BellaSugar

Product Review: Arcona White Tea Cleanser

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:00:47 PDT

A couple of weeks ago, I talked to you about my new Arcona Kiwi Clarifying Peel and how much of a disappointment it turned out to be. Thank goodness the brand has redeemed itself, because I was starting to wonder what Lindsay Lohan ever saw in them. Over the last three weeks I've also been using their White Tea Purifying Cleanser ($42) and I have some great things to report.

By far, the best part about this cleanser is the scent. I've actually never smelled a beauty product quite this natural (and that's saying a lot). It has an inviting essence reminiscent of lightly brewed white tea mixed with sugar. It goes on smoothly and has excellent foaming action. All you need is a dime-sized amount for your face and neck. Gently rub in small circles to remove, dirt, makeup, and excess oil. It's even gentle on your eyes and doesn't sting in the slightest.

Your face is left feeling tight and shiny, but not dry. The best part is that my skin looks and feels smoother, plus, it has a little bit of a glow. It's got me thinking that there's something inside that also exfoliates, but I can't figure out what that is. All in all, this is a product that I'll be sticking with throughout the Summer. Since my skin is so sensitive, I wanted to be sure that I shared my fabulous find with the rest of you.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Product Review: Arcona Kiwi Clarifying Peel

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:00:01 PDT

A few weeks ago I talked to you about the Los Angeles based skin care brand Arcona. I've now had the opportunity to spend some time with the products and really get a feeling for how they affect my skin. One item that I've found noteworthy is the Kiwi Clarifying Peel ($85).

First of all, the smell is divine. It has a strong kiwi aroma and it even has the little black fruit seeds right there in the pot. The color is light green, but when you spread it on your face, it looks clear. The texture is thick and gooey and upon contact with your skin, you'll feel an instant tightening and cooling. The directions say to leave it on for ten minutes, but I ran to the bathroom after five. My face began to itch terribly from the fruit acids and I couldn't help but panic.

Thank goodness no damage was done. My face was pink for only ten minutes and I didn't suffer any burns or peeling, but my oh my, was that scary. Also, and I feel this is pretty important - I've had the peel for a few weeks now and have noticed that it's already beginning to smell rancid. Arcona suggests keeping their products for six months, and now I know why. The lack of preservatives must mean that they have a short shelf life.

I can understand why people love these products (they smell amazing and have a celebrity following), but I just don't think they are right for me. Does anyone else have any stories about disappointing skin care products they have tried?

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Bella Brand: Arcona

BellaSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:00:11 PDT

Some girlfriends and I were talking about skin care products over dinner, and one of them, who recently moved from Los Angeles, was cooing over the brand Arcona. She swears by the cranberry gommage, kiwi resurfacing peel and white tea daily face cleanser and credits her shiny, taught skin to being brand-loyal for the past year.

Another one of the girls has been using the products (based on her recommendation) for the past few weeks and her skin looks so revived, that I thought I'd research the brand myself. Hey, if my friends love it, and Lindsay Lohan does too - it must be fab!

Arcona was developed in Hollywood 19 years ago by a former chemist and holistic skin care practitioner. The 92 product-range is formulated with natural, cosmeceutical-grade ingredients containing high concentrations of antioxidants, vitamins, plant extracts, marine vegetables and essential oils that penetrate the deep layers of the skin. The ingredients are cold-pressed (key for keeping the nutrients active and effective), and are free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and fragrance. The brand promotes a five-step program tailored to the needs of your skin.

I tried a sample of the peptide moisturizer and really liked the light smell. It's not too thick, not too milky, it absorbs into the skin well and it works great for day and night. I haven't tried anything else yet, but I can't wait for my next trip to LA to check out the studio. Are you interested in trying Arcona?

Where to Find the Best Black Friday Beauty Deals

Jaime Richards — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:10:38 PST

Get ready for some serious sales because Black Friday is upon us, the official kickoff to holiday shopping season. So whether you'll be heading out at 3:00 a.m. for some doorbusting action or snuggled up with your laptop scoping out the deals, there's something here for everyone. To see some amazing deals, just keep reading.

Super Cyber Monday Savings! Tons of Beauty Steals and Deals

BellaSugar — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:59:07 PST

Now that you've survived the Black Friday rush, it's time to get ready to deck your wallet with lots of savings - again:

Happy Birthday, Urban Decay!
To celebrate its 15th birthday, this makeup brand is giving a sneak peek of the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary 24/7 Pencil set. From 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. EST today only, you can buy it before it hits stores.

Buy more and save more at Ahava
The Dead Sea skincare line is offering savings up to 30 percent - not to mention a couple of freebies to go along with it! Spend $50 and get 15 percent off, plus a hand/body/foot cream with the code GIVE15. Get that 20 percent of plus a washcloth and gift set with a $100 purchase and the code GIVE20. Or go all-out and spend $200; you'll get 30 percent off plus all of those goodies with the code GIVE30.

Up to 80 percent off at Stila
If you have a lot of loved ones to buy for this year - or just want to add a couple of items to your growing collection - Stila Cosmetics is offering savings up to 80 percent. Through Dec. 3.

For more beauty bargains, keep reading.