Get Mega Smooth Hair, No Brazilian Blow-Out Required

You can easily achieve mega-smooth hair using a flat iron. Even a novice can-do, with these pointers from the pros.New flat irons with ceramic or tourmaline plates are gentler on hair. “A flat iron that’s about 1 ½ inches wide is easiest to work with,” says Nick Arrojo, who until recently was the hairstyle guru for TLC’s What Not to Wear. "Never use a flat iron on wet hair; it fries the strands."
1. Prep dry hair with a thermal protective styling product to shield strands from heat, tame frizz and add shine.
2. Detangle with fingers or a brush.
3. Twist hair into a few sections; clip each in place, leaving one section loose.
4. Lift and hold the loose section of hair at a 90 degree angle from your head. Clamp the iron down on the hair close to the roots--without touching the scalp--then pull it slowly down the length of hair to the ends. Move gently and evenly down the hair shaft. “If you press the iron plates too firmly or move it too slowly you risk damaging hair,” says Arrojo. Once all sections are ironed, spritz hair with anti frizz spray to lock in smoothness.

Free/Fun Facebook Giveaways

Conair “Sneak Peek” Sweepstakes
Want fabulous hair? During the month of March, Conair is offering a “Sneak Peek” giveaway for a chance to win a choice of three new Conair hair styling tools. One winner each Friday! Give your hair some love with Conair and “LIKE” the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/conairhair) for more details!  

scünci "Bendini Blitz" Daily Giveaway
Just “Bend and Snap!” Starting March 7 - March 25, 2011, each day, one lucky Facebook fan will have the chance to win scünci’s newest hair accessory -- the Bendini Clip! Add a touch of sparkle to any hairstyle with a Bendini clip! Show your hair some love and “LIKE” the scünci Facebook page (www.facebook.com/scuncihair) for more details!

Certain Dri “All-Star Antiperspirant" Sweepstakes
Certain Dri wants to send you to the big leagues! From March 1, 2011- May 23, 2011, enter the Certain Dri “All-Star Antiperspirant” Sweepstakes for a chance to win our MLB All-Star baseball game prize package! One random winner will win a trip for two to the 2011 MLB All-Star game and the Homerun Derby (travel accommodations included) in Phoenix, Arizona along with a supply of Certain Dri connect with Certain Dri on Facebook (www.facebook.com/certaindri), for more details!

 

Dine Out: $25 Gift Certificate to Your Fave Place for $2

Maybe there's no such thing as a free lunch, 

but Valentine's Day dinner will cost you practically 

nothing with the $25 Gift Certificate for $2 deal at 
restaurant.com. Most recently a $75 gift certificate 
to a popular restaurant was on sale for $9, and I used it on 
a $150 dinner that cost me $75. 

Join the site for free, use the promo code LOVE,
try an offer, then share your feedback. 
GET $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR ONLY $2!
At checkout, enter Promo Code: LOVE
http://www.restaurant.com
Offer ends Monday February 14, 2011.

Cashmere Sweaters: Dry Clean or Hand Wash?

Debating whether to wash or dry clean? 

Bergdorf Goodman recently posted on Twitter:  @bergdorfs: Snowy day activities - dryel cashmere sweaters. If they can do it, so can you ... if you're patient and carefully follow directions. Learn how-to and print out dryel coupons at dryel.com

Truth is, many dry clean only items can be laundered. Clothing manufacturers will recommend "dry clean" if it’s the best way to care for the garment, but according to the Federal Trade Commission, many items including cashmere sweaters are mislabeled Dry Clean Only when in fact they may be washable.

Excluding lined wool or silk suits and coats and anything suede or leather labeled "dry clean only," I initially dry clean new garments labeled "dry clean," then I eventually hand wash or toss them in the washing machine and lay them flat to dry, with great results. 

Exception: investment pieces like Gucci, Chanel or Prada originals or stained garments are best left to a professional dry cleaner.