5ave 5 '09: Joann S of Sugar Bear Enterprises

Joann is the force who is owner and executive chef of Sugar Bear Enterprises, her personal chef and private catering company. She hails from San Diego and loves to enjoy " all the city has to offer", like Balboa Park's free museum tuesdays, the beach and yoga.

Over the Thanksgiving break I caught up with Joann and captured her 5 favorites of '09.

Hair: Sexy Hair®Hair Spray Wax- " Great for dirty spunky look on clean hair".

Fragrance: Solid Perfume at Whole Foods- Egyptian Bergamot Rose- " They look like little sticks"

Skin: Tea Tree Blemish Stick from Whole Foods- " works like a dream"

Cosmetics: Bare Essentials- "[I] swear by it!"

Body:" Dia De Los Muertos"Sleeve tattoo by Scott Silvia from San Francisco

You can contact Joann at Sugar Bear Enterprises here

5ave 5 of '09: Liz Wright of the Love Grenades

photo: Love Grenades via Myspace

Liz is an incredible singer, songwriter, performer- no seriously. The Love Grenades are a Sam Sparro produced. L.A. based, electro-dance-pop ball of Justice meets Debbie Harry, yes the torch has been passed.

I had the pleasure to check out the Love Grenades at NYC's CMJ showcases last month and she almost knocked me out- litterally. During her performance she got down with the crowd, spurring enigmatic fun and hyped it up! My current jam is "Tigers In The Fire" and another favorite is "Young Lovers".

When Liz had a spare moment, she let me in on her favorite 5 products that helped her get through the year.

Liz's 5ave 5 of '09:

Skin: Dr. Brandt Skin Care Blemishes No More

Cosmetics: MAC's Ruby Woo and Rocker Lipsticks

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Hair: Oribe Shampoo for Brilliance and Shine

Aquanet Hair spray (only when performing)

Checkout The Love Grenades on MySpace here

5ave 5 of '09: Graizzy Bear Anna!

Anna G. is a blogger and project manager living in NYC. She yet to cease in obsessing over Lykke Li and Grizzly Bear for the past two years, and her favorite film is a tie between Pee Wee's Big Adventure and The Shining.

Hair : When all else fails (which is, well, everything), I use Frederick Fekkai Glossing Cream. It's probably the only product besides Davine's Oil Non-Oil (which I can't find ANYWHERE for some reason) that actually makes my thick, frizzy, unruly hair slightly less horrific-looking.

Nails : Whatever red color I get at the nail place. I prefer to leave my nails to the professionals, otherwise I end up looking like a deranged 5-year old painted my nails (i.e. me).

Skin : Neutrogena anti-wrinkle, anti-blemish scrub. It makes me feel like I'm not still a teen and yet not a weird older lady trying to fight wrinkles, yet it incidentally fights wrinkles, if that's even possible. It's not. But, whatever, I guess at least I don't use the exact products hawked by some Disney channel asshole.

Fragrance : Michael Kors. Though I was hesitant at first to buy something so closely associated with the nouveau riche aesthetic from the mindspace of a man who is, apparently, orange, this shit smells pretty good. It became an instant classic for me. However, I may soon try out YSL's Parisienne. It smells like a wilted rose in the best way possible-- a more sophisticated balance of floral and warmer, deeper notes. Almost smells like Prada cologne, but more subtly sweet and much more rich.

Cosmetics : Aside from my new favorite Givenvchy lipstick I got on my birthday, I love my Nars duo blush/bronzer in Sin/Casino. If used with a large brush, you can easily adjust the levels on each, making it a go-to item year-round.

Photo by: Driven By Boredom

5ave 5 of '09: Lacroix!

Yes, I had to add myself to this poll for one reason in particular- It's my B-day today!

About me? I'm San Diego bred, Brooklyn Fed, working at a financial firm in Downtown Manhattan by day and churn out Lacroix the Beauty Blog and Lavande-garde on nights and weekends. Serious addictions: NARS, Salted Carmel Ice Cream, watching Party Down and the need to bust new terrible dance moves!

Here are my 5ave 5 of '09:

Hair: Every single day involves Pantene's Relaxed and Natural hairspray. Its great for moisturizing and doesn't make my hair feel heavy. I often mix Oscar Blandi's Protiene Jasmine hair spray with this for a nice jasmine smell.

Fragrance: Chloe, Chloe, Chloe! Its been the best fragrance investment ( and only one) all year! I spray this lightweight gen on seriously every other day. Words can't describe the delicate scent and its so uplifting and perfect for the day. Night time requires Christian Lacroix's Tumulte, the perfect blend of musky and floral- tumultuous indeed!

Skin: I love YSL's Gommage Natural exfoliator, a little goes a long way when used once a week. For the everyday? Neutrogena's Visibly Even cleanser is my savior! its light, gentle and I see amazing improvements to my skin all the time. Moisture for my oily skin calls for Caudalie's Premieres Vendages Moisturizer cream. I've been addicted since I received a sample of it in a Paris pharmacy, its not greasy, very light and smells amazing.

Nails: This year has been a conundrum when it came to nails. But I am standing firmly with OPI's Done out in Deco which I have used the most this year thus far. The light lavender looks great against my skintone and its so subtle I can wear it on my nails to the office without the complete and obvious looks of shock that I would have if I rocked Chanel Jade on my fingers ( which is use frequently on my toes).

Cosmetics: Where do I begin, clearly one in each category wasn't enough- I'll try my best to pair down this one. Concealers are my vice, I have the hardest time finding a match but Maybelline's Corrector coverstick in Deeper Beige is a hit too bad I just learned ( this morning) its been discontinued!

Blush- NARS Nirvana, if you find it, it is a holy grail product. A beautiful terra-cotta clay that warms the cheeks but is not as loud as Exhibit A and has no shimmer like its sister Taj Mahal.

Bronzer- YSL Bronzer in #2, I've been singing its praises for over 2 years, this will give you cheekbones like you won't believe especially is if you have a deep cocoa skintone like me!

Eyes- Givenchy PhenomenEyes! Lips- for day Kiehl's New York Nude gloss is an easy to apply nude and for night Dior 's High Shine Lip color in Catwalk Mauve- just the right amount of color to go with a clean lined eye ( MAC Blacktrack fluidline). ( Apologies, again, clearly more than 5, I can't edit myself!)

(Bonus) Body: I'm fairly simple when it comes to body care. I use Dove Exfoliating Beauty Bar Soap, for scrub I use Giovanni's Hot Chocolate body scrub that I recently picked up at Duane Reade. This is a great inexpensive alternative to the Philosophy's Gingerbread man and it does the same job! Warms up in your hands, is a great sugar exfoliator and smells like you want to eat it ( but can't). Moisturizer? Good 'ol always in fashion Vasoline!

5ave 5 of '09: Danielle of Danielleish!

Danielle is now a buyer based out of Houston, TX (yeehaw!) and Brooklyn will not be the same with out her. We have missed her sweet potato pancakes and cake balls with crazy confectionary glaze! Now she loves "keeping up with my gorgeous east coast friends". Aww, Thanks Danielle!

"Outside of work, if I'm not at workout bootcamp (www.HoustonHeightsBootcamp.com) I'm hunting out banh mi sandwiches and the best BBQ and queso the south has to offer!"

Here are Danielle's favorite 5 products:

Skin: Oil of Olay Daily Regenerist Serum - I am a freak for Oil of Olay - this is the product that was always on my mother's bathroom counter. Though, I find the classic moisturizer to be a bit heavy for me. I really love this product because it doesn't leave me feeling greasy and it doesn't suffocate my face in the hot Texas sun!

Fragrance: Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne - I have been wearing this scent for about three years, usually once the weather gets colder, and I love it. It's pretty unique, but the Jo Malone fragrances are all so distinct that you really get the chance to find something perfectly suited for you. Additionally, they offer a Fragrance Combining Menu for that truly one-of-a-kind perfume that only you will be wearing around town. More on that here: http://www.jomalone.com/TheWorldofJoMalone/fragrance.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY21651

Hair: Neutrogena Shampoo, anti-residue formula - I really like trying out tons of different shampoos + conditioner combinations. But once a week I give my hair a much-needed reprieve and wash it with this classic shampoo and then finish with a deep conditioning mask. The shampoo DOES kind of smell like my grandpa's old leather loafers and stale after shave, but I know with all the products to which I subject my hair, it needs a good thorough cleaning. This stuff does the trick.

Body: Dove Sensitive Skin Body Bar - I really love bar soap, but my microdermabrasion lady always tells me that I need to break this habit. A friend recommended this product to me by way of her dermatologist and I have been hooked ever since! It's sensitive enough to be used on your face, you can pick it up at the grocery store along with your apples and oranges, and I still get that bar soap satisfaction with which I strangely can't seem to part.

Hair 2.0: Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme - This stuff is really the bomb, yall. It's so versatile, you can use it if you're going to air dry your hair and go au naturale, or if you're really gonna amp things up and go super sleek and bring out the hair dryer/other assorted hair tools. It doesn't weigh your hair down, yet it still provides the right amount of hold so your hair doesn't fall limp the second you walk out the door. Though, for a big night, I still bring out the trusty hair spray - my proximity to Dallas gets me every time!

(Surprise! BONUS!) Certain Dri - Oh, where to begin with this one. Look, nobody likes sweaty pits. This stuff will get that pesky problem out of your life once and for all! No need to go into detail, but upon my recommendation, get thee to a CVS and start using it today! Those old "Sure? Unsure." commercials can finally be laid to rest thanks to Certain Dri!