Beauty Store Salon and Spa

New Arrivals that will make you smile.

2012-03-01T09:35:00.000-06:00

We want to know what makes you happy about the springtime?

Lessons learned on Valentine's Day

2012-02-16T08:37:00.001-06:00

I had high hopes to post a blog for Valentine's preparations; but I got tied up, celebrating my birthday, getting my taxes together, trying to recover from cedar fever, while showing up to my shift at the Beauty Store to help others get their gifts together <-- I saw some really good-looking gifts leave our store!

Since the official holiday has passed, here is a retrospective look at lessons I learned on Valentine's Day:

#1 Jane Iredale Lip Stains** = cleaner ingredients than a regular stain + cleaner kisses as your significant other does not kiss his way through thick glosses or end up wearing your favorite shade of lipstick.

#2 Men love tingly shampoo.
I say this based on the criteria they list as they seek shampoo advice from us at the Beauty Store as well as customer sound bytes: "my husband (or boyfriend) just loves that tingly shampoo." We carry many options of this sensation: Jack Black Turbo Wash, Nioxin Cleanser, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree, and many more!

#3 A salt and a scrub is a little gesture towards lots of happiness.
One of my favorite experiences was helping a Beauty Store customer pick a salt to soak her boyfriend's feet, a scrub to massage through his foot, and a finishing lotion. It is a fantastic idea for any day and any one to give a little of your time, hands, and just a tiny bit of cash.

Share your Valentine's Day gift stories; or let us know which Beauty Store products you used on Valentine's Day.

**IN STORE JANE IREDALE EVENT
Book a mini makeover today!
Feb 17, 2012
10-1 pm Central and South Locations
2-5 pm Braker and Westlake Locations

Three Hand Helping Steps

2012-01-26T01:46:00.003-06:00

I have been taking salsa lessons lately; and as we swap partners I feel all types of hands. While I appreciate the different character of each hand I hold, I must admit, I am self-conscious of my dry hands. Working at the Beauty Store I get to moisturize all day long and have immaculate hands; but when I am off the clock, my hands take a beating from harsh hand soaps, playing and working outdoors, and cleaning. Here are products I run to before partnering up for hours of dancing and other products my fellow Beauty Store ladies and gentleman rave about.

1. Start with a Scrub: Like sanding wood for a good coat of primer, a scrub will remove dead skin cells and allow the newer skin to absorb moisture. If you are looking for an oil+sugar combo, CND's Almond Moisture Scrub is happiness in a jar. I perfer OPI's Skin Renewal Scrub. It's a non-runny combo of fine sugar and sunflower seed oil.

2. Moisturize: It helps to moisturize while your hands are still damp. Here are some of our favorite moisturizers.

Glysolid
Aromas and funky colors do nothing for your hands - Your priority is to get your chapped hands feeling smooth! Glysolid focuses on delivering just that with no fragrance, no preservatives, no colors.
Learn More.

Pre de Provence 100% Shea Butter
Hailing from the goodness of organic trees, Pre de Provence
makes this thick cure for even the driest hands. No fragrance or added color. Available in travel size tins.

Hempz Original Hydrating Cream
I tried imitation Hempz products and quickly learned this is truly an original formula. If you are dubious about carrying around a bottle with this label, pour it out into a travel size for your purse. One day of using this cream and you will have a change of heart and hands. It can also be used as an all-over cream.
Learn More.

Jack Black's Industrial Strength Hand Healer
So what if it's in a man's line of skin care. I have rougher hands than my boyfriend; and I love this product!

This is from their website: This rich, non-greasy formula helps heal and soothe dry, chapped, cracked hands. Road-tested by golfers, carpenters and chefs, this hard-working hand cream repairs tough, calloused skin and cuticles, providing lasting relief. Especially effective for those who wash their hands a lot or spend time outdoors in rugged temperatures; because the palms and back of your hands have the fewest and smallest oil glands, they tend to get the driest.

Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream with Spf 15 (at west only)
Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, and sun protection in one tube. It is not so much about concealing your age from your hands as it is just being practical about the health of your hands. It is no wonder Leading dermatologists voted it Health Magazine's winner for "Healthiest Hand Cream."

Kneipp Intensive Balm 10% Urea

This is not a hand lotion; but as my obsession for Kneipp products continues; I try it all thier products on my hands. A pea sized amount of this balm is enough to hydrate both hands. With Urea(?) as its claim to fame, this balm stands alone as a unique moisturizer at the Beauty Store.

Hand and Nail Creams
The great thing about these creams is that they take nail health into consideration- after all, nails are on your hands. Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Cream is a high-seller at our stores; so I will let that be its testimony. My favorites are Nailtiques Cuticle and Hand Conditioner and Avoplex Hand and Nail Cream by OPI. While Avoplex instantly hydrates my hands and keeps them moist for hours, Nailtiques Conditioner dramatically improved the entire condition of my hands, nails, and cuticles a few winters ago.

3. Treat
Glove Your Hands Overnight
Whether you decide to follow a lotion with cotton gloves or treat yourself to Gel gloves by Swissco soft and soothing (call to check availability), you will wake up ready to shake everyone's hands!

Paraffin Wax
Dip your hands into immediate renewal. We sell Gigi paraffin wax (various scents) and paraffin warmers at the Beauty Store (call to confirm availability). The warmth of the wax allows it to penetrate the skin, and nourish it with Shea Butter.

We want to hear your comments, suggestions, and testimonies!

Subscribe today for a chance to win a hand care product.

Cuticle Crisis!

2012-01-08T23:15:00.001-06:00

What are your cuticles looking like these days? After spending the holidays in the kitchen, wrapping presents, or caroling out in the cold, your cuticles probably resemble the Zilker lawn after ACL weekend. Here are our favorite products to help heal and care for torn, dry, and overgrown cuticles. ***Let us know what has worked for you; and check back next week for our list of lotions to help even the driest hands and your chance to win hand care.***

Qtica's Cuticle Repair Balm: This is a favorite of ours at the Central Beauty Store. It is a sticky formula that is less messy than oil, stays on longer, and is tacky enough to make you not want to be picking away at your cuticles.

Solar Oil: The packaging has changed on this bad boy; but the formula remains the same miracle working magic potion. Jojoba Oil carries Vitamin E deep in to the skin it is applied to. I rubbed this around my cuticles several times a day and within a week of that consistency, I had the happiest cuticles in Austin.

Heidi's Nail Solution: I've never had a chance to try this product because it is always flying off our shelves; and it is no wonder it does: Heidi's guarantees a 50% reduction of hangnails and rough cuticles by applying the solution twice a day for a consecutive 3 days, no trimming nor cutting required.

Be Natural Cuticle Eliminator: For stubborn cuticles that seem to adhere to your nailbed, apply cuticle eliminator and let it do the work for you. (If you already use callus eliminator, you know what I am talking about.)

Tools:

Cuticle Nippers: We carry these in several brands; but I've always trusted Tweezerman for their precision; and they offer free sharpening! (This is a product you'll want to keep sharp.)

Cuticle Pushers: While you should not completely push back or remove cuticles because they protect your nails from bacteria, these tools help push dead skin off the nail bed and lift excess cuticles to be nipped away.

*Metal pushers are sturdy and washable

*Nail stones are strong but can be abrasive

*Orangewoodsticks are easy to dispose and gentle on the nail bed.

**My favorite are OPI's plastic cuticle pushers. They are double-sided, washable, and gentle.

Something for your Techy (Tech-Savy) Friends

2011-12-12T02:08:00.002-06:00

Here is another set of gift ideas for specific people. The Facebook "Like" sticky pad (or "Dislike"if you stick it upside down) is a good stocking stuffer for just about anybody since so many of us like to "Like" things everyday. (Don't forget to Like us on Facebook by Wednesday the 14th to win free tickets to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.)

Give them an ipad-sized calculator in the format that makes them most happy: apps. Ah, apps make life so much easier...

The "Get Wired" frame is made of Recycled, Cut Wires. Print them a picture to be framed in it -- Even the most devout techy misses developed (non-digitized) photos!

Salt and Pepper battery shakers: Your techy friends have to eat at some point- Let them power up their food with battery life!

The "I'd Rather Be..." mousepad is good for coworkers at the office or people you know work away on a mouse all day. Give them a chance to daydream of alternate activities on this tear away note/mousepad! They'll love you for it!

A Good Pick at a Good Price

2011-12-12T01:44:00.002-06:00

Today a customer came up to the counter with an impressive group of stocking stuffers.
When I totalled her out, I was surprised when her total was only $25! I took a quick
snapshot of it before bagging it so that I could share it here.

We have both fun and practical (though in a beauty store, practical still means fun) stocking stuffers, Come by; and save time and money!

From L to R: Rhinestone Cushion File, Multi-color pen, Pocket Magnifiers,

Calypso Magnet, Wooden Girl Fashion

Pen

A Gift for a Very Specific Person

2011-12-05T16:57:00.000-06:00

As I was stocking shelves at the Beauty Store today, I realized that amongst the many gifts that would make the general population happy, we also carry some niche gifts for very specific friends. Today, I found gifts for your Seamstress friend. The ducky is about $3.99 and we've agreed at the store that the sound of the tape being pulled out is reminiscent of a duck. The rhinestone measuring tape is $12.50 ; and the multi-purpose pouch is also $12.50. I'll continue to post more of these niche gifts as I find them. If you need gift advice, feel free to ask. I'll look for things and post them here.

2011 Beauty Store Holiday Shopping Chart

2011-11-22T04:17:00.000-06:00

Gifts for the Kitchen

2011-11-17T22:44:00.000-06:00

Q: I just bought a Groupon last month to your store. Time is so precious right now that I'm hoping to do most of my holiday shopping in as little stores as possible. Looking at my list of people, I have lots of foodie friends that spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I'm coming by this week for my travel beauty needs, do you have any gift suggestions for the people on my list?

A: We're going to kill two birds with one stone in this gift suggestion. This time next week, you will be cleaning up remnants of turkey, pecan pie, and mashed potatoes; but let us think about the moments that will lead up to that point and how these gifts can add fun to time spent in the kitchen this holiday season. To answer your question, these also make excellent gifts if you have any bakers or cooks on your list!

Shark Mitts: Get some laughs as you pull turkey, ham, or baked goods in and out of the oven Jaws style!
Dish Towels: Cat Studio's geography collection is a great gift, bringing beautiful memories of beloved cities, states, and countries, into the kitchen. We also have a collection of cute, retro towels by Blue Q.
Peace Tools: Slice a Piece of something with Peace slicing wheels; or give peace a chance as you peel potatoes with Victory Veggie Peelers.
Beautiful Babushkas: We've got timers and measuring cups that will put a beautiful smile on the beholder.
Magnets: Come by to see the best in Kitchen entertainment - Magnets by Anne Taintor, Ephemera, and more!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!! and Happy Holidays!!!

Look out for our Next Posting: Gifts within specific price ranges.

How to BAT false lashes in the Bat City

2011-10-27T21:47:00.000-05:00

Just in time for Halloween: One of our users asks us for tips on applying false eyelashes.

The Beauty Store Salon & Spa has both natural and decorative styles available.

Q: I am going to be Lafayette from True Blood this Halloween. I noticed he wears false eyelashes; but I'm having trouble figuring out how to apply them. the corners keep coming up and I've trimmed several pairs too short, or just the right size, but they look weird. Help!

A: We figured the best way to help you would be by making a video tutorial on applying lashes.
Beauty Store Central Associate, Lauren, has had plenty of experience applying lashes on herself and on customers. In this video she demonstrates her method for applying a full set of lashes; but please give us any feedback or additional tips you have learned from your own experience. You may just win your choice of lashes at the Beauty Store!

*For this demonstration, Lauren applies before applying eye makeup. There are exceptions to this on a case by case situation, but remember that oils and powders can resist the glue and makes for a harder application.

*I, myself, like to curl my lashes and apply mascara before applying lashes because I have short, straight lashes. It becomes impossible for me to curl and apply afterward.

Happy Halloween Everybody!

A Summary on Sulfates

2011-09-27T15:10:00.000-05:00

Q: There is so much talk these days about sulfates. It is starting to sound like the new marketing fad in haircare. But what are they really? Why does my hairdresser want me to avoid them? What sulfate-free products can I find at the Beauty Store? Is every shampoo with sulfates bad?

A: What are they?
First of all, we must be clear on the word. We are are talking about Sulfates (with an “a”) not sulfites (with an “I” – which is a preservative in some foods.) A Sulfate is a salt of sulfuric acid. The sulfate compounds found in most shampoos, dish and laundry detergents, soaps, and toothpastes are Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS – also known as Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate: SDS) is an inexpensive lathering compound that can be found in household cleaners and degreasers as well as hair care products. Sodium laureth sulfate is known to be less irritating than sodium lauryl sulfate because SLES doesn’t dissolve proteins in the tissues like SLS.1 Regardless, both of these surfactants are what are being avoided in Sulfate-free shampoos.

A: Who is avoiding them?
Hair Color specialists are asking their clients to avoid sulfates because the inexpensive detergents in sulfate shampoos can be more harsh on the hair than a sulfate-free shampoo. (Think of the time you used dish, hand, or laundry soap to wash out a hair color that didn’t quite go the way you wanted it.)
With Keratin straightening treatments like Brazillian Blowout on the rise, Sulfate-free shampoos become essential in maintaining that smooth, relaxed hair miracle. These treatments form a protective protein layer around the hair shaft to eliminate frizz and smooth the cuticle.2 As you read above, sulfates – especially SLS – dissolve these proteins.
Even our au natural friends who would not mess with the nature of their hair in exchange for free SXSW wristbands are avoiding sulfates for several reasons: moisture, frizz- control, and a less common, and more mild alternative. Curly-haired beauty’s that have embraced their curl avoid sulfates because they strip their drier-textured hair of crucial moisture and oils.
Rumors about sulfates causing hair-loss have also motivated many to opt for sulfate-free, though there is no study that proves or disproves this.

A: What sulfate-free shampoos can I find at the Beauty Store?
Here is a list compiled in September 2011; but I am sure we will be seeing more. Do not worry about memorizing the list, our staff is prepared to point you in the right direction. DON’T FORGET TO READ ON AFTER THE LIST – there are respected hair care lines that continue to formulate excellent sulfate shampoos.

I separated the list into categories, for the sake of breaking down the list; but there is definitely liberty in trying any of these formulas. Find what makes your hair happy!

Color:
All of Pureology*, Deva Care, Alterna*, Moroccan Oil*, are sulfate free, Mop’s C – shampoos*, Terrax*, Biolage Delicate Care shampoo, Abba’s Color Protect, Bed Head Colour Goddess (brunettes), NovaFusion color-depositing shampoos, Awapuhi Wild Ginger by Paul Mitchell

Moisture or Frizz-control:
It’s a 10, Kiwi, Catwalk Sleek Mystique, Abba Pure Moisture and Daily Shampoo, Bed Head Extreme Straight, Rockaholic Living the Dream, Agadir, Mastey, Enjoy

Curls:
Deva Curl and Deva Care (you can actually find non-lathering shampoos in Deva), Catwalk’s Curlesque, Bed Head Hi-def Curls

Exclusive Keratin Treatment Maintenance (though you are able to use any sulfate-free shampoo): Brazillian Blowout, Marcia Teixera, and Copolla (s. lamar beauty store only)

*You can still get volume with a sulfate-free shampoos: Pureology Pure Volume, Moroccan Oil Volume, Catwalk Your Highness, Bed Head Epic V olume,

For the kiddos: Fairytales lice-repelling shampoos are also sulfate-free!!!

Are all sulfate shampoos bad?
After all the valid reasons to switch over to a sulfate-free product, it is a wonder why anybody would continue washing with SLS or even SLES. Many highly respected shampoos at the Beauty Store contain sulfates. These are just a few examples:

Phyto is a botanically based hair care line that is dedicated “to explore the world in search of the finest and most effective ingredients”. 3 You may find SLES on its box; but seeing the health of Phyto users’ hair and my own experience with it, I continue to vouche for Phytologie. I actually witnessed a customer a few weeks ago as she found out she had been using Phyto on her Keratin treated hair. I showed her a few other products she could use. She gave them a thought but ended up buying Phyto anyway. She said she was going to stick to it because it worked for her before she read the label.

Nioxin is another reason to not completely lose faith in sulfates. Nixon, like Phyto, strives to create a healthy balanced environment in the scalp. It is excellent for treating both dry or congested scalps (depending on formula) so that hair follicles are free to do their work.

Wella, the makers of excellent professional hair colors just relaunched their color- oriented hair care; and sulfates remain on their label. Even with the older, sulfate formula, I had red-head clients (not natural, of course; but that’s between us and her hairdresser) that raved about Wella’s ability to maintain her red – and red is a fast-fading color!

There is so much more that can be discussed on sulfates; but I hope this can serve as a guide as you decide on your next magic potion. Let me know what you think or have experienced or any questions that you may have.

1Read more: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-and-vs-sodium- laureth-sulfate/#ixzz1YpHmnTep
2http://www.brazilianblowout.com/bb_original
3http://www.phyto-usa.com/Ingredients.aspx
Also Referenced Wikipedia.org
http://www.livecurlylivefree.com/curl%20care.htm

New: Ask the Expert!!

2011-04-01T13:16:00.000-05:00

We have a new feature of our Beauty Blog!

Leah from Austin, Texas submitted the following question:

Q: Is there any cream that you sell that takes off all dead skin? I assume nail salons use something like that on the customer's feet. Do you sell anything along those lines?

Briar, one of our store managers and beauty experts, replied:

Hi Leah,

We carry a variety of items that help to remove dead skin cells and promote heathy hydrated skin. Unfortunatly, there is not a single product that will do it all. Below are suggestions for different areas of the body.

Feet: I recommend using the Be Natural 'Callus Eliminator' and angled pumice sponge. This product is very strong and does require you to wear gloves to protect your hands. It's very effective at removing dead skin cells. The angled pumice sponge aids in dead skin removal once you've applied the eliminator. For aftercare, I suggest using Kneipp's 'Healthy Feet Foot Balm'. This product does it all! It effectively restores hydration, deodorizes, and protects feet from cracking and blistering.

Hands: I suggest Heidi's 'Tropical Body Scrub' and the 'Almond Hydrating Lotion' by CND. The scrub will exfoliate dry skin cells while it moisturizes and soothes skin with botanicals. The Almond Hydrating Lotion is a great aftercare product for the hands because it's moisturizing without being greasy.

Body: As mentioned above, I recommend Heidi's 'Tropical Body Scrub' and the 'Body Hydrating Cream' by Dermalogica. This hydrating cream is an amazing moistuizer for the body. It contains hydroxy acids from sugar cane and apple, as well as lactic acid. This combination helps to promote cell turnover and renewal rates. This will keep dead skin cells to a minimum and help skin stay smooth.

Face: I highly recommend the 'Pumpkin Glycolic Mask' from the Holy Mud Company and the 'Hydra B-5 Serum' from Cellex-C. The Pumplin glycolic mask should become part of a weekly regeime and used 1-3 times per week. This is a light chemical exfoliant with 5% glycolic acid, it will eat up all dead skin cells on the face and neck revealing fresh new skin. The Cellex-C 'Hydra-B5' serum helps restore hydration to the skin. It can be used everyday and night underneath your favorite moisturizer. This product contains Hyaluronic Acid which can hold 1000 times its weight in water!

Exfoliating regularly and replenishing lost moisture helps skin to combat the the ocassional dry spell. I hope this helps to answer your question, if not please feel free to contact me at (512) 733-8333. I would be more than happy to help you with any other questions you may have.

-Briar

Beauty Store Salon and Spa

(Braker Lane Location)

You too can now submit your beauty questions to one of our store experts! Just email atxbeautymarketing@gmail.com with your question and, with your permission, your question and answer will be featured in our blog!

Moroccanoil Product Demonstration

2011-03-11T11:05:00.000-06:00

If your interested was peaked by our blog about the Moroccanoil line of products, check out this great demonstration of the products for a first-hand account from a Moroccanoil believer!

Brazilian Blowout Products

2011-03-09T16:58:00.000-06:00

Brazilian Blowout Acai Line is the recommended product line for the after care of the Brazilian Blowout professional smoothing treatment, which we offer at our salons.

The Acai haircare is a blend of smoothing and sealing agents that allows hair to combat the stress of everyday styling in between professional treatments. These products create soft, healthy, frizz-free hair with brilliant shine. These products do not necessarily have to be used in conjunction with the Brazilian Blowout treatment, they are for anyone who wants to add softness and shine to their hair. All the Brazilian Blowout products are safe for color treated hair and sulfate free!

The Beauty Store carries these Brazilian Blowout products:

Aftercare for Brazilian blowout:

Acai anti frizz shampoo and conditioner
Acai deep conditioning mask
Acai daily smoothing serum
Acai shine and shield spray
Acai restorative scuplt and define polish (allows you to manipulate style, textures)

Apart from aftercare:

Acai thermal staigtening balm
Acai instant volume root lift

Come in to one of our stores to check out the Brazilian Blowout products and ask about the Brazilian Blowout treatment at our salon!

Moroccanoil

2011-02-22T21:44:00.001-06:00

Moroccanoil is the one product line that we just cannot keep from flying off the shelves of our stores!

These products restore elasticity, infuse hair with miraculous shine, seals ends and protects hair from environmental factors. The main ingredient in the Moroccanoil products is Argan oil which is a natural conditoner. The shampoo and conditioner is also sulfate and paraben free so they are safe for color treated hair.

What are parabens? Parabens are a preservatives which are synthetically produced and used in personal care products such as skin cleansers, shampoo, and toothpaste. They are highly effective in their purpose of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungus but some studies suggest that parabens are responsible for some types of cancer — specifically breast cancer. In some cases large amounts of parabens have been found in cancerous tumors.

This line can be used for all hair types but mostly benefits frizzy, damaged, and moisture depleted hair. Moroccanoil is stocked in our stores in the many varieties:

Original Oil Treatment for all hair types
Oil Treatment for Fine and Light Colored Hair
Luminous Hair Spray
Hydrating Styling Cream
Curl Control Cream
Intense Hydrating Mask
Restorative Hair Mask
Intense Curl Cream
Glimmer Shine Spray
Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

Come in and see them for yourselves and ask our wonderful staff any questions you might have!

Gifts over $20

2010-12-21T15:27:00.000-06:00

I can't believe it's already 4 days until Christmas! Since we are running out of time, we'll go ahead and show you all of the gift ideas sent in by our store employees.

$21- $35

Vuluspa Ceramic Candles
Scarves
Ahava Bath Salts and Body Lotion
Trapp Candles
Votivo Candles
Man's Shaving/ Grooming Kits

Makeup Brush Sets
Illume Diffusers
Illume Glass Box Candle
Lolita Glasses

Jane Iredale Lip Fixations
Lollia Hand Creams
Fluff Makeup Bags
Holy Mud Masks

$36- $50

Dermalogica Skin Care Kits
Studio Basics Mirror
Bare Minerals Eye Kits
Bare Minerals "Buzzworthy"
Bare Minerals Eyes, Cheeks, and Lips

Large Lampe Berger Lamp Sets
Urban Oxide Purses
Voluspa Large Diffuser
Trapp Diffuser
Frasier Fir Candle Sets and Diffusers
Cat Studio Glasses (Set of 4)
Lollia Bubble Bath

Over $50

Jane Iredale Eye Steppes
Paraffin Bath
Cat Studio Pillows

Amika Flat Irons Amika Travel Set (flat iron and dryer)
Hobo Wallet
Brazilian Flat Iron

Don't see anything you like on this list? No problem! Just ask one of our sales associates to help you. They know the store like the back of their hands and can direct you to the perfect gift.

Happy Holidays to all of our beauty lovers, and a Happy New Year too!

Gift Ideas- $11 - $20

2010-12-16T11:44:00.000-06:00

Today, we are showcasing gifts in the $11-$20 range. These are great for your girlfriends, co-workers, or your favorite cousins. The awesome variety of presents make these ideal for all of your gift-giving needs!

Hempz Lotion
Baby Moroccan Oil
Kneipp Herbal Bath Oils and Salts
Cat Studio Glasses and Towels

OPI Swiss Minis 4-Pack
OPI and Essie Mini Nail Polish Kits
EC Fusion Coffee Cups
Petite Four Lip Glosses
OPI Glimmer and Shimmer Duo
Essie Fall Collection Minis

Voluspa 2-Wick Candle
Trapped Poured Candles
Mistral Hand Cream
Design Design Holiday Mug
Frasier Fir Votives and Home Fragrance

Eco-Tools Makeup Brush Set
Jewelry

*Items in bold are recommended by more than 1 store!

All of these items are available at any of our 4 store locations. Can't find what you are looking for on this list? Just ask one of our sales associates- they know the store inside and out and can direct you to the perfect present. Happy Holidays!!

Gift Ideas- $5 - $10

2010-12-08T13:03:00.000-06:00

Last week, we shared our employee picks for $5 and under gifts. Today, we are sharing the picks for $5-$10. These are perfect for gift exchanges and white elephant gifts that always come with a money limit....and you always wait until the last minute to buy them!

Holiday wine bottle stopper

Texas dish towels
Hollywood Tape
Purse-size mirror compacts
Lipstick case
Combs (wood or tortoiseshell)

Essie nail polish

Be Happy dancing flower
Ice cream pint lip gloss
Voluspa petite jars
Votivo tins
Large knock-knock pads
Pre de Provenee bar soap
OPI nail polish

Holiday design coasters

Shoe door stopper
Ice cube stirrer trays
Mistral soaps

Poo-Pourri

*Items in bold were recommended by more than one store!

All of these items are available at all four store locations. Still stumped on what to get? Ask any of our store associates to help, or stay tuned to our blog- we'll have more gift ideas!

Gift Ideas- $5 and Under

2010-12-01T13:35:00.000-06:00

Every year, you go through your Christmas gift list and inevitably find those couple of friends that you have no idea what to get for. You rack your brain for weeks, and finally get an iTunes giftcard out of sheer desperation. Well this year, step away from the gift card rack at the grocery store! We've asked the employees at all four of our stores to give us a list of the best gifts broken up into price ranges. Not only can you get fun, unique gifts, but you don't even have to break the bank!

Today we asked about gifts $5 or under. These are awesome for stocking stuffers, co-workers (especially if you have a lot!), or even your sorority sisters! Here's what are stores had to say:

Bubble bath
Cute coin purses

Printed nail files
Nail brushes

Kheipp herbal bath
Mini hand lotions
Burt's Bees lip balms
Fun lip gloss (cupcakes or flowers)
LED keychains
Fun erasers

Silly Bandz
Trapp votives
Knock-Knock notes
Design-Design pad
Desdner Essenz bath essence
Holiday file caddy
Hair accessories

Ephemera Magnet
Lollia mini perfume
Head massager
Eye/Sleep mask
Flash shiner

All of these items are available in all of our stores. If the item in the list is bolded that means that multiple stores recommended it.

We will have a blog post for every price point, so be sure to check on Twitter and Facebook for more blog posts!

The Holidays are Coming!

2010-11-18T10:35:00.000-06:00

The Macy's tree lighting is this weekend, Christmas decorations are for sale at Target, and holiday music is playing in Starbucks. That's right- even though Thanksgiving isn't until next week, the holiday season has begun!

Alterna Haircare

2010-11-04T13:13:00.000-05:00

One thing that we pride ourselves on at The Beauty Store Salon and Spa is selection. We carry a huge variety of haircare products. Unlike most salons, we are not restrained to one or two different brands because of an affiliation. We are open to carrying as many lines as we can to ensure that our customers have the absolute best selection to find what really works for their hair.

Let Us Help With Halloween

2010-10-25T14:23:00.000-05:00

Here in Austin, there are about a million great places to get costumes. Between the thrift stores, Party City stores, seasonal Halloween Express stores, Torrid, Tabu Lingerie, and Austin Halloween haven Lucy in Disguise, there is no shortage of places to find a great costume. But what about the makeup? The nail polish? The fake eyelashes? The hair products?

We are stocked to handle your holiday beauty needs. If you are rocking the Snooki poof this year (Jersey Shore costumes are the most popular costume this year) we have plenty of super hold hair spray and back combs to get your teased poof just right.

What about your Joan from Mad Men costume? Come in and check out Jane Iredale's cosmetics. They'll give you that perfect natural glow and defined eye makeup that was essential in the 1960's!

Since Halloween is on Sunday, you probably won't get a chance to wear your costume to work. How about showing your holiday spirit with some fun orange and black nail polish?

Stop by any location to pick up those last minute Halloween needs. As always, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and keep up with the blog for more helpful tips, in-store events, and of course specials. Help us Keep Austin Local!

Three Great Reasons to Follow The Beauty Store

2010-10-13T05:34:00.000-05:00

Recently, we have begun looking for more ways to connect with our customers. We love the amazing people that come to our stores, and we want to stay in contact with them as much as possible so they know when their favorite products are on sale, when new ones come, and when we are holding special events. To get even more connected, we have recently started a Facebook page and a Twitter account. While we know there is probably already a lot of people in your online world, there are three very good reasons we would like to be there too:

1- Sales! Let's be honest: There is nothing more exciting (well, maybe winning the lottery) than getting a great deal. We shop the sale racks at stores, check for a bargain on eBay or Craigslist, and (if your like me) read those sales flyers in the Sunday newspaper to see if anything good is on sale. We post all of our sales on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and even do some impromptu daily specials through Twitter. Imagine reading your Twitter feed and finding out your favorite shampoo and conditioner is buy one, get one free that day. It's like that lottery, but with less paperwork!

2- Events! Whether it's a hair styling benefit or a makeup event with professional artists, The Beauty Store has a ton of events that are fun for customers and give back to the community. We use our online presence to get the word out about these special events, and make sure that all of our customers know that something out of the ordinary is happening.

3- Information! We read a ton of great articles, see press releases about new products coming out, and follow some really amazing makeup artists and hair stylists. When we see great information, we want to pass it along to our customers. Whether it's how to get the perfect DIY pedicure or the hot new hair styles for the season, you can bet it will be on our Facebook page and in our Twitter stream.

New October Specials and Events

2010-10-04T10:41:00.000-05:00

There are so many exciting things happening at the Beauty Store, we can't wait to tell you about it! First, we have some new and improved specials for you this week.....

Buy 2, Get 1 Free:
All Polish Colors
Matrix
Biolage
Amplify
Vavoom
Sleek.look
Logics
Paul Mitchell
Redken
Joico
Goldwell

Buy 2, Get 2 Free:

ARTec

Sexy Hair

Buy 1, Get 1 Free:

Wella
Graham Webb
Halo
ISO
Back 2 Basics
Hempz haircare
TIGI's Dumb Blonde, Self-Absorbed and Moisture Maniac

Buy 1, Get the 2nd 50% Off:

Shaper and Shaper+ Hairspray

As if that weren't exciting enough, we are also doing our first Twitter giveaway! Just find us on Twitter, follow us, and tweet "I love @BeautyStoreATX for helping #KeepAustinLocal" and you will be entered for a chance to win a $30 giftcard good for products at any of our 4 locations. Good luck, and tweet as many times as you can to win!

Our First Twitter Giveaway!

2010-10-01T15:40:00.000-05:00

We are very excited to announce our first Twitter giveaway! We would like to have as many Austin beauty lovers follow us as possible so we can keep them up-to-date on new products, specials and events. In order to get the word out, we will be giving away a $30 giftcard good for products at any Beauty Store location. All you have to do is tweet "I love @BeautyStoreATX for helping #KeepAustinLocal"as many times as you can between today and October 12th to be entered. On the 13th we will be choosing a winner!

Please share this with all of your friends who use beauty products. We have a ton of monthly specials and events, not to mention that stream of new products every week. We want to do our part to Keep Austin Beautiful and Keep Austin Local!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more info!

October Specials!

2010-09-29T11:25:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the month again- time for new specials!! Starting September 27 we have the following specials available at all of our stores:

Buy 2, Get 2 Free

TIGI

Nioxin

Buy 2, Get 1 Free

A.G.

Artec

Matrix

Sebastian

Big Sexy

Goldwell

Rusk

Buy 1, Get 1 Free

Wella

Graham Webb

Halo

Hempz Hair Care

ISO

**All Nail Polish- Buy 1, Get the 2nd 50% Off!

Also happening this week:

-OPI's new holiday collection is available in stores! Be the first to try out their newest shades.

As always, check out our website, follow us on Twitter and join our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all things beauty and Austin. In the meantime, Keep Austin Beautiful!

Hello and Welcome to the Beauty Store!

2010-08-31T22:33:00.000-05:00

One of the best things about Austin is the community support for local businesses. We not only love to patronize our home-grown companies, but we will actually go out of our way to support them! There are lots of local boutiques, vintage stores, and consignment shops to purchase your clothing, accessories and shoes. There are even local hat designers, grocery co-ops and restaurants to check out. But where are you to go for your beauty products?

Look no further than The Beauty Store Salon and Spa! Started in 1988 here in Austin, The Beauty Store has since grown to four Austin locations and continues to add new products all the time. No longer is it the place to get hair care only. Now you can get hair care and styling products and tools, nail care, skin care, make up, and even lovely and unique gifts.

The Beauty Store is always running new promotions on products you use regularly. Right now, Buy1, Get 1 Free on brands such as Wella Color Preserve, TIGI's Moisture Maniac, Self-Absorbed, Dumb Blonde and Control Freak, Graham Webb, Halo, Back 2 Basics, Hempz Hair Care, and ISO. In addition to that, you can also get Sebastian Shaper and Shaper+ for Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off!

Check back with us on this blog, our site or on Twitter or Facebook to find out about new specials and fun fashion stuff happening in Austin!