NARS Event at Henri Bendel: April 14-20, 2009

Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019

April 14 – 20, 2009
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

NARS' talented team of eight makeup artists will be on hand to introduce new looks for summer 2009. The team will offer mini-makeovers with the new Summer collection. Complimentary samples of NARS foundation will be available with each consultation.

Call for an appointment: NARS counter 212.904.7954.

90s Ladies Week: Saved By The Gel

It’s that time again. Time for me and my partner in crime, Amber, to bring you another week of beauty reviews inspired by pop culture of yesteryear. Remember how rad 80s Ladies Week was? Well, hold onto your butts…it’s time to slip on that flannel shirt, lace up your Doc Martens, and break out your Game Boy...it’s 90s Ladies Week, y’all.

First on the menu: a product inspired by my love for Peter Engel’s pièce de résistance – Saved By The Bell. In the early 90s, it was a rare Saturday morning that I was NOT catching up with my friends at Bayside High.

Like most Gen Xers, Saved By The Bell trivia hides in the recesses of my brain. Remember when Kelly’s face turned purple after using a zit cream given to her by Zack (and right before the homecoming dance, natch)? How much did the young feminist in you cringe every time Slater referred to Jessie as mama? 'Member how bad you felt for Lisa that she never had a real boyfriend and always had to settle for geeky ole Screech? I was like, "Peter Engel, help a sista out!" And don’t get me started on Jessie’s addiction to caffeine pills. Homegirl was this close to turning tricks for some Vivarin.

Don’t play coy and pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. But here’s one factoid you probably didn’t know: Mark-Paul Gosselaar had to dye his hair blonde every two weeks while shooting the show. Say what?!?! Talk about blonde ambition.

My man Mark-Paul was in serious need of Ken Paves Boost Up Color Drops, which enhance existing hair color or boost fading color when added to conditioner or styling products. The Boost Up Color Drops can also change the hue of your color and even add the effect of highlights. They’re ideal for refreshing color in between visits to the salon - and the drops are formulated with soy proteins, conditioners and humectants which add strength, moisture and UV protection.

I add a few squirts of Boost Up Color Drops in Honey to leave-in conditioner and apply to my towel-dried hair. And after I blow-dry, I add a few drops to my shine serum to kick it up a notch. Honey adds warmth to my dark brown hair and leaves my prehistoric highlights looking much less brassy.

I imagine that if MPG would have gotten his hands on Boost Up Color Drops in the early 90s, he would have mixed a few drops with his favorite LA Looks product. Mark-Paul would have been, literally, saved by the gel.

Ken Paves Boost Up Color Drops are available in Black, Brown, Platinum, Honey, Beige and Red shades ($40) and are available at Henri Bendel, HSN, Ulta and Beauty.com.

Click here to check out Amber’s first 90s Ladies Week installment, and be sure to come back tomorrow for a second helping of nostalgia.

Bath & Body Works: Hiring For the Holidays, Plus Generous Discounts!

The U.S. economy is not fundamentally sound. Many people are unemployed or underemployed, and desperate to make ends meet - particularly with the holidays right around the corner.

If you're looking to pick up some seasonal work, Bath & Body Works is hiring. Click here to find out about employment opportunities and how you can enjoy a generous discount at Bath & Body Works, White Barn, Victoria's Secret, C.O. Bigelow and Henri Bendel.

All I Need Is A Miracle, All I Need Is You

My complexion is far from perfect. Like many of you, I struggle with acne, dark circles, hyperpigmentation and rednesss. But masking these imperfections with foundations and concealers can lead to a vicious cycle. Yes, heavy face makeup camouflage your problem areas, but they can exacerbate skin issues, rendering you more dependent on these products. Besides, I’m not the kind of gal who likes wearing base on the regular. Boo hoo. What to do?

ModelCo (the whiz kids behind Body Meringue and Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser) just unveiled Miracle Veil Skin Perfecting Fluid, a light-weight skin corrector that minimizes imperfections, disguises redness, lightens pigmentation, evens out skin tone and protects skin with SPF 14.

When I first took a chance on Miracle Veil, I was absolutely perplexed. It’s green, so I was extremely hesitant to rub it all over my mug. I thought to myself, “How in the ham sandwich will smearing this mint colored mess all over my face make me look better?” But the beauty of most beauty products is that they wash off. So I gave it a try, figuring that I had nothing to lose - other than a few flaws.

Well, let me tell you…they don’t call it Miracle Veil for nuthin’. It brightened my skin tone, whisked away the shadows beneath my eyes and enhanced my skin’s luminosity. Wearing Miracle Veil is akin to traveling with your own lighting crew. So I can dare to go bare. The product also acts as a primer for optimized makeup application; it cancels out darkness and redness, so your foundation and concealer don't need to work as hard. But the benefits don’t end there. Miracle Veil doesn’t just hide imperfections, it heals the skin.

White Mulberry Root Extract balances skin pigmentation and protects against future discoloration. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, soothing and calming the skin to combat redness with anti-bacterial properties. Hawthorn Extract prevents the visible appearance of wrinkles while treating pigmentation and uneven skin tone. And Phospholipids create a protective barrier while reducing water loss and protecting against environmental pollution.

So if you look in the mirror and it seems like you’ve stumbled into some bad lighting, don’t hope for a miracle. Just go out and buy one.

Miracle Veil is available at Henri Bendel, Sephora, Beauty Bridge and modelco.com.au.

Ken Paves Healthy Hair Boost Up Color Drops

As soon as I heard about Ken Paves Healthy Hair Boost Up Color Drops, I added it to my 'Needed This, Like, Yesterday' list.

Boost Up Color Drops can be used to extend salon hair colorings and keep color fresh – or to instantly brighten, darken or add warmth to your regular hair color. In addition to its color enhancing properties, the product also moisturizes, invigorates, and conditions and replenishes lost protein. The best part? One shampoo and it's back to the old you. "It's like cosmetics for your hair," Paves says.

Boost Up Color Drops are available in six shades: Beige, Black, Brown, Honey, Platinum and Red.

Get a .96 oz bottle for $39.95. Or purchase the Color Booster Explorer Kit from HSN (which includes a full-sized bottle of the Boost Up Color Drops plus shampoo, conditioner, shine serum and hair spray from Ken Paves' new Healthy Hair line) for the same price. This is a no-brainer.

Healthy Hair products are also sold at Henri Bendel. And sometime soon, you'll see this line popping up at Beauty.com, Macy's, Ulta, and fine salons near you!

Kate Somerville Coming To A Store Near You

Kate Somerville’s skin care products will soon be available at a store near you. This summer, the line will be popping up at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Henri Bendel.

Never tried Kate Somerville, but looking for a 1st product recommendation? Look no further than ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment. This clinical-strength exfoliant decongests stubborn skin and improves a blah complexion. The active fruit enzymes eliminate dead skin cells, diminish bacteria and reveal a healthy, rosy glow.

According to Kate, it’s the next best thing to visiting her Los Angeles clinic – and it’s especially effective in combating acne and discoloration.

ExfoliKate comes in the most genius jar; it dispenses out the ExfoliKate without letting air in. Which means the product stays fresh, for effective exfoliation use after use. And ExfoliKate isn’t a time or labor intensive treatment. Use 1 to 2 times per week, apply in an even layer, leave on for 20-30 seconds, and wash off. You will notice a dramatically softer and smoother skin after just one treatment! I always use ExfoliKate a few hours before a date with Mr. Spoiled Pretty or a special event.


So be on the lookout for Kate Somerville in your neck of the woods. Having Kate this close has its pros and cons. On the one hand, your face has never looked better. On the other hand, this line has so many winners, your credit card will surely get a workout.

Kate Somerville is always available at katesomerville.com.

Youngblood Trunk Show At Henri Bendel

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics will be at Henri Bendel this week to premier their Spring 2008 Moroccan Collection. This is a great opportunity for to familiarize yourself with this line of luxe mineral cosmetics!

Indulge in a FREE forehead-to-chin Youngblood makeover by top Hollywood makeup artists and see for yourself why A-list celebs insist on this premier line of chic, healthy mineral cosmetics to get ready for their close-ups.

Plus, you’ll also get the opportunity to meet founder and creator Pauline Youngblood herself!

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics
Hollywood Makeovers at Henri Bendel
Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street
New York, NY
March 24-30, 2008
Hours: Mon - Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun, 12pm-7pm

For more information, please call 1.800.HBENDEL or visit ybskin.com.

Seeing Double

Yesterday, as I was perusing the CVS website, a new skincare brand caught my eye.

What struck me the most about 24.7 Skincare is its similarity the Freeze 24-7 skin care brand. From the names to the packaging to the product descriptions, they’re nearly identical. Take a look…

24.7 Skincare Instant Plump Volumizing Lip Shine: Triple action lip treatment works with Retinol, Niacin and GABA to immediately plump, hydrate and nourish lips. ($19.99)

Freeze 24-7 PlumpLips Lip Plumper: Revolutionary lip plumper and gloss that delivers full, pouty, buttery lips in minutes. Hydrates, smoothes and soothes…It’s addicting! ($40)

24.7 Skincare Smooth & Go Immediate Skin Perfector: Instantly illuminates and smoothes, bringing a newfound soft, flawless look to your skin. Performs brilliantly under or over makeup and wouldn't think of smudging or smearing. Perfectly portable for whenever or whenever you need a quick skin-perfecting fix - an absolute must have, with mistake-proof application! Treat fine lines and wrinkles, imperfections, dark circles, lip lines, laugh lines, large pores. Perfect for: quick touch-ups: Smooth & Go, use under OR over makeup, absorbs excess oil, instant brightening, instant smoothing. ($29.99)

Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go Instant Smoother & Brightener: Use under or over makeup to fix fine lines, absorb excess oil and brighten skin for a flawless finish. Perfectly portable, this sleek, metallic, pod-like package is designed for optimal convenience and totability, with a removable mirror and metered dosage to ensure a flawless finish on-the-go. ($65)

24.7 Skincare Targeted Wrinkle Treatment: Targets lines and wrinkles with a latest-tech formula including GABA, Lavendox and Hyaluronic Acid Spheres. The results are impressive: 100% of respondents saw a 50-90% reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within 10 minutes, making it an effective, non-surgical cosmetic alternative to Botox and other invasive procedures. ($39.99)

Freeze 24/7 Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment: This dream cream is for real and delivers a powerful punch against wrinkles. Watch them melt away within minutes. Respondents saw a 50-90% reduction in the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within minutes of application. A safe alternative to Botox and other synthetic products which produces results - not side effects. ($65)

After noting the similarities, I instantly smelled a lawsuit. But it seems that the brands are in cahoots. 24.7 Skincare was created in partnership with an initial investor in Freeze 24-7. So maybe there won’t be blood. But there will be youthful skin and plump lips – whether you shop at the department store or the drugstore.

Freeze 24-7 is available at Nordstrom, Henri Bendel, Bloomingdale’s, Space NK, and Saks Fifth Avenue. 24.7 Skincare is sold exclusively at CVS.

Cause-Metics

Next time you’re at Whole Foods, after you load your basket with groceries, head on over to the body care section and look for PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics. This is a brand that should be on everyone’s lips (and fingertips) because it’s the first make-up company in history to donate all of its profits, after taxes, to women’s health and human rights advocacy issues. PeaceKeeper encourages women to use their power as consumers to make a difference.

My favorite PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics product is their Eco-Sensual Balm, a moisturizing and unisex stick that smells exactly like Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum. Eco-Sensual Balm soothes and hydrates lips with organic Palm, Jojoba, Coconut, and Virgin Olive oils – and is 73% organic and 100% vegan, natch.


The PeaceKeeper line also includes 12 Lip Paints, 10 Nail Paints, and 4 Lip Glosses.

PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics are sold at Whole Foods, Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, Marriott Spas, Earth Fare, and select Nordstrom stores.