BellaSugar

Coming Soon: Lola Cosmetics Prime Effects Pure Pigment Infusion

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:09 -0700

Last month I told you all about the new Firming Sensation Tinted Eye Balms from the Lola Cosmetics Summer 2008 Explore the Lola in You collection, and now I've become privy to the final launch in the line, called Prime Effect Pure Pigment Infusion ($26). What makes this product unique is that it embodies characteristics of a foundation, a primer, and a moisturizer.

It's very sheer, smooth, it blends easily and provides decent coverage. Also, because it leaves your skin with a little bit of sheen, it's a great product for attaining a dewy effect.

It's formulated with antioxidants, vitamins A, B, and C, buriti and maracuja fruit extracts to help stop moisture loss, and calendula to cool the skin and even out any blotchiness.

I find that it's definitely moisturizing, which makes it great for Summer when you don't want to apply a moisturizer and a base. The only drawback is that I wish it contained some SPF to really make it a one-stop product. Prime Effects Pure Pigment Infusion will be available online later this month in three shades: nude, bronze, and pearl.

Dew It Up For Spring

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:55 -0700

Last night at the A Night of a Thousand Lights Benefit for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the women arrived wearing gorgeous Marchesa gowns and subtle springtime makeup - just look at that gorgeous glow on Joy Bryant.

She shows us that this barefaced trend is beautiful for both daytime and evening looks. I really love how her smile shows through her eyes. It seems like all she has on is a great moisturizer and maybe a little lip balm - unfortunately, we know that's not the case. I'm guessing that a brightening pen, some concealer, and a little highlighter had a hand as well.

If you're interested in mimicking Joy's dewy face at home, here are a few tips:

Choose a base with a low powder content and a high water content. This will ensure that your face looks moist. Also, skip any type of mattifying primer.
Assess your skin. This look is best for those with tight pores. If your pores are large and/or clogged, try using a pore-tightening primer and a toner. This will ensure that dew-enhancing products don't accentuate them.
Look for a highlighter that contains light-reflecting particles. You can use this in combination with Vaseline, a brightener, or a creamy highlighter like Nars the Multiple over your cheeks, on the sides of your forehead, and to the tip of your nose.
Gloss is boss. Coat lips with a gloss or shiny lip balm as a finishing touch.

Source

Doing Drugstore: Maybelline SuperStay 24hr Makeup and Concealer

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:01:52 -0700

For those of you that are fans of Max Factor's Lasting Performance Stay Put Makeup (RIP, old buddy), perhaps you might find somewhat of a replacement in Maybelline's new SuperStay 24hr Makeup ($10). The consistency, which lies somewhere between Revlon's ColorStay and Lasting Performance (see my comparisons here), skews more on the slightly creamy end of the spectrum, so it's quite easy to blend.

As for the wearability factor, SuperStay definitely delivers, although by the end of the day, I did have some slick spots in the t-zone. I guess that's the sacrifice you must make in order to keep the finish on the cake-free side, as this product provides semi-matte to semi-dewy results. Surprisingly, this oil-free formulation provides a light-on-the skin feel, all while giving pretty strong coverage. Speaking of bargains . . . read more.

Link Time!

BellaSugar — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:03:06 -0700

Fame lip gloss, inspired by the movie - Stylelist
You pick: Angelina Jolie's best hair - Makeup and Beauty Blog
Bobbi Brown on flawless, dewy skin and day-to-night makeup - Beauty Snob
Which hairstyle is sexiest on Shakira? - FabSugar UK
You, too, can do black and gold - eyes, that is - InStyle
MAC's Black Collection proves that black gloss still wants its moment - Beauty Blogging Junkie
Four spa secrets to keep in mind - Allure

Reader Review of the Day: Almay Pure Blends Makeup

BellaSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:00:58 -0700

Almay Pure Blends Makeup ($12) is part of Almay's recently launched eco-friendly line. I'm usually a little bit cautious about drugstore stuff that says it's "natural," especially when it comes to skin care, because it sometimes means essential oils that irritate my skin, but reader longhornlass04 has had a great experience with this one. She says:

"I actually bought this on clearance, because I think they just updated the packaging. I'm big on spending very little on foundation if I've never tried it before. I got nervous when I first put it on, because I sometimes have a reaction to lavender, and the smell is lavender-heavy. However, my skin didn't flare up and it left it even-toned. After a week or so of using it, I noticed my pores began to look smaller. Wasn't expecting that. It's also very dewy, which I love on my combination skin. I just brush a little mineral powder on my t-zone and it's pitch perfect."

Found a foundation you adore? Or in the market for a new one and need the lowdown on what's hot? Pop over to the Product Reviews pages, where there are over 50,000 products for review, and a whole lot of info from other readers who've tried just about everything out there.

MTV Video Music Awards: Beyoncé

BellaSugar — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:41:24 -0700

So it's not the best photo of Beyoncé (she sort of looks like a wax figure - have you played our game?), but we're not talking about her deer-in-headlights stare, we're talking about her beauty choices. She wore her hair long and curly with noticeable regrowth (is it a trend?) next to super-huge hoop earrings. Her voluminous hair really took center stage, while her makeup was noticeably soft: dewy skin, arched brows, pink lips - nothing shocking there. What do you all think? Is this an award-winning look, or no?

Vote on all of my MTV VMAs polls here!

Coming Soon: Banana Republic His and Hers Fragrances

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:00:50 -0700

I don't know if I could ever do his and hers bath towels, but his and hers fragrances? I can handle that. This month, Banana Republic is set to launch two new complementary scents: Republic of Women Eau de Parfum ($48) and Republic of Men Eau de Toilette ($47). Both are packaged with the clean lines that we've grown to expect from all things Banana.

Ladies first: If you like florals with a bit of a hazy, lingering finish, Republic of Women might just be for you. Enclosed in a sultry plum-toned bottle, this romantic scent contains subtle top notes of sweet osmanthus, spicy bergamot, and juicy lychee; powerful middle notes of peony, pink jasmine, and Moroccan rose; and bottom notes of precious woods and soft musks to even it out.

As for the guys, Republic of Men, my personal favorite of the duo, is definitely not of the gritty, intense variety. More soft than heady, the juice, which is packaged up in a smoky gray bottle, contains clementine, wet plum, and dewy fig leaf at the top for a bit of sweetness; sambac, rosemary, basil, sage, and crushed hazelnut in the middle for a refined edge; and sandalwood, cedarwood, and creamy skin musk at the bottom for a bit of sexiness. While I prefer the men's scent, both are at least worth a sample spritz.

Win bareMinerals Matte Foundation For You and Six Friends!

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:00:00 -0700

If you prefer a matte foundation finish over a dewy one, then get excited. Thanks to our friends at Sephora, you can enter to win this brand new product from the wildly popular Bare Escentuals bareMinerals foundation line. For this week's giveaway, the grand prize is seven bareMinerals SPF 15 Matte Foundations! Keep a stash for yourself, or share with six of your friends.

Providing a natural matte finish, this foundation gives flawless coverage, all while absorbing oil and toning down shine. The nondrying formula also provides benefits to the skin by encouraging cellular turnover, and the Click, Lock, Go™ packaging ensures that you'll have spill-free results.

To enter, just take the quiz by 5 p.m. Sunday, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a PopSugar Community member to enter. So if you're not already one, register now. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your entry to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

Take the quiz

Coming Soon: Mariah Carey Forever

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:00:33 -0700

When she's not in a row with Eminem, breaking records for the highest amount of number one singles, or acting in Precious, (the highly anticipated film due out this November), Mariah Carey is selling perfume.

After much success with her first fragrance, M by Mariah Carey in 2007, the songstress is set to launch her sophomore scent, Forever ($42 to $65), this September. The line will also include a parfum ($250!) and a body lotion ($28). Of the inspiration behind the name, Mariah told WWD."I am in a wonderful place right now, surrounded by all the things I love, and Forever captures this moment in time."

Described as an opulent floral, the juice will have top notes of neroli, dewy green apple, and lotus blossom, along with middle notes of gardenia and tuberose. The drydown will consist of exotic woods and white musk. As for the bottle, its design is modeled after Mariah's appreciation for art deco stylings. Is it me, or are you reminded of Superman's fortress of ice crystals? Will you give Forever a shot, or are you thinking, forget about it?

Reader Review of the Day: Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:01:00 -0700

Are you leery of loose powders? Perhaps Ineedcaffeine can assist, as she loves Clinique's Blended Face Powder and Brush ($19). Here's why:

For the price and the sheer amount that is in the jar, you cannot go wrong with this powder. I find that during Summer, like most girls, my face gets super oily. This powder soaks everything up and leaves a nice dewy look, but not oily. . . I have red undertones so the Transparency 2 shade is beyond perfect for me. Plus, I feel with Clinique, that this product is actually helping my skin rather than hurting.

What's your latest beauty discovery? Fill us in by heading to the Product Reviews section. Who knows? You might be the next featured reviewer.