BellaSugar

Product Review: Whish Flawless Bump Fighter

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:00:02 -0700

I suffer from red, puffy ingrown hairs, so I am always on the lookout for a magical cream that can nip them in the bud before they grow into large, unsightly bumps. So far, I've found two great products - Tend Skin and Arezoo Ingrown Hair Cream - and recently I've discovered Flawless Bump Fighter from Whish ($22.50).

It has a mild scent and comes in an easy-to-travel, slim tube with a fairly aggressive pump. It needs to be said since I consider you guys my friends, is that it's got a clear, whitish (think saliva) type of texture and color. So, let's just say that when it comes shooting out of the container, it reminds me of something downright dirty.

But, none of that really matters, does it? (I just thought I'd warn you.) I appreciate that it won't stain your underpants (it dries clear) and I've been using it every other day for two weeks since my bikini wax. So far I've only noticed one ingrown hair and minimal redness. I'd say that's a great result.

It claims to weaken your hair follicles, help prevent hair growth, and skin inflammation. Also, it's alcohol free, so it won't dry out your skin. Use it on your legs, lips, bikini area, and eyebrows after a wax, depilatory, or a shave. It leaves your skin feeling smooth, not sticky, and it dries quickly so you can get dressed right away. Pretty flawless after all.

Product Review: Arezoo Ingrown Hair Cream

BellaSugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:54:45 -0700

Arezoo Kaviani worked at posh Mayfair salon in London for years, where she had a constant client waiting list. After much success she decided to venture out on her own. She now owns a private salon kitty-corner to the world-famous Harrods department store. Her specialties are extremely gentle waxing and facials, but she is so talented that her one-stop shop also offers a gamut of alluring body treatments.

While in London, I had the pleasure of meeting Azeroo for a bikini wax - not an easy feat, considering her schedule is jam-packed with clients that include Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer, Daniel Craig, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon. I was dying to ask her if Jake comes in for a manly parts waxing or just an eyebrow shaping, but I resisted - I didn't want to put her in a compromising position or anything.

The one product she used that smelled great and cut the pain of a wax by at least half was her tea tree oil wax. She also handed me an ice cube before she began to help numb the area -it's kinda fun, actually! When we were finished, she recommended a terrific anti-ingrown hair product that I want to share with you.

Arezoo Ingrown Hair Cream contains no alcohol, but it does have tons of tea tree oil. That acts as an antiseptic and drying agent, so those nasty, itchy bumps don't form on your nether regions. It smells better than most products in its genre, and it won't thin your skin like other alcohol-based ingrown hair products do.

The cream works wonders for anywhere on the body suffering from cuts, scrapes, burns, or blemishes. Plus, men can use it as an aftershave. It costs £15, but since Arezoo has so many international clients, she's willing to ship any orders for a minimum charge of $5.

Must-Have of the Moment: Tend Skin

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:00:18 -0700

Readers have been steadily writing in asking about how to resolve your ingrown hair problem. Pesty post-waxing and shaving bumps look red, irritated and they can even itch a little bit. It's time you learn about Tend Skin Liquid.

This oldie but goodie has been a part of my life for years. I use it on my bikini line, and guys often use it on their face and on the back of the neck-essentially, wherever ingrown hairs usually form.

To use, dampen a cotton ball with Tend Skin and pat it onto the bumps you'd like to banish. You'll feel a little bit of a tingling sensation. That's okay; just wait about twenty to thirty seconds for it to dry and you're good to go for the day.

Now your bikini line will look beautiful for the duration of your beach days! Tend Skin is available in a four-ounce bottle ($20), an eight-ounce bottle ($35) and a 16-ounce bottle ($50). But if you're allergic to aspirin, take a pass: One of Tend Skin's main ingredients is acetylsalicylic acid, which is-you guessed it-aspirin.

Three Solutions for Ingrown Hairs

BellaSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 06:00:28 -0700

Ah, Summer! Time to break out the bare legs and bikini bottoms - and to start worrying about battling ingrown hairs. Waxing and shaving frequently can easily lead to razor burn and painful bumps that get infected if left untreated. Fortunately, there are some great solutions to the problem, whether you're looking to pamper yourself or you're shopping on a budget. Here are three ingrown-hair treatments to try.

From one of our favorite spa brands, these Ingrown Hair Eliminating Peeling Pads by Bliss ($35) are easy-to-use wipes presoaked in a hydroxy-acid solution, which helps battle bumps and soothe redness.

Two more, including a great budget option, so read more

If you think shaving your legs every other day is tough on your skin, imagine taking a razor to your face every morning. That's why I trust products for guys, like this Ingrown Hair Treatment by Anthony Logistics ($25). This moisturizing gel cleans away dead skin cells to fend off the bacteria that can lead to infection.

Looking for a more budget buy? Pick up a tube of good old hydrocortisone cream, like Cortaid Maximum Strength 1.0% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream ($6.79). This first-aid staple is great for treating razor burn and calming irritated hair follicles.

Save $200 on the New TRIA System!

Sponsor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:01 -0800

It's no secret that smooth, hair-free skin is something we all dream about but shaving and waxing require constant maintenance and come with a host of skin issues like ingrown hair, stubble and irritation.

We have a solution! The TRIA Laser Hair Removal System disables hair growth so that your skin remains smooth and hair-free-for good. In as few as eight simple treatments, you can experience the silky, smooth results that only real laser hair removal can provide. In addition to skin that feels smoother than ever before, your skin will look its absolute best. No more dark shadows, stubble or irritation-just skin so bare, it’s like the hair was never there.

Save $200 on the NEW Tria Laser Hair Removal System now! To learn more about how you can get fabulous skin and purchase the TRIA System, visit TRIABEAUTY.com.

The NEW TRIA System. Better Results. Lower Price.

How-To: Prevent Red Bumps in the Bikini Area

BellaSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:48 -0700

As we all know, hot weather is just around the corner. Whether you prefer a one-piece or two - or perhaps no swimsuit at all - there's nothing worse than calling attention to "down there" (as Mr. Bella's grandma would point and whisper) than with red, splotchy bumps caused by shaving.

But, the good news is that these bumps, aka pseudofolliculitis barbae, can be avoided. If you're looking for smooth skin with irritation-free results, I've got the answers. Check them out when you read more.

Before breaking out the razor, wash skin with a gentle antibacterial soap to keep germs at bay, exfoliating with a washcloth to create a smooth surface.
Before shaving, rinse or soak in warm water for several minutes to soften the hair.
Next, apply a conditioning shaving gel or cream to the area, such as Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel in Soothing Lavender ($3.50) or Bikini Zone Anti-Irritation Shave Gel ($4.30).
It should go without saying, but dull blades make for bumpy results. Always use a sharp razor. I like Gillette Venus Divine Razor For Women ($11).
Shaving tips: While you can shave in the opposite direction of hair growth, if you are prone to ingrowns, go with the grain. Try not to go over the same area multiple times or shave each day, as this can cause unnecessary irritation. Also, rinse the razor after each swipe to prevent clogging, and pull the skin taut to get a nice, close shave.
Splash on some cool water when you are done, and pat dry with a towel. For added protection against bumps, apply a postshaving product to reduce inflammation, like Tend Skin ($16) or Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps, Medicated Bikini Pads ($8).

What are your favorite tips?

Source

Bliss Wants You to Say Farewell to Bush. Yes, That One.

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:00:53 -0800

You've got to give credit to the clever guys and gals over at Bliss for their amazing ability to play on words - The Big 'Orange' or 'Dew' Diligence Facial, anyone?

And now the quick-witted company has an offer sure to make you chortle. From Monday the 19th until Sunday, February 1st, you can say farewell to bush at Bliss Spas in NYC, LA, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Scottsdale by saving 20 percent on a Brazilian bikini wax appointment when you present the coupon from the link above. You'll also receive a 20 percent discount on Ingrown Hair Eliminating Peeling Pads (regularly $38), Poetic Wax Kit (regularly $45), and Get Out of Hair! Lotion ($35) at participating Bliss Spa locations and at Blissworld.com when you type in BUSH in the shopping bag at checkout. So whether you're happy or sad about W leaving office, you can save a few bucks on your personal deforestation.

Source

What's the Deal With Depilatory Creams?

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:00:13 -0700

Facial hair: it's not just for guys, and ladies, it's nothing to be ashamed of. No matter what your complexion or skin type, it is completely natural for some amount of hair to be present on your face. For some women, it is practically unnoticeable. Other women find it bothersome, so they decide to do something about it. Simply bleaching the hair can work if your skin is fair, but for the rest of you, the best bet for making your facial hair do a vanishing act is with a depilatory cream.

But what is a depilatory cream, anyway, and how does this stuff work? Allow me to clear up the confusion.

Depilatory creams remove the hair deeper than shaving, but not quite as deep as waxing.
The active ingredient is sodium and calcium thioglycolate, which might sound a little scary, but it's actually a safe chemical that has been used for hair removal since 1930.
The chemicals dissolve the protein base of the hair, allowing it to be removed from below the surface of the skin.
The creams can be smelly (the active ingredient is a close relative to the one used in perming), and a bit messy, but the tradeoff is that hair stays away much longer than shaving, and it grows back significantly less stubbly.

If you decide to try a depilatory cream, be sure to select one that is specifically for the face, as it will be gentler than the ones for other parts of the body. Apply to clean skin, and leave on no longer than the directed time. Once finished, all you have to do is wipe away the cream, and voila: hair is gone. Another bonus: no ingrown hairs.

The bottom line? Depilatories are a generally safe, easy way to remove facial hair, as long as you follow the instructions, and don't mind a smelly mess every now and then. Is this your hair removal method of choice? Let me know what you think.

Source

Bellissima! Fresh Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:00:48 -0700

I had no idea that a bar of clay could be a panacea to so many different skin ailments, but Fresh's Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar ($38) does the job. Umbria is a clay-rich region in Italy, and the treatment bar is made from pure clay. It has the appearance of soap, but once you feel it, you'll see that it's chalky, hard and much heavier and more fragile than soap.

It helps with breakouts, diaper rash, mosquito bites, razor-burn, ingrown hairs and eczema. It works by regulating the production of sebum in your skin, reducing inflammation, and balancing out your skin's natural acid level. I couldn't believe that after just one use the tiny bumps on the back of my arm (that I sometimes get in the hot summer months) dried up and flattened. After two uses, they almost completely went away.

To use, wet an area of the bar and apply it directly to your skin. It dries to a thin finish and is very gentle so it can be used on the most sensitive skin, even baby skin. You can use it as a mask (leave it on for five minutes and rinse) or as a spot treatment.

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Sunday Giveaway! Tend Skin

BellaSugar — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:30:22 -0700

If you suffer from the annoying side effects of shaving like the ubiquitous razor burn or the even more unsightly razor bumps, you're in luck because our friends at Sephora and I have just the solution. And today's your last day to win it.

Tend Skin is the answer to your ingrown hair and razor bump issues that arise from hair removal. You can use it anywhere that shaving causes razor problems. It can also be used in conjunction with waxing, electrolysis, or epilating.

To enter just take the quiz by 5 p.m. PDT today, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to enter. So if you're not already one, register for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your vote to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

Take the quiz