Long-time beauty pro Danielle Schepisi opened her own salon three months ago, and diligent beauty editor that I am, I visited her lovely little jewel box of a salon this afternoon and was treated to a fabulous blowout by Argentinean Christian Villaverde (aka the King of Blowouts). What was cool (other than the silver bead curtains and blue mosaic walls) was that all the blow dryers were hanging from the ceiling, dangling like little swords of Damocles over the chairs. One tug down to head level and they turn on; release the dryer and it pops back up and turns off. Schepisi discovered the system after a second surgery for carpel tunnel syndrome didn’t alleviate her problems....

Hate those telltale roots that start to reappear around week three, but the salon prices even more? Root Rehab to the rescue! Master colorist Kelly Van Gogh has launched a home emergency retouch kit to extend your color between salon visits, completely covering gray. It magically “reads” the color of your hair and self-adjusts to your color; there are nine shades that Van Gogh promises will match 90 percent of all hair colors. An angled nozzle allows for precision coverage so you don’t ruin highlights, and the formula is so rich and creamy that it stays on your hair (and slides off your skin for no staining ever). And to be eco-friendly, you can reuse the...

The Pirri Hair Group has introduced a new premier hairbrush collection, featuring of ash-wood handles, heat-resistant nylon, and metals. Round brushes for styling come in three sizes with a nifty sectioning tool built into the handle; there’s a paddle brush for detangling wet hair and blow-drying; and a boar-bristle oval brush with an extra-large, hornbeam wood oval handle with dual bristles. $28 to $39

130 Fisher Ave E, Eastchester, (914) 395-1700
181 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT (203) 869-4500

Now, we wouldn’t recommend this look for the office or for Sunday-night dinner with the in-laws. But when you want to take a walk on the wild side (like, say, this Halloween weekend), check out the crazy collection from Illamasqua, an import from the UK. Created with makeup artist Alex Box and developed by a team of chemists and manufacturers of stage and screen makeup, the line lets you unleash your inner diva (or vixen or even vampire!) Choose from 40 different eye-shadow shades, 22 nail varnishes, lipsticks, and glosses, priced from $12 to $30. Available at Sephora in White Plains or at

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My daughter Jess has great hair, great skin—and really lousy nails. Not only are they brittle and ridged, but, in some places are so thin that it is actually painful for her. She has tried every nail strengthener known to womankind, to no avail. Then a sample of Rejuvacote Nail Growth System arrived in my office, promising to “heal” broken, split, and acrylic-eaten nails. Here’s her report:

“The clear polish goes on smoothly and it feels like it adheres to become a new layer of nail. I applied it a week ago and my nails are still shiny and unchipped, and they already look longer and stronger, which is definitely saying something, since my nails are so...

On those days when you want to go out sans makeup, but still want to look polished (that would be always), slip into something silky: Liquid Veil by NP Set, a super sheer luminizer for just the barest hint of color that leaves skin looking fresh and dewy. As if that isn’t enough, the gloss contains pomegranate extract for it’s antioxidant qualities that help protect the skin. Available in four luscious shades at Target for just $15 each.

Support Support Connection with Shine Salon

Lorraine Frustace and her staff at Shine Salon and Spa (161 Main St, Ossining, 914-762-6675) are taking part in a “12 Weeks of Giving” campaign to benefit Support Connection, Inc., a non-profit organization serving women affected by breast and ovarian cancer. From now through December 19, Shine customers can feel even better about indulging in luxury treatments and purchasing specialty products, as a portion of the proceeds will be donated to this worthy organization. Special events...

Acqua Fiorentina, the latest women's fragrance from CREED ($130/oz.), is now available at Neiman Marcus (Maple Ave, White Plains, 914-428-2000). But you may want to wait until tomorrow to buy, when part of the proceeds from US sales of this pretty pink scent will benefit the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund.

This fruity floral scent was inspired by 15th- century Florence, and is handmade with flowers and fruits from the orchards and gardens around the city. Even the silver flowers etched on the bottle’s side evoke a Renaissance style. But you can make the scent your own, right here in Westchester.

As the recession lumbers on, more and more salons are instituting their own stimulus packages with super deals. And multiple “Best of Westchester”-winning Richard Scott Salon and Spa in Mount Kisco (15 -17 South Moger Ave) offers some doozies. Our favorites:

On Tuesday and Wednesday, book a manicure and pedicure for $45 and get a free blowout. Wow!

New clients get salon and day-spa services for half-price on their first visit on any one service.

The...

Love ponytails but hate the hair bumps left in their wake? Try SwirliDo, a curlicue-shaped rubber hair band that grips tight, comes off without snarling, and best of all, leaves no telltale lines. When these arrived in our office last week, all the ladies promptly helped me test them, approval was unanimous. Just $6.00 for a package of eight, at www.facialwork.com; available in neutral, pastels, and bright colors.