PopSugar

Product Review: Botanical Essence No. 1 From Liz Earle

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

It's no secret that I'm a huge Liz Earle fan. Besides adorning her face, bath and body products, I often turn to her books for at home remedies and advice on essential oils. So when I heard that she was launching her first ever fragrance after three years in development called Botanical Essence No. 1, I could hardly wait to get my hands on some.

If I'm being totally honest, at first, I found the scent to be a little green, meaning not quite fully developed. It reminded me of Charlie by Revlon, something I wore as a kid. However, if you give it some time, you can appreciate the floral center and crisp, unique dry-down.

This warm and definitely sensuous Eau de Parfum was inspired by Liz's Instant Boost Skin Tonic and is a culmination of 98% natural botanicals grown in France, Turkey, Italy and Indonesia. It contains notes of lavender, bergamot, rose, patchouli, mandarin, bitter orange, lemon, cardamom, geranium, coriander, nutmeg, cedar, vetiver and tonka bean, and is currently available in a 50 ml bottle for £39.50.

In my opinion, the only drawback is the initial heaviness, but I really like the end result and the price-point is more than fair for an Eau de Parfum. Does your favourite skincare brand make a fragrance too?

November Must Haves: Amazing Autumn Beauty Buys

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:41:29 -0800

This Autumn, as the temperature really begins to cool and take a turn, you'll need to adjust your beauty routine with more moisture-rich products. Also, makeup gets more earthy than playful in dark browns, creams and warm neutrals as opposed to flirty fuchsia's and peppy pinks. Below are seven of my most coveted November notions - shop away!

View Slideshow ›

Beauty And Your Body: Skin Loving Botanicals and Oils

BellaSugarUK — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Can you guess how these natural plants help to enhance your skin's natural beauty? For years, botanicals and essential oils have helped soothe, soften, heal and correct our skin. Take my quiz and see how well you know your natural ingredients- good luck and have fun!

Take the quiz

Morning-After Glory Part 2

BellaSugarUK — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700

So by night you're a wild child, Kate Moss-alike, scampering from club to party, looking smoky eyed and sizzling.

And by day? Well, if you're starting to resemble Frankenstein's sister, after too many late nights and not enough kip – here's the second part of my guide to looking beautiful, the morning-after the night-before.

So if your manager is starting to roll her eyes at your under eye luggage, but the invites show no signs of stopping – read more to follow these simple tips and practice saying "Party? What party?"

Before going to sleep, apply a little spot gel, to any blemishes. I like Spot-On by Liz Earle, (£7.50). Lavender, tea tree and melissa oil work to give you super clear skin. Now, you just have to work on your conscience!
Don't pile on the makeup – however tempting. Make sure that your base is light, anything too heavy or matte will just make you look tired and sallow.
if you have time, apply Dermalogica's Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque, (£21.35), for five minutes in the morning. It includes antioxidants and Vitamins A and C, to increase suppleness and give you a glow– so you can keep your makeup light.
Even if it's a huge effort, always wash and blow dry hair. If you look clean and glossy, people will be fooled into thinking you feel clean and glossy too!
Use a fresh-smelling perfume, as oppose to one that's overly musky. Try the new Bobbi Brown Almost Bare. It includes bergamot and jasmine for a fresh, yet feminine effect.
Mascara will make you look wide-awake. Use one that is extra-curling, such as L'Oreal Panoramic Curl, (£6.99).
Try dotting a touch of highlighter, such as Boots No 7 Illuminating Lotion, (£10.50), just below the brows and on the inner corners of the eyes to make you look fresh and wide-eyed.

Source

DIY Spa Treatment: Plumping Facial Oil For Dry Skin

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:00:59 -0700

When your hair suffers from chemical and environmental damage, you can help restore vitality by applying a hot oil treatment. Well, when your face becomes dry from the Winter or even from too much sun, I find that applying a facial oil is a helpful solution for replacing moisture loss and for filling in fine lines and wrinkles. I've found this terrific plumping facial oil recipe from Liz Earle that I think you'll love - the smell alone will send you over the moon! You'll need:

1 oz avocado oil

2 tsp rosehip oil

2 tsp argan oil

1 borage oil capsule

1 Vitamin E capsule

2 drops of neroli oil

3 drops of sandalwood oil

For step-by-step instructions on how to make your own facial oil, read more.

STEP 1: In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, blend the avocado oil, rosehip oil and argan oil together.
STEP 2: Next, cut open your borage oil capsule and your vitamin E capsule and gently squeeze them into the bowl. Mix well.
STEP 3: Lastly, add in the neroli oil and a few drops of sandalwood. Heat everything for about twenty seconds (it makes the borage oil and vitamin E oil easier to blend) and blend a few drops to your skin. As you apply it, don't forget to take a few deep breaths and enjoy the fragrance. This recipe is good for about six to eight applications.

BellaSugar's Top Five Hand Cream Picks

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:00:35 -0700

I'm a hand cream junkie, so it is with great pleasure and conviction that I present my top five favorites to you. Over the past year, I've tested many a cream in search of my favorite, and I have two. The first is June Jacobs Green Tea and Cucumber Hand Cream ($46) because of its quick rate of absorbency, non-greasy feeling and soothing scent.

The second is L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ($25) because of its rich, thick texture and unparalleled soothing results. If there's one thing I've learned from my experiences, it's that the key to a good hand cream is shea butter, and the higher the content, the better. Below are three runners-up that I use regularly to soothe dry, chapped hands. What's your all-time favorite hand cream?

Kiehl's Unusually Rich - But Not Greasy At All - Hand Cream with SPF 10 ($15.50) takes the cake when it comes to consistency since it's not too thick and not too runny. It's also not greasy whatsoever and it's a great sports cream since it contains SPF 10.
Liz Earle Hand Repair ($28.50) smells like heaven and works wonders on dry cuticles. A little goes a long way, and there's also a travel tube available for $8.
Yu-Be Cream ($15) is a high quality Japanese yellow-tinted hand cream that moisturizes on a healing level. I highly recommend this fast-absorbing lotion - if you can handle the strong camphor scent.

Product Review: Liz Earle Hand Repair

BellaSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:00:34 -0700

If you haven't noticed, I have an affinity for hand creams. Every time I discover a new one, it feels like Christmas morning. I find some of them to be creamy perfection while others are far too greasy or strong-scented. Up until now, I thought I had just about experienced all of the good ones, but then I tested out Liz Earle Hand Repair.

Last week I overheard some girls talking about their beauty buys in a coffee shop and they pulled out a pump from their shopping bag. I of course immediately checked it out and fell in love with the results.

The texture is light, smooth and it penetrates those deep, dry layers of your skin without feeling the least bit oily. You only need a dime-sized amount for both hands and it works well to soften your cuticles too. The best part of all is the smell. It has that incredible spa, good-for-you aroma since it is made from a blend of essential oils, bergamot, chamomile, lavender and orange.

Prices range from $8 to $28.50 depending on the size you buy. Even a small tube should last you well over a month. As you can tell, I'm totally hooked - are you interested in testing it out?

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part V: Body

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:00:07 -0800

Welcome back to my series on firming beauty products. Today's topic is body creams. Before we go any further, you need to know that no cream can actually remove cellulite. By following a healthy lifestyle you can shrink lipids, but topical creams will only work to stimulate your skin and temporarily help smooth the appearance of cellulite. Below are three that I've tried.

Benefit Jiggle Gel ($26) is a toning, firming, and hydrating moisturizer for your hips, thighs, tummy, arms, and booty. It claims to act as an "invisible girdle." I can't attest to it being quite that effective, but the mental image definitely worked to help me feel firmer. Simply smooth it onto your body and allow it to dry. I just read that it's also recommended to help reduce swelling after long flights, so it might be good for frequent fliers.

For two more body firming creams, read more.

Liz Earle Hip and Thigh Gel ($33) is another toning and moisturizing clear gel designed especially for your hips and thighs. It's made from herbs, essential oils, and has an overriding eucalyptus scent. I like how my skin felt soft after I used it, and of course, massaging it in feels wonderful. For optimal results, apply at least once daily under your usual moisturizer.

Murad Firming Body Cream ($42.50) is a thick, smooth, and creamy body lotion made with soy, oat protein, vitamin C, and shea butter. It was designed to hydrate, tone, and smooth away visible wrinkles. While I didn't see much of a difference in the firmness of my body, it does serve as a great moisturizer.

Re-Balancing and Rejuvenating Facial Oils, Part I

BellaSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:00:32 -0800

I can understand why the thought of applying oil directly to your face might seem a little bit scary. After all, we've been told that oil-free products work best to keep your pores clear and to help keep oily skin matte. But try to strike this information from the record for a moment so that you can learn a little bit about a few non-comedogenic facial oils. These nighttime treatments are a great way to help replenish the moisture level of your skin during these dehydrating winter months.

A little while back I talked to you about Darphin's Tangerine Aromatic Care Oil. I've been using it religiously and the stuff is so amazing that I wish I could drink it! Here are a few more facial oils that are suitable for all skin types. While they are especially fab for those of you with dry skin, they won't make oily skin greasier. They work to hydrate the deeper levels of your skin with brilliant results.

Ole Henriksen Black Currant Complexion Oil ($32) helps calm red/irritated skin as well as shield skin from the drying effects of cold weather and wind. It contains vitamin E to moisturize; lemon, cypress and clary sage to energize; and tea tree oil to fight off bacteria that can lead to blemishes.

To use, cleanse and tone skin and then apply a light layer to the face and neck in the evening before bed. Massage into your skin and follow with a lotion of your choice.

For two more re-balancing and rejuvenating facial oils, read more

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate ($68.25) is an absorbent facial oil that gets applied in the evening. It works to restore, soften and re-balance your skin as well as deeply moisturize. Make sure that you rub this in well so that none of the yellow color gets onto your pillow. Then simply breathe in to enjoy the wonderful and calming scent.

Bobbi Brown Extra Face Oil ($55) is a highly concentrated facial oil that provides intense moisture to help soothe dry, chapped or cracked skin. It is made from a blend of sesame, sweet almond, olive, jojoba, neroli, patchouli, lavender and sandalwood oils as well as Vitamin E which contains healing properties. Use in the evening and follow with a moisturizer.

The Party's Over: Skincare Detox 101

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:00:37 -0800

Last year I posted a series called wiping the slate clean, which was all about clarifying facial cleansers. This year, I thought we could talk a little more frankly about detox - detoxing our skin that is. I've been on planes, trains, and cars throughout the holiday season and let's just say that I've had a few too many late nights (New Year's Eve included) trying to make up for lost time with friends and family.

But now that the party's over, my skin's seen better days. If you're still suffering the effects of overdoing it during the holidays, here are some helpful hints from skincare expert Liz Earle to get your once radiant skin back in check. And this detox program is so easy, you can do it over the course of a weekend.

Did you know that eating a fruit-only diet for 24 hours can lead to increased energy and glowing skin and can help fight off free radicals? In particular, fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, and cabbage are high in antioxidants.
Exfoliate your skin to stimulate your circulatory and lymphatic systems. This helps to significantly reduce the toxins in your body. Each day in the shower, massage a scrub over your face and body to help rejuvenate your skin.

For three more helpful skin detox tips, read more

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Choose any of your favorite body lotions or facial creams to help tired and dry skin rehydrate. Skin will look more supple, soft, and glowing almost immediately.
Try your best to eliminate caffeine from your diet. While it would be ideal to give it up for good, I'm just talking about for a few days to give your body and skin some time to detox. Replace your cup of joe with something like green tea, which will help cleanse and protect your liver as well as return moisture to your skin.
In combination with all of these tips make sure that you are exercising regularly. This will lead to renewed energy levels and the restoration of glowing skin.

Source