BellaSugar

The Runway Look You'll Want to Wear Again and Again

Jaime Richards — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:16:22 PST

Sometimes it's the simply elegant styles that prove to be the most stunning. And at Tadashi Shoji, the entire beauty palette, from hair to nails to makeup, was the kind that you'll want to wear forever. Click through now to see how you can re-create this timeless style on your own.

Source: Getty

We Put 3 Long-Wear Lip Colors to the Test

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:01:23 PST

Long-lasting lipstick comes in handy for plenty of situations: date nights, birthdays, weddings, and any other time reapplying is a problem. But which ones really stick around as promised? We tried a bevy of long-wear lip colors to see which ones stood the test of time and found three with staying power that will thrill any lipstick lover.

Flawless Valentine's Day Makeup Looks in 5, 20, or 45 Minutes

Jaime Richards — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PST

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to experiment with bolder, brighter makeup looks. But the problem is not always a matter of what kinds of palettes and color combinations to try: it's a matter of how much time there is to actually get it all on. According to celebrity makeup artist Emily Kate Warren (who has worked with stars such as Jennifer Jason Leigh and Abigail Breslin), a quick, flattering makeup look shouldn't take longer than five minutes. So whether you have hot date-night plans or you're heading out on the town with your friends this Valentine's Day, start those stopwatches. Here are Warren's suggestions for getting an easy-peasy five-minute look, along with tips on creating 20- and 45-minute palettes.

To get a speedy, five-minute look . . .
Warren recommends applying a black mascara, a red lip stain (or a matte lipstick tapped on with the fingertips), and a bright, pink-toned blush.

And if you have 20 minutes . . .
Warren suggests applying full foundation, all of the products listed above in the five-minute palette, and highlighter on the cheekbones. You can also try adding a haze of bronze around the lash lines for a warm and glowy finishing touch.

And if you have 45 minutes . . .
Apply all of the above, plus half-lash strips, along with a black liner on top to conceal the lash bands. And for that extra pop of color? "A full-on red lip could work, as well."

You'll Heart Bobbi Brown's Exclusive Fashion Week Palette

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:02:00 PST

Bobbi Brown has her heart in the right place this Fashion Week. Not only has her company long supported coronary disease awareness group The Heart Truth, but this year she's coming out with a limited-edition Heart Truth palette ($25), as well. We love the message, the tagline (Listen to Your Heart), and the fact that for a reasonable price you get three eye shadows, two lip colors, and a goes-with-everything gloss. Bobbi Brown will also be sponsoring The Heart Truth's celebrity-studded Red Dress Fashion Show, which will take place at the beginning of NYFW, on Feb. 8. So look out for the show, and be sure to give the palette a once-over before it sells out.

4 Bright, On-Trend Makeup Shades to Try Right Now

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:02:08 PST

We're seeing neon colors dominate the fashion world, but these bright, bold shades aren't limited to clothing. Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman (who has also been guest blogging on BellaSugar) recently shared his advice on how to work vivid hues into your makeup routine. But he has a few more things to add: his top favorite shades for getting the look are listed below.

Colored mascara: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Royal Blue ($4). "Apply after your usual mascara, but just to tips," Brett advises. "It's perfect for lunch with friends. In the light, your lashes will get a flash of color."
Liquid liner: Wet 'n Wild Mega Liner in Turquoise ($3). "Do you makeup as per usual, and add just the thinnest line along the top of the lashes," Brett explains. "When you blink or look down it's a beautiful surprise!"
Gloss: Estée Lauder Lip Gelee in Electric Violet ($20). "Everyone looks amazing in this shade," says Brett. "It's packed with pigment but in a very sheer, wearable formula. Pair it with an all-cream outfit to give it a little edge."
Nail polish: OPI in Fly ($9). "If you want to try it without a full commitment," Brett says of this polish from OPI's Nicki Minaj collection, "do it on your toes and see what feedback you get."

Meet Alicia Sacramone, Olympic Beauty

BellaSugar — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:02:50 PST

The 2012 London Olympics kick off on July 27, but the US team members are already in game mode. We caught up with gymnast Alicia Sacramone, Team USA's vault expert, to find out what it's like to be a professional gymnast day to day. "A lot of people think we’re younger than we are because we’re in spandex and we’re little," Alicia says. "So all the time people are like, 'How old are you? Are you 14, 15?' And I’m like, 'I’m 24.'"

When it comes to the makeup gymnasts are known for, the shades aren't a spur-of-the-moment decision, and not every beauty product is welcome. "We’re not allowed to have colored nail polish when we’re competing," Alicia told us. As for color palettes, "It’s kind of a process," she admits. "You pick out your leotard and your warm-up suit a couple months in advance. Then I base my makeup off that." Typically, the P&G Beauty spokes-athlete can be seen wearing the brand's makeup, especially their lip gloss and stain, on the mat. "I try to have my eye shadows matching my leotard," Alicia adds. "That's one of the big things."

Now There's Hope For Your Favorite Discontinued Makeup Shades

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:37:17 PST

If you adored a Bobbi Brown makeup shade that got discontinued, here's some excellent news. On Feb. 1, the makeup brand is launching its Bobbi Brings Back campaign on Facebook. Fans are getting the chance to revive their favorite discontinued shades; lip color is the first product they're bringing back, but soon the campaign will also tackle blush, eye shadow, and other "hero" products.

"It's important to me that I'm always listening to my fans," Brown says. "This is an opportunity for me to show my Facebook followers that I appreciate all of their support over the years and thank them. We're bringing back classic Bobbi Brown lip colors solely based on what the fans want." Voting closes on Feb. 29, and the lip colors with the most votes will be available this Fall. They'll only be for sale to Bobbi Brown Facebook fans, though, so if you want to get your hands on them, you'll have to like their page.

The Drugstore Secret to Sofia Vergara's Perfect Pout

Miriam Lacey — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:57:54 PST

If you love Sofia Vergara's lip color, you'll be happy to know that her makeup artist, Kayleen McAdams, tweeted all the colors she used - and they're available right at the drugstore. McAdams blended several shades to create Sofia's. Her base coat was CoverGirl Lip Perfection in Eternal ($7), and then to create the perfect color, she topped that with CoverGirl Blast Flipstick in Vixen ($9). This isn't the first time Sofia's worn Eternal, either; McAdams has tweeted about using it on the actress before, so clearly Ms. Vergara is a fan of the shade. For $7, you might well become one, too.

What We're Sweet On: A Just-the-Right-Fit Kit

Annie Tomlin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:47:43 PST

If complexion perfection is your obsession, Make Up For Ever's HD Complexion Starter Kit ($79) is calling your name. The Sephora-exclusive set packages the brand's oil-free primer, invisible finishing powder, a kabuki brush, and one Invisible Cover Foundation - in the shade that suits you, of course. (There are 26, so there's something to match every skin tone.) This satin-finish foundation has earned a fervent cult following for its ability to cover imperfections without looking masklike, and it's particularly good at making blemishes seem to disappear. Not everyone can have flawless skin, but with the right tools, just about anyone can fake it.

Re-Create Emma Stone's Sultry Eye Makeup Look

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:02:00 PST

Emma Stone wowed everyone at the Golden Globes, donning a purple and fuchsia Lanvin gown that she accentuated with a sexy, metallic cat-eye and soft rose lips. We loved the look so much that we invited makeup artist Rachel Goodwin (who created Emma's red-carpet palette for the evening) to our studios to show us how to get this sultry style at home. So watch now to learn how you can make this gorgeous look your own on your next big night out.