June 2010 Archives

Avon Inc. plans to grow its hair care business by increasing focus on premium hair care, including the introduction of a revolutionary new frizz fighting product. The direct seller will usher in the strategy this summer with a new patent-pending technology designed to smooth frizz similar to a salon treatment.

The technology is housed in the upcoming product called Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield. The treatment’s technology is designed to mimic the lotus leaf, which lives in water but has a surface structure that repels droplets of moisture. The humidity-fighting technology comprises smoothing silicone and microparticles. After one week of use, Lotus Shield was found — in various testing conditions, including rainforest-level humidity of up to 95 percent — to last for three days, even after hair washing.

Beginning in July, Lotus Shield will sell for $12 and its launch will coincide with the restage of the existing Advance Techniques line. Advance Techniques will consist of 23 products within six regimens based on hair concerns, namely Frizz Control (Lotus Shield), Daily Shine, Color Protection, Damage Repair, Volume, and Keep Clear.

via WWD.

On Tuesday, Gucci announced the appointment of actress Evan Rachel Wood as the face of its forthcoming new women’s fragrance.

Gucci’s Creative Director, Frida Giannini, said:”I chose Evan Rachel Wood as she has very strong character. She’s young, but rising and influential figure. I didn’t want to offer this project to someone overexposed or too well known. Instead, I wanted a fresh individual that would coincide with the image of the project.”

Exact details about Wood’s debut for the brand have yet to be divulged.

“Evan Rachel Wood is such a talented and beautiful actress,” said Giannini. “I have always admired her confidence and her ability to transform herself in front of the camera. Even though she can appear shy at times, when the camera starts rolling, she becomes animated and vivacious. She is incredible, very sexy, and her eyes and face really attract the people of her generation.”

Wood joins fellow actor James Franco, who fronts Gucci’s men’s fragrances. The Gucci deal is Wood’s first perfume campaign.

via WWD.

I have the worst chapped lips, and I’m not sure why. I’m always, always, always and forever putting on lip balm so I’m not sure why this happens. Winter, spring, summer, fall—there’s no respite. Chapped lips always and forever. One of the few things that helps me is Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. One swipe and it’s like magic; my lips are smooth, soft, moisturized and conditioned. So I was really excited to see that there’s also Sugar Plum Tinted Lip Treatment, which delivers all the moisturizing benefits, but reminds me of Clinique Black Honey (hi, old friend!). There’s also Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment, which has a pretty rose tint! Find your favorite now at Sephora—available for $22.50 each.

Next month, Maybelline New York launches The Falsies Volum’ Express, the latest addition to their lash enhancing repertoire. Fresh off of the success of The Colossal, Falsies is being touted as “instant false glam in a tube”.

Falsies— promising lashes that look up to eight times thicker and fuller— claims to do so by evenly coating lashes with a Pro-Keratin fiber-enriched formula, instantly plumping lashes and filling in gaps for a false lash effect.

The Falsies Mascara delivers a false lash look; giving you a full set of voluminous, bold, fanned out lashes and the appearance of no gaps from any angle.

The Pro-Keratin and Fibre enriched formula is designed to deliver immediate results, distributing volume and visible intensity to your lashes. The patented ‘Spoon’ shaped brush helps fan lashes out.

The Falsies Mascara is designed to give the appearance of no gaps and spaces. In a wink lashes you didn’t even know you had look visibly thickened!

We tried it, and here are our thoughts:

Pros: “wet” lash look, inky black formula, buildable, doesn’t smear easily, easy to use, spoon brush cradles lashes and gives good curl, noticeable volume.

Cons: dries too quickly (must work fast to avoid clumps), too large-stopper wastes product, doesn’t entirely deliver on “falsies” promise.

Overall, The Falsies is a good mascara, one of the better drugstore offerings. I don’t know about a “false lash” effect,  but it did give us a lot of volume. Lashes looked lush, dark, and while they didn’t look “fake”, the mascara was still a high performer. We did have a problem with clumping, but nothing a lash comb can’t easily smooth out… and it’s definitely our favorite Maybelline mascara to date. The mascara is available in three washable and two waterproof shades.

Available July 2010 at Maybelline.com $8

I love NARS Multiples for eyes, lips and cheeks (Copacabana & Orgasm are my faves), so I absolutely couldn’t wait for the limited-edition Multiple Tints (for cheeks & lips) to hit the stores. Though they seem bright in the tube, these long-wearing, juicy shades deliver a sheer pop of color, and are easy to blend if you want to create a more-intense shade. Each is a perfect blush for a bright, healthy glow or perform double-duty worn under gloss. Available at sephora.com for $38.