Belli Skin Care announces the launch of their new and improved Web site on August 5, 2008! If you read our first post on Belli Skin Care ~ For the Baby Bump and Beyond, you know how fabulous this product line really is. Belli has skin and body care products geared towards new moms, moms to be, and babies, and it is now right up my alley…yes, at the time of writing this post, I am now expecting!
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This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the Fashion Day Soiree held at the Ritual Supper Club in Hollywood. Priscilla Thomas founded this event; she holds events several times a year in different metropolitan cities.Priscilla states, “While attending our fun and fabulous events you are also contributing to the betterment of many individuals who may be suffering hard times or children that are at a disadvantage. All of our events benefit a wonderful women or children’s charity. It is my favorite way to give back.” More »

After some serious reading, analyzing, and debating, a winner was selected for the Fab Freebie Giveaway, commemorating Beauty Chat’s one year anniversary. Congrats to Kristen who left this comment:

“I’m brand new to this site, and all I can say is WOW! I’ve probably just spent…Oh my god! The past 3 hours (at work, mind you) just reading through all the great articles and reviews of products! I have to say that my favorite so far is “Somme Many Skincare Choices, What’s A Girl to Do?” by Denice. The title is so clever, and the way she talks about the skincare system really makes me want to try it, and gets me excited to do so! Thanks for all the great info Beauty Chat!”

Kristen, while we don’t condone blogging on the job, we’d like to say that we greatly appreciate your delinquency =) Don’t tell your boss that we said this, but feel free to read Beauty Chat whenever you have the urge! Each of our staff writers thank you for the warm words and are glad to have you as a reader.

Now, on to the “Plastic Makes Perfect” T-shirt giveaway. Four lucky ladies were awarded this prize, and they are: Laura Lapcheska, Mikki, Dee, and JB. It was no easy task narrowing down the terrific comments that were left for us, but these entries really stood out.

Once again, thank you to everyone who entered both contests. And if you didn’t win this time, that’s okay because there are more fab freebies coming your way. In fact, check back with us next week!

                        (Would you wear these? Found on Secretlifeofshoes.blogspot.com)

Be safe, enjoy your weekend, and catch up with your favorite Beauty Chat team on Monday.  More hot topics, product reviews, and interviews coming your way next week!

I know it’s been awhile since I vowed to keep our readers abreast of the trends in natural skin and personal care. The unfortunate truth is, there hasn’t been much news for me to share with you – until now. As it turns out, the Natural Products Association revealed a new “seal of approval” program for natural certification on May 1, 2008 – and I missed it! Finally, there’s a standard definition for companies that boast natural and holistic claims to abide by. So, with my sincerest apologies for letting this go unnoticed, I give you a few of the association’s stringent criteria for products that wish to be legitimately placed in the natural category:

• The product must be made up of at least 95 percent truly natural ingredients (or ingredients that are derived from natural sources)
• No ingredients with any potential suspected human health risks
• No processes that significantly or adversely alter the purity/effect of the natural ingredients
• Ingredients must come from a purposeful, renewable/plentiful source found in nature (flora, fauna, mineral)
• Processes must be minimal, and without synthetic/harsh chemicals or other dilution of purity
• Non-natural ingredients are acceptable only when a viable, natural alternative ingredient is unavailable, and only when there are absolutely no suspected potential human health risks

And it doesn’t stop there! The association, which is partially made up of experts from natural product manufacturers (including consumer faves like Burt’s Bees and Farmaesthetics), provides the full criteria at: www.naturalproductsassoc.org/certifiednatural. Because this group is the nation’s largest natural products, non-profit organization, representing more than 10,000 retailers and distributors, I think we can be confident that this program is an effective way of determining who’s natural – and who’s not. Start looking for the Natural Products Association Seal of Approval on the shelves within the coming year (keep in mind that it may take a while for every qualified product to receive its seal).

Who’s excited? I know I am! Let me know if this announcement will make a difference in the way you shop for personal care products.

Photo credits: Natural Products Association and Tractenberg & Co.

June 1st marked the day that Beauty Chat turned a year old [proud teardrop].

You see, this blog originally developed as a social networking project between me and Randy. Our goal at that time was to reach out to the beauty and plastic surgery communities, with our original “Look good, feel good, and speak on it!” philosophy. Turns out this idea not only paved the personality of Beauty Chat; we learned that there are a lot of others out there who feel the same way. You know, the non-judgmental chatterboxes (like us) who love talking about the latest this and that.

Turns out, there are TONS of you – our local, national, and international friends – who have subscribed to Beauty Chat and even have a favorite “Beauty Chatter.” I mean, with 10 writers on staff, including myself, a very productive project editor (Denice) and an eye-for-detail managing editor (Leeann), a fabulous in-house designer (Khevna), and a righteous programmer ( Randy), it only makes sense that you would connect with someone who is just as opinionated as you are!

Really, when it comes down to it, the team that makes up Beauty Chat is, like, the coolest group you could ever meet. (Sorta kidding, but not really.) More »

Since Beauty Chat is turning one, we are hosting a fabulous giveaway valued at approximately $350. Thank you iQ Derma and Redpoint Beauty! Check out the amazing products you can receive:

iQ Derma (Gorgeous Skin) + Redpoint (Flawless Makeup)
*iQ Derma Daily Renew Refreshing Cleanser
*iQ Derma Flawless Face System – SkinTensive xCel High Potency Anti-Wrinkle Serum + iQ Derma RestorEyes
*iQ Derma Lip Quench
*Redpoint Blush Whip in “Glow”
*Redpoint Eye liner in “Conga”
*Redpoint NOC-Out Cover Up Compact
*Redpoint MegaLash Mascara

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post referencing your favorite Beauty Chat article of the past. That’s it…it’s that easy. Hurry and enter! Contest ends Friday, July 11.

Visit our Anniversary post for more information.

During the Total Beauty blog summit in May, Leeann and I were introduced to this fabulous cosmetic line: Redpoint. Redpoint comes in sassy red packaging and looks super chic, and since I am a huge fan of packaging, it was love at first sight. But, Redpoint goes way beyond its packaging. In fact, the brand is taking cosmetics in a whole new direction.

Because of Redpoint’s Chromactive Technology, it is able to push the makeup’s performance to a completely new level. Each product contains specialized ingredients that work behind the scenes to help improve the look and feel of your skin. Are you looking for that natural, youthful glow? Well, look no further!

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Over the weekend, Kate Bosworth attended an OmniPeace charity event in Los Angeles, and the actress was spotted in a Rory Beca Double Layer dress. And that’s just the tip of the fashion iceberg. With fans such as Lindsay Lohan, Hillary Duff, Nicole Richie, Fergie, and a number of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities, Rory Beca is definitely on the fashion radar. More »

Last Thursday, Beauty Chat contributors Sarah, Stephanie, and me had the pleasure of attending the debut event of The Luxe Life. This was a swanky affair held in Los Angeles, similar to Shecky’s Girls Night Out (which we also blogged about not long ago).

(Sarah, Stephanie, and Leeann at The Luxe Life) More »