BellaSugar

Reader Review of the Day: E.L.F. Mineral Eye Shadow

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:00:11 -0800

A few days ago I mentioned the bargain priced, cruelty-free cosmetics brand E.L.F.. So, while I was perusing the product review site in search of stellar reviews, I was happy to come across ImmaDiva's opinion on the brand's Mineral Eye Shadow in Mysterious ($3.00). Here's what she had to say about her experience with this shadow:

The quality, shimmer, and color of this is identical to Bare Minerals, and it's at a fraction of the cost. E.L.F. is so cheap and I couldn't believe how long this lasted on my eyes. I used E.L.F. cream shadow as a base and the mineral shadow clung to it all day. And the color payoff was rich! I was pleasantly surprised.

Would you like to see your opinion right here? Just go to our product review site and review to your heart's delight. You could be featured on this daily post.

More Bang For Your Buck, e.l.f. Is Cruelty-Free, Too

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:00:30 -0800

I know eyeliner belongs on my face and not on bunnies or kitties, but it's not always easy to decipher which beauty products aren't tested on animals. Love PETA or hate it, you've got to hand it to the group for its annual Proggy Awards, which highlights animal-friendly people and companies. This year's winner of the cosmetic category is New York-based e.l.f.

Short for "eyes, lips, face," it not only stands out in my mind for their animal-friendly achievements, but also because most products cost just $1 . . . and no, I didn't forget any zeros. Sold at major retailers like Kmart and Wal-Mart, you can check out its selection of brushes, makeup, and more online. The brushes get rave reviews from readers, and since they're animal-friendly, I feel OK using them on my face, too.

User Review: Allyd on E.L.F. Brushes

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:00:16 -0700

You probably know that along with sunscreen, makeup brushes are high on my list of must-haves. If you're new to makeup brushes, check out my guide to different types. And if you're on a budget, you'll definitely want to read this user review from Allyd. While searching for a new foundation brush, she saw E.L.F.'s $1 version. Though she was skeptical, she bought it-and I'll let her take it away from here:

I have to say I was absolutely thrilled at the quality...so much so, in fact, that I've since purchased the total face brush, defining eye brush, and brow comb and brush, and I'm loving them all! The bristles are all smooth and have just the right firmness and since the first use, the brushes haven't lost a single bristle. The handles are a perfect size for my hands and don't get slippery. (Am I officially gushing?)

So for less than the cost of a peppermint latte, I've replaced all my "go-to" brushes, and my makeup presentation is definitely better for it. I'd recommend them for anyone, no matter what your budget is...but if you're pinching pennies, these brushes are a must-have!

Allyd's review has definitely piqued my interest. Share your product reviews
in the Beauty Product Junkies group, and I might post yours on BellaSugar too.

Bella Bargain: Half Off at Eyes Lips Face

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:23:34 -0700

How would you like to get eight lip glosses for just four bucks? Maximumblonde tipped off the Beauty Product Junkies group about this crazy deal from ELF (Eyes Lips Face) cosmetics. Are you ready? Try to contain yourself. With a special code, you can take 50% off all of the line's products. And since the prices are already dirt cheap-such as this lip gloss, which is normally only a dollar-it's worth stocking up! Just enter code CAROLINA as you check out. Happy shopping!

How-To: Mary-Kate Olsen's Low-Key Glamour

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:59:59 -0700

Aww, Mary-Kate! I'm so happy to see how happy and healthy she looked at the Television Critics Association press conference for the new season of Weeds. And I think this pink lipstick makes the most of her features. To find out how to get MK's look, from eyes to nail polish, read more

FACE: After moisturizing skin, apply a small amount of a luminizing lotion (such as Smashbox Artificial Light) to cheeks and temples. If your skin is fantastic already, go on to the next step. The rest of us can use a tinted moisturizer or mineral makeup to create an evenly-complexioned look.
CHEEKS:Dot a small amount of a medium pink cream blush on the apples of cheeks. You want to put this over the area where you applied the luminizing lotion, which will add a glow to the color.
EYES:Even though you can't see Mary-Kate's eyelids, I'd wager that she's wearing a tawny shimmer eye shadow. With her eyelashes and eyeliner so bold, she needs to balance with more subdued colors. I like the new Stila Mandarin Mist palette, which you could use to gently sweep tones of brown across your lids. Follow by outlining the corner of your eye with a white pencil like Benefit's Mr. Frosty. Line eyes with a brownish-black eyeliner, starting narrow near your inner eye and getting thicker as you move toward the outer corner of your eye. Finish with a generous coat of black mascara such as Dior Diorshow Black Out mascara.
LIPS: Look for a light mauve lipstick with a creamy-to-matte finish. I like Nars' Velvet Matte lip pencil because it's easier to control than a traditional lipstick, and it goes on smoothly.
NAILS: Mary-Kate went with a bold orangey-red, but she was smart to keep her nails on the short side. I found this shade from OPI, Don't Socra-Tease Me. Great pun, great color.

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Beauty Marked! Lip Gloss With Sun Protection

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:55:36 -0700

Summer days are coming soon, so to get your lips primed, I asked you all to spend last week Beauty Marking good lip glosses with sun protection. (To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.)

I'm always pleasantly surprised when I find lip glosses with sunscreen, and I knew that you guys would find a lot of great options that I didn't know about. You can see all of the SPF lip gloss Beauty Marks here, or check out my reader favorites below.

Beauty Mark #1: Kiehl's Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15 ($8.50), found by Precious p, YumSugar, and Katiey424, who says the subtle, shiny color is "easy to throw in my bag - won't melt like Chapstick. Perfect for the summer!"

Beauty Mark #2: E.L.F. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 ($1), found by Hulachic and Lovealways, who says: "Lip gloss and spf 15 for only $1.00. What more could you want?"

Two more SPF glosses, so read more

Beauty Mark #3: Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy SPF 15 ($16), found by Lilxmissxmolly. This antioxidant-rich gloss sounds like it works on many levels, and I love the packaging.

Beauty Mark #4: Neutrogena Moisture MoistureShine Tinted Lip Balm ($6.59), found by Chatoyante, who explains: "It's not in the traditional squeezy lip gloss tube, but it goes on glossy and has a nice SPF level."

Fabulous Beauty Look-A-Likes, Part III

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 13:11:25 -0800

Since my first and second look-a-likes posts were such big hits with all of you Fab fans, here is a third installment of fabulous beauty look-a-likes. Feast your eyes on three more copycat beauty products inspired by designer cosmetic brands for a fraction of the cost.

Lorac Portable Paints, $40, look a lot like Sally Girl Eye Shadow Connecting Compacts, 99 cents. They both have interlocking systems allowing you to freely mix and match your multitude of makeup colors depending on your mood. These come in eye shadows and blushes perfect for personalization. The only catch is that you can't buy Sally Girl products online - call your local Sally Beauty Supply Store to see if they carry these compacts, or call (940) 297-4643 to find a Sally Store nearest you.

Two more, so read more

Alison Raffaele Inner Glow, $25, and e.l.f. All Over Color Stick, $1, are translucent, multi-purpose color sticks for your eyes, lips and face. They provide a healthy glow so moist it will look like you are radiating from within. These condition and moisturize and will not clog your pores. The color lasts all day, yet will wash off easily with soap and water. To apply, just glide onto the apples of your cheeks and blend outward. You glow, girl!

Shiseido Eyeliner Pencil Duo, $21, and Cosmetic Cosmo's Dual Color Eyeliner and Definer Snow White/Very Black $11.50, are strangely similar. Both are super skinny dual eyeliner pencils that define and brighten. One side is black to create a smoky line of color right at your lashes making them appear fuller and darker, and one side is white to enhance your own special eye color. Apply this part to the inner corners of your eye to instantly lighten. Both glide on smoothly and are long lasting. Enjoy.

Spring Lip Glosses, Part I: Lovely Lilacs

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:24:33 -0700

Welcome to part one of this five part series on Spring lip glosses! Lilacs, light violets and luscious purples are a hot beauty trend that have been seen on the runways and all over the cosmetics counters for Spring! Here are three of my favorites:

Victoria's Secret Very Sexy® Lip Gloss in Ripened, $12, is a long lasting, ultra sexy and shiny color-rich gloss that adds illustrious shine to your lips without that gooey sticky feeling. This soft and sexy color looks great alone or is perfect over any soft purple or neutral colored lipstick.

Laura Mercier Lip Gloss in Violet Glace, $20, is an all time favorite of mine. I wear it over her Amethyst Lipstick and it never fails me.

This gloss glides on smoothly and evenly and it feels very hydrating on your mouth since it contains Vitamin E, Lanolin and mineral oil. It is sheer enough to be worn alone, but also perfect for layering.

For one more lilac lip gloss drugstore brand, read more

e.l.f. Hypershine Gloss in Joy, $1, is a soft and subtle color. This is a super shiny gloss infused with micro-mirror technology to reflect light. It has a delicious scent to it as well as a fun twist-and-click feature that brings the gloss to the applicator. Best of all, this gloss is a real bang for your buck!

New Beauty Product: Felt Tip Lip Glosses

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 05:27:33 -0800

Felt tip lip glosses are the latest innovation for lips. They have intense hydrating agents in them as well as deep pigment for full coverage. They glide on smoothly and actually have more of a lipstick feel than a gloss and are easily spreadable. Just twist the bottom of the tube until you see color coming through the small holes in the head and apply.

Color Release Lip Gloss by Take 5 Cosmetics, $12.95, is a ceramide enriched gloss that defines, shines and plumps! This one-step lip color is packaged in a sleek looking long silver tube. The felt tip helps to alleviate smearing and aids in smooth application. The result is long lasting color atop fuller looking lips! Available in 17 colors.

For one more felt tip lip gloss, read more

e.l.f. New Moisture Care Lip Color, $1, is a natural looking lip color that moisturizes so intensely it is categorized as lip therapy! It goes on true to color and will stay on for hours without caking or drying. It takes about 20 or so twists to get it going the first time around, but then you are good to go. Available in nine colors.

Look Sexy With the Bat of an Eye

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 07:14:44 -0800

Bat those lashes and make him swoon baby! Every gal dreams of having thick lush lashes, but we all aren't born that lucky. And although there are tons of lash building mascaras on the market to help plump and volumize, sometimes you've just got to fake it to attain those lush and sexy bedroom eyes. These lash kits are easy to use, virtually mess free and the results are bellissima!

e.l.f. Professional Lash Kit, $1, is a false lash extension kit that can help you create gorgeous lashes any night of the week! Application is a cinch and the comfort grip gel allows you to gain multiple uses from your lashes. You can choose from either a natural kit or a dramatic kit. Have fun!

For more fun and flirty lash kits, read more

Girls Night Out - False Eyelashes Kit by Alcone Beauty, $38, makes getting ready a group effort. This kit is all you need for dead sexy eye makeup for a night out with the gals. The kit comes with: a preo eyelash curler, false eyelashes, duo eyelash adhesive, a sable eyeliner brush, black cake eyeliner, a lash comb and step-by-step instructions for easy application.

You can order the kit based upon the number of peeps in your pre-party that night. A kit for one to four girls is $38.00, a kit for five to 10 girls is $53.00 and a kit for eleven to sixteen girls is $68.00. Let's get this party started!

Deluxe Lash Kit in Black by Sephora, $18, is a solution to limp, lackluster lashes. It's so easy to use, you can even put them on with one hand. The contoured application tool provides a fool proof way to secure the lashes and they are also easily removable using the same tool. The kit includes one set of lashes and glue. Available only in black.