Host James Vincent with Guests

Spa Week‘s Cosmetic Sponsors Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics celebrated the brand’s birthday with a day full of celebrities, products and education. The invitation-only Endless Beauty Event marked Youngblood’s 15^th Anniversary as the premier luxury mineral cosmetics brand. Held at the stylish Siren Studios on iconic Sunset Boulevard, the celebration featured presentations by guest celebrity artists James Vincent (whose clients include Lady Gaga and Jillian Michaels), Victoria Stiles (Vice President of the United States Joe Biden and Roberta Flack) and Orlando Santiago (Rihanna and P. Diddy).

Angell Conwell (“The Young & the Restless”) and President/CEO, Pauline Youngblood

“Endless Beauty is designed to provide valuable education to our esteemed retailers and the professional makeup artist community” says Pauline Youngblood, President and CEO of Youngblood. “It was a memorable event, and we look forward to hosting others like it in the near future.”

Hi-Def Demonstration with Celebrity Make-up Artist, Orlando Santiago

The artistic masterminds revealed exclusive product previews (a sneak peek at an item for Spring 2012); and demonstrations (including tattoo coverage projected by high-definition cameras onto high-definition television monitors for the ultimate in clarity and detail).

Endless Beauty event guests included television’s Tara Buck (“Gretchen” from the HBO hit, “True Blood”), Carla Soto (“Model Latina”) and Angell Conwell (“The Young & the Restless”); on-the-rise singer Mark Russell; makeup professionals who work on countless TV shows and movie sets (many from I.A.T.S.E. Local 706); editors from top fashion magazines including BlackBook and L.A. Confidential; and local beauty bloggers and trend forecasters including Beautylish.

Make-up Artist, Phillip and Tara Buck ("Gretchen" from the HBO hit, “True Blood”),

Sponsors included NewBeauty Magazine, O.N.E. Coconut Water, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Pirate’s Booty.

You’ve heard the old adage, “Something borrowed, something blue…” but have you ever stopped to think, “Who started the Something Blue tradition?” We have a hunch it was the Smurfs. This summer they’ve infiltrated every area of our lives, on TV, at the grocery store, online and this weekend they will hit the big screen with Neil Patrick Harris. It’s Smurf-mania! To honor our favorite blue childhood friends, here are 5 ways you can Smurf your wedding.
#1. An easy, non-gimmicky way to pay hommage to the Smurfs is with blue flowers and centerpieces.
#2. Perfect for a summer wedding are blue bridesmaid dresses. Try a variations of blue like Navy, Robbin’s Egg (featured above), Turquoise and Powder Blue.#3. An easy way to incorporate blue into your bridal fashions is a bright blue shoe. Satin and diamonds give this shoe a royal feel, perfectly appropriate for a fairy tale wedding. #4. If you want to incorporate blue into your wedding, but not wear it— try chapel and reception accents in pops of blue mixed with white, like this small chapel’s blue aisle and pew decorations.
#5. For the edgy, fashion forward bride who is obsessed with the 80′s television cult classic, Smurfed-out nails are a surprising twist to a blue ceremony. Depending on your level of Smurf obsession, this trend could be a fun and crazy Bachelorette party fashion.

Don’t forget to book the entertainment, like The World Famous Smurf Band! We even heard they’re coming out of retirement and doing wedding gigs. (You could always hire the Blue Man Group as a back-up, at least they’re not animated.)

The Little Luxury: AG Split End Spa

Relationship status: We’ll never split.

Seriously, it’s a spa for your split ends: Let your hair put on a fluffy white robe and an Enya soundtrack as it gets pampered with a few pumps of AG each day.

For Rapunzel-Wannabes: This hair serum has been extraordinarily successful in preventing me from getting split ends, and thus helping my hair grow. It’s grown noticeably faster since I started using it, and the quality has been more lustrous than ever!

Confession: I am way overdue for a trim. Maybe 4 months overdue. But in all honesty, I’m completely shocked at how healthy my hair has kept, and I attribute it to the Split End Spa. If anyone asks, I totally trimmed it last week, k?

It’s pretty easy: After washing your hair, dispense 2-3 squirts in your hands, and then run through your damp hair, concentrating on the ends.

Who should use it? It’s color-safe containing AG’s CARE Complex, so this “spa” is good for anyone who wants to add a dose of healthy vibrancy to their locks.

Okay, so you REALLY want longer hair? This was one of 4 ways to make your hair grow faster – click for some good foods to eat for longer locks, along with other tips from the pros.

Gotta git git! It’s $24 on ULTA, or you can pick it up at Senses NY where Brucey first introduced forced me to start using this magical cream that he swears by for all his clients.

Hot Stone Scale (1-6): 6

This Little Luxury Report was brought to you by: Michelle Joni Lapidos

What started as an old-world apothecary in New York’s Lower East Side 160 years ago, then spent over a century pampering skin and hair, stealing hearts and becoming one of the world’s most beloved and iconic personal care brands, has now entered into its next breathtaking chapter. Kiehl’s Since 1851 introduces: Spa 1851, a full-service Kiehl’s spa experience, which has just opened its doors on the Upper East Side.

SPA 1851 is the brainchild of Chris Salgardo, President, Kiehl’s USA, who gave me the tour of the newest spa hotspot last Friday morning as I asked him lots of questions. Chris has been President for 5 years, in the company for 11, and a fan of Kiehl’s for 21 years. Creating this spa was a labor of love and a bow to tradition that took over 8 years of planning and building all in. Every detail is loaded with significance or history, from the chandeliers inspired by those that have hung in the original Flagship Store for generations, the stunning adventure photographs as wallpaper in the treatment rooms, and the commissioned artwork that embodies the Kiehl’s brand.

First, the tour, something like the way Chris gave it. Spa 1851 features an interior design that advances Kiehl’s longtime commitment to the environment with the use of natural, sustainable materials and energy-efficient light fixtures. Wood accents, antique fixtures, vintage reclaimed tin ceilings, custom art, eco-friendly robes and linens and iPads for guest use in the lounge all demonstrate the unique perspective of this cozy yet worldly spa.

Let’s first take a look at the treatment rooms. Each one is themed – Apothecary, Adventure, and the Rainforest.

The Apothecary Room: Artist Curtis Jinkins created a wallscape referencing Kiehl’s apothecary traditions.

The Adventure Room: Kiehl’s in-house design team highlighted the company’s spirit of adventure with archival Kiehl’s images from an expedition to Mt. Everest and the Badwater Ultramarathon in the Mojave Desert.

The Rainforest Room: David LaChapelle’s Rainforest Photo Mural is a modern interpretation of Kiehl’s historyof sourcing the finest natural ingredients from around the world.

As Chris explained, it was also very important that the spa decor remained masculine and strong, as the Men’s Grooming Lounge is an essential part of the spa. It’s very much an experience, overlooking Lexington Avenue in a sound-tight space with rock music. The Am I Collective designed the art on the brick wall – it’s a piece incorporating Kiehl’s icons such as company icon Mr. Bones the teaching skeleton, and motorcycle and airplane imagery, hand-painted by Colossal Media. The Barber Chairs are by custom motorcycle builder Paul Cox, who customized them with a skeleton motif inspired by a design by Curtis Jinkins. The public hallway you see below on the right is a modern timeline and a celebration of 160 years of service, created by Kiehl’s in-house design team.

So, how about those treatments? As Kiehl’s is historically an apothecary, one of the foundations of all their treatments is mixing in herbs, salts and aromatic ingredients into each. All treatments use entirely Kiehl’s products, of course. Facial treatments were created using high concentrations of uniquely efficacious natural ingredients in combination with cutting-edge technologies for smoother, radiant, younger-looking skin. Massages and body treatments utilize old-world techniques that invigorate circulation while nourishing and softening skin.

I asked Chris what sets Spa 1851 apart from all the other spas, besides, you know, being part of Kiehl’s. One of the points he was very adamant about was not nickeling and diming – treatments include a robust number of add-ons without extra cost. Also, every scheduled treatment begins with the Kiehl’s Signature Greeting, a neck, arm, hand and foot massage, which uses lavender and massage techniques to prep the skin and stimulate circulation.

Want an appointment? Good luck – as of Friday, they were booked until September!

Conveniently located next to the Las Vegas Convention Center and only seconds away from the Las Vegas Strip lies a truly a hidden jewel in Sin City: the largest Hilton hotel in the world, the Las Vegas Hilton. Whether you’re looking to relax and rejuvenate at The Spa or step out into the bright lights and enjoy some local fare, the Las Vegas Hilton can help you plan an unforgettable Vegas escape. Check out three different luxurious resort packages below, brought to you exclusively by Spa Week.

Indulge Package

Tucked away on the third-floor recreation deck, this tranquil hideaway offers a delightful and rewarding Las Vegas spa vacation destination. Choose from a bountiful assortment of treatments — including traditional Swedish massages, soothing body treatments, and cleansing facials.The Indulge Package includes a 2-Night Stay, $75 Spa Credit, $25 Free Bet Chip, Check-In at the VIP Lounge, $100 in Dining Deals Coupons, 2 Entries to the Fitness Facility, 2 Welcome Cocktails at any casino bar, and NO RESORT FEES! Use promo code: ZEN189.

Stay and Play Package

Whether you’re betting on some full-blown Vegas glitz, a raucous comedy or musical, or just want to chill with a cocktail and some live jazz, the Las Vegas Hilton is the perfect Las Vegas off-strip entertainment venue for you. The Las Vegas Hilton Theater has a rich history of presenting such legendary icons as Elvis Presley who performed 837 sold-out shows, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand and 10-year old Ethan Bortnick, the youngest entertainer to ever headline a show in Las Vegas. Or shake over to the Shimmer Cabaret, a perfect venue for a  more personal experience that plays host to world-class comedians and exciting musical/variety acts. Or party in the Tempo Lounge – This pulsing lounge features a mix of 70s, 80s, 90s, contemporary top 40 hits. Don’t forget to indulge in Italian fare, thick, juicy steaks, or gourmet Asian cuisine all located at the Las Vegas Hilton.To experience all of the nightlife and fine dining the Las Vegas Hilton has to offer try the Stay and Play Package. This exclusive deal includes a 3-Night Stay and $10 in Free Slot Play*, 2-for-1 Show Tickets**, 2 Buffets , $100 in Dining Deals Coupons, 2 Entries to the Fitness Facility, 2 Welcome Cocktails at any casino bar, NO RESORT FEES! Use promo code: ZEN139.

4-Night Room Only Package

Or try the Room Only Package that includes a 4-Night Stay, $100 in Dining Deals Coupons and NO RESORT FEES! Use promo code: ZEN139R.
Click here to reserve your package at this exclusive rate! This offer is based on limited availability through December 27, 2011. Call Casino Reservations at 800-457-3307 from 7am – 9pm PST to book your package. Ask about room & suite upgrades!