BellaSugar

Why Won't This $85 Treatment Work For Me? Let's Find Out.

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:45 -0800

Julia Coney of All About the Pretty has the most beautiful complexion. If I didn't know better, I'd think she has a secret entourage of Photoshoppers touching up her skin as she walks around all day. It's just that flawless and glowing. Once, I asked her what her secret was, and - along with overall healthy livin' and good genes - she raves about Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate ($85).

Formerly known as Kate in a Jar, it uses lactic acid and fruit enzymes to exfoliate dead skin. But before I dropped a hefty $85 on it, I headed to Sephora to request a sample. At home, I applied it and waited for the magic to happen. Except it didn't. Don't get me wrong, it made my skin look a bit better, but not in that stupendous, I-have-found-the-holy-grail-of-skin way. I wanted Julia skin, not just-slightly-nicer Bella skin. So I asked Julia what her secret was. Yep, I messed something up. For her expertise, read more.

Reader Review of the Day: Kate Somerville Skin Health Starter Kit

BellaSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Kate Somerville is known for her cult following, which includes a ton of celebrities, and for putting medispas on the map. But when it comes to beauty products, especially skin care, what works like a dream for some people is inevitably a nightmare on other skin, a sad truth reader ShedItandGetIt was none too pleased to encounter when she purchased the Kate Somerville Skin Health Starter Kit ($70). She says:

I bought this because I love trying new products, and it seemed great. Kate Somerville works with celebs, and her products are extremely pricey. I used the trio exactly as directed and I had really high hopes. But after three weeks of using it, I finally had to admit my disappointment. I have really good skin and can usually experiment with new products without any problems. But after using this, for the first time in my life, I started breaking out! I was so bummed; I really wanted to like it. But I am actually returning the whole set to Sephora, because for that amount of money, I want my skin to look amazing-not worse.

Loved (or hated) something you tried recently? Want to see how well a product you've been coveting has worked for other readers? Pop on over to the Product Reviews pages, then. We've got over 50,000 products for review, and there's something new every day. You're sure to find the info you need before you buy.

Kate Somerville's Tips on Eating Right For Good Skin

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:00:54 -0800

Ask A-list actresses who they trust with their skin care, and time after time, you'll hear the name Kate Somerville. As the founder and director of Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts - a seriously gorgeous skin care clinic in Los Angeles - she has become one of the most sought-after complexion experts.

Along with using a thorough skin care regimen (more on this soon!), Somerville says that eating well is key to having healthy, glowy, beautiful skin. "I think it’s huge – it’s almost everything," she says. For a few of her tips on eating right, read more.

Drink plenty of water. "I think it’s important because it also cleanses your body," Somerville says. Our skin is our biggest organ, so if we’re unhealthy, it’s going to show in the skin."
But don't drink too much soda or coffee. "Coffee is really hard on the skin because it's dehydrating," Somerville explains. "If you’re not eating right and you’re drinking a lot of coffee, your skin is the first thing that's going to show it."
Go green. That means eating fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and lettuce. "The more green leaves, the better," Somerville advises. "If you eat live foods, you’re going to have the best skin that you possibly can have."

Tour of Beauty: Los Angeles Primping Spots

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:00:44 -0700

This weekend, I joined dozens of lovely ladies in LA for Total Beauty's beauty blog summit. One of the highlights was a day-long tour of some of the city's poshest primping places, including the top places where the A-list get gorgeous. Read on to see some of the best sites from the day.

View Slideshow ›

Win an Assortment of Kate Somerville Prizes From Sephora!

BellaSugar — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:30:00 -0700

Facialist to the stars Kate Somerville is renowned for putting the medi-spa on the map. As one of the most trusted names in skin care today, Somerville's clinic in Los Angeles is the place to go for skin wellness. If a trip to her medi-spa is not in your future, our friends at Sephora have the next best thing - an assortment of products from Somerville's eponymous skincare line.

If you're chosen as the grand prize winner, you'll receive the following items for smooth, clear skin:

The 9!! Kit: A collection of four acne-fighting products that work together to deliver healthy, clear skin.
Detox Daily Cleanser: A detoxifying cleanser that fights acne and clarifies.
Quench Hydrating Face Serum: A super hydrating treatment for a youthful, luminous glow.

To enter, just take the quiz by 12 p.m. PDT on Sunday, May 3, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to enter. So if you're not already one, register for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your entry to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

Take the quiz

Look Behind the Scenes With Castle's Makeup Artist

BellaSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:00:52 -0700

For more than 25 years, Debbie Zoller has been creating makeup looks from practically every vantage point, whether it's her initial work as Lancôme rep at Macy's in LA, her 1960s-style creations on Mad Men, or most recently, her role as lead makeup artist on Castle. "People on the show are so incredibly nice," she said during a recent interview, where we talked about the gory details of her current position, along with what it's like to be a part of the behind-the-scenes action on the crime dramedy, now in its second year of production.

View 5 Photos ›

Check out some of Zoller's work in the gallery above. Then, to find out what she had to say about working with the cast, along with some of her favorite beauty products, just keep reading.

Nordstrom Lets You Visit Toledo

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:01:49 -0700

Ruben Toledo is an illustrator and painter whose work appears in style magazines and art museums alike. He's also one of the fashion world's most celebrated artists (and not just because his wife, Isabel Toledo, is one of Michelle Obama's favorite designers), counting Nordstrom as one of his clients. Last year, he created murals for a set used in the store's advertising; this year, he's bringing his work one step closer to shoppers with this makeup bag.

The bag is a gift with purchase when you spend $100 in Nordstrom's beauty department, while supplies last. Inside are 13 samples from brands ranging from Kate Somerville to Bare Escentuals. I'm normally lukewarm on the whole GWP thing, but as a fan of Toledo's work, I can't help but think this is kinda cool.

Best of Bella, 11/9

BellaSugar — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:00:38 -0800

Source

Lovely Links, 12/20

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:00:51 -0800

Now Smell This reviews niche scents from Juliette Has a Gun.
Spoiled Pretty's mom says Kate Somerville's eye cream is "worth its weight in gold."
Jezebel readers are talking about those too-strong scent strips in magazine ads.
The Beauty Brains examine whether moisturizers could make your skin drier.
Have you heard about the "hair mystery"? A Girl's Gotta Spa sleuthed out the clues before the mystery product was unveiled.
ShinyGloss shows off two well-priced beauty gift sets available at Target.
Lipstick Powder 'N Paint has photos of the new OPI Holiday in Hollywood nail-polish collection.
Fashionista wonders if lip gloss is dead.
Ca-caw! Makeup and Beauty Blog fills you in on the return of MAC's cult shadow, Parrot.
Beauty Snob tries out the Perricone Prescription meal plan. Find out if she got results!
Blogdorf Goodman has found a beautiful, feminine limited-edition version of Estee Lauder Pleasures.
Master hair stylist Louis Licari shares a video of his "ambush makeover."
The Moment doesn't care whether J'Adore is popular - it just smells great.
Shake Your Beauty meets Alicia Keys's stylist and finds a new (and cheap!) hair product to love.

Lovely Links, 9/27

BellaSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:00:01 -0700

Beauty Snob answers the question: Can this hair dryer really be worth $300?
Rachel Bilson tells Off The Rack about her favorite drugstore beauty find.
We Love Beauty gives you the scoop on celebrity facialist Kate Somerville's techniques.
Louis Licari shares thorough at-home highlighting tips.
Shake Your Beauty raves about Philosophy's pre-shampoo treatment.
Makeup and Beauty Blog tries out that fancy caviar shampoo.
Blogdorf Goodman meets the man behind her fave Serge Lutens scents.
Got ideas for taming little girls' curls? Share them in Beauty Product Junkies.
Temptalia provides a sneak peek at the Mattene lipsticks.
Elle is holding a makeover challenge. The winner goes to NYC for a makeover with Sonia Kashuk and Umberto!
Now Smell This finds retro advice on choosing your fragrance based on your hair color.