BellaSugar -- You're beautiful.

Beauty Mark It Results: Beautiful Body Scrubs

bellasugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:15:22 -0700

Last week we switched things around by updating our weekly Beauty Mark It feature. Instead of asking you to go out there and find products that correlate to a specific topic, I asked you to go to our ever-fabulous Product Review Site to give your honest opinions instead. The subject matter this time around? To tell me what you think about your fave/not so fave Body Scrubs and Exfoliants.

I loved reading everybody's opinions, and the following three reviews really stood out:

Stooped reviewed Victoria's Secret Stimulating Body Scrub ($9) — "I usually prefer scrubs with bran or finely ground seeds, as the sugar scrubs I tried dissolved too early to be effective on the body. VS scrubs don't dissolve right away so you can work in some scrubbing without irking your skin. The fragrances are a bit too sweet at first, but soon wear off to a subtle, pleasing smell. Plus, you can't beat the price. They are also often on a bogo sale in stores."

To see the other two reviews,

DIY Spa Treatment: Coffee Clove Body Scrub

bellasugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:00:41 -0700

Does it say something about my lifestyle that in all of these DIYs, the only thing I am apprehensive about is wasting coffee? Luckily, what I came up with is not wasteful at all but instead a delicious body scrub that works as well as it smells. Also, instead of mixing it up in a bowl like I have in the past, I washed out a tub of Kerastase Masquintense. So much environmental responsibility in one post!

For ingredients and instructions,

Beauty Mark It! Beautiful Body Scrubs

bellasugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:20:05 -0700

I'm always down for changing things around, and now it's time to ruffle up things a bit on our Beauty Mark It challenges. From now on, I'll provide the topic (suggestions always welcome) and ask you to provide a review of a product within that category. Then, we'll add it to our ever-expanding Product Reviews page, where you can add your own star ratings.

This week, let's kick things off with body scrubs. Whether it comes in a tube or jar or sloughs dead skin with beads, enzymes, or crushed walnuts, one thing's for sure — these products feel great. Just go to the body scrubs section, and the rest is easy. I'll feature my favorite reviews here next week, so what are you waiting for? It's time to voice your opinion.

And don't forget: every day you share a product review, you're entered to win a prize. Huzzah!

New Product Alert: Carol's Daughter SweetHoneyDip ChocolateBrownSugah Scrub

bellasugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:00:47 -0700

Try saying this one three times fast. Not only is this new SweetHoneyDip ChocolateBrownSugah Scrub ($34) from Carol's Daughter so good that you can almost eat it, but it works wonders to slough away dead skin cells. After trying this sweet treat in a hot bath last weekend, I loved the way it left my skin feeling moisturized, soft and luxuriously smooth.

It's packed with real chocolate, honey, vanilla bean and chunks of brown sugar (a natural exfoliant) so it smells divine and feels incredible on your body. It's also formulated with a blend of evening primrose oil, omega 6-fatty acids, vitamin E and olive oil to help restore elasticity and hydrate dry skin.

You may think that the honey, sugar and chocolate would be way too sticky to put on your body, but it's actually not that bad. If you apply a teaspoon at a time to the palms of your hands, then rub it into your wet skin in small circular motions, you'll be all set. Oh, and if you lick a little "by accident" while you're at it, don't worry, it's not going to hurt you — although I'd advise nibbling an actual dessert after a good scrub instead.

Product Review: Lush Buffy Body Bar

bellasugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:00:18 -0700

Buffy Summers is arguably the smartest, strongest, most complex heroine in TV history, and I'm disappointed that we haven't seen anyone come close to her coolness since Buffy went off the air. (Maybe Dollhouse will change that.) But I remember Buffy every time I rub my bottom.

Let me explain. One of Lush's cult products is Buffy ($10.75), an exfoliating and moisturizing bar for use in the shower. You just rub your skin as you would with a bar of soap, but Buffy sloughs away dead skin while leaving a moisturizing layer of cocoa and shea butters behind. It's pretty great, since it effectively cancels out the need to use a body lotion afterward. The only downside is that it can be ever-so-slightly greasy, so you'll need to gently pat, not rub, your skin with a towel. Otherwise, though, it's great if you have scaly, dry skin — or if you just want to relive the days of the Scooby Gang in the shower.

Source

DIY Spa Treatment: Ginger-Mint Body Scrub

bellasugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:00:23 -0700

Store-bought brown sugar scrubs are divine, but when their prices swing upward toward the $50 mark, that's a lit-tle high for most people. Fortunately, whipping up your own scrub couldn't be easier — and the results are just as good.

You will need:

Honey
Freshly grated ginger root
Chopped fresh mint leaves
Olive oil
Brown sugar, light or dark

To see what to do,

Succulent Strawberry Scrubs

bellasugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:01:12 -0800

Having these grainy and sweet body scrubs in the bath and shower is just asking for trouble. After just one whiff, I'll never want to get out. For those of you who want to take a break from the doldrums of January and indulge in a summertime treat, here are three succulent scrubs that'll do the trick. And hey, if you have any Winter strawberries in your fridge that you can't bear to waste, try making this strawberry scrub at home.

Fresh Sugar Face Polish ($55) is one of those oldies but goodies that you can never say too many great things about. It's made with ground-up wild strawberries and brown sugar, so it's deep cleaning and exfoliating. One of my friends swears by this stuff, and considering the fact that her skin is always soft and clear, it's enough for me.

This Fresh Ripe Wild Strawberry Scrub from Peter Thomas Roth ($35) is more for the body than for the face. It's a sweet-smelling scrub that uses strawberry seeds as exfoliating grains. Not only does it deep clean, it also sloughs away rough, dead skin.

100% Pure Strawberry Butter Body Scrub ($22) is an all-natural, rich, and thick body scrub infused with coconut oil and shea butter to help condition while exfoliating. It also contains antioxidants to help brighten and protect skin. I can't think of a yummier way to scrub-a-dub in the tub.

DIY Spa Treatment: Chinese Sesame Ginger Scrub

bellasugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:00:18 -0800

Origins Incredible Spreadable Ginger Body Scrub may be one of the best-smelling, calming products on the planet. I've had a love affair with this sugary, lemony, and gingery item for about five years now. It does the trick every time to bring me to my happy place during bath time.

Although it's not ridiculously expensive at $25 a pop, my indulgence adds up quickly throughout the year. That's why then I saw an amazing DIY recipe for another ginger body scrub I got really excited. To find out what you'll need to create this little slice of Chinese heaven right in your own bathroom,

DIY Spa Treatment: Thanksgiving-Inspired Body Scrub

bellasugar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:00:37 -0800

You've gone out and bought all of these fresh ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner, but you've still got some leftovers lying around. Instead of watching them go bad or killing yourself trying to concoct a makeshift meal with minimal groceries, indulge your body and pamper your senses with this fresh and yummy Thanksgiving-inspired body scrub. It's really easy to make — and now your insides and your outsides can savor the goodness of comfort food! Here's what to do:

In a medium-sized saucepan, mix together and heat 2 oz. of apricot-kernel oil, 1 oz. of sunflower oil, and 1 oz. of jojoba oil.
Next, turn off the heat but add in 1oz. of cornmeal, one teaspoon of sugar, one tbsp. of ground pecans, and six drops of lavender oil. Stir.
When everything is cool enough for your skin, stand on a large towel (this could get messy) and gently rub the mixture onto your body in circular motions. Don't forget about your toes, your neck, and your knees — but you will want to avoid your face.
Rinse off in a warm shower and don't use any soap. Allow the oils to moisturize your skin. When you are about to get out of the shower, give your body a cool rinse and then gently pat your body dry.

Source

D.I.Y. Spa Treatment: Strawberry Exfoliator

bellasugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:24:15 -0700

If you are as big of fan of strawberries as I am, this DIY strawberry exfoliator is a treat you're sure to love. I always keep strawberries around and since they can get quite costly, especially in the winter. I get really bummed when they go soft before I've had the chance to gobble them up. Here's a strawberry indulgence that can save you from throwing money right down the drain!

Take out a mixing bowl and fill it with eight to ten ripe or over-ripe strawberries.
Squash the strawberries until they become soft and mushy. Then combine two tablespoons of olive oil and one teaspoon of coarse salt until you have a paste.
Next, massage the paste onto your body, focusing on any super-dry or dull looking skin areas. Rub well and then rinse off with warm water. Your skin will feel instantly softer, smoother and shinier!

Source

Product Review: 5th Avenue Bath Co. Exfoliating Body Polish

bellasugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:57:18 -0700

Judging by the name, you might expect 5th Avenue Bath Co. to hail from Manhattan's tony Upper East Side. Instead, the bath- and body-product company comes from suburban Columbus. I've been using its Exfoliating Body Polish with Shea Butter ($17.95) for about a month.

First, the good: I love the scent, Black Vetiver Cafe. 5th Avenue Bath Co. describes it as "a woody and ambery blend with a hint of citrus followed by notes of red cedar, sandalwood and musks." My nose isn't sophisticated enough to parse these notes, but lemme tell you, it has the "expensive and fancy, but natural" thing going on. Another plus is that because of the shea butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil, this scrub leaves a soft protective, moisturizing barrier on skin well after the shower. If you have dry skin, this stuff is a lifesaver!

For the rest of my review,

Back To Basics: The Best Body Exfoliators

bellasugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 14:01:00 -0700

Welcome back to Back To Basics, the Cliff Notes version of my all-time favorite products. Since we've been talking so much about self tanner and body bronzer this week on beach week, I thought I'd give you a friendly reminder that the first step before applying any of these products is exfoliating. Your skin becomes shinier once you remove all of those unnecessary dull and dead cells, and it will feel softer and smoother too. Here's a look at three of my top picks for body exfoliators.

Lancome Resurface Microdermabrasion Body Polishing Treatment ($46) is a favorite among beauty editors. The small exfoliating crystals and pumice stone in the formula effectively buff away dullness, and they don't scratch your skin making it red and sensitive like a lot of other exfoliators can.

Since I've tried it, I can hardly shower without it! Your skin is left polished, radiant and it feels like buttah!.

For two more more of my favorite exfoliators,

Bellissima! Caudalie Crushed Cabernet Scrub

bellasugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 11:19:28 -0700

This body scrub won't get you drunk, but it will delight the oenophiles in your life. Crushed Cabernet Scrub by Caudalie ($35) is one of the signature offerings from the French brand that crafts skincare and bath products from vineyard-grown ingredients. (Thanks to user Kbella for the tip!)

The Crushed Cabernet Scrub is made from organically grown and very French ingredients, including crushed grape seeds, brown sugar, and honey harvested in Gironde. The formula also contains essential oils of juniper berries, lemongrass, and four other botanicals. It promises to smooth rough skin as well as cellulite. If you're not a Cab fan, fret not: Caudalie also makes other varietals, including Merlot Friction Scrub and a Sauvignon Scrub.

Bring On The Bling, Part III: Gemstones

bellasugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 15:31:03 -0700

Welcome to the third and final installment of Bring on the Bling. I already told you about beauty products that incorporate diamonds and pearls, and today, I'm rounding up three more products that include pulverized gemstones, which are said to give off strong vibrational qualities that soothe, smooth, and revitalize the skin.

Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Cream ($32) is a gentle face cream best suited for normal to dry skin. Crushed tourmaline is included in this formula, along with powerful anti-oxidants and natural marine and plant extracts. For best results, use in the morning and in the evening.

For more gem-infused skincare products,

Diana B. Sugar Body Scrubs

bellasugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:44:33 -0800

Diana B. Body Scrub, $45, is the perfect way to exfoliate away all of your Fashion Week midtown grime. This luxurious scrub is a sweet way to naturally awaken your senses.

Take a fingerful or two or three while you are in the shower and scrub off your dead skin cells and cleanse your body. Take a deep breath in and send your senses soaring from the sweet smells that do a body good.

Not only do these scrubs exfoliate, but their mineral packed formula also aids in healing sun damage and topical infections. Diana B. Body Scrub is available in four scents: maple sugar lychee nut, antioxidant infused green tea grapefruit, circulation improving black fig, or restorative peach frangipani flower.

Now you can be soft and tasty for your special someone this Valentine's Day. These scrubs are all natural, oil free, wax free and chemical free.