The dollar's most recent rally has been making news, but for those of us still in need of more bang for our beauty buck now, we've rounded up some tips to recession-proof your beauty routine.

Beauty bond

Consumers who purchased makeup or skin care from brands such as M.A.C., Clinique, Prescriptives and even fragrances like CK Be, Eternity, and Chanel No. 5 between May 29, 1994, and July 16, 2003, may have bought themselves a beauty bond of sorts.

That's because a class-action lawsuit for price-fixing was filed against major department stores including Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Lord & Taylor, among others. The suit was settled way back in 2004 but shortly consumers will receive $175 million worth of cosmetics (beginning in January 2009). To claim your goods, $25 in free products per person, you'll be asked to fill out a claim form stating that you purchased the covered products during the specified time frame and that you are a U.S. resident. Those eligible will receive $25 in free products on a first- come, first-served basis.

Here's how our most recent PrettyCity staff meeting went.

One rogue, not-to-be-named PrettyCity employee volunteers to plan the pow-wow. She then announces that the PC staff meeting will be held at Sheila Kelley's S Factor Chicago, the Hubbard Street destination renowned for its saucy dance classes-- think pole dancing and lap dancing. Some of the PrettyCity women are thrilled (another not-to-be-named staffer is an S Factor regular) and others are dragged, kicking and screaming, out of their comfort zones. (It's a mandatory meeting!)

When we arrive at S Factor we're asked to check our judgments at the door and welcomed into a spacious, softly lit studio that noticeably lacks the floor to ceiling mirrors we anticipated. The class begins, the music cranks up; suddenly we're sweatin' and having much more fun than anticipated. Not at all awkward, the deliciously saucy S Factor workout hurts so good that several PrettyCity staffers are newly addicted. We'd be remiss if we didn't insist that you try it as well; the only thing you have to lose is that little belly and your inhibitions. Trust us, you won't miss 'em.

Beauty in color is PrettyCity's monthly beauty column aimed at reviewing products, highlighting color trends, and focusing on the hair care and skin care needs of women of color.

Let's face it. All blemishes cannot be camouflaged as a beauty mark. I'm pretty adamant about maintaining a regular beauty routine, but when Mother Nature takes its course, it seems as if there is nothing in this pretty world I can do to stop an ugly blemish.

There are many benefits, as well as caveats to having darker skin. And, one problem we women of color struggle with, specifically, is hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation (or inconsistent coloring of the skin) is the result of the pigment-producing melanin forming excess deposits of color in the skin. Exposure to the sun can exacerbate hyper pigmentation by causing these darkened areas to become even more pronounced.

What do Jessica Biel, Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew Barrymore have in common? They all love the Sonya Dakar Fitness Facial. Known as "Hollywood's Fairy Skin Mother," Sonya Dakar is the skin care secret of a mile long list of red carpet style setters.

Not an easy find in Chicago, A+ Skin Care has brought this L.A. beauty brand and its signature treatments to Old Town. And while Ms. Paltrow might pay $175 for the Fitness Facial or UltraLuxe Facial, ChicagoBeauties take 50% off the price of either of these treatments or any other Facial offered at A+ Skin Care.