BellaSugar

These Are a Few of My Favorite Leaves: Tea-Inspired Fragrances

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:01:03 -0700

I loved tea parties as a little girl, and just a whiff of Celestial Seasons Sleepytime (which has soothed many a tummy ache and tastes great with ginger snaps) is enough to make me smile and breathe a sigh of relief. That's why, when I want to feel really comfy, I turn to tea scents - they're the chunky cable knit sweaters of the fragrance world, with the added bonus of going with any outfit and being comfortable to wear no matter how high the mercury in your thermometer goes.

My personal favorite for instant relaxation is perfumer Christopher Brosius's Russian Caravan Tea ($60), which is designed to smell like "smoked black Indian tea, bergamot and the hint of shelves full of old books." I'm also eagerly anticipating Dior's new tea scent, Escale a Pondichery, which is coming out this Fall and is supposed to be a true tea scent. While I'm waiting for the new Dior, though, I've put together some other lovely tea scents for you to sniff out - hopefully one of them will smell like happiness for you, too.

Five Beautiful Uses For Green Tea

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:00:36 -0800

FitSugar is always telling me all the reasons I should substitute green tea for afternoon coffee – there are just so many great benefits of this beverage. High in antioxidants, it can help protect skin against UV damage and keep a complexion clear in the process with just 10 ounces a day. But are there any uses for green tea in homemade beauty remedies? You betcha.

Green Tea Leaves: While picking up a bag is easier, breaking up tea leaves to create the pouch can cause some of the valuable essential oils to evaporate. Add approximately three teaspoons of loose tea to a 16-ounce bottle of room-temperature water and allow it to steep for one to two hours. Then, strain the tea into a clean spray bottle and discard the leaves. The remaining liquid can be stored in the fridge and spritzed on your face for a refreshing alternative to water.

To see three other ways to use green tea in all its forms, read more.

Green Tea Liquid: Before sitting down to sip a cup of already-steeped tea, put a little tea to the side. Then, blend it with one of my favorite products, baking soda, instead of water to give a little breath-freshening flavor to DIY toothpaste or swish it in lieu of mouthwash.
Green Tea Bag: If you have splotchy, irritated skin, take a used (cooled) tea bag and make a compress to help the redness go down. The same goes for cuts, scrapes, burns, and puffy eyelids, too.
Green Tea Powder: Green Tea Powder (available at health-food stores or online) is a great addition to smoothies, homemade green tea ice cream . . . and your favorite DIY face masks! To moisturize dry skin, mash 1/2 banana before adding one tbsp. honey, one tbsp. plain yogurt, and one tsp. green tea powder.

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Product Review: June Jacobs Green Tea and Cucumber Hand Treatment

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 07:00:02 -0700

By now, I am sure you've figured out that I am a little bit sensitive to products with strong smells. So putting on a fragrant hand cream was never really up my alley-until now. For funsies, I decided to try out this June Jacobs Green Tea and Cucumber Revitalizing Hand Treatment ($46) because of its surprisingly light scent.

I was expecting something much heavier but in actuality it's very refreshing. In addition, the texture is unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's ridiculously thick and creamy, so all you really need is a little bit to cover both of your hands. It spreads evenly, absorbs quickly and penetrates deeply.

And I've come to find that if you rub a little bit extra into your cuticles, most of the puffiness and redness (caused by picking or trimming) diminishes overnight.

I am hopelessly in love with this product. In fact, it's sitting next to my computer so I can have easy access to it all day. (Hey, I never said I wasn't an extremist!) The only slight issue I have is with the packaging. It's kind of dull and boring, and I really wish they made this in a tube form. When your hands are slippery, it makes getting the cap of the jar back on a real challenge!

Doing Drugstore: J.R. Watkins Aloe & Green Tea Body Cream

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:00:33 -0700

I love that brands like Yes to Carrots, Burt's Bees and J.R. Watkins are available at drugstores (and therefore at drugstore prices). I picked up J.R. Watkins' new Aloe & Green Tea Body Cream ($6.49) on a day when my skin was feeling especially parched. The packaging couldn't be cuter, with declarations like "free yourself" and "naturally pure" written in old-timey script - and in French, at that. This brand doesn't use parabens, dye, or phthalates (nor does it test on animals) and they're clearly proud of it - as they should be!

To find out what I thought of this cream, just read more.

Despite being called "body cream," according to its own tube this product is actually intended for especially rough parts of the body like the hands, feet, knees and elbows, and the addition of soothing aloe and green tea makes it good all-purpose balm for when you just went camping or skiing. If you're looking for something to use every day that will soak in after you can slather all over yourself, this isn't it, even if you think your skin is super-dry. The scent is strong but hard to pin down (you can definitely detect the shea butter, maybe mixed with a powdery gardenia-ish smell). Definitely give it a whiff before purchasing, because you'll be smelling it for hours, as will those around you.

All in all, this is really jazzed up shea butter (it's the second ingredient), and it would be cheaper to just buy that. But it probably won't say "apothecary" on the package, and I really like that in a product (I wish that were a joke).*

*As a side note, J.R. Watkins makes some amazing non-cosmetic products, like household cleansers, liniment, and pizza crust mix. Again, not a joke.

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.

DIY Spa Treatment: Sweet Tea Antioxidant Facial Exfoliator

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:05:41 -0700

No matter the season, exfoliators help rejuvenate dull-looking skin. Plus, they help lay the foundation for creating a nice, even surface - perfect for smoother makeup applications. Are these warmer-weathered days wreaking havoc on your appearance? "The green tea in the Sweet Tea Antioxidant Exfoliator is full of antioxidants, which boost health and resilience and can even soothe Summer sunburns," says dermatologist Dr. Hema Sundaram. "Brown sugar is a natural exfoliant that scrubs away dirt and impurities without being too harsh on skin."

Get Dr. Sundaram's recipe, along with application tips, when you read more.

Beauty Byte: Reese Enters the Bloomin' Fragrance Biz

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

When it comes to fragrance launches this year, Avon has had quite the star-studded journey. Since last June, the impressively affordable cosmetics brand has launched Christian Lacroix Noir, Courteney Cox-endorsed Spotlight, and Patrick Dempsey's Unscripted. And now, as a two-year Avon global ambassador, it's Reese Witherspoon's turn.

The new fragrance, dubbed In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon ($34 to $59), makes its official debut in November, and features top notes of Georgia peach, crisp greens, and tea leaves; middle notes of magnolias, star gardenia, and night-blooming jasmine; and base notes of cashmere woods, hypnotic florals, and amber wood crystals. Packaged in a rounded glass bottle with an elaborate flower atop, the Oscar-winning actress chose to monogram the champagne-toned box and limited-edition silver charmed bottle. "I monogram everything because I am Southern - it’s a compulsion," she quipped to WWD.

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Find out the endearing inspiration behind the scent when you read more.

Inspiration behind the sensual, romantic scent came from Reese's Southern background and her 9-year-old daughter Ava's opinion. "I asked her which one smelled most like me." She also drew upon other family memories for insight. "Definitely gardenia is a big thing for me because my father - every Mother’s Day or on my birthday - would buy small bouquets or corsages for my mother and I," she added. "I thought you just pick a fragrance and it’s easy. But there were all these different levels of creating a scent that were new to me, but really fun and exciting," said the fun-loving star. Are you excited about Reese's latest endeavor?

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This Natural Deodorant Doesn't Stink

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:00:16 -0700

Natural deodorants are great in theory, but sometimes just so-so in practice. (Tom's of Maine, I'm sorry, but you may want to rename your version Stanky Pits.) I'm always on the lookout for a natural deodorant that smells fresh and clean, and Lavanila the Healing Deodorant ($18) does the trick.

This all-natural deodorant has no parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthlates, or synthetic dyes. Instead, it uses lichen and tea tree oils to keep the funk at bay. I like the vanilla-lavender scent, which is strong enough to cover any BO without being overpowering. Because it's deodorant and not antiperspirant, you'll still sweat; this doesn't bother me, but if you have to stay completely dry, you might want to take a pass. However, if you like your green deodorant more luxurious than jam-band groupie, this is worth the splurge.

Can a Drink Make You More Beautiful?

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:04:09 -0700

Those of you who have been reading for a while know that beauty supplements and I don't get along so well. I didn't see any improvement with my Borba experiment, but I'm willing to give things another try. Enter Glowelle, a nutraceutical drink from Nestlé. Promising better skin through drinking its antioxidant-laden formula, Glowelle aims to fight the signs of aging through one packet a day.

Glowelle is pretty pricey - $40 for a seven-day supply, and $112 for a 30-day supply. (Beautyfix's current beauty bag, at $49.99, includes the seven-day box along with other products, so I think it's a better way to go.) Each day's packet contains powder that you mix with water; it includes goji berries and green and white tea extracts, among other nutrients.

After adding the powder to water, you'll have a deep berry-colored drink. I disliked the artificial fruity taste (though, oddly, I like the floral aftertaste) and couldn't finish my glass. Sadly, looking at the ingredient list didn't make me give it another go. The first ingredient is evaporated cane juice, which is another way of saying sugar. (Less-refined sugar, but still.) Since I try to avoid eating sugar as much as possible, I realized that Glowelle just isn't for me. I'm not sure if it improves skin, but considering the high price and not-so-yum flavor, I won't find out. All in all, I'd rather just buy goji berries (tasty!) and drink green tea than add a fake coloring and sugar to my diet.

It looks like yet another supplement FAIL for Bella, but I'm curious to find out if any of you have tried Glowelle - and if you liked it. Flavor is such a personal thing, and I'm sure some people like the taste, so I'd love to read your reviews.

How-To: "Green" Your Manicure

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:00:51 -0800

Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate - all chemicals considered dangerous for our bodies and the environment, and yet they are still found in many nail products. Sophie Uliano is the author of Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life ($15.25), where she discusses everything from choosing an earth-friendly lipstick to preparing eco-conscious treats.
Last year, Uliano appeared on Oprah with her friend Julia Roberts to celebrate Earth Day. And now, she has some tips for greening your manicure, along with specific product suggestions she shared with me. Uliano recommends mixing up a "gorgeously green" bag to take with you to your next manicure. Find out her suggestions when you read more.

Non-toxic polish: Try No-Miss Nail Polish ($7), which can be found at Whole Foods. Uliano also recommends Spa Ritual Nail Lacquer ($12).
Paraben-free lotion: Uliano likes SpaRitual products. Try Instinctual Moisturizing Lotion ($28) or Cuti-Quench Cuticle and Skin Conditioning Creme ($15).
Soy-based polish remover: Uliano calls Priti's Soy Nail Polish Remover ($22.50) "awesome."
Tea tree oil: For a foot and hand soak try Desert Essence Organic Tea Tree Oil ($9).

The Pour un Ete, 100 ml - $135.00	Voluspa Victoria Collection - Fleur de Café Petite Roll-On Perfume - $24.00
Trance Essence - Genie in a Bottle Perfume Oil - Roll On - 3.75ml - $46.00	Serge Lutens Five O'Clock Au Gingembre - $120.00
Costume National Scent Eau De Parfum - $100.00	Barneys New York Route du The (3.4 oz.) - $55.00
Memoire Liquide - No. 314 Cuir Millesime Parfum - 0.5 oz. - $65.00	Carthusia - IO Capri Eau de Toilette - 50ml - $75.00
Parfums de Nicolai - Fig Tea Eau Fraiche - 100ml Spray - $65.00	The Tea Eau de Toilette by L'Aromarine - $18.00
L'Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two - $95.00	Bvlgari Fragrance Eau The Blanc White Tea, 2.5 ounces - $80.00
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea for Women Perfume Collection - $10.00	Kenzo Eau de Fleur Tea - $55.00
Green Tea with Mint Eau de Toilette - $46.00