My feet can be a nightmare if I don’t get regular pedicures, and I have missed my last two!  They need some attention!!! So I decided to try the Spongeable 15+ Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer. I have to say that when I opened the package and the funny-looking star sponge stared back at me, I had to think: Will this really work? 

It fit in the palm of my hand, and smelled delightful! Infused with Citron Eucalyptus Aromatherapy (packed with olive oil for skin hydration, glycerin for gentle cleansing, shea butter for moisture and Vitamins A & E for healing antioxidants; to prevent premature aging and skin damage). It was a little slimy to the touch at first, but as soon as it got wet, it lathered up very nicely.

So here’s how I used it on my feet: I sat on the shower step and began to scrub my feet with the sponge.  It kind of tickled at first, but then it was nothing but pure pedi pleasure!  I buffed my foot with the scrubbing side and then rinsed.  Then I massaged my foot with the smooth gel-infused side.  It tingled and felt wonderful.  My only question while enjoying this fabulous product is: How do I store it?  For now, it is in my travel soap container.

After I was all done paying attention to my neglected feet, I gave them the ultimate test…The husband.  I had him rub my feet, which can be a chore if they look ragged. But after I took matters into my own hands and used the Spongeable 15+ Pedi Scrub Foot Buffer, he greatly obliged!  He was just as happy I was. 

The Spongelle Bodywash Infused Buffer (also shaped like a star), another heavenly cleansing product manufactured by Spongeables, also comes highly recommended. Elana, our Beauty Chat editor, swears by the Lilly of the Valley Green Tea Infusion scent. It is said to: exfoliate, purify, rejuvenate, and hydrate. She says it can also be used on the feet (nice!), which she does as part of her daily shower ritual. 

Got a favorite skincare product that dares to compare to the Spongeable 15+ Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer or the Spongelle Bodywash Infused Buffer? Tell us all about it!

~ Denice

Product Images: www.spongeables.com and www.spongelle.com

This week on Dr. 90210:

Women take center stage during the 11th episode of Dr. 90210.

The featured patients who are undergoing plastic surgery are not enhancing their appearances simply for the rest of the world to see, but to correct their personal imperfections for the right reasons — themselves. Although undergoing different types of surgeries, both are recipients of procedures specific to women.

Additionally, we get to once again peek into the lives of our successful, satisfied, and sometimes stressed, plastic surgeons. Seeing the personal lives of Dr. Robert Rey, Dr. Linda Li, and Dr. Gary Alter help us to relate to them as “normal” people — opposed to celebrities that also happen to perform aesthetic improvements each week while television viewers watch!

While we can get carried away watching Reality TV shows, it is important to realize that those featured on this program are real, facing real problems and real surgeries.

A more detailed description of all of the events that occurred this week of Dr. 90210 can be found on my in-depth summary, featured on iEnhance.com!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 Season Archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

I received my first facial at Facelogic Spa in Upland a few months ago. As most of you now know — I love getting pampered. So for 50 minutes each month, and only 49 bucks out of my pocket, I get peeled, massaged, squeezed (meaning my blackheads go buh-bye!), and the most relaxing buzz from my therapist, Sarah.

Needless to say, when franchise owner Candice Richmond told me that Facelogic is giving free facials and makeup lessons for local breast cancer patients and survivors on October 8th at the Upland location, I knew that Beauty Chat loyalists deserved to know about this!

Facelogic spas will also donate $5 per membership sold during this month to the Facelogic Healing Heart Foundation. And get this – Facelogic’s corporate office will match each of the donations. I love it.

Plus, Facelogic spa therapists will apply pink facial masks on customers purchasing the service, in which proceeds will go toward the Healing Heart Foundation. Additionally, pink wax treatments and pink products will be available for the month of October, supporting Facelogic’s Think Pink initiative.

The drive behind the Healing Heart Foundation: It was largely inspired by Facelogic founder and CEO Sherryl Ford – who faced one of the biggest battles of her life. She defeated breast cancer, after being diagnosed in mind-2005 – only six months into realizing the force of her entrepreneurial goals. Yet that same year, the “affordable luxury spa” was born, and Ford is able to see her dreams through.

The money raised from the Facelogic Healing Heart Foundation will go toward a nationwide collaboration between the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association Foundation (CTFA), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the National Cosmetology Association (NCA). This uniting force is called: Look Good…Feel Better ®.

Spread the word!

~ Elana

Photo Credit and Product Purchase: www.pinkribbonshop.com

This week on MTV’s The Hills, Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, and Lauren “Lo” Bosworth headed to Las Vegas to surprise Brody Jenner and friends for his 24th birthday.  Also tagging along was Mr. Fun himself – the sullen and withdrawn Justin Bobby.  To show goodwill, Lauren and Lo bought JB a drink to start out the night – and were surprised at his lack of manners.  Um, girls?  He never has any manners, remember?  “He didn’t even acknowledge us!” was the war cry they repeated throughout the evening, until Audrina decided she had enough of her friends bashing her guy (who, as usual, had disappeared with no explanation). 

               (Audrina is confronted by Lauren and Lo in Brody’s suite) 

Nonetheless, the party rolled on through the night in Brody’s Fantasy Suite at The Palms.  Where there’s a rotating bed and an indoor jacuzzi, there are bound to be hook-ups.  Pairing off was Lo and Frankie, in addition to Lauren and Brody Part III.

Back in LA, it was Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s first anniversary, but Brent Bolthouse (Botlhouse Productions) is making Heidi work the Emmy kick-off party.  Isn’t this type of perk the very thing Heidi wanted out of this job?  Guess not.  No can do, Brent.  When he tells her to get it covered by someone, Heidi pours salt in Elodie’s wounds by asking her to work the event.  But clever Miss Elodie already has it covered.  In a move of purely conniving genius, Elodie tells Heidi, “Sure, anything for you,” while neglecting to add, “Oh and by the way, I quit today, so I won’t actually be there, causing you to take the fall when I don’t show up.” 

                           (Happy 1-year Anniversary to you too, Spence!)

Blissfully unaware that this is the case, Heidi sits down at Don Antonio’s for her anniversary dinner with Spence.  As this episode of The Hills Season 3 winds down, Heidi answers her phone, and we hear, “Elodie’s not there?  What do you mean, she quit?”  The anniversary dinner is cut short, and Heidi leaves to go do her job.  Now, that’s good TV.

 ~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

 This week on Dr. 90210:

It seems that the last few episodes of Dr. 90210 have been filled with touching, personal stories. We see that plastic surgery is not just for cosmetic purposes, but is often used to reconstruct a birth defect or injury. Landon is one such patient, looking to gain normalcy through surgery. A young man that allows viewers to follow him through his heart-wrenching experience, he may serve to inspire us all.

Similarly, another patient goes in for reconstructive surgery to replace her breast implants. By treating her, Dr. Motykie learns that the two of them share a common hobby.

Both of these patients have had numerous, previous surgeries and are simply seeking natural-looking results to help them restore their confidence!

Jai Rodriguez, from Bravo’s “Queer Eye,” and Dr. Will Kirby also make appearances on episode 10.

This Dr. 90210 provides touching, shocking, and comical moments — all within the allotted one hour time period. To read my latest weekly recap of Dr. 90210, check out my in-depth summary on iEnhance.com!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 Season Archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

Most women absolutely love receiving gifts. At least, I do. So if I were recovering from breast augmentation at home vs. an aftercare facility, one of the last things I’d want to do is to actually go out and buy all of the necessities to ensure a speedy and proper healing period. Nope! I’d prepare beforehand and explore all of the cute gifts that JustGotEm.com offers. Milan Skrecek talks about the start of his successful venture:         

Q: Tell me again about the beginnings of JustGotEm.com. You mentioned that the idea sprang from a girlfriend of yours who underwent breast augmentation…

A: Back in 2001, I was dating a girl who had decided that she wanted to have breast augmentation surgery. She was extremely excited and nervous that she was getting the surgery done, and I wanted to show her that I was going to be there for her during her recovery.

I started to research recovery gifts, thinking that there would be hundreds to choose from but quickly found out that there weren’t any that were a “congratulatory” gift, one that showed that I cared. I was frustrated that I couldn’t find a decent gift box that helped women recover from augmentation surgery. Being an extremely creative individual, I compiled a selection of “smaller” gifts to make up a large congratulatory gift box.  It was more of a gift basket back then, full of most of the items you can get in the current versions of Justgotem’s gift boxes.  

A few days before her surgery, I presented the gift box to her and she loved it! It had a list of tips for both pre- and post-surgery and items that would help her through her three-week recovery process. She was so impressed that I created the gift box, telling all of her friends and stating that I should sell this “because it actually works.” So I did and started offering the breast augmentation recovery gift boxes online in 2002, and business has been amazing ever since. 

Q: When did you realize that your idea would be a success?

A: There were a couple of different moments I realized that the recovery gift boxes would be a success. The first one was having my girlfriend use my items to recover faster; actually watching the recovery gift box items in action. The second was about a month after launching the Web site. We didn’t have that much money to roll out a large scale marketing and advertising campaign but word got out that finally a well packaged, personal recovery gift box with quality, essential items was available. Sales went through the roof all by word of mouth only. The third was when I was receiving positive testimonials on how great the gift boxes were to use. It’s always nice to hear that you’ve helped someone through a tough time with a product you’ve created. 

Q: With so many different gift boxes, greeting cards, and clothing items to choose from, how does a person know what to select for his or her loved one?                          

A: You first have to determine how much recovery aid you or your loved one will require. Depending on your recovery needs, Justgotem.com has different levels of recovery gift boxes that include items that target different aspects of your recovery process. You also have to determine your budget. Justgotem.com has seven different gift boxes all valued priced depending on your budgeted recovery needs.

After choosing the recovery box you’ll need or want to give, you can add a clever greeting card (six to choose from), or select a cute top from the American Apparel clothing we offer in our clothing section. All of your items are beautifully wrapped and shipped to your door in attractive, but discreet, packaging.

If anyone is unsure about which recovery gift box is the right choice for them, you can always contact us and we can help you determine the right choice depending on your needs.

Q: Tell me about the creative minds behind your greeting cards. They are very creative and witty!

A: Our team gets together once a month to explore new gift box ideas, additional augmentation recovery information to add to the Web site, and any other beneficial items to add to make our Web site a resource for anyone needing recovery information. In one of our meetings, I brought up the idea of making funny greeting cards and they were very well received. We came up with three that first day, which flew off the shelves once we posted them on the Web site. We’re now up to six different cards and will have an additional three by the holiday season.

Q: I think it’s great that a portion of your sales are being donated to Breast Cancer Research. How did that relationship develop?

A: My mother is a breast cancer survivor so it was just a natural fit for our Web site. Anything I can do to help find a cure for this disease, I will. 

Q: What are your ultimate goals/plans for JustGotEm.com?

A: My ultimate plans for Justgotem.com are too take it to another level. Besides developing addition gift boxes and adding new recovery information, Justgotem.com will be recognized as a brand that is trusted and sought after for every breast augmentation procedure. Making the brand instantly recognizable is my ultimate goal.

Q: What do you love most about your job?

A: This might sound a little cliché, but I love the fact that I help women recover faster and with more comfort with a product that I created. Justgotem.com has helped thousands of women through their recovery process and we are blessed to still be in business after five years. 

~ Interview conducted by Elana  

Photo Credits: JustGotEm.com

Here, at Beauty Chat, we definitely do not want to exclude our fellow male readers from satisfying their fashion fix. After all, fellas, you want that object, or for some – object(s), of affection to mimic the wise words of Paris Hilton: “That’s Hot” as opposed to “Huh?”

Whether you’re a man who inadvertently delves into sartorial pitfalls or is a self-proclaimed style pioneer who regards Esquire Magazine as the Holy Grail of men’s fashion, beauty tips should never go unwarranted; especially when they are being dictated by the magazine’s style gurus themselves.

The following are just samples of Esquire’s 50 new laws of fashion. While some are undeniably true, others are sadly true because you know at least one other male culprit, aside from yourself of course, who has committed the crime. Men, you know who you are:

No. 17: “A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life.” – Oscar Wilde
No. 25: Short socks are for Englishmen and Italian bus drivers. You are neither.
No. 35: Never buy anything yellow. How to break it: Unless it’s a Lamborghini.
No. 45: Nothing says “Jackass” quite as well as a cell phone on a belt clip.
No. 47: Sunglasses should be worn only as sunglasses. And never at night.

Although Esquire accurately conjures up 50 great style laws that every man should “commit to memory,” I could not help but notice several fashion rules of thumb that did not make the list. Bear in mind, these overlooked laws of fashion admittedly stem from personal pet peeves; however, I have little doubt Queer Eye’s “Fab Five” would beg to differ:

  White socks with black dress shoes. Your name does not begin with Michael and does not end in Jackson, so please leave this fashion faux pa time-locked in the “Beat It” era.

  Be sure to have a pack of mints handy at all times. There are few things more disappointing than a well-dressed man with bad breath.

   Groomed feet are the window to good hygiene. How to break it: Ladies, you too should listen to this whisper from the wise. 

  Cologne: less is more. Please do not compete with the office’s airborne Febreeze.  

  Trimming your brows will not subject your sexuality to social cross-examination. However, do not take Joey Lawrence’s word for it. Rather, visit a professional threading studio.

Whether you’re a repeated fashion offender or have found a style that complements you almost flawlessly, there are limitless ways to create a look that exudes your unique, inner masculinity. As in the words of ex-Gucci connoisseur Tom Ford, “Know yourself and know what you like. That’ll be your signature.”

Be the judge for yourself and see all of Esquire’s 50 laws of fashion!

~ Mellori