Furry Fashion Faux Pas at Obama Inauguration

Cool or anti-green old school? This isn't a debate about the tastiness of seitan, guys - it's fur.

Okay, so you're no John Feldman, hosting lobster liberation parties. But there's something to be said for holding back on the non-PC attire at a very PC event: the 2009 Inauguration.

Spotted wearing fur (via Ecorazzi):

--Lynne Cheney with a fur collar on her coat
--Spike Lee and wife Tonya Lewis
--Steven Spielberg's wife
--Jay-Z (?) but NOT Beyonce - and definitely not Aretha, who has gotten into messes for being her usual fur-clad (but still fabulous) self

NOT wearing fur: Obama, Michelle, the Bidens, Laura Bush - and more than 2 million others. Get it?

Podcast: A Call for a Univeral UVA Index

"SPF" is sooo 2008.

Check out this podcast from Brian Diffey, an emeritus Professor of Photobiology at the University of Newcastle. In it, he says that there has to be an agreement on a universal index to convey a skin product's UVA protection to the consumer.

He explains a possible solution that he published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. (Click here for a direct download.)

Have No Fear, Natural & Organics Will Survive the Recession

The economy ain't doing so hot, in case you hadn't noticed, but guess what? According to expert, natural and organic cosmetics will "hold up well in 2009" regardless.

Of course, the sector won't have nearly the same dramatic sales growth that it's had in the past few years, but still. A lot of people are trading down and not spending as much on beauty products, sure, but consumers are "unlikely" to give up their commitment to organic products just to save a few pennies, said Organic Monitor's Tina Gill.

After all, premium & high-end branded products are still more expensive. For this reason, mid-range and private label organics will sell better than luxury options, she predicted.

Check out the entire report on the European organic cosmetics market's reaction to the global recession.