12.02.08
Parlux Signs Licensing Deal with Marc Ecko
Parlux Fragrances, Inc. has forged a worldwide licensing agreement with Marc Ecko Enterprises to develop and market a line of prestige fragrances for men and women. In the early 1990s, Marc Ecko launched a clothing line with six T-shirt designs and a can of spray paint. Today, $1.5 billion Marc Ecko Enterprises includes a dozen lines of clothing and accessories including *ecko unltd., featuring the iconic Rhino logo, eckored, Marc Ecko Cut & Sew, Zoo York, along with Complex magazine, www.Complex.com and a videogame and multimedia division, Marc Ecko Entertainment.
According to Marc Ecko, founder and chief creative officer, Marc Ecko Enterprises, “I be-lieve in getting out of the comfort zone so to that end I am excited to partner with Parlux to introduce my first fragrance. I can’t tell you yet what it will be–but it won’t be conventional. With the know-how Parlux delivers and my vision, I look forward to a fragrance unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.”
Neil Katz, chairman and chief executive of Parlux Fragrances, Inc., added, “With the Marc Ecko addition to our fragrance portfolio, Parlux Fragrances, Inc. will target yet another consumer group. We see Marc Ecko’s appeal as worldwide and a key part of our strategic plan. We believe Parlux is setting in motion dynamic initiatives by introducing brands that will appeal to a diverse and broad audience of consumers.”
Yes To Carrots Supports Organic Initiatives
Yes To Carrots has created a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded to provide under-served communities with the resources to develop and sustain an organic food source and access to healthy nutrition. Together with partner organizations, the Yes To Carrots Seed Fund will donate a portion of its proceeds to help local communities purchase equipment, seeds and related supplies; acquire the technical know-how to grow their own fruits, herbs and vegetables; and transform urban and suburban land for farming and gardening purposes.
Yes To Carrots has been working with Chicago-based Growing Home, Inc., an organization that provides job training for homeless and low-income individuals in Chicago through a social enterprise business based on organic agriculture. Program participants work to plant and harvest the gardens, sell the organic produce in local markets and gain valuable job experience that helps reintroduce them back into the workforce. The Seed Fund has provided funding for Growing Home’s Wood Street Urban Farm, located in the center of Englewood, one of the poorest and most violent areas on the South side of Chicago. This once empty lot is now becoming a vibrant space full of organic life.
The Seed Fund, which has been in development for over a year, is the personal dream of Ido Leffler, chief executive officer of Yes To Carrots. “We are extremely proud of The Seed Fund—it’s a cornerstone of our company values,” Mr. Leffler said. “We’re working with certified organic farmers in Israel to create our line of personal care products, and by creating the Seed Fund, we found a way to give back to the Earth and help local communities where we do business. The simple act of planting seeds and encouraging collaboration in local markets has a major impact, and the Seed Fund completes the cycle.”
CTRL Targets Acne
Acne care has gone gender specific with CTRL, a new line of topical, non-prescription products. Billed as a carefully-adjusted proprietary formula and a unique combination of natural ingredients to attack and prevent acne at its root cause, CTRL for Her and CTRL for Him have been created address the specific design and structure of the skin it is treating.
“It’s amazing, when you look at the many and fundamental differences between men’s and women’s skin. Until now, ordinary acne products treat acne with the exact same approach without consideration to these differences in male and female skin,” said Brian Jennings, founder and chief executive officer of Videsante Pharmaceuticals, based in Summit, NJ. “CTRL is designed to take those differences into account and provide a safe, healthy, comprehensive approach that can erase not only the appearance of acne but treat the root causes of it as well.”
The science behind CTRL is based on the four factors that trigger acne, including hyperkeratinization, sebum production, infection and inflammation. CTRL uses Videsante’s proprietary 5 alpha Phyto-Technology, featuring patented ingredients that attack the root source of acne by reducing oil and sebum production in the skin. At the same time, the products also deliver a series of prebiotic complexes that are designed to kill P. acne bacteria deep in the pores without damaging other important skin-balancing bacteria. More info: www.ctrlacne.com
Drom Creates Wanted for American Brands
American Brands Inc. and Jesse McCartney have teamed up to market a new women’s fragrance called Wanted. Drom perfumer Pierre-Constantin Gueros created the scent, which he calls “wildly feminine and flirty.” The scent gives an alluring ambiance that captivates and grabs your attention, just like Jesse McCartney. Billed as the perfect medley of bergamot and chilled apple, as the fragrance unfolds, a beautiful bouquet of sweet jasmine and rose blossoms add depth. Mr. Gueros added background notes of cedarwood and amber to unite with musk.
Argan's the Secret in New Skin Care Line
Fruits & Passion is tackling wrinkles, fine lines and stretch marks with Argan, a line of three body care products to moisturize and firm skin. The Cream Body Wash, Body Butter and Hand Butter each contain a percentage of argan oil, an ingredient long used by the women of Morocco, its country of origin. More info: www.fruits-passion.com.
Liquid Lipstick Imparts Rich Color
Cosmoholic Cosmetics has a new collection of liquid lipsticks that go on like a lipgloss, but have the deep pigment of a lipstick. The line includes seven highly pigmented shades ($20)—Prudish Pink, Rock Star Red, Gold Digger, Mysterious Mocha, Promiscuous Pink, Passionate Peach, and Bossy Berry—as well as Gold Digger, a shade that goes from day to night with an extra pop of shimmer. This collection is fragrance-free, but includes vanilla flavors and macadamia nut oil for moisturizing as well as vitamins E and C and antioxidants. More info: www.cosmoholiconline.com
Actress Picks OPI Nail Enamel
Mariska Hargitay, 2008 Emmy nominee for her role as detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” received plenty of accolades for her sense of style on the Emmy red carpet. The actress completed her couture look with OPI nail lacquer in Yes…I Can-Can! The jeweled shade of eggplant is part of OPI’s n Fall/Winter 2008 La Collection de France. Her nails were a striking contrast to her bright yellow, one-shouldered gown, which she accessorized with gold-and-jewel dangling earrings. La Collection de France by OPI features 12 Nail Lacquers in jewel and earth tones—perfect complements to the season’s chic, elegant fashions. More info: www.opi.com
Pink Is a Big Fan of Lip Glazes
Singer Pink is reportedly a huge fan of Face Atelier’s Lip Glazes, which give lips a shiny, smooth as glass finish. This non-sticky, moisturizing lip color contains silicone and is housed in a slant-tip tube that eases application. More info: www.faceatelier.com
Monoi de Tahiti Is the Key Ingredient for Massage Oil
Skin care brand Pañpuri is touting Inner Peace Honey Milk Bath & Body Massage Oil. This nourishing bath and body oil includes Monoi de Tahiti, which restores softness to create a healthy appearance for the skin; soy protein, which is abundant in essential amino acids and helps strengthen and protect the skin; honey, which leaves the skin soft and smooth; and Ylang Ylang, which moisturizes and soothes. More info: www.panpuri.com
Three Custom Color Supports Diabetes Research
In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month in November, Three Custom Color Specialists introduced TAI Lip Shine ($19.50), a sheer burnished copper with flecks of bronze shimmer and shine. During November and December, 20% of the proceeds of the sales of TAI Lip Shine have been earmarked for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Sukispa Cosmeceuticals Debut
At ISPA last month, Suki Kramer launched Sukispa, a line of bioengineered cosmeceuticals. The line, which features a proprietary organic botanic concentrate, includes renewal bio-resurfacing facial peel, targeted bio-brightening face serum, bio-active purifying face serum, bio-C 10% formula face serum, facial lift ultimate firming cream and a regenerating antioxidant masque. More info: www.sukipure.com
Nine New Scents from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has released a series of nine fragrances inspired by “The Graveyard Book,” author Neil Gaiman’s newest bestseller. Scents such as Eau de Ghoul and The Macabray are based on the characters, locations and ideas found within the pages of the young adult fantasy novel. Proceeds from every bottle sold go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1986 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. This perfume series joins Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab’s scents inspired by Neil Gaiman’s “Good Omens,” “Stardust,” “American Gods,” “Anansi Boys,” and “Snow, Glass, Apples.” To date, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has raised more than $38,000 for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund through sales of its Neil Gaiman-related series.
Beauty 360 Debuts at CVS
CVS/pharmacy has launched its Beauty 360 store concept, which is designed to change the way women shop for prestige beauty. The concept, which debuted at DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C., offers an upscale shopping destination for the multi-faceted, time-starved woman. Using an experiential model of selling that is heavily focused on service and is conveniently located right in the customer’s neighborhood, Beauty 360 features a wide range of prestige and niche beauty brands from the skin care, cosmetics, men’s grooming and fragrance categories. Differentiating the stores from other beauty retailers, Beauty 360 will be staffed with trained and licensed professionals offering a unique suite of brand-specific signature services including mini-manicures, express facials, hand massages and make-up application, according to CVS.
“Beauty 360 is the natural evolution of CVS/pharmacy’s leadership within the beauty category,” said Mike Bloom, senior vice president of merchandising at CVS/pharmacy. “This new concept will redefine the beauty shopping experience by providing customers with access to prestige and niche beauty brands as well as an unparalleled level of service.”
A second Beauty 360 store is slated to open early this month in Mission Viejo, CA. Both the D.C. and Mission Viejo locations are adjacent to CVS/pharmacy stores and can be accessed via a breezeway as well as a separate store front entrance. More locations are being explored across the country for 2009 in markets where beauty performs exceedingly well.
Brands launching in the first two Beauty 360 locations include Dr. Brandt Skincare, Clean, P&G Fragrance, Laura Geller, Coty Fragrance, Sampar, Paula Dorf, Elizabeth Arden, Fragrance, Stendhal, Freeze 24.7, It Cosmetics, StriVectin, Borba, Juicy Couture Fragrance, Supersmile, ModelCo, Japonesque, Talika, Canyon Ranch, Lavera, Zirh, Fusion Beauty, Me Bath, Ahava, Bloom, Mineral Essence, Clarins Fragrance, Payot, Caron Paris and Perlier.
More info: www.cvscaremark.com
T-shirts Feature Odor-Eliminating Fibers
FMJ USA Corporation, Hartsdale, NY, has introduced Breeze Bronze, a line of T-shirts, socks, towels, and other items manufactured with odor-eliminating fibers. The company contends Breeze Bronze products maintain the qualities of natural fibers while offering a revolutionary new process that breaks down and eliminates the sources of body odor, such as underarm, foot, and aging-related odors. More info: www.breezebronzeusa.com
Whole Foods Expands Personal Care Offerings
Whole Foods Market is offering four new product lines that not only meet the company’s Premium Body Care Standard but also come from mission-driven companies. The lines include Peter Rabbit Organics Garden Fresh Baby Care products; Depth Body Care (a line of products developed by two marine biologists); Alaffia Sustainable Skin Care (a line made with unrefined shea butter) and Teens Turning Green. More info: www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Oriflame Adds New Scent to Gemstone Collection
Diamond Musk is the third addition to Oriflame’s Gem Collection, a series of scents inspired by gemstones. The muse for Diamond Musk was the uncut diamond. Created by perfumer Mark Buxton, this ultra feminine scent offers a soft sensuality built around jasmine and musk notes. Top notes are grape flower, Italian mandarin, freesia, violet leaf and aldehydes The heart features Indian jasmine, Madagascar ylang ylang and hawthorn. The base features musks, crystal amber, vanilla, orchid and blond woods The scent is packaged in a 50ml perfumery bottle made from heavy glass with a blue base which gives the bottle its color to evoke the delicacy of the diamond gemstone, according to the company.
P&G Taps Rosales as H&S Spokesperson
Antonio Rosales, voted among the top 10 Hispanic hairstylists in the U.S. by Latina magazine, is Head & Shoulder’s first stylist and spokesperson devoted to the needs of the growing U.S. Hispanic market. Mr. Rosales joins Head & Shoulders’ global stylist Ben Skervin who has served as the only stylist for the brand at the global level. As part of his new duties, Mr. Rosales will also launch a scalp care blog at the revamped Head & Shoulders Spanish language website, www.amatucabello.com
Cheek Stains Now at Bergdorf Goodman
Previously available only in sets, Tarte’s blissful and true love cheek stains are now available individually at Bergdorf Goodman. A dermatologist-tested, water-based push up gel won’t clog pores and the hydrating formula is good for dry skin, according to the company. They retail for $28.
The colors would appeal to vampires, but not the formulation. Drop-dead reds touted by Barielle—Ectasy and Vivid—are free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde—but contain the company’s nail growth activator, which includes garlic enzymes to strengthen nails and help them grow.
Sun Sauce was the official skin care sponsor of the United States Miss Earth Pageant, held Sept. 24, and the sunless tanner product may have helped propel Jana Murrell to Miss Earth 2008. Ms. Murrrell uses Sun Sauce’s self-tanning products, according to the company.
More info: www.sunsauce.com
SpongeTech Teams Up with Sponge Bob
SpongeTech Delivery Systems, Inc. has partnered with Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products and will bring SpongeBob SquarePants from the television screen to bathtubs and beaches in the form of soap- and sunscreen-infused sponges for kids. The partnership for nationwide production and sales also includes products using other popular juvenile characters, such as Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!. The products will reach shelves in the third quarter of 2009
More info: www.spongetech.com
Perricone Launches Light Renewal
N.V. Perricone M.D. Cosmeceuticals is offering the Light Renewal treatment, which combines Photo Therapeutics (PTL) Omnilux technology with Dr. Perricone’s Nourishing Milky Cleanser and Serum prep to ensure the skin is properly prepared and ready to receive the benefits of light technology. Clinical trials lasting nine and 12 weeks showed effectiveness in rejuvenating skin and reducing fine lines and peri-orbital wrinkles, according to Dr. Perricone.
The deal with Perricone marks Omnilux LED-based technology’s debut in the consumer market. In addition, PTL reports that it is also taking final steps to introduce its Omnilux New-U to the home-use market.
Mangosteen-based Skin Care from XanGo
XanGo, LLC says its Glimpse Intuitive Skin Care will create a new category for mangosteen topical nutrition similar to what the company’s XanGo Juice did in 2002 when it brought the benefits of mangosteen internal consumption to a global market.
Glimpse features exclusive ingredients from the mango-steen delivered through a proprietary BioActive X3 Complex. The result is a clean, high-performing skin nutrition system that protects your skin and the environment. The line includes two basic systems: one providing nutrition for normal to dry skin and the other designed for normal to combination skin. Both systems include a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer. The systems retail for $200 each.
“Glimpse is a natural, strategic extension of our business, and we’re proud to take the lead again by creating the category for topical skin nutrition from the mangosteen fruit,” said XanGo founder and board chairman/chief executive officer Aaron Garrity. “What XanGo Juice brought to the world six years ago in terms of creating a category and introducing a ground floor business opportunity, Glimpse will offer for topical mangosteen nutrition. The difference is that six years later we are in 23 countries with a sophisticated infrastructure and one million independent distributors to support the launch of Glimpse.”
C Renewal from Sothys
French skin care company Sothys will soon unveil C Renewal, a three-step program made especially for weak and fragile skin that has been assaulted by age and the environment, next month. The range, designed to be used at night, features a micro dermabrasion mask, a peeling/comfort renewal solution and a continuous renewal care night cream.
Bubalina Goes Green with Natural Organics
Bubalina is touting its Natural Organics product line, which features body washes, body scrubs, hand and body lotions and body butters in five scents. Keeping with the organic nature of this line, Bubalina has taken the extra steps to ensure that even the packaging is beneficial to the environment by using vegetable based inks and recycled materials. More info: www.bubalinabeauty.com
New Detergent for the Sports Enthusiast
The creator of Dry Cleaner’s Secret is touting a new laundry detergent for modern fabrics that expand and retract to retain sweat, making high-performance athletic garments feel dry against the skin. Most brands of this high-performance apparel contain a blend of spandex, polyester, Lycra and other synthetic fabrics, and detergents are often unable to remove the odors and bacteria, leaving them stuck in the nooks and crannies of the material. According to Dry Inc., a recently published study observed how detergent residue is deposited into activewear fabric with every washing. Further, the company says, bleach and other laundry products fade color and erode the designed wicking properties. New ProWash activewear detergent provides a complete substitute or a cleaning boost to a regular laundry wash. “Consumer research has revealed that activewear garments are typically thrown out after only a few months of use, due to odor problems and stains. Now, consumers have a product they can confidently use regularly on their favorite, high performance athletic apparel, extending the life of their garments and eliminating odor,” said Scott Heim, president, Dry Inc.
ProWash began shipping in August to select Wal-Mart stores and will be available in early 2009 in a wide variety of grocery, drug and mass merchant stores across the greater U.S., according to Dry Inc.