The Beauty Blog

The Daria Collection of Lancome has officially been launched this week. The collection consists of an eye shadow palette, a lipstick and a lipgloss.

Makeupminute reports that the Daria Collection is a gorgeous blend of Brazilian earthy tones – it just makes you feel the sand between your toes, the air as it passes through your hair at the beach, the heat from the glistening sun.

Lancome is donating a portion of the proceeds from this collection to Centro Espacial Vik Muniz, an education program that supports arts education programs for young adults in Rio de Janeiro.

According to diunSA, this bold, new collection isn’t just dedicated to making women look good – but rather, to make them feel good too.

The color statement of the collection’s ‘Brazilian Earth Colours,’ is natural and sophisticated. Sun-kissed browns, natural nudes and warm golds naturally enhance the beauty of the face’s most sensual features - the lips and eyes.

The Daria Collection from Lancome is available for sale in online stores with a retail price of $45.

Actor Antonio Banderas is launching a new fragrance, called “Blue Seduction For Women,” which is the actor’s fifth fragrance launched exclusively for women so far. Blue Seduction For Women is set to hit beauty stores nationwide in the beginning of September.

GlamBoulevard reports that the actor has described the fragrance as the scent in his line that most suits his persona.

Antonio Banderas wants to seduce you. Slated to hit shelves in September, Antonio Banderas launches his 5th fragrance, a women’s version of his Blue Seduction scent, called Blue Seduction for Women. Perfume maker Puig Beauty U.S.A, is hoping the line will be as successful as his past fragrances, each ranking top 10 in mass stores.

According to Women’s Wear Daily, during their launch years, each Banderas fragrance has ranked among the top 10 in mass stores.

The latest introduction closely copies the nuances of the bottle for the men’s Blue Seduction. The glass bottle is transparent and is designed to resemble the reflection of light on water — an effect achieved, thanks to a sculpted base designed to resemble a mosaic tile.

Pricing is in line with other Banderas scents — $21.50 for the 1-oz. eau de toilette spray and $30 for the 1.7-oz.

Calvin Klein is launching a new fragrance with the name Secret Obsession. The print campaign for this fragrance is set to debut in September, which will star Eva Mendes.

FASHIONRATTY reports that industry sources estimated that Secret Obsession could do upward of $120 million at retail globally in its first year on counter.

Secret Obsession, by Givaudan and Ann Gottlieb, has top notes of exotic plum, mace and rose de damas; a heart of Egyptian jasmine, French orange flower and tuberose, and base notes of cashmere woods, burnt amber, Madagascan vanilla and Australian sandalwood.

New York Fashion quotes Lori Singer, the vice president of global marketing for the brand at Coty Prestige, commenting on this new fragrance and Mendes’s expected role for the campaign.

“It’s somewhat up to interpretation — because of how it’s shot, and what you see and hear, and what you can’t see and hear. You hear her voice, talking about having a sexy secret,” Singer said.

Donna Karan International launches a new line of jeans called DKNYC. With this new line, the company wants to keep the urban feel of its products, but to make it more casual and more conducive.

Women’s Wear Daily reports that Donna Karan International works to make an aggressive push into markets like Asia and the Middle East.

In addition to having a few strong seasons at retail under its belt, parent Donna Karan International has been working to update and improve its network of licenses, and to make an aggressive push into markets like Asia and the Middle East.

According to Shiny Style, the new line will be similar in concept to the City DKNY line launched in 2001 but shuttered in 2005.

Donna Karan International is ready to add a new label to its stable of brands: DKNYC, a better sportswear label with price points similar to the current DKNY jeans range.

Donna Karan is quoted commenting on this new line.

“That’s what New York City is — complicated, multidimensional … As I see it, the C stands for circa. It’s Circa DKNY, from its original core concept, when it was really intended for a much wider level. The current success of DKNY opened up the doors to be able to expand.”

The DKNYC line will be available in July at stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor and Dillard’s with items having retail prices of $100 to $150 for outerwear, $70 to $100 for jackets, $40 to $55 for pants, skirts or shirts, $40 to $80 for sweaters and $25 to $45 for T-shirts.

Photo: © [cipher]

Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett is the new face of Armani Diamonds fragrance For Men. Hartnett is set to be unveiled as the spokesperson of the Italian fashion house’s fragrance in a ceremony during Milan’s Spring / Summer fashion week some time next year.

Fashion Fling reports that Hartnett joins Beyonce, who is already the face of Armani Diamonds fragrance for women.

Hollywood’s hottest men have been smelling even sweeter in recent months, with Tim McGraw launching his first scent, Patrick Dempsey partnering up with Avon, James Franco lending his visage to Gucci’s new scent, and even Justin Timberlake representing Givenchy. And now, Emporio Armani has just announced that they have chosen Josh Hartnett to be the face of their newest fragrance, Emporio Armani Diamonds for Men, which will be unveiled in June during Spring/Summer fashion week in Milan.

According to Beauty Blabber, the firm’s beauty division signed Hartnett as the face of its new scent last Tuesday.

The firm’s beauty division on Tuesday signed actor Josh Hartnett as the face of a new scent due out this summer called Emporio Armani Diamonds for Men, a masculine counterpart to last year’s Emporio Armani Diamonds women’s fragrance, which was fronted by Beyoncé Knowles.

Thanks to People.com, Armani is quoted commenting on Hartnett’s abilities and role in creating this new fragrance.

“Both on and off screen he has a charm and charisma that is magnetic. His individuality, allure and nonchalant way of being are all qualities which inspired me in the creation of this new fragrance.”

Photo: © startinghere71

Christina Aguilera is planning to launch her third fragrance line sometime this fall.

Delicious Scent reports that Aguilera’s both first and second lines have proven to be an international success.

Pop star Christina Aguilera has taken a break from her music career after giving birth to her first child in January. She is now working on a new fragrance to add to her perfume line. Aguilera’s previous two perfumes have been an international success.

According to CelbrityInSite, the new scent will have the name “Inspire,” while the other two are “Xpose” and “Simply Christina.”

It appears that Christina Aguilera has announced plans to add another fragrance of perfume to the line of perfume she already has. It appears that while Christina had taken time off from her singing career since she had given birth to her son Max and to be a mother she has also been working on a third fragrance for her perfume line.

Photo: © daslive.blogspot.com

Channel has chosen French actress Audrey Tautou to star in the leading role for advertising the famous No.5 perfume next year.

Makeup Buzz reports that Tautou will partner with director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Following the films “Amelie” and “The Long Engagment,” this will be the third collaboration between Audrey Tautou and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Once again CHANEL has commissioned a director and his muse to write a new page in the love story between the cinema and No.5.

According to Daily Obsession, Tautou will replace Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman.

Chanel will be partnering with director Jean-Pierre Jeunet for their next No. 5 film, whom Ms. Tatou has also worked with in A Very Long Engagement and Amelie, one of our favorite films ever! We ADORE the elegance of Chanel ads, and they are always memorable. You can be sure that we’ll be keeping our eyes out for the new No. 5 film in 2009.

Photo: © Cathérine

Yvette Nsiah has been crowned as Miss Universe Ghana 2008. Nsiah traveled all the way from the United States to Ghana to participate in the contest. According to AfricaNews, Nsiah was been crowned after three rounds of keen competition that tested communication skills, intelligence, beauty, elegance and poise.

Daisy Asare Akoto, a student, came out as1st Runner Up while Joyce Akagbo, a third year student at the Ghana Institute of Journalism was 2nd Runner Up. The competition was judged by Emma Moisan, Dennis Nii Dodoo Smith, Gerad Boakye, Pearl Amoah (Miss Universe Ghana 1996 & Fashion Designer), and Ronke Nedd. All delegates were dressed in clothing by the Royal Dennis design label and styled by Sleek Cosmetics.

Global Beauty Pageant reports that Nsiah will represent Ghana at the Miss Universe 2008 Pageant to be held at the Diamond Bay Resort in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on July 14, 2008.

In Accra, Ghana Yvette Nsiah beauty travelled all the way from the US to participate in the Accra show , 20 year old 5′7″ tall, has been crowned as Miss Universe Ghana 2008. With communication skills, intelligence, beauty, elegance and poise, Yvette stood out the most and was adjudged the winner.

The producers of the Miss Universe Ghana beauty pageant are quoted analyzing Nsiah’s specific role in the competition.

“After weeks of scouting, we are excited to present a remarkable Ghanaian woman, who we are confident, will make a poignant statement for Ghana at the international event. We are looking forward to a strong presence at the Miss Universe Pageant, and commend the judges for selecting a young woman who is indeed the quintessence of Ghanaian femininity.”

The Beauty Blog congratulates Nsiah on her success and wishes her the best of luck.

Hollywood actor James Franco has been named the face of a new fragrance for men from Gucci. Developed by the Prestige Products division of Procter & Gamble, the new fragrance will be available for sale in beauty counters nationwide this autumn.

Vogue reports that Franco, who turns 30 this year, is better known for his role playing Harry Osborn in the Spiderman series of films.

Franco, who is best known for playing Harry Osborn in the Spiderman saga, is the male foil to Gucci by Gucci girls Raquel Zimmerman, Natasha Poly and Freja Beha Erichsen, who were directed in an ad by Mulholland Drive director David Lynch for the launch of the female fragrance - Giannini’s first for the design house - last year.

According to Towleroad.com, Franco joins the list of fellow actors Justin Timberlake, Matthew McConaughey, Henry Cavill and Patrick Dempsey, who have already worked for cosmetic companies.

James Franco has been announced as the new face of Gucci by Gucci, a new men’s fragrance being launched in the fall, WWD reports. Franco joins fellow actors Justin Timberlake (for Givenchy), Matthew McConaughey (for Dolce & Gabbana), Henry Cavill (for Dunhill) and, most recently, Patrick Dempsey for Avon, in hawking the man scents.

Photo: © danzden

L’Occitane is introducing a new Shea & Cotton Collection, which includes a cleansing milk, serum, mask and a comforting cream. L’Occitane Ultra Comforting Cream contains shea butter and is helpful even for the most sensitive skin.

Usa.loccitane.com reports that L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Cream doesn’t contain fragrances, colorant, preservatives and alcohol.

A soft daily caress, this gentle cream helps even the most sensitive skin. Day after day, redness is minimized and skin is more comfortable and resistant to environmental stress. A natural approach for your organic skin care regimen.

According to Loccitane.com, L’Occitane has stores around the world; from New York City to Paris and from Tokyo to Dubai.

L’Occitane is excited to bring the Provencal experience to you through its network of boutiques. We have stores in over 70 countries around the world. From the New York City to Paris to Tokyo to Dubai, we are committed to bringing the fragrances and textures of Provence to you.

The price for Ultra Comforting Cream starts at $38.