BellaSugar

Black Market Makeup: How To Spot Fake Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:00:20 -0700

You might think that counterfeits exist only in the realm of "Mark Jacobs" and "Guchi" purses, but there are fake and black-market beauty goods, too. I love a bargain, so I wind up buying a lot of housewares and accessories on eBay. But when it comes to shopping for cosmetics, you've got to be careful. I've found quite a few counterfeit eye shadows, lipsticks, glosses and fragrances-all offered at prices that are too good to be true. While there are honest sellers out there, a few folks are out to make a quick buck.

Why is buying counterfeit merchandise a bad idea? There are a few reasons, but first and foremost is your health. If you don't know where a product really comes from, or what ingredients are inside, why would you let it touch your skin? Counterfeits also funnel money into shady operations, and-oh yeah-they're illegal. And on a less sinister level, the colors just aren't accurate!

To find out how to avoid buying fakes, read more

Common sense will take you a long way. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! For instance, the 12 "MAC" eye shadows shown here were being auctioned on eBay for $24.99. Hmm, that's a pretty low price, considering a single shadow is $14.50 in the stores. Now, I can't tell whether those eye shadows are genuine or fake, but the price seems a little odd.

For that particular auction, I also looked at the seller's feedback, which had complaints by bidders who claimed the MAC shadows were fakes. The seller also had dozens of similar auctions; why would one person have literally hundreds of "new-in-box" eye shadows? Is there a possibility that this particular seller is legitimate and just being accused of selling fakes? Of course. But it's not a chance I want to take.

For most people, common sense will help you spot obvious fakes, but the counterfeiters are getting better and better at making their junk look like the real thing. This detailed guide has great examples of counterfeits lined up to the real thing, and I recommend it as an excellent reference.

What do you think? Would you buy counterfeit makeup to save a few bucks, or would you rather save up for the real thing?

Who Do You Think Pulls Off The Best Fake Tan?

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 14:21:22 -0800

All the young Hollywood starlets fake bake religiously. Hey, everyone looks better with a tan, I'm the first to admit it - but these gals take a "healthy glow" to the next level. Who do you think pulls off this look best in the middle of winter?

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Five Easy Ways to Fake a Sun-Kissed Glow

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:19 -0700

If you make frequent stops on the Bella train, then you'll know that I'm all about safe sunning - which means no tanning at all. But that doesn't mean you have to lose the look of a day at the beach. While I love the benefits of a self-tanner, sometimes I don't want to deal with the smell of DHA combining with my skin's chemistry or the affliction of streak-mania all over my body. So, I've come up with a few tricks to fake a tan, all without the sunburn or chemical reaction. Check them out when you read more.

Insta-perk: For an instant perk-me-up, a creamy bronzer gives the best fresh-faced glow. These days, I've been very into Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzer in Sun Glow ($6), a slightly shimmering warm rosy brown. Just apply where the sun would hit by making an "E" shape along the hairline, into the cheeks, and over the jawline. A small amount on the brow bones and down the nose complete the luminous effect.
Orange you looking tan: All I am saying is give orange a chance - or at least peach. I'm digging Revolution Organics Beauty Balm in Sunkissed ($32), an eco-friendly peachy-toned stick that gives lips, cheeks, and eyes a natural, dewy glow.
Triple the fun: Another multitasker but in a different way. To fake a suntan, go with a blush/bronzer/eye shadow combo that has at least three tones: a light tan, rosy pink, and warm brown. Swirl all of the colors together and apply to the in an "E" motion. Next, apply the lightest shade as a base on your lids, up to the brow bone. Use the rosy shade on the lids and seamlessly blend the darkest shade on the crease. This creates a natural, kissed-by-the-sun look. Try Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Malibu Strip Pink Sand Bronzer ($8) or Aveda Face Accents in Bronze Glow ($20).
Hot pink gloss: Mimic the look of sunned lips with a bright raspberry-toned gloss, such as MAC Tricolor Lip Glass in Tasty ($17.50).
Make a mix: Blend a bronze accent cream with your favorite lotion for an easy wash-away tan. I also like to lightly dunk these type of bronzers on their own on the tips of a complexion brush, stippling onto the "E" zone. Try Bonne Bell Gel Bronze Sheer Translucent Color in Golden Tan ($4) or Aveda Shimmer Accents in Terrastone ($21.50). You'll be a bronzed babe in a flash.

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How-To: Make Frightfully Cool Fake Blood

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:00:27 -0700

Take a tip from these delightful zombies - good fake blood can be tricky to make, especially since most recipes leave you with something too bright and runny that stains everything. Never fear, though, I've hunted down a recipe for fake blood that's non-toxic, won't stain skin (though it will stain clothes, so watch out), and is thick enough to apply anywhere. Plus it's super easy to make and there are only three cheap ingredients. Ready to get gruesome? Then just keep reading.

Trend Alert: Faking a Shorter Style

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:36 -0700

Faking a shorter haircut by means of skillfully placed hair pins is nothing new. In fact, we saw Rosario Dawson do her own faux-crop late last year, followed by Nicole Kidman's asymmetric version. In recent times, the look has taken on resurgence in popularity, as celebrities have been tricking us out with their own adaptations, giving the appearance of freshly cut locks. Kate Beckinsale's full-in-the-front updo gave the illusion of an angled wedge at the Whiteout premiere; both Jennifer Lopez and Elizabeth Banks opted for wavy, tousled styles; and Kristen Stewart faked us out at the VMAs with her memorable faux bowl cut. It's a great look for the changing season, and for those of us who don't want to sacrifice length. (Learn to do it here.) What do you think of these mock styles?

Botox: What Can You Actually Use It For?

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:05 -0800

It seems like every time I turn around, the FDA is approving another use for Botox, and some doctor in Hollywood is finding yet another off-brand thing to do with it, scary as that is. The number of uses for the stuff has gotten so mind-boggling that I still have a hard time wrapping my head around a lot of them. Can you guess which of these Botox uses is real, and which one is as fake as a pair of implants? Take my quiz and find out!

Question 1 of 5

Breast augmentation

Trend Alert: 24K Gold Lip Gloss

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:05:30 -0700

When you can't afford pink diamonds, go for the gold! These gold lip glosses are scorching hot for summer and fall. They can be worn alone or over your favorite lipstick to create a warming and glittery effect. To check out gold lip glosses from last season, click here, for more beauty products with bling, click here and to check out this spring's silver lip gloss trend, click here.

Benefit 24k Sexy Gold Lipgloss ($20) is a sensual, feminine and seductive sheer metallic lip gloss. Although I doubt it contains actual 24k gold, this powerful burst of color will make you look and feel like a million bucks! The color is versatile enough to wear day or night for a sexy sparkle.

For one more 24K Gold Lip Gloss, read more

Bronzy Babe Tools Lip Gloss by Fake Bake in 24K Gold ($9.99) contains light reflectors to deliver tons of shimmer and shine to your lips without feeling overly gooey! The acrylic wand is shaped to contour your lips for easy and smooth application.

Have You Ever Gotten a Spray Tan?

BellaSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 04:20:29 -0700

'Tis the season for fake tans, and while I'm partial to bronzers and self-tanning lotions, I don't frequent the spray-tan booth. So I'm curious: Who among you has gotten a tan professionally sprayed on?

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Make Your Halloween Makeup Stay The Night

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:00:46 -0700

With the wrong Halloween makeup, your cheerleader costume can become a zombie cheerleader costume by the end of the night. Makeup that stays put is imperative in pulling off the ultimate costume. Here are some tips to help your getup last the night.

Makeup stays longer on hydrated skin. Be sure not to slack on your moisturizer and eye cream.
Use professional stage makeup. "Usually over-the-counter makeup lines are called washable cream makeup, and they will smear and rub off," says Dominic Cruz, Education Director at Kryolan. If you don't have access to cake makeup, he recommends setting your look with powder or Kryolan Fixing Spray.
Choose a long-wearing or waterproof concealer, like Maybelline Cover Stick Waterproof Concealer.
Use an eye shadow base or primer, like L‘Oreal De-Crease Eyeshadow base.
Curl lashes, and use a waterproof mascara if your costume includes it. If you need to wear false lashes, bring extras and glue with you. If you need to wear colored mascara and can’t find one, try Benefit She Laq, which comes with a mascara wand applicator.
If your disguise requires flushed cheeks, layer more than one kind of blush (mousse, powder, gel, stain) to make the color last longer.
Use long-wearing eye pencil on brows instead of brow pencil. Also use it for fake moles or freckles (that means you, Marilyn).
If you need to create the illusion of big lips, use concealer all over your lips before applying either liner or lip stain and then lipstick. If you need to tweak the shape, use a reverse lip liner.

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Link Time!

BellaSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:51 -0700

How to create this ghoulish look - Stylelist
Addressing the Jolie-Pitt hair police - Jezebel
See the cringe-delivering ANTM brownface footage - The Cut
How much you should really tip at the salon - Lemondrop
Fake perfect skin, even if you have acne - Lucky
Make your manicure happen faster - Allure
This nail polish indeed looks pretty bad - Temptalia
Find your Halloween style match - People StyleWatch
Oh boy, reiki nail polish remover - Beauty Snob