BellaSugar

BellaSugar's Guide To Firming Beauty Products

BellaSugar — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 10:00:28 -0700

I hope that you've enjoyed my series on firming creams for your eyes, lips, face, bust and body. There are excessive amounts of these products on the market now, and truth be told, I am not completely sold on their effectiveness. They generally fall into a more of the anti-aging genre, so perhaps as gravity starts to take its toll, these items will come in more handy to fight the forces of nature. Below is my five-post round up on firming beauty products. If you have experience with any products in this category, please share them in a comment below.

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part V: Body

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:00:07 -0800

Welcome back to my series on firming beauty products. Today's topic is body creams. Before we go any further, you need to know that no cream can actually remove cellulite. By following a healthy lifestyle you can shrink lipids, but topical creams will only work to stimulate your skin and temporarily help smooth the appearance of cellulite. Below are three that I've tried.

Benefit Jiggle Gel ($26) is a toning, firming, and hydrating moisturizer for your hips, thighs, tummy, arms, and booty. It claims to act as an "invisible girdle." I can't attest to it being quite that effective, but the mental image definitely worked to help me feel firmer. Simply smooth it onto your body and allow it to dry. I just read that it's also recommended to help reduce swelling after long flights, so it might be good for frequent fliers.

For two more body firming creams, read more.

Liz Earle Hip and Thigh Gel ($33) is another toning and moisturizing clear gel designed especially for your hips and thighs. It's made from herbs, essential oils, and has an overriding eucalyptus scent. I like how my skin felt soft after I used it, and of course, massaging it in feels wonderful. For optimal results, apply at least once daily under your usual moisturizer.

Murad Firming Body Cream ($42.50) is a thick, smooth, and creamy body lotion made with soy, oat protein, vitamin C, and shea butter. It was designed to hydrate, tone, and smooth away visible wrinkles. While I didn't see much of a difference in the firmness of my body, it does serve as a great moisturizer.

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part IV: Lips

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:00:52 -0800

Since your lips and eyes have thin skin, they tend to show signs of aging more quickly than other areas of the body. Lip-firming products contain high concentrations of vitamins and anti-inflammatory agents, and they lessen the look of enlarged pores. Here are three products that have been recommended to me.

Pevonia Botanica Youthful Lip Cream ($46) sounds like the end-all, be-all lip-firming treatment. It's a great product for anyone who has yellow stains and/or fine wrinkles around their mouth from smoking. It contains SPF, timed-release retinol (to plump and smooth), shea butter (to moisturize and heal), and azelaic acid (to slightly lighten). Apparently, it also works great as a lipstick base. Apply twice daily and gently massage into the skin.

For two more firming and line-reducing lip creams, read more.

($33) is a great product for those of you with dehydrated crepey skin around your mouth. It has an intense moisturizing effect and is formulated with vitamins C and E and topical polyphenols to help firm and rejuvenate your skin.

Caudalie Anti-Aging Serum Eyes and Lips ($70) claims to firm the skin around your eyes and lips, de-puff, diminish fine lines and wrinkles (and even help with dark circles). It should also smooth out the texture of your skin and help seal in much needed moisture.

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part III: Eyes

BellaSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:00:15 -0800

Eyes are the windows to your soul, and they are also the first tell-tale sign of your age. Firming eye products are believed to tighten the skin around your orbital area to help smooth away the appearance of fine lines. They are generally light in texture and should be applied by tapping your ring finger in a figure-eight pattern. Here are three irritant-free firming eye products for sensitive eyes.

June Jacobs Firming Eye Repair ($64) is suitable for all skin types. It lifts, tightens, moisturizes reduces puffiness and minimizes the look of crow's feet. You'll instantly feel a cool and invigorating rush - and it happens to smell really good because it's made from a mixture of botanicals, and fruit and flower extracts.

For two more fab firming eye products, read more.

Korres Eyebright Firming Eye Cream ($38.50) is a delicate Grecian eye cream made with wheat proteins to firm the skin. It also contains argan oil to hydrate skin while reducing puffiness. All you need is a tiny bit of cream (it's made with oils so it spreads easily) and within two weeks you'll start to see results.

I received a sample of this DermaNew Firming Eye Cream ($30) after a facial a few months ago. It's especially great for sensitive and dry skin. It has more of a clinical smell than a botanical-spa-product scent, but it's nothing bad or off-putting. Not only does it firm the skin around your eyes, but it also helps to reduce dark circles (not so much de-puff, FYI). It also claims that it is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by up to 68 percent.

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part II: Face

BellaSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:00:52 -0800

Yesterday I told you a little bit about some firming bust creams, and today we're moving up on the body by focusing on creams to firm your face. Firming facial creams can help to minimize the appearance of your pores, and some can topically and temporarily suspend muscle contractions in your face - similar to what Botox does, but without the side effects.

Tracie Martyn Firming Serum ($185) is a favorite among celebrities, so I was really excited when I received a sample to test. I used it only a few times, but I found it to be calming, moisturizing, and brightening.

Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream ($77) is more for women in their 40s and up. The medium-weight cream has a very clean smell, and it claims to firm, tone and reduce those stubborn fine lines on your face. I found it to be soothing and it left my skin looking plump and smooth, but I didn't feel any particular sensation when I applied it, so it's hard for me to judge if it really worked.

For one more drugstore brand, read more.

I have yet to try this Neutrogena Visibly Firm Face Lotion ($18), but I've read a lot of positive reviews on it and plan to check it out. It is a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic face cream that contains SPF 20 and active copper to restore firmness and elasticity to the skin. Supposedly you will see the firming results after just one week of use.

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part I: Bust

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:00:25 -0800

For those of you who worry about sagging skin on or around your breasts, these firming creams are designed to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate your bust contours by improving tone, texture, and firmness. These are great for new mothers, or for anyone looking for a topical preventative treatment.

Keep in mind that firming creams claim to hydrate, improve your skin's resilience and boost antioxidant and collagen production - but they aren't cure-alls, and their effects aren’t permanent. I've found a few bust-firming products below. These are items I haven't tested yet, but I can recommend these Apivita Express Bust Firming Mask Packets firsthand, which make your skin smell and feel baby soft.

Mama Mio Boob Tube ($38) is a product meant for new moms. Not only does it claim to soothe sore, itchy breasts and nipples, but it also prevents stretch marks and improves tone and firmness. If you have any friends who just had a little one, this is a great way to show some, uh, support.

Guinot Liftenseur Firming Bust Cream ($40) promises to tighten, plump, and mend the suspensory tissues in your skin. The box says to avoid your nipples, so consider yourself warned.

For one last drugstore option, read more.

Palmers Bust Firming Cream ($5.49) contains cocoa butter, shea butter, and vitamin E. I wouldn't expect a miracle from using it, but at the very least, it'll keep your girls soft and smooth.

Who Needs Underwire When You've Got Breast-Firming Creams!

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:00:22 -0700

Sagging, drooping breasts are common complaints among the aging and those post-childbirth. I'm not sure why people don't expect it, since the laws of gravity tell us that what goes up must come down. Still, I guess losing the perky round shape of your breasts is a sign of saying sayonara to your youth. Hopefully now you can restore some of that depleting collagen in your boobies with these breast-firming treatments!

Apivita Express Bust Firming Mask with Centella ($24) is an invigorating and firming bust cream. (I'm not sure why they call it a mask since it doesn't dry and you don't wash it off.) It comes in individually packed sachets for easy travel use. It's formulated to help elasticity and firmness in your breasts, improve the overall texture of your breasts and leave your sexy skin feeling smooth and supple. After showering, apply a generous layer to your bust in circular motions until it's fully absorbed.

For two more breast-firming creams, read more

Clarins Bust Beauty Gel ($56) is an orange colored gel that gives quick results. It tightens the tissue on and around your breasts and provides contour and tone. This product is recommending to the aging, those who have just had a child or have encountered significant weight loss.

Godiva Breast Firming Cream ($15) is a highly concentrated cream that helps lift and firm your breasts. The main ingredient in the cream is Pueraria Mirifica, an phytoestrogen herb indigenous to Thailand. To use, apply a thick layer of cream to your breasts a massage it in for two to three minutes. Use in the morning and the evening for best results.

Firm Up That Fabulous Face!

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:06:33 -0700

New from Benefit Cosmetics is their latest and greatest face serum called Firmology, $30.This "It" toning product intended for your face, neck and decolletage is made from Vitamins A and E to help improve elasticity in your skin. It is also formulated with hydrolyzed soy flour to help boost collagen fibers in your face which are necessary to tone aging and tired skin.

With continued use, your face will look radiant and feel ultra silky. Firmology has been dubbed "complexion lingerie" - how cute is that!

It is also clinically proven to help revitalize your skin to create a healthy glow (the light-reflecting pigments in it don't hurt either). Also, it's oil-free so it won't clog your pores. Enjoy.

Hold It! Firm Hold Hairsprays

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:38:44 -0700

Welcome back to my hairspray series! Firm hold hairsprays are must haves for severe updos, slicked back pony tails and ballet buns. They are also great if you have layered hair or bangs that you need to mold into place. Here are three of my top picks for firm hold hairsprays.

Logics Color DNA Creative Styling Spray, $18, is a quick drying hairspray with an adjustable hold. This spray is actually a jack of all trades. Unlike most sprays, it has build-able hold to it starting off from light to super firm. Additionally, it leaves hair with an element of shine and I happen to love the sweet smell of it which is something I never thought I'd say about a hairspray! Since Matrix products are only sold at specialty stores or salons, just click on the homepage to find a retailer closest to you.

To see two more firm hold hairsprays, read more

Bumble and Bumble Does It All, $23, is a terrific styling tool. It allows you to mold your hair just the way you like it and will ensure that it stays put all day long! Be sure and hold the can about a foot away from your dry hair and spray fluidly. Let it dry for a few seconds too before applying any heat to it. This spray won't feel sticky or leave a gross residue on your hair either - yay!

Pantene TEXTURIZE! Ultimate Texture Hairspray, $4, is a firm hold, aerosol hairspray designed to keep your hair in place. It's quick drying, so it's best to style your hair first and then spray. Wait a few seconds and then you can forget about your hair for the rest of the day. This baby will hold everything in place without worry.

Bella Brand: Tracie Martyn

BellaSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 06:00:17 -0700

If you haven't heard of Tracie Martyn by now, it's time to get acquainted with your new best friend. No, not Tracie herself, but her famous Firming Serum, a miracle moisturizer that tones, firms, and detoxifies your skin.

The Firming Serum is just one highlight from Martyn's collection, which the British makeup artist turned facialist founded about a decade ago. She's got an astounding roster of A-list clients, including Madonna, Susan Sarandon, Cyndi Lauper, Kate Winslet, Diane Von Furstenberg, Penelope Cruz, Kate Moss, Meryl Streep, and Kelly Ripa. Yes, these women have amazing skin, but they also have help: Some of Martyn's loyal customers have been visiting her salon weekly for as many as nine years.

The philosophy behind Tracie Martyn's skincare line is that it uses natural, organic, and holistic ingredients, and the products are completely free of petrochemicals, dyes, artificial fragrances, and fillers. For details on Martyn's five fabulous products, read more

Amla Purifying Cleanser ($65) is a concentrated cleanser that uses botanicals, resurfacing enzymes, and antioxidants to help protect and repair damaged skin cells.
Dubbed a "facial in a jar," Enzyme Exfoliant ($90) helps exfoliate, counteract redness, and balance skin tone. Also, it has a great fruity aroma.
Firming Serum ($185) is an anti-aging serum that builds collagen, lifts, firms, and shields the skin against sun damage and free radicals.
LotuSculpt QuickFix Eye Pads ($45) are a great little pick-me-up for tired eyes. These quick and easy pads help diminish fine lines and wrinkles as well as soothe puffy, dark, and irritated eyes.
LotuSculpt Activator ($50) can be used on its own or with the QuickFix pads to fight crow's feet and dark circles. It is made with hexapeptides, which inhibit facial muscle contractions.