BellaSugar

Definition: Arnica

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:00:43 -0800

Mr. Bella is fast becoming a huge fan of the rock climbing gym. As a result, he's become a huge fan of arnica oil. The extract from arnica, a daisy-like plant, helps reduce inflammation and pain from sprains, muscle aches, sore joints, and insect bites. Arnica also helps alleviate bruising by stimulating blood circulation. You could say it's a major multitasker.

Typically found in ointments, gels, or creams, arnica is sometimes an ingredient in beauty products, too. It gives products like Laura Mercier Deep Cleansing Clay Mask ($32) or The Eraser Concealer ($18), and DuWop Igels Variety Pack ($25) their anti-inflammatory benefits.

Acne? Arnica helps with that, too. Found in Acne by Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion ($33), arnica works to reduce redness and heal, with its natural antibacterial properties. But beware. This plant can be poisonous if ingested - not like you were going to have a taste or anything.

Hydrate Botanica Is Full of Spice

BellaSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:00:22 -0800

If your daily styling routine includes a dollop of leave-in conditioner, consider Hydrate Botanica ($20) this season. Since it's even more important to keep hair hydrated in cold and dry weather, using a moisture rich product can de-stress your hair . . . and your mood in dealing with that hair. When checking the label on the bottle, it read something like a spicy grocery list – nettle, fennel, sage – and I was intrigued as to what these yummy ingredients could do for my strands.

As part of a seven ingredient Naturina Complex, nettle nourishes, fennel softens, and sage refreshes, along with vitamin-rich arnica, emollient chamomile, yarrow for conditioning . . . and hops. Ummm, beer?! Just like that beer facial led us to believe, it's a natural hair and skin softener. Bottoms up on this bottle and let it go straight to your head!

Giveaway of the Day! Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 23:18:53 -0700

To celebrate the very exciting launch of BellaSugar, we're giving away a different product every day in May, thanks to our very generous friends at Sephora. A big congratulations to Pinkandgreenj, who won yesterday's giveaway for a Smashbox Beauty Book.

Today's giveaway is from one of my favorite brands, Bliss, which was featured this week on "Oprah," when the talk show host surprised doctors and nurses at Children’s Memorial Hospital with Bliss services. Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter has an indulgent citrus scent, and it's packed with antioxidant vitamins A and E and arnica extract for extra soothing.

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment in the comment section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 10, and we'll announce the winner when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. Also, you must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, just click here. Good luck!