Votre Vu & Tatiana Boncompagni SOCIAL DEATH Book Launch

On March 6th, Tatiana Boncompagni held a lunch party for her new book, SOCIAL DEATH, at the Madison Avenue Nanette Lepore store. In collaboration with the book release, Votre Vu has created a limited edition French Kiss Moisture Riche Lipstick, aptly named SOCIAL DEATH. 

SOCIAL DEATH is a scandal-packed murder mystery of a beautiful New York City heiress set on Mahattan's Upper East Side.

Votre Vu's Limited Edition French Kiss in SOCIAL DEATH is a true red lipstick referencing the setting and graphic cover image of Boncompagni's book. This lipstick has a creamy formulation with a bit of gloss to it, handcrafted of pure, enriched natural plant waxes, vitamin E, anti-aging ingredients and SPF 8. 

Lip tip: For a more defined and flawless lip, line lips with Drawmatic Lip Pencil before French Kiss color application. Finish off with Lip Lustre gloss. 

Votre Vu Limited Edition French Kiss in SOCIAL DEATH is now available exclusively at www.votrevu.com for $23.00. Votre Vu donates $1 from every French Accents product purchased to the St. Baldrick's Foundation for the 46 Mommas' campaign to treat and cure pediatric cancer. 

Below images courtesy of Jimmy Lepore Hagan for Nanette Lepore

Votre Vu's Ann Brodette, Nanette Lepore and Tatiana Boncompagni

- Kim Weling

Makeup Favorites for Fall

Here's a look at some of my makeup favorites for fall, as we say goodbye to summer in a few weeks.

1. Amorepacific Color Control Cushion Compact ($60) has been a favorite all summer, and plan on using it into the upcoming season. This all-in-one compact provides a flawless, radiant finish, with SPF 50. It's moisturizing and hydrating, with light to medium coverage that goes on evenly and smoothly. Green Tea Treatment Complex brightens and prevents skin irritation while providing antioxidant protection. I also love the cooling puff and extra refill.

2. Votre Vu Le Joli Crayon Soft Eye Liner ($23) in Aubergine - a waterproof gel pencil that glides on like a liquid liner and allows you to smoke and smudge before it dries, and then is smudge-proof and long-wearing once it sets. This liner is rich in mineral pigments, anti-aging fruit extracts and Vitamin E, nourishing and hydrating the eye area.

3. Fashion Fair Sam Fine Collection Eyeshadow Quad ($38) in Amalfi Coast - go from a glam look to a bold, smoky eye with sparkle, shimmer and matte finishes with long lasting color. Fashion Fair Sam Fine Collection Lipstick is another favorite, from bare nude to deep plum and vibrant pink.

4. LORAC The Private Affair Collection is a four-piece eye set that includes everything to create your sexy smoky eye: an eye shadow palette with six pigmented eye shadows, mini eye primer and a double-ended brush, PRO Cream Eye Liner in Plum and a PRO Mascara in Black. I am obsessed with the PRO Cream Eye Liner. It is highly pigmented, smudge-proof and stays on all day. It is infused with Vitamins E and C and includes a custom brush within the cap for creating a clean, precise line.

- Kim Weling

Fashion's Night Out 2011

Between Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and Fashion's Night Out, my inbox has been flooded with invites. Go to fashionsnightout.com for the complete listing of events and participating stores, jam-packed with designer and celebrity appearances, performances, music, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, giveaways, makeovers and shopping specials.

Here's are some of the events at the top of my list:

1) BCBGMAXAZRIA, 461 Fifth Avenue New York NY 10017
6-11pm
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with my favorite designer! Max and Lubov Azria will stop by, and the first 100 guests to buy the new fragrance will receive a bottle signed by Max. The first 250 customers to make a purchase will get a Runway Survival Kit with a .25 oz. bottle of fragrance and a limited-edition Maybelline Great Lash mascara designed by Max.

2) Lisa Perry, 976 Madison Avenue NY NY 10075
Celebrate 60's style with Lisa Perry and the cast of the upcoming television show PAN AM for shopping and cocktails!


The first 50 people to arrive will receive this vintage PAN AM explorer bag!


3) Votre Vu, 9th Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street New York NY 10014
6-11pm
In the name of fashion & beauty, Votre Vu presents “VU-lin Rouge,” the revival of history’s most glamorous and exciting cabaret! Experience the decadent VuBAR Airstream, fanciful French Can Cans & a mesmerizing contortionist. Sample handcrafted French skin care and Vu’s all-natural beauty beverage served through an icy sculpture by a stunning SnapDragon Sprite. Vu la la!


4) Rolando Santana Showroom, 306 West 38th Street, Suite 603, New York NY 10018
Swing by for a cocktail, discounts and mingling with industry professionals and fashionistas alike. Enter for a chance to win his signature Trenchcoat and spend some one on one time with the designer himself. Event will begin at 7pm.


5) Talbots, 525 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10022
Please join TALBOTS, celebrity stylist and fashion and beauty expert MARY ALICE STEPHENSON, and beauty specialists from SALLY HANSEN for FASHION'S NIGHT OUT. Mary Alice Stephenson will provide fashion tips and advice while Sally Hansen beauty experts will offer mini-manicures and eyebrow shaping. The first 100 customers will receive a gift bag filled with treats from Sally Hansen.


6) Ann Taylor, Madison Avenue flagship at 60th Street, New York, NY
6-11pm
Special live performance by world-renowned multiplatinum singer / songwriter Natasha Bedingfield as well as two fashion shows featuring real, inspiring women across multiple generations. Enjoy shopping, styling, refreshments, a live DJ, and a free “Ann Loves Fashion” tank with any purchase over $100. Ann Taylor stylists will also be on-site to help clients put together chic, new fall looks.

7) Spa Merge, 102 W 57th Street New York, NY 10019


- Kim Weling

Votre Vu's VuBAR Featuring Bébé Duette

On Wednesday July 27th, I visited the Votre Vu VuBAR, parked on Avenue of Americas between 51st and 52nd Street. The VuBAR featured Votre Vu's newest product, Bébé Duette Luxe Lips, Luxe Lips Framboise and Hand Crème, $39.50. The 2-pack is a petite version of the original Duette Luxe Lip Balm and Hand Crème. One version comes with clear lip balm and the other has raspberry lip balm located in the cap with a mirror.

The clear lip balm is made from coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax, leaving lips soft, supple and shiny, with a deliciously light and natural coconut flavor. I am loving the new raspberry lip balm, which has a citrusy, natural passion fruit flavor and adds a light touch of color to the lips. The Luxe Lips Framboise (raspberry) also has a vitamin E infused anti-aging formula, and both lip balms have UV filters to add extra protection to your lips!

The Tarte D’Amande hand crème has a decadent almond and coconut fragrance and leaves your hands feeling super soft and luxurious. This hand crème also has sun filters for UVA/UVB protection to maintain skin tone.

The Bébé Duette is great to throw in your purse or gym bag and makes the perfect travel gift since it's TSA approved!

Votre Vu VuBAR

- Kim Weling

The Perfect Body Lotion for Winter - Votre Vu's TARTE D'AMANDE Soufflé Riche Pour Le Corps

TARTE D'AMANDE Soufflé Riche Pour Le Corps ($39) by Votre Vu is my body lotion of choice for the winter months, with the sweet smell of Almond Pie! It really absorbs into your skin and keeps your body moisturized without feeling thick or greasy. Vitamins and nut oils hydrate your skin, leaving it soft and silky.
What's your favorite winter lotion?

- Kim Weling

Votre Vu New Product Launch at the VuBAR Airstream

Last month I visited the VuBAR Airstream to take a sneak peek at five new products for fall:

Nouveau Glow Bilberry Bergamot Peel - bergamot, omni-healing bilberry, AHA loaded citrus fruits of lemon, grapefruit and orange, and sugar cane gently peels away the damages of fun and sun. Vitamin E, papaya extract and sunflower seed oil feed your skin with deeply moisturizing antioxidants and vitamins that soothe and protect your skin from any potential irritants and congestion.

SpecialEyes Intensive Eye Treatment - decreases and removes puffiness and dark circles. When used daily, curative nutrients like evening primrose oil provide both instant and long-term benefits that can result in firmer and brighter skin around the eyes.

Oh Lighten Up! Intensif Treatment Spot Creme - focuses on diminishing the appearance of age spots. Natural ingredients like licorice, bearberry and daisy flowers work to retextures and smooth out skin tone while defending it from present environmental damage.

Tres Magni-Feet Magnificent Exfoliating Treatment for the Feet - this foot scrub includes very tiny particles of benevolent bamboo which gently eliminate roughness and banish excess dead cells. Exfoliation eliminates microorganisms that cause infection and odor and the massage process improves blood circulation through the foot and toes. Invigoratingly pure peppermint, health-bolstering alpha bisabolol and refining citrus extracts effectively deep cleanse, repair and hydrate, leaving feet refreshed and soft.

Tres Magni-Feet Magnificent Energizing Crème for the Feet - This ultra-rich foot crème includes bright green verbena leaves, arnica and chamomile, leaving your feet feeling fresh and energized. Blended with nourishing, hydrating and healing shea butter plus refreshingly light and pure menthol for its mild analgesic benefits, will restore and invigorate your feet.

I love these new Votre Vu products! They smell incredible and are so gentle on the skin. I especially love the Tres Magni-Feet exfoliating treatment and crème. After a stressful day,these products leave my feet feeling refreshed and relaxed, especially after wearing heels for hours.

While checking out the new products, I enjoyed a glass of the Snapdragon Beauty Beverage and some delicious macaroons.

The Votre Vu Airstream is touring the country, currently at the Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, NY until September 5th, followed by the Meatpacking District for Fashion's Night Out on September 10th. During Fashion's Night Out, you'll have the opportunity to test Vu's French-made, botanically based skin care with a Party Primer beauty regimen, have your photograph taken on the VuBAR's red carpet and download them for free online. To finish off your VIP Vu experience, you can sample refreshing Votre Vu SnapDragon and enjoy custom Votre Vu pastries from an on-site pastry chef! Checkout the list of upcoming VuBAR tour dates here.

The VuBAR stocked with Votre Vu favorites

- Kim Weling

Votre Vu Summer 2010

Looking for new skin care products for the summer? I highly recommend Votre Vu's French luxury line, which I've been using for the past two months. I was actually first introduced to Votre Vu back in October at the KMR Girl's Night Out Event at Bruno Jamois, when I instantly became hooked on their Snapdragon Beauty Beverage, which includes mango, pomegranate and acai berry juices mixed with green, white and red teas.


Snapdragon Beauty Beverage, 2-pack, $26 or 4-pack, $42

Votre Vu makes cleansers and moisturizers for a variety of skin types - sensitive, normal to dry, troubled or mature. I've been using the Normal to Dry skin set, which includes Best Regards Lait Pour Le Visage (Anti-Aging Milk Cleanser, $29), Fleur Blanc Tonic (White Flower Toner, $25), Best Regards Crème de Jour (Day Crème, $39) and Best Regards Sérum Hydratant Pour Le Visage (Hydrating Anti-Aging Sérum, $59).


Best Regards Base Face Regimen Set, $137

The creamy milk cleanser contains sunflower seed oil as a base, blended with jojoba oil, natural essential oils and wheat ceramides. This formula regenerates, firms and moisturizes.

Another one of my favorites is the White Flower Toner. It's formulated with essential water, with a White Lily scent that I absolutely love. It supports better cell exchange by strengthening and fortifying the skin. I must admit, I usually don't use a toner as part of my skin care regimen, but it feels really refreshing.

The crème is super soft, containing active hydro-regulating, nourishing and restorative plant extracts and shea butter, along with essential oils that comfort and protect skin.

I apply 3-4 drops of the serum at night, which contains natural lactic, amino and hyaluronic acids. I just love how all of these products work together to leave my skin feeling clean, revitalized and super soft, with natural and anti-aging ingredients.

À VOTRE SANTÉ Elixir Essentiel, $29, also tops my favorite list as a must-have summer product. I keep this half-toner, half-sérum mist refrigerated, applying on the face as a cooling spritzer. I love the scent of essential fruit oils and organic peppermint. It's a refreshing booster that you can use to set your makeup or use on-the-go after hitting the gym or relaxing in the sun all day.

AMOUR D'ORE Les Vitamines Pour Vous (GOLDEN LOVE Multi-Vitamin Oil for Face, Body and Hair, $52) is ideal for use after showering or laying out in the sun. The precious oils leave skin feeling soft and smooth as it protects with Vitamin E. You can spray it on your face, arms, legs and the top of your feet. This is also a great spray for the hair for extra shine.

I am enjoying using all my Votre Vu products. I love all the anti-aging ingredients, natural oils and the fact that it doesn't dry out my skin but instead revitalizes it.

Learn more about Votre Vu products at votrevu.com.

- Kim Weling

KMR Girl's Night Out at Bruno Jamais Featuring Votre Vu

Votre Vu luxury skin care products

Snapdragon beauty beverage by Votre Vu

On October 6th, KMR Communications, Inc. held their second annual Girl's Night Out at Bruno Jamois Restaurant Club. I come across new and popular beauty, accessories and fashion companies all the time, so out of the dozen + companies that were present, I found a few that really caught my attention.

The one company I really took an interest in is Votre Vu, a French luxury skin care brand. There are several Votre Vu products I can't wait to try out, including the Antioxidant Eye Gel ($49). The crystal blue moisturing gel seems very cool and refreshing to the touch, so I can't imagine how this would feel once I refrigerate it and then apply.

I love the practical and convenient packaging of duette, combining two products in one - Luxe Lips moisturizing balm and Luxe Hand Creme. The balm is made from coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax with a hint of natural tropical flavor and the hand creme includes sunflower, grape seed and jojoba oils combined with aloe and wheat proteins with sweet aromas of almond and coconut. I love the built-in mirror that you see when you open up the lip balm. This is a great travel product, whether you want to carry it in your purse, gym bag or pack it for a weekend trip.

But the product I really fell in love with was the Snapdragon beauty beverage, blended with anti-aging super-fruits and botanicals. Mango, pomegranate and acai berry juices are mixed with green, white and red teas. The beverage includes seven daily vitamins plus collagen, aloe vera, foti, ginkgo biloba and baobab fiber.

Hard to believe there are no preservatives or sugars because it is tasteful and refreshing - I find myself wanting more than one glass. There are only 70 calories per 8 fl. oz (240 ml) serving. You have the option of ordering a 2-pack for $23 or a 4-pack for $39. I've never associated a healthy drink with tasting well until I tried this one. I don't really like powdery drinks because I feel like the powder doesn't dissolve all the way and ends up at the bottom of the glass. Trust me when I say this tastes amazing. Votre Vu skincare is available at www.votrevu.com.

Another product I can't wait to try is the odorless, organic Reiki-charged nail polish remover from G2 Organics. What does this mean that it is Reiki-charged? There's a quartz crystal at the bottom of the bottle that helps to amplify the Reiki energy, representing overall well being. No more smelling those harsh fumes after using nail polish remover. All we need now is odorless nail polish (stay tuned....G2 Organics say they have this in the works!)The nail polish remover is available in a 4 fl. oz. plastic bottle ($9.95) or in 4 fl. oz. glass bottle ($15.95) at http://www.g2organics.com/

Kelo-cote Spray is supposed to reduce the appearance of old and new hypertrophic and keloid scars resulting from surgical procedures, trauma, wounds and burns. It's supposed to be used two times a day for 6 weeks. I haven't had a reason yet to apply the spray but I am definitely curious to give it a try. The spray is odorless and colorless and dries within 5 minutes to form a Silicone Gel Sheet. It's effective for both old and new scars. The spray is available in a 50 ml size ($59.95) and a 100 ml size ($89.95). A gel is also available in tubes of 6g, 15g and 60g ($21.95 to $129.95). Kelo-cote is available through your doctor's office, select pharmacies, www.kelocote.com or calling

1-800-240-8227.

- Kim Weling