Brighten Up Your Eyes

• Whether your eyes are puffy, red, or surrounded by dark circles, Mother Nature has provided many a trick to help lighten, brighten, and give you that attractive look of wide-eyed wonder (and we at Believe add our own bit of makeup magic to complete the transformation. Read on...)
• (Hold your horses before trying any of these natural remedies. Be mindful of any allergies you may have and use accordingly...)
• Before bed, apply a spoonful of castor oil on the lids and around the eyes, with a slight massaging action. This keeps the skin lubricated.


Use two organic green tea bags to make a cup of tea. Let it brew and then put the bags in the refrigerator to cool. Lay the cooled bags over your eyes for 15 minutes to make your eyes less puffy. (Make sure the bags are cool--warm bags will increase blood flow to the eyes and make the situation worse.)
• Chilled cucumber slices laid on the eyes for 20 minutes reduce puffiness and feel very refreshing.
• Try wrapping grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to your eyes. Wait 15 minutes and wipe off, applying moisturizer right away.
• Rose water (if you want to use petals from your own garden to make a solution, be sure your roses have been grown pesticide-free) can be used on eyes to soften and brighten the skin. Wet cotton and apply the cotton balls to your eye sockets--wait 10 minutes.
• If your eyes are truly swollen (we hope you haven't been crying!) grab a bag of frozen peas and lay it over your eyes. The peas conform to the shape of your eye socket better than a regular ice pack.
• Drink water all day, keeping your insides (and outsides) hydrated. There's a reason it's called The Fountain of Youth.
• If you are past 40, the tear ducts around your eyes are likely to be clogged with years of sebum, eye makeup, drops, pollution, smoke and all the other crud our eyes are exposed to everyday. To open the clogged ducts and get your natural tears flowing again, rinse a clean washcloth in the hottest water you can stand, wring it out, and apply to your eyes for 15 minutes before bed. This treatment melts the oils and opens the ducts--making eyes moister and younger looking. (Every now and then, scrub near the lashes with a washcloth and our PCA cleansers.)
• Need we say it? Get enough sleep! It's good for your eyes, skin, and sanity.
• And...here at Believe we are delighted to announce that we have the product that renowned beauty Kim Kardashian swears by (to get those gorgeous eyes of hers). Created by her own makeup artist (and legend in his own right) Mario Dedivanovic, people are driving hours to get their hands on this product and Believe has got it--EYE M GLAM Highlighter!

Mario explains, "EYE M GLAM is a sheer highlighting powder that will give you the most gorgeous, golden glow. Using Giella mineral pigments, I custom blended EYE M GLAM while sitting on the floor in my apartment one evening, determined to come up with the best highlighter. I wanted a product that would give all my clients a consistently sheer and natural glow. Being able to use and test it on my celebrity clients for television, photo shoots, and on red carpets has helped me perfect EYE M GLAM into a universal shade that is flattering on all skin tones."

Here's what people are saying, "When I dusted this product EYE M GLAM , I found it to be light, airy, glossy and easy to pick up using my flat shadow brush, but I didn’t stop there, next I dabbed a little on my shoulders, decolletage. Honestly, this EYE M GLAM mineral highlighter is definitely one of my favorite buys of the year, it is ahhhh-mazzzing for all skin complexions. It doesn’t go ash, nor does it have big chunks of kid-like glitter. It is glamour in a jar. The color pays off. The glossy glow it gives had me hooked…"
and
"My skin illuminated with this product, not only did my eyes sparkle…I was ready to take on the world …"
Mario offers these tips for using EYE M GLAM:

• Use it on the inner corners of eyes to separate and brighten.
• Apply onto your brow bone to highlight and lift.
• For bulletproof eye makeup that won't move, use Magnetic Eye (another Giella product carried here at Believe) first, followed by EYE M GLAM.
• For more intensity, wet your brush with a bit of water. 
• Highlight your face with EYE M GLAM. Swipe down the bridge of nose, across cheek bones and on your cupid's bow.
• Dust EYE M GLAM along your collar bones and decolletage for a fabulous nighttime look. 
• Mix it with your tinted moisturizer or foundation for an all-over golden glow.

Come into Believe now to get your own EYE M GLAM (it is so popular, it is hard to keep in stock) and people will soon be calling you Bright Eyes.

The Eyes Have It

Even if you are covered head-to-toe to beat the winter winds, one part of you is always on view: Your eyes. Much more than just the "windows of the soul" poets used to write about, studies show they are the first thing people look at when meeting you (yes, even men chose eyes above the more--ahem--predictable parts of a woman's body.) At Believe, we want your eyes to show off the real you to the best advantage and, since you are like no other person on the planet, your eye makeup should reflect your uniqueness. That's why our makeup artist Sam, stands ready to make perfect custom blended eye makeup from the world- renowned GIELLA line just for you.

Sam says, "Each woman should be able to optimize her best features and play down those that aren't so great. I help all my customers through the process of selecting the perfect combination of products to achieve the image she wants."

Sam has quite a product line to choose from with the GIELLA family of products and here's some suggestions of ones that might just work for you:

Eye Shadow Primer

This is truly a makeup artist's dream. Magnetic Eye is an eyeshadow primer that covers redness, darkness, or skin discoloration. It's the one- stroke way to keeping eye shadow on all day, without creasing or fading. It works best by applying it with Brush #10, and it saves time spent retouching eye makeup.

Pressed Eye Shadow

This silky formula comes in matte, semi-matte, and shimmer and glides on skin smoothly, blending easily. It's available in a range of shades for lids, crease and highlighter. Quartz, Rose Wine and Blush Beam work beautifully together, or try Vanilla Cream, Dreamy Taupe, and Topaz. A smokey eye can be achieved with Caviaron the lid into the crease, Star Fruit on the brow bone and Chambord around the edges of the top and bottom lashes. Finish with layers of Ebony mascara rolled under and upward.

Loose Eye Shadow

These finely milled mineral shadows apply softly or with full coverage. Using loose shadow is easy, too. Dip Brush #6 or #7 into the powder, swirl the loose shadow around the inside of the cap of the shadow, until the powder disappears into the brush. Then apply to eyes. Also, try wetting the loose shadow and using it as eyeliner....it stays on all day!

b-dazzle

This is a universal color that is custom-blended with a combination of 7 different ingredients. It takes away darkness and brightens the eye. It's the perfect quick pick-me-up to enhance brightness in the inner corner of your eyes and an easy way to wake up your eye without using too many products.

Eye Liner 

This is a cream-to-powder liner that applies like a wet shadow. Apply the liner on the side of the brush (#8), not the tip. It is less likely to "skip" and keep the line closer to the lash line. When dry, it is smudge-proof and crease-proof.

Custom Blended Pencils

These pencils are soft, full of pigment and do not run or smudge. (And they are vegetable-based with mineral pigments without parabens.) They are a soft, easy gliding pencil that defines eyes and compliments eye color. Try Deep Brown for blue and green eyes; Sage for hazel and green eyes; Fig for blue or green eyes; Jet for brown and deep blue eyes; Cocoa for lighter blue or green eyes; and Midnight Sky for hazel, brown and blue eyes. The trick for getting a thin line is holding the pencil on the side, not the point, and make short strokes that go into the lashes.

Mascara

This mascara contains silk powder, but no fibers, and it gives rich, full lashes in each stroke. It is a non-flaking, water-based polymer formula that is smudge-proof and water-resistant. It contains a special lash-building brush that lifts and separates lashes to make them look fuller. Tip: Roll mascara brush underneath lashes for extra lift and volume. Repeat several times.

And here, just for you, are some Q & A tips from the makeup artisans who created the GIELLA line:

Q: “Do you recommend white pencil in the inner lower lid of my eye?”

A: White pencils are a great trick for brightening the eye and taking away the red. It is best if applied lightly on the inside of the eye otherwise it can look a little scary. Another choice would be to use a beige or flesh tone pencil. It is not as stark as white and does the same trick of keeping the whites of the eye white.

Q:“What are the best colors for green eyes?”

A:Opposite green on the color wheel is red-violet so coppers, plums, pinks and brownish-plums are great choices to “pop” the green in your eyes.

Sam, our brilliant makeup artist here at Believe, is eager to show you the fabulous colors (and combinations) to bring your eyes out of hiding and make them--and you--ready to dazzle everyone you see. Just make an appointment with her by calling the salon at 914-747-0778.

Hope we "see" you soon,

Lisa

What IS the Brazilian Keratin treatment you keep hearing about?

As the song goes..."Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Impanema goes walking and when she passes, each man she passes goes ah-h-h-h..".

Ok, we can't promise you will be taller or tanner or younger, but we can pretty much guarantee the lovelier part and you can certainly expect more ah-h-h's when you come to Believe for a La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment.

If you spent your whole life:

Avoiding rainy or humid days and fog of any kind (that leaves your trip to London out),

Put yourself in your best friend's hands when she was holding a hot iron near your scalp,

Made your head a toxic waste dump by using every chemical straightening treatment under the sun,

and still think you look like a poodle, don't worry.

Believe can fix the problem. Say goodbye to Jimi Hendrix Head and hello to gorgeous, sleek, and shiny hair. No more damage, no more drama, with the La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment. Let me explain what the treatment is and what it can do for you.

La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment is a revolutionary hair smoothing method that softens, moisturizes, and dramatically straightens your hair. It does not require any strong chemicals. It uses a solution containing keratin & collagen that works with your hair's cuticle and gently take its place inside your hair.

Keratin's strong protective qualities improve the hair both inside and out. It is virtually a “liquid form of hair” that gently blends with the hair on your head, bringing with it what it was lacking and what was lost over the years.

Is the hair dull dry and damaged? Is it curly, wavy, frizzy, has too much volume or is unmanageable? Application of the La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment puts an end to all that. The smaller keratin molecules penetrate the hair cortex, improving and repairing the quality of the hair from the inside. The added strength, elasticity, and moisture result in the smooth, soft, shiny effect. The larger molecules coat the hair cuticle and protect your hair from environmental insults like UV rays, smog, and smoke. It even prevents further damage to the hair shaft.

Because this isn't a permanent treatment, as the keratin-based solution diminishes over time, your hair will eventually return to its natural form, but will stay soft, shiny and healthy looking. The more you receive the treatment, the healthier and more manageable the hair becomes. This is one of the great bonuses of getting a La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment. Your hair keeps getting better!

The treatment takes between 1.5 to a few hours to do depending on what treatment you choose (come sip some tea or espresso and chat with us here at Believe while we work on making you even more beautiful than you already are) and generally lasts around four months. You can also book a manicure or a Revitalizing Hand or Neck Treatment while processing. (Here's another positive surprise about the treatment: Not only does it work with damaged hair—the more damaged the better! The treatment lasts even longer on damaged hair—up to six months.)

Have questions? Yes, we can do the treatment to previously-straightened, relaxed, and color-treated hair. Yes we can color your hair on the same day you get the Keratin treatment. Yes, we can do teens' hair (it's perfectly safe for anyone over the age of 12).

So no more excuses. Wave goodbye to the frizz and spend 2011 loving your sleek, shiny mane. Give us a call at Believe to schedule your Keratin treatment soon.

How To Relax (and boy, do we need it now!)

This is the week where you get to take a breather from the holiday madness...

Ok, it's really more of a gulp of air in-between shoveling mountains of snow out of your driveway (and the piles of ribbons and wrapping paper from your living room), waving goodbye to your relatives, finally throwing out those over-used leftovers, praying school will start soon, and (if you are like us), finding yourself face down in one of the new books you got as a gift (the pages of which are now slightly drool-stained.)

Take heart, New Year's Eve is almost here (at Believe, we've got a couple of slots open to make you look like a million bucks without costing you a million bucks. Give us a call right now! (914) 747-0778.

This week's blog will be about a topic dear to all of our hearts: Relaxation. We know we don't get enough of it, we know you don't get enough of it, and 2011 is when we should all make a conscious effort to do more of it...but maybe you don't know how?

Here's some tricks of the trade:

Get Some Sleep: Our bodies really do need 6-8 hours so our minds can go a-wandering places we can't go in waking moments. Think of it as rebooting your consciousness. A lot goes on in your brain while you sleep and it's all-important for clear-thinking, good decision making, even temperament, and physical health. If you have trouble sleeping, don't reach for the drugs right away―start with these simple tips and see if they help:

• Avoid alcohol and beverages containing caffeine, cut back on sugar (introducing more cinnamon in your food helps the cravings), and give up nicotine. Drink warm milk before bed.

• Don't watch TV, read thrillers, or fight with your spouse or kids just before bed. Calm your mind. Try some deep breathing and/or meditation. Try this site for some natural sounds to help you unwind www.relaxingnature.com.

• Get a good bed. There is a reason Sleep Number and Tempurpedic beds cost more―they are worth it― especially as you get older. Aches and pains can keep you awake.

• Make sure your room is noiseless, dark, and cool. Turn the alarm clock's face (with it annoying LED

light) away from you.

• Put a laptop in your room and set it to Pandora a free music site, that will play lots of selections of any type of music you pick (by artist, song or genre) and needs you to do nothing except confirm you are still

listening after a while. If you don't respond (because you are in dreamland), it will turn itself off.

• Try a natural sleep aid like melatonin or take a hot bath by candlelight—we stock some lovely fragrant ones. (Aromatherapy oils in the water help even more.)

Accept (that you deserve to relax): Fight back against that little voice in your head saying, “You really should do one more load of laundry before you sit down”. The laundry can wait. You need to rest. Let everyone in your family know you really mean it. Put a time for relaxation for yourself on the family calendar in black ink (no pencil!) and don't cut into that time except for a legitimate emergency. If this means locking the door to your room, go ahead.

Exercise 30 Minutes Every Day: Whether it's a walk round the neighborhood or just time spent on your basement treadmill, put in the time moving your body-- and be sure to stretch often (lowering your shoulders prevents tension buildup.)

Get A Massage: We offer several types right here at Believe and know that undoing the knots in your body helps prevent knots in your mind.

Visualize: Especially when you don't feel calm-- Close your eyes and imagine every detail of your favorite beach or hiking spot. Hear the surf. Smell the trees. Be there―Such a mental vacation can do wonders.

Think Positively: This too shall pass. Everything does. Things will look better tomorrow (or surely the day after.)

Love Thyself: A new hairstyle (or new color) or a makeover (with our custom makeup, blended just for you) can raise your spirits and chase away stress. Make an appointment with us at today.

Cuddle Your Pet: (This is easier if that fur is freshly washed. We have organic pet supplies to make Fluffy smell great.)

Try A New Hobby: Paint or needlepoint or go take photos. No one cares if you are any good. Expanding your mind fills it with things other than stressful thoughts.

Cease All Communication: (Not forever―we aren't saying you should join a nunnery.) Close the cell phone, shut down the email account, turn your face away from Facebook, and watch a movie that will make you laugh out loud. Not only is laughter really medicine, but all those problems will be waiting for you later―when you are not on your last nerve.

Give And Get More Hugs: It's hard to stay sour when hugging someone or, better still, being enfolded in someone's arms. It's said 12 hugs a day is a necessary daily dose for good amounts of endorphins...Three is the bare minimum. Got no one to hug? Stop on by Believe Beauty Lounge. We'll give you a hot cup of tea, share some smiles, and you'll surely get a hug both as you come in and as you go out.

We look forward to spending wonderful times with you in 2011. From all of us at Believe Beauty Lounge—Happy New Year!http://www.believebeautylounge.com

Believe's New Year's Resolutions Suggestions For You

It's that time of year again when we all reflect on the year past and vow to make a few changes to make the new year upcoming better than the last. In that spirit, we at Believe, offer a few resolutions for you to ponder:

Volunteer: Give away your time, your money, your creativity. Go read at a nursing home; work at a soup kitchen; collect your neighbors cast-off clothes and drive them to the drop-off bin; take an elderly neighbor to a doctor's appointment; give some seeds from what you've grown to the community garden (and donate the extra food to a nearby homeless shelter); send money to Covenant House,The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee or the Remote Area Medical to get annual healthcare clinics to rural areas. By giving, you'll have more to give. Or keep your charity within our community. At Believe, we contribute to many local charities and we are better people for it. Check this blog throughout the year for the neighborhood benefits and causes to which we contribute--we'll be happy to pass your donation along.

Sing More: Out loud and not just in the shower. Serenade your baby or grandkid or just sing in your car. Don't know the lyrics? There's an app for that. Download SoundHound (for free)--then just point it at any radio, stereo, or Muzak and it will identify both the song and the lyrics. Dance, too (alone or with your dog). It will lift your spirits.

Get A Flu Shot: Year after year we keeping meaning to get a flu shot, but the season is over by the time we actually get to it. Change this tardy habit in 2011. Check with your doctor if it is safe to get one (most doctors say even pregnant women should) and then go...better still, drive an elderly neighbor or two.

Commit To A Skin Care Routine: Don't just slapon some moisturizer when you think of it, but exfoliate twice a week (three times if you've got oily skin), moisturize faithfully twice a day (all over your body, too) and schedule a facial twice a month. Your skin will thank you.

Age Gracefully, Not Fearfully: This year, try really accepting yourself. Change what you must (you're not still smoking now are you? Lip lines are the best thing you can expect from that!) and love the rest. Well-tended silver hair looks stunning on some women (try our clarifying shampoo to take out yellow tones); Cougars really do look a bit pathetic (you lived your life when you were younger, now live it even better now that your are older), and that little extra padding around your hips might actually help protect you during a fall. We can help you lessen lines and wrinkles, but be proud of every one you have. They are badges of honor for havingreally lived.

Stop Dyeing Your Own Hair: Visit a master colorist (like Believe's owner, Lisa) and get the shade that really suits you best (go lighter as you get older--the shades are less harsh.)

Wear Sunscreen Every Day: Winter and summer. Nothing protects your skin from cancer better and Believe has the best moisturizers (organic goat's milk Zum Lotion), shea butter organic lip protection and makeup, Giella Custom-Blended Mineral Makeup for keeping safe and beautiful.

Clean out your makeup drawer: No more lipsticks over three months old and mascara, eye shadow, and eye liner should be pitched every month--they are breeding grounds for bacteria and change shades on your when they are old. Make an appointment with our artist, Sam, who will custom blend makeup (and whip up the perfect color lipstick) just for you.

Schedule A Skin Cancer Screening: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and, according to the American Cancer Society(ACS), it makes up more than half of all diagnosed cases each year. Early detection can save lives, but most of us don't know our risk level, and too few of us have had a head-to-toe skin check check. Visit your dermatologist and book appointments for the next two years to make sure you'll be around for many more new years.

Change Your Hairstyle: Even your head can get bored with the same look day after day. Get your hair cut shorter; try the new asymmetrical cuts; or see how you'd look with a longer do by trying our SoCap 100% human hair extensions (we even do fun colored extensions just for the heck of it.) As the French have taught us, interesting women are always a bit unexpected.

Try A New Exercise Regime: Include Zumba or some dance class (how about pole dancing?) to keep things fresh and interesting. Or join a gym with a pool and learn different swim techniques (and include scuba certification to make that next trip to the Caribbean truly special.)

Vow To Treat Yourself Better: (Ditto for everyone around you, too.) Take a breath and count to 10 before you say anything when you are angry (or, as Thomas Jefferson said, if you are really mad, count to 100). Tell the people you love that you love them (they really aren't mind readers.) Walk a mile in someone else's shoes and be kind (especially to the elderly--you'll be there soon enough.) De-stress with a massage at least once a month (more if you've the time and money.) Smile as often as you can--even to people you don't get along with (they'll either wonder what you've got up your sleeve or smile back, improving the atmosphere for all.)

Be More Positive: Times have been tough the last year for many in our country, but keep your spirits up and try and have faith. Rid your life of negativity--root it out of your language (substitute "I can" for "I can't"), get rid of the negative people around you (gossipy, nasty people may sound interesting, but they really only spread poison), resign from situations that bring you down (that book club you hate, that commitment you made that now feels like a prison, or that job you dread every day.) Make a decision that 2011 will be a much better year and watch--it really will be a better year...one we hope is full of blessings and joy for all of you.

We'll be open Christmas Eve and work as late as possible on New Year's Eve--but call soon for your pre-party appointment. Our open slots are filling fast.) And please make it one of your resolutions to come see us-often-in the New Year.

Here's to many blessings for us all in 2011.

Believe's Last-Minute Gift Round-Up

If you are still singing "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" you'd better check your calendar...Christmas is 10 days away! Are you ready? All your gifts bought? (I won't ask about wrapped...I'm know not to rub salt in a wound...) If they aren't and you are running behind, Believe is ready to help. 

We will make checking all the names off your list as easy as one-stop shopping at our salon...We are extending the offers we have made all month to you only (the readers of our blog). Just mention you saw the gifts here and we will honor these special discounts and sales...think of this as Believe's Gift Round-Up.

Gift 1: When you purchase one 8 ounce Zum Body Lotion, receive a 4 ounce purse-size lotion for free. This makes a perfect stocking stuffer or a great little gift for your office staff.

Gift 2: MD Skincare is now 30% off and everyone's skin can use some extra help in the winter. (Sorry, this offer does not include Alpha Beta Daily Pads.)

Gift 3: Talk about a personal gift! Get a custom blended lipstick 50% off with a purchase of any Giella makeup product. 

Gift 4: Help the folks on your list stay kissable this winter--get a free ZKISS organic shea butter lip treat in your choice of flavors when you spend $50 in products at our salon.

Gift 5: How about this for your sister, mom, or daughter? Make an appointment with Sam, our makeup artist, for a new look for the new year and get a complimentary lipstick. ($28 value.)

Gift 6: Buy $100 in products and receive a free ZUM organic goat's milk soap in your choice of fragrance. Goat's milk is hypoallergenic and helps even the driest skin.

Gift 7: Bring in your best friends for a complimentary skin consultation with our aesthetician, Jackie. Make a lunch date after--and pick up the tab.

Gift 8: And don't forget to treat yourself. When you buy a $100 gift card, receive a $20 gift card for yourself. Buy $50 gift card, receive a $10 for yourself. 

If you don't see what you need here, come on in. You sit with a hot cup of herbal tea or espresso (for that little added zip you need about now), and let us help pick out the perfect gifts for everyone on your list... We promise, we won't tell anyone you waited till the last minute. Our lips are sealed.

Oh and don't forget to make your appointment for your New Year's hair and makeup. We will be open on New Year's Eve from 10 am to whenever we are done "dolling" everyone up, but slots are filling fast, so call today--(914) 747-0778.

Perfect Gifts For Everyone On Your List!

Chanukah is almost over and Christmas is coming right up! If you've seen the full-to-bursting parking lots at the Mall or waited way too long to speak to Customer Service when your internet shopping went awry, you know that time is flying. 

If you are sick of the crowds, out of ideas, and wish you could wave a magic wand and have all your shopping behind you, we at Believe (doing double duty as fairy godmothers) can grant that wish. (Consider it our little gift to you.) 

Here are our picks for Perfect Gifts For Everyone On Your List: 

Your Mom: Is your mom always complaining about falling in love with a shade of lipstick only to find to it has been discontinued? No more. At Believe's Custom Makeup Bar,  our makeup artist, Sam (tempted away from Lancombe, et al) will create the perfect shade (or replicate the shade from that last little bit left in the tube) right in front of you...and we'll keep it on file forever. No more discontinued lipstick blues or any other "discontinued" blues...ALL makeup can be duplicated.  She's guaranteed to love it.

Teenager Girl: Is she all vegan and organic? We have nail polish with no formaldehyde. Not only is it better for her, its better for the planet. Or how about a Young Person Acne Facial?  Let her face the future bump-free and with more confidence.

Teenage Boy: Long hair is making a comeback, but that in-between stage (when it's growing out) is a mess. Buy him a Cut and Style to keep it in shape (and sexy) while it is getting longer. Do you really think Robert Pattinson got that tousled look from nature? 

Grandmother: Is she tired of looking her age?  Send her in for a custom color by Chromastics. Permanent and Demi-Permanent colors are based on pure tones.  Countless colors can be achieved and due to a soy and hydrolyzed wheat protein base, the product actually helps repair her hair, no matter how long (or how badly) she's been coloring it.

Husband:  It is about time that he discovers the joys of facials. Not only will the rubbing of aromatherapy oils and moisturizing creams surely become one of his favorite activities, but it will help erase tension (and wrinkles) from his rugged face. Don't just buy him a gift card--Make an appointment for him with our brilliant aesthetician, Jackie, for an Age-Defying Facial. Afterwards, make a night of it. How about a candlelit diner after at the nearby Iron Horse Grille for just the two of you? (Be sure to tell him he looks even more handsome than usual.)

Little Kids:  We love them and make it fun for them to get their hair cut. We promise to listen and let them tell us what they want (with mom's permission, of course) and since all little kids love to act like big kids, they'll have a blast. (Yes, everyone gets a celebratory lollipop-even the parents.)  We also have a sulfate-free haircare line especially for children, Circle of Friends, with fun scents like raspberry, banana, orange, blueberry and root beer.

In-Laws: They might actually agree their son or daughter didn't do so badly after all, marrying you--if you get them one of our fabulous massages. Whether it's a relaxing Swedish, full of wonderful oils and soothing strokes, or a Deep Tissue Massage, that will help ease the pain of those older bones, this gift is sure to be a hit with even the crankiest of in-laws. (And you'll be a hit, too.)

Co-workers: They are always tough to shop for, we know. How to get them something nice, but not too personal and, if your office engages in blind gift exchanges, what's a good one-size- fits-all gift to get? We recommend body butters like Aestalance--great for everybody's static-y hair (or bald scalp) and other dry bits.

Stocking Stuffers: The ZUM family of products make great stocking stuffers--give ZUM Organic Goat Milk Soap (in your choice of fragrances),  ZUM Mini Hand-Creams for everyone to carry in their briefcase or car, and ZKISS Organic Shea Butter Lip Treat  is welcome during these cold, drying months.

YOU: Let's not forget the most important person here. Instead of all those broken resolutions, make a real change in 2011. Consult with Lisa, Believe's owner (and one of the few Master Stylists around)  for the perfect new style and color or really do it up for that New Year's party and get So. Cap. Hair Extensions to instantly turn your workaday short hair into long and flowing locks. Extensions are not just for Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, you know. YOU are a star, too. Here's to shining brightly in the new year.

Wishing you the Best Every Day of the Year,

Lisa & The Team At Believe Beauty Lounge

Tips for beating holiday stress

Where did the time go? Wasn't it just Labor Day yesterday? It seems like that to us at Believe, but the holidays are upon us...Chanukah has begun, Christmas is hard on its heels, and then the new year beckons. Between now and then, it's rushing, shopping, parties, guests, family, and, of course, food, food and more food.

   All this celebrating is not only fun--but stressful. So...here's some tips to keep you beautiful and balanced through this hectic season and on into the new year:

*Get some sleep: You really don't have to stay up till midnight to get it all done. Take a page for the book of the older ladies you know--they do their shopping and wrapping w-a-a-y before the holidays (ok, make that a note to self for next year), but you can do a little each day now, instead of waiting till the last minute and thinking you will get it all done then. If you get to stay at home, nap! JFK ran the country on 10- minute power naps (though we prefer an hour after lunch). If you have little ones, curl up with them. You'll all be better able to cope.

*Drink more water than usual: Going in and out of heated spaces dries you up and good moist skin and hair begin on the inside. (Also, remember alcohol dehydrates you. Stick to a glass of festive champagne--it will help with the calorie count, too.)

*Hair needs moisture, too: Wash with a moisture giving shampoo and conditioner, then lock in that vital moisture by using a dab of organic butter worked through your hair. Try Aestelance Butter, made from basil, rosemary, sandalwood and all-natural ingredients (It smells wonderful and stands up to the constant on-off action of your cute wool hat.) Another trick to try--rub your hairbrushes with a dryer sheet every now and again. It helps with that static electricity problem. 

*Take off that cape: You aren't really Wonder Woman. Delegate! Your husband can wrap gifts, kids can load the dishwasher, and you don't have to volunteer to organize the gift exchange at work. Stress is hard on you (and is no good for your looks, either.)

*Not only your lips chap: You should always keep a good lip balm, like ZUM KISS, with you and use it often, but don't forget your cheeks, chin, elbows and knees. Winter winds get to the first two and keeping everything else covered constantly rubs and causes rough skin. Try thicker body butters like Zum Body, made with aloe vera, red clover, and essential oils.

*Make one more list: On top of the gift, wish, and to-do lists you are lugging around, make a gratitude list of all the blessings in your life. It is sure to give you the gift of perspective.

*Help others: Make sure to remember to save time and go online to donate to your local food pantry or pet shelter. Then, when you are kicking yourself for losing patience at your kids or spouse, you can remember you are not an evil witch--just over-worked.

*Give yourself more time: Start an hour earlier in the morning. Meditate for 20 minutes to start the day and take one item off your to-do list and move it to another day. You'll actually gain time by not being so frantic.

*Eat a good breakfast: Even if you don't the rest of the year, you need proteins and carbs (always yummy) since you are revving your engine higher now.

*Take a breath break: At around 2 or 3 pm when that slump hits (you know the one), stop everything and breathe deeply--in through your nose and out through your mouth--deeply enough to make your abdomen lift three times. Do a couple of neck rolls, rub your temples as though you are having a facial, and, if your doctor agrees, you might want to start taking a vitamin B tablet for a complex/protein boost.

*Think of those hidden hands and feet: Gloves and socks keep us warm, but wreck havoc with our skin and nails. Keep tea tree oil to rub on those toenails (to prevent fungus growth) and be sure to rub cream in your cuticles to keep them from cracking. We use Zum Rub, a shea butter moisturizer. Naturally, the skin of both hands and feet need extra moisture too. Make sure to run moisturizer all over immediately after a shower (before your skin dries) and remember to keep that shower on the cooler side. Hot water is drying. Keep cream to rub in your hands throughout the day (Zum Minis are great for your purse or briefcase.)

Pre-sleep stress busters: Consider giving up caffeine for the duration.  Explore the wonderful world of herbal teas (visit Annie's Remedies.com to learn the time-tested qualities of each). A cup before bed, a warm bath (throwing a few of the same herbs in some cheesecloth and then in the tub is restful, too) and lavender oil (a dot under your nose and one between and just above your eyebrows) can lead to more restful sleep and sweeter dreams (Maybe you'll actually have some visions of sugarplums dancing in your head!) Try all of these for over-excited little ones too.

*Relatives can be pains in the ***: We know, but you've only got one family --and as our mother's said, you can do anything for a little while--even put up with your mother or mean Aunt Sadie. You can steer the conversation in another direction or leave the room (no, that doesn't mean stomp out). Remember, you don't have to go to every fight you are invited to, life is short, and it is the holidays. Enjoy yourself.

*Treat yourself to an early gift: Have a facial (or even a Vitamin C or Pumpkin Peel Treatment to banish dry flakes) get a massage (cold muscles are stiff muscles and our therapist has magic fingers), stop by Believe for a cup of tea or espresso and a little shopping while you're at it. We've got a holiday special skin treatment Tapas menu--Pick two services for $100.) Buy a scalp/hair treatment for him and some of the world's greatest organic baby products for Junior. (Ask us how you can earn a gift card for yourself too!)

   From our family here at Believe to your family, we wish you happy (and stress-free) next few weeks and hope to see you soon.