At the Vanity - New Makeup Lines and Collaborations

I love learning about new things going on in the beauty industry, and I'd probably be hard-pressed to find any beauty junkie that doesn't share that same avid interest. And though it always gives me a thrill when a well-known beauty brand releases a new product, nothing can upstage the moment when I hear about a completely new brand, new store or new collaboration in the works between companies. Why? Because a new brand, store or collaboration means A) more than just a single or few new pieces for me to peruse, as instead, there will be many and B) a completely new brand identity that could fill a niche in the market (examples: Benefit's retro-chic appeal or Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' intensely pigmented products filled gaps in the market).

 

 (photo c/o racked.com)

One such new line that I will be tracking obsessively as it nears its inception is Christian Louboutin Beauté, which is popular red-soled heel designer Christian Louboutin's foray into the beauty world. Though his beauty products won't start hitting shelves until 2013, we will no doubt start seeing promotional pictures and catching tidbits about the items that will be offered in the line (a red lipstick will undoubtedly make an appearance), shade names, possible spokespeople or models for campaigns, etc. I wonder if his go-to muse Dita Von Teese will be a top choice for said promotions campaign? The appeal of buying makeup from luxury brands that previously produced items for only one category (be it shoes, clothing, fragrance, etc.) is that we may not all be able to buy the expensive handbag or pair of sky-high stilettos the brand offers, but we can still buy a luxe, decoratively packaged lipstick or elegantly designed compact from the same line.

 

(photo c/o laduree.com)

The French macaron company Laduree announced a few months ago that it would soon be entering the beauty realm with its own makeup line, dubbed "Les Merveilleuses de Ladurée", according to New York Magazine. The brand is known for it's much-clamored-over, pastel-hued sweet eats, and the entire cosmetics line is packaged with the same touch of luxurious and romantic elements found in the sugary confections. The line was recently launched in Japan, so there are a few pictures here and there of some of the line's offerings - but not many - and almost no pricing information is available except that products will be expensive.
However, more pictures and information on pricing should trickle in closer to the date that the range will expand to the rest of Asia and the United States. Here is the Japanese version of the Laduree website where you can see photos of the highly coveted (and highly priced) products. My personal favorite new product is the cheek petal blush (as seen in the photo above), where an egg-shaped container holds blush powder pigment in the form of faux rose petals whereby you sweep your blush brush across the "petals" and then swipe the pigment across your cheek. And...I'm sold.

(photo c/o style.com)

As was announced early last month, designer Marc Jacobs will be collaborating with Sephora to create his own beauty label. This isn't Jacobs' first dabble in the beauty industry, as he already has an established line of fragrances - plus another perfume coming out in July - but it will be his first time delving into the makeup, as opposed to scent, end of the industry. I wonder if Marc Jacobs' brand will stand on its own and be able to expand beyond Sephora's walls at some point in time, or whether it will be a "Sephora Originals" brand, such as Charlotte Ronson and Tarina Tarantino, which means it will have an exclusive contract with the upscale beauty chain. I suppose only time will tell. I am very excited, because if Jacobs' plans to use the beauty aesthetic that he utilizes at his shows, I will be a very happy camper, as the makeup for his runways shows always look amazing.

(photo c/o english.visitkorea.or.kr)

A trendy, urban cosmetics store called Too Cool For School, which currently only has locations in South Korea and Indonesia, will be breaking ground for a New York City store this year, and I am pumped beyond belief. I first saw pictures of the Asian beauty boutique while I was reading Beauty Inc, a monthly magazine published by the creators of Women's Wear Daily, and from the few pictures shown, the store's vibe seems to be MAC-meets-artist's studo feel, as some of the product offerings include lipsticks packaged to look like crayons and tiny sketchable doll heads, faces and hands. In short, Too Cool For School looks like a place where my inner child and my grown-up cosmetic maven can unite.