BellaSugar

Product Review: Bliss Manicure's Best Friend

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

I've been completely addicted to Manicure's Best Friend from Bliss (on sale now for £7.50) ever since my best friend introduced me this tiny, yet precious cuticle cream a couple of weeks ago. It's been my saving grace for dry, swollen, red cuticles and it's amazing how much it prolongs the life of my manicures - I'm talking three, maybe even four days!

Maybe you don't pick and peel like I do, but after doing dishes and chores regularly, my cuticles tend to become cracked and straggly. Instead of leaving them alone, I have my way with them. This cream helps undo some of that damage and is most definitely buying me time until I can kick my hideous habit.

It's easy to apply with a dainty, pointed applicator (all you need is one teensy drop on each nail). It absorbs quickly, it's not greasy whatsoever, it comes in a portable tube small enough even for a clutch, and to top it off, I'm a big fan of the fresh, lemony scent. I keep it next to my computer and use it at least three times a day to help moisturise and sustain my mani's.

Do you have any beauty weapons to pass along that your friends have told you about?

Reader Review of the Day: Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer

BellaSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:01:41 -0700

Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer ($35) is a product that I've tried before. But I was really only reviewing it as a sunscreen. Reader laratf, on the other hand, likes it as a lightweight moisturizer and has a whole different perspective on its powers. She says:

This moisturizer is delightfully light but cushiony thick at the same time, without being at all greasy (perhaps thanks to its SPF). I purposefully test-drove it on a day when I didn't wash my face (just exfoliated with a washcloth) - it's now 9:35 p.m. and I'm still shine-free. The formula is orange-scented (yum!) and the SPF is icing on the cake.

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Do Bonuses and Deals Make You Buy?

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:59:59 -0700

This morning, an email deal popped up in my inbox. Bliss spas (save for those in New York and Hoboken) are offering a free Brazilian bikini wax with the purchase of a Triple Oxygen Treatment facial. (Details here.) The bargain hunter in me squealed and thought, "Well, it has been almost a year (!) since I've had a facial, and when you factor in the $70 that I'd save on the waxing, it's not a bad deal . . ." In general, do special deals and bonuses make you more likely to whip out your wallet?

Photo by Flickr user tinou

Reader Review of the Day: Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:05:35 -0700

Hair removal is the bane of many of our existences, but it doesn't have to be. A few months ago I dished on my experience with Bliss Poetic Cosmetic Waxing Kit ($45), and now it's Bluegirl81's turn. Here's what she had to say about this DIY home waxing product below:

This wax is amazing. I used to break out on my face when waxing at home or the spa, but this wax does not make me break out. It is virtually pain free compared to other waxes. I have been removing hair on my face for over 10 years and this is by far the best. I will never use another at home wax. Highly recommended.

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Three New(ish) Sunscreens Worth Your Time

BellaSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:00:40 -0700

One of the best things you can do for your skin is to wear sunblock every day. But with warm weather around the corner, even the SPF slackers will want to wear sunscreen to protect their skin. Here are three that I've tried recently.

If you want ultra-light texture...
La Mer's SPF 30 UV Protection Fluid ($65) isn't a traditional sunscreen. Sure, it blocks UVA and UVB rays, but true to La Mer's heritage, it's high on the luxury factor. The mint-colored fluid is incredibly lightweight, and it sinks into skin right away; small reflective particles give skin a light-catching glow. A friend of mine spied my sample, tried it out, and tried to sweet-talk me into surrendering it. Fat chance.

If you need reassurance of the age-fighting factor...
You probably know that SPF stands for sun protection factor, but do you know what PA means? Well, it's big in Japan - really! The PA rating describes how well a sunscreen blocks UVA rays, which cause skin discoloration. Bliss Best of Skintentions ($35) is rated PA++, the medium rating. While I generally go for SPF 30, the light citrus scent and lack of greasiness make this one a winner for rainy days. (Yes, I wear sunscreen even when I'm staying inside.)

If you're concerned about anti-aging
Sunblock generally helps prevent signs of aging, but to get full protection, look for a broad-spectrum product that filters both UVB (burning) and UVA (aging) rays. L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise Revitalift UV ($13.99) is one of the few American sunscreens to feature Mexoryl SX, a photostable ingredient that won't break down in the sun. It's lightweight enough to wear under makeup, and it doesn't leave white streaks. The only drawback is the miniscule pump opening; it doesn't dispense as much as I'd like, so I wind up pumping like crazy.

Beauty Must Haves For April

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Springtime is upon us and that means sunshine, flowers blooming and brighter makeup colours. Not only are we shedding our clothing, but we're also shedding our dry and flaky dead skin cells. Our bodies are adjusting to the climate and with these amazing beauty products, you can help transform yourself from dull to fresh and dewy - enjoy!

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Bella Bargain: Free Brow Waxes at Bliss!

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:00:45 -0800

Well, grow my unibrow and mark my calendars, it's a crazy spa special. On lucky Friday, March 13, the first 25 people to head to their city's Bliss spa will receive a free signature brow wax. No strings attached - free, free, free. (But, duh, it's only polite to tip your esthetician.) The offer is first-come, first-serve so don't think you can be sneaky by booking an appointment. Just mention that you saw the special on BellaSugar, and you'll be all set.

If you're not fast enough to be one of the first 25, or if you're locked to your office desk that morning, hope is not lost! Book a brow-wax appointment for the following week and you'll get $10 off. And since you already know that I think their wax is the least painful around, it's a great deal. See you there.

How to Have (Nearly) Pain-Free Bikini Waxing

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:00:40 -0800

At the risk of taking the bullet train to TMI City, I loathe bikini waxing. It is the Sisyphean task of my beauty regimen: I wax, the hair returns, I wax again. On and on it goes.

For a while, I got a $35 wax from a really sweet lady... until I noticed that she was double-dipping the waxing stick. Since I'm a clean freak, I've decided to wax less often but go to a better place. Ergo, I de-fuzz with the bikini wax at Bliss spas, where double-dipping is strictly verboten. Plus, it's shockingly not painful to be waxed here. Bliss has its own special wax that is the closest thing to pain-free ladyparts grooming that I've experienced. It doesn't stick to the skin, but it grabs even the smallest hairs. So one quick rip, and that's all you need. During my weekend bikini wax, at one point I literally didn't feel the wax pulling my hairs out. Score!

If you don't live near a Bliss spa, or you'd like to save a few bucks, check out the waxing kit ($45). It contains the same wax and tools that the pros use, and I've had success using it at home. (Not for Brazilians, though; there are some things that are too tricky for me.) Along with the Completely Bare kit, it's the best at-home option for a minimally painful wax.

Bella Bargain: Free Love Handler From Bliss

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:03:39 -0800

There's no way to get a flatter stomach without doing sit-ups . . . or is there? Now you can find out for yourself. Super spa brand Bliss is offering a free full-sized bottle of its caffeine-infused Love Handler gel with every purchase. The gel is said to tighten abdominal skin and reduce the jiggle factor. I haven't tried it, but if you're going to order from Bliss, you might as well do it now and try it out.

Good throughout the month of February, the deal has no strings attached. No minimum purchase, no code needed, no brand exclusions - just a nice perk if you're in need of a little Bliss.

Bliss Wants You to Say Farewell to Bush. Yes, That One.

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:00:53 -0800

You've got to give credit to the clever guys and gals over at Bliss for their amazing ability to play on words - The Big 'Orange' or 'Dew' Diligence Facial, anyone?

And now the quick-witted company has an offer sure to make you chortle. From Monday the 19th until Sunday, February 1st, you can say farewell to bush at Bliss Spas in NYC, LA, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Scottsdale by saving 20 percent on a Brazilian bikini wax appointment when you present the coupon from the link above. You'll also receive a 20 percent discount on Ingrown Hair Eliminating Peeling Pads (regularly $38), Poetic Wax Kit (regularly $45), and Get Out of Hair! Lotion ($35) at participating Bliss Spa locations and at Blissworld.com when you type in BUSH in the shopping bag at checkout. So whether you're happy or sad about W leaving office, you can save a few bucks on your personal deforestation.

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