5 Fresh, Pretty Ways To Wear Long Braids

By BellaSugar editors

This season, there's a new crop of tousled, stylish braids that are worlds away from the more stylized milkmaid styles we saw so much of last year. Instead, braids of late are long, undone, and incredibly romantic. See which style will bring out the storybook heroine in you.

1. Uneven Steven

Selita Ebanks shows off a clever way to make asymmetrical or layered cuts look smooth and polished when braided. In lieu of creating a single-length braid down your back, go from both sides and then braid together at the ends.

2. Neat and Thick

If you have lots of hair, Nicole Kidman's smooth, chunky braid is a simple but lovely look. To get the look, prep the hair with a curl-enhaning product to get those perfectly imperfect waves.

3. Princess Style

If you have fine hair or thin ends, follow Natalia Vodianova's Princess Bride style and braid a ribbon or scarf into the length of your hair. It's beautiful and attention-grabbing, and it will also help to add volume to your braid.

4. Just a Little Bit

If you have long hair but don't want to braid it all (or simply don't have the time), try chunky center-parted French braids like Jessica Alba. They're fast and easy, messy enough to look modern, and will work on any hair thickness.

5. She's Come Undone

Blake Lively's braid at the Green Lantern premiere was intentionally deconstructed. It would make a great morning-after hairstyle, and would also be appropriate for those times when you haven't washed your hair for a couple days.

Source: BellaSugar

The Danger In Your Lipstick

An ugly side to your cosmetics.

By Lisa Elaine Held from Well+GoodNYC

“Parabens,” the term for a group of preservatives used in mainstream beauty products, wasn’t always a dirty word.

In 2004, Dr. Philippa Darbre, a research scientist at the University of Reading in the UK, published a small but pioneering study that showed high concentrations of parabens in human breast tumors.

Women everywhere flipped over their moisturizers to read the list of ingredients.

“That first paper shocked people because it was the first time intact parabens had ever been measured in the human body,” says Dr. Darbre. And while the study did not show that the chemicals cause cancer, it sounded a serious alarm.

Why? Parabens, which prevent bacteria from growing in beauty and personal-care products, are able to mimic or interfere with estrogen in the body, and exposure to estrogen is one of the primary influences on the development of breast cancer.

Since then, several studies have detected and reported parabens in human urine and tissue. In response, many beauty companies have eliminated them from ingredient lists, though they’re still used in many mainstream products.

Now, Dr. Darbre has published two new studies that shed even more light on the ways parabens enter our bodies and how they affect our health.

Here’s what you need to know about the latest research (and before refilling your beauty bag):

1. Parabens are getting into your body. 

In March, Dr. Darbre and her team published the results of a study that replicated the original study done in 2004, with a much larger sample size. They looked at the concentration of five parabens in breast tumor tissue. One or more types were found in 99% of the tissue samples, and all five were measurable in 60% of the samples.

“The take-home message was that we validated the earlier study with a much more substantial study. Parabens are getting into the breast, and they’re getting in in significant amounts,” she explains.

2. Yup, your skin is letting them in. 

The parabens identified in the study were primarily intact, meaning they’ve bypassed the liver. What does this mean? You’re not getting them from your food; they’re being absorbed through your skin.

Source: Prevention

Top 5 Fall Beauty Trends

By Jessica Padykula, SheKnows editor

Not sure what to add to your makeup repertoire this fall? We have you covered. From lids and brows to lips and cheeks, we have the scoop on the hottest beauty looks for a brand new season.

1. Chocolate smoky eye

Dramatic eyes are back this season but with a decidedly neutral twist. We spied rich smoky eyes in brown on several fall runways and the look is both evening-ready and office-friendly. Create the chocolate brown smoky eye by layering several shades of brown on your lids for a gorgeous fall beauty look.

Try it: Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow trio in Filter ($28), which features two shades of brown and a soft ivory.

2. Bold lips, bare face

Bare faces with get-noticed lips were spied at Marc by Marc Jacobs and Narciso Rodriguez and we can’t get enough of this sophisticated fall makeup trend. Start by applying concealer only where you need it and follow up with a dusting of translucent powder for a look that’s polished yet natural. Add a bold lip color (think wine and rich red hues) and you’re ready for your fall closeup.

Try it: Lorac Breakthrough Performance Lipstick in Icon, a deep plum ($22).

3. Flirty flush

We loved the flirty, flushed cheeks spied at Michael Kors and plan to recreate the look a whole lot this season. To get the fresh-faced, outdoorsy (or great sex) glow, opt for an easy-wearing, buildable cheek stain or tint rather than a powder or cream blush.

Try it: ULTA Cheek Stain in Tickled ($8), a lightweight, hydrating cheek stain that’s easy to apply.

4. Fall color eyes

Prada, Donna Karan and Dries Van Noten all gave us eyes in reds and oranges, the quintessential colors for fall. So this season, step outside your comfort zone and do something a little different with your eye makeup look. Neutrals and classic hues like lavender and green are great, but go bold with oranges and reds this fall.

Try it: Nars Duo Eyeshadow in Mediteranee, a muted gold shimmer and burnt orange ($34).

5. Bold brows

Models at Proenza Schouler and Theyskens, just to name a few, walked the fall runways with brows that stood out. Last season’s prominent arches aren’t going anywhere, so drop the tweezers and skip the next brow waxing appointment. Simply keep the look neat yet natural with the right tools and products.

Try it: Bobbi Brown Natural Brown Shaper and Hair Touch Up ($20).

Source: SheKnows

How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger

Get a come-hither stare with legendary makeup artist Sandy Linter.

By Elle editors

Eyes Wide Open

Wondering how to accentuate your eyes in a natural-looking way? Lancôme’s Sandy Linter, head makeup artist at New York’s Rita Hazan Salon, shows how a neutral smoky eye can work wonders.

Prepare Your Eyelids

“Start with an eye shadow base—something that’s tacky so that it holds the shadow,” says Linter, who used Lancôme Aquatique Waterproof Eyecolour Base in Nude. “If your eyelid is dry you can use a concealer, but if your lid is warm you really do need a base that will pick up moisture and keep your makeup looking smooth."

Choose A Dark Pencil

“When you want to enhance your eyes, you should use a dark liner—navy, charcoal, brown, or black—to contrast against the whites of your eye and your eye color,” says Linter. “You should also use pencil because it’s easily manipulated. Liquids and gels will chip and flake, but pencil can be pushed around to form a beautiful shape.”

Linter opted for Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee and applied it along the upper lash line in “little dashes,” working from the inner corner of the eye to the outside edge. “The shape should get gradually thicker as you move away from the nose,” she says.

Perfect Your Eyeliners

After dotting lids with liner, Linter connected the dashes: “A tiny eyeliner brush softens and perfects the line.” She then used a pointed cotton tip to push the line “up and out” at the corners.

Layer Makeup For Longer Wear

For the crease color, Linter lined eye sockets with taupe pencil, a lighter shade than the one used along the lashes. Starting under the brow bone, she extended the line to the outer corners to create a “v” shape. “It’s an old trick that opens up the eyes,” she says.

Next, she retraced her steps with gel liner and powder shadow in similar taupe hues using a dome-shaped brush (“layering your makeup makes it last all day and through the night”). To add drama, she winged color up and over the brow bone, toward the end of the eyebrow.

Add Some Shimmer

“A neutral smoky eye is all about playing with dark and light,” says Linter, who used the shimmering ivory-pink shade from Lancôme’s Color Design palette in Coral Crush on lids. “Having darker tones surround a lighter one gives shape and definition—the light on the eye makes it pop.”

Wear Liner Under Lower Lashes

“A lot of people don’t like using pencil under the eye, but I like it because I think it makes the eye look more finished,” says Linter, who swept Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee—the same liner she used on top—underneath lashes, softening the line with a cotton swab. Because the inner corners of eyes “tend to get wet,” Linter only placed liner along the outermost portion of the waterline.

Don't Forget The Curl

“Curled eyelashes make everyone’s eyes look bigger,” says Linter. “Make sure to fully cup the lashes in the curler—pinch close to the roots so that you're not just bending hairs at the ends.”

Apply Mascara

“Mascara also brings out your eyes. Instead of the using the whole wand, I just use the tip, separating lashes as I go,” says Linter. “This way, I don’t apply too much mascara at once and lashes don’t get stuck together.”

Mind The Eyeliner Gap

When faking a thicker lash line, don’t dispel the illusion. “I can’t stand seeing a space of skin separating the eyeliner from the eyelash,” says Linter. To fill in gaps, she used a small, stiff brush to apply gel eyeliner in hard-to-reach places.

Use Light Concealer

Brighten the eye area by using a sheer, translucent concealer or highlighter around the eye. One to try: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch.

White The Inner Corners

To have a truly eye-opening experience, employ white eyeliner too: “Adding white to the inner corner of the eye makes you look less tired,” says Linter.

Provide Arch Support

“I like when brows bring attention to the eye area in a soft way that’s not too manicured and cosmetic-looking,” says Linter, who adds that, “Natural brows are more innocent. Over-tweezed arches make you appear older.” To have your brows reach “their full potential,” Linter suggests brushing them up with a clear brow mascara.

Finish Your Look

Complement your smoldering smoky eyes with a touch of bronzer under the cheekbones for definition, and creamy pink blush on the apples of the cheeks “to make eyes look lighter,” says Linter. Add rosy lipstick and gloss to your pout and you’re ready to go!

Source: Elle

5 Simple Ways to Dry Nail Polish Faster

By Miriam Lacey, BellaSugar editor

There's nothing more annoying than spending half an hour getting your nails just right only to have them ruined the minute you put your hand into your purse or need to itch that place behind your ear. Luckily, there are lots of ways to speed up what can otherwise seem infernally long drying times. To check out our easy fixes, keep reading.

1. Blow it up

Salons use fans to help speed up drying, but your hair dryer works just as well. The secret is to put it on the "cool" setting. Heat actually keeps polish from firming, so giving your digits a shot of cold air is much more helpful.

2. Freeze it out

Since cold hardens polish, ice water baths are also a great setting trick. Before you start painting your nails, fill a mixing bowl with ice cubes and run cold water over the top. Then, when you're finished painting, dip your nails in for about a minute. This is a great way to help protect against divots, since it helps solidify polish all the way through, not just on top. The opposite also holds: if you're having trouble removing polish, soaking your hands in warm water will make it easier.

3. Spray it down

You can get nail-drying spray at the drugstore, and it really does help your polish set in a couple of minutes. But Pam (and other cooking oil aerosols) legendarily does the job as well. Just wait a few minutes after you spray it on and rinse your hands so you don't smell like canola oil.

4. Thin it out

Instead of putting on one or two coats of thick polish, apply three extremely thin coats, and let each dry for a couple of minutes before you layer on the next. It might seem like it slows down your manicure, but it actually makes overall drying time much faster.

5. Top it off

Using a quick-dry topcoat is always smart, because it helps keep everything in place and protects your polish. The only caveat is that the still-liquid polish underneath can move around, resulting in lumps or ripples, so don't treat it as a cure-all.

Source: BellaSugar

5 Smart Ways To Pre Your Skin For Fall

By BellaSugar editors

Cooling temperatures and windy days can be a delight to the senses, but they also have a tendency to wreak havoc on your skin. The good news is that there are lots of ways to prep your face for crisp weather. To find out what you can do to get primed for the new season, just keep reading.

• Look after your lipids: Pick up a slightly more emollient moisturizer, like Aveeno Active Naturals ($9). Skin gets drier in cooler weather, and one of the best ways to keep it from having issues is to keep your lipid barrier well protected.

• Stop before you slough: Use acids and scrubs a little less frequently. When you exfoliate, skin is more sensitive, and cold air or harsh weather conditions can often exacerbate skin issues.

• Acid trip: Get a serum with hyaluronic acid, like Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster ($125). Hyaluronic is a humectant, which means that it helps keep skin hydrated. And if you happen to have oily skin, a serum's gel-like consistency won't be too greasy for you.

• Noninflamed dame: Allergies, rosacea, and eczema tend to act up during seasonal transitions, so keep your skin soothed with calendula extract or another anti-inflammatory.

• Easy does it: Use a gentle cleanser that's fragrance-free and nondrying, like Kiehl's Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser ($27). It will keep your skin's reactivity low and irritation at bay.

Source: BellaSugar

How To Rid Your Scalp Of Unwanted Acne

By Jaime Richards, BellaSugar editor

Have you ever tried out a new hair shampoo, gel, or serum only to be left with a head full of pimples? While your scalp is an awkward place to get acne, it's not unheard of. But there are many reasons beyond product irritation that have led to the development of bumps. To get tips on the how and why, just keep reading.

Causes:

Allergic reactions to chemicals in products; the use of the wrong products for your hair and scalp type; or infections caused by yeast, certain types of bacteria, and mites are just a few of the circumstances that can cause inflammation around the follicles of the scalp — aka scalp folliculitis. In more severe cases, a visit to the dermatologist for treatments, including antibiotics and even steroids, might be necessary. However, in minor cases involving pimples on the head, you have at-home options.

Solutions:

• Tea tree oil: Look for a shampoo containing tea tree oil, a natural germ fighter. Try Kiehl's Tea Tree Oil Shampoo ($18) or Jason Tea Tree Scalp Normalizing Shampoo ($9) and be sure to use cool or lukewarm water, so as not to irritate the scalp even further.

• Avoid: Stay away from heavy, oily products, which can have a tendency to block pores. Instead, look for products with sensitive or scalp-specific formulations. Also consider just washing your scalp and roots and just conditioning your ends as needed.

• Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the scalp and loosen dead skin cells and therefore can prevent bumps. Try Neutrogena T/Sal Shampoo ($7) for relief.

• Dandruff shampoo: In some cases, a basic dandruff shampoo with inflammation-reducing zinc, like Head and Shoulders ($6), can help alleviate the problem.

Source: BellaSugar

Fall 2012 Runway Nail Trends

As fall wardrobes get prepped to come out of the closet, don't forget to swap in new polish. See our top 10 favorite nail looks from the runway.

By Leah Melby, Elle editor

ARMANI

Proof that certain classics never go out of style: Designers like Armani showed a deep berry shade that will always work for fall.

KATE SPADE

At Kate Spade, nail art took a walk on the retro side, whose models showed off simply sweet polka dots.

TRACY REESE

Chrome veered from its traditional gold or silver and into peacock blue at Tracy Reese.

DIOR

The pale, ladylike lavender that showed up at Dior could work for afternoon tea or the office.

ZAC POSEN

The models at Zac Posen had high-shine red tips that felt more lacquered than ever.

ALICE + OLIVIA

Black's never felt less goth than at Alice + Olivia, where charcoal got playful with flecks of gold.

VALENTINO

Simple, sophisticated nails have graduated from beige to ballet slipper and, now, the lavender taupe spotted at Valentino.

RUFFIAN

The shape at Ruffian was an oblong oval, faked by the magic of a press-on nail. Color-wise, a candy-hued purple brightened things up.

LOUISE GRAY

Louise Gray showed classic basic black-and-white, turning the old-school French into something more deliberately sever.

JOHN PAUL GAULTIER

The shiny silver at Jean Paul Gaultier proved to be a neutral-but-not that's surprisingly subtle.

Source: Elle

3 Ways to Improve Your Skin Tone

Want a more even complexion? Follow these skin care rules to keep your skin bright and blotch-free.

By Jennifer Goldstein, Prevention editor

Prevent redness, brown spots, and hyperpigmentation issues that add unwanted years with these easy, basic guidelines.

1. Be gentle on your skin.

Avoid harsh scrubs and rigorous towel drying, which can cause irritation that makes skin look older. And anytime you have an ingrown hair, clogged pore, or even a scratch from the cat—don’t touch it.

“Many women pick at their skin, not realizing it can cause post-inflammatory pigmentation and scarring,” explains Heidi Waldorf, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

2. Stay away from smoke.

“Chemicals from cigarettes get into your bloodstream and find their way to your skin, making it sallow and spotty,” explains Alistair Carruthers, MD, a dermatologist in Vancouver.

Even if you don’t smoke, sitting in a smoky room or restaurant exposes your skin to the same chemicals that cause discoloration.

3. Say yes to daily SPF. 

You’ve heard it a million times, but have you gotten the message? “My patients say they don’t use sunscreen because they don’t sunbathe, so I show them the freckles and little broken capillaries on their skin. I explain that they can get sun damage from simply walking to the car each day without sunscreen,” says Dr. Carruthers.

Source: Prevention

8 Ways to Get Rid of Acne

Anytime a pimple pops up out of nowhere it totally ruins your day—especially if it's right before a big date. Want clear skin 24/7? We do, too! We asked two top dermatologists to weigh in on how to keep your complexion looking its best 365 days a year.

By Carly Cardellino, Cosmopolitan editor

1. Suds Up

Since acne is caused by oil and bacteria that you need to keep from brewing into a blemish, prevention is key. On a daily basis, use an oil-free face wash that contains salicylic acid, like Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser, $20, amazon.com. "Salicylic acid is anti-bacterial and helps exfoliate away dead skin cells, which can clog your pores," says Gervaise Gerstner, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.

2. Use a Facial Brush

Hand-held facial brushes can also degrease skin, leaving less oil and bacteria behind, says Gerstner. The rotating brush head on this one—Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System, $21.97, amazon.com—also helps loosen up clogged pores.

3. Apply an Oil-Free SPF

Slather on an oil- and fragrance-free SPF, since oil can further clog pores and scented products can irritate your skin and lead to breakouts. We like Doctor T's Supergoop SPF 30+ Everyday UV Face & Body Moisturizing Sun Protection Lotion, $14, supergoop.com.

4. Reach for the Right Foundation

Pick up a foundation that's oil-free and contains salicylic acid, like Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup, $10.49, amazon.com, to keep your base makeup from contributing to new pimples.

5. Medicate Correctly

When new pimples pop up, hit them with benzoyl peroxide ASAP. The quicker you get to them with this antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ingredient, the faster the zit will vanish. "Just don't use it for more than a week at a time," says Doris Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and author of 100 Questions & Answers About Acne. Try Bremenn Research Labs Emergency Zit Stick Acne Treatment, $10, amazon.com.

6. Get the Red Out

If you're dealing with a bright red blemish, turn to a hydrocortisone cream, like Cortiozone-10 Intensive Healing Formula, $4.42, amazon.com, which helps relieve redness and inflammation. After you top your zit with benzoyl peroxide, apply this over top to bring down the swelling and redness, adds Day.

"You can also bring down the swelling by holding an ice pack against the trouble spot," notes Gerstner, "then continue with the hydrocortisone cream."

7. Top Your Zit With Toothpaste

In a pinch, top your blemish with a white opaque toothpaste, like Colgate Optic White Toothpaste, $5.99, amazon.com. The formula helps dry out zits by morning.

8. Correct Your Mistakes

What's worse than acne? An acne scar. First things first: Don't pick your face when you have a pimple! It will only result in a scar that you'll later have to lighten with a bleaching agent or get zapped with a laser to remove it.

We get it though. Picking happens. If the damage is already done and you have a blemish battle wound, apply a hydroquinone cream to the area to help lighten the spot, says Gerstner. We like Proactiv Dark Spot Corrector, $22, discoverproactiv.com.

Source: Cosmopolitan

5 Wedding Nail Ideas That Make Ballet-Slipper Pink Look Even More Boring

By Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour editor

I have nothing against a ballet slipper nail--it's a classic and lovely look--but you can't deny it's kind of a predictable and forgettable pick. If I were getting married again tomorrow I think I'd go for something a lot more memorable and special, like one of these 5 wedding-worthy, shimmering nail ideas.

1. Festive glitter nails

2. Elegant gold tips

3. Flecks of shine on nude nails

4. A glitter French manicure

5. A glistening take on neutral nails

Source: Glamour