BellaSugar

Saks and Neiman Marcus Square Off For Best Beauty Deal

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:00:34 -0800

It's gift-with-purchase time again at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, and both luxury retailers are vying for your beauty dollars by offering goodie bags. Both have their perks, but which store deserves your browsing time? To see a stupendous chart with all the details, read more.

The goods	Saks Fifth Avenue	Neiman Marcus	Advantage
Swag bag	Sixties-style floral cotton bag in three colors.	Patent pleather tote in three colors.	Neiman Marcus. Saks' bag is beachy and fun, but Neiman's is more versatile.
Minimum purchase	$75	$100. Spend $1,000 and get $100 back.	Saks. Besides, who's buying $1,000 of cosmetics these days?
Samples from...	Kiehl's, Clarins, Sisley Paris, Narciso Rodriguez Essence	La Mer, Clé de Peau, Dior, Molton Brown	Saks, who snagged the new Narciso Rodriguez scent first.
Other deals	Samples when you shop from La Mer and Jo Malone.	Tons of gifts with purchase	Neiman Marcus, no question about it.

So which one is better? That depends. If you aren't looking to spend too much money, Saks gives you goodies for a smaller minimum purchase. But if you're ready to whip out your wallet, you can score more samples with Neiman Marcus.

Bella Bargain: Neiman Marcus Beauty Event

BellaSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:00:49 -0800

Okay, okay, so it's not like Neiman Marcus is offering a bargain per se. But if you're going to splurge, you might as well do it while the luxe department store is offering an incentive.

From now through Mar. 2, when you spend $100 on beauty or fragrance, you'll get a bright tote bag in hot pink. (I've heard that the stores will also be offering the bags in teal and lime green, for what it's worth.) Inside are eight large samples, including Lancôme mascara, Fresh Sugar body cream, Orlane repairing night cream, and more.

Now, you know I don't like gifts with purchase for their own sake, but I do like getting a little extra something if I'm already planning to shop. And on that note, it's worth checking out the offers from individual beauty brands. For instance, Yves Saint Laurent is giving away samples of YSL Elle with any purchase. So if you play your cards right - er, your credit cards, that is - you might be able to swing a bargain after all.

Backstage Beauty: Peter Som

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:00:50 -0700

While FabSugar attended the Peter Som fashion show last season, they were unable to make it on this trip-but that's okay. BellaSugar's got the goods on how to create the sexy, tousled hair from this season's Spring 2008 show.

The goal of lead hairstylist Eugene Souleiman was to have runway hair that looked fresh, young and natural, with a slight edge. He is quoted saying, "It's the look of the uptown girl that parties downtown."

And on a makeup note, was anyone else surprised they the models weren't wearing the Peter Som for Lancome lipstick? I guess that is just so Fall '07.

View 5 Photos ›

Oh well, for a list of ghd (good hair day) products used to style the show and for step-by-step instructions on how to create sexy beach waves, read more

Step 1: Cleanse and nourish hair with the appropriate shampoo and conditioning treatment for your hair type.
Step 2: Spray hair with a little bit of ghd miracle mist to control fly-aways and frizz. Next, spray on some ghd thermal protector to ensure hair won't get damaged during the heat styling process.
Step 3: Then, to achieve the natural tousled look, use the ghd new styler (as opposed to a standard flat iron) on the part of the hair closest to the scalp and bring it down only mid-way. Do not iron the ends of the hair.
Step 4: Lastly, spray on a generous amount of ghd sea spray to create matte, beachy waves. Use your fingers to separate any curls that seem overly defined.

Backstage Beauty: Alice + Olivia

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:59:16 -0700

Earlier this week, Fab reviewed the Alice + Olivia spring line, while Yum reported on the yummy cupcakes that were served. And now I've got the scoop on the models' hair.

The theme of the show was Alice in Wonderland, and it was held at the NYC boutique as opposed to a ballroom or the Bryant Park Tents. How quaint! Just so that you feel like you've really experienced this event, I've just recently gotten all of the information on how the wonderful (and I'm not just saying that because he's my hairdresser), Fabrice Gili from the Frederic Fekkai Salon in Soho, who styled all of the models' hair.

View 5 Photos ›

To find out how to create this 70's, Jane Birkin-inspired look at home in three easy steps, read more

Step 1: Apply Fekkai Coiff Bouffant Lifting and Texturizing Spray Gel generously to the hair to give it a light hold.
Step 2: Next, blow dry hair very straight and apply a cold shot of air to reduce frizz.
Step 3: Finally, since bangs are blunt cut and full, use a round brush to give them volume at the roots and then go over them with your dryer using a paddle brush to ensure they lie flat. Finish by Spraying Fekkai Coiff Fini Sheer Hold Hairspray for added hold and shine.

Source

Backstage Beauty: Carolina Herrera

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:00:10 -0700

I think this makeup from Carolina Herrera might be my favorite of all of New York Fashion Week. It's nothing gimmicky, just simple and pretty. The brows are perfectly groomed, the skin has a very soft sheen, and the lips had a bright, beautiful stain.

I was surprised by some of the techniques that went into developing this look. To find out which products were used, read more

Face: Moisture Cover Concealer was applied to face with #242 Brush and set with Loose Blot Powder to create a velvety texture. M∙A∙C Iridescent Powder in Silver Dusk was sprinkled onto the bridge of the nose and cheek bones for a highlight. (I was surprised by this, but it makes sense-the nose and cheekbones really did catch light at the show.)

Eyes: Retrospeck Eye Shadow was applied to the entire lid. Boot Liquid Eye Liner was lightly wedged in between lashes for a thick lash line and Plush Lash Mascara in Black was used to coat top lashes.

Lips: Orange Lip Mix (a pro-only product) was feathered onto lip with a concealer brush. MAC Pro Lipstick in Full Fuchsia and Mattene Lipstick in Classic Dame were then mixed and layered onto the center of the lip for an intense, burst of color. For a touch of shine, Clear Lip Glass was patted onto the lips.

Source

Love It or Hate It? Malan Breton

BellaSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 06:00:00 -0700

Remember Malan Breton from last season's Project Runway? You may have expected him to run into the same problems that other ProjRun stars have had, but instead, he's showing at New York Fashion Week. And if you look closely, you might recognize a fellow reality star walking in his show here. That's not the only unusual thing about this show: Pete Wentz, of all people, was in the front row sans Ashlee-which makes me wonder if he's a secret fan of Project Runway. And I can't help but guess at what Michael Kors thinks about Malan showing in the same tents as he does!

While the hair and makeup isn't the most inventive that we've seen, it's certainly very current. We've been seeing thick eyeliner before on Amy Winehouse all year, and it looks like she's had an impression on Malan. Do you like the look, or are you getting tired of the trend?

Love It or Hate It? Tadashi Shoji

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:04:00 -0700

Fashion Week is coming to a close, but over the next few days I'll have a few more how-to posts and trend alerts for you. For now, though, I want to get your opinion on some hair and makeup looks. This one is from Tadashi Shoji, and it's more romantic than what we've been seeing. What do you think?

Source

Love It or Hate It? Red Wigs at Lyn Devon

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:33:17 -0700

Lyn Devon had some fun at her show this week. You could even say that she's wigging out, har har. I think these red bobs are so much fun-and they definitely stand out from all of the natural looks we've been seeing. What do you say? Is this a brilliant stroke of mod-ness or too Ronald McDonald for you?

Source

Backstage Beauty: JustSweet

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:10:30 -0700

Yesterday afternoon, Jennifer Lopez debuted her new clothing line called JustSweet during New York Fashion Week. The clothes are slightly younger and hipper than her previous Sweetface collections. (Check out Fab's review.) I think it's cute, but as I was looking at the pictures, I realized that I had flipped through them a few times without even noticing anything other than the makeup.

Charlotte Tilbury was the makeup artist responsible for creating this bold eyed, flawless face and a "sweet" pink lip. She used Flirt! Cosmetics cosmetics, and I've been lucky enough to get the scoop on the product breakdown.

View 5 Photos ›

To find out what you'll need to re-create both the aqua and purple makeup looks and to see more images from the show, read more

Aqua Look

Eyes: Dreamy Eyes Eyeshadows in Lemoncello, Aquavit and Electric Denim and Far Out Mascara in Extreme Black.
Lips: Plushious Liquid Velvet Lip Color in Nude Kiss and Squeeze Me Lip Gloss in Heavenly Honey and Pink Champagne.
Cheeks: Peek-a-Blush in Crazy in Love or Aloha, Bronzed Goddess as a bronzer and a little bit of Big Deal Lip & Cheek Tint in Bittersweet as a highlighter.

Lavender Look

Eyes: Deamy Eyes Eyeshadow in Vibrant Violet and Gypsy Nights, I'm Whipped Eyeshadow Mousse in Mystical and Far Out Mascara in Extreme Black.
Lips: Plushious Liquid Velvet Lip Color in Nude Kiss and Squeeze Me Lip Gloss in Heavenly Honey and Pink Champagne.
Cheeks: Peek-a-Blush in Crazy in Love or Aloha, Bronzed Goddess as a bronzer and a little bit of Big Deal Lip & Cheek Tint in Bittersweet as a highlighter.

Backstage Beauty: Tuleh

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 08:00:32 -0700

I love this natural-makeup trend we're seeing at all of the spring fashion shows. Even though the look is minimal, the different designers are interpreting it differently.

At Tuleh, the inspiration was glamorous Italian women. Polly Osmond of MAC explained of the Tuleh model, "She wears makeup but she doesn’t wear too much. She is the type of women you would see on a yacht."

For a rundown of the makeup used, plus tips on getting this hairstyle, read more

WWD reports that Jimmy Paul of Bumble and bumble chose a '70s-inspired style. “It should look like a girl on vacation in the south of France, who has just stepped off the beach and is getting ready for a big night out,” he said.

To create the look, he brushed out the hair, spraying Surf Spray to get that beachy look. He then set the hair with a wide curling iron to mimic the look of electric rollers. He then back-combed the hair at the top, brushing it back off the forehead.

For Polly's part, the makeup used a lot of light, nude colors.

Face: Face and Body Foundation was applied using #217 Small Brush for full, but sheer coverage. Fancy Ray and Cheery Blushcremes were used to color the cheeks and Naked Lunch Eye Shadow was applied to cheek bones for illumination.

Eyes: M∙A∙C Eye Shadow in Naked Lunch was applied to the lid and brow bone. Taupe Eye Shadow was applied to crease using M∙A∙C #224 for definition and bottom water line was colored with Fascinating Eye Kohl Pencil to brighten. Plush Lash Mascara in Black was used to coat the lashes.

Lips: Subcultured Lip Pencil was mixed with Revealing Lipgloss and then toned down with a M∙A∙C #222 Brush and a bit of concealer.

Source