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Have Yourself a Very Pretty Clinique Christmas

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

I've been singing Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas, since I first set eyes on this Clinique gift set. I know that's ridiculous as it is only the start of November after all. Yet there is something so appealing about starting to plan your Christmas shopping and I'm excited about all the gorgeous beauty offerings that are in stores this season.

Clinique's Instant Pretty (£35) is a sweet mini kit with all the products you'll need to create the key beauty looks for winter. It includes the brilliant High Impact Mascara, Long Lasting Lipstick and a small compact with an array of eye colours from deep plum and chocolate brown, to shimmery peach and pale green. There's also the legendary All About Eyes eye cream which reduces the look of dark circles, plus Take The Day Off makeup remover so you'll look fresh the morning after the party too!

I love that the entire kit comes housed in a chic silver clutch that has a sleek shape and useful wrist strap. So often beauty sets come in makeup bags or odd-looking purses you'd never use, whereas this one would look elegant with autumn's chic black dresses or lace ensembles. How about you, are you tempted to get this as a gift, or just for yourself?

How To: Gemma Merna's NTA Glamour

BellaSugarUK — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700

At the National Television Awards last night, Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna sparkled on the red carpet. She combined her bright blonde bob with smouldering dark eye makeup and luminous skin. A light tan plus smudgy charcoal eyes gave her look Old Hollywood appeal.

I love Gemma's super flattering lip colour too and glowing cheeks. This is a simply stunning evening look that will suit most skin tones. For how to re-create Gemma's brand of glamour at home, just

Halloween How To: Luella Teen Zombie

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Channel your inner evil teen this Halloween by taking your lead from the catwalk. Le Freak has never been so chic with models sporting black lipstick, pale skin, zombie eyes and crimped hair at the Autumn/Winter shows this season. Take note though, this look is not about being pretty or glamorous, if that's more your bag then try a cat beauty style instead. If, however, you want to look both on-trend and suitably scary Luella's teen zombie style will certainly get you plenty of attention.

This makeup look will work with a crazy zombie costume or just add some spooky magic to an all-black ensemble. For some easy expert tips for re-creating this style at home plus more pictures from the Luella show, just

Coming Soon: Trina Turk For Clinique

bellasugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:00:19 -0700

Since many of you love gift-with-purchase offers, you might be excited about this one: Trina Turk has teamed up with Clinique to design a chic cosmetics bag. Available at Nordstrom from November 5 to November 22, the metallic tiger-print bag comes stocked with a good selection of beauty treats: a cleanser, face cream, mini eye shadow and blush palette, lip gloss, mascara, lipstick and mirrored lipstick case.

The kit is free with a $25 purchase, and the items inside are actually things you'd want. Fab praised the lip color without being prodded to do so, and when she finds out about the designer tie-in, I'll have to hide my bag from her. Besides, she can get her own in just over a week.

Wedding Survival Guide: Part 3 – More Beauty Dos and Don'ts

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700

It may be autumn, but the invites just keep on flooding in. Here's how to do autumn weddings beautifully. Check out more of my beauty tips and tricks for being the belle of the wedding. Shh, just don't tell the bride...

DO Paint your nails in a subtle pale pink or nude shade that will look good all day. Try All Spice by Rimmel, (£2.69), for an elegant neutral colour.
DON'T Go for this season's gothic glamour and if it's a traditional ceremony I'd even avoid metallics on eyes and nails. Keep it classic.

For more tips and ticks just

The Look For Less: Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick

bellasugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:00:54 -0700

Do you remember your first taste of honey? I do, at least when it comes to Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick ($14). Ever since trying the shade in college, I've been hooked. This color looks nearly black in the tube, but on lips, it's a beautiful, sheer shade of brick red. (Think of the color of blackberry pie, but lighter.) It's a shade that flatters just about everyone, and it's super-moist on lips.

But if the economy has you watching every penny, don't despair! I've found a pretty close match to Black Honey for half the price. For the twin,

Clinique Heads to the Matte For Fall

bellasugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:00:02 -0700

Fall is approaching, and soon we'll all be transitioning from our sandals to boots, and from our bare legs to tights. Clinique's new Modern Matte collection for Fall features plush textures with beautifully low-key matte finishes that help make the transition from Summer to Fall as smooth as possible. The collection includes four new products, plus a lengthening/volumizing mascara. I'm really excited to try these new additions, as the lip liner and lipstick are long lasting, creamy, and intense, which is a hard-to-find combo.

If you have any fine lines or wrinkles, the new matte eyeshadow just might be for you since that type of finish works wonders for de-emphasizing the appearance of any unwanted nooks and crannies. Even though it's sometimes difficult to sport the matte look without looking dull, Clinique seems to pull it off. The cheeks and lips have a luminous stain without excess shininess, and the eye shadows deliver a soft touch with colors ranging from subtle to deep. Better yet, most of the collection ranges around the $14 mark — not obscenely expensive.

Trend Alert: Rustic Romance

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700

This Spring/Summer the catwalks were awash with ultra modern makeup looks, from theatrical glitter, to bursts of bright colour. The trend we all actually want to wear though, is going by the name of Rustic Romance. Think fierce, bold brows, rust eye shadow shades and gently blushed cheeks.

Rustic Romance was the main makeup story at the Milan shows, where grown up glamour is always on the agenda. This season, however, there's a definite, Southern Italian influence, with strong, womanly looks being all the rage.

I loved the rust mixed with berry lipsticks at Dolce & Gabbana, (pictured), the subtle gold shadow at Daks by Giles Deacon and the soft, pink blush at Prada and Blumarine.

It's a classically romantic look, tinged with rustic influences. For my pick of the best products to re-create the trend, simply

How-To: Maggie Gyllenhaal's Red Carpet Lips

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I am such a sucker for Maggie Gyllenhaal's pretty, yet unconventional beauty looks. She always appears kooky and cool – even when her makeup is red-carpet polished. Most of all, she looks like she's having fun.

At the New York Premiere of The Dark Knight, – Maggie looked glowing, with dewy skin and show-stopping red lips.

Here's some easy tips for getting her makeup look:

Use a light, sheer foundation, such as Clinique Gentle Light Makeup, (£18.50), for a luminous effect. Set with some loose, translucent powder.
Add a touch of natural-looking blusher, in a warm shade, like NYC, in peach, (£2.99), from Superdrug.
This look is all about the lips, so keep eyes neutral. A light, toffee-coloured eyeshadow, such as Bourjois in Brun Irreel, (£5.75), and black mascara is all you need.
Choose a lipstick that's a true red, with no brown or orange in it. If you're pale, a blue-red colour will work best. I like Nars, in Scarlet Empress, (£17).
For luminous shoulders, and toned upper arms – use a rich moisturiser, with anti-aging properties, like Clarins Renew Plus Body Serum, (£33).

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How-To: Daria Zhukova's Perfect Pout

BellaSugarUK — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Daria Zhukova – Russian former model and girlfriend of Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich – was looking typically stunning at a private dinner hosted by Stella McCartney, at Harvey Nichols, yesterday.

Daria, also known as Dasha, runs her own fashion line – Kova & T – with old schoolfriend from Christina Tang, and has graced the pages of Vogue, not least because of her relationship with Abramovich. I'm sure it has something to do with her absolute gorgeousness too... Note her dewy skin, shiny hair and perfect pout.

Dasha has opted for a subtle, glossy lip colour to naturally enhance her lip shape. Here's how:

Dasha has naturally full lips, but if you're not as blessed, you can fake it. I heartily recommend Lancôme Primordiale Levres Skin Recharge, (£25). Over time lips look plumper and the texture also improves.

Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine,

Add a touch of balm, as glossy lips look fuller. Try FCUK Pure Lip Gloss, (£4.50).
For the illusion of larger lips, apply YSL's Touche Eclat, (£22.50), around the edges of your lips. Concentrate on the sides of the mouth and add a touch above the lip, directly above the cupid's bow.

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