BellaSugar

Coming Soon: Prescriptives All Skins Mineral Makeup SPF 15

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:00:03 -0700

Prescriptives is getting ready to release its first ever, vitamin and gemstone-enriched loose powder called All Skins Mineral Makeup SPF 15 ($32.50). Available in July, this medium-coverage foundation contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to ensure that you are both UVA and UVB protected. It's also formulated with mattifying agents to absorb oil, sweat and stickiness during the humid summer months. Lastly, it's water-resistant and free of oils, talc and fragrances.

The gemstones (rose quartz, amethyst and calcite) also give the powder a little bit of sheen, which helps from making your skin look too dry. The powder itself is finely-milled and when you press down, it feels as soft as silk. I've tried it in Warm Light, which is too dark for my fair skin, but it's going to match perfectly after a few self-tanner applications.

Applying it is easy, too. Just tap a little bit into the cap, dip the new Round Buff Brush ($30) in the powder, give it a quick blow to remove any excess powder, and use a circular motion to apply it all over your face. Concentrate on your t-zone and any other oily areas. All Skins Mineral Makeup will be available in 18 shades and claims to be suitable for all skin types. Think you'd like to try it?

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BellaSugar's Top Five Loose Powder Picks

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:07 -0700

Loose powders are a fantastic way to provide light to medium coverage on your skin without having to apply a heavy or greasy fluid foundation. They help control shine, cover blemishes, red, spots, broken capillaries and under-eye circles - all without caking. Some of my favorite new loose powders also happen to be made from minerals, which also makes them good for your skin. Below are my top five favorites. Do you have a love for one loose powder in particular?

La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation ($50) is a soft mineral face powder that contains SPF 20 and doesn't clog your pores. I've been using the shade Nicoletta for the past year (plus) and love how it gives my face flawless-looking coverage.
Prescriptives Custom Blend Powder ($45) is a customized, mixture of lightweight powder created to match your skin tone. You leave the store with a large jar and a mini travel jar which both include a puff. You can also pay an additional $15 for an extra container of pressed powder. Although it's costly, I think it's worth the splurge.
Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder ($10.95) is a relatively new product that has been designed for sensitive and pimple-prone skin. It's non-irritating, it blends easily and has a natural finish. It comes with a brush, and I love the security of the snap-top close.
Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation ($25) is one of the smoothest blending mineral loose powders that I've ever tried. You voted it your favorite foundation of 2007 because of its silky texture, non-irritating formula and fabulous coverage.
Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 ($35) is a super-fine, oil-free loose powder that contains 15 amino acids that help achieve clear skin while providing a smooth finish. Not only do I love the tinted powder, but the translucent powder is essential for setting foundation, lipstick ... you name it.

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.

Reader Review: WhiplashGirlchild on Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:00:56 -0800

I've always been a bit suspicious of loose powder, especially the kind that is supposed to be used to "set" makeup. On me, it often looks caked-on and masklike. Looks like I'm not the only one. WhiplashGirlchild recently shared her review of Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder in the Beauty Product Junkies group. Here's what she had to say:

I've been on a quest for a primer, so I asked a sales girl which she recommended for staying power. She told me that what she recommends isn't a primer at all, but this Make Up For Ever loose powder. Then, she did a little demo for me. She rubbed two smudges of lipstick on her hand, and dusted the powder over one, but left the other one alone. Then, after a few minutes, she asked me to rub each smudge with my finger. The one with the powder barely budged, but the one without got smudged. I was sold! She dusted Translucent Natural #12 on me. I liked how it looked in the mirror, so I bought it.

When I got home, I looked at it in natural light, and I hated it. It wasn't translucent natural - it was kind of yellow-y, and it looked caked-on and felt gritty on my face. I tried reapplying with my kabuki brush instead of the pouf it came with, but it wasn't any better. I really do want staying power but I'd rather sacrifice it in order for my skin to look natural and velvety, y'know?

Yikes! Sounds like a real disappointment. (Thanks for your candor, Whip!) Share your stories in Beauty Product Junkies, and maybe I'll post yours here, too!

Go For The Gold, Part I: Gold Dust

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:55:08 -0800

While metallics have had serious staying power over the last year, let's talk more about some of the golden treasures we've found. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that gold nail polish was the next big trend, and we already know that golden highlights are hot. We've seen numerous golden lip glosses as well as tons of glamorous gold packaging. And guess what? Here come more gilded treats! So get excited and stay tuned all week long for more golden beauty treasures. Today's topic is gold dust - a little something sparkly for the face, shoulders and decolletage.

Bonne Bell Glimmer Bronze Highlighting Dust, Gold'n Glitz ($3.95) is a loose powder with microscopic particles that create a sexy glow on your face and body. Be warned, a little shimmer goes a long way, so you'll want to tap your puff before you apply to ensure that the gold dust spreads evenly and isn't too heavy in one area. The result is a luminous glow that lasts all night long.

For more gold dust, read more

Nars Sparkling Pressed Powder in Gold Rush ($30) is a great, soft and subtle finely-milled highlighting powder. It contains silica so it glides on smoothly, and it has corn starch to absorb any excess oil. This is a great accessory for any evening out on the town.

Estee Lauder Platinum Illuminating Loose Shimmer Powder ($32.50) is so popular that it's sold out on the main website. Luckily, I've found some more here - so have fun and play away with this limited-edition jar of shiny powder.

Product Review: La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation

BellaSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:27:17 -0700

I know it's hard to believe, but this Loose Mineral Foundation by Bella Donna ($50) was my first introduction into the wonderful world of mineral-powder foundations.

I know a lot of you use mineral foundation, but if not, here's the basic idea: The seemingly magical makeup comes in powder form, but when you sweep it across your face, you get the finish of a foundation. But while I'm totally sold on the mineral-makeup concept, I don't think that this foundation is right for me, so read more

After a favorable encounter with La Bella Donna's Capri Lip Palette, I decided to try this foundation, and it definitely makes me want to explore the mineral-makeup category more. It's pretty incredible how much coverage and smoothness this product provided with just a quick once-over with the brush.

La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation gave my face a very even and velvety finish at first - almost dewy. But as I went about my day, the dewiness turned into oiliness. My skin tends to get a bit oily, so maybe it's not entirely the makeup's fault. Overall, I liked the consistency and the results.

Has anyone had this problem with other mineral foundations? If so, tell me your experiences. Which one should I try next?

Chic Cheek Stamps, Part II: Loose Powders

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:12:22 -0700

Stamps are the newest beauty packaging gimmick these days, but apparently they are all the rage! At first there were blush cheek stamps, but now it seems like they're popping up everywhere. Here are a few fun and easy to use mess free loose powder cheek stamps.

Guerlain Divorina Les Voilettes Matte Touch Voyage Powder, $49, is a light and comfortable loose powder that makes touch ups a cinch. It is made from a blend of pure talcs and ultra-fine microbeads which creates a shine-free elegant complexion.

When applying, focus on your chin, nostrils, and area between the eyebrows and blend towards your hairline. Available in two colors.

To see two more loose powder stamps, read more

Dior Show Loose Powder, $39, is a translucent loose powder that gives your face a wash of color.

You can use this mess free powder puff all over your cheeks, shoulders and décolletage for sexy and velvety looking finish to your flawless face. Available in two shades.

Bare Escentuals RareMinerals™ Skin Revival Treatment, $60, is a mineral-based evening skin treatment made from 72 organic macro and micro minerals that have been farmed on untouched soil.

The formula is time release and contains absolutely no preservatives or irritants which is great for sensitive skin. It also contains vitamins A and C and botanical extracts to help your skin's cells regenerate faster. Available in four colors.

Mega-Hot Metallic Loose Powder Eye Shadows

BellaSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 07:33:03 -0700

Loose powder metallic eye shadows are amazing and easy-to-apply bursts of color. Shimmery shades for eyes are very trendy right now, and these loose shadows are great for gals on the go.

You apply these shadows the same way you would loose face powder: Just shake some powder into the cap and dip your shadow brush in. You can use the shimmer on your eyes and to brighten your whole face. But use sparingly: Loose shadows spread easily, so just a touch will do the trick. Here are two of the latest loose powder metallic eye shadows for Summer.

Glam Rocks by Lorac ($16) are sparkly and sassy loose powder shadows packed in a small container that looks like a salt shaker. These easily blendable colors glide on smoothly and last a long time, so you can party the night away without worry. Glam Rock come in three shades: Metallic Copper, Metallic Pearl, and Metallic Gold.

For one more metallic loose powder eyeshadow, read more

La Poudre Aux Yeux by Lancome ($18.50) add just a touch of brilliance to your eyes. They are formulated with a highly saturated and intense shimmer pigment that can also be used to highlight your cheekbones or collarbone for some sexy sparkle! They are available in two colors: Golden Sunrise and Pink Seduction.

Loosen Up! New Loose Powder Eye Shadows, Part II

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:32:53 -0700

Welcome to Part II of Loosen Up! New Loose Powder Eye Shadows. These shadows are perfect for Spring. They are high in pigment so a little goes a long way and they come in playful, bright colors to add some pizazz to your usual eye routine. I can't wait to hear your reviews!

ColoreScience Genie Sparkle/Matte Colore , $17.50, is a color you can use as a shadow, liner or highlighter. You can put it in your hair, your brows, on your cheeks or on your lips; just use your discretion based on the color.

The shadows (as well as all ColoreScience products) are: talc, oil, alcohol, dye, binder, filler and preservative free! They have SPF protection in them too and are great for sensitive skin. What I really love about them is that they are super sheer so that they really just enhance your essence as opposed to making you look overdone.

Use Genie Colore wet as a liquid liner or dry for a powder shadow or a brow accent. Just tap the color into a tissue or the back of your hand and apply!

To see two more loose powder eye shadows, read more

All Over Shimmer Eyes by Stila, $14, is a super soft, sparkly metallic shadow. It is made from an ultra light, pearlized formula that glides on easily and stays on for the long haul. They come packaged in a small shaker top jar and are available in four colors.

Loose Powder Eye Shadow by Bourjois, $16, is a professional quality powder shadow that results in an intense and glamorous look. The shadows come packaged in a cute little pot accompanied by their very own brush. The pot is designed to dispense just the right amount of color for each application. Available in 13 colors.

Loosen Up! New Loose Powder Eye Shadows

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:29:24 -0800

Here are a few fun loose powder eye shadows for Spring. Theses shadows are high in pigment so a little bit goes a long, long way. They come in playful, bright colors to add some pizazz to your usual eye routine. Have fun with these new products, I can't wait to hear your reviews!

Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow by Shiseido, $23, are nine new intense and dewy shadows. They are actually a cream that transforms into a powder to create a shiny, shimmery shade. They are super long wearing and because of the technology that turns them into powder, they won't crease!

To see a drugstore brand, read more

L’Oreal HIP Shocking Shadow Pigments, $7, are brand new. They are not sold online just yet, but you can buy any of the six colors at drugstores and mass-markets wherever L'Oreal is sold. It comes with a professional brush as well as a built in sifter to release just the right amount of color. You can wear these colors alone or layer them to create a shade of your own.