BellaSugar

Banish Blackheads With an Extractor

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:01:17 PST

Everybody has some sort of embarrassing obsession, and mine is pore purging. Whenever I'm stressed, pushing blackheads out of my pores always calms me. (Sick, I know.) Since the bacteria on fingers can exacerbate acne, I bought Sephora's double loop extractor ($16) to help me get the gunk out cleanly.

The double-ended, stainless steel, made-in-Germany tool is meant to help with both blackheads and whiteheads. The thin, narrow loop is for oozing whiteheads, while the wider one is for digging out blackheads. For at least 30 minutes last night, I alternated between the two, giddily cleaning out my pores. This sucker helps you declog everything, and with a little help from a magnifying mirror, I was even able to get rid of blackheads on my earlobes. Delightfully gross. For instructions on doing this at home,

If you are similarly afflicted with this need to purge, here's what to do. Extract the blackheads after a shower, or prepare the comedones by placing a damp, warm washcloth on your skin. Then, apply gentle pressure on the clogged pores; don't force it, or you can cause redness and/or scarring. And don't even think about trying this with cystic acne, as it won't work. Clean the tool with alcohol after each use, and wipe skin with an alcohol-free toner or witch hazel when you're through. With regular use, you'll be able to improve the look of your pores - but be warned, doing so can lead to a mildly pathetic quasiaddiction.

BellaSugar's Top Five Hot Pink Lip Gloss Picks

BellaSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:00:28 PDT

Hot pink lip glosses are a summertime must have. They're flirtier than a classic red and pack more punch than a pastel. Plus, they match all of this season's trendiest neon pink nail polishes. If you're willing to try wearing a bright and daring hot pink pout, below are five of my favorites for you to check out! (I'm a poet and didn't know it.)

Sephora Brand Ultra-Shine Lip Gloss in Hot Pink ($15) is a semi-sheer, shimmery gloss with a sweet taste that glides on smooth and has a doe-foot applicator.
Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Gloss in Brighten Pink ($25) is a sugary, sheer yet bright and smooth gloss that doesn't have an overbearing, synthetic scent.
Stila It Gloss in Smashing ($18) is a creamy, not too bright punch of pink gloss that goes on more opaque than their famous click glosses, but is more sheer than a lipstick.
Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Pink Popsicle ($19) is a bright pink shade that doesn't contain any shimmer. This gloss creates tons of shine, but the only drawback is the icky sticky factor (just warning you). It was a limited-edition color, but I've found some in stock if you act fast!
Lancome Color Fever Lip Gloss in Volcanic Pink ($23) is by far the brightest and boldest pink I've ever worn. And although it looks shocking in the tube it goes on quite sheer. I like to pair it with a champagne shadow and black liquid eyeliner.

Trend Alert: French Manicures

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:00:29 PDT

I've got a hefty laundry list of qualities I don't like about Heidi Montag, but what I do love are her gorgeous nails. Whether they're gold or burgundy, they are always long and perfectly manicured.

I thought that French manicures were on their way out, but then along comes Heidi and Britney Spears bringing this classic back again. Most of you think they're tacky and should be saved for formal occasions only. For the rest of you who are still loyal fans, here are two great at-home French manicure kits I think you'll love.

Sephora Easy French Manicure Duos ($8) is a double-ended nail varnish that houses either a beige or a pink color on one side and a clear base and topcoat on the other. However, if you're looking to create the white tip, you still need another product. I suggest this French Tip Pen ($8) since it's so easy to use.

For one more easy-to-use French manicure kit,

Barielle French Manicure Set ($16) contains an opaque white, a clear and a pale pink polish that allows you to create a French manicure in five simple steps.

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Trend Alert: Multi-Color Powder Bronzers

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:00:16 PDT

Summertime always breeds safe, fun, sunless bronzing products and I've noticed that a few of the new bronzing-powder compacts contain more than one shade in them. The idea is to create a healthy-looking glow, and I suppose the gradation of colors is a way to achieve that look. Instead of having a flat tan all over your face, the variation of shades creates a more natural effect. Here are five new multicolor powder bronzers on the market for Summer 2008 for you to check out.

Shiseido The Makeup Multi-Shade Enhancer ($35) contains five shades of shimmery bronzer. Blended together, it can be worn on your face and body and used separately it can double as eye shadows or a highlighter. Also, it is available in two shades.
Caribbean in a Compact in Sun Bunny ($25) is a dual-shaded bronzer made from silky, light-reflecting powders. Each of the colors can be worn individually or layered together.
Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer ($28) is a multishaded terracotta baked bronzer that can be used on your face or your body. This marbelized makeup also contains a brush and mirror on the lower level of the compact.
Sephora Summer Safari Bronzer ($16) is a powder bronzer available in two animal prints depending on your skin tone. Giraffe is light and zebra is dark and coppery. Blend the shades together for a bright, glowy complexion.
Smashbox Desert Chic Fusion Body Bronzing Powder and Brush Set ($55) contains four tan and bronze shades and comes with a mini-kabuki brush. This oversized bronzer can be worn on your face and body for a healthy, glowing tan.

Tools of the Trade: Portable Eyelash Combs

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:00:34 PDT

This is definitely not the age of Tammy Faye Bakker - and although long, lush, and voluminous lashes are sought after, so is a clean, defined, no-makeup makeup look. These contrasting worlds have no room for clumpy, lumpy lashes. With these relatively inexpensive and super-small lash combs, you won't have to worry about your lashes being a beauty faux pas.

Tweezerman Folding Eye Lash Comb ($6.99) is a thin and tapered gold-plated comb that has been designed to painlessly glide through your mascara-coated lashes and remove anything that is stuck together or clumpy. Use it when your lashes are still a little wet in gentle, upward motions (away from your eyes).

Eco Tools Bamboo Lash and Brow Groomer (on sale for $2.99) is a long and slender environmentally-friendly eyelash comb and eyebrow brush. It is made from synthetic bristles and the ferule is made from recycled aluminum. Check out the cost, too. At $2.99 a pop, you can keep one stashed in all of your primping locations.

For one more eyelash comb,

Sephora Duo Eyelash/Brow Comb ($5) is a clear plastic, double-sided lash and brow comb. This one is also purse friendly since it's really light and the ends fold neatly inward so they won't catch on anything.

File This Under Nail Care

BellaSugar — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:00:00 PDT

After discovering my first glass nail file, I've been hooked. Unlike emery boards, glass nail files never go dull; they need only a quick rinse under the tap to be good as new. My Sephora file is a grid of teeny, tiny upraised rough glass nodules. Think frosted glass, but maybe a tad rougher. The file is thin, but sturdy enough for me to feel confident that it won't break when my klutzy self inevitably drops it on the floor.

You use it just like any other nail file, but it feels significantly less abrasive. There is no pulling or snagging on the nail tip, which prevents cracking, peeling, and splitting of the nails. In fact, it is so gentle that you can use it safely on acrylics or on damaged or fragile nails. The only drawback? Using it reminds some people of nails on the chalkboard. But if you're interested in checking out a glass file, it's a relatively inexpensive investment. A company called 95° and Sunny makes hand-painted ones - or you can always start out with my $8 special from Sephora.

New Product Alert: Daisy Marc Jacobs Beauty Booty

BellaSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:00:35 PDT

I know it's some sort of unwritten rule that women are supposed to go gaga for everything Marc Jacobs does, but lately he's been turning out one stinker after another. I miss the quirky, nerdy Marc of yesteryear - the kind of designer who'd come up with something kooky and fun. Something like this collection of beauty accessories, actually.

After launching Daisy Marc Jacobs last year, he (okay, more accurately, his design team) has come up with a fresh, fun collection of beauty gear available exclusively at Sephora. The slightly retro floral design reminds me of something a cool girl in 1963 might have carried. Could this be a return to the days of Dorky Marc? My fingers are crossed.

View 4 Photos ›

To find out about each piece in the collection,

Daisy Marc Jacobs Pour Sephora Treasure Beauty Case ($50) has a daisy on top, embossed logo, and dividers to store all of your goodies.

Daisy Marc Jacobs Pour Sephora Pretty Pouch Trio ($38) features three metallic gold cosmetics bags.

Daisy Marc Jacobs Pour Sephora Cushy Brush Set ($70) is cushy indeed. I love the way it looks, but I'd need to see the brushes to know if the set is reasonably priced.

Daisy Marc Jacobs Pour Sephora Luxe Vanity Case ($90) is my favorite. (Of course I like the most expensive thing. Ugh.) This fold-out case features two drawers, three trays, and two foldout pockets in the front.

Daisy Marc Jacobs Pour Sephora Soap Trio Delight ($15) is a set of three soaps. They're cute, but after they're wet, they won't look as cute.

3 Tips to Mastering DIY Gel Manicure Kits

Jessica Cruel — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:31:00 PDT

Gel manicures are popular fixes for busy women who need chip-free finishes that will last. And recently, at-home kits have hit the market with brands like SensatioNail, Red Carpet Manicure, and Sephora by OPI (available soon) coming out with their own versions. Now that Spring is here and temperatures are rising, your hands and feet will be begging for a little attention - not to mention the benefits of long-lasting manicures and pedicures. Get tips on making your DIY gel set look good for weeks when you read more.

Download of the Day: Wrapp, Social Gift Giving

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:51:09 PDT

How often do you feel inspired to send a gift - whether it's to say thank you, congratulate a co-worker, welcome a new neighbor, or celebrate a birthday - yet the reality of buying, wrapping, and getting the package to the post office dissuades you? Now, you can leap over all the hassle with an app called Wrapp that enables you to send someone a gift card via Facebook in under five minutes.

The app connects with Facebook and automatically pulls events, like birthdays, that might require a gift. Or, just search for a friend who could use a pick-me-up, no celebration required. Wrapp has partnered with brands like The Wall Street Journal, Gap, H&M, and Sephora to offer gifts at nominal prices. Some are entirely free (which also have an expiration date), like a month-long newspaper subscription or a $5 store coupon, while others require purchase, usually between $5-$25.

There is some Wrapp fine print: it works with iPhone and Android phones only and your friend must download the Wrapp app and connect it to Facebook in order to receive the gift. The app itself was just released, so there are a few hiccups like a bit of blurring on imported Facebook photos. However, we look forward to Wrapping gifts to our friends and saving an extra $5 when hitting the stores.

3 Ways to Eco-fy Your Beauty Routine

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 06:00:00 PDT

In honor of Earth Month, Josie Maran (pictured left) is rereleasing her eponymous brand's cult favorite argan oil with an added charitable element. The beauty entrepreneur even recruited some of her model pals, Petra Nemcova (pictured right) and Angela Lindvall, to design the limited-edition bottles ($52 each) for the line's Model Citizen campaign. Available at Sephora, through QVC, or on Josie's site from now to mid-Summer, 10 percent of the profits from the sale of the oils will benefit the Happy Hearts Fund (through Petra's design), Healthy Child Healthy World (through Angela), and Women For Women International (through Josie).

Additionally, Josie and Petra are sharing their tips for going "chicological" (that's chic, high-performing, and ecological) with us. For starters, "I think using kinder, gentler, healthier ingredients overall - especially if you're wearing makeup every day - makes a huge impact on the beauty of your skin," explains Josie. See more of what the duo had to say about greening your beauty routine, when you read more.