BellaSugar

Bella Book: The Perfect Scent

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:17:31 PDT

Last weekend, I spent a wonderful afternoon devouring Chandler Burr's book The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York. As the perfume critic for The New York Times, Burr explores both the business and creative sides of the fragrance industry. In The Perfect Scent, he writes about his year covering the development of two fragrances: Un Jardin Sur le Nil from Hermès and Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely.

This is such a well-written, fascinating, and enjoyable book that you'll find much to love even if you aren't obsessed with fragrance. I spoke with Chandler Burr on Friday, and I'll be bringing you some of his wit and expertise later this week. But for now, let me tell you about the book. For the synopsis,

In France, Burr follows Jean-Claude Ellena, an accomplished perfumer who'd just been tapped to be the first in-house "nose" for Hermès. Saddled with the challenge of reviving the luxury house's lackluster perfume sales, Ellena has to maintain a delicate balance between formulating an artistically beautiful scent and pushing Hermès forward in the multibillion dollar perfume industry. (The scent, Un Jardin sur le Nil, launched in 2005.)

You're probably familiar with Lovely, the first scent created by Sarah Jessica Parker. Burr observes the actress over the year, beginning with a walking tour of Sarah Jessica's favorite New York smells and moving forth into the development of her scent. Unlike many celebrities who launch fragrances, Sarah Jessica was highly involved in the development, packaging, and marketing of Lovely. Even ignoring her fame, the story of Lovely would be an interesting one; still, it's difficult not to love SJP after reading about her favorite scents. (They aren't what you might imagine.)

The book is packed with countless fascinating bits about fragrance (did you know that molecules in jasmine have the smell of a corpse?), and Burr's writing is as witty as it is pithy. I could go on and on, but sometimes you just have to read a book. And this is one of those times. Read it; I know you'll enjoy it. And come back tomorrow to read the first part of my interview with Chandler Burr.

What We're Sweet On: A Customizable Crème

Jessica Cruel — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:05:00 PDT

Caudalie was thinking of every woman when releasing its Vinosource range, which includes four different types of moisturizers: very dry, dry, combination, and sensitive. We tried the gel-crème Moisturizing Sorbet ($38) for sensitive skin, which is a lot like putting cucumber-scented whipped cream on your face (and that's a good thing). The lightweight formulation makes it perfect if you have a product-heavy beauty routine, and a pea-sized drop can cover the face and neck.

Rife with nourishing ingredients from grapes, including organic grape water, grape oil, and antioxidant-rich grape seed polyphenols, the the sorbet also contains vinolevure, a tiny molecule that can hold up to 100 times its weight in water. Now, that's moisture! One try and you'll covet this product like a fine vintage wine.

12 Lilac-Inspired Lavender Decor Pieces For a Feminine Color Splash

Elka Karl — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:00:58 PDT

It's the season for lilacs, and this sweet-scented Spring flower is also a great inspiration for Spring decor. Thanks to its lavender hue, the lilac is a perfect way to update a dark or neutral decorating scheme with a shot of Spring pastel pep. Keep clicking to see some of our favorite ways to get this look through chairs, art, dinnerware, and more.

How to Combat That Afternoon Slump

Leta Shy — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:40:46 PDT

Sometimes, you just can't beat that afternoon slump. Sitting at a desk all day can leave you feeling the opposite of energetic, especially around those postlunch hours when our bodies expend more energy digesting or we crash from the effects of our morning cup of coffee - and when that happens, don't think you can always rely on energy drinks. Besides their long list of unpronounceable ingredients, a new study has found that energy drinks contain high levels of citric acid, which can cause major tooth enamel erosion.

Luckily, even without the energy drinks you don't have to spend your nine-to-five dreading the inevitable urge to nap. Here are some ways for combating that afternoon slump.

Exercise in the morning. A good day begins with a good start. Exercising in the morning is beneficial for many reasons: you don't have to worry about scheduling a time later, and it's nice to be able to check something off your list before the day really begins. A morning sweat session is also good for keeping your energy levels up throughout the day, so if you find yourself hitting a wall in the afternoon, try moving your workout session to before work and see how you feel.
Take an afternoon walk. If you find yourself spending more time dozing and daydreaming than working in the afternoon, take a 10-minute break to rev up your body. Just walking around the office, chatting with co-workers, or taking a break to enjoy the sunshine outside can be all you need to give your body a recharge.

Still tired? Read on for more tips that'll keep you from taking a nap at your desk!

What's Your Sign, Beautiful? Taurus (April 21-May 20)

Jaime Richards — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:20:00 PDT

If you're a Taurus, you can be described as patient, decisive, and reliable. And while you're likely a lover of luxury, your practicality ensures you won't take your need for quality goods to levels of excess. When times are tough, you may be considered temperamental and resentful, but your warm-hearted nature makes up for it in the long run. Famous Taureans include: Janet Jackson, Rosario Dawson, Penelope Cruz, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Alba, Tina Fey, Malin Akerman, Adele, and Cate Blanchett.

To bring out your inner Taures beauty: Think green. As an earth sign, greenish tones (your color) appeal to you, while bright, bold tones tend to take a back seat. The throat and neck are your focus body parts, so be sure to spritz on perfume and try hairstyles (such as updos) to bring attention to the area. To find out more about the Taurus-themed products above, just keep reading.

ANTM's All-Star Winner on How to Look Better in Pictures

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:00:20 PDT

"Dream Come True is a perfect depiction of the way I feel," Lisa D'Amato says of the America's Next Top Model fragrance, which she represents. "It's so fresh and flirty and fun - and it's sophisticated as well. Those are all things that are a great depiction of an ANTM girl." Lisa should know; after appearing in Cycle 5, she recently returned to win the all-star season. Along with starring in the ad campaign for Dream Come True, she's about to appear in Vogue Italia and a campaign for Express. Busy woman.

While Lisa is known for her bold personality, she says the fragrance is anything but brash. "You'd think that a scent I'm representing would be like that," she admits. "But at the end of the day, I'm still a girl, and I want to smell pretty and soft and feminine." In this case that means a fruity floral with notes of red currant, sugar, and peony.

Like many models, Lisa's beauty advice is simple: drink lots of water and slather on sunscreen. And if you're hoping to seem more fierce in your next Facebook photo, Lisa has a quick tip for looking better in pictures. "One thing that I tell my friends all the time is to shape with the body," she says. "You can always pop the hip out or put an elbow out, or lift one shoulder. Just make it seem more fun." (And though it should go without saying, don't forget to smile.)

BellaSugar Beauty Awards, The Hunger Games Hair, and More

BellaSugar — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 03:17:48 PDT

Check out our latest BellaTV episode and some of our favorite stories from the week:

On the go? See these tricks to dry nail polish fast.
See close-ups of hair and makeup from The Hunger Games premiere.
The secret to perfect beach waves.
Get a look at Sephora and Pantone's latest collaboration.
Makeup cases that make traveling a breeze.
Copy this smoky eye trend from the runway.
Try individual false eyelashes with these tips.
Discover five scents that will lift your mood.
Try this DIY French manicure with a twist.
Do crease-free headbands really work that well?

Strategies to Get Your Energy Back

Health — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:13:28 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

Can't seem to get enough rest? To-do list dragging you down? Hit refresh with these foods, moves, and must-dos for a more revved-up you.
By Mary Kate Frank

Wish you were still bounding out of bed like you did when you were 22? Who doesn't! But it can be hard to summon all your old verve in the midst of the daily grind.

"The main reason I see for loss of energy in women is that they have too much to do," says Michael Roizen, MD, chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic and founder of youbeauty.com. "There's a merry-go-round of caring for kids, caring for parents, working, and not paying attention to yourself or getting proper sleep."

Health.com: How to Fake a Good Night's Sleep

Sometimes there's a medical cause (like a vitamin deficiency or thyroid disorder) for a lack of energy. If you feel deeply fatigued all the time, schedule a checkup ASAP. But if your sluggishness is just a case of you on overload, the good news is that you can do something about it yourself. Here, Dr. Roizen and other health pros share strategies for putting the pep back in your step.

Sleep more soundly
Although it's true that you naturally begin to sleep more lightly in your mid-40s - a result of changes in brain waves as you age - you can start having trouble catching zzz's much sooner. "I've got patients who at age 30 are sleeping like 60-year-olds because of stress," says Michael Breus, PhD, author of The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan.

A good night's rest is essential to waking up fully energized. Learn a few simple steps to snooze smarter after the break:

What You Shouldn't Put on Before Yoga Class

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:36:42 PST

Black leggings? Check. Cute tank top? Check. These are musts when it comes to taking a yoga class, but aside from these clothes you shouldn't wear to yoga class, check this list to find out what else you shouldn't put on.

Lotion: Slathering on hand lotion is something we do every day, but be careful not to put it on right before a yoga class. As soon as you begin to sweat, your hands will become slippery and can quickly become dangerous. Wash your hands thoroughly before class to reduce the spread of germs and ensure a solid grip. The same goes for lotion on other exposed areas. Any pose where you are skin-on-skin, such as Crow or Tree (if you're wearing shorts) will result in slipping, instead of remaining stable.
Bracelets: Although many people practice yoga while wearing jewelry, wrist and ankle bracelets can be distracting. When you're doing Bound Extended Side Angle, do you really want to wrestle with your bangle, trying to push it out of the way so your left hand can clasp your right wrist? If you need to accessorize, go for earrings or rings.

Keep reading to find out what else you shouldn't put on before doing yoga.

I Love Your ShopStyle: Pretty as a Peach

FabSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:30:17 PST

ShopStylist HanounaQ conjured up the prettiest peach and pink hues via a silky Spring frock and a pale draped blazer combo. This Chloé dress is a perfect day-to-evening piece, but for this specific ensemble, we think you should accent it with a leopard print-and-shimmery jacquard mini tote, strappy pink heels, and delicate pink gem drop earrings. Don't forget to spritz on your favorite scent, wear a sweet nude lip color, and apply a skin highlight for a dewy, fresh glow.

Totes by Dolce & Gabbana
Earrings by Pippa Small