Are you ready for swimsuit season?

I don’t mean your body, I mean your bikini line and underarms?

As y’all know, I’m in the midst of laser hair removal process at Completely Bare Spa in New York City! (Click HERE to read about my first visit). I went back today for round two today and have a few questions and comments since my initial visit.

First of all even after one treatment I’d say there has been about a 90% reduction in hair growth under my arms, which of course is amazing. I know I need to continue the treatments to ensure it’s permanent but it’s been amazing. I seriously have no stubble whatsoever under my arms except for the few patches that remain…and this is only after one treatment.

In the rough: After my first treatment I wasn’t aware (or had forgotten) that the hair that remains from the laser treatment under the skin eventually comes up and is kind of initially impossible to get rid of. It’s kinda crazy, like you can run a razor over it and it won’t go anywhere. After a few days it did but it was kind of weird. I asked my fabu associate today at CBS and she said that it’s because the hair is singed so it makes it difficult to remove until it’s ready. She told me to wait at least a few days before attempting to shave and then it’ll just come out easily.

Good news: It came out a few days later and once it came out it did NOT return!

Bikini Babes!! I received several emails asking about my experience with Completely Bare vs. my doctor’s (older) laser and what the difference was as far as pain and results went on my bikini line. So CBS was kind enough to do some bikini touch-ups so I’ll be able to tell you if their treatments are going to be more effective at removing those last stubborn hairs that remain. I don’t know what the results are yet, obv, but the pain on a scale of 1-10 was maybe a 2.5. It hurt so so so much less than even a bikini wax. I couldn’t even believe it. So then I went to look at prices because I was thinking jeez, I used to pay nearly $70 for a wax and it only lasted a few weeks. Laser Hair removal for regular bikini is only $220 per session–but it’s permanent. And also, it’s buy 5 get the 6th free which means it’s only like paying $200 per session. I know it may be hard to front the cash up front, but if you can this is definitely more economical than waxing for your whole life. Just my two cents…your two hundred dollars!

Also, if you’re in the Bond Street location ‘hood they have a promotion right now for first-time customers! Get $125 off laser hair removal treatments!

Act now, offer valid through 2/28/2010.

12 CFDA designers created one-of-a-kind dolls spotlighting their unique points-of-view.   These gorgeous dolls are currently being auctioned off through February 7 on eBay with the entire net proceeds directly benefiting CFDA education initiatives and scholarship program.  The opening bid begins at $100. Here were some of my faves!!!

Monica Botkier Barbie

Alex Bittar LBD Barbie

Kate Spade LBD Barbie

Justin Guinta LBD

]]> http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/04/barbie-little-black-dress-barbies-for-big-girls/feed/ 3 http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/04/valentines-day-gift-guide-for-any-budget/ http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/04/valentines-day-gift-guide-for-any-budget/#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:31:23 +0000 Katie Lara http://smartypanties.com/?p=3564 A great Gift idea for Office co-workers is just candy but to spice it up a bit and make it seem like you put thought into it you can order labels from Erin Condren and wrap the candy in a sweet little plastic bag topped off with your own personalized label. Just smack it right on top of the candy/baggie. PS, if you spend $100 use the code LIFEPLANNER for a free awesome lifeplanner!

Funny gifts to get your friend or for your Sweetie

Hot Lips $15.00

The Always Popular Couples Massage is another Idea. This is obviously not the cheapest. Look for coupon codes to spas, which are common these days. Or make an at-home spa for your sweetie. Get a pitcher and fill it with lemon and cucumber water. Put out a selection of teas. Put out your robes. Burn some nice candles and give your sweetie a massage! This is super thoughtful but also super-cheap!!

You can even incorporate your gift for your sweetie by buying them a nice plus White robe–make it extra special by monogramming their initials or name!

Romantic Dinner for Two

You can offer to be the sexy-chef for the evening and put on a nice outfit or something a little even scantier! Is that a word? Make your babe his/her favorite meal. Though this works better as done by a she as girls don’t generally get too pumped about seeing their honeys stripped down to their skivvies.  Make homemade chocolate covered strawberries and his heart will melt!

Pick up some cute undies at American Apparel for 30% off through Feb 21, 2010.

This article from NBC is freaking awesome. I think it gives you several (28 actually) easy-breezy ways to get healthier! Did you know that heart disease (not cancer) is the leading cause of death among women? Yep! That’s right! Get to stepping to a healthier new you!!

]]> http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/04/28-ways-to-a-healthier-heart-in-28-days/feed/ 0 http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/02/buy-green-healthy-home-product-giveaway-worth-55/ http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/02/buy-green-healthy-home-product-giveaway-worth-55/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:28:36 +0000 Katie Lara http://smartypanties.com/?p=3559

Dolls, remember my post about BuyGreen.com, your source to healthify your home?

Well they’re doing a giveaway for one of our lucky readers of the Healthy Home Starter Kit–Free and Clear of Chemicals!!!

The Kit includes:

Epic All Purpose Cleaner, Glass & Mirror cleaner, Dish Soap and Hand Soap, A TWIST Euro clothe and sponge – one each, a TWIST Loofah and Naked sponge, a TWIST bamboo cloth,  Biobag Tall Kitchen bags,  Chico re-useable shopping bag, Buygreen.com 100% organic cotton shopping bag

The Epic cleaning products are biodegradable, cruelty free and contain no dyes or petroleum products. Take that toxic cleaning products! Boo-ya! Did I mention it comes in a recycling bin you can use once you’ve unloaded the goods.

**********************

ENTER NOW!!!

To enter, simply follow us on Twitter and send a shout-out to your followers about Smartypanties and you’ll be entered to win this fab starter kit! Enter by Friday February, 12th 2010 to be eligible.

Get healthy and clean up your act!

*Must be in the continental U.S.

Credit: Andreas Tellefsen , Via Ecouterre

Twenty-ten has not been so kind to H&M thus far. They were first accused of destroying clothing and now it’s come out that their new “Organic” line is anything but.

Click here to read the article on one of our fave blogs, Treehugger!

H&M, Dude! Get it together!!

How awesome is this double ring? Well technically it’s 2 rings.

It’s only $48 on Etsy shop!

Such an awesome V-day present for a friend…or let’s be honest, myself…errr I mean yourself.

Click HERE to shop Sweet Nirvana Jewelry on Etsy.

]]> http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/02/adorable-unique-jewelry-line-cutest-ring-ever-and-affordable/feed/ 0 http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/01/bobbi-brown-launches-pretty-powerful-campaign/ http://smartypanties.com/2010/02/01/bobbi-brown-launches-pretty-powerful-campaign/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:39:24 +0000 Katie Lara http://smartypanties.com/?p=3541

This spring, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is launching a campaign called Pretty Powerful, celebrating Bobbi’s belief that all women possess natural beauty, and with the right tools, are empowered to a higher level of pretty.  The campaign will feature real women, or “Friends of Bobbi,” and their before/after photos, videos and testimonials as the centerpiece content of the campaign, which will live on BobbiBrownCosmetics.com/prettypowerful.

As part of the campaign, Bobbi Brown will be launching a video contest: She wants to hear how you and your readers go from Pretty to Powerful using Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.  Now through February 9th, makeup devotees are invited to share their transformative stories and tips by submitting videos.  

From the submissions, 15 finalists will be chosen and sent a personalized selection of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and the new Color Stripscollection to create their next Pretty Powerful video submission.  In March, the gallery of Pretty Powerful videos will be open for public voting on http://BobbiBrownCosmetics.com/prettypowerful.  For every vote cast in the Pretty Powerful contest, Bobbi Brown will donate $1 to Dress for Success*, an organization close to Bobbi’s heart that provides underprivileged women with interview suits and career development advice.

Bobbi will hand pick the three grand prize winners, who will be flown to New York for a master class and brunch with Bobbi!

*Even better?! For every vote cast, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics will donate $1 to Dress for Success, up to $10,000.

My love for Completely Bare hair removal salon is no secret (Click here to read our review of Laser Hair Removal Round 1). I’m completely obsessed with the results of my laser hair removal so far (more to come on that Thursday).  If you’re not down though to make the hair removal permanent you should hit them up this Valentine’s Day season for a bikini wax. I’ve heard they’re amazing and as pain free as they can be given what’s going on!

My excitement for Completely Bare doesn’t stop with the wax though. This Valentine’s Day season you can be completely bare + flair, just like J-Love Hewitt! If you’re in the NYC area come in for any bikini wax and the girls will complement it with a free Swarovski crystal flair when you bring in a copy of my post!!  And if you’re not in NYC we’re offering an exclusive 15% discount for those who can’t make it into the Completely Bare spas if you use the discount code “Smartypanties” on CompletelyBare.com when purchasing ouchless wax and they’ll also include a free flair!

As my avid readers prob already know, I already had laser on my bikini line so a wax isn’t really what I’m in the market for. I got a ton of emails from some of you though asking about my opinion on laser hair removal for the bikini line at Completely Bare compared to my doctor.  Therefore this Thursday when I go back for my second round of treatments I will also be testing out how the touch-ups work. So check back this Thursday to find out!!

Also for your viewing pleasure, check out Jennifer Love Hewitt Below talking about her Vajazzle on Lopez!