BellaSugar

Reader Review: MAC Brow Set

FabSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:00:19 PST

The other day, Fab came over and started waving a tube of brow gel in my face. "Have you tried this?" she asked. "It is the best." Since I hadn't, I asked her if she'd share a review with you. Since she's a sweetie, she agreed to. So, take it away, Fab:

"My eyebrow prayers have been answered. Here's how. . .

"I never had a lot of brow to begin with. I covet the thick, dramatic brows of Jennifer Connelly, Angie Harmon and, of course, Audrey Hepburn. Like all adolescent girls, I took a tweezer to my brows at a too-early age. I quickly learned that thin brows didn't work for my face, and now I am in a happy brow place, sort of.

"My brows don't have natural lushness and for photo ops and evening I use a kit to plump them up. But for everyday, I let them be their usual uninteresting selves. And so, I found M·A·C Brow Set ($13.50) and I've had fiercer brows ever since. The awesome thing is it doubles as a brow gel so I don't have to use a separate product for that. I just lightly glide it on with its round mascara brush and Q-Tip away any unnecessary brow gel. It comes in six colors; I use Beguile (pictured) for my dark brown brows. Great price, great brows."

I should add that Fab really does have great brows, and from looking at them, I never would have guessed that she uses any product at all. Fab tested, Bella approved.

Get The Most From Your Makeup: Your Old Toothbrush

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:00:35 PDT

About to throw out that old toothbrush of yours, are you? Whoa Nelly, hold your horses. Your used toothbrush can also double as an eyebrow brush! I know it sounds kind of disgusting, but if you clean it properly, it's not going to transfer any cooties-I promise!

First, disinfect it by soaking in it hot water infused with liquid anti-bacterial soap. Then, instead of spending more cash on a brow brush or a brow gel, just spritz a little bit of your favorite light hold hairspray on the bristles of your toothbrush to help hold the shape. Voila, you've got yourself a brow brush! For more ideas on how to save money and get the most from your makeup, click here.

Source

Clearly Fabulous Brow Gels

BellaSugar — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 10:12:29 PST

After you've perfected your arch and filled in your wow brows, you've got to set your eyebrows so that they don't become unruly and wild. To apply, use the same motion as you would when putting on mascara. Here are some fabulous, crystal clear brow gels that act in the same sort of way that a light hold hair hair gel would act on your hair.

Lola Brow Gel will put your rebellious brows in their place. This gel goes on extremely smoothly and it won't clump or flake. Your brows will simply feel set and secure, but never stiff or gooey. Buy it here for $16 in clear only.

Paula Dorf Brow Gel is another crystal clear get that acts as a brow groomer. I love Paula's stuff because it's professional quality without costing a fortune. Buy it here for $16.

Amazing Brow Gel is a real underdog in the cosmetics world. I think that their products are truly amazing. You only need one coat of their clear brow gel to reach your desired effect. Buy it here for $12.

How to Achieve a Bare-Faced Look Fast

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:45:19 PDT

The 2012 runways were awash with natural beauties, but most of the models got a little bit of help with makeup. If you want to achieve this minimalist look, follow these easy steps from makeup artists Kristi Matamoros and Jodie Boland:

Cover, don't cake: Use your fingers to apply a tinted moisturizer as a base. Start at the nose and spread outward, then switch to your thumbs to get more coverage in areas like your cheeks. Work with your hands instead of a brush to help the foundation melt into your skin. If you need to hide blemishes and dark spots, add a layer of medium foundation or concealer in discolored areas.

Top it all off with pressed powder. But instead of sweeping over your entire face, avoid these areas: the bridge of your nose, the apples of your cheeks, the cupid's bow, and the area directly under your lip. This will help you get a natural shine in the center line of your face. Also, as the weather gets warmer, remember to carry plenty of blotting paper to dissipate sweat and shine.

Contouring: To bring definition to an otherwise boring look, use a bronzer in the hollow of your cheeks (try making a fish face if you can't find the area). Then spread illuminator in a C shape around the eyes from your brow bone to temples. Finally, add a flush of color on the apple of your cheeks. Add tinted lip balm, a coat of mascara, and brow gel to get a natural face ready for day-to-day wear.

How to Get Lily Collins's Apple-Red Lips

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:40:45 PDT

Lily Collins was the fairest of them all at the Mirror Mirror premiere. (Tied with Julia Roberts, that is.) Not only did Lily's pearly complexion glow, her red lips were also reminiscent of Snow White's favorite forbidden fruit. Kayleen McAdams, the makeup artists who created this look, framed Lily's eyes with a glittering green-grey shadow and topped it all off with a blast of bright color on her lips. See the products you need to get Lily's exact look when you read more

How to Get Kristen Bell's Simple Undone Updo

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:52:13 PDT

Get Kristen Bell's twisted half up hairstyle - InStyle
Are bleached eyebrows the next beauty trend? - Huffington Post
Transition your daytime look for an after-work date - Styleite
Dare to add Olympian Blue to your palette - Stylelist
See these magical makeup wands that will work on-the-go -
Real Simple
Why a gel manicure is the ideal canvas for nail art aficionados - Refinery 29
Discover techniques that work for every eye shape - Beautylish
Feel like a princess? See the best celebrity headwear - Glo
Get brows like Madonna and Beyoncé - Beauty Sweet Spot
Swipe away eye makeup with ease - Beauty High

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.

10 Beauty Decisions You Should Always Sleep On

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 04:00:16 PDT

Everybody has a "eureka!" moment once in a while, where you realize exactly what you want and how to get it. When it comes to your appearance, though, things often require a little more thought. After all, there's nothing more personal than your body, and some regrets can last a lifetime or cost you some major cash to fix. See the 10 beauty decisions you should always give at least a couple good nights' sleep when you keep reading.

Stars Reveal Their Favorite Drugstore Beauty Products

Jaime Richards — Tue, 24 May 2011 04:00:05 PDT

Everybody loves a good bargain, even celebrities. Take Leighton Meester, for instance, who recently counted CoverGirl's Lipstains as among her favorites. But she's not the only star who knows a good deal when she sees one. Find out what some of your favorite celebrities are stocking up on at the drugstore when you read more.

Halloween Costume Idea: Dark Willow

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:40:26 PDT

The costume: Dark Willow
It's been 10 years since Dark Willow, the world's most powerful (and seriously P.O.-ed) witch, appeared on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but this Halloween costume is just as freaky now as it was then. It's a win-win choice from the Buffyverse, since fellow fans will get the costume immediately, and everyone else will just be impressed by your spooky look.

Hair and makeup: The key to this costume is black hair (if you need to, grab a wig!) and visible veins. Start by applying matte foundation in a shade lighter than your own skin tone. Next, use a damp eyeliner brush to draw on dark purple or black gel eyeliner as "veins." Fill in brows with black pencil or powder. Apply a dark red matte lipstick, then dab a bit of concealer on lips for a spookier look.

What to wear: Black, naturally. A fitted blazer and sleek black pants are very makeover-of-the-damned.

Take it to the next level: Go all out with black contacts, and you'll soon be one truck-driving magic mama.