Recently in Beauty News Category

Post by Beauty Snob Michelle

When I was living in London a few years ago I became obsessed with Boots’ beauty products. They were amazing and my cheap way to keep my skin flawless while living on a budget. (Plus, even though I was warned, I couldn’t believe how gross some hostels in Europe were! Tip to anyone traveling through Europe on a budget – bring your own pillowcase and a really good face wash!) Anyway, I couldn’t be more thrilled that Boots is slowly making its way to America. To celebrate their Restore and Renew going on sale at CVS today, the first 50 people in line at 8am in the CVS pharmacy at 630 Lexington at 53rd street will receive a free gift bag with $50 of Boots products in it. Remember ladies, these are cheap, quality products. Think of all you’ll get in that bag! Restore and Renew is one of their most popular products with something like 13 bottles being sold every minute. This is a product that is very hard to get your hands on. I’m incredibly jealous of all you New York beauty snobs right now!

Apparently in France, "You're worth it" only if you are white. The cosmetics giant L'Oréal was found guilty yesterday of racial discrimination after it sought to exclude non-white women from promoting its shampoo. I read this article in the London Guardian today and had to double check my calendar that it is indeed 2007 and not 1967. From the article:

"In a landmark case, the Garnier division of the beauty empire, along with a recruitment agency it employed, were fined €30,000 (£20,300) each after they recruited women on the basis of race. The historic ruling - the first time a major company has been found guilty of systematic race discrimination in France - saw a senior figure at the agency given a three-month suspended prison sentence.

The French campaign group SOS Racisme brought the case against L'Oréal, the world's largest cosmetics firm, over the campaign in 2000. Garnier France sought saleswomen to demonstrate the shampoo line Fructis Style in supermarkets outside Paris. They sought young women to hand out samples and discuss hairstyling with shoppers. In July 2000, a fax detailing the profile of hostesses sought by L'Oréal stipulated women should be 18 to 22, size 38-42 (UK size 10-14) and "BBR", the initials for bleu, blanc, rouge, the colours of the French flag. Prosecutors argued that BBR, a shorthand used by the far right, was also a well-known code among employers to mean "white" French people and not those of north African, African and Asian backgrounds.

Christine Cassan, a former employee at Districom, a communications firm acting for Garnier, told the court her clients demanded white hostesses. She said that when she had gone ahead and presented candidates "of colour" a superior in her own company had said she had "had enough of Christine and her Arabs"."

Complete article here.

Beauty Snob note: L'Oreal USA was not mentioned in the suit and I feel compelled to mention that I often notice that gorgeous women of all ethnic backgrounds are featured in L'Oreal USA ads.

Gorgeous Supermodel turned Supermom/Supermogul Heidi Klum will soon add infomercials to her growing stable of television credits. The 34-year-old model-mogul will be the face of In An Instant, a new skin care line that will be launched this fall in partnership with direct-marketing giant Guthy-Renker via infomercials.

"Heidi Klum is going to attract a very different target market in our opinion than Cindy Crawford, Susan Lucci, Jane Seymour or Victoria Principal," said Greg Renker, founding principal of Guthy-Renker, referring to spokeswomen for various brands in Guthy-Renker's portfolio. "Heidi Klum has a young, hip following that watches her show on Bravo."

He must be talking about fans like Kelly and I, we love Heidi and are obsessed with Project Runway but that does not mean we will buy whatever slop she plans to sell on tv. I have yet to find a quality beauty line sold via infomercials (and trust me, I tried them all- from Cher to Victoria Principal. I was young and finding my way, what can I say?). Though Renker would not disclose Klum's contract, it is estimated to be in the millions. What about you, will you be trying Heidi's new beauty venture?

Source: WWD

Have you signed up for the Allure Total Make Over yet? All you have to do is register and you'll be automatically entered to win a five-day trip for two to Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah, and one of four $500 shopping sprees at beauty.com! Allure is our FAVORITE beauty magazine and a must read for all beauty snobs so what are you waiting for? Sign up and be on your way to slim down, tone up and be the most fabulous YOU can be!

Post by Michelle
It’s been well documented that I love the Proenza Schouler boys. I love their story, I love their clothes, and even though I’m iffy on their lipstick, I’ll forgive them. Now they’ve taken their growing fame and are using it to help a good cause. Partnering with Lancome, they’ve created the Hypnose Dress, a one of a kind couture dress that is being auctioned off on e-bay to benefit Save the Children. The dress looks luminous in pictures, so I can only imagine how it looks in person. (The type of dress I dreamed about as a little girl - who am I kidding? The type of dress I dream about now!) They designed it with the bottle for Hypnose perfume in mind and every cent from the auction will go to the charity. The bidding is open until April 11th so you have some time left to decide just how much you’d pay for a one of a kind Proenza. So warm up your credit cards and help Jack and Lazaro save the children!

photos: www.hypnosecouture.com

Post by Michelle
Courvoisier has long been a symbol of luxury and comfort. The cognac company has a wide range of products to their name and now they’re adding fragrance to their empire. On Friday, WWD online reported that Courvoisier is launching their own men’s cologne line. Courvoisier L'edition Imperiale is rumored to be retailing for more than $100 a piece and will be sold at only certain “high end” retailers beginning this spring. I did some internet sleuthing and while I found plenty of press on the fragrance, I can’t seem to find anyone who has actually smelled it! (Only a brand rep calling it "woody, orential and reminiscent of the barrels used to age the cognac") So I put it to you guys. Any thoughts about what this scent might/actually smell like? We’re assuming (and desperately hoping) that it doesn’t smell like the cognac or what you might smell like after a night drinking it, but we’re dying to know the scoop!

pictures courtesy of thelicensingcompany.com

Post by Michelle
So, we all know how I feel about the craziness that is BORBA water. (For those of you just tuning in – I kinda think the whole thing is a sham!) Now Coca-Coal is creating a skin-clearing beauty drink of their own! They’ve partnered with L’Oreal to make a tea based drink called Lumae that will “help woman care for their skin.” I don’t buy it. You mean to tell me that the same company who’s products my mother told me would “rot my teeth out,” is now making a product that will clear up the pimples caused by their soda? Healthy is trendy these days and no one wants to be behind that curve. I say to Coke, embrace your sugary, fizzy goodness!! When I’m having a bad day, (or a really good piece of pizza) I’ll reach for a Diet Coke before anything else, but when I’m trying to take care of my skin? I’ll stick to good ol’ h2o, thanks. Story source: Fashionista.com

Picture from wikipedia.org