Come and get it!

Subscribe to get all the juicy details in your inbox!

Lisa M. Frame

Beauty

The Charlotte “Boo-Tox Bash” is October 30 — Hosted by Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas

by Leave a Comment

Disclosure: This post was not sponsored, but I’m pretty sure my friend Marcia will bestow lots of love and kisses upon me for sharing.

Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas will hold its 7th annual “Boo-Tox” Bash on Thursday, October 30, at its Charlotte office located at 1918 Randolph Road, Suite 550 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. What is a “Boo-Tox” bash? Well, it’s your chance to try Botox or Xeomin injections for the first time, or if you’re an old pro, to save some money while supporting a good cause. To add to the fun, staff members will be dressed in costumes, and the office will feature a ‘spooky’ decor. Patients are welcome to dress up for the fun or the confidentiality!

"Boo-Tox" Bash at Dermatology, Laser and Vein Specialists of the Carolinas

At the “Boo-Tox Bash,” a Botox® or Xeomin® injection will cost only $8.99 per unit, compared to the regular price of $14. Anyone who brings a friend who buys at the same time will pay just $8.00 per unit for each. Do you hear the wheels in my head spinning? I’m calculating what it would cost to relax my Crowe’s Feet and forehead lines.

Botox injections have grown increasingly popular in the U.S. with more than 6.1 million   performed in doctors’ offices in 2012, and men a growing part of that number. In fact, the decade of 2000 – 2010 is referred to as the “Brotox Decade” with the use of Botox by men increases 258%, according the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Furthermore, Botox Cosmetic was the most popular cosmetic treatment chosen by men in 2010 — beating both hair restoration and liposuction — treatments historically more popular among the male population.

But what about the risks of discounted Botox deals I’ve read about in the news? This bash is different. Patients are encouraged to call and schedule in advance. (Walk-ins are welcome as available.) Five board-certified staff physicians will be on hand to perform services. You’re not being injected by someone at a party in a home, you’re still in a medical setting and will be treated as if you had set up an appointment during normal business operating hours. Clinical and spooky at the same time!

With my birthday coming up in a few weeks, I am fully aware I’m a woman of a certain age. Yes friends, I’m (sort of) mid-life and proud of it. However, I’m also quite aware that’s it’s almost time to start doing a little extra maintenance on my face. Yet, I’ve always been put off by the cost, so I did a little research and found out people no longer need view non-surgical cosmetic treatments as a frightening experience or be afraid of the cost. During this event, women – and men – can visit the office for a one-stop day of beauty, purchasing services at substantial discounts and having them performed during the same visit.

Proceeds:

A portion of proceeds from this year’s event will benefit both The Purple Promise Foundation, to end melanoma http://www.purplepromise.org and Stand Up To Cancerhttp://www.standup2cancer.org.

Appointments:

For more information or to make an appointment, clients should call 704.375.6766 or visitwww.carolinaskin.com/bootox. All specials must be pre-paid over the phone or in person on October 30th.The expiration date for all services purchased is March 31st, 2015. Credit for any specials purchased is non-transferrable.

“Boo-Tox” Bash Specials:

New this year, are free varicose and spider vein screenings, by appointment only. http://carolinaskin.com/veintreatments.asp

Those buying fillers will save $100 when they buy one, $200 when they buy two and $300 when they buy three with pre-paid pricing. These include Restylane®, Radiesse®, Voluma® and Belotero®.

Clients will also get special pre-paid pricing on miraDry ®and CoolSculpting®, include personalized CoolSculpting ® consultations. http://carolinaskin.com/ CoolSculpting.asp

About Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas:

Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas was Charlotte’s  first Mohs Surgery Center when it opened in 1990 and  remains the busiest Mohs Surgery practice in the area.  Now with their team of board-certified physicians, DLVS offers additional services, including face lifting surgery, blepharoplasty (eye lifts), laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, endovenous laser ablation, sclerotherapy, tattoo removal, laser resurfacing and many fillers. There is also a medical aesthetician on staff who performs skin care and facial treatments, and several lines of skin care products are available for sale.  The practice also offers the most advanced treatment options available for general dermatology, skin cancer, varicose veins, laser surgery and cosmetic surgery. Physicians are in the office every day and personally perform or directly supervise all procedures done in the office. For more information visit: www.carolinaskin.com/Bootox or call 704-375-6766.

Protecting my clothes with Garment Saver’s Makeup Guard

by Leave a Comment

Southern Women are known to be just a little high maintenance. When we go out of the house, our hair and makeup is done, and we’re dressed in proper attire. Even our faces are always done to the nines. That natural look you gush over is created in multiple steps with a bevy of product. So, when my friends over at Garment Saver reached out to me and asked if they could send me a sample of their Makeup Guard to test, I jumped.

Not only am I a Southern Woman, I’m also a woman of a certain age and my body likes to overheat when I least expect it. As such, I don’t like dressing before I do my hair and makeup. That’s where Garment Saver’s Makeup Guard came in handy. With Garment Saver’s Makeup Guard changing into my little black dress or white silk blouse didn’t cause me to end up sweatier than normal. These sheer covers are made from a pliable knitted fiber blend similar to gauze that is designed to gently stretch over hair styles and makeup in order to create a barrier against unwanted contact. Its unique build easily stretches to cover elegant up-dos without clinging to the face or hair, and can be used as a disposable item or re-used as desired.

Garment Saver's Makeup Guard

We vacationed in Charleston, South Carolina, this summer. Known for it’s notorious humidity, Garment Saver’s Makeup Guard was key to saving my makeup and hair. I was able to ready myself with enough product to hold my hair down and in place, keeping it from ballooning to the size of the Goodyear Blimp, and simply pulled a Garment Saver over my head and face when it was time to dress for our evenings out.

I found I could reuse the Garment Saver’s Makeup Guard even in the sultry summer heat and humidity. Garment Saver also makes a Clean Cape I’m going to invest in, as I use power makeup and it will help keep my undergarments and robe clean when I’m applying my mineral foundation.

The only cons I found were my earrings. While Garment Saver’s Makeup Guard is a fantastic tool, it doesn’t like my longer, dangly earrings. It also doesn’t work well with lip gloss or dark, heavy lipstick. Line and color your lips in with your lipliner pencil, then apply gloss or dark lipstick after you’ve taken the Makeup Guard off.

About Garment Saver’s Makeup Guard:

Garment Saver’s Makeup Guard just might be the last minute lifesaver you need when preparing for everything from summer weddings to weekend window-shopping. Available in either a convenient travel size three pack for $9.50 or fifty piece box for $24.99, there’s nothing like packing a little peace of mind when heading out on summer adventures.

After several years as a clothing designer on 7th Avenue, founder of Garment Saver Sheryll Fraze moved to California to pursue a career in design and retail management.  Garment Saver has come to encompass a number of Fraze’s innovative brands, and offers an evolving collection of stylish products and care tips that help customers organize and save their fashion sensibilities and ensembles from everyday disasters.

The Beauty Parlor — Losing the Female Cultural Center

by 1 Comment

While sitting in the beauty parlor a/k/a as the salon this past Friday, I was listening to a couple of the little old ladies who were in for their weekly do. You know, the ones who come in to get their hair washed, set, dried, fluffed and puffed, and after a heavy lacquering of hair spray, are on their way until the following week.

But, it really got me to thinking about the beauty parlor as a social gathering place. Sure we go in and have our hair done, but most of us are tied up in a book, or our smartphone, and this gathering space of friends has slowly changed into another stop in our day, without taking the time to enjoy all it has to offer. Long gone are the days of weekly “do’s,” as we extend our time as far out as possible, so as to save money and eek out a few more minutes of “busy-ness” in our day to day life.

I remember taking my late Grandmother to the salon for her weekly fluff and puff, and what I witnessed was the equivalent to the proverbial hen house. Everyone was in there clucking away, sharing recipes, showing photos of their grandchildren, catching up on news in the community and, of course, gossiping. Plans were made for social gatherings outside of the salon, including their families, and inviting other friends by ringing them up when they got home.

The Beauty Parlor of Days Gone By

The beauty parlor is the place for female cultural experiences.

It’s all very Mayberry, and somewhat Foucaultian. But that’s the beauty of it. For many before us, and until recently, beauty parlors were the cultural centers of female life. The social network of their neighborhood. While I realize there are some overarching statements here, if you’re a woman, there is something hallowed about being in the heart of a salon. It’s a sacred moment of self-care, where you, and others just like you, are taking part in a ritual which brings comfort and aids in what is an almost sacred quest for femininity, support while aging, and often times, unrequited feminism. Our hair speaks for us, loudly, boldly and with with utmost certainty.

This loss of connection in the salon means we’re missing out on community. In this life of connectedness, we’re not truly creating and maintaining real human connections. Now everyone is sitting with their face stuck in their smartphone and no one is making a new connection or communicating anything that isn’t via a miniature computer.

So where does this leave us?

It leaves us adrift in sea of people all with the same common goal. While I’ve made some amazing connections online, and many are real life friends now whom I’d trust with my life, I still enjoy that time sitting in the chair at the beauty parlor, talking to the people around me. These days, it’s not an established relationship, but I’m not out to make a new best friend. Yet, I love expanding my circle, meeting new people, and then taking some time to lose myself in a new hair magazine, wishing I could pull of bangs and platinum blonde hair.

L’Oreal Paris #MagicNude Foundation Review

by Leave a Comment

I was recently sent a bottle of L’Oreal’s Magic Nude Foundation to review by SheSpeak and L’Oreal USA. I’m always hesitant with drug store foundations, as it’s difficult to match the color to my skin and the lack of store testers makes picking items like this more difficult when I’m trying to find what’s best for my combination/aging skin. After testing every day for over two weeks, I’m sold.

L’Oreal Magic Nude is a great every day foundation. I can go about my day to day routine without being too oily, and it goes on without being cakey. This is a bonus with my 40 year old skin. While I have a few very fine wrinkles, I definitely don’t want anything settling in them that would make them more noticeable. Even though powders normally sit in wrinkles, this liquid turns into a velvety powder that leaves me matte, natural and covered with an SPF 18 and stays where it’s supposed to — not pooling and making me look as if I have craters in my forehead.

Application is simple. Just shake, put a little on your fingertips and apply. Blending is effortless, and it goes on quickly and easily. The photo I’m sharing is not a great selfie, however, it’s 10:30pmand I’ve been wearing L’Oreal Magic Nude since 6am. That’s 16.5 hour on my face, with no touch-ups. (Believe it or not, I’ve not had time today!) My face is naturally pink, and even more so from a peel I had last Friday, so I’m still a little red.

All in all, this is a great daily foundation that is comparable with other high-end brands. I’d definitely recommend it for days when you’re wanting lighter coverage, as well as a quick and easy application for when you need to dash out the door.

L'Oreal Magic Nude Review

[schema type=”product” url=”http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/brands/makeup/magic%20nude.aspx” name=”L’Oreal Magic Nude Foundation ” description=”This revolutionary liquid-powder formula glides on and transforms on contact to a fresh, powder-like finish for a look that’s flawless,yet undetectable. The lightweight foundation with SPF 18 will make you feel like you aren’t wearing makeup at all! ” brand=”L’Oreal ” manfu=”L’Oreal ” price=”$12.95″ condition=”New” ]

Bond No. 9 — Coney Island {Review}

by Leave a Comment

Perfume is very personal. It’s a way of expressing your personality via fragrance. An investment into self. I’m always asked what I’m wearing, and the majority of the time, it’s what I consider to be my signature scent, “Coney Island” by Bond No. 9.

When I first found Bond No. 9 I had been shopping for a fragrance for quite some time. When I stopped at the Bond display in my local Nordstrom, they didn’t realize what a challenge they were getting ready to meet. I’m extraordinarily picky, as well as sensitive, to smell. The fragrance I wear has to have certain parameters that suit me. I prefer a clean, crisp fragrance, with citrus as the main note. The staff rose the occasion and 2 hours later, I had a new scent I was in love with, and still love, after a year of wearing daily.

The Bond No. 9 collection of women’s, men’s, and unisex eaux de parfum — has a dual mission: To restore artistry to perfumery, and to mark every New York neighborhood with a scent of its own. Each fragrance represents a specific downtown, midtown, or uptown locale or a city-wide sensibility. With new introductions in the coming seasons, Bond No. 9 infuses the island of Manhattan with scents.

Coney Island is the perfect Bond No. 9 scent for me. I smell like the sea. This is key for me, as when I need to reboot my senses, and rebalance, I head to the coast. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I hop in the car, drive a few hours and go straight to the sand. It’s therapeutic, energizing, and soul cleansing all at once. I get that feeling, no matter how briefly, every single time I spray on Bond No. 9 Coney Island.

Bond No. 9 Coney Island

With notes of margarita mix, melon guava, cinnamon, chocolate, caramel, musk, vanilla, cedarwood, and sandalwood, Bond No. 9 captured the spirit of Coney Island. When you first spray it on, the citrus notes of the lime intensive margarita mix hit your nose first, yet the dry down is a sexy, salty, chocolatey-caramel, with just a hint citrus lingering seductively. Made of 18-22 percent concentrations of  eau de parfum, each refillable bottle of Bond No. 9 fragrance, goes a very long way. There is no reapplying needed unless you’ve had it on since 6am and are going for a long night out.

Staff members at Bond No. 9 boutiques know their perfumes. Intimately acquainted with each perfume, they are able to explain the nuances from the expansive brand line. When you meet them, tell them what you don’t like, and they’re able to immediately set aside a set of perfumes. When you tell them the notes you do like, they are also able to bring out another full set of perfumes to help you find your scent among their amazing range. For Bond No. 9, it’s all about customer service and making sure you are happy with the scent you’re investing in.

What’s your signature scent?