BellaSugar

Beauty Products From Around the World, Part II: France

BellaSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:00:55 PDT

French women are in a constant search for flawless, perfect skin. Some view aging as a a four-letter word and will do everything in their power to seek out preventative, anti-aging treatments. The French describe American women as “vulgaire” for our heavy makeup and cosmetic surgeries and scoff at young Hollywood celebs that prance around with fake tans and fake hair extensions.

In France, if you have the slightest skin condition (anything from eczema to acne) your medical bills for "treatments" can be covered up to as much as 65%. In my recent research there is one thing I've learned about French beauty - despite all of the gorgeous makeup and clothing that hails from France, a glowing complexion is the is the most coveted accessory!

Carita Pearl of Youth Cream ($214) is an anti-aging skincare product that firms, tones, smooths and protects skin from environmental damages that cause premature aging. With continued use, skin should become softer and lines will look more refined. Use one pump on a cleansed skin in the morning and gently massage into the face and neck using moderate pressure.

For two more fabulous French beauty products

read more Lierac Coherènce- Age-Defense Firming Serum ($60) is a light yet intensive collagen enhanced serum formulated to lift, smooth, brighten and tighten skin to create a more youthful appearance. It absorbs quickly and can be used morning and night to cleansed skin under a moisturizer.
Decleor Aromessence Neroli Comforting Concentrate ($63.50) is a fast-absorbing and deep penetrating facial oil made with neroli oil to help normal to sensitve skin look and feel more hydrated, supple and radiant. Apply three drops in the morning and evening to cleansed skin. Decleor products smell amazing, so take deep breaths to benefit from the wonderful aroma.

Lotion Up For Landing, Part II

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 14:45:00 PDT

Welcome back to the second installment of Lotion Up for Landing, my three-part series on hydrating face creams that will quench your skin after a long flight. (Be sure to check out part I, too.) Not only are these creams luxuriously rich, but they're also less than 3 ounces, so you can toss them in your carry-on luggage without worry.

Hydra-Chrono Hydration Extreme Balm from Lierac ($47) is the perfect rich face balm for flights. It contains a moisturizing complex so divine that skin instantly looks hydrated and more supple. It also contains a technology called Aqua-pump, which acts like a hydraulic pump for your skin to reach the surface and the deep-down layers to help prevent wrinkles. To purchase, you can call 1-877-5-LIERAC or check the where to buy section.

For two more super-rich moisturizing lotions,

read more Apivita Aromatherapy Dream Skin Face Cream ($35) is another amazing product from the great Greek skincare company. This is actually a night cream - great for red-eye flights - that helps your cells regenerate and build collagen more quickly. The lavender scent might also help you relax, and in the morning, your skin will feel revived and fresh.
L'Occitane 24 Hours Ultra Rich Face Cream ($36) is a thick moisturizing lotion made from plant extracts, shea butter, chestnut extract, and wheat protein. The idea behind this cream is that it nourishes your skin enough for one application to last a full day. When I tried it, my skin felt really smooth right away, but I didn't put it through a 24-hour test, so if you have, let me know what you thought.

A Clean and Clear Face in 2007: Clarifying Masks

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 06:23:53 PST

Clarifying masks are a great way to deep clean clogged pores and awaken tired winter skin. They help get rid of dead cells on the surface of your skin as well as dry up blemishes that are beginning to form. Start off 2007 with a clean and clear face!

Gently apply these masks in a thin layer, avoiding your delicate eye area. Allow seven to twenty minutes drying time (whenever it feels crackly) and then rinse off with warm water in small circles to help exfoliate your skin. Here are my three top picks for clarifying masks sensitive enough for all skin types.

Lierac Soin Éclat Express Clarifying Mask, $35, is a mud-like, menthol facial mask derived from weathered volcanic ash that attracts and then absorbs toxins, free radicals and pollutants on your skin.

It also contains polyethylene microbeads which exfoliate dull skin as well as bearberry which acts as an astringent and antiseptic to deep clean your pores.

Lastly, the peppermint extract in the formula helps to soothe facial muscles. Use this mask two to three times a week and sit back, relax, and take deep minty breaths while it works its magic.

YonKa Masque 105, $32.95, is one of my longtime favorite clay masks since it is especially formulated to calm red, sensitive, easily irritated skin.

This sage green colored concoction helps to detoxify, tighten up your swollen pores and can even be used as a spot treatment for blemishes.

It also smells delicious since it's made from: lemon, savory and five quintessential essential oils. I find this mask to be relaxing and invigorating. After 15 minutes of this, you'll look and feel like you've taken a refreshing cat nap.

For one last clarifying mask,

read more Murad Clarifying Mask, $35, is intended to treat problem skin. This all natural, clay-based formula deep cleans, removes toxins from your face and helps to calm irritations/acne breakouts. It has also been known to help heal traumatized skin as well as prevent free radical damage. It has a lovely and light lavender smell.

Beauty Must Reads From the Bella Community

BellaSugar — Sun, 08 May 2011 06:30:00 PDT

Get Malin Akerman's Tribeca Film Festival glow - Style Apothecary
Eight things to note before dyeing your hair - Hairstyle Factor
Getting the royal treatment from Lierac and Phyto - Temple of Glam
How to get the perfect topknot - Kiss and Tell
Going natural: the best natural skin care products - The Beauty Girl

How To Get Angelina Jolie's Signature Makeup Look

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 09:00:02 PDT

Although Angelina Jolie's look used to be pretty eclectic, over the past few years she has toned down the wild child in her and her beauty has become very classic. Maybe it's motherhood, maybe it's love. Who knows, but something about her is glowing.

If you notice, she doesn't really wear a lot of makeup. She definitely tends to focus on her eyes and her lips, both of which are assets that always seem to score her on both male and female top ten hottie lists.

Her makeup artist, Matin Maulawizada, has some great insight into creating Angelina's look for yourself at home. For tips and product suggestions,

SKIN: Begin by smoothing a hydrating moisturizer such as Lierac Aqua D Moisturizer ($45) to the face and neck.
FACE: Next, use a sponge to apply a light layer of medium coverage oil-free foundation to the face. Matin favors Laura Mercier Foundation in Honey Beige ($40) on Angelina.
CONCEALER: To brighten up the eyes and cover any redness or broken capillaries, dab on an easily blendable concealer like Stila Cover Up Stick in Shade B ($18).
SET: For a flawless face, dust a little bit of Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil Powder ($19) (make sure it's totally translucent) over your face to set your makeup and create a matte finish.
CHEEKS: Go light on the cheeks with just a single strike of cream blush. I really like Fresh Cream Blush in Age of Innocence ($28). Apply to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards and outwards for a natural looking flush.
EYES: Here's the fun part! Angelina has been known to put this Guerlain Terracotta Loose Kohl Powder in Deep Charcoal Black ($32) on the radar of many a beauty junkie. She uses it all of the time for red carpet events. Apply in a thick line to the upper lids then smudge the outer corners for a smoky effect. Apply in a thinner line to the lower lids. For a more detailed explanation of how to create a heavily lined eye, click here. Apply a white shadow to the top of your lids and finish with two coats of lengthening mascara.
LIPS: Lastly, line lips lightly with a nude liner and then apply a creamy lipstick such as Lola Lip Cream in Cashmere ($20) - a chestnut brown color to the lips. Apply with a lip brush for optimum coverage.