BellaSugar

Burt's Bees New Tinted Lip Balm Is the Definition of Barely There

Miriam Lacey — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:00:00 PST

You know how when you buy a lip balm that's supposed to have a "hint" of color, there's almost always quite a bit more than that when you actually get it on? Not so with Burt's Bees new Tinted Lip Balm ($6), which comes in a range of really, truly sheer colors. I tried the most highly pigmented of the bunch, the bright red Rose shade, and it took a pretty heavy hand to make the color visible. It's also not one of those balms that dries your lips out, forcing you to reapply constantly. It's basically like a lighter, much cheaper version of Laura Mercier HydraTint ($20). Overall, it's a great balm for the season, especially if you live somewhere with a high wind chill factor, and I think it should transition nicely into warmer weather. The only thing I don't like about the product, in fact, is that it costs about two bucks more than the regular Burt's Bees balm. Still, it's an inexpensive color fix and well worth checking out next time you're at the drugstore.

Hold on to Your Pompadours: It's National Pomegranate Month!

Jaime Richards — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:00:00 PST

It's the time you've been waiting for all year long. Not only is it Movember but it's also... wait for it... National Pomegranate Month. While you contain your excitement, let me explain exactly why pomegranates are so great. A superfruit, pomegranates are high in antioxidants and are known for their restorative qualities. In fact, all products featured in the Pomega5 line are made by using extractions from pomegranate seed oil. To add a little pomp and circumstance to your life, try the refined, fruity-floral scent of Marc Jacobs Pomegranate Splash ($68). And for a hint of red on your lips accompanied by a shimmery-sweet finish, Labello Fruity Shine Pomegranate ($6) is a perfect little treat. Just wave your mouse over the images above for more information on the products, and if you're really feeling inspired, check out ShopStyle for even more pomegranate beauty options.

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

Burt's Bees Makes Cheap, Natural Perfume Now

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:00:43 PDT

I love a good solid perfume; they're more subtle than atomized formulas; the oil and wax base makes them last longer; they're hydrating; and they're usually less expensive. So imagine my delight when I found out that Burt's Bees has debuted four new $10 solid fragrances. Only Lush's solid perfume sticks rival them for low price point, and the Burt's products actually have fewer chemical ingredients. All four of the scents sound fruit-heavy, although if you're not into sweet smells, their Naturally Fresh ($10) fragrance has bright, astringent notes of lemon, grapefruit, and cedar. Will you be inclined to pick one of these up at the drugstore checkout, or would you rather save your money for a fancier solid scent?

BellaTV: 3 Smart Eco-Beauty Alternatives

BellaSugar — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:00:00 PDT

Going eco doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality. Watch our video now to see what three eco-friendly products from Aerie Botanicals, Burt's Bees, and Josie Maran can do for you.

There's Oil in Them Thar Skin Care!

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:00:51 PDT

Putting oil on your skin might seem daft, but it is not always so. It all depends on what type of oil you choose and what kind of complexion you have. Dry skin? Oil can help perk up dehydrated complexions, especially after months of suffering in cold weather. And while it's wise to check for comedogenic ingredients in general, even acne-prone skin can benefit from certain oils.

The biggest obstacle is getting over the idea of putting it on your face. Fortunately, you need only a few drops to cover all of your face. The idea is to warm the oil with your fingers, gently press it into skin, and if you wish to follow with a regular moisturizer, you can. (I find that I don't need one, though.)

I've been trying out more oils than an Exxon speculator lately, so for a roundup of mini-reviews, read more.

Reader Review of the Day: Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit and Sugar Beet Shampoo

BellaSugar — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:00:00 PST

The shampoo part aside, Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit and Sugar Beet Shampoo ($8) sounds straight up like something you'd see on the kitchen table. And after trying out this cleanser, which is free of sulfates and parabens, reader steen has nothing but positive things to say.

"Trying to find an affordable sulfate-free shampoo has been difficult for me. All the ones I've tried have left my hair dried out or greasy. I stumbled upon Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit and Sugar Beet Shampoo and Conditioner while perusing the products at the drugstore and I am in love. The shampoo lathers really well, rinses easily, and smells great - like sugared grapefruit. It also actually makes my hair incredibly shiny. (Too often products claim to, but I don't see any difference.) I love that I can get it just about anywhere and it's only $8 a bottle - sometimes less if it's in a value set or on sale."

Be sure to check out steen's review for the conditioner, too, and then check out all of the other reviews on our wildly-popular Product Reviews pages. Who knows what you might discover.

Top 5 Under $25 Beauty Gift Guide!

BellaTV — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:04:51 PST

Annie, BellaSugar Editor, shows you her picks for the best beauty gifts under $25. From Lush’s fizzy bath bombs to Philosophy’s sweet and spicy Gingerbread Man scrub, Annie finds you the best of budget beauty for those last minute gift ideas.

Reader Review of the Day: Burt's Bees Shea and Grapefruit Deep Conditioner

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:49 PDT

I like so many Burt's Bees products, but I'd never even heard of Burt's Bees Shea and Grapefruit Deep Conditioner ($8) until reader Yogaforlife reviewed it. It sounds great, though, and I'm really glad she mentioned it. She says:

"I normally use Pureology shampoo/conditioners to protect my color-treated hair in between salon visits, but I noticed that my hair felt really dry lately. I wanted to try a hair treatment and a friend recommended this. I shampooed like normal and then put this conditioner on. I left it on for about 20 minutes and then rinsed it using cold water. When my hair was wet and I tried combing it, I must admit I got a little scared that it didn't feel super slick like most conditioners leave my hair. Once my hair was dry, though, it felt incredibly soft and shiny and smelled so good. I now use this once or twice a week, and it's made such a difference."

Got a product you don't hear about much that's actually really great? Want to know what other readers' hair, makeup, and skincare saviors are? Just pop over to the Product Reviews pages, then. We have more than 50,000 products up for review, and we're adding new ones daily. It's a great way to inform others and learn a little yourself.

Reader Review of the Day: Burt's Bees Facial Cleanser

BellaSugar — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:00:35 PDT

I love Burt's Bees, but given how essential oils like orange can affect my skin, I was hesitant to try its Burt's Bees Facial Cleanser ($8). Reader a million suns, however, actually saw her skin irritation go down when she used the product. She says:

"My skin has been extremely sensitive and reactive lately-and always fairly dry, since I live in Nevada-and every time I'd use my Neutrogena cleanser, my face would look red and blotchy. Then I picked up this cleanser at the store and gave it a try. No redness, no blotchiness, nada. Plus, my skin felt totally refreshed. It is a little bit thick, but all I have to do is mix it with water (squeeze a nickel-sized amount onto your hand, run it under the faucet, rub your hands together) to get it to spread easily. Plus, I love the orange scent!"

New cleanser you're crazy about? Thinking about making a switch and want to know what other people think? Then our Product Reviews pages are the place to be! You can see reviews of more than 50,000 products, and write some of your own.