BellaSugar

There's Oil in Them Thar Skin Care!

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:00:51 PDT

Putting oil on your skin might seem daft, but it is not always so. It all depends on what type of oil you choose and what kind of complexion you have. Dry skin? Oil can help perk up dehydrated complexions, especially after months of suffering in cold weather. And while it's wise to check for comedogenic ingredients in general, even acne-prone skin can benefit from certain oils.

The biggest obstacle is getting over the idea of putting it on your face. Fortunately, you need only a few drops to cover all of your face. The idea is to warm the oil with your fingers, gently press it into skin, and if you wish to follow with a regular moisturizer, you can. (I find that I don't need one, though.)

I've been trying out more oils than an Exxon speculator lately, so for a roundup of mini-reviews, read more.

Bella Bargain: 40 Percent Off Decleor

BellaSugar — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:00:39 PDT

A few years ago, I went to a French esthetician for a series of facials. "Your pores, zey are zo glogged," she scolded. "You need a tone-air." She recommended Decleor, a plant-based line of skin care. Like most lines, it has its strengths and drawbacks. I love how gentle the cleanser and toner are (and they smell amazing) but I haven't had miraculous results with the aromessence oils. But now that Sephora is shaving 40 percent off Decleor, it might be worth a look.

Decleor Starter Kit For All Skin Types - Sold Out	Decleor Cleansing Gel - Sold Out
Decleor Foaming Cleanser - Sold Out	Decleor Tonifying Lotion - Sold Out
Decleor Cleansing Milk - Sold Out	Decleor Aromessence Ylang-Ylang Purifying Concentrate For Oily Skin - Sold Out
Decleor OOH La Spa - At Home Spa Treatment Kit - Sold Out

Bella's Hamptons Beach Bag Beauty Essentials

BellaSugar — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:00:51 PDT

During the Summer, every fabulous New Yorker wants to head to the Hamptons - and why wouldn't they? The eastern end of Long Island is filled with beautiful mansions, adorable cottages, and all of the other perks of a resort lifestyle. If you're heading there this Summer - or if you're just looking for a piece of the good life - then browse my picks for a Hamptons-ready bag of beach beauty.

Rebalancing and Rejuvenating Facial Oils, Part III

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:00:22 PST

Welcome to the last installment of my three-part series on face oils. I hope you've learned a little bit about how important it is to keep your skin hydrated, nourished, and balanced. Hopefully, after reading about some of these products, you've conquered your fear of applying oil to your face. If I've left any of your favorites out, please let me know what they are!

Trilogy Rosehip Oil ($20) is what this company believes may be the answer to perfect skin. I haven't tried it, but I am certainly intrigued. It is believed that rosehip contains the nutrients and essential fatty acids necessary for great skin health. It's great for those with normal, dry, mature, sun-damaged, and sensitive skin since it also smooths away fine lines and restores the skin’s moisture balance.

For two more rebalancing and rejuvenating facial oils,

read more Vaishaly Night Nourisher (£65, about $125) is one of the lightest and best-smelling products I've ever tried. Made from organic ingredients, it is best suited for those with dry skin on the surface and combination to oily skin underneath. It contains high levels of lemon, bergamot, orange, petitgrain, and coriander, which are known to balance the skin. In addition, it helps regulate oil production, decongest skin, calm irritation, and restore elasticity and skin tone. All products are available online and can be shipped to the US.
Decleor Aromessence Neroli Comforting Concentrate ($63.50) is best suited for those with normal to sensitive skin. All you need to do is apply a few drops to your fingertips, rub them together, and massage into your face and neck in the morning and night. This fragrant dry oil helps restore suppleness, softness, and moisture to your skin.

Beauty Products From Around the World, Part II: France

BellaSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:00:55 PDT

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.

New Product Alert: Decléor Rose D'Orient Night Balm

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:00:25 PDT

Decléor Rose d'Orient Night Balm ($65.50) is a fantastic, rich and soothing product best suited for sensitive skin, irritated and rosacea-afflicted skin. It helps cells regenerate faster while strengthening and calming the skin-all without the use of chemical ingredients and/or preservatives.

The balms are made from essential oils and plant waxes, and Decléor prefers them for the wee hours of the night because their molecular structure is similar to the skin’s. This formulation allows skin to breathe like it would naturally and when you awaken, your face feels more supple, less red and it better balanced.

In my opinion, the texture is unbelievable too. It is creamy and it smells faintly of roses (mmm). This small-ish one-ounce jar will last about a year if you are careful-so it's definitely worth the investment if you are on the market for a calming facial night balm.

Friday Giveaway! Decleor Aroma Sun SPF 10 Hydrating Tinted Self-Tanning Gel-Cream

BellaSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 23:30:03 PDT

Thanks to our very generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of June. That includes weekends, so be sure to stop by on Saturday and Sunday, too. Also, a big congratulations to Crispet1, who won Thursday's giveaway for the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55.

This week's giveaways have been all about Summer beauty, and today's selection will protect you from the sun and give you a safe bronzed glow. Available exclusively at Sephora, Decleor Aroma Sun SPF 10 Hydrating Tinted Self-Tanning Gel-Cream ($35) stimulates the skin's pigmentation to give you an instant glow, while a potent self-tanning complex darkens skin within a few hours. A few days later, an Asian plant extract called Mahakanni releases pigments for a tan that keeps on tanning.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Friday, June 8, 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!

Don't forget to stop by and say hello to 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.

Beauty Marked! An Unbeatable Body Bronzer

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:02:22 PDT

Last week I asked you guys to come beauty marking with me to help me find a new self tanner for my body. I bought this Ban De Soleil Streakguard Self Tanning Creme, $9, but I am not in love with it. It's not awful, but it streaks a bit and I'm not crazy about the color on my skin tone. Your mission was to help find me something that would turn me into a gorgeous golden color as opposed to an icky orange one. To see all of the beauty marks for a self tanner for the body, click here. You guys all had great picks so thanks very much for participating!

Beauty Mark #1 found by foreverdizzy is called Decleor Aroma Sun Express Hydrating Self-Tan Spray, $36. Within one to two hours, this light, non-oily spray turns into a deep and natural looking tan. There is no sunscreen in this product though - so you can not wear it at the beach, but it's a great after sun lotion because it keeps your skin supple, glowing and hydrated!

To see the rest,

read more Beauty Mark #2 found by atripp is called GlowFusion Micro-Nutrient Face & Body Natural Protein Tan, $58, is a self-tanning technology lotion that starts off light and can be layered until you reach the level of tan you desire. This mist form allows for smooth application, there is no odor, no streaking and it won't stain. The formula contains vitamins, antioxidants and a special ingredient simply known as sugarcane which has been proven to work well with the natural keratin already in your skin. Available in light and medium shades.
Beauty Mark #3 found by missixty02 is called St. Tropez Tinted Self Tanning Lotion - Step 3, $37.50, is an aloe vera based lotion that isn't oily and is fast drying. It says that it smells great too, which is awesome because most self tanners smell terrible. It's funny how you all found these products at Sephora. I have never tried this one but I am very anxious to - this brand has a great reputation! Available in one universal shade.