BellaSugar

Australian Schools Let Companies "Teach" Makeup

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:55 -0800

I know that marketing in schools is nothing new, but a program in Australia is taking things to a new level. A program called Fashion Roll Call, which is sponsored in part by makeup brand NP Set Cosmetics, is touring all-girl schools around the country. Their goal is to educate girls in fashion and beauty industry careers by presenting a "lunch-time fashion parade" followed by makeup application tutorials taught by makeup artists who work for NP Set.

When I was 13, I probably would have been excited for this, since it means no class and playing with stuff my parents wouldn't let me wear. But as an adult, I have mixed feelings. The cosmetics brand is getting choice branding access to kids in exchange for a few makeup tips. And since this program is being billed as educational, and intended to teach children about the fashion and beauty industries, why no boys or coed schools? There are tons of men in the fashion and beauty industries, and their absence suggests that the informational element here is a thin veneer to make aggressive marketing more palatable. What do you think?

Beauty Byte: Rimmel Is Reamed for Its Kate Moss Ad

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:03:46 -0700

Ruh roh! First it was L'Oreal that got a lashing, now it's Rimmel. The British beauty company is in hot water because of its ads for Magnif'eyes. The Advertising Standards Authority criticized Rimmel for failing to prove evidence that Kate Moss was not wearing false eyelashes in the ad, saying that the visuals were misleading.

I'm curious to know what you think about this trend of calling beauty companies out on their advertising. On the one hand, I think, "Certainly people understand that ads are retouched and faked." But on the other hand, I look at videos like this and wonder if it would be better if advertising were honest about what products can and can't do. What do you think? Should beauty companies be forced to be truthful in advertisements?

Source

Lying L'Oreal? Cosmetics Giant Slapped on the Wrist for Misleading Ads

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:00:03 -0700

Due to an eagle-eyed couch potato in the UK, L'Oreal is under fire for having misleading ads. A commercial for Telescopic mascara features Penelope Cruz looking long-lashed and lovely. It also promised that women could have "up to 60 percent longer eyelashes" with the mascara.

The problem? As the TV viewer suspected, Cruz was wearing false lashes in the commercial! She complained to the Advertising Standards Authority, which deemed the ads misleading. According to the Daily Mail:

L'Oréal told the ASA its product made the tips of lashes more visible, giving a lengthening effect.

It said: "Penelope Cruz was wearing a few individual false lashes inserted into her natural lashes to fill in the gaps in her natural lashes for a consistent standard of lashes."

Furthermore, the Beeb reports that L'Oreal said it was "common industry practice" to use artificial lashes.

Are you surprised? I'm not. To find out why, read more

Advertisements use vague promises all the time. Phrases such as, "Use our product and see up to 60% longer lashes" means that, well, you could see 60% longer lashes-or you could see 1% longer lashes, too.

Or when you see a celebrity gushing about the latest haircolor-in-a-box, it's not as straightforward as it seems. (Do you really think Sarah Jessica colors her hair at home?) While the celebrity legally has to have that haircolor in the commercial, it was probably applied by a professional stylist, and he or she probably used more than just one color, and there were likely deep-conditioning treatments involved as well. So it's all within regulations-but you're unlikely to get the same results at home.

In the case of Cruz, L'Oreal tried to prove its innocence by pointing out that Telescopic mascara was indeed applied over the lashes, but the ASA said "no dice." From here on out, L'Oreal has to add a disclaimer to ads whenever models are shown wearing false lashes.

Source

Reader Review of the Day: Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:52 -0700

Revlon's new liquid lipstick has a slick ad campaign featuring the beautiful Jennifer Connelly and a tagline promising that the product "has it all." But is there really such a thing as truth in advertising? Reader Jenzene says not so much. I'll let her take it from here:

"It doesn't give you glossy lips like Jennifer Connelly has in the ads. Nope, it dries matte. It's also very drying! There's no glossy layer, there's no moisture at all. IT'S LIKE A LIP STAIN, but more pigmented than a typical lip stain (because it's supposed to be like a lipstick). The color dries on my lips, and you can still see the dry skin and lines on my lips. No good."

If you've had a recent great (or not-so-great) experience with a product, please let me know; I value my readers' opinions. Just head over to the Product Reviews section and tell me what you think.

Product Review: Completely Bare Wax Works

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:00:07 -0700

Since it's Beach Week here at BellaSugar, I thought I'd talk about a new at-home waxing kit I tried out. It's from Completely Bare, a New York-based spa specializing in nearly painless hair removal. I confess, I scoffed at the idea of a pain-free bikini wax, but after getting a freebie coupon in a Fashion Week goody bag this past February, I decided to try it. And what do you know? Truth in advertising! I had a great, surprisingly easy (and yes, ouchless) wax.

In-spa waxing really adds up, though, so I was excited to learn about Completely Bare Wax Works ($135, on sale for $99). It's an at-home, do-it-yourself kit using the same French wax that estheticians use at the spa. Would it give the same results at home? To find out, read more

I'd been using Poetic Waxing for years, but upon unwrapping the Wax Works kit, I suspected I'd been missing out on an easier way to de-fuzz. With Poetic Waxing, I had to constantly keep re-heating the wax in a bain marie, but Wax Works comes with its own professional-style, temperature-controlled heater. That alone makes me a fan.

Using the heater is really simple: You just plug it in, turn it to the appropriate temperature, and wait for the indicator light to change color. Another thing I liked about this setup was that I could leave the room while the pink wax heated; because the heater has a lid, I didn't have to worry about my cats pouncing around and getting wax on their paws. (Sadly, yes, this is a valid concern when it comes to those frisky felines.)

While the wax heated up, I watched a how-to DVD that comes as part of the kit. It's actually really charming, with cute animations showing how to apply the wax and how to properly remove it. The kit does include detailed instructions on paper, but the DVD makes it easier to understand.

In about 15 minutes, the wax was ready. The kit comes with everything you need (spatulas, paper strips, pre- and post-waxing lotions). The directions call for baby powder, which I didn't have, but, you know, I'm a rebel. I'll wax without powder. After applying the wax and letting it cool, I yanked it off with the paper strips. While it wasn't completely painless, it wasn't bad, either. What I really appreciated was how well the wax grabbed the hair. Some waxes just grab half or three-quarters' worth of the hair, but this wax got all of it but a few strays. That means I didn't have to go over my skin over and over, which kept it from getting raw.

I had high hopes for this product, and I'm glad to report that it really delivered. Since it's on sale for $99, I think it's a worthwhile investment. After all, the wax can be used on the bikini area, eyebrows, legs and underarms-so it really is a multi-purpose product. And considering a Brazilian bikini wax is $70 at fancy spas-$84 with a tip-this kit pays for itself in just over one use. Very highly recommended! And for more suggestions on at-home waxing kits read on -although, sincerely, this one is worth every penny.