BellaSugar

DIY Spa Treatment: Good Smellin' Fall Cranberry Apple Mask

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:00 -0700

I love the cool weather smells of the season, and what can be more warm and enticing than cranberries and apples? The combo is also, incidentally, an excellent exfoliant for dry Fall skin, and I've got a DIY recipe featuring these two ingredients, to give you the best of both worlds. For a divinely scented kitchen and naturally glowing skin, check out this easy, three-ingredient mask from Narine Nikogosian's new beauty home remedy book Return to Beauty ($25), due out next month. To get the directions, just read more.

DIY Spa Treatment: Pumpkin Face Mask

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:00:14 -0700

After a few weeks of warm temperatures, there's no denying it officially feels like Autumn. Yesterday I passed by one of those makeshift pumpkin patches on the city street corner and then immediately bought myself a long-sleeved turtleneck and a big bag of Brach's Harvest Mix. Now that I'm in the mood for this seasonably crisp weather and I've officially got an addiction to candy corn and other mellowcreme confections, I've got pumpkin on the brain. High in vitamins A and C and zinc, this gourd-like squash helps heal and protect the skin from free radicals, all while gently dissolving dead skin cells. The addition of egg helps bind the mask together, nourishing and lifting the skin. To get the recipe for this homemade pumpkin face mask, read more.

DIY Spa Treatment: Honey and Yogurt Acne Mask

BellaSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:00:53 -0700

When it's warm outside, my face tends to be more apt to breakout. Do you hear me on that one? I've shared with you dermatologist Dr. Hema Sundaram's recipe for her Sweet Tea Antioxidant Facial Exfoliator, and now she's got something else for us to help beat the early Autumn heat - and the pimples. Better yet? Most ingredients are probably already in your pantry or refrigerator. Her latest recipe both hydrates and exfoliates the skin, while providing antibacterial properties.

"Neem oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which can help heal breakout-prone Summer skin," said Dr. Sundaram. But that's not all. "The fatty acids in neem oil build collagen and maintain skin’s elasticity while plain yogurt works to soothe, nourish, and tighten skin," she added. Get the easy-to-make recipe after the jump.

Reader Review of the Day: Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser Mask

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:02:37 -0700

Reader Itsme3683 has found her perfect mask in Neutrogena's Clear Pore Cleanser Mask ($7). Better yet, this acne-fighting formula can be used as both a daily moisturizer and a daily mask. Take it away, Itsme3683:

Like some of the other reviewers, I don't recommend using it as a twice-daily cleanser because it is really intense, and I think it's too thick and annoying for a cleanser anyways. I use it as a mask whenever I feel like I need a good deep clean and I love it. I also use it as a spot treatment when I have a problem zit - just dab a little of this on before bed and it's so much better in the morning. Highly recommended.

Won't you now share what you like and dislike about your beauty items on our Product Reviews website? Nothing beats your honest opinions!

Reader Review of the Day: Apivita Deep Cleansing Face Mask

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:00:21 -0700

Everyone wants something different out of a facial mask, whether it's for hydration, acne fighting, or increased radiance. But who wouldn't want a little deep cleaning now and then? Mask-lover Marleygyal02 tried out Apivita Deep Cleansing Face Mask ($5), and here's what she had to say about this heavy-duty mask:

Another mask I could use forever. It smells so good, and it makes my skin feel like a new day. I love how clean my skin feels after this mask, but it doesn't strip moisture . . . so my skin doesn't feel tight. It really helps to clarify my pores.

If you like reviewing products, our Product Reviews website is the place to be. Fill us in on what you do and don't like, whether it's a flat iron or waxing strips or a lip gloss. Perhaps you'll be featured on this daily post, too.

DIY Spa Treatment Recap: Fight Dull, Dry Skin With These Ideas

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:00:23 -0800

Protect your skin from the elements and your pockets from the recession by making your own pampering treats this season. From easy masks to moisturizers, check out six ways to save face – well, its moisture anyway – in your own kitchen.

Aspirin Mask	Red Grape Mask	Green Clay Mask
Plumping Facial Oil	Face Brightening Mask	Hydrating Face Cream

DIY Spa Treatment: Exfoliating Orange Yogurt Mask

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:00:22 -0800

Besides being tasty, yogurt aides digestion and may even help you feel fuller without adding tons of calories. As far as beauty goes, eating yogurt is beneficial for hair and nails because of the protein it contains. It also has zinc, which is great for calming down inflammation and healing skin.

The healthy snack also contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to exfoliate and boost collagen production. Another healthy snack? The orange. Besides the fact that it's chock full of vitamin C, it has AHAs, too. Put these two treats together, and you've got a soothing natural exfoliating mask that's both easy and cheap.

Here's what you'll need to make your own orange yogurt mask:

Approximately one tablespoon of yogurt. I prefer a thicker variety like Greek style.
Juice from about one fourth of an orange or a splash of orange juice.
Mix together yogurt and orange. Then, spread evenly on your face. Rinse after about five to ten minutes. Instant rejuvenation.

Source

Five Minutes to a Better Face Mask

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:00:37 -0800

Whether your face mask of choice is store-bought or DIY, next time you're planning to apply the special treat to your skin, fill a pot with water first. The five minutes (or so) it takes to boil this will actually help the already refreshing mask, work even better.

After the water's bubbling, remove it from the stove and grab a towel. Drape the towel over both your face and the pot, making your head into a tent pole. Let the steam reach your face, but from a safe distance (no closer than one foot) and keep your eyes closed like this for about five minutes. The simple step warms skin and opens pores, which then will allow the ingredients of the mask to be absorbed more rapidly and penetrate even deeper than ever before.

Source

Reader Review of the Day: Alba Hawaiian Facial Mask, Papaya Enzyme

BellaSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:00:17 -0800

Taking the time to apply a facial mask is worth the effort. Don't you always feel so refreshed afterward? And when I was scoping out the product reviews website earlier, I had masks on the mind. Reader Sushiflower76 loved Alba Hawaiian Facial Mask, Papaya Enzyme ($9.59) so much she gave it the highest mark - five stars. I can see why. Papaya enzymes actually help dissolve dull surface cells to improve skin's texture, after all. Check out what SushiFlower76 had to say below:

The first time I used this product I hated it. It burned and it didn't seem to do anything. But, I went back to it. You can't use nearly as much product with this as you would with a normal mask. I use maybe a dime-sized amount on clean wet skin and it doesn't burn. I've been using this now for a year and a half and my skin has never looked better.

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Beauty Mark It Results: Marvelous Masks

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:00:15 -0700

One of my simple pleasures in life is a weekly facial mask ritual, and so for last week's Beauty Mark It challenge, I asked you to review your favorite/not so favorite masks on our awesome new Product Review Site. Whether they be gels, creams, acne reducers, or firming enhancers, luxurious facial masks make me feel like a queen - well, for a few minutes, at least.

I loved reading everybody's opinions, and the following three reviews really stood out:

Mrs sonshine reviewed Clarins Truly Matte Pure and Radiant Mask ($27) - "Clarins is known for their gentle yet effective natural skincare. This Truly Matte Pure and Radiant Mask is one of their best products. Gentle enough for my dry and sensitive skin, it works like a vacuum to clean out yucky pores. I love applying it with a brush after a hot steamy shower."

To see the other two reviews, read more.

Bailaoragaditana reviewed The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Face Mask ($15.50) - "Fantabulous, this is! It smells strong and makes your face bright green, yes, but it also sucks the oil out of your skin like no other. It's a bit difficult to remove, so I use a washcloth or exfoliating cloth to scrub it off. It can be kind of drying, but it's great as a weekly or twice-weekly mask for oily or blemish-prone skin."
Sofi reviewed Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser / Mask ($7.00) - "The benzoyl peroxide in this works well when you leave it on as a mask, but watch out for lots of dryness afterwards. Slightly irritating if you are sensitive. If you need a quick fix for some breakouts, this may work but be ready for a bit of flakiness for a few days."

Thanks to all of you who added your two cents with your fabulous star ratings, particularly our three readers - check your inboxes for a Sugar gift! So, go on over to the product reviews site, and do a little perusin' and reviewin' of your own. And don't forget to enter to win a trip to San Francisco!