Blog Posts by BellaSugar

Source: Pro Tips on Perfecting Bold Lipstick

The quickest (and easiest) way to change up your makeup look is with a swipe of vivid lip color. Whether you opt for something classic like red or go for something fun like fuchsia or tangerine, we had MAC senior artist Luc Bouchard teach us the tricks to mastering pigmented lip color.

• Hydrate With Lip Balm: Start off by applying lip balm to hydrate your lips. "It's so much easier to apply lip color when your lips have moisture," Bouchard explains. "The color can just glide on."
• Apply a Lip Primer: After you blot off any excess balm, go over your lips with a primer, like MAC Prep + Prime Lip ($16). This will seal in moisture, smooth out your lips, and help make your lipstick last longer.
• Look One: Stained Lips: Now that your lips are set, create a stained effect by dabbing the lipstick on your lips with your fingers. This is the perfect way to ease into wearing the bold lip trend.
• Stained Lips: The final

BellaSugarSource: 10 Ways to Wear Bright Lips This Winter

Winter seems to turn your wardrobe black and your makeup palette gray, but fight the urge to go drab with a shock of bright lipstick. A classic matte red is always a fan favorite for the season. However, there are plenty of ways to step out of the box with pigmented purples, rusty oranges, and even cool coral tones. Snap yourself out of a cold weather haze with these bright lipstick ideas from the runway.

• Red Crush: Matching lips and nails isn't revolutionary. But what about matching lips and cheeks? Models at Michael Kors wore a cerise flush that covered the entire cheek.
• Raspberry Kiss: Purple lipstick doesn't always mean vampy plums. Brighten it up with a fuchsia hue as seen at Rochas. The vibrant violet will bring flair to any all black ensemble.
• Pinky Promise: When wearing a bright lip color, it's best to tone down the eye makeup. Go for a simple but graphic eyeliner look as seen on the Kenzo runway.

BellaSugarSource: DIY Hair Mask Recipes For Every Hair Type

Deep conditioner is a must have to combat dried-out hair in Winter, and getting silky-smooth strands can be as easy as taking a trip to the kitchen. Mask mixologist Samira Asemanfar of The Broot (an all-natural hair mask bar in Santa Monica, CA) breaks down the essential ingredients for every hair type. Once you stir these hair concoctions, you'll truly believe in the term: hair food. However, if you don't have the time to whip something up, you can always add a drop of coconut oil to the conditioner you already have.

Fine Hair: Just because your hair isn't thick or unruly, doesn't mean there aren't benefits to a moisturizing mask. "Banana, egg, and oils work wonders on fine hair," Asemanfar says. "The banana is one of nature's best remedies for thinning hair; the egg is a mighty protein that will give your hair the strength, shine, volume, and texture of your dreams; and oils add strength and moisture."

Itchy Scalp: Send falling

BellaSugarSource: One Simple Trick to Acing Your At-Home Manicure

DIY manicures can sometimes be more trouble than they're worth, especially when you're painting using your nondominant hand. Trying to control your polish brush around the curves of your nails inevitably results in painted cuticles and lumpy polish. But that doesn't have to be the case any longer. Nail guru Deborah Lippmann shares a simple tip for painting your opposite hand - no matter if you're right- or left-handed - and it's a lot easier than you'd think.

"The mistake we make is trying to polish our hands in the air," Lippmann says. In other words, we balance our elbow on a flat surface, put our hands directly in front of our face, and polish away. But according to Lippmann, that's a surefire way to wind up with a messy manicure.

Instead, lay your opposite hand flat on a table and angle it so your arm is parallel to your body. "When you're polishing, once you put the brush down, just pull it straight. Don't try to curve

BellaSugarSource: 10 Best Lip Glosses Under $10

Whether you're going for a full-on glamour or just a casual, fuss-free look, lip gloss is a makeup essential. You can find hundreds of varieties, but we're sifting through the tubes to find the best options that are also wallet-friendly. Click through, and swipe one on.

• Pretty in Pink: Drew Barrymore's latest venture into makeup has been on the lips of everyone. Fall in love with her new line with Flower Shine On Lip Gloss in Iris I Could Fly ($7). This flattering shade of pink looks great on everyone, and the packaging is just as gorgeous.
• Crystal Clear: Wet 'n' Wild Glassy Gloss Lip Gel ($3) gives your natural lips a layer of high shine, while it's also the perfect way to add some gloss to any lip color. Think of it like a top coat for your lips.
• Fine Wine: The rich color of the Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in Bordeaux ($7) imparts a stunning berry hue on your pout.
• Go Nude: Play down the pinkish tones in your

BellaSugarSource: Finally Get the Right Shampoo For Your Hair Type

Shampoo can be your hair's best friend . . . or arch nemesis. If you don't pick the right formula, then this shower staple can create frizz, dried-out hair and kill color. Never fear. There are a few things you can look for whether you have the coarsest curls or the finest of strands. Find out how to decode the shampoo jargon when you keep reading.

For Color-Treated Hair: There is nothing worse than watching your professionally done hair color wash down the drain. For blondes and redheads alike, it's important to maintain the luminosity of every strand. So, reach for a shampoo that is made for your specific shade (even gray), like Giovanni Colorflage Shampoo ($9), to protect against fading from the sun and dulling from hard water. In a hurry? Dry shampoo even comes in color-specific formulas.

For Curly and/or Coarse Hair: Frizz can happen when hair is craving moisture. To combat fly-aways and static, use a cream shampoo or

BellaSugarSource: Flawless Valentine's Day Makeup Looks in 5, 20, or 45 Minutes

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to experiment with bolder, brighter makeup looks. But the problem is not always a matter of what kinds of palettes and color combinations to try: it's a matter of how much time there is to actually get it all on. According to celebrity makeup artist Emily Kate Warren (who has worked with stars such as Jennifer Jason Leigh and Abigail Breslin), a quick, flattering makeup look shouldn't take longer than five minutes. So whether you have hot date-night plans or you're heading out on the town with your friends this Valentine's Day, start those stopwatches. Here are Warren's suggestions for getting an easy-peasy five-minute look, along with tips on creating 20- and 45-minute palettes.

To get a speedy, five-minute look . . .
Warren recommends applying a black mascara, a red lip stain (or a matte lipstick tapped on with the fingertips), and a bright, pink-toned blush.

And if you have

BellaSugarSource: Makeup Brush Breakdown: The Blush Brush

When fleshing out your makeup brush collection, it's easy to get slipped up on what you need. Some brushes look the same, seem to serve similar purposes, and seem like they're easy to skip. But scratch your head no longer! We're here to bust up the confusion of the brushes, starting with your standard blush brush.

What It's Used For
A blush brush is used for, well, blush. It is designed to lightly apply pigment to the apples of your cheeks, giving you a flushed, rosy tinge.

What It Looks Like
Blush brushes are domed and fluffy. Look for a brush that has natural, tapered bristles. A blush brush has a similar shape to a powder brush but is smaller. And those minibrushes you get with a lot of blushes? Can them. Since they aren't dome shaped, they'll create a sharp line instead of a soft dusting.

Why You Need It
Blush is an important step in your makeup regimen, especially if you use a heavy foundation. A blush brush is a makeup-case