BellaSugar

Beauty Byte: Hey, I Think You Dropped $400

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:05:32 -0700

In these increasingly shaky economic times, you'd think people might scoff at paying $400 for a body lotion. But according to today's WWD, luxury brand Kanebo is expecting us to do just that with Sensai Premier Body Cream.

The article points out that the new cream's $400 for 6.7 ounces trumps Creme de la Mer's body lotion, which is $195 for 10.3 ounces. Called "the ultimate body cream" by a company spokesman, the product includes Chinese Mulberry shrub, Japanese seaweed, and a Moon Flower fragrance. Are you reserving your tub now?

Doing Drugstore: J.R. Watkins Aloe & Green Tea Body Cream

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:00:33 -0700

I love that brands like Yes to Carrots, Burt's Bees and J.R. Watkins are available at drugstores (and therefore at drugstore prices). I picked up J.R. Watkins' new Aloe & Green Tea Body Cream ($6.49) on a day when my skin was feeling especially parched. The packaging couldn't be cuter, with declarations like "free yourself" and "naturally pure" written in old-timey script - and in French, at that. This brand doesn't use parabens, dye, or phthalates (nor does it test on animals) and they're clearly proud of it - as they should be!

To find out what I thought of this cream, just read more.

Despite being called "body cream," according to its own tube this product is actually intended for especially rough parts of the body like the hands, feet, knees and elbows, and the addition of soothing aloe and green tea makes it good all-purpose balm for when you just went camping or skiing. If you're looking for something to use every day that will soak in after you can slather all over yourself, this isn't it, even if you think your skin is super-dry. The scent is strong but hard to pin down (you can definitely detect the shea butter, maybe mixed with a powdery gardenia-ish smell). Definitely give it a whiff before purchasing, because you'll be smelling it for hours, as will those around you.

All in all, this is really jazzed up shea butter (it's the second ingredient), and it would be cheaper to just buy that. But it probably won't say "apothecary" on the package, and I really like that in a product (I wish that were a joke).*

*As a side note, J.R. Watkins makes some amazing non-cosmetic products, like household cleansers, liniment, and pizza crust mix. Again, not a joke.

Product Review: Paul & Joe Refreshing Leg Emulsion

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:00:20 -0700

Last month, Paul & Joe launched a few new nail and body products for Summer 2008. Of the bunch, my favorite product is the Refreshing Leg Emulsion ($30). This citrusy-mint scented lotion is actually formulated with oil to penetrate deep into your skin, however, it dries to a powdery, velvety-soft finish. It's cool - and I mean that literally, because it also contains baby peppermint leaves and elderflower extract to create a cooling effect on your legs.

If you really work it into your skin (as directed), it helps to reduce some of the swelling and inflammation that tends to occur in the heat and humidity of the Summer. In turn, it will also help improve the rate of absorption and your blood circulation.

It goes on super-creamy and has an intense sheen that gives your legs a healthy-looking glow. Within a few moments, you'll feel a slight tingle and a pleasant coolness as the air mixes with the lotion.

This French brand has recently become available in the U.S. You can order it from any of these locations or you can call the Bergdorf Goodman Paul & Joe counter directly at 212-872-2759.

For easy-to-apply, three-step directions on how to give your legs a therapeutic massage using Paul & Joe's Leg Emulsion, read more.

STEP 1: Use anywhere from one to two teaspoons of emulsion on each leg. Start at your feet and spread it evenly over your leg using the palm of your hand.
STEP 2: Twist your hand from your calves to the front of your leg in upwards motion, all the while applying a good amount of pressure.
STEP 3: As a finishing touch, push on the various pressure points in your legs (see the illustration below) and slide your palm from your ankle to your knee in an upwards motion.

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Product Review: Bioelements Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Cream

BellaSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:58:40 -0700

Just because the weather's warming up, doesn't mean we have to toss our luxurious body creams. With that in mind, I recently tried out the Bioelements Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Creme ($50), and let me tell you, it does not fool around when it comes to moisture.

This rich body cream is formulated with shea butter, botanicals, red tea, and beta-carotines. It comes in a tub, which triggers a mild attack of germophobia. The texture is thick and yogurt-like, and it goes on a little sticky and takes awhile to rub in, but the results are worth the effort: my skin was smooth and silky as can be. But, because the absorption time is longer than most moisturizers, it's probably better for nighttime use.

My favorite part about this moisturizer is the fact that it is virtually fragrance-free. Judging by the container and the weight of the product, I was prepared for an overly-fragrant, olfactory assault. Instead I was greeted with only a hint of spicy botanicals. Lovely.

My feelings on this product are mixed, mostly because of the high price tag ($50). I would recommend this cream if you have a hankering for some serious moisture, are fed up with overly-fragranced products, and don't mind shoving your mitts in an big tub of goop, and have $50 burning a hole in your pocket. There's no doubt your skin will thank you.

Victoria's Secret Introduces New Beauty Rush Items

BellaSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:00:16 -0700

Victoria's Secret has just launched new products within its Beauty Rush collection. The additions are six shades of Liquid Glitter Eye Liners ($7) and six Body Whip Moisture Creams ($12), both of which are expected to hit stores any day now.

Typically, the Beauty Rush products remind me of teenagey treats that are so saccharine, it's hard to imagine applying them to your body. To my disappointment, the Body Whips fall into this category. I've tested out Appletini - and don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun to apply since it shoots right out just like whipped cream - but the fragrance is much too intense, the texture is sticky, and I would be petrified wearing this in warm weather for fear of getting attacked by bees!

I am, however, a big fan of the rich and vibrant eyeliners. They contain a thin-tipped brush that makes application a cinch. You have a fair amount of time to blend or smudge them before they dry, and the best part of all is that they are fragrance free.

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For more details about each of the new items, read more.

Body Whip Moisture Creams

Candy, Baby is a super-sweet, cotton-candy scent.
Juiced Berry is a new crushed-berry fragrance.
Slice of Heaven smells just like sweet vanilla cake.
Appletini is tart and very sweet.
Strawberry Fizz is a sugary strawberry indulgence.
Grapesicle is a tangy grape scent (which I think is the mildest of the bunch).

Beauty Rush Liquid Glitter Liner

Liquid Metal is a deep charcoal gray.
Teal Zeal is a shimmery hot green.
Platinumania is a shiny silver shade.
Plumburst is a deep purple with silvery specks.
Gold Crush is a bright, bold gold.
Copperhot is a dazzling rich medium brown.

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part V: Body

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:00:07 -0800

Welcome back to my series on firming beauty products. Today's topic is body creams. Before we go any further, you need to know that no cream can actually remove cellulite. By following a healthy lifestyle you can shrink lipids, but topical creams will only work to stimulate your skin and temporarily help smooth the appearance of cellulite. Below are three that I've tried.

Benefit Jiggle Gel ($26) is a toning, firming, and hydrating moisturizer for your hips, thighs, tummy, arms, and booty. It claims to act as an "invisible girdle." I can't attest to it being quite that effective, but the mental image definitely worked to help me feel firmer. Simply smooth it onto your body and allow it to dry. I just read that it's also recommended to help reduce swelling after long flights, so it might be good for frequent fliers.

For two more body firming creams, read more.

Liz Earle Hip and Thigh Gel ($33) is another toning and moisturizing clear gel designed especially for your hips and thighs. It's made from herbs, essential oils, and has an overriding eucalyptus scent. I like how my skin felt soft after I used it, and of course, massaging it in feels wonderful. For optimal results, apply at least once daily under your usual moisturizer.

Murad Firming Body Cream ($42.50) is a thick, smooth, and creamy body lotion made with soy, oat protein, vitamin C, and shea butter. It was designed to hydrate, tone, and smooth away visible wrinkles. While I didn't see much of a difference in the firmness of my body, it does serve as a great moisturizer.

2007 Sugar Awards: Best Body Moisturizer

BellaSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:00:35 -0800

Wowsers! The tallies of this year's best body moisturizer were close. At 12 percent was The Body Shop Body Butter, at 11 percent was Vaseline Cocoa Butter, and at 10 percent was Nivea Body Original Moisture Daily Lotion.

My favorite body lotion of all time is Kiehl's Creme de Corps, but I really trust you guys, so perhaps it's time I ditch my luxurious-but-expensive designer cream for a drugstore brand. Walgreens, here I come.

New Product Alert: Victoria's Secret Beauty Secret Garden Collection

BellaSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:00:21 -0700

Technically, this isn't exactly about new products, but Victoria's Secret Beauty is re-launching its Secret Garden collection with new packaging and new formulas. This line of bath and body products is an old cult favorite that feels great on your skin and smells amazing. In fact, VS sells over 68 million products annually! There's a new scent involved in the re-launch, too; it's called Blossoming Romance. Excited yet?

The Secret Garden collection is made up of ten fruity, floral and spicy scents in eight different botanically-based formulas to soften, smooth, and pamper your skin. The formulas include Body Lotion, Body Splash, Body Scrub, Hairspray, Shampoo/Conditioner, Bath Bubbles, Eau de Toilette Spray and Hand & Body Cream.

To read about the savory and succulent Secret Garden scents as well as to see some great images of Karolina Kurkova, Selita Ebanks and Maria Menounos from the Victoria's Secret Beauty Secret Garden Event last weekend in the Hamptons, read more

Love Spell: A fruity peach scent made with cherry blossom and white jasmine.
Pear Glace: A pear scent made with a violet-cassis twist.
Strawberries and Champagne: A sweet and bubbly mix of strawberries, champagne and cassis.
Vanilla Lace: A sweet and spicy blend of vanilla, orchid, amber, and musk.
Blossoming Romance: A delicious violet, raspberry and vanilla sugar scent.
Amber Romance: An amber and sandalwood scent enhanced with black cherry, vanilla and creme anglaise.
Romantic Wish: A juicy pomegranate, freesia and cucumber blossom explosion.
Pure Seduction: A sweet casaba melon, plum and exuberant freesia fragrance.
My Desire: A scrumptious fruity and woodsy grapefruit, mango and jasmine aroma.
Endless Love: A mix of honeydew, apple blossom and tropical ylang ylang.

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Bellissima! Jason Natural Lotion Helps Fight PMS

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:00:27 -0700

I was recently introduced to a natural skin care line called Jason Natural. After reading about them and their approach to healing, I stumbled across a great product that seems to be getting rave reviews from its plenitude of users.

This amazing feminine, Wild Yam 7½ % Hand & Body Lotion ($9) contains progesterone, herbs, botanical and minerals to help relieve stress, stabilize mood swings and balance out your hormones. Where has this product been hiding?!

It also contains vitamin E, Aloe Vera and its star ingredient, wild yam which has a striking similarity to progesterone (needed for hormonal balance during the few days before menstruation begins).

It helps calm all of the symptoms associated with PMS (irritability, fatigue, cramps and water retention) and is great for gallbladder disorders, kidney stones and menopause. The cream is perfectly safe for daily use and is especially effective for soothing dry hands, knees and elbows. What do you think? Is it worth a try?

Spellbinding Lotions and Potions

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:43:35 -0800

These lightweight spellbinding lotions and potions are the perfect answer for dry winter skin. They are all easily absorbed and will provide moisture and conditioning all night long. They also have sexy and seductive fragrances to ensure that this will be a Valentine's Day he'll never forget!

Falling In Love Perfumed Romantic Body Lotion by Philosophy, $34, is a fresh and clean smelling lotion made from vanilla, lily of the valley, musk and ripe blackberries. It's a dead sexy scent that will make your date feel instant butterflies!

For more spellbinding lotions and potions, read more

Be...Tempting Seductive Souffle Body Creme by Avon, $5.99, is a luxuriously soft and silky feeling body lotion. It's the tall drink of water that your tired skin craves and has a seductive and sexy scent.

I Love Love Perfumed Body Lotion by Moschino, $28.50, is a creamy and luxurious lightweight body lotion that will leave your skin comfortable, hydrated and smelling delicious. Don't let the cartoons on the tube fool you; this is no scent for children! It has got a sexy fresh grapefruit scent that will linger long after you are gone and will leave him wanting more...