Best in show!
These pampered pooches are wearing the latest fall colors from OPI, Essie and CND (formerly Creative Nail Design). Open the gatefold to see eight more shades. —MARIANNE DOUGHERTY
This regal little DACHSHUND wears CND Rock Royalty.
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Our loyal GOLDEN RETRIEVER Sports CND Crowned.
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A CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL models OPI Cosmo Not Tonight Honey.
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Who can resist this BRIARD in Decadent Diva from Essie?
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A BEAGLE looks smart in Essie Material Girl.
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Our LABRADOR RETRIEVER in Essie Bags to Riches.
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A TOY POMERANIAN wears House of Rebels from CND.
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This SHIBA INU looks cute as a button in OPI Suzi Says Da.
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An ENGLISH BULLDOG wears OPI Midnight in Moscow.
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This stocky BOXER sports OPI An Affair in Red Square.
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A FOX TERRIER looking foxy in Essie Handle With Care.
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A STANDARD POODLE in CND Hyde in the Dark.
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Grand Redesign
Nearly 20 years ago, ABBA unveiled a system of pure, natural and 100-percent vegan haircare products that deliver the highest level of performance with minimal impact on the environment. Today, under the ownership of Colomer USA, ABBA's recent relaunch reaffirms this vision through ABBA Pure Performance Hair Care, which features brand-new packaging.
 ABBA's new packaging includes simple descriptions on the front of each bottle to make the products easy for stylists and consumers to use. |
"The formulas inside the products have stayed the same, but we decided to simplify the packaging by changing the names to reflect what the product actually does, and we added simple descriptions on the front of the bottles," says Allison Walsh, marketing specialist at The Colomer Group. "We wanted to create products that are easy for both consumers and stylists to use."
The line consists of cleansers, conditioners, styling and treatment products that are cruelty free, free of DEA and synthetic dyes, and made with herbal extracts, natural oils and the Herbal Protein Complex, which is a blend of proteins and extracts that work on the surface of the hair and deep inside the hair shaft. "An Herbal R/X has been assigned to each product, which highlights the one or two botanicals that play an integral part in the performance to show exactly why the product does what it does," says Walsh. The products are also color-coded for easy identification, and feature a "Commitment to Purity" seal to validate the brand's dedication to producing natural products that protect the environment and to serve as a pledge to keep working to do more.
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The products in the Pure Performance Hair Care line are divided by function—Moisture, Color Protect, Curl, Shine, Volume, Specialty, Normal and Style. The Pure Moisture products provide deep hydration and help repair dry hair and scalp; Pure Color Protect products strengthen, rebuild and hydrate chemically treated hair without fading haircolor; the Pure Curl group adds body and shine to naturally curly hair; Pure Normal products are gentle and perfect for all hair types; the Pure Shine collection helps deactivate free radicals and leaves dull, coarse or brittle hair shiny and moisturized; Pure Volume products help increase the volume of fine, limp hair; Pure Specialty products are designed to address specific haircare concerns resulting from buildup on sensitive scalp; and the Pure Style selection of gels, pomades and styling sprays provides texture, shine and hold to all hairstyles. "It's what's in the bottles that is the best part of the products," says Walsh. "And the new packaging enhances the quality of the product." abbahaircare.com —NICOLE PALMIERI
GOLD DIGGERS
When it comes to nails this season, go for the gold. Shimmery, molten metallics stole the show on countless catwalks, including Ashish N Soni, where models charged down the runway flashing solid gold nails glazed with CND's (formerly Creative Nail Design) Pharaoh's Gold. cnd.com —K.D.
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Botanical Bounty
Natural ingredients that foster clean, healthy hair are the focus of an increasing number of haircare products hitting the shelves these days. One that caught our attention: Desert Essence Organics Hair Care Italian Red Grape Shampoo, which contains antioxidant-laden organic grape extract to protect hair from UV damage, gentle sugar and coconut oil cleansers, and mineral-rich organic kelp and nettle extracts that strengthen each strand. desertessence.com —L.A.
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Polish It Off
Issimo Professional Concepts' Relax! exfoliants are designed to be used as the first step in a four-part skin-rejuvenating system. Choose from Eucalyptus and Peppermint Dead Sea Salt Scrub, Niaouli and Carrot Seed Dead Sea Salt Scrub, Chocolate Dead Sea Salt Scrub and Blackstrap Molasses Brown Sugar Exfoliant, which leave skin looking smooth. issimointernational.com —N.P.
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Perfect Scents
Tea lovers can now enjoy the scent of some of their favorite flavors with XELA Aromasticks new Tea for You reed diffusers. Try Tangerine Mandarin Chai, which contains lemongrass, orange and spices; Jasmine Darjeeling, with jasmine, gardenia and violet; Lavender Earl Grey, with lavender, citrus, lemon and patchouli; or Mint Green Tea, with spearmint, lemon, verbena and lavender. xelaaromasticks.com —N.P.
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Brush Up On Balenciaga
Once called fashion's Picasso, the Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga is a legendary figure in 20th -century fashion. And although he died more than three decades ago, the fashion house bearing his name continues to turn out some of today's most highly coveted couture handbags. Balenciaga (Abrams, 2007) examines his designs and business in the context of the time and country in which he lived. hnabrams.com —C.W.
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Slide into something comfy: The Belvedere Magic Chair is stylish and contemporary.
Magic Touch
Whether your client stops in for a two-second bang trim or a two-hour wedding-day updo, the BELVEDERE Magic Chair ensures her continual comfort. Belvedere offers a variety of bases and a full array of fabric colors to complement any salon environment. belvedere.com —C.W.
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Heaven Scent
Enhance your salon's massage treatments with aromatherapy oils from Zents. Infused with a moisturizing blend of jojoba, grapeseed and safflower oils, they provide superior slip and wash easily out of linens. Six artful fragrances—Earth, Fresh, Mandarin, Oolong, Ore and Sun—let you formulate treatments based on clients' needs. Available in two sizes for back bar or retail, they can even be used right out of the shower to condition hair or skin. zents.com —C.W.
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Real Genius
Anthony Morrison, a member of the Joico Artistic Team, clipped, snipped, tinted and styled his way to first place on Bravo TV's Shear Genius, beating out 11 fellow hairstylists to nab the show's top spot. What was his competitive edge? "I was just myself—cool, calm and creative," says the British-born Morrison, who owns Londoner Salon and Day Spa in Manhattan Beach, CA. "I let my work and philosophy speak for itself." Since winning, Morrison is busier than ever, and so is his salon. He had to hire additional staff to take care of all the new business. "The win has definitely impacted my career," he says. "But best of all was having the opportunity to show the world what a wonderful profession this can be." —C.W.
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The Eyes Have It
Fans of Oriki Cosmeceuticals' skincare line, formulated exclusively for Asian, Mediterranean and olive skin types, will be pleased with the company's latest introduction, Firming Eye Serum. The serum fuses firming peptides with brightening ingredients, vitamin C concentrate and botanical antioxidants to diminish wrinkles, puffiness, and the discoloration and dark circles that are often associated with these skin types. oriki.com —L.A.
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FEATHER FANCY
Feathers are taking off big time this season. First spotted on the fall catwalks, they were seen peeking out from skirts at Marc Jacobs, adorning the hemlines of evening dresses at Chanel and decorating jackets at Armani Prive. The must-have trend was also the "mane" attraction at Nina Ricci, where feathers were enchantingly woven into strands to embellish hair. —K.D.
 The ruffled hair at Nina Ricci looked as light as a feather. |
NEW YORK MINUTE
Tom Julian, senior vice president and director of trends for ad agency McCann Erickson, highlights two New York City retail destinations that are generating culinary buzz.
Remember when a café or wine bar in a retail setting was considered an innovation? Today terms like social salons and cultural bars entice, entertain and enlighten shoppers who have appetites for more than just shopping. In Manhattan, it has been well over a decade since designers first toyed with the idea of how to mix food and drink into their retail concepts. When Donna Karan opened DKNY on Madison Avenue, a health food bar was her antidote for shopping fatigue. Giorgio Armani and Nicole Farhi both brought Euro-style dining to their signature shops, too.
 Tom Julian |
Over the last few months, two retail destinations have taken this concept a step further, highlighting hospitality that mixes fashion, art, design and decadence.
Henri Bendel, Manhattan's legendary Fifth Avenue boutique department store and one of the world's most stylish destinations, has created a cosmopolitan candy-themed café, dressed in chic brown, offering a unique twist on sweets. The award-winning Chocolate Bar by Alison Nelson was officially unwrapped in May on the third floor overlooking the store's atrium. The counters, cases housing signature chocolates and dining tables all have distinct graphics, while the space itself combines unique textures, like leather, and bright modern lighting. The menu offers delectable treats from the Chocolate Bar including truffles, baked goods and confections. For those with a penchant for exclusive offerings, sample the green tea that includes rose petals, labeled Ma Rose 1927. For a bit of a fashion show, pay attention to the waitstaff in thematic cap-sleeve mini dresses created by Alice + Olivia. For the true Bendel devotee, order the revamped Bendel salad. chocolatebarnyc.com
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Legendary designer Norma Kamali has a mantra of "On My Own" when it comes to fashion design, but her flagship on West 56th Street also continues to lead retail innovation. She has recently added Bar XV, an almost all-white, minimal, pharmacylike setting that acts as a beauty bar, candy bar, feel-good bar and wellness bar. Kamali loves olive oil and hers comes from some of the best orchards. She packages it up in special ways, even offering "vitamin" packs of daily doses of olive oil and lavender-honey candy. Other seductive special ingredients found in an endless array of products include rose and jasmine. The gift and beauty sets are carefully displayed alongside sleek glass bottles accented with silver labels containing sea salt scrubs and teas. Kamali has enlisted famous chefs from all over the city to create the menu. A few examples include lavender shortbread, olive oil gelato and rose meringue parfaits. And she welcomes shoppers with homeopathic remedies and "grandma" recipes for teas and elixirs. How about floral sodas in rose, jasmine and violet? normakamaliwellness.com