It’s getting HAUTE in here!
No, I am not speaking about the weather unfortunately. Denver has been uncharacteristically chilly and somewhat rainy this time of year. Double hmph! I had to venture all the way to Key West last week just to get a little sun. Cry me a river right?
So why are we “feeling haute, haute, haute” even though the weather outside is “not, not, not?” Because we just confirmed that Twist & Pout is designing an exclusive HAUTE PINK, gem encrusted ball for www.hautelook.com and the BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION, Evelyn Lauder-Founder. We couldn’t be more thrilled. You could say that we are, er, um, tickled pink. OK, sorry for that one, I just couldn’t resist.
HAUTELOOK, one of our very favorite retail partners, is assembling a fabulous assortment of goodies which will be sold for a limited time on their site in September to raise funds for BCRF. And T&P will be right there in the mix. Leave us a comment here and we will randomly pick 5 winners to receive a free gem clip when they get produced. Here’s to finding a cure.
Big kiss,
Thomas
Article by Thomas
Thomas has written 3 articles.
Spring Breakin’ my Back Over Here!
While Thomas is already singing Suddenly Summer, I’m still a teensy bit behind. (just as I was with the adoption of leggings, skinny jeans, and most recently, coral lips/nails. But I always come around. Anywho, I digress…) I’ve got spring break on the mind and am heading to Hawaii in T minus 15 days for a week of relaxation and adventure in the sun and surf! Heyoooooooooooooo!
So two months ago I started cramming to get into shape, as the thought of putting on a bikini made me want to launch myself into traffic. Working out has always been a bit of a chore to me and I’ve always REALLY disliked gyms. So much so, that I one time even put on workout attire, drove all the way TO the gym, sat in my car in the parking lot, talked on my phone, and then turned around and drove home 30 minutes later. Without ever stepping out of my car. I maybe even told my roommate that I had just gone to the gym when I got home. (What? I mean, it wasn’t a lie…I DID just go to the gym!)
I’m more of an outdoorsy kinda gal – I love skiing, biking, hiking etc. But I’ve always just gotten bored at the gym. I’ve never had a good routine and truth be told, I get confused and intimidated by gym equipment. And when left to myself, I can always talk myself into cutting out early. Enter daily deals.
The explosion of daily email deals has changed my opinion of working out and I’m happy to report…the gym ‘aint what it used to be! At least not the way I’m doing it. Because of Groupon, LivingSocial, WeeklyPlus etc, I’ve been able to sample a variety of classes like spin, yoga, circuit, hiphop, pole dancing (yeah…that wasn’t at all hilarious and awkward) at different gyms. Here are a few of my faves that I recommend:
- Mountain Warriors at Qi Ryders: I lovingly refer to it as “psycho spin”. It’s a mix of cycling and circuit and no two classes are ever the same. Perfect for those of us who get bored easily and it’s probably the best workout I’ve ever had.
- Pole Technique at Tease Studio: Grab a girlfriend and go…the laughter alone will give your abs a workout.
So…after two months of working out like a crazy person, me, my bikini, my beach bag and my Twist & Pout(s) are ready for the beach. Bring it!
Aloha,
Mars
Ps…have daily email deals introduced you to any new fun products/services? Spill it!
Suddenly Summer
Sung to the tune of “Suddenly Seymour” in Little Shop of Horrors. Giggle.
I am elated to report that we flirted with 80 degrees here in Denver this last Saturday. Team Summer get your gear ready. Let’s see those ‘kinis and ‘tinis! (Bi- and Mar- respectively) I know, I know, it seems counterintuitive to be a hot weather, summer lovin’ freak when you live in Colorado, but it is what it is. I love pure white sand, swaying palm trees, HUMIDITY, Spanish guitars and that glorious feeling of the sun’s harmful rays. Guilty as charged.
Growing up in the baby oil and Bain de Soleil (holla’ if you are old enough to remember those commercials) generation, I constantly ask myself and the universe…How can something that feels oh so good be oh so bad for you? Growing up, my siblings and I were fortunate to spend many summers on the beach, had a pool in our backyard and of course, very little awareness about the carcinogenic effects of sun worship. Toss all those ingredients in with my fair Danish complexion and you have a dangerous cocktail, not the good kind, of skin cancer soup. And I should know, I spotted another suspicious spot on my back this weekend. More money for mole patrol. Ugh. As a skin cancer survivor, I can tell you how frightening and ugly the whole experience can be. Think stress, sleepless nights and long, unsightly surgical scars. You get the picture.
Younger folks today, thankfully, do get it. Just this Saturday, I had dinner with a friend, 10 years my junior, who has a truly flawless complexion and has been “practicing safe sun” since, like, forever. Just goes to show you how much more we all know now about tanning. But all of this my friends, however cathartic for me to discuss, is NOT new news. So, herein lies the challenge. It’s a fine line between that youthful, outdoorsy, “I just finished a triathlon” or “I live on the beach in St. Tropez because I can” glow and Magda’s weathered and leathered Boca Babes. Here are some how-to hints as my favorite season, the Lady Summer, approacheth:
- LAYER YOUR SUMMER GLOSSES WITH SPF. I am fond of saying that your lips are the window to your romantic soul and their protection is job #1 here at Twist & Pout. So listen and hear me well summer glossy posse! I insist that you layer an SPF product underneath those sunshine-y hues this season. So few really great glosses contain an SPF and there are all sorts of studies out there that have proven these glosses actually ATTRACT UVA and UVB rays. Simply apply the SPF layer a couple of times a day, not during every application. We like Twist & Pout natural-clear-citrus moisturizer (say SHAMELELESS MARKETING PLUG in your best Jack Black voice! Hello, we are trying to sell some product here, people.) as a base and Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Gloss in Cherry Bomb. Maro’s lips look positively edible in this combo. I mean, I really wanted to bite them. Jussayin’.
- SPRAY TANNING BOOTHS. Maro says, “le duh!” Advances in technology have made it so you don’t have to emerge looking like an Oompah Loompah.
- GEL BRONZERS. Clinique’s Non Streak Bronzer for MEN is phenomenal. Mix half of a pinky sized nail amount with your favorite SPF moisturizer or makeup for a sun kissed lift. Don’t let the “FOR MEN” fool ya, it is great for women, too. Just be sure to keep it off your chin line to avoid messy collars.
- SPF TINTED MOISTURIZERS. I designed the be-all-end-all tinted moisturizer for 3LAB at Barney’s New York a couple of years ago called DAYLIGHT EFFECT™ which never saw the light of day. Boo. Pun intended. Almay’s Smart Shade Makeup is the next best thing. Moderation is key, so mix it with your favorite moisturizer for best results.
- MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DERMY. Most insurance companies consider this like a doctor’s visit. A little co-pay translates into a lot of peace of mind. Don’t wait.
Is there something I have missed? Let’s hear your tips. Lay ‘em on me like a Hawaiian Tropic, coconut smelling, cocoa butter oil. JK. I just spent 10 minutes explaining why I CANNOT want that. But I do, but I can’t. But I do, but I can’t. Argh. I need a personalized 12 step tanning program…
Big kiss,
Thomas
p.s. Gonna’ try to erase 20 years of tanning with a little ol’ laser treatment this month. I’ll let you know how it goes. Before and afters anyone?
Article by Thomas
Thomas has written 3 articles.
March Madness
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh March Madness. Is there anything else like it? It is by far my favorite sporting event of the year. I’m definitely not logged into cbssports.com all day at work following scores. Ok, yes I am. I call it multi-tasking.
There is just something about collegiate sports that makes me giddy. Well ok, I guess it’s not just “something”…it’s more like “some things”. I love the energy on a college campus. I love rivalries. I love underdogs and upsets. I love marching bands. (There…I said it.) Mostly, I love the heart and passion that comes with school pride. And well…I have a lot of it. The NBA and NFL do nothing for me, but I will jump through the roof, dish out high-fives to strangers, and scream until my voice is gone for my beloved Michigan State Spartans. (Go Green!)
So naturally, my heart goes pitter patter for the T&P University Collection. Finally, the world gets it: I’m a girl. And I like sports. And I still like to be cute while enjoying sports. Am I right or am I right ladies!? Put a green block “S” on just about anything girly, and I’ll buy it. It seems other companies have noticed I’m not alone. Have you seen Victoria’s Secret’s university line? And Alyssa Millano’s line of gameday gear? Supes cute! And while I do love my collection of Michigan State shirts, hats, and hoodies, it’s my MSU Twist & Pout that makes other like-minded girls squeal with delight. Lip gloss + purse bling + MSU = yes please!
I get a lot of comments like ‘You need to get Duke!’, or ‘What? No Penn State?’. Believe me…if it was that simple, I’d make sure there was a Twist & Pout for each and every school. Without boring you with all the details, I’ll just say that the world of licensing isn’t black and white and some licenses are harder to get than others. That being said, my hope is that the popularity of this collection will continue to grow and soon University of Texas will be calling me and BEGGING for a “Hook ‘em Horns” Twist & Pout!
Green & White Forever,
Mars
Ps…do you have any fave girly sports brands/stores? Share the wealth!
Orange You Glad I Didn’t Say Banana?
Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived a product called Ballmania® Lip Balm. And it had many devoted followers who loved its light vanilla, somewhat sugar-y flavor in the convenient and revolutionary sphere packaging. For several years following its introduction, there were peace, harmony and soft vanilla lips among its small, but dedicated group of fans. Then, along came a nasty cosmetics ogre who changed the flavor, the formula and the name of the product to Twist & Pout® Lip Moisturizer. (I am, of course, speaking about myself.) And life, was, well, rocky for a bit, but all’s well that ends well? At least that’s what I hope.
I am often asked (and occasionally scolded, ouch!) why Twist & Pout converted its original flavor from the Ballmania vanilla to our now signature and TOP SECRET citrus honey taste. Why indeed? Let me start by saying that changing the flavor was not something we considered lightly. Like you, I get extremely attached to textures, formulas, fragrances and product results in my daily regimen and when I have to look for a new lotion or face cream due to discontinuation, I am not a happy camper! The last time my shaving cream was 86’d, I nearly declared all out war on the company that ruined my life. Insert melodramatic Telemundo music here. Btdubbs, I bought up every piece I could find and still do have an ebay keyword search for it. I have also been known to hoard my faves for years. I have, like, a 2 year’s supply of puffy eye reducing serum which I cannot live without. Who? Me? Obsessive Virgo? Nah. Let me also say how lucky we are at Twist & Pout to be able to populate our day with these ground breaking flavor questions. I mean, let’s be real… sometimes we can sit around for hours on end testing products and discussing the merits of citrus or vanilla. Passion fruit or sangria? Crème de menthe or peppermint? Mango peach fusion or golden Asian pear? Nice work if you can get it. (I can hear the avalanche of employment applications flowing in, as we speak!)
But seriously, there were real reasons for the switch. Here is a small sample:
- VANILLA DOESN’T PLAY NICE IN THE SANDBOX WITH OUR NATURAL FORMULA. Customers were clamoring for our glosses to contain natural ingredients and the original vanilla Ballmania was petroleum based. When you put vanilla in the Twist & Pout natural formula, you can taste the sunscreen which is decidedly un-yummy. Natural citrus based flavors are more potent and easily mask that icky sunscreen taste.
- PEOPLE HAVE A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH VANILLA. In all my 20+ years in the biz, one thing remains the same. People either love vanilla or they hate it. And let’s face it, the last thing this world needs is more hate. Can I get an amen up in here?
- PEPPERMINT WAS TAKEN. I jest, sort of, but we wanted Twist & Pout to have its own point of difference. Did we really need another peppermint lip balm on the market? I think not. ☺
- IT’S GONNA BE A BRIGHT, BRIGHT, BRIGHT SUNSHINE-Y DAY. Therapeutically, cold pressed citrus oils have been proven in studies to lift your mood and energetically enhance your day. (p.s. We removed the harmful UV collecting aspects of our citrus oil before mixing it in T&P.) Orange is downright happy, upbeat, the life of any delicious party and we wanted to transport you, literally and figuratively, to that sunshine state.
- I AM A BONA-FIDE ORANGE FREAK. Mouth watering tangerines, the intoxicating smell of real orange blossoms, mandarin, neroli, petitgrain and my all time favorite unisex orange fragrance, Arancia di Capri by Acqua di Parma which is the absolute perfect spring and summer beach fragrance. (Make sure to buy testers or overstocks on ebay for the best price.)
- BANANAS ARE FOR EATING. Could you stomach a banana tasting gloss on a daily basis? I certainly couldn’t. So, again I ask you, “Orange you glad, I didn’t say banana?” Giggle.
Still not convinced? Don’t fret, my little vanilla loving lip balm fans. You can still get the original version in limited quantities on QVC.com while supplies last. Hoard away!
Big kiss,
Thomas
Article by Thomas
Thomas has written 3 articles.
The New Twist
Coming soon…to a computer screen near you…TWIST TALK.
Please check back for the skinny on all-things-behind-the-scenes, what we think about this and that, and mostly for pure entertainment (we love a good gigglefest). In the meantime, get acquainted with the current Twist & Pout Collections (gemstones, charms and shimmer OH MY!) and new for 2011, LIP PRESENCE.
Mwah!
