MelissaStuff

This post may contain affiliate links. I'm done with my Christmas shopping, but I know many of you are still looking for those last minute gifts or stocking stuffers. Here's a few I would recommend that qualify for Prime shipping so you will get them in time for Christmas: Valentia Even Glow Serum - $35 I am extremely skeptical about skin products, especially if it costs more than $5 - $10. But I have been using this skin serum for about 2 months now and it works! It evens out my skin. My complexion is more even. The surface of my skin is smoother. I love how it feels going on. It's not messy or oily. It's absorbed into my skin immediately and works in a short period of time. The solution is slightly orange and a thicker liquid consistency. You dot your face with the product then rub it all in at the same time. It doesn't leave any residue but rather makes my face glow after applying. There is no stinging. I had no negatives about this product at all. ...

I was provided with a free Rodan & Fields mini-facial in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Hmm, you know how there are always those things that - no matter how out there you are with yourself, how transparent or bold you pride yourself on being - you still feel self-conscious about? Well, one of mine is my skin.  I didn't have a horrible teen experience. I'm not having the worst breakouts ever as an adult. It's just been a steady pain in the butt and apparently my face feels the need to remember every issue it has ever had - in my opinion, the result is an uneven, bumpy looking complexion which annoys me in pictures take from the side. (Seriously, to the degree that you won't see any personal pictures of me in this post!) Recently, I was asked to try out the Rodan & Fields mini-facial. I have to say I think it was very helpful in cleaning out the pores, smoothing out the skin and giving my skin a healthy-looking sheen. Obviously...

I know you can't tell on my blog, but I don't have the best hair around. I mean there's nothing really wrong with it, but it's not glorious, long, thick cooperative hair by any stretch.  I have a lot of hair, but I have the finest hair of anyone I've ever met. Think baby wisps and you'll have an idea of what my hair is like fresh and clean. It slides right through your fingers - and all hair accessories - and lays as flat and close to my head as it can get. Whenever I have a new hairdresser, I always have to laugh. Every last one of them thinks they can make my hair cooperate, curl, lay right, be full, not stick to my head . . . and they all fail miserably. This week I had the chance to go over to The DryBar in the Shops at Legacy. If you've never been in there, it's a long "bar" where there are a host of stations where your mixologist can create a new look for you primarily using a hair dryer. The look book had a host of fun opt...

So we arrived back at port yesterday morning and I was able to rejoin the technological world with access to my phone and the Internet. (I secretly think that is the reason my husband is so fond of taking cruises on vacation.) I was excited to find out that Plum District had issued a 25% off code - MOM25 - and that they had some incredible deals to use it on. Here are a couple of the deals I think would be worth purchasing (all prices are AFTER the additional 25% off): $60 for 6 Months of Drop-In Childcare (Up to 2 hours per day) $12.75 for a Shellac Manicure

(If you're a guy and you don't want to hear anything personal about me . . . or if you're a girl who still doesn't want to hear personal information then you might want to skip this post.) I was a bit nervous. Didn't know what to expect. But I walked in to European Wax Center of Plano (the one at Park and Preston) on Thursday at 10 a.m. determined to do something new. I hope some of you were also able to take advantage of their premiere week of FREE services. It was unlimited, but they had to reschedule my appointment and as a result weren't able to do my legs - but they did do chin, underarms and Brazilian. They start at the top and work down. The chin was was easy - and I actually have done that once before in a salon. I think part of the reason it's a breeze is because there isn't a whole lot to be done there so it goes quickly and smoothly. Then my underarms were a bit of a challenge. I was eager to try this because shaving seems to be onl...

I'm going to try something new. (My mother would be appalled if she knew I was going to talk about this topic with the entire Internet, but just promise not to tell her.) I'm going to try waxing.  I have had one waxing session before in my life. It was not in a very tender place. It was a very spur of the moment decision and everything went fine. Of course, I really have nothing to compare it too, but I think the end result was what it was supposed to be and I was not in pain, although my skin was a bit red. Now, I'm going all in. There is a new place opening in Plano called the European Wax Center. All they do is waxing. And they use a different technique than most places. Here are the big differences: Their wax contains no alcohol. It's made of 100% natural beeswax. The wax is applied at warm bath water temperature. No stinging temperatures.  No Double Dipping - some places use the same wax on multiple clients. Ick!! One of the other things I lov...

Using my voucher from the recent Jump, Jive and Wail deal on Plum District. If you weren't able to get in on it, we'll probably run again in the not too distant future! And I'll share the finished product later this afternoon.

Remember my experience at the Roberto Felisati salon in Highland Park? Honestly, never experienced anything like it before. But it’s expensive and not something that is normally in our budget, but today you can get all the same stuff I got – Consult, Shatush Highlights, Color, Cut, Style for just $105 !! I know some people don’t have that in their budget still, but if you’ve been waiting to treat yourself or   you your husband still needs to get you a Christmas gift, this is a great one, I’m just saying. Now, don't you want to try it out ? ;) The deal is $150 on Plum District today and when you use the promo code LOCAL30 at checkout, it knocks the price down to $105! WOW!! If you have made a purchase at Plum District previously, please use the returning Plum District customer link so they know we sent you. Thanks!!

Those of you that ordered the tablet, also received a 40% code that you can use to purchase any deal available right now. I would recommend the following:   $15 $9 for $30 at Totsy – WOW!!!   $47 $28.20 for Cut, Color or Highlights, Style & $10 Tigi Gift Card If you have ordered from Plum District before . . . please use this returning Plum District customer link to make your purchase! Thanks. Those are some seriously CRAZY deals happening right now. And while you are at it – don’t forget to enter to win any deal up to $70 from Plum District . Have you found any other great deals to use your 40% off code on?

I was looking at some prices on perfume and cologne today on Amazon . I was surprised to come across this $55 bottle of Nautica Blue cologne on sale for just $15.64. Add another $9.36 to your order and you’ll get it shipped for FREE as well.

It seems like us girls never know what to get the guys, and the guys are even more helpless when it comes to buying for us. I swear my husband thinks I should just pick out my gifts and put his name on them. But for you men who are struggling – or us ladies who are trying to give them hints – I have a suggestion. Spa & Wellness Gift Cards by Spa Week. These gift cards are accepted at over 4,500 spas and wellness facilities across North America. (You can check to see which ones are near you here .) The gift certificates are redeemable 365 days a year and they don’t expire. So there’s no worries about being able to fit it into a crazy schedule. And you don’t have to figure out if your special loved one would prefer a massage, a facial or a pedicure. They can choose to use it on any service they like. And right now they are ON SALE! Get a $100 Spa & Wellness Gift Card for just $89.99 plus a FREE gift box through December 31st. Get 10% off all other cards too! If you wa...

No, for real. Henna. Dye. In my hair. On purpose. And I think it looks pretty cool. Last week, I had the privilege of going down to the Highland Park salon of Roberto Felisati. Located right On Oak Lawn, this is the first salon that Roberto has opened in the states. He has another in Monterrey and is part owner of a third in Milan. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I headed down to Highland Park. If you had asked me I would have said let’s go with big blonde streaks and an edgy, maybe a bit shorter in back and longer in front. That is not where I ended up. I totally felt like someone was doing art on my head during this transformation. In all the hundreds of times I’ve had my hair done and the dozens of times I’ve visited different salons, I’ve never felt that way before. First, Roberto looked at my hair and discussed with the stylist what the best approach would be. Then he teased my hair – like you see in this picture – and then they treated with their own lightening ...

  $17 for a Shellac Manicure = $10.20 after 40% Discount There is another discount code out at Plum District today – 40% off any purchase that isn’t a Plum Steal. Use this code SATURDAY40 at checkout to get your discount. The best deal I could find was this shellac manicure at a local salon for just $10.20! Returning Plum District customers can use this link and part of your purchase will help support MelissaStuff .

$40 at Image Beauty for $20 $14 after 30% discount I grabbed a couple of these to use to buy Christmas gifts with – they have all kinds of perfumes, colognes, cosmetics, hair care , and more. You can get an additional 30% discount on this deal by using the code SPOOKY30 at checkout. But the code expires soon , so don’t wait if you’re interested. If you’re a returning Plum District customer you can use this link and part of your purchase will go to help support MelissaStuff .

Deals like this are the reason I started sharing my “ bargains ” with my friends way back when . . . you can order a tube of Maybelline Great Lash mascara from Target and get it for $.08 shipped. And if you’re new to Shop at Home , you’ll get $5 cash back just for making this purchase – that’s a $4.92 money maker just for ordering some mascara that you can use, put in someone’s stocking or even donate. Here’s how: 1. Sign in or register at Shop at Home . 2. Go to the Target ordering page on Shop at Home’s site . 3. Order any Maybelline Great Lash mascara (priced at $3.84). 4. Login to your Target account – you have to login to use this coupon code – and then enter the coupon code TGT75HFN. 5. Shipping should be FREE, so all you will pay is tax which for me was $.08. It’s a great deal even if you’re not new to Shop at Home , but if you are . . . it’s the easiest way I know to make $5! Thanks, MoneySavingMom!

  Sorry, I meant to get this deal up earlier today and life got in the way. Parent/teacher conference and all that. Groupon is offering 50% off at The Body Shop right now . They usually have some pretty good deals around the holidays and this would help make it an even better deal! (Please note it is good on sales, but not on Good Friday!) New customers need to register for an account with Groupon and then purchase this deal. If you’re a returning Groupon customer , please use this link to make your purchase and help support MelissaStuff and the deals we bring you!

$1.50/1 Axe Shower Gel Axe has some great products and with this $1.50/1 Axe Shower Gel coupon you should be able to get some inexpensive or even FREE.

Daired’s Salon is offering 50% off for you and a friend when you bring in someone new to their salon on October 12, 2011. I can personally vouch for the quality and luxury of the experience at Daired’s! Anyone need a pedicure? I do and at 50% off, I won’t be able to find one cheaper.

$15 for $30 at Panacea I have to admit I’m not the most “hip” person when it comes to jewelry . I just don’t usually wear it. I like funky and when I have time, I do accessorize. But it just happens to be the first thing to go when I am busy and life is hectic – which is pretty much always at this stage of my life. But I do like shopping at Charming Charlie’s and I just found out that there is a new store in the same Watter’s Creek shopping area in Allen – Panacea – that is similar. The accessories and jewelry are organized by color. They’re fun and they’re inexpensive. Besides with today’s deal you’ll automatically get an additional 50% off .

Hair Cut, Style and Tinsel plus $10 CPK Gift Card – $28 (or $19.60 with the promo code PLUMLOVE ) Located in historic downtown McKinney, the Lauren Reagan Nimmons Salon is the perfect place to pamper yourself and get a new hairstyle (or just refresh the one that hasn’t been trimmed in 6 months!). Today, you can get your hair washed, cut and – if you like – even tinseled ! If you’re like me, you don’t even know what “ tinseled ” is but it’s apparently the hip new hair accent. As you can see in these pictures you can do it big or do it subtle. Or you can leave it off all together and just get the haircut along with the $10 California Pizza Kitchen gift card ! I pay way more than $20 normally when I get my hair cut and I’ve never had my hair dresser tip me with a $10 gift card to a fun restaurant, so I won’t be passing up this deal. By the way, you can only use the PLUMLOVE code once per account, but you should also have a 20% discount that was automatically applied to y...