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Beauty Spring Peek: Bangs

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:29:42 -0800

Big bang baby! Bangs are back! Just look at these delicate bangs at the Spring 2007 Marchesa show. This was the first show for these fancy shmancy designers and I must say, their evening dresses were gorgeous...all 26 of them!

The concept for the show was "Paparazzi Ready." The girls looked glam in their super short or super long dresses, soft and sweet looking makeup and their hair swept back in an updated ballet bun with bangs! And how much ooomphf did Reeses' bangs give her at the Golden Globes Monday night? Be sure to check out more of my Spring Peeks.

To read more about the benefits of bangs, read more

Ken Paves, hairdresser to the stars, "loves bangs because they are such a great way to provide an instant tune-up for just about any hairstyle." I guess this is why bangs continue to make history over the years. Adding a simple bouncy layer to your hair can really transform and update your look. It's flattering and very sexy to find a cut that frames your face and accentuates your best features. Check out these celebs who have tested the waters with bangs.

So whether your bangs are angled, super short, wavy, fringed, long, side-swept or blunt, update your do with a bang!

Beauty Spring Peek: Loose Waves & Center Parts

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:40:08 -0800

Here's a look at another one of our Spring Peeks. All the starlets, models and singers are wearing the universally flattering look of loose waves & center parts. No more straight irons and no more stressing about perfect looking hair - yay!

This Spring, just relax and let your natural waves come out. Dare to wear your hair with a little bit of volume and some body. Here's how to get this great look that appeared on the recent runways of Bill Blass, Chloe and Victoria's Secret.

For do it yourself products and instructions, read more

Apply a volumizing solution to your roots such as Bumble & Bumble Tonic Spray Lotion, $22.99 Aveda Volumizing Tonic, $16.99 or Alterna Life Volumizing Spray Mousse,$21 if you have thin or fine hair.
Next, divide your hair into many different sections and secure each section with clips. Be sure and create a straight center part from the get-go.
Dry your hair until it's only a little bit damp. Hold the dryer facing downward (from roots to ends), to create a smoother finished product.
Take a large barrelled curling iron on the lowest heat setting and begin curling with the underneath pieces of hair. Skinny curling irons will give you tight curls while a larger barrelled iron will create loose waves. Take one section of hair and wrap it around the iron working your way up toward your roots. Tip: Don't open the iron; just wind your hair around the barrel.
Hold the hair around the iron for about 30 seconds and unwind it manually. Repeat this action for each section of your hair.
When you are finished, you will be tempted to take a brush or a comb to your hair, but don't do it! Allow your fingers to separate and relax the curls into waves.
Lastly, shake your hair out gently and then spritz it with one of these fabulous hairsprays.

Nail It! Spring Nail Polish Colors

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 04:37:29 -0800

Say 'sayonara' to dark, vampy nails and 'konnichi wa' to soft, delicate pink nail colors for Spring 2007. Pale nails make hands look feminine and lighter shades are much easier to maintain than darker colors. Pastel pink nails also look great on super short nails. These are the "It" colors for next season. All of the new colors haven't been released yet but here are a few of my favorite oldies but goodies to get you started.

Sarah Smile by Deborah Lippmann, $15, was created with and for Sarah Jessica Parker. It's a super sheer and sexy whisper pink neutral that reminds me of the color of her light pink Oscar de la Renta dress she wears in her Lovely perfume ad.

Ballet Slippers by Essie, $7, is a longtime classic sheer pink. It looks great with all skin tones and is one of about 20 pale pinky-nude colors in the Essie line.

One more, so read more

Sweet Heart by OPI , $6.50, is the sweetest, most adorable pale pink by OPI. It's a very soft, opaque pink color which separates it from the other sheer colors. After doing a self test, I feel OPI lasts longer than most other polishes. Let me know what you think!

Beauty Spring Peek: Metallic Eyeliner

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 10:56:52 -0800

Metallics are sticking around for the long haul. Not only are we seeing them again for Spring 2007 in clothes, bags and shoes, they were also translated as a sparkly staple in makeup. Get geared up for Spring with my other Spring Peeks.

Check out these metallic eyeliner eyes from the Chanel Spring 2007 show. This runway look is a bit extreme, but here are some product, and application recommendations so you can create your own (toned down) metallic eyeliner look at home. Are you a glitter girl? Be sure to check out my past story on glam glitter makeup.

To see my eyeliner picks for this look and learn how to do it yourself, read more

Jemma Kidd Glitter Liner, $24, is a clear sparkling eyeliner gel that can be worn alone or over other makeup. It is available in three colors: diamond crush, quartz crush and topaz crush.

NARS Glitter Pencil $24, was inspired by New York's infamous 1970s disco era and as we all know, history repeats itself! These eyeliner crayons have chunks of glitter in them and can be worn on your eyes, cheeks, lips, and body. They are available in eight gorgeous colors.

Apply a metallic shadow to the rims of your eyes.
Next, draw a thin line on your bottom lashes being extra careful that no glitter gets on the inside of your eye. If you are using a liquid liner, let dry for 30 seconds.
Thicken the line on your upper lashes and extend the liner about 2mm from the outer corners of your eyes.
Lastly, line the inner rims of your eyes with white or silver eyeliner (sans sparkles) and dab some shimmery light metallic shadow on the corner of your eyes in a V shape where your upper and lower lashes meet.

Beauty Spring Peek: Matte Fuchsia Lips

BellaSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:35:45 -0800

The Spring 2007 Diane Von Furstenberg Show was called "All About Eve," as in the first woman. It was meant to look simple, sophisticated and seductive. You can see this reflection not only in her clothes but in her makeup choices as well. She mixed a polished, yet clean and natural, fresh face with a pop of bright fuchsia, matte color on the lips.

Clearly DVF selected the mouth as the seductive focus and kept the rest of the face simple and sophisticated. Nice work. Be sure to check out more of my Spring Peeks.

To see some of my favorite matte fuchsia lipsticks new for Spring, read more

Giorgio Armani Armanisilk Lipstick, #4, $25, is a dead sexy moisture rich color made from micro silk powders™ that create a sensual, silky feeling and looking lip. This lipstick really makes a statement. Do you dare wear it?

Elizabeth Arden Exceptional Lipstick in Pink Vibrations, $18.50, is a creamy and smooth long wear lipstick. This intense color will give your eyes and cheeks an instant lift! It is recommended for those with a light to medium skin tone.

Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipstick, Parisian Pink 545, $4.89, gives you two benefits in one little tube. It is made with a moisturizing base (Vitamins E and A) so that your lipstick won't feather or cake; and this bright fuchsia color is so new wave!

Fashion Week Roundup: 54 of My Favorite Looks

BellaSugar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Whew! What a week it's been, and in case you missed these slideshows the first time around, why not take a peek at some of my favorite looks from 2010 Spring New York Fashion Week? We saw lots of colorful liners, peachy lips, and sleek bobs. When you're done perusing, tell us what shows were your favorites, and which ones you weren't feeling. Which trends do you foresee yourself wearing come March, and which ones do you never hope to see again. Until next year, Fashion Week . . .

Days One and Two	Days Three - Five
Days Six and Seven	Days Eight and Nine

Lovely Links

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:00:35 -0800

Models from the '90s are back - Fashionologie
More on the politics of Michelle Obama's hair - Salon
A peek at YSL's Spring makeup - Makeup and Beauty Blog
So cute: Paul Frank Lipsmackers - Nylon
Get Katie Holmes' slicked-back look - In Style
Is Allure in danger of demise? - The Cut
Beauty deals from Benefit - Beauty Blogging Junkie

Source

Sunday Giveaway! Givenchy Phenomen'eyes Mascara, Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick, and Very Irrestistible Givenchy to Go

BellaSugar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:30:44 -0700

I love a new lipstick to put a little spring in my step. A new fragrance is most appreciated, too. Mascara? Well, that's just a necessity to me. Thanks to our friends at Sephora, you could be a triple-threat as the winner of this dazzling trio.

Today we're giving away products from the Givenchy beauty collection, which can easily be used throughout your daily routine:

Phenomen'Eyes Mascara: Allows you to apply mascara right down to the root, all while curling and separating lashes. (Check out my review for a more in-depth peek at how this unusually designed mascara wand works.)
Rouge Interdit Shine Lipstick: Has a moisturizing, super-slick effect, and comes in a nifty bejeweled case.
Very Irresistible Givenchy to Go: Contains a blend of rose, anise, and patchouli in an on-the-go bottle.

To enter, just take the quiz by 5 p.m. PDT today, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to enter. So if you're not already one, register for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your vote to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

Take the quiz

Coming Soon: Therapy Systems April Fool's Makeup

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 09:00:06 -0800

As you are well aware by now, spring 2008 collections are out in full force creating all kinds of beauty buzz. This new line from Therapy Systems happens to be launching way far away in April, but I've been lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the goods.

While some might call it small, I call it succinct. The six piece collection contains two lipsticks, two gel blushes, a powder blush and an eye shadow. All of the colors were inspired from looks seen on spring runways, and the names come from chic Greek and Italian hot spots. So I'm not pulling your leg, this April Fool's Collection is very real!

View 5 Photos ›

For a description of each of the colors and the prices, read more

Tequila Sunrise Coral Powder Blush ($20) is a shimmery coral blush that gives most skin tones (especially olive skin) instant warmth.
Portofino Rose Gel Blush ($24) is a sheer, dewy and creamy gel blush with a little bit of shimmer. It can also be used as a lip tint.
Santorini Coral Gel Blush ($24) provides cheeks and lips with a subtle touch of coral shimmer. It should blend easily with your fingertips.
Mykonos Eyeshadow ($19) is a pale, shimmery, gold metallic eye shadow that looks great on most skin tones. It can be worn all over your lid or blended with other shadows.
Capri Lipstick and Naples Lipstick ($20 each) are two perfect sheer shades for spring. Capri is pink and Naples is coral. They are both extremely creamy, smooth and moisturizing since they are formulated with Vitamin E, and the colors are soft enough for everyday wear.

Coming Soonish: CND Plexi Pop Nail Color Collection

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:00:42 -0800

This nail polish collection won't be in stores until spring, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek. CND's Plexi Pop collection was inspired by Lucite furniture from the '60s, giving nails a glossy, sheer finish. The six shades first showed up at the spring 2008 fashion shows; Retro White, for instance, was used at L.A.M.B., while Clearly Pink showed up at Peter Som.

When they're available in March, they'll be $6 each. For now, they're a good look into the spring color trends. Looks like we'll be seeing a lot of jelly-bean nails for the next season, no?

View 6 Photos ›