Shampoo exchange at Saks Fifth Avenue

Satisfied with your shampoo?

If not, trade it in for a free full-sized bottle of Fekkai Advance Shampoo (a $23 value) at a participating Saks Fifth Avenue store. Today, exchange any full-sized bottle of shampoo -- even if it’s used, even if it's a gloppy bargain-basement variety -- for a new bottle of Fekkai.

The limit is one per customer. The exchange is offered only at participating Saks Fifth Avenue stores in California. So call ahead at your nearest store to make sure.

-- W.J. Hennigan

Crabtree & Evelyn files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Crabtree & Evelyn Ltd., maker of soaps and other bath and body products, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today.

The Woodstock, Conn., company, which operates 125 retail stores in the U.S., said day-to-day retail operations in its stores and on its website would continue as usual. It also said it was hoping to reevaluate its real estate portfolio, strengthen its brand strategies and restructure its debt.

The filing does not include the company's international affiliates. Crabtree & Evelyn joins a growing list of retailers that have had to seek bankruptcy protection in recent months amid the economic downturn.

"The Crabtree & Evelyn brand remains strong," said Stephen Bestwick, acting president of the company. "We are confident that Chapter 11 gives us the opportunity to restructure the company with a business model that will be sustainable for long-term growth."

The privately held company reported in a court filing that it had debt totaling $10 million to $50 million and assets in the same range.

-- Andrea Chang

Photo: Crabtree & Evelyn has sold bath and body products for more than 30 years. Credit: Crabtree & Evelyn

Kiehl's invites men to trade in their shaving cream

Starting tomorrow, Kiehl's is inviting men to trade in their shaving cream during the chain's first annual Shave Swap.

Trade-ins can be from any brand but must be at least a 4-ounce size. In return, customers will receive a Kiehl's 5-ounce Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream, which comes in either White Eagle, Blue Eagle or Green Eagle formulas.

Each customer also will be asked to participate in a five-minute personal consultation with a Kiehl's representative, who will provide three samples of Kiehl's products "best suited to his personal skin or hair needs."

The Shave Swap ends June 7 and is available only at the chain's free-standing stores. The event is limited to one shaving cream trade per customer.

Local Kiehl's locations include stores at the Grove, Americana at Brand and South Coast Plaza.

-- Andrea Chang

Photo: Men can change up their grooming products during Kiehl's first annual Shave Swap. Credit: Kiehl's

Plans to spend for prom may be thwarted by swine flu

Prom-goers might not be willing to break the bank for the formal, but many still plan to spend a sizable amount. That is, if swine flu doesn't get in their way, according to beauty information site DailyMakeover.com, owned by Makeover Solutions Inc.

A recent survey found that more than half of the female respondents intend to spend at least $300 on hair, makeup and a dress for prom.

Most of the 73% of girls planning to get their hair professionally styled said they would spend $50 or more. A quarter of respondents plan to pay for professional makeup application. Four out of 10 girls want to plunk down between $100 and $200 for a dress, while another 35% said they would exceed $200.

But as schools across the country -- including Park City High School in Utah and Pisgah High School in Alabama -- cancel or postpone the events in an attempt to contain the swine flu threat, prom attendees are having to rearrange their plans, according to the site. In Riverside, prom at Lee V. Pollard High School was canceled after a student was thought to have possibly caught the virus.

The full story on "Opting for prom without all the frills" here.

-- Tiffany Hsu

Photo: An array of dresses at Sandy's Bridal store in San Fernando. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Discount spa and salon appointments at Lifebooker.com

Just because the economic climate is ugly doesn't mean you have to abandon your vanity.

Even spas and salons known for using hideously expensive treatments to make people beautiful are clipping and snipping down their prices.

Lifebooker.com, which launched in New York in October 2007 and recently went live in Los Angeles, compiles a range of discounts at more than 150 Big Apple providers and upwards of 40 Southern California businesses.

The site's New York edition has more than 10,000 users.

The service is free for clients, and filters deals by appointment availability, discount amount, total price, neighborhood, duration of service and individual service rating. Current offers include up to 55% off haircuts at the Parlour on 3rd and 50% off facials at Teramai, both in West Los Angeles.

-- Tiffany Hsu