BellaSugar

Do You Have a Beauty Bad Habit?

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:00:11 -0700

A bad habit is an undesirable behavior pattern, like whipping out the credit card a bit too often during those late night infomercials or spending a mind boggling amount of time on the Wii. But what about beauty - do you have any bad habits you'd like to break? Whether it's pimple popping or nail biting, what's your worst vice? Such a delightful topic, no?

Source

Nicoclean: A Reminder of Smoking's Effect on Beauty

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:00:12 -0800

Last night, GiggleSugar sent me to Nico Market, an online "store" that stocks personal hygiene products that mimic the effects of smoking on your skin, breath, teeth and smell. My favorite one is Nicoclean, which promises to "add ten years to your looks in less than one week." Check out the clever "commercial" when you read more

This is a smart spot, but there's nothing even mildly amusing smoking can actually do to your health and beauty. Smoking increases wrinkles, causes blood vessels to shrink, stains your teeth, and generally does a nasty number on your complexion. (And no, light cigarettes aren't any better.) So if you've been needing yet another reason to quit smoking-or to never start-I think this "ad" is a good one.

2009 American Music Awards: Kristen Bell

BellaSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:52:04 -0800

Kristen Bell's always got that fresh-faced look going on, and tonight is no exception. We're used to seeing the actress in pink-toned cheeks and lips, but for right now, it's all about heavily lined eyes, a smoky finish, and tousled locks. What do you think? Is her look smoking hot - or not?

Vote on all of my American Music Awards polls here!

Bella Quiz: What Does Your Hair Say About You?

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:26 -0700

From a biological perspective, hair is like a little diary giving clues about your personality, from where you live to what you smoke to what you tend to eat. But from a social perspective, hair can give clues about you in a whole other way. It might be stereotyping, but it is human nature for people to form impressions about other people within mere seconds. "Hair and identity are inseparable - whether you're consciously making a statement or not, your hairstyle does express something about you," anthropology professor David Coplan of Wits University in South Africa told True Love magazine. When it comes to hair, can you guess what general impressions people make based on the length and appearance of other women's hair? You be the judge.

Take the quiz

Get the Smoke Stink Out of Your Hair

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:00:57 -0700

There's nothing like going to a rock show, staying out late, coming home... and realizing that your hair holds the remnants of the club's cigarette smoke. I used to live by the Empty Bottle in Chicago, and before the city instituted its smoke ban, going to a show meant that my hair would smell like a dozen ashtrays. Not fun.

But lo! Reader Fixe had a good suggestion in the beauty shortcuts thread. Before heading to bed, she slips a fabric softener sheet in her pillowcase. In the morning, her hair smells like Snuggle Bear, not like Joe Camel. Because San Francisco has a smoking ban in clubs and bars, I can't test her tip... but it's so easy that it's worth a try, don't you think?

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Patch It Up: 15 Beauty Strips and Patches to Mend Your Spirits

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:02:06 -0700

If you've been reading pretty regularly these past few weeks, you'll know that September was a tough one for Bella. Now that October has arrived, to help make it all better, it's time to patch things up. October may be all about pumpkin patches, and of course there are birth control patches, the smoking cessation patch, and even that trendy pirate eyepatch look I was raving about at the beginning of April. But since I've got beauty on the brain, this post is dedicated to all things cosmetic, in patch form, of course. Here are some great facial strips and skincare patches to help clarify, smooth, hydrate, and just plain perk up anyone's day:

Nivea Visage Hautverfeinerndes Clear Up Strips by Nivea - $14.95	Mini Eyebrows Design by Parissa Laboratories - $8.99
Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips,Nose - $7.49	CracKare Overnight Moisturizing Patch - $9.99
Don't Bite Me Bug Patches by Don't Bite Me Patch - $5.78	Sephora Brand Power Mask - Hydrogel Face Mask - $10.00
Nair Face Wax Strips Kit - $4.99	Earth Therapeutics Hydrogel Under Eye Patches - $9.00
Face Lift WrinkleFree Eyes 20 Minute Eye Lift Patches - $39.99	Klorane Cornflower Smoothing and Relaxing Patches for Tired Eyes - $18.00
Thalgo Wrinkle Control Eye Patch Mask - $54.00	H2O Plus Sea Results Instant Power Patches - $72.00
Md Skincare Instant Beautification Eye Area Firming Patch - $72.00	Estée Lauder Perfectionist Power Correcting Patch for Deeper Eye Lines/Wrinkles - $100.00
Talika Eye Therapy Patch - $62.00

4 Beauty Tips From Kristin Davis

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Ever since we first saw Kristin Davis burst into the scene as the conniving Brooke Armstrong on the original Melrose Place, followed by her portrayal of the sophisticated, yet naive, Charlotte York on Sex and the City, I think we've all been mesmerized by her stunning, ageless looks. In fact, many of you agreed that the actress barely looks a day older than when she first became famous back in the mid-'90s. When it comes to beauty, there's no doubt Kristin, now 44, has got some fountain-of-youth secrets to spill. For the October issue of Self, for which she shares the cover with her Couples Retreat costars, Malin Ackerman and Kristen Bell, each of the women spill all their beauty secrets. Find out Kristin's at the link below.

Get Kristin's beauty tips when you read more.

Take a Peek at the Trendiest Nail Polish Collections For Fall

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:00:00 -0700

As far as Fall nail polish trends are concerned, I foresee lots of hot pinks, mushroom tones, smoky metallics, burnt oranges, deep, intense greens, and the return of purple - but with a little less smoke and a little more attitude. As far as textures go, think mattes, creams, and brushed, velvety finishes. But, if you're a fan of the shimmer, don't fret. There's plenty of sparkle to go around. Like most makeup collections, nail polish colors take inspiration straight from the runways, and since nails are a fashion accessory, after all, many of these recently launched polish shades come straight to us from the Fall catwalks. Let's just say I'm not bored.

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These Are a Few of My Favorite Leaves: Tea-Inspired Fragrances

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:01:03 -0700

I loved tea parties as a little girl, and just a whiff of Celestial Seasons Sleepytime (which has soothed many a tummy ache and tastes great with ginger snaps) is enough to make me smile and breathe a sigh of relief. That's why, when I want to feel really comfy, I turn to tea scents - they're the chunky cable knit sweaters of the fragrance world, with the added bonus of going with any outfit and being comfortable to wear no matter how high the mercury in your thermometer goes.

My personal favorite for instant relaxation is perfumer Christopher Brosius's Russian Caravan Tea ($60), which is designed to smell like "smoked black Indian tea, bergamot and the hint of shelves full of old books." I'm also eagerly anticipating Dior's new tea scent, Escale a Pondichery, which is coming out this Fall and is supposed to be a true tea scent. While I'm waiting for the new Dior, though, I've put together some other lovely tea scents for you to sniff out - hopefully one of them will smell like happiness for you, too.

Keep These Four Skincare Tips in Mind

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:00:03 -0700

Last year, I chatted with NYC dermatologist Dr. Doris J. Day to discover her tips on preventing acne treatments from staining your bedding. Nobody likes unintentionally tie-dyed sheets and towels, after all. Proactiv, I love you, but please. Much to my surprise, Dr. Day was a guest speaker at the Botox Cosmetic: Express Success Campaign that I attended recently.

And yes, while Dr. Day bounced off the facts and myths about the wrinkle-reducing drug during her presentation, she also provided tips on skin care that struck a chord with me. "Your skin reflects your overall inner health," she said. While her statement might seem obvious, even I, lover of all things skin care, need to be reminded of this every now and then. Check out her five tips for better skin and a healthier outlook by reading more.

The Pour un Ete, 100 ml - $135.00	Voluspa Victoria Collection - Fleur de Café Petite Roll-On Perfume - $24.00
Trance Essence - Genie in a Bottle Perfume Oil - Roll On - 3.75ml - $46.00	Serge Lutens Five O'Clock Au Gingembre - $120.00
Costume National Scent Eau De Parfum - $100.00	Barneys New York Route du The (3.4 oz.) - $55.00
Memoire Liquide - No. 314 Cuir Millesime Parfum - 0.5 oz. - $65.00	Carthusia - IO Capri Eau de Toilette - 50ml - $75.00
Parfums de Nicolai - Fig Tea Eau Fraiche - 100ml Spray - $65.00	The Tea Eau de Toilette by L'Aromarine - $18.00
L'Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two - $95.00	Bvlgari Fragrance Eau The Blanc White Tea, 2.5 ounces - $80.00
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea for Women Perfume Collection - $10.00	Kenzo Eau de Fleur Tea - $55.00
Green Tea with Mint Eau de Toilette - $46.00