BellaSugar

Beauty Products You Didn't Know Existed

BellaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:09 -0700

Our beloved beauty brands have secret lives we don't know about. So many products from around the world mean that whenever I travel, I have to hit up the local drugstore. Of course, I have no idea what some of these products actually are for, but they are nonetheless fascinating, as is how a room full of execs decides that Americans don't want to try Nivea Intensive Cream hair mask but Egyptians totally do (it has lotus blossom, so no doubt smells amazing). Garnier's line of "UVSKI" products (which appear to be sun protection for skiiers) for the Netherlands and Maybelline China's Eye Studio palette look so good I could almost travel across multiple continents for them. I'd also hit up Ireland for those adorable tins of Rosy Vaseline and Sephora France for that cool analog-looking face mask. Any global goodies you've fallen in love with?

BellaSugar's Guide to Beauty Products from Around the World

BellaSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:00:28 -0700

Get a load of these beauties from around the world. Famous actresses such as Debbie Matenopolous (Greek-American), Catherine Deneuve (French), Sophia Loren (Italian), Lucy Liu (Chinese-American) and Gisele Bundchen (Brazilian) all epitomize the beauty traits that each of these countries are known for.

Now, it's not like I've trotted the globe trying all of the latest and greatest beauty treatments (although that would be a dream come true) but I have had the opportunity to try out some of the great imports that have crossed oceans to get to the United States. Below is a five post round-up filled with fun facts about global beauty-as well as my top picks for beauty products from Greece, France, Italy, China and Brazil. I hope you've enjoyed this series as much as I have.

Beauty Products From Around The World Part V: Brazil

BellaSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:00:22 -0700

Did you know that Brazil is climbing the ranks in global beauty and by next year it is set to become the third largest beauty market in the world ahead of France and Germany? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the country is home to the world’s biggest rain forest, the Amazon.

Popular Brazilian beauty ingredients include ginseng (tones the skin), guaraná (stimulates production on melanin), buriti oil (rich in fatty acids), and the Brazil nut (high in selenium). Here are three beauty products that allow us to enjoy a little bit of Amazon biodiversity right here in America.

Molton Brown Invigorating Suma Ginseng Bath & Shower Gel ($25) is a lush, rich and fragrant body wash.

It is made from Brazilian suma ginseng which helps boost circulation and juniper berry oil, cinnamon, oakmoss, armoise and geranium revitalise the senses and and stimulate the energy.

For two more amazing Brazilian beauty products, read more

Brazillian Fruit Moisturising Body Lotion Guarana ($14.90) is made from a delicious blend of natual ingredients from the Amazon such as guaraná extract, cupuaca butter, sunflower oil and vitamin E, to invigorate the skin and leave it feeling soft, smooth and protected.

Guaraná is also known as an aphrodisiac and metabolic stimulant - ahhh, so that's why Gisele is so thin!

Nunaat Cosmetics is a very popular Brazilian brand that also makes a full range of hair care and bath and body products. They use essential oils and natural ingredients from the Amazon to relax the body through delicate fragrances and textures. The brand is coming to the US in 2008 and I wanted to make sure you were in the know!

Beauty Products From Around the World Part IV: China

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:00:43 -0700

Chinese women have some of the most beautiful skin in the world. This is because many pamper their skin with herbal ingredients-both topically and nutritionally. Among these ingredients are mushrooms, ginger and pearl powder; they are believed to decrease signs of aging, build the immune system and preserve overall health.

The key to understanding Chinese medicine is to take care of not only the skin but the entire body as well. Here are three Chinese beauty products that are currently available in the US. I hope this post will help you gain some insight into the powers of these ingredients.

Wei East Time Delay ($28) is a wrinkle reducer that contains a special ingredient called the Reishi mushroom. This is a rare herb that the Chinese call “the mushroom of immortality” since it works to decrease visible signs of aging.

Reishi mushrooms are believed to reduce inflammation and rejuvenate the skin. Since they are also rich in vitamin B, iron, calcium and magnesium, they are also excellent for the blood, heart and lungs.

For two more amazing Chinese beauty products, read more

Jenju Pearl Cream is a face cream that I told you about a long time ago. It is made with pearl powder (high in amino acid) to calm inflammation, redness and skin irritations.

The Chinese royal court used crushed freshwater pearls for centuries because of these special properties, as well as for the glowy after-effects it leaves on your skin. You can purchase the cream online for ($28).

Carol's Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure In A Jar ($11) is created in Brooklyn, but I'm sneaking it in here because it features ginger. This is a delicious-smelling exfoliator created to slew away stubborn skin cells on your hands and feet (it's great for elbows too). Ginger is a wonderful and natural way to awaken the senses and revitalize the spirit.

Its powerful aroma has been known to act as an aphrodisiac and is often blended with calming scents such as mint and lemon to balance out its strength. Once you are finished with your vigorous scrub, sit back, relax and enjoy the sensational cooling effect.

Beauty Products From Around the World, Part III: Italy

BellaSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:00:00 -0700

I think almost everything from Italy is romantic: the fragrances, the language, the makeup, the men (!), and the skin care. Fresh Italian ingredients such as virgin olive oil, grapefruit, and neroli are often used in beauty products, especially in fragrances. Italians once believed that aside from a wonderful smell, colognes also helped protect you from disease and harm. So it's no wonder that so many of the famous Italian fashion houses (Bulgari, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana...) all have their own fragrances. Here are a few examples of sensational and sweet-smelling Italian beauty products.

Pupa Cosmetics is a Milanese makeup company with chic, compact, rounded packaging and a light and fresh aromatic essence to its products. They are known for their bright colors that work on the runway or red carpet. You can now buy Pupa in more 70 countries, and some products are on sale at Amazon.com.

For two more intriguing Italian beauty products read more

Incanto Charms by Ferragamo ($77 for a 3.4 oz bottle) is an exotic essence of Italian fruits and flowers-namely passion fruit, honeysuckle, ottoman rose and jasmine. The scent makes you feel just as sexy as if a gorgeous Italian man whispered the word "bella" in your ear!

Clèo Body Cream ($6.76) is a star product in this yogurt-based cult brand. Fortunately, it's just arrived in the US! The lactic acid in yogurt soothes, softens and tightens skin. Plus, the fast-absordbbing cream smells delicious, and it's ideal for dry skin.

Beauty Products From Around the World, Part II: France

BellaSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:00:55 -0700

French women are in a constant search for flawless, perfect skin. Some view aging as a a four-letter word and will do everything in their power to seek out preventative, anti-aging treatments. The French describe American women as “vulgaire” for our heavy makeup and cosmetic surgeries and scoff at young Hollywood celebs that prance around with fake tans and fake hair extensions.

In France, if you have the slightest skin condition (anything from eczema to acne) your medical bills for "treatments" can be covered up to as much as 65%. In my recent research there is one thing I've learned about French beauty - despite all of the gorgeous makeup and clothing that hails from France, a glowing complexion is the is the most coveted accessory!

Carita Pearl of Youth Cream ($214) is an anti-aging skincare product that firms, tones, smooths and protects skin from environmental damages that cause premature aging. With continued use, skin should become softer and lines will look more refined. Use one pump on a cleansed skin in the morning and gently massage into the face and neck using moderate pressure.

For two more fabulous French beauty products read more

Lierac Coherènce- Age-Defense Firming Serum ($60) is a light yet intensive collagen enhanced serum formulated to lift, smooth, brighten and tighten skin to create a more youthful appearance. It absorbs quickly and can be used morning and night to cleansed skin under a moisturizer.

Decleor Aromessence Neroli Comforting Concentrate ($63.50) is a fast-absorbing and deep penetrating facial oil made with neroli oil to help normal to sensitve skin look and feel more hydrated, supple and radiant. Apply three drops in the morning and evening to cleansed skin. Decleor products smell amazing, so take deep breaths to benefit from the wonderful aroma.

Beauty Products From Around The World Part I: Greece

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:58:42 -0700

Greek men and women are known for their thick, plentiful and shiny hair. Ingredients such as mint, rosewater, honey and yogurt are some of the most widely found and consumed ingredients in the country. We are lucky enough to now have access to these great Greek hair products in the US. Please let me know what you think and if you have any more Greek products to share with our growing beauty community.

Apivita Propoline Shampoo ($17) is a line of twelve moisturizing shampoos that have remained a cult favorite in Greece for 20+ years. What makes this brand and these shampoos so amazing is that instead of using ordinary water, they use rosemary water as a base.

Rosemary improves circulation, promotes hair growth, stimulates cell renewal to eliminate dandruff, normalize oil secretions. Wow, I had no idea about the powers of rosemary, did you?

For two more great beauty products from Greece, read more

How many times have we heard that healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp? This Korres Green Silt and Corallina Oligoelements Intensive Hair Scrub ($30) is terrific for regulating dandruff and sebum secretion. It's a cranial exfoliator that helps to balance damaged scalps, exfoliate dead skin cells, and regenerate the hair to give it a healthy, shiny lustre.

Since it's a treatment, it is recommended for use once a week. Simply
apply the scrub on wet hair from roots to hair ends, massage gently and leave on for ten minutes before rinsing.

Hydra Mastic Mask ($24.80) is a hair hydration mask containing a special ingredient called mastic found on the Greek island of Chios. Company founder Dia Scoufaras discovered mastic, a resin that comes from the mastic tree that has anti-bacterial and ant-fungal properties, while on a family vacation in Chios.

Now the company has over 175 products that contain lots of good-for-you ingredients such as red wine for its anti-oxidant properties and olive oil as an emollient. Hydra Mastic Mask helps to hydrate, protect and add shine to normal and dry hair. To check out the four Mastic US spa locations online here!

Sabon Goes Organic

BellaSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:00:37 -0700

Sabon started out in 1974 with one natural soap handcrafted in a backyard in Israel, and the brand now has shops around the world. Today, it expands into the organic market with its Sabon Organic line.

Even though the "organic" labeling of beauty products (vs. food) often comes under fire for lack of consistency and regulation, this line comes ECOCERT-approved from an international organization that examines organic cosmetics. To be certified, the products must have 10 percent minimum approved organic ingredients, and at least 95 percent of ingredients must be from natural plant sources. In addition, certification requires the absence of synthetic fragrances and dyes, silicones and glycol, petro-chemical and mineral oils, and parabens, and no animal ingredients/testing.

I got a sneak peek and sniff of one of the products from this line. Read my thoughts on the item I tested when you read more.

The Organic Butter Cream, $39 (bottom right), is a rich emollient moisturizer. I can hold the open jar upside and shake it, but the cream stays in! It feels just as thick going onto the skin, but not sticky or greasy. Along with the familiar shea butter, jojoba oil, and aloe leaf juice were other plant extracts like maris sal (dead sea salt), dill extract, and macadamia seed oil. Plus each label lists exactly how much is natural - this item has 98.86 percent total ingredients of natural origin and 82.41 percent from organic farming - and comes in recycled packaging. I'm popping this in my fridge as soon as I get home for a cool Summer treat.

Bella Interview: I Heart Daily

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:00:48 -0700

What do you do after you've written for ELLEgirl, Teen Vogue, Teen People, and Glamour? If you're Anne Ichikawa and Melissa Walker, you start your own online publication. I Heart Daily features news on style, beauty, entertainment, and all-around cool stuff. It's meant for teenagers, but you'll like it if you're merely young at heart.

Ichikawa and Walker recently shared their thoughts on why youth culture fascinates them, how Pete Wentz is influencing style, and how to help teenage girls develop a healthy self-image. Read on!

You've both written for teenagers for years. What is it about them that grabs you?
MELISSA: They're so open and honest. Teenagers are going through really high highs and really low lows, and there's something universal about those emotions and the raw excitement of discovering new things to love. They care about what they're reading about-and they're not afraid to tell you when the loooooove something or when they think something sucks. I appreciate that.
ANNE: Teens are still forming their opinions about things, their taste and what they like. Because of that they’re more excited and open to discover what’s out there, whether that’s a new band or a new kind of lip gloss. I mean, my mom has used the same Maybelline eyeliner for the past 20 years in the same exact shade! They have a sense of passion that us jaded adults lose after a while. Haha.

For their thoughts on beauty trends, read more.

Do you think it's easier to be a teenager now than it was, say, 10 years ago? Or harder?
MELISSA: I think it's harder in some ways and easier than others. Seriously, the experience of that age is so universal that I think it all evens out and ends up just being a tough-and-amazing time no matter WHEN you go through it.
ANNE: I agree with Melissa - being a teenager is pretty universal throughout the ages. Sure, now there’s Facebook and MySpace, but you know, at some point TV sets and cordless phones also were new and crazy.

How have teenagers' attitudes toward their appearance changed since you were that age?
MELISSA: I think they have more access to celebrity style and beauty, plus quick-and-easy ways to get the exact products they see celebs using, so there might be a bit more experimentation. But the truth is that teenagers are always trying to find their personal style, and now they can just try on more identities, which is fun.
ANNE: I think it’s a little more accepted and cool to be different now. Being quirky and an individual is a good thing now-that’s partly due to the media. Who ever thought wearing huge nerd glasses (American Apparel style) and guys wearing black eyeliner (Pete Wentz) would ever become mainstream and hip?

For those of us with teenage nieces and sisters, what's the best advice we can give with regard to building their self-image?
MELISSA: Nurture individuality and encourage their passions. There's so much possibility to explore at that age, and the "eh, that's not realistic" line is one of the lamest ones older people pull. Encourage them to dream big-then their identities are defined by how much they rock the world, not how much they weigh.
ANNE: To be comfortable in your own skin. I know, I know…easier said than done, but it’s true! It’s so important to encourage young women to be curious, kind, intelligent and, most of all, to follow their passions. Focus on building a strong sense of self, and the confidence will follow.

For more from Melissa and Anne, check out I Heart Daily.

Beauty Mark It! An "Un" Beauty Vacation

BellaSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:00:22 -0700

Next month, I'm going on a much-needed vacation to beautiful Central America to see the picturesque countries of Guatemala and Belize. No doubt it will be a completely different world than my current fast-paced location of New York Fashion Week. I won't be packing my Shady Lady, and I won't be applying any fancy face serums either. Blow dryer and flat iron? Not needed.

It's going to be hot and humid where I'm traveling, and since it's just me, I'll be packing very light. Most of my days and nights will be spent exploring the history, natural beauty, and culture of each country, so I need my minimized beauty routine to be simple and condensed.

I'll get you started with Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard Towelettes ($6). These travel-friendly cloths will help ensure that the mosquitoes eat - um, whatever lovely things they eat, and not me. So, what kinds of products can you recommend that will still help me look fetching, but without all the fuss?

Share your choices by bookmarking items from around the web and tagging them with the phrase Un Beauty Vacation. I'll feature your favorites here next Tuesday. To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more.

Saks Beauty Place
Sephora
Saffron Rouge
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Amazon.com Beauty
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com