Planet Beauty Weighs in on Trend Forecast for Fall

image: model at Anna Sui, Fall 2009

One look getting lots of attention for Fall is that of wavy, natural curls. Low Waves, as they've been called, were seen at Anna Sui, Proenza Schouler, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Tracy Reese Fall 2009 runway shows.

At Anna Sui, models’ hair got a rest from other shows’ “over-the-top texture,” says hairstylist Garren. “We wanted the girls’ hair to look like it could have dried on its own—silky at the top with low waves.”

After spraying in a light styling cream, “to help hold the style,” Garren split hair into five sections and used a two-prong waving iron from the chin down “to give uniform wave, as opposed to tight red-carpet curls.”

Another trend you'll see lots of this Fall? Dark Lips. Seen on the Fall 2009 runways of Bottega Veneta, Charlotte Ronson, Hussein Cha-layan, Jason Wu and Moschino Cheap and Chic among others, this trend, whether bold red or dark burgundy, has been hot for several years now. I for one am happy it's staying.

“The girls look romantic and ethereal,” says Revlon Global Artistic Director Gucci Westman of the so-not-Goth glossy purple lips she painted at Jason Wu. At Moschino Cheap and Chic, Charlotte Tilbury crafted a slightly tougher look with matte burgundy mouths.

It's about pressing the lip color into the lips rather than applying with a lip brush or stick this season. Artists recommend applying balm to lips to prevent color from looking too dry once it sets, but other than that there are no rules here, girls.

Planet Beauty suggestions to achieve these fall looks:

COLURE CURLWAVE STYLING CREME 8.5 oz $25
Luxurious styling crème for sexy frizz-free curls with the confidence of color protection. The most advanced technology provides humidity resistance while supporting and creating definition to curly or wavy hair. With the unique Color Longevity Formula Hair color lasts longer and is more vibrant.

• Humidity resistant
• Creates definition to curly or wavy hair
• Frizz free curls
• Free from parabens, sulfates, alcohol and petrolatum, sodium chloride, hydrocarbons, perfumes, dyes, irritants or wax
• Certified Organic Botanical blend of: Aloe Vera A. barbadensis, Roman Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile, Green Tea Camellia sinensis, Mango Mangifera indica, Guava Psidium guajava
• Aromatherapy of lavender and citrus
  
  

shades l-r: Aprodite, Eros, Olympia, Xenia

NAPOLEON PERDIS DEVINE GODDESS LIPSTICK $22
DeVine Goddess is a formulated with nourishing botanicals and antioxidants to keep lips healthy, conditioned and soft while wrapping them in richly pigmented color. Each shade is packaged in a stylish, square lipstick tube, adorned with the Napoleon Perdis logo in pink and gold. DeVine Goddess glides on with ease and stays put for long-lasting, non-drying wear.

For more information on these and many other great products for the season, visit Planet Beauty.

W3LL People Coming to Apothia!

Apothia has extended an invitation to readers of For the Love of Beauty to their exciting launch of W3LL People Organic Cosmetics!

W3ll People - Narcissist - Mineral Stick Foundation $38

Supernatural pigments provide sheer, crease proof coverage for eyes and complexion. Controls shine and balance with oil absorbing silica. Powerful antioxidant boost with green tea and pomegranate. Anti-aging benefits with reishi mushroom. Delicate hydration with EFA rich sunflower oil. SPF +/- 10. Available in six color shades.

W3ll People - Nudist - Supernatural Lipshine $24

Hydrates and softens with EFA rich organic rosehip oil. Soothes with calendula. Shines and softens with a castor oil base and beeswax. Powerful antioxidant boost with green tea and pomegranate. Brightens lips with supernatural color pigments. Four shades to choose from.

W3ll People - Universalist - Color For All $34

Supernatural pigments provide ultra long wearing color for lips, eyes and cheeks. Controls shine and balance with oil absorbing silk powder. Powerful antioxidant boost with reservatrol rich Japanese knotweed, green tea and pomegranate. Anti-aging benefits with reishi mushroom. Available in eight unique shades.

The fact that these incorporate green tea and pomegranate (my current skincare ingredient obsessions) into their formulations tells me they know exactly what they're doing and have not only the cosmetic end but the skincare goal in mind. I like that!

The party is being thrown at RonRobinson Fred Segal at 8118 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA.

Saturday, September 12, 2009
11 am - 6 pm

For more information, contact RonRobinsonFred Segal at 877-476-6762.

Spring 2010: FW Pop-Up Stores on the Horizon

photo: Rachel Roy

Now You See Them…

What's fashion week without a fresh round of pop-up stores? Building on the success of last year's collab with Colette, Gap will again give Fifth Avenue a jolt of Parisian je ne sais quoi, this time through a partnership with the Marais lifestyle emporium Merci. A new retail venture from the former owners of Bonpoint, Merci stocks a variety of luxury goods and donates all proceeds to charity. Jenni Kayne is getting in on the action by pairing up with Curve owner Nevena Borissova for a three-month shop adjacent to Borissova's Soho boutique. In addition to Kayne's SoCal wares, they'll be stocking a selection of vintage designer jewelry and home decor items. And if you're resistant to jockeying with the perfume spritzers and slow-moving European tourists at Macy's Herald Square, head to Rachel Roy's temporary Spring Street outpost to pick up jumpsuits and sequin clutches from the designer's new Rachel Rachel Roy diffusion line. Announcements of temporary stores for Julie Haus and Mackage have also passed through the inboxes of Style. Their suggestion: Hit these stores up soon before they're gone for good.

~ taken from Style.com

Singing the Skincare Praises of the Amazon's "Fruit of Youth": Acai

Follow the adventures of Holly Millea of Elle magazine as she accidentally discovers the Amazonian Fruit of Youth in this excerpted peek from Elle.com.

Having missed my connecting flight, I arrived in the Brazilian state of Pará, at
its capital, Belém (Portuguese for “Bethlehem”), and found no one from the
Women’s Fashion Correctional Facility to meet me. I did, however, find Jesus, or
rather, he found me. Seeing my ELLE logo duffel bag, he introduced himself and
asked if I was one of the international beauty editors descending in search of
the Holy Grail of antioxidants—açaí. With a “yes,” I was saved and fell in with
a flock that included seekers from Brazilian Vogue, Australian Harper’s Bazaar,
and German Brigitte; a hunky Brazilian photographer; a guide named Ulisses; and
an all-girl trio from Kiehl’s, the landmark New York apothecary, who couldn’t
stop singing açaí’s praises. Pronounced ah-sigh-EE, the purple, protein-packed
berry grows deep in the rain forest and is the hottest exotic superfood to hit
the market since Himalayan goji, Tahitian noni, and Haribo gummi bears.

I’m on a riverboat gliding deep, deep, deeper into the rain forest to
the remote region of Igarapé Mirim. Here, a small group of people from the
Nazarezinho community harvest açaí for Beraca, an eco-friendly extract company
that supplies Kiehl’s with the ingredients for its new line, the Açaí
Damage-Repairing Skincare Collection. Stilted shacks with white satellite dishes
planted out front like lawn ornaments skirt the banks against a forest of açaí
palms. The trees soar 70 feet above, their prize fruit hanging atop the canopy
in heavy, weeping bunches. Açaí means “the fruit that cries,” and these berries
are bawlin’ to come down.

“Don’t these people look so healthy?” asks
Angelike Galdi, a Kiehl’s chemist, interrupting that last thought as she waves
goodbye to the Nazarezinho workers from our boat. “They don’t go to doctors.
We’d be slim and healthy too if all we ate was fish and açaí.” And climbed tall
trees, harvested heavy fruit, never met a vending machine, didn’t drink alcohol
(the still is for making açaí juice), and had no toxic jealousy pulsing through
our veins. Smooth-skinned and sinewy, the villagers appear ageless, probably
ignorant of exactly how old they are. They don’t dread birthdays; they celebrate
açaí harvests. Rain-forest babies start consuming the fiber-rich food at six
months. According to Kiehl’s research, 100 grams of dried açaí contains 10 grams
of protein and five times the antioxidant levels of blueberries. “It’s a
broad-spectrum antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals,” Galdi
explains. A free radical is an unstable molecule created by the
environment—external aggressors like sun and pollution. “Because they’re
unstable,” she says, “they’re constantly trying to stabilize, and in the process
they oxidize and eat away at the skin’s proteins and lipids, damaging the cells
and ultimately the cell DNA, which, in more serious forms, can cause mutations
that result in different types of skin cancers.”

I text nutritionist Oz
Garcia, PhD, and ask him to simplify the science. “The very thing that keeps us
alive—oxygen—is slowly killing us,” says the best-selling author, “life
extension specialist,” and Kiehl’s antiaging consultant. “We rust, wrinkle,
spot, wear down with age—we’re eventually going to oxidize to death.” Garcia
says the antioxidant chemicals that give dark fruits and vegetables their rich
colors protect them from aging, “and when we eat them, they’re in us,” delaying
the inevitable.

More research ... Holly concludes
the piece with a less than "oh my gosh" attitude toward acai.While it is
unquestionably a strong antioxidant, our dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD, warns
of “a mythological culture surrounding açaí. As far as the topical benefit to
the skin goes, it’s anecdotal, and that does not equal scientific testing.” It
might look like it’s working, but “it isn’t proven effective.”

Galdi
says that it’s “primarily preventive. Açaí does not get rid of wrinkles, but it
does free up the cells to work at 100 percent capacity for health to fight
future wrinkles and damage.” Instead of wearing themselves out now fighting
oxidation.

~ excerpt Elle magazine, by Holly Millea

For more information, read the full article on Elle.com.

Want to learn more about why the Kiehl's gals are so in love with acai?
While many people assume Kiehl’s products are 100 percent organic, this line is the brand’s first organic skin care line, said Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl’s USA. “Since our inception, we have always been known for our service and for creating efficacious products,” said Salgardo, noting that everyone asks for “green” products, but still demand high performance. “We heard that our customers wanted organics, that they wanted paraben-free, that they wanted natural — and they wanted to focus on the first signs of aging. We went to the lab to do all that. The result: our new Açaí line.”

Açaí was chosen, Salgardo said, because its “superior antioxidant properties” help combat environmental aggressors and stimulate the skin’s natural renewal process, yet the products are 100 percent natural. “Açaí is a powerful superberry, which means a fruit considered to have exceptionally high levels of nutrients, antioxidants and potential health benefits when compared to other foods,” he said. “It has high antioxidant levels to help reverse and prevent oxidizing free-radical damage to skin cells arising from environmental and lifestyle stress; it is among the highest in antioxidant capacity of any edible fruit and it is a broad-spectrum antioxidant, especially effective against superoxides and peroxyl free-radicals which produce oxidative damage on skin.”

In addition to açaí, the ingredient lineup includes organic lavender and rosemary essential oils, organic orange fruit water, denatured botanical alcohol and aloe vera juice, all intended to minimize fine lines and wrinkles and increase skin luminosity, said Salgardo.



Visit Kiehl's and search "acai" in their search bar. You'll find their Acai Collection products, all ECOCERT organic, all 100% natural origin ingredients, and surprisingly reasonably priced ($24 - $48).

Spirit Beauty Lounge Celebrates Travel with a Labor Day Sale!

Enjoy some of the most effective, luxurious beauty products around - all organic - and only through Spirit Beauty Lounge. Here are just some of the beautiful brands you can expect to find.



Ila pure, organic skin care products work on a deep level to restore, to nurture and to balance people, community and the sustainability of our earth. Absolutely everything comes from a plant or mineral and nothing else. Ila products are composed of the finest, purest ingredients in the world from wild-grown Morrocan argan oil, to organic rose damascena. Ila Face Oil has become a cult beauty classic. Marie Claire magazine gave Ila Face Oil the prestigious Prix D'excellence award. Click to learn more and see all products by Ila.






Developed by Dr. Nitasha Buldeo and her medical team, using only the purest ingredients, this cosmeceutical range for face and body delivers nutrients, nourishment and treatment designed to improve skin function and prevent signs of aging. Organic Apoteke, the 2006 Winner of the Best Product of Britain Award is now available for the first time in the US and we love it! Organic Apoteke organic skin care is Certified Organic, Fair Trade, Vegetarian Society Approved and PROVEN EFFECTIVE. Click to learn more and see all products by Organic Apoteke.

For more on my personal love of Organic Apoteke, click here.

Organic guru and beauty pioneer Horst Rechelbacher founded Intelligent Nutrients in an effort to redefine the organic hair care industry. The USDA and Soil Association certified organic range proves that it's possible to create completely clean, food-based products that also deliver professional quality results. His revolutionary products include hair care, hair styling, aromatic fragrances, lip care and supplements...with more to come. Each product contains Intelligent Nutrient's signature Intellimune Seed Oil Complex that nurtures and heals with five powerful seed oils: Black Cumin, Pumpkin, Red Grape, Red Raspberry and Cranberry. Click to learn more and see all products by Intelligent Nutrients.

For more on my personal love of Intelligent Nutrients, click here.

From Iran to Madagascar, the core of Patyka’s mission is to source and produce the finest organic ingredients with a total dedication to Fair Trade practices and to create truly revolutionary products that are luxurious, chic, eco-friendly and socially responsible. Click to learn more and see all products by Patyka.




Lulu Organics is the one of the coolest hair powder/dry shampoo on the market. Not only is this NY based brand natural and organic, the powder leaves locks looking shiny and fresh in between shampoos and comes in the most adorable screen-printed tubes. All LuLu Organics products are 100% natural and 95%-98% organic. All products are 100% vegan and Fair Trade. All raw materials come from a conscionable co-op in Iowa that participates in only fair business trade. Lulu Organics also pride themselves as being eco-friendly and use recycled or recyclable packaging. All packaging is corn starch based and biodegradable. Click to learn more and see all products by Lulu Organics.




RMS Beauty is an original, pure, organic color cosmetic line created by celebrity make-up artist Rose-Marie Swift. Based on living and organic principles, each product is created to hydrate and illuminate vital, radiant skin. rms beauty is dedicated to transforming the way women use makeup, creating a product that is not only non-toxic, but that actually heals and nourishes skin. Consider it skincare with mineral color - giving make-up a whole new meaning. Click to learn more and see all products by RMS Beauty.

For more on my personal love of RMS Beauty, click here.

All of Tsi~La products are crafted in artisan size batches using only the world's finest essential oils, active plant botanicals, rich exotic butters and organic ingredients to ensure the highest quality. Tsi~La Organics was born from their desire to produce natural and organic products made from the world’s finest essential oils and plant botanicals. Their products are the essence of nature. The marriage of organic freshness and natural decadence create this luxurious line designed to enhance your true beauty and bring out your natural radiance. Click to learn more and see all products by Tsi~La.

For more of my personal love of Tsi-La, click here.

"Researchers have found that the quickest, easiest and safest way to change a mood, is with the sense of SMELL." Aromatherapy Personals work two ways: Applied topically to pulse points on the skin, users breathe in the transforming aroma. When inhaled, the component molecules within the essential oils stimulate the olfactory nerve, affecting the limbic center of the brain and respiratory system. Topically, the essential oil molecules easily pass through the dermas of the skin to the lymph and capillary system, especially when the skin is dry. Natural superfruit anti-oxidants hydrate, rejuvenate and protect skin from free radicals. Click to learn more and see all products by Aromatherapy Personals.


Shop Spirit Beauty Lounge now through Mon., 9/7/09 and receive 20% off your purchase.

Enter code: LDAY at checkout

Bliss Big Beauty Bargains!

Take time to treat yourself with a beauty bargain from Bliss!

Follow the instructions next to each offer to redeem, and make your purchase at blissworld.com. To get free shipping, make any purchase of $100 or more at blissworld online. These deals end 9/10/09.

To make your appointment for your Youth As We Know It facial, call 877 TO BLISS (877-862-5477) or book online at blissworld.com. To receive your discount, bring a printout of this page with you as 'payment' for the price differential.

Happy Labor Day!

REVIEW: Korres Advanced Natural Silicone-Free Face Primer

Korres skincare products ... my first experience with this naturally based brand was scoping the shelves at TJ Maxx and enjoying the scents of their shower gels. Woodsy, citrusy, nutty, Korres offered a scent collection in products no one else was doing at the time. And they were producing them with all natural ingredients. And they were powerfully attractive yet gently effective. In fact, Korres was completely ahead of their time.

Skip ten plus years to today and Korres is still producing powerfully attractive, aesthetically pleasing, gently effective, naturally based skincare with active ingredients, and, yes, they're still ahead of their time. This is an all new Korres! One that the shelves of TJ Maxx and the likes only wish they could manage to get their hands on. So let me re-introduce you to a brand you may already know a little something about, but will want to know more.

Let's start with their completely silicone-free, 99% natural, ECOCERT approved, anti-oxidant rich facial primer. Now, most of us know primers' biggest value to be smoothed skin, where our lines, wrinkles and pores are "filled in" to create an almost flawless canvas for makeup application. And we also know that it's the ingredient of silicone that mainly gives that kind of result.

Korres found another option. Their use of the ingredient edelweiss extract is what soothes and provides a perfect primer formulation in place of silicone. Other active ingredients include vitamin E, which protects the skin from internal and external aging and jojoba oil, which moisturizes and carries the vitamin E.

Korres' Face Primer is rich in skin-soothing botanicals, this 99 percent natural formula refines skin texture without silicone, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces the appearance of pore size. Lightly moisturizing, it leaves skin primed and ready for makeup application. My daughter, age 15, saw it sitting up on the bathroom counter the other morning, applied a bit (she never wears foundation, powders, etc. because she hates the way they feel on her skin), then paraded herself into my bedroom saying, "I like this stuff, mom. Look how soft my skin looks, and I can't even feel it. Hmmmm". Guess this means I need to make sure my tube doesn't disappear as that has been known to happen when she finds something she likes.

As for my experience, I must admit I was quite surprised that a silicone-free primer could smoothe and prepare my face so well. The primer is kind of a white, gel-like cream texture, freshly scented of lemon, and provides a fresh, lightly hydrated matte finish. My foundation and concealer spreads very easily and evenly after use, and the primer leaves a softness to skin that may allow you to not wear makeup at all unless skin imperfections ar ruddiness leave you feeling you need a little something extra. I don't find it fills lines quite as well as the silicone based primers, but it does do a nice job and I like the fact that it's 99% natural.

Here's a little funny for you. In researching the primer, I found it on Sephora.com and took to reading some of the reviews. Overwhelmingly, reviewers gave this primer five out of five stars, some fours and only a couple or so less. The main "con" some sited of those giving less than a high rating was that it was expensive. That's the funny, my angels. The tube contains over one full ounce of primer and sells for $28. Have you priced other primers? Here's a little comparison of the top faves of beauty lovers:

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer 1 oz $52

Smashbox PhotoFinish 1 oz $36

Make Up For Ever (MUFE) UV Primer 1 oz $30

Urban Decay Primer Potion 1 oz $30

Too Faced Primed & Poreless 1 oz $30

Korres Face Primer 1 oz $28

Tarte Clean Slate 1 oz $27

NARS Makeup Primer 1 oz $19

Sooooo, I'm not really feeling the cost argument. This is a grand primer, loaded with good for you ingredients, no silicones, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, mineral oils, petrochemicals, phthalates, or GMOs. ECOCERT Certified a pea-sized amount is enough for a full facial application. I can't wait to try more Korres products. Look for more reviews soon.

Korres Face Primer retails for $28 a 1 oz tube and is available at Korres online and Sephora. Shop Korres now and save 20% off storewide with promo code: FALL. Offer ends 10.7.09