BellaSugar

Splurge of the Week: Kiehl's Body Cleansing Oil

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:00:48 -0700

My skin has been going through an oddball itchy phase. Ever the hypochondriac, I became convinced that the cats had fleas. They didn't, so I thought, "Oh no, I've somehow picked up bedbugs!" (I hadn't.) After running through a mile-long list of potential itch-causers, I decided to switch body wash to one that doesn't foam up and potentially irritate my skin.

You could probably use a variety of washes, but I went with Superbly Restorative Body Cleansing Oil ($27.50). It has organic argan oil (the buzzed-about Moroccan oil) as well as a beta hydroxy acid. Since it's an oil, it doesn't lather up like crazy. Instead, it gently washes away dirt without leaving my skin dry. Plus, the softly earthy scent is sexy instead of traversing into a "I just followed Phish around for three months" funk. Most important: no more itchy skin. Win! At $27.50, it's more expensive than most body washes, but a little goes a really long way - and the ability to go to sleep without scratching my legs these days is pretty much priceless.

Splurge of the Week: Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:24 -0700

While on vacation, I took a little, uh, vacation from my normal skincare routine. Unfortunately, this decision resulted in a mess of a complexion upon my return. I had blackheads galore, and the long flight had left my skin dry and flaky. Nice.

Oh, but when I returned to Sugar HQ, there was a package from Estée Lauder waiting. Inside: a sample of Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment ($49.50). It's a "skin refinisher," which sounds scary and harsh, but it's surprisingly gentle. When the paste meets damp skin, it warms up. While this heating action doesn't do anything amazing for the skin, it feels good as you rub it on. Five minutes later, the glucosamine and salicylic acid have painlessly nibbled away all of the complexion-dulling dead skin cells. The result: incredibly soft, smoother skin, with smaller-looking pores. One use and my vacation sins were washed away. A little goes a long way, so this is one skincare investment that should last for quite a while.

Splurge of the Week: WE Help Bring the Hope Collection

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:00:28 -0700

This week's splurge is not only a good deal, it's for a good cause. The Wei East WE Help Bring the Hope Collection ($70) loads $300 worth of herbal skin care into a neat little box. You get full-sized cleanser, serum, eye cream, hand cream, a face mask, and a couple of other treats.

But here's the do-gooder part: 100% of sales is donated to Autism Speaks and the Autism Treatment Center of America. Founder Wei Yang Brian has an autistic son, and she's hoping to raise funds for autism research, treatment, and outreach. The entire purchase price - not just the profits - goes to these endeavors, making the collection a win-win situation for all.

Splurge of the Week: Wildflower Dry Oil

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:00:43 -0800

As much as I love testing beauty products, there are times when I wonder if I'll even remember to put on one more thing! However, that's not the case with Hollybeth's Wildflower Dry Oil. The elixir of botanical infusions and plant extracts (95 percent organic!) provides unparalleled moisture for my dryness. Normally, even my favorite face cream seems to vanish by morning, yet this leaves my skin feeling smooth after a night of shuteye. Simply use the included eyedropper (which can double as a cap) to drip onto fingers before applying to the flowery-scented oil to your face and neck twice daily.

It's said to diminish fine lines and counteract the formation of free radicals. Now, I've only been using it for a week so I can't report any visible changes, but I do know that I don't want to stop touching my soft face. Even with a big price tag of $40 (for 0.5 fl. oz.), I'd not only recommend it for wintry dry skin, but also because the company participates in UNICEF's Inspired Gifts program. With proceeds from sales in 2009, they've committed to purchase five water pumps, each one will providing clean, safe drinking water for an entire community. It's a nice way to feel like you're helping others while also helping yourself.

Splurge of the Week: Payot Hydratation 24 Protection Levres

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:51 -0800

When it comes to lip balm, I tend to spend less than $10. I'm just too scatterbrained and forgetful to drop more than that on balm, because inevitably I lose it and feel like a chump for doing so. But now that I've tried Payot Hydratation 24 Protection Levres, I can understand why some people pay a little more. Payot, a decades-old luxury skincare brand, sent me a sample of this lip balm. And from the first application, I was hooked. The balm has a hefty dose of shea butter to protect lips from chapping, and macadamia and jojoba oils help soften while making the balm smell amazing. This balm doesn't smear, it doesn't feel tacky, and it absorbs quickly while leaving my lips feeling protected. When I put it on, I feel like I have large and beautiful Angelina lips, and chapped lips don't stand a chance. Unfortunately, it would help to have Angelina's bank account, too - this balm is $29, but if you have the means, it's worth trying.

Splurge of the Week: Chanel Moscow Collection

BellaSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:00:55 -0800

In Russia, Chanel polish nails you! Earlier this month, Karl Lagerfeld presented his pre-fall Paris-Moscow collection, with models sporting a new twist on dark polish. The clothing won't be available for another six months or so, but the three moodily alluring lacquer shades ($30 each) are available now.

The base of each polish is black, but they have a hint of color thanks to red, gold, and blue sparkles that reflect light. So nebulous, so chic, and so on my wish list. Are you listening, Santa?

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Splurge of the Week: A Custom-Made Gift

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0800

If you've been a very, very good girl, you might want to ask Santa to send you Prescriptives' Custom Blend Essentials kit ($115, a $165 value). Inside a metallic train case, you'll find two full-size brushes, a travel-sized bottle of Super Line Preventor Xtreme, and empty bottles of foundation and concealer. The gift recipient can go to one of Prescriptives' Custom Blend counters (find a location here), and she'll watch as the foundation and concealer are whipped up to her specifications right before her eyes.

I loved my Custom Blend experience because, well, custom anything makes me feel like a VIP. But it's a worthwhile splurge if you have a hard time finding the right shade of foundation; mine disappears perfectly into my skin, and it lasts forever. At $115, this kit is indeed a splurge - but it would also be a great gift to find under the tree, no?

Splurge of the Week: ANSR

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:00:37 -0800

You might not have heard about light therapy within skin care, and so I thought I'd shed a little light on the subject. (Zing! Tip your waitress, try the veal!) In simple terms, light therapy - also called phototherapy - uses different wavelengths of light to combat acne and stimulate collagen production. That might sound like bunk, but it's not. The FDA approved blue light therapy for acne in August 2002.

Of the available at-home LED devices, most cost around $250 to $400. ANSR, at $159.95, is a less-expensive version that uses both blue and red light to treat acne. ANSR sent a kit for me to try, and I didn't have exceedingly high hopes. The kit comes with a cleanser and day and night creams that have salicylic acid, so I figured that ingredient was the secret to any sort of acne-battling power. To find out how it worked, read more.

I started using ANSR shortly before my trip to Central America, and within two weeks I saw fewer whiteheads. I didn't take ANSR with me to Belize, and got a little lazy about using it upon my return. Big mistake - my chin turned into a pimple farm within a week. Returning to a nightly ANSR light session has helped return my chin to a largely unclogged, smooth zone, and I'm starting to see less redness as well. The cleanser and creams are fine, but I think the light really does the trick. Turns out that this therapy works, but you have to be consistent - and, of course, willing to shell out cash for an at-home device.

Splurge of the Week: Leonor Greyl Masque Quintessence

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:00:34 -0700

Leonor Greyl Masque Quintessence ($137.50 for 7oz) is the only hair product I've seen come in one of those cubic cartons where the top and sides lift off to reveal a heavy-duty glass jar, sitting firmly on a built-in platform, much like being presented with an engagement ring, but the only commitment you're making is to spending a fortune. Careful opening it, though - the texture is not as thick as products like Terax Crema or Kérastase - lest you spill roughly $25 worth of it on the sink (like I did). The instructions say to smooth it on sparingly, so I did, focusing on the roots and ends of my hair. The scent has notes of Mock Orange and Linden, which is strong but pleasant.

Forty years ago, before most products claimed to be "organic" or "natural," Leonor Greyl started a line of products including ingredients like Wheat Germ Oil. The large line now has many almost unusual products, like a milky banana shampoo (Lait Lavant à la Banane), and an anti-dandruff shampoo including "propolis combined with a cocktail of botanical active ingredients [to] prevent the development of microbial flora and itching sensations."

To find out how I liked Masque Quintessence, read more.

I applied the mask on dry, clean hair, and kept it on for about 20 minutes. After rinsing well as directed, I washed and conditioned with products I consider average and let my hair air dry with no product for consistency. My split ends weren't magically mended, but my hair does feel incredibly soft (as in, my friend leaned over at brunch and touched it) and looks shinier than usual. While Masque Quintessence's price is so high that you could get a professional deep-conditioning service, complete with heat and some precious Us Weekly time, it would be a viable option if you're too busy to hit the salon. And, of course, if you have an extra $137.50 laying around . . .

Splurge of the Week: AB Happy Feet

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:00:39 -0700

Hey, have you heard? We're in an economic crisis. Since everyone's watching her dollars, I present a new feature: Splurge of the Week. Instead of talking about pricey products throughout the week, I'll highlight one dream item worth trying if you hit the lotto, stumble upon a few bills lying around, or know a generous gifter.

This time around, it's AB Happy Feet. This $95 jar of pretreated pads does an amazing job of transforming rough, hoof-like feet into soft, smooth, baby-like ones. It's loaded with a hefty dose of glycolic acid to eat away dead skin, but you won't feel any sort of nasty stinging. Use it at night before bed, massage feet with lotion, slip on some socks, and each morning you'll have softer skin. It's like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but for feet.