Weekly Links: Beauty, Cleanses & Makeup M&A

Years ago I mocked the mainstream media and big consumer brands when they realized white people aren’t the only beauty and clothing consumers. Now, beauty brands realize black women and spunky ladies buy lip butters too.

So let’s start with beauty brands. CoverGirl is building on the recent announcement that they’d signed Pink by also revealing another new celeb face, Janelle Monae, so reports New York Daily News.

bareMinerals, a U.S.-based beauty company owned by Shiseido, ran a full-page advertisement in the Thursday New York Times about their new non-foundation foundation. Apparently full coverage is evil and foundation, like “frizz,” is a four-letter word. The Sac Bee has the details.

The latest retailer to add a mobile app to ease the payment process is Dunkin’ Donuts. The MA-based public coffee and food company has a new cell phone app that allows users to search the menu and pay for gift cards and standard purchases. My only complaint is the app does not have nutritional details — it forces you to click through to the main website.

New York Magazine challenged three chefs to complete a 3-day cleanse. These first person accounts are quite amusing.

Beauty is not fluff. It is a multi-billion dollar industry. In addition to Shiseido spending upwards of $1.7 billion for Bare Escentuals, word is out that private equity company Swander Pace Capital is buying Physician’s Formula.

The latest pop star to inspire a nail collection is Mariah Carey. The mom and singer has teamed up with OPI Products for a limited edition nail collection that will launch in January 2013.