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Mom’s Beauty Favorites

Family picture

Being an incredibly stubborn child the saying, ‘Mom knows best’ was something I would rarely admit to (even when she was right), with the exception of when it came to beauty products. She used brown liners on her lips back when the only options were eye pencils, traveled to the middle-eastern markets for those black eye pencils before Carrie made us want to try them in Sex and the City 2, and she has a keen ability to feel a formula and within seconds tell if it’s worth trying. Frankly, when it comes to my love for this industry, she’s where I get it from. So in honor of Mother’s Day (sure I’m a little late –but then again I’m writing from Mexico where Mother’s Day isn’t until tomorrow, so you can cut me some slack), here are Mom’s favorites and why!

  • Dr Hauschka Creme de Jour (daily moisturizing lotion) and Rose Day Cream – “I’ve been using these products for years and no matter what new products I try I always go back. It quickly absorbs into my skin and leaves it hydrated all day. The smell is clean and Divine. It’s been my absolute favorite for a long, long time.”
  • Living Proof Full Shampoo and Full Conditioner – “I have very thin hair so this combo helps give me a little lift without stripping my hair and makes a great base for my styling products. Plus it has a great lather and distributes nicely. I recommend it for  curly hair too! My daughter used it in a recent visit and it tightened up her curls and gave them great lift and volume without any frizz”
  • Hashmi Kajal Black Khol Eye Pencil – “Yes, the kind you buy in the Indian or middle eastern markets.  As much as I buy other name brands, I always go back to this one. It’s great for high pigment on the inside of your eyelids along your lashes.”
  • MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow in shade Cork – “I use this shade of brown because it has some yellow in it just like my eyes.  This brings out the yellow.”
  • Maybelline FIT ME Foundation in 220 –  “It use to be Shiesado (before it became consistency became too thick), Armani before the texture changed, and now it’s Mabelline – not too thin, not too thick, just the right coverage
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Last Minute Mother’s Day Guide

1. Garden Art & Lanterns on ahalife.com – $50

Designed by Allsop Home & Garden, and hand made by artisan glassblowers, these beautiful, rechargeable, solar-powered garden lanterns are sure to brighten any garden.

2. Jo Malone Sakura Cherry Blossom – $55

Jo Malone recently launched this new limited edition fragrance, Sakura Cherry Blossom and it is divine! This delicate fragrance mixes the subtlety of cherry blossom with layers of rose, bergamot and mandarin. Both light and feminine, this scent is a great celebration of spring. I’m a big fan of their simplistic but oh-so-elegant packaging and the way they gift-wrap is their off-white/black box is perfection.

3. Baroness Monica Von Neumann Savon Candle – $38.50

I’m new to Baroness’ line of quality candles, but I can already say I’m hooked! They burn for 70+ hours (which is exceptional for a candle that size) and the scent is so full and sophisticated with notes of Jasmine, Rose and red amber. It’s a very regal scent and the woodsy hint really makes it rich.

4. Crabtree & Evelyn Lily of the Valley Duo Shower Gel and Body Lotion Set $34 ($44 value)

Lily of the Valley reminds me of my childhood. This scent is so beautifully captured and divine for spring. While the Duo Set makes a great gift, if you’re looking for something extra, add the Lily of the Valley Body Cream ($33). It’s my favorite product from the collection. It’s so hydrating and soothing

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All Aboard the AVEENO Truck

Don't forget to SPF!

AVEENO is teaming up with the Skin Cancer Foundation for the annual “Road to Healthy Skin Tour”. This month they will be cruising through New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan in a 38-foot customized RV, offering FREE skin cancer screenings and the latest skin cancer information to the public. AVEENO® sunscreen samples, coupons and complimentary copies of Fitness magazine will also be distributed.

For more information, schedule and times please visit www.SkinCancer.org/Tour.

 

Brands Doing Some Good


Rihanna for UNICEF's Tap Project

I cover a lot of charities on this site since giving back is important to me and I’m constantly amazed by the amount of press releases I receive with brands showing their support by donating to various causes. So to show my support, I thought I would do a sum up of the recent ones I’ve received.

NYU Annual Premiere Benefit Fashion Show EXPO 2011 – Friday April 29th, 3PM (day show), 7:30PM (evening show). All of the proceeds from the show will benefit Hamilton-Madison House, a nonprofit community center that caters to low-income households in NYC.

If you can’t make the show, you can still get involved. EXPO 2011 has partnered with GoodSearch. Anyone online can download the GoodSearch toolbar, specify “New York University – NYU EXPO – Hamilton Madison House” as the chosen charity, and each time that they use the toolbar to search the internet, Hamilton-Madison House benefits. For more information visit http://www.exponyu.com/

UNICEF Tap Project – Celebrities, including Selena Gomez, Adrian Grenier, Dwight Howard, Rihanna, Robin Williams and Taylor Swift have joined forces with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to engage consumers in a conversation about the lack of access to safe, clean water for nearly 900 million children and adults across the globe. The UNICEF Tap Project is a public service campaign that aims to draw attention to this serious issue and encourage the public to take action to reduce the numbers of children dying daily from waterborne illnesses, the second-highest cause of preventable childhood deaths in the world. Considering $1 provides clean water for a child for 40 days –imagine the difference you can make! Get involved at http://tapproject.org/

Solid Ground Initiative T-Shirt

Solid Ground Initiative – Design Lab NYC, the boutique philanthropic design agency, has partnered with 12 influential Japanese artists located in Japan and NY to create a t-shirt design collection that tells the human side of the recent disaster. All of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go to relief organizations working in Japan. Shirts are available in both childrens and unisex adult sizes.  For more information visit http://www.solidgroundinitiative.com/

TEMPTU, the worldwide leader in airbrush makeup, announced earlier this month that they will donate $100 from every online sale of their AIRbrush Makeup System and TEMPTU PRO Compressors and Kits through March 31, 2011 to the American Red Cross for Japan relief efforts.

Civic Duty Shoes

Civic Duty Shoes– I recently discovered this awesome new sneaker line that donates 100% of the profits to a social cause benefiting those in the US. They’re made out of Tyvek, which is that same material used for FedEx envelopes, so awesome! Learn more at http://www.civicdutyshoes.com/

Jac Vanek & We The Kings "We Love Japan" Bracelet

Cutting edge clothing and accessories designer, Jac Vanek has teamed up with the band, We The Kings to create a “We Love Japan” bracelet ($10). 100% of all proceeds go towards relief efforts in Japan, Learn more HERE

Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry will auction off a collection of personalized items including items from her latest fragrance campaign, Reveal by Halle Berry in

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Kiehl’s Partners with Michael C. Hall and Chloë Sevigny

It seems like skincare brand, Kiehl’s Since 1851 is always up to some cool, philanthropic initiative –probably because they generally are! This year in celebration of their 160th anniversary (go Kiehl’s!), they are collaborating with Michael C. Hall and Chloë Sevigny to help clean up both our waterways and our skin!

In their latest charitable and environmental endeavor, Michael C. Hall and Chloë Sevigny have designed a special limited edition label for one of my favorite Kiehl’s products, their Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque ($23). Kiehl’s will be donating 100% of the net proceeds (up to $100k) of this Limited Edition Label Art Series to the Waterkeeper Alliance, a grassroots advocacy organization that works to protect and preserve our waterways.

I am addicted to this mask—err masque! It’s formulated with fairly traded Amazonian White Clay that helps detoxify skin and extract all of the dirt and oils out of pores and helps minimize their appearance. I use it after the shower on days I have big events and it evens out my complexion and makes my skin glow. My makeup even goes on better after using it.

For more information visit Kiehls.com

Lara’s Latest Skincare Obsessions

Woowzer! There are some great new skincare products on the market. I’m constantly amazed by all of the new technology and natural resources brands are discovering (and testing!) to keep our skin looking vibrant and youthful. Here’s what I’m currently obsessing over!

1. KORRES Quercetin & Oak Antiageing Antiwrinkle Eye Cream – $42

An instant-lift eye cream that is clinically proven to fights wrinkles, increase elasticity, and reduce puffiness and dark circles. I feel much more awake after application and love the texture and feel –it soaks right into my skin! Plus it’s rich in antioxidants and free of parabens and sulfates.

2. Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream – $60

This hydrating cream is formulated with a rare “Resurrection Flower” which re-awakens cellular activity and reduces lines and wrinkles while improving firmness. At first I didn’t understand what all the hype was all about, the unusual texture (it’s a little waxy) through me off. Then I got a tip to rub the product in between my finger prior to patting it only skin and now I’m loving the absorption and results.

3. La Mer The Regenerating Serum – $250

This anti-aging, lightweight elixir harnesses skins natural production of collagen, elastin and reduces the appearance of pores, lines and wrinkles. It smells divine, quickly absorbs onto skin and is not the least bit tacky. My skin

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AVEENO Wants You To Take Steps For The Planet

Walking through the Aveeno Forest in Times Square

With Earth Day right around the corner (April 22nd), AVEENO kicked off the month with an ACTIVE NATURALS Forest in New York’s Times Square to launch their BE AN ACTIVE NATURAL campaign. While I’ve been to many pop-up shops, this is definitely my first pop-up forest and most enjoyable (and natural) walk through Times Square!

The forest was part of the AVEENO BE AN ACTIVE NATURAL™ program, which is in an initiative to help raise awareness for healthy living and environmental sustainability. The program, encourages consumers to make small changes in their daily lives and they are rewarding everyone who joins them on FACEBOOK (www.facebook.com/aveeno), and makes a pledge towards a healthier planet. By doing so, you will earn points that

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Win A Trip in Celebration of Kiehl’s Partnership With National Geographic

In recognition of their adventurous heritage, skincare brand, Kiehl’s Since 1851 is partnering with National Geographic’s Young Explorers Program, in support of three promising young explorers, Joe Riis, Asa Firestone and Benjamin Horton during their thrilling pursuits around the globe.

They launched a very cool Adventure Facebook tab which shows footage of these explorers journeys– Joe as he travels through Grand Teton National Park to documents the migration of the Pronghorns, Ben as he scuba dives into the waters of the Cocos Island of Costa Rica to create change for the wildlife, and Asa as he climbs through Rio de Janeiro.

Inspired? Become a fan of Kiehl’s on Facebook and enter to win your own adventure. Kiehl’s is offering one lucky winner a chance to win a trip for two anywhere of their choice in Costa Rica, Brazil or The US, with 3 days/2 nights hotel accommodations (up to a $2,500 value); 2nd place wins

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RecycleBank & AVEENO Brand Ambassador

My new badge!

You may have noticed some recent updates on my site, one of which is my fancy new AVEENO/Recyclebank partnership badge.  Well I have some exciting news, I’ve been asked to be a RecycleBank and AVEENO Ambassador!!! I’m one of 25 hand picked bloggers to receive this honor and as a result I’ll have access to products, events, and the inside scoop on both these great companies to share with you.

Part of my Ambassador perks (I love saying that!) was an all-expense paid trip to LA to cover this year’s Independent Spirit Awards. Unfortunately, I had a wedding that day (I REALLY love the bride), so I had to turn it down. Fortunately, I was still accepted into the program and as of this week had my first orientation.

If you’re not familiar with RecycleBank, you should check them out. They are all about motivating people to take actions that have a positive environmental influence by offering rewards for individuals making greener choices.

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Dermalogica Wants You to FITE For Change

Lara with Dermalogica founder, Jane Wurwand

According to the World Bank, the economic empowerment and financial independence of women is one of the greatest drivers of sustainable poverty alleviation in the developing world. Additionally 70% of people living in poverty are women and despite research that shows women who are financially independent can be the greatest agents of change in their communities, only 2% of all international aid money goes to them. Which is why skincare company, Dermalogica has partnered with Kiva.org (the world’s largest personal microlending website) to help alleviate poverty and created FITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship), a global campaign that promotes gender equality, and helps boost stagnant economies by offering women entrepreneurs in low-income regions of the United States and 56 other countries micro loans.

“We know that the economic empowerment of women is one of the greatest levers for positive social change. What is particularly thrilling about FITE is the opportunity it provides to give that lever a multiplier effect,” says Jane Wurwand, Founder of Dermalogica. As a blogger, I do see (and write about) a lot of philanthropic initiatives, and consider myself a big advocate of giving back—but I often find it difficult seeing this change.  There are so many causes, humanitarian, environmental or otherwise and it feels like just when we ban together to help rebuild one natural disaster, another one hits. At times it can all be rather discouraging but having had the opportunity to meet Jane and hear about her journey to start Dermalogica as well as her devotion to FITE to bring about real change gives me hope.

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