BellaSugar

Crystal Cell Phone Compact: Love It or Leave It?

BellaSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:43 -0700

Talk to the hand. No, I'm not sassing you - this handy (har har) product allows you to speak with your makeup. Although it looks just like any other crystal-studded compact, it's actually a cell in disguise. The G88i Dual Band GSM Mobile Phone ($120) can send calls and texts, take pictures and videos, play music, games, and much, much more. Do you think you'd try this piece of technology, or do you prefer your compacts to have only makeup in them?

Once Bitten, Twice Shy: Five Ways to Stop Nibbling Your Nails

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:00:24 -0700

Every nail biter knows that it's a bad habit: you get bacteria from the environment into your mouth, age your hands, wear down your teeth, and generally end up feeling pretty bad about yourself and your willpower (or apparent lack thereof). But biting your nails isn't about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps for a lot of people. Instead, it's an automatic reaction that has to be overcome by other means, because will alone doesn't work when you don't notice you're doing something or have no other means of release. To help those of us for whom nail nibbling is all too natural, I've put together five smart tips that promise quick results - just keep reading

Serena Serves Her Pomegranate Lip Balmer

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:00:11 -0700

I'd imagine lunging for a drop shot would cause some wind-chapped lips over time. (I'm imagining this while sitting my lazy bum on the couch.) Anyway, athletes who face the elements while practicing and competing, need to protect their lips.

To help keep her game face ready, Serena Williams worked with Mission Skincare to create a silky balm that takes her through the whole set. The Serena Williams's Pomegranate Lip Balmer SPF 15 ($4) comes with a sweet flavor (not just scent) and goes on super smooth.

With an added base including coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter for moisture, it's free of preservatives/ parabens making it the natural choice, even for me. Since the only thing I'm diving for is my cell phone, I'm glad this line features a special applicator (making it nearly impossible to turn unless the top's off) so I won't get sticky fingers in the process.

These Shoes Hold Lots of Lipstick

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:00:35 -0700

Yowza! I am so impressed by these vintage shoes, found in The Seductive Shoe. Their shape is gorgeous as it is - just check out the way they envelop the ankles - but they have a secret weapon, too. Check out the wee lipstick holder. Can't imagine how practical they'd be, since I always have to schlep a bag around for my going-out essentials (cell phone, wallet, etc.). Still, they're cool enough that I'd buy a reissued version. What do you think?

Source

The Hills Beauty Quiz: Episode 18, "Dream Boy, Dream Job"

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:30:22 -0800

On last night's episode of The Hills, Whitney lands an interview in New York for her dream job with Diane von Furstenberg. Before she jets back to LA, her dream boy steals a quick kiss. In the meantime, Stephanie ends her rocky relationship and Lauren reminisces about the old days - and her super-sized cell phone - when her parents decide to sell their house in Laguna Beach. Were you paying attention to the different beauty details from this episode? Take my quiz to find out and make sure you get the lowdown on all the clothing from last night's episode on CelebStyle.

Photos courtesy of MTV

Take the quiz

Bella Bargain: A Back-to-School Freebie for Students

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:00:55 -0700

I have to dig up the ol' college ID, because Sephora is doing a back-to-school promotion this weekend. Tomorrow and Sunday (only), you can flash your student ID and get a free mirror that sticks to your cell phone. I managed to snag one of these early, and I'm surprised by how often I use it. It's a ridiculously simple idea that has made my little touch-ups so much easier. Instead of fishing around in my purse for a mirror, I just grab my phone and take a look-see. So if you're a student, look up the nearest store, run in and get this freebie while supplies last, along with a card with 10 "backpack beauty essentials." Trust me on this one-you will use it all the time. And it doesn't get better than being free!

See Who's Going Back To School With Sephora!

BellaSugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:00:21 -0700

Hi everybody! I am excited to present the three winners of our Back to School With Sephora giveaway! Each will receive a treasure trove of goodies: Hard Candy fragrance, Bourjois Effet 3D Mobile Gloss in Framboise Magnifique, Sugar Travel Tan Face & Body Bronzer, Pop Teal Eye Cake, DuWop Lip Venom lip plumper, Urban Decay Big Fatty mascara, Too Faced Miss Sixty Quickie Chronicle palette, Tarte Cheek Stain in Flush, Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous, and Benefit Galactic Shield. (Whew!)

Our three winners are...

Soco210, who will now get the chance to try the eye shadow she wrote about.
CocoChic, who created some great tutorials that she can put to use.
Cdot, who wrote about her forthcoming high school reunion.

Congratulations to all of them! But since going back to school is always better with some extra credit, I have another surprise: We have 25 runner-up prizes. Twenty-five of you will receive a Sephora cell phone mirror and a sample of Hard Candy fragrance. To see if you're one of the lucky ladies, read more

Here's the list of the 25 runners-up. If you're on the list, congratulations, and check your inbox later today-I'll be in touch to arrange your prize delivery. Thanks to everybody who entered! (And bookmark BellaSugar, because I have a feeling you're going to be very excited when you see another contest we're working on...)

Glam Sugar
Jaylovee
Sandybfan
Tinytina014
Glosslizard
Nikarina
Supergurl5210
Nanemar
TeriLeigh8789
Lipstick500
Slehan
Xoxov14
I am elle
Parkitohac
Rosyrose
Paperfairies
Mermaidkween
Lavina
Hullahoop
Photogirle17
Northern Darling
Mimosa1028
Greentea14
Krampalicious
Colormesticky

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Beauty Byte: Would You Let a Computer Choose Your Cosmetics?

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:13:24 -0700

If you've been hoping for a Jetsons-style way to shop for makeup, you'll be pleased to learn this. Hewlett-Packard has created a service that will help you find the right shades of foundation, lipstick, blush and eye shadow for your skin tone.

According to a new story in Scientific American, all you need is a cell phone camera and a sheet of color swatches that HP provides. Just snap your picture with the color sheet and send it as a picture message to HP, where computers will use algorithms to deduce the right colors for you. The software color-corrects the image, matches your skin tone to a database of colors chosen by makeup artists, and sends you the findings via text message.

Hewlett-Packard is mum on when this service will roll out, and it'll likely happen with only one cosmetics brand at first. Admittedly, the idea is innovative, but I have some reservations. To find out what they are, read more

Beyond the novelty aspect of this concept, I'm not sure how successful it would be in the long run. Most women I know enjoy playing around with different colors, and trying new products. I've spent many hours buzzing around Sephora seeing what I'd look like with, say, green eyeliner with yellow eye shadow (the answer: not very good). So unless you really hate shopping for makeup, it seems like you might be giving up some of the fun factor.

Additionally, who's to say that a certain color is flattering? Although the hues were selected by makeup artists, every person has different tastes. While a makeup artist might think you look great in tawny tones, what if your tastes are a little wilder?

With all of that said, I do think this kind of technology is innovative. It would probably be most helpful at the drugstore, where it's nearly impossible to figure out which colors will look good under that fluorescent light. But I'm still not completely sold. What do you think?
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Precious PortaMEe Baby Carrier

BellaSugar — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 15:33:33 -0800

PortaMEe is the latest and greatest revolution in baby carriers. I know what you are thinking: why is this on FabSugar - because this new mommy accessory is where style meets function! Only sold in high end specialty department stores and boutiques, PortaMEe, $198, is for the chic Mom who wants her hands free so she can hang with baby and browse through shopping racks.

After speaking with the passionate and enthusiastic Jennifer Gilbert, founder of PortaMEe, I was able to get a much better sense for each of the well thought out and practical features on the carrier.

This hands free, stylish and noninvasive carrier has unique ergonomic lumbar support made from steel rods to reduce back pain. It's like wearing a weightlifting belt.

This simple feature immensely helps distribute the weight of your child away from your shoulders and tender ta ta's. It also promotes bonding between mommy and baby because unlike other popular carries, it allows you to see your child's face. The carrier can be used for children up to 35 lbs.

To read about the rest of the fabulous PortaMEe features, read more

A honeycomb gel padded shoulder strap provides comfort. The strap also includes a pocket for easy access to your cell phone and keys.
A hooded cape adds additional warmth for your baby. All you have to do is unsnap the cape when you get inside if your child becomes hot. This is unique because unlike other carriers, you don't have to remove the baby to remove a layer.
Attached to the center of the carrier is a zippered flap that securely holds valuables such as your wallet or Blackberry.
A bottle carrier accessory that attaches onto the back of the carrier holds 6, 8 and 12 oz bottles including the extra wide Avent bottle. This is available for purchase separately ($15).