Blog Posts by BellaSugar

Source: Minute Makeover: How to Look Awake in No Time

Sometimes it takes more than a strong cup of coffee to make you look like you got your eight hours the night before. Puffy eyes, sallow skin, and droopy lids are all signs of a less-than-restful night. Luckily, there are some sly tips and tricks for helping you look on your A-game. And the best part is, they only take a minute.

• Curl your eyelashes and add a coat of mascara. The lift will help your eyes look more open and awake instantly.
• Dab some concealer under your eyes to mask dark circles. Focus an orange-tinted concealer from the inner corner of your eye to the middle of your iris for the most natural coverage.
• Line the inner rim of your eye with a white liner. This will make the whites of your eyes look larger, which will make you look more awake.
• Sallow skin is a giveaway of the sleep-deprived. Swipe bronzer along your hairline, from the tops of your ears to the bottom of your lips, and along your jawline.

Source: 5 Steps to Covering a Pimple, With Tips From Carmindy

Breakouts: everybody gets them at some point or another. And while it may seem like the world is zeroing in on your spots, celebrity makeup artist Carmindy (who has recently partnered with Abreva) urges you to think otherwise. "First and foremost, you want to just take a deep breath and relax, and realize that nobody sees your pimples as much as you are," she says. "Pimples can be a real confidence killer, but they don't have to be." Five steps for concealing acne with confidence when you read more.

• Treat: "First of all, you want to get yourself a salicylic acid [treatment] or even a salicylic-glycolic acid combination," Carmindy advises. What this does is help dry out the pimple and assist in clearing the complexion.
• Prep: Apply moisturizer and primer as usual, but avoid putting them directly on your pimple(s) in order to keep your impending makeup from slipping off. Tip: dab a clean cotton swab over the

Source: 6 Beauty Essentials to Keep in Your Bag This Fall

For Hair

• Conditioner: If you only buy one hair product this season, conditioner is it. Because strands often suffer from moisture loss during Fall, opt to cleanse with a conditioner at least once a week for a gentler wash. You can also use a little bit of product as a leave-in from midshaft to ends. So long, frizz.

• Solid perfume: Don't let your favorite fragrance get carried away by the heavy wind this season. Try a highly concentrated solid perfume instead for a hint of moisture and a whole lot of scent.
• Vaseline: Petroleum jelly is a natural moisturizer that will help heal your driest areas. Lips, hands, elbows, knees, cuticles, and heels can all benefit from the added hydration.

• Foundation: Bring out the heavier foundation for the colder months to give your skin the added protection and coverage it craves. Also, plan to keep face powder nearby to maintain the matte makeup

Source: 9 Reasons You Don't Have the Nails You Want

Your hands can reveal a lot about you, from a nervous disposition to even medical ailments. It's time to stop hiding your nails from the world, though. Grow longer, stronger nails with these nine talon-saving tips.

1. You Bite You've been a busy beaver chomping on your tips. Not only does nail-biting (aka onychophagia) hinder growth, but it can facilitate the spread of infections and harm your teeth. Especially avoid ripping off hangnails with your mouth; soften the skin with moisturizer and clip carefully instead.
2. You Skip Cuticle Care Hydrating your nail bed is crucial for achieving long, shiny nails. Moisturize the cuticle with oil and lotion often. Also when you visit the salon, skip cuticle cutting and opt for a gentle push-back instead.
3. You Overwork Your Tips Filing and buffing can leave you with jagged, peeling ends if you do it the wrong way. Use a fine-grit emery board to shape your nails, sweeping in one direction on

Source: 5 Things You Need to Know to Care For Curly Hair This Fall

Curly hair constantly craves moisture, and when the temperature drops, hydration can be hard to come by. Don't allow your kinks and coils to suffer, though. Heed these five tips to maintain the best curls possible - no matter what Fall blows your way. Get seasonal styling advice when you read more.

1. Conditioner is still your best friend: The biting Fall air has trouble holding moisture, and therefore wants to steal hydration from your scalp and strands. Keep your hair as hydrated as possible by co-washing (that's conditioning in lieu of shampooing) over using clarifying shampoos. Increase the frequency and length of your deep conditioning regimen, as well. After applying your heavy-duty hydrator, cover hair with a plastic cap and towel for at least 30 minutes to lock in heat (or you can use an electric steamer or conditioning cap).
2. Your ends are under attack: The fragile ends of hair are the most susceptible to

Source: Minute Makeover: Revive Flat Roots in a Snap

Hair can be a little testy from time to time, and trying to get it to bounce back when you're not within five feet of a blow dryer might seem near impossible. Everything from product overload to a rainy afternoon to your trendy chapeau can suck the height right out. But when your roots go limp and you're in a pinch, there are quick steps to take to give them a shot of volume.

• If your hair is a little damp, simply flip your head upside down and finger-brush it away from your scalp to keep it from matting against your head.
• If you have a dry shampoo, take the top two layers of your hair and apply the product to the roots only. One that adds volume, like Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo ($15), is good to have on hand. Plus, it comes in a purse-friendly size.
• Strategically spritzed shots of hair spray are another way to jolt flat hair back to life. Standing with your head upside down, divide your hair from ear-to-ear, and

Source: Yes, You Can Wear Bold Eyes and Lips Together

The general rule of thumb when it comes to makeup is balance: if you're wearing a bold eye shadow look, then keep your lips toned down and vice versa. But beauty rules are meant to be broken . . . or at least amended. Just ask Solange Knowles, who pulled off a gorgeously curated bold-on-bold makeup palette. Donning stick-straight strands, the singer accentuated her style with a gunmetal smoky eye and a bright red lipstick for a look that was glamorous without being overdone.

So how do you pull it off? Stick to your old friend balance. Mix up your textures to prevent the look from verging on overwhelming. Solange's shadow had a ton of sparkle, so she kept her lipstick matte. If your lips are glossy, on the other hand, opt for a matte eye shadow. Bold can be beautiful, and as long as your makeup is in harmony, there's no reason why you shouldn't wear a look similar to Solange's.


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Source: 3 Steps to Getting a Faux Glow For Fall

Looking warm and glowy in Summer is a whole lot easier than it is in Fall. That doesn't mean you have to adopt a dull or pasty complexion this season, though. Brighten up and find out how to create a radiant finish sans shimmer, when you continue reading.

Step 1: Bronzer is a year-round beauty tool that helps mimic a warmed look. When it comes to choosing a glow-inducing product for Fall, veer toward the matte side of the spectrum for a more natural finish. Contour by sweeping the product from the top of the ear to the corner of the lip, fading the color as you move downward. Try MAC Sculpting Cream ($20), a cream-to-powder formula.
Step 2: Whipping winds may give you a natural flush, but rely on blush for a longer-lasting (and less harsh) effect. Cream blush is the most moisturizing option for dry skin, and if you top your dewy cheeks with a matte blush in a similar color (go with deep rose and peach tones for Fall), you'll get to