New Years Eve is the best time to try a new makeup look because almost anything goes.

New Years Eve is all about glitter and glam and with that comes hot makeup looks.

Take a risk and stand out to ring in the new year!

Glittery Eyes

For a bold statement you can do a glittery eye in hues like silver or gold, or…

Smokey Black Eyes

try a bold smoky eye with hues of black or blues.

Smoldering Black Eyes

Other popular eye choices for new years include a strong cat eye or a smoldering black eye which is easily created with a black eye gel, eye shadow, and an eye shadow smudger.

Be sure to drag some of the product below the eye to really create a smudge effect.

Gold Shimmer

Add an even more dramatic effect by choosing a black shadow combined with a pop of gold shimmer on the lid.

Lip and Cheek combination

Another great New Years Eve makeup look is playing up your lips and cheeks.

Do this by grabbing a strong red or purple lip color to ring in the new year.

Then dab a bit of blush either the same color as your lips (or one that compliments them) and pair this with a soft eye since your lips and cheeks will be getting all the attention.

Bling Lips

Add a metallic or glittery gold flecked gloss over your lip if you want to create more bling.

Finally, finish every look with bold lashes!!!

Happy New Year!

Stewart Pittman
Beauty Stylist & Makeup Artist

The holiday season is the perfect time to try some of the most glamorous makeup looks.

Red Bold Lips

With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all on the way, the holiday season is full of glamour. This often means invitations to many kinds of gatherings — including a black-tie gala, drinks with close friends, and socializing with coworkers. You want your makeup to look appropriate for every situation, but you also want to look fabulous.

Lip Make-up

A favorite look in holiday makeup is red bold lips. Rich berries that glisten in the colder weather is perfect for the holiday season.

Red Lips with Bold Lashes

Bold Lashes

Pair a red lip with soft eyes with a touch of nude shimmer and bold lashes.

Smokey Eyes

The smokey, shimmery eye paired with light lips is the perfect festive look as long as you don’t overload on the shimmer.

Smokey eyes with false lashes

Add False Lashes

Smoky eyes and holiday events go hand in hand, and if you’re really making a statement try deep colors with glitter and sparkle flecks to really make your eyes pop. Opt for false lashes for even more drama.

Most importantly have fun with your style.

Happy Holidays!

Stewart Pittman
Beauty Stylist & Makeup Artist

New York City is one of my favorite places to get inspired and Fashion Week was awesome!

I love NYC, but there’s nothing better than coming home to the Bay area. Fashion week was absolutely one of best things I have gotten to do in my career. I learned so much! You can’t even imagine how many different ways you can curl hair. That’s probably the thing I love best about my industry. There’s always something new to learn and there are no limits!

I am lucky to have my mother, an old school hair dresser as a coach. We love to get together and have styling sessions on new creative looks. Working with Odile Gilbert, lead stylist for Kerastase for fashion week, reminded me of working with my mom. Fashion week was so amazing. I feel like I’m just getting started in my career.

This season I was honored to do hair for top designers like Theyskens Theory, Rodarte, and Thakoon. Top celebrities Beyonce, Solange, Taylor Swift, and Rachel Zoe are just a few names who attended the fashion shows I got to work on. But the best thing is I get to come home and share my knowledge with my Beauty Stylists and Associate Team Members.

Rodarte

For Rodarte we created soft curls through the entire head with an extreme side part that was rolled into the side and secured with a comb. The looks were soft and elegant with a beautiful 1940’s feel.

Theyskens Theory

For Theyskens Theory we did waves in a way I have never done before. I got the opportunity to work with Odile the most on this look.

We added and cut extensions then curled strands of hair in opposite directions to create the sweetest, softest, most beautiful curls I have ever seen. Simple beauty.

Inspired to teach my fellow beauty stylist these looks, you can be assured you will have the most updated looks straight from the runway when you come to The Grand and Posh.

The Importance Beautiful Skin and Eyelashes

One thing I must say is to have the total look means beautiful skin and fabulous eyelashes. I must have gotten 50 or more compliments on my skin and lashes when I was in New York. For that I thank my Spa Therapists who always know just what to do, and this month’s event will be dedicated to the face.

I always tell people that I’m a bit of a spa junkie and my lashes are my nails. Instead of putting all that fake stuff on my nails, I have mink lashes on. Your face is the first impression so always make sure your skin looks radiant and glowing.  I invite you to try it!

Get a Grand Facial and let our therapists bring out your beautiful skin. Lash extensions are a must have, I have personally wore them for over 5 years. Thick, beautiful lashes with NO mascara, imagine that!

The holidays are close so it’s the perfect time to try a facial and lash extensions, although I think it should be a must.

Grand Beautiful

Check out our Grand Beautiful Memberships. Our membership program is prefect for anyone who visits The Grand often. Created for the woman or man who takes care of themselves with secret benefits you’ll love and special member pricing in every department of The Grand. It’s also the perfect holiday gift idea that will keep you pampered month after month keeping you looking and feeling your best.

Holiday Party Planning

One more thing, if you are planning a holiday celebration for your staff this year, consider The Grand. Think about a spa day for your fellow employees, co workers, teachers, and loved ones. Give the gift of pampering and good health that they will love and appreciate. It is something we should all do because let’s face it; we are no good to others if we can’t even take care of ourselves.

My wish for you is that you take some time for you this month!

Thank you,

Carmen

The leaves will begin to fall, but girls go ahead and let your summer colors fall right into this season with you!

No need to totally ditch them for the darker more mysterious fall colors.

Tie in your beautiful rich colors with a pop of bright color.

Fall Hair Colors

For example, give your hair a little more depth for the season with more dimension from a deep chocolate or rich raspberry tone

Fall Nail Trends

Come in for a beautiful relaxing Grand Manicure with our nail techs and let them brush on the new OPI collection colors in a suede finish for the fall!

Pop of Color

When you are ready to leave the house, throw on a bright pop of color like a bright red pea coat or a smashing lip color.

Make your appt. today for the latest fall trends and get EXCITED! We are!

Logan Wilson

Associate Beauty Stylist

As we head into the fall months, it is time to refresh your makeup collection and step out with a fresh look to move you out of summer and into the crisp new season.

Fashion Week 2011 provided a look into what trends are hot this season.

Gold Was The “It” Color

Gold was the “it” color for eyes as models sported everything from shimmers to mattes for the fall season.

Metallics -

Standard smoky eyes were punched up with heavy pigments in metallic silvers and slates.

Pop of Color -

Fall might be the season of black wardrobe staples, but a burst of color on your eyes or lips can kick up your look without going too over the top.

Wine-Stained Lips -

From merlots, to deep burgundies, and even sangria shades – wine hues were the pout of choice on the runways.

Follow these few trends and you are on your way to a perfected fall look!

Stewart Pittman
Beauty Stylist & Makeup Artist

A special congratulations to my beautiful cousin and August Bride Tanya Marie Navarro

There are plenty of little tricks to achieve the look you want for your special Wedding day from freckle-zappers to LASH and Hair Extensions.

About 4 years ago I decided to undergo a complete career make-over and found myself a few weeks later in Aesthetics school.  I was inspired to specialize in eyes in some fashion and declared it at graduation.  A few months later after joining the industry I enrolled in an eyelash extension course.  A private one on one course I came out of saying “What did I get myself into?”  I knew I would need a lot of practice before taking on any clients.  So who other than family do you turn to when you need a Guinna pig.  One of the first volunteers that came to my rescue was my gorgeous cousin Tanya.  I must admit I was so afraid to ruin the former Disney World princess Jasmine’s lashes, but patiently week by week she showed up several times a week for a couple hours at a time.

Fast forward 3 1/2 years later and the lash industry has boomed into a 44 million dollar a year and climbing industry.  I have some how become the trusted lash extensionist in the Tampa Bay area that top celebrity make-up artists Rachel Rueman & other artists with Top brands as Channel, Armani, Shu Uemura and others refer their loyal clients to.

Whether they choose an intimate make-up application to achieve the perfect wedding look, or go for on-site spa services for the entire bridal party, many brides make beauty treatments a priority on the wedding day.  But while every bride wants to look her best for the walk down the aisle… not to mention the all-important wedding photos- many realize that a single application of make-up might not have staying power.  Procedures like lash and hair extensions, as well as skin treatments, can begin well in advance of the wedding and last beyond the honeymoon.  Most brides who say these lash extensions are just for the wedding, end up coming back saying they can’t give them up… Waking up to what I call an instant pretty and camera ready look is such a relief and time saver to most women who try the extensions for special occasions and end up keeping them for years with touch-ups.

“Photographers love when we add lashes to a bride, they enhance the overall look and can really make a big difference in photos” says Rachel Reuman owner of RACHELartistry in Tampa, Florida.  Reuman says, darkening the eyes, make them appear bigger and brighter, ”lash extensions are the most striking and semi-permanent option, they intensify, add depth, and offer more to the eye than mascara can.”

So as Lash enhancements are one of this year’s biggest trends, I made a fun and wise choice to specialize in eyes and my eye services range from brow grooming & shaping, lash extensions, lash perming and tinting as well as Lash serums and prescription treatments which encourage lash growth and are one of our offerings in our retail boutique here at the Grand

My 5 Top 5 Tips for Lash Extensions

1. Let the professionals do it.  They apply them daily and have the process perfected.

2. Take a dare: Those who go a bit further with their lashes are often happy that they took the risk.

3. Wear the eyelashes for at least a week, most people adjust to them within 30 minutes,

4. Try to imagine your entire look collectively. Lustrous eyelashes may look extreme if you’re wearing jeans, but picture your new eyes with your wedding attire.

5. Do a trial run, I recommend at least 2 weeks prior to the wedding day to make any adjustments to the final look and to rule out any type of allergy. And make sure the test is done with the same adhesive that will be used on the big day. If you experience any type of reaction, seek other options.

Last month I took a class in NYC and I will soon be LASH Dipping tops & or bottoms!  This month I will be returning to NYC to perfect and master my lash extension skills and bring more bottom lash options to you!  Stay tuned!

Best Lashes,

Linda Howard
Grand Beauty Spa
Advanced Eyelash extensionist & Aesthetician

Carmen, Owner Grand Beauty Spa

Note from the Owner…

Is it really this hot here, or is it just us? As summer time inches closer with each passing day how will you beat the Florida heat this season?

Perhaps more importantly, how will you take care of your body, skin, and hair between summer beach vacations, long travels or enjoying our own Tampa Bay. Think about a mini spa getaway while the kids go to summer camp.

Beach Ready Look

Are you dreaming of looking better in your swimsuit?

We have strategized to bring you solutions for safe tanning, reducing water retention bloating, dehydration, and keeping your hair nourished. We have incorporated specialty cellulite massage techniques that help give tone and circulation to the legs and abdomen and that’s just one secret. 
Give your father or loved one the gift of relaxation.

Father’s Day

The Grand Beauty Spa looks forward to taking good care of your father this Fathers Day. My personal recommendation for the perfect men’s spa treatment includes a dermaplaning facial which gives the face a close shave with a straight blade, followed by extractions and a peel, a designer custom haircut, and express manicure.

LIKE us on Facebook for Video How To Tips!

Would you like to learn how to create beachy waves and expert make up tips? Become a fan on Grand Beauty Spa Facebook and take a look at some of our “how to” videos for your hair and make up.

Happy Summer!

Carmen

We all know moms have one of the busiest jobs juggling career, family, or both.

Some days it is hard to find the time to do anything for yourself.  Since your time is precious, here are a few tips on how to spruce up your look whether you are going to lunch with the girls or out on the town with your significant other.  Each look will take less than 5 minutes from start to finish.

Daytime look

A daytime look includes dewy skin with either a tinted moisturizer or light foundation.  Use light peach or pink blush on the apples of the cheeks followed by a gloss in a matching shade on the lips.  Eyes should be understated with a sheer taupe or gold eye shadow on the lid followed with a light sweep of mascara.

Night On the Town

For a night out on the town apply foundation to the skin followed by a loose powder.

Create a smoky eye using a chocolate brown or dark taupe shadow on lid, in crease, and under lower lash line.  Follow with a generous amount of mascara to make eyes pop.  Apply a light blush on the apples of the cheeks and finish with a dusting of bronzing powder all over the face.  Keep lips simple with a sheer gloss.

More Formal Look

If an event requires a more formal look, follow the same steps above for a night out.

Finish with a bold lip in red or deep plum to add a little glam.

There you have it, moms. A trio of 5 minute secrets to looking your best for lunch with the girls, to a night on the town, and even an unexpected invitation to a more formal affair!

Happy Mother’s Day!

by Niccell Shapiro

No matter what coloring, hair style or face-shape you have, eyebrows can dramatically change your appearance.

That’s why you should never underestimate the importance of having perfect eyebrows.  As a professional make-artist would say, “brows ARE the shape of the face”!

How To Get Perfect Eyebrows

Skin waxing is a quick and relatively easy way to achieve shaping your eyebrows. This procedure is an excellent alternative to tweezing.  However, for women with ultra sensitive skin, a great set of tweezers may have better results.

For that ultimate look, anyone can have gorgeous new brows with the use of an eyebrow pencil or tinted brow shadow. Just be sure to subtly even out your natural tone color and gently blend the color thru the hair until you get the look you desire.

Helpful Tips

Eyebrows change with the trends – sometimes natural is in, sometimes thick is in.

Start with what looks best and most flattering on you. Then play with different shades and thicknesses. Fuller brows ALWAYS look more natural and make you look younger.

If using tweezers, be careful.  It’s easy to get carried away and over-tweezing is never flattering.

Most important, have fun and don’t worry about mistakes…practice makes perfect!

Those are our secrets. We’ll be glad to show you how at The Grand Beauty Spa. Just make an appointment here.

How do you get perfect eyebrows? Share your secrets here with our readers in the comment field below.

By Stewart Pittman

As the temperature begins to rise and the sun is starting to peek out, start to revamp your makeup for the Spring season.  The Spring 2011 eye makeup trends look fabulous and diverse allowing you to select a makeup style which suits different occasions.  If you are a slave to your current makeup routine, now may be the perfect time to spice things up a bit.

Lips will be front and center this spring with bold colors.  Paint your pout with bold pinks, oranges and reds.  Find the hue which suits your skin tone best.

Bold lips are an especially good way to add a little pizazz to your evening makeup routine.

The bold eye makeup trend can be electric hues or muted pastels.  If you feel comfortable wearing a bright color like electric blue or bright pink, be sure to down play your lips with a nude, neutral color.

Bright, warm colors help create a look which can be adapted to the occasion style as well as age.

Pastel eye makeup suits all ages as the warm shades help brighten up the complexion, creating a soft and fun look which is perfect for the Spring season.

Orange is the hottest color of the season.  Whether it is makeup or fashion, orange hues dominated the Spring shows at Fashion Week.

The orange color trend is the best means to break with the gloomy atmosphere of the past season and cheer for the breezy and sunny weather.

Enjoy the fun trends this Spring Season!