BellaSugar

Bridal Style From Around the World

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:02:07 PDT

It's a nice day for a white wedding - and a blue one or a red one, too. Different cultures have different customs, many of which extend to bridal style. We've searched the globe to find some of the most beautiful big-day looks, both contemporary and traditional. Read on.

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iPhone App of the Week: GoNappturale

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:00:00 PDT

For this week's iPhone App of the Week, we look at GoNappturale ($1). This app allows you to find natural hair salons - a godsend for any woman who's ever searched for an expert with natural Black hair. There are no bells or whistles here, just a pretty straightforward Yellow Pages-like service.

Upon opening the app, your phone will search for nearby businesses, and spit out a list of salons. You're provided with each establishment's distance and phone number, and by tapping the blue arrow at the right, you'll be sent to a map where you can get directions. Eventually, it would be nice to be able to add reviews and to search by zip code - in case you're wondering what's around elsewhere. But for $1, this app definitely fills a void in the natural hair market, and I can see it coming in handy during travel, if you're new to an area, or if you're just in need of a new stylist.

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Cosmetic Surgery Is More Popular Among People of Color

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:00:15 PDT

The recession may have sliced into cosmetic surgery profits, but, according to a recent survey released by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), more people of color are going under the knife. More than half of those surveyed said cosmetic surgery has become more popular in their racial or ethnic group over the past five years. (The study measured perception of popularity, not actual numbers of patients.)

Naturally, the AACS is pleased by these results. "Cosmetic surgery is en vogue no matter who you are," said Mark Berman, MD, president of the AACS. "Feeling better about yourself and making improvements to your looks is thankfully not limited to a specific race or culture," he added.

Thankfully? Sigh. While yes, people of all shapes, sizes, and appearances can feel better about themselves, doing so doesn't require cosmetic surgery. We take a to-each-her-own approach at BellaSugar, but I wonder why surgery is perceived as more popular. (When Asian-American women have eyelid surgery, for instance, it's sometimes done to make the eyes look more Caucasian - not exactly the most self-loving reason to go under the knife.) What's your take on the study's findings?

Brides and Beauty Through the Ages

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:00:00 PDT

Weddings have been around at least as long as humans have been able to write about them, and in almost every culture, brides are the focus of their own traditions and rituals. But through history, the way brides have prepared and beautified themselves has changed drastically. Some traditions have survived for thousands of years and still make up a big part of our ceremonies, while others now seem truly bizarre (just check out the story on ancient Sparta). From mehendi to boqtas, see how being a beautiful bride has changed over the last three millenia.

5 Tips on Choosing Bronzer For Darker Complexions

BellaSugar — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:00:08 PDT

Bronzer is considered a safe way to "sun," and it gives the complexion an instant look of warmth. But if you have a darker skin tone, have you ever felt that instead of illuminating your skin with a sun-kissed glow, your bronzer just disappears, making you feel as if you've just wasted money? It doesn't have to be that way. All it takes is a few tricks up your sleeve and the right color choice, and you can make a bronzer work for you.

Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder ($15)	NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna or Casino ($32)
Elizabeth Arden Sun Goddess Bronzing Powder in Deep ($20)	Clinique Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder in Sunswept ($24)
Cargo Bronzer in Medium or Dark ($28)	MAC Bronzing Powder in Refined Deeper Bronze ($22)
N.Y.C. Sun 2 Sun Bronzing Powder in Terracotta Tan ($5)	Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel in Desert Sun ($28)

Check out my tips when you read more.

Be Inspired by Japanese Beauty

BellaSugar — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:17 PST

We've seen lots of crazy beauty contraptions that have come straight out of Japan, but there's so much more than that. There are some smart ideas in this skincare book, for instance, and cherry blossom prints never go out of style. Looking for inspiration? Here are a few items that are influenced by Japanese culture - some even made with sake. Whether you like yours warmed or chilled, there's a little something here for everyone.

Q&A: Detangling Help!

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:00:38 PST

Here's some hair advice from OnSugar blog Naturally Obsessed:

A Naturally Obsessed reader asks:
What is the best way to go about detangling my natural hair?

The first thing you want to do is to divide your hair into sections. However many sections you do will depends on the length, thickness, and texture of your hair. I usually do four to six sections because my hair is very thick and highly textured. Next rinse your hair thoroughly. The conditioner allows more slip when the hair is soaking wet.

The next step is to soften the hair. If you have tight curls like mine than you know that just loading the hair with conditioner is just not enough sometimes. Apply your conditioner one section at a time then braid the hair. The braids will help to stretch the hair and prevent it from getting even more tangled. Cover the hair with a plastic cap and let it set for a few hours or even overnight. This will loosen up the curls a bit, making it a lot easier for your wide-toothed comb or Denman to get through. When it comes time to detangle, you'll do one section at a time. Unbraid it and begin to comb or brush it slowly from the ends up to the roots. If you come across a knot, work it out carefully with your fingers. Repeat, rinse, and style.

Want to see more? Start following Naturally Obsessed or start your own OnSugar blog. We may just feature your post on BellaSugar.

Easy Makeup Tips For South Asian Women

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:00:30 PST

If you're of South Asian descent, you're in luck. MAC Senior Artist Vimi Joshi has 15 years of experience in the makeup world, and she's worked with film stars including Freida Pinto, Vidya Balan, and Bipasha Basu. We asked her to share some basic tips along with her recommendations for creating the hottest Bollywood looks. Read on for the first part of our series with Vimi.

What should South Asian women look for in choosing a foundation?
South Asian women generally have a much darker undertone, which can vary from red to blue to peach. It’s really important to take your time when choosing a foundation shade. The incorrect undertone can make your skin appear blue-gray.

To see two other tips, read more.

My Natural Hair Journey: How to Do a Bantu Knot-Out

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:00:53 PST

Here are highlights from OnSugar blog Brown Suga Fashion & Beauty Blogazine.

So, last weekend I decided to style my hair after feeling like I was in a hair rut. After being fairly pleased with my twist-out, I opted to give a Bantu knot-out a try. Oh my gosh, I think I found my signature hairstyle. This style is perfect for someone that is transitioning or otherwise and is super easy to do.

Some people may attempt to do their Bantu knot-outs after washing their hair, but I actually did mine with my hair completely dry and the results were amazing to me. I seriously didn't think it would come out well and I just knew that my effort was going to be a waste. Boy, was I wrong! The results were more than I could have asked for. The only "dilemma" I had was trying to figure out how to fluff my hair up so that the parts that were made in my hair weren't visible, but I think I tackled that issue fairly well.

I took pictures of the process so that I could share with you all, and I will attempt to walk you through all the steps I took to achieve my desired style.

Read the entire post and see the rest of the instructions here. Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Brown Suga Fashion & Beauty Blogazine or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be featured on BellaSugar.

Relaxed vs. Natural Hair vs. Weaves vs. Dreads

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:02:21 PST

Here are highlights from OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot.

Women, especially black women, have the ability to change hairstyles like underwear. I support you ladies no matter what you do - just do it right and take care of your hair. For the most part we all practice the same principles when it comes to proper hair care (co-washing, ACV rinse, trims, deep conditioning, etc.). I'm always willing to help people with hair questions and concerns, or at least point them in the right direction. I know plenty of people in that area.

Where I stand on a lot of hair issues:

I'm anti kiddie perms and kiddie dreadlocks on children if they're at an age where they can't make that choice for themselves (unless, of course, it's part of your religion). It's not about the chemicals, it's about the fact that it's a permanent hairstyle on a child. What if your child decides they want to wear their natural hair? You'll have to either cut their hair to transition them to natural hair. Yes, you can remove dreads but unless someone can find me a "safe" method that doesn't damage the hair, then I won't be changing my mind about this.
I'm pro weaves and braids as long as it's done right and your hair is still being kept healthy. If your hair is being done too tight and coming out, it's time to find a new stylist.
I'm pro curly and natural hairstyles within corporate America. I hear a lot of natural haired beauties bragging about self-acceptance and mainstreaming natural hair, but they still search for corporate hairstyles because of their natural hair. A bun will always be conservative no matter what type of hair you have.
I've always encouraged hair dialogue among women of different nationalities. You'll be surprised by the things we all have in common. If your non-black friend is telling you about a great hair balm that she pays $15 for, take her on a trip to a local beauty supply store and show her where to buy it for $5.

Read the entire post here. Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be featured on BellaSugar.

Shu Uemura Pleasure of Japanese Bath ($40)	Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers ($12)
Fluff Kimono Cuties Japanese Print Cosmetic Bag ($12)	Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Shower Gel ($10.50)
Komenuka Bijin Skin Lotion Toner ($40)	Lush Sakura Bath Bomb by LUSH ($6)
	Guerlain Lipstick in Geisha ($40)
Japanese Sencha Blossom Mistral Soap ($8)	Cris Notti Green Sleep Mask ($18)
Komenuka Bijin Bath Powder ($14)	Tokyomilk Iced Green Tea Bon Bon Lip Balm ($12)
Voluspa Japanese Plum Bloom Candle ($18)	Tokyomilk Kabuki Travel Candle ($12)	Fresh Sake Experience Gift Set ($95)