Breaking Beauty News: Bonne Bell is Going Out of Business

It is with such a sad heart that I bring you this news today, as it marks the true end of an era. But before you start clutching your Lip Smackers, there's a little light at the end of the tunnel...

Many thanks to @BeautyandBiz_Mon on Twitter for letting me know about this news. Here are a few excerpts from some news articles that sum up what's going on:

From WKYC.com:

Bonne Bell has announced it is closing its manufacturing and distribution facility in Westlake and plans to lay off 91 employees.

Markwins International  announced Thursday it had bought Bonne Bell and Lip Smacker, the company's popular brand of lip glosses marketed to girls and young ladies.

Bonne Bell will change its name to the Bell Family Brands.

Bonne Bell still owns the Formula Ten-Oh-Six skin care brand, and Bonne Bell's distribution affiliate, Aspire Brands, will continue to distribute Lip Smackers in Europe, Australia and Asia.

From Cleveland.com:

The Bonne Bell Co. announced in a press release that California-based Markwins International Corp. has entered into an agreement to acquire Aspire Brands assets Bonne Bell and Lip Smacker.

"Markwins has a proven track record of creating excitement and bringing innovation to the cosmetic category," said Jess "Buddy" Bell, Jr., founder of Aspire Brands. "They will bring the same excitement and innovation to the Lip Smacker and Bonne Bell brands. I am excited about the future of the Lip Smacker and Bonne Bell brands under Markwins ownership."

So while it is extremely sad news to hear of people losing their jobs and having such an iconic brand close its doors, a new chapter is beginning as Markwins (owners of Wet n Wild, Physicians Formula, Black Radiance and The Color Workshop) will be taking the reigns. It sounds like Markwins will handle distribution in the US (and perhaps other countries) while Aspire will handle distribution in Europe, Australia and Asia.

What do you think of this news? Are you curious to see what will remain the same and what might change?

Thanks again, @BeautyandBiz_Mon, for the tip about this news.

Spotted: New Beauty Products at Rite Aid, Walgreens and Bed Bath & Beyond

I have spotted several new-to-me beauty products over the last few weeks at Rite Aid, Walgreens and Bed Bath & Beyond, so I thought I'd put them all into one collective sightings post for you today.

NOTE: I realize that some of these products may not be brand new to you, but not everyone gets new products at the same time around the country, so I hope this helps those of you who may not have seen these products in your areas yet!

First up, at Rite Aid:

L.A. Colors 12-Pan Palettes

(retail: $1.99 each at Rite Aid)

I think these 12-pans are also available at Kmart, but this is the first time I've seen them at Rite Aid.

Bonne Bell Sun Smacker SPF24 Lip Balms

(retail: unknown)

I don't recall ever seeing these particular Sun Smacker 3-packs before (please correct me if I'm wrong!).

Spotted and Swatched: NEW Bonne Bell Nail Lacquers, Lip Lacquers and Lipsticks

Purchased by Me

I spotted not one, but TWO new Bonne Bell displays at Kmart this week and I have tons of pics and swatches for you. First let's take a look at the new American Landscape collection (I'll be posting pics and swatches from the other new collection, which contains new balms and glosses, either today or tomorrow).

NEW Bonne Bell American Landscape Collection

Nail Lacquers, Lip Lacquers and Lip Colors