Blog Posts by BellaSugar

BellaSugarSource: 8 Reasons Your Hair Is Breaking Off and 8 Solutions to Stop It

Hearing a snap, crackle, or pop while brushing your hair is never a good sign. While loosing the customary 100 strands per day is considered normal, breakage is a problem that's easily avoidable. Whether it's due to a too-tight ponytail, bleach overkill, or even your diet, find out your personal culprit (and solution) for breakage when you read on.

1. You're a hair puller: Tugging on your hair can cause stress and eventually breakage. So if you have a tendency to twirl your fingers in your hair, it could have the same effect as yanking out your strands.
2. You style wet: Using a brush or comb on wet hair causes strands to snap. Stick to using your fingers to detangle while your hair is sopping wet to minimize breakage when hair is at its weakest.
3. You love a tight ponytail: Pulling hair back into a tight bun or ponytail is a great option for second-day hair. But be cautious about the effect it could be having on

BellaSugarSource: 10 Unusual Uses For Clear Nail Polish

It's likely you have a few bottles of clear nail polish lying around in your manicure kit, whether it's a speedy top coat or a full lineup of prep, prime, and polish essentials. Now it's time to expand the horizons of your trusty clear lacquer into other areas, from furniture to fashion.

You'll want to keep clear nail polish on hand because it . . .

• Makes labels smudge-proof and weather-resistant by sealing in markers and paint. This comes in especially handy when labeling expiration dates on your cosmetics.
• Stops runs in stockings right in their tracks when you dab polish at both ends. This way you can get more wear out of your hosiery, even after a tiny tear.
• Keeps buttons from popping off. Just paint the threads in the center for reinforcement. Clear nail polish also protects shoe strings and other threads from unraveling thanks to its dries-hard finish.
• Eliminates rings in the bathroom. Simply coat

BellaSugarSource: How to Apply Foundation Like a Pro

Getting a flawless makeup look means you have to master the basics first. MAC senior makeup artist Romero Jennings shares the essential steps to perfecting your complexion so you have the ideal base for creating any makeup look. Click through to see his step-by-step guide.

• Prep Your Skin: "It's so important to prep your skin before you put on foundation," Jennings says. Start off with clean skin by washing your face or using a face wipe to perfect your canvas.
• Moisturize: You want to have healthy, glowing skin before you even apply your foundation. So once your skin is clean, add a little hydration with a touch of moisturizer and eye cream. "Eye cream is really important and to start at a young age," Jennings says. "If you don't want to use it during the daytime, because you feel like your skin is oily, then use it at night."
• Prime: Once your skin is hydrated, the next step is to apply a primer. "Primers really help

BellaSugarSource: How to Get the Most Moisture Out of Your Shower Routine

Holding on to moisture during the Winter is one of the tougher beauty battles. One surprising place you're losing hydration: the shower. The steamy hot water may feel good in the middle of Winter, but it's actually drying out your skin and hair. Find out three ways to add hydration back into your shower routine.

• Body: Shaving in the colder months isn't always a requirement. However, if you do reach for the blade, try something that already has a moisturizer attached like the Schick Intuition Razor ($12). Another alternative is to use hair conditioner for a smooth shave that won't dry you out.
• Hair: Deep conditioning in Winter is essential to avoiding hair static and dried-out strands. Take the time in the shower to show your hair some extra love with a deep conditioner like the Ojon Dry Recovery Mask ($30). Let the treatment seep in with the help of the heat as you finish your shower, then rinse with cold

Source: 8 Extra Beauty Steps That Are Absolutely Worth It

True, you don't need to deep condition or apply primer, and by skipping you do save time and money. However, one little extra move could mean the difference between mediocre and marvelous. Find out which bonus steps really make a difference to your daily routine:

1. Primer: It would seem that applying an extra layer of primer before foundation could be pointless. This product is worth the extra step, though. Not only does primer help makeup go on smoother and stay put longer, but also, there are plenty of formulas that do double duty by correcting redness, brightening skin, and providing sun protection.
2. Base Coat: While it takes longer to dry your nails when you add a clear base and top coat, these mere minutes don't compare to the extra days you could add to the life of your polish. A base coat protects the nail from yellowing and a top coat limits the chips. Just make sure to seal the free edge for optimal wear.
3. Deep

Source: 4 Quick Ways to Make Your Eyes Appear Larger

Whether you're in a constant battle with your eye shape or just trying to look more alert without that third cup of coffee, larger, wider eyes can be yours. Even if you weren't blessed with eyes like Zooey Deschanel, there are a few easy tricks you can pull out to make your peepers pop. Embrace your makeup, brush up on your colors, and look more alert with these simple steps:

• Try white eyeliner: Lining your water line with a white eyeliner, like Shu Uemura Eye Light Pencil in White ($19), will make the whites of your eyes appear larger. This illusion will actually make your eyes appear larger, too.
• Curl your lashes: This may seem like an unnecessary step, but curling your lashes opens up your eyes. Add two coats of a volume-boosting mascara, like Rimmel London Lash Accelerator ($10), for an extra pop.
• Ease up on black liner: If you have especially small eyes, make sure to not use a heavy hand when applying

BellaSugarSource: 4 Steps to Getting Rid of Hat Hair - For Good

Matted, limp, lifeless hair is the downside of donning a cute chapeau this Winter, right? Not necessarily. Reviving your locks posthat is easier than you'd think. Follow these tips, and kiss lackluster, frizzy hat hair goodbye.

• Consider the material: The fabric of your hat has a lot to do with whether or not you'll fall victim to matted hair. Avoid synthetics, and reach for a cap made from natural fibers: wool, cashmere, and cotton are best for avoiding frizz. Also, make sure your hair sits loosely against your head - skull caps and the like press your hair against your scalp, causing perspiration and matted locks.
• Prestyle your hair: A hat warms your head, and warm hair holds whatever style it's in. So putting a hat over hair that's already set in place will help ensure you'll have the style you want when it's time to take off your hat. Long hair can be twisted into a bun and secured with either a fabric hair tie or

Source: Beauty Resolution: Nail Biting Begone

If you're like me, you've decided to make 2013 the year that you finally quit biting your nails. Unfortunately, keeping this resolution can prove to be harder than keeping your gym membership past February. Nail biting is a notoriously difficult habit to break, and if you feel like you've tried everything to win the war on nibbling, it can be doubly frustrating. But take a deep breath. Learn nail biting prevention that goes beyond that nasty-tasting polish, or wearing a rubber band around your wrist, when you keep reading.

1. Be aware of your nail biting: It's tough to quit nibbling on your nails when you don't even realize you're doing it - and absent-minded biting is a big component in a nail biter's habit. Take the time to really focus on when and why you bite: are you stressed out or bored? Identifying your triggers is the first step in winning the battle of the bite.
2. Carry a nail file: If you find that your need to nibble has a lot