FabSugar

OnSugar Blog: Why Save For Retirement and When Should You Start?

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:24:54 PDT

Why on earth should you save for retirement? Read what OnSugar blog Beauty and the Budget has to say about saving for your golden years.

For a young woman in her mid twenties, saving for retirement can seem like a distant, abstract concept. Personally, I tend to save for short term rewards, like a summer vacation. But for those things that are far off - even further away than marriage and children - I avoid the subject and neglect the planning. When I look at other financial websites, my eyes usually fall upon some topic on retirement savings, but I never really look into it.

Somehow, the other day at work, I got to thinking about my retirement. I love working in fashion, but let's face it, this isn't the greatest industry if you want a high paying salary or benefits. Only those on the top of the fashion pyramid make lots of money. As for the rest of us, we just really have to love what we do. I used to think that every job came with some sort of retirement plan, and that you'd just automatically be taken care of by the last company you work for when you decide to retire. Unfortunately, that's not the way it works.

Read on for reasons to save for retirement.

Do High Luxury Skin Care Sales Mean the Recession Is Over?

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:10:47 PDT

High lipstick sales are associated with a bad economy, but apparently high luxury skin care sales may indicate financial recovery. Even though the US fiscal situation is far from sunny, CNN is calling 2010's eight percent increase in luxury skin care receipts "a clear sign of a recovery," and suggesting that recent runs on $320 and $500 face creams point to a larger economic trend.

I'll be a lot more heartened when there's a big jump in mid-range skin care purchases, since that would indicate to me that middle class women are comfortable with spending again. Until that happens, though, do you think your beauty spending is a good indicator of your economic stability?

The Covet List: Charlotte Olympia Miranda Wedges

Noria Morales — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 03:17:56 PDT

The Piece: Charlotte Olympia Miranda Wedges

The Investment: $902

Why We Covet: You know that if you wear these, at least ten women, and probably a few men, are going to stop you on the street and ask you where you got these fabulous shoes. They're meant to be checked out. They're meant to get attention. They're meant to make you six feet tall because they have whopping 6-inch wedge heels, but you won't die of discomfort because of the 2.5-inch platform. Beyond that, we love that the leopard is trimmed in bright, sunny yellow and the little knot across the toes.

Check out other items from our Covet List!

5 Luxe Skin Care Products That Are Worth the Splurge

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 06:00:00 PST

Not sure where to start or what to get when it comes to high-end skin care products? Team Bella has tried out lots of luxe skin care items over the years, and here are a few of our favorites. Some are slightly more reasonably priced than others, but all deliver luxurious results.

Testing Out the Hot New DiorShow Spinning Mascara

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:00:00 PST

Dior has just debuted the latest in high-tech mascaras, and like the vibrating and ball-shaped mascara wands before it, this new modification is sure to launch scads of imitators. The new mascara, DiorShow 360 ($36), carries quite the price tag but promises that its double helix-shaped bristles and spinning wand will "mimic a makeup artist's application technique for a perfect 360-degree lash-styling effect." That's a pretty tall order for any product, and to be honest, I was a little scared of putting something spinning (and perhaps lash-pulling) next to my eye. I tried it anyway, though. So get ready to see whether the spinning helix brush is worth its weight in gold.

10 Ridiculously Luxe Beauty Gifts

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:00:08 PST

Ever gotten a $1,000 headband for the holidays, or maybe been surprised with a jewel-encrusted perfume bottle so large that it has a spigot? Well, even if that's not how things usually go around your house, you can still be up on the lives of the wealthy and profligate. The following 10 gifts are some of the most luxurious and costly on the market. Check them out and see if they're worth their price tags.

Now, You Can Get a Golden Tattoo

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:00:52 PST

Have money to burn? Do you love gold? Then you might just want to hit up the luxe Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, where you can get a tattoo made of real 24-carat gold. But here's the catch: this pricey ink is only temporary.

The Precious Skin tats ($50 to $5,500) are comprised of gold or platinum leaf and were originally developed by Japanese designer Nobuhiko Akatsuka several years back (see his work here). With the recent launch of these luxury temporary tattoos in Dubai, along with plans to extend into more Middle Eastern outlets in the near future, I have a feeling this won't be the last we see of these body art-meets-jewelry accessories. Would you consider getting gilded yourself?

Burberry Makes $85 Lip Gloss Now

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:00:51 PDT

I love Burberry, but this may be too much, even for me. The storied British brand is now selling a Burberry Lip Charm ($85) that barely clocks in under three figures. Just for comparison, a full size Burberry 'Lip Glow' Natural Lip Gloss is $27, so while still certainly luxurious, the rest of their line doesn't even come close. The limited-edition charm also functions as a key chain, but do you think it's worth the splurge?

I'm Asking: What's the Most Extravagant Gift You've Received?

Emily Co — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:00:02 PDT

Neiman Marcus released their gift catalog on Tuesday and boy were the things listed on there truly extravagant. Make your pickings among items like a $1.5 million "glass creation from artist Dale Chihuly for the bottom of a swimming pool," $15,000 gingerbread playhouse, and a $125,000 private party organized by celebrity event planner, Colin Cowie. If you're looking to spend less, you can still feel like a baller with the $100 tweezer blinged out with crystals or a $95 scented candle featured on the catalogs. These Neiman gifts may not be realistic, but what's the most extravagant gift you've received?

Take a Beach Vacation at Donna Karan's Private Estate

CasaSugar — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:00:03 PDT

I've been dreaming about a beach vacation since I returned from Kauai almost two years ago, but I never let myself dream about something as posh as staying at Donna Karan's house. Now, however, some lucky family can do just that while feeling good about their stay: all of the proceeds go to charity!

Donna Karan is auctioning the chance to spend four nights at her private estate on Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos. Known as "The Sanctuary," this stunning, secluded family retreat is hidden among lush island vegetation. A short walk will take you down to the white sand beach for swimming, sunning, and snorkeling. Back at the estate, you can relax in the infinity pool lined with black volcanic stone or peruse Karan's personal collection of African and Asian art that adorn the walls.

The exclusive vacation for eight people, valued at over $40,000, is currently up for auction on luxury charity auction site CharityBuzz to raise funds for The Ellen Hermanson Foundation. This charity was established in 1997 to honor the memory of Ellen Hermanson, a crusader in the fight against breast cancer; proceeds from this auction will help fund the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital, as well as other activities undertaken by the foundation.

If you have the cash and need for a private vacation, go ahead and make your bid through Wednesday, Sept. 8. For a quick tour of Karan's home, check out the gallery below.

View 5 Photos ›