The Argan Oil Revolution continues!! Josie’s latest launch: Argan Moisturizing Stick has debuted yesterday and is now exclusively available at Sephora.com ($22.00). 

Josie’s best-selling Argan Oil now comes in a stick form. This multi-purpose balm offers all the benefits of the nourishing oil, which includes anti-aging ingredients rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. A head-to-toe spot treatment for dry areas in need of moisture, this soothing balm conditions and repairs skin as it hydrates. Use it to moisturize chapped lips, soothe dry skin, tame fly aways, alleviate itching and stinging from insect bites, moisturize dry cuticles, relieve chafing skin, soothe stretch marks, calm sunburn, soothe waxed skin, and much, much more.

I’m so excited to share with you Lisa’s story of  an incredible journey creating a sought after skincare and fragrance line: Carol’s Daughter.

In this interview Lisa Price talks to me about her fascination with fragrance. The Carol’s Daughter Philosophy. Why did she choose Jada Pinkett Smith and Mary J. Blige as the faces for her brand, and what’s new with Carol’s Daughter.

Marta Walsh: When did your fascination with skincare begin?
Lisa Price: It wasn’t so much a love for skincare as it was a love for fragrance which began when I was a little girl. I started creating my own scents and creams because I loved to experiment—it’s always been a hobby and passion of mine.

MW: At what point did your love for making your own skincare products in the kitchen turn into a promising business?
LP: After some time of working as a writing assistant for The Cosby Show, and creating personalized scents and products for the cast, my mom encouraged me to make a small batch to sell at a local church flea market. I nearly sold out on the first day!

MW: What is Carol’s Daughter philosophy?
LP: Every Carol’s Daughter product I create is made with love, and inspired by my own life. Each product is truly unique and created especially for my customers, who are part of the Carol’s Daughter family. The idea is not just about looking good, but feeling good inside and out, comforting your body and spirit. Carol’s Daughter is also about having a strong sense of family as well as love and respect for yourself and others.

MW: Why did you decide to name your brand: Carol’s Daughter?
LP: When I was trying to come up with a name I made a list of things that I was and a list of things I wanted to become. There were other things on the list, like Robert’s daughter and Gordon’s girlfriend. But when I said Carol’s daughter, I got goosebumps. It sounded right. After all, it was my mother Carol’s unwavering love and support that gave me the courage to turn my hobby into a business in the first place.

MW: Mary J. Blige loves the Almond Cookie Collection, and Jay Z keeps it smooth with Ocean Scrub. Why are these products are so easy to fall in love with?
LP: My products are created with love, and I think the homemade aspect really resonates with a lot of people who want something special. Every product has a story, and I think that really shines through.

MW: Where do you draw the inspiration from when creating your skincare collections?
LP: Each product I have tells a story. Some of them come from family, such as my mom or grandmother, others from our friends of the family and many of them from the suggestions of many of our customers. Their comments and feedback mean so much to me.

MW: Jada Pinkett Smith and Mary J. Blige are the familiar faces of Carol’s Daughter. Why have you chosen these women to represent your brand?
LP: These wonderful relationships came about when celebrities started using my products and telling each other how much they loved them. I met Will and Jada through DJ Jazzy Jeff who was first a fan of my products, and Mary is such a wonderful member of the family – she is everything Carol’s Daughter is about

MW: Which is your Carol’s Daughter all time favorite product?
LP: Hair Milk. I love all of my products, but if I had to make a choice, the one thing I could not do without is Hair Milk. It is the only product I have found that can make my hair shiny and manageable.

MW: What’s new this year with Carol’s Daughter?
LP: This August Carol’s Daughter is celebrating its sweet sixteen! This month we are also opening a band new store in Atlanta.

MW: What passions do you have besides making our skin beautiful?
LP: I love to spend time with my family and watch movies. I also still truly enjoy creating new recipes and playing around with new ideas in the kitchen.

To determine the winners, Prevention enlisted seven leading dermatologists to test the claims of the 35 most promising products of the year on a group of 175 women, ages 40-plus, for a period of up to eight weeks. The doctors then employed state-of-the-art equipment to measure which products best delivered on their claims using before and after skin analysis. The teams investigated seven categories of products including hand, eye and night creams; lip, adult acne and microdermabrasion treatments; and day lotions with . This year’s winners are all available for less than $50.

Said Liz Vaccariello, SVP/editor-in-chief of Prevention, “A staggering number of beauty products are launched every year making it increasingly difficult for women to determine which ones they should invest in. We are proud to say that we put product claims to the test and found seven that truly deliver visible improvements—we saw wrinkles, brown spots and other over 40 skin issues disappear.”

Here is the complete list of Prevention’s “Defy-Your-Age” Beauty Award winners for 2009. A feature on the award winners, why they work and how to use them for best results can be found in the current issue of Prevention, on sale August 4th, or at http://www.prevention.com/beautyawards2009:

Best Day Lotion with SPF: Olay ProX Age Repair Lotion SPF 30: This lotion contains two powerful peptides that work to smooth fine lines and firm skin by speeding the production of new collagen. ($42; drugstores)

Best Night Cream: Roc Multi-Correxion Night Treatment: Includes multitasking ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, which smooth and firm skin and lighten discoloration. ($25; drugstores)

Best Lip Treatment: Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge La Base Revitalizing Lip Treatment SPF 10: Contains Pro-Xylane, a sugar molecule that boosts production of collagen and skin’s built-in moisturizers to plump lips and diminish fine lines. ($29; lancome-usa.com)

Best Microdermabrasion Treatment: Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment: This skin polisher instantly boosts brightness, decreases pore size and smoothes skin thanks to salicylic acid, glucosamine and a blend of spherical beads. ($49.50; esteelauder.com)

Adult Acne Treatment: Avon Clearskin Professional Acne Treatment System: Unlike teenagers’ treatments, this trio of products—a scrub, a toner, and an oil-free lotion—contains humectants that soften and smooth. ($34; avon.com)

Hand Cream: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30: This cream smoothes fine lines and keeps hands soft with heavy-duty humectants and emollients; potent UV protection helps stave off future damage. ($6; drugstores)

Eye Cream: Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover Cell 2 Cell Anti-Aging Eye Treatment: Made with hyaluronic acid, peptides and dermaxyl (a nonirritating synthetic retinoid), this cream decreases wrinkles, brown spots, and under eye darkness. ($15; CVS pharmacy)

You can log on to http://www.prevention.com/winbeauty  for a chance to receive all seven products—a $200 value.

Prevention’s Defy Your Age Beauty Awards Judges: Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, assistant clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine; practices in New York City; Tina Alster, MD, clinical professor at Georgetown University; practices in Washington, DC; David Bank, MD, associate professor at Columbia University/Presbyterian Hospital; practices in Mt. Kisco, NY; David Goldberg, MD, clinical professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine; practices in New York, New Jersey, and Florida; Ranella Hirsch, MD, past president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology & Aesthetic Surgery; practices in Cambridge, MA; Mary Lupo, MD, clinical professor at Tulane University School of Medicine; practices in New Orleans; and Susan Weinkle, MD, assistant clinical professor at the University of South Florida; practices in Bradenton, FL.

Renée Rouleau is a trusted skin care expert and celebrity esthetician who has been helping men, women and teens attain healthy, glowing skin for more than 20 years. Her skin care product line, sold on her website and in her two Dallas skin care spas, addresses nine distinct skin types, with more than 70 award-winning products that blend the best of science and nature.

Renée’s products are consistently cited in publications including Allure, Marie Claire, and In Style. Her proven results have earned her the confidence of celebrities, like Lisa Rinna, Eva Amurri, Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson, as well as cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists. www.reneerouleau.com

Celebrity Esthetician Renée Rouleau

Hot weather, salt water, humidity and chlorine take their toll on our skin during the summer months. Here’s some of my summer skin care tips and solutions for keeping your skin safe and beautiful all summer long.

1. Wearing sunscreen everyday will significantly cut back on accumulative sun damage:

Recent information from the UCLA skin research department indicates that 78% of all the sun damage incurred in a lifetime is from incidental exposure! You may say “I’m not out at all during the day” but just walking to your car, and even driving in your car will expose you to unnecessary sun damage. Windshields do nothing to protect you from UV rays! Wear a moisturizer that contains a sun block with a minimum of SPF #15. Apply it in the morning so you’ll be covered all day! Try Renée Rouleau Daily Protection SPF #30…

2. It’s not about the SPF number, it’s how often and how much you re-apply your sunscreen:

People are always asking me which SPF number should they use. The truth is, an SPF 30 only offers 4% more protection than an SPF 15. You would have thought it was double the protection, right? As you get up in the higher numbers (SPF 45, 50, 70 +) that percentage comes down, but you’re also exposing your skin to more chemicals which might result in a negative reaction on the skin. The key to protecting your skin in the sun is to re-apply your sunscreen generously at least every two hours. A little dab won’t do ya…you need to slather it on.

3. For those who suffer from back breakouts, avoid hair conditioner containing panthenol:

If back breakouts trouble you, it could be an ingredient in your hair conditioner that’s causing the problem. Panthenol, well-known for its benefit for strengthening the hair, may be a potential pore-clogger. Why the back? Simply because when you rinse out hair conditioner, a residue of the product stays on your back. Use hair products that do not contain Panthenol, exfoliate your back with a mild cleansing gel and exfoliating cloth three times a week and apply an anti-bacterial lotion and your back will be clear for summer.

4. Avoid dairy products if your skin is prone to breakouts:

With the heat and humidity in the summer, break outs are a real concern for a lot of people. And we’ve all heard that greasy foods and chocolate cause breakouts. In our experience, when breakouts are cyst-like in the chin and jawline area, most often this is related to excessive dairy products in your diet. Try cutting out cheese, milk, ice cream, and frozen yogurt, and watch your skin clear up! There are many other ways to get calcium in your diet; broccoli, asparagus and orange juice. Try Renée Rouleau Anti-Cyst Treatment for stubborn cystic breakouts.

5. When soothing a sunburn, avoid applying lotion. Instead use cold yogurt!

Okay, so you thought you had on plenty of sunscreen and the next thing you know, you got fried. A common misconception about soothing a sunburn is that you should keep re-applying lotion (especially aloe vera-based lotion) to keep the skin moist. But layering lotion on sunburned skin traps heat, keeping the skin red longer. Skin must breathe to let out heat. Cold plain yogurt applied to the skin works as an anti-inflammatory and heat remover. Apply, let dry for 15 minutes, and rinse. Repeat every hour.

6. Blot, blot, blot:

Although there is no miracle product to control the extra oil that you get during the summer months, there are ways to keep that shine under control. Oil blotting papers are great to use during the day to actually remove the oils off the skin to give you the feel of freshly washed skin. In a pinch? The type of paper used for toilet seat covers in public restrooms is similar to expensive oil blotting papers. Tear off a piece of this and press firmly on the skin. Voila!

The bottom line…

The #1 cause of lines and wrinkles is sun exposure. If you want to look young, avoid the sun. It’s really that simple. A little sun damage = a little damage. A lot of sun = a lot of damage.

For additional skin care tips, check out Renée Rouleau’s guide to summer skin care. For daily skin tips 365 days per year you can also follow Renée Rouleau on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook!

She can do it in 90 seconds…can you? Over the weekend, not only did Serena Williams beat her older sister and two-time defending champion Venus Williams to take the Wimbledon women’s tennis title, but she also announced the news of her beauty line, MISSION Skincare Active-Beauty Featuring Serena Williams.

CONTEST – Meet Serena: Starting July 8th and ending July 21st, Serena is hosting a contest to see what you can do in 90 seconds.

Enter at www.SerenasMISSION.com  for the chance to meet her and win two VIP tickets to one of her upcoming tournaments. Other prizes include an autographed tennis racquet and $1,000 gift basket of Serena’s personal favorites. Follow her on Twitter @serenajwilliams to get contest updates.

The 90 Second Beauty Challenge: The signature beauty solution Serena formulated works in just 90 seconds: Oxygen-Active Daily Facial Cleanser. A triple threat, this unique product is a cleanser, makeup remover and hydrating toner in one. Just apply, let the foam do its work, and wipe off. No water required. The result? Skin that appears younger and healthier looking – all for $39.99 at www.HSN.com beginning July 23rd.

Watch Serena Live! On July 23rd and July 24th, Serena will appear on HSN to launch her line. Be sure to tune in!

An international line of organic products created with your body in mind, Sabon Organic is a natural fit for your beauty regimen. Sabon Organic is suitable for all skin types and a great base to any perfume or cosmetic due to its subtle apricot fragrance. Be comforted that you are treating your skin well as Sabon Organic is paraben-free, sulfate-free, certified by ECOCERT and environmentally friendly by not testing on animals and using recycled packaging.

I’ve tried and fell in love with Sabon Organic Day Cream: This day cream is super hydrating yet not greasy. It is made with organic oils like Macadamia, olive, and jojoba and ideal if you are into green skincare products.

New Sabon Organic Line:
Organic Hand Cream, 2.11 oz, $18
Organic Foot Cream, 2.11 oz, $15
Organic Face Serum, 1.05 oz, $49
Organic Eye Lifting Serum, 1.05 oz, $39
Organic Body Scrub, 8.79 oz, $30
Organic Butter Cream, 7.04 oz, $39
Organic Day Cream, 1.75 oz, $39
Organic Olive Oil Soap, 3.5 oz, $10

Yes To Inc. together with Environmental Media Association (EMA) and LA Unified School District launched their partnership with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 12th at the Helen Bernstein High School in Hollywood.

Nicole Richie at the May 12th event. 

Yes To Carrots is a complete family of skin and hair care products that combine the anti-oxidant power of Beta Carotene from orange organic fruits and vegetables, with Dead Sea Minerals.

Nicole Richie and Ido Leffler CEO of
Yes To Inc.

With EMA ambassadors Nicole Richie, Amy Smart & Anna Getty, Yes To will directly support a number of school gardens through funding from their non-profit Yes To Carrots Seed Fund, which helps underserved communities build organic gardens and educate people about sustainable food sources.

Anna Getty, Ido Leffler, Nicole Richie, Amy Smart,
Mud Barron, and Debbie Levine.

I’m particularly excited about the launch of REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish because I just can’t get enough of REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash (…it’s SO good).

Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish: Unveil a silky smooth finish with this aromatically scented exfoliating polish, formulated with Paraguay Cane Sugar, Kola Nut and Almond Oil that invigorates and tomes skin. SRP: $60. Available: June 2009. Exclusively available at Space NK.

REN No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm – being hailed as the eco-friendly version of the iconic Eve Lom Cleanser. Exfoliates, removes makeup, cleanses and moisturizes all in one.

REN No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm: Wash away dirt and makeup with soothing Chamomile Oil and purifying Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract for a nourished clean complexion. SRP: $55. Available beginning 2009.

REN Mayday Mayday Rescue Balm – perfect to soothe and treat sunburn or extremely dry skin (elbows, knees, etc.). Deeply moisturize, soothe and strengthen dry skin with Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids and Shea Butter rich in Triglycerides. SRP: $40. Available from April 2009.

The newest products from REN are available at Space NK, Sephora, Blue Mercury, Barneys, Fred Segal, and www.RENskincare.com

About Rx For Brown Skin: People are fundamentally the same-but their skin isn’t. As a renowned dermatologist and leading authority on the treatment of skin of color, Dr. Susan C. Taylor created Rx for Brown Skin to treat the concerns unique to darker skin, including African American, Latin, and South Asian skintones. The irritant-free solutions target sensitivity, irritation, dullness, and hyperpigmentation, which can result in dark marks and blemishes. Plus, the exclusive Bright Skin Complex ensures your skin looks luminous no matter how deep your complexion may be. Treat your skin to Dr. Taylor’s specialized skin savers and uncover your true brilliance.

THE PRIZE: 2 lucky winners will win either 1 Rx For Brown Skin Bright and Healthy Starter Kit ($75 value),

…or 1 Rx For Brown Skin Bright and Clear Starter Kit ($75).

HOW TO ENTER GIVEAWAY:

1. Subscribe to Talking Makeup’s YouTube channel HERE!
2. Leave a comment on this post and tell us which Rx For Brown Skin Kit you would LOVE to try: Bright and Healthy Starter Kit or Bright and Clear Starter Kit.
3. Next Monday 5/4/2009 I’m going to randomly pick 2 winners and send them their desired kit!

GOOD LUCK everyone:)

Fresh has always been committed to using natural ingredients. They are an integral part of the efficacy of their products. They connect us to time-honored beauty rituals of the past, and they keep us at the forefront of innovation.

In honor of Earth Day, Fresh is creating awareness around five of our most iconic, natural ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, rose, soy, sugar, and Umbrian Clay.

For the first time, each of our fifteen retail stores will feature ingredient bars at which people can smell, touch, and feel these ingredients in their purest forms while learning about their beneficial properties and origins. They will also enjoy a 20% discount on select best-selling items that contain these iconic, natural ingredients.

Additionally, Fresh  is donating 10% of the day’s in-store and online proceeds to The Climate Group, an international, non-profit organization that creates eco-conscious initiatives to ensure a low-carbon, prosperous future. So the more people get, the more Fresh is able to give back.

Fresh believes small gestures can have a big impact, so they are also encouraging people to put their purchased items in their purse or perhaps in a shopping bag they’ve already received at a previous store. Even this small act will reduce their carbon foot print on this planet.