BellaSugar

Lightening Creams Are Popular Among Indians, Even For Kids

BellaSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:00:34 -0700

The last time we discussed skin-whitening creams, a lot of you had something to say. But after reading this article, I want to revisit this complex topic. In India, skin-lightening products flood the market; many contain harmful chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic. Despite the health issues, the belief that "white is right" keeps many people buying the creams. This isn't the same thing as Caucasians applying self-tanner to get a sun-kissed glow; instead, many people believe that light skin is simply superior to dark skin. (This ad gets that message across.)

But now it's not just adults who want their skin to be lighter. To find out how kids are getting into it, read more.

"I have clients who put their children on the product - some as young as nine years old, with a reference from dermatologists, so that they are not the slightly darker child in school or in the class picture," says former beauty queen Sorisha Naidoo, who markets a skin-lightening product. "In parts of the Indian community, being the slightly darker cousin or sister means that no matter how striking, intelligent or skilled you are, being fair still means more."

Many Bollywood stars such as Kareena Kapoor, shown here, have fair skin. And with light-skinned models and actresses outnumbering their dark-skinned counterparts, the beauty ideal is tilted toward the light end of the spectrum. I can't help but worry for that proverbial child, who's told that her beautiful dark skin is something that needs to be "fixed." What do you think it will take to create a broader, more inclusive standard for South Asian beauty? Or do you think that whitening creams are just a different kind of beauty product?

Source

What's Your Take on Whitening Products?

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:08:11 -0700

Whitening products are a fast-growing segment of the beauty industry in Asia, the Middle East and Africa; for many people, having light, porcelain-like skin is considered ideal. While I understand that every culture has different concepts of beauty, it saddens me to think about the number of women who inevitably think something's wrong with their dark skin. It's easy to understand why Sweetstrawberry, who lives in Korea, feels so frustrated by the narrow ideals she encounters at school.

As globalization spreads, this issue isn't likely to go away anytime soon. While some of the controversy can be attributed to cultural differences-after all, Caucasian people get spray-on tans!-you can't argue with the potential danger of certain whitening products. Those that contain hydroquinone and other mercury-based products can lead to skin blisters and burns (and, ironically, darkening). In some cases, they can lead to nerve damage and even death.

Of course, not all whitening products are worrisome. Some aren't terribly far from what you'd find in your average American Walgreens; they're just sold under a different name. These products are safe because they're not about bleaching the skin; instead, they aim to even out the complexion and protect against age spots. Yet much of the marketing language implies that dark skin is a disorder that needs to be cured. An ad for Olay White Radiance, for instance, "fights the five signs of skin darkening." Pond's just launched a White Beauty Detox product line in India last month. And then there's a Fair & Lovely commercial, whose heroine shows that without the whitening cream, she'd be a jobless, dateless loser. To see it, read more

So, putting aside the hilarity of that swarthy TV producer for a moment, what do you think about whitening products? Are they just filling a market demand along the lines of self-tanner for Caucasians, or are they creating a "solution" for a problem that doesn't exist?

Link Time!

BellaSugar — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Peek at Barbie Loves Stila for Fall '09 - Temptalia
Quiz yourself on the wonders of botanicals - FabSugar UK
Alexander Wang's sweaty scent? - W
Baldy brows? Karen's got the solution - Makeup and Beauty Blog
Tooth-whitening lipsticks, dentist-approved - Allure
Carmindy's tips for covering acne - Stylist
By 18, she tanned her way to skin cancer - Lemondrop
Create a half-up/half-glam hairstyle - Beauty Snob

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.

Source/span>

Tuesday Giveaway! GoSMILE Advanced Formula B1 Tooth Whitening on the Go

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Do you, like us, obsessively inspect your skin in the mirror, and at the site of a new blemish, wrinkle,or age spot, lament, "Why? Why me?" Sephora is here to tell you exactly that. From the "whys" to the "hows" to the "what-ifs," they're answering all of your frequently asked questions-even those you're embarassed to ask. Even better, every day we're giving away one product to help you implement their expertise. Congratulations to Redsugar, who won yesterday's giveaway for a L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream.

Today's question: Is there an easy way to whiten my teeth?

The answer: Yes, and you won't believe how easy it is.GoSmile Advanced Formula B1 Tooth Whitening on the Go is ingeniously simple. Each ampoule contains a safe, gently whitening agent that lightens and brightens teeth. Just toss one in your purse, rub it on your teeth, and you'll get a brighter, white smile on the run.

To enter today's giveaway for this whitening kit, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, July 10, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here.

How to Plan a Budget For Your Bridal Beauty

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:00:47 -0700

If you're not careful, your wedding budget can get out of hand. While beauty costs a lot less than flowers and feeding your guests, primping indulgences for the big day can add up to big dollars if you aren't careful.

There are several categories to consider if you're going with a professional. The most expensive is hair, which can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 depending on what look you choose and if you create an intricate wedding hairstyle with an extension or fall. Then there is makeup, which tends to cost anywhere from $65 to $300.

You may also want to plan a skin care regimen with your facialist or dermatologist. Include spa treatments so that you can work them into your budget. A manicure and pedicure shouldn't cost more than usual, unless you opt for acrylic nails or tips.

Other beauty expenses include self-tanning, waxing, and you may even want to get your teeth whitened. Lastly, don't forget to factor in costs for hair and makeup for your mom, your bridesmaids and your soon-to-be mother-in-law.

Consult my ultimate bridal beauty guide for every and all possible wedding-related beauty questions. For a few tips on where you can save some money, read more.

There are definitely areas that you can skimp on. For example, choose only to self-tan your body from the waist up (arms and back included). No one will see your legs or your midriff. If you are worried about looking discolored on your honeymoon then blend in a drugstore self-tanner to those areas - they don't need a professional application.
At-home teeth-whitening strips are much less costly than going to a dentist and having your teeth fitted for a tray.
Ask your bridesmaids to do their own hair and makeup.
Make your own hair remover or, buy a DIY waxing kit.
Ask a friend to apply your makeup for you instead of paying a professional.

Source

Baking Soda: An At-Home Beauty Must-Have

BellaSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:00:50 -0700

Who knew that baking soda had so many uses in the beauty world? It can be used as a cleaning product to get out tough household stains and to remove odors, but it's safe enough to use on your skin, hair, and teeth. The best part about these baking soda beauty recipes that the ingredients are accessible and inexpensive. Below are five different ways to incorporate baking soda into your beauty routine.

Cleansing Shampoo: Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with your daily shampoo to help wash away build-up from hair products (this works exceptionally well on fine hair).
Face Exfoliator: Mix a half a teaspoon of baking soda with your cleanser to make a scrub. Apply it to your damp skin by massaging in with small circles. Rinse and repeat if necessary. If you are trying to fight acne, you can also mix in one crushed aspirin (which contains bacteria-fighting salicylic acid).
Hairbrush Cleanser: Plug your sink with lukewarm water and add in two or three tablespoons of baking soda. Soak your hairbrushes and combs in the mixture for a few minutes to remove residue. Rinse well and be sure and dry your brushes and combs completely.

For the last two quick and easy baking soda beauty treatments, read more.

Tooth Whitener: If you are trying to brighten up your smile, brush your teeth with baking soda for two minutes. You might want to gargle with mouthwash after. I'm not going to lie, the taste is not the best, but it works!
Cuticle Softener: A pinch of baking soda can be added to a bowl of warm water to help soften your cuticles. Let your hands soak in the water for a few minutes before rinsing them off thoroughly.

Source

Best of Bella, 7/6

BellaSugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:01:19 -0700

Charlize Theron's makeup artist offers some tips.
Huzzah! The best shaving creams don't cost much money.
How well do you remember Disney-heroine beauty trivia?
Think you can't wear glitter? This gloss may make you think again.
Steal Amanda Peet's sultry makeup look.
Kerry Washington may or may not have developed this eye shadow palette, but it's a steal either way.
Lots of discussion about the politics of skin-whitening creams.
Paris haute couture hair and makeup: Super dramatic.
Do you know which celebs used to be beauty queens?
So, yeah. Not using makeup brushes leads to a total mess.
Check out my first thoughts on the Clarisonic skin-care system.
Blue pubes: cute or not so much?

Source

Sensitive SPF 30 For Your Face, Part II

BellaSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:03:33 -0700

Welcome to Part II of Sensitive SPF 30 For Your Face. Since there were just too many yummy and safe SPF 30s for sensitive skin out there, I couldn't help but write about a few more. Here are three additional sunscreens to help prevent premature aging and skin damage for all of you sun worshippers.

Estee Lauder Multi-Protection Sun Lotion for Face SPF 30, $22, is new and not only water resistant, but also combats the appearance of dark spots on your skin with its new ASP (anti-spot protection) formula.

ASP ensures that you tan evenly without getting any of those blotchy, patchy sun spots. This formula also helps protect your skin from environmental damage that can occur while you're in the sun.

In addition, special hydrators to guard your skin against unwanted and dangerous peeling and anti-oxidants have also been incorporated to ward off free radicals. This sunscreen is great for delicate, sensitive skin. It won't clog your pores and it smells fresh and beachy.

A couple more, so read more

Skinceuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30, $34, is great for those of you with hypersensitive skin. It's so gentle, it's even ok for children. I love the sleek silver tube, as well as the fact that it doesn't whiten on your face when you apply it.

This special sunscreen contains moisturizing and healing properties and is also PABA, oil and fragrance free. You can apply it under your makeup or for a day at the beach!

Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream with SPF 30 , $27.50, is a lightweight, oil-free sun cream with the most incredible texture. It is heat resistant so it won't drip into your eyes, contains UVA, UVB and infra red sun protection all the while hydrating and nourishing your skin.

Over-The Top Serum Splurges

BellaSugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Sometimes you just feel like indulging yourself in ridiculously expensive beauty products from time to time. Maybe it's your birthday, you've received a bonus, or perhaps you just have a chunk of change that's been burning a hole in your pocket. Regardless of how you've saved your pennies, here are a couple of over-the-top new beauty indulgences to check out. I personally haven't been able to strike gold and try out these items yet, so if you have, I'd love to know how they compare to more affordable brands. Keep in touch!

This month, Chanel is releasing Sublimage Sèrum Essential Regenerating Concentrate, a highly concentrated and powerful anti-aging treatment to partner with its popular Sublimage Cream. The Chanel research team has spared no expense in developing this lightweight serum to help combat wrinkles, firm and hydrate the skin.

So, if a rejuvenated and youthful complexion is what you crave, you can purchase radiance in a one ounce airless pump bottle for $385!

For another totally over-the top serum splurge, read more.

ReVive Intensite Volumizing Serum contains a molecule called KGF that aids in plumping and creating a more dewy overall texture to your skin. It also subtly whitens your face for a brighter complexion and offers UVB protection.

The serum comes in a 30ml bottle which costs-wait for it-$600. I guess it costs less than having a major procedure, however, this is a pretty penny to part with for a topical treatment. What do you think of these pricey products?