Friday, September 28, 2012

Bronzed Brilliant with Prismatech...The Most Innovative Powder Texture


What a whirlwind this week has been!  I found myself in Minnesota at the headquarters of Shop NBC for my first appearance as a brand specialist on a shopping channel.  Holy smokes!  That was sooo intimidating.  Since the network runs 24/7, they have a unique super last-minute culture that can make the toughest person nervous.  I jumped on the plane without knowing what models I would be working on to arrive at my hotel by 1 AM.  Little sleep and I was up and prepping myself to be on TV.  Thanks goes out to Jamie Nelson, one of my lovely models who works as a trainer at Shop NBC, for helping me learn the ropes.  When I returned to LA last night, I had to give myself a pep talk to actually watch the show.  You are your worst critic, but I made it through it:).  And that is really what is important...being flexible enough to try new things is imperative to survive a day in the beauty life!


With my life recap out of the way, let's talk about something super exciting!!!  For those of you that know Mirabella products, it would be common knowledge that we really care about good-for-you ingredients and that our products are mineral-based...meaning talc-free, paraben-free, etc.  What you wouldn't know is how difficult it is to achieve great color and super smooth textures without some of these ingredients.  And since I am all about functionality of a product, it is totally important to me that Mirabella products payoff and apply beautifully.  Therefore I reject a lot of formulations.  So when a brand-new technology called Prismatech was introduced two years back, I immediately fell in LOVE and watched and waited for it to pass stability.  It was first shown as eyeshadows and then last year it was presented in multiple forms...and that is when Bronzed Brilliant came to life in my mind!!

I have always been a huge fan of Bobbi Brown's Bricks.  I am such a blush girl that these bricks became staples in multiple shades in my cosmetic bag.  Back when, it took me awhile to find the technology, which is extruded and then baked, that gives such amazing highlight.  Since it was a double-process, it was super expensive and I just couldn't make it work for the brand.  Then Clinique, Laura Mercier, The Body Shop, etc., jumped on the extruded wagon...but nobody does it as well as Bobbi Brown.  It became a mission for me to find a technology that would be better than the Bobbi Brown bricks...and Prismatech is it!

Why is Prismatech the must-have powder technology?

1.  It is a revolutionary texture that combines the best features of baked, fluid and cream products.
2.  It provides brighter, purer color.
3.  It looks so natural on the skin.  Provides radiance without frosty looking shimmer.
4.  It is 100 times softer than the average powder!!  100 times!!  Touch it and you are in heaven:).
5.  The unique bouncy feel and transparent texture allow layering without feeling powdery.
6.  It provides long wear performance: color stays put all day.
7.  It perfects the look of your skin.
8.  It is talc-free and paraben-free.


INTRODUCING BRONZED BRILLIANT...


Bronzed Mineral Bronzer using Prismatech shimmer layers softly to truly kiss the skin with a touch of shimmering sun.  Tawny Warmth (left) is for Fitz levels 1-2, Baked Sand (middle) is for Fitz levels 2-3, and Burnt Copper (right) is for Fitz levels 4-5.  Fitz level 6 can use all shades for a beautiful highlight.  To get that Sunkissed Glow, watch this video currently on our YouTube channel.

Bronzed was featured in Harper's Bazaar in the September issue!!!  Right next to fabulous lines such as Chanel and Givenchy!  Keep in mind that we do not advertise yet, so to be mentioned without having advertisement is unheard of.  That means that the product really is to-die-for!! I was sooo incredibly excited!!!  Check it out.




Brilliant Mineral Highlighters with Prismatech shimmer feature two beautifully blended colors to give that extra dimension of shimmer.  We are the first to market two blended colors with Prismatech worldwide, which is an AMAZING accomplishment for our small brand.  This means that I now have gray hair from worrying whether production was actually going to happen for real.  To be first-to-market is awesome, but you never realize how many unknown problems can occur by taking such risk.  I cannot even tell you how many early morning phone conferences I participated in while I laid in bed trying to understand the issues.  But now that it is here, it has surpassed my expectations 100 fold!  So beautiful...

Brilliant is available in Shimmer Rose (left), Latte Swirl (middle, I LOVE this on my eyes), and Glowing Coral (right).  All shades are gorgeous and must-haves.  I mix and match them all.

My favorite comment came from Jamie just after she received her finished samples.  She said, "I LOVE them...they make my skin look so much better...I just put the bronzer over my entire face!"  LOL!  So true, Jamie:).  With that being said, I created a look that just uses Bronzed Brilliant in multiple shades and areas of the face.  Try it out...it looks so beautiful and natural.


Here are a few pics of me with this look...



So that is the story of Prismatech...it is so versatile that you can create any color for eyes or face in any shape you can dream of.  Whenever I go the manufacturer presentations, they have a wall of hundreds of shapes and colors of Prismatech.  I find myself standing in front of the wall just dreaming about how much I love cosmetics.   You will see other brands using Prismatech on the market, and I like it so much that I am collecting it in all shapes and sizes.  Here are a couple available now...

Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Tangerine Tango



Thursday, September 13, 2012

Notes from NYC

There just never seems to be enough time to be everywhere and into everything.  Being a relatively small brand, you have to jump 90 times faster and higher just to play in this game.  I feel like everyone at Mirabella is constantly speeding through life really trying to make something special...and it is very special to me!  We have had so many fun successes in the past couple of months...from our new Pinterest boards, my 15 secs with Mario Lopez on Extra TV, getting a new PR firm, watching the Mirabella Bride vision come to life at our bridal runway show, our rooftop press event featuring the amazing Holiday Escape mini film, the launch of www.mirabellabride.com, expansion into 2 new territories in Canada, NYFW backstage with Ivana Helsinki, lunch with Women's Wear Daily...not to mention the SUPER Exciting launch of BRONZED BRILLIANT!!!...and you can see why my summer has flown by!  But it is all part of a day in the beauty life...blink and you will be left behind:).

This week I find myself in NYC for the Makeup in New York show.  An interesting show...not sure how I feel about it...but I started pounding the pavement on Wednesday in my new blue Toms (love Toms..my feet are still functioning after 3 days on foot) running from one appointment to the next.  September in New York is the best time of year.  Perfect temp and nice sunny weather.  I am staying in Times Square at The Hilton and there is so much energy in this city!


Luckily my usual jet lag was nonexistent (that never happens), so I really hit the road running.  This month I am really focusing on product development.  It has been hard to find the time to really decide what is next for 2013-2014...but I think I got it down. Oh my gosh...everything is going to be AMAZING...I just can't wait!  I find myself really positioning the brand steeped in luxury.  I just can't help it...I LOVE luxury.  The more details the better:).

We got a new PR firm that I am super excited about because they are supporting my dreams of creating unique luxury products that are first to market.  So you will see a lot of innovation coming your way next year.  Super fun, hot colors and textures that are truly transformative.  If you can keep a secret...I will tell you that the lineup may include colored Magic Markers, BB Creme and a ton of new lip products.  And btw...I was just testing a fabulous new lip stain that was simply to die for.  I have been sporting hot pink lips ever since Wednesday morning because I can't get enough of this formula.  It is in the last stability test...so cross you fingers that it will pass and I will bring it to you ASAP!  Hahaa!  I love my job:).

Back to LA tomorrow, but I will have fond memories of this trip.  Working with my favorite people, laughing over lunch at Bar Americain with John and Ally, feeling inspired after talking with Ursula (she has the best taste and can always streamline my ideas and really make them amazingly beautiful), finally getting my favorite dishes 1/2 off from Anthropology after stalking them for 2 years, new Kate Spade pumps 60% off at Nordstrom Rack, catching up with my friend Aimee over milkshakes at Shake Shack, and more.  Now I am only 1-1/2 weeks away from my 1/2 hr segment on Shop NBC!!!  Oh my gosh...so nervous.  Not sure how I ended being nominated for tv, but it really scares me.  Wish me luck.  It is live on September 26th!

--Amber