Now on this day of celebrating mothers let's not forget that grandmothers are mothers too.  Most likely a spa day or a massage isn't what grandma is looking for, but what you can do, is put together some fabulous gifts that will make grandma feel 20 years younger.  From anti-aging serums to easy cosmetics, your grandmother is sure to love some of these Stetson Creative favorites!

LAURA MERCIER Laura's Secrets Flawless Brightened Eyes Vol. 2 Kit
Your mother or grandmother will love the way her eyes look with this few fast fixers.  Set includes: Secret Concealer, Secret Brightening Powder, (2) Eye Basics - Wheat and Eyebright, and Secret Brightener....all packaged in this fabulous makeup bag!

$75 ($164 Value!) - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

B. KAMINS, CHEMIST C-Reversatrol Serum
Now, you may have not heard of this brand or know of the HUGE benefits to topical Vitamin C, but this product is one that your grandmother (or any mother) simply cannot live without! Infused with Vitamin C, Reversatrol, Acai Oil, CoQ10, Goji Berry, and Vitamin E, this mega-antioxidant serum packs a powerful punch, with skin looking tighter, more even and radiant after just one use - REALLY! (I was amazed!)

$125 - B. Kamins, Chemist www.bkamins.com

CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Irrepressibly Sensual Set
Now I have never met a grandmother who didn't love Chanel, and this set is simply divine! This set includes the classic spray, a moisturizing body lotion, and a bath gel so that your favorite grandmother can really pamper herself!

$100 - Nordstrom http://shop.nordstrom.com

FEKKAI Ageless Cream
This luxe hair mask restores hairs brilliance and shine without weighing it down.  Infused with orchid extracts and proteins to help hair regain elasticity and strength!

$60 - Fine Department Stores Nationwide

In continuation of last week's theme of going green, there are just as many earth-friendly haircare products out there.  Here are a few of my favorites:

PHYTO Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Shampoo
This rich shampoo, infused with wood cellulose and jojoba seed oil, leave hair supremely moisturized without weighing it down.  So much so that you might even want to skip conditioner!!

$24 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

CAROL'S DAUGHTER Mimosa Hair Honey
Shea butter and cocoa butter along with lavender and rosemary make this one serious conditioner. Orange essential oil leaves your hair smelling great all day long!
$17 - Carol's Daughter www.carolsdaughter.com

PHYTO Spray Laque Hair Spray
A great botanical hair spray with a medium hold that won't dry out or damage your hair....especially great for fine or color-treated hair.  The trick with this is a little goes a long way, so don't overdo it or your style could get greasy!

$18 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

COLLECTIVE WELLBEING Flake Fighter Shampoo
Uses salicylic acid as a dandruff fighter and it really works! The best is that this shampoo is thick and rich, unlike so many dandruff shampoos! Also contains calming tea tree oil and nutritive vitamin b5.

$12.50 - Collective Wellbeing www.collectivewellbeing.com

Here are some of my favorites:

FREKKAI Ironless Straightening Balm
Puts the PIN in pinstraight.

$25 - Ulta Beauty www.ulta.com

MOROCCANOIL Intense Curl Cream
Holds curls without the crunch of hairspray
$24 - Select Salons Nationwide

GOT2B Fat-Tastic Dry Shampoo
A life saver if you have very thick or layered hair!

$6 - Drugstores Nationwide

BED HEAD Hard Head Hairspray
Don't let the name fool you - this spray is a great all-purpose spray for natural or hard-hold styles!

$13 - Drugstores Nationwide

AMERICAN CREW Fiber Molding Cream
For men or girls with short styles, this putty gets maximum hold with the most perfect matte texture!
$16 - Drugstores Nationwide

For many women, the impending summer months mean one thing: FRIZZ.  Well this year, show that humidity who is boss with a few easy steps.

WASHING:
Choose a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner formulated without sulfates, which can excessively dry out hair and cause frizz.

JONATHAN PRODUCT Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Sulfate-Free and Certified Vegan!

$22 - Folica www.folica.com

DRYING:
Blot hair dry with a natural fiber towel while working a dime sized amount of anti-frizz serum from roots to ends. If you must blow dry, aim in a downward motion while brushing with a pulling it taught in two inch sections with a boar-bristle brush.

FINISHING:
Try a glossing spray (for straight hair) or cream (for wavy or curly hair) for ultimate protection against frizz.  The key with these products is LESS IS MORE, otherwise your hair can end up looking greasy.

RENE FURTERER 3-Step Anti-Frizz Kit
Has everything you need for gorgeous, frizz-free hair all summer long!

$69 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

TIP: Tame flyaways on the scalp with the tiniest amount of wax!

Keeping your hair trimmed will promote healthy growth while eliminating split ends.  How often you should get your hair cut depends on length, but as a general rule:

SHORT HAIR:
Very short styles require constant upkeep, so you are most likely going to want to get a trim every 2-3 weeks to maintain a health looking style.  Remember, if you are trying to grow your hair out, you still need to get it trimmed to promote healthy ends.

MEDIUM OR LAYERED HAIR:
Layered hair also requires some significant maintenance, needing a trim every 4-5 weeks to keep the layers intact and ensure for healthy volume!

LONG HAIR:
If you keep a long style and your hair is healthy, you can get away with a trip to the salon every 6-8 weeks, that is, unless you have some color to maintain.  TIP: If you see a split end, cut the individual hair right above the split with a sharp scissor to keep your style looking fresh!

There are healthy ways to get that volume you want without damaging back-combing and teasing.

WASHING
Wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo and apply a light conditioner to the ends only, as heavy conditioners can weigh down hair.

DRY AND STYLE
Towel dry and apply product to wet hair, which dilutes the product - use a root lifting product (which can also weigh hair down).  Turn head upside down and blow-dry hair on high setting (warm temperature) while lifting roots with a brush.  When hair is almost dry, separate layers in two inch sections and wrap around a round brush and blow-dry each layer from bottom to top.  A small amount of hair spray can be used o set in volume.

GARNIER Fructis Body and Volume Treatment Spray
Combed through damp hair will allow for maximum effect of your blow-out!

$3-$5 Drugstores Nationwide

HOT ROLLERS
Placing hot rollers two inches from the roots, and rolling towards scalp (leave the rest loose) will add that extra volume without adding curls! Leave them in for ten minutes, spray and release.

Fabulous hair starts with fabulous color, and whether it is god-given or courtesy of your favorite stylist, maintaining your color will keep your hair looking fresh and radiant, so you can flaunt it!  When possible, get your color from a professional colorist as many at-home kits leave metallic deposits in the hair which are very hard to remove.

SHOWERING:
Try to limit the amount of time you spend in the shower, as the minerals in water can discolor your hair, especially if you have a lighter shade.

WASHING:
Look for shampoo and conditioner designed for color-treated hair, which are often formulated without the harsh detergent sulfates that are found in many products.  If you have longer hair, leave the wash to every other day or every two days to maximize shine and volume.  Blonde hair may require the use of a clarifying shampoo once weekly to remove impurities that can cause that ever-so-painful green tint.

L'OREAL PARIS Ever Pure Hair Care
Formulated without harsh sulfates so your color - natural or chemical, can shine through.

$5-$16 - Drugstores Nationwide

CONDITIONING:
Adding a weekly deep conditioning treatment will boost color and shine, especially for those darker colors - redheads may want to do this twice a week.  Apply to wet hair and leave in for ten minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.

GOLDWELL Rich Repair Mask
Infused with silk and keratin fibers for maximum softness and shine.

$10 - Select Salons Nationwide

STYLING:
If possible, avoid heat styling, but when absolutely necessary be sure to use a protective spray before blow drying, curling,or ironing.  Using products with UV protection will keep your color looking radiant for longer as the sun can fade color, and even contribute to brassiness.

RENE FURTERER Protective Summer Fluid

$18 - Select Salons Nationwide

Injectable fillers like Botox and Restalyne aren't the only way to rejuvenate your appearance in your 60's.   You can take a few extra steps for beautiful skin without looking like you are taking part in a Joan Rivers look-alike contest!

SKINCARE!
At this point, years of wear and tear on your skin may be taking their toll, but its not too late to prevent future damage with a good quality skincare regimen.  Speak to a dermatologist or aesthetician and discover what products are right for you.

FOUNDATION!
Foundation is a great way to even skin tone and minimize the appearance of wrinkles.  Stick to liquid, as heavy powders can look clay-like and make you look older!

LANCOME Teint Miracle
This moderate coverage foundation allows the inner-radiance of your complexion to shine through with perfection!  It works by reflecting light, and absorbing into the skin, creating a flawless radiant glow from the inside out!

$37 - Lancome USA www.lancome-usa.com

HIDE WRINKLES!
Try instant line correcting serums before applying makeup to instantly plump up the skin and minimize appearance.  Apply in the morning and throughout the day as needed.

NU SKIN Tru Face Instant Line Corrector
If you are sick of waiting weeks for results to show, try this fabulous product, which offers nearly instant results that last all day!

$75 - NuSkin www.nuskin.com

HAIR COLOR!
Whether you are covering gray or simply breathing new life into your color, refreshing your hair with a fabulous color will add that polished touch to your look that others will really notice!  Opt for 1-2 shades lighter than your natural color; if you are naturally dark brown, opt for warming it up with chestnut, red heads may want to look at strawberry blonde, and natural blondes may even want to choose regal silver shades.  Talk to your colorist to discuss what options will work best for you.

By now, you all know about the brilliance of Moroccanoil and its key ingredient Argan Oil, which has numerous beneficial properties for both the skin and hair, but there are also a number of other brands harnessing the power of oil in other ways.

AMIKA Oil Treatment
This is your super fruit of hair treatment serums, including argan oil, omega 7, and vitamin c, with uv protection!.  The key to this miracle product is obliphica oil, which is an undersea berry with a 40% concentration of omega-7.  Best for use on medium to thick hair.

$34 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

ALTERNA Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil Mist
Haircare brands are only recently beginning to harness the regenerating properties of bamboo, and is the key ingredient in this dual-use styling aid.  Works great as a protectant before heat treatment from blow-dry, flat-iron, or curling, but also doubles as a hair moisturizer which can be used throughout the day to tame frizz and flyaways!

$24 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

Contrary to popular belief, gray hair isn't caused by stress, lack of sleep, or other environmental factors.  Gray hair is caused when oxidation kills off the cells in your hair follicles that create pigment, and is highly genetic.  This means that all of the hype about the power of antioxidants is true, so adding those super-fruits and antioxidant supplements really will help to ward off any premature graying of the hair.  If it's already too late for that, you can  take steps to color your hair to cover grays.

There are several types of color available:

Progressive coloring. The “Grecian Formula” approach uses lead acetate, which darkens with exposure to air. Hair is colored gradually, so you can stop when you’ve achieved the effect you want.  This is often found in men's hair color products for beards.


Direct dyes. Often called demi-permanent, these dyes are made of colored molecules that coat hair, these are quick and easy to apply. The drawback: They typically wash away after only 6 to 10 shampoos. On the plus side, that means you don’t have to worry about gray roots. The dye is gone before they can show up.


Semi-permanent color. Also called tone on tone, this uses peroxide to allow color molecules to enter the hair shaft, thus creating a more permanent color. These products usually take 5 to 15 minutes to apply and last about twice as long as direct dyes.


Regular permanent color. This uses both peroxide and ammonia, which can lighten the natural pigment of hair, allowing men to select shades lighter than their original hair color. These products are also used to create highlights. The drawback: if you don’t like the color, you’re stuck with it until hair grows out — or you dye it over again, which can be tricky.


The first three types call all be done at home to cover mild to moderate gray without much hassle with several products available to you at your local drugstore.  Permanent color is ideal for large areas of gray and if you are going to maintain your gray coverage.  This type of hair color is best done by a professional at a salon.  Though this is also the most costly method, you will most likely get your desired results here.

Is this Spring trend inspired by the success of the Jersey Shore, or do Richie Rich and Diesel Black Gold simply know something we don't? Apparently, they must, because in 2011, bigger is better...we are seeing more height, more width, more extension...and just MORE in general!

KEY PRODUCT: HAIRSPRAY

JOHN FRIEDA Luxurious Volume Hairspray
Spray it, tease it, then spray it some more....this spray will not let you (or your style down)!

$7 - Drugstores Nationwide

Yes ladies, it's back! Low, high, and everything in between, we are seeing the ponytail come back on runways from Carolina Herrera, DKNY, and more!

KEY PRODUCT: SHINE SERUM

BED HEAD by TiGi Girl Toys Shine Serum
Warm a few drops of this in your palms and smooth through hair for the silkiest, shiniest locks you can possibly imagine!

$17 - Drugstores Nationwide

From Rodart to Marc Jacobs to Badgley Mischka, the talk of the town, hair-wise this Spring is SIDE PARTS...and what's more, they are being accessorized with fabulous hair pins, bands, and more!

Remember the controversial Calvin Klein ads from the 90's featuring an emaciated Kate Moss with stringy hair and low-cut denim? Well, my friends, that look is back...in a way.  Wet and wild hairstyles were seen all over the runways with trend setting designers like Cynthia Rowley employing this wet look, which is sure to be a huge hit for resort season this year.

Well, now France has been on the cutting edge of the fashion scene since the beginning of time, so why would beauty be any difference.  You are probably familiar with the major luxury brands CHANEL, DIOR, MAKE UP FOR EVER, etc but there are a few smaller gems out of Paris that are worth a first (or second) look!


BEAUTY FROM NATURE
If you are going green or simply into natural beauty, KLORANE is the line for you.  While many brands worldwide use plant extracts in their ingredients, Klorane actually harnesses the power within these extracts to provide a completely customizable regimen that works for you.

KLORANE Soothing Shampoo with Peony Extract
If you have ever experienced dryness or itchiness in these colder winter months, then you absolutely need to try this shampoo which cools and even treats light flakiness, yet gentle enough for everyday use!

$13-$18 - Lock & Mane www.lockandmane.com


LUXE HAIRCARE
Looking for the ultimate in luxury haircare? Look no further than LEONOR GREYL.  The brands co-founder Marie Greyl was the first to include vitamins in her shampoos and continues expand the use of natural ingredients for flawless hair.

LEONOR GREYL Gel a la Keratine
This fabulous alcohol-free styling gel doesn't flake or dry out hair.  Perfect for the all-day wet look!


$34 - Folica www.folica.com


INNOVATIVE EYECARE
Lengthy lashes are this seasons hottest cosmetic trend, and you can get results without costly procedures with any of the fabulous innovations from TALIKA!

TALIKA Lipocils Expert
Yes, you CAN have longer, fuller, darker lashes with no side effects!  Though the brush might appear a bit strange, the serum works in as little as 28 days!!! TIP: Apply twice a day until desired results are achieved, then reduce application to once a day!

$55 - Talika www.talika.com


SKINCARE FOR EVERYONE!
Not only does VOTRE VU have fabulous luxury products to accomodate EVERY beauty need, but they are priced to sell, at prices much lower than comparable American brands.

VOTRE VU Smooth Operator Shave Set Pour Homme
Whether buying this for yourself or a gift (Valentine's Day is coming up!), this is a truly wonderful shave set.  The products go on smooth, for a perfect shave with minimal irritation.  I also found when using these product, there was a reduction in ingrown hairs over time.

$58-$79 Votre Vu www.votrvu.com

...and as per usual, I have had an INSANE week. Between running to meetings, photo shoots, and everything else in between, I haven't even had the time to put together an amazing week of blogging. Well I've got three days of Halloween Q&A for you starting today with a friend's reqest for tips on recreating the Marie Antionette look from the movie starring Kiersten Dunst. Even if this isn't your ideal costume, think outside the box and how you can use these techniques for your look!

HAIR
So impossible to get this kind of volume with your real hair, right? WRONG! While its going to take some work, your hair can look like this too!  Start by setting your hair into a loose curl with an iron or a set of curlers (use heat-set in your hair is particularly straight).  Then, what you want to do is attach a hair piece close to your natural color to the back of your head using a pin curl (twist hair with fingers until it becomes very tight then cross-pin with two bobby pins).  For best results use one thats like a ponytail with a clip already attached and form a bun with it.  This is where it gets tricky and time consuming.

With a lot of strong hold hairspray (I like BEAD HEAD Hard Head), start pulling up the pieces and pinning them around this "bun" that you have created, being careful to hide the pins.  You may want to get some help for the back pieces.  All the while ensure that you are using LOTS, and I mean LOTS of hairspray.  Once you have the up-do together, its a walk in the park.  You are going to want to spray the entire thing with white hairspray, even if you have blonde hair.  The best is KRYOLAN Color Spray in D20(white).  Since you have used so much spray, your hair is going to be very stiff, and it will be easy to pin the flower to the side (the lighter it is, the better it will stay for the evening).


$16 - Bed Head at Drugstores Nationwide


$8 - Kryolan at Alcone Company www.alconeco.com


MAKEUP
Your first instinct when shopping for makeup is to go straight for the clown white, and its actually best to NOT do this.  What you want to do is first start with a non-silicone primer.  (I suggest non silicone this time as you really want full coverage for this look, and silicone creates too thin of a layer)  Try the SMASHBOX Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light (it's water-based).  Then, using a makeup sponge, apply your foundation (MAKE UP FOR EVER Pan Stick Foundation in Ivory works great) in a patting motion, tapping the color onto your skin.  do not rub, as the coat may be too light.  Finish with a translucent powder.  No eye makeup is required here, but you are going to want to rosy cheek tint.  Using a large blush brush starting on the apples of the cheeks, sweep color back and away from the face to create that perfect blend.  Try BOBBI BROWN Blush in Apricot.  Last, focus on the lips first with a nude pencil to prevent bleeding, then using a lip brush, apply the lipstick carefully over the lips without extending past the edges.  MAKE UP FOR EVER's Rouge Artist Intense in #42 will give you that perfect shade with a hint of orange!


$36 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com


$30 - Make Up For Ever www.makeupforeverus.com


$22 - Bobbi Brown at Fine Department Stores Nationwide


$19 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com