BellaSugar

Product Review: Sedu Pro Shortie Mini-Styler Iron

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:01:55 -0700

I have two new best friends. Their names are PetSugar and Sedu. You see, Pet recently introduced me to Sedu's Pro Shortie Mini Styler Iron ($50), an amazing little flat iron that was free with a $100 purchase she had made on Folica. After borrowing the lilliputian-sized straightener for a few weeks to test out on my fine, wavy locks, I was so impressed that I'm about to order one for myself. What's so great about this heating tool is that it gets into the teeniest tiniest of areas, particularly around the hairline and sides, all because it's so easy to maneuver.

Of course, you still have to be careful as to not scald yourself while trying to straighten these downy hairs, and that's why a silver, heat-resistant glove is included. (Impersonating MJ while singing into my Sedu "microphone"? Who, me?) One quick swipe over small, yet manageable-sized sections, does the trick, making for an extremely fast straightening process all over the head. Plus, because it straightens so smoothly and quickly, the hair-damaging act of going over an unruly spot over and over is avoided altogether. Thanks to the minisize, it's got a mini-price-tag. Other larger Sedues go for upward of $140, making this one a real bargain. If you have extremely thick hair or super-curly locks, this straightener might not have quite what you need to achieve a straight finish, but for those with short styles and/or wavy textures, the Mini-Styler is worth a shot.

Product Review: HerCut, Made Just For Your Haircut

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:01:31 -0700

In an attempt to offer a new twist in the haircare market, HerCut, a line of products tailored to the form and shape of your actual haircut, launches online today. Earlier, most of you said you'd at least give it a try, but as expected, there were some rumblings about whether or not these products could actually work, as they eschew something rather important when it comes to your hairstyle - its texture.

HerCut offers five styling "Catalysts" ($22 each) that pump out a cream on one side and a gel on the other, to complement the foundation of the haircut (think multichambered toothpaste dispensers). Those haircut foundations are the Bob, the Blunt, the Shag, Long Layers, and the Pixie. The product lineup also includes three different types of paraben- and sulfate-free shampoos ($19 each) and conditioners ($19).

To see more images and find out what I thought about the products, just keep reading.

Product Review: BeautyZZZ Silk Pillowcase

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:00:05 -0700

When it comes to "beauty" pillowcases that promise miracles, like the copper-infused pillowcase to reduce wrinkles and acne, or the contoured Anti-Wrinkle Beauty Pillow, do you buy into the hype? I know I'm leery, so when I tried out the BeautyZZZ Silk pH Balance Pillowcase ($47), I took it all with a grain of salt.

The hypoallergenic covering, available at Fred Segal Studio Beauty Mix stores, supposedly aids in preventing dark circles under the eyes, boosts the body's immune system, and helps keep skin and hair hydrated. But did it actually do as promised? To discover what I thought, keep reading.

The Proactiv Diaries: 10 Years Later

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:00:11 -0700

Ten years ago, I went through somewhat of an awkward phase. I decided to dye my hair blond à la Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail, but it was more straw-like than stellar. Also, I had put on a few of the dreaded college pounds (I only thought veggie pizza sounded healthy), and to top it all off, my face was breaking out like crazy. The solution? Some deep conditioner, a smarter diet, and Proactiv Solution.

I used the three-step system for about a year or two, and my pimples seemed to be under control. Flash-forward to a few weeks ago, and the spots were back with a vengeance. I got my hands on some Proactiv, which uses benzoyl peroxide to kill P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne, and ripped open the packaging with great fervor. But after 10 years, does Proactiv still do the trick? Find out when you read more.

In short, I am amazed. After only a week of use, the texture of my skin is smoother, tighter, and appears less oily. The redness and inflammation has subsided, and bumps have softened - if not disappeared. While I notice a slight medicinal smell after applying, I am willing to look the other way due to the amazing results I've had. Often, many acne treatments contribute to dry, flaky skin, but Proactiv does not. In fact, my makeup goes on more evenly, and as an added bonus, I seem to use less. One word of caution? The products may cause bleaching on fabric, so consider using only white pillowcases and towels.

The Three-Step System ($40) leaves the skin feeling very active and refreshed. It includes Renewing Cleanser, which uses small beads to exfoliate skin; Revitalizing Toner, which takes away excess oil, cleansing deep down; and Repairing Lotion, an oil-free moisturizer that helps heal and prevent blemishes from forming. While all skin types are different, I highly recommend Proactiv for the outstanding results I've had with the products in my younger years, as well as the results I've had as a wiser, back-to-my-natural-roots woman of a decade later.

Splurge of the Week: Wonderbar

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:00:08 -0700

Would you buy into the claim that this bar of facial soap, which is made from mud and algae derivatives, would work wonders on all skin types, all while detoxifying and balancing your delicate dermis along the way? That's a lot to promise, so I wasn't expecting much. But Wonderbar ($40 to $104), is actually quite wunderbar. For the hefty price, however, this one's most definitely in the splurge range. Although I went through my sample rather quickly, I loved how this bar tightened my skin without feeling taut or dry.
The soap, which is made from a clay that has the essence of over 700 herbs and plants, is also comprised of a proprietary ingredient called Chlorey’nahre, an algae substance that uses nanotechnology to help increase radiance in the skin. After applying the soap, you're supposed to let it sit and do its magic for about three minutes before rinsing. It gives a slightly tingly, refreshing feel, and really did away most of my makeup. The Wonderbar is also apparently a great multitasking scalp cleanser and aftershave. Would I pay over $100 for a bar of soap? Don't think so. But did I hide my sample far away from Mr. Bella? You bet I did.

See Seven Top-Rated Drugstore Foundations

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:00:29 -0700

There are more than 760 foundations to review in our Product Reviews section. Since it can all get a little overwhelming, I've taken a lot of the guesswork out by collecting seven highest-rated (and affordable) foundations. Can you guess which one is most popular? Find out now.

View Slideshow ›

Can a $165 Foundation Be Worth It?

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:05:22 -0700

I've never seen makeup as expensive as SK-II's Air Touch Foundation ($165), but I just had to try it out. It's an award-winning, battery-powered airbrush foundation that sprays out an extremely fine mist of foundation. I've heard rave reviews, so my friend and I headed to the makeup counter to give it a whirl.

The verdict? My friend loved it and could see why people would splurge on it. As for me, I didn't get the fuss. To find out why, read more.

First, we both liked the realistic texture of the foundation. It doesn't look heavy, and the mist dries down to a streak-free finish. My friend loved how her skin looked flawless, almost Photoshopped - plus she liked the gadgety allure of the spray applicator. While she didn't buy the foundation, she said she understood why some people would splurge on it.

As for me, the makeup artist's application provided a glimpse into my future. The ultra-fine particles settled into the fine lines around my eyes, revealing mini-wrinkles I didn't know I had. Great! While I'm not terrified of aging, I'd rather not shine a light on the lines that are there, you know? After my Dorian Gray moment, I couldn't wait to remove the foundation. Not sure why it worked so well on my friend and was so, uh, revealing on me, but it's a "try before you buy" product if one ever existed - and if you happen to have a hefty $165 to spend on foundation in the first place.

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Doing Drugstore: Physicians Formula Wrinkle Therapy Wrinkle Therapy Concealer in Soft Yellow

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:38 -0800

In my quest to find the ultimate concealer, I always look for something a little more than just under-eye circle coverage. My criteria: It has to be hydrating, non-caking, and able to neutralize unwanted bluish/purple tones. So, when I discovered Physicians Formula Wrinkle Therapy Wrinkle Therapy Concealer in Soft Yellow ($9) I thought I might have just hit the jackpot. Yellow tones are great for camouflaging pesky dark circles, but did this correcting concealer work?

Find out after the jump, and don't forget that you can review products, too. Even better? Enter our Product Reviews contest for the chance to win a $500 gift certificate from Benefit Cosmetics! And now, to see what I thought about this multitasking concealer, read more.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed. It's not because this concealer didn't neutralize my darkest of areas, because it did. It wasn't even the texture that was the problem since the formulation was lightweight, and didn't seem to settle into my fine lines and wrinkles (yeah, I have some). However, it was the dispensing mechanism that's to blame. The concealer comes in a tube with a brush at the end, and as I never could seem to regulate the flow when squeezing the tube, I always ended up with way too much product that tended to clump - not ideal for my perfect concealer criteria. Bummer. It had so much potential.

Hydrate Botanica Is Full of Spice

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:00:22 -0800

If your daily styling routine includes a dollop of leave-in conditioner, consider Hydrate Botanica ($20) this season. Since it's even more important to keep hair hydrated in cold and dry weather, using a moisture rich product can de-stress your hair . . . and your mood in dealing with that hair. When checking the label on the bottle, it read something like a spicy grocery list – nettle, fennel, sage – and I was intrigued as to what these yummy ingredients could do for my strands.

As part of a seven ingredient Naturina Complex, nettle nourishes, fennel softens, and sage refreshes, along with vitamin-rich arnica, emollient chamomile, yarrow for conditioning . . . and hops. Ummm, beer?! Just like that beer facial led us to believe, it's a natural hair and skin softener. Bottoms up on this bottle and let it go straight to your head!

Doing Drugstore: Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

After 27 hours of travel to get home for the holidays (yeah, really!), I arrived home looking a bit haggard. As I slabbed on the concealer and swept on the powder blush in attempt to hide my jet-lagged appearance, I couldn't help but wish I had some cream blush instead. The powdered blush just seemed a little flat and settled into my parched skin in the most unflattering way.

So, I made a pit stop at the only place that was open: the drugstore. I'd heard some decent things about Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush ($6.89) on the blush pages of our Product Reviews website, so I picked up two: one for my mom and one for me.

The Dream Mousse comes in six shades ranging from a bronzy brown to a bright pink. I tried Peach Satin, a slightly shimmery peaches 'n' cream glow, and my mom tried Soft Plum, a natural rose.

The verdict? We both agreed that a little goes a long way, making this light-as-air blush a great bang for your buck. We also liked how easy it was to blend and that it didn't get cakey or emphasize any rough patches or wrinkles. As for my mom, she was pleased as punch (her expression) that this creamy blush took the paleness out, leaving her with a natural radiance. As for me? I wish the color lasted just a bit longer, but all in all, mom's always right. This affordable whipped blush is a keeper.