BellaSugar

Break-Up Makeup, Part I: Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:16:46 -0700

Break-ups are bad news, but they can also be a good excuse to give yourself a makeover, pamper yourself, and come out of the whole ordeal looking fabulous. And lately, I've noticed a number of cosmetics companies making break-up themed makeup to help you along.

So I bring you Part I of my Break-Up Makeup series, which today features a few kitschy nail lacquers to help you polish away your pain. (Thanks to Kiss and Makeup for the tip.) Now stop your whining and pamper yourself with a nice little mani/pedi.

The Essie Starting Over Collection ($7 per bottle) includes six pink and red shades with super-cute and highly appropriate names: E-nuff is E-nuff, Starter Wife, Wife Goes On, My Way, Pinking Up the Pieces, and Red-y-Set Ex.

For two more break-up inspired polish collections, read more

This Lippman Collection I Will Survive Ultimate Treatment Set ($24) is a trio of products that help restore weak, splitting, cracking, and thin nails. The kit includes a 2 Second Nail Primer, a Rehydrating Base Coat, and the super-glossy On A Clear Day Top Coat.

Orly Divorcee Collection ($19.14) is a group of six Spring colors with hysterically cynical names such as Pawn the Ring, It's Not Me It's You, See Yah, Take Him to the Cleaners, One Night Stand, and my personal favorite, 50/50.

Bellissima! Sunscreen for Nails by Orly

BellaSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:12:33 -0700

Ever notice how your nail polish sometimes turns an icky shade of yellow after a day at the beach? That's because the combination of nail polish plus sunscreen plus ultraviolet rays causes your nail color to oxidize. So keep the regular sunscreen away from your manicure and try this Sunscreen for Nails by Orly ($7).

A must-have for protecting your precious polish, this clear topcoat is made from a light-absorbent formula that keeps your nails from yellowing. It has an intense high shine to it and will ensure that your manicure stays the shade you love.

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Wedding Nails: The Quintessential French Manicure

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:12:22 -0700

The French manicure has a regal connotation to it that represents class, elegance and a sense of high quality grooming. Having said that, plenty of people today feel that the French manicure is out of style and would even consider it cheesy. Whichever way you decide to go, I still think the French manicure is the quintessential way to paint your nails for your wedding day. It's soft, understated and shows that you pay attention to detail.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the French manicure, I have pictured it here for you. A white stripe is painted to the tops of the nails (I prefer a soft, square cut nail with a thin stripe) and then a sheer, pale pink or beige toned polish is applied on top. Here are a few French manicure kits to choose from.

Bourjois French Manicure Kit, $20, is a three piece French manicure kit. It includes a curved brush designed especially to create the most perfect and even white nail tips, a light pink polish which is so sheer that you can apply one or two coats depending on your taste, and a clear topcoat to ensure shine and protection to your manicure. In no time you'll look like you just waltzed right off the Parisian runways!

For two more D.I.Y. French manicure kits, read more

Sally Hansen French Manicure Kit, $6, includes a really cool feature. Inside are a set of stickers for you to apply to your nails so that you can create professional looking, no mess white tips. Once you apply the tips, peel off the stickers and then apply the soft colored nail polish on top. The kit also includes a topcoat and super clear and easy instructions.

Orly French Manicure Kit, $6, will give you a very natural looking manicure! This kit includes a polish, a base coat, white tips (you can choose from two different styles; straight or half moon) and a quick drying topcoat. Available in four different sheer shades.

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All the New Moon You Need

BellaSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

You might have noticed that at Sugar HQ, it's New Moon galore, and so that you can get your fill of Twilight mania, too, I've rounded up six of our most fun, informative posts on the subject. It's all here, whether you want to look like Bella to impress your own Edward, covet Ashley Greene's gorgeous hair and makeup, are interested in a few awesome Twihard tattoos, or just want to see how Twi-mad people on Etsy have gone. Take a look and get in the spirit.

Get Bella Swan's Simply Beautiful Look	13 Twihards Tell Tales of Their Fan Tattoos	20 Fan-Made Twilight Beauty Items
Re-Create Kristen Stewart's 15 Coolest Looks	Re-Create 15 of Ashley Greene's Best Red Carpet Looks	Twilight Fever Reaches the Grooming Aisle

Battle Royale: Baths or Showers?

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:43 -0800

Quick: what's better, baths or showers? Yeah, I know we tend to take more showers when we're in a hurry, and baths when we need a soak, but most of us have a secret (or not so secret) favorite. I love a good bath now and again, but I'm definitely a shower girl at heart. For me, the constant stream of warm water is one of life's greatest pleasures. What about you? Are you a shower enthusiast like me, or do you daydream about long, luxurious tub time?

Do You Have Hair . . . There? You're Not Alone

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:43 -0800

I remember the first time I found a few hairs on my nipples. That's right, I admit it. I had already been dealing with a few errant hairs that had been popping up on on my chin, upper lip, and sometimes even "sideburns," so when I found a few hairs on my boobs, I wasn't all that surprised - although I can't say that I was all too pleased, either. Do you have hairs on your nipples? You're not alone. To check out the stats, just keep reading.

Can You Guess Her Natural Hair Color?

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:23 -0800

Hair color is a celebrity's best friend. Along with makeup, it's one of the simplest ways to transform a look. But when it comes to Hollywood hair, do you know what your favorite stars really have going on under all that hair color and/or bleach? You're about to find out.

Take the quiz

Do You Buy Store-Brand Beauty Products?

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

I love oil-blotting sheets, so I always keep one packet at work and another in my purse. They're so useful for soaking up the pool of oil that collects on my face by early afternoon. Plus, there's something weirdly delightful about seeing the blotchy oil on the sheet. (Or is that just me?)

I first tried the Clean & Clear variety years ago, and they're great. But they're a dollar more than the CVS brand version, which works just as well. They seem identical, and both are made in Japan, so I happily go no-name on this purchase to save a dollar. In general, do you buy store-brand items, or do you prefer the "real" thing?

How to Apply Blush on Square Faces

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:48 -0800

Having a square face can be hard - you've got such gorgeous bone structure, but almost none of the application techniques commonly taught play up your features while softening any hard angles you might have. Square girls like Jessica Simpson have stylists on hand to help them, and you deserve assistance, too. So for my how-to, read on.

Do You Backcomb Your Hair?

BellaSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:00:19 -0800

Back in my junior high years, backcombing was a very close personal friend of mine. How else was I to achieve claw bang perfection? Whether you call it teasing, ratting, or backbrushing, backcoming helps create volume, hide thin spots, and/or provides a base for updos. It can be extreme - think Lady Gaga - or it can be smooth and tame, like Jackie O. I particularly love teasing my locks when I'm headed out for a night of fun. What about you?