BellaSugar

A Trip to the Cosmetics Outlet: It's Hit-or-Miss

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:00:49 -0700

This past weekend, YumSugar and I went shopping at the Premium Outlets in Napa. After scoring a pair of J Brand jeans for $100 off (!) I got sucked into The Cosmetics Company Store. It's an outlet shop that features Estee Lauder-owned brands, and if you live near an outlet mall, there's probably a location near you. (Here's a full list).

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To find out about our adventure, and to see whether we think it's worth seeking these outlets out, read more.

These stores stock makeup, fragrance, and accessories from MAC, Estee Lauder, Origins Prescriptives, Bobbi Brown, and Clinique. The products include overstock, discontinued colors, and limited-edition products that have been taken off department-store shelves. It sounds great, but the Napa store was a letdown. We might have hit it on a bad day, but the cosmetic testers were filthy and the selection was spotty. (Yum wondered how old the cosmetics were. I saw a few items from MAC's holiday collection, so the products aren't ancient or anything.)

I was hoping for a treasure trove of deeply discounted beauty buys, but my alliterative aspirations were quickly quashed. The prices are generally 20–30% below retail, which is great if you're buying an expensive item, but not a wacky deal otherwise.

Yum and I agreed that it's worth popping into one of these shops if you're nearby. But if you have to travel to get there, you might be better off saving the gas money to buy the items at full price - because at least then you'll have a full range of products and some expert help. I know some of y'all have been to these stores, so I'm eager to see what you have to say about them.

Ricky's Goes From Manhattan to Mouse Clicks

BellaSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:30:43 -0700

If you're a New Yorker, no doubt you know Ricky's NYC. And if you haven't heard about the beauty store, now's your chance to get the virtual experience, as the company has joined the e-commerce world. Now the rest of the country can experience the beauty bounty without the crowded atmosphere - and the stores can get pretty packed.

The chain, which specializes in hair care, cosmetics, and unusual fashion accessories, has somewhat of a cult following. It's a bit Urban Outfitters, a touch Spencer's, a little upscale apothecary, and your local beauty emporium combined. Ricky's carries everything from the goofy Burger King Flame Body Spray ($4) to the classic Mason Pearson Popular hairbrush ($151) to the odd Bacon Bandages ($6) to professional hair color. Have you shopped at Ricky's?

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What To Do If Your Favorite Makeup Shade Is Discontinued

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:00:42 -0700

I think it's happened to us all. You head to the store to stock up on your favorite lipstick that you've worn for years, only to be informed by the clerk that it's been discontinued. Panic strikes, then anger. You wonder how and why this could happen.

Don't take it personally. Cosmetics companies frequently switch up inventories to make way for new technology and trends. Often, it's the lower-selling items that suffer the most. But don't fret, because there are tips and tricks to track down shades that have fallen victim to discontinuation. Get the details when you read more.

Customize: They don't call themselves Three Custom Color Specialists for nothing. The company will custom blend to re-create your favorite shades. Prescriptives offers a similar service, too.
Power of the people: If you're upset about an item being discontinued, let the company know about it. Who knows? They might just reconsider if they hear from enough diehard fans.
Check the websites: Many brands have special sections of their websites devoted entirely to products that are being or have been discontinued, like Estée Lauder's Gone But Not Forgotten program or Urban Decay's R.I.P. Items section.
Hit the discount stores and overstock sites: Hello, TJ Maxx for perfume, and Cosmetics and More and BuyMeBeauty.com for low-cost finds. Don't forget about Overstock.com for discontinued goods as well.
Auction: There's no place like eBay when it comes to long lost cosmetics. Just don't get suckered by counterfeit makeup.
Change with the times: Change is a constant. Take it as an opportunity to try out a new shade. Better yet, many companies offer up suggestions for replacements, like CoverGirl's In With the New page.
Swaparoo: If exchanging makeup with strangers feels OK, the "swap" feature from Makeup Alley might just score you the goods.

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Origins Wants Your Cosmetics Garbage

BellaSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:01:28 -0700

Every month should be Earth Month, but now's the time when companies roll out their eco-friendly initiatives. My inner hippie is happy that Origins is rolling out its Return to Origins recycling program. Origins counters (except those at Nordstrom) and stand-alone stores will accept clean, empty cosmetic containers - regardless of the brand. From there, the company will have the packaging recycled (or, if not possible, put into energy recovery). And when you drop off your containers, you'll get a free sample of Origins skin care. Jessica Stroup kicked things off yesterday, but the recycling program is here to stay. Yay!

What Can and Can't Be Recycled?

BellaSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:00:42 -0700

When you've finished your favorite lipstick or blush, what do you do with the packaging? Do you toss it in the trash, recycle it, or just stare at it blankly not knowing what to do? According to the EPA, each year Americans create millions of tons of waste. Check out my chart for general guidelines on what can and can't be recycled, when you read more.

ITEM	CAN BE RECYCLED	CANNOT BE RECYCLED	Depends
Cardboard, glass jars and bottles, metal lids and caps, plastic bottles, and steel (tin) cans	✓
Mirrors, plastic wrap, and waxed cardboard		✓
Empty aerosol cans			Accepted by some waste management systems, as long as they are empty. Check first to be certain.
Aerosol cans with product		Consider it hazardous waste, as contents are still under pressure.
Plastic containers and clamshells			Check which types of plastic your waste management system accepts.
Compostable plastic		Should go in compost, instead.
Nail polishes		Treat as hazardous waste, and dispose of properly.
Lipstick		Many companies, like MAC and Cargo, will take back used tubes and handle the recycling for you.
Plastic bottle caps			While some cities accept all plastic bottle caps, some do not. If yours doesn't, check your community for bottle cap collection drives, or consider Aveda's recycle caps program.

Remember, when in doubt, check the label or call the manufacturer or your local waste management. Consider only purchasing products that are recyclable and/or made from post-consumer recycled materials. Or head to Origins. The stores will accept any brand's cleaned-out cosmetic containers for recycling. Plus, you'll get a free skin care sample.

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Do You Have to Abide by a Makeup and Hair Policy?

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:00:44 -0700

I have many friends who work in the beauty industry who must follow controlled makeup and hair policies. For instance, my friend, who works at a cosmetics store, is required to wear at least three makeup items from the company's makeup line. No competitor's perfume is allowed, and her hair is always supposed to look "professional and presentable." What about you? When it comes to your company or school, can you get away with whatever you please, or do you have very stringent guidelines to follow?

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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.

The Coolest Beauty Products Ever (No, Really.)

BellaSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:25 -0700

For years, the aesthetic elite has been refrigerating eye creams and gels, and not just to save room in their medicine cabinets: the cold temperature is said to de-puff by contracting the tissue around the eyes, plus it feels better going on. According to Korean company EUPA, which makes a special cosmetics refrigerator, all products should be stored between 10 to 14 degrees (Celsius, presumably, which is 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Some people keep nail polish in the refrigerator, but according to "Cosmetics Cop" Paula Begoun, "Condensation and cold negatively affect nail polish, making it too thick to use reliably."

So while you shouldn't go hungry to make shelf space for your products, certain things, like melty lip glosses, mineral water sprays (genius to bring to the beach), aloe and other redness relieving gels (to soothe sunburns, rosacea, etc.) and certain organic and natural products, like Lush's face masks, are best served - er, slathered - cold. Just make sure your roommate/ significant other/ babysitter/ kids know what's edible and what's not.

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Beauty Byte: Pout Cosmetics is Closing Down

BellaSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:00:47 -0700

Pout Cosmetics will be closing its doors at the end of the year. The fun, feminine playful and pink-packaged cosmetics company was founded in 2001 by three women: Anna Singh, Chantal Laren and Emily Cohen. Pout was bought nine months ago by venture capital group Crysallis.

The company was doing well in the UK and Europe, but US sales have been very weak. Since they weren't as profitable as hoped, the color (cosmetics) portion of the business will stop production. However, the fragrance, bath and body products will continue to stick around in retail stores.

If you're a fan of these cosmetics, you'll be pleased to find out that big sales are rumored to take place so that stockists can liquidate the line. So keep your eyes out for the chance to buy Pout products at a reduced price - which is nothing to pout about!

Beauty Byte: Vanessa Minnillo Is Officially A Flirt!

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:45:33 -0700

Congratulations Vanessa Minnillo! She can now add "makeup creator" to her resume. It was recently announced that the beautiful 26 year old MTV VJ, Bongo Girl, Entertainment Tonight correspondent and sexy girlfriend of Nick Lachey has been chosen as a Guest Creator for a limited edition Flirt! Cosmetics collection.

The makeup is expected to debut in August at Kohl's Department Stores nationwide and online.

Flirt! is a d.b.a. of BeautyBank Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Ever since its launch in 2004, Flirt! Cosmetics has joined forces with notable personalities to help better express their uniqueness in the cosmetics market.

The role of a Guest Creator is to establish a new color, product, accessory or to develop a brand new collection. Flirt! Cosmetics now has a whopping 250 colors currently in production!

To read more about what Jane Hudis, President of Flirt! Cosmetics, and Vanessa Minnillo have to say about this collaboration, read more

Hudis says,

"The brand reflects the energy of pop culture, which is why women have embraced the line. With her bubbly personality and fearless style, Vanessa has such a universal appeal, and we are thrilled to welcome her as our 2007 Guest Creator for Flirt! sold exclusively for Kohl's Department Stores nationwide."

Vanessa says,

"Fashion and beauty play such a big role in my life so being a Guest Creator for Flirt! is a dream come true for me! I am constantly surrounded by actors and musicians who use makeup to transcend every mood. To me, makeup is all about having fun and trying out different looks and colors. Flirt! is the ideal platform to do that, as it allows me to have fun with makeup and experiment with color."

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