She knew they were different, but it’s just nail polish, right? It’s not like a bad hair cut that has to grow out - it’s just nail polish. But, She didn’t think that She’d be getting so many obvious stares on the train, on elevators, etc. Just today she got in the elevator only to have a gentleman remark to Her, “Weren’t we in the elevator yesterday together? I remember your toes.” The Beauty Bug flashed a half smile, and noted that they are hard to forget. The man added that he liked the color for summer and that he only changes his polish in the fall. The Beauty Bug, again, half smiled and said, “At least you’re consistent.” Longest. Elevator. Ride. Ever.

Well, there’s a first time for everything…

Yesterday, while enjoying a leisurely Sunday afternoon with The Beauty Bug Fiance, She received an email from Her boss. The subject line read: “Do you remember?”

The email read:

“…the name of the hotel we stayed at in LA recently, or even better, did you happen to grab the shampoo/conditioner/hair finisher foil package that was in amenities basket??”

The Beauty Bug’s boss then went on to explain that she finally used the hair finisher yesterday en route to the beach and it “REALLY worked” on her hair, which she admits that she sometimes refers to as “her straw.” She confesses that she “LOVED” the product, but couldn’t remember the name. She did remember that it had “weatherized” in the name, and was ready to call the hotel to inquire if The Beauty Bug didn’t know.

The Beauty Bug loves a good challenge - but She read the email and scratched Her head for a few reasons. One, because the bathroom is the first place She heads in a hotel room to check out the goodies, and She didn’t remember any foil packages or a finisher product. Moreover, She remembers using the shampoo and conditioner left in the bathroom, and they were nothing special. And two, because She had no idea Her boss was into products! For this hard-to-impress woman to be willing to call the hotel to ask what the product was, it must have worked hair miracles.

After a few more emails back and forth and two phone calls to the hotel, The Beauty Bug’s boss determined that her savior product was John Frieda’s Weather Works Weather-Proofing Style Sealant Creme - she apparently had gotten her hotels mixed up. Never having tried the product Herself, The Beauty Bug was curious, but almost already sold because her boss is a tough critic.

The Beauty Bug’s boss arrived at their weekly meeting with a bottle for The Beauty Bug to try. She then went on to gush to the entire department about this special “goop” that she used while at the beach; explaining that she applied the sealant, put her hair in a pony tail and hit the beach. Right before bed time, she took her hair out the pony time, and it was “as smooth as silk” and unaffected by the salty beach hair or humidity.

The Beauty Bug will be hitting the beach Herself next week in St. Maarten, so She will gladly put the sealant to the test and report back.

Remember, as The Beauty Bug’s boss told her, “It’s all about the amenities!”

John Frieda’s Weather Works Weather-Proofing Style Sealant Creme is available at drugstores nationwide for $5.99.

It should be noted that The Beauty Bug’s boss knows nothing about Her site, Her love for beauty products, or even that The Beauty Bug exists.

This Sunday, June 13th, from 10AM-4PM at the SoWa Market on 540 Harrison Ave in Boston’s South End, Physician’s Formula will be there sampling coupons and products from their new Organic Wear line. Organic Wear is the first brand - prestige or mass - to bring certified organic makeup to consumers.

So essentially, Physician’s Formula is the Amelia Earhart or the Susan B Anthony of the beauty industry. This is huge ladies! The certification is actually EcoCert - a certification out of France - and Physicians Formula is the first US brand to attain it. The products are 100% free of parabens, GMO’s (genetically modified organism), synthetic fragrances, preservatives and synthetic colors.

To celebrate this landmark launch, the brand is teaming up with well-known organic farmer’s markets across the country to educate consumers about this good-for-you makeup.

The Beauty Bug is excited to organify Her makeup and learn more about this line and the concept behind it.

Remember, if you get lost…look for the model in the head-to-toe leaf suit!

The Beauty Bug best describes the glow that you get from using this product as something She likes to call “I just walked off the set of magazine shoot in South Beach ON the beach.” You know what She means - that healthy, sun-kissed sheen that’s synonymous with summer. It’s just perfectly dewy and smooth.

The formula is a combination of La Mer’s famous moisturizing Crème de la Mer with sunscreen and a subtle tint. Available in three natural shades - light, medium, and dark - the tint is very lightweight, yet provides nice coverage. The unique radiant finish that makes this product a stand-out one results from the light-reflecting tourmaline (a crystal mineral) and Brazilian Malachite.

The Beauty Bug pairs The Tint with MAC’s Spaced Out Sheertone Shimmer Blush - it gives Her face that perfect amount of color without looking artificially tan or bronzed.

The final word - this tinted moisturizer borders on perfection. The Beauty Bug says borders because The SPF Fluid Tint retails for $65. Yes, it’s a splurge, but one that’s well worth it. The Beauty Bug plans to repurchase The Tint once Her stash is depleted - $65 isn’t going to stop Her from that fresh, natural glow.

The SPF 18 Fluid Tint 1.7oz is available at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores, Neiman Marcus stores, Bergdorf Goodman stores, and at www.lamer.com.

SPF 18 Fluid Tint not in your budget? The Beauty Bug recommends Jane Iredale Dream Tint SPF 15 that retails for $36.

Well…if that’s true, then DazzleGlass, meet Lipnotic Gem Gloss.

If the expression rings true then DazzleGlass should be blushing from the compliments.

Let us look at the facts - DazzleGlass hit MAC counters first, and it really was the first product of its kind. Beauty addicts everywhere, including The Beauty Bug, could hardly wait to get their hands on the shiny tubes of gloss that promised glitter AND glamor - often a tough combination to pull off. Offered in 16 colors, these babies warned wearers to “smile with caution.” And then, just like all of the other sought after limited edition MAC products, DazzleGlass was sold out in the blink of an eye, and MAC evangelists scooped up as many tubes as possible, before mourning the loss of a never to be forgotten gloss.

Sally Hansen’s Lipnotic Gem Gloss is new to drugstore shelves this month and has been introduced as the clear, yet sparkley, underdog. And by clear, the Beauty Bug means both evident, AND see-thru. Available in 10 shades, it too promises multi-dimensional shine. The language surrounding the product is the same, (”gleaming”, “semi-precious shine”) the tube is nearly identical, and the feel of the products in your hands is the same - but unfortunately, that’s as far as the similarities go.

The Beauty Bug has worn each one of the five Lipnotic Gem Glosses that She’s received - Lavish, Bling Bling, Bejeweled, Treasure, and Pleasure - and was unable to distinguish which color was which once She applied them to Her lips. Each wore like a clear, sparkley gloss with little to no pigment or color. She even tried applying several coats, hoping to achieve the vibrant color that DazzleGlass offers, but it just wasn’t happening. The consistency wasn’t as big of a miss as the color was - Lipnotic is just a little less thick and a little less sticky.

So, imitation? No, not really. But it was a good, solid try. If you’re looking for a new gloss with a hint of sparkle and a half a hint of color, Lipnotic is an affordable choice. It does deliver on the shine factor, but not the make-your-lips-twinkle-like-stars-factor, like DazzleGlass does - that indescribable oomph, that certain je ne sais quoi. As of now, DazzleGlass remains untouched.

Salley Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss is available at drugstores for $6.95.

MAC Dazzle Glass is currently sold out.

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/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/07/new-collection-mac/ http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BitByTheBeautyBug/~3/325411943/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2008/07/02/788/#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:54:28 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=788

During a mid-day IM conversation with a fellow beauty addict, The Beauty Bug confessed that She latches on to fragrances that She likes because they are the most personal beauty product. Yes, it’s true that different colors wear differently on different skin tones - but perfume is more distinguishable and more powerful than a lip gloss or an eye shadow.

An admitted latcher, The Beauty Bug always wears vanilla-based, spicy woodsy fragrances. In fact, when it comes to Her fragrances choices, Her less than extensive fragrance is comprised of fragrances that are all quite similar, offering little to no variety.

But have no fear ladies, a fragrance intervention isn’t need just yet because this summer marks a momentous occasion in The Beauty Bug’s fragrance repertoire. She’s began wearing a floral based scent. The fragrance that made The Beauty Bug wake up and smell how fresh flowers can actually smell? CLEAN Summer.

CLEAN Summer is not your typical floral fragrance. There’s no overwhelming, oppressive, floral notes that make you gag, or give you a headache as the day progresses. CLEAN Summer is simple, light, crisp and uplifting - it’s the perfect blend of sparkling citrus and fresh flowers. It has helped to put an extra bounce in The Beauty Bug’s step these past few days when the weather has been unbearably muggy and suffocating.

The Beauty Bug most loves the how fresh this fragrance is. It’s infused with extracts of Italian Limoncello, Bergamot, Rose Ice, Mirabelle Plum and Lilly of the Valley. The citrus-based components provide a nice sweet, fruity smell, and the florals bring a clear, refreshing scent. The unique Eau Fraiche formula contains less alcohol than an Eau de Parfum or an Eau de Toilette allowing room for aloe leaf and chamomile extracts to provide moisturizing effects when applied to the skin.

Pair the Eau Fraiche with the Soft Refreshing Lotion to create a light cooling effect.

CLEAN Summer Eau Fraiche and CLEAN Summer Soft Refreshing Lotion will be available only in the month of July exclusively at HSN for $50.

But back to the important stuff - The Beauty Bug, for the first time in a while, has stepped out of Her comfort zone of dark, vamp-ish nail polishes and made Her way over to the brighter side. For this week at least. She first set Her eyes on Shorty Pants 2 weeks ago when Her manicurist was sporting it, and She’s been thinking about the color since. She even discussed it with Polish Guru Extraordinaire, Miss All Lacquered Up, who warned her about its streaky properties.

She was right - it was definitely a bit streaky - which is why The Beauty Bug would never attempt to apply it Herself - but Her manicurist did a pretty decent job and was able to avoid any unevenness.

While the Essie site describes the color as a neon yellow, it’s actually more of a golden yellow creme. Or as The Beauty Bug Fiance described it, a “canary yellow.” The color, which takes a while to get used to, provides quiet the contrast against The Beauty Bug’s pale skin

When asked what He thought, The Beauty Bug Fiance thought that the color looked “interesting” and claimed to be “indifferent”. The jury is still out on this one. Take a look at the photos in the various settings and tell The Beauty Bug what you think.

To wrap up the Philosophy series, here are some fun facts about the brand:

• Amazing Grace is the #1 selling fragrance at Sephora.
• Their Cinnamon Buns Bath & Shower Gel is also coveted by men. If you don’t want to share, then don’t leave it in the shower!
• The Carrot Cake Bath & Shower Gel was formulated after a reader of Good Housekeeping Magazine entered a contest and submitted her carrot cake recipe.
• Use the Purity cleanser to clean makeup brushes or remove makeup from clothing.
• There are currently 2 free-standing Philosophy retail stores in Chandler, AZ. Philosophy plans an expansion in 2009 where they will open 5-10 more stores. The Beauty Bug hopes Boston will soon be the home of one of those stores!
• Philosophy was one of the first brands to market mineral makeup in the early 90’s.

So, what’s ahead for the brand in the coming months? In the fall, Philosophy will introduce Black Licorice and Spicy Pumpkin Muffin shower gel. Research shows that the two fragrances become an aphrodisiac when they are used together. After that duo, look for several new novelty kits for the holiday with new flavors including Snickerdoodle and Caramel Apple.