BellaSugar

Reader Review: Kiehl's Epidermal Retexurizing Microdermabrasion

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:00:09 -0700

Reader missy k is obsessed with finding a microdermabrasion treatment that will make skin, as she puts it, "as smooth as a shiny new egg." I was excited to hear about her experience with Kiehl's Re-Texturizing Microdermabrasion ($40). I'll turn it over to her for the full scoop:

Formulated with "diatomatious earth," which is apparently made from "crushed microshells derived from ocean sand," as well as aluminum oxide crystals (the stuff used by dermatologists to perform real microdermabrasion treatments). Over time, it tells me, it will reduce lines, refine texture, diminish pores, and instantly impart miraculous softness. Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before.

To see what missy k thought of the product, read more.

I savagely tore open the sachet with my teeth, ready to be unimpressed. However when I rinsed after just one minute of massaging it into damp skin, my face looked noticeably brighter and felt dreamily smooth. I kept stroking my newly velvety skin. When my boyfriend grudgingly obeyed my order to "feel it!" even he had to admit my cheeks were as soft as the proverbial baby’s bottom (in fact, he stole the rest of the precious sachet for himself!) My moisturizer glided on smoothly afterwards and seemed to be absorbed rapidly, leaving my skin feeling feeling plump and delicious. Wow. I’m in love!

I've tried this treatment before, and I am also a huge fan. My skin was ridiculously smooth without the use of a more expensive contraption. The price is a little steep, which is why Missy K gave it 4 stars rather than 5. Share your stories in Beauty Product Junkies, and maybe I'll post yours here, too!

Product Review: Crystalift

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:00:57 -0700

Ah, I remember the first microdermabrasion treatment I ever had. Truthfully, I was scared that the blast of crystals would hurt, so I braced myself. Fortunately, though, I didn't feel any pain, and the result - glowy, dewy-looking skin - made me understand the hype. Unfortunately, though, I don't have an extra $100 in my monthly budget for microdermabrasion.

Enter Crystalift. It's a compact version of professional microdermabrasion machines, and it's meant for at-home treatments. It's very simple to use: You just plug it in, drop in a packet of microfine crystals, and turn it on. When you move the wand across your face, Crystalift blasts the crystals on your skin, leaving a slight residue so you can track which parts of your face you've already covered. The treatment takes less than 10 minutes.

To find out how well Crystalift works, read more.

When Crystalift sent me a unit ($249, on sale for $199) to review, I wasn't expecting professional-level results. But then I gave it a try, and I'm pleased to report that this little machine does an amazing job. It whisked away dull skin, leaving a smooth, glowy, healthy look to my complexion. And my skin was so, so soft afterward.

Of course, I geek out about this sort of thing, so I lured Mr. Bella into being a guinea pig. "I'm not so sure about being microdermabraised," he said, and then he kept putting off our "spa day" for weeks. Finally I got him to acquiesce. "This tickles," he said as I moved the wand over his face. And then, I escorted him to the mirror, where he preened and admired his skin. A convert! (Now he asks me when I can "sandblast" him next.)

So no, it's not just my inner esthetician being giddy. And although this is certainly not an inexpensive product, I think it's well worth the price if you get microdermabrasion regularly. (It pays for itself in about two uses.) If you've never had microdermabrasion before, I'd recommend having an in-office treatment to see what it's like first. But if, like me, you get hooked, then Crystalift is a smart way to go.

2007 Sugar Awards: Best Beauty Breakthrough

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:00:17 -0800

It looks like affordable at-home microdermabrasion kits were the big winners of the beauty breakthrough category for 2007. I am surprised about this one since I thought for sure that Botox and zit-zapping gadgets like Zeno and ThermaClear were far more popular - but the stats don't lie.

I actually just received Nature's Gate Organics Microdermabrasion Skin Refining Kit $38.50 as a gift and you guys have just really pumped me up to try it out. Since at-home microdermabrasion kits have won 26% of you over, can you tell me what your favorite brands are?

User Review: JamieO Crystal Radiance Microdermabrasion System

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:00:00 -0800

When a box of JamieO skin care arrived on my desk, I couldn't open it at first. Y'see, the packaging is gorgeous. It's a dove-gray and pink box, tied up in a beautiful pink ribbon. Who wants to ruin that prettiness? Eventually, I opened it and found a beautiful glass jar and tube of product nestled inside.

GiggleSugar offered to try out the Crystal Radiance Microdermabrasion System ($75), so I sent her home with it. The next day, she was beaming. Check out her review:

The JamieO Microdermabrasion System came in two parts: a jar of "Crystal Radiance" exfoliator cream and a "Bioactivator" liquid you're supposed to put on top. Following the instructions, I lightly scrubbed the exfoliator cream onto my face for a minute, avoiding my eyes. It had a wonderful orange citrus smell and I loved the non-wimpy exfoliator crytstals-they were the right size and were in the right concentration for the cream. (I hate when an exfoliator is mostly cream and I can barely feel the grains.)

After a minute, I applied the Bioactivator liquid to the top of the grains, lightly rubbing it in until it foamed. The instructions said to wait for two minutes and then to rinse off. My skin felt so soft afterward, and the roughness I had felt around my jaw was gone. I've never used other microdermabrasion systems before (I've only done over-the-counter peels), but the result from a texture standpoint felt comparable. I would use this again; I felt like I was pampering myself, my skin felt smoother, and my makeup went on easier.

She's sold on it, and although I haven't tried it, I like the fact that it smells good. I've been using dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion in a Jar, and while it's all right, Mr. Bella is right when he says it reeks of Pledge. So there you go. Another product I've gotta put on my list-or at least one that I need to borrow from Giggle.

Beauty Blooper: Tales From a Tomato Face

BellaSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:00:23 -0700

Another Thursday, another Beauty Blooper! This one comes from an anonymous reader who was brave enough to share her story:

"Help me, BellaSugar! I went to the drugstore and purchased an over-the-counter chemical peel that left my face burning. My skin was very red and blotchy. The best analogy I can think of is that I resembled Samantha from the Sex and the City episode, "Plus One is The Loneliest Number." It's the one where she decides to get a chemical peel before Carrie's book launch.

"After three days, it started to heal but it was still very sensitive, and I wouldn't dream of going outside in the sun. I found that cold compresses and the gel from a natural aloe plant were very soothing, but nothing else seemed to help. One thing's for sure: I'm not getting a chemical peel again anytime soon, unless it's done by a professional."

Solution: If you haven't tried a strong treatment before, do a small patch test to see how your skin will react. If your face is burning, you can also try an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory cream such as Topricin (or really any anti-redness cream) since they contain calming agents. Also, if you'd like to cover up the blotchiness, use mineral makeup since it's natural and it won't clog your pores. To read about more unfortunate beauty bloopers, click here.

Source

Doing Drugstore: RoC Daily Microdermabrasion Cleansing Disks

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:00:31 -0700

Before I tried microdermabrasion, I worried that it would hurt. It didn't, and my skin looked great! When I felt how soft and smooth it was, I wondered why I hadn't done it sooner. This is one treatment that lives up to the hype.

Unfortunately, I can't afford monthly treatments-but I can afford RoC's at-home microdermabrasion disks. At just ten bucks a package, they're an affordable alternative to going to the spa each month. To find out how they work, read more

The two-sided pads provide two types of cleansing: one side cleans and exfoliates, while the other moisturizes. A small, simple and brilliant feature is the finger pocket, which lets you really rub (and not just swipe).

After using the pads for a few weeks, I've been getting results similar to the original microdermabrasion. Now, while I wouldn't pass up a free trip to the spa, I'm pretty happy with this at-home routine. I'm a fan of Dr. Brandt's Microdermabrasion in a Jar, and I still use it for facial night, but these pads make daily exfoliation much easier.

Definition: Microdermabrasion

BellaSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:30:17 -0700

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure (usually done in medspas or at a dermatologist's office) that improves skin's appearance by buffing away the dead outermost layer. It's an effective way to combat sun damage, light acne scars, fine lines and generally dull skin.

The procedure is usually performed using a microdermabrasion wand that shoots tiny crystal particles (usually aluminum oxide, sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate) onto skin while simultaneously vacuuming up the dead skin that's uncovered. Microdermabrasion is painless, though it may feel "prickly" in more intense treatments. The cost varies depending on where you live, but on average, a microdermabrasion session costs $75–$200. Source

Reader Review of the Day: Origins Modern Friction

BellaSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:02:38 -0700

If you like the effects of microdermabrasion, but you want something gentler than crystals, this could be the item for you. Origins Modern Friction dermabrasion scrub ($37) uses rice starch to scrub away dead skin. Reader smoy1004 digs the smell, but wishes it were less pricey.

An Origins sales girl suckered me into purchasing this, but I can't say that it was a bad purchase! It smells soft and wonderful. Although I don't agree that it makes your skin look like porcelain, it does do a great job of gently exfoliating your face. Product also lasts a long time. I have combination skin with mild acne, and this product doesn't exacerbate the situation . . . even if it doesn't help it. I take one star away for hefty price tag and not doing much for my perpetually clogged pores.

Want to get the lowdown on a product you're not sure about? Check out our Product Reviews pages. We have more than 50,000 products for review, and readers add new ones daily. Daily, I say!

Tips For Keeping Beauty Bridezilla at Bay

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:00:35 -0700

Some brides are low-key and happy to do their own hair and makeup. And then there are Bridezillas. Years ago, I worked with a woman who was so insistent that everything be "perfect" for her big day that she spent literally thousands of dollars on beauty treatments. During the eight months before her wedding, she may as well have left a cot at the spa, because she was there every week.

That's a little extreme, but if you're the kind of person who loves - nay, needs - months of pampering before the wedding, why not find a happy medium? For a few alternatives to in-spa treatments, read more.

Instead of microdermabrasion treatments . . .
Microdermabrasion can give skin a healthy glow, but just one in-office microdermabrasion treatment can cost $250. For the same price or less, you can get similar results with an at-home kit. Look for a cream with very fine particles, and massage it into your skin gently to get rid of dead cells. If living luxuriously is your game, Révive Microdermabrasion Renewal System ($250) banishes dull skin. Plus, the cream is so dense that the jar will last forever. If you prefer a bit of a peel with your skin-sloughing, try Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel System ($26.99), which includes a very mild alpha hydroxy acid peel.

Instead of regular manicures . . .
For the wedding itself, you may want to treat yourself to a manicure. But in the planning stages, save yourself time by using nail polish decals ($5). These press-on strips give the look of a professional manicure, but they're insanely easy to apply - which gives you more time for cake-sampling. Check out my review and you'll see what I mean.

Instead of professional tooth whitening . . .
Every dentist I've had has said that at-home whitening products are effective, so why spend lots of cash on a pricey whitening treatment? This Go Smile kit ($89) is great because you can take the whitening ampoules with you wherever you go, and you don't have to wear trays. Maintain your newly gleaming chompers with a whitening toothpaste; I find Supersmile ($13) to be extremely effective at keeping tea-teeth at bay.

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A Little Face Treatment Goes a Long Way

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:00:19 -0700

So I've been using this REN Glycolactic Mask once a week for the past few weeks, and it's good stuff. It uses fruit acids to eat away dead skin cells, and after 10 minutes, my skin looks significantly brighter and less blackhead-ridden. I have to keep myself from using it more frequently, because too much exfoliation is not a good thing.

If you don't believe me, check out this article about the potential drawbacks of at-home facials, masks, and microdermabrasion. "The problem with home kits is that people can't be trusted to follow the instructions," says Jane Marsh, who works for a skincare clinic. "If they're meant to be doing it once a week for three minutes and get good results, they'll start using it three times a week for five minutes in the hope that they'll get even better results. But it just doesn't work like that."

Granted, Marsh has a vested interest in getting people to go to a spa rather than doing their own skin care at home. Still, she's right: Even if you get results from an at-home treatment, resist the urge to indulge more than recommended. Otherwise, irritated skin could be in your future.