BellaSugar

Beauty Products From Around the World, Part III: Italy

BellaSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:00:00 -0700

I think almost everything from Italy is romantic: the fragrances, the language, the makeup, the men (!), and the skin care. Fresh Italian ingredients such as virgin olive oil, grapefruit, and neroli are often used in beauty products, especially in fragrances. Italians once believed that aside from a wonderful smell, colognes also helped protect you from disease and harm. So it's no wonder that so many of the famous Italian fashion houses (Bulgari, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana...) all have their own fragrances. Here are a few examples of sensational and sweet-smelling Italian beauty products.

Pupa Cosmetics is a Milanese makeup company with chic, compact, rounded packaging and a light and fresh aromatic essence to its products. They are known for their bright colors that work on the runway or red carpet. You can now buy Pupa in more 70 countries, and some products are on sale at Amazon.com.

For two more intriguing Italian beauty products read more

Incanto Charms by Ferragamo ($77 for a 3.4 oz bottle) is an exotic essence of Italian fruits and flowers-namely passion fruit, honeysuckle, ottoman rose and jasmine. The scent makes you feel just as sexy as if a gorgeous Italian man whispered the word "bella" in your ear!

Clèo Body Cream ($6.76) is a star product in this yogurt-based cult brand. Fortunately, it's just arrived in the US! The lactic acid in yogurt soothes, softens and tightens skin. Plus, the fast-absordbbing cream smells delicious, and it's ideal for dry skin.

Eau d'Italie Fragrance

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:00:13 -0800

I traveled to Italy about a month ago, and along with the fantastic food, wine and art, what really captivated me was the love of all things luxurious. So when I heard there was a fragrance called Eau d'Italie, I just had to see what it was all about. As it turns out, Eau d'Italie is a unisex fragrance that was launched in 2004 by perfumers Bertrand Duchafour, Marina Sersale and Sebastian Alvarez Murena.

It was inspired by the cliffs along the Amalfi Coast and the smell of the abundant flowers, sea, lemon trees and mountain air. In fact, the fragrance is so cultural that its sale has been limited to the five-star Positano hotel Le Sienuse and a few London boutiques.

Eau d'Italie is made from a mixture of black currant buds, bergamot, incense, tuberose, citrus fruits, magnolia, cedar, musk and honey. It’s a fresh and seductive scent that I prefer more for the summer months.

You can purchase it online in a 3.4 oz eau de toilette for $110 as well as in a 4.2 oz Shower gel for $40 - or, if you’re really intrigued, make it an excuse to visit the Amalfi Coast for one amazing souvenir.

Love It or Hate It? Padma Lakshmi's Pageboy Look

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:02:26 -0700

Padma Lakshmi has that mom-to-be glow these days, and she's sporting a sleek new hairstyle, too. While we're used to seeing her with hair that's either in big, beautiful waves or swept back in a variety of updos, last night at the Made In Italy party, she went for thick bangs split in the middle. Padma's so pretty that anything, really, would look great on her, but do you think these bangs are a flattering new look, or a faux pas?

Be Like Eva: Create Two Different Looks With One Bejeweled Headband

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

It appears Eva Mendes, who is currently in Italy at the 2009 Venice International Film Festival, has mastered the art of packing light, by using one accessory for use with multiple looks. With her chunky, jeweled headband in tow, she has already created two different hairstyles over the course of two days. Yesterday, she opted for a sexy bouffant ponytail (For a similar look, try out my stacked ponytail tutorial). Then, earlier today, while out and about in the romantic city, she wore a slick, classic bun for a sophisticated style. Thinking about copying her looks? Check out my widget below for some similar bands:

Embroidered Rhinestone Satin Headband - $18.00	Crepe Rose Headband - $5.99
Mesh Blossom Headband - $38.00	Pendant Satin Bow Headband - $7.80
Laurel Leaf Headband - $18.00	Silver Satin Embellished Headband - $14.00
Vintage Inspired Headband - $5.80

Spaghetti Western or Eye Makeup Shade?

BellaSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:05 -0700

They were the low-budget films about cowboys, often produced in Italy and other European countries throughout the '60s and '70s; and they were the genre of movies known as spaghetti Westerns. Can you spot a spaghetti-Western flick from some smoky shades of eye makeup? Sure, it might be a little goofy, but that's the whole point. Let's see how you fare in the wild wild West.

Take the quiz

Which Hair Color Do You Prefer on Christina Ricci?

BellaSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:00:39 -0700

Christina Ricci's Wednesday Addams look, with her coal-black braids and endlessly big eyes, will always have a place in my heart. But in real life the actress isn't nearly that goth, and lately she's been experimenting with a variety of fun reddish hues. This month, she went from a pretty nutmeg auburn at the Bruno premiere to a Summer strawberry blond at the Giffoni FIlm Festival in Italy. So I ask you, which color do you like better on the lovely Ms. Ricci?

Bellissima! Fresh Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:00:48 -0700

I had no idea that a bar of clay could be a panacea to so many different skin ailments, but Fresh's Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar ($38) does the job. Umbria is a clay-rich region in Italy, and the treatment bar is made from pure clay. It has the appearance of soap, but once you feel it, you'll see that it's chalky, hard and much heavier and more fragile than soap.

It helps with breakouts, diaper rash, mosquito bites, razor-burn, ingrown hairs and eczema. It works by regulating the production of sebum in your skin, reducing inflammation, and balancing out your skin's natural acid level. I couldn't believe that after just one use the tiny bumps on the back of my arm (that I sometimes get in the hot summer months) dried up and flattened. After two uses, they almost completely went away.

To use, wet an area of the bar and apply it directly to your skin. It dries to a thin finish and is very gentle so it can be used on the most sensitive skin, even baby skin. You can use it as a mask (leave it on for five minutes and rinse) or as a spot treatment.

View 2 Photos ›

A Little Slice of the Italian Riviera Right Here at Home

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:00:11 -0700

Recently, I introduced you to the new world of Borghese nail lacquers and their awesome double brushes. Since I'm such a fan, I thought you'd like to hear about the most recent Summer 2008 launch called Portofino Del Sole. The collection includes six shimmery shades that were inspired by the breathtaking landscape in Portofino, Italy - a Mediterranean port and destination for the rich and lavish.

I'm not much of a shimmer fan when it comes to my nails (especially reds or lavenders), but I'll rock just about anything on my toes. After trying out Florentine Gold, I'm smitten. Not only do I love the authentic, yellowy pale gold color, but I gave myself a quickie pedicure last night and was pleased that it didn't streak at all and that the polish dried relatively quickly. Also, I'll remind you again that the lacquers are free of DBPs, toluene, and formaldehyde - and they leave you with a long-lasting shine. What else is there to say besides, bellissima!

To read a description of each of the shades in the collection, read more.

Florentine Gold is a medium-toned, frosty gold.
Portofino Gold is a shimmery pinky-gold.
Bronzatta Gold is a pale bronze.
Siena Gold is a gingery, pink-copper.
Rubioso Gold is an icy, frosted ruby shade.
Amethysta Gold is a mauvey-lilac.

Fragrance Review: Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo di Sicilia

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:17 -0700

Acqua di Parma's Blu Mediterraneo line ($36–$92) looks so fresh and springlike with its blue packaging. That drew me in, but the concept - a quartet of fragrances inspired by Italy's Mediterranean coast - is intriguing. Plus, it's the closest thing I have to an Italian vacation right now. (Ahem, if you're reading, George, I am free for a Lake Como trip whenevah.)

Of the four scents, one stood out: Mandorlo di Sicilia. It's a gourmand fragrance, which means it'll appeal to foodies and fragrance fiends alike. While it features essential oils of orange, lavender, bergamot, and almond, it was difficult for me to discern those notes. Instead, the scent pleasantly reminded me of climbing sassafras trees as a child. It wasn't precisely the same, but it still had an outdoorsy, vaguely root beer fragrance that's fresher than the soda itself. Later, I learned that mandorlo means "almond tree," so my nature-girl association wasn't so far off.

I didn't buy it, simply because there's only so often I'll want to smell like trees and root beer. But if you love fresh, outdoorsy, and slightly food-like scents, you'll like this warm and comforting perfume.

ANTM Beauty Quiz: We Are Spartans!

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:00:47 -0700

Poor Katarzyna. Not only did our sweet-but-dull Polish princess get the boot in Italy, she did so without Tyra ever pronouncing her name correctly. This week's episode was just ho-hum to me. First of all, the title is goofy - Spartans were Greeks, not Romans. (Somewhere, Tyra's former history teacher is quietly weeping.) I'd also hoped for a little more campy fun - and by that, I mean more Dominique - but at least the photo shoot was "high fashion." Were you taking mental notes last night? If so, take the quiz.

Photo courtesy of The CW.

Take the quiz