Direct sales beauty companies are a time-tested cultural institution, and today, there may be one for every letter of the alphabet. From Arbonne to the soon-to-debut Votre Vu, there’s no shortage of cosmetic companies available to help women supplement income, each with their own unique niche. Even the socially-conscious company that was a personal fave in my teen years, The Body Shop, now has a party plan division called The Body Shop at Home.

For companies like Avon, Jafra, and Mary Kay, who have been household names for decades, their female-dominated history is incorporated into their mission statements. For example, Avon is “The company for women,” while Mary Kay is “Enriching women’s lives.”

But can women really succeed with an old school beauty business model? Tana Goertz, who you may remember as the runner-up on Season 3 of “The Apprentice,” says yes! A Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant since 2000, Tana says that her TV casting, and subsequent success as a motivational speaker and author, are absolutely related to her success within the Mary Kay company. In fact, on her Apprentice audition tape, “I walked around a car dealership, selling my basket full of Mary Kay products to the sales guys – no women – and I didn’t leave until I sold them all!” More »

Thank you for being patient with your crew, the Beauty Chatters! And we’re sorry [teardrop] for leaving you without fabulous articles these last few days! With our redesign launching very soon, our days have been jam-packed.

So Friday, tomorrow, we will bring you two new blogs to enjoy as your enter your weekend.

…From all of us here, at Beauty Chat and PlasticSurgery.com: Happy Thursday!

Do you remember those old, yet timeless films with the glamorous Ava Gardner or Jane Russell? Three words can sum up the cinematic effect these women had on audiences – “Beautiful. Arresting. Mysterious.” In today’s Hollywood, it seems like that said glamour has been tucked away with those same film canisters from the 40s and 50s; as few actresses portray that vintage magnetism (ahem, Monica Bellucci). Not for long, however, if Gabriela Hernandez has anything to do with it! More »

I am as light as light can be, so I need every bit of help I can get. I have tried everything… tanning in the sun, tanning in beds, spray tanning, and sunless tanning creams. Nothing seems to help. Either I burn, look completely fake, or turn a nice shade of orange – yes orange. Also, I cannot get over the yucky smell that the sunless tanners put out.

I recently stumbled upon a product called Sun Sauce while surfing the world of myspace. I began to research this product and started reading up on their Web site. I found out that, “Sun Sauce was created by Dale Hansen. Hansen’s Sun Sauce Research and Development team only use the finest ingredients. Sun Sauces proprietary blend of Monoi Oil and Kukui Nut Oil, enhance the skins appearance. Loaded with a special blend of vitamins and minerals, the Sun Sauce line also includes Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil — all essential for quality skin care. These key ingredients are artfully blended with Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil, and Hemp Seed Oil. This trio enhances the skins naturally healing ability, and provides deep moisture replenishing.” More »

If makeup has become a self-diagnosed OCD problem for you, then money may not be so much of an issue than is finding the perfect eye shadow to complement those new Steve Madden shoes. So, when you catch wind of a bargain steal, the urge to buy more becomes contagiously addictive. e.l.f. cosmetics know all about this frugal addiction, having reinvented the notion of “more bang for your buck!” More »

If you are like me, the harsh winter takes a huge toll on your skin. You may think that because I live in Southern California, I wouldn’t have this problem. But the Santa Ana winds suck any – and all – moisture right out of me. On top of dealing with these drying winds, it is also flu season; the constant washing of my hands has only added to my need in finding something that will replenish the moisture of my skin and help it look better!

I know, there are plenty of skin care products out there for dry skin, but I have tried every over-the-counter lotion out there and have been nothing but disappointed. They are either too greasy, too thin in consistency, or have over-powering fragrances.

So I figured I need to look beyond the local Target and CVS pharmacy. So I hopped on the Internet and started my search. I stumbled upon Smooth Heals, which quickly caught my attention! Its owner and creator, Tennie Smith, has been hands-on in creating and testing her product. More »

Andrea: So Stephanie (of “Steph’s Beauty Buzz“)…Being the makeup junkie that I am and the cosmetics expert that you are — I have an important makeup question!

I always look for what’s new at my favorite cosmetic boutiques — Ulta and Sephora. But when it comes to finding the best “long-wear foundation,” I wonder how many of our Beauty Chat readers know the best method to finding the right match for their skin tone. Also, I can’t help but wonder if I’m going about finding the right foundation correctly! After all, it’s difficult to test it in the store…

Stephanie: Step one in choosing a foundation is not color, but skin type. Learn the makeup artist lingo to define you personal skin type: Dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin. More »

A hairstyle can make or break a look, and that is exactly what the designers were faced with on this week’s episode of Project Runway. In pairs of two, assigned by Tim, they were instructed to design an avant-garde piece based on the hair of their models.

This was an opportunity for the teams to create grandiose styles that were fashion-forward. That is, on the condition that they meshed well together. The pairs consisted of: Chris and Christian, Ricky and Kit, Victorya and Jillian, and Rami and Sweet P.

(Victorya and Jillian trying to decide who would relinquish control)

The first two teams seemed to complement one another, while the other collaborations proved to be a bit rocky. Victorya and Jillian had some trouble selecting which one of them would get to be the captain (they had to actually flip for it), but they eventually pulled it together. More »

For my birthday last month, I wanted a straight style that would resist the humidity associated with a night of dancing and mingling. Determined to put one man’s hair care line to the test, I decided to take my self-proclaimed “stylist” bag equipped with some of his products to my real-life hair stylist over at Kallisto Salon & Spa in Brea, California.  From shampoo and condition to styling, we went through each product in my little pouch with a spritz here and a quarter-sized application there. Hours later, standing outside The Room in Santa Monica at 2:30 a.m., I turned to my girlfriend to ask her how my ‘do was holding up. Her response – “Definitely not Tina Turner-esque!” Enough said.

Enter Frédéric Fekkai. Whether or not you have heard of “Fekkai,” it is easy to associate luxury with the name, simply by letting the syllables roll off your tongue (feh-kigh). For more than 20 years, this hair connoisseur has provided us with products that allow us to step into an A-list salon environment with each aroma. Fekkai made a pivotal move when deciding to trade in his scissors in his native country of France for a chance opportunity here in the States.

Since the opening of his first New York salon in 1989, Monsieur Fekkai has established a hair care system that targets a vast audience of female clientele from varying backgrounds. His products effectively treat all types of hair, from too thin and desperately dry to stringy-straight and coarsely-curly. Typical of my inner skeptic, I initially doubted the rumored “effectiveness” of Fekkai products: for I have had so many disappointments with products that claim to “effectively treat your hair.” Much to my relief and surprise, I was totally wrong.

With two product lines at my fingertips, I immediately began to open each bottle, only to unveil undeniably alluring scents. But with great products like Luscious Curls ® and Coiff Ô, the smell is only the beginning. This is simply because their actual use invites your hair to a rejuvenating experience in and of themselves.

Blended with ginseng/honey hydrates and a citrus-floral scent, Luscious Curls shampoo and conditioner moisturizes and shapes your curls, while conditioning the body of your hair. After a good week of consistently using this potent duo, my usually dry and frizz-ridden hair felt tamed and bouncy. The light silicone and elastic memory ingredients in the products further account for that soft, smooth feel.

Post-shower, I move on to the Coiff styling line, which is just magnifique! This “hair couture” product is Fekkai’s most recent and large-scale launch, aiming specifically at a luxury market. Now, don’t mistake this phrase for meaning that only a six figure income can afford this collection. Granted, each bottle will cost you about $23 to $25 depending on where you purchase it. Although the line does not exactly adhere to the “bang for your buck” principle, it, then again, will not necessarily break the bank. After all, you don’t have to collect every Coiff product to get the most out of the collection. Choose several products that speak directly to your hair, and trust me, you too can “coif” your hair with an overall glow. Indeed, every piece of the collection is each a luxurious formulation, but I especially adore the Defense/Pre-Style Thermal/UV Protectant, Controle/Ironless Straightening Balm, and Nonchalant/Piecing and Forming Wax. When I opt for the faux-straight look, these tools, infused with violet/tea leaves and a memory complex, keep my curls in check, while protecting them from excessive damage.

If you are a regular here at Beauty Chat, then you are familiar with my ranting on how my naturally curly locks have proven to be unmanageable and unruly – pretty much, a frizzfest! However, thanks to one man (by the name of Fekkai of course), they are definitely worries that I can work with.

~Mellori 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dan and Kevin’s cameras and http://www.sephora.com

Are you spending too much time applying your makeup, only to be disappointed by not-so-fabulous results? Well ladies, here is the answer to your eye shadow nightmares—COLORON…Professional. Just in time for New Year’s Eve festivities, this product is perfect for a night out.

A new approach to cosmetics, COLORON Instant Eye Shadow provides that “I’ve spent all day getting ready” look in mere seconds! Using a sticker-like applicator, eye shadow is easily transferred onto your eyelids (without the need of a brush), providing a professional, flawless outcome.

COLORON Instant Eye Shadow comes in five or 10-pack kits and vary in color, and is:

* Made of pure minerals
* Waterproof, sweat-proof, and crease-proof
* Creamy upon application and very blendable
* Hygienic
* Not tested on animals
* Perfect for travel

We were happy to partake in our second photo shoot, modeling for COLORON Instant Eye Shadow.  Each of us tried on a different shade of eye shadow (some enlisting the help of our resident makeup pro Andrea) and posed for our close-ups.

                            Leeann - Amethysts & White

“I like the fact that this applicator provides a quick and easy alternative to messy eye shadows and brushes. Sometimes you don’t want to spend a great length of time fussing with makeup, and this product helps you avoid that!”

                              Brook – Bronze Goddess

“Since I don’t wear eye shadow very often, I don’t get much practice with application. This makes it easy to apply, especially since it puts your highlight shade and darker contours all in the right place!”

                            Andrea – Emeralds & Gold

“This is a great product for those “on the go” kind of mornings.  However, with makeup being one of my favorite hobbies, I still believe in the art of eye shadow application but would definitely recommend using it as an easy, time saving alternative.”

                               Elana – Sunset Beach

“Although I wish I knew how to apply such a gorgeous combination of pinks and creams, I’m not sure if the COLORON Eye Shadow is right for me — even though it’s a genius idea. Being a sort of klutz, I needed Andrea to help me!”

                                      Denice – Elle  

“Since I have NEVER been any good at applying my make up, I just gave up on ever being able to keep up with the latest trends. This product has opened my world to trendy eye makeup, thanks COLORON!”
 

                                Mellori – Noche

“This is definitely a refreshing product for any make-up junkie constantly on the go. However, coming from a gal who stubbornly reserves at least a half hour for make-up application on a night out, the quick and easy part was nice, but not necessarily a must for me.”

                               Jacquie – Amethysts & Gold

“Being makeup challenged, ColorOn eye shadow is perfect for me.  The color combinations are chosen and pre-blended so all I need to do is put them on. I can finally have sassy eyes!”

Select your own colors of choice by visiting: www.coloronpro.com.

(…We can’t wait to hear what you think about this new frontier of makeup!)

~ Leeann