Pretty Boy

My husband Derek is a guy's guy. A manly man so to say. He doesn't do mani-pedi's. He has never had anything waxed and he is terrified of tweezers. When we met some of his grooming habits were questionable (sticking craft scissors up your nose in order to remove excess nose hair is really not that sanitary) but I like to thank that since we met, his method have improved significantly (i.e. he now has a nose hair trimmer).

Believe it or not there are plenty of man friendly products that have received the Shecky's seal of approval!

That being said, what you need to buy for your significant other no matter how rough and tumbled he may be, is just a click away! Here are my go to products for the man in my life:

1. TIGI Bed Head: A Hair Stick For Cool People

Derek uses this wax in order to achieve his signature "just had a romp in the sack" hairstyle. I love it because his hair remains soft and styled instead of that gelled hard spiky look. Also, it smells great.

2. JASON Sunblock
As mentioned, the husband is a "guy's guy" which translates to him being out in the sun pretty often. Whether he is going for a run or has a rugby match, my guy is wearing his sunscreen. It's chemical free (which he loves, because when he sweats it doesn't burn if it gets in his eyes) and fragrance free, best of all you can get it from Whole Foods along with JASON deodorant (which we both use).


3. Aquafresh White Trays
As the son of a dental professional, Derek knows good teeth. He turned me on to these bleaching trays before our wedding and our teeth have never looked so white. A let's face it girls... nothing is hotter than a guy with a perfectly pearly white grin!

4. St. Ives Renewing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish
Unfortunately no matter how far my dear husband has come, one thing I cannot get him to do is moisturize beyond simple sunblock. Lack of lotioning up, means there is a lot of sluffing off dry skin (gross, but true). This is where an exfoliator comes into play. We both use this (esp. in the winter when skin drys out) in order to stay touchably smooth. Jump in the shower with your guy, grab a loofa and scrub down! He wont mind, I promise!

All of the products have been tested by the professionals from Shecky's. For additional product information please visit their website!

Top Notch

More often than not my mornings are extremely rushed. They consist of a quick jump in the shower, a brief make up session and grabbing coffee as I am running out the door. That said, my hair is usually my last priority, which is why I have fallen so deeply in love with this "do".

"It's simple, stylish, and perfect for your inner slacker: the topknot!" says WHOWHATWEAR and I totally agree! The top-knot is simply a super high bun perched on the top of your head. It is versatile in the fact that it can be made sleek and tight or casual and loose (the style I prefer).

In order to achieve this look, I turned to these Shecky's Beauty At It's Best 2009 Award winners.

Step 1: After your shower, towel dry your hair and let it dry naturally until it's damp and not dripping.

Step 2: Use TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse, starting the application from your roots so as to get volume. "Scrunch" your damp hair, really working the mousse throughout your roots lifting away from the scalp.

Step 3: Dry your hair completely with a blow dryer.

Step 4: Once dry pull your hair into a high ponytail. Then twist your ponytail into a bun and secure with bobby pins.

Step 5: After the bun is secured, use Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Spray all over to ensure that your top-knot will be top notch all day long!

What are your thoughts on the top-knot? Does this style work for your rushed mornings?

Ps. This week's posts are NOT sponsored by Shecky's (I wish I got paid to blog, unfortunately I'm not that awesome). I am just excited about finding a new & helpful website with honest product reviews.In addition, I am looking forward to the Girl's Night Out event tonight and tomorrow in Houston, so thought I would share the helpful insight. Sorry if it was a turn off to some readers, but I am having fun with Beauty Week and hope you are too!

The Matte Manicure

This season matte nails made their big debut and to be honest, I wasn't that crazy about them. Much like the Beauty Bug I thought "No base coat and no top coat with a lackluster finish? No thanks". Then after this gorgeous print ad for OPI's matte polish, I began to change my tune.

Right as I began to warm up to the idea of "going matte" Shecky's posted the Beauty Bug's fashionable, modern and chic interpretation of the French manicure. Umm... HELLO GORGEOUS!

I cannot wait to take this look to my favorite manicurist, I am sure she will have fun with it as I am sure this isn't a look that is done on the daily! Would you rock this dual finished nail? What do you think of the matte polish manicure?

1920's Runway To Real Way Makeup

This Halloween I needed a 1920's inspired look for my makeup and in order to achieve it... I turned to Shecky's! This instructional video from backstage at the St. Judes annual fundraising fashion show features a MAC make up pro breaking down a runway look and making it wearable for "non-models" such as myself.

From Runway to Your Way from Shecky's on Vimeo.

This is how I translated the look for my debut as a 1920's flapper!

For more instructional videos, visit Shecky's video page!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

This Thursday, the well known beauty experts at SHECKYS.COM will be hosting a "Girls Night Out" in Houston. I am very excited to say that I will be joining in the shopping and fun come Thursday evening! More from Shecky's!

"Get your girlfriends together and get ready to indulge in an evening full of shopping, delicious cocktails, fall-fabulous beauty treatments and much more. Best of all, you’ll take home one of our famous goodie bags, filled to the brim with glamorous goodies and freebies!"

In honor of this fabulous event and recent email inquiries about products that I use, I decided to take this as an opportunity to host "Beauty Week" here at Jeune Marie! Stay tuned for more beauty post throughout the week! If you would like to attend this Thursday night please visit Shecky's for more details, but here is the rundown...

Date: Thu.-Fri., Nov. 5th-6th, 2009

Time: 5pm-10pm

Place: The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Hotel

Not in Houston? That's cool, just check out the Events page at SHECKYS.COM to find a Girls Night Out near you! The perfect reason to celebrate being a girl with your closest friends and some cocktails... not that we needed and excuse for shopping and cocktails!

November Neutrals

As far as I'm concerned, fall truly arrives in November (we are in Texas after all). It's the perfect month for patio dining under copper leaved oak trees. The perfect time to throw on a chunky knitted sweater and sip wine with friends, telling old stories and saying thanks for all you have.

Most would associate oranges, cranberries and chocolates as the colors of fall. But I see warmer pinks, the beige color of hay and warm linen white as the neutrals of November.

I plan to carry this neutral theme into our Thanksgiving table-scape. Using vintage linens and plates to set the scene for quality time with those who matter most. What colors do you associate with November?

Hints Of Halloween

(we keep it classy - plastic red cups!)

Hope you had a swanky Halloween, from your favorite flapper and moonshine swiggin' beau!