Reader Review: Befine Neck Cream

BellaSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:00:58 -0800

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Don't be Nora Ephron. Take care of the skin on your neck, and you will avoid turkey-wattle skin when you're older. My cohort Giggle knows this, which is why she decided to test-drive a neck cream for our necky edification. Take it away, Giggle:

"Befine Neck Cream ($27.99) has mushroom extracts for firming, iris flower for tightening, and caffeine to even out and smooth. It has a wonderful smell and feels great as a light moisturizer. As far as smoothing or tightening my neck, though, perhaps this is something I might see after long-term use, but I can't say I noticed anything different than I would have with a good moisturizer. I would stick with a heavier moisturizer over a cream formulated for your neck, because I have dry skin."

Both of us like how the Befine product line has an earthy, natural approach to skincare, basing its products on foods that are good for the body with the mantra "you are what you eat." The other ingredients included in this particular product sound promising: sugar cane to help with cellular regeneration and collagen production, and rice peptides to provide antioxidant protection. I still say that sunblock is the best way to prevent wrinkles, but if you're a mushroom fiend who wants to avoid turkey-neck, this cream could be gravy.

Four Easy Tips For a Greener Beauty Routine

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:00:46 -0700

Any time is a good time to be more environmentally cautious, but Earth Month is the gentle kick in the pants that gets me going hardcore green. We'll have more earth-mama ideas and reviews as April progresses, but for now, check out these ideas to kick-start your eco-friendliness.

Choose natural scrubs: Face and body scrubs with plastic beads create debris that ends up in the ocean. Unless you want to be a polluting dolphin-choker, opt for scrubs made with salt, sugar, or fruit kernels.

Ditch the cotton: Cotton balls usually go through an environmentally unfriendly bleaching process. Use a washcloth or muslin cloth to remove makeup instead, and if you do use pure cotton balls, compost them when you're finished.

Lose the wrapping: Avoid buying products that come with unnecessary packaging. (Ahem.) Instead, choose products that have little or no packaging, such as Lush's solid shampoos.

Go vegan: While you might not be ready to give up eating meat, you can make your beauty routine more animal friendly. Brands such as BeFine, Nature's Gate, Yes to Carrots, and Sevi deliver good looks while leaving sheep and bunnies alone. (FYI, though, my esthetician insists that vegetarians look younger longer. Just saying.)