FitSugar

Fit for December: Must Haves

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:15:00 PST

They say the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but I must add that it generally isn't the healthiest. Here are a few things I think will help you stay happy, fit, and healthy in December.

REI Power Stretch Tights ($70)	Hands2Go: Alcohol Free Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer ($3.50)
Juice Beauty SPF 15 Tinted Lip Moisturizers ($15)	Peppermint	Single Leg Squats

If you want to see why these are my December must haves just

REI Power Stretch Tights ($70): Come winter and snow time, you want a pair of toasty pants you can wear for a variety of activities, and these Stretch Tights by REI will take you on a run through wintry streets and to the slopes as a great base layer. Made with Polartec fabric that stretches four directions to ensure ease of motion, they have a moisture-wicking velour fleece to keep you dry on the inside and a smooth nylon outer face that sheds light rain and wind. I love that they come with an unobtrusive zippered side pocket.
Hands2Go Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer ($3.50): Keep your hands germ free with this alcohol-free hand sanitizer. Not only does it kill 99 percent of bacteria, but it also moisturizes with a blend of aloe vera, chamomile, and lavender extracts.
Tinted lip balm with sunscreen: Just because it is cold outside doesn't mean the sun cannot do damage. I love this trio of lip moisturizers with mineral tint for color and SPF 15 by Juice Beauty ($15). There is a color for every occasion. I would definitely slip one if these into the zippered pocket of my REI running tights!
Peppermint: This herb is more than candy-cane flavoring; peppermint is considered by many to be the world's oldest medicine. Peppermint has been shown to help decrease symptoms of irritable bowl syndrome. It can also help relieve cold symptoms by working as a decongestant and expectorant. Warm yourself with a cup of peppermint tea.
Single-Leg Squats: Skiing season officially starts in December (here's hoping for a good snow year in the Sierras) and you need to start conditioning for the slopes now, if not yesterday! Single-leg squats are the exercise to get your thighs mountain ready. Start with six reps on each leg, for two sets.

Christine Taylor on Organic Beauty, Her Must Haves, and Nighttime Hair Routine

Jessica Cruel — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

Actress Christine Taylor has signed on to be the spokeswoman for organic skin care line Nourish, and as a vegan and mother, her partnership with the brand seems like kismet. "A lot of times products will say 100 percent natural, but this one actually works," Christine explains. "Every person in my family has different favorites, and it's in every bathroom."

Not only does she love the idea of USDA-certified organic beauty (the fresh fig body butter is her top product in the line), but Christine also has plenty of tricks for getting the best results. "You can use the body butter during the day, but you can also load it on at night and wake up with really smooth skin," she explains. Look for Nourish at Whole Foods, and get more of Christine's beauty tips and advice when you read more.

Avoid the 5 Worst Spring Break Beauty Blunders

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:00:06 PDT

The season for weeklong beach vacations, overseas plane rides, and cross-country treks is here. Celebrating Spring break can take a toll on your skin and hair, whether you are laying out in your backyard or partying in Bora Bora. So, beware of these basic beauty mistakes that can ruin your vacation. To get tips to sidestep these classic beach slipups read more.

From Cool to Sweet, 4 Valentine's Day Lipstick Looks to Suit Your Mood

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:57:15 PST

There are only a select few holidays where going vampy is typically deemed socially appropriate. Halloween comes to mind instantly, but Valentine's Day might be a close second. And while a vampy lip color might not be for you this Valentine's Day, there are other ways you can create a mood with a simple switch of color. "Experiment with reds and pinks in different textures, like glossy, creamy, opaque, or sheer," advises Mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh. To see her top selections for setting a tone that's either sweet, sexy, edgy, or vampy, just keep reading.

5 Can't-Fail Winter Skin Care Tips

Real Beauty — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:02:16 PST

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

Just because you're showing less skin during the colder months doesn't mean you can skimp on a proper skin-care regimen. Dr. Mitchell Chasin, medical director of the Reflections Center for Skin and Body, tells us his top tips for keeping yours hydrated and healthy all season long.

Tip #1: Find a body wash that isn't going to dry out your skin. Look for products that are soap-free and use the word "hydrating" to maintain moisture. Now would be a good time to swap your gel formula for a creamy one.

Tip #2: Moisturize everyday to keep dry skin at bay. When you apply lotion right as you step out of the shower, you are sealing in the moisture that your body has just absorbed. Not to mention, the combination of the cold weather, wearing gloves, and constant hand washing can cause painful dryness and cracked skin. (Your hands can show signs of aging faster than other parts of your body.) Indulge in a heavy moisturizer and keep it in your bag, car, and office-and don't forget to use it often.

Tip #3: Since your skin type can change with the seasons and environment, you may need to asses what's happening and switch up your products. Look for signs of dry or oily skin, breakouts, or changes in pigmentation. To ensure you are treating your skin appropriately, visit your dermatologist for a consultation.

Tip #4: Sort through your skin-care routine. Using too many products together, such as facial masks and exfoliators, can irritate skin. If you have to, label your products with designated days so that you don't overlap treatments too often. Also, remove and replace any expired products from your stash.

Tip #5: Did you know that UV rays can damage your skin through your clothing? Sunscreen is essential in protecting your skin against premature wrinkling, skin cancer, and dryness. We recommend using at least an SPF 40 daily. And, don't forget your lips-a great balm with SPF can prevent dryness and cracking.

Healthy Beach Essentials For Memorial Day Weekend

FitSugar — Tue, 24 May 2011 02:27:43 PDT

To most of us, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of Summer, when we can finally go camping, host an outdoor barbecue, or head to the beach for an evening bonfire. If you're planning on being beach-bound this weekend, here are some items to take with you to ensure fun in the sun and also staying protected from the elements.

Clockwise from top left: Strathwood Folding Canopy Chair ($49),
Badger SPF 15 Sunblock Lip Balm ($4), UPF 50+ Sun Hat ($27), Mikasa VSO2000 FIVB Replica Volleyball ($14), Klean Kanteen Insulated Water Bottle ($22), Alba Botanical SPF 45 Sunscreen ($10), Oakley Necessity Women's Sunglasses ($130), Smashball Beach Tennis ($11)

What to Pack For a Trip to Mexico

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 03:10:18 PST

I'm off to the Yucatán Peninsula for a week of cenote snorkeling, hacienda exploring, and ruin climbing. It's going to be one part jungle exploration, one part seaside lazing. Wherever I go, I try to pack as lightly as possible. That means bringing multitasking products and focusing on function over glamour. (It's the rainforest, not the red carpet.) For this trip, I'm focusing on protecting my skin with a big floppy hat, oversize sunglasses, photostable sunblock, SPF lip balm, and effective natural bug repellent. Triclosan-free hand sanitizer will come in handy when I'm away from water, and just-add-water facial cloths make skin care easy. Finally, three cosmetics: tinted moisturizer, a lip and cheek stain, and an illuminator pen. What else would you recommend?

Source: Flickr User Mark.Pilgrim

Celebrities Reveal Their Beach Bag Must Haves

Jaime Richards — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:55:00 PDT

It might be the first of August, but there is still plenty of beach time to be had - and there are still plenty of summertime beauty products to tote around. Stay tuned tomorrow to see BellaSugar partner Michelle Phan's beach bag must haves revealed, but in the meantime, see what some of your favorite celebrities count as their beach bag essentials.

Gwyneth Paltrow: She says that Adara's travel-size organic coconut oil ($12) is great for use as a moisturizer, gentle makeup remover, and hair conditioner.
Rachel Zoe: The stylist's ah-mazing picks include La Prairie Ultra Protection Stick ($65) and Tatcha Blotting Papers ($12).
Cindy Crawford: Cindy revealed to PopSugarTV that sunscreen, a good book, a phone, hat, and water are in her beach bag this season.
Karolina Kurkova: The model keeps her skin in check with Cosmedix SPF 30 sunscreen.
Kim Kardashian: Kim explained that Burt's Bees Res-Q lip balm SPF 15 and Avène Thermal Spring Water are among her top beach bag beauty items.

Michelle Phan's Beach Bag Essentials

Michelle Phan — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:05:00 PDT

We're excited to continue our new partnership with YouTube star and all-around beauty guru Michelle Phan! Every other week, we'll be bringing you the best advice and prettiest how-tos from her website, MichellePhan.com. This week, Michelle is giving us her beach bag beauty essentials:

Hi everyone! Today, I'm sharing a few of my favorite pics from my beach day in San Diego. Plus, to help you get the most out of your next day at the beach, I'm revealing my must-have items for a day of fun and sun! There's nothing better than relaxing on a towel in the sand while listening to the soothing sounds of waves crashing on the shore.

Michelle Phan's Hautelook Midsummer Enchantment Tutorial

But let's face it - there are a few different elements to keep in mind when heading out for a day at the beach (i.e. wind, water, sand, sun, etc.). If you don't pack accordingly, a fun day can quickly turn into a total bummer. With that said, here are a few of my beach bag essentials. See Michelle's picks when you read more.

How to Prevent Chapped Lips

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:30:09 PST

I've definitely been turning up the heat since the weather has been so chilly, but it's drying out my skin, especially my lips. Since the skin on this part of your body doesn't secrete any oils, it's more susceptible to drying out. Here are some ways to prevent this sensitive skin from cracking.

Avoid licking your lips. Saliva will momentarily add moisture but it will evaporate, making your lips even drier. Also, your saliva contains some digestive enzymes, which will irritate sore lips even more.
Keep your lips moisturized with lip balm. Ones with beeswax, such as Burt's Bees Lip Balm, are soothing and long lasting. If you're outside a lot, use tinted lip balms with SPF to keep your lips protected from sun exposure, which can also dry them out.
Add moisture to the air you breathe with a humidifier. Keep it running in your bedroom while you sleep, since a heated home can cause you to wake up with dry lips that will crack when you yawn. Youch!

To find out what other ways you can prevent dry, cracked lips

Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. We tend to forget to hydrate properly since it's cold out, but it's just as important as getting enough water in the Summer. Use Fit's Calculator to figure out how much water you should be drinking each day, and keep a water bottle with you while you work to help you remember.
Limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume, since these can dehydrate your skin.