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After a decade of research, which included the study of 4,400 genes and 1,300 proteins with the most relevance to skin, Lancôme Labs discovered that:

•Gene activity slows with age: Young skin is brimming with healthy proteins, but the genes that help activate them slow down with age. Lancôme was able to prove that much like a vintage Mercedes that simply can’t run as fast as it used to, older skin doesn’t produce these genes, which in turn means fewer proteins of youth.
•Youthful skin carries a unique barcode of proteins: Just like a fingerprint identifies individuals, young skin is identified by a barcode of youth proteins. Lancôme arrived at this amazing discovery after studying the superficial layers of the skin of young women as well as that of older women. Lancôme ultimately identified two youth proteins associated with young skin.

Fueled by these findings, Lancôme set out to create a product that would boost protein production and speed up the turnover of dead skin cells to ensure healthy, glowing, youthful skin. Enter Génifique, Lancome’s newest and possibly most amazing skincare product ever. Génifique is all about getting a glow and boosting tone, texture and luminosity. Click here to learn how to incorporate the product into your skin care regimen. And click here to snag your bottle NOW!

After shamelessly harassing the kinds folks over at Lancôme, they have generously offered to send one of my lucky readers a FREE bottle of Génifique! To enter, simply fill out the form below, and one winner will be selected at random Friday, April 3rd, 8am EST. And I want to hear your honest feedback, so please send me your comments or even a full-length review after a few weeks of testing the product, and I’ll post your unedited review on the blog!

I’m punch-drunk happy minus the punch. Why, you query? Because the first batch of author copies of my memoir, arrived, and damn, does it put the kitty back into cat. The paperback includes an extended interview, my picks for favorite books and websites, and a whole lot more. Plus the cover is pretty delicious & the price-point is recession friendly. And although the paperback doesn’t hit bookstores until April 28th, I’m having a little pre-sale fun. Each week, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of my paperback to a lucky reader. All you need to do is leave your name in the comments field below, and I’ll select a winner, at random, each Friday at 8am EST. The first winner will be selected this Friday, April 3rd. Good luck!

About my book: Days before Felicia Sullivan graduated from college, her mother disappeared; she hasn’t been heard from in more than twelve years. It was possibly the last betrayal her mother, a beautiful, volatile, deceitful drug addict, would add to those that built their relationship, which subjected Felicia to a nightmare childhood on the toughest streets of 1980s Brooklyn. Growing up in the close company of dealers, users, and a host of unsavory characters, Felicia became her mother’s keeper at a shockingly young age—getting her to the hospital after her overdoses, enduring her cruelty and narcissistic rages, and accepting the abuse or indifference of numerous so-called stepfathers. Years later, damaged and ashamed of her past, Felicia invented a new, brutally hard-partying persona to show to the world: she became her mother.

Affecting, honest, and utterly extraordinary, The Sky Isn’t Visible from Here is a book about secrets and forgiveness—the story of a young woman unraveling . . . and then putting her life back together again.

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Follow the Deva 3-Step:
•Step 1: Give your curls a “suds-free” cleanse with , $17.95 (12oz). Forget those lather-producing detergents that dry out curls! No-Poo uses gentle botanical cleansers, providing healthy, frizz-free, lustrous curls. This cleanser is 100% sulfate-free (more about sulfates here, here, and here), and provides maximum cleansing and hydration while maintaining the moisture balance in the hair and scalp - critical for me as I often have flake issues.
•Step 2: Hydrate with , $17.95 (12oz). This ultra-creamy conditioner keeps curls shiny and manageable all day while providing maximum hydration for all curl types.
•Step 3: Style with , $17.95 (12oz), a lightweight, moisturizing curl-defining gel for maximum frizz prevention that holds without feeling stiff or sticky.

UPDATE: My brilliant curly-haired pal, Lauren of Second City Style, gave me the following additional tips: stop drying your hair with a towel as that is adding to the frizz. Squeeze dry with paper towels instead. Also, she insisted that I use the Set it Free product after AnGell so I can maintain shine and no-frizz. She also says that in between washes, you can freshen up your scalp with Mist-er Right.

And I’ve just learned about this rockstar contest for curly-haired gals! DevaCurl is teaming up with NaturallyCurly.com, the leading online community for curlies, for a marriage made in curly girl heaven: The Deva Curly Girl Challenge! This first ever curlfest contest invites the female curly hair population (twelve and over) to “Do the Deva 3-Step” and then write a paragraph about what they learned and how it changed their hair and include a photo of their hair before doing the Deva 3-Step and afterwards. The first 50 entries received will receive a signature “Are you Straight or Curly” Deva Curly?” Deva Curly t-shirt. The very lucky grand prize winner will win a trip to New York City for a two-night stay and one day of total beauty at the Devachan Salon and Departure Lounge. The original curly girl herself, Deva co-founder Lorraine Massey, will tend to the winner’s tresses – as part of a photo shoot for Lorraine’s new book on curly hair. Two lucky runners-up will also be featured in the book and will win $200 worth of DevaCurl products.

The Deva Curly Girl Challenge will run from April 1, 2009 – May 31, 2009 exclusively on NaturallyCurly.com.

Related Posts:
getting the sleek look: curly hair quest part 3
getting it straight with kerastase: curly hair quest part 2
beauty & styling products that work for curly, coarse hair, really work. part 1: frederic fekkai

Since my style is minimalist (all black, anyone?), I really need to work magic south of the knees. Granted I have a modest shoe collection, but after I purchased the requisite classic black and brown pumps, the stiletto, the flat, and the boot - all of which have at least a five year expiration in terms of quality, I grew a little adventurous, scoring satin olive pumps (terrific alternative to black), aubergine stilettos, and several pairs of embellished flats and heels. Accessories are my obsession and I will incant this until I’m well into the grave, but they always elevate, freshen, and simply make an outfit. Although many might compliment you on your smart fedora (so on trend for the season), or how you’ve paired your boyfriend blazer with a fitted cocktail dress, people will gush and swoon over the wood resin bangle on your wrist, the dainty gems on your neck, and the ornate, louche kicks on your feet. Right now, I’m all about the sandal. Now that I’ve embraced the DIY pedicure, there’s no reason why one shouldn’t, during a beauty event at Saks, walk around, after hours, and stare at the delicious shoes on elegant display. I’ve identified (and there were so many more I could’ve snapped, but I felt ridiculously self-conscious taking photos in public) three shoes that are making my heart skip a proverbial beat: the Alexander McQueen ruffled stiletto (at left), the Sigerson Morrison take on the gladiator/bondage trend, and (made for my gal Malorie, who’s seeking her wedding shoe).
Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone’s mad for tribal pieces for spring, and I’m completely smitten with Boden’s very simple, yet statement-making rich dark wood and bright hand-carved resin necklace, $64. And if I’m not lamenting over this piece, I’m surely window-glaring at Malene Birger’s Bobly bead necklace, $230. And tell me either necklace wouldn’t give flair to these Marni directional platform sandals, $790, which I’m thinking are pretty perfect paired with my skinnies (add a violet sari scarf from Sir Alistair Rai and you’re good to go), or one of my wispy spring dresses. Speaking of dresses, I’ve discovered the plush softness that is bamboo and who could refuse second skin fabric that’s eco friendly? My favorite brand is EcoSkin and the Tigers Eye (Twilight Blue), $78, the Palmetto Dress, $164, and the Elm Dress, $216, are perennial favorites. But if I’m thinking dramatic, I might go in for a black dress with a gathered collar, much like ALLDRESSEDUP’S Feverfew silk dress, $600 (pictured left).

image courtesy of net-a-porter

Ever flip through an issue of Allure, Lucky, or Glamour, and pause over a cocktail ring or a woven gladiator sandal crafted by a local or emerging designer that you were keen to patron? For months I’ve seen sleek, delicious sandals on the likes of Nicky Hilton, resortwear models, and splashed all over editorial must-have pages, and after dog-earring page after page, I started to realize that the shoes I was coveting were made by the same designer: Matt Bernson. Adored by fashion editors and fashionistas alike, New York-based sandal designer Matt Bernson has an cult following of women who love sporting his innovative, chic footwear. From t-straps adorned with golden hoops, to sandals with gold tone studded pyramid accents, to gladiators in the most luscious of colors (turquoise to a shimmery silver to a blistering orange), women are evangelical in their affection for his understated, yet deliciously detailed shoes, which are “soulfully” made in Brazil. The sandals are 100% leather with either uber soft suede or leather lining that molds to the shape of your foot. And the leather? Butter, naturally.

And although I’m late to the party in covering Matt Bernson, this is the kind of soiree that goes beyond last call. So whether you want to be a goddess or a gladiator, this summer I know I’ll be rocking some fox MB sandals when my aching feet are begging to slip into something comfortable, yet fashionable.

You can snag Matt Bernson’s sandals at piperline.com (I’m obsessed with the Barracuda, pictured at left), ravinstyle.com, and urbanoutfitters.com, among other locations.

FYI: These Vence With Screws shoes are a total steal at $49.97!

Today, through tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, Shopflick.com will be offering the Rachel Comey Double Buckle Belt for just $39.99, which is 78% off the original retail price of $180!! Made of 100% leather and available in cognac (light brown) or whiskey (dark brown), this darling belt is perfect to cinch up and add a chic touch to spring/summer tops and dresses, as well as update all of your wardrobe favorites.

Rachel Comey’s collection sets itself apart by its innovative textures and vintage-inspired details. What originally started as a men’s line in 2001 blossomed into a coveted women’s line that is a favorite among trendsetters and indie celebs from Maggie Gyllenhaal to David Bowie.

In the video that Shopflick produced especially for the sale, fashion writer Chelsea Cannel notes that, “a belt is like plastic surgery for our outfit,” and I couldn’t agree more. When we’re tightening our pursestrings, accessories are the key items you can incorporate to freshen up your look.

One of my coveted hair brands, Pureology, has leapt into the digital age with a smashing site redesign, offering you entree to the brand’s world.

“The new Pureology.com is an online destination for Pureology customers to learn about the products, find salons and keep up-to-date with the Pureology brand,” states Rachel Weiss, Senior Director of Interactive Marketing for Pureology. “Consumers can easily browse a comprehensive product catalogue, view professional picks, rate and review Pureology products, send product recommendations to friends, locate a salon with maps and directions, and download the Pureology widget to stay updated with the latest news, cause marketing initiatives as well as fun polls and product giveaways.”

Some of the new website features include:

DISCOVER PUREOLOGY the story behind the brand: Learn more about Pureology and the strong values the brand possesses; the authority in colour care, the concentrated formula, the use of organic botanicals and an uncompromising philosophy of superior colour care created with integrity and honesty. Pureology believes strongly in corporate citizenship and giving back to our community. Discover more about Pureology’s involvement with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) and learn how you can get involved.

PUREOLOGY CONNECT: With Pureology Connect, users are able to get connected to everything Pureology. They can share the Pureology website with friends via email or through social networking sites such as Facebook, DIGG, Delicious and Stumble Upon. Also, users can access the latest Pureology updates by signing up for our newsletter, downloading our desktop widget and accessing our Facebook fan page – all of which you can do within Pureology Connect.

PUREOLOGY SYSTEMS: The Pureology collection of hair care products and stylers consist of the ultimate colour care defense. Learn more about each product as well as favorites among other salon professionals. This section also outlines Pureology’s efforts in the fight against diversion. Learn about Pureology’s salon guarantee and what you can do to help fight diversion.

HAIR CONSULTATION Tool: Pureology PureArtists are a network of talented individuals that provide advanced training to salon professionals. The highest level of the PureArtist network are experts in the trends and techniques that are Pureology. Based on a series of questions Pureology experts will recommend products for usage whether it may be a hair care system, styler or treatment.

…and more!

Since I adore Pureology and you, I’m offering up some of their items for a giveaway. Well, not necessarily Pureology, but from their sister brand, Redken. One winner will snag both the Redken Color Extend Shampoo & Conditioner. To enter, simply enter a comment in the space below, and one winner will be selected at random Friday, March 27th, 8am EST. Note: The winner will be randomly selected. Winners are not arbitrarily picked, and location plays no role in your chances of winning.

UPDATE: RB, Comment #1, you’re the winner!

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Products Mentioned in the Video:

*My picks from the Next Big Things:
•Schick Quattro For Women Trim Style Razor & Bikini Trimmer, $12.99: a wet/dry razor that will make grooming easy.
•iLift Skincare System, $395: The most talked about electronic grooming device that brings spa quality facial treatments to your home! An Italian-engineered product hasn’t gotten this much buzz since the Maserati. Like a day at the spa in a device, this FDA-approved gadget helps reduce wrinkles, firm skin, improve texture and brightness and restore collagen and elasticity with a unique trio of technologies—negative and positive ions, infrared rays and micro-massage. Each 16-minute, 4-phase treatment (cleanse, massage, nourish and lift) works in conjunction with the included laserlift botaction serum (1.02 oz), and is designed to offer Botox-like effects without the ‘ouch’—and leave you looking ‘molto bella’.
•Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color: One coat, one stroke, dries in under a minute.

*My picks from the natural skin diet:
•Body Shop Pure Detox Clarifying Clay Mask, $24: Feel the heat with this creamy body mask that warms on contact to open up pores and draw out impurities, so you feel fresh, radiant and purified all over.
•Yes To Cucumbers Calming Cucumber Facial Cleansing Gel, $9.99: Finally a gentle cleansing gel that your skin will thank you for! The Calming Cucumber Facial Cleansing Gel gently lifts away dirt and impurities to reveal clean and refreshed skin. The cleanser is infused with potent anti-oxidants green tea and broccoli, which help protect the skin from free radicals, and Aloe Vera to improve hydration and replenish your skin with much needed love! Green Tea and Broccoli are potent anti-oxidants that protect the skin from free radicals, keeping it radiant and fresh.
•Mario Badescu Vitamin E Body Lotion (Wheat Germ), $10: Vitamin E Body Lotion is formulated with antioxidant Wheat Germ Oil and Peanut Oil to moisturize dry, scaly and rough skin. It also contains Honey Extract which locks in skins moisture and gives the lotion a light, fresh fragrance.
•Eucerin Calming Body Wash Daily Shower Oil, $7.49: Eucerin Calming Body Wash is a mild cleanser with the skin-soothing benefits of natural omega oils to relieve and calm dry, itchy skin. This unique formulation does more than cleanse, it helps improve the condition of your skin.

Want to read more about the ten products that will rejuvenate your beauty drawer? Click and ! and to learn more about the ten foods that will feed your complexion and the products infused with them by picking up a copy of Women’s Health today!

Meet Hope and Annie - editors, travel gurus, and chic proprietors of the incredible girls’ getaway site, The Jet Set Girls. JSG is now the one-stop website for easy-to-navigate news, tips and advice on girls’ getaways. In addition to their daily postings on everything a woman needs for a fun, enjoyable, and no-holds barred girls’ trip, from the hottest destinations and travel deals (and do they have the deals), sexy styling tips for hair and new beauty products along with trendy “getaway” fashions, JSG now features advice, tips and insider secrets on planning a girls’ getaway.

My travel luggage is pretty much non-existent. I shove all items into my handbag and pray that my duffle can fit in the overhead. Last year I had the opportunity to fly first class (due to years of accumulating miles), and my seatmate had the most delicious travel bag, filled with tasty eats and chic, travel-rific items. Since then, I’ve been seeking a reorg & upgrade, and I’m delighted that I was recently lucky enough to nail down the Jet Set Girls so they can share their picks for the best carry-on bags. From Hope & Annie:

All good carry on bags have a few things in common:
• A shoulder strap so your hands are free to carry things, like your ticket and that bottle of water you just paid a fortune for inside of security.
• Outside pockets so you don’t have to hunt for the important things, like your ID, small change, your lip balm or iPod.
• A top zipper, because if your bag doesn’t zip, your moisturizer is going to end up under the seat of the guy in 11D once you’re en route.

JSG’s Three Favorite Carry Ons:

Best All Around: Hadyen Harnett Ibizia bag: I love that this bag has a convertible strap; you can use it while traveling then take it off to turn it into a chic shopper. It’s roomy enough for your laptop and the nylon is easy to clean should you have a spill. The gorgeous violet color will make you smile, even when your plane is delayed.

Best for a City Getaway: Lululemon Gym Bag: I’ve traveled with a Lululemon gym bag for years. It has inside pockets for your phone and reusable water bottle. This one also comes with a removable toiletry bag and is lined in water-resistant material that can easily be washed down. It’s big enough to make a perfect overnight bag, too, for a romantic escape. That leather is TDF!

Best for a Beach Escape: Halsea China Cove Weekender: When you want to mix it up a little, chose this pink and yellow print bag. If you’re a smart packer, this will work for a weekend getaway. It has a removable shoulder strap and outside ticket pocket. Bonus: The lining is shell pink satin!

Want more dish? Tips and tricks for traveling in style? Then check out the Jet Set Girls website.

images courtesy of Hayden Harnett, Lululemon, and Halsea

Call me crazy, but I’m moving ahead, full-throttle with this amazing clothing donor drive/fashion event, which I’m calling Fashion For All. Fashion For All’s mission is to provide an annual day of dignified shopping for residents in low-income communities across the country. Our partnerships with local community activist and outreach organizations, as well as prominent fashion and beauty brands, enable us to provide a day of luxury shopping and white-glove, personalized service for residents in low-income communities. Granted, I’m not saving the world or curing cancer, but it thrills me that I can provide relief, albeit briefly, to struggling families who are having a hard time meeting basic needs. For a mother or wife who spends a great deal of her time wondering how to make ends meet, providing for her family, and working exhaustive hours, it means a lot to me to provide this incredible woman with a day of pampering, a day with other equally wonderful women, and a day where she can be treated like royalty.

Our inaugural event will take place in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn on May 16, 2009. While my initial idea was quite grand (thousands! kids!), I’m scaling it down. We’re slated to host 250 women from low-income areas (so far I’ve secured support from the Greenpoint, Bed Sty, & Ft. Greene communities), and they’ll shop from terrific pieces that come courtesy of generous donors. Already, we have Old Navy to Balenciaga. Suits to vintage gowns. Wedding dresses to chandelier earrings (300 pairs courtesy of the supremely generous Nicole Tondre of Circa Now), and I’m already thrilled with the generosity and support.

If you are at all interested in donating gently used women’s clothes/accessories, new & unopened beauty products, or cash to fund our rental fees, please let me know (I’ve also attached our Clothing Donation Guidelines. All those who donate will be invited to our fabulous donor event at the Mint Jodi Arnold Showroom on May 8th). We can also take donations via mail if you don’t live in New York City, and we can arrange for pick-up if you can’t make the donor party but still want to donate items. If you’re interested in donating your time to help out with any phase of the event, do let me know. Alternatively, if you volunteer at a community group in Brooklyn where you feel we can get the word out, let me know! And finally, spreading the word is so gratefully appreciated.

We need volunteers!!! Donations! Money! I have a vision of taking this idea and launching a non-profit. Contact me: felicia -at- feliciasullivan -dot- com with the subject line: FASHION FOR ALL.

The above video is of the space we’re renting for the drive. It’s Irondale in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn

Finding the right skimmer has always been problematic for me. There was the J. Crew saga, where it took a good month of bleeding (mine) to break in an $130 pair of iridescent gold flats to only have them fall apart two months later. And let us not forget the Payless incident where the whole sole ripped off. It’s come to the point where I’ve come to believe that heels are infinitely more comfortable than flats. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE??! IN WHAT WORLD COULD THIS BE TRUE??! I adore ballet flats! Especially in the warmer months when I race about the city, gamine-chic, ala Audrey Hepburn, yet I refuse to pay upwards of $600 for the Lanvin forever flats, and the Gap versions are simply another form of Chinese torture. Suffice it to say, it’s been an arduous journey to find the perfect, comfortable, yet decently priced ballet flats that actually last beyond a season. Enter Sue London.

Available in a rainbow of hues and prints, matte and metallic, Sue London fashions unbelievably comfortable flats that mold to the shape of your feet. They’re padded, for optimal support, and come with a fab matching pouch for evenings out when you’re ready to swap the stilettos. The colors are simply delicious! Ink, shimmering gold, deep black, and brilliant pink, these are smart statement flats that will dress up any outfit and won’t fall apart after a month of heavy wear.

image courtesy of Sue London