I'll be away the week beginning May 25, 2008

Hi folks,

I'll be away next week (the flag gives clues about my destination), so I might not have an opportunity to blog then. After I return, expect reviews of Saude Pele from Christopher Drummond Beauty and WNW Beauty Benefits. Also, I expect to have another interview with an as-yet-to-be-announced beauty entrepreneur to share with you - see my past interviews with Lubna Khalid of Real Cosmetics and Lydia Mondavi of 29 Cosmetics.

Models who sing

ABC News has a slideshow about models who make the transition From Runway to Big Screen (curiously it omits Rene Russo, who's had a fair amount of success in the movies).

But models who sing? Here are three:

Rosie Vela



Zazu

Rosie Vela was a top model of the 70s who had liaisons with pop artist Peter Max and musician Jeff Lynne (ELO, The Traveling Wilburys). In 1986, she released her album Zazu, which featured support by members of Steely Dan. Zazu was critically acclaimed, and her video received play on VH1. However, she never really broke commercially as an artist.

Milla Jovovich

The Divine Comedy

Milla's the triple threat: model (L'Oreal), movie star (Resident Evil, The Fifth Element), and fashion entrepreneur (Jovovich-Hawk). The Onion had a facetious article Milla Jovovich Inducted into Basic Cable Hall of Fame about her movie career. Her album The Divine Comedy, featuring songs that she wrote, was released in 1994, when she was only 19. At that time, she was better for Return to the Blue Lagoon. Milla received critical acclain for The Divine Comedy.

Carla Bruni

No promises

Carla Bruni is now Mme. Sarkozy, the new wife of French president Nicholas Sarkozy. Among her liaisons were Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton. I will refrain from talking about the more scandalous episodes of her life. The above picture is the cover of her second album No Promises, which features poems in the English language set to music. Perhaps this was her bid to attract English-speaking audiences.

I like this cover. She looks like she's deep into a book, but the picture also highlights her long legs - she's 5'11" while her husband is only 5'6".

Her song Quelqu'un M'a Dit (Somebody Told Me) was a hit in Europe. It's also featured on the Starbucks CD compilation Songs of the Siren.

Look what's happened to Stacey Dash!

Ondo Lady noted that Glam.com selected Clueless as the top chick flick of all time.

Clueless

Alicia Silverstone (Cher) has had her career ups and downs since Clueless was released in 1995. Today, she's better known for her vegan lifestyle than for her work. Brittany Murphy (Tai) has probably has had the most consistent career of all the principals, including a steady gig as the voice of Luann, Hank and Peggy Hill's live-in niece on the King of the Hill animated TV series (I'm a fan).

Stacey Dash (Dionne) appeared in the short-lived TV spinoff of Clueless, but otherwise seemed to drop off the map. What happened? Wonder no longer - she's on the cover of the June 2008 issue of King magazine, which appears to be Maxim or FHM geared to the African-American male.

Stacey Dash

Lord have mercy. BTW Although Stacey Dash played a teenager in Clueless, she was already in her late twenties. She's now 42.

D&G Dolce & Gabbana rips off Marimekko Unikko print

The print on this D&G Dolce & Gabbana Poppy-Print Dress looks exactly like Marimekko's famed Unikko print! No word if Marimekko granted a license to D&G Dolce & Gabbana to use this print.

Marimekko granted a license to H+M to use some of its prints for a recent limited edition collection. In the fall, Avon will debut a limited edition cosmetics collection using the Unikko print under license from Marimekko.

Found through Bergdorf Goodman.

UPDATE: The Glam Guide told me that D&G Dolce & Gabbana did indeed rip off Marimekko's Unikko print. Read her comments and follow the links to read about her campaign to alert Marimekko and retailers selling D&G Dolce & Gabbana and Charles by Charles David shoes that these two brands were stealing the Unikko print. Thanks, G.G., for the info and for introducing me to your blog!

Lust list - YSL Beauté

I want this:


SOLEIL D'AFRIQUE Collector Powder for the Complexion

This bronzer is encased in a wood compact which can be worn about one's neck. It's a natural for me, given my predilection for necklaces from natural materials such as bone, stone, and wood. My predilection for buying necklaces from the World of Good kiosks at Whole Foods and Wegman's is almost as great as my predilection for buying compilation CDs from Starkbucks!

I also like this PALETTE COULEURS D'AFRIQUE Eye Palette from YSL Beauté, but I have similar colors among the eye shadows in my cosmetics collection.

PALETTE COULEURS D'AFRIQUE Eye Palette

It's fitting that YSL Beauté used an African theme for its summer 2008 cosmetics collection: after all, Yves St. Laurent was born in Algeria and now lives in Morocco. Moreover, he adapted the safari jacket for women's wear as La Saharienne.

One thing you should never buy as a Mother's Day gift

From Five things you should never buy as a Mother's Day gift: Lotions



Lotions. Yes, we know you think it's sweet to buy us lotions because women like to doll up and smell purdy with soft, luscious glowing skin. But what we think when we open this gift is, "I know I don't shower every day, but are you trying to tell me something?"

Exception: A slightly overpriced but exquisite lotion that a mom only purchases on special occasions.

It's not smelling bad that's at issue. Fragrance is very personal, and I wouldn't recommend buying fragrance unless you know that your Mom has a signature fragrance: in that case, it's OK to buy products such as lotion (!), bath gel or oil, etc. in that fragrance so that your mother can layer fragrances.

On the other hand, you couldn't go wrong with this:

Or could you? ;-)

Choix scentless perfume was selling like hotcakes at Selfridge's in the UK.

50 Tips for Healthier Skin at Any Age

Fiona (last name withheld) alerted me to this article 50 Tips for Healthier Skin at Any Age, which features helpful advice on protection from the sun, skin care, healthy living, what goes in your body, what goes on your body, and supplements.

The article states, "Your hair has oils on it, so when your hair is constantly touching your face, it is transferring those oils. Keep your hair back or find a new cut that features your face front and center." I would add that one should change pillowcases (in which case, it's advisable to buy more than one set of pillowcases) and clean their combs and brushes every time they wash their hair - especially if she goes without washing their hair for several days!

The article did not mention the use of AHAs and BHAs for exfoliation. For advice on AHAs and BHAs in particular and skin care in general, consult The Beauty Brains based on the popular blog and Paula Begoun's The Beauty Bible.

A less expensive alternative to Beautyblender?

I discovered this through Style.com "the online home for Vogue"


Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

I think that Beautyblender is a great product, but I balked at the price (twenty dollars) and hoped that there would be knockoffs that would work just as well.

Could this Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge at $6.99 be what I'm looking for? I visited my local Target yesterday and couldn't find it. Target is also carrying Spinlash - I'll report on that later.

AVON Pro-To-Go lipstick

Avon Pro-To-Go lipstick

Avon has been working hard to keep relevant in the ever-changing market for beauty. The launch of mark, geared toward teens, appears to have been successful, and mark's customizable Hook Ups have become popular. In addition, Avon has hired Jillian Dempsey of Delux Beauty as its Creative Director (husband Patrick Dempsey has signed on to promote men's products from Avon).

Avon has gone all out to promote its new Pro-To-Go lipstick, with SMS to get a free lipstick upon the launch and full-page ads featuring Reese Witherspoon, Avon's newly named "Global Ambassador."

The sliding button opens the lid and even the lipstick. Clever packaging, but how does Pro-To-Go perform? The application is smooth, and the lipcolor feels smooth and comfortable. The Style Page gives it a "thumbs up."

Avon Pro-To-Go lipstick comes in 15 different shades and is available for an introductory price of $5.99 (after that, it will cost $9.00). You may buy Avon Pro-To-Go lipstick via the Avon website or, of course, your Avon rep.

NARS

NARS The Multiple in Orgasm

François Nars first burst upon our awareness through Allure magazine, with an article that featured photos of him applying body makeup to Madonna for a Vanity Fair photo shoot. Since that time, he's established his very popular NARS Cosmetics line.

NARS's powder blush in Orgasm is a beauty editor's favorite and has become one of NARS's signature products. Its other signature product is The Multiple multi-tasking stick for cheeks, lips, and eyes. It should be no surprise then that NARS has created The Multiple in Orgasm. I've begun using cream blushes only recently, and I'm hooked. NARS The Multiple in Orgasm is so sheer that I found that I could swipe it straight from the stick onto my cheeks, with only minimal blending. It is also beautiful as a highlighter on top of the cheekbone.

On the other hand, I found the lip stain gloss on the NARS Lip Stain Gloss/Lip Gloss (not pictured) difficult to use. The first time I tried it, I made a mess of it - around my lips, on my fingers. It is very pigmented, and when I tried to blend it with my fingers, I needed dual-phase makeup remover to remove the stains. In addition, it takes longer to dry down than, for example, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour, which also features a liquid lip stain.

My second attempt was more successful. Here's how I did it:

- I lined my lips, by applying concealer with a fine tip brush. I softened the edges so that it wasn't obvious. I could also have also used a clear lip pencil: I've identified brands that market clear lip pencils.

- I used a very light touch: in other words, I didn't press the wand against my lips.

- I stopped shy of the corners of my mouth when I applied the lip stain gloss.

If you like a highly pigmented stain, then the dual Lip Stain Gloss/Lip Gloss is for you.

You can find NARS The Multiple and NARS Lip Stain Gloss/Lip Gloss at NARS Cosmetics.

This is a "day dress"??!!

Nordstrom called this dress a "day dress." It looks like a short nightie to me!

They were tagged

Here's follow-up to my post I've been tagged! in which I tagged six people to share their six unspectacular quirks.

Retainer Girl of Soul-Piercing Reflections says "I always have to use two pumps of hand soap--but only in the kitchen. Everywhere else I only use one." Read more ...


Ondo Lady

Ronke at The Musings of Ondo Lady writes, "The first thing I do when I get up is make the bed." Read more ...

Nicole of Shop With a Vengeance! says "I am late for everything. Being on time is really ridiculously difficult for me!" Read more ...

Mischo Beauty writes, "I, like The Style Page, love foreign fashion magazines! I buy French Vogue every month and can't speak or read French (though I'm teaching myself with Coffee Break French!)... Read more...

I never heard from Kelly of slacker chic or Cristina of Marcando Estilo. Cristina is based in Spain and blogs in Spanish. I translated the rules into Spanish for her.

More on standards and certification of natural and organic products

Recurring themes on The Style Page blog have been the standardization of what constitutes natural and/or organic personal care products and certification of products as "natural" or "organic." I am not a purist, I write on these issues to inform consumers about the myriad standards and certification activities out there.

Standards and certification activities provide no information on how well "natural" and "organic" products perform vis-à-vis conventional products. Recently, I wrote to a woman who generously supplied me with samples from Miessence, a direct sales company from Australia, that I was disappointed with the performance of its foundation. While the Miessence foundation didn't sting like the Organic wear™ 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer from Physicians Formula, the mixture of water, oils, and powder was not sufficiently blended into an agglomerate-free whole.

Monique of beauty girl musings published an article on standards and certification for natural personal care products announced by the Natural Products Association on May 1.

Separately, Christopher of Christopher Drummond Beauty, republished a letter that threatened to sue manufacturers and the Ecocert (which certified Physicians Formula's Organic wear products) and OASIS certification bodies for their claims of "organic" products. Ecocert was singled out for including water as an organic product(!) The letter was written by David Bronner of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps and Ronnie Cummins, Executive Director, Organic Consumers Association (OCA). The letter is long and technical and refers to a survey that is apparently about consumers' perceptions of what constitutes organic products.

Dr. Bronner's and OCA has since filed suit against the manufacturers, Ecocert, and OASIS. The hyperlinked article from Cosmeticsdesign-europe.com notes what I have contended: The natural and organics cosmetics industry has long been suffering from the lack of an internationally recognizable, reputable standard