[My "before" shots]
I hate to say that I give up, as I’m certainly not a quitter,  but have rather come to an understanding when it comes to styling my hair. No matter how much styling or product or attention I lavish upon it, it will just do what it wants, which is become limp and poke straight, as soon as possible, The only bit of hope that I have that I learned last week is the benefit of a really good haircut, as executed by Yves Durif at the Yves Durif Salon in The Carlyle on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Not only is Yves a maestro with the scissors, but he really understands a customer’s face, personality, and lifestyle immediately, which combined, results in an incredibly perfect cut. My hangups were that I have a slight cowlick in the front, been trying to grow my hair, and didn’t want a bob, as it is my Mom’s signature style (love you Mom, but we already look identical).

Yves worked within these parameters, gave me options, and decided together on a hybrid of a cool shag and a long bob. He also artfully reworked my bangs via shortening them a tad more on the left, in order to open up my face a bit more. The result? As you can see below, a little goes a long way, and it is a great improvement! With styling tips from Jessica and few highlights from David framing my face, I feel renewed in my quest to make my hair my own, instead of letting it dictate its fate.

Of course, I strongly recommend going to see Yves at his salon; he also uses Aveda and Phyto products exclusively, even with color, which gives a nice boost to the already gorgeous salon atmosphere via these natural yet effective products.

[My "after" pics]

-Julia DiNardo

Arcona is introducing a limited editon pink version of their Magic White Ice; they are calling it Magic Pink Ice! This lightweight daily hydrating gel moisturizes without clogging the pores and keeps the skin fresh and glowing. For each bottle sold two dollars will go to support Cancer and Careers!

Thierry Mugler will be donating all the proceeds from the sale of the Womanity Bath and Body Collection to benefit Look Good Feel Better, a free support group that helps people with cancer improve their appearance and self-esteem so that they can manage their treatment and recovery with greater confidence. The collection includes perfumed shower gel, body milk, and body cream.

Lauren Merkin is partnering with the Young Survival Coalition to support Breast Cancer Awareness and together they have designed an exclusive edition of their popular Diana clutch. The clutch is made from a pink studded lambskin with Swarovski crystals and could not be more stunning!  Fifty percent of the proceeds from this bag will be donated to the YSC, a group that works with cancer survivors and communities to help increase the quality of life for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Polo Ralph Lauren will mark the 10^th anniversary of the Pink Pony, the company’s global enterprise to raise awareness and fund in support of breast cancer. To kickoff the awareness campaign Polo Ralph Lauren will announce the first global Pink Pony Online Auction partnering with charitybuzz. The auction with showcase over two hundred unique items and experiences, and one hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Pink Pony Fund of Polo Ralph Lauren. They will also be selling limited edition luxury pieces such as an alligator Ricky handbag, an alligator Cooper Check Book Wallet, an alligator cuff with Cooper Lock, and the Ralph Lauren Stirrup Timepiece, also benefiting the Pink Pony Fund. Also being launched this month is the “Text to Give” campaign that will allow everyone to join this worldwide initiative; by texting PINKPNY to 501501, ten dollars with be donated to benefit the Pink Pony Fund.

Tory Burch is definitely doing her part to help find a cure this month by donating fifteen percent from every purchase of her limited edition umbrella and rain boots. These fun accessories are so bright and delightful, the perfect thing for the start of fall!

The Amazingly Gentle Scrub is an extremely mellow exfoliant that purifies and moisturizes all areas of the body, ideal for those rough hands, elbows, and feet. Therapy Systems will donate twenty percent of the product’s net profits to the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition, a non profit that works towards increasing breast cancer awareness in Tennessee.

The Pink Pro Brushes are absolutely adorable, not to mention super convenient! They fit into all makeup bags and come in a series of shapes and styles for all your makeup needs. The flat edged Pro Liner is perfect for highlighting along the lash line. The Pro Detailer can be used for precise touch ups. The Pro Blush is the classic blush brush, necessary for providing that natural flush. The Pro Brow Groomer is great for keeping unruly brows in check! Twenty percent of the net proceeds with also go to the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition.

This Red Carpet Primer by EmerginC allows you to be red carpet ready every day of the year. It keeps the skin hydrated with Vitamin C, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and is a flawless base for any type of make-up. Twenty percent of the sales of this item will go to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national non-profit that aids those affected by the disease.

The Estée Lauder Company’s 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign is launching a sensational campaign theme entitled: Connect. Communicate. Conquer. Prevent Breast Cancer. One Woman at a Time. Wear It. Share It. The Pink Ribbon. To raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Estée Lauder brands will be selling twenty incredible products this October covering all beauty categories such as skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care. It will include products from brands like La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Jo Malone, Aveda, Bumble + Bumble, Lab Series, Origins and many more. We chose to highlight just a few:

Aveda Hand Relief is a fabulously rich moisturizer that soothes dry hands, leaving them softer and smoother. After each use they visibly diminish signs of aging and provide optimal relief. Their limited edition tube features the pink ribbon design.

This exclusive Pink Shimmer Brick Compact by Bobbi Brown is deliciously alluring. Hand-made in Italy, each compact contains five blocks of radiant color, perfect for creating a fresh pink glow.

Bumble and Bumble Spray De Mode Hairspray is the perfect styling tool for all hair types. It is versatile and strong, with the ability to take added heat and repeated brushing.

In honor of Breast cancer awareness month, Clinique is selling a limited edition bottle of its Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. This year’s bottle features a collectible Clinique key ring with a Clinique “C” charm and pink ribbon heart charm.

Clinique will also be releasing a limited edition lip trio key ring, including the Clinique “C” charm, the pink heart ribbon charm and three mini lip must-haves: Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Grapefruit, Different Lipstick in Glazed Berry, and Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Clearly Pink. Super dazzling and extra portable, this key ring is just the thing for on the go touch ups.

Gentle, non-irritating, silky smooth. What could be better? Darphin’s Intral Soothing Cream is perfect for skin that is easily irritated and super sensitive. It protects against harmful environmental agents and replenishes the skin with essential moisture.

-Claire Schmidt

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[Image via Vanity Fair]

Wow-we made it through the week! Now we deserve to relax and read a little:

Stiletto Jungle shops for Jennifer Aniston’s new slim bootcut jeans.
All Lacquered Up is swooning over Chanel’s lastest lacquer creation Cosmic Violine.
Allie is Wired has the pics from the Vanity Fair Most Beautiful Woman photo shoot.
Bag Bliss has found the perfect gym bag, by Stella McCartney
Tod’s new Helmut in purple python is coveted by Gwyneth Paltrow and the Bag Snobs.
Beauty Snob is giving away fabulous eco-chic beauty packages from REN in honor of Earth Day.
Jellies get the luxe treatment and Coquette picks her favorites.
Fashion Pulse is smitten with the latest Armani Prive Collection; the prints, the curves, the mod wigs!
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating silk racerback tanks.
Second City Style‘s top 5 trends that have earned a permanent spot our closets.
Shopping and Info checks out which celeb leads the denim trends.
StyleBakery is saving money this season with multitasking beauty products
Stylehive loves Alexa Chung’s style, and would totally settle for being her slightly less cool friend.
The Beauty Stop explains how to make DIY colored mascara.
Recessionista FAB! TheMakeupGirl tells you how to get a fly haircut or spa service for cheap at a Aveda Institute near you!
To celebrate our fabulous redesign, The Shoe Goddess is giving away a $200 Barneys gift card!

Friends and fellow fashion-show goers have all been asking “what’s in the swag bag?” — what fabulous freebies did we get?

We’re going reveal our top 10 freebies from the week so far, that we will most definitely put to good use:

1. Tote Bag from the Verrier Show
2. White Havianas with Silver Straps
3. Book: Bringing Home the Birkin, by Michael Tonello
4. Viactiv Calcium + Vitamin D Chews (no we won’t have to remember to take our vitamins!)
5. Leather Change & Card Case by Monique LHuilier for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
6. Tresemme’ Tre Two Extra Hold Hairspray (we are obsessed with the stuff)
7. Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion
8. DHL USB Flash Drive (for fashionistas on the go)
9. A $50 Gift Certificate to Completely Bare Spa (our favorite spa!!)
10. The Body Shop Moringa Body Butter (much needed for our hands and ashy legs!)