BellaSugar

OnSugar Blog: Preggo Products I Can't Live Without

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:46:11 PDT

Lots of moms and mommies-to-be like to think out loud, and Nicole Pearl, the Beauty Girl is one of them. She recently posted about her favorite pregnancy products on her The Beauty Girl blog.

I'm having a baby! I'm in the final weeks and am happy to be able to say I'm still feeling good. I haven't gotten swollen or stretched out to the point that I'm miserable. Perhaps I can attribute this to my diligent application of skin softening products that relieve me every time my tummy feels itchy or so big it's going to burst. For the past nine months I've slathered on balms, oils and creams day and night like a champ and have whittled it down to the ones I just couldn't live without. Here they are . . .

As you can see from the above picture, I used every last drop of this incredible salve. It's thick and waxy and melts into skin, but don't be surprised if the Bella B Tummy Honey Butter gets stuck under your nails. I used this religiously before bed. If you're slathering on during the day, be sure to give it at least 10 minutes to fully absorb or else it could end up on your clothes. I learned this the hard way.

I've come to love the feel of oil on my belly. Erbaviva stretch mark oil and Mama Mio Tummy Rub (shown above) are two of my favorites. I pour a quarter-size amount into my palm and rub it on in sweeping circular motions. This has become part of my morning ritual, which is really relaxing for me and baby. And whenever I need some mid-day relief, I usually reach for Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter (shown above). The lightweight cream spreads evenly, dries fast and doesn't feel greasy.

By the way, I have no clue what to do once the baby comes, but at least right now I know I'm doing something right - I'm proud to say I'm stretch mark free!

Want to see more? Start following The Beauty Girl blog or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free, and we just might feature your content on our site!

Lucky Legs Gives Pregnant Women a Lift!

LilSugar — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:00:17 PDT

Water retention during pregnancy can wear a woman out! Heavy legs, swollen ankles, and expanding feet also tend to limit a lady's wardrobe and shoe selection. I had this problem each of the three times I was overdue with my kids, and no matter how much I elevated my gams, nothing gave me much of a lift. Mama Mio recently sent me its recipe for relief - Lucky Legs ($20) - to test. Check out how the potion fared.

Who is this product designed for? This product is great for expectant women who are experiencing water retention in the legs or ladies who just want a refreshing lotion to moisturize their limbs.

Is it practical? Summer's in full swing so lots of mamas are showing more skin and want their legs and feet to look and feel their best. Made of essential plant oils, spearmint, menthol, aloe vera, and chamomile, the foam comes in a pump and leaves a tingling feeling and flattering shimmer on the skin after it is applied. Because the potion is frothy, it is absorbed quickly.

What could be better? The product boasts that it increases circulation, but the tingling sensation lasts for a while so moms should rinse their hands after applying it to the legs and be careful not slather it on other parts of the body.

Would I buy it? Yes, it's much lighter than other lotions I've tried.

Favorite Three Subsequent Pregnancy Maternity Must Haves

LilSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:00:35 PDT

Each pregnancy is different - the first time around, I paged through week-by-week books. The second was spent researching baby brands. This time, I've got a few favorite products that are practical and more mama focused. I'd recommend them to anyone who is expecting, it just took me this long to discover the goodies!

Body Bare Full Coverage Bra ($30). While boobs swell during a first pregnancy, they enter the Dolly Parton phase early during a third. This comfortable bra gives my chest the lift it needs after nursing two babies and is seamless under shirts.

Mama Mio Tummy Rub ($35). I don't know if I can repair the damage that has already been done, but I'll do my best to keep more stretch lines from appearing on my burgeoning belly. The paraben free rosehip, wheatgerm and borage oil potion smells incredible and isn't oily at all.

Ingrid and Isabel Belly Leggings ($52). These snug fitting, super soft pants may be a bit on the pricey side, but they support your stomach and allow you to stay in your dresses even once your stomach takes up the hem. And, paired with a tunic or sweater, they allow you to breathe!

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part I: Bust

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:00:25 PST

For those of you who worry about sagging skin on or around your breasts, these firming creams are designed to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate your bust contours by improving tone, texture, and firmness. These are great for new mothers, or for anyone looking for a topical preventative treatment.

Keep in mind that firming creams claim to hydrate, improve your skin's resilience and boost antioxidant and collagen production - but they aren't cure-alls, and their effects aren’t permanent. I've found a few bust-firming products below. These are items I haven't tested yet, but I can recommend these Apivita Express Bust Firming Mask Packets firsthand, which make your skin smell and feel baby soft.

Mama Mio Boob Tube ($38) is a product meant for new moms. Not only does it claim to soothe sore, itchy breasts and nipples, but it also prevents stretch marks and improves tone and firmness. If you have any friends who just had a little one, this is a great way to show some, uh, support.

Guinot Liftenseur Firming Bust Cream ($40) promises to tighten, plump, and mend the suspensory tissues in your skin. The box says to avoid your nipples, so consider yourself warned.

For one last drugstore option,

read more. Palmers Bust Firming Cream ($5.49) contains cocoa butter, shea butter, and vitamin E. I wouldn't expect a miracle from using it, but at the very least, it'll keep your girls soft and smooth.

BellaSugar's Gift Guide: The Mommy-To-Be

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:00:25 PST

Welcome to the first post of my 2007 Holiday Gift Guide! Every weekday, I'll share a new set of ideas for gifts for your mom, dad, sib, boss, pals, special guy in your life and just about anyone else gift-worthy this season.

To kick off the guide, and to support our dear friend LilSugar, let's celebrate the mommies-to-be. Here are three great ideas for pregnant women who are carrying around those little ones. Since two of my best friends are about to become mommies, this was a lot of fun to put together!

My favorite item of the group is this Wonder-Full Balm from Mama Mio ($25). It's great for itchy and flaky belly skin, and it works quickly to relieve dryness and discomfort. If that's not something you think she'd like, there's also this Mustela Stretch Marks Double Action Cream ($34.49), which will help strengthen skin's elasticity around the belly, breasts abdomen, hips, and thighs to help reduce stretch marks during pregnancy.

Lastly, I love this Henna Vegetable Hair Dye ($1.99) for ladies who prefer to err on the side of caution and steer clear of chemical substances during their first trimester. While hair dying chemicals aren't highly toxic, vegetable dyes are all-natural, safe alternatives. Put it in a basket with some hair accessories, and you've got a great gift.

Got a few great ideas of your own? If so, I encourage you to please share them in a comment below!

Mustela Double Action Stretch Mark Cream ($34.99)

Lustrous Henna Pure Henna ($1.99)

Mama Mio Wonder-Full Balm ($25)

Mama Mio! Pampering for Mommys-To-Be

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:12:22 PDT

Mama Mio is a fab new line of pampering products for the pregnant woman who has special needs. It was created by three mothers who all had previous experience in the beauty industry and were looking to invent something specific for the pregnancy era in women's lives when they are feeling awkward in their own skin!

The special fragrance in the products is also the key ingredient. It is called Gravida which is made from ten essential oils and lipids to help keep your skin soft and supple - it also means pregnancy in Latin, how clever! Oh, and don't worry, the smell has been proven to appeal to even those who are suffering from bouts of icky morning sickness.

So far the line consists of ten products: Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil, Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Cream, Boob Tube, Wonder-Full Balm, Moisturizing Shower Cream, Super-Rich Body Cream, Massage Oil, Gravida Candle, The Post Pregnancy Emergency Repair Tummy toner and Stretch Mark Minimiser.

They have also created five different kits which make terrific gifts! I love the one that's called, "It's Time." This is a perfect present to show up with when visiting a new mommy in the hospital. Two of their signature products from the Emergency Repair Line are especially noteworthy.

To read more about the Stretch Mark Minimiser and the Tummy Toner,

Stretch Mark Minimiser, $65, helps fade the appearance of yucky stretch marks that over 50% of women suffer from. Although surgery is really the only way to erase them, this concentrated, facial quality product will significantly lighten the marks and help your skin cells regenerate and renew themselves more quickly.
Tummy Toner, $65, helps restore tone in your tummy. From all of the stretching it's done, now it's time for it to shrink back to the way you looked pre-pregnancy. If only it were that easy! This product works in three stages: to exfoliate, moisturize, tighten/tone your stomach skin. Although you won't see results overnight, this "tummy peel" is clinically proven to help firm and tighten the tone of your belly post pregnancy.

Fashion's Night Out Destinations For Moms and Tots

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 08:31:58 PDT

No need to get a sitter this Thursday night if you're yearning to participate in Fashion's Night Out. The year's biggest night of shopping may be packed with glamorous events for die-hard fashionistas, but it's also shaping up to be a great night for moms and tots as well. If you happen to be in the NYC area this Thursday, be sure to stop by these fun parties that make taking the kids out for an evening of shopping nothing less than fun!

Baby CZ: The high-end cashmere shop will turn into a Big Top circus with food, music, and more. Shop the Fall collection for tots and moms throughout the evening. (6 to 11 p.m., 820 Madison Avenue)

Bonpoint: Divalysscious moms will be hosting the evening shopping event at the celeb-frequented store. Look for cotton candy, photo booths, kids' tattoos, and children's entertainment at the newly renovated store. (4 to 6 p.m., 805 Madison Avenue)

Crumbs Bake Shop: When you need a lil break from all of that shopping, stop by one of Crumbs' shops for the FNO Cupcake - a white chocolate brownie cupcake with vanilla cream cheese frosting, white chocolate chips, and white and chocolate drizzle on top! Buy five and get the sixth one free, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the CFDA's charities. (6 to 11 p.m., various locations)

Destination Maternity: Join athlete and new mom Laila Ali at the store where she'll share her personal style and health tips. Celebrity prenatal yoga instructor Latham Thomas will discuss the importance of exercise and reps from Mama Mio, MD Moms and Edamame Spa will offer hand and chair massages as well as skin care product demonstrations. (6 to 9 p.m., 28 East 57th Street at Madison Avenue)

Disney Store: Happily ever after turns into stylishly ever after at the Disney Store in Times Square. Get an exclusive mini-manicure with the Disney princess designer collection nail polish, customize a charm bracelet at the Kidada for Disney Store charm bar, and take a sneak whiff of the latest Disney Store fragrance - Pixie Dust. (6 to 11 p.m., 1540 Broadway)

Half Pint Citizens: Brooklyn's hip children's clothing store is getting in on the action with a 20 percent discount on all regularly priced clothing and shoes. (Until 9 p.m., 41 Washington Street)

Lester's: The NYC outpost of this newborn to teen shopping destination will have a DJ spinning tunes all evening long while shoppers peruse an exclusive collection of one-of-a-kind airbrushed t-shirts and receive a 25 percent discount on one item. (6 to 9 p.m., 1534 2nd Avenue)

Maclaren Showroom: Celebrate the grand reopening of the stroller giant's SoHo showroom. Get a sneak peek at the new strollers in the Objects of Design Collection, enter to win the new Dylan's Candy Bar stroller, and meet the top female sailors sponsored by Maclaren. (150 Wooster Street)