Gigi here! Would someone please tell me that there are no product application police?  I was kidding last week when I referred to the St. Ives patrol, but shopping for skin care can become pure hype.  Yes, I was born at night, but not last night!
 
It was hard to control my annoyance with a saleswoman at an Estee Lauder counter recently.  Where do they find these Stepford types?  I am hooked on their CP+ serum and wanted to purchase it.  The saleswoman asked, “Well, you know you absolutely must use this particular cleanser beforehand, don’t you?”  I pasted on an obedient smile and said, “Certa inly.”  Then she said, “Well, then you must follow with this” and tried to sell something else.  I lied smoothly and said, “Oh, I have that” (and I also have eighty dollars along with the $55.00 for the serum which gives me more guilt that the nuns in my elementary school).  She would not relent and “The last step to be used right before bed is our newest item.”  I almost fainted at the price.  I wanted to ask, “And what must I use at 3:00 a.m.?  Do you have a bank in mind which I should rob?”  Her facial features disappeared and all I saw was the word “COMMISSION.”
 
A friend of mine with flawless skin told me she enjoys Olay’s “Night Fortifying Cream” (a generous tub retails for around $14.00).  Swamped again by the number of moisturizers on drugstore shelves, I wanted to destroy the display of this item simply because of the name, telling me when to use it.  What—did I need ten other creams for this to work as well, one to layer every so many hours?  I saw an opened container of it and read the label—no other products were mentioned. That was a surprise.  And then I sniffed.  And sniffed.  And kept sniffing like a dog trained to detect drugs—Heaven!  It has a delicate, slightly floral scent.  I bought it.

Katehrm777 here! I would like to make a disclaimer before I go any further.  I am usually a very smart, very practical person.  Keep that in mind as you read what I am about to say.  I have a weakness for infomercials.  I won’t get into too specific detail about everything I have purchased (I have a reputation to uphold!), but it ranges from weight loss systems to kitchen appliances.  My most recent foray into the world of infomercials was the hair accessory, the “Bumpit”.  If you haven’t seen the commercial, this product claims to save you the hassle of teasing and spraying while giving you much desired body and root lift.

First I would like to discuss the customer service here, as for me, that is all important when buying from unknown companies.  I ordered the bumpit off of their website, and they mistakenly charged me twice for two orders.  I called them immediately to let them know I only wanted one order and they told me that my order had not yet been processed and I had to wait 24-48 hours for it be processed before I could cancel.  I called back the next day and they told me my order had already been shipped and it was too late to cancel.  Hmm…..a little shady if you ask me.

Meg Favorite Marco Pelusi hair giving all you summer babies tips for your hair! It’s summertime, and most of you like to wear a brighter color in your hair – even you guys out there may wish to go a bit lighter.  Oftentimes a lighter coppery red or reddish tone is a great choice to add into your color during summertime.  A color change such as adding red or lighter colors sometimes seems to fade more quickly than the regular blonde or brunette color that has already been done.  As a general note, any kind of red color is the first to fade, because red contains the largest dye molecules.  Whether you’re a redhead, blonde or brunette, if you are going even a bit lighter/redder, you should always ask your stylist/colorist what he/she could do to prevent hair from premature color fade.  This may include leaving the color on a bit longer or mixing up separate formulas for the base, mid-shaft and ends.  Be sure to ask if he/she is doing a typical “pull through” or using a fresh color formula.  Ask if the formula will be on the mid-shaft and ends and for how long.  Then you need to evaluate which haircare products you’re using at home and you need to make sure that your products are specifically formulated to repair and moisturize, as well as prevent hair from premature color fade.  Lastly, as a general rule, you don’t need to shampoo as often which will help retain your hair color for a longer period of time.

Along the same lines, when you guys and gals go lighter and/or redder during summertime, many of you have eyebrow tone or eyelash tone that needs to be adjusted to match the new color.  It is definitely possible to tint either or both, and this is a procedure I recommend for a total look of beauty.  Eyebrow and eyelash tinting is very easy to do but I do recommend going to a salon rather than doing it yourself to ensure that your color is in sync and to ensure safety.  For eyebrows, it’s about a 15-20 minute process.  For eyelashes, again, it’s an easy procedure that takes approximately 20 minutes.  The color lasts between three and four weeks and fades gradually on-tone.

Tantejoan here! Recently Meg, in her incredible generosity, gave many of us the opportunity to share our still-haunting recollections of painful or downright dysfunctional childhoods.  My own is so far behind me, me being ancient and all, that it was surprising to discover, looking into the rear-view mirror, that the view can still be blurred by tears.  But children, being incredibly resilient creatures, often find unusual and creative ways to make the unbearable bearable. I had a wardrobe of coping mechanisms, including the support of much-older siblings and some loving, if understandably distracted, aunts and uncles, but my chief avenues of escape from pain were always reliable and, in many ways, shaped me into the person I am today.  I found refuge in the Philadelphia Public Library, my neighborhood’s wonderful movie theaters and in my best babysitter, “Million Dollar Movie.”

This morning, while showering and crying over the still-fresh deaths of FF and MJ (I do my best crying in the shower) I started thinking of Michael’s abusive childhood, and then I thought of how he, as had so many performers, turned to his talent as a way out.  When I posted a response to Angie’s wonderful tribute thread I mentioned Fred Astaire, and then this morning, dripping wet and unable to distinguish between the shower stream and my tears, I suddenly remembered that I had had a wonderful set of parents in my childhood.  I had my Fantasy Parents, Fred and Esther.

When my parents disappointed me, neglected me, burdened me with unrealistic expectations or conflicting requirements, I could retire to my room and remember that I had parents who loved me, cherished me and always taught me Wonderful Things.  My Fantasy Father, Fred Astaire, being the most elegant, tasteful, charming and talented of men, taught me my first lessons in making hard work look effortless.  He always was well dressed, so much so that he, rather than any woman of the screen, gave me my first lessons in Style.  He wore a tie for a belt, for goodness sake, and instantly made regular belts seem, well, vulgar.  And with Ginger (my Fantasy Aunt, but interesting not my Fantasy Mother -- more of that later) or a series of other wonderful ladies, Father Fred showed me that dance was the ultimate expression of romance.  Plus he could dance with things, an amazing talent I could be proud of.  He danced with coat racks, and steam pipes, and shoes!  And he was funny, and sang so beautifully that Irving Berlin said, given a choice of any singer on earth to introduce one of his songs, he would choose My Dad.  I loved Fred Astaire to death, and I love him now.

Katie here! Get it while it's hot and 40% off! Decleor Sale! - Saturdays at Sephora
 
I wish I had stumbled upon this deal earlier - it only lasts until midnight Tuesday! 40% off all Decleor products at Sephora.com!  Decleor was "among the first to introduce essential oils into skincare (over 30 years ago!), Decleor combines unique and natural products with beauty-enhancing techniques for holistic aromatherapy treatments. A beautiful marriage of science and nature is the secret behind their innovative products, which awaken the senses, offer effective results, and promote total body harmony and balance."  Once again, the French really get 'er done!Here's my top 5 picks from Decleor to make you even more beautiful.
 

• Tonifying Lotion - One of the most gentle and softening toners that I have ever used.  It's got a faintly sweet smell and is really great to soothe your tired skin after you wash your makeup off in the evening.
• Phytopeel Natural Exfoliating Lotion - A great exfoliator that is gentle enough to use every day.  Little clay bits act as the scrubbers to smooth your skin gorgeous. Essential oils of Marjoram, Lemon, Lavender, and Thyme smooth, soothe, and brigthen you to a glowing fresh complexion.  Perfect for those with sensitive skin who still want to slough off the gunk.