Yesterday, I had an epic day with Kiehl’s. The skincare brand has always held a special place in my heart since they have amazing products, do so much good, and I used to work for them! I actually helped launch their social media a million moons ago so stepping back into their corporate office yesterday brought me so much joy. And even more so because it was for an amazing cause!
Kiehl’s partnered with Feeding America for their charitable holiday collaboration designed by the artist duo FAILEwith 100% of the net profits of the “Collection for a Cause” to support Feeding America, up to $100,000. And it’s all of Kiehl’s top selling products in limited edition packaging so why not stock up on your favorites while making a major difference. Just this 3-pack of their Hand Salve ($34) will provide 295 meals, and this Creme de Corps Classic Whipped Body Butter ($15) is going to provide 85 meals! View the whole collection HERE! This is Kiehl’s 3rd year partnering with the organization and has donated $300,000 to date which is 3 million meals to those in need. Food insecurity is a major issue in America. 42 million people are food insecure in our country and 1 out of every 6 children faces hunger. That’s 13 million children in the US who may not be able to eat dinner tonight. With this collaboration Kiehl’s will help provide over 1 MILLION MEALS to families in need this holiday season. I spent the morning with Kiehl’s and Feeding America helping pack meals for City Harvest. Alongside my fellow beauty editors we put together and donated 400 meals!
Here are 6 things we’re currently obsessing over — most of which are going down this week!
1. The Derek Zoolander Center for People Who Don’t Age Good Opens this Week!
Kiehl’s is opening The Derek Zoolander Center for People Who Don’t Age Good and you’re invited! The skincare brand is partnering with Zoolander 2 to bring a state of the art, anti-aging center in NYC. Located on the corner of 8thAve & 14th St for one week only! At the Center, guests will be able to experience an interactive and complimentary 6.5 step program to ensure amazing skin. Open to the public, check it out Tuesday Feb 9th – Thursday, Feb 11th from 4-8PM; Friday, Feb 12th , 3-9PM, and Saturday, Feb 13th, 12–6PM. The skincare brand is also launching two exclusive sets including “The Ridiculously Youthful Collection” unisex anti-aging kit ($26 USD) and “The Blue Kiehl’s men’s kit ($25 USD). Follow me on snapchat: @prettyconnected if you can’t make it and want to peek inside, I’ll for sure be stopping by this week.
2. C. Wonder is back with Brad Goreski as the new Creative Director
Mark your calendar’s for March 3rd when C. Wonder heads over to QVC. The recently acquired brand will be exclusive to QVC and boasts Brad Goreski as their new creative director! We got a sneak preview of the spring collection and it’s on point with all the merchandise we remember from the retailer: vibrant printed bags, enamel cuffs and jewelry, preppy clothes, fun flats and of course those signature bikes we wish we snagged before their stores closed. (Now we can!).
3. We’re Featured in the Caravan Stylist x Save The Garment Center Map Project On Display this Week for Auction!
Claudine DeSola of Caravan Stylist Studio asked New York “creatives,” ranging from bloggers, editors, photographers, artists, designers and TV personalities – including Charlotte Ronson, Shoshanna,Patricia Underwood, Byron Lars, Alice & Trixie,Dana Bronfman, and Me! to inventively decorate New York maps with a tailored selection of their top 5 destinations in NYC. I of course got carried away and picked 13 destinations. Mine folds up into a little square and comes with a notebook so you can take notes of your NYC trip. It’s also great framed flat! During Fashion Week, the original maps from all of the creatives, will be on display and auctioned off at The Gregory Hotel with proceeds going to Save The Garment Center, whose mission is to promote, preserve and save New York City as the fashion capital of the world.
This event is open to the public and the maps will be on display at the Gregory Hotel, 42 West 35th Street, NYC on February 11th-13th and 15th-17th from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. There are so many amazing ones up for grabs!
4. Beauty Crawl with ‘And I Get Dressed’: Sephora vs. Ricky’s
We all need a beauty blogger in our lives someone who listens to what you’re looking for in a product and then tells you what you need. This week in @itsmekellieb’s latest youtube video for And I Get Dressed I’m just that to take her on a tour of Sephora and Ricky’s. Top Sephora beauty picks for black eyeliner goes to NARS Kohliner. Best lip pencils: Tarte Lip Crayons. Best matte liquid lipsticks goes to Stila Stay All Day, Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick.Ricky’s excels more for hair and then expands in other categories of beauty. Instead of carrying a full line of one brand they usually take the top pick or cult favorite. And offer a great range of high and low prices. It’s also the place to get crazy eyelashes and more eccentric beauty finds which is why they are so known for their Halloween pop-ups. Watch the video for a peek at our day. Have any beauty questions? Tweet me or send me a snapchat: @prettyconnected or leave me a comment.
5. Space.NK moves to Nolita and their Spring Beauty Edit Event is happening this week!
Say goodbye to Greene Street, Space.NK just moved a short walk away to Nolita and is now open at 31 Prince Street. As if any beauty lover needed an excuse to pop over, I’m about to give you one (actually 25)! This Wednesday, February 11th, Space NK will host the “Sprint Beauty Edit” at all of their US Space NK locations where guests can meet with experts for makeovers, advice and tips For any shoppers that spend $250+ they will receive this gift featuring 25 coveted products valued well over $400. (The gift is available to N. Dulge members Feb 9-10th). Filled with deluxe, travel, and full-size items the gift includes:
Gift includes: SpaceNK Limited Edition Cosmetic Bag, 111SKIN Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel NAC Y2 (5ml), Bumble & bumble Straight Blow Dry (15ml),
This has been an exciting month for skincare launches. A lot of cult favorites from Kiehl’s L’Occitane, and Kate Somerville have just launched sister products while Algenist is starting off the year with a set of their best-sellers! Here’s what we’re buzzing about:
Aveda
Aveda recently launched their Love Composition Oil as a tribute to Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda, who passed away a few years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting him several times and his commitment to creating the most natural and efficacious products and his holistic approach to life always inspired me. The Love Composition contains certified organic* aromatic composition oil for the whole shebang: body, bath, hair AND scalp. The oil helps restore and seal in moisture to leave skin soft, and supple. And offers a sensual blend of Australian sandalwood, jasmine, vetiver and frankincense.
You can add a few drops to your bath, shower or on damp skin to seal in moisture or massage on to dry skin or hair. I like to put in on my wrists and breathe it in to relax. As a philanthropic bonus, Aveda donates $4 of every purchase to the National Audubon Society for projects that fight climate change.
Kate Somerville
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Treatment and DermalQuench Liquid Lift are two staples in my bathroom (both are amazing!) that I’m so excited that they have expanded both lines!
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser – Get ready to glow this new face wash. Based on the best-selling Exfolikate, this foaming cleanser has a smooth, creamy formula (don’t expect any scrubbers like the original) that takes off unwanted oil, makeup and surface impurities. And delivers one-two punch of radiance with the duo of AHA’s – Glycolic and Lacic Acids – as well as a blend of pineapple, pumpkin and papaya enzymes to purify without over-drying skin. It smells amazing, and carries the scent of pumpkin mixed with either the sweet pineapple or papaya (or both).
Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift + Retinol – When the original launched and we were able to take home Kate’s most sought-after Clinic treatment home, I was elated. The original adds a boost of oxygen to the skin (and so much more!) and what I call the most unnecessary necessary product. It’s my absolute go to after flights or when my skin needs a boost. I use it so sparingly since I never want it to run out. Now Kate Somerville has upped the ante by launching a DermalQuench with Retinol! The advanced pro-strength formula and advanced resurfacing treatment aggressively combats skin roughness, pore size, discoloration and fine lines while improving firmness and moisturization in skin. Oxygen + Retinol! Color me excited. Don’t forget to shake the bottle before applying.
I have known Chris a long time and he’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to mens skincare and grooming. This book lays it all out in an easy, digestible manor. There’s been a really great focus on men over the past year to really take care of themselves and I think the timing of this book is great. No Kiehl’s products are mentioned in the book so don’t expect a sales pitch, just a culmination of answers to questions men want to know. Does eye cream really work? Do you shave up or down? Or how do you get that best shave? All will be answered and more.
{This post is by one of my long time writers, and friend, Teresa Luong on her struggle with cystic acne and road to clear skin}
Everyone wants that flawless, luminous, glowing skin, but for me it’s more than a desire; it’s an obsession. Since nature’s cruel joke of puberty, I was cursed with the onset of hereditary cystic acne. I had what looked like puss-filled boils all over my face, neck and body – and I mean all over. These painful lumps were the cause of ridicule and childish torture for three years of my life. I would beg my parents to home-school me as to avoid having to face another day of my adolescent peers. Even though they made me go to school everyday, my loving parents spent hundreds of dollars on any product that claimed to help acne, but to no avail. I found out I was allergic to benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in most strong acne medications, including ProActive, and that salicylic acid wasn’t strong enough for my breed of acne. Finally, one of my many dermatologists came up with a solution, a new drug on the market called Acutane. Not yet approved by the FDA, this drug claimed to prevent breakouts for up to 10 years. Acutane is now known for some of its severe side effects, such as:
Brooklyn get ready, Kiehl’s Since 1851 is opening its first store and is asking you to join them to celebrate!! On January 31st from 4PM to 5:30PM Kiehl’s will be having a grand opening community celebration to benefit Friends of Douglass/Greene Park. First 50 guests to arrive will receive a mystery gift card from Kiehl’s, which could be worth up to $1,000!
Kieh’s President, Chris Salgardo with Ally Sheedy, Leigh Lezark, and Ana Matronic
Last night NYC was happening! Skincare brand, Kiehl’s Since 1851 kicked off Gay Pride weekend at their flagship store in the East Village. Hosted by Kiehl’s President, Chris Salgardo and Ben Cohen, with music by KISSETTE, the brand made a special donation to the Ben Cohen Standup Foundation. Special guests included Ally Sheedy, Leigh Lezark of The Misshapes, Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters. As well as the dynamic duo Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra of Costella Tagliapietra.
Chris Salgardo with Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra
Then off to the Meatpacking District to the CATCH Rooftop for Fendi Perfumes & Modern Luxury’s Manhattan Magazine for a live DJ set by Mark Ronson to celebrate the new Fan di FENDI Pour Homme Acqua Fragrance.
Manhattan Magazine + NEW Fan di FENDI Pour Homme Acqua Fragrance
The evening concluded with a surprise live performance of Bang Bang Bang accompanied by Amanda Warner of MNDR! The crowd went while as the duo instantly amped up (the already very energetic) crowd into a total dance and cheer-fest. The only thing that could have possibly made the moment better was Q-Tip and the rangers.
Mark Ronson, Amanda Warner, MNDR at Manhattan Magazine x Fendi PartyMark Ronson DJ’s as Amanda Warner of MNDR performs BANG BANG BANG at Manhattan Magazine x Fendi PartyMark Ronson DJing at Manhattan Magazine x Fendi Party
The video is too good not to share…
We then crossed the street to Toy, for their re-location party. The restaurant-bar hotspot celebrated it’s final night in the Meatpacking with a sensual burlesque performance — all eyes were on this feathered goddess. As to where Toy will be re-locating to, it’s under wraps… for now!
Meanwhile at the Jade Hotel our friends at StyleCaster celebrated their 5th birthday with performances by The Misshapes and Mick! Congratulations StyleCaster, we love you!
This past Friday Kiehl’s president, Chris Salgardo, and other celebrity motorcyclists set out on a 1,800 mile journey to raise awareness for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. The third annual Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR is a 10 day adventure starting in Miami and working its way up to Washington, DC, with 8 celebratory stops along the way.
The remaining dates and times of the celebration stops are listed below. If you’re nearby, come out and speak with the riders to learn more about amfAR and support them on their journey!
July 21st: Stop 1:EagleRider store, Fall’s Church, VA – 9:30 am-10:30 am
Stop 2:Kiehl’s at Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA – 11am –12pm
As part of the LIfeRide initiative Kiehl’s is launching a social media campaign as well as a Limited Edition Active Lifestyle Essentials Kit, with proceeds form the sale benefitting amfAr. In total Kiehl’s hopes to raise $115,000 via events, social media, and the sale from the set.
Get involved! Visit any Kiehl’s free-standing store on the day of the events and Kiehl’s will donate $5 to amfAR. If you’re not able to make it to the store, don’t fret – become a part of their social media campaign by simply hitting the “Like” icon on the Kiehl’s Facebook page. Kiehl’s will donate $1 for each new fan!
You can also purchase the Limited Edition Active Lifestyle Essentials Kit which includes Kiehl’s new Eucalyptus Lip Relief (available only in this kit), full-size bottles of Cross-Terrain All-In-One Refueling Wash, Ultra Facial Cream, Cross-Terrain UV Face Protector SPF 50, Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer, and deluxe samples of Creme de Corps, Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, and Midnight Recovery Concentrate. The kit retails for $74 and 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit amfAR!
For more information, visit Kiehls.com and keep up with the remainder of the ride on twitter by following Kiehl’s at @KiehlsNYC and Christ at @KiehlsPrez.
Last night, skincare brand, Kiehl’s Since 1851 showed their true colors and kicked off Pride weekend with the one and only Cyndi Lauper! The Grammy and Emmy-award winning artist, hosted an unforgettable evening, which honored her LGBT charity, the True Colors Fund to which Kiehl’s donated a $5,000 check to.
Kiehl’s President, Chris Salgardo will be joining Cyndi Lauper this Sunday for the Gay Pride Parade where the duo will serve as Grand Marshal’s! For anyone unable to watch the parade live, you can follow Chris’ twitter handle @KiehlsPrez for live updates from the parade and tweet along!
Now for my official freak out! I MET CYNDI LAUPER!!!! I needed a moment for that. This woman has inspired me endlessly over the past decades and is such a role model and spokesperson for originality and being yourself. She’s so hip and looked flawless on the eve of her 59th birthday sporting a blonde bob with pink streaks.
Highlights of the evening…
{Interviewing Cyndi Lauper!}
{I met fashion designers, Robert and Jeffrey of Costelloe Tagliapietra!!! I’m such a fan}
{Always so fun to see Richie Rich, especially when he’s giving me a much needed touchup — yes, he’s powdering my nose in this picture}
This holiday season, Kiehl’s Since 1851 is continuing their philanthropic efforts to raise awareness and funds for a children’s charity by partnering with artist Jeff Koons again for a Limited Edition Holiday Creme de Corps Collection. Kiehl’s will be donating 100% of Kiehl’s worldwide net profits to The Koons Family Institute on International Law and Policy, an initiative of theInternational Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC).
Available in the collection is their iconic, cult favorite Creme de Corps moisturizer in three sizes; 1 Liter ($72), 16.9 oz ($47) and 8.4 oz. ($29). Additionally the gold Limited Edition Jeff Koons Bottle Art based on the iconic balloon flower sculpture created by the artist is available for $50.
Kiehl’s has also launched an integrative, holiday experience online, allowing their customers to learn more about Mr. Koons, ICMEC, and share their own hopes for this holiday season. Visit www.kiehls.com/shareyourhopes to share your experience.
For more information on the Limited Edition Creme de Corps collection visit Kiehls.com
