BellaSugar

Victoria's Secret New Bare Bronze Collection

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:12:22 -0700

With Summer just around the corner, cosmetics companies are launching their latest bronzers, bronzing gels and bronze shimmer powders. The hottest look for Summer is a sexy sun kissed look without having to face the damaging rays of the sun. Victoria's Secret has recently launched their Bare Bronze Collection, and from what I understand, it's already flying off the shelves!

The Bare Bronze Collection includes 14 products. They are: SPF 15 shimmer body lotion, face bronzer, sheer self tan mousse, grapefruit body splash, self tan tint (available in two shades), shimmer eye palette comprised of five shades, pre-glow body scrub, leg spray tint, body oil, bronzer brush, three liquid lip shimmer glosses, lip gloss palette, a body moisturizer and a facial moisturizer. All items are priced between $12.50 and $19. Fun in the fake sun!

Get Your Bronzing Gel On!

BellaSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:41:22 -0700

If you are looking for a safe and sunless deep tan, bronzing gels are one of your many options. These cool gels are tinted to give your skin a natural-looking glow. To apply, use a sponge or your fingers to blend and dab them on the same areas as you would brush on a bronzer. To see four more bronzing gels click here.

Chanel Soleil Lame Bronzing Gel, $40, is a limited edition product new from Channel's Summer 2007 Collection. This cool gel looks smokin' hot when applied to your face.

It absorbs into your skin quickly, yet blends well to create a beachy, warm, golden glow. It will be available in Chanel boutiques and counters nationwide this April.

For two more bronzing gels, read more

Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel, $25, offers your skin a sheer, instant, natural glow with the added protection of SPF 15. This tinted bronzing gel is great for oily skin and will leave your face looking like you are glowing from the inside out!

Blend the gel on the areas of your face where the sun would normally hit and deepen the color until you reach your desired shade. Oh, and don't forget to wash your hands immediately after use!

BonneBell Gel Bronze, $3.99, is a lightweight tinted gel that gives you a safe and inexpensive sun-kissed glow. To use dampen a make-up wedge and lightly pat Gel Bronze to your face. Then use the other side of the wedge for blending. Available in two shades: golden tan and luminous glow.

Stay Tan for Fall with Bronzing Gels

BellaSugar — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 15:31:22 -0700

Bronzing gel is a fantastic way to get a hint of sun-kissed color without the damaging effects of the sun's rays. You can wear them alone or mix them into your favorite foundation or body lotion, and the color can be as subtle or as intense as you like. To give yourself a sunny glow going into autum, just dot a small amount of the gel onto your cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose, then blend with your fingertips in an outward motion. Here are some of my favorite bronzing gels.

Clarins Sheer Bronze Self Tanning Hydrating Gel For Face is satiny soft, with a magnificent caramel color and iridescent highlights. It has a combined effect of giving you instant color like a bronzer and within two hours working its self-tanning magic to create a natural looking tan. Buy it here for $28.

Becca Translucent Bronzing Gel is a very sheer and lightweight water-based gel which also helps hydrate the skin. It's not greasy, and it can be used on both the body and face. Buy it here for $34.

To see more gel bronzers, read more

Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel blends quickly and easily while leaving the skin refreshed. The sheer formulation enhances a tan, adds a warm glow, and works for all skin types and shades. Buy it here for $30.

Smooth and delightful, Stila Sun Gel is streakless and very easy to apply to the face and body. It's available in one richly bronze color with golden sheen. Buy it here for $24.

Back-to-School Beauty: Celebrity Makeup Artist Brett Freedman Shares His Bronzing Tips

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:01:20 -0700

Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman has worked with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Leighton Meester, and as owner of Vanitymark Cosmetics, he's one busy guy. Recently, I chatted with Freedman about simple changes we can all make when it comes to back-to-school beauty.

But who says this post goes out only to those of you headed back for a new semester? These tips apply to everyone who wants to make a few effortless steps when transitioning to cooler weather makeup. Find out how to get your bronze on now.

Five Easy Ways to Fake a Sun-Kissed Glow

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:19 -0700

If you make frequent stops on the Bella train, then you'll know that I'm all about safe sunning - which means no tanning at all. But that doesn't mean you have to lose the look of a day at the beach. While I love the benefits of a self-tanner, sometimes I don't want to deal with the smell of DHA combining with my skin's chemistry or the affliction of streak-mania all over my body. So, I've come up with a few tricks to fake a tan, all without the sunburn or chemical reaction. Check them out when you read more.

Insta-perk: For an instant perk-me-up, a creamy bronzer gives the best fresh-faced glow. These days, I've been very into Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzer in Sun Glow ($6), a slightly shimmering warm rosy brown. Just apply where the sun would hit by making an "E" shape along the hairline, into the cheeks, and over the jawline. A small amount on the brow bones and down the nose complete the luminous effect.
Orange you looking tan: All I am saying is give orange a chance - or at least peach. I'm digging Revolution Organics Beauty Balm in Sunkissed ($32), an eco-friendly peachy-toned stick that gives lips, cheeks, and eyes a natural, dewy glow.
Triple the fun: Another multitasker but in a different way. To fake a suntan, go with a blush/bronzer/eye shadow combo that has at least three tones: a light tan, rosy pink, and warm brown. Swirl all of the colors together and apply to the in an "E" motion. Next, apply the lightest shade as a base on your lids, up to the brow bone. Use the rosy shade on the lids and seamlessly blend the darkest shade on the crease. This creates a natural, kissed-by-the-sun look. Try Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Malibu Strip Pink Sand Bronzer ($8) or Aveda Face Accents in Bronze Glow ($20).
Hot pink gloss: Mimic the look of sunned lips with a bright raspberry-toned gloss, such as MAC Tricolor Lip Glass in Tasty ($17.50).
Make a mix: Blend a bronze accent cream with your favorite lotion for an easy wash-away tan. I also like to lightly dunk these type of bronzers on their own on the tips of a complexion brush, stippling onto the "E" zone. Try Bonne Bell Gel Bronze Sheer Translucent Color in Golden Tan ($4) or Aveda Shimmer Accents in Terrastone ($21.50). You'll be a bronzed babe in a flash.

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Beauty Byte: Self's 2007 Healthy Beauty Awards

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 16:14:02 -0700

Self magazine just announced the winners of its 2007 Healthy Beauty Awards, which recognize skin-care, makeup, and hair products that are both good and good for you. I love lists like this, because they always give me ideas about new products to try (as if I needed more, but whatever).

The Self awards are a great mix of drugstore treasures and high-end brands. (Thanks to Beauty and the Blog for the tip!) To see the list of winners, read more

FACE

Best Normal-Skin Cleanser
Plank Cor Soap, $125

Best Oily-Skin Cleanser
Care by Stella McCartney Purifying Foaming Cleanser, $35

Best Dry-Skin Cleanser
NIA 24 Gentle Cleansing Cream, $30

Best Sensitive-Skin Cleanser
Skin Effects Redness Control Calming Gel Cleanser, $13

Best Normal-Skin Moisturizer
Skingenic Regenerating Moisturizer, $110

Best Dry-Skin Moisturizer
Lierac Hydra-Chrono, $45

Best Sensitive-Skin Moisturizer
Kinerase Cream With SPF 30, $135

Best Antiaging Moisturizer
Lancôme High Résolution With Fibrelastine Intensive Recovery Anti-Wrinkle Cream, $74

Best Night Cream
Roc Protient Fortify Lift and Define Night Cream, $20

Best Serum
Aveeno Positively Ageless Rejuvenating Serum, $18

Best At-Home Peel
Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel, $25

Best Face Scrub
C.O. Bigelow Brown Sugar Crystal Face Polish, $20

Best Acne Treatment
Sephora Face Concealing Blemish Pen, $14

Best Mask
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Firming Facial Mask, $58

Best Eye Cream
Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Eye and Lip Cream, $155

Best Antiaging Eye Cream
Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream, $54

Best Eye-Brightening Cream
Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme, $15

BODY

Best Bar Soap
Dove Pro-Age, $4

Best Shower Gel
Boscia Jujube Rejuvenist Amino Body Wash, $22

Best Moisturizing Shower Gel
Caress Cashmere Luxury Silkening Body Wash, $3

Best Body Scrub
Murad Activating Body Scrub, $48

Best Body Treatment
Ahava Pure Spa Energizing Body Mud Mask, $18

Best Body Moisturizer
St. Ives Mineral Therapy Advanced Body Moisturizer, $5

Best Nighttime Body Moisturizer
Johnson's Softlotion Melt Away Stress Moisturizing Lotion, $5

Best Spray Moisturizer
The Healing Garden Sensual Therapy Passion Rose Body Mist, $7

Best Body Cream
Jergens Shea Butter Cream, $7

Best Body Cream for Irritated Skin
Eucerin Calming Itch-Relief Treatment, $9

Best Hand Scrub
Mary Kay Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub, $15

Best Hand Lotion
OPI Avoplex High-Intensity Hand & Nail Cream, $8

Best Nail Product
Revlon No Smudge Dry Oil, $7

Best Foot Scrub
Olay Thermal Pedicure, $9

Best Foot Cream
Earth Therapeutics Intensive Heel Repair, $8

MAKEUP

Best All-Around Foundation
Shiseido The Makeup Dual Balancing Foundation SPF 17, $35

Best Tinted Moisturizer
Cosmedicine Honest Face Skin Tint & Treatment SPF 20, $35

Best Oil-Free Foundation
Neutrogena Glow Sheers SPF 30, $12

Best Antiaging Foundation
La Mer The Treatment Fluid Foundation SPF 15, $75

Best Long-Lasting Foundation
Rimmel Cool Matte 16 Hr Foundation, $8

Best Pressed Powder
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, $25

Best Loose Powder
Givenchy Prisme Libre, $63

Best Concealer
Prescriptives Custom Blend Concealer, $32

Best Bronzer
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Matte Bronzing Veil, $12

Best Highlighter
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, $18

Best Powder Blush
Lorac Cheek Stamp, $22

Best Gel Blush
Sue Devitt Beauty Gel to Powder Blush, $20

Best Lipstick
Giorgio Armani ArmaniSilk, $25

Best SPF-Enriched Lipstick
Almay Hydracolor, $9

Best Lip Gloss
Sally Hansen Smile Brightening Lip Treatment, $7

Best Lipliner
Lauren Hutton Lip Liner, $14

Best Powder Eyeshadow
Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Mosaic Eye Shadow, $18

Best Cream Eyeshadow
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow, $22

Best Makeup Multitasker
Benefit Rush Hour, $20

Best Eyeliner
L'Oréal Paris Carbon Black Le Kohl Pencil, $7

Best Lengthening Mascara
Clinique High Definition Lashes Brush-Then-Comb Mascara, $14

Best Thickening Mascara
CoverGirl VolumeExact Mascara, $7

Best Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline New York Volum' Express Turbo Mascara, $7

Best Multitasking Mascara
Chanel Inimitable Mascara, $27

Best Eye Makeup Remover
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $20

Best Palette
Sonia Kashuk Face Palette, $17

HAIR

Best All-Around Shampoo
Aura Spa Aromatherapie Balancing Équilibrant Verbena Ginger Shampoo, $8

Best Hydrating Shampoo
Sunsilk ThermaShine, $4

Best Straightening Shampoo
Nexxus SleekTress Sumptuous Smoothing Shampoo, $9

Best Shampoo for Curls
Aveda Be Curly Shampoo, $20

Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
Matrix Logics Color DNA System Color Nourishing Shampoo, $20

Best All-Around Conditioner
Charles Worthington Dream Hair Radiant Shine Glossing Conditioner, $9

Best Hydrating Conditioner
Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner, $19

Best Straightening Conditioner
Aussie Sydney Smooth Conditioner, $3

Best Conditioner for Curls
Redken Fresh Curls Conditioner, $13

Best Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair
Marc Anthony Brilliant Color Color Lock Conditioner, $8

Best Hair Mask
Alberto VO5 Fortify & Repair! Deep Moisturizing 3-Minute Masque, $3

Best Volumizer
Biolage VolumaThérapie Bodifying Crème Gel, $14

Best Shine Serum
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Serum, $10

Best Gel
Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Cream-Gel, $4

Best Curl Product
Suave Professionals Healthy Curls Anti-Frizz Cream, $2

Best Frizz Fighter
Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness Smoothing Leave-In Crème, $3

Best Mousse
Wella Color Preserve Volumizing Mousse, $14

Best Straightening Product
Tresemmé Thermal Creations Straightening Gel, $4

Best Texturizer
Pantene Pro-V Texturize! Moussing Foam Wax, $7

Best Hairspray
Paul Mitchell Express Style Worked Up Spray, $15

Best At-Home Color Kit
Clairol Natural Instincts, $9

SUN

Best Face Sunscreen
Dermalogica Extra Rich Faceblock SPF 30, $48

Best Body Sunscreen
Banana Boat UltraMist Sport SPF 30 Continuous Clear Spray, $7

Best Face Glow Lotion
Nivea Sun-Kissed Facial Moisturizer, $7

Best Body Glow Lotion
Estée Lauder Body Performance Golden Naturally Radiant Moisturizer, $35

Best Self-Tanner
Lancaster Silk Bronze Moisturizing Milk Face & Body Self Tan SPF 6, $22

Best Body Bronzer
Dior Bronze Gelée de Monoi, $32

Source

Reader Review of the Day: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:00:18 -0800

Having a stay-put eyeliner is a priority for most. I don't know many ladies that enjoy the looks-like-you-slept-in-it kind of appearance - that is, unless you're going for a super-smudgy look. I'm happy to report that reader Kellyamber has found her perfect long-lasting product in Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($21), even calling it the best eyeliner:

This is by far the best eyeliner out of the dozens I've tried in my lifetime. It stays put and is super easy to apply (and fix), especially for the makeup-impaired like myself. I have this in Bronze Shimmer and Black Ink, and I love them both. Bronze Shimmer is especially fun for more subtle look. My recommendation is to go to a department store at the beginning of the day and ask the people at the counter to apply this for you. Then walk around with it on for a day and see for yourself if you like it. I think it's definitely worth the investment."

Would you like to be showcased on this daily post? Just click over to our Product Reviews site, type out your opinion, and I just might feature it here.

How-To: Alicia Keys' Makeup at the 2009 Oscars

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:30:10 -0800

Drawing inspiration from Hollywood starlets of the '40s and '50s, makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff offered a dramatically glamorous red-carpet look for Alicia Keys. Keeping classic stars like Veronica Lake and Lena Horne in mind, she went for sultry eyes and strong brows on luminous skin. Get started with the following steps:

Skin: Prep with Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold capsules to add hydration and a radiant glow to skin then follow up with Pure Finish Mineral Powder 5. Lastly, contour face with CoverGirl Queen Collection Bronzer (in Light Bronze) as desired.
Eyes: Mask under-eye circles with Mary Kay Concealer (in Beige 2). Highlight eyes with Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil and add Shu Uemura Smoky Layers Lashes for extra drama.
Learn how to re-create those strong brows, glossy lips, and see pictures when you read more.
Brows: Highlight brows with a brown Dior Eyebrow Pencil before softening with Dior Brow Gel (in shiny blonde).
Lips: Plump up lips with Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture. Line with raspberry Mary Kay Lip Liner before filling in the entire lips with this pencil for lasting color. Top it all off with the pink Mary Kay Fleur De Polynesie.

View 5 Photos ›

Source

Reader Review of the Day: Stila Eyes & Shine Smudge Pot Trio Gel Eyeliner

BellaSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:00:35 -0800

For today's review, let's look at a product by Stila that comes with not just one or two but three of the brand's top-selling smudge pots.

The kit, Stila Eyes & Shine Smudge Pot Trio Gel Eyeliner ($32), contains black, bronze, and gray shades - all must-haves for the ultimate smoky eye. Bella reviewer Scully was a fan, giving the set four out of five stars. And now, take it away, Scully:

"For years I've stayed away from gel/cream eyeliners because my hand is not very steady - boy was I missing out! For me, this was the best purchase I have made lately. You get three colors that are universally flattering and the product stays put. I can apply at 5 a.m. and by 9 p.m. this stuff looks freshly applied and going strong. The texture is creamy and glides on effortlessly. I took one star away only because it is very hard to remove if you make a mistake - but on the flip side - that's why it's so long-lasting. I would recommend this to anyone."

Trend Alert: Bronzing Body Oils

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:00:51 -0700

Take heed, beauty addicts: there's another bronzing product on the market. We've seen everything from powder face bronzers to oversized face and body bronzers, to bronzing gels and now you can add these amazing bronzing oils to the list. Here are a few products to help create a gorgeous glow that'll wash off after just one wearing!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (Dry Oil Golden Shimmer) ($39) is liquid gold! This silky smooth oil absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any greasy residue behind. Not only does it nourish any dry areas, but it also gives your skin a radiant and soft shimmery sheen!

For two more body bronzing oils, read more

Nars Body Glow ($59) is a combination of luxurious Monoï de Tahiti oil and deep brown glimmer. The oil has a sensational coconut and floral smell that glides on smoothly, absorbs quickly and creates a gorgeous moisturized and shimmery effect of the skin.

Sephora SuperStars - Super Sheen Bronzing Mist ($12) is an extremely hydrating body oil. It is infused with nut oils, aloe vera, coconut, vitamin E and golden shimmer. It comes in a convenient and mess-free spray bottle that allows you to layer a little or a lot until you reach your desired level of color. Get you glow on, girls!