BellaSugar

Reader Review of the Day: Clinique Deep Comfort Body Wash

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:52 -0800

Are you in the market for a new body wash - especially one that's great for both seasonally and naturally dry skin? Perhaps you should take a piece of advice from reader stef42678, who recently reviewed ($20). Here's what she has to say about this new product:

I really love this cleanser. It foams up well with a great creamy lather, and it really moisturizes my skin. It doesn't leave a thick residue or oily skin and it makes my skin relaxed and hydrated.

What are some of your favorite body cleansers for cooler-weathered months? Tell us all about them in the Product Reviews pages. Perhaps your review will be featured right here on Bella, too!

Reader Review of the Day: Nature's Gate Hemp Velvet Moisture Body Wash

BellaSugar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:03:14 -0700

Here's a fatty that won't get you in any trouble. I'm talking essential fatty acids, which are nourishing for the skin, and incidentally, found in hemp seed oil, a main ingredient of Nature's Gate Hemp Velvet Moisture Body Wash ($6). Reader Hottpink sung the praises of this moisturizing cleanser, and here's what she had to say:

I was on the hunt for a body wash that was eco- and animal-friendly, and thought I would give this a try after spying it at a Whole Foods Body. Overall, I am really pleased with this body wash. It has a slightly earthy scent which is not overpowering at all, and it really moisturizes my dry skin. Unlike some body washes, this rinses away clean and doesn't leave that "film" feeling. It doesn't suds up as much as bar soap, but I don't mind. I have even used it to shave when I ran out of shaving cream. Another plus: it lasts a long time!

Are you impressed with certain eco-friendly products you've recently tried? We want to know about it, even if the results have been less than stellar. Our Product Reviews section is the place to go for all things beauty. We look forward to reading your opinions each day, and who knows? Perhaps you'll be the next featured reviewer.

Splurge of the Week: Kiehl's Body Cleansing Oil

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:00:48 -0700

My skin has been going through an oddball itchy phase. Ever the hypochondriac, I became convinced that the cats had fleas. They didn't, so I thought, "Oh no, I've somehow picked up bedbugs!" (I hadn't.) After running through a mile-long list of potential itch-causers, I decided to switch body wash to one that doesn't foam up and potentially irritate my skin.

You could probably use a variety of washes, but I went with Superbly Restorative Body Cleansing Oil ($27.50). It has organic argan oil (the buzzed-about Moroccan oil) as well as a beta hydroxy acid. Since it's an oil, it doesn't lather up like crazy. Instead, it gently washes away dirt without leaving my skin dry. Plus, the softly earthy scent is sexy instead of traversing into a "I just followed Phish around for three months" funk. Most important: no more itchy skin. Win! At $27.50, it's more expensive than most body washes, but a little goes a really long way - and the ability to go to sleep without scratching my legs these days is pretty much priceless.

Reader Review of the Day: Olay Body Wash Plus Body Butter Ribbons

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:15:48 -0700

Olay Body Wash ($5.29) was a staple of my college dorm bathroom in the Winter, when no amount of lotion could keep the indoor heat from drying my skin out. I haven't used it in a couple years now that I live in more temperate climes, but the most recent version incorporates body butter, and it sounds just as good as the original. Reader hippiecowgirl wrote a nice review of it, so I'll let her take it from here:

"It's really creamy and moisturizing. I used it as a body cleanser and a shaving cream at the same time. My skin felt fresh, and I got a close shave, so it definitely serves both purposes well. The only thing I didn't care for was the perfumey scent. I plan to purchase this again in the winter when my skin is extra dry."

Absolutely love something you just tried (or absolutely hate it)? Want to know what people who've tried the newest products think about them? Head over to our Product Reviews section to write reviews of your own, and see how other people rate the beauty goodies you're interested in.

Doing Drugstore: Nivea Touch of Happiness

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:00:22 -0700

A few weeks ago, I picked up some Nivea cellulite-reduction pads on mega-clearance. (I know they won't work, but I'm testing them to prove that point.) The package came with a sample-size bottle of the brand's new Touch of Happiness body wash ($5.49), and, well, who doesn't like being touched by happiness? Not me!

Nivea excitedly promises a moisturizing, invigorating shower experience. (Oddly, it also declares that the body wash "foams without pouf." Is that really all that unusual?) And the orange blossom scent is pleasant without having the overpowering fakeness that sinks many inexpensive body washes. What's more, it smells exactly like the off-brand orange Kool-Aid served at my Girl Scout camp back in the day. (Proustian showering!) While I still like to use lotion after showering, Touch of Happiness hasn't dried my skin out like some washes can, and if it brings back memories of lanyard-making, so much the better. Recommended if you like an invigorating but gentle way to start your day but not if you dislike soft citrus scents.

Bar Soap or Body Wash?

BellaSugarUK — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:30:00 -0700

My mum raised me on the plain white, unscented kind of Dove Cream Bar Soap, so even with all the access that I have to luxe gels and creamy body washes, I tend to keep some Dove handy in my bath and shower at all times.

In fact, I'm so accustomed to the gentle fragrance and fresh feeling from Dove, that even after I use other body washes I feel like they either leave behind a filmy residue, or conversely, they make my skin feel dry and tight. Vote below and tell me if you prefer using bar soap or body wash. Also, are you loyal to any one brand in particular?

Something You'll Want to Steal From the Hotel

BellaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:02:12 -0800

For my mom's birthday earlier this week, I Pricelined the Hyatt Regency in Chicago for the delightfully reasonable price of $65. Sure, the hotel decor was on the bland side, and we had to dodge tipsy conventioneers on the way to the elevators, but when you're paying so little, who can complain, really?

Of note: The bathroom shampoo, body wash, and soap. You'll find Portico White Ginger in Hyatts all over the place, and if you're like me, you'll want to linger in the shower. The soap has little nubs to massage your skin, while the shampoo lathers up into huge piles of foam without drying out hair. But the real reason to check it out is the scent. It's a heady, tropical lily fragrance that's strong without being overpowering. Check it out the next time you're hangin' at the Hyatt and let me know what you think.

Brad Pitt Wants To Shower With You

BellaSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:00:30 -0700

Humina humina! As if it weren't enough to get close to Brad Pitt's lips, now he'd like to take a shower with you. Well, kind of. He's teaming up with Kiehl's to launch a new product, Kiehl's Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser ($16.50). The body wash is free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, and dyes - and it's packaged in 100% recycled plastic.

But here's the twist: Brad isn't appearing in any ads, and Kiehl's isn't making a bundle of cash from this deal. Instead, 100 percent of profits will go to JPF Eco Systems, a green charity that Brad created with Kiehl's. WWD estimates that more than $1 million will go to support various ecologically friendly projects, beginning with Make It Right, the post-Katrina charity that helps build green homes in New Orleans. Brad's hands are all over the project, including the label that features his own handwriting.

It's nice to know that Brad's thinking of all of us when we're naked in the shower, isn't it? And it's even better to know that when the cleanser comes out in October, we'll all be able to return the favor while doing good.

Source

DIY Spa Treatment: A Lovely Lavender Liquid Body Wash

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:11 -0700

For all of you who have really enjoyed my at-home beauty recipes, I really think you'll love this easy to make scented body wash. Not only is it a fraction of the cost of most store-bought products, but it's something special that you can share with house guests - you wouldn't offer them your used soap bar, would you? Here's what you'll need to create this luscious liquid body soap:

One bottle of unscented shampoo

1 tsp xanthan gum (optional)

15 drops of lavender essential oil

5 drops of peppermint essential oil

5 drops of rosemary essential oil

5 drops of tea tree oil

For three fool-proof directions, read more.

Step 1: Take a large, glass mixing bowl and pour in one and a half cups of shampoo. It doesn't need to be expensive, it just needs to be unscented.
Step 2: If you're someone who likes your body wash to be extra thick, add in a thickening ingredient such as Xanthan gum and mix well.
Step 3: Next, add in all 30 drops of essential oils to the bowl and blend well. Feel free to choose whatever oils you like best. I like this effervescent combination for the shower because the lavender is calming, the tea tree oil works as an antibacterial (and it smells great), and the peppermint and rosemary are invigorating.

Source

Doing Drugstore: Dial Yogurt Body Wash

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:00:20 -0800

Since I always apply a moisturizer after the shower, I'm usually not too excited about moisturizing body washes. But if there's one that smells good and leaves me clean without irritating my skin, I'm game. Luckily, the new Dial body washes fit neatly into that category.

The new Yogurt Body Wash line uses yogurt protein to condition and hydrate skin, and the oil- and petroleum-free formula rinses clean without leaving any residue. The washes come in either Aloe Vera or Vanilla Honey scents. I thought the latter would be too sweet for my senses, but it was surprisingly pleasant and subtle. The Aloe Vera is fresh and clean-smelling if that's more your speed. Both were super foamy - you don't need much to get a good lather going - and they feel luxurious for the $5 price tag. They're trickling into drugstores now, so be sure to let me know what you think.