POPSUGAR Australia Beauty (BellaSugar)

What's the Best Nail Brand of 2012?

Kaitlyn Dreyling — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST

Nails are arguably the biggest thing in beauty right now. And whether you prefer nail art or are more of a one-polish only kind of gal, there's something available to suit your style: magnetic, glitter, decals, and gel polishes are constantly hitting the market. Regardless of whether you hit the salon for a weekly manicure or you like to pamper at home, we want to know: what was the greatest nail brand of 2012? Cast your vote now and tell us what you think.

3 Steps to Perfecting a Pretty Pink Lip Like Kristen Stewart

Sarah Macrae — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:16:12 EST

Kristen Stewart was at Comic-Con yesterday talking about Breaking Dawn Part 2. Sporting her signature tousled tresses, swung over one shoulder, Kristen's pink lip was a pretty addition. If you're looking to channel her look this weekend, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Lip service: Just like skin needs to be smooth and moisturised for your foundation to look good, your lips need to be hydrated and flake-free before you even think about applying a lip colour. If they're really dry, use a lip scrub like The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ - Brown Sugar ($29.95) which will leave lips soft. Alternatively you can use an old toothbrush or Manicare Disposable Mascara Wands ($9.99) in circular motions over the lip to get a perfectly smooth pout.

Colouring in: As Kristen's lip isn't rich and creamy, your best bet is to use a lip tint for more of a stained lip effect. Try Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain And Colour Seal Balm in Petal ($27.95) or the aptly-titled Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in Passion ($17.95).

Take two: Alternatively, you can create a stain effect with your current pink lipstick. Instead of applying it straight onto the lip as you usual would, instead get pigment from the bullet tip and press it into the lip using your forefinger. This creates a more-muted but longer-lasting look.

DIY Nail Art: We Test Manicare's GlamNails Nail Art Pen

Alison Larsen — Sat, 26 May 2012 17:04:06 EST

In case you haven't already noticed, we've got an obsession with manicures and nail art here at the Sugar Network. We've all dabbled in crazy colours like neon yellow and lime green, we've even mastered the art of the feature nail -you know, when you paint one nail on each hand a different colour to the rest. Somebody stop us! I've wanted to try a nail art pen for quite a while now, and after picking up Manicare's GlamNails Nail Art Pen, the big day has arrived. The pen is water-based so there's lots of room for trial and error - you simply wipe it off with a wet cotton tip and try again. Easy! I took pictures along the way, so let me know what you think. Lesson learned: practice makes perfect...

Cash or Credit: Lash Out and Get a Fuller Flutter With Individual Lashes

Sarah Macrae — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:22:53 EST

While false lashes might not be your everyday-in-the-office kind of beauty get-up, when you've got a big event on, a little extra oomph can make all the difference. The fast-track to a full and flirty flutter is individual lashes. Not as dramatic as a full faux lash line, they can be applied at the outer edge of your natural lash line to open the eyes or wherever you're a little sparse. Whilst most falsies are re-useable, that only applies if you avoid sleeping on them and look after them so if you're not ready to treat them with TLC, start off at the cheaper end of the shopping scale!

10 Cellulite Busters, Scar Smoothers and Leg Perfectors!

POPSUGAR Beauty AU — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:36:33 EST

Summer's just over two weeks away so we're stepping up our beauty routine. Stat. Over the next week we'll be bringing you deets on the best exfoliators, self-tanners, sunscreens, cellulite busters and more in order for you to stay in tip-top shape this Summer. First up we're tackling the tough areas: cellulite and stretch marks. If you have them, trust us, you're not alone. But there are plenty of ways that you can reduce the appearance of dreaded "orange peel" and stretch marks. See how now!

25 Under $25: Skincare Steals That Won't Break the Bank!

POPSUGAR Beauty AU — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:42:32 EST

We're stepping things up in our budget bonanza to a cool $25. Still pretty reasonable, we think, especially for some of these skincare saviours. From tools you'll need for your very own at-home facial to do-it-all face creams, there's something for every budget, every level of effort you're willing to make, and every skin type. Check it out and tell us your fave buys now!

You Asked: What Makeup Brushes Are Essential and What Ones Can I Skip?

POPSUGAR Beauty AU — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:21:25 EST

In this week's "Ask Bella" post, where we aim to make the cosmetics world a clearer place, we're talking makeup brushes. As in, out of the 2,657 varieties out there, which ones it is essential to own. Because our lovely reader Willowtree asked us. And because in the immortal words of Vanilla Ice: "If there was a problem yo I'll solve it." All you have to do is email mail@bellasugar.com.au.

"Question: With so many makeup brushes out there and usually they are quite pricey, could you advise which ones should be essential."

Do you know, Willowtree, that I once had a friend who had a new makeup brush for each individual eyeshadow shade . . . until I told her that it would be much more cost-effective to buy a good brush cleaner (I swear by Mecca's Brush With Success Conditioning Cleaner, $22, for ease of use) and STOP BUYING BRUSHES. Because they can be costly as you said. And, unless you're a pro makeup artist, the majority of them are unnecessary. Even Bobbi Brown says so. There's only really six brushes that your average person needs: a concealer brush, a foundation brush, a big blending brush, an eyeshadow brush, an eyeliner brush and a brow brush. This will take care of your basic needs and then add other fancy fan brushes to your Christmas List - I do.

Keep reading . . .

The Mad Manis and Neutral Nails of the 2010 MTV VMAs

POPSUGAR Beauty AU — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:50:44 EST

Nails are fast becoming the hottest accessory ever so we thought we'd check out 16 of the top manis from the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. From Ashley Greene's gunmetal grey to Lady Gaga's lilac greige and not forgetting Katy Perry's ode to Russell Brand, it's truly been a talon-tastic show. Not everyone went all out with Lo Bosworth and Florence Welch opting for a clear coat, but others, like Selena Gomez made sure they found the perfect polish to match their dresss. Cute! Check it all out now and tell me who was wearing your favourite mani . . .

Ooh, Louise Roe Does Animalistic "Vanessa Hudgens" Nails

POPSUGAR Beauty AU — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST

I thought Vanessa Hudgens' ring-finger mani was a little bit kooky at first. But if UK fashionista Louise Roe (who's appeared on The City) has given it the tick of approval I might have to reconsider. Stat. She brought her blingin' mani along with her to the Reeve Champions Summer Party hosted by Dior Beauty and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation in NYC. Obviously she'd seen Catherine McNeil's mani-matching-lipstick nails in Vogue and decided to raise her a belt-matched mani. Take that. It's gold foil. Noice. But the ring finger's leopard print. Check. It. Out. Fancy, huh? I'd bet money on it being Minx. It just looks like that. So you can call Minx on 1800 700 510 and ask for a Golden Lightening mani with a Golden Lightening Cheeta ring finger. Or if it wanna go DIY style, try OPI Bling Dynasty ($19.95) and Manicare Safari Glue-on Nail Kits in Leopard ($15.95). Voilà. A stylin' mani at your service. LOVE. You too?

Do You Own a Nail Brush?

POPSUGAR Beauty AU — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:38:50 EST

Last night I was thinking about nail brushes. I really am that interesting.

When I was younger it was a nightly ritual to scrub our nails (granted I probably had been playing in mud all day but still). Now, they just seem to have totally disappeared off the radar; I can't even remember the last time I whipped out a nail brush. I don't think I even own one for that matter.

It’s not like my nails are crying out for one, they’re clean and nicely manicured at most times but I think I might try to make it an everyday staple once more – I feel bad that I’ve neglected a beauty tool for so long.

What about you, do you use a nail brush? Have you ever? Would you ever? And what other beauty items or tools have you been neglecting for a while?

Tip: when using a nail brush, always work from the cuticle downwards to avoid damage.

Stockists: Manicare (1800 651 146)