If you’re anything like me, you are super particular about who touches your hair. There is one person and one person only who is allowed to touch my locks and that is my stylist. Luckily, I have found the mecca of hairstylists all in one location. Hair By Charlie is a rustic yet chic salon located in the Design District of Dallas (it was previously on Mckinney). The owner, Charlie Price, has styled the locks of Bravo TV’s Most Eligible Dallas star Courtney Kerr  and the models from Billy Reid during NYC Fashion week. Enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail during your cut (that is, if you’re 21) along with some great conversation from the friendly staff. If you’re lucky, you might even get a chance to meet the newly crowned mascot of the salon, Pippen.

Call today to book your appointment today! (I recommend either Charlie Price or Lauren Chambers)

Hair By Charlie

214-303-1799
1621 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, TX 75207

The Muppets themed collection is created by OPI and includes sparkly shades that just scream fun, along with classic deep reds perfect for the holiday season. My favorite? Rainbow Connection a mix of multi-color sparkles that is party perfect.

If you have a favorite character you can buy the color that corresponds with that character. If you’re a Gonzo fan try the blue sparkly Gone Gonzo color. Perhaps Kermit is more your style? Then the sparkly green of Fresh Frog of Bel Air is sure to make a statement. If it’s Miss Piggy you love then you have multiple color options. Of course there is a sparkly pink named Excuse Moi! Ahem!, a purple glitter shade called Divine Swine and a red with a hint of glitter named Gettin’ Miss Piggy With It!

The collection hit stores earlier this month. Each bottle is $8.50 and can be purchased at salons in the area. Head to the OPI website for a list of stores.

What’s the easiest way to take your make-up from day to night? Drawing more attention to your eyes always does the trick. Now Hourglass Cosmetics perfected the final step for getting ready for a night on the town. Their new Film Noir Lash Lacquer is a revolutionary topcoat for mascara.

To use the product brush it on top of mascara for a look that makes lashes stand out. The formula adds shine to lashes while it also makes them super dark and lengthens. In short, this product makes your eyes stand out. The best part? The Lash Lacquer has a similar effect to false eyelashes but you don’t need to mess with any sticky eyelash glue or annoying falling falsies.

This Saturday the Hourglass team will be at the Sephora in the Galleria for a demonstration of the Lash Lacquer. If you visit the store from 12-6 pm you can get a free makeover by the Hourglass Cosmetics artists and receive a bonus gift.

For more information about the Venice, California beauty company Hourglass Cosmetics or to purchase Film Noir Lash Lacquer head to their website.

Although it may seem a little bizarre, dark green is a total trend this season. This forest color has been seen on some of the most savvy style editors. Shades of green can vary, if you’re nervous try a grey-green like Essie’s power clutch from their fall 2011 line. Your friends will be green with envy.

When the weather gets chillier, choose a darker shade. OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark has been a classic for years. The deep plum color appears black at some angles. It’s the perfect compliment to sweaters and boots.

No nail-polish trend list can be complete without the go-to Chanel colors of the season. This fall it’s a toss up between two stunning shades. The first is Peridot, a metallic greenish shade that looks different depending on the light. This color is an attention getter.

The next Chanel shade is called Graphite. This color makes all other metallic nail polishes pale in comparison. The combination of grey and charcoal sparkles looks almost 3D on nails. It’s the perfect compliment to any outfit.

With these fall colors in mind you are sure to nail the trend!

As the number of organic beauty products hitting the shelves is constantly increasing I wanted to see what all the hype is about. So, I chatted with Brandie Gilliam, organicbeautytalk.com’s founder and editor-in-chief. She gave me the scoop about why it’s important to shop smart when it comes to beauty.

Gilliam started her journey with organic beauty ten years ago when she first heard about the “Terrible Touch-Me-Nots” often found in cosmetics and skin products. These ten harmful ingredients can cause effects as minor as a headache or as severe as cancer.

Once she learned that beauty and skin products are not well regulated she became interested in finding great products that are completely natural, and free from harmful ingredients.

“Just because it’s on a shelf doesn’t mean it’s good for you” Gilliam said.

So what exactly should a buyer look for when it comes to organic beauty products? According to Gilliam there are three main criteria for this. The first is that there are no harmful ingredients in the product. The second is that the products’ ingredients are all natural, rather than synthetic. Thus they must be naturally derived. Finally, the company should pay attention to where it sources its ingredients.

So with these criteria in mind, Gilliam set off to find the best of the best in organic beauty products. To do this she has tested tons of items, from eye shadow to hand lotion she’s tried it all.

These days finding great organic products is much easier than it was a decade ago. Back then the selection was small and the choices were slim- not to mention product packaging was just plain ugly. Now Gilliam finds organic beauty products everywhere from Sephora to Tom Thumb, and they are just as good, if not better than their synthetic counterparts.

The organic products Gilliam features on her blog are, “Trusted, true and genuine” she said. For her the decision to use the organic products is easy, “It just makes sense.”

As Gilliam has seen the organic beauty industry grow first hand, she hopes it continues to flourish. “I hope people will become more educated and won’t blindly use whatever products are on the shelf,” she said.

As beauty trends come and go, it seems this one is here to stay. According to Gilliam when it comes to organic beauty, “The sky’s the limit.”

For product reviews and all your organic beauty needs go to organicbeautytalk.com.

The hair salon: a sanctuary for women (and sometimes men!) to reflect, rejuvenate, and reveal their inner beauty. When life gets crazy, sometimes nothing feels better than getting primed and pampered, leading up to that moment the stylist swivels you around to face the mirror and BAM! Locks to compete with Farrah’s.

But really now, I’ve experienced it all. The overpriced, the under sanitized, the Aqua Net updos for prom, the coloring nightmares, the ghetto fab barbershops, the late night cutting of your best friend’s bangs, the French hairdresser who promised to “protect me” from Sarkozy, the list goes on. So when I moved to Dallas, I needed a salon with high quality, reasonable prices and a considerate staff. Most importantly, I wanted somewhere I could keep going back to. And I found it at Salon Lucien.

I discovered Salon Lucien via D Magazine’s Best Of Big D 2011. I instantly knew why. The lavish interior, complimentary drinks & snacks, minimal wait time, and both a personal stylist and colorist who carefully consulted me before, and after, to assure my needs were met. The salon is fully equipped with space dryers, chandeliers, a self-styling bar, Shu Uemura products and more. And two weeks later, my hair still has the wow-factor it did when my stylist spun me around to show my reflection. Now I anxiously await my next retreat, er, appointment at Salon Lucien.

Salon Lucien is located at 8411 Preston Road Suite 102. Call 214.369.2500 to book an appointment with colorist, Rachael Schneck and stylist, Christen Swearengin. Salon Lucien even offers discounts for SMU students (yes boys, you too)! Let me know if you’re interested in a VIP card for an additional 20% off your first service as well.

Getting back to school and getting back into shape can come hand in hand this Fall. Classic Pilates, a boutique studio in Dallas is a fully equipped, classic Pilates studio offering private and semi-private Pilates mat and barre classes.

Instructors Rachael Lieck Bryce and Joann Cuccurullo are looking to help you improve your heath and fitness in this Uptown Pilates studio located across the street from Lee Park.

The best part? The first class is free!

Be sure the check out the Classic Pilates’ Teacher’s Blog for more information about the instructors and their philosophy.

SMU Senior Stefanie Dasher, who happens to also be Tibi’s Regional Retail Coordinator, is hosting a shopping event this Thursday at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Dallas Galleria. Shop the in-store spring 2011 Tibi looks and test-out the new Tibi for Bobbi Brown makeup palette with complimentary touch-ups by on-hand Bobbi Brown artists. The music will be bumping in the Tibi section of the store and special gifts (Tibi of course) will be awarded with purchase.

Tibi for Bobbi Brown Collection