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New Product Alert: MD Skincare Detox Duo

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:00:03 -0800

As fabulous as a trip to a yoga-and-detox center might sound at first, some people think otherwise. I tend to agree, because if I have a week of vacation, you can bet I'm not going to spend it doing a juice cleanse. But I would happily do a little at-home detox with MD Skincare's Detox Duo (on sale for $38.50). A preview of the brand's forthcoming line of natural skin care products, it provides just the right balance of luxury and earthiness. The two-piece package consists of bath crystals and an antioxidant enzyme buff; both are free of parabens, SLS, mineral oil, synthetic dyes, paraffins, and fragrances.

That appeals to the treehugger in me, but here's what's even better: Using these is like having a tiny spa treatment in my own bathroom. Taking a bath is always relaxing, but the star of the show is the enzyme buff. A little bit of this thick, heavenly scented stuff goes a long way toward scrubbing away dead skin cells, and the essential oils help lock in moisture. I use this in the shower, then gently pat my skin dry, and have soft, moisturized skin all day long. Even if toxins might not be able to be purged, it feels great and puts me in a happy mood. Reason enough for me.

Product Review: MD Skincare 4-in-1 Facial Treatment

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:22 -0700

During those humid days when you can feel your hair frizzing and your pores clogging, I grow tired of getting up to wash my face while I'm cleaning up, reading a good book, or, you know, watching VH1. It's days like these that I turn to MD Skincare 4-in-1 Facial Treatment, which is just as convenient at the gym or for travel. Here's why: each palm-sized package cleanses, tones, treats and moisturizes in one fell swoop. At $35 for a box of 30, I probably shouldn't be going through as many as I do (and I admit, individually wrapped anything is not ecologically the best option), but when you consider the price of four products, it's not quite as bad as it seems. The packets come in two types, Dry/Normal and Normal/Oily, the latter of which tingles a little and leaves skin feeling clean. Or should I say, cleansed, toned, treated and moisturized. Take that, Wash-n-Dri!

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Seven Beauty Products Worth the Splurge

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:00:56 -0800

You already know there are some beauty items you don't need to splurge on. But what about the pricey products that actually do the job much better than their cheapy counterparts? Over the years, I've found a few things that definitely deserve their high price tags. So start saving your dollars, because these are worth every penny.

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Monday Giveaway! MD Skincare’s Team Doctor Holiday Set

BellaSugar — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:30:56 -0800

This month, we're again pairing up with Sephora to bring you daily giveaways to help you get ready for the holiday season ahead.

Today's giveaway is for MD Skincare’s Team Doctor Holiday Set. This is a good one, and I'm jealous that I can't enter! A $170 value, the set is $95. It contains Hydra-Pure™ Antioxidant Firming Serum and 30 applications of Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel. I love, love, love the Alpha Beta pads-they really help brighten your skin and cut down on blemishes. Love. Them. When you shop online, enter the code SHOPNOW5, for free shipping on purchases over $50.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Monday, November 5, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to CAMWinters, who won Caudalie Spa in a Box; and to chromiumman, who'll soon receive a Bliss Lemon + Sage Merry Citrus Set!

Tuesday Giveaway! Philosophy House of Miracles

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:30:54 -0800

This month, we're again pairing up with Sephora to bring you daily giveaways to help you get ready for the holiday season ahead.

Today's giveaway is for Philosophy House of Miracles. The three-piece House of Miracles contains best-selling Philosophy products to address skincare basics: Hope In A Jar moisturizer, Purity Made Simple one-step facial cleanser, and Amazing Grace 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath (which has a great scent). When you shop online, enter the code SHOPNOW5, for free shipping on purchases over $50.

To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, November 6, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to jewelryjenko, who won MD Skincare’s Team Doctor Holiday Set!

Facelogic Makes Facials More Affordable

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:00:33 -0700

If you aren't able to take advantage of this Exhale Spa deal, fear not! Another affordable spa option may be in your future. Facelogic is a chain of franchised spas with surprisingly reasonable prices on facials, waxing, and other esthetic mainstays. Fifty-minute facials start at $49, but are discounted if you sign up for a year's worth in advance. Despite the low prices, this isn't a bottom-of-the-barrel operation: spa estheticians use high-end product lines such as MD Skincare, Peter Thomas Roth, and Sue Devitt in their treatments.

I haven't had the chance to stop by Facelogic, but these reviews are all glowing - so I'd love to know if any of you have had a similar experience. There are dozens of locations in the States and Canada, with 62 more scheduled to open in the next few years.

Log In to Win Luxe Skin Care From ICS Skin Therapie!

BellaSugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:19:30 -0800

This may be our most luxurious giveaway yet! ICS Skin Therapie is a line of science-based skincare formulas used in the global cosmetic surgery practice of Cap Lesesne, M.D. The age-fighting products work to reduce the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation while making skin tone appear more even. We're giving away more than $900 worth of ICS Skin Therapie products!

I've sampled a few items from Skin Therapie, and they are incredibly luxurious. (I'm particularly amazed by the smooth texture of Lip Therapie, which is soft and smoothing and moisturizing without feeling heavy at all.) One lucky grand-prize winner will receive Facial Night Therapie ($350) and Eye Therapie ($195), while three runners-up will receive one Lip Therapie ($125) each.

To enter the giveaway, take the quiz by 5:00 p.m. Mar. 2; the winners 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. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your vote to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

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SPF For Your Skin Type: Combination Skin

BellaSugar — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:44:00 -0700

Welcome to the final installment of SPF For Your Skin Type. For the culmination of this series, I've isolated a few sunscreens that work best for combination skin. This is skin that most commonly has an oily T-Zone, yet has patches of dry skin on the areas of the face as well. Ideally, two types of sunscreens would work best on this skin type, but not only is that unrealistic, but you can't risk missing a spot by complicating the application! For the rest of you who don't have combination skin, you can find the best sunscreen for your skin type here.

MD Skincare Auto-Balancing Moisture Sunscreen SPF 10 ($42) is a moisturizer that also includes SPF. What's special about this sunscreen is its ability to adjust the level of hydration on certain areas of your skin, making it great for normal to oily or combination skin. The non-greasy formula also firms and tightens skin.

For two more sunscreens for combination skin, read more

Jan Marini Skin Research Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30 ($49.50) is a powerful sunscreen that provides all-day protection for your skin. It is also waterproof, sweaproof and it will never leave your face feeling oily. Since it has invisible microscopic sponges, it hydrates the skin as it absorbs grease, and it leaves your skin with a beautuful matte finish now that's pretty fantastic!

Kiehl's Ultra Protection Water-Based Sunscreen SPF 25 ($27) is a great sunscreen for combination, since it is water-based. Not only is it super light, it's also a great primer for under makeup since it absorbs quickly and easily.