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Beauty Glossary: Blonde Bombshell

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:00:00 -0800

Bombshell, knock-out, dynamite; these war metaphors are often used to describe a particularly attractive and glamorous type of blonde. The phrase was first used to talk about film actress Jean Harlow. Her movie Bombshell was released in the US in 1933. The blurb that went along with the adverts stated "Lovely, luscious, exotic Jean Harlow as the Blonde Bombshell of filmdom." By the time that the film was released in the UK the term had become widely used and the film was retitled Blonde Bombshell for a captivated British audience.

Jean was also popularly known as the "Platinum Blonde" and this early sex symbol spawned a generation of women who didn't want to be 'naturally' sun-kissed blonde and wholesome; rather they craved that pale, moon-coloured hair that looked more dangerous than homely. Marilyn Monroe is another example of a screen siren blonde bombshell and while the term is sometimes used to describe any attractive blonde, it is still associated with white-blonde hair that signals eroticism and danger.

For which stars deserve this accolade, plus how to keep platinum hair looking good, just

Beauty Glossary: Bird's Nest Hair

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:00:00 -0800

The term bird's nest hair refers to an oversize hair do that's often piled on the top of the head. It usually looks rather messy and disheveled as though a flock of birds or family of small rodents could be living in there. The phrase normally refers to long hair that has been pinned or tied back into a bouffant style, with plenty of volume at the crown.

The nickname may have originated because of the practice of birds to gather stray or cut off human hair to furnish their nests. As hair is bendable and relatively strong, the birds can use it to bind other materials together to make a fine strong nest in which to raise their young. Hair also has the added advantage of being light weight so the birds can easily carry it up to the tree and expertly weave it into the rest of the nest.

For why this trend is making a comeback on the catwalks, just

Beauty Glossary: Ayurvedic Massage

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Ayurvedic massage is an ancient Indian method that combines deep-tissue massage with energy techniques, reflexology and meditation. It is designed to help restore a sense of serenity and balance to the mind, body and soul. Sometimes herbal supplements are prescribed to boost the body's immune system and help create feelings of wellbeing.

Marc Zollifer who is Aveda's global spa educator told InStyle magazine that Ayurvedic massage helps people "zone in" to their body's and skin's needs. It's all about taking control of your own health and looking at skin issues or tension in the body from a holistic perspective. He says,

"Not only will the massage leave you relaxed, but the techniques balance the endocrine system, boost circulation and cause an overall reduction of muscle tension in the spine."

For more about how Ayurvedic massages can treat skin issues and for my choice of treatments,

Beauty Glossary: Frizz

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the term frizz comes from the French word 'friser' — originally meaning 'to curl'. The word was coined in the 1660's and was first used only as a verb whose strict definition is given as "to form a mass of tight curls." Now when we talk about frizz it has negative connotations. Super dry, fried frizzy hair is often the result of genes and over styling. Weather conditions can also exacerbate the problem.

Hair frizzes when it is lacking in moisture or when the outer hair cuticle breaks and becomes weak. A lack of protein in the cortical layers of the hair either due to inherited factors or because of diet can contribute. Stress and illness coupled with a lack of vitamins, minerals and amino acids can also lead to hair damage, split ends, frizz and hair loss.

Annoyingly, frizz isn't only derived from humidity and rain, too little moisture can also make your locks static and split. My girl BellaSugar US suggests that one way to ward off frizz is by using a hydrating shampoo. Also, just going easy on your hair (don't towel dry vigorously and be careful of over blow drying) should help.

For more expert tricks to combat frizz,

Beauty Glossary: Magnesium

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:00:00 -0700

I was recently lucky enough to attend an expert skincare lecture on anti-ageing. Internationally acclaimed dermatologist and skincare pioneer Dr. Zein Obagi talked about ways to help keep our skin looking young and healthy for as long as possible.

One of the ingredients in his new range of ZO Skin Health brand, which will be available from November in Harrods and Selfridges, particularly caught my eye. Magnesium is a wonder ingredient in skincare as it has many boosting properties. Alongside potassium, this mineral is a staple in many anti-ageing creams because of it's replenishing qualities.

According to Dr. Obagi, it is ideal for improving circulation and stimulating the skin. Medically, magnesium is a very important ingredient of the green coloring matter in plants (chlorophyll) and is needed for normal development of the body. Approximately 70 percent of the magnesium in the body is found in the skeletal system. At least half of the magnesium in the body is combined with calcium and phosphorus in the bones. The remainder is in the muscles, red blood cells and the other tissues of the body.

For the benefits of magnesium on your health and your skin, just

Beauty Glossary: Petrochemicals

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:00:00 -0700

Petrochemicals are chemical products made from the raw materials of petroleum or other hydrocarbons. Whilst it's not been proven that all petrochemicals are carcinogenic (cancer-causing), I think that it's shocking that so many beauty and skincare brands still regularly use petrochemical ingredients in their products when there is such controversy around their safety.

The two main classes of petrochemical raw materials are olefins (including ethylene and propylene) and aromatics (including benzene and xylene isomers), both of which are produced in very large quantities throughout the world. So you know what to avoid here's a list of petrochemicals which are often used as ingredients in beauty and skincare products. Just

Beauty Glossary: Rosehip Oil

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:00:00 -0700

Not to be confused with rose oil, rosehip oil is extracted from the seeds or 'hips' of wild grown rosebushes and it is the only vegetable oil which contains natural retinol acid (vitamin A acid).

Rosehip oil is also full of other natural skin-boosting ingredients. It is high in essential fatty acids including linoleic fatty acids which helps reduce the size of pores.

Since rosehip oil contains high content of vitamin A, it is an ideal treatment for many infections such as acne, pimples and boils. It is also useful in the treatment of damaged skin tissue caused by scalds, burns and varicose veins.

For more benefits and to find out which brands I recommend,

Beauty Glossary: Cosmeceuticals

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:00:00 -0700

Cosmeceuticals are beauty products containing pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, which can now be bought over the counter. They claim to give rapid skin-improving results, and are often high-end anti-ageing creams.

The term 'cosmeceuticals' was first used by the American Dr Albert Kligman in the 70s, to describe products in a segment of the facial skincare market that acted like drugs in the way they functioned on the skin. Dr Murad was the first dermatologist to launch his own patented clinical skincare line in 1989.

The formulations were also the first to incorporate ingredients such as pomegranate, Goji berries and antioxidants. They can often be spotted by their plain, pharmaceutical-style packaging. Just

Beauty Glossary: Blackheads

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Not the most glamorous of topics for this week's glossary, I know, but let's face it (excuse the pun) we've all been there. Sufferers of adult acne, in particular, will know just how upsetting waking up and finding one of these babies nestling on your skin can be.

Blackheads are scientifically known as open comedones. They occur when excess skin sebum (oil) and the skin cells become clogged in the sebaceous hair follicle. They appear to be black in color and can often be quite painful.

They are termed 'non-inflammatory lesions' by doctors and dermatologists, as unlike the red bumps and pus-containing pustules, they generally don't swell.

Blackheads are caused by partially blocked pores, and the black appearance is not dirt, as you may think, but the oxidising effect of air on the sebum in a blocked pore and the melanin pigment from the dead skin cells.

The best way to get rid of blackheads is to remove the cause of them — dead skin cells and excessive sebum, using products that are not too astringent. Anything overly harsh, will strip the skin of all oil, causing it to retaliate by producing more.

Watch this space for more expert tips and tricks for getting rid of blackheads.

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Beauty Glossary: Antibacterial

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

There is quite a lot of confusion over the term antibacterial, in beauty and health products. An antibacterial product is one which contains specific antibacterial ingredients. These chemicals kill bacteria and microbes. They do not kill viruses.

Many liquid hand and body soaps contain antibacterial chemicals. Triclosan is a common ingredient, as is alcohol.

Antibacterial ingredients can be useful in preventing adult acne, although it is essential that you don't use overly harsh chemicals which can dry out the skin and make the problem worse. Look for a specially formulated medicated range instead.

Common antibacterial ingredients include: alcohols (usually ethanol), quaternary ammonium compound (include the chemicals benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTMB), cetylpyridinium chloride (Cetrim, CPC) and benzethonium chloride (BZT), boric acid (used in creams for burns and eye infections) iodine and sodium chloride.

Natural antibacterial ingredients include calendula, echinacea, thyme, lavender and tea tree.

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Beauty Glossary: Ylang Ylang

BellaSugarUK — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Ylang ylang (pronounced ee-lang ee-lang) is an essential oil with an intensely sweet scent. It is made from the yellow flower of the cananga tree.

Ylang ylang is a very soothing oil that can create a sense of well being, and is used in skincare to balance both dry, and oily, skin. It normalises sebum secretion, making it ideal for problem skin.

Ylang ylang is believed to relieve high blood pressure, and is considered to be an aphrodisiac. The oil from ylang-ylang is widely used in perfumery for oriental or floral themed perfumes (such as Chanel No. 5).

Ylang-ylang blends well with most floral, fruit and wood smells.

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Beauty Glossary: Goth Beauty

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:00:00 -0700

The word Goth, which comes from gothic, is typically used to refer to a youth subculture, which started in the post-punk era of the late 70s and early 80s. Pale skin, piercings, coal-back hair and dramatic makeup are all trademarks of the goth look, for girls, as well as boys.

Achieving a Goth beauty look is all about attitude, as oppose to actual rules. Although, as with all looks that involve a lot of makeup, it can be very high-maintenance.

Typically, the skin should be ghostly-pale to contrast with the hair, which is dyed jet black, and often worn super-straight. Eyes are heavily lined in black eyeliner, and lipstick is ultra dark, like deep purple or a va va vamp red. Nails should be black or deep purple. This look is all about the contrast between light and dark, and the drama of standing out from more mainstream beauty ideals.

Recently, and somewhat ironically, perhaps, Goth-inspired makeup is set to be a huge trend, for Autumn/Winter 2008. Dubbed 'Soft Goth' it is inspired by the opulence and theatricality of dark, vampish makeup.

Balenciaga, Lanvin, Gucci and Viktor & Rolf, all sent out girls with smudgy, kohl-lined eyes and dark, blood red-black lips. Oh my goth!

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Beauty Glossary: Reflexology

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0700

Reflexology is a holistic treatment, which takes the view that the feet – and hands– work as maps of the body's state of health and wellbeing.

Reflexology practitioners divide the feet into zones that run from the toes, to the brain, through different parts of the body. There are ten vertical zones, or energy lines – and as pressure is provided to the feet, these lines are stimulated so that the energy is able to flow.

Some Western doctors believe that reflexology is nothing more than a relaxing foot massage, but it's a widespread practice across Asia, and much of Chinese Medicine (such as acupuncture and acupressure) is based on these 'lines of energy', in the body.

For what to expect from a treatment, just

Beauty Glossary: Tea Tree

BellaSugarUK — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0700

Tea tree is a well-known essential oil, that become widely used in the beauty industry, from the 1990s, partly because of The Body Shop's popular Tea Tree range.

It is obtained by steam distillation, from the leaves of melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia.

The Australian Aborigines were the first to unearth the medicinal benefits of tea tree. Tea tree oil is ideal for blemished and teenage skin – it is a powerful antiseptic that can alleviate inflammation and also helps healing, by encouraging tissue regeneration.

Extensive scientific studies, over recent years, have shown it to be effective against bacterial, viral and fungal organisms, whilst being a powerful immune system stimulant – increasing the body's ability to fight off illness or infection. Just

Beauty Glossary: Quiff

BellaSugarUK — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:00:00 -0700

The quiff combines the 1950s pompadour hairstyle, the 50s flat-top, and sometimes a mohawk. The hairstyle was the main event for British Teddy Boys and there are fantastic example of Keniche and Danny maintaining their all-American quiffs with gel and a comb in the film Grease.

The quiff then became popular again in Europe in the early 1980s, with psychobilly acts, including The Meteors and Demented Are Go. For a while, DJ and TV presenter Mark Lamarr was a famous proponent of the quiff.

The hairstyle, although prominent in the 80s, faded into obscurity except among ardent 80s culture fans. The quiff saw a revival in the late 90s, mainly on girls with long straight, or slightly wavy hair, and a pinned up front quiff. A more sophisticated, less rock-influenced version of the quiff ensued.

Recently the quiff is having something of a revival. Models rocked the hairstyle on the Autumn Winter 2008 catwalks and there were cool, fluffed-up quiffs at the Spring/Summer 08 Chanel Haute Couture show. Style icon Agyness Deyn, and her flatmate and designer Henry Holland sometimes wear their hair with a modern undone quiff – with loose, spiky ends – for a rockabilly vibe.

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Beauty Glossary: Rose Essential Oil

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -0700

Rose oil is perhaps one of the most well-known essential oils. It is derived from the steam distillation of the petals of Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia.

The steam-distilled rose oil is known as 'rose otto,' whilst the solvent extracted product is known as 'rose absolute'. The complicated and delicate distillation process makes the oil very expensive, and as such it's often used in high-end skincare.

Rose oil is good on most skin types, but works especially well on mature, dry and irritated skin. It is often used to help repair broken capillaries, reduce inflammation and calm redness.

It is said to be nurturing and feminine, and is believed to help reduce anxiety, as well as to help balance the emotions. Rose promotes feelings of well being, so is especially good for helping to cope with depression or stress.

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Beauty Glossary: Iridescence

BellaSugarUK — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:00:00 -0700

Iridescence, like so much beauty, is all about illusion. It's a glow, or shine, caused by multiple reflections and occurs because of multi-layered, semi-transparent surfaces. Iridescence, scientifically speaking, is an optical phenomenon where the hue changes according to the angle from which it's viewed.

Iridescent skin, is skin that has a glowy, almost super natural, light-reflecting quality – which mimics the natural, youthful glow of very young skin. Iridescent skin is all about products that fake, and exaggerate, this youthful glow; using highlighters, primers and iridescent shimmers to give a luminescent effect.

Highlighters, like Stila's and Benefit's, are the best way to add noticeable iridescence. Use them to draw the attention to your best features, whether that be cleavage or long limbs. An iridescent sheen makes that part of the skin, literally, stand out – it's the opposite of using dark colours or shading to create depth. So the brow bones, cheek bones, shoulders, cleavage and collar bones all benefit from using iridescent highlighters.

Highlighter, or an iridescent shimmer product, can also be dotted around the cheek area, under blusher, to create an all over radiant effect. Remember, though, avoid using iridescent products where you have blemishes, as it will only make them more noticeable.

Some foundations and tinted moisturisers are also iridescent. This is a good way to add a subtle, luminous, glow to your complexion. Certain primers or under-foundation bases, such as Shiseido Pre-Makeup Cream, also contain iridescent particles to even out skin tone and add radiance.

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