In celebration of some great news today, I decided to treat myself with a spontaneous massage.  I carry all my stress in my shoulders and back, and I wanted to blast those kinks into oblivion!

While driving down Crescent Heights in LA, I’d often passed Healing Hands Wellness Center and had made several mental notes to one day return and check it out.  So, on a whim, I decided today would be the day.

I opted for a 90 minute massage with Yuki (who was great), and the total cost was $80, which isn’t for penny-pinchers, but also doesn’t approach Burke Williams prices.  (Healing Hands also offers 60 minute massages for $55, but mama was feeling greedy!)

The space isn’t on par with, say, Spa Luce at the Renaissance Hotel or the La Prairie Spa at the Beverly Hills Hotel, but even though it’s small and bare-bones, the entryway is still zen, pretty and relaxing.  My expectations were surpassed, I’d definitely recommend to others, and I will be returning!

Mary J Blige My Life fragrance at HSN

HSN and Mary J. Blige are launching Mary’s fragrance My Life exclusively at HSN this Saturday, July 31.

This is a fairly newsworthy deal for several reasons: primarily, because it’s the first time a fragrance is being launched through a multichannel retailer like HSN.  The beauty industry has gone through a lot of big changes these past couple of years, so I’m always intrigued when companies decide to take a risk and shake things up.

It’s also newsworthy, though, because it’s the 1st fragrance from Mary J. Blige (who I can’t believe doesn’t already have a fragrance!) and also the 1st celebrity fragrance to be developed by Carol’s Daughter.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN).

Get it for yourself by tuning in this Saturday, July 31, at midnight (12 EST).

Mary will be on-air live at 12AM–2AM, 7AM–9AM, 10AM-11AM, 1PM-3PM, 4PM-6PM, 9PM-11PM.

Mary J. Blige My Life eau de parfum retails for $55.

Sydne Summer of Think Thru Fashion

Intern Kayte writes:

Last week, Sydne Summer of ThinkThruFashion and Michael Stars put on an Accessories Swap Soiree at Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills to help celebrate the first six months of the ttF Fashion Staples Series.

The evening featured free makeovers by Youngblood beauty, a raffle with unbelievable giveaways, and tasty food and spirits: not to mention mini cupcakes I could not stop nibbling!

100 of LA’s top fashion bloggers, beauty bloggers and editors attended, and each was instructed to bring a piece of jewelry to swap upon arrival. I was seriously bummed I had accidentally left my silver ball necklace in the car after seeing another cute blonde with a new L.A.M.B watch by my icon, Gwenny-Gwen herself. Typical; better luck next time!

Jamie Stone and Kayte Curtis

I was very impressed by the charity both contributors chose to support, Mariska Hargitay’s The Joyful Heart Foundation, which works to help end sexual assault and domestic violence.

At the end of the night, attendees donated over $680 to the cause and ThinkThruFashion and Michael Stars matched it bringing the grand total to $2,000.

Congratulations to ThinkThruFashion and Michael Stars for putting on such as fabulous, enjoyable event!

The Dysport ad girl

You might have heard about the relatively-new Botox-alternative called Dysport and wondered, “Botox versus Dysport: what’s the difference?”  I recently visited cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Edgar Fincher in Beverly Hills to check it out and pepper him with questions, which he patiently answered.

Dysport, like Botox, is a botulinum toxin designed to weaken the dynamic muscles that overly pull on thinning skin (and can also be used to reduce sweating).  It’s been used in Europe for years under the name Reloxin, and is made by the company Medicis, whereas Allergan makes Botox (as well as Juvederm, Latisse, Clinique Medical, the Lap Band…).  There are at least 2 other Botox/Dysport alternatives currently being tested by the FDA, which is a great thing for consumers, because more competition equals lower prices!

Dr. Edgar Fincher

The general consensus, Dr. Fincher informed me, is that there’s not a huge difference between Botox and Dysport.  Dysport tends to produce visible results more quickly…but only by a day or two.  Meanwhile, Dysport also seems to last longer…but only by a month or so.  (Still, every little bit helps!)  Some doctors believe that Botox is better for the Elevens, while Dysport is better for crow’s feet.  And while Botox and Dysport use different types of unit measurements, even the price basically stacks up as equal.  The comparison that comes up repeatedly is Coke versus Pepsi: they’re essentially the same thing, just with a different flavor–it simply depends which you prefer yourself.

I’ve had my Dysport injections for about 3 months now and have seen little-to-no difference from my last Botox injections.  Dr. Fincher did a wonderful, subtle job, so my frown lines are mostly gone, but I still have plenty of mobility and look natural.  I’d definitely get Dysport again, but will probably toggle back and forth between it and Botox a few more times to see if, eventually, I notice a difference.

Here’s a video of me from last year, meanwhile, getting my Botox injections!

Congratulations to Heather H., winner of the Shu Uemura giveway!

Heather, you’ll be getting 3 Shu Uemura products: Silk Oil Camellia Smoothing Fluid, Sheer Lacquer Finishing Spray and Kaze Wave Sensual Curl Texturizing Foam.

So excited for you – I think you’ll love!

Check back soon for more contests, my peaches, or enter the Caress contest currently going on.

A few days ago, Caress sponsored a Girls’ Night Out for me and some friends in honor of their new Whipped Souffle body washes in White Peach Cream and Blackberry Cream.

5 of my gals came over for drinks (VeeV and lemonade cocktails, yum!), and then we took a limo Caress had provided for us to Drai’s, which is one of the hottest clubs in Hollywood.  (Well, one of the hottest clubs in Hollywood for the time being, perhaps…the shelf life of cool going-out spots in Los Angeles is ridiculously short!)

We got a little silly during the pre-party chez moi, using the Caress bottles as props while singing and dancing to Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Weezer, Jay-Z and (in one of the night’s many strange turn of events) Reba McEntire.

Then, at Drai’s, we danced our little bums off for hours, ending the night on a roof overlooking West Hollywood with some friends, including the star of one of your favorite TV shows and mine. (Facebook friends, this one shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.)

The whole evening was a blast, and I’m really grateful to Caress for providing us with the limo and the Whipped Souffles, and for setting up our evening at Drai’s.

But you don’t think I’d leave you hanging like that, do you?  (Hey, I had a great time, wish you could have been there–bye!)

Caress is hooking a sister up (well, several sisters, actually), and is offering a mega-giveaway for Jolie readers.  5 people will win a Caress goodie bag stuffed with their bestselling body products, which is pretty sweet.  Plus, 1 reader will win the grand-prize: a year’s worth of Caress body washes!

Enter the giveaway by commenting on my Facebook fan page telling me why you want to win.  6 North American winners will be chosen at random Monday August 2nd, so those are bueno odds!  And if you want to win your own Girls’ Night Out, visit DanceWithCaress.com for details and to enter.  Good luck!