BellaSugar

Reader Review of the Day: Suave 4x Mega Rave Hairspray

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:00:35 -0800

Back in high school I used so much Rave and Salon Selectives hair spray, I am still rather concerned about my lungs - and the ozone, for that matter. I have to admit, although the packaging and formulation are different now, my thanks go out to Barbiesugar for taking me on a drip down memory lane with her review of Suave 4x Mega Rave Hairspray, Scented ($2.89). Although it wasn't a "rave review," here's what she thought:

"I bought this product right before a wedding in Chicago. I was getting my hair done because I was a bridesmaid, but my grandma and my mother were not, so they were relying on me to do their hair. I picked this mostly for its low cost. I'm used to using 'big hair' and 'super-sticky' hair spray, but this took it to a whole new level. I really think NASA should find out what is in this product because there is some gravity-defying action in here. Needless to say, this was not the product I bargained for. Cons: tacky, no pun intended. Pros: it smelled nice."

If you'd like to review a product, just go to our Product Reviews site. Maybe you'll be featured on this daily post!

Suave Is Giving Away Free Shampoo!

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:30:59 -0800

Click as fast as your index finger will allow, and get over to Suavenomics. For today only, Suave is giving away coupons for a free product (choose from shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, styling aid, body wash or body lotion). You'll have to wait for the coupon to arrive in your physical mailbox (so last-century, I know) but once it's there, you can have your pick! I know some of you might scoff at a low-priced line - but remember, when I was in Belize, I thought I was using "fancy spa shampoo," only to find out that it was Suave. So go on and get your freebie already!

In Which Bella Is Tricked by Shampoo in the Jungle!

BellaSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:00:37 -0700

My trip to Belize was amazing on so many levels, especially because I got to hang out with adorable animals like this Aztec parakeet. Since it was the low season, I managed to score a good price at a swanky hotel in San Ignacio. When I checked in, I was offered a glass of rum punch. (Yes, please.) And my room was gorgeous - huge, pristine, luxe. Right away, I hopped in the shower, where I smiled at the sweetly coconut-scented shampoo in the wall dispenser. It left my hair clean and smelling fresh, so I figured it was some sort of spendy spa formula.

And then, a snag. Turns out I'd been given one of the more expensive rooms by accident, so to get the lower rate, I had to move to a smaller, simpler room overlooking a parking lot instead of the jungle. No big deal. But instead of a posh wall dispenser for shampoo, the bathroom simply had a bottle out for guests' use. Lo and behold, the "spa formula" I'd imagined was none other than Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut shampoo ($2.49). It isn't moisturizing enough to use every day without conditioner, but the scent and cleaning power are great - and with all the money I'll save using a drugstore standby, saving up for another trip to Central America won't take long at all.

Big Is Back! Volumizers We Love

BellaSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:50:22 -0700

We've seen it all over the runways and in magazines a million times already; this Spring big is back when it comes to hair! Here are three of my favorite volumizers to give your locks some oomph! To use, simply section your hair and spray the volumizer close to the root in short spritzes. Here's a helpful hint: follow with heat styling. As you blow dry - lift the roots with a round brush and apply direct heat.

Kiehl's Super Thick Volumizer, $18.50, is a medium hold volumizer that provides lift and support to the roots of your hair where it needs the most help. Hair is the heaviest at the root and this product is specially formulated to provide long-lasting shape, texture and flexibility.

What's special about this product is the root lifting nozzle which allows for fool proof precise application. It is made from soy beans, sunflower and sesame to help condition and thicken hair.

For two more volumizers, read more

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray, $27, is an oldie but goodie. A little of this stuff goes a long way! What I like about it is it smells good and doesn't leave your hair sticky feeling. This product builds serious body while providing just the right medium hold. It also helps tame fly-aways and defines curls.

Suave Professionals Volumizing Root Lifter Spray Gel, $3.49, has the strongest hold of the bunch. This amazing volumizer, adds shine, thickness and lift without breaking the bank.

Since this is so powerful, it is recommended to hold the bottle ten - twelve inches away from the roots of your hair for the best results. Enjoy!

Bella Bargain: Beauty Blowout Sale at Smashbox

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:03:58 -0800

When it comes to quality makeup with a sleek image, Smashbox can stand on its own, well . . . soap box. And guess what? The line, which has been cranking out professional-style products since the mid-1990s, is having a sale. Just head over to Smashbox.com and follow the link to the Beauty Blowout Sale, where you can save anywhere from 25 to 50 percent off. While you're at it, don't forget to score some free Suave today, either.

Lovely Links, 10/11

BellaSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:00:51 -0700

Kiss And Makeup shows off these limited-edition Fashion Rocks treats from Estee Lauder.
Jezebel has a great video clip of Top Model makeovers.
We Love Beauty talks to Billy B. about how to give your lips definition.
Got gray-dar? The Beauty Brains do! Check out their latest bizarre discovery.
Beauty Snob reviews Kinerase creams.
Coddswaddle shares a DIY version of a $55 Ojon treatment.
Now Smell This shops for fragrance in London's legendary Liberty store.
A Girl's Gotta Spa! says that Suave's new lotion and shower gel line is, well, suave.
Blogdorf Goodman has a full list of the deals at Saks' beauty event.
Louis Licari takes some lucky women from frumpy to fabulous.
Ms. New Beauty reports on a few makeup must-haves that really do last all day.
Racialicious has a bone to pick with reporting on Afghanistan's answer to Top Model.
ShinyGloss previews the Chanel holiday collection.

Posen Prepares Pretty Perfume

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:00:53 -0700

Sometimes, when I think of designer Zac Posen, I imagine him switching places with Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell. He'd be the suave sartorial guru of Bayside High, and his catchphrase would be "Zac attack!" Except if that were the case, he wouldn't be one of the fashion world's biggest darlings, and I wouldn't be telling you about his new, in-the-works fragrance.

WWD reports that Posen has signed a fragrance deal with Selective Beauty, the company behind John Galliano's forthcoming perfume. Set to launch in the spring of 2009, Posen's scent is unnamed thus far (although I'm guessing he'll take the eponymous route).

It's too early to know about fragrance notes, but Posen mentioned wanting a fragrance with naturalness and freshness with WWD. "This is about having a really fresh perspective," he said, "and reminding people of their own adventureness and creativity. We need new forms. Others are just playing off of old ideas."

Are you looking forward to Posen's fragrance? Or are you now stuck imagining him trying to outwit Principal Belden, too?
Source

Beauty Byte: Self's 2007 Healthy Beauty Awards

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 16:14:02 -0700

Self magazine just announced the winners of its 2007 Healthy Beauty Awards, which recognize skin-care, makeup, and hair products that are both good and good for you. I love lists like this, because they always give me ideas about new products to try (as if I needed more, but whatever).

The Self awards are a great mix of drugstore treasures and high-end brands. (Thanks to Beauty and the Blog for the tip!) To see the list of winners, read more

FACE

Best Normal-Skin Cleanser
Plank Cor Soap, $125

Best Oily-Skin Cleanser
Care by Stella McCartney Purifying Foaming Cleanser, $35

Best Dry-Skin Cleanser
NIA 24 Gentle Cleansing Cream, $30

Best Sensitive-Skin Cleanser
Skin Effects Redness Control Calming Gel Cleanser, $13

Best Normal-Skin Moisturizer
Skingenic Regenerating Moisturizer, $110

Best Dry-Skin Moisturizer
Lierac Hydra-Chrono, $45

Best Sensitive-Skin Moisturizer
Kinerase Cream With SPF 30, $135

Best Antiaging Moisturizer
Lancôme High Résolution With Fibrelastine Intensive Recovery Anti-Wrinkle Cream, $74

Best Night Cream
Roc Protient Fortify Lift and Define Night Cream, $20

Best Serum
Aveeno Positively Ageless Rejuvenating Serum, $18

Best At-Home Peel
Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel, $25

Best Face Scrub
C.O. Bigelow Brown Sugar Crystal Face Polish, $20

Best Acne Treatment
Sephora Face Concealing Blemish Pen, $14

Best Mask
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Firming Facial Mask, $58

Best Eye Cream
Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Eye and Lip Cream, $155

Best Antiaging Eye Cream
Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream, $54

Best Eye-Brightening Cream
Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme, $15

BODY

Best Bar Soap
Dove Pro-Age, $4

Best Shower Gel
Boscia Jujube Rejuvenist Amino Body Wash, $22

Best Moisturizing Shower Gel
Caress Cashmere Luxury Silkening Body Wash, $3

Best Body Scrub
Murad Activating Body Scrub, $48

Best Body Treatment
Ahava Pure Spa Energizing Body Mud Mask, $18

Best Body Moisturizer
St. Ives Mineral Therapy Advanced Body Moisturizer, $5

Best Nighttime Body Moisturizer
Johnson's Softlotion Melt Away Stress Moisturizing Lotion, $5

Best Spray Moisturizer
The Healing Garden Sensual Therapy Passion Rose Body Mist, $7

Best Body Cream
Jergens Shea Butter Cream, $7

Best Body Cream for Irritated Skin
Eucerin Calming Itch-Relief Treatment, $9

Best Hand Scrub
Mary Kay Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub, $15

Best Hand Lotion
OPI Avoplex High-Intensity Hand & Nail Cream, $8

Best Nail Product
Revlon No Smudge Dry Oil, $7

Best Foot Scrub
Olay Thermal Pedicure, $9

Best Foot Cream
Earth Therapeutics Intensive Heel Repair, $8

MAKEUP

Best All-Around Foundation
Shiseido The Makeup Dual Balancing Foundation SPF 17, $35

Best Tinted Moisturizer
Cosmedicine Honest Face Skin Tint & Treatment SPF 20, $35

Best Oil-Free Foundation
Neutrogena Glow Sheers SPF 30, $12

Best Antiaging Foundation
La Mer The Treatment Fluid Foundation SPF 15, $75

Best Long-Lasting Foundation
Rimmel Cool Matte 16 Hr Foundation, $8

Best Pressed Powder
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, $25

Best Loose Powder
Givenchy Prisme Libre, $63

Best Concealer
Prescriptives Custom Blend Concealer, $32

Best Bronzer
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Matte Bronzing Veil, $12

Best Highlighter
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, $18

Best Powder Blush
Lorac Cheek Stamp, $22

Best Gel Blush
Sue Devitt Beauty Gel to Powder Blush, $20

Best Lipstick
Giorgio Armani ArmaniSilk, $25

Best SPF-Enriched Lipstick
Almay Hydracolor, $9

Best Lip Gloss
Sally Hansen Smile Brightening Lip Treatment, $7

Best Lipliner
Lauren Hutton Lip Liner, $14

Best Powder Eyeshadow
Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Mosaic Eye Shadow, $18

Best Cream Eyeshadow
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow, $22

Best Makeup Multitasker
Benefit Rush Hour, $20

Best Eyeliner
L'Oréal Paris Carbon Black Le Kohl Pencil, $7

Best Lengthening Mascara
Clinique High Definition Lashes Brush-Then-Comb Mascara, $14

Best Thickening Mascara
CoverGirl VolumeExact Mascara, $7

Best Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline New York Volum' Express Turbo Mascara, $7

Best Multitasking Mascara
Chanel Inimitable Mascara, $27

Best Eye Makeup Remover
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $20

Best Palette
Sonia Kashuk Face Palette, $17

HAIR

Best All-Around Shampoo
Aura Spa Aromatherapie Balancing Équilibrant Verbena Ginger Shampoo, $8

Best Hydrating Shampoo
Sunsilk ThermaShine, $4

Best Straightening Shampoo
Nexxus SleekTress Sumptuous Smoothing Shampoo, $9

Best Shampoo for Curls
Aveda Be Curly Shampoo, $20

Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
Matrix Logics Color DNA System Color Nourishing Shampoo, $20

Best All-Around Conditioner
Charles Worthington Dream Hair Radiant Shine Glossing Conditioner, $9

Best Hydrating Conditioner
Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner, $19

Best Straightening Conditioner
Aussie Sydney Smooth Conditioner, $3

Best Conditioner for Curls
Redken Fresh Curls Conditioner, $13

Best Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair
Marc Anthony Brilliant Color Color Lock Conditioner, $8

Best Hair Mask
Alberto VO5 Fortify & Repair! Deep Moisturizing 3-Minute Masque, $3

Best Volumizer
Biolage VolumaThérapie Bodifying Crème Gel, $14

Best Shine Serum
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Serum, $10

Best Gel
Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Cream-Gel, $4

Best Curl Product
Suave Professionals Healthy Curls Anti-Frizz Cream, $2

Best Frizz Fighter
Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness Smoothing Leave-In Crème, $3

Best Mousse
Wella Color Preserve Volumizing Mousse, $14

Best Straightening Product
Tresemmé Thermal Creations Straightening Gel, $4

Best Texturizer
Pantene Pro-V Texturize! Moussing Foam Wax, $7

Best Hairspray
Paul Mitchell Express Style Worked Up Spray, $15

Best At-Home Color Kit
Clairol Natural Instincts, $9

SUN

Best Face Sunscreen
Dermalogica Extra Rich Faceblock SPF 30, $48

Best Body Sunscreen
Banana Boat UltraMist Sport SPF 30 Continuous Clear Spray, $7

Best Face Glow Lotion
Nivea Sun-Kissed Facial Moisturizer, $7

Best Body Glow Lotion
Estée Lauder Body Performance Golden Naturally Radiant Moisturizer, $35

Best Self-Tanner
Lancaster Silk Bronze Moisturizing Milk Face & Body Self Tan SPF 6, $22

Best Body Bronzer
Dior Bronze Gelée de Monoi, $32

Source