Francesco Clark of Clark’s Botanicals on PBS

Three years after being paralyzed in a pool diving accident, Francesco Clark–founder of skincare line Clark’s Botanicals–was in an emotional fog, traumatized and feeling adrift.  When Christopher Reeve suddenly passed away, Francesco was spurred into action, realizing that he wanted to make a difference, and founding Clark’s Botanicals.  (The line is made from essential oils, botanicals and vitamins, is highly effective, and smells wonderful.  Sensitive and drier skins will love the Deep Moisture Mask.)

Francesco is now the new ambassador for The Christopher Reeve Foundation, and is publishing his first book, Walking Papers, on June 1, 2010–the anniversary of his accident.

Learn more about Francesco’s amazing, inspiring story tomorrow, Wednesday January 6th, when he appears on the PBS series “This Emotional Life” at 9pm.

Clark’s Botanicals is currently on sale at The Fairest.

The Fairest sale: Enzo Milano

When asked how to replicate gorgeous beachy waves or loose, corkscrew curls, celebrity hair stylists always advise wrapping hair around the outside of a closed barrel.  If you’ve ever heeded their advice and tried it at home, it’s not easy.  Your hair crimps around the barrel clamp…the ends look wonky…clumsier types (um, quite possibly like yours truly) run the risk of burning errant fingers…

We’re therefore delighted by the Enzo Milano Conico curling iron, which features a patented cone shaped barrel and no clamp, making the aforementioned barrel-wrapping a breeze.  It’s also very fancy-pants, with a ceramic core, and featuring something called “Tribostatic” technology that uses negative ions to evenly seal the hair cuticle, creating a longer-lasting curl.

Check out the video here, from the Enzo Milano website, showing how to use the Conico, which comes with a lifetime warranty, instructional DVD, and heat-resistant safety glove, for klutzes like moi.

Enzo Milano goes on sale Tuesday at The Fairest.  It normally retails for $149.99, but is 40% off for $90.

The Fairest sale: Juara Skincare

One of our favorite brands, Juara, goes on sale at The Fairest tomorrow.  We’ve already written at length (here and here) about why we love the Indonesian-inspired skin and body line so much, but some things bear repeating!

The luscious masks, scrubs, moisturizers and fragrances are all bursting with tropical richness and are full of island botanicals.  It’s that rarest of combinations: natural, effective and luxurious.  Our shower and bathroom sink are lined with products testifying to our devotion.

It’s hopeless.  We’re besotted.

Juara goes on sale Wednesday December 16th.

The Fairest sale: Pur Minerals

Either you “get” mineral makeup, or you don’t.

For those confused about why millions of women have launched themselves onto the mineral bandwagon, the reasoning is simple: mineral makeup is just better.  It’s free of harsh chemicals, nasty additives, and gives skin a radiant “lit from within” glow that traditional makeup can’t mimic.  It feels clean, not dirty.  It won’t make acne-prone skin break out.  It’s ideal for sensitive complexions and those with conditions like rosacea and eczema.  And updated technologies mean formulations are now velvety and sophisticated.

Pur Minerals, on sale Tuesday at The Fairest, goes one step further, adding good-for-you ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E to bind together its powders, which means you’ll never have to deal with a loose mess…only effective, amazing pressed foundation.  (And anybody who’s ever been caught with a jar of loose powder in their purse knows what a huge deal that is!)

Two favorites:  4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Foundation with SPF 15 and Pur Rocks pressed shimmer pearls, both guaranteed to brighten and even the appearance of your skin, and perfect for the impending holiday party whirl.

The Fairest sale: Forever Lily perfume

We see a lot of beauty products, so it takes something really special to make us sit up and take note.  Last week, we were introduced to Forever Lily perfume…and we fell in love.

No, really.  We’re obsessed.  We can’t get enough of it.

The story behind the fragrance is as beautiful as the scent itself: author Beth Nonte Russell accompanied to China a friend who was due to adopt a baby girl.   Once there, however, the friend couldn’t go through with the process…so rather than leave the child in an orphanage, Beth adopted the baby, Lily, herself.

The scent is a true oriental, anchored by vanilla, cedarwood, amber and sandalwood (I’m already drooling), and accented with crisp fig, delicate stargazer lily, and clove, lemon and lychee topnotes.  It’s gourmand and mysterious; hopeful and heartbreaking.

And seriously–how awesome is that packaging?

Yep.  We’re in love. 

Forever Lily goes on sale tomorrow at The Fairest.