When it comes to the big day, we strive for perfection in all ways. Anything that comes with being a bride–the dress, jewelry or makeup,  has to transform us into the princess imagined since childhood. After the cut and style of the dress, the next biggest battle is with the hair. It must glamorous, sophisticated, and most importantly something you’d want to look back on proudly 40 years later. For many it’s difficult to put that look into words, making that process that much more frustrating. To help you along the way, check out these timeless yet very modern wedding day hair styles courtesy of our partner, WeddingChannel.com. Click for more great bridal beauty ideas.

Classic French Twist

Modern Bouffant

Elegant Updo with Sideswept Bangs

Teased Updo with Frace-Framing Pieces

Sleek, Straight and Short

Trendy Side Bun

Tell us: how did you wear your hair on your wedding day?

Melissa Dawn Johson interviews Therri Coleman, owner of Wink Couture Lashes

Beauty Buffs, listen in! Today at 12:30 pm EDT, the owner of lash lengthening hot spot Wink Couture Lashes will be spilling her success secrets on the Blog Talk Radio show, “Make It Happen with Melissa Dawn Johnson”.  You don’t want to miss it.

Therri Coleman started in the industry in the early 90s working as a makeup artist for Chanel Cosmetics. Then moving on to advance her career as a Medical Aesthetician, her love for the industry continually increased and she is thrilled to fulfill her dreams by offering Atlanta the complete experience of Wink Couture Lash Spa.

Even better news if you live out in Vegas or plan to visit Sin City, the eyelash expert will be setting up shop at the esteemed Wynn Las Vegas resort there just for Spa Week September 13-19th, so book your $50 treatment NOW. Offering lashes that even a Kim Kardashian would envy,  from lash growth serums to exotic feather & mink they come coupled with a relaxing spa atmosphere for your “Couture” experience.

Check back here today at noon  for the show.

It’s back to school time, who’s excited? We didn’t expect a cheering chorus, but before you start kicking and screaming we’ve got ten things for you to be excited about. For less than $100 you can pick up the best beauty products for all your skin, hair, and makeup needs that could last at least until Thanksgiving Break. Whether you’re a Mommy sending your little troops off for a new exciting school year or a busy teacher determined to maintain a fresh first-day-of-school-glow until June, it’s time to prioritize a list of beauty must-haves to face the looming year ahead.

Start your mornings off with a great moisturizing conditioner. Your ends will thank you.  Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Conditioner, $5.24

No time for a red carpet do? Take a dollop to tame those fly-aways in a dash. TRESemme Tres Clean Hold Professional Formula Gel Firm Control for  $1.49

Three main ingredients go into a relaxing shower. Hot water, 30 minutes and a moisturizing body wash. Don’t skimp on either part, especially the body wash.  Olay Total Effects Body Wash, Deep Penetrating Moisture, 6.79

Sometimes all you have time for is an all in one. Use these towelettes to cleanse, exfoliate and go.  Pond’s Wet Towelettes Morning Refresh with Citrus and Cucumber, $5.69

Double you pleasure the night before a stressful return to work. Settle into a sinful chocolate face mask and blow your colleagues away with your smooth skin.  Bellaboo Face Mask Sweet Sin Chocolate, 9.99

Say yes to beautiful skin with a facial cleanser that’s organic, natural and paraben free. Yes to Carrots Nourishing Daily Creme Facial Cleanser, 7.99

Be gone in 50 seconds (who needs the other 10?) with quick, drying nail color. Maybelline Express Finish Advance Anti-Chip Color in Grape Times, 3.99

For windy days, sunny days, or any days, never leave home without smooth puckers.  Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $2.99

Yes, the sun goes down a bit earlier, but that doesn’t mean you’re free from harmful rays. Moisturize and protect your skin. Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30, $7.19

Bring your eyes from natural to dramatic in just 3 clicks. Almay One Coat Dial Up Mascara Blackest Black 8.49

7 Little Luxuries from across the web this week…

Fresh Eye Makeup Ideas For Every Eye Color – Bella Sugar

<– Reese Witherspoon’s Polished Summer to Fall Style – She Finds

Beauty Expert Anastasia Soare Talks About the Perfect Red Carpet Brow- Betty Confidential

5 DIY Solutions for Perfectly Painted Puckers – The Beauty Bean

Try It! Nars Sheer Glow Foundation – Daily Makeover

Massage My Fat Away, Please – The Luxury Spot

Can a Nail Salon Charge a Fee for Fat? – Allure Beauty Reporter

The windy city was awfully tranquil last night.

Spa Week Daily co-hosted Celebrate You: Chicago, a party at the 6000 square foot, newly re-opened, and quite beautiful Joseph Michael’s Salon & Spa in downtown Chicago. Why? To celebrate the independent lifestyle, the August 16th Chicago/West Coast launch of the $50 treatment directory on Spaweek.com, and of course, you.

Following Joseph Michael’s annual participation in Macy’s Glamorama earlier this past weekend, bloggers and Chicago scenesters joined us for a relax-and-mingle evening of manicures, mini-massages, lip treatments, blowouts, wine, sushi, desserts and freebies, and the first thing everyone noted upon arrival? WOW— Joseph Michael’s employees are SO NICE! It’s true, the moment you walk in the door, you’re family.

The Joseph Michael's Salon & Spa "Family"

The owner Paul (front left) made a great point about how he hires his staff: “You can always train people to get better at what they do and master techniques, but you can’t train people to be have a better personality.” Allison, who I had the pleasure of working with to plan the event, is an absolute doll. Paul says of Allison (standing next to Paul), “I never dreamed I’d find someone who I felt could run my spa without me. She does everything the way I would want it done, and that is priceless.”

Hair and makeup artist Ronnie (below with Afrobella) who shaped a lot of eyebrows last night, possesses one of the most coveted qualities you could want in your salon employee: It is impossible to meet him and NOT want to make him your new gay bestie. (Hayyy boo!)

Ronnie working his magic on Ms. Afrobella

It turns out a lot of the attendees had been slacking on split end maintenance–including me (and Jessica of Beauty Woo Me below). Hair stylist Eileen dished out some much-needed trims and blowouts, leaving everyone with voluminous locks and one less thing on their to-do lists. Very thankful!

Eileen doing my hair, Jessica Teas in line to be next!

I loved meeting a whole new set of bloggers, including ones I’ve enjoyed working with for months now. Congratulations to Kim who writes The Stylish Life– she took home the $50 Spa Week Gift Card raffle prize. I asked her where she was going to use it and she said: “Definitely Joseph Michael’s. I love it here!”

See the rest of the party pictures on our Facebook page.

To put on the event we partnered with Sherri Lamgburt, founder of SingleEdition.com, whose mission is to enhance single life via her consumer-facing site, and also to connect non-mommy bloggers and give them means to monetize their talent, something often taken for granted in the world of blogging. Know your worth!

All sorts of ways to celebrate you, but start here: Sign up for Spa Week and book one (or more) of the three luxurious $50 services Joseph Michael’s Salon & Spa is offering during Fall Spa Week (September 13-19).

• 45 Min Lomi Lomi Massage
• 45 Min Water Lily After Summer Soothing Wrap
• 45 Min Microcurrent Turbo-Lift Facial

Joseph Michaels Salon & Spa
1313 North Ritchie Court
Chicago, IL 60610
312.482.9800
http://www.mychicagosalon.com

Twitter @mychicagosalon

Award-winning Joseph Michael’s Salon and Spa delivers uncompromising care in a relaxing, unpretentious atmosphere. Voted Citysearch Best Spa, Best Facial and Best Massage 2009 and named Best Chicago Day Spa by Allure magazine 2009.

Photos by Jessica Lapidos