Burner Balm, developed by California-based Pacific Shore Holdings, claims to boost energy, burn fat, control appetite and promote weight loss.
The UK introduction has caused quite a stir overseas, with eating disorder charity Beat stating that the product could put further pressure on young girls over their body shape.
“We feel this is yet another marketing ploy playing on women's insecurities and issues around their size and weight,” says Mary Georg, a Beat spokesperson.
The National Obesity Forum called the product a ‘gimmick’, citing that the balm's two active ingredients were unlikely to have any real effect.
Interestingly, the balm was created by a panel of medical experts with ingredients derived from appetite suppressants which themselves are marketed to help curb snacking between meals.
“We not encouraging people to avoid eating,” said Joey Valvo, stated Pacific Shore Holdings vice president. “We are providing a unique product that offers a solution for dieters...Rather than rely on high calorie choices for that afternoon energy boost or snack before dinner, consumers now have a zero calorie alternative.”
Seems too good to be true, right? What do you think?
It's official. Hard Candy has found a new cozy home at Wal-Mart. You may recall that the uber-edgy brand was originally launched in 1995 as a line of car-paint inspired nail polishes by young USC pre-med student-turned-entrepreneur Dineh Mohajer, who decided to mix her own polish to match her platform sandals. Hard Candy reached mega stardom when Alicia Silverstone donned 'Sky' (light blue) during her guest appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. The brand was sold to LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton in 1999 and was sold again to Falic Fashion Group three years later.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a daughter of the World Health Organisation, upgraded the risk of sunbeds from ‘probably carcinogenic’ to ‘carcinogenic to humans’ last week.
Resulting articles in the mainstream press this week have forecast the revival of the pale beauties of centuries past and championed the mantra ‘the only safe tan is a fake tan’. According to one British newspaper, the tan is no longer fashionable.
Although this official recognition of the risks of UV emitting tanning devices is likely to be bad news for sun bed owners, it is unlikely to lead to the revolution in consumer behaviour that has been predicted.
Being tanned still remains a beauty goal for many consumers regardless of widespread recognition of the risks associated with UV exposure, and it is unclear when, or even if, this is going to change.
In addition, consumers are increasingly voicing concerns over the role sun exposure plays in vitamin D production and how extensive, all over sunscreen use could lead to its deficiency.
According to a recent survey from skin and sun care brand Neutrogena, a third of Americans are ‘somewhat concerned’ that sunblocks will lead to vitamin D deficiency.
Earlier this week Environmental Working Group (EWG) placed the blame for vitamin D deficient children at the door of FDA and the fact the regulator is dragging its feet over sunscreen regulations.
According to EWG, FDA currently advises against sun exposure between 10am and 4pm, rather than proposing a ten minute exposure like the American Medical Association.
In addition, EWG said the FDA has failed to finalise the UVA standards and allows sunscreens that block only UVB rays which according to the consumer group is the radiation needed to produce vitamin D.
Although the link between the FDA’s behavior over sunscreens and vitamin D deficiency in children seems tenuous, the EWG’s statements will do little to promote the use of sunscreens and are likely to fuel fears that thorough application of sunscreens on all exposed skin will lead to vitamin D deficiency.
Industry should not ignore consumer concerns of this kind.
Guidelines about the length of time in the sun needed to produce the necessary vitamin D, as well as education over its presence in food and supplements may help negate some of the fears.
And, above all, industry should not assume that further recognition of the dangers of UV exposure will lead to a new breed of pale consumers hungry for the high SPF factors.
Source: CosmeticsDesign.com
Having these embellished leggings is a good investment since it’s an ideal way to improve an overall look, especially since they are perfect partners for simple, basic garments.
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The crucial need of co-existing between nature and urban landscapes is reflected in the color pallets and the stories from where they come: urban concrete and formal darks meet nature’s mid-tones and bright shades. Eco-fashion, lo-fi, laboratory-grown fabrics, food fashion, fusing product and garment, beetroot-dying, victimless leather, bone ivory, up-cycling and all the other experiments concentrating on environment issues, are so important; some ideas will eventually end up as valid solutions to problems we fight with, some are indispensable because of the discussion they rise. Solutions are imperative to solve the paradox of the fashion industry obsessed by the nonstop change and the vital demand of sustainability. The focus has moved from pure aspect to content, with everything this brings along in terms of questions. Finishing and added functions are areas still to be explored and bringing in new, complex and fascinating elements. Craft techniques are reinterpreted and completed by using the newest technology. Warmth, comfort, caring, reassuring, thoughtfulness are terminologies to have in mind when developing fabrics for the autumn and winter of 2010 / 11. |
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Tones deriving from Plants, Minerals, Vegetables and Dirt are creating a unique beauty. We’ll find unnatural looking colors created from natural dye developments such as “baby indigo” and “madder red”. Colors take on fantastic high shine, super gloss lacquer and patents for pale and earth tones. Colors become more saturated with a clean impact for maximum contrasts and filled tones. Contrast can be wild and furious, stark or slight. Statement: bright colours for ‘one colour’ styling. Brights are filled with light. MODERNIST EARTH |
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There’s one cosmetic women just can’t do without, and that is mascara. Because the way dark, long lashes emphasize the eyes is unique.
Luckily enough we live in a longer-lash addicted era. That means, more and more lash-enhancing cosmetics are produced. Almost each month a new product is launched with new, exciting promises.
Last January, Allergan Inc., maker of Botox, launched Latisse, a prescription-only lash growth product. Latisse, fronted by actress Brooke Shields, is the first FDA-approved treatment for hypotrichosis (a condition of no hair growth).
Latisse caused quite a stir, but because it needs a prescription, and so it does not have the same impulse buying appeal of OTC products.
Since Allergan debuted on the market last January, it has drawn attention to all things lash related — eyelash conditioners, curl-inducing treatments and false eyelashes.
RapidLash Eyelash Renewal Serum ($49.95) and Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For ($125.00) are seeing an upward trend every week, according to research.
A recently launched product, Fusion Beauty StimuLashFusion ($89.00) left Roslyn Griner, a senior vice president at Fusion Beauty, surprised: “It was unbelievable, we launched and, within in month, it became the number-two in our lineup.” (source WWD)
Of Lashes To Die For Thomas Roth said, “It has been amazing. It is the top seller at all my retailers. We have had people from Brazil buy six at a time.”
But with all the newness in the category — from colored mascaras by Benefit Cosmetics, to vibrating mascara wands, mascara sales haven’t petered out in the least: it’s always one of the top 3 sellers in every beauty store.
