Short bangs = prominent brows

I visited my sister (aka my personal stylist) over the weekend in L.A. to hang out, show off the baby, and while at it, get my hair trimmed.

I sat in her kitchen with a garbage bag smock on and chatted as she chopped. As she scissored the bangs,  I watched 2 1/2-inch pieces of hair drop into my lap.

“Hmmm…were my bangs really that  long?” I wondered.

Then my sister started furiously smoothing my hair down, as if rapid petting might make my fringe grow.

“You usually like them short,” she said worriedly.

I think they are short enough.

“In two weeks, they’ll be perfect,” she offered.

So true — but in the mean time, my brows are on parade. Probably a good time to visit my favorite brow guy, Koltton Fox.

Spa Week: April 11 – 17

Wilson has had an insatiable appetite — followed by some disconcerting crying jags. I’ve been spending much time on the couch with a baby latched to my boob, watching old Law & Order SVUs rather than doing anything worth writing about.

If anyone is ready for Spa Week, it’s me.

For those not in the know, spas participating in the week-long event have selected treatments available for $50.

Some of the spas participating: all 3 Dolce Salon & Spas are offering a 45 minute massage, facial or pedicure. Joya Spa at the Montelucia (one of my favorite local spas) has a  45 facial, makeup-application or personal training session available this week. Revive Spa has 50 minutes massages, facials and pedicures.

To find participating spas, visit the Spa Week website and fill out the information (name and email) for a list of local spas and their deals.

Hair today, gone tomorrow?

I love getting my hair cut.

I have an appointment on Saturday where I was planning on chopping off my bobbish ‘do, then I saw a picture of Keira Knightley with a very cool new look…and I’m reconsidering.

Granted, I’m no Keira Knightley –  I have short little bangs and thin, fine hair, so I won’t be achieving the same sleek look.

Hmmm. Any suggestions?

Spa Week is back: Sept. 13-19

What’s Cracking Good — Spa services at a discount

This week is Spa Week! That time of year when participating spas and resorts offer select treatments for $50.

It’s a great time to try out some of the Valley’s most luxurious spas: Joya at Montelucia, Willow Stream at the Fairmont, Golden Door at Boulders for a price that’s relatively affordable (a 60 minute massage at most of these places generally runs well over the $100 mark).

Some I’d like to try:

• 45 minute massage or facial at Joya
• 60 minutes anti-aging pumpkin facial at Skincare by Klara
• 50 minute aromatherapy massage at The Arizona Biltmore
• 45 coconut oil hot stone massage and 45 hot stone pedi at Dolce

10-minutes a day can change your life — or your abs

What’s Cracking Good (to my sister) — 10 Minute Workouts

My sister is on a health kick.

No carbs (no sandwiches!) an hour of exercise a day, coffee and cigarettes. Okay — maybe it’s not a health kick, but she’s eating well (aka boring) and partaking in daily physical activity — and she has nearly a 6-pack to prove it. Maybe this is a normal person’s “living well,” but she might as well be Lance flipping Armstrong in my book.

Neither of us particularly gravitate toward a life of fitness, but her recent discovery of the 10-minute workout series has changed all that. She now owns about 5 or 6 DVDs and does about 6 different 10-minute workouts a day.

Do the math. It’s an HOUR of exercise. But because she mixed up 10-minute intervals (who can’t do 10 minutes?), she doesn’t get bored.

Or so she says.

My 10-minute workout is still sitting on the entertainment center waiting to be inserted into the DVD player.

I’m sure once I do, I’ll be a changed woman.

Peeling back the years

What’s Cracking Good — Cheaper anti-aging solutions

During my sister’s visit, we cashed in a couple of Groupons for anti-aging facials — which revolved around a lactic acid mask.

“It was nice, but I can do something similar at home,” says my sister.

Say what?

“I got some professional-grade peels  on Amazon,” continues sister, “I just brush it on for a few minutes.” My sister is in her 30s and has been a smoker for probably 15 years — yet has beautiful skin.

“Tell me more…”

Here are the products she uses:

• Glycolic Acid 35% Gel Peel, 30ml (Professional), $18.95
• Salicylic Acid 20% Gel Peel, 30ml (Professional), $18.95
• Neutralizer skin pH balancer, $10
• Glycolic Fan Brush, $3.99

Here are the steps she takes:

Step 1: Wash face with a regular cleanser and blot dry.

Step 2: Pour a bit of the glycolic or salycitic peel (or whichever you choose. Look at reader comments) into a shot glass. Dip the fan brush and start putting a thin layer over your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead.

KEEP AWAY FROM THE LIPS! This is a lesson my sister assures me you don’t want to learn on your own.

Step 3: Wait about 2 or 3 minutes.

Step 4: Sweep a cotton pad with neutralizer across your whole face.

Step 5: Wash your face thoroughly and reapply neutralizer (just to make sure you stop it from working).

Her tips:

- If you feel burning — STOP, apply neutralizer, wash your face and neutralize again.

- Don’t go too strong. My sister uses between 20 and 30% strength. She tried a higher (50%)  — and immediately felt her skin burning. If that happens, STOP.

Note: Neither my sister nor I are anything close to dermatologists. It would probably be wise to read all the reviews on Amazon, and test an area before trying your whole face. If you want to be really careful — talk to someone who knows about this stuff.

This hairstyle is bananas

What’s (surprisingly) Cracking Good — Banana Clips

My little sister is in town from LA for the week.

“Your hair looks really good,” I tell her when I stop by to see her.

“Thanks!” she says excitedly. “I just got an 8-pack of banana clips. Remember banana clips?”

Oh yes. I remember banana clips all right.

First leggings, neon and bubble skirts…now banana clips are making a comeback?

Granted, these are not quite the giant clips of ’80s that covered the whole backside of the head. The clip my sister sported was smaller, looking more like a ponytail with flourish than the cascading waterfall of hair its predecessor created.

I myself don’t have long enough hair to try this ’80s trend.

So what’s next; scrunchies, anyone?

The perfect tint is hard to find

What’s Cracking Good — Lip and cheek stain

Vincent Longo’s Cupid’s Breath lip and cheek tint was my desert island beauty product.

With a swipe of the sponge-y tip, a natural-looking shade of color appeared on my lips and cheeks like magic, waking me from the dead in under 15 seconds.

Now, however, Cupid’s Breath is nowhere to be found. Amazon lists it, but claims it’s out of stock. I had a brief moment of hope when I saw it listed in In Style Magazine — but still, my favorite color is elusive.

I’m now scraping the contents out of my current tube. I’m going to have to come up with an alternative.

Here are a few I’m looking at:

1.) Sephora Lush Flush Lip & Cheek Stain , $12 in Red Wine and Rose

2.) Vincent Longo’s My Sunshine Lip & Cheek Stain, $22.50
It’s the same formula in a different, more orange-y tint. This is the one I actually purchased. It’s okay, but I kind of look like I got into some Kool-Aid.

3.) Mark Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain, $9
You can afford to try several of the stay-on shades.

4.) Jemma Kidd Rosy Glow Lip & Cheek Tint, $28
Super-sheer color

5.) Marry Me Lip & Cheek Stain, $22.50

Any suggestions?

Pretty feet

My heels are disgusting.

Now that it’s officially hot, my shoes of choice are my island sandals. Unfortunately, the open shoe has meant dry heels that no amount of soaking will soften.

A pedicure might help, but who has the time or money to do that every week?

I searched the Internet for some help:

1.) Zim’s Crack Creme, $23.50
The name is kind of funny, but the product has a 5 star customer review on Amazon.

2.) Foot Works Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream, $4.99
Several blogs cited Avon products as the best for soft feet

3.) Diamancel Tough Buffer, $48.75
The Rolls Royce of foot buffers

4.) Softening Socks, $48
Sleep your way to soft heels.

5.) Flexitol Heel Balm, $6.99
Results in one day

Pretty, pretty prom hair

Oh how prom hair has changed.

According to Teen Vogue, this is the new trend in prom hair…

…which pretty much matches my image of mother nature.

Back in my prom day, a few prom-obsessed girls might have gone to get an updo, some turned to their trusty crimping irons, and the rest of us just took a little more time than usual doing the same old thing (see my teased bangs at right).

Anyone remember their prom hair?