Mean Stinks: A New Program from Secret.

I just got word of an amazing program that Secret has launched in conjunction with the Girls Leadership Institute, best-selling author and girl-expert Rachel Simmons and teen girls themselves. The campaign is called Mean Stinks.

Mean Stinks is a program to help end the mean streak for good. The mean streak here is bullying.

Being a parent, one thing I constantly worry about is bullying. I have dealt with it. My kids have dealt with it. At one time or another - everyone deals with bullying.

So, what exactly is bullying in this day and age, and what can be done to combat it?

Well, bullying is an aggressive behavior that involves negative actions and an imbalance of power. Bullies have been around since the beginning of time, but technology is a game changer. The Internet is the new bathroom wall, and the explosion of texting and social media has made bullying infinitely more destructive.

Secret has set up an interactive community called Mean Stinks over on Facebook. Here, girls have access to experts, tips, tools and resources for dealing with bullies or even being a bully themselves. The experience goes on to offer girls an opportunity to make amends with others by submitting an apology through a video, as it inspires other girls to fearlessly face the challenges associated with aggressive behavior and bullying.

There are so many ways to celebrate fearlessness, be kind and inspire others to do the same through Secret Mean Stinks, which include...

• Upload video apologies
• Have a chance to win free T-shirts
• Download an application to evaluate the kindness of your Facebook updates
• Submit sticky situations  
• Post good graffiti on friends' walls
• Engage with experts

The entire program is a very safe, friendly and fun online forum where teens are free to express themselves in a positive way. I really think this is so important. When someone you know reaches out, they will inspire friends and other teens to celebrate fearlessness.

I commend Secret for this creative. As Secret has always been a brand about women and celebrating fearlessness, this Mean Stinks program continues that heritage and focuses on giving girls the skills, they need to end the mean streak of bullying once and for all. I hope a lot of you, your daughters, nieces, friends, etc. get involved in the effort. As adults, we need to be mentors, stop gossiping ourselves and set a leading example.

For more information on Secret, visit it's brand website, and the Mean Stinks program on the site and on Facebook.

Smashbox In Bloom Eye Shadow Palette.

About a month ago, I shared my lust for this Smashbox In Bloom Eye Shadow Palette with you, and now I am a lucky lady because I have this beauty in my hands. I have not stopped using it since I received it either!

The shades in this palette are inspired by the new beauty of blossoming florals for spring, with its dewy petal soft shades. The shadows are both a collection of soft matte shades and soft shimmers. The prettiest combinations are endless.

Top row, from left: pink lily, lavender grey, golden rose, warm taupe, and bone.
Bottom row, from left: soft orchid, iris blue, shimmering copper, moss, and nude.

Shop for this beautiful eye shadow palette and the rest of the Smashbox In Bloom Spring Collection online at Smashbox.com, Sephora.com, or in store at Sephora.

Effortless Extensions.

With the popularity of hair extensions on the rise, so are the complaints.  Although users are addicted to how they provide instantaneous flowing locks, they come with a price and not just a financial one.  There is a new breakthrough in this category, Effortless Extensions.  This time-and-mess-saving  hair accessory requires no clips, no glue, no sewing, no skill, and no assistance. Easy peasy!

Effortless Extensions are the first hair extensions that do not connect to the hair in any way, yet the comfortable crown support circle ensures they will stay in place, even when fully active. They blend seamlessly into your natural hair, in literally seconds, whereas other products take up to one hour to apply.

As most women know, spending the day at a salon and having extensions glued or sewn in can not only be extremely time consuming and costly, but also damaging to the hair. With Effortless Extensions, you can have fabulous hair without creating issues with your natural locks.

Effortless Extensions also help you achieve a natural look since they are made from a new XO synthetic fiber, which is so close to human hair, it's hard to distinguish.  The XO synthetic is the only fiber on the market you can wash, condition, blow-dry, curl or flat iron just like you own hair.

I was surprised at how easy it was to just place the circle of hair on my head, adjust for a snug fit and pull my natural hair over, in and around the extension piece. The color I selected was the closest color in an extension I have ever used. There were highlights and lowlights within the different lengths and layers of the extension making it look as natural as possible.

Take a look at this video that explains it all.

At just $69.98, they are available in three styles and 34 colors. For more information and to order, visit EffortlessExtensions.com.