BellaSugar

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.

This Moisturizer Lets You Sleep Your Way to Brighter Skin

Brittney Stephens — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:00:26 PDT

Anything that claims to "work while you sleep" will always get my attention. I like the thought of a product just working its magic while I catch forty winks - and that's exactly what FreshSkin Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturizer ($42) does.

Though the FreshSkin line is technically geared toward women in their teens and early 20s, I have skin that's just finicky enough to qualify as adolescent. In addition to keeping me looking clear and smooth, the FreshSkin moisturizer is extremely hydrating, and it brightens my skin (this is especially noticeable after a late night). Not only does it include a potent complex of Vitamins A, C, and E, but It has the loveliest lavender-infused scent, which helps me to sleep better.

While it isn't the least expensive nighttime moisturizer on the market, it packs a lot of punch with very little product. After cleansing, I smooth a pea-sized amount over my face and neck, and let it sink in. Then I sink in to a good night's sleep, knowing that my skin will look great in the morning.

Coming Soon: Elemis Pro-Collagen Hand and Nail Cream

BellaSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:00:28 PST

Not only am I totally hooked on my Elemis Energizing Skin Scrub, but I also have a love affair with hand lotions. So when I heard about the March release of the new Elemis Pro-Collagen Hand and Nail Cream ($60), I couldn't wait to get my mitts on some. Lucky for me, l didn't have to wait too long. Last week I was able to try a sample and I've been using it since so that I could report my results firsthand.

The cream was created as an antiaging product specifically formulated to moisturize, strengthen nails, and lighten the look of age spots. To be fair, I don't have any age spots yet so I haven't noticed much of a difference there, and I really haven't noticed any increase in the hardness of my fingernails. With that said, my hands do feel softer, and I really like the lavender and rose fragrance.

I've learned that a dime-sized amount is the perfect dose for smooth hands and hydrated cuticles, since it is more of a lotion than a thick cream. If you use too much, your hands will feel greasy for a good 30 minutes. I would recommend this product to those of you who are a little bit older and are looking for something to prevent dryness, crepiness, and age spots - but I don't think that anyone younger than 30 really needs to spend quite this much for a hand cream.

Product Review: Elemis Energizing Skin Scrub

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:00:16 PST

I got a little sample of this amazing Energizing Skin Scrub ($46) from Elemis about two weeks ago and I've been squeezing the life out of the poor tube trying to get out every last bit. It's not so much the smell of this scrub that's so enticing, it's the results that are so addictive.

The texture is pretty much all grain. It comes out of the tube as a liquid but it feels like wet, slippery, coarse sand. This is actually a product for men, and while I realize that it's not the most gentle face scrub, the resulting smooth skin speaks for itself.

This exfoliator is made with Vitamin E, marine phytoplankton, hops, meadow-sweet, shea butter and beeswax and was created to help prevent ingrown hairs and blemishes. It is recommended for use twice weekly, but I'm willing to bet that once you get your hands on it, you'll want to use just a little bit every day.

Tea Tree Oil Products Part II: Body Care

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:00:11 PDT

Welcome back to my three-part series about tea tree oil products. Today I've chosen three sensational body care products that help to soothe, soften and treat the skin. I think once you start exploring this excellent essential oil you're going to find yourself constantly turning to it for beauty and health-related solutions.

Amber Products Co. Wax Cream ($13.95) is a gentle body wax that contains high amounts of tea tree oil to result in a creamier feel that leaves little residue on the skin. It's great for removing short, coarse hairs and is recommended for use at a medium to high temperature. It is available in 14 oz and 16 oz sizes.

For two more tea tree oil products for your body

Elemis Tea Tree S.O.S Spray ($35) is a great antiseptic that's effective in treating problematic skin. The simple spray formula can reach your back, leg, bum and feet easily. It's a great post-waxing spray because it not only prevents ingrown hairs, but it also keeps skin clean.

Tea Tree Oil Deodorant Stick by Queen Helene ($3.59) is a natural deodorant that helps neutralize unpleasant odors. Although it's gentle, it really does fight off bacteria as well as perspiration effectively.

Molly Sims's Approach to Preventing Stretch Marks Is Internal

LilSugar — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:04:22 PST

While your odds of developing stretch marks during pregnancy are (for the most part) left to fate outside of your control, Molly Sims is following a diet rich in good-for-you fatty acids to improve her odds of avoiding them. Molly is a follower of Lori Bregman's Rooted For Life program, a holistic approach to pregnancy and motherhood. Today on her blog, the 4-month pregnant mama-to-be shared some of her menu highlights, which include:

Fish, olive, coconut, canola, hempseed, and flaxseed oils
Hemp, flax, sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds
Almond and nut butters
Salmon and cod
Avocados
Split peas
Lentils
Collard Greens

Other celeb moms who have shared their secrets to avoiding the dreaded stretch marks include Ali Landry, who's a devoted user of (and spokesperson for) Palmer's Cocoa Butter, and Victoria Beckham, who favored the pricey Elemis Japanese Camellia Oil last year.

Do you think that stretch marks are best treated from the inside or out? Do you have any other great tips and tricks for avoiding the battle scars of pregnancy?

Cyber Monday Beauty Deals From A to Z

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:49:41 PST

Cyber Monday is the savvy, 120 word-per-minute typer's day to shine in the same way that Black Friday is the former roller derby champion's. Both require speed and cunning, but one is far, far more civilized than the other. There are plenty of amazing beauty deals to be had without leaving your armchair, so to see our big list of guaranteed deals and top-secret promotional codes, just keep reading.

Victoria Beckham Shares Her Tip For Preventing Stretch Marks

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 23 May 2011 08:36:57 PDT

What's Victoria Beckham's secret to a stretch mark-free belly? Elemis Japanese Camellia Oil Blend. The singer and designer hasn't said much about her pregnancy publicly, but she did head to Twitter last night to show off her favorite stretch mark prevention product tweeting, "Pregnancy tip!!!! I have used this through every pregnancy, it's amazing!! X VB"

The $45 oil helps keep skin moisturized throughout pregnancy and claims to help improve skin's elasticity. While I can't confirm that it actually works, I can't imagine that Posh Spice would continue using a product through four pregnancies if it doesn't work (but maybe she's just one of the lucky ones who isn't genetically predisposed to the battle scars of pregnancy).

What was your favorite stretch mark prevention cream?

Link Time: The Safest Ways to Straighten Your Hair

BellaSugar — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:22:20 PDT

The safest ways to straighten your hair - Glo
The five makeup brushes every woman should own - StyleList
Cult skin care brand Aesop is coming to New York - The Cut
Emmy Rossum has a fear of shears - People StyleWatch
Guerlain's new lipstick is a '30s throwback - Refinery29
How to get your eye shadow and lipstick to stay put - Beauty High
Temperley and Elemis collaborate for the kids - FabSugar UK
Don't let Amika Obliphica hair oil slip through your fingers - Makeup and Beauty Blog
The pitfalls of marketing: race and beauty in a Dove ad - The Society Pages

15 Beauty Deals For Earth Day

Jaime Richards — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:00:41 PDT

It's Earth Day, and that means beauty companies are offering up deals galore. Of course, it's also a time to reflect, appreciate, and be aware of nature and the effects we have on our environment. So to celebrate the occasion, here are loads of deals and steals from brands that are doing something extra special for Earth Day.

Get 15 codes here.