BellaSugar

To Tone or Not to Tone?

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:00:03 -0700

There's something about toner that seems a little old-fashioned. It's not that I haven't used one - I spent most of high school dousing myself in witch hazel - it's just that between cleansers, exfoliants, masks, and the army of high-tech new potions that claim to do anything and everything you can imagine, toner seems really simple, almost quaint. But appearances can be deceiving, and even though Sea Breeze ($5) and its ilk may be the same as they were in the '70s, there are some new toners out there with futuristic formulations that fight aging, acne, and even redness. I've put together some of the wildest, most technologically advanced toners out there, including several alcohol-free selections. What do you think? Is it time for a toner renaissance?

Euoko Pattern Chic - $70.00	bliss Steep Clean Mattifying Toner Pads - $38.00
Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Altitude Lotion Toner & Destressor Step 2 - $39.00	Skyn Iceland Arctic Face Mist with Biospheric Complex - $35.00
HydroPeptide Tone Anti - $38.00	Juara Skincare Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner - $27.00
Kiehl's Since 1851 Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner - 8 oz - $34.50	AmorePacific Treatment Toner Alcohol-Free Freshener - $50.00
ama la Rejuvenating Toner - $64.00	3LAB 'Perfect' Beautifying Toner - $55.00
Giorgio Armani Mineral Soothing Lotion - $80.00	L'Occitane 'Immortelle' Toner - $27.00
Erno laszlo conditioning preparation - a.m. (for extremely oily skin) - $39.00	Rx for Brown Skin Bright and Even Exfoliating Toner - $18.00
Yves Saint Laurent 'Temps Majeur' Ultra Smoothing Toner - $90.00	Clarins Expertise 3P Mist - $42.00
Molton Brown - Skinboost Nourishing Tonic - 30ml - $60.00	Lancome Secret de Vie Toner - $60.00
Shiseido white lucent brightening toning lotion cool - $46.00

Chanel Kick-Starts Fall With a Few New Face Products

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:00:52 -0700

The busy bees in Chanel's laboratories have been very busy with their Précision skincare range. A few new cleansers and face toners are aimed at removing dirt, grease, makeup and all of the other environmental pollutants and impurities that wreak havoc on your skin during the course of the day.

Chanel has decided to incorporate phytoremediation - the process of using plants to help absorb pollutants into this new line of cleansers and toners. The main ingredient is tulip tree extract, a waxy substance that promises to trap the unwanted particles and filter them out.

There are three different product sets that have been developed to suit each of the different skin types. Confort consists of a foaming mousse cleanser, a cleansing milk and a toner that contains lily extract to moisturize, soothe and tone sensitive skin. Balance includes a foaming cleanser and gentle toner with mallow extract, a smoothing and softening ingredient for normal to combination skin. Lastly, Purity consists of a gel cleanser and mattifying toner made with meadow-sweet extract, a flower with astringent properties that is best suited for combination to oily skin.

I've tried all of the cleansers and for my sensitive and combination skin, I really love Lait Confort (cleansing milk) the most. Its thin and gentle consistency leaves my skin feeling soft and fresh without any trace of irritation. Plus, it has a wonderfully light floral scent that sticks around even after you wash your face. To find out the names and the cost of each of the products, read more.

Comfort

Mousse Confort Rinse-Off Foaming Mousse Cleanser ($45)

Lait Confort Creamy Cleansing Milk ($45)

Lotion Confort Silky Soothing Toner ($45)

Balance

Mousse Douceur Rinse-Off Foaming Mousse Cleanser ($45)

Lotion Douceur Gentle Hydrating Toner ($45)

Purity

Gel Puretè Rinse-Off Foaming Gel Cleanser ($45)

Lotion Puretè Fresh Mattifying Toner ($45)

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Product Review: Lancôme Tonique Confort

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:00:38 -0700

Since I love Lancôme Bi-Facil eye makeup remover, I thought I'd check out the brand's Tonique Confort ($21) moisturizing toner.

The toner itself is more of a thick, creamy gel than a liquid. Lancôme gets it right by making their products smell fabulous and inviting without being even a hint overpowering. Smell and appearance aside, this stuff is good. The thicker consistency worked double-time to remove all leftover traces of dirt and makeup on my face. I was worried that it would make my skin feel a little greasy because of the consistency, but my face felt smooth, refreshed, and clean.

Since it is a moisturizing toner, it is not meant for oily or acne-prone skin. But if you have normal or combination skin, I would recommend giving this one a try.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

How To: Make Your Own Apple Pectin Face Toner

BellaSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:15:21 -0700

For this week's how to, I thought I'd give you a DIY spa treatment for a change. The other day, I came across a few recipes for Apple Pectin Toner, so I decided to whip up an easy version of my own. Here are four simple steps to making your own all-natural face toner.

Take one green apple and cut it into small cubes. Leave the peel on but remove the seeds.
Combine the apple and 1/2 cup lukewarm water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Once it boils, remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup of witch hazel.
Apply the toner with a clean cotton ball, or pour it into an empty spray bottle and spritz on.

Like DIY spa treatments? I have plenty more of them and so does FitSugar, so happy pampering.

Source

16 Sexy Silver Foxes

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:00:15 -0700

Recently, I caught a rerun of Paula's Party on the Food Network, where silver-haired TV personality Jay Manuel, of ANTM fame, dished out hair color tips to fellow silver-haired host Paula Deen. If I'm not mistaken, I believe he said he uses a toner by the name of "Silver Lady" to get that distinctive lustrous shade. This got me to thinking about other silvered stars. So, whether you call it white, ultra-platinum, silver, or gray, check out some other celebrities with stunning sterling locks.

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Chanel Fall 2008 Cleansers and Toners

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:47:44 -0700

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Angelina Jolie Warms Up

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:00:33 -0700

At last night's Inglourious Basterds premiere in LA, there was something different about Angelina Jolie's hair that I couldn't quite figure out. Obviously, she's lightened her locks considerably since her more goth-y days of years past, but after comparing photos from her red carpet appearance at Cannes back in May, it looks as if Angelina's warmed up those famous strands with a little touchup and softer, more-caramel/less-gold toner. While we've seen her in a light wig on the set of Salt earlier this year, and let's not forget her blond bob in Life or Something Like It, this version of a dark, honey-toned blond seems to be working for her, no? The change may be subtle, but it just goes to show you how a slight change can make a big difference.

Bella Bargain: 40 Percent Off Decleor

BellaSugar — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:00:39 -0700

A few years ago, I went to a French esthetician for a series of facials. "Your pores, zey are zo glogged," she scolded. "You need a tone-air." She recommended Decleor, a plant-based line of skin care. Like most lines, it has its strengths and drawbacks. I love how gentle the cleanser and toner are (and they smell amazing) but I haven't had miraculous results with the aromessence oils. But now that Sephora is shaving 40 percent off Decleor, it might be worth a look.

Decleor Starter Kit For All Skin Types - $39.00	Decleor Cleansing Gel - $36.00
Decleor Foaming Cleanser - $21.60	Decleor Tonifying Lotion - $36.00
Decleor Cleansing Milk - $36.00	Decleor Aromessence Ylang-Ylang Purifying Concentrate For Oily Skin - $40.80
Decleor OOH La Spa - At Home Spa Treatment Kit - $30.00

More Men May Be Opening Their Eyes to Makeup

BellaSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:59:23 -0700

As the saying goes, put your best face forward - but does a best face always include makeup . . . even for men? Well, the findings of a recent survey show that more than 80 percent of Korean men think that looking "tidy" gives their performance an extra boost in the workplace.

We've heard of women encountering not-so-pretty beauty issues with employers, but there's still a difference between a fresh face, and one full of makeup. The study goes on to say that, while the majority of the men purchased lotion and toner most frequently, guys are becoming more beauty-conscious by picking up items like shine-reduction powders and blemish correctors.

It seems to be a growing trend in several countries that many males are taking a less macho approach to beauty. Have you noticed grooming changes with the men in your life?

Getty

The Proactiv Diaries: 10 Years Later

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:00:11 -0700

Ten years ago, I went through somewhat of an awkward phase. I decided to dye my hair blond à la Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail, but it was more straw-like than stellar. Also, I had put on a few of the dreaded college pounds (I only thought veggie pizza sounded healthy), and to top it all off, my face was breaking out like crazy. The solution? Some deep conditioner, a smarter diet, and Proactiv Solution.

I used the three-step system for about a year or two, and my pimples seemed to be under control. Flash-forward to a few weeks ago, and the spots were back with a vengeance. I got my hands on some Proactiv, which uses benzoyl peroxide to kill P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne, and ripped open the packaging with great fervor. But after 10 years, does Proactiv still do the trick? Find out when you read more.

In short, I am amazed. After only a week of use, the texture of my skin is smoother, tighter, and appears less oily. The redness and inflammation has subsided, and bumps have softened - if not disappeared. While I notice a slight medicinal smell after applying, I am willing to look the other way due to the amazing results I've had. Often, many acne treatments contribute to dry, flaky skin, but Proactiv does not. In fact, my makeup goes on more evenly, and as an added bonus, I seem to use less. One word of caution? The products may cause bleaching on fabric, so consider using only white pillowcases and towels.

The Three-Step System ($40) leaves the skin feeling very active and refreshed. It includes Renewing Cleanser, which uses small beads to exfoliate skin; Revitalizing Toner, which takes away excess oil, cleansing deep down; and Repairing Lotion, an oil-free moisturizer that helps heal and prevent blemishes from forming. While all skin types are different, I highly recommend Proactiv for the outstanding results I've had with the products in my younger years, as well as the results I've had as a wiser, back-to-my-natural-roots woman of a decade later.