BellaSugar

DIY Spa Treatment: Delicious, Softening Yogurt Cocoa Mask

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:25 -0800

Want something that smells good enough to eat and is incredibly moisturizing for dry, cold-chapped skin? Try a simple yogurt cocoa face mask. You just need a tablespoon of cheap cocoa butter ($1) and a half tablespoon of yogurt. Melt the cocoa butter in a saucepan over low heat, then mix in the yogurt until smooth. Pour your concoction into a bowl and let it cool to a comfortable temperature, then apply for 15 minutes and wash off with warm water.

DIY Spa Treatment: Depuffing Cucumber Honey Eye Nourisher

BellaSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:00:45 -0700

From making your own bubble bath to a wide variety of ideas for creating your own body scrubs, isn't it apparent that I love me some DIY formulations? Recently I came across this Cucumber Honey Eye Nourisher recipe from celebrity esthetician Christopher Watt for Honey.com, and immediately realized it was a perfect addition to our DIY coverage. Not only does this four-ingredient mask help reduce puffiness around the eye area, but it also soothes and cools the delicate skin surrounding your peepers.
To make, first steep chamomile tea in boiling water and set aside until cooled. Blend together one tablespoon aloe vera gel, two teaspoons peeled and seeded cucumber, and 1/2 teaspoon of honey in a blender or food processor. Next, add 1/2 teaspoon of chamomile tea and blend until smooth. Each batch makes four treatments and can be stored in an air-tight container for up to a week.

Do you love saving a buck (or several) with your own homemade recipes as much as I do? I've got just the place for you to go. The Do-It-Yourself Beauty group is dedicated to finding fun and unique ways of using household items in your daily beauty regimens.

DIY Spa Treatment: Pumpkin Face Mask

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:00:14 -0700

After a few weeks of warm temperatures, there's no denying it officially feels like Autumn. Yesterday I passed by one of those makeshift pumpkin patches on the city street corner and then immediately bought myself a long-sleeved turtleneck and a big bag of Brach's Harvest Mix. Now that I'm in the mood for this seasonably crisp weather and I've officially got an addiction to candy corn and other mellowcreme confections, I've got pumpkin on the brain. High in vitamins A and C and zinc, this gourd-like squash helps heal and protect the skin from free radicals, all while gently dissolving dead skin cells. The addition of egg helps bind the mask together, nourishing and lifting the skin. To get the recipe for this homemade pumpkin face mask, read more.

DIY: Make Your Own Bubble Bath

BellaSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Over the weekend, I was really looking forward to a nice, fluffy, over-the-top kind of bubble bath. But, alas, the bubble part was missing. Realizing I had run out of my stash of sudsy products, I got to thinking that I should just make my own. So, I searched the Internet to find an environmentally friendly recipe. Check out this option below. It's easy on the budget, as well as the senses.

Gather together: one quart of warmed water; two ounces of liquid glycerin, like Nature's Answer Glycerine Extract ($9.50) or Heritage Store Vegetable Glycerin ($5); one four-ounce bar of castile soap, like Kirk's Natural Products Castile Bar Soap ($5); and several drops of your favorite essential oils to scent. Grate or chop up the soap and add to the warm water. Stir to melt. Add the essential oils and glycerin, store in an airtight container, and enjoy.

The Sweetest Thing: Four Beauty Uses For Honey

BellaSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:01:05 -0700

MMMMM, honey. It's by far my favorite sweetener, and Winnie the Pooh will forever be my first love. But I didn't realize, until recently, that honey is also a pretty darn good beauty product. I've put together four tips for using honey in your beauty routine; to get all sugared up, read on.

How-To: Bring a Pimple to a Head

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:36 -0700

Pimples under the surface of the skin can be painful, annoying, and just plain stubborn. Recently, a reader contacted me about an unfortunate case of an under-the-surface pimple on the chin. "I've tried a deep-cleansing pore mask, alcohol wipes, and soaking it with hot water and no luck," she said. Making a hot compress to apply to the problem area is one of my favorite ways to bring a pimple to a head, but since it doesn't seem to be working in this instance, I've done a little research on the topic. Find out how to get that pimple out fast when you read more.

These Bloomin' Earrings Smell (Really)

BellaSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:29 -0700

While researching why ear piercings sometimes smell funky, I came across these earrings that do actually smell - but in a pleasing way. The Bloom Scented Flower Earring ($19) lets you DIY, meaning you spritz whatever perfume you'd like on the paper leaves of these special petals.

These "eau de earrings" truly make it possible for you to find another body part for which to wear your favorite scent. Each pack contains a set of sterling silver earrings and 30 changeable, colorful scent-holding flowers. Would you wear them?

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Three Ways to Get Some Clarity (In Your Hair)

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:00:00 -0700

If you've got buildup from chlorine or styling products, or perhaps your hair is looking a little lackluster, I've got a few solutions. Just head to the pantry, grab a few ingredients, and stir up your own homemade brew.

Do you need some clarity? Then perhaps it's time for a little DIY action. Keep in mind that for color-treated hair, it's probably best to use a clarifying shampoo specifically formulated to protect your color from stripping out. Check out three of my tips after the jump.

10 Unconventional Ways to Treat Bikini Bumps

BellaSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Like it or not, it's bikini season, and that can mean red bumps around the bikini line after waxing or shaving. I've given you tips for combating inflammation, and after further research - along with your tips and tricks - I've gathered together some of the more unconventional remedies that can be applied post-hair removal.

I can't say I've tested them all out, and I can't even say that they're all effective, but most are simple and cheap - not to mention readily available in your home. Find out these DIY treatments after the jump.

How-To: Make a Gossip Girl-Inspired Headband

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 07:00:50 -0700

In these tough economic times, my new favorite saying is "why buy when you can DIY?" As much as I adore fancy hair adornments, I can't always justify the cost of the pricey barrettes and bands I covet. (Sorry, Blair.) So, I headed to my local craft store and picked up enough goodies for several different projects. Up first: a couple lovely headbands created by moi. Get started with the step-by-step for this money-saving craft which wins compliments from friends and strangers alike.

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