FitSugar

Back to Basics: The Best Shaving Creams

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:00:13 PDT

These shaving creams worked for my dad, and they still work for me. When I began shaving in my early teens, I used these with a single blade razor. Nowadays, I use a four-blade razor for sensitive skin, and these creams work even better without breaking the bank. I’m a firm believer in splurging in some areas and saving in others, and these drugstore brands have never let me down. Do you have a brand preference when it comes to shaving creams?

Edge Advanced Shaving Gel For Sensitive Skin ($3.23) OK, so this isn't the most feminine product that I own, but I've been using this gel-to-cream formula for ages and I love the texture and the masculine scent. Also, this slightly new and improved formula contains aloe to help soothe even the most sensitive skin.

Barbasol Shaving Cream ($2.49) is the one, the original, the very first shaving cream I ever used. Not only did I love using this thick and creamy formula on my legs, but while at Summer camp, I'd write my bunk number on the lawn outside of the mess hall. I was a happy camper.

To check out another one of my favorite shaving creams,

read more. Wow, I used to love the smell of this Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel For Dry Skin ($3.14). I still use the product because it's gentle and provides a smooth shave that never skips and causes nicks. It also leaves my legs feeling silky smooth and moisturized. It's like I'm wearing pantyhose, when I've got nothing on.

Why Bouncing and Stretching Don't Mix

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 08:45:00 PST

I remember taking a dance class when I was a little girl. We would always do floor exercises to warm up before dancing. My favorite was called Flying Butterfly. We'd sit down, facing the mirror of course, and put our feet together and our knees out wide. Then the teacher would say "Fly, butterflies, fly," and we'd flap our little knee wings.

Now we know that bouncing your body while you stretch is a big no-no. But why?

Bouncing can cause microtrauma in the muscle, which must heal itself with scar tissue. The scar tissue tightens the muscle, making you less flexible, and more prone to pain. This type of repetitive, bouncing stretch is called Ballistic Stretching and it can strain your muscles and tendons because they aren't quite warmed up yet.

Think of it this way. Your muscles are like bubble gum. If you stretch a cold piece of gum, it'll snap rather than stretch. Your muscles work the same way. They've got to be warmed up in order to be pliable.

Static Stretching, where you you hold one position for a period of time is much gentler on your body, because you ease your muscles into it. When you stretch, you want to work your edge, lengthening the muscle as far as you can, feeling a stretch, but NOT feeling pain.

Fit's Tips: Make sure you breath while you're stretching because holding your breath can increase your blood pressure, making you feel dizzy.

A Double Chocolate Soufflé Challenge

Camilla Salem — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:10:02 PST

I mentioned that I was going to attack one of my culinary fears head-on in the near future. Well, attack it I did and what's more, I came out alive, and covered in chocolate.

I found a recipe from Emeril that seemed straightforward and simple, bought the ingredients, and said a little prayer. Surprisingly, this recipe came together very quickly, and with almost no problems at all. The only hitch was that I wasn't sure how much the soufflé batter this would make, so the ramekins I used were far too large and the soufflé didn't puff up over the edges like I'd hoped it would. It would have been better to use four smaller ramekins or two large ones.

This recipe calls for Grand Marnier, which adds a nice bright orange flavor to the rich chocolate dessert. And when I say rich, I mean it. One spoon too many of this fluffy soufflé and you may find yourself with a chocolate headache - we've all been there.

Egg whites that have been whipped into air account for the soft texture of a soufflé, and must be folded in carefully to the chocolate batter so as not to deflate them.

Keep reading for much more, plus the recipe.

Video: Our 30 Most Memorable Movie Kisses!

TresSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:13:00 PST

We're celebrating Valentine's Day with 30 amazing movie kisses! From Jack and Rose's embrace on the edge of the Titanic, to Bella and Edward's forbidden kiss in Twilight, to Allie and Noah's rain-soaked kiss in The Notebook, we put together the most romantic big-screen make-out moments. So grab a box of tissues, because these sweet and steamy scenes might make you tear up. Happy Valentine's Day!

Donna Karan Fall 2012

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:37:06 PST

Somewhere, Marlene Dietrich is smiling. Donna Karan's Fall 2012 collection gave menswear a seductive turn, somehow making the double-breasted suit look just as sexy as the fitted dresses. Whereas past collections felt as loose and languid as a yoga pose, this latest collection was all about sharp tailoring and even sharper edges. Blazers had pointed shoulders, tops had extra wide, stiff cuffs, and skirts and dresses were folded and gathered like the face of a Frank Gehry building. There was lots of structure, and it seemed that Karan is making a strong argument for the '90s power suit. Models were adorned with miniature fedoras - thank you, Stephen Jones - giving the show a slightly playful and sexy undertone, as if they were Vegas dancers playing businesswomen. That said, Donna Karan also paid tribute to Whitney Houston, and the show closed with the late singer's rendition of "I'm Every Woman." No one knows that better than Karan. Side note: the show opened with a preview of her Casual Luxe line, which could be summed up as tartan-loving biker chick. Those looks follow the collection photos.

Trends: power suits, menswear, architectural details, sculptural.
Colors: Red, black, gray, olive.
Key Piece: The fitted menswear blazers, a sexy red cocktail dress.
Accessories:The miniature hats were amazing.
Who Would Wear It: Women who can pull off the menswear look - think Evan Rachel Wood.

View Rachel Roy's Fall 2012 Presentation - Including Her New Shoe Collection

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:04:37 PST

This season, Rachel Roy translates megawatt hues onto wearable pieces - even furs and sweaters get the pop-of-color treatment to pair against the line's sleek trousers or simple shifts. If it's not rich, saturated color, then Roy steals our interest with her texture story in leather, tweedy knits, and open cable knit. Altogether the looks read in perfect balance - she delivers a hint of downtown edge (minus the intimidation) and marries it effortlessly with the uptown sophisticate. See the entire collection now, including her brand-new shoe collection.

Rachel Roy Fall 2012

Hannah Weil — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:08:47 PST

True to form, Rachel Roy delivered a delightfully wearable collection of bold-hued knits and dresses, homing in on the perfect balance of easy separates and keen architectural detail for Fall '12. Roy excels in crafting pieces women want to wear - it's that mix of the understated, like slouchy knits in brilliant colors, and the sharpness of a well-executed cut - and the backs of Roy's evening gowns are done with perfect precision. This season, she's particularly adept at translating megawatt hues onto wearable pieces - even furs and sweaters get the pop-of-color treatment to pair against the line's sleek trousers or simple shifts. If it's not rich, saturated color, then Roy steals our interest with her texture story in leather, tweedy knits, and open cable knit. Altogether the looks read in perfect balance - she delivers a hint of downtown edge (minus the intimidation) and marries it effortlessly with the uptown sophisticate.

Trends: Bold brights, colorblocking, leather, colored fur.
Colors: Olive, sand, bright green, blue, red, burgundy.
Key Piece: The olive-green fur and leather-cuffed navy trousers.
Accessories: Wide-brimmed hats, bright gloves, lace-up ankle boots, loafer-style pumps.
Who Would Wear It: The uptown girl with downtown flair.

6 Things to Do With Scallions

Susannah Chen — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:23:26 PST

Ever buy a bunch of herbs for a recipe, only to use a scant stem and find the rest wilted with dehydration a week later? This has admittedly been a long-standing problem in my kitchen, and I've been determined to cultivate a solution for it. This week I'm addressing an aromatic I have a chronic problem forgetting about: scallions.

When they're fresh, green onions have a biting smell and are resilient to the touch, but days later, the exact same stalks will take on a muted brownish hue, made slimy thanks to dehydration, and hunched over in sadness and neglect.

Since they age quickly, the key is to make sure you use them up before they get to such a sorry state! Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to do that; scallions have a mild pungency that's versatile enough to go into just about every savory dish. A few examples:

Slice green onions as thinly as possible, then toss a handful into a garden salad.
Make a four-ingredient ginger scallion sauce to drizzle on eggs, chicken, and fish.

For four more suggestions, keep reading.

Look of the Day: Slick Embellishments

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:00:02 PST

Fab reader Dadouchic rocked a black-and-white outfit that instantly reminded us of a perfectly chic interpretation of Karl Lagerfeld's monochromatic style. Her fitted faux leather pants provided a slick edge while her sweet white blouse, complete with Peter Pan collar, softened up the overall feel. She took care to spice up her silhouette with gilded embellishments (read: a super sparkly gold clutch and gold-accented white ankle-strap heels) and emerald statement earrings. It goes without saying that this sleek look would fit right into the Fashion Week mix - you may just find us sporting something similar at a show very soon.

Congrats Dadouchic!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and we might just feature you on FabSugar!

Grammy Awards: Malin Akerman

FabSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:54:17 PST

Malin Akerman took to the Grammys in a supersleek Cushnie et Ochs sheath. A cutout at the neckline gives the look a sexier edge, as do a pair of open-toe booties. The rest she plays with cocktail-chic add-ons - just a few silver jewels and a shimmering black box clutch to complete the look. What's your take on Malin's white-hot style?

Vote on all of our Grammy Awards polls here!