BellaSugar

The Detox, Day 5: 6 Pounds Down, Spirits Up

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:00:00 -0800

I've just completed the final day of my five-day detox and while it wasn't always easy to control my junk food cravings, grumbly stomach, and penchant for hummus, it was all worth it in the end. As energetic and light-spirited as I feel now after all this hard work, I'm still looking forward to a celebratory cocktail (or two), along with a heaping plate of sushi, tomorrow evening. To find out what else I have to raise a glass to, as well as gripe about, just keep reading.

The Detox, Day 4: Everything's Illuminated

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:00:00 -0800

It's day four of my five-day detox, and while I have to admit that my stomach's still adjusting to consuming smaller portions, I'm not feeling nearly as hungry as I did on that awful second day. But, I do have a confession . . . I cheated. (And that's how I'm going to explain my oddly sinister expression in this photo.) You see, a tub of hummus was calling my name, and I lost all control on a midnight trip to the fridge. Minor blip in the radar aside, I do have some very positive things to report. Find out what they are when you read more.

Whose Cute Dimples?

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:00:00 -0800

Lots of Hollywood's brightest have these adorable indentations, but it's not always so easy to tell who they belong to. Can you guess which stars have been blessed with these cutie-pie dimples? Take my quiz and find out!

Question 1 of 5

Which starlet's got this cute little dimple?

The Detox, Day 3: Jury Duty Calls

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:00:00 -0800

While eating the same thing each day on my five-day detox has proven to be rather blasé, I have found ways to add excitement to my entrées, which mainly consist of the same old protein shakes and salads. However, a simple switch in lettuce variety, along with the mind-blowing addition of ice to my morning chocolate shakes, have proved to be all I need to turn my monotonous caloric intake around. It truly is the little things that count, agreed? To find out more about the third day of my experiment, just keep reading.

The Detox, Day 2: I'm Tired and It Shows

BellaSugar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:00:11 -0800

With change, there comes an adjustment period, no? And I do believe that this is what's happening to me. As I adapt to a lighter diet, free of sweets, alcohol, and excess anything (except salad), today I am feeling hungry, weary, and a bit unfocused. Thus far, the only beauty-related thing that's changed is my hair, and sadly, it's not because it's miraculously become full of luster and enviable body. I merely got a six-week trim from my stylist.

As I mentioned before, I don't expect colossal changes during my five-day detox, but I've got to believe that my energy will pick up soon, and I've got to believe that this case of delirium is just a slight bump in the road called detox. About the post-holiday jean snugness factor? Happily, and much to my surprise, I no longer feel like I've been stuffed into my favorite dungarees. Stay tuned for day three . . .

The Detox, Day 1: A Farewell to Acne

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:00:11 -0800

Yesterday, I began my five-day journey to the land of detox, mostly in hopes of rejuvenating my lackluster complexion and recurring battle with chin and forehead acne. While I have realistic expectations, as I'm not anticipating perfectly flawless skin à la Reese Witherspoon in under a week, I chose the David Kirsch Wellness brand of detox just for that reason: it's a gentle detox, not a blow-through-your-system-with-fury type of cleanse.

Yesterday began with a grape-y flavored, vitamin-packed shot, a thick (almost too much so) chocolate-flavored protein shake for breakfast, and a train ride into work. Would I get shaky? Would I feel light-headed on the rails? In short, no. And by the time noon rolled around, my pre-lunch energy-boosting bubble drink, followed by a simple salad with lemon juice and four ounces of protein, was a welcome treat. I didn't even feel left wanting for more. To find out what else happened on day one of my experimental detox, just keep reading.

Milk Does a Beauty Good

BellaSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0700

Heidi Klum will be the latest addition to the long list of celebrities who have appeared in the wildly popular "Got Milk?" ad campaign, Vogue UK reports. The German model and Project Runway host will be featured wearing a customary Bavarian maid outfit, alongside a milking cow - just in time for Halloween.

All this talk about this healthy, white drink got me thinking, just what is it about milk that does a body good, in terms of beauty, of course? According to the California Milk Processor Board, people have been using milk for beauty purposes for hundreds of years. In fact, Bella favorite, Cleopatra, used to bathe in milk for radiantly smooth skin. To check out some more milk beauty benefits, keep reading.

The Solution's Founder Dishes on Skin Care

BellaSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:00:36 -0700

So, I had heard the buzz about a major multitasking face cream called, The Solution ($74). Forget your day and night creams, they said. Eye creams, serums, and makeup primers? Toss those out, too. You could say I was intrigued.

The lightweight cream is formulated from natural ingredients and contains antioxidants to lift, firm, hydrate, and promote radiant skin. In fact, the product is so pure, only natural preservatives are used, and the pump blocks out contaminants and oxygen, both of which can render ingredients less effective. Like all things, it takes weeks to see results. I'm still waiting for my wrinkles to go away (ha!), but I like how it adds a glow to my skin, especially under the eyes.

Last week, I chatted with the creator of this product, Kimberly Snyder, yoga teacher and living-food expert, who took two years to develop The Solution. Here's what she had to say:

Throughout all of your world travels, what common ground did you see amongst women?
The commonality of all women is the desire to seek luminous, beautiful skin. I saw a lot of [use of] local herbs, berries, plants . . . and crushing it and applying it to the skin. I took the best of those ingredients and put them in The Solution, as well.

To see what Kimberly has to say about taking care of your skin, read more.

What advice can you give women of all ages regarding their skin?
I think that simple is better. There's just way too much going on people's faces. A major issue I'm seeing is that the quality of the skin becomes dull, lifeless, clogged, and acne-prone. There is premature wrinkling and lines because the skin can't breathe. So again, in designing this product, I just wanted something simple.

Her tips on daily skin-care regimen:

Use the right cleanser for your skin type.
Use one thing that works. "Don't put layers and layers and fillers on your face," she says. "That is the best skin-care regimen."
Prevent wrinkles and lines not only with products, but also through diet. "The cleaner your blood, the healthier your skin," she says.

A Skin Recovery Mini-Facial: Scenario 4

BellaSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:00:22 -0700

Welcome to part four of my Bella miniseries on the mini-facial, where I'll detail specific fast skin-recovery routines for those mornings where a face wash isn't enough. Sometimes your skin needs a little extra boost before you face the day, and we all know trying to mask a skin problem with makeup alone can only make it worse. So, check out our tips for righting what went wrong overnight.

Scenario 4: Your best friend's boyfriend broke up with her, so you spent the evening listening to how much she's going to miss her "boo bear" while she chain smoked. Now it's the morning, she's on your couch with an empty bottle of vino and your face feels like it was rubbed in an ashtray.

Here's what to do:

Wash your face with an oxygenating cleanser, like Clean & Clear Oxygenating Fizzing Cleanser ($6.99).
Apply a mask for dull skin, like Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask ($52).
Try a serum with vitamin C to brighten skin, like Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough: Age Control ($38), Fresh Appleseed Brightening Essence ($90), or Avalon Organics Vitamin C Vitality Facial Serum ($16.79).
Smooth on a light-reflecting tinted moisturizer, like Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($14.39).

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BellaSugar's Guide To Tea Tree Oil Products

BellaSugar — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 09:43:55 -0700

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia plant which grows exclusively and in abundance in Australia. The leaves are distilled, pressed and can then be used topically or aromatically (inhaled). Tea tree oil can be found in many over-the-counter beauty, household and first aid items.

Take a look at my five-post roundup on tea tree oil for a more in-depth look at a sample of the wide variety of face, body and hair care products on the market today. I hope that you've enjoyed this series, so please let me know what you think!

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