BellaSugar

Tea Tree Oil Will Cure What (N)ails You

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:00:38 -0700

Earlier this year, nearly 70 percent of you told me that you bite your cuticles. I have a confession. During particularly nervous moments, I sometimes do a little chomping myself. Ack! Recently, a manicurist gave me a little talking to after discovering my dirty little secret. Her solution? Tea tree oil, an antiseptic essential oil with antibacterial benefits.

Not only does this product help heal cuts and tears when rubbed into the delicate nail bed area, it provides hydrating effects, and carries with it a clean, uplifting aroma. Added bonus? Because of its strong, slightly camphor-like smell, it won't taste all that appetizing, and that just might inhibit you from biting. Try Beauty Secrets Tea Tree Oil ($5.99) to get started on your way to obtaining those soon-to-be-gorgeous hands.

Photo by Jon Fravel

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).

Product Review: Espa Essential Tea Tree Oil

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:00:12 -0700

For someone like me who is constantly battling erratic pesky pimples, I've gotten to know the spot treatment market fairly well. And the newest product that I've tried and liked is called Espa Essential Tea Tree Gel ($33). This gentle botanical gel contains lemon (to detoxify), thyme (to soothe), evening primrose (to balance) and tea tree oil which helps attack bacteria and banish blemishes - all without drying out your skin.

Additionally, it is formulated with a blend of fragrant essential oils which calm break-out prone and hormonally imbalanced (aka premenstrual) skin.

I heard about ESPA from a friend and was really excited when I saw that a .54 oz travel size ($18) is available. This size is ideal since all you need is a small amount to get the job done. Simply dot a thin coat on the blemish, and you can either apply a mask over it or just let the gel dry for a few minutes before putting on your makeup. You'll notice a slightly cooling feeling and in time you'll see that area is less red and puffy and more even-toned. I've been using it for a week and I am very happy with the results. I also hear it's great for ingrown hairs, so I am going to test it out and see how it rivals my Arezoo Cream.

BellaSugar's Guide To Tea Tree Oil Products

BellaSugar — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 09:43:55 -0700

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia plant which grows exclusively and in abundance in Australia. The leaves are distilled, pressed and can then be used topically or aromatically (inhaled). Tea tree oil can be found in many over-the-counter beauty, household and first aid items.

Take a look at my five-post roundup on tea tree oil for a more in-depth look at a sample of the wide variety of face, body and hair care products on the market today. I hope that you've enjoyed this series, so please let me know what you think!

Source

Product Review: Arezoo Ingrown Hair Cream

BellaSugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:54:45 -0700

Arezoo Kaviani worked at posh Mayfair salon in London for years, where she had a constant client waiting list. After much success she decided to venture out on her own. She now owns a private salon kitty-corner to the world-famous Harrods department store. Her specialties are extremely gentle waxing and facials, but she is so talented that her one-stop shop also offers a gamut of alluring body treatments.

While in London, I had the pleasure of meeting Azeroo for a bikini wax - not an easy feat, considering her schedule is jam-packed with clients that include Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer, Daniel Craig, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon. I was dying to ask her if Jake comes in for a manly parts waxing or just an eyebrow shaping, but I resisted - I didn't want to put her in a compromising position or anything.

The one product she used that smelled great and cut the pain of a wax by at least half was her tea tree oil wax. She also handed me an ice cube before she began to help numb the area -it's kinda fun, actually! When we were finished, she recommended a terrific anti-ingrown hair product that I want to share with you.

Arezoo Ingrown Hair Cream contains no alcohol, but it does have tons of tea tree oil. That acts as an antiseptic and drying agent, so those nasty, itchy bumps don't form on your nether regions. It smells better than most products in its genre, and it won't thin your skin like other alcohol-based ingrown hair products do.

The cream works wonders for anywhere on the body suffering from cuts, scrapes, burns, or blemishes. Plus, men can use it as an aftershave. It costs £15, but since Arezoo has so many international clients, she's willing to ship any orders for a minimum charge of $5.

Tea Tree Oil Products, Part III: Hair Care

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:59:57 -0700

Welcome to my third and final post in this tea tree oil products series. Today I've picked out a few very special hair and scalp products containing tea tree oil that are designed to correct dry, itchy, flaky unbalanced scalps, as well as lackluster, brittle hair. If you have any favorites of your own, please leave a comment and let me know more about them!

Paul Mitchell has a whole range of tea tree products. One that I've specifically heard a great deal about is his Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment ($11.99). It has a great invigorating sensation and smell and is believed to soothe, calm and moisturize the texture of the skin on your scalp as well as condition, repair and protect your hair.

For two more tea tree oil products for your hair, read more

Kiehl's Tea Tree Oil Shampoo ($18) is recommended for those with normal to oily scalps. It helps soothe, stimulate, moisturize, nurture and condition the scalp. Simultaneously, it provides a gentle cleanse that won't strip your hair, so it's a good everyday shampoo.

Jason Natural Tea Tree Oil Hair & Scalp Normalizing Conditioner ($7.49) is a great product if you are looking to help cure an irritated scalp. Not only does it contain tea tree oil, but it's also got jojoba oil to lubricate and moisturize. Aloe vera gel and sea algae extract hydrate and plump up your hair fibers. For optimal results, use after shampooing with a tea tree oil shampoo, massage it into your hair and scalp, and leave it on anywhere from one to fifteen minutes.

Tea Tree Oil Products Part II: Body Care

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:00:11 -0700

Welcome back to my three-part series about tea tree oil products. Today I've chosen three sensational body care products that help to soothe, soften and treat the skin. I think once you start exploring this excellent essential oil you're going to find yourself constantly turning to it for beauty and health-related solutions.

Amber Products Co. Wax Cream ($13.95) is a gentle body wax that contains high amounts of tea tree oil to result in a creamier feel that leaves little residue on the skin. It's great for removing short, coarse hairs and is recommended for use at a medium to high temperature. It is available in 14 oz and 16 oz sizes.

For two more tea tree oil products for your body read more

Elemis Tea Tree S.O.S Spray ($35) is a great antiseptic that's effective in treating problematic skin. The simple spray formula can reach your back, leg, bum and feet easily. It's a great post-waxing spray because it not only prevents ingrown hairs, but it also keeps skin clean.

Tea Tree Oil Deodorant Stick by Queen Helene ($3.59) is a natural deodorant that helps neutralize unpleasant odors. Although it's gentle, it really does fight off bacteria as well as perspiration effectively.

Tea Tree Oil Products, Part I: Face Care

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:00:08 -0700

After learning about the many many first-aid and household uses for tea tree oil, I decided to do a little bit of research to see what kinds of beauty products exist with this ingredient. I found out that there are way too many to count, so I've decided to create a three-part series highlighting some of my favorite brands that use this fabulous essential oil in their hair, face and skin care products. I can't wait to hear what you think - and of course if you have any tea tree-infused products of your own to share, please leave a comment.

Liz Earle Spot On Roller Ball (around $15) is an amazing treatment for blemishes bites and cuts. It's made from pure tea tree oil, melissa and lavender (it's got that really strong tea tree oil smell). I've been using it for about a week now on my pimples and it's been extremely effective in fighting off bacteria.

I love the easy roller-ball application, and it doesn't sting like many other spot treatments often do. Unfortunately right now it's only available in the UK, but-shh!-there are tons of gray markets online that will deliver overseas.

For two more tea tree oil products for your skin, read more

Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Face Mask ($14) is a fantastic weekly treatment to help draw out impurities that reside on the surface of your skin. It refines skin, absorbs excess oil, and deep cleans. Plus it's got a great, natural and invigorating scent.

Aveda Tea Tree Oil ($12) is an amazing multi-purpose skin care product to have at home. It makes you feel exhilarated and revived and refreshed. This product is labeled as a natural fragrance, yet it is also extremely beneficial to use on your face after a shower to help ward off bacteria, fungi and blemishes as well as helping to purify oily skin. Once you try it, I know you'll love it!

Definition: Tea Tree Oil

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:00:52 -0700

Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil, an antiseptic, antibacterial, it fights off various fungi as well as many different types of germs. It is commonly referred to as Australian tea tree oil, and by it's latin name, Melaleuca alternifolia.

There is a multitude of first-aid and household uses for tea tree oils. Treatments include fighting athletes foot, fighting off cold and flu symptoms, oral thrush, cold sores, toothaches, gum infections, ringworm, head lice, nail infections, body odor, mosquito bites, cuts, abrasions, and sunburn. (Whew!) It can be used as a natural spot treatment for blemishes, which is why you'll see it in so many acne treatments.

As you can see, tea tree oil is a versatile healer as well as a soothing and effective disinfectant. It can reach the lower layers of skin and it promotes sweating. This is helpful when you body is trying to ward off infection. Stay tuned this week for my series on products containing tea tree oil!

Source

Defeat Poison Ivy With Tea Tea Oil

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

If you've ever had the misfortune of developing poison ivy rash after a hiking or camping trip, you know how positively awful that rash can be. As soon as you wash the oil from your skin, clothes and gear, you can strop worrying about the rash spreading over your body or giving it to anyone else. Just so you know, even the liquid that oozes out of the blisters isn't contagious.

So what can you do to deal with the itchy, bubbling rash that you do have? There are many topical creams like Calamine lotion that can put the itchiness at bay, but when it comes to poison ivy, the quicker it heals, the better.

I found that pure tea tree oil works really well. It's all natural, not that expensive, and easy to find at most health food stores.

Want to know how to use it, then read more

Wash the area thoroughly with mild soap and water first. Let the area dry completely and then sprinkle a few drops of the tea tree oil directly on the infected areas. Use a q-tip to spread it around. Apply twice a day, and you should see the blisters disappearing and the rash clearing up.

Tea tree oil has drying properties, that's why it's also used to treat acne. It also has antifungal properties, so it's also used to heal minor cuts and scrapes, athlete's foot, and yeast infections.

Fit's Tips: If you can't find tea tree oil at a store near you, order 1 oz of tea tree oil from webvitamins.com for $5.25. It's got a distinctive lemon mixed with cedar like scent and so many uses.

Source and www.poison-ivy.org