Coming Soon: Bésame Cosmetics Gingerbread Mascara

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:00:44 -0800

Bésame is gearing up to launch a new product next month called Gingerbread 1930s Waterproof Mascara. I can see how the name might lead you to believe that it's auburn-colored, but it's really named after the food. The mascara has been scented with eight natural conditioning oils and food coloring to smell like gingerbread. You know me with scents: I can take it or leave it, especially when it's really sweet, but those of you who like the smell of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg will go wild for this.

When I first heard about the launch, I was curious about how it differs from Sculpture Lash. After consulting with the brand manager, she told me that it conditions lashes resulting in a shiny and polished finish, that it washes off easily and that it's waterproof. Similarly, it is paraben-free and safe for sensitive eyes.

To its credit, I agree about the shine, and it really does wash off easily with soap and water. Another bonus: it didn't clump at all (huge plus). I also love the gold and chrysanthemum packaging. Gingerbread Mascara will be available in black, brown and plum shades. So if you're ready for a scented mascara, you might think it's pretty, uh, sweet.

View 2 Photos ›

How Bésame Lipstick Is Made, Step by Step

BellaSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:59:22 -0700

This month, Business Week provides a peek into the business end of Bésame cosmetics. Entrepreneur Gabriela Hernandez started the company with $1 million of her own money, brought the retro-inspired line to high-end stores such as Henri Bendel in 2004, and is set to do $1.7 million dollars in sales this year alone.

The story has plenty of advice for would-be entrepreneurs, but I was more interested in the accompanying audio slide show. It's a step-by-step tour of the lipstick-making process, from designing the tube to filling them with the finished product. (Remember the Sesame Street segment that showed viewers how crayons are made? It's a lot like that.)

To see a gallery and to learn how lipstick is made, read more

A more in-depth guide explains each tiny step, but here are some highlights:

The lipstick tube design is inspired by a lipstick case that belonged to Hernandez's grandmother.
After sketches are drawn, a 3-D prototype is made.
At the factory, custom-built molds hold 80 lipsticks at a time. The lipstick formula is heated, then poured into these molds before cooling on a frozen table.
After the lipsticks are inserted into their tubes, they're flamed to create a high-shine finish.

View 8 Photos ›

Source