BellaSugar -- You're beautiful.

Win a Set of Juicy Tubes Chic Delights Lip Gloss!

bellasugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:00:33 -0800

Lipstick may have dominated the runways at fashion week, but gloss remains a perennial favorite. One of the biggest launches in the past decade is Lancôme's Juicy Tubes. Eleven of the cult-classic lip glosses are sold around the world every minute. Who knew one gloss could be so popular?

Mollie Winerock of Lancôme shared a few details about how the glosses are developed — plus, just in time for the holidays, Juicy Tubes Chic Delights, we're giving away a set of eight glosses. For a quick Q&A and the scoop on entering the giveaway,

A Beauty Tip For the Germophobic

bellasugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:00:10 -0700

A self-professed beauty nerd friend of mine and I were discussing—what else?—lip gloss, and she mentioned her favorite is MAC Tendertone Lip Balm. "I'm kind of a germaphobe, so I don't like lip gloss that comes in pots, because you have to stick your dirty fingers in them. But I love Tendertone so much that I stick it in my microwave for a minute and a half and pour it into a doe-foot tube," she divulged.

A doe-foot tube, for those of you who don't have a degree in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing (OK, maybe she's a certified beauty nerd), is the container that wand lip gloss comes in, the "doe" part referring to the applicator tip. Another piece of lip gloss trivia I learned from this conversation: the stripe near the mouth of the vial is not there for decorative purposes but to disguise the fact that it's hard to get an even fill, and is aptly called a "cheater band." Now you know.

If you want to order your own empty lip gloss container, find small quantities at craft supply stores and websites like Etsy.com.

Source

How-To: Wear Black Lip Gloss

bellasugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:11 -0700

A month or so back, I told you about the black lip trend this Fall and gave some options for lipsticks and glosses, should you care to venture onto the dark side. I spent the better part of yesterday deciding whether there were any circumstances under which I could wear black lip gloss (Halloween withstanding).

Especially for small lips, it helps to layer a pearly shade on top of a black lip gloss, which is not an easy feat as the result is usually a weird shade of greige, which is even more zombie looking than straight up black. But there's hope: At the Spring shows, Vivienne Westwood sent teal-black lips down the runway and models for Topshop Unique wore a purple ebony color, hinting that wearable black is in our future.

So for now, my secret concoction for a shimmery black cherry is as follows: Two layers of Benefit Benetint ($28) followed by one layer of Armour Beauty Femme Fatale Lip Gloss ($19) followed by a dollop of Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Touche Brilliance in Pure Diamond ($29). Except it's not a secret anymore, because I just told you.

These Mini Products Will Charm You

bellasugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:00:08 -0700

They're cute. They're convenient. They're beauty products you can clip onto your keychain. These mini delights sort of remind me of those plastic 80s charm bracelets from back in the day. Remember those?

Currently, my keychain is occupied by keys (obviously), about five of those plastic rewards cards (like from Blockbuster and Safeway), and now, a little lip gloss. It's about all I really need, eh? These Bella Il Fiore glosses ($7 each) prove that size doesn't matter when it comes to convenience. Check out my widget below to see what other tchotchkes I've unlocked:

Doing Drugstore: Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss

bellasugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:03:00 -0700

I like when lip gloss comes in a wand with a brush at the tip of the applicator. Even though it can get bacteria in it the same way that mascara can, it doesn't open in your bag and you don't have to dip your (possibly germy) finger in it to apply. This is the reason I wanted to try Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss ($6.99), but with claims like "creates a look of glittery gems under glass" and provides "hypnotic color," I was skeptical.

Lipnotic gloss is remarkably shiny. The shade Bling Bling is a little darker than my natural lip and shimmers, shines, and sparkles from every angle. Staring closely at the glitter in the gloss, I caught a few flecks of blue. I'm not sure I ever thought I would warn that a lip gloss wasn't "work appropriate," but this might actually not be. But if you're a real lip-gloss lover, it might become your favorite. And once I realized I'd been staring at my own lips for nearly 10 minutes, I kind of understood why they called it "hypnotic."

See reader reviews and add your own here!

How-To: Six Ways To Make Your Lips Look Fuller

bellasugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:00:22 -0700

You don't need to endure painful injections to achieve a nice, full lip. You don't necessarily need a lip plumping product, either. Makeup artists rely on tried and true tips to help their clients pump up the volume, and I've got a few of them to share.

Applier beware. Plump lips are one of those mysterious subconscious biological signs of youthfulness and fertility.

(Editor's note: I cannot take responsibility for any additional attention (or children) that may follow as a result of these tips below.)

Beginner

Avoid dark lipsticks or glosses. They can make your lips look smaller. Instead, choose a lighter shade to give the illusion of fullness. Also, pick lipsticks with shinier finishes. Shiny reflects light, making lips look even bigger.
Brush lips with a baby toothbrush and some lip balm, like the classic ChapStick ($1.90). It's a gentle way to exfoliate and it promotes circulation in the lips, causing a temporary plump.
Sweep a tiny dab of light colored gloss only in the middle of your lips, both top and bottom. Try Benefit Her Glossiness in Didn't Hear It From Me ($18). You can also use a lighter glittery gloss such as Wet N Wild MegaBrilliance Lip Gloss in Shimmy Shimmer ($2) or a whitish shimmery powder like Benefit Lust Duster in Snow Bunny ($18) to achieve the same effect.

To move on to the more advanced techniques,

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,

What a Pair: Lip Sync From Senna Cosmetics

bellasugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:00:06 -0700

If coveting a product is sin, lock me away forever! Senna Cosmetics released a two-in-one lip gloss and lipstick product called Lip Sync ($24) a few weeks ago. These glossy, creamy, and shimmery tubes have my heart going pitter-patter and my eyes wide with excitement.

The concept is much like the Dual Ended Lip Color and Plumping Glossy Tints from Sonia Kashuk's past Summer collection, but these are far richer, and they contain shimmer. Plus, they have an enticing almond biscotti flavor, and the texture is significantly less sticky. Lip Sync is available in three complementary shades, and my absolute favorite is A La Mode — a pinky-peach lipstick paired with a shimmery peachy-pink gloss. However, all of the shades can be worn alone or mixed and matched together.

For more details about all three lip duos,

How-To: Patent Lips

bellasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:00:53 -0700

One of next season's hottest trends is ultrashiny, patent-looking lips. We've seen it on the runways of Baby Phat, Gareth Pugh, and Inbar Spector. This glossy, opaque lip is bold, shimmer-free and requires both lipstick and gloss to create. For step-by-step directions on how you can attain this an undeniably sexy wet look,

BellaSugar's Top Five Hot Pink Lip Gloss Picks

bellasugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:00:28 -0700

Hot pink lip glosses are a summertime must have. They're flirtier than a classic red and pack more punch than a pastel. Plus, they match all of this season's trendiest neon pink nail polishes. If you're willing to try wearing a bright and daring hot pink pout, below are five of my favorites for you to check out! (I'm a poet and didn't know it.)

Sephora Brand Ultra-Shine Lip Gloss in Hot Pink ($15) is a semi-sheer, shimmery gloss with a sweet taste that glides on smooth and has a doe-foot applicator.
Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Gloss in Brighten Pink ($25) is a sugary, sheer yet bright and smooth gloss that doesn't have an overbearing, synthetic scent.
Stila It Gloss in Smashing ($18) is a creamy, not too bright punch of pink gloss that goes on more opaque than their famous click glosses, but is more sheer than a lipstick.
Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Pink Popsicle ($19) is a bright pink shade that doesn't contain any shimmer. This gloss creates tons of shine, but the only drawback is the icky sticky factor (just warning you). It was a limited-edition color, but I've found some in stock if you act fast!
Lancome Color Fever Lip Gloss in Volcanic Pink ($23) is by far the brightest and boldest pink I've ever worn. And although it looks shocking in the tube it goes on quite sheer. I like to pair it with a champagne shadow and black liquid eyeliner.

geeksugar Slips Into Hot Pants (It's Not What You Think)

bellasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Even though geeksugar is all about natural beauty, she doesn't avoid makeup completely. She recently showed me her latest obsession, and so without further ado, here's her take on it:

"Aside from having way too many cell phones, here's another little known fact about me: I'm obsessed with lip gloss! Yes, I gain great pleasure in finding the perfect gloss that will add shine, shimmer, and subtle color to my lips. This doesn't happen very often, but I just found a lip gloss that is not only glittery goodness through and through, but it has tech appeal as well!

Lip Lust by Hot Pants Cosmetics is juicy, smells so good you want to eat it, and comes with a handy mirror for checking touch-ups — and it has a built-in LED light hidden in the cap!! Geek or nongeek, how great is that?!

Each time you open the gloss, the light will turn on so you can see exactly where to apply your gloss . . . which is so handy for colors with more hue. And let me tell you, I gave it a whirl while out on the town with some girlfriends last weekend, and not only did the ladies stare, but the guys couldn't help but ask about this ingenious invention!

To see why else I absolutely love this gloss, just

BellaSugar’s Top Picks For Nude Lip Glosses

bellasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:00:11 -0700

Nude lip glosses are the end all, be all of makeup because they're so versatile. They can be worn on a bare face, with a dark or metallic smoky eye or with a touch of blush and mascara. They've been one of the top beauty trends among celebrities and It girls for the past few years and it doesn't seem like this pale lip look is going anywhere.

Below, I've listed my all-time top five favorite nude glosses — and let me just say, these were not slim pickings. There are so many to choose from, but I based my decision on color versatility, texture and scent. What's your top pick for nude lip gloss?

Besame Cosmetics Enchanted Lip Glaze in Latte ($23) is a thick, creamy and sweet vanilla-scented gloss that leaves lips feeling moisturized and looking off-the-charts shiny.
Scott Barnes Lip Slick in Suggestive ($22) is an over-the-top creamy lipsticky-lipgloss. It's a favorite of Jennifer Lopez and Kate Hudson and is available in five nude shades to suit all skin tones.
Laura Mercier in Petal ($22) is a rich, opalescent, beigy-pink shade that lasts long and has been recently re-formulated with a hint of vanilla. The shine is brilliant and the neutral color makes it a makeup case staple.
Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Gloss in Quartz ($16) has remained one of my favorite glosses for over a year because of its smooth, non-tacky texture and wearable color. It's by far the palest of the nudes listed, and looks beautiful over a neutral lipstick or worn alone.
Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in Beige Velvet ($24.50) is a shiny, light-reflecting nude-pink lip gloss that blends into the color of your lips. This is my go-to gloss for subtle daytime color.

MAC's Lip Gloss Gets a Bit of Razzle-Dazzle

bellasugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:00:39 -0700

If glitter and shine are your things, you must try MAC's latest gloss launch, Dazzleglass ($16.50). Since coming on the scene last month, it's already sold out online, but makeup counters still have stock left. This stuff is the shiniest, most glimmering gloss I've ever tried. We're not talking shimmer, we're talking full-on Danceteria sparkles. That may or may not be your thing — it's probably not something I'll wear every day — but Dazzleglass is notable for its utter lack of subtlety. Tons of fun.

The shade shown here is Glamour O.D., which MAC calls a bright coral red. (Looks more pinkish to me, but tomato tomahto.) This is such a flirty color, and if you look closely, you can see the iridescent pearly pigments in the gloss. Less versatile, however, is the Comet Blue color, which is a pale shade of, well, blue. Think it can still look OK? Find out and see pictures when you

Would You Buy This $49 Lip Gloss?

bellasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:00:21 -0700

This lip gloss looks pretty sweet, right? The BlingFusion plumper promises to brighten your smile, plump your pout, and hydrate chapped lips. The formula's supposed to be fantastic, but at $36, it's a little high for me. And now, this sparkling version sells for $49 a tube. Too rich for my tastes, especially considering the anemic economy — but someone's buying it, right?

Would You Buy This $49 Lip Gloss?

Sure. It's cute and fun.

No. It's too pricey for me.

BellaSugar's Top Five Sex Kitten Lip Glosses

bellasugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:00:40 -0700

Below are my top five favorite lip gloss options for sultry, sex-kitten lips. These pale pinks and peaches (sans shimmer, glitter or any kind of opalescence for that matter) cool down the natural flesh tone of your lips to an icy finish and look the hottest when paired with a smoky eye. Which of your lip glosses makes you feel the sexiest?

Scott Barnes Flossy Glossy in Meow ($22) is a peachy-pinky gloss that has a little bit of a chalky effect without the matte finish. It blends easily and looks amazing alone or over a nude lipstick.
MAC Lip Glass in Underage ($14) is a soft, pale-pink, high-shine lip gloss. Rumor has it that it's also Carmen Electra's fave (talk about a sex kitten personified)!

For two other glosses to make you purr,

Kissable Couture's Bare Your Soul Summer Nudes Collection

bellasugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:01:35 -0700

Summertime is all about flaunting your sexy skin. What better way to enhance it with than a collection of sultry nude lip glosses? Kissable Couture has just released The Nudes Collection, three shiny new shades to bring the total number of glosses to 13.

Each of the glosses have a light, nontacky texture, a sweet (but not overbearingly so) scent and retail for $22. The colors are deeper than the original collection: they all have shimmer, and they are all members of the golden toffee-colored family.

Innocence, the lightest of the bunch, is a champagne-creme brulee color. It goes on sheer and would look great alone or on top of any of your favorite lipstick.
Honesty is a creamy, rich caramel shade that has a slight glimmer of shimmer.
Exposed is a dark, metallic bronzey-brown that is charged with oodles of shimmer.

To see close-up shots of each of the shades,

New Product Alert: Enbrightenment BriteSmile Whitener and Tarte Lip Gloss

bellasugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:00:38 -0700

I haven't tried this new Enbrightenment BriteSmile Whitener & Tarte Lipgloss ($26) yet, but it totally caught my eye when I was web shopping over the weekend. From what I understand, one side of the tube contains a vitamin-rich lip gloss and the other side houses a teeth-whitening formula.

The teeth-whitening side contains .05 oz. of BriteSmile bleaching formula with a brush on the end of the wand to facilitate application. I've heard mixed reviews about BriteSmile. Some say it's worked wonders, while others have experienced overbearing toothaches and post-treatment sensitivity.

The lip gloss side contains .05 oz. of antioxidant-rich fruits such as goji berry, maracuja, acerola, pomegranate, jojoba seed oil, and acai and there's also a brush on the end for smooth and even application. The two available shades; pearly pink and radiant red are described as sheer with a peppermint flavor. The idea behind the product sounds interesting and practical enough to me — a bright, white smile (within 14 days) enhanced by a lip gloss. Have any of you tried it yet? If so, what are your thoughts?

What's Your Favorite Type of Lip Product?

bellasugar — Sat, 17 May 2008 06:00:43 -0700

I've learned that an astounding number of you prefer to use powder blush over cream blush, mineral blushes or cheek stains, and now I want to know about your love of lip products. When I'm heading out the door, my go-to lip product is usually a neutral, shimmery lip gloss. Do you also reach for a gloss or are you more of a tinted or a plain lip balm, lipstick or lip stain kind of gal?

New Product Alert: Lipstick Queen Shine Hard Core Gloss

bellasugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:00:30 -0700

Ladies, take your bodyguards along for protection when you wear your new Shine Hard Core Gloss ($22) from Lipstick Queen. Creator Poppy King knew exactly what kind of trouble she was causing for us when she re-launched this 1970's disco-inspired product. Think of Paris Hilton's gleaming pout and then multiply it ten-fold.

There's nothing subtle whatsoever about this thick, tacky, sticky, goopy, gooey gloss. The closest analogy I can think of is how honey keeps lingering until you use your finger to stop the drip. This has a similar consistency, only honey smells sweet. Shine Hard Core Gloss has an old-school thing going on instead; it's odorless, so you really are just smelling the actual ingredients. All of this being said, I love this product. It's fun, it's daring — and it's best worn on a day with no wind! If you're looking for a wet-looking, extreme shine kind of gloss, this pot's for you!

For a description of each of the six available saint and sinner color options,

Doing Drugstore: Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother Cooling Hydragel

bellasugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:00:52 -0700

I always have to giggle when a product has a name this long. That's a lot of name to live up to. This Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother Cooling Hydragel ($7) caught my eye because of the pleasant yet not-too-intense pink color. Another gloss reels me in, hook, line and sinker.

The Cooling Hydragel Gloss uses glycerin to moisturize, soothe, and provide a high-sheen gloss. This little guy packs quite the punch: it's thick and gooey, smells overwhelmingly sweet, and made my lips feel tingly and cool. The appearance is super-shiny with little to no detectable color (admittedly I chose the pink shade closest to my own lip color). In fact, the product is so incredibly thick and shiny that it ends up being also really sticky — so much so that I found myself avoiding pursing my lips just to avoid the discomfort of them sticking together.

I like the slick feeling of lip gloss, but this was just too sticky for me. It also has an annoying tropical fruit punch flavor that's strikingly similar to the super-sweet stuff you drank as a kid. I can't tell if this is an '80s throwback, or just a really poorly executed marketing decision. In all fairness, when I gave a friend a sniff, she loved it. To each their own, I guess. See what it looks like for yourself when you

Coming Soon: Victoria's Secret Crystal Lip Glimmers

bellasugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:00:05 -0700

This July, expect to be blinded by six new Crystal Lip Shimmers ($12) from Victoria's Secret. The sweet-smelling (think cherry Bonne Belle lip balms) glosses are packed with serious amounts of glitter. They have a featherweight texture and provide a stellar, disco ball shine. The colors have lusty names like Devour and Hunger — and I'm totally hooked on the pretty peachy coral color called Tasty.

They get my vote because they're so sheer and layer-able. I'm not sure what's with the sugary-ness in all things Victoria's Secret, but I'm becoming quite interested in researching the sales of flavored vs. non-flavored cosmetics. This company is far too profitable not to be onto something here. So if I ever come out with a BellaSugar gloss and it's sweet, you'll know why! For a description of each of the six colors,

Do You Match Your Lipstick to Your Nail Polish?

bellasugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:59 -0700

When I went to college, I noticed that students from the South matched their lipstick to their nail polish. It's what their mothers taught them was the prim and proper way to beautify. I always thought it was a little bit much for me, but they definitely looked more put together than I ever did.The matchiness made me notice the details of beauty products more, and I started to appreciate how nail polish can be an accessory to complement any outfit. Over time, I find that I coordinate it with my clothes more than I do with the rest of my makeup, though. As a general rule, do you match your lipstick to your nail polish? Source

Do You Match Your Lipstick to Your Nail Polish?

Yes, always.

Sometimes I do, but not always.

I never do.

Other — I'll tell you in a comment below.

New Product Alert: Nars Orgasm Set

bellasugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:00:22 -0700

Ah, it's here: the Nars Orgasm set ($30). If you're not aware, Orgasm began as a beautiful pinky-peach blush with a hint of shimmer (and a long list of celebrity fans). It later became a Nars multiple, a lip gloss, and now it's a limited-edition nail polish.

The blush really does live up to the hype: It gives a great glow with just the right amount of color, so it's my daily go-to shade. (Psst, Revlon makes a clone that's pretty close, too.) I bought the lip gloss a couple of years ago, and while it's a pretty color, it isn't as much of a must-have. But now that the polish is available, I've ordered the set. At $30, it's actually a good deal for Nars — and the way that shade looks in the bottle is reason enough to have yet another Orgasm.

Back to Basics: The Best Peach Lip Glosses

bellasugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:00:55 -0700

There's something about peach lip gloss that is universally flattering (but especially on blue-eyed beauties). The challenge is to find the right balance between coral and pink tones.

Kate Hudson wore a frosty coral-peach-colored lipstick to the London premiere of Fool's Gold and just look at how it warms up her skin. Below are my top picks for peach glosses.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Peach ($19) is more of a pale, icy shade than a deep creamy color. The shine is incredible, and every time that I pair it with a little bit of bronzer and a champagne eye shadow, it makes my entire face light up. I wish they made the formula a little less tacky, because the only drawback is that I usually have to wear my hair up or else I find that I'm always picking my hair out of my mouth.

For two other pretty peach lip glosses,

DIY Spa Treatment: Make Your Own Shimmer Lip Gloss

bellasugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:00:50 -0700

Recently I was shopping around in a toy store looking for gifts for the wee ones in my family when I came across a make-your-own lipstick kit. It came equipped with a sparkly container, food coloring, and what appeared to be a generic brand of Pixy Stix to flavor the gloss. I read the contents and the directions on the back and thought I'd share this simple recipe with you. And don't worry, this one's more exciting than just mashing up your old blush. What can I say, I guess the kid in me will never tire of rolling up my sleeves for a fun, hands-on project. Here's what you'll need:

food coloring

an empty container

1 tsp. sugar flavoring (i.e. Pixy Stix)

a pinch of glitter

1/4 tsp of hot water

1 heaping tbsp. petroleum jelly

For three fool-proof directions,

Trial-Sized Beauty: Three Ways to Take Color for a Spin

bellasugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:00:19 -0700

It's always fun to play with new makeup colors and products, but sometimes it's hard to shell out the cash for a color when you're just not sure how it's going to look when you leave the store. If you don't live near a major shopping mall or a Sephora, it's even harder to make color choices online. To help alleviate this problem, I've picked out three pretty beauty sets that allow you to try a range of colors for each product before you decide to splurge on the full-sized version.

Thinking about experimenting with a turquoise blue eye shadow, but not quite sure if you can pull it off? Try these Cargo Eyeshadow Color Cards ($24). This set contains 28 single-use sliding tins that can slip right into a pocket or a purse and allow you to test out six different shades of Cargo eye shadow colors. If you find one you like, you can purchase the full-sized version.

To see ways to sample colors for your nails and lips,

Pastel Products, Part III: Lively Lips

bellasugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:00:35 -0700

Spring is a great time to play around with pretty shades of pastel lip colors. While some years breed paler pouts than others, one of this season's hottest beauty trends involves vibrant variations on pinks, purples, peaches, and even yellows. Here are three colors I love, and a few more that are just too fun to leave out.

Trish McEvoy Lip Gloss in Serene ($22) is a sheer lilac color that looks beautiful blended over a deep purple or pink lipstick. The consistency is thick and creamy, and although it's slightly sticky, it is also extraordinarily shiny.

Givenchy Pop Gloss in Fizz Peach ($23.50) is a creamy peach lip gloss with little sparkles in the formula that reflect light. The texture is smooth, the shine is remarkable and the color is sheer (and looks fab with a fake tan)!

For one more pretty pastel lip product,

New Product Alert: Flirt! Cosmetics Glamourazzi Lip Lacquer

bellasugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:00:53 -0700

Flirt! Cosmetics has just introduced a shiny treat called Glamourazzi Lip Lacquer ($12). Only three shades are out now, but come April, expect to see twelve more gorgeous glosses ranging from translucent to ruby red.

What makes these noteworthy is that the formula is a cross between a smooth opaque lipstick and a shiny gloss — however, this product isn't one-of-a-kind. If it reminds you of the November lip launch from Chanel then we're on the same page. But before you label it a knockoff, can you blame them for trying to re-create genius? As the saying goes, imitation is the best form of flattery.

The benefits of this breed of lip product are unmatched. You get more color and more staying power than a gloss, and they are not nearly as flat nor as drying as a lipstick.

The major differences between the two products is that the Flirt! brand uses shimmer, the cost is (significantly) lower and the texture is thicker. I happen to like both of them, but I like them for different reasons. The Flirt lacquer has more of a glossy look and feel, while the Chanel lacquer is more of a creamy lipstick with a little bit of shine. I'll leave it to you to test them out on your own.

What's in Vegan Lip Balm? None of Your Beeswax. (No, Really.)

bellasugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:00:27 -0700

Varieties of vegetarians can be confusing to some people. Whereas many vegetarians, such as yours truly, will eat cheese and eggs, vegans don't eat any animal-based foods — that means no dairy, no honey, and no marshmallows.
Of course, vegans they also avoid beauty products made with any animal-based ingredients, and most won't use anything that's been tested on animals.

Fortunately, finding animal-friendly beauty is just as easy as cooking an amazing veggie meal. (Need proof? Check out Yum's recipes.) The really good news is that vegan products are almost always all-natural, since the synthetic ingredients in beauty products are often the ones that use animal testing in the first place.

So if you're interested in trying some vegan-friendly lip treatments, I've put together a few suggestions of lip-saving balms and pretty glosses worth checking out. Have a look!

Lookalike Products: Clickable Brilliant Shine Lip Glosses

bellasugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:00:19 -0700

One of my current beauty obsessions is Yves Saint Laurent Touche Brilliance. It's a sheer, thin-textured, sweet-smelling lip gloss that comes in a clickable pen, and it contains little specs of glitter that create the most incredible amount of shine. To my surprise, I saw an almost identical version created by Victoria's Secret.

Although the Victoria's Secret tube is slightly fatter even though it contains .03 oz. less product (hmmm, I guess that means there's more air inside) I'm willing to bet that if you showed these to a nonbeauty junkie they wouldn't be able to tell them apart. If you're interested in more of the nitty-gritty details,

Beauty Mark It! The Perfect Nude Lip

bellasugar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:00:15 -0700

If you've been keeping an eye on Fashion Week, you may have noticed an undeniable trend: nude lips are in. The perfect nude lip is also a timeless, classic beauty look for all seasons, but not necessarily an easy one to perfect. That is why I present you with this week's Beauty Mark It challenge: find the best nude lip colors!

While matte lips are the season's big trend, I'm not opposed to something with a little more shine to it, either. I'm in love with MAC 3N, a perfect pinky-neutral, but alas, the limited-edition shade is sold out. So let me know what your tried-and-true favorites are, or something new that you love or are dying to try.

Share your choices by bookmarking items from around the web and tagging them with the phrase nude lip. I'll feature your favorites here next Tuesday.

To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores,

New Product Alert: Tarte Double Dose Lip Gloss

bellasugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:00:09 -0800

Over the past year or so, Tarte has redefined its brand to include more natural ingredients, and it's also come out with some more innovations. One of these products is Double Dose ($21), a lip gloss with a fruit-derived vitamin complex. Tarte calls it the t5 superfruit complex due to its blend of goji, acai, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate — all of which are high in antioxidants. On the healthy-girl tip, it also uses mineral pigments for color, and it's free of parabens, mineral oil, and phthalates.

I love the colors because they're flattering for so many different skin tones. What's more, the dual-tubed design of the product allows you to customize the shade that comes out on your lips. By squeezing from the middle, you'll get a more pigmented color; for sheerer coverage, squeeze from the tip of the tube. The only thing I'm not wild about is the inclusion of peppermint oil; it smells great, but the tingling sensation is a little much for me. (So sue me, I like boring lip sensations.) If, on the other hand, you like a little oomph with your lip gloss, you'll probably be very happy with Double Dose.

Christopher Kane's Juicy Tubes are Quite Worldly

bellasugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:00:30 -0800

Fab is a fan of London designer Christopher Kane, so I have a feeling she's going to love his collaboration with Lancome. He's created a limited-edition set of Juicy Tubes lip glosses ($18 each), each inspired by New York, Paris, Tokyo, or Rio de Janeiro. Check out Christopher's Art Nouveau-inspired illustrations on the packaging; they are so dreamy and fanciful.

If you're interested in the glosses, you should check out Red Hot New York, a slightly blue-toned red shade. Don't be scared by the bold hue — slightly sheer red glosses are a lot easier to wear than you might imagine, and it's a good way to ease into red without looking like the Joker.

Laura Mercier Reformulates Her Famous Lip Glace

bellasugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:00:13 -0800

One of my favorite lip glosses is Violet Glace by Laura Mercier. It's incredibly shiny, thick but not sticky, and I find that it stays on longer than most glosses. It also looks great over just about any pink or purple shade of lipstick. When I first heard that she was going to be discontinuing this long-time formula and updating it with lip-plumping ingredient Maxi Lip, I panicked. Not only am I not a huge fan of prickly plumping glosses, but the packaging has changed too, and I like my slender gloss just the way it is. (You can probably tell, I'm not really one who favors change.)

Luckily I had the chance to test out a few samples of the new product, and that calmed my fears. To my relief, they are just as smooth, just as shiny and they have the same texture. Only now, they're infused with a sweet marshmallow scent (don't worry, it's just a slight fragrance). Also, the Maxi Lip only tingles for a second or two and then it completely dissipates.

The amount of product inside each tube has been plumped up, too. The original version contains 0.13 ounces, and the new one contains 0.159 ounces—which is great considering the price jump from $20 to $22. The glosses will be available in three finishes (shimmer, shine and sheen), three coverages (sheer, medium and full) and 14 colors this April.

Doing Drugstore: Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Lip Sheen

bellasugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:00:22 -0800

I'm so excited because I think I've discovered the perfect clear lip gloss—and it's inexpensive! Physician's Formula has recently released new products for Spring 2008, including Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Lip Sheens ($7.95). I've tried the quartz color and not only is it completely clear when it's on, but it gives your lips a brilliant shine without being sticky whatsoever.

The gloss is thicker than Vaseline, but it's not nearly as gooey as, say, Lancome Juicy Tubes. In addition, it has that fun, clicky pen style packaging that forces product through tiny holes in the top as you twist it. It has a smooth, rubbery angled tip to help with even application, and it's fragrance-free. Who's interested?

Coming Soon: The Balm Kiss MS Goodbye Lip Gloss

bellasugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:00:42 -0800

March 10th marks National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Week, and makeup maven Marissa Shipman has created yet another charitable beauty product for the occasion. Kiss MS Goodbye Lip Gloss is her best-selling shimmery, sheer peach Balm Shelter Lip Gloss called Girly Girl, but throughout the month of March it has new packaging and 20% of sales will go to the New York City chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The gloss contains SPF 17, it has a banana-strawberry scent (you guessed it, I'm a big fan) and it costs $18. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we saw a wide variety of beauty brands create products whose proceeds helped fund cancer research and outreach programs. I only hope this trend will catch on and we start to see charitable creations within the industry more frequently.

Silky Strawberry Lip Balms

bellasugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:00:37 -0800

Welcome to my final installment of strawberry beauty products. Those of you who missed the reading about strawberry body creams, scrubs and cleansers, have no fear — you can find everything here. These three goodies are smooth lip smackers to help soothe, condition and impart shine to your lips. And not only do they smell like strawberries, they taste like them too!

Smith's Strawberry Rosebud Lip Balm ($4.49) is the latest launch in the Smith's salve family. This all-purpose balm isn't restricted to lip love only; I use it on my cuticles, hands, knees and even my eyes sometimes. This strawberry version smells of roses and strawberries mixed together — it's amazing!

For two more strawberry lip balms,

Doing Drugstore: Styli-Style Hipsticks

bellasugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:00:22 -0800

Being the habitual browser that I am, I couldn't help but try out this hip new lip product from Styli-Style called Hipstick ($7.99). The bright packaging, the fun name and the shiny product oozing through the felt-tip applicator were too enticing to resist.

And the texture is equally as exciting. It's incredibly creamy and sheer, falling somewhere between a lipstick and a gloss. It's even fun to apply. Just twist the base and watch the color filter to the top. The soft, angled tip is contoured to fit your lip, making the application foolproof and smooth.

The only drawback is that it doesn't last as long as I'd like. It seems like the more often you rub your lips together, the faster it vanishes into your skin. While it's wonderfully moisturizing, when I apply color to my lips, I'd like it to stick around, or else I'd just as soon wear a lip balm. But if you're interested, Hipstick is available in 12 colors ranging from neutral nudes to deep berries and is available in drugstores.

Kissable Couture's Dreamy Valentine's Day Collection

bellasugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:11 -0800

In case you missed my post last month about the fabulous new brand of glosses from Keisha Nash Whitaker and celebrity makeup artist AJ Crimson, the creators of Kissable Couture, don't worry because you're just in time to take a peek at their brand-new collection for Valentine's Day.

During the course of the month, I've been testing out Dylan, and goodness gracious, I'm in love! This sweet pink shade isn't too young looking, in fact it's really sheer, shimmery, not overly sticky, and it's actually very moisturizing. Way to go KC! Now I am more psyched than ever to check out three new colors ($22 each) that have been named after (awww) "everything love inspires." Here's a description:

Fantasies a bold, sheer red rose

Dreams an airy, soft, pale pink

Bliss a shimmery mauvy rose

So, whatcha think? Are you sold on Kissable Couture, or do you think it's still a little too cutesy for your taste?

Valentine's Day Beauty Part I: Luscious Lips

bellasugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:00:05 -0800

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you'll want to prepare your pout with some provocative products to pucker up with! These love-inspired lip treats are perfect for the big day. This marks the first part of my four-post series on Valentine's Day makeup, so come back tomorrow for more lovey ideas.

Benefit Cupid's Bow Lovely Lip Shaping Set ($2 contains all the goodies you need to create a dead-sexy mouth. Your cupid's bow is the little area on your upper lip that dips down. You can play it up for a widening effect or add a highlighter and shine for fullness. Inside you'll find a dual-ended lip liner and highlighter, a dual-sided blending and shaping tool.

For two more very alluring lip products,

Bellissima! Tarte Personalized Lip Glosses

bellasugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:00:48 -0800

Wondering what to get that certain beauty-obsessed bride-to-be? You know, the one who has everything? Well, fear not, because I promise she doesn't have this! Tarte is offering to customize glosses for special occasions, allowing you to pick your colors and have them packaged up beautifully, displaying the bride and groom's name.

The fun part is that you get to choose from any of Tarte's existing glosses for the gift, creating the duo of your choosing. This allows you to personalize it to the bride's coloring, or choose something party-pretty like a bright red or a sparkly pink. The best part is that when you place your order in quantities of 25 or more, you get a bulk discount of 40–50% off. These make great favors for anything from a bachelorette to a birthday party — or just any occasion that calls for some shimmer and shine.

Bella Brand: Kissable Couture

bellasugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:00:09 -0800

Two years ago, former model Keisha Nash Whitaker (wife of Oscar winner Forest Whitaker) and celebrity makeup artist friend AJ Crimson set out to design their own line of luscious lip glosses. Just a few short months ago, their dreams became a reality and Kissable Couture launched the First Kiss Collection.

The shimmery, smooth glosses ($22) range in color from peach to burgundy. There are seven shades in the collection, and the cutest part of all is that every gloss is named after fellas that Keisha and her friends have kissed (i.e. Eric, Dylan, Chris, David, Johnny, Tyler and of course Forest).

Only one collection has been released so far, but stay tuned for a few new shades that are due out just before Valentine's Day!

For a description of each of the six colors,

DuWop Takes Your Lips to the Moon

bellasugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:00:48 -0800

DuWop just can't stop re-inventing ways to push its famous Lip Venom on us. Last year they created a silver version, and this year we can plump our lips to out-of-this-world proportions with Moon Venom ($17). So far in 2008, I'm sensing things are going to be galaxy-themed—has anybody else noticed that?

Even though Moon Venom is technically the same formula as the original, what makes it different is that opalescent shimmer has been added to the mix of cinnamon, wintergreen and ginger essential oils.

While I won't be purchasing this gloss —this stuff is way too tingly for my taste — I'm sure lots of you are excited that your favorite lip plumper has a new special twist.