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Products listed in this piece include:

Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Active Vitamin D Serum Oil
University Medical WrinkleMD Eye Patches
Romi Beauty Digital Foundation
Clinique’s Almost Lipstick
Cover Girl Blast Flipstick
The Red Carpet Manicure
Sensationail Invincible Gel Polish
Ojon Haircare’s 3 Step Super Sleek Straightening System
L’Oreal Paris EverStyle System
Goody QuikStyle Brush

The full set of brushes will cost you around $37. Purchase the starter set first  ($12) which contains the dual ended brush handle, a foundation brush head and an angled eye liner brush head. Once you have the handle you can then get the powder brush ($9), the shadow crease brush ($4), the all-over shadow brush ($4), the brow/lash comb ($4), and the bent liner brush ($4), which happens to be The Beauty Bug’s favorite. All are sold separately.

Snap on, and snap off with Japonesque!

Artist Tools by Japonesque are exclusively available at select CVS locations nationwide. 

Disclosure: Press samples were provided to The Beauty Bug.

The editors say…

“…as for the big question of whether or not to tip the owner of the salon or spa, that’s up to you. It’s  NOT necessary from an etiquette point of view, since the owner gets to keep what he’s paid (ie. doesn’t have to give a cut
to the salon/spa).” -Kristin Perrotta, Editorial Projects Director, Allure

“The old rule for tipping salon and spa owners is: Don’t tip them. This always felt a little weird to me, so I compensate by over-tipping any assistants, shampoo-ers, etc. Since there’s hardly a business on earth that hasn’t been affected by the economy, I now think it’s OK to tip owners it’s not like you’re going to insult them! Just be ready to re-pocket your tip if they refuse it, or better, simply hand it over to their assistant(s). You can’t go wrong tipping; I think it’s better luck than throwing money in fountains! Everybody wins with a good tip, no? -Jean Godfrey-June, Beauty Director, Lucky Magazine

Based on the feedback I’ve gotten from salon owners throughout my years as a beauty editor, it’s not customary to tip an owner if they provide your hair or spa service. You should however tip their assistant — if they have one — and if the assistant helps with holding foils, washes your hair or blow dries it. The amount of the tip can vary from at least $10 to the usual 15-20 percent you would tip your stylist. Depends on how generous you’re feeling and how hands-on the assistant is. If they have more than one assistant and both help out, you should tip them both.  -Kristen Giordani, Senior Beauty Editor, Totalbeauty.com

“I find myself tipping them more often than not because usually they were just a stylist or colorist before they owned the salon and we developed our relationship. If you’ve tipped in the past and now they are the owners, I would keep tipping. If you are unsure, ask at the front desk if the owner takes tips or not and follow their lead.  If it is a new salon for you and you see the owner, you don’t need to tip.  But honestly, when I ask at the front desk lately, I am finding more and more owners taking tips…” -Andrea Pomerantz Lustig, Columnist, Glamour Magazine

“Whether or not to tip a salon owner is a touchy subject. There’s really no clear “yes” or “no” answer. It’s at your discretion. Some owners may not accept them and others definitely do. If you are super happy with your service, you can leave a tip. In some cases, if the owner doesn’t accept gratuities, she will kindly distribute it to her assistants. When in doubt, discreetly ask the front desk about the salon’s tipping policy and then make your decision.”-Holly Carter, Beauty Editor, People Magazine

“If you’re lucky enough to snag a coveted appointment with the owner of a salon or spa, mind your beauty manners. The rumor about not tipping an owner is wrong, wrong, wrong. When asked directly, salon owners may suggest they don’t expect a tip, but trust me, they’d love one. When I first started as a beauty editor, I’d send an orchid with a note, but after 10 years of asking their assistants, I now know the real rule of thumb: cold hard cash. Think about it: The salon owner runs a business, so a generous tip goes a long way. Some pros may turn down a face-to-face tip hand-off, so leave 15%-20% of the service in a discreet envelope at the front desk. Plus, don’t forget to tip the assistants. They slave to make you look your best, too!” -Polly Blitzer, Editor-in-Chief, Beauty Blitz Media

The owners say…

“It is my belief that clients view tipping as a way to show appreciation. While I do think it’s not necessary to tip the spa/salon owner (and I tell my clients they do not need to give me a gratuity) many of them will insist. It’s a form of a gift and some clients just insist and so it’s good manners to accept it and be gracious. I think as a general rule, owners should discourage accepting gratuity.” -Renee Rouleau CEO, Renee Rouleau Skin Care Spas Dallas, TX.

“It is generally perceived that the owner of the salon doesn’t get tipped; presumably because they are profiting from the salon. In theory that sounds good, but is generally not the case. A salon owner, unless he is ripping off his/her stylists, is generally working as hard as his staff to keep the salon afloat. Tipping is a show of appreciation to the person who did your hair, whether its $20 or $100, it is a personal choice.” – Dickey, Owner, Hair Rules Salon, New York

“…tipping an owner of the salon it is not expected but would be accepted.  The usual tip is 20% of the original service and is based on how you are taken care of by the staff, your experience and how happy you are leaving the salon. ” Joel Warren, co-owner of Warren-Tricomi Salons, New York, Los Angeles, Connecticut.

“It is classy for salon owners to refuse tips all together.  In the 40 years I’ve been doing hair as a salon owner, I have never taken a tip from a client. Salon owners should charge considerably more than their staff. The experience and technique level are a higher value and therefore their prices should be above the employees.  If the client insists on tipping, tell the client that as the owner you don’t receive tips but instead suggest they put that tip money into buying a hair care product that will benefit their hair.  Also salon owners need to remember that if they do take any tips to make sure they declare them to avoid any problems.” -Philip Pelusi, owner, Tela Design Studio, New York

“Being a celebrity and editorial stylist in addition to being a salon owner, I don’t cut hair as often as my staff does. However, I think it is appropriate to tip a salon owner who still offers client services, because it’s just that — a personal service. In addition to the enormous level of business risk they’ve put in to open up their salon, they’ve also put in years of experience to get to their technical expert level, so if the client is happy with the outcome, he/she should feel free to tip as they normally would.” —Erin Anderson, co-owner and artistic director of Woodley & Bunny Salon and Apothecary, Williamsburg, NY.

“The generosity and graciousness expressed by our salon customers is and always has been about more than money.  In New Orleans, they say “lagniappe”, which means “a little something extra” – like a baker’s dozen — and to me the tip represents part of that generous spirit, rather than something that is needed to be certain a stylist will do quality work. I do think it is acceptable for a client to tip a salon owner for a great service, especially when it comes out of true appreciation rather than as an expected add-on to the bill.” -Sam Brocoato, owner, Sam Brocato Salon, New York.

Brace your noses everyone. Vegetarians beware. The Home of the Whopper is now in the fragrance business.

This week, just in time for the Holidays, Burger King revealed its new cologne body spray for men, “Flame.” Retailing for $3.99, its described as “the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat.” PR stunt, joke or a pick-me-up in this unstable economy, the thought of smelling like a burger king (or the imitation burgers they sell) is repulsive. What’s even more shocking is that a quick, casual survey done by The Boston Herald found sniffers saying that they’d buy it as a gift!

What’s next, a ketchup body lotion to accompany? The Beauty Bug would rather something along the lines of fries or a shake…

Flame by BK is available at Ricky’s NYC for $3.99.

• When Dylan was inured in a surfing accident and stayed at the Walsh’s to recover. Watch the entire episode here. And then there was the time that Dylan took Brenda to Baja to teach her how to surf without Jim Walsh’s permission. Who doesn’t remember fixating on Dylan as he emerged from the Baja surf? Was this before or after he starting drinking again?
• When the gang from Saved By The Bell visits Kelly’s grandfathers Hawaiian Hideaway and Zack and Slater go surfing. Key the “Surfer Dude” Song.
• When Jason Segel and Mila Kunis go surfing in Hawaii in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL. For those that haven’t seen it yet – you’re missing out. All the Beauty Bug has to say is, at least in this scene, Jason was clothed.

Then this little, playful set changed it all for the Beauty Bug. Gone were the memories of Dylan, Brenda, Zack, Slater, Kelly and Screech. They were replaced with thoughts of tropical aromas – of sweet kiwi and papaya with a hint of pineapple.

Exclusively available at Sephora, Philosophy’s Surfer Girl set includes an exfoliating shower gel, a shimmer body lotion, and a lip gloss. The shower gel and lotion are both a brilliant yellowy-gold color that leaves skin with a dewy glow. The lotion is perfect for the day at the beach – it’s shimmery, but not sparkly, and catches the sun beautifully. It has a beautiful sheen to it without being too tween-ish.

Apply with your right hand, while holding a pina colada in your left.

Philosophy’s Surfer Girl Set is available exclusivley at Sephora and Sephora.com for $35.

Sarah, please email The Beauty Bug to claim your prize!

Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash: The Beauty Bug first heard about this mascara while having lunch with fellow TotalBeauty bloggers, and Allure beauty director Amy Keller. Amy mentioned that she was impressed with it because the wand made it easy to get to those little pesky lashes in the corners. The Beauty Bug’s ears perked up and if She could have excused Herself in the middle of lunch to run to the nearest drug store to purchase it, She would have.

She finally purchased it. Amy was right, the tiny flexible rubber bristles make it easy to get into the hard to reach corners, and it offers impressive clump-free lengthening. The formula is light, and better suited for daytime as it isn’t a rich, dark hue that makes lashes pop. One other thing to note, The Beauty Bug wasn’t impressed with the flimsy wand that bent every which way every time She pulled it out of the tube. Applying mascara is hard enough; when the wand bends too much or isn’t straight, it’s just that much more complicated.

Bottom Line: Take some time to get used to the wand before you count this mascara out. It provides notable length, but leaves lashes just a bit to thin for The Beauty Bug to fully get behind it. Try this if you’re a Definicils girl – the result will be similar, but not exactly the same.

Covergirl Lashblast: While the other mascara’s unique brush allowed for corners to be covered, Covergirl’s Lashblast is completely different, yet unique as well. Its brush looks like the tip broke off in the mascara tube; it’s somewhat stumpy and just abruptly ends. The wand is more stable, the color is bolder, and the formula provides a good balance of lengthening and volumizing. The formula is also clump free, even after several coats, and provided The Beauty Bug’s lashes with that extra “pop” that the Define-A-Lash didn’t.

Bottom Line: Comparable to Max Factor’s Lash Couture, Lashblast is a great combination mascara that offers volume and length. Apply as many clumpless coats as you want – The Beauty Bug’s magic number is 3. Try this if you’re a DiorShow girl – the result will be similar, but not exactly the same.

The Beauty Bug chooses Lashblast over Define-A-Lash, but will keep them both in Her mascara repertoire!

The Beauty Bug first applied the marker to a eyeshadow-less eye. The tip of the marker is thin, therefore resulting in a pencil thin line. The side of the marker is a bit wider, resulting in a thicker line, so use accordingly. The Beauty Bug applied using the tip, but the line was a bit dotted and the color was a bit inconsistent and see thru, similar to watercolor paints, so She used the side of the marker to touch it up and even it out. After all was said and done, She was happy with the result and the line looked straighter than when she uses a liquid liner and brush.

The Beauty Bug next applied the liner to eye after She had applied shadow. This was a bit harder because the eye shadow was rubbing off on the tip making the marker making the pigment less bold. This was a bit more time consuming, and The Beauty bug had to us a combination of the tip and the side to achieve a definitive line.

The third time She put the maker to the test was again to a bare eye. This time it was most challenging because it seemed as though the tip had run out of color after just three applications. She had to hold the marker in a horizontal position and it was very awkward and she didn’t have much control. After fussing with the line for a good 2 minutes, she resorted to touching it up with an angled brush and some black eyeshadow.

Bottom line with this marker, it’s a fooler. It’s definitely a decent product but it’s not nearly as easy as it seems. Patience is the key. It washes off very easily at night without any harsh scrubbing or makeup remover. Be sure to use it when you have some time because The Beauty Bug has yet to be able to apply and go – it’s just not that easy. The most important thing to remember is the color is gets more and more inconsistent the more times you use it, so be prepared to maneuver hand positions when applying.