BellaSugar

Back to Basics: The Best Champagne Eye Shadows

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 04:33:44 -0800

Since we are always writing about the next best thing premiering on the beauty market, we can't overlook that sometimes some of the best colors and products are the oldies but goodies. In this installment of Back to Basics: The Best Champagne Eye Shadows, we are going to take a trip down memory lane to see a few of my old time favorites. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Shroom, by MAC Cosmetics $14, is one of the most versatile eye shadows. This soft muted golden beige has a slight opalescent shimmer to it. You can use it all over your lid as a neutral shade, you can mix it with any of your other favorite shadows and you can use it right below your brow as a highlighter. I'm on my third Shroom already! It's a staple in my makeup bag that I have yet to find a replacement for.

Kitten by Stila, $14. This color is their number one best seller for a reason! It's something you can wear with anything. Although it's categorized as more of a shimmery nude pink, the shimmer is champagne colored on the pink of your eye. This color is as versatile as your LBD! It glides on smoothly and just a little bit goes a long way.

To see more of my fave champagne shadows, read more

Eye shadow in Smashing Champagne by Smashbox, $16, is a long-lasting shadow with excellent blend-ability. It can be worn alone or layered. This shade looks great on everyone.

ColorStay 12 Hour Single Eye Shadow in Champagne by Revlon, $4.29, is a rich color that will last for up to 12 hours straight. It has a patented ColorStay® technology that keeps your shadow crease-proof, fade-proof and smudge-proof. This color won't break the bank, but it will make you look and feel like a million bucks!

Link Time!

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:00:16 -0700

Glamour decides to go plus-sized for a month - TresSugar
. . . and some thoughts on Glamour's "plus-sized" move - Glossed Over
How does the smaller Clarisonic stack up? - Beauty Snob
A paraben-free alternative to cult classic Stila Kitten - Beauty Blitz
Dreamboat Robert Pattinson almost had a different Eddy Cullen hairstyle - Allure
The best celebrity bobs - In Style
Passionate arguments against using bar soap! - Lemondrop
Oh no! Kate Gosselin's celebrity hair twins - Stylelist

Is Stila In Trouble?

BellaSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:05:36 -0700

Fashionista is reporting that beloved beauty brand Stila is declaring bankruptcy:

We hear that Stila has gone bankrupt. ... We hear employees were given little advance notice, and arrived to offices that were shut yesterday morning. Several attempts to contact Stila via e-mail and phone calls went unanswered.

The site also points out that Stila's e-commerce site is down for maintenance, with a note saying that some already-placed orders may be canceled. I'm taking this news with a grain of salt until the rumor is confirmed, especially because I don't want to imagine the loss of Kitten eye shadow. Let's hope that Stila isn't filing for bankruptcy - and if it does, that this won't be the end of this cute, clever makeup line.

Update: Stila reps say that the company is refinancing and not bankrupt. More details to come.

Bella Bargain: Two Great Stila Deals

BellaSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:00:27 -0700

After a tumultuous past few months of business drama, Stila is gearing up for a stronger second half of the year. To bring shoppers back, its web boutique is offering two good deals; one's a freebie and the other is a deep discount. Take your pick.

First up, the freebie: Spend $25, enter code APPRECIATE at checkout, and you'll receive one Stila 24kt gloss, a new glitter-filled gloss that adds a ton of shine. Since the gloss is regularly $22, that's pretty decent. But if you don't want a freebie and would prefer to save 40 percent on your order instead, just read more.

If you enter the code STILAPRO at checkout, you'll shave 40 percent off your entire order. Plus, you'll receive free shipping - not a bad deal if you need to stock up on Kitten. Remember, you can use one code only for your order, so choose wisely, young Padawan.

Bella Bargain: 20% Off at Stila

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:00:13 -0800

I love a good sale, and I love free shipping. Well, guess what? Stila's here to save the day - uh, month - with a good offer. On any order of $30 or more, get a 20 percent discount and free shipping until Dec. 16.

So, are you feeling the need for some of Stila's award-winning Kitten Eye Shadow ($18) in your life? Or perhaps you have been dying to try its foundation but the cost was just too steep? Type in code ECYX12 at the checkout on Stila's website and you're all set.

How-To: Repair a Broken Eye Shadow

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:00:10 -0700

Stila and I have always had a dysfunctional kind of love affair. Their eye shadows are so buildable and blendable that it's hard not to love them, but because they're so soft, they tend to break. Then you're left with tiny bits of Kitten all over the place, which means a lot of product goes to waste.

While at Sephora this weekend, a Stila representative named Pam asked me if I'd tried their shadows. We got talking about the fragility, and Pam showed me a trick. It's one of those no-duh things that I should have tried on my own, but I honestly didn't think it would work so well. In just three steps, you can rehabilitate your broken shadow and make it as good as new. To find out how to do it, read more.

Because Stila's shadows are so soft, they're prone to breakage. But that quality is exactly why it's so easy to put them back together. Here's how to do it:

Step one: Use a clean mascara wand (like the testers at Sephora) or Q-tip to gently scrape away any loose bits of shadow.
Step two: Place a Kleenex on top of the broken shadow, then use your index finger to press down on it. Use a series of small pressing motions rather than a few big ones.
Step three: Remove the Kleenex, and you should have an intact shadow once again. (I turned mine upside down and it stayed in one piece. Success!)

Simple but effective, right? Don't forget, you can also turn broken blush into lip gloss.

How-To: Wear Shimmer Without Going Overboard

BellaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:00:51 -0800

This New Year's Eve, I'm planning on doing a super low-key gathering with some friends since I have to I have to catch a flight the next day. Plane ride plus hangover? No thanks. It is the new year after all, and that means it's a shimmer celebration.

Just like you'll be sure to "know when to say when" when it comes to boozy drinks tonight, you'll know "when to say when" when it comes to the sparkly goodness of shimmer with my tips below. Keep in mind that rules are meant to be broken, and makeup should always be expressive. But, for the most flattering look - pick one (two, tops) feature to add shimmer to, such as lips, eyes, cheeks, body, and/or complexion, and roll with it.

Shimmer or glitter?: Glitter is the more amped-up version of shimmer. While glitter is OK in small, small doses - like a sweep of Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner ($18) paired with a soft eyeshadow - it can look too Hot Topic when heavily applied.
Family jewels: When wearing sparkly cosmetics, keep your jewelry to a minimum. You don't want your fabulous face competing with your ginormous sparkly earrings.
Body glow: For some overall brightening, apply a shimmering lotion to your arms, legs, and/or décolleté. Try Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer ($5.12). You can also make your own by mixing a shimmery product with your body cream.

To see the rest, read more.

Bronzed goddess: Sweep a shimmering bronzer on your forehead, cheeks, and jawline in a "3" motion for a sexy, healthy glow. Try Jane Shimmering Powder ($4.19), and then add a pop of blush on the apples of your cheeks.
Highlight: To brighten up your face, apply a highlighter on the inner corners of the eyes, the upper cheekbones, and the brow bone. I like Aveda Shimmer Accents ($21.50), which are light enough to mix with your foundation or moisturizer.
Nail it: Butter London's Lacquer Duo Holiday Set ($20) has just the right amount of holiday pizazz.
Shiny lips: If you're not feeling shimmer on the body or face, why not apply a some sparkly gloss on top of your lipstick? Try Stila Silk Shimmer Gloss ($22), which is inspired by its famous eyeshadow shade, Kitten. Me-ow.

Source

Bella Bargain: Stila Warehouse Sale

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:04:22 -0700

I normally wouldn't post about something so localized, but this is the sort of news you have to share for the greater good. If you're a SoCal girl, mark your calendar, because during the Stila Warehouse Sale, you can save 50–80% off retail prices. I won't be able to make it (although, um, I did check airfare) but if you're in the L.A. area, don't miss it! For more details, and for a great Stila steal available to anyone, read more

For those of us who don't live in LA, this is still a pretty sweet deal. For $45, you get Stila's summer must-haves. It includes Kitten eye shadow, Kajal eye liner in Tiger's Eye, Multi-Effect Mascara, Convertible Color in Illium, Lip Glaze in grapefruit. With the prices of drugstore items going up, this set is similarly priced!

If you are lucky enough to live in Southern California, here's the deets on the sale:

Stila Warehouse Sale
11128 Gault Street
Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, July 21, 8am–4pm.

So if you're in the LA area, will you go? And if, like me, you can't make it, what are your secrets for finding pretty things on sale?

Stila's Holiday Collection Glows and Glazes Gorgeously

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:00:18 -0800

Stila is one of my favorite brands for when you just want to look pretty, and I usually pick up a few of its holiday items. Every year, Stila has some gorgeous holiday kits, and this time around is no exception. I'm daydreaming about this Glamour Galore set ($150), which contains $400 worth of product. I'd list it all out, but frankly, the picture has more of a "wow" factor than a list would. Let's just say that if the idea of having five lip glosses, two lipsticks, and a slew of eye shadows is your holiday wish, you should let Santa know about this set.

Of course, there are some less extravagant (but equally fun!) options in the holiday lineup. To find out about them, just read more

Gift of Glaze ($28) includes six mini Lip Glazes, including two limited-edition shades: Nutmeg Spice (golden rosy peach) and Candy Cane (sheer golden red).
Gift of Glow ($45) is a bronzing set whose contents would normally cost $90-so if you've been wanting an all-in-one kit, this might be your bargain buy. It contains a Sun Bronzer, Lip Glaze in Brown Sugar, Smudge Pot in Bronze, a Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Gold Glow, and a mini eyeliner brush.
Gift of Glamour ($60) is another set. This one is billed as a "best of" kit, and I think that's an apt description. It contains Lip Glaze in Fruit Cake (golden rose), Eye Shadow in Kitten (and you know how I love Kitten) and Barefoot Contessa, Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Shade 01 (for fair skin), and Multi-Effect Mascara. My only hesitation with this kit is that the tinted moisturizer won't fit everyone's complexion-so be sure it works for you before buying it.
Finally, there are two eye and cheek palettes ($32): Blanc (for warm complexions) and Noire (for cool complexions). Each has three eye shadows and one cheek color in a handy palette.

Bella Bargain: Shop at Beauty.com, Get a Rachel Roy Case

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:01:15 -0800

It's all about the Benjamin(s) over at Beauty.com. If you're thinking about making a beauty purchase anytime soon, check out the site for a pretty nifty gift-with-purchase offer. Spend 100 bones...clams...a C-note (I'm on a roll) and receive this vintage-inspired case from designer Rachel Roy. It's filled with all sorts of goodies, many of which would make excellent holiday gifts, I might add. Korres Basil Lemon shower gel, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and Stila Eye Glaze in Kitten? Score!