BellaSugar

Seven Beauty Products Worth the Splurge

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:00:56 -0800

You already know there are some beauty items you don't need to splurge on. But what about the pricey products that actually do the job much better than their cheapy counterparts? Over the years, I've found a few things that definitely deserve their high price tags. So start saving your dollars, because these are worth every penny.

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2007 Sugar Awards: Best Beauty Tool

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:00:45 -0800

You've voted, and once again, the results were very close. Squeezing past Shu Uemura eyelash curlers by a margin of less than 10 votes, Tweezerman tweezers garnered first place. I confess that years ago, I didn't understand the hype, but after you use a good pair of tweezers, you'll never want to go back to the two-dollar version again.

Speaking of pricier products that really perform better, my can't-live-without tool this year is my T3 dryer. Again, you always read the hype about T3 tools, and in this case, the praise is earned. The dryer cuts my drying time in half, leaves my hair bouncy and shiny, and never overheats. It's not cheap by any means, but if you go for frequent blow-dries, it's definitely something to save up for.

December Must-Haves

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:55:41 -0800

Even though stores are filled with people seeking gifts for friends and family, let's be realistic: Most people pick up a little something for themselves, too. And why not? It's been a long year, and a bit of pampering won't hurt.

For this month's must-haves, I've found items that will help you primp and prepare for end-of-year festivities-along with a few that'll help you decompress from the stress of the holidays. To see my picks, read more

If there's any time to have shiny, shimmering hair, it's in December. I'm planning to pick up Fekkai Sparkling Shimmer Spray ($13.50), a mist that has microscopic diamond crystals to lend a subtle golden glimmer to your hair. Paired with good tools like this T3 mini flat iron ($119), it would provide a professional-quality hairstyle for New Year's and beyond.
Urban Decay's holiday kit is worth considering. Midnight Cowboy Rides Again ($32) is spot-on with the metallic trend. It includes a golden, shimmery beige eye shadow, Eyeshadow Primer Potion (so your color will stay put), an eye pencil in a deep coppery shade, and glittery gold eyeliner. Worn all at once, these items would be too much. But adding just one item to your regular look will be a gild-y pleasure.
If you're visiting family during the holiday season, you'll need portable, flight-friendly body care supplies. You may also need to de-stress. (Just sayin'.) This gorgeous Red Flower Hammam Set ($56) lets you do both. It contains travel sizes of these 100% natural goodies: Moroccan mint tea silt purifier, lemon coffee blossom olive stone scrub, jasmine rose rhassoul clay polish, orange quince steam room mist, cardamom amber oil, tangerine fig butter cream. Just reading about them makes me want to relax and unwind with a cup of tea.
Bonne Belle Smackers ($2.95) are a favorite from my childhood, and since 'tis the season for chapped lips, I figure it can't hurt to have a few extra lip balms on hand. I'm a fan of the Dr. Pepper flavor, which takes me way back to junior high.

Product Review: T3 + Orlando Pita Plump

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:00:42 -0800

Orlando Pita, the stylist behind some of the fashion world's most beautiful hairstyles, has collaborated with hairdryer heavies T3. The result is T3 Plump Heat Seeking Liquid Hair Plumper ($38), a spray-on treatment that promises to deliver thicker, stronger hair with tons more volume. To use it, you just spritz it on damp hair before using the hairdryer.

The packaging is really simple, and although this is just a little detail, I liked the way the pump spray delivers the product. Instead of coming out in an angry burst, it mists smoothly and evenly. Like I said, it's a little thing, but I like it. For the rest of my review, including why this stuff may be a giant man magnet, read more

I've used this product a few times, and it definitely adds volume to my hair without weighing it down or making it tacky. Coupled with my T3 dryer, it creates a fantastically smooth, shiny and bouncy hairstyle. In fact, after using the two together, Fit and Team both asked me if I'd done something new with my hair.

They weren't the only ones who noticed. Mr. Bella and I had a hot date at the art museum a few weeks ago, and he kept coming near my face. Nearer than usual, that is. At first I thought he was just being romantic and trying to sneak a smooch, but then I realized that he was only nuzzling my hair. Finally, I said, "Are you trying to sniff my hair?"

"Um, yes," he replied. "I can't help it. It just smells really good."

So there you have it. He's never done this before, so I credit Plump with turning him into a hair nuzzler. I can't blame him, really: This stuff leaves a light, pleasant scent that I can't quite place. It's not exactly citrusy, nor is it that weirdly fake-smelling fruity scent. It's just really fresh and clean. And apparently, it smells so wonderful that men will bury their noses in your hair in public.

My only hesitation with this product is its price. As much as I love the results, it's hard to part with $38 for any hair product. (That's why this is a 3.5-star, not a 4-star review.) If it's not within your budget, see if you can try out a friend's before taking the plunge-or better yet, save up for a T3 dryer, which I do think is worth the considerable expense. But if you're not sticking to a budget, don't think twice about it. And then, don't be surprised if you find a gentleman or two trying to smell your hair.

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

Beauty Marked: A New Hairdryer

BellaSugar — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:14:44 -0800

Ever since my Solano Top Power 3200 Hairdryer broke, I've been looking for a new one with the following criteria:

My hair gets frizzy so I need a hair dryer with a narrow nozzle attachment.
I like it to have a high wattage so it doesn't take me forever to dry my long hair.
I love the cool shot feature. It's an essential if you want to set your hair in different styles.
It has to be lightweight since I travel frequently.

Thanks to all of you who responded to my Beauty Mark It! post and helped me find something fabulous that is tailored to my needs! To see all of the new hairdryers you have chosen for me, click here.

Beauty Mark #1 found by Nannychica, is the Conair Ceramic Ionic Styler, $25.99. It is a ceramic dryer that has a self-regulating heater in it that creates even heat distribution, less frizz and more shine!

For more new hairdryers, read more

Beauty Mark #2, was found by emisaurusrex. She chose the T3 Beespoke Featherweight Dryer $200. This is a pricey dryer, but what makes it stand out from the rest is that it dries your hair up to 60% faster than most, it's ionic to protect your hair and it weighs only 13 ounces.

Beauty Mark #3 found by amanda3011 is the Vidal Sassoon Tourmalilne 1875 Watt Complete Professional Styler Model VS514, $30.99. This dryer has ionic and ceramic technology in it to ensure the least amount of heat styling damage to your hair. It also has a cool volumizing finger diffuser that softens airflow and adds volume without blowing out the style you've created. Lastly, it has a cold shot for setting your hair and it allows you to cut down your drying time by 1/3rd!

T3

Intern — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:13:38 -0800

Say So Long to Limp Locks With a Colored Hair Powder

BellaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Now that warmer weather is approaching, is your scalp heating up, too? Perhaps your roots and/or bangs are oily, but your ends are just fine. That's when hair powders come into play. Not only do these oil-absorbing products help sop up excess sebum, they revitalize styles and assist in giving your hair a lift in the aroma department, too. Here are a few colored powders to ensure that you can focus on warm-weather activities, not your hair. Tip: While tinted powders are amazing at blending into your hair color sans white residue, keep in mind that they are tinted, so protect clothing with a towel or cape while applying.

You won't have to shell out lots of dough for Salon Graphix Powder Shampoo ($8). This spray-on cleanser is available in three shades, plus one for the silver foxes out there, too.
Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder ($19 to $35) comes in two sizes, and sprays on for a black, red, white, blondish, or brown finish.
The cheekily-named The All-Nighter Styling Powder ($18) is available in six shades and helps create volume and texture in the hair. It's made from all-natural ingredients and lends a pleasant citrus smell.
T3 Refresh Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($25) helps promote healthy hair with vitamin B6, and is sold in light, dark, and auburn colors.

Source

Lovely Links, 9/11

BellaSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:00:22 -0700

Makeup and Beauty Blog stumbles across this Mullet shampoo, and even a super-luxe dual car/body wash.
Beauty Snob discovers another use for her T3 Flat Iron.
Jezebel wonders - Is the new perfume ad for Christina Aguilera's Inspire Photoshopped?
The Beauty Brains answers the often posed question: Can I dye my eyebrows with hair color?

Jolie Nadine explores whether or not parting your hair on the right or left really means anything about your personality at all.
A Vogue editor gives her opinion on model sharing at The Cut.
Now Smell This reviews Dior Homme Sport by Christian Dior, complete with sexy spokesperson photo of Jude Law.
Babyassface on getting in your 8 glasses of water a day without drinking a drop.

How-To: Karolina Kurková's CFDA Hairstyle

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:40:07 -0700

Last night at the CFDA Awards in New York City, the stunning model Karolina Kurková arrived with her hair back in a chic chignon that somehow managed not to look overly done. The look was created by Michel Aleman for Frédéric Fekkai, who was aiming to create something neat and sophisticated to enhance her natural beauty.

There were so many cool hairstyles at this event, don't you think? To find out exactly how Michel styled Karolina's hair and what products he used, read more.

STEP 1: Michel began by applying a generous amount of Coiff Bouffant Lifting and Texturizing Spray Gel to the roots of Karolina's hair to create volume and add lift. He then used the (amazing) Bespoke Labs T3 Featherweight Dryer to fully dry her hair while brushing it back away from her face.
STEP 2: Next, he parted her hair on the side and applied some Coiff Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Crème for added thickness and texture.
STEP 3: Then, he gathered all of her hair at the nape of her neck. He twisted it into the shape of the number eight, creating a version of the French twist. He pinned the hair in place using bobby pins while taking loose pieces around the back of her head to make the look seem more effortless and less constructed.
STEP 4: To make sure the hair would stay in place, he sprayed Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray all over, followed by a distant shot of cool air from the dryer to set the spray. Lastly, he lightly spritzed a little bit of Fekkai Glossing Shine Mist as a finishing touch.

Source

Products to Perfect Your Blowout

BellaSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:00:09 -0800

I am all about embracing natural beauty, but sometimes it's fun to change up our everyday look, especially for a special occasion. If you happen to have wavy or curly hair, getting a sleek blowout is a surefire way to feel fancy. To help you get this look at home, I've put together a list of must-have products that will help eliminate the damage to your hair while achieving the look.

Frederic Fekkai Technician Mask ($35) is the most moisturizing mask I've ever put on my hair. It protects against damage by closing and sealing the hair shaft. I won't let a blow-dryer near my hair without using this first.

Dove Advanced Care Heat Shield Styling Spray ($5) is a heat-protecting leave-in, and products like this are essential for a silky blow-dry. This thermal protecting spray will coat your strands and absorb the heat from your styling tools so that your hair follicles don't.

For two more hair helpers, read more.
I'm a fan of the T3 Tourmaline Hair Dryer ($200) As I've said before, the T3 dryer really is worth the splurge. It reduces the length of time your fragile hair is exposed to heat, and it blasts your hair with negative ions to smooth the cuticle and eliminate frizz.

Finally, you might want to check out the Chi 1-in. Ceramic Flat Iron ($80). Ceramic irons actually lock moisture into your hair, rather than drying it out. Like the Tourmaline dyer, the ceramic plates seal the hair cuticle so that it is resistant to humidity and frizz.