Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

Spokesmen for L'Oreal USA announced this week the new face of their 2006 campaign, young starlet Scarlett Johansson. This partnership marks the 21-year-old's first endorsement and what a choice! This Emmy nominated actress has such an old Hollywood glamour that has somehow been lost between teen trendsetters Mary Kate Olsen and Mischa Barton. Insiders report that the over $4 million dollar massive multimedia campaign will definitely shine Scarlett Johansson in a new light. “You can expert to see Scarlett trying out a lot of different hair colours and not just her trademark platinum blonde look,” says a L’Oreal USA insider.

Following in the steps of bombshell Beyonce Knowles will give Johansson a great guide, but I know everyone is dying to see what hair color she will make popular for 2006’s young starlets. I’d personally like to see red hair big for the Spring. Since curls are definitely the must style of the moment, imagine a full head of cascading red curls — and Johansson is one style maker that could really pull it off.

Not only with Johansson be the new face of one of L’Oreal’s various color lines, she will also be the face of the new color line: HIP High Intensity Pigments. According to our L’Oreal insider, the company hopes to generate at least $50 million of sales in the first year.

“It’s wonderful to be working with L’Oreal, a company that has celebrated independent women for years,” says Johansson. “I’m very excited to be part of this campaign, which is modern and fashion forward.”

Even though she tried out for The Parent Trap in 1998 and didn’t make the cut (the role was won by Hollywood’s “It” Girl Lindsay Lohan), Johansson has definitely proved that she is not only a Golden Globe nominated acclaimed actress (The Girl with the Pearl Earring, Woody Allen’s Match Point, Island, In Good Company) but she’s gorgeous as well (Ranked #9 in FHM's 2005 100 Sexiest Women in the World, Calvin Klein and Louis Vuitton 2004 campaigns). Well done Scarlet! We can’t wait to hear your sultry version of “I’m Worth It.”

My love for beauty products started when I was 13 and had cystic acne. Before being put on antibiotics (tetracycline), my mother would sit with me in the mirror and paint my face with green makeup to cover the redness before heading to school. I then would follow it up with a tinted layer of Oxy to keep fighting the acne (that stuff would sting). When my brother and I would come inside after playing in the yard she would often chase us around the house sprtizing us with cologne before having company over so we would smell clean. After all it was my mom who taught me about deodorant and how to shave. I think my dad was at work at the time. Aren't all of our mothers makeup artists and stylists in some way?

When I go home to visit my parents I often “clean house” on my mothers beauty closet. Finding cosmetics that are expired, bad colors or that I know she won’t use. My mother’s favorite line Jane Iredale Cosmetics. Other brands that I often find her using are; Trish McEvoy, Bobbi Brown and Almay. My mother is 60, she shops at Neiman Marcus, Publix, Target, the dermatologist office and her local spa for her cosmetics. A varied mix if you will. But when asked if she has used or would use Revlon, her botox brow poped up. After taking a look at the new Vital Radiance I would say yes. Could my mom be like Sandra Gray? (why didn't they use Susan Sarandon for this campaign?)

In a very suave move on Revlon's part, the ad campaign created shows real women, age 50+ with real lives. Not models. Do you think its a rip on Dove? Who will be showing their new TV commercials during the Superbowl. It seems like a softer sell, dosent it? I think my favorite profile out of the three this month is Maye Musk a grandmother of four.

I think I stand alone in thinking that Dove sales might not go up after the launch of their ‘girl scout’ commercials during Superbowl. Though Ogilvy & Mather without question created an amazing ad. And again, they will get credit for it. It will be viewed as ‘art’ in broadcast world. But the bottom line is just that, the bottom line, will it drive women to purchase Dove? Where do I think their commercials should be played repetitively, Lifetime TV, Oxygen Network and of course Nickelodeon. Maybe I am thinking too much inside the box of sales. Many of my lady friends have said in defense that they watch the superbowl. But honestly and I know I am going to get a ton of slack for saying this, they are usually in the kitchen cleaning, serving drinks or chasing the kids around the house.

The ad will run February 5th and hit an estimated 90 million viewers. Unilever the parent company of Dove paid a reported $2.4 million each for 60 half-minute ad slots. The good news is that the campaign will draw awareness to their self proclaimed charity; Dove’s Self Esteem Fund that already has 3 million in the bank. This is a multi-year effort for real beauty. I wonder, wouldn’t viewers rather see Miss Jackson’s nipple all over again? I do applaud this entire campaign, don't get me wrong. The not so perfect women in the ads, the charity, the multi-cultural outlook, the real people, etc. It's puling at my heart strings every time my eyes catch a glipse. But when I buy my soap, I guess I want to escape and feel like a Dior girl, not a housewife. That's just me though. Time will tell, if their soap sales go up. My favorite commercial by far is the Gwyneth Paltrow look a-likes wearing wigs and then ripping them off to buy Dove shampoo. (do you think Estee Lauder got that one? They still boast her in those Pleasure ads)

Keep in mind that I think alone. The Pierce Mattians at this agency during our morning meeting voiced a different opinion. You will hear from them shortly.

Ok - so who was there yesterday? Come on, fess up. Pamela Anderson showed up. Nude Models to Don Dress Designs by Zac Posen, Heatherette and Vivienne Tam as Painted by M-A-C Artists M-A-C Cosmetics, the ground-breaking professional cosmetics brand, officially kicked off fashion week on February 2nd with a live exhibition of the Qi Pao (chi pau), the classic Chinese Dress, created entirely with M-A-C makeup products. Nude models were painted in Qi Pao inspired designs including creations from renowned New York designers Zac Posen, Heatherette and Vivienne Tam. The M-A-C Chinese Dress exhibition, held at Eyebeam Studio, was attended by over 700 of New York's fashion and media elite.

Maybe putting your makeup on daily could be a fear factor ritual? Bugs anyone? The FDA is making moves towards listing a red coloring derived from the ground bodies of female cochineal beetles on the basis that it is a potential safety hazard to a handful of individuals. Used in a spectrum of cosmetics ranging from lipstick to blusher, the move comes as pressure mounts from watchdogs and consumers to label the ingredient more clearly.
Currently the FDA only require that the ingredient is labeled as a ‘color added' or ‘artifical color', but fears over allergic reactions as well as consumer demands to be better informed if the products they buy are animal-derived are prompting the move towards change.

Ben Roethlisberger will become the second athlete publicly shaven by a Gillette razor, behind Johnny Damon of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. After capturing his first Super Bowl ring, Gillette signed Roethlisberger to promote their latest innovation, Fusion, tonight on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Unilever announced today that it has sold its Finessehair care brand in the US and Canada, and its Aqua Net brand in theUS, to Lornamead Brands Inc. The brands generated $85 million in combined revenue for 2005. Thefinancial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"This agreement takes us a step further in reshaping our hair careportfolio of brands in North America," stated John Rice, President ofUnilever Americas. "It will enable us to focus on bringing innovationto market through our strong local and global brands."

L'Oréal has snipped the ribbon on its redesigned Paris Hairdressing Academy. The 16,000-square-foot training center, which had been under renovation for two years, was redesigned by French architect Didier Gomez.

Located on Rue Royale here, the loft-like space was constructed to meet the needs of L'Oréal personnel, including hairdressers, product managers and merchandising chiefs who train there. Gomez created an open feel for the academy by removing doors and merging smaller rooms into three large open areas. In the auditorium, 15,000 shades of lighting can be chosen to match colors associated with a brand for a product launch or a runway show, for example.

“Jenny from the Block” has morphed from a Fly Girl on the set to producer of her new reality show Moves on MTV.

Great news: another reality show has been born. Jennifer Lopez will host an eight-episode reality dance series entitled “Moves” on MTV this fall. As executive producer with Simon Fields, a partner in her production company Nuyorican, Lopez has an integral part of the show—even choosing final dancers and special VIP dance guests from the industry.

“Moves,” scheduled to premiere in the fourth quarter, will follow six dancers over eight weeks as they tell their stories of struggle, reaching for the starts, showcasing talent, paying rent and dancing for 30,000 fans.

Lopez, the former “Fly Girl” from “In Living Color,” has attained a level of success that is rarely attainable by dancers. The worldwide phenomenon is known for not only her dance floor moves but her talent on screen in film and in music.

“I started out as a dancer, and I know what that world is. These dancers have dedicated their lives to this, and honestly, the glory is not always there. It's something they do only out of love. It's a tough life, and I want to show that struggle,” says Lopez.

Magazines aimed at men and parents and families, as well as to fans of travel and outdoor recreation, rarely contain ads for sun protection products, a new study shows.

Researchers note that middle-aged and older men are the group least likely to use sunscreen, while they are at the greatest risk of dying from melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Alan C. Geller of Boston University School of Medicine and colleagues reviewed six years' worth of issues of 24 popular magazines for groups at high risk of skin cancer, including men, women, teens, parents, travelers and people who enjoy outdoor pastimes such as tennis, running, golf and bicycling.

Of the 783 sun-care product ads they identified, 77 percent appeared in women's magazines, Geller and his team report in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

While women's magazines contained, on average, four sun protection product ads per issue, parenting and family magazines contained less than one such ad per issue, and outdoor recreation magazines carried sun protection product ads only once every six issues.

Allergan, the Irvine-based maker of Botox, announced Monday that the Food and Drug Administration has approved three products designed to plump away facial creases. The line, called Juvederm, represents Allergan's first new products since March, when it moved to create a beauty empire with the $3 billion purchase of Inamed. The Santa Barbara company makes breast implants and facial fillers, which are often used along with Botox to reduce signs of aging. Juvederm was developed by Inamed. While Botox temporarily relaxes wrinkles around the brows, facial fillers smooth facial wrinkles and folds around the mouth. In a survey last year of patients who used Botox, 29 percent had tried a filler, according to The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation. The global market for dermal fillers in 2005 was $442 million, a 200 percent increase since 2000. The Juvederm treatment, which is injected into the skin, lasts about six months. Juvederm will compete with Restylane, which is made by Medicis, as well as another filler awaiting approval, said Allergan spokeswoman Caroline Van Hove.

Both brands use hyaluronic acid, as opposed to collagen or animal proteins. But Allergan describes Juvederm as "next generation" because the gel is smoother and works on all skin types and colors. "It creates a really smooth, natural look," Van Hove said. Allergan officials would not say when Juvederm will be available for sale or how much they expect to earn. But Van Hove said Allergan will heavily market the treatment. Like Botox, Restylane appeals directly to consumers with ads in women's magazines and brochures available in dermatology and plastic surgery offices.

If you’ve been under a rock, you may have missed the ravings of Pierce Mattians throughout the city. We have arrived, ladies and gentlemen and the address is smack dab in the heart of Times Square. This week I had the pleasure of hosting editors at the Pierce Mattie Media Oasis to promote an in-salon service made famous by Joico Hair Care.

Now, I’m certainly not going to reveal all of the photos…we are still planning our fabulous launch event; but I will tell you that the chameleon we call the Media Oasis turned into a top notch beauty salon just for Joico. For clients like Phytomer and SamPar, the Oasis will be a magnificent spa. For Jane Iredale, the most indulgent makeup counter yet and for health and exercise clients, the Oasis becomes a fitness studio.

Just as an oasis in the middle of the desert transforms into your most insatiable desires, so does the Pierce Mattie Media Oasis…but it’s real, baby…so real! Keep your fingers crossed, ladies and gents. Maybe you’ll be among one of the dynamic movers and shakers to get a coveted invite to our grand opening.

Who knew? Ethnic Personal Care is a huge market! Different hair textures, different skin tones and totally different needs than women with less melanin and silkier hair. African American women spend two to three times the amount of money on hair care and maintenance than do other ethnicities.

My editor sister friends, take notice! Women of Color read your words. We want to live by them but it is hard, oh so hard! We want you to lead us to products that work for us! And that, oh sister friends, is why I am here. Check out some stats below and let’s get some ethnic hair care brands- both independent and corporately owned- on the page!

Bidders flipped their wigs Thursday at a Manhattan auction where one of pop art icon Andy Warhol's signature silver hairpieces sold for $10,800.

The wig, complete with three strips of toupee tape inside, was worn by Warhol during the early 1980s. Warhol began wearing the hairpieces in the early 1960s, and they eventually turned into fashion accessories more than a cover-up for his baldness. Presale estimates for the hairpiece were $4,000 to $6,000.

It was one of several lots put up at Christie's auction house by Jeffrey Warhola, the artist's nephew. A 1977 Polaroid photo of Muhammad Ali, signed by Warhol, sold for $19,200. And a Warhol Polaroid of Mick Jagger from 1975 went for $15,600.

The top items in the celebrity sale belonged to Marilyn Monroe. A black cocktail dress worn during filming of "The Misfits" sold for $66,000, while a full-length ermine coat worn by Monroe in 1957 sold for $50,400.

Melanoma may be more common in whites but the most serious form of skin cancer is deadlier in blacks and Hispanics because it is more likely to go undetected, researchers report.

Blacks are more than three times as likely as whites to be diagnosed with melanoma after it has reached a late stage, and Hispanics are nearly twice as likely, according to a University of Miami study released Monday.

Late diagnosis of melanoma generally significantly reduces the chances for survival. The survival rate for those with early detection is about 99 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. With later detection, the survival rate falls to between 15 and 65 percent, depending on how far the disease has spread.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 10,000 people will die from skin cancer this year, nearly 80 percent of them from melanoma.

Stephan Co., a maker of branded and private label personal care products, said Thursday it has filed a trademark infringement suit against high-end cosmetics maker Elizabeth Arden Inc. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that an Elizabeth Arden fragrance launched in March -- Provocative Interlude -- infringes upon Stephan's Interlude trademark. Stephan said it has made various fragrances under the Interlude trademark since the 1960s. The suit seeks to block sales of the Elizabeth Arden product. A spokesman at Elizabeth Arden was not immediately available to comment. Stephan shares were unchanged at $3.08 on the American Stock Exchange in afternoon trading, while Elizabeth Arden shares climbed 12 cents to $17.56 on the Nasdaq.

Celebrity Editorial Makeup Artist Frances Hathaway Shares Her Favorite Beauty And Product Secrets For 50+ Women

As many women age, they may find they have to rethink a cosmetics routine that no longer suits their changing skin. Age spots, increased dryness and loss of vibrancy are some of the specific issues facing the 50+ woman.

As one of the busiest makeup artists in the business, I've worked with the likes of Geena Davis, Vanessa Williams and Bette Midler. I believe maturing women can look better than ever; they just need to switch up their makeup as they would their wardrobe. All it takes is a little know-how and the right products:

• Prepare Your Palette. Primers prep the skin for makeup application by evening-out the skin's surface, filling in lines and concealing any imperfections. I always use face, eye and lip primers before applying color cosmetics. The key for 50+ women is to look for products that offer hydrating formulas to ease drying skin, and light-reflecting ingredients to diffuse lines, for a smoother, more even appearance.

• Bring Back Color. Many women in their 50's find that their skin becomes dry and sallow and it has lost its natural radiance and color. I recommend using hydrating products that help energize your look, such as the Vital Radiance Line Softening Makeup-Rehydrating. Its water-based formula with SPF 15 boosts moisture, while its increased color density revitalizes your complexion. And its remarkably lightweight formula won't settle into lines or wrinkles. Try using a brush to apply this product-this technique creates a polished makeup look and provides precise application. Best of all, Vital Radiance makes it easier than ever for 50+ women to look their best, offering free tips, advice and product samples. Just call (800) RADIANT seven days a week to speak to a live Beauty Specialist.

It's no secret that our society is obsessed with looking young. As baby boomers turn 60, statistics show the U.S. market for anti-aging products and services is "growing at an average growth rate (AAGR) of 9.5%, this market will reach nearly $72 billion by 2009"*. While science has made advancements in both topical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking, sleep loss and sun exposure, can unknowingly sabotage your personal aesthetic goals.

Although natural aging is a given, inherited by our genes-we do have control over extrinsic aging. Known as premature aging, it is caused by poor lifestyle habits that actually accelerate skin aging, including wrinkles, rough texture and uneven pigmentation.

Beginning today, as part of an effort to inspire shoppers to indulge in music beyond the top 10, there will be special “Blender Approved” aisles in 658 Best Buy stores. They will feature Blender Magazine editors’ endorsements for newly released music. On first glance, I was concerned that this would lead to the promotion of only limited genres, but when I saw that the 16 recommended albums will include Def Leopard’s “Rock of Ages” and Cam’ron’s “Killa Season” I realized that they have diversity in mind. It’s a win-win-win situation for the store chain, the magazine and the music industry. For Best Buy, the partnership stands to increase CD consumption at a time when music downloading is taking hold of music purchases. Blender, which has already co-branded with VH1and AOL, hopes that the project will increase its paid circulation. (I think they have a strong chance of success in that area because they’ll reach so many new people). The music industry, already suffering from the effects of pirating and payola, will likely enjoy a boost in sales for artists that often go ignored on store shelves.

Those last five pounds might not be so hard to lose thanks to a new surgical procedure called various, precision or micro liposuction. The procedure isn’t actually all that new, doctors began performing the surgeries about 10 years ago, but it is gaining more popularity among patients and doctors — I think largely due to America’s obsession with perfection. Areas such as the kneecaps, ankles, back rolls and inner thighs are now able to be reached with the tools used during micro liposuction, whereas they would previously go untouched.

In an article in Thursday's New York Times, Dr. Peter B. Fodor, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles says that because of new types of ultrasound machines, which can be used to break up fat before it is extracted, and daintier cannulae, the blunt-tipped hollow tubes used to dislodge and suck out fat, have made it easier for doctors to fine-tune liposuction.

This procedure is most fit for those on the thinner side that just can’t seem to lose their love handles or “bra muscle” and have gone to great lengths to get rid of them. Liposuction generally is not recommended for those in the obese category and any reputable doctor will suggest a diet and exercise program before putting you under the knife.

New procedures like micro liposuction and genital reconstruction rise the issue of boundaries – when will we ever look good enough? Are procedures such as the latter just mere vanity or are they stepping stones to self confidence? I guess it’s just a case by case situation, but for now I’m happy with using a pair of Spanx and some concealer.

Bare Escentuals Inc., a maker of cosmetics, skin care and body care products, said on Friday it plans to raise up to $287.5 million in an initial public offering of common stock.

The San Francisco company said in a preliminary registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that Goldman Sachs & Co. and CIBC World Markets will be the lead underwriters for the IPO.

Banc of America Securities LLC, Piper Jaffray, and Thomas Weisel Partners will assist in the underwriting.

Bare Escentuals, which makes mineral-based cosmetics, sells its products under the brand names i.d. bareMinerals, i.d., RareMinerals, Bare Escentuals, and md formulations.

From the inception of Jolie Magazine, the Ethnic Beauty Team has looked endearingly at its progression sometimes from afar and at other times feeling the joy of knowing that we have participated, if only a little, in its growth and recognition. Because the love flows both ways, Alicia Marie Rivers, EIC of Jolie offered us the opportunity to share our lives with her readers.

Nafi, Lauren, Venessa and I are thrilled and beyond excited to see what the September issue holds for us…We all know that editors EDIT, but we gave up enough good stuff to do three or four stories so we are certain to be pleased. Beyond sitting and talking with the EIC, we had the most amazing photo shoot here at Media Oasis…just wait until you see what we’ve done with the place!

Beauty products company Estee Lauder Cos. on Friday said it promoted John Demsey, global brand president of Estee Lauder, to the position of group president of Estee Lauder Companies.

Demsey will continue to oversee the Estee Lauder brand as well as M-A-C Cosmetics, Prescriptives, Sean John and Tom Ford Beauty. He will continue reporting to Chief Operating Officer Dan Brestle.

If you think beauty can't go more than skin deep, swallow this: Health officials on Thursday said drug companies could start gussying up their pills with pigments like those that give cosmetics a pearly sheen. Does that mean my RX's will start to look like Jelly Beans or nail polish lacquers?

The pearlescent pigments can be used in any drugs that are swallowed, including pills, tablets and liquids, the Food and Drug Administration said. As a result, drugs may never look the same again.

The pigments can produce sparkly metallic, satiny and shimmery finishes, as well as different hues of red and gold, depending partly on the color of the underlying drug.

The FDA's publication of a final rule approving their use came eight years after EMD Chemicals Inc. of Gibbstown, N.J., first petitioned the agency. The chemical and pigment maker is part of the German drug company Merck KGaA. That company is entirely separate from U.S.-based Merck & Co. Inc.

Keri Russell may have been a tomboy growing up, and TV audiences know her as a college coed on the TV series "Felicity." But now she's gone glam as a CoverGirl.

The 30-year-old actress joins Christie Brinkley and Queen Latifah as a spokesmodel for the venerable beauty brand. The new TV ad for Outlast Double Lipshine debuts this month, and the print ad will be in August magazines.

Being a makeup model isn't what Russell expected in her career. This is only the second commercial she has starred in, other than promotions for her various movie and television roles.

"When I first started, I did do a commercial for a deodorant or something. I don't even think it aired. This is the first thing I've done like this. It's a lot less stressful than doing a film. This takes two days, not a few months or the whole year of a television show," she told the press.

North Korea announced a scientific breakthrough Friday, and it had nothing to do with the missile tests that startled the world this week. Researchers developed a new cosmetic agent to make skin supple, state-run media boasted.

"They analyzed in a scientific way why the hand skin of those who are making bean paste is smooth and fair," state news agency KCNA reported. Armed with the data, scientists made an agent that helps fight wrinkles and lightens moles and freckles, it said.

Bean paste is a staple of Korean cooking, and the North Korean scientists who designed the cosmetic agent might be onto something because beans are used in some skin care products around the world.

However, few North Koreans other than the elite get enough to eat - let alone have the income to splurge on beauty products.

Confessions of a hyper sun exposed esthetician - on trips to Canada and the UK I often would stock up on L'Oreal brands packed with Mexoryl SX including Biotherm, Lancome, LaRoche-Posay. Now the borders unite and finally we can get these great UVA blockers in the USA.

The Food and Drug Administration Monday approved a new over-the-counter sunscreen that has a new active ingredient not previously approved for use in the United States. The agency approved Anthelios SX, a moisturizer from L'Oreal that contains ingredients designed to protect against sunburn from and exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays from the sun.

Anthelios SX contains a combination of three active ingredients, including avobenzone and octocrylene, standard ingredients in sunscreens already approved for sale in the U.S. The new active ingredient approved for use in the U.S. in the product is ecamsule. Ecamsule has been marketed in Europe and Canada as Mexoryl SX since 1993, the FDA said.

Octocrylene is designed to block UVB rays from the sun, while Avobenzone blocks long UVA rays. The newest ingredient, Ecamsule, or Mexoryl, is designed to block short UVA rays. Anthelios will be available sometime this fall and will be sold by L'Oreal's LaRoche-Posay division.

Pick up Pierce Mattie brands; Jane Iredale, SamPar & Bella Bronze

Are you ready to shop till you drop? There is a hidden place where the girl in the know will go... it's Shecky's!

Shecky's Summer Beauty Bash on August 10th, 2006.

•Enjoy complimentary cocktails
•Shop and score fabulous treats from over 50 hot beauty & fashion vendors
•Take home Shecky's best Goodie Bag ever (worth over $125!)
Spoil yourself with all-night shopping, freebies, and pampering!

I love my job, but it can be difficult at times. It’s actually pretty stressful, especially when you really need to get your client featured in a magazine, and you can’t get in touch with the editors, understandable when you think of the hundreds of pitches they receive via email and phone. I’ve even had an editor-friend that I hang out on a normal basis tell me that he receives so many phone calls that he doesn’t even listen to his voice messages. He simply presses delete once he hears the name and calls back when he has time.

If only magazines a more straight-forward way to getting in touch with them. Maybe even have story pitching sessions on their website? Just when I thought that sounded way too good to be true, it was brought to my attention today, by the people at Jossip.com, that JANE magazine is starting just such a program.

According to Jossip.com, “Starting today, Thursday July 27, Jane magazine's editors will be online waiting to hear your pitch ideas.” Brandon Holley and her editors will be online taking story ideas from readers in an effort to "getting connected with the readers." I ask you, could Holley be anymore genius? Not only will they get ideas straight from their target audience, but it is an amazing PR campaign. In a way, readers become honorary editors/writers, which will give them pride in the magazine and keep them coming back each month. Way to go JANE.

Recent reports have noted that the shaving and grooming industry has more booming lately. A New York Times article noted that “worldwide sales of grooming products exceed $200 billion ... that figure, men spent over $16 billion” on grooming products. I can’t help but noticing how many men are flocking to shaving specialty stores like The Art of Shaving and others. A couple of years ago it was: soap and water or the standard Barbasol. I wonder when women are going to get on board with this: can you imagine it? Special: $20.00 Deluxe Shave Legs. I think it’s something to think about – I mean women spend at least 2 times more time shaving than men and cover about 10 times the surface area: legs, underarms, bikini, even arms. So I decided to investigate what’s available for women on the market – shaving tools/creams/etc. I personally use Whish, our client, and love the product but made some calls and inquiries to surprisingly find out that there aren’t any other products like that. Google must find something! I Googled “women’s shaving cream” and of course came up with a gazillion responses for those cheapo aerosol cans (about 4.99 each) for a total of 2,890,000 hits. I couldn’t seem to find anything luxurious though – like what Fresh, Eshave, Hommage, Jack Black, Clinique or Khiels offer for men. “Search a little deeper,” I tell myself as I’m now on the PROWL to find something else for my dry legs. I did come across Whish through Skinterra. They described the products: “Finally, there is a shaving product for women deserving of our endorsement.” It’s true though – Whish body products are exactly what’s missing — that rich, creamy shaving cream that comes (get this) in a JAR just like his! They have three scents now: pomegranate, almond and lemongrass. It’s so cute and they have a body brush as well. There are customized crystal body brushes made with Swarovski crystals for those glam divas that just can’t say no to sparkly products. Finally women can get a taste of what he does every other day – brush and all. It’s so cute – I wonder if anyone else will catch on!

Los Angeles is heating up, but not in a good way. This past week, Los Angeles experienced a record breaking heat wave, which caused rolling blackouts. The sudden spike in temperature means that it is more important than ever to apply sunscreen religiously to prevent premature aging and skin cancer.

Unfortunately for Angelenos, the world’s most effective sunscreen ingredient, Mexoryl, is banned by the FDA and is unavailable for purchase in the US. Mexoryl blocks out Ultraviolet A radiation, which causes premature aging of the skin. Mexoryl is used in virtually all sunscreens sold in Europe, Asia, and South America.

So why is the US lagging behind when it comes to sun protection?

Reebok has a new line in the works, and can you guess who the face attached to it belongs to? If you’re thinking of an athlete, you’re totally wrong. If the person on your mind is a rapper, try again. This line’s celeb endorsement will come from the voluptuous vixen, Scarlett Johansson. Though it hasn’t been said whether or not she’ll be involved in the design process, she’s signed to a multiyear contract in the development and marketing of “Scarlett ‘Hearts’ RBK.” Scheduled to debut in spring 2007 at high end department stores and boutiques worldwide, the line will consist of “fashion-forward, athletic inspired footwear and apparel.”

Cosmoprof North America is the premier trade show for entrepreneurs to debut their beauty products. As I made my way through the maze of face moisturizers and flat irons for the hair, I thought I had seen it all. Until I stumbled upon a black booth with a shaggy white carpet, all the ladies were wearing shirts that asked, “Is Your Betty Ready?”

Not only is the question personal, but my Betty is taken care of by a really nice Russian women that has a waxing salon on Sunset Blvd. so what do you want to do with mine? Betty Beauty wants to color my hair down there, whether your Betty is brown and you want it blonde or your Betty is starting to gray and you want to keep it black, there is a Betty Beauty color for you.

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Join the Pierce Mattie team as they launch Fire Island the new fragrance by Bond No. 9

The party is from 3pm to 6pm this Saturday August 5th.
Located at: 458 Ocean Walk.
The cross street is Fisherman's Way.
DJ Lina will be spinning. Absolute Vodka will be our sponsor.

Please email Kristen@PierceMattie.com to RSVP or call 212-243-1431 for more information.

With the popular show Weeds now a nationwide hit, we have seen the return of Hemp to retail in more ways than one. I have actually been seeing more and more products pop up again. I remember a couple of years ago when Hemp was big in accessories-remember those chokers that caused massive “ichiness” and left your neck red and disturbed? I don’t know what was worse, the trend over all or the fact that once it was tied on, it was almost impossible to remove without cutting it!

Anyway, I have actually been working with a line called Hemp—it is a hair care line, a not to toot my own clients horn, it is actually pretty fabulous. The packaging is great and it smells pretty good. I ended up sending the sets to the cast of Weeds to celebrate season 2—don’t miss it! Not only does beauty have Hemp lines, but I saw on MTV.com today that interior designer Jessica Helgerson has opted to use hemp, in her designs (along with other environmentally friendly materials.) She says she has been inspired by all of the scary environmental truths that have come about lately (i.e. Al Gore’s book) I think this concept is great—not only is hemp a pop culture favorite but it can also help save the Earth! What do you think about that Mr. President?

Actress/model Pamela Anderson is teaming up with hair care giant Bed Head to launch a line of eth