Busy beauty CLT

As everyone keeps their fingers crossed for warmer weather, lots of spring beauty-related events are popping up around Charlotte.

On Thursday, the local Aveda Institute is hosting its "All About You" customer appreciation event from 6-8 p.m.

Freebies include stress fix hand massages, chakra balancing head and neck massages, mini facials and more, including product and service discounts.

There are also about a billion ways to enter to win a $50 Aveda gift card, especially through their Facebook page. Want to go? 1520 South Blvd.

Also starting Thursday is Woo Skincare and Cosmetic's two-day Natura Bissé  event. Call ahead reservations are a must ( 704-333-0443) but there are still a few spots left.

Appointments will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature "Time Rescue," an anti-aging treatment based on a deep facial cure that helps purify and nurture skin. A complimentary facial ($200 value) with Natura Bissé's aesthetician is included and a gift (valued at $370) comes with a Natura Bissé purchase.

Want to go? 2900A Selwyn Ave.

If Woo's Natura Bissé  event is already full, Jeffre Scott Apothecary will be holding an LED light facial event with Natura Bissé  brand rep Stephanie Trigg April 8-10.

Speaking of Jeffre Scott, they've also got an event planned for Friday and Saturday, but this go round, the local store is featuring Felicia Roman, national makeup artist for Kevyn Aucoin Cosmetics. (Advance reservations are also a must for Jeffre Scott events, made by calling 704-339-0010, locations vary.)

The late Aucoin - makeup artist, photographer and author - has been heralded as the grandfather of makeup, creating some pretty incredible transformations, particularly turning modern celebs into old Hollywood royalty.

Believe it or not, that's Calista Flockhart on the left, as Audrey Hepburn, and Gwyneth Paltrow on the right, styled as James Dean. 

(Seriously: look what he did to Courtney Love - whom I'll always love and adore - and you have to admit the man was a genius.)

Have an upcoming beauty/style event? Email the details to htrenda@charlotteobserver.com. (At least two weeks in advance, when possible.)

Nail it this weekend

Nothing says "Happy Weekend" quite like a mani/pedi. Even if you're doing it yourself, taking the time for something fancy is definitely a mood booster.

P.S.: Purewow has put together yet another fantastic and quick "how to" video. This time? DIY mani.



Now come the colors...

Feeling festive? Polyvore rounded up some great green and glitter polishes for your shopping pleasure...

Refinery29 shares some of their faves in this slideshow. 

Surprise: seasonal emphasis on pastels and sparkles. 

(Bummer there's no link to the lemon yellow.)

Meanwhile, on the local front, Scoop Charlotte and Kisten Hunter of Polish Pauper put together a few finds likely to get the Queen City buzzing. (Added bonus: Scoop has a handy calendar of St. Patty's Day events AND sales.)

Not sure what you're in the mood for? 

Take Makeup.com's "Nail Art Personality" quiz for some inspiration.

And should your weekend of shopping and St. Pat's celebrations put a few dings in your new paint job, it's PureWow to the rescue again with how to do the easiest removal ever. (Even glitter.)



Enjoy your weekend!

Hot scissors hit Charlotte

So have you heard about this “hot scissor haircut” method?

It started gaining attention in the U.S. toward the end of 2013, mainly in NYC, but has apparently been wildly popular in Europe and Russia for ages.

Essentially, a pair of scissors are plugged in and heated (to between 230 and 338 degrees, depending on your hair type) and are supposed to be the silver bullet for split ends.

In theory, the heat seals the end of each hair, helping to retain moisture and manage split ends, as well as keep styles looking fresh longer.

To read the Jaguar TC Thermocut page, they describe it not as a haircut, but a wellness treatment:

"Fine hair will be given more volume, split hair will become healthy and more resistant, permed hair will be given more elasticity, dull, brittle hair will be regenerated, every type of hair will be easier to style."

A segment that aired in October on the "Today" show is partially credited with having brought one of the first pairs of hot scissors to Charlotte, said Zahava Thornton, co-owner of Poza Salon in Myers Park.

Thornton learned about and researched the growing trend online, she said, and clients began mentioning the "Today" show segment. So several weeks ago, Poza invested in a set of the $1,400 scissors, patented as the Thermocut system by Jaguar (not the car company) and made in Solingen, Germany.

So far, Thornton is loving the results. “Everyone's always looking for a split end cure.”

What many people don't realize is that a hair is fibrous, like a strand of yarn or ribbon, she said. “Ends unravel and with heat, sun exposure, from your flat iron ... (the damage) works its way up.

“So once an end is split, it’s probably split at least an inch up … This kind of cauterizes the ends.”

Thornton uses hot scissors on Racheal Haywood's hair.

Styling with hot scissors is ideal for several types: those who are growing their hair out, those who want to keep hair healthy without losing length, those maintaining the Ombre (two-tone color) look and those who want a very pronounced edge, such as China Doll bangs, Thornton said.

While one cut with hot scissors will provide improvement, those who use hot scissors five or six times will see the most benefit, Thornton said, as pre-existing damage is cut away.

An internet search of “hot scissor haircut, Charlotte N.C.” (and a number of variations) doesn’t turn up much, not even Poza Salon. The initial investment cost and relative newness of hot scissors has likely kept them off the local radar, Thornton said.

So because “hot scissors” are still a bit of a local rarity, you can expect to shell out money and time.

While no special training is needed, the heat element requires a stylist to slow down and hold the sheers differently to avoid burning themselves, Thornton said. (In all our Web trolling and research, we didn’t find any serious safety warnings, for stylist or client.)

Regularly, a haircut would take about 45 minutes, but a hot scissors appointment is allotted 1 1/2 hour.

At Poza, women’s haircuts range from $45-$105, and for the hot scissors method, an additional $50 is tacked on for the extra time needed. But so far, clients haven’t balked at the price, Thornton said. “The reaction has been to the difference you can feel at the ends.”

But as word of mouth spreads and the trend starts taking hold in Charlotte, more local salons will likely invest, especially with summer – months of sun, swimming and elemental damage – approaching, Thornton said.

Racheal Haywood after her hot scissor haircut on Tuesday

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Oscar trends most likely to be seen around CLT

(Full disclosure: This mainly has to do with hair and makeup, as dresses are entirely their own category. Though, not sure about anyone else, I preferred a lot of the "after-party" gowns to what was worn on the red carpet. But that's another story...)

Soft, unstructured and sweet. These are elements from the 2014 Oscars that local experts believe will carry forward, particularly in Charlotte.

 There’s always at least one beloved or trending element - hair, makeup, dress style - that gets recreated by the masses after the red carpet gets rolled back up.

Old Hollywood glamour is expected to be a big request with everyone from women attending special events to teens for the upcoming prom season.

Sandra Bullock, Kate Hudson and Jennifer Lawrence were the celebs named most frequently by local stylists for representing the night’s best.

“Everything was sweeter this year, very soft and ethereal looking, almost like it could have been from ‘Frozen’,” said Tonya Reid, owner and stylist at T. Reid & Company in Dilworth.

A refreshing change from the perfect doughnut buns and sky-high ponytails of past seasons were the long, relatively simple styles at the Oscars, Reid said.

“I noticed the trends are changing, things are not as severe.”

The hair

“Every year, post-award season, we definitely see more and more photos coming in of celeb styles from different red carpet looks,” said Terra Hines, stylist at Varji & Varji Salon & Spa in SouthPark.

The Academy Awards appear to be the event that bring out elegance in the stars, Hines said, noting  Margot Robbie was another who wore their hair in a way she believes will be replicated around Charlotte in the coming months.

“The biggest trend that I noticed this year were the stars wearing their hair down, curled and either pinned and tucked to the side or tucked behind an ear,” she said.

This trend isn’t entirely new, Hines said, but a recurring classic. Last year, she had several clients request similar side-swept, curled looks, particularly the style Jennifer Lopez wore at the 2013 Golden Globes, she said.

But the loose, long curls and wavy styles will be considerably different among the younger crowd, Hines said, after requests for lots of braids dominated prom season in Charlotte. “When it comes to prom last year, the largest influences came from “The Hunger Games” styles.”

Reid doesn’t believe braids have come to an end, but will be a way for the prom set to give texture to the side-swept styles. “Or you could put a pretty brooch or something sparkly (where the hair gets secured at one side), which could really play it up,” she said.

"Or y could take that side of the hair and do a chain of knots or loops ... There are ways you could make it a little more interesting,playful and youthful."

For those with shorter hair, local experts said Jennifer Lawrence's red carpet pompadour up-style impressed on a number of levels.

Chelsea Below, a stylist with Shine Salon in Elizabeth, said the volume in the front JLaw’s 2014 Oscar style “was really different” and gave great inspiration for a formal, but playful and temporary, change.

“We’re seeing a trend toward shorter styles. That (could) be a challenge with prom to see how to change it up.”

And volume isn’t just for those with shorter hair, Below said, but all lengths and ages. “We’re seeing a lot more volume than a couple years ago. Instead of sleek, straight hair, there’s move volume, waves, (in styles) up or down.”

Jennifer Misenheimer is one of two stylists at Escape Hair & Skin Studio in SouthEnd who mainly does special occasion styles,  such as prom and weddings. Hands down, Lawrence wore the next hottest trend with her tousled crop, Mishenheimer said.

“It’s between a bob and pixie cut, between the shoulder and jawline,” she said. Unlike a traditional bob, the perimeter of trending crop cuts remains one length with choppy, textured layers.

JLaw also disproved the misconception that updos are impossible with shorter lengths, Misenheimer said. “There are a lot of interesting new twists to put waves in and tease short hair."

“With the shorter haircut, we’re starting to see a lot of clients warm up as celebrities do it. There’s been long hair for awhile, and it will stay a trend, but my more fashion-forward clients are going towards these cuts.”

Especially for those who dare the seriously short styles, Misenheimer said, hair accessories are expected to grow in popularity, thanks to Lupita Nyong’o’s “fabulous” jeweled headband.

The Makeup

What was noticeable about Oscar makeup is that it wasn’t, said Kenna Ehman, a stylist and makeup artist at the Hearst Tower location of Modern Salon & Spa.

“In general there were a lot of very soft nude lips, not a lot of blush, but very natural,” she said.

Proving popular was an abundance of “really accentuated” lashes - real or false - with smokey eyes using natural tones of shadows or cat eyes using only liner and no shadow, she said.

“Very pretty but not over the top, it looks like they did their own hair and makeup even though you know they didn’t,” she said. “It’s very re-creatable, which is awesome.”

Misenheimer agreed, citing Bullock again as an example. “You didn’t see very bold looks, everyone was looking more natural, with softer looks.”

And the men?

"I'm not sure about men with hombre hair," Misenheimer said with a laugh.
"But if anyone can do it, Jared Leto can," she said of his subtle two-tone locks.

Another surprising trendsetter for men was Johnny Weir and his pompadour, Misenheimer said.

"Johnny looked quirky and right on trend." She's noticed a number of male models who have updated the style of shorter/shaved on the sides with a longer, often slicked-back length over the top turning to blow-outs for yes, more volume.

Expect to see more pompadour in edgier men's fashion, she said, and even on the local hipster scene.

Honorable mentions

Color has to be considered, Misenheimer said, citing Liza Minnelli's cobalt blue streak and Kelly Osbourne's continued work in pastel lavender.

"How bold is that to wear something like that to the Oscars, where it's all glamour? Those two were great."

While pastels have been popular in hair for some time, Misenheimer said she expects to see more bold colors like Minnelli's, as a nod to the returning  90's styles, particularly in Charlotte.

"I've got clients wanting streaks and panels of bold colors. It's right on trend."

Wellness Wednesday and giveaway winners

If the extreme temperature flux of the last few days hasn't been enough to make your sense of season go wonky, let's not forget that Daylight Savings is coming on Sunday.

Even if you're not feeling refreshed and rested (the Oscars did take more than 3 hours after all) here are a few events that might be able to help...

Aveda Institute Charlotte is holding another pampering event 6-8 p.m. tomorrow at their SouthEnd location, 1520 South Blvd.

Complimentary cosmetics lessons featuring Aveda's new "Culture Clash" line will be available, as well as hair color consultations and Aveda rituals. (Think hand massages, aromatherapy, etc.)

If you're a regular consumer of Aveda products, these events can be a great time to stock up on your favorite items, as they tend to incentivize purchases by throwing in free services such as shampoos, blow-drys, 60-minute manis or pedis, etc. Details: www.facebook.com/AvedaInstituteCharlotte.

Goldfaden MD winners and Alchimie Forever
Congrats to readers Cindy Jones - winner of the Goldfaden MD "Wake Up Call" regenerative overnight facial treatment- and Melissa Gamez, winner of the brand's "Bright Eyes" dark circle radiance concentrate.

Both ladies have said they will report back with their findings/results, so I'll keep you posted.

Last week we shared the details of the upcoming Goldfaden launch event March 14-15.

If you don't want to wait, Jeffre Scott Apothecary is hosting an Alchimie Forever event Saturday, focusing on the brand's anti-aging antioxidant technology-skincare line. It's the first in a number of the store's Spring Beauty 2014 events.


All events have limited availability and require a $75 RSVP (to be applied towards any purchase.) Details and to register: 704-339-0010; sheila@jeffrescott.com.

Scarves, snow boots and Rodarte's 'Star Wars' dresses

This #snowpocalypse isn't expected to be nearly as cold as the last.

But an official "winter storm warning" goes into effect at 6 p.m., so it seems a festive occasion to consider layering up, snow gear, etc.

Daily Worth has put together eight shop-able slides on what to wear when you want warmth without "frump."

Personally, I can't be without some type of scarf at all times, so extra love for scarves.net's "Scarf Knot Library." (It's been around on Pinterest for ages, but this seems the perfect time to break out a refresher on the double-knot or the double-wrap neck knot.)

Who needs bread and milk?

And I'm probably more excited than necessary about finally getting a true test of the new snow boots.

To be fair, I spent more than a year debating these boots. I read a review - around Christmas 2012 - that these were the best boots for winter travel: waterproof, warm and super lightweight in a suitcase.

I've still got family in Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin, all places that see plenty of snow. So it seemed prudent (at some point) to get a pair of travel-friendly boots.

There's a cozy inner-liner (see the plaid bits) that slips in and out of the boot and the outer boot casing can fold in half/flat. So I put them on my Amazon wish list and got emails about price fluctuations for months.

I think it might have been August or September, but at one point they were nearly half the price of when I'd started eyeballing them. That was finally permission to purchase.

Oh, Teva, you're about so much more than just sandals.

During the year's previous "snow event," the parking lot of my apartment complex was pure treachery. It was hardly an inch of snow, but the feet stayed warm, dry and the tread kept me from falling on my face.

We'll see how they hold up to the predicted 6.5 inches we're allegedly in for.

And if the impending winter weather hasn't made Charlotte feel enough like an alternate universe for you, check out the Star Wars dresses that Rodarte had on the runway today at #NWFW, courtesy of (British) Vogue.

Yes to the Death Star

Be safe and stay warm!

'But it's cold out'

Despite all the deceptive sunshine lately, it's not exactly pleasant outside. And it doesn't sound like we can expect a heat wave anytime soon.

I can hear the siren song of my electric blanket, but we learned earlier this week (through Washington Post infographics) exactly why sitting too long is truly bad for us.

So I've rounded up a couple options for the weekend that might help inspire you not to burrow in bed till Monday.

Craft time

Minus a quick trip to the craft store, you're going to be indoors all weekend anyway. Might as well have something (sparkly) to show for it come Monday.

P.S. I Made This to the rescue again with the DIY Swarovski statement ring.

Stick with it

For those who are still going strong with their New Year's resolutions, I applaud your efforts to begin with, and even more so for not letting the frigid temps derail you.

A reminder to stay on track, Daily Worth shares 12 ways to "Whittle your waistline, not your bank account." Some of the tips are more useful than others, but they make a valid point that you can find workout tools at home, no fancy or expensive "memberships" required.

Stir-crazy socialization

Want to get out and about for a bit?

doll. (a boutique) on Selwyn is hosting its "Beauty Bash: Botox, Beauty and Fashion" event Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

Clear the racks sales, "light bites and wine." Tempting.

Added bonus: You can ask the Laura Mercier reps to help recreate the fresh-faced, minimalist look that Elle touts as a celebrity fave at Sundance.

Stay warm and happy weekend.

NYE: Synonymous with sparkle

What Halloween does for making skimpy outfits "acceptable" in public is what NYE does for sparkle and glitter. Party favors, decorations, outfits, hair and makeup...it's endless.

In my personal opinion, I don't know that there can such a thing as being "too"sparkly or "too much" glitter. Not on New Year's Eve.

There are a million subtle shimmer lotions and products suited for everyday use, but tonight feels like a "go big or go home" kind of scenario.

It doesn't matter how old you are or where you're at: NYE demands some festive glitz. No one is saying you've got to glitter it up a la Ke$ha, but even if you're home in your PJs, a little sparkle helps create a celebratory air.

(When it comes to putting the sparkly stuff on your actual  person, I suspect this goes without saying, but for the sake of safety first: Don't use craft glitter unless you want to end up in urgent care by morning with lacerated eyeballs and a raging skin rash.)

In a nod to the pending new year and the surrounding festivities, PopSugar Beauty shares two slightly more subtle ways to sparkle, courtesy of The Huffington Post.

Want to shop? Locally, it looks like Sally Beauty and Sephora both carry loose cosmetic glitter in an array of colors. (If you're at Sephora, they also carry Lit's Holographic glitter kits.)

Like the concept, but want to keep it super-simple? Urban Decay's "Heavy Metal" line of liquid sparkle eyeliner is vegan, cruelty-free and available in more than a half dozen colors.

So here's to a sparkling, happy and safe ushering-in of 2014 tonight. See you  next year.

The one-minute smoky eye

Just in time for all those Christmas Eve photos, celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow demonstrates how one eyeliner can create a glam smoky eye in less than 60 seconds, courtesy of PureWow.

Merry Christmas!

DIY meets holiday parties

*Correction: Today's column in the Observer Style section listed the incorrect date for the Carolina Place H&M opening. The updated (yet tentative) opening date is for mid-January, 2014.

An invitation to the Montolinno Christmas party arrived before Turkey Day, the first of a number of holiday gatherings to "look forward" to. And I started thinking...

In theory, these seasonal soirees are such a lovely idea: Get dressed up, spend time among friends - undoubtedly in a festively-decorated environment with music and dancing - have a few cocktails and delicious snacks, maybe exchange gifts, then call it a night. (And since this is a total fantasy, there would even be snow.)

To be fair, I've only been on the holiday party circuit about a decade, so maybe I just haven't been patient enough. But the above description has never actually been the way a holiday party has played out.

Oh no. True to my nature of making things more difficult than they need to be: What's the appropriate host/hostess gift? Do I need to bring a dish or drink? Is it fancy dress? Etc.

But hopefully my neurosis can help your holiday season, or at least the parties, be as painless and joyful as possible.

Clothing conundrum. You want something a bit out of the ordinary, but it can be time consuming and daunting to put together something fabulous, with the added guilt of self-spending when you’re supposed to be thinking of others.

PureWow is one of a slew of sites that offers several, trendy options that vary according to occasion (and age.) Their featured frocks are pretty well out of my acceptable party-clothes price range, but the slideshow is a fun source of inspiration. 

Want something new-to-you on the cheap?  Retailers such as Target and H&M routinely have festive finds for prices that are mostly affordable.

Or try one of the 22 area Goodwill locations or other local consignment shops, such as Buffalo Exchange or Boris + Natasha, to name only a few. 

If you were able to think ahead for Holidays 2013 and hit a Goodwill last January (and/or when people started switching over to their spring/summer clothes) the recently worn NYE outfits – and amazingly ugly holiday sweaters – are among the first items people part with.

Accessorize accordingly. Glitzy jewelry and tiny handbags. Yes, please. But again, the buyers' remorse that comes from spending on yourself during the holidays can suck all the fun from the experience. 

So when I saw the DIY tutorial for a pearl-embellished clutch on P.S. I made this... I was more than a little excited. 

The supplies are affordable (Jo-Ann and Michael's regularly have decent coupons) and you can refurb a bag from previous parties. Added bonus: the level of necessary skill is low enough to keep it fun, not frustrating, making it perfect to tackle while watching The Muppet Christmas Carol or Scrooged.

Go big. There are endless variations of hair and makeup options that seem to center around the same themes every year: Smoky or glittery eyes, bold statement lips, sparkly/funky nails and hair that's either an updo, super-sleek or extra voluminous.

Everyone from Real Simple to Cosmopolitan and All Women Stalk offer their own take on how to do it best. Spend 10 minutes on Pinterest's beauty boards and you'll likely find a look to try. It should go without saying, but don't over do it. It may be the season of excess, but stick to just one of these beauty elements, any more will likely be too much.

Cheers to the season. 

Defeating the dry skin of winter

Not sure about anyone else, but this week – despite a Burt’s Bees addiction – my lip got so dry it cracked. I’m about one sniffle away from a serious nose bleed and static electricity is reigning chaos in my clothing and hair.

Thanks so much, frigid outdoor air and comfortably convenient, yet drying, central heating systems. How can shins go from gloriously tan to scaly-looking in such a surprisingly short amount of time?

“The winter months are colder, drier, our skin just can’t hold on to water,” said skin health specialist Melody Robinson, a licensed esthetician at Charlotte Plastic Surgery.

“Skin can get irritated and itchy, and there are other areas besides the face (such as arms, hands and lower legs) that are more affected by drier skin.”

Robinson shared a number of pro tips and recommendations to help keep skin hydrated, if not glowing.

(Gentlemen, pay attention to this, you can benefit too.)

Robinson's No. 1 pick for combating winter withering?

"In November, as soon as I turn my heat on, I put a cool mist humidifier in  my bedroom," Robinson said. "(Turning it on overnight) helps with everything," she said, adding the humidifier will up the moisture content in the air while you sleep. Whether it's avoiding a dry throat in the morning or escaping a nosebleed, your body will thank you.

These can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make them: some double as air purifiers and require filters, others are made for kids' rooms and are shaped like cows/penguins/frogs, etc.

On the lips
Robinson swears by Aquafor Lip Repair by Eucerin. "I've been using it for 12 years. It has Vitamin E, shea butter, it keeps lips hydrated and keeps moisture in." Appropriate for all skin types, Robinson said, it can be used as needed throughout the day and doctors often recommend the balm to patients on Acutane. (An acne treatment procedure that's the queen mother of all drying processes.)

Be advised though, this product doesn’t contain sunscreen, which is still necessary no matter what the temperature, Robinson said.

Available at most national retailers. The cheapest we found it online was for $3.59 at drugstore.com.

The holiday glow

After a long summer of religious sunscreen use and sweating, Robinson said, fall and winter are a time "when you're really trying to heal, exfoliate, regenerate and hydrate and get that glow back." 

Five steps to follow for your face: 

1) Cleanse with a gentle face wash that removes excess oil, dirt and makeup without stripping the skin, which can lead to dryness and irritation, Robinson said. Definitely look for a product without sulfates. Her recommendation is Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, available at drugstores.

2) Gently exfoliate, with a lactic acid solution such as Theraderm Fruit Acid Exfoliant, which gently scrubs away dry outer-skin layers and stimulates new growth and collagen production, Robinson said. 

She also recommends using a Clarisonic brush, a type of cleansing unit, a few times a week, as it allows for better product and moisture absorption. 

A heads up, not all facial brushes are created equal, Robinson said, which is why Clarisonic has the corner on the market. Yes, Neutrogena and Oil of Olay, among other brands, offer much cheaper versions. 

But the drugstore brands might be too harsh with dry, sensitive skin; they don't have interchangeable heads - Clarisonic makes brush heads for delicate, sensitive, acne-prone and normal skin types, among others - and move in a way that pulls skin too much, she said. 

"Clarisonic has ultrasonic vibrations," Robinson said. "I've had mine for years, everyone needs one ... they're a really good investment to make, no one would be sorry." Clarisonic brushes retail at $100+ and are available at fine department stores, beauty specialists such as Sephora and Ulta and online.)

3) Address discoloration with alpha hydroxy creams and chemical peels or broadband light sessions. Robinson recommends SkinMedica Lytera Skin Brightening Complex.

4) Moisturize. This will vary by skin type. Oily or acne-prone skin should look for oil-free products (with sunscreen), Robinson said, where as those in their 50’s would benefit from regenerative, anti-aging products. Her pick: NIA24 Intensive Recovery Complex.

5) Prevent further damage. “Thinking you don’t need sunblock in winter is a misconception. You can get UVA rays on your way to work,” Robinson said. For those who are often outdoors or headed for the ski slopes, she recommends Revision Multi-Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50.

Cosmo UK tweeted about their winter beauty commandments Wednesday afternoon, many of which line up with Robinson's advice.

Now to find a fix for my fly-aways...

H&M opening goodies

Charlotte's first and highly-anticipated H&M store will open at noon Thursday at Northlake mall, and as if they need to, officials are enticing shoppers with a few freebies.

The first 200 people in line will get a free t-shirt and an "Access to Fashion Pass", valued from $10 to $300, among other promos.


The approximately 26,000 square foot store will offer women's and men's collections, with separate “store within store” sections for accessories, lingerie, sports apparel, maternity and the plus-size line, H&M+. The Northlake location will also carry the children's line, outfitting newborns up to age 8.

The Swedish retailer opens its doors in Charlotte just in time to hype its Holiday 2013 trends, which reportedly include "sequined and embroidered knits, lightweight down jackets, sheer dresses and slim fitted trousers for women; and wool jackets, oxford cotton shirts and tweed trousers for men."

The Northlake store is also one of the H&M locations participating in the American Red Cross’ Holiday Mail for Heroes program, which provides cards and personal messages to troops during the holiday season.

No word yet on when the 17,000 square foot H&M at Carolina Place in Pineville is expected to open, though signage on the storefront announces they've reached the hiring phase.(However, the website only shows positions at the Northlake store.)

Getting ahead of the holidays

A couple of local events are happening this weekend to help prep and perfect your look for the holiday season.

On Friday and Saturday, Aveda Institute Charlotte is offering complimentary makeup applications and holiday hair styling. If you're already in Christmas shopping mode, there's the added bonus of a free shampoo and style with the purchase of two full-size Aveda products.

The institute is located at 1520 South Blvd. Ste. 150, Charlotte. Additional details: 704-333 9940, info@aicharlotte.biz.

Also on Saturday, Charlotte Plastic Surgery will host its Fall Skincare open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Uptown location, 2215 Randolph Road.

This event includes specials on skin care products, injections and surgeries. The open house will also feature raffles and giveaways, the biggest of which is the facial rejuvenation package. This consists of two laser treatments, SkinMedica products, Botox and Juvederm. (Package valued at roughly $2,600.)

Doctors, estheticians and staff will be available to answer questions on procedures, products, etc. Additional details: 704-372-6846.704704.372.6846.372.6846704.372.6846

(Also, keep an eye out next week: CPS Skin Health Specialist Melody Robinson shares tips and recommendations on keeping that glowing complexion now that heating systems have kicked on.)

No RSVP is required for either event.

And now that you've hauled out your winter wardrobe and identified the items that no longer fit/you're not loving anymore...

The Delta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will host two clothing drives for business attire and related items, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Delta Zeta Chapter property, 4248 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.

The following items are requested in good, presentable condition.

For men: Solid colored suits (navy, black or dark gray); white or off-white shirts; dress slacks (navy, black or dark gray) and ties.(No bold colors or patterns, please.)

For women: Suits (navy, black or dark gray)' white or light-colored blouses; dress pants and knee-length skirts (navy, black or dark gray.)

Other items: Plain cover portfolios, computer bags, resume paper, etc.

As part of the Delta Zeta Chapter's 79th anniversary, members want to help those who are seeking employment (but are short on resources) look their best. All the donations will be distributed back into the local community, whether through a city-wide announcement or through an assistance service partner. (The method will depend on how many items have been donated.)

Details or questions: www.zetasofcharlotte.org.