BellaSugar

Is Olay's New Gadget as Good as Clarisonic?

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 07:00:41 PST

With its off-white color, gray button controls, and facial cleansing brush system at the top, it's hard not to compare Olay's new Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System ($30) to Clarisonic ($195).

But while they're visually somewhat similar, they differ in price (obviously) and motion. While Clarisonic uses a sonic oscillation system, Olay uses a nonsonic rotating one, making for a completely different experience. I almost prefer the circular massaging action of Olay (it's great for soothing sinus pressure), and the bristles seem to be slightly softer. Not that it's good or bad one way or another, but if you are looking for a super deep cleanser with a ton of power, Clarisonic, which has a heftier, more dynamic feel about it, wins out in this battle. To see the rest of my review, just keep reading.

Store-Brand Products We Love (and One We Don't)

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:00:46 PDT

When it comes to products, sometimes the generic options don't live up to the original. Have you ever actually tried off-brand ketchup? Blech. At team Bella, we're always looking for a bargain, and that's why we've gathered together a few of our favorite generic beauty items - along with one option that just doesn't make the cut. Find out what they are now.

Doing Drugstore: L'Oréal Go 360 Clean Deep Exfoliating Scrub

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:00:16 PDT

Recently, L'Oréal came out with four new products in its Go 360 Clean Deep line ($6 each): a Cream Cleanser, a Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, the gel-based Facial Cleanser, and an Exfoliating Scrub. OnSugar blogger Kiss and Tell shared her review of the creamy cleanser with us a few months back. Since I have had such a good experience with the exfoliating version, I couldn't help but share my review. What's so great about it, anyway? To find out, read more.

You Could be Killing Sea Turtles in Your Shower

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:00:43 PDT

What could possibly be wrong about body wash? One word: plastics. Know those exfoliating microbeads that wash away dead skin? Unfortunately, many of them contain polyethylene, a non-biodegradable plastic. Sewage treatment plants can't process these tiny particles, so they make it into our water streams. Once they hit the ocean, they often join giant garbage patches, which in turn can choke all kinds of marine life.

Even if the sea creatures survive, the trouble doesn't end there. Toxins from the plastic can seep into other areas of their bodies - and yes, throughout the food chain. Not good for sea turtles and fish, not good for you. If you want to wash up with a completely clear conscience, look for scrubs with biodegradable ingredients like flax, sugars, salts, or ground-up nuts. There's nothing fishy about that.

Exfoliation 101: What You Need to Know

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:00:48 PDT

Earlier this month, facialist Marc Edward told us that scrubs actually make your skin worse. Exfoliation, though, is important for keeping your skin clear, your pores small, and your cell turnover high. So what's a woman to do? There are actually tons of different ways to slough skin gently and effectively, and different varieties work for different ages and skin types. To get the lowdown on what different exfoliants do and to find out which one is the best match for your needs, just keep reading.

What Kind of Exfoliator Do You Prefer?

BellaSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:59:18 PST

Recently, Yum and I were discussing the merits of facial exfoliators. Physical exfoliators use an abrasive ingredient like crushed seeds or nuts, sugar, or beads to exfoliate the skin. Chemical exfoliators rely on things like citric or alpha hydroxy acids to do the sloughing. Both kinds of exfoliators essentially do the same thing, but which type do you prefer?

Reader Review of the Day: Ahava Gentle Body Exfoliator

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:00:01 PST

Dry patches and flaky skin are common complaints during this season, but if you have sensitive skin, the last thing you want to do is use a harsh and heavy body scrub. Enter Ahava Source Gentle Body Exfoliator ($20), reviewed by reader stoopeed. Here's what she had to say:

Though this product didn't really exfoliate a lot (maybe it was too subtle for me), it is one of the best daily body washes I've found. The cleansing is really nice, [and] it leaves my skin soft, clean, and happy. And the fragrance is, for wont of a more suitable word, uplifting. It is very subtle, does not interfere with your fragrance, and does not linger. . . But in one of my most depressing winters when I was not used to the long, dark winters of the north, I would feel much much better after a shower with this.

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Doing Drugstore: St. Ives Moisturizing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:00:01 PDT

I love body polishes that don't require excess force to work, particularly ones that use sugar, which is gentler on the skin. Over the weekend, I tried out St. Ives Moisturizing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish, Oatmeal & Shea Butter ($8), which contains natural sugar crystals for exfoliation, oatmeal to soothe, and shea butter for softer skin. While this polish is a little difficult to scoop out of the jar due to its texture (think of a dense Crisco), once it hits the skin and some water, it almost melts, creating a rich, spreadable lather.

The polish has a sweet almond scent and a finer, more dissolvable grit than the famous invigorating St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($4). Before shaving, I spread a little of the polish on my legs for a smooth, non-irritating result.

I like it for a pedicure, too. After scrubbing my feet with the body polish, I used my beauty shortcut to fake a real pedicure. A little goes a long way with this product, making for an affordable - and effective - drugstore find.

How-To: Prevent Milia Around the Eyes

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:00:12 PDT

Have you ever had little white bumps on your face that look like acne, but upon further inspection, you realize they're not? Those bumps could be milia, which form when skin cells get trapped under the skin's surface.

In short, milia are caused by lack of natural exfoliation, and they often pop up near the eyes. Since it's such a sensitive area of the face, my first bit of advice is to get thee to a dermatologist. But, for tips on preventing milia and treating it safely at home, check out my list below:

Avoid: Greasy/waxy products which can clog pores; aggressive scrubs, which can irritate the delicate tissue around your peepers, picking at the milia, sun exposure, and too-rough pillowcases.
Don't avoid: Oil-free makeup removers, washing your face (make sure the skin gets to breathe), and drinking water, which helps to flush out toxins and keep your skin hydrated.
Have an AHA moment: Look for lighter-textured eye creams with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to help gently exfoliate around the sensitive eye area. Try SkinCeuticals Eye Renewal Gel ($32) or Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream ($11).
DIY: Help the skin get a kick start on exfoliating by carefully steaming your face over a bowl of very hot water for several minutes. This helps open up the pores, hydrate the face, and feels invigorating.

What are your milia prevention tips?

Reader Review of the Day: Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:54 PDT

If you have sensitive skin, exfoliating scrubs can be a nightmare, wreaking havoc on your already easily affected skin. Reader ChampagneKisses says that Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish ($25) makes her sensitive skin glow. Take it away, ChampagneKisses:

"I had actually stopped using all scrubs because they irritated my sensitive, oily skin. Years later I decided to give scrubs another chance, so I went to Sephora and was told that the Boscia line was known for helping those with sensitive skin. I decided to try a sample and could not believe how wonderful this product worked. I had no irritation whatsoever and it left my skin looking polished, bright, and very smooth. I have been using it for a year now and it's really done wonders for my skin. Love it!"

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