Beauty pro division

I don't know any girl who doesn't long for longer, fuller lashes. The cosmetic industry banks on our love of mascara and our search for that one product that will give us the appearance of perfectly curled, lengthened and fuller looking lashes. So it's really no surprise that false lashes are what's hot for this Fall. False lashes can give us all of the above and add a little drama to our look.

False lashes of today are certainly not your mother's false lashes. They come in so many different styles, some even a little over the top if you are the adventurous type. NYX Cosmetics has 50 different false eyelash looks to choose from, so you can go with a natural looking lash to something more daring, flirty and fun--and at only $4, you can afford to buy several to suit your mood each day of the week.

Sephora has a good video on how to apply false eyelashes:

So will go with conservative lashes this season or will you dare to be different?

As we draw to a close for New York Fashion Week Spring 2008, the trends are set and we really have some great looks in beauty to look forward to next season.

The look--minimal yet polished.

The focus is no longer on the eyebrows, but on the lip instead. The comeback of lipstick carries over into Spring, where the look is precise. Other lip looks include matte, stained and see through color.

Skin: Looks more natural that is a midsection of matte and dewy. Cheeks have more contour with the focus on irridescence.

Eyes: Focus is on excentuating the roundness of the eye. False lashes are applied in the middle of the lashline as opposed to the end. Eyeshadow colors have a great range of plumbs, blue to grey and poppy colors that include oranges, corals and bright neons.

*Photo Credit: Style.com

There's a certain oil finding its way from Morocco and into the beauty products you are using these days. What has started out as a low hum has now erupted into a full blown chatter--everyone is talking about the amazing properties of Argan Oil. Just as Ojon nuts produce the hair's elixir in the rainforest, oil from the Argan nuts have gained momentum as "Liquid Gold" for the skin.

There are two beauty brands that I am familiar with who use Argan Oil as an ingredient in their products. Kaeline Argatherapie and Solessence. Argan Oil is the heart of Kaeline's products and Solessence uses the potent oil in their skin care set. So far I have only ever used Kaeline's products with amazing results.

Some of the benefits of Argan Oil are:

* Hydrates the skin while neutralizing free radicals.

* Reduces active blemishes and visible scars.

* Revitalizes and improves the skin's elasticity.

* Relives symptoms of eczema and psoriasis

* Reduces redness

Argan oil is also good for use in your hair and on your nails; it's even been said to help soothe rheumatism and arthritis pain. Argan Oil is virtually scentless and is not greasy as one would expect when you think of a typical oil. It's great for all skin types and will help heal acne, not cause it. Believe me, I was skeptical myself, until I tried it and haven't stopped using it since.

Have you used Argan Oil yourself? I'd love to hear how it worked for you.

It's only a natural progression, along with facial treatments such as Botox and chemical peels, why not have doctor exclusive beauty products? Understanding your skincare needs is best understood by your doctor who then can recommend which products are appropriate for use after treatment. Allergan, best known for Botox Cosmetic and the dermal filler Juvederm, is the one leading the way for this doctor-exclusive skincare trend.

Allergan presently has two skincare systems that you can only find exclusively through your physician: Vivite and Prevage MD. Vivite is a cosmeceutical skincare system that consist of 10-20% glycolic compound while Prevage MD has the highest concentration of Idebenone (1%) of any other cosmeceutical. Along with Prevage MD, the other Prevage series of products is a collaboration of Allergan & Elizabeth Arden.

Now it has just been announced that Allergan will also be working with Estee Lauder brand, Clinique to develop a skincare line that will work with in-office procedures and will be sold exclusively through a physician this Fall. I find this new trend intriguing--skincare so powerful that you can only get it from a doctor. Whether it actually works or not may be mute, but the psychology behind it may just boost visits to the doctor seeking out a skincare miracle.

What do you think of this new trend in skincare?

With spring right around the corner, neutral is the hot new shade of the season. Get the look with neutral nails! Muted shades of gray, cream and pink will bring this chic trend of spring all the way to your fingertips. The cream tones of the light shades leave your nails looking elegant and feminine. To keep you on trend, try butter London’s Yummy Mummy and Tea With The Queen to give you the perfect neutral shade and keep your nails looking fabulous!

Tips for neutral shades:

* Keep your nails short. Let your nail color make the statement, not the length of your nails.

* Layer on the Lacquer! To keep the opaque colors from becoming sheer, be sure to layer two coats of every color for a lasting look.

To complete the look, pair these muted tones with a bright outfit for the season and you are sure to be set for spring!

With Memorial Day come and gone, the unofficial start to summer is upon us. Before you head to the beach, it’s time to groom some unkempt [bikini] areas, get your body bronzed and dress up your beach wear for a trip to the shores that will rival summers past.

Bronzed Babe
Waxing “down there” is only half the prep for your day in the sun. Unless you’ve been lying in damaging tanning beds, chances are you could use a little color to help camouflage dimples and accentuate all the right curves. JOICO Skin Luxe Golden Shimmer allows you to show off your tan in its entire golden splendor, without the harmful effects from sun exposure. This luxurious, coconut-scented lotion builds an even, natural-looking tan without the dangers of sun bathing, while imparting a light touch of sexy, tan-enhancing shimmer on the skin.
For retail info, call 1-800-80-JOICO or visit www.JOICO.com; $15.95

Pierce Mattie was recently interviewed by Cosmetique News in Paris about how men's grooming products in Pakistan are beginning to become more acceptable and opening an opportunity for growth. Below you will find the original interview that took place that I believe will shed some insight into this emerging market for beauty.

Courtney, Cosmetique News: I’ve read a few reports detailing how men’s beauty products and services do well in Pakistan, as the influence of global pop culture and an existing cultural acceptance toward men ‘adorning themselves’ for special occasions like weddings make even men’s makeup products acceptable there, despite the strong influence of Islam. What can you tell me about this market?

Pierce Mattie: Pakistan is currently experiencing a rapid growth rate annually higher than most Middle Eastern countries with their economy and commerce. It currently remains as the world’s sixth largest growth rate. Their two largest areas of growth are finance and manufacturing. Previously, Pakistan’s economy was primarily an agricultural base, but over the past ten years it has increased to being a service-based country. This mostly includes wholesale and retail with an increase in marketing and public relations, both of which are image related industries. The trend is going from men in the workforce who may have worked outside mostly during the week to ones that are now indoors, at a computer, taking meetings and attending social functions for lunch and dinner. Thus, their grooming demands have increased.

In 2006 Pakistan signed the Free Trade Agreement with China to increase its bilateral trade to other markets. This has caused the workforce again to become more competitive both in their appearance and business savvy skills. The men are taking on a more global esthetic than that typically centric to Pakistan. There is a huge influence coming from East India at this time with men’s fashion and grooming that is melting Pakistani trends with an Indian Asian inspiration. I also see a huge amount of lineage between Pakistan and France. The Fashion Institute of Pakistan has an equally male staff as it does to its female counterparts, something unique to the country’s leading fashion school, thus increasing the enrollment of men in the college as well.

Courtney, Cosmetique News: In your understanding, which products/channels are the most successful, and which have the most potential for growth?

Pierce Mattie: Close to half of Pakistan’s population is Punjabi, an Indo-Aryan ethnic group from South Asia. They continue to enjoy their spicy dishes at lunch, but realize that during meetings it’s best to have a neutral aroma. There is an increase in men splashing cologne after lunch with popular notes that neutralize food smells, as well as, increasing their shower rituals to both morning and night. Their music and dance of choice is a folk music called Bhangra and it’s known for being very colorful. Currently it’s being mixed into workout videos and used similarly to the way the US Fitness industry exploded with a Miami dance called Zumba. Pakistan features several of their videos with male instructors. Famous Punjabi men include; Hrithik Roshan, who is an award-winning Bollywood actor. A partnership with him would make for a great branding opportunity for a grooming brand to align with.

We have always prided ourself for staying ahead of the trends and having the foresight to know who is on track for becoming a haute property. We've comprised a Haute List that contains brands that are haute now as well as brands you should be keeping your eye on.

Indie Fashion & Beauty Magazines:
1. Visionaire
2. Metro.Pop
3. VMAN

Foreign Beauty & Fashion Magazines:
1. Company (UK)
2. Jessica (Hong Kong)
3. Trendi (Finland)

TV Shows:
1. 90210
2. Kath & Kim
3. Gossip Girl

Women’s Apparel:
1. Topshop
2. Valentino under Alessandra Fachinetti
3. Rodarte

Men’s Apparel:
1. Pastelle
2. RMC Martin Ksohoh
3. ANAMA

Jewelry Brands:
1. John Hardy
2. Alexis Bittar
3. Trollbeads

Handbag Lines:
1. Rebecca Minkoff
2. Foley+Corinna
3. Timi & Leslie

Cosmetic Lines:
1. e.l.f.
2. Colorescience
3. Classified Cosmetics

Facing the Fall 2008 Fashion Trends 

With the non-official summer fashion cut-off finally arriving yesterday, it’s time to update your makeup routine to correspond with the new fall trends.  Naturally, I like to think my fall fashion trend picks from our Fashion Rag are also all encompassing of the hottest makeup trends this fall so I went ahead and found the best beauty looks to go with each trend.

Goth Glam:  This is not the Goth of the 90’s, so please get the hope out of your head that your dark red lipped and raccoon eye lined ways were making a comeback.  Instead, the 2008 brand of Goth calls for a simple sweep of pewter shaded shadow, a clean black lash line and a plum matte lip.  I like Duwop Gray Eyes Shadow Kit (I also LOVE their Reverse Eye Liner that will compliment the clean eye desired for this look by preventing smudging and running of the eyeliner) and Urban Decay makes a terrific lipstick in Apocalypse.

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Pierce Mattie PR Account Director, Jenelle Forin, just got back from a quick trip to Paris for Thai Princess Sirvannavari Narirantana's Pret-a-porter show at Paris Fashion Week. Lead hairstylist for hairXpression by Balmain Paris (a Pierce Mattie PR client), Olivier de Vriendt, created a look that was perfectly matched to Princess Sirvannavari's balance of paying tribute to Thai cultural tradition with a look that is considered super hot on the runways of New York and LA. 

All of the models had duplicate styles with the help of hair pieces by hairXpression by Balmain Paris. For this hair style, the model's own hair was pulled back tightly and wrapped around the head; longer hair was combed upwards and pinned to the top into a sleek "helmet." On the crown a long hair piece was pinned so that it fell down over the forehead in the shape of a fringe.

Beyond the hair style itself, the amazing part was that the hairXpression team consisted of hair stylists from around the globe: France, the Netherlands, the Farao Islands, Russia, Germany and North America. All of them bringing their unique talents and expertise with them to create the essential look that would complete the beauty portion of Princess Sirvannavari's Pret-a-porter show.

Jenelle gives some backstage insight on our main blog, so click on over and check it out!

See all of our photos from backstage with hairXpression by Balmain Paris on our Flickr profile.

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It’s the morning after the Golden Globes and this year was definitely the most impressed I have been in awhile! There were SO many good movies to choose from, amazing performances given by all, and one very surprising comeback (Mickey Rourke – really???) The red carpet did not disappoint either.

There were the obvious blunders: Drew Barrymore’s hair and behavior – anyone else feel like she was a reincarnation of Anna Nicole Smith? J.Lo’s dress – come on Jenny from the Block! We have seen this dress before - come on, cover up a little, at least for the twins!

With the few blunders came one of the best Award Show Fashions I have seen. My favorite look of the night has to go to January Jones (of Madmen fame). INCREDIBLE. That color - she took a hint from the show’s vintage wardrobe and went for classic glamour with a slight edge. The details on the dress made it interesting to look at without being too flashy or tacky. The hair and make up were simple and a little retro. Well done January – I’m sure you will make everyone’s top dressed list!

Frieda Pinto from Slumdog Millionaire was another amazing look of the night. Not normally a color I’m drawn to, the chartreuse color was PERFECT for the actress. She is absolutely stunning from head to toe. Her makeup was spot on – very minimal with a nude/pink lip and a very light smoky eye. Her hair, styled very simply in a blowout with a slight curl, was amazing.

Kate Winslet is and always will be flawless in my eyes. The stunning black gown fit her like a glove and the hair and makeup were just sophisticated enough. She had a gorgeous raspberry lip stain and a simple eye. Kate Winslet is what Hollywood glamour used to be (and will hopefully become again!)

I really could go on and on about the best looks – there were so many beautiful dresses last night! Also not to be missed – Salma Hayek, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eva Longoria, Tina Fey, America Ferrera and Seth Rogan (had to throw a guy in there and he looked awesome!) If this is a glimpse at the Oscar fashion & beauty looks, then we are in for a real treat.

Photo Credit: Just Jared except January Jones via FabSugar

Tags: Beauty PR

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Aquafina, the PepsiCo water company, has 'gotten its feet wet' in the beauty industry. In partnership with Added Extras, a cosmetics manufacturing company that specializes in licensed cosmetics, Aquafina is providing personal care products in the form of bath & body, skincare, and lipcare.  

For skin care, Aquafina is debuting their Qusome delivery system in their Daytime Replenishment Moisturizer SPF 15. QuSomes are a breakthrough technology delivering "microscopic water balloons that are 1/50th the diameter of a strand of hair and are made up of multiple layers." The moisturizer is lighweight, with a a non-greasy formula of vitamin E and retinyl palmitate. It's what your skin thirsts for! Even better, Aquafina is an affordable mass market beauty product since they have a lower price point and it is what your wallet thirsts for. The premium bath and body line offers shower gels, body washes, and a shea body lotion for all under $6. Aquafina's beauty line started from its humble entrance into the lip balm market, now the company offers three options for premium lipcare including the trio lip balm.

The lip barlm contains botanicals jojoba oil and a flavor unique to Aquafina. Learn more about Aquafina Skincare via their website www.aquafinaskincare.com.

Are affordable skin care products such as Aquafina's Advanced Hydration Rx line going to outlast and thrive in the recession? Share your thoughts on the products and the new buying habits of this economy.

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Food and cosmetics are becoming more intertwined this year to keep your skin looking healthy and vibrant. Probiotics, super fruits and green tea are the three booming ingredients that are making its way into our beauty products. Pierce Mattie has already predicted that probiotics were making a big impact in the cosmetic industry, and they most definitely are. Probiotics are essentially dietary supplements that are live organisms (in forms of bacteria) that contain potentially healthy ingredients. Probiotics strengthen your immune system and help with stress, which can help with anti-aging.

Recently, Clinique teamed up with Allergan- a health care company (noted for Botox cosmetic) just launched a probiotic cleanser under the Clinique Medical line that is used before and after non-surgical cosmetic procedures that can be ordered by your physician. This new line of products are suppose to strengthen your skin, minimize discomfort and unintended effects after surgery. The collection also has a treatment for the effects of certain prescribed medications that leave skin dry.

Celebrity-branded perfumes continue to be a strong trend in the fragrance industry. With four other fragrances under her belt, Kylie Minogue has just launched her latest new fragrance Couture for women by Coty (the perfume house also known for perfumes from Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez.) Kylie has taken inspiration from the runway to her new floral–musky scented perfume. The fragrance is a stimulating blend of aromas with amarena cherry, lemon blossom and vintage violet; heart scents are exotic ylang ylang, night blooming jasmine and passionflower while the base notes are comprised of musk ribbons, which provide a cashmere effect, vanilla sorbet and white cedarwood. It is an all encompassing blend of elegance and sophistication. The note of natural ylang-ylang is known to open up pores and sinuses, to make you feel as great as you smell!

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is drawing to a close. The pre-Fashion Week parties began last Monday as fashionistas prepared for a month-long line up of parties in New York, London, Milan and Paris. For Fashion Week it’s essential to have the right outfit and along with the right outfit comes the right makeup. Here are some makeup trends that were popular at fashion parties this prior to the fashion week kick off:

Red Lipstick
This is a universal classic and has yet to go out of style. Heidi Klum was seen numerous times throughout this week sporting this look. When wearing red lipstick, make sure to go light on the eyes and blush, to risk not looking clownish. When re-creating this look keep in mind your complexion. If your complexion is pink, a more plum shade of red looks great. Yellow tones look great with warmer reds that have a brown base to them. Some favorite lipsticks are: Clinique High Impact Lip Colour, Christian Dior’s Rough Dior Lipcolor, Chanel Super Hydrabase Lipstick Cashmere and Yves Saint Laurent Radiant Touch.

New York Fashion Week has ended, leaving us with a multitude of new trends to piece together. This fashion week, some trends, like dramatic, gothic lips, seemed to reflect the times. Maybe it was due to economic issues in the fashion industry, prohibiting some designers from hosting runway shows. Designers like Doo.Ri and Betsey Johnson sent their models down the runway (or took their pictures in a showroom) in graphite and blackberry-colored lips. I know it was fall fashion week, but depressed anyone?

These colors capture the drama of the runway where anything goes, but can lips this dark really be called ready-to-wear? Few would dare. So, how can you wear dark lipstick in the real world?

Remember when mom used to tell you that the secret to wearing makeup is to look like you’re not wearing any at all?  Well the Marc Jacobs fall 2009 presentation has reversed the belief and brought back the 1980s makeup trend at clubs such as the daring smoky eyes and the bright frosted lips. 

The man behind the revivification is surprisingly Francois Nars, founder and creative director of NARS Cosmetics.  Nars is most known for encouraging a natural sun-kissed face that has defined over a decade-long makeup movement.  His most notable accessory is his subtle yet glittery blush “Orgasm,” which quickly found its way into nearly every woman’s makeup case (yes, including my own).  Ironically, he this time chose to give the models a sexy-vixen-from-the-future look, with emphasis on icy blue lips — very much the opposite of his signature style.

“We wanted the models to look like girls ready to go clubbing, to reflect the edgy spirit of those years,” Nars said to the New York Times.  “The inspiration was Debbie Harry and all the girls like her who would really spend time putting paint on their faces.”

Bringing back this style of makeup is more than just aesthetically pleasing — it means the return of experimenting, intrepidness and enjoyment.  For Nars, it meant his return to the runway after a 10-year hibernation.  But he came back swinging, spending sleepless nights with Jacobs and Guido designing the 65 different looks that were tailored for each model.

“Imagine if you took a blender and filled it with some Stephen Sprouse, a little Saint Laurent and added a few nightclubs from the 70s and 80s, like Studio 54, Area and Mudd Club.” Nars said to TimesPeople.  “You get this wonderful mix, much like Marc mixes it up with the clothes.”

What valuable makeup secret did he share for those who want to pump up the bass on their face?

It has been an age-old belief that a little bit of red wine is good for the skin. Tauleto Sangiovese has decided to take this concept to the next level – developing products that run the gamut from perfume and face products to wines and candles. The wine based products are filled with anti-oxidants and the red grape skin and seeds are full of polyphenols and resveratrols for cell renewal to help your skin stay fresh and young.

Having worked in a makeup studio, I've heard a lot of women lament about eyeshadow. Many had trouble putting it on in a good shape for their eye or even putting the right amount on. It is complicated. How do you know how much is enough or how much is too much? You can really only know by practice or having someone do it for you. So, what if the right amount of shadow and the shape was already done for you and you just had to apply it? That would be great right? But how? The answer is stick-on eyeshadow.

I've heard a lot about these, but never used them myself or known someone who could tell me about it. So, I decided to explore how stick-on eyeshadow works. It looks easy to apply and difficult to mess up. It would be a makeup miracle. But you know how you see infomercials for products and you ask yourself, "If this really worked wouldn't everyone would use it?" That's how I feel about stick-on eyeshadow. So, my real question is, if it's so simple, why isn't it more popular?

Image via Wikipedia

Fashion week is over and the catwalk shows are always a good indication for next season's makeup trends. This summer's trends will bring softness and freshness to your look. This summer is all about strong eyes, colorful hues and pink flushed cheeks to make you look radiant all summer.

Eyes: Runway looks this past fashion week showed fun colors to experiment with such as lilac, or aqua (which Gucci sported this past fashion week), and also try some blue-rock glam that we saw at Alexander Herchocovitch. Use your imagination and combine pastel and bright colors to bring lots of personality to your look. Eyes are a big focus for this summer; wearing reds, oranges, purple, greens, bright blues and yellows to really stand out. Oranges and yellows are a little hard to pull off, but if you are a darker complexion these colors will complement you.

So many brands offer these shades, one of my favorite being MAC Cosmetics since their colors are so bold and offers such a variety of colors. Also, add some gold shimmer to your eyes to achieve a goddess feel, if you feel like it is too glitzy you should highlight the inner corners of your eyes with gold shimmer to create a subtle effect. Gold-based eye shadow is a great way to brighten up brown and hazel-colored eyes, but can also warm up other eye colors and different skin tones. A great product for this is Chanel's Fluid Iridescent Eye shadow in gold).

Next up is to store away your harsh black liquid liner, and replace it with violet eyeliner to create a softer eye that compliments every skin tone. Smokey eyes are still in, however such a dark tone is not necessary for the summer; so try to soften it up with light grays, blues, and purples to cater to the summer look.

This Paris Fashion Week, the accessory aspects of the shows, including hair and makeup were, defined ready-to-wear. Maybe this was to offset the truly not-ready-to-wearness of many of the clothes.

According to the designers from Paris Fashion Week, you have two hairstyle options for fall and they are polar opposites. Although there were some different styles displayed on the runway, there seemed to be competition going between two: super-slick updos and natural, flowy hair. While flipping through pictures of Fashion Week, almost every show featured these two styles. It was like the hair gods commissioned it. Seriously though, what I like is the simplicity of these hairstyles. They are uncomplicated and pretty ways for us common folk to wear our hair. So, will these trends be reflected off the runway?

Throughout history, a pale face has been most desired because it meant one was of high social status. Although tan skin is perceived as beautiful in modern times, pale skin has been traditional for centuries. John Galliano, Dior, and Viktor and Rolf's fall 2009 collections channelled historical perceptions of beauty through their runway makeup. So, what was behind the theatrical makeup at Paris Fashion Week?

butter LONDON participated in one of the most anticipated shows during New York Fashion Week for Fall 2009: Budding designer and CFDA Awards winner Alexander Wang. I was backstage coordinating interviews for Nonie Creme, Creative Director at butter LONDON and was able to watch the team in action as they worked on the model's nails.

Now that that summertime is fast approaching, now is the perfect time to sport a new manicure or pedicure. This season the hottest colors in nail lacquers also seem to be the brightest, especially since neon’s are a huge trend on nails and lips on the runway this season. So, grab your sunglasses and get set for bright, bold and beautiful summer!

Zoya's Indigo Hot Coral is great or give the orangey-coral, Heidi, a try. Better yet, try their La-Di-Da sampler for ultra-bright and neon colors. Hot pink is one color that is flying off salon and department store shelves! La Paz-itively Hot and Strawberry Margarita (which is a more crisp watermelon shade) by OPI are great bright pinks to go with. Dior’s Grenade Paprika, which is a mid tone pink with silver shimmer, their Portobello and butter LONDON's London Ungerground are also great bright shades. Also try Flirty fuchsia by essie.

In this economy I have noticed an increase in spending on faux luxuries aka knock-off’s especially sunglasses this summer but Botox, come on!

I will confess amongst my peers we have all been spending a little less time in our favorite surgeon’s office. The reality is that getting facial injections in this financial slump is not a priority with the majority. For those of you who refuse to go without those wrinkle flatteners and find a surgeon who has a record breaking price do your homework and please don’t skimp.

Have you noticed the vegan cosmetic marketing press that has been coming out the past few months? Are you like me, you go back and forth on being an ever-pure ingredient virgin? You want to be organic in skin care, you love how it sounds and want to be a part of the green movement, but then you get an invite to a Botox party and you accept. The results are just a little more fabulous that that aloe vera cream you have been sleeping with.

Even more basic, someone gives you a face cream with collagen from an animal source or even a placenta extract from a lamb (oh come on!) and you are intrigued so you apply it and your skin looks amazing. Animal oils against epidermal tissue as anti-vegan, as they may sound, actually are quite luxurious. Yes, even more basic, you clean your bathroom with green ingredients and trash out the bleach you have used for the past three decades to find after you clean, that your bathroom still isn’t quite clean. You now realize that green maybe isn't all it's cracked up to be.

There are naturally based beauty brands I have PR’d that have graced the editorial pages of every organic article from Elle to Natural Health, Oprah to Good Morning America. They have preached the “no talc” law. But come to find out they use carmine in their lipsticks. According to new industry trends (those created by the people marketing vegan makeup) beetle blood is out. Will brands be forced to reformulate again?

In the 80’s we were told not to use mineral oil, then in the 90’s it was propylene glycol. Then the 2000’s no parabens. We had the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics that launched and scared the royal hell out of everyone. Some of their findings were on par – the nail polish formulations, lead in lipsticks, etc.

Seriously, if you are going to go pure and I mean organic or vegan, then go for it. As an esthetician who has treated acne, wrinkles, sun damage and beyond, there is nothing that can help a wound heal faster than petroleum. While critics argue that parabens cause estrogenic effects on the body, research shows that it is only in large doses, not small cosmetic ones.  I personally am not jumping ship; I love my collagen creams, parabens and animal by-products. Yesterday, I had eggs for breakfast, a BLT for lunch and a chicken salad for dinner. If I can put it in my body to eat why I can’t put in on my face? Look at the food chart for a Vegan, seriously, look at it. It appears quite miserable doesn’t it? Beans and fruit with grains – yes that is what your skin care should be made of. I am certain I am going to get some hate mail over this but I for one am just simply tired of being told what we can and can’t use and what makes us right and righteous. 

Here is our list at Pierce Mattie of products that break the green laws but for some reason remain unformulated to trend and oh yes – best sellers!

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream – this breaks the mold on ingredients the critics would have you not use, but it remains one of the best selling creams of all time, why? The formula is quite perfect. Key ingredients: Petrolatum 56.8%, Lanolin, Mineral Oil, Fragrance, & Propylparaben! (we love it!)

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing - Mineral Oil, Propylene Glycol, Lanolin Alcohol, Petrolatum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben. It remains their best seller of all time, Glamour Magazine & Allure Magazine both have noted it with a readers choice award.

Natura Bisse’s Essential Shock Night Cream - is formulated with hydrolyzed elastin usually naturally derived, water-soluble protein of bovine origin and it’s truly one of the most elegant and rich creams your face will ever try. 

St. Ives Collagen & Elastin Essential Moisturizer – it packs mineral oil, soluble collage and hydrolyzed elastin (most likely from animal) along with several paraban preservatives.  

Lastly, and this one truly takes the cake – but if you use it, you will really love it. Hydroderm Fast Acting Wrinkle Reducer this little gem has amniotic fluid, placental protein, calfskin extract, urea (urine), collagen and parabens. It’s not to be used by the anti-green newbie.  

Our suggestions: ...

Beauty.com recently announced that it has partnered with fashion designer Zero + Mario Cornejo Designs for their latest installment of prestige gift with purchase cosmetic and fashion travel sets. The Beauty.com collaboration with fashion designers is relatively new in the last year or so and one that has proven to be a success through partnerships with designers such as Lela Rose, Shoshanna and Rachel Roy. While speaking at Cosmoprof North America this year, I had the opportunity to sit in on the WWD panel in which Kathleen McNeil of Beauty.com discussed how this has really been a beneficial co-branding relationship across the board.

Where did the summer go? It's hard to believe it, but New York Fashion Week is almost here which means it's about that time to start wearing your fall makeup. And just in time to capture your attention, The Body Shop has collaborated with celebrity makeup artist, Chase Aston, to create an autumn palette of colors so gorgeous that you may be apt to just put them on display instead of wearing them!

What an awesome 2 weeks! butter LONDON’s creative director Nonie Crème used her expertise and predicted the hottest nail colours for Spring/Summer 2010. We once again created a custom colour for Vena Cava’s presentation – a shade we are calling Corporate Blue (a nod to its beginnings as a Stapler’s flier – read more at Style.com.) They sent this over to Nonie and voila, Nonie created the perfect blue shade – not too bright, not too dark, the perfect cobalt blue.

After a beautiful coat of Pillar Box Red (coral/red) at the Jenni Kayne show, we headed off to Alexander Wang where Nonie painted the models nails with a mix of Cream Tea and Nail Foundation. This gave the nails a “frosted glass” look. (see pics at beauty.com)

At Phi, it was all about the girl – clean, tidy, minimal nails.

Then came Betsey Johnson. After all of the nude and subdued colors, it was time to rock out. Betsey’s models were given the rockstar treatment with either a base coat of Branwen’s Feather (deep plum) with a topcoat of pink glitter (Rosie Lee) or, a basecoat of Thames (emerald green) with a topcoat of green glitter (Henley Regatta). During the presentation, the nails glittered in the lights and camera flashes – very kick ass, just like Betsey herself.

Last, but certainly not least, came the Calvin Klein show. The look was all about the tidy, luxuriousness of a perfectly manicured hand/foot over specific colour choices. Nails and toenails were clipped as short as possible, with only a tiny sliver of white on show. Cuticles were meticulously pushed and tidied, and skin was moisturized and rubbed to increase blood flow and give a healthy pink glow. Nails were left unpainted, while toes had a custom mix of half a bottle of Cream Tea plus half a bottle of Horse Power Nail Fertilizer, which gave a soft, milky sheen to the natural nail look.

All in all, an amazing Fashion Week with butter LONDON – let’s face it, it was all about the nails this season.

Touted as the next "fashion accessory," Minx Nails are really the newest nail trend to show off your daring, sassy side. Minx is a solid film with an adhesive back that requires heat (and a salon professional) to apply. The best part is that regardless of how you "wear" your nails--au naturale, acrylic, gels or silk wraps, Minx can be a good fit. Pierce Mattie has marked Minx Nails as a hot beauty trend for 2010.

You might be longing for that little Paris number or the drop-dead pair of diamond earrings so temptingly featured in your favorite fashion mag, but let's face it. This year, it's not going to happen. What's a girl to do? How can you feel like a million without spending a million? The Fragrance Foundation believes that the very best way to feel like a million without the price tag is simple: fragrance, fragrance, fragrance! For you, for gifting, for the home.

Rochelle Bloom, President of The Fragrance Foundation explains: "There's just nothing that comes close to ticking all the boxes than fragrance. Fragrance is an affordable luxury that makes you feel fashionable, fabulous, sexy, uplifted, happy, positive and confident. The perfect accessory. The finishing touch. An objet d'art. All this with one spray, one dab, all in one lovely little bottle."

Experts on all things to do with perfume, scent and fragrance, The Fragrance Foundation has these tips and hints on how to indulge, enjoy and pamper you or your nearest and dearest with fragrances in various forms, without breaking the bank.

Fragrances are available in a variety of concentrations, so here's a guide:

Perfume

Top of the top, pure and true, perfume (parfum) has the highest concentration of pure fragrance and is therefore the most intense form of fragrance. You need no more than a drop or two on pulse points - wrists, behind your knees and in the crooks of your elbows, throat and neck. Stored correctly in a cool place, perfume will give long-lasting pleasure.

Eau de Parfum

Eau de Parfum is a slightly less intense concentration than perfume and can be used a bit more generously.

Eau de Toilette

Light but relatively lasting, eau de toilette can be splashed or sprayed on liberally. It's one of the most popular forms of fragrance.

If Perfume or Eau de Parfum is still a stretch, then consider all the scented options that can be used to "layer" fragrance, which simply means using one on top of another of the same fragrance, as a great way to make sure your favorite scent stays with you throughout the day. French-milled soap, exhilarating shower gels, soothing bath oils. Velvety, moisturizing body creams. Lightly smoothing body lotions.

Little things to keep in mind: always apply fragrance directly on skin. Why? Fragrance can stain clothing. Fabric can alter the aroma of your fragrance. The oils and alcohol can be damaging to some jewelry, especially pearls. Oh, and one last thing: a fragrance that complements your personality, style and your skin's individual chemistry is like your fingerprint, it's uniquely yours.

And if you are looking for stocking-stuffers, then a little bottle of fragrance packaged so exquisitely will surprise and delight. Is there a traveler on your list? Think solid perfume or roller-ball style.

With one little drop, feel like a million with a fabulous fragrance

ModiFace Inc., the world-wide leader of makeover technologies for web, kiosk and mobile, today announced the launch of AgeTell, the latest visualization tool that simulates the effects of aging on user-photos instantly. Based on artificial intelligence and computer vision technology, the company's applications to date visualize skincare, anti-aging products, color-cosmetics, weight-loss, and hair styles. This innovative application now enables users to see what would happen if the biological clock is accelerated forward.

ModiFace's AgeTell application allows anyone, from curious internet users to forensic or security specialists to simply upload a photo of an individual in order to virtually add up to 20 years. With a simple click of a button, the technology whitens hair, deepens fine lines and wrinkles, highlights age spots, and even manipulates muscles to lose firmness and elasticity as it occurs in real life. The user has the option to choose age ranges between 0-20 years forward and results are portrayed immediately. This technology, in development for the past year at ModiFace Labs, can be used for various entertainment or professional purposes, and enables organizations such as the FBI or local police to obtain photo-realistic visualizations of what individuals may look like after elapsed time.

"One of the most unique aspects of AgeTell is that it uses the lines and muscles of the individual within the photo itself to show aging. In other words, it is based on a physical simulation of what happens to our face as we age, from the spots on the skin, to the relaxation of the muscles, to the whitening of the hair." says Parham Aarabi, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of ModiFace.

I lived in London and coming from a city where the tube stops running at midnight and you cannot get a decent meal after 11pm, it’s refreshing to take a bite out of the Big Apple; granting 24 hour access to transport, good food and pretty much everything else available to order. The bright lights of New York represent its cosmopolitan, “the party never stops” spirit in the same way that breast augmentation should be listed as a tourist attraction in Silicone Valley. Goes with the territory. So the emergence of a home care cosmetics company in San Diego is just a natural step in the evolution of the image-obsessed Californian.

Consumers have long loved incentives at the beauty counter, such as the coveted gift with purchase promos. They have always been very effective at gently pushing those on the fence about a purchase to reach into their wallets and make the sale. Neiman Marcus' latest GWP, which includes a free David Yurman Cord Bracelet with any David Yurman fragrance purchase, is just another way the beauty retailers are bringing the counter experience from the department store to the online world.

The counter experience has long been the staple to luring in new customers and continuing ongoing relationships with already loyal consumers. Where increasing numbers of people are choosing to shop from the comfort of their homes these days, purchase incentives may be even more effective at increasing sales with the consumer having more time to browse products in a low pressure atmosphere.

While Sephora has been capitalizing on the beauty market and offering customers free gifts with almost every purchase, luxury retailers such as Bloomingdales, Saks and Neiman’s have been slower to capitalize on this.

Do you find yourself purchasing more products from an online retailer's GWP than you would at the counter?

Are you ready for the best summer ever? The trend forecasting team at Pierce Mattie has put together a list of this summer’s must have products, movies and books to help you weather the heat. Whether it’s slathering on the latest SPF at Flying Point Beach or sporting a new piece of jewelry, these trends are sure to carry you through the season. 

Sizzling Beauty Picks

• Intellishade SPF 45 from Revision Skincare: This summer, beauty mavens crave multi-tasking products and Intellishade SPF 45 delivers, keeping you youthful, moisturized and protected from the sun’s harmful rays, all while blending naturally with any skin tone. Gone are the days of embarrassing orange lines and paler than a porcelain doll skin tone.  Available at RevisionSkincare.com
• Humidity Blocker from JOICO: While the textured, beach tousled hair look may be in this Summer, frizzy never is. JOICO’s Humidity Blocker imparts an invisible protective barrier around each hair strand, providing ultimate humidity protection by locking out style-robbing moisture all day. Available at JOICO.com
• Jelly nail polish collection from butter LONDON: Aimed to complement both the intense color trend and neutral look of the Spring/Summer 2010 runways, Jelly offers three sumptuous sherbet shades, Twee, Stroppy and Chuffed, that give sheer coverage that deepens with each coat.  Available at butterLONDON.com

Accessorize in Style

• Rotenier Signature Seville Cuff Pendant by Diamond Ideals: “Hardware” is all the rage and this Seville Cuff is one part futuristic, one part traditional, making it the perfect accessory to complement your summer wardrobe. Available at DiamondIdeals.com
• The Trophy Satchel from Hayden-Harnett:  This leather satchel offers plenty of space with just the right amount of shine, perfect pockets inside and out, great leather appliqué detailing and a thickly woven shoulder strap. This handbag is durable enough to last for years and complements any wardrobe. Available at HaydenHarnett.com

• The Facelift Letdown: When Results Don’t Meet Expectations by Sam T. Hamra, M.D.:  Planning a facelift? Don’t leave home without this must-have handbook from board-certified plastic surgeon and facelift pioneer Dr. Sam T. Hamra. Providing solutions for achieving the optimal facelift and how to avoid costly, regrettable surgery, The Facelift Letdown outlines the signs of unwanted results, interviewing your surgeon, determining the best procedure, regaining the facial harmony of your youth and retaining it long after your surgery.
• How I Wore My Makeup Today: Up-Close Inspiration and Tips From the Online Fashion Community by Korero Books: How-to’s have become big in the blogosphere with many beauty and fashion blogs showing their readers “how to get the look.” How I Wore My Makeup Today carries this trend into the book world, taking a do-it-yourself approach to beauty that any woman can appreciate.
• Beautiful Skin Revealed by Dr. Paul Friedman explains the cause of common skin conditions including acne, age spots, wrinkles, leg veins, birthmarks, scarring, stretch marks and skin cancer, through the personal stories of real woman.  Dr. Friedman’s patients provide emotional accounts of how their conditions and treatments profoundly affected their lives.  Useful tips and information from Dr. Friedman supplement patient testimonials, helping readers understand which procedures are available as well as giving detailed overviews of what is involved with each treatment. An essential guide to keeping your skin healthy as well as the advances that are being made.

The saying goes, "like mother like daughter" and this has become even more evident in the emerging beauty trend of mothers and daughters opting to get cosmetic surgery procedures together. Something as simple as a little Botox to more in depth procedures like rhinoplasty and face lifts are quickly becoming the procedures done as a family than alone. And while mother-daughter duos are currently the trend, it wasn't long ago that cosmetic enhancement enthusiasts started hosting Botox parties at medspas to share in the experience together.

In the last year a beauty trend has been becoming more apparent and it has nothing to do with looks on the runway or the hottest color celebrities are wearing. No, this beauty trend has to do with the way beauty brands are marketing themselves in airports, stand alone kiosks at your local mall and supermarkets by way of...vending machines. I'm sure you've seen them with ProActive, The Body Shop, Sephora and Coty Fragrances, but is this really the way beauty addicts want to purchase their beauty products?

The biggest draw of these beauty vending machines is the convenience. Picking up your groceries for the week and don't have time to stop at The Body Shop to replenish your moisturizer? Viola! You can use the vending machine at your local supermarket and save you the hassle and the trip. Who doesn't love the idea of an all-in-one stop shop?

While I definitely think the convenience is appealing, I still think that nothing beats the actual experience of walking into a store and being able to take in the different scents, browse anything new and interact with the customer service rep. should I need to. What are your thoughts? Would you buy from a beauty vending machine or would you rather go to the store itself to make your purchase?

According to Vogue, there's only one product you need this New Year's Eve and that's Pierce Mattie PR's client MyFaceWorks. If you’re working on a New Year, New You or Post Party Quick Fix Story be sure to give our Pierce Mattie PR team a call at 212-243-1431 or follow us on Twitter @PierceMattiePR and FaceBook.

Fashion Week has always set the trends for the following season, but one beauty trend that seems to have stuck for about 3 years now is the moon manicure. We first saw it in reverse with Thakoon in 2008, only to have variations follow over the years from Ruffian and Dior and continued to see it throughout last year with designers like Vena Cava. It seems every designer was showcasing a moon manicure as their nail look (almost as an accessory in and of itself.) So has the fevor died down? Absolutely not! Although, just for the record, this look is not new--it's actually a pretty vintage look stemming from the 1920's.

What I love is that designers are allowing nail art to be more art than solid nail color at their shows. As someone who is more excited by the hair, makeup and nail trends that occur during fashion week than the actual fashion, this is a welcomed change! 

There are some great tutorials on how to achieve the moon manicure look such as a video tutorial on BellaSugar or the step by step guide on Jezebel, and my favorite of course being from Michelle of All Lacquered Up with some amazing pictures in her how-to guide.

What do you think of this nail trend? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Thought ponytails were long-gone and departed? Only for toddlers and yoga class? Not precisely. Create something ordinary with those lustrous locks of yours.

Keep it simple, timely, and classy with this effortless updo.  Yes ladies, the ponytail trend is back…or continues to remain admired.  The high ponytail isn’t only being rocked on the runway this season.  It seems to harmonize well with a tasteful Valentino evening dress and pair of patent leather Louboutins.

Ponytail No.1 Seeking sleek? Achieve this smooth look with Pravana’s Relax Straightening Cream. First, straighten the entire head of hair with this cream to get that smooth finish you desire.  Then, finish off the sleek elegant ponytail by applying Pravana’s Finish Rock Hard Mist to scalp portion the head, followed by a comb-through.   This graceful and chic pony will have heads turning…literally, in yearning for a similar look. 

Ponytail No. 2 Not into tight, sleek updos?  Prefer something more casual, maybe even messy?  Then my suggestion is to sport a low ponytail for a more relaxed, informal look.  Don’t stop here, create that natural, beach-hair look by applying Pravana’s Curves Curl Enhancer.  Define your natural wavy or curly hair while adding a light bounce with this particular product. 

Want these looks to last?  Sustain your 'do with Pravana’s Super Shape Hair Spray, applying to wherever you desire no folicle movement.  I recommend spraying closer to the roots for Pony No. 1 and closer to your ends for Pony No. 2 in order to keep your roots and all hair prior to the tie, looking soft and loose against the frame of your face.  This long-lasting, lightweight spray assists in keeping either that lady of luxury…or lady of leisure look you crave.  

What do you think about ponytails?  Would you or do you wear them?  Which style of pony do you prefer? Twet us @PierceMattiePR.