Well girls and boys, soon phones will no longer be necessary to book your beauty appointments.  With a few clicks here and there, you will be able to schedule your hair appointment or that facial you’ve been putting off on Groupon Scheduler!

Groupon Scheduler

Can’t find that perfect curling iron that will make your hair look retro styled?  Are perms not the way for you?  Then look no further…Introducing the latest in hair styling tools!  BED HEAD TIGI CURLIPOPS!

The new Bed Head® Curlipops™ curling irons are sure to satisfy your cravings without the calories.  The Curlipops™ line is comprised of three specialty curling irons with unique barrel shapes that create fun texture, loose curls, and waves. Each iron features Tourmaline Ceramic Technology, a clamp-free wrap and go design, high heat, and a heat protective styling glove for easy styling.  The eye-catching swirl lollipop shaped packaging design coupled with the vibrant colored product is sure to put your hair on a sugar high.

The Reverse Conical Styling Iron

1” Tourmaline Ceramic Reverse Conical Styling Iron – $29.99

Create tight curls at the roots and looser curls towards the bottom as seen on the latest fashion scene. This 1” reverse conical styling iron comes in a blue raspberry color and is sure to leave your hair full of delectable texture.

The Hourglass Styling Iron

1” Tourmaline Ceramic Hourglass Styling Iron – $29.99

Can’t decide if you want tight or loose curls? Have them both. This 1” candy apple red hourglass styling iron creates loose curls at the ends and tight curls in the middle.  The result is volume that just won’t quit.

The Styler

1” Tourmaline Ceramic Styling Iron - $29.99

Creating loose curls and waves is now easier than ever.  This 1” styling iron comes in a tangerine color and is sure to leave your hair with sweet shine and amazing body.

Check out my hair before and after using the Hourglass Styling Iron:

Te-see before using Bedhead Curlipops

Te-see after using The Hourglass Curlipops Styling Iron

Try all 3 for dramatic looks and make sure to hold iron away from your face since it heats up quickly in order to get you the perfect curl!

FYI…Day 2 and curls are still as bouncy and perfect as ever…!  WOW:)

the bender sisters

Along with lip gloss, my biggest cosmetic obsession is mascara. Nothing perks  up my face like darker lashes to bring out my light eyes. My face is naked without at least one coat of mascara!

I  gravitate towards mascara that thickens and lengthens my skimpy lashes. One product that I HIGHLY recommend to boost  your lash power is Rapid Lash. This lash growth serum is safe to use with no weird side effects (like changing the color of your eyes), is very gentle and helps lashes to grow. I’ve been using this for a few months now and see a definite difference in my eye lashes. They are certainly longer than before. I use this every single night and love it. I urge you to give this a whirl if you are suffering from sparse lashes.

Naturally long lashes are a gift and if you notice children and men have the very best lashes which is not fair at all. I think most women need mascara to give their eyes a little ooomph!

Here are some of my favorites.

Benefit They’re Real is a wonderful all around mascara. This one offers a smooth consistency and darkens and lengthens lashes plus makes them appear thicker. I always love a mascara that washes off with minimal effort and this one comes off with a wash cloth and warm water.

Avon Super Shock Max:  Long gone are the days of the door-to-door Avon sales women peddling cosmetics. Find everything easily online. Avon offers so many great products, I have yet to  be disappointed by this brand. The SuperShock Max mascara has very fine bristles on the wand which allows even the smallest lash to be coated with color. Non-clumpy, smooth and long lasting.

Rimmel London is a brand that I’ve only recently begun to explore. ScandalEyes gives your lashes a healthy heaping dose of product resulting in voluminous lashes! The bristles on this one are pretty  big which is ideal for top lashes. I apply about two coats then move the wand sideways back and forth across the lower lashes. In my opinion, lashes can never  be too big and this mascara one gives you giant ones!

I recently reviewed Maybelline’s Illegal Length mascara so I won’t dive into too many details. Suffice it to say that this mascara will make lashes look several times longer than usual, yet still maintain a rather natural appearance. Build up volume by applying several quick coats. A real winner.

Here’s a tip to make lashes appear thicker and fuller- using the L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Black Noir, line the upper lash line,  underneath lashes. Doing this under lashes, rather than over eliminates smudging which can make you look like you’ve slept in your eye makeup after a hard night of partying. A subtle line under the upper rim creates the appearance of a thick lash line and tricks everyone into thinking your lashes are seriously amazing.

Every morning should begin with grapefruit!

What’s more refreshing than grapefruit every day? Now Archipelago’s Grapefruit Lotion provides antioxidant therapy for your skin. Beauty-boosted with Grape Seed Extract for UVB protection to protect your skin from the effects of the sun, this silky lotion contains 50 times the anti-oxidant power of vitamin E and it uses jojoba esters to help keep your sin soft, smooth and touchable. Paraben free, too.

I tried it after my shower, and I was intoxicated by the scent and its greaseless, luxurious feel. But best of all, my skin feel and looked great all day. So don’t just eat your grapefruits, slather them on, too! Click here for more!

by Caroline Leavitt

Crabtree & Evelyn introduces its new Avocado, Olive & Basil Collection.  Crabtree & Evelyn has searched the world for the finest quality plant extracts, botanical oils, and emollient butters to create its Avocado, Olive & Basil Collection. This exquisite collection blends carefully selected ingredients drawn from nature to deliver an ultra-moisturizing benefit.

Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado Olive & Basil Collection

The avocado fruit, indigenous to Central and South America, has long been hailed for its natural healing and beneficial properties, particularly the ability to moisturize and soothe the skin. In the Mediterranean, olive oil has been used for centuries in skin care, culinary, and medicinal applications, earning it the reputation of “liquid gold”. It is the combination of these two fruits with the restorative and aromatic properties of basil that has resulted in a new ultra-moisturizing body and hand care range. These antioxidant-rich fruit oils and soothing basil will help to condition, restore, and moisturize your skin.

Central to this collection is a luxurious Skin Nourishing Body Butter, which will moisturize the driest skin and can be massaged into thirsty skin anytime for ultimate deep conditioning.

The unique fresh green herbal fragrance captures the scent of avocado and olive blossoms, basil, sage,  and Mediterranean herbs, making it suitable for both men and women. The entire range is suitable for all skin types and is formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, propylene glycol, and mineral oil.

Smells so good and our skin feels so smooth…Love, love, love it:)

Product line ranges between $19 – $34.  For more info or to purchase please visit:  Crab Tree & Evelyn or call 800-CRABTREE.

the beauty dept. at bsw

Nobody ever said that to be powerful, you have to be loud!  Introducing Revlon®’s new QuietPro™ hair dryer!!!  It features all the power of a leading hair dryer with half of the noise.

Revlon's New Quiet Pro Hair Dryer

With the QuietPro™, you can turn down the volume of your hair routine without sacrificing any of the power or efficiency you should expect from a hair dryer.  In fact, with its U-shaped end cap design, airflow is increased resulting in a reported 50% faster dry time.  The vertical mounted centrifugal fan makes this possible by maximizing speed and using energy efficient technology.  Your hair is left sleek and frizz-free –styled faster and quieter than other leading hair dryers!

The revolutionary sound reduction technology used in the Revlon® QuietPro™ cannot be beat. Studies have proven it to be 50% quieter than leading dryers.  The QuietPro™ also comes in two stunning finishes:  raspberry and teal.

Your morning beauty routine no longer has to wake up the neighborhood.  Put an end to the noise, but not an end to your glamorous styles. Revlon®’s QuietPro™ hair dryer has everything you could want in a hair dryer and more. Make peace with your hair and say goodbye to the commotion!

The Revlon® QuietPro™ dryer will be available at Wal-Mart and Ulta stores this month for $29.99 – $34.99

the bender sisters:)

Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles formulated to help tackle stubborn deep wrinkles and fine lines. Utilizing innovative technology with encapsulated retinol that releases slowly over time, this formula provides maximum results while helping to reduce sensitivity and irritation.

Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles is the first targeted spot treatment in Murad’s Age Reform^® line and is clinically proven to visibly reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles by 45% in six weeks*.

Murad's Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles

How it works:

This triple-action wrinkle-fighting treatment, which has the highest retinol content of all current Murad products, combines Encapsulated Retinol, which reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles by increasing cell turnover and improving skin’s resilience and reduces the sensitivity some may have to retinol.

• Matrixyl Synthe’6, a youth building peptide that helps rebuild damaged collagen to plump creases and crow’s feet
• Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramide-3, to attract and maintain essential moisture for a smoother, more youthful appearance

Providing immediate and long-term results, Time Release Retinol for Deep Wrinkles can be used with all Murad lines and in conjunction with other anti-aging products for an added boost. The silicone, antibacterial applicator tip allows for precise application and controlled dispensing to deliver concentrated power directly to targeted areas of concern.

Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles (0.5 FL OZ, $65), will be available on Murad.com and at the Murad Inclusive Health Spa^® and in salons and spas March 2012 and at Sephora and Ulta April 2012.

(if you have sensitive skin, only use at night)

the bender sisters

Burt’s Bee has launched a new line called gud.

gud by Burt's Bee

This new line is all natural, not tested on animals and filled with sunshine & laughter!  There are 4 delicious scents that include:  Floral Cherrynova, Orange Petalooza, and Vanilla Flame.  Available in body lotion, body butter, body mist, body wash, shampoo & conditioner, hand cream and hand wash.

Natural Nourishing Shampoo – 12oz for $6.99

Natural Softening Conditioner – 12oz for $6.99

Natural Body Wash – 10oz for $6.99

Natural Body Butter – 6oz for $11.99

Natural Body Lotion – 8oz for $6.99

Natural Body Mist – 3oz for $5.99

Natural Foaming Hand Wash – 8oz for $4.99

Natural Hand Cream – 3oz for $7.99

For more info or to purchase any product go to gud

te-see

St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion offers a new way to effectively exfoliate skin – no water necessary!  Formulated with a natural, fruit-derived AHA complex, the dual-action, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly to provide intense hydration while a multi-fruit blend with alpha hydroxies gently exfoliates skin by promoting cell turnover.  The result is fresh, younger-looking skin in just 7 days!  Arriving just in time for dry skin season, the lotion is new for 2012 and retails for just $4.97 at Target stores nationwide.

St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion

St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer is proven to be a powerful anti-aging alternative to pricier products.  As seen on The Dr. Oz Show last week, the product was revealed to be a more effective wrinkle-fighter than a $42 product!  Formulated with collagen and elastin proteins that are found in young, healthy skin, this miraculous moisturizer retails for only $5.99 at Drugstore.com.

St. Ives Timeless Skin

For any beauty junkie on a budget, St. Ives is the skincare for you.  Smells divine and makes your skin soft, silky and smooth to the touch!  Slather yourself from head to toe after you shower…Soooo, nice:)

the bender sisters

Acne is for many people a nightmare come true.  But blue light acne treatment can help restore self-confidence, reduce inflammation and bring acne under control.  Find out more about this unique acne treatment now.

For most people, acne starts and ends in their teens and early twenties; although for others the acne tends to persist and becomes a daily problem for them until they are much older.  It can have an impact on day-to-day activities and shatter self-confidence too.  Desperate to get rid of these horrible spots such as blackheads, whiteheads, red inflamed spots or yellow pus-filled spots, some people tend to turn to blue light in the hope that it can prove a positive solution.

The treatment known as blue light acne is a non-invasive procedure that uses light in the blue wavelength range of 405-420 nm to eliminate the Propionobacterium acnes or P. acnes bacteria inside the skin.  This photodynamic therapy originates in the US, where it is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris or acne vulgaris that has not responded to other acne therapies.

The process works efficiently due to the porphyrins.  These are released by the bacteria in the acne in the skin. The porphyrins are naturally occurring substances in the body that arise from the breakdown of haemoglobin in red blood cells.  When the porphyrins absorb the light of particular wavelengths, the free radical damage is produced and this helps destroy the bacteria.

Blue Light Treatments will get rid of acne quickly!

Blue light acne treatment normally uses a narrow-band, high-intensity blue light source that is readily absorbed by porphyrins released by the bacteria causing acne.  There were some former light therapies that used UV light (usually UVB) and this can be quite damaging for the skin.  This is why UV light is no longer used to treat acne and blue light devices that are currently available do not contain ultraviolet (UV) light.

Blue light acne treatment can either be used alone or in conjunction with a photosensitising agent such as topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA) hydrochloride solution.  The pre-treatment with the photosensitiser appears to offer additional reduction of lesions and pustules (informally known as zits and spots as well) but will cause a crusting reduction for some days.

The blue light acne treatment is usually carried out through a blue light delivery system.  The process normally involves a patient sitting in front of a blue light lamp for about a quarter of an hour.  A total of 2 sessions per week over a period of four weeks is required for efficient treatment.

Pre-treatment with ALA requires the topical application of ALA thirty minutes prior to sitting in front of the blue light lamp for about eight minutes.  These treatments are normally spaced at 2-week breaks and the number of treatments depends on how severe the acne is and how well the improvements are coming along.

Patient before Blue Light Therapy Treatment

Patient after Blue Light Therapy Treatment

Blue light devices can be bought and used at home, though at first at least, it is strongly recommended that the blue light acne treatment takes places in the presence of a dermatologist.

the bender sisters