Askalisonsadvicesisters blog archives 2005-2006 now complete

I'm pleased to announce that I have finally fixed the 2005-2006 Archives for my blog. Now you can easily access every post I've created from the right hand sidebar Archives. Please take a look!

ALISON

Got2B Hair Products Lauch-lots of fun and great products for your hair

Last night I attended a cute event-- a launch for new styling products for men (Magnetik) and for women *styl/tini) from the clever, got2B hair care products line. Got2B grabs the attention of the youth culture, focusing on individuality of expression. Got2B is inspired by hot fashion trends and a rock n roll atttitude, but I've seen plenty of "over-30-somethings" putting these products in their market baskets, too. The press literature says that the Got2B "Spiking Glue" is the #1 glue/pomade/wax and the #2 styling product sold in the U.S.

This launch event was held at BED nightclub on the 6th floor of a loft on 27th Street, all the way west between 10th & 11th Aves in Manhattan, made even more popular by mentions on "Sex and the City." The freight elevator taking you to the venue is so long, two elephants could stand truck to trunk in it without any dificulties! The feature, of course, is memory foam beds you sit on instead of cocktail tables. For this event, the beds with covered with little black Got2B pillows, which made an eye-catching statement.

Inside, patent-leather-clad young girls, and hunky, shirtless guys sported body paint featuring the got2b logo. They also held trays of attractive drinks featuring rum and vodka. On one side of the cavernous club, dimly lit and pulsing with light and music, was a "vodka bar" (chosen to reflect the "party lifestyle" theme of the styl/tini products being launched) where guests could choose a "flavor" (jalapenos, candy canes, bubble gum, basil, ginger, mini m&ms, etc.) to add to their personal bottle of Absolut, as a favor to take home. I choose candy canes (this being the season) and was delighted to see that they created a lovely, pink vokda which I've yet to taste, but I'm sure will be delicious! This was definitely a popular spot, but the other side of the club had another table where guests could learn about (and sample) the effects of pheromones...the feature ingredient in Magnetik--the men's newest products. I researched pheromones when I was writing the Everything Dating Book 2nd Edition, which was published by Adams Media last December, and thankfully is still in the bookstores. Pheromones are chemicals that bypass conscious systems to trigger specific, often sexual, responses. Each person has a unique pheromone molecule that carries a one of a kind, chemical signature. Although you might not be aware of it, your personal pheromone messenger molecules are continuously whirling off your body and into the air around you. They rise up from the recesses of your sweat glands, and they linger in strands of your hair. Most scientists agree that humans process pheromones as strong, sexual stimulants. Obviously, an attractive scent is not the only way to attract someone, but you can't force chemistry where there isn’t any. Anyway, I allowed a bit of the pheremone that supposedly attracts men to women, to be applied to the back of my hands. There were other choices, but I didn't want to attract women, and the other two were for men to attract either men, or women). I can't say whether or not the substance attracted anyone since I just went home, but I was given a small vial to try at home...so stay tuned!

Magnetik is the first-ever hair styling collection for men with female-attracting pheromones right in the products. Magnetik Styling Gel will be selling for just $5.99 and provides shine, and a firm (but flexible) grip on a guy's style, without flaking. The packaging is black, with futuristic red and silver logo. The Magnetik styling gel comes in a black tube with a flip top and the Magnetik Texturing Pomade comes in a black "cue-ball" container which is quite striking. This adds definition and separation with intense hold and a bit of shine. For $5.99, it could be a young man's "hope in a jar" for attracting the girl of his dreams. In either case, the products are nice, and they should give him great looking hair at a fantastic price!

The styl/tini line takes a different approach--24-hour performance so you can party all night and still look great the next day. The packaging of these products is fun, bright, lighthearted. The scents remind me of cosmopolitans and melon-tinis. Five new products -- all priced at $5.99, offer texture, hold, hair thickening, anti-frizz, and silky hair. Use one, or use them all. The Advice Sisters received some of the products to try, and we will be reviewing them in an upcoming What Works Beauty, Cosmetics, and Fashion Review column--so watch for it. We think we're going to really like these!

Swarovski Crystal's Beautiful "Bling" Spring Preview

The lights are glittering on Fifth Avenue in New York, but last Tuesday, on the West Side, the Swarovski Crystal preview for Spring, 2007, glittered even more brightly. In the first room I was ushered into, the items in the Couture Collection eclipsed the lovely views of Manhattan. Nearly every (but not all) of the jewelry, accessories and home items are created with crystal, which makes sense, but the Spring collections (there is more than one) have been created to cater to different tastes, and budgets. The pricey ($1,000+) Couture Collection is available only in Swarovski boutiques, and they are collector's items -- true works of art: chunky rings that glitter on fingers (and the pointer finger is the place for a big ring right now), handbags that look like crown jewels to carry your essentials, and (my favorite): some delicate, long necklaces linked with chains and crystals, that look like a rain shower of sparkle in pale hues. Just gorgeous!

For those with a beer and peanuts budget, don't despair! There are more popularly-priced items in the bridal and regular collections that are within range of reality. From the "Sands of Time" collection is a headband literally encrusted with crystal mesh, held in place by a discreet elastic for only $155.00. I thought I saw Paris Hilton in a magazine recently, wearing something similar, and it's head-turning! Not really too much for an accessory you can use over and over and dress up even last years' special occasion clothes with! There's also a bridal collection. My favorite piece was a long "scarf" necklace held in place with a dove-wing pin that can be worn as a drape and a variety of different ways. Brides with "back cleavage" will adore this and wear it for happily ever-after! There is also an amazing "tiara" ($390.00) made modern with large crystal flowers that stick out from the top. I guess you could add a veil to it, but I am thinking "lucky is the second-time bride who just wants a great headpiece--nothing more).

I didn't get the prices on some fabulous, crystal bowls featuring large, crystal "flowers" but they were gorgeous! Ditto the belts and wallets (FYI: the wallets have Italian sizing). You can purchase the non-couture collections in fine department stores. Hopefully, The Advice Sisters will be able to personally review some of the items I saw this week, along with prices.

The word "Swarovski" is synonymous with gorgeous, high end crystal. I have always been a great fan of shiny objects, big and small, and I think every woman needs some sparkle in her accessories. Add a little "bling" to your life each day with a signature piece, or (if you are lucky enough) collect a wardrobe. You'll always have "light" in your life.