BellaSugar

How-To: Kristi Yamaguchi's Champion Makeup Look

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:00:43 PDT

I haven't seen the iconic and friendly figure ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi for what seems like years, but she looked fantastic at last night's premiere of boxing flick The Hammer. We'll be seeing more of Kristi's moves in the future since she's appearing on Season 6 of Dancing with the Stars. If you're interested in recreating her fresh and clean makeup look at home,

Bella Interview: Lan Nguyen, Makeup Artist

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:00:53 PST

Lan Nguyen is a London-based self-taught professional makeup artist most famous for creating edgy looks on the runways. I was lucky enough to interview her backstage before the Inbar Spector show during London Fashion Week.

I watched her in action and we gabbed about our shared love of makeup, her experience working with Michael Jackson and Madonna, and makeup tips for Asian women. For all the details,

read more.
How did you get started in the business? I was working in PR while I was in school studying fashion. One day I was asked to help out with makeup for a photo shoot, even though I had no formal training, and they loved my work. I started to do makeovers and then filled in when they were short staffed. I loved it and when I eventually starting doing shows I worked with Pat McGrath. She became my inspiration to pursue makeup as a full-time career. What do you see as the next big makeup trends for Spring and Fall? The look for Spring is fresh skin and strong, bright, neon-colored lips. Fall makeup is grim, gothic and rich. You'll see a lot of contoured cheeks and eyelashes are back too. People aren't afraid to look a little bit more stylish. What has been your favorite fashion week show to work on? I'd have to say the most recent Gavin Douglas show. I loved creating a new take on old Hollywood glamour. You work with all types of ethnicities. Can you give our Asian readers and makeup artists in training any advice? Absolutely.

Asians always want to do a smoky eye, but they often wind up looking like they are punched in the face. Because Asian eyes are small, try putting dark colored shadows in the socket line (crease) only.
Also, I recommend staying away from matte pastel shades as they tend to make Asian skin look ashy.
Lastly, any type of cream shadow is great. They look really nice on Asian skin tones.

Bella Book: Asian Faces

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:00:29 PDT

I've been looking forward to reading this new book, Asian Faces ($24.95). It's in bookstores today, and I have a feeling it will become the beauty bible for Asian women of all ages and ethnicities.

Written by Korean-American makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babaian, Asian Faces features illustrated, step-by-step guides for creating night and day makeup looks. It addresses topics often overlooked by Western makeup artists, such as the best foundations for yellow-undertoned skin and applying eye shadow to flat eyelids. The foreword is by Yoko Ono, who I'm sure has something insightful to say!

Zac Posen Dazzles With a Geisha-Inspired Style

Jaime Richards — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:52:00 PST

Zac Posen's Fall 2012 beauty look was the kind that had beauty editors everywhere talking. Incorporating Asian-inspired detailing from the collection, hair and makeup artists added Geisha-like elements for a style that was as daring as it was chic.

Source: Getty

Zac Posen Fall 2012

FabSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:51:11 PST

Zac Posen drew influence from the Far East for Fall '12, showing off gorgeous dresses and gowns punctuated with Asian-inspired details. Specifically, it was about Chinoiserie and Japanese influences; fitted sheaths, gowns, and skirt suits were embellished with origami pleating, kimono sleeves, and obi sashes. Meanwhile, Chinese-inspired heavy silk floral patterns were used to create fitted sheath dresses and evening jackets. The main attraction of the evening was Zac's red carpet-worthy evening dresses. There were dramatic fitted mermaid gowns with seamed details and more pared down renditions, made in dove gray and light blush hues featuring intricate origami detailing on the back. The only question that remains is which red-carpet beauty will pick up one of Posen's creations for the Oscars?

Trends: Chinese and Japanese-inspired details.
Colors: Forest green, dove gray, red, black, light blush, pale yellow.
Key Piece: Satin ankle-strap sandals, jeweled clutches, rhinestone earrings, necklaces, and bracelets..
Who Would Wear It: Red-carpet beauties like Debra Messing, Anne Hathaway, and Eva Mendes.

Jen Kao Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:10:50 PST

The East and West collided together at Jen Kao's Fall showing, resulting in an unapologetic mashup of sexy fringe, baseball caps, and ombré lace dresses. While it might sound a little disjointed, Kao managed to pull it all together creating a carefree attitude with her mixed bag of offerings. Printed floral dresses were decorated with fringe, pleated leather and silk maxi dresses were styled with baseball caps, and crochet dresses were layered over silk printed tops. The results? A rebellious kind of beauty any cool girl - like front-row attendee Zoe Kravitz - would love to wear on any given day.

Trends: Fringe, Asian-inspired floral prints, lace, pleats, brocade.
Colors: Blue, black, brown, gray.
Key Piece: We love how Jen Kao added a cool ombré effect to her lace shift dresses.
Accessories: Patent loafers, low-heel ankle boots, sporty caps.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave a unique, edgy touch like front-row attendee Zoe Kravitz.

Jason Wu Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:20:49 PST

It was chinoiserie-chic and brocade abound at Jason Wu's impressive Fall 2012 show. The designer paid homage to his native Taiwan - the show kicked off with the opening of two dramatic red doors and the burst of a gong - breaking down his collection into three distinct themes: Mao military, Qing Dynasty, and the '30s and '40s Hollywood version of China. For his military category, Wu showed a sleek selection of Mao military jackets punctuated with luxe details like fur and quilting. The Qing Dynasty was all about sharp-shouldered sheath dresses, inspired by the traditional Chinese cheongsam dresses. Wu played up the nonauthenticity of Hollywood's depiction of China in the olden days, adding over-the-top embellishments and even quirky tasseled hats to his undeniably gorgeous array of high-slit gowns paired with sexy black and gold studded sandals.

Trends: Military, ornate Asian embroidery, tassels, brocade.
Colors: Army green, red, hot pink, black, burgundy.
Key Piece: Wu's Mao military theme set, particularly the Mao jackets and shirts, showed perfect tailoring and detailed work.
Accessories: Black and gold studded sandals, wide belts, tassel earrings, quirky tassel hats.
Who Would Wear It: Dresses will be worn by red-carpet beauties like Blake Lively, while sporty separates will dominate style setters like Amanda Brooks.

Quick Tip: Add Citrus to Winter Bouquets

Elka Karl — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:08:59 PST

In many regions of the country, finding a wide variety of beautiful blooms in the Winter months is sometimes challenging. Instead of sticking with the same mix of roses or carnations, fill out your bouquets with a variety of your favorite citrus instead. I particularly love the look of these gorgeous arrangements spotted on The FlowerSchool's blog.

Head to green markets, farmers markets, or Asian groceries to find citrus still on the branch or displaying leaves. Kumquats, pictured in the bottom right photo, are a wonderful addition to bouquets, given their smaller size. Mandarins, satsumas, and blood oranges would also all add drama to a bouquet. In lieu of branches, use bamboo skewers to suspend the oranges within a bouquet, filling in the area around them with fuller flowers that camouflage the skewers. Think ranunculus, roses, or mums - showy blooms that take up a lot of volume.

Bring Bangkok to Your Taste Buds: A Tasty Thai Primer

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:34:34 PST

If you've never been exposed to tasty Thai cuisine, the time to check it out is now. Thai food is known for its spicy, seductive flavors influenced by Chinese traditions, beautifully blended with other cuisines from Southeast Asia including Burmese, Laotian, and Cambodian food. One size does not fit all when speaking about traditional Thai dishes. Vast differences between regions correlate to neighboring states and climate. Interested in learning more about all the tastiness Thai food has to offer? Prepare to salivate as you keep reading.

5 Expert Tips For Getting Your Arches in Shape

Guest Writer — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:05:45 PST

We are delighted to present this post from guest writer and celebrity makeup artist, Brett Freedman.

Coming from a fashion background, it was a given that the young models on a shoot would need their brows shaped. Models, unlike actresses, have little or no say in how they ultimately made up and styled. But actresses were so appreciative when I did their brows that I did find it odd. I never thought to ask if it was OK or even to test the interest level. It seemed nobody wanted to mess up a brow on a famous face, or, in this day and age, get sued! I didn't care; if I saw something and I could make it better, I dug in! I became so known for brows that I started my own line, Vanitymark. So I'm going to share a few of my best brow tips with you so your 2012 will be the year you finally get the gorgeous arches you deserve. See how when you read more.