BellaSugar

Reader Review of the Day: Urban Decay Eye Shadow

BellaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:01:37 -0700

Urban Decay's Eyeshadow ($16) has long been a favorite of makeup junkies, but lately the company has expanded its collection even further to include new textures and colors. Reader gooz1231 tried out the newest palette, and says:

"The brighter colors have great pigmentation and they go on lovely and smoothly. Some of the colors, like Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, tend to have chunky glitter, so I would avoid those-but the rest are really nice. They are a little bit more expensive than MAC eye shadows, but I would still recommend them anyway."

I actually love Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, specifically because the glitter is so bold, but that's why it's important to get more than one opinion, and her point is well-taken. Is there a cosmetic you like that I don't, or vice versa? I'd really like to hear your take on it, then. Just pop over to our Product Reviews pages, where there are more than 50,000 products to review. While you're there, read up on what other people think, too. It's a great way to share your experiences, and makes finding something to love a little easier for all of us.

Transformers: 5 Rings With a Beauty Secret Inside

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:00:00 -0700

When I was little, I was absolutely obsessed with those cheapy clear plastic rings full of glittery, gooey lip gloss in what I now realize were totally gross artificial flavors. As my ability to judge product quality has improved, though, my nostalgia for those little rings hasn't left me. Feeling sentimental the other day, I Googled "lip gloss rings," only to find that there are, in fact, a whole bunch of high-end, very pretty versions that are totally appropriate for grown-up ladies. Click through here to put a ring on it.

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Reader Review of the Day: Urban Decay Cosmetics Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss

BellaSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:59:35 -0700

Back in March when I took this highly scientific survey about the launch of Urban Decay Cosmetics Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss ($19), the majority of you were excited. Recently, reader Burotukunam tried out the sexy new product, and here's what she had to say:

I couldn't help myself. I just bought Doug. It looks like a bright pink shimmery shade . . . and is actually quite sheer with a hint of color. They have a type of guy for everyone, though. It's supposed to smell like crème brûlée. Mine kind of smells like cookies to me, but it's still good. The gloss itself is sheer and a little on the thicker side but smooth. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was because I wish they made the colors separately and let you choose your top to mix and match.

Have you tried some new products on the market as of late? Tell us all about them on the Product Reviews pages. Oh, and don't forget that Urban Decay's put your guy on a Pocket Rocket contest ends Friday, if you want in on a little of the action.

Put Your Guy on a Pocket Rocket

BellaSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:59:32 -0700

If you recall, Urban Decay recently launched its Pocket Rocket lip glosses ($19 each), which feature hunky men that are clothed, and then not-so-clothed, with a tip of the, uh, packaging. The majority of you were loving the idea, and now, in celebration of next year's launch of two new shades, Urban Decay is asking you to help choose two new guys to feature in the collection.

You can nominate your boyfriend, husband, brother, or anyone you deem appropriate from now until July 17 by heading to the contest website. Don't have anyone to suggest? No worries. The winners will be chosen based on votes, and there are plenty handsome fellows from which to choose. Bonus? If the guy you nominate wins, you're off to the photo shoot in southern California, too.

Love It or Hate It? Urban Decay's Naughty Never-Nude Glosses

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Next month, Urban Decay is launching Pocket Rocket lip gloss, which aims to be a super-sexy way to show off your lips. The packaging is reminiscent of those kitschy ball-point pens from the '60s - you'd tip them, and a lady's clothes would magically disappear. This time, though, it's men who are being objectified, as eight dudes' outfits seem to slide off when the lip gloss is moved around. What's more, the tube is coated with pheromones. Ostensibly, this will help you attract a mate. What do you think of this launch - fun and flirty or dumb and dirty?

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Product Review: Urban Decay Lipstick

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:00:53 -0700

I was so excited to check out some of the new Fall items from Urban Decay. My favorite product to look at is the pale shimmery peach lipstick in Indecent ($22). Too bad that my feelings about the product aren't as positive. Upon opening the dagger-adorned case, I anticipated that this peach goody was going to be my next can't-live-without lipstick. However, once I put it on, my excitement deflated like a punctured helium balloon.

I'm hyper-sensitive to taste and smell and this earned a full demerit in each area. The scent is overly sweet (think Splenda mixed with caramel) and it comes off way too strong. I don't want to seem like I'm contradicting myself, so let me make it clear that it's one thing to have your wash-off body scrub smell like food, it's quite another when the product is under your nose. The taste is doubly disappointing. It has a synthetic and sharp, metallic flavor that completely contradicts the smell.

Also, although I like shimmer, this full-on glitter is over the top. When the creamy lipstick settles, the chunks of glitter remain and make your lips look dry and cracked. I wanted to run out from under the lighting and do an immediate lip scrub - that's how unflattering it was.

What I can say is that the texture is creamy (it gets a star for the silky, smooth texture) and that the packaging is adorable (one more star). For anyone that's interested in the alluring color of these lipsticks, I simply urge you to go for a test-drive before you buy.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Product Review: Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:00:26 -0700

There aren't many makeup products that leave me feeling totally ickified, but Urban Decay's De-Slick Mattifying Powder ($28) is one of them. Everything from the application method to the way it looks and feels on your face is a colossal disaster.

The hard-pressed light lavender (although it claims to be translucent) powder is difficult to get onto your brush, so you are pretty much forced to use the puff that comes inside. The powder feels chalky to the touch and doesn't spread well. In fact, because it's so oil-absorbent, it makes your skin feel dry, almost like it's cracking.

I was really bummed with the results, because I like a mattifier for my T-zone from time to time, and a powder compact in a cute purple case seemed like a great solution. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that unless you are going for a Bride of Dracula, Dita Von Teese, super-matte, pale face look (or if you happen to be someone with extremely oily skin), I'd steer clear of this powder.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

How-To: Hayden Panettiere's Pretty-in-Pink Makeup

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:00:38 -0700

Over the weekend at more of the TCA festivities, actress Hayden Panettiere walked the red carpet looking polished in pretty pink makeup. Her hair was smoothed back in a sleek chignon, her cheeks had a youthful pop of bright color, her eyes were shadowed in a shimmery rose-shade, and her lips were painted a muted mauve.

To find out product suggestions and application techniques for how you can re-create this look at home, read more.

FACE: Make sure that your face is clean and exfoliated. After applying a moisturizer to your face and eyes, smooth on a product that will give your face sheen, not shine.
CHEEKS: Next, dust a shimmery bronzer like The Big Bronzer by Cargo on your temples, the tip of your nose, just under your cheekbones and use whatever is left on the brush for your chin. Blend well using a fluffy brush and then apply a shimmery pink blush to the apples of your cheeks and drag the brush outwards.
EYES: Apply a champagne shadow all over the lid and deep rose shadow such as Shotgun by Urban Decay in the crease. Then, line eyes with a black liquid or creamy pencil liner, add on a few false lashes and top with two coats of black mascara.
LIPS: Apply a creamy, sheer mauve lipstick without shimmer such as Laura Mercier Lip Colour Stickgloss in Brown Sugar and top off the look with a shine-enhancing gloss like Lip Glacé in Blush.

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How-To: Amanda Peet's Hot Hot Hot Hancock Makeup

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:00:41 -0700

Amanda Peet hit this week's Los Angeles premiere of Hancock with sexy, sultry makeup. Her eyes looked like a feisty feline lined in a coppery brown and highlighted with this season's hottest color, gold. I've broken down her look so that you can recreate this sexy look in a few simple steps.

FACE: Begin with hydrated, clean skin and apply an eye cream as well as a primer to your face. Next, smooth on a tinted moisturizer and apply concealer to any red areas, under your eyes and to any uneven patches of skin. Then, dust a setting powder all over your face and neck.
CHEEKS: Sweep a soft pink powder blush such as Benefit Boxed Powder in Dandelion on the apples of your cheeks and pull the brush outwards towards your ears. Stay right on the cheekbone so that the color remains contained to your "smile zone."

To find out how to create her sexy, coppery eyes and fleshy lips, read more.

EYES: To get Amanda's shimmery eyes, sweep a pale peach eye shadow from lid to brow all over. Next, line the inside rim and the top of your lashes with a glimmery brown liner like Urban Decay Eyeliner in Bourbon. Then, create another line (that you'll smudge) underneath using Honey. Next, apply two coats of black mascara.
LIPS: For a soft, fleshy pout, apply a lip balm over your lips and then apply a sheer pinky-nude lipstick like bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor in Parfait.

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Bella Bargain: Spring Cleaning at Urban Decay!

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:00:08 -0700

I might not love tidying my home, but I can't complain about beauty brands doing a little spring cleaning! The latest is Urban Decay, who is offering half off of 50 of its fall products. And you won't have to worry about looking like you're stuck in last season with these goodies, because many of them are great colors for Spring as well.

Go Perfume Oil (was $30, now $15) is an "energetic and uplifting" fragrance with notes of fresh-cut grass, lavender, and yuzu. Or grab Shot O Gloss (was $15, now $7) in Cosmopolitan, a pretty, shimmery pink. Not done with your retail therapy? Then try the Metal Eye Sheen (was $18, now $9) in Big Ticket, a metallic lilac, to get the season's pastel eyeshadow look.

Enjoy your beauty treats, and don't forget to let me know if you pick up anything sensational!