BellaSugar

Learn How to Create Katniss's Iconic Hunger Games Braid

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:38:00 PST

The Hunger Games won't be in theaters until March, but thanks to the movie's lead stylist, Linda Flowers, you can get Katniss Everdeen's signature undone braid right now. "The key to pulling off this style is being creative," Flowers says. "Her character is fierce yet feminine, so her hair is meant to have texture and look effortless." Ready to get just as inventive as our District 12 heroine? Keep reading for the complete step-by-step.

Beauty Products Worth Talking About

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:07:00 PST

Beauty products you'll be surprised you ever lived without - Real Simple

Crimes of fashion, and the women who commit them - Glo

Try the five-minute faux bob - Stylelist

Joan Rivers hasn't actually had 739 plastic surgeries, people - Styleite

How the chic set readies for Fashion Week - The Cut

How important is cleaning your brushes, really? - Beautylish

Which long-lasting lip colors really kick butt? - Refinery 29

Rachel McAdams debuts new blunt bangs at The Vow premiere - Huffington Post

Do You Think Women Over 30 Should Avoid Out-There Hair Color?

Jaime Richards — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:38:00 PST

In a recent appearance on her mother's show, The Talk, frequent hair-color-changer Kelly Osbourne had a few things to say about thirtysomethings and out-there hair color. "To me, I'm 27, I've got three years left, the way I look at it, to have fun with it," she explained, adding, "Because once you're 30, you look like a right idiot walking around with like rainbow, bright color hair." While it may be a big ouch to tricenarians, even 37-year-old cohost Sara Gilbert seemed to agree with Kelly.

And even though the majority of stars tend to have wild strands in their teens and 20s, some, such as Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, and even Julia Roberts, have opted for colorful looks in their 30s and beyond. But what do you think? Do you tend to agree with Kelly on this issue, or should women express themselves however they want, regardless of age?

Eyeliner Smudge Solutions

Michelle Phan — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:24:00 PST

YouTube star and beauty guru Michelle Phan is all about beauty, and she always has a trick or two up her sleeve. This week, Michelle helps us make raccoon eyes a thing of the past:

Hi everyone,
A reader named Anastasia recently asked me the following question: "I'm from Singapore which is pretty hot, so how can I keep my eyeliner from smudging? I don't want to look like a panda!"

Meet cellulite's worst enemy: coffee

Eyeliner that won't stay put over time - whether we're talking over the course of the day or just a few short hours - is a common makeup mishap. This usually happens as the result of long wear time, using the wrong products, or being in hot and humid environments. Since we all encounter this problem every once in a while, I thought it would be helpful to share my answer, along with some of my favorite tips for keeping your liner in place.

Flawless Valentine's Day Makeup Looks in 5, 20, or 45 Minutes

Jaime Richards — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PST

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to experiment with bolder, brighter makeup looks. But the problem is not always a matter of what kinds of palettes and color combinations to try: it's a matter of how much time there is to actually get it all on. According to celebrity makeup artist Emily Kate Warren (who has worked with stars such as Jennifer Jason Leigh and Abigail Breslin), a quick, flattering makeup look shouldn't take longer than five minutes. So whether you have hot date-night plans or you're heading out on the town with your friends this Valentine's Day, start those stopwatches. Here are Warren's suggestions for getting an easy-peasy five-minute look, along with tips on creating 20- and 45-minute palettes.

To get a speedy, five-minute look . . .
Warren recommends applying a black mascara, a red lip stain (or a matte lipstick tapped on with the fingertips), and a bright, pink-toned blush.

And if you have 20 minutes . . .
Warren suggests applying full foundation, all of the products listed above in the five-minute palette, and highlighter on the cheekbones. You can also try adding a haze of bronze around the lash lines for a warm and glowy finishing touch.

And if you have 45 minutes . . .
Apply all of the above, plus half-lash strips, along with a black liner on top to conceal the lash bands. And for that extra pop of color? "A full-on red lip could work, as well."

4 Softening Scrubs That Will Save Your Skin

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:05:00 PST

While facial exfoliating is quite common, body scrubbing is often overlooked. During the cold weather months, however, scrubs can be a girl's best friend, working to remove flakes and salvaging dry, parched skin. They also moisturize and condition the body for a glistening, beach-ready body when it's a lot hotter outside. Here are four we love to slather on - one is even safe to apply pre-airbrush tan.

Foolproof Valentine: The Ring and Perfume Gift Set

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

This Valentine's Day, two Brooklyn brands have teamed up to create one brilliant little present. MCMC Fragrances and Odette New York are a perfume and jewelry brand, respectively, which share a studio space in Greenpoint. And this year, they happened upon a simple but rather canny idea: why not combine their products for the ultimate Valentine's bundle? The result is this cute perfume oil and ring set ($99). It has MCMC's sexy citrus and magnolia fragrance, Love, and an adorable Cupid's arrow brass ring made by Odette. It should appeal to a wide range of giftees: fragrance lovers, jewelry hounds, fans of niche and artisanal brands, etc. So if you're still shopping around, giving this gift a look; it might just be your saving grace.

Sugar Shout Out: Make Chocolate-Covered Strawberries in No Time

Lauren Turner — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:55:46 PST

Super Bowl Beauty: See the Best Looks Up Close

Jaime Richards — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:40:37 PST

Super Bowl XLVI has come and gone, and whether you're happy for the Giants or a bit disappointed with the results, one thing was for sure: Madonna scored big with her over-the-top performance. But she's not the only one who had fans cheering. See which stars' beauty looks had us on our feet at the year's biggest football game.

You'll Heart Bobbi Brown's Exclusive Fashion Week Palette

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:02:00 PST

Bobbi Brown has her heart in the right place this Fashion Week. Not only has her company long supported coronary disease awareness group The Heart Truth, but this year she's coming out with a limited-edition Heart Truth palette ($25), as well. We love the message, the tagline (Listen to Your Heart), and the fact that for a reasonable price you get three eye shadows, two lip colors, and a goes-with-everything gloss. Bobbi Brown will also be sponsoring The Heart Truth's celebrity-studded Red Dress Fashion Show, which will take place at the beginning of NYFW, on Feb. 8. So look out for the show, and be sure to give the palette a once-over before it sells out.