Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

Like most girls err.... women (nothing but grownup sentiment here) I value my bathroom time. I am lucky if I make it out of the shower in thirty minutes between scrubbing, shaving, buffing, exfoliating, and other tub activities and that doesn't even include the time I am willing to commit to an actual bath.

Thus when I say that bathroom time is sacred you can see that I spend a lot of time "in prayer" on a given day. Thus when fellow blogger Sophia turned me on to her Holy Mud I had a real chuckle at just how appropro the name is for those of us that consider the bathroom a sacred space

Fresh from the Holy Land, this concentration of carefully sifted Dead Sea Mud is rich in highly absorbent minerals that draw impurities out of your skin's tissue like a magnet. Despite all of the incredible scientific advancements and the millions of dollars the cosmetic industry spends on research and development, few products have been able to cleanse the skin, remove excess oils and help people achieve a divine complexion the way an all-natural Dead Sea Mud Mask is able to do. There are roughly 6-8 professional quality facial mask treatments per jar.

Let me tell you this mud really does sucks all the nasty out and the feeling it leaves behind is nothing short of "divine." And yes I realize I am extending this metaphor a little far but come on this mud is like a little piece of heaven.

THIS JUST IN FROM THE MEDIA OASIS: Which Pore-Yanker Ad Campaign Came First?

Check out this "unholy" plagiarism of a "pore-yank-er" brand campaign. Who came up with the idea first? Oasis annalist dont know. If you do, please comment here or send us your comment via email at info @ Piercemattie com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s always interesting what you can learn about someone by looking in his or her medicine cabinet. We decided to run a profile on this suspect by examining the content of her cabinet. All we know is that she is a blogger.

Clumsy white female with disposition toward obsessive compulsive disorder? Looking at suspect's top shelf, I wonder if she is clumsy. All the bandages, Neosporin, and anti-septic foam make me wonder. It’s like a first aid kit ready to go to Iraq.

Suspect will appear to be glowing year round: We detected ModelCo Tan Airbrush in a Can, Neutrogena Build-a-Tan Face, and Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. The suspect knows her stuff. It makes me wonder, does she just like a bronzed look or is she being health conscious by not soaking up the UV rays at the local tanning salon?

She works in a professional, somewhat stressful environment and has access to some of the best ingredients around. I can tell that she must have a stressful job, perhaps a frequent traveler due to the serums she uses on her face: Leontine Upset Skin Serum, Patricia Wexler MD MMPi Skin Regenerating Serum, Juice Beauty Green Apple Antioxidant Serum on row two, and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate in row three.

Suspect works hard and plays hard. Overwhelming evidence of being a night owl (or a late night partier?) exists. See the eye depuffing products such as Benefit’s Action Eye Gel, Kiehl's Light Nourishing Eye Cream, and Kiehl's Cryste Marine Firming Eye Treatment.

It appears suspect is a trained chemist, definitely more than just a beauty addict, but also obsessed with her hair. (See OCD indicators in my report.) She has more hair products than a myopic Sasquatch: Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray, Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Oil, Very Irresistible Givenchy Tender Hair Mist, Chi Silk Infusion, Oscar Blandi Jasmine Oil Hair Serum, Fekkai Technician Glaze, and Neutrogena Triple Moisture Healing Shine Serum.

Detail-Oriented And Possibly From The UK. At least we know she isn’t leaving white marks behind with her Dove Ultimate Clear Antiperspirant. The Crest Whitening Expressions Lemon Ice Toothpaste tells me that Kristen likes citrus, which is a mood booster and possibly a way to wake up in the morning from late nights? I spy Crest Whitestrips also and a Crest Toothbrush, but where is her your floss? I presume suspect follows the same dental hygiene program as The House of Carters.

Unattached. The biggest thing I can tell from suspect's cabinet is that she is single. My deduction is due to the many top of the line, brand name products peeking out at us. She also spares no expense when it comes to the care of her skin and hair.

Naturally this post is all in jest, as suspect is a good friend of mine. You can tell that suspect is a little more than just “a little obsessed with makeup,” and that is why the girl is so beautiful. Continue reading this post for suspect's identity...

As I was washing my hair today I noticed that my ISO Shampoo had an expiration date on it. I thought that was unusual, as I haven't noticed any of my other shampoo's alerting me to when they would expire. I decided to look through some of my other products in my bathroom to see if any others would have expiration dates. I was surprised to find that half did and half didn't. All the products that did varied in expiration. For example, my Ojon Revitalizing Mist expires in 18 months; my Jane Iredale blush in 24 months and my Joico Silk Result in 12 months. Since I am one to horde beauty products until I have finished every last bit of them, I decided it’s best to note shelf life on your beauty products.

Sometimes there are products I get excited about and then there are the products I want to shout from the rooftops about. Some products I got to try out for review from Earth Therapeutics have me wanting to shout from the rooftops without a doubt.

Purifying Salt Scrub Detox Formula: Out of the three products, this is the one that I was most excited to try. I know the benefits of using Salt Scrub, especially those made with Dead Sea Salts. Earth Therapeutics Salt Scrub also contains organic Tea Tree Oil, which enhances cleansing and detoxification, and moisturizing essential oils. While the oils feel slick in the shower, once you get out and dry off, you feel nothing but baby soft skin. Using this once a week has given me fabulously soft skin, which has helped solved my winter-skin dilemma.

Soothing Leg Lotion: The scent of this lotion is heavenly. This lotion has Rosemary, Wild Mint and Aloe Vera. The consistency is almost like a silky shower gel. It spreads easily and absorbs nicely. It made my legs feel wonderfully soft and I loved the scent so much, that I put it on my hands before bed. I found the scent to be so relaxing, that it helped me fall to sleep.

Nail & Cuticle Care: If you are someone whose nails are brittle and whose cuticles crack easily, this is surely the nail conditioner for you. When I rubbed it on my nails and over my cuticles I could almost hear them saying, “ahhh,” in relief. The scent was a nice citrus scent, which I love. It contains Sesame Oil to moisturize, Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil to protect your nails from infection and an Organic Nutrient Matrix to nourish and deep condition your nail bed and cuticles.

Have you used any Earth Therapeutics products? Let me know what you thought in the comments.

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

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

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

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

Although Blogging has been around for years, approaching Bloggers to review or pitch your products is fairly new and growing in momentum. If you are thinking of approaching a Blogger to review your products, there is a protocol that sometimes many companies do not invest their time to understand and follow.

As a beauty Blogger, I receive many emails on a weekly basis from companies and PR firms big and small to find out if I am interested in reviewing their products on my two beauty blogs. There are some that exude professionalism both in the way they approach me through their emails, through the way the package is sent and in their follow up. Then there are the mass emails, lack of PR materials with the product, presentation of the product and lack of follow up. The difference between the two potentially means your emails go in my trash folder.

Things you should not do when you approach a Blogger:

Send out a mass email, most notably saying “Dear Bloggers” or having no greeting at all. While some newer Bloggers may respond to this, many seasoned Bloggers won’t. It is the sign of a company simply harvesting your contact information and not taking the time to personally contact you, as they want you to personally review their product. It is a two way street.

Have the expectation that the Blogger will want to review your product simply because you offered it for free. Bloggers know their readers and most will only review products that are 1. Related to their blog and 2. Something that would be of interest to their readers.

Insincerely attempt to flatter them. So many companies do it and many times I receive the same email to each of my accounts for my blogs when the company doesn’t even realize they are sending it to the same person. Bloggers can read between the lines.

We all experienced the rise of “metrosexuality” a couple years ago, marked by an emergence of hair-care, skin-care, and grooming products in the men’s market. Heterosexual men were being told that it was now ok, and expected, to want to look their best and use the types of products they saw on their girlfriend’s bathroom counter. I remember my shock when I was getting a manicure in my hometown and in walked a guy I went to High School with- I hadn’t expected to have a male customer come sit next to me, but then again, it was the trend at the time.

Above: Marco Dapper, December 2006 Most beautiful Man

All trends come to an end, though, and this year we witnessed the apparent “death of metrosexuality.” To compensate for the lack of masculinity in recent years, the new trend is "macho"- men that are proud to say their beauty routine consists of soap, water, and toothpaste only. Advertisers are catching up with the trend as well, with popular brands trying to exude masculinity in their commercials. As just one example, Miller Lite’s “Man Laws” ad campaign this year included guys at a square table discussing the code of what manly men can and cannot do.

Manufacturers have also had to take note, in that packaging has become more and more important because it is usually the consumer’s first contact with a product. If the package hints at any type of femininity, a lot of men will steer clear. On the other hand, if the packaging conveys a sense of strength and masculinity, it will be accepted by a larger amount of the male population. One of our men’s grooming clients, for example, does a great job of providing luxury grooming equipment for men without coming across as “metrosexual.” Hommage’s line of shaving sets will not only help men look and feel their best, but will also ensure an image of masculinity and tradition. Take note ladies- with Christmas and Valentine’s Day on the way, these shave sets are the perfect gift for the "manly" men in your life.

My skin and I have been at odds with each other for the longest time. I don’t necessarily have normal to oily skin, but dry to oily skin. It’s really been a quagmire to find a product that won’t further dry out the dry areas, but won’t also moisturize too much in the oily areas either.

Several weeks ago I began using Epionce’s Lytic Gel Cleanser and Purifying Lytic Toner, both are geared towards problem skin types. Both products are fragrance free and non-comedogenic. I was, of course, skeptical that this would be the product to reduce that shine, yet still keep the dry sections of my face from further damage.

Before I even get into how the product worked, I liked right away how the Lytic Gel Cleanser’s top had an open/close twist to it. This is perfect for when you have to travel and pack it away, so that it is not leaking all over your clothes. Furthermore, as a parent, it means little fingers cannot get a hold of it and pump away my precious product.

I hope everyone rang in the new year in style! Here's to some great fashion and beauty blogs to kick off the Weekend Pulse for 2007:

Fashion:

+ The Fashionator is happy big glasses are out, but nerdy glasses are surprisingly sexy.

+ Organic_Clothing explains the reason behind the high cost of organic fashion.

+ Coffee Break posts about Madonna’s new line of clothing for children that is a spin-off from her books.

Beauty:

+ Now Smell This reviews Ralph Rocks by Ralph Lauren.

+ RealSelf Blog reports on how to avoid a bad face lift.

+ Ms. New Beauty gives her latest installation of Cheap & Chic: Everything’s Coming up Roses.

It's only a few weeks into Winter, but it already feels like Spring. Here's some fabulous links from some great beauty and fashion blogs to put a little spring in your step!

Fashion:

+ Couture in the City discusses the fashion of designer Sari Gueron.

+ Debutante Clothing is thrilled that high waisted pants are making a comeback (me too, for that matter!)

+ Groove Effect takes a look at Imaginary Foundation Art and Streetwear.

Beauty:

+ Product Girl reviews Smashbox's Tokidoki Skin Tint (I'm so glad Carla is back blogging, aren't you?)

+ Beauty & Personality Grooming goes over the general rules of lipstick.

+ Fantabulous reviews Good Skin Soft Reflections Illuminating Loose Powder.

Yes, I know it's not a scoop, but I wanted to post about 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.

"The way he has built his career so far, privileging the quality of the director rather than the high-profile nature of a role, makes us feel very confident in the fact that if he chose to accept this collaboration with Lancome, then it truly means our partnership was meant to be,"

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 Men, which includes fragrance and anti-aging 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.

If you want to read more about what's going on in the Beauty Industry, be sure to check out our Beauty PR blog.

If you watched the second two-hour premiere of 24 last night you'll know why Los Angele's is stocking up on Clarins Expertise 3P. It's a new plant-based mist that is said to shield your skin from electromagnetic waves and daily environmental pollution by reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier, protecting against free radicals and increasing cellular energy. Since this product only launched this month I have yet to use it, however I did a lot of searching online to see what others have been saying about it. It appears that there is some debate over whether this is hype or a true plausible product.

While many beauty Bloggers seem thrilled with such a product coming out on the market, it seems that those in the tech world find it laughable. Engadget made a stab at it and a commenter on Yahoo Tech cited the National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation as one who exposes the truth on Clarins. Pierce wrote about the NTEF, a client of Russ Fons PR, back in October when they issued a press release bashing Clarins.

As I get sent products to review often, one thing I have been seeing more of is shielding lotions. So the concept of a shielding mist is really not that far fetched. A few commenters on Engadget brought up a good point and one that I agree with. Shielding products appear to work in the same way sunscreen is meant to work; blocking out what is bad for your skin and letting the good pass through. Our president loves the idea and placed his order last week and made it his pick for the week. I’m not sure why the idea of a shielding mist is that hard to grasp. As we come to know what affects our skin, doctors and scientists are able to move forward in finding ways to protect it. While the FDA does not regulate the cosmetics and skin care industry, it certainly polices itself. Many companies do their own laboratory research to create products that deliver a solution to a skin care issue. I’m sure Clarins did a substantial amount of research to produce a product that delivers on its promise.

If you have tried this product, let us know what you thought of it.

Here's what some great blogs in beauty and fashion are talking about:

Fashion:

+ Bunnyshop muses about a possible Spring Trend: Gold Legging’s.

+ The Purse Blog posts a letter to Gucci regarding The Gucci Dog Backpack (it is a very amusing read!)

+ Counterfeit Chic weighs in on the controversy regarding weight and models.

Beauty:

+ 99 Products raves about Ojon’s Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cream.

+ Pretty by Nature offers a tip: Stop Pulling your face.

+ Pure Spa discusses the 30 minute Migun massage.

Kiss My Face was a green beauty company before green became an in thing. Every product they sell is organic without anything artificial at all. Yet going organic certainly doesn’t mean that quality is compromised at any point or that organic means a heavy price point. Most Kiss My Face users will tell you, their products are top notch and won’t break the bank in the process.

It’s not very often that you can go to a company’s website and read the background on how things were started, and if you can find one, you certainly will not find one so personable and down to earth. When you read the story behind how Kiss My Face began and their mission and purpose of their products you can’t help but feel their humor, lightheartedness, and of course their love for our great Earth. Their story is definitely a Squash to Riches story and one I think everyone should read.

Kiss My Face sells a variety of products for your bath, body and more. The products range from hair care to soap to facial moisturizers. Since we all know that organic is not only earth friendly, but also skin friendly, more people who may have a sensitivity to ingredients in other products may find comfort here.

If you use Kiss My Face, what is your favorite product from their line?

Decleor Paris is a luxurious face, body and suncare line for both men and women. Decleor was founded by a team of aromatherapy experts who use their knowledge of active plant extracts to create a comprehensive line of products that are both preventative and on going natural skin care. Decleor is also partnered by Shiseido, known for their wonderful beauty products, and are also the 4th largest beauty group in the industry.

Essential oils have wonderful healing properties with aromatic fragrances that, depending on which oil is used or combined with another, promotes such things as well being, calm, relaxation and so on, therefore promoting balance of both body and mind.

While Decleor’s packaging makes you feel like you just bought a diamond necklace at Tiffany’s, don’t be fooled that the luxury ends there. It’s what is inside the package that is luxurious, making your skin look and feel like you just spent hours at the spa. In fact, Decleor also offers Salon and Spa treatments at select locations. Within the US, it is at Hotel Sofitel in Los Angeles where you can receive their Aroma Mosaic treatments that focuses on care of your face, body and the effects of the sun. Each focused treatment is broken down to be tailor made based on the needs of each individual.

You can find Decleor products in various cities throughout the country or locate one close to you with your zip code through their website: www.decleor-us.com

Parabens. (Que the horror music sound effect) Just say the word to anyone on the street and you will get a variety of responses. Many believe what they have heard and warn you against using any products that contain them and many just want to wait until science proves that parabens are really harmful to you, as that is not proven yet. It just seems that these days the words parabens and cancer go hand in hand without any conclusive evidence that they actually do. I like to make sure I'm not subscribing to a lobbyist who has ulterior motives for financial gain, and no I'm not a conspiracy freak, (ok maybe just a tad) I was recently told (by my therapist) that that quality is at the heart of all good journalists... a desire to dig for the real truth... or conspiracy!

I’m certainly not a scientist, but I am pretty educated and try to always read both sides to a story. Just like when everyone screamed that mineral oil was bad for you, it eventually was proven that it was not. However, you still find many companies today touting how awful mineral oil is for your skin while offering you their version of something safer. I have yet to find a website stating that mineral oil is harmful while not trying to also sell you something in the process. I had been skeptical myself, but after some researching of my own and contacting my friends at The Beauty Brains blog (who happen to be both cosmetic chemists with 30 years experience), they insisted it was all hype and that mineral oil was indeed the best moisturizing product for your skin. So I have learned to look deeper into an issue than to be frightened by scare tactics.

Unfortunately, scare tactics are the route that Dr. Epstein of the Cancer Prevention Coalition is taking when going after Origins, an Estee Lauder company. They try pointing out that Origins cannot be taking, "A totally integrative approach to skin care ... to help your skin be as healthy as possible, (and) optimize its defenses against age accelerators" claiming that Origins uses parabens (among other ingredients) in their products. They site that parabens are known to cause “endocrine disruptive.” However, there has not yet been one study that has conclusively, 100% proven this.

And another beauty, Jessica Biel, was a standout at the Golden Globes red carpet this week, not only for her rockin' body and her beautiful dress, but her skin was amazing! Now we are going to show you how she got that golden glow. Everyone from desperate moms-to-be to "dreamgirls" know that perfect skin is the key to looking good in hollywood. and when Jennifer, Marcia, Jessica biel, and even Elijah Woods want baby-smooth amazing skin, they start at Dermalogica.

Cut to Dermalogica On Montana Pod: they're doing what is called the microzone where they're zoning in on a specific area. it's about 20 minutes. this is the process that you would be doing four weeks prior to your event. what i'm doing here is a rapid result treatment. the ultrasound actually gives a deeper cleanse, and while it's giving a deeper cleanse, it's actually exfoliating. it gets down into the deeper epidermis, so it's giving a really good effect on the skin. what i'm doing is called a high frequency. it's great for any sort of blemish or acne. this is also great for oily skin. so it isn't just for actresses and actors in the business. you can be a celebrity, too. >> now that's what i call equal opportunity beauty. Watch More

NicoDerm has launched a new anti-wrinkle campaign for smokers looking to quit called “The Beauty of Quitting.” This new campaign is targeted at the other effects smoking has on you that many do not take into account. Of course cancer is serious and absolutely life threatening, however smoking has a long list of side effects that also include wreaking havoc on your skin. Pierce Mattie is very much against smoking and encourages all of his employees not smoke. In fact, he pays for those that do to go on the patch.

As an ex-smoker myself, I can tell you that there were definite things I noticed while smoking. My “smoking hand,” most especially the fingernails nearest my cigarette, were always yellow; my skin was always dry no matter how much lotion I slapped on; and my teeth looked grayish in color. I was only a smoker for 5 years, but still began to see the effects take shape in that small period of time. When switching to a new health insurance 3 years after quitting, a blood test told them that I was still a smoker. I contested it and they revealed to me that nicotine stays in your bloodstream for up to 10 years after you quit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NYC Fashion Week is in full swing, which designer styles and makeup looks do you love so far? Here are some links from the last week around the beauty and fashion blogosphere, with a few checking in on Fashion Week.

Fashion:

+ Fashion Tribes shows off some spectacular photos with a summary of the Red Dress Collection at NYC Fashion Week.

+ Omiru: Style for All interviews Meghan Parsons, the designer behind the jack&marjorie brand.

+ Style Bites gives a review of Max Azria’s Fall 2007 Collection from NYC Fashion Week.

Beauty:

+ Beauty Hobby reviews High Performance Organics Spa Hair Conditioner and Raw Sugar Scrub.

+ Mystical Beauty’s Musings reviews Lumiere Mineral Cosmetics.

+ I am Pretty NYC gives some beauty tips on how to go gray gracefully.

Greg Cartwright has been a Massage Therapist for the past 8 years and Body Sugaring Expert for the last 4. He is accomplished in numerous massage techniques, including Shiatsu, sports and Swedish massage. Additionally, he is certified in Thai massage by the Traditional Medicinal Hospital of Thailand. Greg has been trained by top-tier cosmetology companies, such as La Prairie, Alexandria and SkinCeuticals - to use and administer their products. He achieved his Licensed Esthetician certification through The Aveda Institute.

Greg has always been a person who loves working with his hands, is service oriented and understands building relationships with his clients. Prior to starting Downtime Massage and Skincare, he was a chef at the Ritz in London, Moomba in NYC and private chef to a CEO of one of America’s best-known fashion companies.

What prompted your decision to change your career from being a chef to becoming a massage therapist and esthetician?
The food industry is brutal and there is a certain lifestyle that goes along with being in it. After 10 years and an injury in the kitchen, I was ready for a lifestyle change. At that time I was introduced to Yoga and went to a chiropractor. It was at the Chiropractor’s office that I saw massage for the first time. I love doing things for others; using my hands and making people feel better. I saw that I could achieve this through massage and that is when I decided to begin training to become a massage therapist and eventually a licensed esthetician.

L'Oreal is looking to add ayurvedic beauty products to its current skin care line up through acquisition of an Indian ayurvedic brand. Although L'Oreal hasn't identified a brand that it wishes to acquire just yet, it has been aggressively pursuing the ayurvedic market in India to tap into consumer's growing desire to use exotic beauty products. It was also reported last November that L'Oreal expressed interest in acquiring Ayusoft, ayurvedic software that they approached the CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) for customization and further product development of.

As I mentioned yesterday another French company, L'Artisan Parfumeur, will be launching Jatamansi next month. Jatamansi is their first venture into the skin care market and is one that is based on the Himalayan plant used in Ayurveda, an alternative medicine practiced in India. Beauty and personal care products that are ayurvedic are organic and promote healing and health without the use of synthetics or chemicals.

Erbaviva first began its organic line of products to focus on babies and with its success, developed a line for mom’s to be. As success of their products has grown, they have added Aromatherapy and Bath & Body lines that have been sold in high-end boutiques and spas. Now Erbaviva has created their USDA Certified Organic line of products called Erbaorganics and have partnered with Target to sell the brand.

In the realm of beauty where there is no FDA regulation and in an industry that relies upon policing itself, Erbaorganics gaining the USDA’s seal of Certified Organic, means that they are held up to the same quality and standards as organic food. Certified Organic means that you can be assured that there it is chemical-free and hormone-free and that it is organic-plant based. Something I can assure you many mothers think about when applying products to their new baby’s skin. Besides becoming one of the first beauty brands to be USDA certified, it is also one of the first brands to be marketed to the masses through such a retailer like Target. Mass distribution also means a lower price point for consumers and those entering the doors of Target don’t expect to pay a lot for their beauty products, yet demand quality at the same time.

The collaboration of Erbaviva LLC and Target seems to be remaining with the focus of branding that Target has made for itself over the last several years. First adding top household designers to bring a high-end look to their housewares and home decor at a fraction of the price, then adding fashion designers like Liz Lange and Isaac Mizrahi, beauty products by Sonia Kashuk and now Erbaorganics, it seems that Target is setting a standard that other mass retailers fall far behind on.

I am a big fan of Target, so the addition of a high quality totally organic product line for mothers to be like myself and my soon to be newborn son, are a wonderfully appropriate fit.