Three popular nail polish brands -- OPI, Sally Hansen and Orly -- will no longer include a controversial ingredient that helps lacquer last longer on nails but has been linked to birth defects and cancer.

Del Laboratories, the maker of all three, has been pressured by consumers and health and environmental groups to remove dibutyl phthalate, which has been linked to birth defects and cancer.

Sally Hansen, a leading drugstore brand, is being reformulated to remove DBP, formaldehyde and toluene. All three chemicals are banned in the European Union and are on California's Prop. 65 list of chemicals known or strongly suspected to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

The U.S. National Toxicology Program says formaldehyde is "reasonably anticipated" to be a human carcinogen while the Environmental Protection Agency restricts toluene in drinking water because it can cause nervous system disorders and damage the liver and kidneys.

Other major cosmetics multinationals, including Avon, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Proctor & Gamble's Cover Girl and Max Factor lines and L'Oreal, which makes the Maybelline brand, have removed DBP from nail products sold in the United States.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of advocacy groups, praised the action of Del Laboratories.

"Reformulating to remove dangerous chemicals is so much better than arguing about how much of those bad chemicals is OK to use in nail polishes," said Jeanne Rizzo, executive director of the San Francisco-based Breast Cancer Fund, a coalition member.

How hot is denim?

So hot that Brighton -- a brand best known for distinctive hardware on leather belts, bags, sunglasses, jewelry, footwear and small accessories -- is launching a line of denim jackets this fall. Eight jacket styles are generously cut and are 99 percent cotton with a touch of Lycra spandex for stretch and minimal shrinkage.

Hearts are part of the Brighton logo, and each jacket incorporates them. "Follow Your Heart" is inscribed inside each and a keepsake charm is tucked inside a little heart-shaped pocket. Also, the sizing system ranges from one heart (sizes 4-6) through five hearts (sizes 16-18).

The jackets, in a variety of blue rinses, have distinguishing details ranging from the fingertip-length "Crystal Ball" and the shirt-styled "Zen Garden" with beaded collar to the "Fiona" with leather buttons and a removable embroidered suede collar. They're $140 to $240 at various locations.

Weddings for the rich, famous

For anyone looking to put the "Wow!" in a wedding, a must-reference new book is "Weddings Valentine Style: Rich Inspirations for Every Woman's Dream Day" by Diann Valentine (Atria Books, $35.95).

The Los-Angeles-based wedding producer knows what she's talking about. Through her event production company, D.R. Valentine & Associates, she's put together jaw-dropping ceremonies for celebrities such as baseball star Larry Sheffield and actress Lela Rochon and singers Kelis, Toni Braxton and Sean Patrick Stockman.

Now, with help from co-writer Tonya Bolden, she's sharing some of her secrets with people whose budgets aren't such a large part of the nation's gross national product. There are 12 chapters of tips on making everything exquisite, from invitations and photos to the reception and the cake.

Valentine's style is to discern the "song" of the couple and build everything around that inspiration. Tradition is secondary, so the bride's gown may not be white, the wedding cake may not be multitiered, the bridal bouquet may contain something other than flowers.

"Your wedding should be about you," she writes. "Put aside every bridal magazine you have purchased. Blot out mags of your best friend's wedding from your mind. Move to your own beat."

The text is powerful, but more so are the book's 200 dazzling photos. Valentine's variety of nuptials magic must be seen to be truly appreciated. She puts a new artistic twist on even the smallest details, such as a bridal gown made entirely of fresh flowers.

Thursday through Saturday: Munro shoe trunk show at Littles, 5850 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. Also showing Friday and Saturday, retro-inspired Earth shoes with negative heel for better spine alignment. Brand reps attending and gift with purchase.

Friday: Jewelry trunk show featuring designer John Medeiros, noon to 4 p.m. at Spoiled Chics the Boutique, 350 1/2 Beaver St., Sewickley.

Friday and Saturday: Vera Wang eveningwear trunk show at Lintons at The Waterfront.