BellaSugar -- You're beautiful.

Coming Soon: Giorgio Armani Lip Wax

bellasugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:00:47 -0700

We've already had a sneak peek at the Fall 2008 Python Collection from Giorgio Armani Beauty, but get ready for Lip Wax ($26) this September. These six highly pigmented lip colors are intended to be applied with your fingers. They can be worn on your cheeks and lips and have a matte finish. Really, the best way to describe them is as a designer stain.

They come packaged in sleek, black circular compacts with a mirror on the top and the product on the bottom, but the most notable feature is the texture. Wax can be slimy and oily, but this is dry, smooth, and elegant. It feels velvety on your lips and it's virtually weightless. Instead of having the heavy feeling of lipstick, think of it more like a second skin.

Lip Wax can be worn alone if you like the look of a raw, satiny finish, or it can be worn under a gloss if you're looking for more of a sheer and shiny effect. For a description of each of the six Lip Wax shades, which range from nude to deep wine, and to see a couple close-up images,

Coming Soon: Giorgio Armani Fall 2008 Python Collection

bellasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:00:56 -0700

I'm petrified by snakes, but I may put my phobia aside, just this once. In September, Giorgio Armani Beauty is launching a collection called Python. The concept behind the look is a strong, bold smoky eye. The star product is the Python Palette ($100), which contains three eye shadows (gray taupe, dark iridescent gray, and luminous gray pearl) and two new lip shades (deep red and mauve) that help create a dark and sexy makeup look.

The Python collection also contains two blush duos and a deep burgundy lipstick. To find out the details about the new products and to see close ups of the palette along with Sasha Pivovarova modeling the line,

Giorgio Armani Bronze Mania 2008 Ochra Collection

bellasugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:00:27 -0700

New from Giorgio Armani Beauty is the 2008 Bronze Mania 2008 Ochra Collection. This sultry group of treats is made up of six skin tints, a pinky-bronze fluid sheer luminizer, two lipsticks, four lip shimmers, and a brown mascara.

However, the most buzz-worthy item is definitely the Magnificent Mediterranean Palette ($85). Inside of the sleek round black compact you'll find a mirror, four shimmery eye shadows (on the top level) and a sheer bronzer (on the bottom level). Once again, you can see Sasha Pivovarova modeling the collection, and might I add that she looks H-O-T!

For pricing information and a brief description of the new items,

New Product Alert: Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Foundation

bellasugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:00:48 -0700

Giorgio Armani, the creator of the renowned Luminous Silk Foundation, has just released a new featherweight, semimatte base called Face Fabric ($45). It has been designed for a slightly younger demographic since the consistency is lighter and the finish is more sheer (which also makes it perfect for Spring and Summer weather).

The concept behind the product is that the foundation is intended to fluidly glide over your skin to create a barely-there veil of color. Its translucent base is enhanced with a nude pigment that blends easily and creates a very natural-looking, delicate, and glowy effect.

Due out in stores this May, the foundation is already available online in nine colors. I've tried it and I absolutely love the way it feels. I'm not a huge fan of heavy everyday foundation, so this is perfect if you are looking for just enough coverage to even out your skin tone and hide splotchy redness. That being said, if you're looking to conceal more, you'll want to stick with the original Luminous Silk Foundation. The way I see it, you can't go wrong either way.

Giorgio Armani's Coffee Cosmetics Craze

bellasugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:00:04 -0700

Giorgio Armani has recently introduced an atypical product range for Spring. This nine-piece Caffe collection includes five lipsticks, two lip liners and a lip shimmer. All are in rich, gold, brown, and nude coffee inspired colors. It's kind of like an end-of-Winter bonus line since we've already seen the glowy Spring collection and we are getting ready for the Summer colors to come out (yes, more on this later)!

My favorite combo is the #16 champagne-colored lipstick with the #45 lip shimmer on top — it's the ideal nude lip . But the most notable product has to be the #29 transparent rouge-colored sheer lipstick. It's pretty intimidating in the tube because the color is a blackish-purple goth shade, but when you apply it to your lips, it's completely sheer. The collection has been out for a few weeks already, so if you are browsing around a Giorgio Armani boutique or a department store, have a look and let me know what you think. For a description and pricing details on each of the nine items in the Caffe collection,

Armani Gets Glowy for Spring

bellasugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:45:35 -0800

Just like MAC and Clinique, Armani is going with a naturally nude face for spring. (Are you picking up on a trend yet?) The new collection features Sasha Pivarova as the campaign face. Even though this picture has benefited from a little retouching, the flawlessness of her skin is pretty enviable.

It might be due to the new Luminous Silk Powder ($44), a fine pressed powder available in eight shades. Or you could chalk it up to Fluid Sheer Radiance ($35), a sheer fluid brightener available in apricot or pink washes. It can be used as a light blush or to sculpt—yep, sculpting has returned from the '80s, although the look is much softer and less obvious now.

What I like most about this collection is the accompanying tutorial that shows you, step-by-step, how to get this look. Will we all wind up looking like Sasha? Nah. But considering the radiance of this look, I'm willing to give it a whirl.

The Precious Essence Of Emporio Armani

bellasugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:00:29 -0700

Emporio Armani has a sparkling new fragrance called Emporio Armani Diamonds. We first heard about it in August when we saw a sneak peek at the ad featuring a Swarovski-clad Beyonce. Now that the fragrance has finally launched, here are all the juicy details.

It is made from a mixture of fruity, floral and amber facets including litchi, raspberry, rose, freesia, lily of the valley, vetiver, cedar wood, patchouli, vanilla and amber. The packaging is white and silver with faux diamonds on the box for a touch of glamour.

The fragrance range is available in three sizes of Eau de Parfum Sprays: one oz ($39.50), 1.7 oz ($49.50), 3.4 oz ($69.50) and a 6.7 oz body lotion ($39.50). If Eau de Bling is what gets you going, this is definitely the fragrance for you!

Coming Soon: Giorgio Armani Crema Nera

bellasugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:00:07 -0700

I am stoked for the launch of Giorgio Armani Beauty's new cream called Crema Nera. Either it's all hype, or this is actually going to turn out to be the mother or all creams! Housed in a shiny black case, this stark white cream looks almost intimidating. It feels like a balm, but after you warm just a teensy amount between your fingertips, it becomes a silky, indulgent cream indeed. Here's the scoop on this luxurious, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, anti-saving-any-money-by-buying-this cream.

Giorgio Armani has a home in Pentelleria, Italy, where the land is rich and fertile in volcanic sources. This area has black earth, yet tons of thriving life. Those who live there relish in mud baths and thermal waters because they have remarkable effects on healing the skin.

Giorgio Armani and L'Oreal Research partnered together to source Obsidian Petellerite, which they believe to be the key ingredient. This natural, complex mineral compound has been captured and enhanced to create Crema Nera, a fountain-of-youth cream for women of all ages.

Studies show that Crema Nera stimulates cell regeneration, plumps, firms and evens out the complexion. With extended use (four weeks or more) 81% of subjects experienced increased elasticity, 68% saw less wrinkles on their face and 78% reported that their skin looked more radiant. I guess we'll just have to wait and find out for ourselves. Crema Nera hits stores next week and will cost $225 for a 1.76 oz jar and $275 for a same-sized jar that also includes an obsidian facial massage stone. Gosh, remember when La Mer seemed like the ultimate luxury cream?

How To: Get Jessica Alba's Look at the Teen Choice Awards

bellasugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:00:30 -0700

Jessica Alba decided to go with a minimalist makeup look for the 2007 Teen Choice Awards last night. And with skin like that and a gorgeous glow, who could blame her? The key to her look is a flawless face.

If you notice, she's barely wearing any makeup. I detect a lined upper lash, some bronzer, blush, lipstick and definitely mascara. Besides that, she either has great genes or some secret camouflaging techniques.

To find out my best guess at Jessica's perfect-looking makeup products,

Fantastic Felt-Tip Eyeliner Pens, Part I

bellasugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:00:02 -0700

Now this is a new beauty invention worth investing in! For those of you who are really into the look of lined eyes, this gives you the option of making a super-precise line whether it be thick or thin. These pens provide a fool-proof way to create a dramatic effect without any sharpening or adjusting. They release a continuous flow of liquid liner with a rich color and a soft tip. Enjoy some of these felt-tip liquid eyeliner pens.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Eye Liner Pen ($30) is a water-based liquid eyeliner housed in a tapered felt pen for smooth and smooth application. It is available in one black matte shade that creates strong definition and a sultry effect to the eye. Warning, this look is super-sexy!

For two more fantastic felt-tip eyeliner pens,

Trend Alert: Deep Purple Makeup For Fall 2007

bellasugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:00:51 -0700

We've now seen many previews for the fall 2007 beauty collections, and I've noticed a lot of deep purples popping up for the eyes and the lips. Personally, I love purples, and they look great on those of you with green and hazel eyes, but that doesn't mean that the rest of you can't wear purples too—especially if they are blended with other colors.

Here's another look at three new collections for fall with strong purple influences. There's The Seducers from Prescriptives, Vanessa Minnillo's Flirt! Collection in Party Purples and lastly Giorgio Armani Leather Collection Eye Mania Shadow Quad. How do you feel about purples for Fall?

Coming Soon: Giorgio Armani Beauty Fall 2007 Leather Collection

bellasugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:00:44 -0700

This fall, Giorgio Armani Beauty brings us its Leather Collection—a new range of eye and lip products consisting of reds, purples, browns, pale pinks and of course metallics. The textures are even smoother than before. The name for the collection doesn't come from the inspiration of colors; rather, it comes from the texture. Armani recently patented its Microfill technology, which enriches the quality of its pressed powders (face, eyes, cheeks) and makes them feel supple like leather.

Sounds divine, doesn't it? To read all the details of the Leather Collection,

Summer 2007 Giorgio Armani Bronze Mania Collection

bellasugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:00:39 -0700

The 2007 summer collection from Giorgio Armani Beauty is called Bronze Mania. It was inspired by the colors of the glorious beaches, vast sands and bright prominent flowers of the Mediterranean. Comprised of golds, chocolates, reds and mauves, everything has a metallic sheen to make your summer skin glisten.

The limited edition collection includes a new Shine Lipstick ($25) two new Lip Shimmers ($26), a redding brown Maestro Mascara ($26), three new Golden Eye Shadows ($24), Bronze Mania Face and Body Gel ($80), a double cream blush compact called Bronzing Face Duo ($65) and two shades of cream to powder Summer Foundation ($55).

The last product in the collection is the Gold Mediterranean Palette ($85). The top level includes four eye shadows formulated with mother-of-pearl in gold copper brown, orange gold, nude gold beige and sparkling gold earth and the bottom level houses a sheer powder bronzer. All of the products are an absolutely stunning and worthwhile summer indulgence!

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio is Really Impressive

bellasugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:00:24 -0700

For the last fifteen years, I've had a really strong affinity toward this old school sea-foam green fragrance called Acqua Di Gio. It was Armani's first big fragrance success and it has always reminded me of the cusp of summertime and autumn.

Maybe it's because of the aquatic and tropical floral notes—or it could be that my first post-college job was at Armani Corporate and was trying really hard to impress them!

I still keep a bottle of this oldie but goodie on hand for daytime wear. It is perfect for when you're in the mood for something crisp, light and fresh. It is made from sweet pea, jasmine, freesia, hyacinth, muscat grape, musk and woods and it's available in three Eau de Toilette sizes: 3.4 oz ($65), 1.7 oz ($49.50) and 1.15 oz ($39.50). What are some of your old-time fave fragrances? Leave a comment and let me know!

Beauty Spring Peek: Matte Fuchsia Lips

bellasugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:35:45 -0800

The Spring 2007 Diane Von Furstenberg Show was called "All About Eve," as in the first woman. It was meant to look simple, sophisticated and seductive. You can see this reflection not only in her clothes but in her makeup choices as well. She mixed a polished, yet clean and natural, fresh face with a pop of bright fuchsia, matte color on the lips.

Clearly DVF selected the mouth as the seductive focus and kept the rest of the face simple and sophisticated. Nice work. Be sure to check out more of my Spring Peeks.

To see some of my favorite matte fuchsia lipsticks new for Spring,