While I’m fanatical about the importance of clean feet, pedicures aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. Don’t get me wrong… I love the pampering foot massage and royal treatment that accompanies it. But what good are professionally polished toes when your soles end up just as scaly as before in a matter of days? Besides, I feel uncomfortable with the aesthetician’s utensils at my neighborhood nail salon. Lets face it… you never really know where they’ve been. And since I don’t have the time or budget for weekly pedicures, I found a cost-effective and convenient alternative: the PedEgg – a revolutionary at-home foot care system.
Far more sanitary and safer than those scary credo blades, PedEgg does the job of a cheese grater, but without the gnarly mess. Similar to a pencil sharpener, PedEgg’s ergonomic, egg-shaped receptacle smartly captures your dead skin while you pumice. Equipped with precision micro-files, PedEgg gently sloughs off cracks and calluses, making your feet as soft as a baby’s bottom. Best of all, it’s designed to work on clean, dry skin so there’s no need to pre-soak your toesies in the tub. For the finishing touch, PedEgg comes equipped with high quality emery buffing pads.
At only $19.99 a pop, I figure, with the money I’ll save by deferring regular pedicures, I’ll soon be able to justify those Christian Louboutin peep-toe pumps I’ve been eyeing.
The older I get, the more I gravitate towards things reminiscent of my youth. From Nutella and Marshmallow Fluff sandwiches, roller skates, to Kermit the Frog slippers – guess I’m just a kid a heart. But when it comes to make-up, since I’m too embarrassed to flaunt my strawberry-flavored Bonne Bell Lip Smackers in public, I’ve found a fun yet adult-friendly alternative: Fafi for M.A.C. – a new, limited-edition cosmetics line named after a famous French graffiti artist known for her Harajuku-like characters.
The Fafi packaging is so colorful and kitschy, it’s guaranteed to bring out your inner child. A girly make-up collection that harkens back to my Hello Kitty days, Fafi is a punchy spring palette of shimmery purple and electric aqua eye shadows, lustrous pink lipsticks, coral blushes and cosmetics cases, all of which are adorned with a Japanese anime caricature. For the less adventurous, each of Fafi’s sheer, Technicolor shades can easily be toned down for the office.
Having recently “Fafi-fied” my face at my neighborhood M.A.C. store (always try before you buy), I narrowed it down to a few faves: Fun & Sexy, a pinky-blue holographic lip shade that looks especially striking when layered beneath Sugar Trance (a creamy soft pink gloss), Hipness, a shimmery coral blush, Sauced Up, an iridescent pressed powder for highlighting the cheeks, temples and décolletage, and Boom!, an eggplant nail polish with frosty pink undertones. With all these cartoonish Fafinette characters and playful packaging, no wonder my six year-old niece is jealous!
With warmer climes around the bend, now’s the time to fill your make-up bag with this spring’s must-have beauty staples. Having just returned from a Sephora shopping sojourn (my fave cosmetics retailer), I was taken aback by the endless assortment of eye-popping colors and cool packaging. From fluorescent shadows and velvety-soft, fire-engine red lipsticks (gloss is so 2007) to fancy SPF-infused bronzers, brightening-up for spring has never been more fun!
Perk up your pout and pearly whites with a bold red lip shade. Try this jumbo-sized, pigment-rich pencil for a matte, creamy finish that stays put without drying out your lips. Wear it day and night for an ultra chic 1930’s look. Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella, $24, sephora.com
For a contemporary take on the cat eye, line your top lids with a shimmery turquoise pencil – the season’s hautest hue. The creamy waterproof formula glides on like buttah, yet won’t budge ‘til bedtime. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Deviant, $16, sephora.com
Make your peepers really pop with crayola-colored eye shadows. This punchy Urban Decay palette is packed with 8 of the season’s must-have matte and shimmery shades, including golden yellow, hot pink, glimmery turquoise and metallic green. Wear ‘em alone or layer ‘em for a more dramatic effect. Sugar Cosmetics Round The Clock Eye Shadow Palette in Punch Out, $28, sephora.com
Unless you’ve yet to visit a dermatologist, the days of the deep, dark Coppertone tan are totally out. For the ultimate faux glow, swipe Stila’s Sun Bronzing Powder SPF 15 across your cheeks, temples, shoulders and décolleté. Just remember, a little bit goes a long way. Sun-Kissed Skin: Stila Sun Bronzing Powder SPF 15, $28, sephora.com
Chanel’s Black Satin polish has had its day. For Spring ‘08, try jumping-in on the blue bandwagon with Chanel’s Blue Satin – a luxe, long-lasting cobalt lacquer. Top your tips with a thin line of opaque white polish for a fab futuristic finish. Chanel Blue Satin, $19, chanel.com
With Valentine’s Day only a week away, you’re probably wondering how you can spruce up one of the most obligatory and saccharine of Hallmark holidays. Rather than bore your sweetie with a candlelit dinner of white truffle risotto, chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of bubbly (so predictable), why not have some fun this year. From boudoir board games to edible body paint (ooh la la!), massage bars to eye-opening masks, here’ some sultry Valentine’s Day treats that are guaranteed to make your sweetie smile!
Satiate two major cravings at once with this naughty box of edible body paints. Dip the supple brush into creamy dark, milk or white chocolate-filled jars – all the tools you’ll need to create your masterpiece. Kama Sutra Lover’s Paintbox, $34.99, kamasutra.com
Celebrate your burning desire for each other by stripping over flickering candlelight. The rich, warm, animalistic scent guarantees explosive results. Handi-wipes not included. Strip Votive, $40, agentprovocateur.com
Give your honey a head-to-toe rubdown with this hydrating, heart-adorned body bar. A heady blend of jasmine, ylang ylang and sage is unleashed as soon as the bar’s exposed to body heat. Meow! Play Your Cards Right Lush Massage Bar, $8.95, lush.com
Why play a traditional game of Texas Hold ‘em when you can instantly perk up his libido with this eyebrow-raising, Agent Provocateur board game. The box includes a deck of erotic cards, game chips and a book filled with guilty pleasures for the lucky winner. Condoms not included. Agent Provocateur, The Game, $21.95, agentprovocateur.com
Show him who’s the boss with this satin, tuxedo-inspired push-up bra and panty set. While a little extra cleave never hurts, its the saucy keyhole detail on the bottoms that are the pièce de résistance. Sista Shei “Tux Deluxe” push-up bra ($80) and brief ($60), figleaves.com
Bring out your inner bad girl with this satin, Marquis De Sade-inspired eye mask. For those unfamiliar with fine French literature, Marquis de Sade was an infamous writer who was incarcerated for publishing erotic prose, just like the sadistic quote on this mask! (Treat me Like the…). Marquee Eye Mask, $85, agentprovocateur.com
Admittedly, I’m not the biggest fan of Jessica Simpson, however, I must say, I do admire her beautiful, bouncy (nope, not those!), natural-looking locks. Since I’m cursed with ultra-fine and thinning tresses, I find myself frequently covering my head with hats. But that only serves as a band-aid and not a long-term solution for coping with my condition. That’s why I’ve turned to HairDo – a collection of virtually undetectable clip-in hair extensions designed by, none other than, Jessica Simpson and her personal stylist, Ken Pavés.
With HairDo, you too can instantly sport dozens of faux, yet fabulous-looking red carpet manes everyday day of the week. Unlike those el cheapo, drugstore extension brands, HairDo is a luxe clip-in line made from 100% human hair that’s dying to be colored, permed and heat styled. Available in a variety of head-turning hues (bleach-blonde, black to reddish brown), lengths (10-23 inches) and textures (wavy to pin straight), HairDo wants you to be free to change your hair as often as you change your mind.
Perfect for time-pressed prima donnas, HairDo allows you to create dozens of chic styles such as low-slung ponytails and sexy chignons, none of which require pricey and professional salon application. For best results, however, it’s worth having a stylist cut, bleach and curl it with a hot iron before attaching it to your natural strands. Kelly from L.A.‘s Ken Pavés salon did the honors with my 17” chocolate copper extension. As for the results – check out the before and after photos above and judge for yourself.
Feel free to email your thoughts to hairdo@fashionjunkie.com and I’ll post your comments on my blog.
While I’m fanatical about the importance of clean feet, pedicures aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. Don’t get me wrong… I love the pampering foot massage and royal treatment that accompanies it. But what good are professionally polished toes when your soles end up just as scaly as before in a matter of days? Besides, I feel uncomfortable with the aesthetician’s utensils at my neighborhood nail salon. Lets face it… you never really know where they’ve been. And since I don’t have the time or budget for weekly pedicures, I found a cost-effective and convenient alternative: the PedEgg – a revolutionary at-home foot care system. 
