BellaSugar

Gangbangers Go Gruesome in the Name of Beauty

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:02:14 -0800

You might not want to read this story while eating your lunch. (And even if you're not chowing down, this news could make you sick to your stomach.) In a horrifying move seemingly plucked from the plot of Fight Club - you know where this is going - a gang in Peru has been killing people, draining the fat from the corpses , and attempting to sell it on the black market for use in cosmetics.

Police suspect that the fat in question was sold to European cosmetic companies, but there's been no solid confirmation so far. No surprise there, say dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons. "I can't see why there would be a black market for fat," plastic surgeon Dr. Adam Katz told the Associated Press. Although fat can be used in certain antiwrinkle treatments, it always comes from the person undergoing the procedure. Such an awful story - made even worse because other members of the gang have yet to be caught.

Could Radiant Skin Be the Best Indicator of Beauty?

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:24 -0800

You know how we're always hearing that face symmetry indicates how attractive a person is perceived? There's even software available so that you can determine your own facial evenness. (As if we really need that.) Now, researchers are hinting that it could actually be facial radiance that determines beauty. Researchers instructed 430 people to look at digital photos of idealized women, ages 10 to 70, with only just the skin tone and evenness being altered. "The highest scores went to the models with the most even skin tone. It seems to be more important than almost any other factor," Procter & Gamble's Dr. Paul Matts told the Daily Mail. In fact, it was noted that participants often averted their eyes when the model's skin was not smooth or balanced. (The horror!) To find out more, just keep reading.

Australian Schools Let Companies "Teach" Makeup

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:55 -0800

I know that marketing in schools is nothing new, but a program in Australia is taking things to a new level. A program called Fashion Roll Call, which is sponsored in part by makeup brand NP Set Cosmetics, is touring all-girl schools around the country. Their goal is to educate girls in fashion and beauty industry careers by presenting a "lunch-time fashion parade" followed by makeup application tutorials taught by makeup artists who work for NP Set.

When I was 13, I probably would have been excited for this, since it means no class and playing with stuff my parents wouldn't let me wear. But as an adult, I have mixed feelings. The cosmetics brand is getting choice branding access to kids in exchange for a few makeup tips. And since this program is being billed as educational, and intended to teach children about the fashion and beauty industries, why no boys or coed schools? There are tons of men in the fashion and beauty industries, and their absence suggests that the informational element here is a thin veneer to make aggressive marketing more palatable. What do you think?

Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga Get Lippy

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:52 -0800

Following in the footsteps of people such as Ru Paul, Fergie, and Mary J. Blige, Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga are the next faces of the MAC AIDS Fund. Founded in 1994, the fund has raised more than $150 million to support AIDS research, treatment, and prevention initiatives.

MAC plans to release two lipsticks (Viva Glam Gaga and Viva Glam Cyndi, natch) in March 2010. Every cent of sales of the $14 lipsticks will be funneled to the MAC AIDS Fund. I'll also wager that there will be events and performances galore, so if you're a fan, you're in luck. I think both Gaga and Cyndi are great choices for the campaign. Do you?

Have Scientists Found a Way to Turn Back the Gray?

BellaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Did you ever think it might be possible to actually reverse gray hair, turning it back into the natural color it once was? It does sound rather outlandish - even fantastical - but according to scientists at L'Oréal's research and development center near Paris, the treatment could be just about 10 years away from coming to fruition.

"When hair goes gray, there is a progressive disappearance of the melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) from the hair. While there are still melanocytes in the hair, there is still hope that it could be re-pigmented," L'Oréal's Patricia Pineau told the Daily Mail. Supposedly, the process would involve some type of oral component, along the use of specially formulated haircare products. What do you think of this treatment in the works? Is it just messing with Mother Nature, or do you welcome what science has to offer when it comes to antiaging developments?

Beauty Byte: You Can Inherit Skin Cancer

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:26 -0700

This isn't shocking, given the genetic component in so many diseases, but it's another piece of news to make you wear your sunscreen and ask if someone in your family has had skin cancer. Melanoma, as well as other skin cancer types, have been proven heritable. Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia found that if one twin in a set has melanoma, the other's risk increases 10 fold, while a fraternal twin's risk more than doubles if one has had it. They also found that having a sibling or parent with skin cancer also means that you're more likely to have some kind of skin cancer as well, though not only the type your relative had.

The takeaway? Some skin cancers, like some breast cancers, have a genetic factor. So if a loved one has had it, make sure you get frequent checks at the dermatologist, wear SPF daily, and learn the facts about self-examination.

Nars Celebrates 15 Years With 15 Stars and a Book

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:00:26 -0700

When couples celebrate their 15-year anniversary, the traditional gift they might give their mate is crystal. But when François Nars celebrates his company's 15th anniversary, he makes a book, with all proceeds going straight to charities. And as you might expect, it's not your ordinary coffee-table publication. To commemorate the company's quindecennial anniversary, Nars plans to release 15x15 ($80) in mid-November, with only 1,500 copies hitting the presses.

The book, which will be available for 30 days at 15x15project.com, will feature photos of 15 celebrities, from Marc Jacobs to Amber Valletta to Naomi Campbell. "Basically, I wanted people who reflected my taste, friends, and people I admired for their look and talent," Nars told WWD. Inside the book, you'll find two inspirations behind each photo, along with a featured makeup product. Nars promises, "You don’t get bored." And after looking through some of the photos below, I couldn't agree more.

To see more images from 15x15, just keep reading.

Ads Finally Just Replace Content in a New Beauty Mag

BellaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:00:10 -0700

In a story that, in another era, would perhaps have been a piece in The Onion instead of one in real life, Procter & Gamble is starting its own health and beauty mag called Rouge. Along with offering coupons, the magazine will be about 60 percent P&G "branded editorial coverage," meaning stories that advise you while also endorsing brands such as Cover Girl and Olay.

The surprising twist on this news is that when P&G was researching the viability of the idea, their studies showed that "80 percent of readers found Rouge to be comparable to fashion titles such as Marie Claire and Allure in 'quality and design.'" That's great news for Rouge, but yikes, what does that say about people's opinions of regular magazines these days? Some of you think advertisers influence editorial coverage anyway, but Rouge doesn't try to be objective. Will you check this advertorial mag out, or take a pass?

The Sunscreen in Your Foundation May Not Actually Work

BellaSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:26:22 -0700

A lot of us rely on the sunscreen in our makeup to protect us during the day, but the Daily Mail is reporting that, in the UK at least, one in five cosmetics with SPF isn't up to par with the EU sunscreen guidelines and doesn't give any protection against UVA rays - the ones responsible for aging. Even more worrisome, the researchers also found that three out of four products weren't completely effective just two hours after application - meaning that if you put your foundation on in the morning, you're no longer protected by the time you take your lunchtime stroll. That also means reapplying your foundation four times in the course of a normal workday, which I think is just absurd. Do you think American products would fare any better in a trial like this? Until we know, I'll be wearing zinc oxide and a hat.

After 30 Years, Prescriptives to Bid Adieu. Boo.

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:14:01 -0700

Well, this is a disappointment. After 30 years in the cosmetics business, Prescriptives - the makeup company known for its "colorprinting" approach to matching skin tones - will be shuttered by Jan. 31 of next year. Officials from parent company Estée Lauder told WWD, "After a thorough analysis of the Prescriptives brand, management concluded that the brand's long-term business model is no longer viable, given the current market environment." Thanks a lot, recession.

This is unfortunate news for women who have difficulty tracking down the right foundation shade, as Prescriptives offered a better-than-most range of options for women of color. And if that didn't work out, its Custom Blend service (rave review here) provided the opportunity to get a precise match. In the grand scheme of things, that might not seem like a big deal. But for anyone who's been told that a makeup company doesn't make foundation in her skin tone, it was an excellent option - and perhaps, for some women, the only option for a perfect match.

Prescriptives will continue to be sold online, while the inventory lasts. So if there's a product you absolutely love, grab it now - because in a few months, it won't be an option. (I'm rushing off to get one last Custom Blend foundation while I can.) Are you surprised by this development?