BellaSugar

Beauty Byte: Emma Watson Gets a New Role

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:00:34 -0700

Well, that didn't last long. Keira Knightley, who last year replaced Kate Moss as the face of Coco Mademoiselle perfume, is being replaced herself! Chanel's new pick is 18-year-old Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies. The Telegraph reports that Emma will earn a hefty £3 million (almost six million dollars) for her two-year contract.

I love Emma, but this news is a little bit surprising. While Coco Mademoiselle is among Chanel's "younger" fragrances, I don't think I would have worn it as a teenager. It's fresh and beautiful, but it has a sophisticated edge that works best on someone a few more years out of girlhood. Emma will probably work some of her magic for the brand, but do you think it's a good fit?

Update: My friends at Off The Rack report that the whole thing is untrue.

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BellaSugar's Insider Look Into Chanel, Part III: Coco Mademoiselle

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:00:16 -0700

During my visit to the Chanel perfumery, there was most definitely a focus on the big re-launch of Coco Mademoiselle. I am glad that I got to ask a few questions about this re-launch business, because all of the hype had me totally confused. Here's the scoop.

The original perfume was launched in 2001, featuring ads with Kate Moss. Now Keira Knightley has become the new face of the campaign, portraying a young Coco Chanel. Although this perfume isn't new, two new travel items have been added to the collection.

The first is a .25 oz purse-size perfume ($100), which is great for on-the-go touch-ups. The pearlized white compact with gold trim is a pretty pocketbook accessory.

The second item is an eight-gram, limited-edition solid perfume ($120). This compact is super slim, long lasting and very discreet. Ça c'est bon!

To read about my experience inside Coco Chanel's apartment, and to see more pictures, stay tuned for tomorrow's post!

Behind the Scenes at Chanel With Keira Knightley

BellaSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:00:56 -0700

Remember how I told you about how Keira is the new face of Coco Mademoiselle? This month, Chanel is launching a huge ad blitz to promote this sophisticated-but-youthful fragrance, which debuted in 2001. Part of the campaign features a short film starring Keira, and I've got an excerpt for you. There's plenty of footage here for beauty junkies, along with a closeup of KK's black manicure. I have to say, after watching this, I'm daydreaming of a fabulous life in Paris...

Keira Knightley's New Chanel Ads... and Movie

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:03:43 -0700

I just found some new Chanel ads starring Keira Knightley, and if she isn't the perfect modern-day face of Chanel, I don't know who would do it better!

I know that you're split on whether she's a more fitting model for Coco Mademoiselle than Kate Moss was, but you've got to admit, the girl looks amazing here. I love the soft pink lip, which makes her look very appropriate for this legendary design house, n'est-ce pas?

If the print ads inspire you, just wait-there's more coming soon! Iconique reports:

Keira Knightley will star as Coco Mademoiselle in a new PR movie for the Chanel perfume. The British actress, dressed in a red chiffon dress by Karl Lagerfeld, will play a mysterious star in a glamorous movie directed by Joe Wright.

The "PR movie" (read: advertisement that will probably be beautiful nonetheless) is due in September. What do you think of Keira here-is it hats off to her? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

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BellaSugar's Insider Look Into Chanel, Part I: The Experience

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:00:55 -0700

When it comes to Chanel, it's no wonder that feelings of elegance, luxury and timeless sophistication come to mind. It has been nurtured, parented and protected by designer Karl Lagerfeld, art director Jacques Helleu and "nose" Jacques Polge-three extremely distinguished men that have been with the company for more than 30 years.

Last weekend, I was given the opportunity along with fourteen other bloggers from around the world to visit Paris and spend one incredible day viewing the inner workings of Chanel. This was a marketing effort from the company to get in touch with their consumers as well as to build buzz about the new Coco Mademoiselle campaign.

We toured the perfume lab, dined at the famous Ritz hotel and the Mini-Palais, toured Coco Chanel's apartment, visited the fine jewelry store, and saw the premiere of the Coco Chanel Mademoiselle movie starring Keira Knightly that will relaunch the new products in the Coco Mademoiselle range. It was a day I will surely never forget.

Something I've learned from my experience is that each new product that Chanel creates contains intentional symbolism intended to reflect and carry on the vision of Mademoiselle Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. However, judging from the success of the brand, it is evident that the ghost of Chanel is not a hindrance that holds back creativity, but rather an omnipresent force of inspiration. The respect these creators have for her is like nothing I've ever encountered, but I do know that it is contagious.

After learning all about her past and her vision, it's understandable why in the world of luxury brands, Chanel is the considered nothing short of the crème de la crème. So stay tuned all week to read my five-part series about my Chanel experience. You won't want to miss some of the amazing surprises I've got in store for you.

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BellaSugar's Insider Look Into Chanel, Part IV: Coco's Apartment

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:59:38 -0700

If ever I've experienced an a-ha moment, it was standing outside of 31 Rue Cambon, the home of Mademoiselle Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. This is where the creative genius of one of the world's most luxurious brands dwelled, and I couldn't wait to take it all in. What many of you might not know is that Mademoiselle Chanel was a very superstitious woman. All of the knick-knacks in her apartment are in pairs, and she never liked to be alone. Because of this, she only used her apartment for entertaining and conducting interviews, and she slept in a suite at the Hôtel Ritz across the street.

I entered the ground floor of the building, not through the public store entrance, but through the private entrance to her home. The first thing you see is a giant framed black and white photograph of Coco Chanel. What struck me the most was that the employees that we were greeted by were so in tune with Coco's life and the symbolism behind every single tiny detail in her home.

The first stop in the House of Chanel was the stunning, modern and spacious haute couture fitting rooms. We were told that anything we saw was of utmost secrecy since Karl Lagerfeld was busy on the fourth floor with the couturiers, getting ready for the Emmy Awards and the spring 2008 fashion show.

Next, we went up the famous winding, mirrored staircase to the apartment. The staircase itself is where Coco would sit from high above to make sure that everyone was on top of their daily tasks. She could also watch the faces and reactions of editors without them ever being the wiser.

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To read about all of the secret symbolic details of the apartment, read more

As the doors to the exquisite apartment open, I must say that I was surprised by all of the ornate Baroque detailing. Her fashions are so modern, yet her home was full of antiques and lavish collectibles. A notable and symbolic fixture was the mirror in her reception room. She loved it so much that it eventually inspired the stopper for the world's best-selling fragrance, Chanel No.5.

There are camellias (the flower of Chanel) all over the wall screens, and who knew that her quilted brown couch was the inspiration for the classic 2.55 handbag. And remember the 1992 ads for Coco Chanel where Vanessa Paradis swings from a a tiny gold birdcage? The original (and very tiny) version sits beside the couch on a table.

The two black lacquer tables in her dining room served as the source of inspiration for all of the sleek black packaging of Chanel Beauté. The last piece I will mention is the massive chandelier in the living room that is constructed of iron shaped by hidden "G's" (for Gabrielle), "5's" for Chanel No. 5 and "CC's" as in her initials (and of course, the Chanel logo.)

It made me think: If only everyone had this much symbolism and meaning in the tiny details. It is truly remarkable how the brand is still inspired by her even though she has been gone for over 36 years. To see the new Coco Mademoiselle movie starring Keira Knightley, come back again tomorrow!

Coming Soon: Chanel Côte D'Azur Collection

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:30:41 -0700

Tanning wasn't always popular, but then Coco Chanel decided to go on vacation. The rest is history: After returning from holiday with a sun-kissed glow, people put away their sun-shelter umbrellas and basked in the UV rays. Mademoiselle Chanel created a suncare cosmetic line in 1929, and 80 years later, it has inspired the summer Côte D'Azur makeup collection.

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Available online now and on counters in April, this makeup is all about bronze beauty - but being Chanel, it's a glamorous interpretation of the look. I've previewed a few of the items, so for a sneak peek, read more.

The standout product is a loose powder, Soleil Tan de Chanel Poudre Précieuse Libre Effet Hâlé. It has golden shimmer and sparkle, but it's not a bronzer. Meant to be dusted on the face, shoulders, and décolleté, it has just the right amount of light-catching shimmer to be sexy without making you look like a Solid Gold dancer. What's more, you don't need to have a tan to wear this right now - both pale and dark-skinned women can wear this well.

I'm also into Aqualumière lipshine, and not just because it goes on smoothly and has SPF 15. Porto Rotondo is the perfect shade of casual red. When you don't want Dita Von Teese-style glamour but still want something flirty and punchy, this is the lipstick for you, trust. It has enough pigment to make an impact, but it's sheer enough to look youthful and fresh. Definitely worth a try if you're wanting to take a baby step into red lipstick - or if you just want to show off a tan.

Mark Your Calendars: FREE Beauty Product!

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:00:06 -0800

Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? OK, maybe there isn't, but you can score a beauty item for nothing. Due to a class-action lawsuit, cosmetics companies, and the stores that sell its items are giving away full-sized products beginning on Jan. 20. We're talking goods such as Chanel Coco Mademoiselle body lotion, Clarins Energizing Morning Cream, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, and Lancôme Courbe Virtuose mascara.

To get your freebie, you have to be part of the class affected by the lawsuit; if you've bought from certain brands between 1994 and 2003, you're in. Then go to participating stores and pick up one item. (That's one item per person, not one item per brand!) Check out the settlement website for more details, and be sure to go early - the supplies are limited, and no rainchecks will be issued.

Beauty Byte: Karl's Kool New Kapsule

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:20:45 -0700

Karl Lagerfeld is gearing up to release three new unisex fragrances (Mademoiselle Coco Chanel would be so proud) called Kapsule, which will be launching first in Europe and then in America by the end of November.

The book-like bottles were inspired by Mr. Lagerfeld's love of geometry. Conceptually, the scents are supposed to resemble three different volumes and the packaging is modeled after the book's slipcases. Lagerfeld himself is featured in a picture in the ads and it is intended to represent him looking out at his fragrances much like how a designer peers out from behind the curtain during fashion shows.

The three Kapsule scents, which are called Light, Floriental, and Woody took more than nine months to create. They contain notes of fresh bread, woods, vanilla, and spices (mmm) and they can either be worn alone or layered together depending on your mood.

Lagerfeld says: "I don't like heavy, flowery things. I think there are never enough fragrances - they are so much fun to play with. I do strange mixes. There is no gender in perfumes anymore."

Each of the eau de toilette fragrances will be available in 30 ml ($59) or in 75 ml ($108).

To read about the ingredients in Light, Floriental, and Woody, read more.

Light is made of notes of bitter orange, clove, jasmine, warm nutmeg, and musk.
Floriental is a blend of violet, ivy leaf and black tea leaf notes.
Woody contains moss, cedar, and plum.

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Fragrance Review: Sycomore by Chanel

BellaSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:00:52 -0700

Chanel has recently released another one of its old-turned-new again fragrances to its high-end Les Exclusifs Collection. It's called Sycomore, and for $190, you can be the proud owner of 200 ml of Coco Chanel's original 1930 scent (available in Chanel boutiques worldwide) that was first created by Earnest Beaux and was tweaked by current Chanel nose Jacques Polge.

What makes Sycomore special is that like Mademoiselle Chanel's style, it combines the best of masculine and feminine scents. With its mix of woodsy smoky essences, it has a straightforward aroma. Sycomore is blended from a mixture of strong Hawaiian vetiver, sandalwood, cypress, juniper and spicy pink pepper. Notice how there are no flowers present? That's because of its no-frills concept.

Although it's rather pricey - full disclosure, Chanel sent a bottle to me for review - it happens to be one of my favorites to wear when I mean business. I spritz it on for meetings, afternoon events and whenever I want to feel strong rather than soft. Just shy of 80 years in the making, this scent has made a popular return. If you ever wondered why Chanel has earned a reputation for being timeless, Sycomore is a prime example. Just gorgeous.

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