I just started listening to Christmas music this morning. It’s officially Christmas in my head. Thanksgiving is just one week away. Because of this I can only start to think of Christmas presents and all the holiday shopping I’ll need to do. It’s stressful. Which brings be to some quick gift ideas for the holiday season.

I really do think that any type of beauty or spa service is a great gift for anyone. It may be something that a person may not typically splurge on (especially during this recession). However, with a certificate or gift card to get a massage, a mani/pedi, or even a regular routine haircut, the recipient is sure to be thankful and excited.

I just got a card in the mail yesterday telling me that a local spa was doing a special on a 60-minute Swedish massage for $49. That really sounds like Heaven to me right now, but I don’t think I have the time between work and school and I keep thinking that it’s a wasteful thing to spend my money on. However, if I was gifted a massage for the holidays, I’d certainly be a happy girl!

The holidays are always a stressful time, but it’s important to keep in mind the real reason for these seasons – more than gifts it’s about family and friends and just enjoying life in general. But presents are a ton of fun! I suggest gifting beauty services and when you’re done shopping, maybe go get yourself a massage, too!

-Amanda Fornecker

I wear beauty products every day. But not just on my face to mask my blemishes and imperfections. I wear perfume and deodorant and nail polish and hair products. But maybe I should be a little more selective on which I choose to put on my body daily. After all, the skin is an absorbent organ and whatever you choose to put ON your body is what ends up IN your body. Ick!

I was reading an article on The Med Guru this morning and was completely disgusted by the data and findings of a new report. Do you know that the average woman puts about 515 chemicals onto her body each day? That’s a choice made through your own will. So we’re essentially killing ourselves and opening ourselves up to more disease possibilities willingly. I can’t imagine that I’m doing that to myself just by keeping up my appearance. Of course, all the products on the market have been tested and claim to have a safe amount of whatever toxin it has, but it’s scary to think that when you combine all these products you may be poisoning yourself!

One particular product that is harmful to your health is paraben. Think of parabens as the preservatives of makeup and beauty products. We try so hard to eliminate products from our food diet that contain preservatives because they aren’t good for you. This is exactly the same. And why do we need paraben-containing products when really you’re supposed to replace your makeup every few months because it’s unhealthy, and just plain old gross.

This news is not new, however. In fact, there was a study done on permanent makeup and how researchers are now warning that this could cause certain disfigurations, creating a black mark on permanent makeup.

We’re talking about long-term here. And yes, I’m guilty of thinking that this one time couldn’t necessarily damage me. Well, maybe not now, but in the future who knows what damage this may cause. I’m not advocating that you stop your normal beauty routine. All I’m saying is to think about what you’re using each day. Switching up certain parts of your regular beauty regimen may help you down the line. I understand the negative association with natural and organic products. They’re too expensive; they don’t last very long. But think of it like this: can you put a price on your life?

-Amanda Fornecker

This holiday season you’ll want to look your best and you can achieve a salon-like look without even going to the salon. Below, find tips from celebrity stylist, Allison Woodruff. She works at the Sally Hershberger Downtown Salon in New York and has worked with the likes of Megan Mullaly, Parker Posey, and Ana Ortiz. The products Allison uses are generally eco-friendly and by Eufora because they are good for both the environment and your hair. Check them out!

Seventies Throwback: For a glamorous look that is easy to pull off at home, Allison recommends creating big, waves. This style works best on medium-long lengths but can also be achieved on shorter bobs. To get the look, Allison recommends:
• Prep wet hair with Eufora Formation Whipped Styling Solution and blow
• hair out smooth (SRP: $19.50)
• Take a double barrel curling iron and curl the entire head
• Break up the curls using fingers and finish with Eufora Illuminate Shine
• Mist for frizz control and shine (SRP: $19.25)

Hot Buns: An updo is an easy way to go from office appropriate to party-ready in no time. Follow Allison’s quick tips to achieve this style:
• Blow hair out smooth, creating a center part
• Taking the lengths of the hair, create a ponytail around a donut-shaped rat (to create structure) and wrap the hair around
• Secure this style with bobby pins and Eufora Elevate Finishing Spray (SRP: $20.95)
• To smooth any fly-aways on the top of the head, apply a light application of Eufora Pure Polish Drops (SRP: $28.95)

Beachy-Keen: Island-bound for the Holidays? Toss a bottle of new Eufora Piece Works Defining Paste in your bag! Piece Works is a re-workable styling product designed to provide pliable hold and lasting control while doubling as an antioxidant rich wear-in treatment. It is rich in antioxidants to prevent hair damage by neutralizing free radicals and photo damage from UVA and UVB rays. For a carefree beach babe look, Allison recommends:
• Scrunch Eufora Piece Works into damp hair and diffuse dry (SRP:$22.00)
• Take a small barrel curling iron and curl random sections of hair throughout the entire head
• To create a look that is perfectly unkempt, run a dime-size of Eufora Piece Works into fingertips and then throughout the curls and waves
• If needed, apply a light coating of Eufora Elevate Finishing Spray for hold and control

About Eufora:
Since launching, Eufora has utilized advanced technology to protect, preserve and promote hair health through a people and planet-friendly product. Eufora salon professional products provide the legendary healing benefits of certified organic Aloe Vera Gel, which is the base for all formulations, in an optimum quality concentration. Eufora utilizes the most advanced botanical, vitamin and non-carcinogenic ingredients available with scientifically proven benefits to the hair, scalp and skin, as well as pure essential oils for a true aromatherapy experience.

Wouldn’t you just love to try out a product before you commit to a full size? That’s what’s so great about samples. And what about easily accessing these samples? Wouldn’t it be great to pick from a vending machine full of great products? Well, now you might be able to.

At the Nordstrom in the Aventura Mall in Florida, a vending machine of sample products is available for customers to check out. Products range in price from $3-5 and you receive a deluxe-size sample of skin care, hair care, or makeup products. It’s the perfect way to try that fab new product you’ve been dying to check out but don’t really want to shell out the cash for without knowing how it works on you.

This new idea has been implemented by Boca Raton-based New Beauty Magazine. The goal is to feature products in the vending machine that can be found on the pages of their magazine. The goal is to place more of the vending machines around the country in malls and at airports.

I love this idea. How many times have you sampled a full-size product only to realize that it’s not really for you? I’ve done it countless times. I hope to see a New Beauty Sample Bar near me soon!

-Amanda Fornecker