BellaSugar

What We're Sweet On: Cream That Makes You Soft Like Buttah

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:30:49 PST

A lot of moisturizers will hydrate your skin adequately enough, but it's far less common to find one that also makes it feel utterly amazing. That's why you'll love Algenist Firming & Lifting cream ($94), which makes skin unbelievably, baby's-bottom soft from the first time you use it. The alguronic acid inside is designed to increase cell turnover by a rather impressive 55 percent, and although you probably won't feel your cells shedding faster per se, skin is left more luminous, with a reduction in fine lines. It's quite a substantial cream, however, so it's not optimal for very young or oily skin types. But if you need lots of hydration and some gentle exfoliation, it's a really exceptional product.

4 Softening Scrubs That Will Save Your Skin

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:05:00 PST

While facial exfoliating is quite common, body scrubbing is often overlooked. During the cold weather months, however, scrubs can be a girl's best friend, working to remove flakes and salvaging dry, parched skin. They also moisturize and condition the body for a glistening, beach-ready body when it's a lot hotter outside. Here are four we love to slather on - one is even safe to apply pre-airbrush tan.

The Simply Surprising Reasons French Women Have Enviably Glowy Skin

Jaime Richards — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:02:00 PST

When Bertrand Thomas and his wife, Mathilde, (pictured above) launched Caudalie in 1995 with just three items on the roster, it was the first company to use the antiaging benefits of grape-seed polyphenols in skin care. Since then, the vinotheraphy-based brand has launched a full range of products, using practically all parts of the grape, from skin to stalk. In fact, its radiance-boosting Beauty Elixir ($16 to $46), which contains grape fruit extract, is so popular, even Victoria Beckham has been tweeting about it.

But what is it about French women that makes them seem so pleasantly content and perfectly complected? In the NYT best-seller, French Women Don't Get Fat, author Mireille Guiliano describes a lifestyle that is full of variety, where deprivation is replaced by savoring things to the fullest. And when it comes to beauty, Thomas explains it's a similar mindset: "Balance is the key word: French women balance food their food and balance their lifestyle." To see just what Thomas means on how French women get it right, keep reading.

What We're Sweet On: A Cooling Cleanser That Decongests

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:05:50 PST

It's an oldie, but a goodie: Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser ($25). Besides, it's actually kind of fun to use. The two-step treatment begins by washing the face with the creamy, cooling cleanser, rubbing it in with circular motions to release dirt and makeup. The second step involves polishing the skin with a muslin cloth that's included as part of the kit. Once you rinse off the cloth and check out your mug in the mirror, skin feels smoothed and softened, and looks clearer and brighter.

This rich cleanser contains cocoa butter to hydrate, hops extract to tone, and rosemary essential oil to invigorate. Eucalyptus helps to decongest clogged skin, and gives that cooling, tingly sensation. But the best part? The oddly exciting and strangely addictive moment when you see makeup melting into the cloth - including the stubborn kind of mascara that almost requires grabbing a chisel to remove.

What We're Sweet On: A Primer That Deslicks Acne-Prone Skin

Jaime Richards — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:05:17 PST

Most primers succeed at smoothing out skin at a basic level, a few stand above the rest. If you have oily- or acne-prone skin, you might want to give Murad's Skin Perfecting Primer Acne and Shine Control ($35) a try. Formulated with salicylic acid to help keep pores clear, this matte-finish multitasker helps reduce and prevent breakouts. (Although it's not a substitute for your regular skin care regimen.) And because it's universal in color, it will match your skin tone to a T; you can even get away with wearing it with very little concealer or foundation on top. Oh, and if you're someone who gets oil slicks so major you've considered alerting the EPA, you'll love the way this primer helps put a stop to excess shine.

Why You'll Find Plenty to Love in Facial Oils

BellaSugar — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:09:01 PST

Oils get a bad rap when it comes to putting them on the face, but really, there's nothing to be afraid of. In fact, embracing facial oils will lead to supple, dewy skin that stays hydrated throughout the day - which is perfect for dry Winter weather. For those still a little leery of the oil-to-face movement, here's an explanation of why you'll love them (plus, check out three to try).

What We're Sweet On: Excellently Organic Eye Cream

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:05:29 PST

Dried-out skin under your eyes isn't pretty, but it's a reality for a lot of us. The only thing that really helps is a moisture-trapping hydrator, which is why we've been using KTO Vitality Rose & Cucumber eye cream ($30). The primary ingredient is pure vegetable glycerin, which packs a hydrating punch and helps keep the moisture around, too, and the cream also has aloe, shea butter, jojoba, and a host of other excellent oils and soothers. It makes the little lines we get around our eyes from the in-office dry heat vanish completely, and after we put it on, our skin just feels a lot more comfortable, too.

And if you're wondering about the naturalness of the product, most of the ingredients are certified organic, and it's free of artificial preservatives, parabens, and sulfates. Plus, the price point is extremely reasonable for a product that works as well or better than some $80 products we've tried. All around an excellent bet if the windows to your soul are looking a little down at heel.

Sundance Beauty Secrets For Combating Winter Weather

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:07:25 PST

The freezing January weather at the Sundance Film Festival is harsh, but there's no better place to find cold weather beauty tips. Check out these smart tricks for blizzard-proof hair and skin, courtesy of the makeup artists and stylists who kept Kate Bosworth and Elizabeth Olsen looking flawless during the fest.

What We're Sweet On: Truly Multipurpose Oil

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:06:42 PST

Can one product moisturize and balance your face, body, and even your hair? Yes, if it's the right oil. And right now we're rather fond of O.N.E. Skincare ($30). It's not for everybody - quite literally, since oily complexions won't benefit as much - but if you have dry, sensitive skin, O.N.E.'s oil is a lifesaver. It's a gentle blend of olive oil, sunflower oil, lavender, and geranium that absorbs easily and doesn't feel heavy or clog pores. We like that it's certified organic without being obscenely expensive, and it smells great, like a lavender bouquet picked out with bright red geraniums. We've been using it on our arms, legs, and lips, then dabbing it on as a spot treatment for dry spots on our faces, and it's worked like a charm. It's not the most complicated product, but sometimes the simplest things are also the best.

5 Easy-to-Make Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Skin

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:27:40 PST

It's an almost-universal experience: your complexion has been fine for a while, and then one day, almost out of nowhere, you're in breakout city and your skin looks worn out and defeated overnight. You're cleansing and using a daily regimen, so what could be wrong? Well, if it's not stress or hormones, it could very easily be one of several smaller, less obvious culprits. See a list of the usual suspects below.