BellaSugar

Trend Alert: Chrome Nails

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:00:56 -0700

Leave it to Rihanna, the queen bee of nail polish, to take an opaque, shimmery metallic color to the next level. Chrome is more of a powerful gold-and-silver version of its true silver sister gunmetal and it is also much darker than pale gray.

I still can't quite believe that metallic nails are still this much of a sensation. Even LC can't get enough of glittery metallic nails! Below are a couple of rocker-cool chrome polish suggestions for Summer. Enjoy!

Essie Steel-ing the Scene ($8) is a bronzey-pewter (effectively a chrome) shade of nail polish that contains flecks and packs a lot of punch. For those of you who are too shy to wear this on your nails, it makes for a great toenail color.

Tropez Super Pearl Nail Enamel in Black Pearl ($1.99) is a deep, opaque gray that looks amazing with one sheer coat of Tini Beauty's Gold Haze Topper as a topcoat. The result is a metallic, high-shine glossy finish - and the best part is that it's a unique color!

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Flower Power Makeup Part II: Lips

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:50:22 -0700

Welcome to Part II of Flower Power Makeup. This installment features floral inspired lip glosses. Spring is here and that means all things flowery. These three glosses are a bit cheeky but they make for great gifts with their bright colors and springtime cheer. Enjoy!

Fresh Gloss Absolute, $24, is a gloss with a sweet citrucy smell and taste that helps to keep your lips hydrated! It is made with pomegranate extract to plump and vitamin E to soothe. Available in: Rose Parfait (sheer red), Bellini (light, shimmery pink) and Dahlia (sparkly peachy/apricot color). This is a Fab favorite - she just adores the packaging and texture of this gloss!

For two more flower power lip glosses, read more

Claire's Flower Lip Gloss, $5.50, is a clear plastic set of 18 sparkly and super sheer lip glosses that are shaped in the form of a flower. Each gloss snaps open and the stem even holds a clear gloss as well as a mini lip brush. This is too cute!

Tropez Lip Gloss in Baby's Breath, $2, is a potted lip gloss that won't break the bank and is available in six different and fresh shades - all of which have cute, floral names.

New Product Alert: St. Tropez Self-Tan Remover Packets

BellaSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 15:16:37 -0700

All right! Finally, there's a product out that allows us to get rid of icky self-tanner streaks and spots! St. Tropez, which is renowned for its amazingly smooth self-tanner, has recently released these innovative Self-Tan Remover Packets ($6.50 for 10 individually wrapped packets).

This invention is a lifesaver for those of you who have ever been caught embarrassed and orange-handed. Each of the packets comes drenched in a soap-like gel, which removes all self-tanner blotches with just a teensy bit of elbow grease. It's a super quick and travel friendly way to even out your self-tanning bloopers.

Reader Review of the Day: St. Tropez Self Tan Remover Sachets

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:00:49 -0700

The benefits of self tanners are plentiful. Still, nobody likes to have orange or brown splotches left on the hands after applying them. Frequent reviewer Stef42678 really likes St. Tropez Self Tan Remover Sachets to avoid said problem, and here's why:

This is a great invention for all of those self tanners that leave your hands streaked or colored. These pads are so easy to use because you just rub them beetween your palms and they come clean. Be careful using near your tanned skin because it will rub off there too. I like that the pads don't feel greasy and leave your hands moisturized and color free.

If you would like to give us your opinion on beauty items from curling irons to night cream, I've got the perfect place for you to go. It's our Product Reviews website. Just submit your reviews and perhaps you'll be the next person featured on this daily post!

Beauty Marked! An Unbeatable Body Bronzer

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:02:22 -0700

Last week I asked you guys to come beauty marking with me to help me find a new self tanner for my body. I bought this Ban De Soleil Streakguard Self Tanning Creme, $9, but I am not in love with it. It's not awful, but it streaks a bit and I'm not crazy about the color on my skin tone. Your mission was to help find me something that would turn me into a gorgeous golden color as opposed to an icky orange one. To see all of the beauty marks for a self tanner for the body, click here. You guys all had great picks so thanks very much for participating!

Beauty Mark #1 found by foreverdizzy is called Decleor Aroma Sun Express Hydrating Self-Tan Spray, $36. Within one to two hours, this light, non-oily spray turns into a deep and natural looking tan. There is no sunscreen in this product though - so you can not wear it at the beach, but it's a great after sun lotion because it keeps your skin supple, glowing and hydrated!

To see the rest, read more

Beauty Mark #2 found by atripp is called GlowFusion Micro-Nutrient Face & Body Natural Protein Tan, $58, is a self-tanning technology lotion that starts off light and can be layered until you reach the level of tan you desire.

This mist form allows for smooth application, there is no odor, no streaking and it won't stain. The formula contains vitamins, antioxidants and a special ingredient simply known as sugarcane which has been proven to work well with the natural keratin already in your skin. Available in light and medium shades.

Beauty Mark #3 found by missixty02 is called St. Tropez Tinted Self Tanning Lotion - Step 3, $37.50, is an aloe vera based lotion that isn't oily and is fast drying. It says that it smells great too, which is awesome because most self tanners smell terrible.

It's funny how you all found these products at Sephora. I have never tried this one but I am very anxious to - this brand has a great reputation! Available in one universal shade.

Product Review: St. Tropez Everyday

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:01:33 -0800

Here in San Francisco, I typically feel like we're "in between" seasons. It's too cool for tanks, but too warm for puffy jackets. So, on those indecisive mornings when I'm getting dressed, I'm often faced with the choice: tights or no tights? No tights? Sure, but first my pasty white stems need some help. Enter St. Tropaz Everyday ($30) in Fair to Medium (also available in Medium to Dark).

This self-tanner is marketed as a moisturizer that just happens to have subtle tanning properties. Subtle, for sure - but in the highest of compliments. Seeing that I'm typically the queen of orange knees and blotchy ankles with regular tanners, I was quite impressed by the foolproof nature of this one. Plus, being able to customize the amount of intensity is always a plus in my book.

Other bonuses? A non-nasty smell sans greasiness. Although the aroma is somewhat chemical-y, there's no typical "something's burning" kind of odor - you know that odor, right? The product also claims to improve firmness and elasticity of the skin. The jury is out on that one for me, but my neighbor did say I was looking rather toned one evening as I walked in from work, although I think that was more Winsor Pilates than tanning cream.

How-To: Remove Self-Tanner Streaks

BellaSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:30:23 -0700

Over the weekend, I had an unfortunate encounter with a spray-on tanner. Even though I followed the many steps very carefully, I ended looking up less sex kitten, more striped kitty. I've been up to my blotchy knees in research for tips on how to make the patchwork look a little less obvious. We're going (un)streaking! For my findings, just read more.

Think fast: I wish I had done this, but the faster you see the streaks developing, the easier they'll be to remove. Consider using a fast-developing self-tanner so you can see the "oops moments," or use a gradual tanner so that bad results are less obvious. I like the Jergens Glow Daily ($7.50 to $8.50) line of tanners for that reason.
Exfoliate: Since tanners dye your skin, try to get those pigments out by sloughing off skin cells through exfoliation. Whether you use a loofah, body scrub, or plain old baking soda on a washcloth, this method will help newer (untanned) skin cells to surface more rapidly.
Prepping power: To avoid streaking in the first place, exfoliate first and make sure your body is not damp when applying. Wear gloves as you work the tanner into your skin, and take a towel or paper towel to gently blend over all areas evenly, avoiding excess application to the ankles, in between the toes, the elbows, and knees.
Tan removers: Several companies offer tan remover pads or creams, like: Tanwise Exfoliating Self Tan Remover ($9); St. Tropez Self-Tan Remover Sachets ($13) for your palms (see the reader review here); or Flavours Freedom Self-Tan Remover ($10)
Go suck a lemon: Not literally, of course. Applying lemon juice to those splotches is a natural way to help exfoliate the skin. Use a cotton pad to apply, and scrub away.
Hit the bottle: Of rubbing alcohol. Dunk a cotton pad in rubbing alcohol and apply the spotty areas. It can be somewhat drying, so be sure to moisturize.

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All About Shimmer, Sparkles, Glimmers, and Other Shiny Finishes

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:00:00 -0800

I've had shimmer on the mind since since New Year's. Or is it glimmer or glitter or sparkles. . . or frost? Whatever you call it, it's all about creating some type of glow. Whether it's bold and eye-catching or softly luminizing, check out my little guideline regarding those finishes that glisten below. Which one is your favorite?

Shimmer: A subtle sheen with a hint of sparkle that flickers lightly. A classic example is Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact ($38).
Glimmer: Shimmer's little cousin. A much softer version of shimmer, glimmers are the way to go if you don't want too much sparkle. Try Bare Minerals Glimmer ($13).
Glitter: The "woot, woot" of the glistening finishes. Glitter is the heaviest of the bunch, with small chunks of light-reflecting particles within the composition. Urban Decay makes a Heavy Metal Glitter Liner ($18) for maximum drama.
Frost: More opaque than shimmer, but still gives shine and sheen. Sometimes has a metallic finish or a silvery-white appearance. Check out Milani Lip Color in Frosted Pink ($3.49).
Pearlescent: Has a pearly luster or gloss, giving the illusion of many layers and shades. It has more dimension than frost, and is typically iridescent, shiny, and swirly in appearance - much like pearls themselves. Often found in lipsticks, powders, and nail polishes: Tropez Super Pearl Nail Enamel in Paradise Pearl ($1.99), for instance.

A Quick Fix For a Self-Tanning Nightmare

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:00:43 -0700

I was watching reruns of Bridezillas this weekend (don't ask), when something piqued my interest: a bride-to-be goes to a tanning salon, but despite her best efforts, it ends up turning streaky and orange. Her wedding planner's expert advice was to rub toothpaste all over her body to remove the color. I had never heard of this, but apparently it's an oft-repeated tip on bridal message boards. While it was unclear on the episode how well this trick actually works, something I have tried with success is St. Tropez Self-Tan Remover ($17). Have you tried this toothpaste trick?

Bellissima! Scott Barnes Glow Box

BellaSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:00:18 -0800

This newish makeup set from Scott Barnes is such an awesome buy I had to make sure you were in the know. Inside of this beautiful brown Glow Box ($75) are seven different items to help you create a gorgeous, golden, sun-kissed look. I've long been a part of the lengthy list of Scott Barnes fans who include, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Lopez and SJP, because once you try his products, it's pretty hard not to fall in love. I swear that the creaminess of his foundation and lip slicks alone are enough to send me head over heels.

Scott Barnes is definitely more of an artist than a commercial brand, meaning that new products only come out when the timing is right as opposed to launching four or so different collections a year. So having a basic set like this enables you to create a timeless look. Here's a list of the products as well as the cost of what they sell for individually (I just love a great beauty bargain):

Super Luscious Lash Mascara in black ($20)
Pressed Powder Bronzer in St. Tropez ($33) - a deep, matte shade
Loose Powder in Diamond Dust ($28) - a shimmery setting powder
Three (super shiny) Flossy Glossies in Pretty Penny, Heavenly and Wishing ($22 each)
and five Hydrating masks ($35)

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