Blog Posts by BellaSugar

Source: 2 Treatments to Do Before You Shampoo

Most people consider the shampoo bowl the beginning of your weekly hair care regimen. But there are things you can do before you wash to achieve longer and more vibrant locks. Get some pre-'poo ideas from celebrity colorist Beth Minardi when you read more.

1. Hot Oil Treatments "My grandmother would heat up olive oil, put it in her hair, then start at the bottom of her neck and work all the way up," Minardi recalls. "She said to me, 'It's good to do this every week. This is what my mother did in Italy.'" If you have fine hair, steer clear of heavier oils like olive oil (which is best reserved for coarse and kinky textures). Instead Minardi recommends more watery oils such as sesame or walnut oil. The smaller molecules make it easier to rinse out of hair.
2. Protein Treatment One crucial ingredient to strengthen hair is protein - hence, all the mayonnaise conditioner recipes of yesteryear. Minardi recommends whipping together egg whites

Source: How to Update the Smoky Eye For Fall

The smoky eye is getting a makeover this Fall. Gone are the days of the monotone black shadow covering the lids. Now, this makeup staple is coming in new colors and shapes. Get tips for creating these smoky eye looks from the runways whether it's winged, under-eye, or highbrow.

Up and away: As seen on the Versace runway, the smoky eye is getting a tilt this season. While winged eyeliner is an ever-present trend, extended eye shadow shapes are becoming more prominent, too. To get this look, bring shadow from the crease to the end of the brows. Then curve the end back around to line the lower lashes.
From down under: Shadow is no longer just for your lids. Colors (and the smoky eye) are bleeding down underneath the eye, as at L'Wren Scott. The key to mastering this under-eye technique is to use waterproof products to avoid smudging or smearing. Apply product with an angled brush so that your liner doesn't turn out too thick.
Highbrow:

Source: How You Can Take the Perfect Beach Waves Into Fall

Just because Summer is more like a distant memory, doesn't mean you have to ditch your beach waves. Model Erin Wasson made an appearance on Extra last night, sporting tousled waves that were completely seasonless. Lucky for us, this casual look is easy to create. After washing your hair, create a part and rough-dry your hair with your hands (or let it air-dry). Once your hair is just slightly damp, spritz in a sea salt spray like Bumble and bumble Surf Spray ($24) and work through with your fingers. Next, gently separate your hair into two halves and create loose buns on each side. Make sure to twist away from your face to get a flattering result. Just let dry overnight and wake up to effortless waves. For a dry-hair version, simply use the beach spray on dry locks, twist into buns, and use a blow dryer to set the look. Let your hair cool while you do your makeup, and there you have it: perfect waves.


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BellaSugarSource: 21 Reasons You're Breaking Out (and What to Do About It)

The only thing more frustrating than recurring breakouts is not knowing where they come from. Is it stress? Hormones? Or just terribly bad complexion luck? Worry no more. Instead, clear up your mind - and your skin - with this guide to the causes of breakouts. Once you know what's causing acne to flare up, it's easy to develop a plan of attack. Read on to see what culprits could be responsible for your blemishes (and what to do about it).

• Your Makeup Brushes Aren't Clean: On your list of things to do, washing makeup brushes probably ranks somewhere between watching an ALF marathon and cleaning the litter box. If you want a clear complexion, though, you've got to do it. Otherwise, bacteria grows - and dirty brushes will just transfer that bacteria to your face.
• It's in Your Genes: Did your dad have acne? Do your siblings? Lucky you, it just might run in the family. A 2002 British study suggests that 81

BellaSugarSource: How to Stop Itchy, Dry Skin Before It Starts

Unless you live in the tropics (lucky!) your body will be buried under tights, scarves, and sweaters for the next few months. But if you neglect your skin now, you'll have to pay come Spring - if not earlier. If you're prone to getting dry, itchy, scaly skin, heed these easy body care tips.

• Exfoliation will keep your skin from turning dull, scaly, and gray. Select a scrub to use twice a week, or mix up a sloughing potion of sugar and oil. You can also amp up your circulation by adding dry brushing to your routine. Brush upward and sideways toward your heart to get the best benefits.
• A hot bath or shower can actually dehydrate your skin. Try to keep your wash routine under five minutes - it's better for both the environment and your body. Switch up your body gel for a creamy cleanser. Better yet, indulge in a bath with milk and honey.
• The one thing that flaky skin craves is moisture. Reach for heavier oils like olive and

Source: Banish Under-Eye Circles in 3 Quick Steps

Just as there are tricks for concealing pimples without making it look too obvious, there are ways to hide under-eye circles sans the cakey, flakey effects. The biggest mistake many women make is trying to hide too much, explains What Not to Wear's Carmindy. "I see women put on so much concealer," she says. "It settles into those fine lines and wrinkles, and lines end up looking worse than if they just left well enough alone." But how do you use that concealer to your advantage?

• Prime time: Start off with an illuminizing face primer to reflect light all over.
• Lay your foundation: Next, lightly buff foundation onto your skin, making sure that you carry it all the way up to underneath your eyelids. "It can even be a tinted moisturizer, just so you have a little bit of coverage to start. That way you're going to need less concealer," she explains.
• Add concealer: Now it's time to conceal with a radiance-boosting

Source: Ingredient to Watch: Pumpkin

When you arrange to carve your Halloween jack-o'-lantern this month, don't you dare throw away the pulp! Pumpkin is one skin-enhancing ingredient you can find in the produce aisle and in your skin care products - and its beauty benefits are legend. See why you'll want to eat it and wear it after the jump.

What is pumpkin? Pumpkin pie, pumpkin patch hay rides, pumpkin seeds . . . the list of seasonal delights goes on. This squash has its historical roots in Mexico and is most known for its role in Thanksgiving dinner. As with the tomato, some people think pumpkin is a vegetable. But because it contains seeds, it's technically a fruit.
The beauty benefits: Aside from its culinary delights, pumpkin carries alpha-hydroxy acids that help exfoliate the skin. Vitamins A, C, and beta carotene are antioxidants that help protect skin from damage. Nibbling pumpkin seeds can provide you with zinc, which promotes collagen production. So eat up!
The products:

Source: What We're Sweet On: A Polish-and-Peel Duo

If there's one skin care myth we'd like to bust, it's this: in order for a skin care regimen to work well, it has to be long and involved. So not the case when a product like Algenist's Triple-Action Micropolish and Peel ($75) comes along. This at-home peel does double duty when it comes to your skin. You apply it as an exfoliant and massage it into your skin, then leave it to dry as a mask. Using fruit enzymes and micro-crystals, his polish/peel buffs away dead cells and promotes healthy growth, leaving you with instantly smoother and more radiant skin. It's like a minifacial in a bottle. And since you only need to use a pea-sized bit of polish once or twice a week, that bottle should last a long time. Pair it with your favorite sunscreen, and you'll be showing good face all season long.


Related Content:
21 Reasons You're Breaking Out (and What to Do About It)
How to Stop Itchy, Dry Skin Before It Starts
What We're Sweet On: An Acne