Bath and Body Works Sale

Ok, so usually I go all too crazy at these semi-annual sales. As the years have passed I have accumulated a collection of Wallflowers and Slatkin plugins that sit retired on the top shelf in my closet. Now they simply collect dust, as I only have so many rooms in need of scenting.

This year, I flew by the "3 for $15" signature sets and rushed past the plug ins to the 75% off tables. Last year they only brought out a 75% off table half way through the sale. I am eagerly awaiting their 90% off table as well.

I rummaged through the Vincent Longo bins to find some of their gel stains. I picked up one gel stain and one pearlessence gel stain along with a beautiful Lipstick in Bruised Cherry. The vampy, garnet shade was perfectw with my newly reddened hair. I was awarded the next day at my lipstick's premiere with an armload of compliments. I feel fulfilled by the sale instead of weighed down by products that will just sit in the "drawer of broken dreams" never to be used at all.

Did you find what you were looking for?
Did you go to multiple locations to stock up on your favorite items?
Do you still have items from the last sale that are unused?



Lots of love my little beautlings,

-The Go to Girl

Did You Take your Vitamins Today?

Dr. Perricone has some great products on the market in the way of supplements. I read a great interview recently with Jim Carrey wherein he referenced to supplements turning his life around from the depths of depression. I know that I tend to get a bit of the blues when the skies turn gray during the winter months. This season I have become more vigilant about my supplements. I am great about buying any and everything that has any possibility of helping me. I will take everything from cinnamon to metabolize sugar to CoQ10 for skin and heart health, but not with regularity. Opening 10 different bottles in the morning is not my cup of tea.

This is what lead me to discover Perricone's Weight Management supplements.

Medical grade...

1. Super Antioxidant Vitamin - Anti aging, prevents free radical damage,

2. Tyrosine and Alpha Lipoic Acid Capsule - antioxidant and amino acid

3. L-Carnitine Capsule - Amino acid, provides natural source of energy

4. DMAE Capsule - Firming, helps to maintain muscle

5. Acetyl L-Carnitine Capsule - Amino acid, energy boost

6. CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) Softgel - source of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids. great for skin

7. Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) Softgel - great for women, mood stabilizer

8. CO-Q10 - powerful antioxidant for skin and heart health.

All in one packet.

I take mine in the car with my coffee on the way to work.

Now a box is $200 for a "one month supply" which is 3 packets a day, but with 1 packet a day, it lasts me 3 months. Now, I am not the only one who does this. As I am looking to maintain health and my great (ok, not sooo great, but i'm workin' on self esteem here) physique, I feel that one a day is better than nothing.

What supplements do you take?

Do you find that you can feel a difference in your mood, energy level, or immune system?

Are you interested in holistic therapies as well?

I would love to hear your input.

Thanks for checking out today's post.

-The Go to Girl

*photograph from www.perriconemd.com

Products available for sale at Nordstroms, Neimans, and Sephora.

Darn You, QVC Exclusives!

Why, philosophy, why?



I have to wait until when?

Men's too? interesting marketing.

What ever happened to their Amen cologne?
(It smelled like Gendarme. Fresh, and clean.)

I am excitedly awaiting this release. Some of philosophy's skincare is spot on (micro-delivery peel anyone?) but some is unforgivable... (ahem, hope in a jar)

-thanks for going to...

-The Go to Girl

Holiday Coffret from Tom Ford

For anyone who claims to be a fragrance-o-phile, this set is for you.



Fragrance designers has notoriously kept their favorite scents under wraps from the public eye. Aerin Lauder continued in her grandmother's legacy by launching a Private Collection line of fragrances. These all started from her secret scents that she would only have mixed for herself. I'm sure there is a long standing tradion with perfumers to create a special private fragrance collection for themselves. The more exclusive the fragrance, the more entrancing the notes.



Tom Ford has a beautiful boxed set sampler of ALL of his Private Blend parfums.

The set is 220, which is a great way to sample all of the scents and mix and match ''till your hearts desire.

Originally Tom Ford Private Blend scents come in only a 1.7oz for $180 or 8.4oz for $450.

The holiday box set has 2ml roll ons for each of the 12 scents.

I am a Ford-o-phile and have been ever since he took on the Gucci design position a few years back. Black Orchid then further fueled my adoration.

These scents as a whole smell very worldly and have a European undertone. What I mean by that, is that these are not your fashion fragrances from Escada, or your light and fluffy florals. Each scent has a story behind its creation and unveils its depth as it matures to its dried down ephemeral nature.

Usually the Tom Ford Private Blend collection is exclusive to Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bendel's and Bergdorf's. The coffret collection is now at Nordstroms as well. I am also assuming that it is a test run. Depending on how well the coffret collection sells, they would consider placing the Private Blend line in the store.

Thanks to my beautyphiles and fragrance-o-philes.

- The Go to Girl

Hot Deal

I love it when store bring stuff in at the wrong price. . .

So the hairdryer by itself sells for $119, but this set is only selling for $89!! and it has the $28 nanotechnology hair plump... and it's hot pink!

Gimme, Gimme!

One for you, and one for me! the best way to shop, ever.

What other holiday deals and duds have y'all come across in your town?

-Thanks much,

-The Go to Girl

Nanospheres where?

I know Dr. Brandt, Dr. Perricone, and Bliss use nanotechnology in their delivery methods, but now him too?

I have met Orlando Pita and he is a very nice, and very handsome guy. He was doing a PA when these products first came out.

I have the T3 Featherweight hairdryer.

Love it, easy, breezy, 8/10. (I have always had an above the shoulder cut when using it.)

I'm super excited about Plump. The hair product to acutally penetrate the cortex (no over the counter product does that) and deliver strengthening keratin and conditioners without over proteinizing the hair.

I have always loved his runway looks. I'm excited to see if it will add any va-va-volume to my limp locks.

Stay tuned for a review.

Thanks my fellow beautlings,

-The Go to Girl

Inspiration to Make it Happen

This is truly inspiring...

Remind's me of Isle of Eden, all glammed up and with professional marketing and distribution. Goodbye 6-8 week delivery, hello Sephora!

This makes me want to write down my cucumber face mask recipe... Everyone has a secret cure all, the revolution of providing a simple to solution to beauty problems with "down home" Brooklyn Cookin' sounds good with me.

*The Tui line looks amazing for coarse hair. My hair is fine so I haven't tried it, but the smell... mmmm... vacation in a bottle.

Will you be trying Carol's Daughter?
Is this the first you have heard of it, or have you seen it at a retailer in your area?


-Thanks again,
The Go to Girl

Perricone Friends and Family!

Dr. Perricone Discount Code! Shop here at www.perriconemd.com
Enter FF104 as your promo code at check out.



Also... make money off of Perricone, $10 for every referral who makes their first purchase through the www.perriconemd.com site, up to $30.

I already emailed my mom, sister, and aunt about it.

If you haven't tried Perricone and you are interested in some high powered and EFFECTIVE skincare that really works, try the Advanced Face Firming Activator during the daytime and then the Concentrated Restorative Cream at night. It's my favorite "Power Pair" for instant pore minimizing and line reducing.

*If you are on Retin A, don't use the Concentrated Restorative Cream at the same time, alternate the products on an every other night basis. Vitamin C based products actually lower the efficacy of Retin A!

Thanks and have fun shopping for yourself as well this holiday season!

-The Go to Girl

The new Mary Kay?

You're Kidding Right... The new Mary Kay?

First we had this,

Then we had this,

Now we have this...

You too can become a Diva!

The former Intuit Beauty (whose logo looked a little too much like Fusion Beauty for my taste) is now the Beauty Society, where you too can host a facial "party" and guilt your friends into buying new products.

I believe these companies turn their distributors into "That Girl."
"That Girl," who is always on a new get rich quick scheme.
"That Girl," who is finds a way to 'invite' me to something then make me feel obligated to go
"That Girl" who expects me to support (by buying into) her latest endeavor.

Wait a moment, perhaps women who are already "That Girl" are drawn to the position for its flexibility, or lack or daily responsibilities.

Here is one of my favorite brands that has just gone the route of the independent beauty consultant.

I suppose they have created a sweet gig. These companies have women pay start up fees to get a "kit." These women then go cavorting about town doing all of their advertising and marketing for them. It is a very low cost way for a business to function. I find it interesting that the company Rodan and Fields has devolved from a department store setting to an independent consultant method. I used to use their products when they were available at Nordstrom, but now they are avaiable only online or if you know someone who distributes the products.

Since when does everyone know an independent beauty distributor?

Since when is someone's make up gal a "beauty consultant" instead of a makeup artist at a boutique or department store?

Maybe I am just jealous because even as the Go to Girl I would have to go through someone to get what I need. (which is just preposterous, don't you think?)

Thanks, and let me know what you think,

or if know anyone who sells Rodan and Fields. *wink*

- The Go to Girl

High Maintenence? Try a Lash Fill

Extensions... the New Frontier

I had the pink and white solar acrylics put on three times in my life, none of which made it to a fill. (I'm a chronic nail sabatoger.) I still don't know if I could be high maintenance enough for this

I have had several clients with Lash extentions, these women are not shy about admitting their newfound addiction either. I would compliment their lashes, only to hear them unabashedly claim, "Oh honey, they're extension!" They go every 4 weeks to get their lashes filled.

There is a definite downside. Oil based products can prematurely erode the bonding. So that means, no waterproof eyeliner, waterproof mascara, or oil based makeup removers.

Also, just like how repeated use of acrylic nails weakens your natural nails, when the lashes slowly fall out, they can take your natural lashes with them.

I have met women from both extremes. I know women who have tried it once and lost too many lashes to consider extensions again, but I also saw at a beauty show a few weeks ago that they were using a new bonding formula that was completely protein based. They were using keratin (the protein that makes up hair and nails) to bond the lashes, and claiming that there was little shedding compared to the competition.

I actually got to watch a full application on a woman. It looked very tedious for the technician applying each individual lash into the client's lashline. I didn't seem too bad from the client's perspective. It takes time, about 45 minutes, and it takes committment.

At first I wrote it off as for someone who is high maintenance with, pedicures, manicures, lasering, waxing. I have found it has a similar demographic to tanning. A lot of these women wear the lashes and little to no makeup. They want to look great with as little fuss as possible. This idea shatter the mold, for me.

Here I found mink (yes mink, like the fur coat) lash application starting at $349 when they only last 4-6 weeks.

Xtreme Lash is a well reputed brand and method available in salons has a $250 starting cost with $50 fills every two weeks.

I have also seen women with really bad "Lash Jobs," especially in African American women with extremely curly lashes. Their technician gave them a clumpy, lashes glued shut look that tangled their lashes, and eventually causes them to fall out.

I love my lashes, but I am not ready for this yet, although it does sound tantalizing. I certainly bet that it's a popular service in Hollywood, not to mention, Las Vegas.

Have you ever had lash extensions?

Would you do it again?

Any tips on pricing and brands?

Thanks again,

I'm yours, The Go to Girl

Wholesale Brush Sets

Borghese for the Holidays - Only $21.97

Borghese (yes the same international make up company that once could be found in high end department stores) has a line of products produced by Kirkland. (CostCo) I am so excited to say that I just bought the cutest brush set from CostCo that actually exceeds my expectations!

The set includes 10 brushes with shimmering ivory handles, each with an inlaid rhinestone. All of the brushes are made with synthetic hairs. Usually I am a snob for blue squirrel for my pressed and loose powders, but these are made with Japanese Nylon hairs. These are the same fibers as the new Trish McEvoy portable foundation brush, and feel much softer than similar synthetic brushes by Too Faced and their "Teddy Bear Hair". I am very excited about the new dual length contouring brush (back base with white tip) and eyelining brush. I am a bit lazy about cleaning my personal brushes directly after use, so it is always good for me to have multiple liner brushes.

Borghese releases their brush set annually for the holidays. I bought this kit in 2006 when it looked like

This is my travel set that I use for client makeup applications, though I use the curler everyday.

There are a few variations in the new brush set, but I believe that is a change for the better. The new ivory brush roll holds the brushes much better than the previous stiff case. If you are like me, then you cram all kinds of other brushes in with your pre-made brush kit, and the case would never stay closed. The new roll has spaces for every brush as well as a zipper pouch for their body brush.

I found this set for only $21.97 at Costco. I plan to add this one to my "kit" for client use as well. (It's best to have multiple sets as even spray cleaning brushes between clients all at the same bridal party can change the texture of application.)

I am actually happy that I did not buy the new holiday MAC brush sets.

I found that at Nordstrom, they are ringing for only $35 instead of the $49.50 list price. I almost purchased all three brush sets (even while realizing that the quality of the sets is inferior to MAC's individually sold brushes.)

I am extremely happy, giddy almost, with my Borghese (even if it's distributed by Kirland) brush set.

This set gets a 10/10 with me.

Have you ever purchased anything cosmetic from a wholesale store? Shampoo, Soap, Q-Tips?

Would you consider buying this brush set or make up from a wholesale store?

For those of you who look down upon its quality, how does it compare to buying unofficial"MAC" brushes from Hong Kong that are likely fakes?

Go check it out and tell me what you think.

Thanks for the read,

- The Go To Girl

Photographs from Costco.com

Mascara is the new Lipgloss

Mascara is the new lipgloss, girlies!

It used to be that lipgloss could change your day. A great impulse buy, something to look great, smell great, and feel beautiful. Times are a'changing because for the '08 beauty junkie it's all about lashes! Open my travel make up bag and you now see multiple lash primers, mascaras, a heated curler, crimp curler, and lash comb taking over the lip gloss real estate. I might take two glosses out and about, but I usually have multiple mascaras. With each mascara claiming to take my lashes to new heights I become ecstatic at first application.

Now you can see why I freaked when I saw Sephora's Lash Stash with TEN mini mascaras! The sizes really aren't even all that tiny, I could get about 4 weeks solid use out of each tube. Being in the beauty industry it's hard to shell out the money for a set that looks like sample sizes I could find for free, but this is such a great collection it is hard to pass up.

Smashbox - Bionic Mascara

Sephora - Atomic Volume Mascara

Vincent Longo - The Curl Mascara

Tarte - Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

Too Faced - Lash Injection Pin Point Mascara

Make Up For Ever - Smoky Lash Mascara

Urban Decay - Big Fatty Mascara

DuWop - Lash Venom Mascara

Korres - Deep Colour Mascara

Cargo - Texas Lash Mascara

I've tried Smashie's and the new Pinpoint by Too Faced, but I have never tried the others on myself. I'm so excited. Coming up I will review each one day by day. I will test it's wearability through my hectic work days, and of course how many compliments I get on my new lash looks!

These days I look around and see grab and go Lancome and Christian Dior mascara towers beside checkout stands. These are designed to be last minute impulse purchases. As mascara should only be used for a maximum of 6 to 12 weeks once it is opened, I can see how shoppers are always on the lookout for the next great lash.

Here's to my next review!







Which of these lastest looks have you tried?



Did you like it, love it, hate it?

Can't wait to see which lashes score and which smear,

Thanks for all the support,

- The go to girl

photograph from www.Sephora.com

New to me - Annick Goutal

New to me, a classic to others,

I present Folavril by Annick Goutal.

I am a big fan of Annick Goutal's Collection of fragrances. They are so multilayered and unique in composition.

In my opinion, they smell very European and playfully arrogant as the rich history of French perfumers laugh in the face of our American scents of grapefruit and cotton candy. Ms. Goutal created these perfumes in Grasse, which is respectfully the fragrance mecca of the world.



I sprayed this the other day and I received so many compliments.

No one could pinpoint what I reminded them of. It was on the tip of their tongues, "Mmm, you smell like...I don't know." The fresh scent of sun basked tomato leaf is rounded out by boronia flower. I have never heard of this flower in any other fragrances. This is no lily or peony. It is more of a Heliotrope scent but far more precious and rare. Then the fresh (lightly soapy or granny smith like) edge is rounded out and warmed by mango flesh and jasmine blossom. There is only the slightest touch of warmth, just enough to paint a portrait of a fresh new start during the middle of spring as the name Folavril suggests.


Folavril is French for April Fool. This was designed in 1981 as a spring fragrance. (I suppose the cold is making my nose yearn for spring!)



This scent reminds me of Bobbi Brown's fragrance philosophy that she "hates perfume, but loves good smells." It is similar in sharpness to Bobbi's "Beach" and Annick Goutal's Eau de Sud (which is unisex)



The scent is clean and fresh (without being citrusy.) It has a shower fresh feel to it, but more of a twinge in the aldehydes that makes my nose perk up. I would say lovers of Chanel's No. 5 Eau Premiere,(click to view flash video and hear a music composition interpretation of the new rendition.) Bobbi Brown's Almost Bare and Beach, as well as Trish McEvoy's Snowdrops and Crystal Flowers would find a good match with Folavril.



This is a niche fragrance that may not be at your local department store.

I know that Nordstrom, Saks, Neimans carry the scent

Would you trek out to a nearby retailer to try this scent?
How do you feel Annick Goutal scents compare to American fragrance houses like Coty and P&G?


Thanks for all the support and more,

- the go to girl



photograph from AnnickGoutal.com

Dazzle Lash

If you don't want this

Then you want this:

Dazzle Lash by MAC

Separation, Length, Fringe.

This mascara creates fine, doll like lashes.

Ok, I for one, have never been impressed by MAC's mascaras, so I was very excited to find out they are having a new mascara. They haven't had a new mascara in... at least three years! And we all know mascara is the new lipgloss. Mascara is HOT right now, even more of an impulse buy than a lipgloss.

The packaging for this one is divine. The handle feels metallic and heavy as it is textured to look like wrought iron or black marble.

The brush, I'm not gonna lie looks dinky. It is small, short, and angled to a point. It looks like a cheapo disposable. (Hold on, I'm not ranting, it only looks dinky.) It outperformed my expectations, and all my MACie buddies are lovin' it. It separates for a very fine, delicate, and long lash.

I even wore it on my bottom lashes, so there was none of the smudgies or flakes happening. This was a 10 hr test. Not a smear on the bottom. !

I give it a 7 out of 10.

My fave is still Clinique Lash Power and Trish McEvoy's High Volume mascara. There is just something about everything coming off in a nice clean "tube" that I love.

Do you want to try it?

Are you as excited about this mascara as all of the limited edition MAC sets out there?

Share your thoughts.

Thank you all for your support, making this the Go To place.

- The Go To Girl

All of the items in bold are available for purchase. You can contact Dallas and Allure Magazine's favorite place to get makeup, The Dallas Galleria Nordstrom to order yours at 972-702-0055.

DazzleLash photo from www.maccosmetics.com

Eye photograph from flickr.com/photos/idle_a_while/281810844

Black Tie Affair with Laura's National Artist.

Black Tie by Laura Mercier

+ tips from her National Artist

Tuxedo Quad - 4 shades in a compact with mirror

- matte black

- matte white

- irridescent white with a clear pearlized shimmer

- irridescent black.

She did a great job of designing a metallic black that doesn't shine with a blue gleam. This is a true black. Imagine a lava flow just cooling. The sparkle of the freshly heated pumice mixed in with the deep black rock... It is a deep black, like a dripping wet stone of onyx.

The purpose of this quad is to deepen, define, and line the eye. This limited edition quad might appear as an evening, New Year's Eve collection, but it is designed to add depth and dimension to any look. The purpose is similar to the Eye Design Kit... (see pic, this kit deserves it's own page).

The look is a very modern smoky eye. This is not smoked all the way out past the outside corner of your eye and to the brow bone. I hate to say it, but take a look at the runway. Take a look at the images from Zac Posen's fall line up Zack Posen Fall 08. Defininition is in, not the messy blacked out eye from the early 90's.

Today I actually had a little lesson on the Black Tie collection with THE National Make up Artist for Laura Mercier, Pamela. (For any Laura lovers she may have even done your make up, if you were lucky.)

Define: First, take the Black Caviar (one of Laura's favorite products, imagine the inside of a kohl pencil all nice in a little compact so you can manipulate it any which way you would like.) with either the Creme Eye Detail Brush or the Smoky Liner Brush and pack on the color (dry mind you) from the lash line to right under the crease.

Blend: Second, we take out Crease Brush and blend out the caviar to make the lid nice and smooth with an opaque black base.

We don't want to take is all the way up to the crease or over it as that would overwhelm the frame of the eye.

Pack on Pigment: Next we take our Eye Shadow Brush(stiff natural fibers designed for high impact laydown) and we press and wiggle (not brush back and forth) into the irridescent black in the Tuxedo Quad to load the brush. Then instead of brushing back and forth onto the eye, we press and wiggle where we laid down the caviar. This creates an intense, highly pigmented look with zero fallout.

Highlight: Next we take the irridescent white with our Ponytail Brush, and we highlight under the brow bone with a smooth windshield wiper like motion.

Tightline: Now for my favorite, we take our Flat Line Brush and wet it with water. We then press and wiggle into our Black Cake Liner to create a smooth shoe polish like texture. This is our Tight Line. We then, coming from beneath the upper lashes, press and wiggle the brush into the lash line.

We are defining the eye through the lashes, to create a sexy and detailed eye. We can even wing out the liner with one quick flicking motion, but be sure to wing out in a straight 180 degree angle instead of a 45 degree angle. We are going for classy, not 1980.

Smudge: Finally take the Smudge Brush into the Black Violet Kohl Pencil and across the lashline from the top. Blend out any edges with the Crease Brush.

Now you are ready to rock your new modern smoky look!

Where would you wear this look?

Do you think it looks cleaner than the traditional smoky eye?

Check back for more with the Go to Girl's Guide to Beauty.

- Thank you.

-The Go to Girl

All photographs from Laura Mercier.com

All bold words are products that can be purchased.

This site and Allure Magazine recomment the Nordstrom's Dallas Galleria Location for expertise and customer service.

Call 972-702-0055 and ask for the Laura Mercier Cosmetics Counter.