Move Over, Ed Hardy
Posted by: kitty17 on: January 19, 2010
Hi Everybody! Ryan has agreed to let me post (a short post!) today because I’m in a shout-it-from-the-rooftops kind of mood about an exciting new product launch here at Belcam. You guys might remember me as the Beauty Tools Brand Manager (or the gal who pesters Ryan until he lets me post). :) ANYWAY…..
Here’s my exciting news! We all know how hot tattoo art is and we can find it on just about any product these days. But our 4 NEW Slant Tip Tweezers are the first metal grooming tools to feature this kind of art.
We are so, so lucky to have a very talented artist on our staff and when I told her our idea for putting some original tattoo art on tweezers, she came through with the most amazing designs. Of course, we decided that we’d use high quality stainless steel tweezers from Italy as a base for the art. They feature extra fine tips – the kind that grab the hair every time, not cut it off at the base. They’re great for shaping eyebrows and for general tweezing, but best of all, they’re just SO COOL to look at. I pulled one out in front of my friends the other day and they totally freaked out – and these girls aren’t hard core tattoo fans or anything. Well, one might be. ;)
I promised this would be short ,so I’ll stop myself and just say that we’re all REALLY excited here and hope you all like the tweezers too. Check them out below and if you want to buy some, you can get them at our online shop BelcamShop.com.
PS My boss is letting me give a dollar off these tweezers when you use promo code “KIMROCKS” at checkout. No, just kidding, you don’t need a promo code – we’re automatically giving everyone $1.00 Off. But if you really want to type Kim Rocks! you can leave a comment to that effect below! :)
-Kim
NEW Denco Tattoo Tweezers!
Holiday Scent DIY Foaming Hand Soap
Posted by: ryanny on: December 10, 2009
Bath Therapy dee-lish Gingerbread 3-in-1 Body Wash, Bubble Bath, and Shampoo
If you’re like me and LOVE foaming hand soap you’re sure to have a foaming soap pump dispenser around (yes, it’s different than other pumps). You can take any kind of body wash or liquid soap, water it down and put it in this dispenser and it will come out as foam (see Foaming Hand Soap). Just make sure you dilute it about 3 parts soap to 7 parts water, about 1/4 soap and the rest water. Mix it up well, warmer water works best for this. Each dispenser is different so you may have to try it out and add more water.
Recently I brought home some of our new Dee-Lish Holiday Scent 3-in-1 Body Wash, Bubble Bath and Shampoo to try out, and I just love the scent, Gingerbread! Suddenly I got the bright idea to mix up some for foaming hand soap in the house! I tried it and it’s so great. It really helps add a little holiday cheer! Every time somebody washes their hands the smell of fresh gingerbread radiates through the room. So much fun! The Bath Therapy Dee-Lish Holiday Scents are really great as a 3-in-1 Body Wash, Bubble Bath and Shampoo, and also come in Apple Pie scent, and Orange Truffle! You could have a different scent for each sink in the house! They’re also on sale on our new website right now for just $3.99 for a 500 mL bottle. Check it out, and happy holidays!
Kim’s Holiday Picks
Posted by: kitty17 on: November 25, 2009
Hi Everyone! I’m Kim, and I’m the Brand Manager for Belcam’s Beauty Tools division. Ryan has very graciously allowed me to do a guest post today (read: I badgered him mercilessly until he finally shouted “FINE!”).
Moving right along… It’s about the time of year when we’re thinking about holiday gift giving, or more precisely, we’re wondering how it’s already Thanksgiving – and stressing about how we still have people to buy for and no idea what to get them.
So, I thought that making a list of beauty tool suggestions would be in keeping with the holiday spirit of giving and helping others. And, truthfully, I really wanted to have a list named “Kim’s Holiday Picks”. I’m convinced that Ryan is secretly thinking I’m an egomaniac for doing this, but his gift to me is to keep quiet.
Anyway, here is this list – I hope it helps you in your search for the perfect high quality (and affordable) gift of beauty for everyone on your list!
Kim’s Holiday Picks!
(insert fanfare here)
• For the Sophisticated Woman on your List
Aero Tweeze Slant Tip Tweezers These tweezers are made in Italy of high quality stainless steel and are available in 4 fun colors (purple is our best seller). The tips are ultra-fine and will tweeze even the shortest, finest hair the first time. No more struggling, no more slipping and no more cutting your eyebrow hair at the skin line with sharp tweezer tips… leaving that irritating and unsightly black “dot” of unreachable hair. If you’re wondering why anyone in their right mind would pay $18.99 for tweezers, you owe it to yourself to buy these. You’ll love them, your friends will love them and you’ll never need to ask yourself that nagging question again!
• For that Special Girl (who will lose the $18.99 tweezers and you’ll hold it against her forever)
Fiesta Tweezers – Slant Tip These tweezers are also made in Italy of stainless steel. They are available in 4 shimmering colors (the most popular, again, is purple). The tips are very good for eyebrows and general tweezing and their quality is far superior to the mass/retail tweezers you see from the “big boys”. At $6.50, they’re also super-affordable and perfect for teenage girls or slightly flaky friends who tend to lose things.
• For the Manly Man
Mustache Scissors & Comb OK, here’s the inside scoop on this product. Do NOT be misled by the Mustache part. These scissors are made in Italy (noticing a trend?) and feature thin, precise tips and a smooth cutting action. While they’re great for mustaches and beards, and don’t rely on batteries or electricity, they are also perfect for nose hair, ear hair and trimming any “mad scientist” eyebrows that tend to crop up. Oh, and they’re ideal for evening out sideburns or trimming any other unwanted body hair (read: they’ll get a LOT of use!).
• For the Hip Guy
Professional Toenail Clippers These toenail clippers are stainless steel, made in Japan and just super-cool. They have a slight wave-design and a high end brushed finish. Ideal for both toenails and fingernails, any guy would be proud to pull these out of his bathroom drawer. And the best part is that the super-sharp blades cut cleanly and leave nails smooth and burr-free. These clippers even boast a removable clipping catcher so you’re not accidentally impaling your poor, bare foot in the middle of the night on a razor sharp clipping that wasn’t picked up from the bathroom floor! I’m not pointing any fingers here, but some men just let those toenails fly, so the catcher is a good idea.
Well, that does it. If you’re wondering why I haven’t put anything in here for the younger kids on your list, shame on you. What self-respecting kid wants a grooming product for the holidays?! I mean, really. 
Where Our Stuff Comes From
Posted by: ryanny on: November 10, 2009
Montgomery Street Pier, March 10, 2009, just across the street from Belcam. Photograph by Ryan Wilson
So I mention every now and then that I work for Belcam. We make bath and body care products, and beauty tools. All of our products are made in a small village in the most northeast corner of New York state, Rouses Point. Well, they all at least pass through here (ie. tweezers from Italy, blades from Germany). If you look at us on a map you’ll see we’re just on the border of Vermont and Quebec. It’s a small, picturesque village nestled on the west coast of Lake Champlain. You can find out more about Rouses Point at www.rousespointny.com. The pictures you’ll see on this site are pretty much the view as we walk out the door! Kind of like this one I took last March as I was walking to work. Isn’t it nice to know that these products that keep you clean, beautiful and healthy come from a beautiful place, and not some ugly industrial wasteland somewhere?!
Like the Ped Egg? You’ll Love This…
Posted by: ryanny on: November 5, 2009
Denco Easy Grip® Heavy Duty Foot Smoother
Have you tried the “as seen on TV” Ped Egg? A lot of people have experienced problems with it, leaving mixed reviews. Just look at some of the customer reviews online and you’ll see tons of complaints: shavings fall on floor anyway, too small file area, hard to handle, and even drew blood! Well, what do you expect from one of those infomercial products?!
I use our Denco Easy Grip® Heavy Duty Foot Smoother regularly to keep my feet soft and smooth. It can be used wet or dry, so I just keep it in the shower as a reminder to use it regularly. Plus, if I use it in the shower the filings just go right down the drain. It’s got an ergonomic, rubber grip that’s easy to hold, and the angle allows you to easily reach all sides of your feet, kind of like a tooth brush. Best of all, there are no blades, so it can’t cut you. The abrasive surface has a coarse grit that never wears, rinses easily, and works in any direction. It quickly smoothes tough calluses and deep cracks, but it’s safe and gentle on non-callused skin too. Keeping the smoother in my shower and using it once a week is a great way to keep my feet nice and healthy, and convenient! A little foot balm afterwards is a good idea too. Even though I like to use mine in the shower, I know several people who like using it on their dry feet, without any water. They say it works great that way, so whether you prefer smoothing your feet while wet or dry, you should really give this foot smoother a try.
Denco Easy Grip® Heavy Duty Foot Smoother is also the number one customer rated foot smoother on Amazon.com, with an average five star rating! You can get it directly from BelcamShop.com.
Alternative Health Remedies
Posted by: ryanny on: November 3, 2009
An article in the New York Times today says that more insurers are paying for alternative health remedies. However, the selection of services actually covered may be so minimal that customers may end up mistakingly thinking they’re covered when they’re not, and having to pay the bill. There’s even an editors note on the very beginning of the article stating that:
“Ten years and $2.5 billion in research have found no cures from alternative medicine.”
The companies say they’re offering a service that is in high demand though. More people are wanting services like acupuncture for pain, high blood pressure, and insomnia. Robin Downey, head of product development for Aetna, an insurer that let sellers advertise supplements to members, says:
”’We have members who come to us and ask us for these services. When we can get a discount for them, that’s something we are able to pass on,’ although Aetna also recommends that members talk with their primary doctors about anything they plan to try, she said.”
Most people I know that use alternative remedies, do so because it works for them. This article insists that alternative remedies are unproven. Sometimes they say the remedies need more studies. Perhaps they just haven’t been proven yet. Perhaps the business of medicine is preventing that. Or perhaps alternative remedies are just about personal preference, and insurers are responding to that. What do you think?
Read the article More Insurers Are Paying for Alternative Remedies here.
Mom Blogs
Posted by: ryanny on: October 27, 2009
Where do mothers turn to these days for information about brands and products. Statistics show that blogs are becoming a trusted source of reviews and opinions. One of the most popular blogging networks for women, BlogHer.com, did a study with iVillage and Compass Partners on how women interact with social media and blogs (view the study here). The study found:
“Of the 42 million women engaged in social media weekly, 55 percent of women participate in some form of blogging activity; 75 percent participate in social networks such as Facebook or MySpace and 20 percent use Twitter… As a result of this increased activity, the 2009 study found that women online are now more than ever before spending less time engaging in traditional media activities like watching TV (30%), listening to the radio (31%), and reading magazines (36%) or the newspaper (39%).”
Are the trials and tribulations of real moms what draws readers to these blogs? What do you think?
Check out the Mommy & Family blog section of BlogHer.com here.
-RyanNY
Do It Easier
Posted by: ryanny on: October 20, 2009
Do you have an ailment like arthritis that restricts your ability to do everyday things? The Arthritits Foundation has several “Do It Easier” tips, with subcategories, like Dressing and Grooming. In this section you’ll find personal care suggestions on how to go about your daily needs a little easier. For instance:
Sit and shower. To avoid falls in the shower, sit on a waterproof chair. You can buy one at a medical supply store or use a sturdy lawn chair.
Wash up. Instead of using a washcloth when bathing, use a shower mitt made of terry cloth or loofah. If you sew or know someone who does, make these mitts out of an old towel.
Easy nail care. To make trimming fingernails and toenails easier, soak hands and feet beforehand to soften nails.
Check out the Do It Easier section at arthritistoday.org.
Dr. Oz on Aromatherapy and Pain
Posted by: ryanny on: October 16, 2009
In an article on ArthritisToday.com, Margaret Chappell interviews Dr. Mehmet Oz (also known as Dr. Oz from Oprah), about using aromatherapy for pain relief. Dr. Oz explains in the article that “the thinking part of the brain can’t inhibit the effects of the scent, meaning you feel them instantaneously.” It doesn’t end at pain relief either. Aromatherapy can also be used for anxiety reduction and rejuvenation. In the article, Dr. Oz and clinical aromatherapist Jane Buckle, PhD, recommend diluting essential oil and dabbing it directly on the skin so you can have “relief on you when you need it” (see article for specific directions). Chappell also spoke with Allan Hirsch, MD, neurologist at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. He says, “Short-term exposure is key because people stop responding to scents after a few minutes.” So make sure to restrict exposure to the scents if you want it to keep working. Finally, Drs. Hirsch and Oz offer some tips:
- Use vanilla to relax: “subjects who smelled vanilla while completing stress tests had more stable heart rates and blood pressure readings than those who took the tests in an unscented environment.”
- Use pepermint, jasmine, or citrus to invigorate: these scents are pleasant, yet mild irritants, so they’ll wake you up.
- Use green apple to relieve pain: “the smell of green apples reduced the severity and duration of migraine headache pain and may have a similar effect on joint pain.”
To read the full article on ArthritisToday.com click here: http://www.arthritistoday.org/treatments/alternative-therapies/aromatherapy-pain-relief.php
By the way, this post is being published simultaneously on my other blog as well, Inside Perfume. Please check it out if you haven’t already, at www.InsidePerfume.com. PLUS! Now you can stay connected to both of my blogs by following me, RyanNY, on Twitter (twitter.com/RyanNY), or by becoming a fan of each blog individually on Facebook (Inside Perfume on FB, Body Bath & Beauty on FB). Thanks!
Think Pink!
Posted by: ryanny on: October 8, 2009
It’s October, which used to mean lots of orange stuff, but in recent years, since National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has gained popularity, pink products to raise awareness about breast cancer have taken over! Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great to see so much support. How can you be sure the pink product you’re buying is really helping though? Find a product that supports a reputable organization. One of the largest organizations in the breast cancer spectrum is the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® organization. It has become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
Now, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has their own online shop, with official merchandise. ShopKomen.com features a wide variety of products, from apparel to educational materials. And you can rest assured that 25% of your purchase price will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in the fight against breast cancer.
Visit ShopKomen.com for official merchandise from Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
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