Women’s Health Magazine Hosts 5th Annual Beauty Awards
Posted 05/28/2011 by Lara
Women’s Health Magazine’s June issue, which is now available on newsstands, features the winners of their 5th annual beauty awards. Combining readers, experts, and editor’s picks, the recipients span 28 categories across hair, makeup and skincare. For any of you that follow me on twitter (@PCbeauty), I gave you a sneak peak into the winners a few weeks ago at a special event Women’s Health hosted in celebration. The winners are also available on their website.
Regardless of my agreement on the products selected, it’s a really great opportunity to chat with their editors and my fellow bloggers about which products are our favorites and why. I love the ‘I would have chosen…’ or the ‘that is a great product but have you tried…’ and especially the ‘you liked the…? It did not work at all for me’ conversations. It really imprints the magic of beauty products and how impossible it is to pick a product that’s perfect for everyone. The best part about these awards is sparking that conversation and curiosity. As consumers, it inspires us to try something different or introduces us to a product we may have otherwise never have thought to purchase.
On a tactical level, I liked a lot of the Reader’s Picks. Many we’re no surprise –NARS Orgasm blush (also an Experts’ Pick), CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara (it’s always between this mascara, Maybelline Great Lash, Dior Show, and Lancome Definicils)… Others have been on my list due to their outstanding reputation (I’m looking at you Best Lipstick winner Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey) and Continue Reading…
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Celebrating World Oceans Day with La Mer and Oceana
Posted 05/24/2011 by Lara
Inside World Oceans Day with La Mer
In honor of World Oceans Day 2011, luxury skincare brand, La Mer donated $200,000 to Oceana, the world’s largest international ocean advocacy organization to help protect and raise awareness for our water systems. Additionally, La Mer partnered with Soundwalk, the international collective that offers audio tours, by creating the Seven Seas Sound Mix; an iPhone and iPad application featuring interviews with seven notable ocean enthusiasts, (leading solo sailor Samantha Davies; adventurer/environmentalist David de Rothschild of the Plastiki expedition; actress/director, Melanie Laurant; actor Liu Ye; actress Rinko Kikuchi; designer Philippe Starck; and world champion free diver Guillaume Nery), who describe their love for the sea and offer an exploratory experience though seven different bodies of water.
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder
I was pleased although not completely surprised that Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder (appearing in quite the spiffy hat) were there. As I learned from his speech at The First Amendment Party in DC, Ian is quite the environmentalist! (He even has his own foundation: http://www.isfoundation.com/).
In true La Mer fashion, it was an elegant affair, and just the excuse I needed to put on a cocktail dress and bare the rain… again (enough with the rain already!). Hosted at Affirmation Arts, the space was a cocktail party meets art exhibit with images of the seven featured environmentalists hanging on the surrounding walls. Unique but unbelievably tasty hors d’oeuvres were served (it was very sashimi meets raw vegetables health heavenly-ness) –with the ever so appreciated complimentary handsome, male wait staff.
Additional guests in attendance included Molly Sims, Kerry Washington, Theodora Richards, Rachel Roy, and Nora Zehetner.
Nora Zehetner and Kerry Washington
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder
Molly Sims
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Curel Launches Itch Defense Lotion for Dry, Itchy Skin
Posted 05/21/2011 by Lara
Eczema-prone individuals and itchy skin victims take note! Curel wants to help you fight the battle with the launch of their newly reformulated Itch Defense Lotion for Dry, Itchy Skin ($7.99/13 fl oz).
I met with members of the Curel team, as well as dermatologist Dr. Sapna Westley, and Julie Block, a representative from the National Eczema Association to learn more about the formula; but before I can even get into the product, I just need to take a moment to say how effected I was by their presentation. I don’t have eczema, but I remember being a kid and having dry, itchy skin on the inside of my thighs. It was so agonizing and would keep me up at night so I can sympathize. I was fortunate enough to grow out of it, but so many are not as lucky. I watch this video on some real-life patients talking about how this condition has impacted their life and I kept thinking about what it would be like to be at a job interview or just suddenly out in public and feeling like your skin was on fire. What these kids (and adults) and their families go through is so much. My heart completely sank.
However, on a more optimistic note, I was delighted to learn about the National Eczema Association (NEA). They are an incredible resource for anyone with Eczema and their families and are Continue Reading…
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Pretty Connected Featured on The Look on TPN
Posted 05/13/2011 by Lara
Behind the scenes with Maggie Rulli
A few weeks ago, The Look, a new show on The Pulse Network, asked to interview me for a fashion and beauty segment. Hosted by the fabulous Maggie Rulli, The Look, is all about helping women be their most fabulous self by going behind the scenes and interviewing experts in health, beauty/skincare and the fashion industry.
The first of my two segments just aired! So here’s me talking spring fashion trends!
So what’s spring all about? 70’s, 70’s, 70’s. From the maxi dresses to high wasted pants the 70’s are what’s hot for right now. Platform shoes, cork and wood wedges. Well what am I still writing about, watch the segment! It’s all in there.
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Kiehl’s Partners with Share Our Strength
Posted 05/12/2011 by Lara
Skincare brand, Kiehl’s is partnering with Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with nutritious foods. Kiehl’s has pledged to raise $75,000, for the cause.
On May 14th they will unveil a national event “Erase Lines, Fill Needs, and Ensure No Kid Goes Hungry in America“. On that day, visit any of their freestanding stores for a complimentary 10.5 day supply of their Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate and Kiehl’s will donate $1.50 to Share Our Strength (up to $10,500).
Additionally to help raise funds, they are asking patrons to donate at any of their freestanding stores nationwide through May 31st or on Kiehls.com through the end of the year. $1 can help connect a child with 10 meals!
For more information visit www.kiehls.com/shareourstrength
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Mom’s Beauty Favorites
Posted 05/09/2011 by Lara
Family picture
Being an incredibly stubborn child the saying, ‘Mom knows best’ was something I would rarely admit to (even when she was right), with the exception of when it came to beauty products. She used brown liners on her lips back when the only options were eye pencils, traveled to the middle-eastern markets for those black eye pencils before Carrie made us want to try them in Sex and the City 2, and she has a keen ability to feel a formula and within seconds tell if it’s worth trying. Frankly, when it comes to my love for this industry, she’s where I get it from. So in honor of Mother’s Day (sure I’m a little late –but then again I’m writing from Mexico where Mother’s Day isn’t until tomorrow, so you can cut me some slack), here are Mom’s favorites and why!
- Dr Hauschka Creme de Jour (daily moisturizing lotion) and Rose Day Cream – “I’ve been using these products for years and no matter what new products I try I always go back. It quickly absorbs into my skin and leaves it hydrated all day. The smell is clean and Divine. It’s been my absolute favorite for a long, long time.”
- Living Proof Full Shampoo and Full Conditioner – “I have very thin hair so this combo helps give me a little lift without stripping my hair and makes a great base for my styling products. Plus it has a great lather and distributes nicely. I recommend it for curly hair too! My daughter used it in a recent visit and it tightened up her curls and gave them great lift and volume without any frizz”
- Hashmi Kajal Black Khol Eye Pencil – “Yes, the kind you buy in the Indian or middle eastern markets. As much as I buy other name brands, I always go back to this one. It’s great for high pigment on the inside of your eyelids along your lashes.”
- MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow in shade Cork – “I use this shade of brown because it has some yellow in it just like my eyes. This brings out the yellow.”
- Maybelline FIT ME Foundation in 220 - “It use to be Shiesado (before it became consistency became too thick), Armani before the texture changed, and now it’s Mabelline – not too thin, not too thick, just the right coverage Continue Reading…
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Last Minute Mother’s Day Guide
Posted 05/05/2011 by Lara
1. Garden Art & Lanterns on ahalife.com – $50
Designed by Allsop Home & Garden, and hand made by artisan glassblowers, these beautiful, rechargeable, solar-powered garden lanterns are sure to brighten any garden.
2. Jo Malone Sakura Cherry Blossom – $55
Jo Malone recently launched this new limited edition fragrance, Sakura Cherry Blossom and it is divine! This delicate fragrance mixes the subtlety of cherry blossom with layers of rose, bergamot and mandarin. Both light and feminine, this scent is a great celebration of spring. I’m a big fan of their simplistic but oh-so-elegant packaging and the way they gift-wrap is their off-white/black box is perfection.
3. Baroness Monica Von Neumann Savon Candle – $38.50
I’m new to Baroness’ line of quality candles, but I can already say I’m hooked! They burn for 70+ hours (which is exceptional for a candle that size) and the scent is so full and sophisticated with notes of Jasmine, Rose and red amber. It’s a very regal scent and the woodsy hint really makes it rich.
4. Crabtree & Evelyn Lily of the Valley Duo Shower Gel and Body Lotion Set $34 ($44 value)
Lily of the Valley reminds me of my childhood. This scent is so beautifully captured and divine for spring. While the Duo Set makes a great gift, if you’re looking for something extra, add the Lily of the Valley Body Cream ($33). It’s my favorite product from the collection. It’s so hydrating and soothing Continue Reading…
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All Aboard the AVEENO Truck
Posted 05/03/2011 by Lara
Don't forget to SPF!
AVEENO is teaming up with the Skin Cancer Foundation for the annual “Road to Healthy Skin Tour”. This month they will be cruising through New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan in a 38-foot customized RV, offering FREE skin cancer screenings and the latest skin cancer information to the public. AVEENO® sunscreen samples, coupons and complimentary copies of Fitness magazine will also be distributed.
For more information, schedule and times please visit www.SkinCancer.org/Tour.
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Brands Doing Some Good
Posted 04/28/2011 by Lara
Rihanna for UNICEF's Tap Project
I cover a lot of charities on this site since giving back is important to me and I’m constantly amazed by the amount of press releases I receive with brands showing their support by donating to various causes. So to show my support, I thought I would do a sum up of the recent ones I’ve received.
NYU Annual Premiere Benefit Fashion Show EXPO 2011 – Friday April 29th, 3PM (day show), 7:30PM (evening show). All of the proceeds from the show will benefit Hamilton-Madison House, a nonprofit community center that caters to low-income households in NYC.
If you can’t make the show, you can still get involved. EXPO 2011 has partnered with GoodSearch. Anyone online can download the GoodSearch toolbar, specify “New York University – NYU EXPO – Hamilton Madison House” as the chosen charity, and each time that they use the toolbar to search the internet, Hamilton-Madison House benefits. For more information visit http://www.exponyu.com/
UNICEF Tap Project – Celebrities, including Selena Gomez, Adrian Grenier, Dwight Howard, Rihanna, Robin Williams and Taylor Swift have joined forces with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to engage consumers in a conversation about the lack of access to safe, clean water for nearly 900 million children and adults across the globe. The UNICEF Tap Project is a public service campaign that aims to draw attention to this serious issue and encourage the public to take action to reduce the numbers of children dying daily from waterborne illnesses, the second-highest cause of preventable childhood deaths in the world. Considering $1 provides clean water for a child for 40 days –imagine the difference you can make! Get involved at http://tapproject.org/
Solid Ground Initiative T-Shirt
Solid Ground Initiative – Design Lab NYC, the boutique philanthropic design agency, has partnered with 12 influential Japanese artists located in Japan and NY to create a t-shirt design collection that tells the human side of the recent disaster. All of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go to relief organizations working in Japan. Shirts are available in both childrens and unisex adult sizes. For more information visit http://www.solidgroundinitiative.com/
TEMPTU, the worldwide leader in airbrush makeup, announced earlier this month that they will donate $100 from every online sale of their AIRbrush Makeup System and TEMPTU PRO Compressors and Kits through March 31, 2011 to the American Red Cross for Japan relief efforts.
Civic Duty Shoes
Civic Duty Shoes– I recently discovered this awesome new sneaker line that donates 100% of the profits to a social cause benefiting those in the US. They’re made out of Tyvek, which is that same material used for FedEx envelopes, so awesome! Learn more at http://www.civicdutyshoes.com/
Jac Vanek & We The Kings "We Love Japan" Bracelet
Cutting edge clothing and accessories designer, Jac Vanek has teamed up with the band, We The Kings to create a “We Love Japan” bracelet ($10). 100% of all proceeds go towards relief efforts in Japan, Learn more HERE
Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry will auction off a collection of personalized items including items from her latest fragrance campaign, Reveal by Halle Berry in Continue Reading…
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Kiehl’s Partners with Michael C. Hall and Chloë Sevigny
Posted 04/19/2011 by Lara
It seems like skincare brand, Kiehl’s Since 1851 is always up to some cool, philanthropic initiative –probably because they generally are! This year in celebration of their 160th anniversary (go Kiehl’s!), they are collaborating with Michael C. Hall and Chloë Sevigny to help clean up both our waterways and our skin!
In their latest charitable and environmental endeavor, Michael C. Hall and Chloë Sevigny have designed a special limited edition label for one of my favorite Kiehl’s products, their Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque ($23). Kiehl’s will be donating 100% of the net proceeds (up to $100k) of this Limited Edition Label Art Series to the Waterkeeper Alliance, a grassroots advocacy organization that works to protect and preserve our waterways.
I am addicted to this mask—err masque! It’s formulated with fairly traded Amazonian White Clay that helps detoxify skin and extract all of the dirt and oils out of pores and helps minimize their appearance. I use it after the shower on days I have big events and it evens out my complexion and makes my skin glow. My makeup even goes on better after using it.
For more information visit Kiehls.com
