BellaSugar

Try Bergamot on Your Pits

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:00:13 -0800

One of my friends is a true follower of all things natural. Food? All organic and local. Clothing? Either recycled or handsewn. Beauty? When it comes to products, nothing of the paraben/synthetic nature remotely touches her body.

So, when I saw her splash a little bergamot oil on her pits one day, I was intrigued. "It's a natural deodorizer," she said. I gave it a whirl. With surprising results, I was practically stink-free. From what I could tell, my underarms smelled rather nice - well, like citrus. She also recommended I dab on a little baking soda if I ever felt a little drippy.

Like playing mad scientist? You can always mix up your own custom scent. Try Aura Cacia Bergamot Essential Oil ($13.59) paired with a complementary aroma such as sandalwood, nutmeg, vetiver, geranium, lavender, lemon, neroli, or ylang ylang.

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Definition: Bergamot

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:00:17 -0800

I am not sure why, but I have been under the impression that bergamot - an ingredient I often come across in fragrances - is a spiny flower. Indeed it is, but did you know that the Italian and Ivory Coast-based plant also produces a pear-shaped yellow citrus fruit? (It is not, however, related to the bergamot herb.)

The skin of the fruit yields a delicate, yet spicy, essential oil that is found in one-third of all fragrances. It is also used to treat acne, eczema, and sebhorrhea. When it's not being used for its aroma, it can be found in Earl Grey tea (it aids digestion), insect repellent, and medications that treat urinary tract infections and depression.

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Warm Up With These Comfy Cold-Weather Scents

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:37 -0800

When the air starts to get a little nippy and my sweaters come out of the closet, I start daydreaming about cold weather perfumes. I put away my beachy scents and find creamy, spicy, deep fragrances with the rich, comforting notes of cinnamon, cardamom, labdanum, almond, Tahitian vanilla, bergamot tea, and warm woods. I'm still on my way to finding the perfect sweater scent, but I thought I'd put together a few that might be a good bet for you. From heavy-hitting classics like Penhaligon's Bluebell (woody, earthy and soft, with a few sweet florals) to inexpensive but delicious scents like Carol's Daughter Almond Cookie (just plain yummy), there are fragrances here for every taste and budget, but all of the entries promise to make you feel like you're curled up under a comfy throw with something warm to sip on. Click through to get a little scentspiration.

Fragrance Review: Is Bond No. 9 Right on the Money?

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0700

I like perfume and I certainly like money, so I when I heard about a fragrance inspired by cash, I was intrigued by the concept. Add a little Andy Warhol in the mix, and it's all the more intriguing. Next month, Bond No. 9, known for its all-things-New York approach, well-thought-out blends, and colorful, artistic bottles, will release the unisex eau de parfum: Andy Warhol Success Is a Job in New York ($145 to $220).

Possibly one of the longest labels on a perfume ever, the fragrance gets its name from a Glamour article from the 1950s in which Warhol illustrated. The bottle showcases the artist's iconic dollar sign, with drippy paint and sketchy borders, creating an ambiguous line between art and money. As for the juice itself, it's of the gourmand classification with a warm spiciness. While there's not one particular note that sticks out, the top notes of coriander, cardamom, mandarin, bergamot provide a bit of an edge; middle notes of jasmine, rose, plum, and pimento lend some soft tones that aren't at all wimpy; and bottom notes of vanilla, patchouli, and amber deliver a heady, powdery finish. To see what I thought about the parfum, keep reading.

Coming Soon: Banana Republic His and Hers Fragrances

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:00:50 -0700

I don't know if I could ever do his and hers bath towels, but his and hers fragrances? I can handle that. This month, Banana Republic is set to launch two new complementary scents: Republic of Women Eau de Parfum ($48) and Republic of Men Eau de Toilette ($47). Both are packaged with the clean lines that we've grown to expect from all things Banana.

Ladies first: If you like florals with a bit of a hazy, lingering finish, Republic of Women might just be for you. Enclosed in a sultry plum-toned bottle, this romantic scent contains subtle top notes of sweet osmanthus, spicy bergamot, and juicy lychee; powerful middle notes of peony, pink jasmine, and Moroccan rose; and bottom notes of precious woods and soft musks to even it out.

As for the guys, Republic of Men, my personal favorite of the duo, is definitely not of the gritty, intense variety. More soft than heady, the juice, which is packaged up in a smoky gray bottle, contains clementine, wet plum, and dewy fig leaf at the top for a bit of sweetness; sambac, rosemary, basil, sage, and crushed hazelnut in the middle for a refined edge; and sandalwood, cedarwood, and creamy skin musk at the bottom for a bit of sexiness. While I prefer the men's scent, both are at least worth a sample spritz.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Leaves: Tea-Inspired Fragrances

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:01:03 -0700

I loved tea parties as a little girl, and just a whiff of Celestial Seasons Sleepytime (which has soothed many a tummy ache and tastes great with ginger snaps) is enough to make me smile and breathe a sigh of relief. That's why, when I want to feel really comfy, I turn to tea scents - they're the chunky cable knit sweaters of the fragrance world, with the added bonus of going with any outfit and being comfortable to wear no matter how high the mercury in your thermometer goes.

My personal favorite for instant relaxation is perfumer Christopher Brosius's Russian Caravan Tea ($60), which is designed to smell like "smoked black Indian tea, bergamot and the hint of shelves full of old books." I'm also eagerly anticipating Dior's new tea scent, Escale a Pondichery, which is coming out this Fall and is supposed to be a true tea scent. While I'm waiting for the new Dior, though, I've put together some other lovely tea scents for you to sniff out - hopefully one of them will smell like happiness for you, too.

Double Your Fun: Two New "Same Name Twice" Fragrances

BellaSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0700

These days, apparently twice is very nice indeed, because WWD is reporting that in August, both Nina Ricci and Juicy Couture will launch fragrances with charmingly repetitive names. The scents, Ricci Ricci ($58) and Couture Couture ($85), are both a little higher end than other offerings from the houses but geared toward young women. While they're both florals with hints of woodiness, their topnotes are very different. Ricci Ricci starts with lively rhubarb and bergamot, followed by four o'clock flowers and a whole bouquet of roses, then finishes with sandalwood and patchouli, while Couture Couture is all citrusy topnotes with a jasmine honeysuckle body and an amber drydown. I'll be excited to try both, but I love Jessica Stam's little devil horns in the Ricci Ricci ads. Hopefully the scent will be just as naughty and charming as the campaign suggests.

How-To: Keep Deodorant on You, Not Your Clothes

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:08 -0700

No matter how careful I am (OK, sometimes I'm not all that careful), I still get those annoying white "zebra stripes" on my shirts caused by a morning application of deodorant. While animal prints can be done tastefully, unintentional ones are just the pits. (Sorry.)

To keep your deodorant on you, and not your new blouse, I've gathered together some tips on remaining streak free. Check them out when you read more.

The culprit: Probably the biggest culprit of those blotchy white marks is an overapplication of deodorant. To prevent this problem in the future, apply a very thin layer before getting dressed, blot if necessary, and allow it to completely dry. Tip: Hold your arms high and get under a fan or use the "cool" button feature on your blow-dryer to speed the process along.

Dress first: Some people prefer to dress first, then apply. It works OK in a pinch, although you still run the risk of staining on the inside of your shirt, and you have to use a pretty steady hand. Somehow I'm reminded of the game Operation.

Check the label: Just because it says "clear" on the bottle, doesn't mean it actually will be. Sprays, gels, and clear/invisible formulations will most likely be less guilty of causing streaking. However, nothing beats checking out some reviews to see what kind of results others have had.

Crystal ball: It's inevitable. Some natural deodorants still leave residue behind, but many people have had success with crystals (aka crystal stones), such as Crystal Roll-On Body Deodorant ($4).

DIY: Make your own danger-free deodorant, or consider using an essential oil, like bergamot under your arms.

If worse comes to worst: Thankfully, most of these white stains will come out in the wash, but if you find yourself with the stuff all over your clothes, try rubbing it out with another part of your shirt over the stain to help lift it out in a pinch.

Cheat: The Dress Sure Deodorant Streak Shield ($20) is a temporary garment you wear that helps you avoid staining by covering up your armpits altogether while you get dressed.

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Bella Bargain: Wash Your Hands With "Grease" on Earth Day

BellaSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:00:45 -0700

You've probably heard that restaurant grease can be transformed into bio-diesel fuel, and now, a clever couple has added another layer to this concept by turning byproducts of that fuel into a hand soap. Intrigued?

The waste grease is obtained from the kitchens of Los Angeles restaurants. It's then distilled for car usage, resulting in glycerin, a perfect ingredient in making soap. Hence, Further Soap ($18.50) was born.

If you'd like to try this unique soap, which is scented with bergamot, olive, and exotic grasses, now's your perfect opportunity. On Earth Day, - that's today - if you purchase one bottle of Further Soap, you'll get one free. Perfect for the penny-pinching tree hugger in your life.

Coming Soon: Halle by Halle Berry

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:00:44 -0800

Halle Berry is the kind of woman you'd be jealous of, except she seems like a smart, down-to-earth lady who you could be friends with. She's one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood, she seems thrilled to be a mom to baby Nahla, and she's in love. It's safe to say that for her, life smells pretty sweet right now . . . which is just the kind of corny pun I'll use to tell you about Halle's new fragrance endeavor.

Launching next week, Halle by Halle Berry ($17–$35 for EDP) is a woody, oriental scent. The top notes are Sicilian bergamot, fig leaves, and pear blossom layered over heart notes of freesia petals, hibiscus flower, and ultra mimosa. A dry-down of sandalwood, driftwood, cashmere musk, olibanum sbsolute, and sensual amber add a more sensual tone. Along with eaux de parfum sizes, the scent will be available as a body lotion. If it succeeds in making me feel half as beautiful as Halle is, I'll consider it a huge success.

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Fresh Redcurrant Basil Eau de Parfum - $75.00	Carol's daughter almond cookie eau de toilette spray - $27.00
The Comforter Solid Perfume - $7.95	Parfums Intimes Cashmere Vanilla Jasmine Eau de Parfum - $45.00
Burberry Brit Perfume Collection - $46.00	Vanillary Fragrance - $41.95
Bergamot Tea Eau De Toilette - $46.00	Red Flower Hammam - Cardamom Amber Oil - 2.4 Oz. - $44.00
Dolce And Gabbana No. 6 L'amoureux - $65.00	Agraria Bitter Orange - $40.00
Demeter Sugar & Spice Cologne Spray - $20.00	Le Labo Labdanum 18 100ml - $200.00
Montale Amandes Orientales - $135.00	Penhaligon's Bluebell - $80.00
Fresh Cannabis Rose - $75.00	Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Luxe Edition - $70.00

The Pour un Ete, 100 ml - $135.00	Voluspa Victoria Collection - Fleur de Café Petite Roll-On Perfume - $24.00
Trance Essence - Genie in a Bottle Perfume Oil - Roll On - 3.75ml - $46.00	Serge Lutens Five O'Clock Au Gingembre - $120.00
Costume National Scent Eau De Parfum - $100.00	Barneys New York Route du The (3.4 oz.) - $55.00
Memoire Liquide - No. 314 Cuir Millesime Parfum - 0.5 oz. - $65.00	Carthusia - IO Capri Eau de Toilette - 50ml - $75.00
Parfums de Nicolai - Fig Tea Eau Fraiche - 100ml Spray - $65.00	The Tea Eau de Toilette by L'Aromarine - $18.00
L'Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two - $95.00	Bvlgari Fragrance Eau The Blanc White Tea, 2.5 ounces - $80.00
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea for Women Perfume Collection - $10.00	Kenzo Eau de Fleur Tea - $55.00
Green Tea with Mint Eau de Toilette - $46.00