Bit By the Beauty Bug

This lip gloss warrants a dramatic unveiling from behind red curtains. It warrants a hand model…. a drum roll.

Check Hourglass’s new Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss.

Possibly the only gloss that can be described as sexy, this hot little number is the latest from a brand where style and substance always coexist. In your palm it feels weightless – like a tiny remote clicker or a key fob, and on your lips it feels silky and smooth.

But let’s forget about the chic, sleek packaging for a minute because like your mother always told you, it’s what’s inside that really matters, and that does not disappoint either. The paraben-sulfate-phthalate-fragrance free formula is packed with hydrating Vitamin E, brilliant shine, and superior color. The smaller applicator felt a bit awkward and uneven on The Beauty Bug’s full lips, but the awkwardness quickly faded after the first couple applications. Available in six water-resistant shades, these flat-tubed fancies are both functional and sophisticated…and The Beauty Bug needs one in every color!

The only con about the gloss? Unless you’re using it, it lies hidden in your purse or pocket where no one can see.  What a shame.

Hourglass Prodigy Hydrating Lip Glosses are currently available at Barney’s and will be available at Sephora on February 18th for $26.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug.

From left to right…

1) Lancome’s Ô My Rose Collection – A collection marked by coral-peach and teal hues, the Pop’n Cheeks Gentle and Lasting Blush promises to be the star product and the centerpiece of the collection.

2) Chanel’s Les Impressions Collection – This spring season Chanel goes neutral and classic  with a stunning collection filled with pinks, beiges, warm browns and khakis designed to enhance a woman’s natural beauty. Choice products include the  Radiant Glow Highlighting Powder pictured above, Rouge Allure Lipstick in Insouciante and Le Vernis Nail Colour in Particulière.

3) NARS – When asked to describe the collection, François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics said, “It’s very sophisticated and bourgeois in a Parisian ‘16th Arrondissement’ way.”  It features soft, sexy shades and pops of colors. Try Ophelia Gloss (strawberry nectar) for that perfect spring pout, and Cruising Lipstick (a nude pink)

4) Stila Dust to Diamonds Collection – Add sparkle to lids, lashes and lips with Stila’s latest. Eyes glisten and reflect with jewel shadows, lips twinkle being slicked with Stila’s Exclusive Gem Complex (which contains diamond, emerald, jade, ruby, moonstone, rose quartz, sapphire, topaz, amethyst, amber, garnet, mother of pearl, and opal) and lashes gleam with mascara swirled with genuine diamond powder.

5) Bobbi Brown’s Cabana Corals Collection – This Spring collection comes with a hint of summer, inspired by cabanas and beachy corals.  Sport fresh new pinks on lips and cheeks with bright, cheerful glosses and a new Shimmer Brick in Nectar Shimmer.

6) shu uemura’s egerie’s collection -  shu goes beyond the borders of seasonal makeup with their 130th collection where audacious meets elegant. Kakuyasu Uchiide, shu’s artistic director, says “I want every woman to created their own spin on my glam-rock image; they can play with this collection like enjoying their favorite music,  like they are about to jump on stage and shine in the spotlight. ” With the collection comes several new products including the limited edition Eye Shimmer Duos and Satin Radiant Sticks.

7) Smashbox Heartbreaker Collection Pop-art inspired boxes and flirty colors make up this collection which features Smashbox’s first ever fragrance.  The Beauty Bug’s picks include the pinwheel-inspired Heartbreaker Fusion Soft Lights and the Heartbreaker Lip Shine.

8) Dior’s Boudoir Collection – Lace up in Dior’s newest collection, inspired by fancy femme’s from the 1920’s. Dainty and subtle, yet sensual and alluring, the intricate, detailed compacts that house the illuminating lace-effect powder will be hard for any beauty junkie to resist. The Beauty Bug loves the Dior Addict Gloss Reflect in Beige Veil, and of course, the sleek, ultra-feminine lace finishing powder.

The Beauty’s Big quest to smell like a citrus fruit continues…

It’s just impossible not to be attracted to the refreshing yet zesty, clean yet tangy smell of a lemon or a lime.

First, She tried and loved L’Occitane’s Honey and Lemon Eau de Toilette spray, and now She’s equally loving CO Bigelow’s Winter Lemon. The heart of the collection, the Winter Lemon Eau de Toilette spray is one of those products that makes winter a bit more bearable.

The fragrance combines sparkling, bright lemon notes, velvet winter fig, sweet
black currant and warm, sensual undertones of musk, rose and
sandalwood. It has a light, cool, airy aroma – it’s almost as if you can smell the crisp chill – but warms up thanks to its sweet undertones. Wearing it, She feels like a freshly made drink from Her new Penguin Water Carbonator – and that’s really all She’s ever wanted in life …

Housed in simple, classic bottle, the scent is subdued and mellow. It’s as familiar and cozy as your old favorite sweater or pair of slippers – yet comes alive on skin and sparkles with freshness – like newly fallen snow.

The Winter Lemon scent is also avilable in 2-in-1 Honey Bath & Shower Foam, Ultra-Soft Body Butter, and Ultra-Soft Body Lotion.

Those who may be a bit too late in the season for Winter Lemon, be sure to check out CO Bigelow’s Lemon collection, which is a staple at Bath and Body Works.

CO Bigelow’s Winter Lemon Collection is available in Bath & Body Works Stores, and online at COBigelow.com.  The Eau de Toilette Spray is available for $29.50.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug.

When it comes to mascara, there’s no denying that Dior has the Midas touch. DiorShow, golden. DiorShow Iconic, golden. DiorShow Extase, housed in a golden case – but more silver or bronze.

The Beauty Bug has been testing this mascara for about a week now. Let’s just cut to the chase; She’s not completely writing it off, but She’s certainly not urging you to run to Sephora and spend $28 on it either.

Extase is the red-headed step child in the Dior mascara family. Its elder sister mascaras are more user-friendly, with better formulas and better wands.  Extase’s spiral-like tiered brush was inspired by the “tiered” couture dresses created by the House of Dior, but it’s this unique feature that is the product’s downfall. The wand picks up and deposits too much product, resulting in clumping. The formula is also somewhat thick and dries relatively fast, so if you’re a fan of multiple coats and layering, be sure to work quickly! To solve this problem, The Beauty Bug rolled the wand in some tissue before applying to rid it of any access product.

The mascara lengthens well, but doesn’t thicken or volumize adequately.

While some do like Extase and claim it’s done wonders for their lashes, the overall consensus is pretty universal. Comments from women that purchased the product include “not worth it”, that it “weighed down lashes”, and several ended up returning it.  Some are layering it with other Dior mascaras (which makes for one very expensive mascara, $55) and others are keeping tissues handy as The Beauty Bug suggested, but not many are loving it.

Dior Extase Mascara is available exclusively at Sephora for $28.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug.

6:01 - Just tuned on E!’s red carpet coverage – is Giuliana wearing tin foil? Ryan comments that her dress blinds him and refers to it as the “balloon boy” dress. She appears to be shedding glitter.

6:04 - The camera quickly pans to Jane Adams from the TV show “Hung”. She’s not wearing a bra. Lovely.

6:07 – The Beauty Bug mistakes Jennifer Morrison for Kirsten Dunst.  Dead ringer.

6:17 - Lisa Edelstein from “House” appears to be wearing OPI’s Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees on her nails, but her makeup needs a but more pop.

6:21 - Glee’s Jane Lynch looks …odd in her mustard colored dress. The Beauty Bug refuses to believe that she’s really not a gym teacher.

6:29 - From one pale girl to another – Elizabeth Moss,  you’re too pale to be wearing baby blue.

6:33 - Neil Patrick Harris remarks, “It’s really not who’s dressed well, but who has the biggest umbrella.”

6:36 - Mad Men’s Christrina Hendrick’s is rocking a mean red lip (She’s known to wear NARS’ Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square and Forbidden Red). No comment on the arm pit cleavage.

6:44 - Diane Krueger is the worst dressed thus far. A pink pepto diaster that’s reminiscent of Little Bo Peep. And here comes Patricia Arquette. There may be a tie.

6:50 – Vera Farmiga’s hair is a bit too prom-ish. Not loving the ringlets – but love the dress.

6:52 – January Jones’ dress is more interesting than her. Need proof? Watch her SNL episode. Do love her red lip though. It’s CHANEL Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Paris, which launches in March.

6:59 - Marion Cotillard’s dress is confusing The Beauty Bug. Is that her black strapless bra that is exposed?

7:17 -  Ryan refers to Mariah’s  recent drunken acceptance speeches as “colorful.” In other news,  her globes are taking over the world. It’s amazing that someone with that much cleavage can still look manly.

7:18 -  Anna Kendrick looks like she used the spare garland from her Christmas tree to make her dress.

7:40 – Mark Wahlberg tells Guiliana to tell her mother he said hello.

7:46 - Giuliana is interviewing Anna Kendrick and asking her nothing about her, and everything about George Clooney. How tacky.

8:06 - Nicole Kidman  – add her to the list of those not wearing a bra.

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While shopping in Macy’s a few months ago, The Beauty Bug made a quick stop at the Lancome counter to check out their new Oscillation Powerfoundation – a micro-vibrating mineral foundation (She’s not a fan, but that’s another post for another time).  Also interested in the new foundation was an older woman who just couldn’t believe her eyes. “What will they think of next?”,  she asked as she shook her head and walked away.

L’Oreal’s True Match Roller, to answer her question. Yes, a mini paint roller that applies foundation.

Gimmick? Maybe. But, The Beauty Bug is just going to come out and say it – She likes it because it’s….fun.  And simple. The creamy, smooth formulation and the buildability factor aren’t half bad either. With this product, L’Oreal combines a novelty applicator with a solid, matte,  foundation, and it works.

A few things to about the roller..

• Before going to purchase, make sure you know what color family you belong and about the undertones in your skin (warm vs cool). The display will help guide you by asking what color jewelry looks best on you, but for a quick refresher course, refer to the second paragraph here.
• Yes, it’s silly and it’s probably not the best choice if you apply your makeup in public, or on the subway while you’re going to work, but… the roller contraption just makes sense.
• Have tissues handy when you’re using it. They will help you roll off any access product and clean the roller.
• Don’t worry, the roller doesn’t leave any streaks or striations.
• Contrary to the claims, the roller isn’t bendy, but it is semi-flexible and you can maneuver it into the crevices around your nose.
• The roller is a great tool for those who suffer from “my face is darker than my neck” syndrome.
• It’s easy and quick! For those that have shied away from liquid or cream foundation due to fear of properly blending it, this is a welcome, affordable segway.
• The foundation and the roller yield seamless, smooth, beautiful coverage.
• It lasts throughout the work day.
• No, it’s not the best drugstore foundation, but all things considered (the unique, easy application experience paired with the better-than-average foundation) it’s a pretty good option.

Thanks, L’Oreal for adding some fun and enjoyment to The Beauty Bug’s morning makeup routine.

L’Oreal’s True Match Roller is available at CVS for $13.99.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug by CVS.

While everyone else in The Beauty Bug household is watching the local football team play like marshmallow men and end their season, The Beauty Bug is nourishing Her face with the Kenzoki Marshmallow Mask – a much better way to spend a lazy Sunday if you ask Her. The whipped mask is just divine.  It’s a natural, lush, creamy treatment with Asian roots and elements.  Its texture is light and mousse-like and just melts into skin. Ingredients include cocoa butter, cameline oil (a proven anti-inflammatory and natural source of Vitamin E that improves elasticity and suppleness), and cotton butter (known as white gold, cotton butter is famous for its regenerating and nourishing properties).

The Beauty Bug applied a thick layer of the rich mask to Her face while enjoying the light scent of the rice steam – a soft, comforting, clean smell. Her skin, feeling a bit stripped and parched from the winter winds, absorbed the mask within minutes.

After about 10-15 minutes, She removed the access mask with a damp cotton pad leaving just a thin layer on to act as a moisturizer. Immediately She noticed that Her skin was plump, hydrated and supple. The fast-acting, nourishing treat cured Her winter skin and awakened Her complexion..all within the span of a football game.

KENZOKI Marshmallow Mask is available exclusively on KenzoUsa.com for $45.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug.

Eric Sakas, VAPOUR Organic Beauty’s co-founder and director, has been around the beauty block.  With a 15-year career in the beauty industry, his resume includes co-founding Kevyn Aucoin Beauty and serving as Director of Color for Philosophy.  It wasn’t until he swatched an unlabeled foundation sample on his hand that VAPOUR ball began to roll.

VAPOUR is the story of a fast-paced, savvy, man about town New Yorker and a remote New Mexico lab that refused to compromise when it came to ingredients. The result of the union is a line of 30 high-performing, prestige cosmetics.

Green aficionados, listen up. VAPOUR high-performing organics are 100% natural and chemical free, made with 70% certified organic ingredients. The line includes foundation, concealer, blush for lips, cheeks and eyes, glosses, lipsticks, lip conditioners, eye color treatments and The Beauty Bug’s favorite, the Stratus Instant Perfector (She likes to call it the glow stick). This magic stick is a  primer, highlighter, skin-treatment and anti-ager all in one.  Swipe it across the face and it moisturizes and brightens complexions; leaving its dewy, healthy mark. Want a second opinion? Just check out what New Beauty had to say.

Recently, The Beauty Bug had the opportunity to speak with Eric, and learn a bit more about the brand that’s taking organic to a new standard…

BB: Tell me a little about your background, your time working alongside Kevyn Aucoin, your time working at Philosophy, etc.

ES: I got my start in the beauty biz by a stroke of luck. They say that things can happen in a New York minute and it did the day a friend of mine introduced me to Kevyn Aucoin. The next week I was on a plane with him headed to Toronto to do a music video with Liza Minnelli. It really just happened like that. I was very fortunate to know and work with Kevyn and see how brilliant he was. He loved to laugh and he always had fun doing his work he loved what he was doing. I learned so many things from him mostly what unconditional love meant. On the makeup side of things he taught me to never do anything with timidity or fear. I had the opportunity to really learn how to develop products and what makes a great makeup product and that both formula and color really go hand in hand.

Working with Philosophy was an incredible experience in that I was fortunate to work with another industry visionary, Christina Carlino. I learned from her that I was good at what I did. She really trusted me implicitly, which was great for building my confidence. I’ve been very blessed to have worked with incredible teachers.

BB: How was VAPOUR born?

ES: I was consulting in the industry and someone handed me a VAPOUR foundation. It had been developed but had not been to market yet. I swatched it on my hand and was instantly struck by how it looked on the skin. I then found out it was organic and was completely blown away. All I knew is that they were from Taos (New Mexico). I Googled them that night, contacted them the next day and told them that I had to help them bring the product to women everywhere. The rest is history. I knew in my gut when I first tried the foundation that there was nothing on the market like it.

BB: You write about learning so many things from Kevyn. What’s the most valuable makeup technique he taught you?

ES: I learned how to do things with confidence. He taught me how to do an incredibly soft and beautiful smokey eye. The trick is blending, blending, blending and going over top of any mistakes with a cream to powder foundation.

BB: Name one celebrity that you’d love to get your hands on and give a VAPOUR face.

ES: Lady Gaga. She inspires me.

BB: If you could urge women to try one product and one product only, which product should that be and why?

ES: The Vapour Atmosphere Foundation because it goes on evenly, and blends into the skin seamlessly. It also looks like nothing I’ve ever seen before in a foundation which is a beautiful, healthy, radiant, youthful glow. It’s amazing.

BB: What’s the best way to apply the foundation? Sponge? Damp sponge? Foundation brush?

ES: The fingers because the warmth helps the product blend into the skin.

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Here are your CliffsNotes for the new MAC collections on counters next month…

Collection: Love Lace

On-counter Date: Now-February 2010

How You’ll Recognize it at the Counter: Look for the photo of the lace-clad model who appears to be channeling Lady Gaga.

What it is: A dramatic collection that’s lacking…well, drama. The equivalent to last year’s Chill collection, this post-Christmas  collection is a bit lackluster.  With shadows to create frosty grey and blackened blue smoky eyes, the Love Lace collection doesn’t live up to its name, or its in-store marketing materials (which are stunning). MAC, are you listening? Why didn’t you carry over the lace pattern on to the product themselves?

Skip or Stash: Skip

Stand-out Product (s): None

Collection: Warm &  Cozy

On-Counter Date: Now-February 2010

How You’ll Recognize it at the Counter: You’ll be attracted to the warm cashmere sweater that the model is wearing, and then make it your mission to add a similar comfy piece to your wardrobe.

What it is: First it was the N Collection, and now it’s Warm and Cozy. MAC can continue to produce these neutral, warm collections with look-good-on-everyone essentials, and product junkies (including The Beauty Bug) will continue to flock.  There’s just something about them that makes you want to just scoop every piece up and display them in your house as part of your holiday decorations. The colors are familiar and comforting, everyone has a cozy sweater that would match perfectly with one of the shadows, and who doesn’t love that classic brown smoky eye?

Skip or Stash: Stash

Stand-out Product(s): By Candlelight Mineralize Skin Finish – adds a soft glow to all skin tones, Feeling Dreamy Lipglass -a pale neutral pink gloss that’s the perfect everyday lip gloss, Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in Feelin’ Good – a creamy pink lip conditioner with a hint of color,  Nurture Shadestick – a great natural base that ensures your shadow sticks

Collection: In LilyLand

On-Counter Date: January 7th-February 2010

How You’ll Recognize it at the Counter: The pop-art explosion will make you feel like you’ve suddenly been transported to in South Florida, surrounded by flowers and prints. If you look real hard, you may even find everyone’s favorite neighbor,  Magda.

What it is: A buoyant, cheerful collection honoring socialite and fashion designer, Lily Pulitzer. Regarded as the “Paris Hilton of Palm Beach”, the products reflect Lily’s love for florals and the resort life of a Floridian. The collections brings pops of bright colors and bold palettes – just the pick-me-ups needed in the dead of winter.

Skip or Stash: Stash

Stand-out Product(s): Pearlmatte Face Powder – this look-but-don’t use product is just gorgeous.  So pretty you may just want to leave it untouched. Or better yet, buy two.

Collection: All Ages, All Races, All Sexes

On-Counter date: January 7th-March 2010

How You’ll Recognize it at the Counter: The stills look like a scene out of Michael Jackson’s Black and White video.

What it is: This collection exemplifies MAC’s core doctrine – the world is one big universal multi-color story. The anchors of All Ages, All Races, All Sexes are the Penultimate Brow Marker, a one shade suits all marker used to achieve the perfect arch, and the Impeccable Brow Pencil, a firm tip high-precision tool to lengthen and shape brows.  Rounding out the collection are of course lipsticks, lipglasses, eye shadows and nail lacquers. And just like the collections preaches…there is something for everyone.

Skip or Stash: Stash

Stand-out Product(s): Penultimate Brow Marker – it’s just as easy as the Penultimate Eye Liner, Liqueur Lipglass – yes it’s a re-promote (was first released with Cult of Cherry), but everyone needs a rich brownish red color like this in their inventory

Collection: In the Studio

On-Counter Date: Now

How You’ll Recognize it at the Counter: Look for the new bristles and test them on your lashes before you buy.

What it is: A new thermoplastic synthetic rubber mascara designed to de-clump and separate lashes.

Skip or Stash: Stash (if you’re looking for lengthening mascara)

Stand-out Product(s): Studio Fix Mascara – lengthens well, reasonably priced, doesn’t clump, and withstands multiple coats without getting heavy or flaky.

Disclosure: Select press samples from each collection were provided from MAC.

Holiday parties, New Year’s Eve parties, or just a night out….check out this twist on a smokey eye created by Boston’s Best, Dani Wagener.  It’s easy to recreate, and gets across the effect of the smoky eye and dark lash line, without being too dark and black.

Begin with the eyes. When using darker shadows, it’s best to begin your look focusing on the eye, clean up and move onto the skin…

Get the look using these products:

Eyes

Begin with a cream shadow base like shu uemura’s Cream Shadow in P Brown. Apply it all over the lid, lightly blending up to the brow.

With a natural hair brush, smooth first shadow all over the lid, up to brow. Try shu uemura m beige 821 using the natural brush 10.

Next, use the same brush but slightly dampen it a bit to increase the color payoff and create a silky shadow effect.  Dani used shu uemura PES P brown 820 and packed it into lid up to crease.

For the final shadow step, use shu uemura m blue 695 shadow and apply it thick at the lash line with a wet  kolinsky brush 10f.

Complete the look with shu uemura Painting Gel Black Liner in ME black applied on the lashline with natural brush 6ob and again in waterline with M Black.

shu Uemura Precise Volume Mascara in black.

shu uemura Flare Lashes for some added drama.

Face

Over lightly moisturized skin, apply shu uemura UV Under Base applied all over the face with a sponge.

Using the same damp sponge, blend shu uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick in 584 for a creamy, flawless complexion.

Still using the same sponge, highlight skin with Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer in 0 Porcelain on the cheekbones and brow for a subtle glow.

To finish the face, add MAC Blushcreme in Posey on the apples of cheeks.

Add sparkle to lips with shu uemura rouge unlimited supreme shine in 957.