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Is "Ginger-ism" Growing in the United States?

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:00:08 -0800

If you've seen the South Park episode "Gingervitis," you know how Cartman feels about gingers, or fair-skinned, freckled redheads: they're less than human. While most people viewing the episode probably took it as, at best, a morality lesson about arbitrarily discriminating against others, and at worst a joke in poor taste (maybe both), it isn't so funny in real life.

A group of students in Calabasas, CA, instead decided to institute "Kick a Ginger Day" at their middle school, and proceeded to beat up some of their classmates. While this is an example of the worst sort of juvenile stupidity, it does point out the underlying prejudices redheads have to deal with, whether it's jokes about their "fiery tempers" or sexual harassment. Even Christina Hendricks's character Joan on Mad Men continuously gets called "Red" and has comments made about her. And in the UK, ginger discrimination is wel -known - to the point where redheads have been awarded settlements after workplace harassment tied to their hair color. What do you think about all this? Are there more pejorative connotations connected to having red hair these days, or are people just now paying more attention to a long-extant problem?

Redheads Feel More Pain?

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:00:41 -0700

Blondes may stereotypically have more fun, but some studies show those born with red locks might feel more pain. So we all need to treat our ginger-headed friends more gingerly since research shows they're more sensitive to hot and cold, and strangely, redheads also require more anesthesia to become numb.

For those with brown, black, and blond hair, the Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene produces melanin, which gives our hair and skin color. In redheads, this gene is mutated and produces pheomelanin instead, causing pale skin, freckles, and strawberry tresses. MC1R mutations also affect carrot tops' perception of pain and the effectiveness of drugs that are used to block the sensation of pain.

Not only is this research interesting (and may explain why your friend screamed her red head off when she got her ears pierced), but it may also help scientists design drugs that are more person-specific based on an individual's genetic profile.

If you're a redhead, please share your thoughts on this hairy subject.

Six Risk Factors That Increase Your Chance of Developing a Melanoma

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:55 -0700

Have you ever had a sunburn so extreme that it blistered? Take caution. You could be at least three times more likely to develop a melonoma. A recent study, conducted by the melanoma screening service MoleMap by Dermatologists, identified six risk factors that could pose possible warning signs. Here they are:

Natural red or blond hair.
Freckling located on the upper back area.
A history of melanoma within your family.
Teenage sunburns that resulted in blisters.
Summer jobs outdoors that lasted for three or more years during your teenage years.
Tendency to get scaly patches of skin on areas of the skin that have received sun exposure.

If one of these statements is true for you, then you are three times more likely to develop a melanoma. However, you are 10 times more at risk if two or more of these circumstances apply to you. If you're concerned, heed the advice of MoleMap director Dr. Martin Haskett. "It is important to note that although most of the questions in the survey related to sun exposure, once the risk factors are present a malanoma can appear at any time of year and in non sun-exposed body sites," he says. "This means people need to check their skin year-round and medical surveillance programs for those at highest risk."

Source

New Product Alert: Just For Redheads Hair Extensions

BellaSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 07:00:08 -0700

Just when you thought that Just For Redheads was only a makeup company, it launches a line of Hair So Fair Hair Extensions. Redheads constantly write in complaining that there aren't enough products on the market for them, but now there are lengths, styles and colors suited just for them.

The six available colors are blonde, champagne, strawberry blonde, copper, red, and auburn and there are five different styles: the Diva Look (22" clip-on extension, $98), Medium Hair (14” clip-on extension, $79), the Hair Comb ($89), the Hair Headband ($79), and the Hair Scrunchie ($19).

All of the extensions are made from 100% synthetic Keraflex fiber and are made to look natural while amplifying volume. Designer Sonia DeMaria collaborated with JFR owner Paula Pennypacker to create something soft and silky that give you instant thickness and variety. To see the line and to watch videos on how to use the extensions, click here. Take it away, Red!

Brand-New Brand: Just for Redheads

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:55:44 -0700

Just for Reheads has just been brought to my attention, although it has been around for over 14 years. It was created by Paula Pennypacker, (a redhead), who felt that fair skinned women with red hair and freckles needed special attention. She invented a line of products that include: cosmetics, nail polish, hair care products, sun and skin care products - all for redheads!

Their star product is also their newest product. Mascara Ultresse, $15, in GingerHenna, is a rich more natural looking color mascara than black or navy. It is a reddish–brownish shade that looks fantastic on auburn, orangey red, or strawberry blond redheads.

It adds warmth to the eye, without making them look too dark and harsh. It also adds volume to thin lashes, it is waterproof, smudge proof and contains panethol and vitamin E to soften and keep lashes clump free.

There are also two companion products available for the mascara. A brow tint gel in GingerHenna, $15, and a tinted Brow Stick in GingerAuburn for $11. For those of you out there who don’t have red hair and are wondering if you can use it, the answer is yes. I have medium brown hair and it looks great on for a daytime look! Have fun!

Product Review: Just For Redheads Dream Eye Flavors

BellaSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:12:46 -0700

Just for Redheads is celebrating its 15-year anniversary with the launch of three creamy Dream Eye Shadow Flavors ($30). The formula is a smooth, blendable, and layerable so that you can wear them alone, together, or over a powder shadow for more depth (my personal favorite way to wear cream shadows)

I've been playing around with different looks using the Souffle color, and wow, am I impressed. It is a shimmery, taupey neutral-brown that works like a chameleon depending on what clothing and eyeliner I am wearing. In one light it looks like wet brown sand and in another I see shades of purples and pinks.

These must-have metallic shadows are a great way to create a beautiful and easy Spring look. Did I also mention that the shadows are waterproof and crease-less? If only there were a few more shades to choose from.

View 4 Photos ›

For details about the other two colors, read more.

Lemon Grass is a toasted olivey-khaki shade that can also be used as an eyeliner.
Lame D'Or is a shimmery, pale-golden shade.

Happy Hour: Redhead in Bed

partysugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:15:29 -0700

Inspired by Market-Fresh Mixology, I decided to make a cocktail that features one of Spring's most popular fruits: strawberries. When I found this recipe while browsing cocktails on Food & Wine's website, I assumed it would be absolutely delightful.

My predictions were correct: this fruity concoction is light, refreshing, and easy drinking. The pureness of sweet strawberries is the defining flavor, but fresh lime juice provides a balancing tartness. Because the vodka is not overpowering, it's the perfect cocktail to enjoy on a hot day. If strawberries are in season at your farmers market, I strongly suggest you give this drink a try. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! To get the recipe please read more.

Redhead in Bed
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

3 pounds strawberries, hulled and coarsely chopped
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons citrus vodka
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Ice
1/3 cup chilled Riesling

Directions

In a bowl, toss the strawberries with the sugar and let stand, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries release their juices, about 10 minutes.
In a blender, combine half each of the strawberries and their juices, the vodka, and lime juice with 1 cup of ice and puree. Pour into a pitcher. Repeat with the remaining strawberries and juices, vodka, and lime juice and 1 more cup of ice.*
Fill 10 collins glasses halfway with ice. Pour the cocktail into the glasses, top each with about 1/2 tablespoon of Riesling and serve.

Serves 10.

*Since I dislike blended drinks, I pureed the strawberries with the lime juice in a blender. Then I combined the puree with the vodka in a cocktail shaker and shook to combine. I strained the mixture into collins glasses filled half way with ice and topped with the Riesling. Delish!

Print recipe with images | without images

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FABTV: Phoenix, "Lisztomania" (SF Brat Pack Mash Up)

FabSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:23:22 -0800

I feel a smile coming on . . . this brand spanking new Phoenix video was filmed in my hometown, San Francisco, over the past couple Sundays. It's fresher than fresh. The kids are local talent, and one of my friends is even one of the danceaholics in it - hi Trish! (She's the vibrant redhead with the cool printed tee). It's so spirited. The dance moves may look familiar - an ode to one of the best scenes in The Breakfast Club. And the shots of neon garb hone in on the awesome '80s vibe. Smile on.

Phoenix - Lisztomania (SF BRAT PACK MASH UP) from chinorockwell on Vimeo.

BellaSugar's Top Five Cream Eye Shadow Picks

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:00:44 -0700

The invention of cream eye shadows has had a time-saving impact on my life. Not only are they easy to apply (you don't even need to use a brush), but depending on the color, they can also double as a highlighter. They're a cinch to travel with since they can't spill, and they typically dry to a nice, powdery finish. You used to have to tend to the creases every few hours, but now they've evolved into long-wearing, crease-free, stay-put-all-day formulas that hardly require any maintenance at all! Below are my top choices for cream eye shadows; what are yours?

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow ($19) has a light and creamy consistency that dries to a silky texture within 30 seconds. My favorite color is RSVP, a versatile, pale shimmery pinky-champagne that looks great alone for daytime and as a highlighter in the evening.
Lola Cosmetics SocialEyes Gel Eye Colour ($20) are creamy, waterproof shadows that can be worn as eyeliners too. They have medium pigmentation so they can be layered together or worn alone. My color of choice is a pale green patina called Tahiti.
Just for Redheads Dream Eye Shadow Flavors (on sale for $18) are some of the best blending cream shadows I've ever used. A little bit goes a long way to create shimmery, and rich velvety soft color. The must-have color to seek out is Souffle, a taupey, purplish-brown that looks amazing on all skin tones.
Laura Mercier Metallic Crème Eye Colour ($22) is a waterproof, sheer and non-creasing cream shadow. My favorite color of the bunch is Rose Gold, a shimmery pinky brown that looks great alone, or blended with a deep brown or purple in the crease.
Nars Cream Eye Shadow ($21) has a soft cream-to-powder texture that dries quickly and blends easily. My favorite shade is Swing, a deep dark purple that looks great as a lid and crease shadow or as a liner.

Marcia Cross Gives Thanks Early This Year

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:53 -0800

Known as the buttoned-up and tightly wound kitchen queen on Desperate Housewives, Marcia Cross appears to be quite the opposite when seen about town toting her two tots to the local playground for a swing in the park or a roll in the grass. Though the multitasking mum certainly has her hands full and plenty of mouths to feed in her own home, the drama mama took time out of her Sunday afternoon to dish on motherhood, balancing a career, her fortunate life and how she gives back to the community.

How do you teach your children about giving back?

I have to be very honest and say that I'm in this very strange interim of wanting the world to seem like this perfect lovely place because they're 2-and-a-half... to then introducing them to the idea that other people have less. It's going to start soon, I think around the holidays. The way I try to do it is in simple ways. I have things in the house and I say, "Why don't we give this to so and so?" And I will say somebody else's child and "If you're finished with that, why don't you give that to so and so?" I've noticed that they'll come up with that on their own now, which makes me so happy... I can't yet go to the place where there are other kids that are hungry... maybe in another year. I don't know exactly. I think just teaching empathy and then teaching giving in that sort of way is how I've started and hopefully it will grow from there in terms of how lucky we are... We say Grace and we say prayers at night. Prayers to me is just sitting around and saying what you're grateful for. One answer that my daughter Eden says all the time, which I love, is "Outside," which is such a beautiful thing to say thank you for, which we take for granted.

What kinds of things do the girls do to make you laugh?

My girls are really funny. They're actually little jokesters. They do twists on words already, or I call them my little minxies. They dance, they do imitations of other kids dancing, they make up songs, they make up lyrics. It's all so silly but I think every mother just adores their own child and I'm the same way. They make me laugh all the time.

To see what the striking redhead has to say about balancing motherhood and her career, her character Bree, and what she is most thankful for, read more.

Are there any similarities between Bree and Marcia Cross?

Wow. I wish there were more because she's so organized and such the domestic diva, which I am not. But I think in her own twisted way, Bree has a big heart and a passion for life. Although, I'm thinking about what she's doing right now and we don't have that in common... she's having a little extra passion right now (giggle). At the moment, I'm going to say there's a little less in common than more.

How do you raise your kids and have a career?

I think some days I do it more gracefully than others. And other days it takes its tolls. Like any parent, I go through times where things are going great and then I have a week where both of my daughters are sick and so I'm trying to juggle work and home-life and it's hard and it's stressful and I think it would be unrealistic to say otherwise. I think that mothers manage an incredible workload. Whether you're a stay-at-home mother or you have a job as well, it's a very full life and certainly one that I dreamed about and always wanted. And even given that there are days that are challenging, because you can only be in so many places at once... whether it's at work or with your kids, or sometimes you just really want a nap so it's a full-time job.

What are you thankful for?

Health. Health of my family, health of my friends, health of my parents, who thank God, are still with me. I'm grateful that I have a family that I always dreamed about. I'm grateful for the job that I have. I get to do what I love. I'm grateful that I get the opportunity to be a spokesperson for things I feel are important.

This Thanksgiving, Marcia is encouraging all Facebook mommies to go to My Chinet's Facebook page where they can pick a plate, decorate it and show it on their profile page. By doing this, mommy will feed her soul and donate to the cause of filling someone else's stomach this holiday season.