Temple of Glam

Trillions of zillions of $50 treatments are now available in a city near you! Well, not exactly a trillion, but you know the deal: facials, massages, manis, pedis, body wraps and more are on sale at SpaWeek.com for a one week only.

I was more than a little impressed by the Red Door hand treatment I experience at the Spa Week Media Event last week. See? I was stoked!

As you probably remember, Spa Week kicks off with a media party where guests receive complimentary beauty treatments (like blowouts, brow shaping & waxing), mingle, and dip delectables in the chocolate fountain. We also walk out with product-laden gift bags. Here's a glimpse of the magic that is the Spa Week Media Party.

Blowout by J. Sisters...

Lorna from The Fabulous Report, Spa Week's Michelle Joni, Kimberlee & More Bloggers...

The chocolate fountain & more snacks...

I'd never even heard of the Brooklyn Bodega Hip Hop Festival until last week, but luckily I did and attended with two of my road dogs.

By the time Q-Tip performed "Electric Relaxation" and Bonita Applebaum", we were jumping up with drinks in hand, and perhaps landing (very hard) on folk's flip-flopped feet. I was joyfully sweating, singing, and cool-girl head nodding. For the record, the "cool girl" thing vanished as soon as a very-very-surprise guest hit the stage (and I just about hit the floor). Wait till I tell you who it was...you're going to die.

Despite all of the jumping around, the Tocca SPF 30 Sunscreen Towelette ($28 for 8) I gave my friend stayed in tact leaving her skin silky, sun protected, and scented in the blood orange Stella fragrance. Not that I noticed (or cared) how my friend smelled; I was preoccupied with the thought of not being trampled by the crowd when I passed out in shock. Shock? Yes, read on.

When Q-Tip and Monie Love performed "Buddy" and Busta Rhymes hopped out for "Scenario", I was floored. Then Q-Tip asked the crowd twice, "Can we get much higher?". I was paralyzed with anticipation...disbelief...some other word that evokes intense emotion. Kanye West appeared on stage out of nowhere.

Remember what I said would happen if I was in the same area as him? Well, at least I wasn't carried away. And that's all I can say without damaging my street cred.

Style Coalition hosted The Royal Treatment, a super-fun Lierac & Phyto event for top beauty and fashion bloggers. As I walked into the impeccably decorated lounge, I noticed the scent of fresh gardenia wafting through the air. Kinda' perfect since I'd just watched "Lady Sings the Blues". And you know, Billie Holiday wore a gardenia in her hair...and...well, the scent was dope.

Plus, since it was the day of the royal wedding, the ceremony played in the background throughout the afternoon.

I enjoyed a brilliant massage, featuring the new jasmine and gardenia-infused Lierac Sensory Oil, which hydrates for 24 hours and can be used on face, body, and hair. It's a unique oil because when it's added to water, it doesn't just become a gross glob at the top of the water; it creates a milky-moisture paradise (try saying that six times).

With slicked-down bangs (this is exactly why I won't show you the pic of me) and utterly relaxed corps, I reached for my yummy jasmine-enhanced drink.

The other girls experienced the Phyto Scope (Since Phyto Scope and I were up close and way-too-personal with my scalp a week earlier, I sat that part out); they also got their "'dos, did" by hair stylist extraordinaire, Yves Durif. I walked away from Style Coalition calmer, more beauty informed, and royally treated. Take that, Kate.

Can you believe Spa Week is ending this weekend? Yes folks, the opportunity to get a boat-load of $50 spa treatments is ending Sunday, the 17th. If you're into living a life without regrets, book your appointment pronto!

Last week at the Spa Week Media Party, the official kickoff to Spa Week, I along with a room full of bloggers and editors enjoyed beauty treatments, decadent products, a chocolate fountain, and a Dole real fruit-flavored oxygen bar (I kid you not).

Upon my arrival, I stared at the phenomenal ice sculpture and realized it wasn't a booze luge.  Misha told me she sneaked a touch so I (like the eight year old that I am), did the same. And giggled about it for a good minute and 30 seconds. That's how I roll.

It truly was a lot of fun to get a hand massage at the Carol's Daughter booth, scoop my own clariSEA clarifying bath salts, sip the lime-infused Given tequila liquer, and have my face BEATEN by YoungBlood Mineral Cosmetics.

As I headed home carrying my super-heavy gift bag (and inevitably switching shoulders--Spa Week gift bags are always packed-with-awesomeness), I realized that that was quite possibly the only media party that could cancel out the crappy morning and afternoon I had. You know when you are crazy tense, go to the spa, and leave feeling like a gazillion bucks? The Spa Week Media Party is just like that...but with tequila.

Remember when I got that exquisite metallic henna tattoo from Akiyo? Well, she's hosting a fund raising event for Japan in NYC this weekend. The suggested donation of $10 will give you a gorgeous henna tattoo (and a warm heart), knowing that all proceeds will go to the Red Cross to aid in its support of Japan. Dope, right?

So if you're in New York this Sunday, April 3rd, consider stopping by!

If you've had more than two conversations with me, you know there's NOTHING I can't relate to an episode of "Sex and the City". I realized this when chatting with my friend who thanked me for a SATC analogy from our last conversation. I talk about it so much, I had no idea which she was referring to.

So of course Completely Bare's FREE Brazilian Bikini Wax offer reminded me of "Carrie" asking "Charlotte" whether her depressed "hmm-hmm" wanted French fries. Why the offer? To celebrate the national expansion of the NYC haven of hair removal.

Completely Bare has earned major accolades from City Search, Allure Magazine, and Life & Style for its (relatively) painless Brazilian wax and its fantastically chic-yet-chill setting. I will neither confirm nor deny whether I've had first-hand (or first hmm-hmm) experience there, because frankly, that's none of your beeswax.

I get it. Christmas is three weeks away. And when it comes to Christmas shopping, I flip flop between an awakened Buddhist state and full-on Western denial. Speaking of denial, I still can't believe I ventured out on Black Friday this year. Yup, I was one of THEM.

Assuming you aren't walking around singing "8 Days of Christmas", maybe Philosophy The Gingerbread House ($20) will take you to a don-a-sexy-Santa-costume and sing in the street kinda' place. The shower gel set includes The Gingerbread Man (relaxing & moisturizing, a Philosophy classic) and The Gingerbread Girl (shimmering & sparkling, a gel with golden flecks). If you want more of a light ginger scent, go for the girl. A more hardcore ginger root situation? Go for the guy.

Last night I went to the grand opening of the new Sabon store in Soho. There were complimentary hand massages and body scrub demonstrations. In fact, because I used the Patchouli Lavender Vanilla Body Scrub ($30) in the store, I bought it AND got suckered into buying the larger jar ("It's only $6 more!").

I mean, I've written beauty training scripts. Once you get the customer to try the product, she will most likely buy the damned thing. Bah! Humbug. But I must say my skin feels gooood.

Oh and the foodie in me wants you to know that the prosecco with apple and cinnamon syrup cocktail, mini potatoes topped with caviar, and crostini with basil, fresh mozzarella, and tomato (I hate tomatoes, mind you) were dee-li-cious.

So like I've been hitting the gym. Like me. Like really. I've even set gym goals for myself!

I did, however, reconsider my recent athleticism after I received ShaToBu. It's not just shapewear that makes you LOOK slimmer; it actually MAKES you slimmer with built-in resistance bands that increase muscle activity. The result? Toned muscles and burnt calories.

And if you want to go all Jane Fonda, you can do basic movements like lunges or leg raises throughout your eight-hour day. That's comparable to a 30-40 minute workout. Mmmhmm.

So as I ruin my blowout sweatin' like a sow, I could be wearing shapewear. Oh the humanity.

Wanna try it? I have exactly one High Waist to Knee Shaper in size large to give away. Check the size chart below and leave me a comment if you want it.

Guys can be many things: slices of heaven, pains in the ass, handy men, sports slaves. One thing is painfully clear: with very little effort (and money), they look incredible every morning. Hate. Them. All. So I asked myself, "what can we steal from the boys?" And off to his medicine cabinet, we go!

Cop His Cleanser (1)

We've all been hoodwinked by mystical-sounding cleansers that promise the world and deliver a sidewalk. Fragrance-free Cerave Hydrating Cleanser ($10.49) doesn't claim to be the fountain of youth, but it leaves skin feeling clean and hydrated.

Take His Toner (2)

True, splashing cold water on his face doesn't constitute a toner in the beauty section of any department store, but he gets the same effect: refreshed skin. Save your blowout and use Evian Natural Mineral Spray-3 Pack ($17.50).

Loot His Lotion (3)

Let's be real. We use a lot of crap...and everything has a fragrance. Maybe try an unscented lotion that cannot conflict with the bevy of other scents you have going on. One like Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream ($13.29) is great for dry, sensitive skin!

Raid His Razors (4)

Isn't the "pink is for girls" thing almost too annoying for words? Consider using CVS Disposable Twin Blade Razors 3-Pack ($1) as a small act of feminism and to save a couple of bucks. Suck it, girly razors: you won't deight in super-foaming Barbasol shave cream anymore.

I am elated to announce a new addition to Temple of Glam: Boy Beauty. The idea came to me when I found out that guys actually read this thing. Though quite a few products I discuss here are gender neutral, boys need a little gender-specific product love, too. And girls, now you'll know which products to steal from his medicine cabinet. Win-win!

This Anthony for Men Dynamic Duo Pack ($35) features the best-selling Glycerin Hand & Body Lotion and the skin-softening, Sea Salt Body Scrub. The scrub is chock full of vitamin C, sea kelp, and shea butter. Plus, a percentage of its sales will go to support prostate cancer research.

Make sure to check the Boy Beauty link at the top of the page for the latest and greatest men's products and events!

Let it be known. I have a thing for gourmand beauty. I don't know why, but I'm all for pastry-scented products. With that said, after running out of my creme brulee and my gingerbread body wash and using an unscented one for a couple of days, I thought I'd give this Caress Whipped Souffle Body Wash in Blackberry Cream ($6.49) a go. How happy am I that I did?

After just 15 minutes of Vinyasa Flow yoga (what? It's hard), I was sweating like a ferret in heat and needed to smell human again. I gotta tell ya, I smelled like a candy-cream pie hybrid. In my world that's exquisite.

My arms have been compared to MObama's more than once. But here's a little secret. Mine wiggle. That's probably why I shake my bingo wings at just about anyone who will look. I love to watch them sway and shake. In fact, I'm beginning to notice that with each jiggle, I giggle. I am easily amused.

Maybe one day, I'll decide to lift 2 lbs. weights or something, but until then I'll be trolling bingo sites on the hunt for worthy competitors. Yeah, you get where I'm going. Don't be afraid. I want to create and participate in (obvi), "Battle of the Bingo Wings". I also plan to win.

Until then, I will be shocking adults and perhaps frightening children. Believe it or not, I do have an admirable goal...making us all a little more comfortable with our bodies and of course, making myself laugh.

It's that time of the day again. And let's face it, it's not getting any warmer out, so it's probably a good time to get some moisturizing body products. And like, body products...The Body Shop...it all just makes sense.

Pick up a little something and when you spend $35 , you'll get a FREE full-size shea body butter!

To quote "Clueless", I'm totally buggin! I was standing in line at Duane Reade (an NYC pharmacy chain) and as I juggled a bag of gummy bears, something else, and a bottle of water, my "impulse-purchase finger" started twitching. My eyes were mysteriously drawn to a very familiar, text-image pairing of the Ed Hardy persuasion. "But you're in Duane Reade...in New York, not Vegas!" I said to myself. I slowly bent down to see it: friggin Ed Hardy Hand Sanitizer. I spun it 'round and 'round.

I even contemplated buying it just to prove that it exists. But alas, I decided to write about it. Sadly, I didn't check out the "light" scent...and now I'm kinda' obsessed about what it could smell like: hmm can you bottle "bling bling"?

Fed up with my commute, I decided to regain my power and spice things up with a new and improved route. Since I had to wake up maybe an hour earlier than usual--in case things went terribly wrong, I also prepped for lots of running and as a result, profuse perspiration.

You never know, there could be a harried dash for a train, bus, or pedicab. And that's precisely why I hit the skin off with a precautionary puff of Urban Decay Flavored Body Powder in Marshmallow ($26). And though I haven't tried to eat it (promise), you actually can. The tiny animal print powder puff is not only cute, but the size is perfect for er, crevices. Or so I've been told.

Image courtesy of Pillarofsalt.com

Sure sure sure, the salt used in Halo Air Salt Rooms isn't from the Dead Sea, but let me see YOU come up with a clever title that also pays homage to super group, Salt N Pepa. Did you see MTV's "My Super Sweet 16" that featured Spinderella's daughter? I was so choked up by the mother-daughter relationship and loved the fact that the daughter seemed to be really sweet...not a big ol' brat like the other teeners!

But I digress (of course). Thanks to a dope Groupon deal, I booked my first of two one-hour sessions at Halo Air. After stepping into this machine that adorned my sandals with sterile bootie things, I stepped on to the salted floor. "Whoa this is like, salt", I thought. I really did.

The salt air permeated the room as I sat on my recliner and flipped channels in my "cave" room. I really loved the novelty of it all. I even got a quick nap in! I will say this, as a person who has a not-so-fun type of dermatitis, I am intrigued by the healing aspects of the salt rooms. Though it's said that in order to see results (besides the immediate improved respiration and stuff), you need to visit several times. I have one more session to go. Hey, you never know, I've heard of at least one other mystical event involving salt.

A couple of weeks ago,  I went to a brunch honoring Veronica Webb's new role as member of the Eucerin Skin First Council. It's a group so dedicated to skin health, it even created a pledge, which you can take here, where you promise to honor your skin. I was seated among approximately 15 bloggers and right smack dab in front of Ms. Webb herself. I know, lucky me. I got to curse my decision to get a blowout after the event and didn't put on as much as tinted moisturizer for the event. But you know me, G-for-life so it was all good.

She discussed the importance of drinking lots of water and sweating a whole bunch (to naturally remove toxins from the body). She has also used glycerin soap on her face since she was little. It totally makes sense. It's SLS-free and moisturizing. I think I've seen it in the 99 cents store, so I mean, it's a win-win, no? I haven't tried glycerin soap, but I want to...badly. Have any of you gals used it?

Lend me your ear as I rave about my high school experience. You see, I went to an all-girls school. And despite all the gender-based myths, it was a Shangri-La of sisterhood and educational excellence. But I will say this: as soon as 2:50PM hit, we ran out of the classroom like our petticoats were on fire. After school was minutes away and a tribe of boys would soon arrive to pick up girlfriends, little sisters, etc.

Rollers were ripped from bangs, plaid skirts were rolled up to chins, red lipstick was passed around like it was nobody's business. Forget the British, the boys were coming!

Another indelible part of my high school experience was the scent of The Body Shop's perfume oils (note: I friggin lived for peach) wafting through the halls. Right now I'm all about Coconut Body Butter. It's super hydrating, but not greasy. And the scent is intoxicating. Today you can get your choice of 3 Full Size Body Butters for $30 (regularly $60)! Mhmm...there was a benefit to reading my teen musings.

A few of you have asked, "yo what's up with the posts?" Is there a Shaunequa Jr. on the way? Moving to Zimbabwe? Joining the Rockettes? As much as I want to tell you I'm the proud new member of the New York chapter of the Human Tail Society, I can't lie: I'm just a lazy mo-fo.

But I wasn't so busy doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING; I did find a new product. I read one piece on the magical properties of Emu Oil and (the impetuous little minx that I am) went right over to Westerly and copped a bottle. It's supposed to be an anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, hell it's probably a crime-fighting, sea-parting, walk-on-water oil.

Oh my poor forsaken coconut oil had to take a backseat. Sorry, yo. I've been using Emu Oil for just about a week.

It's supposed to be an incredible under-eye moisturizer and it keeps even my dry hands (sorta) supple. I’ll say this my alter ego, the Queen of Glow, thinks it’s a bit much for the face--especially because it’s so warm now. Oh, and its appearance makes it a little difficult to forget its origins.

Oh Philosophy, how I remember when you were just a wee little one. And now you're 14 years old. Where has the time gone? From gingerbread-scented shower gel to my newest favorite lip gloss that tastes like s'mores, I love ya, you crazy kid.

If you are as much of a Philosophy fan as I, check out their birthday instant win game. Enter once a day all month for a chance to win daily prizes or the grand prize ($1000 Philosophy shopping spree). And that's a whole lot of fruity beauty products!

If you live or visit New York, you must give YeloSpa a try. Here's the dealio. I have never had reflexology before so I figured, what the hay, I have a coupon...I'll give it a whirl. I felt kinda' bad for my "reflexologer" because I was trudging through the snow in apprently semi-waterproof boots and my feet were an oh-so-pleasant mix of cold and wet.

Before I could say more, my oversize recliner chair had this partially neurotic New Yorker in the ideal napping position (knees above chest), which slows down the heart rate. I shut up. After 30 minutes, I realized the reflexology was over and nap time had begun. The lights were off, the sound machine played a tranquil rainstorm, and I was knocked out in my own little cocoon. The best part? I didn't wake up to a person shaking me senseless or even a faint knock on the door. YeloNap has this awesome wake-up process. The lights slowly rise simulating a sunrise. I didn't even think about hitting the "snooze" button; I was honestly smiling and so relaxed.

So yes, I paid for a 30 minute reflexology session and 30 minute power nap, but I awoke feeling like Snow White (I swear I heard birds chirping) and with a cup of water waiting for me. No doubt, I was sleeping with my mouth wide open -- I was parched.

If you've been paying close attention, you might have realized I've been in a sucky mood. I give you two of my recent posts: "I can't take it anymore!" and "Pass the butterscotch. Hold the butter." 

Um, it was a cry for help ya'll, and not one of you sent white chocolate break up, black roses, or the name of your favorite lobotomist.

So tonight I plan to turn on Destiny's Child "Survivor" and put my bootylicious self into the bath tub. I'm not going to the city of cliché and mention "Calgon" or a steaming cup of General Foods International Coffee, but I will certainly reach for Origins The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Body Soak ($45).

Not easily swayed by marketing shennanigans, I'm a desperate woman so I'll say that if the "revitalizing Japanese sea salts unburden skin, enliven consciousness, revive the spirit and silence stress," I'm wit' it.

Milk and I have never been very tight. Even as a baby I refused to drink the junk. That is, until mi madre introduced me to leche de cacao.

For the record, I don't know where the Spanish is coming from.

I do know that milk is a pivotal character in the stage play of beauty. Here are some milk-related beauty products I'm so happy I don't have to drink:

Keen on Protein
All hair types will reap massive benefits from this super-intense "milk bath". I have mentioned I've been having some technical difficulty in the hair realm. One packet of Sofn'free GroHealthy Really Deep Conditioning Treatment ($1.99), applied to freshly shampooed hair made my yucky tresses soft, comb-able, and kinda lovable again.

Milk is Chillin' for Curly Hair: 
Carol's Daughter Hair Milk ($18) is a lightweight, subtly scented fix that keeps your curls looking as radiant and gorge as they want to look. Your curls do want to look radiant...they told me. I guess I should keep it 100% and say there is no actual milk in this product, but geez it's called hair milk, I mean, really!

Shower Me with Your Milk:
Use ELEMIS Wild Lavender Shower ($39) and the calming lavender might lead you to forget it's a milk-protein-based shower gel. But the gentle, skin-nourishing cleansing will help you to remember. 

Editor's Note: In observance of Martin Luther King Jr., Day, I will not be posting on Monday. Have a fantastic weekend. See you on Tuesday!

This weekend I hung with my dad's side of the family. There were chips and crudités with a side of facebooking.  And of course, when the ladies met in the kitchen, beauty regimens were exposed and explored.

I noticed that every single member of my family -including my grandma celebrating her 82nd birthday- had the most incredible, youthful skin. That got me thinking about achieving gorgeous skin when you didn't get the genetics hookup.

I'm happy to introduce you to a brand new product to hit the market: Glo Minerals Sugar Body Polish in Honey Sugar Butter($24).  If thoughts of  frigid morning temps and trying traffic have you rolling around in bed, maybe this cocoa and Shea butter and jojoba oil-enriched body polish can give you some get-up-and-go (to the shower).

The Breezy Synopsis: 

Use your cleanser, apply this body polish, and then seal in moisture with baby oil while in the tub. I have to shout out my friend, Carmel, for hipping me to that shower trick!