If this collection were a movie, it’d no doubt be TWINS, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. While at first the nudes and neon combo may seem to be a bit like an unlikely pairing – they actually do compliment each other.  The easiest way to use it is to do what makeup artists have been preaching since day one – focus on either the lip or the eye, but please, puhh-lease, NOT BOTH.  Pair a soft, nude eye with a neon lip or a bright eye with a nude lip. The centerpiece is the stunning limited edition nudes palette – a staple that everyone needs in their stash. Nobody does nudes like Bobbi – she’s been in this game for years and know neutrals – so buy two and tuck one away for safekeeping.

The collection also includes the new, limited edition Ink Liner in Really Black, because strong liner goes with any face, (it’s great for perfecting the winged cat-eye), three sheer, super-shiny new glosses in Citrus, Cosmic Pink and Ultra Violet (The Beauty But likes to use the Ultra Violet over a red lip to cool it down a bit), two playful shadows in Ultra Violet Shimmer Wash (this one is a fooler – it provides a beautiful sheer pop of col0r) and Bluebell Eye Shadow, three new shades of lip color including Atomic Orange, Neon Pink and Uber Beige and the most delicate and universally flattering blushes – Nude Peach and Nude Pink. 

Get it now online, and at your Bobbi Brown counter.

Disclosure: Press samples were provided to The Beauty Bug.

The Beauty Bug’s must-haves from the collection include The Redhead Mineralize Skinfinish, originally from the Blonde Brunette Redhead Collection,  Fresh Air Lipglass, the perfect pop of color for a natural face, A Perfect Day Lipstick, a light neutral pink that’s just so wearable, and Twilight Falls Mineral Eyeshadow, a cool brown with bronze veining that looks best when applied wet.

Redhead Mineralize Skinfinish

Hot Spell (top), The Wee Coquette,  Naked Space, Fresh Air (bottom)

Sweet Sunrise (left), A Perfect Day (right)

Summer Haze Mineralize Eyeshadow (left), In the Sun Mineralize Eyeshadow (right)

Daylight Mineralize Eyeshadow (left), Cloudy Afternoon Mineralize Eyeshadow (right)

Early Morning Mineralize Blush (left), Fresh Honey Mineralize Blush (right)

Disclosure: Press samples were provided to The Beauty Bug.

MAC Naturally is available now at MAC stores and counters until February 9th. 

Sequins, glitter and Johnny Weir – what more does your holiday need? Collections include Glitter and Ice – a winter wonderland of marbleized eye shadows, Paint Pots, glosses and nail lacquers, Ice Parades – ice shadow quads complete with shakable snow globe compacts and other giftable makeup kits, DazzleSphere – lip glass stuff ornaments, and Viva Glam.

The MAC Holiday Collection will be available at MAC counters beginning October 27th. 

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.

Dani chose the Fleur De Rose palette and got to work on The Beauty Bug’s eyes. This is the most natural, yet sophisticated palette from the collection. The creamy shadows are a blender’s dream! She first applied the dark brown shadow up to the crease, followed by the lightest (almost white color) on the brow bone as a highlighter. Next, Dani used the new limited edition shimmer liquid eyeliner under The Beauty Bug’s lash line. A bit about this product; simply put – it’s amazing! It’s so smooth and sheen. Dani worked out the thick formula on her hand before applying, and it glided on beautifully.

Back to the eyeshadow, Dani chose the shimmery purple/gray color applied it to the crease, expanding a bit across the lid, and blended it out. For all those hazel-eyed ladies, this will bring out the green in your eyes. With this, she created the perfect summer smoky eye – not too heavy, but still very alluring with a lot of depth and color. Lastly, she applied the golden color on the brow bone, and brought it down a bit into the crease to polish the eye.

While the photos below don’t even come close to capturing the intense color, you get an idea of Dani’s look.

Moving on to the face, Dani used one of The Beauty Bug’s favorite products for the summer, the UV Under Base SPF 10. It’s a lightweight mousse primer that keeps skin and pores nice and smooth, and provides and instant cooling effect when applied. Next was the Face Architect Foundation – another lightweight product that’s great for the summer. After a touch of bronzing powder (in light of course), and the Rouge Unlimited Gloss Shine (which The Beauty Bug already gushed over) in 755, She was ready for Her close-up. Before leaving the boutique, Dani even gave Her a preview on Shu’s fall collection which is jaw-droppingly stunning.

Get the Boutique Birthday Collection palettes and shimmer liquid liner at any Shu Uemura Boutique or counter before they’re sold out!

]]> http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/18/shu-uemuras-boutique-birthday-collection/feed/ 1 http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/08/new-collection-mac-sonic-chic/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/08/new-collection-mac-sonic-chic/#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:47:15 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=792

There’s something strangely appealing about this photo, no? Something very modish, very gothic chic – as though she’s channeling Marilyn Mason. The high contrast colors against her pale skin is overwhelmingly striking – especially to someone who’s skin is equally as pale.

The new MAC Sonic Chic Collection is comprised of nine mineralized baked blushes that provide sheer, weightless coverage and a soft shimmer. The color range includes:

Dainty – light yellow pink with gold pearl (frost)

Warm Soul – Midtone beige with gold pearl (frost)

Nuance – Midtone peach with gold pearl (frost)

Gleeful – Deep dirty blue pink with gold pearl (frost)

Gentle - Raspberry with gold pearl (frost)

Love Joy – Warm midtone brown with gold pearl (frost)

Merrily – Midtone dirty (burned) red with gold pearl (frost)

Pleasantry - Intense midtone blue pink with gold pearl (frost)

Love Thing – Dirty burgundy with gold pearl (frost)

The shade The Beauty Bug will be running to the counter to see on July 10th? Merrily. The deep, flesh, red is fresh and alive.

MAC Mineralize Blushes are $21 and are available in MAC stores, at MAC counters and on MacCosmetics.com.

Who remembers Lightscapade and Glissade Mineralize Skin Finishes from the MAC Danse Collection? Ahhh what fond memories those precious powders evoke. The Beauty Bug remembers buying both powders at the MAC counter at Bloomingdales at the Town Center Mall in Florida in December ’06.

Thus began an uncontrollable obsession with these wondrous baked powders that provide the perfect sheer finish – not to mention the hit-the-spot mid-day touch up!

On counters July 10th, MAC introduces New View, their newest mineral powders that are offered in a split compact – one side houses the natural matte finish powder, while the other a shimmer powder that brings dimension and definition to the face. Both powders contain vitamin A and E derivatives and jojoba oil to calm and soothe the skin. A compact that shimmers and polishes the face – what more could a girl ask for?

Color combinations include:

Light Medium/Natural and Shimmer – pale golden beige/warm yellow beige

Medium/Natural and Shimmer – soft creamy beige/light peachy pink

Medium Dark/Natural and Shimmer – caramel/light tan

Dark/Natural and Shimmer – deep caramel/mid-tone yellow gold

Deep Dark/Natural and Shimmer - rich golden bronze/deep copper bronze

Apply powders with the 189 face brush.

The Limited Edition Mineralize Skinfinish Duos are available online and on MAC counters on July 10th for $26.50. The 189 face brush is available now for $40.

]]> http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/07/new-collection-mac/feed/ 0 http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/06/19/honoring-shu-uemurawith-lashes/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/06/19/honoring-shu-uemurawith-lashes/#comments Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:24:09 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=767 Today, pioneer makeup artist Shu Uemura would have celebrated his 80th birthday. In honor of him, and to commemorate the first Shu Uemura boutique which celebrates its 25th anniversary, the Shu brand introduces its annual anniversary limited edition collection consisting of the seasons most festive colors as a special memento. The Beauty Bug attended an anniversary party complete with lots of lashes and cupcakes. Just look at those black lace lashes….The Beauty Bug can’t even! It definitely takes a drag queen to pull those off!

More about the collection and the palettes in the coming weeks!

]]> http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/06/19/honoring-shu-uemurawith-lashes/feed/ 6 http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/06/03/buzzing-around-the-beauty-scene-june-part-2/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/06/03/buzzing-around-the-beauty-scene-june-part-2/#comments Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:01:02 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=742 As promised, here’s part 2 of what The Beauty Bug’s recommendations for June…

Prescriptives All You Need Continuous Action 24-Hour Moisturizers – Prescriptives has reformulated their All You Need franchise to 24-hour moisturizers! Available in normal, drier and oilier, The Beauty Bug loves the normal moisturizer because it absorbs quickly and She can readily apply Her makeup right after using it. The gentle formula boasts brightening agents, antioxidants, and caffeine. Make it your new everyday moisturizer for $39.50

Clinique’s Air-Kissed Colours Collection – The design on Clinique’s Happy in Bloom fragrance says it all – this collection is about colour in bloom…and gloss! The collection includes a new limited-edition Colour Surge Eye Trio in Kiss of Pinks, the Fresh Bloom Allover Colour that has become one of Clinique’s signature products, Longlast Glosswear SPF 15, Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief – which is The Beauty Bug’s best weapon again summer dryness, and The Beauty Bug’s favorite from the collection – the Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss. Available in Passionfruit, Guava, Hazelnut and Cocoa, the balms provide mega shine and moisture. Pucker up!

Elizabeth Arden’s Bronze Look Collection – This is one of the most impressive summer collections that The Beauty Bug has seen thus far – the products are reasonably priced, the packaging is sensible, chic, and easy to transport (especially the Bronzing Beauty Kit), and all the products come with solid brushes. The aforementioned Bronzing Beauty Kit, that retails for $35, features four beach-inspired eye shadows and a bronze/blush duo that creates definition on the cheeks. The stunning Sun Goddess Bronzing Powder in medium, complete with a Kabuki-style brush ($32), provides a healthy glow with a shimmery finish and the Color Intrigue Gel Eyeliner and Brush ($22.50) in Bronze Pearl and Black Pearl apply evenly and easily with an alluring pearlized formula.

Collection: Neo Sci Fi

What it is: This collection runs the gamut of colors from hot fluorescent nail polishes, to beiges and flesh tones.

How you’ll recognize it at the counter: The bright orange packaging

Stand-out product/color: At first glance The Beauty Bug seems to think She’s seen these colors before, and nothing grabs Her attention.

Song to coincide with collection: The Beastie Boys, Intergalactic

Collection: Future Earth

What it is: A collection of skin care, including Charged Water, Prep & Prime Microfine Lip Refinisher and Volcanic Exfoliator, that promises to be earth shattering.

How you’ll recognize it at the counter: Let your nose lead you to the smell of volcanic ash, the key ingredient used in the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator.

Stand-out product/color: The Beauty Bug can’t wait to try the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator – it’s mineral and sulfur rich formula that contains naturally harvested ash from the island of Vanuatu.

Song to coincide with collection: Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSound

Collection: Solar Field

What is it: Powerful, rich pearlized pigments that add shine and sparkle to cheeks and eyes. Wear alone, or mix with bronzer.

How you’ll recognize it at the counter: You’ll know when you’ve spotted the Solar Bits because you’ll reach for your shades to protect your eyes from the glare.

Stand-out product/color: The Beauty Bug can’t wait to whip up a sultry smokey eye with the Black Ore Solar Bits.

Song to coincide with collection: Electric light Orchestra, Blinded by the Light

Collection: Tendertones

What it is: A collection of 10 (6 new, 4 old favorites) sheer, moisturizing lip balms that contain SPF 12.

How you’ll recognize it at the counter: The strawberry-kiwi and cotton candy flavors will draw you in.

Stand-out product/color: Hush Hush is perfect for a day at the beach.

Song to coincide with collection: Elvis, Love me Tender

Collection: Cool Heat

What is it: A collection of teal, violet and blue eye shadows, skin-cooling fragrances and neutral and coral slimshine lipsticks.

How you’ll recognize it at the counter: Because it’s the perfect paradox – hot corals mixed with chilled blues.

Stand-out product/color: The Beauty Bug can’t wait to smell the 2 skin-cooling fragrances – there’s nothing like a refreshing summer fragrance done right that captures the intensity of the summer.

Song to coincide with collection: Bananrama, Cruel Summer