DOPE NYC Jewelry is Really Something Special

The word "dope" is such a versatile and colorful one.  In the good ole days, it just used to mean someone who was a little slow, or  "stupid."  It is now also a term for drugs (I don't have to go into that...you all know what "dope" is). and now, "dope" is synonymous with excellent or cool  (as in  "Yo, that ring is dope, girl!"


Which brings me to the real reason for this post.  Dope NYC Jewelry. This unusual collection are created with the finest 925 silver from Mexico by partners and Codesigners, Michael Wenzler and Francine Civello. Michael is a designer by trade, and you can see the influence of Francine in the large "word" necklaces for she's an actress, poet and "purveyor of the spoken word."

One Race Human Large Size

Go Green Necklace Medium Size

I have to admit, when my friend told me about this unique jewelry with bold, hip-hop-ish, and edgy pieces  line, I wondered what I'd be getting into if I agreed to wear it and review it.   For example there is an eye-catching collection of socially-conscious pieces, separately entitled, "ONE RACE HUMAN", "GO GREEN", and the universal "ONE" symbol.  These come in small, medium and large sizes, with substantial chains and pendants created of the words: "go green;" "one race human;" and "one." 

The large One Race Human piece above, for example, has letters that are  2" tall and 1/8" thick. The impressive drop is 24" and the piece weighs a whopping 392 grams. There is so much silver in this piece that you could probably melt it into a service of flatware for six, seriously.  And the price is no small piece of change, either at : $1,700.00 (US). Of course, if you're not a rock star or Hip Hop Mogul, or a really large person, you'll probably opt for either the medium size (letters measure 1" tall and 1/8" thick. The drop is 18" and the piece weighs a hefty 94 grams) for $398.00  or the one I tried, small (letters measure  3/4" tall and 1/8" thick with a 14" drop and this piece still weighs a hefty 75.3 grams of silver, The small size is still very substantial, and costs a more affordable, $270.00 (US). There are also earrings (they say just "HUMAN"), a bold knuckle ring and some bracelets and chokers with the same sentiment emblazoned on them.

Another collection that's more "girly" is the BOW collection. The collection immediately brought back memories of a pin my mother or grandmother wore, which must have been from the 1920's or 30's.  The thing about these pieces is that while a bow is a girly icon, these are made completely "bad ass" by being HUGE and shiny and not at all for the shy.  The pieces are also made of heavy silver.  The collection features two types of earrings: post earrings and dangling earrings (4.2 grams of silver at $80.00)/pair) ;  a large bow brooch (5" long by 2 3/8" tall, 50.6 grams of  Mexican 925 Silver at  $265.00) ; and my favorite piece --the bow ring that fits over three fingers but with one, easy to wear, shank.  It seems to cause a minor sensation every time I wear it out in public.  It weighs in at 3" wide by 1 5/8" tall and 37 grams of silver. It's well worth the $185.00 for the wow! factor.

There are other pieces, including some really exciting-looking two-finger "engagement" rings with CZs, crown earrings (that I'm eyeing, for sure) and everything from NYC dog tags and manhole covers, to a carousel belt that will run you a cool, $2,125.00 (US)  (but it has 606 grams of fine Mexican silver in it).  When you're buying jewelry like this, it's not just impressive, but a collector's item.  Dope NYC will only produce a a limited number of each piece.  In addition, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to charities that are involved in helping people worldwide.

In modern slang terms, the word "DOPE" definitely fits these pieces.  Having just one of these amazing jewelry pieces in your arsenal of accessories could really be an attitude adjuster. It isn''t just how they make you look, but also how they make you feel.  I don the ring and a DOPE NYC necklace, and somehow, the weight and the cool-factor in these pieces really do make me instantly feel a little edgier and hip.  They are jst such fun to wear, even though  they're not what I would usually select for my more subdued, personal style.  But now that I've worn them and gotten such positive reactions, however, I am really beginning to enjoy wearing them more than ever!  Whether you're male or female, young or old(ish), these pieces will add something "DOPE" to your look!

You can see and order all the DOPE NYC jewelry pieces on their web site


Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

24 Easy ways to Trim 500 Calories Right Now

I don't normally publish other people's tips, but I just got this list of 24 Calorie reducing tips from Fitbie.com and they are so simple (although some are obvious) that you can shave up to 500 calories a day without

much effort at all.

Here they are -- which ones do you like? Which have you tried? Which really work for you????
At Breakfast:

Make a trade. Swap:

· Bagel for an English muffin to slash 220 calories
· A glass of whole milk for skim to save 70 calories
· Three-egg omelet for one egg and two egg whites
· Pork sausage for turkey sausage to cut about 125 calories each


Measure portions

· Measuring out one serving can save you up to 200 calories
· A cup of granola can have up to 600 calories, while a cup of high-fiber cereal has only about 120



At Lunch

Move on your lunch hour
Walk during your lunch for five days and burn 500 extra calories
Try wearing a pedometer to measure out 10,000 steps a day, or about 5 miles—you’ll automatically burn 500 calories without even hitting the gym

Order wisely

Use hummus or mustard instead of mayo, and a roll for sliced bread on your sandwich, and cut about 200 calories
Opt for a salad instead of fries (*but don't douse it with dressing) to save another 300 calories for a total of 500 saved

Chew your food

Slow down when you eat!
Women who chewed at least 20 times before swallowing ate up to 70 calories less at mealtime  (*this is harder to do than you might thing--but TRY)!'
It takes 20 to 30 minutes for your body to register that you are full - Eating more slowly allows you to get to the point where you feel satiated on fewer calories than if you’re shoveling it in

At Dinner

Downsize your plates
Use smaller plates (*this really works!) Going from a 12-inch plate to a 9-inch plate, you’ll cut 500 calories without feeling deprived
Wait to have seconds.
Wait 20 to 30 minutes to have a second helping  -  If you do opt for seconds, you’re likely to get a smaller helping because hunger hormones won’t be driving your appetite
Slim your sides

Try serving baked tortilla chips or whole wheat pita wedges with low-fat refried beans and chunky salsa
Trade a side of traditional potato salad for sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions tossed with fat-free Italian dressing to cut 258 calories

Eating Dessert

Make over your sweets -  Save up to 400 calories by making grilled fruit kebabs: Slice one peach and one small banana into quarters, thread four pieces fruit each onto two skewers, and brush with one tbsp honey each. Grill each side for about 4 minutes, or until flesh is tender but still firm. Sprinkle on cinnamon. Or, if you want to have your cake, cut a thin slice of pound cake, layer on berries and top with light whipped cream for a decadent-tasting dessert for less than 150 calories

Skip the oil

Replace oil with applesauce when baking, make the switch and save 160 calories 

Top your treat with a dollop of light whipped cream instead of premium vanilla ice cream to save another 220 calories

Dining Out

Leave something on your plate - Leaving a quarter of the meal on your plate can save up to 500 calories. Leaving a few bites of any potato or noodle dish cuts up to 100 calories alone 

Skip the bread basket, to keep from breaking your calorie bank. Or, if you’re at a Mexican restaurant, forgo the tortilla chips—they can equal more calories than your entire meal

Know before you go

Before you head to a chain restaurant, check out the nutrition information on its web site – diners who saw nutrition information before selecting their meals ate an average of 52 fewer calories

Instead of having Chili’s Steak and Portobello Fajitas for 1130 calories, you can choose Chili’s Classic Chicken Fajitas for just 360 calories—a savings of almost 800!

At the Office

Take a stand.  -  You can burn up to an extra 500 calories a day by standing rather than sitting
Try standing to make a phone call or read a report
Even shutting your office door to squeeze in 5 minutes of pushups or jumping jacks can burn another 50 calories

Have a ball

Trading your desk chair for a stability ball helps you burn extra calories because you’re forced to use your core muscles to stay stable  (*ask your boss if this is ok before you lug that ball to work) - You could burn up to 350 extra calories over an eight-hour workday while helping to tone your stomach and boost circulation.
Drink up
Swapping water for soda can save you about 300 hundred calories a day if you drink two cans
Drinking 20 to 60 ounces of water daily might also help boost your metabolism so you burn even more calories
To make water more appealing, try adding sliced cucumbers, or low-calorie flavor packets that offer fizz and a shot of vitamins.

Watching TV

Don’t eat and watch - People who snack in front of the television consume an average of 288 extra calories a day because they’re eating mindlessly.  If you realy want to snack, turn off the TV, serve yourself on a dish, and really pay attention to what you’re putting in your mouth to slash calories

Try commercial cardio

Doing some kind of cardio, such as jumping rope or jogging in place, burns about 10 calories a minute

 If you watch an hour of TV a night and add cardio moves during the 10 commercial breaks that typically air, you could blast up to 300 extra calories without missing your favorite shows

Adding “commercial cardio” and nixing mindless snacking cuts more than 500 calories

On a Saturday


Sleep in -  People who get less than 6 hours of sleep eat up to 300 calories more during the day because a lack of sleep triggers the production of the hunger hormone, grehlin

Each extra hour of sleep could save you 100 calories

Clean house

Spend 2 hours getting organized by cleaning your garage or vacuuming and dusting the house to slash about 408 calories - Wear extra layers and switch the hands you use to sweat even more

Get foot loose

Go out with your friend and move to some live music, or just blast your favorite tunes and dance around your house. Rocking out like this for an hour torches 445 calories—and you’ll be having fun so it won’t feel like exercise

Go for a ride 

One hour of biking at an easy pace blasts 272 calories—pedal just twice a week, and that’s more than 6 pounds dropped in a year


Run some errands

Spend an afternoon food shopping and unloading groceries to burn close to 500 calories. Cook dinner to burn 136 more

During Your Workout

Switch it up - You can burn up to an additional 250 calories in a half-hour, or 500 in an hour, by incorporating intervals versus exercising at the same pace

You can increase the calorie burn by picking up the pace to the point where you are so out of breath that you can’t even talk for 30 seconds, then slow down for one and half minutes to recover

Start with a 5-minute warm up, repeat these 30-second intervals eight times, and then recover for 10 minutes

Take 15

You can usually find 15 minutes in your day to exercise. For the days when you don’t have time to spare, try doing three 5-minute circuits using free weights.

If you can find two 15-minute chunks in your day to do these moves, you can blast up to 500 calories. Do three sets of this circuit:

90 Seconds

Squat with a bicep curl, and stand to go straight into an overhead shoulder press. Repeat

Lunge forward with right leg while raising weights out to side to shoulder level, hold for one second, bring leg back and arms down to return to starting position. Alternate legs and repeat

120 Seconds:

Do a row while standing on right leg to engage your core muscles, repeat for one minute then switch to left leg



Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

The Drawing Room Salon Offers Great Hair for a New Year

The new year is here, and the first thing we all think of when the clock strikes midnight is.....?

How can I improve my HAIR this year?

Maybe it's not the first thing you think of, but self-improvement is especially strong in everyone's  mind when the old year is packed away and the new year, is unfolding.
I have had my share of bad hair styles, and I'm sure if I live long enough, I'll be adding more of them to my personal photos albums. But I've recently visited a salon that has convinced me that everyone can make a change for the better with their hair, even if that change isn't drastic.

Clyde Elezi is the owner ofThe Drawing Room Salon at 148 Spring St, 2nd Floor, (between Wooster Street and Broadway) , New York,  Call:  (212) 226-2600. He is also the former Creative Director of Cutler Salon (where he re-styled Holly Kisser to help her win Bravo's  "Make Me a Supermodel").  Clyde was recommended to me by another hair genius whose judgement I greatly respect. He  gently suggested that I ought to see Clyde and do something new to my long but unexciting, ho-hum, hairstyle (he didn't actually say it was "ho-hum" but I knew that is what he was thinking).   

I had read Clyde's bio  and I knew he worked with plenty of high profile clients such as Cynthia Rowley and Liev Schreiber, but I can't lie, I had plenty of anxiety ascending the steps to the Drawing Room Salon.  I already knew that Clyde was seriously talented, but I'm no supermodel, and I have hair that is thick and frizzy, and hard to manage. When you go to a new stylist, or you just want a change in your own style, I've been advised to "have a clear idea" and "bring photos of the style you want," and so forth. But I never have a clear idea and frankly, all those hair articles features women saying things like: "I want to look like "Rhianna," (or some other singer or movie star), as they point to a pleasing photo from a magazine. But I am not a movie star, and I am wise enough to know that my face, my body, my lifestyle, and my hair cannot possibly end up making me look remotely like someone else.

I didn't really have a clue what I was going to find when I entered The Drawing Room Salon.  That's enough to make anyone feel less than confident. But the Drawing Room, open about a year,  was very cheerful and non-threatening. It was hip, but it was quiet, almost tranquil.  Somehow, the bright colors, smooth wood floors, and big windows overlooking Spring Street (and Custo Barcelona's store across the way)  were a confidence builder.  I was warmly greeted, and the modern but unpretentious salon won me over.  I began to relax.  And, then I met Clyde.  That sealed the deal.   His easy manner assured me that I would not leave regretting leaving my hair in his capable hands.

When I spoke to Clyde, he really listened.  He's not one of those cookie-cutter stylists who has a signature look you must have, or else. While he is famous for precision cuts, he makes sure that he takes your personal features, lifestyles, preferences, and of course, hair, into account before he picks up the scissors. In my case, Clyde must have sensed a risk-averse beauty editor, because he snipped a few inches of split ends off the back, but didn't suggest I go for a completely different style, instead he sliced long but precise layers into the front so that my hair had shape. The layers tapered, so that some of the bulk of my hair was eliminated, without having to actually thin out my hair and risk more frizz.  Clyde made it clear that he could do more, but took baby steps with me, and I was grateful (and the mini cupcakes offered during the blow-out didn't hurt either)! The result was a sleeker, more modern version of my hair which suited me perfectly. I walked down the street feeling like I could take on the world!

But the real test of a good haircut is whether or not you can reproduce it at home. Although my hair isn't quite as straight and swing-y as when it was painstakingly blown out for more time than I'd ever have the patience for at home, I can still reproduce the look -- and it still looks great!

Whether you're a New York native, or just passing through, a visit to The Drawing Room Salon will make your day, week, month and year. The Drawing Room caters to men, as well. Go together and leave looking fabulous!


Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  
*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Color Contours Brushes From Conair Helps You Create Your Style

One of the truly frustrating things about using round styling brushes, is that the outer strands of the piece of hair you've selected to style, always seems to slip off the brush like a drunken sailor.And, styling with a round brush, especially for long hair, takes patience to get the heat to the ends wrapped into the middle of the brush. 

Conair Contours™ brushes from Conair may help you slice some time off your styling routine this year, because the traditional, round barrel has be re-designed with a sexy curve in the middle, to help keep all your hair in the enter of the brush while styling.  In addition, the tourmaline (100% crushed gemstones) ionic, ceramic-coated barrel, retains the heat of your blow-dryer more effectively.  The large vents make it easier for the airflow from your dryer to reach even the inner reached of the hair you've wrapped around the brush, so your hair dries faster and shinier. Not all brushes are comfortable to use, but these brushes have black, rubbery, soft-touch handles with a ribbed, easy-grip ring if you need to really hold tight as you're styling.  

Not all hair styles and hair lengths can use the same size brush, so Conair has created Color Contours in four different sizes:
#88650 Large purple for long hair $12.99
#88651 Medium blue for medium to long hair $12.99
#88652 Small pink for medium to short hair $11.99
#88653 Extra-small green for short hair $11.99

The stiff bristles really hold the hair, and the curved design, works so well, I wonder why no one thought of it previously.  My hair has some face-framing layers that are nearly impossible to get smooth with a traditional, round brush, but with these new, curvy Color Contours brushes, my hair smoothed out perfectly as I rolled the brush, with not even the tiny ,irritating fly-aways escaping the grip of those bristles. The result was smoother, shinier, hair, in less time.  One less frustration to deal with in the morning!

There's not much will make your routines easier, faster, more successful and yes, even more fun, but these brushes will make your day, literally. They won't break your budget, but they make a big difference!

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Find the Perfect Red Lipstick and Learn How to Apply It!

RED LIPSTICK IS A MUST-HAVE FOR WINTER 2011-- BUT WHAT SHADE WILL WORK BEST ON YOU?  READ THIS "TOTAL BEATY" BONUS ARTICLE AND THEN CHECK OUT THE VIDEO I MADE WITH MAYBELLINE MAKEUP ARTIST GABRIEL ALMODOVAR ABOUT HOW TO APPLY THE PERFECT, RED LIP!  --ALISON   Find the Best Shade of Red Lipstick for You

Finding the right shade for your skin tone can be frustrating, so we're here to help

This is a TotalBeauty.com lip makeup article To shed light on which shade of red lipstick complements your unique skin tone, we consulted an expert to share application tips and product suggestions. See what she had to say … See advice

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  
*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

SK-II offer benefits for your skin from a unique source

What do actress Cate Blanchett and sake rice have in common?

You might not think that sake rice would have anything in common with Cate Blanchett,  but when it comes to the skincare company, SK-II, the actress, and the rice, are linked.  One is a brand ambassador, the other, the secret to Ms. Blanchett's (and tons of other people's) extraordinary skin!

The story of SK-II, I'm told, began at a sake brewery in Japan, where scientists noticed the elderly workers had wrinkled faces, but extraordinarily soft and youthful hands.  What they discovered was that these hands were in constant contact with the sake fermentation process. It took five years of research for scientists to isolate the source of those soft hands:  Pitera®! This is a naturally derived liquid from the yeast fermentation process. It was discovered that Pitera® has the power to help restore the skin’s natural rhythm to its 28-day cycle to promote, clearer, softer, smoother skin.

From what I can see with my own eyes, Pitera® is really quite unique and exciting as a skincare ingredient. It is exclusive to SK-II products.  Of course, this luxurious brand of skin care was pounced upon by celebrities (e.g. Cate Blanchett), but if you have the financial resources for a great skincare line, SK-II will be your favorite skincare line, too.

The star product, referred to as ‘miracle water’ by SK-II users around the world, is the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence -- the first and only product offered when the brand launched in Japan 30 years ago. The Facial Treatment Essence is more than 90%  pure Pitera®. The bottle is of frosted glass, with a shiny, silver top.  Inside, the product feels almost like water in your hands.  You are supposed to sprinkle about a teaspoon of the product into your hands, rub it around, then "pat" the product onto your face (you can use a cotton ball too, if you wish).  It doesn't seem like much, but apparently the results are impressive, and scientists are still learning more about the benefits of Pitera®! 


At the event I attended, we were told all about the ways Pitera® works, in technical terms.  I'm not going to go into that in my blog post, but one key thing that you want to know is that one of the ways Pitera® works is by balancing the skin’s moisture barrier and helps to maintain overall hydration and elasticity in your skin.   While it is difficult for me to use anything exclusively for long, I have been using this product for a few days now, and my skin does feel hydrated and smooth.  At $100.00 for 2.5 oz. it isn't for everyone, but it certainly is a lovely product to help your skin look great and to maintain it.


I tried two other products:  a SK-II Facial Treatment Mask ( $90.00/6 masks) and SK-II Facial Treatment UV Protection $120.00 1 fl. oz.   

Ever since I had Fraxel laser skin resurfacing treatments, I have made a pledge to myself never to go out in the daytime without some sort of SPF protection. My "new" skin is as vulnerable to the sun's damaging UVA.UVB rays as yours is. The thing is, I loathe sunblock. That's why I'm really loving SK-II's SK-II Launches Facial Treatment UV Protection SPF 25. This lightweight moisturizer, in a striking, red pump bottle, protects from the sun's UV rays, and it also has Pitera.  Why buy such a pricey moisturizer with SPF?  Other than the chic, red bottle which gives you that "wow!" factor every time you pump out a little bit of this precious potion, this particular product nearly vanishes into your skin, making it feel hydrated while it protects with a decent SPF 25, and nourishes with Piterra. You're getting a lot of skin-enhancing greatness in one little, lightweight pump bottle. The Active Ingredients are: Octinoxate 7.49%, Zinc Oxide 3.92%, Ensulizole 1.00%.  Inactive Ingredients are  numerous but the first four listed are: Aqua (Water), Saccharomycopsis Ferment Filtrate1, Glycerin, Dimethicone, and Pentylene Glycol. There is just 1 fl. oz in the bottle, but you only need 2-3 pumps to spread around your face. It spreads evenly and easily.  You can also add a bit more in the areas of your face that are particularly dry if you wish -- it is a moisturizer, after all.  The thing that I most dislike about sun protection for the face is a greasy feel,  and chemical smell. This has absolutely no color and no scent, and you can't even feel it on your skin. It penetrates so quickly you can use it as a makeup base.  If you can find the room in your budget, you can justify the extra cost as an incentive because if you love it, you'll use it, and that is worth a dozen sun blocks that sit, discarded, in the back of the closet, because you find them nasty to use. 

An SK-II product that will give you instant gratification, is the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask.  I'm not a fan of many masks, and this one makes you look a little scary, like you are literally wearing a cloth (100% cotton) mask (so pamper yourself when everyone is out of the house except you and the cat).  But once you place this super-hydrating, nourishing mask on your face, the cooling sensation and the nearly instant (10-15 minutes) glow you will get, will make you a believer.  You can use this mask as many times as you want, but at $15.00 per mask, you'll have to decide whether it's once a week, once a month, or on special occasions, only.  In any case, before you apply it you should know that this SK-II Facial Treatment Mask is an intensive, moisture-boosting mask, which hydrates the skin with SK-II’s signature ingredient, Pitera®. The mask, which can be used by all skin types, and a single mask delivers the equivalent of about 1 applications of SK-II signature product, Facial Treatment Essence. When you place this mask, saturated with Piterra, on your face, it will mold to it, so that the Piterra can penetrate efficiently.   SK-II brand ambassador Cate Blanchett likes to use this mask to refresh after a long flight. As far as I can research, no one has said anything remotely bad about this mask, which means millions of people can't be wrong!  Even if you can't afford the entire line of SK-II products, consider treating yourself to the mask, for  "movie star" style pampering!



Tempted by these unique products?  I thought you would be!  You can learn more on the Sk-II web site, or just go to select Saks Fifth Avenue locations.




Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Don't Make These Face Shape Haircut Mistakes

Thinking about a new "Do" for 2011?

Don't Make These Face Shape Haircut Mistakes

Need a new do but not sure if blunt bangs or layers will flatter your face shape?

This is a TotalBeauty.com haircut article To help you prep for your next big snip, we went to Tommy Buckett from the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City to find out which haircuts work for each specific face shape. See haircuts

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  
*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Hair Rules --It Ought to be a Law -- to control Curly, Kinky and Wavy Hair

Hair that is curly, wavy, kinky and/or thick is often porous, and after a while, all the products used to tame or style it, can weigh it down.  That makes hair look dull and drippy, but it also can cause a dry, flaky scalp.


Hair Rules Aloe Grapefruit Purifying Shampoo comes in a pristine, white bottle with flip top and colorful graphics.  It has no parabens, sulfates, glycerin, or silicone, and what it does, is gently removes product buildup and environmental residue from scalp and hair, restoring movement and shine without stripping all the natural oils you do want, out of your hair.  The no sudsing formula might take a little getting used to, because we are all used to a mountain of lather, but it will cleanse your hair thoroughly.

Hair Rules is a solutions-oriented line of cleansers, conditioning treatments and styling aids specifically geared to the special needs of kinky, curly and wavy hair. But Hair Rules is a salon as well as a product line, created by model Kara Young Georgiopolous along with  Co-Founder and Creative Director, Anthony Dickey.  Hair Rules New York is located at 828 Ninth Avenue (between 54th and 55th Streets).  Dickey knows how to deal with textured hair, and he has created iconic hairstyles for designers, advertisers, photographers and celebrities alike. Sarah Jessica Parker, Minnie Driver, Alicia Keys, Kelis, and Andre 3000 are just a few of the notables he has styled for editorials in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Essence, Vibe, The New York Times Magazine, Glamour, and Allure, just to name a few.

At $20.00 for 8 oz. of shampoo, Hair Rules isn't a typical bargain drugstore brand.  And yes, you will still need to use a conditioner and any other styling products you are fond of.  But if you have "challenging" hair, you know that anything that keeps it healthy and beautiful, is priceless.  If you have wavy hair you might want to "decongest" it fairly often.  If your hair is curly, maybe 1-3 times per month,  and if your hair is really kinky, once a month should do it.

Click here to check out the entire Hair Rules Product Line. The new year is here--get good hair and look great all year round.



FYI:  Here's what in the bottle:  water, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, sodium cocoyl isethionate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, cocamide MEA, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, butylene glycol, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium PCA, citrus cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) extract, humulus lupulus (hops) extract, coix lacryma-jobi seed extract, hydrolyzed wheat starch, PEG-75 lanolin, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, polyquaternium-47, polysorbate 20, PEG-150 pentaerythrityl tetrasterate, fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, polyquaternium-10, disodium EDTA, citric acid, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column 

Trident Vitality A Chic, New Gum, for the New Year

I'll say this right up front:  chewing gum is fun! But it actually has some quality health benefits associated with it. Chewing (sugar-free gum) after eating can help to stimulate saliva, which is your body's natural defense against tooth decay. Saliva actually helps to wash away food particles and neutralize plaque acids,which can weaken teeth. If you're chomping on chewing gum, you might be avoiding that sugary treat that gets you through the mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack.  With a tasty piece of gum in your mouth, you might not be so tempted to binge.  And chewing gym can help you relieve stress and keep your focus where it needs to be.  Maybe that's why atheletes chew it (and gum is much less disgusting than tobacco "chew"). Chewing gum can also help you deal with halitosis (bad breath).  Foul breath can really ruin your interpersonal relationships. Trust me on this one -- as an advice columnist I've gotten plenty of letter that say:  "I really like ......him/her....but there's this problem....their smelly breath is a total turnoff." 

But now, Trident has developed a new trio of tasty (gum) treats that actually do more for your mouth. The trio, called " Trident Vitality," are a sophisticated taste treats in chic, silvery packages that look expensive and yet, even elegant. Unlike traditional chicklet-type gum packettes, the blister pack is not in an open sleeve.  Trident Vitality gum is housed in a complete box, with the blister pack inside. The box closes with an envelop-type top that closes with a small "click!"  like a fancy lipstick, just to ensure that your precious gum doesn't slip out.

What makes these unique (besides the packaging which you can see in the prototype photos above), are the flavors: Vigorate, Rejuve and Awaken. 

The Orange package themed "Vigorate" (with photos of juicy strawberries and oranges on the box)  is a burst of citrus and strawberry with vitamin C.*in fact, one piece of actually contains 10% of the daily value of vitamin C!  There are 9 pieces to a pack, so if you chewed all nine you'd potentially get 90% of your daily value of vitamin C.  Maybe you wouldn't want to chew an entire box of gum in a day, but if you do, it's good to know that Trident Vitality is sugar free  (and just 3 1/2 calories per piece) so you won't do any damage to your waistline.

Green package themed "Rejuve"  (with photos of fresh looking mint leaves on the box) features a refreshing blend of luscious mint and white tea.

Blue package themed "Awaken"  (with photos of a cool peppermint leaf on the box),  offers a bright, invigorating peppermint with a dash of ginseng.




I have tried all of the flavors. My favorite is the Awake because it has a minty taste that has a very long finish, but all three are tasty.  These are definitely premium gum products, but the suggested retail price per box is $1.29 for a single-pack and $2.89 for a multi-pack. That's is in line with other Trident products.

So I'm excited to share this great gum news with you.  The Trident Vitality products should be arriving in selected stores (I'm guessing big chain drug stores and mass market outlets) this January. It will be widely distributed nationwide to convenience, mass merchandise, drug stores, grocery stores, and other retail outlets in February, 2011.  

About Trident® Sugar-Free Gum  - Trident gum has long been a pioneer in providing oral health benefits to consumers. Trident was the first gum brand of its kind to undergo extensive long-term clinical testing in 1967 with studies showing that people who chewed Trident experienced significantly fewer cavities. Trident Layers, known for its Wild Strawberry + Tangy Citrus and Green Apple + Golden Pineapple flavors most recently launched its third flavor, Cool Mint + Melon Fresco. Today, Trident is the best selling chewing gum and sugar free gum in the world and a recent study shows that the brand continues to be recommended by four out of five dentists who would recommend sugar-free gum to their patients who chew gum .



Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/tridentgum  and visit the Trident Web Site

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Bored? Why Not Read A Book! Ten New Books to Take You Into the New Year

The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde (Avon 2010), is the kind of book you know is going to have a happy, romantic ending.  It has the chic-lit satisfying combo of  ambitious career girl, "hot" rebel love interest, love lost, love found, love lost again and then...?  This time the heroine is Sarah Collier, a "famous" author of a children's book with the improbable name:  the Magical Christmas Cookie.  Lured back to her home-town of Twilight Texas during the Holiday season by a seriously ill child who has written her, Sarah aka.  finds you can go home again....and more than once.  The plot does have enough twists and turns to keep your attention until the "awwwww" ending.  Since the story is set in the holiday season, it's a nice diversion (sit with your favorite pet, a warm wrap, and some cocoa and cookies" and make a weekend without holiday chores, doubly sweet.

I really enjoyed Brenda Novak's novel, White Heat, that I reviewed last Summer. There was even a 3 Custom Color Lipgloss made specifically for the launch of Brenda's novel. Brenda writes mysteries, but with a romantic story line woven into the plot. She has recently published Body Heat by Brenda Novak (Mirra Books, 2010) . I wanted to love it, but sometimes the second time isn't quite as good as the first. This one was ok, but it grabbed me less than White Heat,. Still, it still kept my attention. The story line is current: Someone is killing illegal immigrants from Mexico at the border. Sophia St. Clair is the young woman who is determined to find out what's going on. Obviously, there will be all sorts of twists and turns, characters both like-able,and loathe some, and a dose of violence, sex and romance. I'm not a fan of mystery stories, but Ms, Novak's are well done. That being said, the plot seemed sluggish and awkward in spots, and I didn't feel any connection to the main characters, as I did with White Heat. Maybe the problem was that the book is too chock-full of unnecessary elements so character development seemed a bit forced. But those objections aside, it was a fun book and a real page-turner. If you are looking for "airplane" reading, or something to amuse yourself for a weekend or lounging by the pool at a resort, it's a great choice. I can't wait to see what Brenda Novak comes up with, next!

I was excited to receive the book, 300 Best Casserole Recipes by Tiffany Collins (Robert Rose Inc, October, 2010). Casseroles are not only economical ways to feed a family, they're easy to prepare in advance, and then just pop in the oven when you get home. With the popularity of the TV show "Mad Men," 50's style casserole dinners are making a come-back for entertaining guests, too. This book nicely organizes types of casseroles by their main ingredient. The recipes, for the most part, are super-easy to follow. However, in reading through the recipes, I began consider why casseroles fell out of favor with modern cooks. For starters, while you can prepare them in advance (and there is a bit of prep time with a casserole), most need to bake for 45 minutes to an hour, so it's not an "instant" meal. You need some prep time and plenty of different ingredients to get the flavor, right. It isn't "simple" food just because everything ends up baked in one dish. Another thing that bothers me (more about casseroles and less about the book) is that casseroles need something to bind the ingredients together. In most of the casserole recipes, the "glue" is a a fair amount (1-2 cups) or a dairy products such as cheese, cream, sour cream or milk, or high sodium products such as canned soups or canned tomatoes, and/or carbs like rice and pasta. In small doses, these things are perfectly fine, but no nutritional information or calories are provided. I thought that was a bit odd since the author is a nationally certified group fitness instructor, as well as a culinary professional. If you were to eat a casserole every day, you probably will pack on pounds. Still, the recipes in this book are delicious, perfect for a Sunday dinner or for a retro dinner party. Just put on the flirty apron, mix those Rob Roys and Manhattans, play some Frank Sinatra for atmosphere, and make your next dinner a "Mad Men" party!

If you read my columns, you know that I generally do not review anything for parents or children (I had to draw the line, somewhere). But That’s Awesome! (Time Home Entertainment, Inc., October 2010, is a raelly cute book for kids ages 8+, and the adults who want to inspire them.  The book collects amazing facts and records including the most “awesome” aspects of sports, extreme geography, the world of plants and animals, the human body, technology, history, art and the most expensive items in the world –from autos to planes to toys. Even "dad" will enjoy learning which but is the smelliest bug on Earth, the world's smallest gecko (not the one on tv--a real one) and amazing facts such as the worlds grossest food (consider eel soda, and saliva soup. The book is well presented, and fun to share with "kids" of all ages. Borrow it back from "Junior,"  and leave it on your coffee table for an instant conversation starter at your next party.

What My Best Friend Did by Lucy Dawson (Avon 2010) starts out as any other chick-lit book,. but the reader soon realizes that both the main characters in this book,. best friends, supposedly, are not exactly what they appear to be.  While the ending is to me, a bit awkward, the plot is a bit of a thriller that has glamour, romance, girlfriend bonding and then something much more sinister. Neither Alice nor her BFF Gretchen, are saintly characters, but one has a serious problem that the other doesn't seem to understand well enough to deal with it properly.  What happens next is no laughing matter and the book ends on a dark note, but it's well done, and worth a weekend's read.

I knew I wasn't going to relate to Balancing Acts by Zoe Fishman (Harper, 2010) when from the beginning, on page 5, one of the characters talks about a 10th anniversary college reunion and the hip hop group "Black Sheep" is  quoted as being "a blast from the past."  At my 10th anniversary reunion a "blast from the past" would have been Steely Dan or Jim Croce.  But aside from the big divide over my generation and that of "Charlie, Naomi, Sabine and Bess," (the four friends who re-connect at this 10th college reunion), I liked the idea of the book.  Charlie, the focal point, runs a yoga studio in Brooklyn (how hip and trendy can you get)? The  women take a weekly class with Charlie -- and that's the "glue" of the plot. Of course, their lives, loves, secrets and aspirations are all laid out in communal dialogue.  The meeting, bonding, and growing as people over yoga is a novel idea, and the book could have raised the bar for chick-lit by giving the characters gritty issues to deal with. But these ladies for the most part just spew out the tired young woman finding themselves angst that is so common in these "I'm striving to find myself" books.  This book really didn't grab me, but women who are the same generation of the characters, may find themselves in the characters, and relate.  

I've always been fascinated by royalty, but the story of Grace Kelly, Philadelphia girl, to award-winning actress, to Princess of Monaco, is a real life fairy tale.  As everyone knows, fairy tales are always too good to be true, but A Touch of Grace, How to Be a Princess the Grace Kelly Way by Cinday De La Hoz (Running Press, 2010) is a really cute way to dispense "grandma wisdom" to new generations of aspiring young ladies. Whether you're hoping to find a job, or a prince, or just "better yourself," this little book full of pictures of Grace Kelly in various stages of her life, will satisfy. The book is organized from "Lessons From Childhood" (e.g. be your own person; remember where you came from) to Finding "The One" (be open to a "set up") to work, style, attitude, and parenting. There's nothing terribly earth-shattering under the covers, but if all you did was flip the pages to enjoy the beautiful photos of Grace Kelly, the book would be worth the price  (of $17.95).  This is the book to buy for yourself as a lovely little "gilty pleasure."

I have heard the energetic and witty Phillip Bloch talk about style, and shopping, but in his new book The Shopping Diet, he tells women how not to spend money.  What he's advocating in his new book is how to reign in the impulse to buy without real thought to it, and he shows readers how to look stylish without having to spend a fortune on a cartload of new things. The Shopping Diet by Phillip Bloch (Gallery Books, 2010) might be the best fashion accessory you buy in the new year. I met Mr. Bloch at an event for Hanes stockings right after this book launched. I took it home and read it in three sittings. Mr. Bloch has an easy, personable communication style that translates right onto the pages of his book. You really feel as though he is there, counseling you not to buy those trendy, hot pink, snakeskin boots that are on sale, but really won't work with much in your wardrobe. He shows you when you've gotten a "find" and when you're just thrown all reason to the four winds, a true shop-a-holic in the making. Although this is a book about shopping, it' s also a book about learning what suits you, and how to put together a wardrobe that is versatile, and expresses who you are. Whether you are on an austerity budget, or you just want to look more put together, If you follow the tips and ideas in this book and really put them into practice, you will look better, and spend more wisely. You really can "spend less & get more" by using The Shopping Diet.  After I finished reading the book, I ended up ditching three huge bags of clothes, and, inspired by Mr. Bloch's tutelage -- I feel much better about what is in my closet. I have had some unfortunate lapses since then while indulging in too-good-to-be-true sales, but Philip's voice is still somewhere in my consciousness gently probing:  "do you really need/want this piece?"

Donald Spoto, a chronicler of film and theater stars, tries valiantly to set the record straight on the life and passions of Joan Crawford in Possessed: The Life of Joan Crawford by Donald Spoto. Although Ms. Crawford was one of the most celebrated movie stars of her day, her adopted daughter, Christina Crawford, wrote a best selling book that portrayed Joan as an unstable and severely abusive mother in a vindictive memoir, called: Mommie Dearest (no one can forget the film version of Joan Crawford, face distorted in rage, screaming: "no more wire hangars!" as her daughter Christina, cowered. The author of Possessed, however, has written a book that while trying to set the record straight about Joan Crawford, ends up making the movie star still seem unlikeable and difficult. In addition, the book has so much information about virtually every film both silent and "talkie" Joan ever made, that it becomes just a litany of movie plots, most of which are pretty boring to horrifying stupid.  In between Mr. Spoto tried to show that Joan Crawford, the woman, was a scrappy, focused, ambitious person who did whatever she needed or wanted,  to get ahead.  But in the end, this book tells you more about how the studio bosses in Hollywood could manipulate. and make or break a star, than the character of the woman being showcased. It's a good effort and I give it a "A" for effort, but a "D" for dull.

In the old days, a 60th birthday was considered a maturity milestone, but now 60 is the new 50 and 80 is society's view of "old."  Author Judith Viorst gives 80 a new look and a different, not-to-be-feared spin with Unexpectedly Eighty and Other Adaptations by Judith Viorst (Athaneum, 2010).  What does it really mean to live through eight (ore more) decades?  Viorst shows readers of every age that there is still plenty of life, love and passion.  Her lighthearted book about becoming an octogenarian focuses in a playful way on the realities and the joys of living long enough to reflect.  This little book made me chuckle as I absorbed it in one sitting.  Whether you're a 20-something who is afraid that  by the time you become "30" you will be "old," or a 60-something wondering what's next, or someone who really is 80+, Ms. Viorst paints a witty, funny, positive picture of what growing older means today.


Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me.  You can show your interest and support by subscribing to this blog. Several options are available on the right hand side of this blog. Also, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter  (@advicesisters).  You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column  on the Examiner.com.  

*I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column