BellaSugar

BellaSugar's Top Five Peach Blush Picks

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:00:50 -0700

A peach blush is a wonderful way to warm up any skin tone. You can wear a pale shade if you have fair skin or a deeper, more coral shade if you have olive or ebony skin. It's a great alternative to pink blush because it's neutral and won't clash with a last-minute change to, say, red lipstick or purple eye shadow. I happen to think that peach blush also looks amazing paired with a teal, blue, or green shadow and/or liner.

My prized peach blush is Lorac Blush for Cheeks in Peach ($18). It's the deepest of the bunch that I've listed below, and the tawny color gives me a healthy-looking and almost bronzed flush.

Becca Soft Touch Blush in Malika ($32) is neutral, so it's my go-to color when I want that no-makeup makeup look. It is a sparkly, semi-matte formula with light pigment that gives your cheeks an ethereal glow. It blends well and looks best when applied to apples of the cheeks.
Benefit Georgia ($28) is a heaven in a box. This gentle peach powder blush contains a soft shimmer that gives you the type of glowing-from-the-inside radiance. It warms up the skin and even comes with a cute square brush that fits neatly inside.
Dior Pro Cheeks Ultra-Radiant Blush in Hip Peach ($30) has a creamy, whipped-mousse consistency. It contains shimmer for a subtle highlighting effect and it blends effortlessly. The color is just right for medium-toned skin, since it's not too dark and not too light.
Shu Uemura Glow on Blush in Peach (#42) ($21) is a pale peach silky powder blush that contains a touch of sparkle. It acts as both a natural color and a highlighter and looks great when applied to your cheeks, nose, chin, and temples - a must have for any complexion!

Coming Soon: Summer 2008 Nouveau Boho From Becca

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:00:42 -0700

At first I thought it was a little strange that Becca was so late in the game to be launching its Summer products now, but I was willing to overlook it because when they do finally decide to crank out new goodies, it's always worth the wait. However, it hit me just a few moments ago that the brand is Australian, and so it all makes sense why the model is wearing a knit hat - their Winter is our Summer!

In two weeks, get ready to check out two brand-new products: a shimmery golden-bronze powder eye shadow called Damask ($24) and a creamy champagne-pink blush called Freesia ($30). Similarly to Flirt! Cosmetics and American Beauty, Becca has created a really pretty, easy-to-achieve look.

The 2008 Nouveau Boho collection has an earthy feel with a modern edge. I haven't tried anything just yet, but from what I've heard (and from checking out the photos) the colors are muted shades of bronze, green, and gold metallics (so pretty!). To find out the rest of the already-existing colors that were used to create this look and for a close-up, peek at the products, read more.

Use a little bit of Shimmering Skin Perfector in Topaz along the bridge of the nose, on the bow of your upper lip, under your brow bone, and on the top of your cheekbones.
Once you add Damask all over your lids and under your lash line, apply the brown side of Line + Illuminate Pencil in Mustique to your upper lash line, the shimmery shade to your inner rims, and top off the look with The Ultimate Mascara in Bronze.
Create subtle, nude lips by lining them in Biscotti Nude Liner and then top them off with Glossy Lip Tint in Caipirinha (a nude, beige shade) to add shine.

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Backstage Beauty: Aquascutum

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:00:29 -0800

Yesterday, the 2008 Fall Aquascutum fashion show took place in London. There were 24 models, bustling around getting primed and primped by a hair-styling team lead by Malcolm Edwards and a makeup team lead by Val Garland. All hair-styling products were L'Oreal and all tools were Babyliss Pro.

After speaking with Val about the inspiration for the outdoorsy look, she walked me through each of the YSL, Elizabeth Arden, and Becca cosmetics used to create this "done yet undone, perfect but imperfect, very equestrian, very English countryside feel." She imagined the women walking in fresh from a brisk walk in a rose garden or a horse ride and having a natural flush to their cheeks and lips.

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To find out all about all of the products used and how you can create this look at home, read more.

Face: Make sure your face is clean and moisturized. Then, brush on two "clicks" worth of YSL Perfect Touch foundation and blend well using the applicator brush.
Cheeks: Use a smidgen of Becca Beach Tint (a watermelon color) and gently tap it onto the cheekbones beginning at the apples of the cheeks for an outdoorsy look. Then, add a touch of YSL Teint Parfait high on the cheekbone for added glow.
Eyes: There should be no product on the eyes before you begin. Add a touch of clear lip gloss to the lids and one coat of black mascara for a fresh and polished, natural look.
Lips: Prime lips with a little bit of Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream (not the lip balm but the body cream) and then lightly apply a little YSL Rouge Pur in Precious Garnet Lipstick to stain the lips a deep-berry color. Blend using the tip of your finger.

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Perfect Palettes at Every Price

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:00:21 -0800

This weekend I stumbled across this gorgeous palette from Aussie brand Becca, and I had to do a double-take. The "Best of Becca" palette is a worthy addition to any makeup collection. Unlike most palettes that only have one or two useful colors, this one contains colors that are all flattering on almost every skin tone. Inside are two earthy eye shadows, a subtle yet flattering rosy nude blush, a pinkish caramel lip/cheek cream, and a shimmery gloss to polish off the look. You can literally do your entire face with this palette. Throw on some mascara, and you're all set! If the $59 price tag is a little steep, check out some more affordable options when you read more.

I also really like this palette by Too Faced, which is part of its limited-edition New Romantic collection. It's still small enough to toss in a purse, and for only $27.50, you get a great combination of useful shades, including two neutral eye shadows, three glosses in a pink, coral, and berry, and a soft pink blush. Bonus: it comes in a pretty, unicorn-adorned compact.

I've never heard of Ms. Makeup, but this palette is a fun option, and at $5.99, I don't think I can afford NOT to buy it! It's another great basic with tan and brown eye shadows (and an extra white highlighting shadow), a subtle pink blush, and two fun pink glosses. Now I just have to figure out how to make room in my purse for one of these lovely compacts!

Bella Bargain: Super Sale on Becca Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:00:12 -0800

If you're serious about getting a perfect match for your foundation, Becca is a brand you should check out. The Australian cosmetics line has almost three dozen shades of concealer, foundation, and tinted moisturizer. But there are some great color cosmetics, too - I'm particularly fond of the cream blush. Normally, Becca is a little pricey, but I just found a huge sale filled with bargains.

Although the selection is pretty picked over, there are still some fantastic deals, like this cream eye shadow ($6.25). To save you the hassle of clicking through everything, I've assembled this widget so you can go straight to the goods.

BECCA Luminous Skin Color SPF 20, $10

BECCA Stick Foundation, $9.75

BECCA Compact Concealer, $8.75

The Best Blusher For Your Skin Tone: Ebony Skin

BellaSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:00:16 -0700

To conclude my series, The Best Blush For Your Skin Tone, l've explored the market for bright plums, oranges, deep auburns, bronzes and burn reds that flatter ebony skin tones. You gals can get away with a lot of color, and the good news is that these shades can significantly brighten your complexion. So don't be shy! Go for the bold, but remember to blend, blend, blend-or you'll risk looking like a clown!

Guerlain Divinora Bubble Blush in Rouge Lollipop ($38) is a super-smooth creamy mouse blush/tint that blends really well into skin. Its bright red-orange color gives you a radiant glow. It's formulated to have a silky feel and a velvet finish. Simply dip your fingertip into the pot and blend onto your cheekbones.

For two more blushes for dark skin, read more

Becca Creme Blush in Dahlia ($27) is a rich, burnt orange color that will instantly brighten up your whole face. A little of this highly pigmented product goes a long way, so start off with a gentle touch and build your blush until your reach your desired effect. These blushers are deliciously creamy, long-lasting and work well with all skin types with the exception of oily skin.

Mode Cosmetics Gleam 601 Blush Stick ($4) is a deep berry rose color that complements medium, olive and dark/ebony skin tones. What makes these blusher sticks awesome is that the color is build-able, so you can create your cheek coverage to your liking. They blend seamlessly, they feel weightless on your skin and they are made with minerals and mica to give you a gorgeous, natural-looking glow.

Trend Alert: Patina Eye Shadow

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:00:27 -0700

This shade of green is making a real scream! Patina is a sage-y, olive toned-green with flecks of gold to give it a metallic sheen! Okay, I'll stop rhyming now. Since we already know that lime green eyeliner is hot for summer, this is a beautiful and warm shade that makes for a gorgeous transition from summer to fall. Here are three patina-colored eye shadows new to the market that I think you'll love as much as I do.

Laura Mercier Eye Colour-Shimmer in Patina ($20) is part of the new Indian Summer Collection This shadow is a rich khaki-gold that contains light reflecting ingredients to create a "soft-focus" effect. This helps reduce the look of wrinkles and warms up the skin.

The color builds well,so it can be taken easily from day to night, and the texture is smooth, soft and easily blendable! All of the shadows in this collection can be worn wet or dry.

For two more more patina eye shadows, read more

Tarte Cosmetics Lock and Roll Eye Shadow Duo in Patina ($28) is a double sided eyeshadow (one side is creamy and one side is powder). I wish it were available in a range of colors, but for now, this new product comes in two shades only: Patina and Bronze.

Becca Cream Eye Colour in Patina ($25) is a highly pigmented shimmer cream shadow that glides on easily with your fingertips! Here's a helpful tip: these shadows tend to last longer if they are applied after your foundation and powder.

This color is so popular that it's actually already out of stock on the Becca website, so if you like it, I wouldn't wait too long to buy it or try it. See, I'm rapping again.

Tools of the Trade, Part I: Conical Dual Pencil Sharpeners

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:38:20 -0700

Here's a market I've bet you've never tapped into: dual makeup pencil sharpeners. There are tons of 'em out there! In fact, I was astonished to see different shapes, sizes and prices on these basic little gadgets. My first introduction to a unique sharpener was when I read about DuWop's Beauty Blade, a self-cleaning sharpener that has a little flap on top to contain shavings.

Since then, I've come across more of these dual-chambered, conical shaped sharpeners that accommodate both traditional-sized pencils and chunky ones. Stay tuned for more dual-chambered makeup pencil sharpeners this week. To check out more posts on tools of the trade, click here.

Becca Pencil Sharpener ($10) is a sleek chocolate brown dual-ended makeup pencil sharpener made for skinny and fat pencils. It's a cool updated version of the old-style sharpener, with a central barrel where shavings can be neatly captured!

For one more conical dual makeup sharpener, read more

Japonesque Dual Pencil Sharpener ($6) is mess free! It is designed to fit both traditional and chubby makeup pencils. It has sturdy and unique construction with an interlocking chamber that neatly stores shavings.

Trend Alert: Natural Makeup and Glowing Skin

BellaSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:30:03 -0700

Summertime means increased humidity and low-maintenance makeup. So it's no surprise that so many celebrities were stepping out this week wearing very natural, dewy looks. First, there was Jessica Biel at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards, then Kate Bosworth glowed at the Whitney art benefit, and Helena Christensen showed up at Cartier's LoveCharity event looking shiny and new.

It's easy to get the look using multi-purpose face highlighters. Here are a couple of my favorite products to help create a dewy glow.

Candlelight Cream Colour by La Bella Donna ($65) is an all-over face gloss that creates a beautiful illuminating look. You can apply it on your eyes, cheeks, lips, or decolletage for a little bit of sexy glimmer.

For one more multi-purpose highlighter, read more

Birds of Paradise Gloss by Becca ($26) is an iridescent cream that gives your skin a dewy hint of sheen. It is fragrance-free and non-sticky, so it feels virtually weightless on your skin.

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Beautiful Bronze Shimmer Powders, Part II

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:11:22 -0700

Hey hey! Welcome to Part II of bronze shimmer powders. Summer is a comin' and this is your season to shine! These bronzing powders not only give you a golden glow, but they are a safe alternative to the harmful rays of the sun.

Scott Barnes Loose Powder 24kt Bronze, $28, is an illuminating bronzer. With just a single sweep, you'll instantly add color, shine and a terrific tan to your skin. Apply alone or after your foundation to your face, shoulders and décolletage.

For two more beautiful bronze shimmer powders, read more

Becca Fiesta Bronzing Dust, $34, is another amazing loose bronzing powder that adds a warm glow and glisten to your skin. It won't make you look orange, it smells good and you can wear it on your face or your body. Available in one color: Tango.

Prescriptives Sunsheen Cooling Bronzing Powder, $35, is powder that cools on your skin when applied. The result is glowing, healthy and hydrated looking skin.

It leaves a soft, silky finish on your skin and its fab light-reflecting formula helps minimize the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores. Available in three colors.