Exploring the vast hall that seemed like it went on forever, The Beauty Bug felt like She was in the shoes of brilliant beauty boss  Nicky Kinnaird of Space NK (check out her new blog here), searching and discovering brands that She’d love to see available for purchase in the US.

Here’s the photos The Beauty Bug snapped while She could (photos aren’t supposed to be taken in the store)…

A nail bar in the middle of  the store.

More photos after the jump…

For those that can read French, check out this brand.  The Beauty Bug was especially intrigued by their masks. Nicky Kinnaird, are you listening? Make some room on your shelves for these produce-packed products.

12.90 Euro for a bottle of OPI. Roughly $19.35. That’s one expensive bottle of Lincoln Park After Dark.

$52.65…for mascara.

Brulez vos soutiens-gorge translates to “burn your bras.”

Herborist. Another brand The Beauty Bug thinks belongs in Space NK. Just take a look at the mask below…

Roger Et Gallet. The Beauty Bug’s favorites were Cirton and Vanilla.

Skinvitals.

]]> http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2009/09/17/sephora-on-champs-elysee-paris/feed/ 1 http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2009/09/05/window-shopping-in-amsterdam/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2009/09/05/window-shopping-in-amsterdam/#comments Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:41:06 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=1559

Sabon

Rituals (The Beauty Bug was tempted by their skincare.)

Soap Treatment Store

Just what you’ve always wanted, right?

That one crucial piece that’s missing in your wardrobe that you never knew you needed, right?

There are so many press releases that The Beauty Bug receives and ignores, but this one was just too hard to – on several levels. Especially when part of it reads, “Plus, you’ll eliminate plumbers butt and you won’t be tugging on your stretched-out jeans all day.” Sure, using the phrase “plumbers butt” will definitely attract the female demo you want to sell belts to because it’s so lady like and on their level…

Being dubbed as a “style saver”, the Invisibelt also promises to give the wearer a sleeker, slimmer look while also helping you to “fly through airport security with your outfit in tact.” Hmmm, when has The Beauty Bug had problems with Her outfit not being in tact in an airport? Never. The only problem She’s really had is getting Her shoes off and on in a timely manner and She doesn’t think Invisbelt will help with that.

Claiming that the belt helps you dress defensively (whatever that means), Invisibelt also tells The Beauty Bug that this “must-have fashion accessory” eliminates travel stress. Accessories are patent leather bags, charm bracelets and cuffs, not a clear shiny belt.

Despite The Beauty Bug’s thoughts on Invisibelt (and its marketing), it has landed itself on the pages of a handful of reputable magazines. Perhaps it was just the airport travel/”plumbers butt” pitch that The Beauty Bug found quite a stretch (and turned Her off)…

It’s also the the topic of discussion on this message board. Users have even posted “before and after” photos. For the record, The Beauty Bug sees no difference in the photos.

The Invisibelt…coming to a 3AM infomercial on your TV very soon.

Vacations make us all lazy and cause us to change our normal routines – beauty regimens included. During Her vacation in Saint Maarten, The Beauty Bug occasionally went to bed with Her makeup on (shudder) because She was just so lazy, went to bed without any moisturizer on even though She could see that Her poor over-sunscreened face was parched, and washed and dried Her hair several times a day (never a good idea) after going to the beach or pool. Not to mention, Her manicure was severely chipping, and Her feet were offensively ragged even though She had just had a pedicure.

In the coming week, She’ll chronicle Her rehabilitation and review a new Aveda Hair Masque that She hopes will repair Her hair, try Bioelements Kerafole Deep Exfoliating Mask, and get a much needed manicure and pedicure with a new summer color.

All the Beauty Bug can say ladies is, beware! Don’t let a vacation beauty relapse happen to you!

In the meantime, enjoy these lovely photos from The Beauty Bug’s vacation!

]]> http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/27/the-beauty-bug-is-back/feed/ 4 http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/24/vacation/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/24/vacation/#comments Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:32:53 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=813 The Beauty Bug should have told you this before, but it just crept up on Her. She’s currently on vacation in St. Maarten. She hoped to get some posts up for you while She was here, but the beach and the piña coladas have distracted Her. Her apologies – She’ll be back up and running soon!

Hi, I have a completely random question: I’m being forced to go on a 3-day camping trip. No showers, no nothing. What beauty tips/tricks do you have for staying fresh? (I also have brow-skimming bangs, which tend to get a little oily. I’ve heard of powder that helps absorb hair oil . . . where do I get that, if you know?)

Well Julia first off, The Beauty Bug sends her condolences – She does not envy you. Everything The Beauty Bug knows about camping She learned from one of her favorite movies, Troop Beverly Hills. “We’re the girls from Beverly Hills (one, two three, four), shopping was our greatest skill (five, six, seven, eight)…” She’s never been camping, and She never plans on going camping – but that doesn’t mean that she can’t help.

The powder that you were referring to is Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder, though it is quite pricey for just a 3-day camping trip. Another product that you may be interested in for a quick freshen-up is Klorane’s Spray Shampoo. It’s meant for people in a hurry or on the go (and campers) and absorbs dirt and excess hair product. Oscar Blondi also makes a similar product, which the girls over a Delush highly recommend.

For your face you may consider Kose Sekkisei Powder Wash. It’s a quick-foaming powder that contains Chinese herb extracts. Less expensive sample sizes are available, but The Beauty Bug just recommends that you visit Bath and Body works for a sample. Another solution, some of handiest things ever, are blotting papers. Several companies make them, including Boscia, Philosophy, and Clean and Clear, and they are the a must-have all year round.

Julia, if you try any of the aforementioned products, do let The Beauty Bug know how they were.

Happy camping!

Anyways, She’s back, and ready for September and all the new fall makeup, but, for all those of you who are still planning on taking a vacation to a tropical locale – here’s some beauteous tips for you:

• Pack mineral makeup – The Beauty Bug is currently wearing Physician’s Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder. It provides just the right amount of coverage, while still letting your natural tan show through (for The Beauty Bug, being here in St. Maarten just means getting more and more freckles). Also, if you’re out late, or just drained from the sun, and you just don’t have it in you to wash your face – you’ll be A-OK.
• Bargain with the natives and buy perfume. The Beauty Bug scored the big bottle of KenzoAmour for $60 (Thanks Beauty Bug Boyfriend), while it’s normally $85 at home in the States.
• Pack lightly – lip gloss, mascara, and face powder – The Beauty Bug left all her eye shadows at home this week and didn’t miss them at all. Her makeup routine took about 2-3 minutes each night – while She’ll be happy to go back to her regular, longer, more-detailed application process – this week was quite liberating.
• Don’t bring any makeup along with you to the beach – not even lip gloss.
• Sunscreen is your new best friend – this week The Beauty Bug couldn’t get enough of it.

The Beauty Bug will be coming to you poolside from tropical St. Maarten this week. She’s on holiday. Since Saturday, She’s traded in her concealer, eyeliner and mascara for a zebra-striped bikini sunblock, sunblock, and more sunblock. She’s loaded up on SPF 45 for her body and SPF 50 for her face. And let Her tell you ladies, from the bodies She’s seen on the beach in just the 2 days that She’s been here – She knows that She’ll never trade her east coast life for a Caribbean one. The damage the sun can do is truly incomprehensible – it’s so sneaky and will get your even when you think it’s hiding. Additional observations The Beauty Bug had made on these clothing optional beaches are:

• If you have it, flaunt it, and if you don’t – puuuhh-lease put it away.
• It’s not only about the shape you’re in, but it’s also about skin-tone. Having skin the color of a pumpkin is not attractive in the least. Seeing some of the people that She’s seen, The Beauty Bug doesn’t feel so bad about her pale, Casper-like complexion.
• And guys, if you’re going to stare – at least get some sunglasses.

More observations coming later, one of those lounge chairs has The Beauty Bug’s name all over it.

According to the Daily Mail, a newspaper in the UK, Catherine Zeta-Jones flies in special caviar from Iran at $400 a pop to slather all over her locks. After shampooing, the caviar is smeared in her hair, combed through, and left to set. The Beauty Bug squirmed when She first read this – this is one beauty treatment she’d think twice about. She’d much rather use Alterna’s Seasilk Caviar line and not deal with the little eggs getting all over her and in her ears.

The Beauty Bug has always wanted to visit Chicago and perhaps now is the time do go. Victoria’s Secret is hosting the Second Annual World’s Largest Pajama Party this Friday, July 13th. The bash is hosted by Fergie with special Guests DJ AM and Sophia Bush, and better yet, it’s free! Download your free invite here. Think PINK!

So, She has a few months between now and then to go shopping for cute summer dresses and determine her vacation wardrobe. But, one thing that She knows She’ll be bringing is her tube of SkinCeuticals AFFECT Ultimate SPF 30. SkinCeuticals is one of the most trusted, reputable brands on the market (seriously, whenever you engage in a casual conversation with an esthetician about skin care, they always bring up SkinCeuticals) and She refuses to put her pale, porcelain skin in the hands of any other brand.

In addition to The AFFECT Ultimate SPF 30, which contains 7% transparent zinc oxide to help protect against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, SkinCeuticals has also released AFFECT Physical SPF 30, ideal for sensitive, traumatized and post treatment skin, and AFFECT Daily SPF 20. All are rich in antioxidants and very moisturizing. This limited collection was released in honor of “Melanoma May” – a month of events and patient screenings to help raise awareness about Malignant Melanoma – a potentially fatal form of skin cancer.

Now through August 31st, a portion of the sales of these three SkinCeuticals cult-favorite sunscreengs will be donated to the Skin Cancer Foundation to benefit melanoma awareness and education.

Ladies, it’s evident that the first step to preventing wrinkles is sunscreen. Carry this tube around you as you do your lip-gloss and you’ll be set! Plus,this tube is safe for your carry-on – so if the Beauty Bug’s suitcases get stolen and she has nothing to wear (*GASP), at least She’ll have her sunscreen.