Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com Fresh beauty news and candid product reviews from the girl next door. Thu, 17 May 2012 15:39:42 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Another Day, Another Turband http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/another-day-another-turband/ http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/another-day-another-turband/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 15:39:25 +0000 Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com/?p=7700

Speaking of turbands . . . Bridget just shared this ridiculously adorbs pic of hers from vacationing in Ibiza. “It has saved me all week long from the wind!” And I’m thinking could save us all from a bad hair day or two!  xo -Bets

]]> http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/another-day-another-turband/feed/ 0 Body Sculpting at the Metropolitan http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/body-sculpting-at-the-metropolitan/ http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/body-sculpting-at-the-metropolitan/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:38 +0000 Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com/?p=7693

My eyes usually glaze over when I hear the words body sculpting, cellulite reduction, or worse: fat burning. I’ve been down this road before, and it never results in much more than a nice nap. But when said treatment is introduced by the Metropolitan, home of my beloved painless laser hair removal, I’m willing to make an exception. Also: my esthetician, Amy, lost 1.5 inches from her waist after just ONE session. Unlike totally bogus fat-burning lasers like Zerona, and legit fat freezing treatments like Coolsculpting, the Metropolitan’s Accent Body Contouring treatment relies on radio frequency (stay with me here) to gently warm up, break up and flush out the fluids that build up in the tissue and add volume. Think of it as a lymphatic drainage massage on steroids (and just as relaxing). The heat also promotes the creation of new collagen at the inner layer of the dermis, resulting in smoother skin and YES: reduced cellulite.

I tried the Accent last week on my thighs, and while I didn’t measure them (too much room for human error, IMO), my skinny jeans definitely fit better that night. The real proof, however, was how my legs have felt and looked ever since. I’ve always had “congestion” in my thighs, confirmed by a number of holistic therapists. I’m not talking about fat, just like skinny people can have cellulite, I’m talking about a constant tenderness beneath the surface that’s actually painful to the touch during massage or when Mr. Bets squeezes my leg. Does anyone know what I’m talking about? After one Accent treatment, the tenderness was gone, as were any little dimples. And they haven’t come back.

But enough about me. How about these before/after photos? And then there’s the 50% OFF special the Metropolitan is running all month. Prices and packages vary by area (including face and neck), so contact them for more details at 952-288-2230. If you live outside the Twin Cities, find an Accent-certified doctor in your area right here.

-Bets

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My jealousy spikes every time I see a stylish lady rocking a turband (like Alicia), but I really doubted my ability to pull this off. Last week I finally broke down and ordered this little leopard number from Three Heartz on Etsy. The first 10 minutes with my new turband were rather embarrassing. Glad no one was around to see that. After a brief struggle I turned to the internet and stumbled upon a helpful little tutorial by LEAF featuring three fabulous ways to tie a turband—and all was right in the world. What do you think? Are you ready for the turband? –Danielle

]]> http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/how-to-rock-the-turband/feed/ 4 For the Mom Who Has Everything http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/for-the-mom-who-has-everything/ http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/for-the-mom-who-has-everything/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 03:52:22 +0000 Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com/?p=7684 When my friend Suz asked me to recommend a body oil for her mom, I didn’t have to think twice. Bobbi Brown Beach Body Oil ($30) is as gorgeous as they come. Velvety, pink, and smelling of a sand, suntan lotion and pina coladas. I tuck it away in the winter so I can bring it back out as a special treat come summer. You can’t go wrong with the classic version in its Hamptons-y glass bottle, but for the mom who fancies a little bling, try Bobbi’s new Beach Shimmering Fragrance Oil ($34).

Happy Mother’s Day!
Bets

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It warms my heart to tell you that our lovely friends at Mario Badescu have generously offered to give one  one lucky mom with a complete, customized skin care regimen. Based on Ms. Laura Nelli’s recent raves (and my own newfound fascination with all things MB) this may very well be the most brilliant Mother’s Day gift ever. To qualify, just leave your name, or a deserving mother’s name below, and be sure to follow Beauty Bets on Facebook. We’ll select one name at random tomorrow! UPDATE: Congrats to Debra, whose mom deserves better than Noxema and is in for a real treat!

]]> http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/mario-badescu-mothers-day-giveaway/feed/ 247 The Shine Stops Here: Murad Skin Perfecting Primer http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/the-shine-stops-here-murad-skin-perfecting-primer/ http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/the-shine-stops-here-murad-skin-perfecting-primer/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 04:06:43 +0000 Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com/?p=7667 I was in hot and steamy Kansas City this weekend for a wedding and the only part of my body not covered in a layer of dew AT ALL TIMES was my face. I have Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Acne & Shine Control ($35) to thank for this massive feat. Here’s a product I never would’ve thought to try—I don’t have acne or oily skin—that totally saved me from a makeup meltdown. I didn’t even reach for my blotting papers. It’s lightweight and silky, melts right into skin, and leaves a matte finish without a pasty film. It’s also tinted, which evened out my skin beautifully—so much so that I considered skipping my tinted altogether. I used it over my entire face, but for sub 90-degree days will probably just stick to the t-zone. Add a little powdered bronzer and you’re on your way.

]]> http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/the-shine-stops-here-murad-skin-perfecting-primer/feed/ 3 Paper Love: Linda & Harriett http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/paper-love-linda-harriett/ http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/paper-love-linda-harriett/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 05:05:53 +0000 Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com/?p=7646

Anyone else who still hasn’t picked up a 2012 calendar? I just wasn’t moved by any back in January and, as a total paper freak, I have to either really, really love it to buy it. Then I came across this gorg watercolor version from Linda & Harriett, whose Kate-Spade-Meets-SJP way with paper leaves me rather breathless. The calendar arrived today, along with a handwritten note, embossed pencils, and a set of sweet gift tags—the sort of thoughtful little extras that make me a customer for life. The calendar, which is even prettier in person, was originally $42, on sale now for only $10.

]]> http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/paper-love-linda-harriett/feed/ 1 Get Rid of Wrinkles with this Japanese Headband http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/get-rid-of-wrinkles-with-this-japanese-headband/ http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/get-rid-of-wrinkles-with-this-japanese-headband/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:26 +0000 Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com/?p=7641 Oh my lord. Meghan sent me this craziness the other day and I had to share. I must’ve missed it in my Sky Mall magazine.

From the folks in Japan comes the Oyasumi Goodnight Brow Stretcher ($58), a headband that promises to reduce the wrinkles between brows using infrared technology. Meanwhile, silicone and hyaluronan plump and moisturize. According to Japan Trend Shop, the headband is so lightweight you’ll hardly realize it’s there. Hmmmm.

]]> http://www.beautybets.com/2012/05/get-rid-of-wrinkles-with-this-japanese-headband/feed/ 5 My Love Affair with ILIA Lipstick http://www.beautybets.com/2012/04/my-love-affair-with-ilia-lipstick/ http://www.beautybets.com/2012/04/my-love-affair-with-ilia-lipstick/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:13:18 +0000 Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com/?p=7635
Not a day goes by that I don’t marvel at how easy it has become to embrace the whole natural beauty thing without sacrificing performance. Sulfate-free shampoo? Check. Chemical-free sunscreen? Check. Synthetic-free skincare? Check. All-natural makeup? Not so much. In fact, most of the earth-friendly makeup I’ve tried is as goopy and stay-put as Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. There is one product, however, that makes me believe there’s hope yet for natural cosmetics: ILIA lipstick. I mean it in the best possible way when I say that you’d never guess this line was natural — 85 percent certified organic to be exact. The heavy matte silver tubes scream refined luxury and the color offerings are so flattering and on-trend. I’ve been wearing In My Room, a pretty, peachy neutral that goes with everything and brightens up my face, and Nobody’s Baby, the perfect nude that’s refreshingly sheer. If you’re more of a pink girl, go for Arabian Nights, a bright berry stain that I swipe on whenever I’m feeling blah.
]]> http://www.beautybets.com/2012/04/my-love-affair-with-ilia-lipstick/feed/ 2 How Many Nail Polishes Do You Own? http://www.beautybets.com/2012/04/how-many-nail-polishes-do-you-own/ http://www.beautybets.com/2012/04/how-many-nail-polishes-do-you-own/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:01:38 +0000 Beauty Bets http://www.beautybets.com/?p=7626

Last time we caught up with Kara Nesvig of Vanity Project, she shared her favorite red lipsticks— and it’s been of the most frequently visited posts on BB ever since.  In addition to her mad lipstick collection, Kara collects nail polish. And that’s putting it lightly.  She sent me this snap of her Essies, which barely scratches the surface. There are DOZENS more bottles where these came from. Maybe hundreds. Kara’s latest love: this true blue from Rescue Beauty Lounge’s new Fan Collection.

What polish are you sporting this spring?  We are working our way through a few new shades—lots of pink out there—and will share our favorites very soon! –Bets

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