BellaSugar

Beauty How To: Create Fabulous Cheek Contours

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 11:09:06 -0800

If only we could all be born with naturally high and defined cheek bones. Most of us, however, need a little help to get the perfect contour and shape. Here's how to create this Hollywood-worthy look in three easy steps.

First, apply a foundation that's one or two shades darker than your skin tone to the area of your cheeks that hollows out when you pucker up. Blend well, so that there's no line. I recommend MAC Cosmetics Hooked Bronzing Powder, $19.50.
Next, use a peachy apricot or a brown-based blush on the apples of your cheeks and be sure to blend well. I really like Nars Blush, $25, in Gina for medium skin tones or Orgasm for fairer skin.
Lastly, shine and define. Use a light golden or shimmery yellowish powder on the area right above your cheekbones. One swipe with the brush should be enough for a glowing accent. I recommend Diane Von Furstenberg Eclipse Highlighting Powder in Sunshine, $30.

To get all these contouring tools in one package, read more.

If you don't want to buy all the blush and powder separately, Scott Barnes Cheek Palette in Sundance, $45, has all of the essential ingredients for creating the perfect contoured cheeks. Each palette has three different pressed powder blushes in matte, demi-pearl, and pearl colors, which you can either blend your blush over together or use individually.

Thursday Giveaway! Caudalie Contour Cream for Eyes and Lips

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:30:46 -0700

Are you all ready for some vinotherapy? Good, because this week's giveaways are all about the incredible skin-saving properties of the grape vine. Our friends at Sephora have provided us with treats from Caudalie to help with all your skincare needs.

Today's giveaway is for Caudalie Contour Cream for Eyes and Lips. This is a high-performance gel-cream for eyes and lips, formulated to instantly reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, lighten dark circles, decongest puffiness and protect from free radicals.

Want to enter? Just take the quiz by 5 p.m. PST today, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to enter. So if you're not already one, register for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your vote to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

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New Product Alert: Dr. Brandt's Contour Effect Cream

BellaSugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:00:02 -0800

Did you get some gift cards this holiday? If so, Dr. Brandt has a thick and luxurious antiaging, complexion-boosting lotion called Contour Effect ($185) that might be up your alley. It was developed as a last-ditch effort for Dr. Brandt's patients, who asked him for a firming fountain-of-youth product to try before undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Made with antioxidants and other powerful ingredients such as mamaku essence (to stimulate and tone skin tissues), calmosensine (to relax the skin), and bacocalmine (an antistress herb to calm irritations) skin should look more even toned, firmer and supple. It also enriches seriously dehydrated or dry skin, as well as stimulates cells and promotes increased regeneration. To use, just apply a small amount to a clean face and neck in the morning. If your skin is excessively dry, you can also use it in the evening.

While I doubt that this topical cream can work miracles to turn back the hands of time, it does have peptides to help slow down the aging process. And on the off chance that you've got an extra $185 burning a hole in your pocket, I hope you'll try it and let everyone know how well it works!

Product Review: Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:00:27 -0700

There's a reason the word super is in the title of this eye cream from Shiseido. This Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream ($52) was recommended to me by a friend about two months ago and now I can't leave home without it. What makes it so special is two-fold. First are the results. It reduces the look of lines, wrinkles and puffiness around my eyes by about 80% and it doesn't sting or burn my sensitive skin. All I know is that when I don't use it, I look like I haven't slept a wink.

Second is the texture. The best way that I can describe the formula is that it's not too light and not too thick. It strikes the perfect balance between a heavy cream and a milky lotion - it's kinda like half and half!

Because it comes in a pump form, it stays fresh and it's easy to travel with. I'm already on my second bottle and so far I like it better than any eye cream I've tried.

Also, unlike most anti-puffy eye creams, it's very moisturizing and it doesn't dry my skin out at all - a common side effect that anti-puffy creams have since they are created to draw out excess fluids. Lastly, I also find that it works great for stubborn dark circles.

Do you have a favorite eye cream? If so, I'd love to hear about it!

How-To: Becki Newton's Dazzling Eye Makeup

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:00:31 -0700

Ugly Betty's Becki Newton looked lovely at the Elle Women in Hollywood Tribute, no? While her skin looks rosy and flawless, the focus is all on the eyes. Using just a bit of shimmer is an easy way to draw attention to your eyes, and as Becki's makeup artist Jamie Greenberg explains, it's easy to do. Get her step-by-step instructions on creating this look when you read more.

DSquared Channels Young Hollywood For Fall

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:49 -0700

Based on the runway makeup from their Fall/Winter 2009 runway show, twins Dan and Dean Caten of DSquared looked to the deliberately undone appearance of young Hollywood stars like Lindsay Lohan and the Olsen sisters for inspiration. "It's kind of 'rock-on' makeup, but it's effortless and not overly done or perfect," said Dean. Known for a humorous approach to fashion, like their recent take on glamping, DSquared has been partnering up with MAC since their first show 12 seasons ago. This time around, the MAC DSquared Fall/Winter Collection is edgy, purposefully disheveled, and not meant to be taken too seriously - or as MAC says, it's Ziegfeld Follies by way of Grey Gardens with a little Girl, Interrupted. Did you catch all that? It's all about a dark, glistening eye with a neutral face and nude lips.

For more photos of the collection, along with a quick how-to, just keep reading.

How-To: Get Pink's Sexy On-Tour Eye Look

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Makeup artist Yvette Beebe knows how to make a rock star look even more rockin', and she's styled every sexy songstress from Shakira to Janet Jackson. Right now, she's on tour with Pink, and I'm digging the frosted, wide-open eye she's been wearing. I got the scoop from Beebe on how to create the look, and what products she uses to make it last through a million costume changes, the heat from stage lights, and Pink's impressive stage choreography. To find out how to get this unstoppably pretty eye makeup for yourself, just read more

These Massage Goodies Let You Get Stoned

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:00:32 -0700

If a massage is good, a stone massage is great - which is why hot-stone massages are a perennial favorite at spas. While we don't condone picking up gravel from your driveway (pyrite, microwave, disaster), we can get into the kneading spirit with JimmyJane's new Contour Q massage stones ($25/pair, at right). The ridged, rippled devices are made of ceramic, so they can be heated or cooled safely. Plus, the design is modern yet warm, kind of like a Jonathan Adler objet d'art, but functional. Plus, you know what they always say: whe couple that massages together gets its kinks out together. (Wait, that's not what they say, but you get the point.)

Product Review: BeautyZZZ Silk Pillowcase

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:00:05 -0700

When it comes to "beauty" pillowcases that promise miracles, like the copper-infused pillowcase to reduce wrinkles and acne, or the contoured Anti-Wrinkle Beauty Pillow, do you buy into the hype? I know I'm leery, so when I tried out the BeautyZZZ Silk pH Balance Pillowcase ($47), I took it all with a grain of salt.

The hypoallergenic covering, available at Fred Segal Studio Beauty Mix stores, supposedly aids in preventing dark circles under the eyes, boosts the body's immune system, and helps keep skin and hair hydrated. But did it actually do as promised? To discover what I thought, keep reading.

Is This Cleavage-Boosting Kit a Bust?

BellaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:55 -0700

Makeup isn't just for the face anymore - or at least that's what a few companies would like you to think. Last week we took a look at concealer for your feet, and this time around, it's the My Beautiful Breasts kit ($69) from It Cosmetics. Intended to create the appearance of larger ta-tas, the kit includes waterproof/sweatproof "bust shadows," an awesomely titled Library of Secrets manual, booby primer, setting spray, and brushes for application. It also comes with bust stain, a semi-permanent tint that promises, "No matter how wet or sweaty you get, your breasts aren’t going anywhere!" (Oof, I should hope not.)

Makeup artists use shading and contouring tricks to create the illusion of larger breasts, and It Cosmetics CEO Jamie Kern Lima's background in TV means that she's picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. Still, I can't imagine an occasion when I'd think, "You know what this event calls for? Bust stain." Would you consider getting this kit, or will you stick with a push-up bra?