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Bridesmaid Dilemma! What Makeup Should I Wear?

BellaSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:00:11 -0700

Dear Bella,
I am the maid of honor in my friend's wedding and our dresses are chocolate brown. I am very fair with blond hair and green eyes. Brown has never been a good color for me so I have no idea what sort of colors to use on my eyes, etc. Please help! - Sarah

Dear Sarah,

First off, I can understand your dilemma - as I've been in several weddings myself. From burnt sienna to periwinkle, I've worn it all. Look at it this way. The bride's picked a color that's definitely doable. Hello yellow or orange? Now, that could be more of an issue.

The best advice I can give is to keep your colors light, natural, and modern (but not too trendy). In general, while your bridesmaid's dress should complement your makeup - always match your makeup to you, and not the dress. Although your tones are cool, all of us have some elements of peach, pink, and gold to our skin. Using these hues for your makeup will give you a radiant glow, and accentuate your fair coloring nicely. Also, put the focus on your best feature - your pretty green eyes are going to knock'em out! (Without taking any attention away from the bride, of course.)

For some color suggestions and application techniques for the big day, read more:

Face - For wedding parties, avoid foundation that is too shiny - it doesn't always photograph all that well. Try a semi-matte formulation like Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation ($34).
Cheeks - Use a light bronzer and a peachy-pink blush for the perfect combination. A slightly shimmery faint brown for your bronzer should do the trick. Lightly apply to the apples of your cheeks and anywhere the sun would hit (hairline, nose, jawline, down into your décolleté). Next, for dimension and a natural flush, lightly apply a peachy-pink blush over the bronzer, focusing mostly on the apples of your cheeks. I like Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna ($37).
Eyeliner - Choose a rich brown liner such as Maybelline Expertwear Brow & Eyeliner in Dark Brown ($5.80) and line the inner and outer rims of both your top and bottom lashlines.
Eyeshadow - Apply a trio of shadows for your base, lid, and contour. Try Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio in Head Shot ($28), which includes a dusty pink, a soft ivory, and a soft brown. First apply soft ivory as a base color from lashline to brow. This will help your eyeshadow last throughout the day. Next, apply the dusty pink shadow on your lids. (PS - pink makes green eyes pop.) Finally, add the soft brown in the crease area of your eyes, focusing on the outer corners for drama and depth. For a nice touch, tap and blend this color over your liner to set.
Lipliner - For lasting color, first pick a lipliner in a color that's just a shade darker than your natural pigment. Try Lorac Lip Pencil ($14).
Lipstick - Apply a rosy peach lip color for the final touch bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor in Amaretto ($15).

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How-To: The Six-Minute Face From Bruce Grayson

BellaSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:00:59 -0700

"I've done full makeup in less than six minutes," Bruce Grayson said when I interviewed the head of the Emmys makeup department. While many among us are used to doing our makeup in under six minutes - sometimes in a car mirror with screaming children - I thought you might like to know how a pro accomplishes such a thing. After all, unless you've got the paparazzi in the car behind you, your rush job isn't getting splashed across weekly tabs like Bruce's.

For a minute-by-minute plan based on his ideas, read more.

Minute one: Cover any pimples or red spots with a concealer.
Minute two: Apply eyeliner. "I use a gel eyeliner," Grayson says. "I know I can just make one dash across the eye. Maybe use a Q-tip to blend if you have a second."
Minute three: Sweep on an eyeshadow. "Don’t get into shading the eye or getting in the crease," he advises.
Minute four: Rub in a gel or cream blush. "I prefer them because they don't sit on top of the skin, they blend in," he explains.
Minute five: "You get really fast about mascara," says Grayson. Just sweep one one coat and forget it.
Minute six: Lip balm. Dunzo!

How To Get Ladylike Lipstick

BellaSugarUK — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0700

As the mood for thoroughly, grown-up glamour continues, the trend for classic, made-up lips shows no signs of abating any time soon.

Choosing your colours is one thing, but this dramatic look is all in the application. First prepare your lips with balm, such as Apples & Pears, (£10.50). This will help ensure an even application.

Then follow these simple tips:

Always apply lipstick with a brush for maximum staying power, and a neater application. Use a lip brush, for a definite line, or try a small, flat eyeshadow brush if you want to keep the edges softer and more modern.
The idea of lining lips with a pencil seems old-fashioned, but if you want your colour to last then it's important to use a pencil first. This works best for evenings or events where you want to make an entrance. Use short strokes to colour the lip all over, starting from the cupid's bow.
Next apply the lipstick using a brush, in smooth, even strokes. If you feel like you've applied too much, simply blot with a tissue.
For the daytime, when overly defined lips can look scarily overdone, just pat the lipstick colour onto your lips, over balm, just using your fingertips.
Try and keep the rest of your makeup classic and ensure the skin is matte, as this makes your lips look extra bold.

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What's in Your Bag? Faux Balenciaga

FabSugarUK — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:00:05 -0700

This month we have been asking readers to reveal their biggest secret, the contents of their handbag! You can add an image and list to the group here but today we're delving in to the bag of VSug.

Here's what's in her bag:

Lip gloss/lipstick/eyeshadow-highlighter-shade pack from my organic minerals make-up I actually ordered on line from a Lisa Gibbons-starring infomercial...and it rocks!
Orange iPod shuffle with about 235 of my favorite tunes
Pens
Date planner: pocket faux croc, red from Neiman's

To see what else is in her bag read more

Little, pretty note book from Anthropologie for random ideas that hit me anytime.
10-year old, Marc Jacbos, black large wallet that still looks like I bought it last week
Package of fresh blackberries in case I get the munchies
European sun block...the kind that doesn't just prevent skin cancers but also aging
My Jackie O.-like sunglasses
At least 3 red shaded lipsticks...including, of course, my Chanel Coco Red

You can see the full list here.

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

Bizarre Beauty: Press-On Eye Makeup

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:00:29 -0800

Just when you think you've seen everything, along comes colorOn Instant Eye Shadow Applicator, which does for eyes what Lee Press-On Nails do for your fingertips. Developed by makeup artist Irina Iosilevich, the product is essentially eyeshadow deposited on an eyelid-shaped applicator. To apply it, you peel back the applicator, press it to the closed eyelid, rub the shadow on, and set it with included powder.

The idea is to give women the opportunity to wear complex eye shadow looks without having to fuss with a lot of brushes and shadow pots. In theory, it seems nice... but I like being able to control what goes where. (Sorry, I'm a control freak.) And at $16 for a package of 10 pairs of applicators, I can't see this being a daily indulgence. Still, the idea is fun and innovative. Think you'd ever go for something like this?

View 5 Photos ›

Eyeshadow 101: Today's Theme is Purple

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 15:11:19 -0700

The makeup counters at department stores and the cosmetics aisle at Walgreens can be pretty overwhelming. It's super hard to know which colors to try and which ones go together. I thought I would try to help with this installment of Eyeshadow 101.

The goal of wearing eye make-up is to enhance/bring attention to your eyes. The rule of thumb is to wear the opposite color eye shadow of your eyes on the color wheel so that your eyes really stand out (or POP as they say in the make-up world).

So if you have blue eyes, you'd wear rust, coral, peach or grayish colors; if you have brown eyes, wear greens and bronzes, and if you have green/hazel (gold/yellowy) eyes, try wearing either greens, or deep purples, pinks, and rusty purples.

Next week we will cover product recommendations for blue eyes, to see product recommendations for greenish-hazel eyes, read more

If you have greenish-hazel eyes, I'd go with MAC's Sable eye shadow. It is an amazing muted, golden plum brown everyday color with bronze shimmer. First apply a light pink color to the base of your lids - try Trish McEvoy's Deluxe Eye Shadow in Shell, then add a touch of the sable to the crease.

Lastly, line your eyes with Mac's Sketch Colored Eye Shadow. It's the mac daddy (no pun intended) of purples. The color is an intense burgundy-plum flecked with red shimmer.

Another great idea which I've just discovered that is really simple and great for travel because it's packaged together is glowmineral's gloEye shadow trio in Amethyst.

Or Dior's 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Sweet Illusion.

Be careful when using purples, because if you go overboard, your eyes will look bloodshot. So dust some loose powder on the corners of your eye, and directly beneath your lower lash when you are finished applying your shadow.

Tom Ford For Estee Lauder: Azurēe Soleil Collection

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:11:22 -0700

Last year Tom Ford created a smashing cosmetics collection called Azurēe Soleil which was based around two color families: plums and neutrals. The line is intended to make it easy for every woman to create his signature look: a nude lip, a smoky eye and a dusted cheek. It is comprised of 25 products such as : lipsticks, lip glosses, eye liners, lip liners, nail polishes, lip SPF/lip conditioner, cheek glows, eyeshadow duos, face glows, body oils, a mirror and a fragrance.

The packaging is quite beautiful too. Each piece is gold and turquoise and reminds me of the old style makeup that my grandmother owned. Mr. Ford came up with the idea based on a 1969 fragrance of Estee's in the same color scheme. He decided to make a vintage looking collection to revamp Estee Lauder's original idea.

The name is a combo of Côte d’Azur and Estēe Lauder. Pretty fresh, huh? The fragrance was a limited edition, but is now available again. Enjoy!

To see close ups of the complete collection, read more

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Get The Most From Your Makeup: Concealer

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:59:47 -0700

You may think that concealer is simply for covering up blemishes, red blotches and under-eye circles, but you're not giving it nearly enough credit. A good cream concealer can also double as so much more!

For example, it works well as an eyeshadow primer. Just dot a little bit on your lids with your fingertip, blend well and set with powder. Then apply your shadow (for best results, use powder shadows) to a flawless canvas.

Also, it can work as a base on your lips if you plan on wearing dark lipstick. If you apply it just beyond your lip line as a fantastic reverse lip liner. This is a little trick that makeup artists have kept secret for ages. Having product around your lips acts as a barrier and prevent your lipstick from running, but it keeps the color even making your lips stand out. For more ideas on how to get the most from your makeup, keep reading!

My Makeup Routine: Atoxicsparkle

BellaSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 05:55:54 -0700

Over in the Beauty Product Junkies group on TeamSugar, the members have been posting step-by-step breakdowns of their daily makeup routines, complete with before and after photos. What brave souls!

I absolutely love this idea, so I've asked several users if I can post their routines here. I also invite you to join the group and post your own routines. Who knows? You might just end up featured on BellaSugar too!

Today's routine comes from BPJ founder Atoxicsparkle, whose beauty arsenal you can peek at above. To see her makeup routine from start to finish, read more

Here is Atoxicsparkle's "before shot." She explains: "my eye looks funky but oh well, takin' one for the team. And I swear, I don't always look so pissed as I will in these pics, but my camera was being stupid and giving me hell." Now for the steps:

Step #1: "So before I even start putting makeup on, I do one of the most important things every woman should do, and that is moisturize! I start by smoothing Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion SPF 15 all over my face and neck, then Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 30 Daily Eye Cream on and around my eyes. Then, using a wet sponge, I apply MAC Select Moistureblend SPF 15 in NW25 all over my face and neck. To help the foundation settle, I apply MAC Blot Pressed Powder in Medium Dark all over with a large powder brush."

Step #2: "Now I apply Urban Decay Primer Potion to my lids, fill in my eyebrows with my Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Brown, then apply Benefit Mr. Frosty Eye Pencil on my brow-bone right under my eyebrow. Then comes the hardest decision: Which eyeshadow to wear? Seriously, sometimes I can stand there for 10 minutes trying to decide on how to do my eyes that day. Today, since I was wearing a green dress, I decided to use the Laura Geller Eye Stay Duo in Champagne/Mocha."

Step #3: "To finish off my eye, I first line my upper lid with my Benefit Eye Sketching Pencil in Onyx. Then I line my lower lid with the Too Faced Foiled Liner in Bronze Bombshell, then smudge it up into the corners with a Sephora Smudge Brush. (Every woman must own one of these; they are awesome!) Curl my lashes and give 'em two coats of DiorShow Mascara in Black, and my eyes are done!

Step #4: To finish, I apply Clinique Fresh Bloom All-Over Colour in Peony on my cheeks with a large blush brush, and highlight my cheek, eye, and jaw bone with MAC Skinfinish in Lightscapade using an angled blush brush. A thin coat of Benefit Her Glossiness V.I.P. Lip Gloss in Life on the A List on the lips, and I'm ready to go!

Now, for the after shot. Bellissima, Atoxicsparkle!