BellaSugar

Bella Brand: Face Boutique

BellaSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:00:46 -0700

British investment banker Sarah Vorbach was in search of products she could use to teach her two daughters about skincare. Her criteria were that the products look good, smell good, feel good, do good (for the environment) and work... well. Unable to find what she was looking for, Sarah founded Face Boutique in October 2007.

Available exclusively through Space.NK (which are about to be in Bloomingdale's stores), the line uses plant-derived ingredients like geranoil and clove oil (and does not use sulfates, parabens, or petrochemicals). If you have specific skin problems, you might want to turn to some bigger guns (or a dermatologist) on the skincare front, but for gentle products that fit into any regimen, Face Boutique is great. And the products have amazing, subtle scents - kind of like fancy herbal teas. How perfectly British.

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Face Boutique

BellaSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:50:40 -0700

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Beauty Byte: Napoleon Perdis's Reality Show Debuts Monday Morning

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:05:11 -0800

Charismatic makeup artist to the stars, Napoleon Perdis, is everywhere these days. He's got a training academy in LA and his products can be found at ULTA, Target, Napoleon Perdis Stores, and select boutiques. Oh, and that's just in the United States.

The Australian native's next venture? A 10-episode reality program called Get Your Face On, where the now Hollywood-based Perdis is out to find his protégé amongst 12 contenders. “I’m going to be fair, but I’m going to be tough,” he said.

The show, which will run in a marathon-style format, starts Monday, Dec. 8 at - 7 a.m.?! Zoikes, that's early. Each hour-long episode will air throughout 10 consecutive weekdays, with the finale on Friday, Dec. 19 So, tell me - will you be up and alert with your morning joe to watch, or is it going to be TiVo all the way?

Photo courtesy of NapoleonPerdis.com

Love It or Hate It? Kirsty Hume's Long Bangs

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 06:00:44 -0700

A lot of famous faces turned up for the opening of the new Chanel boutique in Los Angeles, and just about everyone was made up in a classic style befitting the fashion house. But model Kirsty Hume pushed things into a more rock-and-roll vibe, letting her long bangs fall into her face. Red lipstick and a shoulder tattoo just add to the look. Even though her bangs could use a trim, I think this is a case of "so wrong it's right." Do you?

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How Do You Use Testers?

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:00:31 -0700

Every beauty boutique worth its salt has product testers that you can dip into. Some people touch the containers of lip gloss and blush with their fingers, others use Q-tips to apply products to their faces, and others refuse to touch them at all. Even though I've never heard of anyone getting sick from a less-than-hygienic tester, I use Q-tips to apply samples only on the backs of my hand. Which way do you use testers? (Your secret's safe with me, I promise.)

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Vitamin C Skin Care Part III: Lip Balms

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:59:46 -0700

Today's installment of vitamin C-enhanced beauty products is lip-centric! Healthy lips are tender, soft, and smoochable-not dry, chapped and cracking. By using a vitamin C lip balm, your lips get the nourishment and hydration they need to stay healthy and supple. Now that's something to smile about!

Face Stockholm Specialty Lipstick, Vitamin C ($20) is essentially a transparent lip balm that contains a high concentration of vitamin C to help protect your lips from the damaging effects of the environment.

Unfortunately, you can't buy this product online, but you can order it by calling 1-888-334-FACE or by going into any of the Face Stockholm boutiques.

For two more vitamin C lip balms, read more

Vitamin C SPF 15 Lip Care Stick ($6) is a lip balm stick that is full of antioxidants! This vitamin C stick smells great, and it has SPF 15 to protect lips from sun, wind and any extreme weather. It will also make your smackers feel smoother and silkier than ever before.

Beau La Vie Vitamin C Lip Care SPF 15 ($18) is a rich healing balm that contains antioxidants such as vitamins C and E to heal and moisturize dry, chapped, aging lips. Lips will feel softer and fine lines will look smoother after just a few uses. This is a great product for those of you who suffer from cold sores.

Bella Interview: Liz Earle, Founder of Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare

BellaSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:01:22 -0700

Welcome back to another exclusive BellaSugar interview. Last week I had the opportunity to meet Liz Earle, author of over 30 beauty-related books as well as the co-founder and face behind the Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare brand.

Before Liz and her partner Kim Buckland decided to turn their friendship into a working relationship in 1995, Liz was a successful health and beauty editor, beauty journalist and TV broadcaster. She became well known in the world of botanical ingredients, natural health and well being. Kim was a beauty industry marketing expert and they both shared a great passion for organic beauty.

They set out on a mission to develop fuss-free, natural products at affordable prices that delivered great results. The line launched on QVC, followed by a store on the Isle of Wight; recently, a new boutique opened in the heart of London. Based on astounding success of the company, plans are in place for international expansion with a focus on the US. Liz is an inspiration that made me want to overachieve (she's also got four children)! To read the interview, read more

How do you come up with your products?
LIZ EARLE: I am very ingredient driven, so if I find something new or something that really works on all skin types - even sensitive skin, I exlore it.

What is the most difficult part of your job?
Not having enough hours in the day to fit everything in! I was recently in Grasse, France for the jasmine harvest and I've been doing a lot of lectures as well.

What challenges have you faced that you didn't expect?
The constant changes in legislation is difficult. FDA requirements in the United States, Europe and Japan always have me on my toes.

What's the most fun part of your job?
I love to travel, but most of all, I feel lucky that I am in a position to offer practical help to others. I am able to enter communities where I can make a difference in people's lives. For example, I can buy avocado oil, rose, melissa and eucalyptus in many different locations, but I chose Kenya because I know the country is struggling financially. It's wonderful to know that we can help save lives.

What's next for the company?
More in America!

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.

Frida Kahlo Launches Makeup Collection . . . From the Afterlife!

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:00:59 -0800

I have, uh, grave feelings about this makeup and skincare collection. The Frida Kahlo line has launched, complete with a boutique in Staten Island. Kahlo, a Mexican painter whose work is appreciated by art historians and feminists alike, has inspired the collection of mineral makeup, body lotions, and antiaging and antiwrinkle face creams.

Frida died in 1954, and recently the Kahlo family granted the name and image rights to Naturals Skin Care, the company that developed the line. The CEO, Antonio Sciortino, spent time reading Kahlo's private journals before developing the line. "Reading her letters was a life-changing experience for me. She was very much into
aromatherapy herself - mixing and creating her own makeup and lotions," he said.

While I think it's cool that a unibrowed, mustachioed woman is being hailed as a beauty icon, I can't help but think that Frida herself wouldn't love the commercial aspect of this brand. (After all, she was a communist.) What do you think of this endeavor? If you're an art aficionado, would you add any of these products to your permanent collection?

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Chanel's New 2007 Summer Collection!

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:03:51 -0700

Yay, it's here it's here! Chanel's new 2007 Summer Collection is amazing. I've had the privilege of viewing the products and they are all really clean, fresh and wearable. You know how some summer looks are too bright and just don't work? This is the exact opposite. I think that most of this collection is going to evolve into some of their bestsellers.

Pictured above are just a few highlights, but the collection covers the full range for the face. Lips and eyes consist of: Contraste Lumiere which is a six color lip palette, two satin lipsticks in Flirt and Darling, two sheer lipsticks in Montego and Jamaica, five glossimers in Sundress, Sarong, Coral Reef, Summer Plum and Seashell, two fluorescent lip sheers in Mango Fluorescent and Pink Fluorescent, a Shimmering Dunes eye shadow quad, two new powder shadows in Island and Sand and two liquid iridescent shadows in Coast and Source.

Cheeks, nails and face are comprised of: two nail lacquers in Heatwave and Orange Blossom, two Joues Contraste powder blushes in Nude and Horizon and Soleil Lame tinted bronzing gel. All products are now available at Chanel Boutiques and counters. Get 'em while they're hot!