Beauty pro division

NEW YORK CITY Saturday, September 16, 2006 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Tickets: $25

Event Timing:

* 9:00 am - 10:00am: Private kick-off breakfast for the first 150 ticket purchasers at the "W" Hotel Union Square
* 10:00 am - 10:30 am: Kick-off prize raffle and Fall Fashion Trend Presentation at the "W" Hotel Union Square. All ticket purchasers welcome
* 10:30 am - 6:00 pm: Courtesy shuttles for all ticket purchasers with door-to-door service to top Manhattan fashion boutiques

Details:

* Cadbury Schweppes refreshment lounge at Midnight Oil located in the "W" Hotel Times Square
* SHOP Etc. gift bags to all attendees
* All tour ticket proceeds benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Presenting Sponsors:
Adrienne Vittadini, Cadbury Schweppes & Lord & Taylor

Click here to purchase tickets or please call 877-SHOPEtc. (746-7382). For additional information please call 212-649-3015.

View Hop On Shop Off Image

The white tents are up in Bryant Park, which can only mean one thing – New York Fashion Week is upon us! While some of us aren't able to get those exclusive invitations, a great group of fashionistas did get invites this season – bloggers! The Wall Street Journal reported that many bloggers were invited to the shows this week including Badgley Mischka and Project Runway's Jay McCarroll.

Looks like bloggers are getting the respect they deserve in the fashion world, a topic that one of Pierce Mattie PR's favorite bloggers, Julie Frederickson of Coutorture, brought up during our Blogger Roundtable event a few weeks ago. Since bloggers are invited to some of the shows this week, I think that we'll all get to read about it right after each show. Not only will all of us readers get up to the minute coverage, designers will definitely get the attention and valuable exposure from the blog posts.

Julie was at Blair Delmonico's fashion show with hair by London Locks and makeup by Kevin Mendelson from jane iredale. Check out her video interviews with our clients at Coutorture as well as other Fashion Week posts from Coutorture bloggers.

Makeup artist Ken Mendelson talks about mineral cosmetics, color trends and Jane Iredale at New York fashion week.

I knew the day would come when one of the top 5; Lauder, L'Oreal, etc. would jump on the organic band wagon. Clarins steps in organic cosmetics. French cosmetics maker Clarins has concluded an agreement with organic cosmetics producer Kibio for the joint development of a line of natural organic cosmetics. Under the terms of this agreement, Clarins acquires a 10% stake in Kibio SAS and subscribes to the full amount of a convertible bond issue. The total investment is EUR 3 million. The conversion of the bonds which will be possible starting in 2008 will enable Clarins to increase its shareholding in Kibio to 60%.

Kibio, created in 2005 by Pierre Cabane and Laurent Potier, has developed a line of organic products certified by Ecocert.

Currently in the initial commercial development phase, Kibio products are mainly distributed through direct sales using the method of home demonstrations. The products are also available for sale at the brand's website: www.kibio.com

Pampering and healthy skin across the nation. Every woman loves a little time for rest and relaxation. According to a survey conducted by the International Spa Association spas are one of the biggest growth industries in America.

According to the results, 95 million visits are made to spas in the United States annually generating $5 billion in revenues. Spas generate more in revenue than ski resorts ($3.1 billion) and only slightly less than box office receipts ($7.5 billion).

With these kind of numbers in mind it is no wonder that Spa Week has grown into an incredible public relations event for spas around the country. With over 300 spas participating from coast to coast and all around the country, Spa Week is setting up shop in a city near you. Spa Week hits New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Miami and Minnesota October 16th-22nd.

But Spa Week isn't just about facials and massages. Keeping in spirit with the desire to reach out to women across the country desiring to be pampered Jane Iredale Cosmetics is one of the sponsors of Spa Week

One lucky winner will receive Jane's Fall 2006 line. So hop to it and enter here! Just think how great your makeup will look freshly pampered skin after Spa Week!

Coty Inc., the world’s largest fragrance company, announced today the signing of a global licensing agreement with Gwen Stefani, the Grammy-winning recording artist, to develop and market a line of fragrances for her fashion and accessories brand, L.A.M.B.

The partnership is the first foray by the multi-talented singer and fashion designer into the fragrance market. The yet-to-be-named fragrance, which will debut Fall 2007, will reflect the unique blend of verve, style and vivacity of L.A.M.B. fashions and accessories.

“Creating a fragrance is one of the most prestigious things a designer can do,” said Gwen Stefani. “For me it’s like another thing you can wear and another thing I can creatively be a part of.”

“Gwen Stefani is the perfect partner to create a new signature fragrance,” said Bernd Beetz, CEO, Coty Inc. “Gwen’s distinctive look, music and embrace of ethnic influences, coupled with her effervescent personality will make her fragrances highly appealing to a generation of women around the world who love her one-of-a-kind, international style.”

Clive Owen, a 41-year-old British actor, has been hired to be the latest celebrity to market products for the L'Oreal owned beauty company, Lancome. Previous celebrities that touted the brand are Uma Therman and Mena Suvari, among others. Lancome's hope is that his charming and rugged look will attract more men to feel comfortable purchasing skincare products.

Owen is reported to be getting $2.5 million pounds (you do the math to convert that to US$) for the advertising campaign. Owen will be appearing in ads for Lancome's new men's grooming line, called Lancome Homme, which includes fragrance and anti-ageing products. The ad campaign and products will launch this Spring in the US. However, you can see the products now on Lancome's international website, which I happen to think has a much better layout than their US website.

The almost ex-Mrs. Sir Paul McCartney has decided to take a stab at working in the beauty and health industry. Heather Mills, a former Model, will be launching her own website later this year called, “I Do Care,” offering fitness, health and beauty tips on how to live a green lifestyle.

Mills will also be launching her own line of beauty products that some see as a direct competition to Stella McCartney’s fragrance and soon to be released organic skin care line. Will the two be going head to head?

With an ongoing nasty divorce that involves a lot of he-said-she-said, most especially with a man many see as a musical icon and beloved legend, it’s hard to say if Mills can come out of it unscathed and launch a successful career in the health and beauty industry. Only time will tell.

What do you think?

Dorit Baxter Day Spa, located in Midtown Manhattan, is now offering a massage specifically for those of us working on our computers, Blackberries and other tech devices all day long. Does your neck ache from hunching over? Your wrist hurt from all that mouse activity? Your fingers stiff from typing away? A tension relieving massage targeted at those areas sounds like heaven.

I’ve been to Dorit Baxter Day Spa and I know the wonderful service they provide. After watching the video of the BlackBerry Massage on Reuters today (once you get past a commercial), I so desperately longed to be back in New York City to have the aches in my neck and wrist worked out. Dorit Baxter and her staff are innovative when it comes to giving their clients what they long for. So I wouldn’t be surprised if this massage came as a result of client request. The “tech” massage is $95, but I’m sure your aching muscles will find it worth it.

Intimately Beckham is a his and hers fragrance line that is insanely popular in the UK. Intimately Him has notes of bergamot, grapefruit zest, cardamom, violet, nutmeg, star anise, sandalwood, patchouli and amber. While Intimately Her offers notes of white flowers, bergamot, rose petals, Casablanca lily, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla, sandalwood and musk.

The Beckham's are going to be signing a $9 million dollar deal to launch the fragrance line here in the states and Victoria Beckham is said to have signed a $6 million dollar deal to design handbags and shoes in the US, as well.

Tarte Cosmetics--Inside Out nutraceutical lipgloss, Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion

Unilever--Dove Pro-Age (Skin care line)

Calvin Klein--Euphoria Blossom (fragrance)

Vera Wang--Truly Pink (fragrance)

Serge Lutens—Rousse (fragrance)

Smashbox--Limited Edition Tokidoki Collection (cosmetic line)

Rimmel--Underground (cosmetic line)

M-A-C Cosmetics--Raquel Welch Beauty Icon Collection, Barbie loves MAC

Guerlain--Terracotta Spray Bronzing Powder Mist

Balmain--La Mome (fragrance)

Chanel--Les Exclusifs de Chanel (fragrance) *Available at 16 select Chanel boutiques and Bergdorf Goodman.

Do you have a beauty product launching this month? Please be sure to let us know so that it can be added to this February calendar.

Kate Somerville, a widely respected industry leader in medi-skin care, will promote her products among her beauty industry peers such as Maureen Kelly, CEO & Founder of Tarte and Cristina Carlino, creator of Philosophy on Sunday, February 11th on QVC according to WWD. Kate Somerville’s debut comes at a time when beauty brands are beginning to see the value in promoting their lines on such networks as QVC and HSN.

Kate Somerville’s skin care products have a celebrity following like no other, it’s no wonder she has been touted on such shows as E!, Access Hollywood and Extra. Beyond her skin care products, Kate also has a Clinic on Melrose Place where her staff perform such non-invasive, non-surgical procedures such as Titan, an FDA approved treatment of lax skin of the face, neck and body (the before and after pictures are really amazing).

Bringing a more personalized approach to her products through promotion on QVC will only further Kate Somerville’s success in the skin care industry.

Have you used Kate Somerville’s products? If so, let us know what you thought.

Get a jumpstart on your career with ground-breaking lectures and live demonstrations at the General Session and immerse yourself in continuing education presentations that include trends, wellness, technology and business topics. Learn from the best industry educators at detailed manufacturers’ workshops.

4 EASY WAYS TO REGISTER:
PHONE: 1.800.471.0229 / 305.443.2322
ONLINE: www.LNEONLINE.com
E-MAIL: registration@LNEONLINE.COM
FAX: 305.443.1664
After April 27, 2007, admission tickets are available on-location only for $75.

The $60, three-day, all-inclusive pre-registration fee grants attendees access to: • The General Session (lectures and demos) • All manufacturers’ workshops • Continuing education • Wellness Mini-Retreat • Entrance to the exhibition hall

Call 1-(800) 471-0229 for a complimentary show program and visit our website at www.LNEONLINE.com for up-to-the-minute information.

Les Exclusifs de Chanel is the new fragrance from Chanel marking key dates and places from the legendary life of Coco Chanel. As reported by Jason Jobson in my interview with him last month, Les Exclusifs will include 10 fragrances of which 4 existing fragrances will be relaunched and then there will be 6 new ones.

The 4 existing scents that will be relaunched are No. 22, Gardenia, Bois des Iles and Cuir de Russie. The six new scents will be Eau de Cologne, 31 rue Cambon, No. 18, Coromandel, Bel Respiro and 28 La Pausa. These scents range from floral to oriental to a fresh clean scent, which is sure to captivate the hearts of all perfume addicts. Each fragrance comes in identical 200ml and 100ml bottles with magnetic caps.

Les Exclusifs launched this week at 16 select Chanel boutiques and Bergdorf Goodman in New York. You can read all about Aromascope’s Blogger, Ina, first hand account of what each scent is like when she went to her local Chanel boutique to try the fragrances out for herself. From her review, it sounds like Les Exclusifs will be a success.

After months of speculation about a possible deal between fashion model Kate Moss and powerhouse beauty brand, Coty, today it was confirmed that Moss has indeed signed a long term contract to create a house of fragrances under her name. The fragrance line itself has yet to be named, but the fragrance concept is said to be a smokey rose and black undertones with a vintage English feel.

This comes at a time when celebrity fragrances have inundated the market and caused over saturation to the point of declining sales. With so many celebrity fragrances amid designer fragrance launches, retail shelves can only hold so much, making retailers pick and choose which brands will grace their stores.

While celebrity fragrances duke it out, classic and designer scents are beginning to make a comeback according to WWD. Celebrities come and go, and while JLo has proven staying power, can you imagine wearing her scent 30 years from now? It is classics like Chanel and Elizabeth Arden that have the track record of being “in” no matter which celebrity is all the rage at the time.

The Makeup Show is an industry trade show that promotes networking, education and hands-on workshops. Unlike other Beauty trade shows, The Makeup Show focuses soley on the cosmetic industry. Run by the Powder Group and hosted at the Metropolitan Pavilion, last year’s event was a true cosmetics industry first with such industry giants as Sam Fine and Billy B. offering their expertise and well known brands such as M.A.C., Stila, Jane Iredale Cosmetics and Face Atelier educating makeup professionals on their brands. This year’s event is sure to be just as successful with 50 brands currently on the roster, including Shu Uemera, Awake Cosmetics and Becca Cosmetics, to showcase their products and promote their new lines.

This is a pro-only trade show and you must be an industry professional to be allowed entry into The Makeup Show; proof of profession and/or fashion/stylist/cosmetic student ID will be required, tickets must be purchased in advanced. My friend Elke von Freudenberg, who is a celebrity makeup artist, attended this event last year and said that the talents and education by Billy B. alone made it worth attending. Billy B. is on the schedule to once again grace those who attend with his exceptional wealth of talent.

Sniffapalooza is an event-based group of fragrance aficionados that originated in New York City and now unites perfume passionatas from around the world. What started as a small group of women getting together to shop and share their enthusiasm for fragrance, has grown into a phenomenon that has attained national recognition through CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal, Women's Wear Daily, and WWD BeautyBiz.

Sniffapalooza is the creation of Karen Dubin, and now with the collaboration of Karen Adams, the event is reaching new proportions. Sniffapalooza occurs several times a year and draws hundreds of kindred spirits, both men and women, and spans an age range of 16 to 76. Members meet perfumers, representatives from fragrance houses, fragrance journalists and authors, they preview new launches, are privy to special motion picture screenings, and participate in fragrance workshops.

Past events have been held at Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York, Henri Bendel, Takashimaya, L'Artisan Perfumeur, Lafco NY, Le Labo, Bond No. 9, and Aedes de Venustas. In February 2007, Ron Robinson at Apothia of Fred Segal/Melrose hosted Sniffapalooza for its West Coast Premiere. Sniffapalooza in NYC on March 31st/April 1st will have its biggest attendance yet with 125 fragrances lovers taking part. This event is currently sold out, but you can check out their website for details on future events.

I recently got to speak more in depth with Karen Adams regarding this event that I know many of my fellow Beauty Bloggers rave about...

Over the last several months, I’ve noticed more and more beauty brands announcing that they are going on tour. Of course, what better way to capture a beauty addicts attention than to lure her in with a beauty tour. I’m sure anyone who has a favorite beauty brand or just loves all beauty products in general will admit to the fun of indulging in some pampering while socializing with others who share their same love for beauty products.

Since last year we’ve seen several beauty tours make their way across the US, most only going to major cities. Last October CoverGirl promoted their new LashExact mascara by traveling to 8 US locations and giving away the mascara for free when guests turned in their department store brand. They traveled in a hard to miss purple van to generate the buzz as they traveled.

Last month Laura Geller didn’t just hold a tour, she had a cruise. On March 25th fans of Laura Geller booked their 7-night cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines and headed to the Bahamas. While on the cruise Ms. Geller gave makeup seminars. What a great way to relax while traveling with your favorite beauty brand and learning directly from the owner herself? Beginning last month and continuing into this month the Style Network has Garnier and Maybelline hitching a ride on their tour bus as they travel the country to give makeovers and promote the charity Dress for Success. Then of course, there is the BE Fan Tour traveling the country. Bare Escentuals has a cult-like following that has made them very successful and already their upcoming tour date in Chicago is sold out.

It’s obvious that the brands listed above understand that interacting with their consumers on their home turf promotes a relationship that is incapable of being established just from making a purchase at the store. Not only will it create loyalty and a buzz, but it will get the brand’s fan’s talking and doing much of the promoting for them. A happy customer, after all, is your best advertisement.

What do you think? Are beauty tours something we will see more of this year?

For those of you who absolutely adore the extremely talented Billy B., you will be as excited as I am to hear that he got the greenlight for a pilot for his own show on Bravo! Read on...

From Bravo's Press Room:

Bravo announced the development deal for "The Beauty Foundation," a potential docu-drama series following Billy Brasfield (known as Billy B. in the fashion industry), a world-renowned make-up artist leading a jet-set lifestyle tending to clients around the globe. When he isn't charging $5,000 to prepare a celebrity for a photo shoot, he's down south trying to rebuild his tiny Mississippi hometown. The clash between the high-gloss make-up artist lifestyle and the grit of restoration projects provides a fascinating look at this unique individual and the many challenges he faces moving between two different worlds.

Avon sure is doing some major collaborations for its brand these days. While Avon is a MLM and direct sales company, those who turn their nose up at such companies really need to look beyond stereotypes and admire Avon for their ability to be innovative. And honestly, I think many other niche beauty direct sales companies should pay attention to Avon and follow suit.

From the Avon News Room:

Avon Products, Inc. today announced a collaboration with French couture fashion designer Christian Lacroix and with Interparfums, its worldwide fragrance licensee, to create two signature fragrances, Christian Lacroix Rouge (for women) and Christian Lacroix Noir (for men), bringing Avon consumers worldwide the opportunity to experience Christian Lacroix through a fragrance that reflects the designer's originality, creativity, sophistication and elegance. Christian Lacroix Rouge and Noir will launch globally in 2007, debuting in the UK in September. In the US, Christian Lacroix Rouge will launch in November 2007, followed by Christian Lacroix Noir in February 2008.

Avon has been heightening their premium fragrance offerings over the last year with select partnerships and alliances. This exclusive collaboration with Christian Lacroix gives Avon the extraordinary opportunity to create elite designer fragrances for its fragrance portfolio, and bring a premium range of fragrances imbued with high fashion to the Avon consumer.

Christian Lacroix Rouge and Christian Lacroix Noir, both created by the perfumers at IFF, are striking, audacious and provocative, reflecting Christian Lacroix's original haute design sensibility. Christian Lacroix Rouge is a strikingly bold floral chypre with exuberant top notes of wild red peony blended with zesty citrus accents. Rouge's heart is rich with modern florals with a drydown consisting of warm, passionate notes such as cashmere woods, patchouli and musks. Christian Lacroix Noir is an elegant fougere design with fresh and spicy topnotes of ginger and saffron. Noir's heart consists of cardamom and textured orris with a drydown composed of a woody blend of cedarwood and vetiver. The luxurious packaging is distinctive of the House of Christian Lacroix, reflecting a passion for embroidered motifs with the bold use of red and black.

"Avon believes all women should have access to great style and fashion, and by bringing Mr. Lacroix's creations to the Avon consumer, we are helping women feel more special, and more beautiful," said Geralyn Breig, Senior Vice President and Brand President for Avon Products, Inc. "Avon is the global beauty company unmatched for its understanding and appreciation of its clients' sensibilities and aspirations. Together, Avon and Christian Lacroix will enhance and realize their respective visions, expanding their objectives of offering inspiring and quality fashion to women everywhere."

"I consider that every woman is a red carpet star and nothing gives me more pleasure than celebrating their individuality: their inner spirit, their seductiveness, their lives and loves," adds Mr. Lacroix. "By partnering with Avon, the company whose heritage is a virtual celebration of women, I can connect with women everywhere. I envision Rouge becoming the Avon woman's signature, one that's utterly feminine yet mysterious and bold."

Born in Provence, France, Christian Lacroix studied at both Paris' prestigious Sorbonne and Ecole du Louvre with the ambition of becoming a museum curator. Then destiny intervened: influenced to draw, Mr. Lacroix shifted his focus to haute couture, eventually establishing the House of Christian Lacroix in 1987. Today, its brands are sold in over 60 points of sale in France and 1,000 points of sale worldwide. Distinguished by their exuberant patterns, sensuality and attention to detail, his designs have been coveted by A-list celebrities, including award winning actresses and singers.

Christian Lacroix's imprint is apparent in every phase of Rouge's development: the scent, the packaging, even the name. Says Mr. Lacroix, "I believe fragrance reveals a woman's character even more than fashion. I was inspired by my love of red to create a powerful and fiery fragrance, the ultimate accessory embodying the energy of life, sensuality and passion." For men, the color black inspires mystery, elegance and desire.

Christian Lacroix's Rouge and Noir will be featured in the company's brochure, which is distributed through over 5 million Avon Representatives around the globe.

Billy B., one of the most assessable and talented makeup artists in the beauty industry, is going on tour doing seminars for The Powder Group. The American Beauty Tour will feature Billy B with seminars from a pro-artist perspective. See below for complete details and be sure to be on the lookout for my Industry Experts Profiles interview with Billy B in the coming weeks on our main blog.

Summer/Fall 2007 - The Powder Group is pleased to bring you our first round-the-country tour of one of the biggest talents in the makeup industry. Please join us as we travel the land celebrating the art of makeup with the incomprable Billy B!

Billy's stellar career counts some of the most well known women in the industry as clients including Beyonce, Sharon Stone, Pink, Mary J Blige, The Dixie Chicks, Laura Linney and on.... Check out Billy's website at billybbeauty.com

The tour will include pro-driven, consumer-friendly seminars that include product talk, tips and technique, as well as the opportunity to network and share your passion for makeup artistry with your peers.

The first leg of the tour will hit Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Atlanta and a special benefit event for Unlocking Hope in the great city of New Orleans.

The Powder Group is pleased to announce W Hotels and behindthechair.com as our tour partner for the Billy B event series.

Tour dates are as follows:

San Francisco July 22

Los Angeles July 29

Dallas August 19

Chicago August 26

New York City September 23

Atlanta October 7

New Orleans Date TBD

In each city, Billy B will present two seminars. Each seminar will last two and a half hours and consist of two application demonstrations, question and answer period, as well as loads of discussion with Billy. The format of each seminar will be the same, although looks demonstrated may change during each seminar.

Billy will have his new collection of billybbeauty paintbrushes available for the special purchase price of 145.00 at the events.

The seminars have been developed from the pro-artist perspective, but as always, Billy's incredible talent and dynamic personality are a fascinating experience for all attendees pro's and non-pros alike!

In each city the event times are 10:00am - 1:30pm and 2:30pm - 5:00pm

Event fee is $145.00 per seminar.

To register or for more information please call 866.876.9337 or email info@thepowdergroup.com

SAN DIEGO, July 17 /PRNewswire -- CEO, Steve Bonenberger of Blackhawk Fund Media Group stated, "We are so pleased to announce we are in production of two new beauty TV shows. Vanity Beauty TV for the 20 and older demographic and Teen Beauty TV, for the vast and lucrative teen market. Both shows will allow us to showcase beauty related products, services, fashion and so much more. The beauty industry will benefit greatly because our shows will fill a huge void, in that the beauty industry is still utilizing print for a majority of its marketing and product launches. Now they will be able to use the power and reach of television."

CFO, Brent Fouch added, "Millions of people will be able to benefit from our reputation and experience for creating brilliant niche television programming that educates, motivates and stimulates. And with our just announced TV On DVD distribution program, they will be able to watch both of these new shows at their convenience on DVD."

Mr. Bonenberger added, "By adding these new beauty shows to our significant television show and TV On DVD portfolio is very exciting. This gives us a line up of TV shows that collectively attract a huge segment of the nation's population and therefore attract a huge sponsorship base. We are already attracting sponsors that are reallocating their marketing dollars from print and moving to both our TV and TV On DVD media properties.

Mr. Fouch added, "Niche is the key strategy to our business success in that we have created niche media vehicles coupled with amazing distribution channels that most businesses only dreamed about. Our business model focuses on creating, producing and owning niche media properties that attract large targeted viewing audiences and therefore provide a large number of sponsors with the instant ability to reach their ideal consumers. We feel very firm in our decision to enter the beauty industry with these amazing media properties and are confident we will enjoy a very favorable return for our investors."

www.blackhawkfund.com

For all of you beauty junkies out there, Allure is having a month-long giveaway chock full of the best beauty products on the market! To enter to win you can submit your entry via allure.com/freestuff; all giveaways happen at specific times of the day, so be sure to download their calendar or pick up their Allure Free Stuff August issue, where all of the products and details are listed on the last few pages of the magazine.

**Ojon Giveaway!**

Allure's Free Stuff Giveaway includes Ojon's TUNU Elastik Flexible Finishing Hairspray. The giveaway is scheduled for August 9th at 4pm and will be awarded to the first 500 Allure readers to sign up via allure.com/freestuff. To learn more about Ojon's TUNU Elastik Hairspray, you can read the previous post I wrote on it by clicking here.

We're only into day two of Spring 2008 New York Fashion Week, but I'm already liking what I am seeing for Spring 08 beauty trends. As fast as the bold eyebrow trend swept in, it appears that it is just as quickly on its way out. Honestly? I couldn't be more thrilled. What seemed to be popular among designers and fashion magazines (as evidenced in their shows, in photo spreads and gracing red carpet celebrities) has not caught on with beauty addicts everywhere. I have yet to encounter anyone who embraced it wholeheartedly.

Softer, more natural looking eyebrows will be here for Spring 2008, once again bringing back natural beauty. Thanks to this great widget PopSugar created below, I can share Spring's fresh looks straight from the runway with you:

Tucked away in beautiful West Chester Pennsylvania is a boutique filled with decadently high-end beauty products (Hourglass, Fresh, Kiss Me, Becca) that has all of the locals raving. While Plain Jane is known for its intimate at-home setting (you'll feel like you are simply sharing makeup with a girlfriend) they are most known for their fabulous makeup parties. Where else can you sip champagne while choosing just the right lipstick other than your own powder room, of course.

Plain Jane offers the Powder Room party every Wednesday from 5pm-8pm. Play with color, talk to a makeup artist about your skin and ideas for a new look and get transformed as they work their magic. Sipping cocktails, gabbing with girlfriends and being pampered? This is my idea of fun.

Plain Jane has First Friday parties or better yet, you can customize a party to suit your needs. Pampering your best girlfriends with sugar scrubs, face masks, hair styling and makeup applications--we all love to be pampered, why not make it a celebration and share it with your friends?

With a few accolades to their name such as the Best of Philly Best Cosmetic Store award and two Best of the Main Line awards, Plain Jane owners Annie Moretti and Michele Robins have what it takes to make sure that you walk away from their boutique having just had an "experience" and not just another shopping day.

So the biggest awards show of the season finally happened! Sunday saw The Oscars and we all eagerly watched the arrivals on the red carpet to see what they had chosen. I must say, many of the celebrities played it safe. Choosing to stick with classic simple hair and makeup. Dresses were simple too, blocks of color and great tailoring, not as much glamour and drama that we have seen at Oscars in the past.

The only person who really took a risk (in my opinion) was La Vie End Rose star - Marion Cotillard. Although, I am sure many blogs and weeklies wouldn’t agree with me!

Hair wise, the most outstanding look of the evening belonged to Katherine Heigl. The Grey’s Anatomy alum and star of 27 dresses dazzled on the red carpet. Her hair was styled by Sean Flanigan, who was inspired by Marilyn Monroe and decided to pay homage. A big fan of Joico products, Sean set her hair with rollers using Joico JoiGel to create those beautiful curls. He finished off by locking her hair with the new Design Collection Humidity Blocker. He had to, it was raining and the temperatures were in the high 70s under the tents! Katherine Heigl won an US Weekly “Best Retro Style” Award for her style.

You can check it out in this week’s issue, which is in stores now!

This week top editors gathered at The London Hotel in New York City to celebrate the arrival of Joico’s Re:nu Age Defy Hair Care line. The new, unique, scientifically advanced system is the first of its kind and is designed to stop hair from acting its age!

As we age, our hair undergoes some significant changes—it loses density, manageability, vibrancy, shine, strength and of course, more grays appear every single day. Now, thanks to Re:nu Age Defy from Joico, it is possible to stop the clock, reversing these signs of age. In fact, this new regimen is so revolutionary; it can even slow and in many cases reverse the growth of grays!

Joico Re:nu Age Defy System gives hair:
• Smoother, shinier, softer and more manageable texture
• Protection from moisture loss
• Protection from environmental stresses
• Reduced structural damage and increased strength
• Substantial scalp nourishment

Stop the Clock! With new Joico Re:nu Age Defy Hair Care System. It is sure to have your hair looking as youthful as you feel on the inside!

Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me has been the beauty bible for most women (and men) for years. Now in its 7th and final edition, Paula Begoun’s most popular trustworthy source of information, has her on a global media tour and preparing her for the next transition in her career of educating the consumer from the truths and non-truths in the cosmetics industry—the launch of Beautypedia.

Beautypedia, a database of thousands of product reviews, will remain the “living version” of her best-selling book and subscribers will have access to its entire contents online. Updated on the web in real time, Beautypedia will focus on helping consumers find the best fit for their skin care and cosmetics needs. While there are other websites out there that review beauty products, the major point of difference with Beautypedia is the substantiation behind the reviews—they are backed by science and not based on personal preference. Beautypedia will also be home to informative articles and industry news.

Subscription to Beautypedia is $24.95 a year. To view Paula’s Media Tour dates visit www.cosmeticscop.com.

Pierce Mattie recently hosted Joico's Fall Fabulous event to promote the launch of 3 new products in the Joico Design collection that will be launching later this year. Editors from various publications came in for a wash and style with the new products. George Papanikolas, of the Chris McMillan Salon in Beverly Hills, was the main stylist.

The Media Oasis was transformed into a Joico inspired/branded salon complete with fall flowers, soft lighting and fall trend posters. It looked absolutely amazing in here and everyone had a great time.

Now we can't tell you the 3 products just yet, but we can tell you that they'll be launching in a salon near you around October of this year. Stay up to date on all Joico products through their website and MySpace page.

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