BellaSugar

How-To: A Clean Close Shave

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:00:23 -0800

Ahhh, there's nothing quite like the feeling of a clean, close shave. There's something so elegant and dainty about velvety-soft skin. Below is my five-step guide to getting the closest, most intimate shave you've ever experienced. This is one beauty tip you can share with your honey, too!

To find out the secret behind some of the best body-shaving techniques (for those of you who voted that you do in fact shave, read more

STEP 1: Feel the direction in which your hair grows; that is the direction in which you shave. Choose a razor that has multiple blades, since this will dramatically improve its performance. Also, I recommend changing the blade every five uses so that it retains its sharpness.
STEP 2: Splash the area that you are shaving with hot water so that your skin will soften and your pores will open up. That is why shaving in the shower/bath is ideal. Next, use a small amount of shaving cream and lather it up well so that your hair is pulled away from your skin.
STEP 3: Again, remember to shave in the direction in which your hair grows. With one hand, pull the skin taut so that it the surface is smoother (this helps prevent cuts). Use the other hand to shave, using light and slow strokes.
STEP 4: Don't forget to rinse the razor off after every other stroke to remove hair and excess cream from the razor.
STEP 5: When you are finished, rinse with cool water to help close your pores and refresh your skin. Pat dry with a clean towel and then apply your favorite body lotion to the area as a finishing touch. Now that the area is clean and smooth, the lotion will further nourish your skin!

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Beauty Marked! A New Silky Soft Shaving Cream

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:04:44 -0700

Last week I asked you all to come Beauty Marking with me to help find a new silky soft shaving cream or gel that I didn't have to share with my hubby. He really loves his Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream, $15.50, and I do too, however it's not very feminine smelling! Your mission was to help find me something that will make my legs and underarms feel silky without irritating my sensitive skin. Also, if it smelled great, that would be fab! To see all of the beauty marks for a shaving cream click here. Thank you so much for all of your ideas!

Beauty Mark #1 found my sigmaration, is called Nature's Gate Organics Lemongrass and Clary Sage Creamy Shave Gel, $6.99. This shaving cream is made with Vitamins A and E to nourish, calm and protect skin. It also has creamy shea butter in it so that your skin is left feeling moisturized and silky.

For two more beauty marks, read more

Beauty Mark #2 found by atoxicsparkle, is called Benefit Cosmetics Bathina Sweet Satin Shave, $26. This shaving cream is actually more the texture of a mousse. It is made with aloe, chamomile and flower extract to give you the closest and softest possible shave. Oh, and it smells great too!

Beauty Mark #3 found by foreverdizzy, is called Paula's Choice Close Comfort All Over Shave Gel, $10.95. It is a gel formula that contains aloe vera, chamomile, antioxidants, green tea and willowherb which is an effective anti-irritant.

Something else special about this shave gel is that it contains a little bit of glycerin which helps create a cushion between your skin and the razor. It's fragrance free, but I think this time, I can make an exception!

Beauty Mark It! A New Silky Soft Shaving Cream

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:15:44 -0700

Hey everybody! With all this Dress you Up! talk, can you help me on my search for an awesome new shaving cream or gel for the shower? I am looking for something that's going to make my legs and underarms feel and look silky smooth. I love a close shave and it would be ideal to find something gentle that won't irritate my skin.

I've been using my hubby's Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream, $15.50, but it doesn't smell very womanly and I feel like he should have something in the shower that's his alone!

Let's all go beauty marking to help me find a new silky soft shaving cream. Be sure to come back and tell me when your Beauty Marks are up and tag your choices with shaving cream. To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.

And if you can't get enough of these fun beauty mark challenges, check out this summer foundation one from birthday girl atoxicsparkle.

To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more

Saks Beauty Place
Victoria's Secret Beauty
Nordstrom
Sephora
Beauty.com
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty

New Product Alert: The Art of Shaving

BellaSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 06:02:17 -0700

I've always liked the looks of men's line from The Art of Shaving, so I'm really happy to explore its new women's shaving collection. The just-launched, seven-piece line ($18–$60) is specifically formulated for skin on the body, and it's infused with rose absolute. While I probably wouldn't go for all of the products because I don't have time for a four-step shaving process, I'm interested in trying the Ingrown Hair Night Cream ($30), a shea butter formula that soothes skin and prevents bumps and ingrowns. It sounds like someone's finally figured out how to tackle shaving problems without leaving skin oily or overly mentholated.

How-To: Shave Your Pits For Smooth Results

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:00:27 -0700

The other day, the warm temperatures in downtown San Francisco prompted me to bust out a sleeveless top. As I hopped on an extremely crowded bus with no seats available, I held on to the rubber straps for dear life. "Oh crud, did I remember to shave my pits this morning?" I wondered. The answer was yes, but I did so in a haphazard fashion.

Shaving armpit hair is an annoying task, but using better techniques for more effective results makes it a little more bearable. Check out my tips for a smooth underarm shave when you read more.

Hold it: Shave your armpits as late into your shower as possible. The warm water helps soften the coarse hair in this area, so shaving will be a little easier.
Scrub-a-dub: Make sure you remove all traces of your deodorant with a thorough washing. You might also want to consider exfoliating with a body scrub like The Body Shop Mango Scrub ($10 to $20), for a more even shave. (Do this before flicking the Bic, of course.)
Up, down, and all around: I prefer using a razor with multiple blades, because with more blades working, it gets the job done a lot faster. That, and you don't have to shave an already-sensitive area over and over. After lathering up with a great shaving cream, lift the arm high, and start shaving. Shave up, down, and side to side. Keeping the skin taut will result in a closer shave, so pull your skin however you need to go to create an even surface. Rinsing the blade off after every other stroke or so will also keep the razor nice and unclogged.
Mini razor: If you encounter an area that's difficult to maneuver around, or if you discover you've missed a few hairs, a mini razor should do the trick. Try Noxzema Bikini Razor for Women ($3).
Don't be dull: It should go without saying, but make sure your razor isn't dull. Check out my tips for extending the life of your razor, and happy - or at least less tedious - shaving.

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Doing Drugstore: Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 07:00:20 -0700

When it comes to shaving my legs, I tend to switch between high-end shaving potions and drugstore brands, since the latter are just easier to buy on short notice. But while Gillette Satin Care doesn't totally suck, the Walgreen's offering does, and in general, drugstore brands don't give me the silky-smooth shave I want.

The exception, I've just discovered, is Aveeno Positively Smooth Shaving Gel ($3.99). This product gave me one of the closest, most moisturizing shaves I've ever gotten from a drugstore gel, so read more

It would be unfair to compare Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel only to its drugstore cousins, because it also holds its own against the higher-end stuff. You need just a small amount of gel to produce a substantially velvety lather, and its light scent is cleanly pleasant, unlike offerings from Gillette or Skintimate.

But while the shaving process is the same as with other drugstore gels, the results are leaps and bounds away. Afterwards, my legs were as silky as the soft Aveeno lather, and even on my sensitive skin, there wasn't a hint of irritation or stubble. This may be my new standby.

A Super-Luxe Shaving Brush

FabSugar — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 11:32:32 -0800

Who says shaving your legs and underarms has to be the pits? With this sparkly shaving brush, you can make the experience posh. As you can probably tell, I love anything bedazzled, so I simply can't resist this As You Whish Body Brush. The handmade tool is encrusted with Swarovski crystals and fitted with badger bristles designed specifically for a woman's body.

For a pampered shave, use the brush with a rich shaving cream and work it into a hefty lather on your skin. Not only will you achieve a closer shave, but you will also exfoliate your body. Buy a full-sized brush for $170 or a smaller version for $105 here. You can choose from 19 different colors of crystal to customize you own look, and each brush comes with a one year warranty.

How-To: Prevent Red Bumps in the Bikini Area

BellaSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:48 -0700

As we all know, hot weather is just around the corner. Whether you prefer a one-piece or two - or perhaps no swimsuit at all - there's nothing worse than calling attention to "down there" (as Mr. Bella's grandma would point and whisper) than with red, splotchy bumps caused by shaving.

But, the good news is that these bumps, aka pseudofolliculitis barbae, can be avoided. If you're looking for smooth skin with irritation-free results, I've got the answers. Check them out when you read more.

Before breaking out the razor, wash skin with a gentle antibacterial soap to keep germs at bay, exfoliating with a washcloth to create a smooth surface.
Before shaving, rinse or soak in warm water for several minutes to soften the hair.
Next, apply a conditioning shaving gel or cream to the area, such as Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel in Soothing Lavender ($3.50) or Bikini Zone Anti-Irritation Shave Gel ($4.30).
It should go without saying, but dull blades make for bumpy results. Always use a sharp razor. I like Gillette Venus Divine Razor For Women ($11).
Shaving tips: While you can shave in the opposite direction of hair growth, if you are prone to ingrowns, go with the grain. Try not to go over the same area multiple times or shave each day, as this can cause unnecessary irritation. Also, rinse the razor after each swipe to prevent clogging, and pull the skin taut to get a nice, close shave.
Splash on some cool water when you are done, and pat dry with a towel. For added protection against bumps, apply a postshaving product to reduce inflammation, like Tend Skin ($16) or Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps, Medicated Bikini Pads ($8).

What are your favorite tips?

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Back to Basics: The Best Shaving Creams

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:00:13 -0700

These shaving creams worked for my dad, and they still work for me. When I began shaving in my early teens, I used these with a single blade razor. Nowadays, I use a four-blade razor for sensitive skin, and these creams work even better without breaking the bank. I’m a firm believer in splurging in some areas and saving in others, and these drugstore brands have never let me down. Do you have a brand preference when it comes to shaving creams?

Edge Advanced Shaving Gel For Sensitive Skin ($3.23) OK, so this isn't the most feminine product that I own, but I've been using this gel-to-cream formula for ages and I love the texture and the masculine scent. Also, this slightly new and improved formula contains aloe to help soothe even the most sensitive skin.

Barbasol Shaving Cream ($2.49) is the one, the original, the very first shaving cream I ever used. Not only did I love using this thick and creamy formula on my legs, but while at Summer camp, I'd write my bunk number on the lawn outside of the mess hall. I was a happy camper.

To check out another one of my favorite shaving creams, read more.

Wow, I used to love the smell of this Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel For Dry Skin ($3.14). I still use the product because it's gentle and provides a smooth shave that never skips and causes nicks. It also leaves my legs feeling silky smooth and moisturized. It's like I'm wearing pantyhose, when I've got nothing on.

Guess How Long It Takes the Longest-Legged Woman to Shave

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:00:22 -0800

Kiehl’s "Close Shaverettes" Simply Mahvelous Shave Cream ($15.50) has been around for almost 65 years. And this Spring, the iconic line is relaunching the popular shaving aide in pink packaging - a complete overhaul from the traditional Kiehl's black and white.

To celebrate the new look, the company is holding a truly unique (and leggy) contest. From now until March 15th, pop in to any Kiehl's location or enter online for a chance to win a year's worth of "Close Shaverettes" Simply Mahvelous Legs Shave Cream.

The catch? You have to guess how long (down to the second) it takes Svetlana Pankratova, the record-holding "Woman with the Longest Legs," to shave her 4'4" gams. There will be lots of happy people with this contest, as Kiehl's is picking one winner from each of their stores and one winner from online. The people who come closest to the exact answer will win the goods. What's your best guess?