Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder--Product of the Week

Although the official start of Summer isn't for a few more weeks, it feels like it is already here. A perfect fragrance to "let the sun shine in" every single day from now on until the Summer is gone (and into the Winter) is a sensational new scent: Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skinscent $49.50 3.4 fl. oz. by Estee Lauder. Some say this limited edition scent is meant to be a replacement for the popular Tom Ford-designed "Azurée Soleil," but I'd never call this sensational scent a "replacement" for anything! It's a solo hit all on it's own, without any additional association.

The clear rectangular bottle with shiny gold cap and an eye-catching bulls eye of orange, turquoise and beige, bears the "Bronze Goddess" name in the middle.

The scent itself is appropriate for summer--a "beachy gourmand." While I usually think of some of the notes as being classic for cooler weather, this blend simply alights softly on your skin and blends with your body chemistry. Top notes are: coconut milk, sandalwood, vanilla, vetiver, myrrh (and that could be intense) but it is sassed up with a citrus heart of golden amber, juicy mandarin, Sicilian bergamot, lemon blend, and pulpy orange . The beachy, summer vibe comes from the subtle, caramel-y, creamy coconut, and a floral bottom of exotic Tiare flower, Jasmine, Magnolia petals, orange flower buds, and fresh lavender.

What I like so much about Bronze Goddess is that it really is unusual. It reminds me of some of the exotic, spicy, tropical scents you might find in Hawaii, instead of the light and fruity florals, or overly-vanilla-y or musk-y scents that are related, but not more than distant cousins. This one lands light as a kiss, and begs others to come closer, to take in the florals and spice. While it's a bit hard to categorize, it's definitely complex, subtle, almost buttery, delicious!

Although the scent lasts a long time, you can layer it with Bronze Goddess Scented Body Oil Spray $29.50 3.4 fl. oz. , alas, also a limited edition (so stock up). You'll be reminded of the warmth of the sun, and a beautiful day at the beach, even when the ski jackets come out of storage. I'm not usually a fan of hydrating oils, but this one is great. The dry oil formula means it won't feel sticky or greasy on your skin, but it will make even sun-parched skin feel soothed, hydrated, and smoother. It will also leave that lovely, sunshine-y scent to linger on your skin.

Spray Bronze Goddess on before you put on that sundress --you will feel like a goddess-- bronzed or not.

Does the Sex and the City Movie make women buy on Ebay?

I have heard so much hype surrounding the new, Sex and the City movie opening at the end of the week, but I admit, I can't wait to see it--SATC has been a "gilty" pleasure even in re-runs. And, let's face it, SATC has influenced fashion so much that I'm sure it will once again have women running to buy Manolos and name-chain pendants.


how are are the women of Sex and the City’s stylish habits affecting American women’s purchasing patterns?

Women who like Carrie's style love her range of uptown chic to whimsy to sex kitten (stilettos are a staple and she can usually be seen with a flirty floral accent) . Over the past month on eBay, sales of Flower accessories and handbags increased 21% ; Sales of Manolo Blahnik shoes increased 64% ;

Women who like Samantha's style--she exudes sexy confidence through strong styles and bold color. Over the past month on eBay, sales of brightly colored women’s clothing increased 174% ;
Sales of La Perla intimates increased 19%

Women who like Charlotte's sweet, preppy style - she loves bows, cute prints and feminine styles play up the kind nature of her character. Over the past month on eBay, sales of Preppy women’s clothing increased 6% ; Sales of Ralph Lauren women’s clothing increased 13%

Women who like Miranda's style--a mix of sophisticated mom look with chic corporate suits and androgynous styles. Over the past month on eBay, sales of menswear women’s clothing increase 61% ; Sales of Helmut Lang women’s clothing increased 29% ;

**all data represents sales on eBay from 4/18/08 to 5/16/08**

eBay Style Director Constance White says: "Style-wise, "Sex and the City" was the most influential fashion program of our time. It's no surprise that the movie is hotly anticipated by fashion lovers everywhere. Everyone wants to see where the ladies and the show's fifth character - the fashions - are almost 10 years later.

When the new, Sex and the City movie opens in a few days, we'll all know for sure what's hot (and what's not)

Time to Tune Up Your Active Wardrobe? Try Nike ACG and Reebok

*updated from Wednesday, May 14, 2008 with new photos!

Last November I went to a Nike ACG launch for Fall/Winter 2007 . I was there to see the debut of the NIKE ACG "All Conditions Gear" collection of high-peformance outwear, exclusive to Dicks Sporting Goods stores http://www.advicesisters.net/2007/11/nike-acg-outdoor-apparel-debuts-on-nyc .


Now it's Spring, and it's time to shed the Nike ACG ski jackets and start thinking about warmer weather and how to protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays. Luckily, the new, Nike ACG collection for Spring 2008 from Dicks Sporting Goods stores has has a wealth of casually chic clothing that covers you (literally and figuratively). The prices are modest, ranging from $35.00 for a women's Pocono Tech Tee ($35.00) to $95.00 (for rain jackets and shells).


The ACG line features everything from socks and gloves to pants, to shorts, to shirts and jackets so you can clothe yourself from head to toe. The colors are fashionable and coordinated so you can mix and match and layer to suit whatever conditions and activity you're into. But there's function built into the style. For example, the technology of some of the fabrics, that will shield your body from the sun's rays up to UPF30! One of these pieces that I really love in the Nike ACE line for this season is the Women's Pearl Lake Polo $40.00 that protects you up to UPF 30+! That's amazing! But the shirt isn't just a dull, ho-hum protector. It's a luxurious, soft-as-a-kitten, certified organic cotton Tee with a collar, and some ruching in the front for style, and a snap (at the V'd front) so you can cover up for work, and open the snap to show just a bit more, if you wish. The cap sleeve tee is slightly dressier than a regular Tee, so it works with everything from jeans to a casual suit or jacket, and it comes in four modern and wearable colors: Medium Brown, Sail (beige), Blue Chill (light blue) and Pink Clau (medium rose). There's a Cliff Side Henley $40.00 that protects to UPF 30+. It has seven small buttons down the frony and fancy stitching around the placket, collar and sleeves. Also of 200% organic cotton (grown without pesticides or fertilizers, if being "green" is important to you). And, speaking of green, the Cliff Side Henly comes in blue, pink and beige, and also a nice khaki green called "Chlorophyll." For layering there's an UV Protectant UPF30+ Leisurly Layering Tank $35.00 in solids with subtle stripes: "Industrial Blue" (navy), Pink Clay, Sail, "Tweed" (taupe) and two designs of subtle print in either chlorophyll, or Sail. The tank is generously sized so you'll be cool and comfortable, even if you're layering.


Of course, these products are for active people, so the products also features bennies to keep you looking and performing your best, such as the moisture wicking, great for layering, slightly tapered design of the Pocono Women's Tee $35.00 with Nike Dri-FIT to keepyou cool and comfy, even if you're climbing a mountain or trekking through a hot, humid terrain.

Not every woman feels comfortable in shorts, so I suggest the Reebok Relaxed Crop Pants $28.00 with a stretch waistbands and internal draw-string, plus elegantly draping cropped legs, as an alternative. Made of 90% cotton and 10% spandex, these pants will look and feel comfy even after you've washed them dozens and dozens of times. A small, Reebok "Glitter Vector" logo at the top of the left leg shows your good taste in action wear! It comes in Black and Brown from size XS to XL.

FOR THE GUYS: There are also a range of Tech Tops , including the sun-protecting Ridge Stripe Polo $40.00 with the same, luxe, super-soft 100% certified organic cotton as the ladies top, and the same UPF 30+ protection. But his has a two button packet and looks like a designer polo (no would could ever tell it does a body good, too). It comes in subtle stripes in: New Slate, Dark Cinder and Birch (essentially grey, maroon and blue) with solid color collar, beautifully reinforced inside with soft cotton to keep the collar looking new and making it soft against his neck. The sleeves are slightly slit at the bottom so he can roll them up a tad, or just allow for a bit more movement during strenuous activities. The Rough Creek Polo UPF30+ $40.00 is similar but it has non-slit sleeves and comes in: Khaki, New Slate, Treeline, Dark Copper, Solar Flare, and Barn.

For anyone who refuses to wear SPF protection, these shirts (and shorts, skorts and jackets) are a must-have! For those who want extra protection, this is a way to get it without having to lug around creams and lotions. You'll look amazing, and be doing a good thing to save your skin, too.


Get these at the 315 Dicks Sporting Goods Stores in 34 states, or at http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/

Lisa Hoffman Skincare-Advice Sisters Product of the Week

Last weekend at the Total Beauty Blog Summit 2008, I not only got a fantastic makeover from celebrity hairstylist Dusty Simington from Salon Gregories (he is also founder of Kronos Hair products), but I had a spa facial with products from Lisa Hoffman Skincare's new spa line. The products are incredible (and if they're not yet available on the market, they soon will be). But Lisa Hoffman Skincare also has a line that's out and ready, and it's amazing.


For years, Lisa Hoffman, traveled frequently with her husband, Dustin Hoffman, when he was on location making movies. Lisa couldn't find a good way to pack her beauty products, so she developed a system of portable skincare and named it Lisa Hoffman Skincare. She found an ampoule system with air-tight, single-use containers that are sized, named and numbered for single use day and night use. The products stay fresh and since they're , so the product is lab-fresh when you use it.


The Lisa Hoffman Night and Day Packette $25.00 includes a full day and evening of skincare, but it is generously sized so you might have some left over for the next day ro so. These all arrive in a clear, zip-lock-type bag with two individual sets of five, single-use packets of skin products. They have twist off caps so you can re-seal each portion for later use, although it's guaranteed fresh is you use if newly opened.


The DAY set includes a cleaner, toner, day moisturizer SPF 15, day eye cream and day lip conditioner. The NIGHT set includes a night cleanser, Vitamin A&C Serum, Night Cream, Night Eye Cream and Night Lip Serum. The products are best suited for women with normal to dry skin. The Lip Conditioners are clear gels, and some of the best we've ever tired. Each product has some of the most potent ingredients available to protect skin from environmental damage and reduce the effects of aging. Some ingredients include: BVOSC (a powerful form of Vitamin C), Matrixyl 3000 (reducing the depth of wrinkles and improving skin tone), and Dermaxyl (to smooth wrinkles and repair skin damage). Natural extracts such as white tea, jojoba and olive oils also help to moisturize. At $20.00 per day, this can be a pricey way to handle your skin care needs, but with airline restrictions (and now the possibility that airlines will charge for checked baggage), small and clean doses of product to bring in your carry-on is an even better idea than ever before. Full sized version of each product are also available in air-tight, metered dosage pumps $30.00-$125.00


My favorite product (although they're all great) is the multi-tasking Lisa Hoffman Day Cream SPF 15 $75.00 1 fl. oz. The rich, luxe moisturizing cream comes in a super-slim while column with shiny silver accents and a silver pump top. The cream feels amazingly soothing, but it absorbs quickly, and leaves nothing but softness behind. I also like that it has SPF 15 and a wealth of anti-aging ingredients that clearly spelled out: Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract.


These products are not "drugstore" but if you love a product that does more than one thing to help your skin, and protects with SPF, you'll be motivated to use it. That, is priceless! You will look forward to treating yourself every day and your skin will reap the benefits.


The line also has a pampering, Daily Bath Care Packette $25.00 featuring generously sized, single-serve ampoules of Bath Soak, Body Wash, Body Polisher, Body Cream, and Hand & Foot Butter. All are lightly and luxuriously fragrances. The hand a foot cream is just the thing to treat yourself after a long day (on the road, or not). The products are refreshing, soothing with lovely, light fragrances. You can't help but feel better after you're cleansed off the day's stresses, or just sweat and grime. Your skin will feel great. These are so superior to what you'll find at the gym, your weekend hosts house (unless s/he uses very high end products) or in even most popular hotels, so treat yourself to a packette when you travel, and you'll feel that life is good, no matter where you are.

Your body is exposed to so much more sun, sand, wind and heat, and that's why I also love The Spa Shower Packette $25.00 that offers travel-sized ampules of Lisa Hoffman Cleansing Gel, Body Scrub, Body Oil, Body Lotion and Hand and Foot Cream (you also can buy them in full sized containers for home use, too). The packettes are meant to be used quickly, but if you don't use everything up in a day and night, you can certainly keep an open one use able for a short time more. A zip-lock type plastic pouch totes the products nicely...it might pass muster in your carry on bag if you take the pouch out and put separately in a security bin. Better yet, just put the entire pouch in your luggage--the zip lock bag and sealed ampules means you won't find a messy "surprise" at the end of your journey. My favorite is the fresh-smelling Cleansing Gel (full sized version $25.00 4 oz) that leaves skin soft, refreshed, and total cleansed from suntan oil/lotions, heat and sweat.

You don't have to be a star (or a star's wife) to love feel pampered and protected with these products. Indulge!

Ouidad's hair poll- curls have it--interesting statistics about hair!

I just wanted to share these interesting hair statistics with you, taken from a recent poll conducted on Ouidad.com:

1. Which process gives you better curls?
Blow Drying: 24% (157)
Air Drying: 76% (496)

2. Do you use a different product regimen in the summer versus the winter?
Yes: 42% (109)
No, same products all year: 58% (152)

3. If you could change one thing about your hair what would it be?
Texture: 46% (159)
Color: 11% (39)
Length: 27% (93)
Feel: 15% (53)

4. What do you love most about your hair?
Texture: 37% (73)
Color: 22% (44)
Length: 25% (50)
Feel: 17% (33)

5. Have you ever gotten such a bad haircut it made you cry?
Yes: 88% (275)
No: 12% (39)

6. How long do you usually spend styling your hair?
1-5 minutes: 24% (90)
5-10 minutes: 32% (118)
10-20 minutes: 25% (91)
More than 20 minutes: 19% (70)

7. When you are in a hurry, what is your go-to style?
Down: 27% (88)
Ponytail: 65% (211)
Under a hat: 8% (27)

8. Do you feel more confident with curly hair or straight hair?
Curly: 65% (198)
Straight: 35% (106)

9. Do you feel more attractive with curly hair or straight hair?
Curly: 68% (236)
Straight: 32% (112)

10. Would you be more likely to wear your hair straight or curly for a job interview?
Curly: 68% (249)
Straight: 32% (115)

11. Would you be more likely to wear your hair straight or curly for a big night out?
Curly: 74% (321)
Straight: 26% (113)

12. Would you be more likely to wear your hair straight or curly for a first date?
Curly: 80% (235)
Straight: 20% (60)

13. Would you be more likely to wear your hair straight or curly for a night out with the girls?
Curly: 76% (335)
Straight: 24% (106)

14. Do you get more attention when your hair is curly or straight?
Curly: 70% (230)
Straight: 30% (100)

15. What is your biggest hair complaint?
Frizz: 67% (277)
Flat hair: 15% (61)
Static: 0% (2)
Oily hair: 0% (1)
Dry hair: 17% (72)

16. Would you ever permanently straighten your hair?
Yes: 21% (78)
No: 79% (285)

17. Have you ever been teased about your curly hair?
Yes: 76% (244)
No: 24% (77)

18. Are you more attracted to people with curly or straight hair?
Curly: 70% (146)
Straight: 30% (63)

19. How much do you spend monthly on hair products?
Less than $5: 5% (12)
$5 to $15: 18% (43)
$15 to $25: 33% (76)
$25 to $50: 23% (53)
More than $50: 21% (49)

20. Are you brand loyal?
Yes: 75% (169)
No: 25% (55)

21. What would you consider a curl-tastrophy?
A total frizz-out: 41% (156)
A half-flat head: 13% (51)
A bad hair cut from someone who doesn't understand curls: 45% (169)
Being called "Shirley!": 1% (3)

22. Whose celebrity curls do you most admire?
Nicole Kidman: 31% (109)
Julianne Margolies: 19% (67)
Jordin Sparks: 14% (48)
Iman: 6% (20)
Maria Menounos: 8% (28)
Paula Abdul: 3% (9)
Minnie Driver: 20% (71)

23. What do you love most about your curls?
They suit my face: 17% (41)
They suit my personality: 36% (88)
They are easy to care for: 14% (35)
They are easy to style: 7% (18)
They get attention: 25% (61)

24. What do you love least about your curls?
They don't suit my face: 17% (53)
They aren't easy to care for: 37% (113)
They are hard to style: 41% (127)
They don't fit my personality: 5% (14)

25. Do your curls look best when you first do them or later in the day?
First thing: 63% (211)
Later in the day: 37% (125)

26. What is the one product you can’t live without?
Deep Conditioner: 26% (66)
Daily Conditioner: 23% (58)
Shampoo: 2% (5)
Styling Product: 32% (79)
De-Frizzer: 17% (42)

27. What do you think your curls say about you?
Sexy: 28% (65)
Smart: 2% (5)
Low Maintenance: 19% (44)
Carefree: 17% (40)
Individualistic: 29% (67)
Lucky: 6% (13)

28. How important is getting the right haircut for your curls?
Very important: 91% (300)
Somewhat important: 8% (25)
Not so important: 1% (2)
Not important at all: 0% (1)
29. Do you buy hair products created specifically for your hair type or condition?
Yes: 92% (245)
No: 8% (21)

30. How often do you wash your hair?
Daily: 29% (124)
Every 2 or 3 days: 55% (236)
Once a week: 13% (56)
Less than once a week: 3% (14)

31. How often do you get professional blow-outs?
Weekly: 6% (11)
Every 2 or 3 weeks: 2% (4)
Monthly: 9% (18)
Only on special occasions: 83% (158)

32. Who does your hair better?
I do: 75% (213)
My stylist does: 25% (70)

33. Do you think your hair stylist really understands your hair?
Yes: 25% (52)
No: 75% (158)
34. Do you wish your stylist understood your curls better?
Yes: 97% (273)
No: 3% (9)

35. Does your stylist embrace your curls or try to blow them straight?
He/She embraces my curls: 54% (104)
He/She tries to blow them straight: 46% (87)

total beauty summit - home again

I'm back home after spending three amazing days in Los Angeles with blogger-members of totalbeauty.com What a fantastic experience this has been! The sumit was officially over on Sunday afternoon, but since I had a Monday flight, I wandered downstairs in the evening to get some dinner and go to the Starbucks. I wasn't wearing any makeup, and had on my exercise duds. Of course I thought no one would see me, but I broke the golden rule not to go out in public, unprepared. In the lobby, I ran into a group of much more elegant beauty bloggers(including Erika Valente at Total Beauty, Elke von Freudenberg (Beauty Blog Network) and Julia (All About the Pretty) who were getting ready to head for the airport...each with a huge box of "beauty booty." I wasn't was prepared as these savvy ladies, and had to stuff my loot in every nook and cranny of my suitcase, purse, and laptop bag...but it was worth it!


I am having some difficulties with my blogger program today, although I want to post more photos of the totalbeauty.com blogger's summit, and this is a bit frustrating, but I'm hoping all will be resolved shortly. I am hoping to get the "before and after" photos of my hair makeover that I was amazingly fortunate to get during Saturday's summit at Intelligent Beauty (courtesy of celebrity hair guru Dusty, whose reality show we all cannot wait to see when it starts in the Fall). I did have two photos on my cell phone from the beauty blogger's brunch on Sunday that I managed to upload to Flickr.

www.flickr.com Foffner's bloggers brunch photoset

We were at the Ayres Hotel, sitting in the sun (but with umbrellas to protect us at least a little bit from the sun's rays), enjoying a lovely bruch and getting to know one another a little bit better. Sitting with me: celebrity makeup artist Agostina from makeup2beauty, Marsadie from Frappelattes, Cailin from The Beauty Bunny and Phyllis Li from MakeupForLife
. Thanks to Chloe from Totalbeauty.com for taking the photos from my blackberry pearl-pinch-hitting as a camera

Best Part of the TotalBeauty.com summit? Meeting all these amazing, beautiful, intelligent, entrepreneurial and charming women was the absolute best part of the weekend. There's nothing better than meeting people who love to do what you love to do (in this case, write about beauty) and who are talented and friendly. I got a chance to chat a bit more with Agostina (in the hot pink top from Makeup2Beauty) who won a special achievement award from TotalBeauty.com for the work she does as a celebrity makeup artist, and a blogger; Annie Fritz (jet Set Girls--with red hair still much prettier than even Dusty could make mine); Phyllis Li (Makeup for Life); and the adorable Calin Honeycutt (The Beauty Bunny) who gives Texas women (and the rest of us) a special view of beauty. I hope we will all find ways to keep in touch, as we come from all part of the United States and Canada.

I have a mountain of things to put away, and lots of email to answer...so more, later!

TotalBeauty.com Blog Community Summit

This weekend I flew to Los Angeles to attend the first TotalBeauty.com's Blog Community Summit. Total beauty Media, operator of TotalBeauty.com, the most comprehensive online catalog of beauty products for women, is hosting this unique event in partnership with for some of the nation’s top beauty bloggers. The AdviceSisters finally had the chance to meet some of the creative writers and producers of super-popular blogs such as Tia Williams (Shake Your Beauty), Anne Fritz (Jet Set Girls), Nadine Habosh (Jolie-Nadine), and Annie Tomlin (PopSugar/Bella Sugar). The photo here is of the very informative (and excellent) panel.

The Advice Sisters recently joined TotalBeauty.Com. Although I have been online for a long, long time, this is the first online community/organization that I have ever joined. I did so because I think Total Beauty.com "gets" what is happening online, and has vision and creativity. In fact, In just five months, TotalBeauty.com has become one of the top beauty destinations on the web for women. The Advice Sisters blogs joins a blogger community of over 120 beauty bloggers and beauty-related sites that collectively generate over 1.2 million monthly unique visitors. That's an astounding amount of people who want to read what the Advice Sisters and other bloggers, are writing about.

It's been a long two days, and I'm in my hotel room trying to post this from a borrowed laptop that I'm not used to typing on, so I'm not going to go into too much detail right now except to tell you that the amount of information and camraderie generated in the beautiful office of Intelligent Beauty today, is unlike anything I've experienced anywhere else when it comes to the Internet. This is a awesome opportunity for bloggers and beauty writers to learn about new brands, talk about trends, get inspired. I expected to come away from this beauty summit with some products to try and some business cards, but I'm also incredibly lucky--I was picked for a makeover from celebrity hairstylist Dusty Simington from Salon Gregories and founder of Kronos Hair products. I am now a redhead (auburn with copper highlights, actually) which is pretty startling, but gorgeous!

I will hopefully get a new head shot and I'll post it here...the transformation is pretty astounding!

Most of the bloggers are at a club in Venice Beach tonight, but I stayed at the Hotel and had dinner with my cousin Jon, because I don't get to see him very often, and, well...family first. But I did go to a lovely cocktail party and dinner at the offices of Intelligent Beauty last night. The photo at the top of the page shows some of the TotalBeauty.com bloggers at the opening night cocktail party. More photos to follow!

LIVE from the glammies--Glamour Gals Doing Good For Grandmas (and the world)

I am blogging Live from Loft 11 on 37th Street in NYC, where I am attemping to write this from my tiny Blackberry Pearl (and it isn't easy). I am here for THE GLAMMIES--an annual event recognizing the achievements of young girls who are involved in Glamour Gals chapters. GlamourGals is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering inter generational relationships. There are teen chapters of this organization all over the Country. The girls regularly visit local senior homes to give complimentary facials and makeovers and to make compassionate connections with elderly women (and some men) who otherwise might be alone. These amazing, beautiful, enthusiastic, energetic, young women could be sitting at their computers on MySpace or shopping or doing something for themselves,. Instead, they are making a commitment to reach out to others and to give of themselves. Their connections with the seniors they visit brings mutual friendship, understanding, and joy. But as I chatted before the awards ceremony started with "Erin" and "Danielle," two girls from a New Jersey Glamour Gals Chapter, I realized that these young women get something even more important from their experiences with the organization--they realize that they matter--that their efforts make a difference --they begin to feel their own power (even at an age when frustration about the future and lack of Independence is obvious).



5/9/08: it's the next day...my attempt at live blogging was challenging and I'm editing this, my last night's post to give you more information about the Glamour Gals annual "Glammies" event and their very worthwhile and inspiring organization. See below:


I am familiar with "The Glammies" as Glamour Magazine's Annual Beauty Awards, but this "Glammies" event was something entirely different...

Rachel Doyle (she's the one in the pink dress being interviewed) is a young woman who looks like an A-list actress, but this ultra-feminine looking young woman is an intelligent, powerful entrepreneur who (at the astounding age of 17) founded Glamour Gals. Just a student in high school, when most girls are just thinking about themselves, and perhaps, boys, she created this organization in homage to her Grandmother. Last night, choking with emotion, she mentioned her grandmother had recently passed away. Rachel kept the organization going (and growing) throughout her years as a student at Cornell. Today, she manages the non-profit as a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Policy Analysis and Management.

Not surprisingly, she was profiled by the media everywhere including Oprah, and she was named one of the first "CosmoGirls of the Year" by CosmoGirl Magazine.


The young girls who are the backbone of the outreach to seniors are honored at an annual event, the "Glammies." Last night's 4th annual Glamour in the City "Glammy" event featured an elegant, pe-reception with the sounds of smooth jazz by "elizabeth." As the music played, a large display of cakes, cookies and cupcakes by Sweet Street Desserts, and cocktails featuring Patron Tequilas and Pom Pomegranate juice, made for a waist-expanding experience. Of course, there were raffles to benefit Glamour Gals, including Neissing Rings and Jewelry from Two Sisters *the AdviceSisters have reviewed Two Sisters designs in our past "What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review columns. The girls also got an eyeful of dresses from Chloe and Reese (I think the bouffant, pink dress Rachel Doyle wore last night might have been one of their designs).


CBS news correspondent/anchor Tracy Smith (who mentioned that she'd just had twins recently and this was her first evening out) opened the awards ceremony. Also among the presenters was Kristen Nelson, Vice president of Business Development at Total Beauty Media, Inc. ( the AdviceSisters have recently joined the Total Beauty Bloggers).

And after a few short speaches, it was time for the Glammies. One by one, the young girls (and a few adult Glamour Gals supporters) stepped up to the microphone to accept awards for the volunteer work they do, as a genuine labor of love. It's obvious that Rachel Doyle is a tremendous role model. I am sure that the teen volunteers look up to her and many of them will take away life's lessons from her as well as from the seniors they visit. Hopefully, at least some of them will walk in her footsteps to success.

Although I never did get a chance to talk personally to Rachel last night (she was simply surrounded by people all evening) I did have an opportunity to talk to some members of the Glamour Gals board. One women (a former college professor) talked about Rachel with such warmth and respect, I thought she might have been a relative! Each sponsor and adult supporter spoke about Rachel and the organization with so much affection.


The Advice Sisters focus on adult beauty and fashion, ut I was intrigued by this organization. I dragged myself there (literally) after a very long day, because I really wanted to get a sense of what Glamour Gals was all about. My father, who spent the last five years of his life in an assisted living facility and then briefly in a nursing home, passed away this March at age 88. Both he and his elderly female friend (age 95) were so lonely and bored most of the time. If you are elderly and "able" you can still arrange your own entertainment, but for those who are mentally and/or physically unable to do so, life drags on without variation. It is easy to see how elderly seniors lose self esteem and their sense of worth. Organizations like Glamour Gals really do help the elderly feel wanted and appreciated...and that's so incredibly important (we will all be elderly some day if we live long enough...)!

The Glamour Gals slogan is: "smiles that span generations." There were scrapbooks from some of the Glamour Gals chapters showing lots of senior (and junior) smiles. I had no idea what to expect, but Rachel and her teen participants and the Glamour Gals organization truly inspired me. I hope you will check out their web site http://www.glamourgals.org/ and support them. If you are an adult, help your teens start a local chapter to reach out to the elderly in your neighborhoods. If you are a teen reading this, why not volunteer?!!

Keri Glassman gives busy women easy ways to eat healthier

My Saturday, May 3rd post featured things you can eat that are just 1oo calories: http://www.advicesisters.net/2008/05/what-can-you-eat-thats-100-calories The information is part of the May issue of Women’s Health (on newsstands now) featuring their very first FOOD FLIP issue, where one side of the magazine has regular Women's Health articles, but turn it over and upside down, and the other side has food-related topics!

Today, I had the pleasure of spending my lunch hour with beauty and fitness editors and bloggers at the Women's Health offices, to hear Keri Glassman M.S., R.D., C.D.N. (and she's on staff of Womens' Health magazine as well as being an author, and a nutritionist with a consulting practice). Keri shows us a number of quick and easy ways to health healthy food, even when we're strapped for time, on a budget, or simply uninspired with our normal diets.

Keri started by giving us 10 tips to add good nutrition to our snacks and meals, from the Women's Health Food Flip issue. Some of the ones I really liked are:

*swap thick, rich, Greek Yogurt for Mayo in salads and sandwiches. There's a lot less fat and calories, and it still gives that creamy feeling to a dry chicken breast! Keri told us that adding yogurt to meat also tenderizes it.

*add horseradish or cinnamon to your cottage cheese --zips it up and makes it into a dip--transforming that ho-hum staple into something fun and exciting.

*puree things...veggies can be used in soups and sauces, and frozen pureed fruit is a "sorbet-like" snack that's healthy. Keri says she purchases the clear wrappers that are used in frozen ice sticks (so unhealthy and sugary) and fills them with pureed banana for her daughter. The kids think the sticks are fun to eat, but they're not getting all the food coloring and sugar. She eats hers in a cup (with some crushed peanuts on top for a "sundae").

*blending food gives it volume and makes you feel more full.

*sip green tea while you're cooking--keeps the hunger pangs and tasting demons, down.

*cook with chicken broth (preferably low sodium) for added taste.


Keri showed us lots of staples that we can all store in the kitchen, so when the urge to splurge on junk food or high calorie treats, strikes, we are prepared. Here are some of my favorites:


*have staples such as a can of beans, salsa and wraps (preferably whole wheat or something with high fiber) in the house. When you get home late and you can't wait for dinner, instead of nuking that frozen thing in a box, microwave a pre-cooked chicken breast from your freezer (or buy pre-cooked chicken), toss with beans and salsa...instant burrito!!! Other ways to make a quick meal are to use pre-cooked chicken with veggies, or get a roast chicken and freeze the pieces, serve with a salad or veggies.

Keep a pictcher of water in your fridge with lemon, orange, raspberry...any kind of fruit floating in it. The fruit gives it a bit of taste, and the presentation makes you want to drink that, instead of soda or sugary fruit juices.

Somewhat discouraging was Keri's thumbs down to 100 calorie snack packages. She applauds the portion control, but says that most of them are just pre-packaged "junk." My favorite treat these days is a crispy apple sliced thin, with a drizzle (not a dollop) of almond or peanut butter (thin it out so your drizzle goes farther) and another drizzle of Blue Agave syrup (you can use honey, but agave is lighter and sweeter) on top.

For other substitutions for 100 calorie snacks, check out Food Flip in Women's Health and my blog post: http://www.advicesisters.net/2008/05/what-can-you-eat-thats-100-calories

If you're not a regular reader of Womens' Health Magazine you'll want to pick up a copy. Swimsuit and shorts season is nearly here! But Women's Health Magazine also has has an amazing web site: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/ where you can sign up and be part of an amazing community. The site has a dizzying array of new items every single days, with contests, feedback, games, news, and topics ranging Sex & Relationships ,Nutrition ,Weight Loss ,Health , Beauty & Style ,Life ,and of course, Fitness (with some great video ho-to's). And, the Editors apparently really do listen to reader feedback and respond with new items online and in the magazine. It's free to become a member of the community....as soon as I finish this post, I'm going to sign on..so see you there!

Tracey Cunningham --colorist to the stars, shares Summer and Fall color trends...and more about hair, color, and consistency!

Tracey Cunningham is a petite woman with a bubbly personality who reminds me a teeny bit of Bernadette Peters, but she isn't in anyone's shadow. She's a star in her own right, as a hair colorist with celebrities with names like Lindsay, Nicole, Jennifer (Lopez), Amanda, Renee and Cameron. Her high profile clients love and trust her with their precious tresses (at the Neil George salon in Beverly Hills), but she also does freelance hair color work for film, TV and print, and she is Redken's Creative Consultant For Color .

Last night I had the chance to listen to Tracey tell us (a group of beauty editors and bloggers) what color trends she sees for Summer and Fall 2008. Her three, beautiful models were brunette, blonde, and red haired.


What's Up For Summer? For Summer Tracey suggests a "beachy" look that is not too light, but a bit lighter on the ends. "In the Spring," says Tracey, "Everyone wants to go lighter." "The very front of your hair is what people see and it frames your face so you can go lighter there" says added.

What's Up for Fall? For Fall, lowlights help you make an easy transition. "People are doing less drastic changes and sticking to their own color" she said. But Tracey told us she punched up the color on all her models, using Shades EQ (an in-salon conditioning-glossing-coloring treatment featuring long-lasting no-ammonia demi-permanent haircolor in intensities beginning with just a clear gloss). For example, on her blonde model, she added lowlights that were a bit darker at the roots and woven through the sides and back. The look was natural, and although the model was blonde, it wasn't overdone.


What do we really want? "Rich, Glossy, Health Hair" says Tracey. Her three models all had shiny hair, but it looked real, not lacquered or "striped" with faux highlights. Her Brunette model's hair had shine and dimension, with softer pieces around her face that looked as if she might have been born with them. The redheaded model, according to Tracey, was a strawberry blonde that she deepened into a more auburn shade "like Julie Roberts."



Lindsay Lohan





How To Work With With a Colorist to the Stars (or any colorist). "My ideal client is someone who likes herself and has confidence" says Tracey. She also said it helps to bring visuals. So don't just say I want Julianne Moore's color, bring a photo or two two show her exactly what you mean. And it helps to be realistic. You may bring a photo of Angelina to your stylist, but you are not going to look like her no matter what you do, and the look might not be flattering to you or good for your hair type and skin tone. *this just happened to a good friend of mine, who showed me a photo of a model with long, piecey bangs and a layered shaggy look, but she wears glasses and the long bangs were impossible to wear with her specs. By the time the stylist made those bangs short enough, the "edgy" look she wanted had vanished with a lot of her hair!



Tracey also said she likes clients who are consistent in what they want. Oh, and contrary to what I have been taught (about making sure your hair is clean -- or at least fairly clean--before going to the colorist) it's best to condition before you go to the colorist and leave your hair dirty so your scalp and hair don't get more irritated.


Can Color Banish Frizz? Alas, there appears to be no foolproof way to keep frizz under control for long periods of time. The Brazillian hair straightening technique isn't at all safe (two thumbs down) and the Japanese straightening technique leaves your crown looking strange as it grows out curly again (not to mention if your hair isn't perfectly cut, it just looks ragged). There are products that help, for a while (I like Glass by Redken and the Redken Smooth Down line) but as Tracey told me (while pointing out the frizz at my temples that I thought I'd tamed before leaving home) that the best way to handle frizz and smooth hair is to learn how to use styling tools correctly (thankfully, she didn't say no to flat irons) and then have the skill, patience, and stamina to use them.


And What About Color Challenges? Tracey says it's obviously easier to know what you want so the color doesn't have to be removed. But it can be done--in steps. Better to listen to your stylist and colorist and modify your desire to go from platinum to ebony, or vice-versa, unless you know you'll really love it and want to keep that look for a long time. But if you do end up doing a disservice to your hair, you can treat it with Redken’s in-salon-only "Chemistry System Hair Recovery Treatment" service. Colorists use the Chemistry System to prepare hair for color and then repair it apres color. The three-step program targets the needs of each individual's hair, and can be customized for shine, deep conditioning, scalp treatment, strength, color, and softening. I hear there is even one to help keep hair smooth and somewhat straight and non-frizzy (on a temporary basis, anyway). *if you want to find a salon in your area that To features the Chemistry System, visit redken.com or call 1-800-REDKEN8.

Check this out! visit http://redkencolor.com/ and check out video clips from Tracey and other color experts. You can see the latest trends, find a salon, learn how to best prepare for your next salon visit, and learn about great Redken products *the Advice Sisters regularly review new products for consumers on our What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html

Product of the Week- A Great Beauty Accessory--Godiva Chocolates

A smile is one of life's best beauty accessories. So make "mom" or anyone you love look more beautiful (especially this Mother's Day May 11th) with something that is sure to bring a smile...chocolate! There are so many brands to choose from, but few are more delicious or luxurious than Godiva. A beautifully wrapped box of Godivas makes everyone smile!

For a really big smile, get her the Godiva Chocolatier's Mother's Day Keepsake Box $65.00 customized to hold 30 assorted truffles, including new and awesome, Mango, Banana Creme and Orange Sorbet pieces. The suede-like covering and drawers for keepsakes means that your gift will be remembered, long after the chocolate is "snarfed."

Also wonderful are the Flower Collection Gift Boxes with multi-colored stripes along the edges and intricate, white, flower details die-cut across the top. I like the Mother's Day Flower Gift Box $35.00 with 27 pieces of dark, milk, and white chocolate ganaches, truffles, caramels, pralines, fruits, and nuts (and Mango Truffle and Orange Sorbet truffles), or the more modest but still delicious Flower Truffle Gift Box $13.50 with six seasonal Mango, Banana Creme and Orange Sorbet Godiva truffles. The slim box is great to store "little treasures" after the chocolate is gone.

These chocolates not only look like pretty, little jewels, but they're delicious. Godiva dark, milk and white chocolate is the creamiest I've ever tasted--perfectly balanced and smooth. My personal favorite is the dark chocolate (the milk and white are yummy too but I just have a thing for dark chocolate and it's full of antioxidants, too). But the fillings are the stars. They're amazing. Each one is unique, full of flavor, never too sweet or sticky. They're a treat for all of your senses.

Come to think of it, while you are ordering something wonderful for Mom, you'd better get something for your own beauty benefit, too! You can still order these in time for Mom's special day, or at department and specialty stores nationwide, by phone (1-800-9-GODIVA) and online (http://www.godiva.com)/.

What Can You Eat That's 100 Calories?

I just got the May issue of Women’s Health (on newsstands now) featuring their very first FOOD FLIP issue, where one side of the magazine has regular Women's Health articles, but turn it over and upside down, and the other side has food-related topics! Although I am not sure why all of a sudden, the grocery store shelves are filled to the brim with 100-calorie snacks (why 100 calories instead of another amount?) but I do love the portion control. Here are some ideas from Women's Health to keep your calories in check:

When it comes to snack time, smaller really is better, these 100-calorie, easy-to-make snacks will satisfy those sweet and salty cravings, and keep your stomach content until your next meal!

Sliced tomato with a sprinkle of feta and olive oil
Lunch left something to be desired? This savory dish will make your taste buds happy

8 Shrimp and Cocktail Sauce (4 Tbsp)
The perfect appetizer – and no one at the table will know you’re counting calories.

Vitamuffin VitaTop
Pop this vitamin-rich fudgy treat before a morning meeting and that Danish won’t look so damn good.

Edamame; ½ cup (measured shelled)
Eating this protein-packed pick-me-up out of the shell will help make the snack last longer.

Quaker Instant Oatmeal (regular flavor)
This speedy fiber- and protein-packed breakfast also makes for a warm, filling snack.

Starbucks Tall Skinny Latte
Score your caffeine fix along with a hunger-crushing 10-gram shot of protein and about a third of your daily calcium needs.

Air-Popped Popcorn (3 cups)
Go ahead, nibble mindlessly as you zone out in front of Bravo. Even if you’re watching trash, you won’t be eating it.

Banana
Naturally prepackaged goodness you can take anywhere, with the added benefit of cramp-preventing potassium.

Yoplait Light Yogurt (fruit flavors)
This bone-building goodie provides 20 percent of your RDA for calcium and vitamin D.

2 Sargento Light String Cheese snacks
Any food you can play with is a great distraction; plus, the protein battles mid-afternoon hunger pangs.

Curves Granola Bar
Stash chocolate-peanut or strawberries-and-cream bars in your glove box to help you resist the lure of the drive-thru when you’re on the road.
Vegetable juice, such as V8 (1 cup), and Oscar Mayer Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast (2 oz)
An antioxidant- and protein- rich hunger-buster.
Raspberries (1 cup) with Plain Yogurt (2 Tbsp) and Honey (1 tsp)
This sweet mix does the job until you can break away from your desk for a full meal.

5 Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Kisses
A cocoa fix that’s equally rich in chocolaty taste and disease’ fighting antioxidants—what more could you want in a snack?

Baby Carrots (1 cup) with Hummus (2 Tbsp)
The crunchy texture keeps choppers busy, and tangy hummus feeds your need for comfort food.

Peanuts (1 Tbsp) and Dried Cranberries (2 Tbsp)
Toss together this pared- down trail mix and pre-measure into plastic baggies.

2 egg whites with 1 slice whole wheat toast
This protein-and-carb duo gives you a light but energizing start when you have a belly- busting lunch on your calendar.

Barbara’s Bakery Cinnamon Puffins cereal (2/3 cup dry)
Keep pre-measured tubs in your desk drawer for an alternative to kettle chips when you’re craving something crunchy.

Turkey Jerky (1¼ oz)
When you must have meat, chew on this low-cal, low-fat power snack.

Strawberries (1 ½ cup) and Cool Whip Free (3 Tbsp)
For a totally guiltless dessert, dish up a bowl of this sweet, fiber-rich combo.

¼ Cantaloupe
Like most fruit, melon contains a lot of water. So you get a lot of food—and beta-carotene for not a lot of calories

3 Amy’s Cheese Pizza Snacks
These hot, crispy, cheesy bites are possibly the most satisfying late-night snack ever.

Frozen Yogurt (1 ½ cup)
When you crave a cool treat, dip into smooth and yummy fro-yo—it’s nowhere near as high-calorie as ice cream.

1 oz Yellowtail and 1 oz Tuna Sashimi with 1 packet Kikkoman Instant Tofu Miso Soup
Have it pre-party: The protein will keep you from wiping out the buffet.

18 Fat-Free Fold Gold Tiny Twists
Kill a carbs-and-salt craving in a single snack session.

Veggie Land Veg-T-Balls (2 ½ oz) with Muir Glen Chunky Tomato Sauce (2 Tbsp)
These low-fat vegetarian bells hit the spot.

Chocolate Milk (1 cup nonfat milk + 1 Tbsp Hershey’s Lite Chocolate Syrup)
Quell your inner cocoa monster end get a hit of calcium.

1 Nutter Butter Granola Bar
This peanut bar tastes like something you’d get from the vending machine, minus the thigh-inflating effects.


Now, let’s really put this into perspective – check out what 100 calories looks like with the treats below. If any of these are your go-to mid-day snack, the next time your stomach is growling you may want to opt for one of the healthier choices above!

Peanut M&M’s
10 candies
They’ve never looked so small before, have they?

McDonald’s French Fries, Large Order
¼ of a serving, or 1 oz
And forget about ketchup.

Papa John’s Pan Crust Cheese Pizza, 12”
About ¼ of 1 slice
Still fattening any way you slice it

Auntie Anne’s Original Pretzel
About ¼ of a pretzel
Don’t get tied up in knots about it.

Bagel, Plain, 4.5”
1/3 of 1 bagel
And that’s without any cream cheese.

Burger King Double Whopper with Cheese
1/10 of 1 burger
There’s almost an entire day’s worth of fat in one sandwich.

Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
2½ Tbsp
You’re going to need a smaller cone.

KFC Hot Wings
1 ¼ wings
Even with the bone in, you don’t get much.

Krispy Kreme Powdered Strawberry-Filled Doughnut
½ of a doughnut
Barely enough to dunk in your coffee.

Sara Lee Original Cream Cheesecake
½ of 1 serving
You can always share your slice with a friend

Live From New York Part II- It's the CEW Beauty Awards for 2008

The CEW Beauty Insider's Choice Awards is one of the highlights of the year in beauty. In my Last Post I shared the 2008 CEW Awards Finalists. Now it's time to share the winners. But before the actual awards ceremony, there's a cocktail hour and a chance for the press to photograph some of the presenters. Here's Kylie Bax, wearing a vintage Chanel dress.


The delightful (and funny) Sex and The City star, Mario Cantone has been the Master of Ceremonies for the past four years. Watch some clips of Mario Cantone at the 2007 Beauty Awards http://cew.org/movies/MarioCantoneEdited.mov To download the video, right-click on the link and select "Save target as..."*courtesy of CEW



This year he was as witty as ever, and seemed to have a special chemistry with (America's Next Top model) Presenter, Caridee English. "If only I was straight" Cantone quipped as Caridee, laughed.

Here are two photos of Caridee English, one with an impromptu smooch for Cantone (who seemed surprised by it!)


Once everyone settled into the ballroom, the very short speeches began. Here's Allure Beauty Editor Linda Wells making some opening remarks. One fact that struck me was that there are something like 32,510 blogs dedicated to beauty, with 13,00 dedicated just to hair!

With 135 finalists in 27 separate categories, it's challenging to keep the awards show moving forward on schedule, but this years show moved briskly, with short introductions and even shorter speeches by the winners. Clearly, executives in the beauty business world know how to say "thanks" with precision and grace. Last years coveted awards were designed by Lalique and featured a woman's torso. This year, the awards were Tiffany crystal and were large, round, flat disks. You can see some of them on Mario Cantone's podium, and also on the table to the right of him. Winning one of these awards isn't just a pretty thing to put on a shelf in the office. The CEW Beauty Insiders Choice Awards are really is "the Oscars" of the beauty world. The pink CEW seal that winners can proudly display on their product shows that the product is one of the best of the best. Press overage of the Beauty Award Winners reaches upwards of 150 million consumers, so it's a big deal to win. I'm pleased to be a part of this and share both the event, and products with my readers in this blog and the What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review columns.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

The CEW Indie Award: a tie between Betty Beauty and Clark’s Botanicals


Body Treatment- Mass: Olay Thermal Pedicure

Body Treatment- Prestige: Origins The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Body Scrub

Facial Skincare Acne Treatment: Bare Escentuals Blemish Therapy

Facial Skincare Anti-Aging-Mass: Olay Regenerist Micro-sculpting Cream

Facial Skincare Anti-Aging - Prestige: Shiseido Bio Performance Intensive Skin Corrective Program

Facial Skincare Cleanser and Scrub - Mass: Dove SkinVitalizer

Facial Skincare Cleanser and Scrub - Prestige: Philosophy Micro-massage Exfoliating Wash

Facial Skincare Eye Treatment - Mass: Olay Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod Anti-Aging Triple Response System

Facial Skincare Eye Treatment - Prestige: SK-II Signs Eye Cream

Facial Moisturizer - Mass: L'Oreal Paris Revitalift UV Daily Moisturizing Cream with Mexoryl SX


Facial Moisturizer - Prestige: Estee Lauder Hydra-Bright Skin-Tone Perfecting Moisturizer

Makeup Eye Product - Mass: CoverGirl LashBlast

Makeup Eye Product - Prestige: DiorShow Blackout Mascara

Makeup Face Product - Mass: Almay Smart Shade

makeup Face Product - Prestige: Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Makeup SPF15

Makeup Lip Product - Mass: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour

Makeup Lip Product - Prestige: YSL Lip Twins

Men's Grooming: Clinique Skin Supplies for Men M Cover

Hair Care and Coloring Product - Mass: Garnier Fructis Hairspray

Hair Care and Coloring Product - Prestige: Frederic Fekkai Ironless Straightening Balm

Sun Product-Mass: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 70

Sun Product-Prestige: Estee Lauder Multi-Protection Sun Towelettes for Body SPF 15

Men's Scent: Bond No. 9 New York Andy Warhol Silver Factory

Women's Scent - Prestige" Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy Marc Jacobs

Scented Bath and Body-Mass: Johnson's Softoil Melt Away Stress Massaging Moisturizer

Scented Bath & Body-Prestige: Tom Ford Beauty Black Orchid Finishing Oil Spray



THANK YOU TO CEW FOR INVITING THE ADVICE SISTERS TO THIS EVENT!

The CEW Beauty Awards for 2008-Finalists

The CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) Beauty Awards are an annual event that really is "the Grammy Awards" or the "Oscars" for the Cosmetics Industry. The CEW Beauty Awards recognize the most innovative beauty products of the year, as voted by the CEW membership, industry professionals & experts in the field of beauty. Winners are selected by a special Voting Committee (comprised of member of the CEW Board). All voting is confidential, and is officially tabulated by Ernst & Young. The awards luncheon was held today in the elegant, Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and all three tiers of this huge room were filled to the brim with people in the beauty industry, celebrities, and press.

Before I tell you the winners and share my photos, which you can see in my NEXT BLOG POST, here is a list of all of the finalists. You can click on the links and learn about every single product.

Click here for my NEXT Post to find out the winners, and see all my photos of the events:

2008 CEW Awards Finalists:

BATH & BODY: Body Treatment - Mass
AVONSkin-So-Soft Fusions Dual Softening Body Wash
Burt's BeesRadiance Body Lotion
OlayThermal Pedicure
SecretSecret Clinical Strength
BATH & BODY: Body Treatment - Prestige
AHAVAAHAVA Pure Spa Dead Sea Liquid Salt
Estée LauderBody Performance Golden Naturally Radiant Moisturizer
FreshSugar Acai Age Delay Body Cream
Kiehl’s Since 1851Crème de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish
OriginsDr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ The Way of the Bath™ Matcha Tea Body Scrub
BATH & BODY: Scented Bath and Body - Mass
DoveDove Cream Oil Body Wash in Ultra Rich
JOHNSON'S®JOHNSON'S® SOFTOIL™ Melt Away Stress Massaging Moisturizer
markSelf Sanctuary Honey Jasmine Dry Oil
NeutrogenaRainbath Shower & Shave Body Wash
OlayCalm Release Body Wash
BATH & BODY: Scented Bath and Body - Prestige
AHAVAAHAVA Pure Spa Revival Bath Salts
Estée LauderPrivate Collection Tuberose Gardenia Body Creme
FreshMangosteen Bath & Shower Gel
philosophyinner grace shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath
Tom Ford BeautyTom Ford Black Orchid Finishing Oil Spray
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Acne Treatment
Bare EscentualsRareMinerals Blemish Therapy
CLEAN & CLEAR®ADVANTAGE® Acne Clearing Astringent
CliniqueAcne Solutions Clear Skin System Starter Kit
NeutrogenaNeutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment
Patricia Wexler M.D. DermatologyMMPi20 Anti Aging Acne Serum
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Anti-Aging - Mass
AVEENO®POSITIVELY AGELESS™ Rejuvenating Serum
AVONANEW Ultimate Age Repair Elixir
L'Oréal ParisSkin Genesis Multi-Layer Cell Strengthening Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate
NeutrogenaAnti-Oxidant Age Reverse Night Cream
OlayRegenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Anti-Aging - Prestige
CliniqueZero Gravity Repairwear Lift
Estée LauderIdealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
Freeze 24-7Freeze & Go
LancômeAbsolue Ultimate Bx Replenishing & Restructuring Serum
Shiseido Cosmetics (America) Ltd.Shiseido Bio-Performance Intensive Skin Corrective Program
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Cleanser and Scrub - Mass
AVEENO®Clear Complexion Cream Cleanser
AVONSolutions Completely Clean Anti-Aging Thermal Cleanser
DoveDove SkinVitalizer
GarnierGarnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure Detoxifying Wet Cleansing Towelettes
OlayPore Refining Mousse Cleanser
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Cleanser and Scrub - Prestige
CliniqueAcne Solutions Cleansing Bar For Face and Body
OriginsOrigins Organics™ Foaming Face Wash
philosophythe microdelivery micro-massage exfoliating wash
Shiseido Cosmetics (America) Ltd.Shiseido The Skincare Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam
shu uemurashu uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/I
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Eye Treatment - Mass
AVEENO®POSITIVELY AGELESS™ Eye Serum
AVONANEW Alternative Eye
La Roche-PosayRedermic Eyes
NeutrogenaIlluminating Eye Reviver
OlayRegenerist Eye Derma-Pod Anti-Aging Triple Response System
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Eye Treatment - Prestige
CHANELSublimage Eye Essential Regenerating Eye Cream
CliniqueAll About Eyes Rich
Estée LauderFuture Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Radiance Eye Crème
OriginsYouthtopia™ Firming eye cream with Rhodiola
SK-IISigns Eye Cream
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Moisturizer - Mass
AVEENO®POSITIVELY AGELESS™ Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
AVONSolutions Hydra-Radiance Moisturizing Day Lotion SPF15
L'Oréal ParisRevitalift UV Daily Moisturizing Cream with Mexoryl SX
NeutrogenaHealthy Defense SPF 45 Daily Moisturizer
OlayDefinity Deep Penetrating Foaming UV Moisturizer
FACIAL SKINCARE: Facial Skincare: Moisturizer - Prestige
Clinique