A Note On Pre-Paid Credit Cards / Gift Cards

A few days ago, we received an email from a customer that went like this -

I placed an order on your site that came to $270.57 but when I checked my credit card statement online the total amount charged was $324.68! Why was I charged more than what was originally listed on my invoice? Please have this fixed as soon as possible!! 

Sincerely, Jennifer *

Jennifer was very upset over the discrepancy in charges, and rightly so. We completely understand how alarming it is to believe you have been over-charged for an online purchase. Unfortunately, we are beginning to receive more and more emails and phone calls from customers like Jennifer who have noticed a discrepancy. The reason? Pre-paid credit cards and gift cards.

Due to popular demand, we now accept pre-paid credit cards and gift cards from VISA and MasterCard as a payment option. Our customers appreciate the convenience of being able to pay using a pre-paid credit card but, unfortunately, customers are sometimes caught off guard by unexpected fees and/or service charges.

The most common issue we see is that some pre-paid cards charge an additional 20% fee for purchases made from a health and beauty merchant like Fabove. This is what happened with Jennifer's transaction, mentioned earlier. The 20% fee is lumped together with the Fabove transaction, even though it is not charged by our company and the additional money collected is never issued to us. It is extremely confusing and frustrating for both merchant and consumer.

We are committed to providing excellent customer service and will do our very best to assist you in any way we can. Please note, however, that most credit card companies (including their pre-paid card divisions) will not deal with the merchant on issues like this and will only speak directly to the card holder. If you notice a difference in the amount showing on your statement and the amount of your actual transaction, the best thing to do is to give your card's customer support line a call for more specific information on the transaction. They will be able to tell you what fee was charged and whether or not there is any way to retrieve it. If you would like us to hold your order and not ship until the issue has been resolved, please notify us at your earliest convenience.

Our customers can rest assured that in the 10+ years we have been in business, we have never once overcharged a customer on a transaction. If you have any concerns or questions about using a pre-paid credit or gift card on our website, please feel free to speak with one of Customer Service representatives. We can be reached toll-free at 1-888-833-4247.

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* Please note that both the name and prices have been changed to protect our client's privacy

Fall Makeover Series - Fake Eyelashes

There is really no better time than autumn for a drastic makeover. If you have to head back to school or back to work after carefree summer holidays, you might as well head back with a bang! Each day this week, we've featured best-selling products that can help you achieve your perfect new look. Today we complete our series with our fifth and final makeover recommendation - fake eyelashes.

We currently carry two brands of fake eyelashes - Ardell and Baci Lingerie. Ardell is an extremely popular and long-standing industry favorite, and are known for their natural-looking classic lashes. Many women apply Ardell lashes every day as part of their daily makeup routine. Baci Lingerie is a newer brand that features hip, trendy eyelash designs. In addition to traditional black lashes, the Baci line also includes lashes made with feathers, rhinestones and exotic colors. Baci Lingerie lashes are a perfect choice for special events, photo shoots and parties.

Both Ardell and Baci lashes are extremely easy to use. Apply a small amount of lash adhesive (sold separately) along the band of the lash strip. Then, using a mirror, press the band against your eyelid from outer to inner corner, right above your lashline. Gently press the corners with your fingers for a few seconds to secure the fake lashes. Use a liquid eyeliner to cover the lash strip, if desired. Once you're done, you'll have longer-looking, fuller lashes instantly. Not only do beautiful eyelashes make your eyes stand out, they also make you look younger and more refreshed.

The lashes we carry range from $3.95 to $4.95 CDN. They're extremely affordable, and the perfect thing to add to your shopping cart when you're missing just a few dollars to qualify for free shipping.

Fall Makeover Series - Toppik

There is really no better time than autumn for a drastic makeover. If you have to head back to school or back to work after carefree summer holidays, you might as well head back with a bang! Join us each day this week as we feature five best-selling products that can help you achieve your perfect new look. 

Toppik has been a long-time bestseller here at Fabove, and with good reason - it works! Made of organic Keratin fibers that merge undetectably with the hair already on your scalp, it's the perfect hair loss quick fix. You'll have thicker-looking, fuller hair in just seconds without having to spend months applying treatments. It's a makeover must-have for anyone with thinning hair.

We have many clients who have been loyally using the Toppik brand for years and reviews often comment on how easy it is to use and how natural it looks. Thicker-looking hair not only makes you look years longer, it also makes styling easier. Apply the fibers, then style with gel or hair spray. The Toppik fibers bond securely and stay in place even in strong winds and rain.

Toppik is sold in three different sizes and is available in several colors. A color chart is available on our website.

Fall Makeover Series - HairDo Extensions

There is really no better time than autumn for a drastic makeover. If you have to head back to school or back to work after carefree summer holidays, you might as well head back with a bang! Join us each day this week as we feature five best-selling products that can help you achieve your perfect new look.

Jessica Simpson and Ken Paves' line of hair extensions are extremely popular with our clients, and all of us here at Fabove love them too. Fabove staff member Stephanie wore the 20" styleable soft wave extensions at her wedding this past summer and here's what she had to say -

"My hair stylist suggested that I get extensions to use on my wedding day, just to add some extra volume. I kept hearing from customers how wonderful the HairDo extensions were, so I decided to give them a try. They were perfect! Nobody could tell I had extensions on - they looked so real and were a perfect match to my hair color. I was worried they might become loose or even fall off, but they stayed in place all night and looked amazing."

Whether you want to add bangs, volume, length or a stylish bun to your autumn look, the HairDo extensions are a perfect alternative to an expensive (and potentially risky) trip to the salon. The lightweight, easy to clip-in extensions offer versatility and allow you to change your look in minutes without cutting or damaging your hair. We're also excited to announce that now, due to popular demand, all HairDo extensions will be made with the styleable, heat-friendly Tru2Life fibers.

** Please note that the majority of HairDo extensions currently listed on our website are made with the new heat-friendly Tru2Life fibers. The synthetic extensions we have listed will be discontinued upon inventory depletion.

** The 23" long length wavy extensions are available in both Tru2Life fibers and synthetic hair ... please select carefully from the scroll-down list when ordering, or contact our Customer Service team with any questions or concerns.

Fall Makeover Series - Talika Instant Beauty

There is really no better time than autumn for a drastic makeover. If you have to head back to school or back to work after carefree summer holidays, you might as well head back with a bang! Join us each day this week as we feature five best-selling products that can help you achieve your perfect new look.

Do you believe that simple, subtle changes are the best kind of makeover? If so, you must try Talika's new Instant Beauty lotion. Made for daily application, Instant Beauty firms the skin, smooths out your features and reduces visible signs of fatigue. Your complexion will be radiant and youthful, and you'll have your co-workers wondering what's got you glowing.

Instant Beauty makes an excellent makeup base, and can be used under a day cream or on its own. One small, pearl-size drop daily is all you'll need to see results but its gentle formulation is safe to use multiple times a day if desired. Made in France with the finest moisturizing agents and plant extracts, Instant Beauty is a must-have for anyone who wants to revamp their skin care routine this season.

Fall Makeover Series - Liquid Keratin

There is really no better time than autumn for a drastic makeover. If you have to head back to school or back to work after carefree summer holidays, you might as well head back with a bang! Join us each day this week as we feature five best-selling products that can help you achieve your perfect new look.

If you have frizzy or curly hair and spend hours each day trying to straighten it out ... or if you've always wanted to try a straight look but are worried about damaging your curls ... we have the perfect product line for you. Liquid Keratin is safe, quick, inexpensive and sure to give you a drastic change.

An at-home treatment designed to ease frizz and loosen curls, Liquid Keratin does not contain harmful ingredients like formaldehyde (see more information here). It is extremely easy to use and results can be seen after the very first application, leaving you with soft, shiny, healthy-looking hair for as long as 30 days.

For best results, we recommend customers begin with the Liquid Keratin 30 Day treatment starter kit or the BOLD 30 Day treatment starter kit ... but the shampoo, conditioner, serum and treatment are also sold individually.

We're glad to announce that we now have all Liquid Keratin products back in stock, just in time for your fall makeover! Visit our website or speak to one of our Customer Service team members for more information or to place an order.

New Shipping Method Now Available

We're excited to announce that we now offer another quick shipping method option to our customers.

FedEx Economy offers door-to-door delivery in 1 to 3 business days to most metropolitan areas. For orders being shipped within BC, delivery via FedEx Economy usually takes only 1 business day; orders being shipped to Alberta usually arrive in 2 business days! It's a wonderful alternative for customers who need their orders to arrive quickly and reliably.

FedEx Economy is available to most major cities and metropolitan areas. Please note that as with all other FedEx shipping methods, delivery can only be made to actual street addresses not PO boxes. For remote or rural areas, we recommend selecting Canada Post Xpresspost.

If you're not sure if the FedEx Economy service is available to your address, our Customer Service team would be happy to assist you and provide you with more information.

Fabove Blog now on Bloglovin.com!

We've made it easier for our customers to follow our blog posts and stay up-to-date on all the happenings in the beauty world. We know checking blogs for updates isn't always convenient and, if you're like us, you may forget to check altogether. The Fabove blog is now on Bloglovin', a fantastic website that allows you to add all your favorite blogs to one simple list and then notifies you instantly when there are updates!

Creating a Bloglovin' account is free and once you've done so you can add the Fabove blog (simply enter "Fabove" in the search box) and all your other favorite online reads.

Follow the Fabove blog with Bloglovin

Summer Travel Made Simple

With summer now in full-swing we know many of our customers are preparing to head off on vacation. Whether your summer travel plans include a quick weekend trip to a nearby city or a month-long escapade on a different continent, we understand how important it is for your favorite beauty and health essentials to travel with you - after all, everyone wants to look their best in holiday photos!

This time of year, our Customer Service team gets many questions regarding choosing the right products, receiving orders in time and being able to use the products abroad. To help simplify your summer travels, here a few quick guidelines from the Fabove staff -

1. Keep shipping time in mind. Standard Expedited shipping within Canada can take up to 5 business days (up to 8 business days for very rural areas). You'll want to make sure you order as early as possible to ensure you receive your product in time. Xpresspost shipping and Overnight shipping options are also available for faster delivery; contact a Customer Service representative before ordering for more information.

2. If purchasing an electrical appliance to be used abroad, be sure to research the country's voltage system. Unless specifically indicated as being designed for international use, all appliances on our website (flat irons, curling irons, hair dryers, etc) are designed with 110V for use in North America only. If you will be using this appliance outside of North America, we strongly recommend purchasing one with international/universal voltage. Our Customer Service staff can assist you in selecting one that is right for you.

3. Consider your luggage. It would be unfortunate to order a great product and have to leave it at home because it doesn't fit in your luggage - or, worse, to have it confiscated at the airport because its size doesn't fall within security requirements. Consider size and convenience when choosing a product. Many of the items we carry in our store do have travel size options available.

Our Fabove team has also created a Travel Shop section on the website, full of compact products that are ideal for the traveler. You can view the shop here.

Bon Voyage!

Fake Bake Bronzing Compact

We've featured many of the Fake Bake self-tanning lotions on our blog in the past but a new popular Fake Bake product is the bronzing compact powder. Formulated to give your skin a beautiful, natural-looking glow the compact compliments all skin tones and is perfect to use on all skin types.

The Fake Bake Bronzy Babe Face and Body Bronzing Compact is designed to blend with other Fake Bake products to give your tan a finished, natural bronzy look. The sheer, pressed powder goes on smooth and even and doesn't clog your pores. The compact can be applied to your entire body or just to your face, instantly transforming pale skin to a radiant, sun-kissed glow. It's a must-have summer item for everyone.

For a limited time, purchase ANY Fake Bake product at regular price and receive a compact for just $3.99 - that's over $20 in savings! Simply add one Fake Bake product to your shopping cart and proceed to check-out. Before finalizing your transaction you will have the opportunity to add a bronzing compact to your order at the special discounted price.

If you are only interested in trying the bronzing compact, you can order one with 15% discount using our FABOVE5 coupon code. The coupon code expires tomorrow, July 20th, at 12pm.

New Products For Beautiful Eyelashes

Long, glamorous eyelashes are definitely a priority in the beauty world today. With one of our best-selling eyelash growth conditioners (RevitaLash) temporarily unavailable due to pending Health Canada approval, our staff has searched the market for other brands that offer similar products with similar results.

We're happy to announce that we now stock two other eyelash growth conditioners that can help customers achieve longer, thicker and fuller-looking lashes.

Talika Lipocils Expert Eyelash Gel is sold in both 10ml and 4.2ml bottles. Its formula is made of natural actives that thicken the lashes and magnify their natural color. Independent studies conducted in France showed an average length increase of 36% and a color intensification of 50%. Easy to apply, its fast results have made the Talika gel the new go-to product for many of our clients.

Also new to our warehouse shelves is Revita.EPS Eyelash Growth Stimulator. Sold in a 2.5ml bottle, Revita's growth stimulator is a cutting edge treatment that deploys a breakthrough peptide complex. Clinical research shows that the product can help lashes grow 25% longer in just four weeks. Made by DS Laboratories, the same manufacturer that brought customers the immensely popular line of hair loss products, Revita.EPS is sure to be one of the most exciting new products of 2012.

For more information on either of these two products, or to place an order, please visit our website or contact our Customer Service team toll-free at 1-888-833-4247. 

What To Do With A Broken or Defective Item ...

From time to time, our Customer Service department will receive an email that goes something like this -

"I purchased a beauty tool and it's no longer working. How can I get this repaired? How do I request warranty service? Can you send me a new one? Help!"

Fabove is proud to carry some of the best quality products on the market today and, luckily, defects are rare. If you happen to be one of the few customers who has a broken or defective product here are a few important guidelines to consider before contacting us -

1. Did you purchase this item from Fabove.ca? 
Please note that Fabove is not a manufacturer or a distributor, we are an independent retail store and can only offer warranty service to customers who purchase directly from us. To help simplify the warranty/exchange process, please mention your Fabove.ca order number when you contact us. You can find your order number on your invoice or email confirmation. 

2. How long have you had the item?
If you order an item and it arrives broken or has any kind of issue, please contact our Customer Service department immediately. Products that arrive to you damaged must be reported within a reasonable time frame (ideally one week or less). If your product was working fine but suddenly stops working, you can check the warranty time period on our website, in the product's description box. Most warranties are between 6 months and 2 years. 

3. What are the exact issues you are having with the item?
Please be specific when explaining what is wrong with your product. Simply telling our staff that the item is "broken" or that it is "not working properly" makes it very difficult for them to accurately assess the problem and offer useful technical support. Detailed and precise descriptions help quicken the process for everyone involved.      

If you purchased the product from Fabove and the product is still under valid warranty, send a detailed email outlining the issues and a member of our staff will get back to you quickly with information on how to proceed.

* Please note that all appliances are warranted against functional defects in design, materials and workmanship provided they are properly operated under conditions of normal use. Warranty service does not apply to normal wear and tear or damage caused by misuse, abuse and accidents (ie dropping the item). Disassembling or trying to repair an item on your own will void its warranty.

** Please note that if you did not purchase from Fabove, you must contact the store or salon where you made your original purchase. Our Customer Service representatives do not have access to manufacturer's information and will unfortunately not be able to assist you without a proof of purchase. 

New Clarisonic Mia Colors - NOW AVAILABLE

By popular demand, our best-selling Clarisonic Skin Care Cleansing System is now available in new, stylish colors!

In addition to white and pink, the Clarisonic Mia 2 is now also available in a beautiful coral shade. The original Clarisonic Mia is now available in blue, green, lavender, yellow, pink and white (see shades below).

We expect these new colors to sell out quickly, so be sure to order yours soon. To order, visit our website or call us toll-free at 1-888-833-4247.

Summer 2012 Essentials

Summer has arrived and here at Fabove that means many emails and phone calls from customers wanting to know what the best sun protection and hair removal products are. After all, everyone wants to look their best on the beach and there's no better way to kick off a vacation than testing out some of the hottest products on the market.

To help our customers find what they're looking for, we've compiled a Summer Essentials list on our website. Here's a sneak peek at some of the items our staff recommends ....

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 
Gone are the days of thick, sticky lotions ... Peter Thomas Roth's brush on sunscreen powder is the most convenient way to protect your skin from the sun. Chemical free, the Instant Mineral SPF powder is translucent and finely milled leaving your skin protected and silky smooth. Its retractable brush and compact size makes it perfect for on-the-go sun protection and because it's a powder instead of a lotion, you'll breeze through airport security. SPF 30 is also available.

Fake Bake Original Self-Tanning Lotion 
Fake Bake products are popular all year long, but especially in the spring and summer when people want that sun-kissed look without having to spend hours out in the sun. We're proud to carry over 20 Fake Bake self-tanning products including tanning lotions, mists, gels, exfoliating wipes, moisturizers and much more. For a limited time, buy any Fake Bake product and get a Fake Bake Face & Body Bronzing Compact for only $3.99 CDN. While quantities last.

Seiko Cleancut ES412 Personal Shaver
Made in Japan, the Cleancut Personal Shaver is a must-have tool for anyone looking to get rid of unwanted hair without causing nicks, cuts, rashes and bumps. Designed to remove hair that is 0.5cm or shorter it's perfect to use on the face, underarms, bikini line and public area. You'll be ready for the beach in no time!

GiGi Professional Waxing Pro 1 Kit
This best-selling kit includes an array of lotions, cleansing products, spatulas, muslin strips - everything needed for the professional esthetician or long-term waxer. Also included are the best-selling All Purpose Honee Wax and the Deluxe Wax Warmer.

To view our full list, please visit our website.

Happy summer shopping!  

From Curly to Loose Waves with KQC

I have very thick, VERY curly shoulder-length hair. Even though they can be hard to manage sometimes, I love my curls and don't straighten them often. The idea of damaging my hair with the hot temperatures of styling tools terrifies me, so I try to steer clear of flat irons and blow dryers as much as I can.

Last month, my fiancé and I had our engagement photo shoot and I decided to try a different hair style. I asked my hairdresser to straighten my hair as much as possible and give me big, loose waves. She pulled out a KQC Professional Ceramic Styling Iron and got to work. Here's what she was able to accomplish -

Before : 

Very tight, very thick, corkscrew curls 

After :

Long, loose waves

To achieve this look, my hairdresser began at the root and slowly moved the iron down the hair shaft from top to bottom. She straightened small pieces of hair at a time. Once my hair was straightened, she went back and gently flipped and curled the ends for a loose, wavy look. She finished by securing the waves in place with hairspray.

I was really happy with the overall look, but even more happy to find that my hair wasn't damaged! In fact, I was amazed by how shiny and healthy my hair looked. After a good wash and shampoo, my hair was back to being curly and my curls were not "fried" as I had worried they might be.

The KQC gets a five star rating from me and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to straighten thick, frizzy hair.

- Review by Fabove.ca staff member, Stephanie

Review & Win ... April Winner

The best-selling Marpac Dohm-DS (formerly called the 980A) is often mentioned on our blog ... but today we're showcasing a different model - the Marsona DS-600A.

The Marsona model comes with six sound options, including the always popular white noise sound, and also has a timer option and a 4 Ohm speaker for acoustic clarity. Its worldwide voltage power supply and battery powered option make it the perfect choice for people who travel often and are looking for a sound machine to help them sleep while they're on the go.

Anne from Ontario recently bought  a Marsona DS-600A for a friend after having one of her own for several years. She said she uses hers every day and brings it with her while traveling - even while camping! Here's the feedback Anne gave in her review -

"The sound is very comforting and I can get back to sleep right away ... I only listen to the white noise sound but chose this machine because of the built-in battery feature. I did notice that if my Kindle's G3 wireless is on it will sometimes create an interference noise - this is not a problem as it reminds me to turn the wireless off. Great little machine!"

Thank you for your review, Anne! Your review has been chosen as April's winner. To claim your FITI Babii Styling Iron and heat pouch, please contact our Customer Service department.

T3 Limited Edition Dryers - Available Now

The best-selling T3 Featherweight Hair Dryer is now available in two new limited edition styles - a feminine pale pink Taro Lace and a stylish Black Lace.

These two limited edition models come with a complimentary microfiber hair towel and include all of the same great features clients love most about the original T3 Featherweight. Voted "the best hair dryer" by Allure magazine, the T3 Featherweight is extremely lightweight, weighing only 13 oz. It has two speed and two heat settings, making it easy to use on all kinds of hair types. The Featherweight also comes with a concentrator nozzle and replacement softAire filters. Diffuser for curly hair sold separately.

We currently have both the Taro Lace and the Black Lace in stock and ready for immediate shipping - but they are limited edition, so grab them while they're available!

Order your T3 dryer online or by calling our Customer Service department toll-free at 1-888-833-4247. 

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is right around the corner, which means it's time to start thinking about how to pamper and spoil all the mother figures in your life. To make your shopping experience easier, our team has compiled a quick list of best-sellers that are sure to make Mom smile.

The Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems are always a great gift choice. Whether your mother tends to splurge on cosmetics or is known for keeping her beauty routine as simple and natural as possible, the Clarisonic systems are sure to be a big hit. The soft, gentle brush thoroughly cleanses pores, removes all makeup residue, helps reduce dry patches and blemishes and works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It's an industry favorite, and a must-have for women of all ages. We have many colors and models available. Please contact us for more information.

The GoSmile Go All Out Two-Step Smile Program is another wonderful gift choice for all the important ladies in your life. Graduation and wedding season will soon be upon us, and that means that there will be lots of photo-taking. Help Mom look (and feel!) her very best with GoSmile's deluxe package.

The Mistura Ultimate 6-in-1 Beauty Solution Kit is one our store's best-sellers - and for good reason! The Ultimate kit includes everything your mother will need to give her skin a youthful, healthy glow. The kit comes with moisturizer, beauty solution compact and a Vitamin E moisture stick that are all hypo-allergenic and fragrance free.

For more great gift ideas, please consult our website or call our Customer Service department toll-free at 1-888-833-4247.

Our Mobile Wesbite Has Launched

Press Release: Fabove Launches Mobile Website

As a part of our continuing efforts to make information available to a wider
customer base, Fabove has launched a mobile version of its website that will
allow users to  access the Fabove website more easily on their BlackBerrys,
iPhones, Androids and other small-screen mobile devices.

People are increasingly using mobile devices to access the internet and
Fabove's mobile website will enable more users to quickly get to Fabove's
most recent product information and conveniently make orders on their smartphones.

The mobile website's content is organized under four main tabs. The first,
Category, which allows users to browse the brands and all categories of products; the second, On Sale, which provides our sale & clearance items, coupon codes and special offers; and the third and fourth, Basket and Checkout, which provide users easy access to proceed to checkout once they are ready to place an
order.

The mobile website of Fabove.ca automatically detects the device and
displays the mobile version on iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, Windows Phone
7, and Android.

You can access the mobile site directly at the same address,
www.fabove.ca, using your smartphone.

For more information, please e-mail info@fabove.ca or call our Customer Service department at 1-888-833-4247.

Review & Win ... March Winner

Congratulations Megan from Toronto! Your review of the Babyliss Bambino hair dryer has won you a FITI Hair Styling Kit. To claim your prize, please email our Customer Service department (using the same email account you used when you wrote the review).

Megan purchased a Babyliss Pro Bambino Nano-Titanium Mini Travel Hairdryer. The Pro Bambino is a small, compact dryer with universal voltage. It has many of the same great features of all full-size dryer including 2 speed and 2 heat settings, a removable filter, nozzle, diffuser and 6 foot power cord with hang loop.

Megan was pleasantly surprised with her purchase, and loved the results. Here's what she wrote -

"It is much more excellent than I thought! It is so small and light-weighted, yet drying hair so quickly without causing itself [to become] hot at all. The most important thing is that my hair is shiny and smooth and I don't even need a comb. Its performance is way better than the large heavy Conair 1875W regular sized hairdryer I was using everyday, and I decided to make this one both my everyday & travel choice!"

Thanks for your review Megan! We're glad you're happy with your new dryer.

Our Review & Win contest is still running. For your chance to win a FITI Hair Styling Kit (including iron and pouch) all you have to do is submit a product review. For full contest details, please consult our website.