Hey everyone!  Thank you so much for visiting my site for today’s hottest make-up!  Please have a look around and if you feel that you have any disagreements or comments, I’m here with open ears!  Contact me. 

Below are five make-up sites that I think we all should have a look at.  The websites that I have chosen are:  Mac Cosmetics, Cover Girl, Maybelline, Lise Watier, and Almay.  The companies below are in ascending orders from the best to worse.  Enjoy!  -- Vandara

Vandara's Rating Scale

Damn, that's nice = * * * * *

It caught my eyes = * * * *

Not too shabby at all = * * *

Could use some help = * *

Boo hoo, trainwreck = *

MAC Cosmetics

Rating:  * * * * *

First Impression:  Absolutely outstanding!  This website definitely is an eye-catcher.  It has html flashes and a lot of pictures that stands out and grabs you in.  Although the homepage is black and white, it looks professional, but yet so hypnotic.  First impression of a website is always a last for me.  This site definitely earns a thumbs, actually two thumbs up! 

Navigation:  This site allows us to choose many links.  The navigation is very professionally done because the links are not at all confusing to me.  The navigation does not make me second guess where I'll land.  Once I click a link, it takes me to where it says it will.

Current/Up-to-Date:  To be honest, this is what drew my attention to rank this site as my favourite because of the current make up techniques they have right when you enter the site.  There were bright pictures, bright make-up, and definitely bright faces to attract your attention.  I visit this site once in awhile but I don't buy online.  The reason I go here is because I know that the artists and this site always come up with new ideas and new make up techniques to draw me in.  I love getting ideas from this site.

Problems Observed:  To be honest with you, I looked through the site a few times and I could NOT find any problems with it.  Everything was just done to make it look so simple, but yet most important, professional.

Useful Application:  The most useful application on this site is that for the colours and hues that MAC provides, they show up while you select your make-up.  It’s not as confusing as reading these made-up names that may confuse you.  MAC helps out online shoppers by letting the customers SEE WHAT THEY WANT instead of searching hard to see what colours are what.  I personally would close a window if I was confused but MAC did a great job with this useful application.

E-commerce consideration:  MAC has online make-up artists to answer any questions that shoppers have.  This is definitely a BONUS on their part.  They also have “online bags” for customers to see what they have selected so far for their purchases.  Great ideas!

Additional Comments:  Well, I have quite a bit to say about this website.  I think it’s great they provide professional artists who can answer any questions.  The links especially are very organized in a way that makes it easier for people who don’t use the computers often to understand that this website is basic and everything is one click away!  Last but not least, the MAC Aids Funds, what more can I say?  =)

Rating = * * * * *

First Impression:  This site is simple but yet “pretty”.  I described it as pretty because once you go on the site, you feel pretty being a girl.  Their slogan is, “easy breezy beautiful cover girl”.  This line is well known all over.  There are flashy pictures, commercials and best of all, there’s a link for FREE samples of foundation.  Everyone likes free things, great idea to capture audience!

Navigation:  It's very easy to find my way through.  There is not one single mess on this website!  Everything is categorized in its appropriate places.  Everything is also highlighted with options to select from. 

Current/Up-to-Date:  Is this site ever up-to-date?!  They have great new colours for this season.  Everywhere you go, there’s hip new ideas for help us look great in the sun!   

Problems Observed:  This site had no major problems.  I mean great subtle colours to help us find our way through.  The only thing I saw was that their e-store is not operating right now because they are out of stock.  I think that a big company like Cover Girl should always have extra stock to sell to online shoppers because make-up is very on demand by women everywhere.

Useful Application:  It’s a unique idea that this company has, a LIVE chat line to speak with make-up artists!  I think it’s great that they have consultants waiting to answer questions.  It’s just one click away and online shoppers can ask for tips and new trends to start off their summer look!  Another useful thing is that they have questions that shoppers can answer to determine what colours would be best suited for them.  Great!  Great!  Great!

E-commerce consideration:  For their e-store, they stated in print that they sell beautiful and hard-to-find Cover Girl products that are not in stores.  What also would attract online shoppers is that they sell them at discount!  They also don’t have sales taxes and another bonus is that they ship for FREE!

Additional Comments:  I think it’s great that Cover Girl is the company that recruites the winners of “America’s Next Top Model”.  It gives this company a lot of publicity and its prices are unbelievably low.  It just shows people that you don’t have to pay $50 for eye shadow just to look like a celebrity.  You can be an average girl next door and wear inexpensive make-up but yet looking so glamorous like a million bucks!  All right, this is definitely my favourite site.  I like it as much as MAC, maybe even a little bit better!  Wait, MAC has the AIDS FUNDS, again, what more can I say? =)

Rating = * * *

First Impression:  Definitely very flashy and hip!  As soon as you enter the site, dance music comes on so it gets the shopper’s attention and it definitely gets them into a vibe.  Also, you hear a girl saying their slogan in super sexy soft voice, “Maybe it’s Maybelline”.  Every woman should know this line if you are into make up.  When you enter the site, you still have to look around because there are so much on the HOME page, for example, a commercial, an ad, a contest, and a huge background of New York City, a bit too much.

Navigation:  This site is truly unique.  Maybelline.com has an online store that offers so much to women.  It's definitely one funky site with a lot of fun links.  All of the links work just fine.  Once you click onto a link, it provides you with other options, which is always a great thing for shoppers.  Shoppers like to have options to choose from.

Current/Up-to-Date:  The first thing you see on this website is the hot new look for summer.  At the bottom, it provides three links for you where you can be a member and keep up with the new trends that will help you look great for the sun!  Fun in the sun!

Problems Observed:  Personally, I think that this site is very informative but what I dislike about this site is that it's really cluttered and messy everywhere.  Sometimes too much is not good because if it looks confusing, some people will just close down the window.  I guess what they're aiming for is their younger target market.  They want to have a fun site where their customers will enjoy.  If I was the website designer, I'd definitely balance everything.  You need a little balance to get through life.

Useful Application:  Well, it's interesting that the site looks too cluttered but when you look around, at the bottom right hand corner, there’s a “site map” section.  When you click on that, the page opens and it looks very simple and directs you to where you need to go.  I take what I said back, it's funky for their younger target market, but hey there's a map for those who like to keep it simple. Great balance!

E-commerce consideration:   As for this website, you can’t buy online!  Boo hoo!  But this brand of make-up isn’t as expensive so they sell it anywhere big department stores and even drug stores.  The site is great for checking out new products that the company will launch.

Additional Comments:  Also, another one of my favourite sites!  I use the computer a lot so I don’t find that the site is confusing.  I love being hip and fun so this site definitely is one of the tops in my GOOD books.

Rating = * * *

First Impression:  Right off the bat, this site gives you an option, English or French.  It shows me that this site considers their first language, French, but also gives English speaking shoppers an option.  Lise Watier is a French company.   It’s colourful, but yet subtle.  Great layout!

Navigation:  To tell you the truth I had a hard time clicking some of the links.  I got lost quite a bit in this site even when I was trying to save pictures to upload.  It took me more than five minutes to find and save three pictures!  I do not like the way they have their links set out.  It's confusing.  Once you click on something, it should take you there, not leave you hanging.

Current/Up-to-Date:  This is one site that did not have “What’s New” on it.  It’s always nice to let customers know about upcoming products because it shows that this company is still doing market research to see what’s in these days.  Customers like to try new things and they like go with what’s in, not what’s out. 

Useful Application:  Wow, some great links under their online store.  They have their sales/transaction information (return policies/gift cards).  They provide online shoppers everything they need to know before they make that action to purchase Lise Watier’s goods.  Another thing that’s useful is that they have a lot of company background to read about so that can be helpful for those who want to learn more about the company.

E-commerce consideration:  Lise Watier offers Canadians free shipping and handling.  There is a charge outside of Canada, but not to feel so bad, they offer free gift-wrapping and free samples.  Anything free is a plus!  Also, they have link for order status to see where abouts their orders are.  Also great because sometimes e-commerce businesses do take awhile and customers get fed up because they have to wait long.

Additional Comments:  I think I’m being unfair about the rank of this site.  I mean maybe to someone who is calmer than I am would rate this site his or her favourite.  I’m more into colours and funky trends.  I do like the fact that they have fundraising for help out children camps and education.  Personally, to me any company that gives back to the public will be in my good books.  By donating a little bit of their profit, they will show people that they care not only in making profit, but also by sharing what they have.  It doesn’t have to be a lot, but as long as it shows you care, people will respond. And I do remember these things. =)

Rating = * * *

First Impression:  I think that this site is really subtle and contemporary.  I love how they have the light colour effect.  Not too much flash, just a little is enough to catch the eye.  It’s really soothing to look at this site.

Navigation:  I love the way this site works because it’s easy to use and everything you need to know is there in big white print over a soft teal colour.  And when you put your cursor over a link, there are many other options that pop up softly. 

Current/Up-to-Date:  This brand’s target market is older women who are aging and have delicate skin.  It’s great to see that even though they don’t have flashy and funky trends for the summer, they also provide comtemporary soft looks for women who don’t wear as much make-up.  They also have a Link called, “Beatiful Idea” which features soft pretty colours to lighten up your face for the hot sun!  Personally, I think natural make-up is beautiful!

Problems Observed:  I think that they should have an online store.  I mean there are women everywhere who want anti-aging skincare products.  Also, they should hire dermatologists or any skincare consultants to answer questions online because they base their products so much on their anti-aging creams and skincare products.

Useful Application:  Almay’s make-up established in 1930’s by two people Alfred and Fanny May (Almay).  Almay focuses mainly on skincare products.  This site features links that will help you find your perfect make-up.  It asks online shoppers what skin type they have so Almay can help them choose the best products for their face.

E-commerce consideration:  There are no online stores on this site.  But they have a lot of information and history about this company so people who are interested in this brand can learn more about it.  This brand isn’t as expensive so you can purchase them at any department or drug stores.

Additional Comments:  I think it’s amazing how simple this page can be, but yet so informative.  I like this website more than I thought.  I love the simplicity of it.  Like I said before, sometimes less is better. 

SMILE!