DermStore Launches Flagship Store & Spa in Hermosa Beach, CA

Today DermStore is opening of its first ever flagship store in Los Angeles, in Hermosa Beach. In addition to carrying the best of beauty brands, the DermStore flagship store is a sanctuary for west coast beauty lovers. The new store and salon is steps away from the Hermosa Pier in Hermosa Beach, CA. The upscale brick and mortar location of the popular online store is  more than an average beauty supply store. The new store includes an expansive retail selection of quality products synonymous with DermStore.com, a luxurious hair salon and a spa featuring treatments from brands such as Decleor, Eminence, Phytomer, YonKa, Dermalogica, Guinot and Thibiant.  The spa is small with two spa treatment rooms, but the services are terrific.  I should know because I was treated to special pre-opening facial at the Hermosa store using organic Eminence products from Hungary.  I was very pleased with the results, as I left with glowing skin that had been gently cleansed.  Even the "extractions" were not painful, but gentle.  Living in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, it's not always easy to find a good facialist or spa.  Most of Los Angeles spas are in Beverly Hills or on the Westside.  The addition of Dermastore to the South Bay area is a real plus.  Now residents of Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and other beach cities can have access to top-notch services and beauty products like Thibiant, that we've had to trek out of area for.  Even better, visitors who go into the new store today will receive 10% off services and products in celebration of the grand opening.

Pictured: Featured products at Dermastore in Hermosa Beach

DermStore launched in 1999 with the vision of fulfilling the unmet need for a reputable dermatologist-backed online store, carrying only the finest cosmetic dermatology products. Since that time, it has evolved into the premier online destination for beauty and skin care products. The rapid expansion and evolution of the e-commerce site naturally led to the development of the new store.  In addition to skincare, the new store will also feature hair care services and waxing services.

"I'm thrilled about the opening of the new DermStore retail store in LA," said Dan Obegi, DermStore CEO. "It gives us another opportunity to serve our clientele and gives us a space where we can meet our customers face to face every day. We'll use the DermStore retail store to test products before they hit the market, as a location for our photo and video shoots, and as another avenue for our customers to get the best products and the best service."

DermStore is not merely a distributor of high-end skin care and cosmetic products, but stocks traditional retail beauty brands. DermStore only sells products purchased directly from the manufacturers and sells according to the brand's requirements so brands can sell - and consumers can purchase - with confidence.  

With more than 620 brands and over 23,000 products, DermStore has quickly become the leader in luxury skin care, beauty, and cosmetics online.  Some of its most popular lines include Dermalogica, SkinMedica, SkinCeuticals, Obagi, jane iredale, Sonya Dakar, Philosophy, Glytone and Essie – however, the list expands as new luxury brands are added monthly. 

The DermStore flagship store is located at 1316 Hermosa Beach Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 and is open seven days a week, 10am-8pm.

Leigh Belz for People StyleWatch Talks About Spring Style Trends

Feb. 29: Exclusive MadMen Collection Preview at Banana Republic Stores

The new Banana Republic MadMen Collection is launching March 1st. Click here to see pictures from the collection, and get details on the latest fashions. If you're a fan, check the locations on the picture above for a sneak peak party at your local story.  Banana Republic card holders will receive early access to the collection.

Luxe Hotels Offers Facebook Contest to Award Travel Packages

Luxe Hotels has kicked off a Facebook contest in coordination with the launch of their new signature 360° package, a wraparound luxury service that includes a personal town car pick up and drop off service at a Los Angeles airport. Mmm... that sounds kinda good, right?

Here are the details about the contest.  The contest will award the winning couples a chance to experience the Luxe Hotels 360° package, by offering a complimentary stay for two at any of the three Luxe Hotels in California—the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel in Beverly Hills, the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel  in Bel Air, and the Luxe City Center Hotel in Downtown, Los Angeles.

To vie for the Let Us Sweep You Off Your Feet contest, Luxe Hotel Facebook fans will need to post a descriptor of what they love about LA—in 360 characters or less, on the Luxe Hotels Facebook page, starting on February 7.  Each month, for the duration of the contest, one lucky couple will be awarded the prize, selected from the most compelling posts uploaded on www.facebook.com/LuxeSunsetHotel. The choice, as to which Luxe Hotel to be swept off their feet  at, will be theirs.

“With the Luxe Hotels 360° package, you actually get 360 degrees of service, meaning personal attention and the signature style of service that defines the Luxe Hotels brand,” said CEO Efrem Harkham. “Those who have ever waited on the long taxi or rental car lines so typical at LAX and the Burbank airport, will be especially pleased with the personal town car service.”

In addition to airport pick up and drop off, this package includes the use of an iPad2 for the duration of the stay, a luxurious upgraded room, a complimentary bottle of Shiraz wine, daily American breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi.  Now that's traveling in style!

In case you don't want to leave things to chance, the package, is now available for booking at all three hotels, runs at a nightly rate of $360, requires a two night minimum stay and is discounted to $265 every night, thereafter.

Los Angeles Fashion Designers Show in London during Fashion Week

Pictured from left: Curly V, Chris Erven, Alana Hale, Victor Wilde & Jen Awad.

A group of savvy Los Angeles Fashion Designers packed up their winter clothes to brave the snow and cold temperatures to bring their designs to London this week.  The designers made a special appearance at the Loading Bay Gallery at Truman Brewery in East London. “Having the opportunity to be an L.A. designer showing in London has been a once in a lifetime experience - meeting with London based press and buyers has put L.A back on a global fashion platform” says designer Jen Awad.  In addition to  Jen Award, designers showing in London included Alana Hale, Curly V, Victor Wilde, and Chris Erven. Collections from  Kittinhawk, Robynn Molino, Kao Pao Shu and Bijou Van Ness were also on show.

It's great to see these talented designers gaining global exposure for their work. Los Angeles has a very productive and innovative group of designers producing great fashions and it's great to see this collective getting out there and show what they can do!  We'll see more from this group during the upcoming Los Angeles Fashion Week.

Valentine's Day Facebook Giveaway Today from Tulle

If you're looking for something for free on this Valentines, and want to try your hand at a giveway, here's a good one from Tulle. Tulle is having a Facebook contest for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Tulle4us.com today only! Simply click over to Tulle's Facebook page  and you will have the chance to win by leaving a comment.  Plus today only 20% off dresses! Enter code: Vday20 at checkout.

NYFW: Misha Vaidya Sketch for Fall 2012

The By Misha Fall 2012 collection, designed by emerging British designer Misha Vaidya, offers a color palette of rich jeweled tones in fuschia, emerald, mustard and royal blues accentuating sparkling blacks and golden layered sequin.  Fabric and textures blend to create regal gowns, cocktail dresses, tops and trousers fit for royalty from our childhood story books with an elegant grown-up touch. By Misha will debut the Fall 2012 collection on February 10, 2012.  This preview sketch looks Academy Awards worthy!  Misha Vaidya will be showing her Fall 2012 collection on Friday February 10, 2012 from 6-8pm at the Bernarducci Meisel Gallery.