BellaSugar

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?

Prescriptives Goes Full-Bloom This Spring

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:00:24 -0800

When you think Spring, you probably think flowers. And Prescriptives will have you thinking all about blooms with their next collection, which features both bold and neutral floral shades inspired by blossoms of sunflowers, marigolds, orchids, lavender, and petunias.

The collection, out in stores next month, includes In Bloom Eye Color Duo ($24) in Sunflower and Marigold (warm) and Petunia and Lilly (Cool); In Bloom Cheek Color Duo ($24) in Warm or Cool; and Lipshine ($17.50) Zinnia, Posy, Tulip, and Tuberose. Check out the gallery below for pictures:

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The Votes Are In: Best Foundation Is Bare Escentuals

BellaSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:01:57 -0800

I am not surprised by the results of Best Foundation of 2008. Whenever Bare Escentuals Foundation ($25) is mentioned on this site, loads and loads of comments come in raving about the brand. I've got to agree. Its foundations do provide great coverage, last for ages, and come in a variety of shades.

Oh, and since so many of you wrote in that you loved the blendability and color selection of L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup ($9.29), it looks like I'll have to put that on my list of must-try drugstore foundations. As for my pick? I'm going with Prescriptives on this one. With a wide variety of formulations and a custom match, you just can't go wrong with its attention-to-detail kind of service. Want more? Check out the rest of our Best of 2008 coverage throughout the Sugar network right now.

Splurge of the Week: A Custom-Made Gift

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0800

If you've been a very, very good girl, you might want to ask Santa to send you Prescriptives' Custom Blend Essentials kit ($115, a $165 value). Inside a metallic train case, you'll find two full-size brushes, a travel-sized bottle of Super Line Preventor Xtreme, and empty bottles of foundation and concealer. The gift recipient can go to one of Prescriptives' Custom Blend counters (find a location here), and she'll watch as the foundation and concealer are whipped up to her specifications right before her eyes.

I loved my Custom Blend experience because, well, custom anything makes me feel like a VIP. But it's a worthwhile splurge if you have a hard time finding the right shade of foundation; mine disappears perfectly into my skin, and it lasts forever. At $115, this kit is indeed a splurge - but it would also be a great gift to find under the tree, no?

Coming Soon: Prescriptives All Skins Mineral Makeup SPF 15

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:00:03 -0700

Prescriptives is getting ready to release its first ever, vitamin and gemstone-enriched loose powder called All Skins Mineral Makeup SPF 15 ($32.50). Available in July, this medium-coverage foundation contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to ensure that you are both UVA and UVB protected. It's also formulated with mattifying agents to absorb oil, sweat and stickiness during the humid summer months. Lastly, it's water-resistant and free of oils, talc and fragrances.

The gemstones (rose quartz, amethyst and calcite) also give the powder a little bit of sheen, which helps from making your skin look too dry. The powder itself is finely-milled and when you press down, it feels as soft as silk. I've tried it in Warm Light, which is too dark for my fair skin, but it's going to match perfectly after a few self-tanner applications.

Applying it is easy, too. Just tap a little bit into the cap, dip the new Round Buff Brush ($30) in the powder, give it a quick blow to remove any excess powder, and use a circular motion to apply it all over your face. Concentrate on your t-zone and any other oily areas. All Skins Mineral Makeup will be available in 18 shades and claims to be suitable for all skin types. Think you'd like to try it?

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Prescriptives Has a Daring New Fall 2008 Color Collection

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:00:15 -0700

This July, Prescriptives will release its 13-product Fall color story called Daring. The jewel-tone eye shadow shades can be worn light or dark for a natural or a dramatic effect. Cheeks are light and lips are subtle, yet warm. My favorite product is the midnight plum eye pencil. It creates an intense, sexy look that makes my hazel eyes pop. Which product are you most excited to check out? Click on the images below for a closer look!

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For a brief description including prices of each of the new products, read more.

New Products

Fall Dimensions Eye Color Quads ($42) are limited-edition eye shadow compacts available in four different color combinations, each containing four powder shadows.
Fall Dimensions for Cheeks and Eyes ($35) is a limited-edition multifunctional powder compact containing three complementary shades.
Sparkle Eye Pencil in Midnight Plum and Sparks ($17.50) are limited-edition, pearly, rich eyeliner pencils that contain glitter particles for powerful, shimmery definition.

Existing Products, New Shades

Colorscope Cheek Color ($17.50) is now available in two new shades: pink horizon and cherry blossom.
Lash Envy Volumizing Mascara ($19.50) is now available in two new limited-edition colors: midnight and plum.

BellaSugar's Top Five Loose Powder Picks

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:07 -0700

Loose powders are a fantastic way to provide light to medium coverage on your skin without having to apply a heavy or greasy fluid foundation. They help control shine, cover blemishes, red, spots, broken capillaries and under-eye circles - all without caking. Some of my favorite new loose powders also happen to be made from minerals, which also makes them good for your skin. Below are my top five favorites. Do you have a love for one loose powder in particular?

La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation ($50) is a soft mineral face powder that contains SPF 20 and doesn't clog your pores. I've been using the shade Nicoletta for the past year (plus) and love how it gives my face flawless-looking coverage.
Prescriptives Custom Blend Powder ($45) is a customized, mixture of lightweight powder created to match your skin tone. You leave the store with a large jar and a mini travel jar which both include a puff. You can also pay an additional $15 for an extra container of pressed powder. Although it's costly, I think it's worth the splurge.
Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder ($10.95) is a relatively new product that has been designed for sensitive and pimple-prone skin. It's non-irritating, it blends easily and has a natural finish. It comes with a brush, and I love the security of the snap-top close.
Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation ($25) is one of the smoothest blending mineral loose powders that I've ever tried. You voted it your favorite foundation of 2007 because of its silky texture, non-irritating formula and fabulous coverage.
Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 ($35) is a super-fine, oil-free loose powder that contains 15 amino acids that help achieve clear skin while providing a smooth finish. Not only do I love the tinted powder, but the translucent powder is essential for setting foundation, lipstick ... you name it.

A Few New Luxury Tinted Lip Balms

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:00:46 -0700

Lip balms are one of my favorite products and I always get excited when a new one makes an appearance in the marketplace - especially if it's tinted, because it feels good and it looks good. I've tried each of these new Prescriptives and Lola Cosmetics tinted balms and they all satisfy my balmy cravings.

Korres Lip Butter ($9) is an all-natural hydrating tinted lip balm that contains a high concentration of shea butter to help soothe and heal chapped lips. It comes in four colors that leave a light trace of bee-stung color on your lips.

Lola Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm ($10) is creamy, moisturizing and minty fresh. The balms are infused with good-for-you antioxidants, peppermint, essential oils, vitamin E, mango and spearmint for smooth application and a clean, crisp taste. The result is smooth, shiny lips that look luscious, precious and voluptuous.

Confession: So those aren't exactly the adjectives I'd choose to describe a lip balm, but they are the names of the three available colors.

For one last luxe lip balm, read more.

Prescriptives Tint Balm in Pink Satin ($14.50) isn't new per se, but the color is. It came out about six weeks ago and is a light pink with a hint of shimmer. This creamy balm conditions lips and helps reduce uncomfortable dryness and flaking. It is infused with botanicals to make it smell good, and it also contains a hint of color to create a fuller lip look.

Hot In The City: Prescriptives Urban Heat Summer Collection

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:00:23 -0700

The new Urban Heat Collection from Prescriptives is a beautiful summer product range. It contains a total of 14 items in five categories. They include two limited-edition kohl eye pencils (which have been formulated extra soft for smudging), eight vivid Colorscope lip glosses, one new Colorscope creamy eye shadow, two Colorscope eye colors and one neutral-colored Colorscope lipstick.

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Overall, it is a sexy, but clean and vibrant line. It contains pale metallics and bright accent shades that can be worn in the daytime and then darkened for a more sultry evening effect. I've got all of the info on each of the new products, so if you are interested in the prices and a brief color description, read more.

Colorscope Lipcolor in Majorcan Sand ($17.50) is a natural looking cool, creamy brown that looks amazing under the new Sporty lip gloss.
Kohl Eye Pencil in Blue Grotto ($18.50) is a long-wearing, water-resistant deep teal eye liner.
Kohl Eye Pencil in Purple Rain ($18.50) is a brown, aubergine eye liner.
Colorscope Creamy Eye Color in Lychee ($18.00) is a sparkling, crease-resistant eye shadow in a pale gold shade.
Colorscope Eye Color in Plum Noir ($18.50) is a long-wearing, silky powder eye shadow in a new, dark, purple shade that can be worn in the crease or used as an eye liner.
Colorscope Eye Color in Aegean ($18.50) is a bright, sheer and shimmery turquoise accent shadow.

Colorscope Lip Glosses

Trendy is a soft, muted beige.
Sporty is a sparkling bronzed copper.
Gutsy is a bright, sheer coral.
Giggly is an opaque, poppy pink.
Feisty is a deep rosy, henna brown.
Sassy is a dense, dusty rose.
Stylish is a lighter, lilac rosy shade.
Edgy is a deep, glossy wine.

Product Review: Prescriptives Intensive Rebuilding Deep Hydrating Mask

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:00:00 -0700

The other night my skin was feeling and looking especially dry, so I thought it was an ideal time for an at-home mini facial. I washed, cleansed, gently exfoliated, and then I applied my new Prescriptives Intensive Rebuilding Deep Hydrating Mask ($28). Since the mask is a little unusual, I'd like to share my experience with you.

The directions say to leave it on for 15 minutes, and in this time it never hardens. The mask smells clean, and its gel-like texture makes applying it very simple.

It doesn't tingle, feel cool, or heat up, so it's a good choice if your skin is sensitive. When it came time for removal, I noticed that it hadn't all absorbed and that there was a sticky, filmy layer left over. The box said to tissue off the mask, but I needed to wash my face with water and a light soap to remove all of the residue.

The immediate result was smoother and softer skin, and the next day I noticed that my skin tone was more even. Additionally, the dryness was gone (but I can't give the mask full credit, since I did also exfoliate).

I would confidently recommend this to someone who doesn't use a night cream, a facial oil, or anything extra to quench thirsty skin. It is so gentle that I can't imagine it would block pores if used only twice a week. Plus, the fact that you don't have to endure any of that awkward typical mask stiffness makes this a great choice.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!