentuate her olive skin tone.

For a pearlescent glow he applied L’Oréal Paris Magic Smooth Soufflé Blush to the apples of her cheeks in Plume.

The eyes were romantic, highlighted by smoky shades of L’Oréal Paris Infallible Eye Shadow in Sultry Smoke and Iced Latte (accenting the corners of her eyes).

Three coats of L’Oréal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara in Black was applied to frame the eyes.

Lips were vibrant but simple with a hint of pink using L’Oreal Infallible 8 HR Le Gloss in Pink Topaz.

I love Dianna Agron’s upswept hair here! Read on  to learn how to get the look…

INSPIRATION: celebrity hairstylist  Adir Abergel wanted to create a romantic up-do to mimic the movement of  Dianna’s dress.

How To Get the Look: Adir began by applying Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream from the roots to the ends of the wet hair to create texture. He then rough-dried the hair with his hands. After the hair was completely dry, he sprayed Fekkai Oceanique Tousled Waved Spray throughout the hair, and rough dried it through once more. To begin the up-do Adir took a section of the hair from the top of the left ear and created a long fishtail braid.

He then wrapped that braid around the front of the head like a crown, leaving the hair underneath loose and undone. Adir then took the rest of the hair and created three more fishtail braids, ultimately twisting them together in the back of the head and securing them with hairpins. To hold the look Adir sprayed Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray .

All products by Fekkai: Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream ($25), Fekkai Oceanique Tousled Wave Spray ($25),  Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray ($25). Available at Fekkai.com and Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

Beauty Style Watch and La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Center are giving away renowned anti-aging skincare line, SkinMedica, valued at $100.

Contest starts today, January 30 and ends Friday, February 3, 2012 at midnight!  Tell us when you realized your skin needed help!

SkinMedica Tri-Retinol Complex

Three forms of vitamin A improves the appearance of fine lines, aging and sun-damaged skin. Enhances skin texture to renew and revitalize.  Sustained release formulation delivers vitamin A slowly to minimize irritation allowing nightly use.

SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer

This light, oil-free formula effectively hydrates skin while antioxidant vitamins C and E protect against free radical damage.

Enter today and you can win!  Winner will be randomly selected according to their answer to our question!  SO, make it a good one…LOL!

the bender sisters

It seems lately that more ‘mature’ women are in better shape then the gals half their age!  Check out Vera Wang, designer of the billion dollar wedding dress looking amazing at 63 years old!

Designer Vera Wang

Wang posed in a black swimsuit for the February issue of Harper’s Bazaar.  Hard to believe that this famous designer is 63…Still, she admitted she wasn’t quite comfortable baring her body for the cameras.  “Ask anyone who’s traveled with me.  Normally, I’m in so many layers, I look like Lawrence of Arabia,” she said.  When asked if she liked how she looked, she said, “No, honey, I’m a little horrified.”

Wang opened up her four bedroom Beverly Hills home, to show how she decorated it.  She has spent most of her life in New York.  “It’s a zen escape,” she explained. “New York for me is about work.  If L.A. were to become a West Coast version of that, I’d shoot myself.  The climate, the lifestyle, it really fits as the yin to my New York yang.”

Vera Wang lounging around at her Beverly Hills home

 

Her house was built in 1967 and has an amazing view of the Los Angeles Basin and the Pacific Ocean.  After staying in so many hotels while in California, it was a great relief to her to find a home of her own.  “It’s difficult to relax in a hotel lobby, not knowing who you’re going to bump into,” says Wang. “And no matter how great a suite is, after a while you start to go a little psycho.”

bsw fashionistas