BellaSugar

What the $@#%! Is Wrong With This Lady?

BellaSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:00:06 -0700

Remember the model whose daughter wants a boob job? She's got company. The Daily Mail reports on Ashley Hughes, a pushy stage mom who's spent $30,000 on salon treatments and pole-dancing lessons for her 15-year-old daughter, Emma - and of course there's a boob job in the works. (Emma's already a 34F.)

The goal is for Emma to look like glamour model Jordan. "Now I hold down as many jobs as I can to ensure she'll have all the beauty treatments, tanning sessions, and cosmetic surgery she needs to achieve her dream," Ashley says.

This seems like a sensationalized publicity stunt, but even if that's the case, it's hardly ace parenting. So, I ask you: Why do you think these mothers are encouraging their daughters to focus so much on their looks? Is it just about appearance, or is there a bigger cultural force that drives this behavior? And why do you think some teenage girls' aspirations focus on plastic surgery?
Source

Australians Pushing Brazilians on Preteens

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:00:52 -0800

Things are getting kinda hairy Down Under. Parents are extremely ticked off because a website is promoting Brazilian waxes-for preteen girls. Girl.com.au, whose slogan is "Girl Power - Empowering Girls Worldwide," is a girl-centric website that usually covers things like Nancy Drew online games and PG movies. But along with this kid-friendly fare, there's a primer on Brazilian waxing that includes this gem:

Nobody really likes hair in their private regions and it has a childlike appeal. Men love it, and are eternally curious about it.

The article also tells girls what to expect during a wax, claiming that the procedure is "surprisingly not as painful as you might think." Now, even if this copy were showing up on a women's website, I'd have issues with its bizarre worldview. (Really, "nobody" likes hair down there? All men love the "childlike appeal"? Ugh.) But it's even worse to see this directed at children. Between this and Nair Pretty, it seems like our culture is sexualizing girls at younger and younger ages. I can't see how that's a good thing.

Source

BellaSugar's Gift Guide: The 'Too Cool For School' Teenage Boy

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:00:22 -0800

Remember what your body went through as a teenage girl? Try factoring in that you can't really wear makeup to hide your pimples, nor can you blame your period for your hormonal surges. Take it from a gal who knows boys - these beauty years are definitely not as breezy as their attitudes let on.

Below are some suggestions for beauty gifts for young men. Things like sensitive skin care products, aftershave, a light cologne, spot treatments for pesky pimples, and scar cream for bruises and/or dark acne-inflicted areas are a few things that a shy young guy will surely appreciate!

BellaSugar's Gift Guide: The Teenage Girl

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:00:34 -0800

Another day, another gift guide! Today's treats are all for teenage girls. Shopping for teenagers can be tricky, because yesterday's girly girl might be today's goth-or vice versa. But when you find the right gift, you automatically become the coolest aunt/sister/mom/lady in the world. I've compiled some ideas for you along with a little advice: If you're not sure whether the teenager in question is wearing makeup (or is allowed to), check with her mom or dad first.

Smashbox Gloss-n-Go Mini Lip Gloss Kit, $16	Marc Jacobs Daisy Solid Perfume Ring, $30
MAC Heirlooms Brush Set, $48	Juicy Couture Decadent Dusting Powder, $55
Philosophy Candy Cane Lip Shine, $10	The Sweetest, Softest Robe on Earth, $39.50	Body Art Henna Kit, $19.99

Should Plastic Surgery Be Banned for Teens?

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:00:57 -0700

In Australia, there's a raging debate over plastic surgery right now. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has spoken out about teenagers who choose plastic surgery, saying that deciding to go under the knife is a decision "best left until one is an adult." Additionally, she's concerned that young people may be addressing poor self-esteem by having rhinoplasties and breast augmentations:

"Evidence suggests that this worrying trend is a response by children and young people to the pressures they are feeling to look perfect in an increasingly competitive world obsessed with beauty and celebrity."

This is more than just idle talk, though. Premier Bligh has introduced a discussion paper that considers banning non-essential plastic surgery for people younger than 18. If she can get support, Queensland could be the first Australian state to have such a ban. What do you think? Is this something you'd support, or should the government be completely hands-off?

Source

Tools of the Trade: Groovy Hair Styling Tools

BellaSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:21:11 -0700

These cool hair styling tools are groovy gadgets for teens-or just anyone who loves color. Their hippie style is mod, fun and functional. Plus, they're on sale, so they won't break the bank. Check 'em out.

This Hot Tools Tourmaline Ceramic Ti Mod Flat Iron was originally priced at $149.95 and is now on sale for $79.95. It heats up to 430 degrees and will stay at that temperature throughout the styling process (which is great for consistency).

Additionally, it has rounded edges so that you can also use it it to curl the ends of your hair. The plates are 1-3/4 inches and the slim design makes the tool easy to hold. If you like it, you might want to make your decision quickly, as this is a limited-edition model.

For one more hippie-inspired hair styling tool, read more

Hot Tools Beauty Skins Daisy Dryer is also on sale! It originally cost $99.95 and is now $39.95-a super savings! This hair dryer is just too cute for words. Even though it's small, it pumps out 1875 watts of power, and it has an awesome tapered nozzle that helps cut out frizz.

Need other reasons to love it? Well, it's extremely lightweight, it has two speed settings, two heat settings, a cool shot button and it comes with a speed diffuser to create curls or waves! Why not have a little fun with your hair styling?

Roxy Makes A Really Rad Perfume

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:59:47 -0700

Here’s another fragrance for beachy-keen teens. The surfer brand Roxy has recently launched its first and eponymous fragrance. The scent is light, as you'd expect a teen perfume to be, and it features notes of citrus fruits, red fruits, magnolia, violet, lily of the valley, frangipani, ylang ylang, amber and musk.

If your bedroom was ever covered with posters of Kelly Slater, this salty-sweet perfume is one you'll want to check out-even if you're only looking for a gift for your little sis. Roxy is available in three eau de toilette spray sizes ($34–$58), a five-ounce body lotion ($24) and a five-ounce shower gel ($20).

Totally Rad Teen Perfumes from House of Rose

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 07:00:39 -0700

Jane Langdon decided to make and sell her own perfume because she had to say goodbye, old friend to her favorite Crabtree & Evelyn scent. It was a rose perfume (hence the company name House of Rose), and her fragrance became so popular that friends and family began requesting more scents.

When her teenage sons approached her asking for some fun scents, she decided to survey teenagers countrywide for ideas and opinions. Some time later she launched a line called Scent Bent FUN Fragrances just for them. And although some schools are considering banning fragrances, that won't keep teenagers away from these.

This teen collection now includes 29 flavors such as Baby Powder, Peach, Bubble Gum, Lemonade and Dreamsickle. What's cool about these perfumes is that they are alcohol-free, so they last twice as long as other perfumes.

Also, they contain lab certified human pheromones, which are chemicals we emit that trigger a response from the opposite sex. Lastly, the hip and colorful graphics on the bottles are geared toward teens. Each fragrance costs $65. Samples, as well as full-sized products, can be purchased online. For a complete list of Scent Bent FUN Fragrances, read more

Baby Powder

Bubble Gum

Watermelon

Lemonade

Peach

Caramel

Strawberry

Peppermint

Chocolate Mint

Cinnamon

Cherry

Citrus Spice

Fig Melon

Musk

Ocean

Fudge Brownie

Gingerbread

Jasmine

Lemon Grass

Grapefruit

Green Tea

Sandalwood

Vanilla

Dreamsickle

Fresh Cotton

Patchouli

Tangerine

Sea Breeze

Ylang Ylang

School Stinks. Literally.

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:00:00 -0700

It's back-to-school time, and students are filling classrooms once again. Unfortunately for perfumed pupils, some school districts are considering banning fragrance on campus. The Wall Street Journal reports that as fragrances for teenagers become more popular, the kids are stinkin' up the place:

Kevin Farr, superintendent of the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, in Bourne, Mass., started a campaign last year to educate students about what he says is excessive use of body sprays and perfumes. He says the problem is compounded when kids use them in place of soap. "Kids don't shower the way they used to," he says, adding that boys in particular are clouding themselves in body sprays, such as Axe, to cover up perspiration odors after gym class.

This doesn't surprise me, really; I remember how after high school gym class, nobody wanted to shower in front of everyone else. Instead, people quickly slapped on a little Teen Spirit, then quickly dressed in our non-gym clothes. And I'm sure many girls spritzed Love's Baby Soft and the like back then, too. My guess is that times haven't changed, but because marketers are targeting teenagers more aggressively these days, students are more likely to experiment with different scents. If you were a teacher-or a student-do you think something should be done about the smells, or are people overreacting? Source

Review: Jelly Belly Collection by Demeter, Part II

BellaSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 07:45:39 -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 ($20 for each 1-ounce bottle). Overall, I think Demeter did a great job on this collection, creating wacky scents that translate into surprisingly wearable perfumes.

But while I really loved three of the scents, I was just so-so on the other three, so I've split my review into halves. To read about the three I liked, click here, and to hear about the three I didn't love, read more

I adore chocolate, so I was particularly excited to try Hot Fudge Sundae, which combines French vanilla, very cherry, chocolate pudding, and cream soda flavors. But I'm realizing that I don't really like chocolate-scented cosmetics, which often just smell weird. The cream soda and cherry are a nice touch, though. I almost with they'd taken out the cocoa entirely and gone for a cherry soda scent instead.

Unlike the delightful Mango Pineapple Salsa, which combined spiciness with crisp fruit, the Sugar and Spice blend is too sickly sweet. With elements of hot cinnamon, jalapeno, bubble gum, and tutti-frutti, this perfume was nice upon application, but over time, it made me smell like I'd eaten spicy food and tried to cover it up with fruity lotion.

I'm still going back and forth on the Wild Blackberry Peach Cobbler, based on wild blackberry, peach, and lemon. I wore it one night and really liked the way the citrus scent cut the fruitiness. But it also reminds me of a fake-smelling peach air freshener; the peach scent is just too overwhelming.