Great design - Cosmetics

Innovation is a key component to great design and packaging, as novelty catches a consumer's eye and entices her in to take a closer look. Innovation is what makes a product stand out from the pack, even if beyond the packaging there are no discernible differences between Product A and Product B. 

It's safe to say that I'm a happy, much-inspired individual after browsing sites like The Dieline, Core77 and Behance, all of which provide constantly updated arrays of products and places that have been gifted with lovely, visual awesomeness.

To marry two of my great loves - beauty products and package design - here are a few of the brands that stand out from the crowd, and how they've carved a niche for themselves.

1. Mor Cosmetics is an Australian line of bath & body products, cosmetics and fragrance that prides itself on its beautiful packaging. Actually, if you read the 'About Us' section on Mor's website, you'll note that more information is given about the outside of the products as opposed to the ingredients. Mor prides itself on having some of the prettiest-designed products on the market. I guess you could say that Mor Cosmetics is the cool kid in the room and it knows it.

(Fresh Lychee, left, and French Vanilla, right, Lip Macarons)

(Indian Pomeo, left, and Italian Blood Orange, right, Emporium Collection soaps)

(Marshmallow Body Butter, left, and Belladonna Lip Nectar, right)

(images c/o morcosmetics.com)

2. Lollia is similar to Mor Cosmetics in that they both create bath & body products, perfumes and candles, but Lollia also designs bedding as well as sleepwear apparel. All products are feature the pastel, Victorian wallpaper-esque designs that lend a girly, yet romantic appeal. Also like Mor, Lollia's About section on its website gives much ado to its signature packaging and distinctive, luxurious designs. My favorite Lollia products are the candles, due in large part to the range of names that describe each scent, such as, 'I Can Still Smell The Rain', 'Silently Across The Snow', 'When The Leaves Turn' and 'Staring At The Ceiling'. I can actually visualize each of these scenes in my head and almost smell the scent that would accompany them. Brilliant, brilliant. 

(Calm Shea Butter Handcreme, left, and Relax Eau de Parfum, right)

(Tomorrow No.77, left, and Stacks Of Pretty Paper No. 18, right, candles)

(images c/o lollialife.com)

3. Urban Decay is a popular cosmetics brand whose aesthetic is less about the luxurious and pretty, and is instead focused on the appeal of alternative, gritty design. The line of single eyeshadows is my favorite offering from the brand, as each is contained within a metallic disk made to look like a subway token. Another plus for the brand comes from the funny, tongue-in-cheek names of the shades carried within each product. For instance, some of the eyeshadow shades are named 'Mildew', 'S&M', 'Smog' and 'Virgin', while two lipsticks have been dubbed 'Oil Slick' and 'Peroxide'. Another fun series of products is the line of primers for face, cheek and lips, which all are called "primer potions". As such, they have been made to look like tiny genie bottles. Cheeky, indeed. 

(My eyeshadow, Baked)

(Eden, left, and Original, right, Eyeshadow Primer Potions)

(image c/o urbandecay.com)

Local Spotlight - Bloom Bath and Body

Bloom Bath and Body is a small women's boutique in Lawrence that carries product designed to pamper. From the uber-soft pajamas that line the upstairs loft to the candles, body lotions and lip balms that dot every table and shelf, the store is a smorgasbord of items dedicated to the sole purpose of providing a sense of decadent luxury to whomever should own them. Even Bloom's location - situated above an in-ground pizza parlor - adds to its inviting appeal.

Upon entering the store, there is a tiny staircase to the right that leads up into a loft area that hosts an array of pajamas, books, coin purses, stationery, scarves and other enticing odds and ends.

Straight ahead are several tables and shelves that are stocked full of heavenly aroma-ed items. Literally, if there is something that can contain a scent, it can probably be found dwelling in this area. And since men usually come in looking to buy something for their lady loves, Bloom has created small gift boxes wherein are pre-selected goodies. These remind me of Easter baskets for adults.

Brands such as Tokyo Milk, Lollia and Love & Toast are prominently displayed, with little nooks in the store designed to house each line. On a side note, these brands have the most amazing packaging and design. And since I'm a sucker for beautiful packaging, the mix of pastel colors, gilt font and box borders,  and medieval/Victorian illustrations roped me in before I even got close enough to determine if I liked the actual fragrances. Ah, such are the first world pains that I go through on the regular.

 Pastels + roses = Chelsea is a goner.

And behold...the wall of soap, courtesy of Pre de Provence. If you read my earlier post on local shop Au Marche, I've given two thumbs up to this brand before. As for the wall, if you're looking for a specific scent,  it's there. Or, would you rather choose your bar based on your favorite color? Be my guest.

If you're looking for a girly wonderland that will delight the senses, do stop by Bloom Bath and Body. Your nose will thank you.