BellaSugar

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

BellaSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:43:08 PDT

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,

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 PDT

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,

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.

The Pros and Cons of Being Friends With a Former Crush

TresSugar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:00:20 PST

He used to make you feel weak in the knees, and then suddenly he's your . . . best friend? Whether it's an old crush that's resurfaced or a guy you've recently decided would fit better as a friend, a platonic relationship with someone you used to daydream about can be strange and difficult to navigate. Here are the pros and cons of becoming BFFs with a former crush:

The pros:

You're on his "forever" timeline. Girlfriends will come and go, but you'll be one of the lucky women in his life who lasts. Romantic relationships are special, of course, but one of friendship's major bonuses is its ability to endure. Not only will you be in the loop for major life events, you also won't have to worry about splitting up friends if you eventually break up.
A relationship that's all fun, no complications. Without the drama and pressure of intimacy, you'll be able to enjoy a friendship that's simple, straightforward, and carefree. No breakups, no makeups, and no friendly female competition - just two people who appreciate each other's company.
Single? He'll introduce you to other guys like him. Most men tend to hang out with other men who share the same qualities, so your best friend's social circle can become your dating pool. Plus, he'll be able to filter out the bad ones for you - since he cares about you, he'll be sure to hook you up with only his kindest, most loyal pals.

The cons:

There may still be feelings. (Cue the drama.) If you're single and realize that your crush hasn't quite faded, then you've officially moved out of simple friendship territory and into something messy. Keeping your feelings under wraps might make you crazy, but revealing them could ruin the relationship for good. It goes without saying, but if you're in a relationship and feelings resurface, it's time to step back and reevaluate.
Jealousy issues, part one. If he meets someone, you may start feeling pushed aside or left out - and vice versa. The third wheel problem can be tough to fix, so it's important to keep the communication lines open and be clear about any uncomfortable dynamics.
Jealousy issues, part two. Chances are, as best friends, you have some sort of chemistry - and significant others may start to envy the connection. Even worse? They may start to feel suspicious about the relationship and cause rifts in the friendship. Keep things cordial and build trust by creating separate friendships with each other's love interests.

The bottom line? Friendships between men and women are complicated - especially if you once thought of it as something more. Still that doesn't mean you need to pull the plug on a potential friend connection just because it started as an infatuation. If you stay honest with yourself and each other, friendship with a former crush can be fun and exciting.

What do you think? Ever been friends with a past crush?

Why Cleansing Oil Is Awesome

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:00:08 PDT

I'm obsessed with cleansing oil these days, and with good reason. Anyone who's ever spent time in Japan won't be surprised by this; oil formulations have been popular there since 1967, when Shu Uemura introduced the first oil-based cleanser. But for those of us on this side of the Pacific, cleansing oil gets short shrift even though it's a brilliant idea. So why is washing your face with oil so great? To find out, just keep reading.

Bridal Beauty: The Most Flattering Eye Makeup Techniques

Jaime Richards — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 03:05:00 PDT

When it comes to wedding makeup, most brides want the same thing: full, natural-looking lips, softly flushed cheeks, and defined eyes that sparkle. (Don't we all, really?) So whether you're a bride-to-be or simply need a few tips for creating long-wearing, universally flattering eye makeup, you've come to the right place. To see how you can get the prettiest peepers, just keep reading.