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I am unabashed in my adoration of GBS. Ever since I got a curl cut by Fort Lauderdale hair wizard Larramy, and was introduced to the phenomenal Deva Curl hair system at the local beauty supply store/salon hybrid, I just can’t stop singing their praises. Sure, there’s a time and a place for good ol’ Sally’s, and there are certain products you can only get at Ricky’s NYC. But I love GBS because it reps the 305. IT’s the only place you can get your manicured paws on unique local brands like Hot Pants Cosmetics, or Play Pretty Beauty. (Stay tuned for reviews of both of those South Florida based product lines). And unlike the two aforementioned beauty store rivals, GBS shows love with Customer Appreciation Day. Which – joyous rapture – is today!

From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., shoppers can stop by the Pinecrest branch (11297 S. Dixie Highway, Pinecrest) for complimentary treatments galore. There’ll be mini-facials by Babor, makeup tips by glominerals, skin analysis by Murad, Phyto hair treatments, Zoya manicures, and flat iron demos by FHI. Experts from Wella, colorOn and Nuxe will be handing out samples like crazy, all while you nosh on deli deliciousness from JoAnna's Marketplace and Misha’s Cupcakes. Oh, and there’s a 20 percent discount on every item in the store. Shop now, thank me later.

If you’re feeling frisky after your shop-a-thon, swing by The Hotel’s pool deck (801 Collins Ave., Miami Beach) for SELF Magazine’s Mid-Week Makeover Event. From 8 to 10 p.m., sip cocktails, and live the luxe life with mini-manicures and massages. Wednesdays haven’t been this sweet in a long time. RSVP at 212-286-6202.

- Patrice Yursik

Rarely has a beauty product line been named so appropriately – LUSH skin care, hair, and beauty products are exactly what you might be dreaming of. Truly excellent, handmade, all-natural, and so fresh most items come with an expiry date, LUSH is what your mom should be using on her hair, face, and body. If your mama’s the kind of lady who doesn’t know any better than bar soap, you will absolutely knock her socks off at Cater To You, a pampering mini-spa day at the newish LUSH store at Dadeland Mall (7303 Kendall Dr., Miami). Stop by from noon to 6 p.m., spend $45, and you can score a free facial chosen especially for your skin type, and walk away with a free fresh face mask sample. Plus there’ll be massages and product demonstrations in store. Call 305-668-1774 to RSVP.

Or if your mom’s a bit more ritzy, take her to the Mother’s Day shopping event at Merrick Park (358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables). There’ll be live music, activities, and promotions throughout the sprawling mall, and if you drop $250, you get a complimentary orchid. Visit www.villageofmerrickpark.com.

- Patrice Yursik

Finding the perfect pedicure place can be such a frickin’ mission. Trial and error might reduce your one-stop-toenail-shop search to a top-three list, but what if you’re not in your usual neighborhood? What do you do when your toes are tore up in Aventura, or Kendall, or Doral? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a local chain of mani/pedi salons that was equally of high quality from branch to branch throughout the city? On a recent trip to fabulous New York City, I was swept away by my experience at Dashing Diva, a rapidly spreading chain that aims to be the Starbucks of pedicures. I’d sincerely like to see the franchise spread to Miami – it’s an ideal destination for a bridal shower, a girl’s day out, or a personal day of pampering, just because you deserve it.

“Oh, I stopped going there a while ago. I wasn’t impressed with the results,” said my college friend. “I just don’t like their method,” said my co-worker, wrinkling her nose in disdain. “I went once and never went back.” They were both warning me about their experiences at popular local chain Uni K. Wax, which has a branch in seemingly every corner of the city. The ubiquitous emporium is quickly becoming like the Starbucks of hair removal. As the self-appointed beauty blogger/guinea pig around these parts, I felt compelled to give Uni K. a shot, despite the dire statements of two ladies whose opinion I held in high esteem. Besides, I was right down the street from the South Miami branch, I really needed an appointment, and it was a Sunday afternoon – very few other salons are open at that time. I called up my nearest branch and booked myself in.

Thanks to G-Dub’s economic stimulus package, Uncle Sam’s blessing your recession-thin pockets with some righteous green sometime soon. Financial gurus might advise you to spend that money on “investing in the future,” “starting an emergency fund,” or “paying off bills,” to which we say, WWGWD? What would George W. do? Or want us to do, as good Americans? We think he’d want us to spend it in one extended self-indulgent pampering. Some me-time to the nth degree, because you deserve to feel like royalty. And you don’t need to go down to the ranch to get it, either.

The opulent ESPA at the Acqualina Resort & Spa is offering you the opportunity to blow it all in one shot on their fabulous tax rebate package. For $600, you can live the glamorous life for four incredible hours.

Back in the day, there was Mary Kay, Avon, and Amway for side-job entrepreneurs looking to expand their social circles and bank accounts. Now there’s a new direct-selling company making inroads amongst Miami’s makeup mavens. L’Bel Paris is a luxurious, high quality line of French makeup, skin care, and fragrance line that’s here to make Miami a little more beautiful.

The Parisian-manufactured products have an enormous following in Latin America – L’Bel’s international headquarters is in Lima, Peru, and the company has been maintaining the beauty of women from south of the equator for more than 40 years. The company currently has an American base in our most European of cities, San Francisco. Miami is the most recent stateside market for the brand, and we’re currently one of seven US cities where independent beauty consultants are spreading the gospel.

Maybe you inherited your father’s beetling brows, which look dignified on an older gentleman but a tad scary on a woman. Maybe you’ve plucked your own brows down to the barest minimum, and the Whoopi Goldberg look is starting to freak you out. Maybe the hasty, unprofessional wax job you got in the back of some rinky dink mall salon left you with an unattractive and out-of-date Vanilla Ice eyebrow stripe. No matter how it happened, the essential truth remains – your eyebrows are all jacked up, homegirl. No worries. The Brow Shoppe has your back!

A trip to the spa should make you feel relaxed and regenerated, soothed and sated from your head to your feet. Ideally, you can check your stress at the doorstep, and leave it all behind after your visit. If you’re seeking a spa experience that’s everything it should be and then some, allow me to introduce you to one of the coolest new urban sanctuaries in the city. Just say Uhma.

Just about every beauty-obsessed woman in Miami knows exactly where Brownes and Co. is located – the plushly retro apothecary is a Lincoln Road mecca for product junkies seeking the latest and greatest new gotta-have-it item. Everything from $52 John Galliano Dipytique candles to our favorite $18 Ojon shampoo is there, and it’s all desperately calling our name, just begging to be added to our shopping basket. A new item is adding to the chorus.

“What would you like? We’ve got complimentary green tea, apple or orange juice, white, red, or blush wine,” said the exceedingly friendly blonde lady. From the minute I entered the Aqua Day Spa, an unassuming establishment tucked way in the back of the Shoppes of Killian in Kendall, I felt pampered and welcome. How refreshing!

My glass of blush was elegantly served with cookies (how did they know I was a fool for Pirouline?), and while I waited for my waxing appointment, I had time to drink in the ambiance as well as the wine. The Aqua Day Spa is bedecked in the color range you’d expect – all peaceful oceanic tones here. The owners have made the tiny front room seem larger with mirrors.

As I sipped and stared around, two very attentive pedicurists went to town sloughing the feet of their customers. “Here, let me put this aromatherapy pillow behind your neck,” offered the blonde. Oooh. The pillow was warm, curved to fit the shape of my neck, and smelled like lavendar and vanilla. I was loving this place and I hadn’t even had a service yet!

Professional artists, product creators, and cosmetics mavens all over the city are so psyched for this weekend. Why, you ask? Because The Makeup Show, New York’s famous trade show/artists’ wonderland, is coming to Miami for the very first time! On Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., artist par excellence and editor of On Makeup magazine James Vincent will lead a hands-on workshop on “Perfecting the Canvas.” I had a phone interview with him prior to his arrival, and all it did is make me even more excited to meet him! Here are some of the interview highlights, which specifically tackle beauty issues for women of color.

So this weekend is all about the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, and we’re sure most of the pretty people will be busy pigging out alongside the likes of Emeril, Rachael Ray, and – our fave – Giada De Laurentiis. If you’re visiting and you need a break from the chowing down, you should stop what you’re doing and book yourself a “Feed the Soul” package at Uhma Spa.

Uhma is all about natural and organic methods of pampering, and the décor reflects that perspective. Instead of the currently chic, super-neon-bright-white with green and/or orange accents look that so many salons are sporting, they’ve gone for a soothing effect with their interior design. Think wood grain, low key lighting, natural rock walls (complete with hints of moss), and walls left deliberately bare. The spa specializes in specific solutions for each client, but this special package for foodies includes a Mayan comforting cocoa polish (how apropos) followed by a primal relaxation massage. All this for $155, plus tax and gratuity.

The special spa package will be available from Wednesday 20 to Monday Feburary 25. Call 305-695-0996, or visit www.uhmaspa.com. -- Patrice Yursik

Strawberry champagne cocktails and fresh made sushi was the order of the evening on Friday at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach. The occasion was the private premiere of two new beauty treatments by S-Solutions, a fancy schmancy line of products that claims to reverse aging and slow down the aging process. Many of Miami’s media movers and shakers sat by the glowing pool, lingering near the steps that led up to the refurbished spa – the only AAA five diamond spa on the beach, as Ritz-Carlton employees were quick to remind. It deserves the title. Stepping foot into the Ritz-Carlton spa definitely makes you feel… well… ritzy. Corny cliché, but true!

Getting waxed is never a fun prospect, but it kind of helps to hear a chorus of women scream along with you. Knowing a group of ladies are suffering in unison does nothing to assuage the pain, per se, but it feels better knowing that you are not alone in your quest for hairlessness. During a recent visit to Wonderskin, it seemed commonplace to hear banshee wails emanate from the victim down the hall.

“Don’t worry,” assured Sandra, an adorably petite professional waxer. “It only takes a moment.”

Looking for a hot new stylist to give your lackluster ‘do some much needed pizzazz? Need a mani/pedi in a hurry? Lucky you – there’s a hot new salon that’s offering top of the line hair care and spa services just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of South Beach.

Snip is an ivy-covered godsend housed in what used to be the CIA headquarters at 456 Arthur Godfrey Rd., Miami Beach. Formerly located at the back of the hip store Base on Lincoln Road, the establishment is run by husband and wife team Riley and Dona McLachlan, former teachers at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London.

“Very simply, we want to be the best in Miami if not the best in Florida. My background was with Vidal Sassoon. We know the foundation of everything is training. We hold classes for our staff twice a week, and focus on color, cut, and proportion. If you’ve got a hair challenge, come to us,” says Riley.