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Break-Up Makeup, Part II: Put on a Happy Face

BellaSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:43:08 -0700

Break-ups are bad news, but they can also be a good excuse to give yourself a makeover, pamper yourself, and come out of the whole ordeal looking fabulous. And lately, I've noticed a number of cosmetics companies making break-up themed makeup to help you along. Yesterday I told you about three nail collections to help you polish away your pain, and today I've found a couple more fun makeup products to help you put on a happy face.

Hard Candy Breakup Mix Tape ($15) is a makeup palette that looks like an old-school cassette. This cutesy little compact is sure to get a smile, with three blue-and-violet eye shadows and three neutral lip glosses. Everything goes together, which keeps things nice and copacetic.

To see a break-up inspired lipstick collection, read more

Ramy Beauty Therapy Lipstick ($17) comes in 17 shades with names like All His Fault, Buh-Bye, Whine, and Thrive. The rich creamy colors are formulated with avocado oil, vitamin E, and sunscreen to help take care of your lips.

Break-Up Makeup, Part I: Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:16:46 -0700

So I bring you Part I of my Break-Up Makeup series, which today features a few kitschy nail lacquers to help you polish away your pain. (Thanks to Kiss and Makeup for the tip.) Now stop your whining and pamper yourself with a nice little mani/pedi.

The Essie Starting Over Collection ($7 per bottle) includes six pink and red shades with super-cute and highly appropriate names: E-nuff is E-nuff, Starter Wife, Wife Goes On, My Way, Pinking Up the Pieces, and Red-y-Set Ex.

For two more break-up inspired polish collections, read more

This Lippman Collection I Will Survive Ultimate Treatment Set ($24) is a trio of products that help restore weak, splitting, cracking, and thin nails. The kit includes a 2 Second Nail Primer, a Rehydrating Base Coat, and the super-glossy On A Clear Day Top Coat.

Orly Divorcee Collection ($19.14) is a group of six Spring colors with hysterically cynical names such as Pawn the Ring, It's Not Me It's You, See Yah, Take Him to the Cleaners, One Night Stand, and my personal favorite, 50/50.

How to Make a Hickey Less Noticeable

BellaSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:00:42 -0800

Can we be frank? Hickeys are the worst. Nothing says, "I am wholly uninterested in looking like a classy dame" than a big ol' bruise on the neck. If you've been attacked by a love-bite monster, talk with your darling vacuum-lips about being gentle next time, and then follow my advice for hiding the evidence. I've already got you covered from the makeup perspective, but for a few other tips, just keep reading.

Is Your Makeup Aging You? Part Three

BellaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:00:55 -0700

There are times when we might want to look older than we are, and those times are typically set aside for Oct. 31. But when it comes to everyday life, could you be aging yourself unintentionally with the wrong shade choices and techniques?

Most of us, if not all of us, want to maintain an age-appropriate appearance. (Note that I didn't say younger - just looking your freshest no matter your age.) That's why over the past few days, I've been exploring ways to keep your eye makeup and complexion looking sensational, not sallow. For my final bit in this series, let's explore lipsticks and hair tones. Go on, read more.

Flatter your face: If your hair color isn't giving your skin a glow, it's time to switch it up. Hair that's too dark or too light hair can wash out your complexion, giving a less-than-optimal appearance. Not sure what color to pick? Get thee to a salon to seek professional advice. Perhaps you just need some face-framing highlights or lowlights to break up a too-severe shade.
Pucker up: Lipstick that is too dark and/or bright has its place in this world, but unfortunately, these choices can both be aging. Anything that's metallic or iridescent in nature can also create an unflattering effect. Not sure what to pick? Choose a lipstick or gloss that's about one to two shades darker than your natural pucker. Of course, you probably can't go wrong with a nice mauve-pink tone.

Source

Gossip Girl Beauty Quiz: Episode 19, "The Grandfather"

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:00:04 -0700

With all the breaking up, making up and breaking up again, I'm gonna need to map out a chart of current couples and hope a few of these relationships work themselves out (ahem, Chuck and Blair). In addition to all the love lost, Nate saw a bunch of action, reconnecting with his grandfather at a lavish bash full of beauty. Were you in tune to the hair and makeup . . . or too captivated by the drama to notice?

When you're done, be sure to visit CelebStyle for wardrobe information from this episode. Then take Fab's fashion quiz, and geek's gadget quiz while you're at it.

Photo courtesy of The CW

Take the quiz

How-To: Scarlett's Sophisticated Dolce & Gabbana Chignon

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:00:27 -0800

Back in December, it was announced that the design duo of Dolce & Gabbana would be coming out with a long-anticipated makeup line, with a mysterious "Hollywood starlet" to be the spokesmodel. That starlet just happened to turn out to be Scarlett Johansson. And yesterday, the young actress made an appearance at the Dolce & Gabbana Makeup event during Milan Fashion Week, undoubtedly wearing a palette of shades from the collection.
While her makeup was perfection on her flawless skin, I thought her shiny chignon, complete with black floral headband, gave her a sophisticated, youthful look. Is it me, or is her hair looking a little less brown, and a little more cherry red since the last time we saw her? Learn how to re-create Scarlett's chignon when you read more.

Separate the bang area of the front of your hair. Notice how Scarlett's stylist has taken a rather large chunk of hair from the fringe area.
Start by teasing the crown of your hair to create volume. This also gives bobby pins something more to cling onto for further hold. Lightly comb out to smooth.
Gather back of hair into a high-slung ponytail around the crown of your head. Secure with an elastic band. Roll hair in towards the elastic band, securing with several bobby pins. Use your fingers to lightly break up the roll. This will also bring your chignon to life.
Next, tease the separate bang area from the front and smooth out with a comb. Bring it back to the chignon and pin in sections, as needed. Spray with a high shine hairspray like Jonathan Product Finish Control High Shine ($22). Top off with a black floral headband to complete. I like Anthropologie's Twisted Taffy Headband ($32), Urban Outfitters' Floppy Flower Hard Headband ($18), or the Satin Headband With Bow ($4) from Forever 21.

User Review: CocoChic on Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:55:46 -0700

Today's user review comes from CocoChic, who you may remember from her fabulous makeup routine. Obviously, CocoChic knows makeup, and since I love Maybelline Great Lash, I was interested to read her review of the new Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara ($7.95) in the Beauty Product Junkies group. (Write your own reviews in the group, and I might post yours on BellaSugar too!) Here's what CocoChic had to say:

I am always searching for the perfect mascara. I have been using Sephora Volume Mascara for a couple of years now, and I really wanted to try those new rubbery brushes. I didn't buy the Cover Girl LashExact because I don't like the quality of their mascaras. So, I bought the new Maybelline Define-A-Lash in Very Black.

For the rest of her review and a photo of the results, read more

First of all, this packaging is really fun! The color of green is even brighter in person. It makes it very easy to spot in my makeup drawer! You can't really tell from the picture, but the little rubbery bristles are slightly different lengths. The middle ones are a bit shorter than the ends, so those lashes get really lengthened.

The first time I used this, I hated it. I'm used to a regular mascara brush, where I have to put on about five coats to get the look I like. I tried that with this, and it was a bad idea! I had to train myself to do one coat at a time slowly so that the lashes didn't clump together.

I also wiggle the wand from side to side as I apply it. Sometimes I still have to go back with a clean regular mascara brush, because it can get a tad clumpy. The clumps break up perfectly after that though. This stays on all day and doesn't flake off like Cover Girl's version. It's also not sticky and it doesn't turn my lashes to little sticks. I swear, my lashes have never looked so long! I will definitely be buying this again!