BellaSugar

DIY Spa Treatment: Good Smellin' Fall Cranberry Apple Mask

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:00 -0700

I love the cool weather smells of the season, and what can be more warm and enticing than cranberries and apples? The combo is also, incidentally, an excellent exfoliant for dry Fall skin, and I've got a DIY recipe featuring these two ingredients, to give you the best of both worlds. For a divinely scented kitchen and naturally glowing skin, check out this easy, three-ingredient mask from Narine Nikogosian's new beauty home remedy book Return to Beauty ($25), due out next month. To get the directions, just read more.

Beauty Mark It Results: Beautiful Body Scrubs

BellaSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:15:22 -0700

Last week we switched things around by updating our weekly Beauty Mark It feature. Instead of asking you to go out there and find products that correlate to a specific topic, I asked you to go to our ever-fabulous Product Review Site to give your honest opinions instead. The subject matter this time around? To tell me what you think about your fave/not so fave Body Scrubs and Exfoliants.

I loved reading everybody's opinions, and the following three reviews really stood out:

Stooped reviewed Victoria's Secret Stimulating Body Scrub ($9) - "I usually prefer scrubs with bran or finely ground seeds, as the sugar scrubs I tried dissolved too early to be effective on the body. VS scrubs don't dissolve right away so you can work in some scrubbing without irking your skin. The fragrances are a bit too sweet at first, but soon wear off to a subtle, pleasing smell. Plus, you can't beat the price. They are also often on a bogo sale in stores."

To see the other two reviews, read more.

SweetSavant reviewed Giovanni Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub ($13.95) - "So refreshing, too bad it's not cocktail! Usually I'm a lover of refined sugar scrubs, but this salt scrub is so gentle and skin-refreshing that it is plenty sweet on its own! It sloughs off the dead skin while the essential oil rich formula moisturizes and replenishes. To simply put it, this stuff is awesome and affordable, a definite must!"
spirited786: reviewed Bliss Hot Salt Scrub, Rosemary + Eucalyptus ($36) - "This product truly lives up to its reputation! It warms, exfoliates, and leaves skin feeling oh-so-soft (even before using lotion!). It also has a soothing scent that makes you feel like you're pampering yourself - not just taking care of your skin. I just wish it were cheaper . . ."

Thanks to all of you who beefed up the new site with your fabulous star ratings, particularly our three readers - check your inboxes for a Sugar gift! So, go on over to check out a preview of product reviews - but be careful. It's addictive.

New Product Alert: Cornelia Essentials Retexturizing Thermal Exfoliator

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:00:28 -0700

This product from Cornelia Day Resort is perfect for clearing out your blocked pores and getting rid of dead, dry, flaky summer skin. Cornelia Essentials Retexturizing Thermal Exfoliator ($45) launched in August and is perfect for achieving a fresh looking, flawless fall face. What makes this exfoliator just a little bit different is that it is made with calcium chloride to warm your skin upon contact.

Not only does this instantly open up your pores, but it increases oxygen flow to your skin, dissolves impurities, removes toxins and-supposedly-it feels amazing!

Using it is pretty simple: Gently massage a thin layer over a damp, clean face. Don't focus on one area only. Instead, use large circular motions so you don't scratch and irritate your skin. Rinse with warm water, and follow with a serum or moisturizer. It's safe to use once or twice a week.

Doesn't this sound great? It's like having a spa experience right in the comforts of your own home! I am anxiously awaiting mine in the mail and I'll be back with a product review soon.

Product Review: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

BellaSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:00:47 -0700

An excellent facialist once told me that she uses only Dermalogica products, and so I decided to try out a few samples. Like any other line, Dermalogica is hit or miss. The Special Cleansing Gel wasn't all that special, for instance-at least, it didn't do anything better than Cetaphil cleanser does. Skip that one, but save your pennies for Daily Microfoliant ($47.50). It's not only a soap-free product, it's a non-liquid one, too. It's actually a rice-based powder that you start using by adding the dry product to damp hands. After working it into a paste, you just massage it into skin in small circular motions.

This might sound like a mere novelty, but this paste is actually an excellent exfoliator. It's gentle enough to use every day, and I like the fact that it contains salicylic acid-so it's ideal for dull or acne-prone skin. Another plus is that it's easy to bring along on vacations and trips, because you don't have to worry about the three-ounce rule at airports. My only problem is the packaging. After about a month, the holes of the shaker became clogged, and I had to take a needle and poke through the buildup. So I'm taking a half-star off for that, and another half-star because, well, $47.50 is more than I would normally spend for an exfoliator. Otherwise, this is fantastic stuff.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Guess Who? A Supermodel's Catty Complexion Secret

BellaSugar — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 11:51:34 -0700

A supermodel who's been in the biz for years has an unusual way of exfoliating her skin. This cover girl uses kitty litter on her face to get rid of dead cells. Could Fresh Step be the secret to her longevity?

Product Review: 5th Avenue Bath Co. Exfoliating Body Polish

BellaSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:57:18 -0700

Judging by the name, you might expect 5th Avenue Bath Co. to hail from Manhattan's tony Upper East Side. Instead, the bath- and body-product company comes from suburban Columbus. I've been using its Exfoliating Body Polish with Shea Butter ($17.95) for about a month.

First, the good: I love the scent, Black Vetiver Cafe. 5th Avenue Bath Co. describes it as "a woody and ambery blend with a hint of citrus followed by notes of red cedar, sandalwood and musks." My nose isn't sophisticated enough to parse these notes, but lemme tell you, it has the "expensive and fancy, but natural" thing going on. Another plus is that because of the shea butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil, this scrub leaves a soft protective, moisturizing barrier on skin well after the shower. If you have dry skin, this stuff is a lifesaver!

For the rest of my review, read more

The only thing that I don't love about this polish is that it's really not a heavy-duty exfoliant. While I can feel the sugar crystals on my skin, they're not dense enough to give a large-scale sloughing. I like using this stuff right now, when my skin isn't flaky and overly dry-but during the winter months, I'll need a more serious scrub.

Cheap and Easy: An Affordable Way to Exfoliate

BellaSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 07:00:18 -0700

The cheapskate in me has been inspired by an Ayurvedic spa treatment I recently had. Before beginning the massage, my esthetician used a stiff brush to briskly go over my dry skin. Not only did it exfoliate dead skin cells, it also increased circulation, and the herbal oil she used left me feeling luxuriously moisturized.

I was so impressed by how good the dry skin brushing felt that I've pulled a MacGyver and have started doing something similar at home. Before stepping into the shower, I gently buff my body with the rough side of a regular kitchen sponge. You can buy these patterned O-Cel-O sponges at your local drugstore for about a dollar, and as long as you use a light touch, you'll be able to get rid of dead skin. They're too rough for your face, so don't think about using this on your complexion; instead, use it on feet, elbows and any other tough, rough skin. After the shower, follow with moisturizer and you'll have the "aah" of the spa-without the "eek" of a high price tag.

Source

Beauty Mark It! A Gentle Exfoliator for The Red Carpet!

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:33:33 -0800

With the Oscars red carpet quickly approaching celebs have already visited their dermatologists, and other "doctors," in anticipation of the ultimate scrutinizing. Now it's time to zero in on the ensemble, get a massage, or two, and refresh the skin so it is glowing on Sunday.

I have just squeezed out the very last drop of my Sweep by Remede facial exfoliator. I keep it in the shower and use a nickel sized amount twice a week on my face. Call me sick, but I like how you can really feel the little particles scrubbing away your dead/dry skin. The best part about this is that it's light and doesn't irritate - this is key since seasoned celebs know better than to experiment this close to the big day.

Since I am such a beauty junkie, I simply refuse to buy another tube. I'd really like to try something different, something that will gently exfoliate me so I shine on Sunday! Let's all go beauty marking to help me find a new facial exfoliator for sensitive skin. Be sure to come back and tell me when your Beauty Marks are up. Tag your choices with gentle exfoliator so I can find them. To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.

To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more

Saks Beauty Place
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Sephora
Beauty.com
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty

Back To Basics: The Best Body Exfoliators

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 14:01:00 -0700

Welcome back to Back To Basics, the Cliff Notes version of my all-time favorite products. Since we've been talking so much about self tanner and body bronzer this week on beach week, I thought I'd give you a friendly reminder that the first step before applying any of these products is exfoliating. Your skin becomes shinier once you remove all of those unnecessary dull and dead cells, and it will feel softer and smoother too. Here's a look at three of my top picks for body exfoliators.

Lancome Resurface Microdermabrasion Body Polishing Treatment ($46) is a favorite among beauty editors. The small exfoliating crystals and pumice stone in the formula effectively buff away dullness, and they don't scratch your skin making it red and sensitive like a lot of other exfoliators can.

Since I've tried it, I can hardly shower without it! Your skin is left polished, radiant and it feels like buttah!.

For two more more of my favorite exfoliators, read more

YonKa Phyto Gel Exfoliant Shower Gel ($42) is the ultimate pampering experience to create a buffed bod! It's an ultra-light foaming shower gel and body exfoliant all in one. I love the aquamarine color, the botanical smell and the unrivaled gentleness of this product.

Dermalogica Exfoliating Body Scrub ($28) is more of a creamy textured body exfoliator. It deeply revitalizes and soothes, creating one heck of a polish on the surface of your skin! Plus, it smells really good and woodsy since it's infused with lavender, orange, sandalwood and rosemary. Even your guy won't be shy to try this one out!

Doing Drugstore: St. Ives Moisturizing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:00:01 -0700

I love body polishes that don't require excess force to work, particularly ones that use sugar, which is gentler on the skin. Over the weekend, I tried out St. Ives Moisturizing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish, Oatmeal & Shea Butter ($8), which contains natural sugar crystals for exfoliation, oatmeal to soothe, and shea butter for softer skin. While this polish is a little difficult to scoop out of the jar due to its texture (think of a dense Crisco), once it hits the skin and some water, it almost melts, creating a rich, spreadable lather.

The polish has a sweet almond scent and a finer, more dissolvable grit than the famous invigorating St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($4). Before shaving, I spread a little of the polish on my legs for a smooth, non-irritating result.

I like it for a pedicure, too. After scrubbing my feet with the body polish, I used my beauty shortcut to fake a real pedicure. A little goes a long way with this product, making for an affordable - and effective - drugstore find.