Tracy Reese has expanded her Plenty line with shoes and we couldn't be more excited. Come Fall, we can accessorize her nubby knits and gorgeous prints with complementary flats, heels, clogs, and boots. The collection, inspired by menswear, includes slick embellishments such as tassels and functional lug soles. “Plenty [shoe collection] will be more extensive than Tracy Reese,” said Reese, who also just relaunched her ecommerce site. "Tracy Reese is dressy, while Plenty will have real day shoes and more heel heights.” Plenty by Tracy Reese shoe goodies will range from $95 to $200. Not bad, eh?

If you just can't contain yourself over the soon-to-be premiere of Sex and the City 2, then HBO has some products designed to (temporarily) slake your thirst. In the run-up to the movie, it's releasing both these Steeplechase Cosmetic Bags ($30) and a new Eye Mask ($20, available next month). It's amazing how much merchandise the movie is driving, and these products are just examples of how far-reaching the franchise has become. (And if you'll recall there was also lots of beauty merchandise available from the first flick.) If you're a SATC fan, would you consider buying something like this? And how do you feel about girlie movie merchandise aimed at women?

Do blondes have more fun? You can be the judge of that, but in the beauty department, blondes can often experience barely-there brows — and that's really no fun at all. Blondes, however, are the only bunch that actually look better with slightly darker eyebrows. To try to go lighter or completely match your brows to your hair color can result in a monochromatic look. For the most natural effect, pick a shade one to two tones darker than the hair, matching the undertones of your brow product to the warmth or coolness in your hair color. Look for: light taupe, wheat, sable, ash blond, golden blond, lightest brown, dark blond, or soft gray.
There's a whole slew of blonde-appropriate brow shapers to suit your shaping needs. But to customize your brow color even more, work with two different shades to get the perfect one for you. You may even find that a darker shade will work best for filling in sparse areas, while the lighter shade will be perfect for sweeping over the entire brow to bring it all together. Stay tuned redheads, brunettes, and darker-haired beauties. I'll have tips for you, too, over the next few days.

Love Disney (of course you do)? Love MAC (well, duh)? Then perhaps you might be interested in the new MAC and Disney line of products debuting this September. Like Hello Kitty and Barbie before them, Disney's character's will be featured on lipstick, powder, lip gloss, and blush.
The only difference? The collection is called "Venomous Villains," and instead of pretty princesses and cute sidekicks,four of cartoon history's biggest baddies will be the featured characters. Which villains, exactly, is still a mystery known only to the MAC people, but they just released this video with several pretty obvious hints. Which villains do you think will be featured? And will you be partaking in MAC's latest collaboration?

Warm weather is on its way, so it's time to get glowing. Our friends at Sephora want to help you get gorgeous for the new season, so they're giving away some seriously pretty makeup shades from Temptu. Today's lucky winner will receive:
* Retouch Blush in Vintage Ruby — A beautiful, dusty rose shade exclusive to Sephora.
* Retouch Highlighter in Sunset Glow — A sheer golden peach sheen that will brighten up any complexion.
To enter, just take the quiz by 5 p.m. PDT today, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a PopSugar Community member to enter. So if you're not already one, register now. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is raising a stink over fragrance safety. Its newest report, Not So Sexy: Hidden Chemicals in Perfume and Cologne, calls out 17 fragrances for having "secret" ingredients that aren't listed on the label. What's troubling, they argue, is that some of these chemicals (like phthalates) can act as hormone disruptors. The study calls out American Eagle Seventy Seven, Chanel Coco, Britney Spears Curious, and Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio as having the highest concentration of these ingredients.
It's nothing consumers should worry about, says John Bailey, chief scientist of the Personal Care Products Council. "There is no evidence that our products cause the effects claimed by the activists," he says. "Phthalates are a large class of substances consisting of many different chemicals. Only three are used in cosmetics and these have been extensively studied for safety by authoritative bodies worldwide. They are safe as used in cosmetics."

The EWG disagrees, while the PCPC criticizes the study itself. For lots more about this controversy, keep reading.
In a statement, Bailey says the study is "undermined by its failure to include quantitative measurements of the 'secret' ingredients it purported to find. Such measurements are a fundamental element of toxicological risk assessments. Without them, it is impossible to make valid judgments about potential risks."
Not so, says Stacy Malkin of the EWG, adding that the suspected endocrine disruptor dibutyl phthalate was found in the fragrances at an average of more than 10,000 parts per million. "Other chemicals were not quantified because of the additional expense of thousands of dollars and special equipment needed by the lab," she explains. "I think the relevant question is, why do we have a system where consumer groups need to spend many thousands of dollars to do science experiments on fragrances to find out what's in them?"
So what's next? The EWG is pushing for more regulation and transparency in the industry, while the PCPC aims to assuage consumer fears. One thing's for sure: the debate over cosmetic safety is unlikely to die down soon.

We are excited to bring you another post by model, entrepreneur, and guest blogger Josie Maran! This week, she's talking about the beauty lessons she hopes to pass along. Take it away, Josie:
One of my biggest beauty role models is my mom, so I can only hope that my daughter, Rumi Joon, one day looks at me the same way. With over 17 years in the modeling industry, I’ve obviously spent a lot of time in the makeup chair. But what I’ve learned is that real beauty comes from within, and that’s something I hope Rumi comes to understand as she grows older. I want her to feel comfortable in her own skin, and to not be afraid to wear bold colors, try new products, and define her own style.

It's the time of year when brands reveal their new celebrity spokespeople, and Revlon just announced that it's signed Kate Hudson to be the face of Almay. It's a pairing that makes a lot of sense to me, especially since Almay has had a more eco-friendly line of products out for a couple of years now, and Kate's known for her natural, sunny California girl looks.
What do you think? Is this a good match, or do celebrity spokespeople even matter when you're buying makeup?

We've all been under the influence — under the influence of a stinky fragrance, that is. Perhaps you've been spritzed at the perfume counter by an overly eager salesperson and now you're just as eager to eliminate the offending scent before a headache ensues. Or maybe it's a different scenario, where you love your signature scent, but your company has a no-fragrance policy and you need to get all traces off pronto. Whatever the case, get a few tips on de-aromatizing yourself when you read more.

* The most popular: Probably the most widely recommended (not to mention inexpensive) method is to remove fragrance with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol or witch hazel.
* The more unconventional: This one comes from the folks at Now Smell This: First apply unscented deodorant to the affected area. Let sit for a few minutes and wash with an unscented heavy-duty laundry detergent, like Tide Free.
* Make a paste: Create a paste of equal parts of baking soda and warm water. Rub it into the skin, let sit for several minutes, and rinse away.
* Straight up with a twist: Not that you'd want to waste perfectly good vodka, but in a pinch, you can use soak cotton balls with unflavored vodka, apply to the skin, and wipe away.
* Make a dressing: Another around-the-house method is a simple mix of white vinegar and oil. Dab onto skin, let set in, and wash off with soap and water.

When it comes to polish shades that will carry you into the next few months, think either bold and bright or creamy pastels. But these aren't your ordinary delicate pastels or basic hues. "Untraditional nail colors has been an emerging trend for past three years. Slowly it has finally hit the mass market," Ji Baek of Rescue Beauty Lounge told WWD.
Expect to see the creamy mint and purple trends stay on course, along with elements of orange and cool blues, as well. But since just about every brand's Spring/Summer collection features some kind of magenta or fuchsia shade, let's hone in on that. Here are a few great hot pink options to get you started:

Black nail polish and hair metal bands go hand in hand, and here's a little something to just blow you away-hey. It's Poison Nail Polish ($5), which, ahem, looks strikingly like OPI's Black Onyx ($8.50). As the product description proclaims, "If you're a fan . . . you've got to have a bottle of this!" So if you're a Poison lover looking for nothing but a good time (and who isn't really?), this black lacquer is sure to add the perfect amount of edge as you rock out. As always, the more chips you can attain, the better.

Apparently, children today are a lot more conscious of skin care than I was as a tot, because the American Association of Dermatologists has launched Kids Skin Health. The website is dedicated to answering kids' questions about piercings, acne, and tattoos; readers are guided by a friendly amorphous blob named Sammy the Skin Cell. (One reason Sammy says children shouldn't get tattoos? Apparently, they're "somewhat permanent.")
The site seems like a good idea, but it comes off as a little confused about its audience. Can it be that children small enough to like Sammy are also concerned about zits and whether they should get their eyebrows pierced? Regardless, the "For Grown Ups" section contains a wealth of skin care information, especially about common skin diseases like rosacea and psoriasis, complete with gross pictures of a variety of skin ailments. So next time you have a question about skin care facts, consider paying Sammy a visit.

One of my favorite headbands, which just happens to garner tons of compliments when I wear it, has a stylish floral accent affixed to it — much like this Flat Flower Headband ($22) from J. Crew. And now that April showers have brought us May flowers, it's the perfect time to add a floral accent to your beauty wardrobe. Here are five fun, festive hair accessories with floral touches.
To see them, just keep reading.

• Mellow yellow: The great thing about yellow is that it goes with just about everything, like this Wrinkled Rosette Headband ($32) from Anthropologie.
• Outdoor wedding: Have a wedding, class reunion, or other dressy event coming up? This Tasha "Tulayla" Flower Clip ($28) has just the right amount of romantic flair, complete with chiffon petals and clusters of pearly beads.
• Shop the kids' aisle: Did you know the kids' aisle is a great place to find inexpensive goods? For a true feminine touch, J. Crew's Girls' Fleur Hair Clip ($7.50) would look pretty paired with a breezy sundress.
• Versatile pin: Even though it's got a fancy edge with its sparkly rhinestones, I'd wear this Filigree Gentian Barrette ($18) with anything from a grungy t-shirt and platform heels to a black cocktail dress.
• Vintage-inspired finds: Most of what's on Etsy is one-of-a-kind, but a search for vintage bobby pins unveiled lots of amazing pieces, like this Vintage Chic set of pins.
• Bright and preppy: When you think of bright and preppy, what store comes to mind? If you said Gap, that's exactly where I found this well-tailored royal blue Floral Appliqué Headband ($7.50).

If you're a huge fan of LashBlast mascara, this shouldn't surprise you: In a poll of 5,000 women, Cover Girl came out on top, with 14 percent of women reporting it their favorite brand. The women polled said they preferred Cover Girl mainly because it was a good value, and they trust the name. Clinique came in a close second at 10 percent, followed, interestingly, by Mary Kay and Maybelline.

What was most interesting about the study, though, is that it found women who wear very little makeup are more brand loyal than beauty junkies. Basically, if you love makeup, instead of becoming addicted to one brand, you're more likely to find something you like in any line. But if you consider yourself a makeup "minimalist" or "everyday woman," you'll probably buy a disproportionate amount of your makeup from the same brand. What's your reaction to this study? Do you think it pretty accurately describes your buying habits and favorite brands, or is it way off base?

Ah, ingrowns. They're painful, they look unpleasant, and they have a nasty tendency to show up in your most sensitive spots. Especially since bikinis and short-shorts are only a few weeks away, there's no better time to find out how to prevent them from happening. Yani Cifuentes, a waxing professional from LA's Stark Waxing Studio, talked to me about what we can do to keep ingrowns from rearing their ugly heads. To get her advice, just keep reading.

If you've always wanted a hair consultation with a top stylist, you may just get your chance this Summer. For the next few months, John Frieda's Style on Site Tour is taking its mobile salon to a bunch of cities all over the country, and anyone can come in for a free consultation — complete with a styling session and a 15-minute lesson on making the best of your hair type. You can find out if the bus is headed to your town, and where it will be, at the salon tour website.
And if the mobile salon isn't coming to a city near you, don't fret. You can sign up to win a one-on-one Skype session with my future husband, adorable stylist Harry Josh (that's him on the right, styling Audrina Patridge on the NYC stop of the tour). You know I'll be lined up when the salon hits SF, but what about you?

If you thought the story about 6-year-olds in the UK wearing makeup to school was bad, then I've got some unpleasant news for you: adult makeup use in children has jumped sharply in the US as well. Eighteen percent of kids ages 8-12 are using mascara, and 15 percent are using eyeliner and/or lipstick — all more than five percent increases over the numbers from just two years ago.
If makeup usage among small girls continues to grow at this rate, one-third of all third-graders could be wearing makeup on a daily basis five years from now. And this month, a study from Mount Sinai Hospital revealed that girls with early onset puberty had abnormal levels of the phthalates found in some beauty products, possibly suggesting there may be a link between childhood makeup usage and unhealthy development.
Interestingly, though, there seems to be a backlash brewing among teens, as the "How to Apply Makeup Like a High School Girl" YouTube phenomenon and its many tribute videos suggest. What do you think? Should makeup come before puberty? And do you think this is a fad that's about to be on its way out, or will second-graders be giving smoky eye tutorials in Show and Tell by 2020?

Yesterday, Gap launched its latest scent, Stay ($35), and yesterday, I pedaled my way to the nearest store to sample it. As temperatures hovered around the mid-70s with clear blue skies above, I really couldn't have picked a better time to try out this light, refreshing, Summer-inspired fragrance, which, I might add, almost has a laundry detergent essence about it. See what else I thought of Stay when you read more.
With hints of floral, citrus, and a subtly sweet whisper of powdery notes — although not one particular aroma standing out from the rest — Stay can best be described as cool, breezy, and lightweight, but with plenty of depth and lasting power. Even the bottle has a dewy quality in both shape and color (a nod to Pantone's color of the year, turquoise).
If you're familiar with Gap's Close, Stay is meant to be its lighter, well-suited-for-the-daytime counterpart. Top notes of green hydrangea, dewy lemon flower, and freesia lend a crisp, feminine feel; middle notes of blue lotus, bluebell, and white peony make for a softly sweet, watery effect; and bottom notes of musk, sandalwood, white amber, and driftwood provide the faintest hints of a sexy, subtly spicy finish.
"With Stay, we wanted to embody the freeness and freshness of a Summer evening," Gap's designer extraordinaire, Patrick Robinson, said in a statement. If you're into the crisp, floral scents that are typical of Gap, I think you'll like this lofty scent. And as for this bike-riding sweaty, er, dewy gal, while Stay wore a little heavy in the heat, it mellowed out to a sheer, musky scent by the time we fired up the grill for dinner.

Let's face it: nail polish removers stink of chemicals, and when formulated with harsh, drying ingredients like acetone, toulene, and DBP, they're not exactly earth- or body-friendly, either. Recently, the folks from the Philly-based skin and makeup boutique, A Beautiful Life, sent over a sample of their naturally-based, three-free Soy Polish Remover ($20). See what I thought of the eco-friendly product when you read more.
Formulated with citrus extracts and essential oils, this polish remover, which smells a little powerful in the bottle, settles into a mild and pleasant-smelling grapefruit scent once it hits your fingers. To be fair, I used the remover with both the brand's nontoxic, soy-based Nail Lacquer in Rockstar ($12), a subtly shimmery purple, along with a somewhat similar — albeit sparklier — not-so-natural offering from Milani called Purple Outline ($4).
While I found that I had to let the remover settle in a moment or two longer than a traditional formulation, once the pigments were loosened, I was left with a squeaky clean nail. I discovered that instead of wiping away the polish, I had to wiggle it away with a bit more pressure, although surprisingly, I didn't have to use more product than I'd normally would. Bonus? The polish lifted off right into the cotton pads as opposed to being redistributed in a thin watered-down layer all around my nails and surrounding skin. While it's a little pricey at $20, since this soy polish remover is gentle, effective, and free of harsh ingredients, it's well worth it. Have you tried a soy-based remover?

Hair Color Accoutrements
I'll admit that with a few exceptions, most beauty supply stores are not the place to go for your glamorous upscale shopping. Whether it's megachain Sally's Beauty Supply or the local beauty emporium down the street, the majority of you said you're fans of these types of establishments — and with good reason. We at Team Bella love them too, and that's why we compiled a list of five of our favorite beauty supply store items.