Saturday was a beautiful shopping day as evidenced by the crowd on Grand Avenue. There’s a new shop on the strip next to Picky Girl and Siji Kids–Flirt. In the space that was the Vagabond, there is now a very girly destination.
Flirt has lacy lingerie, including a selection of Hanky Panky and Eberjey as well as the very practical supersoft bamboo robes ($70, by Willow Knit) and my personal favorite crisp cotton robes ($96 for a kimono-stye) and nightgowns ($84 by Sophie Golightly). Note: the lingerie selection is fun and pretty, but there are no underwires to be found so don’t expect a fitting here.
You’ll also find a wide-range of bath products–I scrubbed and moisturized with this yummy Pink Butter Cream line ($8.50 for the moisturizer). I even fell for the colorful textured luggage tags ($20 each)–a bright, simple gift idea. Paddywax candles? Check. Locally-designed jewelry (the below bracelets are $40)? Check. Scented drawer liners? Of course! Hours of browsing? Enjoy!

Flirt Boutique, 1330 Grand Av. S., St. Paul, 651-698-3692.

As you’re driving by the Denny Kemp Salon in Northeast Minneapolis, it’s hard to miss the message painted on the walls inside (and visible through the windows): “Beautify America–Get a haircut.”
Simple and direct. That’s how the rest of the the eclectically curated salon and spa. Getting your colored? As you wait for it to process, you can gaze upon a reassembled giant movie poster and kick up your legs on the dog-shaped footrests. The lobby not only has a gigantic goat and an imported life-size horse lamp that also serves as the salon’s mascot.
Surreal? Yes. Fabulous? Yes.
It’s enough to forget why you’re there. (Look to the wall– “Get a haircut.”) Kemp, who has been in the business since 1979, cuts hair along with his team of stylists. You can also enjoy a mani, pedi, facial and massage. The salon uses a variety of products, including a new line by Shu Uemura. I’m looking forward to trying a restorative treatment and having the chance to ponder an artistic rendering of Joey Ramone. “It’s a good hair picture,” Kemp said.
Though he’s lived in Minnesota for over three decades, Kemp grew up in Iowa. He gave his first makeover to a neighbor when he was 11 and she was 16. He transformed her un-cut locks into a mod blunt look with bangs. Kemp will offer you his expertise today for $140 per cut.
“I don’t like hair when it’s so practical that it’s not attractive. It has to be sexy! That’s what it’s for!” said Kemp. “It’s the worm on the hook–it needs to attract attention.”
Scott Anderson, a stylist at the salon ($55 for a cut with him) noted “He uses the idea of sculpture.” It turns out, Kemp does have a background in art. That brings us back to the salon–where art and hair merge in one inspiring space.

Denny Kemp Salon, 605 Central Av. NE, Mpls, 612-676-0300.

Bright pink or coral lips are perfect for spring, especially this spring. A great option? Sonia Kashuk’s Sheer Lip Color and Plumping Glossy Tints.

They pack a lot of product into a leeeettle package. One side of the tube is a sheer lipstick and the other side is a high-shine plumping gloss that’s tinted a lighter shade of the lipstick. There are three shades available for $11.99 each at Target. (Am I the only who thinks if they just made it $12, it would feel a little more Chanel and a little less Maybelline? Not that there’s anything wrong with Maybelline!)

Note: If you go with a bold pout, you can keep the rest of your makeup way neutral.

Did you know that caps on bottled water, beauty products and everything else often aren’t recycled with bottles. Yeah, that’s kind of annoying.
To ease the pressure on landfills, Aveda is collecting caps from their beauty products at Aveda stores (don’t bring them to Juut). They’ll recycle them into new caps for the 30th anniversary retro bottle of Clove Shampoo. The retro bottle will be in stores in September.
You can also mail them to: Aveda Re-Cap Program, ACA Waste Services, 40 EADS St., Babylon, NY 11704.

I recently met Dr. Howard Murad at the PureBeauty opening at the Mall of America. It really was a who’s who in the beauty world.
Anyway, the charming Dr. Murad was one of the first (probably the FIRST!) dermatologists to have his own line of skincare. His line is celebrating 20 years.
For me, he recommended a line of products for sensitive skin. What can I say? I am soooo sensitive.

Here’s what else he said:
Q: What’s the philosophy behind your line?
A: It’s based on real science. Where skincare meets healthcare. Your skin is connected to the rest of your body.

Q: Please explain what that means?
A: There are three pillars:

1. The obvious is good skin.
2. Less obvious is how you take care of your body (nutrition and supplements)
3. Most important–emotions. If you’re depressed, you won’t even think of exercise and you’ll reach for the potato chips. If you look good, you feel better. A facial or massage can improve your attitude.

Q: What’s your top anti-aging tip?
A: We don’t have one. There are three types of aging and you need a product for that.

1. Genetic aging. Such as fine lines and wrinkles, deep creases and large pores.

2. Environmental aging. Too much pollution and sun does this to you. It counteracts age spots and hyperpigmentation.

3. Hormonal aging. In your late 20s, estrogen and progesterone diminish. That can cause drying and thinning skin and breakouts.

Q: What’s your top seller?
A: Acne is a good seller. We’ve sold 2 million kits.

Q: Have you been to Minnesota before?
A: Oh yeah.

Acne Complex Kit, $59.50 for a four-product kit that lasts 60 days available at PureBeauty, first floor next to Nordstrom at the Mall of America.

Here are Kiran Stordalen and Horst Rechelbacher. The two have been together for 20 years. They attended the opening night party of Purebeauty. Why? His new company Intelligent Nutrients is a partnership with Regis.

The full line of IN products are expected to be available at the end of May. Horst noted that they recently ran into a packaging issue– the caps didn’t fit the bottles.
Horst also pointed out that Progressions salon, at the Mall of America next to Purebeauty, will soon carry his line. It is currently an Aveda concept salon, but it is owned by Regis Corp. It looks like we’re in for an exciting time in the Minnesota beauty world!

What’s PureBeauty you ask? It’s a new haircare/skincare/cosmetics boutique that officially opens today at the Mall of America.

The newish concept shops will be taking over Trade Secrets everywhere, so you’ll likely shop there eventually. However, your incentive today to check out the new shop at the Mall of America is to meet Nick Arrojo from “What Not to Wear.” He’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (In the above photo, he gave store manager Shelsie Tuhy a makeover…stop in to check out the final results.)

In addition to consultations, you’ll be able to enter a drawing to win one of two trips (for two) to New York where you get a makeover by Nick, hotel, airfare, and spending money. Just to sit in Nick’s chair usually costs $500, so that’s a great deal. You have through this Sunday to enter.

Back to the new store, you’ll find Arrojo products (available locally for the first time). along with Redken, Pureology (a vegan line) and other more unusual lines such as Ojon. As for skincare, they carry Dermalogica, Bliss, Perricone MD and Murad. Also there? Lippman Collection and OPI nail polishes, Jane Iredale and YSL cosmetics and the Clairsonic (one of Oprah’s favorite’s). Local companies the Thymes and Hollywood Fashion Tape are also represented. The educated staff will offer up product suggestions that aren’t biased by brands.

There is a small salon in the back where you can book services and a beauty bar with 15 minute treatments for $15.

While you’re there, sign up for their free Club Purebeauty incentive program and you’ll get a $10 discount for every $150 you spend. Plus you can try their Metrix analysis program for free. A computer analyzes in great depth your skin and hair types and suggests products that will work best for you. Seriously, you’ll know how many hairs you have per centimeter and exactly how oily (or dry) your skin is, thanks to computer (pictured below). Basically, you’ll know more than you ever wanted to know.

Anyway, I’ll have more details on the opening party, which was attended by the who’s who in the beauty world, including Nick… Just you wait!

Purebeauty, Mall of America (first floor, next to Nordstrom), 952-854-6496.

Brace yourself: This is a good deal at Rocco Altobelli. If you buy two products at regular price, then the third item (of equal or lesser value) is a dollar.

Try a Claypac shampoo and conditioner and then throw in a PlayClay for free. I like the Curl Solutions line. The serum is great for locks. It’s a great time to stock up.

The deal doesn’t include Jane Iredale, Dermastage, and appliance, which are 50 percent off the third item.

Also a good deal? The sale runs through March 30–so you have all month to stop back for more.

 Rocco Altobelli, xxx locations in the Twin Cities, http://www.roccoaltobelli.com/

Have you heard lip gloss is over? Some of us don’t care. However, my other favorite lip product is Paul & Joe’s lip crayon.

The slick stick is smoother than lipstick and my favorite is a color that enhances my natural lips without overpowering.

Find all five shades locally at Cherie (750 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 952-475-2212), which seems like a good place to visit today–just in case you or someone else you know is in the market for a new fragrance or whatever.

During my preview, Monique Lhuillier mentioned that the strong eyes would mimic her peacock-feather palette. They did in a beautiful way. Also note the modern flapper headbands. The perfect way to top off the looks.