BellaSugar

Would You Use Playboy Beauty?

BellaSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:00:32 -0800

''All women are Bunnies,'' Gloria Steinem wrote after her stint working at New York's Playboy club, ''but it doesn't have to be that way.'' Maybe not, but Playboy Beauty is going strong more than a year after it launched. The makeup line aims to allow "women to embrace their inner Playmate and release the 'centerfold' that’s hidden beneath."

The collection contains lip gloss, eye shadow duos, shimmer powder, and other essentials - none of which have been tested on animals, unless you count Bunnies as animals. (Har har.) So now that the line has been out for a while, would you use Playboy products, or does it skeeve you out?

Make-You-Laugh Makeup: The Morning After

BellaSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:00:01 -0700

As we all know, makeup can really be fun. I love it when designers create humorous or sarcastic names to go along with their products-why not, right? A couple of months ago, I posted about funny face makeup names and most recently, on my journey through stores and websites searching for blue makeup, I stumbled across some pretty clever names for cosmetics that have to do with regret. I thought I'd share some of them with you. And of course, if you have any funny names of your own, please comment below!

Remember Too Faced Drunk Dial Liquid Eyeliner from the other day? If you thought that was bad, how about Playboy Beauty Blush in Tie Me To The Bedpost ($17.50). Oh, the things we say in the wee hours of the night.

The color of this sheer shimmer blush looks the same on your skin as it does in the packaging. It is made from triple-milled powders which leaves skin looking velvety-soft. Now you won't be able to tell if the makeup or your dirty talk is making you blush!

For two more risque morning-after makeup names, read more

Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick in Skinny Dip ($16) is a soft and smooth formula that will make you feel sexy and wild....wild enough to go skinny dipping, that is!

The lipstick is pretty sheer and the color is buildable, so you can keep adding more to create a deeper color. And don't forget to look on the inside of the box-each lipstick contains a hidden "beauty fortune" inside!

Ramy Beauty Therapy Powder Blush in Bitch Slap! ($19). Contrary to its naughty name, this sheer blush gives your skin a very girly and innocent natural flush.

So even if you've acted out in a passionate rage, at least you can look like a cherub the morning after. This blush brightens, contours and can also double as an eyeshadow. Now that's fierce!

Ooh La La Liquid Lipsticks, Part I

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 05:00:11 -0700

Yesterday I told you about Laura Mercier Stickgloss, which is packaged like lipstick but wears like a gloss. These liquid lipsticks are the opposite: On your lips, they have the opaque finish of a lipstick, but they go on like lip gloss - without all the gooey-ness. Welcome to Part I of my two-part series on liquid lipsticks. I think you'll find that they're silky smooth and last much longer than glosses.

Liquid Lipstick by Bloom ($22) has a creamy texture with lots of shine. This moisturizing lip color has a cool twisty feature that releases just a enough color to coat your lips. The lipstick is scented with vanilla and orange and is available in six shades: Jasmine (tangerine), Daisy (champagne), Lily (taupe), Rose (shimmery plum), Blossom (shimmer pink), and Iris (bronze).

For two more liquid lipsticks, read more

The shiny and smooth Playboy Beauty Liquid Lipstick ($16) has richer pigment than a gloss and a smoother finish than a traditional lipstick. It's available in six sexy shades with cute cocktail-inspired names: Red Manhattan (sheer red), Bikini Martini (light pink), A Little Bubbly (light peach), Amaretto Tease (taupe-plum), Grenadine Dream (violet), and Shot Girl (nude).

The Liquid Lipstick by Kevyn Aucoin Beauty ($27) is an update of the brand's pigment-rich lipstick. This liquid version has all the benefits of full coverage but with more shine. It is formulated with jojoba oil, shea butter, and aloe vera and comes in five gorgeous shades: Aquarouge (deep red), Aurelia (dusty pink), Dollphine (brownish pink), Ondine (cherry red), or Reyna (peach).

Spring Lip Glosses, Part V: Juicy Reds

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 09:50:22 -0700

Welcome to the final installation of my five part series on Spring lip glosses! This final segment features juicy red lip glosses! Bright and sexy sheer red shades are a big beauty trend this Spring. Here are three of my favorite red hot, juicy red lip glosses:

TheBalm Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss in Bing My Cherry, $14, is a new lip gloss formulated with folic acid, menthol, vitamin C, and maxi-lip to taste, smell and feel smooth on your smackers!

This sexy sheer red gloss adds fullness to your lips in a cumulative fashion. After consistent use after 30 days, your lips will look luscious. Available in 18 shades.

For more juicy red spring lip glosses, read more

Liquid Luxe Lipstick in Red Manhattan by Playboy Beauty, $16, is a two in one lip color that combines the shine of a gloss with the coverage and wear of a lipstick. It is high in pigment to make this the most opaque of the three glosses, but the extra shine in the formula also makes it the smoothest and shiniest. Available in six colors.

Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss #5, $27, is a golden copper color that goes on a sheer, sparkling orangey-red. This packaging of this gloss alone makes you feel sexy and special.

The gloss forms a mirror-effect on your lips. It is formulated with mother-of-pearl (to add high shine) and nigelle and cameline oils (for nourishing). Did I also mention how awesome this smells? Available in eleven shades.

Brand-New Brand: Playboy Beauty

FabSugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:57:36 -0800

Now you too can look like a sexy centerfold thanks to Hef's latest Playboy brand launch Playboy Beauty. These luxurious, long wearing, "stay the night," formulas are provocative, fresh and wearable. They are for the beauty consumer who doesn't want to pay sky high prices.

The packaging alone is worth checking out. Everything is dressed in black magic lucite with hot pink logos. Some of the products are also adorned with an adorable pale gold bunny head - the classic Playboy icon. We know you'll love the catchy names just as much as we do. Get yourself geared up for Valentine's Day with these fun and flirty cosmetics. When you are getting ready for your big date, bring out the inner pin up girl in you.

Try some lip gloss to get you In The Mood, $18, for love. Then when he opens the door, you'll knock his socks off At First Blush, $16.50, with your shimmering and light weight powder blusher. Your body will look soft and luscious too, accented with a touch of Velvet Body Balm, $24.

Hopefully, by evening's end, you'll get to do some kissing with your new super high shine Kissing Lip Gloss, $18.

There is no Hidden Agenda, $18, on this date, so don't cover up your feelings and be shy, show him that you want to be his February Calendar Girl, 14! Have fun with this new daring makeup line! Read more about new makeup alerts here.

Lovely Links

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:00:44 -0800

Sofia Coppola's Miss Dior Cherie commercial - Fashionologie
Three weird hair innovations - Lemondrop
Playboy fragrance, coming to a Kmart near you - Stylelist
Hot new beauty ingredient: Baby foreskins - Product Fiend
A Q&A with Dior perfumer François Demachy - ShinyGloss
ANTM's Jays get a spinoff show of their own! - Jezebel
The latest looks from Blush are all about '40s beauty

See the Big Beauty Trends of Fashion Week

BellaSugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:03:59 -0700

New York Fashion Week brought a gaggle of front row sightings, a couple emerging trends, and a whole lot of sleep-deprived nights. I have a couple more trends and tricks to share with you, but while I catch up on the ZZZs, you can catch up on this week's most stylish posts.

The look at Anna Sui inspired romantic missives.
Spotted: Gossip Girl hair at Nanette Lepore and a how-to from Jimmy Paul, who masterminded the look.
Charlotte Tilbury spilled a Kate Moss beauty secret at Matthew Williamson.
NARS chief makeup artist Ayako gave the 411 on the beauty inspiration for 3.1 Phillip Lim.
Miss Sixty sexes it up with bouncy hair and vintage Playboy-inspired makeup.
Val Garland gave tips to get the sooty black eyeliner at Hervé Legér.
Rodarte was wonderfully weird.
Proenza Schouler looked back to wartime for its hair and makeup.
Twinkle's look is totally wearable.
It's Revlon makeup at Diane von Furstenberg.
Karen Walker's models had boyish charm.
Alexander Wang was sweaty rather than sweet.
LL and Samantha headed to Charlotte Ronson.
Nicole Miller offered plum hues on the runway.
Julie Haus's show was pretty and wearable.
Newcomer Lorick had lots of looks in one presentation.

Bella Interview: Nadine Haobsh, The Conclusion

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:30:53 -0700

Welcome to the final part of my interview with Nadine Haobsh, the beauty blogger whose book Beauty Confidential just hit bookstores. We've already chatted about the growth of beauty blogs and the secrets of magazine editors. Now we're talking about the best drugstore products and that ever-controversial injection, Botox. Read on:

Are there any drugstore brands that you think do things well?
Yes! I am in love with anything and everything Neutrogena and actively choose their skincare products over things you can find at Saks and Barneys. The only cleanser I love in the world more than Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash is the Shu Uemura High Performance Cleansing Wash, and that's mostly because it's just fun to use. I will probably be using Oil-Free Acne Wash for the next three decades. I have some new Armani, Lancome, Avon, Kiehl's and Origins sitting unused in my cabinet right now because I can't give up my Neutrogena. Olay Regenerist is the best anti-aging product you can find without heading to your dermatologist, and that includes the $300 creams you'll find at Neiman Marcus. Oh, and Clean & Clear Persagel and Oil-Absorbing Sheets are worth their weight in gold; better than anything ten times the price.

For Nadine's opinion on Botox, and on whether caring about beauty is shallow, read more

What's your take on Botox?
I am a fan of Botox, and have no problem with it! Botox for all! I know it's very PC to bash cosmetic enhancements, but I think if you have healthy self-esteem and only a few things you would objectively look better with fixing, why *not* address them? I've had Botox; I inherited a frown-line between my eyebrows from my mother that's been there since my early twenties, and I finally went to the dermatologist for an injection this summer. It took two seconds, didn't hurt, and made a world of difference in my appearance. Why is a reasonable amount of Botox different from getting your hair highlighted? Neither is natural, but both can be done in a moderate, understated way that genuinely makes you look better! I think we as a culture are way too judgmental about others' beauty choices. If it makes you happy, hey, it's your face!

What do you say to people who are concerned that we're trying to achieve perfection with cosmetic procedures?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of face-lifts and mirror-obsession later. If you realize in your twenties that, yes, someday you will age, you can start taking proactive steps now. That means sunscreen everyday, antioxidants and retinol, a gentle eye cream, and if necessary, Botox to stop lines from becoming deeper later.

I say, again, we are all way too concered with what our neighbor, that pretty girl down the street and celebrity X are doing. We all have our own genes, our own imperfections and our own beautiful features, and comparing yourself to somebody else or trying to acheive some false societal standard of what's "beautiful" will only result in heartache. All you can do is make the most of what you have, and love yourself. Being assembly-line, Playboy-approved "beautiful" is uninteresting, because it's not unique.

And making the most of what you have can include wearing makeup, exercising, highlighting your hair, or getting injections. I'm not advocating living a crunchy-granola life of no makeup, grey hair and organic everything. But don't bring in a picture of a celebrity to a doctor and say, "I want to look like her!" You look like you...so let's figure out a way to learn tips, tricks and find products to be the best version of you.

Some people will say that being interested in makeup, beauty, hair and so forth is shallow. (Obviously, I'm not "some people.") How do you respond?
I say that beauty is not rocket science. It's not disease prevention. It's not counterterrorism. But it's an aspect of life that makes our days more pleasant, puts a spring in your step and helps bring a little harmony to the world. We all have two realities: the very harsh fact that we live in a difficult and scary time. If you spend too much time examining that, your entire outlook can quickly turn dark. And no, in that context, beauty doesn't matter a whit. The other reality is more prosaic; your day-to-day existence: going to work, interacting with your friends and lovers, buying food at the grocery store, having a job interview. In that still-very-real social context, impressions matter, and people are visually influenced by your surroundings. If you're heading to a job interview, it absolutely matters how you look!

And none of the pleasant things in life really "matter": art, music, wine, film, sports, who cares? But a world where Sufjan Stevens doesn't exist, there is no pinot noir, I've never seen The Sound of Music, Red Sox fans have never experienced a World Series win, and we can't walk out of a salon rocking a brand new sex-kitten haircut and highlights? I don't want to live in that world. If enjoying those things is shallow, I'm shallow.

Photo: George Bogart

Bella Donna: Marilyn Monroe

BellaSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:43:03 -0700

Without Marilyn Monroe, there would be no Gwen Stefani. No Christina Aguilera. And certainly no Madonna. It's nearly impossible to overstate the influence that this week's Bella Donna has had on ideas of beauty and glamour. Think of platinum-blonde hair, red lips and a beauty mark... and you think of Marilyn.

One of the reasons Marilyn is so iconic is that she represents both the benefits and pitfalls of fame and glamour. Born Norma Jean Mortenson in 1926, she was shuttled between foster homes as a child before marrying at age 16. While working at a factory, she was spotted by a photographer who helped her start her modeling career. Soon after, she lightened her hair and had her nose slimmed. At age 20, she changed her name to Marilyn Monroe, and after a few bit parts, her movie career began to take off.

To learn more about Marilyn and to see a photo gallery, read more

Marilyn was certainly on top of the A-List of her day, and although her appearance on the inaugural issue of Playboy may have made her more famous, it was her comedic timing that drew the praise of critics. She was hilarious in a series of "dumb blonde" roles, but unfortunately, people confused Marilyn with her characters. She was largely considered merely a dimwitted sexpot, but away from the cameras, she had an intellectual side. She studied Kierkegaard and Goethe, studied with acting coach Lee Strasbourg, and was vocal about her support for racial equality. But Marilyn's story, as I'm sure you know, doesn't end on a happy note. She was married and divorced three times, she suffered from depression, and she became addicted to pills. She died at age 36 of an overdose in 1962.

Marilyn fascinates me not just because she's such a beauty icon, but because of her sadness and vulnerability. She once called herself a "failure as a woman," saying:

I'm a failure as a woman. My men expect so much of me, because of the image they've made of me - and that I've made of myself - as a sex symbol. They expect bells to ring and whistles to whistle, but my anatomy is the same as any other woman's and I can't live up to it.

Browse these photos and I think you'll see that in the midst of Marilyn's beauty and glamour, there was a vulnerability to her. I think that's why she's so intriguing-interpreting her femininity is more complex than you might think.

View 11 Photos ›

Source

Bella Donna: Debbie Harry

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:56:40 -0700

I'm holding myself from bursting out with some bad "Rapture" rappin', because this week's Bella Donna is the fabulous Debbie Harry. Of course, you probably know her better as Blondie, the name of her band that nonetheless has become her nickname. One of the 20th century's iconic blondes, her '70s platinum hair was punky but accessible-much like her band's music.

Before leaping to fame as Blondie's lead singer, Debbie was a waitress, a dancer and even a Playboy Bunny. But as the front of Blondie, she lept to fame with hits such as "One Way or Another," "The Tide is High," and "Heart of Glass." To see a photo gallery of Ms. Harry, read more

As Debbie has aged, she has admitted to having plastic surgery. According to Starpulse, she recently said:

"Everybody knows that I've had plastic surgery. I did it for business reasons. You photograph better, and looks are a key part of being an entertainer, so I felt it was something I had to do. All sorts of horrific things happen in life. Why make it worse by worrying about getting older?

Seems like she's cool with having cosmetic surgery, but I have to agree: "Everybody" can tell that she's had it done. Rather than watch her, um, not age, I prefer to reflect on the Debbie Harry of yore, whose natural beauty (well, save for the bottle blonde) made it look as though she could knock a man over just by looking at him.

View 11 Photos ›

Source