BellaSugar

Know Your Ingredients: Guanciale

YumSugar — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:00:58 PDT

Even if you've never heard of guanciale, it's entirely possible that you've eaten it before and never realized it; the cured meat resembles bacon when it's both raw and cooked. But guanciale comes from an entirely different part of the pig.

A specialty of the central Italian regions of Umbria and Lazio, guanciale is pork jowl or pig cheek that's been cured with black pepper, red pepper, or spices. It's softer in texture and less salty than pancetta, but possesses a stronger, fattier taste.

Guanciale's rarely eaten raw; rather, it's well-suited for sautéeing with vegetables, enriching a stew, or boosting the flavor of meat. It's an essential ingredient in several classic Roman pastas, such as spaghetti alla carbonara and bucatini all'amatriciana.

Source: Flickr User thebittenword.com

3 Unconventional Ways to Wear Lip Gloss

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:00:01 PST

As the name implies, lip gloss is meant for adding shine to the lips. But, the next time you need a little pick-me-up or you've got an unexpected date or event to attend, shift your thinking and look at this everyday staple as something more than makeup solely for your pout. To find out a few unique ways you can get more use out of your lip gloss - consider it a multitasker extraordinaire - just keep reading.

New Product Alert: Vincent Longo Pearlessence Gel Stains

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:00:56 PDT

These new Vincent Longo Pearlessence Gel Stains ($22.50) are slightly different from the other cheek tints on the market because they are infused with shimmer. They are also water-resistant and sweat-proof which makes them perfect for beach beauty!

They are truly long-lasting, they give you a natural-looking glow and they can be used as both a cheek or a lip stain. That's all great, but the only issue I have is that you have to work quickly to blend before they dry. Once the color sets, you're pretty much stuck with it all day. My advice is to apply to one cheek at a time and start off lightly, since you can always add more.

The stains are available in three colors:

Bellini Love: warm, shimmery pink
Dolceacqua: shimmery plum
Fresh Water Rose shimmery silver-plum

I recommend using Bellini Love while summer's still going strong, then going with one of the plum shades for fall. It's not too far away, you know!

Presto Chango Cheeks!

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 07:23:33 PST

Remember those clear mood lip glosses from your pre-teen years that changed color when you put them on? These blushes have been developed based on a similar premise. They start off as clear gels and once applied to your cheeks they adjust according to your specific skin tone - how fab!

Smashbox O-Glow, $26, is formulated to change color on your face to the same natural tone as when you blush. Wow, talk about a natural look!

It takes just seconds for its chemistry to work. When applied, the moisture on your skin activates the Goji Berry-C Complex™ ingredient and your circulation gets going. This results in a fresh looking flush that lasts all day long. This gel blush is waterproof, fragrance free and won't irritate your skin.

For one more presto chango cheek product,

read more Almay Smart Shade Makeup, $14, is a foundation based on the same principle as the gel blush. It starts off as a whitish/grey color and it contains color beads that are activated when they are rubbed into your skin. It is a lightweight, nourishing formula that contains SPF 15, aloe, Vitamin E, anti-oxidants, grape seed extract, ginseng and ginkgo biloba extract, It helps to even out your skin tone as well as complement your skin. It looks best on skin that normally calls for a honey or tan foundation. It is hypoallergenic and won't clog pores. Just apply with fingertips and blend smoothly onto your cheeks. Available in three shades: light, light/medium and medium

Create a Romantic Valentine's Day Look With Pastels

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:24:37 PST

Stereotypical Valentine's Day makeup is all about bombshell sex appeal, always with the same combinations of red and black. This year, try something fresh with romantic pastels instead. Celebrity makeup artist Desirae Cherman shows us how to use soft, shimmery pastels for date-night eyes, flushed cheeks, and glossy lips. It's a look sweeter than conversation hearts and pretty enough for any Valentine's celebration.

Pretty Ways to Spice Up Your Valentine's Day Makeup - Red Lipstick Excluded

Jaime Richards — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:41:50 PST

Red lipstick has become synonymous with Valentine's Day, but crimson-hued lips don't have to be your only option. "I like a flushed cheek," says Mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh, who recommends getting the look with the brand's Just Pinched Blush Tint in Cheeky or Spicy, depending on your skin tone.

Another way to give your complexion a fresh, fun finish is "to incorporate a pink-toned eye shadow to pop up the eyes in the crease," Quynh explains, recommending Custom Pick Eye Shadow in Sugar Sugar. "Or, you can use pink lips instead of red ones."

And for a brightened effect, finish with a highlighter, such as Touch & Glow Shimmer Cream All Over Face Palette, above your cheekbones and on your brow bone. For something a little warmer, try Glowdacious Illuminating Powder on your forehead, cheeks, and chin. Then all you have to do is watch your suitors line up.  

How to Contour 101

BellaTV — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:29:44 PST

Whether you want to highlight your cheeks or make your face look more symmetrical in pictures, a little contouring goes a long way. Smashbox Cosmetics Lead Makeup Artist Lori Taylor shows us how to contour your face using bronzer, blush, and a highlighter, as well as tips she uses to contour the faces of leading ladies like Sandra Bullock and Rosario Dawson.

5 Tips From a Pro: How to Create a Beautiful Bronzed Glow

Real Beauty — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:07:27 PST

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

When trying to create a natural, sunless tan on your body, mistakes are expected and accepted. If things go too awry, you can just opt to wear pants until the color wears off.

Bronzer or self tanner: which is right for you?

But a botched fake tan on your face? Completely out of the question. Here, five foolproof tips on how to get gorgeous bronzed skin.

What We're Sweet On: Great Lip Stuff, Weird Names

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

Nobody would ever really be keen on the idea of putting blood or tears on our lips, so Rain Cosmetics is really lucky that its new lip stain, Blood ($12), and gloss, Tears ($12), are so superlatively great. Blood is a deep pink gel-based stain that's like a thicker, less-red Benetint. The lasting power is excellent when applied on the lips, but it works well on cheeks, too - even though it's not strictly for use as rouge. And thanks to the gel texture, the product spreads on wonderfully, allowing you plenty of time to blend away splotches.

Tears, the less eccentrically named of the two, is perfect if you're tired of supershiny, goopy gloss that makes you look like you just freshened up your makeup before eighth grade science class. Tears isn't sticky, the shine is so subtle that it almost looks more like balm, and it goes over stain or lipstick beautifully. So don't judge a gloss by its slightly creepy packaging; this stuff is much better than your average bodily fluid.

Hunger Games Beauty: Get Katniss's Opening Ceremonies Look

Allure — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:05:14 PST

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

Every time a new image is released from The Hunger Games, fans react like it's a gift from their sponsor flying in by silver parachute. (If you don't know what that means, you still have 55 days to read the book before the premiere.

But we have to admit, even we squealed a bit over this new picture, which shows Katniss before the chariot ride in the opening ceremonies. Her dress, which earns her the nickname "Girl on Fire," is amazing; but what we're really impressed with is the smoldering makeup. In the book, Katniss describes her face in this scene as "relatively clear of makeup, just a bit of highlighting here and there." But from the looks of the photo, makeup artist Ve Neill either didn't read the book (we're guessing probably not so likely) or took some creative license (and we don't mind!). Here's how she got the look: