On August 11, 2007, 20 year-old Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were kicked, stamped on and left unconscious – for nothing more than looking different (both were goths). Sophie later died from her injuries.

Sophie’s story resonated with Illamasqua, the bold Brit brand  known for unconventional, often in-your-face color, and in tribute, they’ve commissioned ‘Dark Angel’ – a short film by award-winning French director, Fursy Teyssier featuring the music of Portishead.

The aim of the film is to raise awareness for The Sophie Lancaster Foundation and to generate £500,000 to help educate young people about tolerance. Since Sophie’s death, the Foundation has been working with behavioral experts Huthwaite International, to put together an interactive youth workshop that does just that.

Show your support and watch the film below or purchase the Illamasqua Sophie pencil, wristband or make a donation on site. £3 from the Sophie pencil purchased and all proceeds from the wristband sales go directly to the Foundation.

For more info, visit www.sophielancasterfoundation.com.

As if I needed another reason to shop online this season, it’s Friends & Family time of year. Bobbi Brown is celebrating with a generous 20% off any order on at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com starting on Monday, November 30th and running through Wednesday, December 2nd.

If I cave on an order (and I JUST MIGHT), I’ll probably snag some one of the icy cool shades from the new Chrome Collection, namely the party-ready Chrome Palette, which houses 10 eye shadows, 4 lippies, a Mini Eye Shadow Brush, and Mini Lip Brush.
What will you buy?

I went through a phase a few years ago where I wore Bare Escentuals and ONLY Bare Escentuals. That time has passed but I definitely still have several favorites from the line and at least one mineral makeup junkie on my Christmas list, so for her I’m eyeing the new Happiness Collection.

This 9 piece collection is unique because it’s infused with purported mood-booster Happybelle, a complex containing a natural plant extract that just might mimic the effect of endorphins and induce, yes, a sense of happiness.
Trippy, I know but don’t worry, it’s totally natural. Included in the fun pink mock-croc …read more

While it’s satisfying to wrap up one big present and cross someone off your holiday shopping list, I’ve always found it even more fun to carefully select a bunch of small treats for my family and friend’s Christmas stockings.
This season, I definitely plan to snag several of the seasonal C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Cordials – they’re the perfect stocking stuffer!
Available in several yummy, seasonal flavors including Hot Buttered Rum, Vanilla Cream Eggnog, Warm Spiced Cider and Triple Hot Chocolate, anyone who has a sweet tooth and loves lip gloss will adore these. They’re minty (yes, they’ll help …read more

Black Friday is later this week, which officially kicks off the holiday shopping season. I’ve spent the past couple of weeks here at Makeup Minute sharing some of my favorite holiday collections, but going forward, I’m going to be sharing gift-worthy goodies several times a week. First up is mally beauty’s perfectly giftable Evercolor Starlight 5 pc. Waterproof Mini Eyeliner Set ($30).

Included in this chic, glossy snakeskin print box are five waterproof eyeliner pencils that glide on smoothly and last all day.
When newly sharpened, these can be used to line precisely or try smudged for a softer shadowy line that smolders. …read more

Back in the day, Interview with the Vampire was one of my fave movies while Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV show, NOT the movie!) was my obsession. But I must admit that I came to the Twilight saga a little later than most.  And while I can’t claim that the books are “good,” there is a certain addictive quality to them that can’t be denied, so I quickly made my way through all four and devoured Twilight, the movie.
This week saw the release of New Moon, the second film in the Twilight Saga series, and to coincide with the …read more

Actress Nikki Reed (Rosalie Cullen) hit the New York City red carpet premiere of The Twilight Saga: New Moon this Thursday and mark Celebrity Makeup Artist Jamie Greenberg created the understated, yet elegant look.

To get the look:
Eyes
“Nikki has gorgeous dark eyes that I really wanted to play up. I started by smudging mark Eyemarker Color On Line in Java along her upper lash line, followed by two coats of mark Scanda-Lash Hook Up Mascara on the top lashes. For her bottom lashes, I took the tip of the mascara wand and carefully coated each lash for definition, then brushed …read more

Beauty junkies everywhere received a bit of bad news in September – Prescriptives, a cult favorite line revered for its custom blend products, fantastic skincare and iconic Calyx fragrance, will cease department store distribution at the end of January 2010.

But there’s still a little bit of hope for diehards! The brand wants to ensure that you, yes YOU, are able to secure your favorites for as long as they’re available, so they’ve launched a Twitter channel.
By following Prescriptives on Twitter, you’ll receive quick answers to product-related questions. You’ll also get the inside scoop on their Lustre Holiday color collection (think …read more

Last month, I wrote about one of my favorite new lip products,L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Plumping Lipgloss.
This gloss has it all – it delivers color, plumping and shine with major staying power. Not to mention, I found out just today that one of my fave young actresses, Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl, loves it too! Is it wrong that that makes me love it more?
Leighton said, “L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Plumping Lipgloss in Plumped Red gives me that extra little color and boost when I really want my lips to pop.”

What do you think of Leighton’s cherry red lip?

Borghese is feeling festive this season, and their newest limited-edition holiday Nail Lacquer collection, Festivo, proves it. Dominated by cool metallics and rich jewel tones, what I like most about this collection is its wearability .

For a flashy effect (think New Year’s Eve!), choose from shades like Prima Platinum – a sleek silver infused with glitter, and Gusto Golddust, a rich, yellow gold with a sparkle finish.
For a bolder look, choose from shades like Ecstasi Indigo – a deep blue with a hint of shine, or Brava Blackberry – a rich, shimmering shade of maroon. For classic red holiday nails …read more