The second season of BRAVO’s hit reality competition “Shear Genius” is back and full of high-stakes styling action.  On the July 16th episode, the show sponsor Nexxus Salon Hair Care, challenges “Shear Genius” contestants to create easy step-by-step instructions on how to style their model’s hair for judging. Now Nexxus, the stylist’s choice to win on “Shear Genius,” wants viewers to get in on the competition with the Nexxus Hairdo How To Contest.  The entrant with the best four-step hairdo will win a trip to join the cast for the “Shear Genius” finale viewing party in New York City.

Nexxus continues its commitment to simplify hair styling for women by providing salon-proven, genius approved products and easy-to-follow “how to” videos featuring expert stylists on Nexxus.com. If you think you have what it takes to be part of the competition, show them how you create genius hair at home in a few simple steps either through video or photo explanation. You could win a trip to NYC to join Nexxus for the Shear Genius Finale party and much more!

The contest runs from July 16, through August 13, 2008.  The winners will be contacted by Nexxus. To enter, and to see full contest rules, go to here.

Prize info after the jump…

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Your thoughts on the FitFlop Aurelia Gladiator Sandals? This black kid leather and snake skin FitFlop was born out of a design collaboration with New York’s downtown fashion mecca Kirna Zabete. “FitFlop sandals have been developed to tone your legs as you walk, midsoles incorporate patent-pending micro-wobbleboard technology, to give you a workout while you walk. Every step you take in your FitFlops helps tone and trim your legs.” Exclusively available Kirna Zabete and online at Net-a-Porter.com.

I think I may need to get a pair to try, I don’t work out (I should) so this may help me triim my legs haha! If you don’t like the Aurelia- there’s WalkStar in various colorways as well.

According to WWD, Indian designer Manish Arora has teamed up with MAC Cosmetics to create a limited edition color cosmetics collection. The line consists of a “six-shade eye shadow compact, dubbed Eyes On Manish; two lipsticks; two hues of Lipglass, and two shades of Powder Blush. Prices will range from 10.50 pounds, or $20.90 at current exchange, for a Lipglass to 30 pounds, or $59.72, for the eye shadow palette.” The collection will be available in the UK, the United Arab Emirates, France Austria, Greece Cyprus, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore for a limited timeframe of about one to two months. Doesn’t seem like the US is getting it (hmmm…), the packaging is so pretty! What do you guys think? Images via Temptalia

More pics after the jump…

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A few weeks ago, I received samples of the Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss and I have been using it since. I’m a lip gloss girl so I basically use Vaseline and lip gloss all day long. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m addicted to Vaseline, if I forget to bring it (change of bags) then I’d go buy one immediately. When I took a trip to Jersey to visit my friend a few weeks back, I realized I forgot my Vaseline- I wanted to go get one but we were already on the highway so couldn’t. I searched through my bag and found my sample tube of Superbalm in Hazelnut, I was skeptical at first because I thought it would be super sticky but this is one of the most moisturizing lip glosses I’ve used. Besides keeping my lips moisturized and smooth, it also adds a shine (seems like there’s some shimmer in it). Definitely my pick for summer because it’s sheer and extra shiny, I’m officially addicted! The Superbalm is available in 12 colors for $13.50 each at Clinque.com.

Just in time for the 80th anniversary of Andy Warhol’s birthday (August 6, 1928), Laurice Rahmé introduces the 3rd fragrance in Bond No. 9’s Warhol series, Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue. Think pre-Pop years in 1950s New York, when he lived in the first of several apartments on Lexington Avenue and plied his trade as a prolific illustrator—mainly of imaginative shoes. Hence the Warhol-designed mélange of exclamation-point heels and high-button boots that covers the flacon. Lush and unapologetically seductive, Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue dares (perhaps for the first time in perfumery) to link two of the most ultra-feminine commodities a woman can own, fragrance and footwear. For the holiday season, limited-edition flacons ($575) will feature Robert Lee Morris sterling silver shoe pendants of Warhol’s shoe designs—four of them—on a sterling silver chain.

Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue will be available in September 2008 and is available in two sizes: 100ml ($195) and 50ml ($135), at Bond No. 9’s four New York City boutiques, www.bondno9.com and at Saks Fifth Avenue.

More info and bigger images after the jump…

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This past Wednesday, July 23, I along with Molly (WWD), Federico (NYT) and Ellen (Allure) were invited to the Coty Research & Development Facility in NJ to explore the labs and learn about how they operate. We also got hands on with making our own nail polishes and lip glosses! It was definitely and eye opener and very valuable experience, not everyone has the privilege to tour the facility and diy your own makeup. I am honored to be selected to be part of this group along with the big guns, it’s definitely a memorable event. A big thank you to everyone at Coty and FH! Full view of the R&D facility and secrets to come, stay tuned!

*Me in a lab coat and goggles in the nail lab choosing the color I want to make. Do I look like a a technician haha?!

A sneak peek after the jump…

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Reader Jasmin hit me up and introduced me to the latest spa treatment, fish pedicures. It kinda looks and sounds weird but I’m up for trying this, time to make a trip out to Washington DC as a northern Virginia spa called Yvonne Hair, Nail & Tan salon has been offering this service for four months now! The toothless fish is called Garra Rufa aka Doctor fish, were first used in Turkey and have become popular in some Asian countries. Once you put your feet in, a swarm of fish comes and nibbles off your dead skin with all that fish coming at you, it must be ticklish! “The fish don’t do the job alone. After 15 to 30 minutes in the tank, customers get a standard pedicure, made easier by the soft skin the doctor fish leave behind.” The cost is $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes. “The spa has more than 1,000 fish, with about 100 in each individual pedicure tank at any given time.” via FoxNews

I’m super ticklish so I’ll probably be cracking up the whole time, I’ll report about it once I try it. Has anyone tried it before?

More pics after the jump…

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