BellaSugar

Brand-New Brand: Josie Maran Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:00:55 -0700

Josie Maran Cosmetics has just launched! The model turned mother turned Dancing With The Stars actress has finally launched an organic, cosmetics line that's free of fragrance, parabens, toxins and petrochemicals. And to continue the eco-friendliness, it has biodegradable packaging.

Maran grew up in Northern California and had a "green" upbringing. After having a little girl of her own (Rumi, two years old), she wanted to get involved with an environmentally conscious project. Since she has ten years with Maybelline under her belt as well as countless magazine and runway appearances, Josie knows a thing or two about makeup.

Her goal was to create products that brighten your complexion without clogging your pores. The formulas are very lightweight, they contain high quantities of color pigment, and each of the products have been screened through the Environmental Working Group to ensure they are organically sound.

View 5 Photos ›

To learn more about the collection and details for purchase, read more

The collection includes more than 70 products and colors, with prices ranging from $16 to $42. All of the great basics of any other complete cosmetics line are present such as concealer, eye shadow, blush, foundation, lipsticks and glosses. It also includes a few noteworthy specialty products like her Finger Paints ($36) (a soft, glowy palette for cheeks, lips or eyes) as well as Argan Oil ($42), a versatile moisturizing oil used to condition everything from cuticles to split ends. All products are on sale now online and at Barneys in San Francisco and NYC. I'll post a review of some of the products within the week, so be sure to come back for that!

Brand-New Brand: 17 by Jonathan Saunders

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:00:03 -0700

Ok, so Boots 17 isn't exactly a brand-new brand. But its collaboration on a makeup product line with fashion designer Jonathan Saunders is. And according to a recent press release, Anna Wintour was quoted as calling the designer "London’s hottest It boy." I'd call that the accolade of the century!

The new limited-edition collection consists of four lipsticks (£ 2.99) in Alwyn (red shown), Rousseaux (fuchsia), Ella (pale pink) and Tourney (nude) as well as four eye shadows (£3.99) in Selwyn (mink brown), Favia (fuchsia), Vodence (dark grey) and Elador (white) in any Boots store.

Unfortunately, this doesn't include CVS and Target-where Boots items are sold in the US-so until you plan to take a swim across the pond, as of now, these products are only available to UK customers. What's awesome about this line is not only the nude and bright range of colors, but also the funky, bold printed packaging that it comes in (once again, I admit to being a complete sucker for packaging). To find out what Jonathan has to say about the collaboration, read more

In the same press release Jonathan himself says,

“I am excited by the results of my collaboration with 17; it has allowed me to demonstrate how effectively the fashion and beauty industries can work together. Having focused on the use of colour in my collection, I am very pleased with the outcome of the eye shadows and lipsticks.”

I'm pretty pleased, too-I just wish it were easier to find these goodies all over the world!

Brand-New Brand: J. Blossom

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 10:33:54 -0700

J.Blossom is a brand with a clear mission, and a warm, fuzzy one at that. Founder Jamila White created the bath and body products with children of color in mind, looking to keep kids both clean and carefree. In a recent interview with Afrobella, White explains her motivation:

"I felt like little girls’ self-esteem was under an all-out assault. Every message was telling them that something was wrong with them; that they needed to have long, straight hair; that their skin wasn’t the right shade; that their noses were too big; that their body wasn’t the right shape ... "

To that end, every product in the J. Blossom line - including bubble bath, lip balm, and body lotion - comes with an "affirmation" on the label, such as "I have a beautiful smile" and "Beautiful skin comes in all shades – yummy chocolate, smooth caramel, or creamy vanilla!" For details on the products, read more

J. Blossom's products are free of artificial colors and mineral oils, and each item comes in two kid-friendly scents: Strawberry Banana Smoothie and Great Big Grape. These products are also a bargain, which is great when shopping for fickle kids.

The Lip Balm, made from shea butter and jojoba oil, costs $3, while the Body Lotion and Bath and Shower Gel are just $12 each. You can also get an adorable little J. Blossom gift sets ($12) with a bath pouf and gift bag.

Brand-New Brand: Tallulah Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 07:17:03 -0700

I've had some bad experiences with lip-plumping glosses that sting or irritate my mouth. So I'm very interested to try the new volumizing lip glosses by Tallulah Cosmetics. Founded by a first-grade teacher from Kentucky named Amy Wheeler, Tallulah launched Glossary - its first product - in December. Because these products are mineral based, Glossary is designed to give your pout a long-lasting plumpness without inflammation.

Glossary's secret ingredient is mica, which reflects light and hugs the skin to create the appearance of plumper lips. The lip gloss also contains Vitamin A to smooth your lips and SPF 15 to protect them from the sun. For more details, read more

The lightly flavored and scented gloss comes in seven shades of translucent shimmer: Berry Godmother (featured below), Brazilla, Love Me Ginger, Punk Rock Pink, My Yacht or Yours, Blonde Ambition, and Mouth of the South.

Each tube costs $16 and can be purchased on Tallulah's web site and in select boutiques nationwide. I'll be sure to report back and tell you what I think of Glossary after I try some.

Brand-New Brand: Wise Woman by Body Shop

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 06:00:41 -0700

I love this new trend in anti-aging products (like Dove's Pro-Age) wherein cosmetics brands are celebrating mature beauty rather than trying to deny the effects of aging. Appropriately named Wise Woman and clad in subtle gold packaging, the Body Shop's new skincare line is designed especially for women over 50.

Released just in time for Mother's Day, the line includes eight products designed to keep skin moisturized, radiant, and resilient. I'm particularly intrigued by the Softening Toner and the Eye Cream. The Wise Woman Starter Kit (pictured) looks like it would make a great gift: It comes with day and night creams, as well as the very magical-sounding Vitality Serum.

Brand-New Brand: Boots Health and Beauty

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 00:00:47 -0700

Cheerio, mates! Boots, the wildly popular British cosmetics and skincare brand, was developed way back in 1849, but it has finally made its way stateside. Actually, Boots started sneaking into the U.S. in 2004, but only a few products were released, and not in many stores at all.

Now, the Boots products are available to the masses nationwide in more than 1,500 Target stores and 500-plus CVS outlets. The entire collection consists of five different lines, including:

No 7: An insanely popular cosmetics and skincare brand.
Botanics: A makeup, skin care, bath, and body line derived from plant extracts from the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew in London.
Time Dimensions: A skincare line geared toward anti-aging.
Mediterranean: A bath and body care line made from natural, wholesome, and organic ingredients.
Feel The Difference: A collection of vitamins and supplements that help to cleanse and purify your skin.

Boots hosted a star-studded U.S. launch party on Tuesday night at Hollywood's Sunset Tower Hotel. To see a gallery of the celebrity guests - including Paris Hilton, Ali Larter, Christina Milian, and Emmy Rossum - read more

Photos include: Paris Hilton, Ali Larter, Kelly Osbourne, Christina Milian, Emmy Rossum, Sophia Bush, Melanie B., Autumn Reeser, and Constance Zimmer.

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Brand-New Brand: Just for Redheads

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:55:44 -0700

Just for Reheads has just been brought to my attention, although it has been around for over 14 years. It was created by Paula Pennypacker, (a redhead), who felt that fair skinned women with red hair and freckles needed special attention. She invented a line of products that include: cosmetics, nail polish, hair care products, sun and skin care products - all for redheads!

Their star product is also their newest product. Mascara Ultresse, $15, in GingerHenna, is a rich more natural looking color mascara than black or navy. It is a reddish–brownish shade that looks fantastic on auburn, orangey red, or strawberry blond redheads.

It adds warmth to the eye, without making them look too dark and harsh. It also adds volume to thin lashes, it is waterproof, smudge proof and contains panethol and vitamin E to soften and keep lashes clump free.

There are also two companion products available for the mascara. A brow tint gel in GingerHenna, $15, and a tinted Brow Stick in GingerAuburn for $11. For those of you out there who don’t have red hair and are wondering if you can use it, the answer is yes. I have medium brown hair and it looks great on for a daytime look! Have fun!

Brand-New Brand: La Bella Donna

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:22:22 -0700

When I first read about La Bella Donna in a magazine, the mineral based high end cosmetics line really caught my eye. After doing some research on their website, I've learned all about the ins and outs of this pioneer mineral cosmetics line. Created by the beautiful mother - daughter pair Kathy and Nicole Tracy, they believe that minerals are exceptional for the health and beauty of your skin.

Minerals are healing agents, they're hypoallergenic, they provide excellent coverage and they offer sun protection. La Bella Donna is proud to say that they are made purely from four major minerals: micronized titanium dioxide (sun block SPF 20), iron oxides (color source), bismuth oxychloride (anti-inflammatory) and zinc oxide (soothes the skin). The line is sold in about 300 luxurious spas and retail locations nationwide.

The collection includes a full range of: face, cheeks, eyes, lips, brushes, a primer and even a product for men! Minerals for Men is waterproof, contains SPF 20, isn't greasy and is totally invisible.

Their bestselling products include glacial colours, a face luminizer in a lip sheer container and candlelight cream colour which is a gloss/brightener for your face.

However, their most notable bestseller is a primer called co-exist. This is a gel-creme that co-exists beautifully with their loose mineral foundation. It also helps build up the moisture barrier in your skin which dissipates with age. Enjoy, I think La Bella Donna is bellissima!

Brand-New Brand: Lipstick Queen by Poppy King

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:15:33 -0700

The Australian lipstick addict, Poppy King, is the creator of a posh new lipstick only line called Lipstick Queen, $18. Poppy is no newcomer to the world of lips. After feeling frustrated that she wasn't able to find the perfect red matte shade at the tender age of 18, she created her first lipstick line called Poppy.

The company lasted 12 years until she decided to close up shop and move to New York City for a job opportunity at Prescriptives. After three and half years there working on products and packaging, she decided to go out on her own once again and go back to her roots - creating the perfect lipstick. Hence the creation of Lipstick Queen. This line is unique, fun and innovative. It is comprised of ten different shades available in two very different formulations.

The first category is called Sinners, which is 90% pigment and 10% viscosity. It is a heavy dose of gorgeous matte color for the serious lipstick goer.

The second category is called Saints which is 10% pigment and 90% viscosity, so the result is a very sheer wash of color. It gives you more of a glossy, pimped out chap stick feel which is perfect for traditional gloss wearers.

Their next product due out in a few weeks is a matte gloss called oxymoron. From what I hear both the names and the shades are fab!

Brand-New Brand: Serge Lutens

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:28:15 -0800

Serge Lutens, 65, former French stylist, make-up artist, photographer, perfumer, coiffeur and costumier has come out with a makeup line called Serge Lutens Cosmetics.

His long and interesting early career as a beauty stylist and makeup artist for high fashion magazine shoots led him to a 12 year stint at Dior where he was asked to create a high end makeup line. His bold color choices really put him on the map as a risk taker - a very successful one!

His next venture was 27 years ago in 1980, when he became Image Director at Shiseido. There, he has developed their cosmetics and fragrance lines. Serge Lutens Cosmetics is only available in the US at Barneys (so far).

To read more about Serge Lutens, read more

His line is compact and is comprised of: two pressed powders, eight foundations, one blusher, a finishing powder, one mascara, eye shadow, one kohl eyeliner, six lipsticks, make-up remover pads and an eyebrow palette. The makeup is made of Shiseido's nano-dispersion technology that gives even and light coverage to your skin.

The luxurious black lacquer and mirrored packaging is intended for an upscale client. Each item is sold in a silk-lined box and there is no advertising behind this brand. Prices range from $50, for a mascara , to $160, for a finishing powder compact. The beauty of the line is the items are refillable and the refills are less expensive. Read more about new makeup alerts here.