All aboard the Glam Train! It’s that magical time of year again, (no, it’s not Spa Week just yet, although booking does begin Monday!) when celebrities, fashion designers and supermodels walk among us: Fashion’s Night Out to kick off Mercedes Benz Fall Fashion Week. Many of your favorite fashion houses, designers and boutiques are hosting extravagant retail celebrations with mini-spa serivces and glorious incentives to spend your paycheck for a good cause. Once you have had your fill of philanthropy via credit card, hit up any one of these hot locations along the trip de glam for mini-spa services from massages, make-up application, hair designs, manicures and lost of celeb spotting. Tweet us @SPAWEEK and tell us who you see on your FNO!

1. Kiehl’s Since 1851, 109 Third Ave. The newest, super fabulous spa in NYC will have Backstreet Boy AJ McLean host’s Kiehl’s Karaoke Karnival. Karaoke contestants will receive complimentary lip balm. Backstreet’s back, alright!

2. Dior, 19 E. 57th St. Dior makeup artist Ricky Wilson will be offering complimentary makeovers featuring  their new Velvet Eyes reusable eyeliner patches.

3. Rag & Bone, 119 Mercer St. Co-hosts Carmelo and La La Anthony will be holding court at the SoHo store where you can get a  Mini-makeover by Gucci ! Did we mention Halle Berry will be making a guest appearance?

4. Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave. Get Marc Jacobs Minx Nails manicures, dance to a DJ set with Questlove and visit a braid bar hosted by Rebecca Minkoff and The Man Repeller where you can chose several different styles and accessories with Rebecca Minkoff leather strips!

5. Sephora 5th Avenue, at 48^th Street. “Hollywood’s Guru of Glow,” Kate Somerville, will be at Sephora as part of the “Ask an Expert” panel hosted by Vogue Beauty Director Sarah Brown, Renowned hairstylist Oscar Blandi and Urban Decay cofounder Wende Zomnir. Get stylish with Spa Week spa, Carol’s Daughter and Solange Knowles and learn nail tips from Thea Green, founder of Nails Inc.

6.Betsey Johnson, 138 Wooster St. From 6pm to 10pm, guests can enjoy makeup- sessions by Stila Cosmetics, cupcakes, champagne and a chance to win your very own Betsey tote.

7. MAKE UP FOR EVER Lash Lounge at Sephora SoHo, 555 Broadway. Make Up Forever will teach you how to apply and trick out your false lashes with gems, feathers and beads!

8. L’Occitane en Provence, 146 Spring St. The store will transport fashionistas to the south of France with a series of Provencal skin care and pampering possibilities including rosé wine, French fare and complimentary hand massages. But the real reason to stop by: L’Occitane will raffle off a trip to Provence for two.

9. GUESS by Marciano, 537 Broadway. Bump to beats by DJ DexterLove while getting your mini-makeover-mini-manicure on by NYX Cosmetics. Plus, Guess shoppers who make a $5 donation to The NYC AIDS Fund receive a gift bag filled with goodies.

10. Teen Vogue, Bleecker and W. 11th streets. Teen Vogue is hosting a block party that will include free manicures from Essie.

Want more shop-’til-you-drop action? Here are a few noble, worthy causes to spend, spend, spend: Start at Stuart Weitzman on 625 Madison Ave for a chance to meet Meet Michelle Trachtenberg and Hayden Panettiere as they unveil their Young Hollywood Cares shoe collection that will benefit ovarian cancer research. Then pop next door to Barneys New York,660 Madison Ave. where 10 percent of sales from the store and website will go to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Make Carrie Bradshaw proud as you trot down to Manolo Blahnik on W. 54th St. where SJP will be unveiling the shoe she designed. A portion of the proceeds will go to The Fund for Public Schools.  Then hail a cab and head down to SoHo to 77 Greene St to Sip on Absolut Vodka cocktails and get down to the beats by DJ Harley Viera Newton at Nicole Miller. Then consider buying yet another tote, one that Miller created one just for the night, and 15 percent of the proceeds for each bag goes to Indego Africa,  an organization helping female artisans in Rwanda. Don’t forget to pick up your Offical FNO Gear (benefiting the NYC AIDS Fund) at any one of over 800 locations across NYC.

The Sausage Hands in Question

Look at that model’s fake hand – BEAUTIFUL – and the colors are so fun and fall and in! From left to right, on the top row: Iron Magic, Amazing Mauve, Fuchsia Attraction, Copper Seduction. And the bottom row: Ferromagnetic Blue, Green Temptation, Magnetic Moments and Nude Charm.  So to do a quick demo/tutorial I chose a bunch of fun, random colors.

Step 1. Shake the bottle.

Step 2. Apply 1 thick layer of polish.

I chose Ferromagnetic Blue to feed my inner "tweenysomething."

Step 3. IMMEDIATELY hold one of the pattern magnets directly over the wet polish for AT LEAST 10 seconds. 

Get it as close as you can without touching the nail.

Step 4. Gaze in awe as your diagonal or star design is revealed. Step 5. Repeat.

Check me out as I try all these funky color combos on my sausages!

Cute right? The star pattern is super fun too, but the stripe comes out better on my Blackberry camera.I have chosen Magnetic Moments as my favorite color. So that’s what I picked for my WHOLE left hand! It’s a seafoam, metalic, grey-ish greeny color that is cousins to Essie’s purply-grey “Merino Cool” and OPI’s taupy-grey “You Don’t Know Jaques.” You know, those fabulous muddy, always-transforming colors that morph with changing light are SO in for fall.What do you think of magnetic nail polish? Do I have sausage hands? Would you try this look? What color would you pick? Comment below!

Fifteen days have gone by since my last manicure. It still looks like I got them done yesterday. Once you go Shellac, you don’t go back.

Earlier this summer I released unto you my Inner Manicure Monologue, where I admitted to never having tried Shellac by CND or any other such long-lasting, time-saving manicures. I had my reasons, but now, after my first Shellac attack at Tres Jolie Beauty Boutique in Chelsea, NYC, I’m extremely impressed. First, let me introduce you to the totally vibing ambiance of Tres Jolie. Above is a mural painted on the wall – the big wavy black hair starts at the top of the staircase and ends at the bottom. Here’s the main level.

Cookie is their chirpy little salon puppy with quite good style. SO CUTE!

And below is la piece de resistance: Tara “Chee Chee” Carpenter, my manicurist. I am just going to say it: I have NEVER in my entire life met someone who is so in love with nails. She’s been doing people’s nails since she was 13, started getting paid to do them at 19, and we spent just about every minute of the appointment talking about nails. She had a wealth of tips to share; did you know that doing a dry manicure (not lubricating your cuticles before cutting) will make your cuticles stay neater longer? (That’s what she did, and I have to say I’m impressed.) Polish aside, Chee Chee gave me what might have been the greatest filing/buffing/cuticle maintenance in all 14 years I’ve been getting my nails did.

After having performed and received literally every manicure that’s ever existed, Chee Chee has decided wholeheartedly on her all-time favorite: Shellac.

With a number of celebrity clients and an incredibly loyal following, Chee Chee operates out of the lower level of Tres Jolie. She does all sorts of manicures – from regular ones to nail art – but her treasured nail care prize is the Shellac. In fact, to keep her Shellac color collection safe, she keeps the polishes hidden in a draw rather than sitting out with the rest. She took them out a handful at a time to show me my color options:

I chose Tropix for the main color and Tutti Frutti for the middle finger. The process was much the same as a regular manicure, and I’ll take it as Chee Chee’s perfectionism that it took a bit longer than usual. I dried under UV in between each coat, and interestingly, she did my thumbs separately, specifically so they wouldn’t be turned to the side for an uneven dry in the dyer. Here’s what they looked like moments after (totally hardened before I walked out the door!).

Shellac - Freshly finished and already dry!

As promised by the lovely makers of Shellac, there were no nicks or smudges, and it really did last for the entire time with hardly a chip. (My thumb actually chipped/peeled ever so slightly the first day, but then I didn’t get another chip until yesterday on my left ring finger.)

Here I am today in the office – you can see my nails growing in slightly but they’re still looking quite amazing! I’ve been getting compliments for 15 days now; I’ll definitely be succumbing to the Shellac way of life on a more frequent basis.

Shellac manicure, 15 days and going strong

I think I’m going to continue on with this mani for another week, until the “roots” become unbearable. Although manicure time is fun, it’s been a real pleasure not having to squeeze in an appointment during my busy weeks. So yes, I’ll keep this still-glossy thing going for as long as I possibly can. Because you know what I’m NOT looking foward to…

Shellac Manicure with Chee Chee: $35

Tres Jolie Beauty Boutique
166 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001
212.675.7900

Disclosure: Service was comped for editorial consideration

Few holidays throughout the year allow you to truly let your freak flag fly—Halloween and the Gay Pride Parade are two of them—but there’s only one where you can let your American freak flag fly. The Fourth of July is just a few days away, and it’s time to let your star spangled soul shine through. We claimed our independence 235 years ago, and freedom is yours to dress as you please! You can keep it classy, but this holiday is not complete without a touch of American cheese. There’s a certain finesse to dressing like a flag while keeping your patriotic cool, and it looks like this. (Best worn to the tune of our All-American Playlist)

Your top should pop with American pride. Red striped shirt – $50 at TopShop

You’re not usually one to wear a bow in your hair, which is all the more reason to wear one today. Polka dotted bow – $17.99 from ModCloth

As long as you’re not genetically prone to dripping ketchup or sliding across freshly cut grass, white bottoms are the way to go. Sure jeans are blue, but that’s the easy way out. White belted embroidered skirt – $21.99 from Rue21 or white high-waisted shorts – $34.50 from Delias

Fly that flag right under your shoulder. Sparkle as rays of sunlight hang onto the best accessory at the barbecue. Sequined flag bag – $16.99 on Amazon

Rock strappy wedges with a neutral base to give your outfit classy oomph. Matching red shoes to a red shirt is more than likely to fail (see pinup above). White “Braxton” wedges by Nine West – $49.90 (half off!) at Nordstrom

Blame the Chanel J12 – white watches are summer’s timeliest accessory. O’Clock watch – $36 on BornUptown

Lounge poolside in something festive. Even if you’re not laying out in a bathing suit, a bandeau top like this Jcrew one on sale for $29.12 is the perfect bra sub to contrast your red striped shirt, appropriately undone one button too many. (The one pictured is sold out)

Although bright red lipstick may seem intuitive, it could look too heavy for daytime. Try a light coral like this one by Estee Lauder for $28.

The final touch? Americanize your manicure. These were my nails last year, and I’ve never gotten more compliments! And look how nicely it matches the beach…

Now that all of this  Royal Wedding hubbub has started to subside, we ‘re pretty sure the Royal Family will need to recuperate. What better way to relax and wind down from such an extravaganza than to enjoy a spa day? Wills and Kate will get to relax on their honeymoon (in Corfu? Australia?). And, we hope Harry and Pippa will relax in each others’ arms (Harry+ Pippa 4ever!), but what of The Queen?  What is the best way for Queen Elizabeth to unwind?  We asked some experts to weigh in:

What spa treatment would you recommend for The Queen of England? And why?

We got some really interesting and educational answers, definitely worthy of  The Queen… She should try all of these the next time she hops the pond!

Retin-A Facial with Collagen Mask

Why: Liz, the owner of Euro Laser Medical Spa in Rye, NY recommends that The Queen try this vitamin rich facial because it targets wrinkles and fights fine lines. Liz says that all fabulous women over fifty should try this facial, even if they aren’t going to a big event.

Thai Bomb Massage

Why?: Lucy, owner of Enliven Body Works in New York City explained to us that the massage contains a body wrap with, ” different kinds of herbs, like ginger and cinnamon that will detoxify body toxins.” This will help The Queen de-stress and feel her best after her grandson’s big day.

The Back Room’s Rose Petal Ritual

“When I think of the Queen I think of her gardens and my strolls through London and the beautiful gardens in Hyde Park,” says New York’s The Back Room Hand & Foot Spa at Carol’s Daughter founder, Lisa Price. “So, I immediately go to roses. What is more deserving of a Queen than to have her feet bathed in warm coconut milk with fresh rose petals?” A spa treatment fit for the English Rose in all of us!

Colon Hydrotherapy Treatment

Cleansing Concepts owner, Vanessa suggests this treatment for The Queen because, after all the post-nuptial luncheons and royal receptions, “it will leave her feeling less bloated.” Colon Hydrotherapy hydrates the colon. The treatment is a gentle internal bath that will aid Queen Elizabeth’s body in the detoxification process after all this celebrating!

Queen for a Day Package

Spa at Eaglewood in Itasca, IL has a royalty package that is without a doubt fit for a queen! The package includes: a Mud Wrap, a 60Min Swedish Massage, 60Min Facial, Paradise Mani-Pedi, Makeup Application with Consultation and Lesson, a Spa Lunch, the choice between a blow-out or an eye, neck, and décolleté treatment, AND a Spa Gift (retail value $50). Rachel the Spa Manager says, “The Queen would fit right in over here.” We couldn’t agree more!