PopSugar

Relaxed vs. Natural Hair vs. Weaves vs. Dreads

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:02:21 -0800

Here are highlights from OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot.

Women, especially black women, have the ability to change hairstyles like underwear. I support you ladies no matter what you do - just do it right and take care of your hair. For the most part we all practice the same principles when it comes to proper hair care (co-washing, ACV rinse, trims, deep conditioning, etc.). I'm always willing to help people with hair questions and concerns, or at least point them in the right direction. I know plenty of people in that area.

Where I stand on a lot of hair issues:

I'm anti kiddie perms and kiddie dreadlocks on children if they're at an age where they can't make that choice for themselves (unless, of course, it's part of your religion). It's not about the chemicals, it's about the fact that it's a permanent hairstyle on a child. What if your child decides they want to wear their natural hair? You'll have to either cut their hair to transition them to natural hair. Yes, you can remove dreads but unless someone can find me a "safe" method that doesn't damage the hair, then I won't be changing my mind about this.
I'm pro weaves and braids as long as it's done right and your hair is still being kept healthy. If your hair is being done too tight and coming out, it's time to find a new stylist.
I'm pro curly and natural hairstyles within corporate America. I hear a lot of natural haired beauties bragging about self-acceptance and mainstreaming natural hair, but they still search for corporate hairstyles because of their natural hair. A bun will always be conservative no matter what type of hair you have.
I've always encouraged hair dialogue among women of different nationalities. You'll be surprised by the things we all have in common. If your non-black friend is telling you about a great hair balm that she pays $15 for, take her on a trip to a local beauty supply store and show her where to buy it for $5.

Read the entire post here. Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be featured on BellaSugar.

Stars Sparkle, Burn and Sing at the American Music Awards

PopSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

The stars of last night's American Music Awards hit the red carpet before heading inside LA's Nokia Theatre for the main event. Janet Jackson kicked things off with an energetic eight minute performance, and the evening's first award then went to the Black Eyed Peas. The Black Eyed Peas went on to take the stage to do "Boom Boom Pow" with a special Nirvana twist. The show went on with performances from Carrie Underwood and Shakira, as well as from Jay-Z and Alicia Keys with "Empire State of Mind." Unfortunately not everyone stayed on their feet - both Jennifer Lopez and Adam Lambert took tumbles while singing.

There were other memorable performances, from Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and not to mention Whitney Houston's return to the stage before she received the International Award of Excellence. Jennifer Lopez had a beaming Marc Anthony in the crowd as she debuted her new single and showed off those customized Louboutins. Michael Jackson won multiple awards, and his brother Jermaine took the stage to accept the award on behalf of their family. Taylor Swift took home the most statues, though she wasn't there and the upset of the night might have to go to Gloriana who won breakthrough artist - make sure to check out the full list of winners. Kate Hudson joined her Nine costars Fergie and Nicole Kidman, though Kate did have a chance to share a special moment with Alex Rodriguez. We also had everything covered on the fashion and beauty ends, so make sure to check in with Fab and Bella!

LOTS more photos from the American Music Awards and backstage so read more.

View 130 Photos ›

Images include: Shakira, Kate Hudson, Jay-Z, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Alicia Keys, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Pete Wentz, Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Mary J Blige, Nicole Kidman, Alex Rodriguez, Kristen Bell, Green Day, Nelly Furtado, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Christian Slater, Samuel L Jackson, Seth Green, Leona Lewis, Timbaland, Toni Braxton, Keri Hilson

Link Time!

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:59:19 -0800

Rachel Roy reveals her must-have beauty items - Beauty Blitz
Leighton Meester takes a makeup risk - FabSugar UK
An Oz-inspired nail polish collection. (Oz as in Dorothy, not prison drama.) - Temptalia
Lady Gaga's makeup inspiration might blow your mind - Stylelist
A list of the top 10 most "valuable" models - The Cut
Men in ponytails are neither ponies nor tails. Discuss. - Glamour
Do blondes have more fun? Ask Emma Roberts. - People Style Watch
Two ways to get super-shiny hair - Beauty Snob
Lime Crime makeup is causing major dramz - Afrobella
How to get gorgeous retro hair - Lemondrop

Reader Review of the Day: Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:07 -0800

There are so many lip liners out there, and the colors and textures can get a little mind-boggling. That's why it's great when someone finds something they love, like reader ineedcaffeine has. She's head over heels for Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil ($24), and says:

"I am helpless when it comes to matching lip pencils with lipsticks. I always seem to get it wrong, so thankfully Kevyn Aucoin created this pencil. It's almost the same exact color as my lips, so I can wear it with anything. I use it to outline my lips and color them in (sometimes) and my lipsticks/lip gloss stay on basically all day. It's the perfect lip liner if you can't seem to match. "

Found the perfect match? Let everyone know on our Product Reviews pages, where you can write up a review of over 50,000 products (it might even get featured here!) and find a ton of info on all the newest beauty goodies.

Hump Day: Sex Makes Her Uncomfortable

TresSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:30:23 -0800

Welcome to Hump Day, TrèsSugar's sex advice column. If you have questions about sex, send them to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:
I'm 24 and in my first relationship. I really like the guy, we've been going out for six months, but I get nervous whenever he slips his hand under my underwear. He gets the hint and stops. I don't mind him doing other things (we haven't slept together yet), but I wish I wasn't such a prude. I don't know what he expects and I worry that he will be grossed out, as I only shave/wax the bikini line but not the whole thing. What if he thinks it is ugly? I also don't know what I should expect; he knows I'm a virgin, but I don't know how to speak to him about why I get uncomfortable, and I don't know how to overcome it! I also have a few stretch marks and worry that he will be grossed out by them. Please help?

To read Dr. Glickman's response, read more.

Thank you for sharing this challenging situation. I know that it can be scary to talk about things like this, but these are all really common thoughts.

One of the things that can help when you’re on the edge of your comfort zone is to take it very slowly. It’ll probably help to tell your guy about your discomfort, even if you can’t tell him why it’s there. You could simply say "I have a lot of discomfort around sex." You also might want to do a little solo exploration. It takes the pressure off because there aren’t any partner expectations. Check out the wonderful book Becoming Orgasmic. If you’re looking for tips or ideas for techniques, Tickle Your Fancy is full of suggestions. Once you know a bit more about what you like or dislike, you and your boyfriend might be able to find something that you both like to do.

It’s worth mentioning that vulvas come in all different shapes. (The vulva is the external female anatomy. The vagina is the inside part.) There’s a long history of negative attitudes towards the vulva, but each one is unique and beautiful in its own way. A lot of women have the idea that there’s something wrong with their vulvas because they don’t look like what we see in porn or because they have hair, and I think that’s unfortunate. I strongly recommend getting to know your parts and Scarleteen has a great site about that. It’s geared towards teens, but there's lots of amazing info about sex, bodies, and pleasure.

Another option would be to explore some of these concerns with a therapist. When you have an itch on your back, you need someone else to scratch it. Therapists help us by reaching the spots we can’t reach on our own. Lastly, depending on where you are, you could join a body-image support group. While they tend not to focus on sexuality, they can be an incredibly helpful way to work through our concerns about our bodies and how we (or other people) feel about them.

Working through these challenges isn’t always easy, but it can be very rewarding. Whatever route you choose, I hope you find the pleasure and joy that you deserve.

Want To Look Like Madonna, or at Least Have Skin Like Her?

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:10:00 -0800

Just like our bodies need oxygen to be healthy, our skin does too. Enter Michelle Peck, facialist to Madonna, Gwyneth, Jennifer Lopez, Molly Sims, Justin Timberlake and Eva Longoria (just to drop a few names). She started off as a masseuse, however, her career really began to take off when she connected with skincare brand Intraceuticals and began putting her own healing touch on their oxygen treatment called Intraceuticals Infusion.

Those who have experienced Michelle's work, just can't stay away, and I can understand why. After speaking with her at length, not only did I find her to be open, kind and warm, but she is also overflowing with depth, compassion and perspective. Her time spent with famous faces (ehem, she's been on two world tours with Madonna where she gave her a treatment before every single show) has not jaded her one bit. In fact, she is more concerned with the Earth, the human spirit and her charity of choice, Raising Malawi, than with outer beauty.

To learn about the technology behind Intraceuticals treatments, where you can get them in the UK, plus for more about my exclusive interview with Michelle, just read more.

Intraceuticals came to the US about six years ago from Australia and is now available in over 35 countries. Michelle decided to come on board with them and eventually become their spokesperson because she saw something unique in their technology. Never before has there been a brand that combines 95% hyaluronic acid (the connective tissue that keeps skin lubricated and cushioned aka, young looking) mixed with hyperbaric pressure (oxygen under pressure) and 5% of vitamins A, C, E, aloe vera and green tea extract.

Keep in mind that plumping products/treatments like restylane and juvederm are forms of hyaluronic acid, but, you need to inject them into the skin because of the large-sized molecules. However, combined with the hyperbaric pressure, the Intraceuticals molecules are small enough to be driven into the skin with a machine that looks like an airbrush gun.

The entire treatment takes about an hour and are recommended to be done in a series of six every seven to ten days. After that, monthly maintenance is suggested. Sessions with Michelle are £325 each, but can go as low as £150 with other estheticians. Celebrities are so passionate about these treatments because there's no redness afterward, so you can put makeup on within 15 minutes. The end results are instant, but long term results are even better as it helps to minimize pores, tighten, firm, and hydrates the skin at the deepest level. Hey, if Madonna has been a fan for over four and a half years, there must be something to this! And if you want what Madge is having, ask for the Rejuvenation Treatment.

You must travel so much for work, how do you keep your skin looking good? I love serums because they penetrate deeper into my skin than creams.
What's your advice for keeping your skin young and healty? I'm big on staying out of the sun. Some of the most damaged skin I've seen in the world is sun damaged skin. I also use my treatment on the hands, necks and chest.
What's your favourite product? The Opulence Line Wand is great for under eye circles, and the Clarity Line Wand helps dry out blemishes really well.
What other skin care products does Madonna use? Atoxlelene Wand, Eye Gel and Blue Hydration Gel (which is rich in hyaluronic acid). The products support the treatments, but they aren't meant to replace your favourite product line. You can use whatever products you like in addition to ours.
What's your philosophy on beauty? Beauty truly comes from within. I'm very involved in Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi and have been to Malawi often. I find that helping others brings you personal happiness and inner beauty.

Where To Find Intraceuticals Treatments in London:
Although it's not the same as meeting Michelle in person, you can get Intraceuticals treatments at Beauty Works West, Fabiola Face Spa (on the King's Road), The Chelsea Day Spa.

Simply click here for other locations in the UK, and, check out these more budget friendly places for oxygen facials.

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Talking New Moon With Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:15:50 -0800

Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner may be dominating the promotional circuit right now, but they're not the only cast members with something to say about New Moon. I had the opportunity to chat with costars Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene, aka Emmett and Alice Cullen, during their recent stopover in SF. They chatted about their characters, the vampire craze, and what it's like to be a "Twilight celebrity." Here are highlights:

On why so many people are crazy for the Twilight Saga:
Ashley: I think this film in particular is highly relatable. There are a lot of situations that people can relate to. The love story - everyone can relate to being in love or being in lust. You add the vampire, and it adds that next level fantasy. Vampires are mysterious and sensual and dangerous and unattainable. And everyone wants what they can't have. I think on another level that this came together at the perfect time. All the elements just fit, the casting was spot on, and we're in a difficult time right now with our economy. That's why you never have a drop in ticket sales because everyone wants an escape, and this movie is very much an escape from reality.
Kellan: It's a good escape but also it deals with so many situations, on so many positive notes. Just looking at it from the vampire coven to the wolf pack. It just deals with everyday issues just on bigger levels, in a way. And you have Bella as the keystone in many situations. You can just all relate from different countries to issues within the United States. It's easily relatable.

To read a lot more about working with three different directors and why they feel so lucky, just read more.

On how their portrayals of the Cullens are similar or different from the books:
Kellan: We got the jobs because we brought something new to it. You can interpret the characters each their own, but I think it's what we did alongside. Just like Kristen said - she's playing Bella but she's putting her Kristen spin on it, just like all of us are. And I think that's what's making it unique. We're still following the cheat sheets that Stephenie created by making the books, and there's Wikipedia. We have a lot of information to go off of. But I hope it's what I did in my audition that set it apart from the other guys trying out.

Ashley: I think it's mannerisms too. People do fall in love with this book, but I think part of it is that they always want more. You can't write out every human mannerism. You can imagine it, but seeing the emotion in someone's eyes and seeing them be affected it - it was kind of easy to give something to it, because we were just being people. We kinda just got lucky.
On how much more of the Cullens we can expect in the remaining movies:
Kellan: Realistically, we stick pretty close to the books. Obviously us Cullens would love to be in the books a lot more, which would mean we'd be in the movies a lot more. Talking New Moon, the scenes that the Cullens - except for Ashley, playing Alice who gets to go to Italy and be a main lead in the movie - us Cullens, we have to stick really close to the books, and the scenes that we're in are really crucial to the story, as you know - the birthday scene, the voting scene. I don't know, it was kind of a tease. Chris Weitz is such an amazing director, and for us, for myself - I only worked about a week on that movie. And it didn't even seem like I really got a taste for what it was.

Ashley: In the third film, you'll see a lot more of the Cullens because it's all of us collaborating and then getting ready to fight this war that's coming up. In the second one, my character got a much larger role because Alice is the Cullen, other than Edward, that really embraces Bella and they end up becoming best friends. In the beginning, you see her throw this huge party for Bella, and then Alice is the one who does, in fact, come back for Bella when everyone else decides to skip town. Alice is responsible for dragging Bella over to Italy, and she and I the whole time are fighting to save my brother's life. And then of course we get held up by the Volturi and stuff like that. My character got to grow a lot, which is really cool. You get to actually see the relationship develop between Bella and Alice, where in the first one you didn't. The first one was very much about the romance and showing the audience why these two people are willing to die for each other.
On working with a different director on each film:
Ashley: Each director is going to be very different. They're artists as well, and I don't think any of them are quite the same. The books, when you read them, all have very, very, different tones. So I think it's highly appropriate that we switch directors each go. The first one is very much a romance and is a very scenic, beautiful film. And Catherine's really, really great at capturing that. She's very high energy and works well in chaos and stuff like that. And it was fantastic because we didn't quite know what we were getting ourselves into, and so it was nice to have her to guide us when we were freaking out a little bit. She was just so high energy, and it was really contagious. We were sad to lose her and move on to the second film, but then we got Chris Weitz and he's the complete opposite! But great as well. He's so giving and caring and collaborative and created this atmosphere that was kind of a safe haven for us. And it was really nice because we didn't know, switching directors, if they were gonna embrace us or if they had a completely different vision than what we created in the first one. It was nice that he was right there on the same page with us. And the second one is a warmer film, even from the color scheme. The first one is very blue tones, and the second one is much richer and warmer and I think he did a great job at capturing that. And we just finished shooting with David Slade, and I think he's highly appropriate as well. He just finished shooting 30 Days of Night and Hard Candy, and they're both very dark, edgy films. And Eclipse is very much that. It's all centered around the anticipation and us getting ready to fight this huge war. We just finished filming, we haven't gotten to see much of it, but I think it's gonna be fantastic. He is, technically, the most advanced director. The angles that he shot and how he knows that tweaking something can affect a whole scene and the lenses. He was really nice to work with.
On coping with the fan effect and being a "Twilight celebrity"
Kellan: That's what blows my mind, 'cause I feel like it's really unearned in a way. The fans are making our careers. Without them, we wouldn't be working and doing the saga. There's so many times that trilogy books become a movie and the first one bombs, and then that's it. And you're always hopeful that you get to do them all. Especially since we're all in love with our characters. I love Emmett Cullen to death, he's my favorite character I've ever played. It's just so cool to have made it this far, and I think we all hope that we get to finish this series and do Breaking Dawn. This is such a blessing, it's every actor's dream to be part of something like this. It's not terribly hard either. We don't shoot halfway around the world; we don't shoot for a year of our lives. I know a lot of us have homes, we have pets, we have family. And it's really nice to shoot on the West Coast, either Portland or Vancouver, and have the chance to fly down if we need to. But it's definitely amazing to be part of something like this. And I don't think any of us knew how crazy it would be and how exhilarating it would turn out to be. Going to the premiere, really just, wow. I don't even remember it because I was really just starstruck by how many fans and signs and cameras. It felt like I was just walking through a strobe light room. It's amazing.

Ashley: I still think we can't really wrap our heads around what's going on and what's happening. We're still in the midst of filming and kept very busy from one film until the next. It's only these brief moments where you sit back and are actually able to take a breath where you go "Whoa. Wow. This is crazy." I mean, the amount of tickets they've already sold for New Moon - I'm pretty sure I can't even get a ticket if I tried to see my film in Jacksonville and it's mind boggling. We're just very lucky. I went into this film thinking "Oh my gosh, I got a job" and the it turned into the biggest break of my life. I think we all feel very blessed to be a part of this.
On how it feels to be part of Twilight fan fiction:
Kellan: It's an escape, in a way. We do live in a trivial time period right now. There's so much depression that it's kinda cool to be a part of something where people use it to be an escape. In a way that's kinda what Stephenie did -she had a dream and just elaborated on it. It became a huge success and it's really encouraging that people are doing the same and just making up this journey.

Ashley: That's why people love it so much I think. You can take it and make what you want of it. Before the demographic was teenage girls, but now it's women of every age and guys are starting to get into it, too. It's because there is that element of fantasy. If you're 8 years old you look at it one way; if you're 80 years old you look at it another. I think it's fantastic that we can draw such a huge crowd. The other thing is - it blows my mind but people are making connections over this film and over this book. there are mothers and daughters and grandmas who can all sit and talk about the same story and all fantasize about it and I think that's a really cool thing. I think it's rare.

To see all of our Twilight and New Moon coverage, check out TwilightSugar!

BellaSugar's Gift Guide: The Magnificent Mum-To-Be

BellaSugarUK — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

If you have a yummy mummy-to-be in your life, now's your chance to spoil her rotten, because after her little bundle of joy arrives, all of her time and attention will go to baby. This is an exciting time for everybody involved whether you're going to be an aunt, partner, cousin, guardian or even just a friend, as a brand new life is about to join your circle!

I've heard that a quality stretch mark product is essential to help mum's belly grow more comfortably. Plus, it does wonders for itchy skin. When I asked you if you've ever used stretch mark creams, 22% of you said that you swear by them, and 59% have never tried them. Maybe this will change your mind.

After polling many pregnant ladies, I've heard rave reviews about Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil (£22.50). Apparently it has a light, non-irritating scent, it absorbs quickly and spreads easily. Mum's claim to use it even well after baby arrives because of its soothing effects. Shop these marvelous maternity-inspired beauty gifts for even more ideas!

Mother to Be Treatment Masque by Louise Galvin - £26.00	EXCLUSIVE! Mother-to-be Collection - £35.00
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks - £5.25	Korres Pregnancy Leg Relief Cream - £12.00
Cowshed Moody Cow Balancing Bath & Shower Gel, 300ml - £16.00	Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter - £14.99
Little me Mum to Be Organics Luxury Bath Soak - £4.99	Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Kit - £56.00
Decléor Perfect Sculpt Stretch Mark Restructuring Gel Cream, 150ml - £34.50	Benefit eye bright - £13.50
Mediterranean Maternity Massage Butter - - £4.99	Mama Mio Congratulations Kit - £44.50
Shiseido 75ml the skincare night moisture recharge light - £42.00	Pixi Eye Bright Kit - £23.50
Survive Kit by This Works - £26.00	La Therapie Glycolic Clarité Renew Peaux Neuves - Glycolic Clarifying Lotion for skin resurfacing - £30.50
Derma Mum Stretch Mark Cream - £11.99

5 Tips For Minimizing Adult Acne

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:38 -0800

Dr. Amy Wechsler is not only a dermatologist, she's a psychiatrist as well. What a combo! In fact, some even call her a "beauty shrink," and the Manhattan-based skincare expert and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin ($20), has a few things to share with us regarding adult acne. As we all know, breakouts that occur post-high-school can be rough on the psyche, and that's why I asked Dr. Wechsler her tips on helping us prevent and deal with pimples in our 20s, 30s, and beyond. To check out her advice, keep reading.

Grade Your Hikes

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

I love hiking in the Fall because of the beautiful scenery and perfect weather - the crisp air never leaves me too hot or too cold. On the weekends I often go on all-day or multi-day hikes in Yosemite valley or the Lake Tahoe region. Some of my friends equate hiking with a leisurely stroll through the woods, but anyone who hikes regularly knows this isn't always the case. Whether it's steep, rocky, or exposed terrain, a hiking trail can be quite difficult.

One way I prepare for an all-day hike is by researching the difficulty of the trail I'm walking. I'll use guidebooks and the Internet as resources, as well as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The YDS is a three-part classification system that rates the difficulty of walks, hikes, and rock climbs based on categories of terrain, length, and level of danger. Not all routes are graded in each category - generally speaking, rock climbs are the only routes that use all three grading systems of the YDS.

To learn how hikes are classified, read more.

Classifying a route's terrain is what's most applicable to hiking trails, especially longer, more intense hikes such as the John Muir trail or Half Dome hike. Here's a general breakdown of the different terrain class types found in the YDS:

Class 1: Walking on a relatively flat trail with little chance of injury. Many backpackers compare a class 1 route to walking on a sidewalk.
Class 2: A simple trail that might have a slight incline. You may have to use your hands to balance while scrambling up rocks.
Class 3: You'll definitely need to use your hands and feet to find balance along parts of the trail while scrambling up rocks. There may be exposed terrain during the hike, though a fall should not prove fatal.
Class 4: This hike will involve climbing up steep terrain, and even though the route will have some natural protection, a fall could prove fatal.
Class 5+: Reserved for rock and aid climbing. Protection and gear recommended for these climbs as a fall will prove fatal.

Keep in mind that the YDS is a somewhat subjective grading system and there can definitely be some overlap and debate over a class assignment. I continue to use it as a guide because I can search for harder or easier trails depending on my mood that day. I'm also finding that more and more backpackers are using the YDS lingo when describing a trail to one another.

You can also keep a journal with details of your favorite trails and try rating them for yourself. If you do assign a class rating to a trail, the class assignment should reflect the hardest part of the hike. (For example, if you went on a hike that was mainly class 1 but had a few elements of a class 3 route, classify the hike as a class 3 route.)

Tell me, what class of hikes do you usually stick to?