BellaSugar

Man Lives As a Woman, Lives To Tell About It

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:01:36 -0700

Prepare to laugh. Or cringe. A British journalist decided to live as a woman for a week to get insights into the experience of the fairer sex. Although the writer, Tom Mitchelson, is funny, he also has some pretty narrow, stereotypical views of women. He assumes we're obsessed with dieting, finding the right man, shopping, cleaning toilets, leg waxing, and calling Mom every day.

I rolled my eyes at some of these silly assumptions, but I did get a kick out of his experience at a makeup counter:

"I am sitting on a stool at the cosmetics counter in a department store while Julie, whose face is painted with a precision that would make Rembrandt jealous, fiddles with my face and applies creams, colours and unguents-which I learn are concealers, foundations and an antipuffing eye lotion that she claims are used by men as well as women. She explains in micro detail everything she does. None of it makes any sense to me.

...Julie uses scientific jargon, citing ceramides and light-reflecting pigments. She tilts the mirror so I can see what she has done. Staring back is someone who looks a bit like me, but better. She ushers me over to the counter and makes me pay for something which looks like a gold pen but is in fact Touche Eclat, which, she tells me, will 'add a touch of radiance anywhere on my complexion where shadows appear'".

It always cracks me up when men get a tiny glimpse of the beauty world. (It cracks me up almost as much as seeing Tom's wonky application of Touche Eclat.) But I love this guy's view of women even more. Source

Nair: Now For 10-Year-Olds!

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:21:07 -0700

Remember the story about pre-teens' crazy beauty routines? It looks like those girls might be part of a bigger trend. The New York Times reports on Nair's new endeavor: Marketing a new product line to 10- to 15-year-olds.

Intended for middle-schoolers, Nair Pretty is a chemical hair remover that comes in kiwi and peach scents. The packaging features illustrations of teenage girls, and along those lines, the print advertisements target the girls directly. “I am a citizen of the world,” they read. “I am a dreamer. I am fresh. I am so not going to have stubs sticking out of my legs.” (Heaven forbid a 10-year-old girl might have hair on her legs.) And then there's the website:

It's not that you're obsessed or anything but maybe you've noticed that the hair on your legs (and other parts of your body) is just a little bit thicker and darker before. Chill. You're growing up... it's all good.

("It's all good?" What is this, 1995?) Dorky "teenspeak" aside, it bothers me that Nair is going after sixth graders. I'm sure pre-teens are curious about hair removal, but by actively targeting them, Nair is creating even more anxiety about puberty-an already anxious thing for most girls. Likewise, the emphasis on being pretty is a little depressing, since the implication is that you won't be pretty if you've got a little fuzz on your legs (or bikini line, as the Nair website helpfully mentions). I have no problem with girls eventually choosing to remove their hair, but there's something sad about thrusting that expectation on ten-year-olds. What do you think? Let me know, and then tell DearSugar what you think, too.

Look Inside the Beauty Diaries of Four Women

BellaSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:00:22 -0700

I just came across a revealing story about beauty routines. Four women kept a beauty diary for a month, writing down what they did (and how much it cost) to look good. While these women profiled aren't spending $1,000 a week, it's still easy to see why the beauty industry is so profitable!

On the low-maintenance end of things is 23-year-old Siobhan, pictured here, who has a busy schedule filled with parties. (And as only a 23-year-old can, she can get away with two hours of sleep.) She saves money by getting free trims as a hair model, uses Nivea on her face, and buys Rimmel cosmetics. Total spent? £145.62 for the month, about $292.

Then there's Lisa, a 35-year-old DJ and mother of two. She says she doesn't pamper herself much since having children, and her routine is a balance between high-end splurges and drugstore steals. She uses Kiehl's products in the bath and pricey Elemis eye cream on her face, but goes for Johnson's Baby Skincare wipes to remove makeup. Including products and beauty treatments, Lisa spent £699.44, about $1,409.

For two more routines, including one very pricey one, read more

Debby, 59, is a reiki healer who says that meditation, not products, gives her a healthy glow. She uses the legendary Boots serum and drugstore foundation, but treats herself to fragrances from Prada and Issey Miyake. It's not clear whether she counts her new age therapies in her final tally, but she reports spending £347.13, about $699.

Finally, there's Melissa, a former model who designs the Melissa Odabash swimwear line. Her jet-set lifestyle takes her to Cannes (twice!) and to fabulous parties. It's strictly top-of-the-line for her: She uses Chanel foundation, YSL mascara, Decléor facial oil, and she opts for a £250 laser facial with famed dermatologist Dr. Sebagh. By the end of the month, she's spent £1,704.88-roughly $3,435.

I always think it's interesting to look into the routines of other women. These four have very different lifestyles, but beauty plays a part in each of them. I'm somewhere in between Siobhan and Lisa: I love a bargain, but I'm willing to pay a little extra to be pampered. What about you?

Source

Does a Low-Maintenance Look Make Sense?

BellaSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 07:00:42 -0700

Michelle Obama is a successful lawyer, a businesswoman-and, oh yeah, the wife of presidential hopeful Barack Obama. She surprised people when she wore barely any makeup on a 60 Minutes appearance earlier this year. In a recent interview, Michelle explained why she often goes with a minimal makeup look on the campaign trail:

"I love girly makeup and stuff, but my view is that's a lot of work," she said, explaining her decision to routinely skip the makeup chair. "I want people to get used to my face more naturally so that I don't have to do that every day. Who's got time to put eyelashes on and all that?"

No matter where your political beliefs lie, you've got to admit, it's easy to grasp that logic-especially if you're crunched for time. If people are accustomed to seeing you when you're all done up, they might think something is "wrong" when you go au naturel. (I'll never forget the coworker who asked me if I was sick, when in actuality I just wasn't wearing makeup!)

So, what do you think? If you're habitually pressed for time, do you go with a low-maintenance look? Or do you make time to primp and perfect no matter what?

Source

Inside The Beauty Routines of The Very Young

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:00:03 -0700

Do you think you're high-maintenance? Wait until you read the two-hour grooming routine of Bethany Conheeny:

After washing her naturally wavy hair, she spritzes, sprays and straightens it with £120 [around $240] designer ceramic straighteners. If there's so much as a kink left, she starts again. She's rigorous in her cleansing, toning and moisturing routine, and before leaving the house, applies a slick of lip-gloss. At the weekends, it takes longer. Bethany - who has £70 [around $140] worth of beauty treatments each week, including a spray tan, pedicure, manicure and eyebrow wax - applies St Tropez blusher, pink eye shadow and mascara.

The catch? Bethany is nine years old. To get my take on this situation, read more

Frankly, when I saw this mentioned on Jezebel, I was flabbergasted. Obviously, I love makeup, hair, spa treatments and the like-and lots of little girls are interested in playing dress-up. But this level of primping and maintenance seems unhealthy, particularly when these girls seem to be buying into the idea that they can't be pretty without spending two hours getting ready. Really, does any little girl need to have her eyebrows waxed? I can't imagine that even the prepubescent Frida Kahlo needed that!

Don't get me wrong: I think there are age-appropriate ways to enter the world of beauty, like painting toenails with Mom or wearing Bonne Bell lip balm. But some of these girls are getting leg waxes, tanning-booth sessions, and begging to wear Chanel foundation-all before they've turned 12 years old. It doesn't seem like healthy curiosity; instead, it seems like an obsession that breeds insecurity at a time when these girls need to believe they're smart, talented and pretty just as they are.

I know what you're thinking: Where are the parents? You'll be shocked-shocked!-to find out that many of them are actively encouraging these beauty routines. Catherine Conheeney, mom of high-maintenance Bethany, is hoping that her daughter's looks can help her become successful. "Bethany will need to be slim to be a model," she says. "But I'm working hard to explain that she needs the right balance of food to make sure she's healthy. I've just entered her for a modeling competition to find the next Kate Moss."

Like I said, I'm flabbergasted. Are you? Or is this merely a sign of the times?

Source

Does Your Mate Know the Extent of Your Routine?

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:00:45 -0700

One day a while back, I woke up early and go ready while Mr. Bella was still sleeping. By the time the alarm went off, I had finished applying my makeup, and I'd taken a little more time than usual. "You're so pretty," said Mr. Bella. "I love the fact that you don't wear a lot of makeup." Aw. (Little did he know that I'd just applied a serum, sunblock, eye cream, primer, tinted moisturizer, concealer, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara and a lip stain.) So I've got to know: Do you think your honey has any idea about how long it takes you to get ready?

How Long Did It Take You To Get Ready This Morning?

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 05:09:50 -0700

When I have time to do my hair and makeup, I go all out and look pretty presentable, if I do say so myself. Then there are days when I'm lucky to find a moment to brush my hair! How long did it take you to get ready this morning?

Does Your Significant Other Complain About Your Beauty Routine?

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:37 -0800

I'm not entirely convinced that Mr. Bella will ever understand my beauty routine. "Do you really need to put wax (tinted moisturizer) on your face?" he asks. "Why do you have dark brown conditioner?" he wonders. "What is that torture device (eyelash curler) you are putting on your lashes?" he inquires.

Even though I'm all about looking nice and presentable when I leave the house, I don't consider myself overly excessive. In reality, all I need is about 15 minutes for the everyday hairstyling and makeup application. What about you? Does your significant other have not-so-nice things to say about the time you spend on your beauty routine?

My Makeup Routine: CocoChic

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 May 2007 05:58:17 -0700

Over in the Beauty Product Junkies group on TeamSugar, the members have been posting step-by-step breakdowns of their daily makeup routines, complete with before and after photos. What brave souls!

I absolutely love this idea, so I've asked several users if I can post their routines here. I also invite you to join the group and post your own routines. Who knows? You might just end up featured on BellaSugar too!

Today's makeup routine comes from CocoChic, who shared her tips for a simple but polished daytime look. (Her nighttime look, she admits, would be much more complicated.) To see her step-by-step routine, read more

Step #1: I start off with Cetaphil Facial Cleanser and Cetaphil Facial Moisturizer. My skin is really dry, and this is only cleanser that doesn't make my skin look like it's going to fall off my face after I wash with it.

Step #2: Ok, next, I use L'Oreal True Match Concealer (the lightest warm shade) and NYC Concealer in Light under my eyes and all of the splotchy little spots, respectively. Then I use BE SPF 15 Light 2 all over. I use Benefit's Georgia all over for a peachy glow and I use Cover Girl Soft Mink blush. Ah! Getting better!

Step #3: Next, I go to my eyes. I put the second lightest color in the Revlon Not Just Nudes palette over my whole lid and the lightest color in the inner corners a bit. I curl those lashes and use Sephora Volume Mascara in Black on top only. Then I line the bottom with the dark brown end of Rimmel Eye Twist.

Step #4: Almost done! I use a different lip gloss all of the time, so I just chose one from the pile. In this I have on Milani Glossy Tubes in Bermuda Bronze.

Here's CocoChic's before and after shot. I love how she looks finished by not overly made up by the end. Nice work!

7 Ways to Mend a Broken Heart...With Beauty

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:00:38 -0800

There's no more eloquent way to put it: breakups stink. Whether you're the dumper or the dumpee, the appeal of dealing with a split is right up there with root canals. While friends and family (and therapy) can help you tackle the deeper issues at hand, making a few adjustments to your beauty routine can have small but potent effects, too. Don't believe me? Grab a box of tissues, then, and read on to see how you can start feeling better. Source: Flickr user carbonnyc

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