BellaSugar

Bellissima! Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm

BellaSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:00:40 -0700

Attention all of you body-balm fans out there. This post is chock full of products that I know you'll love! I first became addicted to body salves about a year ago when I discovered this amazing wonderbalm. The smooth, hydrating, and soothing formulas are a great panacea for dry-skin issues since they can be used on your knees, elbows, lips, hands, and cuticles. It was love at first use and ever since I have been collecting more and more in search of the absolute bomb-diggity of balms.

For a while I swore by the pint-sized Smith's Rosebud Salve, but when I was introduced to Liz Earl's Superbalm in November, I became addicted for five months straight. I still think it has the best scent of them all, but my latest acquisition is the Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm ($55).

Bobbi Brown has always been a brand I turn to when I'm looking for good quality basics. This rich, avocado, rosemary oil, beeswax, and geranium enhanced balm has been my saving grace during the cold weather of the past few months. I love the dense texture and because it contains shea butter, it is extra conditioning.

I hate wasting good product on my feet, but I will say that rubbing a little bit into the skin around my toes and heels has really helped keep my pedicure looking fresh. I know that sounds strange, but try it - it works! What's your favorite body balm?

Silky Strawberry Lip Balms

BellaSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:00:37 -0800

Welcome to my final installment of strawberry beauty products. Those of you who missed the reading about strawberry body creams, scrubs and cleansers, have no fear - you can find everything here. These three goodies are smooth lip smackers to help soothe, condition and impart shine to your lips. And not only do they smell like strawberries, they taste like them too!

Smith's Strawberry Rosebud Lip Balm ($4.49) is the latest launch in the Smith's salve family. This all-purpose balm isn't restricted to lip love only; I use it on my cuticles, hands, knees and even my eyes sometimes. This strawberry version smells of roses and strawberries mixed together - it's amazing!

For two more strawberry lip balms, read more.

This creamy Burt's Bees Strawberry Lip Gloss ($2.64) smells sweet, tastes good and leaves lips shiny and soft. I realize they call it a lip gloss, but because it's not sticky or tacky and you have to dip your finger into the pot to put it on, I think it's safe to consider this gloss the balm. Yuk, yuk.

Since it's made from grapeseed oil it is also conditioning and contains antioxidants. FYI, it is also available in raspberry, cherry and lemon-lime.

Avon Flavor Savers Lip Gloss in Strawberry Fraise ($0.99) is a clear and conditioning lip balm that comes in a form similar to Chapstick. Just rub it over your lips a few times to get it soft and melty, then lick your lips for a sweet treat. I think it's great that Avon is still selling this product for under a dollar, because who doesn't love an affordable indulgence?

Bellissima! Liz Earle Superbalm

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:00:38 -0800

Liz Earle calls this product Superbalm because it comes to the rescue in a million different ways - much like Superman! This salve is a great remedy for dry cuticles, chapped lips, scaly heels, rough elbows and hands, frizzy hair, and as a barrier cream against extreme weather conditions. It is made from 100-percent pure plant oils and waxes, echinacea, vitamin E, soothing lavender, softening rose hip, and moisturizing avocado. Now you can understand where its amazing and calming aroma comes from!

Using Superbalm is easy: Just massage a little bit into your hands and spread it on your body. Be warned that a little goes a long way, so if you plan to use it on your lips, you really won't need much. Consider Superbalm your new and improved version of that jar of Vaseline that's been sitting on your bathroom shelf for ages. The formula is less greasy and even the big tub is light to tote around. Superbalm is available in a 1-oz. jar for $26.50 and in a .1-oz. mini container for $8. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Bellissima! DuWop Smoothset

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:13:00 -0700

When it comes to Summer makeup, I like a flawless finish without much foundation, and the DuWop Smoothset ($32) offers everything you need to create a natural-looking face from start to finish. This long, sleek compact - about the size of two business-card cases - contains a pair of great products: a priming balm and an oil-controlling translucent powder.

The balm can be used underneath foundation or alone with the powder to minimize pores and fine lines. It delivers nutrients like Vitamin E to the skin while preventing your face from looking oily. A little bit goes a long way; simply smooth it on your skin.

After applying the balm and foundation (if you choose), dust the sheer powder all over your face to set your makeup and even out your skin tone. It feels incredibly light and is perfect for those of you with sensitive skin. The Smoothset is available in three desert-inspired shades: Sahara (translucent light), Mojave (translucent medium), and Kalahari (translucent dark).

Beauty Marked! All Purpose Body Balms

BellaSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 06:00:58 -0700

For our inaugural BellaSugar Beauty Mark It challenge last week, I asked you guys to share your most bomb body balms with me. Since I am in love with my Boots Mediterranean Olive Almond & Sage Wonderbalm, I figured that you might have some secret salves stashed up your sleeves too!

You can see all of the body balm Beauty Marks on TeamSugar; thanks to everyone for your enthusiastic participation! Here are three of my favorites:

Beauty Mark #1: BadgerBalm Unscented Healing Balm ($6.50), found by SFKitkat. This looks like a great product for anyone with sensitive skin, because it contains no fragrances or additives. It can be used to treat cracked fingers, dry skin, and chapped lips, as well as to help heal boo-boos.

For two more body balms, read more

Beauty Mark #2: Burt's Bees Farmer's Friend Hand Salve ($5.60), found by Jennifer76. According to Jennifer76, this all-purpose balm is "thick without being super thick, and it goes in very easily. The only thing I wish is that it had a fun girly smell."

Beauty Mark #3: Mad Gabs Classic Hand & Body Balm in Lavender ($8), found by catstarr. This balm is great for conditioning any dry patches on your body. Some people even like to put it on their cuticles, knees, and elbows. It is made from rich shea butter, Vitamins E and A, olive oil, bees wax, and almond oil. Not only does it smell great, but it feels great too!

Beauty Mark It! An All Purpose Balm

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 10:31:42 -0700

This Mediterranean Olive Almond & Sage Wonderbalm by Boots ($8.99) is the bomb of all balms! The light and pleasant-smelling organic salve is the perfect solution to dry, chapped, or rough skin. It’s not sticky, so it never leaves an icky residue, and the balm is nourishing and long-lasting. You can buy it in the U.S. in Target stores nationwide.

I love this balm so much that I wanted to share it and see if you could share one of your favorite all-purpose balms with me too! How about you all go Beauty Marking to find even more bad-ass balms? To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to create one, click here. Let me know when your Beauty Marks are up, or just tag your bookmarks with the phrase "body balm."

Coincidentally, the Beauty Product Junkies challenge this week involves moisturizer, so you might be able to kill two balms with one stone!

To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more

Saks Beauty Place
Victoria's Secret Beauty
Sephora
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com

Rose Lip Balms Rule!

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:42:33 -0800

Our lips have some of the thinnest cover on our entire body. They are super sensitive to the environment since they don't produce any moisture on their own. Therefore, as soon as we feel a crack, or a patch of dryness, our lips become extra sensitive.

Not only does rose smell feminine, sweet and light, but it contains essential oils necessary in healing dry, chapped and cracked lips. Here are three of my favorite rose lip balms to help heal your special smackers.

by Terry Rose Balm Gloss, $50, has just created a new crystal case for their best selling rose lip balm! This lip balm contains a high concentration of lipid (fat) building rose wax which hydrates and nourishes the lips. It helps to repair, rejuvenate, strengthen, and fight early signs of aging in your lips. Plus, it smells great too. This gloss/balm plumps up your puckers ever so slightly and leaves them glowing and kissable.

For two more classic Rose lip balms, read more

This uber yummy smelling and adorably pink packaged Propoline Lip Aid With Rose & Olive Oil by Apivita is a sheer and very light rose colored lip balm that helps to combat dry, cracked lips.

It is super moisturizing, nourishing and softening and contains natural ingredients such as: rose, olive oil and Vitamin E. You can buy one for $7 or this package of three lip balms for $13.50.

Smith's Rosebud Salve, $6, is a cult-favorite among women of all shapes, sizes and creeds. It is a multi-purpose lip balm that soothes dry lips, calms and heals irritation, and helps take out the sting of a minor burn.

It also conditions dry cuticles, elbows, knees, diaper rash and my personal favorite: crow's feet. I know, it seems like a salve would be too heavy, but it's not. It absorbs overnight and I swear it helps fight lines and wrinkles. It now also comes in a new cool minted rose flavor too!

Badger Balm is Bad Ass

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 04:32:33 -0700

Badger products are new for me, but after trying these lip balms I'm hooked! Their products are intended for healing and restoring balance in your skin. The company:

Uses only 100% natural products
Uses anywhere from 70%-100% certified organic ingredients in their balms
Doesn't use chemicals, synthetics, GMO’s, parabens, preservatives or test on animals

My favorite product of theirs is the Lip Balm Sticks, $5. They glide on really smooth, they aren't sticky and they come in five flavors: Coffee Roast (my fave), Lime Rocket, Sweet Orange, Cool Mint (Fab's favorite) and Creamy Cocoa.

The Balm Sticks are made from: certified organic extra virgin olive oil, golden yellow beeswax, organic Aloe Vera extract and CO2 extracts of Seabuckthorn Berry and Rose Hip. The special ingredient is the organic creamy cocoa butter which helps moisturize your lips and makes the balm last longer.

A Few New Luxury Tinted Lip Balms

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:00:46 -0700

Lip balms are one of my favorite products and I always get excited when a new one makes an appearance in the marketplace - especially if it's tinted, because it feels good and it looks good. I've tried each of these new Prescriptives and Lola Cosmetics tinted balms and they all satisfy my balmy cravings.

Korres Lip Butter ($9) is an all-natural hydrating tinted lip balm that contains a high concentration of shea butter to help soothe and heal chapped lips. It comes in four colors that leave a light trace of bee-stung color on your lips.

Lola Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm ($10) is creamy, moisturizing and minty fresh. The balms are infused with good-for-you antioxidants, peppermint, essential oils, vitamin E, mango and spearmint for smooth application and a clean, crisp taste. The result is smooth, shiny lips that look luscious, precious and voluptuous.

Confession: So those aren't exactly the adjectives I'd choose to describe a lip balm, but they are the names of the three available colors.

For one last luxe lip balm, read more.

Prescriptives Tint Balm in Pink Satin ($14.50) isn't new per se, but the color is. It came out about six weeks ago and is a light pink with a hint of shimmer. This creamy balm conditions lips and helps reduce uncomfortable dryness and flaking. It is infused with botanicals to make it smell good, and it also contains a hint of color to create a fuller lip look.

Tuesday Giveaway! The Balm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:30:01 -0700

Thanks to our very generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of June. First, a big congratulations to Janiceh, who won Monday's giveaway for the Korres Suncare Beauty Bag.

This week's giveaways are all about Summer beauty, and today's prize is near and dear to my heart: The Balm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer SPF 18 ($24), which I wrote about when it debuted. Available in three shades, this makeup-plus-moisturizer hybrid heals, hydrates, and perfects all in one easy swipe. Plus, the lightweight texture and SPF 18 sun protection make it a great Summer alternative to foundation.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 5, and we'll announce the winner when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

I'd also like to introduce a special new member of the TeamSugar family: SephoraExpert, an insider at the beauty retailer who's here to answer any questions you might have about makeup, skincare, and other pressing matters. So stop by SephoraExpert's profile page and say hello, or send her a private message or leave a guestbook post with any of your burning beauty questions.