NEW from St. Ives is their Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads. It is formulated with AHA Complex to help get rid of dead skin cells and smells very fruity. St. Ives also has a similar formula for the hands, check out their Naturally Smooth Hand Cream with Natural Fruit AHA Complex.

St. Ives scrub-free exfoliating pads

See what’s inside St. Ives scrub-free exfoliating pads…

St. Ives scrub-free exfoliating pads what's inside

St. Ives naturally smooth hand cream with Natural Fruit AHA Complex

Loving the NEW St. Ives Intensive Healing Body and Hand Cream which are empowered with cranberry seed oil to protect and renew winter-damaged skin and are fragrance free, yes finally! I’m all about fragrance free body lotions and I’m glad St. Ives is answering my wishes:) Also these creams are not greasy.

St. Ives Intensive Healing Body Cream NEW

The Cranberry seed oil in the St. Ives Intensive Healing Body and Hand Cream unleashe a unique, all-natural balance of Omega oils to moisturize, condition and repair dry skin. Not only are cranberries a key ingredient in skin hydration, but they also protect the body by preventing certain strands of bacteria and disease when consumed.

St. Ives products are available at drug, grocery and mass retailer stores nationwide

St. Ives Intensive Healing hand cream NEW

Loving these FHF Farmhouse Fresh Shea Butter Hand Creams in Whoopie Cream and in Fluffy Bunny. I also used them for the body, what can I say I’m creative ha! Whoopie Cream smells sweet and warm ( Inspired by the famous comfort desserts -Whoopie Pies) and Fluffy Bunny smells a bit fresher (mint-julep and a hint of lavender). They smell good, they hydrate, and they comfort. They will also make it to my suitcase when I travel.

FHF Farmhouse Fresh Shea Butter Hand Cream

Loving this: Votre Vu Bebe Duette 2-in-1 a Tarte D’Amande Luxe Hand cream in one side which smells sweet and delicious, and a Luxe Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm with a hint of red color on the other side. Secret: I use the hand cream on my body too especially when I’m traveling. It’s very thick in texture and moisturizing and I’m sucker to the smell.

Votre Vu’s Bebe Duette is a perfect combination of intensely moisturizing lip balm and decadently nourishing hand cream. With its innovative packaging, 1 part hand crème/1 part lip balm (with a handy mirror for application perfection). Luxe Lips lip balm created with coconut, sunflower and premiere pressed castor oils, shea butter and beeswax.

Available in either clear or raspberry tinted balm, the raspberry balm adds a subtle hint of color to lips, offering a juicy passion fruit flavor to your pout. The vitamin E infused anti-aging formula is worth its weight in gold! UV filters add extra protection to your luxe lips.  The Tarte D’Amande Hand Crème nourishes hands using a unique combination of sunflower, jojoba and grape seed oils, combined with aloe and wheat proteins, with added natural sun filters.

BTW. Did you know that…

Harold Zimmerman, founder and CEO of Votre Vu, is the winner of the Fashion Group International’s prestigious 2011 Rising Star Award in the Category of Beauty/Fragrance Entrepreneur. Other nominees included Christopher Chong of Amouage, Francis Kurkdjian of Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and Ellen Sirot of Hand Perfection.

The 14th Annual Rising Star Awards, which recognize emerging talent in the Fashion and Design related industries, was held on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Bobbi Brown Worldwide president Maureen Case presented Zimmerman with the award, of which he says,

“Winning this award from Fashion Group International is truly an honor; I’m proud to be recognized for what we’ve accomplished so far at Votre Vu. However, my plea would be for everyone to stay tuned to the Votre Vu channel because baby, you ain’t seen nothing yet!”

Founded in 2007, Votre Vu is a luxury skin care company offering the finest French-made, natural products. Vu’s premium formulas—created by a French, family-owned laboratory that boasts more than 80 years of research and development expertise—are botanically based with the best, freshest, and most potent ingredients used in skin care.

Votre Vu products are available at www.votrevu.com

Loving the latest product additions to FusionBeauty and CLEAN! BTW did you know that Kim Kardashian as the face of the line? So here it is:

The “Luxe Boudoir” Capsule Collection contains four brand new, high-impact, vibrant LipFusion Color Shines with shimmer effect designed in collectible limited edition packaging featuring the iconic Seven Bar Foundation “Lingerie New York” model etched in to each tube. The spring-inspired colors include Vixen a shimmering mauve, Lolita an innocent baby pink, Coquette a flirty rosy coral and Princess a shimmery plum. It is an amazing collection for a great cause!

FusionBeauty The “Luxe Boudoir” Capsule Collection Coquette a flirty rosy coral

Marta Walsh says: “Great wearable lip gloss shades with a little bit of plumping effect. I wear it alone or as a lip plumping lip primer. There is a tingling effect but not too strong”.

FusionBeauty The “Luxe Boudoir” Capsule Collection Lolita an innocent baby pink

The new IllumiFill Line Filling Luminizer is a lightweight, pale pink facial highlighter that firms the skin and instantly brightens complexions. It is a perfect for the summer as it can be worn with or without makeup for perfect glowing skin. Marta Walsh says: “I like to use all over the face to get that super rested & glow effect”.

CLEAN Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream CLEAN is part of the Fusion Brands Inc and this product is a breakthrough in the hand sanitizing category. It protects hands continuously for up to 4 hours against 99.9% of germs. Most importantly, it has intense hydrating properties making it more like lotion and doesn’t dry hands out like most hand sanitizers. It contains NO alcohol, Triclosan or any other harsh chemicals. It comes in a 1 FL. Oz tube perfect for travelers, moms or all round “germaphobes” to have in their purses! Marta Walsh says: “Love, love, love this hand cream. I get moisturized germ free hands and it’s fragrance free. The tube fits perfectly in my purse. I take it everywhere”.

FusionBeauty & CLEAN products are available at Sephora and sephora.com

Estee Lauder spokesmodel Hilary Rhoda attended the 2010 Tribeca Ball Benefiting The New York Academy of Art in New York City, April 13th, 2010. Hilary is in a Rachel Roy dress. Shoes by Manolo Blahnik. Jewelry by Isabel Marant. Handbag by Proenza Schouler. Makeup by Estee Lauder.

My first backstage coverage during New York Fashion Week Fall Winter 2010 began with the Yigal Azrouel fashion show. There I had the pleasure to meet the CEO of AHAVA Michael Etedgi. I have a soft spot for both Yigal Azrouel and AHAVA (which btw means LOVE in Hebrew) because both are from Israel like myself. It was amazing to chat in Hebrew finally with AHAVA’s Michael and to not to get lost in translation.

L to R: Michael Etedgi CEO of AHAVA and Marta Walsh founder of Talking Makeup

Have you tried the AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream? It’s amazing and a classic. AHAVA brought a bit of relaxation backstage at Yigal Azrouel Fall 2010 with their Beauty Bar where I received a hand massage, yes, with their fabulous hand cream.

Visit ahavaus.com to learn more about AHAVA.

Happy New Year! Hope you enjoyed the holidays and are gearing up for a brand new decade! This year we should all vow to be a little greener, and actually do something to reduce our carbon footprints. Go green simply by choosing paraben-free mascara, a biodegradable compact, or a body wash with the Natural Product Association seal of approval! Start your new natural collection off right with some of the below eco-chic cosmetics and skincare items—they’re natural beauty best-sellers!

Clean up your act with Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes. These natural cleansing cloths are biodegradable (meaning they won’t clog landfills after you throw them away) and they’re made with natural ingredients that will soothe, comfort, and gently cleanse your skin without harsh chemicals or toxins. Plus, a portion of proceeds goes to the NRDC’s Polar Bear Initiative, the campaign to save polar bears’ natural habitats, bringing a whole new meaning to “Earth-friendly”. Now available in a new travel size! Sephora.com; $6.00 – $12.00.

Invest in “chicological” makeup. Josie Maran Cosmetics is luxury with a conscience. Head to Sephora and shop the natural collection—bronzer in a biodegradable compact (made of corn!), natural plumping lip gloss (made with marine collagen!), and of course the infamous 100% organic Argan Oil! Sephora.com.

TOSS your old pimple cream; it’s filled with irritants and drying Salicylic Acid. REPLACE it with the new Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment, the first FDA-approved natural acne solution, designed to fight breakouts naturally with the key ingredient of Willow Bark. Burtsbees.com; $9.99.

Skip your next dermatologist appointment. “No way!” you say? Tammy Fender’s new Skin Tone Lightening System reverses the signs of aging and effects of sun damage naturally by correcting hyper-pigmentation and discoloration. Similar skin lightening treatments and peels found in professional offices use harsh chemicals, but Tammy’s Skin Tone Lightening System contains potent Indian Amla, Lemon, Uva Ursi, and other natural botanicals and herbs that produce the same professional results. It’s safer and just as effective. Seriously. TammyFender.com; $165.00.

Do your homework. Become familiar with products that feature the NPA Seal – the Natural Product Association’s guarantee that a product contains—at minimum—95% natural ingredients. Burt’s Bees, one of the leading brands that helped kick-start this initiative, has over 70 products that feature the seal.

Return to nature with botanical beauty from Jurlique. We all need to take more time to smell the roses. With Jurlique’s famous Rosewater Balancing Mist, Lavender Hand Cream, and NEW Jasmine Body Care Collection, smelling so sweet is so, so easy. All of Jurlique’s sensorial personal care products are made with the brand’s signature biodynamic process—each product harnesses the potent energy of plants and botanicals that are hand-tended and harvested on the pollution-free Jurlique farm in Australia. Jurlique.com

Josie Maran interviews with Marta Walsh

Hand Saver: With flu season in full force, we’re all aware of the importance of washing our hands to ensure they’re free from bacteria. Unfortunately, this increase in our daily wash routine is leading to a decrease in the softness of our hands. With the average woman washing her hands 10.8 times each day, there’s a need to re-hydrate our dry, cracked skin. 

Luckily, Curél has you covered this winter with their Targeted Therapy Fast-Absorbing Hand & Cuticle Cream. Formulated with Curél’s unique cationic formula, the cream is specially designed to deliver moisture where skin needs it most. Dry spots of skin attract the formula to create a moisture lock, which holds protective emollients on skin longer and helps prevent the hydrating ingredients from rinsing away with hand washing.

Curél Targeted TherapyTM Fast-Absorbing Hand & Cuticle Cream is also formulated with powerful antioxidants, including Soymilk, known to prevent irritation and Vitamin E to reduce dryness and flaking and promote healthy cell reproduction. Monoi Oil, a centuries-old beauty secret, naturally softens and smoothes skin and cuticles.

Simply apply Curél Targeted Therapy Fast-Absorbing Hand & Cuticle Cream ($4.99) to dry hands and rough cuticles as needed. With just one application, cuticles become twice as soft and hands stay smooth even through several trips to the sink.

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month aka BCA and the Estée Lauder Companies has many of your favorite beauty products designed especially to raise funds for the Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Research Fund. Last month during my visit to New York City during Fashion Week Spring 2010 I was given an incredible opportunity to participate in an Estée Lauder special Breast Cancer Awareness event. Listening to Evelyn Lauder’s speech and the rest of the Estée Lauder team I can’t tell you enough how passionate they are about the Breast Cancer cause!!

Here are highlights of some of the people involved in the Estée Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and And Fundraising, and the beauty products you can purchase where portions of their proceeds go towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Actress Elizabeth Hurley and Evelyn Lauder:

From Left: Steven Plofker, Elizabeth Hurley, Elton John, Evelyn Lauder, and Bobbi Brown

From left: Arun Nayar, Elizabeth Hurley, Elton John, and Evelyn Lauder

Elizabeth Hurley and Marisa Acocella, Bloomingdale

Elizabeth Hurley pretty in a pink top

The Products:

Aveda hand relief hand cream

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection Glitter Lip Balm and Creamy Lip color

Darphin Paris Arovita C

Darphin Paric Arovita C

Bumble and Bumble Bb Classic Hairspray laque

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisurizing Lotion

Clinique great lips, great cause: Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in air kiss, kissyfit, and whispar

DKNY Be Delicious fresh blossom

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist

Estée Lauder Adnanced Night repair Synchronized Recovery Complex

Estée Lauder Beautiful perfume

Estée Lauder Elizabeth Hurley Lip design Collection

Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder Lip design Collection

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne

La Mer Moisturizing Cream

Lab Series Skincare For Men Daily Moisure Defenze Lotion SPF15 Treat

Ojon Hair Revitlizing Mist

Origins Sensory Therapy

Prescriptives PX Pink Ribbon Palette For Eyes And Cheeks

I Am King Sean John cologne

Estée Lauder Pink Ribbon Pin

Estée Lauder Mirror