Cut and Blowout at Cutler Salon

Last week I had an amazing cut and blowout at Cutler Salon at 47 West 57th Street, 2nd floor, between 5th and 6th Aves. This was my first visit to Cutler Salon, although I remember a few years back Cutler provided complimentary blowouts at the Billion Dollar Babes sample sales and my hair always came out looking fabulous. Cutler is also well-known for their hair styling at some of my favorite fashions shows, including Betsey Johnson, Vivienne Tam, Carlos Miele and Reem Acra Spring 2012 shows.

For my hair visit, Mary started off with shampooing and conditioning my hair with Redken Body Full products. I've been using Redken products for years, so that's another reason why I chose to go with Cutler.

My hair stylist, Emma, really listened to what I wanted to do with my hair. I wanted to keep my long locks, but add some layers to it to give it some body and definition. After the cut, I got my hair blown out straight so I could see where the layers hit as well as the movement of my hair.

Emma gave me a great styling tip I've been using every day. One of my main concerns is taming flyaways without flattening my hair. Since I use styling creme, she recommended I squeeze a small amount of styling creme into the palm of my hand and spray hairspray into it, mix it together and pat onto my hair. That actually works perfectly! It keeps flyaways in check without flattening, weighing down or adding a oily or greasy effect.

Cutler has some great styling products of their own, including straightening cream, curling cream, Cutler specialist shine tattoo, protectant treatment spray and volumizing spray.

Men's and women's cuts range from $90-200 with other locations including SoHo (465 West Broadway), Park Avenue (420 Park Ave South) and Miami (2377 Collins Avenue). I definitely plan on going back to Cutler for my next cut. My cut/blow out is priced at $110, which is definitely affordable in NYC. I also got my hair cut at lunchtime, so I was able to quickly get there and get back to the office without anyone noticing I was gone.

So next time you look for a new salon to get your hair cut, aside from location and price be sure to research what products they use, their environment and their body of work. I was happy with all of the above! Thank you to my fabulous hair stylist Emma, Mary and Cutler Salon!

Cut and blowout at Cutler Salon

- Kim Weling

Rachel Roy's Capsule Collection on HSN

Rachel Roy is partnering with HSN to launch an exclusive capsule collection, label Rachel Roy, on July 7th during HSN's 35th anniversary month!

The label Rachel Roy collection features statement jewelry, a round-toe wedge pump, clutch, asymmetric top and satin and jersey dresses. The fashion and accessory pieces are available in bold colors and indigo ikat and black/khaki leopard prints, affordably priced under $150 at HSN, HSN.com and via HSN mobile.

Left: Enamel & Crystal Necklace, $65

Right: Kaylee Pump in Papaya Snake, Black Snake, Nude Patent and Indigo Ikat Print, $89

Left: Asymmetric Print Oversized Top in Naivy Jaipur, Black/Gray Leopard and Coral Leopard, $88

Right: Stripe Frame Clutch in Nude Patent, Black Indigo Stripe and Citrus Patent, $65

- Kim Weling

Fine Jewelry School Workshop at the Kristin Hanson Diamond Atelier

Kristin Hanson

On May 9th, I had attended a special cocktail reception and press preview at the Kristin Hanson Diamond Atelier and Fine Jewelry School at 60 Reade Street.

During the preview I had a chance to work on my own metalsmithing skills by designing and creating my own piece of jewelry. All I have to say is making your own piece of jewelry takes a lot of time and patience, and since I had another event I had to run off to, I wasn't able to complete my piece. I had attempted something simple - an upside down triangle, but I ended up breaking the blade three times while trying to saw out the triangle. I learned how to put the saw blade in, but it is very delicate and not easy to cut through the metal with it. Of course after you saw out the design you have to smooth it out and work on the finish, which I didn't get to. So I have a new found respect for jewelry designers out there that handcraft each of their pieces. It was a great experience though, one I would love to try again.

The Fine Jewelry School workshop is equipped with all the state-of-the-art machines and tools you would need, including jewelry benches with flex shafts, milling and polishing machines, soldering stations, ultrasonic cleaner, engraving tools and more.

The loft space can be used for private events, photo shoots as a gallery to showcase your work.

Here are pieces from Kristin Hanson's preview:

Left: KIKI Gold Bone necklace
Right: KIKI Raw Diamond Starfish ring


Left: Kaori Ring
Right: Lauren Ring


Sapphire Urchin Necklace

- Kim Weling

Henri Bendel transforms the Hampton Jitney!

Through July 20th, guests riding the Hampton jitney bus on Friday afternoons will receive a Henri Bendel gift bag with our summer catalogue, beauty samples, a full-size Henri Bendel fragrance, and a splurge card (offering 20% off purchases over $100)

Bendel girls will be handing out gift bags as riders board the jitney on Fridays at the 40th Street & Lexington Avenue pick-up location.

Natori Sample Sale

J. Crew Sample Sale

BookExpo America 2012

BookExpo America (BEA) is the largest publishing event in North America, with the opportunity to meet the authors and learn what's new in the book world and how it is evolving digitally. This year the BEA took place from June 5-7th at the Javits Center. Assouline has always been one of my favorite publishing companies, but I also enjoy visiting Simon & Schuster, Random House, Macmillan, Penguin, Harlequin, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Hachette Book Group and Workman.

There are books for everyone, whether you are interested in fashion, cookbooks, or home design. One book I really need to pick up is The Freelancer's Bible by Sara Horowitz. Here's a list of books I previewed that caught my eye.

Cooking:

Lobster! 55 Fresh & Simple Recipes for Everyday Eating, Brooke Dojny

The Book of Burger, Rachael Ray

Jacques Pepin New Complete Techniques

Taste of Home Best Loved Recipes

Bouchon Bakery, Thomas Keller

The Liddabit Sweets Candy Cookbook, Liz Gutman and Jen King

Health / Beauty

The Beauty Detox Foods, Kimberly Snyder

Hands On Healing Remedies, Stephanie L. Tourles

Home:

Home by Novogratz

Fashion:

The Book of Styling, Somer Flaherty

The Fashion Designer's Handbook: Learn to Sew and Become a Designer in 33 Fabulous Projects, Marjorie Galen

Rachael Ray book signing for The Book of Burger

     

- Kim Weling

The Makeup Show NYC 2012

The Makeup Show NYC 2012 took place on May 13th and 14th, at the Metropolitan Pavilion, featuring more than 60 top focused brands. New this year was the Nars Cosmetics 413 BLKR pop-up shop, a nod to the brand's flagship boutique.

Nars Director of Global Artistry, James Boehmer, selected 200 SKUs for the pop-up shop, including the limited-edition 413 BLKR collection, newest Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, the best-selling Orgasm Blush and limited-quantity makeup palettes from the NARS archives. The Makeup Show attendees took advantage of discounts from 25-40% off with on-site registration and proof of artistry or press credentials. So you can imagine how busy it was at the pop-up shop!

Here are some of my favorite highlights from The Makeup Show:

Makeup at the Nars Cosmetics 413 BLKR pop-up shop

During The Makeup Show, Mehron introduced their newest products, from Intense, Celebre Pro HD Loose Powder, Celebre Pro HD Pressed Powder, Face Kabuki to Eye and Lip Pencils.

Mehron L.I.P., E.Y.E. and CHEEK Creams

Mehron painting demonstrations

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

INGLOT has just launched their newest line of Colour Play Mascara, in 5 eye-popping colors. I picked up the green one at the show and already want to pick up some more colors!

MAC Cosmetics

Benefit Cosmetics

Stila Cosmetics, Silver Sponsor of The Makeup Show

I stopped by the T3 Micro booth to check out their latest styling tools and was delighted to have T3 Lead Stylist/Celebrity Stylist Dan Sharp style my hair using the T3 SinglePass Whirl. My hair just looked fabulous and effortless and it literally only took him 5 minutes to create gorgeous waves! Check out his styling tutorial on the T3 SinglePass here. In case you are looking for a new salon, checkout Dan's salon, Danka Panka, located at 519 Court St. in Brooklyn.

Featured items discounted at 20% off during the show included T3 Evolution Longlife Professional Grade Dryer (left), Protege Professional Grade Dryer (right) and Voluminous Hot Rollers (bottom).

Birchbox

LAQA & Co. nail polish pens and fat lip pencils

Youngblood Summer 2012 collection, featuring Mighty Shiny Lip Gel

Mario Badescu Acne Repair Kit (left)

Dermalogica's skinperfect primer spf30 (right), just launched at The Makeup Show

Bdellium Tools Brush Sets

Nature's Beauty(works) Dead Sea Elements Thick Towelettes (top left) for Normal to Dry Skin or Normal to Oily Skin, Textured Towelettes (middle left) - Oily, Sensitive or Age Defying and All Purpose Mini Cleansing Wipes (right), available in peppermint, grapefruit or fragrance free scents. Featured at bottom - Glow Head to Toe Self Tanning Towelettes, for light to medium or medium to dark skin.

Kett Cosmetics

Sheila McKenna for Kett Cosmetics on Mastering a Smokin' Hot Look with Kett's new Liquid Metal Pigments

Unii Cosmetics UNII Palette comes in different colors and consolidates your favorite makeup pans into one case and magnetically stays in place

Make Up For Ever, Diamond Sponsor of The Makeup Show

Kelly Budd on the MUD Stage for Avant-Garde for the Avent Garde. Make-Up Designory (MUD) is the Supporting Sponsor of The Makeup Show.

Dinair

- Kim Weling