BellaSugar

How to Give Yourself a Scalp Treatment

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:20:32 PDT

Scalp treatments are so underrated. In many other countries, they're a routine part of haircare regimens, but here in the US, they just haven't caught on - yet. Shiny hair begins from the roots, which means it's important to hydrate your scalp, too. Taking care of your scalp is inexpensive and easy, so to get a few tips on getting your head back to a good place, just keep reading.

Hooray For Hot Oil Hair Massages

BellaSugar — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:00:37 PST

If you have coarse or medium hair, I'm probably preaching to the choir, but no matter your texture, hair oil is one of the best ways to keep your locks looking good. My favorite oil delivery method is a hot oil hair massage using a nice amla or almond oil, but there are tons of options and lots of different oils, at least some of which you almost certainly already have in your kitchen. If you already know how to do a hot oil massage, I'd love your tips and tricks in the comments. And if you'd like a how-to or a refresher, just read more.

DIY Spa Treatment: Hot Oil Treatment For Dry Hair

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:00:22 PDT

Hot oil treatments are a fast and easy way to help restore elasticity, shine and moisture in dry, over-processed hair. They should instantly make your hair look and feel healthier, and they can be done anywhere from once to twice a week depending on the condition of your hair. I found this at-home hot oil treatment recipe from the Long Locks Hair Care Cookbook and have been eager to test it out.

Although I haven't tried this exact combo of ingredients yet, I have created a wonderful DIY treatment from a blend of jojoba oil, avocado, geranium oil and soybean oil. I loved the results, but found it to be fairly messy - and I didn't love the feeling of mashed-up avocado in my hair. That being said, feel free to add in fresh avocado, or a little jojoba oil if you desire. This recipe is simple, neat (you can bring it right into the shower with you) and it doesn't require a ton of ingredients. You'll need:

1/2 cup of soybean oil

8 drops of sandalwood oil

8 drops of geranium oil

8 drops of lavender oil

For three step-by-step directions,

STEP 1: Pour all of the ingredients into an empty measuring cup and mix well.
STEP 2: Warm the contents in the microwave for about 20-25 seconds, making sure it doesn't get too hot. Then, evenly apply the mixture to damp hair (paying special attention to the ends), comb through with a wide-tooth comb and wrap hair in a hot towel for 20 minutes.
STEP 3: When you're finished, shampoo hair, rinse well and skip using a conditioner.

Source

Victorian Secrets: How Your Great-Great-Grandmother Got Pretty

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 08:00:19 PDT

Did you take yesterday's beauty history quiz? If you haven't, be forewarned: I'm about to reveal all the answers, along with some other oddball facts about the lengths to which Victorians went to look pretty. Are you sure you can handle reading about the lard-based beauty treatment? If so, then

First of all, here are the answers to the quiz.

What did women rinse their hair with to make it soft and shiny?
Rum and rosewater, my friends. Victorians used to wash their hair with a frothy mixture of egg whites, then rinsed it with a blend of rum and rosewater.

What was the name of the first commercial deodorant?
Mum's the word. Invented in 1888 in Philadelphia, Mum was the first commercial anti-stink product. Although its popularity decreased in the States, Mum continues to be sold in the UK.

When were women not supposed to wear cosmetics?
That would be when they were menstruating. Unfortunately, the idea of women being tainted or "unclean" during their monthly cycle meant that Victorian women were told to keep their faces free of any sort of cosmetics. (How cruel it would be if this were still the case, as I need concealer most when I get those monthly chin zits!)

What did some Victorian women consume in an attempt to lighten their complexions?
Yum, yum! Guess what's for your dinner, ladies? Chalk! Yep, chalk. Is the popularity of indigestion tonics during the Victorian era mere coincidence?

To make their eyes bright, what did some women do?
It hurts my eyes to even think about it, but they washed their eyes with lemon juice or orange juice.

How did women create rosy cheeks?
They pinched them, essentially. And to get red lips, they'd gently bite them.

Finally, here's a bit more trivia from the Victorian era:

Rimmel was founded in 1834 in London; it specialized in products such as violet water, ylang-ylang perfume and Aquadentine, "to Whiten the Teeth and refresh the Mouth."
Vaseline was around back in the day, offering a soap with this catchy slogan: "The best emollient in the world must be the best basis for toilet soap."
A men's hair oil called Macassar Oil was very popular. Its tendency to rub off led to the development of the antimacassar, which is basically a cloth to guard sofas and chaises from oil blots.
Cucumber-infused lard was used as a hair treatment. This made-at-home concoction involved several steps, including heating six pounds of lard and mashing cucumbers into it with a mortar.

Source

5 Steps to Your Best Blowout Ever

Allure — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:05:00 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

It's not every day you get a lesson in blowouts from Alli Webb, founder of the Drybar blowout bars. Rule number one: If you've gotten your blowouts down to 10 minutes, you're doing something wrong. (Sorry!) Webb gave me the rundown on the other most common styling mistakes - and how to get the ultimate results. Get her advice when you read more.

3 (Nearly) Effortless Ways to Get Gorgeous Hair When It's Hot

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:32:00 PDT

Summer is about to begin, and the thermometer has already reached new highs, so why spend hours fussing with your hair? There are easy ways to keep your mane in check when it's hot out, so we turned to celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis to find out how. Read on to see his tips.

How to Spray Perfume in Your Hair (Yes, There Are Rules)

Jessica Cruel — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:02:00 PDT

So, you've been spritzing your favorite fragrance on your hair to get a scent that wafts through the air with every hair flip. And while perfume can mask smoke and other unwanted odors, the question remains: Is it safe for your strands? It turns out, there are a couple things you should ask yourself before you turn your body spray into a hair mist.

What's in this? Eau de parfums usually contain a high alcohol content in order to make the scent last - even up to 20 percent. Although alcohol is a necessary evil, when you're searching for a type to spray in strands, look for a brand with lower levels (10 percent or less), recommends celebrity stylist Serge Normant. Also, consider if the perfume contains ingredients that can be good for your hair. Normant, for instance, is set to launch a low-alcohol fragrance for hair and body, Avah, on June 1, and the juice is formulated with hair-nourishing vitamin E, jojoba oil, and aloe vera.

How should I apply it? If you decide to spritz your hair with a fragrance, don't get it too close because it will rewet your hair and saturate it with alcohol. Normant recommends spraying the product in the air instead, and then walking through to get a light mist. Ahh.

Source: Flickr User AMELIA SPEED formerly foxandfeathers

Christine Taylor on Organic Beauty, Her Must Haves, and Nighttime Hair Routine

Jessica Cruel — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

Actress Christine Taylor has signed on to be the spokeswoman for organic skin care line Nourish, and as a vegan and mother, her partnership with the brand seems like kismet. "A lot of times products will say 100 percent natural, but this one actually works," Christine explains. "Every person in my family has different favorites, and it's in every bathroom."

Not only does she love the idea of USDA-certified organic beauty (the fresh fig body butter is her top product in the line), but Christine also has plenty of tricks for getting the best results. "You can use the body butter during the day, but you can also load it on at night and wake up with really smooth skin," she explains. Look for Nourish at Whole Foods, and get more of Christine's beauty tips and advice when you read more.

How to Get Statement-Making Hair at Home

Allure — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:25:00 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

When supermodel Coco Rocha tweeted that she was already in hair hours before the Met Gala, we knew we were in for something big. But it wasn't her side-swept waves or even her vintage Givenchy pantsuit that had style bloggers drooling - it was her My-Little-Pony pink extensions. Rocha is certainly not the first celebrity to go pink - or noncelebrity for that matter. But there's something to say when your hairstyle is shocking enough to distract photographers from the Met's notorious fashion set - or at least Anja Rubik's leg.

While many of us can't afford Givenchy-anything (let alone a celebrity colorist on speed-dial), mimicking Rocha's look at home is surprisingly easy and affordable. If you're ready to take the plunge, rather than try it out for a few days, follow these tips from Rick Wellman, owner and color director of the Patrick Melville Salon & Spa in New York City, when you read more.

Silicones, Sulfates, Alcohol: Does Your Hair Need Rehab?

Jessica Cruel — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:58:00 PDT

Alcohol. Sulfates. Silicones. Is it time for your hair to go into chemical rehab? Each of these common ingredients has a purpose, but they can also be overused, causing the hair to act out. Get educated on what's in your hair products and figure out a few simple solutions for better strands when you continue reading.