BellaSugar

10 Gifts You Should Probably Think Twice About Before Giving

Jaime Richards — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:00:23 PST

Most gift givers have nothing but good intentions in mind when choosing gifts for their loved ones. Unfortunately, and mainly due to their inherent nature, some gifts can come off as unintentionally insulting. Here are 10 beauty items you might want to think twice about - or put on your list for the ultimate passive-aggressive frenemy gift.

Coming Soon: Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Pressed Powder

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:01:47 PDT

Looking for a way to fight the signs of aging just by wearing makeup? Later this month, Peter Thomas Roth will launch a pressed powder ($35) in its popular Un-Wrinkle range. Inside the shiny black compact is a sheer powder that contains a synthetic ingredient called SYN-AKE, which is also in some of Gwyneth Paltrow's favorite skin care. The ingredient acts as a muscle relaxer, similar to the paralyzing effects of snake venom. It also contains peptides and neuropeptides, two antiaging powerhouse ingredients.

The texture is extremely silky and smooth, and when it's on, you can barely feel it (which I love). Something worthy of mention is that the powder claims to be translucent, but I see a slight tint and a definite luminosity when I wear it.

The powder has a bit of product placement coming up. If you're planning on seeing the movie Get Smart (which comes out on June 20, as does the powder), look for a glimpse of Agent 99 (aka Anne Hathaway) holding Un-Wrinkle Pressed Powder on the big screen.

Succulent Strawberry Scrubs

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:01:12 PST

Having these grainy and sweet body scrubs in the bath and shower is just asking for trouble. After just one whiff, I'll never want to get out. For those of you who want to take a break from the doldrums of January and indulge in a summertime treat, here are three succulent scrubs that'll do the trick. And hey, if you have any Winter strawberries in your fridge that you can't bear to waste, try making this strawberry scrub at home.

Fresh Sugar Face Polish ($55) is one of those oldies but goodies that you can never say too many great things about. It's made with ground-up wild strawberries and brown sugar, so it's deep cleaning and exfoliating. One of my friends swears by this stuff, and considering the fact that her skin is always soft and clear, it's enough for me.

This Fresh Ripe Wild Strawberry Scrub from Peter Thomas Roth ($35) is more for the body than for the face. It's a sweet-smelling scrub that uses strawberry seeds as exfoliating grains. Not only does it deep clean, it also sloughs away rough, dead skin.

100% Pure Strawberry Butter Body Scrub ($22) is an all-natural, rich, and thick body scrub infused with coconut oil and shea butter to help condition while exfoliating. It also contains antioxidants to help brighten and protect skin. I can't think of a yummier way to scrub-a-dub in the tub.

New Product Alert: Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Eye

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:00:38 PDT

New from Peter Thomas Roth is Un-Wrinkle Eye ($100). This powerful product targets fine lines and wrinkles around your eye area using a man-made ingredient called SYN-AKE which simulates the effects of poisonous snake venom. Yeppers, you read that right, snake venom-more specifically, Temple Viper venom, which Gwyneth is rumored to use.

Not unlike botox, venom freezes muscles from contracting so that lines become obsolete. For those of you with eyebrow furrows or just growing fears of crow's feet and frown lines, Un-Wrinkle Eye is an ounce of prevention.

Not only do eyes appear firmer, softer and smoother but it also helps with collagen production. Lastly, it's ophthalmologist tested and approved for contact lens wearers. To use, simply apply the peptide-packed serum morning and night to a clean face and neck and follow with a moisturizer. Then, watch the wrinkles slither away.

SPF For Your Skin Type: Oily Skin

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:40:06 PDT

Hey everybody! Welcome to Beach Week on BellaSugar. Since we all love and adore then sun, but understand just how dangerous its powerful rays are to our skin, we've got to play on the offense. Take precautions when going to the beach, pool or playing outside this summer and slather on the appropriate sunscreen for your skin type.

In this first installment of SPF For Your Skin Type, I've collected a few different sunscreens that are best suited for oily skin. The challenge here was finding products that don't include common SPF ingredients such as zinc oxide, which can clog your pores and cause a breakout. But have no fear, we've found a few that'll do the trick to keep your skin safe in the summer sun!

Dermatalogica Oil Free Matte Block SPF 20 ($45) is a special kind of sunscreen formulated to absorb already existing as well as any new oils on your skin to create a matte finish. It's oil-free, color-free and fragrance free so it won't irritate your skin, and it's also made with green tea to help soothe and calm any special attention areas. Apply liberally and thoroughly to your face before exposure to the sun.

For two more sunscreens for oily skin,

Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF30 ($8) is a fragrance-free, ultra-light dry and non-greasy sunscreen spray that absorbs quickly. And it's got a fab mess-free spray nozzle, which is always handy at the beach. It is formulated with lots of anti-oxidants, vitamins A & E and Parsol 1789r (which protects against UVA and UVB ray penetration). It won't clog your pores, and it's titanium dioxide and zinc oxide free!

SmartShield SPF 30 Sunscreen Gel ($8.95) has a an alcohol base which creates a cooling sensation on the skin. It's made with aloe vera to moisturize and heal, and it's also fragrance-free, waterproof (for up to 80 min), and it won't clog pores-which makes it great for those with oily and acne prone skin.

New Product Alert: Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Buffing Beads Body Wash

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:11:56 PDT

Peter Thomas Roth, a great skincare line, is now making bath and body products. One highlight from this new line is an Anti-Aging Buffing Beads Body Wash ($22). You can't miss this bright orange bottle with its suspension of micro-marbles. The packaging is really cool, but what's inside is even better.

This refreshing gel wash is made from an AHA glycolic acid complex (to exfoliate), salicylic acid (to kill bacteria and smooth out fine lines), white oak bar (to brighten and stimulate new cell growth), lemon (an energizing scent), vitamins A, C, E , B5, and moisturizing beads.

Get excited, because your body wash is about to become so much more than just a cleanser. As the beads break open (this also feels really cool), massage the gel into your skin to absorb all of the nutrients.

After your shower, you'll find that your skin feels softer, smoother, calmer (less red) and looks more radiant than ever before!

Fantastic Facial Creams, Part I: Oily Skin

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:36:39 PDT

Over Memorial Day weekend, I had the pleasure of chatting with acufacialist Shellie Goldstein, who caters to a number of celebrity clients at her Amagansett, NY, practice. We got to talking about skin type versus skin condition - skin type is something you are born with, while your skin condition is determined by your diet, your stress level, and your skin care regimen. There are five types of skin - dry, sensitive, oily, normal, and combination - and basically, you're stuck with the one you've got.

You can, however, change your skin condition by finding the right products for your face. Welcome to Part I of my five-part series on fantastic facial creams for each of the five skin types. Here are three great products best suited to oily skin.

Yon-Ka Creme PG ($43) is a lightweight and non-greasy lotion that helps balance oil production in your skin. It controls shine, tightens the pores, and fights blemishes. Made with retinol, burdock, vitamin A, and climbing ivy, it will give your skin a terrific matte finish. You can use it in the evening or in the morning as a base for makeup.

To see two more fantastic moisturizers for oily skin,

Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion ($33) is a light moisturizer intended for super-oily skin. It helps combat shine and tighten up large and inflamed pores, and since it contains salicylic acid, it also helps fight blemishes. It can be used as an all-over facial moisturizer or just in your T-Zone where shine is most apparent.

Peter Thomas Roth Oil-Free Moisturizer ($42) is an oil-free facial cream with a gel-like texture that is great if you're prone to blemishes. It is formulated with azulen and Vitamins A and E and will help soothe and hydrate skin without making it look or feel greasy.

Brush-On Mineral Powder Foundations, Part II: With SPF

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:16:55 PST

Welcome to part II of Brush-On Mineral Powder Foundations. These featherweight mineral powder foundations are talc, oil and fragrance free and they contain SPF 30. They are super sheer for those of you who prefer a natural look and they include brushes for easy portability and one step touch ups. Here are a couple of amazing products new to the scene.

Colorscience Sunforgettable Dispensing Brush SPF 30, $50, is a clear, odorless, water-resistant, sun protective brush-on mineral powder! Colorescience has used extensive nanotechnology (super small), pharmaceutical grade aroma-therapies and organically grown ingredients to create a product that is a natural anti-inflammatory, an antiseptic on your skin and will help keep your skin clean, clog-free and healthy.

It has been created for men and women with all skin types. Be sure and clean your brush with care so that you can reuse it. Refills are available for $30.

To see one more brush-on mineral foundation with SPF,

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30, $30, is a brush-on powder that is packed with all kinds of great minerals to help protect your skin from the sun. It has a matte finish and a transparent color.

It works instantaneously to block out the sun's harmful rays so that you won't burn, freckle or have any skin discoloration due to sun damage.

So, You Popped That Zit. Now What?

Allure — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:00:26 PST

We're excited to present this article from Allure!

You've done it. And you can't un-do it. You popped your zit and now you're left with the aftermath-which if you're not careful, could get even uglier than the original whitehead. In this modern age, there are products especially made for post-popping, like the new overnight Clean & Clear Popped Pimple Relief Drying Paste-but you probably already have the tools to handle this situation in your beauty arsenal. To see more, just keep reading.

5 Hotel Toiletries You'll Want to Take Home With You

Jaime Richards — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:30:43 PDT

There's something that feels magical about hotel toiletries. Not only can they be a great introduction to products maybe you wouldn't otherwise buy, but they're free (well, essentially). But which major hotel chains have some of the best bathroom swag around? Find out what's even better than a comped continental breakfast when you read more.