BellaSugar

Black Lips Have Another Moment, Thanks to Twilight

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:00:06 PDT

Last year, beauty brands hoped that black lips would be big. Unless I missed out on a convention of Bauhaus fans, the sooty-kiss look wasn't an enormous success - going dark just didn't work for most women. Will this season be different? From a sales standpoint, probably so, because Twilight Beauty has a black lip gloss. (The Cullen connection alone will mean they'll sell.) The Volturi Twilight Enrapture gloss ($12) in Arsenic is a licorice-scented sheer gloss with light gold shimmer - so your lips can sparkle like a vamp.

Of course, that's not the only place black is popping up. MAC is about to release an all-noir collection that includes three black lip glosses and two black lipsticks. Already on the market: Lipstick Queen in Black Tie Optional, Shu Uemura in Black 099, and NYX lipstick in Black Onyx. Want to take a baby step into this trend? Go for sheer washes over opaque colors, and consider using these sooty shades to darken your existing lip color.

Does Black Lip Gloss Work? You Be the Judge.

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:00:18 PST

Big surprise, the black-lipped runway trend didn't exactly take off for Fall. Can't say I'm shocked, particularly because, really, everybody looks healthier with a little color. Still, it can't hurt to try a trend, right?

Judging by the way GiggleSugar shrieked and hid her eyes upon seeing my glossy coal lips, maybe it can. I had Le Métier de Beauté's Black Magic gloss on; it's rich, dense, pigmented and quite luxurious. But I don't think that vinyl-style lips are for me. What do you think?

How-To: Wear Black Lip Gloss

BellaSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:11 PDT

A month or so back, I told you about the black lip trend this Fall and gave some options for lipsticks and glosses, should you care to venture onto the dark side. I spent the better part of yesterday deciding whether there were any circumstances under which I could wear black lip gloss (Halloween withstanding).

Especially for small lips, it helps to layer a pearly shade on top of a black lip gloss, which is not an easy feat as the result is usually a weird shade of greige, which is even more zombie looking than straight up black. But there's hope: At the Spring shows, Vivienne Westwood sent teal-black lips down the runway and models for Topshop Unique wore a purple ebony color, hinting that wearable black is in our future.

So for now, my secret concoction for a shimmery black cherry is as follows: Two layers of Benefit Benetint ($28) followed by one layer of Armour Beauty Femme Fatale Lip Gloss ($19) followed by a dollop of Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Touche Brilliance in Pure Diamond ($29). Except it's not a secret anymore, because I just told you.

Trend Alert: Black Lips

BellaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:00:04 PDT

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,

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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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Five Eco-Friendly Products For a Natural-Looking Face

BellaSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:58:40 PST

If you've been disappointed by eco-friendly beauty products in the past, it might be time to give them another chance. Formulas have improved by leaps and bounds in the last few years, and there's something to appeal to everyone. Celebrity makeup artist Lina Hanson, who counts Naomi Watts and Natalie Portman among her clients, goes green whenever she's doing makeup. Here, she shares her essentials for a pretty, natural face.

Surprising Makeup Tips From Three Celebrities

Guest Writer — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:45:33 PST

Sometimes it's the student who teaches the teacher, and in the world of beauty analogies - and in this particular case - it's the celebrity client teaching the makeup artist. Here, our guest writer, Vanitymark Cosmetics founder, and celebrity makeup artist, Brett Freedman, shares with us his role-reversing experiences.

In my career as a makeup artist I've been turned on to some really great beauty tricks. Some are self-learned from trial and error, some are from other makeup artists, and more than a few have come from the subject themselves. There's a difference between doing makeup on a gal that's not in the entertainment industry (or as I term them, "civilian") and someone who gets made up as part of their job. Civilians are excited to try new colors, textures, and see their faces through the eyes of a pro; whereas actresses, singers, and models have seen their faces made up many different ways, making them hyperkeen on how products feel, wear, and photograph. Who better to give insight into glam than the canvas themselves?

To see Brett's favorite celebrity-given tips, just keep reading.

One Star, 3 Makeup Looks: Rachel McAdams at Cannes

Jaime Richards — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:30:00 PDT

There's no denying Rachel McAdams has been looking as beautiful as ever during her various 2011 Cannes Film Festival appearances. Good, clean living plays a part (as well as some enviable genetics), but it's also thanks to the work of her talented makeup artist (and sister), Kayleen McAdams. Learn how Kayleen created three of Rachel's Cannes red-carpet looks below:

"For the Midnight in Paris photo call, the dress was very youthful and fun. We knew we were focusing on the eyes and skin for the premiere [later that day], so we chose to do a bright fun lip," said Kayleen.

Eyes: Kayleen applied Nars Duo Eye Shadow in Silk Road (a palette of pink and rose-gold shades) to Rachel's eyes and topped off her lashes with CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion in Very Black.
Cheeks and lips: Nars Blush in Mata Hari gave a bright, rosy cheek, and Stila Convertible Color in Fuchsia provided the finishing touch.

To see Rachel's other two makeup looks, just keep reading.

Cyber Monday Beauty Deals From A to Z

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:49:41 PST

Cyber Monday is the savvy, 120 word-per-minute typer's day to shine in the same way that Black Friday is the former roller derby champion's. Both require speed and cunning, but one is far, far more civilized than the other. There are plenty of amazing beauty deals to be had without leaving your armchair, so to see our big list of guaranteed deals and top-secret promotional codes, just keep reading.

Q&A: Kristen Stewart's Breaking Dawn Makeup Artist

Jaime Richards — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:39:30 PST

The wedding scene in Breaking Dawn Part 1 is enchanting, and Bella Swan's bridal makeup is one of the most flattering wedding palettes we've seen in recent history. Kristen Stewart's makeup artist for the film, Stacey Panepinto, gives us tips on how to get Bella's exact look, along with a glimpse at what it was like to work behind the scenes of the latest Twilight installment. See it all when you read more.

Get Selena Gomez's 2011 MTV Movie Awards Makeup Look

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:15:00 PDT

For the 2011 MTV Movie Awards last night, Selena Gomez's makeup was fresh and flawless, and it's thanks to the work of makeup artist Karan Mitchell. "We went with a look that had a soft focus and pretty pink lips," Mitchell said. So to find out how you can re-create the pretty style yourself, using CoverGirl products, just keep reading.