TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

4you Beauty Board Tests Cellulite Cream

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2007

If you've wandered the drugstore aisles for hours in search of the perfect beauty products, relax. Kick up your feet. All you need is 4you.

We've got some veteran testers onboard, ready to try the latest and greatest when it comes to all things beauty. We'll share what worked and what bombed in the hopes of making life a little easier.

This week: cellulite creams. Who wants cottage cheese thighs or dimpled cheeks?

Spa Aquatique's Intense Toning Gel

"The Spa Aquatique 3.3 Intense Toning Gel warms up the skin to stimulate microcirculation and eliminate fluid and fat excess."

Rating: C-

Michelle says: Note to self: Never trust any product that comes with a warning on the package that it may cause a "light redness and warmth sensation." Zowie! I tested Spa Aquatique's Intense Toning Gel, and the warning was right on. After applying the highly concentrated gel on my thighs to rid them of nasty cellulite and give me a "nicely reshaped silhouette," I felt like I was on fire. And yes, my skin went from pasty white to subtle pink to a scary red. I really don't believe in products that promise to "enhance fat elimination." Here's my advice: Exercise a lot, eat right and pray you have good genes. If not, wear tight jeans to put the brakes on the wiggly-jiggly.

Michelle Bearden, 52, is the religion reporter for the Tribune and produces a weekly segment called "Keeping the Faith" for WFLA, News Channel 8.

Booty Parlor Flirty Little Secret

"Booty Parlor's double duty body booster firms your curviest parts with three firming agents to tone, smooth and contour your sexy curves. Create instant attraction and long-lasting curve appeal!"

Rating: B

Cloe says: If you're a woman, chances are you have cellulite somewhere on your body — at least 85 percent of us do. Flirty Little Secret by Booty Parlor is no miracle cure for cellulite, but it is a good product. This cream made my target areas softer, more luminous and noticeably firmer within eight weeks (just like the label says). It has a luscious, sexy scent you can wear alone or with your favorite perfume (and it won't clash). The touch of shimmer it leaves behind looks fabulous. As an added plus, pheromones have been added to make the wearer "irresistible to the opposite sex." My husband can certainly attest to that!

Cloe Cabrera, 41, is the fashion reporter for the Tribune. She writes the BayLife column "Hot Pursuits," where she tracks down the must-have beauty and fashion item of the moment. A self-professed beauty junkie, she's always on the lookout for beauty bargains that perform.

Arnaud Institut Paris 24-Hour Massage Slimming Chrono Minceur

"Day and night body-contouring gel, intensive treatment program. Helps reduce fatty deposits, helps combat fat storage, enhances drainage."

Rating: C

Kim says: I loved the promise behind this French product. I loved that the daytime formula's natural pinapple extract was supposed to help smooth the surface of my skin. And I loved that the nighttime formula's white tea and red vine extracts were supposed to reduce stored fat. It felt decadent to slather on this syrupy stuff twice a day. Did I expect it to work? No. But maybe it did. Every day, twice a day, I had to pull up the skin on my thighs to keep the rolling massager-applicator from pinching the fat … which motivated me to work out more. But I didn't notice any difference in the amount of cellulite.

Kim Franke-Folstad, 49, is senior features editor of the Tribune and the editor of 4you.

La-Fleur Organique

"Enhance your silhouette and stimulate circulation."

Rating: C

Nancy says: This cream goes on pretty smoothly, but that is about it. I saw no difference in the areas where the product was applied. It is supposed to reduce the orange-peel effect, but I have used it every morning and evening for the past six weeks and really see no improvement. It works as a moisturizer but certainly not as a cellulite blaster.

Nancy Tomasello, 53, works in the Tribune's accounting department. She loves skin care and makeup. "I love trying out any beauty products that come out to see what's best."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT