BellaSugar

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

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:00:49 PDT

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,

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.

Beauty Field Trip: We Were Lushes For a Day

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:00:00 PDT

Ever wondered what it's like to work in a Lush Cosmetics store, or what goes into those amazing in-store treatments provided by employees? Well, wonder no longer. We recently spent an afternoon at Lush, learning the company's skin care secrets and even lending our hands to "help" out at the store.

Thanks to Lush-perts Karly and Michael, we came out with a bunch of incredible tricks and learned how to replicate some of these special miniservices at home. So come behind the apron with us - you'll never look at shower gel the same way again.

Additional reporting and main photo by Jaime Richards

Hollywood Makeup Artist Brett Freedman's Top 5 Drugstore Picks

Guest Writer — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:02:00 PST

We're proud to present the following post by celebrity makeup artist and Vanitymark Cosmetics founder, Brett Freedman.

I don't know anyone that doesn't have a mix of department store and drugstore cosmetics in her bag. Makeup artists, too, pull from both sources for their arsenal. It used to be that drugstore brands were obviously lower-watt than their larger price-tagged friends. These days the line is blurred. With many higher- and lower-priced brands owned by the same companies, the drugstore lines have benefited from creamier textures, higher pigment count, and of-the-moment shades.

For me, I generally stumble on a drugstore product when I'm traveling and need to grab something quick. What keeps me coming back for more? A unique shade, usually. A fab finish runs a quick second, and third is texture. Here are some of my favorites, all under $10.

Photo courtesy of Vanitymark Cosmetics

Where to Find the Best Black Friday Beauty Deals

Jaime Richards — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:10:38 PST

Get ready for some serious sales because Black Friday is upon us, the official kickoff to holiday shopping season. So whether you'll be heading out at 3:00 a.m. for some doorbusting action or snuggled up with your laptop scoping out the deals, there's something here for everyone. To see some amazing deals, just keep reading.

11 People Who Changed the Cosmetics Industry

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:00:44 PDT

Today's beauty landscape is dominated by big names: L'Oréal, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Clairol, et al. But for every one of these brands, there are discoveries, innovations, and business savvy that have brought them into the modern era. And the history of the cosmetics biz is a fascinating and cutthroat one. Curious about who's responsible for the beauty world we have now? See 11 names every beauty buff should know (and why you should know them) when you keep reading.

Sears to Add Cosmetics Counters in 100 of Its Stores

Jaime Richards — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:37:58 PDT

Sears might be the place you go to for paint and gardening supplies, but now you can go there for your beauty needs. Starting last month (and rolling out to 100 of its higher-traffic stores over the next few months), the company has been setting up full-on cosmetic departments.

Sears has been in the makeup business in the past, but with the successful launch of 13 full-service beauty departments in 2009, it's giving it another go with makeup brands including CoverGirl, L'Oréal, Revlon, Maybelline, and Physicians Formula. Nail care, fragrance, and skin care (such as Ahava, StriVectin, and Dermalogica) will also be sold.

And if the company's latest venture into cosmetics goes well, expect to see anywhere from 100 to 400 Sears beauty departments going up by the end of next year. Will you be checking it out?

Source: Flickr User justj0000lie

Vincent Longo Cosmetics Set to Make a Big Comeback

Jaime Richards — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:54:41 PDT

Due in part to a failing economy back in 2008, Vincent Longo Cosmetics was eventually forced to pull its products from the shelves of retail giants such as Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Fred Segal, and Nordstrom. Space NK, however, still kept the indie brand's stock in supply. But now, Vincent Longo is set to make a big comeback.

Last year, the company began selling its products in CVS Pharmacy's Beauty 360. And with a new investor in place, Vincent Longo himself is now again able to work on what he's known for: creating innovative, stand-out formulations.

He'll completely revamp everything except for complexion products. New items will include Liquid Concealer ($28), formulated with arnica and peptides to reduce dark circles and puffiness; Pearl X Eyeshadows ($25), baked shadows with speckled colors; and Perfect Shine V Gloss ($22), glimmery pearl lip colors that add temporary volume. To see what other brand is also making moves to rise from the ashes, just keep reading.

Lush's New Soap Is Going to the Dogs

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 04:00:10 PST

Last April, 100 sled dogs were slaughtered near Whistler, Canada after a company saw a downturn in business. As part of a campaign with the Vancouver Humane Society, Lush Cosmetics is demanding a ban on dog sled races in British Columbia. Lush stores in the province will have leaflets explaining how sled dogs suffer because of the industry, but if you're not in Canada, you can still help the cause. One hundred percent of proceeds from PAWS soap ($6, available online) will help fund work to stop dog sledding. And of course, it's vegan.

15 Beauty Deals For Earth Day

Jaime Richards — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:00:41 PDT

It's Earth Day, and that means beauty companies are offering up deals galore. Of course, it's also a time to reflect, appreciate, and be aware of nature and the effects we have on our environment. So to celebrate the occasion, here are loads of deals and steals from brands that are doing something extra special for Earth Day.

Get 15 codes here.

Super Cyber Monday Savings! Tons of Beauty Steals and Deals

BellaSugar — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:59:07 PST

Now that you've survived the Black Friday rush, it's time to get ready to deck your wallet with lots of savings - again:

Happy Birthday, Urban Decay!
To celebrate its 15th birthday, this makeup brand is giving a sneak peek of the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary 24/7 Pencil set. From 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. EST today only, you can buy it before it hits stores.

Buy more and save more at Ahava
The Dead Sea skincare line is offering savings up to 30 percent - not to mention a couple of freebies to go along with it! Spend $50 and get 15 percent off, plus a hand/body/foot cream with the code GIVE15. Get that 20 percent of plus a washcloth and gift set with a $100 purchase and the code GIVE20. Or go all-out and spend $200; you'll get 30 percent off plus all of those goodies with the code GIVE30.

Up to 80 percent off at Stila
If you have a lot of loved ones to buy for this year - or just want to add a couple of items to your growing collection - Stila Cosmetics is offering savings up to 80 percent. Through Dec. 3.

For more beauty bargains, keep reading.