Tonight I am staying at the W Hotel in Downtown Chicago because, drumroll please, we are moving to Dallas tomorrow morning and the movers packed up our entire house today. We sought refuge for the night at The W, which is also the home of the Bliss Spa here in Chicago. After weeks of packing I was in desperate need of some overall grooming. So at 5pm, after a long day, I checked into the W and went right to Bliss for a wax, mani and pedi.

I was dreading the wax but as soon as I got to my room I read the spa menu and noticed that Bliss uses something called “poetic strip-less wax”. I immediately started to relax because hard wax is the only kind that can be used without a strip of cotton and requires more skill to apply but is usually gentler. When I met my waxing technician, Aretha, she told me that the “poetic wax” is a special Bliss formula and guaranteed me that this was going to be the most painless waxing experience of my life. I braced myself for the first shredding and, to my relief, it was a fraction of the sting I was expecting. And so the rest of the wax went – practically painless and, dare I say, even somewhat pleasant.

While I must credit Aretha for her skill and knowledge of the product, I am confident that the “poetic wax” and the secret Bliss formula are the reason I had such a smooth, pun intended, experience. I left Bliss relieved to know that they have a location in Dallas (and 20 others throughout the world) and that from now on “poetic wax” will be the only kind I let touch my skin!

Go to blissworld.com for locations.

1. Roger Et Gallet Amande Persane Fresh Fragrant Water Spray –  A light fragrance you can use daily on your skin or to freshen up any room in your home.

2. Caudalie Foot Beauty Cream – A winter must have. This will help heal your poor dry, cracked heels.

3. Avene Thermal Spring Water – This refreshing mist is perfect for my when your skin is thirst quenched (mostly all winter). I like to bring this on a flight or when I am traveling, as the air on planes and in hotels is extremely drying.

4. Klorane Extra-Soft Dry Shampoo with Oats – This has been recommended by Gwyneth herself and Marisa Miller (supermodel and this month’s Shape magazine cover girl). Gwyn uses Klorane to maintain a blowout and Marisa says it helps her create and keep those beachy waves for which she is so famous. Um, I am willing to try anything that prevents me from having to wash my mane more frequently, the promise of sexy waves is just a bonus!

5. Erborian Lip Bome + Rich healing Balm – I need to break out the big guns to protect my pout during the Chicago winters and this super rich balm will do just the trick.

6. Planter’s Hyaluronic Acid Intense Hydration Face Cream – Hyaluronic acid is the beauty buzz ingredient of the moment. There is some controversy over how well it can actually be absorbed through the skin but this is the first cream I’ve found to list it as it’s main ingredient. And at about $30, it’s worth a try.

What are some of your favorite French products?

My secret skin weapon is not so secret. Hollywood starlets, professional makeup artists and models have all named Egyptian Magic as one of their go-to products. I found it about five years ago at the suggestion of my cousin, who works in the beauty industry and got tired of my constant complaining about my dry skin and winter eczema. This “all purpose skin cream” is truly just that. You can use it on burns, as a lip and facial moisturizer, a cuticle cream, and on hands and feet. I’ve even heard people say it treats bruises. Applied anywhere your skin has been bullied, this clandestine cream will soothe and heal, often with immediate results.

Kate Hudson says she uses it on overnight flights to keep her skin moisturized. For the same reason, I use it almost exclusively as a night cream during the winter months when my skin gets tight and itchy. I used to keep a jar on my desk at work for my lips and cuticles. The experts behind Egyptian Magic believe so deeply in the power of their 100% natural product that they offer a money back guarantee if for some reason you are not satisfied. But that won’t happen. One jar lasts forever and after a few tries you will find multiple uses for the beauty secret so many women swear by. Buy at amazon.com or at egyptianmagic.com.

It’s Christmas week and I am off to the Bahamas with my family. I’ll be back next week with some new posts and hopefully, fingers crossed, will be launching the new site early in January!

It’s been a secret of make-up artists and models for years and for good reason. The light coverage brightens skin and evens-out tone to reduce redness and enhance dull areas (under the eyes and around the nose and mouth). As I’ve said (in almost every beauty post), I don’t wear a lot of makeup and I don’t like spending a lot of time on my beauty routine, but I use Touche Eclat every day.

The price tag for perfection may seem steep at $40 but it lasts forever and works so well it will be the one product you won’t be able to live without. I even buy one shade darker for the summer months when I have a tan (from a bottle). You can buy Touche Eclat in any Saks Fifth Avenue or online at saksfifthavenue.com or sephora.com. It comes in 6 different shades so be sure to ask the sales associate to recommend one that is right for your skin tone, or review the recommended shades online.

When it arrived from Sephora, I was excited but hesitant because if it made my hair greasy, I would have to wash it again and we already know how I feel about wasting time. So it sat on my bathroom counter for a few weeks. But one morning (when I didn’t feel like showering) I decided to give it a shot, hoping I could create a pony that would last all day. From then on, I have been using it to create a quick, pretty ponytail in less than 2 minutes. The lotion wrangles my strands without weighing them down and leaves a subtle shine that’s not too slick looking. By using this product I’ve actually been able to keep my hair up all day long, which if you know me know is next to impossible. I am normally always fussing with it, not because I want to but because it is usually falling down and/or strands are coming loose, etc. Thanks to the Her Cut products, I am no longer a ponytail victim but am becoming something of a master.

If you have straight hair, or want a super-straight, sleek pony then try The Ponytail Styling Lotion ($22). And if you have curly hair or waves that you want to enhance, use the Curly Ponytail Styling Balm ($22). I use both because I can go either way. The entire line of Her Cut products is based on the philosophy that you should care for and style your hair based on your cut (and texture) and are available at Sephora.com. I love that they are free of parabens, sulfates and all the other nasty chemicals so many products still contain. Read labels people!

I use one other tool to create my perfect pony – Goody Ouchless Hair Elastics ($2.99 for 14). They are the only things that hold up my thick mane and sometimes I double up to create a super-secure hold that stands away from my head. Buy at drugstore.com. If you are not plagued with a head of horse hair, try Sephora Snag-Free Hair Elastics ($3.5o for 8). They come in three different colors (black, brown, and clear) and are so subtle, they almost disappear. Sadly, they only last me about an hour before my pony starts sliding down the back of my head but I have friends who use them religiously and when I put only half my hair up, they do the trick.

Do you have a favorite styling product? We’d love to hear about how you care for your hair. Leave us a comment and let us know!

xoxo Melina

Inspired by the influx of at-home electronic facial cleansers on the market and a shared obsession with keeping our skin fresh and flawless, Lauren and I decided to take two on a test drive. Here’s what we thought:

From Lauren: You might say that bronzer and mascara are my two best friends. So I am always looking for a way to remove the makeup I apply daily and keep my pores clean. I picked The Wave by Neutrogena because I’ve secretly always liked those commercials with Vanessa Hudgens (even though I end up wondering what Zac Efron sees in her – other than clear skin!). My initial skepticism after looking at the different parts (battery, cleaning pads, Wave itself) was put to rest as soon as I used it. Putting the few pieces together was simple and I was pleasantly surprised by how clean and soft my face felt – all in one step. A cleansing pad, water and a minute of my time is all it took to get a deep clean that my normal face wash could not replicate. In fact, I’ve completely replaced my old routine with the Wave, using it morning and night.

The original box for $10.99 comes with a two-week supply of cleansing pads but a variety of refills for different skincare needs (exfoliating, shine, blemish control, etc) are sold separately. Buy at Neutrogena.com and save $3. Perhaps I can be the new Neutrogena spokeswoman?

From me (Melina): I chose the DDF Revolve 400X because I got a dedicated email from Daily Candy offering a 15% discount off the hefty $95 price tag. The Revolve is an upgrade to the Neutrogena Wave Lauren tested but it does offer some additional features that validate the price. It is not, however, as expensive as some of the other brands, such as the Clarisonic ($149), I’ve been tempted to try. What I like most about the Revolve is it can be used for microdermabrasion and deep cleansing – It comes with reusable pads and a crystallized cleanser for the former and a brush for the latter. Don’t worry all you time-strapped Type-A’s, both only take one minute. They recommend using the pads no more than twice a week but the deep cleansing brush can be used daily with any face wash. Both were gentle enough for my very sensitive skin and not only made my face feel super clean but softer than ever.

Even my husband got in on the action and used the microdermabrasion tool. He loved it and it’s hard enough to get him to wash his face twice a day! You can by it at ddf.com and the 15% discount is available through October 31, 2010 by entering the promo code DailyCandy at checkout.

Be clean, be happy.

xoxo Melina and Lauren

The first step is to fight cellulite. Yes, I used the c-word. It’s there, we all have it and we all know it. So when a good friend introduced me to Soap & Glory’s Slimwear I have never been so grateful. The “triple action peptide complex” targets “problematic orange peel areas” and makes your thighs smooth and soft. The lotion is light and has a clean smell so you can use it all summer to keep those dimples at bay. We also love its’ retro pink packaging – you won’t want to hide this cute little miracle under your sink!

Next you need some color. We love a good spray tan but it’s not exactly the practical option to get you through the summer. After testing a handful of self tanners and reading tons of reviews, Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer is my recommendation. It gave me the most natural looking color without any streaks or strange brown spots. It comes in three shades for different skin colors. I use the one for fair skin and apply it every other day, which gives me a nice, light tan that lets me get away with wearing shorts and skirts as soon as the weather gets warm!

Finally, when you want to feel super sexy give yourself an extra glow with Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Body Oil Spray. This light spray is infused with little gold flecks that illuminate your skin and makes you look like you just came off the beach. The smell is fantastic too. We promise that this potion will be one of your favorite summer staples. But hurry, it’s a limited edition!

xoxo Melina

So when I found Sephora’s I.T. Smudge Shadow Brush, I questioned how I functioned all these years without it. It features a flat head with short, soft bristles making it extremely easy to shade with precision right along the lash line for a smooth daytime look or a smoky evening eye.

I am not alone in my newfound adoration. Co-created by the French architect (yes, an architect!) Philippe Di Méo and the Sephora Pro Beauty Team, this little miracle wand has been getting a lot of press, including a feature on the NY Times blog. Praised for its’ design and affordability, the entire I.T. brush collection is worth the small investment.

The smoky eye, as seen on all the celebrities these days, is one of my favorite makeup applications and so I am delighted to be able to share my strategy for creating this alluring look as well as some of my favorite products:

Step 1: I start with a primer (Ubran Decay’s Eye Shadow Primer Potion is great) to make the shadow last longer and prevent it from melting into the upper creases.

Step 2: Once the primer is dry, I coat my lids with a neutral beige color just slightly darker than my skin. Fresh’s eye shadow trio in Chamomile is a great all-in-one product that you can use to create this entire look. The Nutmeg color is my base and the Ivory color is the perfect highlighter and should be applied right below the arch of your eyebrows.

Step 3: Next, I use a narrow eyeliner brush to draw a thin line along my top lash-line.  I’ve always liked Sephora’s Professional Platinum Angled Eyeliner Brush #23 and Mac’s Fluidline in Blacktrack or Dipdown. The angle of the brush combined with the smooth gel formula make it easy to glide on for a flawless look that adds definition and really make your eyes pop.

Step 4:  Once the eyeliner dries, I use my new I.T. brush to shade just above and directly on my eyeliner with a dark brown shadow (I use the Deep Brown Shimmer color in the Fresh Trio mentioned above), drawing the line a tad thicker and fanning it out as I come to the outer corner of my eye. For a more dramatic look, I apply a second coat of the darker shadow, or even a black one (I love Chanel’s Quadra Shadow), to the upper and lower lash line.  I’m always careful not to apply too much dark shadow under my eye – I don’t want to look like Gossip Girl’s Jenny Humphrey!

Step 5: Finally, I sweep on several strokes of Mascara (I like Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes), gently gliding the brush from eyelash roots to tips, and my sultry look is complete.

I pair this eye with a neutral beige or pink gloss and some sun-kissed bronzer for a fun summer day or salacious summer night. Add this look to your beauty regime and your life will definitely imitate art!

A good friend of mine is addicted to nail polish, no matter what the season, and has great taste so I asked for her help to pick some of this summers’ best colors that will last us through Labor Day! With names like “Lacquered Up,” “Flirty Fuchsia,” and “Gold Get ‘Em,” who could resist such fun footwear flare? Click on the links below to buy our picks online or find them in your local retailers…

Essie Spring Collection 2009: Lacquerd Up

Essie Neon Collection: Flirty Fuchsia

Revlon: Gold Get’Em 900

My favorite scent is “Petite Cherie” with its rose, peach and vanilla notes in full bloom. My father bought me my first bottle a few years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since.

You can buy Petite Cherie and other Annick perfumes at Beauty.com or, as you might want to actually smell the scent before purchasing it, they are are sold in department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus all over the states.  I had the luxury of going to one of the boutique stores in Paris which was located just down the street from my apartment when I was abroad there. With its feminine pastel colored walls, and gold trimming, you wish you could buy the store itself!

Every time I put the scent on, I can’t help but feel nostalgic. It brings me back to walking down the lovely streets of Paris, baguette in hand, and a smile on my face. With this year being the scent’s tenth anniversary, and millions of limited edition, hand painted bottles sold, I guess I can’t be the only one who stops to smell the (French) roses.