L’Oreal Feria Product Launch

August 23rd, 2008 - 10 Responses

I’m sure if you read other beauty blogs, you’ve seen by now that L’Oreal is launching a new formula of Feria that has 3x the highlights to create multi-faceted color. A group of beauty bloggers were selected to hold a party, color some hair and help with the re-launch. I feel honored to be one of those selected so check out some before and after pictures from the party below:

Above are Leigh, Barb and Sonya all patiently waiting while their hair soaked up the color. As we waited and rinsed and styled our hair we talked about what was different about L’Oreal Feria than the brands we typically use.

Here’s what we found:
-The dye is a thicker formula so it didn’t drip.
-There was no amonia smell–at all. The essential oil ampule actually made it smell great!
-One bottle actually had more than enough formula for my wicked long hair.
-Our hair looked brighter and more vibrant.
-We loved the shine and the highlights.
-It didn’t dry our hair out.

The only con we all agreed on is that for the 3 of us who did a brown tone, the formula was clear making it difficult to see if we were getting it on our clothes or skin. Once it processed for the 25 minutes, it also emerged as color on our skin. However, it was easily removed from our skin and the stain didn’t remain at all.

Leigh Before and After:

We all agreed that Leigh did not have a dramatic change to her hair color. However we did notice, and it may be difficult to tell here, that the contrasting blonde and dark brown color to her hair softened making her blonde highlights blend in a bit more. And seriously? How gorgeous is she? She is tall and I told her she has the face of a model.

Sonya Before and After

Sonya’s change was more obvious. She went from a medium ash brown to more of a chestnut color. I think this warm color looks perfect on her for fall.

Barb Before and After

Now this is what I am talking about! Wow! I told Barb she had the most dramatic transformation of all. The after picture doesn’t even justify what a great color this is. It has a lot of red to it and she told me that she has repeatedly gotten compliments on her hair since the party a week ago. She is in love with it and said she will forever color her hair with L’Oreal Feria #36, Chocolate Cherry. Barb also has very thin hair and somehow this hair color has almost plumped up each strand. Her hair feels and looks thicker, which she is incredibly happy about.

Shannon Before and After:

Truth be told, I was so busy getting things in order that I forgot to take a before picture. But as with the nature of my blog, I am always taking pictures of myself for various things so the picture above will show you just how dark my hair was before and kind of flat looking. Dull–blah. That was due to my other hair coloring debacle a few months ago. So my hair is now lighter and brings out my natural red highlights. Also, hello shine. I love that my hair is shiny. And seriously–I only needed ONE bottle for all of that hair!

So tell me what you think? Whose hair color looks best? Have you had a chance to try it out yourself?



Beauty Guru of Twitter-Fu!

August 21st, 2008 - One Response

The very hilarious Mike Doe has chosen to spotlight me on his Twitter-Fu blog! If you are not on Twitter, you need to be and you should be following Mike. He is super funny, please he’s easy on the eyes if I do say so myself!

He named me the Beauty Guru of Twitter-Fu (wow, that makes me feel great!) so go check it out!



Happy Birthday to Me, CoverGirl Giveaway For You!

August 21st, 2008 - 41 Responses

So guess what? Today I turn 34. And I thought, you all have been so wonderful to me, why not do something fun and give away some makeup? So CoverGirl put together a package of hot colors.

One lucky winner will get:

CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara in very black

CoverGirl WetSlicks AmazeMint in slaphappy

CoverGirl WetSlicks AmazeMint in red riot

CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in plum plush

CoverGirl 1-kit Eye Enhancers in knock out pink

CoverGirl 1-kit Eye Enhancers in indigo impact

CoverGirl 1-kit Eye Enhancers in purple pop

Contest ends tonight at 11:30pm, but if I am not awake (ha), I will be picking a winner in the morning. A winner is chosen at random. Only one entry per email/house/IP. Open to legal US residents 18+ only. Retail value is $75. There are no cash substitutes or color substitutes. If you win, you must answer the winning email within 3 days or you forfeit your prize (and yes that has happened before!)

This is easy peasy–just enter your name and email address! Email address is not for any list and won’t be sold or rented or anything like that–it’s just so I can contact you if you win.

Good Luck!



Vasaio Life Spa

August 20th, 2008 - One Response

Vasaio Life Spa, located in Grand Rapids Michigan, will make you feel like you are stepping in a small corner of Italy. Victor Bennett, who owns Vasaio with his wife Vickie, took a few moments to tell me more about his salon and spa.

Shannon: Describe the feeling of the interior of Vasaio Life Spa.

Victor: Vasaio is Italian for “the potter,” and like a potter with clay, Vasaio “seeks to discover the beauty within, one individual at a time.” Vasaio’s Salon is beautiful yet trendy with earthy tones and a modern Tuscan feel. Vasaio not only boasts the most stylish trends of color and style, our corporate team develops and sets the trends each season. Clients benefit from the Keune Haircosmetics line which reflects Vasaio’s values of imagination and excellence - world class all the way.

Shannon: What makes Vasaio unique?

Victor: From the simple, yet luxurious aromatherapy shampooing to a full make-over, Vasaio’s full service salon caters the look for every client including cuts, colors, styles, permanent waves, straightenings, updo’s and extensions. The proprietary V-Bar allows up to 5 individuals to get an express manicure and a pedicure simultaneously, while the full spa pedicure client is pampered to the fullest in the Italian-made Murano stations. Clients traveling the world over use Vasaio Life Spa’s therapists, facialists and spa services as the measuring tool of excellence. Customized facials, microdermabrasion, depilatory services, massage modalities, and medical manual therapies are just some of our spa offerings (we now accept Blue Cross/Blue Shield). Incorporating Vasaio’s own muds, scrubs, herbal wraps, lotions, body polishes and essential oils with personalized treatments and steam room combine to create a truly memorable experience.

Vasaio’s elite medical spa and nationally certified staff offer a full range of latest in cosmetic dermatological physician-directed, safe and effective services include Botox and various dermal fillers, such as Juvederm as well as a full line of cutting-edge laser services including skin tightening. Vasaio Life Spa is a full service salon, luxurious spa and elite medical spa all under one roof in a world class atmosphere.

You can learn more about Vasaio Life Spa at www.vasaiolifespa.com and be sure to take a virtual tour.



A Girl’s Gotta Spa Interviewed on 5 Minutes for Mom

August 17th, 2008 - One Response

5 Minutes for Mom now has their interview with me up. Go check it out!

Interview at 5 Minutes for Mom



Pardon the interruption!

August 16th, 2008 - One Response

Holy smokes! So my site was down for 4 days! Eep! Please forgive the lack of images and sidebar messiness while I reconfigure everything. We had hosting issues and they basically messed up the whole blog to the degree that we had to change hosting services–and now everything isn’t uploaded right, so we’ll be fixing that throughout Sunday.

Have patience and I’m glad to be back! Thank you Leslie at Catapult Web Development! xo