- Eva Hoeke has stepped down from Jackie in the wake of Niggabitch-gate.[Fashionista]

- Brad Goreski denies rumors that he stole clients from Rachel Zoe and accuses the superstar stylist of character assassination. But  in all fairness, Brad’s character was really asking for it. [Styleite]

- Elizabeth Taylor‘s auction brought in a record-breaking $158.8 million —  Liz and Dick Burton are cackling at each other over martinis in hell. [NYT]

- You take the good, you take the bad, you take ‘em both and there you have the facts of Vogue. Here’s the good: Adele probably will be covering Vogue‘s March issue.  And now for the bad: Taylor Swift probably will be covering Vogue‘s February’s issue. [Fashionista]

- Speaking of Swift, her CoverGirl ad has been banned for making unsubstantiated claims, the most egregious being that Taylor Swift is worthy of being a CoverGirl. [The Cut]

- And speaking of cover girls, Justin Bieber is rumored to cover V Magazine‘s “Music Issue” shot by Inez and Vinoodh and dropping January 12. [Page Six]

-  Apparently some ladies  riding the crimson wave have begun to hang ten on a crime wave at Duane Reades around town with a rash of tampon thefts, prompting the NYPD to pull off a sting operation. Because that’s what happens in New York. [Racked]

- Mariah Carey brings out the twins, John Legend and her 90s “Vision of Love” hair for her newest holiday classic music video, “When Christmas Comes”:

Sam

Saks Fifth Avenue - Saks always gives us something to look forward to when a season is ending. This Ports 1961 dress will take you into fall, and you’ll pay $360 LESS than the original price.

Intermix - We love Intermix for basics and funky fresh staples. Everyone needs a season-less, lightweight sweater, and you can love this Joie Open Weave Sweater for $149 instead of $248.

See Jessica’s pick on page 2.

- Men are now spending good money on crotch powders. Meanwhile, just go to Duane Reade and get some baby powder and call it a goddamn day. [NYT]

- “Supermodel” and noted bitch-bruiser Jessica White‘s criminal charges following an assault on someone who would dare try to steal her cab have been dismissed, on the grounds that she performs three days of community service, two days of anger-management classes, and stays out of trouble for the next six months. Luckily, those mediation classes Russell Simmons gifted her will finally see some use. [The Cut]

- Legendary muse and Lady Stardust, Iman will be guest editing Essence.com. [Modelina]

- Snooki is drunkenly stumbling her way into fashion with her new line of flip flops and wedge sandals. Those will go great with my JWOWW tracksuit and The Situation fanny pack![Racked]

- Lady Gaga‘s infamous meat dress has been jerkied and painted for historical posterity for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “Women Who Rock” exhibit. [Styleite]

Top row, from left:

NARS Nail Polish in Schiap $17, barneys.com

OPI Nail Polish in Do You Lilac It? $6, amazon.com

American Apparel Nail Polish in Neon Green $6, americanapparel.net

Deborah Lippmann Nail Color in Yellow Brick Road $16, barneys.com

Essie Nail Polish in Forget Me Nots $8, Duane Reade & Rite Aid Stores

Bottom row, from left:

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer in Prized Possession Purple $7, amazon.com

Hot Topic Nail Polish in Marigold $2.99, hottopic.com

H&M Nail Varnish in U Must Have This $5, hm.com

By Terry Terrybly Nail Lacquer in Electric Vermillion $30, barneys.com

China Glaze Nail Polish in Thataway $4.20, lotionsource.com

What is your favorite nail hue for the coming summer months?

1. Organic Surge Citrus Mint Shower Gel: Natural moisturizers and stimulating organic essential oils come together in this refreshing and invigorating shower gel. I can’t get enough of its wake-me-up properties first thing in the morning. Plus, every Organic Surge product you buy contributes to their efforts to support Africa’s most vulnerable children. Available online.

2. Origins Incredible Spreadable™ Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub: Natural sugars gently buff away rough, dry skin before transforming into a creamy, cleansing lather, leaving your skin refreshed and smooth. Origins products are manufactured using a combination of renewable resources, wind energy and earth-friendly practices. Available at Origins stores, Macy’s and online.

3. Aura Cacia Patchouli/Sweet Orange Body Cream: This deliciously nourishing body cream contains 100% pure essential oils to deliver the finest aromatherapy to your body. Patchouli soothes while orange uplifts in this fragrant moisturizer. Aura Cacia’s own ethical and sustainable sourcing program, Well Earth™, allows them to guarantee the purity of their essential oils. Available online.

4. Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream: This protective hand cream, rich in the living energy of lavender, calendula and viola, deeply moisturizes and restores smoothness to working hands. With respect for life and nature, Jurlique uses biodynamic farming methods to sustain and enrich the soil with each harvest cycle to optimize the living energy in their plants and products and on your skin. Available at Jurlique stores and online.

5. Skin by Monica Olsen Sore Foot Repair Cream: This incredible cream uses tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract and thyme extract to battle bacteria, calm inflammation, stimulate circulation and cool over-worked feet. All Skin by Monica Olsen packaging is Forest Stewardship Council certified, meaning the materials come from well-managed forests, recycled material and/or controlled wood which come from non-controversial sources. Available at Duane Reade and online.

Did we miss anything? What are your favorite organic skincare brands and body care products?

1. Skin by Monica Olsen Make Up Remover: This all-natural makeup remover uses organic essential oils to nourish and moisturize your lashes and skin while completely removing all traces of makeup from skin, eyes and lips. The Skin by Monica Olsen team inspects all ingredients for purity, effectiveness and organic certifications, so you know you’re skin is getting the very best when using their products. Available online and at Duane Reade stores.

2. Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash: This gentle foaming facial cleanser refreshes and moisturizes all skin types while it washes away impurities. Plus, organic rose geranium essential oil will help restore the skin’s natural balance by brightening a dull, sluggish complexion. Available online.

3. Origins GinZing™ Eye Cream: Origins proprietary complex of caffeine from coffee beans, Panax ginseng, magnolia extract and natural optic brighteners rapidly wakes up, refreshes, depuffs and restores radiance to tired eyes. Origins is committed to protect the planet and its resources by using organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils. Available online and at Origins retails stores across the country.

4. Jurlique Calendula Cream: This soothing, non-greasy moisturizer is rich in calendula and witch hazel to restore and condition delicate skin. Jurlique products are formulated with organic, biodynamic, natural ingredients grown on the company’s sustainable farm. Available online and in various retails stores nationwide.

5. Hugo Naturals Pineapple & Coconut Lip Balm: Your lips will feel moisturized and refreshed with this ultra nourishing blend of coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba and essential oils. Hugo Naturals cares deeply about the health of our planet and creates products that are good for both the consumer and the Earth. Available online.

Did we miss anything? What are your favorite organic skincare brands and face products?

Woman splashing water on her face

1. Wear sunscreen to protect skin and hair. This is the most important type of sun protection you can get without staying indoors. If you are going to be poolside, at the beach or even spending a day at the park, it’s good to apply these products 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. Aveeno Positively Ageless Lotion For Face SPF 70 is great for the delicate skin on your face and Coppertone Oil Free Lotion SPF 30 Sunscreen is a classic that can be used everywhere. Keep those beautiful locks free of sun damage with Ouidad Sun Shield Sun & Sport Leave-In Spray or Phyto Phytoplage L’Originale Protective Beach Spray.

2. Use an everyday moisturizer with SPF. Just because you’re not in direct sunlight all day doesn’t mean the sun’s harmful rays aren’t reaching you. Wearing a moisturizer with SPF either alone or under makeup all the time will prevent even the smallest amounts of sunlight from infiltrating your skin. DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew™ and Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20 are both great products.

3. Leave-in conditioner will help repair hair. If you’re heading to the pool or beach, things like chlorine, salt and sun can be tough on your mane. Combing a leave-in conditioner through hair will keep damage at bay. Turn to Hamadi Organics Shea Leave In Conditioner or Skin by Monica Olsen Leave in Conditioner with Moroccan Oil, available at Duane Reade, for maximum care and protection.

4. Don’t forget about your lips! The delicate skin on your lips is in need of protection more than you know, so don’t neglect that gorgeous pucker. Wearing lip balm with SPF every day will defend lips from harmful rays and keep them moisturized. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 and Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 will keep your pout supple and prevent damage and dryness from the sun.

5. Don’t forget your sunglasses. Not only for the purpose of looking fabulous, a pair of good sunglasses can save both your eyes and the delicate skin around them. When out all day in the sun, make sure you have shades large enough to cover a substantial portion of your face. I’m sure you indies have your favorites, but Gucci Square-Framed Acetate Sunglasses, Victoria Beckham Round Nite Acetate Sunglasses and Yves St. Laurent Animal-Print Square-Frame Acetate Sunglasses are all great options if you’re looking to buy.

6. Don’t be afraid of hat hair. Wearing a hat on long days in the sun protects both your face and hair while adding a stylish touch to your outfit. Go for something with a wide brim that provides a good amount of coverage. I’m obsessed with the Kangol Braid Siren Hat, and this Missoni Striped Woven Sunhat is a cheery, colorful option.

Two women on beach applying suntan lotion, (B&W)

You said the idea for SKIN by Monica Olsen was born when you were pregnant with your first child. What inspired you to start the line? Were you unhappy with what was on the market at the time?
My children were my inspiration to start this line because I could not find skincare products for them that were organically and environmentally pure. I also wanted to educate people about the negative impact of harmful chemicals on your skin and the positive effects of natural ingredients for your skin.

Was it difficult to find the perfect formulas for SKIN by Monica Olsen products?
I went through about 50 chemists before I found one who got it. Most of the others were putting harmful chemicals in the products, and I just said ‘no.’ That’s why there aren’t a lot of brands doing this because they don’t know how to do it right, it costs a lot more and takes a lot more time to develop a natural brand.

It’s difficult when shopping for skincare for products to decide which brand to choose. What makes your line stand out from other natural brands on the market today?
We use cosmeceuticals, the marriage of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and that’s what makes our product different. Think about a moisturizer just hydrating the skin, that’s one thing. Think about it getting rid of acne, getting rid of wrinkles – doing things that are within a much broader scope and dealing with problems dermatologists would deal with.

So you’re actually going to see results when you use SKIN by Monica Olsen products rather than just doing the bare minimum for your skin?
I don’t sell hope in a jar, I believe in selling real results. I want it to be healthy for consumers’ skin, but women of a certain age want results. And I don’t fault them for that, I’m in the same category. Being natural is not good enough. That’s great, but what can it do?

What can it do? I’ve used four SKIN by Monica Olsen products for a month and see a huge improvement in the condition of my skin – it’s softer, clearer and doesn’t feel irritated. Which products have I been using?

The Restore MSM Facial Cleanser in orange blossom uses emollient oils and antioxidants to cleanse and moisturize your skin. It washes clean and leaves my face feeling fresh from morning until night. My breakouts have decreased and are less severe if they do happen.

I use the Refine Deep Penetrating Clay Cleanse twice a week in place of the Restore facial cleaner. I’ve never used a clay cleanser quite like this, it’s amazing! It cools your skin and makes it feel unbelievably soft once it’s rinsed off.

This mask is intense! The Dead Sea Clay Masque cleanses and detoxifies the skin, removing old skin cells and leaving the skin fresh and light. It hardens over your skin like a true mask, but after rinsing, your skin feels cleansed and renewed. I’ve only used this once, as it keeps on working for weeks.

There are so many lip plumping products out there promising a more voluptuous pout, but none of them work like Plump For Sexy Lips. Peppermint and natural oils make the lips tingle, and the difference is noticeable. If you want to go without lipstick but still turn heads, this is the product for you.

You can learn more about SKIN by Monica Olsen and purchase the line on her website or at Duane Reade stores across New York City.

If your hair is feeling a bit ‘under the weather’ try this at home. It all started when Daniel and I went to Duane Reade to look for conditioning treatments for our own dry hair only to discover that every product there has an ingredient called Dimethicone (look it up), something you should NEVER put in your hair.

So we decided to look up a more natural, or as you say it organic, alternative to the drugstore brand treatment. This is what we came up with:

1. Take 1 whole Avacado and mash into a bowl

2. Take 1 Banana and mash

3. Grate a few pieces of whole Coconut into the mixture

4. Add about 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

5. Add 1 teaspoon of Honey

6. Mix and apply to hair (if you have extra, put in air tight container and use again tomorrow)

7. Leave on for 30min and shampoo as usual.

Comment and let us know what you guys think!

Need a new look for New Years? Look no further than your local Duane Reade!!!

Becks and I stopped in this morning and found a bunch of their top beauty products at 75% off. Neutrogena, Almay, Max Factor, and CoverGirl where all heavily discounted. She grabbed a new mascara and concealer from Loreal for $1.75.

Get there quick…

1.) The Ear Muff: There is no easier way to look like a Wall Street douche bag than ear muffs, especially the behind the head ones. Ear muffs are like the shitty stocking stuffer gift that your crazy Aunt Myrtle buys you for Christmas. The main selling point for these stupid things is that you can wear them with out messing up your hair. If you are that conscious about how you look you should know better than to wear something so stupid. 

Alternatives: Buy a nice knit hat that will keep your ears warm in the frigid weather. I recommend the Marc Jacobs one that is currently on my head. It’s $45 and it’s cashmere, it’s heaven.

2.) Cargo Pants: As Jonah Hill said in Superbad, “No one’s gotten a hand-job in cargo pants since Nam.” Enough said.

Alternatives: Anything with two leg holes and a reasonable number of pockets (5 or less).

3.) Face Mask: I really am blown away at how many people I see wearing these on a daily basis. There are so many different options that can make you look like you aren’t going to rob the Duane Reade on the corner. I can understand if your ugly, or you have a bit of clap residue on your lip from the stripper the night before, but come on Hannibal Lecter ditch the mask.

Alternatives: The easiest way to combat this stupidity is just pull your scarf up over your face. Grab a cool scarf from any retailer for like $20 and your all set. 

4.) The Bubble Jacket: In a society where being “fat” isn’t looked upon with too generous of an eye, why would you want a jacket that makes you look that much bigger? It never really gets that cold in the city where you would need a goose down jacket to brave the elements. If you are going to shoot a documentary on penguins in Alaska I’m all for it, but if you are walking five blocks to work there are other options that won’t have you looking like someone from a rap music video.

Alternatives: Any normal coat. For extra warmth try a thicker wool coat, possibly with a fur (or faux fur) lining. A bit of layering never hurt anyone either!

5.) The Leather Trench Coat: Hey Morpheus the leather trench coat is no longer acceptable in the Matrix either. I was blown away when I saw someone wearing one of these on the subway this morning. Ever wonder what happens to those cows that are slaughtered for McDonald’s burger? They just hose it off, cut arm holes in it and tie the tail around the waist, resulting in a beautiful leather trench coat. So if you continue to wear this coat I’m going to ask that you sit your robot ass in the corner next to the dude from Grandma’s Boy.

Alternatives: A normal length leather jacket, or a normal trench that isn’t leather. I’m a personal fan of the Surface to Air x Justice jackets.