BellaSugar

DIY Spa Treatment: Face Brightening Mask

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:00:25 -0700

Feeling as tired, dull and dry as your skin looks? Don't worry, here's a quick and easy at home recipe to brighten your complexion and put the life back into your lackluster skin. All you'll need is some gram flour, turmeric powder, lime juice, olive oil and milk. Sounds easy enough, right? Here's what to do:

Add one teaspoon of gram flour into a clean, medium sized mixing bowl. Gram flour is in the chickpea flour family and is a very popular ingredient for facial exfoliators in India and Pakistan.
Next, add a pinch of turmeric powder to help disinfect and cleanse the skin without drying it out.
Then, add in about four drops of fresh squeezed lime. Limes are packed with Vitamin C and AHA's. They help to lighten and brighten even the oiliest of skins.
Next, drip a half teaspoon of olive oil into the bowl and slowly begin to emulsify the mixture. This will help moisturize the skin. Lastly, blend in a half teaspoon of whole milk to soothe and calm your face.
Stir the ingredients together and apply the mixture to your skin for half an hour or until your face starts feeling a little dry. Then wash your face first with warm water and then with cold water. For more DIY Spa Treatments, click here.

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How To: D.I.Y. Spa Treatment - Easy, Breezy Facial

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:02:22 -0700

I didn't start getting facials until around the time of my wedding. Although they are totally and utterly amazing, I guess I was just always more of a massage person. Spending my hard earned monies on both treatments was just getting too expensive, so I began reading up on mini facials that could be done at home.

I'm not going to lie to you - there's nothing quite like a professional spa facial to help you relax, open up your pores, remove black and whiteheads and polish your face. But when you can only do it professionally every few months, this treatment works great for maintaining a healthy glow.

To read more of my past D.I.Y. spa treatment posts, click here. For even more D.I.Y. ideas from FitSugar, click here. To
discover an easy breezy five step DIY at home facial treatment, read more

Begin by washing your face with a gentle cream or milk cleanser and exfoliate your skin softly and in small circular motions.
Next steam your face. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and if you like, you can add your favorite essential oil to the water for aromatherapy benefits.
Once the water is boiling, turn off the stove and let the water cool for about five minutes. Then, take a clean towel, and drape it over your head and stand a little bit less than a foot away from the water. Let the steam work its magic for about ten minutes and then wipe the water off of your face with a new, clean towel.
Here's the tricky part. Most people will tell you not to do extractions yourself at home, however, I tend to go for anything that looks white with a gentle and careful touch. If you dare try this yourself, never use your fingers to squeeze - use two Q-tips to apply pressure to the whitehead. If you don't have any whiteheads, skip this part and move right to a clarifying mask. Apply a mud, or a clay mask to your face and allow it to dry for about 15 minutes.
Then, rinse off your face with tepid water first and then finish with a cool rinse to close your clean pores. Lastly, apply a serum (if you choose) and then a moisturizer to your face and your eye area.

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A Clean and Clear Face in 2007: Clarifying Masks

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 06:23:53 -0800

Clarifying masks are a great way to deep clean clogged pores and awaken tired winter skin. They help get rid of dead cells on the surface of your skin as well as dry up blemishes that are beginning to form. Start off 2007 with a clean and clear face!

Gently apply these masks in a thin layer, avoiding your delicate eye area. Allow seven to twenty minutes drying time (whenever it feels crackly) and then rinse off with warm water in small circles to help exfoliate your skin. Here are my three top picks for clarifying masks sensitive enough for all skin types.

Lierac Soin Éclat Express Clarifying Mask, $35, is a mud-like, menthol facial mask derived from weathered volcanic ash that attracts and then absorbs toxins, free radicals and pollutants on your skin.

It also contains polyethylene microbeads which exfoliate dull skin as well as bearberry which acts as an astringent and antiseptic to deep clean your pores.

Lastly, the peppermint extract in the formula helps to soothe facial muscles. Use this mask two to three times a week and sit back, relax, and take deep minty breaths while it works its magic.

YonKa Masque 105, $32.95, is one of my longtime favorite clay masks since it is especially formulated to calm red, sensitive, easily irritated skin.

This sage green colored concoction helps to detoxify, tighten up your swollen pores and can even be used as a spot treatment for blemishes.

It also smells delicious since it's made from: lemon, savory and five quintessential essential oils. I find this mask to be relaxing and invigorating. After 15 minutes of this, you'll look and feel like you've taken a refreshing cat nap.

For one last clarifying mask, read more

Murad Clarifying Mask, $35, is intended to treat problem skin. This all natural, clay-based formula deep cleans, removes toxins from your face and helps to calm irritations/acne breakouts. It has also been known to help heal traumatized skin as well as prevent free radical damage. It has a lovely and light lavender smell.

5 Tips For Keeping Your Locks Glossy

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:49 -0700

After perusing through the pictures from Rock a Little, Feed a Lot benefit concert that took place last night in LA, I was struck by all of the completely gorgeous, shiny hair. From Isla Fisher to Christina Applegate to Alanis Morissette, it was all about light-reflective locks. There are countless ways to boost shine through technique and product, including starting off by giving residue and buildup a farewell party with a good clarifying shampoo. And I have even more tips to keep you glossy. Just keep reading.

Reader Review of the Day: Apivita Deep Cleansing Face Mask

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:00:21 -0700

Everyone wants something different out of a facial mask, whether it's for hydration, acne fighting, or increased radiance. But who wouldn't want a little deep cleaning now and then? Mask-lover Marleygyal02 tried out Apivita Deep Cleansing Face Mask ($5), and here's what she had to say about this heavy-duty mask:

Another mask I could use forever. It smells so good, and it makes my skin feel like a new day. I love how clean my skin feels after this mask, but it doesn't strip moisture . . . so my skin doesn't feel tight. It really helps to clarify my pores.

If you like reviewing products, our Product Reviews website is the place to be. Fill us in on what you do and don't like, whether it's a flat iron or waxing strips or a lip gloss. Perhaps you'll be featured on this daily post, too.

Enter to Win a Boscia Prize Package From Sephora!

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:59:58 -0700

Is your skin looking a little lackluster? Leave it to Sephora to come to the rescue. This week, we're offering up this set of naturally derived Boscia skincare products. Special bonus? Each item carries with it the coveted "Naturally Sephora" stamp of approval, meaning all seven of these items have the best of what Mother Nature has to offer. If you're the lucky winner, here's what you'll receive:

Purifying Cleansing Gel: A makeup remover that deep cleanses, but protects the skins natural moisture.
Intensive Eye Treatment: A cream that lifts, firms, and brightens the eye area.
Smoothing Facial Polish: An exfoliator that polishes away dull, dry skin. It also contains antioxidants for cell regeneration, hydration, and protection against free-radical damage.
Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15: A lightweight hydrator that defends your skin against damage caused by stress and UV rays. It also helps refine pores, prevent premature aging, and controls excess oil
Clarifying Detox Mask: A deep-cleansing clay mask that absorbs impurities, detoxifies, and controls excess oil.
Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment: A silky cream that hydrates and revitalizes, helping smooth out the appearance of fine lines.
Intensifying Moisture Pack: An infusion that helps sooth sensitivities, protecting skin from environmental damage.

To enter, just take the quiz by 12 p.m. (PDT) on Sunday, April 19, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to enter. So if you're not already one, register for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your entry to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

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Fabulous Clarifying Facial Cleansers, Part I

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:54:10 -0800

Continuing our week on wiping the slate clean, I thought I'd talk about the myriad of clarifying cleansers out there. The right cleanser can help calm down red and irritated skin as well as kill off pimple forming bacteria that lie on the surface of your dermis. They help to keep your face problem free by preventing new pimples from forming.

Use morning and night unless directed otherwise. Follow with a toner and a moisturizer if you feel facial dryness. If you are really serious about clarifying your skin, don't forget to apply a clarifying mask at least once a week. Enjoy and stay tuned for Part II tomorrow!

H20 Acne Clarifying Cleanser for Face & Body, $28, is a deep cleansing clarifying wash that helps reduce, control, and prevent acne on your face and body. It has a triple action formula made from; salicylic acid, exfoliants and Vitamin E to treat breakouts, refine the texture of your face and body as well as moisturize your skin.

SkinCeuticals Clarifying Cleanser, $24, is new and has been created for acne prone skin. It combines salicylic acid with glycolic and mandelic acids to fight off clogged pores and heal problem skin. This cleanser also acts as an exfoliator. It is formulated with micro-beads to wipe away dead skin, whiteheads, oil and makeup build up.

For a drugstore clarifying cleanser, read more

AVEENO Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, $6.99 is a mild, soy based moisturizing facial cleanser that fights blemishes and helps improve the overall tone and texture of your face. It won't dry out your skin and leaves you with a smooth and even looking face. It smells great and is gentle enough for everyday use. This should help fight off your oily t-zone as well.

Beauty Mark It! Marvelous Masks

BellaSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:00:22 -0700

Taking the extra five to ten minutes (OK, hour) to let a facial mask work its magic is one of life's simple pleasures for me. Except, I swear that the doorbell always rings during the process. "That's all right ma'am," said the UPS delivery guy, as I apologized for my most recent goopy green face application. "I've seen it all," he said.

Minor embarrassment aside, I just love the results and feel of masks, whether they be creamy, gel-like, clarifying, acne fighting, or firm inducing. And since we switched up the format of the Beauty Mark It challenges last week with much success, let's do the same thing again this week, with face masks.

Just follow that link above, and review away. Your star-rated opinion will be added to our ever-expanding Product Reviews page, and I'll feature the top three face mask reviews next Tuesday. And don't forget: every day you share a product review, you're entered to win a prize.

Fabulous Clarifying Facial Cleansers, Part II

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:02:15 -0800

Welcome to Part II of Fabulous Clarifying Facial Cleansers. Below are three more fabulous cleansers that can help your skin: fight existing blemishes, stop redness and irritation, and kill new bacteria on your face that causes clogged pores and acne.

Cleanse your face morning and night, unless directed otherwise, and be sure to apply a clarifying mask at least once a week. Follow with a facial toner and a moisturizer if your skin feels dry or tight.

BIOTHERM Pure Bright Polishing Clarifying Cleanser, $18.50, was created for faces with a dull or uneven skin tone. Made with salicylic acid, a strong anti bacterial agent, this cleanser will also exfoliate your skin leaving it polished and clear!

Bliss Clog Dissolving Cleansing Milk $28, is a mild foaming clarifying cleanser that won't disrupt the moisture balance on your face. It contains orange water, antioxidants and four hydrophilic oils that help exfoliate and dissolve dirt. The moisturizing properties make this cleanser stand out because your skin is left feeling extra silky and soft.

For one more clarifying cleanser, read more

Vichy Detoxifying Cleansing Milk, $12, is a gentle, daily cleanser that contains Ubiquinone which leaves the good oils on your skin and washes away the bad ones! It will detoxify your skin and leave it fresh, clean and hydrated without breaking the bank.

Three Wintery Tips From Space NK Founder Nicky Kinnaird

BellaSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:00:11 -0800

Eat, drink, and be merry. It seems like that's the mantra on everyone's mind these days.

So, when I met up with Space NK founder Nicky Kinnaird at her store within a store at the SF Bloomie's, I asked her which festively spirited products are on her radar. Here are three of her wintery wonderland suggestions:

Overdid it at the after-work happy hour party? Detox with Natura Bissé Oxygen Finishing Mask (approximately $33 at most department stores), which clarifies and purifies the skin. Kinnaird also recommends products from Space NK's Seaweed Collection. Try Spa Seaweed Body Polish ($32), which helps stimulate the lymphatic system.
Looking for a people-stop-and-ask kind of fragrance? Kinnaird is all about Champaca Eau de Toilette ($30 to $70), "an amazing, super indulgent fragrance," she says. A feminine floral with cardamom, spices, myrrh, woods, vanilla musk, and amber crystals, this blend is the perfect winter aroma.
No fireplace? No problem. These creative, warm, and toasty Candles by Dayna Decker ($32) have a wooden wick that crackles when lit. How very cozy.

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