BellaSugar

Birchbox: The High-End Beauty-in-a-Box Sampler Kit

Jaime Richards — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 07:00:18 PST

Have you heard of Birchbox? It's the latest beauty products sampler-in-a-box that's been generating a whole lot of buzz - and with good reason. For $10 per month (or a one-time $110 payment for a full year), you can try out four to five larger-size high-end samples from brands such as NARS, Deborah Lippmann, Stila, Phyto, and Too Faced. There are even plenty of opportunities to earn points along with way.

Cofounder Katia Beauchamp put it best when she likened it to a mashup of fruit of the month-meets-Sephora-meets-Allure kind of experience. "My business partner Hayley Barna and I came up with the idea while we were still at school [Harvard Business School], specifically, December 2009. We had a successful beta while in school, graduated in May, and launched in September," Katia explained. Have you tried out Birchbox - or if you haven't, are you planning on it?

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This Makeup Brand Is Gender-Free

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PDT

Technically, all makeup is really coed, but most brands market specifically to those of the biologically female persuasion. Now, though, there's a new brand out called Enter Pronoun, designed by makeup artist Natalia Ramirez to be totally sex- and gender-neutral.

I really like the idea, and it would really be nice if Mr. Bella could get some of his beloved guyliner in a stick that wasn't way too small for big dudes' hands. The line also supports emerging artists and features original work on its packaging, which sounds cool, and Natalia has committed to using her studio space to "mentor gay teens lacking acceptance and support." If the brand becomes available online or gets wider distribution, will you be interested in buying some products that aren't "just for girls"?

Payless Is Launching Even More Makeup

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:45:33 PDT

If you're a fan of makeup deals along with your shoe shopping, then you'll be pleased to hear that Payless is expanding its cosmetic range to include a whole new brand, the interestingly disemvoweled Sxy. The line, which will launch early next year, will include body mist, shower gel, eye palettes, lipstick, and mascara. It's always nice to see more affordable makeup come on the market, but will you be excited to get your pumps and your palettes at the same shop?

CK One Is Going Way Beyond Fragrance

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:00:56 PDT

If you remember CK One fondly as the fragrance the cool girls in your seventh-grade class wore, then Calvin Klein is angling for your business again. Sixteen years after "the world’s first shared scent" bowed, CK One is becoming a brand of its own. It will be distinct from Calvin Klein and produce lingerie, jeans, and swimwear. It's interesting to see an entire lifestyle brand inspired by a fragrance instead of the other way around, but do you think CK One (and the current wave of '90s nostalgia) can bring the brand back to the kind of popularity it enjoyed when Kate Moss and Cher from Clueless were both inseparable from their Calvins?

Battle of the Bottles: Jonathan Antin to Compete Against . . . Jonathan Antin?

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:00:00 PDT

How can one forget celebrity stylist Jonathan Antin's crazy antics on Bravo's Blow Out? You might recall that part of the series focused on the development and marketing of his eponymous line, Jonathan Product. Now, in a move almost as dramatic as his reality TV persona, the longtime stylist, who sold his shares of Jonathan Product back last month, has plans to start up another namesake line late this year.

This time, instead of serving as part-owner, Jonathan's duties at Jonathan Antin Hair Care will fall into the creative director realm. Noting the uniqueness of the situation and emphasizing that the parting was on good terms, he told WWD, "I feel like I was pretty lucky that I am able to move on and immediately start and, for lack of a better way of putting it, compete with Jonathan Product."

We've seen people who have left their eponymous lines before, like in the case of Vidal Sassoon, Jo Malone, Helmut Lang, and Jil Sander, but I can't recall anybody who's then started another line named after himself. (However, Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher did leave the company around 2003, only to start up Intelligent Nutrients soon thereafter.) What do you think? In this battle of Jonathan vs. Jonathan, are you willing to give his new line a whirl?

Brand-New Brand: Josie Maran Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:00:55 PDT

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.

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To learn more about the collection and details for purchase,

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 PDT

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,

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 PDT

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,

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 PDT

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,

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 PDT

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.