BellaSugar

2007 Sugar Awards: Best Beauty Breakthrough

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:00:17 -0800

It looks like affordable at-home microdermabrasion kits were the big winners of the beauty breakthrough category for 2007. I am surprised about this one since I thought for sure that Botox and zit-zapping gadgets like Zeno and ThermaClear were far more popular - but the stats don't lie.

I actually just received Nature's Gate Organics Microdermabrasion Skin Refining Kit $38.50 as a gift and you guys have just really pumped me up to try it out. Since at-home microdermabrasion kits have won 26% of you over, can you tell me what your favorite brands are?

Best of 2007: Beauty Breakthrough

BellaSugar — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 06:00:31 -0800

Ten years ago, most women hadn't heard of microdermabrasion, Botox was used mostly to treat muscle twitches, and the idea of using a gizmo to stop a pimple was for Judy Jetson alone. In 2007, we have a wealth of high-tech ways to treat the tiniest details of our appearance. Which idea do you consider the biggest beauty breakthrough?

Source

Shoshanna's Bag Makes Spring Come Early

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:00:02 -0800

Do you love Beauty.com as much as I do? Well, they've got an offer that's definitely worth checking out. From now until supplies are gone, receive this vintage-y floral travel case by designer Shoshanna Gruss with the purchase of $100 or more at Beauty.com. This bright travel bag is valued at more than $120, and it comes packed with deluxe and full-sized products. "I chose to re-create a floral print from our Spring line that really personified the Shoshanna collection," said Gruss. "It is pretty, bright, and fun, with a 1960s Palm Beach vintage feeling. It's what every girl on the go needs; a cute makeup bag to fit all of her beauty essentials," she added. To find out what's included in the bag, baby - read more.

Lorac Breakthrough Performance Foundation
Arcona Booster Defense Serum
Stila High Shine Lip Color in Amber
Tarte Blushing Bride Cheek Stain
Frederic Fekkai Coiff Lifting and Texturizing Spray Gel
Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash
Malin and Goetz Assorted Hair Care
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
Jane Iredale Eye Gloss in Champagne Silk
Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara
Ken Paves Healthy Hair Shine Serum
Bliss Lemon and Sage Soapy Soap
DDF Daily Protective Moisturizer

Bella Donna: Diahann Carroll

BellaSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:00:18 -0800

Born in the Bronx in 1935, Carol Diahann Johnson started singing in her church choir at age six. Ten years later, she auditioned for Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts show using the name Diahann Carroll, eventually winning the contest and performing on the daily radio show for three weeks. She sought modeling gigs, but her voice and presence presented her biggest successes.

Up against the color barrier on the big and small screens as well as on the stage, Carroll worked through it debuting both on Broadway in a supporting role in the Harold Arlen/ Truman Capote musical House of Flowers as well as having her film debut opposite Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones, an all-black, updated version of the Georges Bizet opera "Carmen." Upon reflecting on her early years, she later told a reporter, "I like to think I opened doors for other women, although that wasn't my original intention." Regardless of what she planned, that's just what she did. Find out what happened next for Carroll when you read more.

Still unable to climb to the top ranks of film with a leading role, she briefly returned to Broadway (winning a Tony for her performance in 1962 musical No Strings, a role was written just for her by Richard Rodgers of famed duo Rodgers and Hammerstein). Next up: Her big breakthrough to become the first black actress in television history to star in her own series. Carroll's role as the lead character in NBC's Julia convincingly portrayed the sophisticated actress as a nurse and widow struggling to support her small son. At her request the show ran for only two seasons but she came out with a Golden Globe for "Best Newcomer," an Emmy nomination, and the clout needed to get her first leading film role.

Acting as the title character in the 1974 film Claudine, Diahann Carroll was then nominated for a "Best Actress" Oscar the following year, making her one of only seven African-American actresses to ever receive this honor. With a career now spanning nearly six decades, she's still as beautiful and active as can be most recently acting in a recurring role (as Jane Burke) on Grey's Anatomy and releasing an autobiography in 2008 titled The Legs Are the Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying, Mothering and Other Things I Learned Along the Way. I'm a big fan of her varied hairstyles - and our shared love of eyeliner - so check out her glamorous shots over the years in the gallery below.

View 22 Photos ›

Source

Bella Brand: Lindi Skin

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:00:34 -0700

Lindi Skin has pioneered a breakthrough genre in beauty called Onocosmetics. The line of skin care and bath and body products is designed to help alleviate some of the skin-related side effects that radiation and chemotherapy patients experience.

According to The American Cancer Society, one out of every three American women will have some type of cancer at some point during their lifetime. A great number of people who are diagnosed complain of sensitivity, dryness, flakiness and loss of elasticity in their skin. Founder Lindy Snider started the company after witnessing two close friends struggle with the side effects that cancer treatment had on their skin. When their regular grooming products did nothing to alleviate the symptoms, she began working with cancer patients, researchers, and physicians to create products to help.

Lindi Skin products have been formulated without any irritants, to help soothing and nourish sensitive skin. They solely contain plant-based ingredients with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial properties. And they're specifically designed in a way that won't interfere with any cancer-fighting medications. I think that if you were battling something as traumatic as cancer, it would be comforting to know that your skin wouldn't be troubled further.

View 7 Photos ›

For a full list of products and prices in the collection, read more
Face Products

Face Wash ($18)
Face Serum ($32)
Face Tint ($28)
Face Moisturizer ($35)
Eye Hydrator ($25)
Lip Balm ($8)

Body Products

Bath Soak ($28)
Body Wash ($15)
Body Lotion ($22)
Soothing Balm ($20)
Cooler Pad ($22)
Cooler Roll ($38)
Fighting Back Pack ($23)

Bella Donna: Louise Brooks

BellaSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:00:46 -0700

I'm delighted to introduce a new feature called Bella Donna, where we pay tribute to beauty icons through the ages. A Bella Donna could be an actress, a model, or another prominent historical or modern figure. The only requirement is that she have a distinct and influential look. (Got an idea for a Bella Donna post? Tell me below.)

Since bob haircuts are back in full force, I thought we should take a moment to admire Louise Brooks, the silent film actress who put severe short haircuts on the map. Best known for her breakthrough role in 1929's Pandora's Box, Brooks' blunt-cut bangs and high-shine dark hair set off a nationwide trend. Perfectly manicured brows, pale skin, and dark velvety lips finished off her stunning look. In 1938, Brooks retired from Hollywood at a young age, and it's said that she was later discovered working at a sales clerk at Saks.

To see a gallery of this Bella Donna's influential beauty looks, read more

View 10 Photos ›

Source

Wednesday Giveaway! GoSmile ADVANCED Formula B1 Tooth Whitening On The Go

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:30:51 -0700

We're teaming with Sephora to celebrate the Best of Sephora. Sephora's clients have voted and now we reveal the results of what they thought were the best products. Each day represents a different best-of category from concealer to shampoo, eye treatment to tools. Congratulations to all of the brands!

Today's winners are all contenders for the biggest beauty breakthrough. The top dog is GoSmile ADVANCED Formula B1 Tooth Whitening On The Go, which is honestly the easiest tooth-whitening system I've ever used. Other winners are Smashbox O-Glow, Anastasia Nu Brow - Brow Enhancing Serum, Lavanila Eau de Parfum spray, and Care by Stella McCartney 5 Benefits Moisturising Cream.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, October 3, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to Tarah716, who won yesterday's giveaway for a Sephora Bronzer Brush!