BellaSugar

My Cheapie Cream Blush Secret

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 31 May 2011 05:00:00 PDT

Long-lasting, highly pigmented cream blush tends to be expensive; a good stick can run you upwards of $30. So that's why I'm going to let you in on something I recently discovered while wandering around Walmart: Bonne Bell Blush 'N Go ($5). I purchased the Petal Pink shade on a whim, and I've been using it for two weeks now. Surprisingly, not only does it have excellent pigment payoff, but it spreads beautifully, lasting just as well as most cheek stains nearly six times its cost. To see how the shade looks on and find out what pricey products this one resembles, just keep reading.

Which Products Do You Wish Were Easier to Find?

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 04:06:56 PST

In today's New York Times, writer Ricki Morell discusses her mother's panic upon discovering that her beloved Camay soap has become nearly impossible to find. While it hasn't been discontinued, and it's still sold through distributors online and abroad, you probably won't have much luck finding it in your local drugstore.

This got me to thinking about products I wish were easier to find. I've been using Bonne Bell's famous blush gels since my younger years but can only seem to purchase them through the company directly at this point. What about you? Whether it's due to nostalgia, a bit of sensory memory, or some other reason altogether, which longtime beauty favorites of yours do you wish were easier to find?

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

BellaSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:02:13 PDT

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.

December Must-Haves

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:55:41 PST

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,

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.

Beauty Byte: Mattel and Bonne Bell Making Makeup for Girls

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:49:40 PDT

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?

Source

Cologne: Not Just For Guys

BellaSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:00:00 PDT

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?