FabSugar

Cool Off With Face Mist

FabSugar — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 16:12:33 -0700

Labor Day Weekend marks the official end of summer. But since many of us are heading to the beach, it's not time to retire those summer beauty rituals just yet. If you're traveling to warmer climates, try taking along a bottle of refreshing face mist, which can keep your skin cool, moisturized, or protected from the sun, depending on the product. Here are some cool face mists to try.

Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist, $22, available here

This vitamin-enriched spray-on toner is good for freshening up your face after a hot day at the beach. The organic solution also contains aloe, so it's a good soother if you get too much sun.

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock SPF 45, $11.99, available here

This super-charged sunblock feels icy cool on contact and protects your skin at the same time. Plus, the no-fuss spray doesn't feel greasy.

Two more, so read more

Skyn Iceland Artic Face Mist, $35, available here

This somewhat indulgent product is little more than a chilled face spray that contains mineral water, but it's a refreshing way to cool down on hot days.

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray, $19.50, available here

Billed as a way to quench "thirsty skin," this moisturizing spray keeps your skin from drying out when it's exposed to the elements.

Fabulous Alcohol-Free Facial Toners

FabSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:30:59 -0800

Facial toners can help to improve the overall appearance of your skin by tightening your pores, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and cleansing your skin by removing dead cells, dirt, makeup and oil. Other benefits include: increased circulation, improved hydration, and most importantly, restoring the natural PH balance of your skin. Facial toners should be applied between the cleansing and moisturizing steps of your skincare regimen. Wipe the slate clean with these alcohol-free toners.

Estée Lauder Vérité Soothing Spray Toner, $23, is great for dry and sensitive skin and it won't leave your face feeling stiff or tight. It is a micro-fine mist that will help hydrate, soothe and refresh your skin.

Made from natural plant and green tea extracts and trace minerals, this toner can significantly help reduce redness. If you like, you can even keep this toner in the fridge for a cool mist morning, noon and night!

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Alcohol-Free Toner, $20, is designed to soothe problem skin. It is made with whole flowers and pure botanical extracts to balance out your skin. It also acts as a cleanser for normal to oily skin. It's a non-drying formula that can be used with any oil-free moisturizer.

For a drugstore brand toner, read more

Avon ANEW Clarifying Essence $12, is an alcohol-free toner that clarifies and moisturizes your skin but will not strip it of natural and necessary oils.

This is a gentle toner that can be used both morning and night. It will remove traces of dirt and leaves your skin feeling soft, conditioned and revitalized.

A Healthy Winter Tan

FabSugar — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 23:50:55 -0700

This Sunday marks the end of Daylight Saving Time, which means the days are going to get shorter. But just because the sun is going to be scarce doesn't mean you can't maintain a light, healthy-looking tan. (Please, just don't go overboard!) The advances in self-tanning products over the past few years have been so remarkable that there's really no excuse to lay out in the sun any more. Here are my favorite self-tanners for instant and gradual results for the face and body.

FOR QUICK RESULTS
Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Spray Micro Mist Medium, $10.99, available here. I've heard some people complain that this gets splotchy if your skin has dry patches, but I have dry skin and I've never had a problem. Just make sure to apply right after exfoliating in a moisture-free room (i.e., not the bathroom you just showered in) and rub it in for extra blending.

To see the rest, read more

FOR THE FACE
Clarins Tinted Self Tanning Face Cream SPF 15, $28, available here. This amazingly even tinted lotion gives you a bronzed look while the self-tanner is working, and the added SPF 15 sunscreen keeps your face protected from the actual sun when you're outdoors.

FOR A GRADUAL TAN
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for Medium Skin Tones, $5.99, available here. Given, this product is slightly overexposed, but for good reason. The serious budget buy is one of the best gradual-tanning lotions out there. It goes on smooth without streaks and has a wonderful clean scent to boot.

Beauty Spring Peek: The Chic Sleek Ponytail

FabSugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:21:41 -0800

The chic, sleek ponytail is back! Thank goodness...for once there is an easy style out there for the days when we need just a little extra sleep! These ponytails are low maintenance. They are a classic and beautiful way to pull off a polished look as well as a great way to secure your hair if you want it off of your face and neck.

Pony's also focus attention to your cheekbones. It's a little trick that expert hairstylists have been using for years to make women look refreshed and awake...sort of like you've just gotten a face lift! Calvin Klein is also an advocate of the ponytail. Here is a look from his Spring show. Check out the rest of my Spring Peeks if you like what you see here.

Source

For do it yourself tips, read more

For this style, you can work with day old or dirty hair. Begin by brushing your hair so that it is completely tangle free. If you create a ponytail that has knots in it, you are only asking for trouble down the line.
If hair is wet, apply a serum and then blow dry back, away from your face until it is smooth and dry.
Next, section your hair into three sections - the top and two sides. Leave the top section loose and pull the sides back into a ponytail and secure the hair with a snag free hair elastic, $3.50 for a package of eight.
Then, brush the top section back and use another hair band to secure the ponytail. Tip: if you would like some height on the crown of your head, you can back-comb, or tease this section of the hair just a little bit before securing it.
To give your hair a super polished look, you are going to want to give it some shine. I recommend using an enzyme enhanced spray shine such as Alterna Hemp Seed Spray Shine, $19, to help nourish the condition of your hair effortlessly! FYI - spritz lightly for maximum shine.
Lastly, once you like the look you've created, spritz some hairspray all over in a light mist to keep your pony and wispy loose hairs in place.

The Golden Globes Red Carpet: The Ballet Bun

FabSugar — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:40:56 -0800

Stars like Chloe Sevigny, Svetlana Metinka, and Jada Pinkett Smith chose a classic and subdued ballet bun hairstyle for the Golden Globes last night. This simple hair look shows off their flawless makeup, gorgeous jewelry and fabulous dresses.

Not only will this look elongate your face and neck, but it will also keep you feeling neat and fuss free throughout the affair. It gives you one less thing to have to worry about. Hairstylist Campbell McAuley was responsible for creating the effortless look on Chloe Sevigny last night.

To read more about how to get this look at home, read more

Start off by brushing your hair so that it is smooth and tangle-free and add a drop of Fekkai Glossing Cream, $19.50, to add shine to your hair.
Next, pull your hair back neatly into a ponytail at the back of the head or higher and secure it with a hair elastic. If you want a middle part, now is the time to determine that and brush hair back around the part. Also keep in mind where you would like the bun to be placed on your head. Wherever you make your pony, your bun will go.
Twist your ponytail as you wrap it around your hair elastic so that you make a coiled circular bun. Next, apply pins to keep the wrap in place. You will want to use about 12 pins per bun. Then, rub a little bit of Fekkai Technician Color-Protecting Glaze, $20, in between your fingers and gently apply it to your hair. This acts as a light gel and will hold your hair in place.
To finish, mist hair lightly with a gentle hold hairspray to eliminate any wisps. I like, Fekkai Sheer Hold Hair Spray, $23.

India Hicks Island Beauty at Crabtree & Evelyn

FabSugar — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 11:22:23 -0800

Not all of us are lucky enough to live in the Bahamas, so thankfully, India Hicks is bringing some of her peaceful island existence to us. The British former model is serving as the face and the muse of the new Crabtree & Evelyn Naturals line of shower scrubs, soaps, and other bath accoutrements.

In a world overrun with scented bath products, these 19 blends really stand out, with extracts of sugarcane, cardamom, mint, and other exotic ingredients that really do summon images of island living. The eco-friendly line contains no active synthetic or chemical ingredients, and it's beautifully packaged and surprisingly affordable. Plus, when you spend $85 or more on Naturals line, you get a free jar of Body Butter. Hicks, who wrote the book Island Beauty, available here, is also developing her own line of C&E products due out next year, and a portion of the proceeds will go to Hicks's pet causes. Until then, here are some of the delicious picks from the Crabtree & Evelyn line.

Lemongrass and Brown Sugar Body Scrub, $26, available here.

To see the rest, read more

Cocoa Butter, Nutmeg, and Cardamom Botanical Body Bar, $8, available here.

Black Tea, Vetiver, and Sugarcane Body Mist, $20, available here.

Pink Grapefruit and Cucumber Shower Mousse, $16, available here.