BellaSugar

Fragrance Review: Christina Aguilera Inspire

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:00:22 -0700

This isn't Christina Aguilera's first venture into the fragrance world. It isn't even her second. Aside from dabbling in the European fragrance market for the past several years, her fruity, vanilla-esque perfume aptly named, Christina Aguilera made its stateside debut last fall.

Created to inspire you to take a stance and be self-confident, Christina's newest addition - Inspire - celebrates femininity and encourages you to release your sexy side from within. Never been one to shy away from bold, adventuresome looks herself, this new fragrance is surprisingly quite mellow.

Overall, Inspire is pleasant, pretty, and classic. A fairly standard floral blend of rose and freesia provides dainty characteristics, while notes of mango and citrus give just the slightest whisper of sweetness. Sandalwood and musky notes round it out for softened edge.

The bottle and packaging is rather cool, too - influenced by the classic and modern, just like Christina herself. If you like light floral scents without too much complexity, this one's for you. Inspire is definitely wearable - just not all that distinctive.

Patrick Dempsey Talks to Us About His Latest Scent

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:36 -0800

When Patrick Dempsey launched his first scent, Unscripted, late last year, I have to admit I was skeptical of another celebrity fragrance hitting the market. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the subtle, clean scent, and even Mr. Bella - whose idea of a fun night out involves climbing mountains and camping in the woods sans showers - is a fan.

Patrick has been bitten by the fragrance bug once again. The launch of his latest scent, Patrick Dempsey 2 ($30), pays tribute to the intimacy between two people. (That's his wife in the ad campaign.) Expect to see at least two more fragrance launches from Patrick in the future, but in the meantime, check out my one-on-one interview (sigh) with the sexy actor when you read more.

Shop Bella's Fall Getup

FabSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:22 -0800

Now that you've seen Fab's Fall look, the beautiful Bella's outfit was inspired by a famous bombshell. Can you guess who? She's bodacious, she's got the most coveted lips in Hollywood, and she's married to a hottie with a hog - moto hog, that is. She wore a little navy polka-dot frock not too long ago . . . be sure to shop her flirty look on CelebStyle.

Here's Bella's Fall 'fit rundown:

Steven Alan Soma Dress ($330)
The blue is sold out, so here's an alternative: Vera Wang Lavender Label Navy Polka Dot Dress ($246, originally $276)
Topshop Hoops and Metal Studs ($18)
Christian Louboutin Glittered Platform Pump ($775)
Stila Cosmetics Convertible Color ($25)
NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick, Catfight ($25)

Stay tuned for rundowns of all the Sugar girls' new Fall outfits!

You Can Polish Your Jewelry - Literally

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00:39 -0800

Do you love nail polish? Do you love jewelry? Well then, wouldn't it be something if the two combined to join forces? That's just what Tracey of GingerKittyDesigns has crafted up on her Etsy store. By the way, I am beginning to dig Etsy more and more each day. Where else can you find quirky New Moon-inspired beauty goods or denture soap? From necklaces made with Essie's popular Starry, Starry Night, an opaque blue with silvery glitter within, to drop earrings to custom pendants made with the shade of your choice, Tracey has lots of options for the nail polish-obsessed gal. What do you think? Do these polished pendants nail it?

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How-To: Alicia Keys's AMAs Makeup

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:00:03 -0800

Most of you loved Alicia's makeup at the AMAs last night, so to help you get her gorgeous blue shadow and pink lip, I got the lowdown from her stylist, Ashunta Sheriff. "Alicia's look was inspired by her hand-beaded gown, which was various shades of blue," she says. "The look was pretty, regal, and sexy." To get a step-by-step on how Ashunta created the look, just read more.

BellaTV: A Skincare Tip Straight From the Cullens

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:21 -0800

This week BellaTV brings you an easy-to-remember beauty tip inspired by those sparkling Cullens. We talk to beauty experts Allan Avendaño and Mary Klimek who countdown the hottest Twilight red-carpet moments from the cast's leading ladies. And then, celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg shows you how to get updated Hollywood-glam look, inspired by Ashley Greene. Watch now!

20 Fan-Made Twilight Beauty Items You've Got to See to Believe

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00:04 -0800

Sure, there's already an official Twilight makeup collection. But when it comes to Twilight-inspired creativity, there's nothing like fan-created handmade beauty goods. I've used my werewolf-like powers to sniff out 20 of the cutest, wildest, - and in one case, X-rated - soaps, candles, and perfumes inspired by the saga of Bella and Edward. Whether you're a huge fan or you're so over the vamp craze, there's something here to make you crack a smile. Trust.

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Caribbean Queens: Island-Inspired Summer Palettes

BellaSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 08:07:32 -0700

Just the thought of being swept away for a beach getaway this Summer fills me with warm and fuzzy feelings. Blue skies, pristine white sands, beautiful people, and an excuse to buy some new makeup! It seems island life is inspiring some pretty groovy palettes, too. Here's a look at three new island-inspired products.

Caribbean Crush Face Palette by LORAC ($30) is a limited-edition face palette with colors for your eyes and cheeks. Inside you'll find a coral-colored blush, neutral bronzer, cream highlighter, and three metallic eye shadows in Island, Dune, and Beachwood.

For two more island-inspired makeup palettes, read more

Eye Shadow Palette in Ibiza by Cargo ($28) contains five sparkling, neutral-toned eye shadows in Matte Beige, Golden Bronze, Gold Shimmer, Camel, and Matte Milk Chocolate. These shadows have a soft, velvety feel, so they are easy to blend.

The Quickie Chronicles: The Tropical Tease by Too Faced ($25) is a sultry, shimmering palette of cocoa colors and pinks. Inside you'll find a bronzer, three eye shadows, four lip glosses, and double-ended applicator.

Link Time!

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:59:19 -0800

Rachel Roy reveals her must-have beauty items - Beauty Blitz
Leighton Meester takes a makeup risk - FabSugar UK
An Oz-inspired nail polish collection. (Oz as in Dorothy, not prison drama.) - Temptalia
Lady Gaga's makeup inspiration might blow your mind - Stylelist
A list of the top 10 most "valuable" models - The Cut
Men in ponytails are neither ponies nor tails. Discuss. - Glamour
Do blondes have more fun? Ask Emma Roberts. - People Style Watch
Two ways to get super-shiny hair - Beauty Snob
Lime Crime makeup is causing major dramz - Afrobella
How to get gorgeous retro hair - Lemondrop

Best of Bella

BellaSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:03:34 -0800

The 15 greatest America's Next Top Model photo shoots.
Going gamine: 28 famous looks to inspire you.
Five tips to get Kristen Stewart's New Moon shine.
Nine bobby pins that won't bore you.
Seven ways to mend a broken heart . . . with beauty.
Is the Blake the new Rachel?
Stylist James Corbett gives us all the new hair color trends.
Genki desu ka? It's more Guess the Japanese Beauty Invention!
15 unusual and fun manicure ideas.
Check out these beauty bargains!

Photo courtesy of The CW