BellaSugar

Great Gifts For Mother's Day - Plus Exclusive Discounts For BellaSugar Readers

Kirbie Johnson — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:24:14 PDT

	Tocca Beauty Bagno Body Wash ON SALE for $15 at DermStore
Kikkerland Scalp Massager $3.99	Crème de la Mer-1 oz $140.00 - Barneys New York
Tocca Beauty Crema Body Lotion ON SALE for $17 at DermStore	Japonesque Safari Chic Brush Set ON SALE for $25 at DermStore

Mother's Day is this Sunday, so we found some of the best (and most fun!) beauty products for spoiling Mom. She deserves the best, so whether you want to send her to the spa or merely give her the posh treatment at home, these gift ideas will make her smile. Watch now to find out more - plus, score discounts exclusively for our readers. On Kirbie: TopShop. (Disclosure: a sample of Crème de la Mer was provided by public relations.)

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OFFERS:

Up to 15% off select products at Dermstore.com/bellasugar
15% off Almond Cookie Gift Set (retail $67), use promo code: BELLASUGAR15
10% off SpaFinder Gift Certificate

10 Fab Grad Gifts Under $100

Brittney Stephens — Fri, 13 May 2011 03:34:00 PDT

Graduating from high school or college is one of the biggest milestones you'll ever experience. Whether you're looking for something to give the grad in your life, or need some more items for your own graduation wish list, we're here to help you find the perfect present for your momentous occasion. Click through to see and shop each piece.

FabSugarTV’s Holiday Gift Guide!

FabTV — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:35:05 PST

The holiday season may be in full swing, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to find the perfect gift for all your style savvy friends. We’ve rounded up our top fashion picks for both guys and girls and included our suggestions for fashionable stocking stuffers. From Shashi friendship bracelets, to La Mer watches- watch to see what you need to get your friends for the holidays!

Trade Secrets: The Stories Behind 10 Iconic Products

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:00:19 PDT

Ever wonder what, exactly, is in Creme de La Mer, or what justification Creed has for the high price of its fragrances? The world of beauty is full of wild stories about how companies get some of their most exclusive ingredients, and you might be surprised by them. So to find out what makes Chanel No. 5's floral scent unique, and why SK-II has sake in it, just keep reading.

Look, It's a Giant Jar of La Mer!

BellaSugar — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:00:35 PDT

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you - that actually is an enormous tribute to Crème de La Mer. It's part of filmmaker John Waters's solo show, Rush, currently showing at Rena Bransten Gallery in San Francisco. Waters, who uses La Mer, created the three-foot-high sculpture out of Styrofoam, latex, urethane, and plaster. And how much would this jar cost if it were filled with the pricey Crème itself? A whopping $880,000 - which makes the $130 one ounce jar seem like a bargain in comparison.

First Look! January Jones Snorkels With La Mer

BellaSugar — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:00:48 PDT

Today is World Oceans Day, and considering the still-flowing Deepwater Horizon oil spill, there's no better time to take action to protect the sea. La Mer, whose skin care and makeup are infused with marine plant extracts, is celebrating its fifth year of partnership with advocacy group Oceana. To commemorate the organization's expansion into Belize - home to the world's second largest coral reef - La Mer sponsored a days-long deep-sea dive with Oceana spokeswoman January Jones. Here's a look:

Along with donating $200,000 to the nonprofit, La Mer is "going blue" in a limited-edition jar of Crème de la Mer ($310). And if you ever have the opportunity to visit Belize, do it - there's truly nothing like seeing a sea turtle up close to make you want to protect the sea.

Three New(ish) Sunscreens Worth Your Time

BellaSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:00:40 PDT

One of the best things you can do for your skin is to wear sunblock every day. But with warm weather around the corner, even the SPF slackers will want to wear sunscreen to protect their skin. Here are three that I've tried recently.

If you want ultra-light texture...
La Mer's SPF 30 UV Protection Fluid ($65) isn't a traditional sunscreen. Sure, it blocks UVA and UVB rays, but true to La Mer's heritage, it's high on the luxury factor. The mint-colored fluid is incredibly lightweight, and it sinks into skin right away; small reflective particles give skin a light-catching glow. A friend of mine spied my sample, tried it out, and tried to sweet-talk me into surrendering it. Fat chance.

If you need reassurance of the age-fighting factor...
You probably know that SPF stands for sun protection factor, but do you know what PA means? Well, it's big in Japan - really! The PA rating describes how well a sunscreen blocks UVA rays, which cause skin discoloration. Bliss Best of Skintentions ($35) is rated PA++, the medium rating. While I generally go for SPF 30, the light citrus scent and lack of greasiness make this one a winner for rainy days. (Yes, I wear sunscreen even when I'm staying inside.)

If you're concerned about anti-aging
Sunblock generally helps prevent signs of aging, but to get full protection, look for a broad-spectrum product that filters both UVB (burning) and UVA (aging) rays. L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise Revitalift UV ($13.99) is one of the few American sunscreens to feature Mexoryl SX, a photostable ingredient that won't break down in the sun. It's lightweight enough to wear under makeup, and it doesn't leave white streaks. The only drawback is the miniscule pump opening; it doesn't dispense as much as I'd like, so I wind up pumping like crazy.

Coming Soon: La Mer Hydrating Infusion

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:00:08 PDT

La lovely La Mer is getting ready to release a brand-new skin care genre for Fall 2008. This September, the brand introduces Hydrating Infusion ($95), a prepping base (think of it as using double the lotion) that wets the skin and locks in moisture so that you can fully receive even more of the moisture benefits from Crème de la Mer.

I know what you're thinking - are they serious with this? Why is this even necessary? I thought the same thing until I read an interview with Paul Tchinnis, the Director of R and D for La Mer, and he makes a strong case. He explains that:

"There are two ways to hydrate and moisturize the skin. One is to trap the moisture that already exists in your skin, and the other is to add moisture to your skin through creams. Some consumers want even more moisture. You can’t just apply double the amount because your skin can only absorb so much. So, part of the reason we’ve invented Infusion is to approach moisture using a different delivery system."

I'm all for having a fresh looking, well hydrated face, but I don't suffer from super-dry skin to the point where I need twice the amount of moisturizer. However, I have tried "The Infusion" and it's not something I'd totally turn my back on, either. It has a silky texture (thicker than water, thinner than a gel) and when used under Crème de la Mer, it creates a heavenly, rich and dewy effect. I love it for nighttime, but for day, it makes me look a bit oily.

Come September, would you be interested in doubling your pleasure with La Mer's new Hydrating Infusion? Or are you as moisturized as you'd like to be?

SPF Beauty Bonanza, Part II: Tinted Moisturizers

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:00:11 PDT

Last Summer, we featured scores of SPF-enhanced tinted moisturizers, and a year later there's a new gaggle of goodies to explore! What I love about tinted moisturizers is that they serve three purposes. They simplify your prep time, since they act as a foundation and a moisturizer; they offer SPF so now you don't have to apply (or worry about) sun protection; and they help even out your skin tone. Below are three SPF tinted moisturizers that I'll think you'll fall madly in love with this Summer.

Just a few weeks ago Chanel launched Hydramax + Active Tinted Lotion SPF 15 ($55), a great alternative to wearing foundation in the heat of the Summer sun. It contains UVA and UVB protection while providing even coverage, a non-greasy feel and a healthy, radiant, almost dewy finish on my skin. I use #15 Sunlit (the medium shade out of the three) and not only do I find it moisturizing and extremely blendable, but I also really like the sweet scent.

La Mer has created The SPF 18 Fluid Tint ($65) in three shades of light, medium, and dark. It's moisturizing, it absorbs quickly, the formula is water-based so it's not oily whatsoever, it contains UVA and UVB protection, plus it's made with crushed gemstones (tourmaline and Brazilian malachite), so it helps give skin a radiant glow.

For one more tinted moisturizer with SPF,

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($32) is an SPF-enriched moisturizer that feels light yet nourishing on your face. All 10 of the colors are sheer, they blend flawlessly without streaking, and they leave you with an illuminated finish.

Product Review: La Mer The Eye Balm

BellaSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 07:00:32 PDT

I've already tried the La Mer Eye Concentrate, but a few weeks ago, I learned about The Eye Balm ($130) and decided to test it out. What I really liked is that it is especially suited for younger skin. It's not nearly as heavy or greasy, it spreads easily and it absorbs almost immediately.

Also, it feels slightly cooling and it has a lighter, almost cleaner version of that well known La Mer smell, which I find interesting since it actually contains triple the concentration of their famous miracle broth.

After using for about a week, I've noticed that the skin around my eyes is softer, and less red. This is because it contains Brazilian Malachite, which not only makes your eyes brighter (it has an illuminating quality), but it also has a light green tint to help dilute the redness - genius! I realize that it's going to take longer than a week to see any dramatic results, but so far, I like what I see. If only we could do something to adjust the cost.