BellaSugar

5 Things I Learned From GOOP Today

BellaSugar — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:00:00 PDT

You might know that Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP newsletters, while sometimes mocked by bloggers, actually do contain lots of great content straight from industry insiders. And whether you're a fan or not, you have to give the longtime actress credit for her efforts in trying to bring insider tidbits to the masses. Today's edition is one after my own heart, offering up some pretty cool hairstyle tips and tricks from her pals in the hair biz. See five of my favorites when you read more.

DIY Spa Treatment: Honey Lemon Hair Mask

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:00:36 PDT

After a long, hot Summer, platinum blonde highlights often turn to dishwater blonde highlights. This hair treatment includes lemon extract to clarify and brighten, honey and wheat germ to nourish, and oil to moisturize dry hair.

For the recipe and instructions

read more. Here's what you need. (This will make plenty. If you have short hair, you can halve this recipe.)

1/2 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons lemon extract

Juice and pulp of half a lemon

2 tablespoons wheat germ

Mix all ingredients together well. Put the mixture in the sink and pull it through dirty hair, making sure to get the roots and ends. Pull hair back and wait 20 to 30 minutes. Take a hot shower, combing the mixture through your hair. Since this is a treatment and not a conditioner, you'll want to shampoo and condition to remove it all (especially the wheat germ). Source

Reader Review: NelsonJ Brazilian Hair Masque

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:00:06 PDT

My buddy Nancita has the prettiest chestnut-brown hair, all tumbling waves and shine. And now that I've found the secret to its beauty, I've asked her to share it with all of you. Take it away, Nancita:

"The longer my hair gets, the more I need deep conditioners. I used to think of these products as an unnecessary expense, but I've since learned that conditioning treatments really keep my hair looking healthy, rather than ratty, between haircuts. (Like most long-haired gals, I tend to go a while between trims.) My new obsession is NelsonJ Brazilian Hair Masque ($18-54), a subtly fruity and satiny conditioner that works wonders in just five minutes.

The first time I used this stuff, I was astounded: It smooths my split ends and makes my naturally wavy hair dry just the way it's supposed to. I thought maybe I was imagining the too-good-to-be-true results, until my friend said, post-conditioning, "Wow, your hair looks great today! So curly!" For the rest of my raves,

read more. This conditioner was concocted by Beverly Hills hairstylist Nelson Chan using oil from the very trendy açai berry. I have no idea if the antioxidant powers translate to conditioner, but the rainforest fruit does give this creamy potion a clean, tropical scent. I also love that this deep condition works in the time it takes to shave my legs. You can also use it as a leave-in mask to protect hair from chlorine and salt water, though I have yet to try that. But as a twice-a-week treatment, I can't imagine anything better suited to my hair. One day I'll think "I really need a haircut," and then I'll use this stuff and my hair will look and feel smooth and nourished again. Plus, nothing else allows my hair to air dry into such perfectly polished curls. My only complaint is that it doesn't disperse that well, so I probably end up using more than I should. But even if I plow through a jar a month, it's probably worth it."

New Product Alert: Aveda Dry Remedy System

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:00:00 PDT

When Aveda launches a new concept, the company tends to do it in bulk. Such was the case with its Outer Peace acne-treatment regimen (and the subsequent men's hair-care line), and the same rings true with the just launched Dry Remedy. There's the requisite shampoo and conditioner, plus a hair mask (and a free comb if you buy the three as a set).

The system also follows the company's tradition of using plant and flower essences in its products. It does this, primarily, with its use of buriti oil and pomegranate, which Aveda claims help penetrate the hair with moisture; and, secondarily, with meadowfoam, soybean, and sunflower seed oils, used to help seal in the moisture.

I haven't tried this particular line, but I'm glad to see Aveda moving in this direction since I've found some of their shampoos, specifically Brilliant and Shampure, to be very drying, especially with daily use. Have you had a similar issue with Aveda shampoo, and, if so, will you try Dry Remedy?

Product Review: Biolage Fortetherapie Cera-Repair Hair Treatment

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:00:22 PST

Unfortunately, I have to give Biolage Fortetherapie Cera-Repair ($13.49) a double thumbs-down for being a colossal waste of time. It's not often that a hair product can disappoint me this much, but after spending fifteen minutes in the shower, I was left waterlogged with knots in my hair. I actually had to step back into the shower and re-condition just to get a comb through it.

And not only that, but I was upset to have spent my allotted weekly hair mask ritual time on something completely unsatisfactory. Also, the key ingredients are lemongrass and mango and I don't think the product had any kind of scent whatsoever.

The claim from Matrix is that with continued use, these ceramide-rich conditioners help strengthen, repair and reduce breakage in your hair. The box comes with five treatments, and while I understand that you are supposed to complete them all over the course of five weeks to see the full effects, one experience was enough for me.

New Product Alert: Caviar Anti-Aging Hair Masque

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:00:37 PST

With the season changing at warp speed, hair is at serious risk of moisture loss. This can lead to dull strands and brittle split ends. Now is a good time to start giving yourself a hair treatment anywhere from once to twice a week, depending on the condition of your hair. If you are looking for a new product to try, Alterna has just come out with a Caviar Anti-Aging Hair Masque ($40).

This color-safe treatment is made with seasilk, a patented group of marine botanicals. Together, they promise to prevent breakage and combat dryness by delivering moisture to your hair and scalp. I've used it once already, but I want to give it one more whirl before sharing my review. So stay tuned, because I'll have plenty to say about it soon!

Heavenly Soft Hair

BellaSugar — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 07:24:33 PST

If you want to attain heavenly hair that is flowy and soft, for him to run his fingers through, then the PHYTOJOBA Intense Hydrating Mask, $36, is what you are looking for. It is designed to gently and instantly restore elasticity, shine and thickness to dry, damaged or normal hair.

The jojoba plant was selected because the oil that this plant produces is characteristic of the natural oils in your own hair. The mask has a creamy texture and delicious scent heightened by sweet orange. Angelica seeds and roots detangle, protect and revitalize both your hair and scalp.

It even has a special UV filter in it to protect your hair from the damaging rays of the sun.

Apply a quarter sized amount (don't be shy) to wet hair and comb it through. Pay special attention to the ends of your hair and add extra if those aren't completely saturated. Leave it on anywhere from two to five minutes and rinse.

Grammy Awards: Lady Gaga

BellaSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:20:11 PST

Lady Gaga wouldn't let her fans down on a night like the Grammys, and her hair and makeup were just as avant-garde as you'd expect: a mask of black netting, blond hair with a bold black stripe, strong brows, and statement-making red lipstick. Are you excited about what the Lady served up this year? Vote on all of our Grammy Awards polls here!

In Defense of the Chronically Late Mom

BabyCenter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:11 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Betsy Shaw about being late for school.

If I were to wear a scarlet letter it would be T.

T for tardy. T for turd ball. T for totally inept mother.

We are late for school with such alarming regularity it’s embarrassing. The last time we were on time, after a mini snowstorm that excited my children enough to urge them into their snowsuits and outside at 6:30 a.m., we got to school five minutes early to find it dark and empty. Delayed opening. I was apparently the only mother who didn’t get the memo.

Calling Charlie Brown…

Being late for school brings up a vicious brew of conflicting emotion in me. On the one hand I just don’t care. Life is short. Far too short to risk traumatizing your children with a bullwhip and terrorizing morning walkers and squirrels, not to mention my own white-knuckled children, speeding our way to school like Toad on a motorcar bender each weekday morning.

On the other hand I am ashamed, deeply embarrassed, to be “that mom.” All the other moms can do it, even the single ones. Why. Can’t. I? What’s wrong with me?

I complained about this once to a woman from South Carolina who I met on my Guatemala trip and she told me her school started at 7:30. She also made it clear her kids were never late.

Never late.

Keep reading for more of Betsy's reasoning for being late.

How to Organize Your Beauty Products

Real Beauty — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 PST

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

If you have to dig though drawers and rummage through an overstuffed makeup bag to get ready every morning, then it's time to bring order to your beauty stash.

For more great tips check out: How to Clean Out Your Makeup Bag.

These expert tips will help you de-clutter your loot and streamline your storage space. See what they are now.