BellaSugar

Product Review: Elemis Energizing Skin Scrub

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:00:16 PST

I got a little sample of this amazing Energizing Skin Scrub ($46) from Elemis about two weeks ago and I've been squeezing the life out of the poor tube trying to get out every last bit. It's not so much the smell of this scrub that's so enticing, it's the results that are so addictive.

The texture is pretty much all grain. It comes out of the tube as a liquid but it feels like wet, slippery, coarse sand. This is actually a product for men, and while I realize that it's not the most gentle face scrub, the resulting smooth skin speaks for itself.

This exfoliator is made with Vitamin E, marine phytoplankton, hops, meadow-sweet, shea butter and beeswax and was created to help prevent ingrown hairs and blemishes. It is recommended for use twice weekly, but I'm willing to bet that once you get your hands on it, you'll want to use just a little bit every day.

Tea Time Treats, Part II: Tea-Infused Beauty Products

BellaSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:00:07 PDT

Even when it's iced, tea is hot right now. The trendy drink is available in an astounding number of varieties - from green to chai to yerba mate - and every day, it seems, I read about another health benefit of drinking tea.

It's no wonder, then, that tea has filtered into cosmetics. On Friday, I told you about three cosmetics with chai-inspired names, and today, I'm serving up a trio of treats that actually contain tea as an ingredient.

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Face Mist ($28) is a tonic for your face that helps to tighten your pores and gives your skin a glow. It's infused with African red tea, white tea, and pomegranate, all of which contain antioxidants.

For two more tea-infused products,

Origins The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Body Scrub ($45) is a gentle body exfoliator that is rich in natural antioxidants. It helps scrub away dead surface skin so the result is a fresh and shiny glow. Use the whisk to stir all the goodness in the jar, but it's a bit messy, so I suggest applying it in the shower or tub.

Bulgari Eau Parfumee Green Tea is an understated, citrusy, and floral unisex fragrance. Long-lasting but natural, it's made from bergamot, bitter orange, orange blossom, ceylon cardamom, pepper, coriander, rose, and, of course, green tea leaves. It is available in a 1-ounce bottle for $56 and in a 1.3-ounce bottle for $59.

Wake Up in the Morning With Coffee Body Scrub

FitSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Most people slowly wake themselves from dreamland with the most popular caffeinated beverage - coffee. So why not start a little early, and have your coffee in the shower?

Remember I told you about Lunaroma, that wonderful natural company who makes those unique Wedding Aroma Bubbles, and that skin-softening Sugar Body Polish? Well, they also make an amazing Coffee Scrub.

Talk about an invigorating experience! As soon as you open the jar, the steam from your shower lifts the deep warming coffee smell into your soul.

All you do is scoop out some into your hands, rub your palms together and then scrub it all over your body (I didn't do my face). The mixture has ground up coffee beans and sugar in it, which gently exfoliates the dead skins cells from your body. Thanks to the apricot kernel and jojoba emollient oils, you'll be amazed at how silky smooth your skin is after you dry off.

The best part? Don't worry about smelling like a coffee shop all day - Lunaroma's Coffee Scrub also contains hints of cocoa and citrus oils, so you'll be smelling like a chocolate bar infused with orange. Now that's a treat worth waking up for. Buy directly from Lunaroma for $8.00.

Fit's Tips: Of course, you could whip up a batch of your own coffee scrub using this recipe. Not into the scrub? Then try this caffeinated soap.

Ink Up With Photojojo's Camera Tattoos

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:37:06 PDT

What do you give a photography pal who already has every camera, lens, and accessory under the sun? Gift skin ink of the nonpermanent variety in the form of the Tattly Camera Tattoo Set ($25). Since the photographers we know are rarely without a camera, a tattoo of any duration seems like a natural next step.

The illustrations by three Brooklyn designers are not your average grocery-store toy-machine temporary tattoo. The set of 12 tattoos in six different designs - including an old-school Polaroid, Rangefinder, TLR, SX-70 Polaroid, and black-and-white aperture shutters - are so beautifully crafted that we almost hated having to use them during our real-world testing. A breeze to put on, each tattoo is about three inches in size and surprisingly long-lasting! Many of our testers weren't able to clear the ink for several days, scrub as they might (I'm going five days strong with my tat).

Sure, temporary tattoos may not seem like the most practical use of $25, but as a just-for-fun gift or party activity to show off your photography cred, this new scene of high-end washable tattoos is something we're ready to stick to.

What We're Sweet On: A Scrub That Brings the Spa Home

Annie Tomlin — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:00:47 PDT

When it comes to swanky spa havens, the Willow Stream spas are among the best. There are 16 tucked into Fairmont hotels around the world, and each offers something different. If you want to bathe in floral-accented waters, you can do that in China. If soaking in a marula milk bath is more your speed, head to the Willow Stream in South Africa. Swimming in a rooftop pool? Scottsdale. Point is: if you're looking for luxury, this is it.

But if, like us, a trip to Willow Stream isn't in your immediate future, here's the next best thing: its Ener.G mineral body scrub ($45). The same salty slough-er used in the high-end spa treatments, it's infused with bergamot, clary sage, rose geranium, and chamomile oils. (Need we even say that it smells amazing?) What's most impressive, though, is the texture. It's completely devoid of even the slightest oiliness, yet skin is left soft and moisturized. We're dreaming of someday being spa regulars, but until then, this is the next best thing.

5 Ways to Reuse Your Dryer Sheets

Emily Co — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:05:00 PDT

I find it such a waste to throw away products you only use once, so I'm always looking for ways to recycle them. A used dryer sheet is actually a really versatile product with a ton of different applications, so don't throw it away after the dry cycle is up! Recycle your dryer sheets in these ways:

Freshen your suitcase: Leave a dryer sheet in your suitcase when you're traveling so it'll stay fresh and smell it too.
Reduce static cling: Get rid of static cling by rubbing dryer sheets on the problem areas.
Clean irons: Rub the iron on the dryer sheet while the heat is set to low, and the sheet will clean the residue off the plate.
Remove pet and human hair: Run the dryer sheet over fabrics with a lot of fur or hair on them, such as clothing or furniture.
Clean bathroom gunk: If it's time to clean your bath or shower, then grab a dryer sheet for scrubbing. Apparently, dryer sheets help to keep showers and baths free of mineral buildup, so they serve the dual function of cleaning and protecting!

Brides and Bacne: What to Do

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:30:19 PDT

Everything is going dreamily. You found the perfect wedding gown for the big day. You've been exercising regularly to make sure it fits just right. The problem is, all that sweating you've been doing makes you break out, and not just on your face - on your back and shoulders too.

For starters, do not stop working out. All that exercise is great for relieving stress, and there are many things you can do to prevent bacne from ruining your special day.

Always wear clean workout clothes.
Make sure to wear a sports bra and top that are made of wicking fabric to pull moisture away from your skin. Avoid clothes that don't let your skin breathe.
Take a shower immediately after exercising to wash off sweat and bacteria.
When you shower, use Cetaphil or some other antibacterial cleanser on your back since exfoliating helps unclog blocked pores and get rid of dead skin cells. Use either an exfoliating scrub or bath gloves once a week.
After showering, allow your skin to dry completely and then apply a topical cream that contains either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat and prevent blemishes. Be careful of bleaching your clothes if you go the benzoyl peroxide route.
If your problem persists or you have severe body acne, make an appointment with a dermatologist.

How to Make a Lemon and Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:29:00 PDT

Fresh recently expanded its cult-favorite brown sugar scrub to the lips, with its Sugar Lip Polish ($22.50). If you're a fan of the polish, you'll love making this similarly flavored recipe, which produces tons of tasty lip scrub with just three ingredients and a couple minutes' work. I'm addicted to it, and I know you'll like it too.

A DIY Foot Scrub That's Quick, Easy, and Affordable

OnSugar Blog — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 01:05:00 PDT

Here's a quick and easy DIY foot scrub post from OnSugar blog Beautiful Basics.

When my feet are feeling more like alligator skin than feet, I whip up a batch of my favorite foot scrub ever! It helps my feet look and feel their best. All you need is:

Olive Oil
Brown Sugar
Sea Salt

I don't have specific measurements for you because I just make it by feel. You'll know what I'm talking about when you make up your own. You don't want it to be too thick, or too runny. You also want more brown sugar than sea salt. Rub onto your damp feet and massage for as long as you'd like. It feels lovely, albeit a bit tickly for those with sensitive feet, like myself. When you rinse, you'll have the smoothest feet you have ever had. I guarantee it!

Have a few beauty tips to share with us? Why not start an OnSugar blog of your own? You could be featured right here on Bella, too.

What We're Sweet On: A Lip Exfoliator That's Unrefined

Jessica Cruel — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:05:00 PDT

Rough, peeling lips underneath your favorite matte lipstick (or any lipstick for that matter) are never a good thing. Enter your salvation: Fresh Sugar Lip Polish ($23). Unlike most lip scrubs, Fresh's formula doesn't shy away from coarse crystals. The brown sugar granules slough away dead skin, giving your lips a smooth finish, while shea butter, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil lend moisture. Plus, an extra burst of vitamin E helps protects your reserves of collagen and elastin. And if you haven't tried this lip scrub's body polish brother, then you've yet to discover how sweet an exfoliator sugar can be.