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Definition: Bromelain

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

Bromelain is an enzyme that is extracted from the stems of pineapples. Venezuelan chemist Vicente Marcano isolated bromelain from the fruit in 1891, but it wasn't introduced as a therapeutic supplement until 1957. Taken orally, bromelain can aid with removing dead proteins in skin cells, but the effects are very gradual. As a supplement, it can help with the pain and inflammation of varicose veins. Used topically, bromelain speeds healing and dissolves cross-linked (read: dead) collagen cells, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and any uneven pigmentation. Bromelain also has been shown to reduce inflammation, which is believed to be a factor in the aging of skin.

Bromelain is found in a number of beauty products, including Z.Bigatti Impact Fruit Enzyme Mask, Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask, and Alba Organics Hawaiian Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser.

Source

Reader Review of the Day: Alba Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser

BellaSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:01:23 -0700

The enzyme that gives pineapples their zing in beauty products is called bromelain, as it works to help dissolve impurities. It's been a while since we've heard from Hippiecowgirl, so let's find out what she had to say about Alba Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser ($13), a beauty product that contains this skin-smoothing enzyme in the ingredients:

This is a truly great facial cleanser. The pineapple scent makes me feel like I'm taking a tropical vacation every time I wash my face. Thankfully, it isn't too strong and doesn't linger so I'm not left smelling like a fruit tray. The pump dispenses a smooth, light gel. It doesn't foam up like some other cleansers because it isn't loaded down with artificial junk. This product leaves my face feeling silky and smooth all day. I have mostly oily skin and have found this cleanser to work wonders with keeping that at bay.

Now, it's your turn to share your likes and dislikes on the Product Reviews site, where your review could make it on this daily feature!

Bella Brand: Saffron James

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Former fashion magazine editor Katherine Growney grew up on the picturesque island of Hawaii, eventually landing writing jobs in New York City, roughly 5,000 miles east of her hometown. It wasn't until she began working as a beauty editor at Elle that a chat with a fellow staffer began the sparks that eventually would lead to the start of her own business. "I started talking about Tiare Gardenia, Plumeria, Pakalana, and she just gave me a blank stare. I realized the flowers that I had grown up with, that were commonplace to me, most people had never seen, smelled, or even heard of," said Growney.

Thus, the idea for Saffron James Parfums, a line of Hawaiian-inspired scents, was born. (Saffron, being Gowney's nom de plume from her magazine days, and James, her father's name). The current collection includes four tropical scents, with plans to add a candle and body oils in the near future. Interestingly, Gowney is also a trained chef, drawing inspiration for her newfound career in perfumery from her experience with the delicate balances of food flavors and aromas. Find out more about the notes in her perfumes after the break.

Reader Review of the Day: L'Oreal Kids Bounce 2-in-1 Gentle Volumizing Shampoo

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:00:57 -0700

Well, my secret's clearly out: the L'Oreal Kids Shampoo ($3) that I've loved since high school is getting rave reader reviews.

Reader pineapple217 tried some for herself, and while she says it's great for kids, I say it's really great for those of us who prefer our hair to smell like watermelon. But I digress; here's what she has to say:

"You save money [with the shampoo] because you only buy one product (it's a 2-in-1), and you get a great smell and lovely, soft hair in the end. The L'Oreal Kids line also has separate shampoos and conditioners, as well as hair de-tangler spray - it's a must have for kids."

Absolutely love something you just tried (or absolutely hate it)? Want to know what people who've tried the newest products think about them? Head over to our Product Review section to write reviews of your own, and see how other people rate the beauty goodies you're interested in.

DIY Spa Treatment Recap: Ways to Treat Your Hands and Feet

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:00:27 -0800

If you want to treat your extremities during the oft-extreme Winter weather, here's a recap of some of my favorite re-create-at-home tips to pamper those parts of your body. Decide which ingredients appeal most in these hands-on ways to keep you on your toes all season long.

Mojito-Inspired Hand Scrub	Coconut Lemon Hand Scrub	Essential Oil Hand Scrub
Alfalfa Mint Foot Scrub	Coconut Pineapple Foot Scrub	Rose Water Foot Scrub

Something About This Ageless Fantasy Smells Funny

BellaSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:22 -0700

It helps to have a little bit of blind faith when working with certain beauty products. (For instance, you might not see results from eye creams now, but 10 years from now, sure. Can't hurt.) With that said, I'm pretty agnostic when it comes to the idea of Ageless Fantasy, an anti-aging fragrance.

For $120, you can allegedly look "at least eight years younger," according to the press materials for this "true bouquet of youth." The idea is to create a Proustian scent that evokes childhood memories. Ageless Fantasy blends notes of pineapple, apple, mango, leafy greens, jasmine, cherry blossom, musk, dry woods, and vanilla - all lovely scents on their own, but I'm not sure how well pineapple goes with musk.

I get the idea, which in itself is harmless enough; some scents take me back to childhood so quickly that I want to climb a tree, any tree, nearby. But wrapping it up in an anti-aging package seems like a bit of a stretch. What do you think - clever marketing ploy, genuine fragrance idea, or both?

DIY Spa Treatment: A Tropical Callus Tonic

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:00:29 -0700

Pesky calluses (aka layers of bulky dead skin cells) often appear on your feet, especially in the Summer months when you tend to be barefoot more. It's true that they help desensitize your feet from the sharp edges of pebbles and seashells, but for those of you who aren't taking extensive walks on the beach, they are unnecessary and unsightly. Calluses look dry, cracked and flaky, so it's a great idea to treat them if you're planning to flaunt your feet in sexy sandals this Summer. To create a moisturizing coconutty-pineapple tonic, you'll need:

A foot-bath (or a wide bucket)

Two and a half cups of pineapple juice

One half-cup of coconut milk

A pumice stone

Moisturizer for dry skin

A pair of cotton socks

For step-by-step instructions on how to create your own callus treatment, read more.

STEP 1: In a foot-bath, or a bucket large enough to soak your feet, pour in the pineapple juice (the fruit acids help the dead skin dissolve) and the coconut milk. Stir well.
STEP 2: Sit back, relax and let your feet soak in the tropical mixture from anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. Then, rinse well with lukewarm water and begin to scrub your calluses with the pumice stone. Tip: Judge how vigorously you should scrub by how dense or thin your calluses are. You don't want to rub your feet raw, so when in doubt, use a gentle hand.
STEP 3: Dry your feet and massage a generous amount of moisturizer into your skin. Once you're all lubed up, slip into your socks. For optimal results, wear them while you sleep.

Beauty Gifts For a Foodie Grandma

BellaSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:00:49 -0800

One of the only things better than ma's cooking is grandma's cooking. If you've got a grandmother that loves to cook (or loves to eat), here's an interesting way to let her treat herself.

Plenty of traditional foods show up in our beauty products, not just as scents but as actual ingredients, essences, and extracts. I've made a shopping list of some great gift items in the widget below, starting off with this sea salt body scrub with a fresh blend of mango, lime, pineapple, and tangerine.

Fill an eco-friendly, reusable totebag with a couple of these luscious beauty products, add other "food-themed" items like a magnetic shopping list notepad, gift card for a local grocer . . . you get the idea. Yummy!

Pangea Organics Facial Mask -Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry - $34.00	adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - Unscented (Manufacturer Backorder - Shipping 12/1) - $30.00
Pomegranate Super Anti-Oxidant Cream - $32.50	Ginger Float™ - $26.50
Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado - $24.50	The Face Shop Nature's Recipe Hydrating Milk Facial Mask - $12.99
Burt's Bees Carrot Nutritive Day Creme - $14.99	Carol's Daughter Mango Melange Sea Salt Body Scrub, .5 ltr. - $28.00

Oh, and don't forget to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Purple Reign: BADgal Plum Makes Colored Mascara Subtle

BellaSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:00:53 -0700

If you're old enough to remember the first round of colored mascaras, you may not want to revisit the trend. But hear me out. While Benefit's BADgal Blue mascara is a shock of brightly hued blue, its new fraternal-twin mascara, BADgal Plum, is so subtle that you won't be mistaken for a member of the Thompson Twins.

True to its name, the color is a warm shade of deep plum that's closer to a dark brown than black. If anything, it's almost too natural in indoor light; while my lashes looked significantly fuller and thicker, it was hard to see the color. But while taking a little lunch-break walk with Sabs from OnSugar yesterday, she stopped me and said, "Are you wearing colored mascara? I love it!" Turns out that in the light, it adds just the right amount of color without being garish, and it highlights the green in my eyes. But if you want to give it a try, keep it off the lower lashes; I made the mistake of using it there, and it only made me look tired and, well, a little stoned. To sum up: Nice enough indoors, wowza outdoors, and best left to top lashes unless you want to look like the conductor of the Pineapple Express.

Review: Jelly Belly Collection by Demeter, Part I

BellaSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 05:08:29 -0700

After I introduced you guys to the Jelly Belly Collection by Demeter Fragrance Library, the perfumer was sweet enough to send me some samples of the six scents, which I've been playing around with for a few weeks. Overall, I think Demeter did a great job on this collection. Each scent is designed to mimic a Jelly Belly flavor recipe, wherein several bean flavors are combined to make a new combination - e.g., blueberry plus buttered popcorn equals Blueberry Muffin.

Like most of the wacky fragrances Demeter is known for, the Jelly Belly fragrances translate into surprisingly wearable perfumes, even if they don't necessarily sound like they would. While I absolutely loved three of the scents - Blueberry Muffin, Mango Pineapple Salsa, and Fruit Salad ($20 for a 1-ounce bottle) - I was just so-so on the other three, so I've split my review into halves. To read part I, read more

The best Demeter scents, I've found, are the ones that perfectly evoke their namesake without smelling too much like it, and that's definitely the case with Blueberry Muffin. It's mildly fruity with a slight tang surrounded by creamy, buttery undertones that are comforting like a warm kitchen. Better yet, the scent gets better as it mellows out over the day.

I was most excited to try Mango Pineapple Salsa - inspired by mango, crushed pineapple, and jalapeño Jelly Belly flavors - and it did not disappoint. Definitely a more complex fragrance, it reminds me of a delicious cocktail I had recently made with lime juice and serrano chile. This is a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and crisp.

Fruit Salad is probably the most traditional of the three and will appeal to anyone who likes citrusy and fruit-scented bath products. Its "flavor combination" includes tangerine, juicy pear, raspberry, and peach; the pear is a particularly nice touch, as it adds a crisp, clean element.

Check back later today for part II!