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How Much Does Your Salon's Appearance Affect You?

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:32 -0700

Lately I've been seeing descriptions of new salons that emphasize their design elements over the services offered; you'll find out who the architect is before you'll ever know whether they offer manicures. I'm not quite sure why this is happening - maybe with the economy down, salons are looking for ways to distinguish themselves - but it got me thinking: Are you willing to pay extra for a blow-out in that Frank Gehry-designed atrium or to sit in an Eames chair? I like a beautifully curated environment as much as the next person, but if a stylist is good, I'd be happy to get my hair cut in a back alley. Is that just me, though? Is going someplace nicer worth a little extra to you?

Beauty Byte: Raising Brows to a New Level

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 13:20:34 -0700

Wow, this place is very serious about brows. The May issue of WWD Beauty Biz profiles a salon and boutique in Beverly Hills called Billion Dollar Brows that caters almost exclusively to eye brows. Opened last Fall, the shop offers a menu of services ranging including brow shaping, brow tints, lash tints, and two special non-invasive lifts: the Billion Dollar Brow Lift ($75) and the Billion Dollar Face Lift ($155).

The shop is an extension of the Billion Dollar Brows product line, which was founded in 2004 by Natalie and Bob Plain. The husband and wife team launched with an offering called Brow Boost, designed to restore thinning brows, and followed soon after with other products, including a brow gel and lash condition. Later this year, Billion Dollar Brows will launch tweezers, scissors, and an extra-strength version of Brow Boost, according to WWD Beauty Biz.

I think we all understand the importance of good brow grooming, but would you visit a salon solely for eye brows? Tell me below.

Join Our Tabatha's Salon Takeover Group!

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:25 -0800

Do you love Tabatha's Salon Takeover as much as I do? As you might know, each episode of this addictive show features a salon that's in dire straits, and the longtime stylist heads on in to correct what needs correcting. Tears are always a-flowing and there's usually some kind of feel-good ending.

If you're a fan of the no-nonsense approach of the charismatic host, Tabatha Coffey, who we first saw as a contestant on Shear Genius, I've got the perfect place for you to go. It's our new We Love Tabatha's Salon Takeover group. Stop by here anytime to discuss the latest goings-on of this guilty pleasure show, which is on Bravo, Tuesdays, 10/9 central. All are welcome in this group, so join now!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Tabatha's Salon Takeover Is Back!

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Looking for a dramatic, conflict-ridden show to add to your must-watch TV lineup? Might I recommend Tabatha's Salon Takeover? The reality program, which made its debut on Bravo last year, is set to make its second season premiere on Nov. 3. In case you're not familiar with the premise, Tabatha Coffey, a fan favorite on Bravo's other salon reality program, Sheer Genius, heads into ailing salons with the main goal of transforming them into successful businesses. Of course, there are lots of f-bombs and tears along the way, and it looks like this season, which centers around salons located in LA, Chicago, and Miami, will deliver the same level of no-nonsense action. Will you tune in to see Coffey cracking her whip?

Yummy Links: From Pardoned Turkeys to Healthy Stuffing

partysugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:50:53 -0800

Find out the fate of Obama's pardoned turkeys. - The Atlantic
Salon has finally launched its new food channel. - Salon
What exactly is dry-brining? - The Epi-Log
Need a good laugh? Watch Paula Deen get hit in the face with a ham. - Eater
Chefs fail at Thanksgiving, too. - Grub Street NY
Martha Stewart has formally apologized to Rachael Ray. - Eat Me Daily
Ten tasty mail-order gift ideas. - Chow
Sausage, apple, and cranberry stuffing is delicious and healthy! - Serious Eats

Bella Poll: Have You Been Watching Tabatha's Salon Takeover?

BellaSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:00:11 -0700

Warning - Tabatha's Salon Takeover is rather addictive. The premise of the show is as follows: Tabatha, a former contestant on Bravo's Sheer Genius, goes into salons, ruffles some feathers, and leaves knowing that she did her best to turn ailing salons into thriving businesses.

Psychologists often say that it's human nature to be compelled to watch disasters, and we've seen quite a few already on this show: A salon owner who licks his clients, a styling chair bolstered into place by cement bricks, and a salon staff member who loses it after too much "friendly" advice from the master stylist, Tabatha herself. So, tell me about your own viewing habits. If you've been watching, what do you think?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

SF Chocolate Salon Highlights

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:50:12 -0700

Continuing my obsession with chocolate, I had the pleasure of attending the annual San Francisco International Chocolate Salon this past weekend. The expo, which featured over 50 purveyors, showcased some of the world's most renowned chocolate makers - as well as some innovative new chocolate products. Read on to see the highlights of the salon.

View Slideshow ›

Quick Beauty Tips for Salon Satisfaction

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I can't even remember the number of times I've walked into a salon asking for "a voluminous blow dry like Lauren Conrad" and have ended up looking like Sarah Harding! I also have friends who swear they only said they wanted a trim and yet came out with four inches lopped off. Plus I have a distant memory of some blonde highlights that were supposed to be subtle but in actual fact resembled tiger stripes.

Usually it's all down to the communication, or lack of, between you and the stylist. If you're unsure of what you want then book a consultation to discuss your style before the actual appointment. For an easy way to ensure you always leave the salon with the hair of your dreams, just read more.

Take in pictures. Hairstylists usually think visually as oppose to in words, so it's useful for them to see an image of the hair you want.
Be yourself. Don't dress differently when you're going to a salon, yes you want to make a good impression but you also want to look like you. If you're low maintenance and won't be bothered to blow dry everyday, it's not going to work if you get a high maintenance chop.
Be clear about a trim. Say the minimum and maximum amount of hair that you're happy to have cut off and be strict. If you think the hairdresser is taking off too much then ask them to stop.
Don't be put off by your stylist's personal style. I've had some of the best subtle semi-permanent colours, low lights and Upper East Side girl blow drys by stylists with peacock blue mohawks and multiple piercings.

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Beauty Byte: Salon Selectives Makes a Comeback

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:15:45 -0800

Some of you might remember a brand from the '80s called Salon Selectives. It was one of the first mass-market haircare lines to promise salon style and results at an affordable price. However, after a buyout and brand redesign in 2001, the line suffered and had to be pulled from shelves.

But lucky for us, the line has been revived and is about to hit the shelves at a Rite Aid near you. This means we can expect the same fun, bright packaging with the original salon-quality formulations, expanded to include products that moisturize, curl, add volume, and all the rest of that good stuff we've come to expect. The product I'm most excited to try is "Fresh Hair," which promises to be a "Febreeze for the hair." It's supposed to add a fresh scent without weighing down the hair. With prices for the line ranging from just $3 to $4, I plan on picking it up and giving it a whirl. What about you?

For a real trip down memory lane, check out a vintage Salon Selectives commercial when you read more.

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Pet Salons: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:00:50 -0800

Even your pets deserve to be gorgeous! More and more pet pampering salons are opening up in China, like the one this snazzy bunny relaxed at in Changchun. Not just for the dogs, these salons welcome cats, rabbits, and other creatures that need a little pick-me-up. Services include coat glossing and teeth whitening . . . don't be jealous, many of these salons offer manis and pedis for you too! So would you treat your pet to a fancy salon treatment at people prices?

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