Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York

David Dean, a former account executive for a breast implant manufacturer, witnessed his mother suffer at the hands of two unqualified plastic surgeons, including one who painfully misplaced an implant after her breast cancer reconstruction and another who severed a major facial nerve. After his mother’s tragic experience, David became inspired to create a web-based destination that would hold plastic surgeons to a higher standard, as well as act as an unbiased educational resource for women considering breast augmentation and reconstruction.

This is when he began www.Breastimplants411.com. Breastimplants411.com was designed to help consumers make informed decisions about plastic surgery as well as find and research only those plastic surgeons who have achieved the highest level of certification – Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Celebrities have long used their clout and visibility to promote products that they love just as marketers and publicists have leveraged star power to help promote their products. Suzanne Summers could be considered the ur-marketer of the stars from the Thigh Master to protein shakes. But her current project, a book about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has more than a few people worried.

The book, though, has raised the hormone levels of at least seven medical doctors. The doctors — three of whom are quoted in the book — generally support the concept of bioidentical hormone therapies but say that too little research has been done to assure that they are safe.

Further, they are outraged that Ms. Somers endorses a treatment plan created by T. S. Wiley, a former actress with no formal medical training.

They continued, “The so-called ‘protocols’ endorsed and promulgated throughout the book may expose women to serious health dangers.”

This all raises plenty of medical questions certainly but more urgently it questions how we as consumers should trust and interact with celebrity spokespeople. While we can all agree that Ms Summers looks just as good as always do we attribute this to her "juice of youth" or to her new makeup artist? There are so many factors that go into our perception of celebrities from our thoughts on their most recent relationship to our idea how how one should conduct oneself in public that all ultimately influence whether or not we take their advice. And when this perception comes up against troubling medical evidence then it is worth questioning our motives indeed.

Beauty Bloggers are welcome, space is limited! Bloggers outside of of the NYC area can register for advanced media kit to be sent day after the event.

In honor of the launch, Pierce Mattie Public Relations is hosting a cocktail party in her honor. In a true celebration of beauty, grace and style, Jane Iredale's GLOBAL BEAUTY event will highlight style influences from Cleopatra to Beyonce in the event of the year! We invite you to share in this iconic celebration. To RSVP, please contact Lauren Branche or Ivy Cartagena at 212/243.1431

This week, I flew to New York to meet with editors at top national magazines such as Allure, Teen Vogue, Seventeen, and Town & Country. Not surprisingly, each editor’s look corresponded closely with the style of the magazine that she worked for. For example, the beauty editor at Teen Vogue looked like she was in fact in her teens and the beauty editor from Jane Magazine had an alternative look accomplished by an oversized dress paired with chunky boots and topped off with two long messy braids.

Although the personal style of each editor differed, they all had one thing in common: dark nails. During the past two months, dark nails have once again become the "it" nail polish. The front runner and my personal favorite is OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark, a dark purple shade that almost passes for black. There are two rules to follow with dark nails to look stylish instead of Goth. First, keep nails short. Second, fill in chips immediately. If you like the dark polish look, jump on the band wagon quick because a trend that has caught on so quickly is sure to fall out of style just as fast.

Jane Iredale recently launched Global Beauty; mineral makeup colors that are geared towards ethnic skin tones. The above video, exclusively from Jane Iredale, gives step by step instructions on how to apply her products, and the benefits, for an African American woman.

Today I had the chance to get some input regarding the obstacles that African American women face when it comes to makeup and representation in the marketplace. You can read my post with Patrice from the blog Afrobella and Lianne from The Makeup Girl exclusively on Makeup Minute.

"Antonio was seen as more of an alpha male. The brand was more keen to have a personality which meant more to US audiences."

Strike Two for Edelman PR as Their Second Fake Wal-mart Blog is Revealed, via B.L. Ochman's What's Next blog

WallStrip, via Repliqa is a RocketBoom format web-show that profiles a different public company on the stock exchange every day .

Sofia Speaks The face (errrr cartoon illustration) of the Holy Mud Company rants about beauty, fashion, art, pop culture and...Politics!

Next Generation Insights (Young Adult Panel) The panel itself is informative, the technology (video tag) is cool too.

I cannot believe that it is almost Halloween. Fall seems to be flying by. My children announced to me today what characters they are going to be to go out trick or treating. My 2 year old wants to be Superman, my 4 year old is going to be Buzz Lightyear and my 7 year old is going to be a Power Ranger.

Power Ranger? Are they even still around? I thought that was ancient history, so I inquired further why he would want to be a Power Ranger this year. I was surprised at his answer. You see, the Blue Power Ranger has “built in” muscles in the costume. My son, fully aware that there are a few girls at school that have a crush on him, wants to have muscles.

Ever since the new initiative in schools to keep kids healthy and fit across the US, I’ve noticed my two older sons wanting to exercise more and eat, “Sports Candy.” For those of you who are not familiar with the fitness superhero on Nickelodeon keenly named “Sportacus,” Sports Candy is fruits and vegetables. The school no longer allows parents to send any type of junk food in with their child for snack, the lunch menu is a healthy one and all children are required to run 26 miles before the end of the school year.

With all of these new programs in place to get kids back on the right track of being healthy and fit and carrying that over into the teens years and through adulthood, one would begin to wonder why beauty and fashion magazines still continue to create flawless superficial images of fit bodies and beautiful faces in their pages. Why continue to create this image of beauty that is unattainable (and sometimes the reason behind many eating disorders)? Some companies are catching on and understanding the issue.

The new commercial being seen in Canada by Dove is a real eye opener. I surely hope that it will be seen here for all teen and pre-teens to see. I've been noticing more and more commercials by Dove with their Campaign for Real Beauty to show not just underweight beauty queens, but real normal average women. Have you noticed this, as well?

While I fully support the new school initiative in my school district to get kids healthy and fit, I hope that beauty and fashion magazines can put Photoshop to rest, showing us that a true healthy and fit person of beauty needs no airbrushing. I realize that this may never go away, but certainly it would be nice to tone it down a bit. In fact, in their October and November issue, Marie Claire has an article called Beauty Road Show. It's where they photograph women of all ages and races, cross-country, and ask them what they love about themself. The photo's are fabulous, representing real women everywhere.

What are your thoughts on body image and the media and the new healthy schools initiative?

Growing up an athlete, or what most might call a tomboy, I never had much time for beauty, my face cleansing regiment consisted of soap and water. As I have gotten older, I find myself experimenting with many different types of skincare products. As a result, I have discovered that my skin is very sensitive to most products on the market.

What really appeals to me about Skingenic is the infusion of the lychee extract, which the company has patented. Lychee fruit, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia, is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin C and potassium, which are all essential for health.

We all hear about the richest and most powerful people in the country, but one of them always seems to stand out. Not only is Oprah Winfrey one of the most powerful people in the entertainment industry, but she’s also one of the most generous. Always finding a way to share her wealth with others, she has just given away over $300,000 to her audience in what she calls her “favorite giveaway ever.”

Every year around Christmas, Oprah does a “favorite things” show in which she gives her lucky audience members hundreds of dollars worth of items that she’s fond of at the moment- goodies from last year’s show included Burberry coats and purses, iPods, UGG boots, Ralph Lauren sweaters, watches, and blackberries, as well as her favorite croissants, popcorn and cookie dough. In other shows, Oprah has given away cars, homes, vacations, eliminated debt, and paid medical bills for those who are less fortunate.

However, this most recent giveaway is unlike anything she’s done before. On Monday’s show, Oprah gave more than 300 audience members $1,000 debit cards sponsored by Bank of America for them to donate to a charitable cause of their choice. The surprised recipients have the choice of either giving the entire sum to one person (relatives not included) or splitting the money amongst several charitable causes.

On the show, Oprah said “You're going to open your hearts, you're going to be really creative, and you're going to spend it all at once on one stranger or spend a dollar on every person. Imagine the love and kindness you can spread with $1,000”. What a great message to spread, Oprah- using your wealth and influence to help others in need is one of the kindest things you can do.

I have been in the beauty industry for about 12 years and doing beauty pr for about 7 years. And in all of my years of experience with press releases especially those that that go out on the wire I have never ever seen one as damaging as the one that Russ Fons PR in Las Vegas ran today about their client; National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation (NTEF) and their opinion on Clarins Cosmetics. You can view the horrific release here.

In this release the NTEF states in great detail on the extensive damage and misleading labels of the Clarins brand, so they claim.

What’s odd though is that John Sheppard the director of the foundation states that you are putting your health at risk if you use these products. I don’t know about you but I see a huge lawsuit taking place from Clarins. I am sure executives at Clairns are beyond miffed about this release. What’s even odder is that all of the ingredients used by Clarins are found in most other top selling brands. One would assume that NTEF is crucifying Clarins based on a personal agenda and not on logic.

However was John Sheppard not aware that Clarins recently acquired Kibio an organic skin care manufacture who has gone into negotiations on creating new products together? I posted about this on my other blog a few weeks back. You can view that post here.

Life Clever (tips fro design & life) by Chanpory Rith: 5 Writing Tips That Don't Suck (via) Copyblogger

A PR Guru's Musings: Q&A on innovations in public relations

John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing "Longs for a good publicity stunt"

BusinessWeek.com: Wal-Mart: A "Reputation Crises" The giant retailer has been trying hard to improve its image and reignite sales

Idea Grove: Introducing Spin Thicket: Media Orchard "Easier way to keep up with the news"

Eric Eggertson:
Mutually Inclusive PR and Strumpette: Backlash Against Crayon's Second Life Launch

Still warming up to Second Life? I am asked about it almost daily and wanted to get some basic info posted for those friends who read our blog consistently. Backstory is here. Follow the links.

New World Notes

From April 2003 to February 2006, I was a contract writer for Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, primarily hired by the company to cover SL as an embedded journalist in an emerging society-- its controversies, its personalities, its innovations and ambitions, along with larger themes of identity, social norms and organization, and cultural expression important to online worlds in general.

That contractual relationship has ended, but the story continues here. -Wagner James Au

Second Thoughts Do's and Dont's for Big Business.

"Every human being is interested in two kinds of worlds: the Primary, everyday world which he knows through his senses, and a Secondary world or worlds which he not only can create in his imagination, but which he cannot stop himself creating." W.H. Auden

Second Life Herald The Second Life Herald was founded on October 23, 2003, by philosophy professor Peter Ludlow. Its mission, as described the next day, was to observe, record and study "the legal, social, and economic implications" of life in the virtual world. Originally established as the Alphaville Herald and reporting for the most part on life on the Alphaville server of The Sims Online, the Herald soon branched out into coverage of other massively multiplayer online games and virtual worlds -- helped along by the murder of Herald publisher Urizenus (Ludlow's avatar) after Electronic Arts got wind of the stories the newspaper was printing about the scams and cyber-prostitution that were taking place within its game, and the company's indifference to reports of real-world violence.

From around the blogosphere, here is what everyone is talking about:

From those who live for Fashion:

Kristopher Dukes is talking about the Christian Louboutin Ankle Boot (that seem vaguely familiar from that of my youth).

The Bag Snob shows you a great little black dress for the Holiday's.

The Budget Fashionista exposes Isaac Mizrahi's Holiday 2006 line at Target.

From those who live for Beauty:

The Mineral Makeup Blog reviews Monave Mineral Cosmetics.

Hello Dollface discusses her review of Scott Barnes Beauty.

Beautiful Makeup Search lets you know that Covergirl Outlast, outlasts them all.

From those who live for all things perfume:

The Scented Salamander talks about Eau D'Italie Le Sirenuse Positano's Italian land and history's inspired scents.

Perfume Critic reviews Tom Ford's Black Orchid.

Indie Perfumes discusses the upcoming movie "Perfume, the Story of a Murderer."

Do you know of a great beauty, fashion, jewelry or perfume blog that deserves a little attention in the Weekend Pulse? Post me a comment so I can check them out!

"Because there are things women need to know about breast implants and augmentation." For more information, please visit www.Breastimplants411.com

Cast Your Vote
(1). Size: 32 A
(2). Size: 32 B
(3). Size: 34 B
(4). Size: 34 C
(5). Size: 36 C
(6). Size: 36 D

Any woman can tell you the color and scent of a Victoria’s Secret store. Branding a business by color has been around forever, branding a business by scent deliberately is a rather new practice.

We have become inundated with never ending commercials, advertisements, pop-ups and infomercials, smart, progressive businesses realize that the use of scent is another way to make their business or brand not only stand out, but be remembered and associated with a certain positive experience or product.

While color may be an easy branding tool and will surely distinguish you from your competitors, such as that yummy, chocolate brown trademarked as "UPS Brown", scent can be a little touchier. Scent can either turn someone away or reel them in. It's a scientific fact that women are attracted to an ever so slight smell of skunk. Too much, and they are repulsed. Repulsion can be a good thing if your an international airport and you need to clear a building fast. Scents of danger need no interpretation. The scent of coffee can calm people, the new car smell increases sales of vehicles, Victoria’s Secret puts you in the mood the minute you walk into their store with the scent of a woman (or a man in drag) that remind you of romance and desire. Pierce Mattie's Media Oasis has a branded scent, complete with a high tech scent delivery system. Scents that relax you and put you in the mood to shop can increase a businesses bottom line.

What’s the latest trend in skin care? Serums, lotions and sprays that contain water straight from thermal springs. Like most of us, Arlene Miller likes to put her best face forward. But last year a bout of stubborn, dry skin sent her straight to the doctor’s office. "I didn't know what to do. I felt like I was flaking," said Miller. Arlene tried everything to get her skin to return to it’s regular, baby soft state. "I tried different cosmetic products, but it was too much work involved," she said. With little to no results, finally, her dermatologist recommended a daily regimen of serums, sprays and creams made with something new – thermal water from heated springs.

• Beyond VC, By Ed Sim: Consumers want instant gratification, Google ran a user test where users wanted more search results. Surprisingly, traffic and revenue dropped by 20% and what Marissa discovered was that load times for less searches was .4 seconds and load times with more searches was .9 seconds. Despite the fact that users really wanted more results, in the end, according to Marissa and Greg, speed matters.

• Cool Hunting, a well known Trend site has had it's 4th site redesign: Here are a few new features we hope you’ll find useful:

* Added lots of date-based navigation, including an all thumbnail month view
* Improved the display of related stories
* Added a keyword navigator on the left side of the screen where you can view common, recent and random keywords
* Added individual author pages
* Brought back weekly Cool Hunting emails in addition to daily emails

• Media 2.0: Media+Marketing Business Trend Links. He has a nice collection of posts and a freaky "fleshtalker" Sitepal that I'm sure Scott over at Media Orchard would approve of. It blinks it's eyes! Creepy... but the links are a must read!

• Brand Autopsy, by John Moor. Bad Profits Dissected

MenEssentials President, James Whittall has some helpful advice for hairy men who want to be smooth all over and shave like a man: This may surprise you, but at least one-sixth of the search engine referrals we receive each month are for men — ordinary guys, like you and me — who want information on how to shave their privates.

Squirm all you like. There's an immense subculture of eroticists who claim a bald bag makes for better sex. Indeed, when I went online to research this subject, I counted no less than a dozen serious human sexuality web sites with entire sections devoted to the art of sensual shaving.

Unfortunately, few of these resources offers tips on how to safely and hygienically perform this most delicate of procedures. Never one to shrink (pun intended) from the outrageous, I hereby offer my thoughts on the subject.

A Disclaimer
Personally, I think genital shaving is ill advised. A botched job can lead to intense irritation or, worse, permanent falsetto. Don't say I didn't warn you.

And a Warning
If you have sensitive skin that ordinarily reacts to shave creams or gels, then do not ever shave your pubic area or testicles. This region is much more sensitive than your face. Your allergic reaction could be spectacular.

Hey, being a pregnant wife and mother I can use all the self esteem boosters I can get! Heck, leave a comment on one of my posts and I'll cry with excitement! The last thing this baby-maker expects is to be complimented on are my eyebrows, but that is just what happened to me yesterday. I always tweeze my eyebrows, so it is not like I am going from having a unibrow (eww) to something fabulous, I just take for granted that they are there on my face and haven’t thought much of them. Until yesterday when I used Jane Iredale’s Super-Shape Me Eyebrow Kit in Brunette.

I was sitting at a table talking to some friends, when another friend I had only just seen days earlier, approached me. She looked me in the eyes very seriously and said, “I have got to tell you, your eyebrows look amazing.” A little dumbfounded by this first time eyebrow compliment, I smiled and thanked her. The experience has made me a Jane Iredale evangelist! It feels sooo good to get complements, told you I was hard up! Back to my friend, she asked me what I had done different since she had seen me a few days prior. I matter of factly told her that I learned great eyebrow shaping tips from my friend Elke and that I also just started using jane’s eyebrow kit.

What is Beauty? Many great visionaries, writers, poets, philosophers, and artists have tried to express in words or in images the meaning of beauty. These thoughts are rich in the wisdom they express and they resonate with each of us differently.

Man makes holy what he believes, as he makes beautiful what he loves. -Ernest Renan

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched ... but are felt in the heart. -Helen Keller

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. -John Keats

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. -Khalil Gibran

Beauty is not real. Beauty only exists in perception. -Unknown

Working in the beauty industry, our attention can be so focused on making the external beautiful - skin creams, lotions, lipsticks, mascara, hair extensions, serums, masks, gels, and the list can go on and on. These are products that help us feel beautiful, improve our looks, accentuate the positive, and give us confidence.

Women frequently struggle with how to integrate their external and internal beauty, and with all of the mass market imaging and airbrushed celebrity role models, it hasn’t been easy. But the times they are a changin’ and one of the foremost trends today is beauty integration. What does this mean? It means that women are more comfortable than ever with themselves and their looks. It means that when they purchase beauty products, they want them to look, taste, sound, and smell good - and the products must feel great on both the outside and the inside. External beauty has become experiential, it has become customized, it has become inclusive, and it has become multi-dimensional.

Being that as a nation we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving, a truly national holiday, meant for everyone, also integrative and inclusive, I suggest that we be thankful for how the meaning of beauty is growing to include what makes us feel good on the inside. Internal and authentic beauty will always remain rooted in our hearts, in our spirits, and in our ability to share ourselves with others unselfishly. Happy Holidays!

• Personal Care Appliances - Global Strategic Business Report : This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Personal Care Appliances in Thousands of Units.

• Spinduggery, The Flack: Peter Himler posts about Jeff Jarvis' snarky comment insinuating PR professionals have dishonesty in their DNA. Jeff Jarvis, being the 'spin'-ster he is, should love the quote "you can’t polish a turd."

• KFC Logo Relaunch - From Space, Near Area 51: I know all of you are saying "I thought of that months ago." Ever since Google launched satellite imagery on its maps, I've wanted to pitch this idea to a client. While not the first, KFC is doing it on a grand scale; a nice publicity stunt. For those of you who know my New York address, you can see me on the roof of my apartment building with my dogs, frozen in time from space.

• Loyalty VS. Advocacy CRM Lowdown: Most companies think that their job is done when they manage to convert a regular customer into a loyal customer. They tend to forget the guy because now ‘he can take care of himself.' Wrong! Once you’ve converted a customer, your job becomes even more difficult.

• Link Karma From The Copyblogger: 21 Surefire tips for a successful blog launch, 10 things to consider when choosing a site meter, and the five W's of great content.

• Hotels offer lots of freebies during winter (just not in New York City), The Mercury News: Winter travelers can take advantage of a number of hotel deals. Properties are offering free nights, free gift cards, special rates and other perks.

• How To Stop Comment Spam Without Lifting a Finger, Tubetorial: If you're a wordpress user, you have to visit tubetorial. Quick, easy-to-understand flash video - enjoy.

• The European Newspaper Design & Concept Awards Europe‘s most innovative newspaper 2006: Look and learn. This year, Europe’s best designed newspapers come from Belgium, Norway, Finland, Portugal and Spain. 287 newspapers from 26 countries participated in the eighth European Newspaper Award.

Lynn Krominga is injected with Botox, the muscle paralyzer used as a wrinkle reducer, at the SkinKlinic in New York on April 23, 2002. Cosmetic surgery is altering not just how people look but how they feel by changing perceptions of middle age, a study showed Monday.

Cosmetic surgery is altering not just how people look but how they feel by changing perceptions of middle age, a study showed Monday.

Global research group AC Nielsen surveyed people in 42 countries and found 60 percent of Americans, the world's biggest consumers of cosmetic surgery and anti-aging skincare, believe their sixties are the new middle age.

On a global scale, three out of five consumers believed forties was the new thirties.

"Our forties are being celebrated as the decade where we can be comfortable and confident in both personal and financial terms. The majority of global consumers really believe life starts at forty," AC Nielsen Europe President and CEO Frank Martell said.

But that doesn't mean they want to look their age.

Healthier eating, longer lifespans and higher disposable incomes have helped to hold back the years. However, for many people the biggest boost is coming from the surgeon's scalpel, the survey found.

Microdermabrasion is a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that has been increasing in popularity in recent years. While many over the counter brands are now offering their products for the purpose of Microdermabrasion, it is still best to have the treatment done by a skincare professional and/or using the products developed by one.

While simply exfoliating your skin is something you should be doing on a weekly basis, Microdermabrasion is a more effective treatment to treat fine lines, crow’s feet and acne scars. It’s use of a polishing your skin with crystals to resurface your skin is a safe alternative to chemical procedures and can be successfully done on all skin types. This resurfacing of the top layer of skin removes the dead skin cells and helps with the regenerating of new skin cells. With this top layer of dead skin cells removed, application of lotions and creams are more effective at moisturizing your skin. Most treatments can be done in 30-60 minutes and do require several follow up treatments. To maintain that healthy glow, maintenance treatments should also be done.

Dermalogica on Montana offers exfoliating treatments like Microdermabrasion. As with any skin treatment you are considering, you should first be seen by a skin care professional to ensure that this is the correct treatment for you. Dermalogica offers Face Mapping in which licensed Dermalogica skin therapists analyze your skin from forehead to collarbone, identifying potential problems, unique needs, and how to treat them professionally. Face Mapping only takes 10 minutes and is free.

Take an inside look into a Skin Treatment Pod at Dermalogica on Montana (the brands flagship store):

For a while there, the smoky eye done in grays, silvers and blacks was all the rage, but now there is a new smoky eye look emerging. According to Celebrity Makeup Artist, Elke von Freudenberg, coppers, shimmering browns and soft grays are the new way to do the smoky eye. I have to admit, that I like both, but find the colors for the new smoky eye will really bring out my hazel eye color.

Elke notes that the “new” smoky eye has a focus on the crease while playing up the brow. As compared to the “old” smoky eye look, where black was on the lid, this new look has softer colors on the lid and along the brow bone with the dark colors being the main focus of the crease.

Many of my beauty blog readers know that I am a fan of NYX Cosmetics. So I looked to their collection of eye shadows to find the ones that would best suit this new look. For the soft grays, some great choices from the Single Eye Shadow line are Alaska, Odyssey and Star. For coppers from the Single Eyeshadow line is Copper and from the Chrome Eye Shadow line Oro and Java. For the browns, Walnut from the Loose Pearl Collection and the Trio of Sahara, Suede and Chocolate.

Holiday Make Up Tips Sponsored By Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics

The key to any good makeup application is in the brush you use. For this smoky eye look you should use NYX’s Eyeshadow Brush #4, Eye Angle Brush and Contour Dome Brush.

You can listen to Elke’s podcast on Odeo.com for her tips on the technique of achieving the new smoky eye and while listening, be sure to check out the fabulous shades of color on NYXCosmetics.com.

With only 7 days left until Christmas, I hope you can squeeze in checking out these fine blogs in your frantic shopping downtime:

Fashion:

+ Flavour Comes First! (Extra Tasty) gives a great analysis on potential transparency in the fashion industry.

+ Phosphene Fashion spotlights designer Jayson Brunsdon.

+ She Knows Best offers some tips on how to wear socks that are not your typical black or white…without looking like a clown.

Beauty:

+ Blogdorf Goodman gives us her run through of her experience of a Nars makeover.

+ Beauty Jones reviews C.O. Bigelow’s Soothing Lip Buffer.

+ Fab Sugar gives you her top three choices for mild makeup removers (something I have been on the hunt for myself!)

I hope you all had a beautiful and fashionable Holiday; here’s to an even better New Year.

Fashion:

+ BGlam wonders if Marc Jacobs pairing socks with sandals is just an attention grabber or a true trend come Spring.

+ fashion inc. shows us one of the newest Spring outfit arrivals at Old Navy. (The outfit looks super comfortable and I love the handbag too!)

+ Girlawhirl gives some details about Nan Kemper’s “American Chic” exhibit at The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY.

Beauty:

+ The Beauty Hatchery gives us some ideas for dressing up our lashes for your New Year’s Eve party.

+ Bit by the Beauty Bug discusses the hassles of returning cosmetics. Be sure to read the New York Times Article she mentions in a follow up post.

+ The Beauty Addict is being complimented on her undereye and it’s due to Relastin Eye Silk.

A few nights ago I was watching a show regarding “Pumping Parties.” I was really quite blown out of the water when hearing about these parties and how they continue to increase in popularity despite the inherent risks. A pumping party is when you are invited to a host’s home and everyone is injected with silicone in the parts of the body they want to see rapid results. They pay hundreds of dollars to the injectee, who has no medical training, versus the sometimes costly price of plastic surgery and Botox. Many see this as an easier and less costly way to obtain pseudo plastic surgery results.

Pumping parties have been around for a while (and are illegal), but as the demand for physical perfection continues to daunt us, the popularity of these parties increases. What many people attending these parties don’t understand is that silicone injected that is not medical grade or done by a board certified plastic surgeon, is just plain deadly. Silicone that is injected improperly travels through the bloodstream and causes blood to coagulate in the lungs, creating circulatory obstructions that can be immediately life-threatening if not identified and treated quickly according to the Radiological Society of North America. The imaging findings of pulmonary silicone embolism include dark, hazy patches in the lung tissue on x-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans.

If you are invited to a pumping party, please know the risks involved. While your results may be immediate and the price tag associated with it may be attractive, any cosmetic procedures should be done soley by a plastic surgeon. While you may be saving yourself some money in the short-term, isn’t your long term overall health priceless?

If you are going to a party or out on the town this weekend, of course you want to shine. To show how to add that sizzle to your outfit like the stars do, Dawn Yanek, editor-at-large at Life & Style Weekly magazine shared these tip with us.

Glittery drops:

• 14K white gold diamond earrings (2.02 carats), Endless Diamond Collection, $2,544 at Macy's, Zales and several independent jewelers nationwide.
• Bakers, $14, Bakers stores nationwide
• Express, $22.50, Express stores nationwide. For help finding an Express store, click here.
• Aqua, $28, Bloomingdales stores nationwide, or try Bloomingdales.com

John gets a car for his 16th birthday, while Vanessa gets a nose job. Sound unrealistic? It’s not and it’s a growing trend among the youth of our country and abroad. Actually, the high holidays are when most of these procedures are done so be on the lookout for very refreshed and well rested teen with effervescent perkiness! Plastic surgery as birthday gifts and graduation presents; what used to be reserved for adults and cosmetic purposes, slowly creeped into the world of those under 18. It began with microdermabrasion and facial peels to help with severe acne, then breast augmentation in respect to reductions or leveling out unevenness, but now has turned into something teens do “just for fun.”

The problem with teens is in how casual they take plastic surgery and do not understand the risks, or are mature enough to handle change or even worse, severe complications. In regards to maturity, most teens want the perfect nose, perfect breasts or to lose the extra pounds simply because they see their Photoshopped idols in a magazine and want to be just like them. Teens see plastic surgery as a quick fix.

The most sought after plastic surgeries for teens are liposuction, breast augmentation and rhinoplasty. The issue young teenage girls don’t take into consideration when opting to have the liposuction or breast implants is the obstacles later in life should they settle down and have a family. Such issues are not being able to breast feed if you have implants and the weight gain when you are pregnant which post-pregnancy may result in dimpling of your skin from liposuction. Should you be a candidate for bariatric surgery in your late teens, getting pregnant means that all of the nutrition goes directly to the baby and little to the mother, which then requires close monitoring and possible health risks.

Education of the risks, both short and long term, as well as the emotional changes are things that need to be discussed at length with a teen wanting to go under the knife.

Weight Watchers is sexing up their appeal featuring Jenny McCarthy in advertisements. Some people might struggle with the Playboy centerfold being a weight loss spokesperson and not some midwestern housewife, but those who are fans of Jenny know she's the real deal.

Early on in my public relations career, I worked in the PR department at Weight Watchers International. I was thrilled when word had broke that Jenny had attended Weight Watchers meetings and lost all of her baby weight on the program. I prayed I'd get to work with Jenny, but unfortunately celebrity contracts take forever and by the time it closed I had moved on. I've heard many people bashing Jenny saying that "she was never fat" but photographs don't lie and I've personally seen the pictures of her when she was nearly 200 lbs. and yes she was certainly heavy to say the least. However, SHE WAS PREGNANT and should be heavy.

All and all, I say good for you Jenny. She lost weight naturally and not overnight. It took her 6 months to do it and is making and an old diet new again. Most young women look at Weight Watchers as an old fashioned "mom" diet, but it's truly not. Its a lifestyle change based on scientific research and works wonders if you do it correctly. No pills, no gimics, just eat healthy and exercise. Way to go Jenny for spreading a good message.

It's finally beginning to look like winter. Here are some great blog reads for those of you staying warm inside.

Fashion:

+Golden Globes Celebrity Fashion Video Look Book, on the Pierce Mattie Fashion Division blog. Quick visual reference of what the starts were wearing and an idea of what will be worn for the Oscars.

+ The Ghetto Fashionista reports that Isaac Mizrahi will be returning to his couture roots. Well we all know how I feel about Mr. Mizrahi, so I look forward to see what his new line will be.

+ She Finds tells you how you can “Pimp my shoes” with Steve Madden’s new DIY Collection.

+ Kingdom of Style caves in and purchases a knock-off Chloe dress; her post title? “Forgive me Fashion for I have sinned.” I love a sense of humor like that.

Beauty:

+ The Glamour Bee reveals that she has Type 2 Diabetes and has a very interesting post about a program called DivaBetics founded by Luther Vandross’s personal assistant. This is a great post and one that everyone should read!

+ Beautiful Makeup Search reviews Max Factor’s newest mascara, Volume Couture (of which I am a big fan myself).

+ Claire’s Beauty reviews Everyday Minerals.

Karen A. Newman is Editor in Chief of Global Cosmetic Industry magazine. Global Cosmetic Industry magazine is the business and marketing magazine read by cosmetic, fragrance and personal care product manufacturers and brand owners who look to the publication for the strategies behind the industry success stories. Karen also writes GCI's blog called Beauty Union.

Where do you see cosmetic packaging trends in color cosmetics going in 2007?
One interesting trend we see is in making it easier to apply makeup. Applicators are being refined to meet a very specific purpose for everything from foundation to eyeliner. The new lipstick packaging from Cargo is a hint of what’s to come in recyclable packaging.

What popular scents are being used in fragrances for 2007?
Among recent releases, a broad range of floral and citrus scents are represented, as are musk, sandalwood and patchouli.

Which brands do you seem to get the most press releases about?
We get a lot of press releases from professional beauty brands – and mostly hair care. We hear regularly from Pureology and Thermafuse as well as Graham Webb International, ISO and Joico, but we hear from a wonderfully broad selection of marketers in every category – and we never get tired of hearing about the new things companies are doing. There’s a lot of passion in the beauty industry.

What do you think was the best product launch of 2006?
There were a few that I especially liked. The Yves Saint Laurent Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation offers a built in brush, which speaks to the packaging trend question. Freeze 24/7’s Ice Shield Facial Cleanser with SPF 15 is interesting because it is the first product to commercialize a new delivery system that helps ingredients such as sunscreens bond with the skin so they can be left behind after cleansing. John Frieda’s Luminous Color Glaze puts a salon treatment into at-home use at a mass price.

Any changes taking place for GCI in 2007, editorial content, advisory board, etc.?
We introduced a new editorial advisory board at the end of 2006. This is exciting for us as it is a great group of industry professionals who are going to help us create content that is smart and spot on for our readers. The group includes: Roger Caracappa, The Estee Lauder Companies; Beth Ann Catalano, twist.new.brand.venture; Peter Gallagher, Unilever; Liz Grubow, LPK; Tina Hedges, twist.new.brand.venture; Camille McDonald, Bath & Body Works; Debbie Murtha, Macy’s Merchandising Group; Art Rich, A. Rich Development; Marc Rosen, Marc Rosen Associates; and Laura Setzfand, The Hain Celectial Group Personal Care Division. We’re really excited to be working with this stellar group!

Do you see the faux botox craze stopping?
I don’t see it stopping as long as consumers can find products that give them the temporary smoothing they are looking for.

Here is your top 10 color predictions from Anne Telford from New York Fashion Week. Heidi Klum says, that in fashion "one day you're in, the next day you're out" but when it comes to colors- their popularity shifts with the cultural winds. Colors come into prominence from decade to decade driven by influence ranging from the state of economy to world politics and cultural phenomena- these factors examined by the color experts, and the prism through which they are viewed is the world of fashion.

New York fashion designers are flourishing in a season of new beginnings, using surprising neutrals with innovative splashes of corals, yellows and purples to create a spring in bloom. Tarragon is the freshly cut stem to the blossoming shades of sweet Strawberry Ice, warm Golden Apricot and violet-infused Hollyhock. Café Crème is the rich, creamy contrast to the serenity of calming Sky Blue or the deliciousness of refreshing Grapemist.

The yellow glow of gleaming Green Sheen and the blushing beauty of diaphanous Silver Peony reflect the infusion of life brought by spring. While cool Frost Gray was an important presence in fall of '06, the newest neutral for spring is found in glimmering Opal Gray, providing the background to spring's multifaceted, complex brights that can make even the most basic silhouette come alive.

PANTONE 12-1206 Silver Peony C:3 M:13 Y:15 K:0	PANTONE 13-0648 Green Sheen C:13 M:5 Y:72 K:0
PANTONE 15-0326 Tarragon C:37 M:7 Y:60 K:0	PANTONE 16-3929 Grapemist C:57 M:28 Y:1 K:0
PANTONE Opal Gray C:34 M:21 Y:28 K:0	PANTONE 16 -1220 Café Crème C:19 M:38 Y:45 K:5
PANTONE 14-1041 Golden Apricot C:8 M:26 Y:70 K:0	PANTONE 16 -1720 Strawberry Ice C:1 M:56 Y:29 K:0
PANTONE 19-2924 Hollyhock C:55 M:97 Y:14 K:3	PANTONE 14-4318 Sky Blue C:45 M:9 Y:8 K:0

For more informations register at www.pantone.com or visit the fashion trendsetter color trends section.

Last year we saw many brands launching anti-wrinkle campaigns and going after the baby boomer market. Why not? After all, they were considered the largest demographic out there. However, we are only a month into 2007 and the tides are starting to change. Brands are beginning to turn their interests to the children of baby boomers and finding that they have money to spend with the potential for long-term brand loyalty.

This younger generation learned well from their mothers, I should know, my mother is 55 and I carefully paid attention to all of the brands she purchased throughout the years. I watched at how well my mother took care of her skin and in turn, I followed suit becoming a loyal customer to many brands. This is just what the beauty industry is betting on resonating throughout the 17-35 year old demographic.

Tarte Cosmetics, known for their fabulous Cheek Stains and double-ended lipgloss and BORBA, known for their all natural products and drinkable skin care, have come together for what is likely to become a trend among cosmetics companies this year. tarte Cosmetics has teamed up with BORBA to create their newest lip gloss set to launch in February called Inside Out. Inside Out is a vitamin-infused lipgloss that tarte calls a “double-duty” beauty product. It’s one that not only works on the outside of the body, but on the inside as well. The gloss works to soothe and hydrate your lips, while the nutraceutical blend delivers powerful skin care ingredients.

Scott Vincent Borba exclusively created the blend of vitamins for tarte’s Inside Out lipgloss. It is a combination of all natural ingredients from BORBA’s Clarifying, Age Defying and Replenishing lines. They include Acai & green tea extract which help strengthen capillary walls, reduce epidermal irritation and enhance skin’s clarity and radiance; Grape seed extract & Vitamin C which help accelerate production of natural elastin, protecting skin against free-radical damage & restore skin’s clarity, Vitamins A, E & K which act as antioxidants to give you that healthy glow, and Lychee extract promotes long-term skin hydration and chamomile extract soothes skin and helps to counteract redness. Inside Out comes in 3 colors; shimmery pale pink, hot pink and nude. Each gloss is 5.7oz. and is scented with pomegranate, the same scent as BORBA’s Clarifying Cotton Fibers.

They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. If this is the case, then Dove should surely be flattered as CoverGirl takes at stab at their rendition of using real women in their next advertising campaign to promote their new Queen Collection for women of color.

The Queen Collection inspired by CoverGirl’s spokesmodel of five years, Queen Latifah, was launched on January 29th at BB King Blues Club and Grill in NYC, the same day as the casting call for their ad campaign. The Queen Collection is CoverGirl’s newest line to be geared towards women of color, from Latina to African American. CoverGirl is joining the ranks of cosmetics companies promoting their products to this demographic such as Jane Iredale, whose Global Beauty line is also geared towards ethnic women.

CoverGirl will mimic Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty ads by using real women that may vary in ages from 18-48. The difference will be that these women will have an inspiring story about how they have achieved both inner and outer beauty, whether it was through a recent accomplishment, community service, overcoming an obstacle or standing up for something they were passionate about. The winner(s) will be announced in 2 weeks and will appear in the ad campaign slated for release in June.

Do you think CoverGirl’s use of real women of color will continue to bring a breath of fresh air to marketing campaigns or will it be seen as a Dove copycat?

As I’ve been gathering stories to write for both of our Beauty and Fashion blogs, I’ve been noticing something become more and more prominent in the news headlines: more companies are going green or collaborating with a green initiative. In 2006, we began to see this trend emerge, but it looked uncertain whether it would take off with the American public or not. Now as I try to write more diversified posts, it seems I can’t get away from writing about who is the next brand marketing green, therefore proving that this topic is not going away anytime soon.

Dave Morgan, at Media Post’s Online Spin, echoed my thoughts exactly today in an article he wrote, “Is Green The New Red, White And Blue?” He too wonders if green is just the “flavor of the month” or a defining element for US brands for years to come. Some of the recent brands I have been Blogging about have been Lancome and their collaboration with Carbonfund.org to reduce carbon foot printing, Diesel’s ad campaign that shows fashion in a post-Global Warming world and whose website encourages becoming involved in StopGlobalWarming.org and watching Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth,” as well as, H&M expanding upon their use of Organic Cotton in more of their clothing lines. I predict these will not be the only companies, or industries for that matter, that incorporate green into part of their branding.

Fashion:

+ Fashion Tribes interviews my very favorite designer, Isaac Mizrahi.

+ She She Me gives tips on the best types of shoes to wear with a pantsuit.

+ I like her Style introduces you fashion designer Lauren Moffatt. I admit her Fall 2006 collection was gorgeous!

Beauty:

+ Yummy 411 celebrates Black History Month with Black Opal.

+ The Dazzling Girl reviews The Body Shop Hi-Shine Lip Treatment.

+ Beaut.ie The Irish Beauty Blog discusses Dr. Hauschka products and why he tells you not to use night cream.

Fashion:

+ I am Fashion gives her review of the fashion that graced the Grammy Awards.

+ In My Bag gives her insight on some of the handbags in Zac Posen’s Fall 2007 line up.

+ Styleology 101 gives you some ideas on what products will brighten up your Spring this year.

Beauty:

+ The Organic Beauty Expert reviews Mixed Chicks Shampoo.

+ Scentzilla interviews David H. Pybus, author of "The Chemistry of Fragrances."

+ The Makeup Bag discusses the MAC makeup trends seen on the runway during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Congratulations to the many stylists, designers and publicists involved.

* Best Picture - The Departed
* Best Director - Martin Scorsese - The Departed
* Best Actor - Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
* Best Actress - Helen Mirren - The Queen
* Best Supporting Actor - Alan Arkin - Little Miss Sunshine
* Best Supporting Actress – Jennifer Hudson - Dream Girls
* Best Foreign Film - The Lives of Others

Fashion:

+ Chic Inspector inspects the color trend pop that was witnessed at many of the Fall 2007 fashion week shows.

+ Lady Licorice discusses and shows you the perfect layering pieces that you can wear now throughout Spring.

+ Cuffington discusses how that Audrey Hepburn dress that sold at auction for $807,000 has turned into more than “just a dress,” but a chance for 3000 children to receive the benefit of an education in India.

Beauty:

+ Legerdenez reviews Michael Kors Island.

+ Canadian Beauty reviews MD Skincare’s All in One Tinted Moisturizer.

+ Nail Tech Secrets reviews the Dashing Diva’s Extra Virgin Collection of nail polish.

Fashion:

+ Style Bubble lends her thoughts on the new Kate Moss for TopShop collection.

+ Debutante Clothing brings up the issue of Fashion Copyright, which goes along with what Jason Jobson and I have been discussing on The Fashion Rag.

+ Men’s Flair helps you find a pair of sunglasses for your face shape.

Beauty:

+ Beautynomics reviews Epoch’s Blemish Treatment.

+ Beauty Banter review’s Cleo Bath & Body products.

+ A Touch of Blusher discusses Spring/Summer’s newest trend: white eyeshadow.

Fashion:

+ Style Critic gives the lowdown on A.P.O.’s Personalized-Designer Jeans.

+ No good for me shows that eco-fashion can even be a pretty wood pulp dress.

+ Fashion & Style Tips gives advice from a fashion leader. Not only is this post so true, but it is quirky and quite possibly the best post I have read all week.

Beauty:

+ Canadian Beauty reviews Philosophy’s Sweet Coconut Body Butter.

+ The Makeup Girl gives you Tools 101, a short list of must-have tools to always keep in your makeup bag.

+ Beauty Pro: Check out my review on Kiss My Face’s Tighten Up Moisturizer.

Fashion:

+ The Fashion Rag: Check out an up and coming NYC Fashion Designer, Boaz David.

+ Second City Style gives us a Week in Review of Bad Celebrity Fashion.

+ Fashion I.Q. has compiled a list of the Top 50 Fashion Blogs.

Beauty:

+ Blog For Beauty reviews Max Factor’s Masterpiece Mascara.

+ Claire’s Beauty reviews various beauty products from Bourjois.

+ The Mineral Makeup Blog reviews Jane Iredale’s Liquid Minerals.

Once upon a time, there was a woman who had “a fright” because her hair and skin were not what she had wished for. If you’ve ever found yourself in this same predicament, and are ready for a fairytale makeover, get Cameron Diaz’s “Green Carpet” look with these natural/organic products from Kiss My Face.

1. Hold Up Styling Mousse is the must-have hair product for boosting volume and taming unruly flyaways. Just a pump or two is all you need to get perfectly coiffed locks. All this for just $8.00

2. 3wayColor is the natural way to give your eyes, cheeks and lips a splash of color. The mineral based stain comes in four shades – Amber, Dawn, Heather and Ruby – and won’t rub off, even if you have a hectic day running errands or rubbing elbows with Hollywood’s elite. Available for $9.00 each, you may even want to buy more than one.

3. Tinted Moisturizers, available in six shades to match virtually any skin tone, provides a natural, mineral-based foundation that will drench you skin with moisture while adding a hint of color. Retailing for $9.00, the flawless coverage will keep you camera ready.

4. Sugar Reef, part of Kiss My Face’s new Obsessively Organic Collection, is a luxurious organic sugar scrub that smoothes and polishes while the lush blend of vegetable butters and seaweed extract moisturizes and replenishes your skin. Afterwards, you may even want to wear a mini dress like the one Cameron sported at the premiere for Shrek the Third. And for only $16.00, you’ll have money left over for popcorn.

I’ve always had what you’d call a “fair” complexion. In fact, I can recall a day in fifth grade when a boy in my class asked me in all seriousness, “So, is your whole body that white?” Needless to say, I’ve done everything to achieve the rich, caramel tans that my peers continually flaunt before me, but in vain. From foams to lotions to sprays, home remedies to tanning salons, if it’s out there I’ve tried it and I finally came to the conclusion that the easiest way to turn my skin brown is to spend long periods of time in the exotic, we’re talking years, which isn’t exactly possible when you’re chained to a desk all day.

Well, yesterday, while sharing my woes with a co-worker, she handed me one of our clients’ instant spray-on tans, SunFX, a new product that is supposed to achieve a professional airbrush tan right in the privacy of your home. A little skeptical, I stuck the can in my purse promising her I would try it.

After work, I found myself in my shower, fully exfoliated, as suggested, and a little nervous. What if instead of turning me into a golden goddess, I had my own Lindsay Lohan mishap? I could definitely say goodbye to wearing skirts the rest of the week, which would be no trivial matter considering the 85 plus degree weather that has recently taken over Manhattan. Still, if it did work, I could finally wear that creme bubble skirt I’ve been dying to debut.

Taking a deep breath, I started spraying around my legs in continual motions as instructed. A little surprised by the amount of liquid that started dripping down my calves, I took a cloth and gently wiped away the excess. Once I made sure I was evenly covered, I examined my handiwork and felt surprisingly satisfied! As you can see from the picture below, the color looked even and smooth. There were no streaks and it looked completely natural. I made sure to spend the rest of the evening in loose clothing and waited to bathe until the next day.

The real test came the next morning, and to my delight there was no orange residue on my white sheets! The tan’s color had darkened somewhat but still came off as more golden chic than orange freak, see picture. Then the next test, direct sunlight, but as you can see, as I’m stepping into my car to catch my morning train, it still looks flawless.

So, except for a few minor streaks on the tops of my feet, which you can tell are hardly noticeable, SunFX worked like a charm! I definitely recommend this product to anyone who wants to achieve that sun kissed glow without the grief of other tanning products and the harm of tanning beds or direct sunlight. And as for me? I’m definitely going to keep using SunFX, that is, if I can get it back from my roommate…

The summer is heating up and so are these hot Fashion & Beauty Blogs!

Fashion:

+ Second City Style posts about Badgley Mischka’s launch of their women’s resort swimwear line.

+ Ask Men helps you learn about what to look for in dress shoes and how to select the right shoe for your next upscale adventure.

+ Bunnyshop ponders the (continuing) skinny jean debate.

Beauty:

+ Aromascope brought back great memories of my early 20’s when she wrote about the fragrance Angel and its substitues.

+ All Lacquered Up loves green nail polish and shows off NYX Cosmetic’s revamped version of their greens.

+ Cinnamon Kitten reviews Clinique’s Touch Base for Eyes.

Fashion:

+ Trendible has photos of John Mayer doning designer duds in this months GQ. He looks utterly fabulous.

+ Fashion Chicks posts pictures of celebrities that seem to enjoy the feathers trend in dresses.

+ Suze at Glamour’s fashion blog is looking for six couples for Glamour’s next fashion shoot. If you know anyone that would be interested (including you and your mate), check out her post for details!

Beauty:

+ Beauty Blabber tells you how to recreate Katherine McPhee’s metallic smoky eye look.

+ Makeup Moxie review’s Ojon’s Rub-Out Dry Cleanser.

+ Cinnamon Kitten reviews Clinique’s SuperBalm Lip Treatment

Fashion:

+ Fashion Indie is calling for an Indie-wide ban on Britney Spears for her tasteless use of a Zac Posen gown as a doggy outhouse.

+ Bag Bliss writes about Gwen Stephani filing suit against Forever 21.

+ MetroStyleMen has a post that is really quite interesting and the “fashion” displayed is really quite…well see for yourself.

Beauty:

+ The it Lists reviews Fekkai’s Beach Waves.

+ Spa Blah Blah Blog gives some beauty recipes for a cucumber mask and toner.

+ Hello Dollface reviews GapBody’s Bath & Skin Collection.

Fashion:

+ The Budget Fashionista alerts us to a possible trend that is big in the UK—Jodhpurs.

+ I Like Her Style gives you Work Wear 101: The Corporate Diva.

+ Bag Bliss announces Karl Lagerfeld’s plans to launch a new handbag line.

Beauty:

+ Canadian Beauty reviews J.R. Watkins Body Oil.

+ Makeup and Beauty Blog goes backstage with MAC Cosmetics on opening night at San Francisco Fashion Week.

+ A Touch of Blusher reviews Dior’s merger of handbag and makeup palette in the Dior Diorissime Palette for Fall 2007.

We all know that there have been widespread smoking bans put into place for the general purpose of health, but for one woman in Detroit, she would like to see fragrances added to the list when it comes to the workplace. Seems like a far fetched idea? While, banning employees from wearing fragrance in the workplace may never come to fruition, another advocacy group and medical charity, Allergy UK, is pushing for the recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity as an illness.

Up until now, those who have no physical reaction to fragrance just couldn’t grasp the idea that there are some people who have an adverse reaction to various chemicals found in perfumes, lotions and personal care items. These infractions on one’s health include a severe to migraine headache, skin rashes, muscoskeletal pains and other allergic reaction-type symptoms. This can make it difficult to get through a pain-free workday and affect your performance on the job. I can attest that this syndrome is very real, as my husband will have adverse health affects when around things such as perfume, cigarette smoke, intensely fragrant lotions, shower gels and soaps and so on. He is also severely allergic to a chemical called MSD found in some epoxy flooring. Breathing in its fragrance swells his throat and he has difficulty breathing, with each exposure the reaction seems to get worse. Such is the case with those whose bodies have an intolerance to certain chemicals found in personal care products.

Allergy UK’s mission is to have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity recognized as a true illness and to educate health care professionals and the public about this syndrome. Their Health Care Panel is comprised of General Practitioners, Allergists, Dermatologists, Immunologists, Pediatricians, Nurses and Dieticians to assist in meeting the goal of this mission. They also have a "Seal of Approval" for products they endorse that restrict/reduce/remove allergens from the environment. They feel that once it is a recognized medical illness, then health care providers can properly treat it and there can be medical backup to a person who becomes ill in the workplace due to this chemical sensitivity. No longer can employers feel their employee is making it up or not take their health complaints seriously, such as the case with my husband’s employer despite having his co-workers witness his severe allergic reaction first hand.

Just this time last year the celebrity fragrance market was reaching a fever pitch. It seemed like any time you picked up a magazine or read any beauty news online, it all centered around which celebrity was getting their own fragrance. Celebrity fragrances were bringing in the cash, drawing attention and boosting its parent company's brand image.

I had wondered if the celebrity fragrance market would start to get oversaturated, so much so that the novelty with consumers would soon wear off. However, that is not the case, and several more celebrities launched fragrances in 2007 with much success. That is no clearer stated than the recent launch of M by Mariah Carey through parent company, Elizabeth Arden. It's no secret that Elizabeth Arden's sales have been sagging, but the launch of M by Mariah Carey internationally, gave it just the sales growth it needed to not only create a profit for them, but also give back some faith to investors increasing their share prices.

While sales of the fragrance in the US were not as positive as those overseas, this most likely has more to do with the decline in our economy and the weak dollar, than a decrease in popularity of a celebrity fragrance. In fact, more celebrity fragrances will be rolling out in 2008. Of course the most anticipated is Jennifer Lopez's "Deseo," since Ms Lopez has proven that her name alone can drive sales for Coty.

I'm wondering what you think. Will celebrity fragrances and their ability to drive up sales in a weary economy continue to surge, or will our fascination with their fragrances wane leaving their parent companies to look elsewhere for a sales boost?

* Photo Credit. JustJared.com

Many of the fashion shows during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week included models sporting braids across their foreheads similar to a sweat band or flower child look. Almost every one of Charlotte Ronson's models wore their hair in this uncomfortable and unflattering way. Fashion shows have a tendency to be overly dramatic so I was interested in how this style was going to trickle down to everyday wear.

Read the complete post on our Beauty PR blog Beauty Pro. 

Karen Betts is internationally renowned for quality and standards in permanent cosmetics, founded the Nouveau Contour Training Academy in the UK and has appeared regularly on television shows across the pond such as 10 Years Younger, Extreme Makeover UK and Big Brother to name a few. She is the permanent cosmetics consultant for both the BBC and Sky TV as well as being the practitioner of choice for a host of celebrities. Karen is a visionary with amazing talent and is an influential contributor to the beauty industry.

Shannon: Can you explain permanent cosmetics to our readers?

Karen Betts: It's an advanced form of tattooing but uses different equipment and special pigments. Officially, it's permanent but the colors will fade so we recommend retouches after 18 months to 2 years. Longevity depends on many factors like skin type and exposure to UV rays.

Shannon: What prompted you to go into this field?

Karen Betts: I had a tattooist working for me and was impressed by his work and I also had a hair salon and did hairpieces for clients with Alopecia so figured this was a way I could help them whilst persuing a new career.

Shannon: Many of the enhancements you offer seem to be geared more towards those with medical issues than those who do it strictly for vanity purposes, was this a conscious decision?

Karen Betts: It's the way the industry has developed really. Eyebrows are by far the most common treatment and my clients have a lack of brows for various reasons, from over plucking in the seventies, having Alopecia or hair loss as a result of chemotherapy for instance. Medical enhancements such as nipple and areola treatments are amazing as they change the lives of people who have been through suffering and anguish.

That emerging market for beauty that you are looking for isn't necessarily found here in the U.S., but across the globe in Korea. While the beauty market is still holding ground here despite the economy, there are still fears of a recession and has American beauty retailers looking to foreign soil to plant their roots and grow. Korea's beauty industry is booming and we're all beginning to notice.

Korea is the home of many popular brands that are sold here in the U.S.; POINT, Charmzone, Enprani and Amore Pacific. Beauty is a longstanding tradition in Korea and something that is ingrained in girls since they are young. It's part of the culture, the tradition and has less to do with vanity (as it does in the states) as it is a way of life. So when I heard that one of my favorite beauty brands, Berwick Beauty, was launching their brand in Korea, I had to find out why.

Read the complete post on our Beauty PR blog Beauty Pro. 

As I watched the news this morning about Lehman Brother's filing bankruptcy, Merrill Lynch being bought, gas prices rising and devastation costs due to Hurricane Ike and our stock market looking like it's about to hit the toilet--reading a story in Cosmetics Design Europe about India's upmarket growth in the beauty industry was a welcomed positive story. With so many foreign investors coming in and taking advantage of our down economy, why not turn the tables here and take advantage of the emerging trends overseas that can be a benefit to us here in the states?

Pierce Mattie PR loves the beauty industry and actually, if you are familiar with Pierce's bio, this is where our firm got its start in Beauty PR. So keeping up to date on emerging trends and forecasting future trends is something Pierce Mattie is well known for. In fact, at the beginning of August, Pierce was interviewed by Cosmetique News in Paris regarding Pakistan being an emerging market for men's grooming products. So I wasn't at all surprised when I read the story mentioned above from Cosmetics Design Europe reporting on India's upmarket growth potential in the personal care industry.

So how can beauty brands in the states take advantage of this potential?

Branding Strategies Appeal to the Everyday Woman

As we all know, the aging baby boomers make up the majority of the consumer market.  Therefore it should be no surprise that the media is chock full of messages positioned to the older or, more generally speaking, the “everyday woman.”  That's why CoverGirl will be featuring comedienne Ellen DeGeneres, 49 and very “nontraditional” beauty, in an ad campaign starting January 2009.

Editor in Chief of More, a magazine for women over 40, Leslie Jane Seymour, agrees with this new positioning strategy when she told New York Times, "We don't need to see another ingénue rocking to the top--we're getting worn out by the Lindsays and Britneys, and I think we need a break."

She continued, "[Women] just want to be the best that they can be for the stage of life that they are in."

Ellen joins Queen Latifah and recent America's Next Top (Plus Size) Model Whitney Thompson in a line up of CoverGirl's quite different from the Nikki Taylor's of the 90s.  These women each have characteristics more representative of the actual psycho/demographics of American women, excluding income of course.

That's where Dove takes a further step by featuring no-name women of all shapes, sizes, races and ages in their most recent integrated branding campaign.  Dove skips the photoshopping portion of the editing process in ads and has a slew of events, charities, and messages etc. that affirm their “Campaign for Real Beauty.”

Dove, deliberately using the word "campaign" here, suggests that Dove is the initiator of this new found empowerment amongst women.  Is it the companies and actresses who began this “everyday woman” revolution of sorts? Or did the disenfranchised women unite first causing marketers and publicists to scramble to take advantage of this sentiment? Which came first?

The first suggestion, that this is a branding-spawned positioning effort, could mean that once the media has seen enough of this strategy, unachievable ideas of beauty might resurface in an attempt to stand out amongst the soon-to-be prolific messages of "real" beauty.  The second suggests that women are accepting the "skin they’re in" and changing the idea of beauty forever.

One would think that beauty companies would be shifting gears down and out when it comes to paying the salaries of the celebrity elite--but think again. According to Forbes, consumer brands like Lancôme and CoverGirl are beefing up their usage of Ellen Degeneres and Anne Hathaway knowing that their products and personalities together have staying power and effectively drive sales.

Though we won’t find new brands launching in 2009 we will see a revival of the retail classics, especially in the world of fragrances. True, one right now may not be able to afford that house in the Hamptons, but for just a few dollars you can identify with Common for Diesel’s Only The Brave.

The results are in! The team at Pierce Mattie Public Relations has compiled their annual "What’s Hot, What’s Not" list for 2010 pertaining to all things beauty, fashion, lifestyle and media. What’s in? The stiletto heel, Jeggings, Minx Nails, diesel fuel and the use of condoms have made a major come back over the pill. And what’s out? Skinny jeans, Starbucks, Hybrid Technology and Zoloft just to name a few.

What’s IN:

Fashion –

Annabel Tollman
UNIQLO
Velcro
Navaho Prints
Stiletto Heels
Tie Clips
The Boyfriend Jacket
Jeggings

Beauty –

Blushing Nails
Bouncy hair that is air dried
neuLash & Latisse
Fresh Cut Cedarwood
Injectables
Goth inspired makeup
Violet/Carnation Scents
Minx Nails
Invisalign
Push-up Bra

Accessories –

House of Harlow
Metal Statement Necklaces
Bib necklaces
Alexander Wang handbags

Lifestyle -

How To and DIY stories
Blog stories
Brewing your own coffee
Berlin
Diesel Fuel
Condoms
Farm Weddings
Vampires
Pilates
Your real figure
Wine
Life Coach

Media -

Oxygen
Open source
Helpareporter.com
Real Housewives Washington DC
iRex
Wendy Williams
Glee
Megan Fox
Alexandra Wentworth (comedian)
David Baldacci (novelist)
Roberta Gellis (romance)
Taylor Lautner
Katie Cassidy

What’s OUT:

12:15 -2:45p.m. Lunch at Opia, 130 E. 57th St. near Lexington

• What beauty editors loved from the fragrance industry in 2009
• Why the media continues to cover celebrity fragrances
• What the media wants for 2010
• What will continue to be popular
• What’s not "en vogue" for 2010
• Fragrance social media pros & cons
• 5 Reasons why fragrance blogs fail
• Creating a successful social media presence with your fragrance
• Beauty Editors biggest complaints about the fragrance pitches they receive
• PR reminders

Lunch presentations by
    
    * Kumar Ramani, Harvey Prince & Co.- Ageless Fantasy
    * Laetitia Longuefosse, Cinquieme Sens Perfumery School
    * Pedro de Leana – Master Perfumer
    * Pierce Mattie – Pierce Mattie Public Relations
    * Jeanne Weber – Septimanie Perfumes
    * Lori Zelenko, LSZ Communications, Josie Natori Fragrance
    * Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone – The Bermuda Perfumery
    * Adelaide Farah, Beauty Fashion Magazine
    * Christopher Voigt, Vetivresse.com

If you are not able to attend and would like to learn more please email us for a copy of the presentation to Pierce@PierceMattie.com

As developing nations continue to embrace modern retail formats, beauty marketers in the Western world are working overtime to devise market-specific strategies to keep up with changing consumer behavior. According to data from Beauty Retailing Global Series, the latest research conducted by worldwide consulting and research firm Kline & Company, the nuances of each individual market demand that beauty brands evolve alongside consumers to compete on the worldwide stage.

"The takeaway message is that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for success," says Carrie Mellage, Director of Consumer Products Research for Kline. "The unique features of each country require marketers to think globally, but act locally to capitalize on specific opportunities. As an example, the rural population in Brazil is a huge potential market that depends heavily on direct person-to-person sales, while the more sophisticated and fickle shoppers in the mature beauty markets must be lured with exclusive offers, steep discounts, cool iPhone apps, and social media connections."

Disclaimer: We have never watched The Hills

Sure we have been known at Pierce Mattie to have a few elective cosmetic procedures, injectables and peels. After all we were one of the first agencies to have a botox party for beauty editors, back in the day. My hair restoration was featured in several men’s magazines and I would even dare say that I regret the lipo at such a young age. But…. 10 procedures in one day? Ummm no.

As beauty, lifestyle and fashion publicists we go out of our way to share the latest and greatest products in the industry with the press, our friends and most of all each other. This week our hearts sank a little (not too much!) for a reality star gone wrong; Miss Heidi Montag, cast member of MTV’s The Hills eager for press prevails at the young age of 23 with a transformational cosmetic surgery field day gone …wrong.

Here is why we are upset…

• Shame on the cosmetic surgeon; Dr. Frank Ryan who took her money (if they were paid and didn’t do this for free PR) – to give a girl in her 20’s a brow lift, are you nuts? And to go on to GMA and defend your procures, again quite shocking.
• Shame on the publicist that pitched this segment on ABC. Focus on the launch of an album, the sound of her voice, not a tutorial on what she had done. She looks like a cross between Cindy Jackson (Guinness World record holder for having the most cosmetic surgery procedures than anyone else in the world) and Faith Hill (who is two decades her senior, actually Faith now looks younger than Heidi).
• Shame on GMA for giving them continued airtime on such a lamorama topic! Yes this is OK for People Magazine, but I don't think the viewers that lead in to watch Kelly Ripa have coffee with Regis really care. But thank heavens you all chaired against it from your desks. I am sure NBC’s Today Show wouldn’t touch this with a ten foot pole, especially Al Roker.

Some PR advice for you Heidi & Dr. Frank Ryan…

• Get off your double d’s and do some good for humanity.
• Spend your money on therapy, you looked better esthetically before the surgery.
• Take some dance lessons (still not recovering from your Miss Universe performance)
• Get on a plane to Haiti to help w/ the relief aid. There are thousands of people that need medical attention right now including cosmetic surgery to help with severe injuries. 
• When you are asked to sing in an interview and decline, it’s usually because you can’t sing – at all.
• We will keep the PR team in our prayers - this is one hell of a mess that you will be cleaning up in the land of plastics for quite some time. Just remember your doctor clients are practicing medicine here, not doing hair and makeup!

Readers - I would love your thoughts on this! Do you think this type of beauty PR is good?

There’s something in your nail polish besides a sassy red color. And it could hurt you. Every day, were all guilty of using products that contain chemicals we know nothing about besides their long (unpronounceable) scientific name. Now authors Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt are looking to change that. The goal of their new book, “No More Dirty Looks: How to End Your Addiction to Chemical Cosmetics (And Still Look Hot), is to keep consumers looking beautiful— and safe.

The book sprang to life when the two authors received a hair treatment they loved, until they discovered the secret ingredient was formaldehyde. Formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, is the same chemical used as an embalming agent. The two were shocked and sought out to discover what’s actually in our beauty products.

Cosmetic companies are even revamping their entrepreneurship strategies due to the recession.  The biggest change that is in the works now is to start displaying prices of all cosmetic products at their counters in all department stores.  Before the great fall, customers were use to going from counter to counter where they would inquire about the products with a brand specialist, try the product, and then go directly to the register for check out with no hesitations. To some people this could appear to be an intimidating shopping routine. Unless you are in a position to splurge on luxurious cosmetics, it can seem a tad threatening to shoppers if they just want to try something new on their skin.

Estee Lauder's CEO, Fabrizio Freda is advocating this change immediately for his brand. Cosmetic pro wants to still encourage shopping despite the conditions we are under. By having prices of products shown at the counters, people won’t have to feel embarrassed if they change their mind as to whether or not they want to purchase the item. There is no need for anyone to be embarrassed about not wanting to spend a lot of money on cosmetics. News flash, everyone is cutting back! Thinking about it now, it is a little odd that there were no prices displayed on cosmetics in department stores. Most retail items such as clothes and accessories all have a ticket attached to the garment with a price. With this new strategy ahead, sale associates at these cosmetic stands will still continue to help their customers with thorough beauty guidance. 

Tell us a little bit about Purpose Built NYC, how did it get started.
Purpose-Built is a reunion of sorts.  More years ago than I care to remember the first job for both of us in NYC was at Bergdorf Goodman where Larry and I met.  We went our separate ways in the fashion industry for a while before joining the initial executive team of Bliss and both making the transition from fashion to beauty.  After years of consulting, working for other brands and starting our own, we circled back and founded Purpose-Built.  We felt we had a unique perspective on the industry and building brands that allowed us to close the gap between marketing, design and product development providing a true turnkey solution to brand building.

Can you share some of our best case studies with us?
It’s hard to narrow them down because we are a small group and incredibly selective with projects so I think they all make good case studies.  But the two projects that best represent our capabilities and design aesthetic are Old Navy and Odin New York.  Our work with Old Navy was affirmation that good product and design can be affordable.  Every time someone sees the product we developed and says, “I can’t believe that’s Old Navy”, I know we succeeded.  Odin is the opposite end of the spectrum and the result of a joint venture between Purpose-Built and Odin.  The three unisex fragrances that were launched in November are an articulation of the Odin brand through the lens of fragrance. Initially I think many people in the industry believed this was simply an interesting collaboration between two like-minded companies and would be a flash in the pan. Our intention is quite the opposite; we want to build a brand that competes at premium across categories.  In our first year we were one of five brands up for a prestige packaging Fifi and at retail the business is building nicely through some of the best doors for fragrance like Aedes de Venustas.  This fall we’re launching in 3 of the best premium retailers in New York, London and Paris.  
 
What projects are you working on right now?  
We’re putting the finishing touches on the fall and spring Odin launches and have two clients who’s brands come to market in September—21 Drops and Lift Lab. We’re also working on the next Grooming Lounge catalog, an e-commerce application for the In-Flight Insider blog and multiple projects for Suki, to name a few.  Let’s just say there are no summer Fridays at Purpose-Built.

Joico's NEW Deep Conditioning Flatiron launches this fall to rave reviews.

• Decrease hair breakage by over 40%
• Reduce color loss due to daily shampooing and thermal styling by 33.5%
• Minimize curl reversion, even after 12 hours in 90% humidity
• Includes the ReconstRx VaporIron, ReconstRx VaporFuel 3.4oz, Step-by-Step
• Styling Brochure, and instructional DVD featuring Joico Artistic Director Damien Carney.

Damien Carney teamed up with Sue Pemberton for a SOLD OUT exclusive Joico Stylist Education Event. The advanced J-system Seminar at the Artistic Institute immersed participants in four days of intensive cut and color methodology. The packed house of eager stylists were treated to an engaging experience with Damien and Sue, and the excitement was palpable as Damien reveals, "[t]hey were so enthusiastic they wouldn't even eat lunch! They all pushed through to the end, driven to achieve flawless work."

At Pierce Mattie we often read the foreign print mags for a global view of the world around us. LOOK, a weekly high street fashion and celebrity magazine has become very popular in London for information on the latest and affordable fashion, beauty advice, and news for young women. In fact, it is Britain’s best selling fashion weekly!

When launched in February 2007, it had the most successful magazine launch in 17 years with a debut ABC (Audit Bureau Circulations rating) of 318,907. Since then it has continued to quickly grow in popularity.

The magazine offers everyday street fashion and beauty tips, as well as celebrity style and hair how-to’s. You will find pages and pages of photos featuring celebrities and women on the streets flaunting their own clothing creations- serving as inspiration for your inner fashionista! Edited by Ali Hall, LOOK also caters to the shopping desire of young women- providing them with the hottest beauty products to hit the market, and where to purchase the most up to date fashions and accessories. Additionally, celebrity gossip junkies can get their weekly fix of all that is happening in the world of the famous. From fashion news, to celebrity scandals, LOOK has it.

Pierce Mattie PR's client Butter London's glitter gem nail polish in Frilly Knickers featured as a fan favorite w/ Mom's.

Consumers are always looking for the next best thing...this includes ingredients in beauty products that are rare or make you stand out from the others. And where there is consumer demand, there is demand in the media as well. (Beauty publicists rejoice!) 

So what will we see more of in 2011? Whole plant extracts, bamboo, and sea whip to name a few. What trends are you seeing in terms of cosmetic, hair and skin care ingredients?

Nu Skin scientists and its scientific partners just concluded a breakthrough year, building the body of knowledge in anti-aging research at an accelerated rate with more than 20 presentations at 11 prestigious conferences and symposia around the world. Nu Skin and its research and development partners, that include LifeGen Technologies and various university collaborators, continue to be invited to present research on the genetic basis of aging and identification of nutritional interventions that target an aging appearance and promote healthy life spans.

"With decades of foundational science to guide us, we are taking our anti-aging research to the next level with new discoveries that target the sources of aging and the development of promising new strategies for promoting youthfulness," said Joe Chang, Ph.D., Nu Skin chief scientific officer and executive vice president of product development. "In particular, we are pleased that our research and scientific collaboration with LifeGen Technologies is receiving such a favorable response from the scientific community and is assisting us in building the body of knowledge in this important area of anti-aging research."

"Aging is a multi-gene process. Our ageLOC approach allows us to first identify groups of genes and multiple genetic pathways that play a role in the complex process of aging, and second, determine how to positively affect the expression of those genes to a more youthful state," continued Chang.

Highlights of Nu Skin's 2010 scientific presentations included new findings on identifying and targeting groups of genes that influence an aging appearance and a person's overall vitality.

2010 PRESENTATION AND SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIA HIGHLIGHTS

Youth Gene Clusters affect the appearance of aging skin

The Nu Skin research and development team lead by Helen Knaggs, Ph.D., vice president of global R&D for Nu Skin personal care products, presented several posters at the Society of Investigative Dermatologists (SID) conference and the world congress of the International Federation of the Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC). Presented research highlighted the ability of ingredients in Nu Skin's innovative anti-aging products to affect the expression of genes that influence skin structure, hydration, pigmentation and skin cell turnover. In addition, Nu Skin senior scientist Remona Gopaul was recognized by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) as a Young Scientist of the Year.

Identifying Youth Gene Clusters as biomarkers of internal aging

Mark Bartlett, Ph.D., vice president of global research and development for Pharmanex nutrition products at Nu Skin, led his team to present several key findings at internationally recognized conferences. Many of the studies and presentations were collaborative efforts with Nu Skin's scientific partner LifeGen Technologies, co-founded by Richard Weindruch, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin professor of geriatrics and gerontology, and Tomas Prolla, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin professor in the departments of genetics and medical genetics.

Proprietary technology and methodology for identifying genetic supermarkers of aging and Youth Gene Clusters have led to the identification of natural ingredients and proprietary formulations that influence mitochondrial function and oppose the aging processes.

Specific abstracts can be reviewed at http://www.ageloc.com/ageloc/en-US/ageloc_science/ageloc_science_compendium.html.

For more information on this brand please call 212-243-1431

Nu Skin scientists and its scientific partners just concluded a breakthrough year, building the body of knowledge in anti-aging research at an accelerated rate with more than 20 presentations at 11 prestigious conferences and symposia around the world. Nu Skin and its research and development partners, that include LifeGen Technologies and various university collaborators, continue to be invited to present research on the genetic basis of aging and identification of nutritional interventions that target an aging appearance and promote healthy life spans.

"With decades of foundational science to guide us, we are taking our anti-aging research to the next level with new discoveries that target the sources of aging and the development of promising new strategies for promoting youthfulness," said Joe Chang, Ph.D., Nu Skin chief scientific officer and executive vice president of product development. "In particular, we are pleased that our research and scientific collaboration with LifeGen Technologies is receiving such a favorable response from the scientific community and is assisting us in building the body of knowledge in this important area of anti-aging research."

"Aging is a multi-gene process. Our ageLOC approach allows us to first identify groups of genes and multiple genetic pathways that play a role in the complex process of aging, and second, determine how to positively affect the expression of those genes to a more youthful state," continued Chang.

Highlights of Nu Skin's 2010 scientific presentations included new findings on identifying and targeting groups of genes that influence an aging appearance and a person's overall vitality.

2010 PRESENTATION AND SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIA HIGHLIGHTS

Youth Gene Clusters affect the appearance of aging skin

The Nu Skin research and development team lead by Helen Knaggs, Ph.D., vice president of global R&D for Nu Skin personal care products, presented several posters at the Society of Investigative Dermatologists (SID) conference and the world congress of the International Federation of the Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC). Presented research highlighted the ability of ingredients in Nu Skin's innovative anti-aging products to affect the expression of genes that influence skin structure, hydration, pigmentation and skin cell turnover. In addition, Nu Skin senior scientist Remona Gopaul was recognized by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) as a Young Scientist of the Year.

Identifying Youth Gene Clusters as biomarkers of internal aging

Mark Bartlett, Ph.D., vice president of global research and development for Pharmanex nutrition products at Nu Skin, led his team to present several key findings at internationally recognized conferences. Many of the studies and presentations were collaborative efforts with Nu Skin's scientific partner LifeGen Technologies, co-founded by Richard Weindruch, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin professor of geriatrics and gerontology, and Tomas Prolla, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin professor in the departments of genetics and medical genetics.

Proprietary technology and methodology for identifying genetic supermarkers of aging and Youth Gene Clusters have led to the identification of natural ingredients and proprietary formulations that influence mitochondrial function and oppose the aging processes.

Specific abstracts can be reviewed at http://www.ageloc.com/ageloc/en-US/ageloc_science/ageloc_science_compendium.html.

For more information on this brand please call 212-243-1431

I’ll admit – when it comes to beauty products, I have a habit of developing harmless but slightly intense addictions. Lip balm is one of them, and I’ve noticed that it’s a compulsion for many other women too. We may joke around, but when articles and news segments have been dedicated to lip balm addictions, it begs the question…can you really get hooked on your chapstick, or is it just a hoax?

Scientists at TheBeautyBrains.com answer pressing beauty questions like these on a daily basis. Now, cosmetic formulator (and professional joggler) Perry Romanowski has compiled answers to beauty lover’s top questions in his aptly-titled book, Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm?

From magazines to microblogs, it can be hard to escape the constant back-and-forth of beauty banter. When so many people are sharing their personal beauty beliefs, myths tend to creep into the conversation…and that’s where Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm comes in. Once and for all, the most common beauty myths are expelled, top questions answered, and Romanowski even offers advice on how to shop smarter based on how cosmetic products work.

“So what were you thinking about doing today?” These are the dreaded words you hear every time we sit down in the chair at the salon. You scoured images of hair colors, hair trends, and hairstyles for hours online only to sit down in the chair without the faintest idea of what you want to do. You often walk in with the intention of leaving with a new look, but because you have no idea what that new look looks like you end up leaving with your roots touched up, a trim, and a nice treatment to give you that soft and shiny look. Sounding familiar?

Well Aveda has come out with a new (and free!) iPhone app to help solve this problem: My Aveda Style. Download their app and you’re taken to the menu that consists of find styles, hair advisor, find Aveda near you, see our style in action, upload a style, and live chat.

1. Find Styles: Now you can show your stylist exactly what you want from your phone and you only have to go to one place to find your new look. You can search by hair cut (short/mid-length, long, waves/curls, and men’s) or by hair color (black, brown, blonde, and red) to find the perfect style. There are some great pictures and ideas posted by Aveda stylists and by other Aveda app users.