Category: news

American Beauty Contest

I’d be remiss not to mention my new favorite book. I’m already treasuring my copy of American Beauty that highlights a diverse group of quintessentially American women such as Lily Aldridge, Solange Knowles, and Jenna Lyons. The photos by Vogue alumna Claiborne Swanson Frank are stunning. In celebration of the book, Estée Lauder and Neiman Marcus teamed up for a contest. Tell them how you exemplify modern American beauty for your chance to win.

  • One grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to New York City during Fashion Week to have your portrait taken by Claiborne Swanson Frank, attend a runway show, receive a tour of the Assouline offices and meet founders Prosper and Martine, an Estée Lauder makeover and gift package and a $1500 Neiman Marcus gift card.
  • Two second-prize winners will receive a gift bag filled with products from Estée Lauder.
  • Ten finalists will receive a gift bag filled with products from Estée Lauder.

To enter, visit Vogue.com/promotions to upload a recent photo along with a brief statement that explains why you represent modern American beauty. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter and for full rules, go to www.vogue.com/promotions. Starts April 11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. and ends May 15, 2012 at 11:59 PM ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States/D.C. 18 or older, except employees of Sponsor, their immediate families and those living in the same household. Void outside the 50 United States/D.C. and where prohibited. A.R.V. of prize or prizes $13,830: Sponsor: Conde Nast.

And just a note: I’ll be at the Grand Poobah Neiman Marcus Northpark store tomorrow, catching up on all the latest and greatest beauty. Make sure you are following me on Instagram (bellebellebeauty) for drool-worthy pics of makeup and skin care. Can’t wait to report back what I learned!

Belle Belle on the Web

I’m thrilled to be part of Safe Sun Stories on the Bergdorf Goodman blog today! Check out my review of  SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid by La Mer right here. We are coming up on Melanoma awareness month and summer weather is just around the corner. Don’t forget to stock up on Sunscreen. This La Mer fluid is dreamy to use and works great under makeup!

I’m also guest blogging over at The Bolder the Better, rounding up Spring Trends. Amy is a fabulous fashionista in Austin and is making quite the splash with her new blog. She’s a master mixologist of prints and just plain lovely. For more details on bold lips, full brows, metallic lids and colorful nails, check it out here!


Gossip Girl Birchbox

Two of my favorite things: Monday nights with Gossip Girl and Birchbox. How can you NOT be excited? I’ve been a Birchbox subscriber for well over a year and am still thrilled by the arrival of each box. Monthly, they deliver personalized beauty samples from companies like Kiehl’s, Benefit, Deborah Lippmann and Stila. No, not every sample is perfect for me. But most are fabulous and getting beauty goodies in your mailbox is just too much fun.

And if you haven’t already signed up, get on board so you don’t miss May’s Gossip Girl special edition. The GG Makeup Artist, Amy Tagliamonti, and Hairstylist, Jennifer Johnson, will fill the box with beauty products inspired by Manhattan’s poshest social set. And get this: the box will have clues for the season finale on May 14th! If you aren’t a subscriber and don’t want to miss this box, sign up here.

Nails Across the Pond

There is something alluring about European beauty. Don’t even get me started on the damage I would do in a French Pharmacy. So, when my friend and fellow blogger, The Madam Editor, agreed to do a post on nails in London, I couldn’t resist! Make sure you check out her tumblr for a witty (and incredibly well written) look at fashion, shopping and life of a writer.

Nails; uptown, downtown, London town.

Let’s face it I know nothing about beauty. Nothing about beauty products, I don’t even know what kind of tinted moisturiser is good for my skin tone…that’s a tale for another day but what I do know is a thing or two about nail polish. I love a good manicure, at 3am even better (don’t ask) but a good manicure, that perfectly polished nail, makes me something giddy and I am forever searching for the perfect lacquer hence I have an array of pretty pinks, brights and darks. When Lindsay asked me to do a post on things we London girls enjoy that can’t be had just yet across the pond, well my go to was nail polish; the uptown, downtown kind. Barry M for the more hip Downtown chick and the Champagne Nail bar in Harvey Nichols…you know that’s how uptown girls roll.

Barry M is a drugstore and widely loved brand sold in Boots and Superdrug and other very good drugstores in and around the capital. They have an amazing collection of long lasting nail paints in the prettiest colours and most inventive styles; croc effect nails anyone? Pardon the ghastly dryness of my skin but you get the gist, and such a breeze to apply too. Their colours are always fun and popping especially for the spring summer and for £2.95 a pop you cannot go wrong and did I say they are long lasting, chip resistant. Yes please.

For the more uptown chichi chick we have the Champagne nail bar in Harvey Nichols courtesy of nails inc. I love everything about this place and the concept, like an exclusive beauty salon, you sip on champagne whilst having your nails and feet pampered to prim perfection, with sex and the city or the September issue etc playing in the back ground. With services like the “Lady who lunches manicure”, “the front row manicure”, “well heeled pedicure” and “the crystal pedicure” with real Swarovski crystal that lasts up to three weeks…what’s not to love? Luxury comes at a price but it’s a price well worth it, besides it still won’t break the bank. Check in to Harvey Nicks on your next hop stop to the Big smoke.

NARS Summer 2012

NARS continues to churn out beautiful collections that will satisfy both the lover of bold eyes and nude lips (or vice versa). Get excited for Summer’s arrival – the pieces are full of warm earth tones and brazen shimmers.

RAMATUELLE Trio Eyeshadow – I’m most excited about this warm, icy and peach palette.

MARIE-GALANTE Duo Eyeshadow – This duo would be fun for a tropical, dramatic look.

CALABRIA Shadow Pencils (on the bottom of the pencils) – These make a great base for eyeshadow.

VENDANGES Lipstick (left lipstick) – Even the name makes me think of wine-stained lips.

LIBERTÉ Blush, top right – I love this rich apricot color.

BUENOS AIRES Velvet Gloss Lip (top pencil)- I have been looking for a nude version of these!

NEVER SAY NEVER Velvet Gloss Lip (middle pencil) – A fresh and summer take on a bold fuchsia lip.

MOSCOW Pure Matte Lipstick (right lipstick) – Dramatic and rich red is perfect anytime of the year.

TROUVILLE Nail – This petal peach is a perfect summer neutral. So feminine!

These goodies will be available April 15, 2012 at narscosmetics.com. For more about the collection, check out this Q&A WITH FRANÇOIS NARS:

What inspired the NARS 2012 Summer Collection?

I was interested in exploring the interplay of earth tones and shimmers. That relationship between divergent colors and textures is summed up in our Ramatuelle Trio Eyeshadow, which combines a silver shade with an apricot and icy peach.

Besides illustrating a fresh take on nudes, the Trio is also just a really chic and versatile summer palette.

What’s unexpected about the collection?

I think at first glance, the combination of orchid, blue, strawberry red and seashell pink can sound and appear quite delicate and innocent, but our version of these colors and the way we combine them results in a look that’s more fun and edgy.

What are the must-have products of the season?

Besides the Ramatuelle Trio Eyeshadow, I’d say our Never Say Never Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. The lilac rose color looks great with tanned skin, and the matte finish is the perfect complement to a shimmery lid or glowing complexion. I also love our Trouville Nail Polish because a seashell pink nail is a really fun summer accessory.

Beauty News – Guerlain, Butter London and Sales!

I love when fashion meets beauty. Lé Métier de Beauté’s paired with Marchesa back in 2010 and created the most lovely credit card sized palettes. Good things tend to come when these two words collide. So be on the look out next month for “Guerlain by Emilio Pucci”. The collaboration draws its inspiration from summertime in the Italian Riviera. The collection utilizes a signature print, revived from the archives: “Winter Capri”, a blue flower interlaced with swirls and flames. Included are the Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder and Blush. The hybrid offers four shades of powder embossed with the Pucci motif. The are also making a Pucci version of the Météorites with a corrective blue pearl to create a flawless complexion.

Butter London (maker of some seriously fabulous polishes) just launched LIPPY by butter LONDON. This collection of lip glosses matches butter London’s most famous nail lacquers. This is a thicker formula with highly pigmented gloss. LIPPY does not contain parabens, petroleum, phthalates, sulphates, or bismuth. You can find them at Ulta for $17.

And don’t forget to stop by Sephora for 15% discount this week. Click here and use code CHICWEEK.