BellaSugar

A Sense For Beauty, Part IV: Hearing

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:59:31 -0700

OK, so the way that your compact snaps shut, or the sounds that your atomizer makes may not have the same effect on your senses as the way your body lotion feels on your skin, or the way a smoky eye makes you look sexy, but don't kid yourself, hearing does play a part on the the beauty products that you choose to purchase.

For example, Estee Lauder and Lancôme have both created a snug-fitting lipstick cap that makes a clicking noise when it's closed. This gives you the assurance to know that the cap won't fall off and cause any mess inside of your makeup case or purse.

Similarly, music is often played in the background at spas to help create a calm atmosphere in which to relieve stress and anxiety. Conversely, fast music is typically played at salons to create an upbeat, energetic environment. Do you have a favorite type of music that you play when you perform your at-home spa treatments?

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Float On: Bella Spends an Hour in an Isolation Tank

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:57 -0800

Claustrophobics beware: this story is not for you. Everyone else, welcome to my float-tank adventure. If you've never heard of floating, the idea is pretty simple. A windowless plastic tank is filled with 800 pounds of Epsom salt dissolved in about 10 inches of water. You crawl into the tank through a hatch, then float on your back in complete silence and darkness. The theory is that after about 40 minutes, your brain shifts into theta waves, bringing you to another plane of relaxation and clarity. That sounded good to me, so I booked an hour-long appointment and got ready to float. For the scoop on how it went, keep reading.

Dr. Obagi's Anti-Moisturizer Theory Explained

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 07:01:43 -0700

Who knew that moisturizer could create such a stir? Recently, I interviewed Dr. Zein Obagi of ZO Skin Health regarding anti-aging skin care, his area of expertise. As we learned, Dr. Obagi is not an advocate of moisturizers, claiming that they can actually accelerate the aging process. As promised, here's further explanation.

Can you clarify why moisturizers accelerate aging?
"It seems antithetical - a moisturizer was probably the first product that you used on your skin - and the one you trusted and used most frequently. . . With young and healthy skin, the cells in the dermis collect water from the food we eat and water we drink, and deliver that water to the surface of the skin. But, when you apply a moisturizer to hydrate and plump the skin, the skin cells in the epidermis send a message to the cells in the dermis: slow down, we’re fat and happy up here. That causes the cells in the dermis to become lazy, go dormant, and the skin becomes drier, thinner, and less elastic."

To hear what Dr. Obagi told me about why he sells creams and what conditions make it OK to use a moisturizer, read more.

Why do you sell two different crèmes, and what makes them different?
"I’m not a fan of moisturizers that plump and smooth the skin, and work only at the surface. The products need to work at the cellular level. The Daily Renewal Crème ($95) and Overnight Recovery Crème ($95) do have moisturizing properties, but that’s not all that they do. So unlike traditional moisturizers, these two products contain retinol (to activate and stimulate the skin) as well as anti-irritants and herbal extracts to calm and soothe the skin. So do they moisturize? Yes. But labeling them as moisturizers would be an understatement."

What conditions would make it OK to use moisturizers?
"Moisturizers are OK under certain conditions:

. . . We want to keep skin cells functioning - that’s what keeps [them] awake and vital. If you activate and stimulate your skin, and use a product that moisturizes your skin, that’s OK.
After medical procedures (lasers or peels) that may be desirable or necessary.
When you’re traveling to an arid climate - such as Palm Springs or Las Vegas, where the air is very dry.
When you’re traveling in an airplane, where the cabin air may dehydrate your skin."

Do you think Dr. Obagi's explanation makes sense?

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BellaSugar's Guide to Beauty Products and Your Senses

BellaSugar — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:00:22 -0700

I hope that you've enjoyed my series on the five senses and how they impact the beauty items that you buy. After taking a long look into my own personal beauty product inventory, I've come to understand that I am drawn more to the way that products look and smell than the way they sound, feel, or taste.

If you've fallen behind on your reading this week (it's OK, I'll forgive you this once!), below is a five-post roundup on each of the five senses. Please share with me, in a comment below, some of the things that you've learned about your own shopping habits when it comes to beauty products and your senses.

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A Sense For Beauty, Part I: Touch

BellaSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:00:22 -0700

Welcome to my series on the five senses and beauty products. You may not realize that you are drawn to certain items because they appeal to your sense of taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell, but subconsciously these qualities have a huge influence over what you chose to purchase. This series is a great way for you to gain insight into your mind, body, spirit - and bathroom. Today's topic is touch.

Touch and beauty are correlated on many levels. For example, Body So Fine body balm by Benefit ($30) is one of the company's best sellers because of its unique velvety cream-to-powder texture. Also, products that have dense, oily, or milky consistencies can attract or deter people from using them.

Touch also plays an intricate role in a spa experience. Hands-on treatments (as opposed to saunas, steam rooms, and baths) are fantastic ways to boost your mood. Did you know that the human touch releases "happy" endorphins that can physically help reduce blood pressure, stress, and anxiety? Psychologically, touch can also make you feel less isolated and more secure. Do you love the way a certain bath, body, or hair product feels? If so, please share your thoughts with me in a comment below.

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Marie Antoinette's $900 Perfume

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:00:57 -0700

Move over, Clive Christian-you've got company in the ranks of priciest perfumes.

Yesterday, FabSugar and I went to an event previewing an upcoming Marie Antoinette exhibition at San Francisco's Legion of Honor. It was there that I was able to smell Marie Antoinette Sillage de la Reine, a luxurious fragrance that costs $900 for 25ml.

Marie Antoinette Sillage de la Reine was created by French perfume maker Francis Kurkdjian, who recreated Marie Antoinette's signature fragrance. In that sense, it's a ghost of a perfume, but the scent is anything but faint. To see what went inside this limited-edition perfume, read more

Kurkdjian based his work on A Scented Palace: The Secret History of Marie-Antoinette’s Perfumer by Elizabeth Feydeau. The book explores the notes of the queen's Versailles perfumer, and from this information Kurkdjian was able to recreate her beloved scent.

The fragrance is entirely natural, which is why it was initially a bit strong for Fab and me. But it does smell very regal-as it should, of course. It contains rose, iris, cut jasmine, tuberose and orange blossom. Woody touches of cedar and sandalwood are also present, with the sandalwood more fragrant to my nose than the cedar. Additionally, it has notes of Tonkin musk (that's, um, the content of Himalayan goats' glands) and grey amber.

It was such a wonderful treat to smell such a rare fragrance, and it did transport me into another time (if only for a moment). If you are the kind of high roller who wants to smell like a queen, you'll be able to purchase Marie Antoinette Sillage de la Reine this fall from the de Young/Legion of Honor Museum Store in San Francisco. Proceeds from the perfume's sale will help restore an area used by Marie-Antoinette at Versailles.

Finally, if you think $900 is expensive, wait until you hear how much the "prestige" edition cost. Decanted into a Baccarat crystal container, and limited to only 10 worldwide, it sells abroad for 8,000 euros-just over $11,000. In contrast, $900 is a bargain, eh?

Models of the Week: Kelly and Sabrina Aldridge

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 08:30:45 -0700

Welcome back to Model of the Week. Today, you get a double dose of Bella beauties: Kelly and Sabrina Aldridge, a pair of 22-year-old twins from Tampa with blond hair and brown eyes.

Ever since they were young, the twins were pursued by modeling agencies and talent scouts, but it wasn't until they were 18 that they headed to Miami to model. After one meeting at the Irene Marie agency, they were signed!

You may recognize them from the MTV reality show, 8th & Ocean, as well as from their recent Acuvue, Differin, and Laundry by Shelli Segal ad campaigns. They also appeared in the 2006 movie Deck The Halls.

Kelly and Sabrina have a competitive nature about them, but they are also the best of friends and have an unconditional sense of love and support for each other.

Read what they had to say about fashion to Fab, and check out their thoughts on beauty and a great gallery of photos when you read more

BELLA: What is your secret to beautiful skin and hair?

KA: For skin, I use Cetaphil for a gentle cleanse, then I use Differin at night. Also, I keep my face shaded with a hat when I’m in the sun. I wash my hair every other day, and I deep condition once a week to keep my hair healthy, since its so hard to keep healthy ends when you have long hair.

SA: For hair, I don't over-wash - only 3 times per week. I use Redken Blonde Glam and everything Redken. I also use Big Sexy Hair to add volume to the roots, and I never brush it after the shower. My hair gets extremely knotty, and it works better for me to clip it up in a bun an let it naturally air dry. Afterwards my hair has much more body and wave to it.

BELLA: What is the one product that you can't live without?

KA: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. Who doesn’t use it? I hear that a tube sells every six seconds in the U.S.

SA: My curling iron.

BELLA: What is your guilty pleasure?

KA: Mint chocolate chip ice cream

SA: Fettuccine Alfredo

BELLA: What are your favorite drugstore products?

KA: I like Hallmark Cards and L'Oreal True Match Foundation in W4.

SA: Advil, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Neutrogena Triple Moisture Conditioning Treatment.

BELLA: Happiness is...

KA: Spending time with friends and family. I’ve had some of my happiest memories with my sister, Sabrina. Traveling also makes me extremely happy!

SA: Being around the special people in my life and traveling the world.

Kelly & Sabrina

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Sabrina

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Kelly

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