BellaSugar

Beauty Mark It! Recession Obsessions

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:00:22 -0700

After last week's challenge where I asked you to "get your splurge on," I thought it would be fun to do the exact opposite and honor these times we call recession. So for this week's challenge, it's all pinching pennies; I'm talking products under $10.

I'll start you off with the cult favorite, Smith's Rosebud Salve. It's the perfect choice as it retails for $6 and can be used for multiple purposes: chapped lips, minor burns, dry skin, it can even treat diaper rash. That's how I'm going to spend my hard-earned cash, how about you?

Share your choices by bookmarking items from around the web and tagging them with the phrase Recession Obsessions. I'll feature your favorites here next Tuesday.

To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more.

Saks Beauty Place
Sephora
Saffron Rouge
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Amazon.com Beauty
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com

Rose Lip Balms Rule!

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:42:33 -0800

Our lips have some of the thinnest cover on our entire body. They are super sensitive to the environment since they don't produce any moisture on their own. Therefore, as soon as we feel a crack, or a patch of dryness, our lips become extra sensitive.

Not only does rose smell feminine, sweet and light, but it contains essential oils necessary in healing dry, chapped and cracked lips. Here are three of my favorite rose lip balms to help heal your special smackers.

by Terry Rose Balm Gloss, $50, has just created a new crystal case for their best selling rose lip balm! This lip balm contains a high concentration of lipid (fat) building rose wax which hydrates and nourishes the lips. It helps to repair, rejuvenate, strengthen, and fight early signs of aging in your lips. Plus, it smells great too. This gloss/balm plumps up your puckers ever so slightly and leaves them glowing and kissable.

For two more classic Rose lip balms, read more

This uber yummy smelling and adorably pink packaged Propoline Lip Aid With Rose & Olive Oil by Apivita is a sheer and very light rose colored lip balm that helps to combat dry, cracked lips.

It is super moisturizing, nourishing and softening and contains natural ingredients such as: rose, olive oil and Vitamin E. You can buy one for $7 or this package of three lip balms for $13.50.

Smith's Rosebud Salve, $6, is a cult-favorite among women of all shapes, sizes and creeds. It is a multi-purpose lip balm that soothes dry lips, calms and heals irritation, and helps take out the sting of a minor burn.

It also conditions dry cuticles, elbows, knees, diaper rash and my personal favorite: crow's feet. I know, it seems like a salve would be too heavy, but it's not. It absorbs overnight and I swear it helps fight lines and wrinkles. It now also comes in a new cool minted rose flavor too!

Bellissima! Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm

BellaSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:00:40 -0700

Attention all of you body-balm fans out there. This post is chock full of products that I know you'll love! I first became addicted to body salves about a year ago when I discovered this amazing wonderbalm. The smooth, hydrating, and soothing formulas are a great panacea for dry-skin issues since they can be used on your knees, elbows, lips, hands, and cuticles. It was love at first use and ever since I have been collecting more and more in search of the absolute bomb-diggity of balms.

For a while I swore by the pint-sized Smith's Rosebud Salve, but when I was introduced to Liz Earl's Superbalm in November, I became addicted for five months straight. I still think it has the best scent of them all, but my latest acquisition is the Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm ($55).

Bobbi Brown has always been a brand I turn to when I'm looking for good quality basics. This rich, avocado, rosemary oil, beeswax, and geranium enhanced balm has been my saving grace during the cold weather of the past few months. I love the dense texture and because it contains shea butter, it is extra conditioning.

I hate wasting good product on my feet, but I will say that rubbing a little bit into the skin around my toes and heels has really helped keep my pedicure looking fresh. I know that sounds strange, but try it - it works! What's your favorite body balm?

Silky Strawberry Lip Balms

BellaSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:00:37 -0800

Welcome to my final installment of strawberry beauty products. Those of you who missed the reading about strawberry body creams, scrubs and cleansers, have no fear - you can find everything here. These three goodies are smooth lip smackers to help soothe, condition and impart shine to your lips. And not only do they smell like strawberries, they taste like them too!

Smith's Strawberry Rosebud Lip Balm ($4.49) is the latest launch in the Smith's salve family. This all-purpose balm isn't restricted to lip love only; I use it on my cuticles, hands, knees and even my eyes sometimes. This strawberry version smells of roses and strawberries mixed together - it's amazing!

For two more strawberry lip balms, read more.

This creamy Burt's Bees Strawberry Lip Gloss ($2.64) smells sweet, tastes good and leaves lips shiny and soft. I realize they call it a lip gloss, but because it's not sticky or tacky and you have to dip your finger into the pot to put it on, I think it's safe to consider this gloss the balm. Yuk, yuk.

Since it's made from grapeseed oil it is also conditioning and contains antioxidants. FYI, it is also available in raspberry, cherry and lemon-lime.

Avon Flavor Savers Lip Gloss in Strawberry Fraise ($0.99) is a clear and conditioning lip balm that comes in a form similar to Chapstick. Just rub it over your lips a few times to get it soft and melty, then lick your lips for a sweet treat. I think it's great that Avon is still selling this product for under a dollar, because who doesn't love an affordable indulgence?

Model of the Week: Amy Bracco

BellaSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:00:02 -0700

Welcome back to Model of the Week, where we reveal the beauty and fashion secrets of top models.

Today, we're getting up close and personal with Amy Bracco, a Walnut Creek, Calif., native whose fresh face was discovered at a local modeling competition. Throughout high school, she spent her summer vacations modeling in Los Angeles and New York, then later moved on to other fashion capitals such as Paris, Sydney, and Milan.

Bracco has appeared in countless ad campaigns - including shoots for Guess, Diesel, Coach, DKNY, Tretorn, Dove, and Clinique - as well as TV ads for Pantene, Samsung, Oil of Olay, and Garnier Fructis.

When she's not modeling, she loves traveling, supporting the Natural Resources Defense Council, and cooking for her friends. She's also big fan on rock concerts, writing, and spa days - ahhh, a gal after my own heart. To see what Amy had to say about fashion, visit FabSugar, and to see her beauty secrets and a photo gallery, read more

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

AMY BRACCO: Drinking plenty of water and sleeping always helps. Also, I switch off between Kerastase and Biolage shampoos and conditioners so I don't get any product build up. I let my hair air dry and just run some Bumble & Bumble Grooming Creme through in the morning. I'm a no-make-up, ponytail girl on my days off.

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

AB: If I travel without my Jurlique Hand Creme, I freak out! My hands become a desert wasteland within minutes on those dry airplanes. I also love my Smith's Rosebud Salve.

BELLA: What is your guilty pleasure?

AB: It used to be smoking, but I quit a year ago! Now I guess it's splurging at Barney's Co-Op on designer jeans.

BELLA: What are your favorite drugstore products?

AB: I love Revlon's new Instant Nail Pen. It's so easy to whip out anywhere, and it dries instantly and looks clean. I love Volume Express by Maybelline, and Goody makes these Stay Put headbands that I live for on my days off! And I just found a gentle cleanser called Purpose by Johnson & Johnson that's perfect for removing make-up.

BELLA: Happiness is...

AB: Walking through the door at the end of a long travel day and seeing my French bulldog shake his butt in excitement, because he can't wag his little tail. It makes me smile every time. Then I give my boyfriend a kiss, and everything negative melts away.

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Model of the Week: Izabel Goulart

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:55:22 -0700

This week I am featuring one more stunning Victoria's Secret Angel. I've asked her the same five questions as I have in the past to reveal her best beauty secrets!

Here's a little bit of history about Izabel. She was born October 23, 1984 in São Carlos (a part of São Paulo), Brazil. She comes from a large family of five brothers and one sister. She was discovered when a hairdresser saw her shopping for groceries with her mother and encouraged her to model. She then moved to São Paulo to pursue modeling more seriously.

However, during her first ever runway appearance modeling swim suits, her bikini top fell off and the audience caught a peep show! Izabel exhibited composure and maturity and this incident actually helped jump start her career.

You may recognize her from her pictures in French and Japanese Vogue, Numero, Marie Claire, and Elle. She has also starred in ad campaigns for La Senza, Poko Pano, Valfrance, Express, Cori, Forum, Pollini and Pura Mania.

She just shot a campaign for Iodice and next week, she will have her first real acting cameo on the HBO show Entourage. Also, Izabel was named #18 in Esquire Magazine's annual list of 100 things, people, ideas, and trends you need to know. This model is here to stay!

To read the interview, read more.

What is your secret to beautiful skin?
Never sleep with makeup on; you've always got to wash it off with something gentle. Also, every three to four days I do a deep conditioning hair mask and a face mask.

What is the one product that you can't live without?
Black mascara.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Sleep! I love to sleep late, and I rarely have the chance to.

What is your favorite drugstore product?
Smiths Rosebud Salve. It's a cure-all for anything that ever feels dry, especially my lips.

Happiness is...
IG: Having time to spend with my family and my dog Peter Pan.

View 8 Photos ›

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