BellaSugar

What We're Sweet On: Lip Balm With a Colorful Twist

Jaime Richards — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:28:00 PDT

For times when you desire just the faintest hint of color, tinted lip balms, like Yes to Carrots' recently launched Color Balms ($16 for three, $6 each), are the way to go. Subtly glossy and softly hued, these touch-of-tint balms leave a healthy-looking wash of color behind; they're the kind of products you turn to when you're going for the whole no-makeup makeup look. Besides, how can you not love the added benefit of soft and smooth lips? Thank you, jojoba and sunflower seed oils. Available in three sheer shades: Soft Plum, Rosy Bloom, and Peachy Keen.

Burt's Bees New Tinted Lip Balm Is the Definition of Barely There

Miriam Lacey — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:00:00 PST

You know how when you buy a lip balm that's supposed to have a "hint" of color, there's almost always quite a bit more than that when you actually get it on? Not so with Burt's Bees new Tinted Lip Balm ($6), which comes in a range of really, truly sheer colors. I tried the most highly pigmented of the bunch, the bright red Rose shade, and it took a pretty heavy hand to make the color visible. It's also not one of those balms that dries your lips out, forcing you to reapply constantly. It's basically like a lighter, much cheaper version of Laura Mercier HydraTint ($20). Overall, it's a great balm for the season, especially if you live somewhere with a high wind chill factor, and I think it should transition nicely into warmer weather. The only thing I don't like about the product, in fact, is that it costs about two bucks more than the regular Burt's Bees balm. Still, it's an inexpensive color fix and well worth checking out next time you're at the drugstore.

Have Perfect Lipstick, Even in the Worst Weather

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:28 PST

Your lips have some of the most sensitive skin on your body, and chapped lips can make lipstick look rough or crumbly. It's a bad scene, but you can avoid going there with these tips.

Chad Hayduk of Three Custom Color Specialists says to avoid matte or long-wearing lip color. "They have fewer moisturizing ingredients and can dry the lips," he says. "Instead, choose a lip gloss or moisturizing sheer lipstick." He recommends Simply Beautiful Sheer Lipstick ($21.50).
Check the ingredients on your lip balm. Menthol, camphor, and salicylic acid are in many lip-healing treatments, but they dry lips out further.
If you don't have a good balm, use your under-eye cream on your lips, let it set, and then put the lipstick over that. Your lipstick will go on smoother and your lips will look fuller.
Skip the lip liner; it may keep your color in place, but it's also incredibly drying.
Use a moisturizing lipstick primer, like Pop Beauty Lip Magnet Primer ($15). Primers fill in fine lines, protect lips, smooth things out, and keep your color on longer.

Doing Drugstore: Revlon Beyond Natural

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:00:32 PDT

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,

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 PDT

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,

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 PST

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 PDT

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

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'!

How to Choose a Red Lipstick For Spring

BellaSugar — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 07:46:57 PDT

Spring's juicy lipstick shades of gold-red, season-perfect maraschino cherry, and coral-red look fresh and bright on everyone. Orange-inflected reds just look happy and new, and they're extremely easy to wear. So to find out how to get your perfect match and see shades for every skin tone, just keep reading.

How to Achieve a Bare-Faced Look Fast

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:45:19 PDT

The 2012 runways were awash with natural beauties, but most of the models got a little bit of help with makeup. If you want to achieve this minimalist look, follow these easy steps from makeup artists Kristi Matamoros and Jodie Boland:

Cover, don't cake: Use your fingers to apply a tinted moisturizer as a base. Start at the nose and spread outward, then switch to your thumbs to get more coverage in areas like your cheeks. Work with your hands instead of a brush to help the foundation melt into your skin. If you need to hide blemishes and dark spots, add a layer of medium foundation or concealer in discolored areas.

Top it all off with pressed powder. But instead of sweeping over your entire face, avoid these areas: the bridge of your nose, the apples of your cheeks, the cupid's bow, and the area directly under your lip. This will help you get a natural shine in the center line of your face. Also, as the weather gets warmer, remember to carry plenty of blotting paper to dissipate sweat and shine.

Contouring: To bring definition to an otherwise boring look, use a bronzer in the hollow of your cheeks (try making a fish face if you can't find the area). Then spread illuminator in a C shape around the eyes from your brow bone to temples. Finally, add a flush of color on the apple of your cheeks. Add tinted lip balm, a coat of mascara, and brow gel to get a natural face ready for day-to-day wear.

From Cool to Sweet, 4 Valentine's Day Lipstick Looks to Suit Your Mood

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:57:15 PST

There are only a select few holidays where going vampy is typically deemed socially appropriate. Halloween comes to mind instantly, but Valentine's Day might be a close second. And while a vampy lip color might not be for you this Valentine's Day, there are other ways you can create a mood with a simple switch of color. "Experiment with reds and pinks in different textures, like glossy, creamy, opaque, or sheer," advises Mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh. To see her top selections for setting a tone that's either sweet, sexy, edgy, or vampy, just keep reading.