Estée Lauder to shut down Prescriptives
This is probably the worst cosmetics and beauty news that I've heard this year - if, indeed, ever. They've essentially decided to concentrate on more profitable Estée Lauder companies, and they're winding up sales of Prescriptives as of now (once stocks are gone they presumably won't be renewed), with sales expected to cease entirely in January or February. While I'm sad (it's a great brand that provides something really unique to consumers), I'm also baffled by the brand managers' general stupidity: does marketing mean nothing to these people? Not only does the brand never advertise, they also don't really sell in mainstream outlets (the principal one is probably House of Fraser), so not everyone is even able to get to a counter. If they just upped the ante with their advertising, and started selling in Debenhams, maybe they would be able to save the brand - but they're probably not going to. Sad times :(
Bare Escentuals opens first UK store
In better news, popular mineral makeup brand Bare Escentuals has just opened its first stand-alone boutique (having traded up to now only at department store counters and via QVC). Allowing prospective buyers to test products and seek advice from beauty consultants, this is arguably a key moment for the mineral makeup industry: many only retail as franchises or online, rather than having their own store. Sounds to me like a great way to move forward. The shop is located at 40 Neal Street, London WC2H 9PS.
On the quest for best-price beauty
This month, Bright Light Station is launching Beauty Quest - the first ever comparison site dedicated to health and beauty. This is great news for bargain hunters like me - I'm always trying to get the latest limited-edition compact at the best possible price. The site will also contain makeup and beauty tips, video tutorials, an online community, a news section and a special offers section. I am so there when this goes live. Makeup artist Tricia Woolston has also unveiled her new website at www.triciawoolston.com - a site which looks extremely professional, slick and easy to use, as well as featuring some gorgeous photography. 
Bourjois makes skincare debutOn a more affordable level, Bourjois is now finally taking its skincare range across the Channel and into Britain. Having been available on the continent for some time, the Bourjois skincare range includes cleansing wipes for when you're on the go as well as normal cleansing and makeup-removing products. All products are priced at under £5 each, too, and are available now - just in time for half-term travels.
Natural help for feet this Christmas
After all the Christmas shopping and partying, your tired, worn and suffering feet are sure to be in need of a little TLC. The limited edition Pampermint gift set from Arbonne is the perfect gift or self indulgence and will cool and repair feet and relax and reinvigorate you. You can start with the fresh foot work foot scrub, and finish off with creamy solemate foot cream and delightful cosy socks. You’ll have your toes back in shape in no time. Beautifully packaged gift sets are a cool £31 each, and can be ordered via www.arbonneinternational.co.uk.
Losing our breaths
The celebrity fragrance market is quite obviously already gearing up for the Christmas rush, and for those who don't fancy some of the fragrance industry's other new arrivals, such as YSL's Parisienne and La Perla's J'aime La Nuit, Beyoncé is bringing out her first scent in association with Coty. There aren't really many details yet (she had wanted to call it Sasha Fierce, but was promptly threatened with legal action by Abercrombie, who want to protect their Fierce fragrance), but I bet she'll be trying her best to outdo J-Lo's hugely successful Glow. “For me, fragrance reflects a woman’s attitude and unique sense of style,” said Beyoncé. “While I love various perfumes, I haven’t found a scent that truly personifies me as a woman. Working with Coty, I was able to turn my ideal fragrance into a reality by creating an alluring and sophisticated fragrance; one that’s reflective of my inner power. It’s a true privilege to be working with Coty and I can’t wait to share this personal side of me with fans all across the world.”
NuBo launches first men's skincare range
The men's skincare market just keeps growing and growing, and now that NuBo wants a piece of the action, it seems that it's getting more and more luxurious too. Exclusive to Harrods, the brand has just brought out three new men's products: an SPF20 moisturiser intended for after shaving, a serum called The Essence, and Perfectionist (to mattify skin; basically a cooler-looking version of the women's product without the foundation additive). And DAMN does that packaging look fine. Sadly, the price tag also matches it, with prices starting at £80 and soaring as high as £200.
Do not fear, though: men who want to come back down to earth and still take care of their skin can also content themselves with Molton Brown's range for men, which has just relaunched.
From girl power to berry powerHarnessing the power of all those superfoods that Gillian McKeith always talks about, you can rub goji berries, acai berries, bilberries and blueberries directly into your skin with Neal's Yard's new Power Berry range. Prices start at just £13, and you can take your pick from face washes, face masks, and moisturisers. Sounds delicious to me.
This is not just any beauty range...this is a Tess Daly beauty range
Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly is launching her first beauty range in Marks and Spencer this October. With the Daly Body range including shimmering body lotions and bath soaks that contain jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood scents, and with a makeup range to follow, it's sure to be a heady hit this Christmas. Available from October 19th.
Mama Mio Boob Tube supports Breast Cancer Awareness
Mama Mio's bust firming cream not only promises to do what it says on the tin, but also offers an even more valuable service - women are encouraged during use to examine their breasts, allowing them to detect any changes more quickly. And, especially for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, £1 from every tube sold at www.mamamio.com will go to a cancer research charity. Containing evening primrose oil and shea butter, it already boasts celebrity fans such as Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Alba, and is priced at £28.50.
Stand up for science - stand up for research
On September 26th, L'Oreal launched their new Young Scientist Centre in London so that state school pupils could make their science lessons more hands-on and get more interested in scientific research. Students will participate in activities such as making their own shampoo and extracting their DNA, and if this serves to make science more interesting and relevant to them, and brings the world more scientific researchers, this can only be a good thing.
All things bright and beautiful
TotalBeauty has recently launched a new application to bring beauty to the interested at all times of day via Yahoo's new homepage. All Things Beauty will enable users to identify the latest and best beauty samples and deals available, discover the most buzzed beauty products that everyone’s talking about, and get beauty tips and how-tos. The All Things Beauty app can be found at http://my.yahoo.com/atm?yapid=q7FleV32.
Win an A-list weekend
Genuinely. Thanks to John Frieda, we all have a chance to win a weekend of pampering, including a haircut from Nicola Clarke, dinner at a Michelin star restaurant, accommodation in a five-star London hotel, two hours of shopping with a personal stylist (and £1000 to blow to boot), and after all of that shopping, afternoon tea at another exclusive hotel. I'm already otherwise engaged on the weekend of the prize (October 24th-25th), so there's not much point in me entering (sob), but that doesn't mean you can't. Sit back, relax, enter your details at www.johnfriedacompetition.co.uk, and watch this lovely video :) Enjoy!
1 comment:
Gutted to hear about prescriptives I love their custom blend products :(
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