StyleVise Blog

A week ago, Good Morning America aired a segment investigating counterfeit perfumes. The investigation found that many knockoff versions of your favorite fragrances are made with dangerous and disgusting substances like “urine, antifreeze and bacteria,” according to Valerie Salembier, senior VP and publisher of Harper’s Bazaar, who has been studying counterfeit luxury goods for more than six years now. It gets worse. According to the investigation, money spent on fake fragrances often ends up in the hands of organizations that support terrorism, drug cartels and child labor. Basically, buying counterfeit fragrances from street vendors, online or even the mall is risky. You don’t know where your money is going and, given that the product is applied to many sensitive areas of your body, you subject yourself to health risks (e.g. Contact Dermatitis). Check out the investigation below:

It’s often that I hear of women purchasing knockoff handbags from street vendors or kiosks. Although the fake fragrance market is nearly $7 million and rapidly growing (up from $1.2 million in 2007!), I haven’t heard as much talk of women buying them? Have you tried a knockoff version of your favorite fragrance for a cost savings? Keep in mind, by no means are we passing judgment. We’d love to know!

Click over to Harper Bazaar Magazine to  learn how you can spot a fake scent – from its color to its label to where you bought it.

How much would you love to attend a fashion show at New York Fashion Week? Well, not only are many celebrities invited, but they’re often paid big bucks to sit in the front row! Fashionista tapped industry insiders to learn how much A, B and C-list celebrities get paid to sit in the front row at many top fashion shows.

According to Fashionista, Rihanna rakes in $100,000 or more, followed by Beyonce ($80,000-$100,000) and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen ($80,000 each). B-List celebrities vary from $10,000-$50,000. And for Paris Hilton? Well, like us, she’s lucky if she gets an invite. Take a peak below at what some A-list celebs are earning to sit front row. Click over to fashionista for the full list.

A-List
Rihanna ($100,000 or more)
Beyonce ($80,000-$100,000)
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen ($80,000 each)
Julianne Moore ($60,000)
Maggie Gyllanhal ($60,000)
Chloe Sevigny ($60,000 or more)
Jennifer Lopez (circa 2005: $80,000; circa 2010: $30,000)
Lindsay Lohan (circa 2006: $60,000; circa 2010; UNINVITED)
Colin Firth (pre-A Single Man: $5,000; post-A Single Man: $15,000)

With that said, there is one upcoming fashion show where celebs probably won’t earn top dollars for sitting front row. Naomi Campbell is planning a fashion show in NYC on February 12 during fashion week to benefit Haiti. Although many celebrities are expected to attend and model in the show, it’s open to the public (i.e. regular folk like you and me who usually can’t get in the doors). Tickets went on sale yesterday on Ticketmaster.com for $100-$150. Proceeds are expected to reach $100,000.

Photo: ELIOT PRESS/bauergriffinonline.com

This is sad. According to Bella Sugar, a 21-year-old woman in China is hoping to win her man back by getting plastic surgery so she looks more like Jessica Alba! Apparently, he is obsessed with Alba.

However, according to the video clip (watch it here), “It’s a natural fact that there isn’t too much stigma attached to plastic surgery in China. Looking better is viewed as a way to increase career or marriage prospects in a highly competitive society.”

Ladies, please refrain from going “Heidi Montag” on us, especially if it’s for a man. Did you see the recent over of People Magazine? We should celebrate who we are – inside and out. As quoted by Rosalind Russel, “taking joy in living is a women’s best cosmetic.”

Photo: Jeff Klein-KPA/ZUMA

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About a month ago, I bought my husband the Nike LunarGlide+ men’s running shoes in black/orange. He had been wanting them since last fall. I knew he loved the look of the shoe, but I was curious as to how he’d like them for working out. Well, to say the least, he loves them.

Despite the fact I haven’t been running much at all since my marathon last October, I have been in dire need of new shoes for quite some time now. Therefore, I thought I’d give the women’s LunarGlides a try. This was a big move for me considering I’ve been in a serious relationship with Asics for many years.

Among several color choices, I liked the grey/yellow LunarGlides best (see photo)! After wearing them to the gym this past week and on two five-mile runs, I have nothing but good things to say. These shoes are very light (one shoe is just over half a pound), and were named “Best Debut” by Runner’s World magazine. The women’s LunarGlides are specifically designed to accommodate the distinct shape of the female foot. I haven’t ran more than six miles in them yet (and don’t know if/when I will), but Nike considers them to be built for speed and stability. The logic behind the shoe’s Dynamic Support System is that it will continually adapt to your running style to deliver just the right amount of comfort and support you need, when you need it.

Although not the most romantic gift, the men’s LunarGlides can make a great gift for him this Valentine’s Day. My husband was pumped when he got his. And I am pretty excited about mine as well, especially because I no longer have to sacrifice style for comfort!

I have used the same brand of foundation for the past two years (maybe even longer). But when I woke up to find the bottle empty three weeks ago, I didn’t rush to a nearby department store to purchase it again. I decided it was time to try something new, or at least explore what’s available.

I had initially planned on engaging in some “foundation sampling” at Nordstrom and Sephora after my usual Saturday grocery shopping (and of course sampling) at Costco. But it didn’t quite work exactly as I thought it would.

Last weekend, I bought new foundation, and I never made it to Nordstrom or Sephora. So what happened? In short, I was hurriedly running a few errands before catching my flight to Sweden. That’s when I saw the Bare Escentuals store out of the corner of my eye.

I had heard positive reviews of Bare Escentuals mineral makeup from a few people. Not to mention, many celebs swear by it, including Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts and Madonna, and it has won numerous awards. In 2009 alone, it was awarded:

• Glammy Beauty Award for Best Dept/Specialty Store Foundation by Glamour
• Editor’s and Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Foundation by Allure
• Cosmo Beauty Award for Best Foundation by Cosmopolitan
• Best Mineral Foundation by InStyle
• Best of Sephora for Best Foundation

Despite all its awards and rave reviews, I had never had much interest in trying a powder-based foundation. I’ve always preferred liquid foundation, mostly because I like the “creamy” feeling of it.  However, I underestimated the “creaminess” of bareMinerals SPF Foundation.

When I walked into the Bare Escentuals store, I was asked if I would like to try anything. I said, “Well, sure, but I really have only ten minutes because I’m headed to the airport.” In fewer than five minutes, I was sold. I walked out with a get started kit for $60 ($174 value). By the way, this same kit sells for 995 SEK (approx. $150) in Stockholm, Sweden!

Below is my recollection of what happened in those five minutes:

Step 1: I applied a light moisturizer to my face.

Step 2: I put a 1/2 pump of Prime Time, a preservative-free foundation primer, on the tip of my index finger. I touched (not rubbed) both my index fingers together. Then I rubbed the primer into my skin in circular motions until it was absorbed all over my face.

Step 3: After determining the shade best for my skin color, I applied the bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation using the simple to follow “Swirl, Tap, Buff” technique (demonstrated here).

Step 4: On top of the foundation, I applied a sheer layer of Mineral Veil with a brush. It is intended to absorb oils, minimize fine lines and keep your complexion fresh all day.

Step 5: Following the Mineral Veil, I applied the bareMinerals Warmth All-Over Face Color (similar to a bronzing powder) using the same “Swirl, Tap, Buff” technique as in Step 3 for a healthy sun-kissed glow. However, rather than applying it all over the face like the foundation, I only buffed the Warmth to the high points of my face where the sun naturally touches. Starting at my forehead, I made a T shape on my face with the brush.

The package I purchased included two shades of the bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, Mineral Veil, Warmth All-Over Face Color, as well as three brushes to separately apply each and a brush conditioning shampoo to prolong the life of the brushes. At home, I most often skip Step 4 (the application of the Mineral Veil), given I don’t have oily skin and am usually in a hurry. But some recommend starting with an application of the Mineral Veil before applying bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation for those with oilier complexions, living in humid climates or using heavy moisturizers.

I should also mention that I didn’t buy the moisturizer I applied to my face in Step 1. However, I highly recommend purchasing The Prime Time ($21) that I referenced in Step 2. It is not included in the starter kit but smoothes your skin before applying the foundation, combating wrinkles, dryness, fine lines, enlarged pores and uneven textures, and extends the wear of the foundation. It also has anti-aging properties (i.e. plant extracts, antioxidants and Vitamins C and E).

Lastly, I don’t feel blush is really necessary after applying the Warmth? However, ask the makeup artist for a blush sample so you can experiment with it at home and decide for yourself.

Remember, a little goes a long way with mineral makeup. Because the minerals are finely ground and made without talc and other fillers, colors are more concentrated, making a mineral powder as powerful as cover-up, foundation, powder and sunscreen in one. As such, apply it very lightly. You can always apply more.

This past week, Bare Escentuals announced that it will expand its range of foundations to include five new shades in February (bringing the total number of shades available to 20). So next time you’re out and about shopping, stop in a Bare Escentuals store, Nordstrom or Sephora and give it a try – even if it’s just for fun.

I love the look and feeling of it on my skin. It looks so natural…as if I’m not wearing makeup. And dermatologists agree that it is much better for your skin than chemical-based products given it acts as a built-in waterproof SPF and is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, non-bacterial so it doesn’t clog pores.

What are your thoughts? Has the bareMinerals foundation won over your heart? Or is there another mineral makeup brand of foundation you prefer over bareMinerals?

Photo: WireImage

I came across three interesting beauty tips in the January 2010 issue of InStyle UK magazine on my flight home from Sweden and thought they were worth sharing.

1. Protect your hair this winter. Tuck your hair inside your coat to avoid the strap of your handbag from breaking hair strands.

2. Got stained nails? Lemon is a natural bleaching agent. Rub the pulpy side of a lemon over your nails before soaking them in water to remove stains.

3. Is your eyelash curler pulling out your lashes? It probably needs cleaned. Clean it with a cotton ball dipped in eye make-up remover.

Thanks InStyle UK for the great advice.