Just in time for the holidays, from December 14th-18th (10am – 7pm), PHYTO is offering some discounted hair services!
For more information visit www.phytouniverse.com
Lara Eurdolian, Pretty Connected Beauty Blog
12/15-12/17 Volkswagen Jetta on Gilt Groupe
By now I assume all of you have heard of (and many of you are members) of the online sample sale website, Gilt Groupe. And if not, you should, they sell just about everything, and I mean everything –fashion, accessories, jewelry, travel, events and lifestyle sales on luxury merchandise and experiences at up to 70%.
Having recently partnered with Volkswagen, they can now add cars to their list of categories. Tomorrow beginning at noon ET, Gilt will be selling three all-new 2011 Volkswagen for $5,995!! Originally priced at $15,995, they are dropping the “1” from the price, knocking out $10k. Additionally one third of the proceeds of the sale (nearly $18,000) will be donated to the charity Dress for Success. This sale will
Whole Foods Helps You Find the Perfect Gift
For many of us when we think Whole Foods, we think food. Although some of us do shop their Whole Body section as well. What can you find in Whole Body? Vitamins and supplements, bath and body care, hair and beauty products, yoga items, cards, magazines and gifts.
This holiday season Whole Foods is offering personal shoppers at all of their northeast locations. No appointment needed, just visit the Whole Body section and look for a team member wearing a recycled apron and gift tag. They are available everyday from 10am-8pm through January 1st. Members of the team are on hand for all of your gift needs, whether it be to introduce you to a variety of pre-selected gift sets (all under $20) or to help you select those perfect custom gifts. They also offer complimentary gift-wrapping for your convenience.
Featuring everything from holiday scented candles to lotion gift sets. Whole Foods adheres to strict level of quality standards (read more about that HERE) coinciding with their belief with what you put in your body is as important as what you put in your body. So whether you’re shopping popular brands like Burt’s Bees, Kiss My Face, Dr. Haushka, ShiKai, or local products such as LUX Naturals handcrafted soaps (which smell phenomenal) or their philanthropic offerings including Blessing Basket (where your purchase plants crops, improved nutrition, buys livestock, educated children, protects forests and most importantly reduces poverty), you feel good about your selection.
For NYC, the Whole Body I’m partial to their Bowery location. It takes up the whole 2nd floor of Whole
Kiehl’s Donates $225,000 to The Koons Family Institute
Earlier this week I joined Kiehl’s for their holiday party and benefit, hosted by contemporary artist, Jeff Koons. Back in October (you may remember me posting about this), Kiehl’s and Koons had launched a limited edition Creme de Corps collection with all the net proceeds benefiting The Koons Family Institute, an initiative of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC). The theme of the collection and party was a Wonderland of Merry. And the evening was just that, complete with a special check presentation by Kiehl’s President, Chris Salgardo to Mr. Koons for the amount of $225,000 for his charity.
With ribbon surrounding the store, treats provided by Momofuku, music by DJ Paul Sevigny (yes, Chloe’s brother), a room filled with artists, models, designers and celebrities all celebrating a great accomplishment by Mr. Koons and Kiehl’s –it was
Holiday Gift Guide: Something for Everyone
Okay so it’s the final weeks before Christmas, Hanukkah ends tomorrow so if you’re looking for some gift inspiration, here are some great gifts for everyone on your list.
1. Tocca Gift Sets – Eau de Parfum Viaggio ($45) gift set includes three of their signature fragrances Stella, Florence and Cleopatra in miniature size, and Candele Da Viaggio ($42) box set includes an assortment of four travel size candles including Cleopatra, Grave, Havana and Kyoto.
2. MAKE UP FOR EVER Rock For Ever Aqua Eyes – $36 ($49.50 Value). Set includes five travel size Aqua Eyes pencils in shades Gold, Bronze, Dark Grey, Mat Black and Silver.
3. NARS Cosmetics – Follow the Boys Lip Gloss Coffret – $40 ($48 Value). Set includes four medium size glosses in shades Turkish Delight (Pink Sorbet), Moon Fleet (Sparkling Platinum Gold), Easy Lover (Ultra Sheer Hot Pink) and Sweet Revenge (Sheer Pink Grapefruit).
4. Tarte The Jewelry Box $52 ($637 Value). This combination set includes 32 eye shadows, 8 lip glosses, 5 eyeliners, a mineral powder bronzer and highlight powder in soft pink all, which opens and folds to condense into a compact jewelry box.
5. Cellies ($35) – Fashionable stretch cuff bracelet that carries your cell phone so you don’t have to. They have a terry version perfect for working out, and a collection of decorative studded ones in pink and black to wear as a fashion accessory.
6. Pylones Mug Angel Wings – $25. This mug is available in colors: blue (featured), red, lime, black, pink and orange.
7. ThinkGeek Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt – $29.99. Complete with mini amp this interactive t-shirt has a fully playable guitar built into the t-shit. Available in ADULT
YOU’RE INVITED: Join David Barton, Susanne Bartsch, Marc Jacobs, Andre Balazs and Help Makes A Difference this Holiday
When I first considered starting this site, I almost named it ‘VanityandCharity.com’. Mainly because that sums up two of my passions, writing about beautiful products that excite me and make us look good, but also charitable efforts and causes. I have always valued the importance of giving back and very often the two worlds collide to bring an explosion of good.
DavidBartonGym seems to share my fervor. They have spent the past decade committed to making a difference in the lives of children. This Friday, DavidBartonGym is hosting their 10th annual Toy Drive with the hopes of collecting their 200,000th toy for children in need this holiday season and you’re invited!
If you’re familiar with DavidBaronGym, you know they have a very cutting edge approach
Travel Essentials To Get You Through The Holidays
1. Boots No7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes ($6.99/pack of 30 wipes) – If you don’t have access to your beauty regiment, these wipes are the next best thing. They cleanse, tone, moisturize, and remove eye make-up! So whether you’re at the gym, on a plane or just feeling too lazy to make it to the bathroom to take off your makeup, these wipes are great to have on hand.
2. Scent Genie ($11/4mL) – Turn any of your fragrances into travel size. The Scent Genie, refills in seconds and holds 50 sprays. Lightweight and leak proof, it’s the perfect addition to any makeup case.
3. Dr. Hauschka Daily Body Care Kit ($22.95) – Just because you’re traveling, that’s no excuse to neglect your skin. Packaged in a convenient on-the-go tin, the Daily Body Care kit has everything you need to keep your body hydrated. Plus it’s a great way to try the Dr. Hauschka’s body care range. This set includes
Chantecaille Opens NYC Flagship Boutique in Bloomingdale’s
Yesterday, Sylvie Chantecaille, Founder & President of Chantecaille alongside her family and colleagues celebrated the opening of her new flagship at Blommingdale’s (59th Street, NYC), with a private ribbon cutting ceremony. Howard Kreitzman, Bloomingdale’s VP, DMM Cosmetics, Sylvie Chantecaille and Michael Gould, Bloomingdale’s Chairman, & CEO stood before the audience to say a few words.
“We’ve been doing so many wonderful installations around the world, we’ve built all of these beautiful boutiques in Tokyo, Seoul, Taiwan, Hong Kong… but never in New York. We wanted to show New York who we are and I couldn’t think of anyone better to do it with so we really thank you for the opportunity”, said Chantecaille in thanks to her associates at Bloomingdales.
I, of course could not have been more honored to be amongst this class of distinguished patrons in the beauty industry to witness this Chantecaille milestone.
“It’s so nice to work with people who are just such a pleasure to work with, so thank you so much, we are looking forward to great things, we’re off to a great start, and this is only the beginning” said Howard Kreitzman, Bloomingdale’s VP, DMM Cosmetics.
The over-sized scissors were then unmasked and held by Sylvie Chantecaille. The moment was before us, the scissors we’re in place but the ribbon did not cut. After several attempts and assistance from her fellow speakers, they resorted to a small pair of over-the-counter mini scissors for their big moment. While that
Beauty Queen Gift Guide
It’s easy to classify someone as a beauty queen (or junkie) –we’re everywhere! However it’s not always easy to find the perfect gift for us, especially since we’re so picky. Here are some recommendations to help you get a little more creative this holiday season.
1. Mixer Kit by Geri G ($39) – The all-star in this 5-piece kit is the Mixer Solo (also sold separately, $29), it’s a very cool multi-functional aloe-based product that can be used as a face or eye shadow primer or base to mix your cosmetics. I use it for all of the above. It has a nice silicone type smoothing feel when applied to skin, so I enjoy it as my base product before putting on my makeup. I’m also someone who’s skin-tone changes by season so I often use it as a buffer to mix my foundations or powders to create my perfect shade. Additionally it’s water-resistant, allergy-tested, irritation-free and formulated with Titanium Dioxide for sun protection, The set also includes the M Brush (regularly $14.95), instruction booklet and DVD (11.5min) and mixing spatula.
2. BeautyBlender Holiday Set ($23.95) – This set contains a BeautyBlender sponge and BlenderCleanser bundled a red pouch, ready for the holidays. I was originally turned onto the BeautyBlender sponge by celebrity makeup artist, Jackie Gomez. She raved about it in a class I attended –how great the shape of the sponge was for applying makeup to the contours of your face, how it could be used wet or dry, and that it is
Welcome Dior.com
Wednesday evening, I joined the Dior team for the launch of Dior.com. Hosted at SL (aka Simyone Lounge) in the Meatpacking District, guests enjoyed makeovers and the opportunity to explore the new Dior.com site.
My Dior makeup artist, Aliyah was amazing. Anxious to play with the Rouge Dior range, she introduced me to the perfect holiday red lipstick –Rouge Blossom. I have some difficulty finding