BellaSugar

Halloween How-To: Jem

BellaSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:00:16 -0700

If you want to look truly outrageous this Halloween, we've got some great tips from MAC makeup artists Louise Zizzo and Sarah Dean, who transformed us into a glam-rock version of the '80s cartoon. Check out this video for tips on how to achieve this look, along with specific color suggestions from Zizzo and Dean when you read more.

Complexion:

Start off with a matte foundation in a shade lighter than you'd normally wear for a cartoonish effect. Dean used Studio Fix Foundation in NC15 ($26). Blend well around the neck. When finished with entire makeup, set with Blot Powder ($21).

Eyes:

Outline - Zizzo used a Brow Finisher pencil ($15) to create the triangular shape outlining the eye area.
Fill in - Using a vibrant pink shade, Zizzo applied Chromacake in Pink Vivid inside the lines. If you are unable to locate this professional product, try alternative pink shades - Sushi Flower Eyeshadow ($14.50) or Powder Blush in Fleur Power ($18).

Lips:

Use a concealer to tone down the natural lip color. Apply a bold shade of pink like Lipstick in Pink Nouveau ($14).

Bellissima! Face & Body Mixing Medium

BellaSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:00:22 -0800

During my brief, but chock full 'o informational interview with MAC Pro makeup artist James Molloy, last weekend at the IMATS he told me about an awesome professional product from MAC Pro called Face & Body Mixing Medium. This is the same formula as MAC's most popular milky and semi-opaque liquid foundation, however, this version doesn't contain any pigment.

It provides the skin with sheer and even coverage and is a great way to help you mimic the look of natural skin because of its satin sheen sans-shimmer finish. I didn't even know a product like this existed.

You can also use it alone, add it to any luminizer, or use it to thin out liquid foundations. James said it is often used to create hydrated, dewy looks and is a product commonly found backstage during fashion shows. Don't you just love learning secrets from the pros!

Meet James Molloy: Makeup Artist From MAC Pro

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:02:59 -0800

Yesterday I told you all about my experience at the 2008 IMATS. I briefly mentioned that MAC Cosmetics has its own professional line of makeup called MAC Pro, an extension of MAC that contains high pigment products that aren't necessarily available to the masses - there are 14 MAC Pro boutiques worldwide compared to the hundreds of standard MAC doors. The products have the same price points and the same sizes; however, the colors are different and are typically more vibrant.

I was lucky enough to sneak in a few minutes with James Molloy, a top artist at MAC Pro, for a tour of the booth and a quick interview. He told me that the loose pigments and glitters are the most popular MAC Pro products. We also gabbed about the common makeup mistakes that women make.

James even shared a top secret professional makeup trick with me. To read all about it, read more.

What is the most common mistake women make with makeup?
I see women all the time who are wearing too much base. To me, there is nothing that looks worse.

What is the most commonly overlooked step when applying makeup?
Prepping the skin is key and so many women overlook it. Use a good moisturizer, make sure that your eyes are well hydrated, and always use a primer.

Can you share a makeup trick with me?
Modern makeup is all about fresh skin, so it's also important that skin looks smooth and somewhat shiny. Use a moisturizing concealer and then take a dry fluffy brush to buff it away. People don't realize how versatile a powder brush can be. This trick will make your skin look naturally flawless.

What is your favorite product right now?
Satin foundations, because they create the illusion that you have no makeup on at all. Again, apply it with your fingertips or a sponge and then take a big fluffy brush to blend it into your skin.

Models Get Inked at Rodarte

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

When I first saw the photos from Rodarte's runway show, I couldn't help but be immediately drawn to the swirly, geometric arm tattoos worn by the models on the runway. It was a little bit Xena: Warrior Princess and Kat Von D combined. Fab was on the fence about the clothing, inspired by California condors, but as for that well-thought-out tribalesque arm makeup, I was definitely impressed. MAC Senior Artist Chantel Miller, who designed the look, was influenced by the Māori people, an indigenous group in New Zealand. "The idea for the tattoos stemmed from [designers] Kate and Laura’s desire to celebrate makeup as art not only for the face, but also for the body in a similar way that Indian culture uses henna. They want women to look at makeup as an accessory for an outfit the way you would a bracelet or a necklace," said Miller.

View 5 Photos ›

To find out more about the tattoos, just keep reading.

Get the Look: Pleasing Purples at Vena Cava

BellaSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Yesterday's Vena Cava show featured neutral-toned clothing, with pops of bold orange thrown in for good measure. But, it was the purple lips that had me mesmerized, and so far, it's been one of my favorite looks at 2010 Spring Fashion Week. The tone remains edgy, but completely wearable, particularly when paired with MAC Coquette Eye Shadow ($14.50), a muted grayish-taupe shade that makeup artist LLoyd Simmonds used to create this look. "The collection is inspired by the graphic wall murals of the Ndebele tribe in South Africa, with a Maude Labowski take on styling, so we created a bold, graphic lip in violet," he said. To mimic the flattering shade, Simmonds blended Pro Lipmix in white, burgundy, red, and blue to create a matte, opaque, violet lip. But, you could get a similar, simplified look by blotting MAC Lipstick in Rebel ($14).

View 5 Photos ›

Trend Alert: Orange Cheeks For Spring

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:01:02 -0700

When you imagine orange on the face you might cringe a little, thinking of unflattering Oompa-Loompa-like effects. But you might be surprised that orange blush can give a flattering sun-kissed look that's fresh, not gaudy. Seeing that many designers featured the shade during 2009 Spring New York Fashion Week, I predicted that orange blush would be a trend during the upcoming warmer months.

Makeup artists used MAC Pro Color Base in Devilish Orange at Nanette Lepore and Carlos Miele, and I've got some great color suggestions in my widget below. Tip: Use creamy orange lipstick as a blush substitute.

Spring Mode Makeup Defining Cheek Palette - $38.00	CARGO BeachBlush™- Coral Beach - $26.00
Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipcolor - $5.19	Neutrogena healthy skin Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush,Healthy - $12.49
NP Set Lipstick - Boston Cream Ginger - $15.00	Rimmel London Mousse Blush - $6.90
IMAN Luxury Blushing Powder,Sand Medium - $12.99	Ulta Minerals Blush - $12.00

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Kelly Osbourne's Lips Are Bright and Brilliant

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:20:34 -0800

Hard to believe that Kelly Osbourne used to come off like a foul-mouthed brat, isn't it? At last night's party for Flaunt magazine, the 24-year-old looked more like a punk debutante than an angsty teenager. While her hair may no longer be shocking pink, she still wears the hue with confidence on her lips. The exact color is MAC lipstick Show Orchid, a shade available only at MAC Pro stores. The key to pulling off a bold hue like this one? Stick with lipstick, not gloss, and keep the rest of your makeup simple. Cool.

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Backstage Beauty: LAMB

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:00:45 -0700

Well, reactions to Gwen's LAMB fashion show have been mixed. Fab and most of you loved it, but Cathy Horyn at the New York Times called it "ditzville." (Maybe it's a generation gap?) Anyway, I can say that the makeup looked great. It definitely felt like something Gwen would like, and the smoky eye was soft and pretty enough that anyone can wear it.

Once again, I have the scoop on all of the products used in the show, so read more

Face: The face was sprayed with M∙A∙C Fix Plus to prepare the skin for application and makeup. For sheer coverage, M∙A∙C Studio Moisture Fix and M∙A∙C Face and Body Foundation was applied.

Eyes: Eyes were the focus and inspiration for this look. To create a dramatic, stretched out eye, M∙A∙C Matte² Eye Shadow in Blanc Type was applied all over the lid as a base. In the crease, grays and blue shades were blended; M∙A∙C Matte² Eye Shadow in Prussian, M∙A∙C Matte² Eye Shadow in Typographic, M∙A∙C Matte² Eye Shadow Soot and M∙A∙C Eye Shadow in Fade. Eyes were lined carefully with M∙A∙C Kohl Eye Pencil in Smolder. M∙A∙C Fluidline in Blacktrack was used to wing out the eye, stretching it up and out, while following bone structure. For thick lashes, one full strip of M∙A∙C Pro #6 lashes were applied to lash line and extra half strip of M∙A∙C Pro #6 lashes on the outer corners of eyes.

Lips: M∙A∙C Crème Color Base for Lips in Fawntastic was applied with a patting motion using finger.

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Proenza Schouler Gets Their Wartime On

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:31:31 -0700

Backstage at Proenza Schouler, war was on everyone's mind. No, not in a political way - this is Fashion Week, after all - but in an aesthetic way. "The inspiration was how women looked so glamorous during wartime, when they were working in the factories but still had their red lipstick on," said makeup artist Diane Kendal. "It’s a very modern approach; it’s not an obvious translation of Rosie the Riveter."

To bring forth a bold red lip, she blended MAC Red lipstick, set it with powder, dusted Red MAC Pro pigment on top, then topped it off with Red Electric MAC Pro pigment to give it that neon pink punch.

View 5 Photos ›

For the details on getting the gorgeous hairstyles on the runway, read more.
The hairstyles also took inspiration from the past, but in different ways. Some models wore their hair parted to the far side, letting long matte waves fall in front of their eyes; others had shiny, slicked-back, short styles. "We looked to 1920s glamour for the long-haired girls, and late 1970s disco for the short-haired girls," explained stylist Omar Lopez. To create the long-haired look, the hair team sectioned off hair, then used the ghd IV mini styler to create waves. A spritz of ghd Sea Spray created a matte effect, and then stylists used metal clips around the face to set the curl. Turns out that using a little retro technique can create a look that's thoroughly modern overall.

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Follow MAC at Fashion Week!

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:01:37 -0700

Of all the makeup brands working backstage at Fashion Week, MAC is by far the most prevalent. This year, its artists will be working on shows such as Rodarte, Rebecca Taylor, Zac Posen, and Karen Walker - and this year, you can practically be there.

MAC Pro team will be Twittering - basically, microblogging - about their backstage experiences. Senior artists Gordon Espinet, Terry Barber, and Vanessa Rozan will all share their behind-the-scenes take on shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris. Want to get in on the action? MAC's Facebook page will have a widget with all of the updates, and of course, I'll be keeping you posted on everything I see, too!