Miriam Lacey
BellaSugar Assistant Editor, (2009-2012)
Miriam Lacey

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Makeup

Survey: How Much Makeup Do You Wear, Really?

Most of the images of women we're presented with on a daily basis, whether they're on television or online, involve heavy makeup, styling, and Photoshop to boot.
How Much Makeup Women Wear Every Day

Most of the images of women we're presented with on a daily basis, whether they're on television or online, involve heavy makeup, styling, and Photoshop to boot. And while appreciating the aesthetics of a good snapshot are all well and good, do your makeup habits actually reflect the cosmetic-centric denizens of fashion magazines and beauty sites?

When it comes to your daily routine, are you a glamazon of epic proportions, or is your look a lot less involved? Take our survey and tell us about how much eye shadow, blush, and foundation really make it onto your face.

Hair

This Is Your Hair on Drugs

Psychoactive substances have inspired a lot of art, from "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but this may be the first time we've seen their effects expressed through hair.

Psychoactive substances have inspired a lot of art, from "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but this may be the first time we've seen their effects expressed through hair. For its new Molecular Addictions lookbook, jewelry brand Aroha Silhouettes hired hairstylist Alina Friesen and her husband, photographer Kale Friesen, to create a series of images inspired by the experience of consuming a variety of drugs, from caffeine to LSD.

The results are more runway than opium den, but they are suitably deranged, besides being rather lovely and fashion-forward. Check them out now; just don't let your hair get a contact high.

Source: Aroha Silhouettes

Perfume

On Her Madge-sty's Service: All About Madonna's New Perfume

There are a lot of celebrity fragrances out there, but Madonna isn't just any famous face.

There are a lot of celebrity fragrances out there, but Madonna isn't just any famous face. So it follows that any perfume she'd make would be suitably fabulous. Her new scent, Truth or Dare, is definitely not what you'd expect from a celebrity endeavor — or even what you'd expect from the commercial above, for that matter. All the sexy fishnets and mirror gazing might lead you to believe that this is going to be a big, man-eating chypre (or, less optimistically, a particularly treacly fruity floral). Instead, the juice inside what has to be the best fragrance flacon of the young 21st century is decidedly . . . nicer.

In place of something aggressive and borderline feral, it's a pretty, slightly powdery jasmine with faint traces of spicy gardenia running underneath. It's actually more vintage than modern, a sort of sentimentality you wouldn't expect from Madonna. Truth or Dare bows at Macy's in April, where we daresay you should go ahead and give it a sniff.

Perfume

This New Marc Jacobs Perfume Seems Pretty (Lady)Buggy

Leave it to Marc Jacobs to create a new perfume that's adorable and eccentric in equal measure.


Leave it to Marc Jacobs to create a new perfume that's adorable and eccentric in equal measure. The new scent, Dot, won't hit shelves Stateside until August, but from the look of its packaging and its listed notes, it should be in good company with its sister fragrances, Daisy and Lola. Dot's bottle (above) looks a lot like Daisy, if Daisy decided to dress up like Minnie Mouse and hit the town, that is.

The scent profile, on the other hand, seems to be reminiscent of Lola's, employing the same vanilla and creamy musk base, but topped off with sweet floral notes like honeysuckle, jasmine, and orange blossom. Dot also has a coconut water note, suggesting that it may be a more tropical scent than its predecessors. But we'll have to wait and see on that front. So far, though, this is one of the few times we wouldn't mind having a big old bug sitting on our vanities.

Source

braids

Why, Exactly, Is It Called a French Braid?

French braids are popular the world over, but they certainly aren't emblematic of France.


French braids are popular the world over, but they certainly aren't emblematic of France. It's unclear what about them, really, is so Gallic. As it turns out, "French" braids aren't French at all. So who's really responsible for the technique? The style's history is much cooler (and longer) than you might imagine. Learn how your favorite braid got its start below.

Celebrity Makeup

January Jones's Lavender Look: Love It or Leave It?

Leave it to fashion fiend January Jones to be a whole season ahead of the rest of us.


Leave it to fashion fiend January Jones to be a whole season ahead of the rest of us. At the Metropolitan Opera's premiere of Manon, the Mad Men star was all kitted out in a black silk Yves Saint Laurent gown from the Fall 2012 collection. Understandably, with such a dark, atmospheric ensemble, January's makeup artist tried to lighten the palette up a bit using seasonally appropriate lavender shadow and soft fuchsia lipstick to offset the austerity of her look. But do sweet Spring colors like these really work as dramatic winged eyeliner or statement lipstick? And in general, can March hues ever complement November designs?

Celebrity Hair

5 Awesome Hair Secrets From Celebrity Stylists

Celebrity stylists are the kind of hair helpers most of us can only dream about.


Celebrity stylists are the kind of hair helpers most of us can only dream about. Not only are these talents quick on their toes, but they are always coming up with new ways to make their clients look better. Luckily, your favorite stars' hair-y godparents are often nice enough to drop a little knowledge on the rest of us. Here, find five of the smartest tricks and tips revealed by the styling elite. Learn your lesson(s) now.

Tattoos

10 Mockingjay Tattoos and the Stories Behind Them

The Hunger Games film adaptation hits theaters on Friday, but the trilogy has long had legions of fans, with Katniss's mockingjay bird pendant serving as their unofficial symbol.

The Hunger Games film adaptation hits theaters on Friday, but the trilogy has long had legions of fans, with Katniss's mockingjay bird pendant serving as their unofficial symbol. Here, find the stories of 10 people so moved by the books that they decided to make their dedication permanent with a tattoo. Check out pictures of these illustrated avians, and find out what motivated these superfans to get inked.

Eyeliner

What We're Sweet On: A Perfect Drugstore Powder Liner

When it comes to powder eyeliner, things can get a little tricky.


When it comes to powder eyeliner, things can get a little tricky. Angelina Jolie and other winged liner-loving celebrities swear by the stuff, but it's frequently messy and your typical shadow applicator leaves thick, faded-looking lines. Happily, Essence I Love Glam powder eyeliner ($3) takes care of both those issues. Sure, it's basically just a little bottle of shadow, but the tiny sponge-tip applicator is the perfect size for creating a classic cat eye, and the color is a nice matte black that lasts.

Before you run out to get your retro lines on, though, we have a couple of recommendations for getting the most out of this product. First off, primer makes a big difference. The staying power is already good, but putting down a base keeps you from having under-eye fallout later. We also use a tissue to blot excess liner off our lids after application. It's not a must, but if you're a frequent victim of raccoon eyes, every little bit counts.

All that said, this stuff still gives us some of the fastest, cleanest lines we've ever had, and the results are just as pretty as a lot of products nearly 10 times the price. It's a bargain, and just like a similarly priced can of Red Bull, it'll give you wings.

Makeup

5 Makeup Storage Solutions You'll Love

Makeup storage is many people's bête noire.

Makeup storage is many people's bête noire. It's hard to get everything in the right place, a lot of the options don't look so hot, and every time your collection grows, there's a struggle to readjust. Which is why finding a case you love is a necessity. If you like storing your things in it and actually like having it around, you're a lot more likely to use it and try to keep it nice, too. Check out these pretty cosmetic case picks and get organized now.

Beauty News

Nicole Miller Debuts a New Skin Care Line

Nicole Miller has long been the go-to clothier for chic cocktail dresses, but now she's hoping you'll dress your skin up in her wares as well.


Nicole Miller has long been the go-to clothier for chic cocktail dresses, but now she's hoping you'll dress your skin up in her wares as well. Today, the designer debuts Nicole Miller Beauty, a collection of skin care designed to address everyday hydration and brightening needs. Miller has had a skin care line before (with Aussie mail-order giant Melaleuca), but this new collection was conceived in collaboration with longtime friend Dr. Cap Lesesne. "We wanted to create something for women that wasn’t strictly for acne or strictly for antiaging," Lesesne said. "Having practiced medicine in New York City for almost 30 years, I know what damage can be caused by not using effective skin care." As for Miller, who counts the Glow Serum ($65) as her favorite product, her best skin care prescription is simple and sound: "Use moisturizer religiously and never get a sunburn." And that's advice that'll never go out of style.

Celebrity Hair

January Jones Joins the Pink Hair Brigade

January Jones has always been a fashion risk taker, but in the past most of her daring hair and makeup has had a vintage homage feel that dovetailed nicely with her role in Mad Men.


January Jones has always been a fashion risk taker, but in the past most of her daring hair and makeup has had a vintage homage feel that dovetailed nicely with her role in Mad Men. Now, though, it looks like she's gone back to the future with the new cotton-candy-hued highlights she showed off at a PaleyFest 2012 event honoring the show.

January certainly isn't the only star who has tried pink hair. Dianna Agron, Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj have all tried the shade lately. January's look is a little more subtle, though, and is reminiscent of the pink hue Rachel McAdams sported a few years back. Betty Draper might not approve, but it looks like January is showing the rest of us how to make an edgy hair color more wearable.

Celebrity Beauty

See (and Re-Create) the Looks From The Hunger Games Premiere

The Hunger Games premiere brought out all the movie's brightest stars, and everyone was at least as glammed up as the Capitol's most fabulous residents (minus the full-body polishes).

The Hunger Games premiere brought out all the movie's brightest stars, and everyone was at least as glammed up as the Capitol's most fabulous residents (minus the full-body polishes). Read on to see the film's stars and famous fans, along with tips for re-creating the hair and makeup looks worn by Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks.

flappers

Style Ideas From the Most Beautiful Women of the 1920s

The 1920s are a byword for glamour and excess, and the hair and makeup of the era have never lost their allure.

The 1920s are a byword for glamour and excess, and the hair and makeup of the era have never lost their allure. Bobs, dark lips, finger waves, silk turbans, and dramatic eyes are as fashionable today as they were 90 years ago, and with movies like The Artist and The Great Gatsby on everyone's mind, 2012 may well be the year of the modern flapper.

If you're ready to head over to the local speakeasy and Charleston the night away, you'll want to check out this gallery of the most beautiful and fashionable women of the period. Steal style ideas from Josephine Baker, Fanny Brice, Gloria Swanson, and the rest of the era's greatest beauties now.

Source: Flickr User ky_olsen, Getty

Perfume

Five Scents Guaranteed to Make You Happy

Scent is a very powerful thing.


Scent is a very powerful thing. Whether we recognize it or not, our noses are capable of analyzing thousands of smells. And subconsciously, we're constantly using olfaction to evaluate our environment. As you might expect with a faculty that we use so often, research has shown that smells can have a profound effect on mood, and particular smells have a positive effect on the majority of people. So find out which scents have been shown to perk you up.

hair accessories

Do "No Line" Headbands Really Work?

Lately, we've seen a plethora of products that claim to keep your hair in place without leaving a crease.

Lately, we've seen a plethora of products that claim to keep your hair in place without leaving a crease. You've probably seen them around — they're the elastic headbands and hair ties that knot in the back. Brands like Athleta ($8), Sephora ($8), Shopbop ($45), and Emi Jay ($11) all make their own versions, but they're essentially the same thing: elasticized ribbon that's about an inch wide. And, like the "ouchless" hair accessory trend a few years back, the no-crease claim they make is pretty hefty. We've tested out several bands that claim to leave your hair unrumpled, so to see our verdict, just keep reading.

Nails

Get These Cute Southwest-Inspired Nails the Easy Way

The vivid colors and patterns of the American Southwest are popping up all over accessories for Spring, but you don't have to visit Mesa to work the motif into your wardrobe.


The vivid colors and patterns of the American Southwest are popping up all over accessories for Spring, but you don't have to visit Mesa to work the motif into your wardrobe. This easy "flying v" manicure has plenty of Southwest flavor, and all you need to make it work are three nail polishes and some tape. Ready to hit the trail? Then find out how to do it.

Lipstick

Who Wore Watermelon Lipstick Best?

Fruity, bright pink lipstick is one of the year's biggest red carpet trends so far, with celebrities opting for every shade from bubblegum to cranberry.

Fruity, bright pink lipstick is one of the year's biggest red carpet trends so far, with celebrities opting for every shade from bubblegum to cranberry. This week, three stars stepped out in equally vivid shades of mid-tone watermelon pink. First up: Emily Blunt, whose glossy lipstick was offset by understated hair and makeup. Then we have Julianne Moore, who wore an almost-matte stain and complemented it with a swoop of her beautiful copper hair. And last but not least, Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy wore a slightly deeper shade and added plenty of false lashes and soft, pretty curls. They all looked great, but which of these looks do you think wins out?

Perfume

What We're Sweet On: a Mediterranean Breeze of a Scent

You know warmer weather is on the way when eau fraiche scents, super light fragrances one step below EDTs, start coming out.


You know warmer weather is on the way when eau fraiche scents, super light fragrances one step below EDTs, start coming out. We've already been cheered up considerably by the first Spring perfume to come across our desks, Estée Lauder's new Bronze Goddess Capri ($57). Capri is a flanker to Lauder's well-beloved Bronze Goddess fragrance (which is available again for a limited time, by the way), and if the original is something you remember enjoying, you'll want to give this one a sniff, too.

The difference between the two breaks down to this. If Bronze Goddess is Tahiti, with coconut and tiare jasmine notes, then Capri is definitely more like the Mediterranean isle that provided its name: fresh and slightly citrusy but rich with the scent of beautifully aged wood. A warm, slightly resinous base leaves you gently and beautifully scented for hours. Don't let the opening half hour of this one fool you; the drydown is what makes it worthwhile. So if you have a little patience, check Capri out before it goes back into the Lauder vault come September.