Best of Summer : HAIR

This summer, I discovered something that is actually making my hair grow faster than usual. As of today, my hair is a solid two inches past my ears and almost pony tail worthy. These products have made a real, amazing difference in my hair and are worth every penny. If you missed it the first time, check out the details on Peter Lamas, who is now available in Duane Reade, as well as online.





Impatient with trying to grow my hair to bombshell lengths, I recently sought help from Peter Lamas, a renowned hairstylist and creator of the Chinese Herbs line. His impressive clientele includes the likes of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy.



(My hair, at the end of April.)





(My hair now, at the end of May.)


Peter's line, Chinese Herbs, helps stimulate the scalp to grow thicker, healthier hair. But can a shampoo and conditioner really make a difference for me as I try to grow my hair longer and faster? According to my research, hair grows about a half inch (on average) per month. So after 32 days of using Chinese Herbs, how much growth did I see?

Before I tell you, I have to explain that typical results with Chinese Herbs are usually apparent after two to three months, but users can often see results much faster than that. My hair normally grows slightly more than a half of an inch per month. I usually have to color my hair every three to four weeks to keep up with new growth.

In the month I used Chinese Herbs, my hair grew about 7/8 of an inch. (Yes, I pulled out hair and measured!). That is fast! So fast in fact, my hairdresser jokingly mocked that if my hair is growing too fast for me to financially keep up with coloring it, I should stop using the Chinese Herbs! For the record, I am using only the Shampoo, Conditioner, Styling Cream and Revitalizing Mist. I am not using the Serum.



(My hair growth after 32 days using Chinese Herbs. Now let's pretend you never saw that color hair coming out of ME, ok? Thanks.)



As I was seeing such amazing results I wanted to chat with Peter to find out exactly how the Chinese Herbs line works. Here's a portion of our chat:

GR: So far, I am seeing some pretty amazing results after using the Chinese Herbs Shampoo, Conditioner and Spray for a few weeks. I understand it is stimulating the scalp, but I'm already seeing results! How does it work?

PL: Chinese Herbs products are based on the known results that Chinese medicine has yielded for centuries. We combined smart science with natural ingredients to help create a product that gives men and women thicker, stronger, more beautiful hair. The fact that your hair is growing faster is a side effect of having a healthy, stimulated scalp. You need both smart science and natural, proven ingredients. Nature can't do it alone. Together, the two can produce amazing, beautiful hair.

GR: What makes Chinese Herbs different from other scalp stimulating products?

PL: Simply put, the formula we have created acts similar to the way that the cholesterol- lowering drugs work. It breaks up the sebum that is clogging your follicle, allowing your hair to grow in a healthy manner - revitalized, strong and beautiful. Our hair ages like our bodies do and this formula is like serious skin care for your hair.

GR: What is one thing women can do to improve the quality of their hair?

PL: Never, and I mean ever, wrap a towel around wet hair. Hair becomes like barbed wire, sticking to itself. When you brush through your hair after removing the towel, you literally rip and tear strands of your hair. It is one of the most damaging things women do without realizing it.

GR: With so many products on the market, what inspired you to create something using Chinese Medicine instead of some of the current chemical ingredients showing up everywhere?

PL: I had watched environmental factors play a detrimental role in the lives of many women, including my own mother. We have to be very careful of the products we use. Some ingredients, like parabens, are still approved for use, despite the building evidence they may in fact be harmful. I want to help women be their most beautiful self; healthy, strong and vibrant. I create products to safely do just that.




(photo courtesy of The Court Yard Hounds & Sony Music)



I can't believe how fast my hair has grown. At this rate, it should hit my shoulders by Thanksgiving. I think my new hairspiration is going to be Emily Robinson from the Court Yard Hounds. I have no clue how you deal with that much hair, but since it's growing this fast, I might just get there and be forced to learn! Have you tried any of Peter Lamas' products? Tell me in the comments!

Products were sent to me for the purposes of review.



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Best of Summer : CHEEKS

I am on a hectic shoot all week, with little to no time to write, (or even tweet!) so I thought I would look back at my favorites from the past season. First up is a new discovery for me, Dalton. My favorite cheek product of the summer (and possibly the year, so far) has to be the H2 Glow Natural Highlighting Cream. This cream stays where you put it and looks radiant. Really, really radiant. It's like super model highlighter that doesn't fade as soon as you put it on. Here's a look at my favorite cheek sculpting product of the season.


I recently discovered Dalton Color Cosmetics when I was researching bronzers. Most of the bronzers I am finding for the summer are either very shimmery or very matte brown. Both are fine, depending on the situation, but neither could work to help me fill in the uneven color on my décolleté from when I had an earlier mishap with sprayable sunscreen. Everything I had was either too dark brown or just too shiny to fill in the uneven area.

Dalton's Golden Pearl Bronzer (it comes with an amazing Puki brush) is different. This bronzer is more of a natural tan color. The color you get when you are actually outside and get some color. I don't know about you, but I don't tan with a reflective sheen. (Although it might be interesting if I could do that.) I also don't tan in a plain brown color. This bronzer looks completely natural on the face or body (so many can't do both).

The Puki brush, part powder brush, part kabuki brush, helps to ensure a smooth application, without blotches or streaks. I like to use a smaller brush on my face and use the larger brush to bronze my décolleté, arms and legs. It does come in two colors - light to medium and medium to dark, so hopefully one will work for you. This is definitely one of the more natural looking bronzers I have tried and is honestly pretty goof-proof. The only down side is that it isn't water proof. I haven't had any streaking or transfer issues, so it seems fairly resistant. I love the color it gives your skin - totally believable!

I am also loving their H2Glow Natural Highlighter Cream. I have been looking for new highlighters that not only leave a bit of dewy goodness on your skin, but actually stay fresh and dewy looking throughout the day. Most highlighters lose their sheen shortly after you put them on. This cream is slightly different. While it comes in a pan and is applied with a sponge or fingers (I like fingers, personally), it is much tackier than your normal cream. In fact, when you first apply it, the cream is definitely on the sticky side. After you apply it, it settles down into a smooth finish that doesn't budge. Because of that, I suggest applying it as the very last touch to your face. Otherwise, any blush or powder will cling to it. Once it settles down, it doesn't look like you are wearing a highlighter on your face. Instead, it looks like a natural radiance that isn't oily looking. And it lasts for hours! I put it on at 7:00am and as of 2:12pm (when I am writing this), it looks exactly the same! You have to love that!


Here is my Dalton FOTD, including the Brightening Wand I can't be without.


(In the car, in between meetings.)




(Another Dalton FOTD. I love the highlighters! )


Today I am wearing the Golden Pearl Bronzer all over my neck, chest and legs. I look believably bronze and it only took a few minutes this morning. I didn't have to exfoliate or wait for my skin to dry. Just a few quick swipes with the Puki brush and I was golden!

These products are available through QVC. What bronzer are you gravitating to this summer? Have you tried anything from Dalton before? Let me know!


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Micro Bikini

This Week's Celebrity Beauty: Glee, Fergie, AGT & The Emmys

by Anne Houseman, of Beauty Xpose





Get an inside look at the latest celebrity beauty and fashion news:

• LeAnn Rimes played the part of a bouncy beach babe, wearing a retro-inspired bathing suit from Unique Vintage while performing on “America’s Got Talent.”

• Got pre-Emmy jitters? Nominees Toni Collette and Glenn Close light one of their Ecoya candles to calm their nerves and their spirit.

• Glee star Lea Michele keeps her skin as vibrant as her character’s personality with the PerfectSkin skin clearing system by the Kardashian sisters.

• The stars on the set of Woody Allen’s latest movie filming in Paris (the one with French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy) are being treated to luxurious Leonor Greyl hair care products.

• How does Fergie’s hair look so Fergalicious? Her on-tour hairdresser, Jason Medina, credits a large part to her European hair dryer: Velecta Paramount Paris x:Q Onyx. Find one in the U.S. here.



Photos: Kardashians – PerfectSkin; Fergie – © Red Carpet Pictures Content © 2010 ZumaPress via PicApp.com



Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Beautyland Tour, Week of 8/23

Charlestongirl of Best Things in Beauty is a lover of all things Bobbi Brown. Last week she was fortunate enough to attend a Bobbi Brown Master Class. She's sharing the latest beauty tips she learned and see the newest in Bobbi products, too!

Tragedy struck the fashion world this spring with the news of Alexander McQueen's death. Butter London nail polish pays homage to him with their new shade All Hail McQueen. Gaia from The Non-Blonde shares her thoughts on this honorary shade.

Are you ready for the Emmy's this weekend? Anne from BeautyXposé is giving us easy to use at-home tips on how to get a gorgeous white smile, just like the ones we'll see on the Emmy's red carpet.

Do you want to make your pores and fine lines disappear? We all want that flawless face before applying makeup and Kelly from Gouldylox Reviews shares with us a Jouer product that gives her that flawless look.

We love products that give us a flawless face, but sometimes we need to learn how to use the products to get the look we want. Makeup artist Victoria Stiles will be doing "Flawless Faces Web Series". See Makeup Artist Backstage to learn about the series.

What are some of the hot color trends this fall? Purple is one of them, and Kari from Fabulous Over Forty shares with us some of her favorite purple beauty products. Could there be a purple in your future?

The economy may be putting us in a grey mood, but Sabrina from The Beauty Look Book shows us all things beautiful in grey. From nail polish to handbags and everything in between, there's a grey you may fall in love with!

Sadly, there have been times when we've all overdone it in the sun. Carla from Product Girl tested a Caudalie product for her sunburn. Did she get the relief she needed?


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Madalina Diana Ghenea

Ken Paves The Power of Now In Color (Red)

As a redhead (again), I am always on the lookout for ways to brighten and extend my color - realistically. Coating my hair in bright red gel isn't going to work for my style. Neither is spraying in some sort of color. Or dusting in some weird powder. All of these change the texture of my hair for the worse, and the color payoff doesn't last, flakes off or comes off on my clothing. Getting caught in the rain plain stinks. And at the rate my roots need covering, I need all of the help I can get.

Enter my newest must-have hair product, Ken Paves The Power of Now in Color. This leave-in treatment helps strengthen hair while adding a sheer color gloss. You can use this product in a ton of ways:

• Add to hair before conditioning and rinse out, for the lightest color application
• Add to towel dried hair to add a punch of color
• Use a Q-Tip or an eye brow brush to cover roots
Before you take the leap, here are a few things you should know. Invest in some reusable gloves. Otherwise, some slight staining to the hands may occur. This is basically hair color in a bottle (with no exposure to air, so no weird, purple looking dye), so don't say I didn't warn you. Obviously, if you do this in the shower, you won't stain your hands. If you don't use gloves and wash immediately, you'll be fine as well. But, if you're going to worry about it, just use the gloves.


(Here is my hair before using the Power of Now In Color.)

The next thing you should know is that, like Wen, using this product may take a bit of practice to figure out what works best for you. The first time I used it, I chose the towel-dried hair method.

Obviously, I used the red. I used way too much and my hair came out slightly stiff. Think of this as a colored styling creme that helps protect your hair. Too much styling creme equals hair that doesn't feel quite right.

The next time I tried it, I used it in the shower and got slightly less color, but I still liked the benefits. My hair had a slightly redder tone to it, but it wasn't incredibly noticeable to anyone besides me (I study my hair color in the mirror. I can't be alone in this, can I?)

My favorite way to use this? Add to towel-dried hair and then apply it to the roots with the brow brush over dry hair. Still, a little goes a long way, so it may take you a few tries before you get the method right.


(Here is my hair after using The Power of Now In Color)


I love this color. I've used it every day for two weeks, even taking it on a business trip where a tiny overnight bag was required. It adds a natural red gloss to my hair. It doesn't look fake or totally change the color of my hair. If you expect it to do that, it won't. It will add a slight reddish gloss to the hair, making it look slightly richer, while giving you a bit of styling creme assistance.

I can honestly say, as long as he makes it, I can see me buying this. You can check it out on the Q. If your hair fades between salon visits, this is definitely worth trying out.

This was sent to me for the purpose of review. Ken Paves does not test on animals.

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Define Flawless and Donate $1 to Gulf Coast Relief

Laura Mercier has a very cool thing going on at her website. Tell Laura what "flawless" means to you and she will donate $1 to the Gulf Relief Fund. Most people donate pennies from purchases towards donations, so this project truly intrigues me. It could end up being a generous donation, based on our simple, collaborative effort.

So tell Laura Mercier what flawless means to you and send $1 to aid in the Gulf. For me, flawless is a tough word. It's what perfect diamonds are. It's a forgotten movie starring Demi Moore. It's another weird movie with Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It's certainly not me.

Maybe understanding your flaws makes you flawless? Does that make sense? I know I could be kinder, less sarcastic and way less judge-y, but those things are partially what makes me, me, right? It's such an exclusive word it's almost hard to define something as being flawless. One woman's flawless is another woman's flawed. I suppose the time I spend each morning, before getting out of bed, snuggled with my blind mutt Ernie and my goofy husband, is flawless in my book. Check out everyone else's responses. They are beautiful.

What do you think is flawless? Tell Laura Mercier and take a small step to help rebuild the Gulf Coast.

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Brooklyn Decker