BellaSugar

Reader Review of the Day: Nivea Creme by Nivea

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Nivea, a brand known for its cool, sleek packaging and body-smoothing contents, while highly regarded in the US, is actually quite popular in Europe. Recently Fallynvogue shared her opinion on Nivea Creme by Nivea, and here's what she had to say:

This product is absolutly beautiful. It's been used since the olden days, and it still is better than any other moisturizer. The blue tin looks nice on any makeup table or dresser. It takes a lot of rubbing it in, but it makes skin very soft. The product smells great. It's flowery and kind of lemony. I like to put a thin layer on my face before going to bed, and I wake up with a glow. And, this moisturizer was Marilyn Monroe's favorite!

Do you have some favorite products you'd like to tell us about, whether it's something you picked up on a vacation in a foreign country, or purchased at your local drugstore? Tell us all about it. Our Product Reviews website has tons of options from which to choose, and you might even be featured on this daily post.

Doing Drugstore: Nivea Touch of Happiness

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:00:22 -0700

A few weeks ago, I picked up some Nivea cellulite-reduction pads on mega-clearance. (I know they won't work, but I'm testing them to prove that point.) The package came with a sample-size bottle of the brand's new Touch of Happiness body wash ($5.49), and, well, who doesn't like being touched by happiness? Not me!

Nivea excitedly promises a moisturizing, invigorating shower experience. (Oddly, it also declares that the body wash "foams without pouf." Is that really all that unusual?) And the orange blossom scent is pleasant without having the overpowering fakeness that sinks many inexpensive body washes. What's more, it smells exactly like the off-brand orange Kool-Aid served at my Girl Scout camp back in the day. (Proustian showering!) While I still like to use lotion after showering, Touch of Happiness hasn't dried my skin out like some washes can, and if it brings back memories of lanyard-making, so much the better. Recommended if you like an invigorating but gentle way to start your day but not if you dislike soft citrus scents.

Reader Review of the Day: Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite Gel

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:00:26 -0700

What's your take on the bevy of anticellulite creams available? I contend that none of them work, but recently Jessanne reviewed Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite Gel ($10). Did she love it or hate it? Read below to find out.

After a couple of months of use, I saw zero improvement in the skin texture around my buttocks and thighs. A couple of years ago I used Dove cellulite lotion and saw much better results. This Nivea brand has a funny smell and did not seem to moisturize my skin. Sorry, Nivea.

Would you like a chance to be featured on this daily post? Simply go to our Product Reviews website and submit your opinion. Right now, by writing just three reviews per week, you could be entered in our contest to win a $500 gift certificate from Benefit Cosmetics. The more beauty opinions you write, the more entries you'll receive. So, fill us in!

Meet the 99-Cent Go-Anywhere Hand Cream

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:00:22 -0700

I know my obsession with hand creams borders on the ridiculous. (You don't even know how hard it was to choose my five favorites.) But look, when Ryan Gosling and I inevitably meet, I'll be well-prepared. "My, that Bella has soft and smooth skin," he'll think as we shake hands. "I must ask her on a date and uncover her secret." So to be ready for this highly plausible scenario, I like to keep my paws soft.

I've just found the perfect purse-friendly way to keep my addiction going: Nivea Soft. It comes in a small plastic jar with less than an ounce of product in it, so unlike creams that come in tubes, it runs no risk of being punctured by an errant pen. The whipped texture sinks into skin pretty quickly, and the classic Nivea scent reminds me of my grandmother. And at just 99 cents for this little container, it's a steal. I picked mine up at Walgreens, and now it's in my bag. You know, just in case I run into you-know-who.

Beauty Marked! A Shimmery Body Cream

BellaSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 14:39:22 -0700

Last week I told you about my old time favorite Nivea Silky Shimmer Body Lotion, $9, that I've been using for about five years now. Although I adore the way it glistens perfectly in the light, I think it's time to try something new. I mean let's face it: they've made so many shimmery body creams within the last five years that I'm bound to be missing out on something fab if I don't start experimenting ASAP!

You guys were asked to go beauty marking to help me find a new awesome shimmer body lotion. I've checked your finds and I really like what I see. Here are a few that I've chosen to feature!

Beauty Mark #1 found by GirlInPink, is called Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer, $6. If this cream is anything like Jergen's original formula, I am sure it's great. Jergen's products have an awesome fragrance, they moisturize deeply and leave your skin feeling soft and supple. This one is infused with light reflectors for subtle radiance. I can't wait to try it.

To see a couple more shimmer body lotions, read more

Beauty Mark #2 found by swwonder, is called Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Gloss, $6. It is a super rich body cream that illuminates skin with a soft shimmer. It is made from pure cocoa butter and Vitamin E to ensure that your skin is left hydrated and smooth. Thanks for this suggestion, sswonder, you certainly can't beat this price!

Beauty Mark #3 found by foreverdizzy, is called Cranberry Shimmer Body Lotion from The Body Shop, $16. Just the sound of this is exciting. I love cranberry anything! This is a light and creamy moisturizer that absorbs quickly into the skin. It deeply conditions and leaves your skin feeling silky, smelling great and glowing.

Beauty Mark It! A Shimmer Body Lotion

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:30:34 -0700

I’ve been using Nivea Silky Shimmer Body Lotion, $9, for about five years now. What’s great about it is it’s the same formula as classic Nivea Body Lotion, only it's enhanced with shimmer that catches the light and gives you a little extra glow when you are going to a party or out at night.

I feel like it’s a bit much to wear everyday, but when I am putting on something new or special, it makes me feel great. I have about two more uses of it and then I’ll be ready for a new bottle. Perfect timing for all of you to go on a Beauty Marking mission to help me find a new, subtle yet sexy body shimmer lotion.

Let me know when your Beauty Marks are up, and remember to tag your choices with shimmer body lotion. To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.

To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more

Saks Beauty Place
Victoria's Secret Beauty
Sephora
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com

Nivea

harry — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:37:45 -0700

Touch and Be Touched.

What Do You Prefer When It Comes to Manscaping?

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:00:28 -0700

Whereas the 20th century led women to remove much of their body hair, it wasn't until recently that dudes got into deep depilating. (If you missed it, check out this back waxer.) Now, razor companies aim to persuade guys to shave most of it off - pits, chest, pubes. Brands such as Gillette and Nivea are targeting guys by posting videos of how to shave their bodies, not-so-subtly implying that the less hair they have, the more action they'll get from ladies.

But will they? While I appreciate a well-groomed man, I don't love the idea of a nearly hairless one. Years ago, I dated a guy who shaved all of his body hair. His arms and legs were always prickly, which I found uncomfortable and unpleasant. And I know hairy guys who feel unnecessarily embarrassed for having a little (or a lot of) fur on their chests and backs. Overall, I'd be happier if body hair weren't treated like the worst thing evah - for both men and women. Would you rather see men look natural, completely shaved, or somewhere in between?

Photo by thefuturistics

How-To: Lauren Conrad's Twisty Braids

BellaSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:00:33 -0700

Just when you think you've seen nearly every type of braid imaginable, leave it to Lauren Conrad to add her own twist. LC's time on The Hills may be over but that's not stopping the young star from pursuing other endeavors.

At last night's book signing for LA Candy and appearance on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien, Lauren busted out the braids again. But this time, she chose dual French braids that looped together in the back, forming a loose, chic bun. Recently I got the scoop behind her iconic braids, and now, here are some tips on re-creating last night's updo version.

View 5 Photos ›

Get the how-to when you read more.

For a shiny effect with slight hold, apply a glossing gel to damp hair and blow-dry. Try Nivea Diamond Gloss Styling Gel ($12).
Part the hair down the middle. Starting from one side of the part, loosely French braid the hair all the way down, stopping the braiding at to the nape. Secure with an elastic band. Repeat on the other side. Note how Lauren's stylist only braided hair along the sides, leaving hair from the crown down to the neck out of the mix.
Leaving the two braids out, gather the hair from the crown down to the neck into a ponytail. Secure with an elastic band and twist hair around it, securing with bobby pins into the base of the pony.
Finish up by twisting and wrapping the two ends around the "bun" you created in the third step, using bobby pins to secure. Add a spritz of hair spray (such as David Babaii for WildAid Light Styling Spray, $12.50) for a little hold.

WireImage and Getty

Beauty Products You Didn't Know Existed

BellaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:09 -0700

Our beloved beauty brands have secret lives we don't know about. So many products from around the world mean that whenever I travel, I have to hit up the local drugstore. Of course, I have no idea what some of these products actually are for, but they are nonetheless fascinating, as is how a room full of execs decides that Americans don't want to try Nivea Intensive Cream hair mask but Egyptians totally do (it has lotus blossom, so no doubt smells amazing). Garnier's line of "UVSKI" products (which appear to be sun protection for skiiers) for the Netherlands and Maybelline China's Eye Studio palette look so good I could almost travel across multiple continents for them. I'd also hit up Ireland for those adorable tins of Rosy Vaseline and Sephora France for that cool analog-looking face mask. Any global goodies you've fallen in love with?