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Giveaway: Stiletto Hardware Memory Foam Cushion for High Heels

Written by on January 31, 2012 · 6 Comments

It’s no secret that I love high heels (exhibit A: name of this blog). I stand in them, I walk in them, I even dance in them (exhibit B: tango)! What I don’t love, however, is the discomfort that comes with subjecting your feet to 3-inch – or even higher – heels. I’ve been a frequent user of foam inserts, so when Stiletto Hardware contacted me to try out their memory foam cushions, I said yes enthusiastically.

Stiletto Hardware makes ball-of-foot cushions for high heels and heel cushions for flats. What makes them so special is the top layer of memory foam. It diffuses pressure points and molds to your foot, making them so comfortable! Stiletto Hardware was nice enough to send me a sample pack to try out – and WOW. These cushions make a huge difference, especially in heels that have a very thin insole and when I am on my feet for a long time.

Giveaway large print 300x225 Giveaway: Stiletto Hardware Memory Foam Cushion for High HeelsOther great features include:

  • Sophisticated and thin design
  • Antifungal and anti-microbial
  • Made with Poron
  • Strong adhesive backing but also easy to remove without ruining your expensive shoes
  • Made in USA

Stiletto Hardware has also agreed to sponsor a giveaway. One lucky reader will win a prize package of 3 pairs of insoles (one of each product that Stiletto Hardware currently offers). Please click on the permalink and enter via Rafflecopter.

Read more »

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BCBG Sale: Wedding Dresses Under $300

Written by on July 30, 2011 · 5 Comments

During my hunt for a cheap and chic wedding gown, I stumbled on BCBG.com. The site is having a big sale right now, with an additional 20% off for sale items until August 2. There are several beautiful white dresses that will be wonderful for a wedding. If you are also looking to for a gown, check out this site! (As an aside, I don’t understand why white dresses are displayed against such a light background!)

BCBG Maggie

bcbg maggie BCBG Sale: Wedding Dresses Under $300

(A few more I like: Timona strapless silk gown, Cyrus tiered gown, Lexie v-neck gown)

Categories: Beauty, Saving - Tags:

Emma Stine $25 Gift Card Giveaway

Written by on May 24, 2011 · 18 Comments

Raise your hand if you like beautifully designed jewelry at affordable prices.

Emma Stine Necklace 200x300 Emma Stine $25 Gift Card GiveawayEmma Stine Rose Earrings 200x300 Emma Stine $25 Gift Card Giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raise your hand if you like a $25 gift card to make the jewelry EVEN MORE affordable.

That’s where Emma Stine comes in. Ever since I found this jewelry company through fashion blogger Style Pint’s review, I can’t stop browsing the website. Disclaimer, I have never purchased anything from them before – I asked for a giveaway for you guys instead. icon smile Emma Stine $25 Gift Card Giveaway That’s why I’m so excited that one reader will get $25 towards the purchase of a shiny new piece of jewelry. Please note, only readers in the U.S. are eligible.

To enter:

Leave a blog comment with the link to your favorite piece of jewelry on Emma Stine’s website.

Additional entries:

1. Twitter: Tweet this post: @WellHeeledBlog is giving away $25 Emma Stine Jewelry Gift Card http://tinyurl.com/emmastine

2. Facebook: One entry for a post on your wall with a link to this giveaway: WellHeeledBlog is giving away $25 Emma Stine Jewelry Gift Card http://tinyurl.com/emmastine

3. Blog: One entry for a post about this giveaway

Please leave the links with the additional entries in the comment so I can count them.

The contest ends Thursday June 2. Winner will be announced on Friday June 3, and will have 48 hours to email me and claim the prize.

Categories: Beauty, Luxury - Tags:

5 Beauty Ideas That Save Time, Money, and Sanity?

Written by on March 21, 2011 · 20 Comments

The March 2011 issue of Real Simple featured “Five beauty treatments that will change your life,” which promises to save you time, money, and sanity.

1. Keratin Treatment ($150 plus): The keratin treatment promises to turn frizz into docile tresses by sealing keratin, a conditioning protein, into your hair. A common name is the Brazilian Blowout.

2. Lash Extensions ($150 plus): an aesthetician will apply individual hair to your lash line, for a fuller, more natural look. The results last 4-6 weeks.

3. Gel Manicure ($40 plus): Nail polish applied by a nail specialist and “cured” under an UV light – this manicure is supposed to last for 2+ weeks without chipping.

4. Laser Hair Removal ($150+ per session, most people need 5+ sessions): A technician aims the hair-zapping laser at your skin. Hair will grow thinner and smaller after treatment. Some people have permanent hair removal, others might need a touch-up.

5. Hair Extensions ($100 plus): Hair extensions, either applied at salons or at home, can give you the appearance of longer / fuller hair. The results last up to four months. You will have to use special care when washing and styling your hair.

Have anyone tried these treatments before? While I agree that they can certainly save time and sanity, I don’t see how they will save anyone money. All these treatments are quite expensive and require repeated applications for continued results. Not that I am against splurging – I get a facial every 2 months at $90 a pop. In fact, I am a little surprised that skincare is not one of the items mentioned on the list.

It’s funny that most of these ideas center around our relationship with our hair (too much, not enough, too frizzy, too flat, too dull, too oily, etc.). I used to spend $250 on thermal straightening. Since I’ve started embracing my natural hair, I find that my budget is much fuller!

Business Insurance Experts Premierline Direct

Categories: Articles, Beauty

You Can Never Start Too Early

Written by on October 27, 2010 · 9 Comments

What does saving for retirement, using eye cream, and putting on sunscreen have in common?

Tonight, feeling flush from a small work bonus, I decided to treat myself to a deep cleansing facial at a local spa. After the treatment was finished, my esthetician (a petite blonde lady whom I took to be in her late 20s or early 30s – at most. Turns out she is 38. She is her own personal billboard) handed me a bunch of samples.  “With eye creams, you can never start too early!” she added, dropping a packet of Kinerase Restructure Firming Cream in my bag. Then she added a bunch of sunscreen samples and admonished me to wear sunscreen every, single, day.

Financial experts often say that you can never start too early saving for retirement, or that parents can never start too early saving for college (although retirement comes first, of course!). In fact, even babies and toddlers are already saving (via the efforts of prescient parents).  To the You Can Never Start Too Early list, I’d probably add the following:

  • Appreciate good food
  • Practice a healthy lifestyle
  • Learn how to relax and have fun
  • Build emotional resilience

So, what are the things that you would add to the You Can Never Start Too Early list?

Categories: Beauty, Life, Retirement

Your Favorite Discontinued Brands & Products

Written by on October 23, 2010 · 13 Comments

Discontinued 300x152 Your Favorite Discontinued Brands & ProductsYou find the perfect lip gloss, brownie mix, or Moscato, then the cruel hands of market forces or corporate decisions snatch them away from you. A recent Smart Money article “Chasing Lost Brands” talked about the poor predicament of those who long for discontinued brands such as Flex shampoo and Carnation Breakfast Bars. Shakespeare said that it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all, but some of these lost brand devotees may not agree!

The discontinued brands I still think about:

  • Trader Joe’s Flore de Moscato: I first had this wine back in the summer of 2009, and I loved it. When I went back a week later, there was no bottle in sight. In fact, the entire shipment has sold out and there were no plans for more. A reader, Will, posted in a comment that he had 2 extra cases of Flore, and THREE people replied to that comment asking him if he had some left to sell. It sounds silly but it makes me sad that I will never taste that particular blend of Orange Muscat and Muscat Canneli again.
  • Jack & Jill: So, this isn’t technically a product, but it is a brand! I don’t know if anyone remembers it, but Jack & Jill was WB series running from 1999 to 2000. It starred Amanda Peet as Jack (short for Jacqueline) and David Sergei as Jill (for David Jillefsky). The first season ended on a cliffhanger, then it got canceled! I hated the lack of resolution and if it came back on, I’d be a loyal viewer.
  • Almay Skin Stays Clean foundation: Probably one of the best drug-store foundations that I have tried. It was discontinued a few years ago and while I haven’t gone through any extreme steps of trying to relocate them, I do wish they were still in production.

So share some of your brand nostalgia in the comments – what are your favorite discontinued brands and products? And to what length (monetary and otherwise) would you go to get them back?

source: 43rumors.com

Categories: Articles, Beauty, Shopping

Beauty School Haircuts: Style for the Cheap and Intrepid

Written by on August 21, 2010 · 11 Comments

If you are brave, on a budget, and still looking for stylish hair, head to your nearest beauty school.

Beauty school haircuts are one of the easiest ways to save on haircuts and hair treatments. For example, my regular stylist charges $60 total, including tip, for a wash, cut, and blow-dry. The expenses add up quickly.  At the beauty school I went to (thanks to Revanche for the introduction!), a cut is $12 by first-year students and $15 by second-year students.

A simple cut takes about an hour and a half, including a very relaxing wash, the actual cut and then the styling at the end. A teacher walks around the salon and supervises the students. The first time I went, my stylist was a chatty petite lady who apparently was a very good student – when she asked the instructor to examine my layers, the instructor measured my hair on both sides and made sure they were even, but she didn’t have to fix anything.

At the end, I gave my stylist a $3 tip, bringing the total cost of my haircut to $15, or a quarter of what it had cost at the salon I used to go to. I really love my cut, and to be honest, I couldn’t tell a difference in the result between what the student did and what my very talented stylist had done.

Still, beauty school haircuts aren’t for everyone. If you go, you should:

  • Know thyself. You can get a bad haircut anywhere, but at beauty schools the chances are greater. Even though students may be well-trained, they are still less experienced than stylists working in salons. If the prospect of a less-than-perfect haircut makes you feel sick to your stomach, then beauty school haircuts aren’t worth the stress.
  • Be clear about how you want your hair to look. If you don’t communicate what you want, the student may exercise his or her right to be creative. This may or may not be a good thing. Tread carefully.
  • Have a flexible schedule. Most schools only cut during school hours (i.e. during the work day), although some schools have night-time classes. If night sessions are offered, they fill up quickly.
  • Understand you can’t have a specific student. If you go to a school once and you love your stylist, that student can very well have graduated by the time you come back for another cut. This is what happened to me. I loved my first stylist, whom I really thought was a superstar. My second stylist was slower and less confident, but in the end she did an OK job.
  • Have patience. My cut was straight-forward: simple round layers and two inches to trim off the ends. It still took almost 2 hours to finish (and I declined the blow dry at the end). Many times the student has to wait for instructor approval before he/she can move on to the next layer. If the beauty school had been busier, it may have taken even longer.
  • Be realistic. If your hair is very curly, very damaged, or has a texture that even pros have had difficulty cutting well in the past, don’t risk beauty school haircuts. Go to a trusted stylist.  I have fairly run-of-the-mill wavy hair, so I was fine with a student wielding scissors behind me.
  • Relax (at least a little). In the end, hair is just hair. As long as the student don’t burn it off or give you a drastic bowl haircut, a bad cut can always be fixed. Enjoy the process of beauty school haircuts – and the savings!

A version of this article was first posted at BlogHer.

Categories: Beauty, Budget

Questions You Want to Ask Corporette?

Written by on May 24, 2010 · 5 Comments

One of the best things about this blog is that I have opportunities to reach out to different people that I would’ve never have met otherwise.  So, I am very pleased to announce that I will be interviewing Kat @ Corporette – one of the preeminent blogs on professional wardrobe (and everything else in the business world) for ladies.

Corporettelogo1.9.10 300dpi 300x76 Questions You Want to Ask Corporette?

If you haven’t seen this website yet, please do.  It’s my go-to site for work-wear inspiration.

Let me know what questions you might have for Kat in the comments section, and I’ll try to get some answers for you guys!

I hope you are as excited about this interview as I am.

Categories: Beauty

Save Money by Embracing Your Natural Hair

Written by on February 2, 2010 · 48 Comments

Did you grow up loving your natural hair? I didn’t. During my middle school years, the gold standard for hairstyle among girls were pin-straight locks that fell like a curtain down the back (think Gwyneth Paltrow’s hair below):

My hair, however, was thick and wavy and unruly. Despite spending $30 on a straight iron and anti-frizz serums (a considerable sum when you’re 12 and have no income) at the local drugstore, my hair remained stubbornly wavy. 10 years later, I got a straight (magic) perm at a Korean salon. After sitting in the stylist’ chair for 3 hours, not touching, washing, or pinning my hair for 3 days, and paying $250 for the privilege, my waves were finally coaxed into submission.

The perm did its job. My hair stayed stick-straight for a year. When my hair finally grew out, however, I decided against spending another $250-$350 for a magic perm. That’s a fair deal of money, and besides, I’m no longer in middle school. The cool girls won’t pick on me because my hair doesn’t conform to their ideal. icon wink Save Money by Embracing Your Natural Hair Another reason is I’m afraid of the damage consistent chemical treatments will do to my hair. I decided to save money by embracing my natural, wavy, locks.

So, I went to my stylist and I asked her to give me a cut that will play up my waves. She did, and it looks great. Best of all, I don’t have to do anything – I let my hair air dry, scrunch in a bit of a curling creme at the most, and I’m ready to go. The fact that I save money every time by NOT doing the straight perm is another bonus.

The best way for me to keep both my hair healthy and my wallet happy is to get a cut that works with my hair length and texture (and when in doubt, go for longer cuts). This minimizes the time and energy I have to spend on my daily haircare routine, so I have more time and money to do other things. Though I can’t say I’ll never head back to the salon for treatments (this Brazilian Blowout sounds intriguing), I am happily embracing my natural hairstyle for now.

Do you like your natural hair? Does the desire to save money influence your hairstyle decisions?

image source: askmen.com

Categories: Beauty, Spending - Tags:

The Price of Beauty: What’s Your Makeup Budget?

Written by on November 16, 2009 · 17 Comments

makeup cosmetics The Price of Beauty: Whats Your Makeup Budget?

Ah… makeup – a special category in the budget for us ladies. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I am not immune to the shiny cases, pretty colors, and promise of one-upping Mother Nature that cosmetics companies offer. Fortunately, I use my Sephora gift cards (received through credit card points) to offset the cost of my products.

Here’s an estimate of how much my makeup costs (per year):

  • 3 to 4 foundations / powders: $30*4 = $120, although now that I have discovered Jane’s $6 the sheer-foundation-that-could, I hope I can save a bit on this regard.
  • 4-5 lipsticks and lip glosses: $6*5 = $30, I usually buy drugstore lip products, but have splurged for a $14 Clinique lipstick seen in What’s In My Bag.
  • makeup brushes: $80 for foundation brush, kabuki brush, eyebrow angled brush, lip brush – these costs do not reoccur annually. I’d say amortized over a year, it’d be around $30 per year.
  • eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, brow powder: $50, usually includes a brow powder, 2 mascaras (which I never finish), and a couple of eyeliners (which I also never finish).
  • perfume: $0. I have never actually purchased perfume for myself. Right now I wear Marc Jacobs, a gift from CB for our 6th anniversary. When I order from Sephora, I always select little vials of scents for my samples, so I have quite a collection of tiny perfumes.
  • Total: ~$230 per year (80%-90% covered by my Sephora cards).
  • This is only the cost of makeup. Skincare is not included.

How much do you spend on makeup per year?

Note: Carnival of Personal Finance #231 is up at M is For Money. Please visit!

Categories: Beauty, Spending

Best Drugstore Foundation I’ve Ever Tried (and it’s only $6!)

Written by on November 5, 2009 · 9 Comments

jane be pure sheer foundation Best Drugstore Foundation Ive Ever Tried (and its only $6!)Normally, I stay away from drugstore face makeup because of some bad past experiences. When I compiled a list of best beauty finds under $10, I didn’t include any foundations because I got tired of buying cheaper foundations that didn’t work for me – I’d rather save that money and put it towards a $30 bottle that I like, I thought.

A few days ago, however, I picked up Jane Be Pure Mineral Skin Perfecting Foundation when I was running errands at Rite-Aid. It was an impulse purchase – the price was only $5.49, which makes it 80% cheaper than the higher-end foundations I usually use.

The price, the generous size (1.7 oz) and the SPF 30 caught my eye. And I am so glad that I bought it! It’s one of the best foundations I’ve tried, and definitely THE best drugstore foundation. With Loreal, Neutrogena, and Almay running $10-$14 per foundation, it’s even cheaper than other drugstore brands.

After a few hours I had some shine, but that happens with every foundation I’ve ever worn, so that’s to be expected. I do think this foundation would work for people with both dry and oily skin – it provides a little moisture and gives a slight glow, but dries in a light, almost powdery finish.

There are only 4 colors available (Medium Fair, Soft Honey, Natural, Dark Natural), fortunately the colors are all good neutral tones. I found a color that suit me very well. The coverage is sheer, almost like that of a tinted moisturizer. The foundation is good for smoothing out unevenness and maybe hiding very very small blemishes, but other than that, it’s not designed to provide much coverage. What I love about it is how lightweight it is and how natural it looks (there’s nothing worse than feeling like you have a “mask” on).

The SPF 30 is a great bonus. The sanitary packaging is another (easy plastic tube with twist-off cap). All in all, especially given the low price, Jane Be Pure Mineral Skin Perfecting Foundation is a great foundation… I’d pay double (maybe even triple) what I paid for it. In fact, I ran back to Rite Aid and got another one, just in case I can’t find it later on.

This just goes to show me that maybe I shouldn’t be such a foundation snob!

Categories: Beauty - Tags:

Playing with Photoshop – Model

Written by on November 4, 2009 · 5 Comments

Photography by Jasz.

model before after1 Playing with Photoshop Model

The model in the “Before” looks amazing, but with a little bit of Photoshop, I think the “After” looks a lot more polished (or maybe I’ve just joined the cult of retouching?).

Because the first shot was so great, I really didn’t have to do much: (1) clean up blemishes (spot healing tool), (2) erase under-eye circles (clone stamp and healing brush), (3) tucking / defining the chin area (clone stamp – darken and forward warp tool), (4) whiten teeth (lasso tool and curves adjustment layer), (5) whiten whites of eyes (lasso tool and curves adjustment layer), and (6) darken irises (lasso tool and curves adjustment layer).

The new thing I’ve learned this time is how to define chins and eliminate double chins (this YouTube tutorial was very helpful).

What do you think of the before & after?

Categories: Beauty, Blogging - Tags:

Playing with Photoshop – Bride

Written by on November 4, 2009 · 2 Comments

Here’s another attempt… this time I played a little with color / saturation / hues, to bring out a little bit more warmth in the picture. Photography by Jasz at http://www.compho.dk.

bride before after Playing with Photoshop Bride

The coolest things I’ve learned with this picture is how to whiten teeth, adjust the opacity of the “skin layer” so that some slight fine lines show through (to make it look more natural, but still better), and adding more color to the lips.

Categories: Beauty, Blogging - Tags:

Playing with Photoshop – Katie Holmes

Written by on November 2, 2009 · 10 Comments

Photoshop is addicting. And after stumbling in the program for a few days, I understand exactly why stars insist on releasing on retouched photos. If even a newbie like me can smooth skin, eliminate under-eye circles, and brighten lips, imagine what a professional can do!

Top is before (image via sheknows.com), bottom is after.

katie holmes before after copy Playing with Photoshop Katie Holmes

Can you tell what areas I retouched? (Obviously, the hair is something I did NOT retouch. Still trying to find a good tutorial on how to clean up flyaway hair – if you know any, please let me know).

Constructive feedback / critiques are very welcome!

Categories: Beauty, Blogging - Tags:

Sephora Friends & Family Sale – 20% Discount

Written by on November 1, 2009 · 6 Comments

Use code FF2009 (I think it’s only good online or via phone orders). This sale is good until November 2. So if you have been eying something at Sephora, act quickly!

sephora buy copy1 Sephora Friends & Family Sale 20% Discount

I got the some goodies for myself (always wanted to try the Minerals Veil, and I need the hanging purse for an upcoming trip) and a few other small items to serve as gifts / stocking stuffers for Christmas. I’ve been saving my gift cards for this event, so I spent a grand total of $2 for my haul. Thank goodness for credit card rewards, because even at 20% off, Sephora is so expensive!

What do you want from Sephora?

Categories: Beauty, Shopping - Tags: ,

Giveaway: Win Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes

Written by on September 14, 2009 · 19 Comments

After a busy day filled with work and a never ending “to-do” list, any woman can appreciate a product that adds some convenience to her life. Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes can at least make having clean, radiant skin easier.

So, I am happy to announce a giveaway for one lady to win a FREE package of Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes. Both US and Canadian readers can enter!

ponds wet cleansing towelettes 300x138 Giveaway: Win Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes

According to http://www.ponds.lifestyle.msn.com, Pond’s Towelettes remove up to 40% more dirt, oil and make up than other leading products and even waterproof mascara. The Pond’s exclusive cleansing system, with oil and dirt trapping fibers, works like a magnet to lift away impurities. Available in three varieties, Pond’s Towelettes are hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested.

Everyone can enter multiple times. To enter:

1. Tweet this giveaway (please refer to @wellheeledblog and the URL for this post so I can count you). I’ll count each separate tweet.
2. Leave a comment here on why you want to win.

This giveaway will end Monday, September 21 at 7 PM Eastern. Good luck!!

Categories: Beauty, Blogging - Tags: ,

Hair, Hair, Everywhere – the Recession Edition

Written by on May 18, 2009 · 28 Comments

I wrote a hair post in both 2007 and 2008, so I suppose it’s only appropriate to continue the tradition in 2009! This post is dedicated to recession’s impact on hair budgets.

The recession is a major reason why I’ve been neglecting my hair a bit during these past several months: skipping my straightening treatment ($250), trading down my stylist (from $60 per cut to $20 per cut), and spacing out my haircuts (long layers mean I haven’t cut my hair in… I’m too embarrassed to admit how long!).

Recently, I thought about getting a digital perm because I have a hankering for long loose curls. A few of my girlfriends got it done and they look beautiful. Imagine long cascading waves that tumble past your shoulders. icon wink Hair, Hair, Everywhere – the Recession Edition Unfortunately, such tumbling curls are only to be had for a price – $250 to $350. That’s too expensive for me right now.

I decided to put off the digital perm given that I have many uncertainties looming in my life:  job and the whole recession doom and gloom, expenses for a possible new business, a new apartment with increased rent, the need to save for retirement (or else be reduced to a life of penury in my old age), etc.

A gorgeous head of hair is lovely, but I’m not sure it’s so important that I need to get it done right this moment. So, as many others have done, I’m putting off the “big-ticket” items in these uncertain times. My hair budget has definitely decreased along with the with the economic recession.

Have you decided to trade down on haircuts / treatments and or products because of the recession? Did your hair budget decrease from what it was in 2007 or 2008?

If I have any hairstylist readers out there, how are you faring?

image source: abcnews.com

Categories: Beauty, Economy

Paper Love (Birthday Cards At $5 Per Card)

Written by on March 30, 2009 · 13 Comments

It’s been confirmed. The recession has had no impact on dampening my love for fine paper goods.

I have written of my penchant for thank-you notes by the impeccable Crane & Co. This weekend, on a trip to Target, I fell in love with premium handmade cards fashioned by Papyrus. Forget those $1 or $2 cards you find at drugstores – these cards, with fabric appliqué and glitter and gold foil, are works of art, all in their own.

Their prices, accordingly, are pretty high. At first I have to admit some sticker shock ($5+ for a card?!), but you know, beautiful cards for my beautiful friends! So in the spirit of compromise, I picked up a handful of cards for $4 to $5 each, but skipped the $7+ ones that I liked.

Here are some of my favorite designs, available from the website:

Categories: Beauty, Luxury, Shopping

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