BellaSugar

Does Your Makeup Talk to You?

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:36:41 -0800

Every once in a while, I run across a gadget I'm not sure is kind of useful or just plain odd. Like cosmetic company Stila's geeky makeup case, which was featured on BellaSugar. Part makeup case, part portable speakers, the Makeup Player ($70) even comes with cosmetics inside.

Download instructional videos from stilabeautytube, plug your iPod (or any video-playing MP3 player) into the case below the mirror, and watch instructional makeup videos from a professional makeup artist as you try the tricks for yourself.

It seems a little gimmicky to me, but I could see the appeal, especially if you're trying to learn some new tricks. Would you use this case?

Is This Stila Makeup Player Cool or Corny?

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:36 -0700

Remember when Stila was impossible to find? I can still recall the first time I saw one of their lip glazes on a friend who'd just come back from New York - we were all totally smitten and covetous. Now, the company is going for mass appeal, selling this Makeup Player ($69.90, including cosmetics), under the tagline "Does Your Makeup Talk to You?" (Yes, but only after one too many White Russians.)

The Makeup Player is essentially two speakers inside a pleather case, and you're supposed to be able to listen to music or watch Stila's instructional makeup videos (if you already own an iPod with video, of course) while you apply. Is this a geek-meets-chic moment, or do you think it's goofy?

Reader Review of the Day: Stila Convertible Color

BellaSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I love combination lip and cheek colors. There's no better way to get a natural, pretty flush, and that's why I was glad to see reader Medgrl726's smart, informative review of Stila Convertible Color ($25). (Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman is also a fan.) Medgrl725 tells us:

I'm almost out of my Stila Convertible Color, and felt compelled to talk up its mileage for all this time. The creamy color has rich pigment, so just a dab does the trick on cheeks and lips. I find that it lasts longer when I'm wearing a sweep of powder blush over it, but no powder can fake the beautiful, rich flush this cream produces. It has lasted me a while, so though the price is steep, it's worth it if you crave a high-quality cream blush.

Are you absolutely glowing from your latest blush experience? Or glowering from a not-so-pleasant one? Want to know what other people really think about that new lip and cheek stain you've been coveting? Just click your way to our Product Reviews pages. There are well over 50,000 products to review and hear about other users' experiences with, and members add new ones every day, so there's always more to learn and see.

July Must Haves: Festival Beauty Essentials

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:30:00 -0700

I just can't get festive enough during the Summer season! Between the beautiful weather we've been having in the UK, Wimbledon and the excitement of getting to the beach one of these weekends, July is one of my favourite times of the year for beauty products. Since this month is all about being outdoors, here are a few of my must-have beauty essential picks for festivals! Don't forget to vote on your festival beauty product you can't live without here!

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Bella Bargain: Two Great Stila Deals

BellaSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:00:27 -0700

After a tumultuous past few months of business drama, Stila is gearing up for a stronger second half of the year. To bring shoppers back, its web boutique is offering two good deals; one's a freebie and the other is a deep discount. Take your pick.

First up, the freebie: Spend $25, enter code APPRECIATE at checkout, and you'll receive one Stila 24kt gloss, a new glitter-filled gloss that adds a ton of shine. Since the gloss is regularly $22, that's pretty decent. But if you don't want a freebie and would prefer to save 40 percent on your order instead, just read more.

If you enter the code STILAPRO at checkout, you'll shave 40 percent off your entire order. Plus, you'll receive free shipping - not a bad deal if you need to stock up on Kitten. Remember, you can use one code only for your order, so choose wisely, young Padawan.

Beauty Byte: Stila Has Been Saved!

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:00:24 -0700

At the beginning of the month, there were some rumblings that Stila was going bankrupt, and you were not loving the news. Nor was I. Well, happy day, because Stila has been saved. Patriarch Partners LLC, a private equity firm that specializes in restructuring distressed brands, has acquired the much-loved makeup brand.

"This is a company we think we can get back on its feet quickly," said Lynn Tilton, CEO of Patriarch. "When we acquire brands, we look at two things: do they have a great product, and do they have strong brand recognition? We think we’re two for two with Stila," she told WWD.

While the Stila website is not back in action as of yet, Patriarch has plans to rehire core Stila employees and expand into the Chinese market. And in a techie move that we've all made, expect to see Stila making appearances on Facebook and Twitter, too.

Source

Is Stila In Trouble?

BellaSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:05:36 -0700

Fashionista is reporting that beloved beauty brand Stila is declaring bankruptcy:

We hear that Stila has gone bankrupt. ... We hear employees were given little advance notice, and arrived to offices that were shut yesterday morning. Several attempts to contact Stila via e-mail and phone calls went unanswered.

The site also points out that Stila's e-commerce site is down for maintenance, with a note saying that some already-placed orders may be canceled. I'm taking this news with a grain of salt until the rumor is confirmed, especially because I don't want to imagine the loss of Kitten eye shadow. Let's hope that Stila isn't filing for bankruptcy - and if it does, that this won't be the end of this cute, clever makeup line.

Update: Stila reps say that the company is refinancing and not bankrupt. More details to come.

How To: Get Blake Lively's Lovely Letterman Makeup Look

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:34:30 -0700

Last night in New York City, Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively arrived at the Ed Sullivan Theater to make an appearance on The David Letterman Show. Looking stunning and leggy in a bright pink mini-dress, Blake's hair also glittered under the city lights with perfect highlights and voluminous layers.

However, what I loved most about her look was her makeup. Blake always look age appropriate with just the right amount of eye and lip colour to enhance her natural beauty.

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For product and application suggestions on how to recreate Blake's beauty look, read more.

FACE: Blake has youth on her side, so her skin is virtually wrinkle-free and line-less. To achieve this look, be sure to exfoliate and moisturise regularly, paying special attention around the eyes. Begin by using a foundation such as Crème de la Mer's The Treatment Crème Foundation SPF 15 (since we know it's what Blake wears on the show) and blend well. Next, dab a little concealer under the eyes, around the nose and to any spots. Smooth and blend with a sponge.
EYES: For a subtle, yet polished eye, begin by sweeping a caramel-color shadow all over the lid as a base. Next, add a deeper bronzey-gold shadow like Becca Eye Colour Powder Shimmer in Jacquard to the crease and blend well. Then, use a champagne shadow such as Stila Kitten to the inner v and blend just under the lower lashes. Line the tops of the eyes with a black liquid liner (careful not to make the line too thick) and line the inner rims on the bottom with a flesh coloured pencil (to brighten). Finish with two coats of black mascara and a few false lashes in the corner if you dare!
CHEEKS: Apply a touch of blusher such as Urban Decay Afterglow in Score to the apples of the cheeks and along the cheekbones to warm up the skin. I suggest using an angled cheek brush (this brush does all the work for you).
LIPS: Lastly, apply a deep rosey-pink lipstick using a lipbrush for optimal coverage. I like Bare Escentuals Natural Lip Colour in Berry Glace for its creamy texture and deep colour. Follow with a shimmery gloss such as Elizabeth Arden High Shine Lip Gloss in Shimmering Pink on top as a finishing touch.

Source

Stila + Lela Rose = Beauty.com Exclusive

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:00:31 -0800

Lela Rose is the kind of fashion designer I can get behind, mostly because she makes her runway looks work for regular women. Not only does she have a just-the-right-side-of-prissy shoe line at Payless, she's also making her Spring 2009 runway makeup more affordable.

Beauty.com teamed up with Stila, whose makeup artists created the look for the Spring Lela Rose runway show. The same products used on models are now available as the Backstage with Lela Rose kit ($34). It contains mascara, a shimmery champagne eye shadow, a bronzer, and a lip gloss - plus notes on how to recreate the simple look at home. Purchased separately, these goodies would be $77, so it's not a bad deal at all.

Stila Lets You Get Your Hands on Barbie's Cans

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:00:33 -0800

Throughout her 50 years, Barbie has been a gymnast, a doctor, and, um, a Harley Davidson rider. Next up for the fashion doll? A makeup collaboration with Stila.

While the partnership officially kicks off in February to celebrate Barbie's 50th, the Barbie Loves Stila Beauty Cans' ($40) pre-launch is on Sephora.com today. The limited-edition cans (only 10,000 were created) are inspired by Barbie looks from the past five decades. Plans are also in action to launch a Talking Palette that walks you through a makeup look, along with an expanded collection this Fall. Check out some photos of the cans and the Talking Palette below, along with some more specifics, after the jump.

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To learn about what's in each can, read more

Look for the four Barbie Loves Stila Beauty Cans at Sephora’s 5th Avenue store in New York, Sephora.com, and international Sephora locations. Here's the rundown:

#1 Ponytail Doll (1959): Ponytail Lip Color (a red shade), Liquid Eye Liner, a compact with two eye shadows and a cheek color, and a Look Book.
Malibu Doll (1971): Malibu Lip Glaze (a pale pink), Lash Visor Mascara in Black, a compact with two eye shadows and a bronzer, and a Look Book.
Foxy Doll (1980): Foxy Lip Glaze, Lash Visor Mascara, a compact with two eye
shadows and a cheek color, and a Look Book.
Jewel Doll (2000): Jewel Lip Glaze (a bright pink), Multi-Effect Mascara, a compact with two eye shadows and a cheek color, and a Look Book.