Beauty pro division

With Labor Day fast-approaching and the summer sun almost a thing of the past, women and men across the United States will be in search of fall's must-have skin renewal system to repair and reverse UV damage. According to Dr. Adam Geyer, Kiehl's Since 1851 Consulting Dermatologist, and instructor in clinical dermatology at Columbia University in New York City, "When tans fade, people start to see the remnants of summer, including dark spots, uneven skin tone, blotchiness, and fine lines and wrinkles, and that is just what's on the skin's surface. Under the surface there is invisible damage that can and will manifest into what is seen on the upper layer of the dermis."

Treating photo-damage (due to UV damage, acne scarring, aging, hormonal changes and lack of moisture) takes diligence, and when seeking products to address hyperpigmentation, three key concerns include blocking the melanin production, disabling the melanin transfer, and lastly, blocking melanin retention. This September, Kiehl's will introduce Photo-Age Corrector (http://www.kiehls.com/Photo-Age/face-photo-age,default,sc.html) a range of four products, clinically proven to reveal healthier, brighter skin, reverse dark spots and even out overall discoloration in as little as four weeks. Targeting major melanin triggers with safe, natural and effective skin brighteners, use of the Photo-Age Corrector High-Potency Spot Treatment as part of a daily routine will maximize the results—smoother, more radiant, and even-toned skin—by lessening visible sun spots, as well as regulating the future production of pigment, and therefore invisible damage that is beginning to form below the skin's surface.

Continue reading "Kiehl's Product Launch & Marketing: Reversing UV Damage is Consumer's Top Post-Summer Skincare Concern" »

Quite honestly, it's about time that beauty brands include women from all races into their marketing. While it appears they are only capitalizing on the growth of the personal care market in Korea, China and beyond...better late than never.

Two major beauty brands adding Asian faces to their marketing lineup are Estee Lauder with Liu Wen (pictured) and Maybelline with Shu Pei Qin. Lancome added YouTube sensation Michelle Phan to their marketing efforts just a few months ago when making her their video spokesperson.

So which brand will be next? Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Iconic supermodel, entrepreneur and philanthropist Christie Brinkley, will receive the 2nd Annual HBA "Positively Beautiful" Award from HBA Global Expo for her active support of Smile Train and its mission.  Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org) provides free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries and free cleft-related training for doctors and medical professionals.  

The Positively Beautiful Award was established by HBA Global to annually recognize a celebrity who uses their name and talents to further a cause that champions inner beauty and self-esteem building.   The Award Presentation will be part of the events Keynote and Kick-off Presentation on Tuesday, September 28th starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Special Events Hall.  HBA Global Expo & Conference (www.hbaexpo.com) is the largest product development event for the cosmetic, fragrance, skin care, personal care, and well-being industries.  

Continue reading "Beauty & Lifestyle PR: Christie Brinkley to Receive HBA's Positively Beautiful Award" »

For those looking for fresh, natural makeup, Josie Maran Cosmetics has it. Josie Maran Cosmetics was created as “luxury with a conscience,” whereby the makeup is made with the finest superior ingredients and packaged in biodegradable boxes. From her products to their packaging to her initiatives, everything revolves involved with saving the environment and leading a greener lifestyle.

Josie Maran, the founder of Josie Maran Cosmetics, started this line when she realized that she had stumbled upon the key to healthy skin with the usage of Argan oil. Argan oil helps to treat, moisturize, and protect the skin. Argan Oil is an incredibly rich source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, as well. It has astonishing healing, conditioning and anti-aging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalized and to keep you looking beautiful from head to toe. 

Her best sellers are even affordable! Argan oil moisturizing stick ($22); Argan Oil Hair Serum($30); and the Argan tinted moisturizer($38). Available at www.josiemarancosmetics.com.

Sass Brown professor of Fashion Design at FIT, designer and fair-trade fashion consultant has recently penned a new book due out this fall titled Eco Fashion published by Laurence King Publishers. We caught up with Sass to discuss her latest project.  

PM: What prompted you to write Eco Fashion? 

SB: I had two main motivations for writing the book. The first was that I felt the industry had reached a tipping point of sorts, where the level of design excellence was raised to a comparative level of the rest of the industry, and that was worthy of promoting. Second, despite the standard and success of many eco labels, I felt they still weren’t known by many students entering the industry, or for that matter professionals in the main stream fashion arena and hoped that the book would act as a means of exposing their work to a wider audience. 

PM: What is eco fashion? 

SB: Now that’s a loaded question.  The word ecology has a pretty defined meaning; according to the Oxford English Dictionary ecology is “the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.”  Eco fashion however is a lot more open to interpretation (and misinterpretation). Broadly speaking however, eco fashion is a branch of fashion production that respects the earth and the people on it.  That respect can be expressed in a multitude of ways;  recycle, reuse, redesign, sustainable fabrications, diversion of waste materials from landfill, fair trade, community development  and the reduction of CO2 emissions. 

PM: Can you share with us what was some of your greatest finds in doing research for the book pertaining to range of sustainable and ethical products? 

SB: There were so many talented and creative designers I came across during my research that I had simply not known about previously so the small lesser known designers (at least to me) are the ones I cherish the most.  Elena Garcia, an incredible designer based out of the UK that works with traditional Shibori indigo dye techniques and needle felting.  Her design sensibility is exquisite and her workmanship outstanding.  Christine Birkle based of Berlin, works with traditional Nuno felting techniques and designs exquisite items from pure silk, each laboriously hand felted using traditional methods.  Josh Jakus in the US, who works with recycled industrial felt and makes wonderfully conceptual bags and purses known as the UM bags. Royah, a women’s cooperative and atelier in Afghanistan, working to empower women in the midst of a war torn country and who produces exquisite designs based on the rich heritage of Afghanistan textiles. The list is endless but these are just a few. 

PM: Any countries doing better than others in creating eco fashion? 

SB: There are countries that excel in particular areas of eco design, for example the UK has a plethora of really great recycle and redesign companies.  They have long had a fascination and respect for vintage, so it only makes sense that they would excel in this area of design.  Brazil has a good number of artisanal women’s cooperatives that work with traditional handmade techniques such as crochet and fuxico.  Germany excels in urban design and accessories. 

Continue reading "Sass Brown Talks ECO Fashion w/ Pierce Mattie PR" »

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."

Continue reading "Beauty PR: The Latest from Joico's Damien Carney!" »

Chanel just launched its newest men's fragrance, Bleu de Chanel, which is surrounded by much fan fare with Martin Scorsese as Director of the commercial that will debut on August 25th featuring French actor and the face of the fragrance, Gaspard Ulliel. I have to admit, I am loving how Chanel is transforming their fragrance commercials into works of art. From viewing the behind the scenes video on GQ in the UK, the commercial will speak volumes of the fragrance, which is said to be provacative and profoundly sensual.

Continue reading "Chanel's Men's Grooming Fragrance Markets & PR's Bleu de Chanel" »

Francois Nars returns to beauty book publishing with a new title; Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself by Rizzoli press. This title is Nars’ first book in over ten years and has a suggested retail of $45.00. The book hits stores April 2011.

His two previous titles include X-Ray and Makeup Your Mind w/ Fabien Baron

If you ever wanted beautiful, stronger and healthier looking nails, Perfect Formula may just have what you have been searching for! Perfect Formula will take brittle, torn nails and revive them. Whether your nails have been damaged by acrylic, gel, or glue, their products are made to produce healthy nails through their formulated products unparalleled in the beauty industry. The founder of Perfect Formula, Shari Gottesman, has been in the nail industry for over 15 yrs with extensive background in creating her own nail care and lacquer products.

Depending on the different nail concerns you may have, Perfect Formula has created the fool-proof supplements for those with brittle nails, weak nails, thin nails, and/or dry cuticles. For instance, for brittle nails, Perfect Formula introduces Strong Nail Strengthening Therapy ($29.50) which contains Jojoba oil and Keratin. Jojoba oil is used to moisturize the nails effectively and easily as the Keratin is used to strengthen the protein within the nails.

Another popular and best selling treatment from Perfect Formula is the Pink Gel Coat ($30) dubbed as the “Suit of Armor” for nails. The Pink Gel Coat creates a sheer pink, protein-rich coating for nails to grow longer and stronger. Seen on QVC, Pink Gel Coat improves the overall appearance and color in the nails. The patent formula contains an optical brightener to enhance the natural color in your nail bed and to get rid of any discoloration within the nail. Suitable for any nail type, the Pink Gel Coat is easy to use and manage.

In addition, the Perfect Formula even has a lacquer line - Perfect Color nail polish ($15) with “Instant Strength Technology.” The same strengthening technology used in the nail care line is also used for their lacquer line to give an instant strength and thickness to the nail with their custom designed applicator.Perfect Color is also Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phthalate free.

You can visit Perfect Formula online at www.perfectformulas.com.