Kelly Clarkson!

As an esthetician, I have pretty much seen everything. I mean it. I have also waxed everything possible on both men and women- yes I have. People gasp & giggle, but honestly it's all in a day's work. Hair is the enemy-so off it comes! I have built quite a brazilian following over the years, and as you can imagine in that situation- you become quite close with your client! So one of my most loyal clients was in this past week & we were cracking up over the fact that for quite a few visits without fail- the CD player would play John Mayer's "Your Body is a Wonderland." For some technicians it would be awkward, we found it hysterical. That's the kind of amazingly cool clients I have. The whole service we were brainstorming about compiling an awkward/inappropriate brazilian music mix. Of course Madonna would be on it, as well as DeVinyl's "When I Think About You..." But what my brainstorming beauties would you add?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

He's Ron Burgandy

Kudos to my favorite funny man, comedic genius Will Ferrell for these limited edition hilarious sunscreens! He's endorsing the charity Cancer for College which provides college scholarships for cancer survivors. These lightweight SPF 30's come in two versions as shown above. They make a hysterical gift and might make the young ones more apt to actually apply sun protection. We've seen our share of clients with skin cancer at La Papillon- some as young as 28, so we know sadly that this preventable form of cancer is no laughing matter. So support a great cause & have a laugh while at it! $14 at FredFlare

Peace. Love. SPF. M

Files from the Brow Whisperer

Some clients are apprehensive when a brow wax is suggested. Many with fair hair feel there's no need, those with sparse brows worry that too much will be taken off...

But brow shaping is just that. Grooming and enhancing what you already have. When new clients come in with pictures of Eva Mendes' or Sandra Bullock's brows for how they want their brows to look, I show them pictures of Elle MacPherson's legs and admit those are the ones that I want. A true technician realizes that you have to work with what God gave you, however a true artist will have the technique and experience to make a real difference in your face- trust us!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

The Beauty Team

I realized when I posted about last week's beauty event, that I realized that I've never officially introduced my beauties ( you the readers) to my beauty team at La Papillon ! While looking over the pictures, I found the prefect opportunity! On the left is Chris a.k.a The Patient One who is a make-up artist & esthetician extraordinaire. On the right is Lisa, our new medical esthetician (nickname still to be determined!)

The Bubbly Beauty on the left, is Tabitha our boutique manager. Nicole on right, is the final member of our team who is an incredibly talented massage therapist and esthetician. We are small, but mighty! I am truly blessed to have a team of women to work with that I respect as professionals, but who also have hearts of gold!

Peace. Love. Go Team Beauty! M

Oh Baby 2!

With all the baby news, I also wanted to let my beauties know about another "birth" announcement of sorts. I'm so excited to announce the partnering of La Papillon Spa with Be Medspa, with the genious Dr. Michael Cohen as our Medical Director. With this partnering La Papillon will be able to add even more powerful weapons of anti-aging to our arsenal, including Microdermabrasion & Vitalize Peels!

You girls know it's my mission in life to fight the signs of aging! Now our estheticians and the talented plastic surgeons from the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland will join forces to fight Father Time. I am so honored and excited that my Partner in Crime, Dawn Richardson, will also become my Partner in Beauty. This truly has been a labor of love!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Martini's, Mineral Make-Up & Mango Peels

Party Time! The week La Papillon held a Martini's, Mineral Make-up & Mango Peels featuring to launch of our True Mineral Cosmetics. The boutique looked amazing with treats galore- including red velvet cupcakes and decadent bon-bons.

Cups rimmed with crushed graham crackers awaited our Key Lime Pie Matini's for our guests(recipe posted last week.) Behind them were our goodie bags which held deluxe samples of True Mineral Mist, Jan Marini SPF 30 and Twist & Pout SPF 20 lip balm (all great summer skin savers!)

Here's Leslie, True Minerals' regional make-up artist, getting ready to beautify our attendees after they had finished being pampered with their Mango Peels & Key Lime Pie Masks!

Fun was had by all and the event was a smashing success! Here's Movie Girl with her beauty bounty! Thanks to all who came out. Stay tuned for our next event, if you're in the area we'd love to have you!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Kid in a Candy Store

I see make-up as candy without calories. Truly, it gives me the same sugar rush as if I had eaten a pound of Twizzlers! I am quite picky about what we carry at the boutique, some call me a Goldie Locks. I'm fine with that. I know that if I'm picky & I love it, that I have the utmost confidence that my beauties will love it! We've had the True Mineral Foundations at the spa for almost a year now. Any esthetician will tell you mineral make-up is the best for your skin- it helps heal & protect the skin. I tried out so many brands when looking for a line to carry at the spa & fell in love with True Cosmetics.

Besides the foundations coming in a convenient pressed version, they're also infused with Idebenone- an amazing anti-oxidant that helps fight fine lines, wrinkles & dark spots. So when I tried their shadows, I was thrilled that they too met my high expectations! They feel like heaven and blend like a dream! I seriously did my happy dance when unpacking the shipment when it arrived at the boutique. My favorite look is the Lotus shadow(soft shimmery nude) all over the lid with Jasper shadow(beautiful medium shimmer brown) in the crease then lined with the Obsidian Shadow Liner(jet black)- such a classic look. Stay tuned for the eye products to be loaded onto PeaceLoveLipgloss and for pictures from our launch party!

Peace. Love. Product Junkie. M

Lovely Lila

So I got to spend time with my lovely niece Lila on Monday! At almost 3 weeks this sweet thing is still trying to figure out life outside of the womb and is quite cranky.
Amidst the cries and the diaper changes, I coped with focusing on accessorizing! Isn't this cupcake mobile fab-u-lous?! I do worry that it will foster an early addicition to carbs though!

Restoration Hardware has the most adorable website with fabulous furniture and gifts. How chic is this yoga inspired onesie? As always the monogram steps it up a notch!

I can't wait to see how my niece evolves into her own little person. I admire my sister so much, it's more work than I'd ever imagined. She's such a natural mommy, though. She whipped out this interesting calming side cradle with the baby while making a 'swooshing' sound. It was amazing how it quieted Lila right down. I guess when it comes down to it- all of their lives have been forever turned upside down!

Peace. Love. Lila. M

Why Didn't I think of That?

So at a recent wedding I was introduced to this GENIUS little Mini Emergency Survival Kit by Ms&Mrs! Seriously- why didn't I think of this? I've seen these types of kits before, but this one is the best by far!

Packed in this tiny( 3 1/4" x 1 3/4") silver bag is everything a girl could possibly need: Hairspray, Clear Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Emery Board, Lip Balm, Earring Backs, Clear Elastics, Sewing Kit, Double-Sided Tape, Stain Remover, Deodorant Towelette, Pain Reliever, Tampon, Breath Freshener, Dental Floss, and Adhesive Bandages! I of course had to have them at the boutique! Besides being perfect for brides & bridesmaids, it's just plain smart to keep one in your handbag, car and suitcase so you'll never be caught unprepared. At only $11.95- it's the perfect stocking stuffer, too!
Peace. Love. Prepared. M

Martinis, Mineral Make-Up & Mango Peels!

So this weekend I will be running around like a mad woman after work getting everything into place for this Wednesday's event...If any of my beauties are in the Baltimore area- here's your invite, we would love to have you stop by and say hi! One of our clients, Sarah, even supplied us with an amazing key lime pie martini recipe complete with crushed graham cracker garnish! Cheers to the weekend!

Ingredients:
2 oz vanilla vodka

1/2 oz triple sec
2 1/2 oz pineapple juice
1/2 oz lime cordial
1/2 lime
crushed graham crackers for rimming
Preparation:

1. Rim a chilled cocktail glass with finely crushed graham crackers.
2. Pour the vodka, triple sec, pineapple juice and lime cordial into a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Squeeze the juice from the lime into the shaker.
4. Shake well.
5. Strain into the cocktail glass.

Enjoy! Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

New Beauty Test Tube

It was Christmas in July my beauties when I got home & saw that my New Beauty Test Tube had arrived on my doorstep. Seriously I almost hurt myself opening the package to see what beauty items were in store for me!
I wasn't disappointed either- this was New Beauty's biggest shipment to date including a generously sized trio of acne products from Sensiclear. Other goodies that were included were from Babor, Bioelements, True Cosmetics, Supersmile, Youngblood Minerals, Colorescience, Cosmedicine & Kerstin Florian! I was a giddy girl & all for the bargain price of $29.95 + s&h! Even if you don't use all of the samples, they make great stocking stuffers. Also for the true make-up junkie, this would also be a great gift that would come 4 times a year! Love it!
Peace. Love. Samples Galore!M

Files from the Brow Whisperer

So I'm realizing that I need to be taking more pictures at work. It was one of the reasons I got a new camera- both for my blogging & my beauties. It really helps to show people the condition of their skin prior to & post treatment. To be honest I just forget to take the pics & then sometimes worry that the occasional client could be offended if I ask them to pose for the 'Before' shot! We have a lot of new moms at the spa. Starved for time, they always ask how to pare down their make-up regimen. Keeping up with their brows is the number one thing! It can make a Beauty look rested even when she's not! Then add a few swipes of mascara & a cheek/lip stain & you're good to go!
Voila! This is what I love about my job- instant gratification! Immediately my client's eye looks lifted & groomed. I always say that a good brow wax can take 10 years off the look of your age!
Here's the proof!
Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer. M

Summer Reads

The majority of the time I pick up a book it has to do with business or bettering myself. Titles with the promise of making me wiser and better in all aspects of life lure me in. Rarely are these books captivating in a "can't put it down" sort of way.In fact, most of the time these self help books are a struggle to finish. So since I don't have a summer vacation planned, I'm taking a vacation from the serious stuff. Sure my new pieces of literature will probably not be awarded any Pulitzer Prizes in the near future, but that's why they call them guilty pleasures. What are some of your favorite summer reads my beauties? Happy Reading!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Here Comes the Bride

Hilary Clinton said "It takes a Village." It is true my beauties when I say there is a lot involved in getting a bride & her gals ready for her big day. Here is a picture of my beauty arsenal set up on location at the hotel.
All of the girls wanted a look that was natural & glowing. I thought they all looked radiant- if I do say so myself!

Here's the lovely bride popping out from behind her dress as it was unveiled!

Though I looked a little worse for the wear after a long day's work, the bride looked absolutely stunning & I was honored that she chose me to help her look her best on the biggest day of her life! Cheers to the Bride & Groom!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Bronze Beauty Make-up Series

I love when make-up lines offer themed kits. It's a great way to try several products from the line at a great price. They also take the guess work out of putting the palette together, since they've done it for you. Lorac is one of my favorite brands of eyeshadow. The payoff (the intensity of the actual color) is amazing! Their newest launch, liquid lipcolor- an opaque gloss, is included in this fabulous Summer of Style kit $40. It's a great grab & go set for a weekend away!

Another artist, Laura Geller is known for her "Spackle" make-up primer. I'm a huge fan of her shadow liners. This bronze themed kit has a tinted version of her famous Spackle+ coordinating shadow, lipstick & highlighter. A steal at $45, the Bring on the Bronze kit comes complete with this cute clutch! So go be bronze my beauties! Available at Sephora.

Peace. Love. Golden Goddess. M

Stars & Stripes

How is it already Monday morning?! Hope all my beauties had a lovely weekend, mine was a blur filled with fireworks, good food, Wimbleton & lovely Lila (in her first themed outfit!)
So yes the majority of my weekend was spent in the maternity ward, but no complaints here! I was cracking up since my brother-in-law, M, whips out rubber gloves whenever diaper changing is involved! Hey at least he changes them!

Here I am holding my new niece- so tiny! My sister begs to differ since she weighed 9.5 lbs at delivery! She also threatened bodily harm if I posted pictures of her just after giving birth!

This was probably my favorite moment- the first quiet one of the weekend. Lila and my sister were napping, so M offered up some cocktails. We sat there whispering & marveling at their new baby. A moment I'll never forget. Pardon moi's shiny face- it's practically a 2 mile walk from the parking garage... Now I'm off to start setting up for a Beauty Event at CSCM that La Papillon is participating in. Stay tuned for pics!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Summer Sparkling Punch

Happy Independence Day! I'm so excited that the 4th of July is on a weekend this year since I am always at the spa on Saturdays! To help with your celebrating this holiday weekend - try this sparkling fruit punch from Woman's Day Magazine. The cucumber adds a little extra something! I wish all of my beauties a safe and relaxing long weekend!

1 Bottle (64 oz.) Pomegranite- Cherry Juice

1 Quart Strawberries (huled & quartered)

1 Pint each Blueberries & Raspberries

1 Navel Orange thinly sliced

1 Small Cucumber thinly sliced

2 Liters sparkling water

Optional

Vodka to taste or

Sub out Sparkling Water for Champagne!

Peace. Love. Cheers! M

Oh Baby!

Well the wait is over!!!!!!!!!!! My niece, Lila Faith, finally made her debut late last night . Mama and baby are healthy and happy, with Lila weighing in at 9.5 lbs! The new family is exhausted and in a little bit of shock and disbelief!

I am so excited to spoil her rotten and let's be honest, accessorize her. I'm dashing back over this morning with my favorite Lotus Jewelry Studio "L" initial necklace for my sister and this fabulous onesie with matching hat for Lila. Alright I'm not going to lie, last night we also smuggled in a split of champagne as well- my poor sister hasn't had a cocktail in 9 months. It's time to celebrate!

Peace. Love. Little One. M

Margarita Anyone?

Bethenny Frankel , the tell it like it is Real Housewife(though single) of New York, has launched her prepackaged Skinnygirl Margaritas nation wide. If you're like me and love your margaritas, but feel somewhat guilty that the caloric intake of one is equivalent to a loaf of bread - than cheers! Each serving is under 100 calories and features the perfect blend of clear tequila, lime juice, agave nectar and a splash of citrus liqueur. Perfect for 4th of July celebrations, you can find it at select liquor stores. If you absolutely must have one right now, here's her recipe:

2 oz of Clear Premium Tequila (count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring)
Tiny splash of Orange Liquor
Juice of 4 Fresh Lime Wedges

Combine all ingredients over a glass of ice and garnish with a lime wedge. Makes one serving.

Peace. Love. Margaritas. M