PINTEREST AND ME // AN INTERVIEW WITH KSL NEWS

This week I had the great opportunity to be interviewed by a local news station, KSL 5- about Pinterest and how I use it in my business both at the salon and here on the blog.

I am a huge lover [and addict] of Pinterest and consider it a huge part of my success as a blogger. So I was honored to talk about it with some other great women who also use it in their businesses too.

I wanted to share the video with you here in case you were interested in learning more about it. Thank you all so much for reading this blog and supporting me the way you do! xo

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE GETTING A FACIAL

On today's episode of

Ask The Expert

, I am delving into a topic that is dear to my heart [and face]. Often when people ask me for skin advice, I mention to them the benefit of getting a spa facial every couple months. I firmly believe in the power of a facial- but I am often met with the response... 'I've never had a facial.' when I suggest this. And while that response makes me sad (for that person) I can understand why it is a treatment that not every women is familiar with. It is not nearly as common as say, a massage, and even those are a luxury service that many women aren't able to indulge in. But I am going to go out on the limb and say that I believe a facial shouldn't be viewed as a luxury, but as a necessity. So if you've never had a facial, let me tell you what you can expect.

5 things you should know before you get a facial

1- Determine what your there for before you go: relaxation or treatment

Just like a massage, there are varying types of facials- some that are geared towards pampering and relaxation, and some that are geared towards treatment of specific skin issues. Knowing ahead of time what your goals are for the experience will ensure that you get the best results, and that your skin therapist heads sown the right path. Relaxation treatments typically consist of a thorough cleansing, minor exfoliation, steamy hot towels, and luxurious masques. While treatment facials are comprised of stronger exfoliators that may sting or tingle, extractions of pimples and blackheads, and the use of agents that may cause peeling (the good kind of peeling that means new shiny skin is on the way!)

Be sure you talk to your skin therapist about your skin concerns and goals, so you get a custom result.

2- Don't book your facial on the eve of a big event

Facials often leave your skin a little red, especially if pimple extractions took place. [they are my favorite part... weird right?] Give yourself plenty of time to recover from any redness or peeling that may occur in the couple of days following your treatment. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so I recommend about 3-4 days after your facial for anything major such as a wedding or event. Your skin will still be glowy!

3- Speaking of GLOWY- shiny has a whole new meaning!

Post facial, you'll be squeaky clean like you've never been before! After several cleansings, hot towels, steam, and luxurious products- your skin will be completely free of any dirt, buildup or makeup. This means that when you walk out of the spa and back into the dressing room, you may not recognize yourself when you pass by a mirror. It's ok- many of the other spa patrons will be in your same boat. And while it is tempting to quickly apply your makeup to feel human again- I suggest you refrain as long as possible to give your skin a chance to really breathe, free from all that gunk. This means yes, you'll have to walk to your car with a bare face, and yes, your husband may look at you a little sideways- but if you can handle it... 12 hours sans makeup will do your skin some serious good!

4- A facial isn't just for the face

While the vast majority of the treatment concentrates on the face, the rest of your body gets some good vibes too! The facial includes work on the neck and upper chest area, called the decollate. It's all part of the body that needs to be cared for to help prevent aging, and to protect against the suns UV rays. So your therapist will continue the use of the steamy towels, masques, and lotions down on to your chest as part of the whole regimen. Beyond that your therapist will also offer a nice massage to the hands, head, shoulders or feet- usually while the treatment masques are working their magic on your face. It's incredibly relaxing and all around good for the body and soul.

5- The benefits of a facial go well beyond a clean face

Not only does your facial treat the skin, it also treats the systems in the body that provide nourishment to the skin and its cells. While I was earning my esthetics license, I became interested in the lymphatic system and its role in the bodies health. The lymph system resides just under the surface of the skin and can be triggered to carry toxins out of the body with touch. Facial, neck and chest massage trigger movement in the lymph system that in turn, increases blood flow, circulation, and healthy cell turn over. All of which have huge benefits for your over all health and appearance. Pretty amazing, right!?!

So, if your lacking some luster in your skin, struggling with fine lines or acne, or just need an hour away for some 'me-time'- I highly recommend you book yourself a facial. You won't regret it! Be sure you come back next week to learn about my at-home facial routine too. xoxo

Looking for a great spa to try?

I love visiting new spas any time I am on vacation- and what I have learned is that hotel spas are always a great place to start because they are superb with customer service, and usually have the best bonus amenities such as saunas, steam rooms, and pools that spa guests can utilize. Check out the hotels in your city too, they always accept non hotel guests for their services and they love to have locals stop by.

If your a Utah dweller like me, I recommend you visit

The Grand Spa

inside of the Grand America hotel in downtown Salt Lake. It's been a favorite of mine for years, but last week I went by to see their newly renovated space and snap a few pics for you guys to see. They offer amazing facial and body treatments, and my skin therapist Shelly is super knowledgeable and does fabulous work. My husband and I love the couples treatments too, but now they've amped up their goodness with fresh made creme brûlée yummies, and a 12 head

experience

shower in all of the couples rooms.

Valentine's Day

is calling my name!

BEAUTY PRODUCTS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BUT CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT (PART II)+ GIVEAWAY

My outfit details: Top:

Kingdom and State

 Waxed Denim:

Current/Elliot

Styling by LolaBella Boutique, thanks!

Oh my! This is a big one! I have a feeling this post will contain entirely too many exclamation points- but I am so thrilled with Part II of the

Snoop List: Hair Edition.

Today I am over at Studio5 highlighting the hair products and tools that you've never heard of, but CANNOT live without. This list is dear to my heart, because as you know I am still a hair stylist and salon owner, and hair has been my life for more than the last decade. So lets jump in and talk about all this goodness!

1

Goody Spin Pins

Spin pins do the work of 10 

traditional

 bobby pins combined

. Their unique corkscrew shape grabs on to hair and secures it effortlessly for hours without damaging hair. If you love a high bun or a 

tousled

 date-night updo... you must have these in your 

arsenal

. I will love these things until my dying day. Seriously. 

2

Babyliss Miracurl

 (Pro Version)

Conair Infiniti

(Consumer Version) It's the latest gizmo in hair curling, and let me tell you this thing is crazy cool. The barrel draws in a strand of hair and spins it until the length of the hair is wrapped around the internal barrel. Next it holds it there until fully cooked and then

spits out a perfect curl every time

. It has customized controls so you can dictate the heat and timing, as well as which way the curl wraps. If you struggle with a curling iron- meet your new best friend.

3 

T3 Shower Head

If you can't keep your color looking fresh, or your hair and skin are as dry as the sands of the Sahara... it may be your water that is letting you down. The T3 shower filter

eliminates more chlorine

in your water than any other type of filter on the market. You will notice a difference in your hair and skin after a single use, and anything afterward that isn't T3...won't be good enough. It is a life changer. (This even helped me get over my hatred of showering. Baths > Showers. but that's a whole other issue :)

4 

Turkish Hair Towel

Curly haired ladies have known the secret of non terrycloth towels for a while now. But for those of you who think I am insane... hold your tongue. These super absorbent cotton 

towels

 have a smooth surface but

absorb just as much as water

a traditional (american) towel. Because it has a refined texture, it doesn't rough up you hair and cause frizz. Use it to blot moisture out of the hair especially for those of you who 'scrunch-dry' your curls. 

5 

Harry Josh Dryer

 Cutest. Strongest. Smartest. Dryer. Ever. Harry Josh is a celebrity stylist who set out to design a lightweight and compact dryer that will stand up to the harshest conditions. As a hairstylist my self- I am LUCKY if a dryer lasts me two years, because of the amount of use I put it through at the salon. This French-made power house will

last you 15 years

if you use it for 20 

minutes

 a day. (It dries my hair in 3 minutes flat. #noreally) It is an investment piece, but it is worth every penny and there isn't a single bad review out there on this guy. One of the coolest features is the ion function which can be turned off for more volume, and turned on for a sleeker finish. Custom is king. 

6 

Cricket

Ultra Smooth Detangling Brush and Combs-

Stop stretching out your strands and start using a friction free comb fortified with olive oil. These combs have

a glass-like finish that glides through the hair

without tugging and helps to smooth the cuticle surface. Great for days when you air-dry your hair and makes a perfect shower comb to distribute your conditioner. The new detangler version uses short flexible bristles and  a 

sleek 

handle for extra control, so that you can detangle with one hand and restrain your screaming 5 year old with the other... have I mentioned her before?

7 

Sam Villa Texture Iron

 + [additional 20% off with code: 20FORUT] When you need a lift, you need Sam Villa. Not only is he my personal hair-hero (and the sweetest guy!), he designed the Texture Iron to give you micro texture that gives your hair the oomph it so 

desperately

 needs. Use this guy to crimp the hair right at the scalp and

double the thickness at your roots instantly

. Use it to fatten-up your braids, buns and twists too. Avoid teasing and start texturizing instead!

8 

LUSH Solid shampoo and conditioner

Who says shampoo has to come in a bottle!?! LUSH shampoo and conditioner bars are perfect for travel & your gym bag, while offering little bits of luxury with their organic and plant based ingredients.

The smell on these guys is hypnotizing

and the experience of using them will leave you feeling like you had a quick trip to the spa in your own shower. Let's face it... anything by LUSH is amaze! 

9 

Batiste dry shampoo for brunettes and redheads

 I know they say 'blondes have more fun' but I tend to 

disagree

 since I am currently sporting a brunette hue. That being said, I have noticed that my brown and red-haired sisters often get left out of the dry shampoo conversation, and this just cannot be! Batiste dry shampoos for brunettes and gingers offer the same

great results without leaving a white powdery finish

on the hair. So go ahead, skip the shower today... and tomorrow!

10

Pureology Dry Conditioner (

Professional Salons

) What? Dry Conditioner!?! Yes, you read that right- and you need this stuff in your life ASAP. We all know that washing every day is a no-no, and that dry shampoo rescues your roots from the grease-bomb explosion on day 2. But what about those ends? They need some loving too, right? Dry conditioner is applied to the mid lengths and ends of your hair to

infuse it with a burst of moisture and shine

on the days when your not washing and freshly styling your hair. Use it to revive fuzzy curls and split end-i-fied locks and you are good to go [again].

There you have it! My

top hair picks for 2013

-- Which one do you need in your life? Let me know in the comments below and be sure you enter my giveaway. One winner will receive:

• LUSH Shampoo and Conditioner bars

• Cricket Olive Oil Combs

• Batiste Dry Shampoo for Brunettes & Red Heads

• Goody Spin Pins

• T3 Shower Head

Good luc

k!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BEAUTY PRODUCTS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF- BUT CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT (PART 1) + GIVEAWAY

Hi friends, thanks for stopping by! Today I'll be on my favorite day time show Studio5 talking about some lesser known beauty products that you may have never heard of, but cannot live without once you've tried them. I'm calling this grouping the

Snoop List

and this edition is all about skin and makeup. 

 In October I'll be back on the show sharing the hair product edition, so please check back for that one too. If you've been reading for a while you may see some products I have mentioned before but I wanted to share again since I love them so much - plus you'll see a bunch of newbies to the blog that I am exited to call my new favs. 

<br/>

1

Glam Glow Super-Clearing Mud Mask

 Black heads have met their match with this miracle mud. Apply it to your break outs and watch the magic as it dries and the 

charcoal

 infused mask sucks the oil right out of your pores. You'll have 

visibly

 smaller pores and smoother skin with each use. #addicting [yes, I just hashtagged in a post]

2

Bliss Fuzz-Off Facial Hair Remover

 Peach fuzz and that unwanted upper lip hair 

disappear

 in 3 minutes with this stuff. It has a really 

pleasant

 smell (

which

 is rare in hair removal!) but the coolest part is the double sided applicator tip which makes application 

completely

 hands-free. 

3

Beauty

Blender

 This egg-shaped gizmo has taken the beauty world by storm, but don't be fooled by the copy-cats... the original is still the best. Believe me- I have tried them all! Simply soak the suede-like textured egg in water, squeeze it out, then use it to apply your

BBcream

or liquid foundation. You'll get an airbrushed effect and the unique shape allows you to get into those hard to reach areas of the face. 

4

Anastasia Reusable Brow Stencils

 & 

Brow Kit

 with Stencils. If you struggle designing the shape of your brow or often over-tweeze, then this brow stencil is a must-have. Pick the shape that fits your brow best and then using a pencil outline the shape onto your skin. Once you've drawn on the shape grab your tweezers and only remove the hairs outside of the line. Presto! You can also use the stencil to fill in your brows with color to get a perfect and symmetrical brow every time.

5

Dior AirFlash CC Primer

 Get instant primer with a corrective tint in a flash- literally. I love the simple and quick burst of primer when I need to move a little quicker in the morning and don't have time to blend. Dior fans will all love this new concept in CC cream, and you'll love the 

staying

 power it gives your makeup while 

neutralizing

 red under tones. 

6

Avon Mega Mascara

 The whole world of mascara has been turned on its' head with this puppy! The first non-wand applicator is really fun to use (takes some getting used to) and give both eyes the same amount of love because your nose is not in the way. Genius Avon! The formula give shiny black lashes a whole new meaning, and I can't get enough of it.

7

Korres Greek Yogurt Overnight Facial

 Centuries of women have used greek yogurt on their face and they can't ALL be wrong... so slather this stuff on before bed and get the same luxury results as those Greek goddesses. The lactic acid is a great exfoliator and gives a fresh toned surface to the skin, and the creamy protein leaves parched skin fully rehydrated. Just... don't eat it.

8

Smashbox O-Gloss

 This gloss uses some serious science to give you the perfect pout. It's formulated with goji berry which mimics the 'blushing' response in your skin. When applied you get a flush of color to your lips from the inside out, so the color is 

completely

 unique and perfect for your skin tone, because it

is

from your skin tone. Cool eh?

9

NYX Dewey Setting Spray

 Finish off every morning with a few spritzes of this setting spray that not only locks in your makeup but it adds a dewey sparkle to your your visage. Not in a sweaty or oily way-- just a subtle gleam that look fresh. It's got a knockout price tag too, so jump on board with this one! 

Hope you find your way to at least one of these goodies, you won't regret it! Please follow along with me on

facebook

too, and be sure to say hello so I can see your beautiful faces.

WANT TO WIN SOME OF THESE GOODIES!?! Enter to win using the rafflecopter entry form below- each step gives you an additional entry into the drawing. One lucky winner will receive:

• The Korres Overnight Facial

• Smashbox O-Gloss

• Bliss Fuzz Off

• Anastasia Brow Stencils

• Beauty Blender

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sample products from the companies above were provided to The Beauty Snoop

NOW TRENDING: OXBLOOD LIP COLOR + AVEDA FAVORITES

The Autumn bug has bit me! I am feeling the changes in the air, and I can't wait to make some updates to my wardrobe and makeup. If you follow me on

instagram

- you may have seen that I was invited to preview some new Fall makeup from Aveda. My local Aveda at City Creek Center, is like sensory heaven!

The

oxblood lipstick trend

is such an easy update to your Fall makeup routine, and although the deep shade of red may seem intimidating to you- I swear it is the most flattering shade on every skin tone. I witnessed this

Aveda Lip Color

 (

Shade

Redwood

) go on at least 10 different skin tones during this event, and not a single one looked bad wearing it. Seriously! I have never seen that happen before, so you better believe I snatched up a tube of this stuff for myself. If you are going to buy ONE THING this fall for your makeup bag- this color lipstick should be it!

Face Full Of:

Benefit Stay Flawless Primer

| 

Aveda Tourmaline Cream

|

Aveda Tinted Moisturizer

| 

Nars Blush/Bronze Duo

|

NYX Rio Shadow

|

Magic Marc'er Liner

| 

NYX Doll Eye Mascara

|

Aveda Redwood Lipstick

| 

While I was at Aveda to browse 

lipstick...

 I did wander over to the skin care goodies. And somehow, I am not sure how- I ended up with two other yummy finds in my basket. Darn hands always seem to be like magnets to those shiny bottles!

I took home the

Aveda Tinted Moisturizer

 (

Shade 02 Beechwood

) and let me tell ya... AMAZE! I am going to add this to my list of recommends on my

BB Cream post

(*remember that BB Cream is just a fancy title for tinted moisturizer) This stuff has the best fragrance of any tinted cream that I have used- it's almost minty and I love it! The coverage and texture are also a little heavier, but without feeling greasy or makeup-y. I have added it to my routine on the daily, and will be buying more of this for sure.

Lastly, I snagged the

Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Cream

. The word

tourmaline

sparked my attention, because of its use inside heat styling tools in the hair industry. It's a mineral used to smooth and shine hair... and apparently skin too! This stuff is thick and uber-riche (like my german/french there?) It is a great day cream and I think it will be perfect for rehydrating my skin in the upcoming cold and dry months. I wouldn't recommend it for oily skin, however- but for dry ladies and gents, this stuff is boss!

I know there are millions of die-hard Aveda fans out there- so if you are one of them, please share with me your favorite products that I need to try on my next visit. And as always, I'd love it if you would sign up to follow me by email, bloglovin, or on

facebook

. xoxo

NEWSWORTHY BEAUTY: SECRETS OF AN ANCHORWOMAN

photo by

Veronica Reeve

You may recognize this beauty from your TV screens- Jen Stagg is well known in the news & media world, especially here in Utah. She's an accomplished reporter and anchor, but she's also a new momma and the voice behind the blog

withHeart

. I first discovered her blog when I came across this nursery photo online while I was looking for ideas for my own little cuties' nursery.

I LOVE photo walls, and this one really grabbed my attention. Anywho, I wound up on Jen's blog and immediately felt inspired by it.  The voice behind the stories is genuine and offers a welcome breath of fresh air in the sometimes-stuffy world of blogging. You can see the rest of Jen's nursery 

here

.

I've always been fascinated with on-camera beauty. It is another world that most of us will never experience, but it's fair to say that we have all seen some not-so-good hairstyles and eye shadows on TV at one point or another! Luckily Jen has got it all figured out- so I wanted to ask her about her tips and tricks for looking flawless even at 4am!

M- What is your beauty mantra in five words or less?

J- Classic, modern, simple, pulled together

M- Your routine usually starts WAY early in the morning (or late at night!) on news days- do you have any time saving tips for getting ready quick?

J- It's an odd thing to put on full makeup at either 4 in the morning or 10:00 at night, and I usually have only a few minutes to get ready before it's time to step in front of the camera.  I think it's important to start with a fresh palette.  In the morning, I always wash my face with a gentle cleanser.  Believe it or not, Oil of Olay is my fave.  And it's cost friendly, which is great.  If it's night time, I use a rice paper to get rid of extra oil and dirt.  I think great makeup brushes also help with quick application.  A quality foundation brush is a must.  Mine is from

Chanel

.

M- What are your must-have on the go mommy products that we would find in your purse?

J-You'll always find chapstick on me!  I can't stand dry lips.  My favorite is

Burt's Bees

.  I also always keep a hair elastic.  I'm pretty low maintenance when I'm not working.  I believe in natural beauty.

M- On Camera vs. Off Camera- what are the differences in your beauty routine?

J- Off camera, I usually wear moisturizer, some powder, a little mascara, and some lip gloss, unless I'm going out.  It always feels so good to do less.  When I'm working, I still keep it fairly simple, but add blush, eyeshadow, and some eyeliner.  It's important to know which products work for you every time.  Shimmers and sparkles are a no-go for on camera.  I want people to pay attention to what I'm saying, not wondering what the weird glow is on my eye lid.

M-Favorite?

Shampoo and Conditioner: J-

Bumble and Bumble

.  I love love love the way it smells and I always have a good hair day when I use it.

Perfume:  

Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue

.  It is so fresh and has a hint of citrus.  It's a happy scent.

Lip stick/gloss:  

Nars

Up All Night.  Goes with everything, and lasts a long time

Flat iron/curling iron:  I use

Hot Tools

.  It heats up quickly and does the trick.

Mascara:  I've tried a million and I always come back to Loreal Voluminous.  It thickens and lengthens, and it's cheap!

M- Any other tips/tricks or favorites you want to share with our readers?

J- I try to just enhance what the good Lord blessed me with, rather than changing the way I look.  My hair is black.  My skin tone is what it was meant to be.  I've embraced these things about myself, and I believe in celebrating our differences in appearance.  Can you imagine me as a blonde?  Gasp!

***

Isn't Jen's approach to beauty refreshing? I love that she knows herself and decides to enhance rather than change. I made this same New Years Resolution this year and challenged you guys to do the same, read about it and join the movement 

here

.

Thank you Jen for taking us behind the scenes with you! Be sure and check out her

blog

, you will not be disappointed. Do you have any on-camera beauty products that you love? Let me know in the comments below, and follow along so we can stay in touch.