Holiday party season is officially here, and if you’re opting to go the subtle route fashion-wise by avoiding ultra-sparkly cocktail dresses and glitter heels at all costs, there’s still plenty of ways to add some celebratory glitz to your seasonal party look! Instead, try focusing the festiveness on your makeup. Metallic silver liner adds just the slightest dash of holiday vixen appeal that makes a surprisingly gorgeous impact. It’s like tinsel for your eyes… which is way less painful than it sounds!

Try not to go too 90s-fabulous with the trend (that whole frosty lid look might make you look dated), and instead stick to just the corners of your eye and the inner rim. Similar to how white pencil makes peepers appear wider and brighter, silver liner will make eyes sparkle with a sexy metallic sheen. Also, make sure you pick an easy-glide, extra-bright chrome silver – darker gunmetal shades just won’t have the same tinselly effect!

Pictured above: Milani Liquif’Eye Metallic Eyeliner Pencil in Silver, L’Oreal HiP Chrome Eyeliner in Silver Lightning, Stila Smudge Stick in Silverdollar, and Bobbi Brown Dual Ended Eyeliner in Jet/Chrome.

Guest post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! from my friends at TheFind.com.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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Last week I made my twice weekly trek to CVS. (I practically live in the beauty aisle.) Since my nails have still not recovered from all of the Shellac manicures, and any polish I have put on them quickly chips, I decided to opt for some Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips (or stickers as my 7 year old calls them.) Since they were out of Misbehaved, which completely brings the fishnet stocking clad leg lamp from A Christmas Story to mind, I opted for Laced Up, which is similar with a fishnet design and black floral. I was so excited to try these polish strips, I probably could’ve shot someone’s eye out.

The reason I adore nail polish strips is because they are so super simple to apply. There’s, of course, no dry time and your nails look professionally done. My boyfriend even asked me, “When did you have time to go to the salon?” Ha! That said, I was happy with the outcome and snapped a pic by some vintage looking Christmas plates I bought from Rue La La for steal. I did not, however, go stick my tongue on a freezing pole.

However, my excitement only lasted 24 hours, as by the next morning, each of my nails were chipped at the top. I chalked it up to working on the computer all day, until I took a shower that evening and came out missing the strip on my pinky nail. Now, I know how to apply nail strips the proper way, so I was stumped as to why a strip would come off in such a short period of time. I quickly went to the pack of strips I had placed back in the package, only to find they had all dried out and would no longer stick. I complained about how stupid I would look with only 9 polish strips on when my boyfriend suggested that I apply a thin basecoat of clear polish and then place a strip on top of it so that it would stick. Genius boy! That worked and I was back to beautiful 10 finger manicure.

Over Twitter @CVSBeautyClub made the recommendation that I apply a top coat over the strips to make them last longer. At first, I did not heed their advice as I felt it defeated the purpose of using nail strips in the first place. However, by day 3 of wearing them, I noticed that the edges were beginning to turn upward lifting away from my nails and kept snagging on my clothes and hair. I got out my handy Zoya Armour top coat and brushed a thin coat over them and went about my day. That evening, before date night with my man, I jumped in the shower and again emerged with a strip missing, this time from my index finger. I had no other extra strips to use that would fit that finger so I opted not to replace it. By day 4, more strips popped off and I succumbed to the fact that I would just have to remove them all.

Sally Hansen’s site says the strips can last up until 10 days. I have found this to be true of other strips I have used like Avon’s Instant Manicure (do they still sell these?) and Incoco’s Nail Applique (although Nail Fraud’s Nail Decals also didn’t last long.) But sorry, Sally, not yours. This is disappointing, as I really loved the designs and want so badly to have nice manicured nails again. Have you used Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects Nail Strips? How did they work for you?

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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If you survived Black Friday and are still in need of some holiday gift ideas for the family or friend who loves beauty products, then I know you’ll find our Holiday Gift Guide useful. Amanda, Gail and I put together some of our best and most favorite gift ideas (i.e. gifts we’d like to see under the tree) into a 13 page catalog. We opted not to create a multitude of holiday gift posts and thought a handy catalog that you can browse through and link directly to the product would make for a great all-in-one-place guide.

Here’s what we covered: Hair care, skin care, bath & body, holiday kits, cosmetics, gifts that give back and spas and spa treatments that we love. There’s some nail polish mentioned in there too!

Many thanks to Kelli & Co. for creating the cover for our Holiday Gift Guide. When reading it, make sure you view it at 100%; it is a downloadable PDF.

Enjoy the catalog and please feel free to pass onto your friends! Download it by clicking this link: Holiday Gift Guide

Disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links and 2 brands mentioned are clients.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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Limited Edition Luxe Colour Portfolio

Beauty kits are my go-to gift for the holiday season. Since most pallets provide a  compact sampling of the season’s hottest color trends, it’s always a guaranteed hit.

With color schemes that will transition seamlessly from crisp autumn days to cozy winter nights, Laura Mercier’s Limited Edition Luxe Colour Portfolio has everything you need for a flawless face. The kit includes six eyeshadow color combinations, two blush options, three powder eyeliners, and three brushes for proper application.

The eyeshadow palettes are broken down into two color schemes: a standard  nude and a pinkish-plum selection. I love the plum color combination best – it creates an incredibly soft, romantic look.  While both are fabulous when worn independently, I also like mixing them together and getting a little creative.

Here I am after applying the plum shades to my lids and "City Pink" to my cheeks.

What I loved most about the kit was the eyeliner. You have three options – standard black, a softer brown, and uber-trendy plum. The kit’s flat eyeliner brush that makes application a cinch, too. Hint: For longer lasting wear, I like to wet the eyeliner brush before pressing into the powder. It seals the makeup and creates a bolder line. If only this kit included concealer and lip gloss, I wouldn’t even need to throw a makeup bag in my purse!

Buy one for yourself, and one for a friend. Whatever gal-pal you treat to this holiday set is sure to be pleased. Find the portfolio online here for $98.00.

Have you tried a holiday kit this season that you love? Tell us about it in the comments!

Amanda Huggins

Amanda is a PR and communications girl living and working in the NYC area. She is a firm believer in the powers of a strong cup of coffee and fire-engine red lipstick.

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The holidays are officially upon us, which for a lot of us means fun, festive holiday get-togethers, one of my absolute favorite things about the holidays.  I definitely look forward to gathering with family, friends and of course co-workers and getting into the holiday spirit.  One of the first thoughts that crosses my mind after receiving those much anticipated holiday evites…besides what will I wear of course…is what would be a great hostess gift?   I tend to be quite unoriginal in choosing hostess gifts and will frequently rely on the fail safe bottle of wine, chocolates or set of soaps. These have always seemed to go over well but I wouldn’t mind gifting something a bit more unique, something like a beautifully scented candle that is not only eco- friendly, but can also be used as a body moisturizer.

Well  thanks to The SOI Company, an amazingly scented, all natural candle, that is also a moisturizer, is exactly what I will be presenting to my party hostesses this holiday season.  I think these candles are the greatest things ever. Because the SOI candles are made of 100% all natural soy oil, you will enjoy clean, soot-free burning that is not harmful to you or the environment. The SOI candles’ soy oil only heats to 106 degrees making them last longer. The melted soy oil from SOI candles can also be used as skin moisturizer and help remedy  sunburns, eczema, psoriasis and poison oak.

I have been enjoying the Pumpkin Spice candle in my home for the last week and I am absolutely crazy about it.  The fragrance is heavenly, very warm and inviting and really puts you in a holiday state of mind.  I still get the aroma of pumpkin spice even when the candle is not burning.  I also loved it as a body moisturizer.  At first I was very hesitant about dipping my fingers in hot soy oil and applying it to my body, but the oil was actually more warm than hot.  It felt very soothing  and I really enjoyed the fragrance on my skin.

The SOI candles are available in some great holiday scents such as; Pumpkin Spice, Mandarin Cranberry, Holiday Spirit, Spiced Cider and Mistletoe and would make great hostess/holiday gifts.  And if you happen to be the hostess, having these burning when your guests walk will definitely create a festive atmosphere…and if your hands happen to get a bit dry from all of the entertaining, just dip them in your jar with the burning candle and enjoy the surprised looks on your guests faces!

Gail Lewis

Gail is at times a model, most of the time a blogger, but always a beauty junkie.

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As a nail polish addict, I’m a big fan of Deborah Lippmann – and I’m not alone! Deborah’s trend-making lacquers are always the “it” shades on every runway, cover shoot and red carpet, and if her lacquers are good enough for the finicky celebrities she’s turned into diehard fans, they’re good enough for me!

And Deborah doesn’t let any special occasion pass by without commemorating with some festive specialty shades! Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, the glitter-loving nail expert has created two gorgeous glitzy polishes – Shake Your Groove Thang (a glittering gold) and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? (a gorgeous shimmering red) – perfect for jazzing up your holiday party look! Wear alone in multiple layers for an all-over chunky glitter look, or layer over coordinating or contrasting shades to serve as a gorgeously festive topcoat! They make great little stocking stuffers for the nail polish addict on your list… but don’t forget to stock up for yourself in time for all your pre-Christmas cocktail parties!

- Alex Gambardella

*Guest beauty post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! from my friends at TheFind.com.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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I think we can all clearly say that celebrity hairstylist, Nick Arrojo, had us at hello back when he was on TLC’s What Not to Wear. I was always mesmerized by the way Nick could turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. Then one day in March of 2009, me and my 22 inches of hair decided to visit him in his New York City salon. It was quite an experience of a lifetime. Nick has a lot going on these days; a book, a product line, his salon, his academy and his new co-branded effort with Giella for custom-made cosmetics.

Shannon: Your passion for the hair industry is so apparent in all that you do from your newsletter to your salon to your academy; what drives you to educate and create innovation among salon professionals?

Nick Arrojo: I love the business that I’m in; my work is a labor of love. And I’m very fortunate to have such a varied, rewarding and successful career. This gives me a sense of duty to use my knowledge, experience and skill to raise standards in the whole hairdressing craft. It’s also something that has been instilled in me from my early days in the industry. I’ve worked for top-notch companies like Vidal Sassoon, Wella, and Bumble and Bumble. At all these places the commitment to education and excellence is strong, and this helped me see that the best chance of success for you and those around you is to continue to grow, innovate, inspire and improve. I take ownership of what I do for the benefit myself, my business, and those around me. And if I do that, it means I’m contributing to a stronger, more dynamic hairdressing industry, which is exactly what I want to do. 

Shannon: Which do you prefer, styling hair for celebrities or styling hair on the everyday person?

Nick Arrojo: I get asked this all the time and the only answer is there is no answer. I don’t prefer everyday people or celebrities. To me every client is as important as the last, and the next. Whoever the person in my chair may be, my goal is to do the right thing for the individual––make them feel special, and make them look their sensational best.

Shannon: In your book, “Great Hair,” you say you can tell someone’s texture and hair shape in 30 seconds. Do you often find when you are out and about in New York City that you are sizing up everyone’s hair and thinking up their perfect style and cut?

Nick Arrojo: No. In the book I was talking about when a client first sits in my chair and I’m assessing their hair so I can understand how to achieve the best style for them. But when I leave work I’m good at switching off and not worrying too much about the hair of people around me. I don’t feel it necessary or appropriate for me to give advice to every head of hair; but if a person asks my advice, be it in the salon or on the street, I’m happy to help. Otherwise the only time I give a style a close inspection is when I see something that looks really creative, new, innovative or different (in a good way). In New York City you do see some fantastic hairstyles walking around the streets, and I like to use this as inspiration for my own new ideas.

Shannon: What do you feel is one of the biggest myths about hair care and why do you think people still believe it?

Nick Arrojo: There’s quite a few and they do make me laugh. I’ll give you two of my favorites, which are closely related. First: Hair grows faster if you trim it. I’m sure this myth is born out of the idea that trimming ends makes your hair look healthier. True, because you’re cutting off all those nasty split ends, but hair grows at the same rate no matter how often you cut or trim it. Second: The notion cutting your hair short makes it look thicker. No, cutting hair short gives the illusion of thickness. When hair is on the longer side, the extra weight pulls it down, making it appear fine and thin. Conversely, when cut short, hair lies on top of each other and with it comes the illusion of thicker hair. For anyone conscious of fine or thinning hair, a shorter style might be just the ticket.

Shannon: What’s next for you; new products, working on your cosmetology school?

Nick Arrojo: Yes, I want to continue to grow and improve all the elements of my business: the salon, the advanced education academy, the cosmetology school, and the product company. My commitment to education is a huge part of my business. We’re already booked for major hair and beauty trade shows in 2011 and we’re hosting our own hair show called ARROJO Expo this month. It’s the first time we’ve done an event on this large of a scale; we’re looking forward to welcoming 300 hairdressers and salon owners from across the country to our salon in downtown NYC. It’s going to be a weekend full of education, inspiration and if you know hairdressers, a lot of fun. Basically my plate is full, just the way I like it.

Places you can find Nick Arrojo:

www.arrojostudio.com
www.arrojoproduct.com
www.arrojoeducation.com
www.arrojocosmetology.com
@ARROJO

(And yes! That is me with Nick in 2009!) If you are interested in seeing my transformation checkout my makeover with Nick Arrojo.)

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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If you have a girl on your gift-shopping list who is all about lip gloss, feed her addiction with one of the gorgeous gloss sets from Victoria’s Secret Holiday Collection! With festive takes on their ever-popular Beauty Rush gloss, these sets make adorable stocking stuffers (or a cute ornament!), complete with limited-edition shades and flavors she may not otherwise be able to collect.

The Star Bright Beauty Rush gift set contains five limited-edition just-for-holiday shades — Double Truffle, Cookie Kiss, Hottie Cider, Sweet Gleam, Tiny Bubbles and Dandy Cane. Plus, as a sucker for cute packaging, I especially love the festive star case that practically presents itself — which is definitely a good thing, since it looks pretty impossible to wrap! It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for a girl who always needs to stay equipped with a to-go tube of gloss in every purse, and the variety of neutral and deeper tones will have her set for any occasion. 

On the flip side, if the girl on your list is all about staying organized, she might prefer the all-in-one Lip Gloss Palette, which features six potted shades in one sleek compartmentalized case. With a merry mix of glossy colors, from shiny neutrals to festive deep berry hues, it’s the perfect size for slipping into a purse for touch-ups throughout the day. Decked-out in adorable ornament packaging, it’s a fun “little something extra” addition to top off your Christmas gift for a busy girl who loves to stay gorgeous on the go!

- Alex Gambardella

Check out TheFind’s Holiday Wishlist Game on Facebook – shop, create and share your holiday wishlist!

*Guest beauty post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm) from my friend’s at TheFind.com.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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Do you have someone on your holiday gift list that loves going to the spa? Maybe you need a last minute gift and don’t want to trek out to the mall (I know I do not envy anyone who braves the malls today or tomorrow!)? Well SpaWeek now has gift cards that can be used anytime of year! Best of all, they are 20% off AND can be emailed and printed right off your computer!

Timesaver+Moneysaver=best gift EVER!

You can find them on www.spaweek.com/giftcards. Happy spa-lidays!

*This offer ended December 31, 2010. You can still purchase SpaWeek gift cards, however not at the discounted rate.

*Disclosure

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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Last week I donated a bunch of unused beauty products to my local domestic violence shelter, VIP. This month I also teamed up with 40+ bloggers and beauty brands for a charity auction to benefit Doctors Without Borders. My auction includes some items from Estee Lauder’s Extravagant Holiday collection. And I am pretty excited that it is already getting bids!

When Karla Sugar asked me to get involved, I decided that this was a great cause marketing campaign because 100% of the profit from each winning auction goes to charity. That means all products were donated and all of the beauty bloggers involved have agreed to pay for shipping the items.

• The auction can be found at BeautyBloggers.org
• The auction is live now and will close on Monday, December 20 at 5 pm CST
• You need to register before you can bid. This is simply to try to discourage “spam” bids. Usernames will be public (because the auction shows the username of the current highest bidder), but first name, last name, and email address will be private.  They will only be used to contact the winning bidders.
• Yes, international bidders are welcome, too!

Here is the complete list of all of the beauty bloggers and brands involved:

Afrobella, A Girl’s Gotta Spa!, AlyWalansky.com, Armani Beauty, Bay Area Style File, Beauté Cosmetics, Beauty Alchemist, Beauty Info Zone, The Beauty Look Book, Bobbi Brown, Cafe Makeup, Cargo, China Glaze, EnKore, Estee Lauder, Fashion. Style. Beauty., For the Love of Beauty, From Head to Toe, Givenchy, Gloss Menagerie, Gouldylox Reviews, Grace Gold for AOL StyleList, Illamasqua, JeweledThumb, KarlaSugar, KraseyBeauty, Lancome, Leonor Greyl, The Makeup Girl, Miss Whoever You Are, Musings of a Muse, My Lips But Better, Nadine Jolie, The Non-Blonde, Older Girl Beauty, OPI, Out in a Pout, Pink Sith, Prime Beauty, Product Girl, Pursebuzz, Renee Rouleau, Retrodiva’s Beauty, Sasquatch Swatch, Sicka Than Average, Spoiled Pretty, Talika, Three Custom Color Specialists, and Votre Vu

Happy bidding! xx

Shannon Nelson

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