Archive for the ‘Best of...’ Category

One question we always get asked is “what hair dryer is the best?”.  It’s a hard question to answer for the average customer, because there are a lot of similar dryers, and everyone has different needs.  We decided it would be best to give you a list of our Top 5 Hair Dryers.  We took a poll of our stylists, and found that these were their favorites.  A few things you need to know first:

Tourmaline: 

Tourmaline technology combines the best of Ceramic and Ionic Technologies.  Tourmaline technology naturally and efficiently emits negative ions and infrared heat while drying your hair.  This provides the following benefits;

1. Silky, shine. Negative ions close the cuticle layer to create a smooth, shiny hair surface and to lock in hair’s own natural moisture.
2. Quick Drying. Negative ions also break up water molecules into smaller sizes on the hair surface. These smaller water particles evaporate easily and quickly for fast drying.
3. Moisture. Small water particles also penetrate the hair shaft easily for added moisture
4. Dry Fast Without Hair Damage. Infrared heat penetrates hair to heat it gently from within. Infrared is a different type of heat that does not heat the air. Instead, more heat is delivered to the hair shaft; less is delivered to the surface, so hair is not damaged. Because infrared penetrates so deeply, it often “feels” hot, but this is actually due to more penetrating heat and less surface heat.
5. Made of 100% crushed Tourmaline jewels utilizing negative ions and infrared heat technology. Dryes hair more than 2 times faster than ordinary dryers. Ultra lightweight.

Ceramic

Ceramic technology, like Tourmaline technology, has many benefits when drying  your hair.  The main benefit of ceramic technology is that it emits negative ions that helps reduce frizz.  Ceramic technology also helps your dryer/iron heat up fast.  The issue with just a ceramic dryer is the weight, this is the reason that the Tourmaline technology was created.  This reduces the weight of the dryer.

Ionic

Ionic hair dryers emit negative ions that helps reduce frizz and will hold the style longer in your hair.  This is also incorporated in a Tourmaline dryer. 

Tourmaline Titanium

Tourmaline and Tourmaline Titanium are the 2 newest technologies.  Titanium plates on an iron or a dryer made out of titanium greatly reduces the weight.  It also maintains a constant heat throughout the dryer or iron, which is better for your hair. 

Tourmaline Titanium provides exceptional heat conductivity. The ionic generator emits a higher concentration of ions, enhancing tourmaline’s natural ions, to more effectively eliminate frizz and close the hair’s cuticle. The dynamic combination of Tourmaline and Titanium allows stylists to achieve professional results on any hair type or texture.

Centrix Q Zone Tourmaline Hair Dryer

The Centrix Q Zone hair dryer seems to be the favorite because of it’s power and how quiet the dryer is.  Our stylists rave about how they can have conversations with their clients while they’re drying their hair!  It’s almost unheard of.

What sets the Q Zone Hair Dryer apart is the motor is laid horizontal, which minimizes the amount of noise that the dryer will make.  This dryer features Tourmaline, Ceramic and Ionic Technology.

Features:

•  Insanely Quiet™ technology greatly reduces salon noise pollution.
•  Powerful energy efficient 1500 watt 2 speed high performance motor – offers the power of 1875 Watts.
•  CERAMIC TOURMALINE for healthier looking hair, shine and moisture.
•  IONIC technology helps reduce drying time dramatically.
•  LIGHTWEIGHT and ERGONOMICALLY designed for styling comfort.
•  COLD SHOT DUAL POSITION button allows activation from handle or barrel grip.
•  3 Heat Settings
•  8′ heavy duty cord.
•  Removable concentrator attachment.
•  100% Recycled Packaging
•  1 Yr Warranty
•  Switch perfect for both right and left handed stylist.

Retail Price:  $249.99

Your Price:  $149.99

Babyliss Tourmaline Titanium 5000 Hair Dryer

For the money, this is the best dryer that we have.   This is the new, improved model of the Babyliss Tourmaline 5000 Hair Dryer.

BabylissProTT 1900 Watt Dryer: Ultra-light weight, 6 heat/speed settings with an instant Cool Shot button, and an ergonomic design make the BabylissPRO TT dryer exceptionally comfortable and easy to handle. Far-infrared heat dries the hair from the inside out, at faster speeds, to create silky, smooth styles in half the time.

Features:

• Tourmaline Titanium Technology
• High Torque, Ultra-Lightweight 1900 Watt
• Ion Generator
• 6 Heat/Speed Settings
• Cool Shot
• Easy-to-clean back filter (removable)
• Limited 50 month warranty
• Supreme Heat and Air Pressure

Retail:  $200.00

Sale Price:  $69.99

Babyliss Pro Tourmaline Titanium 3000 Hair Dryer

This is our most popular dryer.  The BabylissPro TT 1900 Watt Dryer is ultra light, has 6 heat/speed settings, an instant cool shot button and is ergonomically designed for easy and comfortable handling. Far-infrared heat dries hair from the inside out at faster speeds, leaving it silky and smooth in half the time.

Features:

• Tourmaline Titanium Technology
• 1900 Watts
• Ultra-Lightweight Design
• 6 Heat/Speed Settings
• Cold Shot
• Soft-Touch Rubberized Finish
• Lightweight
• Supreme heat and air pressure
• Limited 24 Month Warranty

Retail Price:  $160.00

Sale Price:  $59.99

Wigo Tourmaline Ionic Hair Dryer

The Wigo Tourmaline Ionic 1875 Watt hair dryer is a professional hair dryer.  This dryer comes with a diffuser and concentrator to help you set your styles. 

Features:

• CONSTANT ION Performance
• Newly engineered lightweight professional motor
• Extra-quiet performance
• Velocity - 620 ft./min. - increased airflow
• 2 speeds / 4 heats
• Cool shot button to set the style
• Recessed heat and speed switches to prevent accidental change of settings during operation
• Removable lint filter for easy cleaning
• Attachments included: Tourmaline Infused Finger Diffuser, Concentrator
• Narrow nozzle for directed airflow
• 9-ft. professional cord
• Hanging ring and cord guard
• Pro-Guard® safety plug with test and reset features for immersion shock protection
• 3-Year warranty

Turbo Power Twin Turbo 3000 Hair Dryer

Turbo Power Inc. manufactures only quality hairdryers. They incorporate old world Italian craftsmanship with modern technology to bring you products that work for you. These products have been designed with the hair professional in mind from the minds of hair professionals.

Utilizes a special patented device that reduces static electricity and stress on the hair, and this means healthier hair!

Features:

•  75 cubic meters air/hour for fast drying
•  4 temperatures plus cold air
•  2 speeds
•  Anti-overheating device
•  Equipped with 2 nozzles, the 1st for blow-waves, the 2nd for drying
•  Removable stainless steel filter
•  3 meters of strong cable.  Made in Italy
•  1875 Watts

Allure Magazine is simply one of our must-have magazines each month.  Out of all the women’s magazines that are out there, we find it by  far has one of the best insights into the beauty industry.  There’s a reason why they are called “The Beauty Expert.” Every year, Allure releases their “Best of Beauty Awards,” where they carefully select the best products in all beauty categories.  See below for some of last years’ winners.

Best Long-Wearing Lipstick: Revlon ColorStay Lipcolor

Best Nail Polish:  Three way tie between Cover Girl Boundless Color Nail Polish in Red Revolution, Essie Nail Polish in Limo-Scene, and OPI Nail Lacquer in Lincoln Park After Dark.

Best Base Coat:  Duri Nail Growth System Rejuvacote

Best Eyeshadow: L’Oreal Paris HIP High Intensity Pigments Cream Shadow Paint in Nervy 

Best Concelarer:  Murad Acne Treatment Concealer

Best Powder: L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder

Best Facial Self-Tanner:  Jergens Natural Glow Face Daily Moisturizer SPF 20

Best Cheap Thrill: Cover Girl Outlast All-Day Liquid Makeup

Best Natural Selection: Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

Best Women’s Fragrance: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, Ralph Lauren Notorious, and Tommy Girl by Hilfiger

Best Men’s Fragrance:  Burberry Brit for Men and Tom Ford for Men

Best Tweezers: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer

Best Blow-Dryer: T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Professional Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer

We recently posted our top 10 myths about sunscreen and stressed the importance of wearing SPF.  Just because you need to be cautious about lying out in the sun doesn’t mean your skin has to remain pale all summer long!  To help you along, we’ve put together a list of our best selling and favorite self-tanners.

You can also check out our post with tips on how to apply self-tanner.

The Lotions

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer Self-Tanning Lotion

L’Oreal’s formula contains light-reflecting micro-particles that help to extenuate its bronzing effect on your skin.

Fake Bake Self-Tanning Lotion

Unlike many other self-tanners, you can actually see Fake Bake Self-Tanner when it’s applied.  The color is al natural and organic, so it will not stain your clothes or sheets.

SUN Laboratories Dark Sunsation Self-Tanner

SUN Labs provides the darkest fake tan out there - but doesn’t look fake!

Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube

This non-streaky formula not only gives your skin a natural looking glow, but its also formulated with grape seed extracts and safflower oil - both of which contain natural skin antioxidants and moisturizers.

Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Self-Tanner

Ideal for sensitive skin, Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Self-Tanner is made with all natural ingredients that won’t clog pore or irritation sensitive skin. 

The Sprays

Body Drench Quick Tan Sunless Tanning Mist

This fast-drying, cocoa vanilla scented formula was named “Best Tan in a Can” by StyleBakery.com in 2007, and again as one of their top five self tanners in 2008.  

Tan Towel Tanning Mist

This easy to apply spray contains aloe vera, and vitamins E and B5 to help moisturize the skin and heal it from any irritations.

Fake Bake Instant Self-Tan Spray

The affordable airbrush tan that you can do on your own!  

For the Face

Bella Bronze Olive and Grape Seed Extract Instant Face Self-Tanner

This product is actually a self-tanner and instant bronzer all in one!  The olive and grape seed extract contain natural anti-oxidants and anti-aging properties.

Tan Towel Classic Half Body Self Tanning Towelettes

You don’t know what you’re missing out on until you try Tan Towel’s self-tanning towels.  They’re so easy to use and provide quick, even application with just one towel!  

Mascara can make or break a flawless makeup look just like a pair of shoes can make or break a flawless outfit.  But when was the last time you treated yourself to a new tube?

Given the economic situation, we have all been scaling back on buying things for ourselves.  This has translated into many of us holding on to a favorite tube of mascara much longer than normal.  The recommended expiration date for mascara is only about three months.  Mascara tends to “goes bad” significantly faster than most other makeup products because it’s made with ingredients that dry out faster.  Plus, mascara wands come in close contact with your eyes, which can contaminate the wand with bacteria. 

We’ve compiled a list of six of our best selling mascaras.  And the best part is - they’re all under twenty dollars!  Go ahead, treat yourself.

Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara

We mentioned this new product a few weeks ago when we introduced the new Spring 2009 collection from Too Faced.  This product already is a favorite for customers!  Described as “lash extensions in a tube,” this unique mascara formula actually coats your lashes to extend them further than the natural lash.   Too Faced Lash Injection comes in Pitch Black and Hot Chocolate. 

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara

For voluminous lashes that appear five times thicker than your normal eyelashes, try L’Oreal’s Voluminous Mascara.  Their mascara wand is designed to thicken your lashes evenly, smoothly, and clump free!  The best part about this mascara, is that it gives you choices.  The original formula and wand come in four shades: black, soft black, blackest black, and black/brown.  There is also a waterproof formula, (perfect if you want to double ensure that your eyelashes stay full throughout the day) and a curved wand version, which adds even more curl and volume.  Daneen, the blogger from the acclaimed beauty website, Spoiled pretty, recently re-fell in love with this mascara.  She says, “L’Oreal Voluminous not only pumped up the volume of my sparse lashes, the mascara took my fringe to new heights…all without clumps. And unlike so many mascaras on the market nowadays, the Voluminous brush doesn’t grab too much product - which is great because I hate having to wipe off excess product.” 

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

You’ve seen the pink tube with the green cap for years at drugstores!  Did you know that not only is Maybelline Great Lash Mascara America’s number one mascara, but it also was the first mascara that was ever officially marketed to the public! (This was back in 1915 when T.L. Williams created a product for his sister Maybel…the rest is history).  It has since then received dozens awards, like Allure Magazine’s 2008 Reader’s Choice award for best drugstore mascara (they claim that every 1.6 seconds, a tube of this mascara is sold); it is also a favorite of celebrity/socialite Kim Kardashian.  The famous mascara is also available in several different shades of black, in a curved applicator, plus comes in a waterproof version.

Urban Decay Big Fatty

True to its name, Urban Decay’s Big Fatty mascara seriously does create the fattest eyelashes possible.  The formula was created with hemp oil to help keep lashes soft and moisturized.  The line is known for having a great selection of colored mascara, for a day or night when you’re feeling a little on the adventurous side.  Urban Decay Big Fatty mascara comes in cool shades like Black Cherry, Electric Blue, and Purple Haze.

 L’Oreal Paris Lash Double Extend Beauty Tubes

L’oreal’s double sided mascara brush in its Double Extend Beauty Tubes are actually two products in one!  The first side is used as a primer or base coat, which contains Ceramide R and D-Panthenol, two ingredients that both protect and strengthen your lashes.  The other side contains a top coat that lengthens the lashes, to create a fuller, smudge free look.  The A-list blogger from A Mom in Red High Heels gives a great review of the product, saying, “after doing the ultimate skin care no no and not washing my face before bed I woke up with great looking and smudge free lashes.”

Borghese Superiore State of the Art Mascara

Borghese products are well-known for having intricate formula details that really are geared toward the goal of the product.  Their Superiore State of the Art mascara is no exception.  The mascara contains a hydrolyzed silk-powder foundation that conditions delicate lashes.  It also contains Borghese’s signature Acqua di Vita complex which adds additional moisture and nutrients to the lashes.  Celebrities like Renee Zellweger have all taken a love for this product.  It comes in both black  and brown.

Now that you have six great mascara choices!  Here are 10 quick tips for applying mascara.  Enjoy!

Every year, InStyle Magazine compiles a huge list of their top beauty buys.  The April Issue (in stores now) features opinions from some of the leading experts in the beauty industry.  The editors of the magazine also sampled thousands of products to complete their list, which contains products in all beauty categories including makeup, skincare, and haircare.  Lucky for you, Discount Beauty Center carries a ton of the products InStyle recommends!  Here are some highlights from the issue

Makeup: Lips

• Best inexpensive lipstick (with best color range): L’Oreal Paris Lip Colour Riche.  InStyle says,”No skin tone is short-changed by this massive collection of 54 vivid hues.”
• Best inexpensive lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick.  Makeup artist Rachel Goodwin says the lipstick is, “easy, wearable…very current, [and] very on  target of what women want.”
• Editor’s Pick for Lips: Cover Girl Wetslicks Amaze Mint.  InStyle says it’s a, “lightweight gloss [that] delivers breath-freshening peppermint oil.”
• Best inexpensive lip gloss (with best color range): Maybelline Shine Seduction.  Makeup artist Fiona Stiles said of the gloss, “it doesn’t smell like brownies or have glitter in it like a lot of other drugstore glosses.”

Makeup: Eyes

• Best inexpensive mascara: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara.  InStyle says it’s, “a staple in virtually every makeup kit in Hollywood.”
• Best inexpensive eye shadow:  L’Oreal Paris HIP Powder.  Makeup artist Margot Boccia says, “they’re so easy to blend, you can apply them with your fingers.”

Makeup: Face

• Best inexpensive powder blush: L’Oreal Paris Bare Natural Mineral Blush.  InStyle says, “it lasts for hours, even on the most sweltering summer days.”
• Editor’s Pick in Coverups: Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil.  InStyle says, “[this] smudge free cover-up stick became a fast favorite…”
• Best inexpensive concealer: Max Factor Erace Cover Up.  InStyle says it, “has an ultra-creamy texture that won’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles”
• Best inexpensive foundation: L’Oreal Paris True Match Foundation.   “All 24 shades go on ultra-sheer and layer nicely for fuller coverage” says makeup artist Kerry Washington.
• Best Mineral Foundation: Bare Escentuals I.D. Mineral Foundation.  InStyle says it’s, “the first of its kind, and…still the best for quick, on-the-go makeup with a clean, sheer finish.”

Makeup: Nails

• Best neutral:  Essie Mademoiselle Nail Polish.  Charlize Theron’s nail polish pro said, “I have 300 polish shades in my kit, but this is the one I use 60% of the time.”
• Best red: OPI Big Red Apple.  InStyle says it’s, “not too blue and not too orange.”
• Best top coat/base coat: Seche Vite Top Coat / Seche Clear Base Coat.  InStyle says, “these gel-like formulas go on as smooth as glass to anchor color and keep nails flossy for up to a week.”
• Best dark:  OPI Lincoln Park After Dark. InStyle says, “a hint of plum prevents this deep hue from going totally goth.”
• Best nail strengthener:  Duri Rejuvacote Nail Growth System.  InStyle says, “the keratin rich formula thickens nails; vitamin B5 nourishes them to prevent splitting or peeling.”

Makeup: Tools

• Best tweezers: Tweezerman Slant.  InStyle says, “they pluck exactly where you aim them”

Skin

• Best cleanser: Cetaphil Daily Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser.  InStyle says, “this ultra-gentle, milky cleanser gets a standing ovation year after year from dermatologists.”
• Best anti-aging spot treatment: Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel.  Dermatologist Elissa Lunder says it has, “glycolic acid to get rid of dead skin, so the gel penetrates deeper.”
• Best wrinkle treatment: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment.  Dermatologist Melanie Grossman claims its active ingredient, Idebenone is, “the best antioxidant around.”

Hair

• Best anti-frizz product: John Frieda Frizz-Ease.  “This one will battle the worst humidity and frizz and still hold a curl,” says hair stylist Carla Gentry Osorio.
• Best at-home color kit for red, blond, or black hair: L’Oreal Paris Feria.  InStyle says, “the easy-to-use applicator and low levels of ammonia earn praise from Paris colorist Yiotis Panayiotou, who works with Kate Beckinsale and Victoria Beckham.”
• Best Blow-Dryer: T3 Bespoke Tourmaline Featherweight Hair Dryer.  InStyle says, “this lightweight machine dries hair more quickly - and with less damaging heat - than conventional dryers.”
• Best paddle brush: Mason Pearson Popular Brush.  According to hairstylist Ken Paves, “this is the only brush in the world.”
• Best curling iron: Hot Tools Marcel 1″ Curling Iron.  LA Hairstylist Robert Ramos says, “this iron has a gauge, so you can make it as hot as you want…it’s gentle on hair and lasts forever.”
• Editor’s Pick: Conair Mini Pro Ceramic Flat Iron.  InStyle says its, “Ideal for travel or stashing in your desk at work.”

For all this year’s picks, pick up a copy of the April issue of InStyle featuring Salma Hayek on the cover.