Lather, Rinse, Compete

Elle and Eufora hair care are developing a new all-natural clarifying shampoo, and they need your help deciding what to call it! Come up with the perfect name, and you'll not only see your idea printed on thousands of bottles (launching in May), but Eufora will donate $500 to the environmental charity of your choice and give you a Eufora product gift basket worth $500.

All entries are due by February 1st, 2008. One entry per day allowed. Click here to enter.

Lather, Rinse, Compete

Elle and Eufora hair care are developing a new all-natural clarifying shampoo, and they need your help deciding what to call it! Come up with the perfect name, and you'll not only see your idea printed on thousands of bottles (launching in May), but Eufora will donate $500 to the environmental charity of your choice and give you a Eufora product gift basket worth $500.

All entries are due by February 1st, 2008. One entry per day allowed. Click here to enter.

Manly Makeup

In the February issue of Elle Magazine, Jessica Alba blasts Zac Efron - saying, “He looks like a child with a lot of makeup.” Oh, snap! Apparently not everyone is smitten with High School Musical’s resident heartthrob.

This got me thinking about man makeup, also known as “complexion enhancers.” I’m all for men putting their best face forward, and I consider myself to be pretty open-minded. But at the risk of sounding like a fuddy duddy, I think the concept of men wearing makeup - on any day but October 31st - is just bizarre.

While most men who don makeup do so on the down low, have you noticed how some cosmetics-loving lads are all in your face about it? Take, for example, one Pete Wentz – who’s famous for dating Ashlee Simpson and wearing ‘guyliner.’ He even went so far as to create a how-to video - his favorite is MAC Eye Pencil in Ebony.

Then there’s Jared Leto. What in the hell happened to Jared Leto?!?! I realize that a lot of people go through a goth phase…but, typically, it’s when you’re 16, not 36. Right? It’s a shame because he’s such a naturally handsome guy – and what’s worse is that he’s terrible at applying his makeup. You would think that a guy - who is rarely seen without liner - would get some lessons or pick up a Kevyn Aucoin book. Or, better yet, watch the Pete Wentz video. Ugh. I want my Jordan Catalano back.

I did some research, and was shocked to learn that these guys aren’t simply slipping into Sephora to stock up on beauty necessities - though the chain does offer a few. Oh no. Male Species, Studio 5ive, and KenMen are just a few of the Internet purveyors of male-specific cosmetics (get a load of this bronzer’s suggestive name).

And if you think that this is merely a trend among eccentric Hollywood types, guess again. In 2006, $4.8 million was spent on male grooming products in the U.S., a 7 percent increase over the year before and a 42 percent increase from 2001, according to a London-based marketing and research company. Behold the power of makeup...it's irresistable to both girls and boys.

How do you feel about men wearing makeup? Talk amongst yourselves.

Manly Makeup

In the February issue of Elle Magazine, Jessica Alba blasts Zac Efron - saying, “He looks like a child with a lot of makeup.” Oh, snap! Apparently not everyone is smitten with High School Musical’s resident heartthrob.

This got me thinking about man makeup, also known as “complexion enhancers.” I’m all for men putting their best face forward, and I consider myself to be pretty open-minded. But at the risk of sounding like a fuddy duddy, I think the concept of men wearing makeup - on any day but October 31st - is just bizarre.

While most men who don makeup do so on the down low, have you noticed how some cosmetics-loving lads are all in your face about it? Take, for example, one Pete Wentz – who’s famous for dating Ashlee Simpson and wearing ‘guyliner.’ He even went so far as to create a how-to video - his favorite is MAC Eye Pencil in Ebony.

Then there’s Jared Leto. What in the hell happened to Jared Leto?!?! I realize that a lot of people go through a goth phase…but, typically, it’s when you’re 16, not 36. Right? It’s a shame because he’s such a naturally handsome guy – and what’s worse is that he’s terrible at applying his makeup. You would think that a guy - who is rarely seen without liner - would get some lessons or pick up a Kevyn Aucoin book. Or, better yet, watch the Pete Wentz video. Ugh. I want my Jordan Catalano back.

I did some research, and was shocked to learn that these guys aren’t simply slipping into Sephora to stock up on beauty necessities - though the chain does offer a few. Oh no. Male Species, Studio 5ive, and KenMen are just a few of the Internet purveyors of male-specific cosmetics (get a load of this bronzer’s suggestive name).

And if you think that this is merely a trend among eccentric Hollywood types, guess again. In 2006, $4.8 million was spent on male grooming products in the U.S., a 7 percent increase over the year before and a 42 percent increase from 2001, according to a London-based marketing and research company. Behold the power of makeup...it's irresistable to both girls and boys.

How do you feel about men wearing makeup? Talk amongst yourselves.

An Amazing Discovery

If you’ve never dabbled in DuWop before, get thee to Sephora and pick up the Discovery Kit, a set of five DuWop makeup must-haves. The kit includes a full size version of Lip Venom - as well as miniature versions of Amber Eyes (an eyeshadow palette with a base amber shade, a deeper version, and a cream liner), Blush Therapy in Hug, Venom Gloss in Lantana, and Lash Lacquer mascara in Carbon Black. The products are packaged in the cutest reusable train case.

Cult favorite Lip Venom has been named the best lip plumper by Sephora, Good Housekeeping, and Elle - but to be honest, it’s a bit too aggressive for my liking. Then again, I have sensitive skin and I don’t need much enhancement in that area.

My personal fav of the bunch is another award winner, Blush Therapy. After only using it once, it became my #1 cheek color choice. The cream glides on like a gel, but dries to a sheer velvety powder. It blends effortlessly and the finished result more closely resembles a natural flush than shiny gel stains or regular powder blush. And to top it all off, literally, it has aromatherapy oils built into the cap.

Blush Therapy’s latest award is a spot on my Best of Beauty 2007 list. It was also one of the products I used to achieve my New Year’s Eve look. On my next trip to Sephora, I definitely plan to purchase in at least two more colors.

An Amazing Discovery

If you’ve never dabbled in DuWop before, get thee to Sephora and pick up the Discovery Kit, a set of five DuWop makeup must-haves. The kit includes a full size version of Lip Venom - as well as miniature versions of Amber Eyes (an eyeshadow palette with a base amber shade, a deeper version, and a cream liner), Blush Therapy in Hug, Venom Gloss in Lantana, and Lash Lacquer mascara in Carbon Black. The products are packaged in the cutest reusable train case.

Cult favorite Lip Venom has been named the best lip plumper by Sephora, Good Housekeeping, and Elle - but to be honest, it’s a bit too aggressive for my liking. Then again, I have sensitive skin and I don’t need much enhancement in that area.

My personal fav of the bunch is another award winner, Blush Therapy. After only using it once, it became my #1 cheek color choice. The cream glides on like a gel, but dries to a sheer velvety powder. It blends effortlessly and the finished result more closely resembles a natural flush than shiny gel stains or regular powder blush. And to top it all off, literally, it has aromatherapy oils built into the cap.

Blush Therapy’s latest award is a spot on my Best of Beauty 2007 list. It was also one of the products I used to achieve my New Year’s Eve look. On my next trip to Sephora, I definitely plan to purchase in at least two more colors.

Blogging Is Hard Work

Philadelphia Magazine recently had a chance to catch up with Jay McCarroll, Season 1 winner of Project Runway and Philly’s prodigal son (he’s back in town after a brief stint in NYC). Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

PM: Now, I know you’re watching Season 4 of Project Runway, because you’re blogging about it on Elle.com.

Jay: Yeah, it’s super fun. It’s hard blogging, which I had no idea about. I thought, Oh, it’ll take, like, 45 minutes of my day. But that turned into an entire day with editing and rewriting.

PM: Where are your favorite places in Philly to shop?

Jay: I go to all the thrift stores. I like to peek around at the little boutiques in Northern Liberties and 3rd Street. I love Lush cosmetics on Walnut. That’s probably my favorite store.

For the full transcript, visit phillymag.com.

Photo courtesy of ontheinside.info

Blogging Is Hard Work

Philadelphia Magazine recently had a chance to catch up with Jay McCarroll, Season 1 winner of Project Runway and Philly’s prodigal son (he’s back in town after a brief stint in NYC). Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

PM: Now, I know you’re watching Season 4 of Project Runway, because you’re blogging about it on Elle.com.

Jay: Yeah, it’s super fun. It’s hard blogging, which I had no idea about. I thought, Oh, it’ll take, like, 45 minutes of my day. But that turned into an entire day with editing and rewriting.

PM: Where are your favorite places in Philly to shop?

Jay: I go to all the thrift stores. I like to peek around at the little boutiques in Northern Liberties and 3rd Street. I love Lush cosmetics on Walnut. That’s probably my favorite store.

For the full transcript, visit phillymag.com.

Photo courtesy of ontheinside.info

Notes: Textured Florals and Blue Cheese?

From Elle.com:

Leave it to Tom Ford to find a deeply seductive fragrance from highly unlikely ingredients. The new version of Black Orchid has traces of blue cheese and is intensely dramatic without being overpowering.

Ford says, "Black Orchid Voile de Fleur has the heady sophistication that makes a woman's scent unforgettable. And yet its soft femininity brings a charm that makes it easy to wear by day and night, no matter the season."

Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur, $65, at Neimanmarcus.com.

Notes: Textured Florals and Blue Cheese?

From Elle.com:

Leave it to Tom Ford to find a deeply seductive fragrance from highly unlikely ingredients. The new version of Black Orchid has traces of blue cheese and is intensely dramatic without being overpowering.

Ford says, "Black Orchid Voile de Fleur has the heady sophistication that makes a woman's scent unforgettable. And yet its soft femininity brings a charm that makes it easy to wear by day and night, no matter the season."

Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur, $65, at Neimanmarcus.com.

The Beautiful People, The Beautiful People

From Elle to Essence, In Style to In Touch – it seems like every editor, stylist, model, and actress has fallen under the spell of Ojon. Month after month, my favorite magazines extol the virtues of this company’s products, particularly their Restorative Hair Treatment – “a versatile hair rejuvenator that strengthens and restores dry, damaged hair.”

With a price tag of $55 for 5 ounces, I was a little cynical. But then I figured that if Ojon was good enough for Gisele Bundchen, Demi Moore, and Scarlett Johansson, I could at least give it a try. So I picked up the 1.35 ounce jar ($22 at Sephora)…and now I’m wishing I had just trusted my gut and bought the 5 ounces.

The Restorative Hair Treatment is “Ojon in its purest form,” made with natural antioxidants and 100% pure Ojon palm nut oil - the same rare oil used by Central America's Miskito Indians, known as "the people of beautiful hair," for over 500 years. It instantly hydrates and fortifies damaged and abused hair, leaving it amazingly soft, shiny, and manageable. Even healthy hair shows a noticeable improvement.

What I heart most about this product I that it does triple duty. To use as a deep conditioning treatment, warm a teaspoonful in the palm of your hands and distribute onto dry hair, from scalp to ends. Leave on for 10-20 minutes, and shampoo well. For a leave-in conditioner, just warm a small amount in the palms of your hands until it becomes a lightweight oil, and distribute thoroughly through towel-dried hair. Heat a very small amount in the palms of your hands and smooth over the surface of dry-styled hair to use as a shine enhancer.

After using this product, I noticed the difference as soon as I blow-dried my hair. My mane was softer, smoother, and shinier than I’d seen it in a long time. Even better, I didn’t need to coat my strands with several different products, post-shampoo, to achieve this result. If there’s anything that I appreciate, it’s immediate gratification.

Bottom line: Restorative Hair Treatment is the secret to beautiful hair, in a nutshell.

Ojon products are available at Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Sephora, QVC (they’ve got some great discounts), and Ulta.

The Beautiful People, The Beautiful People

From Elle to Essence, In Style to In Touch – it seems like every editor, stylist, model, and actress has fallen under the spell of Ojon. Month after month, my favorite magazines extol the virtues of this company’s products, particularly their Restorative Hair Treatment – “a versatile hair rejuvenator that strengthens and restores dry, damaged hair.”

With a price tag of $55 for 5 ounces, I was a little cynical. But then I figured that if Ojon was good enough for Gisele Bundchen, Demi Moore, and Scarlett Johansson, I could at least give it a try. So I picked up the 1.35 ounce jar ($22 at Sephora)…and now I’m wishing I had just trusted my gut and bought the 5 ounces.

The Restorative Hair Treatment is “Ojon in its purest form,” made with natural antioxidants and 100% pure Ojon palm nut oil - the same rare oil used by Central America's Miskito Indians, known as "the people of beautiful hair," for over 500 years. It instantly hydrates and fortifies damaged and abused hair, leaving it amazingly soft, shiny, and manageable. Even healthy hair shows a noticeable improvement.

What I heart most about this product I that it does triple duty. To use as a deep conditioning treatment, warm a teaspoonful in the palm of your hands and distribute onto dry hair, from scalp to ends. Leave on for 10-20 minutes, and shampoo well. For a leave-in conditioner, just warm a small amount in the palms of your hands until it becomes a lightweight oil, and distribute thoroughly through towel-dried hair. Heat a very small amount in the palms of your hands and smooth over the surface of dry-styled hair to use as a shine enhancer.

After using this product, I noticed the difference as soon as I blow-dried my hair. My mane was softer, smoother, and shinier than I’d seen it in a long time. Even better, I didn’t need to coat my strands with several different products, post-shampoo, to achieve this result. If there’s anything that I appreciate, it’s immediate gratification.

Bottom line: Restorative Hair Treatment is the secret to beautiful hair, in a nutshell.

Ojon products are available at Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Sephora, QVC (they’ve got some great discounts), and Ulta.

One Concealer To Go, Hold The Oil

Today, I received an email from a reader asking me to recommend an oil-free concealer…which got me thinking about concealer, in general. As a person with combination skin, I tend to gravitate toward oil-free moisturizers, primers, and foundations…but I never think to look for oil-free concealers.

It makes absolute sense that if you’re using concealer to cover blemishes, you would want an oil-free formulation. But, for some reason, most concealers aren’t marketed that way. After conducting a lengthy Internet search, I was surprised to find that there aren’t many out there that make the claim to be oil-free. So either the choices really are limited, or there are a lot of cosmetic companies that don’t bother putting the words on the package. My suggestion is to look for concealers made for "oily or combo skin" - these formulas tend to contain drying properties that reduce both inflammation and oiliness.

The following are the fruits of my labor. As I am a tried and true fan of Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit, I can’t vouch for these products. So head on over to Makeup Alley for some unbiased and candid reviews.


Drugstore


Revlon Colorstay Undereye Concealer's exclusive formula and soft-touch applicator work to gently conceal dark undereye circles and discolorations, while giving you natural looking coverage all day. Patented SoftFlex provides a lightweight, comfortable feel. Oil-free. Non-pore-clogging. Non-irritating. With SPF 15 UVA and UVB protection.


Neutrogenia Skin-Clearing Oil Free Concealer treats and helps prevent breakouts with its easy to use click pen. Unlike ordinary concealers, this dermatologist developed formula contains salicylic acid to get rid of acne you have now and help prevent future breakouts. Natural-looking coverage helps to reduce the appearance of acne.


Almay Clear Complexion Concealer is an oil-free spot concealer that targets your blemishes with salicylic acid to speed healing, while never blocking pores. The sponge tip wand delivers the perfect amount of concealer every time. Infused with meadowsweet to help purify and clear skin as well as calming botanicals such as chamomile and aloe to soothe irritation. Not for use near eyes.


Department Store


The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas by Philosophy is a multi-tasking 4-in-1 high-pigment powder that conceals, camouflages, and provides SPF protection all in one easy step. The lightweight powder is talc-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, water-free and oil-free and the incredibly fast and easy-to-use sponge applicator makes this gentle powder safe to use on all skin types - from the most sensitive, to the most prone to breakouts.


Full Cover by Make Up For Ever is an ultra long-lasting, matte finish, oil-free, waterproof, full coverage concealer. Designed to cover major imperfections like scars, hyperpigmentation, major discoloration, burns, and tattoos, this light and creamy concealer contains a high concentration of pigments that stay put, making it perfect for use on the face, as well as the body. Full Cover is clinically tested on sensitive skin and dermatologically controlled for gentleness.


Conceal, shield and heal blemishes with Galactic Shield - an oil-free, waterproof anti-acne concealing stick. In three shades that suit almost every skin tone, it's your daytime avenger! Received Elle magazine's Top 5 Winner "spot-on blemish eraser" award and voted "best concealer for acne" by Real Simple magazine.


Clinique Acne Solutions Concealing Stick provides natural-looking spot coverage as blemishes heal, disappear. Its medicated formula works to cover and clear blemishes. Convenient stick formula blends on easily, under or over makeup. Oil-free.


Clinique All About Eyes Concealer disguises dark undereye circles while helping to reduce the look of puffiness. Long-wearing, moisturizing formula won’t crease or settle into fine lines. Oil-free.


Created for women with sensitive skin, LORAC's Oil Free Neutralizer is a specially-tinted makeup which can correct and conceal imperfections. Formulated without the use of harsh chemicals, this neutralizer is infused with rich botanicals such as aloe, comfrey, and chamomile to calm and soothe skin. The Oil Free Neutralizer can be used as a foundation, as a cover for redness, or as a concealer of blemishes, pigmentation spots, and under-eye circles.

One Concealer To Go, Hold The Oil

Today, I received an email from a reader asking me to recommend an oil-free concealer…which got me thinking about concealer, in general. As a person with combination skin, I tend to gravitate toward oil-free moisturizers, primers, and foundations…but I never think to look for oil-free concealers.

It makes absolute sense that if you’re using concealer to cover blemishes, you would want an oil-free formulation. But, for some reason, most concealers aren’t marketed that way. After conducting a lengthy Internet search, I was surprised to find that there aren’t many out there that make the claim to be oil-free. So either the choices really are limited, or there are a lot of cosmetic companies that don’t bother putting the words on the package. My suggestion is to look for concealers made for "oily or combo skin" - these formulas tend to contain drying properties that reduce both inflammation and oiliness.

The following are the fruits of my labor. As I am a tried and true fan of Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit, I can’t vouch for these products. So head on over to Makeup Alley for some unbiased and candid reviews.


Drugstore


Revlon Colorstay Undereye Concealer's exclusive formula and soft-touch applicator work to gently conceal dark undereye circles and discolorations, while giving you natural looking coverage all day. Patented SoftFlex provides a lightweight, comfortable feel. Oil-free. Non-pore-clogging. Non-irritating. With SPF 15 UVA and UVB protection.


Neutrogenia Skin-Clearing Oil Free Concealer treats and helps prevent breakouts with its easy to use click pen. Unlike ordinary concealers, this dermatologist developed formula contains salicylic acid to get rid of acne you have now and help prevent future breakouts. Natural-looking coverage helps to reduce the appearance of acne.


Almay Clear Complexion Concealer is an oil-free spot concealer that targets your blemishes with salicylic acid to speed healing, while never blocking pores. The sponge tip wand delivers the perfect amount of concealer every time. Infused with meadowsweet to help purify and clear skin as well as calming botanicals such as chamomile and aloe to soothe irritation. Not for use near eyes.


Department Store


The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas by Philosophy is a multi-tasking 4-in-1 high-pigment powder that conceals, camouflages, and provides SPF protection all in one easy step. The lightweight powder is talc-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, water-free and oil-free and the incredibly fast and easy-to-use sponge applicator makes this gentle powder safe to use on all skin types - from the most sensitive, to the most prone to breakouts.


Full Cover by Make Up For Ever is an ultra long-lasting, matte finish, oil-free, waterproof, full coverage concealer. Designed to cover major imperfections like scars, hyperpigmentation, major discoloration, burns, and tattoos, this light and creamy concealer contains a high concentration of pigments that stay put, making it perfect for use on the face, as well as the body. Full Cover is clinically tested on sensitive skin and dermatologically controlled for gentleness.


Conceal, shield and heal blemishes with Galactic Shield - an oil-free, waterproof anti-acne concealing stick. In three shades that suit almost every skin tone, it's your daytime avenger! Received Elle magazine's Top 5 Winner "spot-on blemish eraser" award and voted "best concealer for acne" by Real Simple magazine.


Clinique Acne Solutions Concealing Stick provides natural-looking spot coverage as blemishes heal, disappear. Its medicated formula works to cover and clear blemishes. Convenient stick formula blends on easily, under or over makeup. Oil-free.


Clinique All About Eyes Concealer disguises dark undereye circles while helping to reduce the look of puffiness. Long-wearing, moisturizing formula won’t crease or settle into fine lines. Oil-free.


Created for women with sensitive skin, LORAC's Oil Free Neutralizer is a specially-tinted makeup which can correct and conceal imperfections. Formulated without the use of harsh chemicals, this neutralizer is infused with rich botanicals such as aloe, comfrey, and chamomile to calm and soothe skin. The Oil Free Neutralizer can be used as a foundation, as a cover for redness, or as a concealer of blemishes, pigmentation spots, and under-eye circles.

Southern Belle

Don’t get me wrong…as a newlywed, I am a firm believer in the institution of marriage. But looking at these pics of Reese Witherspoon, I think to myself, “Damn, divorce never looked so good.”

In the October issue of Elle, Reese opens up about her break-up with husband Ryan Phillippe:


“Right around Christmas-time I was sitting in a parking lot and I felt like I just couldn’t get out of the car. It was like, I can’t get out of the car. And I thought, Okay, half of the parking lot has dealt with this [a break-up]. More than half of the parking lot has dealt with this. Okay, let’s make it a little bigger. Half of this city has dealt with this. Okay, let’s make it a little bigger-half of this country, until I finally got out of the car. It was like, it’s okay. It’s okay. There’s this moment in Walk the Line where June Carter says, ‘I was never aware of how much I was seen.’ I was very aware of how much I was seen. It was this moment of self-discovery and loss of identity and who was stepping out of the car-you know? Who is that person? Should I not be this honest?”

Reese has handled their public parting with grace and poise, and has never looked better. If Elle’s October photo shoot is any indication – franky, Ryan, she doesn’t give a damn.

The October issue of Elle is on newsstands September 18th.

Southern Belle

Don’t get me wrong…as a newlywed, I am a firm believer in the institution of marriage. But looking at these pics of Reese Witherspoon, I think to myself, “Damn, divorce never looked so good.”

In the October issue of Elle, Reese opens up about her break-up with husband Ryan Phillippe:


“Right around Christmas-time I was sitting in a parking lot and I felt like I just couldn’t get out of the car. It was like, I can’t get out of the car. And I thought, Okay, half of the parking lot has dealt with this [a break-up]. More than half of the parking lot has dealt with this. Okay, let’s make it a little bigger. Half of this city has dealt with this. Okay, let’s make it a little bigger-half of this country, until I finally got out of the car. It was like, it’s okay. It’s okay. There’s this moment in Walk the Line where June Carter says, ‘I was never aware of how much I was seen.’ I was very aware of how much I was seen. It was this moment of self-discovery and loss of identity and who was stepping out of the car-you know? Who is that person? Should I not be this honest?”

Reese has handled their public parting with grace and poise, and has never looked better. If Elle’s October photo shoot is any indication – franky, Ryan, she doesn’t give a damn.

The October issue of Elle is on newsstands September 18th.