BellaSugar

A Quick Fix For a Self-Tanning Nightmare

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:00:43 -0700

I was watching reruns of Bridezillas this weekend (don't ask), when something piqued my interest: a bride-to-be goes to a tanning salon, but despite her best efforts, it ends up turning streaky and orange. Her wedding planner's expert advice was to rub toothpaste all over her body to remove the color. I had never heard of this, but apparently it's an oft-repeated tip on bridal message boards. While it was unclear on the episode how well this trick actually works, something I have tried with success is St. Tropez Self-Tan Remover ($17). Have you tried this toothpaste trick?

Lindsay Lohan Wants You Tan the "Natural" Way

BellaSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:00:22 -0700

Maybe you've heard that Lindsay Lohan loves her leggings. In fact, her affection for the style was so strong, the multitalented actress launched her own line of footless legwear back in July. Well, now Lohan has plans to dabble into the beauty realm - in the form of a natural self-tanning lotion.

According to WWD, Lohan, who's working under the label 6126 (Marilyn Monroe's birthday), intends to launch the lotion around Spring 2009. In conjunction with this new development, she'll also be offering a lower-priced line of leggings to make the style more available to the masses.

Although the name of the self-tanner has yet to be released, it will be odor free (yeah!) and contain natural ingredients (even better). Expect to see the product line the shelves of higher-end stores such as Nordstrom and Sephora. Of her latest endeavor, Lohan explained her thought process behind launching a tanning lotion. “Why not?” she said in an interview. “Girls use [self-tanners] all the time. And I do, and it makes sense.”

Source

Product Review: Victoria's Secret Bare Bronze Gleaming Self-Tan Body Tint

BellaSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:00:45 -0700

Even though there are hundreds (thousands?) of self-tanners out there, I’m pretty lazy about using them. It’s just so much work to exfoliate, wipe on the tanner, and wait for the tan to build. I want instant results, dangit.

More or less, that’s what Victoria’s Secret Bare Bronze Gleaming Self-Tan Body Tint ($18) provides. This self-tanner lotion provides a shimmery tint right away, all the while working on the actual faux tan as well. When it comes out of the tube, it’s a disarmingly artificial shade of deep bronze. Fortunately, though, it spreads out evenly and smoothly on skin, and then it’s subtle (even on very pale complexions).

To see a before-and-after photo, read more.

I decided to “tan up” before the Sugar girls’ Sex and the City premiere party. But of course, because I didn’t exactly think ahead, I also used this opportunity to test the product. This means that I wound up having one naturally pale leg and another tan one. Sexy!

Here’s a really, really flattering photo of my untouched leg and my Bare Bronzed leg immediately after application. As you can see, the treated leg has a little bit more shimmer and just a hint of color.

And here’s my leg just three hours later, shot from an equally attractive angle. It isn't a super-deep tan yet, but I can tell it's deepening.

I like Bare Bronze because it gives immediate gratification, and the eventual tan color isn’t orangey. I’m not so crazy about the fragrance; like so many Victoria’s Secret products, this one’s scent is too strong. All in all, though, it’s a good choice if you want to take baby steps into the world of self-tanning - and if you want to see a difference right away.

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

Doing Drugstore: Jergens Natural Glow Express

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:00:45 -0800

I hate to sound like a broken record, but there is absolutely no such thing as a safe tan - at least, not if it comes from the sun or from a tanning bed. To put it bluntly, tanning will make you look grizzled before your time, and it increases your risk of developing skin cancer.

That doesn't mean you have to give up the appearance of a tan, though. Self-tanners have come a long way in the last few years, so you're no longer stuck with awful orangey options. This week marks the launch of Jergens Natural Glow Express ($7.99). Like the original Natural Glow moisturizer, it's meant to be used on the body daily to create allover sun-kissed color. The difference is that instead of taking an entire week for full results, this new formula takes only three days to achieve a full "tan."

I started using Natural Glow Express this morning, and already I'm seeing a subtle shift in skin color. It looks natural and pretty, and it's nowhere near Oompa Loompa territory. Smells a little bit like the beach, too, which is making me yearn for a long weekend in the Bahamas. Guess I'll just have to settle for looking like I had one.

Guess Who? A Sassy Singer's Favorite Self-Tanner

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:59:43 -0700

This luxury-loving singer is fair-skinned, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her. That's because she's a fan of St. Tropez self-tanning products. TeamSugar members, guess correctly and earn 25 points!

Wired Magazine Decodes Self-Tanner

BellaSugar — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:00:00 -0700

I never would have expected this from the tech gurus over at Wired, but the magazine has deciphered the ingredient list of L'Oréal Sublime Bronze self-tanner ($7.81). It's interesting stuff, if only to see what all of those tongue-twisting chemical names really do. For instance:

Dihydroxy Acetone: The star of the show. This carbohydrate reacts with the skin's amino acids, like arginine, in what chefs call the Maillard reaction (it's what makes cooked foods turn brown). Heat this stuff to body temperature and it produces brown polymers known as melanoidins that bind to the outer layer of the skin (and no deeper).

So that's how it works. And did you know that the same silicone compound that goes into Silly Putty goes into this lotion? I'm oddly fascinated by this parsing of the label. Are you?

Victoria's Secret New Bare Bronze Collection

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:12:22 -0700

With Summer just around the corner, cosmetics companies are launching their latest bronzers, bronzing gels and bronze shimmer powders. The hottest look for Summer is a sexy sun kissed look without having to face the damaging rays of the sun. Victoria's Secret has recently launched their Bare Bronze Collection, and from what I understand, it's already flying off the shelves!

The Bare Bronze Collection includes 14 products. They are: SPF 15 shimmer body lotion, face bronzer, sheer self tan mousse, grapefruit body splash, self tan tint (available in two shades), shimmer eye palette comprised of five shades, pre-glow body scrub, leg spray tint, body oil, bronzer brush, three liquid lip shimmer glosses, lip gloss palette, a body moisturizer and a facial moisturizer. All items are priced between $12.50 and $19. Fun in the fake sun!

Oh Man: Anthony Logistics Self Tanner with Anti-Aging Complex

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 06:00:31 -0700

Anthony Logistics Self Tanner with Anti-Aging Complex ($28) is technically made for men, and with my sensitive skin, I'm often wary of trying products for guys. However, I have been using this self tanner on my face for months, and I couldn't be happier with it.

The face lotion has a light, citrusy smell, and it has never turned me even a little bit orange. Even better, it works quickly: You'll notice results within an hour of applying.

Anthony Logistics Self Tanner contains an alpha-hydroxy blend that helps to get rid of dead skin cells, so it leaves your face brighter and smoother. It's categorized as an anti-aging product because it contains green tea, an antioxidant that could help slow the visible signs of aging. To learn how to use it, read more

After exfoliating, cleansing, and toning your skin, apply this lotion to your face and neck. The more often you apply, the deeper your tan will become. You can use it morning and night, although I suggest alternating it with your moisturizer once daily. Also, don't forget to wash your hands when you are finished; you don't want any evidence that your "natural" glow came out of a tube.

Beauty Mark It! The Quest For The Best Self Tanner

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:11:33 -0800

Do you remember all of the hype about a year ago over Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer? Like the rest of America, I just had to have it and I found myself frantically hopping around to three different drug stores until I was able to find a tube of the coveted Natural Glow for Face.

I used it for a month or so and until I realized that I was turning a bit orange and that constant strong self tanner smell was starting to make me feel woozy! I need some help finding a new self tanner that is light, natural looking and has a smell that I can stomach.

Let's all go beauty marking to help me find a new self tanner. Be sure to come back and tell me when your Beauty Marks are up. Tag your choices with Self Tanner. 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
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Sephora
Beauty.com
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty

Beauty Byte: Lindsay Lohan's Self-Tanner Coming Soon

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:00:30 -0700

Most of you said you won't be buying Lindsay Lohan's self-tanner, but soon we'll see if other people agree. WWD reports on the tanner, called Sevin Nyne ($35). The new mist self-tanner, named after Lindsay's favorite numbers, will be available April 15 on Sephora.com, then May 1 at Sephora stores for six months exclusively.

While Sevin Nyne does not have SPF, it is formulated with the standard DHA to darken the skin, using caramel, in lieu of artificial colors, for deeper results. "We have taken a more environmental approach so we use caramels for color and chardonnay extracts and goji berry for the skin," said Kristi Kaylor, the marketing person for the product. It takes two to five hours to develop, and the results are said to last for four to five days. Are you intrigued now, or is this still a no-go for you?

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