BellaSugar

Pastel Products, Part II: Precious Face Powders

BellaSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:10:34 -0700

Part two of my springtime pastel products series is all about luminosity. These powders help absorb excess oil while giving your skin that healthy glow. Blend them all over your face for a more noticeable "light," or add a touch to the tip of your nose, forehead, and cheekbones for subtle radiance. Here are three products I recommend, along with a few more that are too pretty to leave out.

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T. Le Clerc Loose Powder in Tilleul ($50) is one of the most finely-milled powders I've ever used. It goes on like sheer veil and comes in a vast array of colors. The blue helps to cover broken capillaries and counteract redness, and it's best suited for oily and fair skin. Simply dip, tap, and then blend your fluffiest brush all over your face for a soft wash of color.

For two more powders, read more.
Estée Lauder is about to launch a new limited-edition collection for Summer called Pearls of Light. I'll be telling you about all of the products next week, but for now, here's a sneak peek at the Shimmering Powder Pearls Face Illuminator. These loose powder, oyster pearl, pink, and peach beads allow you to create a soft, Summer glow on your face, shoulders, and décolletage.

I've been using my Physician's Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Face Powder in Highlighter ($12.95) for over a year now and I love it. Whenever I overdo my bronzer or blush, this is my saving grace to even out my complexion and add a little bit of pop to my cheekbones. Also, I use the white sections on the inner corners of my eyes and the green sections over pimples to help neutralize the redness.

Back to Basics: The Best Black Eye Shadows

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:00:16 -0800

What makes one black eye shadow stand out from the crowd? For me, it should be pigment rich and easy to blend, so you only need to use a little bit to get the job done. Still, the number one reason why I might choose one black shadow over another is if it can be worn wet and dry - letting it double as an eyeliner without damaging the composition of the shadow.

The following blacks have been my favorites for years. They stay put, so by the end of the night they don't flake or wind up halfway down my cheeks. For those of you who have tried-and-true favorite black shadow as well, by all means let me know about it!

Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeliner in Black Caviar ($22) is categorized as an eyeliner, actually (oh the irony!) but I love to use it as a shadow as well. It's got a more textured consistency than a powder shadow, yet it's not quite a cream consistency either. The best part about it that it will never fall onto your cheeks, and it glides on easily with a brush. If you haven't yet tried it, this is a must-have.

For two more bellissima black eye shadows, read more.

T. Le Clerc Eyeshadow Duo in Noir ($24) actually contains two colors: a golden, shimmery green on one side and the most luxuriously-rich deep-black matte powder shadow on the other.

This duo is a staple for any evening affair. Use the black on the lower part of your lids or as a liner, and use the green in the crease and in the inner corners of your eyes for sparkle.

MAC Eye Shadow in Carbon ($14) is an intense black eye shadow. It contains high pigment and it blends well. What I love about this color is that it's a real black - meaning it's dark and matte. It's always a great product to have on hand if you want to create a smokey eye.

Bellissima! T. LeClerc Corrector Palette

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:08:21 -0700

This T. LeClerc Corrector Palette ($37.50) is more than a pretty kaleidoscope of pastels. It's also a terrific product to own all year round. Each pastel shade is actually a concealer with a specific purpose, such as covering dark circles, evening out blotchiness, or masking redness. To read about the specific functions of each of the colors, read more

Tilleul (Green): Since it is the opposite of red on the color wheel, this pale green helps cover blemishes, redness from sunburn blotchiness, or any general redness. If you like this, you would also appreciate Acti'mine Makeup base in Kiwi by Givenchy.
Banane (Pale Yellow): The light yellow concealer helps brighten your skin. You can use it on the upper part of your cheek bones to reflect light or under your eyes to mask dark blue circles.
Parme (Light Tan): This natural color can be used to brighten skin and camouflage discolorations. It also doubles as an eyeshadow base.
Beige (Neutral Beige): This is a great everyday concealer for most complexions. You can use this as the "white" in your palette to create other shades to suit your specific needs.
Orchidee (Lavender): This pretty purple is a lifesaver for hiding brown spots, age spots, and sun spots. It's also perfect mixed with beige on dark skin tones, but if your skin is very pink, you might want to steer clear of this one.

Sweet Kisses: More Valentine's Day Lip Glosses

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:12:22 -0800

These glosses are just too cute! They are as small as chocolates, but they have zero calories! Open up these cheeky compacts and he'll be sure and get the hint that you are looking for love. So jump right into the Valentine's Day spirit and make your lips look so luscious, he won't be able to resist your kiss.

T. LeClerc "Hot Lips" Gloss, $22.50, is a solid color gloss with a touch of embossed shimmery kisses mixed in. I love this brand because it keeps your lips feeling moist. Pair with a nude lip color and lipstick or wear alone. Available in two colors; seduction, which is a pale sheer pink, or fatal, a deeper pink berry colored gloss.

To see one more festive Valentine's Day lip gloss, read more

Dior Pretty Charms, $55, is a shiny silver heart-shaped locket filled with two perfect pink lip colors. One is matte and one is shimmery so you can wear them alone or blend away to create your own shade. It comes on a round link chain with a secure clasp.

Funky Chunky Glitter Pencils

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:18:33 -0800

Razzle dazzle em' with these cool chunky glitter pencils! A little glitter goes a long way. These multi-purpose sticks act as instant eye cheek and collarbone brighteners and they are super easy to apply. Just dab them into the inner corners of your eyes for a widening effect, smooth them on your eyes and cheeks as a spot treatment luminizer, or use them as no fuss, no muss eye shadow/eye liner. Whatever you decide, they'll be sure to make you glow.

All Over Glitter Pencil by T. LeClerc, $22.50, is a fun accessory to add to any makeup bag. This sleek and smudge proof pencil can be applied anywhere on your body where you want a hint of shimmer and shine! Available in silver or gold.

To see one more chunky glitter pencil, read more

Sexy Little Things™ Put a Sparkle in My Eye™ Glitter Eye Stick & Sharpener by Victoria's Secret, $15, is technically an eye shimmer stick, but you can use it anywhere on your body to create a sexy sparkle.

Available in a deep blue sapphire color (shown) or platinum (a silvery gold color) and can be purchased online or at any Victoria's Secret Boutique that carries beauty.

The Best Blusher For Your Skin Tone: Yellow-Undertoned Skin

BellaSugar — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:00:11 -0700

For the third installment of The Best Blushers For Your Skin Tone, let's take a closer look at appropriate blush colors for skin with yellow undertones. For this type of skin, corals and coppers are complimentary. You can either got for a matte shade, or wear something with a little bit of gold sparkle which will enhance your natural undertones.

Pout Coral Nymph/Bronze Siren Cream Cheek Duo ($22) is a cream duo that houses a coral shimmer blush on one side and and a golden shimmer bronzer on the other. This is a great double-duty compact that provides a sheer glowing and dewy, natural finish. The shades can be worn separately or blended together for a customized look.

For two more blushes for yellow skin, read more

T. LeClerc Powder Blush in Orange Perlee ($27) imparts a generous, healthy glow on yellow-toned skin. You can gently dust the powder over your cheekbones for a natural radiance, or blend small circles on the apples of your cheeks for a pop of refreshing color that brightens your skin.

Lancome Blush Subtil Shimmer in Shimmer Coral Sunset (28.50) is an oil-free, sparkly powder blush with a high-impact result. The powder glides on smoothly and evenly and the color is richly pigmented so it really warms and brightens at first touch.

Holiday 2007 Glittery Goodies!

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:00:09 -0800

Tis the season for all that glitters! From sparkly eyes to shimmery lips, cheeks and shoulders, if you have any glitter makeup that you've been wanting to bust out, now is the time. Glittery goodies can be a lot of fun to play with, but remember that only one feature on your body should be the main attraction. Don't overdo it, or you'll look like one big Christmas ornament yourself.

Glitter is a great finishing touch to a smoky eye or on the center of your lips. You can sprinkle some along your collarbone and even highlight your cheeks with a more subtle form of glitter (such as a sheer shimmer). I've gathered up some of the season's hottest glitter makeup products below. Tell me, which is your favorite glitter product?

Glamorous Gold Glosses

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:05:34 -0700

Adding a touch of warm, golden lip gloss to any lipstick you dare to wear will give you an instant shine. Just dab a dot of these shimmery, sheer glosses in the center of your lower lip, and add a touch of brilliance to your lackluster lips. Finding just the right shade can be tricky though. A too-pale, opaque color could make you look washed out and chalky. Here are my three favorite golden glosses that will surely give your kiss the Midas touch.

Make up counters can't seem to keep this Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss in stock! It's sheer and sexy and makes anything you're wearing on your lips instantly look better. It even contains traces of real 24-karat gold. Buy it here for $25.50.

T. Le Clerc Gloss Reflection Lip Gloss in Or Transparent is like having a disco ball on your lips. It's not too thick and definitely not runny and sticky. This shade is extremely sheer, and it stays on for a very long time. My favorite match with this gloss is T. Le Clerc Lipstick in Sage. Buy it here for $20.

To see the last gorgeous golden gloss, read more

Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Makeup Lip Gloss in Bling will have you feeling like your worth a million bucks. It's definitely more of a clear gloss with specs of metallic gold glitter, so it's made to last and will shine all night long. Buy it here for $12.

In Search of the Perfect Foundation

BellaSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:00:15 -0800

Aja Mangum, an editor at New York magazine, loves beauty; she just doesn't enjoy the stress of shopping for it. As a woman of color, she set out to find foundation and concealer that would match her skin. Without revealing her identity as a beauty editor, she visited more than a dozen makeup counters in search of something that worked.

She went to Chanel, YSL, Bobbi Brown, T. LeClerc, Too Faced, and the list goes on. With the exception of Prescriptives and MAC, she found nothing. She writes:

Everyone was lovely, everyone tried, everyone has good intentions. YSL, Chanel, and Nars are launching darker shades later this year. Bobbi Brown can’t put a timetable on their latest. Still. Makeup shopping is supposed to be fun, but getting rejected time after time made this the most emotionally draining story I’ve ever done.

Finding a foundation match isn't easy for most women, but it's especially difficult if certain beauty lines don't have any choices for your skin tone. While I'm glad that some brands are deepening their variety-no pun intended-it's still remarkable that in a city as big as New York, Mangum wound up depressed by the lack of options.

Source

The Best Nude Lip Liners

BellaSugar — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 12:48:01 -0700

When it comes to natural-looking lips, nude lip liners are a staple. They outline and define, as well as create depth and consistency. They can be worn with lipsticks and glosses or simply by themselves, filled in with a dab of Vaseline at the center of your lower lip. Here are the four classic must-have nude lip liners.

MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Spice is probably the most recommended lip liner of all time. It looks great on everybody, and it blends well with virtually any color of lipstick or gloss. It's no wonder the neutral pinky brown shade is a favorite among celebs. Buy it here for $12.50

Scott Barnes Lip Pencil in Barely Brown is like nothing I've ever tried. Its uniquely creamy texture makes it glide onto your lips like a lipstick would, and it creates a subtle and sheer line. Buy it here for $19.

Two more, so read more

Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Nude is a creamy liner that comes with its own sharpener. Though it is definitely a bit dark to be considered a nude liner, those in the industry favor this neutral liner above the rest. It's a mauvey-brown color with a handy brush for blending. Buy it here for $27.50.

The T. LeClerc Plaisir Lip Pencil is a light-beige color with a hint of pink, best suited for those with light to medium skin tones-but I've seen it look great on everyone! Buy it here for $15.