PopSugar

Definition: Tourmaline

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:00:08 -0700

What do the two things in this picture have in common? They're both tourmaline, yet obviously in different forms. Tourmaline is a chemical combination of primarily silicate, boron, and aluminum (but sometimes includes other elements like iron, magnesium, and lithium). This precious crystal is ground down into a fine powder and then added to hair tools such as "infused" into a ceramic coated flat iron, applied in a thin coat on top of the brush or ground up to coat the inside of a dryer.

Even though both my hair brush and flat iron feature this substance, quite honestly that wasn't my deciding factor for purchase. Still, I was interested to learn about the added benefits. Turns out that tourmaline plates produce around six times more negative ions than standard ceramic plates. (Negative ions straighten your hair for far longer and give it a silkier, shinier look.) Tourmaline products are typically smoother than the ceramic versions - they create less friction and damage from styling, and in the end get smoother results.
Source

Glitterati: Becky Kelso

FabSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:50:33 -0700

Like many artists, Becky Kelso's designs reflect her life experiences. Becky's education in design, her frequent travels, and upbringing in a family that appreciates art were all important influences in the creation of her jewelry collection.

Becky studied illustration and fashion design at the Fashion Institute in Southern California. However, it wasn't until 11 years later, and living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, for two years, that she found herself applying her educational background and experiences to design jewelry. It was in Mexico when she first explored the art of jewelry making.

Her fine jewelry has an antique look that is delicate and feminine and exhibits her cross-cultural interests. "I try not to follow huge trends, but instead I try to follow my heart in the direction it takes me," explains Becky. With a colorful gold-based collection, and one of her favorite stones being the Fabworthy tourmaline, her pieces are $200 and beyond and there is a large selection at Ylang 23.

To see more of her pretty designs, read more

View 5 Photos ›

Tourmaline's T3 Ionic Wet or Dry Flat Iron

FabSugar — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:58:42 -0700

Have no more fear of frying or damaging your tresses with extra heat styling when your hair is already bone dry. Finally, it's here; a straightening iron that you can use when your hair is soaking wet! This is a huge time saver; you can actually skip the entire blow dry stage of your getting ready repertoire. The Tourmaline T3 Ionic Wet or Dry Iron heats up in just seconds and it won't cause static electricity.

The T3 has a channel and vent system to help excess water evaporate. Don't be scared when you hear a strange steaming sound. That's just water mixing with the heat of the iron. There is also a cool flashing light that lets you know when it's ready for use.

The T3 is different from the rest because of the precious tourmaline stones built right into the product which generate up to six times more negative ions upon heating. Other ceramic products usually just spray on a coat of ceramic. Those don't heat up as quickly and they won't protect your hair nearly as well. Buy it here for $200. Also included is a heat-resistant black pouch that you can rest the iron on while it's still hot.

The End-All Be-All Hairdryer

FabSugar — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 17:15:12 -0700

Would you spend $200 for a hairdryer? Well if it takes you an hour to dry your hair and you could cut this time in half, you might consider it right? After all, time is money! This Tourmaline Professional Ionic Hair Dryer is so popular with people in the know that most stores can't keep it in stock.

Not only does this cut drying time in half, it also actually makes your hair healthier vs. traditional dryers that are not so good for your tresses. Sounds to good to be true, right?

According to the Sephora website:

Infused with 100 percent tourmaline jewels (the world's most potent ionic mineral), T3 Tourmaline II Ionic Hair Dryer delivers maximum negative ions and infrared heat. This means lightning fast drying and healthier, shinier, deeply moisturized hair. An entirely new approach to blow drying, the T3 guarantees frizz-free results every time.

Other benefits include:

Breaks down water for deep moisture penetration

Smoothes hair surface for silky-smooth shine

Eliminates static

Delivers heat gently to the hair shaft, drying the hair from the inside out

Closes the cuticle layer to protect the hair

One thing to note is that it only works in North America and is not recommended to be used abroad, so sorry to all of our international friends!

Available for $200 here

Sale Alert: Designers Guild Midseason Sale

CasaSugar — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:30:35 -0700

Designers Guild, aka heaven, is having its Midseason Sale now, offering discounts of up to 50 percent off of bed linens, cushions, blankets, rugs, towels, and whites. Unless you're a designer, or hire one, you'll be hard pressed to ever see Designers Guild products on sale. So don't miss this chance! The retailer's soft floral prints, delicate embroideries, and modern weaves don't come cheaply, so even on sale they may be a splurge. But they're also high quality and statement pieces, so the price tag is worth it. I'm really loving the Ariana Bedding ($27.50-$90), the Giacosa Teal Rug ($595), and the Valencay Tourmaline Pillow ($45).

Is This Gadget Useful or Useless?

BellaSugar — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:00:31 -0700

Fancy something fancy you'd spot in a hotel, perhaps? Since the recession may limit your vacays, this pampering product will dry you right up . . . while drying up fewer funds in the process. Originally marked at $160, but currently priced at 70 bucks to go go go, the compact Bion 3-in-1 works its water-removing magic on hair and hands while offering heat to dry nail polish, too.

If you think this non-essential's only for those with money to ~~waste~~ spend, consider that you could eliminate blowouts (the dryer's packed with ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline technology), manicure appointments, and buying paper towels, which saves cash in the long run. Come on, did you even see the lotion warming feature?!

Last Night a Hairbrush Saved My Life

BellaSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:00:11 -0700

Readers, I have fallen off the wagon. I have a strange desire (during this particularly humid week) to blow-dry my hair straight. I know it's not the best thing for my hair, but this time I got a reinforcement: I bought Conair’s Infiniti Tourmaline Brush ($12.99) after realizing I no longer even owned a round-barrel brush.

I've had blowouts in swank salons where they hold a round brush upright at the end and pull it straight down to create a perfect wave at the bottom of your hair. The spiral openings in this Tourmaline-infused brush some how make it possible to do that yourself, without getting one strand of hair caught on the bristles (OK, or handle. I have a lot of hair). Do you guys have a Holy Grail hair brush?

Products to Perfect Your Blowout

BellaSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:00:09 -0800

I am all about embracing natural beauty, but sometimes it's fun to change up our everyday look, especially for a special occasion. If you happen to have wavy or curly hair, getting a sleek blowout is a surefire way to feel fancy. To help you get this look at home, I've put together a list of must-have products that will help eliminate the damage to your hair while achieving the look.

Frederic Fekkai Technician Mask ($35) is the most moisturizing mask I've ever put on my hair. It protects against damage by closing and sealing the hair shaft. I won't let a blow-dryer near my hair without using this first.

Dove Advanced Care Heat Shield Styling Spray ($5) is a heat-protecting leave-in, and products like this are essential for a silky blow-dry. This thermal protecting spray will coat your strands and absorb the heat from your styling tools so that your hair follicles don't.

For two more hair helpers, read more.
I'm a fan of the T3 Tourmaline Hair Dryer ($200) As I've said before, the T3 dryer really is worth the splurge. It reduces the length of time your fragile hair is exposed to heat, and it blasts your hair with negative ions to smooth the cuticle and eliminate frizz.

Finally, you might want to check out the Chi 1-in. Ceramic Flat Iron ($80). Ceramic irons actually lock moisture into your hair, rather than drying it out. Like the Tourmaline dyer, the ceramic plates seal the hair cuticle so that it is resistant to humidity and frizz.

On Our Radar: Neiman's Decadent Christmas List

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:00:22 -0700

The current economic crisis seems to have no impact on Neiman Marcus. The luxury retailer has released its annual Christmas book, and it's chock full of extravagant gifts. Edible 23-karat gold powder, BMWs, Cartier jewelry - the list goes on and on. We surely can't afford such decadence, but there's no harm in dreaming, right?

The catalog boasts an abundance of lavish gifts for everyone in your life. Cowboys fan? Neiman has your man covered with its $500,000 roll of synthetic turf cut from the Dallas Cowboys’ end zone at Texas Stadium. And for all the ladies, how about owning a piece of history with a 16th-century tourmaline and gold ring for $45,000? More high-end items include his and hers life-size Lego statues by Nathan Sawaya sold at a mere $60,000; a $1.3 million wedding at the Resort at Pelican Hills in Newport Beach, CA; a $1 million backyard golf course by Jack Nicklaus; and a chance to play a game with the Harlem Globetrotters for $110,000. Let the holiday shopping begin!

To see more from Neiman's Christmas book, read more.

View 10 Photos ›

Source and Source

New Product Alert: TIGI Bed Head Hairdryer

BellaSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:00:26 -0800

TIGI has just come out with a 1875 Watt Fibre Optic Tourmaline Active Ionic Dryer ($49.99). The dryer has cool and easy to detect "gem-colored" heat indicators that allow you the choice to dry your hair with negative or positive ions. Blue means it will dry your hair more quickly, and green means that it will open up your hair cuticles to boost volume.

Other features include an airflow concentrator (you know, that narrow nozzle attachment), a diffuser (to help create waves), a light motor, a cold shot button, two heat choices, two speed choices and a three-year warranty.

Supposedly, it also really helps reduce frizzies. I'm curious to know how well it really works, or if it is more of just a gem gimmick than anything. This is one of the least expensive tourmaline dryers I've seen, so my interest is definitely piqued.