BellaSugar

Beauty Mark It! Your First Beauty Purchase

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:00:16 -0700

Next week will be celebrating Independence Day on July 4. Yes, 232 years ago we declared independence from Great Britain. This got me thinking about different types of freedom, mostly of the George Michael kind, but also the freedom of first being able to wear makeup.

I had definitely experimented with Bonne Belle's Smackers in the Dr. Pepper flavor, but my first true makeup purchase was Cover Girl's Lipslicks. I can't remember which color I tried, but the packaging is bringing back memories of junior high.

What was your first beauty purchase? Bookmark your choice and share your experience in the comments below.

Share your choices by bookmarking items from around the web and tagging them with the phrase First Beauty Purchase. I'll feature your favorites here next Tuesday.

To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more.

Saks Beauty Place
Sephora
Saffron Rouge
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Amazon.com Beauty
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com

Go For The Gold, Part I: Gold Dust

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:55:08 -0800

While metallics have had serious staying power over the last year, let's talk more about some of the golden treasures we've found. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that gold nail polish was the next big trend, and we already know that golden highlights are hot. We've seen numerous golden lip glosses as well as tons of glamorous gold packaging. And guess what? Here come more gilded treats! So get excited and stay tuned all week long for more golden beauty treasures. Today's topic is gold dust - a little something sparkly for the face, shoulders and decolletage.

Bonne Bell Glimmer Bronze Highlighting Dust, Gold'n Glitz ($3.95) is a loose powder with microscopic particles that create a sexy glow on your face and body. Be warned, a little shimmer goes a long way, so you'll want to tap your puff before you apply to ensure that the gold dust spreads evenly and isn't too heavy in one area. The result is a luminous glow that lasts all night long.

For more gold dust, read more

Nars Sparkling Pressed Powder in Gold Rush ($30) is a great, soft and subtle finely-milled highlighting powder. It contains silica so it glides on smoothly, and it has corn starch to absorb any excess oil. This is a great accessory for any evening out on the town.

Estee Lauder Platinum Illuminating Loose Shimmer Powder ($32.50) is so popular that it's sold out on the main website. Luckily, I've found some more here - so have fun and play away with this limited-edition jar of shiny powder.

Reader Review of the Day: Bonne Bell Blend 'n' Glow Multitone Powder

BellaSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:02:13 -0700

Earlier today I was feeling nostalgic for Bonne Bell, a brand that is undoubtedly part of your junior-high memories, too. I dug through the archives from last year, and discovered this little gem, Bonne Bell Blend 'n' Glow Multitone Powder ($4.50) reviewed by Itsme3683:

I wanted something to transition me from Summer bronzer to Fall not-so-much bronzer. It doesn't really add a lot of color, and it is a little more shimmer than I expected. (I guess that's what I get for buying a teeny-bopper brand!) I use it as a highlighter on my cheekbones, and it looks really nice. I also use it for a little depth on my chin, nose, and forehead. Be careful on the nose and forehead if you're prone to shininess.

What products are your go-to transition items? Is there a hair product you use exclusively for warmer months? Do you only need a certain conditioner during cooler, crisper weather? Tell us all about it in the Product Reviews pages. We love hearing from you.

Beauty Byte: Mattel and Bonne Bell Making Makeup for Girls

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:49:40 -0700

In early 2007, Mattel teamed up with MAC Cosmetics for the limited-edition Barbie Loves MAC line, which was MAC's most successful collection ever. The nostalgic line of bright and playful shades (at right) was inspired by Barbie but designed for grown women.

Now, Mattel turning its makeup brushes toward a younger generation. According to MediaPost, Mattel is working with Bonne Bell to develop a makeup line for girls. (Thanks to Jezebel for the tip.)

Though Mattel hasn't released any details, the collection will reportedly target buyers ages 6 to 9. The Bonne Bell products are expected to launch next year. Say Mattell, via MediaPost:

"The Barbie and Bonne Bell partnership will bring girls a fun, feminine and unique beauty experience, leveraging the unparalleled popularity of two globally loved brands," the company says in its announcement.

When I was a kid, I loved Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, and I know that little girls love playing around with makeup. But creating actual makeup designed especially for the pre-tween set just seems wrong to me. What do you think?

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Get Your Bronzing Gel On!

BellaSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:41:22 -0700

If you are looking for a safe and sunless deep tan, bronzing gels are one of your many options. These cool gels are tinted to give your skin a natural-looking glow. To apply, use a sponge or your fingers to blend and dab them on the same areas as you would brush on a bronzer. To see four more bronzing gels click here.

Chanel Soleil Lame Bronzing Gel, $40, is a limited edition product new from Channel's Summer 2007 Collection. This cool gel looks smokin' hot when applied to your face.

It absorbs into your skin quickly, yet blends well to create a beachy, warm, golden glow. It will be available in Chanel boutiques and counters nationwide this April.

For two more bronzing gels, read more

Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel, $25, offers your skin a sheer, instant, natural glow with the added protection of SPF 15. This tinted bronzing gel is great for oily skin and will leave your face looking like you are glowing from the inside out!

Blend the gel on the areas of your face where the sun would normally hit and deepen the color until you reach your desired shade. Oh, and don't forget to wash your hands immediately after use!

BonneBell Gel Bronze, $3.99, is a lightweight tinted gel that gives you a safe and inexpensive sun-kissed glow. To use dampen a make-up wedge and lightly pat Gel Bronze to your face. Then use the other side of the wedge for blending. Available in two shades: golden tan and luminous glow.

December Must-Haves

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:55:41 -0800

Even though stores are filled with people seeking gifts for friends and family, let's be realistic: Most people pick up a little something for themselves, too. And why not? It's been a long year, and a bit of pampering won't hurt.

For this month's must-haves, I've found items that will help you primp and prepare for end-of-year festivities-along with a few that'll help you decompress from the stress of the holidays. To see my picks, read more

If there's any time to have shiny, shimmering hair, it's in December. I'm planning to pick up Fekkai Sparkling Shimmer Spray ($13.50), a mist that has microscopic diamond crystals to lend a subtle golden glimmer to your hair. Paired with good tools like this T3 mini flat iron ($119), it would provide a professional-quality hairstyle for New Year's and beyond.
Urban Decay's holiday kit is worth considering. Midnight Cowboy Rides Again ($32) is spot-on with the metallic trend. It includes a golden, shimmery beige eye shadow, Eyeshadow Primer Potion (so your color will stay put), an eye pencil in a deep coppery shade, and glittery gold eyeliner. Worn all at once, these items would be too much. But adding just one item to your regular look will be a gild-y pleasure.
If you're visiting family during the holiday season, you'll need portable, flight-friendly body care supplies. You may also need to de-stress. (Just sayin'.) This gorgeous Red Flower Hammam Set ($56) lets you do both. It contains travel sizes of these 100% natural goodies: Moroccan mint tea silt purifier, lemon coffee blossom olive stone scrub, jasmine rose rhassoul clay polish, orange quince steam room mist, cardamom amber oil, tangerine fig butter cream. Just reading about them makes me want to relax and unwind with a cup of tea.
Bonne Belle Smackers ($2.95) are a favorite from my childhood, and since 'tis the season for chapped lips, I figure it can't hurt to have a few extra lip balms on hand. I'm a fan of the Dr. Pepper flavor, which takes me way back to junior high.

Back-to-School Beauty: Celebrity Makeup Artist Brett Freedman Shares His Bronzing Tips

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:01:20 -0700

Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman has worked with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Leighton Meester, and as owner of Vanitymark Cosmetics, he's one busy guy. Recently, I chatted with Freedman about simple changes we can all make when it comes to back-to-school beauty.

But who says this post goes out only to those of you headed back for a new semester? These tips apply to everyone who wants to make a few effortless steps when transitioning to cooler weather makeup. Find out how to get your bronze on now.

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?

Five Easy Ways to Fake a Sun-Kissed Glow

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:19 -0700

If you make frequent stops on the Bella train, then you'll know that I'm all about safe sunning - which means no tanning at all. But that doesn't mean you have to lose the look of a day at the beach. While I love the benefits of a self-tanner, sometimes I don't want to deal with the smell of DHA combining with my skin's chemistry or the affliction of streak-mania all over my body. So, I've come up with a few tricks to fake a tan, all without the sunburn or chemical reaction. Check them out when you read more.

Insta-perk: For an instant perk-me-up, a creamy bronzer gives the best fresh-faced glow. These days, I've been very into Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzer in Sun Glow ($6), a slightly shimmering warm rosy brown. Just apply where the sun would hit by making an "E" shape along the hairline, into the cheeks, and over the jawline. A small amount on the brow bones and down the nose complete the luminous effect.
Orange you looking tan: All I am saying is give orange a chance - or at least peach. I'm digging Revolution Organics Beauty Balm in Sunkissed ($32), an eco-friendly peachy-toned stick that gives lips, cheeks, and eyes a natural, dewy glow.
Triple the fun: Another multitasker but in a different way. To fake a suntan, go with a blush/bronzer/eye shadow combo that has at least three tones: a light tan, rosy pink, and warm brown. Swirl all of the colors together and apply to the in an "E" motion. Next, apply the lightest shade as a base on your lids, up to the brow bone. Use the rosy shade on the lids and seamlessly blend the darkest shade on the crease. This creates a natural, kissed-by-the-sun look. Try Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Malibu Strip Pink Sand Bronzer ($8) or Aveda Face Accents in Bronze Glow ($20).
Hot pink gloss: Mimic the look of sunned lips with a bright raspberry-toned gloss, such as MAC Tricolor Lip Glass in Tasty ($17.50).
Make a mix: Blend a bronze accent cream with your favorite lotion for an easy wash-away tan. I also like to lightly dunk these type of bronzers on their own on the tips of a complexion brush, stippling onto the "E" zone. Try Bonne Bell Gel Bronze Sheer Translucent Color in Golden Tan ($4) or Aveda Shimmer Accents in Terrastone ($21.50). You'll be a bronzed babe in a flash.

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Girl-Grooming Is Booming. (Or Is It?)

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:41 -0700

Do you remember the first time you became interested in beauty products? While I played with peel-off nail polish and occasionally painted my mom's nails, it wasn't really until I was in junior high that I busted out the Bonne Bell and Rave hairspray. Anything beyond that just wasn't allowed via my parents' strict rules.

These days, girls get grooming much earlier. A recent Newsweek article reports on the growing trend of today's youth taking it to an obsessive, way-too-mature level. Pop culture has long valued appearance, but the pursuit of "perfection" means that girls are worrying about their looks long before they hit puberty. With fourth-graders receiving $50 haircuts, kindergartner pedicure parties, and 8-year-olds getting bikini waxes, haven't we crossed the line into scary territory? Experts blame Photoshop, makeover programs, and the prevalence of cosmetic surgery (and, I'd add, porn culture).

For my take on the issue, read more.

As therapist Susie Orbach notes in her recently released book, Bodies ($11), the danger of appearance obsession is that girls won't develop self-esteem from their skills, talents, and accomplishments. "It primes little girls to think they should diet and dream about the cosmetic-surgery options available to them, and it makes body the primary place for self-identity," she says.

Then again, the "girls are growing up too fast" meme is a perennial favorite for magazines, and I have to wonder how common these girl-grooming activities are. While I definitely think girls grow up faster these days than I did, the girls I know are more into books, soccer, and drawing than primping. Are they the exception or the rule?

I know it seems strange for someone who loves beauty to decry girls' obsession with their looks, but here's the thing: my parents encouraged me to be creative and to study in school, so I found most of my value in accomplishments instead of the way I look. As an adult, primping is something fun, but my day isn't ruined if I have a few pimples. (Beauty is just the icing on my cake of self-esteem.) So whether glamour girls are everywhere or not, what can we do to help them develop confidence that doesn't rely on fitting an impossible beauty ideal?

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