Happy Bastille Day!

… or simply “14 juillet” as the French say! Just to brush up on everyone’s French history, the 14^th of July commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which marks the French peoples’ very first victory against this symbol of the oppressive “Ancien Regime”, and the beginning of the French Revolution. The first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille wasn’t actually celebrated until 2 years later, on the 14^th of July 1790, and this day did not become an official French National holiday until 1880! France has now celebrated this triumphant and patriotic day every year for over a century with military parades and ceremonies, fireworks, balls – and of course, La Marseillaise!

Now just because the French get today off from work to celebrate and be merry does not mean that we here in the States can’t celebrate La France as well! Set the atmosphere “a la Francaise”: listen to La Marseillaise (go ahead, just look it up on YouTube!) or some classic French tunes- Edith Piaf, anyone? Go grab a baguette and some cheese, or go somewhere French like Le Pain Quotidien (well, they’re Belgian… but it’s close enough for our purposes, right?!). And tonight - le 14 juillet is a great excuse to have a little get-together, pop open some champagne, or just enjoy some French cheese, paté, and wine!

Vive la France!

Vive La France! Bloggers Celebrate Bastille Day At Phyto Universe

Last night beauty bloggers gathered at Phyto Universe in NYC to celebrate Bastille Day (a few days early!) with PHYTO hair care, LIERAC Paris skincare, and Caron fragrances. Guests were invited to learn about products from all brands, including some of our more recent launches. Experts were on hand to offer up their knowledge and everyone had a chance to mingle with fellow bloggers while munching on some delicious French delicacies (complete with cheese and paté, bien sur!). Live band, "The Hot Club of Hell's Kitchen," played French tunes in the background.

The night also included a mini French lesson, courtesy of Laurel Holland and the Alliance Francaise, in which bloggers learned beauty-related words and phrases associated with skin and hair, as well as hair care and skincare tips from celebrity stylist and salon owner, Julien Farel, and LIERAC's Director of Education, Catherine Raubiet.

Catherine provided great tips while highlighting some of the differences between the ways Americans and the French view skincare:

• Start early with skincare - Get regular facials as early as the teenage years. Americans view getting facials as a luxury, while the French see it as necessary for proper grooming.
  
  
• Use minimal makeup - keep makeup light! Cosmetics are intended to enahance beauty, not act as something to hide behind.
  
  
• Keep it gentle - Though Americans embrace more aggressive procedures (such as microdermabrasion, lasers, and peels), the French prefer more holistic approaches to skincare, with more of a reliance on botanics.
  
  
• Skincare regimen - It's important to maintain a proper skincare regimen including cleansing, moisturizing, and toning, in the morning AND at night. Also, exfoliate and use a mask at least once a week.
  
  
• Body care - Americans tend to forget about taking care of the skin on their bodies (just focus on moisturizing the face), but keeping the body hydrated is just as important!
  
  
• Minimal cosmetic surgery - Plastic surgery is much more common in the US than in France. The French prefer the use of non-invasive topical treatments.
  
  
• Approx. 30% of skin ages due to genetics....70% is in your control!

  
  
  Everyone had a great time at 'le soirée' (we ended up with more attendees than expected...the more the merrier!). A fabulous night indeed!

  
  
  Photos!

  
  
  

  
  
  

  The experts! Julien Farel and Catherine Raubiet

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  The band

  
  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  

  
  Caron's Diane Haska and Lauren of Everyday to Runway
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  A big MERCI to all who came out to Phyto Universe!

Conquering Cellulite: LIERAC Paris Celebrates Over 30 Years Of Research And Development

Cellulite may be an inevitable woe for many of us, but did you know that LIERAC Paris has spent more than 30 years studying the causes and methods of its treatment? That's right folks, we mean business!

Here are some highlights to better acquaint you with LIERAC's involvement:

1982: Phytophyline is introduced as the 1st intensive treatment for cellulite, based on our famous synergy of Alchemilla, Ivy, and Horsetail.


1995: Body Lift range begins with 1st "anti-orange peel skin" product, boasting 7% Active Caffeine.


2000: Body Lift 10 is introduced with a record-breaking 10% concentration of Active Caffeine.


2004: Ultra Body Lift 10 breaks onto the scene combining 10% Active Caffeine with aspartame.


2009: Morpho-Slim is born. The formula combines 7.5% LIPO-REVERSE® technology with 1% brown algae extract and 4% oat polysaccharides. The LIPO-REVERSE® complex is composed of both Active Caffeine and Glaucine and directly targets cellulite, firming the problem areas. Brown algae helps in the process of lipolysis, the breakdown of fat cells (which we don't want!). Additionally, oat polysaccharides have an immediate tightening effect on the skin. This product is intended for mature cellulite.


2010: Introduction of Morpho-Slim Stomach & Waist to specifically target cellulite in these regions.

And we're not through! Have you tried any anti-cellulite products before?

Heatwave Shaves With LIERAC Homme And SPIFF

Yesterday, to ring in the launch of the LIERAC Homme line, the brand held an event at the Duane Reade Look Boutique location at 51st Street (between 5th and 6th Ave.) in NYC. The event was designed to introduce the new products (which include a shave gel, an anti-puffiness eye cream, and a wrinkle repair cream). The launch was a great success! DJ Super Jaimie spun all afternoon long (the event lasted from noon-7 PM) and our sponsors, SPIFF NYC and Muscle Milk, provided straight razor shaves and shoe shines and refreshments respectively. We couldn't have done it without them! Despite the heatwave in NYC, the turnout was great!

All of the brand's representatives wore T-shirts in the LIERAC Homme signature brown color with the slogan "High Performance Skincare For Men" on the back.

Postcards were handed out on the street which entitled the first 250 recipients to pick up a FREE mini-sized shave gel.

A customer gets a shave

Shoe shine!

Thanks to everyone who participated and made this event a success! Special thanks to New York Magazine for listing the launch in their "Events and Sales" section, http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/07/tomorrows_events_and_sales_up_4.html

Stay tuned for future happenings!