POPSUGAR Australia Beauty (BellaSugar)

Essie Gets In On the Nail Appliqué Trend

Kaitlyn Dreyling — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:00:02 EST

Essie is starting the New Year with an exciting new launch: Sleek Stick Nail Appliqués. While nail art wraps aren't exactly new, the brand is out to set a new bar on the nail sticker category. The Sleek Stick collection features 12 different designs with many of them making a good use of metallics. UV cured, the high-shine wraps are made with a long-lasting adhesive that can stick to your nails for up to 10 days. I used the Oh My Gold! design, which features a silver and gold geometric pattern. The wrap is actually clear, so my natural nail was able to peek through; that means this would also look great over any nail colour. Learn more about the application process when you read more.

Bella Review: Coverage For Foundation Haters

Maria Del Russo — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:35:25 EST

Foundation naysayers, prepare to meet your match. Revlon has created a product that truly makes you feel like you're wearing nothing at all. The brand's ColorStay Whipped Crème Foundation ($34.95) is the perfect companion piece to anyone's makeup kit - especially those who have sworn off the stuff. Light as air yet heavy on coverage, Revlon's foundation smooths skin's surface to create the perfect base to any makeup look. And the best part about it? No cakey residue. Pick yourself up a jar and consider yourself converted.

Bella Review: A Moisturiser That's Thrice as Nice

Maria Del Russo — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 07:28:45 EST

It's only natural to give an eyebrow raise to any moisturiser that claims to be suitable for your hands, body, and face. But L'Occitane's Bonne Mère Gentle Cream ($26) actually does its job. The silky cream smooths onto skin and dries in no time at all, leaving behind zero greasy residue. And the scents aren't overwhelming, either. Bonne Mère comes in both milk and honey varieties, fragrances which are sweet without being cloying. And while the packaging says it's suitable for all skin types, those with oily skin may want to scale back on their application; the cream is quite hydrating, which can give shiny faces a bit too much moisture. And if you can't find the land of milk and honey, L'Occitane's latest may be the next best thing.

Bella Review: Matte Lip Colour That's Good For Your Skin

Kaitlyn Dreyling — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:00:19 EST

Red lips are a classic, but this innovative new lip colour is anything but traditional. Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick ($42) goes on like a lip gloss but delivers serious pigment like a lipstick. Muse, a universally flattering shade of coral red, glides on smoothly, giving your lips an opaque wash of vibrant colour in one stroke. Plus, since this product is packed with skin-conditioning ingredients like goji berry extract and vitamins A, C, and E, this matte formula won't dry out your lips. Now that's impressive.

Bella Review: A Curl Cream That Doubles as Perfume!

Jessica Cruel — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 11:46:10 EST

Curly-haired women know: hydration is the key to achieving defined ringlets and waves. Let Moroccanoil's intensely conditioning and frizz-reducing Intense Curl Cream ($44.50) be your hair's secret weapon. While you can apply this product on wet hair with a diffuser, another way to use this argan oil-rich product is to refresh second-day strands. For thicker hair, try twirling it into individual curls after spritzing with water. And for waves, scrunch the cream in with your fingers, resetting your style with a diffuser. A little bit goes a long way with this cream, but if you use too much, spray hair with water to avoid a weighed-down finish. If you have a sensitive nose, this floral-scented cream might not be for you. But fragrance lovers will find that thanks to its high-sillage effects, this scented cream might even replace their perfume.

Bella Review: Satiny Shadow in Pressed-Powder Form

Jaime Richards — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:24:43 EST

Over the past few months, mineral makeup hero Bare Escentuals has been adding pressed-powder formulations to its traditional lineup of loose-powder makeup. And the results have been astounding. The recently launched Bare Minerals Ready 2.0 Eye Shadow Palette ($27.95) contains two shades that glide on as smooth as silk. Borage oil helps to hydrate the skin, while cucumber assists in quelling puffiness. But it's the colour pay-off that truly impresses. The pigments are richly hued and long-wearing, and are even resistant to creasing and clumping.

While there are over 20 palettes from which to choose, The Hidden Agenda (pictured) is a stand out. This combination features Stealth, an apricot chiffon, and Undercover, a glistening granite with soft plum undertones. Not your colour duo of choice? We're also fans of The 15 Minutes, which features Page Six (a sandy-pink sheen) and Most Requested (a burgundy sparkle), two shades that will make any eye tone pop.

The Best Hair Sprays For Hold, Humidity, and Volume

Kirbie Johnson — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 07:50:08 EST

The classic hair spray conundrum: which style-setter will work best for my hair without leaving it feeling like a brick? Check out three top options for all textures. Plus, uncover which spray celebrity stylists turn to time and again on the red carpet.

Get Clearer, Smoother-Looking Skin By Using a Primer

Kirbie Johnson — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:49:32 EST

Primers pretty much do it all. Not only do they keep your makeup lasting long hours and fill in lines and creases, but, depending on the formulation, they can also clear up acne, mattify oily skin, and smooth out the complexion. Apply under makeup or let it work its magic alone for a natural, flawless look. Take a look at three top multitasking primers now.

Ingredient to Watch: Hemp Seed Oil

Jessica Cruel — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:30:20 EST

It's no secret hemp gets a bad rap. While smoking cannabis is still mostly illegal, the plant itself can be used for more than a high. Hemp seed oil, which is legal, is actually a beauty superstar. Your preconceived notions about hemp might go up in smoke when you read more.

Get Beachy-Blonde Highlights in a Snap

Kirbie Johnson — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 08:29:13 EST

At-home lightening sprays have been notorious for turning hair orange in the past, but today's versions promise brass-free strands. John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Spray ($17.99) claims to give you the beach look sans the unwanted undertones, but does it really work? Find out our results now.