PHP variable and styling

PHP variable and styling

I have some code here where I am trying to style the PHP variable of
$first with css, but something obviously isnt right, hence the reason I am
here.
I ultimately want to style this entire message and include a logo, and/or
background color, so that when this email is sent out it's an "html
email", but I know nothing about PHP, I guess I'm learning bit by bit.
Here is my code: ------->
$user = "$email";
$usersubject = "Thank you for subscribing";
$userheaders = "From: subscriptions@3elementsreview.com\n";
$userheaders .= "Content-type: text/html\r\n";
$usermessage = "Welcome <span style='color:#ff6000; font-size:1.25em;
font- weight:bold;>$first</span>,
We're glad you've decided to subscribe to our email list!
There's a lot of great things happening at 3Elements that we can't wait to
show you.
So stay tuned for notifications about submission periods, issue release
dates, contests, and other news. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook and
follow us on Twitter!
Sincerely,
The 3Elements Team
www.3ElementsReview.com
Facebook.com/3elementsreview
@3ElementsReview";
mail($user,$usersubject,$usermessage,$userheaders);