BellaSugar

Vintage Inspiration: Retro Bathing Beauties

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:04:38 PDT

Given how busy most of us are, the idea of spending a whole morning soaking in a tub full of bubbles seems like a distant dream. But it doesn't have to be that way. Even if you've only got five minutes to shower, you can bring a little bit of vintage glamour to your grooming. This Dry Diva shower cap in Blue Me a Kiss ($26) is a gorgeous throwback to another era that will also handily keep your hair dry.

If you love the idea of filling your boudoir with clouds of beautifully scented powder but hate talc, give Benefit Bathina ($28) a try. It smells like old-fashioned rose perfume, has an adorable puff, and gives your skin a gorgeous sheen without the mess of powder. And if you're hidebound and determined to get that bubble bath, try TokyoMilk Hawaiian Divers Bubble Bath ($24), which looks like an old apothecary bottle and smells like orange zest and rosewood.

Source: Flickr User queenie13

Oversensitive Tots: 8 Products to Soothe Sensitive Skin

LilSugar — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:01:07 PDT

Stop scratching! Kids with sensitive skin - and their parents - know that dry, itchy, or painful skin is no joke. There's no one cause of sensitive skin. It can be hereditary, caused by harsh products, or simply from spending time outside in the cold Winter or the hot Summer. Oversensitive kiddos aren't doomed to a season full of scratching. These products will help soothe their irritated epidermis, leaving everyone (and everything) a lot calmer.

Clockwise from top left:

Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Head-to-Toe Ointment ($10): A good rule of thumb when looking for a kids' moisturizer is the greasier the better. Ointments are better than creams, which are better than lotions. Part of SheaMoisture's Organic Raw Shea Butter Baby Collection, this ointment combines the hydrating properties of shea butter with argan oil, which is naturally high in skin-softening Vitamin E. This is an amazingly multitasking product; it works great on baby's chapped lips, cheeks, hands, arms, and legs.
Dr. Sears Baby Wipes ($3): Developed by everyone's favorite cosleeping enthusiast, Dr. Sears, these wipes are made with biodegradable, ultrasoft bamboo fabric, an incredibly gentle way to clean babies' delicate bum.
Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash ($5): Eczema is an extremely common, and uncomfortable skin ailment, for which there's no known cure. It's essentially a really bad, itchy rash, which can be red, rough, scaly, and oozing. It can't be cured, but there are ways to treat and prevent eczema flareups. It's especially important to use a mild cleanser, like this baby wash by Gentle Naturals - made with aloe, calendula, jojoba, and vitamins A, D, and E to gently cleanse, moisturize, and soothe itchy skin.
C.O. Bigelow Lotio Mentholus No. 002 ($25): Seriously itchy kids will get real relief from this nonprescription medicated cream - not recommended for kids under 2 years old.
Dr. Smith's Premium Blend Diaper Ointment ($13): Diaper rash is the most common skin ailment suffered by infants, and it can get bad. Applying a generous layer of a good, thick diaper cream like Dr. Smith's will create a barrier between baby's tender bum and the offending, rash-causing moisture
Earth's Best TenderCare Chlorine Free Diapers: One of the first recommendations doctors make when a baby has diaper rash is to try switching to a different brand of diapers. Made with soft, cloth-like, chlorine-free materials, these Earth's Best diapers are free of any latex, dyes, and perfumes, which can all cause major irritation.
Madii & Dyl Luxe Cleansing Flannels ($15): Specifically formulated for tots with skin issues, these cleansing flannels are super soft. The air spun cloth is made from eco friendly materials.
Carter's Sensitive Skin Baby Shampoo + Body Wash Duo ($8): Classic kiddie brand Carters recently launched a line of baby bath and body products - all chemical free and hypoallergenic. This moisturizing cleanser is made without any dyes or fragrances, leaving babies clean, moisturized, and comfortable.

Tiny Tillia Invades Babies' Nurseries With Expanded Line of Adorable Goods

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:36:26 PDT

Get set for a Tiny Tillia invasion! The adorable British line of bath and play products that we introduced you to back in 2009 is back and it's bigger than ever. Now owned by beauty and bath giant Avon, Tiny Tillia has expanded beyond the bathroom and into the nursery with a line filled with toys, clothing, bedding, and more for mom and tot. Tiffany Lerman – novelist Jackie Collins's daughter – continues to place her endearing cast of cartoon characters (all based on members of her own family) in the line, appearing in patterns on the clothing and blankets, and stealing the show as the hoods on bath towels. The ultra-soft 100 percent cotton robes ($25) and bath mitts ($5) are as soft as can be and are perfectly priced for gifting. In fact, the entire range runs from $5 to $120 allowing families to outfit their lil ones adorably on a tight budget.

I Use Soap Weirdly, and Here's Why

Miriam Lacey — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 07:05:00 PDT

I came to an odd realization this morning: I love soap, but I never actually use it on my body. When I get a fancy bar, in fact, I recoil at the suggestion that I would ever actually put it in the shower. It's not that I'm a soap hoarder, or even that I have a problem with using soap to clean yourself up. To see what actually makes my soap usage out of the ordinary, just keep reading.

You Can Smell Like Your Favorite Cocktail

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST

After a long week at work, most of us welcome a good, stiff drink, but what about all those days in between, when boozing isn't exactly appropriate? Well, cosmetics and body care products may not have exactly the same effects as alcohol, but you can at least smell like your favorite adult beverage. The Malin + Goetz Mojito Soap Set ($30) will get you nice and lime-minty fresh, while Philosophy's Senorita Margarita 3-in-1 Gel ($16) is as sweet and bright as the real thing. If your taste is more the sophisticated martini type, you could spritz on Apothia Velvet Rope Eau de Parfum ($35). But if you'd rather not smell like a cocktail at all, then there's a great alternative: OPI Nail Lacquer in Paint My Moji-Toes Red ($8).

Scents of the Season: Clove

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST

Cloves are one of those distinctly holiday aromas; spicy and a little sweet with a hint of nose-numbing chill. And since scent is one of the easiest ways to relax and brighten your mood, it follows that making the most out of wintry smells is a good way to avoid the cold weather doldrums. If you love the taste of cloves, try Burt's Bees Medicated Lip Balm With Clove Oil ($4) or Tom's of Maine Cinnamon Clove Toothpaste ($7). If you're a fan of warm home scents instead, this Diptyque Orange Spice Candle ($68) is a gorgeous, though pricey, option. And if you'd just like to smell like mulling spices all day, try Lush's Hot Toddy Bath Bomb ($7) or the warm, smoky scent of Puro Puro ($95).

Source: Flickr User Elenadan

Is It Geeky Fun . . . or Soap?

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:00:00 PDT

Confession time: I was Death from The Sandman for Halloween this year, and there's very little denying that I'm a huge dork, so a "geeky fun or soap?" quiz was inevitable. Won't you put your coolness aside, too, and journey with me to a land of soaps and gadgets that will surprise and delight your inner fangirl? I promise it'll be fun and that there will be Street Fighter. All ready to get down and nerdy?

Question 1 of 5

Beep, beep, boop! I am a robot, sent here to keep you clean. Query: are my constituent parts crafted from plastic and aluminum, or am I simply made of what you humans call "soap"?

Ever More Delicious Halloween Treat . . . or Soap?

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 07:00:37 PDT

You guys, I am so, so hungry after I do one of these things. I'm deeply shamed by this, but as I write I'm salivating over the mere thought of those Brach's Fall Mix pumpkins. Why is it so hard to tell yourself that these soaps aren't edible, and how on earth do you keep from putting tooth to bar just to see? These are questions that have no answer (unless you're a cognitive scientist). In the meantime, we can all explore this seasonally appropriate phenomenon further by trying to guess what's really delicious and what's just really tricky. Ready to give it another go? Then take the quiz.

Question 1 of 5

Oh mah gawd, Fall Mix. Are these the scrumptious lumps of high fructose corn syrup that I dream about, or a glycerin-based mirage?

Lush's Day of the Dead Collection Is Adorably Spooky

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:00:37 PDT

Lush always goes all out for its Halloween product lineups, but this year's offerings are a little different - and muy fun. Instead of the usual pumpkin bath melts and batty bath bombs, the 2010 collection is all about the Day of the Dead, which is on Nov. 2, All Souls' Day. The holiday, which originated in Mexico, is about honoring friends and family who've passed on with festivities, humor, and food. The Lush collection is full of iconic Day of the Dead imagery, like dancing skulls and Lady Catrina hats in bright, happy colors. If you haven't heard much about the Day of the Dead, I highly suggest you check it out. And to see all the fun products from Lush, just have a look-see:

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Yummy Halloween Cupcake . . . or Soap?

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 06:00:12 PDT

Friends, the Great Candy Evening will soon be upon us, and there's a surfeit of stuff to tempt your sweet tooth being produced. But not everything that looks toothsome is intended to come into actual contact with your teeth, especially given how many disturbingly realistic cupcake soaps there are today. Can you get all Buffy on these soaps in disguise and slay their claims to cake-hood? Take this quiz to find out.

Question 1 of 5

Are these cupcakes with little bats cute treats fit for a kindergarten class, or soap you definitely don't want kids eating?