BellaSugar

The Big Tria Update: All of the Pros and Cons

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:00:18 -0700

A few things have happened since Tria, the at-home laser hair-removal gadget, came on the market. First, the economy tanked, which may explain why Tria's price went from $995 to $795. Second, I've had almost a year to give it a whirl (full disclosure: Tria's PR team sent a trial unit for me to use). Third, my opinion has shifted over the last few months. Is Tria worth the hefty price tag? Does it remove hair permanently? Would I recommend it? Find out the answers to these questions when you read more.

Trying Tria: The First-Quarter Update

BellaSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:20 -0800

It's been three months since Tria sent me one of their at-home laser hair removal gadgets to try out. At $995, the device is hardly cheap - but it's a lot less expensive than having laser hair removal in a medical spa or doctor's office. Many of you have asked how things are going, so here's the update.

As it turns out, I have the pain threshold of a hamster. Where other people probably feel just a snap from the laser, I feel a quick jolt of needling pain. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm in a hair-removal gulag or anything, but I am a big baby and sometimes the zapping hurts. Tria has three levels of intensity, and as long as I put it on its lowest setting, it's not too bad.

So how hirsute am I these days? To find out, read more.

I hope this isn't an overshare, but I treated my bikini line and left shin with Tria. I chose my bikini line because I hate spending money on waxing every month, and I used my shin as a "control" to see whether the hair truly was disappearing. Three months into the laser-ing, most of the hair is gone. It seems too good to be true, but it is true: I haven't waxed since September, and I have only a few stray hairs. With a few more Tria sessions, they'll be gone.

As for my legs, I let my hair grow out for a few weeks. (I'd like to tell you that this is because I care deeply about measuring my hair-removal process, but really, I'm just lazy.) Here, too, I could tell a difference: The areas I'd zapped with Tria had much less hair. Success!

All in all, I'm pleased with my Tria experience. I absolutely love not having to schedule bikini waxes, and dealing with some discomfort is definitely worth it. Obviously, the price of Tria means that it's not going to be an impulse purchase, but if you already have your heart set on laser hair removal, it's a more affordable way to do it.

Trying Tria: The Two-Week Update

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:00:22 -0700

You might have heard about Tria, the at-home laser hair removal gizmo. (More on it here if you want some background.) Since Tria offered me the chance to try it out, I thought I'd give you an update now that I've been living with it for a few weeks.

Tria is much heavier than you'd imagine - not enough to be unwieldy, but solid enough to make you realize that it's a serious piece of beauty machinery. Using it is pretty simple; after unlocking it, you just turn it on and place the laser on your skin. Tria says that you may experience discomfort with each zap, much like the snapping of a rubber band. I beg to differ. Think of a quick, short pinprick and you get the idea. The process is simple, but time-consuming in the sense that you'll need to go over each square inch of skin about 50 times. (I Tria while watching The Shield.)

So far, things are going well. Little hairs are falling out here and there, so something's definitely happening. I still have at least six more treatments, so watch this space.

Trying Tria: Laser Hair Removal at Home

BellaSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:00:58 -0700

I hate shaving so much that, much to PartySugar's horror, I sometimes just give up. She loves shaving her legs; I would be thrilled to never do it again. The logical option: Get laser hair removal. Even though laser doesn't remove all of the body hair, it removes most, which means I'd get to keep up my shaving boycott without looking like Bigfoot. Win!

So when the people behind Tria, an at-home laser hair removal device, offered me one of their gadgets to test, it was a no-duh proposition. At $995, Tria is far from inexpensive, but it's cheaper than having a full bikini-line zapping session at a clinic. Plus, if you're thinking of having laser hair removal in more than one place, it's more economical. Like I said, not cheap - but cheaper.

To find out more about Tria, read more.

I'm beginning my hair-zapping adventures this week, so I'll soon have an update for you, but for now, here are a few basics on Tria:

Tria is FDA-approved to remove body hair, but it isn't approved for facial hair. So don't think your peach fuzz will disappear with this. (Well, it might, but not officially.)
Like other laser hair removal treatments, Tria does not work on dark skin. (Lasers work by seeking out dark pigment, so it damages darker complexions.) It's a big "no dice" on white, gray, red, and blonde hair as well. Sorry, Norwegians.
You'll have to commit to doing at least three sessions to see less hair.
I know some of you are thinking you'll be able to do an at-home Brazilian with this, but this is not a good idea. Tria is not meant to be used on your genitals, which means you can remove hair from your bikini line, but not from your more delicate region.

Got questions? Leave a comment, and in my follow-up post, I'll address them!

Coming Soon: At-Home Laser Hair Removal

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:00:02 -0700

The Star Wars geek within thinks that handheld lasers are cool, albeit in an intimidating Darth Vader sort of way. In real life, though, you'll soon be able to zap your hair away at home. The Wall Street Journal reports on two forthcoming hair-removal gadgets that may change the way we think of hair removal.

Tria ($995, pictured) launches next month, and the painless device requires about half an hour to treat the lower legs. While it won't eradicate hair completely, it minimizes growth. Rival product Silk'n ($800) - whose weirdly punctuated name makes Silkk the Shocker come to mind - uses pulsed light to destroy hair follicles. Tria will be sold at high-end stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, but Silk'n will be available only at physicians' offices.

Of course, there's a catch - and I'm not just talking about the high price tag. To find out what it is, read more.

Although these products are approved by the FDA, they have their limitations. They're meant for small areas such as underarms, legs, and the bikini line; if you have a hairy backside, for instance, it won't work. What's more, these products won't work on many women of color. Because the lasers and light target pigment in the hair, they can mistake dark skin for hair. (Zap, burn, ouch.)

While I have had some good results with my no!no!, I'm not sure I'd shell out hundreds more for one of these gadgets. (I also fear that somehow I'd blind myself, but that's another phobia completely.) Are you curious about these devices, or are you taking a wait-and-see approach?

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Save $200 on the New TRIA System!

Sponsor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:01 -0800

It's no secret that smooth, hair-free skin is something we all dream about but shaving and waxing require constant maintenance and come with a host of skin issues like ingrown hair, stubble and irritation.

We have a solution! The TRIA Laser Hair Removal System disables hair growth so that your skin remains smooth and hair-free-for good. In as few as eight simple treatments, you can experience the silky, smooth results that only real laser hair removal can provide. In addition to skin that feels smoother than ever before, your skin will look its absolute best. No more dark shadows, stubble or irritation-just skin so bare, it’s like the hair was never there.

Save $200 on the NEW Tria Laser Hair Removal System now! To learn more about how you can get fabulous skin and purchase the TRIA System, visit TRIABEAUTY.com.

The NEW TRIA System. Better Results. Lower Price.

14 Gorgeous Last Looks at Fashion Week: Days 8 and 9

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:00:00 -0700

It was the final day of Fashion Week, and while I'm sad to see it go, I'm excited to discover how many of these hair and makeup looks will make the transition into the mainstream. These final two days were absolutely lovely, with more old-guard designers like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Oscar De La Renta injecting an elegance that nicely hedged the experimental looks from younger designers. Click through and see what some of the most established houses, along with some of the hottest new ones, had to offer.

View Slideshow ›

Best of Bella

BellaSugar — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Take a peek at what ANTM contestants are doing now - complete with updates.
Can you guess what these celebrities smell like?
Here are some of the best ponytail looks for Fall.
Got an "underground" pimple? Learn how to bring it to the surface.
Femme Fatale: Is it a beauty product or pulp fiction novel?
Are these products for a man or a woman?
A few tips for perking up those tired eyes: part one and part two.
These beauty necklaces will charm you.
See what you know when it comes to record-breaking beauty facts.
It's the great Tria review with all of the pros and cons.

How Much Would You Spend on a Beauty Device?

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:00:50 -0700

I came across something rather shocking today: the TRIA at-home laser hair-removal device, soon to be available in the US, yours for a mere $995! Yowza. Considering the fact that I don't exactly have $1000 burning a hole in my pocket, I don't think I'll be putting my name on the list for one of these. Then again, I did love the Crystalift, and even though $200 is a serious beauty splurge in my book, I'm willing to spring for something if it provides real professional results from the comfort of my home.

What about you? What do you think you would spend on a beauty gadget? Would you save up for months for a miracle product, or do you max out at a certain price point?

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