SICKA THAN AVERAGE

L'Oreal Paris Studio Launches Online Hair Lookbook YourStyleYourStudio.com

 

Nowadays, cosmetics, skin care and hair care brands are moving beyond online retailers, behind-the-scenes video snippets, and straight-from-the-runway photo albums, instead creating thriving digital communities built around user participation. To make its latest venture a success, L'Oréal Paris Studio adopted a double-pronged approach, creating a resource-heavy destination armed with a searchable photo database of real-life hair looks to fit any woman's (or man's) hair type, length, texture, color, and overall aesthetic. Users are free to either post looks or search the constantly growing database at YourStyleYourStudio.com to determine which style might look good on them.  Next comes the second leg of the venture: the tutorial element. Once users become enamored with a specific look, they can find out how to recreate it using L'Oréal Paris Studio products by watching one of the how-to video tutorials and even sparking a dialogue with the users who posted their photos. 

If you've been toying with the idea of styling your shoulder-length mane into a rocker-flavored pompadour, you can find inspiration in looks like Ashbash's The Pomp-Adore (she recommends the Body Builder Mousse, Mega Hairspray, and Pumping Volume Spritz, along with tons of bobby pins when recreating the look) while, if you've contemplated dyeing your tresses a candy-worthy shade, you can check the cotton candy pink angular bob sported by AlexisE. For less avant garde options, check out the sexy bedhead waxy 'do created by BebeZeva or embrace the Bohemian spirit of Fall 2011 with loose but well-defined curls like those modeld by user CelticFire.

Using the handy search categories, then, you can browse through looks by selecting  your hair length (Long, Medium, or Short), the desired look (Curly, Wavy, Spiky, Updo, Braided, Straight, Afro, Bangs, Volumized, Piecey, Ponytail, Slicked Back, etc.), the color of your mane (brown, black, blond, red, or other), the products used to get the look (spray, gel, mousse, putty, texturizer), and your hair personality (Natural, Rocker, Mod, Beachy, Nerd, Boho, Urban, Chic, Indie, Emo, Goth, Punk, Artsy, Out of Bed, Wild, Retro, Artsy, Hipster, Avant Garde, and more). As might be expected, I'm particularly drawn to the Rocker, Artsy, Punk, Wild, Avant Garde, and Chic looks since they tend to be the most boundary-pushing of the lot. Still, you can search any category you please depending on your mood (or your destination — after all, you can't exactly hit a traditional wedding in a mohawk!).

As for the products used to create these looks, they can all be found in the L'Oréal Paris Studio range, which includes a plethora of products that provide the necessary effect at a fraction of their competitor's prices. Though I tend to run from mousse at the frenzied pace of The Killing's Rosie Larson, I must tip my imaginary hat to the Body Builder Mousse ($4.99 at LOréalParisUSA.com) since it does yield volume without leaving hair feeling starchy, stiff, or tacky, allowing you to manipulate your hair into anything from a Gloria Estefan-worthy curly mane to a Bardot-esque bouffant. For severe looks where you want hair to be ultra slick and almost appear wet, try the L'Oréal Paris Studio Mega Gel ($4.99 at LOréalParisUSA.com) which will prevent hair from budging without flaking an creating the dreaded dandruff-like situation that can often ensue after a heavy dose of gel.

 

 

Case-Mate Jessica Swift Collection of iPhone 4 Cases -- From Flowers to Feathers and Kaleidoscopes

 

 

This revelation may prompt some gasps, but I'm not an iPhone user. I know, I know: you can make video calls and actually look at the person you're dialing, the 5-megapixel camera takes high quality photos that can be displayed via nifty slide shows, the touch screen is so handy, and it's just a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious device altogether. But, truth be told, I'm still faithful to my good old Blackberry, especially since I find the touchscreen keypad on the iPhone really inconvenient (I prefer actual keys) and I primarily use my mobile to type e-mails, send text messages, and tweet .

Still, on the style front, there's no denying that the iPhone is a much sleeker device. Add to that the many cases designed to jazz up these mobile devices, and the urge to make the Blackberry-to-iPhone switch burns that much more vigorously. My latest source of temptation: the Case-Mate Jessica Swift collection of custom-designed iPhone 4 cases ($34.95 each at Case-Mate.com).

Jessica Swift —an illustrator, painter, surface pattern maker, and artist — designs original patterns for everything from stationery to calendars, notebooks, pocket mirrors, coasters, and screen prints (check out the goodies at her Etsy store). And now, she's bringing her vibrant patterns to the tech-savvy masses through a collaboration with Case-Mate. 

There are sixteen iPhone 4 case signs in the collection — among them, the Peacock Feathers case, which features chartreuse and purple plumage dancing atop a deep teal backdrop; the Banana Magnolia case, which features a soft lilac backdrop covered with peach, banana yellow, and coral blossoms; the Deemah design, which features a kaleidoscopic print with geometric shapes that repeat over and over along the case's surface; and the Masoud, a blush pink case with interlocking shapes in soft honeysuckle, pale peach, gray, and violet tones that form star-like shapes when they come together.

After the jump, you can also check out the Faded Flowers, Rukan, Samantha and Michaela iPhone 4 case designs. If you feel like giving your iPhone a makeover, then consider buying it some new duds from this artsy collection.

 

Hayden-Harnett for Uncommon iPhone 4 Cases -- Fashion At Your Fingertips

 

 

 

 

 

Give your iPhone a hipster makeover with the help of Brooklyn-based fashion and accessories brand Hayden-Harnett. Thanks to a collaboration with Uncommon, some of the brand's most iconic scarf prints are now fit for a king — or, rather, a mobile device queen.

Each Hayden-Harnett iPhone 4 Case ($39.95 at HaydenHarnett.com) fits snugly on all iPhone 4 models, while allowing easy access to all buttons, inputs, camera lenses, and necessary controls. The cases are available in five styles: Plume, a deep cobalt blue number with mustard-colored, ostrich-like feathers in an "X" formation; Pistol & Dagger, a funky violet number with Pirates of the Caribbean-esque pistols arranged in diamond shapes and daggers dripping with blood peppered along the length of the case; Mystery, a tan number emblazoned with smoking guns (literally), splatters of blood, and ultra-sharp knife blades, alluding to all the makings of a murder mystery crime scene; Kitty, which literally features adorable kittens playing with balls of yarn; and Boudoir, a black case with glass, perfume bottles, lace doilies, mirrored hair brushes, atomizer bottles, powder puffs, and all the staples of a vanity table outlined in white, pencil-like strokes. 

Just as temperatures start to drop this fall, slip your phone into something a bit cozier and way more fashion-forward. 

HEX Watch Bands For iPod Nano -- The Time Is Right!

         

           

 

When it comes to electronic gizmos, size matters — and this is one realm in which bigger is rarely better. The new touch-screen iPod Nano, then, is 46% smaller and 42% lighter than its predecessor — heck, it's even tinier than a Cheez-It cracker! But, when you have something so precious and so petite, you have to be extra careful about safeguarding it. If you toss it inside your hobo bag, you might spend hours searching for it to no avail (our purses tend to be bottomless pits, after all!).  If you tuck it inside your pant pocket, it might slip out and leave you in music-less tears. And do you really want to clip this tiny device to your shirt or jacket, practically taunting would-be pick-pockets, luring them to swipe it off your body and head for the hills? 

Thankfully, HEX provided the missing piece to this tech puzzle, creating a watch band that integrates the iPod Nano into its design. Rather than some dowdy nylon strap on which to clip on your petite portable music player, each HEX Watch Band is designed so that you can pop the iPod Nano into the watch case and secure it in place (and, of course, you can pop the device out when necessary). Each watch is made of premium silicone and features honeycomb-like grooves all along the strap, integrated control buttons, and an audio port for headphones. 

The HEX Original Watch Band is available in nine funky colors ranging from a periwinkle blue to a neon lime green and a tangerine orange. Fashion, function and a modest price tag? Believe it!

 

HEX Watch Band for iPod Nano, $29.95. Available at ShopHEX.com

It's The Finale Of Our Weekend-Long Earth Day Extravaganza!

Our eco-friendly fête is still going strong on its third consecutive day! Today, we'll be schooling you on everything from TSA-approved organic skincare travel kits to cozy and colorful 100% bamboo scarves. Check out our latest environmentally friendly picks below!

 

 

iWave Grass Roots Headphones, $29.95. Available at iWaveAudio.com

How can you make a sonic experience eco-friendly? Well, you can start by switching up the way you listen to music on your iPod or MP3 player. The new iWave Grass Roots collection features headphones and iPod cases constructed using renewable materials like bamboo, recycled wood, and hemp and packaged in recycled paper with graphics printed using natural dyes. The headphones pictured above, for example, feature recycled wood accents along the ear cups.

 

Nepali by TDM Design Bambi Bamilla Scarf, $100. Available at TDMDesignInc.com

This ultra soft, 100% bamboo scarf was hand-made and hand-dyed in Nepal. Measuring 28" in width by 80" in length, the Nepali by TDM Bambi Bamilla scarf features Boho chic stripes with a restrained tie-dye feel. Our favorite colorway is the deep eggplant purple with the blush pink contrast pictured above.

 

 

 

Davines Well-Being Natural Tech De Stress Yogurt Buffer Gel, $21. Visit Davines.com to locate a salon.

Eco-friendly and socially responsible, Italian haircare line Davines specializes in products that incorporate all-natural ingredients into their formulas. But rather than sticking to tired and true botanicals associated with healthy hair, Davines insists on exploring the potential benefits of plants, herbs, and fruits through its ongoing research initiatives. Because of this, then, you'll find such ingredients as fig leaf, tomato extract, pistachio oil, carrot extract, and barley extract in its potent formulations. We're currently loving the Davines Well-Being Natural Tech De Stress Yogurt Buffer Gel, which gives any style hold without damaging strands or leaving behind any unsightly flaky residue. Whereas most gels dry out your hair, this one nourishes strands with a combination of collagen, which defends hair from stresses like salt water, UV rays, and chlorine; and yogurt, which boasts a high concentration of replenishing minerals and vitamins, among them zinc, calcium, lactic acid, and Vitamins B1, B2, B-6 and B-12.

 

Collective Wellbeing Carbon-Balanced Travel Kit, $25. Available at CollectiveWellbeing.com

Though we appreciate all the efforts the TSA has made to ensure the safety of flight passengers, every woman who has sauntered down a security checkpoint at an airport can attest to being confused by the rules regarding the acceptable sizes of liquid and cream personal hygiene products. This handy kit from Collective Wellbeing features TSA-approved, travel-sized versions of its best-selling products: a 0.25 oz. tube of its Weightless Daycream, a 0.25 oz. tube of its Night Quenching Cream, a 1 oz. bottle of its Corrective Cleanser, a 1.5 oz. tube of its Dry Skin Relief Body Butter, a 1.5 oz. bottle of its Right to Shine Shampoo, and a 1.5 oz. bottle of its Quick Fix Conditioner.  Not only are all the products formulated with certified organic natural ingredients like aloe vera juice, ilipe nut butter, jojoba oil, pomegranate seed oil, and chamomile, but they're packaged in a jute and organic cotton pouch manufactured with a zero carbon footprint. But Collective Wellbeing's commitment to the environment goes a step further: for every travel kit sold, the company will purchase enough clean energy credits to offset the greenhouse gas emissions produced by one round-trip, cross-country flight.

 

 

 

Unite Smoothing Shampoo. $22.95, and Unite Smoothing Conditioner, $24.95. Available at Shop.UniteHair.com

Not only are Unite's haircare products sulfate- and paraben-free, but they contain no gluten (remarkable in and of itself) and are 100% vegan. The  Unite Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner both focus on eliminating frizz and fly-aways, boosting shine, and keeping hair looking straight and lustrous. To that end, then, they rely on guar gum to tame frizz, moringa seed extract to protect hair color, panthenol to condition strands, and botanisil to moisturize and protect hair from heat exposure. 

Green Means Go -- Eco-Friendly Goodies To Celebrate Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day, ladies, but we plan on celebrating all weekend long, bringing you the scoop on some of the hottest eco-friendly products out there (hey, the party doesn't stop til we say it does!). Consider this the appetizer portion of our feast for Mother Nature. Bon appetit, my hungry style hounds!

 

Daniblack Olsa Platform Sandal, $185. Available at JildorShoes.com

Do you need an excuse to purchase a new pair of sandals? Well, we're happy to help you with this conundrum, chicas! The new Daniblack Olsa sandals infuse joy into any ensemble thanks to the perky color options available: a bright, Gummi Bear-worthy green, a Welch's grape soda purple, and a Jolly Rancher Cherry Stick red. The knotted, rope-like straps nod to the nautical motifs that are once again at the fashion forefront this season, and the cut-out shapes they form bolster the sandals' playfulness. The knots are perfectly aligned in a row down the center of the sandals' uppers for perfect symmetry, while the ankle strap ensures a comfortable, secure fit. But here's the most compelling reason to justify purchasing these hotties: the Olsa sandals feature a 3 3/4" heel and a 1 3/4" platform covered in raffia, a renewable natural resource, and the strappy uppers are constructed out of recycled bottles turned into synthetic suede, making them an eco-friendly summer footwear choice.

 

 

 

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, $16.50 each. Available at US.LizEarle.com

When you cleanse your hair with the SLS- and SLES-free Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo, you'll embark on a savory sensory experience, feeling like you've been transported to an apple orchard in Washington's Yakima County, then escorted into an orange grove in sunny Florida, all thanks to the sweet and zesty extracts of these fruits incorporated into the formula (both apple and orange extract  boost hair's natural luster). West African shea butter and aloe extract moisturize and softens hair, while vitamin E protects your strands from the damaging effects of UV rays. Plant-based ingredients like geranium oil and rosemary extract gently cleanse the hair without stripping it of its natural oils, making this shampoo suitable for women with even the driest strands, and also create a pleasant aroma-therapeutic experience, uplifting your spirits as you shower. To complete your all-natural hair care routine, follow up with one of Liz Earle's shampoos — we swear by the Botanical Shine Shampoo for Dry or Damaged Hair, which also features shine-boosting apple and orange extracts, but also packs a hefty dose of Kenyan yangu oil to deep moisturize tresses and blue sea kale to safeguard hair color. 

Sobral Cidade Maravilhosa Bracelets, $110 each. Available at SobralUSA.com

Brazilian jewelry designer Carlos Sobral has built a career around crafting stunning jewelry, picture frames, home furnishings, vases, and other homebound knicknacks using only recycled materials and found objects. Our latest fascination: the Cidade Maravilhosa (Portuguese for "Marvelous City") bangles in the new Sobral Rio + Design collection. Hand made using lightweight natural resin, the rounded bangles depict the mountainous Rio de Janeiro landscape, their black terrain offset against luminous, practically glowing magenta pink, Cerulean blue, or sunset orange skies.

 

Tarte Lipsurgence Natural Lip Luster. Available at Sephora.com

If you were smitten with Tarte's original line of creamy lip colors but wished they had a bit more sparkle, your prayers have been answered. The new LipSurgence Natural Lip Luster collection consists of creamy, glimmer-packed, sheer colors ranging from Fever, a cardinal red, to Adored, a bubblegum pink. Not only do they deliver a glaze-like veil of color to lips, but they cool, moisturize, and soother your pout with a blend of peppermint oil, soybean oil, and Tarte's proprietary LipSurgence technology. Check out  swatches  of the Glisten, Adored, Frisky and Fever shades here.

 

Pratima "Beauty in Giving" Eco-Friendly Hemp Beauty Pouch, $27. Available at PratimaSkincare.com

Made with 100% organic hemp and lined with 100% organic cotton, this square, envelope-shaped. zippered pouch, perfect for packing your beauty essentials, is the golden child of PRATIMA Skincare and the Hunger Project, two entities with deep roots in India. Developed by Dr. Pratima Raichur, the all-natural, herb-, mineral-, and plant-based line PRATIMA Skincare relies on ayurvedic medicinal beliefs, which tap into the energy of the five elements: Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Space. The Hunger Project, meanwhile, is a non-profit organization that provides impoverished communities with basic food and health supplies while also planting roots for economic self-reliance within these regions, thereby helping to find long-term solutions to poverty and hunger. The bone-colored pouch features a henna-like, dark brown illustration of leafy tree branches made by artist Valentine Viannay using only water-based paints dried in the sun and then silk printed by hand. All proceeds from the sale of the bag will benefit the Hunger Project in India.

Arcona Cranberry Toner, $32, and Cranberry Gommage, $42 for 100ml and $75 for 200ml. Available at Arcona.com

Dolores O'Riordan may have defected from The Cranberries, but we've vowed to stick by the cranberries in Arcona's skincare arsenal: the Arcona Cranberry Toner and the Arcona Cranberry Gommage. A popular skincare ingredient, antioxidant-rich cranberry helps to restore the skin's lipid barrier, hence aiding in moisture retention so that skin will feel softer and look healthier and more luminous. Rich in omega-3, 6, and 9, as well as vitamins A and E, this lovely fruit moisturizes the skin and protects it from free radicals.  No wonder Arcona has looked to the bitter berry as a power source for its skincare products! We're particularly smitten with the Arcona Cranberry Toner, a fragrant substance that removes dirt and impurities, refreshing skin and helping to clear up any acne or inflammation thanks to the antibacterial properties of cranberry extract. The Arcona Cranberry Gommage, meanwhile, also helps to clarify skin but also aids in the purification process thanks to the salicylic acid in the formula, which unclogs pores and stimulates cell renewal, and the volcanic minerals that polish the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and radiant.

Invention Inception -- Problem Solving Gadgets From Quirky At HSN

 

 

 

Wouldn't it be fantastic to have one revolutionary, life-changing, Mark Zuckerberg- or Steve Jobs- worthy "Eureka!" moment that translated into a patentable and highly profitable invention? The closest most of us have come is reenacting that scene from Romy And Michelle's High School Reunion in which Romy claims she invented the ubiquitous, office-ready sticky notes to impress her former classmates. And yet design brand Quirky specializes in offering consumers everyday solutions to little inconveniences and nuisances — many of which you might not have considered prior to encountering these gadgets. HSN is applauding Quirky's forward-thinking ethos by carrying a range of gadgets from the brand, all of which aim to lessen clutter, aid in multi-tasking, and simplify daily tasks.

One of our favorite offerings is the Scratch-N-Scroll (pictured at top), which fuses together the mouse pad structure with the reusable writing slate provided by such groundbreaking toys as the Etch-A-Sketch. This rectangular rubber-and-plastic pad measured 9 1/2" in length, 8 1/2" in width, and 1/4" in height and features a non-slip rubber base, a slim stylus for quick note taking, and a semi-transparent sheet on which you can write tasks, phone numbers, and memos. Using the accompanying stylus (which has its own nook on the side of the mousepad), you simply write down anything you desire, then grasp the parchment-like top sheet at the curved bottom edge and lift it from the base until  you erase those scribbled notes. The invention is rather handy when you need to jot something down and simply can't find a piece of paper or a ballpoint pen — just know that it's not the ideal space for data you'll need to accent on a semi-permanent basis since the weight of a mouse rolling over the sheet is enough to speed up any note's disappearance (hey, this isn't a tattooed reminder for Memento-like protagonists). Also, the sheet does tear so try your best to be gentle with it. Otherwise, you'll likely be pleased with its durability as a mousepad and the convenience it provides as a reminder-packed tablet.

Need another example of a handy gadget? Check out Quirky's Wrapster Earphone Cord Wraps, which come in punchy colors like turquoise and purple, as well as basic black and white. Sold in sets of four, the Wrapsters are designed so that you can slide each ear bud through a slim, vertical plastic tube and then wrap it around a central bar to prevent any tangling and messiness when earphones aren't in use. And, if you have an iPhone, you can even use a Wrapster tube as a stand for your mobile device.

In addition to offering consumers organizational solutions, Quirky is also rolling out the red carpet for would-be inventors: as part of its partnership with Quirky founder and CEO Ben Kaufman, HSN is providing a space through which consumers can submit product ideas and have them evaluated by the Quirky team for possible development. Since the company unveils a new invention on HSN every month, there's a fair chance that some resourceful consumer will see his/her idea come to fruition and enter the marketplace — and, of course, that lucky goose will get bragging rights and the opportunity to cash in on the finished product. Ka-ching!

Quirky Scratch-N-Scroll Rewritable Mouse Pad, $14.95; Headphone & Earbud Wrapsters (Set of 4), $19.95. Available at HSN.com

 

Sparklin' Dannijo iPhone 3 Cases

If you're a fan of Dannijo's hefty, rocker-flavored, uptown-prim-meets-downtown-debauchery aesthetic, you'll appreciate how the beloved jewelry brand has expanded into other goods like handbags and iPhone cases. Their small but formidable selection of printed plastic iPhone 3 cases, made by Uncommon for Dannijo, features kaleidoscopic images of Dannijo's statement-making jewelry pieces.

The Dannijo Sparo iPhone 3 case, for example, nods to the oxidized, silver-plated cuff bracelet by the same name, which is covered by criss-crossed, overlapping chain strands and round, prong-set Swarovski crystals. The Dannijo Paradis iPhone 3 case, meanwhile, seems to reference some of the brand's folksier, more tribal pieces, like the Cleo necklace or the Jakayla necklace, both of which feature bright stones to create a more Bohemian style.

 

Dannijo "Sparo" and "Paradis" iPhone 3 Cases, $98 each. Available at Dannijo.com

Be Happy As A Clam With Happy Owl Studio's iPad Clutch

 

 

 

Did Santa finally get you that iPad you'd been lusting after? If so, are you already dreaming of playing dress-up with it, decking it out in the nicest protective cover, propping it up on a sleek easel, and toting it  inside an elegant bag that doubles as a dainty purse? Get a head start by checking out Happy Owl Studio's The Clutch, a multi-purpose case designed to resemble a clutch purse. The envelope-shaped bag has a slightly retro look, with vertical pleats along the front, a slim fold-over strap closure, as well as a detachable shoulder strap for easy toting.

When you open up the clutch, you'll have a protective sleeve for your iPad on one side, designed to provide access to all ports, and on the other side, an envelope-shaped wallet,with credit card slots, a mobile phone pocket, pen slots, a zipped coin purse, and a larger pocket for keys, lip balms, and other knickknacks.

And that's not all, folks. Rather than investing in an easel-like gadget so that you can comfortably type on your iPad when it's on a table or desk, you can simply prop the The Clutch up at a near-45-degree angle (as shown in the photo second from top) and lock it in place by folding the closure strap back on itself and snapping it in for added security and stability.

Hey, you know what they say about owls being wise!

Happy Owl Studio The Clutch, $79.99. Available at HappyOwlStudio.com

iPhones Do The Wave With iWave's Grass Roots Collection Of Eco-Friendly Cases

You may be donning an organic cotton T-shirt and investing in organic skincare and haircare products, but how far have you gone to green your tech routine? Think about it: chances are you own a plasma or LCD TV, and even if you've upgraded to a newer, more energy-efficient model, studies show these can still consume up to 12 watts of electricity during phantom load (a techie term for when a TV is shut off but plugged into an outlet and, hence, continuing to suck power into their vortex). Now, going without a TV, computer and cell phone aren't viable options in the 21st Century, so the best you can do is read up on ways to improve your own habits by lowering your carbon footprint and power usage. And, at the very least, you can deck your gadgets out in eco-friendly wares — because, hey, every little bit counts, right?

Cue iWave Audio's Grass Roots Collection, an assortment of cases made from renewable sources like bamboo and recycled wood. Our favorite: the iWave Audio Bamboo Stripe Cases (pictured above, first and third), which were handcrafted for the iPhone 3G using natural bamboo. Sturdy but sleek and classic, these cases will have you feeling closer to mother nature while setting you apart from the crowd in terms of style.

For more information on the Grass Roots collection, visit iWaveAudio.com.