As Target’s partnership with Isaac Mizrahi draws to a close, fear not, budget-conscious fashionistas! Thankfully, Target is still devoted to keeping us looking good in a “economic downturn,” and has announced their launch of Designer Collaborations.

Designer Collaborations is a different product segment than Target’s Go International lines, which has featured designs from up and coming designers like Proenza Schouler, Luella Bartley, and Behnaz Sarafpour (to name a few of my favorites). Designer Collaborations will be featuring wallet-friendly fashion from established designers, kicking off in March 2009 with a new line from Alexander McQueen. The line will be based on Alexander McQueen’s McQ line and called McQ Alexander McQueen for Target.

 

The collection will feature trends and staple pieces including skinny jeans (yum!), lightweight sweaters, bubbles dresses, slim skirts (my favorite), and cuffed shorts. It will also include outerwear such as a coated cotton poplin black trench, gray denim cropped studded jacket, and a tuxedo blazer. Some other buzz-worthy items will be swimwear and cotton voile print scarves.

The color palette will consist of basic neutrals like black, white, gray and tan offset with punches of bright pink and cobalt blue. There’s also said to be a lot of rock and roll in this line, with studs and mesh punking up more traditional threads like a chambray shirtdress.

Is it too early to start camping outside of Target?

We’re lucky enough to live in a country where we can participate in our government. So, no matter who you are supporting, get out there and vote! I am going right after I depart my office in 3…2…1…!

Our right to vote is a beautiful and precious thing!

Available at TheLimited.com and JCrew.com

I proceeded to call every single White House | Black Market in the tri-state area. Every store either said they were sold out or the dresses they did have were too big or too small. I felt like Goldilocks. Except I’m a brunette.

FINALLY, I found a store that had it one size larger than my usual. Close enough. The size that is. The store? Not so much. I drove about 55 miles last night to Roosevelt Field Mall, where they were holding the dress for me.

When I got to the counter, I could taste the anticipation. The sales associate opened a mirrored door and there it was. The strapless ombre dress in beautiful shades of charcoal, pewter and black satin shone like moonlight (okay, I am exaggerating, but falling in love can do that to you). I inspected the bow and brooch fastened at the sash. This better fit!

I raced to the fitting room. I couldn’t get my jeans and argyle sweater off fast enough! It fit! Well, it needs a few tweaks, but close enough.

I wonder how far I’ll go for shoes?

When I was in high school, my best friend’s mother encouraged me to pursue a career in cosmetics. Even though I was only 16 years old, she recognized this skill in me early on. I will forever be grateful to her for this. Unfortunately she lost her life to a deadly disease - breast cancer.

Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate VP of The Estee Launder Companies Inc and Founder and Chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, realized the need to spread the word that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. In 1992, The Estee Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign was established to spread awareness about the disease. In that same year, Evelyn Lauder and Alexandra Penney, then Editor of Self magazine, co-created the pink ribbon – an iconic symbol recognized worldwide to remind women to check their breasts and get an annual mammogram if over the age of 40.

Also founded by Evelyn Lauder was The Breast Cancer Research Foundation established in 1993- an independent, non-for-profit 501 (c) (3) dedicated to funding clinical and translational research. Supporting scientists at top universities and academic medical centers worldwide that conduct the most advanced breast cancer research, in October of 2007, $32 million was awarded to 151 scientists across the US, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, and throughout Europe from the Foundation. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is the largest corporate donor and proud sponsor of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month), fifteen of The Estee Lauder Companies beauty brands, including Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Bumble and bumble, Clinique, Darphin, Donna Karen Cosmetics, Estee Lauder, Jo Malone, Lab Series Skincare for Men, La Mer, Ojon, Origins, Prescriptives, Sean John Fragrances, and Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries, join together to raise awareness and funds by offering special products in support of their contributions to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The following is a list of my personal favorite products donating to the Foundation:

Aveda Hand Relief

The dry winter months are upon us! Check out the limited edition specially packaged Hand Relief from Aveda complete with pink ribbon design! The incredibly rich moisture therapy soothes dry hands and helps diminish the signs of aging with plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti oxidants – including vitamins A and E.

Retail Price: $21.00

Amount of Donation: Aveda will donate $4 from each sale to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation with a maximum donation of $300,000.

www.aveda.com

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection

A beautiful limited-edition lip set featuring exclusive Pink Glitter Lip Gloss and Tulle Lip Color packaged in a pink photographic carton.

Retail Price: $40.00

Amount of Donation: Bobbi Brown will be donating $35,000 in connection with the North American sales of Pink Ribbon Collection to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

www.bobbibrown.com

Bumble and Bumble Classic Hairspray

Strong-hold hairspray that adds subtle sheen and a modern softness that brushes out easily!

Retail Price: $11.00 (4 oz) $20.00 (10 oz)

Amount of Donation: $1.00 from every can of Classic Hairspray sold on www.bumbleandbumble.com and its two NYC salons during September and October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

www.bumbleandbumble.com

Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick in Ribbon Pink

A limited-edition shade of Butter Shine Lipstick in Ribbon Pink- a modern formula that is ultra-shiny!

Retail Price: $16.50

Amount of Donation: $10 per Butter Shine Lipstick in Ribbon Pink sold during the month of October.

www.clinique.com

Estee Lauder Beautiful Eau de Parfum Spray

Part of EL’s Pink Ribbon Collection is America’s number one fragrance is featured in a pink sleeve for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Retail Price: $63.50

Amount of Donation: $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection.

Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley High Gloss Lip Color Collection

Simply stated, I love lip gloss! What I love more is that Elizabeth Hurley, spokesmodel for The Estee Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has shared her personal favorite EL glosses and they are packaged in a limited-edition Pink Ribbon Pink case – exclusive for the Pink Ribbon Collection. The set includes 3 promo-size High Gloss tubes.

Retail Price: $16.00

Amount of Donation: $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection.

www.esteelauder.com

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne and Bath Oil

My husband is constantly getting after me for buying bottles and bottles of various perfumes! I am a self-proclaimed perfume ADDICT! One of my addictions is Red Roses by Jo Malone. Now I have an excuse to purchase this product because of its connection to an important cause! The beautiful fragrance literally unfolds like a bouquet of freshly cut flowers. An absolutely STUNNING scent!

Red Roses Cologne Retail Price: $55.00 (1 fl. oz) $100.00 (3.4 fl. oz)

Red Roses Bath Oil Retail Price: $60.00

Amount of Donation: Jo Malone will donate $15,000 in connection with Red Roses Cologne and Bath Oil.

www.jomalone.com

La Mer Crème de la Mer

The legendary luxurious miracle crème is packaged in a special pink box for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Retail Price: $220.00 (2oz) $1,350.00 (16.4 oz)

Amount of Donation: La Mer will donate $30,000 in connection with the North American sales of Crème de la Mer.

www.lamer.com

In addition to the lovely products is the jeweled pink Ribbon Pin by Estee Lauder. The pin is covered in deep pink colored crystals and comes in a gold box with a Pink Ribbon Collection sleeve. The small price to remind women to check themselves is $12.50 and is part of EL’s $500,000 donation in connection with its Pink Ribbon Collection sales.

This month be a part of Breast Cancer Awareness, buy a great product and help find a cure! For more information on The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

To put the impact of breast cancer into perspective, one woman is diagnosed with it every three minutes. That’s 175,200 a year.

Total Beauty, Total Cure is dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of prevention, early detection, and educating women and girls about breast cancer. Arming ourselves with knowledge and resources about the risks, prevention, and impact of breast cancer brings us closer to finding the cure.This unique collaboration of beauty bloggers, beauty brands and Total Beauty is one to show a united voice of strength and hope that, someday soon, we will close in on a cure.

Become a friend of our Total Beauty, Total Cure pages on Myspace and Facebook to be entered into a drawing to win some cool prizes!

Beyond Beauty Basics is kicking off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a contest sponsored by L’Oreal.  L’Oreal is a leading total beauty care brand that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in luxury beauty at mass.  And we are happy to have a beauty-filled giveaway of L’Oreal skincare and makeup (value of $260):

• Skin Genesis Daily Treatment Concentrate
• Moisturizer
• Treatment Serum
• Deep Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser
• Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes
• Revitalift UV Daily Moisturizing Cream w/Mexoryl SX
• Bare Naturale Mineral-Enriched Mascara
• Lip Conditioner (2 shades)
• Soft Focus Mineral Finish
• All-Over Mineral Glow
• Gentle Mineral Eye Shadow
• Infallible Never-Fail Eyeliner (2 shades)
• Lipcolour (3 shades)
• Lipgloss (2 shades)

To be a part of the Beyond Beauty Basics giveaway, simply share some trivia, personal story, or information about breast cancer, which you can find on the MySpace and Facebook pages and comment here on Beyond Beauty Basics! We’ll pick a winner by the end of today, October 6, 2008. You only need a comment to win.

Contest ends Monday, October 6, 2008 11:59pm EST. One (1) lucky winner will be chosen at random. This contest is only open to U.S. residents and winners will be notified via email. One comment entry per person, trackable by IP address.

***Winner Update***

Congratulations to Jan L. of New York!

To make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Fund, visit www.bcrfcure.org

For information, resources, and support programs, visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org

I am very excited about this movie, and since here at Beyond Beauty Basics we have the opportunity to see some clips (before the release date – sneak peak!) and a documentary about the movie production sponsored by Dove.

The Movie

A remake of a movie originally released in 1939, this version – written, produced, and directed by the extraordinarily talented Diane English, “The Women” has been updated with stronger, more independent female characters and stars some of the most famous, loved, and critically acclaimed actresses of our time: Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing, Eva Mendes, Candace Bergen, Cloris Leachman, Carrie Fisher, Debi Mazar, and let’s not forget THE DIVINE MISS M. – Bette Midler. And all of them are beautiful in their own unique way.

Dove Campaign for Real Beauty

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is a perfect fit for a movie like “The Women,” which features all all-female cast ranging in age from just 11 to 80, and highlights themes such as female empowerment, body image issues, and self esteem.

Some of our favorite topics here at Beyond Beauty Basics!

As you likely already know, approximately four years ago (seems like yesterday!), Dove launched its “Campaign for Real Beauty,” which featured real women – NOT models – in their print, television and online advertising. [Of course this is not to say that models are “fake” women, but as Annette Bening’s character, Sylvie Fowler says, “Nobody looks like those girls - not even them. They’re all airbrushed and retouched.”]

The Campaign for Real Beauty is more than just a marketing campaign. It’s a global campaign aiming to be catalyst for societal change. At Dove, they believe that the definition of beauty is too narrow and that approximately only two percent of women worldwide describe themselves as beautiful

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty invites women to talk about their views of beauty, beauty ideals, self esteem and body image issues with other women all over the world. Join the discussion at www.campaignforrealbeauty.com.

“The Women” Can Do Anything

Working with the film’s director, Diane English, Dove created a short documentary entitled The Women Behind “The Women,” which is available to view only on Dove.com. Junior journalist Cammy Nelson, 16, of Redwing Minnesota goes behind-the-scenes to witness the making of a movie, highlighting the roles of the female cast and crew members that are essential to production, and interviewing them about what their views of beauty are.
The short documentary highlights the challenges all women face when it comes to their ideas of beauty and their views of themselves. The interviews explore just how diverse beauty can be. If Debra Messing was teased in school for her gorgeous curls and Jada Pinkett Smith for her skinny (read: slim and slender!) legs; you can only imagine what women, teens, preteens and even younger girls go through everyday.

Women are pressured to fit beauty ideals. Maybe it’s a size 2, size 4, size 0. Small noses or straight hair. But we don’t all look alike, and we can all be beautiful!

Cammy got to see firsthand the work that goes into making actresses “set ready.” Hours or makeup and hair. Lighting. Touchups between scenes (Can I have this in my everyday life — PLEASE!?). She then got a makeover from the crew of makeup artists and hair stylists to show how the beautiful women onscreen get that way. (And we have to add; Cammy is just adorable either way!)

The junior journalist also got to interview a number of the cast and crew. There are women working on the set from production, to set design, lighting, as “cameramen,” script supervisors, editors, makeup artists and hair stylists – and let’s not forget our actresses and our director, Diane English.

When asked what makes a woman beautiful, everyone had a different answer, but it was never slim thighs, full lips, or straight hair.

“Sense of self.”

“Sense of humor.”

“Comedic timing.”

“Confidence.”

“How we feel about ourselves.”

“Authenticity.”

And my favorite: “Be kind to yourself.”

As the documentary comes to an end, we are left with these words from Diane English, “Each of us has our own unique beauty, and each of us recognizes different things as beautiful: confidence, humor, compassion, wisdom, happiness. That is what really beauty is all about.”
Visit Dove.com today to:

* View exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of The Women & The Women Behind “The Women”
* Read the Director’s Diary, written by Diane English
* Go Behind-the-Scenes with Dove teen journalist Cammy Nelson
* Download self-esteem building tools for girls, moms and mentors
* Enter for a chance to win one of 100 pairs of movie tickets each day between 9/3 and 9/19. (No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.)

Win “The Women” tickets & Gift Bag on Beyond Beauty Basics!

Leave us a comment here on Beyond Beauty Basics and WIN a pair of tickets to see “The Women” in theaters and a gift bag with some fresh goodies from Dove!

Contest ends Wednesday, September 17, 2008 11:59pm EST. One (1) lucky winner will be chosen at random on Sept. 17th. This contest is only open to U.S. residents and winners will be notified via email.

Photos courtesy of Dove.com

**Winner update:  Congratulations to Diane Polchinski in NJ!

Here are my must haves for any summer get-away flight:

Claudalie VinoGo Weekend KitThe Caudalie VinoGo Weekend Kit is your complete beauty regimen in petite travel size bottles perfect for any travel bag. You will get a Foaming Cleanser, Beauty Elixer, Contour Cream Eyes and Lips, Energizing Cream, Lip Conditioner, Shower Gel and Body Lotion all for only $32 at www.Sephora.com.

For all of us make-up junkies, Cargo Color Cards are incredible! One box contains 28 cards of single use eye shadows, which you can apply with your fingertip or brush. This gives you the perfect wash of color on your lid to keep you looking fabulous poolside. What I love most is that the cards are almost weightless and can be tucked away for a quick pick-me-up whenever or wherever needed.

Benefit’s Just In Case is another must have for any travel bag. This mini kit contains just what you need to keep you looking fresh and new all weekend long, no matter how late you plan on staying out.

This is perfect to keep with you at all times for a quick touch up and contains your favorite one hit wonders from Benefit. Some Kind-A-Gorgeous for a glowing complexion, California Kissin’ to brighten up your smile and freshens your breath, Benetint for rosy lips and cheeks, and Eyecon to help brighten the eye area.

For added lip gloss which I am actually addicted too, you will love Sugar Mini Sticks. Just throw your favorite in your bag and glam it up all day and night.

Don’t forget your sunscreen! I love the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30. You can apply over your makeup and keep reapplying all day long. This is a definite must have for any summer outing!

Roll on fragrance is the way to go when it comes to traveling. This way you will never open your luggage to a spilled bottle or a broken glass. Fragrance is very personal and there are so many to choose from, but I love to smell soft and shower fresh when I am out and about so I love the Clean Fragrance line.

The Clean Shower Fresh Rollerball fragrance is amazing! You will smell like you just stepped out of a shower all day and I always get a ton of compliments when I wear this one.
Now it’s time to grab a bag and start packing! Summer is here and we all need a little weekend get-away to take a break and unwind! Remember the less you pack, the more you can shop when you are away so have fun, be safe, and look and feel gorgeous on your get-away!

You can easily win and glow from head to toe by sampling an assortment from the Burt’s Bees Radiance line in convenient travel sizes which include:

• Mini Exfoliating Body Bar
• Exfoliating Body Wash
• Mini Body Lotion
• Day Creme
• Night Creme
• Eye Creme
• Full Size Lip Shimmer

NAPPC is a group of more than 90 partners and affiliated organizations, working to promote and implement a continent-wide Action Plan to encourage activities that protect the numbers and health of resident and migratory pollinating animals.

Well it’s really easy to win your own Burt’s Bees Radiance Kit so you can stay BEE-utiful! In honor of National Pollinator Week from June 22-28 all you have to do is visit any of the following 3 pollinator friendly resource sites below and leave a comment here on Beyond Beauty Basics on what you learned about the bee crisis, how you can help, or any Bee Crisis FACT.

• Burt’s Bees (www.burtsbees.com)
• The Pollinator Partnership (www.pollinator.org)
• Haagen-Daz’s Honeybee Program (www.haagendazs.com)

Contest ends June 28 11:59pm EST. Five (5) lucky winners will be chosen at random on June 29 and must have a Bee Fact from one of the 3 sites which will be verified. This contest is only open to U.S. residents and winners will be notified via email.

***Drum Roll Please***

Congratulations to the following winners of the “Burt’s Bees BEE-utiful Radiance Kit Contest Giveaway”!  Thank you to all those that entered and check back with us on Beyond Beauty Basics for more contests and great prizes!

• Melody Kristensen
• Kathy Conley
• Tina Renee, NC
• Jenny-kins, NY
• Teresa Hoyt, MI

For eyes, try an eye base that has color to give your eyelid a nice “pop”. MAC makes incredible paint pots that you can use alone or as an eye base for shadow and they last all day long.

Revlon EyeGlide eyeshadow pen is perfect for summer touch ups all day because it comes in a pen form that you can keep in your bag for easy application. I love these for a wash of shimmer shadow without the fuss of brushes.

Don’t forget a coat of your favorite waterproof mascara. I only say waterproof because you never know when you may get the opportunity to get wet so be sure you are ready! The pool is calling! Maybelline Great Lash in Black Black Waterproof mascara is a must have for any makeup bag.

For Cheeks, I am in love with cheek stains! They last all day and don’t move no matter what the heat can bring. Benetint has always been my favorite. Benetint has a perfect pink color great for all skin types and you can build on the color to get the look you are going for.

Benetint looks great on lips too! So you can get a two in one with this product. You can also find a Pocketpal of Benetint at your local Sephora or at www.Sephora.com and you can touch up whenever needed.

Stila Convertible Color is also a great way to give your cheeks a pop of color and also give you lips a pink pout. What is great about this Convertible Color is that it comes in the compact form with a mirror so you can keep it with you and reapply as needed. Great to keep in your bag for a quick pick me up after a long day. Perfect for cheeks and lips.

Lips is where you can have a lot of fun! I love a lot of gloss any time of year and I must own at least 50! Don’t you feel like you can always use another gloss Maybelline Super Stay lip gloss has incredible wear and will stay glossy for hours. You can find this at your local drugstore or at www.Maybelline.com. With 16 shades to choose from, you will probably want a few.

Remember, no matter where you are you need sun protection. An SPF 30 minimum and be sure to reapply throughout the day. Now, go glam it up this summer with these few products to give you the perfect summer glow that lasts all day long.