BellaSugar

Bella Donna: Diana, Princess of Wales

BellaSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:17:29 -0700

A Bella Donna is more than just a pretty face. Sometimes she starts a trend, other times her impact isn't realized until decades after her debut. And then there are a few who become legendary, like this week's choice, Diana, Princess of Wales. Born Diana Spencer, she was not the "commoner" many people initially imagined her to be; she was born into an aristocratic family, which was a requirement for her to marry Charles, Prince of Wales. Their 1981 wedding was watched by almost one billion people, and their divorce was a hot tabloid topic. But Diana's charity work showed her great compassion, and her death-which happened ten years ago tomorrow-plunged the world into sorrow.

From her early days in the media spotlight to her unexpected death, Diana's personal style inspired countless women to copy her look. Most women couldn't afford her luxurious ballgowns, but they could manage to mimic her short blonde hairstyle. In the early '80s, she favored a feathered look, but it always kept up with the times-often setting off trends with a snip of the scissors. She didn't have a perfect life; she struggled with depression, bulimia and a failed marriage. Still-and maybe partly because of her resilience-she remains one of the 20th century's most influential beauties. Diana would have been 46 this past July.

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Diana B. Sugar Body Scrubs

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:44:33 -0800

Diana B. Body Scrub, $45, is the perfect way to exfoliate away all of your Fashion Week midtown grime. This luxurious scrub is a sweet way to naturally awaken your senses.

Take a fingerful or two or three while you are in the shower and scrub off your dead skin cells and cleanse your body. Take a deep breath in and send your senses soaring from the sweet smells that do a body good.

Not only do these scrubs exfoliate, but their mineral packed formula also aids in healing sun damage and topical infections. Diana B. Body Scrub is available in four scents: maple sugar lychee nut, antioxidant infused green tea grapefruit, circulation improving black fig, or restorative peach frangipani flower.

Now you can be soft and tasty for your special someone this Valentine's Day. These scrubs are all natural, oil free, wax free and chemical free.

Bella Donna: Diana Ross

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:00:52 -0700

This week's Bella Donna is another singer (like last week's pick, Deborah Harry). The fabulous and dramatic Diana Ross is one of the most successful musical artists of all time, so it's no surprise that her unique look influenced legions of young women in the '60s and beyond.

The Detroit-born Ross leapt to fame as the lead singer of Motown supergroup The Supremes. Their hits, including "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "You Keep Me Hangin' On," brought incredible success to the quartet, and in 1968 Ross embarked on a solo career that lasted for decades. In more recent years, she's been in the news for her unusual behavior (remember when she grabbed Lil' Kim at the MTV Video Music Awards?), but there's no denying the influence she's had throughout the years.

Before Diana Ross, black women had relatively few pop culture icons. But when the Supremes hit the scene, everything changed (Even Oprah has said that Ross was her icon as a young girl). Ross' dramatic eyes relied on heavy eyeliner and false lashes-two huge trends in the '60s. As time went on, her hair evolved with the trends: From the flippy bob of her Supremes days, she went on to wear an afro before ultimately settling with the natural-looking curls she sports today.

To view a gallery of Diana Ross throughout the years, and to read her quotes on beauty, read more

On plastic surgery: "My kids would be really upset if I did anything like that, and I've seen so many pretty girls mess themselves up, and you can't turn things around."
"By the time I was 16, I was going to beauty school on weekends. I learned a lot about hairstyling, manicures and pedicures. When The Supremes went on the road, I did everyone's hair-you know, the hot iron and rollers. I wanted to learn everything about beauty to make people more attractive."
"I never like to think of myself as beautiful. I like to think of myself as healthy; beauty comes from being healthy."
"[Beauty] means being a good person, having integrity and loyalty and being true to your work. There's power in that! Walking around being self-indulgent about prettiness-that's not important."

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Source, Source, and Source.

Can You Guess These Famous Brace Faces?

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:00:52 -0700

Not too long ago, I asked you whether or not you had/have braces. The majority of you said affirmative, and you're in great company. Stars like Ashley Judd, Diana Ross, and Cher have all sported a little metal in the mouth. I've done a little research on the topic, and uncovered a few others. Can you guess which celebrities used to wear braces?

Question 1 of 5

Which actress rocked this set of braces back in the mid-1980s?

These Blind Massage Therapists Have the Right Touch

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:00:12 -0700

A massage clinic in a Dallas suburb has hired four massage therapists with one unusual thing in common: they're blind. Diana Alvarez, Bill Thayer, Zane King, and Paul Hughes work at the Massage Envy clinic, using their sense of touch to guide them. "Massage therapists who are blind really rely on touch alone," King explains. "And of course the right touch is the key element in massage therapy." Check out this AP report to find out more.

Bella Donna: Ali MacGraw

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:00:18 -0700

Born in Westchester, New York in 1939, Ali MacGraw began her career as a photo assistant at Harper's Bazaar in 1960 and soon became the legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland's assistant at Vogue. She famously starred in the commercial for Polaroid's Swinger Camera (R.I.P.) in the late 1960s. However, MacGraw didn't gain popularity as an actress until the 1970 film Love Story. Her portrayal of witty, working-class Radcliffe student Jennifer Cavelleri earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Though MacGraw didn't have any major blockbusters since, she is widely regarded as a style icon. Her trademark low-key look consisted of perfect skin, little makeup and superbly glossy hair, often under a wool beanie cap that became known as the "Ali Cap." With her olive skin and dark hair, MacGraw inspired many - including makeup maven Bobbi Brown - in an era where blue-eyed blondes dominated magazines and television. After battles with alcohol, a role on Dynasty, and a very successful yoga video, MacGraw now sticks to performing in theater productions, most recently in a 2006 production of Festen. And, of course, to serving as the inspiration for many beauty and fashion devotees.

For a gallery of images of Ali MacGraw, read more.

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Love It or Hate It? Solange Knowles's MTV VMAs Look

BellaSugar — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:25:44 -0700

Solange Knowles went with a completely different look than the one she was sporting on Friday at the Fashion Rocks event in New York. There she wore a subdued side-swept updo (that you all weren't feeling), but at the VMAs she went with a head full of spiral curls. And, I, for one, am loving the transformation. It's very reminiscent of Diana Ross in the '70s, but that definitely goes with the image the younger Knowles sister is currently trying to convey. Add to that a deep berry lip that matches her dress and you've got a look that's both retro and current. You likey?

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Vote on all my MTV VMAs polls here!

Beauty Mark It Reminder! A Soulful, Sexy Look

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:00:49 -0700

This weekend I'm gonna check out a "soul night" at a local club. There's something about old soul music that just gets your feet tappin'. Every other Saturday, there's a big soul party in town, and I plan to stay on the scene like a lovin' machine.

For this week's Beauty Mark It challenge, I'd like to know what you think is essential for a '60s soul look. (Think Diana Ross, think French yé-yé singers.) Share your choices by bookmarking items from around the web and tagging them with the phrase Super Soul. I'll feature your favorites here tomorrow.

To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more.

Saks Beauty Place
Sephora
Saffron Rouge
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Amazon.com Beauty
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com

Beauty For Your Sign: Aries

BellaSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:39 -0700

Happy birthday, Aries! This sign is the "baby" of astrology because it kicks off the zodiac, but if you think it could be a docile infant, think again! This is a feisty fire sign, bringing adventure, confidence, and courage wherever an Aries lady goes. Think of Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was drawn to the role of Buffy Summers. Sarah Jessica Parker's entrepreneurial nature has brought her immense success with her fragrances and clothing line. And Mandy Moore captures the essence of this fire sign's versatility by turning Rihanna's "Umbrella" into a smoldering version.

On the other hand, Aries can be a big ol' baby when it comes to getting things their way. And if you're looking for a diva attitude, you'll get it (Mariah Carey, Diana Ross, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, and Fergie are all rams). To find the middle ground between self-esteem and selfishness, Aries should make an effort to ask for opinions - and listen to them, too.

For Aries-specific beauty and shopping suggestions, read more.

What works if you're an Aries: Aries rules the head, so make a statement with your hair. Some Aries women, like Jennifer Garner and Reese Witherspoon, look wonderful in neat, classic hairstyles such as chignons. Others, such as Mariah and Fergie, like to be the first to try a look - so take after them by experimenting with bold makeup and extravagant locks. Either way, red is your signature hue, so don't be shy to wear it. Just remember that a little goes a long way, so pair it with simple neutral beige and champagne colors.

What doesn't: "Granola" style. Even if an Aries is passionate about saving the earth, she's more likely to invest in some paraben-free, organic products (or go with a DIY treatment) than forego pampering altogether.

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Rescue Nails the Bold Color Trend

BellaSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:00:00 -0800

After seeing dark nails for the past few months, I'm excited to see the new color collection from Rescue Beauty Lounge. These four additions ($18 each) are so bright, so bold, that it's like the season's already here.

It looks like Rihanna's yellow nails are sticking around for awhile, so if you're a fan of out-of-the-ordinary color, you might like Yellow Fever. I'm not crazy about Recycle, the green shade, and I'm on the fence with the light violet shade of Purple Haze.

But how beautiful is Chinoise, the red shade? It's inspired by Diana Vreeland, the legendary fashion editor who loved red lacquer on everything. (No, seriously, check out her apartment.) I showed Fab this shade, and she loved it. Wonder if we'll have to share a bottle . . .

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Mickey Lynn Designs Aries Zodiac Pendant Necklace - $95.00	Lipstick Queen Red Saint - $18.00
Origins Ginger Rush™ Intensely hydrating body cream - $32.50	Eyelet headband - $24.50
Sequined Headband - $4.80	BURN LIQUID - Blood Orange Neroli Hand Wash - 14 oz. - $24.00
GapBody mini hand cream - $4.50	Sonia Kashuk® Lip and Cheek Tint - Sheer Bliss 05 - $7.99
Sarah Jessica Parker Liquid Satin - $65.00	Astrological Body Wash - $16.00
Lippmann Collection Nail Color, Sarah Smile created with Sarah Jessica Parker - $16.00