Review of La Bella Figura by Activist and Actress Shiva Rose on The Local Rose

Allure

La Bella Figura 

June 27, 2011

        

One of most favorite things about this site is that I get to discover natural products that really work. This new line of skin care is truly amazing. The two ladies behind it Victoria and Karen named their company after an Italian expression of finding beauty in everyday life.

La Bella Figura use wonderfully rich oils in their products but the two main ingredients that make their serums stand out, are their use of argan and barbary fig oils. These oils are acquired through fair trade agreements and are truly beneficial to the skin.  I have been using the Moroccan Face Gold and the Tesoro for a few weeks now, and my skin feels noticeably more supple and soft. They also have a great eye repair serum with a good dose of omega 3 to combat dark circles and wrinkles.  

labellafigurabeauty.com

 

Visit Shiva Rose's lovely blog The Local Rose and learn to live a greener existence without the carbon footprint and without sacrificing beauty. We love her posts and her message!

Refinery 29 features La Bella Figura

Local Skincare Line La Bella Figura Reinvents Your Routine

By Shani Silver

La Bella Figura, an organic skincare line from Chicago, asks you to take a moment to think about your skincare routine. If the ingredients in the twenty-something products you shmear on yourself daily read something like Ikea instructions, it might be time to rethink the way you take care of your body's biggest organ—your skin. Listen closely, because we're about to tell you to start using oil on your skin. But before you assume we've been tossin' a few back at the office, give change a chance, and you'll see what we mean.

La Bella Figura's mission takes skincare back to basics, before it was infiltrated with commercials starring celebrities and packaging full of glitter. The company only produces chemical-free products, and their primary ingredient is argan oil, an essential oil that works actual magic on your skin. It is known for reducing wrinkles and inflammation, and it also softens your skin. Yes, you'll be applying oil to your face with your hands, but we promise it isn't as scary as it sounds. We also know there isn't a product alive that can turn back time (yes, please sing that in a Cher voice), but we are noticing a serious spike in our skin's glow factor.

If you're intrigued by the idea of trying something new and potentially face-changing, start spreading the word. Tweet this story, and make sure you tag @refinery29. One tweet will win every product in the La Bella Figura arsenal! You'll receive Tesoro and Moroccan Gold, the little gems that have replaced moisturizers as we know it, as well as Decouverte, an under eye serum containing barbary fig seed oil. Rounding out the team, you'll find La Curacio lip balm, a Windy City warrior's best friend. There's no need to use chemicals and weird stuff on our skin, so let's stop. Simple is sexy.

Chicago » Beauty » Local Skincare Line La Bella Figura Reinvents Your Routine

Read this lovely review by Beauty Huile, N.K.

La Bella Figura Tesoro Mediterranean Blend

In a balm or in its pure form, for the hair or for the skin, argan is the ingredient of the moment—with benefits as great as its social giving. With choices aplenty, you’ll feel good knowing virtually every Argan based company unduly supports some underprivileged women’s co-op in Morocco. Every kernel of nut is always cracked open by the authentic ethnobotanists of sorts, who work alongside in sisterly fashion from a traditional roadside workshop (yielding one liter of oil for every 20 hours' of handiwork). Very much in this spirit, La Bella Figura is also like the little shop of wonders. The ladies of La Bella Figura have transformed a once enjoyable hobby into a burgeoning business. From Chicago, founders Karen & Victoria, decided to source the holy grail argan from Morocco and forge a spirited partnership. The calling? Victoria’s sister was diagnosed with a debilitating bout of lupus. Thus, inspiring a need for petrochemical-free beauty.

And, so grew the demand. The ladies have earned a well-respected fan base for their staple line of eco-friendly oils, shunning the usual gamut of preservatives. “There is a myth out there that ‘natural’ means it can't stand up to tough issues, but going natural is exactly what you should be doing if you have sensitive skin or eczema or acne. Some of the chemically laden products out there can make those skin types worse,” says Victoria. A relative new comer to the argan beauty collective, the ladies have crafted an ambitious floral aromatic variation with the nutty kernel, for those of you looking to amp up results.

Argan-obsessed purists will undoubtedly flock to the classic Morocco Face Gold ($40) for its wrinkle busting properties and potent dose of essential fatty acids. The key to anti-aging skin care is to keep skin supple and to protect against external environmental factors. With it's 100% organic formulation, this lightweight oil acts as more like a slick serum for use under moisturizers as argan's simplicity is kept in tact.

Oilier skins will want to opt for the plushy Tesoro Mediterranean Blend ($70). Here the ordinary ingredient into an extraordinary face oil. Woven through the organic argan base, you’ll find some truly appealing oils: bergamot fruit (for antiseptic traits), organic lemon (to bring luster), neroli flower (to stimulate new cell growth), grapefruit (to tighten pores), and fennel seed (to replenish with moisture). The face oil reaches greater depth of intensity and a richness that could be matched only by the almighty argan, but now decidedly grown-up.

Among these, bergamot oil's potent antiseptic properties help reduce the bacteria on your skin that cause acne breakouts, preventing tomorrow’s unwelcomed pimples says clinical aromatherapist, Patricia Davis, in her book "Aromatherapy: An A-Z." The oil also helps regulate sebum production, keeping skin balanced and spot-free. Also interesting to note is how La Bella Figura avoids the use of plastic bottling. Victoria points out, “Certain chemicals can leak into virgin oils, thus contaminating the integrity of the essences.” It’s a pretty, yet demure oil, tempered with a slightly hushed citrusy scent wafting from atop. There’s also a scintillating leafy quality that develops the character and power from within. But, it does blend seamlessly into skin, much like the Face Gold, it's extremely light in texture and viscosity. Be sure to wear an SPF when using this oil, as lemon essentials have been known to cause minor photosensitivity.

Kudos to La Bella Figura for bringing two oils with radically different repertoires of essentials, both created from well-honed instincts and intent.

An interview with La Bella Figura co-founder, Victoria Fantauzzi

Victoria Fantauzzi, CEO and co-Founder of La Bella Figura, LLC

LBF: What is your first beauty ritual of the day

Victoria:  The first thing I do is wash my face.  I use an organic coconut and olive oil liquid soap for sensitive skin that I've enhanced with grapefruit essential oil as a natural antibacterial.  Then I moisturize immediately.  You want to moisturize while skin is...dewy.  Weird word, but true. 

LBF:  What do you use as a moisturizer?

Victoria:  You know what I use!  Tesoro is my favorite. It smells so good and it keeps my skin clear.

LBF:  Okay,  what is something you would like people to know about natural beauty products?

Victoria:  Good question!  I want people to know that using natural ingredients doesn't mean it will be ineffective in what it can do for your skin.  I think there is a myth out there that natural means it can't stand up to tough issues, but in actuality going natural is exactly what you should be doing if you have sensitive skin or eczema or acne.  Some of the chemically laden products out there can make those skin types worse! 

LBF:  I agree with you on that.  I've had allergies all my life and had tried just about everything and nothing really worked until I gave up the junk.  What do you think about all the folks that are scared to death about using a face oil?

Victoria:  I think they need to read their ingredient list because most likely they are already using oil on their face, just the really bad kind.  I know it sounds crazy to some people, but using a great quality antioxidant rich oil with no other ingredients is about as pure as you can get.  Mineral based or animal fat oils are pretty gross stuff.  Pure plant oils are best.

LBF:  Well I know we have tons of work to do so this is my last question.  What La Bella Figura product are you eager to share?

Victoria:  Aha, I think it'll have to be Decouverte our new under eye repair serum because it contains an exciting new ingredient, barbary fig seed oil!  Barbary fig seed oil has such a unique chemistry in France they call it "nature's botox."  I'm really proud of our eye serum because it contains such high performing ingredients like green coffee bean oil, tomato seed oil, which is full of lycopene and beta carotene, rosehip seed oil and of course our favorite..argan oil.  We also use rose otto, palmarosa, helichrysum, lavender and the wild blue tansy!  Blue tansy is so fantastic because it's naturally blue and features azulene, but like chamomille it's a calming essential oil for sensitive skin.  Decouverte is our little rockstar for sure and I can't wait to introduce it to everyone. 

LBF:  It's so exciting to introduce barbary fig seed oil to Americans!  Thanks, Victoria.  Let's get back to work!