Flu Blue

The winter season brings some challenges, colds and flu being high on the list.  And since germs are so easily spread through touch -- doorknobs, computer keyboards, ATM machines, you name it -- keeping hands clean and germ-free (and away from your nose, mouth, and eyes) is critical.  To the rescue -- OPI Swiss Hand Guard Antiseptic Handwash Gel, designed to kill 99% of germs on contact without using water, and to help keep you and your family safe from colds and flu this season.  Powerful and portable, Swiss Hand Guard fits easily in pocket, purse, backpack, gym bag, and carry-on, and is your most valuable accessory this season.  

From the Heart

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I ask you all, from the bottom of my heart, to please be on top of scheduling your mammogram (check with your doctor for details about when to start and how often to get tested). OPI is committed to help the effort to find a cure for breast cancer and is proud to offer Pink of Hearts 2010, our newest Nail Lacquer created for the cause.  A pale pink with a shimmer of hope and an uplifting sparkle, Pink of Hearts lets you show your support for women everywhere who are fighting this disease. It truly is one color for all women. In 2010, OPI will make a donation of $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  OPI will also make a $5,000 donation to Rethink Breast Cancer in Canada.

Walk the Walk

Allure magazine reports that, according to a study by McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, women who walk an extra 3500 steps per day (about a half-hour of moderate exercise) are more satisfied with their body image.  Walk more -- feel better about yourself.  Sounds like a plan to me!  And for tootsies that look as good as they feel, visit your professional salon for a Manicure/Pedicure by OPI spa service in your favorite "flavor." (Right now, I'm loving crisp, cool Mani/Pedi Cucumber).  Then how about a summer-bright pedi in OPI Flower-to-Flower Nail Lacquer. You'll look and feel in the pink!

A Breath of Fresh Hope

Every 2 1/2 minutes someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer.  

Every 3 minutes someone dies from it. 

Lung cancer claims more lives than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney, and melanoma cancers -- COMBINED.

60% of new lung cancer victims are non-smokers. 

And there is currently no approved screening for early detection of lung cancer.  

This year, for a second time, OPI is offering Breathe Life -- a Nail Lacquer created exclusively to help the Lung Cancer Foundation of America in its efforts to raise funds to find a cure. The response to Breathe Life in 2009 was overwhelmingly positive, with those most affected by lung cancer feeling that they finally have a voice. Wear this fresh-air-blue shade to show your support.  Lung cancer has stopped our breathing long enough.  Let's cure it.

OPI has made a donation to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.  For more information, log on to www.LCFAmerica.org
 

Peace and Carrots

A good friend of mine deals with her stresses by turning that energy into something beautiful -- a vegetable garden.  Whether it's a tough day at the office, a spat with her husband, or her teenagers driving her up a wall, a few hours spent weeding, planting, pruning or even picking veggies for dinner always seem to soothe.  She claims it's a mix of the sunshine, the warm soil between her fingers, and the freshness of the vegetables and their colors that makes the experience a multi-sensory vacation.  And who doesn't believe that homegrown tastes better than store-bought?  Eat your peas, they're good for you -- and find your peace, it's essential.

Look Good ... Feel Better

 Look Good … Feel Better, an organization  which helps women who are facing the challenges of cancer treatment to look good and feel better about themselves, is celebrating its 20th anniversary – as is OPI Nail Lacquer.  To mark the occasion, we've designed a special Look Good … Feel Better display featuring our everyone-loves-it shade of Bubble Bath Nail Lacquer.  In addition, OPI has made a donation to the   organization, to support its effort to increase patient participation by 20% this year.

 Look Good … Feel Better offers a free workshop where women undergoing cancer treatment can learn simple beauty techniques for skin and nail care, makeup application, and coping with hair loss – plus receive a complimentary bag of makeup and a healthy dose of self-confidence.   Show your support -- because making a difference feels good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Say Faux

I know.  Summer means lots more bare skin, and nothing looks better on bare skin than a golden, glowing suntan -- NOT!  Faux is the way to go; if you don't believe me, just ask the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  In a 2008 study, NCI reports that between 1980 and 2004, the increase in invasive cutaneous melanoma cases (skin cancer at its worst) was 54%.* And although melanoma accounts for only 3% of skin cancer cases, it causes more than 75% of skin cancer deaths.  Don't become part of that statistic.  If tan is the look you crave, go with one of today's state-of-the-art self-tanners at the cosmetic counter, or an all-over beautiful bronzing cream or gel.  And please, please use the right SPF when you're out in the sun.  Check out www.cancer.gov for the latest from the National Cancer Institute on how to stay safe in the sun this summer.  

* Caucasian women in the U.S., ages 18-39

One, Two, Three Free

OPI is proud that its Nail Lacquer is what has been termed "Three-Free" -- meaning that it contains no DPB (dibutyl phthalate), Toluene, or Formaldehyde.  Beauty blog bellasugar.com offers a shout-out to OPI and other nail color companies whose formulas are Three-Free; as well as a downloadable card from the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance listing these brands so that you'll remember whenever you visit your nail salon.

Breathe Life!

  The facts can leave you breathless: 

Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women, making it more deadly than the six next largest cancer killers combined.  And 60% of new lung cancer victims will be non-smokers. OPI’s Breathe Life Nail Lacquer (a fresh-air, silvery blue) was created exclusively to help the Lung Cancer Foundation of America (and Lung Cancer Canada) in its efforts to raise funds for early detection, diagnosis, and, most of all, a cure.  OPI has also made a donation to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.  For more information about the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, please visit www.LCFAmerica.com. For more info about Lung Cancer Canada, go to www.lungcancercanada.ca.  Lung cancer has stopped our breathing long enough.  NOW, LET'S CURE IT.

Pink About How You Can Help

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the time to remind yourself and all your girls (your mom, sister, girilfriends) to schedule your annual mammogram.  Empower yourself by getting the facts about breast health and breast cancer from your doctor as well as other resources (e.g., Susan G. Komen for the Cure), and then do your part to stay healthy with monthly breast self-exams.  You can also demonstrate the "power of pink" by wearing Pink of Hearts 2, OPI's newest Nail Lacquer created to build support for breast cancer awareness, research, and finding a cure.  This 2008 Edition of Pink of Hearts is a full-of-life light pink -- a color of hope, optimism, and positivity -- and a beautiful way to salute women everywhere as they fight this disease. OPI will make a donation of $25,000 to Komen for the Cure in 2008. Be pretty -- and powerful! -- in pink.