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