BellaSugar

Narciso Rodriguez Gives Us a Dirty Take on a Smoky Eye

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Is there ever a case when a smudgy under eye actually looks OK? If the technique is left in the hands of famed makeup artist and Shiseido’s artistic director, Dick Page, then the answer is yes. At Narcisco Rodriguez's show, the models wore smudged eye makeup with minimal foundation. It was a look reminiscent of the popular smoky eye, but with the emphasis on warm, bronzy tones and a next-day quality. By pairing with a contrasting cool, flat mauve lip, the look was spared from a strung-out effect. To create a slightly glossy finish and a wet base, Page used a fluffy brush to apply makeup remover around the eyes. Next, he blended Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color ($25 each) in Squirrel and Cavern, and applied all along the eyes, into the lash lines. To finish these "dirty looking eyes," he extended the color up into the lids. Most impressive? It's a completely mascara- and liner-free look. I can handle that.

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Shiseido Crafts Up Mosaics For Fall

BellaSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00:44 -0700

It's that time of the year again, as kids - and adults alike - head back to school. That means it's also time for the launches of Fall 2009 makeup collections. Using the artistic medium of mosaics for inspiration, Shiseido's artistic director, Dick Page, created the Mosaic collection for the upcoming change of season. It's a palette designed around the thought process that every woman should have a full wardrobe of colors from which to choose.

The highlight of the set is the new Luminizing Satin Eye Color Line ($25), which includes 15 shades of bright tones, neutrals, and pastels. Also available are the following: two new shades of Perfect Mascara ($23) and Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil ($20); four new shades of Natural Eyebrow Pencil ($20); and 11 new shades of Advanced Hydro-Liquid Company Foundation ($30). What do you think of this? Are you ready to create some art of your own?

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Alexander Wang Takes a (Cat)walk of Shame

BellaSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:20:23 -0700

Backstage at Alexander Wang, the designer told me his inspiration for the hair and makeup was "sweat." Well, he couldn't have picked a more humid and rainy day to show.

Just as hot-and-bothered was the beauty look. Makeup artist Dick Page described it as "the walk of shame - when you have to go into the subway station, everyone is going to work, and you're going home."

To that end, models' hair and faces were sprayed with Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray before they hit the runway. "The girls look very hot, like they've been exerting themselves," explained head hairstylist Eugene Souleiman, who used Aveda products. "It's about action, sporty, really cool-looking girls that are tough. Really cool girls don't do too much with their hair because they don't need to. Fast life, no time to do her hair!" The result? Models who looked like they got caught in the same 90-degree downpour the audience did, only infinitely more glamorous. Real cool girls indeed.

For the specifics on the hair and makeup, plus backstage photos, read more.

Hairstylist Souleiman created a deconstructed half-ponytail. He said:
"We're wetting the front of the hair and just grabbing the hair and pulling it back; we're not even combing it. Then we're using Air Control hair spray and just twisting it. It kind of dries the hair out and makes it dull, and makes the back look quite full and very raw."

Dick Page, who used Shiseido products, outlined the makeup look. Eyelids had a glossy, coppery cream shadow over dark gray shadow (with black eyeliner, of course). "Go all the way, really kind of murky, about the eyes," he advises. "It makes the eye look very wet." On the lips, beige lipstick and a bit of berry gloss on the middle of the lower lip gives a fresh, just-been-snogged look that's very sexy - whether you're doing a walk of shame or not.

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Space: The Final Fragrance Frontier

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:56 -0700

How does outer space smell? Apparently, it smells good: I've been noticing fragrances that claim to be scented like the cosmos, and I don't mean Sun Moon Stars from Lagerfeld. Givenchy’s new men's release, Givenchy Pi Neo ($47.50 for 1.7 oz), includes “patented, futuristic” notes. Alain Lorenzo, president of Parfums Givenchy, told WWD that “the initial story of Pi was about a pioneer who happened to be an astronaut. We thought this story is still very current, except that today the unknown world is not space, but the virtual world.”

Speaking of the virtual world, a friend emailed me last night about her latest obsession: a scent that really is galactic. To find out about it, read more.

My friend is interested - some might call it obsessed - with the Cire Trudon Odeur de Lune candle, which has “a composition imagining the scent of [a] satellite orbiting around the earth."* Apparently, that scent involves sulfur, black coal, and a metal infusion.

This trend is really taking flight now, but perhaps Shiseido was ahead of the game. In 2000, the brand procured microgravity research conducted on NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery for a "Space Rose" fragrance note. It’s in the Future Solution skincare line and the now-discontinued 2000 version of the Zen fragrance, Zen Eau de Parfum Aromatique. (A new Zen is about to come out, but has abandoned the intergalactic-ness.)

*
Maison de Cire Trudon, by the way, is the oldest wax-producing factory in the world. Fans include Louis XIV. If you can't make it over to France anytime soon, you can find the candles at Barneys.

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How-To: Mila Kunis's Rockin' VH1 Makeup

BellaSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:00:07 -0700

Saturday night at the 2008 VH1 Rock Honors, Mila Kunis donned a soft, wavy two-toned updo, dark and sexy seductive smoky eyes and icy cool lips. I love this modern dressy makeup look and Miss Mila has just the right amount of mojo to pull it off.

This intricate look is easy to achieve. All you need are a few quality brushes and the right colors. If you're interested in both the product and technique suggestions to create Mila's makeup at home, read more.

FACE: The first step in creating flawless, pale skin is making sure that your face is well hydrated. Apply a moisturizer to your face and neck and then apply an eye cream to your orbital bone. Next, smooth creamy foundation such as Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation in Ivory all over, and dab concealer around any red or blue areas. Then, apply a translucent powder to set the base.
CHEEKS: Using an angled, contour blush brush, apply a mocha powder blush such as Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Mysterious Mocha to the bottom half of your cheekbones and sweep upwards and outwards towards your ear. Then, use what's leftover on the brush on your temples and chin to create symmetry. Don't overdo it, a little blush goes a long way.
EYES: First and foremost, you need to fill in your brows. Apply a pencil or a gel to add structure to your face. The, apply a bone-colored shadow all of the lid. Blend a deep sable-taupe in the crease and a lighter, pale pink above and below the crease. For this look Shiseido's The Makeup Silky Eye Shadow Duo in Warm Tearose is the perfect powder shadow combo. Next, use a creamy black eyeliner pencil along the top lash line and the inner rims of your eyes. Dab the inner v with a touch of sparkling, white highlighter and apply two coats of jet-black mascara. As a finishing touch, sweep the pink shadow underneath your eyeliner on your lower lids to make your eyes really pop!
LIPS: Using a lip brush, apply a creamy lipstick like Victoria's Secret Makeup Very Sexy Perfect Lipstick in Whisper to your lips. This pale neutral with a little bit of shimmer is Karolina Kurkova's favorite.

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SPF Beauty Bonanza, Part III: Sun Care Hair Products

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:20 -0700

Not only can the harmful rays of the sun affect your skin, they can also be damaging to your hair - especially if it is chemically and/or color treated. Below are three great SPF-enhanced products that will help protect your hair from drying out, breaking and oxidizing while you're frolicking away on a sunny day.

Capri Sun-Shield Spray ($20) is yet another new beauty product inspired by the jet-setting Italian island. The reason? Oscar Blandi loves the sunny locale and feels it's the ultimate Italian paradise. This hair mist works just a sunscreen would act on your skin. All you need is a little bit to lock in moisture, boost shine and protect hair from UVA and UVB rays.

Kerastase Voile Protecteur ($34) is a colorless spray that keeps your strands safe from drying out and oxidizing in the sun. It protects against UVA and UVB rays, salty seawater and the chemicals (generally chlorine) in swimming pools. Plus, it won't make your hair feel greasy and it washes out well.

For one more hair (and body) sunscreen, read more.

Shiseido Refreshing Sun Protection Spray SPF 16 PA+ ($27) offers broad-spectrum safety for your hair, scalp and even your skin while you are exposed to extensive UVA and UVB sun rays. It's lightweight, virtually odorless, water-resistant and comes in a sporty spray bottle that even spritzes if it's upside down.

Trend Alert: Multi-Color Powder Bronzers

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:00:16 -0700

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.

Product Review: Shiseido The Makeup Dual Balancing Foundation

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:00:07 -0700

Last weekend I went on a foundation quest at Sephora. After about 45 minutes, and arms streaked up to my elbows in a beigey rainbow of colors, I swiped a dollop of the Shiseido The Makeup Dual Balancing Foundation ($36) on my wrist. Hmmm. This actually matches my skin quite perfectly, I thought to myself. Let's try it on the face. I managed to find a make-up free patch of skin around my chin area (yes, I was looking slightly ridiculous by this point), and sponged some of this stuff on. It literally disappeared into my skin. Done. I grabbed one of the packaged bottles in my color, and got out of there (finally!).

I've been using this foundation every day for the past week, and so far, so good. It really does match my skin tone perfectly, but I realize that might not be the case with everyone. The best part is the way it blends right into my skin, without leaving any dusty, chalky telltale traces behind. It is a solid medium-coverage, so this would not be for those of you looking for super sheer, light coverage. The color I chose has yellow undertones, which I have a hard time finding in a foundation, and it neutralizes the pinks and reds in my skin very nicely.

I also like that this foundation is fragrance and oil-free, and it contains hyaluronic acid, which helps my skin hold in moisture so the foundation doesn't feel dry or flaky by the end of the day. Overall, I would highly recommend this foundation if you have combination skin like me, and are looking for a product with solid, medium coverage.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Product Review: Shiseido Color Stick

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:00:00 -0800

I have been searching for more cream blushes to add to my collection after I had so much luck with my last one. So I was very excited when I came across the Shiseido Makeup Color Stick ($32) at Sephora last weekend.

My eye was initially drawn to the bright fuschia streamlined container, and as usual, I selected the brightest shade of pink to try on first. Typically this would make me look like a clown and I would begrudgingly resign to testing a more reasonable shade next. (What can I say, I'm like a moth to a flame with bright pink!). But not this time! The bright Rosy Flush shade imitated a perfect natural blush on my skin. Furthermore, it went on as smooth as butter and blended effortlessly.

The best part of all is that when I get home from work now and look in the mirror, it looks like I just applied the Color Stick moments before rather than nine hours earlier. I realize the price is steep for a blush, but the fact that it lasts all day is worth the cost for me. And since the color is highly pigmented, a little goes a long way, so I plan to have a long-term relationship with this item.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Backstage Beauty: Proenza Schouler

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:32:43 -0800

I just got back from Proenza Schouler, where long hair and cobalt blue eyes reigned. "It's never just about one feature, even if it's the most prominent thing, because everything has to work in tandem," said lead makeup artist Dick Page, who was remarkably calm despite the flurry of activity surrounding him. "The look is strong, but it's very easy as well."

To create the look, Page covered eyelids with a pearly gray cream shadow, then brushed cobalt blue shadow on top. Next, he surrounded the eye with teal shadow and added silver and gold highlights under the eyes. Lips went beige with Shiseido Automatic Lip Crayon in LC1, and as for the rest? No mascara, no blush-no kidding! I love seeing these bold shades on the runway, and I can't wait to see what's to come later this week.

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