BellaSugar

Beauty Mark It Results: Poolside Beauty

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:57:27 -0700

Another Memorial Day day has come and gone, and I hope that you had a relaxing weekend enjoying the warm weather. While we won't have another three-day weekend until July (sad!), the importance of shielding your skin from the elements is important every day of the year, especially during the hot Summer months. Because this is such an important beauty necessity, I requested that you find protective beauty items that you'd wear by the pool.

Team member aimeeb really rose to the challenge. She bookmarked Sephora's Sun Safety Kit. What I love about this particular kit is that it combines 11 different brands' best sun protection products into one travel-size pouch. Bonus that it has a UV indicator card. Even better is that Sephora is donating 100% of the profits from this kit to The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Check out the rest of your suggestions below:

Beauty Mark It! Poolside Beauty

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:01:10 -0700

This weekend is Memorial Day, a day where Americans honor those who have died defending our country. It's also a three-day weekend that many use to take advantage of the approaching hot weather by spending time outside, either having a BBQ or lounging by the pool. So you've got to shield oneself from the elements, especially those harmful UV rays. For this bookmarking challenge, I'm asking you to find protective beauty items that you'd wear by the pool.

I'll start you off with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock in SPF 55 ($9), because the lotion is light, not goopy or sticky, and the 55 SPF is an appropriate amount of protection. Also, the three-ounce container is perfect if you're getting on an airplane this holiday weekend.

Share your choices by bookmarking items from around the web and tagging them with the phrase Poolside Beauty. I'll feature your favorites here next Tuesday.

To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more.

Saks Beauty Place
Sephora
Saffron Rouge
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Amazon.com Beauty
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com

Reese Witherspoon Talks About Her New Fragrance

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:18 -0700

What do you get when one of Hollywood's most popular and powerful A-listers releases a fragrance? In Bloom ($34), the new Avon scent from Reese Witherspoon. Over the course of two years, the self-proclaimed girly-girl was involved in practically all aspects of the perfume-making experience, from helping to select the fragrance's notes to providing input on her inaugural scent's packaging, bottle design, and name. During a phone call earlier this week, Reese shared her thoughts on creating In Bloom. For the scoop, just keep reading.

What to Pack for Memorial Day Weekend

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:00:23 -0700

Since Memorial Day weekend pretty much kicks off the summery season of barbecues and beachy fun, it's important to protect your skin from the sun's rays. I know I sound like a broken record, but it's a cause dear to my heart; my dad had to have a pre-cancerous mole removed from his face a few years ago, and if he'd worn sunblock, it may have never developed. And on the beauty end of things, wearing SPF keeps your complexion healthy, too. Since there are so many self-tanners on the market, there really is no excuse not to protect your skin. Here's what I suggest you take with you during your Memorial Day adventures - these are actually the same products in my "sun kit."

A wide-brimmed hat: Essential for keeping the sun out of your eyes, it's also a great fashion statement. This one, from Target, is only $12.99, and it comes in black as well.
A killer pair of shades: The best sunglasses are large and in charge, with lenses that provide shade all around your eyes - above them, below them, and to the sides. I picked up my Nour sunnies for $40 at a sample sale, but you don't have to spend even that much for a good pair. Look for shades labeled UV400, which protect against UVA and UVB rays.
A high-SPF sunblock: SPF 15 is the absolute minimum, but SPF 30 is better. Beyond that, higher numbers mean only slight increases in protection, but if you're going to be outside, you might as well do it carefully. I've been using Neutrogena Ultra-Touch ($7.49) because of its broad-spectrum protection. It doesn't feel heavy, it isn't greasy, and although I could do without the too-strong scent, it's a wise buy. After all, the trick to sun protection is to never over-pay for it.
The little details: Don't forget to protect your lips and hands. Look for a lip balm or gloss with SPF. I always carry Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector ($16.50) because it moisturizes and adds just a hint of hue while it protects lips. For hands, Palmer's Therapeutic Hand Cream ($4.69) offers SPF 8 - not amazing, but if you're a frequent hand-washer, applying this cream can't hurt.

Summer's Most Extreme Music Festival Hair and Makeup Looks

BellaSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Warm-weathered times equal music festivals galore: Pitchfork, Lollapalooza, Warped Tour, and the like. Throughout the past few months, there have been plenty of fresh eye makeup styles and high-to-the-sky hairstyles to go along with these free-spirited occasions. Whether they're sparkly or require 10 different styling products to be achieved, these looks demand to be seen. Since Labor Day, the unofficial change of the season has come and gone, so let's take a trip down memory lane to recap some beauty highlights from the past several months.

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Before You Head Out For Memorial Day Fun, Pack the SPF

BellaSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 10:00:37 -0700

Wheeeeee! Three-day weekend! It's supposed to hit the mid-70s in San Francisco, which may not sound impressive, but trust me, a warm day in the Bay is relatively rare and always appreciated. I'll probably grab some salted caramel ice cream and head to the park with friends. They usually tease me for bringing sunblock to these get-togethers, but then everybody wants a hit. (The first is free, to get them hooked.)

If you're going to be spending time outside this weekend, remember these tips: Apply sunblock a half-hour before you go outside. Keep reapplying throughout the day (for me, once an hour is good). Don't forget odd places like your earlobes and feet. And if you do get burned, aloe vera gel is your friend. Have fun!

Photo by joeshlabotnik

Which '80s Hair Metal Band Are You?

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:00:44 -0700

The days of rockin' like Dokken may be long gone, but the memories of hair metal live on in our hearts. If you love to R.A.T.T. - rock all the time - then you're going to be stoked on this. Answer a few questions about your beauty routine, and you'll find out which '80s band holds the key to your identity.

Source: Flickr user loop_oh

People usually say your hair looks . . .

Soft and shiny.

Big, but you make it work for you.

Like you spent some time with it.

A little bit bad-girl.

Like you don't even care about it at all.

How much makeup are you wearing right now?

None. Makeup is for suckers.

None. I like a natural look.

Just a little bit.

None, but I have a fabulous outfit on.

Lipstick, eye shadow, lip gloss, foundation, mascara, and blush. You know, nothing special.

Your hair stylist gives you an uneven cut. What do you do?

I don't cut my hair. At all.

Get angry. Really angry.

Reach for a curling iron to hide the damage.

Ask her to take a little more off the top. You just need to rat it out, you see.

Go with it. Nothing a little hair spray can't fix.

What affects your getting-ready time in the morning?

Whether I feel like brushing my hair - why bother?

Whether I condition my hair - can't have split ends.

Whether I blow-dry my hair - it takes a while to get it just right.

Whether I can find my hairspray - I think I might have inhaled it last night.

Whether I can find my accessories - I love headbands.

You'd rather be seen as . . .

A little goofy.

A lot intimidating.

Doing Drugstore: Nivea Touch of Happiness

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:00:22 -0700

A few weeks ago, I picked up some Nivea cellulite-reduction pads on mega-clearance. (I know they won't work, but I'm testing them to prove that point.) The package came with a sample-size bottle of the brand's new Touch of Happiness body wash ($5.49), and, well, who doesn't like being touched by happiness? Not me!

Nivea excitedly promises a moisturizing, invigorating shower experience. (Oddly, it also declares that the body wash "foams without pouf." Is that really all that unusual?) And the orange blossom scent is pleasant without having the overpowering fakeness that sinks many inexpensive body washes. What's more, it smells exactly like the off-brand orange Kool-Aid served at my Girl Scout camp back in the day. (Proustian showering!) While I still like to use lotion after showering, Touch of Happiness hasn't dried my skin out like some washes can, and if it brings back memories of lanyard-making, so much the better. Recommended if you like an invigorating but gentle way to start your day but not if you dislike soft citrus scents.

Beauty Byte: Reese Enters the Bloomin' Fragrance Biz

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

When it comes to fragrance launches this year, Avon has had quite the star-studded journey. Since last June, the impressively affordable cosmetics brand has launched Christian Lacroix Noir, Courteney Cox-endorsed Spotlight, and Patrick Dempsey's Unscripted. And now, as a two-year Avon global ambassador, it's Reese Witherspoon's turn.

The new fragrance, dubbed In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon ($34 to $59), makes its official debut in November, and features top notes of Georgia peach, crisp greens, and tea leaves; middle notes of magnolias, star gardenia, and night-blooming jasmine; and base notes of cashmere woods, hypnotic florals, and amber wood crystals. Packaged in a rounded glass bottle with an elaborate flower atop, the Oscar-winning actress chose to monogram the champagne-toned box and limited-edition silver charmed bottle. "I monogram everything because I am Southern - it’s a compulsion," she quipped to WWD.

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Find out the endearing inspiration behind the scent when you read more.

Inspiration behind the sensual, romantic scent came from Reese's Southern background and her 9-year-old daughter Ava's opinion. "I asked her which one smelled most like me." She also drew upon other family memories for insight. "Definitely gardenia is a big thing for me because my father - every Mother’s Day or on my birthday - would buy small bouquets or corsages for my mother and I," she added. "I thought you just pick a fragrance and it’s easy. But there were all these different levels of creating a scent that were new to me, but really fun and exciting," said the fun-loving star. Are you excited about Reese's latest endeavor?

Source and Source

May Must Haves

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:59:18 -0700

You know what April showers bring, and for the start of this month, I've gathered together some great beauty products to make these next 31 days all the more festive. With Mother's Day, Cinco De Mayo, and Memorial Day on the way, it's time to think open-toed sandals, brighter makeup palettes, and of course, things wouldn't be the same without some May flowers in the mix.
Source

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