BellaSugar -- You're beautiful.

Coming Soon: (Legal) L'Oreal Elnett Satin!

bellasugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:00:11 -0700

Regardless of the haircare sponsor of any show during Fashion Week, stylists pack L'Oreal Elnett hairspray in their bags like contraband. Which it is: The stuff has been banned in the US since 1987 due to the use of ozone-damaging flourocarbon propellants. Until now, that is. With a few small tweaks to the delivery system, L'Oreal is releasing Elnett Satin next month exclusively through Target. Prices range from $6.99 for two ounces to $13.99 for 11 ounces, one variety of which includes a UV filter.

To see an ad for Elnett in Europe featuring Penelope Cruz, just

Product Review: Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray

bellasugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:00:07 -0700

About a month ago, Oscar Blandi launched a brand-new medium hold aerosol hairspray called Lacca ($23). What sets this styling product apart from the crowd is the scent, the ingredients and its anti-static properties. Not only can you use this to keep your hair in place, it can also double as a static guard (a little trick for ya).

We've talked about beauty advice from our mothers, but how about from our fathers? Oscar Blandi says that his source of inspiration for creating Lacca came from watching his dad make home-made hair products at the family's Italian salon.

This spray is formulated with sugar and honey to help control frizz, add shine and leave hair touchable and move-able all without being sticky (I was a little afraid of this). The smell is to die for. At first I wasn't impressed with the hint-of-honeysuckle, mostly chemical aroma, but once it dries, it leaves behind a pleasantly sweet essence.

I adore the huge mist button so you can cover your whole head easily and evenly. I also love what it does when you spray a little bit into the roots, (kind of like a volumizer). It's a great way to add body to fine hair without weighing it down when you're aiming for runway hair. The only trait I can't attest to is that it's moisturizing. Even though that's what the label says, my hair didn't feel any softer or more hydrated after a few uses. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

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

Product Review: Spray de Mode

bellasugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:00:29 -0700

Truth be told, I haven't been into hairspray since the days when Firehouse and other lousy rock bands promoted the big-hair look. Truthfully, I wasn't into the music, but I wanted to fit in with the popular girls. So every morning, I'd break out Mom's curling iron, twist my bangs into a crisp claw of curls, and look like a fool despite my best efforts.

I've been scared of hair spray ever since. Recently, though, I tried Bumble and bumble's new Spray de Mode ($15–$25). The hairspray was developed over the course of multiple Fashion Weeks, with stylists offering feedback and B&b tweaking the formula. Spray de Mode promises to offer excellent hold without feeling stiff or tacky, and it does just that. What's notable is that it allows you to rework your hair multiple times, but it still holds the shape of the hair. I've been able to brush it, blow-dry it, curl it, scrunch it — you name it — and each time, it retains its shape without feeling stiff or heavy. I dare say it's good enough to erase those scary junior-high memories.

B&b has set up an extensive promo site for this spray, and while it is essentially a giant commercial, it's also an interesting one. I loved watching the videos to see how regular people were transformed into the cool coiffed models you can see in this gallery.

Product Review: James Brown London Hairspray

bellasugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 07:00:30 -0700

I was so excited to finally receive samples of the new James Brown London products earlier this week. James is one of Kate Moss's best friends, and he's been doing her hair for years. We've been hearing so much beauty buzz about this modernly packaged hair care collection that the suspense was killing me. That's an exaggeration, but I really couldn't wait to check it out already!

I've tried the Dry Hair Shampoo, Fine Hair Conditioner, Hairspray and Serum and so far the hairspray takes the award for star product! The hold is very gentle and it doesn't leave your hair feeling sticky or stiff —perfect for keeping post-curling iron loose waves or slightly messy updos intact. But best of all is the smell.

Most hairsprays have a strong chemical scent that makes you hold your breath for fear of toxic inhalation, but this one is better. It has a faint chemical smell, but it's mostly overridden by the pleasant bluebell smell.

Apparently bluebells are Kate's favorite flower, so they have been infused into all of the products. For whatever reason, the scent stands out the most in the hairspray.

For a useful tip from James Brown himself,

Lovely Links, 6/7

bellasugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:20:14 -0700

Kiss and Makeup tells us about the official hairspray of Hairspray the movie.
Blogdorf Goodman introduces me to the new world of "jelly" finish nail polish.
Beauty Snob tries out a cute insect repellent stick that actually works.
Beauty and the Blog weighs in on the Revitalash lash plumper.
Afrobella offers some sweet solutions for frizzy hair in the Summer.
The Beauty Brains asks: Are you confused about organic products too?
Off the Rack is also obsessed with MAC Tendertones.

Hold It! Firm Hold Hairsprays

bellasugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:38:44 -0700

Welcome back to my hairspray series! Firm hold hairsprays are must haves for severe updos, slicked back pony tails and ballet buns. They are also great if you have layered hair or bangs that you need to mold into place. Here are three of my top picks for firm hold hairsprays.

Logics Color DNA Creative Styling Spray, $18, is a quick drying hairspray with an adjustable hold. This spray is actually a jack of all trades. Unlike most sprays, it has build-able hold to it starting off from light to super firm. Additionally, it leaves hair with an element of shine and I happen to love the sweet smell of it which is something I never thought I'd say about a hairspray! Since Matrix products are only sold at specialty stores or salons, just click on the homepage to find a retailer closest to you.

To see two more firm hold hairsprays,

Hold It! Medium Hold Hairsprays

bellasugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 08:11:22 -0700

With all of the gorgeous red carpet and complex hair dos I've been covering, I realized that a light hold hairspray isn't always enough. Sometimes you've got to kick things up a notch to ensure all that hard work doesn't fall apart. However, trying to find a hairspray that won't leave your hair (and fingers) feeling sticky and icky isn't always that easy. Alas...here are a few!

Dove Extra Hold Aerosol Hairspray, $5.19, is a medium hold spray - so don't let the name fool you. This spray is much more gentle than you think. It is formulated with their fabulous weightless moisturizer® that conditions as it styles so that you don't get that gross gooey feeling in your hair. You will still get natural movement with just a little more hold than in a light spray, plus, it smells great and dries really quickly!

For two more medium hold hairsprays,

Hold It! Hairsprays That Really Take Hold

bellasugar — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 10:20:10 -0800

Finding the right hold hair spray is trickier than you think. If it's too light of a hold, your time consuming runway blow out will fall, and if it's too strong, you risk looking like you have a stiff and unnatural lack of movement to your "on-air journalist hair."

I've found that these three sprays fall perfectly in between. They give you a firm enough hold so that you can rely on them to last without having that icky and sticky feeling.

Ted Gibson Beautiful Hold Hair Spray is a light control spray best used for misting. It smells delicious and actually leaves an air of pleasant floral-y (gardenia) room deodorizer behind as opposed to that smelly and strong old-school hairspray scent that makes your eyes water. Buy this wonderfully large 10-ounce bottle here for $32.

Frederic Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray has a little bit of a firmer hold and a gentle light mist quality to it, so it's great for all-over hold as opposed to zoning in on one small section. It helps control humidity as well as color protection, since it contains an SPF triple color protection complex. It's available in three sizes, including a 1.5 oz travel size which I love. I just leave it in my cosmetics case as a travel staple. Buy the larger, 11.6-ounce product here for $35, the 5.6-ounce size for $22.50, or the travel size for $9.

To see one more great hairspray,