BellaSugar

Product Review: Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask

BellaSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:00:11 -0700

Would you ever consider spreading mashed potatoes on your face? That's exactly what the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask ($85) from Fresh feels like. But, alas, starch it is not. It's actually made from cucumber, black tea, sake, lychee seed, jicama root juice, and hyaluronic acid, the big guns when it comes to cell hydration.

My favorite parts are twofold. The first is the light and fresh natural tea and cucumber aroma that is both calming and refreshing. The second part is that it never dries so you don't have to deal with that uncomfortable cracking and stiff sensation. It just sort of absorbs and looks shiny.

It's recommended to leave on for at least five-to-eight minutes, but after speaking with Lev Glazman (one of the co-creators of Fresh), he recommends leaving it on overnight two-to-three times a week for an enhanced effect.

When you wash it off, your face has a glowy and smooth look. My biggest beef with the product, besides the slightly funny feeling that occurs when you rub it in, is the price tag. But, if you've got the extra cash lying around, I recommend giving it a whirl.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Coming Soon: Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:00:46 -0700

The last launch from Bumble and Bumble was the malleable Spray de Mode Hairspray, and now they're getting ready to release a deep-conditioning treatment called Creme de Coco Masque. The mask was created as an extension to the popular Creme de Coco shampoo and conditioner, which is designed for dull, dry and color-treated hair. It's extremely thick and rich with a powerful coconut scent.

I've tried it once and found that the sweet blend of coconut oil, mango, shea butter, murumuru butter, avocado oil and plant extracts made the extra seven minutes in the shower feel like heaven (that's the recommended amount of time to let it set before rinsing). Afterwards, my hair felt softer and smoother (I definitely had less fly-aways and frizz), but I think I used too much, so it also left my hair more limp than I like.

I recommend this product to anyone with thick, coarse and/or curly hair who is looking to boost shine and re-hydrate. It's a terrific way to beef up your hair before the summer sun takes its toll. Tip: For extra conditioning, put on a plastic shower cap and apply heat. Your hair will be left smoother than ever.

Product Review: Dead Sea Premier Mask Miracle Noir

BellaSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:00:22 -0800

Dead Sea Premier is a skincare brand I learned about during my visit to the IMATS. Its products are made from minerals, water, and mud from the Dead Sea that have been extracted and purified to help restore elasticity to the skin. The ingredients are natural and contain Vitamins A and E, antioxidants, SPF 17, and eight components that individually decompose hourly to ensure that every application lasts for eight hours.

The product I tested out (on my arm, since it's not recommended for those with sensitive skin), Mask Miracle Noir ($99.99) is an antiaging, deep cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing face mask recommended for ages 30 and over.

It has a fresh eucalyptus scent and a black color (something you don't see everyday). But what really makes this product unique is the removal process. Inside of the cap is a mud block with magnetic properties. Begin by smoothing the mask over your face and neck and allow it to penetrate for 10 minutes. Then, wrap the mud block in a tissue and streak it along your face in sections. The block attracts to the mask (you may even feel a slight shock) and instantly sweeps all traces of the mask away.

What's left on your face is a shiny and smooth film; these are minerals. Don't rub them off, rather massage them into your skin and leave it on overnight. Dead Sea Premier Mask Miracle Noir is recommended for use once a week. Does this sound interesting enough for you to try?

Hip Hip For Hungary!

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 11:00:02 -0800

People worldwide are beginning to notice the incredibly youthful, taut, and smooth skin of Hungarians. Many feel that it has something to do with the local spring waters that have advantageous healing properties. I think it also has something to do with the fact that beauty treatments such as facials and scrubs are viewed as essentials - a means of gaining clean and clear skin.

Hungarians even go as far as to believe that treatments are economical because fewer skin problems lead to the need for fewer products. It also helps that beauty therapists are well-respected and have three years of training before they can work on clients. Here are a few Hungarian products I thought you might like to check out.

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm ($102) is a black thick balm that contains Hungarian Thermal Mud to help unclog pores, draw out impurities, and clear away dead skin. It is also formulated with calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper, which promotes collagen production while increasing moisture retention. Additional vitamins, and proteins from Hungarian waters, are blended in to help revitalize the skin.

For two more hot Hungarian skin care products read more

Eve Lom Cleansing Cream ($150) is an an award-winning, modern Hungarian-cult classic. It is a unique, solid cream that melts on your face. When it is massaged into your skin, all of the aromatherapy oils and cleansing properties are released.

It is recommended for removal with a muslin cloth (which also helps exfoliate)! Fans of this cleansing cream say it works wonders to remove all traces of makeup, grease, and dirt.

Ilsci Sour Cherry Gel Mask (approximately $45) is an antiaging, antioxidant-rich, fruit-acid facial mask made from herbs, fruits, and vegetables. It is perfect for those with dry skin that are looking to tighten up their pores and rehydrate their skin.

Apply a thin layer to a clean face and breathe in the sweet smell for 15 minutes. Rinse well and pat skin dry with a clean cloth.You can purchase the mask by calling the US-distributing company szep elet, llc at (888) 290-6238.

Beauty Blooper: What's Behind the Mask

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:00:58 -0800

Usually, Beauty Bloopers involve anonymous tales from readers. This one, though, is all Bella. This weekend, I had a hot date with Mr. Bella, or at least a lukewarm one. (How scorching can Scrabble be, you know?) So I took a shower, dried off, and thought, "Oh, I have an hour left before we meet up. I think I will use this new Astara mask!"

So I put on the mask (a full review will follow, of course) and felt it stinging a little bit. No pain, no gain, I figured. Plus, some of the best masks are gonna do that... they'll eat away the dead skin. After 10 minutes, I washed off the mask. As I was rinsing, I could feel how smooth and soft my skin was. Hooray! I patted my skin dry, looked into the mirror, and shrieked.

Have you seen any horror films lately? I haven't, but after looking in the mirror, I won't need to for a few years. My face was as red as a tomato. Or a lobster. You get the idea. It was not exactly the luminous, foxy-lady look I was going for. Can you work "red-faced" into Scrabble?

Lesson learned: Use a facial mask when you're relaxing, not before an event. And if you're trying a product for the first time, go with a patch test first.

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DIY Spa Treatment: Face Brightening Mask

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:00:25 -0700

Feeling as tired, dull and dry as your skin looks? Don't worry, here's a quick and easy at home recipe to brighten your complexion and put the life back into your lackluster skin. All you'll need is some gram flour, turmeric powder, lime juice, olive oil and milk. Sounds easy enough, right? Here's what to do:

Add one teaspoon of gram flour into a clean, medium sized mixing bowl. Gram flour is in the chickpea flour family and is a very popular ingredient for facial exfoliators in India and Pakistan.
Next, add a pinch of turmeric powder to help disinfect and cleanse the skin without drying it out.
Then, add in about four drops of fresh squeezed lime. Limes are packed with Vitamin C and AHA's. They help to lighten and brighten even the oiliest of skins.
Next, drip a half teaspoon of olive oil into the bowl and slowly begin to emulsify the mixture. This will help moisturize the skin. Lastly, blend in a half teaspoon of whole milk to soothe and calm your face.
Stir the ingredients together and apply the mixture to your skin for half an hour or until your face starts feeling a little dry. Then wash your face first with warm water and then with cold water. For more DIY Spa Treatments, click here.

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Product Review: RéVive Masque de Glaise

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:43:21 -0700

RéVive's new mask, Masque de Glaise ($145), intrigues me simply because its formula includes "the limestone-rich Kentucky mud that nourishes bluegrass and champion horses." Now, I like horses and I like a little bluegrass now and then, so that's enough to pique my interest. Masque de Glaise's promise to instantly reveal complexion clarity has me really going. RéVive was kind enough to send me a sample of this antioxidant-packed mask, and I tried it out last night. For my full review, read more

It shouldn't matter, but I love the packaging. It's simple, elegant and classy, which transformed the not-so-glamorous event of applying a face mask into a more luxurious endeavor. Speaking of luxury, the texture of the mask is wonderful. Although it's thick, it spreads smoothly, so there's no pulling of the skin. I followed the directions to apply the mask liberally (at least 1/8-inch thick) and felt a slight tingling; I'm not sure if that's due to the mask or due to the pre-mask exfoliation I did with Dr. Brandt's Microdermabrasion. Drying time was about 15 minutes, and I liked how uniformly the mask firmed up.

So why just three stars? Well, for the high price of the product, I had hoped that my skin would be amazing after I rinsed off the mask. And while it looked good, it didn't look remarkably luminous. I liked how Masque de Glaise left my skin looking cleaner without drying it out, but I had hoped for a little more glow and softness. Essentially, Masque de Glaise is the creme de la creme of mud masks, and if I were a big spender I'd probably be satisfied with its performance. But if I had $145 to spend on RéVive skin care, I'd go for one of its creams. I can see why people pay more for their moisturizers-especially Moisturizing Renewal Cream, which saved my skin during a bizarre dry patch last month-but this mask didn't create fireworks for me.

Doing Drugstore: Biore Self-Heating Mask

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 11:50:59 -0700

I am somewhat obsessed with unclogging my pores, and over the years, I've tried tons of products that claim to do this, from blemish extractors to Pond's Clear Pore Strips. Though I'm always looking for new tricks, I now have an arsenal of unclogging products I use in combination, and one of those is the Biore Self-Heating Mask ($6.99 for eight masks).

This "one-minute facial" is a great way to prep your skin and open up your pores before using a blemish extractor. Plus, unlike some more indulgent and complicated masks, it's very quick and easy to use, so you have no excuse not to. For more on why I like this product, read more

First of all, the box says it contains eight single-use capsules, but each capsule has enough mask for two facials. To use, you lightly wet your face and rub the gelatinous mask on your skin. The gel heats up upon contact with the water, producing a warm sensation as you rub it in. After a minute, the mask will turn dark blue, signaling that it's ready to rinse it off.

It will leave your face feeling smooth and silky, and better yet, it will open your pores so they'll be easy to clear out with a blemish extractor. It's a really fast way to get a little skin indulgence.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

How To: D.I.Y. Spa Treatment - Easy, Breezy Facial

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:02:22 -0700

I didn't start getting facials until around the time of my wedding. Although they are totally and utterly amazing, I guess I was just always more of a massage person. Spending my hard earned monies on both treatments was just getting too expensive, so I began reading up on mini facials that could be done at home.

I'm not going to lie to you - there's nothing quite like a professional spa facial to help you relax, open up your pores, remove black and whiteheads and polish your face. But when you can only do it professionally every few months, this treatment works great for maintaining a healthy glow.

To read more of my past D.I.Y. spa treatment posts, click here. For even more D.I.Y. ideas from FitSugar, click here. To
discover an easy breezy five step DIY at home facial treatment, read more

Begin by washing your face with a gentle cream or milk cleanser and exfoliate your skin softly and in small circular motions.
Next steam your face. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and if you like, you can add your favorite essential oil to the water for aromatherapy benefits.
Once the water is boiling, turn off the stove and let the water cool for about five minutes. Then, take a clean towel, and drape it over your head and stand a little bit less than a foot away from the water. Let the steam work its magic for about ten minutes and then wipe the water off of your face with a new, clean towel.
Here's the tricky part. Most people will tell you not to do extractions yourself at home, however, I tend to go for anything that looks white with a gentle and careful touch. If you dare try this yourself, never use your fingers to squeeze - use two Q-tips to apply pressure to the whitehead. If you don't have any whiteheads, skip this part and move right to a clarifying mask. Apply a mud, or a clay mask to your face and allow it to dry for about 15 minutes.
Then, rinse off your face with tepid water first and then finish with a cool rinse to close your clean pores. Lastly, apply a serum (if you choose) and then a moisturizer to your face and your eye area.

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How To: D.I.Y. Spa Treatment - Great Grape Mask

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:42:33 -0700

Here's a treat for those of you who are looking to save a little moolah, but don't want to skimp on your oh so necessary spa indulgences. This is a great do it yourself at home recipe for a quick pick me up grape face masque for under $5. All you need is a pestle and mortar (or a mini Cuisinart) and about two handfuls of red seedless grapes.

Grapes are a well known antioxidant that contain a natural ingredient called pycnogenol which is a skin purifier that helps to deep clean, tighten and refine the tone of your skin.

If your face is lookin' a little tired and you'd like to pep it up, use your fridge for a fast, easy and inexpensive instant fix.

Mash the grapes up good so that they are very fine - almost like a paste.
Use a paintbrush (one that's never been used preferably) with soft bristles and paint your entire face (stay away from your eyes) with the grapes.
Next, lie down for ten minutes and let nature do its thing.
Rinse off with cool water, pat dry and follow with your favorite moisturizer.

For more D.I.Y. ideas from FitSugar click here.

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