Monday, May 2 is Melanoma Monday

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month!

Who better to raise awareness than dermatologist and melanoma survivor Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi?

Dr. Tanzi, who diagnosed herself with early melanoma and basal cell carcinoma at 37, will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, May 2, 2011 to heighten awareness.

Get the facts on Skin Cancer from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Dr. Tanzi's Top 10 Summer Skin Safety Tips:

1. Get an annual full body screening from your dermatologist at least once a year.
2. Perform a self-skin exam every 1-2 months-- skin cancer detection is best done as team work between you and your dermatologist.
3. Avoid the sun during peak hours from 10 am-2 pm.
4. Liberally apply a broad-spectrum SPF that blocks both UVA and UVB rays every 3-4 hours when in direct sunlight.
5. ABSOLUTELY NO TANNING BEDS, EVER!!!
6. Look for SPF products that contain zinc and/or titanium because they offer good protection without irritation.
7. Try double duty powder sunscreens because they apply like pressed powder so your skin looks great and is adequately protected from the sun. The built-in brush makes application easy on the go.
8. Although you can't reverse sun damage from past sun abuse, it's important to continue proper sun protection strategies throughout a lifetime because the negative effects from the sun on the skin are cumulative.
9. If a mole has changed in size, shape, or color, it needs to be checked right away.
10. For all skin cancer questions, the best online resource is the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Help Lavanila re-forest the world

In honor of Earth Day 2011, eco-gorgeous brand Lavanila Laboratories wants you to help them plant a forest!

For each new “LIKE” received on their Facebook page (Lavanila Laboratories) on April 21st and April 22nd (Earth Day), Lavanila will plant one tree through their long-time partnership with The Nature Conservancy. These new saplings will be a welcome addition to their ongoing, evergreen (pun intended) initiative of planting a tree for each purchase made on www.lavanila.com.

Halle Berry gives back.

BeginningApril 14th, Academy Award-winning actress and beauty icon Halle Berry will auction off a collection of personalized items in honor ofMother’s Day on CharityBuzz.com. Net proceeds from the auction, which includes a unique hand-crafted gold gemstone ring, will support theJenesseCenter, a domestic violence intervention program that Berry has supported for many years.

“The Jenesse Center is an organization that is very close to my heart,” said Halle Berry. “Their work makes a tremendous difference in the lives of women and children and I am proud to support such a worthy cause through this Mother’s Day auction.”

Designed by Vram, the one-of-a-kind ring was inspired by Halle Berry’s natural glamour and was created exclusively for Halle Berry to wear in the advertising campaign for her newest fragrance, Reveal by Halle Berry. Now someone can have the opportunity to own a replica of the ring and support this great cause by bidding on charitybuzz.com. Made from gold-leafed silver with a Surlyn stone inspired by the cap of the Reveal bottle, this elegant ring is valued at $300.

Fans will also have the chance to bid on an autographed photo of the Reveal byHalle Berry advertisement as well as an autographed bottle of the alluring new fragrance. A Halle Mother’s Day Gift Set including Reveal by Halle Berry, Reveal Luminous Body Lotion and Reveal Sensuous Shower Gel will also be available for bidding. The auction will run from April 14th through May 3rd.

Baskets are so 2010.

Think outside the basket for your Easter basket & get seriously adorable!

LUSH brings us the Bunny Knot Wrap ($3.95) – The Lush Knot Wraps are an environmentally friendly alternative to gift wrap. Choose this adorable Bunny version to wrap up all your Easter LUSH goodies!

LUSH helps Japan

From LUSH:

As you know, the disaster in Japan is far from over. The catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan hit very close to home for LUSH Cosmetics. With 1600 staff members, 145 shops, and a manufacturing facility located in Japan, LUSH had to step in and support local organizations. These groups are working to rebuild affected areas and support Japanese citizens, some of whom are members of our very own LUSH family.

To aid in the relief effort, we are selling limited edition products with 100% of the proceeds going to various Japanese charities.

• The Rising Sun soap ($5.95) resembles the Japanese flag and softens the skin with a sweet cherry fragrance. All proceeds from the soap will go directly to Peace Boat, a Japan-based non-profit organization. Since the earthquake, Peace Boat has been organizing volunteers, transporting aid and providing hot meals to those affected by the disaster.
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• LUSH has also launched three limited edition Charity Pots ($5.00/each). This rich body lotion is made with Fair Trade organic cocoa butter with a hint of ylang ylang and geranium. 100% of the sale of each Charity Pot will be donated to three Japanese humanitarian and animal welfare organizations:

1. Rescue Stock Yard – a Japanese domestic disaster non-profit that has started emergency relief and preparation for long-term support for thousands of survivors.
2. NGO Collaboration Centre for HANSHIN QUAKE Rehabilitation – members of this center have been in the Miyagi Prefecture providing support for the victims.
3. Animal Peace – a grassroots animal welfare group that has been providing medical care, food and blankets for displaced animals.

The products will be hitting stores across North America on April 18th and will also be available at www.lushusa.com.

Luster Premium White 1 Hour White

Click Here

In theory, this at home tooth whitening light system is great. In reality, who has the dedication to devote one whole hour of painting their teeth with the solution and then holding the light to their mouth 10 times in a row? This kit may work but I'd rather slap on Crest White Strips and and go about my business.

Sebastian, The Sounds, and $1,000

Sebastian Professional has teamed up with Maja Ivarsson, lead singer for The Sounds, in a challenge to style the rock star. Get the opportunity to win $1,000 VISA gift card and a gift basket from Sebastian Professional. Ivarsson, named "Hottest Woman in Rock" by Blender Magazine, will be judging the contest entries!

Get your own Mini Editor from Polyvore

Dancing With The Stars Hair Extensions: Flirtini Pony

No, not kidding!

Super easy-to-use, realistic hair extensions.

A bunch of us tried out the Flirtini, in Dark Brown, at a party.

While it was very entertaining to see the red head and blond with dark brown pony tail, it was pretty darn perfect for two of us brunettes.

Not going to lie, it was awesome to rock the lengthy curls.

My friend Hilary looked like total Greek goddess with the Flirtini in-- and I have yet to get it back from her.

Great for a fun night-out!

Tocca: Brigitte Crema Da Sogno

Oh, the creaminess!

To call this Tocca magic "lotion" would be an injustice.

It's like whipped butter for your skin, but doesn't leave you all oily and smelling like popcorn.

Thicker than whipped cream, but easy to apply.

The Brigitte scent is totally feminine & lovely, without being girly.

Moroccan rose and ginger are an exquisite combination.

I also love that it comes in an elegant glass jar, so I can get every last bit.

So wonderful on the skin and to the nose!

Use right after the shower for maximum moisturizing; I also use at night on my legs.

I am hooked!

Next stop: Cleopatra scented!

Celebrate Earth Day with Anthropologie

Green is absolutely stunning with the help of Anthropologie!

Boom Boom gives the truth to the Prom-bound

There’s nothing like getting all tricked out for a prom – the endless texts about who’s wearing what and who’s going with whom…limo…after party…it’s so Sixteen Candles! And, Boom Boom LOVES it! As owner of Boom Boom Brow Bar, she’s often asked if prom-aged girls are too young to start waxing. Here’s Boom Boom’s side of the story.

“I don’t think there has to be a blanket rule - the decision should be based on the individual and their circumstance. I’m Italian, hello ITALIAN, so I had to start waxing at an early age. The important thing is to educate young girls on the options they have for hair removal and advise them to seek professional help for those situations beyond their experience…because young girls ripping and plucking without guidance spells trouble!” states Boom Boom. “Truth be told, if girls start tweezing eyebrows too early, hair follicles die and they never grow in, never. So if you make a mistake, it’s permanent. On the flip side, waxing legs, pits and bikini lines before puberty can have the same effect, so eventually you don’t have to deal with any hair, ever!” BUT, if there happens to be some unsupervised tweezer wielding, there is help.

Holes from over-tweezing and/or trimming can be camouflaged with a brow powder (Boom Boom has her own, Boom Boom Brow Boostiers). A brow powder is really easy to work with and very natural looking. It’s best to apply with an angled brush to fill in holes and thin areas, just dab on the spot and go.

If brows are too thin from over plucking or waxing, rub castor oil on area every night to speed up the growth process. It is one of the active ingredients in most brow and lash products.

Troubled arches need professional help. A pro will brush the brow upward and out to access where the hair is missing and form a plan from there. In the meantime, brows can be filled in with Boom Boom Boostier brow powder to help hide imperfections and improve shape.

“I want every girl to dance the night away at her prom – no drama!” says Boom Boom.

Brow Boostiers brow powder is made of mineral powders that are hypoallergenic and free of all fragrance, oil, talc, dyes and fillers. The powders are virtually weightless and make filling in brows easy, and natural looking with rich color pigment. Comes in four colors (Aretha, Tina, Bette, Dolly) each with the most perfect brush EVA, designed by Boom Boom. Retail Price: $19.00 per powder.

Boom Boom makes waxing fun and affordable for everyone! www.boomboombrowbar.com

EOS wants you to win their hand lotion!

Skin you'll love is only a "like" away!

Once a week for four weeks between April 4th and May 2nd, eos will be giving away 5,000 eos 97% natural hand lotions.

EOS is giving women the opportunity to win free samples of their all-new hand lotions by by taking part in a month long sweepstakes hosted on facebook.

How to enter.

1. ‘Like’ eos on facebook: facebook.com/eos

2. Click on the ‘Giveaway’ tab.

3. Submit your contact info and choose your desired lotion fragrance. You will be automatically entered into each subsequent giveaway (there will be four in total) until either you win a hand lotion or the giveaway ends.

About eos hand lotion:

eos everyday hand lotion is 97% natural, stylish, and portable.

Available in both original and cucumber scents, just a dab keeps hands soft and smooth, naturally.

Lucky winners will receive a full-sized eos hand lotion. The lotions are also available at Walmart, Walgreens, and Rite Aid for only $3.99.

twitter: #eosgiveaway @eosproducts

facebook: facebook.com/eos

Sam Villa Bamboo Styling Brush

This is one serious brush.

Don't press too hard-- these boar bristles are tough stuff.

Once I got used to being able to brush my hair without a death-grip on the handle, it was great.

Made my hair all smooth and nice.

Non-static, just finishes your look.

Sam Villa does it again!

Sam Villa wants you to have great hair

Suzanne Quinn of Glow Communications gives us the inside scoop:

April, 2011 (New York, NY) – Why is it that hair never looks as good when styled at home as it does in the salon? The average women fights frizz with tired arms and uncertainty, only to be disappointed with the results. Could it be that stylists have inside info? Of course they do, they’re professionals!

What most people don’t know is that even after stylists graduate beauty school, they need to continue with advanced education to master techniques, stay current and meet client expectations. Sam Villa, Behind the Chair 11th Annual Stylist Choice Award Winner for “Favorite Educator and Platform Artist” is the stylist behind thousands of stylists around the world. He is the man that teaches stylists the inside tricks on how to cut and finish hair. Tricks like sinking the nape area to create volume at the crown, using zigzag parting at the perimeter while only clipping the interior, and deflating unwanted volume. He gives stylists guidance on what shears to use, sectioning, what brush to pick up, how to use thermal tools, what not to do and what products will perform the best.

Tricks like creating volume in fine hair! “Sixty percent of North American women have fine hair and they get frustrated when they can’t make it do what they want. I create education that gives stylists a better understanding of hair as a fabric and how it reacts to manipulation. Stylists in turn should share this info with their clients so they can achieve the same results at home. It’s not classified info, it’s just that some stylists are better at sharing than others. So, if you aren’t getting the results you want at home, ask your stylist for a tutorial. Be specific and ask for guidance on everything from the type of cut, to the frequency of washing, to handling the cuticle (open or closed), to the types of tools and products to use. It will increase confidence and improve your finish skills,” states Villa.

Aspire for more with Sam Villa! Villa is founding partner and chairman of Allvus, LLC, Education Artistic Director for Redken 5th Avenue and a Stylist Choice Award Winner for Favorite Platform Artist and Educator (2007 and 2011). Discover his coveted hot tips and techniques, along with Sam Villa Signature Series brushes, combs and thermal tools on www.samvilla.com.

Youth Corridor Anti-Oxidant Boost Skin Serum

Developed by Dr. Gerald Imber.
This serum is Brilliant!

Costly, but a little goes a LONG way (6 drops for your face, neck, and decolletage).

And you're paying for some kick-ass science.

Improves skin texture, tone, even helps with clarity.

I think it even made my pores smaller.

Definitely helped with the radiance!

Consider it an investment in towards furthering scientific research.

H2O+ Sea Results Line Mender

A great winter moisturizer.

Works very well on dry skin, even skin that is wind chapped from harsh Michigan winters.

Made my face look all nice & glowy.

Improved texture & vibrancy.

I will be using this cream to make it through next winter!

Totally stopped any crepe-y-ness.

H2O+ Sea Results Eye Mender Plus

This anti-aging eye cream is wonderful!

H2O+ really knows how to make a non-stinging, yet effective eye cream.

Smells nice & clean as well!

Moisturizing, but not greasy.

Absorbs quickly.

This Derm wants you to get the most from your Derm

Dr. Jeannette Graf, Board Certified, Clinical and Research Dermatologist, provides her insights on making the most of your visit to the Dermatologist. While you're on youtube, check out the other videos from Dr. Graf, including AskDr.Graf: Zits and Beyond.

If she looks this good, she must know what she's talking about!

Save your Skin!

Protecting your skin from the sun is more serious than avoiding a sunburn.

Unprotected sun exposure can result in wrinkles, aging skin and in the worse case – skin cancer. It is so important to protect your skin correctly that the Food and Drug Administration has proposed new rules that would require sunscreen labels to indicate how well a given product protects users against UV-A.

In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness month in May, Cosmetic Dermatologist David J. Goldberg, MD, JD shares some tips on how to enjoy the sun, but to avoid damage from its dangerous rays:

1. Make sure sunscreen has both UVB and UVA protection. Not all do. The SPF is a measurement of UVB protection (SPF should be at least 15). SPF does not measure UVA protection. Both UVA and UVB cause skin cancer and wrinkles. The sunscreen must say "UVA protection provided."

2. The worst hours to be on the beach are between 11 am -3 pm.

3. Tee shirts do not protect from ultraviolet damage.

4. Windows (and sunglasses) do protect from UVB - they do not block UVA.

Dr. Goldberg is available for interviews regarding protecting skin from the sun and repairing sun damage.

Earth Day is every day at LUSH

Gear up and help the world with these great tips from LUSH:

> Clean up your neighborhood! Find out what your local eco-charities are doing in April- one of our Charity Pot partners, NJ-based Clean Ocean Action, is hosting a beach sweep to clean up Atlantic City in April. Or purchase our Charity Pot Hand & Body Lotion ($20.95) which donates 100% of the proceeds to grass root organizations close to LUSH's heart.

> Recycle every container! Check the bottom to see if there is a recycling symbol- most recycling plants accept #s 1-5 and many are starting to accept #6 as well. Also, many beauty companies have recycling programs, like at LUSH where you can return 5 black pots and receive a free Fresh Face Mask!

> Reduce waste and start a compost bin in your backyard. Find a large bin, add plant clippings (such as grass), dried leaves and soil to get started, and toss in all your food scraps. You can even reuse some of the compost as mulch for your plants. We started one at our Vancouver head office and composted over 100 tons of waste last year!

> Reuse your bags. Purchase a canvas tote bag to carry your groceries in every week, use newspapers to wrap presents or try our reusable Knot Wrap ($6.95) to carry anything from wine bottles to books. These beautiful scarves come in an array of patterns and are made from recycled plastic bottles.

When Redness Is More Than Blushing-- April is Rosacea Awareness Month

World-Renowned Skin Care Authority and Celebrity Dermatologist, David J. Goldberg, MD (http://www.skinandlasers.com/), is tackling rosacea during Rosacea Awareness Month.

A common skin condition, rosacea affects more than 16 million Americans. It is a non-contagious facial skin disorder that usually begins as a redness, like a blush, appearing on the face - most often on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. Typically, rosacea symptoms appear in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 and usually impacts women more often than men. At first, the redness may come and go, but over time, it can become more persistent, presenting visible blood vessels. If left untreated, bumps and tiny pimples may develop.

Dr. Goldberg, recognized nationally and internationally for his innovative work with skin lasers, cosmetic dermatology and facial rejuvenation techniques, recommends several products and treatments for the flushing reaction of rosacea.

Laser and Light: The Nd:YAG Laser is used to treat visible blood vessels associated with rosacea and is less likely to cause bruising. YAG laser gets deeper down to the blood vessels but requires technical expertise. In addition, the pulsed dye laser helps with superficial redness and when used in combination, the two treatments can provide positive results. Dr. Goldberg also adds a red light emitting LED treatment which decreases the inflammation associated with rosacea. By using this technique of all three laser and light source treatments together in a series of monthly treatments, Dr. Goldberg has provided rosacea suffers with dramatic results.

Dysport: This proven wrinkle relaxer has been approved for treating forehead wrinkles and frown lines in the U.S. Dr. Goldberg has used Dysport to help decrease the flushing of the skin because it inhibits the overactive blood vessels which lead to flushing. “We have had positive results with the use of Dysport for treating rosacea,” says Dr. Goldberg. For optimal lasting results that put the pause on Rosacea, our patients undergo one session every three to six months.

Redness Relief CalmPlex: This new lotion by SkinMedica, when used twice a day, calms inflammation within a week and delivers continuous improvement over 12 weeks. Created with ingredients that specifically suppress inflammation and also sooth the skin including Vitamin B-3 and jojoba, CalmPlex helps address the itchy, prickling feeling many rosacea sufferers experience. “This revolutionary skin cream, when used in combination with IPL or LED treatments, has made a big splash in helping to treat the redness that comes from having rosacea. In addition, it also helps reduce the chance of future flare-ups,” says Dr. Goldberg.

According to the National Rosacea Society, rosacea patients can improve their chances of maintaining remission by identifying and avoiding lifestyle and environmental factors such as extreme weather and sun exposure, stress, spicy foods, and alcohol. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to controlling rosacea.

Temptu: Build-a-Bundle AIRbrush Makeup System

As someone who doesn't usually even wear foundation, the Temptu AIRbrush was very intimidating to me. The instructions and DVD made it seem so easy, though...

I tried it before going out with the girls one Friday night.

Hello, FLAWLESS SKIN!

I didn't use the highlighter--I'm pretty good about providing my own shine, but the foundation and blush were OUTSTANDING.

The application was super-easy. The hardest part was getting the little plugs to stay in place when I was done.

It took about 3 minutes. The last time I wore foundation & blush took me close to 10.

I think I could get it down to about 1 minute.

My friend commented on my great skin, and I got a truly horrible pick-up line*, so I am counting my first Temptu outing as a complete success!

More expensive than I am generally comfortable with, but they have some great sales, and sometimes Sephora will even discount.

Worth the investment!!!

*If I were a squirrel, would you let me out my nut in your hole. That is what he said. For reals.

Mama Mio Summer Confidence Challenge

Summer's on it's way and we all know what that means; beaches, bikinis and baring our bods. Yikes! It can be a scary thought, so we want you to take part in the Mama Mio Summer Confidence Challenge in association with MyDaily and Kuoni to help raise body confidence across the nation this summer.

All you have to do is answer five quick ques- tions about your body confidence.

Everyone who takes part in our poll will get the chance to:

• purchase our best-selling Boob Tube at half-price.

• win a holiday giftcardworth $1000 from our holiday partner Kuoni.

• become one of our Summer Testers and trial some of our favourite Mama Mio products (this applies to the first 100 women to take part)

So if, like us, you feel it's time to bring about a cosmic change in the way you feel about yourself take a look at our poll and tell us: What's your Summer Confidence Factor out of 50?

CLICK HERE to take part today - it'll be fun!