SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Tickled Pick -- Fashion & Beauty Buys For Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There's still one more week left in October, which means plenty of time to shop for makeup, skincare goodies, jewelry, accessories, and apparel that benefit non-profit organizations dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer awareness, researching the disease in hopes of discovering a cure, and providing support for women undergoing treatment.

Here are some not-to-miss BCA month buys:

Lauren Merkin Pink Studded "Diana" Clutch, $250. Available at LaurenMerkin.com

Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of this light fleshy pink version of Lauren Merkin's Diana clutch, adorned with clear crystals and a silver-toned chain link strap, will be donated to the Young Survival Coalition during the month of October.

 

Amala Soothe Moisturizing Cream, $72. Available at AmalaBeauty.com

All-natural German skincare company Amala will be donating 10% of profits from its new Soothe collection to CancerCare throughout the months of October, November and December. The Soothe Moisturizing Cream (pictured above) features organic desert fig seed to hydrate and nourish skin, nopal leaf to reduce redness and calm any inflammations, and antioxidant-rich organic argan seed to strengthen the skin barrier.

 

e.l.f. Pageant Princess Mineral Lip Gloss, $3. Available at eyeslipsface.com

During the month of October, 100% of the sales from the e.l.f Mineral Lip Gloss in Pageant Princess, a universally flattering, neutral pink shade, will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The paraben- and preservative-free gloss is packed with hydrating, antioxidant-rich vitamin E and vitamin A to keep your pout looking supple and youthful, so it's a purchase that will help you as much as it will help others!

 

Say Jo, Jo, Jojoba With The PHYTO Phytojojoba Mask

There's a reason why you're likely to find jojoba oil in haircare products' ingredient lists: it works to balance oil production, hence aiding in the removal of excess sebum and product build-up at the scalp level, a problem that can ultimately damage hair follicles and lead to dry and unruly, breakage-prone strands. Jojoba oil, then, keeps your scalp healthy, ensuring that new strands can grow and flourish (so to speak). It also seals moisture into the hair cuticle, keeping frizz at bay and adding shine and softness to strands. PHYTO has been summoning the moisturizing and restorative powers of jojoba for years now with its popular PHYTO Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask. And while I'm on the late train with this one, now that I've tried going down the Phytojoba lane, I can't foresee re-routing.

First off, the Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask smells spectacular — it's got a slightly nutty quality (due to the jojoba oil), but the predominant aroma is derived from the formula's zesty sweet orange oil and angelica root (which, in aromatherapy, is used to combat fatigue, depression, and loss of appetite). Texturally, the mask isn't balmy, globby, or blubbery, nor is it overly sticky or viscous — it feels a bit like homemade mayonnaise in that it's creamy but easy to manipulate and spread throughout the hair. Plus, it doesn't take 20-25 minutes for the mask to deliver results. If you leave it in hair for just 5-10 minutes and then rinse, you're bound to notice an improvement in the softness and manageability of your hair. After using the mask a handful of times, I noticed even the ends of my hair looked healthier (on bad days, they resemble a frayed pieces of rope). Plus, the jojoba oil is easily absorbed by the hair and, as mentioned before, it helps to restore balance to the scalp, so you don't have to worry about hair being weighed down or looking lifeless. The opposite is true: expect bounce, movement, and vitality.

Since I have color-treated, dry strands, I use the Phytojoba mask as often as every 2 days, and it keeps my hair looking healthy and feeling soft to the touch. The guar gum in the formula functions as a detangling agent, which makes this product all the more ideal for regular use. In fact, you can even scoop a pea-sized amount an, after rubbing it between your palms, apply that to damp hair as a leave-in conditioner.

See why it's a dry hair must?

PHYTO Phytojojoba Intense Hydrating Mask, $38. Available at fine salons, select department stores, and Sephora. Visit PHYTO-USA.com for retail locations.

Green Room Thursdays: Improve Your Lips' Karma With Buddha Balm

 

 

Is the cold winter air starting to take a toll on your lips, making them burn or peel uncomfortably? Instead of dipping into a drugstore and stocking up on icky Chapstick, check out a pocket- and eco-friendly lip treatment from Las Vegas-based brand Buddha Balm. These soy-based lip balms are free of parabens and petroleums, instead relying on eco-friendly ingredients like: softening shea butter; moisturizing coconut oil; fatty acid-packed lanolin oil, which draws moisture to skin, sealing it in; antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, which protects lips from harmful UV rays and other free radicals; beeswax, which offers a protective barrier for lips; carnauba wax, which thickens the balm's consistency and helps soothe and protect skin; and zinc oxide, which blocks UVA and UVB rays.

The Buddha Balm lip treatments are available in four exotic flavors: the fruity Lychee Pomegranate, the tropical, mojito-worthy Crushed Mint Pineapple, the invigorating and sightly spicy Mandarin Orange Ginger, and the decadently sweet Burnt Sugar Fig. After trying all four flavors, I've officially crowned the Burnt Sugar Fig Buddha Balm my favorite -- it smells like the slightly crispy bottom of a slice of  Angel Food Cake, like a mix of syrup, vanilla and caramelized sugar, with just a hint of fig to balance the saccharin factor.

I found the Buddha Balms did a solid job in terms of protecting lips from environmental aggressors, keeping lips protected in less than favorable weather conditions. If you have particularly dry lips, however, you may need to start off with a deeply hydrating treatment first (try the Fresh Sugar Lip Balm or the La Mer Lip Balm) and then use Buddha Balm for maintenance as opposed to restoration.

My only complaint: I wish the balm's consistency wasn't quite so thick since it doesn't melt easily onto lips, especially on the first few uses. Once you work past the top layers however, the texture starts feeling way more pleasant. And in terms of affordability, Buddha Balm is a great choice -- a four-pack of lip balms will still cost less than a single tube of such cult faves as Fresh Sugar Lip Balm and Fusion Beauty LipFusion Conditioning Stick.

Buddha Balm 4-Pack, $13.28. Available at BuddhaBalm.com

Limited-Edition Clarisonic Hope Mia 2010 -- A BCA Month Special

 

 

On Monday morning, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Robb Akridge, Clarisonic's Vice President of Clinical Affairs, at the Trump Soho hotel in NYC. During the event, Akridge discussed the sonic technology that revolutionized the skincare world when the Clarisonic Cleansing System made its debut, the results from clinical studies documenting the Clarisonic's superior performance, the science behind the Clarisonic Opal unveiled earlier this year, the alliances Clarisonic has formed with other brands that have led to co-branded, limited-edition skincare sets, and much more. He even showed media members slides of some of the prototypes that preceded the Clarisonic brush (cue the video above to 2:09 for a look at some slightly frightening precursors). And, of course, he discussed the latest news regarding Clarisonic initiatives and offerings.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Clarisonic introduced the above-pictured, limited-edition Hope Mia brush which features the phrase "Hope Is Beautiful" in bright pink cursive lettering along the entire white brush handle. For each of these sold, Clarisonic will donate $15 to Look Good…Feel Better, an organization devoted to providing beauty resources and complimentary makeup sessions for women undergoing chemotherapy or any other cancer treatment. The organization's mission is to improve these women's confidence regarding their appearance as they courageously battle this terrible disease.

The proceeds from the Hope Mia will be granted in addition to the initial $100,0000 donation Clarisonic made to LGFB. And the giving doesn't end there: the brand will donate $1 for every "like" its Facebook page receives.

This kind of hope is rather beautiful.

Clarisonic Hope Mia, $149. Available at Clarisonic.com

Coining Fabulous With Fallon Jewelry For W Hotels The Store

 

For Fall/Winter 2010, W Hotels The Store is showcasing its Global Glam collection, curated by W Hotels fashion director Amanda Ross. Meant to reflect the new W hotels opening in London, Vieques, and St. Petersburg, the collection incorporates apparel, handbags, sunglasses, jewelry, hats, and scarves that reference the rich cultures, fashion movements, and overall atmosphere of these destinations. And, of course, several designers were asked to create exclusive pieces for the W — among them Dana Lorenz of three-year-old jewelry brand Fallon.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to check out some of the pieces in the Global Glam collection first-hand, such as a tropical but tribal-flavored horn feather necklace by Roberta Freymann featuring elongated,  feather-shaped copper strips with jagged edges paired with undulating, leaf-shaped brass slithers — all danging from a chain link necklace. A dapper bowler hat by Christys London also caught my eye, as did metallic braid necklace by Behnaz Sarafpour. But, time and again, my gaze gravitated to the Fallon jewelry pieces inspired by London's rich rockstar culture.

The place where punk rock, electronica, synth rock, new wave, glam rock, Britpop, and garage rock all flourished— think The Clash, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Joy Division, David Bowie, Oasis, Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand, and the Kaiser Chiefs — is the ideal reference for Lorenz's bold, rebellious, music-making jewelry pieces.

For this collection, Lorenz focused on coin shapes that resemble the hi-hats in a drum kit. The worn, slightly tarnished quality of the smooth, gold and silver metal spheres adds toughness and grit, while the Swarovski crystals used to embellish them add a stage-ready glam factor. I love how the crystals are clustered together, with three faceted, marquise shaped, onyx-colored stones fanning out beneath one faceted, round, clear or golden stone — the final effect almost reminds me of an upside-down feather headdress.

Above, you'll find three of the pieces in this exclusive collection — the Triple Coin Ring (my absolute favorite!), which features three metal plates that swivel and turn, giving the ring a life-like sense of movement; the Silver Coin Chandelier Earrings, which feature three strands of clear Swarovski crystals with silver-toned coins embellished with Swarovski crystals at the ends; and the Triple Coin Earrings, which feature disc shapes  that increase in size as you move from the lobe to the neck, creating a sense of depth.

As they'd say in London, these pieces are "a dead cert"!

Fallon Gold Triple Coin Ring, $158; Fallon Silver Coin Chandelier Earrings, $198; and Fallon Gold Triple Coin Earrings, $188. Available at W Hotels The Store and WHotelsTheStore.com

Stampd' Presents Taz Arnold's TI$A Shoe Collection

 

When producer/singer Taz Arnold (of Sa-Ra fame) set out to design a footwear collection for his TI$A fashion brand, he knew who to call on for help: Chris Stamp, founder/designer of Los Angeles-based footwear line Stampd'. Now, they're finally ready to unveil the TI$A shoe collection, a limited-edition, three-style set of low-top, lace-up canvas kicks produced by Stampd' and reflecting Arnold's appreciation for monogram prints and vintage luxury wear.

At top, you'll find one of the styles in the collection: the "Double FF's," Arnold's eccentric and fun-filled re-interpretation of the classic Fendi monogram print. The kicks feature sky canvas blue uppers and, throughout the fabric, you'll find colored capital "F" letters facing each other (with one placed upside down) and touching at the upper and lower corners so that they, in turn, create tile-like shapes with what resemble "2s" in their interior (look at the closure of a Fendi baguette and you'll understand the effect created). Because of the vibrant color palette chosen and the haphazard way in which the letters are scattered throughout the entire shoe, the result is a cool, slightly retro, Sesame-Street-meets-alphabet-soup feel that references Fendi but takes the luxury label's static monogram motif to a more playful realm.

Next, you'll find the "Go Hard's," a pair of black kicks with slightly faded gray and white arrow shapes that recall chalk on asphalt for a grittier, urban jungle-worthy feel. The words"El Tisa" are printed along the ankle collar and below the lacing in a font that resembles a handwritten tag.

These two styles (as well as the Gucci-inspired "Get $" style) officially launch in early November at select retailers and online at Stampd.com and ShopTisaVision.TV, with only 300 pairs available per style worldwide. But if you're in the LA area, you're in luck: you can get your hands on these as early as this Saturday, October 23rd. Stop by Joyrich Los Angeles (7700 Melrose Ave.) at 5 p.m. and scoop up one of the 75 pairs available pre-launch, plus enjoy a live performance from GOOD Music artist BiG Sean. The first 50 pairs will even come signed and numbered by TAZ Arnold.

MAC Cosmetics Venomous Villains Collection Pt II -- Evil Queen And Maleficent

A couple of days ago, I showed you ladies the first half of MAC's Venomous Villains collection, but trust me wen I say this: I saved the best for last. In addition to the two Disney villains mentioned in the previous post (Cruella De Vil of 101 Dalmatians and Dr. Facilier of The Princess and the Frog), the Venomous Villains collection immortalizes two of the most recognizable female scoundrels in animated movie history: Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs' Evil Queen and Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent.

Both mini-collections explore the darker, more savage and id-driven, Hobbesian nature of womankind, with lilac, purple, midnight blue, forest green, and smoky plum colors that read as sinister and cold, yet manage to be as beguiling as the cursed spindle that sent Aurora into a century-long sleep (luckily, the makeup doesn't have the narcotic side effects!).

Just remember: you can take some style tips from these evil villains, but it's still better to play nice!

Keep reading for more on these two mini-collections, product photos and swatches, and more.

Maison Martin Margiela Limited Edition AIDS Charity T-Shirt Now In Japanese

Over the years, Belgian designer Martin Margiela has emerged as the most mysterious (and some might say reclusive) figure since Howard Hughes. He's insisted on maintaining a low profile, avoiding industry gatherings, refusing press interviews, opting not to take a bow at this runway show, and using numbered, unbranded cotton labels in his garments. In some ways, he's the anti-Michael Kors — Martin Margiela on such a public, commercial enterprise as Project Runway? Yeah, right!

It's in keeping with the brand's history, then, that Maison Martin Margiela would unveil an AIDS charity T-Shirt featuring a cryptic message, with sentences printed so that only a fragmented part of the text is visible along the neckline, with the missing letters and words located on the inside of the tee, along the inner back panel of the T-shirt. Because the text is fragmented, the T-shirt functions as a conversation starter, with onlookers asking about the message it carries. A simple conversation about fashion, then, leads to a much-needed dialogue about HIV and AIDS, hence raising awareness about the issue.

Now, to complement the English version of the T-shirt, Maison Martin Margiela will be unveiling a yearly edition of the charity AIDS tee in a different language, starting with the Japanese edition this year. The T-shirt will be launched on World AIDS Day (December 1st) and will be available for a limited time only at Maison Martin Margiela stores. And as always, a percentage of the sales will be donated to the French organization AIDES, which is devoted to AIDS patient care.

Discuss.

 

Nixon x Barneys 25th Anniversary Watch -- The Duke Of Few Hazzards

 

 

When other companies were still fussing over how to make gold and silver watches more dainty and princess-like, accessories brand Nixon realized that women, too, like to funk up their wrists. Over the past decade, they've offered the ladies some pieces that well worth our time: from "The Playa," a candy-colored, streetwise number featuring a silicon strap molded to resemble the links of a metal strap, to "The Chalet", a retro-flavored, hefty stainless steel bracelet watch with wood or enamel inlays along each rectangular-shaped watch link. Even the watch names made us feel cool, regardless of whether we preferred "The Debutant" or "The Cougar." And now, they've brought the sexy back to a classic style, "The Duke."

 

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Barneys CO-OP, Nixon called upon "The Duke," pulling the watch style out of retirement for one final tournament. The watch boasts a sharp but rugged feel thanks to its Horween leather strap, which features slim stainless steel bars with rounded edges along its length. The rectangular-shaped, matte black face, meanwhile, features a raised stainless steel bezel with rounded corners, as well as a diamond hour marker and a custom-engraved caseback.
 
Available in brown or black leather, the Nixon x Barneys "Duke" is a Barneys CO-OP exclusive. Only a limited number of pieces are available, all worthy of their regal titles.

Nixon "The Duke" watch, $250. Available at Barneys.com and Barneys CO-OP retail locations.


   

DRIFT Eyewear At Coming Soon Pop-Up Gallery

 

 

 

There's a Huckleberry Finn type of charm to Drift Eyewear's designs, a synergy of boyish craftiness and mariner savvy. You can practically picture a wooden fisherman boat being dragged atop the beach shore, securely onto the sandy stretch after a long bit at sea. The ocean motifs are, of course, completely deliberate, since DRIFT founder/designer Chris Mantz harbors a love for nature — particularly "life by the water." One might assume the company name constitutes a nod to driftwood. "Drift" and "wood" — two words that allow us the perfect look into this eyewear brand.

In addition to creating vintage-flavored styles referencing seafarer culture, Mantz wanted his company's designs to show a commitment to the environment, and so he sought out fair-source suppliers from whom he could purchase sustainable wood with which to craft the temples and arms of his glasses. DRIFT Eyewear Co., then, is more than an accessories company — it's part of a growing green fashion movement. Each of DRIFTs eco-friendly glasses are handmade using cellulose acetate (a non-petroleum based plastic derived from wood pulping) and renewable types of wood and woody plants (wenge, bamboo, Douglas fir, walnut and maple) sourced from Forest Safety Council (FSC) Certified suppliers around the globe.

Aesthetically, the brand's cheeky glasses feature slightly retro fronts with flashy, modern colors or details, and shark fin-shaped arms that showcase the wood of choice at its most sublime. An assortment of eyewear styles (pictured here) are currently available at the conceptual pop-up store Coming Soon. We're all over the black shades pictured second from top, which feature perky lime green along the interior of the Wayfarer-esque shaped front, as well as walnut wood along the chunky arms for a very scholarly, refined feel.

Let DRIFT take you away!