BellaSugar

Cut Your Way to the Top With Busy Scissors

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:00:48 PDT

Like the Wii but saddened by its lack of salon-centric games? Then mope no more, my compatriot, for Redken has created Busy Scissors, a new game that "allows consumers to perm, color, shampoo, cut, blow dry, and style hair." You work your way up in the digital salon by helping "unlock each client’s inner potential by finding their unique outward style." The game hasn't hit stores yet, but you can check out the video below for a preview. Do you think you'll be getting busy with this game later, or not so much?

Get Drew Barrymore's Ombré Harper's Bazaar Hair in 3 Easy Steps

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:00:00 PDT

For the October cover of Harper's Bazaar, Redken Creative Consultant Tracey Cunningham gave Drew Barrymore a subtle take on fashionable ombré hair color. Tracey began by applying Redken Color Fusion 7N ($8) to Drew's roots, and then highlighted the length of her hair with Redken Blonde Icing Ammonia-Free Lightener ($45). For a healthy, blended look, Tracey followed with an all-over application of Redken Shades EQ Conditioning Color Gloss ($8).

Note: if you're unable to find Redken products, simply head to the beauty supply store and ask for a neutral dark blond shade for your roots, a gentle lightener for the middle and end pieces, and a gloss to tie it all together.

Photo courtesy Harper's Bazaar

Rachel Roy Goes French, Naturally

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:06:55 PDT

To complement Rachel Roy's French-chic clothing, the hair and makeup had to be sophisticated. "The look is about luminous skin and a non-retro black eye," makeup artist Bobbi Brown said. "It's a very strong black eye that gives a little bit of an edge." After moisturizing skin and applying foundation where needed, she applied her Face Highlighter Pen in Opal to cheeks. Eyes stood out with Black Ink gel liner on the upper lid, a soft dusting of beige Shimmer Brick below the eyes, and Everything mascara. On lips, Bobbi used her brand's lip color in Beige, along with a bit of gloss blotted down.

"It's an effortless updo, but there are a few tricks," lead stylist Bok-Hee explained. To create fullness, she applied Redken Full Frame Mousse 08 to hair before blow-drying it. Then, she pulled hair back into a ponytail, then twisted it into a bun before securing it with bobby pins. To emphasize the tight area underneath the bun, she sprayed Redken Forceful 23 hairspray on hair, then dried hair again to create extra shine.

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Go Backstage At Marc Jacobs With François Nars!

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:42:43 PDT

Backstage at Marc Jacobs, we caught up with beauty dream team François Nars, Guido Palau and Jan Arnold. The NARS founder explained the intense makeup look, while Redken creative consultant Guido talked about the Vogue editor who inspired a hairstyle. CND co-founder Jan also chimed in with the scoop on nails. Watch now!

Marc Jacobs' Runway Look Is Full of Grace

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:08:32 PDT

To find Marc Jacobs' beauty muse for spring, set the wayback machine to the Me Decade. "We were inspired by Angelica Huston in the '70s," lead makeup artist François Nars explained. To create the bold matte lip, he applied his own Pure Matte lipstick in Volga, along with African Queen lip liner and eyeliner pencil in Mambo. The glossy dark green eye was created with Night Porter and Nouveau Monde eye shadows; Celebrate soft touch shadow pencil; and Larger Than Life mascara. On cheeks, models wore Nars' cult-fave blush Orgasm. Notably absent: eyebrows, which were bleached before the show.

Pedicures were done with CND's Bloodline polish - which, we hear, Marc chose as soon as he saw it. For hands, manicurist Elisa Ferri created a natural-looking nail with CND Perfectly Bare nail polish (with a few drops of Super Matte mixed in). Hair, by Guido Palau for Redken, was inspired in part by Vogue editor Grace Coddington. Check back soon for our backstage video report on Marc's beauty look.

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Nontacky, Textured Hair Is Just a Dab of the Fingertips Away

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:00:52 PDT

The Fall 2010 runways were full of both voluminous and textured hair, and as a result we're seeing an onset of products designed to help us achieve pieciness and high-to-the-sky styles. Aveda has you covered on the major hold, and now Redken has you covered on tousled strands.

The brand's Structure Wax 17 Classic Styling Wax ($17) gives lots of separation and hold throughout the day, without the tackiness. If you've ever played the clarinet or had braces (yes and yes for this Bella), you might remember the texture of the wax used in both situations is not sticky or gummy, but instead just plain waxy. That's exactly what you get with the Classic Styling Wax, a straightforward texture with a hint of emollience that provides a hint of shine. As for the aroma, it has a fresh fougère quality about it, with grassy and slightly citrusy notes.

And here's a tip: When applying, warm up the wax on your fingertips to emulsify. Apply the wax on dry hair starting from the back of the hair to the front, focusing the application on just the ends to avoid weighing it down. For even more hold, blast a blow dryer on the ends for a few seconds to set.

The Trick to Getting Shiny, Nonbrassy Blond Like Ali Larter

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:00:00 PDT

Ali Larter's enviable blond highlights take center stage in the August issue of Lucky magazine. And it's thanks to the clever techniques of Redken Creative Consultant For Color, Tracey Cunningham.

To get a similar effect, first have your colorist highlight your hair. Then, ask him or her to tone the lightened portions by using the following formula: equal parts of ammonia-free clear glaze and violet toner. (Tracey used Shades EQ Crystal Clear Glaze with 09V Platinum Ice.) These formulations combined will not only help lock in shine and counterbalance unwanted orange or yellow hues, but are gentle on hair that's just been bleached.

Fall 2010 Milan Fashion Week: Prada

BellaSugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:00:36 PST

During the 1960s, hairstyles were a true art form. For Prada's Fall 2010 runway show in Milan, stylist Guido Palau brought the essence of the era back to the catwalk, as models walked the runway wearing perfectly coiffured chignons. "The look at Prada was all about classic French hairdressing done with a very chic uptown look with a nod to the '60s - a modern take on a classic, sophisticated look." he said. While it might not be a look you'd go for every day, it's definitely a striking style for a cocktail party or formal event, and we've got the complete how-to at the link below.

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Find out how to re-create the look when you read more.

2010 Fall New York Fashion Week: Alexander Wang

BellaSugar — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:10:44 PST

When you're one of the hot names in fashion, you can lure people out to the boondocks of Manhattan - and if anybody grumbled, I didn't hear it. Before Alexander Wang's show, the backstage was filled with the big names in modeling (Natalia! Agyness! Freja! Anja!) and a faint whiff of hair spray in the air.
To find out what went into the creation of the Alexander Wang look and see more photos, keep reading.

Could Mousse From a Jar Really Work?

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:00:00 PST

Most of the time, when I think mousse, I think foam in a can that gives my hair lots of volume. But a little while back, I found Redken Aerate 08 Bodifying Cream Mousse ($13.59) and thought, "Hmm . . . mousse in a jar? Really?" If such a wild invention were to work, it would make the product more portable (take that, TSA), rid us of the need for aerosol cans (yay!), and make application a lot more precise.

So is this cream the beginning of a mousse revolution? Well, yes and no. To find out what the pros and cons are, just read more.