Besame cosmetics

[ShesSoVaVaVoom]

serioulsy, try the dark concealer with some of the dark powder on top and then the light powder on the brow and it looks pretty danged fantastic. My skin is uber light and it looks like creamy beiges and tans and gives fabulous definition. I also have hazel eyes and it makes them pop.

holy moly you weren't kiddin', that came out looking great! I can imagina how it makes your color pop, I have green/yellow eyes so if I don't do my shadow just right it can make my eye color look muddy.

*jumps for joy* thanks for the tip, now I can use every bit of that compact!

were you able to get ahold of anyone at the company to send you your Nior Red?

 

[ShesSoVaVaVoom]

I would imagine that they would have developed new lines to run along side of lines that were closing out. I really cannot think of any other cosmetic house that would sell everything, including a new line of mascara, at a discounted price to simply fund a new formulation, doesn't make a lick of sense to me. Makes me think they have run into financial problems and are about to shut up shop...........remember not so long ago there was a bunch of "bulk" Besame on Ebay for sale ???? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

as a new customer I really hope it's just a reformulation, perhaps there was something in the products that was deemed "unfit", and they've got a certain sell-by date to get rid of their in-stock merchandise. *shrug* geez I hope one of our predictions in correct, except the "going out of businness" one . it's hard to find good quality product anymore, guess that's one of the reasons we're all here!

 

[Ona Ruth]

Hi everyone-this is my first post, but I've been lurking so long that I feel I know some of you!

I am a great Besame fan and collector. I am hoping that Gabrielle Hernandez will continue her business and soon offer new formulas in new packaging, thus making what we've all ordered "collectibles."

While I love (and collect) most Besame products (and am noticing the raves on MakeupAlley now that many have finally ordered due to the lowered prices), I realized that the "vintage" cosmetics market is relatively small.

Besides parabens, one major problem with some of the face products is that they have highly comedogenic ingredients (especially in the rouge, pressed powder, foundation, and Rose Lotion). Removing with cold cream or an oil cleanser is really important!

Hoping that this liquidation means more wonderful packaging on the way.

 

[verazasulich]

On a side note, when Besame was first launched their shipping rates were much, much lower. These higher rates have been gradually increased.
I would like a good explanation of the reasoning behind jacking up the shipping as the packaging materials used are not that expensive.

[huh] Guess its the cost of doing business--but I feel your pain and frustration.

Thanks! I'd ordered from them before and the cost of shipping back then was $32.25 as well. At first I wondered if this $60+ thing was a souped-up UPS service that cost double or if there was some kind of extra insurance, but the amount of time it took to arrive was exactly the same and there was no indication of any insurance on the box label.

I've emailed them to ask if the $60+ sum includes their handling costs, but no reply yet...

 

[cherry lips]

Besides parabens, one major problem with some of the face products is that they have highly comedogenic ingredients (especially in the rouge, pressed powder, foundation, and Rose Lotion). Removing with cold cream or an oil cleanser is really important!

What are parabens and comedogenic ingredients? What do they do to you that is bad? I'm not worried, just curious (if anyone can be bothered to explain ).

 

[BonnieJean]

Thanks! I'd ordered from them before and the cost of shipping back then was $32.25 as well. At first I wondered if this $60+ thing was a souped-up UPS service that cost double or if there was some kind of extra insurance, but the amount of time it took to arrive was exactly the same and there was no indication of any insurance on the box label.

I've emailed them to ask if the $60+ sum includes their handling costs, but no reply yet...

I can't speak for international shipping, but when Besame first came out, those of us who lived in the States could choose U.S. Priority Mail as a shipping option. It was around $4.95, I believe. Now, that option is grayed out and only UPS and International shipping is offered. And I had to pay over $11 for shipping! Maybe it got to be too much work for them to have all those shipping options, I don't know. I sure hope they don't continue this trend as I'll have to carefully consider any future purchases if the shipping costs are going to be high. With our gas prices and everything else going sky high, I've got to cut corners somewhere, and sadly, that is going to reflect on my makeup purchases.

 

[LawnFlamingo]

Regarding this re-formulating...

I own a small lip balm company and about 4 years ago, I reformulated everything. It was a pain and very stressful. When I announced I was reformulating, customers worried that I was closing up shop, they worried that the current balms they had were bad in some way... they worried about all the same things we are worrying about here. (Although, I'm small-fry compared to Besame, but you get the idea.)

In order to not confuse customers, I liquidated my entire current inventory so that when i introduced the new formulation, I wasn't selling the old formula balms along side the new formula balms. If there truly is a reformulation going on over there, I can see why she is liquidating in this manner. You don't want to be selling old alongside new...it's a big no-no, retail-wise.

 

[LawnFlamingo]

cherry lips..

Parabens are antimicrobial preservatives that are used in lots of cosmetics to make the shelf life longer, and keep the product free from "germs." They have been linked to breast cancer in some studies, and therefore are a controversial addition to beauty products.

Comedogenic ingredients refer to any ingredient that has been shown to increase acne when used. (Basically, it refers to pore-clogging ingredients.)

 

[cherry lips]

Thanks LawnFlamingo!
In that case I'd like to defend the Rose Lotion. I've been using it as a daycream for a long time (since the last Besame au revoir-sale when everything was $10) and it has not made me break out. It moisturizes (it's not some oil-free gel horror), but is still light and not rich and greasy like my nightcream. It also smells like rosehips

 

[Vix Vixen]

I can't speak for international shipping, but when Besame first came out, those of us who lived in the States could choose U.S. Priority Mail as a shipping option. It was around $4.95, I believe. Now, that option is grayed out and only UPS and International shipping is offered. And I had to pay over $11 for shipping! Maybe it got to be too much work for them to have all those shipping options, I don't know. I sure hope they don't continue this trend as I'll have to carefully consider any future purchases if the shipping costs are going to be high. With our gas prices and everything else going sky high, I've got to cut corners somewhere, and sadly, that is going to reflect on my makeup purchases.

I think they knew that there were going to be A LOT of orders and if I were shipping over 50+ packages a day, I'd rather have the brown guy pick it up with his big UPS truck rather than make the little mail-man with his little USPS truck pick 'em up. After all, they need all these packages out FAST. I'm pretty sure a lot of us would prefer the USPS shipping over the $11 UPS but it would just be too much of a hassel, I bet, to get the mail man to stuff them all into his small truck

 

[Inky]

I received my UPS tracking number today for my order placed on 8/8/08, so it should arrive tomorrow.

Now if I could only remember what I ordered

As for closing up shop, I don't think they are and I hope they aren't. I am just loving their products and hope a "reformulation" is a positive step toward a brighter future for Besame. It's hard to find those kinds of make up choices - especially with the shiny, nearly plastic looking lips apparently the rage this fall. If it weren't for my MAC lippies I wouldn't have any matte reds for the past 10 years (well, I do have a secret Mary Kay color I love and hoard - it's been discontinued for a while and I have 3 left, two in the freezer).

 

[kamikat]

Uh oh, I still haven't gotten a tracking number and I ordered 8/2.

 

[Vix Vixen]

To the worried Fans of Besame

I'm confident Besame isn't going to close shop because they would flat out tell us "Due to us closing shop, we must liquidate all our products." Why would they leave us hanging on a string? They wouldnt just sell all their stuff and leave it at that then disappear into the night. Like I've said before, they probably have many new items waiting to be unveiled but the people at Besame probably feel it is best to get rid of the old in order to bring in the new. Wouldn't you ladies rather have the new formulated cosmetics rather than the new? If they were to sell these alongside each other than the old stuff won't get sold as much (and the products would then expire) so this is probably why they are liquidating their first collection. Like Miss Neecerie said, they are killing 2 birds with one stone: gaining capital and emptying the storeroom for the new stuff. Would you rather they throw all the goods away to introduce the new stuff or have them sell it to us for dirt cheap. I dunno about the rest of you ladies but I loved the close-out prices. And Plus, we know the profit they'll gain will be used for future Besame products that we'll love. Again, its better than throwing these items out right?

I actually came across an article yesterday that was written at the end of 2007 and they do, in fact, have more cooking up. Here is a part of that article:

"In Vancouver recently to introduce her line of retro-inspired Bésame cosmetics (available at Holt Renfrew), the Argentine-born U.S. resident scours Los Angeles thrift stores and flea markets for vintage ideas and asks friends to hunt down more in her native Buenos Aires. The packaging draws her, appealing aesthetically to this former art director and photographer...."

"...The Bésame collection is a work in progress. She's bringing out larger lipsticks this fall (prices range from $24 for lip glaze to $38 for soufflé foundation) and will be creating some products exclusively for Holt Renfrew. Coming, too, is a cream range that works for lips and cheeks, and dries to look natural, only more so. 'It doesn't look like you have lipstick on,' she says. Everything about her line evokes old-fashioned glamour. A Delightful Rose Balance Moisturizing Lotion smells as it sounds. Her Loose Powder is scented with vanilla. Even the prototype eye-pencil sharpener she's brought along is shaped like a hummingbird and will be made of a substance that resembles Bakelite. Her passion for the genteel past also extends to her own wardrobe, she says. 'I am drawn to the '20s and '30s as far as tailoring and attention to detail. Those cuts of suits, you can't find them anymore. Most of the time I end up buying vintage stuff. They never go out of style,' Hernandez says. 'That's what I try to do with the makeup.'"

Notice the bolded text...

I hope this answers some questions.

 

[Vix Vixen]

Uh oh, I still haven't gotten a tracking number and I ordered 8/2.

Have you tried to email them? I emailed them about an order I made on the 10th. I wasn't about to submit my order til minutes after the cut off date (filling in my info [ie. my address, etc...] took some time). I got an email the next day informing me that my order did go through. Ask them and be sure to include you order number.

 

[BonnieJean]

I got my tracking number yesterday, as previously stated, but today it still says "billing information received, 8/13/08"

And in regards to the USPS vs. UPS. I've shipped lots of items using both carriers and NO WAY does it cost to ship 1 lb. $11, even if you ship it from coast to coast. I still say they're padding their handling/shipping fees quite a bit. I'm willing to pay the price (at least this time) to get what I want and by the number of orders I imagine they've got, others are also willing to pay the extra cost to get the 'goods'.

just my 2 cents...

 

[desi_de_lu_lu]

In a word....yes.


A company this size...can formulate the new products in a lab on a small scale....but -manufacturing- them for actual sale would take capital.

And they probably don't have heaps of free capital sitting in the bank to just order batches, while their storehouse is -full- of old products, that they could not sell to us -after- introducing new formulations.

So two birds with one stone....a fire sale raises the $ to order the new products in batches large enough to sell....and it empties the storeroom for the stuff once it would arrive.


otherwise they would be -throwing- out old product and I cannot see that being good for anyone

Even the big names....sell off as much of an old product as possible...before announcing it would go away....or introducing the
replacement....


But I -promise- to let you tell me "I told you so" a million times if you are right....deal?

Ohh, MissNeecerie, I wont' tell you "I told you so"... since I will probably be the one eating my hat. LOL

I am not going to pretend to know as much about business and leave that up to the folk who do.. but I just have a gut feeling about it is all.

Everytime I love a product it gets discontinued... it's an unwritten law.

I just sort of like the products as is.. (well some... that whole lipstick falling out of the case things annoys..as does the tightly hinged cases).

That is why I was saying 'not to sound like a Debbie Downer...' but I just felt like this business was going to close. There just seems to be a sense of this because of all the unmet promises (from a few years ago) and the general gut feeling I have.

I would love to see Besame stay around.. really.. it is my daily driver and I love it to pieces...otherwise I wouldn't have stocked up nearly as much as I did.. parabens or otherwise.

But, like I said previously, I am not an MBA or economist.. so what do I know.

 

[desi_de_lu_lu]

I'm confident Besame isn't going to close shop because they would flat out tell us "Due to us closing shop, we must liquidate all our products." Why would they leave us hanging on a string? They wouldnt just sell all their stuff and leave it at that then disappear into the night. Like I've said before, they probably have many new items waiting to be unveiled but the people at Besame probably feel it is best to get rid of the old in order to bring in the new. Wouldn't you ladies rather have the new formulated cosmetics rather than the new? If they were to sell these alongside each other than the old stuff won't get sold as much (and the products would then expire) so this is probably why they are liquidating their first collection. Like Miss Neecerie said, they are killing 2 birds with one stone: gaining capital and emptying the storeroom for the new stuff. Would you rather they throw all the goods away to introduce the new stuff or have them sell it to us for dirt cheap. I dunno about the rest of you ladies but I loved the close-out prices. And Plus, we know the profit they'll gain will be used for future Besame products that we'll love. Again, its better than throwing these items out right?

I actually came across an article yesterday that was written at the end of 2007 and they do, in fact, have more cooking up. Here is a part of that article:

"In Vancouver recently to introduce her line of retro-inspired Bésame cosmetics (available at Holt Renfrew), the Argentine-born U.S. resident scours Los Angeles thrift stores and flea markets for vintage ideas and asks friends to hunt down more in her native Buenos Aires. The packaging draws her, appealing aesthetically to this former art director and photographer...."

"...The Bésame collection is a work in progress. She's bringing out larger lipsticks this fall (prices range from $24 for lip glaze to $38 for soufflé foundation) and will be creating some products exclusively for Holt Renfrew. Coming, too, is a cream range that works for lips and cheeks, and dries to look natural, only more so. 'It doesn't look like you have lipstick on,' she says. Everything about her line evokes old-fashioned glamour. A Delightful Rose Balance Moisturizing Lotion smells as it sounds. Her Loose Powder is scented with vanilla. Even the prototype eye-pencil sharpener she's brought along is shaped like a hummingbird and will be made of a substance that resembles Bakelite. Her passion for the genteel past also extends to her own wardrobe, she says. 'I am drawn to the '20s and '30s as far as tailoring and attention to detail. Those cuts of suits, you can't find them anymore. Most of the time I end up buying vintage stuff. They never go out of style,' Hernandez says. 'That's what I try to do with the makeup.'"

Notice the bolded text...

I hope this answers some questions.

Ok, Vix, tell us what you know.... are you a spy working for Besame?? :cool2: lol LOL just teasing...

Serioulsy, you sound like you have your finger on the pulse over there.

 

[Vix Vixen]

Ok, Vix, tell us what you know.... are you a spy working for Besame?? :cool2: lol LOL just teasing...

Serioulsy, you sound like you have your finger on the pulse over there.

HAHA! Oh my! I didn't mean to come off that way. Well, I've had A LOT of time of my hands for the past few weeks and this issue came up so I decided to do some research and come up with an answer to give myself a peace of mind and share it with you ladies. I'm sure if the people at Besame saw this, they'd think I'm crazy and was a spy for The Fedora Lounge for knowing all this info too! Not only that, my email is the same as my name in this forum. eek! So they know my real name and address and snipe me for knowing all this. lol just kidding. I was actually looking for this video when I came across that article.

 

[RetroQueen]

This is rather interesting...I went to their site to see what products they had left, and what price they were, and it appears that they do not have prices listed for their products, and when I tried to add something to my cart, then view my cart, this is what it said:

Order not processed

Your order could not be completed for the following reasons:

* Our on-line store is currently not available. To purchase Besame products please visit our "where to buy" page to find a store or website near you.

Please contact us if you continue to have problems ordering.
Phone: (818) 548-2628


It could be that they are just overwhelmed with orders and are trying to catch up...or maybe they have sold out of everything. [huh]

 

[BonnieJean]

RetroQueen,
The last day for their close-out sale was the 10th. They could of sold out of everything, but I'm guessing they're going to re-vamp the website with their new products that are supposed to come out. They did state in an email I got that you can still buy their products at other retail locations.
Sorry, but I guess the sale is truly over.