BellaSugar

Presto Chango Cheeks!

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 07:23:33 -0800

Remember those clear mood lip glosses from your pre-teen years that changed color when you put them on? These blushes have been developed based on a similar premise. They start off as clear gels and once applied to your cheeks they adjust according to your specific skin tone - how fab!

Smashbox O-Glow, $26, is formulated to change color on your face to the same natural tone as when you blush. Wow, talk about a natural look!

It takes just seconds for its chemistry to work. When applied, the moisture on your skin activates the Goji Berry-C Complex™ ingredient and your circulation gets going. This results in a fresh looking flush that lasts all day long. This gel blush is waterproof, fragrance free and won't irritate your skin.

For one more presto chango cheek product, read more

Almay Smart Shade Makeup, $14, is a foundation based on the same principle as the gel blush. It starts off as a whitish/grey color and it contains color beads that are activated when they are rubbed into your skin.

It is a lightweight, nourishing formula that contains SPF 15, aloe, Vitamin E, anti-oxidants, grape seed extract, ginseng and ginkgo biloba extract, It helps to even out your skin tone as well as complement your skin.

It looks best on skin that normally calls for a honey or tan foundation. It is hypoallergenic and won't clog pores. Just apply with fingertips and blend smoothly onto your cheeks. Available in three shades: light, light/medium and medium

Tuesday Giveaway! Smashbox O-Glow

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Want to stay up on the latest looks? You're in luck: We're pairing with our friends from Sephora to bring you tips, tricks, trends and a giveaway every day!

One of my favorite trends right now is the supernatural look - it's like you, just better. Make cheeks the focus with blush that looks lit from within. Smashbox O-Glow, a clear gel brush, turns cheeks the exact color you naturally flush.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, August 7, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to angelthelson, who won yesterday's giveaway for a Dior Diorissime palette!

New Product Alert: Smashbox O-Gloss

BellaSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:00:40 -0800

O-Gloss ($22) isn't just any new lip gloss, it's a version of Smashbox's hugely popular O-Glow, a gel-cheek color that comes out of the tube with no color at all and then changes into a pinky shade upon contact with your skin. There are several blushers on the market like this right now, but nothing in a gloss, so this is actually pretty cool.

The gloss follows the same principle as the cheek version. When it comes in contact with your skin, it transforms into a bubble-gummy pink hue that's a little bit brighter than the natural color of your lips.

It is made with Goji Berry-C Complex, gingko biloba, marine plankton, pomegranate seed, and avocado oils to give you shine, nourishment, and antioxidant protection.

I've tried O-Glow and if weren't for the fact that I have so much pink in my skin already, I think I really would have given it a go. On lips, though, it might be another story. Do you think you'll try O-Gloss?

Doing Drugstore: Almay Smart Shade Concealer

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:00:09 -0700

Color-changing cosmetics seem to be the big fad these days. Smashbox O-Glow, which changes from a clear gel to a pink cheek stain, gets most of the attention, but Almay is making a sizeable push for its own "Smart Shade" foundations, blushes, and concealers. The concept is pretty simple: The formula is white when it comes out of the tube, but it changes color when rubbed on skin.

Almay claims that it "transforms into your ideal shade," but watch the wording. This doesn't mean that the product magically senses your specific skin color and adjusts accordingly; it means that the end result will be a shade that should complement your skin. Don't be mislead into thinking that the product is that smart. (If such a result were possible, then Almay wouldn't need to make multiple shades, right?)

To find out what I thought of the concealer, read more.

I bought Smart Shade Concealer on sale for $6.99, and it has its pros and cons. On the bright side, the formula has SPF 15 to block those age-accelerating UVA rays. The light texture is easy to spread, and even if it's just for show, it's fun to watch the concealer change color.

Unfortunately, though, the shade-matching ultimately doesn't work for me. I tried 010, the lightest color, and it was too dark (and a bit orangey) for my fair skin. Of course, that's just my experience, and you might find a shade that works. The coverage is light, so it's good for small skin problems - but not opaque enough to cover every last bit of my Uncle Fester undereye circles. So between the gimmick factor and the so-so coverage, I won't buy this again. It's hardly a disaster, it's just not right for me. Have you tried this concealer? Did it work better for you?

Wednesday Giveaway! Fashion Week Live Set

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:30:14 -0800

This month, we're again pairing up with Sephora to bring you daily giveaways to help you get ready for the holiday season ahead.

Today's giveaway is a really good one: The Fashion Week Live Kit is a one-of-a-kind kit with everything you'll need to recreate runway looks. These products are the same ones used on models from Fashion Week Live. The set includes a Stila Lip Glaze in Brown Sugar, Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow in Diamond Black 307, Smashbox Mini Travel Photo Finish Foundation Primer in Original, Smashbox O-GLOW, Dior Diorshow Mascara in Black 090, Sephora Blush Me! Mono in Abricot Plaisir 6-all in a chic black sequined Sephora Brand clutch. The $79 kit contains $145 worth of product, and when you shop online, enter the code SHOPNOW5 for free shipping on purchases over $50.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PST / 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, November 7, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to lizdehart, who won Philosophy House of Miracles!

Sunday Giveaway! Sephora $50 Gift Card

BellaSugar — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 23:30:30 -0700

Want to stay up on the latest looks? You're in luck: We're pairing with our friends from Sephora to bring you tips, tricks, trends and a giveaway every day!

Just like every Sunday, today's giveaway is a Sephora $50 gift card. For shopping inspiration, take a look at this week's featured giveaways:

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Sunday, August 12, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

Bella Bargain: Smashbox Let's Do Lunch

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:00:26 -0800

Here's a lovely way to spend your lunch hour today. Smashbox is offering a free gift with any purchase made between the hours of 9am and 2pm PST. Not only that, but right now shipping is free for for all orders. Since there's still an amazing clearance sale going on, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the great deals. I'm a fan of the cult favorite Photo Finish Foundation Primer, but Buzz is raving about O-Glow lip gloss lately. Happy shopping!

Wednesday Giveaway! GoSmile ADVANCED Formula B1 Tooth Whitening On The Go

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:30:51 -0700

We're teaming with Sephora to celebrate the Best of Sephora. Sephora's clients have voted and now we reveal the results of what they thought were the best products. Each day represents a different best-of category from concealer to shampoo, eye treatment to tools. Congratulations to all of the brands!

Today's winners are all contenders for the biggest beauty breakthrough. The top dog is GoSmile ADVANCED Formula B1 Tooth Whitening On The Go, which is honestly the easiest tooth-whitening system I've ever used. Other winners are Smashbox O-Glow, Anastasia Nu Brow - Brow Enhancing Serum, Lavanila Eau de Parfum spray, and Care by Stella McCartney 5 Benefits Moisturising Cream.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, October 3, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to Tarah716, who won yesterday's giveaway for a Sephora Bronzer Brush!

Wednesday Giveaway! Fekkai Coiff Controle Ironless Straightening Balm

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Want to stay up on the latest looks? You're in luck: We're pairing with our friends from Sephora to bring you tips, tricks, trends and a giveaway every day!

One of the hottest runway trends for fall is the supernatural look, which translates seamlessly to low-key, high-style hair. We're loving the return of chic, straight strands seen at many of the fall shows. The style plays off the simplicity of barely-there makeup. Ladies, start your blow-drying engines: Fekkai Coiff Controle Ironless Straightening Balm helps hair go straight and sleek, without the use of chemicals.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, August 8, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to kayu, who won yesterday's giveaway for a Smashbox O-Glow!