A lot of my friends complain that my house feels like a hotel, and what can I say, I like things very uncluttered if not pared down. So having a drawer brimming with once-tried products that I swear I really really do intend to use again, causes me to cringe every time I open it to deposit one more thing. If I were to make a full disclosure, there's also another drawer (okay, well two or three) + a closet shelf filled with brand new products I intend to try very shortly. I won't even show you what my bathroom counter looks like. I will assure you that it's very orderly and neat--bottles, jars and tubes all waiting to grab my attention for that moment when they will get a chance to break open their seals and wow me. And sometimes, many times, they do.

I'm not complaining, covering beauty products is a lot of fun, especially since I only write about lines I'm interested in or already love. Still, the rate that products arrive at my door overwhelms me, and although I do my best to keep samples to a minimum, it still gets a bit crazy keeping up with the sheer volume.

What makes everything worthwhile is that I get to meet so many interesting people in the top tier of the beauty industry. I just love getting to spend time with people who are great at what they do, and the fact that they are often working their magic on me, selfishly makes it all the better. But I wouldn't tell you about all of this unless I was planning to share it with you!

In the past couple of weeks I've had some really lovely experiences in some top salons, and I've worked out a few giveaways so that you might be one of the lucky Trust Your Style readers who will also enjoy their luscious goodies!


Sorry, male model not included in the giveaway.

I'm a huge fan of Ole Henriksen Face/Body in West Hollywood. It's the only facial that doesn't make my skin break out and I can always count on a top quality massage at Ole Henriksen because he only hires the best. I was in for an amazing treat this time around because Briony, (who I'd never had the pleasure of meeting since she'd taken the last year and a half off) was my masseuse. All I can say is that it was 90 minutes of sheer bliss--one of the best massages of my life. Briony is truly gifted! But don't worry, even if you are far from Los Angeles and can't make it in for an appointment, Ole Henriksen has generously offered to give away an African Red Tea Self Heating Body Souffle (retails $65) to a lucky Trust Your Style Reader. This luxurious anti-oxidant creme warms your muscles and helps to relax your body--the next best thing to a gorgeous massage. All you need to do is comment below as to why you would like to win Ole's ART Body Souffle--best answer wins!




After my massage, I floated across the street to the world famous Jessica Nail Clinic. The celebs who frequent this spot are too numerous to mention, but I'm always most impressed that fist ladies such as Nancy Reagan are/have been clients. It's easy to see why, nails are taken very seriously here and my "nail cultivist" Rodica, who's been with Jessica for over 30 years, put me at ease. I had to ask her about her take on manicures and colors. She confided that baby pinks are what all the celebs wear, although they are occasionally wearing a lavender gray for Red Carpet events.


You can win a whole set of Jessica polishes, including Build Me A Pyramid!

And what did she think of the new Tiffany blue option that's been popping up? She politely sniffed and confirmed my own suspicion, "Very Orange County". Enough said. "Come back when you are getting married, I will make you beautiful manicure!" she cooed as I left. Of course I will. And just so you know, her manicures last a full two weeks--they're that good. Now, if you would like to get your pretty little hands on a set of Jessica Cosmetics' Walk Like An Egyptian polishes (retails 53 Euros), all you need to do is comment below as to why you would like to sport these lovely colors.




Finally, the potentially best but most anxiety inducing part of my job is trying out new hair salons. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still having ptsd flashbacks from a blond episode that happened early last summer at a top salon. But always adventurous, I'm still game to try out new ones, especially when they've received the kind of national attention that Neil George Salon has. With clients like Renee Zellweger, Reese Witherspoon, Heidi Klum, Hilary Swank, Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz and Mary Kate Olsen, why not take a chance?


Amanda George & Neil Weisberg

First of all, the place is gorgeous yet low key. The atmosphere is busy but not frantic and I could've kicked myself for not having a camera handy because the stylists were insanely stylish (in a good way). I had the great fortune to have my tresses in the hands of the very capable owners, Neil Weisberg, who cut my hair and Amanda George, who did my color. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that they are Brits, and right there, being American I'm simply slayed by the accent. Not to mention they are quite good at what they do, which is finding out what you have in mind and then making it happen. Nothing dramatic, just a super well done job. I'm all for that.

As I was leaving, Amanda gave me a bag of their new Neil George products to try. Now I am down right finicky when it comes to hair care, but I liked everything she had explained to me about the healthy ingredients they use and they went into immediate rotation in my shower--I love them + they smell great! I've also been using their new Detangle Nourishment Spray, which is a great thing to spritz on your hair before drying or flat ironing and I like it because it doesn't make your hair feel gunky or sticky. If you would like to win a wonderful bottle of Neil George Detangle Nourishment Spray (retail $24) just tell me why below. If it's a really good answer, it's yours!

P.S. Please keep in mind, as my major in college was Rhetoric, any answer is viable, it just depends how well you defend it. Good luck everyone!

xo Mary Jo