LYRA MAG.

Park Avenue, NYC Words/Event Images Judith Ecochard It has been a deliciously aromatic August--- WONDERFUL! The opulently scented Elements Showcase ( Part 1 / Part 2) -was soon followed by a welcoming invite to experience a "contemporary interpretation of a classic, gardenia-inspired white floral with subtle hints of green,"-to quote the press release that succinctly sums up this surprisingly light, four seasons' appropriate fragrance. THE NYC DEBUT: We received a warm welcome- and immediately felt relaxed (bravo, bubbly)-in the spacious, classically proportioned, Park Avenue apartment of  Susan Tabak...a stunning sophisticate herself---who ---like her home actually, manages to be modern, emit a not forced, casual chic, and elegant --- a certain style that we usually associate with a more European way of life. Lucky us, we had a chance to chat with this multi-tasking fashion entrepreneur about the evolution of the honoree of the night, the lovely (smartly packa...

MADE WITH COMMUNITY FAIR TRADE SOURCED Cold-Pressed Virgin Olive Oil & Marula Oil The Body Shop is not exactly a mass market brand-though gently priced for the most part and widely available... We always support this company's  socially supported causes and meaningful efforts to use sustainable/organic/ Fair Trade ingredients---as given the Body Shop's reach---the gestures translate into real action, not lip service and just fancy labels. New for September is the EXTRA VIRGIN MINERALS™collection of ultra fine mineral pigments that when applied-elude the mask - like eventualities of some mineral makeups with the use of blendable and moisturising   COMMUNITY FAIR TRADE SOURCED Cold-Pressed Virgin Olive Oil & Marula Oil. Available in 12 matchy match worthy shades-amazing in and of itself...the three products---the Cream Compact Foundation ($25- nicely packaged with a built in applicator brush and mirror), Liquid Foundation ($25-in a pump bottle for easy acces...

Innovative  Technology Cosmetics Flatiron District, NYC In the front-Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush™-cruelty free soft to the touch-swirl in pressed or loose powder-apply in sweeping motions $48...easy clean & dries to how we first got it. words/images Judith Ecochard Arriving late to a make-up presentation (no excuse as native New Yorkers -calculating the cross streets ---ending up about 20 blocks away!!!)--- ----we scooted in all drippy from the steamy heat, sitting right next to our hostess, Jamie Kern Lima -who gave us a welcoming "hello,"---(she, we noted, looking cool, calm and collected)... Her story, we learned soon enough-as she continued recounting- to the packed room of media types ---her own attempts at dealing with her facial flaws and skin problems. Squinting our eyeballs-cause we couldn't see a flaw on this perfectly coiffed entrepreneur, anywhere visible, anyway, so we were at first, taken aback by Kern Lima's just out there d...

PART II words/images Judith Ecochard Interiors - REDDYMADE DESIGNS The Elements Showcase commanded two floor at the Skylights Studio.. Upstairs we marveled at the sculptural, solid/polished wood oil lit Luminesse centerpiece---with a replaceable wooden wick--- made by the eponymous company owned by the glam former Ford model,  DAYNA DECKER . Fragrances are lushly scented-whether for the home (diffusers), in the natural (no parabens, petro fillers, DEA etc) bath/body collection, or in the paraffin-free candle selections. All beautifully made and packaged-and on the website---e-commerce offerings include thoughtful gift sets. The booth for Abdel LLC /Fashionable Fragrances- --is like seeing a welcome friend. We first met them at the launch of Mandarina Duck Pure Black  Eau de Toilette---about two years ago...and learned that this fashion label, with the acclaimed perfumers Sophie Labbe and Jean Charles Nie...