Starting this month, Chanel is selling temporary tattoos in these amazing goth-pretty designs.  Dubbed Les Trompe L’œil de Chanel, each temporary tat set will have 55 designs of flowers, birds, Victorian chains, cuffs and of course the infamous double-Cs. At about $75 bones(!), fake ink never hurt so good. On the tragically-hip bright side, it’s one of the most affordable ways to cover your skin in Chanel. Tats are available online and at select department stores. So why is it I can’t stop salivating?

Miscelaney Holiday SURVIVAL Guide:

12 Days of Christmas

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On the third day before Christmas, 
Miscelaney sent to me 
3 Beauty Tips

Feeling like your skin needs a little boost this holiday season? Here’s three little secrets you’ll thank me for later.  

1 ) Laura Geller Eye Spackle

Tired eyes from all of the holiday madness festivities? Put a little eye spackle on your eyelids and voila, instantly brightens eyes and helps hide any drooping from the burning it on both ends. / $24

2 ) HydroPeptide Polish & Plump Peel

Feeling like you want your skin to have that extra sparkle this holiday season? Start peeling away the years with this amazing anti-wrinkle polish and plump kit. / $68 (and worth every penny)

3 ) Philosopy Snow Body Lotion

Give your skin a winter glow while soothing and softening dry skin. Smells pure and clean while adding a soft shimmer. / $15

 click links for where to buy

Maybe I shouldn’t have trusted that I would be dealing with a trained professional. Maybe I should have grilled the technician before she started on what she intened to do. But that’s the thing about an ambush. You don’t see it coming.

I left that day with completely butchered toes. She managed to cut every toe far beneath the nail bed to a point they looked horrid and, five days later, they still hurt. I’ve since made light of the toe massacre and went on to my next beauty debacle: my hair. Having experienced challenges with the salons here in lovely Kirkland (not delivering the service I asked for and then charging way more for said bait-and-switch) I decided to be super proactive and do fool-proof recon. I identified a new salon and in-person went and spoke to a hairstylist so we were on  the exact same page of what I wanted. My request? A simple, root touch up. Can you do it? Absolutely. The cost? Perfect.

The next day I rolled out of bed and into the salon for my simple, cost-effective fix. She confirmed the root touch up service when I arrived (and also talked me into a “trim”), but the short and long of it was it a) she didn’t do a “root touch-up”, she did an all over color with several added highlights which was NOT what I asked for and b) ended up costing me a fortune…and I went in with lovely blondish-red hair and left with a Cameron Diaz-goes dark brown look. And for the “trim”? Another beauty massacre. My trim with “subtle facial framing” ended up in a horrid, Kristin Stewart-does-Joan Jett shag (with matching color).

Not only was I ambushed this week (again) in terms of services (the old bait-and-switch with a quarter cup of NOT listening), I was massacred by poor quality services.

Lessons learned?

• If you are going to a new service provider (hair, nails, skin, etc) NEVER assume that your service provider is an expert. Ask them questions. State concerns.
• Even if you think it makes you sound like a jerk, be clear on both the service and the price beforehand (and even then, this may not be enough, but at least you’ve got something to fall back on).
•  Minimize miscommunication by also stating what you DON’T want. Your idea of facial framing or “a few layers” may be wildly different than your service prodivers.

My take is there seems to be an influx of new beauty service providers (resorting to a new profession due to a poor economy) or there are those who have returned back to a profession they once knew but aren’t necessarily  up to date with their skills or techniques. Leave nothing to chance and if you find a service provider you like, for God’s sake, stick with them, even if you move.

It took me a long time to realize that yes, Virginia, you do need a separate cream for under the eyes. So over the past few years I’ve been experimenting. Some I liked, some not so much, but I can’t say I had found a stand out product until recently. A happy coincidence Neiman Marcus mailed me a $50 gift certificate for their upcoming grand opening. The moment I received it I knew I’d be using it on my face (skin care junkie I am). I wasn’t planning on purchasing an(other) under-eye-cream nor did I have a particular brand in mind, but when the swarm of ultra-coiffed, cosmetic salesbees circled me at the door when I went to spend my gift card I had no choice but to seek refuge at the Kiehl’s counter. I really wanted some vitamin A cream, but I liked Kiehl’s products and this small, aqua jar seemed to be speaking to me.

I’ve used the product for about a month. It seems to just “soak in” when I apply, so it feels very natural. It definitely hydrates and my skin seems more elastic and firm. I also notice a softening of fine lines, and over time it may help diminish dark circles. What I like most about it is the natural ingredients. There’s no stininging or irritation upon application, even when I’m a little over zealous. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve irritated my under-eye area from combining my skin care routine. Now that’s a little scary.

Anyways the price point isn’t too bad at $36/jar and it seems like it will last approx 4 months. Two moisturized thumbs up.  http://www.kiehls.com

Love her or hate her, there’s no denying the power Anna Wintour has wielded in the fashion industry over the past 20 years. Two thumbs up for this film (and this isn’t just ‘cuz I worked in the magazine biz, swear). Put on your party shoes–trust me, you’ll be glad you put your best fashion foot forward–and go see this film.

(video clips are only viewable at www.Miscelaney.com, if you are viewing elsewhere please click through to view on the home page)

On a recent trip the salon, I was discussing my hair color options with my stylist. Being at the close of summer, I’m at the peak of blond (at least for me). I typically tend to start building those blond highlights at the start of spring, and by the end of summer, I’m more blond than my genetic code, or my skin palette, ever intended. Time for me to embrace the Northwest look of pasty-white coffee zombie and play up the pale skin rather than fight it. I’m going to warm up my look by adding in rich hues of auburn (she suggested adding in low lights, but being the budget conscious girl I must be, I’m going for overall color save for a few existing blond highlights she’ll spare during the process). No reason to completely waste those blond highlights I’ve paid for all spring and summer.

Here’s three hot fall trends:

Fall look #1: Light brown with a natural shimmer. The overall look is a light brunette which shimmers gold due to sublte blond highlights (this is the look I’m going for…but with auburn).

Fall look #2: Almost Black. You’ve seen this on the starlets (Cameron Diaz, for example). Not everyone can pull it off, but a good look for those who already have darker hair and want to “richen” up their look or those with a yellow palor and/or pale skin and want their skin tone to come “alive”. A high gloss factor is important for this hair color to work well.

Fall look #3: Buttery Blond. This blond is an all-over, yellowy, warm blond that glows (still very soft and natural, not old Hollywood platnum). Note, this isn’t the traditional blond highlights against a darker base, but an all over blond with subtle, subtle low lights (staying with the trend of overall color).

At the end of the day it’s about feeling good, so if you love your hair the way it is then absolutely stick with what’s working for you. But if you are thinking of refreshing your color for fall, keep these trends in mind. I love the all-over color trend, it’s easier to maintain and a bit more affordable in the long run.

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Here’s a sure fire way to do-it-yourself and look just like you came out of the nail salon.

What you need:

• bowl big enough to soak your feet
• towel
• bath salts or foot scrub (optional, but lovely)
• instant cuticle cream remover (optional, but certainly makes life easier)
• pumice stone or foot file*
• non-acetone nail polish remover
• cotton balls
• toe nail clippers
• emery board
• foot lotion**
• tissue or foam toe separators
• base coat (optional)
• nail polish
• clear polish topcoat (can use as base coat as well if you prefer)
• glass of champagne (optional, but always nice and pamper-ish)

What do do:

Get your comfortable clothes on (I’d recommend pajama bottoms rolled up) and settle in on your couch, making room for a place for you to soak your feet in between your coffee table and the couch. Make sure you have everything close to you before you begin.

• Fill your bowl with warm water. Add foot salts or rub feet your foot scrub if available. Soak feet for about 15 minutes. Sip and savor champagne while you wait.
• Once you are finished soaking feet, take your foot file or pumice stone and file down dry, cracked heels and calluses on toes and under bottom of feet one-by-one while holding your foot over the bowl.
• Dry feet, rest them comfortably on the towel and one-by-one push cuticles down (with cuticle stick or with thumbnail). They should be soft enough after soaking, if not, soak them longer or use a cuticle cream (super easy,  apply and leave on for about 20 seconds and then remove cream by drying off which will simultaneously remove/dissolve overgrown cuticle area).
• Generously massage your foot lotion all over (foot cream options listed below).
• Use toenail clippers and trim nails straigh across. Use nail file to fine tune shape.
• Take your tissue or foam toe separators and wind them in between your toes.
• Apply your base coat (or clear coat). This well help prevent the color from the polish turn your toenails yellow.
• Once dry, add color polish.
• When dry, add top coat (or clear coat). The top coat gives you that “fresh pedicure shine” and protects you polish job longer.
• Let dry to touch (approximately 10 minutes). Polish off glass of champagne.
• Gently remove the tissue or foam toe separators.

Enjoy!

*I recommend the Red Clover foot file. It’s solid construction lasts for a long time and does a much better job than most foot files. Most professional nail salons use this file.

** There’s a lot of great foot lotions out there. Depending on your price point, options range from Freeman’s Peppermint & Plum foot lotion (available at most grocery and drug stores) to Aveda’s Foot Relief or InSpa’s Intensive Foot Resuce. Select something that works within your budget, is designed for the feet, and smells good to you. Most contain cooling essential oils and rich, moisturizing shea butter. It really does make a difference.

***For ongoing foot maitenance, I recommend Callex to manage those dry, cracked heels. Really works if used faithfully.

It’s no secret that Vitamin A has a proven effect on regenerating your skin and reducing the signs of aging(among many other positives). So when my facialist had me in a relaxed state of spa-euphoria (steaming towels on the face and hands paraffin-dipped and wrapped), she pulled out this little wonder and said it’s the only one thing she really ever splurged on. Hhhhhmmmmm, really? Working at a spa you know there’s lots of product  tempations  to be had, yet she picked this one and stayed with it.

She thoughtlessly left it at the counter for me (she’s giving like that) when I checked out that day. The $92 price tag wasn’t super easy to swallow, but one bottle does last close to six months. And I could absolutely see a difference while using it. My deepest wrinkles started to soften, my skin had an all around brighter and softer tone, and since it helps to regenerate collagen my skin felt more firm, particularly around my mouth and jawline. And trust me, I can absolutely see a difference (now) not using it, too.

Gene Juarez carries this locally, other wise you can visit their site at http://www.skinauthority.com/.

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1) When you are flying, stash 1-2 empty water bottles in your purse. You can easily fill them at the drinking fountain once you get past security.

2) Always lotion up your hands before you apply self-tanner. The lotion will help repel the self-tanner, so you don’t end up with freakish-looking tan palms.

3) If you color your hair and end up with something less than fabulous, wash your hair with Woolite. The mild detergent still has enough punch to strip out the yuck.

4) For sunburns, keep Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Body Butter on hand. It is super, super hydrating, has aloe to remove the sting and nourishes skin for up to twelve hours.

5) Keep a dryer sheet in your pocket to keep the mosquitoes away. Useful camping and in your own backyard.

6) Remedy a bad bottle of wine by making wine spritzers. Use half wine, half soda. For an extra bit of flavor, squeeze some lime in it.

7) Make everyday a spa day by adding cucumbers and mint to your water. Simply fill a pitcher with cold, filtered water and add thinly sliced cucumbers and sprigs of mint. The water will pick up the flavors almost instantly.

Got a smokey room? Put a bowl of vinegar out and it will absorb the smell.

9) For something spiritedly different, swap out club soda with champagne in your cocktail recipes.

10) Store your cheese in aluminum foil rather than plastic. It will stay fresh for a lot longer and keep the mold away.

Middle-of-the-road eyelashes. Yep, that’s me. Wish that they were longer, fuller, and definitley darker. And no amount of makeup will ever transform these fair eyes into that four-star, Kardashian-level of Armenian smolder. But I can’t knock my gene code too hard. I’ve seen people with far less lash potential than myself.

Over the years I’vd dabbled in various types of mascara. In my twenties I usually could skate on the small tubes of complimentary Estee Lauder I used to receive as a beauty bonus from buying their perfume. Worked well for the handful of times I’d wear it (back then I was a wash ‘n wear type of girl). In my early to mid-3o’s I decided I needed a “blacker”, thicker, more dramatic look. On the recommendations various beauty rags, I settled on the extra-black, pink-tubed Maybelline.  It was good, although often I ended up with panda eyes. I know I shouldn’t,  but I chronically rub my eyes. Can’t help it. And I’m not a fan of waterproof products if I have to use an oily make-up remover to get it to go away at night. I’m a simple girl with a simple beauty routine.

More recently, I’ve upped the anty a bit and have been throwin down for some Sephora-level product. I started with fresh Supernova Mascara. The tube was all swirly and pretty. I liked it, it was good, but still panda eyes at the end of the day if I wasn’t careful. I then switched to the DiorShow. I’d been wanting to try it out for several years and finally gave it a go. It is very dramatic, but goes on clumpy, at least for me. I have to wash the brush all of the time (seems like a waste of good product) and work deliberatley to keep  away the Tammy Faye (God rest her soul). While the panda eyes were all but gone, I did notice occassional flaking (but again, only from my hardcore, chronic eye-rubbing). I continue to use DiorShow for going out, to achieve my most intense lashes. But I still needed an everyday something which could withstand my incessant eye-rubbing yet easily wash off at night. Plus I swim a lot, so this was another consideration (I don’t need to look like my eyes are bleeding-out every time I take a dip).  And no clumping or flaking, please.

Enter in divine beauty intervention. On a recent visit to see my Rents (translation: parents) in Tucson, my step-mom dropped a brand new, unopened tube of blinc Kiss Me mascara into the void which is my cosmetic bag (and I’m going to overlook the fact she told me to buy this product over a year before). But’s what important about Kiss Me is it is fundamentally different in that it tubes your lashes, as opposed to merely painting over them like traditional mascaras. When I say tube, I mean it forms waterproof tubes around each individual lash which won’t smudge, flake, clump, or even run until you wash your face to remove it. Regardless of how many times you watch Love Story in a row. And the best part? It easily washes off at night with soap and water. Now, there is a talent to applying and removing (and who really cares that when you wash your face, the tubes come off looking like water-logged strings of black dryer lint?). But as with all innovative things, you need to stick with it until you get the hang of  it. The results are absolutley amazing.