Bit By the Beauty Bug

Call Her what you will, but The Beauty Bug loves to eavesdrop at Sephora. Today She headed over to the store during Her lunch break today to see what shoppers were talking about. When She was finally able to tear Herself away from sniffing FRESH’s new Citron de Vigne fragrance, here’s what She overheard:

• A mother and daughter testing the Sephora Brand Sweet Candy Glosses. The daughter tries on the Apple Pomegranate shade and mom tells her it look fabulous! Mom then begins squinting and straining, trying to read the name of  the gloss, only to realize that the name was right in front of her on the display, in bigger, easier to read font. Does the name matter anyways? If the gloss looks good, buy it.
• A married man shopping for fragrances. The Sephora rep recommends Vetiver by Guerlain, because it’s clean, fresh and woodsy. The conversation somehow turns to marriage, and the man says that he doesn’t make the mistake of shopping for his wife and vice versa. The Sephora rep, who is not married, confesses that the best piece of advice a friend gave her is that marriage only looks good on paper.  Sephora - now offering life lessons in marriage as well as fragrance recommendations.
• A 40-something year old woman, carefully carrying around 3 separate perfume strips (being careful not to let them touch or cross) and a CB radio on her belt that was obnoxiously loud and distracting, visibly put out when the Sephora rep tells her that they don’t carry Aveda products. The Sephora rep then leads her over to the No Frizz Living Proof products, saying that they are their best selling hair products right now. The Beauty Bug walked away before She could see if all this noise resulted in a sale. Breaker breaker, come in, we have a hot one on our hands.  Roger that.
• A 20-something female browsing the Tocca fragrances and a male Sephora rep telling her that they’re made from “great material.” His favorite of the line was Brigitte. Surely, it must be because of the ginger and Rhubarb “material”.

Stay tuned for more rumblings at Sephora…

Shu Uemura knows how to throw a lash-tacular party, and one would expect nothing less from the makeup powerhouse who’s famous for marrying high-fashion with lashes.  To celebrate the 26th anniversary of the first Shu Uemura boutique in Japan, The Beauty Bug’s local store in Boston, hosted a Lashion Show party, featuring their new Lashes in Nature collection. Lash Queen and Boston’s Best Makeup Artist, Dani Wagner, and team, are responsible for the amazing looks below.

Dani prepping one of the models.

Shu artist, Tavi, putting the final touches on a model.

Wonder stylist, Derek Yuen, from the James Joseph Salon.

Shu artist, Soul Lee, applying Shu UV Underbase to a model.  A Beauty Bug favorite.

More photos after the jump…

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True story…

A few Fridays ago, The Beauty Bug was waiting for some friends at a bar. Just as they began to arrive, She went to greet one of them. Instead of the normal “hi, how are you”, The Beauty Bug got a different welcoming.

“Your lip gloss is mesmerizing,” Her friend blurted, as she continued to stare at it.

(Nice to see you too).

Mesmerizing. The Beauty Bug had never heard that one before. Shiny, shimmery, sparkly, a compliment to Her pale skin, yes - heard all those. But never mesmerizing. The Beauty Bug quickly reached into Her bag, furiously searching for this enthralling gloss, checking to make sure that it hadn’t disappeared in the black hole of glosses at the bottom on her purse. She found it and clutched it.

The mesmerizing gloss? CARGO’s Classic Lip Gloss with Timesetrip Technology in Luxor. Having never used CARGO gloss before that night, The Beauty Bug snuck off to the bathroom to get another look at the gloss that received this ultimate compliment.  Luxor, described as a spiced cinnamon latte color, is a golden caramel gloss with a slight shimmer, that’s not too heavy or sticky, and ultra-smooth and shiny (shiny enough to be seen in a semi-dark bar). It’s a natural warm color that’s so wearable and versatile.  The award-winning formula is vitamin-enriched, and paraben-free.  Mesmerized yet?

Now to the Timestrip Technology, which is mesmerizing for different reasons. Each gloss comes with a timestrip, a small label that’s inserted into the cap once the gloss is opened. The small strip begins to turn red as time passes. When nine months have elapsed and the entire window is red, the gloss has “expired” and should be disgarded.  No more guessing when it comes to the freshness of your glosses.

CARGO Classic Lip Glosses with Timestrip Technology are available at Sephora and sephora.com for $22.

Move over Bobbi Brown Gel Liners. Time to relinquish your post. There’s a new creamier, smoother, liner on shelves from Shu Uemura that’s just as long-lasting and smudge-proof, yet buildable,  blendable, and highly pigmented. True to its name, Shu’s Painting Gel Eyeliners apply like paint on a canvas and glide over lids effortlessly and evenly. The ultra-smooth, waterproof fluid liners come in nine brilliant colors ranging from metallic shades (green and purple), to enhancing shades (gold and silver). The velvet texture allows for time to adjust or fix any mistakes, and doesn’t flake or cake.  Their fluidity, vividness and luster remind The Beauty Bug of metallic paint pens or Sharpies. Yes. Odd, but true.  And no, removing them doesn’t require any heavy scrubbing and you won’t be left with red eyes. Just put a little extra vigor into your face-washing, and you’ll quickly be liner-less!  They are a permanent addition to the Shu Uemura line and are available now - just in time for summer.

The Beauty Bug’s picks include the black liner for everyday, and the silver and/or gold liners, as accents. Line the inner corner and lower lid  with silver to add drama to any look. This technique also makes eyes look bigger and more open.

Shu Uemura’s Painting Gel Eyeliners are available on shuuemura.com and at She Uemura boutiques and counters for $28.

Ladies, we all know the drill by now.  We’re all well-versed in the ways of MAC limited-edition products. You snooze, and you’re left clicking through the expensive pages of Ebay trying to out-bid fellow MAC fiends.

Spring and Summer MAC collections came out with a bold bang (and a roar).  They include the fearless, wild and expressive Style Warrior collection, and the dainty, fresh A Rose Romance Collection. Here’s what you need from both collections:

Lustre Drops - Want to boast that envious summer glow? This little bottle will be your right hand product this season.  A water-based bronzer, it applies sheerly and smoothly leaving skin with a natural luminosity. Mix it in with your foundation, apply over it, or wear it alone. The beautiful pearlized shimmer is available in three tones - Pink Rebel, Bronze Hero and Sun Rush. Pale complexions need not worry - these bronzers will work for you too. Opt for Pink Rebel or Sun Rush.

Just a Pinch Gel Blush - Making its product debut, Just a Pinch Gel Blush is the sleeper hit of the Rose Romance Collection. The flirty pink shade livens up cheeks with a coquettish glow that you can’t achieve with powder.  Cheeks bloom when the gel is applied to the apples.  Apply with your fingers or dab with a makeup sponge. Apply to lips too for that bitten look. Two products for the price of one.

Get them while you can! Both products are available at your local MAC store and at www.maccosmetics.com. Get Lustre Drops for $18.50 and Just a Pink Gel Blush for $19.50.

Fresh out of the James Joseph Salon after Her Sebastian Professional Texture Tandem Treatment, The Beauty Bug feels like She has a new head of hair. The Sebastian flagship salon in Boston is one of a handful of salons in the US to offer this new, revolutionary, chemical-free service.  Texture Tandem is a semi-permanent re-texturizing, silkening treatment that allows for flexibility and customization to each client’s specific hair needs and thickness levels.  The perfect made-to-order recipe, consisting of a ration of Sebastian Professional’s Moisture-Lock Silkener mixed with a ration of Micro-Texture Thickener,  is whipped up by your stylist to meet individual style needs.  Those looking to achieve thicker looking, more texturized hair would require more Micro-Texture Thickener in their recipe, while those looking for a silkier, smoother result would receive more Moisture-Lock Silkener. The Beauty Bug’s wonder-stylist who recently styled Kate Hudson’s hair on the set of BRIDE WARS , Derek, mixed approximately three parts Micro-Texture Thickener to one part Moisture-Lock Silkener as She was looking for more definition and fullness for Her layers.

Derek applied the cream mask to the Beauty Bug’s hair and led Her over to the dryer where She sat for approximately 30 minutes, waiting for the treatment to harden, forming a clay-like shell. The heat helps to adhere, absorb and grip the product to hair, swelling and coating each strand underneath and on top of  the hair cuticle. Beauty aficionados, think of how tubular mascara coats eyelashes and provides volume - that’s what Texture Tandem does to hair.

Read about the results and see more photos after the jump.

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1) Sonia Kashuk Hidden Treasure Brush Set - If you’re in the market for a set of makeup brushes, typically The Beauty Bug advises waiting until the holidays when brands such as MAC release limited edition brush sets, but not this year. Known for quality, yet affordable, cosmetics and beauty tools, Sonia Kashuk is celebrating her 10th  anniversary with Target. To mark the ccassion, Sonia has releasd her Spring Treasures Collection; limited edition pieces all inspired by the treasures of the ocean. The highlight of the collection is the six-piece travel-sized brush set. Each brush has a unique faux-siler coral-shaped handle and all are housed in a bright, fun coral-print case with a silver lining.  A steal for $19.99. Only at Target.

2) Shu Uemura’s pk310n Gloss - A high-shine gloss brightens any face. From the new gloss unlimited pink collection, this gloss is sheer with the slightest pop of color and shimmer for maximum shine. For the most wearable, pure pinks this spring, check out the entire collection made from an innovative pink hybrid pigment.

3. Smashbox’s Hybrid 2 in 1 Luminizing Primer - Get this product while you still can, but don’t use it as a primer. A combination of their can’t-live-without Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Artifical Light Luminizing Lotion, it’s versatile, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and provides a natural (not too bronze-y) glow and radiance. Squeeze the tube and each product is dispensed separately. The Beauty Bug mixes the two together on Her hand and applies it (lightly) all over Her face with a sponge, focusing on her cheeks and cheek bones. The result is a a beaming complexion, and makeup that lasts throughout the day. Keep this product in your makeup bag throughout the summer, and wear it alone (on top of sunscreen) for a hint of shimmer that will catch the sum beautifully.  Available at smashbox.com for $34.

4. Laura Mercier Gilded Garden Mosaic Shimmer Bloc - One look at this compact and any beauty junkie is sucked in, immediately. This limited edition bloc provides wearable shimmer and adds a fresh, spring-y glow to cheeks. The light-reflecting particles brighten and highlight - use it on eyes or brush it on your collar bone for a healthy luster. Available at www.lauramercier.com for $38.

The Beauty Bug just pinched Herself. OK, She’ll  just say it, and She welcomes all your feedback, flack and comments…

There is such a thing as a mascara with too much staying power.

For all of those that asked for something even more powerful than tubular mascara, your demands have not fallen on deaf ears. Make Up For Ever has answered your call and next month will launch a mascara that’s in it to win it. A mascara fit for the Energizer Bunny….

Some people will love Make Up For Ever’s new Aqua Smoky Lash (the waterproof version of Smoky Lash), a new mascara that’s described as “extremely waterproof” , but The Beauty Bug can only recommend it for tearful brides that can’t turn off the faucet (or possibly anyone that wears makeup to the gym?). In short, it’s an event mascara that won’t budge for days.

The Beauty Bug tested this mascara just as She would any other mascara and wore it to work with no problems - no flaking, no smudging, etc.  She was impressed with the volume and length it provided, and would compare it to Dior Show with a smaller brush. However, when She went to wash it off at night, this is where the trouble began. The black pigment came off, but Her lashes still felt stiff - like they still had mascara on them -  so She reached for some eye makeup remover pads with a heavy hand.

Fast forward to the morning after and The Beauty Bug found Herself fresh out of the shower still scrubbing this mascara off. Make Up For Ever says it’s from the deep black micronized iron mineral pigments and the film-forming polymers.

Bottom line is ladies, this mascara is just too much work for this Bug, and will probably be for the average woman. After Her experience, The Beauty Bug will tuck it away until Her wedding day in August and be sure to pack extra remover makeup remover.

Aqua Smoky Lash will be available in May in Sephora stores and on www.sephora.com for $22.

There’s something a bit un-sexy about mineral mascara, no?  It carries a stigma of sorts. Yes, it would presumably be gentle, but how could it possibly yield long lashes? Could the mineral makeup trend expand successfully into the mascara category? Yes. Kiehl’s has answered this question and proved The Beauty Bug wrong.

This month Kiehl’s became the first prestige beauty brand to introduce a mineral mascara - Kiehl’s Marvelous Mineral Mascara. Developed in response to customer demand, the formula is enriched with pigments, for rich color, and Jojoba Oil and Aloe Vera for conditioning. It’s gentle, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free.

A solid everyday mascara, it won The Beauty Bug over with its ability to make Her lashes gloss, long, and voluminous (thanks to Acacia Senegal, a thickening agent that helps to make the formula smooth).  Effective, ultra-nourishing, and smudge, clump and flake-free, the mascara performed well throughout the long work day and into the evening until the Beauty Bug easily washed it off with warm water. Available in black and black brown, The Beauty Bug’s pick is black for its full-bodied, rich color.

In short, it’s simply marvelous.

Available at Kiehl’s stores and kiehl’s.com for $16.50.

Yes, it’s been a while. The Beauty Bug is regretful and apologetic, but sometimes, unfortunately,  life takes over. She hopes that you’ve missed Her as much as She’s missed you and will welcome Her back with open arms. Now on to the important stuff…

While She was gone, She’s instituted a new morning skin care regiment.  With the recent change of seasons, it was necessary.  The new products in Her daily morning routine include Chanel’s Hydramax + Active Active Moisture Gel Cream and Chanel’s UV Essentiel Protective UV Care-Anti-Pollution SPF 30. Trust The Beauty Bug when She says that they are quite the dynamic duo.

She applies the Active Moisture Gel Cream first. It’s a refreshing, airy, pale blue gel/cream hybrid that glides on skin. The silky lightweight texture is ideal for applying under makeup as it’s absorbed into skin almost as quickly as it’s applied. The subtle floral scent is pleasant, yet doesn’t linger.  The  science behind the gel is Chanel’s Hydrabarrier System™ which traps water, helps to restore skin’s barrier function, and stave off water evaporation so skin’s moisture reservoir stays optimally filled. A must have for the spring and summer.

Step #2 - the Anti-Pollution SPF 30. Very versatile, it can be applied by itself, or mixed in with the moisturizer of your choice. Chanel’s new moisturizing formula , which protects against UVA and UVB rays, combines mineral and plant-based ingredients.  Key ingredients include licorice extract, which helps to eliminate damaging evidence of sun exposure, and Vitamin E, which aids in guarding against free radicals. Also great under makeup, the formula is transparent and matte.

Available on CHANEL.com, and at department and specialty stores, the Active Moisture Gel Cream is available for $70, and the Protective UV Care — Anti-Pollution SPF 30 is available for $48.