subscribe to beauty blog via RSSBrighten Up With Rhubarb Extract
March 18, 2011
RHUBARB/ (roo-barb) / n. / 1. A perennial plant native to China, also known as Rheum rhaponticum, that is characterized by large fleshy rhizomes and poisonous leaves, with long pinkish edible stalks; / n. / 2. An ingredient used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat any number of digestive issues as well as skin inflammations due to the accumulation of toxins; / n. / 3. Commonly mistaken to be a fruit, a vegetable that is a close relative of garden sorrel, loaded with vitamin C and dietary fiber, and often used in pies and jams; / n. / 4. A skin-brightening agent rich in gallic acid, which inhibits melanin production to minimize pigmentation; e.g., “Have your pie and treat your skin discoloration, too, with rhubarb.”
Try it: Sulwhasoo Snowise Whitening Fluid with Rhubarb Extract, $65, available at Bergdorf Goodman beginning April 1.
tags: Rhubarb, Skincare, Snowise Whitening Fluid, Sulwhasoo
EXCLUSIVE: Heavy Metals: Backstage Beauty At Chanel, The Video
March 18, 2011
Metallics were all over the Fall runways—from Tom Pecheux’s frosted copper mouths at Peter Som and his smoky pewter lids at Derek Lam to Odile Gilbert’s feather-shaped goldleaf brush strokes on hair at Jason Wu. But our favorite take on the molten pigments came from Chanel, where Peter Philips debuted three colors from his new Illusion d’Ombre eye shadow collection. The shadows boast a creamy mousse texture that is truly divine when swiped across skin. But don’t just take our word for it; watch as Philips himself displays their versatility by blending a smudge of Épatant, a gunmetal gray, across his own hand to illustrate its blendability. All this, and yours truly utilizing the power of a red lip to distract from the fact that this video was shot backstage at the Grand Palais at 7:30 AM, are just a click away.
tags: Chanel, Makeup, Peter Philips
Tina Fey Gets Retouched, Kate Middleton Does Dukan, And More…
March 18, 2011
Another day, another digital retouching mishap. Today’s offender is InStyle, which has chopped off half of Tina Fey’s torso on its latest cover, as well as erasing any signs that the comedienne has ever smiled, frowned, laughed, or scowled in her entire life. Oops. [Daily Mail]
A magic marker-shaped handheld device that injects a very cold material through small needles to smooth facial wrinkles, without the need for a Botox vial? If pharmaceutical company MyoScience’s negotiations with the FDA continue to go well, it could come true. [WSJ]
Bad news, hipster hair lovers of the world: The trend reports for guys’ tresses are in, and it looks like high, tight, short, and sheared are going to be Fall’s buzz words. Hopefully beards won’t experience the same misfortune (we’ve got a thing for facial hair). [Telegraph]
The royal wedding is about a month away, which means reports on Kate Middleton’s big day beauty regimen are heating up. The latest news is that she has joined her mother Carole’s embrace of the popular French Dukan diet to shed a few pre-wedding pounds. Couple this with a new book by Dr. Pierre Dukan written in English set to hit newsstands in May, and the four-stage, lean-protein meal plan has universal fad written all over it. [Weight World]
tags: Hair, Kate Middleton, Skincare, Tina Fey
Biologique Recherche Goes Head First
March 18, 2011
If you’ve been to Biologique Recherche’s heavenly spa in Paris or used any of its products at home, you’re no doubt a fan. There’s something about the straightforward formulas and the pared-down, apothecary-style packaging that make its rich but not in the least bit greasy Huile Bénéfique body oil and its aptly named brightening Biomagic Mask very hard to resist. With its recent entry into the haircare category, we can, at last, expand our devotion upwards. The newly launched 13-piece collection features standouts like the gentle Shampoo Traitant Sébo-Rééquilibrant, which is as effective at regulating oil production on scalps as the Complexe Iribiol serum is on complexions. The Le Bain de Plantes, an appealingly aromatic conditioning mask, likewise purifies without zapping the scalp of moisture entirely. It’s a whole new way to properly outfit your shower.
tags: Biologique Recherche, Hair
Spring Has Sprung: Get Your Exfoliation On
March 18, 2011
I fell for Sara Happ’s original lip scrub last winter, after a late December trip to Montana left my lips dry and begging for some extra attention (cold mountain air and sunlight bouncing off snow-packed ski trails will do a number on even the most moisturized mouths). I’m happy to report that that phase of seasonal discomfort is behind me, but with warmer temperatures comes a whole new crop of concerns: I’m talking specifically about the state of my legs and arms, which have been buried beneath layers of clothes for the last six months with no exposure to sunlight, rendering them flaky and pale. A nice golden bronze will have to wait until my spring break surfing trip commences (t-minus seven days), but the exfoliating starts now. Just in time, Happ has released a Vanilla Bean Body Scrub, featuring the same scent and formula that catapulted her pout perfectors to popular favor. Kukui nut, macadamia, and sweet almond oils are mixed with large sugar crystals that are perfect for sloughing. The thick salve melts on contact and scrubs away rough, dead skin, leaving behind a silky soft finish and a sweet, almost tropical scent that instantly eradicates of any lingering memories of East Coast blizzards and ice storms.
The Lip Stain Game Changer Is Back!
March 17, 2011
We declared our love for Josie Maran’s Magic Markers when they launched last spring. Since then, we’ve turned countless friends on to the highly saturated lip stains; even our own mother—a tough customer when it comes to beauty products—has joined team Josie. Flamenco, a bright red, can be found in our purse at all times (you never know when the need to slick on a statement lip will befall you), so you can imagine our excitement when we learned that Maran has just added three new shades to her offerings. Cha Cha is a muted mauve rose; Tango is a vibrant, deep pink; and Quickstep, our favorite of the bunch, is a pretty plum that you can build up or wear sheer. It’s not just the colors that we’re psyched on, though; these pens have serious staying power and will prevail through entire meals and many rounds of beverage service. Best of all, they never—we repeat—never wind up on your teeth or face, which tends to be our main complaint about glossy lipsticks. All they may need is a fingerful of balm to freshen up the pigment if it gets dry, but otherwise, no maintenance required. Be forewarned: Strangers will ask you what lip color you’re wearing.
tags: Josie Maran, Magic Markers, Makeup
First Look: Estée Lauder Gets Iconic
March 17, 2011
What makes an icon? “Confidence,” according to Constance Jablonski. “She’s the full package,” Joan Smalls chimed in when we encountered both models last night at the launch of an Estée Lauder campaign that aims to answer that question. “I’ve always loved simplicity; it’s timeless,” global creative director Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer explained of the new visual direction for the brand, which was lensed by Craig McDean and draws inspiration from Lauder’s seventies and eighties archives, putting current spokesmodels Hilary Rhoda, Liu Wen, Jablonski, and Smalls in white ensembles. When asked about her own personal icons, Lauder named a few: “Kate Moss has great style. And Gisele—I’m always intrigued when I see pictures of her.” Lauder’s grandmother, Estée, is of course at the top of her list. The brand founder’s indelible quote, “Every woman can be beautiful,” was blown up and plastered alongside each and every ad image.
The task of painting the faces of Lauder’s icons-in-the-making went to the brand’s creative director of makeup, Tom Pecheux. “You have to pay attention not just to the face, but to the character,” Pecheux said of crafting iconic makeup. “Liu Wen is so playful; that’s why I gave her that eyeliner,” he explained, pointing out the elongated black flick Wen wears in her portrait. “Constance for me, she has that innocence,” Pecheux continued, which translated to a lot of mascara and brown eye shadow mixed with black, “so it’s not so dramatic” in print. As for Rhoda, Pecheux saw beyond her signature sporty glamour and instead chose to focus on a delicate, romantic femininity. “I can see her fragility,” he said explaining his use of rosy pigments and powders. The pictures officially hit Estée Lauder counters beginning in July, but we’ve got a preview right here. Thoughts on the new campaign?
tags: Aerin Lauder, Constance Jablonski, Est�e Lauder, Hilary Rhoda, Joan Smalls, Liu Wen
Look Good, Do Good
March 17, 2011
As the situation in Japan quickly goes from bad to worse, everyone is trying to do their part to help the citizens of the tsunami- and earthquake-ravaged country recoup–beauty businesses included. Shiseido, the Japanese beauty authority, introduced a no-purchase-necessary initiative this week, donating 100 million Japanese Yen (approximately $1,239,000) outright to aid in the relief effort, as well as 10,000 bottles of its dry shampoo, medicated hand soap, and quick-drying disinfectant lotion. International Cosmetics & Perfumes (ICP), the company that distributes both Creed and Hanae Mori fragrances, has also announced that in addition to sending 50 durable and reusable tote bags, it will set aside profits from the online sales of both fragrance brands and donate the proceeds to the American Red Cross. And today comes word that Temptu, the airbrush makeup expert, has joined forces with the US-based relief organization as well and will donate $100 from every online sale of its consumer and professional products through March 31st. Direct contributions can be made to the Red Cross by calling 800-RED-CROSS, or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 increments.
tags: Creed, Fragrance, Hanae Mori, ICP, Makeup, Shiseido, Temptu
Mendes For Mugler, Liv Talks Skincare, And More…
March 17, 2011
Naomi Watts, out; Eva Mendes, in. The sultry The Other Guys star is named the new face of Angel by Thierry Mugler. [WWD]
According to new reports, it looks like Kate Middleton’s wedding hair will be fashioned into an updo by her trusted stylist Richard Ward, before it’s topped off with a tiara. But Ward’s peers in the styling community aren’t convinced. “She would look better with it down,” Kate Moss’ go-to stylist James Brown has asserted. (It’s safe to say that the future Mrs. Jamie Hince will be long and lovely when she ties the knot this summer.) [Telegraph]
Liv Tyler’s news ad for L’Intense, the latest iteration of Givenchy’s Very Irrésistible, are out and in a refreshing change of pace, the visuals for the earthy, sensual eau feature Tyler with not a stitch of makeup on her perfect porcelain complexion. “I’ve learned all my skincare tips from my mother, grandmother, and father,” Tyler says. She also credits masks, Tracie Martyn facials, and the Clarisonic skin brush for her ability to successfully go sans maquillage. [T]
More news on the upcoming, Chandler Burr-helmed fragrance exhibit that bows at New York’s Museum of Arts and Design in November. The Art of Scent: 1889-2011 will feature only sound and scent, dispersed by diffusion machines. BYO Bottles. [NYT]
tags: Angel, Chandler Burr, Eva Mendes, Fragrance, Givenchy, Hair, Kate Middleton, Kate Moss, Liv Tyler, Richard Ward, Thierry Mugler
Open Wide And Say Spaaaaa
March 17, 2011
Fashion week may be over, but Spa Week is just getting revved up. From April 11 to 18, there will be seven glorious days when spas around the country (including a great many in the New York area) drastically slash their prices—only $50 per service—so everyone can indulge in some pampering. Booking opened this week, and you know what they say: The early bird gets the worm—or in this case, the plant stem cell facial. Here, our top five picks for how to spend that $50 accordingly.
Euphoria Spa
Decide whether your pores or your muscles require more attention, then book either of Euphoria’s signature treatments: the deep and steamy facial (with what we swear are gentle extractions) or the 60 M’N'M, a much needed massage, Swedish style.
Euphoria Spa, 18 Harrison St., 2nd fl., NYC, (212) 925-5925, www.euphoriaspanyc.com.
Red Door Spa
The aptly named 50-minute-long Spa Week Stress Melter at this beauty behemoth includes a soothing scalp massage plus an invigorating dry exfoliation and therapeutic body wrap so you feel rejuvenated from head to toe.
Red Door Spa 691 Fifth Ave., NYC, (212) 546-0200, www.reddoorspas.com.
Spa Merge
For those who have yet to discover the goodness that awaits at this recently opened midtown outpost, you now have an excellent excuse. Fifty minutes of its newly launched plant stem cell facial, an antiaging wonder that uses a combination of ultrasonic and microcurrent technology, is now discounted from its usual $175 listing price.
Spa Merge, 102-108 W. 57th St., NYC, (646) 484-4104, www.spamerge.com.
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tags: Spa Week 2011
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