BellaSugar

Which Is Better: Electric or Manual Toothbrushes?

Heather Dale — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:05:44 PST

Watching my friend effortlessly clean her 1-and-a-half-year-old's teeth with an electric toothbrush was all the evidence I needed to get back into using my power tool of a toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are fun - they feel good and they easily glide through your mouth, making brushing a breeze (don't even get me started on the flossing).

I tend to go back and forth between my GUM toothbrush (soft bristles in case you were wondering) and my electric toothbrush. Whereas 69 percent of you said that you use an electric toothbrush, so I can see which type of brush you favor. But when it comes down to it, which toothbrush gives you the biggest bang for you buck? Meaning, which toothbrush - old school manual or electric - gets the cleaning job done better?

To see what the verdict is, continue reading.

Is Beauty Multitasking Smart or Silly?

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:05:49 PST

At 56, Christie Brinkley looks more amazing than ever. And while genetics may play a part, it seems that multitasking has really gotten her places. In an interview with Shape magazine, Christie explained that while doing everyday tasks, she tries to fit mini workouts in. "I think of drying my hair as really boring. I thought, 'OK, I'm going to multitask.' I'll dry my hair as though I'm sitting on a chair, even though there's no chair there. Then I'll do some squats," she said. When she's brushing her teeth, she'll even do a few leg exercises, too. Some of you have admitted to being beauty multitaskers yourself (as in brushing your teeth while showering), but do you think these types of activities are smart or silly?

Are You More or Less Likely to Use a Beauty Product If There's a Religious Theme?

Jaime Richards — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 06:00:18 PDT

A few weeks ago on Glee in an episode titled "Grilled Cheesus," Finn has a spiritual awakening after discovering an image of Jesus's face in his grilled cheese sandwich. (I still can't get over the fact that he actually ate the sandwich after a week.) This episode got me thinking about the many beauty products available with religious undertones. For instance: Looking Good For Jesus lip balm ($7), Demeter's Holy Water ($6 to $40), Looking Good For Jesus bubble bath ($12), and the Buddha toothbrush holder. While some people consider these items sacrilegious, others may find an element of charm to them. How do you feel about these types of goods?

Health Tip: Toss Your Brush and Cold Away

Michele Bell — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:00:11 PDT

I hate to say it, but it's cold season. Yours truly has already succumbed to the scratchy throat, runny nose, and deep coughing that is sure to drive those around me crazy. Not one to get too down on the negatives, I found a silver lining in this cold of mine. A trip to the doctor was productive on two counts - I got a prescription for my nasty hack, and I got a useful tip from my doctor worth sharing.

When illness strikes, it's time to toss the toothbrush. The sickly germs will be better suited for the trash can than your mouth. An infected toothbrush makes it all too easy to make yourself sick again. Besides that, we're advised to change our bristles every three to four months anyway, right?

Do you change your toothbrush when you're not feeling well?

The Sneaky Gal's Walk of Shame Preparedness Kit

dannysf — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:00:00 PDT

A wise man once told me that he didn't believe in the walk of shame, because there's nothing for which to be ashamed. And while I agree with his sentiments, sometimes there's no avoiding feeling a little less than put-together after a fun night out. Since "unshowered and stale" isn't the kind of Facebook status update you probably want to have, I've put together a clever kit of products, all in sizes small enough to stay inconspicuous without cluttering up your purse. To find out more about these goods, just wave your cursor over each one.

Bella's Top 5 Deserted Island Beauty Essentials

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:00:00 PDT

Besides "What's your favorite color?" or "What type of food do you like?" perhaps one of the most-asked celebrity questions, particularly of the Tiger Beat persuasion, is, "What items would you bring to a deserted island?" In honor of Lost's final show on Sunday, as well as to pay tribute to the aforementioned age-old question, I've gathered together my top five favorite desert island beauty essentials. Check out the list now, and be sure to tell us yours at the end, too. (And no, it doesn't include a box of Dharma red wine, but perhaps it should, particularly for the antioxidant benefits, no?)

Would You Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is?

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:01:25 PDT

Forget flossin' - it's a lot more environmentally friendly to use your money to brush. All corny jokes aside, though, these cute new Source toothbrushes ($6.95) are a pretty cool idea. Their heads are replaceable, and the handles are made from responsibly sourced recycled materials - the most entertaining of which is dollar bills. It's not exactly something you'd bring out on the cocktail party circuit, but it would save you from consigning a lot of toothbrush plastic to the landfill. Plus, you'd get to brush like a baller. Would you consider buying a toothbrush like this, or do the handles not appeal?

Five Tricks For Brushing Up Dental Care

LilSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:09 PDT

Children don't need an excuse to show off their pearly whites, but getting the kiddos to brush them on a regular basis may require some trickery. Lectures about cavities and future orthodontia don't seem to get them running to the bathroom, but some cute toothbrush holders and brushing accessories may just do the trick. Products like Toothpaste Pete ($5) stick right onto your current tube of toothpaste to add some laughs to the washing-up routine. Check out the rest of our tricks and picks for keeping those teeth fresh and clean.

3 Toothbrush Tricks (That Don't Involve Your Teeth)

BellaSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:54 PDT

I'm hoping you recognize these items - you should be using one daily to keep those pearly whites white. But, did you know those bristles can do even more beauty good? In addition to exfoliating lips for making gloss glide on smoothly, a toothbrush can come in handy. Check out three more tips that don't involve opening your mouth.

Hair: If you've spent time perfecting your blow out, yet still find some wispies left at your roots, add some hair gel to the brush. Make small, light strokes starting at your forehead to smooth back those bits without ruining a sleek look. Same thing goes with hair color - touch up just the roots for an easy, glove-free application!
Brows: Don't let unruly brows rule your life - spritz a brush lightly with hairspray and comb them back into place. Start at the center and work your way up and out in the direction of the hairs' growth for the best results.

See the last tip when you

Product Review: Colgate Wisp Mini-Brushes

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:30:00 PDT

Perhaps to encourage my after-meal tooth brushing, a friend of mine recently introduced me to Colgate Wisp Mini-Brushes ($8.50 for a pack of 16). Designed for dental hygiene on the go, these one-time-use toothbrushes come with toothpaste built right in - in the form of a "freshening bead" - and a toothpick opposite the brush end.

My initial reservation with these disposable toothbrushes is that they aren't exactly eco friendly. But then again, there are certain times when this gadget could come in handy: in airports after long flights, while camping, or anytime I'm caught without a toothbrush on the go. But the eco unfriendliness wasn't my only problem with these, so

read more. Since the bristles are somewhat stiff, I wanted to be especially careful to brush properly to protect my gums. But at about three inches long, the Wisp Mini-Brush was awkward to use, making it difficult to mimic a normal tooth brushing motion. However, the freshening bead worked well, even without water, adding a nice peppermint flavor without a lot of foam, and the flexible toothpick was great, doubling as a gum stimulator. I still felt bad throwing all of this waste away, especially since the toothbrush wasn't terribly effective. Not only is the brush itself disposable, but it also comes in excessive packaging, with individual plastic packs per four brushes. I can see these being helpful in emergencies, but I don't think I'd buy them again.