Everyone loves receiving presents. Monthly subscription boxes feel like presents in the sense that, although the subscriber pays a monthly fee, the contents of the box are always cumulatively worth more than what the subscriber paid for the subscription - and there are surprises within the boxes that one may have never thought to purchase. There's a way to receive a cute bag every month that is filled with four to five high-end make up products, and that is with a My Glam bag from Ipsy.

When trying to sign up for a My Glam bag, new subscribers are put on a waiting list for up to a month, but then for $10 a month every month a bright pink package will appear in the mail. Inside will be a special make up bag that is different every month and contains four or five products. Sometimes the bag comes with full-sized products, and sometimes it is just a travel size. 

The recent warm weather has me thinking about my favorite time of year – wedding season. I am one of those rare hair stylists who actually loves weddings and updos. It really is one of my favorite things to do. Most often I get to travel to the bride’s wedding location to do her and her bridal party’s hair, and in Maine that usually means visiting the coast. I have been privileged to be a part of some truly gorgeous weddings. 

When I woke up this morning, I did what I always do the first moment my eyes meet daylight: I looked in the mirror. This isn't hard to do, since I happen to sleep in front of one. In fact, it has become a ritual. Wake, stretch, squint at my reflection. You may wonder what in particular I'm squinting at, and I'm not sure I can tell you.

Usually, I start with a good look at my bed head. Did I wake with ready-to-go hair? If I have left my locks in a pony the night before, I let it down and tousle it a bit. For someone with zero volume, curl or even wave, this is my best hope for achieving a Jennifer Anniston-like hot mess. Failing to achieve celebrity bed head, I turn to the side to assess the cow lick. I'm going to have to wet it down.

I lean in close for a quick scan of the crow’s feet. Smile. Do I look older when I smile? Was that crease in my forehead there yesterday, or is it a line from the pillow? The furrow is only there when I'm concentrating on something, like a line in my forehead. Note to self: no smiling or furrowing of any kind – just listless looking off into the distance from now on.

Attention brides to be! Your wedding day is coming - the day you will never forget. All eyes and camera lenses are going to be on you, and you want to look your absolute best. This is a time that I suggest hiring a professional to help you with your hair and makeup. Today is not the day to use the same makeup techniques that you use for your everyday look, even if you want your makeup to look like that. Here’s why: You want your photos to look the best they can, and makeup needs to be applied a bit more heavily for that. Professionals know just how to do this without your makeup looking too heavy.

Airbrush foundation is the most amazing product for your wedding day or any special occasion. It gives you a flawless look, doesn’t look or feel heavy and lasts 24 hours. A professional can also highlight and contour your face to hide blemishes or accentuate your best features.

A lot of my brides are ladies who don't normally wear much or any makeup. The fear is always that they don't want to look too "made up." I agree that if you don't normally wear much makeup, you shouldn't overdo it on your wedding day. But you do need makeup. Your color palette just needs to be light and natural, and it still should include concealer, foundation, powder, eye shadow, mascara and lip color. All of this doesn't even have to "look" like you are wearing makeup, but you will look refreshed, natural and amazing in your photos.

Frock Affair 

BANGOR - If the temperatures aren't putting you in a spring-like mood, then the colors bursting from inside the new Frock Affair retail store on Main Street in Bangor sure will. This retail co-op combines the styles and tastes of four trendy women to create one unique slice of paradise that'll leave any clothing, jewelry, handbag and shoe-loving female shopper thirsting for more.

"These are our personalities. We wear this stuff. We love it. It represents us," said Susan Stephenson, co-op participant. "And this all came together four or five weeks ago."

Frock Affair, which opened at the beginning of April inside the former Bella Luna store, combines designer apparel with the often Maine-made creations of Jessi Sader of FX Dressed, Meg Asher of Local Color in Northeast Harbor, Katherine Loblein of Katwalk in Belfast and Susan Stephenson, Bangor blogger and creator of the Dress to Impress project.

I think this can be a tricky situation. Personally, I always let my clients know that they can and need to tell me if they are unhappy. You have to communicate with your stylist. If you are unhappy with your hair or you want change, you should voice that to them. I do think your stylist should also be checking in with you and suggesting changes every now and again to keep your look updated. You should feel amazing when you leave the salon with your hair, how it looks and feels. You also should leave the salon knowing you had a great experience and feel that you want to go back. If either of those things are not true for you than you need a new hairstyle and/or a new hairdresser!