BellaSugar -- You're beautiful.

Are You Over the Gold Beauty Trend?

bellasugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:00:07 -0700

I love that metallics have made a huge comeback, but what I had expected to be a blip in time has lasted well over two years. With some of the collections I've been able to take a peek at for Fall 2008 (especially the one from Chanel), it looks like heavy metals are here to stay, especially decadent gold beauty treats.I had a love affair with gold polish ever since I saw Heidi Montag and Lauren Conrad from The Hills rocking gilded nails, but now I'm getting a little bit tired of it. I can't say I'm surprised: Gold is a bold, trendy look, and trends do tend to come and go. How about you? Are you a golden girl, or are you over it?

Are You Over the Gold Beauty Trend?

No way — metallic makeup forever!

I'm starting to reach my limit.

I'm so over it.

New Product Alert: Benefit Pink to Please a Woman... Gold to Get the Guy!

bellasugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:08:16 -0800

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Benefit has launched an adorable limited-edition lip and eye palette called Pink to Please a Woman... Gold to Get the Guy! ($30). Heavy on pink and gold tones, this palette's colors make for a beautiful winter-to-spring transition.

The cute gingham-print packaging is adorned with a tiny ribboned bow, and what's inside is just as aww-inspiring. The kit features three mini shimmer shadows in champagne, gold and tender pink; it also has three sheer lipsticks in pale pink, bubblegum and deep pink. The look is warm and flirty, and the whole package is cute without being twee.

Coming Soon: Flirt! Cosmetics Glamourazzi

bellasugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:00:31 -0800

Looking for a new fragrance to get you all geared up for the red carpet or a big night on the town? If so, the latest launch from Flirt! has your name all over it. Glamourazzi comes packaged in a gold sequined box that looks like a disco ball! Now of course, you aren't going to be sold on the packaging alone, but fortunately, what's inside is also something to get revved up about.

The bottle houses an electrifying blend of fruits and florals, which will definitely grab your attention. Think of biting into a pineapple so juicy that it runs down your chin. Mix it with flowers, vanilla, and ginger and you're there. This is a fragrance you'll want to wear to get noticed. It's perfect for a night out dancing, since your scent will linger as you move. It's very strong (so don't go overboard) and very sweet, but it's also sensual.

I know that I have to let The Fashionista Diaries go already, but remember the episode when Bridget and Andrew had to find the perfect gold dress for the ad, and Janjay and Tina helped with the photo shoot? Can you believe it's taken this long to turn around in real life? Glamourazzi is due in stores just before Valentine's Day in a 1.7 oz. bottle for $35.

BellaSugar's Guide To Gilded Beauty Treasures

bellasugar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 11:00:54 -0800

A touch of sparkle and a hint of shimmer can definitely create a lot of attention. Instead of being the bashful and understated beauty in the back of the room at a party, be bold in gold! Below is my five-post series on gilded beauty treasures. Golden makeup and body products are a great way to add some oomph to dark and dreary winter days. There are a lot of choices on the market right now, so I've featured a few of my favorite gilded beauty treasures for your lips, eyes body and face that range from subtle to show-stopping. What are some of your favorite golden goodies?

Go For The Gold, Part V: Body

bellasugar — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:42:04 -0800

For those of you who prefer to keep your face matte, but still crave a little bit of shimmer for the holidays, you might like these gorgeous gold enhanced body products. Just sprinkle a little sparkle on your shoulders, decolletage, arms and legs and you'll be the Bella of the ball!

Guerlain Forever Gold Sublime Radiant Powder ($7 is a limited-edition, violet-scented gold shimmer powder for the body, face and hair. It comes in an atomizer for easy and even application—which is great, but it also definitely adds to the hefty cost.

For two more gold body products,

Go For the Gold, Part IV: Lips

bellasugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:00:59 -0800

Part four of my five-part series on gold makeup is all about gilded lips. Whether you apply a lipstick, a lip balm or lip gloss, gold lips are a perfect way to add a little bit of punch to your pout. Here are three lip products you won't want to miss this party season!

Liz Earle Sheer Gold Lip Shimmer ($9.75) is a barely-there lip balm that contains gold flecks to add a touch of subtle shine and shimmer to your lips. It's also deeply conditioning and moisturizing, so it protects your lips from chapping and drying during the Winter months.

For two more golden lip products,

Go For the Gold, Part III: Eye Liner

bellasugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:00:15 -0800

Today’s installment of the gold makeup series is about gilded eyeliner. Available in powder, liquid and gel forms, gold eyeliner has been a runway trend since Fall 2007. It’s a fun and sexy way to spice up your look for a party without going too over-the-top. Here are three gold eyeliners, I think you’ll love just as much as I do.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Honey 24K Gold ($15) is a really smooth and creamy eyeliner that mostly dries after about 30 seconds, and then stays put to a smudge- and water-proof finish. This specific color is really vibrant and looks especially amazing on those with blue eyes.

For two more gold eyeliners,

Go For the Gold, Part II: Eye Shadow

bellasugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:00:59 -0800

Welcome back to my five-part series on gold makeup. There are so many different gold eye shadows on the market right now that I found it challenging to come up with my three favorites. If you have any gorgeous and glimmery gold-metallic shadows that you especially love, please leave a comment with your recommendation below.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Glimmer in True Gold ($13) is a very sheer, almost translucent shimmer shadow that works to create a hint of subtle sparkle to your eyes. It's similar to gold dust in that it can also be worn on your décolletage and cheeks, but this also has a special quality because it can transform from wet to dry for a more dramatic effect.

For two more shimmery gold eye shadows,

The $650 Orlane Crème Royale

bellasugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:00:18 -0800

The skincare masters behind Orlane, a Parisian high-end beauty brand, has developed an extremely decadent antiaging cream fit for a princess.

Crème Royale is made from a blend of ancient Egyptian and Chinese medicines such as royal jelly, a pure-honey extract, which helps brighten and hydrate skin and boost longevity, and liquid 24-karat gold, which contains firming, antiwrinkle, and antioxidant benefits.

The result is a deep-penetrating and intensely hydrating cream that promotes healing and prevents sagging. Oh, and the price? How silly of me to forget. Just 1.7 ounces of this royal treatment costs $650. Does anyone still have an extra slot open on their holiday wish list?

Go For The Gold, Part I: Gold Dust

bellasugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:55:08 -0800

While metallics have had serious staying power over the last year, let's talk more about some of the golden treasures we've found. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that gold nail polish was the next big trend, and we already know that golden highlights are hot. We've seen numerous golden lip glosses as well as tons of glamorous gold packaging. And guess what? Here come more gilded treats! So get excited and stay tuned all week long for more golden beauty treasures. Today's topic is gold dust — a little something sparkly for the face, shoulders and decolletage.

Bonne Bell Glimmer Bronze Highlighting Dust, Gold'n Glitz ($3.95) is a loose powder with microscopic particles that create a sexy glow on your face and body. Be warned, a little shimmer goes a long way, so you'll want to tap your puff before you apply to ensure that the gold dust spreads evenly and isn't too heavy in one area. The result is a luminous glow that lasts all night long.

For more gold dust,

Trend Alert: Gold Nail Polish

bellasugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:00:29 -0800

I've always seen a range of gold polishes available in stores, but I never knew anyone who actually wore them. However, in the past two episodes of The Hills, I've spied pale gold digits on Heidi Montag. They match her newly lightened hair well and since we know that metallics aren't going anywhere, it's only natural that this gilded trend has trickled down to the fingertips. Here are a couple of wearable gold polishes to help liven up your holiday look!

MAC Gold Veneer Nail Lacquer ($10) is part of their Holiday Antiquitease Collection. It is a frosty gold, almost tarnished yellow shade that contains UV protection as well as new technology to make it extra extra glossy. One coat adds a nice pale touch to your fingers, while two coats is darker and a little bit more dramatic.

For one more gorgeous gold nail polish,

New Product Alert: Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Cream

bellasugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:00:38 -0800

This is quite the heavy hitter—and with that, I'm talking about the hit this will take on your wallet. Chantecaille has a new luxury face cream called Nano Gold Energizing Cream. Formulated from silk microfibers coated in 24-karat gold, this cream promises to reduce inflammation, promotes cell stimulation and collagen production, all while increasing circulation and the level of cell regeneration.

In addition, it claims to repair damage cause by the sun and other environmental factors—all for the price of $420. Skin will supposedly look younger, feel softer and look brighter. Would you ever consider coughing up this kind of hard-earned cash for face cream made from gold?

Guerlain Holiday 2007 Collection

bellasugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:00:37 -0700

I've been holding onto this story for a little while, since I wanted to wait until November to tell you about what's in stores. (I still can't believe that November is here already!) This Holiday 2007 collection, Guerlain Forever Gold, is simply stunning.

The luxurious array of products are not only packaged in gold, but they'll give you anything from a subtle to a striking golden glow! So if you're into the gold this season, then it's okay to be greedy this time of year. Get out your pen and paper and add these nine must-have treats to your list!

To read about each of the products in the Guerlain Forever Gold holiday collection,

Beauty Byte: Linden Leaves Blanketing the U.S.

bellasugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 11:51:14 -0700

What golden timing I have. Just yesterday, I was telling you about Linden Leaves' Gold skincare line, and now, Women's Wear Daily is reporting that the New Zealand brand will soon be available in U.S. stores.

In addition to Gold, Linden Leaves makes five other collections of bath, body, and home products: Bathtime, Herbalist, Aromatherapy Synergy, Footcare, and Home. The Linden brand will launch stateside at the end of May, when its bath oils go on sale at 50 Anthropologie stores. For more details on Linden and the launch,

Linden Leaves' 23-Karat Gold Skin Care

bellasugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 05:16:23 -0700

Last week I told you about a $300 24-carat gold facial that promises to firm and brighten skin, replenish skin cells, and reduce wrinkles. If that service is out of your price range, have no fear: I just stumbled upon a wealth of products from Linden Leaves, which offers a golden beauty option for about one-tenth the cost.

Linden's luxurious Gold skincare line — including bath oils, soaps, lotions, and mists — is made from 23-karat gold flakes, as well as fruit and flower oils like avocado and rosehips. (Life & Style magazine says Jessica Alba is a fan of the brand.) For details on this luxe line,

UMO's Ultimate 24-Carat Gold Facial

bellasugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 08:00:35 -0700

Yowzers! Talk about bringing on the bling. The Tokyo-based UMO Salon has just introduced the world's first-ever 24-carat gold facial — and, yes, it is being offered in the United States. For about $300 (that's 30,000 yen), you can enjoy the rejuvenating effects of precious gold on your face.

Gold is a very soft metal that absorbs quickly and deeply into the skin. Why, you might ask, would you want to absorb gold? It is believed to firm and brighten skin, reduce wrinkles, help drain lymph nodes and get rid of toxins, stimulate blood circulation, and help skin cells replenish at a faster pace than they would naturally grow.

The UMO facial consists of a cleansing treatment and a massage before the paper-thin 24-carat gold sheets are applied to the face. So, if you can justify spending double the price of a normal a facial, at least it seems like you are getting your money's worth.

Source

Are You Into The Gold Nail Polish Trend?

bellasugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 06:11:22 -0700

As you may already know, the French clothing company Paul & Joe has branched out into developing beauty products. I couldn't resist writing about their ultra chic metallic nail polish color called, Etoile Scintillante, $12. We've already acknowledged that silver polish is a super hot trend for Spring, but how do you feel about going for the gold? Is it something that you'll be sporting on your nails, toes, or both?

Are You Into The Gold Nail Polish Trend?

For sure! I love gold anything, this color is great for a mani or a pedi!

I think it's fab for a pedicure. Gold is a tad bit bold for my nails, but I definitely dig it.

Nope. Gold is way too out there for me!

Undecided.

Glamorous Gold Glosses

bellasugar — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:05:34 -0700

Adding a touch of warm, golden lip gloss to any lipstick you dare to wear will give you an instant shine. Just dab a dot of these shimmery, sheer glosses in the center of your lower lip, and add a touch of brilliance to your lackluster lips. Finding just the right shade can be tricky though. A too-pale, opaque color could make you look washed out and chalky. Here are my three favorite golden glosses that will surely give your kiss the Midas touch.

Make up counters can't seem to keep this Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss in stock! It's sheer and sexy and makes anything you're wearing on your lips instantly look better. It even contains traces of real 24-karat gold. Buy it here for $25.50.

T. Le Clerc Gloss Reflection Lip Gloss in Or Transparent is like having a disco ball on your lips. It's not too thick and definitely not runny and sticky. This shade is extremely sheer, and it stays on for a very long time. My favorite match with this gloss is T. Le Clerc Lipstick in Sage. Buy it here for $20.

To see the last gorgeous golden gloss,