BellaSugar

Doing Drugstore: Revlon Beyond Natural

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:00:32 -0700

I was surprised to discover that so many of you dislike Revlon. I'm a huge fan of the brand's nail polish, and now that Gucci Westman works there, things are looking up.

Last time I went to Walgreens, I picked up two items from the Beyond Natural collection: the Skin Matching Makeup ($13.99) and Protective Liptint ($8.49). All of the colors in this collection are on the natural side - lots of earth tones, partying like Al Gore in 2004 - and both of the products I tried have SPF 15. So far, so good.

For the full review, read more.

So, just like Almay's Smart Shade concealer, the Skin Matching Makeup has a color-changing formula. It comes out of the tube white, then changes color when blended. I wish companies would stop trying to trick consumers by implying that these chameleon products will magically match your skin, but that and a dollar will buy a cup of truck-stop coffee. Putting the presto change-o aspect of it aside, this is a great tinted moisturizer. It provides full-spectrum protection thanks to titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, but it doesn't have even a hint of the evil white streakiness that can show up with those ingredients. And although it doesn't provide much coverage, the color itself is free of the pink undertones that ruin so many drugstore formulations.

As for the Protective Liptint? It has a smooth, lightweight formula that left my lips feeling soft, but I chose the wrong color. I expected Rosy to be rather pink, but instead it's a too-bright coral that makes me feel like Blanche Devereaux. Next time, I'll try a more neutral shade. Overall, though, I'm pleased with these products; they're great for low-maintenance Summer style.

A Few New Luxury Tinted Lip Balms

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:00:46 -0700

Lip balms are one of my favorite products and I always get excited when a new one makes an appearance in the marketplace - especially if it's tinted, because it feels good and it looks good. I've tried each of these new Prescriptives and Lola Cosmetics tinted balms and they all satisfy my balmy cravings.

Korres Lip Butter ($9) is an all-natural hydrating tinted lip balm that contains a high concentration of shea butter to help soothe and heal chapped lips. It comes in four colors that leave a light trace of bee-stung color on your lips.

Lola Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm ($10) is creamy, moisturizing and minty fresh. The balms are infused with good-for-you antioxidants, peppermint, essential oils, vitamin E, mango and spearmint for smooth application and a clean, crisp taste. The result is smooth, shiny lips that look luscious, precious and voluptuous.

Confession: So those aren't exactly the adjectives I'd choose to describe a lip balm, but they are the names of the three available colors.

For one last luxe lip balm, read more.

Prescriptives Tint Balm in Pink Satin ($14.50) isn't new per se, but the color is. It came out about six weeks ago and is a light pink with a hint of shimmer. This creamy balm conditions lips and helps reduce uncomfortable dryness and flaking. It is infused with botanicals to make it smell good, and it also contains a hint of color to create a fuller lip look.

Product Review: Therapy Systems Tinted Moisturizing Lip Balm

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:46 -0800

Wearing heavy eye makeup while participating in winter events can turn into a disaster. When your eyes water from the wind, everything begins to run. But wearing a lip balm is another story-it's totally easy. A hint of a tint gives your lips a healthy glow while shielding them from harsh weather. That's why I was excited to try these new Therapy Systems All Over Color Tinted Moisturizing Lip Balms ($22 each).

The metallic containers are a lot more chic than the average tube of Chap Stick, that's for sure. I also like that the lip balms are formulated with vitamin E and cocoa butter, and that they come in six flattering, sheer colors. But the formula pulls a little bit on my lips, and it's more of a protectant balm than a moisturizing one-in other words, if your lips are already smooth, it's great, but if they're chapped, this isn't the best formula. For $22, I expected a lot more. But if you like this genre, you can check out more tinted lip balms here.

More Tinted Lip Balms!

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:00:22 -0700

When good ol' Bonne Bell just doesn't seem sophisticated enough to whip out during your morning meeting, you can wow everyone with these designer tinted lip balms. These are perfect for the minimalist who is looking for an ultra-sheer wash of color without having to deal with any ooey-gooey-ness whatsoever.

Yves Saint Laurent Tinted Lip Balm ($23) is a new, slightly tinted, creamy lip balm that contains SPF 10 to protect lips from the sun. It is also enhanced with a fruity scent and flavor that makes your mouth perfect for summer lovin'! It's available in five shades: blackcurrant sorbet, love apple, rose cordial, sparkling praline, strawberry shake and toffee.

For two more tinted lip balms read more

Bobbi Brown Tinted Lip Balm ($17) moisturizes lips while adding a sheer wash of color. It moisturizes like a balm but has the advantage of a mess free application-plus, the newly designed metal case is also tres chic. It's available in eight shades: baby pink, citrus, champagne, pink popsicle, rose petal, pink raspberry, brown, and hazelnut.

Estee Lauder Tender Lip Balm ($14) is a sheer wash of conditioning color for the lips. It creates a little bit of shine, while also moisturizing lips by up to 28% and reducing flaking by 34% after four weeks of continued use. Also, it contains SPF 15 protect against damaging UV rays. This balm comes in six colors: tender berry, tender caramel, tender, peach, tender plum, tender nude and tender pink. Happy smackin'!

New Product Alert: Smileage Plus Liptint from Origins

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 05:44:44 -0700

I'm a big fan of natural beauty products, especially when it comes to makeup that goes on my mouth. Chemical-free and 95-percent organic, the new Smileage Plus Liptint from Origins ($10) is best described as a cross between a lipstick and a lip balm. The ultra-sheer finish glides on with creamy ease and delivers just a touch of sun-kissed color to your lips.

The Liptint is made from organic beeswax, organic sunflower oil, organic coconut oil, organic jojoba oil, organic cocoa butter, and organic aloe vera. Also, Origins has developed a delightfully delicious essential-oil blend of lime and tangerine, which delivers a crisp, refreshing scent.

The lip tints are available in six shades that are made very obvious on the packaging - I love that. There's a color indicator band located along the side of each tube, so you know immediately what shade is inside. Colors include Eco-Pink (rose), Off-Beet (deep berry), Organic Plum (lighter berry), Raw Honey (nude), Sugar Cane (peachy nude), and Vintage (pink-purple).

BellaSugar's Guide to SPF Beauty Products

BellaSugar — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Sunshine is a natural source of vitamin D, which is great for your bones, your organs, and your mental health. (It's true, the sun makes people happy.) But as you well know, it's also dangerous, and it's a top cause of skin aging. Below is my seven-post roundup on noteworthy SPF-enhanced beauty products (there's even a DIY recipe in there too) so that you can safeguard your skin, your hair, and your lips at all times.

Mally Roncal Shares Workplace-Friendly Makeup Tips

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:11 -0800

There's a time and place for sparkly blue eye shadow, and 9:30 a.m. at work is not it. (Unless, of course, you work at Cirque du Soleil, in which case, have at it.) For most of us, looking professional is about looking polished. But how much makeup is appropriate for the workplace? For makeup artist Mally Roncal's tips on looking professional, read more.

Halloween How-To: The New Moon Volturi

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:00:58 -0700

Whether you're a Twihard or not, you have to admit, Dakota Fanning looks pretty cool as a vampire. As Jane, a sadistic member of the Volturi vamp coven, she has the sexy-scary thing down pat. If you're considering going as a New Moon character for Halloween, she's probably the best choice. Why? Because even if you've never heard of the Bella and Edward saga, Jane looks badass. For suggestions on re-creating this look, read more.

Three Lip Balms For Mistletoe Moments

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:01:08 -0800

In case you've imbibed in one too many of Grandma's rum balls or eggnog and you get caught under the mistletoe, here are some fun lip balms that will make any makeout session all the more interesting. One thing's for sure: The person on the receiving end will get something more than just a boozy smooch.

Count down the 12 days of Christmas with this cute set. Not Soap, Radio's 12 Days of Christmas Lip-Stravanganza ($24.00) is packaged up in a FAA-approved bag with two each of following: brown sugar lip scrub, day and light lip treatment, matte gloss, clear gloss, hazelnut cocoa butter lip balm, breath mint lip balm. Yum. (If you celebrate Hanukkah, check out the 8 Days of Luscious Lips set ($18).
The classic Tchaikovsky ballet inspired this environmentally friendly trio. Anti-body's Nutcracker Sweet Collectible Lip Balm Set ($7.95) includes: Strawberry (Clara), Chocolate Hazelnut (Nutcracker), and Plum (Sugar Plum Fairy). Better yet? The do-good company helps create sustainable jobs for workers in developing countries.
I've been rather impressed with Wet N Wild these days and these little lip cuties are no exception. Packed with peppermint oil (hello, fresh breath), Wet N Wild Mint Infusions Lip Tint SPF 15 ($5.99) provide a cooling sensation with a hint of color, and come available in Crystal Mint, Cherry Mint, and Berry Mint.

Luscious SPF Lip Tints

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:12:16 -0700

Lip tints have the texture of moisturizing balms with just a hint of color. They help relieve chapped or cracked lips, and many of them also come with an SPF to help protect lips from the sun. (Also, if you are in a bind, lip tints also make for great cheek stains.) Here are a few of my favorite brands.

Aveda Lip Tint SPF 15 is a conditioning lip balm with a hint of color and shimmer. It also tastes great since its key ingredients include avocado, mango, and wintergreen. But the most special ingredient is astaxanthin, an anti-oxidant that is 25 times more powerful than vitamin E. Aveda's packaging is also made from 100 percent recycled materials, which I think is wonderful. Buy it in seven shades here for $11.

To see the rest, read more

Prada Lip Tints have finally been created after many requests for the company to add color to its popular Shielding Balm SPF 15. This lip tint isn't sticky at all and leaves your lips feeling hydrated, plump, and buffed. The color is very sheer and will simply enhance your natural lip tone. Buy eight single-use packageshere for $38. Available in five tints.

Tarte 24/7 Lip Sheer is an SPF 15-enhanced sheer lip color with Vitamin E, mango, and cocoa butter. It's formulated to soothe your lips as well as provide stay-on color. I love the ways these lip tints are packaged just like a no-fuss chap stick, and I also really like their refreshing mint flavor. Buy them here for $14; available in 11 shades.