Also on the Reese front, she is the honorary chairperson of the Avon Foundation, and designed the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet, Avon’s first global charity product designed to save and improve women’s lives worldwide.
It’s a really pretty bracelet – reminds me a little of the friendship bracelets I wore when I was a kid a century ago.
Last week, Avon actually invited me to a private screening of the new movie Precious, and it conjured up a lot of the same feelings this bracelet does –wearing it is a symbol of unity that represents a future without limitations for all women — …read more

Right after Fashion Week, I came down with the flu – and the back-to-back abuse to my system had me looking a mess.
Because of that, I was super grateful when New Jersey’s fabulous Melina James, owner of Blu Salon invited me out for a day of recoup (and beauty!).
Melina is the sweetest person ever, and her entire staff clearly likes each other. I told her how rare that is – I’m used to NYC salons where the guy cutting your hair likely last night had a drunken one-nighter with the girl who colored your hair, and now everyone is …read more

Last week, I had breakfast with some of the fabulously fun girls from Jane Iredale, and learned about a brand-new contest they are doing that will be beyond-fun
It’s a six-week sweepstakes that began yesterday, that lets you build a makeup bag (virtually! online!), out of everything you could possibly want to fill it with – up to a value of $1,000. You choose your items based on the huge collection on the site, and then you plea your case by sharing why you chose those items.
Then, you go wild with social networking – promote your entry everywhere you haunt – …read more

What are your favorite products?
The October issue of Fitness has a huge feature surrounding their 2009 Beauty Awards.
You can check it out for yourself, but among the winners are some of my faves, like Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara, and Olay Professional Pro-X.
To celebrate this fabulous help – MUCH of the stuff on the list is drugstore brands! – we have a Fitness Magazine giveaway!
One reader will receive a Fitness-centric prize package, including a subscription to the magazine, cosmetic bag, umbrella, apron, floppy hat, notebook, massager, and baseball!
To have your chance at this fabulous prize package, please share your favorite beauty, …read more

Who wants to take the Makeup Remover Towelette Challenge???
All glam girls know that hitting the sheets without removing your makeup is a major beauty faux pas.
(Just think about those once-gorgeous-now-ruined satin sheets.)
In fact, dermatologist Dr. Diane Berson told me, “It’s important to remove makeup, dirt and surface oils before going to bed. Not only do they sit on the surface of the skin and clog pores but they may be further rubbed into skin by laying on a pillow.”
Do you struggle to remove every last trace of your makeup at night? Do you wake up in the …read more

If you live in New York City and are free at all during the day Thursday, July 30th, you must stop by Grand Central Terminal!
It’s so exciting that I may hang around all day. (Well, between the million other things I have to do that day, of course.)
In a nut shell, professional makeup artists will help women identify their perfect lip shades and will offer on-the-spot mini sensational lipcolor makeovers! (At Rite Aid in Grand Central 8-10am, 12-2pm, 3-7pm and also, outside Grand Central from 3-7pm.)
As if a free lip-over wasn’t enough fun, there’ll also be a free live musical …read more

A few months ago, Secret had an event where beauty writers could learn more about their upcoming product launches including Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof Deodorant and Secret Fresh Effects.
We all got to take home the products to try out but weren’t allowed to write about them until they were out and available on shelves.
Now they are, and I can gush with freedom! Fresh Effects has a super-awesome Scent Release Technology, that sends out burst of fresh scent at exactly when you most-need it. Also, the Clinical Strength? Well, lets just say I wore it while moving – as in …read more

Recently, I attended an intimate house party at Purple Lab NYC creatrix Karen Robinovitz’s gorgeous NYC apartment, and I learned about a fabulous contest they have – starting today! T
The contest surrounds Purple Lab’s Huge Lips, Skinny Hips lip gloss/plumper.
Each gloss is meant to have its personality, based on Karen’s favorite things, and each even comes with a note to explain the inspiration, for instance, there’s Love Your Thighs (self-explanatory) to Red Sole (a tribute to legendary designer, Christian Louboutin).
Anyway, the contest – which, I, too, am entering today – is to choose the shade that represents your personality, vote, …read more

Generally, we think of soda, and the word “natural” does not come to mind.
Pepsi Natural is a new premium cola made with all-natural ingredients, including natural sugar, natural caramel, kola nut extract, natural apple extract, and lightly sparking water – all that healthy stuff!
It also comes in a glass bottle like in the good ole days. The new cola from Pepsi-Cola offers consumers a taste of all-natural, pure, simple enjoyment, and is currently available across the country.
I think this is the most fabulous idea ever (and a great compromise – you get to have the Pepsi you want, and know …read more

A few days ago, I had breakfast with the lovely ladies who represent Cetaphil.
The occasion? Cetaphil is running a stylish promotion, where entrants can share what makes them feel most comfortable “in their skin“, what tropical locale they’d love to visit and which Cetaphil products they’d take with them on their travels.
People who advance to round 2 have a chance to win a trip to a paradise location, to stay at Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts, plus  Cetaphil products, a Kate Spade getaway bag and a $500 American Express gift card to purchase favorite getaway essentials.
While I love …read more