The Limited at Arrowhead Towne Center is opening tomorrow and to celebrate, everything in the store will be 40% off all weekend long! If Arrowhead isn’t exactly in your neck of the woods don’t fret, all of The Limited stores in the Valley are participating with 40% off from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2. And, a portion of proceeds will  be donated to Glendale’s From the Heart Program. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month so know that anything you purchase at The Limited this weekend will be going to help out a good cause.

The Limited Arrowhead Towne Center

The Limited Grand Opening

So how exactly can you win the $50 gift card? Just leave a comment below; I’ll be picking a random winner by 3pm tomorrow, September 30, 2011, and you can pick up your gift card at The Limited at Arrowhead Towne Center Mall. Good luck!

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I am a total pain in the ass when it comes to mascara. Pretty much nothing pleases me. I’ve been attached to most of Maybelleine’s products (except Great Lash) for as long as I can remember. And have encountered very few that come in a close second.

But lately, my must-have-obsession has started to fizzle. Either my eyelashes have changed, I’ve had a string of bad luck or Maybelleine has secretly changed the formula. I did a Google search and found (just one) other girl with the same complaint. Lately, it seems the formula has been much thicker leading to clumped lashes and a substance that’s super hard to take off, like waterproof mascara. And sadly, I’m no longer in love.

So when I was offered to try the new Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes mascara I thought hey, why not?

Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara

The tube itself is quite pretty. But when it comes to mascara, this isn’t what sells me. It’s the magic formula that really counts.

While I sometimes prefer a curved wand, this one is thick to fully coat your outside lashes and becomes thinner toward the end. I actually liked this; the thinner spikes made it easy to coat those hard-to-reach inner lashes on the upper and lower lashline.

The wand is thin-to-thick making it easy to coat inner lashes

As for the formula itself, it’s quite light and I’m used to something much juicier, so I was afraid it would flake easily. But, that wasn’t the case. After several coats, I was actually able to achieve the same lush, thick lashes I get from my former mascara love. And since the formula is light, it doesn’t clump and was easy to take off.

Before applying Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes

After applying Lancome Doll Lashes mascara

I’ve been using Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes mascara for a few days now and it lasts all day without flaking. If it lasts 30 days, I’ll be sure to let you know in which case, it definitely passes the test.

Have you tried Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes mascara or any other great mascaras lately I should try?

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Forget Cabbage Patch Kids, Barbie was always my girl. She’s fun, beautiful, effortlessly stylish, and seems to have it all. Barbie has inspired young girls for years and even as a grown up, there’s plenty of people who continue obsessed. It’s one of the many reasons why there’s so many avid Barbie collectors and even designers like Vera Wang and Christian Louboutin have  fashioned outfits for the doll. At least when it comes to fashion, there’s plenty of things we can learn. Here’s 5 things Barbie taught me about style.

1. Dress for success

A lot of careers, but always a doll

Throughout the years, Barbie has had more than 100 careers! And she always looks good. Always. Whether she’s sitting pretty behind a desk as a news anchor or tending to pets as a veterinarian, Barbie always dresses the part and looks her best.

Barbie helps the pets

A journalist, like me!

Lesson learned? We’re likely to wear a lot of hats in our lives too. Through different careers, relationships, situations and more. So why not dress the part? It seems to work for Barbie. And she looks fabulous doing it.

2. Find your “magic” color

Barbie works in her signature pink in a Jonathan Adler dress

Do I even have to say it? Obviously Barbie knows her color, and boy does she work it! From the malibu dream house and car to accessories and just about every outfit, Barbie loves to surround herself with pink.

Lesson learned? Find what works for you and embrace it! Not only is she always out in a color that’s complementary, the color has become her style staple and part of her brand.

3. Heels are always sexy

Christian Louboutin Barbie soles

Whether she’s pushing a stroller or jetting off to work, Barbie is always running in heels. She’s literally designed to always be on her tip toes. How could we overlook the fact that even Barbie knows that heels are always sexy? So much so Christian Louboutin even designed a Barbie pink shoe for her 50th birthday (pictured above).

4. Experiment with your ‘do

Barbie goes brunette in a DVF wrap dress

Long and blonde may be her signature ‘do, but Barbie isn’t afraid to try something new! From short and sassy to long, layered, dark and even bangs, Barbie has tried just about every hair style.

Barbie tries a honey-color updo in her Vera Wang bridal gown

Barbie rocks the bob

Lesson learned? Don’t be afraid to experiment with your mane, you never know what you may be missing out on!

5. A smile is your best accessory

Smiles and glamour to celebrate Ken's birthday

Forget designer bags and lust-worthy shoes (well, just for a second). The best accessory you can flaunt is confidence and a smile. No matter what the situation, Barbie always struts her stuff with total confidence. She’s always sexy and looks like she’s ready to have a good time.

Lesson learned? Confidence and a smile really are your best assets. If you feel great no matter what you’re wearing, you’ll look great too.

What do you guys think? Has Barbie inspired you in any way?

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Posh places for pampering seem to be popping up everywhere these days. From the chic blowout bars like Drybar and Park Avenue Blow Dry to swanky salons like 20 Lounge, they’re everywhere! And that makes us gals happy. After all, who doesn’t like a little beauty with a side of bubbly?

Haven’t experienced 20 Lounge yet? Stop by this Thursday for their Chic and Cheap event, celebrating their second anniversary. The chic nail lounge is debuting a new menu, a new retail line of products and their new bubbly menu. And if you haven’t been before, it’s the perfect time to stop in; they’re doing complimentary mini manis, pedis and eyebrow shaping for the evening. Oh yes, there’s Champagne and beer too. No complaints here!

20 Lounge Scottsdale

Pedicure stations at 20 Lounge

I popped into 20 Lounge myself earlier this week to experience their sugar scrub pedi and a shellac manicure. It’s the perfect girls-day-out spot with comfy pedicure stations and sexy music videos playing in the background. I was a little too chicken to try a glitter shellac, not sure all that bling is for me, but you can see they have plenty of pretty colors to choose from below.

Shellac and glitter options at 20 Lounge

Champagne with my manicure? Yes, please!

And no, this place doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Manicures start at just $20, pedicures at $30 and there are even facial offerings too. For membership info and more pricing info, check out the 20 Lounge service menu.

This Thursday’s event is free and open to the public. Just be sure to RSVP at 480.699.8900 and mention you saw this event on StyleSizzle!

Thursday September 22, 2011: 530pm to 830pm

20 Lounge Nail & Beauty Bar at Seville Plaza
7001 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 166
Scottsdale, AZ 85255

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Designers for Target: Good idea or bad idea?
Even if you aren’t the least bit interested in fashion, you’ve likely heard of the whole Missoni for Target mess. Even the New York Times featured an article in which marketing execs called the execution a total fail. How could a brand as major as Target not anticipate the blood-lust-want from hungry fashionistas? How could the website of a massive retailer be down for HOURS? How could such limited supply be stocked?

Everyone went nuts for the zig zag prints

Needless to say, there’s been plenty of outrage.

I didn’t even bother. For whatever reason, this latest Target designer collaboration just didn’t do it for me. Sure, the bike and the zig zag wellies would have been cute, but I definitely wasn’t waiting hours in line, or scouring eBay for these finds which are now being sold for almost as much as their luxury counterparts.

I love a good Target designer collaboration; I’ve picked up some Zac Posen for Target and Lanvin for H&M too. But I wonder, are these collaborations really good for designers?

Clearly Louboutin knockoffs; is it really worth paying less?

Luxury designs are luxury for a reason: you pay for what you get. This means talented designs, high-end fabrics and often items that are handmade. With a Target collaboration, you’re getting the designer name. Maybe even the talent behind it. But part of what makes these garments so amazing is the fabrics and time invested to put them together. There’s a reason Forever 21 tops fall apart after just a few washes. Which leads me to a few questions:

Are designers  just out to make a quick buck?

Obviously, the economy sucks. People aren’t dropping thousands on the “IT” bag like they used to. Is this the designer’s version of “selling out”, just to make investors happy?

Do they value their own work?

I may have loathed the Kardashian’s for BEBE collaboration, but it looked and felt like them. As in, I could see the girls wearing it, and enjoying it. For real fashion designers, however, who are trained in working with the best people and the best materials, can they honestly look at a Target-produced dress and say, “I’m proud of this!” “I’d definitely wear this out in public!”?

Kardashians for BEBE? At least I can picture them wearing this.

These shoes? Really? Doubt Paris Hilton would ever wear her own "designs".

Does it devalue the cache of their current work?

If I can get Rodarte, Lanvin, Zac Posen, Missoni and other designers at a fraction of the price, why would I bother to pay 4 times as much for their luxury collections?

I can pick up a Missoni for Target scarf, starting at $38.

Missoni for Target scarves, starting at $38

I can also get a real Missoni scarf, starting at $138.

A real Missoni scarf, starting at $138

Fashion for the masses

My last question: you could argue it’s always an avenue to introduce high-end fashion to the masses. A way to bring in new consumers and introduce someone to the brand. But wouldn’t the point of luxury and high-end fashion be moot if it was accessible to everyone? And are you really gaining “new” consumers or hungry Target fashionistas?

What do you guys think? Is designing for Target a good idea or bad idea?

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Need a hair cut? Sassoon Salon in Scottsdale is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week and is hosting an “Anniversary Day Celebration” on Thursday, September 22nd, full of hot happenings and sweet deals. The first 10 clients to call and book an appointment saying “Happy Anniversary” will get 1991′s pricing! Cuts will start at $49, regularly $72, and tints will start at $49, regularly $80!

Sassoon Salon fall 2011 looks

For everyone else, you can enjoy:

• $19.91 off the bill
• 90s music all day
• Delicious snacks
• Drinks
• Product and service giveaways
• and much more!

*Please note, the $19.91 is not valid for the clients who receive 1991 pricing.

To book, call 480.949.3337. The Salon is located at 6961 East Fifth Avenue in Scottsdale.

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

W Scottsdale WET pool deck

This week, FabulousArizona has lots of variety on the agenda. From spa pampering and a fashion show to comedian Jay Mohr, there’s plenty to do to keep us busy! Where will you choose to play this weekend?

9/16 Noir Part Deux Fashion Show at W Scottsdale

The first fashion event of the Fall 2011 season, Noir Part Deux, sponsored by Ferrari Scottsdale, will take place poolside at WET at W Scottsdale on Friday, September 16 at 10:00 p.m.

9/17 Third Annual Tour de Light Rail

The 3rd Annual Tour de Light Rail, the “Greatest Pub Crawl on Rails”, returns Saturday, September 17, 2011 in Phoenix.

9/19 Beauty, Balance & Play Day at Spa Lamar

Join Arizona Spa Girls at Spa Lamar in Scottsdale for a day of Beauty, Balance & Play on Sunday, September 18, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

9/19 Sundays Live at Scottsdale Quarter: Johnny Anonymous

Scottsdale Quarter presents Sundays Live at the Quarter, featuring Johnny Anonymous, a rock cover band, on Sunday, September 18, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Quad.

9/15-9/18 Jay Mohr at Stand Up Live

Comedian Jay Mohr will perform at Stand Up Live Comedy Theater at CityScape in Downtown Phoenix September 15-18, 2011.

For more events visit FabulousArizona.com and follow Fab AZ on Twitter.

Clé de Peau Beauté La Crème Review

Let me just start by saying, this stuff is no joke. Its price tag is beyond steep (Found a Cle De Peau Beaute The Cream 1oz./30ml bottle for $315 on Amazon, normally $525). And it actually works too. Damn well. So why do I not sound more excited? Because I really wanted to hate this stuff. And I just can’t.

Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ La Crème is the stuff celebs and socialites swear by, and now I know why. While more often than not you pay for what you get, there are a lot of good drugstore beauty buys out there we can get at an affordable price. At $775 for 1.7 oz., the equivalent of a pair of shoes, a purse, several shoes maybe, it’s a bit hard to drop that kind of cash on overnight moisturizer. But if you want radiant, luminous skin and are willing to see what all the fuss is about consider giving La Crème a shot.

La Crème

Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ products promise to deliver absolute radiance. What’s their secret ingredient? Here’s their philosophy, straight from their website:

“The unprecedented science of our most amazing revelation: skin has a brain. Empowered by exclusive Neuro Skin Theory, Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ has been born anew. Working with skin’s own mechanisms to optimize functionality, Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ creates a more nurturing, uplifting environment for skin to process information. Negative stresses such as UV rays and dryness are blocked. Each cell positively beams with radiance, from birth and beyond. Now, regardless of age skin can ‘think for itself’ and live a more beautiful, more exquisitely radiant life.”

La Crème

I’ve been sampling the product for about a week or so and can tell you every morning I wake up, my skin looks amazing. The cream is light and silky with just enough thickness for a good overnight moisturizing job. It won’t leave you a crazy shiny mess either like many overnight moisturizers, a personal pet peeve since greasy-looking nighttime skin that has an overpowering floral scent is hardly sexy.

If you get a chance, check out your local Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus and try to snag a sample before taking the big plunge.

Have you tried Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ La Crème? What did you think?

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