BellaSugar

The Best Blusher For Your Skin Tone: Olive Skin

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:40:10 -0700

Welcome to part four of The Best Blusher For Your Skin Tone. In this installment, we are exploring blush for olive-colored skin. You lucky girls are the ones with the gorgeous and natural golden glow all year round! For this type of skin, petal pinks and deep peachy apricots give you a subtle warmth. Here are a few of my suggestions-and by all means, please leave comments and share your own favorites with everyone!

Pantina Cheek Sweeps ($5.50) aren't out yet, but you can expect to see these shimmery and mess-free blushers this fall in two shades: Tru Bliss and Radiance.

For olive skin tones, I'd go with Tru Bliss. It's a bright pink/coral hue that glides on easily and blends flawlessly into the skin, leaving a slight iridescent trail and a gorgeous flush to your cheeks.

For two more blushes for olive skin, read more

Benefit Sheer Cream Blusher in Hush ($18) is an ultra-smooth, creamy, bright yet sheer pinky-apricot color suitable for olive skin.

With just a little bit applied right to the apples of your cheeks, you can create a very warm effect. With a touch more, you can really give your face some pizzazz! Blend upwards and outwards (towards your hairline) using your fingertips.

DuWop Blushbooster in Mango ($22) is a powder blush with a little bit of shimmer for a natural and radiant glow. You can either wear it alone or on top of another blush for a highlighting effect. It is available in four shades, but Mango (pictured) is a shimmery apricot which would look fantastic on olive skin tones.

Hair Color Dos and Don'ts: Must-Have Tips For Perfect Results

Sponsor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:30:01 -0700

When it comes to at-home hair color, all products are NOT created equal. Knowing what to look for can make the difference between so-so and stunning. Here are some secrets, including special tips from celebrity hair colorist and L’Oréal Paris expert Christophe Robin, for achieving beautiful, professional-looking results on your own.

DO choose a shade that complements your skin tone and eyes. “If you have fair skin and blue, green or gray eyes, your complementary shades will have ash or beige tones,” Christophe advises. “If your skin tone is golden, olive or dark and you have dark eyes, your complementary shades will have gold or red hues.” Have characteristics of both warm and cool tones? “Go with whichever is your preference.”

DO stick close to your own hair color if you want a subtle change. “If you’re not sure which shade to choose, go just 1 or 2 levels lighter or darker than your natural color,” says Christophe. “This will give you a noticeable change that’s not too dramatic and is easy to maintain.”

DO pick a product that’s specifically formulated to cover gray hair, which can resist coloring.

DO use products specifically designed to preserve your color, like Vive Pro Color Vive Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair.

DO choose a gentle formulation and indulge in regular deep-conditioning treatments.

DON’T be afraid to take a risk. Hair color offers a fun way to express your personality and experiment with a new style or attitude. “When a woman goes darker with her color, she’ll feel stronger,” Christophe notes. “When she goes lighter, she’ll feel more sexy and sensual.”

DON’T skimp on time. You might be tempted to cut corners to save a few minutes, but resist the urge. It’s crucial to allow the proper amount of time for each step - especially when you are going for a dramatic color change “You can’t rush hair color,” Christophe cautions.

DON’T judge a box by its cover. Although it’s a common misconception, you shouldn’t expect your hair color to turn out exactly like the model’s on the box. “Your personal result will be determined by the condition of your hair, your current hair color and the shade you’ve selected,” says Christophe.

DON’T overdo it. Coloring too often can compromise hair’s health and yield uneven results. A touch-up every four to six weeks is all that’s required to keep your shade looking fresh and vibrant.

DON’T forget the SPF. You protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, so why let your hair take the heat? “The sun is the number one enemy of color-treated hair,” says Christophe. Use shampoos and conditioners that contain UV filters to block damaging rays and prevent fade-out.

Bella Donna: Rita Moreno

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:03:10 -0700

Winning one award is an accomplishment in itself, but only 10 people have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony - and one of them is Rita Moreno. Best known for her turns in West Side Story and The Electric Company, the triple threat is a legend in film, on stage, and on the small screen.

Like many other Latinas in Hollywood, Moreno initially struggled to find roles that didn't fall into "exotic" cliches and sexpot stereotypes. Even in West Side Story, she was frustrated, as she told NPR's Terry Gross:

"They made me use an accent, which I wasn't thrilled about because a lot of us, obviously, don't have them. The thing that really bothered me the most is that they put the same very muddy, dark-colored makeup on every Shark girl and boy, and that really made me very upset. I tried to get that changed, and I said, 'Look at us. We're all many, many different colors. Some of us are very white, some of us are olive-skinned, some of us actually have black blood, some of us are Taino Indian,' which is the original Puerto Rican. And nobody paid attention, and that was that. I had no choice in the matter, but I was not happy."

As opinionated as she is attractive, Moreno continues to act, appearing on shows such as Oz and Law & Order. We love her for her talent, and for proving that aging gracefully is a beautiful thing.

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Get Fergie's Gorgeous Hair Color, Straight From Her Colorist

BellaSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:00:45 -0700

As you can see, Fergie's hair is the perfect shade of golden brown on the cover of August's Marie Claire. Luckily enough, the colorist who made it happen, Tracey Cunningham, has shared her formula and tips for making it work on those of us who aren't Mrs. Josh Duhamel. To find out how to get this honeyed hue, read more.

DIY Spa Treatment: Sweet Tea Antioxidant Facial Exfoliator

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:05:41 -0700

No matter the season, exfoliators help rejuvenate dull-looking skin. Plus, they help lay the foundation for creating a nice, even surface - perfect for smoother makeup applications. Are these warmer-weathered days wreaking havoc on your appearance? "The green tea in the Sweet Tea Antioxidant Exfoliator is full of antioxidants, which boost health and resilience and can even soothe Summer sunburns," says dermatologist Dr. Hema Sundaram. "Brown sugar is a natural exfoliant that scrubs away dirt and impurities without being too harsh on skin."

Get Dr. Sundaram's recipe, along with application tips, when you read more.

Nine Tips For More Beautiful Hands

BellaSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:19 -0700

Ellen Sirot is one of the most in-demand models in the business, but you probably wouldn't recognize her face. That's because Sirot is a parts model, using her hands, legs, and feet to land clients including Clinique, Maybelline, Estee Lauder, and Elizabeth Arden. (And that's only a minuscule sampling of the thousands of jobs she's done!) Her new line of hand-care treatments, Hand Perfection, was developed after years of caring for her own money-making mitts. And though you already know this, the best measure of someone's age is her hand condition - so if you want to avoid age spots and discoloration tomorrow, take care of your hands today. Want her best advice for having healthy, beautiful digits? For nine tips, read more.

Ellen Sirot's Top Tips for Keeping Your Hands Beautiful

Minimize hand washing. Water dehydrates your hands. Wash when needed - but consider using household gloves for situations such as dish washing, household projects, etc. - so you don’t have to wash your hands so many times per day.
Minimize use of dehydrating soaps/bacterial gels. I realize we live in a germy world, but these gels seriously dry out the skin, causing irritation and ultimately skin aging. Hand Perfection Moisturizing Cleanser is a gentle, sulfate-free, coconut-based cleanser - so it actually keeps your hands hydrated while cleansing.
Moisturize your hands every single time you wash them. After washing your hands (minimally), gently pat them dry and apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp to lock in moisture. And do this periodically throughout the day. (Must to remember to do it. It's kind of like putting on lip gloss!)
Keep your hands protected from the sun. Always use sunscreen when going outside and get extra protection by wearing my Hand Perfection Glovettes - which are great to use while driving, playing golf, tennis - and make a bit of a fashion statement to boot!
Apply oil to cuticles each night and gently push them back, while soft and supple, in the shower. I do this with a washcloth each day - and it helps discourage the need to cut them, which is never a good idea, except for the occasional errant piece of skin.
Apply a rich moisturizer at night. Capitalize on circadian rhythms to give your hands an overnight boost while they are not in use!
Exfoliate once a week. Hand Perfection Night Solution will accomplish this, or you can use an organic sugar and olive oil scrub once a week.
Take off polish after seven days. Give your nails a few days to revive and be bare.
Strive to have hands/nails that look good naked! That provides the most options for wearing polish or not.

That's the word from the world's most in-demand parts model. Any tips or tricks that have worked for you?

Five Ways to Use Olive Oil For Beauty

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:36 -0800

When visiting a pal's house recently, I noticed a bottle of olive oil in his bathroom (not while snooping, I swear). Even though I know of many uses for this product, I was curious why he had it. Turns out he applies this before shaving instead of traditional creams since he has sensitive skin (a tip he picked up from his Grammy).

That got me thinking of more beauty uses for olive oil:

Deep conditioning treatment: Get out of the shower and apply oil on shampooed, towel dried hair. Put it up in a plastic cap and blast it for about 10 minutes with a hair dryer. Let sit for 10 more minutes and rinse out.
Oil base for homemade scrubs: If you're whipping up a batch of one of my fave DIY spa treatments, olive oil's a great addition. If you're short on time, simply rub on your skin before scrubbing with coarse sugar or salt.

See two more of my favorites when you read more.

Moisturizing cuticles: Mix a touch of this oil and water in a small dish and soak your hands in it for about five minutes. Then warm a bit of olive oil and rub it into your cuticles before pushing the skin back with your file.
Removing stubborn makeup: Being very careful to avoid eyes, you can still dab a bit of olive oil on a cotton swab and use it to remove waterproof makeup.
If you've got more tips of your own for this product, share them in your comments below!

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Six Beauty Resolutions to Keep in 2009

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:00:33 -0800

We're only two weeks into the new year. How are your resolutions coming along? If you're like me and haven't made any yet, it's not too late. These ideas will help you look good and feel great - so try one or try them all.

Get more sleep. It's not called beauty sleep for nothin'. Aim to get seven or eight hours of sleep each night, and you'll see those puffy under-eye circles fade before you know it.
Eat more vegetables. To keep your skin looking as healthy and youthful as possible, load up on antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits. Eat them raw to enjoy the most nutrition, or saute vegetables in a bit of olive oil - which Dr. Murad recommends for healthy skin.
Quit smoking. Cutting out cigarettes has countless benefits, but here are a few to remind you: No more stinky hair. Fewer wrinkles around the mouth. Whiter teeth. Just quit!
Replace soda with water. The jury is out on whether drinking water does anything for your skin, but it's a healthier choice than soda. And if you need a little flavor, try green tea, whose antioxidants can help.
Try something new. If you're stuck in a style rut, branch out. Get bangs, try a bold eye shadow, or go without makeup altogether. At the very least, you'll get out of your routine.
Wear sunscreen. You knew this one was coming, but only because it's such an important thing to do! Day in, day out, make SPF 30 your friend. You'll be protected from the sun's damaging rays, which means you'll wind up with fewer wrinkles and age spots in the long run.

Source

My Dinner with Dr. Murad

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:27:33 -0700

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not having some sort of fantastical beauty dream. Last night was one of those times, as I was invited to a dinner with Dr. Howard Murad. Yes, that Dr. Murad. He was in town to fete the opening of the spa at the InterContinental Hotel, where his products and techniques are incorporated into skin-care treatments. (Never have I sat at a table among people with skin that beautiful. Never, ever.)

After meeting Dr. Murad, it's easy to understand why he's such a popular dermatologist. He's a gentleman, he's friendly, and he sincerely loves talking about skin. While enjoying beet salad, I asked him what we can do to have healthier skin. For a few of his tips for a beautiful complexion, read more.

Some of Dr. Murad's advice for healthy skin:

Deliver water to your skin from the inside and out. Using a moisturizer is just part of hydrating your skin; you need to deliver water to your skin cells, whose membranes weaken with age. Drinking water is good, but juicing your own juices is even better. Dr. Murad recommends "eating your water" by consuming raw fruits and vegetables, whose vitamins and antioxidants support your skin from the inside. Healthy fats such as olive oil are better for your skin than butter, but here's something I didn't expect to learn: Eggs are rich in lecithin, which helps repair cell walls.
Wear sunblock. Daily, consistent application of sunblock helps to prevent environmental damage, which in turn prevents photoaging and skin cancer.
Repair damaged skin. "You can't treat the skin cells you had yesterday," Dr. Murad explained. "But you can treat the developing ones." He recommends topical vitamin C treatments, and he's just released Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes, which contains extracts from the antioxidant-rich durian fruit.
Stop the stress. "Being isolated isn't good for you," Dr. Murad said. (I hope that he meant "you" in the abstract sense and that he hadn't overheard me talking about how I watch a lot of Smiths videos at home.) He went on to say that emotional self-care is essential to overall health - and that when you're not emotionally healthy, your skin cells suffer, too.

Origins Skin Care Goes Green

BellaSugar — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:00:46 -0800

You'll be green with envy when you see Origins' latest skin care line, Origins Organics. Although the line launched in late fall, the products are intended to soothe dry, winter skin and hair.

All of the products are certified organic by the USDA, which is a huge step for a beauty company. Now, this doesn't mean that the products are 100% organic; it means that a large part of the products are made with certified-organic ingredients. Make sense?

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To find out the highlights and prices of each of the nine products, read more

Foaming Face Wash ($25) is made with 73% organic ingredients. It's made with aloe to moisturize, soothe and calm as well as organic olive oil, clove, rose, lavender, patchouli and red thyme essential oils to smooth and purify the skin.
Purifying Tonic ($25) is a face toner made with 95% organic ingredients. It is made with willow bark, salicylic acid, and organic vinegar to get rid of bacteria and dead skin.
Nourishing Face Lotion ($42.50) is made with 95% organic ingredients. It contains shea butter, karite nuts and organic cocoa butter to soothe dry skin as well as organic glycerin, linoleic acid-rich organic sunflower oil and organic coconut oil to prevent dehydration.
Soothing Lip Balm ($15) is made with 97% organic ingredients. It's a fabulous vanilla balm that smoothes, softens and conditions dry lips. It contains organic shea and cocoa butter as well as organic sunflower, safflower, and palm oils.
Hydrating Body Lotion ($35) is made from 87% organic ingredients. It is made with sunflower oil to strengthen the skin's barrier as well as organic glycerin, soy lecithin, coconut and palm oils to moisturize, hydrate and revive the skin.
Cleansing Body Bar ($15) is made from 90% organic ingredients. This bar removes tough surface debris and environmental impurities while keeping your skin smooth and moisturized. It contains organic coconut oil, pure organic palm oil, organic clove, rose, lavender, patchouli and red thyme essential oils which generate a fabulous smell.
Silkening Body Spritz ($25) is made from 95% organic ingredients. It is made from organic soy lecithin and organic sunflower oil to hydrate and soften the skin. The 360-degree pump is cool because it allows you to turn the bottle upside down to mist hard-to-reach areas with ease.
Body Pampering Massage Oil ($30 ) is made from 95% organic ingredients. Not only does this smell great, it also deeply moisturizes, protects and soothes the skin without any gross, greasy after-effects. It is made from organic jojoba oil, organic fennel, organic chamomile and organic clary sage rejuvenate and soften the skin.
Conditioning Hair Oil ($22.50) is made from 98% organic ingredients such as organic sesame seed oil, organic sunflower oil and organic olive oil to hydrate, protect, condition and nourish the hair without causing build up to weigh hair down.