BellaSugar

Beauty Tips and Tricks For Redheads

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:00:18 -0700

Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I've been thinking about classic Irish beauty. Being that so many Irish women are fair-skinned redheads, I thought I'd suggest a few friendly tips and tricks on how to enhance your specific type of beauty. And, of course you don't have to be Irish for this advice to pertain to you, silly - these red-headed celebs aren't!

Protect Your Hair Color: Whether or not you enhance your hair color, you'll want to give it shelter in the sun so that it doesn't turn orange or brassy. Try misting your hair with an SPF shine spray and use color-enhancing hair products to replenish and maintain your color in between salon visits.

For three more makeup and skin-care tips and tricks for redheads, read more.

Makeup Colors: When looking for a foundation and/or a powder, it's best to steer away from anything too pink or yellow. In particular, products targeted for those with olive skin will be too harsh. Generally, it's best to choose a neutral, light-beige shade. Additionally, when possible, avoid orangey-red, orange, and overly strong coral shades of lipstick. However, gold makeup is gorgeous on redheads, as are champagne, taupe, and brown eye shadows - so go crazy!
Eyebrows: Frame your fair skin by filling in your eyebrows. Depending on how dark or light your hair is, you'll want to match your brows one shade darker. Going too dark is going to look unnatural, so choose a soft, auburn, or taupe powder.
Skin Care SPF is a must. Since your skin is fair, it will burn easily and can cause wrinkles, redness, peeling, premature aging, and cancer. Be sure to wear a moisturizer with SPF 30, and when possible consider buying cosmetics with SPF in the formula for extra protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Source and Pacific Coast News

The Best Blusher For Your Skin Tone: Fair Skin

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:00:40 -0700

Thanks to the help of Jane Richardson, an expert makeup artist for Nars, I've created another great BellaSugar series on the various shades of blush that are best suited for fair, medium, yellow-toned, olive and ebony skin.

The first thing to consider when choosing a blush is to try and match it with your natural flush. So after you've gotten out of the shower, or after you've just exercised, take a long look at your face. Next, look at the undertones of your skin. If they are rosy or pink, you'll want to err on the side of neutrals so that your blush isn't too overpowering.

Nars Blush in Amour ($25) is made from very sheer pigments that create a soft look. The blush can be layered for depth and contouring. Amour is a a peachy-pink hue that will give skin an innocent flush. It creates a warm and healthy glow that won't look too heavy or cakey on your cheeks.

For two more blushes for fair skin, read more

Aloette Cheek Color Powder & Compact in Stardust ($18.50) is a pink hue with a matte finish to control shine for a polished result. The long-lasting formula comes in a deep compact for added protection from breakage!

Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Cupid ($18.50) is a silky soft formula that blends well and creates a really natural finish. It's oil-free, the color is true to the packaging and it even comes with a mini brush for quick and easy application. Cupid is a soft pinky brown-a terrific neutral for those with a light complexion with rosy undertones.

Beauty Byte: Skin-Lightening Market Booms in India

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 16:00:44 -0700

I don't know how I missed this yesterday, but The New York Times just ran a pretty unsettling article about the Indian beauty market - specifically, the proliferation of skin-lightening products. A Unilever brand called Fair & Lovely has been selling skin lighteners for decades, but now an increasing number of cosmetics companies - including Avon, L’Oréal, Ponds, Garnier, the Body Shop, and Jolen - are marketing their own products designed to alter dark skin.

Though this sounds offensive to those of us who believe that diversity is an inherent party of beauty, the makers of these products say that reaction is just the result of cultural differences and bias, so read more

Writes the NYT:

Global cosmetics companies - which also sell skin-lightening products throughout Asia and in the United States, where they are marketed as spot or blemish removers - argue that they are just giving Indian women what they want.

Taking offense at the products is “a very Western way of looking at the world,” said Ashok Venkatramani, who is in charge of the skin care category at Unilever’s Indian unit, Hindustan Lever. “The definition of beauty in the Western world is linked to anti-aging,” he said. “In Asia, it’s all about being two shades lighter.”

So-called "fairness creams" are one of the most booming categories in India's fast-growing beauty market. The products are also sold in Asia and the U.S., so this may just be a case of Western journalists discovering something that's already very ingrained overseas. What do you guys think?

Source

Robert Pattinson Shows Some Skin in Vanity Fair Italia

PopSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:46:34 -0800

Don't adjust your screens - that is the small of Robert Pattinson's back being prominently featured in the November issue of Vanity Fair Italia. It's the latest hot cover for the Twilight star, as he and Kristen Stewart make the rounds before New Moon hits theaters later this month. Rob had a busy week of promoting the film in Japan, and he's off now to LA for the big press weekend. Don't forget, we'll be there to cover all the news so let us know if you have any burning questions!

View 5 Photos ›

Product Review: Botanical Essence No. 1 From Liz Earle

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

It's no secret that I'm a huge Liz Earle fan. Besides adorning her face, bath and body products, I often turn to her books for at home remedies and advice on essential oils. So when I heard that she was launching her first ever fragrance after three years in development called Botanical Essence No. 1, I could hardly wait to get my hands on some.

If I'm being totally honest, at first, I found the scent to be a little green, meaning not quite fully developed. It reminded me of Charlie by Revlon, something I wore as a kid. However, if you give it some time, you can appreciate the floral center and crisp, unique dry-down.

This warm and definitely sensuous Eau de Parfum was inspired by Liz's Instant Boost Skin Tonic and is a culmination of 98% natural botanicals grown in France, Turkey, Italy and Indonesia. It contains notes of lavender, bergamot, rose, patchouli, mandarin, bitter orange, lemon, cardamom, geranium, coriander, nutmeg, cedar, vetiver and tonka bean, and is currently available in a 50 ml bottle for £39.50.

In my opinion, the only drawback is the initial heaviness, but I really like the end result and the price-point is more than fair for an Eau de Parfum. Does your favourite skincare brand make a fragrance too?

Hair Color Dos and Don'ts: Must-Have Tips For Perfect Results

Sponsor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:30:01 -0700

When it comes to at-home hair color, all products are NOT created equal. Knowing what to look for can make the difference between so-so and stunning. Here are some secrets, including special tips from celebrity hair colorist and L’Oréal Paris expert Christophe Robin, for achieving beautiful, professional-looking results on your own.

DO choose a shade that complements your skin tone and eyes. “If you have fair skin and blue, green or gray eyes, your complementary shades will have ash or beige tones,” Christophe advises. “If your skin tone is golden, olive or dark and you have dark eyes, your complementary shades will have gold or red hues.” Have characteristics of both warm and cool tones? “Go with whichever is your preference.”

DO stick close to your own hair color if you want a subtle change. “If you’re not sure which shade to choose, go just 1 or 2 levels lighter or darker than your natural color,” says Christophe. “This will give you a noticeable change that’s not too dramatic and is easy to maintain.”

DO pick a product that’s specifically formulated to cover gray hair, which can resist coloring.

DO use products specifically designed to preserve your color, like Vive Pro Color Vive Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair.

DO choose a gentle formulation and indulge in regular deep-conditioning treatments.

DON’T be afraid to take a risk. Hair color offers a fun way to express your personality and experiment with a new style or attitude. “When a woman goes darker with her color, she’ll feel stronger,” Christophe notes. “When she goes lighter, she’ll feel more sexy and sensual.”

DON’T skimp on time. You might be tempted to cut corners to save a few minutes, but resist the urge. It’s crucial to allow the proper amount of time for each step - especially when you are going for a dramatic color change “You can’t rush hair color,” Christophe cautions.

DON’T judge a box by its cover. Although it’s a common misconception, you shouldn’t expect your hair color to turn out exactly like the model’s on the box. “Your personal result will be determined by the condition of your hair, your current hair color and the shade you’ve selected,” says Christophe.

DON’T overdo it. Coloring too often can compromise hair’s health and yield uneven results. A touch-up every four to six weeks is all that’s required to keep your shade looking fresh and vibrant.

DON’T forget the SPF. You protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, so why let your hair take the heat? “The sun is the number one enemy of color-treated hair,” says Christophe. Use shampoos and conditioners that contain UV filters to block damaging rays and prevent fade-out.

Fair skin cancer risks

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:50:12 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Alternative Names

Skin cancer and fair-skinned people

Information

Anyone who sunburns easily is at high risk for skin cancer. Other factors that increase your risk for skin cancer include:

Freckled skin
Blue, gray, or green eyes
Blond or red hair
Multiple moles
Close relatives who have or had skin cancer
Multiple severe sunburns early in life
Slow, daily sun exposure (such as that received by those who work outside)
Excessive sun exposure without sunscreen

Self Tanners For Fair Skin

DearSugar — Mon, 22 May 2006 04:58:09 -0700

Dear Sugar
I am very fair-skinned, so much that I buy the palest shade of foundation at the drug store. I need to darken up my skin for the summer without hitting a tanning salon, but because I'm so pale, many self-tanners turn out too orange. Are there any you can recommend that are made for paler girls that will look natural and not orange.

Dear Cautious Kim
Helena Rubinstein's Sun Care Product Diagnosis takes you through your sun and skin goals to help find your best product match. Famous Dave's Fair Skin and Face self tanner gives you a light glow which can be repeatedly applied for desired color and is less expensive than many of it's competitors ($9.99), and Clinique's Self-Sun Face Quick Bronze Self-Tanner($17.0) results in a warm, honey looking tint that looks beautiful on super-fair skin. Self-tanning products work by using a color additive called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the only such additive approved by the FDA for topical use. DHA was a discovery made in the meat packing industry in the late 60's. It was created to turn meat that fabulous delicious looking color and last for 5-7 days. But using DHA on skin is a little trickier. It's a sensitive ingredient with a pH level that determines how tan you will become. You can tell what the pH on your self tanner is by looking on the label for any of these 3 ingredients that should never be present: Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, and Mineral Oil. All of these ingredients have a naturally high pH - over 6. And a pH over 6 means that you'll going to turn orange. So that's just a little self tanner lesson. Here are 7 tips on how to acheive a natural fake bake look.

Health Benefits of Pears

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:13 -0700

Apples are in season in the Autumn, but pears are too. The soft, sweet, buttery flesh of the pear makes this Fall fruit one of my favorites. Plus there are so many varieties to choose from - Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou - that they each seem like a different fruit. These juicy gems are pretty healthy for you, too.

Pears are high in fiber. One medium-sized pear contains six grams, so snacking on a pear can help you meet your daily requirement of 25 to 30 grams. They're a delicious way to keep you regular too, which can help prevent colon cancer. A diet high in fiber can also keep your cholesterol levels down, which is good news for your ticker. Getting your fill of fiber from fruit is also linked to a lower risk for breast cancer.
Pears contain a fair amount of vitamins A, C, K, B2, B3, and B6. For expecting or nursing moms, they also contain folate. Pears aren't too shabby in the mineral department either, containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese. Vitamin C and copper are antioxidant nutrients, so eating pears is good for your immune system, and may help prevent cancer.
Pears also contain boron, which our bodies need in order to retain calcium, so this fruit can also be linked to osteoporosis prevention.

For the other health benefits, read more.

The hydroxycinnamic acid found in pears is also associated with preventing stomach and lung cancer.
It's a hypo-allergenic fruit. That means those with food sensitivities can usually eat pears with no adverse effects.
Eating three or more servings of fruits a day, such as pears, may also lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults.
Quercetin is another antioxidant found in the skin of pears. It helps prevent cancer and artery damage that can lead to heart problems. A recent study at Cornell University found it may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease. So don't peel your pears!

Tell me, what's your favorite type of pear?

3 Tips on Choosing a Red Lipstick

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:00:36 -0700

Red lips are one of those things that will never go out of style, and they're universally flattering. Problem is, many women don't wear them because they can't find a shade that's flattering or worry that it will be too bright to be pretty. Well, worry no more, fair ladies. Lipstick impresario Poppy King is answering the eternal question: how do you choose a red lipstick? To find out how to get your red right, just keep reading