BellaSugar

Six Ways to Apply a Highlighter

BellaSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:46 -0700

Highlighters illuminate, while concealers cover. This was a very important lesson I learned while chatting with Yves St. Laurent national makeup artist, Dell Ashley, at the San Francisco Saks 5th Avenue. Perhaps you've heard of a little product called Touche Éclat ($40), a highly popular highlighting pen that helps to brighten and contour the face - but you weren't exactly sure how to use it? For six ways to give yourself an instant pick-me-up, plus my suggestion for a drugstore alternative, read more.

Under the eyes. (Find out how to do it.)
On the eyelids as a shadow base.
Around the brow. (Here's how to make it work.)
Down the center of the nose.
On the smile lines.
Under the chin.

"I have not met the person yet who doesn’t look better with Touché Eclat," Dell declared. Interested in learning more? Check out my review of this top-seller, a recommendation for a similar product that won't break the budget, and photos of Dell working his magic on the enviably gorgeous Franchesca below.

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Reader Review of the Day: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush

BellaSugar — Sat, 30 May 2009 08:03:41 -0700

Blushes with multiple colors are a great way to get the benefits of various colors, without having to buy an overabundance of product. Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush ($12.80) has a touch of color with a slight shimmery finish. Reader Laura220 is impressed, and here's why:

For me, this is expensive for blush, but it's so worth it. I'm very light-skinned, and this doesn't look silly on me at all. It matches my natural pink tones, and it blends well. I use it with a bigger brush than what is given in the compact because that's my preference.

What's your favorite blush or summery product? Let us know about it on the Product Reviews pages and I might just put it in the spotlight for all to see!

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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Reader Review of the Day: Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

BellaSugar — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:00:00 -0700

I get darkness under my eyes, so I'm a fan of brighteners, which liven up the under-eye area in a flash. Instant refreshment. Reader Laratf highly recommends Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, and here's why:

It's by far the best brightener/concealer I've used. It's not just sheer shimmer that makes you look like a freak in photos (anyone else face that problem?), it provides good coverage, stays in place, and brightens without making you look sick. I'm really pleased with it.

Now, it's your turn to review. Our Product Reviews page has over 50,000 items just waiting for your opinion. Better yet? Perhaps you'll be featured on this daily post.

Reader Review of the Day: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Degradé

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:02:02 -0800

If you're a regular reader, you'll know that I love multitasking products. Loyal reader Emalove recently reviewed MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Degradé ($28), a limited-edition palette of four shades that can be used all over the face as a blush, highlighter, eye shadow, and contouring powder. Find out what she had to say about the shimmery stuff below:

I just bought my first Mineralize Skinfinish - the Redhead shade in the new Brunette Blonde Redhead collection - and I am in love! It's made up of four strips of color, ranging from a pale goldish shade to a pretty peachy-pink shade. It goes on sheer and light in color, so it's perfect for my fair skintone. The product looks shimmery in the case, but on the face, it just makes it glow. The shimmer is so fine that it doesn't even really look like shimmer. . . so pretty! I use it as a highlighter after I apply my blush. Love it.

For what it's worth, I'm also a fan of this shade; it really gives skin a warm, romantic glow. If you'd like to have the chance to be featured on this daily post, it's quite easy to do. Just head over to our Product Reviews site and submit your opinion.

Reader Review of the Day: Benefit Cosmetics high beam

BellaSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:00:58 -0800

Highlighters are great, so don't just save them for special occasions; use them everyday for that wide-awake glow.

So, for today's reader review, we're looking at Benefit Cosmetics high beam ($24), a brightening complexion enhancer. Reader A Million Suns is loving this product, calling it an ethereal glow in a bottle. Here's what she had to say:

"Just a few dots of this on my brow bones, inner corners of my eyes, and cheekbones made instantly makes me look fresher and gives me that ethereal glow. Plus it lasts forever because you don't need to use much of it each time."

Want to add your own two cents? Check out our product reviews section to share your thoughts.

Doing Drugstore: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:01:54 -0800

When YSL Touche Éclat debuted in 1992, beauty editors began raving about the highlighter's ability to brighten a dull complexion. Sixteen years later, it's still a best-selling item, even spawning a version for men last month. It's one of the few makeup items I'll splurge on, but after my most recent pen started to smell bad after a few weeks, I resented having paid $39.50 for it.

Off to the drugstore, then. Clearly angling for the Touche Éclat market, Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($6.38) combines a concealer and highlighter in one double-ended wand. First things first: The concealer is just so-so. It's not as though I'm Uncle Fester or anything, but I need a bit more spackle than what this creamy, light coverage provides. But the highlighter is pretty great; you brush it on underneath your eyes, along the bridge of the nose, along cheekbones, and bam! Subtly brighter, less tired-looking skin. Will I give up Touche Éclat? No, but especially while the economy is rough, I'll pick up Maybelline again.

A Quick Tip For Brighter Eyes

BellaSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:00:21 -0700

I'm sure you've had friends and makeup artists tell you over and over again that an easy way to make your eyes look brighter, wider and whiter is to add a champagne or pearly white shadow just under your brow bone. Not only does this significantly open up your eyes, but it also makes your brows look cleaner and more defined.

A terrific and natural looking product to make your eyes pop in a jiffy is called High Brow from Benefit Cosmetics ( $20). This creamy, pale pink shade doesn't have any shimmer in it (for those of you who aren't a fan of anything overly frosty and showy) and it blends easily. Just sweep a thin line under the arch of your brows and blend for an instant lift and eye-opening effect. Brilliant!

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Get Glowing With a Liquid Highlighter

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:00:54 -0700

Not just for textbooks anymore, highlighters provide a very fun and flattering way to add a subtle glow to any makeup look. What's more, they can enhance or conceal flaws or features. Here are a few ways to wear them.

For an All-over Glow: A shimmer highlighter like Benefit's Moon Beam ($24) is a great multipurpose product. It has pink and gold undertones, so it works well with any skin type, and the formula is thin and light, so it can be blended easily. This kind of highlighting fluid can be used anywhere. Dab a bit of this on your brow bones, lips, and décolletage to create an overall luminescence.

Conceal: A great way to conceal a patch of redness, uneven skin tone, or dark circles is to reflect light off of the area with a highlighting concealer. Laura Mercier's Secret Brightener ($30) adds a faint tint and a light sheen where applied, replacing flaws with a fresh-faced glow.

To find out how to conceal and enhance certain features with a highlighter, read more.

Enhance: If you want to play up or reduce the appearance of a certain feature on your face, a highlighting fluid such as Physicians Formula Pearls of Perfection Multi-Colored Face Tint ($12) is just the ticket. Try dabbing a bit on the inner corners of your eyes to instantly brighten and widen the eye area, or use it on the bridge of your nose to make it look slimmer.

Pastel Products, Part II: Precious Face Powders

BellaSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:10:34 -0700

Part two of my springtime pastel products series is all about luminosity. These powders help absorb excess oil while giving your skin that healthy glow. Blend them all over your face for a more noticeable "light," or add a touch to the tip of your nose, forehead, and cheekbones for subtle radiance. Here are three products I recommend, along with a few more that are too pretty to leave out.

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T. Le Clerc Loose Powder in Tilleul ($50) is one of the most finely-milled powders I've ever used. It goes on like sheer veil and comes in a vast array of colors. The blue helps to cover broken capillaries and counteract redness, and it's best suited for oily and fair skin. Simply dip, tap, and then blend your fluffiest brush all over your face for a soft wash of color.

For two more powders, read more.
Estée Lauder is about to launch a new limited-edition collection for Summer called Pearls of Light. I'll be telling you about all of the products next week, but for now, here's a sneak peek at the Shimmering Powder Pearls Face Illuminator. These loose powder, oyster pearl, pink, and peach beads allow you to create a soft, Summer glow on your face, shoulders, and décolletage.

I've been using my Physician's Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Face Powder in Highlighter ($12.95) for over a year now and I love it. Whenever I overdo my bronzer or blush, this is my saving grace to even out my complexion and add a little bit of pop to my cheekbones. Also, I use the white sections on the inner corners of my eyes and the green sections over pimples to help neutralize the redness.