When asked about what I love about the beauty industry, I usually point out three main factors: that I get to work with and surrounded by women, that the industry is populated by smaller, personal businesses, and that the industry works to make the world a better place by making people feel better about themselves. Now, I have some data to back up my claims, from the GCI May 2010 issue (yes, I was catching up on my reading Saturday on my way to our Geneva offices, where I am writing from): 

At the general session of the Personal Care Products Council's 2010 Annual Meeting, PicewaterhouseCoopers presented highlights from its study on the economic and social impact of the personal care products industry. Here are some of the key highlights: 

• Industry employment diversity is strong. Women comprise 66% of the industry workforce, compared to 48% of the workforce for all industries.… More

I love the summer for its sunshine, calm, and more quiet schedule. But I can't wait for the fall, among other reasons because we have so many fun events planned. Here is an overview for September: 

September 10, 6 pm to 11 pm: DC Fashion's Night Out. Stop by the Alchimie Forever showroom for champagne, bluberries, mini makeovers, and gifts. Joining us that evening will be Ashley Taylor who will showcase Ann Hand jewelry, and Andrea Rodgers who will speak about beauty and her Vogue photoshoot (yes, she is in the September issue).

September 15, 6 pm to the end of the night: 9th annual Soiree Suisse. Come celebrate all things Swiss (including fabulous Alchimie Forever products 100% made in Switzerland) at the Swiss Ambassador's residence. Tickets required.

September 21, 6 pm to 8 pm: Fall Renewal. Join us in the Alchimie… More

When I was growing up in Geneva, there was a certain rythm to the week. One of the things I knew for sure, no matter what, was that Sunday night was family dinner night. Spaghetti with home-made tomato sauce, more specifically. My mother would cook the tomatoes on low heat all Sunday long, then peel them, add rosemary, salt, pepper, cook them some more, and then finally boil the water for the spaghetti. Any family member, immediate or less immediate, who was in Geneva on Sunday nights was invited, wordlessly, and would show up. That was our Sunday evening ritual. The sun rises every morning. And spaghetti is served at my Mom's house every Sunday night.

Knowing that every Sunday night would be about family, friends, and spaghetti with tomato sauce gave me a sense of comfort, of control, of safety. To me, that is what a ritual… More

If you were to ask those closest to me, they would tell you that over the past couple of weeks I have felt "discombobulated." This is one of my favorite words in the English language. To me, it means a combination of overwhelmed, in need of inspiration, looking for meaning. Nothing terrible, just confused, or rather, thrown into confusion.

Today, I found the solution. Or at least two parts to the solution.

Part 1: a beautiful orchid delivered to the Alchimie Forever showroom, ordered by my Mom, my Dad, and my three sisters. An orchid so white, gorgeous, and peaceful that arrived with a card saying: "Forever discombobulated. We love you. Your family."

Part 2: a beautiful afternoon and evening with fellow spa and beauty industry friends.

This afternoon, the Washington Spa Alliance held its second meeting at the National Press Club. The mission… More

Today is August 1st, a special day for the Swiss around the world - it is Switzerland's National Day. To celebrate, I will have a (small) piece of my favorite Swiss chocolate, Frigor. Indeed, I am Swiss, and so are my skin care products Alchimie Forever. 

I am proud that we are 100% Swiss-made. So many beauty lines imply that they are Swiss - Swiss concept, Swiss formula, and more. You then read the fine print and the products are manufactured in China and the company has no distribution in Switzerland. At Alchimie Forever, we are Swiss, however you look at it: 

- Our products are 100% manufactured in Switzerland, as proven by the SwissCos logo on our boxes
- Our products are formulated in Switzerland
- Our products grew out of Forever Laser Institut, located in Geneva, Switzerland
- I was born in Geneva, and still have… More