BellaSugar

Do You Ever Dry Your Hair With Paper Towels?

BellaSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:00:28 -0800

Recently, while perusing the Tabatha's Salon Takeover website (have you joined my We Love Tabatha group, by the way?), I came across a tip that I really hadn't heard before, although it seems to be reserved for the more frizz-prone or curly-haired set. Instead of rubbing water out with a towel, simply squeeze the moisture out with paper towels. The theory is that the softer texture of paper towels is less aggressive than than rougher-textured terry cloth towels.

It goes beyond paper towels, too. Often those with curly locks will opt for squeezing out the excess moisture with old cotton t-shirts or microfiber towels - a more environmental option, if you ask me. Sorry, Brawny Man. What about you? If you've got curly or particularly frizzy locks, do you go the nontraditional anti-terry-cloth route? If so, how's it working out for you?

Source: Flickr User edkohler

Does Your Significant Other Complain About Your Beauty Routine?

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:37 -0800

I'm not entirely convinced that Mr. Bella will ever understand my beauty routine. "Do you really need to put wax (tinted moisturizer) on your face?" he asks. "Why do you have dark brown conditioner?" he wonders. "What is that torture device (eyelash curler) you are putting on your lashes?" he inquires.

Even though I'm all about looking nice and presentable when I leave the house, I don't consider myself overly excessive. In reality, all I need is about 15 minutes for the everyday hairstyling and makeup application. What about you? Does your significant other have not-so-nice things to say about the time you spend on your beauty routine?

Battle Royale: Baths or Showers?

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:43 -0800

Quick: what's better, baths or showers? Yeah, I know we tend to take more showers when we're in a hurry, and baths when we need a soak, but most of us have a secret (or not so secret) favorite. I love a good bath now and again, but I'm definitely a shower girl at heart. For me, the constant stream of warm water is one of life's greatest pleasures. What about you? Are you a shower enthusiast like me, or do you daydream about long, luxurious tub time?

Who Should Win ANTM Tonight?

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:29 -0800

Tonight, we'll find out who will win this cycle of America's Next Top Model. Oh boy! While it wasn't the most exciting season, it did introduce us to Laura, whose bloggin' is just as endearing as her talkin'. Will this Kentucky blonde leave the farm and go on to fame and fortune? Or will the red-haired Nicole come out on top? My money's on Nicole, if only because she has apparently stolen Andie Walsh's prom dress. Who do you think deserves to win more?

Photo courtesy of The CW

Do You Buy Store-Brand Beauty Products?

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

I love oil-blotting sheets, so I always keep one packet at work and another in my purse. They're so useful for soaking up the pool of oil that collects on my face by early afternoon. Plus, there's something weirdly delightful about seeing the blotchy oil on the sheet. (Or is that just me?)

I first tried the Clean & Clear variety years ago, and they're great. But they're a dollar more than the CVS brand version, which works just as well. They seem identical, and both are made in Japan, so I happily go no-name on this purchase to save a dollar. In general, do you buy store-brand items, or do you prefer the "real" thing?

Do You Use Prescription Beauty Products?

BellaSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Last week, I had one major case of sticker shock when I went to fill my prescription for a facial cream. "Do you still want it? It's $200," said the aide at the register. Two hundred Benjamins even with insurance? Yikes. Luckily, I was able to have my doctor call in a generic equivalent.

Whether you have a prescription for an antidandruff shampoo, a medicated facial cleanser, antibiotics for acne, or even the eyelash-enhancing Latisse, do you get some of your beauty-related products from the pharmacist?

Would You Be Into Kate Moss Hair and Makeup Products?

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:18 -0800

Kate Moss has been at the center of the modeling world for 20 years, and we've seen her as the face of all sorts of brands, from the prestigious Gucci, Dior, and Louis Vuitton down to drugstore favorite, Rimmel. Recently, the supermodel, who admits she's "not traditionally a beauty" to WWD, has just launched Vintage ($23-$53), a fruity floriental inspired by her love of vintage fashions.

But as you might know, this isn't the first scent we've seen from Kate. Her debut fragrance, Kate, was introduced in 2007. Then came Velvet Hour, followed by the limited-edition Kate Summer Time; and she's not about to stop now. In fact, Kate also has plans to create special makeup collections for Rimmel, and a haircare line with stylist James Brown is in the works. "It’s fun for me," Moss told WWD. "I still model, and I enjoy doing that as well. Working on the creative process is really interesting for me because I do know what I like, so it’s fun for me to realize that it becomes part of you. It’s not just putting your name on something; it’s about being very involved in it." What do you think about more Kate Moss beauty lines? Are you intrigued or apathetic?

Are You Buying More or Less Beauty Due to the Recession?

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:43 -0800

Traditionally, when the economy sinks, people buy fewer things that they don't really need. But a couple of girly treats are actually selling better than before. Shoes are moving more than they were last year, and in the United Kingdom, beauty sales are up. Cosmetics rose 7.4 percent between 2007 and 2008, with skin care up 6.7 percent during the same period. (It'll be interesting to see if the trend continues, considering how much worse the economy is this year.) Are you treating yourself to more beauty goods these days, or are you watching your pennies?

Source: Flickr user Striatic

Do You Book More Appointments With Your Hairstylist Than Your Doctor?

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:00:52 -0800

A few years ago, I asked you how often you get your hair cut. The majority of you said that you go every few months, which was also the same response to how frequently you get highlights. When you add up all of the appointments you book with your hairstylist and colorist throughout the year, what does your magic number turn out to be?

Now, think about how many medical appointments you book throughout the year, from your primary physician to your dentist to your dermatologist. After all the math is done, where do you fall in the world of appointments? Are you more of a salon-goer, do you head to your various doctors with more frequency, or is it a little of both?

Do You Backcomb Your Hair?

BellaSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:00:19 -0800

Back in my junior high years, backcombing was a very close personal friend of mine. How else was I to achieve claw bang perfection? Whether you call it teasing, ratting, or backbrushing, backcoming helps create volume, hide thin spots, and/or provides a base for updos. It can be extreme - think Lady Gaga - or it can be smooth and tame, like Jackie O. I particularly love teasing my locks when I'm headed out for a night of fun. What about you?