BellaSugar

Australian Schools Let Companies "Teach" Makeup

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:55 -0800

I know that marketing in schools is nothing new, but a program in Australia is taking things to a new level. A program called Fashion Roll Call, which is sponsored in part by makeup brand NP Set Cosmetics, is touring all-girl schools around the country. Their goal is to educate girls in fashion and beauty industry careers by presenting a "lunch-time fashion parade" followed by makeup application tutorials taught by makeup artists who work for NP Set.

When I was 13, I probably would have been excited for this, since it means no class and playing with stuff my parents wouldn't let me wear. But as an adult, I have mixed feelings. The cosmetics brand is getting choice branding access to kids in exchange for a few makeup tips. And since this program is being billed as educational, and intended to teach children about the fashion and beauty industries, why no boys or coed schools? There are tons of men in the fashion and beauty industries, and their absence suggests that the informational element here is a thin veneer to make aggressive marketing more palatable. What do you think?

How-To: Nicole Kidman's Australia Updo

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:00:44 -0800

One movie premiere, but double the hairdos for Nicole Kidman! Though she wore long, loose locks at the screening of Australia in Sydney, she chose this beaded style for the photocall beforehand. I'm here to help you re-create this look for any evening out – all you need is two rubber bands, pretty barrette optional.To get the look, read more.

Sweep your hair over to one side of your head. Take most of your hair and pull it aside with a clip (you don't need that part now) but leave a small piece hanging down at the bottom.
Take that loose piece and make a ponytail slightly to one side on the back of your head. Since this will form the middle section of the bun, place the ponytail where you want the center to be. Pull the elastic over it, leaving a small loop with loose ends over the nape of your neck when you secure it.
Grab the rest of your hair as if you were going to make another ponytail, but begin twisting it until it coils around the first bump that you made. Put the second hair tie around the bun and leave the remaining, dangling ends over the original set on your neck.
Add a barrette for a special touch. Check out a couple beaded versions below.

Style Solutions Metal Barrette with Flower - $9.99	Revlon Oval Metal Barrette with Stones - $4.99
Karina Barette - $14.00	Style Solutions Flower Stone Metal Barrette - $1.99

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Should Plastic Surgery Be Banned for Teens?

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:00:57 -0700

In Australia, there's a raging debate over plastic surgery right now. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has spoken out about teenagers who choose plastic surgery, saying that deciding to go under the knife is a decision "best left until one is an adult." Additionally, she's concerned that young people may be addressing poor self-esteem by having rhinoplasties and breast augmentations:

"Evidence suggests that this worrying trend is a response by children and young people to the pressures they are feeling to look perfect in an increasingly competitive world obsessed with beauty and celebrity."

This is more than just idle talk, though. Premier Bligh has introduced a discussion paper that considers banning non-essential plastic surgery for people younger than 18. If she can get support, Queensland could be the first Australian state to have such a ban. What do you think? Is this something you'd support, or should the government be completely hands-off?

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OPI's Summer 2007 Collection Gets Down Under

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 05:51:23 -0700

OPI is one of my favorite nail polish brands of all time. I love the sassy names and stay-put lacquers, and the colors in its new Australia Collection for Summer 2007 are to die for! The line consists of twelve nail lacquers ($7.50 each), ranging in color from bright to metallic to neutral. The vivid colors are sporty and sexy; the dark shades are very in style right now; and the lighter shades are great for a sheer summer look. My favorite shade is Kangarooby (pictured).

What's even cooler is that OPI has changed its brushes, inventing a new, wider shape designed to hold more polish, spread color more evenly, and prevent streaking. A few of the nail colors also have corresponding lip liners and lipsticks, which sell for $10. To read about each of the 12 shades in the OPI Australian Collection, read more

Fit for a Queensland: A light white opalescent polish.
Canberra’t Without You: A bare nude shimmery shade.
Fair Dinkum Pinkum: A feminine sparkling pink polish.
Red Hot Ayers Rock: A deep classic red color.
Koala Bear-y: A polish that falls between plum and hot pink.
Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It: A bold red-orange shade.
A True Ab-Original: A smooth coral glittery color.
Kangarooby: A deep ruby-red hue.
Suzi Loves Sydney: A sophisticated deep wine shade.
Brisbane Bronze: A golden brown that reminds me of tanning oil.
Don’t Melbourne the Toast: A warm pink-brown polish.
Didgeridoo Your Nails: A very bright mauve shade.

Beauty Byte: You Can Inherit Skin Cancer

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:26 -0700

This isn't shocking, given the genetic component in so many diseases, but it's another piece of news to make you wear your sunscreen and ask if someone in your family has had skin cancer. Melanoma, as well as other skin cancer types, have been proven heritable. Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia found that if one twin in a set has melanoma, the other's risk increases 10 fold, while a fraternal twin's risk more than doubles if one has had it. They also found that having a sibling or parent with skin cancer also means that you're more likely to have some kind of skin cancer as well, though not only the type your relative had.

The takeaway? Some skin cancers, like some breast cancers, have a genetic factor. So if a loved one has had it, make sure you get frequent checks at the dermatologist, wear SPF daily, and learn the facts about self-examination.

How-To: Get Kristen Bell's Soft But Polished Couples Retreat Premiere Makeup

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:00:35 -0700

Kristen Bell arrived at the Australian premiere of her new film, Couples Retreat, last night looking simply elegant. And despite the fact that it's Spring in Australia right now, her matte lip and subtle eye were pitch-perfect for this season in the northern hemisphere as well. To find out how to get her pretty pout and long lashes, just keep reading

Trend Alert! Va-Va-Va Volume at Australia Fashion Week

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:00:36 -0700

Those Aussies have sure got the beachy sex kitten thing down, eh, mate? At the Rosemount Australia fashion week, tousled, voluminous hair was all over the catwalks. At Wayne Cooper, hair went completely vertical in a range of poufy, sky-high updos. Over at Hotel Bondi, hair was fluffed in the back and sleek straight in the front, making for a Brigitte Bardot-esque look. At Nicola Finetti, hair was soft and full, accented by groovy pastel eye shadows.

Maximizing your own volume potential is no small feat. The quickest and most surefire way is by teasing freshly blown-out hair. A word of warning–this isn't great for your hair follicles, but as long as you do it only once in awhile, you should be fine. For a gentler option, try Frederic Fekkai Full Volume Mousse ($20). Just a dollop of foam worked through the roots of wet hair adds instant oomph to a blow-dry.

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How-To: Sienna's Sexy Bedhead Hair

BellaSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:42:49 -0700

Are you a fan of that "I just rolled out of bed and have perfect hair" look? Sienna Miller certainly is, as evidenced by the tousled-yet-polished hairstyle she sported while promoting G.I. Joe in Australia. Stylist Sheba Nemerovski of Chicago salon Sparrow shares her easy tips for re-creating the look at home:

"Start with damp, towel-dried hair. Work a volumizer, such as Kevin Murphy Anti Gravity, through your hair, concentrating on the roots.
Blow-dry until your hair is 90 percent dry, using only your hands to tousle the hair.
Once your hair is mostly dry, use a paddle brush to smooth out the ends (a round brush will give them too much curl). Don't worry about being too precise with the paddle brush - the idea is a natural, slightly unfinished look.
After drying your hair completely, apply a creme such as Kevin Murphy Easy Rider or Umi Creme, lightly through the ends for a bit of separation and a nice satin finish. Voilà! Sexy bedhead!"

Cologne: Not Just For Guys

BellaSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0700

It's not too often that we see female celebrities creating male colognes, but Kylie Minogue is about to play a little role reversal with the launch of her latest fragrance, Inverse for Men ($42). The cologne, inspired by the "complex, colorful" men in Kylie's life, launches in September in Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany.

The amber-oriental scent will feature top notes of frozen lavender, blood mandarin, and warm spices; middle notes of benzoin, heliotrope, nutmeg, and tonka beans; and base notes of labdanum resin, skin musk, patchouli leaves, condensed milk, and atlas cedarwood. I must admit: while the scent skews a bit masculine, I wouldn't mind dabbing a bit of this hearty scent on my skin.

In fact, Sarah Jessica Parker once told The New York Times that her special blend of fragrances includes Bonne Bell Skin Musk ($14), an Egyptian oil, and "a fairly costly male scent." That scent? It's Comme des Garçons Incense Avignon ($78), an intense, heavy blend. What about you? Are you a fan of wearing men's cologne, or do you tend to stay away from male-inspired scents?

Which Hairstyle Do You Like Best on Nicole Kidman?

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:30:12 -0800

Whether it was promoting her movie Australia or attending an awards show event, Nicole Kidman has been out in full force these past few weeks. The actress, known for her tailored, classical style, is bewitching with a wide array of hairstyles. From smooth and sleek to teased and wavy, which is your favorite?

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