Skin Deep

Did you know that the Food and Drug Administration doesn't ensure the safety of personal care products before they hit the market? This means that there are thousands of products available for sale right now that contain toxic, hazardous ingredients. Since the government has no plans to enforce regulations on safety labeling, it's up to the consumer to find out which products are safe to use. That's where the Environmental Working Group comes in. This influential watchdog organization has created a free searchable database of nearly 15,000 products, from foundation, lip gloss, and perfume, to shampoo, deodorant and contact lens cleaners, all with safety scores of one to five, five being the worst.

Some of the worst offenders include:

• OPI Nail Polish
• Cornsilk Powder
• L.A. Looks Styling Gel
• NARS Eye Shadow
• Clarins Self-Tanner

However, the following are considered safe:

• DuWop Lip Venom Tingly Lip Gloss
• Urban Decay Lip Liner
• Burt's Bees Poison Ivy Soap
• Jing Jang Cream
• Philosophy Hope And A Prayer Topical Vitamin C

Many harmful ingredients have been linked to cancer, and because lots of these products get washed down the drain, to rivers and streams, they end up affecting wildlife. Do yourself, your family, and the environment a favor and make safer choices in the drugstore aisles.

Reviewed by R & RC Staff Member Kirstie Harless – S.F.

What's In Store

Shop Etc. is a magazine geared towards the sophisticated woman. Each page pops with new ideas and tips. Each item shown in the magazine is accompanied with information on where to buy each piece as well as the cost. No more flipping to the back of the magazine to search for that amazing strapless dress. Shop Etc. also gives helpful tips in an insightful question and answer column, "Can I Help You". Fashion Director, Kim Dimmock, offers personal suggestions to queries about party dresses, jewelry, perfume and more. Each answer is complete with product names and where to find them and of course the most important part; how much is looking fab-u-lous going for these days?

The magazine is divided into Departments:

• Fashion
• Home
• Beauty

Not only is this magazine all about personal style and looking like a million dollar bills, it will also help you transform your itty-bitty apartment into an episode of MTV's Cribs.

The beginning of each department has a page-by-page index to help you find everything. Shop Etc. breaks everything down even further by department by pointing out each of their best finds.

• Hot Website
• Hot Catalog
• Smartchecks (Deals and $$ off)
• Our Favorites (Recommended)
• Brilliant Buy (Best Value for $$)
• Top Floor (Shop Etc. Exclusive)

Shop Etc. is the very best of shopping. The part of shopping that gives you a warm, happy feeling without ever having to make a trip to the mall.

Reviewed by R & RC Staff Member – Melissa Rubio – O.C.

Chip Kidd Work Book One: 1986 – 2006 Book One is a fascinating read regarding the life's work of book cover designer Chip Kidd. Kidd tells of being a young student, struggling to be an artist and instead choosing to take a chance on a new field entitled Graphic Design. Not only does he tell his personal story, but his professional as well, working through each of his book covers from 1986 – 2006. He leads the reader through each piece, giving us the inspiration and the back story for every design.

Over 400 pages of full color photography make this book a delight for the eyes. Kidd is known for his unexpected use of type, as well as arresting photography, so there is something new on every page. Beside the book covers are paragraphs by the authors in question, giving their opinion on Kidd's work, whether the loved it, hated it, or just couldn't decide what to make of it.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in commercial design. Kidd shows how he is able to marry art and commerce, while still keeping himself interested and excited about his profession.

Reviewed by R & RC Staff Member – Sophie Lalazarian