BellaSugar

Bella Quiz: Beauty Fact or Myth?

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:00:34 -0800

Besides tips on how to eat right for beautiful skin, nails, and hair, dietitian Lisa Drayer's new book, The Beauty Diet, has wonderful recipes, too. Low-fat double-chocolate milkshake, fire-roasted tomato soup, and white bean "hummus"? Yes, please. Separately, of course.

Another great inclusion? Some common beauty myths are either confirmed or completely busted. Does chocolate actually cause acne? Can carrots improve your eyesight? You're about to find out.

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Bella Book: The Beauty Diet

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:00:12 -0800

You are what you eat, right? That's what nutritionist Lisa Drayer will have you believing (and then some) in her new book, The Beauty Diet: Looking Great Has Never Been So Delicious ($15.61).

A registered dietitian, Bayer devotes the majority of this read discussing the nutritional value of foods, naming 10 of the best for a beautiful appearance. (Psst. One of them is chocolate.) She also spills the beans (literally) on what you should eat to provide the best nutrients for hair, nails, skin, teeth, and eyes. And if you tend to get purpley under your peepers, like me, say no to extra salt. Capiche?

While some advice is common sense (get adequate rest, exercise, let go of tension), I found this book to be a great reminder of what it takes to stay healthy - while looking good in the process, of course.

See what other goodies you'll find, along with my opinion, when you read more.

Seeing that I'm a bit of a foodie, the recipes and menu plan towards the end of the book were a personal favorite. I made the sweet potato, zucchini, and goat cheese frittata and it's an 11 out of 10 - delish. I appreciated that her ideas were creative, fresh, and gourmet without the fuss. Green tea frozen yogurt, anyone?

Overall, this read provides a great way of looking at food in a different light. While there's lots of information to digest (ha), it's well-organized, and has some solid advice on maintaining your health and gorgeous self. It's true what they say. Garbage in, garbage out - and this one's not headed toward the disposal.

Have You Ever Done a Cleanse in the Name of Beauty?

BellaSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:02:35 -0700

An acquaintance of mine - who has the most amazing, glowing complexion - swore by the Master Cleanse "diet" as a means of clarifying her hair, skin, and mental state. The detoxifying program relies on gulping down a lemonade-like drink several times a day to help flush out impurities in the body. Uh, yuck.

Of course, there are other cleansing programs that involve pills, unconventional concoctions, and/or holistic approaches, such as the Super Cleanse: Detox Your Body For Long-Lasting Health and Beauty ($12). Even Gwyneth Paltrow has chimed in on the topic. (She loves it.) While some may see results, the safety of these miracle plans has come into question. What about you? Have you ever done a cleanse, or do you think good healthy living is quite enough?

Alicia Silverstone Is Launching Eco Bags and Brushes

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:25 -0700

Alicia Silverstone has long been an environmental activist, working to support PETA, and a vegan lifestyle. (Her new book, The Kind Diet, which focuses on veganism, hits stores in a couple of months.) Now, the actress is slated to launch an eco-friendly line of makeup brushes and bags for EcoTools this December. The collection features designs of lavender, thyme, rose, and chrysanthemum - all favorites of Alicia's. The bags are made with natural hemp and recycled linings. "I only wanted to do something that hadn’t been done before. This is a conscious product line that is good for the planet," she told WWD. "Unless you need it, it’s just stuff," she added. Along with a five-piece brush set and bag ($16), Alicia's beauty tools, which will be sold in drugstores, will also feature a cosmetic bag ($9); a cosmetics brush bag ($13); a train case ($15); and an overnight bag ($20).

Vanessa Williams on Aging and Fish Pedicures

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:00:25 -0700

You might have caught a glimpse of Vanessa Williams's sense of humor in the first installment of my interview with her, in which we discussed her use of Botox, along with her love of cars, Irish music, and baking carrot cakes.

Currently, in conjunction with the Dress For Success organization, Vanessa is making a few appearances for the Botox Cosmetic: Express Success Campaign, and in October, we'll be seeing her back on the air as the villainous Wilhelmina Slater on the much-loved Ugly Betty. And now, as promised, there's more from Vanessa after the jump.

Summer Skincare Tips From a Beverly Hills Dermatologist

Sponsor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:45:59 -0700

Summer is officially on the horizon, which means it is time to show some skin and dare to bare. While you prepare to trade in your snuggly sweaters for sleeveless shirts, don’t overlook preparing your skin for Summer, especially the delicate areas.

Dr. Debra Luftman, Beverly Hills dermatologist and co-author of The Beauty Prescription, shares her top tips to help get your skin Summer-ready:

Underarms: The underarm is a very unique, complex, and delicate area. Underarm irritation tends to surface more in the Summer due to increased shaving and perspiration. Use a product like Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant, which includes a unique Pro-Epil™ Complex with natural extracts and Dove 1/4 Translucent Moisturizers™ to minimize the visual appearance of underarm hair over time. It not only helps to deliver soft, smooth underarm skin, but also provides the 24-hour odor and wetness protection you’ve come to expect from Dove deodorant.

Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth deodorant is featured in two new scents: Wild Rose, which consists of floral notes with a feminine and elegant flair, and Nature Fresh, which contains green floral and fruity scents for freshness seekers. Women who seek prescription-strength wetness protection can try Dove Visibly Smooth Clinical Protection in Wild Rose. Visit your local drugstore or mass retail outlets to purchase this new product.

For more tips on getting your skin Summer-ready, read more!

Neck: Most women spend time and money on a great skincare routine for their face, but somehow forget the skin area below: the neck. This skin is some of the thinnest on the body and has little natural moisture, so signs of aging tend to appear if not protected. Apply a moisturizer with SPF daily to the front and sides of your neck to avoid sun spots and uneven pigmentation.

Feet: Goodbye Winter boots, hello sandals! Sandals, while comfortable and fashionable, leave feet exposed to the elements and can cause harsh blisters. Most people forget to put sunscreen on the tops of their feet, which leads to painful and potentially serious burns. Prevent sun damage by applying SPF to your feet every time you leave the house. To help prevent painful and unsightly blisters, I suggest applying petroleum jelly to the areas of your feet where blisters are prone. It will help prevent the friction that occurs between sandal straps and skin.

All Over: In order to maintain an all-over Summer glow, incorporate natural vitamins into your daily diet. Fruit like oranges, watermelon, and peaches contain vitamins A and C, which help keep skin supple through the production of collagen. Fatty acids are also essential to help lubricate skin from the inside out; try eating almonds or avocado for an added boost.

Visit dove.com/visiblysmooth to learn more about Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant and click here to download a $2 off coupon.

Girl-Grooming Is Booming. (Or Is It?)

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:41 -0700

Do you remember the first time you became interested in beauty products? While I played with peel-off nail polish and occasionally painted my mom's nails, it wasn't really until I was in junior high that I busted out the Bonne Bell and Rave hairspray. Anything beyond that just wasn't allowed via my parents' strict rules.

These days, girls get grooming much earlier. A recent Newsweek article reports on the growing trend of today's youth taking it to an obsessive, way-too-mature level. Pop culture has long valued appearance, but the pursuit of "perfection" means that girls are worrying about their looks long before they hit puberty. With fourth-graders receiving $50 haircuts, kindergartner pedicure parties, and 8-year-olds getting bikini waxes, haven't we crossed the line into scary territory? Experts blame Photoshop, makeover programs, and the prevalence of cosmetic surgery (and, I'd add, porn culture).

For my take on the issue, read more.

As therapist Susie Orbach notes in her recently released book, Bodies ($11), the danger of appearance obsession is that girls won't develop self-esteem from their skills, talents, and accomplishments. "It primes little girls to think they should diet and dream about the cosmetic-surgery options available to them, and it makes body the primary place for self-identity," she says.

Then again, the "girls are growing up too fast" meme is a perennial favorite for magazines, and I have to wonder how common these girl-grooming activities are. While I definitely think girls grow up faster these days than I did, the girls I know are more into books, soccer, and drawing than primping. Are they the exception or the rule?

I know it seems strange for someone who loves beauty to decry girls' obsession with their looks, but here's the thing: my parents encouraged me to be creative and to study in school, so I found most of my value in accomplishments instead of the way I look. As an adult, primping is something fun, but my day isn't ruined if I have a few pimples. (Beauty is just the icing on my cake of self-esteem.) So whether glamour girls are everywhere or not, what can we do to help them develop confidence that doesn't rely on fitting an impossible beauty ideal?

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Can a Drink Make You More Beautiful?

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:04:09 -0700

Those of you who have been reading for a while know that beauty supplements and I don't get along so well. I didn't see any improvement with my Borba experiment, but I'm willing to give things another try. Enter Glowelle, a nutraceutical drink from Nestlé. Promising better skin through drinking its antioxidant-laden formula, Glowelle aims to fight the signs of aging through one packet a day.

Glowelle is pretty pricey - $40 for a seven-day supply, and $112 for a 30-day supply. (Beautyfix's current beauty bag, at $49.99, includes the seven-day box along with other products, so I think it's a better way to go.) Each day's packet contains powder that you mix with water; it includes goji berries and green and white tea extracts, among other nutrients.

After adding the powder to water, you'll have a deep berry-colored drink. I disliked the artificial fruity taste (though, oddly, I like the floral aftertaste) and couldn't finish my glass. Sadly, looking at the ingredient list didn't make me give it another go. The first ingredient is evaporated cane juice, which is another way of saying sugar. (Less-refined sugar, but still.) Since I try to avoid eating sugar as much as possible, I realized that Glowelle just isn't for me. I'm not sure if it improves skin, but considering the high price and not-so-yum flavor, I won't find out. All in all, I'd rather just buy goji berries (tasty!) and drink green tea than add a fake coloring and sugar to my diet.

It looks like yet another supplement FAIL for Bella, but I'm curious to find out if any of you have tried Glowelle - and if you liked it. Flavor is such a personal thing, and I'm sure some people like the taste, so I'd love to read your reviews.

Get Glowing With Florida Grapefruit!

Sponsor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:00:29 -0700

Did you know your overall diet and health regimen may contribute to smooth, supple skin? The vitamin C found in Florida grapefruit and 100 percent grapefruit juice supports collagen production to help give skin a healthy glow.

"Skinny Chef" Jennifer Iserloh's Beautifying Grapefruit-Salt Scrub
According to Jennifer, this salt scrub mixed with fragrant oil exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time!
Makes 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

1/2 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon grapefruit zest, yellow or pink
1 cup almond or sesame oil

Directions

Stir all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Use all over body but not on the face or freshly shaven legs - ouch!

For more beauty bits, visit GoFloridaGrapefruit.com

This Shizz Is Bananas

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:00:57 -0800

This morning, Team Bella was sittin' around eating banana-filled breakfasts. (No, we're not on that wacky diet.) As delicious as we find them, they're equally delightful in beauty products. Check out a few items, from toothpaste to body scrub, that incorporate this fruit. Grab 'em while you can.

Monkey Banana #7 Toothpaste by Breath Palette - $4.95	Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Creme - $8.99
Green by Nature Banana Shea Body Butter - $11.99	Ulta 3-in-1 Shower Smoothies - $14.99
Banana Moon Soap - $6.95	mark Calming Effect Comforting Milk Cleanser - $7.00
Juara Avocado Banana Mask - $36.00	Leonor Greyl - Banane Shampoo - Bain Restructurant a la Banane - 200ml - $31.00

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