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Mascara Mania, Part III: The Best Drugstore Brands

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:51:44 -0800

Since you guys have loved Parts I and II of my New Mascara Mania series, I've decided to bring you Mascara Mania, Part III: Drugstore Brands, in response to several reader requests for the best budget options. Here's a list of my favorites from both old and new products.

Physicians Formula F.L.A.T. Fabulously Long And Thick Mascara is the ultimate full-coverage mascara. Its customized brush has both long and short bristles to really grab hold of every lash for maximum results. It even has a handy mirror built right into the back of the shaft! Buy it here for $6.95.

How could any drugstore mascara post overlook L'Oreal's trusty line? My favorite happens to be the oldie-but-goodie,L'Oreal Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara. This original formula really lengthens and thickens, separating each and every lash. Plus, it won't clump, flake or cake, and it also keeps your lashes soft. Buy it here for $6.99.

To see the rest read more

Maybelline Illegal Lengths Mascara gives you unbelievably long looking lashes. It goes on smoothly while separating and conditioning all of your lashes. I personally love the medium consistency of it and find that a tube lasts quite a long time. Buy it here for $5.89.

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara makes lashes lush and full. When you are going for that smoky eye look, this is what you'll want to grab! It won't smudge or run, and it washes off with no problems if you use a little cleanser and water. Buy it here for $5.79.

Seven Top-Rated Drugstore Mascaras That Won't Bust the Budget

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:00:10 -0700

With a whopping 625 mascaras available to review on our Product Reviews website that makes for a lot of decision making. And with so many of these eye-enhancing products available on the market, it's tough to figure out which ones are affordable and work the best. I've gathered up seven of the highest scoring drugstore mascaras, all thanks to the opinions you've submitted. One brand shows up on this list three times. Find which one it is now.

View Slideshow ›

The Best Beauty Products . . . Chosen by You!

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:00:07 -0700

Maybe you're headed back to school, or you're merely looking for some change-of-the-season beauty finds to spruce up your look. Thanks to your reviewing skills, I have tons of suggestions. Over the past few months, I've gathered together some of your best-loved items from the Product Reviews section, from bronzers to brighten your day to concealers that won't let you down. Take a look at some top-rated beauty products all chosen by you. Better yet? Many of these items are very budget-friendly.

Favorite Concealers	Drugstore Mascaras	Low-Cost Shadows
Most Reviewed Items	Beautiful Bronzers	Fabulous Foundations

Beauty Byte: Self's 2007 Healthy Beauty Awards

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 16:14:02 -0700

Self magazine just announced the winners of its 2007 Healthy Beauty Awards, which recognize skin-care, makeup, and hair products that are both good and good for you. I love lists like this, because they always give me ideas about new products to try (as if I needed more, but whatever).

The Self awards are a great mix of drugstore treasures and high-end brands. (Thanks to Beauty and the Blog for the tip!) To see the list of winners, read more

FACE

Best Normal-Skin Cleanser
Plank Cor Soap, $125

Best Oily-Skin Cleanser
Care by Stella McCartney Purifying Foaming Cleanser, $35

Best Dry-Skin Cleanser
NIA 24 Gentle Cleansing Cream, $30

Best Sensitive-Skin Cleanser
Skin Effects Redness Control Calming Gel Cleanser, $13

Best Normal-Skin Moisturizer
Skingenic Regenerating Moisturizer, $110

Best Dry-Skin Moisturizer
Lierac Hydra-Chrono, $45

Best Sensitive-Skin Moisturizer
Kinerase Cream With SPF 30, $135

Best Antiaging Moisturizer
Lancôme High Résolution With Fibrelastine Intensive Recovery Anti-Wrinkle Cream, $74

Best Night Cream
Roc Protient Fortify Lift and Define Night Cream, $20

Best Serum
Aveeno Positively Ageless Rejuvenating Serum, $18

Best At-Home Peel
Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel, $25

Best Face Scrub
C.O. Bigelow Brown Sugar Crystal Face Polish, $20

Best Acne Treatment
Sephora Face Concealing Blemish Pen, $14

Best Mask
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Firming Facial Mask, $58

Best Eye Cream
Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Eye and Lip Cream, $155

Best Antiaging Eye Cream
Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream, $54

Best Eye-Brightening Cream
Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme, $15

BODY

Best Bar Soap
Dove Pro-Age, $4

Best Shower Gel
Boscia Jujube Rejuvenist Amino Body Wash, $22

Best Moisturizing Shower Gel
Caress Cashmere Luxury Silkening Body Wash, $3

Best Body Scrub
Murad Activating Body Scrub, $48

Best Body Treatment
Ahava Pure Spa Energizing Body Mud Mask, $18

Best Body Moisturizer
St. Ives Mineral Therapy Advanced Body Moisturizer, $5

Best Nighttime Body Moisturizer
Johnson's Softlotion Melt Away Stress Moisturizing Lotion, $5

Best Spray Moisturizer
The Healing Garden Sensual Therapy Passion Rose Body Mist, $7

Best Body Cream
Jergens Shea Butter Cream, $7

Best Body Cream for Irritated Skin
Eucerin Calming Itch-Relief Treatment, $9

Best Hand Scrub
Mary Kay Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub, $15

Best Hand Lotion
OPI Avoplex High-Intensity Hand & Nail Cream, $8

Best Nail Product
Revlon No Smudge Dry Oil, $7

Best Foot Scrub
Olay Thermal Pedicure, $9

Best Foot Cream
Earth Therapeutics Intensive Heel Repair, $8

MAKEUP

Best All-Around Foundation
Shiseido The Makeup Dual Balancing Foundation SPF 17, $35

Best Tinted Moisturizer
Cosmedicine Honest Face Skin Tint & Treatment SPF 20, $35

Best Oil-Free Foundation
Neutrogena Glow Sheers SPF 30, $12

Best Antiaging Foundation
La Mer The Treatment Fluid Foundation SPF 15, $75

Best Long-Lasting Foundation
Rimmel Cool Matte 16 Hr Foundation, $8

Best Pressed Powder
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, $25

Best Loose Powder
Givenchy Prisme Libre, $63

Best Concealer
Prescriptives Custom Blend Concealer, $32

Best Bronzer
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Matte Bronzing Veil, $12

Best Highlighter
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, $18

Best Powder Blush
Lorac Cheek Stamp, $22

Best Gel Blush
Sue Devitt Beauty Gel to Powder Blush, $20

Best Lipstick
Giorgio Armani ArmaniSilk, $25

Best SPF-Enriched Lipstick
Almay Hydracolor, $9

Best Lip Gloss
Sally Hansen Smile Brightening Lip Treatment, $7

Best Lipliner
Lauren Hutton Lip Liner, $14

Best Powder Eyeshadow
Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Mosaic Eye Shadow, $18

Best Cream Eyeshadow
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow, $22

Best Makeup Multitasker
Benefit Rush Hour, $20

Best Eyeliner
L'Oréal Paris Carbon Black Le Kohl Pencil, $7

Best Lengthening Mascara
Clinique High Definition Lashes Brush-Then-Comb Mascara, $14

Best Thickening Mascara
CoverGirl VolumeExact Mascara, $7

Best Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline New York Volum' Express Turbo Mascara, $7

Best Multitasking Mascara
Chanel Inimitable Mascara, $27

Best Eye Makeup Remover
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $20

Best Palette
Sonia Kashuk Face Palette, $17

HAIR

Best All-Around Shampoo
Aura Spa Aromatherapie Balancing Équilibrant Verbena Ginger Shampoo, $8

Best Hydrating Shampoo
Sunsilk ThermaShine, $4

Best Straightening Shampoo
Nexxus SleekTress Sumptuous Smoothing Shampoo, $9

Best Shampoo for Curls
Aveda Be Curly Shampoo, $20

Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
Matrix Logics Color DNA System Color Nourishing Shampoo, $20

Best All-Around Conditioner
Charles Worthington Dream Hair Radiant Shine Glossing Conditioner, $9

Best Hydrating Conditioner
Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner, $19

Best Straightening Conditioner
Aussie Sydney Smooth Conditioner, $3

Best Conditioner for Curls
Redken Fresh Curls Conditioner, $13

Best Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair
Marc Anthony Brilliant Color Color Lock Conditioner, $8

Best Hair Mask
Alberto VO5 Fortify & Repair! Deep Moisturizing 3-Minute Masque, $3

Best Volumizer
Biolage VolumaThérapie Bodifying Crème Gel, $14

Best Shine Serum
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Serum, $10

Best Gel
Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Cream-Gel, $4

Best Curl Product
Suave Professionals Healthy Curls Anti-Frizz Cream, $2

Best Frizz Fighter
Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness Smoothing Leave-In Crème, $3

Best Mousse
Wella Color Preserve Volumizing Mousse, $14

Best Straightening Product
Tresemmé Thermal Creations Straightening Gel, $4

Best Texturizer
Pantene Pro-V Texturize! Moussing Foam Wax, $7

Best Hairspray
Paul Mitchell Express Style Worked Up Spray, $15

Best At-Home Color Kit
Clairol Natural Instincts, $9

SUN

Best Face Sunscreen
Dermalogica Extra Rich Faceblock SPF 30, $48

Best Body Sunscreen
Banana Boat UltraMist Sport SPF 30 Continuous Clear Spray, $7

Best Face Glow Lotion
Nivea Sun-Kissed Facial Moisturizer, $7

Best Body Glow Lotion
Estée Lauder Body Performance Golden Naturally Radiant Moisturizer, $35

Best Self-Tanner
Lancaster Silk Bronze Moisturizing Milk Face & Body Self Tan SPF 6, $22

Best Body Bronzer
Dior Bronze Gelée de Monoi, $32

Source

The Votes Are In: Best Mascara Is Dior

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:00:40 -0800

While drugstore varieties Maybelline and CoverGirl (along with luxe Lancôme) were neck-in-neck for second place in the Best Mascara of 2008 showdown, it seems that the majority of you adore Dior when it comes to mascara. Our very own DearSugar agrees. "I can't tell you how much I love my Dior!" she said with gusto.

As for me, my favorite mascara of the year is Givenchy's truly unique Phenomen'Eyes Mascara. It made some of my sparsest of lashes look longer and thicker. Yeah, it took some getting used to, but once I got it down, I was sold. Are you excited to see some more results? Check out the rest of our Best of 2008 coverage throughout the Sugar network from food to celebs to movies.

New Mascara Mania, Part II

FabSugar — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 12:25:37 -0800

You didn't think that there were only three new mascaras on the market, did you? With so many to choose from, I could go on forever. Since everyone liked yesterday's New Mascara Mania, Part I post so much, here's a look at a few more amazing new mascaras I love. Also, stay tuned tomorrow for Mascara Mania, Part III, when, in response to overwhelming demand, I'll be featuring the best drugstore brands.

Blinc Kiss Me Mascara creates little tubes around your eyelashes, so that when you wash it off, it comes off in pieces which is kind of cool. Unlike many other brands, which used an oil-based paint, this mascara won't smudge, run, or flake, so by 5 p.m. your lashes look as fresh as they did in the morning. Buy it in five shades here for $24.

Guerlain Maxi Lash Extreme Volume Mascara is the new talk of the town. It also happens to be the top pick of Sephora's color buyer, Kimberly Chinn, and I can understand why. It acts as a jack of all trades mascara to add volume and lengthen by lifting and coating each lash. Especially impressive is the curling action, which kept me from needing to curl my eyelashes separately. Buy it in four shades here for $26.

To see the last one, read more

Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Mascara is a natural product designed for women with sensitive eyes. It's derived from botanical extracts and has a pleasantly surprising rose scent. It's gentle and safe for contact wearers and can be removed with even the mildest cleansing milks. Buy it in three shades here for $23.50.

Bella Interview: More with Nadine Haobsh

BellaSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:00:46 -0700

Yesterday, I shared part of my interview with Nadine Haobsh, whose book Beauty Confidential is out this week. In the first part, we talked about the growth of beauty blogging, and today's installment covers products that are worth their price-and which ones are a waste. Here we go...

Can you tell us three products that are absolutely worth the money, and three that aren't?
Not worth the money: Creme de la Mer, Chanel nail polish, any cleanser over $10. Completely worth the money: Solano or Chi hair tools (flatirons or blowdryers), Bare Escentuals mineral foundation, any fragrance from Bond no. 9 (I am obsessed with Chinatown!) Nail polish, no matter how expensive or cheap, will be on your nails three days at best. Why spend $40 when you can spend $4? It's just not worth it. And you can't skimp on your hair; an expensive cut, expensive tools and moderately priced products will truly make a difference.

To find out a dirty little secret about beauty editors, read more

What are some mistakes you see a lot of women make with their makeup routine?
There are several! Women are often afraid of makeup and so apply next to nothing, which makes their features look blah and completely defeats the entire point. Most women have trouble with the eyes, especially, and don't know how to apply eye shadow, eye liner or mascara. As far as foundation goes, less *is* more (you don't need to glop it on like a mask), but most women don't realize that the right foundation will make a world of difference in how young, glowy and fresh your skin appears. Finally, makeup should be fun, and women don't play with it enough. There are easy ways to apply colored eyeshadows and tinted mascaras that won't make you look '80s or like a thirteen-year-old, but inject a shot of life into your looks and bring out your eyes.

And any beauty-editor secrets you can share? Ones that haven't run-or will probably never run-in magazines?
Beauty editors never wash their hair, haven't paid for a salon, spa or treatment service since they were "civilians", and recommend drugstore products in magazines, but wouldn't be caught dead using them (with one or two notable exceptions) on themselves. They tend to be a lot less democratic-even the service book ones-than they appear in magazines.

So why do they recommend drugstore products? Because of advertiser pressure, or because they want to have affordable options?
Both. If it were up to them, most editors would recommend expensive, esoteric, beautiful and foreign products exclusively. There is absolutely a culture of "Our advertiser this month is X; we have to find three of their products that aren't terrible to put in the magazine." There is a certain cachet in working for a magazine like W, because you know you will never have to recommend or test another drugstore product again (at least, that's the mindset.)

Still want more? Good. Come back tomorrow for the conclusion of our talk!

Best of 2008: Mascara

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:00:22 -0800

Do you like yours waterproof? Tinted? Vibrating? With a double-sided base? However you like it, mascara is one of my beauty staples. It can open up the eyes, add definition, and create drama.

So, when it comes to this amazing enhancer, what's your favorite brand? Whether it's drugstore or a top-of-the-line department store variety, voice your opinion. Oh, and don't forget - after you make your pick, vote for all of our other Best of 2008 contenders.

Source

PartySugar Dishes Out Beauty Tips

BellaSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:00:57 -0700

Frequent readers of YumSugar are no doubt familiar with PartySugar. She really is the hostess with the mostest, and not only does she throw the best bashes, she always looks enviably polished while doing so. Read on to find out what's in her makeup bag.

Which beauty products are your must-haves?
Spanish Dove spray can deodorant. Yes, I purchase my deodorant in bulk while traveling in Spain. It never leaves any white residue and is simply my fave. St. Ives Oatmeal scented body wash, Dove tanning lotion, MAC and Nars eye shadows, Dior mascara, Lancome lip glosses. The Venus Vibrance razor in pink; I use two to make my shaving super fast.

What’s your favorite beauty ritual?
Painting my nails. I paint them once a week, almost always on Wednesday nights. I have been doing this for the past 10 years. Painting my nails is like therapy. The color I choose affects the outlook on the upcoming week.

To see what product PartySugar calls a "huge waste of money," read more.
What’s your go-to lip product?
Gloss, always lip gloss. I have 4 in my purse right now and about 10 colors that are in my current rotation. I like Lancome Juicy Tubes, MAC lipglass, and Dior lip gloss. I once won a contest at a party for being the girl with the most lip gloss in her purse. It was very exciting.

What is your morning beauty routine?
For being a beauty lover and a super girlie girl, I consider myself pretty low key. I always put on face cream with SPF, a neutral-colored shadow, and mascara. I sit in front of a computer all day so an overly glam look is a waste of makeup. My hair depends on if its curly, wavy, straight, or just washed.

What’s your signature fragrance?
Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb. Love it.

What’s the best beauty advice you’ve ever received?
A cold rinse. To make your hair shiny, wash out conditioner with cold water.

And the worst advice?
I bought one of those expensive treatments to help get rid of bikini waxing breakouts. Huge waste of money. Tried it once and wasn’t convinced.

Any tips or tricks you want to share with readers?
If you see a look you like in a picture or magazine, rip it out, take it home, and try to recreate it. Also, apparently for every six used eye shadows you bring into MAC, they’ll give you a free lip gloss. I’m not sure if they really do it, though, I have one more shadow to go until I have six. [Bella's note: It's true! Take six empty MAC containers to the store and you get a free lip gloss or lipstick.]

Your favorite drugstore beauty product?
Revlon nail polish and Lip Smackers Dr. Pepper lip gloss.

When do you feel the most beautiful?
After a day at the beach, when I’m sitting watching the sunset with fabulous company and a refreshing cocktail. Oh and when I leave the hair salon, of course - but who doesn’t feel gorgeous after Champagne and a great, styled haircut?

Oh Dear! Another Sugar Girl Beauty Interview

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:00:42 -0700

So I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm the beauty-obsessed one here, but DearSugar often shows me up. Her long hair always looks perfect, and she can do a smoky eye like a professional makeup artist. To find out how she gets her everyday-glam look, read on.

Which beauty products are your must-haves?
Diorshow mascara in black, MAC tinted moisturizer, and Chanel black eyeliner pencil.

What’s your favorite beauty ritual?
I never wash my hair or wear makeup on Fridays so I feel extra pretty on Friday night when I get all dolled up.

For the rest of the interview, read more.

What’s your go-to lip product?
Chanel lip gloss in Syrup and my new favorite NARS lip pencil in Bettina.

What is your morning beauty routine?
Low-key! Moisturize, tinted moisturizer, mascara and lip gloss.

What’s your signature fragrance?
An oil called Faith from Madison LA.

What’s the best beauty advice you’ve ever received?
To wash your face before you go to bed - and I do it every night without fail!

And the worst advice?
No one told me when I was younger to wear sunscreen. My dad is very dark-skinned and has never worn it before in his life, so they never forced me to either since we have similar skin.

Any tips or tricks you want to share with readers?
Always keep your eyeliner sharpened, not to a point, but if it’s in need of a sharpen, it will smear all over your eyes. Not a good look!

Your favorite drugstore beauty product?
Aquaphor

When do you feel the most beautiful?
In the morning while on vacation anywhere tropical. Being sun-kissed and relaxed makes me feel beautiful.