BellaSugar -- You're beautiful.

Tonight's Eyeliner Will Be Bright and Blue

bellasugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:00:00 -0800

If you can't wear bright colors on New Year's Eve, when can you wear them? I'm not one to go all out with a bold hue, but a hint of tint? No problem. Inspired by the Fall Proenza Schouler runway makeup, I used Mark Metalliner ($5) to draw a thin line of shimmery blue along my upper lash line. This liner gets the thumbs-up from me because it's inexpensive, the color is bright, and the tip is extremely thin — so it's easy to use even if you're a liquid-liner novice. And even in a blurry camera-phone shot, it grabs your attention. So go ahead, have a little fun with your makeup tonight — or make it a resolution to do so in 2009.

Mark Makes a Greek Vacation Into an "Instant" Reality

bellasugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:00:45 -0700

This summer, two huge films feature the Greek Isles in their backdrop: Mamma Mia! and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, which opens today.

While a trip to the Greek Isles will have to remain a fantasy for me just this second, I can thank Mark for bringing an "instant vacation" right to me with their Mark Instant Vacation Greek Isles Fragrance Mist ($15).

I love the turquoise blue bottle, which reminds me of the bright waters and skies of Greece. Floral notes such as gardenia and white freesia impart a lighter tone than the predominately honey-and-coconut scent. It's a warm, slightly fruity fragrance with decent staying power (plus, it's not overwhelmingly heavy). I also like the fact that even though it is reminiscent of warmer climates, it can be spritzed well into any season. It isn't the most distinctive scent you'll ever try, but it's pleasant and fresh. One day I hope to spend more time in this beautiful Mediterranean island. For now, I'll take this journey — even if it's really only in the aromatic sense.

Lauren Conrad Has a Heart, and Beauty Tips Too

bellasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:00:52 -0700

The Hills are alive... with the sound of charity. This week, I had the chance to chat with Lauren Conrad in New York. You might know that she's a spokesperson for Mark cosmetics, but her partnership with the brand is growing in big ways. Mark has announced a new initiative, m.Powerment, which aims to raise awareness and stop relationship abuse. As part of the program, LC has designed the "Have a Heart" necklace ($22), and all proceeds will go to the cause.

Until the necklace goes on sale in September, though, LC is staying busy with her clothing line and — of course — the next season of The Hills. Since she's got the pretty SoCal girl thing down pat, I asked her to share some of her beauty tips. To find out how she gets her eyeliner just so,

Bella's June Beauty Must-Haves

bellasugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:00:21 -0700

Wow, time flies, huh? It's hard to believe that it's June already, but the calendar doesn't lie. For this month's must-have beauty items, I've rounded up a few things to simplify your grooming. From a tiny hair tool to a big ball of oil — you'll love it, promise — there's something in here for everyone.

New Product Alert: Mark Skin Care

bellasugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 08:00:24 -0700

Mark, Avon's sister brand, is aimed at a younger audience — hence the choice of Lauren Conrad as the spokesmodel. Its target audience is teenagers and early twentysomethings, but after trying its new skin care line, I'm convinced this brand should have a wider appeal.

Don't look for a lot of gimmicks from this line; it's all about good basics such as cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. Everything is loaded with antioxidants, it's oil-free, and it's also fragrance-free. The scents of the products come from food-derived ingredients such as sugar maple, bilberry, pomegranate, and pumpkin seed. A great feature is the lotion packaging: you just press down on the top and the right dose of moisturizer comes out.

If you try one thing from this line, make it For Goodness Face ($15). This moisturizer features a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen (with dark chocolate and blueberry to provide antioxidants). It absorbs quickly and works well under makeup, and it has the vague scent of cocoa beans. The only drawback? I like it so much that I used up a jar within a month.

BellaSugar's Guide to the New Nail Pen Trend

bellasugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 07:00:17 -0700

Welcome to another BellaSugar Guide. This one features five fantastic posts about the new nail pen trend! This is one bandwagon worth jumping on. Nail pens range from cuticle oil pens, to nail polish remover pens to polish and high gloss pens. This is one mess-free, quick and easy alternative to bottles, and cotton buds that I'm happy to take any day of the week!

I also love how the tight-fitting caps really trap all of the smelly solvents associated with nail products. Below are a complete list of all the nail pen products I've posted about on BellaSugar. If you've got any new discoveries to add to the mix, please let me know!

Easy-To-Use Eye Shadow Sticks, Part II

bellasugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:35:21 -0700

Welcome back to part two of Easy-To-Use Eye Shadow Sticks. You guys seemed really into Part I, so here are a few more for you to fancy! These no-mess shadows fall somewhere between a cream and a powder. They come in a range of colors and textures and are virtually foolproof to apply.

Jemma Kidd Stardust Cream Shadow ($22) is a glittery pastel eye shadow that will add an instant twinkle to your eye! Just smudge on one of the four colors and blend with your finger or a brush. For two more sticks,

New Product Alert: Pop In Color Palette by Mark

bellasugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 05:00:23 -0700

I am so excited about this new invention. For years, I have been taking dangerously sharp objects, like scissors and knives, and popping out the unfavorable colors in my makeup palettes so I could "customize" them. Now, thanks to the new Pop In Color Palette by Mark ($6), I can stop bending the rims on my eye-shadow pans and gluing in new ones.

With this slender customizable palette, you can create your own palette combo any day of the week. The compact comes with four empty slots, which you can fill with Mark lip glosses ($5), eye shadows ($5), and gel eye liners ($5). With a total of eight shades, you can do some serious mixing and matching, and it's also a great product for frequent travelers. The palette comes with a mirror and a dual-ended brush for easy application.