BellaSugar

The Look For Less: A Blush and Bronzer Duo

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:00:34 PST

The buzz around Nars Orgasm blush is huge, so much so that Nars has released multiple products based upon the peachy-pink hue. I've had my eye on the blush and bronzer duo ($37), which packages Orgasm with Laguna bronzer. Both are beautiful colors, but until I finish my full-size Orgasm blush, I can't justify buying it.

Then again, one drugstore brand is hoping you'll "cheat" with their lookalike product. To see the look for less,

Eyes Lips Face clearly took a cue from Nars in creating its Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder ($3). While the shades aren't identical, they're pretty close. And at $34 less than the original, it's a recession-busting option for anyone looking for an affordable "O" glow.

FYI: Nordstrom and E.L.F. Aren't a Couple

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:00:32 PDT

Some of you might have received an email alerting you to a partnership between Nordstrom and Eyes Lip Face cosmetics (E.L.F. for short). The message goes something like this: E.L.F. has been featured on Oprah, Nordstrom just bought the line, and they're having a big ol' clearance (all products marked down to a dollar!) to make room for new makeup.

Trouble is, it's not true. Nordstrom has released a statement calling the emails fraudulent:

We have learned that some of our customers received emails from an unauthorized and unknown source regarding the website eyeslipsface.com. We want you to know that Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com are not affiliated with eyeslipsface.com or the E.L.F. product line, nor with any email regarding that website or product line. Nordstrom does not sell E.L.F. products.

For what it's worth, E.L.F. products are only a dollar in the first place. So if you want to shop, have at it - just think twice before you press that forward button in your email.

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

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:00:16 PDT

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.

5 Steps to Your Best Blowout Ever

Allure — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:05:00 PDT

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

It's not every day you get a lesson in blowouts from Alli Webb, founder of the Drybar blowout bars. Rule number one: If you've gotten your blowouts down to 10 minutes, you're doing something wrong. (Sorry!) Webb gave me the rundown on the other most common styling mistakes - and how to get the ultimate results. Get her advice when you read more.

How Not to Destroy Your Marriage

The Good Men Project — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:30:42 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Today, Mark Tyrrell offers eight relationship tools to make your marriage work.

"All marriages are happy. It's the living together afterward that causes all the trouble." - Raymond Hull

So how do you make your marriage work? Or do you just blindly hope it'll take care of itself?

Think of a hot, successful date with someone you’re attracted to. You have fun, great conversation and more sexual chemistry than a warehouse full of pheromones. You don’t have to “work at” the date because it’s self sustaining. It runs as smoothly as the gliding hand of a classical guitar maestro and you can’t wait for another rendition.

Teenage Dating in a Twilight-Hunger Games World

But marriage, or any long term relationship; well that’s a whole other caboodle.

If we’re not careful, marriage can deteriorate into little more than a torturous assault course; littered with routine boredoms, frustrations and resentments. Couple all that with external pressures and sometimes marriage feels not worth the effort. But there are major benefits to being hitched or committed, other than just a beneficial tax regime.

Healthy marriage; healthy people.

Being happily married bestows heaps of health benefits. You might be forgiven for thinking that if you’re married you don’t live longer it just seems like it but, no, a good marriage really can help you clock up more years (1) and married people are happier (2) even though they don’t always look it from the outside.

But when marriage doesn’t work it can feel being manacled to a maniac, marooned with a misogynist or nailed to a nag. And I don’t care what the studies say, that’s not healthy. You may hear couples say stuff like: “We are making our marriage work!” but how do we do this?

Making it work.

We pay lip service to “working on the marriage” but what is the work we need to do? Marriage vows such as “to love and to cherish” and “forsaking all others, for better or for worse” don’t really tell us how to make it work, although they give us a clue.

Fortunately a ton of research has been done on what to do and not do to make your marriage, or any intimate relationship work. Follow the guidelines here to become “good at marriage."

Tip one: Be romantic but keep it real.

We are all (force?) fed romance in movies and novels. The handsome man gets the beautiful woman. But what I wonder is what happens after our romantic couple ride off into the sunset together? What do they do exactly? Bicker? Moan at one another? Start to ignore each other?

After all that romance, our beautiful couple is bound to have massive expectations of their life together. But when rose tinted expectations clash with day to reality, watch out!

Romance is vital in any relationship. Always seeing the best in your partner helps to keep things intimate and love should be expressed. But if you have been raised on Mills and Boon Romance novels or feel-good movies, then your own romantic expectations can work against the sustainability of your long term relationship.

When day to day life fails to live up to the giddy, heady lust-filled days of the pre-settled down romance people can become angry, even blame one another: “This wasn’t what I signed up for." They find it hard to take the rough with the smooth because they never really figured there would be any rough.

Expectations not diluted with at least a dash of realism can be a royal road to relationship ruin. Your partner may be an angel, but they have feet of clay. You must learn to love those feet or at least accept them a bit!

Get the rest after the jump!

5 Ways to Beautify While You Sleep

Jessica Cruel — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:28:00 PDT

Sometimes there isn't enough time in the day to do all the steps in your beauty routine - cleansing, exfoliating, toning, masking, moisturizing, (whew). So why not maximize your schedule and let the products do all the heavy lifting while you snooze? Just add these simple steps and products to your nighttime regimen, and you can wake up one step closer to a more polished look. Discover which overnight treatments are so easy you can do them with your eyes closed when you keep reading

Christine Taylor on Organic Beauty, Her Must Haves, and Nighttime Hair Routine

Jessica Cruel — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

Actress Christine Taylor has signed on to be the spokeswoman for organic skin care line Nourish, and as a vegan and mother, her partnership with the brand seems like kismet. "A lot of times products will say 100 percent natural, but this one actually works," Christine explains. "Every person in my family has different favorites, and it's in every bathroom."

Not only does she love the idea of USDA-certified organic beauty (the fresh fig body butter is her top product in the line), but Christine also has plenty of tricks for getting the best results. "You can use the body butter during the day, but you can also load it on at night and wake up with really smooth skin," she explains. Look for Nourish at Whole Foods, and get more of Christine's beauty tips and advice when you read more.

Your Go-To Guide For Wearing a Nude Lip Look

Jaime Richards — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:40:00 PDT

Struggling to find a nude lipstick shade that matches your skin tone? The trick to wearing a neutral hue is to actually think subtle touches of color in lieu of taking the term "nude" literally. From beige to mocha to sheer washes of pink, a nude-toned lip can be quite flattering, especially when coupled with a smoky eye. Take Rihanna, for instance, who opted for a pretty coffee-colored lipstick paired with dark liner and soft shadow at the 2012 Met Gala. Find out a few tips for going nude, sans the chalky effects, when you read more.

Met Gala: Ginnifer Goodwin

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:34:09 PDT

While most celebs opted for neutral hues tonight, Ginnifer Goodwin stood out from the crowd wearing a cap-sleeve orange Monique Lhuillier creation. The sheer and beading detail up top draws attention to Ginnifer's flawless face, while a slit down below shows off her silver satin pumps. Eye-catching jeweled stud earrings, bronzed eyeshadow, and a neutral lip finish off her flair. What's your verdict on Ginnifer's juicy orange outfit?

Zooey Deschanel on Her Signature Bangs, Her Ultimate Haircut, and DIY Makeup

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:54:00 PDT

Zooey Deschanel, known for her enviably cute strands and love of all things vintage, has just been named Pantene's new celebrity spokeswoman. And starting this August, she'll be representing the brand's rereleased Beautiful Lengths collection. The Beautiful Lengths program encourages women to donate their hair to create wigs for patients undergoing chemotherapy, while the products focus on growing lengthy, healthy hair (perfect for donation). In addition, the beauty brand plans to donate $1 million to the cause this year.

"I was really excited to learn about this program because when women lose their hair a lot of times they lose confidence," Zooey explains. "You can also encourage people to try a new fun short style. If I could cut my hair today I totally would. I love a Louise Brooks bob!" While Zooey won't be reaching for the shears anytime soon, she did offer some beauty advice she's garnered from doing her own styling and makeup on the road with her band, She & Him. To get all her DIY tips and top product picks, read more.