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,

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

read more
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

A Reader Recipe: Chunky Cherry-Chocolate Granola Bites

Fit Community — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:28:09 PST

FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle came up with this special cookie for Valentine's Day; she posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

Tied with a festive pink ribbon and a little love, I’m hoping these cookies will be perfect for Valentine's Day. The whole-grain oats, nuts, and cherries in these cookies add heartiness, while the melted dark-chocolate chunks deliver bursts of richness. The chia seeds pack a nutty punch, and they are rich in fiber and omega-3s, too - perfect for supporting vibrant hair and skin during these cold weeks of February.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

3 Hair Oils That Will Give You the Softest, Shiniest Hair

BellaSugar — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:16:08 PST

The secret to soft and shiny hair isn't brushing it 100 times a day or buying the most expensive conditioner. In fact, it's a whole lot easier than any of that. Just dab some hair oil on your strands (applied wet or dry depending on your hair type) for that covetable glossy finish. To find out three of our top favorite oils, watch our video now.

5 Tips From a Pro: How to Create a Beautiful Bronzed Glow

Real Beauty — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:07:27 PST

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

When trying to create a natural, sunless tan on your body, mistakes are expected and accepted. If things go too awry, you can just opt to wear pants until the color wears off.

Bronzer or self tanner: which is right for you?

But a botched fake tan on your face? Completely out of the question. Here, five foolproof tips on how to get gorgeous bronzed skin.

Why You Should Break That Hair-Washing Addiction

Jaime Richards — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:50 PST

If your hair has been less than lustrous as of late, factors such as cold weather and excess toweling can be the culprits. Daily shampooing, however, can also be the cause of dull, dry-looking strands. That's why John Ryan, hairstylist and owner of Festoon Salon in San Francisco, advises his clients to skip the washing every single day.

The reason? Natural oils provide shine and protection, therefore making the hair look healthier and more radiant. And by busting out of the shampoo-each-day routine, you'll likely even notice that your hair styles even better with its natural oils intact. Additionally, since oil production reduces with aging, you'll also likely notice you won't even have to wash nearly as often with each passing birthday.

Skipping the shampoo step every day, however, "doesn't mean you have to be unhygienic," Ryan explains. In fact, you can still get it wet and add styling products as needed. "I sell a lot of dry shampoo," he quips. So just think: a few weeks back we all scoffed after discovering a video from the 1950s suggesting that women wash their hair every other week. Although that may be a tad extreme, maybe they were on to something with their anti-rinse, -lather, and -repeat mantra.

What We're Sweet On: Truly Multipurpose Oil

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:06:42 PST

Can one product moisturize and balance your face, body, and even your hair? Yes, if it's the right oil. And right now we're rather fond of O.N.E. Skincare ($30). It's not for everybody - quite literally, since oily complexions won't benefit as much - but if you have dry, sensitive skin, O.N.E.'s oil is a lifesaver. It's a gentle blend of olive oil, sunflower oil, lavender, and geranium that absorbs easily and doesn't feel heavy or clog pores. We like that it's certified organic without being obscenely expensive, and it smells great, like a lavender bouquet picked out with bright red geraniums. We've been using it on our arms, legs, and lips, then dabbing it on as a spot treatment for dry spots on our faces, and it's worked like a charm. It's not the most complicated product, but sometimes the simplest things are also the best.

5 Easy-to-Make Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Skin

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:27:40 PST

It's an almost-universal experience: your complexion has been fine for a while, and then one day, almost out of nowhere, you're in breakout city and your skin looks worn out and defeated overnight. You're cleansing and using a daily regimen, so what could be wrong? Well, if it's not stress or hormones, it could very easily be one of several smaller, less obvious culprits. See a list of the usual suspects below.