Battle of the Bands

Last night in Kansas City was perhaps the most exciting night for top local bands. Mix 93.3's Battle of the Bands' final round took place last night at the Voodoo lounge. Of course we were rooting for our boys, DREW6. The boys were 3rd in line our of 7 or 8. I watched/listened to four bands before the smoke finally got too strong and threatened to dry out my just-treated hair and seep into my Prada bag.

Side note (soap-box moment): don't these club owners realize that if they want the fab people with the fab outfits to come to their clubs, they are going to have to do something about the smoke? This is exactly why we don't go clubbing (well, that and the babysitter & gas costs more than dinner and dancing)....the atmosphere ruins your hair, clothes, accessories, etc. It's disgusting and it's no wonder that people actually came out in cheap t-shirts, shorts and flip flops. To a CLUB! Why wouldn't you take that opportunity to treat yourself by wearing your most fab outfit? - oh yeah, because of the smoke!? Ok, I'm coming off as a snob. But truly, put forth effort people.

So anyway...down off the soap box.
DREW6 absolutely killed it last night! (I think "killed it" is the new thing for "was really great")
Their level of experience, confidence and ability to play many different types of music was absolutely evident and extremely impressive. With the addition of Trey DeBose tickling the sax and Happy Rhino's, JQ, doing some amazing dancing, it was a treat for the eyes and ears.

Another impressive band, though not my music style, was WOO. A bit more heavy metal than my delicate ears can handle. At least in that venue (my ears rang well after the 45 minute drive home was complete). A talented threesome with a great local following as well.

Fingers crossed that DREW6 wins the competition because Haute Market chickies will be at Red, White and Boom and be sharing our booth space with Drew for a while to pimp his new CD. PLUS, Drew & Steve will be treating our ears to some live music at the July 17th Haute Market!

Check out the next Haute Market party plans and get tickets today! Shopping, pampering and live music!

Lets Hear It For My Man...

If you're old enough to know what song that is from, I know you're cursing me right now for putting it into your head. "Let's hear it for the booooyyyyy, let's hear for my maaaaannnnn, yahyahhhaannnn." ha ha

Seriously though...my man is a good man (what a mighty good man) and he deserves a lot for putting up with me. However, he, and most other men, are so stinking hard to buy for that I'd rather just hand him the money. Of course, that would look dumb since it's his money in the first place. And the gift is supposed to be from our boys, not me. That still leaves me...hmmm...oh yes, no where with the Father's Day gift idea. I am not trusted to purchase his clothing, electronics or fine wines. What else is there?

I checked the net last night and came up with a few ideas to help us all:


The Body Shop is a great place for some small giftable items. And this offer comes with a freebie...my kind of deal. I like The Body Shop For Men Razor Relief. A highly effective lightweight, silky-smooth balm that instantly cools soothes and calms skin, minimizing irritation, redness and burning sensations that are often experienced during or after shaving.

Speaking of shaving...how about this little gadget? Listen to the news, your favorite morning TV show - or your iPod, right in the shower, with this handy shaving mirror. Lighted, fog-free mirror and features an FM radio and clock. Secures with included suction cups or adhesive tape. $99 at SkyMall.com.

Shop More Gifts for Guys>

Steppin' Out In Style

There are so many fabulous activities and events to attend and a shoe for each. I've had a $30 reward bonus voucher for DSW absolutely burning a hole in my handbag and managed to create an empty spot in the closet over the weekend. Time to shop for shoes!

I was on the lookout for something in gold. My designer friends at Sophie & Gwendalynn are making a custom item for me to wear to the West 18th Street Fashion Show this weekend and it has a touch of gold. I have no gold shoes. I found several pair, but only one that I could risk standing in for 4+ hours. The sweet little sandals are a bit understated, but will do the job. It was on my way to check out that my trained eye saw these Bobbi Blu's with ruffle and peep-toe. Have to have them! They are comfortable, unique and so pretty!

I forgot to grab some gel foot-savers from Apara. Thankfully DSW now has a great online store so I can order anytime. Slingies will be needed for the sandals. Slingies are a gel pad that slips right into the shoe and makes them so much more comfortable! The Apara Steppies have been included in our Haute Market event goodie bags for ages - great for boots. Same company, different fab product.

Now it's time to get my custom couture top, shop for the rest of the ensemble, and count down to the fashion show. Oh yes...and find an event to attend in my new Bobbi Blu's! By the way...two pair of shoes on sale and with my voucher....$25. I'm telling you girls, and they aren't paying me to say this, DSW rewards are the bomb!

Yikes - great deals at YOOX

This just in! A great tip was just sent to my inbox. A super savings deal at YOOX.com YOOX.com is very high end, but if you're in the market for such items, the sale prices are amazing!

About YOOX.com: Thanks to a direct relationship with designers, manufacturers and authorized dealers, YOOX.COM is the only destination offering an infinite mix & match of hard-to-find styles and trends. Shop over 450 top international designers such as Armani, Marni, Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel and more; at affordable prices.


Prada anyone? I'm not rushing out to purchase a pair of $700+ shoes, but if you are, then you'll be pleased to find them on sale for just $500+ now! Featuring a 5 inch heel, with satin and leather. Not to mention the bling on the heel. Yum yum. Definitely fit for summer in the city!

Or for a bit lower price, try on these beauties by MALO. Was $470, now on sale for $354. Patent leather wedges that will have you towering over all. Heel height: 5.3 Inches Wedge height: 1.4 Inches. Yowza.
Great shoes don't have to cost a fortune, but they are nice additions to the collection in the closet! :)


A fun handbag in a variety of colors that won't break the bank, by PARENTESI. Leather with zip closure, internal zip pocket and double handle. Now $60 and comes in orange, yellow, fuchsia and more!

YOOX.com definitely is NOT your typical online store. But it is a fabulous outlet for high-end designer wear and accessories.

Shipping & delivery basics
Standard Shipping: $9, 4-8 working days
Express Shipping: $19, 2-3 working days
Sales Tax: ZERO.

And the Winner Is...

Good morning fashionistas. I apologize for the delay in posting the winners of the ticket give away. I seem to have suffered a migraine yesterday. If a debilitating headache that renders you completely useless and nautious is a migraine, that is. I promise I didn't blow you off so that I could shop the latest sales. Though I wouldn't fault you for wondering.

Who is going to the West 18th Street Fashion Show? Hopefully all you you! However, one lucky reader of our weekly Haute Buzz newsletter is going for free.

The West 18th Street Fashion Show is an eclectic Kansas City tradition. A theatrical show that will delight your peepers for certain. You must attend this event to truly be a fashionista.

As always, General Admission is FREE, but wouldn't you rather receive VIP swag bags filled with fashionable goodies and be surrounded by models, designers, press and other fashionistas in reserved VIP seating? A limited number of VIP Tickets will be available for this year's West 18th Street Fashion Show. Get yours today!

And now for the winner of two VIP seats to the show:

Toliece B. She correctly answered the trivia question, "which year did the show theme center on something edible, and what was the theme title". "Chocolate Summer, 2006".

Summer Sun

The heat is bearing down and the clothes are coming off. Well, hopefully not all of them. At least not in public. But gals about town are starting to show more skin and wear fewer frocks.
I've compiled a quick list of some must-have items for a hot, sunny day in the city.

Always carry a great lip gloss in a neutral color. Try philosophy's supernatural lip gloss, in neutral. Minty fresh with moisturizers, compact size for an evening clutch. I found mine for $15 at drugstore.com.

Sunscreen is an absolute must. I try to use SPF 30 or higher. Make sure you use a product that protects against UVA and UVB. Dr. Michelle Copeland Skin Care SPF - 40 Lotion Mist Sun Block, the only high SPF product in a spray. Developed by renowned New York plastic surgeon, Dr. Michelle Copeland, this SPF-40 in a spray lotion protects against UVA & UVB exposure, plus contains aloe. 4 oz container for $30 at drugstore.com.

A quickie, two-in-one product that I love is the tinted moisturizer. Stila has one that has won the prestigious Best of Sephora awards. This light, hydrating formula is packed with sun protection and just enough color to even skin tone. Ideal for all skin types, comes in several shades, and coverage is long lasting. $32 at beauty.com.

Last but not least...if you are going to be wearing a flimsy fabric, spaghetti straps and no bra, do us all a favor and slap on a set of these cover ups. Hollywood Fashion Tape Cover Ups, Reusable Nipple Concealers

Party Announcement!

It's the news you have been waiting for! The official announcement of the next Haute Market shopping event:

The Haute Market 2nd Birthday Party and Shopping Extravaganza!

July 17th, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now! Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter for special savings.

After Sex

How does everyone feel after having seen Sex and the City this past weekend? I am a little let down. It seemed so rushed. A year of SATC covered in two hours? It just can't be done. I like the slow moving, yet riveting plots of the TV shows...getting immersed in the characters' lives and more emotionally involved with them. This movie just covered too much. It should have been split into part one and part two.
Of course I loved the Cinderella ending, the amazing clothes & shoes, and seeing our four old friends. Without giving too much away...it is still worth seeing, but expect something different than the tv series where it took 3-4 episodes for Carrie to date someone new, or an entire 20-30 minutes for Charlotte to pick out a pair of shoes.

I can't help but wonder...will there be a new generation of four best friends in the city? It would be fun, but will never take the place of the original.

Cheers!

The Sexy Premier

It's finally here. Well, in 12 hours actually.
Our Sex and the City party starts at 5:30 tonight at Deegie's Carma. Our movie showtime is 7:30. Twelve short hours until we find out what Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha have been up to, until we see the fabulous frocks and fashions that have been talked about for months.

Do you have your outfit picked ladies? I have my Carrie outfit ready. Fabulous party dress. Jeweled purse. Sassy shoes. One big bling ring and one bling bracelet.
Yikes! Need earrings! No time to shop. I think I'll make a pair just for tonight.

But first I must lead my non-Carrie life.....kids to the doctor, indoor play plans now that the rain is pouring down, etc. Looks like it's a craft day - help mommy make a new pair of earrings. :)
Then it's prep time. Hair, sunless tanner, pedicure.

Get moving girls. It's the twelve hour countdown. Wherever you may be partying and watching tonight, I hope it's rain free and fabulous!

A Carrie Quote: "Dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style."

Sexy Stuff

SJP and crew have hit NYC with force and fab clothes. The fab four are touring the town, promoting the Sex and the City movie, wearing frocks that can turn you green with envy. SJP recently wore a silver gown by Nina Ricci that is so fabulous, I can't stop staring at the photos.

I am so excited for our Sex and the City party at Deegie's Carma tomorrow night. Sips and snacks, goodie bags, shopping discounts AND the movie! A true SATC-ish event.

So let's see how many are actually reading the blog today. I had several squeaky wheels begging, very kindly, for tickets to the party. I just emailed my main man, Dave, at the Legends Theater and snatched up 10 more tickets! Now is your chance. Read the blog regularly and you shall be rewarded. There are 10 tickets added to our online store. Go buy tickets and get into the hottest Sex and the City party in Kansas City!

If you don't get tickets to our party, try joining our friends at http://www.nightofindulgence.com/ for their SATC party in Independence, MO at the Fox & Hound.

Beauty Tip Winner

Did you hear your beauty tip on air yesterday?
Of the dozens of fabulous beauty tips submitted by our readers, I picked one that was easy to remember and do.
So congratulations to our winner, Megan H, from Roeland Park. You've won two tickets to Red, White and Boom - the ultimate summer concert, two tickets to the July Haute Market, and some fabulous swag from the Haute Market goodie vault.

Megan's tip: "Never leave home without blotting papers in the summer. Some women try to cover up shine and perspiration with powder, but when it's hot outside it can turn your face into a mess! Just blot off any excess sweat and shine and dab a lightweight tinted moisturizer onto areas that need some camo (great if you have some with SPF). I swear by this summer skin fix! "

Neutrogena Shine-Control Blotting Sheets $6.99 at drugstore.com. I found mine set on sale at Walgreen's for $5.59. A lesser expensive, though not as effective, option are the organic cotton round pads. Useful for dabbing at perspiration and a variety of other needs.

For more great tips and info on where to find the fab products I featured on FOX4, check the web page and don't forget to watch the TV clip!

Cheers!

Happy Monday!

I hope it's a vacation day for you too. Enjoy the day and check in tomorrow morning for a review of the beauty tips I'll give on Kansas City's FOX4 tv tomorrow around 8:50 a.m.

Cheers!

Get Shirted

Everyone is mad for shirt dresses right now. They can be found at every price range, in every color, in nearly every apparel store. It's an easy piece to grab out of the closet and accessorize with ease. I grabbed a few off the net to show you examples of the range of possibility.

This Tahari stretch cotton shirtdress $138 Macy's, is available in black and cobalt. I don't care for the pleated skirt, but a lot of people like this recent trend reminiscent of the 50's. The small belt gives it a crisp finish.



Macy's also sells this Style&Co. shirt dress. A bit more hip with it's long belt and button detail with patch pockets on the chest ($69). It makes a big difference in the look with the shoes you choose. Sass it up with a higher heel, possibly a more comfortable wedge for the work day.

At Target online I found a cheaper version of the shirt dress but it lacks the detail that make shirt dresses look put together and chic. The cap sleeve is nice, but it's missing the collar. It's leaning more toward the wrap-style. Still a comfortable piece at an affordable price, on sale for $29.99.

I'm pretty sure that I have a picture of my grandma in this dress. It just goes to show that the trends circle through time and resurface unexpectedly. Some come back to haunt us. I panicked when leggings came back. I'm still in therapy for what the 80's did to my wardrobe and tender teenage psyche. Dressing like grandma seems far less risky than dressing "like a virgin".

Our Homeboy

Did you hear the collective screams at a few minutes before 9pm last night? If you were anywhere near the Kansas City metro it would have been hard to miss. As our home-town boy, David Cook, was announced as the 2008 American Idol, the roar was unleashed our little metro finally had something to celebrate.
Part of me didn't want him to become so further tied to the Idol cult. I'd rather see him on his own, performing on his terms, deciding how he dresses and does his hair.
So hopefully he still gets to call the shots, choose his style and keeping amazing us.
Congrats David and the Cook family. KC is proud!

SATC

Stay tuned for news about our Sex and the City movie party, on premier night of course, Friday, May 30th. Save the date. Join us at the Legends theaters for the hottest ticket this spring!

Sex Sounds

Get the soundtrack for Sex And The City at Amazon.com
Spunky sounds of Fergie - Labels or Love. The amazing India Arie - The Heart of the Matter (originally by Don Henley). Even Jennifer Hudson, who has a part in the movie as Carrie's young assistant, sings a tune for the soundtrack. Ten days until the movie!!!

The Sex Guide

It's not what you think. I have no tips and tricks for that area. We simply drink a lot of wine and it all works out...though often results in a new addition to our family 9 months later.

No...this is all about your Sex and the City guide. Just two weeks until the U.S. release of the fabulous new movie we've all been waiting for. The ultimate chick-flick movie for you and your girlfriends to enjoy. Haute Market has a fabulous party in the works to celebrate the new show, shop like Carrie Bradshaw, and watch the movie with our big group of Haute fashionistas.

The Sex and the City characters are the ultimate fashionistas. Carrie Bradshaw, though fictional, is real in our minds and has become a fashion icon to the world. The stunning clothes, towering heels and quirky accessories gave us all a little something to aspire to.

Not that I have many places to wear such outfits. My only trip to Paris was with a toddler in tow and baby #2 baking in the oven...not much opportunity for a fashion statement. It was after baby #3 that I decided to step it up a knotch and become a fashionista. Now I'm planning parties and trips just so I can wear the fabulous frocks I find. New York Fashion Week is in just a few short months but I can't wait that long to shake the dust off some fab clothes and let them see the light of day.

So get out your girly dresses that would make Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte proud. Strap on your high heels, grab your best handbag and join me and the Haute crew next Friday night for the release party. Official announcement will be next Tuesday in the weekly Buzz, our e-newsletter. Details on where, when and how to get tickets will be included.

This will be THE SATC party to attend in Kansas City ladies. Do not miss your chance to see and be seen at our fabulous event.
Stay fashionable ladies.

As Seen In - SATC!

I am so excited for the release of the Sex and the City Movie. Tickets to see WICKED next week and SATC the next. My May calendar couldn't be better. Except that I should probably get a new pair of shoes that Ms. Carrie would be proud of.

The Christian Dior pair that Carrie wears several times throught the movie is not for shoe sissys with their 4.45" heels. Not to mention that the price tag demands that you love the shoes and plan to wear them until 2020.

The SATC movie will be the fashion-watchers dream with all the fabulous clothing, shoes and handbags. Get your tickets now because theaters are selling out!

Hookers in High School?

What in the heck is going on with high school prom fashion? Are these high schoolers or high-end hookers (excuse me...escorts is the p.c. word now)? Just because the dress is in the store doesn't make it ok for you to dress like a whore. A lot of stores carry a lot of stuff...doesn't mean it is all fashionable or tasteful. In fact, many of the local Kansas City stores don't even get the top fashions in the stores. That stuff goes to to bigger stores in bigger cites. So please don't settle ladies.

Back to the prom dress issue. These girls are just that...GIRLS. There is no reason for them to be wearing a dress with the back cut out down to the butt crack and the front cut down nearly to the belly button.
People wonder what is wrong with kids these days??? Try this folks...tell your kids NO once in a while.
If a skin revealing, barely covering dress is what your daughter is allowed to wear to prom, imagine what she'll wear on a night out in college. Put some condoms in her purse because that will be the most responsible thing you do as you let her out of the house in that number.

I'm not sure if I'm glad to not have girls, or worried that my boys won't keep their tongues in their mouths or say something lewd when their dates show up looking like high-paid street walkers. My husband, however, probably looks forward to the show. Thankfully we have about 7 more years to watch as the trash fashions evolve.

More Brush Lust

Recently Haute Market featured an article about makeup brushes. Marie Claire magazine also had a take on brush lust, proving that while sometimes you need to splurge for the best outcome, there are a few inexpensive winners out there.

e.l.f. is one brand receiving the buzz about brushes with their concealer brush, no. 5 on the photo, at just $1. I still opt to spend more on a foundation, bronzer or all-over brush. But for a concealer, $1 works fine for me! An e.l.f. deal: FREE SHIPPING on $45 order. Coupon:SHIP45

One tip I've learned...the cheaper the brush, the more likely the hairs will fall out and the ends be uneven, which feels more scratchy on your face than a good brush with proper construction and finer hairs.

There really is a difference. I think the best brush should be foundation, if you use a powder foundation. Your overall blender/powder brush is next. I like this one featured in Marie Claire, ninth one on the row, from Clinique.
Also at least one good brush for the eye make up. Throw away those tiny sponge-tip applicators. The rest I've gone cheaper on and seem to be doing ok.
Good luck ladies!

Crazy for David

Kansas City was mad for David Cook last Friday. My friends at FOX4 had the best time with David in the studio Friday morning. Check it out here.
I hear that his performances were fantastic and that his busy day was packed with emotions and memorable moments. Like the fact that David had never performed in front of such a large crowd before.
I would love to see David win Idol, but I think either way, he's going on to be a star. What I really hope is that he and brother, Andrew, team up for a fab duo that will really rock our socks off!

Faking It

If you're new around here...I'll let you in on a fab tip that everyone should know:
fake lashes are the new sliced bread! Do you really think all those Hollywood starlets have eyes like that naturally? Ok, a few do. The rest are totally faking it. And...who cares? If you've ever tried it and seen a photo or video of yourself after, you're on the same train I am. Of course I am sooo thrilled to find e.l.f. cosmetics has a set of fake lashes for just $1. I'm absolutely serious. Just $1. It's worth it just to experiment. Add a dozen to your cart and you're set for months (well..that is, if you don't get out much, like me)! (Natural Lash Kit)

Speaking of experimenting...I need to. I have my standard every day look...well, every day. Then there is the tv makeup and that I've memorized from the occasional sessions with my professional make up artist and friend, Staci Broski. She'll probably frown on me for buying the cheap stuff...but it's a great way for me to try and learn babe. Don't hate me. The tv make up is great, but when I'm on at 8am, that makeup doesn't carry over too well in the early light of day.

So in my e.l.f. shopping bag today is this $5 kit for smokey eyes. It comes with a lash curler, which I probably haven't used since prior to the last democratic president was in office. Also a set of instructions claiming 5 products for $5 in 5 minutes. I should probably video tape this one. It might win comedy of the year.

Here is a deal for you: FREE SHIPPING on $45 order. Coupon:SHIP45

For the Love of the Bag

Depending on the day, I could be obsessing over shoes or bags...it's a toss up. Today, it's bags. After spending a gagillion on bags and being totally busted by my hubby, I've turned to an old friend Etsy.com, in search of emerging designers with fab style sense and eye for detail (not to mention price tags that won't get me the third degree).

I adore this wallet by Cotton Purr. This designer, out of Georgia, has more than her southern flair going for her. The construction looks fantastic. I love the colors that are spot on for Spring trend matching. It even has 6 card slots that can hold 2-3 cards each! You mean I can carry all the kids' dental cards, health insurance cards, my driver's license and 1/2 dozen credit cards? You're singing my song sister! This is WAY more trendy than the boring COACH wallet I've been carrying and a way better price. At just $34 each...I can afford this and not wince each time I spill coffee on it.

Colbie Concert

Friday, May 2nd, was the Colbie Callait concert in Kansas City. A few of us fashionista's sweet-talked our way into the private balcony to enjoy the show like no one else could!
The concert was held at The Uptown. A beautiful and historic theater that I hope I'll visit more often.
It was really fantastic to see an up and coming artist in such an intimate venue. The innocence and pure joy in a newer artist is something you don't get to enjoy often because eventually a big managing company swoops in and takes over, mutating some artists into something they are not. I don't see this happening to Colbie. Stay real girl.

Video clips of the concert on the Haute Myspace page.

Certain Girls

Jennifer Weiner, writer of many great chick lit books, has a new book, Certain Girls, that she talks about on this Podcast, recorded 4/13/2008.(This recording contains explicit content.)

Philadelphia author Jennifer Weiner writes novels and stories full of wit, spunk, and sharp insights into human nature. Her 2002 novel, In Her Shoes, was adapted into a critically acclaimed film starring Cameron Diaz and Shirley MacLaine; and her other books including Little Earthquakes, Goodnight Nobody, and The Guy Not Taken have all topped nationwide bestseller lists. Kirkus Review describes Certain Girls, the sequel to the smash debut, Good in Bed as "a touching examination of both the comic and tragic moments that mark the mother-daughter relationship."

Check it out.

Mascara - Guest Blogger

We put another product to the test. Lancome's Courbe Virtuose mascara.
It's claim:
A LANCÔME FIRST:100° LASH CURVE WITH DIVINE LENGTH ALL DAY.
CurlGuard™ formula lengthens and holds a divine lash curve for 12 hours.
The KeepCurl™ brush provides an outstanding eyelash curler effect.
Long-lasting formula is virtually smudge-proof, tear-proof and easily removable.


This is what our guest blogger, Judi, had to say:
"Here is the scoop on the Lancôme Mascara that you had me try. I have been trying it now for about 3 weeks and I use my own one day and the Lancôme the opposite days. Not sure how much this mascara is but it did take me a couple of tries to get used to the shape of the handle. You have to hold it a certain way to be able to apply the makeup. I usually put my eye make-up on early in the morning 7ish but with this mascara by about 5 or 5:30 I started to get black eye under my eyes. It did not last all way and it also would ball up on the tips of my lashes... not sure what that is all about. Anyway I would have to say I would stick with something else before I would go out and buy this one. "

Ooh, sorry Lancome. At just over $20 per tube, this isn't one I'll go try to give it a second chance either. I'm still loving my L'Oreal Telescopic mascara. You have to be patient at first to learn how to use this new style of brush, but it gives my lashes such great color and length, it's worth it.
Search for your faves:

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Zit Zapper Report

Good morning fashionistas. In our quest for a bit more beauty, it's nice to know that a new tool is on our side. The Zeno Zapper is a hand held unit that helps minimize and destroy blemishes. I think it's a genius idea.

Back in November we ran a contest in which two of our lucky readys won a Zeno Zapper. Here is what one of them has to say about it:
"The Zeno Zapper truly works. The heat from the zapper kills the bacteria of the blemish and it actually does decrease the size and redness in a day or so. I was bummed that it doesn't work on "cycstic" blemishes, since I tend to get those. But overall I like the Zeno Zapper. " Jen G.

A huge thanks to Aestheticare Med Spa for donating the Zeno Zappers. Visit Aestheticare for your own Zeno Zapper. They are located on College Blvd. in Overland Park, KS.

Also available at Beauty.com.