Not to worry, we have two sets of Mother’s Day gifts for our Beauty Chat readers. The anti-aging set specially put together for moms who want to maintain their youthful glow. Our second set is for our “Glam” moms, which includes makeup and a lash enhancing serum.

So what do you have to do? Just leave us a comment below telling us which set you would like and why your mom should get it. Winners announced on Wednesday, May 5th!

Photo Credit: Bohemian Rose Bath & Soap

In addition to providing Beauty Chat for y’all, our company is also home to several other websites, including iEnhance.com, PlasticSurgery.com, and CosmeticSurgery.com. So the writers of Beauty Chat also spend their time contributing to these online properties.

Beauty Chat was actually developed based on the idea that beauty isn’t just about surgery; it’s about finding beauty within and working your way outwards. Skincare, makeup, and fashion all contribute to enhancing your image, which are commonly the subjects of our conversations with you!

So, in order to serve your needs and continue to create a place where you can feel at ease browsing around and reading up on your favorite topics, we have created a survey for you to take. Not only would we simply appreciate this, as it will help to gauge the direction of our articles, but there is also something in it for you too!

As a thank you for being a loyal Beauty Chat fan, we have put together a basket of goodies. By filling out our survey and commenting on this post, you will be entered to win a basket of skincare and beauty products.

This contest, in which the winner will be randomly chosen, will last about two weeks – ’til March 19th! Thank you again for being so fabulous.

Chat with ya soon!

Elana

Photo Credit: Zazzle

I don’t like the clichéd candy hearts, teddy bears that say “I love you,” cards with over-used poems, and anything else that is just plain corny and associated with V Day. There is one thing I do agree with, spending time with someone special on this day – minus the Hallmark cards. Because, despite being single and bitter about Valentine’s, I still find it sweet to do something slightly romantic on this day.

Last year, I had my very first “real” Valentine, and I absolutely did not want to leave the house – I hate crowds, dressing-up, and over-priced restaurant menus. As an alternative, I made dinner for my “V,” and we hung out, watched movies, and drank wine. And instead of flowers, candy, and/or a card, he bought me flowers and herbs for my garden, which I thought was much more economical than a teddy bear that would sit on my dresser to collect dust. Even though that was my only Valentine’s Day spent attached, it has so far been my favorite!

As I am single this year, I asked my sister to be my Valentine, and she of course, said yes! So, we are going to a movie, and pigging out! Which I think will be just as special as my Valentine’s before.

Single or attached, Valentine’s Day is always something I try to make fun without the clichés it often associates with. I hope you all have a great Valentine’s Day, or to some, “Single’s Awareness Day!”

Photo Credit: Verbumlogos

Flowers and balloons are always a nice gesture, but your Mother deserves so much more (at least mine does!), so make her feel special with some of these unique gift ideas.

•    Pamper, Pamper, Pamper! You could buy your Mom passes to the spa, or bring the spa to her; it will show you actually want to spend time with her. Set a day aside and have an at-home pamper day with your mom.
Some products I recommend trying out with your Mom:
Thymes: They offer an array of body lotions, washes, scrubs, feet care, etc. The ladies at PlasticSurgery.com and I love the Naia Hand Lotion and Hand Wash! Visit their website to check out some of the kits and gift sets that they offer.
En Pointe Skin Solutions: From cleanser, toners, and moisturizers, they offer all the products you need to put together an at-home facial kit.
Philip Kingsley: To get your Mom ready for Mother’s day brunch, Philip Kingsley offers a wide range of styling products to add texture and volume or tame and smooth while protecting the hair. For bounce, control, and shine, you may want to try out their maximizer.
Adovia Mineral Skin Care: Another great facial care line! My fellow Beauty Chatter, Audrey, and I love their products! This is great for those with sensitive skin (like me), because they are made from minerals from the Dead Sea, providing a natural skin smoothing experience.

•    Expand her horizons: Take your mom on an adventure instead of the usual dinner and a movie. I am taking my Mom wine tasting! Pick a place you know she would like to go, but wouldn’t normally take herself to. I know my Mom likes wine, but she would never think of going to a winery.

•    Put on your chef’s hat: Make your Mom her favorite dish or introduce her to a new one. My favorite place to go for creative recipes is AllRecipes.com, which has reviews on the dishes and suggestions for additional ingredients, side dishes, etc.

•    Clean, scrub, and shine: You know your mother works hard, so why not give her a day off from her typical duties of cleaning up (after you!), doing the laundry, and running the house. Get your siblings together and clean the house for her and let her relax for the day!

Your mom most likely is not expecting much, so if anything, give her a day of you. I know that through the rush and chaos it can sometimes get hard to spend time with anyone for an entire day – the least you can do is give her the time. And for all you mommies out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Photo Credit: Adovia Spa and Laura’s Journey

Now that I am getting older, it becomes easier to make my shopping list shorter. My friends and I usually talk ahead of time and agree that we are not doing gifts; instead, we take that money we would’ve spent and go out to a nice dinner or pamper ourselves with a massage or pedicure. The holiday time is not about who can buy you what; it is about spending time together!

For everyone else, here are some shopping tips to consider:

1. Make that list and check it twice: Do not feel the pressure to buy everybody a gift. I really don’t think the mailman will get offended if you cut him off your list this year. Shorten your list by those who mean the most to you, i.e. family, significant others, and close friends. After you have your list you can set a budget (and the key is to stick to it!)

2. Odds and ends: For everyone else that you do want to send some holiday cheer to and can’t fit into your holiday gift budget, keep it simple; put together a tin of sweets or maybe just send a Christmas card.

3. Try to use cash and debit only: Only pull out the amount of cash you actually plan on spending on gifts. Try not to charge, you end up paying back a lot more in the long run.

4. Make as many homemade gifts as possible: Make a scrapbook, decorate a picture frame, get creative and leave more money in your pocket. Homemade gifts are cheaper and mean more to the recipient; it shows you actually put thought into the gift.

5. Surf the Web: Sometimes the best deals are online. There are plenty of Web sites that have whole sale items or out of stock items that are 50-60 % off the original price. Check out deals on www.overstock.com, you can find anything from shoes to sofas all at a discounted price. The best part is that you can get all of your holiday shopping done from the convenience of your own home.

6.  Re-gift to your advantage: I know it may sound a bit cheap, but why not bring that singing fish clock your Grandpa bought you for a gift exchange? Most of the time gift exchanges are all about gag gifts anyway, you could save $15-20. That is extra money in your pocket.

Sticking to a budget during the holidays can be painless if you don’t impulse buy, and actually plan and organize before hitting the stores.

To all of you budgeters out there, happy shopping!

Photo Credit: WordPress.com and Blogsome.com

In a time when people are trying to be more “green,” cosmetics companies are beginning to understand that consumers expect more from the brands that they buy from. nubar is a line that was created with the idea that providing healthy alternatives is a must.

Developed in 2000, nubar set their standards high and have abided by those strict commitments for nearly 10 years. The result? Some seriously safe and satisfying products. You will not find Formaldehyde, Toluene, or Phthalate in any of the company’s nail lacquers.

 Not only are the brand’s nail polishes made minus the toxins, they are also beautiful, fast-drying, and long-lasting. The ladies here at the Beauty Chat office have been sporting our favorite shades of nubar polish, and I speak on behalf of all of my fellow Chatters when I say that this stuff is pretty amazing. Jessica Simpson and Mischa Barton are said to also feel the same about nubar.

I am rough on my nails, and I was surprised that my polish was chip-free for about four days. That’s amazing to me because I play softball and my nail polish usually flakes off so badly that I skip painting my nails all together. Some of my co-workers, who don’t expose their nails the way I do, are still showing off a full set of perfectly painted fingernails! That blows me away. The fact that I painted my nails and then dried instantly was also a huge plus for me.

Beauty Chat loves nubar so much that we want our readers to experience the greatness that is their nail lacquers! One lucky reader will receive the Pastel Fever Collection; a package of eight gorgeous polishes (pictured above).

Additionally, that winner will also receive nubar’s Skin Essentials 6 Pack. These hand lotions are Paraben-free and smell delicious!

To enter, simply leave a comment. One winner will be chosen at random on Friday, October 31…otherwise known as Halloween =)

Photo credits: nubar

Usually, I find myself toting around my camera, brush, face makeup, and much more, but I have discovered that on an outing to dinner, I only need the essentials. So, rather than carrying around a clunky, heavy handbag that is filled with unnecessary items, I have decided to expand my ever-growing handbag collection with clutches.

For this reason, I have selected the Lauren Merkin Louise Glittered Linen Clutch as my September Handbag of the Month.

Constructed of shimmering green linen, which appears to almost radiate a turquoise tone, this clutch has been reasonably priced at $180. Flaunting beautiful pleats on the front side and a squared topside, this clutch can be easily dressed up with black clothing, or playfully used with bright, imaginative colors.

Composed of Lurex Ò bengaline lining, the Louise Glittered Linen Clutch has been sized at 7 inches high and 14 inches wide.

Also offered in natural tan, hot pink, and a variety of other colors and textures, your compact, lipstick, mints, money, and a few more items, will be sure to fit into this head turning clutch.

If you are tired of being plagued by an overbearing purse, I would suggest trying a stylish evening bag like the Louise Glittered Linen Clutch by Lauren Merkin today.

Get started on your way toward a more enjoyable, fashionable night out. You can see more of this clutch, or the other stunning bags offered by Lauren Merkin, by browsing the line’s Web site.

Photo Credit: Polyvore ä & Lauren Merkin

I just love how green all these companies are becoming. It really makes shopping for their products more fun! In fact, The Soap & Paper Factory is not only all-natural, they are also wrapped in recyclable and reusable packaging. I recently had the opportunity to try out some of these modern pleasures. I sampled the Verbena Body Cream and the Orange Blossom Body Scrub:

Verbena Body Cream ~ It was like wiping velvet over my skin. It smelled so good and felt so smooth. I love it! The site states that “Verbena represents blessings and love and helps uplift the heart.” I thought that was a nice touch to the product.

Orange Blossom Body Scrub ~ This took a little getting used to. I have used body scrubs before, but they were a little more fine in texture. This body scrub was very coarse in texture and was a tad difficult to use. It smelled wonderful though, just like orange blossoms! The site says that “Orange blossom is soothing and brings feelings of peace and serenity.”

The body cream and scrub are both free from parabens, phthalate and petroleum, and are never tested on animals. I highly recommend checking out The Soap & Paper Factory, but stick with just the Body Cream, unless you are a die-hard body scrub junkie!

Image Credit: The Soap & Paper Factory

My purse, as I have mentioned in previous posts, is my life. This may sound odd, but to a purse obsessed individual like myself, it makes perfect sense. Carrying my most treasured possessions, my bag is usually full of an array of items, ranging from video games to lint brushes, several pairs of sunglasses (I can be indecisive!), sunscreen, and even gloves. Because of this, I am always searching for larger sized bags to hold all of my “junk,” as my boyfriend refers to it.

So, for this month, I would like to introduce you to my latest purse purchase, The Marc by Marc Jacobs, “Dr. Q Fraser” pleated tote from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection. Purchased at Nordstrom for $558, this handbag is said to hold a magazine, water bottle, and wallet, but I must say I have found it to actually hold much more.

Available only in black leather, the purse features a magnetic close top, convenient for women always hurriedly searching ransacking through their purses in need of their cell phone. With spaces for a pack of gum, an iPod, and an interior zipper, the green lined inside of this 16 by 13 inch bag has almost been filled to its capacity. Stretching out slightly as more items accumulate in it, this bag has been a wonderful purchase that has indeed carried all of my belongings.

A perfect fit with any outfit, my new purse can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. A more reasonable brand from my May handbag of the month that showcased designer Marc Jacobs’ bags, Marc by Marc Jacobs, is a sub-brand of the designer that offers numerous, fashionable purses, jewelry, and clothing at affordable prices. Should you decide you are in need of a good, sturdy, black handbag (my Monster energy drink exploded in it, and it dried flawlessly), a bag that can carry your entire closet in it, or just a stylish bag, I suggest you go purchase the “Dr. Q Fraser” pleated tote today!

Photo Credit: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus

Ladies, you do not have to tweeze those pesky chin hairs one by one with tweezers anymore. I have come across a great devise for facial hair removal, the Epicare So Easy. So petite, this devise will fit in your purse, makeup bag, or even your pocket if you really feel the need to keep it with you. This facial hair remover is a small-coiled spring with a handle on each end. To use it, you simply bend it in the shape of an upside down U and twist away.

(Roll the handles inwards and outwards in a continuous motion between your index finger and thumb.)

The coiled spring will pull the hair out by the root. I am sure that when you think of the coiled spring you think back to a time you just had to have the epilady. To put your mind at ease, Epicare does not cause this type of pain. On a scale from 1-10, the pain is about a two and as time goes on, the pain eases.

(You will feel a slight tingling sensation as the hair is removed from the roots. )

Another great feature of this product is the price of only $16.99. To learn more about Epicare, or to purchase your own (yes, every girl should have one), head over to the company’s Web site.

Photo Credit: Epicare so easy