Fall is quickly approaching and my wardrobe is much need of some updates. Always looking for great deals, I stumbled upon a new boutique that’s full of high-end fashions without the high-end prices.  I asked my fellow Beauty Chatter, Leeann, to accompany me to the grand opening of The Runway Boutique.

Owner Claudia Prado opened an online boutique in 2005 selling chic clothing to women worldwide.  Last Saturday, after conquering Web site retail, Claudia held the grand opening of The Runway Boutique in the city of Brea in Orange County, California. While shopping, I had a chance to meet Claudia herself. 

Here’s what Claudia shared with me:
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Stephanie: What inspired you to open The Runway?
Claudia: I have worked in the fashion industry for the past five years and have always had a strong passion for fashion and a desire to bring my favorite style of clothing to women all over the country with my boutique and online store.
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Stephanie: How did you get started in the fashion industry?
Claudia: My mother has been in the fashion industry for almost 20 years and it’s all I know. Just like my mother, I developed a love of fashion.

Stephanie: Is The Runway the only store you have?
Claudia: At this time, yes, hopefully, I will open more in the future.

Stephanie: As much as fashion trends changes, is there one thing that always seems to remain the same?
Claudia: Season trends change, but the constant is the colors.  Bright and vibrant colors will always be around in the spring and summer time; warm, earthy tones will always be favored in the fall. So that’s a mainstay in fashion that really doesn’t change.
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Stephanie: What do you think is the hottest fall fashion must-have this year?
Claudia: Jewel-toned, sexy, fitted dresses that can be worn as a party or red carpet dress. The Runway carries plenty!

If you would like to see what The Runway Boutique has to offer, check out their Web site.  You may also want to visit the upcoming fashion show that The Runway is holding at the Red Room Lounge in West Covina, California (info also found on her site).

Photo credits: Leeann’s camera

This Friday, September 12th, “The Women” premiers nationwide. With an all-female cast, it’s sure to be a hit among ladies of all ages. Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Eva Mendes, Bette Midler, and Candice Bergen all star in the remake of the 1939 classic film. Having been in the works for 13 years, the film’s director, Diane English, is proud to see it finally come to life.

As part of the Real Beauty Campaign, Dove teamed up with English and junior journalist, Cammy Nelson, to make a behind-the-scenes documentary to ask the ladies of the film: “What is real beauty?” When listening to their answers, I was pleased to hear that they valued personal traits over physical ones as to what real beauty is to them. With humor and confidence being at the top of the list, I’m sure our readers are going to enjoy watching this short film.

You also get a look at what really goes into putting a Hollywood film together, from choosing the location to getting the stars ready to shoot. Another great thing I want to point out is that the crew was primarily also made up of women; talk about women empowerment!

Take a look at the “The Women Behind ‘The Women’” on Dove’s Web site before you head over to the theaters to watch the film. The women of the film give us their thoughts on beauty, life, and how they deal with insecurity. After seeing how passionate they are about being a woman and being a part of this film, I can’t wait to see it!

Photo credits: Dove The Women/Pictures and Logos

While relaxing poolside, I like to catch up on my Hollywood gossip by reading People magazine. On one particular day, as I was reading the “Style Watch” section, I came across this super cute makeup. As I read a little more, I saw the segment is on celebrity makeup artist Mezhgan (make up artist on American Idol) and her makeup line Me by {Me}zhgan. I was taken by the little bit of info and immediately starting doing more research!

After looking over her site (and loving all her makeup) I decided to contact her to see if I could get info on the glamour girl behind the brand. I got LUCKY! I went straight to the source, Mezhgan, and we had a great conversation. Here’s some of what we chatted about:

Denice: What was your inspiration for Me by {Me}zhgan?
Mezhgan: “I was inspired by the reaction from both my clients and the viewers to the transformations I made on regular people. I decided to create a line of products that makes it easy for people to achieve the flawless looks I was creating on television from home, and that is what Me by {Me}zhgan is all about. While working in the industry and on live televisions shows, I recognized the need for multifunctional products that are versatile and easy to use. I didn’t have time to pull out 5 products – I needed a quick fix.”

D: What helped guide you in the decision to develop Me by {Me}zhgan?
M: “My goal was to develop products that allow women to show their faces, not their makeup.
This has become the {Me} philosophy, as many are beginning to discover. For years, I mixed and matched products from various lines to help achieve a flawless perfection for my celebrity clients and the contestants I worked with. I finally decided I needed to create products that worked harder instead of me doing more work.”

D: What is your favorite product, and why?
M: “This question is like asking a mom who her favorite child is But if I have to pick one, it would have to be Luminous {me} because the combination of the primer and foundation feels like heaven and makes {me} look flawless and it doesn’t feel or look like you are wearing makeup. I could go and on…”

D: You state that you have combination products for convenience and ease-of-use; do you find that women today prefer something quick and easy?
M: “Absolutely. Who doesn’t? Our lifestyles now revolve around the ease and convenience of things. I think it also takes out the confusion for people. A lot of people don’t know what a primer is or does. But if it is packaged with the foundation it makes it simple for them. Makeup should be easy and fun, not intimidating.”

D: American Idol is one of the top shows on television. What do you enjoy most about being the top makeup artist for such a popular TV show?
M: “The opportunity of working with such raw, great talent and being a part of such great transformations, not to mention Idol being the #1 show. ”

D: Please tell us more about your charity, The FARAWAY Foundation, and what it means to you.
M: “In the midst of the events of September 11th, I found great irony in the fact that I fled my country of Afghanistan to come to America when I was 8 yrs old and am truly living the American dream. Here, I am making a living as a top Hollywood makeup artist, when the women in my country were not even allowed the thought of wearing makeup. It was then that I decided to go forward with creating the makeup line and having a portion of the proceeds go to women and children in need. So I established the FARAWAY Foundation in an effort to make a difference and give back.”

I have tried some of the Me by {Me}zhgan products, and I think this is an amazing makeup line. The products truly are made for ease of application. The naturally {me} eye shadow is awesome, it literally takes me 5 minutes to put on, and the cheeky {me} – multi-color blush…fabulous! I am a huge fan of this line and now, a dedicated user. Hurry on over to the Web site, and you can get a look at {me}volumizing mascara free with any purchase, and you can enter to win the all eyes on {me} package valued at $50.

Thanks Mezhgan!

Photo Credit: Me by {Me}zhgan

According to Onamia Chun, the Senior VP of Fuglylab.com: “The name, Fugly Lab, is the antithesis of the typical beauty company; this is exactly why I love the name so much. Fugly Lab is not like any other beauty company and it never will be.”

(Fugly Lab’s very own Onamia Chun.)

Chun also commonly uses this tagline: “Fighting Ugly One Sample at a Time.” Get it? With its catchy (and totally clever) company name, Fugly Lab offers sample-size sets of makeup, skincare, hair care, and bath and body products, while providing the huge benefit of trying before buying. Based in Los Angeles, Fugly Lab held their launch party early May this year, and although I wasn’t able to make it, the pictures from their event are available to the public. I always love that! It’s like a “See what you missed, and hope you can make it to our next event” sentiment. For sure.

(A pic from Fugly Lab’s LA launch party)

Because I am so impressed and thankful for Fugly Lab, you just know that I had to interview Chun. Enjoy:

Elana: Is Fugly Lab a one-woman show? Tell me about the team behind this fabulous line of sample size products for women of color?

Onamia: On the surface it may appear to be a one-woman show, but I cannot say I do it all by myself. Fugly lab is compromised of a dedicated group of youngsters (my three kids), a phenomenal IT guru (my husband), and a product junkie (me). In addition, my extended family and friends are big supporters and helpers, especially when things get busy. I really would not be able to do this without their help.

EP: I am in love with my soy grapefruit collection (which my boyfriend helped use up!). I’ve never smelled anything like it, plus it’s the perfect size. What are your personal Fugly Lab favorites?

OC: The Fizzy Habit Bath Bombs are a family favorite. I absolutely love the white tea and ginger scent. I love taking long baths. The best part about these bombs is that when you get out, you body is total moisturized so you do not need any other lotion or oils. I leave the bath bombs in the bathroom and around the house. Our house smells so nice. Another favorite is the Margarita Bloom’s Fabulous Favors. All her scents are “kick yo’ mama” fabulous. I am not sure how she does it, but the scents from her body butters last all day long. However, a product I cannot live without is the Curls Soufflé cream. My hair would be a frizzy mess of tangled and dry curls without it.

One can clearly see that I am my best customer. This is the greatest part of having your own business. I absolutely love what I do. I use and enjoy the products I sell on a daily basis. Basically, Fugly Lab is a legal, tax-deductible way for me to sustain my product junkie tendencies.

EP: What is your number one goal with Fugly Lab?

OC: The number one goal of Fugly Lab is to provide women of color an opportunity to try new products and brands without the cost or commitment of the full-size version.

A close second, to the first goal, is for cosmetic companies to recognize the value in letting the consumer select the samples instead of blindly sending samples out to various demographics. I would like the cosmetic companies to view Fugly Lab as a go-to source to launch new products/brands.

EP: Before you launched your company, what was your day-to-day job?

OC: A long time ago in a faraway land, I was a geologist. I have taken way more science courses than the average human should ever take. I decided to make a career switch when I realized getting dirty and camping outside would be basic requirements for the job.

I am also a stay-at-home mother of three wonderful children. But I would not consider that a day to day job, more like a day-to-night-to-day job.

EP: For women who have possibly never heard of Fugly Lab, what is its single most important selling point?

OC: Every woman at some point has spent $50 on a cream because Oprah or another celebrity said it was fantastic. Unfortunately, many times the $50 cream does not work for her. Other times, a department store has given women samples of new products, but how many times has she thrown away a too pink lipstick or too light foundation? As consumers, women should be able to choose exactly the product they want to sample. Women should not be forced to fill-out a long survey, buy another product, or try to earn incentive points to try a sample-size version of a new product. Fugly Lab gives total control back to women to select the exact product they want to sample and nothing else. Fugly Lab brings simplicity back into the world of cosmetic samples. Fugly Lab. Select. Sample. Simple.

…So in addition, Chun is offering one fortunate Beauty Chat reader the chance to win a $25 gift certificate to use on Fuglylab.com. Comment on this post and tell us what you would purchase if you won. I will choose the random contest winner Monday, July 28.

Also, if you shop today through the 28th, you will get 20% off you entire purchase before tax and shipping. Coupon code: BCHAT. (A $5 minimum purchase, and excludes the Anna Sui Mini Rouge lip color.)

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Onamia Chun and Fuglylab.com

During the Total Beauty blog summit in May, Leeann and I were introduced to this fabulous cosmetic line: Redpoint. Redpoint comes in sassy red packaging and looks super chic, and since I am a huge fan of packaging, it was love at first sight. But, Redpoint goes way beyond its packaging. In fact, the brand is taking cosmetics in a whole new direction.

Because of Redpoint’s Chromactive Technology, it is able to push the makeup’s performance to a completely new level. Each product contains specialized ingredients that work behind the scenes to help improve the look and feel of your skin. Are you looking for that natural, youthful glow? Well, look no further!

One of the memorable experiences at the Total Beauty summit was when Leeann and I had the privilege of meeting the artistic director of Redpoint (AKA the Wonder Woman of Beauty), Fatima Olive. Fatima is a professional makeup artist, cosmetologist and esthetician. Her philosophy is best described as “Empowering women through beauty.” She has said before, “I believe that every woman possesses truly unique and beautiful qualities. They just don’t know how to showcase them. The right product, applied in the right place, with the right techniques, can transform anyone and bolster their self-confidence.”

I love Fatima’s outlook on beauty, and how makeup is a very powerful tool. I recently had a chance to ask Fatima for some beauty tips:

Denice: Summer is here, what is your “must-have” pick from Redpoint?
Fatima: My must-have for summer from Redpoint is our Airbrush Effects Blushwhip in Glow.
It’s a unique airfusion technology that creates an ultra lightweight feel and an incredible lit-from-within glow on the skin.

D: I love the Conga eyeliner, what do you feel makes it so unique?
F: First of all, the crème to powder formula that glides on and blends effortlessly and then becomes non transferable (it literally stays put). Second, the beautiful combination of pigments creates a truly universal color.

D: How did you get into the beauty industry?
F: I became fascinated by makeup when I was rather young — watching my older sister apply her makeup (eyeliner, false lashes, etc.), it was magical!!!

D: As a professional makeup artist, what is the number one product every girl should have?
F: A volumizing black mascara. It is the easiest way to transform the eyes without looking like you are wearing a lot of makeup. Plus, it makes you look awake, more youthful, and sexier. It turns up the volume when you speak with your eyes.

D: Is there a makeup tip that you can offer our readers?
F: For summer, my makeup tip is: don’t overdo. Keep it simple, fresh, dewy, and don’t forget the SPF everyday!!!!!

You can check out more of Fatima’s Summer Tips at Redpoint.

Photo Credit: Redpoint and Fatima herself =)

Shaving is a chore that has to be done (okay, it doesn’t have to, but should be), and if you decide to adopt other methods, such as waxing or threading, it can be a little uncomfortable and expensive. Personally, I stick to shaving. My skin is not super sensitive, but does react negatively from time to time. I am on a quest to find that perfect razor, but until then, I have found a fabulous alternative to those pesky ingrown hairs.

Queen Bee Waxing has a product that every girl should have in her bathroom, Buzz off Bumps™ For Pesky Ingrowns. Buzz off Bumps™ is a round, pre-medicated pad that is easy and fast to use. All you have to do is swipe the pad over the area 24 hours after shaving or waxing, and let dry. These little pads can be used everywhere! Your bikini area, underarms, and yes, men can use them too!

Queen Bee Waxing is the inspirational dream of Jodi Shays who is passionate about waxing, and I recently had the pleasure of speaking with her:

Denice: What was your inspiration for Queen Bee Waxing?
Jodi: I’m a neat freak by heart (it’s a Virgo thing). I cannot stand hair, but even worse than that, I couldn’t stand going to waxing establishments that didn’t do what I paid them to do. Therefore, I decided to learn how to do it myself, properly.

D: What is your favorite and/or top selling product, and why?
J: Buzz Off Bumps!, our salicylic acid pads. First we developed them as acne pads and realized that they were blasting ingrown hairs as well. Salicylic acid is a very reliable and powerful acid that can aid at ridding the follicle of debris, which causes the blockage in the first place. It cleans up the top layer of skin, allowing the new hair to grow out properly.

D: How does Queen Bee help women feel beautiful?
J: I’ve had a lot of people tell me that getting a Brazilian Bikini wax makes them feel empowered and sexy. Not only that, you absolutely do feel very clean and sassy.

D: How does Queen Bee make people feel at ease during a situation that can be uncomfortable?
J: You have to be able to talk to your client, the whole time. Silence is awkward, especially when you are taking away hair from “down there”. Also, we educate our clients before they wax, such as what to expect; we answer all questions.

D: You state that you are leaders in LA. Do you have any famous clients?
J: Yes we do. But we are asked not to divulge their names. We have to sign legal documents to that effect. Not every celeb wants you to know about their hair removal habits, and we definitely don’t want photographers outside of the shop. It’s too much of a personal experience. Celebs are treated like every other client who comes into the shop, and I know that they appreciate this.

D: Any tips you want to share?
J: It’s always a good idea to shower before an appointment!

You can catch Jodi tonight on E!’s Chelsea Lately show. To book an appointment or purchase products, contact the salon.

Thanks Jodi and Queen Bee waxing for sharing!

Today I am sharing my new obsession: toe rings. I had never tried toe rings before because I could never find one that fit quite right. Well I have now, and I am hooked! Being the resident Beauty Chat pedi snob, I have to share anything that makes my feet cute! I am always looking for new and exciting things that provide a sort of non-invasive “foot facelift.”

I located this company called Barefoot Bling (cute name, huh?), which specialize in custom-fitted toe rings. I immediately added them as a friend on myspace before going to their main Web site. After looking through many cute rings, I contact the company’s owner, Amy.

She was great in helping me select the correct fit for my ring, sending me a special toe ring sizing gadget, and walked me through, step by step, on how to size my toe. I had no idea you could wear it in different areas of your toe, and that toes were so unique in size!

Some of our conversation went like this:

Amy: What type of shoe do you mostly wear? High heels, flip flops, open toe, tennis shoe?
Denice: A little of each! I prefer no shoes!

A: Do you prefer it above your toe knuckle or more towards the base?
D: Not sure, probably the base

A: What toe do you prefer it on?
D: My second toe, which is where I see most people wear it.

Amy was so cute and helpful! She told me that a toe ring should be specific to your size and lifestyle. She recommended I start with something simple (since that’s what I stated my lifestyle was) and then gradually move in to a more funky style. So I selected the Full Classic Toe Ring.

About a week later, I had my new toe ring! Amy had told me to use Windex to lubricate my toe before putting the ring on (weird, I thought…but OK). She then explained Windex does not deposit build-up on the ring like lotion would. Good idea!

Now I have super cute toes for the spring. Come summer, I think I will be ready for a more funky style, or maybe even a stack! Check out Barefoot Bling, as I am sure you will find something you like. Take it from me, the pedi snob, this is a must for the summer.

Want to win your own Barefoot Bling and pedicure set? Let us know about your summer pedi must have! A winner will be selected on May 16.

The way I see it – the heart and soul of a company largely contributes to its success, and I love learning about the brains behind fabulous products. This is why I excitedly wanted to chat with Terry Carter of Travertine Spa – a line of natural botanical body care products and lovely loungewear. With a HUGE celebrity clientele base with products and apparel that is tailored for both and women, Terry wholeheartedly believes in what Travertine Spa stands for. With personal satisfaction using one of his “moisture therapy” products (as well as owning a comfy Yoga Wear top), I have to share one of my new favorite skincare lines with you.

Check out our exclusive Beauty Chat interview:

Elana: How did you develop the idea for Travertine Spa?

Terry: I was a corporate attorney who really didn’t like the atmosphere that I was working in; it was a hostile environment that I did not enjoy. I got away from my stresses in the workplace by going to spas. I wanted to share with people what I had learned and experienced by just taking time to take care of myself, so I decided to create Travertine Spa in 2005.

E: Tell me about the launch of your product line. Did apparel come second?

T: Initially, it was only products. But clothing gives me another opportunity to develop quality products people can enjoy and wear wherever they go. We introduced the clothing line last year at the MAGIC Marketplace trade show in Las Vegas. Travertine Spa is a lifestyle brand that resonates quality, so with products and clothing, people can have the whole Travertine Spa experience – anything from wearing the Yoga line or Men’s Resort Lounger, using the Petal Body Cream, or Protein Shampoo. By creating both, I knew each could complement one another perfectly.

E: Which products would you recommend for your male clientele?

T: We are a unisex brand, so many of our items are great for men. I would recommend the Men’s Resort Lounger. It has an amazing fit. The Lavender Body Wash and Massage Oil also appeal to our male clientele. The Shea Hand and Nail Cream is a product that is used by women, but is used frequently by men as well.

                             (Jordan Sparks of “American Idol” shows her love for Travertina Spa)

E: What about Travertine Spa attracts your large celebrity base?

T: Above all, our products are made with quality. It’s pretty easy to spot great products against those that are simply regular. Celebrities (like our regular customers) want something that is valuable. Every bottle we produce, every T-shirt we make, has the utmost quality put into it. Our comfortable clothing and great smelling products have really been well received with all of our customers, but in particular, we are very blessed to have great celebrity clientele. They can choose any brand they want, but when celebrities choose Travertine Spa products, it’s a great feeling. It lets me know that I’m creating items that people want and enjoy.

E:  What do you believe to be the importance of aromatherapy?

T: It’s important to use products that not only feel good but have a therapeutic benefit as well. Essential oils are a natural way of providing holistic benefits for the body, whether it is tea tree for its antibacterial benefits or lavender for its calming effect. As a former lawyer with a high-stress job, which involved working with multi-million dollar contracts, I wanted to find clean, healthy ways to rejuvenate myself. I believe I have created that experience with the Travertine Spa line.

Unwind, rejuvenate, and check out Travertine Spa products and apparel – all of which can be purchased online.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Terry Carter 
 

Every woman needs a complementary coat that displays her attitude and flatters her body. However, finding that special jacket isn’t always so simple…until now!

Mackage is an amazing line that values the beauty of outerwear. Never a disappointment, the creators Elise Dahan and Eran Elfassy (who began their design aspirations as grade school friends) consistently develop stylish, yet classic, pieces. Their coats embody sophistication.

For the Spring/Summer 2008 Collection, the theme is an enchanted fairy-tale forest. Advertising their looks with characters such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and others, what woman isn’t immediately intrigued?

To get the inside scoop, I wanted to hear from the Mackage leading lady herself.

Check out my interview with Elisa:

Leeann: I understand that you two are childhood friends who started sketching designs in grade school. When did you come up with the coat concept? And when did you start producing items under the Mackage brand?

Elisa: “Mackage actually started as a leather collection due to the fact that Eran’s older brothers were already in the leather business. When we were finishing design school, there was no such thing as a contemporary leather jacket on the market. The only leather jackets to be found were missy and more commercial, so Eran and I decided to design a collection of contemporary leather. We quickly realized that it was not just contemporary leather that was missing on the market but contemporary outerwear altogether. With this in mind we slowly added wool coats with leather detailing. We then evolved into a complete contemporary outerwear whose signature became that leather detailing. The Mackage collection first started in 1999.”

L: Because you began working with leather, and not specifically coats, do you plan on branching out to other items in the future?

E: “Our goal is to eventually become a lifestyle brand, but we love to be specialized in one category before starting a new one! Branching out into other items will definitely be happening sooner than later. With our roots as a leather company, the natural progression would be to probably go into shoes and handbags….”

L: How would you describe your items overall? And this season’s collection?

E: “Mackage definitely has a trademark style that will always remain from season to season. We are known for intricate construction, sexy and sleek silhouettes and our signature leather detailing. New this season is our A-line coat that still remains fitted, by subtly accentuating the waist. We have also introduced fabrics that have matte and shiny contrasts, glamorous Toscana coats and have perfected our popular new Puffys.”

L: Where do you find inspiration? What lends to your creative process?

E: “Anything and everything can inspire us…from the design of a trendy restaurant found while on vacation, to a favorite actor or musician. Truly, just sitting around playing with fabrics, buttons and a sketchpad is all we need to bounce ideas off of one another.”

L: What message do you want Mackage to send to the fashion world?

E: “That you can still be sexy even if you are all covered up and that a coat is your outfit not just an accessory.”

L: If you had to describe Mackage in three words, what would they be?

E: “That’s a challenge! How about: timeless, sexy, and glamorous.”

I am not a plastic surgeon, a beauty expert, or a skincare specialist — but I do know when something does not appear healthy. And right now, I’m thinkin’ of Priscilla Presley - a current contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” (on tonight!).

Check out the new column on Your New Body Blog, featuring two Beverly Hills plastic surgeons: Dr. Stuart Linder (“BodyDocBlogger”) and Dr. Robert Kotler (“FaceDocBlogger”). It’s called Tuck N’ Stitch. And I don’t know about you, but getting insider information is always helpful when celebrity plastic surgery results are questionable!

…BUT I still think she’s pretty fabulous. Here’s a recent YouTube video featuring Elvis Presley’s love on “Dancing With The Stars” during Week 1:

 [video]http://youtube.com/watch?v=MJueOXNb_lE[/video]