BellaSugar

Could the End of Scent Be Near?

BellaSugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:07:39 -0800

Are women wearing less perfume than they used to? That's the question pondered in an article in today's New York Times. There are nearly twice as many fragrances on the market today than there were six years ago, yet overall sales have dropped by $6 million in the past year alone.
So why are we buying less when we're faced with more options? There are a few reasons:

Our relationships have become less intimate because of our busier lifestyles, making it more difficult for people to give a fragrance that fits.
Some women cited instances where their mates disliked their fragrance, causing them to forgo wearing perfume altogether.
Some public venues, offices, and events have banned perfume outright out of consideration for others.

Since it's Valentines Day, this has me wondering whether your sweetie likes it when you wear perfume. Do you think he would be able to pick one out that you would like?

Source

The Ever Changing Face

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:00:11 -0700

According to The New York Times, there's a new computer software being billed as a "beautification engine" that conforms an existing headshot to a mathematical standard of beauty culled from the opinions of 68 Israeli and German men and women. Of course, the idea of applying technical principles of symmetry and a "golden ratio" to what humans find attractive in other humans is not a new one. Using data on what distances between features are considered most attractive, the program alters the geometry of the face - what it doesn't do is change hair or eye color, remove wrinkles or omit blemishes. (However, there is a service that does: PicWash will digitally clear your skin or slim you down with a starting rate of $7 an image).

The article brings to mind Jonathan Van Meter's New York Magazine article back in August about The New Face, a more youthful and unnatural standard of beauty the author observed spreading across the aging faces of socialites and celebrities. Van Meter was talking about actual injections and cosmetic surgery, not a digital alternative like today's article - but the core issue remains the same. As Dr. Lois W. Banner comments in the Times, “Irregular beauty is the real beauty.” What do you think?

Source

Is the Blake the New Rachel?

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:17 -0800

In the '90s, one hairstyle reigned supreme: the Rachel. When Jennifer Aniston debuted this layered bob for Friends, it seemed like half the women in America followed suit. It truly is the era's iconic haircut. Now, The New York Times makes the case for Blake Lively's hair being the It style for this decade. "Her hair right now is a big trend," said New York stylist Nuri Yurt, adding that it works only for tall, thin women.

Blake Lively does have beautiful hair, but is it groundbreaking and iconic the way the Rachel was? I'm not convinced. What about you - do you think this is the new iconic cut, or is it just a bunch of buzz?

The Recession Brings Deep Cuts - in a Good Way

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:00:21 -0800

Are free haircuts for the unemployed a new trend? Last weekend, Christiano Cora salon in New York was offering gratis cuts to people who've lost their jobs, and I've heard stories about other stylists offering similar assistance. Since salons are one of the first businesses to suffer in an economic downturn, it makes sense that they'd be reaching out to their communities more - the stylists have some free time, and helping people now makes them loyal to you once they do get a job - but I still think it's a very kind gesture. Have you heard about free haircuts or deep salon discounts for people who've been laid off or hard-hit by the recession? And would you avail yourself of something like this?

Bella Interview: Cristina Samuels, Co-Founder of Mode Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:02:36 -0800

When you're raised around the family business, it only makes sense that you'd follow suit. And for Cristina Samuels and Jennifer Isaac, doing so has been a beautiful endeavor. From the time they were girls, they learned by watching their father, a cosmetic-industry veteran. Now, they're the co-founders and co-owners of Mode Cosmetics, a line of cruelty-free (and reasonably priced!) makeup made in New York.

Just a few minutes with the sisters is inspiring - they're incredibly passionate about their work, and they know their business. If you're interested in a cosmetics-biz career, get some advice from Cristina when you read more.

Is This Stila Makeup Player Cool or Corny?

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:36 -0700

Remember when Stila was impossible to find? I can still recall the first time I saw one of their lip glazes on a friend who'd just come back from New York - we were all totally smitten and covetous. Now, the company is going for mass appeal, selling this Makeup Player ($69.90, including cosmetics), under the tagline "Does Your Makeup Talk to You?" (Yes, but only after one too many White Russians.)

The Makeup Player is essentially two speakers inside a pleather case, and you're supposed to be able to listen to music or watch Stila's instructional makeup videos (if you already own an iPod with video, of course) while you apply. Is this a geek-meets-chic moment, or do you think it's goofy?

Do Nighttime Potions Really Work? Yes and No.

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:45 -0700

The nighttime skincare market is a booming business, with sales for the first half of the year reaching an astounding $43 million just for facial moisturizers alone. "At nighttime, skin does its repair," StriVectin's Kristine Cryer told the New York Times. That sounds believable, but does our skin really get that much extra benefit from specifically formulated nighttime treatments?

Just as other organs in our body are able to distinguish day from night, so can our skin. However, many dermatologists say that there isn't enough proof to claim that skin-repairing processes go full force during our sleeping hours. "We are constantly repairing our skin and responding to stressors," dermatologist Dr. Jenny Kim told the paper. "Our skin doesn’t wait for nighttime repair," she adds. On another note, cosmetic companies, which don't have to follow quite as strict FDA guidelines as drug companies, can often get away with self-pimping their product benefits without much question.

What research does show, however, is that after sundown, blood flow increases. "When blood flow is increased to skin, surface area of the absorption will increase," Dr. Kim explained. Also, during the nighttime hours, the temperature of our skin rises, and our skin can become a bit drier. Therefore, a moisturizer "can improve the skin barrier," she told the Times. What do you think on this topic? Are you a firm believer in nighttime potions, or are you just fine with your simple cleanse, tone, and moisturize routine, thank-you-very-much?

Fragrance Review: Is Bond No. 9 Right on the Money?

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0700

I like perfume and I certainly like money, so I when I heard about a fragrance inspired by cash, I was intrigued by the concept. Add a little Andy Warhol in the mix, and it's all the more intriguing. Next month, Bond No. 9, known for its all-things-New York approach, well-thought-out blends, and colorful, artistic bottles, will release the unisex eau de parfum: Andy Warhol Success Is a Job in New York ($145 to $220).

Possibly one of the longest labels on a perfume ever, the fragrance gets its name from a Glamour article from the 1950s in which Warhol illustrated. The bottle showcases the artist's iconic dollar sign, with drippy paint and sketchy borders, creating an ambiguous line between art and money. As for the juice itself, it's of the gourmand classification with a warm spiciness. While there's not one particular note that sticks out, the top notes of coriander, cardamom, mandarin, bergamot provide a bit of an edge; middle notes of jasmine, rose, plum, and pimento lend some soft tones that aren't at all wimpy; and bottom notes of vanilla, patchouli, and amber deliver a heady, powdery finish. To see what I thought about the parfum, keep reading.

The 6 Big Beauty Trends That Emerged at Fashion Week

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:00:00 -0700

New York Fashion Week ended last week, and now it's time to analyze the styles, from hair to makeup to what polishes we foresee flying off the shelves come March. To make the myriad styles we saw over the nine days of 2010 Spring New York Fashion Week easier to parse, I've assembled the six big trends, complete with several different ways to wear each - from rebel rocker to demure debutante. Click through for the definitive looks for Spring.

View Slideshow ›

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