BellaSugar

The First Celebrity Relaunch of 2008: Britney Spears Curious Heart

BellaSugar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:00:42 -0800

Although Britney Spears may not be making the best choices in her personal life, she sure hasn't skipped a beat when it comes to her fragrances. It seems like just yesterday that believe launched, and now we are already seeing something new from her. However, let's be clear about one thing. This "new" scent, Curious Heart ($49.50), isn't really new - it's a limited-edition version of her older juice Curious, with a tattoo-inspired bottle and a modified name.

Here's the gimmick: When you purchase a bottle, you receive a membership card which directs you to the website. There, you enter a password to become eligible to win various prizes each month. I'd say that's some pretty clever marketing from Britney's people - especially throwing the word "heart" in the title right before Valentine's Day. But with her personal life in disarray, I keep wondering whether this is enough to pique shoppers' curiosity.

Bella Interview: I Heart Daily

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:00:48 -0700

What do you do after you've written for ELLEgirl, Teen Vogue, Teen People, and Glamour? If you're Anne Ichikawa and Melissa Walker, you start your own online publication. I Heart Daily features news on style, beauty, entertainment, and all-around cool stuff. It's meant for teenagers, but you'll like it if you're merely young at heart.

Ichikawa and Walker recently shared their thoughts on why youth culture fascinates them, how Pete Wentz is influencing style, and how to help teenage girls develop a healthy self-image. Read on!

You've both written for teenagers for years. What is it about them that grabs you?
MELISSA: They're so open and honest. Teenagers are going through really high highs and really low lows, and there's something universal about those emotions and the raw excitement of discovering new things to love. They care about what they're reading about-and they're not afraid to tell you when the loooooove something or when they think something sucks. I appreciate that.
ANNE: Teens are still forming their opinions about things, their taste and what they like. Because of that they’re more excited and open to discover what’s out there, whether that’s a new band or a new kind of lip gloss. I mean, my mom has used the same Maybelline eyeliner for the past 20 years in the same exact shade! They have a sense of passion that us jaded adults lose after a while. Haha.

For their thoughts on beauty trends, read more.

Do you think it's easier to be a teenager now than it was, say, 10 years ago? Or harder?
MELISSA: I think it's harder in some ways and easier than others. Seriously, the experience of that age is so universal that I think it all evens out and ends up just being a tough-and-amazing time no matter WHEN you go through it.
ANNE: I agree with Melissa - being a teenager is pretty universal throughout the ages. Sure, now there’s Facebook and MySpace, but you know, at some point TV sets and cordless phones also were new and crazy.

How have teenagers' attitudes toward their appearance changed since you were that age?
MELISSA: I think they have more access to celebrity style and beauty, plus quick-and-easy ways to get the exact products they see celebs using, so there might be a bit more experimentation. But the truth is that teenagers are always trying to find their personal style, and now they can just try on more identities, which is fun.
ANNE: I think it’s a little more accepted and cool to be different now. Being quirky and an individual is a good thing now-that’s partly due to the media. Who ever thought wearing huge nerd glasses (American Apparel style) and guys wearing black eyeliner (Pete Wentz) would ever become mainstream and hip?

For those of us with teenage nieces and sisters, what's the best advice we can give with regard to building their self-image?
MELISSA: Nurture individuality and encourage their passions. There's so much possibility to explore at that age, and the "eh, that's not realistic" line is one of the lamest ones older people pull. Encourage them to dream big-then their identities are defined by how much they rock the world, not how much they weigh.
ANNE: To be comfortable in your own skin. I know, I know…easier said than done, but it’s true! It’s so important to encourage young women to be curious, kind, intelligent and, most of all, to follow their passions. Focus on building a strong sense of self, and the confidence will follow.

For more from Melissa and Anne, check out I Heart Daily.

Reader Review of the Day: Gold Bond Medicated Body Lotion

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:00:12 -0700

When I saw that Superstar2780 had reviewed Gold Bond Medicated Body Lotion ($10) I had to chuckle. Mainly because Mr. Bella loves his Gold Bond Medicated Powder a lot. That, and the commercials make me laugh for some reason. Curious to learn more about what Superstar2780 has to say about this lotion? Here you go:

"Gold Bond makes some serious products, and this lotion is not for the faint of heart! My skin is like the desert - super dry, sensitive, itchy, flaky. During the winter, this is the only lotion that works for me. It has a thick, creamy consistency that absorbs without feeling greasy, and because it's medicated, it has a nice cooling effect that really soothes and hydrates itchy, dry skin. The only reason I'm giving it four stars is because of the scent, which I can only describe as 'medicinal mint', kind of like Vapo-Rub. I can only use this lotion before bedtime, so it doesn't compete with the fragrance I wear during the day. But it really works and it's long-lasting, so I'd recommend giving it a try."

If you like reviewing products, I've got the perfect place for you to go. Our Product Reviews feature more than 50,000 items that are just waiting for your feedback. Plus, for every three quality reviews you submit, you'll be entered for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate from Benefit Cosmetics! So get typing.

And the Nominees For Achievement in Makeup Are. . .

BellaSugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:03 -0800

Last week, the Oscar nominations were announced, and that means we're in the heart of awards season. While I realize that the majority of people get most excited about the best actress, actor, and movie portions of the awards, the Bella in me gets excited for the lesser known, behind-the-scenes kind of people. Yep, I'm talking makeup artists, who somehow make mythical creatures more realistic, Jokers more insane, and Brad Pitt look less Brad Pitt-esque. In Hollywood, it's not always about the glitz and the glam, as this year's set of nominees prove. They include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, and Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Check out my gallery below to take a peek at their talented work, and fill me in on who you think should win.

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Source

Extra Extra! Kathy Hilton Has a Secret Fragrance

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:00:22 -0800

Whoa. I've just learned that Kathy Hilton - yes, Paris and Nicky's mom - has launched a fragrance called My Secret. Ahh, and apparently the buzz before the launch, as well as the big event, have also been kept secret. The fragrance was inspired by Kathy's world travels and is made from a blend of freesia, peony, rose, jasmine, mandarin, apricot leaf, vanilla musk, sandalwood, and amber.

All I have to say is, puh-lease! Any serious nose would have carefully planned out a press event or at least would have wanted a proper celebration marking her first entrepreneurial endeavor. Seems to me like Kathy's riding the tails of Paris who just recently talked about her five fragrances on David Letterman this past Friday.

My Secret is available as an eau de toilette ($52 to $68), a body lotion ($32), and a body gel ($28). The 3.4-oz heart-shaped tinted lavender bottle is currently being sold with Kathy's signature on the front for a limited time, and the body lotion and gels come in a pale pink tube with a gold monogram that resembles an aristocratic family crest.

I haven't tried it yet, but rushing out for a whiff is about as low on my list as getting a root canal. Are any of you even remotely curious about smelling My Secret?

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Love It or Hate It? Kimora Lee Simmons' Emmy Escapades

BellaSugar — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:17:05 -0700

Remember when I asked you whether applying your makeup in public was appropriate? After seeing Kimora Lee Simmons touch up her Great Lash on the red carpet, I'm curious to see what you have to say about it!

I find it odd that she'd go to the Emmys and whip out her mascara, but I thought, "Well, she must have a reason." But as far as I know, she's not a Maybelline spokesmodel. Maybe she just wants the world to know that despite her "fabulosity," she's still a drugstore diva at heart? Tell me: Do you love her red-carpet makeup application, or do you hate it?

A Few New Bits About Brit's Believe

BellaSugar — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:00:03 -0700

Most of you said you're tired of celebrity fragrances, and, well, I'm feeling overwhelmed by them, too. While some, like Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker, are created with a lot of input from the star in question, others seem to be patched together with little or no input. I could be way off-base here, but I have a feeling Britney's new fragrance, Believe, falls into the latter category. Considering her odd behavior this year, I find it hard to, er, believe, that she's had the time to be deeply involved in Believe's development.

Still, the scent is expected to do at least $10 million in US sales during its first year, and WWD reports on its fragrant notes:

The scent, by International Flavors and Fragrances, has top notes of guava pulp and golden tangerine; a heart of honeysuckle and linden blossom, and a drydown of patchouli aura, sensual amber and pink pralines.

WWD says that Believe is "arguably the most sophisticated" of Britney's fragrances, but those notes sound pretty sugary and young to me. And the packaging, while more grown-up than the looks of Curious and Fantasy, is still more girly than womanly. Believe ($38–$58) launches in October, but if you pre-order online, yours will ship earlier.

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