Shopaholic's Top 10 Best Hair Coloring Products

EZcolour Hair Coloring Brush Applicator by New Basics Inc. 
Shopaholic's Top 10 Best Hair Coloring Products 2005


#1 The EZcolour Hair Coloring Brush Applicator by New Basics Inc. With this applicator you will color your hair with ease, evenly, precisely and with no-mess. It is a dream come true. Say goodbye to stubborn gray hair. Say goodbye to color stains. This inexpensive technological genius is made of light weight plastic, contoured with an ergonomic design. It was created for at-home hair colorers. You must try it.Only $5.99!Try it NOW.

#2 Clairol Ultresse. My preferred color - chestnut brown. It has a medium viscosity or thickness and yet will adhere to the hair and does not run off. The color lasts 4-6 weeks. It has a nice perfume and keeps your hair silky soft. Conditioner included in box. Prices varies $4.99 - 6.99 per box.

#3 L'Oreal Excellence Creme. In this color box is the best conditioner. I like the colorant itself but they discontinued my preferred color "mahogany brown" which was a red/brown. But the conditioner included in the box is no ordinary conditioner. It leaves your hair silky soft and smelling great. It also gives you a tube of it, which will last a whole week. Price varies $6.99 - 10.99 per box

#4 Redken Color Extend Conditioner. My personal preference for conditioner is one with a thick viscosity so that it sticks to my hair before rinsing and one that leaves my hair which is very thick and frizzy, calm, manageable and silky soft. I have been using this product for 2 months. It works great! You can find it online at Cosmeticmall.com for $11.50. It is worth every penny.

#5 EZcolour All-in-One Kit. For the beginner colorer. This is a must-have purchase. In one stylish see-through plastic tote you receive an EZcolour brush, a detail brush for hard to get spots (and can be used for a touch up wand), a timer, hair clips for parts and sectioning, a dark towel which is a must with dye that stains, and an ezcleaner tool to help you to be eco-conscious and re-use the EZcolour hair coloring brush. It sells for $19.99. New Basics EZcolour All-in-One Kit

#6 Scunci Color Wipe Outs. The company that brought us scrunchies, now is branching out. These disposable handy wipes erase the color without the use of harsh chemicals. With a lemony fresh scent, you can wipe away the color stains on your skin. I keep them in my color tools bag. It works especially well for those of us who have to soak the hairline with color. Price: $2.99 at your local CVS.

#7 Garnier Nutrisse. This color has a nice perfumy smell and colors well. It doesn't last as long as the previous brands and the amount of conditioner given is skimpy. But I prefer their dark chestnut brown to the rest of the colorant candidates.
Price varies: $4.99 - $7.99.

#8 Just for Men. 5 minutes to color. How can you beat that? It's not just for men. I use their color for touch-ups. Often cheaper than the glam brands, I can use a little, store the rest and in 5 minutes have full coverage again. Price varies from $3.99 - $6.99. Can be bought in stores.

#9 Garnier Fructis Fortifying Cream Conditioner for Color Treated Hair. This is similar to the conditioner provided in the color boxes. It has a sweet perfumy smell and applies nice and smooth. Creating hair that is shiny, soft, manageable and beautiful. Price varies from $2.99 - $4.99.

#10 Shen Min Advanced Formula Vitamins for Healthy Hair. The jury is still out in that I have only just begun to take these vitamins but they get on the list for being an interesting hair color prevention product. Supposedly these chinese herbal vitamins not only stimulate hair growth but also restore graying hair to its natural color. Hmmm. It is Pricey at $22.95. You can find them at Folica.com

Do you know what to give your Valentine?

For those of you who are stumped on what to get that special Kate or that dashing Dan, here are a few gift giving tips to help you navigate through Valentine times.
1. Understand that Valentine's Day gift giving is ALL about showing how much you care, not necessarily by the size of the gift(not unless we're speaking in carats) but rather in the thought. Be romantic.
2. Think of the intended recipient. Who are they what makes them tick. What makes them laugh? What brings them joy? If they like flowers, which ones specifically? What is their favorite color? Maybe they love eclairs from a local bakery. Or would rather hit a disco and dance the night away. Perhaps a nice dinner out would do. Whatever you decide, make the most of it. Even if it is pizza from Dominoes and a rented movie, create a special ambiance. Light some candles, pour some wine, cuddle up under a blanket.
3. How do you fit into the picture? Who are you to this person? Love? Friend? Admirer? Then you must choose an appropriate gift. Buying lingerie for someone you don't know, even if you hope to get to know them, is inappropriate. Buying jewelry for a friend is a bit over the top. This is not a birthday. This is a romantic holiday. Make a card.
4. Remember the oldies are still goodies. Chocolate. Flowers. Jewelry. Card. A new Car (I mean really what doesn't say I love you like a brand new Porsche with a Red Ribbon?)Seriously, don't forget the card. Even if you don't make it, even if you just sign you name to it. Any written words are more romantic than none. And if you actually have the skill of pen, please do write your feelings down. A few words can move mountains.
5. Most of all, do not grab your gift on the way to meet your Valentine. Because it shows. Take the time. This person is worth all of your effort.
Here are some e-sites that will help you along.
Imagination Jewelry Designer jewelry for that special someone.
Wishing Fish A place where shopping is a s fun as the items.
Harbor Sweets Delectable Chocolates from New England. You must try the Sweet Sloops!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy January!

It's January. The beginning of a New Year. Time to think of goals and aspirations. Where do you want to be. Who do you want to be. I am a productive person. I feel low when I am not productive or have a lack of motivation. So this year, is all about productivity. Think Rosie the Riveter. Give 100% to everything and anything that you do, whether it is volunteering at a school, or participating at an event, performing on stage, interviewing for a new position, working, exercising, or spending time with family. Make sure you make the most of the situation you are in. Release old worn baggage that wears you down, toss out your insecurities and fears, and face the world standing tall.
Here is a newsletter which follows my train of thought for 2005.
New Basics January Newsletter
Check out the sale. It's a good one.
AND if you have a funny, hair coloring nightmare to share, they will give a $25 Red Envelope gift certificate to the one story that makes them laugh so hard they cry.

Holiday Reminder

As you are shopping this holiday, just remember this is the season of giving. It doesn't mean maxing out your credit cards. It doesn't mean taking a second mortgage on your home. It does mean thinking of the ones you care about and reaching out to them in some small way. Whether it is your mailperson who hand delivers large packages to your door, or your co-worker who covers you at lunch, or the cafeteria person who makes sure you get your 2 packets of sweet-n-low, your mother, your father, sister or brother, the guy down the hall that picks up your mail when you are on vacation. It is all of those people that make a difference in our lives.

So take a moment. Turn off your phone, pda, ipod. Take a moment to stop and say, hey I was thinking of you and got you a little something to celebrate the holidays. Most of all, be kind. smile. and enjoy this holiday season.

To all of my readers,

Wishing you good health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year.

Here are 5 of my favorite sites this holiday.

1. Chococho A designer site for the young and bold and beautiful. This site was given to me by my niece. She says this is the place to shop.

2. Dean & Deluca A gourmet one-stop shopping for delicious chocolate, coffee items. Beautifully packaged.

3. Jasmine Sola - the store I frequent is in the Chestnut Hill Mall in Newton, Massachusetts. Designer clothes and accessories. New York City finds right here in Massachusetts.

4. Marie Belle Chocolatier Delectable. Delightful. Devine. Chocolates. Try their hot chocolate - it is to die for.

5. New Basics Boutique Fresh ideas. Excellent Customer Service. Beautiful packaging. Find Plum Island Bath products as well as Honey House Bee Bars.

The 10 Best Holiday Shopping Websites

GOT Shopping?  A mere 4 shopping days left before the holidays.

One of my good friends from California always got her Christmas shopping done before thanksgiving. In fact I think for many years she was done before Halloween. It always psyched me out. For I am a last minute shopper. I don't have time to think so far ahead. I need to make my list. Then think about price. Then think about where to go shopping and, really, who wants to do any of that in the summer?

I appreciate starting early. Get organized. Don't wait til you're one of many in a hothouse mall. Right? Right! So here's a list - a little early, to help you with your holiday shopping. It is a list of my TOP TEN SHOPPING WEBSITES. All of the below sites are not your average BIG retailer. Therefore you probably will not find comparable items at Wal-Mart. Though prices aren't too steep and the products way fun. Happy Shopping!

1. Wishing Fish A great site full of fun, wacky, useful and not-so useful things. Retro-hip designer plates, serving platters and more.

2. ShopIntuition As featured in Lucky, Us magazine, the Today show, and In Touch magazine, this shop has everything from toe rings to cool designer shawls, shoes, scarves, skirts , and sweaters. And despite their high status they keep up with hip, pre-trend, fab wear for girls, and women alike.

3. ShopJuici This site follows the celebrity hip-n-happenings. What is J.Lo, Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan, and Paris Hilton wearing? And how do you get your hands on it? Look no further. This site has it and can prove it.


4. New Basics This small site has feel good, stay fresh items. Products that help keep your body beautiful, supple, and young. Try the Plum Island Kits for Face, or Feet. If you color you hair, or have ever thought about coloring your hair, you MUST try this product, the EZcolour Hair Coloring Brush. It makes coloring a breeze. Easy, no mess and inexpensive!

5. Shy Siren Jewelry Shy Siren is equipped with beautiful, elegant, jewelry made of semi-precious beads. Check out the smoky quartz drop earrings or the very fun sweetheart handbag with feather trim. Oh la la.

6. AuntBeep Eclectic. Fashionable. Bizarre. Aunt Beep has ART. Yes this shop sells clothes, handbags, cool stuff but I love checking out her art for sale. Paul Antico and Lionel Uhry are amongst my favorites.

7. Melrose Girly Chic Trendy Designer Jewelry without the designer prices. Necklaces, bracelets, rings. Bling. Bling. Who is it? It is fabulous jewels calling. Get some.

8. Girl Shop From a fox stole, a faux fur hoodie, the cutest Doris Day - Edward Ann Lindsey Jacket with faux fur peter pan collar! It is retro-sweet at its best. This store has truly unique clothing. Suede skirts, pop bags, square bracelets and glitter toe rings. They also have a Mens Shop and a Kids Shop.

9. Zappos Shoes Zappos has all the foot wear you need in one stop shopping, from retro converse to clunky Dr. Martens to high fashion stilettos. Shoes for men, women, kids, teens. They even tote vegetarian, pro-PETA shoes.

10. MarieBelle New YorkYou must try MarieBelle's Aztec Hot Chocolate. It is Chocolicious. Truly elegant boxes of delicious chocolate treats. It is edible Haute Couture.

Balls baby 

Who has the BALLS baby?
The Red Sox that's who. I know. Not another sox fan who has to say Woo- Hoo. Look at them go. You see when you have a team that works this hard and fans who support them year in and out. When they finally show what they are made of - you have to yell WOO-HOO.
So yell it at the top of your lungs. Yell it from the rooftops. Yell and yell some more and then when your all tired out, yell one last time. GO SOX!
My Dad took me to see my first Sox game. Yaz and Fiske....my Dad yelling at the top of his lungs...popcorn....hotdogs....inning after inning, marking the scores.
So forget about life for a while and cheer for the Red Sox.

Red Sox Rule

WAY-TO-GO RED SOX.! WAYDA GO! 
So SOX fans we finally saw it. We beat the YANKEES and it doesn't get better than that. Sorry Jeter.

So in the spirit of all things good, I have found some great RED SOX gear. Show your team spirit. Support your team - like I know you all do. GO SOX!


Fansedge - Boston Red Sox 2004 MLB PLayoff Gear!
Sports Fan Outlet - Red Sox hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts
LineDrive - sports equipment, replica jerseys.