BellaSugar

Beauty Gift Ideas For Last-Minute Shoppers

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:02:12 -0800

It's getting down to the wire on holiday shopping and maybe you've been procrastinating. (I know nothing of procrastination! NOTHING!)

We all know we can go the gift card route, whether it's drugstore, department store, or of the beauty emporium type. But in a last-minute jam, I also rely on a few standbys to prevent any shop-'til-you-drop moments: Purchase empty compacts (or bottles, à la Prescriptives) along with a gift certificate so your loved one can fill with colors of their choice. Or think about customizing, whether it's with their initials/monogrammed or color palettes selected specifically to fit their features. Of course, you could just go all out and give a palette with colors galore. Check out my widget below to get the ideas rolling, and be sure to check out all of our Holiday Gift Guides for more inspiration.

Three Lip Balms For Mistletoe Moments

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:01:08 -0800

In case you've imbibed in one too many of Grandma's rum balls or eggnog and you get caught under the mistletoe, here are some fun lip balms that will make any makeout session all the more interesting. One thing's for sure: The person on the receiving end will get something more than just a boozy smooch.

Count down the 12 days of Christmas with this cute set. Not Soap, Radio's 12 Days of Christmas Lip-Stravanganza ($24.00) is packaged up in a FAA-approved bag with two each of following: brown sugar lip scrub, day and light lip treatment, matte gloss, clear gloss, hazelnut cocoa butter lip balm, breath mint lip balm. Yum. (If you celebrate Hanukkah, check out the 8 Days of Luscious Lips set ($18).
The classic Tchaikovsky ballet inspired this environmentally friendly trio. Anti-body's Nutcracker Sweet Collectible Lip Balm Set ($7.95) includes: Strawberry (Clara), Chocolate Hazelnut (Nutcracker), and Plum (Sugar Plum Fairy). Better yet? The do-good company helps create sustainable jobs for workers in developing countries.
I've been rather impressed with Wet N Wild these days and these little lip cuties are no exception. Packed with peppermint oil (hello, fresh breath), Wet N Wild Mint Infusions Lip Tint SPF 15 ($5.99) provide a cooling sensation with a hint of color, and come available in Crystal Mint, Cherry Mint, and Berry Mint.

Gift Ideas For Your Emo Amiga

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:00:03 -0800

You probably have a friend who is super emo - you know, the gal who cries at phone commercials and gets all welled up at the drop of a hat. So be gentle to your sensitive pal and treat her to some. . . what else? Sensitive-themed products.

No doubt, she'll become overwhelmed with emotion from your touching gift(s). Check out my widget below for some inspiration, like (of course) care package gifts, along with a few luxe items thrown in, too. While you're at it, don't forget to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Holiday Gifts to Calm (or Caffeinate) Your Co-Workers

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:45:39 -0800

When it comes to shopping for your co-workers, bath and body products always seem to do the trick. From relaxing and soothing to energizing and invigorating, I've got suggestions with varying price points that will help calm or caffeinate the folks that are so much a part of your daily life. While you're at it, don't forget to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Beauty Gifts For Your Fit Friend

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:02:56 -0800

Here's a dose of recession realism: There are things we need that we'll buy ourselves and there are things we want that we won't. When times get tight, the things we need kinda become the things we want. So, for the latest installment of our Holiday Gift Guide let's treat our sporty pal whose biggest splurge is that gym membership.

Next time you're at her house, check out what products she uses (not in a creepy way). Then, pick a pretty beauty bag (this Kate Spade splurge is on sale for $52) for her gym locker and stock with her fave drugstore deodorant, travel toothbrush and paste, shower cap, and possibly some of her fave makeup. She may not treat herself to a spare set of her essentials, but you can.

Pick one special item, like two- or three-in-one products as a treat, and mix it up with elastics and headbands to keep her hair out of her face. After all, it truly is the thought that counts, right? Right.

Beauty Gifts For Your Frazzled Friend

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:00:52 -0800

You probably have that friend. You know, the one who can barely hold a conversation without fidgeting around. The girl who has zero openings on her professional and social calendar, and tries to multitask no less than ten different things at once. Or is it you that's burning the candle at both ends?

So, for the stresses that the holiday season can bring, make your friend (or yourself) take a chill pill. Yeah, it's good to keep busy, but in the immortal words of Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax! Oh, and don't forget to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.
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A Do-It-Yourself Holiday Gift: Pillbox Lip Palette

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:39 -0800

What's bigger than a breadbox - er, pillbox? Why, a pillbox filled with some awesome lipstick shades - all chosen by you, of course. If you're on a budget for the holidays, why not go the route of DIY by making friends and family their own lipstick palettes?

Here's what you'll need:

A pillbox - Try this festive green Inventures Product Pill Box ($4.99) or head over to your local drugstore to seek out varieties that cost even less.
Inexpensive lipsticks - Seven or more, depending on how customized you want to get and how many palettes you want to gift. Pick a few neutral colors and some bold or unexpected ones, too. I recommend NYC lipsticks or Wet 'n' Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks ($1.16). Try to choose colors that fit your friend's own unique personality and shades that correspond with days of the week. Saturday deserves a bold red, don't you think?
A cutting object - A butter knife will do.
A microwave - To melt the lipsticks down.

To see how to make 'em, read more.

First, lop off your chosen shade and drop it in whichever slot you'd like. You'll probably be able to get two to three uses per lipstick, so eyeball accordingly. Fill in each slot with a different color. When you're done, it's time to nuke it - in about 10-second increments. The point is for the lipstick shades to settle into their new space by molding to the shape of the pill box. No bubbling liquid hot magma, mmkay?

While your loved ones can always use their fingers to dip into their new treat, consider tying a lip brush to the box, too. Also, if you're not feeling the whole "days of the week" theme, try decorating the pill box with stickers, and have some fun!

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Give the Three Original Christmas Gifts: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:00:39 -0800

OK, so you may not be a wise man - but if you're a wise woman, you might want to consider taking inspiration from the nativity story. Why not take a literal approach to gift giving this holiday season and present someone with gold, frankincense, and myrrh? These beauty gifts let you do just that - and with some items ringing up for less than $20, you don't need to be a king to afford it.

Beautiful Goodies to Treat Teens and Tweens

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:11 -0800

Ah, to be young again! Thinking back on my own childhood, I remember being all-too-attached to my Lip Smackers collection . . . I thought I was so cool.

Nowadays, I'm surprised by the glosses I see school-aged girls pull out of their bags on my way to work – they grow up so fast! If your favorite little sis still has a penchant for Disney movies (we won't tell), but is a touch too cool for just any old balm, this retro set of Snow White containers does the trick. There's one for every locker, pocket, and backpack so she's not bugging Mom when it goes missing.

What other fun finds will have teens and tweens bragging about you when school's back in session? Check them out in the widget below!

That's Rich: 18 Jaw-Droppingly Posh Luxury Beauty Gifts

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:00:12 -0800

Recession? What recession? Judging by the high-end prezzies available from luxury retailers, you wouldn't think that we're facing the worst economy in decades. (Perhaps in an alternate universe, we're not.) Thousand-dollar perfumes and creams may not be flying off the shelves, but that doesn't mean we can't have a look. For most of us, these items are eye-poppingly pricey - but if you happen to have a billionaire buddy who's itching to play Santa, it couldn't hurt to pass this link along...

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