Beauty at your Fingertips.com

In an age where smart phones are more prevalent than not, it would seem that there's an "app" for everything. And you would be remiss to not take full advantage of all of the beauty apps at your manicured fingertips. Gathered here are "The Top 10" beauty apps you can't - or rather, shouldn't - go on living without. And the best part? They're free! Technology never looked so good for so little.

1. Daily Glow - Offers step-by-step makeup application advice, beauty tips, how-to advice from beauty experts, product reviews, a hairstyle guide and much more.

2. Hair & Beauty - This app comes out in "issues" and each is jam-packed with A-list celebrity hair styles prime for the mimicking, three-step style galleries for "cut, color and finish", runway inspiration and product reviews.

3. Total Beauty - The website's motto "Expert advice. Unbiased reviews" has an app offering just that. Browse close to 300,000 unbiased consumer reviews and ratings on beauty products ranging from makeup to skin and hair care.

4. Mark. - Its beauty. Its fashion. Its on trend. So what's not to love? View seasonal must-haves sure to be trends and watch videos to "meet" the Mark beauty and fashion experts for advice and tips on the topics.

5. Lookz - Created by Barry M cosmetics, this app claims to be "the world's first 'made for mobile' makeup and beauty app". Whether that's proven or not, they've certainly proven themselves useful by offering categorized looks like "Catwalk," "Everyday," "Clubbing" and "Celeb Inspired" with video tutorials, insider tips and tricks and even mobile wallpapers.

6. OPI - This app allows you to customize the skin tone and shape of the virtual hand that allows you to "try on" any shade of polish from the brand's endless array of colors. It also includes a "salon finder" to get your manicure as quick - and as close! - as possible.

7. Sephora - Even if you're not a beauty buff, this app is essential for anyone who's interested in beauty and familiar with the store. It offers everything from tips, new product information, a store locator, shopping cart and even keeps track of your past purchases so you can easily look up your favorite products for in-store reference.

8. Glamzy - Similar to OPI's concept, except for makeup! Upload a picture of yourself and virtually "try on" your pick of lipsticks, blushes, eye shadows and mascaras. Definitely a place to get your "glam" on without it costing you a cent!

9. Hair Cast - Never have another "bad hair day" again with this app! Just plug in your current location, the weather report and hair type and it'll deliver a personalized "mane forecast," complete with styling tips.

10. SpaFinder - Need to get away but not sure where to? How about a relaxing day at the spa? This app utilizes the GPS tracker in your phone, finding the spa - and any specials/deals they're offering - nearest to you. How about that for luxury at your fingertips?

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Made in … The United States?

Andrew Rosen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Theory, is in negotiations with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to establish a "one-stop manufacturing facility" in New York City’s Garment District. This facility would give designers a multitude of services right at their fingertips. "This would be a place for designers to come and create. That’s more important than giving them money," Rosen remarked.

The building would incorporate grading, marking, cutting, pattern making and manufacturing. With the opening of the facility, it would be a great way to fully compete with the Asian market.

On February 11, 2011, Rosen and a group of major fashion players, including J Brand’s Jeff Rudes and Tommy Hilfiger, discussed the possibilities of the opening of this facility as well as the other great opportunities it could bring to the United States in front of a group of students at the New School. Some of the topics and ideas discussed were:

• Connecting with Apple and other technology companies may segue into advancements in fashion production that would possibly help make the United States more competitive with the Asian market.
• Developing more technically advanced fabrics.
• Setting up a conglomerate of apparel executives who choose to mentor anyone who might need advice in the ever-growing fashion industry.

With a number of United States' designers creating sample runs in the country, but mass manufacturing over seas, the idea would be to eventually have them finish here in the United States as well. "There’s a huge advantage to [manufacturing] locally," American designer, Rogan Gregory, explained. “The speed-to-market is so much faster and minimums aren't anywhere near what they do over seas."

Tommy Hilfiger expressed to the panel more about the financial and technological viewpoints of having this facility open. "If we had an infusion of technology, people would then come to America from all over the world to produce clothes," Hilfiger said. Rudes added that, "just as iPad readers can now touch an image of an outfit and be directed to a site that sells it, the evolution of technology stands to be a major plus for the apparel industry."

Does the United States stand a chance at convincing designers to discontinue outsourcing and manufacture locally? Its still too soon to tell, but there is a chance. Even if it's hanging on by a thread.

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