BellaSugar

BellaSugar's Guide to Beauty Products from Around the World

BellaSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:00:28 -0700

Get a load of these beauties from around the world. Famous actresses such as Debbie Matenopolous (Greek-American), Catherine Deneuve (French), Sophia Loren (Italian), Lucy Liu (Chinese-American) and Gisele Bundchen (Brazilian) all epitomize the beauty traits that each of these countries are known for.

Now, it's not like I've trotted the globe trying all of the latest and greatest beauty treatments (although that would be a dream come true) but I have had the opportunity to try out some of the great imports that have crossed oceans to get to the United States. Below is a five post round-up filled with fun facts about global beauty-as well as my top picks for beauty products from Greece, France, Italy, China and Brazil. I hope you've enjoyed this series as much as I have.

Celebrate Bastille Day With French Beauty Secrets!

BellaSugar — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:40:42 -0700

Bonjour, mes amies! Since today is Bastille Day-the French national holiday-I thought it would be appropriate to talk about how les femmes françaises look the way they do. Think about some contemporary French beauties-Catherine Deneuve, Audrey Tautou, Juliette Binoche, Noémie Lenoir-and I think you'll agree that they are belle indeed.

Compared to the average American woman, our Gallic counterparts view investing in their appearance as an absolute necessity, not an optional luxury. They're more inclined to pamper themselves. Their biggest focus is on developing a beautiful, glowing complexion. French women of all economic means take pride in their skin, whether that means getting regular facials or buying the best moisturizer their budget allows. On a day-to-day basis, I've found that French women moisturize like you wouldn't believe. It's not as though you'll walk along the Seine and see women applying lotion in broad daylight, of course, but I've never met a French woman who didn't apply a cream every single night.

To find out the French approach to makeup, and to discover which products sell better in France than they do in the U.S., read more

During my visits to Paris, I've noticed that fighting cellulite is a big deal for French women-much moreso than for Americans. Any Parisian drugstore is stocked with various creams, lotions and other products meant to minimize jiggle and orange-peel skin. Whether they work is beyond me, but sales are skyrocketing!

As far as makeup is concerned, the typical Parisienne favors a look that never tries too hard. The French are known for preferring a natural face over a "done" one. (Of course, there are exceptions, but even these are classy, not over-the-top.) While French women do wear makeup, they do so in a way that isn't necessarily obvious. So while you might start with foundation (again, to give a flawless-skin finish), you'd go easy on the blush, dab on some mascara and a light lip gloss. At night, you might favor a smoky eye or a bold red mouth, but never both together. Moins c'est plus: Less is more.

And finally, as my wonderful French professor once told our class, "Of course French women shave their underarms!" If you've been clinging to the "hairy Frenchie" stereotype, let that one go! Tell me: Have you been to France? Have you picked up any French beauty secrets?

Source

Bella Donna: Catherine Deneuve

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:00:08 -0700

It's time for this week's installment of Bella Donna, in which I profile beauty icons throughout the ages. This week, we're looking at French actress Catherine Deneuve, who's been called one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Over a career spanning decades, Deneuve has become the leading lady of French film. She leapt to stardom in the excellent musical Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, and her fame only increased with her following film choices. Belle de Jour and Repulsion cemented Deneuve's on-screen reputation as an ice queen to be reckoned with. Offscreen, Deneuve was chosen to represent Marianne, a national symbol of France. For more on Catherine Deneuve's approach to beauty as well as a photo gallery, read more

Obviously, Deneuve was genetically gifted to be as jolie as she is. But her approach to beauty is quintessentially French: She favors subdued eye makeup, a simple lip and perfectly touched-up blonde hair (if she's ever had roots, they haven't been photographed). She's also an icon in the fashion and beauty worlds. Deneuve is a friend of and muse to Yves Saint Laurent, who outfitted her for Belle de Jour and countless parties and events in real life. During the 1970s, she was the face of Chanel No. 5, and in the 1980s she had her own eponymous perfume. Now in her sixties, Deneuve continues to be a beauty icon: in the last five years, she's represented L'Oreal and has been the face of an eponymous cosmetics line for MAC.

Source

View 16 Photos ›

MTV Video Music Awards: Madonna

BellaSugar — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:24:18 -0700

Queen Madge isn't one to be off trend, and tonight was no exception. I love her pulled-back pouf - it reminds me of Catherine Deneuve's hair in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Unlike a lot of red carpet denizens, though, she kept her eyes sexy, with a classic Cleopatra line past the outer edges. Her peachy pink lip color was also the perfect shade for rosy, pale girls who have a hard time with the nude lip trend.

Vote on all of my MTV VMAs polls here!

Beauty Mark It! Because You Cannes, Cannes, Cannes

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:00:35 -0700

The 61st annual Cannes Film Festival begins today, and you know what that means: international celebrities donning their haute couture and going glamorous with their hair and makeup. If you don't believe me, just check out how stunning Angelina Jolie was last year. In honor of the most prestigious of all film festivals, I'm challenging you to bookmark beauty items that you'd rock on the red carpet.

I'll start you off with the classic fragrance Chanel N°5, because it's oh so French, and it's been represented by such Cannes staples as Catherine Deneuve, Nicole Kidman, and Audrey Tautou. That's my choice. What's yours?

Share your choices by bookmarking items from around the web and tagging them with the phrase Cannes beauty. I'll feature your favorites here next Tuesday.

To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more.

Saks Beauty Place
Sephora
Saffron Rouge
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Amazon.com Beauty
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com

Beauty Byte: Audrey Tautou to Be No. 5 Alive?

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:00:17 -0700

Magnifique! WWD reports that French actress Audrey Tautou is rumored to be the next face of Chanel No. 5 perfume. If it's true - and considering WWD's insider reports are almost always right, it probably is - then Audrey will follow icons such as Nicole Kidman and Catherine Deneuve in representing the scent.

Truthfully, I'm surprised that Chanel hasn't signed her before. Audrey Tautou's gamine charm is unmatched, and she's playing Coco Chanel in an upcoming biopic. (She also seems a little more approachable than current spokesmodel Nicole Kidman, but that's just my opinion.) Seems like a perfect fit to me.

Source