Beauticontrol Consultant Wins Trip to Monte Carlo

BeautiControl News...

Independent Beauticontrol Consultant, LANA KONTOS, of Warren, was recently awarded a trip to Monte Carlo as part of the company’s annual awards program. She earned the trip for outstanding sales and recruiting initiatives.


Shirley Gilder with BeautiControl Wins Spirit Award
The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention has received a $2,500 donation from Shirley Gilder of Hattiesburg, a national executive director and representative for 36 years of BeautiControl Cosmetics of Dallas. Gilder has been honored with the Spirit of BeautiControl Award, a top honor given by the company each year to a representative displaying a giving spirit.

New Senior director For BeautiControl
Frieda Y. Lin, a resident of Ellicott City, has been recognized as top senior director in the country for the spa, skin care and cosmetics direct-sales company BeautiControl.Lin, a BeautiControl consultant since 1995, also won the company's $750,000 unit achievement award and was awarded a trip to Monte Carlo.


BeautiControl Spa Escape
A Spa ESCAPE is the perfect event for a girls' night "in," a birthday party, bridal shower, neighbor get-together and back-to-school party. Everyone has fun relaxing together and trying fabulous products that rejuvenate your skin and renew your spirit. It's the ideal solution for busy, stressed people who can't afford the time, cost and inconvenience of a day spa. Those looking for extra income can join BeautiControl for only $99 until Sept. 16. New Independent Consultants receive a BeautiCase with spa and skin care products that they can share with friends and family, as well as tools to kickstart their business - and begin earning income immediately. To schedule a complimentary at-home Spa Escape or for more information on BeautiControl business opportunities.

BeautiControl new Luxuries of the Sea line
I am so excited about the new spa products launching this month. These new products are awesome! Check these out. You have got to try them for yourself.

Ocean Bath $30
Re-creates the peaceful pleasures of the sea to calm your mind and body. Experience much deserved relaxation as you soak in its blue waters enriched with beneficial sea salts, aquatic otanicals, minerals and antioxidants. You’ll feel a million miles away as you breathe in the intoxicating fresh sea scent.

Moisture Wrap Body Conditioner $30
Works by tapping into the therapeutic benefits of the heat and humidity as you shower to open pores and allow skin to receive and absorb generous amounts of moisture, as well as rich marine botanicals and antioxidants. Your skin will feel incredibly soft and smooth all day.

Skin Balm with NutriSpheres™ $35
Designed to comfort and re-mineralize skin affected by daily sun exposure, poor air quality, stress and lack of vitamins. Advanced NutriSpheres, tiny blue and green beads, provide a new level of skin hydration, while ocean-blessed botanicals, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and amino acids are all delivered to the skinSkin Balm with NutriSpheres™ . Designed to comfort and re-mineralize skin affected by daily sun exposure, poor air quality, stress and lack of vitamins. Advanced NutriSpheres, tiny blue and green beads, provide a new level of skin hydration, while ocean-blessed botanicals, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and amino acids are all delivered to the skin.

Fango Seaweed Scrub/Masque $35
Caters to two very important skin care needs — detoxification and exfoliation. You choose how you want to use — as a masque or a scrub — and if you want to use just on the face and/or on the body. Give yourself a Fango Facial, for face and body!

Masque Brush $4
Our new Masque Brush is perfect for applying the Fango Seaweed Scrub/ Masque without feeling like you’re making mud pies! It’s made with firm, but soft bristles to give you precise application with no mess...just beautiful skin! You can also use with the spä organic enzyme body masque.

BeautiControl New Car
Some companies give their employees grandfather clocks after so many years of service, but after just a year and a half of excellent sales and building a successful sales team, Jennifer Rousseau earned a new Ford Mustang.“It was amazing,” she said of the trip to Beach Ford to pick up her award.Rousseau is an independent director for BeautiControl, an international party-plan direct-sales company with more than 70,000 independent consultants throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Innovation vs. Imitation

by Gary Jones, BeautiControl Product Development

If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know that every now and again, I have these moments where I feel like I have to purge…this is one of those topics. Although it doesn’t directly relate to a specific topic, I thought it was something that I would share.

I had a great “AH-HA!” moment last week. For the 16 years that I have worked at BeautiControl, I have seen so many changes…changes, not only in the product line, but in the fundamental philosophy of our business.

BeautiControl was established in the 80’s as a color cosmetic company, with a strong focus on color cosmetics and image. Our original founders, Jinger and Dick Heath, established this company and had the unique ability to take an overwhelming category of products and develop a unique form of customization that allowed every-day women to find the best beauty and image solutions available, and streamline them to fit their unique coloring and image personalities. Based on that level of customization, Image Consultants were created and we saw significant growth as a result of this philosophy.

In the 90’s, as the consumer’s focus shifted away from color cosmetics and toward the need for high powered skin care solutions, the corporate focus shifted toward customized skin care solutions based on the individual needs of a person’s skin type…dry, combination and oily. Based on this shift in consumer demands, a new strategy of product development was established to best fit the needs of a new breed of customers. Our selling situation, once called an “Image Party” was now called a “Clinic”, as the focus of the party shifted toward skin care, vs. image consultations.

This was when I joined the company. My mission was to take this new philosophy of product development and excel it into the future with a new kind of product that offered real solutions for our consumers skin care problems. As we re-vamped our R&D and manufacturing capabilities, BeautiControl was now prepared to tackle this industry head-on with products that met and exceeded this widely saturated industry and create a point of difference that caused consumers to see us as their skin care resource. Since then, skin care science has become the driving force that has propelled us into the future and has established us as a force to be reckoned with in the cosmetic skin care industry.

Although our “party” is now being referred to as a “Spa Escape”, the focus on skin care solutions has never been stronger. The Spa positioning offers today’s consumer a venue in which they can learn about their skin care solutions in a relaxing and pampering selling situation.

Several years ago, we took a hard look at our skin care category and made another shift in our developmental strategy to focus on the concept of skin age, rather than treating the conditions of dry, combination and oily skin types. Not only was this unique in the skin care industry, it became quite clear that it was the most logical solution for solving the skin care needs of all consumers. I had to ask myself the question, “why do people use skin care products?”. The answer being…to delay or reverse the signs of aging! SIMPLE! With that being understood, it became clear that we needed to make a shift again in the way that we developed our skin care products. We needed to invest serious time and research into creating skin care solutions from the ground up, based on what we needed the end result to be. Since our focus was to create age specific skin care solutions, we needed to research the physiological changes that occur to our bodies as we age. The skin and the human body is a very complex machine. As we age, our needs change so dramatically with each decade. I firmly believe that the only way to effectively fight the signs of aging is to treat your skin with the specific things that it needs as we get older. Its no longer about whether my skin is dry, combination or oily…now it is about how we are going to reverse and delay the significant changes that occur to our skin with each passing year. This is not only one of the things that sets us apart in this enormously competitive market, it is the thing that makes strengthens our reputation as skin care pioneers and leaders in the skin solution market.

Ok, so now you know the history of our product development philosophy in a nutshell; however that really doesn’t have much to do with my “AH-HA!” moment (sorry, I get a little side-tracked sometimes…thanks for joining me on a little trip through Gary Land). My “AH-HA!” moment came this past week as I attended a conference with many people from companies around the world. We were talking about the process of product development. This gave me the opportunity to ask a lot of questions and view the developmental cycle of many other skin care and cosmetic companies. The more I listened, the more I realized how different we are when it comes to product development. Where our product development process is a very dynamic and ever changing process (which in reality makes everyone inside the company crazy), it was obvious that these other companies had a very simple product development philosophy….find a competitive product, duplicate it, set your cost objective and meet it every time. EASY! Products were never late. Products always fell within the cost requirement. Everyone was happy! As a result, most competitive companies sacrifice or compromise innovation in order to make the process of development more simple, less expensive and “good enough” to meet the needs of their customer.

At that point, after years of feeling like I could never fully get our process to be an easy, perfect process, instead of feeling bad about it, I started realizing that this is something that I am very proud of. We are a product driven, technology based company. We don’t duplicate products on the market. We don’t mimic our competitors with our version of a similar formula and then put our own “spin” on it. We create innovation. We create solutions. We create problem solving products that are simply better than what we see on the market. As a company who develops skin care innovation from the ground up, it may never be an easy, perfect process. As a leader, rather than a follower, we are going to find ourselves wandering into sometimes uncharted territory and that is never “easy”. There will always be new technology that is emerging that will change the course of a product. There will always be new ingredients that as company that is quick to market, we will have long before other companies have even heard about them, or have had time to get them to market. We won’t use the cheapest ingredients….we will always use the best ingredients.

So, in all of that, I realized that I would rather be part of a chaotic and ever changing product development cycle (my apologies to anyone inside the company who may be reading this), than a company whose primary mission is to imitate the competition. I’ll take innovation over imitation any day!

Ok, enough of my rambling. Be sure to check back in on Friday…there is a new product coming this week that I know you are all anxiously looking forward to. I’ll tell you all about it in Friday’s blog.

Have a fantastic week!

Color change technology creates interactive cosmetics

By Guy Montague-Jones

Biotechnology firm Beacon Sciences has created a business unit that will specialize in technologies that change the color of personal care products. The new company Reveal Sciences has developed biomaterials that may be added to formulations to use color change as a means of indicating when or how consumers should use their beauty products.

Interactive personal care
Possible applications include soaps that change color when the user has washed for the appropriate amount of time or sunscreens that remain visible long enough for consumers to see whether they have covered all exposed areas. Such interactive personal care products may sound futuristic but they are already beginning to make their way onto the market. Dial Corporation has just launched a soap called ColorClean which contains an active ingredient that causes the foam to change color after a specified washing time.

Technology tests cosmetic needs
Reveal Sciences has also developed CareType Analysis which helps consumers to determine which personal care products are suitable for their bodies. The technology tests and measures the biological elements that underlie skin and hair type so users can identify appropriate products. The company claimed the CareType tests offer a level of feedback currently unavailable elsewhere.

Ingredients range
In addition to its interactive technologies, Reveal Sciences has also developed specialty functional ingredients for personal care and cosmetics, including hyaluronic acid, chondrotin and heparosan. These biopolymers can be made to a low molecular weight to ensure good skin permeability and they can be customized to deliver fine-tuned results in formulations. Reveal Sciences will be presenting its new technologies and ingredients at In-Cosmetics in Amsterdam next month from Booth K170. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beacon Sciences, which uses color change technology to develop tests in the medical sector and was created on the back of research by Dr Eric Anslyn at the University of Texas.

Myths and Magic Of Cosmetics

from Embracing Health for Life

When it comes to the cosmetic advertisement, the roles of vanity, misinformations and deception play a greater part than providing informations about the products. You may wonder why the models of cosmetic products for anti-aging or anti-wrinkles cosmetics are always young and beautiful. The message is for you to become or aty young and beautiful if you use these products and it is much easier to demonstrate a product using a model who does not have wrinkles.

The truth is, make-up can enhance your appearance or help hide unwanted blemishes, wrinkles or shadows, but the effect only lasts while the make-up is on and can cause an unwarranted psychological dependency on it. Suitable conditiones may be effective in many ways but they cannot magically repair damage hair or make it more healthy by adding protein, vitamins, amino acids or whatever the manufacturer have included on it. Face creams may help hide the fine lines on your face or may help your skin to tempoparily look and feel amoother and softer, but they cannot magically remove or reduce fine lines and wrinkles, nor can they reverse or prevent the effects of aging.

Spa Your Ma For Mother's Day

from Rancho Murieta Online
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Mother's Day is right around the corner and what better way to say I love you to that specail lady...give her a gift of relaxation and peace... go ahead SPA your MA...or your WIFE... purchase any one of these items and I will personally gift wrap it for free:

1. Show of Hands Instant Manicure: allow her to gently exfoliate and moisturize her hard working hands that have such a soft touch $26.50 plus tax

2. Nourishing Eye Pads: give her just 5 minutes to refresh and revitalize those tired yet loving eyes $17 plus tax

3. Therapeutic Bath Minerals: give her the gift of tranforming a simple bath into an oasis of calming green thermal waters $20 plus tax

4. Sea Sand Foot and Leg Scrub: save her sole by exfoliating feet that never stop $19 plus tax

5. Happy Mother's Day

Trade show draws good crowd on weekend

TIMES-HERALD STAFF
The Moose Jaw Times Herald

The Focus on Trade 2008 event held this past weekend attracted well over 600 visitors. The home show consisted of a variety of different organizations, companies and home-based businesses. The convention centre at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds was full of buyers and sellers from all over Saskatchewan. For example, one of the home-based businesses, BeautiControl, is out of Saskatoon. Its booth was about therapeutic bath minerals.

“Our bath minerals do not use the strong perfume scent that many people do not enjoy,” said Cheryl Morgans, one of the consultants for the business. “That is why we use natural aromas of dead sea salts which is very soothing.” Another out-of-town business, V.K. Imports from Regina, had international award-winning aromatherapy available to try and buy. “I really liked Everything Wood (scented) and the flowers are really nice too. As well, the Glass Suncatchers were very nice,” said Kathy Chapman, a visitor to the event. Many local businesses also had booths set up at the event. There were also several door prizes to be won and contests to enter. Also, a concession was up and running and a mini-doughnut stand was set up outside. “I really enjoy looking at all the displays,” said Chapman. “They are all really well done.” For Keith Curtis, he was just there for some fun. “I like to just talk and visit with people,” Curtis said. “Although, I am interested in most of the building and landscaping stuff,” he quickly added.

BeautiControl Spa

BeautiControl SPA Brown Sugar Mini Set inlcudes a travel size sample of four Brown Sugar items Body Scrub body bronzer body oil and body lotion.

from Princess Images
by ChantelKlassen

At the beginning of the week I went to a BeautiControl spa and I had a wonderful idea. First of all, BeautiControl is a company that sells different beauty products, from skincare, to spa products, to makeup. I thought this would be a great idea for Brides to be able to host a party and invite their bridesmaids and friends. That way you would receive benefits from the party, like free stuff, but you would also get an opportunity to try some products that would help you relax for the big day. They have a lot of good products that I thought would make great gifts for a bride to give to her bridesmaids. At the spa I went to we tried about 15 different products and got our feet washed! Fun and relaxing.

My friend Tracy was the consultant at this spa and she will do spas in Saskatoon and the surrounding area. (Definitely try the Brown Sugar body scrub –it’s amazing).

Do you live a life you love?

Melissa Brisbois, Executive Vice President

from BeautiControl

With BeautiControl you can!

Imagine a world where you can be your best because everyone wants you to succeed. You can feel great and have days that you wish would never end. Living your best life... being happy... and ultimately feeling fulfilled is all about the choices that you make. BeautiControl Consultants have work and family responsibilities, just like you. Through BeautiControl , someone showed them a way where they were able to make choices to be happy and create lives they love. Thousands of women have taken that step to make a positive difference in their lives.

You can live this life with BeautiControl. BeautiControl creates an environment that nurtures success. The way you move up in our company is by taking others with you. Isn’t that wonderful! Everyone wants to see you succeed because you never succeed alone. The only ceiling is the one you choose. At BeautiControl there is room for everyone who wants to have more and be more.

You may be thinking, “Oh, I could never do what those women did!” Many of them thought the same thing. It’s natural to have self-doubts. The difference is, they chose to try. When you think about it, what’s the worst thing that can happen? It’s never too late to take action and be the best you can be—for yourself and your family.

I invite you to join us and turn all those “somedays” into “todays!” With BeautiControl, you can create a life you love! Now, you may be thinking, “where do I start?” Take the next step and click ‘find a consultant now’. By telling us a little about yourself, we can match you up with a Consultant in your area who is ready to share this opportunity with you. So, do you live a life you love? Remember, with BeautiControl you can!


Melissa Brisbois, Executive Vice President


To become a BeautiControl Consultant send an email to CustomerCare @ eFashionHouse.com

Our Town: Tahoe business owner helps women gain 'BeautiControl'

Nancy Oliver Hayden
Tahoe Tribune


Linda LaFavor-Coyle's world revolves around image, self-esteem and helping women feel good about themselves. She does this as a consultant, executive director and senior trainer with BeautiControl, a skin care, spa and image company. The Minneapolis, Minn., native, who says she is 50ish, has been a resident of South Lake Tahoe since 1985. She came to visit friends, and as so many people do, fell in love with Tahoe and moved here.

She was working as a clerk at the post office in 1988 when she saw an advertisement for BeautiControl in the Tahoe Daily Tribune. The company was looking for people to be beauty consultants in the area, and she became the first one at Tahoe. It was a perfect fit, since LaFavor-Coyle has a background as a make-up artist. She started attending cosmetology school while she was still in high school. Upon graduation at age 18, she received her cosmetology license and worked as a hair stylist in a neighborhood beauty salon for 10 years.

She went to Hollywood in 1979, where she attended the Joe Blasco Make-up School and was a make-up artist for TV and film for a few years. She then returned to Minneapolis and worked for Target as a make-up artist for the company's TV commercials for several more years.

LaFavor-Coyle started her business at Tahoe by inviting friends to a party and teaching them about skin care, the importance of sunscreen and how to "do" their make-up in five minutes. She is now a manager and leads a team of 480 women all over the U.S. She travels to meetings and training sessions to motivate and support them and stays in touch via e-mail, telephone and personal contact. Her business has grown to include a mobile spa program, where she goes to clients' homes and offices. She provides mini-spa treatments and teaches women to relax and pamper themselves.

Another facet of LaFavor-Coyle's business is "Tahoe Weddings A Go Go," where she provides in-room hair and make-up service for brides. She said this is the easiest, most fun thing she does - and it's all girl time.

Her success with BeautiControl has earned her several trips. She was one of 100 consultants out of 150,000 in the company who earned a seven-day trip to Monte Carlo in 2006. And because of her company car allowance, she hasn't made a car payment in 15 years.

She and her husband of 10 years, John Coyle, enjoy riding road bikes and competing in century road rides. They have two furry, feline "children," Lucky and Smoky, who are 15 years old. LaFavor-Coyle is a member of Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe and Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She is also certified for the American Cancer Society "Look Good, Feel Good" program for women with cancer. She teaches them how to take care of their skin and hair, including tips on applying make-up and using wigs.

Here are LaFavor-Coyle's answers to the Tribune's questions:

1. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED WHEN YOU DIE?
"As a woman who helped other women build their self-esteem on the inside and out. I love to be their cheerleader and say 'yes, you can do it.'"


2. WHAT IS SOUTH LAKE TAHOE'S MOST PRESSING ISSUE TODAY?
"I would say the housing market. When I see a for sale sign, I want to say, 'Don't leave Tahoe. Do whatever it takes to stay in this beautiful place.'"


3. IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANY AMERICAN CITIZEN TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, WHO WOULD IT BE?
"My world revolves around supporting and encouraging women, so maybe it's time for a woman president?"


4. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT?
"John and I just bought a fifth-wheel travel trailer and enjoy traveling with friends and meeting new people. I intend to 'spa' the RV parks. We enjoy being outdoors, riding bikes and wine tasting. We plan to travel in the RV when we retire."


5. IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE THING TO DO OVER IN YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
"Oh, my gosh! I'm happy with my life. I feel like I've accomplished more than I ever dreamed I would, and there is nothing I would do over."


6. WHAT LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
"My youngest sister, Brenda Montgomery. She has a gift of bringing out the best in people with her fabulous management and life skills and making everyone feel special. She is my mentor."


7. WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
"I would say Mother Teresa. For her to be able to do something so important, especially as she advanced in age, is remarkable."


8. IF YOU COULD SPEND AN HOUR WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE?
"That's easy, it would be Lance Armstrong. He could teach me everything he knows about road biking. I'd like to learn his discipline of how to just keep going on those hard hills."


9. WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE: WIN AN INDIVIDUAL OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL OR A PULITZER PRIZE?
"I can't choose, so how about both. To be able to push yourself athletically as far as you can to win a gold medal would be such an adrenaline rush. And I'd love to be so talented with words and be able to share that with the world that I would win a Pulitzer Prize."


10. IF YOU COULD BE IN ANY PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
"Don't laugh, but at one time I thought of being a police officer. I think I would be good at handling situations and helping get the bad guys off the street."

Olathe woman earns new Ford Mustang for her efforts with BeautiControls

By ANDY HYLAND
The Kansas City Star

After grieving the loss of her 5-year-old son, Olathe resident Deirdra Curry knew she wanted to help others in some way, so she started a business. She didn’t know that the business eventually would give her a new Ford Mustang. The car was an incentive from her parent company, BeautiControl, which provides a spa-like experience in the home or workplace.

Dallas-based BeautiControl is a women-run subsidiary of Tupperware Brands Corp. The company has more than 100,000 independent consultants. Curry recently received the car at Bob Allen Ford in Overland Park. All the reward cars BeautiControls presents are red Mustangs, much like cars Mary Kay Inc. beauty consultants earn are pink. Curry said she received the 15th such Mustang in the Kansas City area.

The company has given away more than 600 nationwide, she said. She said she got into the business to supplement the family’s income and to reach women feeling undue amounts of stress. She said she averaged two or three spas a week and has grown her business to where she has 100 women working with her.

“It has been a life-changing experience for me,” Curry said. “I feel empowered.” The loss of her son Cameron, who dies in 2001 after being struck by a car, motivated her to do something to relieve stress in other people’s lives. It’s important to dream big, Curry said, and to help others whenever possible. “That was part of my dream,” she said. “Where I could reach women and minister to them.”

For Curry’s family, which includes her husband Keenan Curry and six children from 6 to 19, the new car provided a different experience from the family’s 15-passenger van, affectionately bbed “Big Red.” After having seen the new car, quickly named “Little Red,” Curry recalled her daughter Christen, 8, saying, “Now, this is the life.” She said she’s glad to have had the experience with her company. “This is a company run by women for women,” she said. “It’s all about women helping others.”

Stress Relief With BeautiControl

BeautiControl Spa Escapes
Treat Yourself to a Luxurious Home Spa

From MLMblog

Everyone needs to escape, and that’s why BeautiControl’s Spa Escape® parties are in high demand. Guests gather in the comfortable social setting of a friend’s home to receive many of the same services they would at a day spa. They learn about their skin, how to care for it and how to slow the signs of aging.

At Spa Escapes, you'll have fun, relax and learn about anti-aging solutions you can use at home. In a “try before you buy” setting, you'll experience affordable alternatives to sought-after treatments like microderm abrasion, chemical peels and wrinkle-relief treatments.

There’s something different and sweeter about having the spa come to you. You'll laugh, learn and relax in a way you can’t in the impersonal environment and mass-market establishments. Women at Spa Escapes connect with others and learn how to reconnect with themselves. Perhaps most importantly, you'll learn how to recreate the spa experience at home. Spa Escapes teach women to take time to care for themselves. “Women have a constant struggle for balance in their daily lives,” Jones says. “Juggling home, career and family leaves little time for personal investment. taking the time for personal pampering is just that—an investment, not a luxury.”

Look Great Without Spending a Fortune: Seven Easy Ways to Save Money on Beauty Supplies

BeautiContol Products Online
Shop from the comfort of home.
Best Prices.

Delivered to your door!

from Directory Gold

Beauty may be only skin deep, but it can sure affect the pocketbook. Still, it is possible to look great without spending a fortune. All you need is a few tricks and tips, and you can get quality beauty products very inexpensively (and sometimes even free).

Here are seven easy ways to save money on beauty supplies.

1. Whenever possible, purchase cosmetics or beauty supplies at local drugstores or discount stores, instead of high priced cosmetic counters. Look for sales papers for these businesses to see if they have the brands you like on sale. If the saving is great enough on products you use, consider buying more than one to double your savings.

2. If you have specific items that you purchase repeatedly, compare prices online for products. Keep your eye on shipping prices and buy only when you can use a coupon code or when you can get free shipping.

3. If your tastes run toward the high end items, shop at local beauty supply stores (or check the online beauty supply stores.) The online beauty supply stores are well known for free gifts with purchase, whether it's a free tote or a free beauty product. And you can often find the quality products you love at lower prices.

4. Sometimes it pays to shop quality. Some quality styling products end up costing you less over time. You may pay more up front, but the product lasts longer as you actually need to use less of the product each time. Ask your stylist for the brands she recommends and then do some bargain hunting.

5. Consider starting a home-based business selling your favorite direct sales cosmetics line. You'll purchase your personal products at a significant discount and you might end up building a profitable business for yourself in the process. You will have access to the latest lines of cosmetics as soon as they are available, as well as training in the use of the cosmetics and how to sell them. Direct sales can be a lucrative business, and you can earn even more if you build a team of other sales associates.

6. Make beauty treatments yourself. Look online for recipes for your favorite pampering treats. You'll be surprised at the kinds of things you can concoct with a few inexpensive items, some of which you may already have in your kitchen cupboard.

7. Know where to find beauty freebies. Most manufacturers create sample products for people to try with the hope that they will decide to purchase the full-size bottle. In many cases, you can go to the manufacturer's website and sign up for the free sample. Do an online search for "free beauty samples."

_______________

If you are interested in starting your own home-based business selling BeautiControl Products, write to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com

Could you last a day without make-up?

From The Times on March 27, 2008
It's National No Make-up Day today - a command best not obeyed
by Sarah Vine

Today, apparently, is National No Make-up Day. Not in my house it isn't. Aside from the fact that my colleagues have done nothing to deserve the sight of me without my under-eye concealer, it is a ludicrous concept. You may as well have a National No Shoe-Wearing Day, or a National No Shouting on the Today Programme Day. Inconceivable, not to say inadvisable.

According to the organisers, we need it because we women are too dependent on make-up. Damn right we are - just as we're dependent on breathing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving Mother Nature's work a little touch-up now and then.

But no, it's for our own good, see. Time to throw off the mask, to let our skins breathe (not true, by the way: today's modern formulations don't clog up the skin), to be “more courageous in baring all”. Hmm. I've seen where this “baring all” gets us, and it's not pretty. How To Look Good Naked may make great TV, but in truth most people don't (look good naked, that is). There's a reason clothes were invented, and it wasn't just to keep the cold air out. Let's not apply the same misjudgment to our faces.

The British have always had an oddly puritanical attitude to make-up. Many women I know consider it somehow at odds with their feminist principles. Personally, I don't see it that way. Make-up gives me confidence, and confidence is good. Besides, many men claim that they prefer their partners without make-up - so you could argue that the wearing of it actually constitutes a small act of feminist rebellion.

Ultimately, however, it's all about how you wear it. A tacky gash of scarlet and Ashes to Ashes-style blue eyeshadow isn't going to fool anyone. Modern make-up, properly applied, looks neither tarty nor obvious. It's about looking yourself, only slightly less frazzled. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Wearing no make-up for once, HANNAH BETTS fails to get attention

My name is Hannah and I am a cosmetics addict. I have worn make-up every day since I was jailbait young, a not so fresh-faced 11. It started with Lolita lipgloss and continues, at just short of 37, with a routine that encompasses foundation, concealer, powder, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, rouge and lip balm. Women tend to have a thing. Make-up is my thing. I don't do hair, nails, or particularly compelling outfits. However, I do reserve my right to go about with emerald eyelids.

We slap sporters are accused of vanity. Yet surely it is greater vanity to inflict one's unedited features upon the world? It is assumed that we are man-motivated. Yet chaps profess to despise cosmetics and are never happier than when informing me that I look more desirable without them. More- over, many's the time I have been chastised by weekend feminists who believe that I am letting down the sisterhood.

To all dissenting voices, I say: “This isn't about you.” Make-up is my public face and my private pleasure.

My day sans slap has an inauspicious start. The spectacle that confronts me in the mirror at 7am on Monday confirms my impression that not wearing make-up is for those who spend their weekends in the lotus position. I spent the weekend carousing, hitting the sack at 3am in the wake of a teary argument. My skin is greenish chalk, while my eyes have gone beyond the proverbial hole in the snow and are suggestive of domestic violence. And did I mention that I have my period? Cosmetics are the means by which I would wrest back control, only today all control is abandoned. I knock back three Nurofen, apply teabags to my lids, slather on my bodyweight in eye cream, and - that's it - unfinished face finished.

Four hours writing at my desk, and my features are becoming vaguely less Hammer House of Horror, but, still, as I prepare to leave the house, my virginal face propels me into crisis. Everything is thrown out by it: my clothes - too ballsy; my scent - too provocative; the rest of me - too bedraggled without a “done” focus as anchor. I look nondescript, characterless, bland. I am also ghoulish pale, reminiscent of those painful years before I discovered rouge, when schoolboys would follow me about humming The Addams Family theme. A neighbour mouths: “Poor you,” assuming lurgy.

I go for a working lunch at London's hottest venue, the Connaught, with three of the capital's most glamorous and imposing PRs. The consensus is that I look young, but not good young. “Kind of Dickensian, laudanum-addict young,” as Kate puts it. Curiously, the lower half of my hitherto blemish-free face is breaking out in boils. “It's the detox,” notes Paula. “Your skin can't have been exposed to the air for years.”

I sidle off to purchase a new phone. The pubescent who couldn't wait to get his clutches on my contract when I accosted him with full maquillage rebuffs me. But, then, I have the sweaty-palmed demeanour of a shoplifter, skulking about, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.

I pride myself on my ability to flirt with man, woman and child, but, by supper, all charm has escaped me. I fail to secure anyone's attention: the waiter's, fellow diners', even my own. My 25-year-old ally tells me that I look cooler, edgier than usual. A trip to the nightspot Bungalow 8 is aborted after I suffer an attack of the vapours.

Next morning, I have a power breakfast with a prominent editor, restored to my beloved ladyboy mode. I ask my date what she would have thought had I turned up naked faced. “But, why would anyone do that?” she demands. Why, indeed?

I can cheat and get away with it, says make-up novice CAMILLA CAVENDISH

When my commissioning editor asked me to do this piece, I was surprised. “But I do wear make-up,” I protested. “I wear mascara!” She raised one carefully crafted eyebrow. And I realised that my involvement in this project might be her friendly way of telling me that the look I have worn since my teens - a flick of the comb and a 30-second whirl with Lancôme Black/Brown - may no longer be as appealing and carefree as I like to think.

It's partly indolence, not wanting to spend time pondering the cosmetics racks in Boots. It's also that these racks are largely indecipherable to me. I missed out on the stage when other girls were learning about concealer and lip-liner. I was playing the piano seriously when I was 16, and my piano teacher used to brandish her scissors at the slightest hint of a fingernail, so I never made it into the world of nail polish and manicures either. I usually end up rubbing most of it off because it looks so vampish.

I do care how I look. It's just that I have always regarded make-up as cheating, somehow. It is only recently that I have begun to realise that many of the women I have admired as effortless beauties are actually dab hands with the bronzer. My own recent experiments with bronzer came to an end when a male colleague became concerned that I had a rash, because of the line where I had forgotten to blend it in.

So when the lovely Paul from Bobbi Brown rang my doorbell, I was determined to memorise every brushstroke. And boy, were there a lot. There was concealer and corrector and blusher, all in delectable little black pots. It took a long time. But it felt fabulous, being adored and adorned. As Danny positioned the lights and flashed the camera, and Nicky expertly tweaked my hair, I felt like a B-list goddess.

The first person to see me was my husband. He glanced in, laughed, tried to stifle the laugh and went off to an important meeting. The next was my three-year old. “Why have you painted your hair?” he asked, frowning. After several repetitions of this toddler non-sequitur, I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. But of course I couldn't cry. I felt I couldn't even blow my nose, in case I erased my face.

I liked the flushed cheeks and startling blue eyes of the creature in the mirror. But she did look as if she was trying a bit too hard. Everyone said how “natural” I looked. But my cheeks felt as though they were wearing stage make-up. My skin felt tickly.

On the other hand, it was a face that clearly deserved to be dressed up for. I found myself pulling on a much smarter jacket than normal, and some kitten heels that I hardly ever wear. Leaving the house, I braced myself for pitying stares. But apart from a few vaguely appreciative looks from builders, there was no reaction. Entering a smart restaurant in the West End, a waiter rushed to open the door for me. I was lunching with a business contact I see about twice a year. He said: “You look different, somehow. Is it your hair?”

It gradually dawned on me that what I thought of as war-paint was expertly subtle. At Broadcasting House, where I was doing an interview for a programme I am presenting on Radio 4, no one gave me a second glance. Ingrid, my producer, who has known me for two years, didn't bat an eyelid.

Later that day, I gave a talk to some people in the City. One financier came up to me afterwards. “You're a great-looking woman,” he said. “Did you ever think about TV? Your looks won't last for ever, you know. You should get on with it.” So thank you, Paul, for creating the delusion. It still feels like cheating. But if I can cheat and get away with it, why not?

______________________

BeautiContol Online available at guaranteed lowest prices. Everyday is a BeautiControl Day!

Customizing Products for Your Clients – Identifying Their “Problems” and Offering “Solutions”

by Gary Jones, BeautiControl

Ok, I hope you all think this is as cool as I do. Last week, I began working on a training piece to use within the company for those who answer product questions. It is kind of an “If/Then” chart … IF your client has this problem, THEN you would recommend this product. The further along I got in working on this, the more I realized that this would make a fantastic blog topic. So, I look forward to hearing what you think about this and if you think this is something that can help you when working with your clients and developing a skin care regimen for them.

Before I get into it, I just want to make a few quick comments. Remember, our goal in building a successful skin care regimen – whether it is for ourselves or for our clients – is to establish a good foundation on which to build. MRP is our formula for optimal skin health. M = Maintenance (Skinlogics), R= Repair (Regeneration), P = Protection (Cell Block-C). A complete skin care regimen should contain each of these MRP products to address our skin care needs.

All too often, I think we forget that MRP are the basics and we try to throw more specialty related products into our regimen without first building a strong foundation. Specialty products, although effective on their own, are not addressing the total well being of the skin if they are not combined with a proper MRP regimen customized for the specific needs of the skin. Many times, we try to offer too many products to our clients in one sitting. While that works for some people, the majority of your clients will get the products home, feel overwhelmed with their variety of products and abandon their routine because they don’t remember “what does what”. Additionally, should your client have any type of negative reaction to one of the products, it is far more difficult to determine which product is the culprit and the client discontinues the use of all of them in frustration.

The key to creating a successful skin care routine for your clients, and an amazing repeat/re-order business for you, is targeting their needs and offering them an effective, concise skin care regimen that is appropriately customized JUST FOR THEM!

MRP products are our “bread and butter” products and the products that will guarantee that your clients come back again and again.

Ok, now back to business. The following is a very basic Skin Care Questionnaire that asks a series of simple questions. These questions will identify not only their basic MRP needs, but also identify “problems” that you can offer “solutions” for.

You will see that I have grouped the products into several categories:
• Basic MRP Regimen
• Advanced PM Regimen
• Specialty Solutions

You will have clients that want to purchase everything you recommend to them, although there will be others who only want a selection of the products that you have recommended. Above all, remember a solid regimen that consists of MRP products is the foundation on which you build your sales and your customer loyalty.

For those who have clients who want it all…congratulations to you - you just made a HUGE sale. WARNING: Follow-up with these clients is crucial. They have just purchased a lot of products and can become easily confused and overwhelmed with their choices. Be sure that you have given them an “order of application” chart as well as a detailed description of “what does what” so they continue to remember the reason that they are using the products that they purchased.

For those who only want a selection of products, I firmly believe that the best thing you can do for them is get them started on the “Basic MRP Regimen” as a starting point. Follow-up with these clients is equally as important, but for a different reason. Once they experience the dramatic improvements in their skin, they are going to be ready to try other products that you have to offer. This is your opportunity to come back to them and offer additional products to fit their needs, starting with the “Advanced PM Regimen”, then adding a selection of “Specialty Solutions”.

Skin Care Questionnaire
• What is your age?
o Under 20? 20-29? 30-39? 40-49? 50+

• Would you describe your skin as:
o Very Dry? Dry? Normal? Oily? Very Oily?

• Do you experience redness, rashes or easily irritated skin or consider yourself to have sensitive skin?
o Mildly Sensitive? Moderately Sensitive? Severely Sensitive?

• Are you prone to acne breakouts?
o Mildly? Moderately? Severely?

• Are you prone to blackheads/clogged pores?
o Yes? No?

• Have you experienced loss of firmness and elasticity?
o Yes? No?

• Do you have more pronounced lines and wrinkles?
o Yes? No?

• Have you experienced age spots or other forms of hyper-pigmentation?
o Yes? No?

• Do you have concerns with facial puffiness?
o Yes? No?

• Do you have concerns with eye puffiness?
o Yes? No?

• Do you have concerns with dark circles under your eyes?
o Yes? No?

• Do you have an increased dullness or lack of clarity in your skin?
o Yes? No?

Basic MRP Regimen
• Cleanser - Gently removes impurities from the skin without stripping skin of essential moisture.

• Scrub - Gently removes dead skin cells, polishing skin’s surface. (used 2 to 3 times per week)

• Tonic - Final rinse to restore moisture mantle and refine pores

• Regeneration face and neck cream - Customized for your age, containing naturally derived acids and peptides that help to expedite the exfoliation of the skin to encourage skin to act younger, firmer and more resilient

• Cell Block-C SPF 20 - Contains advanced antioxidant and full spectrum UV protection to help prevent future environmental damage

• Moisturizer - Seals in moisture to help maintain the skin’s natural hydration

• Eye Cream - Customized by age to help target line prone areas around the eyes. Firms, moisturizes, helps diminish the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness

• Microderm Abrasion facial buffing crème - designed to physically remove dead surface skin cells, encouraging the development of new cell production.

Advanced PM Regimen
• Regeneration Time to Go (in place of Regeneration face and neck cream) - Contains retinol which helps kick-start the production of new skin cells, increasing the rate in which the skin renews itself.

• Time to Go Time Capsules (in ADDITION to your eye cream) - Contains retinol which helps kick-start the production of new skin cells, increasing the rate in which the skin renews itself. Contains Vitamin K which helps diminish the appearance of under-eye dark circles.

• Cell Block-C PM (in place of CBC AM) - Restores moisture and helps skin recover from daily environmental stress.

• Reprogram - Helps protect new cell development, encouraging the reproduction of healthier, younger acting skin cells

Customizing a Skin Care Regimen for Your Clients:
• If your client has “Dry”, “Normal, or “Oily” skin and is not prone to acne or skin sensitivity recommend the MRP skin care regimen specific for their age.

• If your client describes themselves as having “ very dry” skin with no acne or skin sensitivity, move to the next MRP regimen up from their recommended age specific regimen.

• If your client describes themselves as having “very oily” skin with no acne or skin sensitivity, move to the next MRP regimen down from their recommended age specific regimen.

• If your client describes themselves as having mildly sensitive skin, recommend the age specific MRP regimen for them as a starting point.

• If your clients describes themselves as having moderate to severely sensitive skin, recommend the Skinlogics Sensitive regimen. Do not recommend any repair and prevention products until the skin adjusts to the daily basic regimen, then add either Regeneration Gold or Platinum Regeneration products, as well as Cell Block-C-AM and PM for repair and prevention. Do not recommend the use of Microderm Abrasion products, Time to Go Products, Chemical Peel or any of the clay based masks for these clients.

• If your client describes themselves as having mild acne breakouts, recommend the MRP regimen for 20s skin.

• If your client describes themselves as having moderate acne breakouts, recommend the MRP regimen for 20s skin, with the substitution of the All Clear Tonic in place of the Skinlogics tonic.

• If your client describes themselves as having severe acne breakouts, recommend the complete All Clear system. Do not recommend the immediate use of Repair and Prevention products until the skin adjusts to the basic daily regimen, then add the Regeneration Gold, Time to Go and Cell Block-C AM products for repair and prevention.

It is best to get your clients adjusted to an effective MRP regimen before recommending the use of other products. Once your client has established an effective daily MRP regimen, other products can be added to help with specific skin concerns.

Specialty Solutions
Below you will find a variety of products listed under each “problem”. This does not mean that you necessarily need all of the products that are listed. This is a list of products that specifically address the problem at hand. While they can all be recommended, they can also be used individually based on your customer’s preference. Some of the products listed in the following categories my also be listed in the Basic MRP Regimen, but are specifically suited to address the skin condition listed.

• Oil Control
o Cell Block-C Multivitamin Capsules (used during the day) - Provides potent antioxidant protection by delivering concentrated levels of pure vitamin C and Vitamin E to the skin. Helps restore skin vibrancy and provides the perfect environment to help the skin naturally produce collagen and elastin

o Time to Go (used at night) - Contains retinol which helps kick-start the production of new skin cells, increasing the rate in which the skin renews itself.

o Secret Agent Natural Makeup Primer (used under foundation as a primer) - help to absorb oil in the skin and delay oil breakthrough.

o Hide the Shine (used as a blotting treatment during the day) - will help to absorb oil and reduce shine.

• Excessively Dry Skin
o Skinlogics Platinum Heavy Duty Moisturizer (in place of daily moisturizer) – oil rich moisturizer to help target very dry skin condtions

o Regeneration Extreme Repair Face and Body Cream (in place of daily moisturizer) – moisture rich cream that helps to increase cellular hydration, helping the skin to retain moisture more effectively

• Skin Sensitivity, Irritation or Allergic Response
o Skinlogics Sensitive Protective Services - For those with red, irritated skin or rosacea, this quick absorbing serum contains hydrocortisone, known for its anti-irritant properties, along with protective and restorative panthenol. *not available in Canada

• Black Heads/Clogged Pores
o Therma Del Sol Detoxifying Body Facial – Clay based mask that helps absorb excess oil, helping to pull impurities from the pores.

o Luxuries of the Sea Fango/Seaweed Mask - Clay based mask that helps absorb excess oil, helping to pull impurities from the pores as well as ground pumice to help exfoliate the skin when used as a scrub.

o All Clear Deep Cleansing Treatment – Self foaming cleansing treatment that deeply cleanses pores.

o Microderm Abrasion products - designed to physically remove dead surface skin cells, encouraging the development of new cell production.

• Loss of Firmness and Elasticity
o Regeneration Tight Firm and Fill - Offers both immediate and long term benefits – helping to relax the appearance of expression lines, instantly plump lines and wrinkles, instantly firm, and help strengthen the skin’s support system through moisturization.

o Sculptique Face and Neck Contour Creme - Improves facial contours by by helping to improve moisture balance of fluids in the skin and offering skin firming compounds to the lower layers of the epidermis

o Microderm Abrasion products - designed to physically remove dead surface skin cells, encouraging the development of new cell production.

• Lines and Wrinkles
o Regeneration Tight Firm and Fill - Offers both immediate and long term benefits – helping to relax the appearance of expression lines, instantly plump lines and wrinkles, instantly firm, and help strengthen the skin’s support system through moisturization.

o Regeneration Chemical Peel - designed to chemically loosen dead surface skin cells so they can be more easily removed to encourage the development of new cell production. Used 2 to 3 times per week.

o Microderm Abrasion products - designed to physically remove dead surface skin cells, encouraging the development of new cell production.

• Age Spots or other forms of hyper-pigmentation
o Cell Block-C Intensive Brightening Elixir - Helps fade the appearance of skin discolorations and uneven skin tone

o Skinlogics Platinum Plus (in place of daily moisturizer) - Seals in moisture to help maintain the skin’s natural hydration. Helps even the appearance of skin tone and diminish skin discoloration

o Microderm Abrasion products - designed to physically remove dead surface skin cells, encouraging the development of new cell production.

o Reprogram - Helps protect new cell development, encouraging the reproduction of healthier, younger acting skin cells

• Facial puffiness
o Sculptique Face and Neck Contour Creme - Improves facial contours by helping restore moisture balance in the skin and offering skin firming compounds to the lower layers of the epidermis

• Dark, Under-Eye puffiness
o Time to Go Time Capsules - Contains retinol which helps kick-start the production of new skin cells, increasing the rate in which the skin renews itself. Contains Vitamin K which helps diminish the appearance of under-eye dark circles.

o Eye-X-Cel - help target line prone areas around the eyes. Firms, moisturizes, helps diminish the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness

o Platinum Regeneration Rejuvenating Eye Treatment (eye patches) - Instantly minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and dark under-eye circles and puffiness

• Under-eye circles
o Platinum Regeneration Eye Crème - help target line prone areas around the eyes. Firms, moisturizes, helps diminish the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness

o Time to Go Time Capsules - Contains retinol which helps kick-start the production of new skin cells, increasing the rate in which the skin renews itself. Contains Vitamin K which helps diminish the appearance of under-eye dark circles.

o Platinum Regeneration Rejuvenating Eye Treatment (eye patches) - Instantly minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and dark under-eye circles and puffiness

• Dull Skin Tone
o Cell Block-C Multivitamin Capsules (used during the day) - Provides potent antioxidant protection by delivering concentrated levels of pure vitamin C and Vitamin E to the skin. Helps restore skin vibrancy and provides the perfect environment to help the skin naturally produce collagen and elastin

o Microderm Abrasion products - designed to physically remove dead surface skin cells, encouraging the development of new cell production.

o Spa Organic Enzyme Mask – contains enzymes that help dissolve dead skin build-up to reveal more radiant skin.

For a specific order of application chart, please see my blog dedicated to the topic of “Choosing a Skin Care Regimen and Order of Application”.

Ok, I know this is a lot to digest, but I really think this can help you feel more comfortable about customizing a regimen both for yourself and your clients. Please let me know what you think of this and if this is something that will benefit you as you build your client base and create “customers for life”.

Have a great week.

About the Author

Gary Jones is Vice President of Product Development R&D for BeautiControl. Gary has a blog and posts very helpful information for BeautiControl Consultants world wide. The information is information, education and product-driven for client satisfaction. BeautiContol is a perfect way to earn extra cash or work full time. To learn more about BeautiControl click here.

Fashion on a Budget - Designer handbags, clothing and shoes

By Woody Lee

There has been a lot of talk about the economy lately and the forecast isn't looking too good which means it's time to start looking at ways to tighten the budget and cut back on the things you don't absolutely need. Though the thought about going without might seem grim at first, there is a silver lining when it comes to shopping. Just because you have less to spend on fashion doesn't mean you have to stop trying completely, following is a list of tips that help the budget fashionista in all of us keep looking fabulous.

Clothing
I thought starting off with the most obvious wardrobe item was a good way to kick off the list especially since a lot of us have already started thinking of spring wear, plus shopping for clothing on a budget is often the easiest. Although no one likes to worry about the economy, one positive result is retailers know that consumers are holding onto their money tighter than before, so they are more willing to hold sales and make higher decreases to entice consumers to spend. Here's a great way to take advantage of dropping prices but still come out with the stuff you want:

Be a savvy sale shopper: I already mentioned how you might notice more sales and promotions from retailers in an effort to boast slow profits, so as a savvy shopper it pays off to know when your favorite store is holding a 'secret sale' (join a mailing list or befriend the sales staff to become a VIP), end-of-season sales (household names like Banana Republic and Macys hold seasonal sales where items are 40% off), watch for the buy-one-get-one-half off type of coupon sales because you can buy the non-sale item you've been eyeing and get another item half off.

Shop online: Even the most experienced shopper can find it daunting to keep up with the sale schedule at their favorite stores which is why shopping online has become so popular. Gone were the days where you weren't sure of your size or if something looked good, most online shops allow for easy returns. But it's better to know the types of clothes you look good so you won't have to mail back a bunch of returns. The best part about shopping online is that often times you can find the same brands at cheaper prices because an online retailer doesn't have to pay for retail space. If you don't believe me, I found Rachel Pally dresses at 50% off at DesignersLA.com or check out ShopBop and click on the 70% off sale section (you'll be amazed at what you see). Plus if you sign up for your favorite e-tailers email list, you'll get even more savings with sale announcements and coupon codes sent right to your inbox. What's easier than that?

Invest in classics: Though sale shopping can result in a ton of savings, to really save money try not to buy something you won't end up wearing just because it is on sale. Sure a designer label pink suede skirt at 80% off is a great deal but if it's hot outside or pink suede isn't in style when the weather cools, you've wasted money that could have been used toward something you'll wear again and again. Trends are always fun but invest in a couple of classics that can take you through an entire season. I'm thinking white wide-leg pants and a yellow dress but you can pick your favorite spring staples.

Vintage: If the thought of secondhand shops scares you than you haven't been shopping at the right vintage store. Vintage can be ultra-hip and you'll be surprised to see what you find in the right vintage store. Make sure to find one that offers items in good condition and reasonable prices (some are actually expensive) and go hunting for shift dresses, capris and 50's style blouses that have been seen in all the fashion magazines. Plus there are even some great online vintage shops (JillsConsignment and LuxuryVintage) that carry amazing stuff in awesome condition.

Handbags and Accessories
It doesn't matter if there are tough times or not, fashionistas are constantly on the lookout for bargains on designer handbags. The good thing is that a good designer handbag has a much longer run than designer clothing because if you invest in the right designer purse or designer jewelry you can wear it for many months as opposed to changing up your clothes due to trends and weather conditions. And even though designer "it" bags cost more than ever, the average designer label handbag costs $2k, I've done my homework and found ways to score a hot designer bag, designer jewelry or accessory from Prada, Gucci, Tod's, Chloe, Anya Hindmarch, Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Burberry, and even Chanel at up to 70% off retail. Don't believe me, see for yourself:

Shop online: As with shopping for clothing, shopping online for designer accessories can really pay off. Unlike clothes, you don't have to worry about how an item will fit because most reputable sites will list the exact measurements and provides photos from all angles so you can see exactly what you're getting. Since online retailers don't have as much overhead as say a big department store (it's hard to find a designer handbag in a small boutique), they are able to offer substantially more savings for the exact same purse. I recently picked up an authentic Chanel handbag at for 50% off retail at eFashionHouse.com and the selection is endless. Based on my budget (and a little bit of principal) I would never pay full price for a designer handbag because I know if I wait for the "it" bag craze to die down, I'll visit my favorite site and get the bag 40% off. You can also shop for brand new designer jewelry from Chanel, Gucci and others at more than 60% off.

Wait for end-of-season sales: All of the major department stores mark designer handbags off toward the end of the season an although it's nice to carry a bag as soon as the season starts, if you can hold out, you can find what you're looking for. But if you plan to wait for these sales, make sure you are the first to know because inventory goes fast and is usually sold out the day a sale starts (if you miss the boat, visit the discount designer handbag web sites who sell authentic bags at a discounts year round).

Out with the old, in with the new: If you are as much of a handbag lover as I am than you probably have a couple of designer handbags lying around that you haven't used in a while which means you can afford to get rid of them. If you sell these unused accessories on eBay or to a consignment shop, you can have some extra money to spend on the designer handbag you really want. Try it out, it won't hurt as much as you think.

Vintage: More than even clothes, vintage designer handbags, jewelry and accessories (wallets, scarves, etc.) can not only save you money but even outlast many of the trendier bags. Sites like LuxuryVintage sell authentic Chanel handbags in amazing condition (little to no wear) for as low as $400 and since Chanel handbags are timeless, this is a small price to pay for a bag you can wear for years to come.

Don't be a snob: In addition to the luxury leaders like Marc Jacobs and Prada, the handbag heyday has allowed for smaller labels like Elaine Turner, Tano and Pietro Alessandro to make a name for themselves. Often made from the same high end materials as couture fashion houses, it's easier than ever to score an ultra-soft trendy handbag, like the Elaine Turner Paige Python Frame Bag or the Alex Tote, for a fraction of the cost of an expensive designer label.

Cheap Chic: We usually don't like any handbags that fall into the $15-$40 range but we have to say that lines like Melie Bianco and Murval are quickly making us change our mind. We wouldn't recommend spending your money on a bunch of cheap, poorly made handbags but if you want the look of the moment handbag, than Melie Bianco will probably have it. Visit DesignersLA.com and be amazed at how Melie Bianco manages to make such stylish and gorgeous handbags at such unbelievable prices.

Shoes
There is not a lot of advice we have on shoes because we think that most savvy shoppers (who are women at least) have this category covered but we'll include a couple of pointers just in case you need a refresher:

Invest in a good pair: Shoes are quickly becoming like designer handbags in the fact that they are wildly expensive and there are now a ton of "must-have" styles. Christian Louboutin is the leader of the pack, followed closely by Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blanik but finding a pair of these beauties at a discount can be pretty tricky but not unheard of. If must have another pair of shoes (to add to the 30 you already have), than try to invest in as much shoe as you can afford. Maybe we walk a lot but we've found that investing in a good pair of shoes (leather upper and leather sole) can take us a long way.

Online: There are a ton of online sites selling only footwear and it's sometimes hard to go through them all but the one good thing about so many choices is that there is more competition which means that price points will be lower. We haven't found a ton of online sites that we like to shop at for shoes because we tend to shop for more high end brands (goes back to that investment thinking) and there aren't a lot of sites that sell expensive shoes but one place I have found luck at saving money is eBay (yes, eBay). I would never purchase a designer handbag from eBay because there is no way to guarantee that you are actually getting an authentic designer handbag but shoes are less likely to be knocked off. But be prepared to search often because the selection is limited however you can find some amazing deals (brand new Lanvin flats for $200 or Prada heels for $100). So brush up on your bidding war skills because wining a pair of Manola Blanik Mary Janes is harder than actually walking in them.

Sales: Like clothes and designer accessories, the best and easiest way to save money is to know when your favorite shoe store is having a sale, but the early bird gets the worm in shoes sales because if there is one thing women have in common its shoes.

So although a slow economy can be a huge drain on your wallet, just remember that looking good doesn't have to suffer a recession as well. Become an experienced (and smart) shopper and you'll ride out tough times with the shirt on your back.

Woody Lee is a free lance writer, blogger and fashion addict living in New York City. She loves fashion, she loves high quality designer handbags, and she absolutely dislikes paying full price.

Kiss off recession talk

REBECCA TAY
Special to The Globe and Mail

No matter what George W. Bush says, we - or, ahem, our neighbours to the south - have entered a recession. And yet, as Leonard Lauder, chairman of the Estée Lauder Companies Inc., knows well, this foul economic environment may have a positive effect on cosmetics companies. At least when it comes to their lipstick sales.

After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Lauder stated that when a country faces fiscal stress, lipstick sales increase as women purchase small, comforting items rather than splurging on larger luxury goods. Dubbed the Leading Lipstick Indicator (or less formally, the lipstick index), it makes sense: After all, the cost of a high-end lipstick averages $30, while a designer skirt or pair of shoes can easily set a woman back $300 or more.

Sharon Collier, president and chief executive officer of Laura Mercier Cosmetics, agrees. "Lipstick is an affordable indulgence for women," she says. "A tube of lipstick is a small luxury that can be bought to fill the void of the more expensive purchases."

Also significant is the fact that lipstick is a symbolic icon, representing the dynamism of the female mystique: bolder colours represent sex, power and confidence, while lighter pinks and nudes show off a woman's softer, gentler side. "The vast array of colours acts as a quick and easy way to change a woman's look and mood," Collier notes. And in a volatile economic environment, perhaps this flexibility is another key way in which women can showcase their strength and adaptability.

Lauder showed that, historically, the lipstick index could reliably explain spikes in lipstick sales during major world events such as the Depression and the Second World War. But what about now?

"Lipstick is recession-proof," says Poppy King, who spent three years at Estée Lauder before launching Lipstick Queen in January, 2007. (Her products are now sold at select Holt Renfrew stores nationwide.) King attributes the success of her company in part to a "renewed interest in lipstick - it's a great way for women to perk themselves up, especially when many other cosmetics products are getting so expensive."

The question is, who - or what - is behind the trend? "Cosmetics companies have definitely been pushing lipstick for at least two seasons," says Marc Brunet, owner of Vancouver's Beauty Mark boutique.

Coincidence? All Brunet knows is that "lipstick sales now are the strongest they've been since we opened the store in 2000."

Despite the numbers, Anny Kazanjian, executive director of public relations and fashion promotion at Chanel, disagrees with the lipstick index. "We're not using the R word here in Canada, and we're not seeing a particular spike in sales because of the state of the economy. Our strong sales are simply part of a regular, seasonal change as consumers are excited about our spring collection and it flies out the door.

"Lipstick isn't such a splurge any more," she continues. "There's a stronger sense of entitlement these days - women work hard, so spending 25 to 30 dollars on a lipstick is not prohibitive like it was maybe 20 years ago. I think women would spend money on lipstick regardless of the economy."

However, over at Giorgio Armani Cosmetics, marketing assistant Joëlle Barakat reveals that lipstick sales alone increased a whopping 14.8 per cent in January year-over-year, 0.3 per cent in February (reflecting a common dip in the retail industry) and 9.1 per cent in March. She attributes the strong numbers to both the company's increasing profile in the cosmetics industry and, like Collier, King and Brunet, a movement toward lipstick in general over the past few seasons.

What does this all mean? Clearly, that lipstick is having another heyday - whether we believe in the recession or not.

Worth the splurge

Sisley in L30 $48

A lively orange, perfect with this year's painterly florals.

Yves Saint Laurent's Rouge Pur #138 $35

Also called Pink Orchid, this shade is cute and playful, but not so junior it belongs in high school.

Giorgio Armani Cosmetics' Armani Silk 001 $34

The highest-end lipstick from the company, Armani Silk offers rich colour and a creamy, luxurious texture.

Laura Mercier's Crème Lip Colour in Roman Moon $26

The ultimate colour for spring: peachy, pink and pretty.Bobbi Brown's Sandwash Pink Lipstick $27

"A neutral pink tone that's perfect on all skin tones," says Krista Hynes, Holt Renfrew's associate buyer of cosmetics.

Lipstick Queen's Red Sinner $23

Choose this rich carmine shade for special night out.

Beauty doesn't need to have a moral price tag

By Belinda Higgins
Independent.ie

The huge swing towards ethical products is impacting on far more than just the grocery sector. Concerned consumers are also now increasingly choosing organic and natural cosmetics and skincare products. New research from Mintel shows that over 2,260 ethical cosmetics and skincare products* were launched in Europe in 2007 -- a five-fold increase on 2006 figures.

And 2008 looks set to be another bumper year for the market, with more than 420 new ethical beauty products already having hit shelves in Europe in the first few months. "Beauty manufacturers are innovating by making their products more compatible with the emerging lifestyle trends of ethical shopping and eco-consciousness," says Nica Lewis, Head Consultant of Mintel Beauty and Personal Care. "They're clearly looking at ways to cut down the amount of packaging they use and are trying to reduce the negative impact production can have on the environment."

Animal welfare issues, environmental concerns and health are the motivations behind consumers' growing tendency to think before they buy skincare and beauty products. The Irish market for personal care and cosmetics products is estimated to be worth €112.2m per annum. COLIPA (the European Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association) recently tipped Ireland as one of the countries with the most potential for future growth.

Cruelty-free products that have not been tested on animals make up the largest group of new ethical beauty products on the European market. Around half of women in France (49pc) and the UK (51pc) say that they look out for this label when buying beauty products. The EU is implementing a ban on animal testing for cosmetics, and a near-total ban on the sale of animal-tested cosmetics, from 2009.

The survey also revealed that 'all natural products' were another major consideration when choosing cosmetics and skincare items. Many cosmetics on the market are still loaded with toxins, artificial fragrances and preservatives. However, consumer demand has ensured that more and more companies are now offering natural and botanical alternatives. For example, British pharmaceutical giant Boots recently announced a new project to develop algae for use in its personal care ranges. Following on from the trend in the food markets, there is now heightened interest in eco-friendly and Fair Trade beauty products.

"We have already seen the no-animal-testing claim go from niche to mainstream over the past two decades," explains Lewis. "Although organic has proved popular in the beauty industry, the current trend for ethical claims centres around the use of Fair Trade ingredients and products having recycled and recyclable packaging. All natural (products) will also continue to appeal."

*This includes products that are fair trade, not tested on animals, that support a charity and that are environmentally friendly or have environmentally friendly packaging.

- Belinda Higgins