Gillette Venus Breeze the official description on www.gillettevenus.com : 2-in-1 Shave Gel Bars—Makes Shaving So Easy. Secret to a time-saving shave? Venus Breeze. Simply wet the razor for an amazingly smooth shave. Flexible Shave Gel Bars are built in, and contain rich body butters for a light lather, a smooth glide and no need for separate shave gel or soap.

Created by The Definitive Brow Expert Anastasia Soare to whisk away unwanted hair. Mini Wax Kit is designed for convenient at-home use. Sugar based wax is gentle and easy-to-use. Great for quick brow and lip maintenance in-between regular salon appointments.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

Gentle Facial Wax
Five Natural Sticks
14 Muslin Strips
Complete waxing instructions

ANASTASIA’S TIPS/ HOW TO USE
Example of copy pulled from insert:

Waxing Brows

• Microwave on low for 10 seconds.
• Before applying wax to face use a stick to test the temperature on the inside of your wrist. Always apply wax to clean, dry skin.
• If the wax temperature is comfortable apply a thin even layer of wax in the direction of hair growth under the brows.
• Apply the muslin strip over the wax and press across the strip firmly to ensure wax is thoroughly covered by strip.
• Pull skin taught at far end of brows and grasp the end of strip. With a quick motion pull the strip off at a 45% angle being sure to pull against the hair growth. (Do not pull strip straight up as bruising may occur.)
• Use similar procedure for removing hair above and between the brows and on the upper lip.
• Clean up any unwanted hair not removed by the wax with Anastasia Beverly Hills Precision Tweezers.

Emmanuelle will post blog entries to the site on a weekly basis and encourage women to share their thoughts about the posts and other male bodygrooming topics as well as praise the men in their lives who are dedicated to good bodygrooming habits by sending them a customizable Mr. bodycruZer video starring Emmanuelle. Men can also get in on the bodygrooming conversation by posting comments to the site and by showing off their well-groomed – or not so well-groomed – bodies by entering the Mr. bodycruZer online contest.

In addition to the Mr. bodycruZer video, Emmanuelle is also featured in a tongue-in-cheek video that introduces the movement.

(note: offer valid 9/9/2009 through 9/15/2009; savings may not be combined with other discounts or special offers; clients redeeming offer must check out together in a single transaction; CODE: 21B0909)

Visit www.myshobha.com for more details.

To help celebrate the bikini’s debut in America, Venus has prepared a timeline of 20th century swimsuit fashions and has worked with country star and dancer Julianne Hough to develop a “how to look your bikini best” tip sheet.

When it comes to donning a bikini, confidence is key. And, smooth skin can help! According to a recent survey, almost 75% of women said that they felt more confident after shaving. Research also shows that shaving makes women feel more feminine, polished and beautiful.

So, before slipping on that swimsuit, be sure to shave with Venus Embrace. The first five blade razor for women, Venus Embrace has a Protective Ribbon of Moisture and hugs every curve for a close shave and dramatically smooth skin.

And, when it comes to looking bikini best, Venus Embrace is bikini approved. According to fashion designer Mara Hoffman, she would never let one of her models walk down the runway without using Venus Embrace.

Happy birthday, bikini! And, may all bikini goddesses out there Embrace the rest of summer with silky smooth skin.

Here is a look back in time at the bikini’s evolution:

Victorian Age

Circa 1920

Circa 1950

Circa 1960

Sports Illustrated 1964

2009

A Brief History of the Bikini

Early 20th Century – Women wore floor-length dresses at the beach to uphold their modesty – talk about not having to worry about a tan line!
1930s – Women could be seen wearing athletic-style suits or knee-length dresses that hid their figures
1940s – Corset-style swim suits began to appear on the beaches. The style simultaneously gave women a more formed figure and also hid their flaws
1946- Bikini was unveiled by designer Louis Reard in Paris. The designer’s plan was to create something exotic and bold that women could feel feminine and beautiful wearing
1949 – The suit made its American debut during the spring of 1949
1960 – Brian Hyland’s “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” became the anthem of the summer and inspired teen girls to purchase bikinis of their own
1964 – The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Babette March on its first-ever bikini cover

Today – The bikini has taken on many different forms including the thong, bandeau, halter and string looks. Designers ranging from fashion forward like Mara Hoffman to traditionalist Lily Pulitzer continue to create bikinis that are both fun and functional.

Visit  www.quattroforwomen.com for additional product details.

More details:
Valid for online purchases only
One redemption per customer
Offer expires at 12am EST 8/1/09
Retail value: $22.00; promotion price with coupon code: $17.00!

About the product: Shobha Ingrown Relief Lotion is a sensitive and effective one-step solution for the prevention and treatment of bumps and ingrown hairs caused by hair removal. Free of parabens, color and artificial fragrance. Safe for all-over body use! (bikini, face, legs, underarms, etc.) For daily use: use immediately after shaving to moisturize the skin while soothing irritation and razor burn; begin using 48 hours after waxing/sugaring to prevent and treat ingrown hairs. The 2-ounce size is TSA-friendly, making it the perfect travel companion to ensure smooth skin when lounging in paradise! Formulation details: glycolic acid (exfoliates), tea tree oil (protects), chamomile (soothes), glycerin (moisturizes)

How to enter WIN:

1. Subscribe to Talking Makeup’s YouTube Channel HERE!
2. Leave a comment HERE! Note: Do not leave a comment under this post, you must leave the comment under video on YouTube, Thanks:)
3. MUST have US or Canada shipping address.

Watch Marta’s video blog for more details:

Good luck:)

The Q&A is provides by The Waxing Co, the destination for hair removal in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Why remove hair with wax?
Waxing makes skin feel soft and it lasts much longer than shaving. Some people wax because they feel it is more hygienic. Our bodies release natural oils and sweat on a daily basis. Our hair can hold on to them as well as the odor they produce. When you remove the hair you can stay cleaner and fresher longer.

What are the different kinds of wax, what is the difference between them?
There are a few different types but the two most popular waxes are hard wax and soft wax. Soft Wax is the wax most people are familiar with. It is a wax that goes on warm you put a cloth strip down and pull the hair off. It is best for soft and light hair. Hard Wax is a stripless wax that goes on like soft wax but then hardens and you pull the wax itself off with no cloth strip. It is best for hard, coarse hair.

Are at home kits effective? Why go to a professional?
The simple truth is no, not really. A professional esthetician is trained to know the best conditions to wax. That person will know the correct temperature of wax to use to not burn the skin. Your professional will use high quality products with excellent technique to always pull the hair up by the root. The most common mistake the average Jane makes with an “at home kit” is she pulls the hair in a manner that causes hair breakage-this will lead to painful, fast growing ingrown hairs and serious discomfort!

Does waxing hurt?
Every person’s pain tolerance is different. The good thing is the pain goes away in seconds. We do carry products that minimize discomfort.

What is in The Waxing Co.’s “No Scream Cream?”
One of the main ingredients is Benzocaine which is a local anesthetic commonly used as a topical pain reliever. Used in combination with other soothing ingredients, it reduces discomfort that clients may experience.

Do you recommend any preparation prior to the waxing?
Yes – most importantly, the best advice is to have a positive attitude and have trust in your esthetician at The Waxing Company. We have discovered that the anticipation is much more intense than the actual realization. Trust that we will take good care of you. A few simple things you can do are: 1.) Take a hot shower 2.)Exfoliate and 3.) Apply “No Scream Cream” 30-45 minutes in advance.

How long does the hair have to be?
At least ¼ inch. Translation – if you can pinch your hair and lift your skin with out the hair slipping through your fingers, it should be long enough. It usually takes on average 2 to 3 weeks of growing out your hair to be ready to wax. Some people hate the growing out stage, others don’t mind it – however you may feel, let it grow – IT’S WORTH IT!

WAX FAQS CONTINUED

Should I trim my hair before my appointment?
NO!! The longer the better. The longer the hair, the smoother your skin will feel after the wax. Also, the results will last longer. If your hair needs to be trimmed, your aesthetician will take of it, as he/she knows the best length for your procedure. Don’t be ashamed, we guarantee you we have seen someone with much longer and thicker hair than you!

How long does waxing last?
It differs with each person depending on how fast the hair grows. On the average, your waxing can last from 4-6 weeks. The good news is the more you wax, the longer it lasts.

Will my hair come in thicker?
No. The hair will actually grow back lighter and softer every time you wax. It usually takes at least 3 procedures to really notice a change in how fast your hair grows back. But you can notice your hair coming in softer after the first wax.

Will I have a reaction to waxing?
Most likely not. But that largely depends on if you are taking any medication. (Explained in more detail below). However, we invite you to come in and get a free patch test wax to see how skin will react.

What if I’m on my period?
Some women find that when they are on their period, their skin is more sensitive and more likely to burn or peel. Others are just fine. We can do a test patch first to see how your skin will react. Or, if you feel more comfortable to reschedule, we completely understand. As long as you communicate with your aesthetician, she will know the best way to meet your needs.

What if I’m pregnant?
You can still get various wax procedures and treatments except for bikini tinting and anal bleaching. A new trend for Moms-to-be is to get a Brazilian wax right before childbirth.

When should I not get waxed?
If you have Lupus or AIDS. If you are in cancer therapy or receiving chemotherapy radiation treatment. If you are taking Rx Accutane, Differin, Retin A, Antibiotics, or taking any medication that may cause sun sensitivity. You should also avoid waxing while using salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, Obaji products, any harsh exfoliants, or any facial peels.

All of these products thin out the skin and will make you more sensitive and likely to burn or peel. You should wait 2-6 weeks depending on how long you have been on the medications before you wax, as we want to make sure the meds are out of your system so you have a pleasant waxing experience. If you are not sure how you may react from any other prescriptions you are taking, please give us a call, we can help you determine if it is OK or not to wax.

Can I tan after I wax?
We suggest that you wait at least 24 hours before you lay out in the sun or in a tanning bad. As for a spray tan, we suggest you wait a few hours for your skin to re-acclimate after the wax

Leah Nacion’s high-end boutique, The Waxing Co., offers a variety of services – facial waxing, brows, body waxing (from underarms to Brazilians), as well as personal services such as coloring and bleaching – and is the destination for hair removal in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Leah Nacion

DO Forget Razors’ Edge: According to Leah, waxing makes skin softer and it lasts much longer than shaving. It can also seem more hygienic because it creates a cleaner and fresher feel that lasts about four weeks before new growth begins.

DON’T Be Fooled: The simple truth is home waxing kits aren’t as effective. Professional estheticians are trained to know the best conditions under which to wax – with high quality products and excellent technique. Temperature of the wax is important to avoid burning the skin, and high-quality products pull the hair up by the root, which avoids hair breakage that can cause ingrown hairs and discomfort.

DO Prepare: Preparation beforehand is also important. Hot showers and exfoliating softens hairs before waxing making it easier to remove. Leah also suggests applying a topical pain relieving cream to soothe and reduce discomfort. The Waxing Co. uses their special “No Scream Cream”. Ask your estheticians for a similar product to apply.

DO Shape It Up: Shaping up that down-there hair doesn’t mean only daring to go bare – there are other options … creative ones. Waxing into shapes or designs is one of Hollywood’s hottest trends. Or add some bikini “bling” with Swarovski crystals in shapes of hearts, initials or stars on the hip.

For more information, visit www.waxingco.com