BellaSugar

Emergency Relief From Redness

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:00:08 -0800

While there are plenty of great skin care options available for gals with sensitive skin, what about the occasional and pesky flare-up of redness that all skin types can relate to, such as the kind that occurs from an unexpected pimple, or a nose rubbed raw from a winter cold? In the past I've resorted to applying everything from Neosporin to thick, goopy hand cream on my poor nose, or even Visine on a pimple. Neither really worked.

Fortunately, I've discovered a much better and effective option in Therapy Systems' Emergency Treatment Cream ($32). This light and fluffy pink concoction is formulated with hydrocortisone to immediately zap redness and calm inflammation. Just dab a little on the emergency stricken areas, and it soothes your skin while eliminating the redness. Crisis averted!

For another great (and cheaper) option, read more.

A more affordable alternative is Aveeno's Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Cream ($6). Even though it's marketed as an anti-itch cream, It contains the same active ingredient, hydrocortisone, to reduce redness and inflammation. I recommend it over other drugstore hydrocortisone creams because it contains ingredients such as oatmeal and aloe to nurture your skin while it's being treated.

Coming Soon: Therapy Systems April Fool's Makeup

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 09:00:06 -0800

As you are well aware by now, spring 2008 collections are out in full force creating all kinds of beauty buzz. This new line from Therapy Systems happens to be launching way far away in April, but I've been lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the goods.

While some might call it small, I call it succinct. The six piece collection contains two lipsticks, two gel blushes, a powder blush and an eye shadow. All of the colors were inspired from looks seen on spring runways, and the names come from chic Greek and Italian hot spots. So I'm not pulling your leg, this April Fool's Collection is very real!

View 5 Photos ›

For a description of each of the colors and the prices, read more

Tequila Sunrise Coral Powder Blush ($20) is a shimmery coral blush that gives most skin tones (especially olive skin) instant warmth.
Portofino Rose Gel Blush ($24) is a sheer, dewy and creamy gel blush with a little bit of shimmer. It can also be used as a lip tint.
Santorini Coral Gel Blush ($24) provides cheeks and lips with a subtle touch of coral shimmer. It should blend easily with your fingertips.
Mykonos Eyeshadow ($19) is a pale, shimmery, gold metallic eye shadow that looks great on most skin tones. It can be worn all over your lid or blended with other shadows.
Capri Lipstick and Naples Lipstick ($20 each) are two perfect sheer shades for spring. Capri is pink and Naples is coral. They are both extremely creamy, smooth and moisturizing since they are formulated with Vitamin E, and the colors are soft enough for everyday wear.

Product Review: Therapy Systems Tinted Moisturizing Lip Balm

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:46 -0800

Wearing heavy eye makeup while participating in winter events can turn into a disaster. When your eyes water from the wind, everything begins to run. But wearing a lip balm is another story-it's totally easy. A hint of a tint gives your lips a healthy glow while shielding them from harsh weather. That's why I was excited to try these new Therapy Systems All Over Color Tinted Moisturizing Lip Balms ($22 each).

The metallic containers are a lot more chic than the average tube of Chap Stick, that's for sure. I also like that the lip balms are formulated with vitamin E and cocoa butter, and that they come in six flattering, sheer colors. But the formula pulls a little bit on my lips, and it's more of a protectant balm than a moisturizing one-in other words, if your lips are already smooth, it's great, but if they're chapped, this isn't the best formula. For $22, I expected a lot more. But if you like this genre, you can check out more tinted lip balms here.

Win AmorePacific Skincare Products From Sephora!

BellaSugar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:30:00 -0700

Since 2003, Sung-Hwan Suh's AmorePacific skincare line has been blending indigenous Asian botanicals with modern technology, resulting in skin that's healthy and youthful-looking. Now you can experience the centuries-old wisdom with new science formulations, and it's all thanks to our friends at Sephora. If you're chosen the grand prize winner of this week's giveaway, you'll receive four luxe products from the AmorePacific line. They include:

Treatment Cleansing Oil Face & Eyes - A delicate cleanser that dissolves makeup and impurities, all while leaving skin soft and hydrated.
Moisture Bound Lip Treatment - A revitalizing lip therapy that delivers lasting protection and nourishment.
Moisture Bound Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System - A moisturizing mist that refreshes all skin types by toning and hydrating.
Treatment Enzyme Peel - A gentle, non-abrasive exfoliator that works to eliminate toxins, resulting in brighter, clearer skin.

To enter, just take the quiz by 5 p.m. Sunday and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a PopSugar Community member to enter. So if you're not already one, register now. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to the PopSugar Community for your entry to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

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Enter BellaSugar's "Good Skin Is In" Giveaway and Win a Tanda Skincare System!

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:30:04 -0700

This month every week we're giving away an electronic gadget that helps you achieve a flawless complexion. This week we're giving away the Tanda Skincare System. Tanda is a handheld light therapy treatment that has two settings to help treat skin concerns. The Tanda Clear is a blue-light treatment to help kill the bacteria that causes mild to moderate acne, while the Tanda Regenerate is a red-light treatment that diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. What more could you ask for?

To enter to win, just log in and take this quiz. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just simply on taking the quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to take the quiz. So if you're not already a member, register here for an account and to join in all the fun on the Sugar sites! One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Remember: YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO TEAMSUGAR FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT. Just click on "take the quiz" below; I will do a random drawing on Monday, July 28, at midnight PDT. US residents eligible only (sorry!). Click here for the official rules. Good luck!

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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

Bring On The Bling, Part III: Gemstones

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 15:31:03 -0700

Welcome to the third and final installment of Bring on the Bling. I already told you about beauty products that incorporate diamonds and pearls, and today, I'm rounding up three more products that include pulverized gemstones, which are said to give off strong vibrational qualities that soothe, smooth, and revitalize the skin.

Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Cream ($32) is a gentle face cream best suited for normal to dry skin. Crushed tourmaline is included in this formula, along with powerful anti-oxidants and natural marine and plant extracts. For best results, use in the morning and in the evening.

For more gem-infused skincare products, read more

Jewel Therapy Skin Perfecting Treatment System is a new skincare regimen with a $145 value - though you can get a deal on a 60-day trial kit. The set contains cleanser, treatment polish, and moisturizer, all of which contain several semi-precious gemstones that smooth fine lines and give your face a soft and natural glow.

Artemis Woman Healing Gems Topaz Body Polish ($14.99) is an exfoliator containing topaz crystals, aloe, and green tea antioxidants that helps recharge the surface of your skin by sloughing away dead cells. Two percent of profits from each sale are donated to to support alternative treatments and screenings for women's cancer.

Repair For Damaged Hair

BellaSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:28:38 -0800

These super intense deep conditioning treatments will transform your hair after just one use. They are intended to replace your daily conditioner and to be used once a week, left on as a treatment for two to five minutes. They will help add shine, volume and elasticity to dry, damaged hair - how fab!

Don't let this bright orange tube scare you, this new Sleek.look Smooth Recovery™ Treatment, $16.95 (for a box of five), is the latest product from the amazing Matrix Sleek.look System. It repairs your hair from the inside out with one single dose - just leave on hair for a few minutes once a week. It works wonders on damaged, coarse hair and especially ethnic hair. It's made from a mixture of ceramide, apricot and coconut oils to deeply penetrate your hair shaft; post-treatment hair will be smooth, soft and shiny. Type in your zip code to find a local Matrix retailer nearest you.

TIGI S-Factor Serious Conditioner, $22, is an intense hair remedy containing silicone amino acids. Leave it in for three-five minutes to protect, strengthen and add shine to your hair. The special sunflower seed oil, as well as the Vitamin E help to restore moisture and prevent split ends.

For one more, read more

Biolage, which happens to be owned by Matrix, also just released a deep hair therapy treatment called volumathérapie Cera-Repair® at-home treatment,$14.95 (for five tubes). It was created especially for fine, limp hair. Made with ginseng, eucalyptus and all of the fabulous ceramides found in the salon Pro4 treatment, this creme-gel creates volume and bounce. Use it once a week for the duration of five weeks for optimum results. Again, just type in your zip to find a local Biolage retailer nearest you.