BellaSugar

YSL Thinks the World Needs More Parisiennes

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:00:51 -0700

The Fall fragrance frenzy begins in just about a month, when department stores will be stocked with new scents intended to tempt you. Fragrance makers are hoping you won't be able to resist, particularly because perfume sales were down 7 percent during the first quarter of 2009. It's in this tough market that Yves Saint Laurent.

WWD reports that the floral woody scent is aimed toward a slightly older audience than its other recent fragrance, Elle. Targeting the 30-something woman, Parisienne will launch in France next month, followed by a US rollout in October. Kate Moss will appear in both the print campaign and television commercial, which was filmed in the City of Light. Are you interested in possibly saying "oui" to a new scent, or have you scaled back your fragrance shopping?

How-To: Create a Five (or Seven) Minute Face

BellaSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:10 -0700

Whenever I meet a makeup artist, I'm always intrigued by her version of the "five-minute face" or other similarly swift application techniques. Last year, Bruce Grayson gave me the lowdown on a six-minute face, and now Dell Ashley of Yves Saint Laurent is sharing his advice on a five- and seven-minute face.

If you only have five minutes:

Dell recommends using a primer/moisturizer duo on the skin as a prepping agent. Next, apply a complexion-boosting foundation, such as Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation ($55) and highlighter on these six areas of your face.

If you only have two more minutes:

Apply lipstick and mascara. It's as simple as that.

Find out some tips for making these simple techniques work for you, along with some lower-priced recommendations right here.

Six Ways to Apply a Highlighter

BellaSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:46 -0700

Highlighters illuminate, while concealers cover. This was a very important lesson I learned while chatting with Yves St. Laurent national makeup artist, Dell Ashley, at the San Francisco Saks 5th Avenue. Perhaps you've heard of a little product called Touche Éclat ($40), a highly popular highlighting pen that helps to brighten and contour the face - but you weren't exactly sure how to use it? For six ways to give yourself an instant pick-me-up, plus my suggestion for a drugstore alternative, read more.

Under the eyes. (Find out how to do it.)
On the eyelids as a shadow base.
Around the brow. (Here's how to make it work.)
Down the center of the nose.
On the smile lines.
Under the chin.

"I have not met the person yet who doesn’t look better with Touché Eclat," Dell declared. Interested in learning more? Check out my review of this top-seller, a recommendation for a similar product that won't break the budget, and photos of Dell working his magic on the enviably gorgeous Franchesca below.

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Five Easy Makeup Tips From YSL's Dell Ashley

BellaSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:00:16 -0700

A few weeks ago, I met up with Yves St. Laurent's national makeup artist, Dell Ashley, at Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco. While we talked weddings and flattering makeup shades, I also picked up a few good-to-know tips along the way. Some are great for everyday use, and some are seasonally appropriate for the rising temperatures ahead. For the scoop, read more.

Melt-proof: For warmer weather, focus on melt-proof makeup. Ashley recommends Yves Saint Laurent Water-Resistant Eyeshadow ($28.50), particularly if you're spending a day at the beach and want to look great.

Bronzed body: If your face is looking darker than your body, even out your neck and décolleté with YSL's limited-edition Collector Sun Powder ($72). For a bargain, swirl E.L.F. Kabuki Body Brush ($8) into your regular bronzer for a similar effect.

Makeup's not a coverup: The best makeup doesn't cover up your flaws as much as it enhances your features. "You want someone to say you look beautiful, not the makeup," said Ashley.

No rules: "Throw all the rules out the window," said Ashley. "Wearing makeup and being beautiful in makeup is about feeling good about how you look."

Warms with cools: "Too much of a warm color or too much of a cool color can look a little bland," he advised. For a look with interest and depth, Ashley recommends wearing a warm eye with a cool lip.

Three Makeup Colors That Look Great on Almost Everyone

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 09:00:22 -0700

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Yves St. Laurent national makeup artist, Dell Ashley, at the San Francisco Saks 5th Avenue cosmetics counter. Thanks to his expertise, I'll be sharing some of his best tips and tricks for accentuating your beauty over the next few weeks. Let's start off with three makeup shades that he says look great on practically everybody. (Don't worry if you can't swing the cost of YSL's luxe products. You can always try similar shades at the drugstore if you're on a budget.)

A mauve-pink lipstick: Not too pink, not too purple, and not too brown, YSL's Pure Lipstick in #66 Rosewood ($30) is naturally flattering. "I have yet to put it on a person that didn't like it," Ashley says.
A glowing peachy blush: "For summertime, a peachy color is always pretty. It's going to give you a nice glow without looking heavy," he explains. YSL's Blush Variation in #18 Coral Sand ($44) combines both a matte and iridescent finish to create a complementary subtle peachy-pink shade with slightly golden undertones.
A champagne shadow: A perfectly balanced shade, YSL's Water Resistant Cream Eyeshadow in #1 Pink Sands ($28.50) is a soft, slightly shimmery pink that lends a subtle glow.

Photo courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue, San Francisco

Untie Your Luxurious Side With YSL's Bow Collection

BellaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:00:56 -0700

Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, YSL has just unleashed a new beauty collection featuring the bow. And since YSL often incorporated bows throughout his collections, what better way to celebrate the end of 2008 than with this tribute to such an elegant, sensual, and demure little knot? As the late Monsieur Saint Laurent once said, "One should always be tempted to untie a woman's clothes." Oh, behave!

The Bow Collection is luxury at its finest. While the prices may be steep ($19 to $90), do you think you'll treat yourself to a little splurge around the holidays?

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For the price list, read more.

Limited-edition products:

New Shades:

La Laque Long Lasting Nail Lacquer in Dark Blue or Moonlight White ($19).
Golden Gloss Shimmering Lip Gloss in Golden Burgundy ($28).
Fard À Lèvres Rouge Pur Pure Lipstick in Honey Beige ($29).

Trend Alert: Black Lips

BellaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:00:04 -0700

Black lipstick: It's not just for goths anymore. This stark look showed up on the Yves Saint Laurent runway, and if cosmetics companies have their way, you'll be craving inky color for fall.

But can I level with you? Even though this is the hot trend, I just can't see this looking good in real life. I like Joy Division just as much as the next girl, but I fear this look would make me look like an overgrown Avril Lavigne groupie.

And yet, it's big for Fall, so I'd be a bad Bella for not keeping you in the trend-spotting loop. I report, you decide! If you're braver than I am and want some ways to try this trend, read more.

To take a baby step on the dark side: Try Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Gloss ($20) in Black Pearl. I know what you're thinking: Gothic lips from the queen of neutrals? Believe it. This moody mauve has tons of shine with dark pearl accents, but it's not as in-your-face as other options.

If you have to get the hyped-up shade: Everyone's all abuzz over Lancome's forthcoming lip color set, which is inspired by a pair of Louboutins. The $48 set includes a red lipstick and sparkling lip gloss in Piha Black. If this sounds like your dream come true, you can get on the waiting list by calling Bloomingdale's at (212) 705-2886.

For black on a budget: Manic Panic Raven Black Lipstick ($6.95) is a matte shade, and if you're OK with shopping at a place called Vampfangs.com, have at it. Layer clear lip gloss on top to channel your inner Elvira.

For the real thing: Just like on the runways, YSL Beauté Pur Black gloss ($28) is all shine and no sparkle. It's like latex for your lips, and it's definitely not for wallflowers - so again, hop on the waiting list if you want a couture-approved smile.

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Charming Summer Beauty Accessories

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:00:11 -0700

These fabulously fashionable charm necklaces from designer brands are the new "It" items of the season. Not only do they look pretty, but they're fully functioning cosmetic cases, too. Inside of these baubles by Dior, Missoni, and YSL are actual beauty products such as bronzer, creamy highlighter, and perfume. This is a second go-around from Missoni - last season they launched this limited-edition necklace, and it was so popular that they decided to bring it back for Summer 2008. These items make for great gifts and fun accessories - which is your favorite?

Missoni Solid Perfume Charm Necklace ($50) contains gold charms, rust-colored beads, and a large gold orb filled with .05 oz of Missoni perfume in a solid form.
The amber cabochon pendant in the Dior 'Golden Dior' Necklace ($55) contains a gold highlighter for the lips, eyes, and cheeks - and it hangs from a delicate satin ribbon.
Yves Saint Laurent 'Soleil D'Afrique' Collector Bronzing Powder ($72) celebrates the 30th anniversary of YSL makeup. Inside of the wooden charm lies a rich golden-sand bronzer.

Back to Basics: The Best Peach Lip Glosses

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:00:55 -0700

There's something about peach lip gloss that is universally flattering (but especially on blue-eyed beauties). The challenge is to find the right balance between coral and pink tones.

Kate Hudson wore a frosty coral-peach-colored lipstick to the London premiere of Fool's Gold and just look at how it warms up her skin. Below are my top picks for peach glosses.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Peach ($19) is more of a pale, icy shade than a deep creamy color. The shine is incredible, and every time that I pair it with a little bit of bronzer and a champagne eye shadow, it makes my entire face light up. I wish they made the formula a little less tacky, because the only drawback is that I usually have to wear my hair up or else I find that I'm always picking my hair out of my mouth.

For two other pretty peach lip glosses, read more.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Brilliance #05 ($29) is my all-time favorite coral-peach gloss. It has a very thin texture, a fabulously sweet and floral smell, it's not sticky at all and the shine is topnotch. It contains little glitter and mother of pearl particles that seem to catch the light even in a dark room! The clicky-pen applicator also makes it a lot of fun to use.

Benefit Her Glossiness in You Didn't Hear It From Me ($16) is an ultra-shiny, nudish-peach, shimmer-free shade. The sweet smell is alluring, the color is long lasting, and although this gloss is also really sticky, it's gorgeous on your lips.

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Pastel Products, Part IV: Cheerful Cheeks

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:00:29 -0700

Welcome back to my series on pretty pastel beauty products. I hope that checking out these flirty finds is getting you excited for Spring. Below are three different pastel blushes that are best worn on the apples of your cheeks and then blended outwards (to your hairline) and upwards (towards the top of your ear). Remember to start off with a gentle touch and layer until you reach your desired shade. Tip: these blushes look especially hot with a little bit of highlighter on top.

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Darphin Blush in Raisin Delicieux ($40) is a finely-milled powder blush that will create a healthy and vibrant flush on your face. This color in particular is especially warming if paired with a bronzer. A little bit goes a long way, so apply with caution.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush in Fresh ($12.49) imparts a fresh, outdoorsy-looking and slightly shimmery flush to your skin. I like to sweep an angled contour brush over all of the shades and apply it to the lower part of my cheekbones for a more dramatic effect. Also, I appreciate that you don't have to be quite as careful with this powder because the formula is much more sheer than the others.

To check out a cheery cheek stamp, read more.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Blush in Rose comes in a standard size ($42) or travel version ($27.50). This bright loose-powder blush has a controlled application because of the sponge on top, but I suggest tapping it on your hand to shed some of the excess before you apply it to your cheeks.