Tumblr Vs. Blogger

I've been in a little bit of debate over which one of these blogs sites to keep! I wish Tumblr would cooperate with merging a combo of pre-written templates and my own html, but it's not working out. Until I figure it out, I suppose there's no harm in using both. And I'll see if I can turn this blog into something else. Anyway, I'm obsessed with this new Sephora vending machine idea that I just learned about. Total domination of beauty retail.

Love Rocks

Photo Courtesy of Retna
Taylor Momsen of Gossip Girls--sporting the heaviest eye make-up I've seen in a non-MAC Cosmetics advertisement--hostedlast night's Victoria's Secret "Love Rocks" perfume launch. When she's not doing her day job, Taylor rocks it out with her band "The Pretty Reckless" so it looks like she made a easy fit for throwing this party. I'm curious as to what the new fragrance smells like! Maybe Victoria's Secret PR will be willing to give me a sniff ;)

Nail polish for $100?!

Chanel's limited edition nail lacquer, "Jade" debuted in October and is already sold out everywhere! This season's must-have color is so coveted, that it's currently being sold on Ebay for $100.

And I thought this holiday's Make Up For Ever eyeliner set for $250 on Sephorawas a jaw dropper...

Would you shell out Mr. Franklin for the one perfect nail color? If not, try out Essie's "Mint Candy Apple Green" ($8; essie.com) for something a little more forgiving for your bank account.



Photo Courtesy of Chanel and Essie

Hard Candy launch

This week I brought a couple of my InStyle co-workers with me to the launch event for Hard Candy. It will be sold exclusively at Walmart beginning the third week of September. I don't have the rest of the press material with me right now, but D2 Publicity's event at the Bryant Park Hotel loft was great! The make-up is fun with pretty packaging and bright, bold colors. Lots of glitter and glam to go along with many of the products--it would be hard to miss once it hits the shelves. There was a make-up artist and lip reader giving free make-up consultations at the event too. And I have to say there were really delicious hors d'oeuvres!

Cristina and I at the Hard Candy event

Food =9 and the make-up artists!

Max Factor Maxes Out

Just in time for Max Factor's 100th anniversary, by the year 2010 P&G will phase out the makeup brand in the U.S. in hopes to make more pocket money for CoverGirl. Though Max Factor products will still be available overses where its sales are the strongest, I'm sad to bid farewell to one of America's most wallet-friendly makeup brands. It seems like Americans are opting for more of CoverGirl's easy, breezy, down-to-earth look (a la Drew Barrymore) than the straight-off-the-runway look (like Max Factor spokesmodel Giselle Bundchen), which happens to be more appealing for Europeans. If you're a Max Factor fanatic, it's time to stock up!



Photo: Max Factor

A Glowing Lindsay Lo

Everyone knows Li-Lo has perfected the art of a year-long glow. So it's no surprise that she's coming out with a spray tan line through Sephora so everyone can try to imitate a great fake bake (perhaps not quite as orange as Lohan's been in the past). The Stay Gold Collection is set to hit stores this spring, just in time for the warm weather. Get glowin'!



(Photo: Retna)

Lauder Loves Freida

Not many people can say they've become a celebrity overnight, but the star actress of Slumdog Millionaire, Freida Pinto, is truly your rags-to-riches story. The once struggling model not only has bragging rights for the 8 Oscars Slumdog snagged, but Freida is rumored to be making a deal with Estee Lauder--joining the ranks of legendary beauties: Liz Hurley and Gwenyth Paltrow. Freida will also soon be gracing the covers of Cosmopolitan and Vogue. I have a strong feeling this gorgeous starlet won't just be a one-film wonder.


(Photo: Retna)

Beauty Blurb: Dolce & Gabbana

B
Dolce & Gabbana is finally coming out with a cosmetics line and the lovely Scarlett Johansson (looking very Marilyn Monroe) is the face of their ad campaign!

Gabbana told WWD, "Scarlett is sure of herself." He added, "She’s a beautiful girl, but she’s really easygoing. She is very Dolce & Gabbana."

The luxe line will arrive at Saks' Beverly Hills and Fifth Avenue stores. Expect to see rose-scented lipsticks (like the one in the ad) as well as bronzing powder, lip gloss, eye shadow duos, powder foundation and more in the beginning of February.

Photo courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Beauty Blurb: Say “Hello” to M.A.C. Cosmetics Kitty Collection

A sneak peek at the type of blogs I might be writing as an intern for ellegirl.com, here's the latest from the M.A.C. cosmetics line. Meow!

I loved Hello Kitty as a kid and I’m proud to admit I still do! That’s why I’m so excited that M.A.C. is collaborating with Sanrio to offer two Hello Kitty collections this spring: the Hello Kitty Colour Collection and Hello Kitty Kouture.

Slated to hit the U.S. maccosmetics.com February 10th (M.A.C. retail stores February 12th) and in March overseas, the Hello Kitty Colour Collection will feature lipsticks and lipglasses with names like “Fashion Mews” and “Strayin’” to achieve the prrrfect pout. The line will also have tinted lip conditioners, eye shadow palettes, glitter eye liners, nail polish, and more that range from $11-$38. Items highlight pretty shades of pink, turquoise, lavender and green.

Hello Kitty Kouture is intended to be the high-end of the collection. For example, the line’s “Dazzleglass” for lips features a reusable silver chain pendant with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals. “Sheer Mystery Powder” available in three shades ($90), is packaged in a silver powder compact with the beloved feline outlined in white Swarovski crystals with a pink crystal bow.

MAC Cosmetics invited various fashion designers (including Hervé Léger, Charlotte Ronson and Catherine Malandrino) to design couture pieces inspired by Hello Kitty. It will be presented to the world on February 5th, a week before the kickoff to New York Fashion Week.

2 photos source: M.A.C. Cosmetics, WWD