Just Bead It!

It used to be that women would get dolled up at home and then head out for a night on the town. But these days, spas and salons are hoping women will bring the party to them. "There's a demand for an alternative to the typical day spa," says Michael MacLachlan, an owner of Nitespa in Los Angeles. "People want to be able to relax, and what better way than to receive spa treatments with a glass of wine in the company of good friends?" New services range from a free glass of wine with a haircut to elaborate blowout bashes--literally. In South Boston, champagne flows and tunes spin all day at the chic Shag Salon, where Sandy Poirier and his staff specialize in hair coloring and edgy cuts. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, contemporary furniture, and large windows that overlook Boston's skyline give Shag a loft-like feel. Women sit around a communal table and sip wine or cappuccinos while their color sets. Cuts are done at separate stations, but the salon is cozy enough that friends are never seated too far apart to chat over the sound of hairdryers (840 Summer St., 617/268-2500, shagboston.com). With its Roman-style columns and marble floors, there's more of an old-world feel at Pierre and Carlo European Salon & Spa inside Philadelphia's Park Hyatt hotel. Along with the usual array of services such as facials and massages, the spa offers manis and pedis that include a free cocktail. Customers receive free mimosas on Fridays and Saturdays. They can also be arranged for groups upon request on other days of the week (200 S. Broad St., 215/790-9910, pierreandcarlo.com). At Chicago's Strange Beauty Show, near Wicker Park, the '50s rock-and-roll vibe extends from lime-green walls to an extensive collection of vinyl. The salon hosts private BYOB prepping parties for $55 per person, where up to six women get gorgeous with full makeup applications, false eyelashes, blowouts, extensions, and updos--all while sipping cocktails and listening to their own music through an iPod hookup (1261 N. Paulina Ave., 773/252-9522, strangebeautyshow.com). "It reminded me of when I was in college and all my friends would get together to get ready for a night out," says Erin Leigh Crump, who lives in the city and recently attended a party at the salon. "And all the stylists are young, so they know what looks are fun and trendy." Blondies the Beauty Shop, in Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood, stays open until 10 P.M. once a month for Cocktail Cuts Night. Customers are served drinks and hors d'oeuvres while they get their hair cut and styled (563 Detroit St., 303/377-5313, blondiesdenver.com). Part of the thrill of visiting Ted Gibson in Manhattan's Flatiron District is trying to catch a glimpse of regulars like Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley, and Gabrielle Union. But you don't have to be a celeb to receive special treatment: Groups of six or more get wine, champagne, and cupcakes with one of the famous blowouts, as well as a hand-and-scalp massage and an Aveda lip gloss to take home (184 Fifth Ave., 212/633-6333, tedgibsonsalon.com). Not surprisingly, the reigning king of party spas is in L.A., just a couple of blocks off Venice Beach. Open noon to midnight, Nitespa caters to groups of any size with any request (490 Santa Clara Ave., 310/396-5122, nitespa.com, private party from $110 per person). "We throw a good party--and birthday, bachelorette, and 'girls' night out' events are very popular," says co-owner MacLachlan. "Concierge service includes assistance in planning, exclusive use of the spa, private off-street parking, catering, cocktails, music, 15 percent off all products, and anything else we can do to make the evening a memorable one!" MacLachlan and his staff will even bring the party to your place--whether it's a house or a hotel room--with a service that they've named Nitespa-a-Go-Go.

Pimm's Fruit Cup For 2 pitchers, serves up to 8 Pimm's Fruit Cup is a great cocktail to serve before a night of going out. It is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time. It is a beautiful looking drink which you can put your own personal touch on with garnishes. You can split the recipe between 2 pitchers to make it easier to handle. 1 liter bottle of Pimm's #11-1/2 cups Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice1-1/2 cups of Cointreau or TripleSec1 liter bottle of Ginger Ale1 small Cucumber thinly sliced1 bunch of Mint, stems removedAny combination of Seasonal Fruits desired, sliced (optional) Directions: Combine Pimm's, lime juice and Cointreau in a large container or pitcher. Add mint, cucumber and fruits. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour min. Add ice and ginger ale just prior to serving or into each individual glass. West Side For 2 pitchers, serves up to 8 The West Side is for those who do not like overly sweet cocktails. This recipe can also be made in prepared in advance. You can substitute the citrus vodka with other white spirits like gin or rum to make an equally delicious cocktail. 1 liter bottle of Citrus Vodka 4 cups of Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice 2 cups of Simple Syrup* 1 bunch of Mint, stems removed 1 16-ounce bottle of Club Soda or Seltzer Water Directions: In a large container or pitcher lightly muddle or press the mint leaves. Add citrus vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup and refrigerate for 1 hour minimum. To assemble the drink, fill a cocktail shaker halfway up with the prepared West Side, add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini or cocktail glass and top off with club soda. * Simple Syrup is made by combining equal parts sugar and water. This can be done by heating sugar and water on the stove top until all sugar is dissolved. You can also make simple syrup by using superfine sugar (also known as instant dissolving) and stirring the mixture until all is dissolved. Excerpted from You Didn't Hear It From Us: Two Bartenders Serve Women the Truth About Men, Making an Impression, and Getting What You Want, by Dushan Zaric and Jason Kosmas. Copyright © 2006 by Dushan Zaric and Jason Kosmas. Reprinted with permission by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Available at www.simonsays.com.

For Kate Hudson's Sun-Kissed Look"Try my Light Reflecting Bronzer. It's a unique three-in-one palette in shell, sand, and bronze. Apply it to your cheeks, forehead, and chin with a blush brush, over your foundation or primer." Sue Devitt, who creates looks for the Versace and Dolce & Gabbana catwalks. Light Reflecting Bronzer in Beausoleil, $30, 888/870-1150, suedevittstudio.com For Renée Zellweger's Rosy Cheeks"To give yourself the 'lit up' effect, look at the color of your cheeks right after a workout, then buy a blush that's one shade brighter. Try Inner Glow, just on the apples of your cheeks. Tap it on with your fingers and blend it in with outward strokes." Alison Raffaele, a former celebrity stylist who counts Alicia Keys and Kirsten Dunst among the fans of her makeup line. Inner Glow in Glamorous and Graceful, $25 each, 800/301-4654, alisonraffaele.com For Eva Longoria's Dewy Sheen"Nothing lights up the face like a hint of shimmer, but to avoid an overdose, apply it to only one or two parts of your face. My Shimmer Brick can be used as a highlighter on cheeks or eyes." Bobbi Brown, who started selling lipstick to Bergdorf Goodman in 1991, has become one of the most recognizable names in the business. Shimmer Brick Compact in Pink, $38, 877/310-9222, bobbibrowncosmetics.com For Scarlett Johansson's Mile-Long Lashes"Channel your inner Brigitte Bardot with false lashes. They're easier to wear than you think: Cut the strip in two and use the half with longer lashes at the outside corners of your eyes. This'll give you a more natural look. Andrea lashes #53 are my favorites." Carmindy Bowyer, one of the stars of TLC's What Not to Wear. Andrea Modlash in #53 Black, $3.25 per pair, 800/378-4786, drugstore.com For Jessica Simpson's Smoldering Gaze"The hot look now is smoky eyes. Start by applying a neutral base all over the eyelid, up to the brow. Next, use a light color on the entire lid. Then take a charcoal gray or a navy blue and apply it generously on the top outside corner of your lid. Don't forget the eyelash curler and mascara." Paula Dorf, whose products have been used by the likes of Sandra Bullock and Mandy Moore. Eye Color Glimmer in Prism and Midnight, Eye Color in Hussy, $19, 888/472-8523, pauladorf.com For Cameron Diaz's Red-Carpet Lips"Coat your lips with a little concealer, then outline them with a red lip pencil. Take a fabulous blue-red lipstick and apply it to the whole mouth. Finally, dab a silverized gloss--or gold if you're wearing gold jewelry--at the center of the lower lip. This absolutely puts you into party mode." Laura Geller, a frequent contributor to QVC. Crease-Less Concealer in Medium, $28; Dual-Ended Lipstick and Liner in Cherry Bing, $17; Lip Gloss in City Lights, $17; 800/625-3874, laurageller.com

Q: How did you become involved in the wine business? A: I met a friend, Lucie Morton, a young viticulturist who was running her family's vineyard, and my husband and I helped her pick grapes. Morton had a small press and we ran our pickings through and got the juice and she suggested that we get some small winemaking equipment and try and make wine out of it, which my husband did over the winter in our garage. It wasn't very good, but it got us hooked and we planted some vines the next spring and it went from there. Q: What were some of the hurdles, if any? A: There weren't any except trying to learn about this new business of wine grapegrowing, but there were many friends starting out at that time in the late 70's and early 80's and we had a lot of company on the learning curve. Q: What do you love most about your job? A: Everything except the expense of operating a winery. This is Oakencroft's 24th year and we are the oldest winery in Albemarle County. When I began in this business there were five wineries in Virginia. Now there are over 100, most with modern and very expensive equipment. I love drinking our own wine and meeting the customers in our Tasting Room and seeing them enjoy the fruits of our labor. Q: What advice do you have for someone who wants to do what you do? A: Start with a big bank roll and get expert advice on site selection and grape clones and be sure that you have experienced help in the vineyard and winery. Q: How are women changing the wine industry? A: I don't think that they are changing it but adding to it because there are more women owners, winemakers, viticulturists and expert wine educators. Q: What are some of the misconceptions about women and wine? A: I haven't found any except that we now know that women choose and buy more wine than they used to and tend to drink what pleases them rather than what the experts say they should drink. Q: Which of your own wines is your favorite and which wines do you generally prefer? A: Asking me that is like asking me which is my favorite child! I tend to like lightly oaked Chardonnays and Viogniers and Merlots. Oakencroft Vineyard & Winery, 1486 Oakencroft Lane, Charlottesvile, Virgina, 434-296-4188, oakencroft.com.