Perfume or makeup “jewelry” is this winter’s must-have. Mark Jacobs must have remembered the perfume rings Avon in the 70’s made for women and little girls. Because it gives you a bit of designer luxury for a fraction of the price, all while making you smell and look good. This month marks the launch of Marc Jacobs’ Daisy solid perfume ring, a youthful, fresh floral scent housed in an adorable cocktail bauble. It’s convenient—you can do fragrant touch-ups anytime without suffocating the masses—and substantial finger candy. Plus, we all know it feels good to say you’re wearing Marc Jacobs.

Eyelash bars first became a beauty trend when Shu Uemura opened one in Tokyo’s hip Omotesando neighborhood two years ago. Once primarily attracting high end beauty shoppers or outrageously dressed clubbers, the Shu Uemura eyelash bar now attracts teens who go for fun designs like the Yellow Flash and Lucent Sun, which, when hit with light, cast colored patterns on the face. Copycat eyelash bars around the city are also attracting teens, making eyelash bar hopping a popular afterschool and weekend activity.

Source: the intelligence group

Mineral makeup will replace conventional foundation within the next five to 10 years if you believe all the PR speak that’s getting around: and believe me, sigh, there’s been a lot of it getting around. Minerals are being touted as the Next Big Thing, with plastic surgeons, dermatologists and celebrities lining up to endorse its benefits. And you know it must be a little bit big if a large international company like L’Oreal has released a version. But I can’t help but think mineral makeup is a fad or fashion, like mousse foundations were in the Eighties (remember those? everything was mousse there for a while).

Mineral makeup - for those who haven’t received countless emails and phone calls and brochures and samples - comprises only crushed minerals, like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxides. Previously associated with health food types, it has been around for years (Jane Iredale released its mineral range in 1994) - it seems the PR wheels have only just begun spinning. Mineral makeup is said to not only give a radiant finish but enhance the health of the skin. It is anti-inflammatory, provides complete coverage and broad-spectrum sun protection, is water resistant and is safe to use on acne, rosacea and post-operatively after laser and microdermabrasion.

Read on to find out who tried it, what they think and if the endorsements are PR Speak

Source: Natasha Hughes 1 Aug 2007

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