StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

Mineral make-up: why the hype?  I never understood it, and it wasn't for lack of trying.  It seemed to work wonders on everyone else yet always -- always -- made me break out.  I thought it was meant for sensitive skin, so why didn't it work on mine?

I was recently discussing my plight with an aesthetician at NYC's Smooth Synergy Day Spa (run don't walk for amazing facials).  She took one look at me and said: "Jane Iredale." 

Jane Iredale is the creator of a comprehensive -- and celeb-beloved -- line of mineral make-up aptly called Jane Iredale: The Skin Care Make-up.

Turns out Iredale got into the skincare business by accident.  Her first career was in the entertainment industry.  She worked as a casting director for film and television and eventually formed her own production company.  After snagging an Emmy, she moved on to theater where she received a Tony nomination.  Having spent years working with luminous luminaries such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Lauren Hutton and Susan Sarandon, Iredale realized that a clear complexion can make or break both careers and self-confidence.  In 1994, The Skin Care Make-up collection was born.

Now, back to me: I couldn't imagine how Jane Iredale cosmetics could be any different from the others I've tried, so I did lots of Googling and kept coming across one ingredient found in many mineral make-ups described as "possibly irritating" for certain skin types.  The ingredient is bismuth oxychloride, and the certain skin type seemed to be mine. 

I quickly checked the Jane Iredale ingredient list, and astonishingly bismuth oxychloride was nowhere to be found.  I promptly began to experiment.  One day down and no breakouts, not to mention flawless coverage (even for TV!) and an amazing color range.  Jump to two months later and more of the same: perfection.  I did a happy dance or two.  (My personal obsession is the liquid mineral foundation, below...the appearance reminds me of Dippin' Dots ice cream). 

But, rather than blame it all on the bismuth and self-diagnose via the internet (bad!), I sought the expertise of living, breathing dermatologists with reputations for giving women (many with A-list names) flawless, healthy skin.  I asked them what was so great about mineral make-up as well as what might make it irritating.

My first call was to Dr. Doris Day, New York City's It-Girl when it comes to seriously perfect skin (her client roster includes myriad bold-faced beauties).  Like her skincare record, her logic is flawless: "Most mineral makeup contains only natural fragrances, colors and preservatives which, even though they are natural, can cause irritation or allergic reaction in some people. 'Mineral make-up' is not a brand; it is a general group of a type of product, and some brands are better than others."  Day also pointed out that the primary ingredients in nearly all mineral make-ups, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are not only "physical protectors against sun exposure [but also] very effective and the risk of reaction to them is non-existent."

Ok, cross those do-good ingredients off the bad list...

Next stop, Dr. Howard L. Brooks, the Medical Director of SKIN: Cosmetic Dermatology of Georgetown (and the man on speed-dial for many of Washington DC's political elite).  Dr. Brooks got straight to the bismuth oxychloride topic (which now I affectionately refer to as B-O):  "The leading cause of allergy or sensitivity to mineral makeup is bismuth oxychloride, which is a naturally occurring metal that most of us will not come in contact with on a daily basis.  However, it is found in the majority of mineral makeups, because it provides a "glow" or"shine" to the skin."

Ha!  Gotcha, B-O!

Finally, I checked in with rock star dermatologist (seriously -- rock stars go to him, not to mention their supermodel girlfriends), Dr. Bobby Buka.  According to Buka: "Nearly all commercially available mineral make-ups these days are non-comedogenic, that is, they won’t cause acne in most patients. Neverthess, anytime you occlude hair follicles of the face (from prolonged use or too frequent application), white heads and black heads can result."

Prolonged use?  Too-frequent application?  That's me!!

But, Buka isn't ready to blame B-O: "Bismuth oxychloride gives make-up the ability to impart a slight shimmer on the face. This “pearlizing agent” is a mineral byproduct of copper processing and is oftentimes used as a thickening agent in make-up. Because of the chloride component of this ingredient, some experts have proposed that a rare form of acne, called chloracne, may result. It’s a stretch in my opinion, because the amount of chloride exposure typically required to cause chloracne is 1000s times what any make-up might contain. Chloracne is seen in laboratory workers and metallurgists exposed to massive chloride levels, and has yet to ever be reported from casual cosmetic use."

Hmmm.  I don't know that I consider my relationship to cosmetics "casual," considering I am spackled for TV nearly every day, all day, but then again I can't say that I spend any time in a lab, nor am I a metallurgist. 

The jury is still out on B-O, but the bottom line is there's something about Jane Iredale's make-up that trumps and transcends all others I've tried. 

And, full-disclosure:  I fell in love with Jane Iredale's products before getting the scoop that the divine Mrs. Victoria Beckham is also obsessed.

Clearly, I am not biased.  Just hooked...

As far as I'm concerned Hello Kitty is always having a moment, but this month she has been busier than ever.

She released her debut album, "Hello World" which features 11 tracks of original pop tunes performed by up & coming young artists (HK Fun Fact: Hello Kitty doesn't have a mouth because she "speaks from the heart," so she can't talk...or sing).

She opened a posh boutique in New York City called Sanrio Luxe...The 1,200 square foot space is accented with black crystal chandeliers and refurbished Victorian furnishings upholstered in jet black, and it stocks rare products from Japan, handbags & shoes from Italian design house Camomilla, Columbian couture apparel from Mabel Palacio, and Kimora Lee Simmons' diamond jewelry collection (and that's just for starters).

...and in celebration of her November 1st birthday (her 34th!), Hello Kitty created a limited edition t-shirt to benefit her friends at the Humane Society.  It will be available starting this Saturday at Sanrio.com.

Don't worry, no post debate commentary here.  However, like everyone else, saving money is on my mind.

Yet, being the Style Spy, it's only fitting that I save with, well, style.

There are loads of partisan purchases to be made this election season, from TOMS political party shoes to Hidalgo's gold and diamond rings.  But, my favorite keepsake is also the most practical.

Take your financial future into your own hands with Jonathan Adler's ceramic banks ($78 each).  The only way they'll crash is if you drop them. 

I've been making little deposits in one of my own for the past few months.  Any guesses at which one I bought???

As you know, October is Women's Cancer Awareness month, and there is plenty of shopping to be done for treasures both fashionable and philanthropic.

One of the coolest items I've seen is Aquatalia by Marvin K's special edition Wasabi boot; the best-seller has been reimagined in rose ombre patent.  Love these!  Sleek-n-chic!  Instant rainy-day-blues chaser! (I have them in black, but I may need to add to my stash...)

Marvin Krasnow (aka Marvin K, founder and creative director) has teamed up with Saks Fifth Avenue to benefit the Key to the Cure program -- a percentage of sales will be donated to local organizations through the Entertainment Industry Foundations's Women's Cancer Research Fund.  The rose ombre Wasabi boot (also available in grey, olive and berry; $285 per pair) is featured at Saks stores in New York City, Boston and Chicago. 

Want to meet the man behind these must-have boots himself?  Krasnow will be at Saks in NYC on October 16th from 5 to 7pm to help kick off Saks’ nationwide charity shopping weekend hosted by celebrity ambassador Gwyneth Paltrow.

PS

Looking for a gift that gives again and again?  I still adore the Jiffy E-Steam travel steamer...

Marc Jacobs' iconic "mouse" shoe is officially celebrating it's 10th, although the designer has offered countless charming and increasingly figurative incarnations during the decade.

As a means of celebrating the shoe's icon status, Jacobs did what only Jacobs can do:  He masterminded a collaboration so brilliant that it ensures the (limited) anniversary edition will transcend mere icon status. 

This shoe isn't a shoe -- it's art. 

Jacobs enlisted the help of my most-revered urban artist, KAWS (aka Brian), to craft the latest mouse flat.  KAWS is known for his postmodern graffiti art, some of which resembles Mickey Mouse.  Thus, in addition to his automatic hip-factor, he is a man who knows mice.  Well played, Marc.

Only 200 pairs of the black flats exist worldwide, and they are available immediatement at Paris' drool-inducing Colette.

Whether or not you collect KAWS pieces (like I do), I don't know that I would recommend wearing these shoes.  Just display them on your vanity or bookshelf, and keep the packaging should you ever want to auction them "MIB" on Ebay...or at Sotheby's.

Until now, my all-time favorite Marc Jacobs collaboration was with Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton.  I bought myself an original cherry blossom monogram bag and managed to get Mr. Murakami to sign it at a gallery opening (a "vintage" snapshot from the 2003 event with my apparently very serious and very scruffy friend Michael Taylor). 

To my nearly uncontainable delight, he not only signed the bow-clad bag (pictured above!), but he DREW A PICTURE on the inside flap.  Needless to say, that bag doesn't get out much.  Who needs a retirement fund when you've got that baby stashed away?!

My weekend plans?  A visit to www.Colette.fr followed by a Vespa ride across the Williamsburg Bridge to track down the artist...and a signature. 

Whether you fancy Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan or Sean Connery as your spy guy, we all have a little Bond Girl envy in our hearts.  With that in mind, I rounded up some cool gadgets that inspire my inner Ursula for CNN.com's latest edition of "Show and Tell."

Elettra Wiedemann (face of Lancome and daughter of Isabella Rossellini) is teaming up with JustOneFrickinDay.com -- a charity whose mission is to unify and concentrate resources on a number of global charity projects -- and The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) in an effort to raise money for the Burundi Solar Project.  The goal is to equip a hospital in Kigutu, Burundi, one of the world's poorest countries, with sustainable solar power for the life of its existence.

The organization needs to raise $450,000 to accomplish their goal, and there are two ways YOU can help. 

First: put your energy into FASHION.  Power-house designers Chris Benz, Phillip Lim, House of Diehl, Giambattista Valli, Rag & Bone and Rogan have designed limited edition t-shirts (100 only, $60 each), available starting TODAY at JustOneFrickinDay.com.  You can also score a non-limited edition House of Diehl tee for $30.

Second: if your closet is already too full (if that's true, I'd like to meet you), you can donate one day's worth of your annual salary instead.  The website (hence the name) has a built-in calculator which determines "Just One Frickin Day" of your annual salary for donation.

More about the project:

According to JustOneFrickinDay.com: "Rampant illness and ailments include HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, malaria, measles, diarrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and an infant mortality rate that is approaching 20% [in Burundi].  The health crisis facing the southern part of the country is especially severe due to a lack of electricity.  When the sun goes down, doctors use kerosene lamps and headlights for night work, which can include emergency surgeries and child birth."

Click here to buy a limited edition t shirt, to donate and day's salary and to learn more.

...well, not exactly.   While Jamaicans everywhere are celebrating their country's track and field triumphs at the Bird's Nest in Beijing, I am celebrating Sophie Eyssautier, a French native who left behind a successful design career in Paris to move to Jamaica.  And, if I had a gold medal to bestow upon the best Jamaican-based design talent, it would go to Eyssautier.

At the urging of friends, Eyssautier opened Sophie's Callaloo Butik in Negril in 2002.  The label, called Callaloo (named after Eyssautier's favorite green, leafy Jamaican vegetable),

includes clothing and accessories for women and children (sundress above) as well as housewares, and is sold in a handful of Jamaican boutiques (although Noisette in Brooklyn occasionally carries a few pieces).

I got my first peek at Callaloo in the exquisitiely-curated boutique at Rockhouse Hotel (everyone from Bob Dylan to Nanette Lepore has checked in), and quickly learned of the label's success as items sold out on a daily basis.

As quoted in a local Jamaican magazine, Eyssautier says, "It is most important that my creations are made entirely in Jamaica.  I was tired of looking on labels only to find they were made in faraway countries."

 Each piece from the Callaloo collection is handcrafted, whether a beaded T shirt, printed bag, tank top with quirky embroidery (surprisingly Marni-esque), a madras infant onesie, or a flowing cotton dress perfect for Caribbean days and nights.

Best of all, indulging in a few pieces won't cramp your travel budget.  Bags cost about $30 or less, dresses max out at $60.  Prices go down from there.

Hungry for some Callaloo?
Check out www.callalloo-jam.com for more details.

...I see eco underpants!


Eco Boudoir, based in London, offers sexy little things that are green and gorgeous.  A perfect gift for the yoga-loving bride...or for you.

Their philosophy: "Eco-Boudoir uses fabrics that are highly renewable and which do not bring pollution to people or the environment in their processing. We challenge the Eco-market in terms of design and branding and challenge the luxury market in terms of sustainability. We have made eco 'sexy'."

Just had to share.




What's your favorite green-goes-glam product?

As a big fan of all things POP, I am always mesmerized by products inspired by POP-CULTURE and POP-ART that boast both form and function -- particularly when said products look like kids' toys.

I suppose for many these products do double as kids' toys, but due to their inherent functionality, I also consider them "adult toys" (in the most innocent way, of course; but that headline got your attention, didn't it?)

Take a look at three I'm currently coveting:

1. TOY WATCH'S NEW NEON PLASTERAMIC, $195

Like a swankier Swatch (my all-time favorite), Toy Watch nods to the neon trend with this bright series.  Considering the continuation of the all-things-colorful trend, TheCoolhunter.net makes a wise observation: "..the Toy Watch could be the new RayBan Wayfarer."

2. DREAM KITTY'S SOLAR-POWERED HELLO KITTY CHARGING STATION, $159.99

This 5x3-inch, eco-friendly charger powers to full capacity after 6 hours in the sunlight, or after about 1 hour plugged-in.  Charge computers, cameras, cell phones and MP3 players.  The charger even has a built-in LED that provides 48 hours of interrupted light.

3.  MIMOBOT USB FLASH DRIVE, from $39.95

Launched in 2005 by mimoco (MEE-mo-co), these limited edition artist-designed flash drives carry all the typical tech-y stuff (files, pictures, documents, presentations) without making you yawn --- or yearn for something chic.  There's something very Gwen Stefani/Harajuku Lovers about these cute little pals...I like the stripes and bears, but there's also a Princess Leia version for those truly pop-culture obsessed.

WANNA PLAY????