THIS-JUST-IN

Helen Gurley Brown, who is known for her liberating editorship at Cosmopolitan from 1965-1997, has passed away at age 90 from an undisclosed cause.

Brown is credited for turning the flailing Cosmo around with her straight- forward, edgy editorial direction that touched on subjects like sex, love, and money.

Her book, Sex and the Single Girl, written in 1962 was far ahead of its time and is said to have played a part in the sexual revolution of the '60s.

Though Brown was ousted as editor of Cosmopolitan in 1997 in favor of Bonnie Fuller, she continued to work for Hearst Corporation who said of her death, "Helen was one of the world’s most recognized magazine editors and book authors, and a true pioneer for women in journalism—and beyond."

I have to say, that I’m really blown away by the gorgeous details and vintage inspiration of Rachel Zoe’s new jewelry line for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. With previous collaborations with retailers such as Piperlime, it’s great to see Rachel doing what she does best — making women everywhere look uber fabulous. The pieces are timeless and will add that certain something special to all of your upcoming fall looks.

Neiman Marcus has announced the launch of designer Rachel Zoe’s first collection of vintage-inspired costume jewelry. This fall, the line will be exclusively available at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. The collection consists of statement rings, cuffs, necklaces, and earrings.

We all know that the best way to care for our skin is to follow a strict skincare regimen twice a day. For a brilliant, glowing complexion, it’s crucial to use quality products on a regular basis. Yes, that means at every night—especially those late party nights—even when you come home feeling too tired to take off your shoes. So what can we do to motivate ourselves to really take care of our skin? What if one of our favorite, super fun to use makeup brands developed an equally glamorous skincare line? One so luxurious we couldn’t wait to come home and pamper ourselves. Well, good news, girls. NARSskin has arrived!

If you’re a trendy shopper like us, (and we know you are!) you’re always trying to find designer goods for less than an arm and a leg within your price range. Whether it’s the perfect accessory to complete a look or a gift for a fashionable friend, a designer label takes almost any item from sweet to chic. This holiday season, our haute hopes are answered by eBay’s debut of limited edition designer gifts—all featuring price tags marked $100 or less. And just wait until you hear who’s on board!

DP: How did you first start in the Entertainment Industry?

DM: I first started in the entertainment industry by interning at MTV when I was 17 years old. I was going to NYU and simultaneously interning there. I eventually got hired as a production assistant and then a story coordinator/ associate producer. While I was still at NYU and working at MTV, a casting agent I met at a party one night asked me if I would come in and audition for a new show that Barbara Walters was producing. I went in and auditioned against 700 other girls and eventually was chosen as the "young one" on the show. I was only 21 years old and the youngest person ever in the history of daytime television to hold a permanent co-host position.

Haute off the press and coming our way this January is Jason Wu’s newest collaboration with Nordstrom. Word on the street is that this contemporary line will be in the $195-$1,700 price range. The collection will be 40 pieces consisting of shift skirts, a-line dresses, striped tops with floral skirts, and lighthearted touches to trench coats. The collection was inspired by the Mod fashion of the '60s --think Jane Birkin and Marianne Faithfull.

The 29-year-old explains his inspiration behind this collection and its character as a whole clothing line, “Instead of just doing ‘Jason Wu-for-less,’ the idea is to explore the other side of myself, I always see Jason Wu [the collection] as my aesthetic, my design sensibility. Miss Wu is my personality. [I] explore that facet of who I am- slightly more downtown, and with a more relaxed attitude.” (WWD)

The latest exciting news in retail collaborations comes as an unconventional mash-up between the traditional and the trendy. Nordstrom, the classic and conservative Seattle-based department store plans to partner with freewheeling, fast-fashion chain Topshop to deliver trendy, mid-priced merchandise to select stores (and online) as soon as—wait for it—September 10th! (Now that’s what we call fast-fashion!)

The shoppable version of Pinterest has taken their company to a whole new level with their newest addition of the “buy now” tab. This little green button they have so slyly created is for the use of independent bloggers to integrate into their sites where it allows readers to purchase the products featured on the blogs without leaving their page --Fancy that!

The Fancy partnered with the Independent Fashion Bloggers Network for their launch, which will be beneficial to them as it is home to over 40,000 writers. Though most of the blogger bunch in the network are small style bloggers that use their site as a hobby and have a small readership, Taylor Davies, TechCrunch’s IFB Editor, explained that she thinks this simple addition of the shopping tab could potentially be “the next step in how we, as blog consumers, shop and purchase things we like and see” (racked).

DP: When and how did you start in the beauty industry?

KB: I began in the fashion/beauty industry as a model right out of high school starting with Bethann Hardison and then later becoming one of the pioneers of the plus size market! I was one of the first girls to sign to Wilhelmina Model 10/20 plus size division. During the time I was modeling, I always noticed that I was intrigued with the makeup artists who worked on my face and the way I would feel after each magical transformation. It was empowering and I was always an amazing painter so it just came naturally! I want to make other women feel the way I felt after my make-up application! Empowered and Gorgeous! DP: Describe your makeup style? KB: My makeup style is my beauty company's mission statement! At Glama-Zon Beauty our objective is to "Reveal A Woman's Natural Beauty Not Recreate It." I'm best known for doing really fresh, pretty, natural makeup with great color choices! Beautiful makeup is about choosing the right colors to enhance your natural skin tone! I truly live by the rule of: less is best! DP: What celebrities have you worked with? KB: I have worked with so many amazing celebrities from movie stars such as Tom Cruise, Lawrence Fishburne to singers like Toni Braxton, Lauren Hill and John Legend, Broadway stars like Da'vine Joy Randolph of the hit Broadway show GHOST but no matter how many stars I work with there is nothing that makes me happier than lighting up the faces of everyday women around the country! I love how they appreciate me sharing my love for beauty with them and that's so rewarding for me! DP: Tell me about your Best Face Forward program? KB: "Best Face Forward" is my component to other non profits in NY and NJ. I go out into the inner city and work with Re-Entry Woman and your girls to teach them a life skill, MAKEUP ARTISTRY. If you have an additional skill under your belt you will always have a way to provide for yourself! I'm also very involved with speaking to young girls at public schools about self esteem issues. Many girls are out there looking for love in all the wrong places because many of us were raised fatherless, like myself. I was abandoned by my dad from birth and as a young girl I almost went to prison for the rest of my life for associating with the wrong crowd because I was in need of a father figure. I use my voice to get young girls to listen to my story and avoid the dangerous road ahead. DP: Wow, how inspiring and forthright to share this with the Joonbug readers. Thank you. DP: Tell me about your new Beauty Book that I've heard the industry buzz on. KB: Well, I have two books coming out-- the first is titled "The Unconventional Makeup Artist" it will be out July 2012. It's a book to inspire anyone with the dream and love for makeup artistry like myself. It's a guide for aspiring makeup artists to work with and how to survive this extremely competitive business. It tells you how to market yourself without an agent and what makes me an authority is that I work consistently in this business for designers, TV Commercials, celebrities and advertising without an agent. Agents are great but if you're a hustler, mover and shaker than an agent is just an option! Mums the word on my other book -- the beauty book until the release date. DP: What advice do you have for an aspiring makeup artist? KB: Go for it-- the sky is the limit. Start out assisting established artists to get a feel for the industry and buy my book (releasing soon) as a guide of how I did it myself! To make it, you have to be a go-getter. Swim or sink in this business and I'm a strong swimmer. All photos courtesy of Kim Baker

Shoppers brace yourselves for the ultimate collaboration that has finally been concocted as Neiman Marcus’ high-end looks will be combined with Target’s budget-friendly price tags! This holiday season the luxury retailer and the affordable, trendy chain will be partnering up to bring us designs by 24 CFDA members in a limited-edition collection!