Marilyn Monroes Party in Madison Square Park

Last Friday, we held our birthday party for the lovely Marilyn Monroe in Madison Square Park. I'm happy to report that it was a definite success! An incredible number of Marilyns showed up to have pictures taken with our Marilyn impersonator, dance to such era-appropriate classics as Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York", and sing happy birthday. Beyond all the Marilyns, many showed up simply to pay homage to the starlet and enjoy the spectacle.

At one point, all of the Marilyn impersonators gathered against a Hollywood sign background, and the number of cameras snapping photos was incredible. I couldn't help but think to myself, "even all these years later, Marilyn still commands the paparazzi like no other celebrity out there!" It was a true testament to her importance as an American icon, her enduring influence, and the adoration for all her work.

There were a good amount of pictures taken to document the event, and they will all be up on our Facebook page. Also, please stay tuned at our Laszlo homepage to stay updated on all the new offers and events!

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Moisturizers Explained

It sure is getting hot out there. But while temperatures may be soaring, there's no excuse for skimping on your moisturizer. Moisturizing is an absolutely crucial step in keeping skin healthy and looking youthful. Just like all the other elements of your skin care regimen, however, it may require some alteration as the environment around you changes. Thus, for people whose skin gets oily during the summer months only, it may be necessary to switch from an oil- to a water-based moisturizer. Here's why:

It is important to note that moisturizers come in two main varieties - oil-based and water-based. Oil-based products are designed to both add water to the skin and lock in its own natural moisture. They essentially act as a barrier that keeps water from escaping. Water-based moisturizers, however, generally contain humectants, which are ingredients that attract water from the environment. The latter are generally better for people with oily skin, as it would be unnecessary to add any additional oil to such skin. Remember though that all skin cells, regardless of type, require hydration to perform their basic processes, and you can't hydrate with oil!

That being said, skin which lacks hydration is skin that is more susceptible to damage than usual. Dry skin has a tendency to crack, granting bacteria and other irritants access to the body and leaving it open to infection. Dehydration can also stimulate premature aging, causing wrinkles, fine lines, and roughness. This is partially the result of damaging free radicals going unchecked in skin cells and wreaking havoc on the epidermal environment. Well nourished and hydrated skin, however, exfoliates more rapidly, resulting in amazingly soft skin. And, as stated, it also tends to stay youthful for much longer than undernourished skin!

It is generally recommended that moisturizers be used twice a day after cleansing. Skin should be patted until it's barely dry beforehand, but don't wait too long before application! Otherwise, water will evaporate from the skin, taking the body's own natural moisture along with it.

For Dry Skin:

HydrapHel Emulsion SPF 15

For Oily Skin:

pHelityl Lotion

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8 Days Until Our Birthday Party for Marilyn!

We're throwing Marilyn a party!

As you may know, legendary skincare leader Erno Laszlo has been adored by countless Hollywood starlets since our inception in 1927. The brightest star among them was undeniably Marilyn Monroe. As a devoted user and personal friend to Dr. Laszlo, she has become a very important part of the Laszlo legacy.

To honor her memory, we want to invite all Marilyn Monroe fans to share in a one of a kind moment, a massive group birthday party for Marilyn in New York City. We want all her biggest fans to be apart of a unique Marilyn Monroe tribute that none of us will ever forget. Lets make the people on the streets of New York stop and stare and force tourists to grab their cameras when they see this many Marilyn fans in one place! Come dressed in your own version of Marilyn, from the Norma Jeane years to the Blonde Bombshell era, we want to see it all! Prizes will be awarded to fans that embody Marilyn the best!

So, on June 4th at Madison Square Park, let's all dress up like Marilyn and celebrate!

*Erno Laszlo London Store Opening*

Today, we are delighted to announce that we are making our return to the UK .

At the beginning of June, we will be opening a standalone retail outlet at the Covent Gardens in London. Only Laszlo will be carried, and associates will only speak Laszlo. Needless to say, this is an exciting time for all of us!




We are currently still setting up phone lines, etc., so we'll have to get back to you with that information soon. The Twitter for the store, however, will be LondonLaszlo; information regarding promotions, store news, etc. will be located there. Rest assured, we have plenty of surprises coming up for the grand opening! It's going to be a fantastic event, and none of you should miss it!

Also, we're excited to say that we'll be sharing the space with L'Artisan Parfumeur . Their portion of the space, which will be upstairs, will be the Parisian fragrance company's largest store in London. It will feature the full product line, from Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette to scented candles and body products. As with the Laszlo store, this location will feature highly trained consultants who will offer a fragrance profiling service!

See you soon!

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St. Thomas sure is beautiful..

So, as those of you who have ventured to St. Thomas are probably aware, the island is the site of one of a handful of stand-alone Erno Laszlo boutique in the world. I'd say the setting is appropriate; after all, inhabitant of such a beautiful island should have access to equally beautiful skin!

The store has been run by Gesine, who opened the store in 1977 upon moving to St. Thomas with her husband. She started using Laszlo in 1975 and was so impressed with the results that she became a lifelong Devotee and decided to spread the word of the Laszlo Ritual. I have no doubt that she is one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet with regards to our skin care, and that knowledge is reflected in the experiences she passes on to her satisfied customers.



When asked about her favorite Laszlo products, she mentioned the Sea Mud Soap, Light Controlling Lotion, and Total Skin Revitalizer with an "of course", and described them as "indispensable". She also mentioned that she was very impressed with the new Laszlo Blue Line. When asked what she say to Dr. Laszlo given the chance, she replied, "I would thank him for the Laszlo line, which has brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people." I can agree with that!

For those of you who are still planning on going to St. Thomas, make sure you stop by! The address is 8a Palm Passage! And remember, St. Thomas is duty-free!

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Happy Mother's Day!!!

As all of you well know, this Sunday is Mother's Day - the perfect opportunity to honor and thank our mothers for their years of unconditional love and guidance. The day traces its roots back to the ancient Greeks, who kept a festival dedicated to a great mother of the Greek gods, Cybele. In Europe, the festival eventually evolved into the tradition of holding a yearly day of honor for moms, Mothering Sunday. In the United States, though a movement was started to have a day of honor as early as 1870, it was not until 1912 that President Woodrow Wilson signed the day into law.

Regardless, whether you have an annual tradition, or just plan on meeting up with Mom to spend the day, these gifts are guaranteed to show Mom how much you appreciate her!

1) TranspHuse Topical ($165/1 oz.)

TranspHuse Topical features marine-filling spheres, which fill in lines and wrinkles for an instantly-noticeable aging treatment. Furthermore, gatuline expression minimizes micro-contractions in the face to make the skin as smooth as possible!

2) TranspHuse Night ($190/1 oz.)

TranspHuse Night helps to stimulate collagen production, while inhibiting the formation of new lines and wrinkles due to muscle contractions in the middle of the night. The result? Mom looks younger the moment she wakes up! As an added bonus, TranspHuse Night features a pleasant lavender scent to help Mom fall asleep easily.

3) Hydra-Therapy Hand & Body Emulsion
($60/8 oz.)

Mom's sure to like this one, as Hydea-Therapy Hand & Body Emulsion is a luxurious hydrating treatment for both the hands and body (as the name implies.. or actually states!). It will result in smooth, soft, hydrated skin as a result of the Indian nut extract included in the formula which for the purpose of healing chapped or otherwise dry skin.

4) Multi-pHase Blusher ($38/.33 oz.)

Regardless of your mother's skin tone, this blusher will easily blend in, giving her a naturally blushed look. This one will score you extra points in her book, as applying it to brow bones, cheek bones and down the middle of the nose to accentuate the planes of her face, making her look more beautiful than she already does!


PS- Free shipping on all online orders until Mother's Day. Just use the coupon code FabulousMoms, and you're all set! (continental US only) ***********

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Raising the Bar - NYT Style

Our feature in the 4/5 issue of the New York Times Style magazine:

Samurai Shopper | By S.S. FAIR | April 5, 2010


Anyone out there remember soap? The Samurai Shopper does, and admits a sentimental affection for soap’s plain-Jane properties. Soap may not be the most voluptuous product you’ve ever used, but it is efficient, disposable, a marvel of minimalism. I, like many others, traded up to fancy-pants facial gels, foams and creams that smell expensive — and are. But washing with emulsions of Meyer lemon or fig makes me think: what do figs smell like anyway, and should I smell like one?

The Samurai Shopper won’t revert to gratuitous, self-mortifying austerities even now, but a bar of soap seems tempting, especially when packing for a trip. Watch me clumsily funnel product into teeny bottles, cursing those who’ve made air travel liquid-lite. And I share the melancholy in my native land: people pining for their what-me-worry past when beauty began and ended at the bathroom sink. Grab soap, wash face, pat dry, move on. It’s a Doris Day movie.

Of course, soap, along with hygiene, had barbarous beginnings and is still possessed of a crude alchemy: fatty acids — melted-down animal fat, usually beef — treated with sodium salts extracted from lye. (That’s sodium tallowate in mass-market parlance.) Cheap soaps do banish dirt; the trouble is they mess up the skin’s pH (acid/alkali) balance, which keeps skin supple.

We’ve bought the propaganda that all soap is bad from the neck up, but that’s a crock. Fine soaps use plant-based oils that have less detergent and are less drying. My face likes olive-oil-based soaps from Castile in Spain and Marseille in France that have been around for centuries. They’re mostly fragrance-, preservative- and animal-fat-free. They also have history and provenance. Whole Foods has a bevy of modern bars made the old-fashioned way that clean, exfoliate, brighten and moisturize with pure oils and butters, plus the occasional shot of milk, vitamins and herbal essences.

Mountain Ocean’s Skin Trip — under $5 — is ridiculously good for face, hair and body; use it and save up for the higher-priced spreads that stay on your face all day and night. Though I can’t claim any Nubian Heritage, that brand’s Carrot & Pomegranate and Coconut & Papaya Soap With Vanilla Beans (both $3.80) are superfatty, supergentle. One With Nature’s Almond Soap — under $5 — is invigorating. Ditto Alaffia’s Shea Butter & Goat’s Milk Daily Toning Facial Soap at about $4 — in travel-friendly three ounces.

Unless you have serious dermatological issues, dry-skin panic is just that. After washing your face, you know the drill: apply serums and emollient creams, and you’ll seal in moisture and replenish oils. And if you don’t do this, why not? New Yorkers with supersensitive skin and a 21st-century conscience can support local business with a perfect soap from 3Lab, based in Englewood, N.J. It’s called One Perfect Soap ($15), and it is. The Brooklyn-based McBride Beauty gets respect for its Soy & Coconut Cleansing Bar ($12), with six elementary ingredients.

Less-than-perfect soaps can leave a film that doesn’t wash off readily in hard water, ergo the dreaded “soap scum.” But whatever your water’s texture, Erno Laszlo’s devotees can work it. Laszlo’s iconic Sea-Mud soap ($39) has ruled the roost since Garbo, the Duchess of Windsor and Marilyn Monroe were clients. Washing with Laszlo soaps means following his splashing technique: 20 rinses with soapy water (formerly 30), plus 10 in clear water. A tad boot-camp-ish but not silly, since rinsing well removes soap scum and rinsing some more adds insurance.

Animal-righters are missing a real gem in Lanolin Agg-Tval Eggwhite Soap from Sweden. A single bar from New London Pharmacy ($4.50) used with Jane Iredale’s Magic Mitt ($15) will astound. The Magic Mitt removes makeup without cleansers — hence, magic — but I’d rather lather Agg-Tval, then circle with the Mitt to loosen any embedded debris.

Clinique’s Facial Soap ($11) is a staple in its lineup, but I’m not a believer. Clarins’s $15 soap is unremarkable, too, but both are bargains compared with Sisley Paris’s Phyto-Pâte Moussante Soapless Gentle Foaming Cleanser, at $105. In between are lush, handmade, triple-milled possibilities that raise the bar on soaps of yesteryear. So come clean. Admit it: A soap bar is easy, and the only thing it strips away is the fussiness of skin care.


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Cured by Common Condiments

This was an article I saw in AMNY last week, and I found it so interesting that I had to tell you guys about it!

"Who knew all those little extras we keep on hand to give our food a boost may have some serious health benefits? New research shows that certain spices, herbs and spreads not only ramp up flavor but also help curb overeating, ease digestion, prevent disease, and fight aging. Here, Prevention [Magazine] Editor-In-Chief Liz Vaccariello fills us in on a few to have on hand, with tips from the magazine's May issue, on newsstands now.

"


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We're on YouTube!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that we are now consistently adding content to our YouTube channel! A few weeks ago, we posted a special about the product we own which once belonged to Marilyn Monroe. The ones we show were found in her home in Brentwood where she died, and are a real treasure. We definitely feel lucky to have them! Additionally, we have started posting weekly Beauty Chats, where everyone in the Laszlo office will have the opportunity to discuss their favorite products, routines, etc. We are also open to suggestions or questions from anyone out there, so don't be shy!

We will also be posting videos of special events with which we participate, key members of the Laszlo family, and anything else we can think of. We'd really appreciate your subscriptions to our channel!!

To entice all of you a bit, here's the first in our Beauty Chat series, with my good friend Jackie talking about her daily ritual. Remember, there's more where that came from!



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Food for Thought!

Leading dermatologists have been saying more and more often that diet affects not just the overall health of your body, but also the health of your skin. While eating properly is not the only measure one needs to take when pursuing radiant skin, we would never discourage healthy behavior! To that end, here are some of the top foods that can help to benefit your skin!

1. Avocado

Avocados are chock-full of essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and vitamin B3. Vitamin E is key here, as it is known to fight off free radicals from smoke, pollutants, and overexposure to sunlight. It is also a powerful moisturizer, which helps to stave off fine lines and wrinkles. Who doesn't want that?!

2. Fruits High in Antioxidants

These fruits would include blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, and plums. I mention these in particular because they have been shown to have the highest concentrations of antioxidants out of any fruit out there. Like vitamin E, antioxidants are also capable of fighting off age-inducing free radicals. They also protect skin cells from beginning to disintegrate, so be sure to load up on these!

3. Almonds

As with avocados, almonds and other nuts are filled to the brim with vitamin E. Also, they're delicious with other healthy foods such as oatmeal and stir-fry. I honestly don't think you can go wrong here!

4. Low-Fat Dairy

Along with being a leading source of proteins, milk and other low-fat dairy products are high in vitamin A content, the benefits of which are many-fold. Vitamin A helps to regulate digestion, ensuring that nutrients ingested with other foods with be metabolized effectively, benefiting the skin and all other areas of the body. Furthermore, vitamin A has been shown to reduce the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles, both topically and orally.

5. Healthy Oils (ie. Olive Oil)

Oils such as olive oil are rich in essential fatty acids, which deliver such benefits as reducing inflammation, eliminating acne, moisturizing skin cells, reducing cellulite, increasing moisture, and softening the skin. They do, however, have high amounts of fat and calories, so doctors recommend that you limit oil consumption to two tablespoons per day.

6. Whole Wheats

Whole wheats contain high amounts of a mineral known as selenium. This mineral acts as a damage preventative; studies have shown that skin exposed to excess sunlight but tempered with high amounts of selenium have been less damaged than skin lacking it. Taken the right way, selenium helps to prevent both sunburns and skin cancers.

7. Green Tea

Green Tea is probably the best thing anyone could drink if they're concerned about their skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties, prevents cancer, and contains a ton of antioxidants. Seriously, it can't be beaten.

8. Water

One word on this one: Hydration!