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Bella Quiz: The Blockbuster Actresses

bellasugar — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:00:06 -0800

Last year, each of these six actresses had some type of blockbuster movie premiere — whether it was Cameron Diaz's character getting married in the romantic comedy, What Happens in Vegas or Sarah Jessica Parker as the beloved Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City movie. So to ring in 2009, let's test your knowledge in a "This or That" style quiz. Sheer Blonde — is it a Reese Witherspoon movie or beauty product? Find out when you take these fun quizzes below:

Kate Hudson	Cameron Diaz	Nicole Kidman
Reese Witherspoon	Sarah Jessica Parker	Halle Berry

How-To: Wear Shimmer Without Going Overboard

bellasugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:00:51 -0800

This New Year's Eve, I'm planning on doing a super low-key gathering with some friends since I have to I have to catch a flight the next day. Plane ride plus hangover? No thanks. It is the new year after all, and that means it's a shimmer celebration.

Just like you'll be sure to "know when to say when" when it comes to boozy drinks tonight, you'll know "when to say when" when it comes to the sparkly goodness of shimmer with my tips below. Keep in mind that rules are meant to be broken, and makeup should always be expressive. But, for the most flattering look — pick one (two, tops) feature to add shimmer to, such as lips, eyes, cheeks, body, and/or complexion, and roll with it.

Shimmer or glitter?: Glitter is the more amped-up version of shimmer. While glitter is OK in small, small doses — like a sweep of Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner ($18) paired with a soft eyeshadow — it can look too Hot Topic when heavily applied.
Family jewels: When wearing sparkly cosmetics, keep your jewelry to a minimum. You don't want your fabulous face competing with your ginormous sparkly earrings.
Body glow: For some overall brightening, apply a shimmering lotion to your arms, legs, and/or décolleté. Try Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer ($5.12). You can also make your own by mixing a shimmery product with your body cream.

To see the rest,

New Product Alert: Too Faced Custom Palette

bellasugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:01:04 -0800

In search of a last-minute gift? You can't go wrong with an IOU for Too Faced's customizable makeup palette ($35). It's a great gift for a hard-to-please friend because she'll be able to select exactly what she wants in this palette. Each one has room for a dual eye shadow, a blush, and your choice of a lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner, or eye shadow primer.

Although budding makeup designers can't choose from every one of Too Faced's products, they'll find a lot of flexibility. And since Too Faced allows you to choose other aspects of the box design, your finicky friend will be able to make everything juuuuuust the way she likes it.

Milo Is a Munchkin Muse

bellasugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:00:02 -0800

Either I've gone a little batty or the transformation to Alpha Cat Lady is complete, but every time I look at this photo of my dwarf cat Milo, I think about turning it into a makeup look. I can't help it — his eyes are sparkling green, and there's something about his nose leather that inspires me.

Yes, it's a sickness, but inspiration often strikes in weird ways. Can I transform my stumpy-legged Munchkin into a passable makeup look? To find out,

Does Black Lip Gloss Work? You Be the Judge.

bellasugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:00:18 -0800

Big surprise, the black-lipped runway trend didn't exactly take off for Fall. Can't say I'm shocked, particularly because, really, everybody looks healthier with a little color. Still, it can't hurt to try a trend, right?

Judging by the way GiggleSugar shrieked and hid her eyes upon seeing my glossy coal lips, maybe it can. I had Le Métier de Beauté's Black Magic gloss on; it's rich, dense, pigmented and quite luxurious. But I don't think that vinyl-style lips are for me. What do you think?

Coming Soon: Too Faced Smurfs It Up

bellasugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:31:49 -0800

Retro cartoons are increasingly popular within the makeup world — just witness the buzz around the forthcoming Hello Kitty collection for MAC. With its launch of a Smurfette collection, Too Faced is hoping to delight fans of the Smurfs before the live-action movie wraps up. WWD reports that the Too Faced collection will feature face powder, eye shadow, lip gloss, and liquid eyeliners. The items, heavy on blues, pinks, and lavenders, will land in stores later this month.

This might be smurfy news for some, but I'm going to pass on this collaboration. Even as a kid, I thought the story of Smurfette's genesis is as sexist as they come: Gargamel creates Smurfette to seduce and destroy the all-male Smurf clan. Alas, her dark hair, "big nose" and simple smock are not pretty enough to do so. Papa Smurf comes along, works his magic, and poof! Smurfette is, as Papa says, "new and improved" with long blond hair, a smaller nose, a shorter dress, and high heels. So, while it's just a cartoon and the Too Faced collaboration is meant to be fun, it's safe to say that Smurfette and I have some baggage to work through.

Source

Bella Quiz: 20th Century Beauty, Part II

bellasugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:00:06 -0800

Welcome to the second part of my 20th Century beauty quiz, inspired by Face of the Century: 100 Years of Makeup and Style.

Filled with old pictures and beauty history facts, the book provides the details on makeup and style one decade at a time. I've already tested your makeup smarts from the 1900s-1940s, so let's see what you know for the remainder of the century.

Bella Quiz: 20th Century Beauty, Part I

bellasugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:00:19 -0800

The nerd in me loves history and the lady in me loves makeup. So, imagine my excitement levels when a dear friend of mine lent me Face of the Century: 100 Years of Makeup and Style, a great coffee table book she picked up at a yard sale.

Filled with old pictures and writer Kate de Castelbajac's brilliant bits of beauty information, the book provides the details on makeup and style one decade at a time. Want to learn some fun facts from this read? Take my quiz to test your makeup smarts from the 1900s-1940s, and look for my quiz on the 1950s-1990s to come.

Bella Brand: Rouge Bunny Rouge

bellasugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:00:53 -0800

From Russia with love comes this covetable cosmetics brand, Rouge Bunny Rouge. The two-year-old label is inspired by fairy tales (much like Paris Hilton, it seems), but it's not cutesy, thanks to the gorgeously dark packaging. Featuring a Victorian bent, it's heavy on floral outlines and black-and-white contrast — kind of like a Disneyfied take on Kara Walker's silhouettes.

The line contains the usual suspects — foundation, lipstick, eye shadow — along with a few new classes like push-up cheek stains and under-eye illuminators. (Coughtouche eclatcough.) And although it's soon branching out from Poland and Singapore to countries such as England and France, it'll be a while before the line hits the United States. Have any of you world travelers tried it out, or are you content to look from afar like me?

How-To: Conceal Under the Eyes

bellasugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:00:19 -0800

Whether it was a boozy late night or you inherited them from your Aunt Martha, dark circles under the eyes are often unavoidable. So, if you've been seeing the blues (or purples), I've got some easy directions on how to reduce the appearance of these unwanted tones below:

Choose the right concealer: Pick a color about one-half of a shade to one shade lighter than your foundation. Going too light will only amplify the area you want to conceal. Yellowish shades will work best for masking those bluish-purple tones. Try the cream-based Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer ($22) or Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer ($5.49).
Moisturize: Earlier, I shared with you some of my favorite makeup tips from Robert Jones, and among them, he says to prep the skin before concealing with a generous dollop of eye cream. Concealers are more dense than foundations and are formulated to cover, so you want to make sure that you're nice and hydrated to avoid cakey lines.

To see the rest of my tips,

10 Tips From Celeb Makeup Artist Robert Jones

bellasugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:00:06 -0800

Earlier, I told you that I really enjoyed makeup artist Robert Jones's new book, Looking Younger.

Chock full of application techniques and aha-moment tips, I thought I'd share some of my favorites right from the book. Oh, and lucky us, Robert even provided some quotes just for Bella readers (check out number two and three):

Don't follow brow trends. Embrace the natural shape of your brow.
"It is true, the sun is your enemy, but you can still enjoy it," Jones says. "Sunblock is a must — at least SPF 30."
"Exfoliating at least three times a week will keep your skin constantly regenerating and looking its most youthful," Jones adds.
If you are trying to decide between foundation shades, pick the darker one. Lighter shades can be aging.
Use a bronzer every day. Going without it is like running around naked, Jones says. For a more natural look, he recommends choosing one that's just one to two shades darker than your skin tone.

To see the rest of Robert's advice,

Who Taught You How to Do Makeup?

bellasugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:00:33 -0700

My mom was never one to wear a whole lot of makeup, except for lots of mascara and a little lipstick (her signature look). So, when my best friend in high school had a Mary Kay makeover, I soon learned that "shadow" was something more than a dark image cast upon a surface in the background."Your look is a little plain-Jane," she told me. Ouch. She whipped out her shiny new makeup bag, and proceeded to instruct me on the ins and outs of applying makeup — complete with drawings and figures. So tell me, who taught you all about makeup? Was it a friend, a family member, or did you do it on your own?Source

Who Taught You How to Do Makeup?

My mom or another relative

A friend

Self-taught

A professional

Other — I'll tell you in the comment section below.

Halloween How-To: Cleopatra's Makeup

bellasugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:00:11 -0700

Cleopatra is one of the original beauty divas, and when Fab showed me her costume ideas for the legendary Egyptian Pharaoh, I just had to chime in with some dramatic makeup tips to complete this dazzling style.

With a life more intense than every episode of The Hills combined, this Bella Donna's look correlates rather nicely with several Fall 2008 trends: winged-out eyeliner, ample brows, hints of metallic, and boldly colored shadows.

For some suggestions on how to apply Cleopatra's makeup, check out some of my tips (along with a fun widget) below, following the picture to your right as a guide:

Complexion — Choose a matte foundation for a flawless finish.
Eyes — Using a black eyebrow pencil, fill in brows with a high arch. Heavily line eyes with a creamy black liner, extending far past your outer corners. Use a deeply pigmented green or bluish-green shadow to fill in from lash line to brow and inner corner to outer corner. Glue on shimmery false lashes to complete.
Blush — For a bright glow, sweep a peachy shade across your cheeks.
Lips — With all the drama focused on the eyes, keep the lips semi-matte to matte in a nude or peach shade.

Source

Do You Do Your Makeup in Front of Your Partner?

bellasugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:00:11 -0700

A friend of mine just moved in with her boyfriend. The other day, she complained to me that she still holes herself up in the bathroom when she's getting ready for work. "It's not that I mind him seeing me without makeup," she said. "I just don't want him to watch me pluck stray hairs and mess up my eyeliner four times before I get it right." Interesting. What's your take?Source

Do You Do Your Makeup in Front of Your Partner?

Yes

Other — I'll tell you in the comments.

It's Your Prerogative to Covet the Latest From Bobbi Brown

bellasugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:00:16 -0700

Palettes are tricky little beasts. Sometimes, you get a slew of shades you'll want to use every day. Other times, you get one or two good ones, then some glittery green monstrosity of an eye shadow that renders the rest of the palette worthless. The latest Bobbi Brown lip and eye palette ($60) rests firmly in the former. The compact, double-decker palette has four shades each of lip color and shimmery eye shadow, and there's nary a stinker to be found.

Craving more Bobbi? To see two more treats,

Peep Two Fun Halloween Faces From TeamSugar Members

bellasugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:00:34 -0700

If you don't want to get stuck coming up with a last-minute costume idea, you may as well give the matter of Halloween some thought. Coming up, I'll have some fun ideas for you, but for now, why not check out this fun face from TeamSugar member CocoChic? Working from a MAC face chart, she tweaked the look to come up with this doll face. I love it, especially the "freckles" on her cheeks. Since so many of you liked last year's looks from CocoChic, I had to share.

But vait, there's more! (See, I said that like Bela Lugosi.) To see another TeamSugar fantasy face,

BellaSugar's Top Five Getting-Ready Beauty Tips

bellasugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:03:49 -0700

No, I don't shake up a martini every morning, but I do make a cocktail of sorts during my daily getting-ready routine.

Throughout my time in the beauty scene, I've chatted with hairdressers galore and makeup artists aplenty. So, check out this list to see which professional beauty tidbits become such favorites, I now use them every single day:

Cocktail hour — To get the results I want from my hairstyle, I mix up a "cocktail" of two to three hair products while my hair is damp. One of my favorites is to create a blend of light-hold gel, a shine serum, and a styling lotion. The effect is smooth, healthy-looking hair that stays where I want it.
Magic wand — Instead defining my eyebrows by filling sparse areas in with a brow pencil, I use a disposable mascara wand instead. Lightly apply the brow pencil (or eyeliner) to the wand itself, then brush over brows for a fool-proof, enhanced look.
Warm it up — I add just the slightest amount of liquid bronzer to foundation for a warm, soft, and shimmery glow. This is also a great way to darken foundation that might be just a shade lighter than you'd like.
Splish-splash — After I'm done applying my makeup, I spritz on a little toner. Not only does it feel refreshing, but it sets my makeup, while giving a hint of dewiness. It's also the perfect time to blend any areas that need to be softened with a makeup sponge.
Ready, Steady, Go — To set my eyeliner, I gently use an eyeliner brush to tap an eye shadow of the same color over the liner. The results? Eye makeup that lasts all day.

Source

Chanel Gets Haute for the Holidays

bellasugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

It seems like the holidays keep getting bumped up earlier with each passing year. (Target's holiday section was out in full force last week.) But when Chanel does it, somehow I'm ready to do eggnog shots if it means I'll get to play with new beauty goodies.

I had a chance to check out this new color collection, and while it's all pretty, these items wound up on my lusting-after list:

Rouge Allure lipstick in Nude, a slightly shimmery, pale nude with just the slightest hint of peach. It gives you that Françoise Hardy look, effortlessly.
Poudre Précieuse, a lightweight loose gold powder that can go on the face, shoulders, and décolletage.
Le Vernis nail polish in Haute Chocolat. This shade was developed by a Wisconsin high-schooler, and if she wants a career in cosmetics, she'll do very well. It's a warm brown shade with subtle gold flecks — nothing flashy, like "It's 1992; I'm going to a rave!" or anything. Just a lovely color, especially if you're tiring of classic reds and trendy blacks.

Doing Drugstore: Revlon Age Defying Instant Firming Face Primer

bellasugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:00:20 -0700

As you may know, I often get to chat with makeup artists about what tricks they use to create beautiful makeup palettes. Continually, I hear about primers, primers, primers. And you know what? Those makeup artists know what they are talking about, so I decided to try Revlon's Age Defying Instant Firming Face Primer ($12.99).

First off, the smell of this primer is very odd. I can't quite place my finger on it, but it's rather potent, with almost a chemical/outdoorsy scent. Since I tend to get a little oily, I chose the normal/combination formula (also comes available for dry skin), and although it felt lightweight to the touch, within a few hours my skin looked a little more shiny than I would have liked.

Formulated with something called Botafirm to tighten the skin, the best part of my Revlon primer experience was an increased performance in the longevity of my foundation, and my makeup glided on more evenly. I also noticed that the product made my skin look brighter and softer, without causing breakouts — a huge plus.

All-in-all this primer did what it was supposed to do (create a smooth canvas on the skin), but I wasn't wowed by the supposed tightening factor or slightly heavy feel. Plus, the tube didn't dispense the product evenly, and I was disappointed that I seemed to waste so much of this relatively expensive drugstore item.

See reader reviews and add your own here!

Make Your Eye Color Pop With the Right Shadow Shades

bellasugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:25 -0700

Earlier this week I gave you the scoop on how to achieve Hayden Panettiere's Emmy look straight from Amy Oresman, who was responsible for the young star's eye-popping makeup. While we were at it, she shared some tips on how to make the most of your eye color. So if you've ever wondered which shades will make your eyes stand out, read on.

For green eyes: Use a warm, pink, or rose tone on the crease and underneath the eye. "That makes sparkling green eyes shine even brighter," Oresman says. She likes Neutrogena's Nourishing Eye Duo in Fairy Dust ($8.79) eye shadow.

For blue eyes: To make blue eyes sizzle, use warm bronze tones. (This cheapie quad is a great example.)

For brown eyes: "Brown-eyed babes have it made, because any warm tone works to enhance their beguiling dark eyes," Oresman says. To create a dramatic contrast against the color of the pupil and the whiteness of the eye, line the waterline of the eyes with eyeliner. (Here's how.)

Source

How-To: The Six-Minute Face From Bruce Grayson

bellasugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:00:59 -0700

"I've done full makeup in less than six minutes," Bruce Grayson said when I interviewed the head of the Emmys makeup department. While many among us are used to doing our makeup in under six minutes — sometimes in a car mirror with screaming children — I thought you might like to know how a pro accomplishes such a thing. After all, unless you've got the paparazzi in the car behind you, your rush job isn't getting splashed across weekly tabs like Bruce's.

For a minute-by-minute plan based on his ideas,

New Product Alert: Marimekko for Avon

bellasugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:00:49 -0700

I love beautifully designed makeup (witness Lancôme's elephant-adorned bronzer, for example). But you know what I don't love? After using the item once or twice, the colors blend together and the perfect design is over. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal — but why shell out big bucks just for the design?

That is why I am excited about these Marimekko for Avon palettes, which feature the Finnish textile brand's iconic Unikko print. At $8 for the eye shadow palette and $10 for an all-over face palette, they won't make you too depressed when the design begins to look less crisp. Cute and cheap? CasaSugar will be thrilled.

Coming Soon: Ungaro Meets MAC

bellasugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:45:33 -0700

After last year's collaboration with Alexander McQueen, MAC is getting fashionable yet again. This time, the brand is working with Emanuel Ungaro, the fashion house headed by 24-year-old designer Esteban Cortazar, on a 14-piece makeup collection inspired by the Fall 2008 runway look.

For the show, lead makeup artist Sharon Dowsett created the look with a painter in mind. "Like Monet’s Water Lilies, it looks better the farther back you stand," she said. Available Oct. 9, the collection is a more earthy interpretation of the house's signature hot pink shades, using muted pink and nude tones to create a naturally flushed. (Blue eyeliner and adds a little bit of an edge; it is fashion, after all.)

To see pictures of the entire collection,

Bella Poll: Which Fall Makeup Trend Is Your Favorite?

bellasugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:00:22 -0700

Even though I've just returned from Spring 2009 Fashion Week, when it comes to beauty trends, I'm currently looking a little bit more into the near future. I'm all for planning ahead, but first I need to make a few purchases to update my cosmetics bag for Fall 2008. As the change of season approaches, which fall makeup trend do you think will make it in your shopping cart this Fall? Whatever look you choose, how bold will you go: runway style or a more toned down version?Source and Source

Bella Poll: Which Fall Makeup Trend Is Your Favorite?

Pop of color eye shadow (blue, purple, yellow, or orange)

Stained lips (in deep shades like burgundy, berry, or red)

Metallic shadows (bronze, pewter, gold, etc.)

Cat eye "winged" eyeliner

Bold brows

How-To: Anne Hathaway's Classic Beauty Hair and Makeup

bellasugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:33 -0700

Modernly Classic Beauty. If there was such an entry in the dictionary (and there should be, don't you think?), actress Anne Hathaway would be front and center. At yesterday's Los Angeles premiere of Rachel Getting Married, Hathaway's stained berry lips and shiny 1940s hairstyle were the perfect combo to complete her updated vintage style. I particularly love how she accessorizes with a barrette, unexpectedly placed low and to the side. Does this gal ever have a misstep? Nope — she's gorgeous.

Makeup

Face — For a soft and dewy look, use a tinted moisturizer such as Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer ($7.20). To reduce shine and set makeup, sweep a dusting of powder (only after all makeup has been applied) like Neutrogena Healthy Skin Loose Powder ($9.75).
Cheeks/Lips — Apply a berry colored lipstick such as Urban Decay Lipstick in Voodoo ($22), a dark pink. Blot to remove any shininess, and repeat the process (apply and blot). You should be left with a nice lip stain — very trendy. Next, do the old lipstick-as-a-blush trick, and dot the berry shade to the apples of your cheeks and blend. The effect is a natural, light flush.
Eyes — With a super soft hand, apply dark brown liner like Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Pencil in Black/Brown ($6.20). Finish off with a sweep of matte, soft taupe shadow on the lids. Try the lightest shade in Physician's Formula Matte Collection Quad Eye Shadow in Canyon Classics ($7). Use the darker brown shade over your eyeliner to set.

For tips on how to achieve Anne's retro hairstyle,

Coming Soon: Jill Stuart Cosmetics

bellasugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:00:33 -0700

In Asia, Jill Stuart's beauty products have a cult following. Alas, we Americans have only been able to enjoy the fragrance here in the States — until March, when 20 to 30 pieces of the collection launch in America. The 140-piece line, which includes everything from nail polish remover to cleansing oil, hit Japanese shelves in 2005 and has expanded to Taiwan and Hong Kong. In America, prices are expected to range from $15 to $50. From the look of it, this will be a fun line — last April, the brand started releasing monthly limited-edition nail polishes inspired by the month's birthstone. To see the full-size image of that collection (which, sadly, we may miss out on stateside),

Shu Uemura Gets Instinctive For Fall

bellasugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:00:25 -0700

While I was getting my lashes on at Shu Uemura, another Sugar girl was experiencing a new look of her own. Makeup artist Nicky Posley worked his magic, and presented us with the 2008 Fall Mode Collection called Instinct. "This collection is all about femininity, sensuality, and deep rich color," he said. Read on to see how to get the look.

How-To: Molly Sims's Fashion Rocks Makeup

bellasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:00:11 -0700

At last week's Fashion Rocks event, Cami Vaught, The Balm makeup artist, created a luminous, sun-kissed look for model/actress Molly Sims. "The overall effect was natural, but sexy; dramatic, but not overdone — perfect to go with the gorgeous Donna Karan that she wore," said Vaught.

I'm sure you'll agree that Sims looked fabulous. For a complete how-to on achieving this look right from the makeup artist herself,

A Sensational Senna Makeover

bellasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:00:42 -0700

A few weeks ago when I was visiting Los Angeles, I had the pleasure of getting a full-face makeover by makeup artist Leesa Dang at Senna Cosmetics in Beverly Hills. The studio is in a posh location and it's set up with lots of mirrors and chairs, so right from the start my expectations were set high. I had no doubts that I'd walk out looking like anything less than a glamorous and red carpet-ready Hollywood star.

The first step was applying a cleanser, moisturizer and a magical, velvety, silicone-based Silky Primer ($36) that virtually evaporates once it touches skin. It made my face feel smooth and look incredibly supple. (If you're looking for a primer, I recommend it based on the incredible texture alone).

Next came the smooth and extremely sheer base, which provides coverage similar to a tinted moisturizer. However, when I looked in the mirror, I was sadly shocked by how pale and lifeless my skin appeared. Leesa eased my fears by explaining that Senna foundations are made from minerals and would only meld into my skin and soften as the night went on.

Finally came the dramatic mix of petal pink and navy eye shadow, deep navy eyeliner, two coats of rich black mascara, and a medium pink lipstick and gloss. At first I thought the cool tones were a bit heavy, but after a little more blending, it looked beautiful. My face looked even and the smoky eye paired with the pink lip was every bit as sexy as I'd hoped. For more about my thoughts on Senna's foundation, my new everyday lip color obsession, and to find out what celebrities wear this brand,

Beauty Mark It Results: Eye-Popping Brighteners

bellasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:00:11 -0700

If you are a fan of What Not to Wear, you'll know that makeup artist Carmindy continually touts the importance of an eye brightener to conceal and lighten up the appearance of darkness around the eyes. Naturally, I've been a firm believer in her theory, but lately, the brand I've been using just doesn't seem to work as well as it used to for my skin.

Last week I asked you to help me in my quest for the perfect brightener — one that will conceal and lighten up darkness around the eyes. Well, a special thanks goes out to team member Marcella for her recommendation of Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand ($22). I'll let Marcella take it from here:

I use when I don't get enough sleep. I drop in some Rohto eye drops and line my bottom lid with this wonder product. All of a sudden, I don't look so old and tired anymore.

The cream under eye highlighter is great, too — if used minimally. A little bit goes a long way. Too much and you look like you're ready to go clubbing (which is not such a great day look for the office).

This product has quickly become a staple in my beauty routine and if you try it, you won't be disappointed!

Check out my widget below to see the rest of your wonderful suggestions:

Trend Alert: Blue Eye Accents at the 2008 VMAs

bellasugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:00:11 -0700

Whether it be an icy shadow or a dark navy liner, one thing is for sure — blue was cool at last night's VMAs. I love how Bar Refaeli, Stephanie Pratt, and Pink went for frosty versions to bring brightness to their eyes. Rihanna and Ashlee Simpson opted for a more smoky edge, while Christina Aguilera added her own unique (as usual) take on the trend. Do you think you'll be wearing any of these blue-hued looks?

Source

Bridesmaid Dilemma! What Makeup Should I Wear?

bellasugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:00:11 -0700

Dear Bella,
I am the maid of honor in my friend's wedding and our dresses are chocolate brown. I am very fair with blond hair and green eyes. Brown has never been a good color for me so I have no idea what sort of colors to use on my eyes, etc. Please help! — Sarah

Dear Sarah,

First off, I can understand your dilemma — as I've been in several weddings myself. From burnt sienna to periwinkle, I've worn it all. Look at it this way. The bride's picked a color that's definitely doable. Hello yellow or orange? Now, that could be more of an issue.

The best advice I can give is to keep your colors light, natural, and modern (but not too trendy). In general, while your bridesmaid's dress should complement your makeup — always match your makeup to you, and not the dress. Although your tones are cool, all of us have some elements of peach, pink, and gold to our skin. Using these hues for your makeup will give you a radiant glow, and accentuate your fair coloring nicely. Also, put the focus on your best feature — your pretty green eyes are going to knock'em out! (Without taking any attention away from the bride, of course.)

For some color suggestions and application techniques for the big day,

How-To: Leighton Meester's Cool-Toned Makeup

bellasugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:22 -0700

On Sunday, actress Leighton Meester attended the Henri Bendel and YSL Beaute celebration of Gossip Girl, season 2. Leighton keeps her look in the purple color family — and I can't help but love how her light lilac eyeshadow and soft magenta lips complement the color of her dress. The addition of a sun-kissed bronzer and a small burst of turquoise in her earrings complete this cool-toned look.

For a complete how-to, check out my suggestions below:

FACE: Keep the foundation light and illuminating with a tinted moisturizer such as Stila's Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer ($32). To play up the bright-eye area, try a highlighter like Smashbox's Photo Op Under Eye Brightener ($18).
CHEEKS: To achieve a rosy-bronzed look, try a bronzing duo. Use the brown shade to create depth on the cheeks, forehead, and above the brows; and the rosy pink shade on top to create a fresh flush. Try Laura Mercier's Bronzing Duo ($32) in Pink Bronze.
EYES: For your liner, try a rich chocolate brown like CoverGirl's Brow & Eye Makers Brow Shaper and Eyeliner ($3) in Midnight Brown. Lightly line the entire lower lash line. For the top lash line, only line the outer corners, keeping the inner corners free for the application of shadow. For the shadows, I like Vincent Longo's Eyeshadow Trio — One, Two, Three ($30) in Autumn Rhythm, which comes with three shades: pinkish lavender, warm lavender, and warm eggplant purple. Sweep the lightest shade of lavender on your lids. Next, blend the deeper shades together in the crease area, concentrating on the outer lids for depth.
LIPS: For glossy lips with a light magenta pink tone, try Shiseido's The Makeup Automatic Lip Crayon ($22) in LC10.

Source

Easy on the Eyes: A Simpler Way to Apply Shadow

bellasugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:25 -0700

Beauty comes in all different forms, and that goes for eye shapes as well. Depending on the shape of your eyes, you can use eye shadow to play up your features in different ways.

With your eyes open, gaze at those beautiful peepers. Do you see the eyelid or not? Take a look at the picture to the right. Notice that the eyes on the top row have little or no lid, while the ladies on the bottom section do have visible lids. If you fall into the first category, we'll call you a contour. If you fall into the latter, you are a hooded beauty. To check out my instructions for an easy way to play up your eyes based on this principle,

Faking Good Jeans: Beauty Launches from Denim Lines

bellasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:00:51 -0700

Living in your jeans just got a little more literal. Diesel just celebrated the anniversary of Fuel For Life, and this month, Earnest Sewn launches Simple Serum (right, $45-65), an anti-aging skincare product that comes in only three iterations: face, body, and eye. The mini-line includes the active ingredients like Argiraline, a peptide made from natural proteins. For now, it's only available at Earnest Sewn stores, but that's likely to change.

On the opposite end of the simplicity spectrum, next month Rock & Republic is releasing a cosmetics line that was three years in the making and includes a compact bearing the company's logo in 445 Swarovski crystals. If you don't have an extra $225 lying around for this bling-ed out bronzer, there are over 100 other products to choose from, including primers, gel eyeliners, and natural hair makeup brushes. You'll be able to find them at Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Get a first look below.

Explore Cool Makeup Shade Choices With Chad Hayduk

bellasugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:00:34 -0700

You've hopefully taken my warm and cool undertones quiz and learned about the basics of color choice selection from Chad Hayduk, Three Custom Color Specialists' makeup artist and co-founder. We've learned all about the warms — and now cools — it's your turn to sparkle in all of your jewel-toned glory.

Cools should feel special, since you account for only 15 percent of the population. So, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and bring it all together with some makeup shades picked by Chad himself, along with some other options I found.

Oh, and I should mention — even though your skin coloring may be light, medium, or dark depending on genetics, sun exposure, and changes in season, you will not change in terms of warmth or coolness. With that said, go to town — and check out my chart when you

Explore Warm Makeup Shade Choices With Chad Hayduk

bellasugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:00:06 -0700

You've taken my warm and cool undertones quiz and learned about the basics of color choice selection from Chad Hayduk, Three Custom Color Specialists makeup artist and cofounder. So, let's move on to the nitty-gritty and bring it all together with some makeup shades picked by Chad himself, along with some other options I found.

Since a whopping 85 percent of you are fiery warms who look best in shades such as russets, oranges, bronzes, coppers, and golds, let's start with you first. Check back soon, cools — your own customized selections are on the way.

Bella Interview: Chad Hayduk, Co-Founder of Three Custom Color Specialists

bellasugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:00:01 -0700

Now that you've taken my quiz to determine if your undertones are warm or cool, I thought it would be, er, cool to delve into the topic a bit deeper. In my three-part series, I'll be featuring tips and tricks from Chad Hayduk, co-founder of Three Custom Color Specialists.

Perhaps one of the best services offered by this nifty cosmetics company (see a tour!) is its adeptness in customizing blends — whether to help you recreate a beloved discontinued shade, or whip up a batch of your own perfect hue.

Another one of its specialties? Taking the guesswork out of the oft-posed question, "Am I a warm or a cool?" Look for more color-specific lip, cheek, and eyeshadow choices from Chad later this week. In the meantime, check out some helpful tips from Hayduk below.

How-To: Carmen Electra's Luminous Summertime Tan

bellasugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:00:02 -0700

This week, at the Disaster Movie party in Cabo San Lucas, actress, model, and fitness buff Carmen Electra played on the beach looking gorgeous and glowing with her quintessential summertime tan.

Besides her electrifying eyes (I wonder how many times she's heard that one), her skin oozed an undeniable radiance. We know that she's been hanging out at the DKNY House soaking up the rays, but something tells me that she's being careful with SPF, because her wrinkles are minimal. Are you interested in learning how to create this luminous look at home? If so,

Makeup: The Best of the Brightest Brands

bellasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:00:59 -0700

I had dinner with my successful, globe-trotting artist friend last night, and all she wanted to talk about was makeup. She has beautiful, medium-toned skin (she's Turkish) and blue-green hair (yeah!). There are certain brands that just plain don't show up on her, and others that just don't pack the pigment punch someone who is used to acrylic paint and grease pencil desires. I recommended Ben Nye, an insider-y line founded by the makeup artist behind Gone With the Wind and Planet of the Apes, and that she swing by Madina Milano on her next trip abroad.

Looking for more brands that get it bright? Just

Are Your Undertones Warm or Cool?

bellasugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:00:40 -0700

Many years ago, my aunts went through a major phase/obsession. What season were you? What color palettes would go with said season? Were you a Winter or a Summer? On and on they went — they even had swatch books with fabric samples carefully customized by a color expert so that the guesswork was taken out of each and every shopping trip. At the time I thought it was over the top, but they were definitely on to something!

Have you ever wondered which makeup colors would complement your own skin, hair, and eye colors? Choosing the wrong ones will give you that blah, worn-out look. Choosing the right colors, however, will accentuate your natural features and make you glow. Take my quiz to find out if your undertones are considered a warm or a cool, and I'll give you some helpful tips on how to make your color selections a breeze. Note: It's best to do this test in natural light with a freshly washed face. Also, pull your hair back and keep your shoulders bare so you get a true sense of your natural coloring.

Source

BellaSugar's Top Five Peach Blush Picks

bellasugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:00:50 -0700

A peach blush is a wonderful way to warm up any skin tone. You can wear a pale shade if you have fair skin or a deeper, more coral shade if you have olive or ebony skin. It's a great alternative to pink blush because it's neutral and won't clash with a last-minute change to, say, red lipstick or purple eye shadow. I happen to think that peach blush also looks amazing paired with a teal, blue, or green shadow and/or liner.

My prized peach blush is Lorac Blush for Cheeks in Peach ($18). It's the deepest of the bunch that I've listed below, and the tawny color gives me a healthy-looking and almost bronzed flush.

Becca Soft Touch Blush in Malika ($32) is neutral, so it's my go-to color when I want that no-makeup makeup look. It is a sparkly, semi-matte formula with light pigment that gives your cheeks an ethereal glow. It blends well and looks best when applied to apples of the cheeks.
Benefit Georgia ($28) is a heaven in a box. This gentle peach powder blush contains a soft shimmer that gives you the type of glowing-from-the-inside radiance. It warms up the skin and even comes with a cute square brush that fits neatly inside.
Dior Pro Cheeks Ultra-Radiant Blush in Hip Peach ($30) has a creamy, whipped-mousse consistency. It contains shimmer for a subtle highlighting effect and it blends effortlessly. The color is just right for medium-toned skin, since it's not too dark and not too light.
Shu Uemura Glow on Blush in Peach (#42) ($21) is a pale peach silky powder blush that contains a touch of sparkle. It acts as both a natural color and a highlighter and looks great when applied to your cheeks, nose, chin, and temples — a must have for any complexion!

Product Review: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Duo

bellasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:14:06 -0700

I think MAC comes out with a new makeup collection more often than I sanitize my shower, but hey, that's not a terrible thing, is it? The latest launch to catch my eye is the Mineralize Skinfinish Duo ($26.50). The compact contains finely milled, baked face powder; about 75% is matte, and the rest is softly shimmery.

The idea is that you can use the matte powder on most of your face, then highlight cheekbones with the light-reflecting, shimmery powder. Swirling a brush around the whole compact leads to a too-shiny look for me, but with a stippling brush, it's easy to apply only the matte or shimmery finish. I like how the matte powder seems to sink into my skin, leaving no telltale trace; it just looks like skin, which is ideal. The shimmer is definitely more dramatic, so use it sparingly. I like to use it under the eyes after applying concealer, because it reflects light and hides puffiness. To find out what doesn't work so well,

Benefit's Full-Finish Lipstick: Fully Pleasing

bellasugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:00:10 -0700

At the Fall 2008 fashion shows, lipstick was more popular than lip gloss by far. It's a little early to slip into cool-weather fashion, but a creamy lipstick works any time of year.

Benefit has just launched Full-Finish Lipstick, and the texture is great. You know how some lipsticks pull on your lips a bit, or they just don't go on evenly? Not the case with these; they glide on easily and evenly, leaving my lips feeling smooth and moisturized. If you're looking for a new lipstick, it's worth taking a look at these. To see two colors — including one that is pretty much a dead ringer for Angelina Jolie's signature shade —

Whose Male Rocker Makeup Do You Like Most?

bellasugar — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:00:21 -0700

Punk, glam, and goth hit their peak decades ago, but a few rocker dudes still sport makeup today. There's Gerard Way from the band My Chemical Romance, who has worn everything from black to purple to red eye makeup. Then there's Pete Wentz who loves guyliner so much that he created his own line of makeup (kidding — sheesh)! Last but not least is former teen heartthrob Jared Leto, who wears creamy metallic eyeshadow, liner, mascara, and even stripes of bright-pink lipstick on his cheeks.These guys have a style that's all their own, but I gotta say, it reminds me of angsty dudes I knew in high school — so it isn't exactly the sexiest look to me personally. Out of these three rebel rockers, who do you think pulls the look off best? Source and Source

Whose Male Rocker Makeup Do You Like Most?

Gerard Way and his red eyeliner.

Pete Wentz and his dark, heavily lined eyes.

Jared Leto and his lipstick stripes.

Oh, I just can't decide! I'll tell you in a comment.