BellaSugar

Product Review: Elemis Energizing Skin Scrub

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:00:16 -0800

I got a little sample of this amazing Energizing Skin Scrub ($46) from Elemis about two weeks ago and I've been squeezing the life out of the poor tube trying to get out every last bit. It's not so much the smell of this scrub that's so enticing, it's the results that are so addictive.

The texture is pretty much all grain. It comes out of the tube as a liquid but it feels like wet, slippery, coarse sand. This is actually a product for men, and while I realize that it's not the most gentle face scrub, the resulting smooth skin speaks for itself.

This exfoliator is made with Vitamin E, marine phytoplankton, hops, meadow-sweet, shea butter and beeswax and was created to help prevent ingrown hairs and blemishes. It is recommended for use twice weekly, but I'm willing to bet that once you get your hands on it, you'll want to use just a little bit every day.

Tea Time Treats, Part II: Tea-Infused Beauty Products

BellaSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:00:07 -0700

Even when it's iced, tea is hot right now. The trendy drink is available in an astounding number of varieties - from green to chai to yerba mate - and every day, it seems, I read about another health benefit of drinking tea.

It's no wonder, then, that tea has filtered into cosmetics. On Friday, I told you about three cosmetics with chai-inspired names, and today, I'm serving up a trio of treats that actually contain tea as an ingredient.

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Face Mist ($28) is a tonic for your face that helps to tighten your pores and gives your skin a glow. It's infused with African red tea, white tea, and pomegranate, all of which contain antioxidants.

For two more tea-infused products, read more

Origins The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Body Scrub ($45) is a gentle body exfoliator that is rich in natural antioxidants. It helps scrub away dead surface skin so the result is a fresh and shiny glow. Use the whisk to stir all the goodness in the jar, but it's a bit messy, so I suggest applying it in the shower or tub.

Bulgari Eau Parfumee Green Tea is an understated, citrusy, and floral unisex fragrance. Long-lasting but natural, it's made from bergamot, bitter orange, orange blossom, ceylon cardamom, pepper, coriander, rose, and, of course, green tea leaves. It is available in a 1-ounce bottle for $56 and in a 1.3-ounce bottle for $59.

Doing Drugstore: Aveeno Positively Ageless Warming Scrub

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

I had one severe case of dry, peeling skin, and I had it bad. My chin and mouth area were flakier than both Heidi and Spencer Pratt combined. I needed one mighty fine exfoliator, and I needed it stat. I turned to Aveeno's Warming Scrub ($9) from the brand's Positively Ageless line. Thermal beauty products are nothing new, but I'm still fascinated by the sensation of warmed-up skin care, which to me - whether it really does anything or not - enhances the experience. To find out what I thought about this water-activated, self-heating scrub, just keep reading.

Diana B. Sugar Body Scrubs

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:44:33 -0800

Diana B. Body Scrub, $45, is the perfect way to exfoliate away all of your Fashion Week midtown grime. This luxurious scrub is a sweet way to naturally awaken your senses.

Take a fingerful or two or three while you are in the shower and scrub off your dead skin cells and cleanse your body. Take a deep breath in and send your senses soaring from the sweet smells that do a body good.

Not only do these scrubs exfoliate, but their mineral packed formula also aids in healing sun damage and topical infections. Diana B. Body Scrub is available in four scents: maple sugar lychee nut, antioxidant infused green tea grapefruit, circulation improving black fig, or restorative peach frangipani flower.

Now you can be soft and tasty for your special someone this Valentine's Day. These scrubs are all natural, oil free, wax free and chemical free.

DIY Spa Treatment Recap: Scrubs For the Rest of Your Body

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:00:22 -0800

Rub-a-dub-dub, let's put a homemade scrub in your tub. Check out six sumptuous recipes to pamper different parts of your body (other than just hands and feet). All sugary sweet but not to eat, the crafty concoctions below will have your skin soft in no time.

Brown Sugar Body Scrub	Sesame Ginger Body Scrub	Honey Mint Body Scrub
Lavender Pecan Body Scrub	Lemon Sugar Lip Scrub	Coffee Clove Body Scrub

Bellissima! Caudalie Crushed Cabernet Scrub

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 11:19:28 -0700

This body scrub won't get you drunk, but it will delight the oenophiles in your life. Crushed Cabernet Scrub by Caudalie ($35) is one of the signature offerings from the French brand that crafts skincare and bath products from vineyard-grown ingredients. (Thanks to user Kbella for the tip!)

The Crushed Cabernet Scrub is made from organically grown and very French ingredients, including crushed grape seeds, brown sugar, and honey harvested in Gironde. The formula also contains essential oils of juniper berries, lemongrass, and four other botanicals. It promises to smooth rough skin as well as cellulite. If you're not a Cab fan, fret not: Caudalie also makes other varietals, including Merlot Friction Scrub and a Sauvignon Scrub.

Are Salty or Sugary Scrubs Right For You?

BellaSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:00:00 -0800

I've got snacking on the mind today (OK, everyday). Because I'll leave food reviews to YumSugar, I've conjured up some of my fave salty and sugary body scrubs. (I know it's not the same thing, but no calories woohoo!)

Both types offer natural exfoliation but there are some key differences. First up, the mineral content in sea salts can help increase circulation on top of taking off that top layer of skin. Sugar won't have that additional benefit (no minerals in sugar . . . sigh) but, if you've got sensitive or nicked skin, you'll be saved the sting from adding salt to your wounds. I like to alternate between the two types – like sugar the day after I've shaved and salt before – so spot products to get your scrub on in the widget below.

Neutrogena Engergizing Sugar Body Scrub - $9.49	Bodycology Gardenia Sugar Scrub - $7.99
Fresh Sugarbath Body Polish, Brown Sugar - $65.00	Bliss Blood Orange+White Pepper Sugar Scrub - $36.00
Carol's daughter ocean sea salt scrub - $28.00	Origins Incredible Spreadable Scrub™ Sea Salt body smoother 8 oz. - $26.00
Spa Wisdom™ Africa Spa Salt Scrub - $28.00	Heel to Toe Spa Collection Sea Salt Glow Scrub - $7.29

DIY Spa Treatment: Mojito Hand Scrub

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 09:00:58 -0700

Got a few left-over bar ingredients from all of the mojitos you served at your beach party this weekend? Don't let them go to waste. Instead, create a simple, at-home DIY mojito scrub. This treatment is great way to combat dry hands.

The sun, ocean and especially heavily chlorinated pools can dehydrate your skin. Thanks to another one of Raechel Cunningham's home remedy tips, you can easily exfoliate, nourish and moisturize your paws. Here's what to do:

Chop up three to five mint leaves (mint helps energize cells) and place them in a mixing bowl.
Squeeze half of a small lime (a natural aid for healthy skin), one tablespoon of sugar (a natural AHA)and one table spoon of extra virgin olive oil (a moisturizing emollient and add them to the bowl.
Massage the scrub into the palm of your hand and gently work the product on the backs of your hands, cuticles and fingertips. This recipe makes enough for one use and also doubles as a fab cuticle treatment!

Source

Doing Drugstore: Skin Milk Facial Scrub Exfoliate

BellaSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 05:01:23 -0700

I've long lusted after the Skin Milk line at the drugstore, mainly because of the adorably retro and oh-so-wholesome packaging. Now, after trying the Skin Milk Facial Scrub Exfoliate ($5.49), I'm happy to say the brand's appeal is more than superficial. The bargain buy has a gritty yet gentle texture that gets rid of flakes, but it's also nice and foamy, so it's fun to use.

Apparently, it - like milk - is enhanced with Vitamins A, D, and E, but it's tough to know what that's doing for my face. I'm far more enamored by the scent, so read more

This stuff smells sort of like vanilla soy milk in the best possible way. (I suspect that's from the oat flour and almond meal ingredients.) Even as I was leaving my apartment after using it, I could still smell the sweet, fresh scent, and as a result, I just felt a little bit more clean and wholesome.

Now I'm excited to try some other Skin Milk products, particularly the Shower Gel, just because it looks like a retro milk bottle. Have you guys tried any of these products? If so, tell me what you think.

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

Beauty Mark It Results: Beautiful Body Scrubs

BellaSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:15:22 -0700

Last week we switched things around by updating our weekly Beauty Mark It feature. Instead of asking you to go out there and find products that correlate to a specific topic, I asked you to go to our ever-fabulous Product Review Site to give your honest opinions instead. The subject matter this time around? To tell me what you think about your fave/not so fave Body Scrubs and Exfoliants.

I loved reading everybody's opinions, and the following three reviews really stood out:

Stooped reviewed Victoria's Secret Stimulating Body Scrub ($9) - "I usually prefer scrubs with bran or finely ground seeds, as the sugar scrubs I tried dissolved too early to be effective on the body. VS scrubs don't dissolve right away so you can work in some scrubbing without irking your skin. The fragrances are a bit too sweet at first, but soon wear off to a subtle, pleasing smell. Plus, you can't beat the price. They are also often on a bogo sale in stores."

To see the other two reviews, read more.

SweetSavant reviewed Giovanni Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub ($13.95) - "So refreshing, too bad it's not cocktail! Usually I'm a lover of refined sugar scrubs, but this salt scrub is so gentle and skin-refreshing that it is plenty sweet on its own! It sloughs off the dead skin while the essential oil rich formula moisturizes and replenishes. To simply put it, this stuff is awesome and affordable, a definite must!"
spirited786: reviewed Bliss Hot Salt Scrub, Rosemary + Eucalyptus ($36) - "This product truly lives up to its reputation! It warms, exfoliates, and leaves skin feeling oh-so-soft (even before using lotion!). It also has a soothing scent that makes you feel like you're pampering yourself - not just taking care of your skin. I just wish it were cheaper . . ."

Thanks to all of you who beefed up the new site with your fabulous star ratings, particularly our three readers - check your inboxes for a Sugar gift! So, go on over to check out a preview of product reviews - but be careful. It's addictive.