My Future in PR Might be Short

Sulfates are totally the high-fructose corn syrup of the beauty world.

Yup, it's true.

Picture the ad now:

Scene in a beautiful Hamptons cottage, two women in yoga clothes chatting over coffee while orange juice and muffins sit idly by, uneaten.

Woman 1 (owner of the house): So, do you want to shower before we head out to meet the guys for brunch?

Woman 2 (her guest):  Well, sure.  But I forgot my shampoo back in the city.

Woman 1: Oh, just use mine, I don't mind.

Woman 2 (conspiratorily) :  But yours has sulfates in it.

Woman 1 (snottily): So?

Woman 2 (baffled): Well, you know what they say about sulfates!

Woman 1 (authoritatively): What?  That it's a kind of detergent and it gets my hair clean?

Woman 2 (broken): Ok, ok...  I guess I'll take that shower then!

Awkward frenemy laughter ensues.

Annnnndddd...scene.

I think I have a future on Mad Men.

Seriously though, there has been a lot of talk on the interwebs and in magazines about the dangers of sulfates, but not a lot of people know what they are or what the alternatives are.  

Well, the Beauty Brains does.

I, myself am hopelessly devoted to Pantene Pro-V, event though it is similarly maligned on the internet.  But, in the interest of being "trendy" and "natural," I gave L'Oreal's EverPure shampoo and conditioner a whirl.

It smells just like the Aveda Rosemary Mint products and lathers up nicely.  The main difference was that my hair felt heavier throughout the day.  Almost like day-after washing hair.  The smell lingers, which is nice, but I couldn't get past the heavy hair.

So, if you are really concerned about sulfates, or just love the Aveda smell without the trip to the salon, check out L'Oreal's EverPure line.

If not, just try to make your friends feel dumb by stumping them with the lines above.

Gossip Girl: Carnal Knowledge

Long time no blog, right?

Let's just say I've been on strike as long as Gossip Girl has!  Well, not exactly.  Work has consumed my life much in the same way crappy plot lines and whiny pathetic teachers have consumed Gossip Girl.

At least the fashion is still good.

Nelly Yuki and Blair rock some sweet coats out on the school patio.  Nelly's is French Connection and Blair's is H&M, but neither seem to be available online anymore.

Following the theme of things not being available, Blair's cardigan is the Nanette Lepore Songstress.

For once in this show, Serena is all covered up and weather appropriate!  Sporting a Rag and Bone coat and DVF boots.  Also, sadly, not available online.

WTF?

The lead time on the styling is getting a little absurd.

The bag is for sale...but it is north of three grand.  Oh.  My stomach turned just thinking about it.

Ahhh, finally, you can take all that moolah you saved not getting any of the aforementioned items and get Blair's Catherine Malandrino Floral Sleeve top.

Until next week...here's to hoping the Kubrickian plot twists and irrelevant adults vacate premises.

The Big Day

That's right...Valentine's Day is right around the corner.

Well...I kind of hate Valentine's Day.

Sorry.

I'm not a fan of conversation hearts, Russell stover, overpriced restaurant menus served by surly waiters, scratchy pink underwear given to you by someone suckered by an ad with big feather wings.

Washingtonian posted a special roundup of Blogger Beat all-stars best and worst Valentine's stories which is a pretty good read.

And as for my plans this year?  

Buying myself yet another pink lipgloss.  I am my own best Valentine.

Gossip Girl: You've Got Yale

Well...the surrealism continues.

First of all, yes, private school heads have a great deal of leverage in getting students into top schools.  But, no way in hell Serena would be getting one of those spots unless Bart had dedicated half of his fortune to a building with her name on it.

Blair, on the other hand, probably already has an endowment in her name.  Unless it was spent on her Milly fitted check coat and Valentino Jardin Rose bag.

Underneath the coat, she's sporting a Brooks Brothers Black Fleece jacket and H&M skirt.  But based on the prices, this is not your grandfather's Brooks Brothers jacket.  Ouch.  I'll also ignore her coffee filter sleeve blouse.  

Ok, no I won't.  Yuck.

Serena shows a rare moment of restraint in face of the New York January cold spell by covering up in a Lauren Moffat coat.  Don't worry, she bares her boobs for a night at the Opera.

Oh, another point of order?  Teens don't go to the opening night of the Met and make out in box seats.

But when Blair gets dressed for a date with her headmistress, she smartens up in a D&G coat from Fall/Winter 08.  My problem is this:  I caught a glimpse of Blair's shoes.  Mustard patent high heeled loafers with a velvet ribbon.  I know I've seen them before, and I CANNOT FIND THEM.

Please help.

Please.

Gossip Girl: Gone With The Will

Double Header tonight.

The past few episodes have digressed into totally unrealistic territory what with seventeen year olds inheriting multi-billion dollar public companies, attending readings of wills without representation, and throwing brunches and whatnot.

Blair picks up on one of my favorite trends here - grey tights.  They are reputed to be from Urban Outfitters, but I've also seen them in Bloomies and American Apparel makes a pretty kick-ass version.  She pairs it with a Diane von Furstenberg navy and black suit and Flavio Castellani cape.

For a change, Blair shows her boobs instead of Serena!  It's like a blue moon or getting to a sample sale when there's no line.  This is a stunner of a dress is Dolce and Gabbana from Fall/Winter 04-05.  Boo.

Ahh, just to put things right in the world, Serena shows up at a fancy brunch in a skintight Diane von Furstenberg sweater dress, but she's upstaged by Blair in a Milly blouse and See by Chloe skirt.

Until the next totally unrealistic ep...