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At Home Spa Treatment: Papaya Mask

FitSugar — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

One great way to relax on the weekends is to pamper yourself with an at home spa treatment. Since alpha hydroxy is all the rage in skin care these days, why not use your own fruit to tap into the exfoliating powers of fruit acids? As my aesthetician says, "If you wouldn't want to eat it, don't put it on your face" since you can absorb chemicals through your skin.

Here is a natural facial mask featuring the tropical fruit power house: the papaya. The fruit enzymes found in papayas are know to aid and accelerate healing in skin disorders such as acne. In addition, the fruit enzymes gently exfoliate the skin. That is what I call a win/win situation.

What you need:

1 cup fresh pineapple
Half-a-cup fresh papaya
1 tablespoon honey

To see what you do, just read more

What you do:

Purée the fruit in a blender or food processor.
Add honey and blend until the mixture makes a smooth paste.
Apply mask to clean skin on your face and neck. Gently steaming your pores open before applying the mask will increase the benefits of it.
Leave mask on for 15 to 20 minutes. Recline and relax.
Rinse face and neck with warm water

If you are looking for more possible self spa ideas, check out their at home spa treatments and of course Bella has some great DIY Spa Treatments too!

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Do You Do At-Home Facials?

BellaSugarUK — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Regular facials, especially facial massages, are some of the best things you can do for your skin. Follow my easy tips for an at-home massage to stimulate and improve skin tone.

Facials can be so pricey and time-consuming, the at-home alternative is starting to become more appealing, although, I have to admit, I would much rather get a professional facial. How do you feel about at-home facials?

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A Quick Tip About Facial Massage, Part 2

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0700

For a relaxing, pampering facial massage – you don't need to trek to a spa. First, read part one of my easy tips, and then settle in for part 2.

Facial massage is a great way to stimulate the skin and get blood pumping to the face, as well as having a calming effect, so that your skin will glow with health.

Getting into a habit of giving yourself a facial massage, once a week, or even every time you put cream on your face, will make a real difference to your complexion – as well as helping to ward off signs of ageing and stress.

Just read more for how to do this at home:

First massage your forehead, nose and around the eyes, using a facial oil. See Facial Massage Part 1 for these simple tips.
Now, concentrate on your lips and chin. Use your index and middle fingers, and starting at the chin – gently massage in a circular and upward motion around the mouth and lips. Bring the tiny circular motions around the mouth, to the top of the lips, under the nostrils. Repeat a few times.
To firm the skin around the chin, start where the right jaw meets the ear. Gently grasp the skin, between your index and middle fingers, and 'walk' the length of your jaw, in a scissor-like motion.
Then, massage back to the starting point, using circular motions. Repeat a few times. This is especially good for men, as they often hold stress in their jaws.
Now concentrate on your cheeks. Start at the chin, and move upwards, across the cheeks, to the temples. Massage lightly with your middle and index fingers. When you reach the temples, massage in a circular motion four times. Repeat a few times.
Finally, begin at the back of the neck and massage upwards towards the head using small circular motions. Repeat three times.
With your fingers facing upwards, come round from the back of your head, to the front of your neck, massaging gently with the index, middle and ring fingers, of each hand.
Then, using the back of your hands, smooth upwards, from the collarbone, up the neck, to the chin. Gently pat under the chin, with the back of your hand, to encourage firmness in this area. Repeat a few times.

A Quick Tip About Facial Massage, Part 1

BellaSugarUK — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0700

The best part of any good facial is having a skincare professional smooth and massage your skin – for a firming, plumping and youth-enhancing effect.

To top up your regular facials, or if you don't have the time or money to get professional facial massages – try these top tips for at-home pampering:

First, choose a good facial oil. I like a diluted rose essential oil. For mature or prematurely aging skin, try Trilogy Rosehip Oil.
Apply the oil to a clean face. Use your index, middle and ring fingers to lightly stroke and massage the skin.
First, tap your eyebrows with your middle fingers, lightly at first, and then harder. Start at the very top of the nose, and tap outwards, over the brows and then in a circular motion, around the eyes, and across the top of the cheekbones, under the eyes – until you come back up to the bridge of your nose.
Repeat this a few times, and imagine that you are 'tapping away' any stress or worry.

Just read more for the rest of the easy how-to:

Then, starting at the bridge of the nose, use the middle fingers to smooth up and outwards, in arc motions – starting small and making the arcs get bigger as you move up to the top of the forehead.
Then, open your index and middle fingers into a V-shape. Place each ear in between the V of each hand, so that the index finger is behind the ear, and the middle finger is in front, by the face.
Press gently with both fingers, and then make small, circular motions with the middle fingers, on your temples. This is great for reducing tension headaches.
Next, work on your nose. Begin at the hollow of each eye, and smooth down the sides of the nose with your index fingers, one on either side. Repeat this five times.
Now starting at the top of the nose, lightly pinch down the bone, across the bridge, to the nostrils. Repeat a few times.

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Beauty Glossary: Ginger

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:00:00 -0700

No, I'm not talking about Geri Halliwell's formerly bright-red hair colour, but the well-known spice that originates from China, India, South East Asia, West Africa and the Caribbean. Ginger is often used in beauty products, partly because of it's distinctive spicy yet sweet aroma.

Ginger is generally famed for it's stimulating effects and is frequently a main ingredient in pick-me-up shower gels and body scrubs. Medicinally, ginger is used for helping colic in babies, dyspepsia and diarrhea, whilst it is also thought to lower cholesterol. Ginger is also excellent at treating nausea caused by seasickness and morning sickness. In addition, it is anecdotally said to be fantastic at clearing the head and reducing feelings of sickness when hungover.

Traditionally ginger was also renowned in the beauty world for it's muscle-relaxing properties. Recently it has started to become popular again in anti-ageing creams and is often combined with anti-oxidants and vitamins to create a cocktail of wrinkle-busting goodness. Garnier Ultralift Deep Wrinkle A, (£9.99), is one such product that includes ginger to help relax facial muscles and ward off wrinkles.

Ginger is also great for the skin as it boosts circulation, brightens the complexion and helps to prevent the growth of bacteria on your skin. It's a fantastic ingredient for making at-home scrubs or DIY facials too, as just a little grated ginger is all you need to see the benefits.

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Bellissima! Murad Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:00:24 -0700

This Murad Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit ($70) is a weekly treatment that helps fight sun damage, dehydration, dull skin and signs of aging. I think this is a really great, complete DIY kit that can improve the condition of your skin. Also, it so happens to fit in fabulously as an addition to last week's series on vitamin C beauty products!

The kit comes with enough product to last you for four weeks. And after each treatment, you should see a healthier, brighter and firmer complexion. Everything is made from pure vitamin C, retinyl palmitate (to help with increased skin cell regeneration) as well as glycerin and beta carotene (to condition skin).

Inside the kit you'll find:

Four Pure Vitamin C Treatment Powder Packets
Four Pure Vitamin C Treatment Gel Packets
Cellular Replenishing Serum
Mixing Tray
Fan Brush for easy and even application

Relax Already: Homemade Avocado Masque for Dry Skin

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:45:00 -0800

I am always looking for spa treatments I can do in my home with ingredients found readily in my fridge. After a day of harsh weather on the mountain skiing or sitting in an over heated office, it is a great idea to treat yourself to a moisturizing masque. Feed your skin and relax your mind at the same time.

Here is a great moisturizing masque made with just avocados and eggs, courtesy of the California Avocado Commission.

Beat the yolk of an egg until it is light and frothy.
Add the mashed pulp of half an avocado, mix well in a blender.
Cleanse your face thoroughly before using this masque (or any masque, for that matter).
Spread the avocado mixture over the face and neck evenly, and just lie down and relax about 20 minutes.
Remove with clear tepid water and a face cloth, followed by a rinse of cold water or a mild skin lotion.

You should see a marked improvement in skin texture, and might experience a deep craving for some guacamole.

Katie Has Expressive Fashion-Lovers in Both Suri and Tom

Molly — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:00:06 -0700

Katie Holmes and her mother Kathy brought Suri for an adventure at Quincy Market in Boston yesterday. Suri led the way as usual with her mom and grandmother trailing close behind. Suri looked absolutely thrilled by getting treated to ice cream - her facial expressions are too cute. She is quite the little lady in her long skirt, but she left the high heels at home instead opting for her leopard flats. Suri already has fans of her fashion and Katie opened up to Elle about who else is in charge of the family's style. She said about Tom, "He usually likes everything, but sometimes I'll walk out and he'll say, 'I think that dress might be wearing you. You don't need that.' Tom has great taste." Not a lot of women can get that sort of advice from their husband and it sounds like Katie appreciates that Tom can lend a helping hand in making sure she looks her best.

For more photos of Katie and Suri just read more.

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At Home Spa Treatment: Make Your Own Alpha Hydroxy

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:30:00 -0700

We all know by now that exfoliation is important for healthy skin and many folks use Alpha-hydroxy Acid (AHA) products, which are essentially fruit acids. These acids loosen the "glue" between dead skin cells so the cells fall away, leaving your face very smooth and soft.
Why not skip the middle man and the processing and go straight to the source? If you are looking to exfoliate you might not need to walk any further than your fridge for your next treatment.

Lemon juice, strawberries and grapes are common fruits with acids that can benefit your skin. Just applying a little of these on your skin every other evening can make your skin so much softer. Just dab some of the liquid on your face with your fingertips, let it set for ten minutes or so, then rinse with cool water. Don't forget to moisturize after you pat your face gently dry.

Remember, don't exfoliate in the morning since it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. And don't forget the sunscreen the next day and everyday for that matter.

Fit's tip: This is a great thing to do with fruit that looks just a little too funky to eat. When the grapes feel a bit soft, I just use 'em on my face.

Mad Men: This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:30:33 -0700

Far fewer feet were cut off in this week's episode of Mad Men, but there's still intense imagery. The way the episode kicks off, with a bloody Don, Peggy in bed, and Betty on a fainting couch, you know this installment, "Seven Twenty Three," is going to be explosive.

To talk about the episode and see my five maddest moments (spoilers ahead!), just read more.

The Flash Forwards: Peggy, Don, and Betty are all shown lying down somewhere in vastly different situations - clearly these are the three paramount plot lines for the episode. I have to say, I really liked the subtle drama of the flashes.
Old Yeller: What's with Don yelling at the women in his life? Peggy is the first victim of his wrath when she dares to ask for a spot on the Hilton account. Then he shouts at Betty at home for having an opinion about his contract. What crawled up his gray flannel suit?
Duck, Duck, Peggy: When I wondered how Duck Philips would turn up this season, I did not think it would be in bed with Peggy. Duck's seduction of Peggy really only seemed like it was to get her to Gray; I didn't see a sexual thing coming. I mean, his name is Duck. He's not exactly the smoldering Lothario that Don is. Listening to his dirty talk is weird - even though it's pretty clean, it still scandalized me. The two tense encounters Peggy has with the main men in her life - Pete and Don - seem to be what make her vulnerable enough to have a "go-round" (I know, what?!) with Duck, who's sort of the anti-Don (Très has even more questions about this one-night stand). P.S. I love that no one notices that Peggy comes to work the next day in the same outfit she wore the day before. Classic.
Burt Blackmails: Am I dense for just not caring that much about the Conrad Hilton account? It's kind of cool to see real-life people integrated into the storyline, but he only appears to be there to press the contract issue. Right when I was telling my TV, "We get it Don, you don't like to be tied down," little old Burt Cooper shows up in Don's office and makes a reference to his knowledge of Don's true identity. And by making a reference, I mean he blackmails Don into signing the three-year contract. Burt's play is the most interesting thing about the contract; I'm glad it's finally wrapped up.
Don and the Bad Scene: You know you're having a bad trip when your dead, abusive dad shows up, tells you hillbilly jokes, and insults you. From the flashes of Don bloody and face down in a motel room, you know Don's headed for trouble when he leaves the house. He really sticks his foot in it this time; somehow, taking two barbiturates washed down with whiskey while driving seems excessive, even for Don. Fine, Don: no one can control you. Getting punched in the back of the head and then robbed is what his flash built up to; is this some kind of a rock bottom, or is he still on the way down? (By the by, it's realistic by now, but the fact that there's no fallout with Betty when Don takes off, stays out all night, and comes back with a facial wound cracks me up.)

So do you think we're going to see more of this Don/Dick Jekyll and Hyde thing? I won't be surprised if we do; the first scene of this season recalled Don's beginnings as Dick. What else were you intrigued by? Betty's involvement with the politician? Miss Farrell's somewhat bizarre interaction with Don about hitting on her? To talk more about the show, join the Mad Men Group in the BuzzSugar community!

Photo courtesy of AMC