BellaSugar

Narciso Rodriguez Gives Us a Dirty Take on a Smoky Eye

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Is there ever a case when a smudgy under eye actually looks OK? If the technique is left in the hands of famed makeup artist and Shiseido’s artistic director, Dick Page, then the answer is yes. At Narcisco Rodriguez's show, the models wore smudged eye makeup with minimal foundation. It was a look reminiscent of the popular smoky eye, but with the emphasis on warm, bronzy tones and a next-day quality. By pairing with a contrasting cool, flat mauve lip, the look was spared from a strung-out effect. To create a slightly glossy finish and a wet base, Page used a fluffy brush to apply makeup remover around the eyes. Next, he blended Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color ($25 each) in Squirrel and Cavern, and applied all along the eyes, into the lash lines. To finish these "dirty looking eyes," he extended the color up into the lids. Most impressive? It's a completely mascara- and liner-free look. I can handle that.

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Coming Soon: Narciso Rodriguez Shares His Essence

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:58:37 -0800

In 2003, designer Narciso Rodriguez successfully launched his gorgeous first fragrance collection, For Her Eau de Toilette ($40 to $87), a seductive, great-for-evening kind of scent. And this Spring, Rodriguez is about to get a little more demure with Essence Eaux de Parfum Collection ($33 to $100), a new fragrance line that also will include a body lotion, shower gel, and deodorant spray.

“Essence is very sexy but has that crisp, clean, pure quality of sunlight,” Rodriguez told WWD. This sunny floral, powdery musk will contain notes of rose, iris powder, benzoin balm, and of course, musk - his signature touch. “I love [musk] so much for its beautiful qualities, its rawness and its sensuality,” said Rodriguez.

Speaking of that sensuality, the rounded and mirrorlike bottle is futuristic looking with an intriguing, "I want to touch that" quality. Want to try out some Essence? Look for Rodriguez's creation in the US on March 1 (with a global introduction in April), where it's set to launch for a seven-month exclusive at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Photo courtesy of WWD

Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2010 Makeup Gallery

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:11:58 -0700

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Love It or Hate It? Jessica Alba Amplifies the Glamour

BellaSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:00:49 -0700

Looks like motherhood is treating Jessica Alba very well. Although we've seen Jessica wear dramatic makeup before, this is the first time in a while that she's looked so Sophia Loren-style glamorous. Guess when you have a front-row seat to the Narciso Rodriguez show and are next to other famous ladies, you go all-out. Do you like this change of pace for Jessica, or do you prefer her more low-key looks instead?

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Which Lipstick Shade Do You Prefer on Jessica Alba?

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:01:16 -0700

Jessica Alba has been out and about a lot more since Fashion Week, and now that she's back to blond hair, she's going for a whole bunch of new looks. A little while back at a Clinton Foundation gala, she wore a pretty, glossed-up coral to complement her dress, but at the Narciso Rodriguez show last week, she was all austerity in a barely there nude lip. And last night, at a Taia Peace Foundation fundraiser, she had a perfectly pouted berry-stained lip. They're all pretty looks, but which one do you think is the most flattering on her?

Saks and Neiman Marcus Square Off For Best Beauty Deal

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:00:34 -0800

It's gift-with-purchase time again at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, and both luxury retailers are vying for your beauty dollars by offering goodie bags. Both have their perks, but which store deserves your browsing time? To see a stupendous chart with all the details, read more.

The goods	Saks Fifth Avenue	Neiman Marcus	Advantage
Swag bag	Sixties-style floral cotton bag in three colors.	Patent pleather tote in three colors.	Neiman Marcus. Saks' bag is beachy and fun, but Neiman's is more versatile.
Minimum purchase	$75	$100. Spend $1,000 and get $100 back.	Saks. Besides, who's buying $1,000 of cosmetics these days?
Samples from...	Kiehl's, Clarins, Sisley Paris, Narciso Rodriguez Essence	La Mer, Clé de Peau, Dior, Molton Brown	Saks, who snagged the new Narciso Rodriguez scent first.
Other deals	Samples when you shop from La Mer and Jo Malone.	Tons of gifts with purchase	Neiman Marcus, no question about it.

So which one is better? That depends. If you aren't looking to spend too much money, Saks gives you goodies for a smaller minimum purchase. But if you're ready to whip out your wallet, you can score more samples with Neiman Marcus.

Lovely Links

BellaSugar — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:01:14 -0800

Re-create Ginnifer and Amanda's Big Love premiere looks – Spoiled Pretty
"Ba'Rock' Star Treatment" and other DC deals for the inauguration – Allure
First glimpse at the ad campaign for Narciso Rodriguez's latest fragrance – Fashionista
This conditioner is so good you can drink it up (literally) – Lucky

Lady GaGa is all tied up - FabSugarUK
Ed Hardy likes his women to smell like fake strawberry? – The Moment
Bobbi Brights equals big bargain – Beauty Snob
How-to blush for beginners – Makeup and Beauty Blog

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Lovely Links, 8/21

BellaSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:00:38 -0700

Coco Chanel bad? It can't be! The Cut reveals why.
Get a few double-duty beauty tips from InStyle.
Break away from the gray - Beauty Snob's got the way.
What's the price to be acne free? Jezebel explores.
If you love makeup and chocolate, Makeup and Beauty Blog has the answer.
Cheers to babyassface for drinking aging away.
The Beauty Brains on the bewitching benefits of witch hazel. Hello, my pretties.
Now Smell This does the math: How long will this fragrance collection last?

Beauty Counter takes a peek at Derek Lam's dopp kit for Kiehl's.
Styledash has the details on Narciso Rodriguez's forthcoming second scent.

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Who Do You Wear Perfume For?

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 06:00:47 -0700

Lately I can't get enough of Narciso Rodriguez For Her. The perfume was released in 2003, but it took five years for me to realize how well it envelops musk with flowers. Love it. But when I brought a sample home, Mr. Bella complained that it smelled like an ex-girlfriend of his. Even worse, he (incorrectly!) grouses that it's an "old-lady scent."

I disagree with his opinion of the perfume, and while I don't wear it when we're on a romantic date, I still plan to buy a bottle to wear elsewhere. This whole situation has me wondering: When you choose a perfume, who do you have in mind? Yourself? Your dates? A certain occasion? Or is it something else completely?

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The Best Department Stores For Finding Fragrance Samples

BellaSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:00:50 -0700

If you're an indecisive sniffer, or if you just want to wear perfumes for a while before buying them, samples are your best friend. A sample allows you to live with a scent for a while, and I think that's the only way to go. Unfortunately, though, samples are not always easy to come by - but if you go to the right places, you'll have the opportunity to try before you buy, as they say. Keep in mind, though, that this isn't a free-for-all; it's best to ask for samples of only the scents that interest you, and even then, I don't ask for more than two at a time.

Without a doubt, the best places to find a sample are Sephora and Nordstrom. Both are happy to provide carded samples if they're available. And if they're not, a clerk will decant a perfume into a small vial for you. This is how I was able to explore YSL Elle for a week before figuring out that I didn't love it. And it's also why I'll be going back to Sephora to buy Narciso Rodriguez for Her.

For more of my findings, read more.
After Sephora and Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's was the next friendliest. When I asked for a vial of Agent Provocateur, a clerk gladly produced one and showed me other scents I might like. Sadly, I was unable to get any samples at Macy's, even after a few visits. Neiman Marcus provided a couple of samples, as did Saks. Unfortunately, I don't live near a Sears or JC Penney, so perhaps some of you can weigh in on whether you can obtain a sample there. (By the way, the image used here is of If, which I tried yesterday. It wasn't for me, but - hey, if you're interested - Apothia offers samples through the mail for $5.)