A Visit with The Lauder Family of Estee Lauder.

Imagine the honor to meet the Executives of the Estee Lauder companies last week. I met so many wonderfully brilliant people amongst Mr. Leonard Lauder - Chairman of the Board, Mr. William Lauder - CEO,  as well as makeup artist icon, Bobbi Brown.

The evening was exciting and I could have not been more thrilled to be there to kick of an awareness campaign for breast cancer that coincides with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. As October is breast cancer awareness month, we will be going pink and highlighting all of the wonderful products that are being sold to benefit both campaigns.

Here are a few of the pictures I snapped from Estee Lauder's office on the 44th floor on Fifth Avenue, which has been kept exactly as it was when Ms. Lauder left us.

The last picture is a treasured item that is a "crystal ball" that was given to Estee Lauder from Saks Fifth Avenue in 1997. You see, Ms. Lauder could see her future. In 1947, Estee Lauder brought a bottle of her treasured perfume Youth Dew to the executives at Saks Fifth Avenue. She wanted her creation to be sold in the famous store. She was turned away saying that her company was too small and unrecognized. Thinking only as Ms. Lauder did, as she was about to leave the Saks Fifth Avenue building, a large bottle of Youth Dew was "accidentally" dropped by the main doors. After numerous inquiries from shoppers as to what the wonderful smell in the air was, Saks promptly called Estee Lauder back to the store and took on the Youth Dew fragrance the next day. Since that day in 1947, every new perfume in the Estee Lauder brand has launched exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The evening was a dream and I cannot thank the Estee Lauder executives enough for their warm hospitality where they really wanted to get into the brains of the beauty blogging community.

Stay tuned for the BCA campaign.

L'Oreal and Color of Hope for Ovarian Cancer.

September has been named Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Ovarian cancer claims the lives of nearly 15,000 women a year. L’Oréal Paris is leading the fight and has helped to raise more than $14 million for the cause over the last decade.

You may not be aware, but currently, there is no adequate early detection method for ovarian cancer and we need your help in helping women everywhere protect themselves from this disease. The following are ways we can be involved.

Raise Funds with the Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag, Hope Necklace, and Makeup Collection –
L’Oréal Paris will be offering the Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag, which includes key products from the Color of Hope Makeup Collection. With every purchase of the Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag, L’Oréal Paris will donate $5.00 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). This universally flattering collection is yours only for $25.00 (plus shipping) at L’Oréal Paris retail stores, or at 1-888-270-7743, while supplies last.



The L’Oréal Paris Color of Hope Makeup Collection is every bit as inspiring, on-trend and fashion-forward, as they are hopeful. Featuring products for eyes, lips and nails, the collection is based on the universally flattering shade of mauve with vibrant teal packaging accents – the color symbolizing ovarian cancer awareness. L’Oréal Paris will donate $2.00 to the OCRFfrom the purchase of each Color of Hope Colour Riche Lipcolour, available in three shades: A Color of Hope, A Lighter Shade of Hope, and A Deeper Shade of Hope. The collection, including the Colour Riche Lipcolours, will be available during the month of September at mass-market retailers nationwide.



The L’Oréal Paris Hope Necklace was designed by 2008 Swarovski Award for Accessory Design recipient Philip Crangi and features a double eternity ring design of cubic zirconia set in sterling silver. One ring is worn for remembrance and one ring is worn as a symbol of hope for the future. The Hope Necklace will be available for $29.95 beginning in this month atwww.lorealcolorofhope.com. $5.00 of the purchase price of each L’Oréal Paris Hope Necklace will benefit OCRF.



Know the Signs & Symptoms - A woman’s best line of defense against this terrible disease is to know there are identifiable signs and symptoms. L’Oréal Paris have developed lorealcolorofhope.com as a one-stop resource for information pertaining to ovarian cancer, including these signs and symptoms.

BREAKING NEWS: Supermodel Gisele Bündchen Announced as New Face of Legendary Cosmetics Line MAX Factor.

As MAX Factor celebrates 100 years of beauty, they announce that supermodel Gisele Bündchen is the new face of legendary cosmetics line.

photo credit: Gregory Pace

Here is the news release announcing this deal:

MAX Factor Cosmetics, the original makeup artist brand, is turning 100 years old in 2009 and looking more stunning than ever! The beginning of the brand’s next century is about to get even more beautiful, as the iconic cosmetics line announces the signing of supermodel beauty Gisele Bündchen as its newest spokesperson. Gisele’s role as the newest MAX Factor face represents an exciting new expression of the brand’s long-standing heritage of putting modern, fashion-forward makeup looks within reach for all women with its line of professional quality products.

Mr. Max Factor, the father of modern makeup, revolutionized the concept of beauty 100 years ago on the Hollywood movie lots with the creation of his iconic makeup line. Designing looks for Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth and Katherine Hepburn, he transformed the leading ladies of his era. Soon women everywhere wanted to look like their favorite trend-setting sirens, so he created a line of lip gloss, foundation, eye shadow and concealers and began selling his innovative cosmetics line to the general public.

“MAX Factor is a brand that has touched some of the most glamorous faces in the world for the last 100 years,” said Bündchen. “But more than that, I love that this was the original brand to make that professional artistry and glamour available to everyday women, and I’m honored to work with MAX Factor in continuing that great tradition.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Gisele to the MAX Factor family,” said Bruce Katsman, Associate Marketing Director, MAX Factor Cosmetics North America. “She is a gorgeous, inspiring, sophisticated woman on top of the worlds of high fashion and style. Gisele’s uniquely transformative beauty and trend-setting flair is admired by women everywhere making her the perfect fit as the face of MAX Factor beauty today.”

Gisele will promote the brand across multiple marketing vehicles, including print, public relations, in-store and interactive. She will begin to appear in the ad campaign for Lipfinity Lip Collection and ColorGenius Face Collection in select October fashion magazines. Gisele will continue to showcase MAX Factor’s professional artistry and products in a series of new product introductions throughout the brand’s centennial year.

MAX Factor products are available nationwide at select retailers, including Walmart. Visit www.maxfactor.com for store locations, pro artist makeup tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at the brand’s evolution as it celebrates 100 years of professional, accessible makeup artistry .