BellaSugar

These Soaps Are Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Jaime Richards — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:34:02 PDT

Besides pumpkin ale and other spiced boozes, seasonally scented soaps are the perfect hostess gift to give, like these adorable, handmade sugar skull soaps ($9 each). Perfumed by the folks at Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, these cute cleansers include a blend of five sugars along with a hint of candied fruits.

But if you're looking for something with less of a playful design, go with the brand's Honey Pumpkin Stout offering or try Samhain, a mix of fir needle, damp woods, black patchouli, and pumpkin pie spices. You can also go bobbing for apples (well, almost) with Streuobstwiese, a bright green soap featuring the forbidden fruit, apricot, and grassy scents.

What We're Sweet On: The Body Wash That Will Have You Lingering in the Shower

Jaime Richards — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:05:00 PDT

I've always been one of those people who absolutely can't wait to hop in the shower, Elemis's Tranquil Touch Creamy Body Wash ($35) smells so good, it makes me want to linger just a bit longer. Made with sweet almond oil to soften and hydrate, this creamy cleanser is scented with patchouli, cedarwood, and vetiver. While it's light and fresh, it also has a heady, powdery essence; it's perfect for the upcoming change of season. And even though the formula is rich and creamy, it still has plenty of sudsing action.

Loose Women Inspires a Line of Cheeky Body Care Products

Jaime Richards — Wed, 18 May 2011 05:00:02 PDT

Loose Women isn't quite how it sounds. In one context it has floozy connotations, but in another, it's actually a British lunchtime talk show with, as you might expect, a risqué twist. And like many TV-inspired beauty products, (90210 nail polish and Mad Men lacquer, anyone?), the long-running program even has its own body care line (about $16 to $49), consisting of items like shower gel, hand cream, and foot scrub.

The line includes the following scents:

Indulge Me - Contains hints of vanilla and caramel, and is guaranteed to "bring out the kitten in every cougar." Young ones do like their sweets.

Soothe and Relax Me - Formulated with soothing seashore scents, accompanied by the tagline: "With one squeeze all her clothes fell off - a real Loose Women!" Ahem, a real loose woman, indeed.

Zest and Refresh Me - An invigorating scent with notes of grapefruit. Instructions: "Apply regularly and wait for a large diamond to appear." I think I'll stick with Match.com, thank you very much.

Walk With Me - No tagline here, just some nice refreshing peppermint-scented foot cream and scrub to revitalize those toes. Am I the only one thinking about Twin Peaks?

A Few More Reasons to Love Chocolate

Jaime Richards — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:00:00 PST

Chocolate is pretty much synonymous with Valentine's Day. And while you can check out YumSugar for ways to ingest it, here on Team Bella we like to explore ways to slather it all over our bodies. When it comes to using this decadent ingredient in spa and body treatments, it turns out there are several great reasons why chocolate is so sweet.

Stacey Parks, spa director at Spa Claremont in Berkeley, CA, explains, "Chocolate induces a euphoric feeling on an emotional level, so it just makes you feel really good, and it nurtures your well-being as well as your body." That's not it, though. "Chocolate is antioxidant, and the darker the chocolate the better, because it does help to boost the body's natural collagen production," she adds. If you just happen to be in the Bay Area, treat yourself to a chocolate manicure or pedicure at the Claremont. Or, for something you can do at home, this quick and easy DIY cocoa soak is perfection.

Be sure to check out more Valentine's tips from Stacey:
Getting the guy in your life into the spa
Two scents (and one massage technique) your guy will love

Hold on to Your Pompadours: It's National Pomegranate Month!

Jaime Richards — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:00:00 PST

It's the time you've been waiting for all year long. Not only is it Movember but it's also... wait for it... National Pomegranate Month. While you contain your excitement, let me explain exactly why pomegranates are so great. A superfruit, pomegranates are high in antioxidants and are known for their restorative qualities. In fact, all products featured in the Pomega5 line are made by using extractions from pomegranate seed oil. To add a little pomp and circumstance to your life, try the refined, fruity-floral scent of Marc Jacobs Pomegranate Splash ($68). And for a hint of red on your lips accompanied by a shimmery-sweet finish, Labello Fruity Shine Pomegranate ($6) is a perfect little treat. Just wave your mouse over the images above for more information on the products, and if you're really feeling inspired, check out ShopStyle for even more pomegranate beauty options.

Kerri Walsh: "Take Nothing For Granted"

Guest Writer — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 09:00:00 PDT

The following post was written by Olympic athlete and mom Kerri Walsh, two-time gold medalist in pairs beach volleyball.

I've been an athlete my whole life. I've been so lucky and blessed to have enjoyed a healthy and strong body for most of my days. Aside from a few shoulder surgeries, some busted ankles, a bad back here and there, and two pregnancies, I've managed to maintain a high fitness level and a healthy weight throughout my athletic career. I am truly grateful for this!

Now that I'm 32 and still fighting my way back into fighting shape (and into my favorite jeans!), I no longer take my health and fitness level for granted - to put it simply, I can't! The comeback trail, thus far, has been riddled with good times and positive strides, but also with newfound aches and pains and knick-knacky injuries. I'm still carrying some extra weight, which is humbling and has taken some of the figurative and literal pep out of my step.

To see how Kerri's taking care of herself, keep on reading.

Do You Use Baby Powder?

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:00:38 PDT

Perhaps you use baby products like shampoos, lotions, and oils, but do you douse yourself with baby powder from head to toe? To this day, my mom still uses baby powder post-bath - although she still hasn't quite mastered the art of not leaving behind a white dust outline, much to dad's dismay. Whether it's a talc-free formula, or good old Johnson's, which you could place in this vintage tin ($12), do you sprinkle on the white stuff?

Take a Sneak Peek at Payless Beauty

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:00:14 PDT

Payless ShoeSource may be the place you go for inexpensive footwear and Halloween accoutrements, but very soon, you'll be able to pick up a nail polish and lip color there, too.

The new range, which will also include lotions, shower gels, fragrances, and eye colors, will be sold under the brand names Zoe & Zac and Unforgettable Moments. Of course, we'll never know what it's like until we try the new goods, but if we're going on looks alone, it seems quite feminine. Earlier this year, most of you said you would not purchase makeup and beauty goods from the retailer, but does this sneak peek have you changing your mind?

Seed Grows a Green Body Care Idea

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:18:16 PST

One of the frustrating things about some eco-friendly products is the often-high price. Yes, we'd all love to go green, but it's difficult to pay $20 for body lotion when Curel can be had for a small fraction of that cost.

Enter Seed, a new line of natural body care that's free of parabens, preservatives, phthalates, artificial colors, and animal ingredients. (Whew.) The three-item lineup - body lotion, body soaps, and shampoo bar - uses grape seed oil and extract to deliver antioxidants to skin. The seed theme goes further with the body bar, which incorporates seeds from fruits such as pomegranate, strawberry, and apricot to gently exfoliate. The body lotion is moisturizing but not at all greasy, making it a good eco-friendly option for dry skin. Best of all, Seed comes at a reasonable price - about $20 for a pack of three lotions or six-pack of soaps.

New Product Alert: MD Skincare Detox Duo

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:00:03 PST

As fabulous as a trip to a yoga-and-detox center might sound at first, some people think otherwise. I tend to agree, because if I have a week of vacation, you can bet I'm not going to spend it doing a juice cleanse. But I would happily do a little at-home detox with MD Skincare's Detox Duo (on sale for $38.50). A preview of the brand's forthcoming line of natural skin care products, it provides just the right balance of luxury and earthiness. The two-piece package consists of bath crystals and an antioxidant enzyme buff; both are free of parabens, SLS, mineral oil, synthetic dyes, paraffins, and fragrances.

That appeals to the treehugger in me, but here's what's even better: Using these is like having a tiny spa treatment in my own bathroom. Taking a bath is always relaxing, but the star of the show is the enzyme buff. A little bit of this thick, heavenly scented stuff goes a long way toward scrubbing away dead skin cells, and the essential oils help lock in moisture. I use this in the shower, then gently pat my skin dry, and have soft, moisturized skin all day long. Even if toxins might not be able to be purged, it feels great and puts me in a happy mood. Reason enough for me.